Wandering Eyes

Race favourite Prince Alby (NZ) (Sacred Falls) carried the hopes of the locals in Saturday’s Kennedy Building Riverton Cup (2147m), and he didn’t let anyone down as he ground out a terrific victory in the feature event on the day. Prepared on the track by Kelvin Tyler, the five-year-old gelding rounded out his preparation for the contest with a narrow victory over 1500m at Wingatui a fortnight earlier. Tyler has made no secret of his admiration for the son of Scared Falls, and his charge looked the winner a long way out as he glided around the outer for rider Terry Moseley approaching the home turn, before taking control out wide shortly after. Chased hard by Astradeel (Dundeel), Prince Alby never shirked his task as he maintained a length margin to the winning post with gallant pacemaker The Tui Toiler (NZ) (Highly Recommended) fighting bravely to hold third. Tyler, who purchased his charge for just $3,000 from the Mapperley Stud draft during Book 3 at Karaka in 2020, was full of praise for the effort on the testing Heavy10 surface. “The way he went today is his best style, and we would have been disappointed if he hadn’t performed as his work has been so good this week,” Tyler said. “He loves the big roomy track here and with some cut in the ground he got everything to suit. “He did it well even though it got a bit tight towards the end, but when he is on his game, he is pretty hard to get past. “This is the third time we have won this race and with the family and a big group of supporters here today it is very special.” Tyler is keen to take on northern rivals at the gelding’s next start as opposed to one of the middle-distance features coming up at Riccarton. “The way that Riccarton track has been lately it would be too firm for him,” he said. “I’m pretty keen to send him north to Otaki for a race there on the 13th of April (Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup 2200m), so as long as he pulls up well then I think that is what we will do.” Bred by Rosemont Stud, Prince Alby is a son of the Black Minnaloushe mare Oya (NZ) and has now won seven of his 27 starts and over $209,000 in prizemoney for Tyler and his wife Vanessa who own him. View the full article

Another Wil was a class above in the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m). Photo: RacingNSW Another Wil (-125) has made a mess of his rivals in the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, booking his ticket to the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) next weekend. The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding put the writing on the wall with a hat-trick of wins to begin the campaign, stamping himself as a possible star on the rise heading into Saturday’s Doncaster Prelude as an odds-on commodity. The win was never in doubt after the jump, with Jamie Kah taking luck out of the equation to sit outside the leader throughout the 1500m journey. Amor Victorious (+800) rolled along at a moderate clip, allowing the favourite to sit on his hammer every step of the way. Jamie Kah only pulled the whip with 300m to go, and in a flash, the son of Street Boss had put his rivals to the sword. Welwal (+2500) and last year’s winner Bandersnatch (+4000) put some value in exotics for trifecta and first four players, but they were simply no match for Another Wil in the concluding stages. Stable representative Johann Gerard-Dubord was on track to discuss the win of Another Wil and his chances moving into next weekend. “Very good,” said Gerard-Dubord. “He still does a lot wrong. Pre-race, that’s him. He’s very energetic. But he keeps raising the bar. There’s a lot more to come. He’s got a very good racing style. He puts himself there on-speed. The team at Ballarat have done a great job with him. He’s had a faultless preparation and hopefully there’s more to come. “He’s fit. It’s just about keeping him fresh and happy and making sure he recovers well from that. The extra 100m next week on a bigger track will only suit him. “There’s a drop of rain predicted, that won’t hurt him. He’s won on a heavy track. He’ll have a light weight there, Jamie Kah will stick with him. He should be a good chance.” Jamie Kah has taken the reins every start of the preparation and believes there is more to come from Another Wil. “I thought he was a freak, and he is one,” said Kah. “It’s nice to see him do that. “He keeps stepping up and I still think we haven’t got anywhere near his peak yet. So bring it on (the Doncaster).” Another Wil is now a firm +250 favourite for the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) on April 6. Horse racing news View the full article

Michael Dee returns to scale on Mark Twain after winning the Roy Higgins at Flemington. (Photo by Ross Holburt/Racing Photos) Roger James & Robert Welwood have topped off their outstanding day with Mark Twain (+850) earning a start in the 2024 Melbourne Cup after a barnstorming finish in the final 400m to claim victory in the Roy Higgins at Flemington. After finishing third in the Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m), the son of Shocking made the trip across the ditch to try and earn his spot in the Cup and with a calm ride from Michael Dee, he proved way too strong late. Major Beel (+2000) made sure the race was run at a strong speed, as he led the field from Gear Up (+650) and Port Guillaume (+25000), while the race favourite Glentaneous (+360) worked his way through the pack to settle behind the leading trio. However, as the leader kicked away at the top of the home straight, none of the leading division could go with him and it appeared as though Jye McNeil had pinched it, but the swoopers were coming fast by the 200m mark. Mark Twain, Strawberry Rock (+1000) and Mostly Cloudy (+650) ascended on the leader and it was the Kiwi runner on the outside that would get his head down on the line and claim the golden ticket into the race that stops the nation. Roger James was on course to witness the big win and he spoke post-race. “I can hardly believe that this horse did that today,” James said of the winner. “At the 600 (metre mark) I have all but given up hope. “He was flat catching the second horse. “The big expanse of Flemington has helped him. A mighty staying effort. “It was a bottomless track that day (in the ATC Derby) and other than that he has hardly ever blotted his copybook and no doubt that staying is the name of his game, and big tracks. “That we have a golden ticket makes it a lot easier.” Michael Dee produced two perfectly timed swooping rides on Australian Cup Day, and he spoke about the win on Mark Twain post-race. “To be honest, I was just trying to get him around the track. We’re here at Flemington and he wanted to hang out on me the whole way and I didn’t have a lot of steering in the straight,” Dee said. “Once he finally changed legs and balanced up in the straight, that was when you saw that turn-of-foot. “It was a super effort but he didn’t give me the easiest of rides. “He’s certainly an out-and-out stayer but he is a difficult horse. He can pull and reef and tear but I was able to manage that. “He was wanting to get on one rein so he’s certainly got great staying ability and we definitely saw it then.” Mark Twain is a +2500 chance in 2024 Melbourne Cup futures markets with online bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

Cascadian (left) claiming Pride Of Jenni to win the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m). Photo: Racing Photos Cascadian (+650) has become the second horse since 2000 to win back-to-back Australian Cups, after getting a peach of a ride from Ben Melham to finish over the top of the brave Pride Of Jenni (+270) in the concluding stages at Flemington. The James Cummings-trained gelding put the writing on the wall with a strong finish in the All-Star Mile last start over 1600m when he finished third, and he has produced a similar run to claim his first victory since winning the same race 12 months ago. As always, Declan Bates took Pride Of Jenni to the front and allowed her to bowl along at her own speed, and they put four lengths on the rest of the field at the halfway mark. The race favourite Mr Brightside (+190) was one of the first favoured runners to be asked for an effort, but Atishu (+380) and Cascadian went straight past him with 300m to go, but the former began to struggle to go with the winner a few strides later. Under the urgings of Melham, the son of New Approach continued to find and he nabbed the front-runner in the shadows of the post, while Atishu held on from a fast-finishing Vow And Declare (+2500) in third and fourth. Nacim Delmi represented the Godolphin stable on course and he spoke about the win post-race. “We knew tactics were going to be tricky obviously with Pride Of Jenni over the 2000-metres and Declan rode a great race,” Delmi said. “The temp suited him perfectly. When they came up to the top of the straight and he was travelling we knew he was going to give it a good shake. “Once he peeled out and Ben Melham timed it perfectly, it was great. “He is easy to do anything with. He has been really fresh the last few days and we had to keep him as calm as possible. “He came here today in great order and when we saddled him up and did the girth, he grabbed hold of the strapper’s arm and wouldn’t let go. We knew he was on song today. “Back-to-back, it is unreal.” Ben Melham also went back-to-back in the Australian Cup after he partnered Cascadian in the 2023 edition. “That’s the way he loves it. James and the Godolphin team have done a tremendous job with this horse. “He ran really well the other day, like he did last year in the All-Star Mile and came out and won. “I tell you what, if you could ever declare a horse on the way to the barrier, this is him. “Couldn’t have been in better order which gave me the confidence to ride him like I wanted to. “He loves pinching runs and sneaking around the place. He’s just too good for them. “To see horses his age still beating the best horses in the land at this trip is phenomenal to see. “Massive feat for him to win two in a row. “Ride of the year, I reckon.” Horse racing news View the full article

Kalapour holds out More Felons to claim Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) glory. Photo: RacingNSW Kalapour (+3300) has caused a major upset in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, giving Dylan Gibbons his second career Group 1 victory as a jockey. The Kris Lees-trained seven-year-old was considered one of the outside chances leading into Saturday, with the son of War Command unwanted in the market as a +3300 chance with online betting sites prior to the jump. He was third-up into the campaign on Saturday and was always going to benefit from a step up in trip after finishing runner-up in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) behind Lindermann on March 16. Dylan Gibbons got the ideal position throughout the journey, slotting in midfield as the eight runners ran along in a single file in the early stages. Post Impressionist (+150) and Buckaroo (+360) were dragged back towards the rear of the field and ridden with confidence, however, both were unable to muster when asked to sprint with 500m to travel. More Felons (+500) was picking up for James McDonald, and at one stage appeared to be hitting the line best, as Kalapour kicked back to secure his first Group 1 victory. Kris Lees was on course and admitted he was cautious about heading to this event before praising the ride by Dylan Gibbons. “At 8.30am on Wednesday I nearly was going to run him in the Neville Sellwood Stakes,” said Lees. “I ummed and ahhed which way to go and it looked like it was falling away a little bit, this race, so we thought we’d give him his chance. “I came here hoping he’d earn a nice cheque for connections, probably not that confident. But I’m really happy. “Super. He’s a super kid (Dylan Gibbons. What you see is what you get. That’s him, all the time. He’s just a pleasure to have around. I know he’s already won a Group 1 but he’s got many more (to come). Finally we got one together, that’s great.” It’s the first time Gibbons has ridden a Group 1 winner for his boss Kris Lees and couldn’t have been happy with the achievement. “It meant a lot,” said Gibbons. “If you asked me a longtime goal would have been to do something like this for Kris, because I go back through my whole career and every step and stage I made with his support and what he helped Dad plan for me, I know for a fact I’d be lost without it. So to give him one on the biggest stage, it means a hell of a lot.” Horse racing news View the full article

Orchestral arrived in time to claim the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW The journey across the Tasman has paid immediate dividends for the Roger James & Robert Wellwood barn, with New Zealand raider Orchestral (-166.67) justifying the short quote in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday. James McDonald partnered the daughter of Savabeel three starts back at Ellerslie in the Listed Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) on January 27, and always suggested a trip to Australia would be ideal for the three-year-old filly. The race panned out perfect for McDonald gaining the one-one throughout the journey, parking in behind a moderate speed throughout. Zardozi (+320) was able to slide in behind her, while the Gary Portelli-trained Kimochi (+850) was allowed to stride forward under Rachel King. The race shifted gear at the 1000m marker as Nash Rawiller pulled out a three-wide line aboard Tutta La Vitta (+1000), playing a game of ‘catch me if you can’ aboard the Chris Waller-trained filly. Rawiller pinched a three-length break on his rivals, forcing McDonald’s mount to knuckle down to the task, proving too strong at the wire. Orchestral has now claimed back-to-back Group 1 victories after taking on the boys in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) on March 2, and will now press on towards the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) on April 13. Co-trainer Robert Wellwood spoke on behalf of the stable and there was a sense of relief getting the result, before confirming the team are undecided on where to head next. “My heart rate is still coming down,” said Wellwood. “It was a bit of a freight there. As you say, she (Tutta La Vita) took off and got a real break on us. She had to fight really hard to win but class prevailed. “We’re going to trot her up tomorrow, talk to the connections and make a decision after that. It was a great effort coming back from a Derby to now win a 2000-metre race here. She’s a Group 1 winner on both sides of the Tasman now, so it’s very thrilling for some really good owners. It’s amazing to win the race two years in a row.” James McDonald was delighted with the win and was always confident in the engine he had underneath him when asking Orchestral for the ultimate effort. “She had to have all the quality,” said McDonald. “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. “And I haven’t had this much confidence going into a race since I was riding Anamoe when I knew he was just unbeatable. I thought she was unbeatable today. I thought she would win a little bit easier but she was a little bit ring rusty.” “She took the last bend a little bit awkwardly. Fast ground, she had to really dig deep and it wasn’t to our liking, and the slowly run race wasn’t really to our liking. Stepping up in trip is just going to be perfect for her.” Horse racing news View the full article

Bandi’s Boy claimed the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW The Danny Williams-trained Bandi’s Boy (+1400) has launched late to claim victory in the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon. The son of The Brothers War may have been the forgotten horse early by online betting sites, with punters firming the four-year-old gelding from $34.00 at the open to as short as +1400 prior to the jump. Many would have thought the Country Championship Final (1400m) next Saturday at Randwick would be the grand final target, but thanks to a perfectly timed ride by Jay Ford, Bandi’s Boy has added some black-type to the resume. The Bjorn Baker-trained Malkovich ($26.00) rolled to the front early under Joshua Parr and gave a bold sight when asked for the ultimate effort in the straight. Bandi’s Boy was the only notable chaser with 200m to travel, with the likes of Hawaii Five Oh (+450), Libertad (+600) and Zou Tiger (+550) never sighted in the concluding stages, while the Chris Waller-trained Roots (+1300) was doing her best work late to sneak into the minor money. Danny Williams admitted this was more of a turn up for next Saturday but was delighted with the display of Bandi’s Boy. “He wasn’t wound down for this race,” said Williams. “Obviously he was in today for next week which is our Grand Final (in the Country Championships Final). Look, the horse just keeps going to another level. He keeps lifting the bar and obviously the 1400-metres is going to suit him better than the 1200. “He had a nice weight today and from a very nice ride. He’s got so much upside and he’s only going to improve. “The back-up is what we’ve planned. “Obviously there is a bit of rain forecast next week and he needed that fitness. We’ve been a little bit soft on him coming into today, he’d only had the one gallop and a barrier trial leading in in the last four weeks. He went to the paddock for a week and he’s done extremely well and the horse just keeps getting better.” Jay Ford credited the maturity of his mount and believes he’ll be ready to go again next week in the Country Championship. “He’s always had really good ability,” said Ford. “This prep has probably been the real making of him. “He’s always done the little things wrong, wanting to run off the track and just getting the one-percenters wrong. But this prep he has really started to put it all together and he has just flown through the grades. He’s qualified for the Country Champs and it’s not a bad lead-up is it, winning a stakes race leading into that. “He’s a very talented horse. Danny has managed him very well. He got injured a long time ago, he had a long time off and now they’re reaping the rewards. “He’s the right horse for the Country Championships. I always thought that from a fair few months ago. He’s flying through the grades so all things being equal, if he turns up in this sort of form next week he should be hard to beat.” Bandi’s Boy is a clear +150 favourite for next Saturday’s Country Championship Final (1400m). Horse racing news View the full article

Wymark’s (NZ) (Savabeel) connections are likely to pay a late nomination fee for next week’s Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) after the rapidly improving three-year-old collected his fourth win in a row in Saturday’s Gr.2 Toyota Forklifts Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill. The Randwick classic was not originally on the radar for the Savabeel gelding, who began his career with six consecutive top-four finishes over distances ranging from 1200m to 1500m. But the step up over ground has lifted the talented New Zealand-bred to another level, beginning with a maiden victory over 1600m at Newcastle in February. He won by nine and a half lengths over 1850m in his next appearance at the same venue, then beat older horses in a 1900m race at Rosehill on March 16. On Saturday he did it again in the Tulloch – a race that has produced five Derby winners since 2017 with Jon Snow (NZ) (Iffraaj), Levendi (Pierro), Angel Of Truth (Animal Kingdom), Quick Thinker (So You Think) and Major Beel (NZ) (Savabeel). “We’ll probably have to pay that late entry fee for the Derby now – it’s a big carrot dangling there,” Wymark’s trainer Michael Freedman said. “This race has been a great guide to the Derby in recent years. “He’s bred to run a mile and a half, and I thought he ran a very solid 2000m there on a day where the track might be favouring on-pace runners a little bit. “He’s done a great job. Now we’ll look forward to him hopefully having a good week and backing up next Saturday. “I ballsed it up with this horse and thought he’d be a miler or 1400m horse. I sent him up to the Gold Coast for the A$250,000 Magic Millions Maiden race there, thinking he might not have many chances to run for A$250,000. He ran well that day for fourth over 1400m, but since we’ve stepped his distances up, he’s relished it and made me look like an idiot.” Wymark completed back-to-back stakes wins on the Rosehill card for jockey Tommy Berry, who had previously won the Gr.3 Hyland Race Colours Baillieu (1400m) aboard fellow Kiwi-bred Linebacker. Wymark settled in sixth place among a strung-out Tulloch Stakes field, then Berry switched him out at the turn to make his run down the centre of the track. He quickly overpowered the front-running Kintyre (Hallowed Crown) and stretched out stylishly to score by three-quarters of a length over Noisy Boy (Real Steel) and the New Zealand-bred Saltcoats (NZ) (Ardrossan). “I came in after his work on Tuesday and I told Michael this horse was oozing confidence,” Berry said. “I said, ‘He won’t get beat on the weekend.’ It was just that bit of work. Last time I said to Michael one wouldn’t get beat, I think it was Stay Inside in the Golden Slipper (Gr.1, 1200m). So that’s how good he’s been going at home. “He was very enthusiastic today. He doesn’t feel like a horse that has had a heap of runs. He’s feeling really good. But just with how quickly he picks them up and puts them away – even Jay Ford said to me coming back to scale, ‘I felt like I had you a few times, but yours was just waiting for us and then just kept picking up and going away.’ So he’s got a few more gears there. “I’m not saying he’ll win, but he will be mighty hard to beat in the Derby. I haven’t ridden a stayer that has given me a feel like this since The Offer, and he was just good the whole way through. So he’s pretty good.” If Wymark backs up into next Saturday’s Derby, he will attempt to deliver back-to-back wins in the race for Savabeel, who sired last year’s winner Major Beel. Wymark was bred by Waikato Stud and is out of Pasadena (NZ), an unraced O’Reilly full-sister to multiple Group One winner Alamosa. The Savabeel – O’Reilly cross has produced 32 stakes winners, including Major Beel. Wymark was purchased at the Gold Coast yearling sales by bloodstock agent Mick Wallace for A$200,000. View the full article

Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) became the first stakes winner for freshman Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth with a classy and tenacious victory in Saturday’s Gr.3 Hyland Race Colours Baillieu (1400m) at Rosehill – a performance that also earned him a shot at next month’s Gr.1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. Held in high regard by trainer John O’Shea, Linebacker made a perfect start to his career with a four-length win on debut at Hawkesbury in late February. The Bailleu was a big step up for his second start on Saturday, but Linebacker rose to the occasion. Ridden positively from the inside gate by jockey Tommy Berry, Linebacker settled in second before moving up to eyeball the front-running Anode (I Am Invincible) at the home turn. That rival fought back fiercely and it developed into a desperate duel down the straight, but Linebacker kept lifting and took top honours by a nose. The third placegetter finished more than two lengths behind the first pair. “I pulled up with a lot of admiration for this horse,” Berry said. “There’s so much more under the bonnet than what you’ve seen today. “A few things were against him. He’s gone from a soft track to a firm deck, and he handled that quite well. We also drew in and had that pressure from the outside – I think he’ll be better when he draws out a little bit and can take that time to get into his spot. “He’s got such a big stride, and horses like that just need to bowl along and get into their rhythm. But he knows how to win, and it’s great for his connections.” Linebacker’s two-start, two-win career has so far earned A$161,550 for an ownership group that includes Mystery Downs’ Francis and Christine Cook. “He’s a real racehorse,” O’Shea said. “Further down the track, I think he’ll run a mile, a mile and a quarter. “It was a big challenge for him today, coming out of a maiden at Hawkesbury and into a Group Three, and we had to ride him a bit different. “There was plenty for him to learn, and he did a great job. He wants to be a racehorse. He wants to win, wants to stick his neck out. Tommy gave him a beautiful ride and taught him plenty. He’s on an upward spiral and has a bright future. “Now we want the other two-year-olds to beat each other up in the Sires’ (Gr.1, 1400m) next week and have a hard run. Then we’ll head into the Champagne with fresh legs and a nice young colt on the way up.” Bred by GSA Bloodstock, Linebacker was purchased out of Haunui Farm’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $160,000 by O’Shea and Suman Hedge Bloodstock. He is a son of the English-bred Oasis Dream mare Garden Of Swans, who is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Sandown Eclipse Stakes (2000m) winner and sire Mukhadram. Linebacker’s brother was also secured by O’Shea with James Bester Bloodstock for A$80,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Super Seth has been represented in New Zealand by the winners Poetic Champion (NZ), who also placed in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m), Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) and the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), and Diablo Blanco (NZ) from just six representatives. His progeny were keenly sought after at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale in January, with a top Book 1 price of $700,000 paid by Patella Bloodstock for Pencarrow Stud’s half-brother to Group winners Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock) and Zourion (NZ) (Zoustar). View the full article

Perennially under-rated mare Belclare (NZ) (Per Incanto) had a richly deserved day in the Ellerslie sun on Saturday, bringing her high-class New Zealand racing career to a close with a successful defence of her title in the Gr.1 NZEA New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). The Lisa Latta-trained mare has spent most of her career under the radar and has defied double-digit odds for many of her previous successes – including a $22 upset in last year’s Breeders’ Stakes at Pukekohe and a $21 boilover in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) at Ellerslie two months ago. But despite the lack of plaudits, Belclare has banked more than $980,000 for her ownership group, which includes her breeder David Woodhouse. Her outstanding 36-start career has produced 11 wins and six second placings. “Lisa has done such a magnificent job with this mare,” Woodhouse said. “I’m very grateful to my ownership partners, who stuck it out through quite a slow start to her career. But then we sent her to Lisa, who really turned this mare around, and we’ve had so much fun together over the last couple of years. “It’s almost unbelievable that I’m thinking of selling her now, but that will set me up so that I can hopefully keep racing horses for the rest of my days.” Belclare became the sixth mare to record back-to-back wins in the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, joining Tudor Light (NZ) (All A’Light II) (1976-77), Orchidra (NZ) (Oncidium) (1978-79), Waikiki (NZ) (Crested Wave) (1990-91), Aimee Jay (NZ) (Famous Star) (1998-99) and Saint Cecile (NZ) (Pompeii Court) (2001-02). The race was elevated to Group One status for the second of Saint Cecile’s wins, so Belclare is the first to win the race twice at the elite level. Belclare returns victorious after winning the Gr.1 NZEA New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes at Ellerslie. Photo: Trish Dunell Belclare’s second Breeders’ Stakes victory came as a $4.90 second favourite, starkly contrasting with last year’s three-length upset over the subsequent Group One winner Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel). The six-year-old was ridden again on Saturday by Sam Spratt, whose potent partnership with Belclare has produced victories in the Westbury Classic and both editions of the Breeders’ Stakes. After being slightly slow to leave the starting gates, Spratt drove Belclare forward and soon took up a position on the outside of the front-running Town Cryer (NZ) (Tavistock). Belclare cruised up on the outside of that rival approaching the turn, then took command quickly after straightening for home. She produced the same powerful kick that carried her to her previous big-race successes, pulling ahead of Town Cryer and opening up a winning margin of a length and a half. “What a super mare,” Spratt said. “I don’t normally get emotional, but she almost brought a tear to my eye today. She’s been such a tough little mare. “She’ll be heading off to be a mum soon, I think she’s going to be sold in Australia, so to go out like that today is awesome. “She’s often a stride slow to begin, so I was a bit worried about her draw today. But we managed to kick up, and as soon as I got up beside Town Cryer, I thought I was in a pretty good position. It panned out perfectly – exactly the way I was hoping it would, which doesn’t often happen. She was just travelling so well, then kicked clear in the straight. It was easy as. “She’s such a cool little mare. She’s always been the underdog, but she’s got huge ability.” Latta was relieved and delighted to see her stable star sign off in Group One style. “It’s been a really nerve-racking day, considering it’s likely to be her last race for us,” she said. “I’m proud of her. “I didn’t think there’d be a whole lot of speed today, and I thought Town Cryer would be it. She got into a good spot on the outside of that runner, and the rest is history. “It was good for her to have the experience from coming up here and winning the Westbury Classic earlier in the season, and she obviously goes really well right-handed. “The owners have been so loyal, and to go out on a winning note in this race, it couldn’t be better.” The Roydon Bergerson-trained Town Cryer held on for second in an all-Awapuni quinella, while the John Bary-trained Blissful Belle (NZ) (Belardo) completed a clean sweep for the Central Districts with her third placing. View the full article

A drop back in distance paid dividends for progressive filly Nepheti (NZ) (Charm Spirit) when she bounced back to winning form at Ellerslie in a three-year-old 1400m contest. Prepared by Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray at Cambridge the pair had given the daughter of Charm Spirit her chance to stretch out to a middle distance when she took on the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) at the venue at the beginning of the month. That experiment didn’t pay off as she faded to a midfield position after a tough trip early in the race, but after a brief freshen up and a drop back to the 1400m journey on Saturday, Nepheti showed she has a touch of class when finishing strongly to take out the Barfoot & Thompson 1400 in the hands of the in-form Sam Weatherley. Given a perfect trip in the trail by Weatherley, Nepheti was full of running when she angled into the clear at the 300m and quickly joined issue with race favourite My Annie Belle (NZ) (Snitzel) before dashing away to win by a length and a quarter at the post. Ritchie revealed he has some Trans-Tasman ambitions with the filly although her ability to go further than a mile has him in two minds on whether to press ahead with that plan. “She is a nice filly who is putting a good strike rate together now,” Ritchie said. “We had a couple of softer options at Hastings in the past where she looked impressive, but it’s nice to come to Ellerslie and beat a better quality of three-year-old. “We had a rethink after the 2100m last time and although she had to work hard into the first corner that day she got it too soft down the back not to run out the distance that day. “There is an 1800m Group Three race in Adelaide in a fortnight but that 1800m makes you nervous and there is a mile at Riccarton at the same time. “You don’t want to go to the well too many times but they are only three once and we want to get some black-type with her.” The options referred to by Ritchie were the Gr.3 Auraria Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville and the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton. Bred by Windsor Park Stud, Nepheti is raced by the Stud along with the Galaxy Racing No. 7 Syndicate and is out of the race-winning Thorn Park mare Nymph (NZ). She is the granddaughter of Auraria Stakes winner Fairy Oak (NZ) (High Chaparral) and comes from an extended family that includes Group One winners Just A Dancer (NZ) (Star Way) and Field Dancer (NZ) (Star Way). View the full article

Talented filly Grey Haze (NZ) (Dalghar) earned her connections a lucrative payday in claiming the inaugural Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Loyal sponsors NZB Insurance in partnership with the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Entain revamped the Pearl Series this season, with all race bonuses doubled, alongside the introduction of the $100,000 Pearl Series Bonus Final, which offered a $70,000 cheque to the winning connections on top of the race earnings. A daughter of Dalghar, Grey Haze displayed her ability early claiming a Pearl Series Maiden contest over 1200m in December, defeating subsequent Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) placegetter Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor). The Stuart Manning-trained filly encountered a couple of luckless performances through the summer period but looked to be back to form when finishing a close-up third behind New Millennium at Taupo, with that runner subsequently placing in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m). After opening with TAB bookmakers at $8.50, punters showed confidence in Grey Haze and backed her into joint-favouritism at $4.50 with fellow three-year-old Imperial Empress (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), and the filly instilled confidence settling in the box seat third under Jasmine Fawcett. Tracking the leaders into the home straight, Grey Haze burst into winning contention and sustained a tough gallop to fend off a late-closing challenger in Modernise (NZ) (Reliable Man) by ¾ of a length, with 61kg top-weight I Choose You (I Am Invincible) finishing in third. Fawcett had partnered Grey Haze to a trial win prior to her debut and was pleased that the race had panned out as she had hoped. “I knew the horse was really well and she would suit being on top of the ground. I knew if I got a good run, I’d be right in it,” Fawcett said. “She just got a wee bit far back last time, and today we were a bit handier, which really helped.” Tauranga-based Manning revealed post-race that the filly had encountered some soundness issues through her campaign but was full of confidence ahead of Saturday’s assignment. “I’m not often very confident, but we were today,” he said. “She ran third at Taupo after being off the scene for 37 days, and two of those weeks were with a foot she couldn’t put on the ground. She’d lifted somewhat from there, and we thought she’d be able to win today. “She (Fawcett) gets on well with the horse, she won a trial on her so she may suit her.” Out of the Stravinsky mare Vinskible (NZ), Grey Haze was sold via gavelhouse.com for $2,500 as a yearling to Robert Good, and has earned $46,040 in stakes from seven race-day appearances, in addition to the $70,000 winning bonus from Saturday’s Final. “I wish I was walking away with the bonus,” Manning quipped. But it’s great.” View the full article

Australian joins Cody Mo and Manfred Man as the latest dual-site handlers: ‘I think it’s a fantastic addition to my training’View the full article

What Stawell Cup Day 2024 Where Stawell Racecourse – Black Range Rd, Stawell, VIC, 3380 When Sunday, March 31, 2024 First Race 1pm AEDT Visit Dabble Country racing in Victoria heads to Stawell on Sunday afternoon, where an eight-race meeting awaits punters for Stawell Cup Day. Perfect autumn conditions are forecast for the clubs marquee day, and with the track already a Good 4 and the rail in its true position, there will be no excuses for runners. Stawell Cup Day is scheduled to commence at 1pm AEDT. Stawell Cup Tip: Toogoodfortoorak Matt Laurie’s Toogoodfortoorak was narrowly defeated in the Yarra Valley Cup by Suizuro by the barest of margins, and looks primed to go one better in the $70,000 Stawell Cup. Having hit the lead at the top of the straight, the son of Toorak Toff was vulnerable late when pipped on the line. Linda Meech sticks on board, and if the six-year-old repeats his effort that saw him beat Mostly Cloudy and Tycoon Bec in the Wangaratta Cup two starts back, Toogoodfortoorak should have a bit too much class on his side in the Stawell Cup. Stawell Cup Race 7 – #4 Toogoodfortoorak (7) 6yo Gelding | T: Matt Laurie | J: Linda Meech (56.5kg) +500 with Playup Best Bet at Stawell: Keepmeinthelope Keepmeinthelope has run into a couple of smart ones in both starts this time in, but it will be third times a charm as Ciaron Maher’s gelding lines up over 1300m. The three-year-old chased home subsequent City winner Isthmus before being swamped late by Jackie’s Maid at Echuca. A repeat of those performances should see him break maiden ranks on the fifth time of asking. John Allen will have him stalking the speed throughout, and as long as the pair find clear air at the top of the straight, Keepmeinthelope should prove too hard to hold out. Best Bet Race 2 – #6 Keepmeinthelope (2) 3yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: John Allen (58kg) +180 with Neds Next Best at Stawell: Nokhbah Nokhbah was scratched on Friday night at Cranbourne to be saved for this, and if the five-year-old mare is anywhere near her best, she should prove too slick for her rivals. First-up, she found the 888m at Moonee Valley too sharp, before going stride-for-stride with Epic Centre at the same track when narrowly missing. The I Am Invincible progeny looks to have the speed to land outside the lead upon settling, and third-up from a spell, Nokhbah looks like a great play in the Stawell finale. Next Best Race 8 – #8 Nokhbah (9) 5yo Mare | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Blaike McChief Stipeall (57kg) +240 with Picklebet Sunday quaddie tips for Stawell Stawell quadrella selections Sunday, March 31, 2024 1-2-5-11-12 1-4-6 3-4-6-10 2-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Tommy Berry and Olentia bolts clear to claim the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes. Photo: Racing NSW Tommy Berry made it a hat-trick of wins at Rosehill on Saturday, as the Chris Waller-trained Olentia (+550) stormed clear of her rivals in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) It was a massive improvement based on her most recent effort in last Saturday’s Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m), where the daughter of Zoustar never looked likely when beaten 2.2 lengths by Chain Of Lightning. The step up to 1500m has seemingly done the trick for the four-year-old mare, who cruised past her rivals on Saturday. The race was set up by the Joe Pride-trained outsider Street Gossip (+7000) going forward under Jay Ford, joined on the outside by James McDonald aboard Hinged (+500). Makerena (+200) was held up in the pocket for most of the journey and was unable to get a crack at them when the race went on, leaving Olentia bounding clear down the centre of the course. Arctic Glamour (+2500) and Ruthless Dame (+340) could only watch on when whacking away into the minor money. It was all honours to the winner in the end, as Olentia added win number six to the resume on Saturday. Chris Waller was on course to represent the stable and was elated with the bounceback of his progressive mare. “She’s been a bit of a, I wouldn’t say disappointment, but I know last week she got beaten as favourite. I think it’s just taken us a while to get her worked out,” admitted Waller. “She should have won first-up, she didn’t. Second-up we kept her to 1200m but I think she was looking for further last start. “Today she stepped out to 1500-metres. She showed ability this time last year, she won a Group race as a three-year-old filly and then I think she had a little injury which held her back for the spring. She’s back on track. “Today was an afterthought after she was disappointing last week. We could see from her form that she either needed wet tracks, or further. So we’ve put her up over 1500 metres today. We’ll regroup now and perhaps look at the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.” Tommy Berry was happy to be back in the saddle and make amends after a luckless first-up performance, bringing a sense of relief in his post-race assessment. “I guess I had a bit of redemption there from a couple of starts back,” said Berry. “I owed (syndicator) Denise (Martin) and connections and Chris (Waller) one and I’m glad we were able to do it today. She deserves more success than what she’s been given so far. She’s on the improve and it just shows you what a trainer Chris is because I always thought she was better fresh. You see her record first-up and everything like that and then he goes, ‘nah, I’ll back her up’. And she backs up and wins like that.” Olentia now sits on the fourth line of betting at +1000 for the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf (1600m) on Day two of the Championships on April 13. Horse racing news View the full article

Tommy Berry & Michael Freedman combined with Wymark (+160) to claim victory in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon. It comes after a terrific last start victory against the older horses at Rosehill on March 16, adding his third straight victory of the preparation. He returned to take on the three-year-olds in the Tulloch Stakes, given a perfect steer by Tommy Berry to continue his winning ways, staking his claims on next Saturday’s Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m) in the process. It was a race set up by a genuine tempo throughout, courtesy of the Brad Widdup-trained High Dandy (+500) attempting to make every post a winner under Tyler Schiller, skipping clear in the middle stages. Kintyre (+500) was sent forward to hold a position outside the lead under Jamie Kah, leaving the eventually winner and outside hope Noisy Boy (+2200) gaining promising stalking position throughout the contest. When the whips were cracking, Wymark simply proved a class above, outstaying his rivals to the wire, fending off the challenge of Noisy Boy and the fast-finishing Saltcoats (+850) in the concluding stages. Michael Freedman was on course to praise his galloper before confirming the son of Savabeel would pay the fee and back-up next week. “I was a little bit anxious just before the corner,” said Freedman. “We were further back than we anticipated originally, but he’s a quality young horse and on a day that, so far, has been very leader dominated and on pace, he’s done a really good job. “Hopefully if he gets home and eats up tonight and has a good weekend, he can go around again next week. “They’re only three once, he’s had a great prep so far and it’s a big carrot dangling in front of us. When you get these three-year-olds that are in really good form like he is, you’ve just got to go with that. “Historically in the last few years, this race has been a great guide to the Derby and he’s bred to run close to a mile-and-a-half.” Tommy Berry was delighted with the performance and suggested the Derby next start is a must for the three-year-old gelding. “C’mon Michael, you better put your hands in your pockets mate. We’ve got 40 thousand to find,” joked Berry. “I came in after his work on Tuesday and I said to Michael, ‘this horse is oozing so much confidence’. I said ‘he won’t get beat on the weekend’. It was just that bit of work. Last time I said to Michael one wouldn’t get beat, it was Stay Inside in the (Golden) Slipper I think. So, that’s how good he’s been going at home. “He was very enthusiastic today. He doesn’t feel like a horse that has had a heap of runs. He’s still on the ‘chewie’ in the run, he’s feeling really good. But just with how quickly he picks them up and puts them away, and even Jay Ford said to me coming back to scale, ‘I felt like I had you a few times but yours was just waiting for us and then just kept picking up and going away’. So he’s got a few more gears there.” Wymark is now on the third line of betting with online bookmakers at +500 for the ATC Derby (2400m) on April 6. Horse racing news View the full article

Tobeornottobe ridden by Jye McNeil wins the Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Tobeornottobe (+500) has backed up her strong form lines behind Blue Diamond Stakes winner Hayasugi to break her maiden and take out the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes down the Flemington straight. After finishing second in a close photo on debut in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview, the Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock-trained filly then finished fourth in the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude, the winner clearly brought the best form of any of her rivals. In the running, there was a group of five running up the inside of the track, led by race favourite Ameena (+125), and Tobeornottobe led a group of four up the outside of the straight. However, as the whips began to crack it was the daughter of Pierata who got the better of the wayward favourite in the final 200m and she pulled clear late to win by 1.5 lengths on the line. Behind the top two, Yes Lulu (+850) and Flattered (+600) finished in third and fourth after running on strongly from the back of each group of runners. Mathew de Kock represented the stable in the post-race interview and he was elated with the win of Tobeornottobe. “She’s an absolute ripper. She did everything right in the (Blue Diamond) Preludes and unfortunately she put a little cut on her and she couldn’t run in the Blue Diamond,” de Kock said. “We elected to wait for this and it has paid dividends. “Our pre-race thoughts to the owners were that we hoped it would be a two-horse race (with Ameena) and that we’d come out on top. “The fillies around Australia this year have been outstanding and we’ve seen that in the Blue Diamond and the Slipper and we hoped we’d tie in with them. “We’re hoping that we can go to the Percy Sykes in a couple of weeks.” After riding the filly at her last two starts, Jye McNeil was very happy to get a deserved win at his third attempt, and he spoke post-race. “I just tried to ride my filly, she’s a professional and always acquits herself and Robbie and Mat have done a great job to get her back after a slight hiccup and for her to get the win,” McNeil said. “From where we were drawn we were happy to stay in our lane. “We didn’t want Ameena to come across and get the run of the race and that worked out really well for us.” Tobeornottobe is an +1000 chance in the Percy Sykes Stakes futures market with online bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

Lineback proved too strong late in Group 3 company at Rosehill. Photo: RacingNSW Linebacker (-117.65) has kept his undefeated record intact after grinding his way to victory over Anode (+300) in the final strides in the Group 3 Baillieu at Rosehill Gardens. The John O’Shea-trained colt was a dominant winner on debut before stepping out in Group 3 grade for the first time; however, the son of Super Seth didn’t let his connections down as he claimed the leader in the final 50m and he got his head down on the line to grab a narrow victory. After the race was run to suit the on-speed runners, it was left to Anode and Linebacker to fight out the finish, as they gapped the rest of the field noticeably in the final 300m. Of the backmarkers, Broadsiding (+1000) and Miss Busslinger (+3300) ran home nicely to finish third and fourth but it was all about the winner and runner-up, as they went head and head to the line and were only split by a nose on the line. John O’Shea was on course to speak about the tough win of Linebacker, and he spoke post-race. “It was a good challenge for him today because he lacked a bit of ringcraft. It was something new for him to chase one,” O’Shea said of the winner. “Obviously, it’s hard to make up ground off the fence today, so it was a new string to his bow but he’s a quality animal and he’ll learn from that. “We will look forward to the next couple of weeks. “I’m really keen to get him to a mile where he gets control. “We’ll see what the next few weeks bring but that will help him today no end and we’ll get him to the Champagne in three weeks and see what it brings. “He’s a real horse. The day where he can run along on speed, he’ll run a mile, a mile-and-a-quarter down the track. “We just want those other fellas to beat each other up next week and have a hard run, get into the trenches and we’ll just come up to the Champagne with fresh legs and a nice young colt on the way up.” Tommy Berry was very happy to pick up the ride on the winner, and he spoke about his potential post-race. “I was excited on Tuesday after I galloped him,” Berry said. “I just had to find a way to get on him but lucky the connections I was riding for were nice enough to relieve me of my duties and get on a quality colt like him. So it was nice. “He gives you a great feel. I think there was a lot of merit in his performance today. “He wasn’t comfortable with the speed. I don’t know if it’s because he’s got such a big stride on him but the speed didn’t feel that genuine to me and he just wanted to get along at his own tempo. “He’s had a very good blow, he’s had a good time between runs, so I’m not worried about the margin, I just know what he’s got under the bonnet.” Linebacker is now the second favourite at +350 in the Champagne Stakes futures markets with online bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

Tim Clark has guided Serpentine to victory in the Group 2 Neville Selwood Stakes at Rosehill. Photo: Racing NSW Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott have combined with Tim Clark to claim the Group 3 Neville Selwood Stakes at Rosehill aboard Serpentine (+230), as the seven-year-old gelding picked himself up off the canvas to kick back and claim back-to-back victories. The son of Galileo showed his customary toughness in the concluding stage of the 2000m event, even though he was clearly headed by Zeyrek (+160) at the 150m mark. Clark gave Serpentine a good rev up and let him rip at the top of the straight but the stayer didn’t really pick up until the second horse got past him and gave him something to chase. Outside of the top two, Renaissance Woman (+800), who was the only runner to make up ground from the back of the field, ran into third and Little Mix (+550) battled on for fourth place after travelling three-wide without cover for the entire trip. Adrian Bott was on track to speak about the win of Serpentine post-race. “He runs the same style of race, and that’s the pattern we know from him. We’ve got to try to ride him accordingly,” Bott said. “You’ll see Tim (Clark) went for him a long way from home. There’s never an immediate response, it’s a long, sustained run. “They outsprinted him from the 800 (metre mark) to the 400 (metre mark) but I was always confident that he wasn’t done with yet, he was going to be working back into it. “Once he got up level at the furlong there, I thought it’s going to be awfully hard for them to sustain that run that he can.” Tim Clark is building a good affiliation with the winner after being on him at his last two victories and he spoke about the win post-race. “That’s what I said to Adrian (Bott) and Nick (Williams) and the guys before the race, that was my concern if something came to him quickly whether he would have time to respond to that challenge,” Clark said of the tactics on the winner. “But he just does enough to keep his head in front. “He’s in great shape. He’s in a really good zone. Obviously he’s an older horse but he’s going as good as ever. “It’s pretty warm out there so it’s going to dry out a bit. But the track is in good order. “Obviously a 6m rail is always a little bit conducive to on-pace but if they go fast enough I’m sure that there’s horses that are good enough to come from the back and win.” Horse racing news View the full article

Veteran trainer hoping for a change of fortune at Sha Tin on Sunday after his highest-rated galloper is one of four horses transferred out of his stableView the full article

Edited Press Release The link for an equine-related Committee on Animals and the Law of the New York State Bar Association [has gone] live. It's a webinar on the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA): Its Impact on Equine Welfare, NYS Racing and Regulation, and Federal Administrative and Constitutional Law. The webinar will be held Thursday, April 18 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT. Attorneys who attend are eligible for up to three NYS MCLE credit hours. These credit hours are valid in almost every U.S. jurisdiction. Non-attorneys are welcome to attend. The Committee on Animals and the Law (COAL) of the New York State Bar Association has organized this excellent event. Speakers will explain the legal structure created by HISA, HISA's impact and future; the legal ramifications of HISA on state, federal and private actors; and HISA's effect on equine welfare. We expect to wrap up with a lively and informative discussion panel among the speakers. We hope attendees will leave the webinar with a greater understanding of HISA and the state of the State of New York's regulated racing industry. What our roster of speakers will have to say promises real value to legal practitioners and others involved in racing. If you have any particular questions or comments you think would make good fodder for the discussion panel, please don't hesitate to let Fiona Farrell know in advance at ffarrell@nycap.rr.com. Our program faculty includes: Lucinda Finley, University of Buffalo Law School Joi Garner, General Counsel, SVP, and Secretary, New York Racing Association Lisa Lazarus, CEO, Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Robert Williams, Executive Director, New York State Gaming Commission To learn more about the program and to register, click here. The post New York State Bar Association Offers HISA Webinar Apr. 18 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jamie Ness won with two of his five starters March 29, both under stable rider Jaime Rodriguez, to clinch the calendar year-opening Heritage Meet training title at Laurel Park. View the full article

Multiple graded stakes-winning trainer Robertino Diodoro was allegedly found in possession of the banned substance levothyroxine and faces up to a two-year suspension. View the full article

The New York Schenectady County Supreme Court has agreed to review allegations that trainer Todd Pletcher's due process rights were violated during a hearing related to the disqualification of Forte due to a medication positive.View the full article

8th-Oaklawn, $115,000, Msw, 3-29, 3yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:10.55, ft, 6 1/4 lengths. TWEETSTER (f, 3, Practical Joke–Tweeterdini, by Bernardini) debuted with Lasix as the heavily backed 3-2 choice here. The homebred started slowly, but with the rail open she was able to lead the second pack up the backstretch. Rolling around the turn, the filly chased longshot Hurricane Fire (Can the Man), who appeared to be getting away. Moving from the rail towards the center of the course at the eighth pole, Tweetster closed like a freight train and won by 6 1/4 lengths. Out of an extended female family which includes champion 3-year-old filly Bird Town (Cape Town) and MGISW Birdstone (Grindstone), the winner's unraced dam is responsible for 2-year-old colt Spenard (Spun to Run). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $69,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Marylou Whitney Stables, LLC (KY); T-Norm W. Casse. #1 TWEETSTER ($5.00) breaks her maiden on debut in R8 at Oaklawn Park. @NormCasse trains this three-year-old filly by @CoolmoreAmerica's Practical Joke. @RSantana_Jr was in the irons for this powerful victory. pic.twitter.com/BXOfRJl4m5 — TVG (@TVG) March 29, 2024 The post Marylou Whitney Stables Homebred Debuts A Winner At Oaklawn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article