Wandering Eyes

Lot 62, a burly son of Justify and Curly Locks (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), was the first horse to break the seven-figure mark at Arqana's May Breeze-Up Sale on Saturday, selling for €1 million to Alex Elliott, buying on behalf of Amo Racing. Consigned by Lynn Lodge Stud, the chestnut is out of a full-sister to dual Guineas winner and Group 1 sire Churchill (Ire), as well as G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Clemmie (Ire) and G3 Diamond S. winner Blenheim Palace (Ire). He was bred by Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt in Kentucky. Mags O'Toole picked him up for $135,000 out of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The seven figure marks has been broken at the #2024BreezeUp as lot 6⃣2⃣, a son of Justify?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Justify from the maternal line of multiple Gr.1 winner CHURCHILL, was sold to @A_C_Elliott on behalf of @amoracingltd for €1,000,000. He was consigned by @LynnStud. pic.twitter.com/AWdCzKDyka — ARQANA (@InfoArqana) May 11, 2024 Elliott said, “He's a standout horse for us. What can you say about a horse you think has everything? For the way the stallion has gone, even since September when this horse was bought, he's been doing unbelievable things. He's been bought for Amo Racing and we're trying to buy the best we can. Hopefully he's one of them.” He added, “We've got a very big horse in the stable called King Of Steel. If we can get this horse anywhere near emulating what he's done then we'll all be very happy. He's got size, scope, strength, pedigree, his dam's a sister to Churchill. When you give that money for a horse you need to be pretty sure you're buying the right article and we're all hoping, but, and it's an awful cliche, he's ticked all the boxes. “Kia is very keen to buy the best he can and hopefully that's what we're doing as a team. You never know what these horses might make, it's just a case of whose appetite is there for the horse. You never really know where they're going to fall but that was what we were thinking he'd cost. If he's good, he could look cheap.” The post Alex Elliott Snaps Up €1 Million Justify Colt At Arqana For Amo Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An emotional Alex Rae was delighted to see stable star Shock ‘Em Ova (NZ) (Shocking) demolish his opposition at Caulfield on Saturday. The son of Shocking closed from the tale of the field to land the Selangor Turf Club Handicap (1400m) fresh-up under Dean Yendall and had nearly three lengths on closest rival First Accused. “Mum’s quite sick at the moment and it is pretty difficult, but it is nice to get a win with the big fella,” Rae said as he choked back tears. “He’s a very good horse and we have been so patient. I am so grateful to have the owners in this horse that let me basically stuff around with him for three years, but we believe that being by Shocking and being such a big raw talent that he was really going to deliver. “I haven’t been training that long and I certainly haven’t had any horses at the top level, but we have always believed that this horse could potentially head in that direction. I am not sure how good he is, but he is the best I have had.” A Queensland campaign now beckons Shock ‘Em Ova with the Gr.3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800m) at Eagle Farm on June 1 his next assignment before a possible tilt at the A$1.2 million Q22 (2200m) a fortnight later. “On what he did today he is going to be really competitive in the Lord Mayor’s and it is probably a good opportunity to now start testing the waters against some better opposition,” Rae said. Shock ‘Em Ova has now won five of his 10 career starts with a further four placings and boasts A$412,350 in prizemoney and the long-range plan is the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in spring. Shock ‘Em Ova was bred by Eales Racing Pty Ltd and is the first foal to race out of the two-race-winning Domesday mare Domerova, who comes from the family of the Gr.1 Irish St Leger (2800m) Wicklow Brave (Beat Hollow). Shock ‘Em Ova was offered by Rich Hill Stud in Book 2 of Karaka 2020, where he was purchased by the Rae family’s Northumberland Thoroughbreds for $26,000. View the full article

Te Akau Racing’s venture into Victoria continues to pay dividends, with four-year-old gelding Savoir Faire (NZ) (Savabeel) breaking through for his first metropolitan victory when successful at Caulfield on Saturday. The Mark Walker-trained son of Savabeel came from back in the field under apprentice Celine Gaudray to score a surprise victory in the Darren Gauci Handicap (2000m), his third win from 16 starts with a further six placings. Gaudray has ridden four winners from seven rides for Te Akau. “I galloped this horse the other day and thought he was well and truly over the odds,” she said. “He galloped super and I think he was ridden too far forward last start. “Today we drew a gate where we were able to come back and he was actually a bit keen with the blinkers on in behind. I just had to be patient and wait for my runs to open and luck came our way. “Since Te Akau have come here they have given me a lot of support including quite a few city winners. I really appreciate the support from the stable as they have really nice horses and they do a terrific job.” Savoir Faire’s win provided Te Akau Racing with their 15th Melbourne winner this season, with Walker’s Cranbourne Assistant trainer Ben Gleeson thrilled with the way things are tracking. “We thought that if we can have as many winners in a season as we’ve got boxes — which at the moment is still 20 — that would be the first good achievement in our first season,” he said. “But to have 15 of them as metro winners — I think that’s our 18th winner (overall) with a few months left — so if we can go past 20, it would be exceeding any expectation of any small base setting up regardless of the horses. “We haven’t just sent gun horses over. We’ve sent horses that have been low in the ratings, so that is probably the most satisfying thing.” While a few of those wins came from stable star Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), Savoir Faire started at $21 on Saturday and just seven days earlier former Perth-based galloper Midnight Blue (So You Think) scored his first win for the team at $11 at Caulfield. Walker’s 15 wins from just 52 city runners has him placed just outside the top 10 for trainers at metropolitan level in the state, with a strike rate of about 30 percent. Gleeson said the stable has hopes of scoring a few more victories in the two-and-a-half months until the end of the current season. “You’ll see a mare step out next Saturday called Puketiro (NZ) (Savabeel). She ran at Mornington first-up a couple of weeks ago and had no luck. She was behind a wall of horses on the bridle,” he said. “She’ll go to a fillies and mares’ race over 1200 metres down the straight. She’s a really nice mare. I think she’s won five from 10, so she’s a progressive filly for the winter.” He said a recent hurdle winner at Warrnambool will also step up to a bigger race next start. “Leaderboard (Street Cry) will go to the Australian Hurdle,” he said. “He had a trial at Traralgon yesterday to tick him over. We’re going to have a crack and see how we go. By Savabeel out of the O’Reilly mare Etiquette (NZ), Savoir Faire is a brother to dual Group Three winner Milford (NZ). Savoir Faire was purchased by David Ellis for a sales-topping $640,000 at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale from the draft of Ohukia Lodge. View the full article

The Andrew Forsman-trained Positivity (NZ) (Almanzor) proved a grade above her rivals when cruising to a near two-length victory in the SA Fillies Classic (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday. The daughter of Almanzor was sent out a $2.30 favourite after producing good closing sectionals in the Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) when ninth, and relished the rise in distance on Saturday. Ridden by Damian Lane, Positivity settled just worse of midfield on the rails and travelled like the winner a long way from home, with Lane’s biggest challenge to avoid those labouring in front of him. Lane nursed the big-framed filly around the home bend and made his move centre-track, comfortably reeling in fellow Kiwi Zambezi Khan (NZ) (Mongolian Khan), who finished second, with Gotta Go Guru (Fiorente) beaten five lengths in third. Forsman admitted he had hoped Positivity would be ridden more forward on Saturday, but after again stepping away slowly Lane had little option but to revert to plan B. “I spoke to Damian this morning and said to be mindful that she has run her better races rolling along being up on pace,” Forsman said. “That is how we wanted to do it today, but she bobbed in the air again when the gates opened today so he went to plan B and she was just the class horse of the field which got her out of trouble. But it was a good patient ride and stepping out to 2500m does help.” Forsman said it was likely Positivity would head for a well-earned break, having progressed from a Tauranga maiden winner in January to be a dual Group Three winner and runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). “I would think it is her last run for the preparation,” Forsman said. “She has done a lot. To go over to Melbourne and settle into a new environment plus two trips back and forth to Adelaide, she has done a very good job to get to this point and I think she can have four or five weeks in the paddock now before a spring preparation. “To be fair, this was her target race. Two weeks ago, she went into the Australasian Oaks off the back of a little bit of a freshen-up and a gap between runs. She boxed on okay but that run was always going to set her up well for today and thankfully it has worked out. “It is great for her owner Ben Kwok who puts a lot of investment into the industry in New Zealand and he is a good supporter of mine, so it is always great when you can get a result for him.” Positivity shapes as a nice staying prospect for the future with Forsman having good options at his disposal care of stables in both Cambridge and Flemington. “She is Group One placed in an Oaks which qualifies her for a few good races in the spring. Whether she is good enough, I guess we will find out,” he said. Owner Ben Kwok purchased Positivity for $160,000 out of the Woburn Farm draft during the Book 1 Yearling Sale at Karaka. The daughter of Almanzor was bred by the late Sir Patrick Hogan and Lady Justine Hogan along with Peter Walker. She is out of Walker’s Group One placegetter Pussy O’Reilly (NZ) (O’Reilly) and from an extended family that includes stakes winners Pussy Willow (NZ) (O’Reilly), Dopff (NZ) (Tights) and Valpolicella (NZ) (Red Ransom). Forsman is a fan of young Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor, with the Cambridge horseman set to be represented by another stakes-winning daughter of the sire in Moonlight Magic (NZ) (Almanzor) at the forthcoming Brisbane Winter Carnival. “I really like them (Almanzors) and we have been lucky enough to have had a few through the stable,” Forsman said. “They have got good attitudes. Their temperaments are good and they seem to just get better and better with time, which helps when you are trying to develop stayers.” View the full article

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Jason Warren‘s mare Benedetta produced a thrilling performance to capture the prestigious Group 1 $1 million The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday. 2024 The Goodwood winner Benedetta (pictured winning the RN Irwin) is Brisbane-bound for the Stradbroke Handicap. Photo: Jenny Barnes. This victory sets her sights on the upcoming Group 1 $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in Brisbane on June 15. Jockey Jamie Kah, fresh off her first Adelaide Group 1 win in the SA Derby last week, secured her second Group 1 victory of the carnival with a masterful ride aboard Benedetta. The progressive four-year-old mare ($6) had been building form with a win in the Group 3 RN Irwin Stakes and a close third in the Robert Sangster Stakes, both at Morphettville. In a tightly contested race, Kah expertly guided Benedetta, ensuring she had enough in the tank for a strong finish. The mare held off a late charge from Phillip Stokes‘ filly Stretan Angel ($31), ridden by Benedetta’s regular rider Daniel Stackhouse, to cross the line a head in front. Stokes ran second and third in this year’s The Goodwood trifecta, with his Robert Sangster winner Climbing Star ($20) third. Delighted trainer Warren wasted no time in outlining his future plans for Benedetta. “We’ll head north now and target the Stradbroke,” he declared after the race. This confirmation has seen Benedetta shorten significantly in all-in 2024 Stradbroke Handicap betting markets at Ladbrokes, now sitting at $21. Benedetta’s win in The Goodwood was a testament to her fighting spirit and Jamie Kah’s exceptional riding skills. The mare now sets her sights on a tilt at the prestigious Stradbroke Handicap, promising another chapter in her exciting racing journey. 2024 The Goodwood Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 7 BENEDETTA Jason Warren Ms Jamie Kah 3 55kg $6 2 17 STRETAN ANGEL Phillip Stokes Daniel Stackhouse 0.2L 7 52.5kg (cd 53kg) $31 3 3 CLIMBING STAR (NZ) Phillip Stokes Lachlan Neindorf 1.6L 13 56.5kg $20 4 6 I AM ME Ciaron Maher Blake Shinn 1.9L 1 55kg $5.50 5 15 OSCAR’S FORTUNE Dion Luciani William Pike 2.1L 8 53.5kg $6.50 6 8 ARKANSAW KID Ben, Will & JD Hayes Billy Egan 2.5L 15 54.5kg $31 7 11 WHAT YOU NEED Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Craig Williams 2.7L 11 54.5kg $26 8 4 SGHIRRIPA Shane & Cassie Oxlade Craig Newitt 2.7L 14 56kg $26 9 16 SKYBIRD Mitchell Freedman Beau Mertens 2.8L 5 53kg $11 10 13 GRINZINGER PRINCE Cody Reardon Ms Emily Finnegan 3.1L 10 54.5kg $201 11 9 JOHNNY ROCKER Nick Ryan Rhys McLeod 3.2L 12 54.5kg $7 12 2 AMELIA’S JEWEL Simon A Miller Damian Lane 3.4L 9 56.5kg $4.40F 13 10 RUBAMOS Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor Jacob Opperman 3.6L 2 54.5kg $201 14 5 EXTREMELY LUCKY Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea Jake Toeroek 4.2L 6 56kg $61 15 12 KARACASU Richard & Chantelle Jolly Jason Holder 4.8L 4 54.5kg $201 1 VILANA James Cummings Todd Pannell 0 14 LEARNING TO FLY Annabel Neasham Chad Schofield 0 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Benedetta Claims The Goodwood 2024, Eyes Stradbroke Glory appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Benedetta has taken out the Group 1 Goodwood at Morphettville. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Benedetta (+500) has claimed her first-career Group 1 success, as Jason Warren & Jamie Kah combined to secure victory in the Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday afternoon. It’s been a long-overdue accomplishment for the daughter of Hellbent, with her ultra-consistency finally paying dividends after three bold displays in Group 1 company this preparation. She finished off third best in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) on April 27, closing within a half-length of Climbing Star (+2000) to suggest she would be a major player in turning the tables on Saturday. It proved to be the case in the capable hands of Jamie Kah, slotting into a lovely position mid-field with cover throughout the journey, as I Am Me (+450) and Arkansaw Kid (+3300) battled it out for the early lead. Johnny Rocker (+600) and Oscar’s Fortune (+550) slotted into perfect stalking positions behind the speed, while the eventual trifecta trio were ridden to make a sprint down the centre of the course. Benedetta and Stretan Angel (+3000) surged to fight it out in the concluding stages, but when asked for the ultimate effort by Kah, it was Benedetta managing to get the head down despite a gallant performance in defeat by Stretan Angel. 2024 The Goodwood Replay – Benedetta An emotional Jason Warren was delighted with the win, suggesting that they may press on for a Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) tilt later in the winter. “Relieved to be honest,” said Warren. “Just wanted to get the job done for the horse and she’s been so gallant in defeat in good races and just to get that group one under the belt is a big relief and we’ll head north now and head towards the Stradbroke. “We’ve got a big group of owners, I must say to Caitlin Jones and Teegan Voorham who have done all the work with these girls since they’ve been here, these horses of mine… the local trainers here have been so welcoming, it’s been a terrific few weeks for us.” Jamie Kah picked up her second Group 1 win in Adelaide in as many weeks, as every went according to plan as she added the Goodwood to her growing resume of Group 1 wins. “It was exactly where I wanted to be,” said Kah. “Everything just happened perfectly for us. She’s a horse with so much talent and she’s just had things not go her way and today it was lined out perfectly for her. “She just got to the front a touch soon and she just waited with the blinkers on for the first time she couldn’t see anything around her, she was good once she could feel the horse coming to her again. I did think it would be easier than what it was in the end but she just couldn’t see that horse, but it worked out in the end. “It’s so special. I wanted that one group one and after one you want another one, you want to keep getting more and more. I’ve got a few more to beat Ben’s record for the Goodwoods but I’ll be back next year.” Benedetta is now a +1400 chance with online bookmakers for the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) on June 15. Horse racing news View the full article

En Francais has taken out the Group 3 Cummings Stakes at Morphettville. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) The Jake Stephens-trained En Francais (+1700) has shown a blistering turn-of-speed to claim victory in the Group 3 The Cummings Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville on Saturday afternoon. The daughter of Puissance De Lune hadn’t found the winners enclosure in over a year before Saturday’s breathtaking victory, as the six-year-old mare was forced to swoop the entire field from near-last turning for home. The David Aldridge-trained Chicago Storm (+900) left them all chasing in the middle stages, with the son of Trust In A Gust catching his rivals napping on the corner as Carleen Hefel pushed the button early. Sirileo Miss (+900) couldn’t match motors sitting outside the leader, and it looked to be all over as Chicago Storm bolted six lengths clear at the top of the straight. Jimmy The Bear (+240) appeared to be the only challenger with 200m left to travel as Chicago Storm hit a brick wall, but it was En Francais with a withering run under Lachlan Neindorf to secure victory in The Cummings Stakes. 2024 The Cummings Stakes Replay – En Francais It was a career highlight as a trainer for Jake Stephens which he spoke about in his post-race assessment of his mare. “That was exciting,” said Stephens. “We didn’t know where we’d end up and she was a bit tardy away, last start she was very relaxed like that too, she’s the sort of horse we’ve put forward on speed and then today they ran along which obviously helped us out but to come from where she did, out of the picture we were sort of ‘what’s happening here’ we left it up to Lachie (Neindorf) and he’s pulled it off which is great. “We had her in three weeks early and then she had a hiccup, she had some mud fever and we just couldn’t get rid of it, we tried and tried and that way we ended up in the Queen Of The South first up without a jump out or a barrier trial, so huge run there to run fifth and just done track gallops, she’d only galloped with another horse once. “We were really happy with that and we knew today she was just firing. “Great horse, one of those things, bit of pressure, bloody happy we got the win. “When those horses you know they’re good but they not quite getting there, she doesn’t travel interstate, we’re like ‘oh god, come on’ sort of thing and then when they do this you’re sort of like ‘finally’.” Horse racing news View the full article

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Hezashocka (NZ) (Shocking) relished the heavy track at Newcastle to break a 22-month hiatus from the winner’s stall in the Listed Gosford Gold Cup (2200m). Stable representative Ben Elam said he was delighted to see rain lashing Newcastle, knowing it would play to the strength of the six-year-old son of Shocking. “He’s a horse that, the more rain the better, so when we were sitting in the pub last night having a beer and talking about the races and the Newcastle trots got abandoned, we were pretty confident that we were going to get the track that we wanted,” Elam said. “We did a few things with him since his last start and kept him nice and fresh. “I told (jockey) Chad (Schofield) to wake him up in the barriers and see if he’d jump and he gave us something today to work with. “He was able to settle midfield rather than be right out the back where the race is over before it’s started.” Schofield gave Hezashocka the run of the race off the speed and with cover, although his good work almost came undone when a couple of the horses ahead of him began to weaken quickly before the home turn. Schofield was able to manoeuvre Hezashocka ($4) into the clear and set out after Rachel King aboard Sir Lucan ($21), who had skipped away to a good lead halfway up the straight. “I thought maybe Rachel King, she was off and gone, but when I got him into the clear he really quickened nicely with 54 (kilos) on his back,” Schofield said. “He’s a noted mudlark and it was a good win.” Hezashocka scored by three-quarters of a length with Double Cherry (Make Believe) ($26) best of the rest, almost six lengths away. Fellow Kiwi import Goldman (NZ) (Verdi) started a $2.60 favourite and led as expected, but he had no answer when challenged and finished almost seven lengths astern of the winner. Elam says Hezashocka will now head north for the Brisbane Winter Carnival where he holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in a fortnight. Hezashocka began his career with Shaun and Emma Clotworthy and won the Gr.2 Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie before OTI Racing bought into the horse. Originally purchased at Karaka for $18,000 out of the draft of Grangewilliam Stud, Hezashocka has now won four of his 30 starts with a further eight placings and A$1,248,203 in prizemoney. View the full article

Boognish has taken out the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) It was a grandstand finish in the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) as the Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea-trained Boognish (+1000) got the head down in a blanket finish at Morphettville on Saturday afternoon. She had it all to do from barrier 16, with local superstar jockey Jamie Kah electing to drag back towards the rear of the field, leaving the speed battle up front. Wonderful Tonight (+2000) and Tropicconi (+4000) burst clear to the top to set the Morphettville course alight, setting a hot tempo throughout the 1200m, allowing some of the key chances to come into play in the concluding stages. Laced Up Heels (+700) surged to the lead and looked to have them all covered before a wall of horses mounted a late challenge to the wire. Grey River (+600), Right To Party (+1000) and Atlantic Spirit (+6000) were spread across the track and all had claims as the winning post approached, but in the end it was Jamie Kah and Boognish getting the head down where it mattered most, while the former trio produced some terrific dividends for exotic players. It was all about the winner in the end as Boognish made a sustained run from the rear of the field to chalk up career her first black-type win at start 12. 2024 Proud Miss Stakes Replay – Boognish Co-trainer Will Clarken was on course to breakdown the victory and credited and expert steer by Jamie Kah before alluding to what might be next for Boognish. “She deserved to get her black type win,” said Clarken. “Obviously it’s come on a big day, we really stepped off her for a while after she didn’t find the line over 1500 (metres), applied a huge amount of pressure this week and really screwed her down for today and it paid off. “I gave Jamie no instructions today, didn’t know whether to chance her arm and try and get outside lead or let her balance up and I thought after a couple of hops she was going to go forward and then she got back in a beautiful rhythm, she’s just worth so much. “With the farm we can back off them without going to the paddock, if she does it’d only be for a short amount of time and then logical would be she’d come back for the Spring Stakes and plan something out for Melbourne.” Jamie Kah was elated with the victory and spoke to the mares’ exceptional turn-of-foot. “It was quite funny because the one thing Will said not to do is just don’t give her a squeeze because she’s flying,” said Kah. “I gave her a squeeze because she was taking a while to pick up and she just took off, and I was five, ten, twenty wide around the home corner and she wasn’t entitled to win that and she won super. “I’ve won on her here before, she ducked up on the inside, her turn of foot is massive and I think this trip really suits her, I know they stretched her out but I think keeping her fresh and keeping her at this trip, if she runs like that every time, I think they’re doing something right.” Horse racing news View the full article

Scarlet Oak is Queensland bound after a strong win at Newcastle Photo: Steve Hart Former New Zealander Scarlet Oak has rocketed to the second line of betting in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) following an easy victory at Newcastle. Having just her second start in Australia and third overall, the three-year-old filly made light work of her opponents in Saturday’s Signarama Erina/Gosford Handicap (1600m) to all but confirm a trip north. Partnered by champion apprentice Zac Lloyd, the Chris Waller-trained Scarlet Oak ($2.30 fav) zipped through along the inside and was eased down on the line to score by 2.5 lengths over Nana’s Wish ($5) with Piggyback ($15) third. “I’d say she has booked a trip up to Queensland,” said Damien Fitton, representing the Waller stable. “Leave it to Chris, but she is probably on an Oaks path, as we’ve thought all along. “She is a quality filly, so it was a great win today.” Bookmakers responded quickly to the performance, tightening Scarlet Oak from $15 into a $6 equal second favourite for the Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on June 8. By Kermadec, the same sire as multiple Group 1 winner Montefilia, Scarlet Oak was an impressive Matamata winner for Ken and Bev Kelso before prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir won the bidding war to secure the prized filly privately. Scarlet Oak made an immediate impression for Waller, finishing runner-up to stablemate Konasana in the Group 3 James H B Carr Stakes (1400m) at her local debut. Fitton said she presented as a fitter horse on Saturday and comfortably handled the heavy track conditions. “She got through it last start where she probably just got tired the last 50m because she was first-up in Australia and her stablemate beat her, but the form has been good since,” he said. “It’s good signs going forward with a bit of rain up in Queensland.” Scarlet Oak brought up an early double for Lloyd, who won the opening race at Newcastle aboard the James Cummings-trained Pisces. Lloyd said that while Scarlet Oak was only lightly framed, she gave him the feel of a well above-average horse. “She is a level above these at the moment,” Lloyd said. Scarlet Oak is likely to have her next start in the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on May 25 as a lead-up to the Queensland Oaks. Horse racing news View the full article

Positivity has taken out the Group 3 SA Fillies Classic at Morphettville. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) It was a one-act affair in the Group 3 SA Fillies Classic (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday afternoon, with the Andrew Forsman-trained Positivity (+130) bolting clear to claim the $170,000 prize. She put the writing on the wall in her latest outing in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) on April 27 and appeared to want to stretch out over further after closing off impressively. It was a patient ride by Damian Lane, letting the speed go as it became a true best of staying ability over the 2500m, suiting the racing style of this progressive daughter of Almanzor. Two rank outsiders ensured a genuine tempo throughout, as Quadtratic (+8000) and You Oughta Know (+25000) fought to gain the early lead, with the leading pair tussling throughout the journey. It gave the Patrick Payne-trained Zambezi Khan (+650) the perfect run in transit, stalking the leading pair every step of the way. Billy Egan peeled Zambezi Khan out four-wide turning for home and looked to be travelling best, but Damian Lane was only starting to surge aboard Positivity, careering over the top to score by 1.7 lengths. 2024 SA Fillies Classic Replay – Positivity No stable representative for the Andrew Foresman barn was on course, but Damian Lane was glowing in his post-race assessment of his filly. “She just stepped a half-length slow which put plan A out the window and just had to ride her conservative and just got into the race at the right time,” Lane said. “You know riding one of Andrew’s horses they’re going to be really fit and I just put her into the race and she did the rest. “We wanted to be in the first four so it put us on the back foot, I rode her reverse but got the result and that’s what counts. “Very good effort to hold her form as long as she has this preparation, credit to Andrew and his team for keeping her up and well for that long.” Horse racing news View the full article

Bella Waters winning the Listed Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup (2200m) at Arawa Park on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Well-related Cambridge Stud mare Bella Waters was thrown in at the deep end for Saturday’s Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m), but she proved that she belonged at black-type level with a highly valuable win. Bred and raced by Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Bella Waters is by Sacred Falls out of the Irish-bred mare But Beautiful. That makes her a half-sister to Immediacy, a classy Melbourne three-year-old who won this season’s Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield. Bella Waters made her debut only seven months ago, finishing fourth over 1200m at Tauranga on October 18. The four-year-old has come a long way in a short time since then, scoring a maiden win at Ruakaka and a Rating 65 victory at New Plymouth before stepping up to the big time in her ninth career start in Saturday’s $100,000 staying feature. Jockey Masa Hashizume took up a midfield position in eighth as Roger That and Enright set a moderate pace out in front. The speed increased when Langkawi surged forward and took over around the 1000m mark, but Hashizume had Bella Waters travelling comfortably and began to creep closer coming down the side of the track. Bella Waters was full of running at the home turn but had a wall of horses in front of her. Hashizume spotted a narrow opening four off the rail around the 250m mark, and Bella Waters pinned her ears back and charged through. Bella Waters hit the lead with 100m remaining and kept going strongly to maintain a half-length advantage over the late-finishing Aljay and Elegant Lady. Bella Waters has now had nine starts for three wins, a placing and $89,770 in stakes. “This mare has just improved with every single run,” said Moira Murdoch, who trains in partnership with her daughter Kieran. “She’s so honest. “She had a bit of weight relief today with 53kg and just got a beautiful run in transit. When she came up behind all those other horses coming up to the straight, I was just hoping we’d get a run through them. Once she got through, she really stretched out and won well. “She’s definitely a very nice staying prospect, and she’s done a huge amount in just one preparation. I’ll talk to Brendan and Jo about what we do next, but I’d imagine she’ll go out to the paddock now and we’ll wait for next season.” Bella Waters joins Immediacy as the second stakes winner among four foals to race out of But Beautiful, all of which have been winners. Horse racing news View the full article

Karman Line (inside) gets the better of La Crique in Saturday’s Group 3 Rotorua ITM Stakes (1400m) at Arawa Park. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Red-hot rider Masa Hashizume added further plaudits to an already outstanding season when he piloted Karman Line to a deserved victory in the Group 3 Rotorua ITM Stakes (1400m) on Saturday. Hashizume has already smashed his previous season’s best winning tally of 33 victories set in the 2021/2022 racing year with a current total of 53 wins at the close of play on Saturday, including seven stakes victories which includes the win by Karman Line as well as that of Bella Waters who had earlier taken out the Listed Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup (2200m). In a carbon copy of his Rotorua Cup ride, Hashizume allowed the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-prepared daughter of Myboycharlie to find her feet near the rear before sneaking runs near the rail approaching the home bend. As the field fanned across the track, Karman Line found clear air three off the rail and charged to the lead before holding out the heavily backed favourite La Crique ($2.10) by a head with Imprevu finishing strongly out wide to shade Mary Shan for third. Scott was pleased to see his charge get the win after being narrowly beaten in her previous start where she was run down late by Freeze Frame over the same distance at Te Rapa. “They are winning close in so we thought there was no point in going wide,” Scott said. “She had got away on us a little and just peaked on her run last time, but she has had a really good fortnight since. “La Crique has had every chance to pick her up and she has pinned her ears back and fought her off. “This mare has really hit a sweet spot as she has had other campaigns where she never held her condition, but she has really muscled up now and her best racing is still in front of her. “She is a really talented mare who has shown glimpses from time to time and its fantastic for a loyal bunch of owners who have shown great patience.” Horse racing news View the full article

Rocababy winning at New Plymouth on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) An emphatic front-running win at New Plymouth on Saturday hinted at a lucrative winter campaign over the next few months for Rocababy. Most of the highlights of the Hawera mare’s career have come on her favoured rain-affected footing, including a victory over subsequent Group 1 winner Romancing The Moon in the Listed O’Learys Fillies’ Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui as a three-year-old. Rocababy faced only three opponents in Saturday’s The Rock (1400m), and jockey Lisa Allpress took the race by the scruff of the neck. She went straight to the lead as soon as the gates opened, then dictated terms in front before quickening and scooting away just before the home turn. Home-track mare Sumi chased bravely down the New Plymouth straight, but Rocababy showed no sign of slowing down and crossed the finish line a length and three-quarters in front. “She just jumped so easily, got to the front, stacked them and then off we went,” Allpress said. “I thought she went a really good race at Wanganui last start, but she was slow away and just got into the wrong position against a bigger field. She still ran on really well for second. She’s done it very easily today. “I think she could go up to a mile in this campaign. They tried last season, but she was still quite weak. She’s still not a very big mare, but I feel like she’s strengthened up and she can tick along on these wet tracks.” The four-year-old daughter of El Roca has now had 18 starts for five wins, four seconds and $144,795 in stakes for her Taranaki owner-breeder Graham Meredith. Rocababy is trained at Hawera by Anna Clement. “The 1400m was a question mark today, but she’s seen that out well,” Clement said. “Lisa is one of the top jockeys in the country, and she rode her a treat. We’re really happy. “I’d like to think we could run this mare in some nice races through the winter now, but we have no plans as yet. We’ll take it day by day. She’s really sound and everything like that, so we’ll have a look at the book tomorrow and pencil something in.” View the full article

Flyer winning previously at Sandown. (Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Craig Williams & Jason Warren have combined to claim the two-year-old feature at Morphettville on Saturday afternoon, as Flyer (+360) burst clear to claim victory in the Group 3 David Coles AM Stakes (1200m). The daughter of Exceedance showed a blistering turn-of-foot in the concluding stages after getting a terrific ride in transit by the star hoop, timing his run to perfection on the back of the leader. It was the Phillip Stokes-trained The Dabble Effect (+1100) attempting to make every post a winner, with Daniel Stackhouse launching across from barrier five, ticking over some solid sectionals to maintain her early margin. The drifting second-favourite Symphony Of Colour (+290) tried to kick up the inside to hold out The Dabble Effect, but it never eventuated, as she couldn’t muster the early toe settling for cover in behind the speed. Karavas (+250) was forced to make a mid-race move under Jake Toeroek, and it almost paid off as the Jolly-trained two-year-old hit the front with 200m left to travel. There was only one challenger left late, and as Flyer got the split, she shouldn’t sensational acceleration to score an impressive half-length victory. 2024 David Cole Am Stakes Replay – Flyer Jason Warren was on course at Morphettville to praise his filly, although it wasn’t as easy as he would’ve liked. “It wasn’t exactly painless,” said Warren. “It was held up getting to the corner there and we were very patiently waiting for a run. Tough effort late, she really surged to the horse that was well in front of her outside her and a tough effort to come back on the inside. “We’ve pretty much put her to the sword this prep and she’s kept soldiering on, we sort of put her in the deep end at her second start she’s in a Blue Diamond. “We got over here to try and get some crucial black type for her being a filly and she’s shown up today and won a good little race.” Craig Williams wasn’t as concerned throughout the run, suggesting she had come on well since her last start effort a fortnight ago. “I was happy in run,” said Williams. “Thanks to Jason and his team, the people looking after the horse while she’s over here, to get her here two weeks later, she’d come on and we could see it today in her performance. Now she’s a black type winning filly, it’s great for Rosemont. “She was good to fight the further we got into the race, fortunately for me I had the horse to be able to pick up and she was quite solid late.” Horse racing news View the full article

Fancify cruises to victory at Caulfield under Jaylah Kennedy. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli While the feature race focus has been on Adelaide over the past few weeks, South Australian trainer Michael Hickmott sent handy four-year-old mare Fancify to Caulfield where she scored a comfortable victory in the Rod Griffiths Handicap (1400m). The daughter of Niagara was perfectly ridden by in-form apprentice Jaylah Kennedy comfortably finding the lead and controlling the tempo throughout before kicking away from her rivals in the home straight. It was the ninth metropolitan winner this season for Kennedy, daughter of Wingatui-based trainers Terry and Debbie Kennedy. “I ran the race to suit my horse out in front. That’s the way she likes to do it and it makes things a lot easier,” Kennedy said. “She’s very tractable. When I asked her to come back underneath me, she did that instantly and it helped us have plenty of petrol in the tank late. “I just had to ride my race to suit my horse. I think if a runner had come up outside me at the top of the straight, I still would have won, maybe even by a bit further. She is still only lightly raced, and she had a fair look around in front.” Bred and raced by well-known New Zealand racing photographer Trish Dunell, Fancify has now won four of her nine career starts, with a further three runner-up finishes. The mare began her career in New Zealand where she was a trial winner for Levin trainer Ilone Kelly. Dunell remains a shareholder in Fancify’s sire Niagara, a Group 2 winning son of Encosta de Lago, who stands at Vicki Wilson’s Hau Ora Farm in Kahuranaki, south of Hastings. Out of Laced Up, a Keeninsky half-sister to Group 1 winners Jimmy Choux and Miss Wilson, Fancify is a sibling to three other winners including Unlaced, who was fourth in the Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2100m). New Zealand breeders tasted early success at Caulfield, with the Oaks Stud bred and raced He’s Beset landing the third victory of his career when narrowly prevailing in the Ian Miller Handicap (1400m) for trainer Nick Ryan. By Darci Brahma out of Group Two winner Obsession, He’s Beset is a full brother to Group 2 winner and multiple Group One placegetter Harlech. Horse racing news View the full article

Geriatrix winning at Arawa Park on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Wexford Stables’ Queensland contingent will receive some reinforcements in the coming weeks following Geriatrix’s win in the Van Dyk’s 3YO 1400 at Arawa Park on Saturday. The three-year-old son of Almanzor was on trial to join stablemates Molly Bloom and Tomodachi across the Tasman, and secured his plane ticket with a comfortable 1.75 length triumph. He was taken back early to settle third last for jockey Sam Spratt, who bided her time before asking her charge to improve four-wide from the 500m mark. Turning for home, Geriatrix only had Fashion Icon and Charmer before him and he comfortably ranged up alongside his rivals, kicking clear in the concluding stages to record his third career victory form nine starts. Andrew Scott, who trains the colt in partnership with Lance O’Sullivan, was trackside on Saturday to witness the result and was rapt with the outcome. “She (Spratt) judged it pretty well,” Scott said. “She took off and had to make a run early, exposed him but he sustained a really nice, long gallop there. “It was just good to see him quickening away because they didn’t go a real gallop and it’s hard to do that here early in the day with not a lot of speed on. It was a good win.” Spratt was pleased with the result and said she was comfortable throughout, with her charge proving too classy in the end. “He jumped pretty well but I thought I would pop him in there behind them, I was happy with where we were,” she said. “There wasn’t a huge amount of speed, that is why I didn’t want to get the rail runners away on me too much on the corner, which they can do here. But he cruised into it and kicked away really easy. “I thought if we was thereabouts on the corner, he would be pretty hard to run down, which he was, and then he kicked away in the last 200m.” Scott was pleased to see Geriatrix return to winning form, having finished fifth and seventh respectively in the Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) and Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) in his last two outings. “He has shown real glimpses of ability from time-to-time,” he said. “We got a foot problem with him over Christmas- New Year and ducked away for about six weeks with him and reset. “He has had a good autumn, but he has lacked a lot of luck in the Wellington Guineas and then the Breeders’ a fortnight ago, he was getting off the track and not really seeing the race, but his sectionals have been amazing all season. There is a good bit of ability there.” Geriatrix will now head to Brisbane where Wexford have highlighted the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) and Group 3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m) as two potential targets next month. “The team is confident we can take him to Australia,” Scott said. “He would probably need a bit of give over there to bring them back to him a touch so he can really compete, but he is a colt that has handled a long season well, he has got great powers of recovery, and he is a sound colt, so he should go over there and hopefully perform well.” Horse racing news View the full article

Trainer Phil Cole and veteran jockey Wayne Davis, who are both recovering from serious injury, celebrating success during a Darwin race meeting at Fannie Bay. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Fotofinish Racepix) Every chance trainer Phil Cole and stable rider Wayne Davis will be watching the Darwin races on TV from home on Saturday. The pair are recovering from serious injuries sustained this past week. Cole was in the process of repairing an airbag in his truck when it exploded into his chest at full force, resulting in six broken ribs. A few years ago, Cole escaped serious injury after a horse transporter carrying 10 horses flipped 110km south of Marla near the NT-SA border. He also broke his pelvis in three places in a track work accident at Alice Springs. Last Saturday, Davis came to grief when he was thrown from a horse during track work. It was his third serious accident at Fannie Bay after being part of a three-horse fall during the 2021 Darwin Cup Carnival and when he was dislodged during track work in late 2022 when a plover struck his horse. “It was around 6am, I was about to put my horse through his paces when he started buck jumping,” Davis said. “The bucking became more severe, then he did a right hand turn on me. “All of a sudden, I was catapulted into the air before landing awkwardly on the flat of my back. “I thought I was in trouble and from the initial shock of the impact I thought I had broken my spine. “I had never experienced so much pain in 37 years of riding.” Davis remained motionless until an ambulance arrived to transport him to Royal Darwin Hospital. The 53-year-old suffered five fractured ribs and spinal damage to his T11 vertebrae. He avoided surgery, but he won’t be back riding for at least six months. After six days in hospital, Davis is now recuperating at home. “It’s going to be a long road back as far as my recovery is concerned,” he said. “There will be physio, as well as acqa-therapy as I strive to regain my fitness. “This is my worst career injury, but I am in a good head space because I consider myself to be very lucky. “It could have been a hell of lot worse when you’re dealing with the spine. “Although I’ll miss the Darwin Cup Carnival this year, the aim is to look after myself and eventually support the Cole stable any way I can.” Davis wasn’t sure if Cole would be at Fannie Bay on Saturday to attend to the 10 horses that will represent the stable on the five-event program. “I wish Phil a speedy recovery, I’ll try and visit him on Friday,” he said. “I’m sure his wife Rhonda and long-serving stable-hand Tanya Reichstein will do a good job at the races if Phil stays at home.” The Cole stable have decent chances on Saturday with Soul Spirit (Race 1), Awen (Race 2), Star Magnum (Race 3), Miami Vice (Race 4) and Exceedingly Magic (Race 5) bound to be competitive. Cole was unavailable for comment, while Davis joins fellow Top End jockeys Paul Shiers and Adam Nicholls on the sideline with long term injury. Davis had a stint in Geraldton from October-January before returning to the Top End. Horse racing news View the full article

Edited Press Release The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) requests participation from Thoroughbred trainers and owners in the research phase of the AAEP's initiative to assist with the implementation of wearable biometric sensors to improve early detection of musculoskeletal injuries. In November 2023, the AAEP Racing Committee released a Request for Proposal (RFP) soliciting proposals from applicants for a joint project involving the development and application of wearable biometric sensor technologies that would be employed on all Thoroughbreds for all races and recorded workouts in the U.S. From 12 submissions received in response, six companies have been invited to submit a full-scale proposal detailing their implementation plan for meeting the AAEP's requirements for the “proof of principle,” or validation phase, of the initiative. Each company moving forward in the process has been asked to recruit 100 two-year-old Thoroughbreds to wear their sensor from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025. Data will be collected on each horse during this period and analyzed to determine accuracy of the sensor. Due to the large number of two-year-olds in training and racing that will be required to successfully test six unique sensors, the AAEP encourages racing managers to consider participating in this effort as sensor manufacturers begin recruiting horses for the project. “We are very excited for the next phase as it brings the sport much closer to utilizing this emerging technology as another important tool in injury detection and prevention,” said Dr. Sara Langsam, AAEP Racing Committee chair. “This effort benefits the entire industry, and we hope trainers and owners will embrace the opportunity to participate.” For more information, contact Sally Baker, AAEP director of marketing and public relations, at sbaker@aaep.org. The post AAEP Project for Wearable Biometric Sensor Development Advances appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunrise at Old Hilltop, an event which offers fans a chance to take a behind-the-scenes walking tour of Pimlico Race Course, will once again be part of the Preakness week lineup in 2024, it was announced via presser Friday. Admission is free to the tours–which run on a first-come, first-served basis between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m. from Tuesday, May 14 through Friday, May 17–and patrons can sign up at the registration tent on the track apron. It will not be required to register ahead of time in order to take a tour. In addition to enjoying the sunrise, fans will watch horses work on the track before meeting them up close; meet and greet horsemen; and learn some Preakness history. Tours begin with a jockey demonstration and stops along the way include the jockeys' room, the Pimlico stakes barn, and a visit to the track blacksmith, concluding inside the grandstand for a discussion on aftercare with representatives from Beyond The Wire, the Thoroughbred Makeover Project, and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Parking for the Sunrise at Old Hilltop tours is in the Rogers Avenue lot at the intersection of Northern Parkway and Woodcrest Avenue. Fans are encouraged to arrive early as spots fill up quickly. The lot will be closed and locked promptly at 10:00 a.m. More information can be found on the Preakness website. The post Sunrise at Old Hilltop Highlights Preakness Week Festivities appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It's not quite the Chicago Bulls of the Michael Jordan era, but a look at the recent history of the $175,000 Beaugay Stakes (G3T) might give a similar impression. Trainer Chad Brown has won five of the last six editions. 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 the return of a 'TDN Rising Star'. 14.15 Chantilly, Cond, €28,000, 3yo, 12fT DELIUS (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who earned TDN Rising Star status on debut at ParisLongchamp last month, reappears over the distance of the G1 Grand Prix de Paris for which he holds an engagement. Coolmore and Westerberg's 675,000gns Tattersalls December Foal Sale graduate, who is a full-brother to the Royal Ascot winner Juan Elcano (GB), is kept in conditions company for now by Jean-Claude Rouget and meets five rivals including the filly Paraiba (Fr) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani's Francis-Henri Graffard-trained granddaughter of Pearly Shells (GB) (Efisio {GB}) who was an impressive debut scorer at Deauville in November. The post TDN Rising Star Delius Takes The Next Step At Chantilly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article