Wandering Eyes

Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson. Photo: Race Images South Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson will head south to Ashburton with a dozen runners on Thursday, including last start winner Adannaya, who is readying for a stakes assignment. The stakes performer has been freshened since her last start victory over 1200m at Wingatui in February and will kick-off her autumn preparation in the Greg Jones Memorial (1300m). The daughter of Niagara, who was runner-up in the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1200m) at Wingatui on Boxing, will be hoping to go one better when she lines-up in the Listed Daphne Bannam Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton later this month, and Robinson believes Thursday’s test will be the perfect lead-in race. “She has had a nice break since her last win and she is well-weighted (54kg) on Thursday. She will run well but the race will clean her up nicely for the 1400m Easter Stakes,” Robinson said. Robinson is also upbeat about the chances of stablemate Forever Babe, who takes three consecutive placings into the Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1400m). “Forever Babe has been running really well,” he said. “She is a very fast horse, but I just think 1400m around a corner will really suit her. She has a good draw (5) and should be hard to beat.” Three-year-old filly Written Off will be out to make the perfect start to her racing career when she makes her debut in the Supporting Kai For Kids (1200m). “Written Off is a first starter and has trialled up really nice,” Robinson said. “She had a couple of seconds at the trials. She will benefit with the experience, but she will run alright. She is a nice filly, I like her quite a bit.” Robinson is also looking forward to lining up Devil In Disguise in the Gilbert Butterick Memorial (2200m), Delphillius in the Wide Span Sheds (1200m), and In Awe in the Agraforum Growing Innovation (1600m). “Devil In Disguise has come through his last start really well,” he said. “He should have won his last start, he was a bit stiff, was held up at the wrong time and was late getting clear. He has done really well since then and I expect him to be pretty hard to beat. “Delphillius has done well since her last run and I think she has improved since then. Jasmine (Fawcett, jockey) takes the ride again and knows her well. She liked the run last start so hopefully she should run well. “In Awe ran fifth the other day fresh-up. He has a good draw (2) and will run well.” Horse racing news View the full article

Town Cryer (inside) could be in for a lucrative spring campaign. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North Town Cryer has enjoyed a standout season for trainer Roydon Bergerson and is now enjoying some well-deserved time in the paddock ahead of what could be a lucrative spring campaign. The six-year-old daughter kicked off the season in emphatic style when downing Group 1 winner Prowess to win the Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and in February added the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) to her stakes haul. She followed that victory up with two runner-up results at Ellerslie, including last month’s inaugural $350,000 Rangitoto Classic (1500m) and last Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), bringing her season earnings to $277,850. Bergerson was rapt to get the Group 1 placing with his mare and is hoping to go one better in some elite-level targets in the spring. “I am very happy with her, she just got beaten by a better horse (Belclare) on the day,” he said. “It is great for the owners, I am really happy for them. She is a lovely mare to get to train for them. “She has gone to the paddock today. We could have gone to the Travis (Group 2, 2000m) or the Easter Handicap (Group 3, 1600m), but I thought it was better to get her out now while the weather is still good and bring her in before it gets too cold, and hopefully aim her at the (Hawke’s Bay) Spring Carnival, she has proven that she can race at weight-for-age. “The beauty with her is that it doesn’t matter if it is hard-and-fast or heavy. She has won on them all. She is a tough, versatile mare. Hopefully there is a bit of rain to slow some of the others down.” While he is looking forward to the spring with Town Cryer, Bergerson’s immediate focus is racing at Wanganui and Trentham later this week. The Awapuni conditioner will take two horses to Wanganui’s Friday meeting, with Nadheema lining up in the Maiden 1200m, while Asahi will contest the Rating 65 1600m. “Nadheema trialled up really well the other day,” Bergerson said. “I see the horse (Chester Boy) that beat her won the other day, and the horse (Good Craic) that ran third behind her ran second the other day. She has worked on nicely and I am happy with the way she looks. It is not an overly big field so she will get her chance. “Asahi was very good at Wellington. I think he is a very good top-two chance. His work this morning was fantastic, so I am looking forward to getting him to the races.” Looking ahead to Trentham on Saturday, six-win gelding Bradman will contest the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m), while Charlotte’s Way will line-up in the Rating 75 1200m. “I just hope they run along for him (Bradman),” Bergerson said. “He is better if the pace is on, he always seems to find the line better when the race is run genuinely quick. If it is run slowly then he gets into trouble and starts to over-race. His racing manners have been better this year than they have any other year. I am really happy with him, he has trained on really well and he likes Wellington, so he should be hitting the line strongly. “Charlotte’s Way has been a hard horse to place. She likes to run around the bend but there have been no 1200m races for about five or six weeks and there isn’t another one for another couple. We thought we would attack the money, see if she can get up on the speed and stay out of trouble. She is not a very big mare, and she panics in her races, so we will press forward. “Wiremu (Pinn) is riding them both and he is a good jockey, I am happy to have him on.” Meanwhile, Bergerson was pleased with La Bella Grande’s trial over 1200m at Foxton on Tuesday and is eyeing some stakes targets over autumn for the Little Avondale Stud-bred and raced mare. “La Bella Grande is a really nice mare going forward,” he said. “She is 17 hands and has just taken a while to grow into herself. “She was very disappointing in her last start at Te Rapa. We threw the ball at the stumps and we missed. She jarred up really bad, so we put her straight in the paddock and she went and did a bit of pre-training down at (Chris) Rutten’s and she has come back in magnificent order. “I am really happy with the way she trialled today. She is coming up nicely for the autumn. “We will have to chase a bit of black-type with her, I think she is up to it. She is a beautiful mare and she is just starting to learn the game. She used to be really quirky and was hard to control, but now she is taking it all in her stride.” Horse racing news View the full article

Ruakaka trainer Michelle Bradley. Photo: Trish Dunell No Plan Be will bid to continue a proud family record at Ruakaka when she resumes on her home course on Wednesday. The four-year-old has been patiently handled by trainer Michelle Bradley and will run in the Croft Poles Maiden (1600m) with Kelly Myers booked to guide her fortunes from a handy barrier (six). By Tarzino, No Plan Be is a daughter of the Darci Brahma mare Candle In The Wind who was a seven-time winner, with five of her victories posted at Ruakaka where she was prepared by Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs. She also showed her quality when successful in the Karaka Stayers’ Cup (2200m) and finished runner-up in her farewell performance in the Group 3 City of Auckland Cup (2400m). No Plan Be is her first foal to race and she has produced encouraging runs for fifth in both of her appearances. “She has improved and it took us a little while to work her out,” Bradley said. “She flew home in her first start at Pukekohe and then we raced her here and she hit a flat spot. She’s not a big filly and I turned her out after that and she had a month off. “She’s straight into a mile again and she looks great, I’ve been pretty happy with her work.” No Plan Be will be one of a quartet of runners for Bradley with Haller and Mondavi to make their debuts while Shockatillatap returns from a break. Haller will kick off his career in the Ruakaka Races – NZ’s Best Bet In Winter Maiden (1600m) with Matthew Cameron to partner the son of Satono Aladdin, whose family is also well known to Bradley. “He is a half-brother to Bosch (two wins) and Top Brass (six wins) and early on he looked like he might be a sprinting type, but he’s changed in shape and body style and showing me signs he’ll be more of a staying type like Bosch,” she said. “I’ve put him in at the deep end a little bit. I did have him in the 1400m but will start him over a mile fresh-up and he’s done well.” Mondavi is a newcomer to the stable and will make her first appearance in the Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m) with Vinie Colgan in the saddle. “She came to me this preparation and I haven’t trialled her, but she did have two trials previously,” Bradley said. “I’m still learning about her so it will be interesting to see how she goes. She’s a work in progress and you have to start somewhere.” Shockatillatap will benefit from his outing in the Whangarei ITM Handicap (1200m), in which he’ll be ridden by Cameron, and may be seen in a new role this preparation. “He’s going to need the run and we have talked about jumping him and we may still do that,” Bradley said. Meanwhile, promising four-year-old Dame Lilibic was spelled following her impressive premier victory at Ellerslie last month and her third success from 12 starts. “I was absolutely thrilled with that win she got a virus so she’s in the paddock,” Bradley said. “She’ll have a decent break now and will come back when the weather really starts to turn nasty. “She’ll probably have her first run back here in September and she’s an exciting mare.” Horse racing news View the full article

The Lindsay Park team of Ben Will and JD Hayes will press ahead with plans to head to Sydney with Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) for The Championships. After winning the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile in 2022 and again last year, Mr Brightside is being aimed at the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday week. Mr Bightside pulled up a little sore in the right foreleg and needs a veterinary clearance after finishing fifth in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington last Saturday before starting. J D Hayes said Mr Brightside had ‘pulled up within normal limits’, doing some work on Monday. “He pulled up a little stiff and sore, as you do after a football game, or in this case a hard 2000-metre run like that,” Hayes told RSN. “He was under saddle this morning and looked great, so it all system go to the Queen Elizabeth.” Hayes said Mr Brightside would be ridden differently in the Queen Elizabeth with Pride Of Jenni again being in the race. He said Pride Of Jenni (Pride of Dubai) was an amazing horse, a modern-day Vo Rogue (Ivor Prince). “It was a proper run 2000 metres and what we have taken out of it is that we can absorb those hard run tempos at 1400 and the mile,” Hayes said. “But at 2000 metres we probably need to ride him a bit more conservatively and hit the line and we’ll be going to the Queen Elizabeth with that approach. “The heavy ground, that it looks like it will be on the weekend, hopefully stays around next week. “He loves the sting out, so hopefully that will be another tick in his corner. “In the last two years our trips to Sydney have been successful and hopefully it will be this time.” Mr Brightside has been entered for two races in Hong Kong later in the month, but Hayes has all but ruled out the gelding making the trip. “We’ll get through the Queen Elizabeth first, but it is looking unlikely,” he said. View the full article

NZB’s 2024 National Online Yearling Sale is now live, with the quality 100-lot catalogue available to view on Gavelhouse Plus. For the fourth year, the digital edition to NZB’s National Yearling Sales Series is set to be conducted on the premium online platform Gavelhouse Plus with bidding closing on Wednesday 17 April from 6pm (NZT). All unbroken yearlings purchased from the National Online Yearling Sale are eligible to be nominated for NZB’s lucrative Karaka Millions Series. Just nine short months after they make their virtual sale-ring debut, graduates of the online sale can compete for a share of the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), followed by the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) plus a $200,000 bonus for New Owners. “This is the last chance to enter horses in the $2.9m Karaka Millions Series,” commented NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook. “And with the two-year-old race only nine months later, the Online Sale presents buyers with a distinct advantage.” Renowned vendors from across New Zealand are supporting the Sale, with a contingent of 46 proven, emerging, and first-season sires offered. The quality line-up includes progeny by heavyweights Almanzor, Contributer, Ocean Park,Shocking and Written Tycoon. The best of New Zealand’s emerging sire talent is also represented, with yearlings by Ace High, U S Navy Flag, Satono Aladdin, Super Seth and War Decree, to name a few. Buyers will also get the opportunity to secure lots from the first crops of Hello Youmzain, Ancient Spirit, Circus Maximus, Tagaloa and King’s Legacy. Bidding will run for a five-day period, commencing Friday 12 April with the first lot closing on Wednesday 17 April at 6pm (NZT). Buyers must register on Gavelhouse Plus in advance in order to gain bidding approval. Buyers are also welcome to join the on-farm parades prior to the Sale, with the schedule available to view online HERE. View the full article

Town Cryer (NZ) (Tavistock) has enjoyed a standout season for trainer Roydon Bergerson and is now enjoying some well-deserved time in the paddock ahead of what could be a lucrative spring campaign. The six-year-old daughter of Tavistock kicked off the season in emphatic style when downing Group One winner Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) to win the Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and in February added the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) to her stakes haul. She followed that victory up with two runner-up results at Ellerslie, including last month’s inaugural $350,000 Rangitoto Classic (1500m) and last Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), bringing her season earnings to $277,850. Bergerson was rapt to get the Group One placing with his mare and is hoping to go one better in some elite-level targets in the spring. “I am very happy with her, she just got beaten by a better horse (Belclare) on the day,” he said. “It is great for the owners, I am really happy for them. She is a lovely mare to get to train for them. “She has gone to the paddock today. We could have gone to the Travis (Gr.2, 2000m) or the Easter Handicap (Gr.3, 1600m), but I thought it was better to get her out now while the weather is still good and bring her in before it gets too cold, and hopefully aim her at the (Hawke’s Bay) Spring Carnival, she has proven that she can race at weight-for-age. “The beauty with her is that it doesn’t matter if it is hard-and-fast or heavy. She has won on them all. She is a tough, versatile mare. Hopefully there is a bit of rain to slow some of the others down.” While he is looking forward to the spring with Town Cryer, Bergerson’s immediate focus is racing at Wanganui and Trentham later this week. The Awapuni conditioner will take two horses to Wanganui’s Friday meeting, with Nadheema (NZ) (Nadeem) lining up in the Maiden 1200m, while Asahi (NZ) (Savabeel) will contest the Rating 65 1600m. “Nadheema trialled up really well the other day,” Bergerson said. “I see the horse (Chester Boy) that beat her won the other day, and the horse (Good Craic) that ran third behind her ran second the other day. She has worked on nicely and I am happy with the way she looks. It is not an overly big field so she will get her chance. “Asahi was very good at Wellington. I think he is a very good top-two chance. His work this morning was fantastic, so I am looking forward to getting him to the races.” Looking ahead to Trentham on Saturday, six-win gelding Bradman (NZ) (Pins) will contest the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m), while Charlotte’s Way (NZ) (Pentire) will line-up in the Rating 75 1200m. “I just hope they run along for him (Bradman),” Bergerson said. “He is better if the pace is on, he always seems to find the line better when the race is run genuinely quick. If it is run slowly then he gets into trouble and starts to over-race. His racing manners have been better this year than they have any other year. I am really happy with him, he has trained on really well and he likes Wellington, so he should be hitting the line strongly. “Charlotte’s Way has been a hard horse to place. She likes to run around the bend but there have been no 1200m races for about five or six weeks and there isn’t another one for another couple. We thought we would attack the money, see if she can get up on the speed and stay out of trouble. She is not a very big mare, and she panics in her races, so we will press forward. “Wiremu (Pinn) is riding them both and he is a good jockey, I am happy to have him on.” Meanwhile, Bergerson was pleased with La Bella Grande’s (NZ) (Per Incanto) trial over 1200m at Foxton on Tuesday and is eyeing some stakes targets over autumn for the Little Avondale Stud-bred and raced mare. “La Bella Grande is a really nice mare going forward,” he said. “She is 17 hands and has just taken a while to grow into herself. “She was very disappointing in her last start at Te Rapa. We threw the ball at the stumps and we missed. She jarred up really bad, so we put her straight in the paddock and she went and did a bit of pre-training down at (Chris) Rutten’s and she has come back in magnificent order. “I am really happy with the way she trialled today. She is coming up nicely for the autumn. “We will have to chase a bit of black-type with her, I think she is up to it. She is a beautiful mare and she is just starting to learn the game. She used to be really quirky and was hard to control, but now she is taking it all in her stride.” View the full article

Group One-winning trainer Cydne Evans recorded her first win since moving to Waverley three years ago when Stringline (NZ) (Alamosa) took out the Riverstone Café Handicap (2100m) at Otaki on Monday in the hands of Kozzi Asano. It was the six-year-old mare’s fifth start for Evans, who was relatively confident heading into the meeting after the daughter of Alamosa had finished runner-up on the Horowhenua track over a similar distance in her previous raceday outing. “I haven’t had her that long, and she hadn’t been a good eater, but since she ran second, she has been licking the bowl clean and has become a happy horse again,” Evans said. “I was going into it pretty confident.” Stringline jumped well and was sent straight to the front by Asano, and the pair quickly opened up several lengths on their rivals. Asano maintained a solid tempo throughout and the pair sustained their advantage until they were regathered by the pack at the 600m mark. Asano pressed the go button at the top of the straight and his charge answered once more, running clear to score a 1-1/2 length victory. “She had a good draw and everything played into her favour,” Evans said. “It was good to see her come back to some form for the owners.” While Stringline has been in her care since December, Evans said the mare wasn’t new to her, having worked with her as a juvenile at her former Byerley Park base, and is pleased to get a win on the board with the mare as an older horse. Evans has been pleased with the way Stringline has come through the race and said she might back-up at Trentham’s upcoming Saturday meeting. “She ate up last (Monday) night and she has turned the corner. She is a happy horse I think,” Evans said. “I have put a cheeky nomination for Trentham, but I don’t know if I will run yet because I will see how she goes in the next couple of days. There is a good stake there, so you have to look where the money is. “We will just keep her happy and if we don’t run there then I will find another staying race. She won’t go on the heavy stuff in the middle of winter, but she will handle a bit of cut in the ground, so we will play around for a little bit longer.” Stringline brought up Evans’ 66th training victory and first in six years, with a number of life events forcing Evans to reevaluate life, culminating in the decision to downsize her training operation and move to Waverley to follow a different career path. “I have been an Aucklander all my life and I moved down here (Waverley) three years ago,” she said. “I got pretty disillusioned, and I was getting average horses and there wasn’t any money in the game. I also lost my partner to cancer. It all snowballed and I decided I had enough. “I sold my place up in Auckland and had been looking for a farm for a while down the line and this place came on the market and I now rear calves.” While her new career is keeping her busy, Evans said her enthusiasm for racing has reignited and she is enjoying training a small team of horses from her new base. “I have a couple of handy horses around me, which is getting me enthused again. I just want to play around with a few, it keeps me happy,” she said. It continues a three-decade long training career for Evans, who first fell in love with the sport through attending race meetings at Ellerslie with her father. “My Dad was an apprentice jockey, but not for long as he got too big,” she said. “I used to love going to Ellerslie with him as a little kid. I wanted to be a jockey, but he didn’t want his daughter to be in the racing game back then, so I moved into the stud side of things and worked for Charlie Roberts and Don McLaren. “Dad passed on and then I took out a trainer’s license and it has gone from there.” Evans has now posted 66 wins, including two at stakes level courtesy of her former star stayer Cyclades (NZ) (Alleged Dash), who won nine races, including the Gr.1 Wellington Cup (3200m) and Gr.2 Queen Elizabeth Handicap (2400m), and was runner-up in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m). “We had quite a ride with him,” Evans said. “We went to the Melbourne Cup (Gr.1, 3200m), we didn’t go any good but we made the field. “It was something you put on your bucket list. He started on the Saturday and just suffered from heat stress after the race. We had to undergo vigorous vet tests to run in the Cup, but unfortunately I think that Saturday took the edge off him, so he just participated pretty much on the Tuesday. But it was a big thrill to be part of it all. “The crowd was amazing, you had to fight your way to get down to the tie-ups and back. It was quite incredible.” View the full article

No Plan Be (NZ) (Tarzino) will bid to continue a proud family record at Ruakaka when she resumes on her home course on Wednesday. The four-year-old has been patiently handled by trainer Michelle Bradley and will run in the Croft Poles Maiden (1600m) with Kelly Myers booked to guide her fortunes from a handy barrier (six). By Tarzino, No Plan Be is a daughter of the Darci Brahma mare Candle In The Wind (NZ) who was a seven-time winner, with five of her victories posted at Ruakaka where she was prepared by Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs. She also showed her quality when successful in the Karaka Stayers’ Cup (2200m) and finished runner-up in her farewell performance in the Gr.3 City of Auckland Cup (2400m). No Plan Be is her first foal to race and she has produced encouraging runs for fifth in both of her appearances. “She has improved and it took us a little while to work her out,” Bradley said. “She flew home in her first start at Pukekohe and then we raced her here and she hit a flat spot. She’s not a big filly and I turned her out after that and she had a month off. “She’s straight into a mile again and she looks great, I’ve been pretty happy with her work.” No Plan Be will be one of a quartet of runners for Bradley with Haller (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) and Mondavi (NZ) (Dissident) to make their debuts while Shockatillatap (NZ) (Shocking) returns from a break. Haller will kick off his career in the Ruakaka Races – NZ’s Best Bet In Winter Maiden (1600m) with Matthew Cameron to partner the son of Satono Aladdin, whose family is also well known to Bradley. “He is a half-brother to Bosch (two wins) and Top Brass (six wins) and early on he looked like he might be a sprinting type, but he’s changed in shape and body style and showing me signs he’ll be more of a staying type like Bosch,” she said. “I’ve put him in at the deep end a little bit. I did have him in the 1400m but will start him over a mile fresh-up and he’s done well.” Mondavi is a newcomer to the stable and will make her first appearance in the Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m) with Vinie Colgan in the saddle. “She came to me this preparation and I haven’t trialled her, but she did have two trials previously,” Bradley said. “I’m still learning about her so it will be interesting to see how she goes. She’s a work in progress and you have to start somewhere.” Shockatillatap will benefit from his outing in the Whangarei ITM Handicap (1200m), in which he’ll be ridden by Cameron, and may be seen in a new role this preparation. “He’s going to need the run and we have talked about jumping him and we may still do that,” Bradley said. Meanwhile, promising four-year-old Dame Lilibic (Rubick) was spelled following her impressive premier victory at Ellerslie last month and her third success from 12 starts. “I was absolutely thrilled with that win she got a virus so she’s in the paddock,” Bradley said. “She’ll have a decent break now and will come back when the weather really starts to turn nasty. “She’ll probably have her first run back here in September and she’s an exciting mare.” View the full article

Stringline winning at Otaki on Monday. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North Group 1-winning trainer Cydne Evans recorded her first win since moving to Waverley three years ago when Stringline took out the Riverstone Café Handicap (2100m) at Otaki on Monday in the hands of Kozzi Asano. It was the six-year-old mare’s fifth start for Evans, who was relatively confident heading into the meeting after the daughter of Alamosa had finished runner-up on the Horowhenua track over a similar distance in her previous raceday outing. “I haven’t had her that long, and she hadn’t been a good eater, but since she ran second, she has been licking the bowl clean and has become a happy horse again,” Evans said. “I was going into it pretty confident.” Stringline jumped well and was sent straight to the front by Asano, and the pair quickly opened up several lengths on their rivals. Asano maintained a solid tempo throughout and the pair sustained their advantage until they were regathered by the pack at the 600m mark. Asano pressed the go button at the top of the straight and his charge answered once more, running clear to score a 1-1/2 length victory. “She had a good draw and everything played into her favour,” Evans said. “It was good to see her come back to some form for the owners.” While Stringline has been in her care since December, Evans said the mare wasn’t new to her, having worked with her as a juvenile at her former Byerley Park base, and is pleased to get a win on the board with the mare as an older horse. Evans has been pleased with the way Stringline has come through the race and said she might back-up at Trentham’s upcoming Saturday meeting. “She ate up last (Monday) night and she has turned the corner. She is a happy horse I think,” Evans said. “I have put a cheeky nomination for Trentham, but I don’t know if I will run yet because I will see how she goes in the next couple of days. There is a good stake there, so you have to look where the money is. “We will just keep her happy and if we don’t run there then I will find another staying race. She won’t go on the heavy stuff in the middle of winter, but she will handle a bit of cut in the ground, so we will play around for a little bit longer.” Stringline brought up Evans’ 66th training victory and first in six years, with a number of life events forcing Evans to re-evaluate life, culminating in the decision to downsize her training operation and move to Waverley to follow a different career path. “I have been an Aucklander all my life and I moved down here (Waverley) three years ago,” she said. “I got pretty disillusioned, and I was getting average horses and there wasn’t any money in the game. I also lost my partner to cancer. It all snowballed and I decided I had enough. “I sold my place up in Auckland and had been looking for a farm for a while down the line and this place came on the market and I now rear calves.” While her new career is keeping her busy, Evans said her enthusiasm for racing has reignited and she is enjoying training a small team of horses from her new base. “I have a couple of handy horses around me, which is getting me enthused again. I just want to play around with a few, it keeps me happy,” she said. It continues a three-decade long training career for Evans, who first fell in love with the sport through attending race meetings at Ellerslie with her father. “My Dad was an apprentice jockey, but not for long as he got too big,” she said. “I used to love going to Ellerslie with him as a little kid. I wanted to be a jockey, but he didn’t want his daughter to be in the racing game back then, so I moved into the stud side of things and worked for Charlie Roberts and Don McLaren. “Dad passed on and then I took out a trainer’s license and it has gone from there.” Evans has now posted 66 wins, including two at stakes level courtesy of her former star stayer Cyclades, who won nine races, including the Group 1 Wellington Cup (3200m) and Group 2 Queen Elizabeth Handicap (2400m), and was runner-up in the Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m). “We had quite a ride with him,” Evans said. “We went to the Melbourne Cup (Group 1, 3200m), we didn’t go any good but we made the field. “It was something you put on your bucket list. He started on the Saturday and just suffered from heat stress after the race. We had to undergo vigorous vet tests to run in the Cup, but unfortunately I think that Saturday took the edge off him, so he just participated pretty much on the Tuesday. But it was a big thrill to be part of it all. “The crowd was amazing, you had to fight your way to get down to the tie-ups and back. It was quite incredible.” Horse racing news View the full article

The stage is set for a thrilling 2024 Doncaster Mile this Saturday as Royal Randwick kicks off the prestigious “The Championships.” Doncaster Prelude 2024 winner Another Wil is out to be the first to back-up and win the Group 1 Doncaster Mile in the same year. Photo: Steve Hart. The $4 million Group 1 race (1600m) promises an exciting clash of established stars and rising talents. Ciaron Maher‘s Another Wil sits atop the pecking order at $4 through Ladbrokes. The in-form Street Boss gelding is riding a four-race winning streak, culminating in his dominant 2.25-length victory in last weekend’s Doncaster Prelude (1500m) at Rosehill. He steps up in class here but carries a lighter weight (50kg) with Jamie Kah retaining the ride. Drawn barrier 21 (potentially 17 with emergencies out), Another Wil aims for a historic feat – becoming the first horse to win both the Doncaster Prelude and Mile in the same year. Several contenders look to challenge Another Wil. Les Bridge‘s Celestial Legend ($5.50) seeks to become the first three-year-old winner since Brutal in 2019. Fresh off consecutive victories in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) and Randwick Guineas (1600m), he drops significantly in weight (from 56.5kg to 49kg) and is a major threat. Chris Waller also boasts a strong hand with five runners and an emergency, including the talented three-time Group 1 winning colt Militarize ($10) who boasts a formidable record at Randwick. He finished a close third in the George Ryder Stakes last start and has a great chance in gate four with Zac Purton aboard. Waller’s recent Sky High Stakes winner Lindermann ($15) is another to consider, while Zougotcha ($17), fresh off her Coolmore Classic victory, shouldn’t be overlooked. Japanese raider Obamburumai ($8.50), last year’s The Golden Eagle winner, brings international flair to the race. Finally, don’t discount Lady Laguna ($13) trained by Annabel Neasham. This mare is in peak form and boasts victories in the Canterbury Stakes and a narrow runner-up finish in the George Ryder Stakes. Witness history in the making! The 2024 Doncaster Mile goes down at Royal Randwick on Saturday. 2024 Doncaster Mile Field No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 111x113x25 THINK ABOUT IT Joseph Pride Sam Clipperton 15 57kg 115 2 117x13x1x OBAMBURUMAI (JPN) Keiji Yoshimura Damian Lane 8 55kg 111 3 x1132x6257 PERICLES James Cummings Blake Shinn 16 54.5kg 108 4 1x5158x223 MILITARIZE (NZ) Chris Waller Zac Purton 4 54kg 110 5 419x646x11 ZOUGOTCHA Chris Waller Craig Williams 19 53.5kg 2.0kg 112 6 901393×784 GOLDEN MILE James Cummings Jason Collett 1 53.5kg 107 7 31x9250x40 KOVALICA (NZ) Chris Waller Tommy Berry 12 53.5kg 107 8 x4372317x3 DETONATOR JACK (NZ) Ciaron Maher Tim Clark 2 52.5kg 107 9 64x11356x5 BERKSHIRE SHADOW (GB) Ciaron Maher Declan Bates 13 52.5kg 106 10 10x7538x16 RUSTIC STEEL Kris Lees Tom Sherry 7 52kg 1.0kg 107 11 141x412x80 ATTRACTABLE Sara Ryan Reece Jones 5 51.5kg 104 12 23×2111212 LADY LAGUNA Annabel Neasham Michael Dee 10 51kg 115 13 1x01544x61 DEMOCRACY MANIFEST Chris Waller Jay Ford 11 51kg 107 14 2x02310x10 PHEARSON Brad Widdup 24 51kg 1.0kg 104 15 x993121860 LOCH EAGLE Kris Lees Dylan Gibbons (a) 23 51kg 102 16 0x0488x631 LINDERMANN Chris Waller Zac Lloyd (a) 22 50.5kg 110 17 21215×2112 SEMANA Ciaron Maher Andrew Adkins 17 50kg 107 18 213×1111 ANOTHER WIL Ciaron Maher Ms Jamie Kah 21 50kg 102 19 21x25x511 CELESTIAL LEGEND Les Bridge Tyler Schiller 6 49kg 110 20 1129×221 SOUTHPORT TYCOON Ciaron Maher Ms Rachel King 20 49kg 108 21e 553x404x73 NUGGET (GB) Ciaron Maher 9 51.5kg 104 22e x40786x255 HINGED Chris Waller 14 50kg 103 23e 2x0180x470 NAVAJO PEAK David Payne 18 52.5kg 103 24e x726177x30 PALMETTO (NZ) John Sargent Ms Molly Bourke (a) 3 51kg 102 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Doncaster Mile 2024 Field: Another Wil Aims for Historic Double appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

What Doomben Races Where Doomben Racecourse – 75 Hampden St, Ascot QLD 4007 When Wednesday, April 2, 2024 First Race 11:52am AEST Visit Dabble Brisbane’s Doomben Racecourse will host a massive 10-race card this Wednesday afternoon, with several runners taking their place in rescheduled races that were abandoned last Saturday. The track was rated a Soft 7 at the time of acceptances, and with rain forecast to fall during the meeting, the surface is expected to stay in the Soft range. The rail will be pushed out to the +8m position for the entire circuit, with racing set to kick off at 11:52am AEST. Best Bet at Doomben: Transatlantic Transatlantic was a dominant winner over 1500m last start, when the Tony Gollan-trained colt settled on speed before careering away with a 3.3-length victory over Side Show at Eagle Farm. Angela Jones gave this son of Snitzel a peach of a ride that day, and she will reconnect with the galloper as he steps up to 1650m for the first time. From barrier five, Jones should be able to push forward and replicate her previous ride, and if Transatlantic shows the same turn of foot late, he will be winning again. Best Bet Race 2 – #1 Transatlantic (5) 3yo Colt | T: Tony Gollan | J: Angela Jones (60kg) Bet with PlayUp Next Best at Doomben: Pole Position After finishing third behind En Pointe on his Queensland debut at this track and trip on March 13, Pole Position steps back in grade as he seeks his first victory in the Sunshine State. With a solid second-up record (4:1-1-1), the son of Astern will appreciate Marnu Potgeiter’s 3kg claim and a softer track. From barrier six, Potgieter can settle this guy behind the speed in the one-one position and make his move around the home turn. Next Best Race 10 – #2 Pole Position (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Marnu Potgieter (a3) (61.5kg) Bet with Neds Best Value at Doomben: Polarising Polarising took care of her maiden two starts back with a strong win at the Sunshine Coast before going down in a photo finish at Grafton over 1175m. There appears to be a lot of speed in this 1100m contest, so expect Boris Thornton to push forward and settle behind the speed from barrier three. If the leaders go too quick, Polarising can peel off their backs and run over the top of them late. Best Value Race 5 – #11 Polarising (3) 4yo Mare | T: Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted | J: Boris Thornton (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Wednesday quaddie tips for Doomben races Doomben quadrella selections Wednesday, April 2, 2024 1-4-7-8-13 1-2-4-6-7-10 1-2-3-6 2-5 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Superstar’s regular rider makes a case for the gelding to continue his brilliant career after Champions DayView the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Wednesday, April 3, 2024 First Race 7:15pm HKT (10:15pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin on Wednesday evening for a rare all-weather meeting. The rail is in the true position throughout the circuit, and with consistent rain forecast, watch for jockeys to swing their mounts wider off the inside rail when turning for home to avoid kick-back. The first of eight races is set to get underway at 7:15pm HKT time. Best Bet: Gummy Gummy Gummy Gummy should relish the opportunity to get back to his favoured all-weather circuit. The son of Snitzel has been far from disgraced in his two most recent attempts on the Sha Tin and Happy Valley turf tracks; however, his latest placing came at this course and distance on February 4 when beaten less than a half-length by Bundle Of Charm. He boasts two wins at the track and trip, and with Zac Purton back in the saddle, expect him to claim career win number four. Best Bet Race 5 – #5 Gummy Gummy (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Benno Yung | J: Zac Purton (56.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best: Hinokami Kagura Hinokami Kagura was awful in his first two Hong Kong starts before being tried on the all-weather circuit. It has seemingly unlocked the best of this Jamie Richards-trained gelding, who went close to claiming victory on February 18. He gets the services of Zac Purton for the first time, and with a genuine tempo expected throughout this 1200m contest, watch for Hinokami Kagura to be careering down the centre of the course late. Next Best Race 3 – #10 Hinokami Kagura (7) 3yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: Zac Purton (56kg) Bet with Unibet Best Value: Victory Moments Victory Moments won two starts back at this course and distance, and although he then suffered defeat at the hands of Sing Dragon, he can turn the tables in this 1200m affair. He gets a significant swing in the weights this time, and with a stronger tempo likely to be generated by the likes of Campione and Self Improvement, the son of Speith should get the last look at his rivals when the whips are cracking. Best Value Race 6 – #2 Victory Moments (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Frankie Lor | J: Matthew Chadwick (58.5kg) Bet with Neds Hong Kong quaddie tips – Wednesday 3/4/2024 Sha Tin quadrella selections Wednesday, April 3, 2024 5-6-8 1-2-5 1-2-5-6-9-10-11 1-2-3-4-13 Horse racing tips
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What Newcastle Races Where Newcastle Racecourse – 100 Darling St, Broadmeadow NSW 2292 When Wednesday, April 3, 2024 First Race 1:45pm AEDT Visit Dabble The $150,000 Provincial-Midway Championships Wildcard (1400m) headlines a bumper eight-race program at Newcastle on Wednesday afternoon, offering one last chance to secure entry into the final at Randwick on April 13. The rail moves out +6m for the entire circuit, and with only minor showers predicted in the lead-up, the current Good 4 rating is expected to hold up. The opening race is scheduled to get underway at 1:45pm local time. Provincial-Midway Championships Wildcard: Ang Pow Ang Pow is ready to peak in his first look at 1400m this campaign and offers a great each-way price with online bookmakers. The son of Flying Artie was impressive last time out when chasing home Shadows Of Love at Gosford on March 16, and he should’ve finished much closer than 1.8-length margin may suggest. He will need to make plenty of inroads from barrier 13, but with his stunning turn of foot over this trip, Ang Pow should be right in this. Provincial-Midway Championships Wildcard Race 7 – #1 Ang Pow (13) 5yo Gelding | T: Richard & Will Freedman | J: Keagan Latham (59kg) +1300 with Bet365 Best Bet at Newcastle: Duke Of Bronte Duke Of Bronte resumes after 151 days off the scene and should be ultra-competitive in this maiden contest. He led all the way in both of his recent barrier trials, the latest being a 1.4-length romp at Warwick Farm on March 26. The 4kg claim of apprentice jockey Leeshelle Small only benefits this son of Capitalist, and with barrier one to help him on his way, watch for Duke Of Bronte to make every post a winner. Best Bet Race 1 – #1 Duke Of Bronte (1) 3YOG | T: Joseph Pride | J: Leeshelle Small (a4kg) (58kg) +145 with PlayUp Next Best at Newcastle: Rantan Rantan couldn’t have been more impressive when bounding away from her rivals in a Randwick jump-out on March 22, showing she could have serious ability. She rounded up her opposition when barely asked for an effort and seemed to have plenty in hand through the wire. If Ron Quinton’s debutant can bring her trial form to race-day conditions, she must be considered the one to beat. Next Best Race 2 – #7 Rantan (6) 2YOF | T: Ron Quinton | J: Tim Clark (56kg) -105.26 with Neds Wednesday quaddie tips for Newcastle races – 3/4/2024 Newcastle quadrella selections Wednesday, April 3, 2024 2-3-8-11 1-7-8-10-11 1-4-5-6-11 1-4-5-7-9 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips
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Trackside has returned to free-to-air television as part of a refreshed offering for New Zealand racing fans. Trackside, which has been part of the New Zealand broadcasting landscape since 1992, has been refreshed to give racing lovers a complete new look and feel. The refresh also signals the return of Trackside to free-to-air-channels. Trackside 1 and Trackside 2 are now available on Freeview 23 and 24 respectively, expanding the reach of the channels alongside offering the service through Sky Channels 62 & 63 and TAB’s own streaming services through its betting channels. Christopher Haigh, Chief Media Officer of Entain Australia and New Zealand – the operators of TAB and Trackside Media – said racing fans can expect enhanced coverage of all three racing codes. “We’ve made a complete change to the look and feel for Trackside 1, Trackside 2 and Trackside Premier,” Christopher Haigh said. “These are the first major changes to Trackside’s look and feel since 2014, and we’re putting the racing animal at the front and centre of these changes. “Our new look has more space for live racing vision to be displayed, alongside providing viewers with more of the key betting information they need.” The graphic changes also reflect the shift in betting trends in the past decade, with fixed odds products becoming increasingly popular. More programming will also be seen on Trackside’s channels in the coming months, as well as an increased number of presenters at New Zealand’s racecourses to help find and pass on information that viewers cannot find elsewhere. View the full article

Undefeated 3-year-old Doncho is expected to make his stakes debut in the Lafayette Stakes at Keeneland. For owner Jose Lopez, the gelding is blazing a long-awaited trail from Puerto Rico.View the full article

Horse Racing on Tuesday, April 2 will feature four meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meeting at Geelong. Tuesday Racing Tips – April 2, 2024 Geelong Racing Tips As always, there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on April 2, 2024, check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Horse racing tips View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Tuesday, April 2. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these complimentary promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximize your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for April 2, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. All races at Geelong & Taree. Max bonus $100. First bet only (including SRM). Paid in bonus cash. Must use available balance. T&C’s apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo Neds Toolbox Check your Neds Toolbox for daily Price Boosts, Bet Backs, Back Ups and MORE! Neds Terms and Conditions apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for April 2, 2024. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and exclusive promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

Anthony Stabile, who has spent the past 25 years talking about and writing about horse racing, is the new voice of Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack.View the full article

As was expected following the March 21 California Horse Racing Board meeting that awarded fall race dates to Northern California, purses have been cut for Santa Anita Park's upcoming spring meet that runs April 19-June 16.View the full article

Eclipse champion 2-year-old filly Just F Y I meets her Breeders' Cup rivals Jody's Pride and Candied for a rematch in the $600,000 Ashland Stakes April 5 at @Keeneland.View the full article

Six juveniles shared the fastest furlong time of :10 1/5 during the breeze show ahead of the Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale held Monday at Lone Star Park. Four of the group were consigned by Pike Racing: hip 2, a filly by Daredevil; hip 28, a colt by Street Boss; hip 36, a filly by Outwork; and hip 42, a colt by Aurelius Maximus. Also sharing Monday's bullet: hip 49, a filly by Cinco Charlie consigned by Asmussen Horse Center; and hip 77, a filly by Cutting Humor consigned by Bryan Ford Training Stable. “Overall, it was a great breeze show,” said TTA Sales Director Foster Bridewell. “We had a head wind all day and the horses handled it well. We had six tie for the fastest breeze of the day and many others stopped the clock in 10 2/5 and 10 3/5. I think the track was consistent all day and that's a credit to the track team at Lone Star Park. Thank you to the team at Lone Star and to our consignors and owners for bringing a good group of horses to our sale.” The breeze results and videos are available online at TTAsales.com. The Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale will be held Wednesday at Lone Star Park. Bidding begins at 10 a.m. CT. The post Six Share Bullet at Texas Breeze Show appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Elliot Sullivan accepted a 30-day suspension and $2,500 fine for giving the mare My d'Valentine an interarticular injection within 14 days of a Feb. 20 race at Mahoning Valley Racecourse.View the full article

Anthony Stabile has been named track announcer at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack. Stabile will become just the third announcer in Finger Lakes history when the upstate New York track opens for its 63rd season of Thoroughbred racing Apr. 29. “Since I was a young kid, I've wanted to be a racetrack announcer and am proud to say my first full-time position will be at Finger Lakes,” Stabile said. “I'm looking forward to being a part of a place that is rich in racing tradition, where one of my favorites, Funny Cide, wrapped up his career.” Stabile was the back-up announcer on the New York Racing Association circuit from 2018-2023, where he co-hosted the Talking Horses handicapping show, as well as America's Day at the Races/Saratoga Live on the Fox Sports family of networks. He is currently one of the track announcers at Yonkers Raceway. He also has called races at The Meadowlands and Freehold Raceway. “We are excited to have Anthony joining our racing team. His vast knowledge of New York State Thoroughbred racing will serve him well in his new role,” said Finger Lakes president and general manager Chris Riegle. The post Stabile Named Finger Lakes Track Announcer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After rearing up before the Dubai Gold Cup, Eldar Eldarov struck his head and was withdrawn by the starter. Racecourse vets diagnosed head trauma and sent him to the local equine clinic for further evaluation. View the full article