Wandering Eyes

During Saturday's post-position draw at Gulfstream, Repole Stable's Fierceness (City of Light) was installed the 8-5 favorite on the morning line for next weekend's GI Curlin Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. Drawing post 10 in the field off 11, the colt will try to give his trainer Todd Pletcher a record eighth win in the Classic prep. Pletcher won the nine-furlong test with defending 2-year-old champion Forte (Violence) last year. “Normally I'd be afraid of the outside post, but Forte won from the 11 last year, so you can overcome that,” Pletcher said. “Everybody knows Gulfstream two-turn races are very tricky and I think that's why the start is so important, getting away cleanly. I think what happens in a lot of these two-turn races is the jockeys are so conscious of having to get to the first turn in good position that it can get a little rough leaving the gate sometimes.” Victorious in last fall's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile en route to a juvenile championship, the colt kicked off his sophomore campaign with a third in the GIII Holy Bull S. Feb. 3. Pletcher will also be represented by Repole's recent maiden winner Bail Us Out (Lookin At Lucky), who drew post three. The former will be ridden by Johnny Velazquez while the latter will be accompanied by Irad Ortiz Jr. D.J. Stable LLC and Robert Cotran's undefeated Hades (Awesome Slew), a front-running winner in the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull, drew post 2 and will be accompanied by regular pilot Paco Lopez. He was installed the 7-2 third choice on the morning line. Courtlandt Farm's Conquest Warrior (City of Light), who is coming off back-to-back wins at Gulfstream including a 1 1/16-mile optional claiming allowance Mar. 1, drew the nine hole for Saturday's race. Given a 3-1 chance on the morning line, the colt is trained by Shug McGaughey, who also saddled Orb for victories in the 2013 GI Florida Derby and GI Kentucky Derby. Jose Ortiz gets the mount. Also slated to run: Frankie's Empire (Classic Empire) (12-1, Post 1); Grand Mo the First (Uncle Mo) (15-1, Post 4); Real Macho (Mucho Macho Man) (20-1, Post 5); Le Dom Bro (Mucho Macho Man) (15-1, Post 6); Catalytic (Catalina Cruiser) (20-1, Post 7); Seminole Chief (Girvin) (30-1, Post 8); Iris's Dream (Jess's Dream) (30-1, Post 11). The post Fierceness Draws Post 10 for Florida Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Warrnambool Races Where Warrnambool Racing Club – 2-64 Grafton Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280 When Monday, March 25, 2024 First Race 12:20pm AEDT Visit Dabble A bumper nine-race meeting is set down for decision at Warrnambool on Monday afternoon. With the Warrnambool May Carnival fast-approaching, four of the nine races carded are scheduled for over the obstacles. The rail comes out 9m the entire circuit on a track rated a Soft 5, with action commencing at 12:20pm AEDT. Best Bet at Warrnambool: Extra Elusive Extra Elusive beat all bar subsequent Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) winner Excelleration at his last start at Great Western on January 28. Since that day, he has had two trials over the hurdles, with his most recent one being a smart victory at Terang on March 7. He is clearly the best horse on the flat in the maiden hurdle event, and with a clean jumping display, the son of Mastercraftsman should prove a touch too strong for his rivals over the 3200m. Best Bet Race 2 – #4 Extra Elusive (8) 9yo Gelding | T: Andrew Bobbin | J: Will Gordon (69.5kg) +130 with Picklebet Next Best at Warrnambool: Pure Deal Bevan Laming’s Pure Deal won his sole start over the Warrnambool 3200m hurdle circuit in the May carnival last year, and based on two handy trial wins this time in, he can return a winner. This will be his first race start in over 10-months, but with three trials under his belt, he should be cherry ripe for the BM120 hurdle field he faces. Arron Lynch will have Pure Deal stalking the speed throughout, and as long as he shows a clean pair of heels over the obstacles, the son of Dundeel should have a bit too much class on his rivals on Monday. Next Best Race 3 – #5 Pure Deal (6) 6yo Gelding | T: Bevan Laming | J: Arron Lynch (68.5kg) +140 with Dabble Best Value at Warrnambool: Yulong Place Yulong Place looks to be the complete wrong price with horse racing bookmakers, albeit on the back of a sub-par performance second-up. The eight-year-old gelding was quite competitive in much tougher assignments than what he faces on Monday and with Daniel Small’s 3kg claim aiding his chances, we’re happy to be with him at the price. He will look to hold a forward position throughout and as long as he can handle the 70.5kg following the claim, Yulong Place can certainly spring a surprise. Best Value Race 5 – #1 Yulong Place (6) 8yo Gelding | T: Lyn Shand | J: Daniel Small (a3) (73.5kg) +340 with Neds Monday quaddie tips for Warrnambool races Warrnambool quadrella selections Monday, March 25, 2023 1-2-3-4-7 1-3-4-6 5-6 1-3-4 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Here are my bets with BoomBet. Click the link to add my bets straight to your betslip: =BetShare Horse racing tips View the full article

3rd-TAM, $53K, Msw, 3yo, 7f, 1:18 p.m. ET CARTUCHO (Gun Runner) tied for the ninth highest return during the 2022 Keeneland September Sale when selling to bloodstock agent Mike Ryan for $1.2 million. The debuting bay colt's ownership group includes his breeder Three Chimneys Farm, William H. Lawrence and Walmac Farm. He is trained by Chad Brown. Cartucho is out of GISW Malibu Prayer (Malibu Moon). She was a $2 million 2011 Keeneland November purchase for Besilu, who also acquired her dam–SW Grand Prayer (Grand Slam)–at the same sale for $1 million. Grand Prayer produced MGSW Valid (Medaglia d'Oro). TJCIS PPS The post Sunday’s Insight: $1.2 Million Gun Runner Colt Makes The Races At Tampa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday's Observations features the third foal out of three-time Group 1 heroine Alice Springs (Ire). 13.25 Naas, Mdn, €16,000, 3yo f, 8fT FLEETINGLY (Justify) is the third foal out of the G1 Falmouth S., G1 Matron S. and G1 Sun Chariot S. heroine Alice Springs (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who has already produced the group 3-placed Prettiest (Dubawi {Ire}) and Canute (Quality Road) who looked a promising type last term before being fatally injured at Royal Ascot. Aidan O'Brien introduces her in a 10-runner affair in the race he has won in the last three years with Galileo's future Classic winners Empress Josephine (Ire) and Tuesday (Ire) and group 3 winner and G1 Prix de l'Opera runner-up Jackie Oh (Ire). The post Daughter of Alice Springs Starts in Key Maiden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New Mexico Racing Commission issued trainer Nancy N. Summers a summary suspension March 23 and ejected her from the grounds at Sunland Park after a HIWU investigator found three hypodermic syringes in her tack room, according to the charges.View the full article

West Paces Racing, R.A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Two Eight Racing and Pine Racing Stables' Dornoch (Good Magic), winner of the Mar. 2 GII Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream, is expected to make his next start in Keeneland's GI Blue Grass S. Apr. 6, trainer Danny Gargan told DRF. “It's been my plan since December. All our owners want to run in the Blue Grass, if he wins it makes him more valuable as a stallion. He won over the track, it's one ship, and three days after the race I'll be at Churchill,” Gargan told DRF. Runner up in his first two career starts, including last summer's Sapling S., the full-brother to Kentucky Derby winner Mage won his next three starts, including a muddy renewal of the GII Remsen S. at the Big A in December. Second that day was Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), who is also expected to run in Keeneland's Classic prep. Sierra Leone won the GII Risen Star S. at Fair Grounds Feb. 17. According to Gargan, the colt will breeze once more in Florida before shipping to Lexington. The post Dornoch Heads to Blue Grass appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Humility goes by the household name of humble and you will be hard pressed to find a more humble couple than Donna Cowens and Nicky Souza de Oliveira of DNA Equine. The pair burst onto the scene at the Goffs Breeze-Up Sale at Doncaster last year when selling Mantra (Ire) to Jake Warren on behalf of Highclere for a life-changing £160,000. The Tamayuz (Ire) filly had been bought for a song the previous winter. Identified by Cowens as a potentially nice type to go breezing and get the DNA consignment up and running, the native of Northumberland shelled out just €10,000 for the filly from Ringfort Stud at the Goffs Autumn Sale 2022. Mantra more than held up her part of the bargain by breezing like a rocket, resulting in that massive return on investment for the young couple, but you won't find any gloating here. Instead, Cowens and Souza de Oliveira described that dream debut as “beginner's luck” and are fully concentrating on building on that result this spring. “I don't think that sale ever settled in, really,” Cowens reflected. “We didn't get a chance to sit back and take it in–you just keep your head down and keep on going in this game, don't you?” She added, “But it definitely made the decision to go out on our own a lot easier. If we didn't take the plunge after that, well then we probably never would have. We owe that filly a lot. She gave us the springboard that we needed.” The DNA team are raring to go for the breeze-up sales | Brian Sheerin Cowens, 34, and Souza de Oliveira, 39, are graduates of Willie Browne's famous Mocklershill Stables. After the success with Mantra, the pair decided to go out fully on their own, and have rented a yard on the Curragh. With 10 horses for the upcoming breeze-up sales and eight more in pre-training, you could say this fledgling operation is finding its stride. Cowens said, “We have rented a yard on the Maddenstown side of the Curragh and have 18 horses in at the moment–10 are for breezing and the rest is made up of horses in pre training. We moved here last September.” She added, “We've got three for Doncaster–a nice Earthlight (Ire) colt for the Guineas Sale and a lovely Sottsass (Fr) colt for Arqana. That's rather exciting because he is the only Sottsass colt catalogued for France. “The rest of the horses will be split up between Tattersalls Ireland and then we have a few for the July Sale in France as well. Obviously it was very difficult to get horses into the breeze-up sales this year so we will be taking a few to France in July as well.” It seems to be a common complaint among the breeze-up handlers this year. It was in these pages last month when Harry Fowler of Goffs and Tattersalls Ireland boss Simon Kerins explained how entries for the breeze-up sales were at an all-time high. Invariably, some consignors were going to be left disappointed, as there simply weren't enough slots to go around. However, in DNA's case, they are happy to roll the big dice with a certain Sands Of Mali (Fr) filly on the racetrack, with Souza de Oliveira saying that he is convinced she is up to winning a maiden. “I already have a name picked out for her,” he explained. “I am from Rio in Brazil and, with her being by Sands Of Mali, I was thinking Copacabana Sands would be a nice name. I think she could be up to winning a maiden so we don't mind being brave.” And Souza de Oliveira would know. Still a major cog in Browne's Mocklershill wheel, Souza de Oliveira has ridden countless high-class horses at home and at the breeze-up sales. Not only that, but the couple are taking heart in the result fellow Brazilian native and prominent breeze-up rider Manoel Marques enjoyed with Buyin Buyin (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) this time 12 months ago. Cowens explained, “We've worked her a couple of times and she goes particularly well. Obviously she will be for sale but we're happy to race her ourselves if we have to. She will go to Diego Dias and hopefully, if she shows on the track what she has been showing us at home, we can get her sold. With a filly like that, you don't want to be waiting until July. She will be ready to run in four to six weeks and, while we don't want to get into the habit of keeping horses, we're happy to take a chance with a filly like her.” She added, “Diego is very good friends with Nicky. He has sat on her and is actually the one who said to us, 'this filly is good guys, I think you need to be brave.' Hopefully it ends up being a similar story to Buyin Buyin last year. He wasn't accepted into a breeze-up sale but was obviously ready to run early. Manoel rolled the dice and ran him and the rest is history. Nicky rode Buyin Buyin a good bit at home at Willie's so he knows what's needed to win a maiden. “Nicky still works very closely with Willie and will be riding for him at the breeze-ups as well. If we didn't take the plunge to go out on our own, Willie is a man I would have happily worked for for the rest of my life. He has always been there for help and advice. The knowledge he has on the game is amazing. When we were leaving, he said, 'I'm not happy that ye are leaving, but I wish ye the best of luck.'” And finally, what's behind the name? Not only do DNA have the horses to make their second year in business a success but they are also the proud owners of one of the catchiest consignment names in the game. Cowens laughed, “Everyone asks us this! Basically, it's all about the DNA of the racehorse, isn't it? When you are buying potential racehorses, you are looking at bloodlines and pedigrees, so we said we'd use DNA. The logo actually came first. Everyone thinks the D and the N is for Donna and Nicky and they ask us what the A is for. We always say it's for associates. So, anyone who wants to associate with us, it can be Donna, Nicky and associates.” There are few nicer people to be associated with. The post DNA Equine Team Bidding To Build On Dream Debut At The Breeze-Ups appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

T O Password got a free pass to the Kentucky Derby (G1) with a hard-won victory in just his second career start March 23 at Nakayama Racecourse in Japan.View the full article

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By Jonny Turner The first 50m of the Waimate Cup could tell the story of the race ahead for Mo’unga. The pacer comes into the 3000m grass track staying test after two solid pipe-opening runs on the West Coast for trainer Regan Todd. The last time Mo’unga stepped out over the same distance, things went pear-shaped when the five-year-old racing fiercely in the Methven Cup. Todd hit the reset button on the horse’s campaign and since coming back to the track, Mo’unga has brought his best manners to the races. And it will be essential he does the same at Oamaru on Sunday. “Things went pear-shaped in the Methven Cup, he got really fired up,” Todd said. “We turned him out after that, just to let him forget about it and put it right behind us.” “This preparation has been all about getting him to settle in his races and do things right.” “So far he has been really good.” Mo’unga has been running on strongly in his starts this time in and driver Robbie Close could elect to drive the horse with a sit again on Sunday. Todd thinks the first 50m of the race could decide if that is the case. “It will depend how he settles early on, if he doesn’t he might have to go forward.” “But if he settles in behind them it will be fine, he has got a good turn of foot and he should be pretty competitive.” “The first 50m of the race should tell the story.” If Mo’unga is on his game on Sunday, Todd expects him to go a nice race. “It is a nice, even race, Kikorangi Blue is dropping back from a Group Race so you have to respect that.” “It is a nice even bunch but he looks a handy chance.” Homebush Lad will be out to win his third cup on the Oamaru grass after taking out the 2021 Waimate Cup and the 2024 Waikouaiti Cup on the track. The Greg and Nina Hope trained pacer has been rated the $3.80 second favourite for Sunday’s feature behind Mo’unga ($2.80) and ahead of Kikorangi Blue ($4.30). View the full article

Mighty mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) added a 10th Group One victory to her collection with another supreme performance in Saturday’s A$1 million 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. Imperatriz became Te Akau Racing’s second mare to reach 10 Group One wins. She has followed in the famous footsteps of Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), who won 14 times at the elite level in the colours of affiliate syndicators Fortuna Racing. Imperatriz has now moved one ahead of another outstanding Te Akau mare in Avantage (Fastnet Rock), who won nine Group Ones before fetching a record price of $4.1 million on Gavelhouse Plus in 2021. Fittingly, the 10th Group One win for Imperatriz came with a successful defence of her William Reid Stakes title. She recorded her first Australian victory in the same race 12 months ago, kicking off an extraordinary sequence that saw her add the Gr.2 McEwen Stakes (1000m), Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m), Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m), Gr.1 Champions Sprint (1200m) and Gr.1 Lightning Stakes (1000m). That winning streak was broken with a gallant second under 58kg in the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on March 9, but Imperatriz returned to her favourite track on Saturday and resumed her unstoppable weight-for-age form. Drawn awkwardly in gate nine, Imperatriz jumped well before settling in midfield for her regular jockey Opie Bosson. She began to move forward coming down the side of the track, creeping into fourth at the 300m before pouncing at the home turn. Jockey Opie Bosson and trainer Mark Walker holding the trophy following Imperatriz’s win in the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m). Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Bosson went for gold and drove Imperatriz clear, taking command with less than 200m remaining. Longshot Johnny Rocker (Jukebox) produced a career-best performance to provide a late scare, but Imperatriz had enough up her sleeve to hold him out by a head. “This is a great thrill, especially after the Newmarket,” trainer Mark Walker said. “She really dug deep that day. For her to come back here and do it again at her favourite track, it’s a bit of a relief.” Bosson has now ridden Imperatriz to 12 victories, nine of them at Group One level. “I got off her after the Newmarket and told Mark that it would be hard to beat her in any weight-for-age race from now on,” Bosson said. “I’m glad she came out and won the way she did today. “I got in behind Bella Nipotina, who I thought would take me into the race, but she didn’t really cart me into it. I had to make quite a long run down the side. “But once she gets on that right leg in the straight here, she’s just amazing. You can feel her picking up underneath you, and once she balances up, she’s just class.” Imperatriz is now unbeaten in five starts at Moonee Valley, and she has had a total of 26 starts for 19 wins, four placings and more than A$6.8 million in stakes. She was bought by David Ellis for A$360,000 as a yearling on the Gold Coast in 2020. “She’s just a joy,” Te Akau’s Karyn Fenton-Ellis said. “I know it’s easy to find superlatives about top horses that perform at the highest level, but she has heart, courage and tenacity, and she’s just a sweetheart. We’ve loved her since the day we met her, and now she’s been so embraced here in Australia. She may be Aussie-bred, but she’s definitely a Kiwi. “It’s a wonderful syndicate that races her. David Ellis bought her at the Magic Millions Sale and she was our very last yearling to sell that year. She sat on the website and sat on the website. People often say to me that they’d love to have a share in a horse like her – well, they could have, and we’ve still got some of this year’s purchases available now to have a look at.” Bred by Malaysian businessman Dato Yap Kim San’s Raffles Farm, Imperatriz is another nod to the success of the breeding operation, which was managed by Bruce Sherwin since it was established in 2008 and in addition to Imperatriz has produced the likes of Group One winners Glint Of Hope (Deep Impact), More Than Sacred (More Than Ready) and First Seal (Fastnet Rock). Economic pressures stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic forced Dato Yap to sacrifice his ‘hobby’ thoroughbred breeding operation to secure his core businesses throughout Asia. Raffles Farm, on the outskirts of Cambridge, was sold in 2022, along with almost the entirety of Dato Yap’s Australasian bloodstock portfolio. Imperatriz is by leading Australian sire I Am Invincible out of Berimbau, a Group Two-placed Shamardal mare who was bought by Raffles for A$180,000 at a Gold Coast sale in 2016. View the full article

Mighty mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) added a 10th Group One victory to her collection with another supreme performance in Saturday’s A$1 million 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. Imperatriz became Te Akau Racing’s second mare to reach 10 Group One wins. She has followed in the famous footsteps of Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), who won 14 times at the elite level in the colours of affiliate syndicators Fortuna Racing. Imperatriz has now moved one ahead of another outstanding Te Akau mare in Avantage (Fastnet Rock), who won nine Group Ones before fetching a record price of $4.1 million on Gavelhouse Plus in 2021. Fittingly, the 10th Group One win for Imperatriz came with a successful defence of her William Reid Stakes title. She recorded her first Australian victory in the same race 12 months ago, kicking off an extraordinary sequence that saw her add the Gr.2 McEwen Stakes (1000m), Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m), Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m), Gr.1 Champions Sprint (1200m) and Gr.1 Lightning Stakes (1000m). That winning streak was broken with a gallant second under 58kg in the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on March 9, but Imperatriz returned to her favourite track on Saturday and resumed her unstoppable weight-for-age form. Drawn awkwardly in gate nine, Imperatriz jumped well before settling in midfield for her regular jockey Opie Bosson. She began to move forward coming down the side of the track, creeping into fourth at the 300m before pouncing at the home turn. Jockey Opie Bosson and trainer Mark Walker holding the trophy following Imperatriz’s win in the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m). Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Bosson went for gold and drove Imperatriz clear, taking command with less than 200m remaining. Longshot Johnny Rocker (Jukebox) produced a career-best performance to provide a late scare, but Imperatriz had enough up her sleeve to hold him out by a head. “This is a great thrill, especially after the Newmarket,” trainer Mark Walker said. “She really dug deep that day. For her to come back here and do it again at her favourite track, it’s a bit of a relief.” Bosson has now ridden Imperatriz to 12 victories, nine of them at Group One level. “I got off her after the Newmarket and told Mark that it would be hard to beat her in any weight-for-age race from now on,” Bosson said. “I’m glad she came out and won the way she did today. “I got in behind Bella Nipotina, who I thought would take me into the race, but she didn’t really cart me into it. I had to make quite a long run down the side. “But once she gets on that right leg in the straight here, she’s just amazing. You can feel her picking up underneath you, and once she balances up, she’s just class.” Imperatriz is now unbeaten in five starts at Moonee Valley, and she has had a total of 26 starts for 19 wins, four placings and more than A$6.8 million in stakes. She was bought by David Ellis for A$360,000 as a yearling on the Gold Coast in 2020. “She’s just a joy,” Te Akau’s Karyn Fenton-Ellis said. “I know it’s easy to find superlatives about top horses that perform at the highest level, but she has heart, courage and tenacity, and she’s just a sweetheart. We’ve loved her since the day we met her, and now she’s been so embraced here in Australia. She may be Aussie-bred, but she’s definitely a Kiwi. “It’s a wonderful syndicate that races her. David Ellis bought her at the Magic Millions Sale and she was our very last yearling to sell that year. She sat on the website and sat on the website. People often say to me that they’d love to have a share in a horse like her – well, they could have, and we’ve still got some of this year’s purchases available now to have a look at.” Bred by Malaysian businessman Dato Yap Kim San’s Raffles Farm, Imperatriz is another nod to the success of the breeding operation, which was managed by Bruce Sherwin since it was established in 2008 and in addition to Imperatriz has produced the likes of Group One winners Glint Of Hope (Deep Impact), More Than Sacred (More Than Ready) and First Seal (Fastnet Rock). Economic pressures stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic forced Dato Yap to sacrifice his ‘hobby’ thoroughbred breeding operation to secure his core businesses throughout Asia. Raffles Farm, on the outskirts of Cambridge, was sold in 2022, along with almost the entirety of Dato Yap’s Australasian bloodstock portfolio. Imperatriz is by leading Australian sire I Am Invincible out of Berimbau, a Group Two-placed Shamardal mare who was bought by Raffles for A$180,000 at a Gold Coast sale in 2016. View the full article

Mighty mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) added a 10th Group One victory to her collection with another supreme performance in Saturday’s A$1 million 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. Imperatriz became Te Akau Racing’s second mare to reach 10 Group One wins. She has followed in the famous footsteps of Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), who won 14 times at the elite level in the colours of affiliate syndicators Fortuna Racing. Imperatriz has now moved one ahead of another outstanding Te Akau mare in Avantage (Fastnet Rock), who won nine Group Ones before fetching a record price of $4.1 million on Gavelhouse Plus in 2021. Fittingly, the 10th Group One win for Imperatriz came with a successful defence of her William Reid Stakes title. She recorded her first Australian victory in the same race 12 months ago, kicking off an extraordinary sequence that saw her add the Gr.2 McEwen Stakes (1000m), Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m), Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m), Gr.1 Champions Sprint (1200m) and Gr.1 Lightning Stakes (1000m). That winning streak was broken with a gallant second under 58kg in the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on March 9, but Imperatriz returned to her favourite track on Saturday and resumed her unstoppable weight-for-age form. Drawn awkwardly in gate nine, Imperatriz jumped well before settling in midfield for her regular jockey Opie Bosson. She began to move forward coming down the side of the track, creeping into fourth at the 300m before pouncing at the home turn. Jockey Opie Bosson and trainer Mark Walker holding the trophy following Imperatriz’s win in the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m). Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Bosson went for gold and drove Imperatriz clear, taking command with less than 200m remaining. Longshot Johnny Rocker (Jukebox) produced a career-best performance to provide a late scare, but Imperatriz had enough up her sleeve to hold him out by a head. “This is a great thrill, especially after the Newmarket,” trainer Mark Walker said. “She really dug deep that day. For her to come back here and do it again at her favourite track, it’s a bit of a relief.” Bosson has now ridden Imperatriz to 12 victories, nine of them at Group One level. “I got off her after the Newmarket and told Mark that it would be hard to beat her in any weight-for-age race from now on,” Bosson said. “I’m glad she came out and won the way she did today. “I got in behind Bella Nipotina, who I thought would take me into the race, but she didn’t really cart me into it. I had to make quite a long run down the side. “But once she gets on that right leg in the straight here, she’s just amazing. You can feel her picking up underneath you, and once she balances up, she’s just class.” Imperatriz is now unbeaten in five starts at Moonee Valley, and she has had a total of 26 starts for 19 wins, four placings and more than A$6.8 million in stakes. She was bought by David Ellis for A$360,000 as a yearling on the Gold Coast in 2020. “She’s just a joy,” Te Akau’s Karyn Fenton-Ellis said. “I know it’s easy to find superlatives about top horses that perform at the highest level, but she has heart, courage and tenacity, and she’s just a sweetheart. We’ve loved her since the day we met her, and now she’s been so embraced here in Australia. She may be Aussie-bred, but she’s definitely a Kiwi. “It’s a wonderful syndicate that races her. David Ellis bought her at the Magic Millions Sale and she was our very last yearling to sell that year. She sat on the website and sat on the website. People often say to me that they’d love to have a share in a horse like her – well, they could have, and we’ve still got some of this year’s purchases available now to have a look at.” Bred by Malaysian businessman Dato Yap Kim San’s Raffles Farm, Imperatriz is another nod to the success of the breeding operation, which was managed by Bruce Sherwin since it was established in 2008 and in addition to Imperatriz has produced the likes of Group One winners Glint Of Hope (Deep Impact), More Than Sacred (More Than Ready) and First Seal (Fastnet Rock). Economic pressures stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic forced Dato Yap to sacrifice his ‘hobby’ thoroughbred breeding operation to secure his core businesses throughout Asia. Raffles Farm, on the outskirts of Cambridge, was sold in 2022, along with almost the entirety of Dato Yap’s Australasian bloodstock portfolio. Imperatriz is by leading Australian sire I Am Invincible out of Berimbau, a Group Two-placed Shamardal mare who was bought by Raffles for A$180,000 at a Gold Coast sale in 2016. View the full article

Mighty mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) added a 10th Group One victory to her collection with another supreme performance in Saturday’s A$1 million 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. Imperatriz became Te Akau Racing’s second mare to reach 10 Group One wins. She has followed in the famous footsteps of Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), who won 14 times at the elite level in the colours of affiliate syndicators Fortuna Racing. Imperatriz has now moved one ahead of another outstanding Te Akau mare in Avantage (Fastnet Rock), who won nine Group Ones before fetching a record price of $4.1 million on Gavelhouse Plus in 2021. Fittingly, the 10th Group One win for Imperatriz came with a successful defence of her William Reid Stakes title. She recorded her first Australian victory in the same race 12 months ago, kicking off an extraordinary sequence that saw her add the Gr.2 McEwen Stakes (1000m), Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m), Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m), Gr.1 Champions Sprint (1200m) and Gr.1 Lightning Stakes (1000m). That winning streak was broken with a gallant second under 58kg in the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on March 9, but Imperatriz returned to her favourite track on Saturday and resumed her unstoppable weight-for-age form. Drawn awkwardly in gate nine, Imperatriz jumped well before settling in midfield for her regular jockey Opie Bosson. She began to move forward coming down the side of the track, creeping into fourth at the 300m before pouncing at the home turn. Jockey Opie Bosson and trainer Mark Walker holding the trophy following Imperatriz’s win in the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m). Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Bosson went for gold and drove Imperatriz clear, taking command with less than 200m remaining. Longshot Johnny Rocker (Jukebox) produced a career-best performance to provide a late scare, but Imperatriz had enough up her sleeve to hold him out by a head. “This is a great thrill, especially after the Newmarket,” trainer Mark Walker said. “She really dug deep that day. For her to come back here and do it again at her favourite track, it’s a bit of a relief.” Bosson has now ridden Imperatriz to 12 victories, nine of them at Group One level. “I got off her after the Newmarket and told Mark that it would be hard to beat her in any weight-for-age race from now on,” Bosson said. “I’m glad she came out and won the way she did today. “I got in behind Bella Nipotina, who I thought would take me into the race, but she didn’t really cart me into it. I had to make quite a long run down the side. “But once she gets on that right leg in the straight here, she’s just amazing. You can feel her picking up underneath you, and once she balances up, she’s just class.” Imperatriz is now unbeaten in five starts at Moonee Valley, and she has had a total of 26 starts for 19 wins, four placings and more than A$6.8 million in stakes. She was bought by David Ellis for A$360,000 as a yearling on the Gold Coast in 2020. “She’s just a joy,” Te Akau’s Karyn Fenton-Ellis said. “I know it’s easy to find superlatives about top horses that perform at the highest level, but she has heart, courage and tenacity, and she’s just a sweetheart. We’ve loved her since the day we met her, and now she’s been so embraced here in Australia. She may be Aussie-bred, but she’s definitely a Kiwi. “It’s a wonderful syndicate that races her. David Ellis bought her at the Magic Millions Sale and she was our very last yearling to sell that year. She sat on the website and sat on the website. People often say to me that they’d love to have a share in a horse like her – well, they could have, and we’ve still got some of this year’s purchases available now to have a look at.” Bred by Malaysian businessman Dato Yap Kim San’s Raffles Farm, Imperatriz is another nod to the success of the breeding operation, which was managed by Bruce Sherwin since it was established in 2008 and in addition to Imperatriz has produced the likes of Group One winners Glint Of Hope (Deep Impact), More Than Sacred (More Than Ready) and First Seal (Fastnet Rock). Economic pressures stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic forced Dato Yap to sacrifice his ‘hobby’ thoroughbred breeding operation to secure his core businesses throughout Asia. Raffles Farm, on the outskirts of Cambridge, was sold in 2022, along with almost the entirety of Dato Yap’s Australasian bloodstock portfolio. Imperatriz is by leading Australian sire I Am Invincible out of Berimbau, a Group Two-placed Shamardal mare who was bought by Raffles for A$180,000 at a Gold Coast sale in 2016. View the full article

New Zealand’s Group One three-year-old form was to the fore at Moonee Valley on Saturday, where Antrim Coast (NZ) (Roc De Cambes) edged out Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) in a thrilling finish to the A$500,000 Gr.2 DCE Alister Clark Stakes (2040m). Te Akau Racing’s Quintessa went into the race as a $4 favourite. She had previously shown her star quality on home soil, winning the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham in January, then finished an eye-catching fourth in this month’s Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) in her first appearance across the Tasman. In contrast, Antrim Coast was an overlooked outsider at $41 for Saturday’s Alister Clark. The son of Roc De Cambes arrived in Melbourne as a last-start second placegetter in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), defying triple-digit odds to finish just under four lengths behind the freakish filly Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel). With Orchestral about to make her eagerly anticipated Australian debut in next week’s Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) in Sydney, Antrim Coast put her form in even brighter lights with his outstanding Alister Clark performance. Quintessa was given a dream run by Opie Bosson, sitting in fourth before sailing through a gap along the rails at the turn. She quickened smartly and opened up what looked like a winning advantage, but then along came Antrim Coast. After settling in the back half of the field, Mick Dee got him up and rolling 800m from the finish. He came four-wide around the turn, balanced up and lengthened stride. He slowly but surely drew up alongside Quintessa, fighting a head-bobbing battle with her through the final 100m and snatching victory by a nose. “It was a very good run in the New Zealand Derby last start, and a great training effort by Stephen Marsh to drop back to 2000m around Moonee Valley today,” Dee said. “I dare say he didn’t get around Moonee Valley all that well. He didn’t corner that well and was tending to lay outwards around the turns. “I had to go quite early. To be honest, I thought we got beaten on the line, but it was a super effort.” Racing in the colours of owner-breeder Dick Karreman’s The Oaks Stud, Antrim Coast has now had 12 starts for three wins, four placings and more than A$520,000 in stakes. “He couldn’t have come over any better,” said Dean Williams, whose father Rick is The Oaks Stud’s general manager. “I had a good chat to Stephen Marsh before he came over. They’d given him a week in the paddock after the Derby and he’d freshened up nicely. Stephen was very happy with his work on Tuesday morning, and then he travelled over on Wednesday and hasn’t turned a hair since he arrived. “We couldn’t have wished for a better ride today from a sticky gate (nine). He got him out early and let him roll into the race. It was a perfect ride and a tough effort from the horse. “Adelaide might be his best option from here. Sydney is looking pretty strong, and we want to avoid running into Orchestral again. I don’t think the Aussies will know what hit them when she turns up.” Antrim Coast became the sixth individual stakes winner for Roc De Cambes, who stands at The Oaks Stud for a service fee of just $3,000. The dam of Antrim Coast is the winning Sakhee’s Secret mare Coasting (NZ), whose half-sister Espresso Martini (NZ) (High Chaparral) won at Listed level. Antrim Coast’s second dam Keepa Cruisin (NZ) (Keeper) won the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) and is a half-sister to the seven-time Group One winner Seachange (NZ) (Cape Cross). This family has enjoyed an outstanding couple of months, producing not only Antrim Coast but also freakish Australian two-year-old Storm Boy (Justify) who placed third in the Gr.1 Golden Slipper (1200m) and the Listed-winning three-year-old filly Drakaina (NZ) (Ace High). While Coasting unfortunately died earlier this season, she has a two-year-old colt by Ace High and a yearling filly by Eminent. View the full article

Progressive galloper Matscot (NZ) (Haradasun) delivered on punter’s expectations when the race favourite ($2.40) took out the Seaton Family Memorial Hororata Gold Cup (1800m) at Riccarton in a driving finish. The Sharon Robertson-prepared six-year-old enjoyed a drop in class in Saturday’s contest on his home track after his three previous starts in stakes company yielded midfield finishes as luck didn’t go his way. With leading South Island rider Tina Comignaghi aboard, the son of Haradasun settled in his customary rearward position before inching his way around the field approaching the home turn. Matscot quickly joined issue with the leaders at the 300m and established what was a winning break before holding off the late challenges of In Vogue (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) and North Island raider Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma) to register his sixth career victory with five of them coming at the venue. Comignaghi, who had ridden the horse for the first time when he ran sixth in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) at his last start, was delighted she could guide him home on this occasion. “He loves Riccarton and his is a very tough horse who doesn’t give in,” Comignaghi said. “I rode him at Wingatui then galloped him between races at Ashburton last week and he gave me the feel he had improved and was ready to win. “The pace was a little slow and he was quite fresh so I had to let him creep into it and he got to the front quite quickly. “When they came at him he just tried so hard and wouldn’t give in. “There will be some improvement in him and I think he has the pick of some nice races coming up in the next couple of months as he won’t mind a little cut in the ground.” Matscot is out of the five-race winner Bewarned (NZ) (Danske) and has now won six of his 25 starts and over $161,000 for co-owners Alan Reeves, Ross Falloon and Robertson. His extended family includes outstanding racemare Dare (NZ) (Three Legs) who numbered the Gr.2 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) amongst her eight career victories before it was upgraded to Group One status. View the full article

Talented mare Burgie (NZ) (Ghibellines) turned a frustrating campaign around with a powerful finish to win Saturday’s Gr.3 Valachi Downs South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton. White Robe Lodge’s homebred daughter of Ghibellines is making a habit of spending time in the black-type spotlight in Christchurch at this time of the year. She won the Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) in the autumn of her three-year-old season in 2022, then returned 12 months later for a second placing behind Live Drama (NZ) (Ghibellines) in last year’s edition of the South Island Breeders’ Stakes. But Burgie’s connections have endured a frustrating run during her five-year-old season, with her 10 starts before Saturday’s breakthrough producing no wins and three placings. She has featured regularly in stewards’ reports, striking significant interference in the straight on at least three occasions and dislodging rider Terry Moseley soon after the start of last month’s Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m). Things finally all fell into place for Burgie in Saturday’s $110,000 fillies and mares’ feature. She settled near the tail of the 13-horse field until the home turn, when rider Corey Campbell moved away from the rail and started searching for a way through. Burgie switched across heels to the centre of the track and Campbell drove her through a gap and let her rip. Burgie swept past nine rivals with a blistering turn of foot, hitting the front with 100m remaining and scoring by half a length over Lady Telena (Vespa) and Dazzling Miss (NZ) (Proisir). “It was great to see her come out and produce that performance today,” said Shane Anderton, who trains in partnership with his father Brian. “She hasn’t had much luck go her way this season, but today was a good day for that luck to change a little bit. “She’s performed well at these autumn meetings at Riccarton over the last couple of years, although I think more than anything else, her lack of success as a five-year-old so far this season just comes down to all the bad luck she’s had. “She’s definitely had more bad luck than good luck this year. She went about 10 strides in the White Robe Lodge before Terry lost his iron and fell. It’s been frustrating, but getting that win today makes up for it a bit. “We’ll let the dust settle on this before we decide what we do with her next. We could think about bringing her back to Riccarton for some of the other feature races later in the autumn, but we won’t rush into anything.” One of half a dozen individual stakes winners for White Robe Lodge stallion Ghibellines, Burgie is out of the six-time winning Gallant Guru mare Norah (NZ), whose half-siblings Requisite (NZ) (Yamanin Vital) and Rosa Marada (NZ) (Yamanin Vital) both won at black-type level. Burgie’s 26-start career has now produced four wins, eight placings and $226,335 in stakes. View the full article

Godolphin mare Zapateo emerged as a surprise winner in the final Group 1 race of Golden Slipper Day, the $1 million The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens. The Galaxy 2024 winner Zapateo. Photo: Steve Hart. This year’s edition witnessed a dramatic start with the returning Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Ozzmosis rearing at the jump and effectively eliminated from contention. Matthew Dale’s The Kosciuszko winner, Front Page, led the pack initially, with Zapateo, ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, positioned strategically in fourth. A tight battle emerged in the straight between the leader Front Page and the favourite, Annabel Neasham‘s Sunshine In Paris. However, a late surge from the outside by the underestimated Zapateo surprised everyone. The five-year-old Brazen Beau mare, a 25/1 outsider, displayed exceptional closing speed to secure her first Group 1 victory. This win upgrades her performance from a runner-up finish in the recent Randwick Group 2 Challenge Stakes. “It’s huge for Zapateo,” said a delighted trainer James Cummings after the race. He praised her talent and highlighted the importance of this win for her racing career. Zapateo edged out Sunshine In Paris by a head, with the front-running Front Page securing third place. This victory opens up interesting possibilities for Zapateo. She may target the prestigious $3 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 6th. No horse has achieved the The Galaxy – TJ Smith Stakes double since La Baraka (1998). Ladbrokes currently has Zapateo at $21 all-in odds for the TJ Smith Stakes. 2024 The Galaxy Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 12 ZAPATEO James Cummings Kerrin McEvoy 8 53kg $26 2 11 SUNSHINE IN PARIS Annabel Neasham Jason Collett 0.14L 2 53.5kg $5.50F 3 14 FRONT PAGE Matthew Dale Tyler Schiller 0.3L 13 52.5kg $13 4 9 ASFOORA Henry Dwyer Tim Clark 0.87L 14 54kg $18 5 4 UNCOMMON JAMES Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted Damian Lane 1.84L 1 55.5kg $9 6 10 PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE Grahame Begg Jordan Childs 2.39L 9 54kg $11 7 8 REMARQUE Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Tommy Berry 2.4L 5 54.5kg $26 8 16e KING’S GAMBIT Peter & Paul Snowden Ms Jamie Kah 2.61L 4 50kg $12 9 7 KALLOS James Cummings Tom Marquand 3.31L 10 55kg $51 10 6 BUENOS NOCHES Matthew Smith Dylan Gibbons (a) 4.46L 3 55kg $20 11 1 PRIVATE EYE Joseph Pride Nash Rawiller 5.14L 12 58kg $6.50 12 5 AFT CABIN James Cummings James McDonald 7.44L 7 55kg $6 13 17e DERRY GROVE Matthew Dunn Zac Lloyd (a) 7.46L 6 51kg $61 14 13 OZZMOSIS Bjorn Baker Ms Rachel King 14.54L 11 53kg $10 18e QUICK TEMPO Mark Minervini Reece Jones 0 2 KING OF SPARTA Peter & Paul Snowden Blake Shinn 0 3 MAZU Joseph Pride Jason Collett 0 15e QUEEN OF THE BALL Michael Freedman Zac Lloyd (a) 0 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 Godolphin’s Zapateo Shocks in The Galaxy 2024 Results at Rosehill appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Shane Anderton after Burgie’s victory in the Group 3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton. Photo: Race Images South Talented mare Burgie turned a frustrating campaign around with a powerful finish to win Saturday’s Group 3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton. White Robe Lodge’s homebred daughter of Ghibellines is making a habit of spending time in the black-type spotlight in Christchurch at this time of the year. She won the Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) in the autumn of her three-year-old season in 2022, then returned 12 months later for a second placing behind Live Drama in last year’s edition of the South Island Breeders’ Stakes. But Burgie’s connections have endured a frustrating run during her five-year-old season, with her 10 starts before Saturday’s breakthrough producing no wins and three placings. She has featured regularly in stewards’ reports, striking significant interference in the straight on at least three occasions and dislodging rider Terry Moseley soon after the start of last month’s Group 3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m). Things finally all fell into place for Burgie in Saturday’s $110,000 fillies and mares’ feature. She settled near the tail of the 13-horse field until the home turn, when rider Corey Campbell moved away from the rail and started searching for a way through. Burgie switched across heels to the centre of the track and Campbell drove her through a gap and let her rip. Burgie swept past nine rivals with a blistering turn of foot, hitting the front with 100m remaining and scoring by half a length over Lady Telena and Dazzling Miss. “It was great to see her come out and produce that performance today,” said Shane Anderton, who trains in partnership with his father Brian. “She hasn’t had much luck go her way this season, but today was a good day for that luck to change a little bit. “She’s performed well at these autumn meetings at Riccarton over the last couple of years, although I think more than anything else, her lack of success as a five-year-old so far this season just comes down to all the bad luck she’s had. “She’s definitely had more bad luck than good luck this year. She went about 10 strides in the White Robe Lodge before Terry lost his iron and fell. It’s been frustrating, but getting that win today makes up for it a bit. “We’ll let the dust settle on this before we decide what we do with her next. We could think about bringing her back to Riccarton for some of the other feature races later in the autumn, but we won’t rush into anything.” Horse racing news View the full article

Tina Comignaghi guides Matscot to victory Hororata Gold Cup (1800m) at Riccarton in a driving finish. Photo: Race Images South Progressive galloper Matscot delivered on punter’s expectations when the race favourite ($2.40) took out the Hororata Gold Cup (1800m) at Riccarton in a driving finish. The Sharon Robertson-prepared six-year-old enjoyed a drop in class in Saturday’s contest on his home track after his three previous starts in stakes company yielded midfield finishes as luck didn’t go his way. With leading South Island rider Tina Comignaghi aboard, the son of Haradasun settled in his customary rearward position before inching his way around the field approaching the home turn. Matscot quickly joined issue with the leaders at the 300m and established what was a winning break before holding off the late challenges of In Vogue and North Island raider Harlech to register his sixth career victory with five of them coming at the venue. Comignaghi, who had ridden the horse for the first time when he ran sixth in the Group 3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) at his last start, was delighted she could guide him home on this occasion. “He loves Riccarton and his is a very tough horse who doesn’t give in,” Comignaghi said. “I rode him at Wingatui then galloped him between races at Ashburton last week and he gave me the feel he had improved and was ready to win. “The pace was a little slow and he was quite fresh so I had to let him creep into it and he got to the front quite quickly. “When they came at him he just tried so hard and wouldn’t give in. “There will be some improvement in him and I think he has the pick of some nice races coming up in the next couple of months as he won’t mind a little cut in the ground.” Horse racing news View the full article

Diss Is Dramatic defies the testing track conditions to triumph in Saturday’s Group 2 Japan Trophy (1600m) under Matthew Cameron. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Underrated mare Diss Is Dramatic found her winning groove again when she stormed home to claim the feature event at Tauranga, the Group 2 Japan Trophy (1600m). Steady rain during the day saw the track downgraded to a Heavy 8 and played into the hands of those horses who could find a path to the better going out wide in the home straight. Rider Matt Cameron executed that plan to perfection as he allowed the Lisa Latta-prepared four-year-old to settle mid-pack in the early running, but crucially four horse widths off the inside rail before angling to the outer reaches rounding the home bend. Once she balanced up, the daughter of Dissident found an extra gear as she raced to the leaders at the 100m and then held out a late charge by Mali Ston, who tracked her all the way, to score by a head at the line. Latta was quick to praise Cameron for a heady ride on a mare who never knows how to run a bad race. “That was a great effort and a perfect ride by Matt,” she said. “He had her nicely placed throughout and got her to the outside just when he needed to. “She is a very gutsy mare and she has performed on wetter tracks before. Being able to get to the place in the track where it wasn’t as bad as on the inner helped and so did carrying such a light weight (54kgs). “We also added the tongue tie today as she had been blowing a bit after her work and in her races, so it may have also aided her.” Latta has numerous options available for her charge and will take some time to work out a programme for her. “We will take her home and sit down and have a think about things as there are a lot of races we could target,” she said. “The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Group 1, 1600m) is an obvious one but races like the Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (Group 3, 2100m) or the Travis Stakes (Group 2, 2000m) also hold a lot of appeal. “Wherever we go we think she can be competitive.” Horse racing news View the full article

Macthief and Triston Moodley prevail over Aris Aris (middle) in a tight finish at Tauranga on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Well-travelled sprinter Macthief displayed his affinity for winning early in a campaign when he came from last at Tauranga on Saturday to claim victory. The John Bell-trained seven-year-old began his career in South Africa where he had seven starts, winning two of his first three and also finishing third in the Group 1 Cape Guineas (1600m) before heading to Hong Kong where he was unplaced in his only two runs. Sent to New Zealand and into the care of Bell he signalled his worth with a first up victory at Taupo over 1200m on a Firm 2 surface. Sent for a lengthy spell after three subsequent unplaced finishes, Bell set the son of Time Thief for his first race in nearly twelve months with a quiet trial at Matamata in late February and was happy with his progress until steady rain at Tauranga saw the track downgraded to a Slow 6 before the contest, which Bell believed would curtail any winning prospects for his charge. Apprentice Tristan Moodley used his 3kg claim to good effect as he hugged the rail throughout and had his mount travelling well approaching the home turn, albeit last of the six runners. With the field fanned across the track at the 200m Macthief poked up on the outside of pacemaker One More Time and thrust his head in front to snatch victory by half-a-length from race favourite Aris Aris and Bee Beep who filled the minor placings. “I’m flabbergasted as he can’t handle even a spit on the track,” Bell said after the race. “I told our rider (Moodley) I wanted white paint on his boots as I wanted him that close to the rail and he did that very well. “He rode him nicely and even though I thought he was a fair way back early on, he came on really nicely.” Bell was undecided about the immediate future for the horse with the tracks likely to deteriorate as racing enters the autumn and winter months. “We’ve always thought he was a summer horse and his first two runs were on rock hard tracks,” he said. “He has ability as he was placed in a Group One in South Africa but didn’t handle it up in Hong Kong. “He is a big strong boy and it’s quite exciting for his owners (which includes Bell) as they are all family and friends.” Macthief has now won four of his 14 career starts. Horse racing news View the full article

Grande Gallo surges to victory at Tauranga. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Grande Gallo has competed among the best of the country’s three-year-olds this season, and the talented filly proved too strong when stepping out of stakes company at Tauranga on Saturday. The daughter of Belardo broke maiden status stylishly at the Bay Of Plenty course in November, earning a trip south for the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), where glamour stablemate Molly Bloom triumphed. Grande Gallo returned to the winner’s circle in MAAT company on New Year’s Day, taking a clear shining to the right-handed direction, though met classy fields and luckless runs when contesting the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and Group 3 Mufhasa Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie. Co-trainer Andrew Scott was confident the filly would be competitive prior to Saturday’s Bayleys Tauranga & Mount Maunganui 3YO (1400m), and punters followed suit backing Grande Gallo into +320 second-favouritism with horse racing bookies, behind the promising You Say D’Orsay at +230. The two favourites bounded from the 1400m start, with You Say D’Orsay sliding into the pacemaking role, while jockey Masa Hashizume settled Grande Gallo in close quarters on the rail. A gap appeared for the filly at the top of the straight, and once in clear air, Grande Gallo had the upper hand on You Say D’Orsay, and was a comfortable two-length victor at the post. “Going this way around, she quickens well and she’s continuing to learn,” Scott said, who trains in partnership with Lance O’Sullivan. “She’s held up to a long preparation well, we were going well before November with her. She’s a good, sound, robust filly whose going to make a really nice New Zealand racehorse. “We may pull up stumps now (for the season), I’m not sure, we’ll have to look at the programme. She’s done a really good job for the team.” Northern-based Mashizume is enjoying his best season to date in the saddle, adding a 42nd winner to his season’s tally, far exceeding his previous total of 33 in 2021/22. “She felt amazing going down to the start and jumped well, she’s a big horse so I didn’t want to lose her rhythm,” he said. “The leader wasn’t going hard, but she relaxed well and had plenty left on the corner. She kicked very strongly. “It worked out well, she’s a very promising filly.” Horse racing news View the full article

Veteran handler will watch Victor The Winner in Japan before turning his attention to Chill Chibi and Helene Feeling in the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m)View the full article