Wandering Eyes

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. Among this most recent set of rulings, trainer Robert Fiesman was suspended seven days and fined $1,000 for his second positive finding for phenylbutazone since HISA's anti-doping and medication control program (ADMC) went into effect. Phenylbutazone is a Class C controlled medication under HISA. A second Class C offense within a 2-year period comes with a maximum 15-day suspension and $1,000 fine. Jonathan Maldonado has similarly been suspended seven days and fined $1,000 after his trainee, Kapadokya, tested positive for the Class B controlled medication, capsaicin, after winning at Laurel Park on Feb. 10. Capsaicin is a topical analgesic. NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Resolution Date: 03/26/2024 Licensee: Riley Tucker Mott, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Brian. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Resolution Date: 03/26/2024 Licensee: Sally Rivera, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Stormy Joe on 2/13/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Resolution Date: 03/26/2024 Licensee: Robert Fiesman, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on March 27, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Zipsy Rose Lee, who finished second at Mahoning Valley on 2/6/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Resolution Date: 03/25/2024 Licensee: Jonathan Maldonado, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on March 26, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Explainer: For the presence of Capsaicin—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Kapadokya, who won at Laurel Park on 02/10/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Resolution Date: 03/21/2024 Licensee: Derek Ryan, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Charging Aero, who finished second at Tampa Bay on 01/06/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Pending ADMC Violations Date: 03/08/2024 Licensee: John Servis, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Pre-workout joint injection violation Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Chance Occurrence. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 03/08/2024 Licensee: Jeremiah Englehart, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Pre-workout joint injection violation Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Dolce Veloce. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 02/08/2024 Licensee: Javier Duarte, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Vet's list medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Albuterol by inhilation—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Shanghai Mike on 2/8/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 02/26/2024 Licensee: Miguel Rodriguez, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the potential breach of Rule 4221—Alkalinization or use/administration of an Alkalinizing Agent (TCO2)—on Ipsum Gratus, who finished eighth at Penn National on 2/26/2024. This is also a possible violation of Rule 3313—Use of a Controlled Method During the Race Period. Date: 02/24/2024 Licensee: Bernell Rhone, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Fury Cap, who finished third at Tampa Bay on 2/24/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). The post Weekly Rulings: March 22-27 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Things are heating up and the prospective field for the GI Kentucky Oaks is starting to take shape. Tarifa (Bernardini) won the GII Fair Grounds Oaks last Saturday and is very much looking like the horse to beat in the Kentucky Oaks. At Turfway Park, the former claimer Everland (Arrogate) earned her way into the Oaks with a win in the Bourbonette Oaks. Two huge preps will be run this Saturday–the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks and the GIII Fantasy at Oaklawn. Here's a look at the latest installment of our Kentucky Oaks Top 10: 1) TARIFA (f, Bernardini–Kite Beach, by Awesome Again) O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: 'TDN Rising Star', MGSW, 5-4-0-0, $518,925. Last start: WON Mar. 23 GII Fair Grounds Oaks. Kentucky Oaks Points: 150. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, May 4. Tarifa is as solid as they come. She won her second straight Oaks prep when capturing the Fair Grounds Oaks presented by Fasig Tipton by three-quarters of a length. It wasn't a dominant win but it was more than enough to get the job done. She's lost just once in her career and seems to improve with every start. She's good now and it appears that trainer Brad Cox has yet to tighten the screws to the point where she has peaked. He was, however, concerned that Tarifa was rank entering the first turn. “I would like to tell you she is settling down and relaxing, but that didn't work out well in the first turn,” Cox said. “Still, she was able to overcome it. She needs to learn to relax in the race, and obviously next time we will be facing a larger field. She needs to learn to chill out and relax. We will continue to work with her.” Cox has won the Oaks twice since 2018 and seems poised to pick up his third win in May. 2) IMPEL (f, Quality Road–Your Love, by Flatter) O/B-Juddmonte (Ky); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: 'TDN Rising Star' 2-2-0-0, $115,200. Last Start: WON Oaklawn AOC, Mar. 3. Kentucky Oaks Points: 0. Next Start: GI Ashland S., KEE, April 5. Has become everybody's wise-guy horse. Though she's run just twice and never in a stakes race, she was made the 7-1 favorite in the Kentucky Derby Oaks Future Wager. It's easy to see why people like her. After breaking her maiden, she blew away a field of allowance horses at Oaklawn to win by 8 1/2 lengths. The real test will come when she faces off against the cream of the crop in the Ashland at Keeneland on Friday, April 5. “I think she's very good,” Cox said. “She's got a great mind. She doesn't overtrain. She's not super, super aggressive and does whatever you ask of her.” If she blows away the field in the Ashland she'll likely be the favorite in the Oaks over stablemate Tarifa. 3) JODY'S PRIDE (f, American Pharoah–Jody's Song, by Scat Daddy) O-Parkland Tbreds & Sportsmen Stable; B-Mr. Steve Weston (Ky); T-J Abreu. Lifetime Record: MSW & GISP, 4-3-1-0, $590,250. Last start: WON Mar. 2 Busher S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 65. Next Start: GI Ashland S., KEE, April 5. The connections of this filly keep changing their minds about where she is going to run. After winning the Busher S. at Aqueduct they announced they would stay in New York for the GIII Gazelle S. Instead, it's on to the Ashland. “We got a race under our belt. She's going to have to face [Just F Y I] at some point again, so this might be the time to face her,” trainer Jorge Abreu told the Daily Racing Form. The horse seems to be flying under the radar because of low-profile connections, but she' the real deal. She's 3-for-4 lifetime and the only defeat came against Just F Y I (Justify) in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. 4) JUST F Y I (f, Justify–Star Act, by Street Cry {Ire}) O/B-George Krikorian (Ky); T-Bill Mott. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo filly, GISW, 3-3-0-0, $1,317,750. Last start: WON Nov. 3 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Kentucky Oaks Points: 40. Next Start: GI Ashland S., KEE, April 5. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott had to alter his filly's schedule after she was scratched from the GII Davona Dale because of a fever. But Mott said that his Eclipse champ has recovered and will go next in what will be a loaded Ashland at Keeneland. “Her next scheduled start is now the Ashland,” he said. “She needed the extra time to get ready.” From the standpoint of Beyer figures she needs to get faster as her best number last year was a 79. That's not going to get in done in a race like the Oaks. Kopion | Benoit 5) KOPION (f, Omaha Beach–Galloping Ami, by Victory Gallop) O-Spendthrift Farm; B-Tall Oaks Farm (Ky); T-Richard Mandella. Sales history: $270,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-1-0, $116,600. Last start: 2nd Feb. 10 GIII Las Virgenes S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20. Next Start: GII Santa Anita Oaks, SA, April 6. Hall of Fame Richard Mandella is bringing this filly along slowly. After she won the GIII Santa Ynez S., Mandella skipped the next prep on the schedule, the March 3 Santa Ysabel S. The plan now is to go in the GII Santa Anita Oaks on April 6. She'll be up against it in the Santa Anita Oaks as the race is also expected to feature 'TDN Rising Star' Kinza (Carpe Diem) the best 3-year-old filly in the West. But she's trained by Bob Baffert, who is still under a ban at Churchill Downs, and won't be running in the Oaks. That leaves Kopion as the West Coast's best hope. 6) WAYS AND MEANS (f, Practical Joke–Strong Incentive, Warrior's Reward) O/B-Klaravich Stables (Ky); T-Chad Brown. Lifetime Record: GISP, 'TDN Rising Star,' 2-1-1-0, $117,750. Last start: 2nd Sept. 3 GI Spinaway S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 0. Next Start: GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, GP, March 30. Remember her? She romped in her maiden voyage when winning at Saratoga by 12 3/4 lengths. She returned in the GI Spinaway S. and was second despite clipping heels down the backstretch. She's returning this Saturday for the Gulfstream Park Oaks, which will be her first race in nearly seven months. Off that layoff and with her having just one prep before the Oaks, can Chad Brown have her ready? The answer is yes. She's been working steadily and Brown is a master when it comes to having his horses ready for big races. With Flavien Prat committed to Tarifa, Brown has given the riding assignment to Irad Ortiz Jr. 7) OUR PRETTY WOMAN (f, Medaglia d'Oro–Dazzletown, by Speightstown) O-Courtlandt Farms; B-Woods Edge Farm, LLC and Godolphin; T-Steve Asmussen. Sales History: $900,000 ylr '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSP, 3-2-1-0, $150,200. Last start: 2nd Mar. 23 GII Fair Grounds Oaks. Kentucky Oaks Points: 50. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, May 4. Came into the Fair Grounds Oaks with a lot of potential and a lot to prove. She broke her maiden at the Fair Grounds and then romped in an allowance race there. Both were run over sloppy tracks. Facing Tarifa in the Fair Grounds Oaks, she would need to step it up, and that's what she did. She didn't win, but set the pace and put up a fight in the stretch as Tarifa beat her by less than a length. It was just her third lifetime start, so she should continue to improve. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen will be looking for his first Oaks win since 2014 with Untapable (Tapit). Lemon Muffin | Coady Photography 8) LEMON MUFFIN (f, Collected–Pelt, by Canadian Frontier) O-Aaron Sones; B-Mr & Mrs Theodore R Kuster & Collected Syndicate (KY); T-D Wayne Lukas. Sales history: $20,000 yrl '22 KEESEP; $140,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-1-4-0, $305,250. Last start: WON Feb. 24 GIII Honeybee S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 50. Next Start: GIII Fantasy S., OP, March 30. The goal for this Wayne Lukas trainee will be to prove that her win in the GIII Honeybee S. wasn't a fluke. She came into that race as a maiden who had never run beyond seven furlongs or around two turns. Yet, she put it all together and won by 3 1/2 lengths at odds of 28-1. Lukas has won the Oaks five times and his sixth win would allow him to pass Woody Stephens as the winningest trainer in Oaks history. Lukas has shown a lot of faith in young Keith Asmussen by giving him this mount. Lemon Muffin is a horse who could run terribly in the GIII Fantasy S. or maybe she's just hitting her best stride. It's a tough call. 9) FIONA'S MAGIC (f, St Patrick's Day–Mollie's Magic, by Factum) O/B-Stonehedge, LLC (FL); T-Michael Yates. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-3-2-0, $250,910. Last start: WON Mar. 2 GII Davona Dale S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 60. Next Start: GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, GP, March 30. She's a tough Florida bred by a sire, St. Patrick's Day, who stands for just $3,500. But she can run. She's never been worse than second in five career tries and is coming off a win in the Davona Dale S. for trainer Michael Yates. The Gulfstream Park Oaks will be her big test and her first race around two turns. She loses the services of jockey Tyler Gaffalione and will be ridden instead by Jorge Ruiz. 10) LESLIE'S ROSE (f, Into Mischief–Wildwood Rose {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) 'TDN Rising Star' O-Whisper Hill Farm; B-John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock Services (Ky); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales history: $1,150,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 'TDN Rising Star', GSP, 3-2-0-1, $89,950. Last start: 3rd Mar. 2 GII Davona Dale S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 15. Next Start: GI Ashland S., KEE, April 5. A $1.15 million purchase at Keeneland September, she looked like a horse that could be anything after a maiden and allowance win at Gulfstream. Trainer Todd Pletcher stepped her up in class for the Davona Dale and the results were mixed. Pounded down to 3-10 favoritism she was third, beaten 2 1/4 lengths. But at no point did it look like she was going to win the race. It's possible that she just had an off-day. We'll know more after her next start–the Ashland. The post The Kentucky Oaks Top 10 For March 28 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Englishman capitalises on inside barriers to boot home Winning Heart, Our Lucky Glory and Show RespectView the full article

Cavern Club (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}) (lot 58), a two-time winner for Marco Botti, brought a sale-topping price of 32,000gns at the Tattersalls March Sale on Wednesday. Consigned by Botti's Prestige Place, Cavern Club was in competitive action at Southwell last week when he finished third in an 11-furlong handicap from a BHA mark of 80. He is the first foal out of the unraced New Approach (Ire) mare Merseybeat (GB), a half-sister to the Listed winner and Group 3-placed Twist 'N' Shake (GB) (Kingman {GB}). The four-year-old Cavern Club was sold to trainer James Owen, who said, “He can take us to a lot of places. He will go hurdling and has been bought as a nice dual-purpose horse. Ribchester is getting a few jumpers now. This horse won't be long in running and has been bought on spec.” A National Hunt career also beckons for the Godolphin-consigned Eastern Whisper (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (lot 67) after she sold to Jack Cantillon for 28,000gns. The unraced three-year-old filly is out of the Group 3-placed Jollify (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}), who is herself a half-sister to the Ebor H. and November H. winner Litigant (GB) (Sinndar {Ire}). Their dam is the dual Group 3 winner Jomana (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), who was bought by the Cantillon family under the banner of their Tinnakill House for just €7,500 at the 2013 Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale. “My theory was I would have to pay triple for a filly of this quality in a few months at the store sales, so I thought I would get in early as she's unraced and eligible for bumpers,” Cantillon said of Eastern Whisper. “It's a family I know well and love–our family own the granddam and we also have Ellen Kelly in the second dam who is in training with Willie Mullins. I haven't decided on a trainer yet, but it will be one of our leading National Hunt trainers at Syndicates.Racing.” A total of seven lots sold for at least 20,000gns, with the three-year-old Perfect View (GB) (Outstrip {GB}) (lot 75) standing out as the pick of the rest having been bought by J. D. Moore–on behalf of client Hussain Al Dossary–for 27,000gns. Consigned by George Scott's Eve Lodge Stables, Perfect View finished first or second in each of his three starts for his previous connections, including a debut victory in a six-furlong maiden at Windsor last May. “The horse goes to the Middle East,” said Moore. “He has shown form on the all-weather, has been consistent and has been well handled by George Scott, who recommended him. Hussain has been lucky with his purchases at Tattersalls.” Of the 60 lots offered, 47 sold (78%) for a gross of 389,000gns. The average was 8,277gns and the median was 4,500gns. The post Dual-Purpose Prospect Cavern Club Tops Tattersalls March Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1/ST TECHNOLOGY has partnered with Tier-1 operator bet365 to deliver horse racing to that company's U.S. customers via 1/ST BET, The Stronach Group said in a Wednesday release. The partnership will power the stateside launch of bet365's Advance Deposit Wagering on horse racing, across web and mobile app channels, in U.S. jurisdictions where ADW is accepted. “This is a tremendous opportunity to partner with one of the premier brands in sports betting and for 1/ST BET to showcase its best-in-class pari-mutuel horse racing wagering experience to bet365's customers,” said Keith Johnson, Chief Revenue Officer, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY. The post 1/ST Technology Pairs With Bet365 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — In the form of Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Japan is liable to field the favourites for the distance turf races at Saturday's Dubai World Cup meeting and those two gallopers, as well as several of their compatriots, did fast work over the Meydan course Wednesday morning. Do Deuce would likely have been at the top of the markets for last year's G1 Dubai Turf, but was withdrawn in the days leading up to the race, helping pave the way for a third consecutive victory by Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The reigning G1 Arima Kinen scorer was one of the first onto the track just after 5am Wednesday morning and quickened up nicely down the stretch (see below). Though he clearly possesses the scope to see out a longer trip, connections have instead chosen the nine-furlong distance of the Dubai Turf. “I considered the Sheema Classic as well and we discussed it with Yutaka Take,” trainer Yasuo Tomomichi said during a Wednesday press conference. “The Sheema Classic tends to be a race which benefits the front-runners or those with a good position. For Do Deuce's racing style, we both agreed that the Dubai Turf is a race where horses can win from anywhere.” Japanese gallopers have won five of the last nine renewals of the Dubai Turf, including Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), who dead-heated with Lord North in 2022. The Tomomichi-trained Vivlos (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was victorious in 2017 with Joao Moreira up. Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) have scooped the last two renewals of the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, and Liberty Island has her claims to make it three on the trot and six overall, dating back to Stay Gold (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) in 2001. Last seen finishing five lengths adrift of Equinox and just ahead of fellow G1 Yushun Himba heroine Stars on Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) in the G1 Japan Cup in late November, Liberty Island wasn't asked for much, but ran on nicely Wednesday morning, with Yuga Kawada along for the ride. “This is her first time travelling internationally and all has gone well so far,” said Kawada. “It was a good gallop this morning and we are happy.” Added stable representative Yuya Katayama: “Everything went perfectly and according to plan. She switched on when Yuga Kawada rode her today. Today was just about keeping her condition, that's it–nothing more.” Christophe Lemaire teamed up once again with Stars on Earth, second in the Arima Kinen last time, and said: “I gradually sped up in her breeze this morning. She remained calm throughout and reacted very well. Her condition is great and the ground in Dubai suits her. Stars On Earth is a very easy horse to ride and I am confident about her this weekend.” Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), who beat the boys in the G1 Mile Championship and was third to Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) and the re-opposing Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile, prepped for the Dubai Turf when galloping over 600 metres behind Liberty Island and Stars on Earth. Shahryar also had a turf gallop as he looks for a second Sheema Classic in three years, as did Danon Beluga (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), runner-up in last year's Dubai Turf. Cristian Demuro rides Shahryar, while Moreira has a return assignment aboard Danon Beluga. Stars on Earth (Duramente x Southern Stars ) and Christophe Lemaire breezed the Meydan turf this morning in preparation for the Sheema Classic. #DWC24 #賽馬 #競馬 #スターズオンアース pic.twitter.com/gFndg9asqY — Grant Courtney (@paomaphotos) March 27, 2024 The post Japan’s Big Guns Take To the Meydan Turf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — With over 100 of the world's most talented gallopers on hand, it isn't easy to stand out, but John and Susan Moore's G1 Dubai Turf hopeful Catnip (Kitten's Joy) has done just that at Meydan this week. A strapping, nearly-black gelding, Catnip exits a longshot, but close third to Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Jan. 27. Trainer Mike Stidham looked at Catnip's Ragozin sheet and that encouraged him to swing for the fences in a hot renewal of the G1 Dubai Turf, bypassing a considerably easier spot in last weekend's GII Muniz Memorial S. at the Fair Grounds. “He ran a huge new top in that race,” the freshly arrived Stidham said Wednesday. “We had a choice of running him for $300,000 or $5 million and we decided to take a shot at the $5 million and brought him over. So far, so good.” Catnip is a half-brother to five-time U.S. graded winner Princess Grace (Karakontie {Jpn}), who was purchased by China Horse Club for $1.7 million at Fasig-Tipton November in 2022 and went on to win a Group 3 while posting a pair of narrowly beaten seconds in Group 1 company in Australia for trainer Chris Waller. .@PegasusWorldCup Turf third Catnip is one handsome looking horse in the Dubai Turf. #DWC24 pic.twitter.com/wvBE6CdUxX — Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 27, 2024 On his last visit to Meydan, Stidham saddled 'TDN Rising Star' Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) to a victory in the 2021 Dubai World Cup. Repole Stable and St Elias Stable's GI Pegasus World Cup third Crupi (Curlin) was out in the 5-6 a.m. window reserved for the international contingent, his chestnut colt gleaming under the floodlights before and after a couple of spins around the track. Repole will not be in attendance, as he will on hand at Gulfstream Park to watch 'TDN Rising Star' and champion Fierceness (City of Light) in the GI Curlin Florida Derby, but here to represent the stable are Pat Cummings and a sleep-deprived Alex Solis II. You'll have to contact him for details. The American-based, but locally owned Clapton (Brethren) is hard to miss when he comes onto the track, his orange tack and matching polos giving him absolutely no cover. After some internal discussion, the Florida-bred was given the green light for a World Cup bid, and connections are quietly confident he will fire his best shot Saturday. Trainer Todd Fincher and owner Joe Peacock, Jr. made their way across the track to the starting gate where G1 Saudi Cup hero Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) got acquainted with the stalls before showing good energy in his track gallop. He appears a fresh horse despite his recent travels. So popular was Jun Park and Delia Nash's Sibelius (Not This Time) leading up to last year's G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen that a DailySibelius hashtag was created on X. By the looks of it, he's grown his fan club and is always good for hamming it up at the outside fence beneath his adoring work rider Allyson Walker. SIBELIUS with @AllysonKWalker went for an easy spin around the track in G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen prep @RacingDubai #HorseRacing #DubaiWorldCup #sportsphotography #Nikon pic.twitter.com/MhfArDQKMh — Martin Dokoupil (@Martins_Images) March 27, 2024 Also making a good impression was fellow Golden Shaheen entrant Nakatomi (Firing Line), a rare Dubai runner for trainer Wesley Ward. Hopkins (Quality Road), beaten just a length into fourth by Sibelius last year, went through his gears down the lane Wednesday. Gander S. winner Pandagate (Arrogate) was led onto the track by assistant trainer Miguel Clement, with his wife Acacia Clement not far behind. The New York-bred gray–his late sire's literal body double–stood for what felt like an eternity on the outside rail before taking off around Meydan and wrapping things up with a visit to the gate. Caramel Chip (Midshipman) looks to have it all to do against the likes of Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming) and Isolate (Mark Valeski) in Saturday's G2 Godolphin Mile, but win, lose or draw, the Jose D'Angelo trainee looks to be doing as well as he could be ahead of the $1-million contest. The post DWC Trackside Report: Catnip Me-‘Wow’-ing Them At Meydan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Airdrie Stud, a longtime supporter of Old Friends, has sent MGSW McCraken (Ghostzapper) to reside at the Thoroughbred retirement farm as of Monday, Mar. 26, the non-profit said via a press release early Wednesday morning. The 10-year-old stallion was donated to the farm courtesy of Airdrie, who has made three prior contributions to the Old Friends roster. “It is already evident to me that this well-mannered multiple stakes winner is going to be a real hit with our many visitors to Old Friends,” said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends. “We are grateful to Brett Jones and all the folks at Airdrie Stud for giving McCraken such a fulfilling retirement and a chance to be celebrated by racing fans everywhere. Bred and raced by Whitham Thoroughbreds, McCraken, out of the Seeking the Gold mare, Ivory Empress, was foaled on Apr. 13, 2014 in Kentucky. The homebred, trained by Ian Wilkes, closed out his racing career with six wins–three of them graded stakes–and $869,728 in earnings over 14 starts. McCraken began his stud career at Airdrie Stud in 2019 and he was pensioned following his 2023 season. “It makes all of us at Airdrie very happy to know that McCraken will live out his retirement in the best possible care,” said Bret Jones, president of Airdrie Stud. “Airdrie joins the Whitham and Wilkes families in thanking Michael [Blowen], John Nicholson and the great team at Old Friends for giving McCraken, and all of the horses in their care, the retirement they deserve.” The post Old Friends Welcomes Airdrie Stud’s MGSW McCraken appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

RaceTech have announced a new long-term contract agreement with York Racecourse which will see them provide full integrity services such as starting stalls and photo finish technology. RaceTech will also continue to provide technical support at the track which is set to stage 12 Premier Racedays in 2024, including all four days of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival. John Bozza, RaceTech CEO, said, “We are very proud to be entering a new five-year contract with York Racecourse. RaceTech has worked closely with the racecourse for many years and benefits from having an area base on the Knavesmire. The new contract will enable us to continue provision of first-class services across the racedays at York.” James Brennan, head of marketing at York Racecourse, added, “RaceTech have a proven track record in delivering a positive racegoer experience on the Knavesmire. I am delighted to be extending the partnership.” The post York Racecourse Extends Partnership With RaceTech appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sprint star Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) won’t be seen in the A$1m Gr.1 Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville next month but New Zealand Racing powerhouse Te Akau Racing have Adelaide in their sights. Te Akau’s Mark Walker said quality mare Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel) would head towards the feature after running down the track in the Gr.1 Newmarket (1200m) while they are also targeting the A$1m Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2400m). Walker said they had opted to freshen up Skew Wiff after she failed in the Newmarket last time out with the hope she can chase her first Australian Group One victory in Adelaide. “It was a head scratcher,” Walker said on RadioTAB of the Newmarket run when she beat just one runner home. “We put blinkers on her, and it backfired badly. “She just over raced, she never looked like doing that when she had them on in track work, unfortunately things went really wrong that day. “We gave her two weeks at the water walker, she’s going to go over to Adelaide and run in a lead-up two weeks before the Robert Sangster and if she ran well, she’ll run in the Robert Sangster,” he said. Walker also said New Zealand Oaks placegetter Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor), who finished third behind the exciting Pulchritudinous (NZ) (Wrote), would be set for Adelaide. “She ran third in the New Zealand Oaks, we’ve got a couple of others for Adelaide,” Walker added. Walker said the last-start William Reid winner Imperatriz would have her final Australian start for the season in the $3m T J Smith Stakes in Sydney on Saturday week. “She’ll race in the TJ Smith,” Walker said. “She’ll go to Sydney on Thursday evening and race on the Saturday. “She’s actually booked to fly home to New Zealand on Sunday for the spell,” he said. Walker said they were yet to lock in a plan with many expecting the horse could have a tilt at the $20m Everest at Randwick on October 14. “We’ll just get the TJ out of the way,” Walker said. “We haven’t had any discussions about the spring as yet, there is plenty of possibilities,” he said. View the full article

Michael Freedman admits he has been a bit surprised by Wymark’s (NZ) (Savabeel) rapid progression, which sees him a $2.50 favourite for Saturday’s Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m), but believes the horse is hitting the race at the right time. The son of Savabeel turned heads with a 9.4 length win at Newcastle over 1850m two starts back and easily accounted for the older horses at benchmark 78 level at Rosehill over 1900m last start, and Freedman is hoping a strong performance will convince the stable to pay a late acceptance fee for the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) the following week. “He seems in good order, he’s been kept up to the mark since then and I’m happy with him, I’m looking forward to him going around again Saturday,” Freedman said. “I think, had I genuinely thought he was going to progress to these sorts of level he probably wouldn’t have gone to the Gold Coast for a maiden up there and back again and all that but he’s just gone to a new level now that his races have started to stretch out.” “He’s not an overly big horse, but as we’ve stretched him out he’s really relished it so he’s probably snuck up on me a little bit in that respect… he’s obviously gone to a much higher level.” The Tulloch Stakes/ATC Derby double has been completed nine times, four times in a row between 2017-2020 and Freedman will be guided to Wymark’s performance on Saturday as to whether he backs the horse up, but believes the horse will acquit himself well this weekend. “We’ll see what unfolds on Saturday, obviously if he gives us good reason to look at paying the late entry into the Derby then we’d certainly give that plenty of thought… Tommy (Berry) had some good things to say about him so I guess back to his own age group at set weights, you’d be going in hopeful he could measure up and put his hand up,” Freedman said. The stable also have recent Kembla Grange Classic placegetter Waikato Girl (NZ) (Savabeel) nominated for Saturday’s Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) but Freedman suggested she’ll likely run next week in the Gr.3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) before a possible Oaks tilt. “Given her pedigree, out of a Galileo mare, if we were going to try and take on Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) at that sort of level, I’d rather try and do it at a mile-and-a-half,” Freedman said. View the full article

Trainer Patrick Payne is a realist when it comes to his horses and says it is time for Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel) to take the step up to the big league. A dual Derby winner as a three-year-old, Payne has chosen the stayer’s races wisely, to the point when the gelding is an eight-time winner from 12 starts with two runner-up finishes thrown in for good measure. A Melbourne Cup (Gr.1, 3200m) start is on offer on Saturday when Dunkel runs in the Listed The Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington. The Roy Higgins is one of four staying races run at Flemington that offers a ‘win and you’re in’ into the Melbourne Cup in November. Dunkel has been unplaced just twice in his career, the most recent being when sixth in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on March 15. Using a sports analogy, Payne said that race was like Dunkel stepping up from the juniors to playing in the seniors. “The pressure was on in that race,” Payne told RSN. “He’s been pretty much protected through his career running in all the easiest possible races and maybe he’s been ‘babied’ a bit. “It was a tough run race, and hopefully that will hold him in good stead for the future.” Payne said Dunkel had come through that contest well and hopefully it will toughen him up for what lies ahead. He said the biggest thing with Dunkel was being able to maintain a constant gallop, for longer. “He’s got quite good stamina but he’s actually a slow horse, he can’t sprint,” Payne said. “He will stay all day, if he can get comfortable. “If he’s too close to his top for too long, he can’t maintain a gallop, but I think if he gets comfortable on the weekend there will be no problem.” Dunkel needs to make up six lengths on Glentaneous who finished second in the Pakenham Cup, but Payne pointed out that his stayer had beaten that gelding home at his previous appearance. “Glentaneous is a nice horse and will be suited by the 2600 metres at Flemington, but from our point of view there is nothing wrong with Dunkel going into this race,” Payne said. View the full article

Lochnaberry will contest the Riverton Cup (2147m) on Saturday. Photo: Monica Toretto Ascot Park trainer Lisa Vaughan will head to Riverton on Saturday where she hopes to make it back-to-back wins in the Riverton Cup (2147m). Former stable runner Asathought, a half-sister to multiple Group One winner Avantage, won last year’s edition of the race when it held Listed status, and while it has lost its stakes status, Vaughan would dearly love to continue her good record in the race. She will be represented in the race on Saturday by last start Invercargill Gold Cup (2600m) winner Lochnaberry, who Vaughan believes will thrive on the rain-affected track, which was rated a Heavy 9 on Wednesday morning. “She has trained on well. She doesn’t take much racing, so she generally goes well a bit better fresh. She does like a bit of cut in the track as well,” Vaughan said. Initially set to carry 54kg, Lochnaberry will get some weight relief courtesy of apprentice jockey Bailey Rogerson’s two-kilogram claim, and Vaughan said the northern hoop has a great association with her mare. “She (Rogerson) has got a really good rapport with that horse, she has had three wins this season on her,” Vaughan said. “I think Bailey is a really underrated jockey. She suits my horses and has had quite a few wins on them this season.” Win, lose or draw, Lochnaberry is set to have a spell following Saturday’s assignment and will return in the spring with an eye towards the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton in November. “I think I will spell her because the ground is still quite good on the farm,” Vaughan said. “I will get her in during winter and look at an early spring campaign. Two miles would be really good for her, so we might even look at the New Zealand Cup, depending on how she comes up.” Horse racing news View the full article

Sea Shepherd will compete at Riverton on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Sea Shepherd was in unchartered waters at the start of the season, having a spate of subpar unplaced runs, and trainer Sabin Kirkland is hoping to get his gelding back on course this weekend. The Southland gelding strung together three wins last year before Kirkland went on a European trip and transferred Sea Shepherd to the care of Michael and Matthew Pitman. He won first-up for the Riccarton trainers at Ashburton before finishing last in both the Oamaru Cup (1600m) and Group 3 Winter Cup (1600m). He returned south to Kirklands care and continued to put in sub-par showings in his following two starts prior to heading to the spelling paddock. Kirkland has been pleased with the way the son of Zacinto has returned and is expecting a bold showing first-up from the seven-win gelding. “He has had a good spell and he has come up really well, we are very happy with him,” Kirkland said. “He is looking a picture and has been working super. He has a very good first-up record, so we are looking forward to Saturday.” Kirkland doesn’t have any set autumn plans as yet for Sea Shepherd but said a return to Riccarton would be a likely option. “We will just get through Saturday, but I would love to have a crack at the ($350,000) Southern Alps (Challenge),” Kirkland said. “There are also some nice races coming up at Riccarton for him.” Horse racing news View the full article

Mustang Valley will contest the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell Mustang Valley will be out to prove her class when attempting a first Group One title on Good track conditions on Saturday at Ellerslie. The dual Group One-winning mare made a strong impression fresh-up over 1400m, finishing a narrow second in a contest featuring Fashion Shoot (first), Karman Line (fourth) and Maria Farina (fifth), the trio now set to face off in the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). “It was a great effort resuming, she just had to give away a fair bit of weight and was a bit vulnerable first-up,” Forsman said. “I couldn’t have been happier with how she went. She just missed the bob and she’ll improve a lot for it.” Mustang Valley earned her second elite-level crown over the mile in a rain-affected Arrowfield Stud Plate last September, an unlikely fate for Ellerslie’s StrathAyr track, where the Breeders’ was rescheduled in the absence of Te Aroha. Forsman is under no illusion about the daughter of Vanbrugh’s affinity with heavy tracks, where all six of her career victories have come, but opted to remain on this side of the Tasman on Saturday with the appeal of weight-for-age conditions. “When the Breeders’ was moved to Ellerslie, we weren’t quite sure if it would be the right option for her or not. Ellerslie is a relatively firm track, and she operates better on rain-affected ground such as Te Aroha, but it wasn’t to be,” Forsman said. “We just weighed up whether to run here or head to the Emancipation Stakes (Group 2, 1500m) at Rosehill, but we thought we’ll keep her here for one more run, being a weight-for-age Group One where we feel she is a strong top-three chance. “Whatever happens on Saturday, it is ideally setting her up for the last day of the Championships in the Queen Of The Turf (Group 1, 1600m).” The Cambridge horseman has engaged the mare’s Arrowfield Stud Plate-winning jockey Joe Doyle and hopes to see her in a midfield position from barrier two. “I think there’s a bit of speed in the race drawn outside of her, so we’ll be positive as Ellerslie is not a track that you want to be too far back, or leave too much to do,” Forsman said. “We’ll be looking to hold a spot midfield or just ahead, they’ll run at a steady enough clip, and if she’s in that position she’ll get her chance.” Victory would also provide Forsman with his first in the race in a solo capacity, having triumphed with Nicoletta (2019), Charmont (2017) and Diademe (2015) whilst in partnership with Murray Baker. Horse racing news View the full article

California Spangle exercising at Meydan Racecourse. Tony Cruz is confident California Spangle can defy convention by reprising elite sprinting form and pressing for victory in the HK$11.7 million Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday night. To face 11 rivals, including John Size’s Sight Success, California Spangle will contest a 1200m race for the first time since January 16, 2022, having had 18 starts since from 1400m to 2000m while racking up seven wins, including last-start victory in the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on March 10. Bidding for his third overseas Group 1 score after wins with Silent Witness in the 2005 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama and the 2006 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) with Bullish Luck at Tokyo, Cruz is confident California Spangle has the requisite attributes. “I think the 1200 metres here (Meydan), you need a 1400-metre horse to do it. He could be the right horse to come here,” Cruz said. “On his debut in Hong Kong over 1000m, he won the Griffin race (on June 13, 2021) and he broke the class record (clocking 55.33s) and when he raced over 1200m, he broke the Griffin record, too (clocking 1:08.47 on July 4, 2021). “But then we went further with him and he did well. So, he’s a really good sprinter-miler, but I believe the 1200 metres here will suit him. “It’s every trainer’s dream to make something happen, not just in your home country but you’ve got to be winning elsewhere so I’m happy to be here – and I think I’ve got a shot this time.” To be ridden by Brenton Avdulla, California Spangle will contend with an international brigade of proven sprinters, including last year’s winner Danyah, Charlie Appleby’s Star Of Mystery – who will be partnered by Frankie Dettori – US speedster Casa Creed, Diligent Harry, Frost At Dawn and Japan’s Jasper Krone, among others. “Dubai is a big meeting – the world stage and you’ve got the best horses from all over the world,” Cruz said. “I’m so happy to be part of it and I’m very happy with California Spangle coming over here. “I believe this horse is really a sprinter-miler. I believe he can run the 1200 metres, I believe he can do 1400 metres. He’s a 1200m-1400m horse really, the mile we’ve been lucky many times. “We stuck to the mile races (in Hong Kong) but there again, with what I see over here, I think my horse can do the 1200 metres, too. He’s got a strong pace and he’s got speed to do it and he’s got stamina, too.” Ryan Moore will partner Sight Success, who finished fourth in this race to Danyah last year. Ricky Yiu’s Voyage Bubble and Caspar Fownes-trained Straight Arron will contest the Group 1 Dubai Turf (1800m). Voyage Bubble had his final piece of fast work at Meydan this morning (Wednesday, March 27), pleasing stable representative, Yiu’s son, Eric. “He travelled well, has been eating well and worked nicely on the turf this morning in his final serious piece of work,” Yiu said. The 2023 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner will be ridden by Frenchman Mickael Barzalona this weekend. Horse racing news View the full article

The 2024 Tancred Stakes, one of Sydney’s premier autumn features, takes centre stage at Rosehill this Saturday with a field of ten ready to battle it out for the $1.5 million purse. Post Impressionist is clear favourite in 2024 Tancred Stakes betting after a big win at the track and trip first-up in Australia last weekend. Photo: Steve Hart. Leading the charge is the impressive UK-trained Post Impressionist. William Haggas‘ Teofilo gelding wasted no time making his mark down under, cruising to a dominant victory in the Group 3 N.E. Manion Cup last weekend over the same 2400m distance. Returning to familiar territory with jockey Tom Marquand aboard, Post Impressionist is the clear favourite at $2.35 through Ladbrokes and firming further. Despite the small Tancred Stakes field, several horses pose a threat to the favourite. Chris Waller saddles two runners with the imported Buckaroo ($4.80) and More Felons ($11) in his bid at a third Tancred Stakes victory. Buckaroo, coming off a close third in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes here last weekend, steps up in distance but remains a danger. More Felons, a dour stayer with a Melbourne Cup run under his belt, is a value pick at $11 after his recent win in the Listed Parramatta Cup. Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott‘s Military Mission ($9) and Godolphin‘s Group 1 winning youngster Tom Kitten ($6.50) are other contenders worth watching. Military Mission, another Melbourne Cup performer, should improve over the longer distance. Tom Kitten, the lone three-year-old in the field, is seeking a return to form after a string of placings. With a weight drop and a talented jockey in Jamie Kah, he shouldn’t be discounted. The Tancred Stakes is set for race eight at Rosehill on Saturday (4:35 PM AEST). 2024 Tancred Stakes Field No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 143x275x53 BUCKAROO (GB) Chris Waller Tommy Berry 7 59kg 110 2 2014101×35 MILITARY MISSION (IRE) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Adam Hyeronimus 10 59kg 108 3 10x7624x41 ASHRUN (FR) Ciaron Maher Jason Collett 1 59kg 107 4 5x728x50x1 MORE FELONS (IRE) Chris Waller James McDonald 2 59kg 104 5 31x09791x1 POST IMPRESSIONIST (IRE) William Haggas Tom Marquand 3 59kg 104 6 x380x00x31 GEAR UP (IRE) Annabel Neasham Nash Rawiller 6 59kg 103 7 3L73310x02 KALAPOUR (IRE) Kris Lees Dylan Gibbons (a) 5 59kg 103 8 15232674×2 BOIS D’ARGENT (GB) Annabel Neasham Chad Schofield 4 59kg 102 9 9911872×64 ATHABASCAN (FR) John O’Shea Tyler Schiller 11 59kg 99 10 335112×854 LITTLE MIX Annabel Neasham Joshua Parr 8 57kg 96 11 13321×6546 TOM KITTEN James Cummings Ms Jamie Kah 9 54kg 100 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post UK Raider Post Impressionist Headlines Tancred Stakes 2024 Field appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Longtime NT trainer Dick Leech has transferred all of his horses to the stable of leading Darwin trainer Gary Clarke. Leech recently incurred a 12-month suspension. Leading NT trainer Gary Clarke has agreed to take over the 19 horses from the Dick Leech stable for the next 12 months. Leech, with stables in Darwin and Alice Springs, was suspended by Thoroughbred Racing NT stewards on March 18 when found guilty of injecting Envenomate before the six-year-old gelding was due to race at Fannie Bay on February 3. Stewards noticed that Envenomate had a swollen haematoma on the near side jugular vein and after a veterinarian inspection it was determined that an injection was administered. The horse was withdrawn by stewards before blood and urine samples were collected. No prohibited substances were detected, but after considering further evidence, Leech was disqualified. Leech applied for a stay with the NT Racing Appeals Tribunal, which was refused – it is believed he will appeal the suspension after Easter. With the Alice Springs Cup Carnival in full swing, several of Leech’s horses were primed for the five days, and although the stable was represented on Day 1 on March 17, he had no runners on Day 2. Day 2 was postponed last Saturday (March 23) after relentless rain saturated the track, but the revised meeting went ahead as scheduled on Wednesday. The next three meetings take place on March 30 (Chief Minister’s Cup), April 6 (Pioneer Sprint) and April 7 (Darwin Cup). “Dick and I have been mates for 30 years, so I was happy to keep it all going for him,” Clarke said. “He came and saw me; he knew that I could probably handle the job. “I’ll do my best. Dick has some nice horses for the Cup and the Sprint. “Write Your Name and Century Fox in the Cup, and Early Crow, Kerioth and a new one Kumicho, in the Sprint. “All the transfers have been done so that all can run smoothly for the remainder of the Carnival. “I’ll then work out who will end up going to Darwin and which ones will stay in Alice Springs. “I’ve got no intentions of trying to pinch his owners. “When Dick comes back, he’s welcome to just walk back in and take them all over again.” Leech won the 2023 Darwin and Alice Springs Cups with Write Your Name, as well as the Palmerston Sprint in Darwin with Early Crow. David Hensler, Chairman of TRNT Stewards, confirmed that the transfer was finalised on Tuesday. “The transfer of the horses and all the transfer of ownership has to be approved,” Hensler said. “It’s all above board as far as I’m concerned. “We’ve been working on it since last week; they’ve done what was required of them. “The last thing you want to do is impact the other owners and interrupt their horse’s preparations. “That’s why we’re keen to get it all signed off.” Clarke, who has a small team in Alice Springs, has confirmed that although Vallabar will likely contest the Cup, he won’t be starting Marimenko. “Unfortunately, Marimenko will once again miss the Cup because of injury – he has cut himself and to be on the safe side he’s no longer in work,” he said. Horse racing news View the full article

The 2024 Australian Cup might have a diminutive final field numbers-wise, but the excitement is anything but diminished with a host of weight-for-age stars including the past two All-Star Mile winners Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni renewing their rivalry. Mr Brightside is favourite to return to winning form in Flemington’s Australian Cup 2024 this weekend. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. Flemington prepares to host this iconic $3 million Group 1 race on Saturday, and racing fans are in for a treat. Leading the charge is the popular Mr Brightside, trained by the team at Lindsay Park. Currently the favourite at $2.35 through Ladbrokes, the son of Bullbars aims to bounce back from his All-Star Mile defeat when unable to defend his title in the event and secure his third win from four starts this season. The consistent gelding has a strong record this prep with Group 1 victories in the Orr Stakes and Futurity Stakes, but faces his last-conqueror Pride Of Jenni over a longer distance (2000m) now. Craig Williams remains in the saddle for Mr Brightside, who has drawn ideally at barrier one. Can Ciaron Maher‘s mare, Pride Of Jenni, extend her winning streak? At $3 in Australian Cup betting markets she poses a strong threat. The six-year-old daughter of Pride Of Dubai showcased her brilliance in the All-Star Mile with a two length victory and is now out to add to her impressive Flemington record that includes victories in the Empire Rose and Cantala Stakes at the highest level in the spring. Partnered again by jockey Declan Bates, she boasts undeniable talent and could overcome the step-up in distance based on current form. While the Mr Brightside-Pride Of Jenni battle takes centre stage, several other horses have genuine claims. Chris Waller‘s Group 1 winning mare Atishu sits at $6 with Blake Shinn in the saddle. She boasts a top record at Flemington over the 2000m distance, having won both the Matriarch Stakes and Champions Stakes convincingly. The reigning champion, Cascadian, is out to defend his title for Godolphin at $8.50 with Ben Melham aboard. The veteran gelding has shown good form this preparation with a close third in the All-Star Mile last start despite being a rising 10-year-old. Finally, the New Zealand visitor Legarto, trained by Ken & Bev Kelso, shouldn’t be overlooked at $13 Australian Cup odds. With Michael Dee in the irons, this four-year-old boasts a strong record, including a victory in the 2023 Australian Guineas and a recent Group 1 win in her home country. Don’t miss the action! The 2024 Australian Cup is set for race eight at Flemington on Saturday (4:15 PM AEST). 2024 Australian Cup Field No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 111222×112 MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) Ben, Will & JD Hayes Craig Williams 1 59kg 118 2 5213x7x943 CASCADIAN (GB) James Cummings Ben Melham 8 59kg 114 3 60x02295x2 VOW AND DECLARE Danny O’Brien Billy Egan 9 59kg 106 4 23x2319x46 DOM TO SHOOT Sean & Jake Casey Mark Zahra 6 59kg 109 5 0311632×31 YOUNG WERTHER (NZ) Danny O’Brien Damian Lane 3 59kg 106 6 8x48109x03 ESTI FENY (HUN) Matthew Smith Jamie Mott 4 59kg 91 7 8x62611x21 PRIDE OF JENNI Ciaron Maher Declan Bates 7 57kg 118 8 Px52021x81 ATISHU (NZ) Chris Waller Blake Shinn 5 57kg 114 9 1x310x1212 LEGARTO (NZ) Ken & Bev Kelso Michael Dee 2 57kg 112 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post 2024 Australian Cup Showdown: Mr Brightside vs. Pride Of Jenni appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Cambridge’s Kingsclere Stables is in for a busy trans-Tasman weekend, headlined by their glamour filly Orchestral tackling the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday. The Kiwi raider took out last year’s edition with Prowess, and Orchestral has quickly taken up the mantle of New Zealand’s best filly and is rated a $1.60 favourite with TAB bookmakers to give trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood their second successive win in the Sydney feature. The daughter of Savabeel has been a revelation for the Cambridge-based horsemen this year, winning all four of her starts, including the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m), and became the first filly to win the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) since Habibi in 2013. James and Wellwood have elected to press on for a Sydney campaign with Orchestral, who arrived on Tuesday in fine fettle ahead of her weekend assignment. “She arrived at Randwick at about 10pm last (Tuesday) night and she seems to have settled in nicely. She had a quiet canter this morning and seems bright and well,” Wellwood said. “She has proven herself back home and it is good for the sport of racing to come across and go up against some of the best three-year-olds (in Australia). It is also very valuable for her pedigree if she can get some black-type there. “She has been very impressive in her last three starts and people have certainly noticed her, so hopefully she come here and show the Aussies how it’s done.” Orchestral has drawn barrier two for Saturday’s fillies feature where she will be reunited with expat Kiwi hoop James McDonald, who partnered her to victory in the Karaka Millions 3YO and compared her to fellow New Zealand Derby-winning filly Silent Achiever post-race. While a target is clearly on their back this weekend, Wellwood said they are taking it in their stride and are hopeful to make it back-to-back victories in the race. “It is great to win any race in Australia, let alone a Group One, so we would be pretty happy if we could come over and do it two years in a row,” he said. “It has come up quite a strong race this time round, probably stronger than Prowess’ edition, so she is going to have to be on top of her game to be winning but we think we have got her in the right order.” The stable will also be represented at Flemington on Saturday by last start Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) placegetter Mark Twain in the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m). The son of Shocking will be ridden by Michael Dee from gate 13 and Wellwood said he will appreciate the step back to 2600m. “He arrives at Flemington this (Wednesday) afternoon,” Wellwood said. “I have been really happy with him and it suits him to get back to 2600m, he just tried to pull a little too hard in the Auckland Cup. Hopefully he can get a soft run.” Meanwhile, back home in New Zealand, the stable will head to Ellerslie on Saturday where they will line-up Achieve in the Elsdon Park 2200 and last start winner Hasstobeperfect in the SkyCity Horizon 1600. “Achieve is an honest mare,” Wellwood said. “It has come up a reasonably strong field, as you would expect for a (rating) 75 race, hopefully if she goes well here we can continue down to the Hawke’s Bay Cup (Listed, 2200m) and have a go at black-type. “Hasstobeperfect is a mare who has always shown good ability and it was nice to see her put it all together last start. We have been happy with her since then and it would be good to see her do it at headquarters.” View the full article

Mustang Valley will be out to prove her class when attempting a first Group One title on Good track conditions on Saturday at Ellerslie. The dual Group One-winning mare made a strong impression fresh-up over 1400m, finishing a narrow second in a contest featuring Fashion Shoot (first), Karman Line (fourth) and Maria Farina (fifth), the trio now set to face off in the Gr.1 NCEA New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). “It was a great effort resuming, she just had to give away a fair bit of weight and was a bit vulnerable first-up,” Forsman said. “I couldn’t have been happier with how she went. She just missed the bob and she’ll improve a lot for it.” Mustang Valley earned her second elite-level crown over the mile in a rain-affected Arrowfield Stud Plate last September, an unlikely fate for Ellerslie’s StrathAyr track, where the Breeders’ was rescheduled in the absence of Te Aroha. Forsman is under no illusion about the daughter of Vanbrugh’s affinity with heavy tracks, where all six of her career victories have come, but opted to remain on this side of the Tasman on Saturday with the appeal of weight-for-age conditions. “When the Breeders’ was moved to Ellerslie, we weren’t quite sure if it would be the right option for her or not. Ellerslie is a relatively firm track, and she operates better on rain-affected ground such as Te Aroha, but it wasn’t to be,” Forsman said. “We just weighed up whether to run here or head to the Emancipation Stakes (Gr.2, 1500m) at Rosehill, but we thought we’ll keep her here for one more run, being a weight-for-age Group One where we feel she is a strong top-three chance. “Whatever happens on Saturday, it is ideally setting her up for the last day of the Championships in the Queen Of The Turf (Gr.1, 1600m).” The Cambridge horseman has engaged the mare’s Arrowfield Stud Plate-winning jockey Joe Doyle and hopes to see her in a midfield position from barrier two. “I think there’s a bit of speed in the race drawn outside of her, so we’ll be positive as Ellerslie is not a track that you want to be too far back, or leave too much to do,” Forsman said. “We’ll be looking to hold a spot midfield or just ahead, they’ll run at a steady enough clip, and if she’s in that position she’ll get her chance.” Victory would also provide Forsman with his first in the race in a solo capacity, having triumphed with Nicoletta (2019), Charmont (2017) and Diademe (2015) whilst in partnership with Murray Baker. Doyle will also partner stablemate Sporting Chance in the Elsdon Park 2200, the Dundeel five-year-old stepping up in distance after a solid fourth in the South Waikato Cup (2000m). “He’s come through that run really well, he’s been a tad frustrating in running good races without really looking like winning,” Forsman said. “The plan will be to bounce him out of the gates and get him up and rolling, if we can be positive and get him in the first three or four, he’ll get his chance.” Forsman’s Ellerslie contingent will be completed by Blissfull Lady in the SkyCity Horizon 1600, the Shocking mare one of a several scratchings from last Saturday’s rain-affected Tauranga meeting. “She was meant to resume at Tauranga last weekend, but the track just got too deep by that stage of the day,” he said. “She’ll get a better track on Saturday and has a nice draw (1), so if she can be three-back the fence and they go quickly enough, she’s certainly capable of running a good race. “In saying that, it’s certainly a run to get her back and going, and the best of her will be seen when she’s back up over further.” Meanwhile. Full of Sincerity, who was last seen in New Zealand when finishing third in last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), will commence a new campaign at Flemington on Saturday, albeit at a distance far short of his best. “He’s been a long time off the scene, and he’ll be needing further fairly quickly, but running at the mile first-up would’ve been a bit tough,” Forsman said. “He’ll have this day out, he may be a little bit outpaced over 1400m, but Flemington will suit him in giving him time to wind up and do his best work late. “We’ll be looking to get up over a mile with him soon but no great plans at this stage, more just trying to get him back to his better form.” View the full article

Ascot Park trainer Lisa Vaughan will head to Riverton on Saturday where she hopes to make it back-to-back wins in the Kennedy Building Riverton Cup (2147m). Former stable runner Asathought, a half-sister to multiple Group One winner Avantage, won last year’s edition of the race when it held Listed status, and while it has lost its stakes status, Vaughan would dearly love to continue her good record in the race. She will be represented in the race on Saturday by last start Invercargill Gold Cup (2600m) winner Lochnaberry, who Vaughan believes will thrive on the rain-affected track, which was rated a Heavy9 on Wednesday morning. “She has trained on well. She doesn’t take much racing, so she generally goes well a bit better fresh. She does like a bit of cut in the track as well,” Vaughan said. Initially set to carry 54kg, Lochnaberry will get some weight relief courtesy of apprentice jockey Bailey Rogerson’s two-kilogram claim, and Vaughan said the northern hoop has a great association with her mare. “She (Rogerson) has got a really good rapport with that horse, she has had three wins this season on her,” Vaughan said. “I think Bailey is a really underrated jockey. She suits my horses and has had quite a few wins on them this season.” Win, lose or draw, Lochnaberry is set to have a spell following Saturday’s assignment and will return in the spring with an eye towards the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton in November. “I think I will spell her because the ground is still quite good on the farm,” Vaughan said. “I will get her in during winter and look at an early spring campaign. Two miles would be really good for her, so we might even look at the New Zealand Cup, depending on how she comes up.” Vaughan is also excited about the prospects of stablemate Master Abraham in the Rosie Brown Training/Forde Auto Services (1400m). The four-year-old son of Derryn has placed in two of his last three starts and Vaughan said he will lap up the heavy footing this weekend. “Master Abraham has been knocking on the door for some time,” she said. “He is going to be better with a bit more time, but he should get one on a wet track soon hopefully. “He has been waiting for some give in the track, but whether it is going to be too heavy for him (I don’t know). It has just taken a while for him to switch on.” Vaughan’s trio of runners will be rounded out by last start winner Cockahoop in the TAB Southern Alps Golden Ticket (1600m), but she said the heavy conditions will be less to his liking. “Cockahoop has come through his run really well,” Vaughan said. “The only hiccup with him I think will be stepping up to a mile on a heavy track, if it were a better track I would be more confident over a mile. “We will see how he goes, but it is a bit of a step-up for him.” Meanwhile, Vaughan will return to Riverton for their Easter Monday meeting where she will be represented by Return With Honour and Bonsai Bob. “Bonsai Bob is a three-year-old who is racing on Monday in the maiden race. He has only had two starts and he went really well last start,” Vaughan said. “Hopefully he will have a chance on Monday, but he will be a nicer horse next year.” View the full article

The last few days have delivered a series of unforgettable moments for Te Akau Racing, and there could be more to come for the syndication powerhouse with Star Of Justice (Justify) and Grace ‘N’ Grey (NZ) (Spirit of Boom) now available for sale on the latest 56 Lot fortnightly auction on gavelhouse.com. Te Akau’s bumper weekend kicked off on Thursday night on Gavelhouse Plus. Group One-winning mare Maven Belle (NZ) (Burgundy) was sold for a whopping NZ$902,500, while the stakes-performed Snitzel filly Rhetorical (NZ) (Snitzel) fetched AU$202,500. Those results were followed by a winning treble on racetracks across Australasia on Saturday afternoon, headed by an incredible 10th Group One victory by champion sprinting mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible). “It’s been a fantastic few days,” Te Akau principal David Ellis said. “We were delighted with Thursday night’s results on Gavelhouse Plus. We’ve had great success selling quality mares on that platform in the past, and that continued with terrific returns for both of those sets of owners. It was great to see. “Then we had a wonderful day on Saturday, starting off with a quinella in the two-year-old race at Riccarton. We were unlucky not to win three big races at Moonee Valley later that afternoon, but any day that you win a Group One race, you have to be very happy – let alone when it’s the 10th Group One win in a horse’s career. “Now we’re looking forward to selling a couple of horses on gavelhouse.com that are beautifully bred and both showed real ability on the racetrack.” Grace ‘N’ Grey (NZ) Photo: Supplied Group Three winner Star Of Justice was bred by esteemed nursery Pencarrow Stud and is by the undefeated American Triple Crown winner Justify, who has become one of the hottest young stallion prospects in the thoroughbred world. The dam of Star Of Justice is the winning Fastnet Rock mare Fair Isle (NZ), who is a daughter of the Listed winner and Group One VRC Oaks (2500m) runner-up Miss Scarlatti (NZ) (Stravinsky). Fair Isle is the dam of four winners from four named foals, headed by Star Of Justice and her five-time-winning stablemate Stonybreck (Tavistock). Ellis paid $190,000 to buy Star Of Justice from Pencarrow Stud’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2022. She won twice in a seven-start career, headed by the Group Three Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton in October. She also finished a close fifth behind Group One winner Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) in the Group Three Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie. “Star Of Justice has a beautiful pedigree and showed her class with that Group Three win in the spring,” Ellis said. “We have a half-brother to her in the stable that I think can win black type (Stonybreck), so I believe there’s real upside in that family.” Grace ‘N’ Grey was bred by Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Linsday in partnership with David Redvers Bloodstock. She is by Australian sire Spirit Of Boom, who has been a prolific source of winners with 398 from just 555 runners including 26 stakes winners. Grace ‘N’ Grey is out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Gracious Grey, who won twice and is a three-quarter-sister to the Group Two winner Positive Peace (Stratum) and half-sister to another two stakes placegetters. Both of Gracious Grey’s foals to race have been winners, with Grace ‘N’ Grey joined by the Group Three-placed Kind Words (Written Tycoon). Cambridge Stud offered Grace ‘N’ Grey in Book 1 of Karaka 2021, where Ellis bought her for $240,000. She ran second on debut as a spring two-year-old, and her second career start produced a brilliant win on Boxing Day at Ellerslie – beating next-start Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) winner Dynastic (NZ) (Almanzor). Grace ‘N’ Grey was a winner again in February of 2023 and ended her career with two wins and four placings from 10 races. “She has a lovely line-up of stallions on her page, going back to immortal sire Northern Dancer, and hers is a truly international family,” Ellis said. “She is all class, a lovely type, and she was particularly impressive in that win at Ellerslie on Boxing Day as a two-year-old.” View the full article

Sea Shepherd was in unchartered waters at the start of the season, having a spate of subpar unplaced runs, and trainer Sabin Kirkland is hoping to get his gelding back on course this weekend. The Southland gelding strung together three wins last year before Kirkland went on a European trip and transferred Sea Shepherd to the care of Michael and Matthew Pitman. He won first-up for the Riccarton trainers at Ashburton before finishing last in both the Oamaru Cup (1600m) and Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m). He returned south to Kirklands care and continued to put in sub-par showings in his following two starts prior to heading to the spelling paddock. Kirkland has been pleased with the way the son of Zacinto has returned and is expecting a bold showing first-up from the seven-win gelding in Saturday’s The AP Restaurant & Bar Aparima Handicap (1200m). “He has had a good spell and he has come up really well, we are very happy with him,” Kirkland said. “He is looking a picture and has been working super. He has a very good first-up record, so we are looking forward to Saturday.” Kirkland doesn’t have any set autumn plans as yet for Sea Shepherd but said a return to Riccarton would be a likely option. “We will just get through Saturday, but I would love to have a crack at the ($350,000) Southern Alps (Challenge),” Kirkland said. “There are also some nice races coming up at Riccarton for him.” View the full article

What Yarra Valley Cup Day 2024 Where Yarra Valley Racing – Armstrong Grove, Yarra Glen VIC 3775 When Sunday, March 17, 2024 First Race 1:20pm AEDT Visit Dabble Good Friday racing in Victoria heads to the picturesque Yarra Valley, where the $500,000 Country Discovery (1200m) headlines an eight-race program. The track is rated a Good 4, with the rail in the true position throughout. The action from Yarra Valley is set to commence at 1:15pm AEDT. The Country Discovery Tip: Brudenell Brudenell was a smart winner of the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1200m) when stalking the speed and pouncing late in the piece. Prior to that win, the four-year-old gelding was beaten by two lengths in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m), and that form reads well for Friday’s feature. Mark Zahra will have the son of Russian Revolution on the heels of the leaders throughout, and with even luck in the home straight, Brudenell should be winning once again. The Country Discovery Race 7 – #3 Brudenell (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Kris Lees | J: Mark Zahra (57kg) Bet with PlayUp Best Bet at Yarra Valley: Princess Duhallow Princess Duhallow was far from disgraced first-up at Flemington, leading the field up over 1100m before fading late to finish fifth. She was beaten by the classy Hedged but finished alongside subsequent stakes winner Gumdrops in doing so. From barrier one, Michael Dee will have her settled in the first four at the very worst, but if the pair can hold the lead from the gun draw, Princess Duhallow should prove a touch too classy in the opener. Best Bet Race 1 – #6 Princess Duhallow (1) 3yo Filly | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Michael Dee (59.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Yarra Valley: In Her Stride In Her Stride brought up back-to-back wins with a determined effort on the Caulfield Heath track when benefiting from a 3kg claim. She gets Luke Cartwright’s services on Good Friday, and with his 2kg claim, the pair will look to hold the rail and sit on the heels of the leader throughout. With just 58.5kg on her back, In Her Stride should have no issue sprinting sharply and only needs an ounce of luck to salute in the Yarra Valley finale. Next Best Race 8 – #2 In Her Stride (1) 5yo Mare | T: John Salanitri | J: Luke Cartwright (a2) (60.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Friday quaddie tips for Yarra Valley Yarra Valley quadrella selections Friday, March 29, 2024 1-2-3-4-8 1-3-4-10-11 3-4-7-9-15 2-3 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article