Wandering Eyes

Tide And Time pulls away from her rivals to score in the 3YO Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Ruakaka. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images) With or without the unbeaten Dan Vegas, Ruakaka trainers Kenny Rae and Krystal Williams have been unstoppable in three-year-old races on their home track this winter. That trend continued on Saturday with Tide And Time taking out the $60,000 3YO Winter Championship Final (1600m). Tide And Time has spent much of her career in the shadow of one or more of her stablemates. She finished fourth in the 2YO Final (1200m) on this day 12 months ago, with Whiskey Lies and Dancing Dream delivering a stable quinella for Rae and Williams. The first few meetings of Ruakaka’s 2024 winter season have brought more of the same. Tide And Time produced strong finishes to run sixth and fourth respectively behind super-impressive winner Dan Vegas on June 8 and June 29. Rae and Williams decided against stepping Dan Vegas up from 1400m to 1600m for Saturday’s Final, clearing the way for Tide And Time to have her own day in the sun. The Time Test filly broke well from gate five and slid forward to take up a noticeably handier position in second for jockey Kelly Myers. Tide And Time moved up alongside the front-running Lovaci at the home turn, and she quickened smartly in the straight to take command. Sterling Express launched a big late run out of the pack to try to reel her in, but Tide And Time kept going strongly all the way to the line and held on by half a length. The lightly raced Full Noise finished another four lengths away in third. Raced by a syndicate that includes the owners of the local Porthouse Bar and Eatery, Tide And Time has now had 12 starts for two wins, a placing and $56,010 in stakes. Rae Racing Stables bought her for just $9500 from Gavelhouse.com in March of 2022. “This is the race that we set her for,” Rae said. “The step up to 1600m was always going to suit her. “She’d been getting a long way back in her last couple of races, where Dan Vegas strung those fields right out. She was making up 10 to 12 lengths and finishing fourth and sixth. “This is the first time she’s had a decent draw, and she was able to settle much closer and then sprint very well in the straight. It’s a great result.” Horse racing news View the full article

Espresso To Go under Jim Chung leads throughout to score at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Cambridge trainer Ken Harrison landed a lightweight upset at Trentham on Saturday with Espresso To Go leading every step of the way. The Tavistock gelding took a big step up in class and down in both distance and weight, having run a last-start second in the Duke Of Gloucester Cup (2100m) at Hastings on June 29. He carried 69kg in that amateur riders’ event and plummeted all the way down to 51kg on Saturday with Jim Chung’s apprentice claim. Espresso To Go was sent out as the outsider of the field at $10 with horse racing bookies, but he went straight to the lead within the first few strides of the race and never gave his five rivals a look in. The five-year-old kicked hard at the top of the home straight and put himself well out of reach, racing to victory by three and three-quarter lengths over the veteran Verry Flash. Espresso To Go has now had 25 starts for three wins, five placings and $78,120 in stakes. “It’s always good to win a race like the Whyte Handicap, I’ll take that any day,” said Harrison, who also shares ownership along with four others. “He’s always shown a bit of ability, although mainly over a bit more ground than this. Dropping back to the mile was a bit of a question mark today, but with such a light weight, I thought it was worth having a go at it.” It was the second leg of a race-to-race double for Chung, who had previously guided Tavis Court to a last-stride victory over Highlighter. Chung came up just short in his attempt to ride all of the last three winners on the Trentham card, finishing second on the Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard-trained Strides in the final race of the afternoon. Horse racing news View the full article

Overrated (outside) strides past Delorean to claim the Progressive Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Ruakaka. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images) Trainer Murray Garrett and jockey Sam Spratt continued their winning association of late when the pair combined to guide Overrated to victory in one of the feature events at Ruakaka on Saturday, the Progressive Winter Championship Final (1600m). Garrett, who prepares a small team from his base at Pukekohe Park, is enjoying a purple patch of form with Overrated picking up the second win of his career after breaking his maiden status on a heavy track in the hands of Spratt back in May. The four-year-old son of Wrote travelled comfortably behind midfield in the early stages before tracking eventual runner-up Delorean into contention at the 800m when the pace eased. Delorean looked to have her rivals covered with 200m to run, however Spratt got busy in the final stages and Overrated lifted nicely to grab Delorean in the shadows of the post with Loose Change finishing off well to take third. Garrett was delighted with the victory after his charge had gone a better race than it looked on paper when finishing near last over 1200m at the venue a fortnight ago. “He goes good, and I thought he would be a chance stepping up in distance even though he only finished ninth in the sprint here last time,” Garrett said. “He doesn’t mind the ground (Good 4) so we were hopeful. “Spratty has always told me he prefers the better going and it was a good ride as she read it pretty well when she decided to go forward after getting caught out (wide a bit).” Horse racing news View the full article

The Cossack on his way to victory in the Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) There was a sense of unfinished business for The Cossack heading into Saturday’s Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) at Trentham and the star jumper delivered a faultless performance to collect another major crown for Paul Nelson & Corrina McChief Stipeal. After claiming all there was on offer in the hurdle scene, The Cossack transitioned into steeplechasing last season and was a leading hope to claim the iconic figure-eight feature, before being severely hampered by a fallen runner late in the race and eventually finishing third behind West Coast. The son of Mastercraftsman resumed this year in winning fashion taking out a second Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) at Te Rapa in June, and the stable sought redemption returning to Trentham where he would stand alone carrying the 73kg top-weight. Starting a -200 favourite with horse betting sites, The Cossack settled straight into his work navigating the unique course under Hamish McNeill, who allowed the ten-year-old to sit close to the speed controlled by Izymydaad. After negotiating the double for the final time, The Cossack swept to the lead and set a stern challenge for the remainder of the field, and as they reached the course proper, up-and-coming talents Afterallthistime and Auld Jock loomed as the main dangers. The chasing pair cleared the last behind The Cossack and fought on valiantly, but the favourites class prevailed as he cantered across the line a half-length ahead of a storming Auld Jock, with Afterallthistime a further 3.25 lengths adrift in third. McNeill was in awe of the ten-year-old after the marathon jumping contest. “I was a passenger, he had a heap of fun,” he said. “He jumped out of the gates, and he wanted to travel today, he made his mind up that Izymydaad wasn’t going to get too far in front of him and he trucked the whole way. “He gave me an unbelievable feel and he sprinted when he turned for home as well, he’s kept them all at bay. He’s heard them and pinged the last well, and it was over and done with after that. “Jumps racing is actually thriving at the moment, we’ve got a lot of lovely animals going around and we’re getting the numbers. “We’re starting to get some new boys (jumps jockeys) in the country and today’s racing has been perfect, you can’t tell me you’re disappointed watching this kind of racing so it’s great.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, July 14, 2024 First Race 4pm HKT (6pm AEST) Visit Dabble The 2023/24 Hong Kong racing season comes to a close at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon, leaving punters with a bumper 11-race program to sink their teeth into. The rail is in the A course for the meeting, and although the humid conditions could prove testing for all participants, the track should be a genuine Good 4. All the action for the final day is scheduled to get underway at 4pm local time. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Call Me Glorious Call Me Glorious searches for a hat-trick of wins as he tackles Class 2 company for the first time. The son of No Nay Never couldn’t have been more impressive in his most recent victory at this course and distance on June 15, making every post a winner to score by 6.5 lengths on bottomless conditions. He’s just as formidable on top of the ground, and although he may not be able to cross and lead this contest, provided Zac Purton can gain cover throughout from stall five, Call Me Glorious will prove hard to hold out. Best Bet Race 2 – #5 Call Me Glorious (5) 3yo Gelding | T: Francis Lui | J: Zac Purton (54kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: Steps Ahead Steps Ahead has been a costly commodity for punters, with the Francis Lui-trained gelding finding the minor money on three straight occasions; two of which were as a well-supported favourite with online bookmakers. He was clearly the best of the beaten at this track and trip on June 23, with the three-year-old the only runner to make strong inroads late, as the quinella pair were off and gone with the prize. He should be ready to peak fourth-up, and with Zac Purton likely to trail the leaders back throughout, Steps Ahead should shirk the maiden tag. Next Best Race 7 – #2 Steps Ahead (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Francis Lui | J: Zac Purton (60.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Best Value at Sha Tin: Brilliant Express Brilliant Express looks primed third-up into the campaign and should relish stepping up in trip to 1400m for the first time. The gelding by Starspangledbanner was no match for Glory Elite at Sha Tin on June 15, but the lightly raced three-year-old appeared to be doing his best work late under Hugh Bowman. He’s won a tick-over trial since, and with gate one allowing Bowman to take closer order this time, Brilliant Express should be figuring in the finish. Best Value Race 6 – #7 Brilliant Express (1) 3yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Hugh Bowman (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Hong Kong Sunday quaddie picks Sha Tin quadrella selections Sunday, July 14, 2024 1-4-7 1-2-3-5-7-8-12 3-6-7-8-12 1-5-8-10-14 Horse racing tips
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Jay Kozaczek salutes as Nedwin crosses the line to win Saturday’s Wellington Hurdles (3200m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Topweight Nedwin showed there is simply no quit in his make up as he unleashed an outstanding finishing burst to capture his second Wellington Hurdles (3200m) at Trentham. Supporters of the Paul Nelson and Corrina McChief Stipeal stable had two options to choose from in the race and many put their faith in up and comer Taika, who started a +120 favourite with horse racing bookmakers, ahead of his stablemate (+660) with the Kevin Myers-trained Invisible Spirit splitting the pair at +400. Nedwin was burdened with 73kgs, six-and-a-half kilograms more than his nearest rival and despite Nelson providing some encouragement when noting he was coming into form, he looked a forlorn chance as the two favourites did battle out in front throughout the early stages of the contest. Coming to the home turn, Nedwin looked to be struggling five lengths behind the leading pair, however rider Jay Kozaczek refused to give in as he urged Nedwin to close on the leaders which he began to do noticeably with two hurdles to clear. Nedwin had a full head of steam as he strode over the final obstacle and raced away to record his seventh victory over hurdles ahead of Invisible Spirit who shaded Taika for second. Nelson was understandably emotional after the win by the nine-year-old son of Niagara. “With that weight I didn’t give him a show against Taika as I thought he would be struggling,” Nelson said. “It has taken a while, and we knew we were a bit behind (in his preparation) early on, but we have him right now. “This is very exciting for our winter followers, and we take a lot of pleasure out of that. “Taika is still only a young horse, who has only won two races, but he will keep.” Kozaczek was in awe of the fighting qualities of his mount. “That was amazing,” he said. “He just kept finding and we had those two to aim for. “They ran along strongly and maybe too quick as it is very sticky, but he just kept finding. “I was squeezing him along and he got there.” Bred by Tom Lowry, who sadly passed away recently, Nedwin is owned by Nelson and his wife Carol along with Mick and Suzie Gardner with the gelding having now won seven races over hurdles along with another six on the flat and over $374,000 in prizemoney. Horse racing news View the full article

Jay Kozaczek salutes as Nedwin crosses the line to win Saturday’s Wellington Hurdles (3200m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Topweight Nedwin showed there is simply no quit in his make up as he unleashed an outstanding finishing burst to capture his second Wellington Hurdles (3200m) at Trentham. Supporters of the Paul Nelson and Corrina McChief Stipeal stable had two options to choose from in the race and many put their faith in up and comer Taika, who started a +120 favourite with horse racing bookmakers, ahead of his stablemate (+660) with the Kevin Myers-trained Invisible Spirit splitting the pair at +400. Nedwin was burdened with 73kgs, six-and-a-half kilograms more than his nearest rival and despite Nelson providing some encouragement when noting he was coming into form, he looked a forlorn chance as the two favourites did battle out in front throughout the early stages of the contest. Coming to the home turn, Nedwin looked to be struggling five lengths behind the leading pair, however rider Jay Kozaczek refused to give in as he urged Nedwin to close on the leaders which he began to do noticeably with two hurdles to clear. Nedwin had a full head of steam as he strode over the final obstacle and raced away to record his seventh victory over hurdles ahead of Invisible Spirit who shaded Taika for second. Nelson was understandably emotional after the win by the nine-year-old son of Niagara. “With that weight I didn’t give him a show against Taika as I thought he would be struggling,” Nelson said. “It has taken a while, and we knew we were a bit behind (in his preparation) early on, but we have him right now. “This is very exciting for our winter followers, and we take a lot of pleasure out of that. “Taika is still only a young horse, who has only won two races, but he will keep.” Kozaczek was in awe of the fighting qualities of his mount. “That was amazing,” he said. “He just kept finding and we had those two to aim for. “They ran along strongly and maybe too quick as it is very sticky, but he just kept finding. “I was squeezing him along and he got there.” Bred by Tom Lowry, who sadly passed away recently, Nedwin is owned by Nelson and his wife Carol along with Mick and Suzie Gardner with the gelding having now won seven races over hurdles along with another six on the flat and over $374,000 in prizemoney. Horse racing news View the full article

What Grafton Races Where Clarence River Jockey Club – 284 Powell St, Grafton NSW 2460 When Sunday, July 14, 2024 First Race 12:45pm AEST Visit Dabble The $80,000 South Grafton Cup (1610m) headlines the action at Clarence River Jockey Club on Sunday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-part program set for decision. The rail is out +3m the entire circuit, and although the track is rated a Soft 7 at the time of acceptances, some sunny skies predicted in the lead-up should ensure an upgrade into the Good range prior to the opening event at 12:45pm local time. South Grafton Cup Tip: Cepheus After winning this race last year, Cepheus returns to defend his crown in the South Grafton Cup and appears primed to peak third-up into the campaign. The seven-year-old gelding has been contesting much tougher opposition of late, including his latest effort at Eagle Farm in the Listed Tatts Mile (1600m) on June 29, powering through the line to get within 1.8 lengths of Cottee. The only concern must be the 62kg on his back, but he’s carried big weights in the past, and with the booking of Nash Rawiller bolstering confidence, watch for Cepheus to outrun his current price with online bookmakers. South Grafton Cup Race 6 – #1 Cepheus (17) 7yo Gelding | T: Matthew Smith | J: Nash Rawiller (62kg) +800 with PlayUp Best Bet at Grafton: So You Can Torque So You Can Torque got a pass mark on debut at Lismore on June 18, and although he didn’t figure in the finish, the way he finished off suggested a step up in trip would be ideal. The son of So You Think was well-supported but couldn’t muster an early speed before making a sustained run along the inside running rail. The Matthew Dunn barn elect to go to 1400m second-up, and with Ashley Morgan looking to take closer order from barrier seven, watch for this guy to be making strong inroads down the centre of the course. Best Bet Race 3 – #7 So You Can Torque (7) 3yo Gelding | T: Matthew Dunn | J: Ashley Morgan (59kg) +280 with Bet365 Next Best at Grafton: Reel Torque Reel Torque hasn’t had any official barrier trials since dominating in a piece of work at this course on November 26. The gelding by Highland Reel cruised through the wire to score by a half-length on that occasion, with the Brett Bellamy barn putting the unraced three-year-old to the paddock. It’s hard to gauge how wound up Reel Torque is first-up, but based on the lack of depth in this maiden contest, punters should be willing to take a risk on this guy on debut. Next Best Race 2 – #4 Reel Torque (8) 3yo Gelding | T: Brett Bellamy | J: Stephen Cummins (59kg) +500 with Neds Sunday quaddie tips for Grafton races Grafton quadrella selections Sunday, July 14, 2024 1-5-7-8-9 1-2-3-6-7 1-2-4 2-6-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Malt Time powering away with the Sprinters’ Winter Championship Final at Ruakaka on Saturday. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images) The class of Group One performer Malt Time shone through again at Ruakaka on Saturday, recovering from a sluggish start to score a runaway win in the Sprinters’ Winter Championship Final (1400m). Malt Time was sent out as a +130 favourite with horse racing bookmakers for the $60,000 sprint feature, having scored impressive wins in both of her two previous starts at the venue including a six-length romp over the same distance two starts ago on June 8. In between times she was a strong-finishing second, against the pattern of the day, in the Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m). The connections and supporters of Malt Time briefly had their hearts in their mouths as she missed the start and dropped out to be a clear last in the early stages of Saturday’s race, but jockey Ace Lawson-Carroll was unfazed. He allowed the seven-year-old to cruise around at the tail of the seven-horse field, then brought her to the outside and started to get her warmed up just before the home turn. Malt Time was still second-last at the top of the straight, but then she produced a turn of foot that none of her rivals could match. She swept past them within a few powerful strides and drew clear, opening up a winning margin of three and a quarter lengths. The 1200m were run in 1:10.44 on a Good 4 track. “There was always going to be a bit of speed on in the race, so we just bided our time behind them,” Lawson-Carroll said. “I got her to the outside at the home turn and she won it very well. Now I’m just hoping I can stay with her for some of the bigger races coming up.” Trained by Shaun and Emma Clotworthy for owners Bill and Carrie Borrie, Malt Time has now had 30 starts for six wins, eight placings and $373,164 in stakes. She has performed right up to the highest level with placings in this season’s Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and Group 1 TAB Classic (1600m), and those sorts of targets are again looming on her horizon. “She gave us a little heart attack at the beginning there, but she knows what she’s doing,” Emma Clotworthy said. “She just watches it unfold and then produces that strong finish. “It’s not the easiest to make a plan with a horse like her, but she’ll probably have a small break at some stage and then will hopefully be ready to rumble again in the spring.” Shaun Clotworthy suggested during the week that possible upcoming targets for Malt Time might include another 1400m open handicap at Ruakaka on September 7, followed by a second shot at the Arrowfield Stud Plate at Hastings on September 28. Horse betting sites now rate her a +1300 chance for the latter event. Local mare Pippy finished a gallant second on Saturday, continuing a career-best run of form that also included wins in Rating 60, Rating 65 and Rating 75 company in her three previous starts of the campaign. Consistent Byerley Park visitor Master Brutus was a short neck behind her in third, with another short head back to the fourth-placed Shamus. Horse racing news View the full article

The addition of blinkers allowed New Zealand-bred mare Defining (NZ) (Not A Single Doubt) to show her true colours in Saturday’s A$160,000 I Love 0% Cocktails Handicap (1400m) at Randwick. The five-year-old had been consistently close up in all of her recent starts, finishing within two lengths of the winner in running three placings at Warwick Farm in May and June before a close last-start fourth at Rosehill on June 29. Trainer Annabel Neasham put blinkers on for Saturday’s race and Defining delivered in style, settling in fifth and well away from the rail before swooping four-wide around the home turn to make her bid. Jockey Tyler Schiller drove the chestnut to the lead in the straight and she kicked clear, beating the strong-finishing Hellavadancer (Hellbent) by a length and a quarter. “I can’t take much credit for that,” Schiller said. “She got stuck wide, she had to do all the bullocking work, and it looks like the blinkers did the trick because she towed me where we needed to be instead of having to force her there. “She quickened up well in the straight. It was just a matter of whether she’d done too much work late, but she was very tough. “She loves these wet tracks, which is probably a big bonus this time of year, but for a horse that big, she’s got a big heart. It was a really tough win today.” Defining is raced by YES Bloodstock and Stallion Match and has had 19 starts for four wins, nine placings and A$280,550 in stakes. She collected black type earlier in her career with a second placing in the Listed Nitschke Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville in 2022. Bred by Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Defining is by Not a Single Doubt out of the stakes-placed Encosta de Lago mare Seduced. Defining was offered in the Cambridge Stud draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2020, where she was bought for $225,000 by Mitchell Bloodstock and G1 Goldmine. Defining is the first foal out of Seduced, who has subsequently produced filly foals by young Cambridge Stud stallions Embellish and Hello Youmzain. View the full article

Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Jabbawockeez (NZ) (Redwood) scored his first victory over 2000m with a potent finishing burst in Saturday’s A$130,000 Sportsbet Nobody Does It Easier Handicap at Caulfield. Previously a four-time winner between 1400m and 1600m, the five-year-old son of Redwood had his first attempt over a middle-distance with a close last-start third at Caulfield on June 29. Trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes added blinkers for Saturday’s second start over the distance, and Jabbawockeez took a big step forward in the hands of jockey Blake Shinn. After settling in midfield along the rail, Jabbawockeez began to work through his gears and improve his position early in the home straight. Shinn spotted a narrow opening between Desperado (NZ) (Ghibellines) and Golden Crusader (Golden Horn) with just under 200m remaining and Jabbawockeez burst through, hitting the front passing the 100m mark and forging ahead to score by a length and a quarter. “The key was to switch him off,” Shinn said. “I went back through his replays and I saw how Ollie (Damien Oliver) had ridden him to win at Sandown one day. I came out and tried to produce a similar ride today, so this one is for Ollie. “He’d been a little bit plain when ridden closer to the speed, so with the blinkers on today and up over 2000m, the Hayes boys were on the same page as me. We just put him to sleep and then he was really strong late.” Jabbawockeez has now had 16 starts for five wins, three placings and A$213,750. “That was just a great ride,” Will Hayes said. “He had him in a good rhythm a long way out and then made some good decisions to pierce his way through. It was good to see the horse hit the line so strongly. “He’s a quirky horse. He’s hit a flat spot from around the 800m to the 600m in just about all his starts, but we thought putting blinkers on today might help him. It was a good performance. “He likes this time of the year, so we’ll keep on coming back to the well over the next few meetings here.” Jabbawockeez was bred by Westbury Stud owner Gerry Harvey and is by Westbury stallion Redwood out of the Danehill Dancer mare Dance Partner. Previously trained by Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, Jabbawockeez was a good trial winner at Ellerslie in late 2021 before his private sale and is raced by many of the same owners as fellow Kiwi import Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars). View the full article

With or without the unbeaten Dan Vegas (NZ) (Per Incanto), Ruakaka trainers Kenny Rae and Krystal Williams have been unstoppable in three-year-old races on their home track this winter. That trend continued on Saturday with Tide And Time (NZ) (Tide And Time) taking out the $60,000 ITM/Gib 3YO Winter Championship Final (1600m). Tide And Time has spent much of her career in the shadow of one or more of her stablemates. She finished fourth in the 2YO Final (1200m) on this day 12 months ago, with Whiskey Lies (NZ) (Embellish) and Dancing Dream (NZ) (Contributer) delivering a stable quinella for Rae and Williams. The first few meetings of Ruakaka’s 2024 winter season have brought more of the same. Tide And Time produced strong finishes to run sixth and fourth respectively behind super-impressive winner Dan Vegas on June 8 and June 29. Rae and Williams decided against stepping Dan Vegas up from 1400m to 1600m for Saturday’s Final, clearing the way for Tide And Time to have her own day in the sun. The Time Test filly broke well from gate five and slid forward to take up a noticeably handier position in second for jockey Kelly Myers. Tide And Time moved up alongside the front-running Lovaci at the home turn, and she quickened smartly in the straight to take command. Sterling Express (NZ) (Shamexpress) launched a big late run out of the pack to try to reel her in, but Tide And Time kept going strongly all the way to the line and held on by half a length. The lightly raced Full Noise (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) finished another four lengths away in third. Raced by a syndicate that includes the owners of the local Porthouse Bar and Eatery, Tide And Time has now had 12 starts for two wins, a placing and $56,010 in stakes. Rae Racing Stables bought her for just $9500 from Gavelhouse.com in March of 2022. “This is the race that we set her for,” Rae said. “The step up to 1600m was always going to suit her. “She’d been getting a long way back in her last couple of races, where Dan Vegas strung those fields right out. She was making up 10 to 12 lengths and finishing fourth and sixth. “This is the first time she’s had a decent draw, and she was able to settle much closer and then sprint very well in the straight. It’s a great result.” Tide And Time completed a double for Rae and Williams on Saturday’s seven-race card, having previously won the ITM/Gib 2YO (1200m) with Vegas Queen (NZ) (Proisir). View the full article

Trainer Murray Garrett and jockey Sam Spratt continued their winning association of late when the pair combined to guide Overrated (NZ) (Wrote) to victory in one of the feature events at Ruakaka on Saturday, the ITM/GIB Progressive Winter Championship Final (1600m). Garrett, who prepares a small team from his base at Pukekohe Park, is enjoying a purple patch of form with Overrated picking up the second win of his career after breaking his maiden status on a heavy track in the hands of Spratt back in May. The four-year-old son of Wrote travelled comfortably behind midfield in the early stages before tracking eventual runner-up Delorean (NZ) (Time Test) into contention at the 800m when the pace eased. Delorean looked to have her rivals covered with 200m to run, however Spratt got busy in the final stages and Overrated lifted nicely to grab Delorean in the shadows of the post with Loose Change (NZ) (The Bold One) finishing off well to take third. Garrett was delighted with the victory after his charge had gone a better race than it looked on paper when finishing near last over 1200m at the venue a fortnight ago. “He goes good, and I thought he would be a chance stepping up in distance even though he only finished ninth in the sprint here last time,” Garrett said. “He doesn’t mind the ground (Good 4) so we were hopeful. “Spratty has always told me he prefers the better going and it was a good ride as she read it pretty well when she decided to go forward after getting caught out (wide a bit).” Overrated is out of the stakes-placed Entrepreneur mare Vision (NZ) who is a daughter of former outstanding stayer Eye Full (NZ) (Palatable) who won eleven races and finished runner-up in the 1988 Gr.1 New Zealand Cup (3200m) behind Sapio (NZ) (Vice Regal). The victory was the second on the card for Spratt after she took out the opening event aboard local runner Patricia (NZ) (Super Easy) for trainer Rick Wells. View the full article

There was a sense of unfinished business for The Cossack (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) heading into Saturday’s Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) at Trentham and the star jumper delivered a faultless performance to collect another major crown for Paul Nelson & Corrina McChief Stipeal. After claiming all there was on offer in the hurdle scene, The Cossack transitioned into steeplechasing last season and was a leading hope to claim the iconic figure-eight feature, before being severely hampered by a fallen runner late in the race and eventually finishing third behind West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu). The son of Mastercraftsman resumed this year in winning fashion taking out a second Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) at Te Rapa in June, and the stable sought redemption returning to Trentham where he would stand alone carrying the 73kg top-weight. Starting a $1.50 favourite, The Cossack settled straight into his work navigating the unique course under Hamish McNeill, who allowed the ten-year-old to sit close to the speed controlled by Izymydaad (NZ) (Istidaad). After negotiating the double for the final time, The Cossack swept to the lead and set a stern challenge for the remainder of the field, and as they reached the course proper, up-and-coming talents Afterallthistime (Deep Field) and Auld Jock (Adelaide) loomed as the main dangers. The chasing pair cleared the last behind The Cossack and fought on valiantly, but the favourites class prevailed as he cantered across the line a half-length ahead of a storming Auld Jock, with Afterallthistime a further 3 ¼ lengths adrift in third. McNeill was in awe of the ten-year-old after the marathon jumping contest. “I was a passenger, he had a heap of fun,” he said. “He jumped out of the gates, and he wanted to travel today, he made his mind up that Izymydaad wasn’t going to get too far in front of him and he trucked the whole way. “He gave me an unbelievable feel and he sprinted when he turned for home as well, he’s kept them all at bay. He’s heard them and pinged the last well, and it was over and done with after that. “Jumps racing is actually thriving at the moment, we’ve got a lot of lovely animals going around and we’re getting the numbers. “We’re starting to get some new boys (jumps jockeys) in the country and today’s racing has been perfect, you can’t tell me you’re disappointed watching this kind of racing so it’s great.” The Northern-based hoop also guided a very promising type in Al’s Red Zed (NZ) (Zed) to victory for the stable in the opening event, the Norm Bevan Memorial Maiden Steeplechase (4000m), while it was Jay Kozaczek in the saddle when Nedwin-(NZ) (Niagara) collected Nelson and McChief Stipeal’s fifth-straight Metroclad Limited Wellington Hurdles (3200m) earlier on the card. “It has been a wonderful day and probably a bit of a pay back from last year, because we had quite a lot of bad luck that day, so we’ll take it,” Nelson said. “He (The Cossack) knows where the line is and that’s the main thing. “He’s just got to carry on, we know he’ll get 73 (kilograms) and the others will get a bit off him, and I don’t know how much further we’ll go. You can keep going to the well a bit too often, but we’ve spaced his races to try and make it easier on him. “I always go back to No Hero (NZ) (Heroicity), he won eight steeplechases in a row, but this horse has done it hurdling and now he’s doing it steeplechasing, so we’ll just enjoy it.” Bred by Ivan Grieve, The Cossack is out of a Galileo mare Stellardelmar and has won 19 races from 60 starts, 15 of those success coming over fences. The gelding has earned the lion’s share of his $690,641 in stakes while in the ownership of Nelson, John Frizzell and Chief Stipe and Peter Grieve. View the full article

Topweight Nedwin (NZ) (Niagara) showed there is simply no quit in his make up as he unleashed an outstanding finishing burst to capture his second Metroclad Limited Wellington Hurdles (3200m) at Trentham. Supporters of the Paul Nelson and Corrina McChief Stipeal stable had two options to choose from in the race and many put their faith in up and comer Taika (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu), who started a $2.20 favourite in the contest, ahead of his stablemate ($7.60) with the Kevin Myers-trained Invisible Spirit (NZ) (Charm Spirit) splitting the pair at $5. Nedwin was burdened with 73kgs, six-and-a-half kilograms more than his nearest rival and despite Nelson providing some encouragement when noting he was coming into form, he looked a forlorn chance as the two favourites did battle out in front throughout the early stages of the contest. Coming to the home turn, Nedwin looked to be struggling five lengths behind the leading pair, however rider Jay Kozaczek refused to give in as he urged Nedwin to close on the leaders which he began to do noticeably with two hurdles to clear. Nedwin had a full head of steam as he strode over the final obstacle and raced away to record his seventh victory over hurdles ahead of Invisible Spirit who shaded Taika for second. Nelson was understandably emotional after the win by the nine-year-old son of Niagara. “With that weight I didn’t give him a show against Taika as I thought he would be struggling,” Nelson said. “It has taken a while, and we knew we were a bit behind (in his preparation) early on, but we have him right now. “This is very exciting for our winter followers, and we take a lot of pleasure out of that. “Taika is still only a young horse, who has only won two races, but he will keep.” Kozaczek was in awe of the fighting qualities of his mount. “That was amazing,” he said. “He just kept finding and we had those two to aim for. “They ran along strongly and maybe too quick as it is very sticky, but he just kept finding. “I was squeezing him along and he got there. ”Bred by Tom Lowry, who sadly passed away recently, Nedwin is owned by Nelson and his wife Carol along with Mick and Suzie Gardner with the gelding having now won seven races over hurdles along with another six on the flat and over $374,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

The class of Group One performer Malt Time (Adelaide) shone through again at Ruakaka on Saturday, recovering from a sluggish start to score a runaway win in the ITM/Gib Sprinters’ Winter Championship Final (1400m). Malt Time was sent out as a $2.30 favourite for the $60,000 sprint feature, having scored impressive wins in both of her two previous starts at the venue including a six-length romp over the same distance two starts ago on June 8. In between times she was a strong-finishing second, against the pattern of the day, in the Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m). The connections and supporters of Malt Time briefly had their hearts in their mouths as she missed the start and dropped out to be a clear last in the early stages of Saturday’s race, but jockey Ace Lawson-Carroll was unfazed. He allowed the seven-year-old to cruise around at the tail of the seven-horse field, then brought her to the outside and started to get her warmed up just before the home turn. Malt Time was still second-last at the top of the straight, but then she produced a turn of foot that none of her rivals could match. She swept past them within a few powerful strides and drew clear, opening up a winning margin of three and a quarter lengths. The 1200m were run in 1:10.44 on a Good4 track. “There was always going to be a bit of speed on in the race, so we just bided our time behind them,” Lawson-Carroll said. “I got her to the outside at the home turn and she won it very well. Now I’m just hoping I can stay with her for some of the bigger races coming up.” Trained by Shaun and Emma Clotworthy for owners Bill and Carrie Borrie, Malt Time has now had 30 starts for six wins, eight placings and $373,164 in stakes. She has performed right up to the highest level with placings in this season’s Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and Gr.1 TAB Classic (1600m), and those sorts of targets are again looming on her horizon. “She gave us a little heart attack at the beginning there, but she knows what she’s doing,” Emma Clotworthy said. “She just watches it unfold and then produces that strong finish. “It’s not the easiest to make a plan with a horse like her, but she’ll probably have a small break at some stage and then will hopefully be ready to rumble again in the spring.” Shaun Clotworthy suggested during the week that possible upcoming targets for Malt Time might include another 1400m open handicap at Ruakaka on September 7, followed by a second shot at the Arrowfield Stud Plate at Hastings on September 28. The TAB now rates her a $14 chance for the latter event. Local mare Pippy (NZ) (Tivaci) finished a gallant second on Saturday, continuing a career-best run of form that also included wins in Rating 60, Rating 65 and Rating 75 company in her three previous starts of the campaign. Consistent Byerley Park visitor Master Brutus (NZ) (Swiss Ace) was a short neck behind her in third, with another short head back to the fourth-placed Shamus (NZ) (Shamexpress). View the full article

What Ballarat Races Where Ballarat Turf Club – 240 Kennedys Rd, Miners Rest VIC 3352 When Sunday, July 14, 2024 First Race 12:25pm AEST Visit Dabble Horse racing in Victoria heads to Ballarat on Sunday afternoon, with eight-races set down for decision. The track has come up a Heavy 8 after an abundance of rain during the week, while the rail is positioned out 9m for the entire circuit. The first race is set to jump at 12:25pm AEST. Best Bet at Ballarat: Evaporate Evaporate showed enough in his initial campaign to suggest that maiden success will come first-up as a gelding. The son of Per Incanto was narrowly defeated on his sole start at Ballarat back in February, which came in between two runs at Group level behind Coleman and Traffic Warden. Blake Shinn will likely have the juvenile stalking the lead over the 1100m, and when the gap comes in the home straight, Evaporate should have no issue in disposing of his rivals in the opener. Best Bet Race 1 – #8 Evaporate (1) 2yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Blake Shinn (57kg) +100 with Bet365 Next Best at Ballarat: Batrana Tony & Calvin McEvoy’s Batrana has had excuses for both of her starts this campaign. The three-year-old produced an eye-catching run first-up at Caulfield before pulling up lame at Sandown in much tougher company than what she contests here. Despite being untried on Heavy ground, Batrana has a touch of class on her rivals and should be righting the wrongs from her previous two starts. Next Best Race 7 – #9 Batrana (7) 3yo Filly | T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy | J: Beau Mertens (59kg) +190 with Picklebet Next Best Again at Ballarat: Run Like Hell Run Like Hell returns from a three-month spell and will look to keep her perfect first-up record intact. With three wins from as many fresh runs, the Hellbent mare also relishes rain-affected ground, while barrier one is sure to give her a perfect run in transit. With a quiet Casterton trial under her belt, Run Like Hell will just need an ounce of luck to return as a winner. Next Best Again Race 6 – #7 Run Like Hell (1) 4yo Mare | T: Maddie Raymond | J: John Allen (59.5kg) +450 with Neds Ballarat Sunday quaddie tips Ballarat quadrella selections Sunday, July 14, 2024 1-2-3-4-8-10 7-10-11 6-9 4-5-6-7-9-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Sunshine Coast Races Where Sunshine Coast Turf Club – 170 Pierce Ave, Caloundra QLD 4551 When Sunday, July 14, 2024 First Race 12:30pm AEST Visit Dabble Sunshine Coast Turf Club will host an eight-race card this Sunday afternoon, with the three feature races that were postponed last Saturday set to headline the program. The Group 3 Winx Guineas, Listed Caloundra Cup and Glasshouse Handicap were postponed due to inclement weather on July 6. The track was rated as a Heavy 10 at the time of acceptances; however, with no rain on the forecast for the weekend, it is expected that the surface will improve one or two ratings before raceday. The rail will remain in its true position for the entire circuit, with the first race scheduled to jump at 12:30pm AEST. Winx Guineas tip: Know Thyself Know Thyself will step up from Class 3 grade to the Group 3 Winx Guineas, and the Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich-trained gelding will be presented with another Heavy track. This son of The Autumn Sun revelled in the wet conditions at Randwick second-up as he ran away from his rivals to record a dominant 5.3-length victory over 1400m. A rise in trip to 1600m should suit this guy down to the ground, and if Aaron Bullock can settle him midfield off the fence, Know Thyself should prove too strong in the concluding stages. Winx Guineas Race 6 – #5 Know Thyself (12) 3yo Gelding | T: Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | J: Aaron Bullock (57kg) +160 with PlayUp Glasshouse Handicap tip: Midnight In Tokyo After receiving a luckless run in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic last start, Midnight In Tokyo will appreciate returning to her home track and drawing a wide barrier here. The Annabel Neasham-trained mare settled midfield at Ipswich and when she tried to get into clear air, the daughter of Kobayashi was held up and crowded from the 300m to 100m mark. It is expected that this mare will produce a better performance on a Heavy surface on Sunday. If she can find a back to follow around the home turn, Midnight In Tokyo can spring a surprise at a nice each-way price with top online horse racing betting sites. Glasshouse Handicap Race 7 – #14 Midnight In Tokyo (11) 4yo Mare | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Damien Thorton (53kg) +900 with Neds Caloundra Cup tip: Knight’s Choice Knight’s Choice was the unlucky runner in the Group 3 Tatts Cup last start, as the John Symons & Sheila Laxon-trained gelding was held up at a crucial stage in the home straight. The son of Extreme Choice has been running very good races without winning this preparation, and he has now found the perfect race to break through. From barrier eight, Robbie Dolan should be able to slot in midfield off the rail and allow Knight’s Choice to roll from the 600m mark before letting down with a strong finish. Caloundra Cup Race 5 – #4 Knight’s Choice (8) 4yo Gelding | T: John Symons & Sheila Laxon | J: Robbie Dolan (59kg) +300 with Dabble Best Bet at Sunshine Coast: Termagant Termagant has been nothing short of impressive at her last two starts, as the Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted-trained mare took care of her maiden by five lengths before winning easily first-up this preparation. Although this daughter of Deep Field will rise in class to an Open Handicap for the first time here, she will remain at the track she is unbeaten at (2:2-0-0). With 52kg on her back, Termagant can settle worse than midfield and let down with her blistering turn of foot to bring up a hat-trick of wins. Best Bet Race 2 – #13 Termagant (9) 3yo Filly | T: Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted | J: Emily Lang (52kg) +210 with Bet365 Next Best at Sunshine Coast: Hardware Lane Hardware Lane will return to the scene of the crime, where he saluted as a heavily-backed favourite with online bookmakers at this track and trip three starts back for the John Smerdon stable. Since that win, the son of Scissor Kick has raced on Soft and Good tracks in Listed grade, where he didn’t perform at his very best. However, his record on Heavy tracks (7:5-0-0) is outstanding and superior to the rivals that he will face in this contest. With a lot of speed expected, Hardware Lane can settle just worse than midfield and let down with his booming finish in the final 300m. Next Best Race 8 – #6 Hardware Lane (5) 5yo Gelding | T: John Smerdon | J: Justin Huxtable (56kg) +450 with Picklebet Sunshine Coast quaddie tips for Winx Guineas Day Sunshine Coast quadrella selections Sunday, July 14, 2024 1-2-4-10 1-2-5-10 1-10-13-14 1-2-6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

With the 2023/24 season drawing to a close, veteran NT jockey Paul Denton is on the verge of winning the Alice Springs and Provincial jockeys’ premiership for the first time in over 30 years. There’s two meetings to go in the Alice Springs and Provincial premiership, but trainer Terry Gillett and jockey Paul Denton look set to claim top honours for the 2023/24 season. Gillett (24), who won the 2020/21 title, only hit the front in the trainers’ premiership a fortnight ago when a winning double saw him overtake Paul Gardner (23), who has never won a premiership and who had held sway out in front all season. Denton (23), who made his NT debut in the Red Centre in 1983, holds a handy lead over last year’s champion jockey Sonja Logan (18.5) and Stan Tsaikos (17), the top rider for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons. The 60-year-old Denton won the Alice Springs and Provincial premiership on two occasions in the early 1990s, as well as the Top End and Country title on two occasions when based in Darwin. Gillett has genuine hopes in all five races at Pioneer Park on Sunday, especially former Townsville galloper Altar Boy – the early $1.25 favourite with horse betting sites against 0-70 opposition over 1600m as he aims for four straight wins. He will have eight other runners in action this weekend, with Supreme Times (Race 1), Supreme Goal (Race 2), Family Ties (Race 3), and Valley Prince and Li’lmissprancealot (Race 4) capable of delivering if they bring their best form to the table. Gardner has seven starters, and using the form guide as a reference, his best hope rests with Never And Now (Race 2), while Perkova (Race 5) will have to produce something special to thwart Altar Boy. “Terry’s had a good run lately, certainly post Alice Springs Carnival,” Thoroughbred Racing NT chief executive officer Andrew O’Toole said. “He’s team is racing well, they also raced well during Carnival where he had five wins. “Having Dakota Lee back has obviously given the stable a boost. “He’s had five wins from the past two meetings and has good chances again on Sunday. “Terry looks like he’s going to hang on and get the chocolates over Paul. “Paul’s had a very good season as well – which includes two dead-heats. “Terry has the momentum and probably has the stronger team at this time of the year.” Denton’s best hopes on Sunday are aboard Flying Start (Race 1) and Quanapirri Bay (Race 3) – he also partners Perkova. Logan has three decent bookings on Il Don Cavallo (Race 1), Another Val (Race 2) and Taormina Duchess (Race 3), but has only four rides for the day. Tsaikos, riding as well as Denton and Logan, has three good appointments on Family Ties (Race 3), Li’lmissprancealot (Race 4) and Altar Boy. “Paul has had a very good season, he’s an absolute freak,” O’Toole said. “He’s 60 and he’s ridden 500 winners in the Red Centre, he’s flying. “You’d find it hard pressed to see Sonja pegging him back. “It would be another feather in the cap of an NT icon of racing in Paul Denton, that’s for sure. “Well done to both Terry and Paul, they look like they’re going to hang on and claim the premierships.” Horse racing news View the full article

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–During his Hall of Fame career, trainer Todd Pletcher has won the GIII Sanford at Saratoga a record eight times. He'll look to pad that stat on Saturday when he saddles Mentee (City of Light) in the six-furlong race, which will be run for the 108th time. “For me, it's always about the 2-year-olds,” Pletcher said outside his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track when asked what the most exciting part of training is for him. “The 2-year-old program is fantastic here; the state program is great. We have been fortunate over the years to have some that are ready for the Schuylerville and the Sanford. Hopefully, we can keep moving forward.” Mentee is a full brother to Fierceness (City of Light), a current Pletcher stable star. Mentee and Fierceness are ridden by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez and both are owned by Mike Repole. The similarities end there. “You would not look at (Mentee) and say, 'oh, that is Fierceness' little brother,” Pletcher said. “He is not quite as tall and is a little broader.” Mentee began his career with a narrow win over the George Weaver-trained Colloquial (Vekoma). He won by a nose in the five-furlong race, which was completed in a track record time of 56.97 seconds at Aqueduct on June 15. In the stretch, Mentee opened up by five lengths before Colloquial made it close. “He was traveling pretty easily and then he got a little complacent on the lead,” Pletcher said. “Johnny looked back and didn't see anyone and he looked back again and didn't see anyone. He thought he had put him away. Credit to George's horse; he ran a good race.” Pletcher said that Mentee showed tactical speed as soon as he came into the barn. When the colt showed his speed in the debut, it came as no surprise. Now, the hope is he continues to move forward. “I wish we had not drawn the rail (in the Sanford), but I have been happy with everything he has done,” Pletcher said. “He has been a pleasure to train so far.” Motion Is Way Overdue For Better Luck In Diana When it comes to the GI Diana Stakes at Saratoga, trainer Graham Motion has had plenty of luck. All of it bad. In the 13 editions of the Diana he has had horses in, Motion has finished second six times. Five of them have been by the slimmest of margins; three by a head and one each by a nose and a neck. Talk about excruciating. “Thanks for reminding me,” Motion said by phone from his training base at Fair Hill in Maryland. “But it will not put me off from trying.” Motion will have a horse in Saturday's $500,000 Diana, which will be run on the inner turf course at 1 1/8 miles. Mission of Joy (Kitten's Joy) is one of the 11 filles and mares entered. The 4-year-old filly has won four of 12 career starts and was last seen finishing third, beaten a half length, in the one-mile GI Just A Game at Saratoga last month. “I think the 1 1/8 miles will suit her a little better,” Motion said. “We thought of her as a miler but I'm not sure the mile and an eighth is not better for her. She has shown she belongs in these races.” In the Just A Game, Mission of Joy was defeated by Chili Flag (Fr) (Cityscape {GB}) and Whitebeam (GB) (Caravaggio). Those two are also back in the Diana, part of the five-horse patrol coming from the barn of Chad Brown. Whitebeam is the defending Diana champion. Although Motion has had plenty of frustration in the Diana, he has had a plethora of success lately. In his last 80 starts, he has 25 wins. “Sometimes, things just click, and it has for us in the last 30, 60 days,” Motion said. “You worry when you are not doing well, and you worry when you are doing well because you want to keep it going. At the end of the day, it's all about having better horses.” Fernando Abreu and Javier Castellano | Sarah Andrew Another Abreu Finds Winner's Circle At Saratoga At the end of Friday's first race at Saratoga, when 3-year-old filly Reliable Lady (Take Charge Indy) was bounding home to win by 21/2 lengths, Fernando Abreu got emotional. “When I saw she was going to win, I had tears coming out of my eyes,” Abreu said in the winner's circle. That's because this was the first time the 44-year-old Abreu had ever won a race at the Spa. Abreu spend most of his time training in Florida but is spending the summer at Saratoga, a place he has always been familiar with. He worked as an assistant for the late Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens for 19 years. For the last nine years, he has been on his own. He said has started between 20 and 25 horses at Saratoga during his career. Reliable Lady, owned and bred by Irving Cowan, came into Abreu's barn when trainer Ralph Nicks retired in April. She broke her maiden in the seven-furlong, $100,000 race, her fourth start. Abreu is the brother of Jorge Abreu, a trainer on the New York circuit. “This is a very special feeling,” Fernando Abreu said. “All the things you go through in the morning and then seen them show up in the afternoon. I thought if she showed up, she was going to be good.” Stewart Is Going To Be Busy On Saturday Trainer Dallas Stewart, absent from Saratoga last summer, save for a couple of days, is back in town and he'll be here for the duration of the meet. “Didn't have the stock,” Stewart said Friday morning, explaining why he wasn't here a year ago. He has 10 horses stabled at his barn on the Oklahoma Training Track and five of them will be running on Saturday. “Half the barn is going,” he said with a laugh. “I am going to bring another five up (from Kentucky) in a week.” He plans on running a couple juveniles in stakes races next month. Anakarina (Vekoma), who broke her maiden in her second start, is being pointed to the GIII Adirondack Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on Aug. 4 and Louisiana-bred Smoken Wicked (Bobby's Wicked One) is on target for the GII Saratoga Special for 2-year-old colts on Aug. 10. Smoken Wicked finished second in the Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs at 32-1 in his first start versus winners on June 30. Stewart said that 5-year-old Hoist the Gold (Mineshaft), winner of the GII Cigar Mile Handicap last year and third in the GI Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga last month, could run in the GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt on July 27 or he might wait for the GI Forego on Aug. 24, Travers Day. “If you have the right stock, this is the place to be,” he said. The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: Pletcher Has Another Ace Juvenile as Mentee Takes Aim at Sanford appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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Twirling Queen (Twirling Candy) made it four wins from as many starts as a 3-year-old and remained perfect in two appearances on the grass, posting a comfortable victory in Friday's Coronation Cup Stakes at Saratoga. With 9-5 morning-line favorite Star of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) scratching in favor of Sunday's GIII Quick Call Stakes, the Coronation Cup shaped a more open affair, and Twirling Queen put herself right into the mix early just off the pace disputed by Ever So Sweet (Ire) (Calyx {GB}), the 9-4 choice, and Toupie (Uncle Mo) through an opening quarter in :21.65. In range three deep on the turn, Twirling Queen was popped the question in upper stretch by Luis Saez, dueled into the final furlong with Toupie down to her inside and was home first as Kaiyru (Ire) (Kuroshio {Aus}) gained inches late. Cloudwalker (More Than Ready) was up for third. “She broke from there pretty fast,” Saez said. “I feel like she wanted to take the lead, but I knew the speed was outside. Everything came like the plan–we sat behind and let the speed go. When we came to the top of the stretch, she was pretty loaded.” A debut maiden winner in four juvenile appearances for Norm Casse, Twirling Queen made a favorable impression in her first start for this barn, lighting up the tote at 31-1 in a synthetic optional claimer at Gulfstream Feb. 8. She repeated the dose– this time at 13-1–in the rained-off Melody of Colors Stakes in Hallandale Mar. 24 and returned better than 10-1 when accounting for Toupie and Cloudwalker in her turf debut in the May 11 Mamzelle Stakes at Churchill Downs. A two-time stakes winner at two, Adventurous Lady was purchased by Pursuit of Success for $100,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton HORA Sale. A half-sister to 'TDN Rising Star' Ari's Magic (Good Magic), Adventurous Lady is also responsible for the 2-year-old filly Lady Crush (Liam's Map), a yearling filly by Dialed In and a filly foal by Upstart. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. CORONATION CUP S., $150,000, Saratoga, 7-12, 3yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:01.93, fm. 1–TWIRLING QUEEN, 122, f, 3, by Twirling Candy 1st Dam: Adventurous Lady (MSW, $143,876), by Kantharos 2nd Dam: Ari the Adventurer, by Pioneerof the Nile 3rd Dam: Wild Catseye, by Forest Wildcat ($15,000 Ylg '22 KEEJAN). O-GU Racing Stable LLC; B-Pursuit of Success LLC (KY); T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo; J-Luis Saez. $82,500. Lifetime Record: 8-5-0-0, $375,063. 2–Kairyu (Ire), 124, f, 3, Kuroshio (Aus)–Vegatina (GB), by Lope de Vega (Ire). (€80,000 2yo '23 TATGOR). O-Martin S Schwartz & Michael O'Callaghan; B-Mr P Turley (IRE); T-Cherie DeVaux. $30,000. 3–Cloudwalker, 120, f, 3, More Than Ready–Tale of Class, by Tale of Ekati. ($220,000 2yo '23 OBSOPN). O-Boardshorts; B-Charles Fipke (KY); T-Brendan P Walsh. $18,000. Margins: 3/4, 3/4, NK. Odds: 3.70, 6.10, 4.80. Also Ran: Toupie, Dancing Duchess, In Our Time, Ever So Sweet (Ire). Scratched: Baraye, Do Gooder, Golden Degree, Pipsy (Ire), Star of Mystery (GB), Value Area. TWIRLING QUEEN, the 3YO daughter of @LanesEndFarms stallion Twirling Candy, wins the Coronation Cup Stakes under @luissaezpty for trainer @DangeloStable. pic.twitter.com/61vLCSi2oW — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) July 12, 2024 The post Twirling Candy’s Twirling Queen Extends Streak In Coronation Cup 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. Saturday's Observations features a son of Group 1 winner Arabian Queen (Ire). 18.15 Salisbury, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, 6f 213yT ROYAL PLAYWRIGHT (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is the fifth foal out of Jeff Smith's G1 Juddmonte International heroine Arabian Queen (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), with the best so far being last year's G1 Fillies' Mile third See The Fire (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Andrew Balding introduces the newcomer in the race in which Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) broke his maiden at 50-1 five years ago. The post Son Of Arabian Queen Debuts At Salisbury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The catalogue for the SGA Yearling Sale at Ippodromo La Maura, featuring 126 yearlings, is now online. This year's edition will begin at 2 p.m. local time in Milan on Saturday, Sept. 21. Yearlings on offer are by sires like Australia (GB), Bated Breath (GB), Churchill (Ire), Dandy Man (Ire), Galiway (GB), Gleneagles (Ire), Hello Youmzain (Fr), Holy Roman Emperor (Ire), Kodiac (GB), Profitable (Ire), Saxon Warrior (Jpn), Sea The Moon (Ger), Sioux Nation, Blue Point (Ire), Calyx (GB), Sergei Prokofiev, Arcano (Ire), Lethal Force (Ire) and Ruler Of The World (Ire) among others. In 2023, the topper was a €160,000 daughter of Sea The Stars (Ire). A clearance rate of 68% was reached for a gross of €1,570,500 with 72 marked as sold. The average and median also both increased last year, rising to €21,813 (+11%) and €12,500 (+25%), respectively. The post SGA Yearling Sale Catalogue Released appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article