Wandering Eyes

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

What Golden Slipper 2024 Where Rosehill Gardens When Saturday, March 30, 2024 Prizemoney $1,500,000 Distance 2400m Status Group 1 2023 winner Arapaho (5) | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Rachel King (59kg) Visit Dabble The stayers take centre stage at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday afternoon, with the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) taking top billing on what’s sure to be another outstanding autumn day of racing. A field of 11 has accepted for the event, including the William Haggas-trained Post Impressionist on the one-week back-up after a terrific performance in the Group 2 N E Manion Cup (2400m). Will the European prove too good and take home the $1.5 million prize? Or is there an upset brewing? 2024 Tancred Stakes odds Online bookmakers wasted no time installing Post Impressionist as a +140 favourite in the 2024 Tancred Stakes, and it is easy to see why, after his demolition of his rivals in last Saturday’s N E Manion Cup. Buckaroo is clear on the second line of betting at +380, while the only three-year-old taking on the older horses comes in the form of the James Cummings-trained Tom Kitten, being respected on the third line as a +600 chance. Military Mission (+800) rounds out the chances in single figures, while the pair of Ashrun and More Felons appear best of the rest at +900 apiece. 2024 Tancred Stakes speed map There doesn’t seem to be much speed on paper in the Tancred Stakes, however, Military Mission’s best asset is to go forward, and could manage to get a soft run crossing to the rail despite drawing stall 10. The Annabel Neasham-trained Gear Up appears the most likely to be sent to sit on his outside, while Ashrun (1) and More Felons (2) will be ridden up to hold a position just in behind the leading pair. Post Impressionist (3) circled the entire field last start, so don’t be surprised to see Tom Marquand allow him to drift back towards the rear of the field. Jamie Kah has a choice to make aboard Tom Kitten from barrier nine; utilise the light weight and go forward, risking the chance of being cast wide without cover, or dragging back from the awkward gate. Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top tips and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Tancred Stakes. Tancred Stakes 2024 preview & form Post Impressionist simply must go on top after despatching his rivals in dominant fashion last Saturday in the Group 2 N E Manion Cup. He rounded them up with relative ease to score by 3.4 lengths under a patient steer from ‘Aussie’ Tom Marquand, making a statement on behalf of the William Haggas barn. Initially it seemed the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) on April 13 would be the next target, however, with the team electing to change course and head to this event first, punters should be happy to take the lead from the stable as Post Impressionist searches for back-to-back wins on Australian soil. The Chris Waller-trained Buckaroo impressed last Saturday when bounding into minor money in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and has genuine claims in this event. He was no match for Via Sistina but never shirked the task, hitting the line well to suggest the 2400m could be a major positive. The son of Fastnet Rock has never been tested over 2000m in the past, however, if the five-year-old can replicate a similar effort on the one-week back up, Buckaroo appears to be the main danger. After proving far too classy for his rivals in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on March 15, the Ciaron Maher barn have elected to send Ashrun to Sydney for the first time. He draws to get a soft run in transit on Saturday, and although the Sydney Cup appears to be his grand final in two weeks, the well-versed eight-year-old has the ability to be considered a major player. Tom Kitten was a shade disappointing last Saturday in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m), however, it is hard to ignore the 5kg weight swing he gets on some key rivals. Jamie Kah makes the trip to Sydney to take the reins, and although it is unclear as to whether Tom Kitten will stay the journey, the Godolphin three-year-old warrants respect. Tancred Stakes 2024 selections & best bets Selections: 5 POST IMPRESSIONIST 1 BUCKAROO 3 ASHRUN 11 TOM KITTEN $100 betting strategy $100 win Post Impressionist (#5) @ +140 with Picklebet 2024 Tancred Stakes Final Field 1. Buckaroo (7) T: Chris Waller J: Tommy Berry W: 59kg F: 35×57 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Horse Sire: Fastnet Rock Dam: Roheryn (IRE) +400 -125 2. Military Mission (10) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Adam Hyeronimus W: 59kg F: 53×10 Age: 6YO Color: Grey Sex: Gelding Sire: Mastercraftsman (IRE) Dam: Atlantic Isle (GER) +800 +160 3. Ashrun (1) T: Ciaron Maher J: Jason Collett W: 59kg F: 14×42 Age: 8YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Authorized (IRE) Dam: Ashantee (GER) +800 +160 4. More Felons (2) T: Chris Waller J: James McDonald W: 59kg F: 1x05x Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Churchill (IRE) Dam: Pivotalia (IRE) +800 +160 5. Post Impressionist (3) T: William Haggas J: Tom Marquand W: 59kg F: 1×197 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Teofilo (IRE) Dam: Island Remede (GB) +150 -285.71 6. Gear Up (6) T: Annabel Neasham J: Nash Rawiller W: 59kg F: 13×00 Age: 6YO Color: Grey Sex: Gelding Sire: Teofilo (IRE) Dam: Gearanai (USA) +3000 +500 7. Kalapour (5) T: Kris Lees J: Dylan Gibbons W: 59kg F: 20×01 Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: War Command (USA) Dam: Kaladena (IRE) +3000 +500 8. Bois D’Argent (4) T: Annabel Neasham J: Chad Schofield W: 59kg F: 2×476 Age: 7YO Color: Grey Sex: Gelding Sire: Toronado (IRE) Dam: Madonna Lily (IRE) +1600 +290 9. Athabascan (11) T: John O’Shea J: Tyler Schiller W: 59kg F: 46×27 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Almanzor (FR) Dam: Alzubra (GB) +3000 +500 10. Little Mix (8) T: Annabel Neasham J: Joshua Parr W: 57kg F: 458×2 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Mahisara Dam: Girls Aloud +6000 +1000 11. Tom Kitten (9) T: James Cummings J: Jamie Kah W: 54kg F: 6456x Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Harry Angel (IRE) Dam: Transfers +600 +120 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Melvista Stakes Day Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Friday, March 29, 2024 First Race 1:15pm AWST Visit Dabble The Listed Melvista Stakes will headline the eight-race card at Ascot this Good Friday. With no rain forecast in the lead-up to the meeting, it is expected that the track will stay in the Good range for the whole program. The rail will be pushed out to the +12m position for the entire circuit, which should play favourably to leaders over sprint trips. The opening race on Melvista Stakes Day will jump at 1:15pm AWST. Melvista Stakes Tip: Alaskan Alaskan produced one of the better runs in defeat in the Listed J.C. Roberts Stakes last start, as the Neville Parnham-trained gelding was made to travel three-wide without cover for the entire trip. Even though he travelled wide and covered ground, the son of Playing God battled on to finish 1.1 lengths behind Lord Vampi in second place. With a better run in transit and Chris Parnham getting back in the saddle, Alaskan should prove hard to hold out at the end of 2200m. Melvista Stakes Race 7 – #4 Alaskan (8) 3yo Gelding | T: Neville Parnham | J: Chris Parnham (55kg) Bet with Playup Best Bet at Ascot: Fly With Caution After being beaten by Influencing first-up at Bunbury last start, Fly With Caution will step up in trip to 1400m on Friday, and the Robert Witten-trained galloper should have taken a lot of improvement out of his fresh run. The son of Galah settled on speed previously and was only just beaten late by a fitter horse who was coming off back-to-back wins. If Fly With Caution can settle behind the speed off the fence and shows the same turn of foot late, he will play a prominent role in the finish again. Best Bet Race 8 – #4 Fly With Caution (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Robert Witten | J: Michael Poy (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Next Best at Ascot: Beach Pad Beach Pad will drop back from Listed grade to compete in a Class 1 Handicap, where the Mitchell Pateman-trained gelding will seek to record his second victory at his third start. On debut, this son of Bondi stormed home down the middle of the track from the rear of the field and claimed victory over 1412m before finding Listed company too strong. As he will reconnect with Holly Watson for his second run over 1800m, Beach Pad should get every chance to replicate his debut victory here. Next Best Race 4 – #2 Beach Pad (10) 3yo Gelding | T: Mitchell Pateman | J: Holly Watson (59kg) Bet with Neds Friday quaddie tips for Ascot races Ascot quadrella selections Friday, March 29, 2024 1-3-4-8 2-5-7-10 1-2-4 3-4-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Post Impressionist was too classy for his rivals in the Group 3 Manion Cup. Photo: RacingNSW The Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) has attracted an ultra-competitive 11-horse field to battle it out for the $1.5 million prize at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon. After an outstanding 3.4-length win last Saturday in the Group 3 N E Manion Cup (2400m), the William Haggas-trained Post Impressionist holds the call as a +130 favourite with online bookmakers. Tom Marquand is the set to the partner the son of Teofilo once again and should get every chance to make it back-to-back wins from stall three. The Chris Waller-trained Buckaroo is on the one-week back up after finding the minor money in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and should appreciate getting out in trip third-up into the campaign. Tommy Berry takes the reins on Saturday, with the five-year-old placed on the second line of betting at +380 with online betting sites. The Godolphin three-year-old Tom Kitten (+600) takes on the older horses after a mid-field finish in last Saturday’s Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and warrants plenty of respect. The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Military Mission (+800) rounds out the chances at single digits, while the pair ofAshrun and More Felons are likely to gain support at the +900 apiece. The 2024 Tancred Stakes headlines the action this Saturday at Rosehill and is set to get underway at 4:35pm local time. 2024 Tancred Stakes Final Field 1. Buckaroo (7) T: Chris Waller J: Tommy Berry W: 59kg F: 35×57 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Horse Sire: Fastnet Rock Dam: Roheryn (IRE) +400 -125 2. Military Mission (10) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Adam Hyeronimus W: 59kg F: 53×10 Age: 6YO Color: Grey Sex: Gelding Sire: Mastercraftsman (IRE) Dam: Atlantic Isle (GER) +800 +160 3. Ashrun (1) T: Ciaron Maher J: Jason Collett W: 59kg F: 14×42 Age: 8YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Authorized (IRE) Dam: Ashantee (GER) +800 +160 4. More Felons (2) T: Chris Waller J: James McDonald W: 59kg F: 1x05x Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Churchill (IRE) Dam: Pivotalia (IRE) +800 +160 5. Post Impressionist (3) T: William Haggas J: TBC W: 59kg F: 1×197 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Teofilo (IRE) Dam: Island Remede (GB) +150 -285.71 6. Gear Up (6) T: Annabel Neasham J: Nash Rawiller W: 59kg F: 13×00 Age: 6YO Color: Grey Sex: Gelding Sire: Teofilo (IRE) Dam: Gearanai (USA) +3000 +500 7. Kalapour (5) T: Kris Lees J: Dylan Gibbons W: 59kg F: 20×01 Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: War Command (USA) Dam: Kaladena (IRE) +3000 +500 8. Bois D’Argent (4) T: Annabel Neasham J: Chad Schofield W: 59kg F: 2×476 Age: 7YO Color: Grey Sex: Gelding Sire: Toronado (IRE) Dam: Madonna Lily (IRE) +1600 +290 9. Athabascan (11) T: John O’Shea J: Tyler Schiller W: 59kg F: 46×27 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Almanzor (FR) Dam: Alzubra (GB) +3000 +500 10. Little Mix (8) T: Annabel Neasham J: TBC W: 57kg F: 458×2 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Mahisara Dam: Girls Aloud +6000 +1000 11. Tom Kitten (9) T: James Cummings J: Jamie Kah W: 54kg F: 6456x Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Harry Angel (IRE) Dam: Transfers +600 +120 Horse racing news View the full article

While Senor Toba felt the wrath of Equinox 12 months ago, the trainer believes his five-year-old is much better placed to make his presence felt on Dubai World Cup nightView the full article

Mr Brightside headlines the Group 1 Australian Cup field at Flemington on Saturday. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The Group 1 Australian Cup will headline the 10-race card at Flemington this Saturday afternoon, with a small but select field of nine runners accepting for the 2000m contest. Four of the nine acceptors come through the All-Star Mile form line, while Legarto is the only runner that brings overseas form into the 2024 edition of the $3 million race. Although Mr Brightside was beaten in the All-Star Mile, the Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained galloper has opened as the +130 favourite with online bookmakers. The son of Bullbars won both the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes and Futurity Stakes in his first two starts this preparation; however, his form at 2000m plus is a query, having raced over the distance three times for one placing. Closely following the market elect is the All-Star Mile winner, Pride Of Jenni (+170), who led every step of the way over 1600m at Caulfield last time out. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare will step up to 2000m for just the second time in her 27-start career, and much like the favourite, there will be questions about her effectiveness over the distance. Last start Blamey Stakes winner, Atishu (+700), has the best record of any of her rivals over 2000m (5:3-1-0) and is undefeated from two starts at the track and trip throughout her career. The Chris Waller-trained mare was a dominant winner of the Group 1 VRC Champions Stakes during the spring, where she defeated two of her rivals that she will face on Saturday. Although Cascadian (+800) hasn’t won a race since winning the 2023 edition of this race, the James Cummings-trained gelding finished off strongly over 1600m last start and he will appreciate the rise in trip fourth-up for the campaign. Outside of the fancied runners, Legarto (+1400) seems to be the only other horse given a chance, as the Ken & Bev Kelso-trained mare returns to Flemington for the first time since her Australian Guineas victory last year. The Australian Cup will be race eight on the Flemington program and is scheduled to jump at 4:15pm AEDT. 2024 Australian Cup Final Field 1.Mr Brightside (1) T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes J: Craig Williams W: 59kg F: 211×2 Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Bullbars Dam: Lilahjay (NZ) +130 -500 2. Cascadian (8) T: James Cummings J: Ben Melham W: 59kg F: 349×7 Age: 9YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: New Approach (IRE) Dam: Falls of Lora (IRE) +800 +110 3. Vow And Declare (9) T: Danny O’Brien J: Billy Egan W: 59kg F: 2×592 Age: 8YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Declaration Of War (USA) Dam: Geblizt +2500 +320 4. Dom To Shoot (6) T: Sean & Jake Casey J: Mark Zahra W: 59kg F: 64×91 Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Shooting to Win Dam: Princess Rouge (NZ) +5000 +600 5. Young Werther (3) T: Danny O’Brien J: Damian Lane W: 59kg F: 13×23 Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Tavistock (NZ) Dam: Romantic Time (NZ) +2000 +270 6. Esti Feny (4) T: Matthew Smith J: Jamie Mott W: 59kg F: 30×90 Age: 9YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Pigeon Catcher (IRE) Dam: Ejtihaad (IRE) +10000 +1200 7. Pride Of Jenni (7) T: Ciaron Maher J: Declan Bates W: 57kg F: 12×11 Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Pride of Dubai Dam: Sancerre (NZ) +170 -384.62 8. Atishu (5) T: Chris Waller J: Blake Shinn W: 57kg F: 18×12 Age: 6YO Color: Brown Sex: Mare Sire: Savabeel Dam: Posy (NZ) +700 +100 9. Legarto (2) T: Ken & Bev Kelso J: Michael Dee W: 57kg F: 2121x Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Proisir Dam: Geordie Girl (NZ) +1400 +190 Horse racing news View the full article

Orchestral heads betting for the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m). Photo: Race Images The Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) has drawn together a competitive field of 10 three-year-old fillies set to battle it out for the $750,000 prize at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon. The Roger James & Robert Wellwood-trained Orchestral was a dominant winner of the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) on March 2 and has only continued to firm in the market since electing to make the trip across the Tasman. The daughter of Savabeel is searching for five wins on the trot, and after drawing barrier two, online betting sites are taking no chances installing Orchestral as a -125 favourite. James McDonald is set to take the reins for the second time after partnering the Kiwi raider in the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie on February 17. Zardozi is clear on the second line of betting at +250 after an eye-catching performance in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) two weeks ago. Tom Marquand retains the ride for the James Cummings-trained galloper and should appreciate the step-up in trip to the 2000m this weekend. The Gary Portelli-trained Kimochi was able to manage a minor placing in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) and rounds out the challengers in single figures. Jamie Kah will partner the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained Autumn Angel (+900) as she makes the trip north from Melbourne after securing victory in the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1600m). Meanwhile, the Chris Waller-trained pair of Tutta La Vitta (+1400) and Mare Of Mt Buller (+2500) represent good each-way value. The 2024 Vinery Stud Stakes kicks off the quaddie at Rosehill on Saturday and is scheduled to get underway at 4.00pm AEDT. 2024 Vinery Stud Stakes Final Field 1. Orchestral (2) T: Roger James & Robert Wellwood J: James McDonald W: 56kg F: 11112 Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Savabeel Dam: Symphonic (NZ) -125 -833.33 2. Zardozi (7) T: James Cummings J: Tom Marquand W: 56kg F: 10×12 Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Kingman (GB) Dam: Chanderi (GB) +250 -285.71 3. Kimochi (6) T: Gary Portelli J: TBC W: 56kg F: 371×2 Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Brave Smash (JPN) Dam: Summer Fun +650 -117.65 4. Autumn Angel (5) T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman J: Jamie Kah W: 56kg F: 16×13 Age: 3YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Filly Sire: The Autumn Sun Dam: Angel of Mercy +900 +120 5. Tutta La Vita (4) T: Chris Waller J: Nash Rawiller W: 56kg F: 73×43 Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: The Autumn Sun Dam: Negotiate +1400 +180 6. Queen Of Dragons (3) T: Peter & Paul Snowden J: Tyler Schiller W: 56kg F: 16×27 Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Pierro Dam: Entrancing +2500 +300 7. Mare Of Mt Buller (3) T: Chris Waller J: Tommy Berry W: 56kg F: 111×4 Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Dundeel (NZ) Dam: Aliberani +2500 +300 8. Our Gold Hope (1) T: Robert & Luke Price J: Dylan Gibbons W: 56kg F: 2315x Age: 3YO Color: Grey Sex: Filly Sire: Lope de Vega (IRE) Dam: Grey Queen (USA) +5000 +600 9. Piplup (9) T: Brad Widdup J: Jason Collett W: 56kg F: 13×44 Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Inference Dam: Pipette (GB) +10000 +1100 10. True Fairy (8) T: Daiki Chujo J: Noriyuki Masuda W: 56kg F: 12134 Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Real Steel (JPN) Dam: Cedar Lane +20000 +2100 Horse racing news View the full article

Check out this week’s Box Seat with hosts Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin. View the full article

Horse Racing on Wednesday, March 27 will feature six meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and provided free quaddie tips for the meetings at Alice Springs, Randwick-Kensington, Sandown & Happy Valley (HK). Wednesday Horse Racing Tips – March 27, 2024 Alice Springs Racing Tips Randwick-Kensington Racing Tips Sandown Racing Tips Happy Valley Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For March 27, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $31.27 odds return: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 Randwick-Kensington – Race 1 #4 Imperial Force Randwick-Kensington – Race 6 #3 Ballroom Bella Sandown – Race 4 #6 Sunshineinmypocket Sandown – Race 7 #9 Pantelone | Copy this bet straight to your betslip As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on March 27, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

It will be a case of youth versus experience at Ellerslie this Saturday when Wexford Stables lines-up their two representatives in the Gr.1 NZEA New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Three-year-old filly Grail Seeker will test her talents at weight-for-age for the first time after being a consistent force against her age group this season, while five-year-old mare Karman Line will be seeking her first stakes scalp. Grail Seeker, a daughter of Iffraaj, has accrued an enviable record of two wins and four placings from her eight starts to date, including victory in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham earlier this month. Her win in the Trentham Classic wasn’t a surprise to her trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, with the filly having already placed in the Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m), Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), and Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m). She will be two years the junior of her next youngest rival on Saturday, and while her handlers are very aware of the challenge ahead of her, they believe she is up to the task. “Grail Seeker put in a very strong performance last start. She has travelled home from Wellington and had a good few days out on the farm, she has been back in the barn and she has continued to do very well,” Scott said. “She has run well over the mile. We are taking the opportunity with a fit and sound filly, who is in good form, to take her place in the Group One. This is quite a step up. We think she is capable of getting to this level, it’s just whether it’s this preparation or next preparation.” Karman Line also takes solid form into Saturday’s feature, having won the Lisa Chittick Plate (1400m) at Matamata last month before finishing fourth over 1400m at Tauranga last start. The daughter of Myboycharlie finished fifth in the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes last year and her trainers are hoping for a better result in this year’s running. “We think she will run better this year, we think she is in better form going in,” Scott said. “Her last run was good and she was in the mix with some of these. We know that she has got to lift a little, but she has been improving right through the preparation and she certainly warrants another go at this race. “Her work on Tuesday morning suggests she is going as good as she has all her career thus far, which she needs to be in order to be competitive, and we are confident that she is going to be competitive.” View the full article

Globe lopes home at the head of the field at Sandown. Photo Credit: Bruno Cannatelli The Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on April 6 has been earmarked as Globe’s starting point for this campaign, following the lightly raced five-year-old’s second jump-out on Monday morning. After an interrupted spring preparation due to cardiac arrhythmia suffered in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) last September, Globe has returned with two impressive jump-out performances. Clocking 1:00.96 for the 1000 meters on Monday, Globe secured victory by 2.5 lengths. Co-trainer Mick Price shared insights with Racing.com after Monday’s session. “He had plenty up his sleeve and Jye (McNeil) said he thought he had plenty more to give,” said Price who trains in partnership with Michael Kent (Jnr). “It is a bit hard to get a gauge on his race fitness, he had a long time out, he’s a bit round in condition but did not have a blow. “He looks really well and he’s had nothing go wrong and sailed straight through and week by week he’s improved.” Horse racing news View the full article

Classy sprinter I Wish I Win. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) James McDonald has secured the coveted mount aboard defending champion I Wish I Win in the upcoming $3 million Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday week. Waikato Stud, in partnership with co-trainer Peter Moody, confirmed McDonald’s appointment, replacing Luke Nolen. Nolen had piloted I Wish I Win in his recent jump-out at Pakenham last Tuesday. Jamie Kah guided the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained five-year-old to victory in his Australian debut at Caulfield in August 2022. However, Nolen has been in the saddle for the gelding’s eight subsequent starts. Nolen has been sidelined from competitive riding since mid-January following a trackwork fall that necessitated surgery to repair a perforated bowel. I Wish I Win is marked as a +300 winning chance with horse racing bookies for the TJ Smith Stakes. Horse racing news View the full article

Pride Of Jenni ridden by Declan Bates winning the 2024 All-Star Mile at Caulfield. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Ciaron Maher acknowledges that All-Star Mile winner, Pride Of Jenni, faces unfamiliar territory as she prepares for the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) this Saturday at Flemington. “In her 27 starts, she’s only tackled the 2000m distance once,” Maher reflects, referring to her eighth-place finish in the Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m) last April. “She was on the back-up and is clearly in much better form now. “She ran reasonably well considering how hard she went in that race, but I think she’ll run well in anything you put her in the form she is in now. “It is a bit of a risk, but if you’re going to do it, now is the time to do it.” Following her triumph in the All-Star Mile, Pride Of Jenni has bounced back impressively. “She’s come through her All-Star Mile victory in excellent order and quickly recovered the weight lost,” said Maher “She had a gallop on Monday and was likely to have a lighter piece of work later in the week after spending the majority of last week in recovery mode. “She’s a phenomenal horse really and when you see them race, those types of horses really make the race interesting.” Pride Of Jenni holds the second line of betting with leading horse racing bookies, quoted at +200 for the Group 1 Australian Cup. Horse racing news View the full article

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The extended 10-furlong View Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Maiden has been used by Aidan O'Brien for his potential Derby colts in recent years and Tuesday's renewal was no exception as Agenda (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}–Different League {Fr}, by Dabirsim {Fr}) became the stable's latest TDN Rising Star. Following on from Galileo's Changingoftheguard (Ire) who two years earlier had won this en route to taking the G3 Chester Vase and G2 King Edward VII S., the highly encouraging third in a seven-furlong Curragh maiden in October was able to fully justify 11-10 favouritism under Wayne Lordan. Always travelling easily on the outer, he tanked to the head of affairs at the top of the straight and had control from there. Despite running green as he had on debut, the son of the G3 Albany S. winner and G1 Cheveley Park S. and G1 Prix Morny-placed Different League surged away late to beat the solid yardstick Huxley (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by 4 3/4 lengths.Ballydoyle's representative Chris Armstrong said of Galileo's 42nd TDN Rising Star, “He had a lovely run as a two-year-old at the Curragh in a race that worked out nicely and has the makings of a lovely horse. He's still very babyish and raw and I think there is plenty of improvement but, when he gets there, he could be a nice one. Wayne gave him a lovely ride and we'll probably look at a trial for him next–he might be one for Chester.” Agenda joins a list of stellar TDN Rising Stars for the past Coolmore monarch including Waldgeist (GB), Found (Ire), New Approach (Ire), Teofilo (Ire) and the incomparable Frankel (GB). Different League, who was a 1.5million gns purchase by White Birch Farm and M V Magnier at the 2017 Tatts December Sale, has produced the useful Subzero (Ire) from her first mating with the late great Galileo and her third foal is a yearling son of Frankel (GB). The family includes the G2 Gimcrack S.-winning sire Carrowkeel (Ire). 7th-Dundalk, €13,000, Mdn, 3-26, 3yo, 10f 150y (AWT), 2:19.70, st. AGENDA (IRE), c, 3, by Galileo (Ire) 1st Dam: Different League (Fr) (GSW & G1SP-Eng, G1SP-Fr, SP-Ire, $225,021), by Dabirsim (Fr) 2nd Dam: Danseuse Corse (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire) 3rd Dam: Corse (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire) Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $10,030. O-Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier & Peter M Brant; B-Coolmore & White Birch Farm SC (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Irish Derby entry Agenda, a son of Galileo, caught the eye when third on debut in October and goes two places better in fine style at @DundalkStadium under @waynemlordan @Ballydoyle pic.twitter.com/UkgCuZwBlq — Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 26, 2024 The post Galileo’s Agenda A New TDN Rising Star appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of March 18-March 24View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk The country’s biggest punting club is heading into new territory at next month’s Night of Champions at Cambridge, and everyone’s invited. For the first time Boys Get Paid (BGP) will run a Punters Club dedicated only to harness racing. And they are hoping to have some serious cash to throw around. “We would love to get a pool of between $250,000 and $300,000 – that would be a great result,” says BGP’s Dan Rack. “If that happened it would translate to around 4000-7000 people getting involved.” Since the TAB opened the BGP option for the big race night on Friday, April 12 the uptake has been steady with Rack confident it will fire up in the next fortnight or so. “At last look we had about $25,000 and it’s very early days.” Anyone can invest whatever total they like and they will get a corresponding percentage of any wins or loses. Two years ago, on Show Day, Addington witnessed BGP mania first hand when Cyrus got up at double figure odds. The syndicate wagered $12,500 for the win and $27,500 the place at $12 and $3.50, with their $40,000 investment returning $246,500. Back then it was a New Zealand Cup and Show Week Punters Club betting on all three codes. That included three harness meetings at Addington on Cup Day (Tuesday) and Show Day (Friday) and Ashburton on Thursday. Rack says the harness component finished very much in the black. “The harness only return for that week was $204,000 spent, and a return of over $449,000,” says Rack. This time at Cambridge the success or otherwise of the harness-only Punters Club will again rest with the same two “Addington” tipsters Matt Markham and Andrew Fitzgerald. “Nothing beats that atmosphere with the Punters Cub and there’s a big group on course and when there’s a winner, it’s pretty exciting,” says Rack. In the galloping code there have been success stories and also some losses. In 2018 the club turned $58,000 into $136,000 while the latest Karaka Millions meeting saw punters only get half their money back. But Rack says the day is about a lot more than just money, including community and collegial spirit and having fun. For instance, the sight of hundreds of BGPers at Ellerslie chanting “there’s only one Opie Bosson” is etched into racing folklore. “We won’t get to the same heights as Ellerslie but we want to taste a bit of that at Cambridge and every time you bring that energy racing wins,” says Rack. BGP have a specific area on-course for the Night of Champions which will feature the $1m Race by Grins and the TAB Trot. “So far we have sold 100 tickets so there are about 50 left,” says Rack. Early bird tickets were going for $115 each and include a dinner and drinks package. The syndicate will be in the Eastern Lounge of the grandstand, pretty much overlooking the finish line. As always the BGP will have regular interviews and content on their social media channels and the BGP App as “they build the hype” to April 12. On the night itself the bets and running totals will be updated throughout the evening. “We want people no matter where they are to feel that they are there.” To find out more about BGP click here View the full article

By Michael Guerin The next phase of Hayden Cullen’s training career is building momentum and he hopes that continues at Addington’s twilight meeting today. Cullen and wife Amanda reset their business after leaving the All Stars and then Team Telfer but have good numbers around them now. “When I went out on my own there was a few racehorses but it was mainly breaking in a lot of young horses,” says Cullen. “But we have built up a nice team now of 20 and getting some lovely outside horses and in the last month things have really turned around.” That has seen Cullen train three winners from just 10 runners this season and he has winning hopes in two races this afternoon. The first of those is Wish Me Luck (R2, No.5) who was opened favourite by the TAB bookies with Sam Thornley in the sulky for the Fahey Fence Hire junior driver’s race. “I think he has to be really hard to beat, especially with Sam driving as he will get some respect,” says Cullen. “I thought the danger was Amore Infida but it is fresh up and I will be telling Sam to stay in front of it.” Wish Me Luck sat parked for the last 1000m before going down narrowly to a smart horse in Double Jeopardy last start and will only need to reach that level again to be the one to beat, although Amore Infida has shown good talent and is the obvious danger. The form isn’t as easy to line up in the next race, the Woodlands Stud Supporting Our Future 2YO Fillies race in which Cullen has both General Jen and Winelight. They finished first and second in their latest trial, General Jen winning and while the time wasn’t as fast as usual at Ashburton, their trainer says the track raced slow that day and he likes both fiillies. “General Jen has been the move advanced and maybe she still is but Winelight is getting better every day and I really like her. “It could be a tricky race because it is hard to know how good the others might be and what gate speed they have and who likes to go forward. “Both of ours have tricky enough draws that they might be better settling early and rolling into it later.” The eight-race card features a $25,000 Magness Benrow Nevele R Fillies Heat for the three-year-olds in which Queen Of Swords (R6, No.1) has the draw to be the one to beat but the small field should aid the well-related Aardie B Miki (No.6). View the full article

Fukuryu Stakes winner T O Password has accepted the Japanese invite to the Kentucky Derby. The news was reported on X by Kevin Kerstein of Churchill Downs.View the full article

Two 1 1/2-mile stakes races on Florida Derby Day on the Gulfstream Park turf course—the $200,000 Pan American Stakes (G2T) for older male runners and the $150,000 Orchid Stakes (G3T) for fillies and mares—have a French flavor.View the full article

We all know how hard it is to stand a turf horse in Kentucky today. For the minority of breeders sufficiently enlightened to offer such sires some commercial viability, moreover, the reel snapped a couple of years ago with the loss of Kitten's Joy and English Channel within months of each other. Happily, it has not taken long to cast a new leading man. Oscar Performance has delivered his lines confidently from the first take. In fact, he has even improved on the script–his leading earner, to this point, being Red Carpet Ready, a triple graded stakes scorer on dirt. Another from his debut crop to have excelled on the main track is Tumbarumba, who recently failed only by a nose to add a Grade II prize to the Grade III he won at Gulfstream in January. It seems rather a pity, then, that Endlessly (Oscar Performance)–in the silks of his sire's owner-breeders–is declining the GI Kentucky Derby gate he secured with that dashing display in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks on Saturday. After all, this is the trial that produced the Derby winner and runner-up in the last two years, perhaps partly because the synthetic surface at Turfway is so much less demanding. Obviously it has a comforting kinship with grass, perceived as the natural metier of Endlessly. But ours is an era that urgently needs to reconcile gene pools too long divided, not just by an ocean, but by a failure of imagination. It was the international exchange of bloodlines that invigorated the breed in the last century–and it's primarily our own inflexibility that has stifled the versatility our predecessors discovered in Nasrullah, Northern Dancer and Sunday Silence. Perhaps the sensational impact of Justify in Europe can renew that kind of traffic. In the meantime, however, Oscar Performance is certainly well placed to profit from the expanding turf and synthetic programs in his own backyard. In fact, Endlessly was only one of three sophomore winners for the Mill Ridge sire on the Turfway card (the others included Rushaway S. winner Trikari) while another member of the same crop broke his maiden on grass at Santa Anita later that day. One way or another, Oscar Performance must be counted a wholesome influence as a Grade I winner at two, three and four. He covered 160 mares last spring, much his biggest book after suffering the habitual slide to 63 in his fourth season, and his fee (nudged to $25,000 this year) will surely keep advancing with the traction he's achieving. But we can safely leave such decisions to those standing him, not least a farm that had been out of the stallion game for a generation but is proving admirably alert to 21 st Century needs and opportunities. On the same basis, the remarkable program that produced him, and has now also come up with Endlessly, can plainly manage perfectly well without any impertinent musings about the kind of priceless marketing opportunity they're now passing up. Endlessly's immediate family admittedly has chlorophyll flavors: second dam Society Dream (Fr) (Akarad {Fr}) was a stakes performer in Europe before being imported by the Amermans, who duly kept her on the “weeds” to get her graded stakes-placed. Three of her daughters have produced stakes winners on turf: one, by Royal Academy, notably came up with GI Just A Game S. winner Coffee Clique (Medaglia d'Oro); another, by Quality Road, gave Oscar Performance a first-crop headliner in Hawthorne Derby winner Act a Fool; and a third, an unraced daughter of Langfuhr, is responsible for Endlessly himself. But remember that Langfuhr is by one of the great diversifiers in Danzig, and won iconic showcases of dirt speed like the Met Mile, Forego, Carter and Vosburgh. As sire of Lawyer Ron, and damsire of Proud Spell and Firenze Fire, Langfuhr is certainly every bit as eligible to help a daughter draw out any dirt aptitude in Oscar Performance as, say, Street Sense–himself, of course, by the turf-bred Street Cry (Ire)–who happens to be damsire of both Red Carpet Ready and Tumbarumba. In fairness, the second dam of both those horses (who are bred with remarkable symmetry) is by A.P. Indy, while Red Carpet Ready actually traces to Yarn/Narrate. But Endlessly's own family, besides its single-generation detour to France, has similarly indigenous roots: ultimately, indeed, it is the dynasty of Bull Lea. Not even I can pretend that Oscar Performance's own sire was a versatile influence, while his dam (synthetic stakes winner) was by Theatrical. But the seeding of all the next dams is straight down the middle of Main Street: Mr. Prospector, Slew o' Gold, Danzig (Langfuhr's sire again), Bold Reason, Buckpasser (this last mare, moreover, out of matriarch Lady Pitt). Bottom line is that none of us ever knows exactly which strands of a pedigree will shape the flesh-and-blood animal in front of us. The people around Endlessly naturally have a more intimate grasp of his adaptability, but as a wider principle I think we all need to be less prescriptive and remember that no race is ever run on paper. Another One That Got Away… With 100 starting points evidently going down one black hole at Turfway, and so many others disappearing into a deeper one in California, there may be some credibility issues about a few that eventually find themselves with a Derby gate. Yet missing second by a head in the Jeff Ruby may yet prevent this messy situation containing seeds of its own redemption through a fairytale Derby bid for Seize The Grey (Arrogate). Arrogate | Horsephotos He's improving with experience, much as we might expect of a horse being brought along by the evergreen genius–and priceless advocate for our sport–who trains him. He also belongs to the final crop of Arrogate, who from tragically curtailed opportunity bequeathed Classic winners in each of the last two years: first Secret Oath, for D. Wayne Lukas himself, and then champion Arcangelo. The latter's profile matched that of his sire, in that he developed too late to make the Derby, so Seize The Grey is ahead of the game. And likewise Liberal Arts, who can build on a really promising comeback when lining up for the GI Arkansas Derby this weekend. He will carry fervent support from the many friends made in the business by Evan Ferraro of Fasig-Tipton, who co-bred (and co-owns) this colt with his father Stephen. Moreover Arrogate's final crop now has an additional Classic shot through Everland, who banked 50 GI Kentucky Oaks points with her own stakes success on the Turfway synthetic last Saturday. Her rise was chronicled in Monday's TDN by colleague T.D. Thornton, and there's no reason why she shouldn't prove equally effective on dirt. She was certainly an alert claim, with her residual value seemingly guaranteed: she was bred by previous owner George Strawbridge Jr. from a daughter of Tapit and Rainbow View (Dynaformer), who won him Group 1 prizes at two and three when trained in Europe. It was only last week that we had occasion to celebrate this family, Rainbow View's Grade I- winning dam No Matter What (Nureyev) having been a half-sister to Vronsky (Danzig), sire of Californian sprint idol The Chosen Vron. The dam of Vronsky and No Matter What additionally produced GI Travers runner-up E Dubai (Mr Prospector), while her full sister gave us Raven's Pass (Elusive Quality) to win the GI Breeders' Cup Classic in 2008–a race won four years later by E Dubai's standout son Fort Larned. Quite a family, then, and the program that risked Everland in a claimer suffered another cruel twist at Turfway on Saturday, as a result of discarding another female at Fasig-Tipton's February Sale in 2021. The fact that the 13-year-old Dynamic Holiday (Harlan's Holiday) made only $14,000, as a well-bred graded stakes winner in foal to Oscar Performance, tells you that it was a pretty logical cull. Despite some good covers, her breeding record had been abysmal. Yet the foal she was carrying has now turned out to be Turfway stakes winner Trikari. (As if the Amermans weren't adequately committed to Oscar performance, they actually bought this fellow as an OBS October yearling for $27,500.) Still, the team that lost both Everland and the dam of Trikari might not be the only ones kicking themselves. The mare appears to have been moved on again since, in a Fasig digital sale in October, for $3,500. Extending the GII Louisiana Derby since 2020 has worked out extremely well, the second such running having produced four of the first six past the post at Churchill, and then Epicenter the following year. Perhaps the reluctance of trainers today to give sophomores an old-fashioned grounding is favoring those that have redressed the resulting deficiency at least by running a distance of ground. Catching a Rising Tide… As such we need to respect the prospects of Catching Freedom (Constitution), who is palpably beginning to figure things out. He's by no means the finished article, but is certainly vindicating his selection by Albaugh Family Stables as a $575,000 Book I yearling at the Keeneland September Sale. Constitution | Sarah Andrew However he proceeds from here, there's certainly no anomaly about a Derby colt for Constitution, who's just entering the next big cycle of his career. With his current 4-year-olds conceived at just $15,000, Catching Freedom belongs to his first crop sired even at $40,000–and it's a very big one, too, the breeders of 187 live foals having responded to his freshman breakout in 2019 (runner-up to American Pharoah). But the upgrade really kicks in with his incoming juveniles, sired at $85,000 after first-crop star Tiz The Law had proved himself an elite 3-year-old. Catching Freedom raised the curtain on what was always going to be a big year for his sire by winning the Smart Jones S. on its very first day, and his progress must be creating plenty of excitement at WinStar–not only as the farm that stands Constitution himself, but also as the breeders of this colt out of the Grade I-placed stakes winner Catch My Drift (Pioneerof The Nile). Purchased at the end of her career for $400,000, at Fasig-Tipton in November 2015, she has since divided her favors between the home farm roster and assignations elsewhere. Uncle Mo, for instance, gave her Bishops Bay, who showed plenty of talent in a light sophomore campaign last year. Sold as a yearling for $450,000, he beat last weekend's GIII Essex H. scorer First Mission (Street Sense) on debut and also ran nascent champion Arcangelo to a head in the GIII Peter Pan. Catch My Drift also has a stakes-placed daughter by Into Mischief. It must be acknowledged that her family offers finite explanation for the quality she has shown, first on the track and now as a producer. Nor would first four dams by Yonaguska, Tabasco Cat, Crafty Prospector and Baldski shout “a blanket of roses” for her son. On the other hand, he entwines sire-lines of 'unbridled' Classic branding: his damsire is by Unbridled's son Empire Maker; and his grandsire Tapit is out of an Unbridled mare. The length of his rehearsal certainly drew on that well, and will again leave the Louisiana Derby winner as one of the few copper-bottomed stayers on the first Saturday in May. The post Breeding Digest: No Oscar Nominations for Typecasting appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.View the full article

The flooded fields that line the approach to Spigot Lodge might suggest differently, but spring has finally arrived in Middleham and that can only mean one thing in these parts. On Good Friday, as tradition dictates, a handful of the town's racing stables will invite the public in for a look behind the scenes as part of the annual Middleham Open Day, organised by Racing Welfare. Spigot Lodge promises to be the first port of call for many visitors, with trainer Karl Burke expecting to welcome between 200-300 people during the course of the morning. Hoping to beat the rush, the TDN descends on Spigot Lodge the week before the Middleham Open Day, but already Burke is a man in high demand. Having welcomed David Craig and the Sky Sports Racing cameras to film a feature the previous morning, today our visit clashes with that of Derek 'Tommo' Thompson, the veteran broadcaster and commentator who warmly greets all comers in the now-customary fashion, “Are you well?” Allowing Tommo first crack at Burke provides the opportunity for a quick tour of the stable yard, giving just a taste of why Spigot Lodge is proving such a popular destination with us media folk as the start of the Flat season proper looms on the horizon. In every corner you look there's a familiar name, from the hard-knocking older sprinter that is Spycatcher (Ire) (Vadamos {Fr}) to the exciting three-year-old Classic contender that is Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}). Put simply, Burke has never assembled a stronger team of horses, across all departments, than the one in his care right now, certainly on the evidence of last year when he celebrated career-best figures in Britain, with 119 winners and £3,130,725 in total earnings. “And if you count the European money earnings it was close to £4 million,” Burke points out as he pulls up a stool in the kitchen after bidding farewell to Tommo, ready to reflect on a record-breaking year for the team in 2023 and to look ahead to what 2024 might have in store. “I never ever thought we'd get to those sorts of figures,” he adds. “I think the only blank month we had last year was March. We didn't have a winner in March, but apart from that we had a great all-weather season and it just followed on through the year.” Already this year Burke is ahead of where he was at the same stage in 2023, with 12 winners on the board–including a first of the season on turf when Liamarty Dreams (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) scored at Doncaster on Sunday–compared to 10 in the first three months of last year. The big cards are all still to be played, of course, but the omens are certainly good ahead of what promises to be another successful year for the team. Happily, Burke can also look forward to taking a front row seat in the coming months having returned to familiar surroundings in recent days, making his first appearances on a racecourse since last summer. In a year when Burke's powerful string rose to virtually every challenge thrown at them in 2023, their trainer was forced to watch on from afar as he fought his own battle with illness, out of the public eye as the likes of Fallen Angel did their bit to keep his name in lights. “Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with cancer just before Royal Ascot last year,” Burke recalls. “I didn't have any symptoms or anything. I had a routine test and they found it, luckily. They were able to get me in and operated on in early-July, so I haven't been racing since then really. “I was just getting over the operation, which was fairly severe, and then they wanted me to have a course of chemo as a belts-and-braces job. That took me up to Christmas time, so it hasn't been easy, but we've got a great team here and things ticked along nicely.” When he felt up to it, the day-to-day routine of a trainer's existence was a huge comfort to Burke during his illness, simply being around the animals to which he's devoted over 30 years of his life in this profession. Burke's soft spot for Fallen Angel is certainly clear for all to see, with the smile coming easily to him when he's asked to pose for a picture with the grey filly who ended the stable's four-year wait for a Group 1 winner when landing the Moyglare Stud S. at the Curragh last September. A second in the space of six weeks then came along when Poptronic (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) caused a 22/1 upset in the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. at Ascot. That proved to be Poptronic's swansong for the stable, later being sold for 1.4 million gns at the Tattersalls December Mares' Sale, but Burke need look no further for a flagbearer this year than Fallen Angel, who is quickly having to get used to all the media attention that comes with being one of the best fillies of her generation. Leading 1,000 Guineas contender Fallen Angel at Spigot Lodge this morning. Look out for a @theTDN feature with @karl_burke next week, with less than seven weeks to go until the first Classics of the season. pic.twitter.com/rJAcEewRnd — Adam Houghton (@hought94) March 20, 2024 “There were always high hopes for her and she was a lovely stamp of a filly,” Burke says of Steve Parkin's homebred. “And she's out of a good mare, Agnes Stewart, who was a Group 2 winner. You never can say you're definitely going to win a Group 1, but she just improved all the way through.” Expressing his belief that Fallen Angel should still be unbeaten, Burke adds, “Even when she got beat at Sandown, Danny [Tudhope, jockey] came in and was kicking himself that he didn't make more use of her because she stays very well. She'd always been quite a strong traveller and he was just trying to teach her by holding on to her a little bit, but I think she probably would have won that day as well if we'd kicked her in the belly a bit earlier.” Fallen Angel made no mistake on her next two starts, first winning the G3 Sweet Solera S. at Newmarket and then following up in very similar fashion when making the breakthrough at the top level at the Curragh, still appearing full of running at the line as she fought off the speedy Verpertilio (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) to win by a length and a quarter. Sure to be suited by stepping up to a mile, Fallen Angel now has the G1 Qipco 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday, May 5, firmly in her sights, attempting to provide her trainer with a first British Classic success in a race that looks a whole lot more winnable following the news of the likely defection of Aidan O'Brien's Opera Singer (Justify)–not that Burke was afraid of going head-to-head with the winter favourite for the race. “I was looking forward to taking on Opera Singer,” he reveals. “Darnation ran against her on fast ground in France, which Darnation wouldn't want, and we were still upsides her a furlong and a half out. I know where Fallen Angel is with her [Darnation] on fast ground. Darnation is very much a soft-ground filly, so I didn't think for a minute that Opera Singer was unbeatable. “There will be plenty of horses that pop their heads up above the parapet from now until Guineas day. I'm sure there are a few horses lurking around that are going to show improved form and will be challenging us. My main aim is to get her there in one piece and, hopefully, that's what we'll do.” Fallen Angel is set for a racecourse gallop at the Craven Meeting which Burke hopes will put her spot on for the 1,000 Guineas, while Darnation (Too Darn Hot {GB}) could also come into the reckoning for that race if conditions fall in her favour. According to her trainer, she isn't one to underestimate, either, in the event that that happens. “I'm sure that on soft or heavy ground, she's going to be a handful for any horse,” Burke says of the filly who counted the G2 May Hill S. at Doncaster amongst her three wins last season. “A lot of horses just can't manage that ground, but she seems to thrive on it. “She carried a little niggle all of last season and I think that's one of the reasons why she didn't perform on firmer ground. But she's come through that and she's working nicely. I'm not sure what the plan is–it will be dictated by the ground really. It was in my mind to go for one of the trials if it came up heavy, but there's not a mile trial for fillies without going up to France and I don't really want to do that with her first-time-out.” One exciting three-year-old at Spigot Lodge who has already been in action in 2024 is the 'TDN Rising Star' Night Raider (Ire). In fact, the quick circuit of the stable yard on this particular morning involves only a brief stop at his empty box, the son of Dark Angel (Ire) already having departed ahead of his run at Southwell that evening. “It's a big day for him,” says Burke, who later follows Night Raider on the 230-mile round trip to Southwell for his first racecourse visit of the year. “I've just seen him on the horsebox and he's roaring away. He's got that little immaturity still about him, so another day out won't do him any harm. Today, whether he wins easily or is in a battle, the idea is to give him a little squeeze and make him go and stretch in that last furlong.” As it turns out, Night Raider has absolutely no difficulty dismissing a 93-rated rival from the Charlie Hills stable in that novice event, responding quickly when that little squeeze is applied as he powers clear to win by five lengths. Unbeaten in two starts, by a cumulative margin of 14 lengths, the feeling remains that we've only scratched the surface of Night Raider's potential. He's clearly held in high regard by Burke, too, with the only uncertainty in his mind being about what to do next ahead of a possible tilt at the G1 Qipco 2,000 Guineas on Saturday, May 4. “We'll make a decision whether we go for a trial or a racecourse gallop,” he sums up. “The trial is more likely to be the seven-furlong conditions race at Newmarket, for horses that haven't run more than twice. I don't want to try him in the Craven over a mile where there could be cut in the ground and it could turn into a slog. And if we wait for Newbury, it's literally two weeks before the Guineas which is getting close. “We've got decisions to make, but he's a beautiful horse and the Guineas and the start of the season is not the be-all and end-all for him–he's going to get better and better as the season goes on.” Burke's Southwell trip might have resembled a return to some sort of normality for the trainer, but he's still finding his feet in certain aspects at home, notably when it comes to getting to grips with the latest intake of juveniles in his care. “There are a few nice horses out there,” he says of the class of 2024. “I was away for a month in the winter, which I've never done before, and obviously before Christmas I wasn't as on it as I usually would be with having the chemo. But I'm recognising the horses now and seeing how they've developed. I'm just catching up with that and I must admit now that, when I see the string, we've got some lovely fillies out there.” It was the two-year-olds which underpinned Burke's success last season, making up 68 of the yard's 119 winners in Britain, whilst pocketing nearly £1 million in prize-money. This year the team of juveniles won't be quite so numerically strong, according to Burke, but he still expects to have plenty of early runners despite a less-than-ideal preparation, chiefly because of the exceptionally wet weather the whole country has endured in recent weeks and months. “We won't have quite as many two-year-olds this time around because we've kept a lot of the nice two-year-olds from last year,” Burke explains. “We have 139 boxes here and we're pretty limited above that, so we had to cut back somewhere and it ended up being the two-year-olds. But we seem to have a nice bunch and still good numbers. “I've been saying to a few people that I felt the three-year-olds and older horses were probably a week or two ahead of where we'd usually be with them, but we're probably a week or two behind with the two-year-olds. We're probably better off having it that way round, because there are loads of races for the two-year-olds and they've got plenty of time.” Pinatubo (Ire) is a first-season sire expected to waste no time in having two-year-old winners in 2024 and Burke is excited to see what his half-brother to Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) can do having been sent to Spigot Lodge by Parkin. “He looks a lovely colt,” says the trainer. “There's a lot of scope about him–a lot more scope than Dramatised had.” Burke also puts in a positive word for a filly by Sergei Prokofiev, but it's another Whitsbury Manor Stud resident who is the main subject of his affections, namely Havana Grey (GB), whom he trained to win the G1 Flying Five S. back in 2018. “It's been unbelievable really,” Burke says of the success Havana Grey has enjoyed at stud, notably with the dual Group 1-winning two-year-old Vandeek (GB), the star of his second crop. “And fair play to Ed Harper from Whitsbury. When we were looking to try and sell him, we had a price in our heads, us and the owners. All the big studs came over to see him and liked him, but they didn't want to pay the price that we had in mind. We stuck to our guns and fair play to Ed. He said, 'I think I'm paying plenty for him, but I want him.' “His constitution was brilliant,” Burke adds of Havana Grey. “All he did was eat and sleep and he was a very sound, tough horse. I think he's passing on that toughness to his progeny.” As for the current inmates at Spigot Lodge, there is arguably no finer embodiment of toughness than the six-year-old Spycatcher, who did his trainer proud in 2023 when winning the G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis at Deauville before being beaten just a short head when bidding for a first Group 1 success in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at the same venue. Spycatcher, who occupies the box that was once home to Burke's multiple Group 1 winner Laurens (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), will be back for more in 2024 with the aim of breaking his top-level duck, so too the four-year-olds Flight Plan (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and Royal Rhyme (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), both of whom acquitted themselves well in good company last season. There's certainly plenty to be excited about if you're planning a visit to Spigot Lodge during the Middleham Open Day, albeit Burke's own enjoyment of the event isn't necessarily what it once was since the introduction of racing on Good Friday. “We've got three meetings, so we're going to be stretched to the limit,” he explains. “We've had to limit our opening window to two and a half hours, because we just can't do it any other way. We're going to have lads everywhere and horses travelling. You can't be loading horses up when you've got 200-300 people walking around. “It's unfortunate because it does have a place. It's a good selling point to try and get new blood into the game, but it certainly hasn't made it easier with so much racing on Good Friday.” It's a message that rings especially true at a time when the fixture list seems to grow year-on-year, despite a general decline in foal crops in Britain, not to mention the increase in the number of horses being bought to race overseas. It provides an interesting talking point on which to end the chat with Burke, who clearly remains as passionate as ever about a sport which means everything to him and his family, ably assisted at Spigot Lodge by wife Elaine and daughters Kelly and Lucy. “I think that's a big problem [the loss of horses overseas] and I don't know how you halt that,” he says. “Obviously, prize-money comes into it, but we're so far behind as a country on prize-money compared to a lot of the other major racing nations that we're never going to catch them up. “Any increase in prize-money will help, but how do you go about persuading people not to sell their horses? I think in a perverse sort of way, the Middle East programme that's there doesn't really help British racing, but there's a case for owners keeping those good middle-distance horses and high-class sprinters and going out in the winter to the Middle East to compete for that prize-money. “That's probably as good a selling point as any. The likes of Richard Fahey have obviously had great success, so the more that they build their programme, it will probably help to a degree to persuade owners in Britain to keep those horses.” The post Burke Looking Forward With Fallen Angel After Cancer Fight appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article