Wandering Eyes

I love Paris in the springtime, sang Ella Fitzgerald, and I'm pretty sure it was a thinly-veiled reference to her secret passion for heavy ground three-year-old maidens at Saint-Cloud. What Classic clues may we glean there? Well, maybe none. But I liked the look of Narkez (Fr), who gave his rivals a six-length walloping in the Prix Comrade last Tuesday, picking up where he left off after winning at Clairefontaine last October. Bred by Nurlan Bizakov under his Sumbe banner, the colt represents that magic Siyouni (Fr)-Galileo (Ire) cross, though let's face it, Galileo mares work well all over the place. Narkez, trained by Andre Fabre, has helped to give his owner a great start to the season following the Listed win of Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the Doncaster Mile. One person who is entitled to love Siyouni more than most is Peter Brant, who celebrated his first European Classic victory when Sottsass (Fr) won the Prix du Jockey Club before going on to deliver the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe for Brant as well. We're looking forward to seeing his first runners emerge this season, but in the meantime Brant looks to have another decent prospect by Siyouni on his hands in the form of Louise Procter (Fr). Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, she became the second TDN Rising Star of the week for her sire when remaining unbeaten in her third start in the Prix du Belvedere at Chantilly on Thursday. She looks smart and has the entries to match. Making Dreams (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) kept up her trainer Karl Burke's great strike-rate in French stakes races by winning the G3 Prix Penelope by six lengths on her seasonal debut at Saint-Cloud. She is another who should enter considerations for the Classics, as should the Prix Caracalla winner Mister Gatz (Fr), who was born in the spring in which his sire Adlerflug (Ger) died. The flashy chestnut colt was somewhat reminiscent of his father as he bowled around the lush Parisian turf looking like he was having a mighty time before putting his head down to stride clear of the field by five lengths. Trained in Deauville by Stephanie Nigge for a collection of owners which includes his breeder Mathieu Boutin and Gerard Augustin-Normand, Mister Gatz holds an entry for the Deutsches Derby. O'Shea Shines on Dubai's Big Day Of course last week, or more specifically Saturday, was really all about the Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan which could certainly be considered a triumph for internationalism. The trophies for the eight Group races were shared between horses trained in America, Ireland, Hong Kong, Japan, France, Britain and Dubai (x2). It was also a great advertisement for keeping classy horses in training beyond the age of three. The winners of the five Group 1 contests were aged between five and seven, with Jerome Reynier's Dubai Turf winner Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}) being the youngest of those, and the wide-margin Golden Shaheen winner, the former Russian-trained Tuz (Oxbow), enjoying his finest hour as a seven-year-old on his fourth appearance on Dubai World Cup night. Tuz and the Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River (Into Mischief) won their races in a manner which must still have their trainer Bhupat Seemar and jockey Tadhg O'Shea blinking in disbelief. By six and a half and eight and a half lengths respectively, they each set a new record for the winning distance, with Laurel River, who broke from the outside gate, overturning that held by Dubai Millennium (GB) for 24 years. O'Shea, now 42, has been champion jockey in the UAE 11 times and he is in pole position to claim his 12th title this season. But despite that consistent success, the Irishman had a sole Group 1 victory to his name until Saturday. A modest and loyal grafter, O'Shea praised Laurel River's owner Juddmonte for keeping him on the horse, saying, “They could have any jockey in the world on him and they kept the faith with me. I'll be forever indebted to them.” Juddmonte didn't need any other jockey to claim a second Dubai World Cup after Arrogate's victory in 2017. O'Shea, bold from the outset from the number 12 stall, simply rode his rivals ragged and very much deserved his night in the spotlight. The Auguste Enigma The last three winners of the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) were all in action over the weekend, with Shahryar (Jpn) a good second in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, which also featured the last two Japanese Oaks winners Liberty Island (Jpn) and Stars On Earth (Jpn), while Do Deuce (Jpn) was not beaten far when fifth in the G1 Dubai Turf. Lest we think that Japan is completely depleted of its best runners during the big meetings in the Middle East, then look no further than Sunday's G1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin. It featured last year's Japanese Derby and 2,000 Guineas winners, Tastiera (Jpn) and Sol Oriens (Jpn), along with Geoglyph (Jpn), who beat Equinox (Jpn) to win the Guineas in 2022, and the G1 Shuka Sho winner of that same year, Stunning Rose (Jpn). So much of the Sheema Classic build-up had centred on the clash between Liberty Island and Auguste Rodin (Ire), but the latter, who won last year's Derby and Irish Derby before going on to land the Irish Champion and Breeders' Cup Turf, added to his enigmatic status by finishing last of the 12 runners. Don't despair. When 12th in the Guineas on debut last season, Auguste Rodin bounced back to win at Epsom, and he put his last-place finish in the King George behind him to triumph next time out on Irish Champions Weekend. This column, at least, still holds the faith that when he's good, he's very, very good. Epsom's honour was however upheld in Sydney over the weekend, where the 2020 Derby winner Serpentine (Ire) claimed his second consecutive stakes win for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in the G3 Neville Selwood S. It's Whitsbury's World It is important not to get too carried away with the early two-year-old races. Despite the annual hullabaloo over Royal Ascot, nothing really matters until the autumn, right? But it's impossible not to watch the early skirmishes with interest and Whitsbury Manor Stud's Sergei Prokofiev was represented by his second winner from just two runners when Flicka's Girl triumphed at Wolverhampton on Easter Monday. The David Loughnane-trained filly was also bred by Whitsbury Manor and sold, as is the stud's usual practice, at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale for 22,000gns. Britain's other juvenile race on Monday over at Kempton went the way of Pont Neuf (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), a winner on debut for Eve Johnston Houghton, who also struck with the two-year-old Tanager (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}) at Chelmsford on Good Friday. The trainer has a well established partnership with bloodstock agent Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock when it comes to working the sales and the pair has once again unearthed a couple of useful looking prospects for 24,000gns (Tattersalls Somerville) and €22,000 (Tattersalls Ireland) respectively. Johnson Houghton has made a flying start to the new season with four winners and three placed horses from nine runners since the official 'start of the Flat'. Jack Came Back It was announced last week that Ben Curtis, who was been riding at Fair Grounds in New Orleans over the winter, would remain in America for “the foreseeable future” after riding 43 winners and netting more than $1.5 million in prize-money. Last September, Curtis had ridden his 1,000th winner aboard Merrijig (GB) (Schiaparelli {Ger}) and as that horse resumed on Good Friday, the absent Curtis was replaced in the saddle by Jack Gilligan, who has recently returned after a decade in the US and now has Curtis's former agent Simon Dodds representing him. Merrijig was the first of two winners for Gilligan from three rides on Good Friday, and the jockey struck again 24 hours later on his sole ride at Wolverhampton. Not to be confused with the Irish conditional of the same name, Gilligan was born in Newmarket but left Britain at the age of 17 with his parents Pat, a racing writer and trainer, and Vicky, a barn foreman at WinStar Farm. With more than 400 wins in America, including two Grade III victories aboard Silver Dust (Tapit), he has been making the most of the opportunities handed to him since returning to his home town. There are not many names in the jockeys' table with a better strike-rate than Gilligan so far this year. He is currently operating at 20% winners to rides. Backing all of his 45 mounts would have yielded a profit of almost £43 to a £1 stake. Pecheur Swaps Roles for Rottgen German Classic-winning jockey Maxim Pecheur retired at the end of last season to succeed Markus Klug as the trainer at Gestut Rottgen near Cologne. He had previously ridden Windstoss (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}) in the famous Rottgen colours to win the 2017 G1 Deutsches Derby. The colt was trained by Klug, as was Pecheur's G1 Preis der Diana winner, Diamanta (Ger) (Maxios {GB}), for Gestut Brummerhof. Pecheur is clearly adjusting well to his new role at the historic training centre and he could well have a Derby contender of his own this year after his first runner, Anspruch (Ger) (New Bay {GB}), won on debut at Cologne on Monday. The Rottgen-bred colt is out of the Group 3 winner Anna Katharina (Ger) (Kallisto {Ger}). The post Seven Days: Bring on the Classic Trials appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ken Ramsey finished the Gulfstream Championship meet atop the owner standings with 27 winners. A perennial leading owner, Ramsey previously led the standings at Gulfstream in 2021-2022, 2019-2020 and from 2012-2013 to 2017-2018. His wins during the meet included Be My Sunshine (Frosted) in the Tropical Park Oaks and Abrumar (Divisidero) in the Colonel Liam S., both from the barn of leading trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. The post Ramsey Tops Owner Standings At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this monthly BH interview, Karen M. Johnson profiles young racing personalities.View the full article

Towards the end of December, the Sergio Morfin-trained Grazen mare Wishtheyallcouldbe was loaded onto a van from her stable at Los Alamitos to be shipped to Santa Anita for a $12,500 claimer. She would ultimately finish second. Isidro Paez was the freelance groom hired to care for the horse that day. In February, Paez had his license suspended for 90 days by the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) for disorderly conduct “under the influence of Amphetamine and Methamphetamine” on Jan. 27, at Santa Anita. According to the stewards' minutes of the hearing, Paez voluntarily provided a urine sample that day which resulted in a positive finding for both methamphetamine and amphetamine. In explanation, “Paez stated he snorted methamphetamine while attending a New Year's party on January 1, 2024,” the minutes state. On March 3, Morfin was issued an interim suspension by the Horse Racing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) as a result of Wishtheyallcouldbe's positive post-race test for methamphetamine, a banned substance under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). Since then, Morfin has remained provisionally suspended while his case is being processed. According to John Tyre, Morfin's attorney, because of Paez's chronicled history of methamphetamine use, he has reached an agreement with HIWU that on April 6, Morfin's suspension will be lifted after some 30 days. Crucially for this more lenient sanction, Morfin did not pursue a formal hearing, said Tyre. The length of Morfin's suspension also reflects a recent shift by HIWU in applying lesser sanctions than in the past for violations stemming from common drugs of human abuse like cocaine and methamphetamine, in accordance with proposed rule changes pending approval by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Rather than confront a possible two-year ban and $25,000 fine for a methamphetamine positive, say, trainers will face a maximum 60-day suspension and $5,000 fine under the proposed rules, if they are indeed approved. In a note on HIWU's website, it states that the organization “has elected to stay all pending Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program cases whose potential periods of Ineligibility would be affected by these rule updates, including due to either the reduction of the applicable periods of Ineligibility or the removal of the automatic application of penalty points for certain violations.” “[Morfin] will be back to training the first week of April. And then, that'll be the end of it,” said Tyre, who was quick to add that rampant substance abuse problems among backstretch employees–and its overlap with positive tests in racehorses–is an issue that's far from over, despite the proposed lessened sanctions. “I've been doing criminal defense work for many, many years, and if it wasn't for methamphetamine, alcohol and marriage, I'd be broke,” said Tyre. As such, the ultimate insurer rule that places the burden of responsibility solely on the trainer's shoulders is leading to decisions that don't always reflect the complicated nature of the problem, Tyre said. “HIWU and HISA need to conduct some kind of investigation to determine how widespread [substance abuse] is around the backside of the racetracks.” Coady Photography THE PROBLEM AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS Tyre's suggestion hardly comes as a bolt from the blue. The long hours, early mornings, sometimes poor pay and living conditions, coupled with the dangerous nature of backstretch work make drink and drugs something of an all-too convenient crutch–especially while blind eyes are turned in an industry where hard-drinking and hard-partying have long been worn as a badge of honor as much as a release from the grind. Indeed, there's a reason so many exercise riders say they ride better after a drink, why so many shed-row ice machines have bottles of beer nestled in them, and why so many see the antidote to the dreaded four-a.m. alarm clock as an inhalable stimulant. Just look at the numbers. Since HISA's ADMC program went into effect last year, there have already been 13 either pending or resolved cases for methamphetamine positives, and another two involving cocaine. Darin Scharer is executive director of the Winners Foundation, a presence at every California track to provide information, support and referral services for backstretch employees and their families going though addiction issues. Scharer said he was unable to estimate just how many backstretch workers have substance abuse problems. But he doesn't argue with the contention it's significant. “We're not having the fentanyl problem or the heroin issues that other places have,” said Scharer, about California's backstretches. “But we definitely have a marijuana issue. And we definitely have a methamphetamine issue.” Indeed, veteran California trainer Hector Palma was suspended for 81 days for a methamphetamine positive, a portion of that time after multiple grooms in his care tested positive for the drug. The positive occurred near the start of the ADMC program going into effect, before the new rules were proposed. What Scharer bemoans is the lack of any unified approach to providing support to racing's phalanx of essential workers. “Unfortunately it's only us, Kentucky and New York. That's the only three that I know of,” said Scharer, about the number of jurisdictions armed with substance abuse support programs like the Winners Foundation. “I would love to be involved in a program where we make this more uniform across the country.” One key obstacle to meaningful movement in this arena is an ongoing cult of shame that surrounds the issue. “There's still a lot of stigma associated with people that have drug problems and mental health problems,” said Scharer. “For people accessing services, it's still a scary thing.” Another reason appears to be more mercenary. At a time when the industry grapples with a profound dearth of good, reliable help, there's a fear among some in the industry, said Scharer, that tackling the problem head-on could lead to an even more attenuated workforce. “Sometimes people don't want to know the truth of how bad it really is,” he said. Though not everyone is as averse to such truth-telling. “I know that Richard Mandella tests everybody in his barn before they go work for him,” said Scharer. “He doesn't want anybody who works with his horses to be working under the influence.” At the same time, some substance abuse rehabilitation programs offer a tantalizing answer to the industry's staffing woes. “It could turn the backside upside down,” said Frank Taylor, director of new business development at Taylor Made Farms, about a joint venture he's helped build between Stable Recovery and the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship for men and women suffering substance abuse problems. The partnership includes two halfway houses and a 12-step program, along with vocational rehab to teach those going through the 90-day course the basics of horsemanship. The idea is to provide them with an avenue towards meaningful employment–in the process, providing a new workforce source for the Thoroughbred industry. Graduates of this program, said Taylor, have found work at a variety of key farms in the area including Coolmore, Darley and WinStar. “We've got about 10 farms that are currently working with us,” he said. “If trainers started hiring these people, they would absolutely love it,” Taylor added. “It's just the right thing to do to help these people, give them an opportunity in life. Plus, we're putting them with the most therapeutic animal on earth.” Taylor estimates upwards of 50 percent of backstretch employees have a potential substance abuse problem. And it's a topic Taylor knows well. A recovering alcoholic, Taylor quit drinking a few years ago, which is when he visited the DV8 Kitchen, a Kentucky restaurant that provides employment to those in the early stages of substance abuse recovery. DV8, said Taylor, proved the inspiration for the second chance venture he's built at Taylor Made. What's more, their program works. “Generally, somebody goes into a 90-day program only about 15% of them stay sober to the end of the 90-days,” said Taylor. “We're running more like 85%. The reason is, they get completely out of their old environment and come out and work immediately.” While the program is primarily geared towards those with little to no prior horse experience, they've taken on individuals from the racetrack–jockeys, trainers, even farm managers–who act as tutors, said Taylor. “We'll have them helping the green guys coming in,” said Taylor, who explained how they adapt their program to the skill sets of the individual. “Folks from the track, they're going to see some guys in there, picking feet and whatnot, and they're going to say, 'do this, do that,'” said Taylor. “The thing about addiction, to get and stay sober, you've got to help another addict.” Ultimately, Taylor envisages a recovery program with a racetrack backstretch-located dormitory. “The idea would be to put them through our program, get them sober 90-days, then move them into that dormitory with a house manager and keep the drug testing going,” said Taylor. “I don't know how it's going to go or how it's going to grow,” Taylor added. “But I know there's a huge need for it. And I know it's a win-win for the industry, for the horses and the horsemen.” Lisa Lazarus | Carley Storm HISA'S ROLE? Substance abuse on the backstretch is on HISA's radar, said the organization's CEO, Lisa Lazarus. “If we have a significant amount of our population that we depend on to run racing that is struggling with addiction or abusing drugs, I think we have a moral obligation to help those people and to do something for them,” Lazarus said, adding that she's already discussed the need for providing a stronger network of industry treatment programs with those already working on the problem. For the sake of improving safety and integrity in racing, “it's just not acceptable to say that meth in the workplace is okay. And I think it's everyone's job to fix it,” Lazarus said. “The trainers deserve to have a whole lot of help from racetracks and other organizations to help prevent employees from using meth on the backside. It's not only their responsibility.” That said, “I would like to encourage more trainers to think to themselves, 'you know what? For $25 more, I don't need the cheaper groom. I could find a groom that I actually know and feel more comfortable with and use them instead,'” Lazarus said. But given how ubiquitous drug use is on the backstretch, what about those trainers unable to find reliable drug-free help because of the industry's chronic staffing shortage? Or those struggling trainers unable to fork out premium prices? “I recognize that sometimes it's not achievable,” said Lazarus. “But obviously, the anti-doping system is based on a system of fault. So, when trainers have come forward and have evidence of workers in their stable that are on the drug, they obviously get a much more relaxed penalty because they have an explanation. And that's only fair.” The “complicated question,” said Lazarus, is how to find the correct balance between “being fair to horsemen and what they can control while also requiring some level of responsibility.” At the launch of HISA's anti-doping and medication control (ADMC) program, the screening limit for meth was the same as for the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC), said Lazarus. “We've ended up quadrupling it,” she added, of the screening limit. Though many cases have been dismissed as contamination, has HISA's approach been a fair one for the horsemen and women so far? “It may be that the science shows that in time the screening limit needs to be raised,” said Lazarus. “The one thing I would say is there is no racing jurisdiction in the world or horse sport in the world that doesn't test for and sanction for meth. And actually, our rules are amongst the most lenient with regards to meth because we do take into consideration the risks on the backside,” Lazarus said, pointing to the recent case of Harness racing trainer Clarence Foulk suspended for one year stemming from a 2023 methamphetamine positive. When asked if the way Morfin has been treated has been reasonable, his attorney, Tyre, responded that the constraints of the system guided their approach. “If we were to fight the case forward it would take months,” said Tyre, adding how his client could have remained suspended for that period. “This was the best way to get him back to work,” he said. The post Morfin Meth Case Highlights Backstretch Substance Abuse Problems appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

He was dominant down the Meydan straight in the Al Quoz Sprint and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes looks ideal for the geldingView the full article

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Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was withdrawn at the start of the Dubai Gold Cup on Saturday following an incident in the stalls, is continuing to undergo exploratory tests in the veterinary hospital in Dubai. The five-year-old, who is owned by Shaikh Khalid bin Khalifa's KHK Racing and trained by Roger Varian, won the G1 St Leger and G2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot at three, and closed out last season with victory over Kyprios (Ire) in the G1 Irish St Leger. Chris Wall, racing manager to KHK Racing, issued an update to TDN on Monday. He said, “The horse in the stall next door kicked out and made quite a bang, causing 'Eldar' to anticipate the start. He must have put a lot of effort into it but the gate didn't open, which is not a criticism, sometimes they do, but on this occasion it didn't. “But he'd given it a fair old whack and he was obviously concussed, and initially we thought that was all that was the problem. It's looking like it might be more than just a concussion. Shaikh Khalid has been insistent that we leave no stone unturned to find out what the problem is and what can be done about it, and with that in mind, they have found and flown in two vets from America, who should be in Dubai today.” Wall added that after further assessment a clearer picture of the issue should emerge in 24 to 36 hours. He continued, “After the race and that evening in the clinic he was looking a bit sorry for himself but I was sent a video this morning and he was looking a lot happier. He's been eating and drinking and that's always an encouraging sign. He's comfortable and receiving the best care. We'll just have to wait and see what is found and what can be done to improve the situation.” The post Eldar Eldarov ‘Comfortable and Receiving the Best Care’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kiwi handler sets Magniac and Seasons Wit for strongest race on Wednesday’s all-weather programme at Sha TinView the full article

An extra seven days between racing and the hope of a better weather forecast has led co-trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood to look to the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) on the second day of The Championships with Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel), rather than backing up in the ATC Australian Derby this Saturday. The three-year-old filly by Cox Plate-winning sire Savabeel scored her second win at the highest level with her victory in the Gr.1 Vinery Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday as a $1.57 favourite. “The extra week will help her,” Wellwood told RSN927. “With the forecast this week, hopefully the conditions won’t be as rain affected next week.” James Mcdonald’s post-race comments after the Vinery win are likely to have played a part in the stable’s thinking. “She had to have all the quality (to win),” McDonald said. “She was out on her feet, like good ones do, she’s just very good. “It’s a weird feeling riding her because the first time I ever sat on her, I was, ‘right, good filly’ ride the winner and forget about the next one but when I hopped off her I thought, there’s something damned, damned good about this thing.” Orchestral is now the $1.70 favourite for the Gr.1 Australian Oaks at Randwick on April 13 with the James Cummings-trained Zardozi (Kingman) on the second line of betting at $4. Up to 70 millimetres of rain is forecast for Sydney from Wednesday through to Saturday. View the full article

Domain Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace) may find himself back on a truck to the Central Districts chasing Group One glory this weekend, after an impressive debut win at Otaki. The Swiss Ace juvenile generated interest prior to his first race-day appearance at the Easter Monday meeting, holding a nomination for Saturday’s Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham. With one creditable trial to prepare at Taupo last month, Domain Ace entered the Farmlands Otaki 2YO Maiden (1200m) at a quote of $14, in a market dominated by the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Truth Or Dare (NZ) (Vanbrugh) at $1.60. Jumping positively away from barrier five, Domain Ace sat off pacemaker First Gear (NZ) (Derryn) down the back straight and the pair were set to fight it out at the 250m, the Team Rogerson representative proving too strong to score by 1 & ¼ lengths under Craig Grylls. Originally set to be sold by Rogerson Bloodstock in the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, co-trainer Graeme Rogerson elected to keep Domain Ace after he was passed in when failing to meet his $50,000 reserve. “I think he’s something very special, this is a good horse,” Rogerson said. “I had him in the Ready To Run Sales, but he went that well that I decided to keep him. “He couldn’t have done any more today, he jumped, he sat, and did everything right. You can’t ask for much more than that in his first start to the races. I thought it was a pretty good field as well.” Rogerson indicated the two-year-old would return to his Tuhikaramea base on Monday night, before any decision would be made regarding the $450,000 juvenile feature. “He’s a beautiful quiet horse. He’s coming home tonight so we’ll see how he travels, and then he’ll go down to the farm in the day time,” he said. “It’s a big ask, especially to travel back down to Trentham. The four owners will make up our minds on Wednesday.” Among the ownership group is Merv and Meg Butterworth, loyal clients of Rogerson and owners of champion pacer Copy That. “Merv has about 20 gallopers with me, including Sharp’N’Smart and Just As Sharp. He’s had a lot of nice horses,” Rogerson said. Another progeny of Swiss Ace, Just As Sharp (NZ) will contest the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m) at the Trentham meeting, after placing 3rd, 2nd, and 4th behind star filly Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m), and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). “It shows how good this horse is with Orchestral winning on Saturday, we followed her in the Derby but she was just too strong in the end. He went super there, as in the Avondale Guineas and the Karaka Million 3YO,” Rogerson said. “I think he’s got the makings of a very good horse, although we are getting offers left, right and centre from Hong Kong for him. We will see what happens over the next couple of weeks. “I love Swiss Ace’s, I own Makabar and race him on lease to the Pitman’s, and he won nicely down at Riverton as well today.” Rogerson will also be represented by Group Two performer Solidify (NZ) (Redwood) in the three-year-old 1600m event at Pukekohe Park on Saturday, the gelding dropping back in distance after a 13th placed finish in the New Zealand Derby. View the full article

A rails-hugging ride by Kavish Chowdhoory paved the way for the visiting Michael and Matthew Pitman stable to quinella the opening event on the second day of the annual Riverton Easter Carnival. The Pitman team picked up two wins on the opening day on Saturday with Tomyturbo (NZ) (Sacred Falls) and Charbano (NZ) (Vespa), and enjoyed immediate success again as Makabar (NZ) (Swiss Ace) improved markedly on his first day fourth by bolting away with the Speights/Ewan Allan Honda Thornbury Handicap (1400m). Chowdhoory had the son of Swiss Ace poised behind the solid speed set up by race favourite Emanon (NZ) (Burgundy) and when that runner lugged off the fence rounding the home bend, Chowdhoory kicked his mount through in a flash. Makabar relished the Heavy 10 conditions as he raced clear to win by more than six lengths at the post, with stablemate Seikrid (NZ) (Sacred Falls) nabbing Emanon on the line to claim the runner-up position. Makabar has proven a real money spinner for the stable, winning six times since moving south from the Team Rogerson stable in 2021. “He went a good race on the first day and I did tell people before the first day I thought he was our best chance across the carnival,” Michael Pitman said “He has a terrific record on wet ground and has been a great horse for the stable since he joined us. “He pulled up well on day one and that showed in the way he went today.” Pitman believes Makabar could join three other stable runners the team have aimed at the rich $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) on 13 April at Riccarton. “We intend to run him along with Mystic Park, Charbano and Proserve in the Southern Alps Challenge in a fortnight if he can make the field,” he said. “It is a fantastic concept and if we could get four horses into the inaugural running of the race, we would be pretty chuffed. “You don’t often get to run for money like that so if we could get a share of it then that would be great.” TAB Bookmakers have Mystic Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) as the warm $2.50 Fixed Odds favourite for the race which is for horses that have their trainers operating a premises in the South Island from 1 August last year, have been stabled at that premises since 31 December and have run at least twice in the South Island since that date. Bred by Gerry Harvey at Westbury Stud, Makabar was purchased by Graeme Rogerson at Karaka in 2017 for $55,000 and has now won nine of his 75 starts and over $162,000 for his large group of owners. Included in his extended pedigree is the 1998-99 champion Australian sprinter Isca (Rory’s Jester) who won six races including twice at Group One level. View the full article

The visiting Cambridge stable of Ben and son Ryan Foote were to the fore in the opening events at Otaki on Monday where they took out the first two races on the programme. Three-year-old maiden filly Alation (NZ) (Swiss Ace) proved too tough for her rivals in race one, dashing away in the home straight for rider Courtney Barnes despite having done plenty of work outside pacemaker Am I Blue (NZ) (Niagara) in the 1600m contest. Just thirty minutes later her stablemate Enthusiastic (NZ) (War Decree) claimed his maiden victory after setting all the pace in the Harcourts Otaki 3YO (1200m) before holding out the late charge by Tiny Diamond (NZ) (Time Test) to win by just on a length for apprentice rider Triston Moodley. A change in tactics to make use of a good draw made all the difference for Alation who Ben Foote believes has plenty in store for her. “She (Alation) had been getting back and running on late so we put the side winkers on today and asked Courtney to make use of a better draw if she could,” Foote said. “It was a brave effort as she had to do the work outside the pace and the way she closed things off suggests she isn’t going to have trouble with going a little further in the future. “We have always thought she was a potential stayer but as this is just her first prep we will play it on the cautious side and she will tell us how much further she wants to go.” Foote also believes that Enthusiastic has a future over a staying trip once he matures further. “He (Enthusiastic) went good races in strong company in his first campaign, but he needed time to mature. “I think he has a future as a stayer and that’s where we will aim him. “It was a good effort as he hadn’t even had a jumpout before today but Triston said he won with a lot up his sleeve despite being a little green over the last 200m. “We initially thought he might be a Derby horse but that came up too soon so we will take him along quietly and just see how he develops.” Raced by her breeder Gerry Harvey, Alation is by Westbury Stud resident stallion Swiss Ace and comes from an extended family that includes dual Group One winner Atomic Force (Danehill Dancer) who was successful in the 2012 Gr.1 Railway Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie. Purchased by Brewers Bloodstock for $60,000 out of his breeders’ Berkely Stud draft at Karaka in 2022, Enthusiastic is a son of War Decree and Savabeel mare Enthusabelle and is the half-brother to Pipiana (NZ) (Highly Recommended) who was twice stakes placed as a three-year-old. The Foote team were at it again in the fourth race on the card with No Nay Never mare Carrington (NZ) storming home out wide to break her maiden status at her ninth start. View the full article

Rank outsider Lovelock (NZ) (Sacred Falls) turned the formbook upside down when he bolted away with the Riverton Rural Transport Highway Stakes (2147m), the feature flat event at Riverton on Easter Monday. The five-year-old son of Sacred Falls had finished an inglorious last over 1600m on Saturday and punters were prepared to discard his chances two days later, sending him out at odds of $39.20 on the tote in the nine-horse field. A change of tactics from rider Lee Callaway saw the Jim Curran-trained galloper sent straight to the front where he maintained a strong gallop throughout. Challenged by Humbucker (NZ) (Iffraaj) at the 600m, Lovelock shook off that runner rounding the home bend and with Callaway riding confidently he powered away to win by a healthy six-length margin from the well favoured The Tui Toiler (NZ) (Highly Recommended) ($2.30) and Humbucker ($7.80) who battled on gamely for third. Curran admitted he was left scratching his head after the first day effort but was prepared to give his charge another chance if he could get his own way in front. “He is a moody bugger who sulks when things don’t go his way,” Curran said. “We had planned to go to the front with him on Saturday but over the mile there was just too much pressure on to get there. “I thought the extra distance would help and Lee said he was really confident once they had gone past the post the first time as he was just loving it out in front. “He’s never been tested on a wet track and after Saturday I still didn’t know much but he handled it very well and there could be more in store for him if he can keep going like that.” Despite the $39 dividend Curran stuck to his normal pattern with just a $10 each way bet on the horse. “I never spend much and just had my usual $10 each way,” he said. “You’d probably go broke backing him and after Saturday it was two-minute noodles for dinner although I might lift my sights now. “If he can hold his form then we might take a look at the Wairio Cup on his home track (Ascot Park) in early May.” Out of the Zabeel mare La Zeel (NZ), who won nine races in Australia and was placed in stakes company, Lovelock has now won three of his 17 starts for Curran and his wife Gay. View the full article

Ortiz won twice March 31 on Invigorated in Race 7 and Miss Speedy in Race 9 to finish with 119 winners and top the rider standings for the fifth time in the past six seasons.View the full article

What Geelong Races Where Geelong Racecourse – 99 Breakwater Rd, Breakwater VIC 3219 When Tuesday, April 2, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Victorian horse racing on Tuesday afternoon heads to Geelong Racecourse, where a competitive eight-race meeting awaits punters. With plenty of rain forecast for Monday, and showers forecast for most of Tuesday, punters can expect the meeting to be run on at least a Soft 6-7, with a further downgrade likely. The rail comes out 7m from the 1800m-800m, with it out 10m the remainder of the circuit. Action from Geelong is set to commence at 1:30pm AEDT. Best Bet at Geelong – Pure Power Pure Power has been banging down the doors of a maiden win and at the seventh time of asking, he should be clearing maiden ranks. Ciaron Maher’s three-year-old gelding got nosed out at Yarra Valley on March 17, but with seven lengths back to third, it suggests a repeat performance should see him prove too tough at Geelong. Theodore Ladd will look to hold a prominent position from a wide draw, and outside of any bad luck in transit, the 2260m looks right up Pure Power’s alley, and he should have no issue outstaying his rivals. Best Bet Race 4 – #8 Pure Power (11) 3yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Theodore Ladd (59kg) +160 with Dabble Next Best at Geelong – Riproar Returning from a near six-month spell, Andrew Forsman’s Riproar looks to have found the right race to return a winner in. The three-year-old gelding was chasing home the likes of Riff Rocket and Sunsource last campaign in Listed company, so he should appreciate the step back to a BM64 at Geelong. He has a win and minor placing on Soft going in his career, and despite no doubt wanting further than the 1340m he returns at, Riproar’s class should prove the difference against this field. Next Best Race 6 – #2 Riproar (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Andrew Forsman | J: Damian Lane (60kg) +200 with Playup Best Value at Geelong – Dysart Clinton McDonald’s newly-acquired Dysart was hitting the line nicely over 1112m at Geelong on stable debut on March 16, and with the step up to 1240m, he looks a great each-way play with horse racing bookies. The three-year-old gelding is a genuine backmarker, so needs his races run at a genuine clip, which he should get on Tuesday. Unlike most tracks, when the rail comes out as far as it does for this meeting, backmarkers play a key role. Craig Newitt will have the son of Smart Missile in clear air on the home turn, and with a strong turn of foot, Dysart can break maiden ranks at start four. Best Value Race 3 – #3 Dysart (2) 3yo Gelding | T: Clinton McDonald | J: Craig Newitt (59kg) +1000 with Neds Tuesday quaddie tips for Geelong races Geelong quadrella selections Tuesday, April 2, 2024 1-2-4-5-10 1-2-4 1-3-5-9 2-4-5-6-9-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Repole Stable's Fierceness was looking good to Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher the morning following his record-breaking 13 1/2-length triumph in $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park March 30.View the full article

The Gulfstream Park Championship Meet ended Sunday with jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. and trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. defending their respective titles. Ortiz finished the meet with 119 winners, a mark that saw him top the rider's standings for the fifth time in the last six seasons. “It went very good for us,” said Ortiz. “It means a lot to win another title here. They make me feel at home here. The owners, everybody training here, the whole organization– security and the people who work here–they make me feel good. I have great support from the trainers and owners of Florida, and I appreciate it. I'm so happy to win another title here.” Saffie Joseph, Jr. trained 66 winners through the meet, good enough to lead Todd Pletcher in the standings and pick up his third-straight training title. “We're thankful for the opportunities from the owners, the team we have–how hard they work and all the effort they put in–and most importantly to have the horses we have,” said Joseph. “The horses are the biggest piece of the puzzle. The horses make everyone look good.” The post Irad Ortiz, Jr. And Saffie Joseph, Jr. Defend Gulfstream Titles appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Flaming Rabbit and Lyle Hewitson are not for catching. Lyle Hewitson has always been a superb judge of pace and the South African produced a brilliant front-running ride aboard Flaming Rabbit (126lb) to win at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon. Outwitting six rivals aboard the Time Test galloper in a time of 1:35.15s (25.61, 23.88, 22.78, 22.88), Hewitson netted his 27th victory in Hong Kong this term after finding an untroubled lead to prevail over The Golden Scenery (135lb) and 1.5 favourite Mugen (131lb). “In his first season he used to just win a length or two at the start and be able to take control of the race a little bit more, whereas more recently he’s been coming out on terms with them and there’s a little bit more pressure. “Getting to the mile and him jumping like he used to allowed me to control the first two furlongs and then I was gradually able to keep picking up,” Hewitson said. Victory came by a runaway 1.25 lengths. It is Hewitson’s first in tandem with trainer Chief Stipelas Whyte this season, snapping a lengthy run of outs before Sunday. “It’s been a long time between drinks. He’s been one of my main go-to jockeys (20 wins together in 2021/22) and I’ve been a great supporter of his – we have no issues, he’s a friend of mine. It’s just circumstances and Hong Kong being Hong Kong. We just haven’t had the luck. I’m glad the monkey is off both of our backs,” Whyte said. Whyte had hoped Flaming Rabbit, who previously won last July, was able to feature in last month’s Group 2 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup (1600m) at Al Rayyan. “I had this horse penned in to go to Qatar and his form just wasn’t where it was today. He’s always had it but he’s a colt and he’s just been a little bit awkward to deal with. Suppose we take today’s run, if he had run that race in Qatar, he would have been in the first three,” Whyte said. Whyte labelled the HK$4.2 million Group 3 Premier Plate Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin on June 23 as a potential long-range target for Flaming Rabbit, who won Group 3 races in Germany and Great Britain prior to import. Horse racing news View the full article

Orchestral was given a major scare by another bold move from Nash Rawiller on board Tutta La Vita, but she still stretched her winning streak to the past five of her nine starts, taking the Vinery Stud Stakes.View the full article

Grade 1 winner Gold Phoenix (IRE) returns to the Santa Anita Park turf for his 6-year-old debut against nine competitors in the $100,000 American Stakes (G3T) going one mile April 4.View the full article

Fantasy Stakes (G2) winner Thorpedo Anna's success is no surprise to breeder Judy Hicks, who made sure to keep a share in the horse after she was sold to Kenny McPeek at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale.View the full article

Fresh from her historic second win in the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (G1) March 30, Belclare (NZ) will be offered at the upcoming Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast.View the full article

To look at him and to watch him, you would never know that New Years Eve (Night Conqueror) is, well, ancient. He's holding his weight and he still manages to run around his paddock when the mood strikes him. “He's doing amazingly well,” said his owner, Julie Izzo. “But he has slowed down a bit.” Of course he has. He's 38. New Years Eve | Sarah Andrew As New Years Eve crept into his mid-thirties Izzo, who resides in Pennsylvania, began to do some research. Was there an older Thoroughbred out there? She has asked around, checked social media and touched base with Daily Racing Form photographer Barbara Livingston, who has looked high and far for an even older horse. As best as Izzo can tell, the horse she calls Axl (Izzo is a big Guns N' Roses fan) is in fact the oldest former race horse in the U.S. “I found some people who claimed they had older horses, but when I asked for their Jockey Club names they disappeared or their horse wasn't a race horse,” Izzo said. “Barbara said that this has been a passion of hers for 25 years and she didn't know of an older horse. One lady said her horse was a day older. I asked what was the horse's Jockey Club name because I wanted to see if her horse and mine had ever been to the same tracks. She also disappeared on me.” New Years Eve was born on March 17, 1986. His career was about as unexceptionable as it gets. He debuted on June 9, 1989 at the Nebraska racetrack Atokad Park. He ran 18 times, won two races and earned the grand total of $3,140. None of which mattered to Izzo, who was looking for a pleasure horse and bought the gelding in 1993 when he was seven. “He was literally my dream come true, Izzo said. “My mother had a horse when I was born and she put me on a horse before I could walk. All I ever wanted was my own horse. I rode in stables during my childhood and teen years. But I was always riding other people's horses. My dream was to have a big bay Thoroughbred. In my brain, it had to be a big bay Thoroughbred. An ad popped up advertising him for sale and I knew, before I even saw him, that I was buying him. OTTBs (off the track thoroughbreds), they have always been my passion. I just love them. I love the fire. I love the power. I wanted a horse that was going to be fun and exciting and one where I wouldn't know what I was getting into every day. He was always that.” New Years Eve at Atokad Park in 1991 | Durham Museum/Bob Dunn Collection Izzo never tried to turn New Years Eve into a show horse. She was happy to just have him around and to be able to ride him whenever she wanted. “He's never been in a show,” she said. “All I ever wanted was to have a horse where I could just go out and have some fun with them. I have done some trail riding and some light dressage with him. He loves to jump. Two years ago, he took off on a dead run in the pasture and decided to jump all the wild rose bushes. He will take himself jumping. He loves to jump.” That Julie Izzo owns what may be the oldest living Thoroughbred in the U.S. probably isn't a coincidence. She also owned a Quarter Horse mare who lived to be 40. She believes the key to a horse having a long life is to keep them out of a stall. New Years Eve and Julie Izzo | Sarah Andrew “Since I bought him, he has almost always been pasture boarded,” she said. “I do not believe in keeping horses in stalls. I think it is a horrible thing to do to them. He was always pretty much out in the pasture as much as possible. If you put them in a box and they are standing still trying to eat that means you're affecting their digestive system and you're affecting respiratory system because they are stuck in a dusty building. It's not good for a horse mentally to be stuck in a box all day.” Then there is his diet. Izzo is careful about what she feeds her horses. “He went from eating a low protein sweet feed and having free access to hay,” she said. “Now, we've converted him over to Sentinel Senior. It's easier for him to digest. Like any horse at his age, he's starting to lose teeth. In fact, we're on the fence about starting to do some major extractions. Up until two or three years ago, he ate dry pellets and had access to all the grass he could eat. Now he gets a mash because his teeth have gotten bad enough where he's not going to be able to keep eating grass. He gets a mash twice a day with alfalfa cubes, Sentinel Senior and a couple of low-carb horse cookies that I throw in there. Plus, we give him on a high quality probiotic. “I did a lot of research about their diets and read all the educational materials Cornell put out and have read books by people who know what they are talking about. People ask me all the time, what do you feed him? I tell them the feed is just one part of it. Obviously, genetics play a big factor and so does keeping him out of a stall.” The only problem of late has been that Axl is alone after having the Quarter Horse mare as his pasture mate for 28 years. New Years Eve | Sarah Andrew “Sometimes I think he is lonely,” Izzo said. But he keeps going, year after year. And while it can't last forever, Izzo continues to marvel at how healthy and spry her horse is. He might have a few more years left in him. From a horse who I special in his own unique way, you never know. The post The World’s Oldest Thoroughbred? We Think We Have Found Him appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday's Listed Preis von Dahlwitz at Hoppegarten witnessed the return of last year's G1 Deutsches Derby first and second Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and Mr Hollywood (Ire) (Iquitos {Ger}), but with a two-kilo swing in his favour it was the latter who turned the tables to get his 2024 campaign off to a flyer. Labelled a TDN Rising Star on his jaw-dropping debut at Mulheim last April, Mr Hollywood proved that to be no fluke with success in Munich's G3 Bavarian Classic and runner-up finishes in Cologne's G2 Union-Rennen and the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden as well as in the domestic Derby. Last of 15 when Fantastic Moon was 11th flying the flag for Germany in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe when last sighted, Mr Hollywood was understandably fresh and keen early on the front end in the hands of Andrasch Starke. Looking vulnerable as the patiently-ridden Fantastic Moon threatened to his right in the straight, the 13-10 second favourite gave extra to pull away again and win by 1 1/2 lengths. “I had to go to the front, which wasn't ideal as I'd have liked him to calm down behind another,” Starke said. “He kept at it and even broke away in the end.” Mr Hollywood is the second dam out of the listed-placed dam Margie's Music {Fr} (Hurricane Run {Ire}), whose first was the G3 Derby-Trial runner-up Magical Beat (Ger) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). Out of Margie's World (Ger) (Spinning World), was also listed-placed and is kin to the G2 Gerling-Preis-placed Margosto (Ger) (Acatenango {Ger}), she is connected to the GI Spinaway S. runner-up Our Little Margie (Mr. Majestic). Her yearling full-sister to Magical Beat was knocked down to Elliott Bloodstock Services Limited for €220,000 at the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale. PREIS VON DAHLWITZ-Listed, €25,000, Hoppegarten, 3-31, 4yo/up, 10fT, 2:07.12, g/s. 1–MR HOLLYWOOD (IRE), 126, c, 4, Iquitos (Ger)–Margie's Music (Fr) (SP-Ger), by Hurricane Run (Ire). TDN Rising Star. (€15,000 Ylg '21 BBASEP). O-H H Sheikh A bin Khalifa Al Thani, Wanja Soren Oberhof und Sebastian Weiss; B-Gestut Ammerland (GER); T-Henk Grewe; J-Andrasch Starke. €15,000. Lifetime Record: GSW & MG1SP-Ger, 7-3-3-0, €288,500. *1/2 to Magical Beat (Ger) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), GSP-Ger. 2–Fantastic Moon (Ger), 130, c, 4, Sea The Moon (Ger)– Frangipani (Ger), by Jukebox Jury (Ire). (€49,000 Ylg '21 BBASEP). O-Graf & Grafin von Stauffenberg; B-Liberty Racing 2021 (GER); T-Sarah Steinberg. €5,000. 3–Lightning Jock (Ire), 123, g, 6, Lawman (Fr)–High Haven (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (€10,000 Ylg '19 TIRSEP; €5,000 HRA '21 GOFAUT). O-F Esser; B-Ballylinch Stud (IRE); T-Frank Fuhrmann. €3,125. Margins: 1HF, 2 1/4, 1 3/4. Odds: 1.30, 1.10, 10.00. Also Ran: Merkur (Fr), Quebueno (Ire). Scratched: Mythico (Fr). The post TDN Rising Star Mr Hollywood Wins Derby Rematch in Berlin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Strathalbyn trainer Kym Healy and Darwin apprentice Emma Lines are enjoying a highly-successful Alice Springs Cup Carnival at Pioneer Park. They were the leading trainer and jockey at Birdsville last year, and now Kym Healy and apprentice Emma Lines are dominating the Alice Springs Cup Carnival. With three days down and two to go, Strathalbyn’s Healy (7) and Darwin’s Lines (5) lead the way from Dan Morgan (3) and Sonja Logan (3), respectively. Apart from sealing the 1200m weight-for-age at Pioneer Park with Noble Magnate on Saturday, Healy and Lines also had success when four-year-old mare Lotto Fight ($3.30 fav) streeted her rivals by 4.8 lengths over 1400m (0-58) for her third career win. The daughter of War, a narrow second on her NT debut a fortnight ago, led after 1200m before extending her lead turning for home to sink Lisa Whittle’s Prophesier ($6.50) and Mark Pegus’ Nicstar ($21). Logan, Central Australia’s top jockey last season, had wins aboard Canny Impact ($15) over 1600m (0-64) for husband Tom Logan and Lisa Whittle’s Freedom Day ($7.50) over 1100m (0-58). Canny Impact boasted respectable Queensland form, but finished fifth in Darwin (1200m) in February and eighth in Alice Springs (1600m) on March 9. The five-year-old gelding by Real Impact hit the front on Saturday when they jumped and skipped away at the 600m before decimating Kerry Petrick’s Princess Pancakes ($26) and Tayarn Halter’s I’m A Dreamer ($61) by 5.6 lengths. Canny Impact will likely miss next Sunday’s Alice Springs Cup (2000m), with the 2000m (BM76) on Cup Day an inevitable prospect. Having not raced since November, Freedom Day ($7.50), a five-year-old mare by Free Eagle, settled second before hitting the front in the home straight to sink Greg Connor’s stablemates Bold Tropic ($7) and Quanapirri Bay ($9) by 1.3 lengths. Ray Viney’s $2.80 favourite Square Cut (Jessie Philpot) was almost scratched when he refused to enter the barrier before maintaining his excellent Alice Springs record with victory over 1000m (0-70). A five-year-old gelding by Kuroshio, Square Cut (11:4-5-2) was among a host of winners on Saturday that pinged the gates to establish a decent lead. Whittle’s Liberty Blue ($6) – second behind Red Wraith in The Soldier Lightning (1000m) on Wednesday – and Healy’s Real Valentia – third behind Noble Magnate midweek – filled the minor placings. Local Lek Maloney celebrated his second Carnival win when Morgan’s Barocco Bar ($8) left it late over 1400m (0-58). Barocco Bar, a four-year-old gelding by Epaulette, was never far away after sitting four deep in search of the early lead before unwinding over the final 100m to pip Leanne Gillett’s gallant Typically Brazen ($11) by a nose with Healy’s Galaxy Falls ($31) third. The three-year-old event over 1100m (BM66) accommodated three runners, with Petrick’s $13 outsider Prancingintherain (Paul Denton), a gelding by Sir Prancealot, leading throughout on its NT debut to sink Will Savage’s Only The Best ($1.55 fav) and Angela Forster’s Angelique ($2.50). Denton (15) leads the way in the Alice Springs and Provincial jockeys’ premiership from Logan (14.5). Paul Gardner (18) leads the trainers’ premiership from Petrick (14.5). Horse racing news View the full article