Wandering Eyes

Local trainer Lance Robinson holds a strong hand heading into Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Thursday, and he is hopeful he can snare a couple of winners cheques on the nine-race card. Delphillius (NZ) was a last start winner on the track and Robinson is hopeful the daughter of Rageese can put in a repeat performance in the Book A Suite Mid-Winter Xmas Races 22 June Rating 65 (1200m). “She really enjoys the synthetic,” Robinson said. “She has drawn wide (16) but has got a lot of speed, so she will roll forward and hopefully she can drop in somewhere. She steps up a little bit in grade, but she won well in her last start, so we are hoping.” Stablemates Soul Destroyer (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and Pearl Opulence (NZ) (Ususal Suspect) both take last start runner-up performances into their respective races, and Robinson believes they can go one better on Wednesday. “Soul Destroyer ran really well the other day in a three-year-old race, we were really pleased with that run. He is back to maiden company, and he should run really well,” Robinson said. “Pearl Opulence is one of those mares that hasn’t had a lot of luck in quite a few of her runs. She will be running home strong. She doesn’t mind it (polytrack), she has always raced pretty well on it. She has a good draw (2) and should run well.” Robinson is also upbeat about the chances of Boot It Scooter (NZ) (Vespa) in the Betavet Rating 65 (1600m), In Awe (NZ) (Swiss Ace) and Anneliese (NZ) (Vadamos) in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Rating 65 (1600m), and Fire Away (NZ) (Shalaa) in the Speight’s Summit Ultra On Tap Maiden (1200m) “Boot It Scooter hasn’t had a lot of luck lately but has got a better draw (6) this week,” Robinson said. “Fire Away is having her first run for us and she is a nice filly by Shalaa. She won a trial and she has got a nice draw (7), hopefully she will run well. In Awe is back to 65 rating with a claim, so I expect him to run really well, his work has been really good.” Meanwhile, Robinson went to the Ashburton trials on Tuesday with four horses and was delighted to pick up three wins. Juveniles Alleato (Impending) and Zoo Beer (NZ) (Preferment) won their respective 800m heats, while Elusive Impact (NZ) (Impending) took out his 1000m heat. “We had four nice horses who all ran well,” Robinson said. “We had two nice two-year-olds who were having their first trials and they went really well and won their heats. We will just get them home and see how they are in the next week or so and then make a plan for them. “We had a nice Impending maidener (Elusive Impact) who trialled up really well and won his heat as well. “Waihora Mist was fresh-up in an Open 1200m heat. She ran well, I am really pleased with her. She is just getting ready for winter racing. She has come up really well this year, so I expect her to do a good job.” View the full article

Frances Crowley has ruled out a full scale return to the training ranks and described sending out her first runner in 16 years at Leopardstown on Friday as “just a bit of fun” with the ultimate goal being to provide her daughter Hannah with a breakthrough victory in the saddle. Wife of the late Pat Smullen, a nine-time champion jockey in Ireland, Crowley created history in 2005 when she became the first woman to win a Classic race in Ireland with Saoire storming to a memorable triumph in the 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh. Crowley will be represented by the ex-Aidan O'Brien-trained The Black Tiger, snapped up for 17,000gns at the sales last year, in a lady riders' handicap at Leopardstown on Friday. She explained, “To be honest, this is something that has been completely driven by the kids [Hannah, Paddy and Sarah]. They wanted to do it. We'll see how it goes–it's just a bit of fun.” Asked if she had any designs on returning to training beyond that, Crowley replied, “No–one hundred per cent not. This is not a return. The kids wanted to experience running something off the farm and Hannah really wants to try and ride a winner. We bought the horse at Tattersalls last year and Aidan said he is a nice, kind horse who would be a good ride for Hannah. He recommended him for the job and said he had a good temperament so that's how we ended up with him.” All five of Hannah Smullen's rides have come for trainer Gordon Elliott. Smullen rode Yorkshire Escape and Silver Lark in five bumpers in total. Like The Young Tiger, both of those horses carried the colours of the family's Brickfield Stud. Crowley concluded, “Hannah got a lot of experience last year. She is studying hard in college and is literally just finished her exams so it's a big ask for her to go and ride straight away but we've nobody to answer to only ourselves. She'll definitely need the run and so will the horse. She'd just love to ride a winner at some point. She's really looking forward to it and Paddy is looking forward to leading her up.” The post “Just A Bit Of Fun” – Frances Crowley To Send Out First Runner For 16 Years On Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Haunui Farm-bred and raced Bound To Be (NZ) (Reliable Man) impressed with her runner-up debut performance at Ruakaka earlier this month and trainer Kylie Hoskin believes she can go one better at Cambridge on Wednesday. The three-year-old daughter of Reliable Man will head to the midweek synthetic meeting where she will tackle the Waikato Tractors 1300. Bound To Be had two trials on the surface last year and Hoskin believes she is capable of featuring in her first raceday appearance on the track. “She had a few trials there (Cambridge Synthetic) and Warren Kennedy rode her,” Hoskin said. “He said she gave him a really nice feel, but she was just a bit weak and needed to strengthen up a bit. “She has been on the surface before and liked it, so I am reasonably confident of a good showing tomorrow.” Hoskin was pleased with Bound To Be’s debut performance and isn’t perturbed by her wide alley of 10 on Wednesday. “It was a really nice run, we were really impressed with how she found the line,” she said. “She didn’t draw well at Ruakaka either and she has got some gate speed, so I think she will be okay.” Hoskin said she has taken her time with the filly and believes her connections will now bear the fruit of their patience. “The connections at Haunui and Mark Chitty have been really patient. She is a bit of a hot filly and they have allowed me to take my time with her,” she said. “She seems to be hitting her straps now. She is a happy horse and really content within herself. We are confident that she has got a good prep ahead.” The Byerley Park trainer will also head south on Wednesday with two-year-old filly Fun Never Sets (NZ) (Proisir), who will be fresh-up in the Pryde’s Easifeed 970. The daughter of Proisir will get her first taste of Cambridge’s synthetic track and Hoskin is looking forward to testing her left-handed ahead of a potential tilt at the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui next month. “That (synthetic track) is a bit of an unknown for her, but she has got a lovely action, so I think it won’t bother her too much,” Hoskin said. “It will be good to have a look at her left-handed to see how she cops that. There is a stakes race at Wanganui next month if she goes okay.” Meanwhile, Hoskin is pleased with the way her Group Two performer Zaila (Street Boss) has come through her unplaced run in last Saturday’s Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m). “She was bouncing around the place this morning. I think she just got stuck wide and had no luck, but she hasn’t taken any harm from the run,” she said. “We will look at the Open 1500m at Pukekohe next Saturday and then after that possibly put her in the stayers race a fortnight after that at Ruakaka just to see if she is going to stay or not before we give her a freshen-up and look at the spring at Hastings.” Zaila could be joined on a similar path by new stablemate Quality Time (Amaron), who pleased Hoskin with his runner-up performance behind Turn The Ace (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) in his first start for the stable at Te Rapa earlier this month. “That far exceeded our expectations,” Hoskin said. “He has never had a race over 1200m in his life so we weren’t really expecting that, but the way he hit the line, it is very exciting and I am looking forward to him over the next few months. “We are going to look at that Open 1500m at Pukekohe as well and possibly look to give him a freshen-up and look to Hastings in the spring.” View the full article

A long-standing association that provided Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay with their breakthrough Group One success has again come up trumps at stakes level. The Lindsays bred and raced the 2015 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Marky Mark (Makfi), who was prepared by Moira Murdoch. Now operating in partnership with daughter Kieran, Murdoch also trains Cambridge Stud’s progressive mare Bella Waters (NZ) (Sacred Falls), who claimed the Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m) at just her ninth appearance. “Brendan and Jo’s relationship with the Murdochs pre-dates Cambridge Stud, with their first homebred Group One winner with Marky Mark,” the stud’s Sales & Nominations Manager Scott Calder said. “That’s always going to be a special milestone and it’s pretty cool that the association with the stable is continuing to this day. “In my time at Cambridge Stud, we’ve pretty much always had something in the stable.” Sacred Falls’ daughter Bella Waters was part of another successful weekend for Cambridge Stud, whose shuttle stallion Almanzor sired Gr.2 SA Fillies’ Classic (2500m) winner Positivity (NZ) and impressive domestic three-year-old winners Geriatrix and Eliud (NZ). “I think she’s been in work since May, so to have Bella Waters peak for a career best result is testament to the Murdochs’ training skills,” Calder said. Bella Waters is out of the Pivotal mare But Beautiful and a second stakes winner for the Pivotal mare following the Gr.2 Autumn Classic (1800m) victory of Immediacy (NZ), a son of Tarzino. “The way he is bred, there could be even more to come from his as an older horse and the same could be said for Bella Waters,” Calder said. “She is still lightly raced and there’s a lot to look forward to with her in future seasons on the racetrack.” But Beautiful’s Hello Youmzain filly sold at Karaka this year to Busuttin Young Racing and Andrew Williams Bloodstock for $280,000 and she is in foal to Embellish. “It’s good for Embellish and he probably bred a high quality of mare last year than before with the way his early runners kicked off and he’s got some nice ones to hit the ground,” Calder said. “You’d struggle to find a nicer mare than But Beautiful, she’s become a topliner in our broodmare band very quickly.” The Andrew Forsman-trained Positivity became Almanzor’s 17th black type winner when she outstayed her rivals in the SA Fillies’ Classic. “It was another really good training effort, she has been up for a while and Andrew has done a great job and she won it pretty convincingly,” Calder said. “What we keep seeing is the stamina of Almanzor’s progeny coming to the fore. He’s had a Sydney Cup (Gr.1, 3200m) winner now (Circle Of Fire), but he’s also had an unbeaten two-year-old stakes winner (Nucleozor). “He’s really starting to cement his place as one of the better proven options at stud in New Zealand.” The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-prepared Geriatrix, who was bought out of Cambridge Stud’s Karaka draft for $675,000, will now head to the Brisbane winter carnival off the back of his Rotorua win while Tony Pike’s Eliud romped home at New Plymouth. “Almanzor continues to build momentum and Geriatrix is a horse that doesn’t have black type yet, but hopefully he can do it in Queensland,” Calder said. “Eliud was bred by Kevin Hickman and again, he’s a horse that has got better and better with time and broke his maiden as easy as you can.” Meanwhile, Almanzor’s fellow multiple Group 1-winning shuttle stallion Hello Youmzain has made a flying start with two winners, Allee de Bercy and Reux, from four first Northern Hemisphere crop starters. “While we hoped Hello Youmzain would have early runners, he didn’t debut himself until August so he was a back end two-year-old,” Calder said. “It’s encouraging to have two winners on the board already and the other thing that is really shining through this year is his results at the two-year-old sales, they have been very, very strong.” View the full article

Little Avondale Stud’s Sam Williams cheered home a significant black-type result for the Masterton nursery from afar. He is currently in the United States and was trackside at Churchill Downs to see Mystik Dan (Goldencents) win the Gr.1 Kentucky Derby (2000m) during a tour to become better acquainted with American pedigrees. “I came over here to get more of an understanding of the genetics,” Williams said. “I used to follow the American pedigrees a lot more closely and we all know the Northern Dancer story, and the likes of Nureyev and Seeking The Gold and those great horses before them. “I wanted to get more in touch with the pedigrees and I had never been to Kentucky to see the Derby and to see the big farms. “Fortunately enough, I’m up here with Michael Wallace, who bought (Triple Crown winner) Justify, and his brother David and we’re travelling around with another mate of ours, Ben Kirton. It’s been a lot of fun to see Kentucky.” Williams took time out to watch Little Avondale graduate Karman Line (NZ) (Myboycharlie) triumph in the Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott and jockey Masa Hashizume. “That was a really good win and she’s always showed a lot of ability, and I know she’s had a few hiccups along the way,” Williams said. The daughter of Myboycharlie is out of the Pierro mare World Away, who was purchased by Little Avondale for A$18,000 carrying Karman Line at the Inglis Sydney Broodmare Sale. World Away was unraced and is out of the Gr.1 Belmont Garden City Stakes (1800m) winner Miss World (Bernstein) and the family of the multiple Australian elite level winner Miss Finland (Redoute’s Choice). “There were two mares I liked at the sale and I rang James Mitchell, who worked at Waikato Stud and then came to work for me for a year,” he said. “He was over there working for Inglis, so he looked at her and a Snitzel mare and we bought both of them.” The other purchase was Vienna Lady (Snitzel), who cost A$35,000 and has produced a trio of winners, including Reverberations (Real Impact) who has been successful three times for trainers Danny Walker and Aaron Tata. World Away’s second foal is the Per Incanto filly Alexandra Quick (NZ) while Wexford Stables bought the daughter of Exceedance, named Tristar (NZ), at Karaka last year for $220,000 and a Per Incanto colt sold for A$200,000 at the recent Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. “The mare missed to Savabeel last season, unfortunately she had a big cyst in her uterus that to be removed last year and we tried to get her in foal to Savabeel because it looked a good mating on paper,” Williams said. “I’m not sure where she’ll head this year, she could go back to Per Incanto, but we’ll wait and see.” The Allan Sharrock-trained Alexandra Quick was raced by Little Avondale with partners, but time has been called on her fledgling career due to a back issue. “Unfortunately, I’ve had to retire her after only four starts for two wins and she was freakish, Allan thought she had Group One potential,” Williams said. “She had kissing spine and she’ll more than likely go to Chaldean this year.” Williams was also delighted with homebred Poukawa’s (NZ) impressive first-up showing with the Per Incanto three-year-old successful on debut at Wanganui. “He didn’t go to the yearling sale, it was the first year back after COVID so I said we should hold off and target the Ready to Run Sale,” he said. “Chris Rutten broke him in and said this thing is a star so we sent him to Sam Beatson (Riversley Park) and he said it would top his draft. “The horse went sore before the breeze-ups and it took us about five weeks to work it out and he had a stress fracture of the hind cannon bone.” Poukawa was subsequently sent to trainers Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos and races in the Little Avondale colours with a sizeable number of partners. View the full article

Bound To Be (outside) will contest the Waikato Tractors 1300 at Cambridge on Wednesday. Photo: Race Images The Haunui Farm-bred and raced Bound To Be impressed with her runner-up debut performance at Ruakaka earlier this month and trainer Kylie Hoskin believes she can go one better at Cambridge on Wednesday. The three-year-old daughter of Reliable Man will head to the midweek synthetic meeting where she will tackle the Waikato Tractors 1300. Bound To Be had two trials on the surface last year and Hoskin believes she is capable of featuring in her first raceday appearance on the track. “She had a few trials there (Cambridge Synthetic) and Warren Kennedy rode her,” Hoskin said. “He said she gave him a really nice feel, but she was just a bit weak and needed to strengthen up a bit. “She has been on the surface before and liked it, so I am reasonably confident of a good showing tomorrow.” Hoskin was pleased with Bound To Be’s debut performance and isn’t perturbed by her wide alley of 10 on Wednesday. “It was a really nice run, we were really impressed with how she found the line,” she said. “She didn’t draw well at Ruakaka either, and she has got some gate speed, so I think she will be okay.” Hoskin said she has taken her time with the filly and believes her connections will now bear the fruit of their patience. “The connections at Haunui and Mark Chitty have been really patient. She is a bit of a hot filly and they have allowed me to take my time with her,” she said. “She seems to be hitting her straps now. She is a happy horse and really content within herself. We are confident that she has got a good prep ahead.” The Byerley Park trainer will also head south on Wednesday with two-year-old filly Fun Never Sets, who will be fresh-up in the Pryde’s Easifeed 970. The daughter of Proisir will get her first taste of Cambridge’s synthetic track and Hoskin is looking forward to testing her left-handed ahead of a potential tilt at the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui next month. “That (synthetic track) is a bit of an unknown for her, but she has got a lovely action, so I think it won’t bother her too much,” Hoskin said. “It will be good to have a look at her left-handed to see how she handles that. There is a stakes race at Wanganui next month if she goes okay.” Meanwhile, Hoskin is pleased with the way her Group 2 performer Zaila has come through her unplaced run in last Saturday’s Group 3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m). “She was bouncing around the place this morning. I think she just got stuck wide and had no luck, but she hasn’t taken any harm from the run,” she said. “We will look at the Open 1500m at Pukekohe next Saturday and then after that possibly put her in the stayers race a fortnight after that at Ruakaka just to see if she is going to stay or not before we give her a freshen-up and look at the spring at Hastings.” Zaila could be joined on a similar path by new stablemate Quality Time, who pleased Hoskin with his runner-up performance behind Turn The Ace in his first start for the stable at Te Rapa earlier this month. “That far exceeded our expectations,” Hoskin said. “He has never had a race over 1200m in his life so we weren’t really expecting that, but the way he hit the line, it is very exciting and I am looking forward to him over the next few months. “We are going to look at that Open 1500m at Pukekohe as well and possibly look to give him a freshen-up and look to Hastings in the spring.” Horse racing news View the full article

Bella Waters winning the Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m) at Arawa Park last Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) A long-standing association that provided Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay with their breakthrough Group 1 success has again come up trumps at stakes level. The Lindsays bred and raced the 2015 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Marky Mark, who was prepared by Moira Murdoch. Now operating in partnership with daughter Kieran, Murdoch also trains Cambridge Stud’s progressive mare Bella Waters, who claimed the Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m) at just her ninth appearance. “Brendan and Jo’s relationship with the Murdochs pre-dates Cambridge Stud, with their first homebred Group One winner with Marky Mark,” the stud’s Sales & Nominations Manager Scott Calder said. “That’s always going to be a special milestone and it’s pretty cool that the association with the stable is continuing to this day. “In my time at Cambridge Stud, we’ve pretty much always had something in the stable.” Sacred Falls’ daughter Bella Waters was part of another successful weekend for Cambridge Stud, whose shuttle stallion Almanzor sired Group 2 SA Fillies’ Classic (2500m) winner Positivity and impressive domestic three-year-old winners Geriatrix and Eliud. “I think she’s been in work since May, so to have Bella Waters peak for a career best result is testament to the Murdochs’ training skills,” Calder said. Bella Waters is out of the Pivotal mare But Beautiful and a second stakes winner for the Pivotal mare following the Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) victory of Immediacy, a son of Tarzino. “The way he is bred, there could be even more to come from his as an older horse and the same could be said for Bella Waters,” Calder said. “She is still lightly raced and there’s a lot to look forward to with her in future seasons on the racetrack.” But Beautiful’s Hello Youmzain filly sold at Karaka this year to Busuttin Young Racing and Andrew Williams Bloodstock for $280,000 and she is in foal to Embellish. “It’s good for Embellish and he probably bred a high quality of mare last year than before with the way his early runners kicked off and he’s got some nice ones to hit the ground,” Calder said. “You’d struggle to find a nicer mare than But Beautiful, she’s become a topliner in our broodmare band very quickly.” The Andrew Forsman-trained Positivity became Almanzor’s 17th black type winner when she outstayed her rivals in the SA Fillies’ Classic. “It was another really good training effort, she has been up for a while and Andrew has done a great job and she won it pretty convincingly,” Calder said. “What we keep seeing is the stamina of Almanzor’s progeny coming to the fore. He’s had a Sydney Cup (Group 1, 3200m) winner now (Circle Of Fire), but he’s also had an unbeaten two-year-old stakes winner (Nucleozor). “He’s really starting to cement his place as one of the better proven options at stud in New Zealand.” The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-prepared Geriatrix, who was bought out of Cambridge Stud’s Karaka draft for $675,000, will now head to the Brisbane winter carnival off the back of his Rotorua win while Tony Pike’s Eliud romped home at New Plymouth. “Almanzor continues to build momentum and Geriatrix is a horse that doesn’t have black type yet, but hopefully he can do it in Queensland,” Calder said. “Eliud was bred by Kevin Hickman and again, he’s a horse that has got better and better with time and broke his maiden as easy as you can.” Meanwhile, Almanzor’s fellow multiple Group 1-winning shuttle stallion Hello Youmzain has made a flying start with two winners, Allee de Bercy and Reux, from four first Northern Hemisphere crop starters. “While we hoped Hello Youmzain would have early runners, he didn’t debut himself until August so he was a back end two-year-old,” Calder said. “It’s encouraging to have two winners on the board already and the other thing that is really shining through this year is his results at the two-year-old sales, they have been very, very strong.” Horse racing news View the full article

Karman Line (inside) winning the Group 3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) last Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Little Avondale Stud’s Sam Williams cheered home a significant black-type result for the Masterton nursery from afar. He is currently in the United States and was trackside at Churchill Downs to see Mystik Dan win the Group 1 Kentucky Derby (2000m) during a tour to become better acquainted with American pedigrees. “I came over here to get more of an understanding of the genetics,” Williams said. “I used to follow the American pedigrees a lot more closely and we all know the Northern Dancer story, and the likes of Nureyev and Seeking The Gold and those great horses before them. “I wanted to get more in touch with the pedigrees and I had never been to Kentucky to see the Derby and to see the big farms. “Fortunately enough, I’m up here with Michael Wallace, who bought (Triple Crown winner) Justify, and his brother David and we’re travelling around with another mate of ours, Ben Kirton. It’s been a lot of fun to see Kentucky.” Williams took time out to watch Little Avondale graduate Karman Line triumph in the Group 3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott and jockey Masa Hashizume. “That was a really good win and she’s always showed a lot of ability, and I know she’s had a few hiccups along the way,” Williams said. The daughter of Myboycharlie is out of the Pierro mare World Away, who was purchased by Little Avondale for A$18,000 carrying Karman Line at the Inglis Sydney Broodmare Sale. World Away was unraced and is out of the Group 1 Belmont Garden City Stakes (1800m) winner Miss World and the family of the multiple Australian elite level winner Miss Finland. “There were two mares I liked at the sale and I rang James Mitchell, who worked at Waikato Stud and then came to work for me for a year,” he said. “He was over there working for Inglis, so he looked at her and a Snitzel mare and we bought both of them.” The other purchase was Vienna Lady, who cost A$35,000 and has produced a trio of winners, including Reverberations who has been successful three times for trainers Danny Walker and Aaron Tata. World Away’s second foal is the Per Incanto filly Alexandra Quick while Wexford Stables bought the daughter of Exceedance, named Tristar, at Karaka last year for $220,000 and a Per Incanto colt sold for A$200,000 at the recent Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. “The mare missed to Savabeel last season, unfortunately she had a big cyst in her uterus that to be removed last year and we tried to get her in foal to Savabeel because it looked a good mating on paper,” Williams said. “I’m not sure where she’ll head this year, she could go back to Per Incanto, but we’ll wait and see.” The Allan Sharrock-trained Alexandra Quick was raced by Little Avondale with partners, but time has been called on her fledgling career due to a back issue. “Unfortunately, I’ve had to retire her after only four starts for two wins and she was freakish, Allan thought she had Group One potential,” Williams said. “She had kissing spine and she’ll more than likely go to Chaldean this year.” Williams was also delighted with homebred Poukawa’s impressive first-up showing with the Per Incanto three-year-old successful on debut at Wanganui. “He didn’t go to the yearling sale, it was the first year back after COVID so I said we should hold off and target the Ready to Run Sale,” he said. “Chris Rutten broke him in and said this thing is a star so we sent him to Sam Beatson (Riversley Park) and he said it would top his draft. “The horse went sore before the breeze-ups and it took us about five weeks to work it out and he had a stress fracture of the hind cannon bone.” Poukawa was subsequently sent to trainers Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos and races in the Little Avondale colours with a sizeable number of partners. Horse racing news View the full article

Delphillius pictured following her last start victory at Riccarton’s synthetic track. Photo: Race Images South Local trainer Lance Robinson holds a strong hand heading into Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Thursday, and he is hopeful he can snare a couple of winners cheques on the nine-race card. Delphillius was a last start winner on the track and Robinson is hopeful the daughter of Rageese can put in a repeat performance in the Book A Suite Mid-Winter Xmas Races 22 June Rating 65 (1200m). “She really enjoys the synthetic,” Robinson said. “She has drawn wide (16) but has got a lot of speed, so she will roll forward and hopefully she can drop in somewhere. She steps up a little bit in grade, but she won well in her last start, so we are hoping.” Stablemates Soul Destroyer and Pearl Opulence both take last start runner-up performances into their respective races, and Robinson believes they can go one better on Wednesday. “Soul Destroyer ran really well the other day in a three-year-old race, we were really pleased with that run. He is back to maiden company, and he should run really well,” Robinson said. “Pearl Opulence is one of those mares that hasn’t had a lot of luck in quite a few of her runs. She will be running home strong. She doesn’t mind it (polytrack), she has always raced pretty well on it. She has a good draw (2) and should run well.” Robinson is also upbeat about the chances of Boot It Scooter in the Betavet Rating 65 (1600m), In Awe and Anneliese in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Rating 65 (1600m), and Fire Away in the Speight’s Summit Ultra On Tap Maiden (1200m). “Boot It Scooter hasn’t had a lot of luck lately but has got a better draw (6) this week,” Robinson said. “Fire Away is having her first run for us and she is a nice filly by Shalaa. She won a trial and she has got a nice draw (7), hopefully she will run well. In Awe is back to 65 rating with a claim, so I expect him to run really well, his work has been really good.” Meanwhile, Robinson went to the Ashburton trials on Tuesday with four horses and was delighted to pick up three wins. Juveniles Alleato and Zoo Beer won their respective 800m heats, while Elusive Impact took out his 1000m heat. “We had four nice horses who all ran well,” Robinson said. “We had two nice two-year-olds who were having their first trials and they went really well and won their heats. We will just get them home and see how they are in the next week or so and then make a plan for them. “We had a nice Impending maidener (Elusive Impact) who trialled up really well and won his heat as well. “Waihora Mist was fresh-up in an Open 1200m heat. She ran well, I am really pleased with her. She is just getting ready for winter racing. She has come up really well this year, so I expect her to do a good job.” Horse racing news View the full article

Massive Sovereign will contest the Group 1 Champions & Chater Cup. Massive Sovereign is one of Hong Kong’s brightest talents and the Irish-bred is aiming to become the sixth galloper to win the HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and HK$13 million Group 1 Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) in the same season. Since Hong Kong racing turned professional in 1971/72, only five horses have completed the Hong Kong Derby-Champions & Chater Cup double: Co Tack (1983), River Verdon (1991), Makarpura Star (1995), Vengeance Of Rain (2005) and Viva Pataca (2006). Massive Sovereign won his first two races in Hong Kong after arriving from Ireland. The four-year-old scooped the Hong Kong Derby two starts ago before floundering in eighth position on yielding ground in the HK$28 million Group 1 QEII Cup (2000m) last month. The Dennis Yip-trained runner steps up to 2400m for the first time on Sunday week (26 May) at Sha Tin in the season’s 12th and final Group 1 race. Zac Purton is in the plate again bidding for his third Champions & Chater Cup triumph after the heroics of Exultant (2019 & 2020). “He (Massive Sovereign) had one start previously overseas on a wet track and he was beaten by nine lengths – it was the only time he didn’t run first or second in his career before last start. We like to think that it was the wet track which contributed to that performance. “He also came out of a Derby that was run in record time (1m 59.85s). It was a good test and he put everything into that race, so he may have just had the edge taken off him as well. He went from racing against his own age to facing international Group 1 winners, so that’s a big step, too. It could have been any one of those factors and we won’t know until we get him back on a dry track and assess him again,” Purton said. Raced as Broadhurst pre-import, Massive Sovereign was previously trained by Aidan O’Brien. He was a two-time winner in Ireland, scoring at Dundalk and Leopardstown. “He’s never raced over the distance before but he’s a lovely relaxed horse. He’s going to help himself and give himself every chance to run the distance, but it is a question mark until we put him in that position,” Purton said. Five G Patch, La City Blanche, Moments In Time, Russian Emperor, Senor Toba, Straight Arron and Unbelievable also hold entries, while Rebel’s Romance is due to arrive on Saturday (18 May) in Hong Kong as the sole overseas representative. Purton will head to Japan next month to ride Voyage Bubble in the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) at Tokyo on 2 June for trainer Ricky Yiu. Romantic Warrior will also contest the race for trainer Danny Shum, with both horses scheduled to fly – along with Romantic Charm – on 21 May. “I think he (Voyage Bubble) is the right style of horse. He’s got speed to put himself in the right spot and they generally roll along a little bit. It’s a testing mile, which he can handle, and he loves to get into a rhythm,” Purton said. “There are a few things there that suit him and he’s had more time to get over that run in Dubai. Any horse that goes to Dubai and comes back for Champions Day – it comes up a little bit fast for them. “He ran well here that day but to me it looks like he’s started to blossom a bit more in the mornings – hopefully that means he’ll be at his best and at his best he has some hope.” Voyage Bubble placed third last start in the HK$22 million Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) behind Beauty Eternal after finishing 13th in the Group 1 Dubai Turf (1800m). The Deep Field gelding is entered to trial on Thursday (16 May) over 1000m on the turf at Sha Tin. Leading the jockeys’ championship on 100 wins, Purton is seeking a seventh riding title in Hong Kong and takes seven mounts at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (15 May). The Australian’s book is headlined by Copartner Prance, who goes for a fourth consecutive win in the Class 3 Seine Handicap (1200m) for trainer Francis Lui. “He’s still learning what it’s about. He’s not the easiest horse to ride in the mornings, I don’t get the pleasure of riding him in the morning because he’s too difficult – I’m just the race day jockey and he even tests me out there,” Purton said. Purton has partnered the 76-rater on three occasions for three wins. “He’s been doing a lot of things right. He has good speed and he puts himself in the right spot,” Purton said. “It’s the first time in the three times that I’ve ridden him that he’s relaxed mid-race. The first time he over raced really badly, the second time he was still strong and last time he relaxed.” Wednesday’s (15 May) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley commences at 6.40pm HKT with the Class 5 Dordogne Handicap (1200m). Horse racing news View the full article

The final day of the Adelaide Racing Carnival took centre stage at Morphettville last Saturday, while the Sunshine Coast held a strong support program as part of the Queensland Racing Carnival. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have found three runners that are worth adding to your blackbook after strong performances early in their winter campaigns. Sunshine Coast Track rating: Heavy 10 Rail position: True entire circuit Race 1: Benchmark 85 Handicap (1200m) | Time: 1:12.36 Horse to follow: Pereille (1st) Pereille kicked off his winter campaign with a demolition job in the opening race at the Sunshine Coast as the James Cummings-trained gelding recorded an impressive four-length victory over 1200m. James McDonald allowed the son of Fastnet Rock to settle midfield before balancing up and rounding up his rivals by the 200m mark. This gelding’s turn of foot was devastating in the final 300m, and he showed that he was much better than Benchmark 85 grade. When to bet: After improving his record on wet tracks (8:3-4-1) and keeping his 100% place record on those tracks with his most recent win, it is expected that Godolphin will wait for another wet track in Queensland for his next start. A rise in grade and distance is on the cards for Pereille, and he appears to have returned in fine style this time in. Race 5: Listed ATC Trophy (1200m) | Time: 1:12.53 Horse to follow: Freedom Rally (3rd) Although Freedom Rally has a third-place finish next to his record, it doesn’t tell the story of how good his performance was when you consider that he was first-up and was racing on a Heavy track for the first time. Vlad Duric saved ground along the inside where the ground was inferior for most of the day, but the Tony Gollan-trained galloper finished off nicely to nab a placing. With strong second-up form (3:2-0-0), it is expected that he will step up in trip to 1300m or 1400m next start and appreciate a firmer track. When to bet: With nominations in both the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap, Freedom Rally will need to have one more run before competing in those races. The Group 3 BRC Sprint on May 25 looks to be the ideal race for Gollan and his team to target. Morphettville Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: +4m entire circuit Race 6: Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) | Time: 1:11.40 Horse to follow: Right To Party (2nd) Anthony & Sam Freedman sent Right To Party to Morphettville to compete at Group 3 level for the first time, and the three-year-old filly produced a barnstorming finish from the back of the field to finish second behind Boognish. After settling near last, the daughter of Zoustar had to weave a passage between runners towards the inside and recorded the fastest 400m (23.02s) and 200m (11.86s) sections of the meeting. When to bet: It is unclear where the Freedman’s will enter Right To Party next; however, it is clear that she is up to Group 3 level against her own sex, and if she is entered in a similar race next start, we will be following her. Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Horse racing tips View the full article

What Gosford Races Where The Entertainment Grounds – 4 Racecourse Rd, West Gosford NSW 2250 When Thursday, May 16, 2024 First Race 11:40am AEST Visit Dabble The Gosford Race Club gets set to host a very competitive nine-race card this Thursday from 11:40am local time. With little to no rain on the forecast leading in, punters should anticipate an upgrade from the current Heavy 8 rating to a Soft 6. The rail sits in the true position for the entire circuit, so it should be a fair day’s racing for all participants. Best Bet at Gosford: Presides Presides returns after a 145-day spell and appears set to strike first-up. He was sent to the paddock after a moderate performance at Cranbourne on December 22, with the James Cummings barn electing to send the son of Lonhro for a gelding operation. His two trails since have caught the eye, and with Zac Lloyd happy to stick aboard after taking the reins in both runs to date, Presides should be right in this. Best Bet Race 1 – #1 Presides (1) 3yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Zac Lloyd (59kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best at Gosford: Earth Dance Earth Dance struggled in a slowly run affair last start at Canterbury on April 17 and should get favourable conditions while dropping into Class 1 company. He is third-up since arriving from Ireland, with the four-year-old’s best form — including his sole victory at Navan on September 2 — coming over a staying journey. A strong tempo and the sting out of the ground should suit, so watch for Joshua Parr to wind up Earth Dance down the centre of the course. Next Best Race 6 – #2 Earth Dance (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Peter & Paul Snowden | J: Joshua Parr (59kg) Bet with Neds Best Value at Gosford: True Amor The John O’Shea-trained True Amor debuts on the back of two strong barrier trials. His latest piece of work at Rosehill on May 2 particularly caught the eye, with the son of I Am Invincible asked to make inroads from the rear to score by two lengths. The two-year-old is starting to understand what it’s all about, and with class hoop Tommy Berry set to take the reins, True Amor looks progressive enough to get the job done at the first time of asking. Best Value Race 2 – #5 True Amor (9) 2yo Colt | T: John O’Shea | J: Tommy Berry (57kg) Bet with Unibet Thursday quaddie picks for Gosford races Gosford quadrella selections Thursday, May 16, 2024 2-6-11-12 1-2-4-6-8-12 1-2-4-8 1-2-4-8-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips
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Champion jockey has high hopes for progressive galloper despite 10-pound increase from last-start winView the full article

The Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival officially kicks off this weekend at Doomben Racecourse with the Group 1 Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 (1200m). I Wish I Win is firm favourite in 2024 Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 betting this weekend in Brisbane. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. While the field size is small at nine runners, it’s packed with class. Leading the charge is the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained I Wish I Win. The five-year-old gelding is the clear favourite in Doomben 10,000 betting after claiming the 2023 TJ Smith Stakes and boasting consistent performances throughout last spring. He’ll be ridden by champion jockey James McDonald from the coveted barrier one position. The biggest threats to I Wish I Win come in the form of Joe Pride‘s Private Eye and Chris Waller‘s Espiona. Private Eye, a dual The Everest place-getter, brings a strong record and will be ridden by Blake Shinn. Espiona, meanwhile, is aiming to become the first mare to win the race since English in 2018 and will need to overcome the widest barrier (nine). Trainer Pride also saddles up the 2022 winner, Mazu. After a confidence-boosting victory in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes last time out, Mazu will be looking to add a second Doomben 10,000 title to his record. Several other runners have a shot at an upset, including the classy mares Bella Nipotina and Chain Of Lightning (the reigning TJ Smith Stakes winner). The Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 field also includes talented filly Stefi Magnetica out to be the third three-year-old in as many years to beat home the older sprinters in the event. With a mix of proven champions, up-and-coming stars, and a small field creating an unpredictable atmosphere, the 2024 Doomben 10,000 promises to be a thrilling race. 2024 Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 Field No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 1x231x32x3 I WISH I WIN (NZ) Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman James McDonald 1 58.5kg 118 2 5x132x2603 PRIVATE EYE Joseph Pride Blake Shinn 6 58.5kg 114 3 3x9054x501 MAZU Joseph Pride Tyler Schiller 8 58.5kg 111 4 x111120x25 BODY BOB Pat Murphy Danny Beasley 7 58.5kg 80 5 3315×45424 BELLA NIPOTINA Ciaron Maher Craig Williams 3 56.5kg 114 6 4x370x0116 CHAIN OF LIGHTNING Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman Ms Jamie Kah 5 56.5kg 114 7 21714×3367 ESPIONA Chris Waller Nash Rawiller 9 56.5kg 113 8 224x0x3312 WEE NESSY Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Adam Hyeronimus 2 56.5kg 103 9 331x12342x STEFI MAGNETICA Bjorn Baker Tim Clark 4 55kg 98 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 Brisbane’s Winter Racing Heats Up with the 2024 Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Trainer Bob Baffert will try for his ninth Preakness Stakes (G1) win with 8-5 morning-line favorite Muth and 6-1 co-third choice Imagination. Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan is second choice at 5-2 for Saturday's race at Pimlico Race Course.View the full article

Trainer Bob Baffert will try for his ninth Preakness Stakes (G1) win with 8-5 morning-line favorite Muth and 6-1 co-third choice Imagination. Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan is second choice at 5-2 for Saturday's race at Pimlico Race Course.View the full article

In the few days after Mystik Dan (Goldencents) pulled an 18-1 upset in the GI Kentucky Derby, there was the real possibility that none of the 20 horses that competed in the first leg of the Triple Crown would press on to Saturday's GI Preakness S. By Sunday afternoon, any such concerns had abated–the Derby winner had been confirmed by trainer Ken McPeek and Derby fourth Catching Freedom (Constitution) was also given the green light by Brad Cox, joining a field that had already included two each from Hall of Famers Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas, between them responsible for no fewer than 14 Preakness winners. When the dust had settled, an interesting field of nine was drawn for Preakness 149 Monday afternoon, and it was one of the six non-Derby starters who was–not surprisingly–made the early favorite over Mystik Dan. 'TDN Rising Star' Muth (Good Magic) was given the 8-5 nod on Brian Nadeau's morning line, and he enters the Preakness perfect in a pair of victories this season at three, including a latest two-length defeat of the Lukas-conditioned Just Steel (Justify) in the Mar. 30 GI Arkansas Derby, where Mystik Dan was a further 4 1/4 lengths adrift in third. Baffert looks for a record-extending ninth Preakness and second straight, after National Treasure (Quality Road) took them all the way 12 months ago. “Muth was a pretty easy morning-line favorite to come up with for a few different reasons,” Nadeau said. “First, he comfortably beat Mystik Dan in the Arkansas Derby. Second, with all the success Bob Baffert has had in the Preakness and the name recognition he brings as well, it all adds up to Muth being a pretty solid favorite. And lastly, Mystik Dan was 18-1 in the Derby, and when a longshot wins, sometimes the betting public is a bit slow to come around or believe.” Muth will break from the four hole on the weekend, while Baffert's other entry, GI Santa Anita Derby runner-up Imagination (Into Mischief), will be the first Preakness ride for Frankie Dettori from the outside barrier in nine. “I think it's fine. Nine horses. That's manageable,” Baffert said of the draw. “It's a very competitive field. I'd like to have drawn a little closer with Imagination. Whatever, he can work a trip. “[Muth] is a nice horse. At the end of the day, Mystik Dan is going to get a lot of support. Just being there with two nice horses, to me, with a competitive field, it's going to be a good race,” Baffert added. McPeek allowed Mystik Dan to make the Preakness decision for him, and after declaring that the colt had a good week following his Derby score, put him on a van to Old Hilltop. Brian Hernandez, Jr. delivered an A-plus steer at Churchill and will look to do so from gate five Saturday afternoon. At 5-2, Mystik Dan is the first Derby winner to not be favored on the morning line since 2012. Catching Freedom, the joint-third choice at 6-1 with Imagination, covered himself in glory in the Derby, making a sustained run from worse than midfield and surging home up the fence to finish just two lengths off the trio on the wire. He should get another nice inside trip in a more compact field on Saturday from the three hole. “We value the Triple Crown, and the opportunity to run in Triple Crown races is really important to us,” Albaugh Family Stable Racing Manager Jason Loutsch told the Pimlico media office. “The horse came back well out of the Derby, and we felt it was an opportunity to take a shot in one of the most prestigious races.” At age 77, Wayne Lukas sent out Oxbow to upset the 2013 Preakness and the 88-year-old will tighten the girth around Just Steel, who weakened out after attending a sharp early pace in the Derby. He also saddles Seize the Grey (Arrogate, gate six), who cut back to one turn to cause a near $21 surprise the GII Pat Day Mile on the Derby undercard. The pair drew seven and six, respectively, Monday evening. 'TDN Rising Star' Tuscan Gold (Medaglia d'Oro) will attempt to give trainer Chad Brown a third Preakness winner and second for his sire, whose daughter Rachel Alexandra famously beat the boys here in 2009. He landed gate eight and is the mount of Tyler Gaffalione. The Preakness field is rounded out by the hulking GIII Withers S. hero Uncle Heavy (Social Inclusion, post two), to be ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr.; and GI Toyoya Blue Grass S. fifth Mugatu (Blofeld, post one), who failed to draw in from the also-eligible list for the Derby, but gets his crack at Classic glory from the rail, with Joe Bravo to ride. Saturday, Pimlico Race Course PREAKNESS S.-GI, $2,000,000, 3yo, 1 3/16m PP HORSE (SIRE), JOCKEY, TRAINER, ML 1 Mugatu (Blofeld), Bravo, Engler, 20-1 2 Uncle Heavy (Social Inclusion), Ortiz, Jr., Reid, 20-1 3 Catching Freedom (Constitution), Prat, Cox, 6-1 4 Muth (Good Magic), Hernandez, Baffert, 8-5 5 Mystik Dan (Goldencents), Hernandez, Jr, McPeek, 5-2 6 Seize the Grey (Arrogate), Torres, Lukas, 15-1 7 Just Steel (Justify), Rosario, Lukas, 15-1 8 Tuscan Gold (Medaglia d'Oro), Gaffalione, Brown, 8-1 9 Imagination (Into Mischief), Dettori, Baffert, 6-1 The post Muth Favored To Give Baffert A Ninth Win In the Preakness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse racing on Tuesday, May 14, will feature four meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for Hawkesbury. Tuesday’s Racing Tips – May 14, 2024 Hawkebsury Racing Tips As always, there are 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 May 14, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? Full terms. 2 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 5 Next Gen Racing Betting PickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Tuesday, May 14. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for May 14, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Daily Trifecta Boosts Boost your winnings on Trifectas by 10% with new Daily Trifecta Boosts. Thoroughbreds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for May 14, 2024. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and exclusive promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

Unbeaten G1 Qipco 2000 Guineas victor Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) has progressed well since that effort, and is on course for a try at the G1 St James's Palace S. at Royal Ascot, trainer Charlie Appleby reported on the official Godolphin X feed on Monday. The contest is scheduled to go Tuesday, June 18 and has notably been reported as a target for the Aidan O'Brien-trained Group 1-winner Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). “[Notable Speech] pulled up well, he's had an easy canter, he's done all the right vitals and hopefully it's all systems go and we'll work back from the St James's Palace,” Appleby said in the update. The homebred for Godolphin came into the 2000 Guineas unconquered from three career jumps on the Kempton Park all-weather, but transitioned to the turf in fine fashion to garner a career first for jockey William Buick as well. “I've had a few close calls, but never managed to win [a 2000 Guineas] before and what's extra special is the way he did it,” Buick said. “I maybe went a little bit overboard on the day, but I enjoyed it, the feelings just took over a little bit!” He added, “[Notable Speech] has got a great mind, which you need in a good horse. He's a great horse to deal with, he seems to understand everything that is required of him. He's a bit of a rarity in that sense.” The post Notable Speech On Course for St James’s Palace appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan made his first trip to the Pimlico Race Course main track May 13—a sealed and muddy surface—as he prepares for a start in the $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1) May 18.View the full article

Freshman stallion Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}) notched his first winner Monday when Fortuna Mia won nicely at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Off at 5-1, the 2-year-old filly stalked the pacesetter, pounced off the turn, won going away and survived an objection to win at first asking for owner/trainer Rey Hernandez. Vekoma, who stands at Spendthrift Farm for $15,000, finished his career on a three-race win streak, taking the Sir Shackleton S. at Gulfstream and the GI Runhappy Carter H. at Belmont before retiring after a win in the GI Runhappy Metropolitan H. with a record of 8-6-0-1 and earnings of $1,245,525. This post will be updated. The post Vekoma Gets First Winner With Fortuna Mia At Horseshoe Indy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

FanDuel TV racing personality Christina Blacker will host a webinar for Light Up Racing (LUR) members Tuesday, May 14, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. During the 1 1/2-hour session, entitled 'This Derby, what horse racing questions did you struggle to answer?' a panel of industry experts including Blacker, Dr. Jeff Berk, Dr. Jeff Blea and Dr. Scott Hay, will address and help participants navigate questions most frequently asked by outsiders surrounding this year's Kentucky Derby. To sign up for Light Up Racing, click here. Existing members may join by clicking here. Hi everyone We're hosting a Light Up Racing Webinar on Tuesday, May 14, at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET. It's a 1.5-hour session where we'll tackle some challenging horse racing topics and share insights to help you have conversations with confidence. Our panel, hosted by Christina… pic.twitter.com/o7C5kIgfGU — LightUpRacing (@LightUpRacing) May 12, 2024 The post Light Up Racing Webinar Set For Tuesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

National Hunt hero and seven-time Grade 1-winner Native Upmanship (Ire) (Be My Native) passed away at Coolmore Stud on Monday at 31, the farm announced via presser. A back-to-back victor of the G1 Melling Chase, the first of which coming in 2002, he visited the winner's enclosure on 16 occasions with 13 coming at the Graded level. Other career highlights included an eased down 30 length victory in the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse in April 2000, and two renewals of the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown in non-consecutive years. Native Upmanship had retired from racing in 2006 and lived out his days in the fields of Coolmore Stud. “Native Upmanship was an unbelievably tough horse that loved his racing. He gave me some of my most memorable days on a racecourse and we were extremely fortunate to have had him,” said trainer Arthur Moore. “I want to pay tribute to the staff at Coolmore who cared for him exceptionally throughout his retirement.” His longtime caretaker Trish Kearney said, “Native Upmanship will be greatly missed by all of us who looked after him here. He lived out his days receiving the greatest of care from all of the team. We have very fond memories of him, especially considering we cared for him throughout his long retirement and also during his summer holidays in his racing career. It's a sad day but Native Upmanship will always have a special place in our hearts.” The post Seven-Time Grade 1 Winner Native Upmanship Dies at 31 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Having arrived on a van from Louisville on Sunday, GI Kentucky Derby hero Mystik Dan (Goldencents) took to a sloppy and sealed main track at Pimlico Race Course for the first time Monday morning. If the bay looked at home in the wet conditions, it should come as no surprise. Prior to his narrow success in the Derby, his career highlight came in the Feb. 3 GIII Southwest S., when he relished a muddy strip to crush by eight lengths. “He's such a smart horse. He takes everything in,” said retired jockey Robby Albarado, whose two Preakness victories include the 2020 renewal aboard the Ken McPeek-trained Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil). “Obviously, he loved that racetrack. If you saw the Southwest, it was a similar racetrack as this. I'm really not opposed to rain this weekend. Rain is in the forecast. He did really well [Monday]. He went over the racetrack smooth and looked around. He's ready for another round.” Albarado did some reminiscing on the Pimlico backside Monday. “It's been great, especially coming to Pimlico,” Albarado said. “I stopped by Stall 24 there, where Swiss Skydiver was. It was nice, it was like deja vu. Me coming here on Monday, like I did with her in 2020. It's just that I'm not riding in the race, but I'm still part of the team.” Albarado, who was approaching the end of a very successful career four years ago, has only fond memories of that first Saturday in October in the COVID-reshuffled Triple Crown in 2020. The Preakness served as the final leg. “I wanted to win one more major race for myself. I called up Kenny McPeek and said, 'Man, I want to win one more major race before I retire,'” Albarado recollected. He said, 'Me, too!' About a month and a half later, he calls me up and said, 'Hey, you might ride Swiss Skydiver in the Preakness.' He called me up five minutes later and said, 'Pack your stuff up. You're going to Baltimore.' I was helping him out at Keeneland. I guess I was there at the right time.” Kentucky Derby winner Mystic Dan Monday morning at ⁦@PimlicoRC⁩ as he prepares for the ⁦@PreaknessStakes⁩. ⁦@theTDN⁩ pic.twitter.com/MQY3IaOxYX — Mike Kane (@MKane49) May 13, 2024 The post Mystik Dan Gets First Feel Of Pimlico Main Track appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article