Wandering Eyes

Adrian Keatley is exploring the idea of stepping Ballymount Boy (Ire) (Camacho {GB}) out in trip this season. A classy juvenile last year, Ballymount Boy was snapped up mid-season by Wathnan Racing after he finished second to unbeaten star Vandeek (GB) (Vandeek {GB}) in the G2 Richmond S. at Goodwood. The Greenham S. and the Craven S. have been put forward as possible targets by Keatley, who reported his charge to be raring to go for the new season. Keatley said, “James Doyle is going to come and sit on him next week and we will finalise plans closer to the time, but the Greenham is a possibility I think, or he could end up going to Newmarket in April.” The trainer added, “He's a fine horse, he looks more like a seven-furlong horse or a miler this year. Last year he was built like a big, strong, sprinting two-year-old – I think he's leaner this time around and hopefully he can keep progressing from where he is now. “We were happy to finish off the season how we did with him last year and we're hoping he can pick up where he left off.” The post Greenham Stakes Return An Option For Adrian Keatley’s Ballymount Boy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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

Exciting young sires Space Traveller and Sands Of Mali have been transferred from Ballyhane Stud to Micheal Orlandi's Starfield Stud for the remainder of the 2024 breeding season. A statement released by Dullingham Park on Tuesday read, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Space Traveller and Sands Of Mali, formerly at Ballyhane Stud, have been relocated to stand the remainder of the 2024 season at Micheal Orlandi's Starfield Stud in Mullingar [County Westmeath]. “Space Traveller is in his second season covering and reports of his first foals are exceptional. His fee remains at €6,500. Sands Of Mali has his first crop of runners this year and his fee remains at €5,000.” The statement continued, “All enquiries and covering bookings must be made to Micheal Orlandi – 083 8092299 or micheal@compasequine.co.uk.” The post Space Traveller And Sands Of Mali Relocated To Starfield Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last weekend represented a staging post on the Derby trail, a chance not only to reflect on some rather puzzling sophomore skirmishes, to this point, but also to celebrate fulfilments that remain far more pertinent to the vast majority of Thoroughbreds. After all, very few get anywhere near testing their eligibility for the Classics and few others, certainly among the male of the species, will contrive a second career from such opportunities as remain once they have missed that one. That's why purses are so important. Otherwise racehorse ownership would depend entirely on an ancillary industry that annually divides access to a bare handful of colts and a contrasting surfeit of mares, many of them only marginally qualified. First and foremost, all these horses are born–and bought–to run. Hats off, then, to a 6-year-old gelding whose popularity now extends far beyond the local theater he has long dominated. Following a 16th success in 21 starts, in the GIII San Carlos S., The Chosen Vron (Vronsky) has now banked a few cents short of $1.3 million. Trained by the former private detective Eric Kruljac, he's a great story, and surely making new fans on a circuit that has done a fabulous job in enabling our community to go back out and face Main Street with a clear conscience. But perhaps this horse can also remind those who treat the racetrack as a means, rather than an end, that precocity is too often conflated by commercial breeders with elite speed. Sure, he romped on his juvenile debut (albeit on Dec. 27). But it's actually in maturity, as in his own Grade I breakout last summer, that speed validly signposts class. Classic racing is itself considered instructive for breeders precisely because it requires the adolescent Thoroughbred to carry speed into tasks only within the compass of a strengthening physique. And, even round a single turn, we've just awarded yet another Horse of the Year trophy to one that was anything but precocious. In that context, it's a shame that The Chosen Vron can't recycle his exceptional dash, character and soundness. True, he would never have introduced us to those qualities but for the discovery that a displaced testicle was interfering with his athleticism. But his late sire Vronsky, who died three years ago, deserved to leave a male heir. That's not just because Vronsky had a proven ability to pass on wholesome genes: his 2018 crop, comprising no more than 43 live foals, includes not only The Chosen Vron but another indefatigable millionaire in four-time Grade II winner Closing Remarks; while his first Grade I winner, What a View, spread his eight-for-31 career across six campaigns. It's also because there's no mystery whatsoever where Vronsky found such prowess. With only a modestly competent track career, featuring a maiden and a couple of allowance wins, he instead owed his chance at stud to pedigree and physique. Consigned by co-breeder Arthur Hancock of Stone Farm, he'd been a seven-figure Keeneland September yearling in 2000, his inherent appeal–as a son of Danzig out of multiple turf stakes scorer Words of War (Lord At War {Arg})–having been enhanced just days previously by the GI Del Mar Oaks success of his half-sister No Matter What (Nureyev). But his family tree would subsequently go into full bloom. First the foal between No Matter What and Vronsky, a $1.35-million yearling by Mr. Prospector, as E Dubai ran second in the GI Travers S. and won the GII Suburban H. Then a full-sister to Words of War, the graded stakes winner Ascutney, became dam of GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Raven's Pass, while No Matter What produced Rainbow View (Dynaformer) to become a dual Group 1 winner in Europe, besides three other graded/group winners. On paper Vronsky didn't have much to work with in The Chosen Vron's dam, Tiz Molly (Tiz Wonderful). She had cost Kruljac $25,000 as a yearling and was retained at just $1,200 when offered at a breeding stock sale, despite having meanwhile won twice in a career cut short by injury. But she did have some blood behind her, her mother being half-sister to Canadian champion Delightful Mary (Limehouse) and GII Ohio Derby winner Delightful Kiss (Kissin Kris), as well as to the dam of Wilson Tesoro (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), a Group 1 runner-up in Japan last year. We'll never know whether The Chosen Vron might have been an effective conduit for genes that have functioned so well on the track. But even his “page” won't ever be his sire's best–because that will always be found among those that make Count Vronsky's dramatic steeplechase scene, in Anna Karenina, one of the most famous in Russian literature. Another Noble Family Denied an Outlet In a horrible shock, last weekend also reduced a young stallion to a legacy only marginally beyond that available to the gelding whose more cheerful headlines we've just been celebrating. And the loss of Improbable felt all the more poignant because he, too, represented a family loaded with just the kind of genetic assets that the modern breed most requires. For it can hardly be a coincidence that a page with Hard Spun front and center should have given us a horse whose juvenile Grade I success turned out only to be a downpayment for what he would achieve in maturity, when a hat-trick of elite scores qualified Improbable as champion older horse. Hard Spun is half-brother to the second dam of Improbable, their mother Turkish Tryst (Turkoman) in turn being out of Darbyvail, a Roberto half-sister to champion Little Current (Sea-Bird {Fr}). Can't miss the Darby Dan flavors here and, sure enough, the next dam is the farm's matriarch Banquet Bell (Polynesian), who delivered two champions by Swaps in Primonetta and Chateaugay. Primonetta proceeded to become a Broodmare of the Year, as dam of two Grade I winners and another pair at Grade II/Group 2 level. Yet her branch of the dynasty has faded, while Darbyvail's modest record both on the track and in the paddocks would instead be relieved by a daughter of Turkoman, of all horses. In much the same way, Hard Spun's brilliance found little reflection in his siblings. A filly by Stravinsky named Our Rite of Spring did win a stakes race, however, earning her early chances with top stallions including A.P. Indy. By the time the latter's daughter had produced Improbable, however, Our Rite of Spring had been sold for just $5,000 to finish her career in Colorado. Obviously his damsire A.P. Indy can only have contributed usefully to Improbable, and likewise his own late sire, City Zip–whose prospects of salvaging the Carson City line now appear to be divided between the very promising Collected (three Grade II winners from his first sophomores last year, and now a leading GI Kentucky Oaks prospect in Lemon Muffin) and the three crops granted to poor Improbable. His imminent first runners will represent a crop of 127 live foals; the next comprised 99; and presumably the last full one will be rather less. Overall that gives Improbable only a fleeting window of opportunity, and our hearts go out to the WinStar team, who first committed to the horse all the way back as a Keeneland September yearling. Thankfully the royal Darby Dan genes that brand his family still have a priceless outlet through Danzig's parting gift, Hard Spun. Except he's not priceless, of course. At $35,000, Hard Spun remains among the very best value in Kentucky–where he now has four young sons (Silver State, Aloha West, Two Phil's and Spun to Run) competing to redress this weekend's tragic loss to a family that has condensed toughness as well as brilliance. …And Another Hardy Perennial On 15 April 2018, barely two weeks after The Chosen Vron was foaled in California, on the opposite coast a colt by Munnings slithered into the straw on a small Maryland farm. His mother, Listen Boy (After Market), had been stakes-placed in a fairly light career for her breeders at neighboring Sagamore, but was culled from that program for just $25,000 at the 2015 Keeneland November Sale. Earlier that year she had delivered her first foal, a son of First Defence (whose purchasers showed macabre humor–remember the mare is called Listen Boy–in naming him Nuclear Option) who would go on to prove a hardy 11-for-59 campaigner. A couple of years later the mare's purchasers, Leonard and Patricia Pineau of Three Pines Farm, shrewdly sent her to Munnings who was then still building his reputation at $25,000. (The Ashford sire, albeit seemingly in perennial vogue, stands on the brink of fresh momentum with his forthcoming yearlings conceived at $85,000, more than double the previous crop.) The resulting colt was sold at Keeneland September for $80,000, proving a solid pinhook for Grassroots Training & Sales at $140,000 at OBS the following April. Named Jaxon Traveler by purchasers West Point Thoroughbreds, he was precocious enough to be an unbeaten stakes winner at two, but his GIII Whitmore S. success confirms him to be better than ever in his fifth campaign. That makes him an apt winner of the race honoring an evergreen sprinter who, in his own career, similarly reminded us that Thoroughbreds tend not to approach their physical prime until long after the age when the best are often retired. The big difference between Jaxon Traveler and Whitmore or The Chosen Vron, of course, is that he retains the equipment required for a second career. So perhaps he'll emulate his grandsire Speightstown as a late starter at stud somewhere. For a dual Grade I winner by a sire of sires out of Tranquility Lake (Rahy), After Market was a disappointing stallion and ended up in Turkey. But his daughter has here been skilfully managed to produce some very sound stock by modern standards, an aspiration that has turned out to be very much our theme of the week. Heard the Buzz? The group of sires about to send a third crop of juveniles into the fray is proving a very competitive one, among others featuring Justify, Good Magic and Bolt d'Oro, plus several who appear to be seizing a much narrower chance. The busiest sires in the intake, studmates Mendelssohn and Justify, have so far had 262 and 216 starters, respectively, whereas Army Mule, Girvin and Oscar Performance have muscled into the top 10 (by cumulative earnings) with between 112 and 115 starters apiece. But not even these can match the ratio of stakes winners quietly assembled by Bee Jersey, whose son Beeline became his sixth black-type scorer from just 48 starters in the Hutcheson S. last weekend. Beeline | Ryan Thompson Beeline is typical of the atypical program that bred him. His third dam is one of its foundation mares, a twice-raced daughter of Secretariat named Ball Chairman, whose foals included Canadian champion Perfect Soul (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). Their owner Chuck Fipke runs an extraordinary stable, largely comprising not only homebreds, but homebreds by homebred stallions. He sends valuable mares to sires that you or I can hire at bargain fees. And it keeps paying off. Jersey Town admittedly arrived in utero, with his $700,000 dam, and went on to win the GI Cigar Mile. Retired to stud, Fipke sent him a mare whose fourth dam is matriarch Lassie Dear (Buckpasser), and the result was Bee Jersey, lightning-fast winner of the stallion-making GI Met Mile. Bee Jersey's first sophomores last year included three runners-up in graded stakes, all naturally bred by Fipke. Perhaps Beeline, sold as a 2-year-old at OBS last June to Bradley Thoroughbreds for $70,000, can give his sire a breakout score at that level. It's plainly only a matter of time, and you can't say that of too many $5,000 covers. The post Breeding Digest: Putting the ‘Run’ Into ‘Vron’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A Rite of Spring: the 100th Running of the Blue Grass Stakes will open at the Keeneland Library Apr. 1. The exhibit features photographs that capture race highlights over the decades, as well as memorabilia from notable jockeys Bill Shoemaker, Mike Manganello and Chris Antley and celebrated runners such as Whirlaway, Riva Ridge, Spectacular Bid and Strike the Gold. The exhibit's photographs, curated from Keeneland Library collections and public submissions from professional and amateur photographers, spotlight some of the greatest moments of the time-honored spring stakes. “We are fortunate to have rich resources in the Library's collections to celebrate this historic running,” Keeneland Library Director Roda Ferraro said. “The exhibit features never-before-published photographs alongside iconic shots that capture some of racing's greatest equine athletes and their connections spanning more than 100 years. The public submission call for photographs was a welcomed boon to the exhibit's curation process, and we are pleased to spotlight the work of photographers in concert with images from the Library's collections.” The free exhibit is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Library. The 100th GI Toyota Blue Grass S. will be run Apr. 6. Other Spring events at the Keeneland Library include tours titled, “From Keeneland to the Kentucky Derby” the week of Apr. 29. Each tour will include a visit to the track to watch racehorses train, spotlight Keeneland sales graduates who made their mark in the Kentucky Derby and provide an exclusive tour of Keeneland Library's latest exhibit. Turf writer Tom Law will be at the library for a night of handicapping the 2024 Kentucky Derby May 1 and, beginning May 11, Starting Gate Storytime will combine a reading of a children's book centered on horses with a literacy, art, history, industry awareness or STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activity. Keeneland Kids Club mascot Buckles will be on hand to brush up on his reading and spend time with young racing fans and horse lovers. The series is ideal for learners ages four through eight. For information on all the spring events at the Keeneland Library, visit keeneland.com/library. The post Blue Grass Stakes Exhibit Opens at Keeneland Library in April appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dollars & Sense with Frank AngstView the full article

Readers of America's Best Racing offer a number of tracks as their favorites.View the full article

A dedicated Broodmare, Fillies For Stud & Weanling Online Auction was announced by Bloodstock South Africa (BSA) on Tuesday. The sale will be held from May 7-8, and will carry no entry fee and no commission will be charged. The closing date for entries will be Apr. 23. Already scheduled is the BSA May Online Auction, which will consist of yearlings and horses-in-training. In 2024, the remaining BSA sales are as follows: the July 4 KZN Yearling Sale in Durban, and the National 2-Year-Old Sale in Johannesburg on Aug. 22-23. For more information, please visit the BSA website. The post Mixed Online Sale Announced By Bloodstock South Africa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wednesday's top tips from the Post's racing teamView the full article

Old Friends founder Michael Blowen and longtime Three Chimneys Farm stallion manager Sandy Hatfield will join together for a special tour of the Old Friends retirement facility in Georgetown Apr. 9. The tour, with a $150 per person cost, will be limited to 20 people. “Old Friends is blessed with, not only legendary horses, but with legendary people within our family,” said John Nicholson, president and CEO of Old Friends. “Our founder Michael Blowen, and longtime Three Chimneys' stallion manager Sandy Hatfield are just such legends. I can't wait for their tour, which is a rare opportunity to have these legends take you on a special journey with many of the equine heroes at Old Friends. “Old Friends is proud to be a part of Thoroughbred racing and these Legend Tours are just the latest way we celebrate the great horses and people in the sport we love,” continued Nicholson. “We look forward to introducing new and different ways, like these Legend Tours, of sharing the story and heritage of horse racing with, not only our sport's old friends, but sharing it with new friends as well.” Blowen, who founded Old Friends in 2003, and recently stepped down as president of the farm, will tell visitors the stories of some of his favorite Thoroughbred retirees on the farm. Hatfield, who has spent most of her life working with stallions, in particular, Kentucky Derby winner and Old Friends retiree, Silver Charm, will share her stories of some of her famous old friends. To reserve a spot on the tour, call the Old Friends office at (502) 863-1775. The post Blowen, Hatfield Team for Old Friends Legends Tour appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Cashel Palace Hotel has stepped in to sponsor the Group 3 Derby Trial S. at Leopardstown on Sunday, May 12. The three-year-old contest, which is run over 10f, has served as an important stepping stone for many Classic aspirants down through the years but had been run without a sponsor after Derrinstown Stud ended its long association with the race in 2021. Leopardstown chief Tim Husbands commented, “We are delighted to welcome Cashel Palace Hotel as the sponsor of the Derby Trial Stakes. Their support and partnership will add a new dimension to this event and further enhance the experience for participants and spectators alike. We would also like to congratulate them for their recently received Michelin Star.” The Derby Trial S. was won last year by the Jessica Harrington-trained Sprewell (Ire). Prior to that, horses like Sinndar (Ire), Galileo (Ire), High Chaparral (Ire), Yeats (Ire), Dylan Thomas (Ire) and Fame And Glory (GB) have landed the race. The post Cashel Palace Hotel To Sponsor Group 3 Derby Trial At Leopardstown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday the track will undergo a renovation and will not race again until the new racing season in August. Night racing in the new season commences on AFL Grand Final eve on September 27 and will feature the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m), moved from its traditional date in early September and solidify the race as the only domestic contest that carries a ballot exemption into the Cox Plate. The Feehan Stakes has offered the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) in October for a number of years, but the Moonee Valley Racing Club feels the race is better placed four weeks out from their major race. Pinstriped won the Feehan Stakes last year before taking on the Cox Plate challenged seven weeks later. And the Club has taken the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) from the Cox Plate program and placed it on Grand Final eve to strengthen the program. That move has resulted in the MVRC and Racing Victoria announcing a number of changes to the sprinting program in early spring at Moonee Valley. The Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m), run on Grand Final eve, has been brought forward to the meeting on September 7, while the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) has moved from that early September meeting to replace the Manikato Stakes on Cox Plate. RV Executive General Manager – Racing, Matt Welsh it the changes would enhance key feature races across the Moonee Valley’s Spring Racing Carnival.” “We want to ensure that the Moir Stakes and Manikato Stakes draw the best fields they possibly can as elite Group 1 races,” Welsh said. “This restructure is a benefit for owners and trainers wishing to campaign horses here and abroad as part of a cohesive national pattern. “We see enormous growth potential in the AFL Grand Final eve meeting at The Valley as the Club kicks starts its Friday night racing season. “It’s a public holiday, there’s thousands of visitors converging on Melbourne and there is clean air to present an amazing night of racing and entertainment.” As a result of the Feehan Stakes moving to Grand Final eve, the Group 2 Stocks Stakes, for fillies and mares, has been shortened from 1600m to 1500m and will be run as a set-weight and penalties race rather than at weight-for-age. View the full article

When classy four-year-old Chill Chibi (NZ) (Wrote) takes his place in Sunday’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m), it will mark a significant achievement for breeder Nicola Chu. Chu, who breeds under the banner of the Hong Kong Breeders Club, is achieving exactly what she set out to do, by producing horses good enough to compete in Hong Kong’s most coveted race. Bred and raised at Highview Stud in New Zealand, of which Chu is a part-owner, the son of Wrote was a winner at his second Hong Kong start when successful over a mile at Happy Valley in February last year. The Danny Shum-trained four-year-old returned after a lengthy absence with an emphatic victory over the same course and distance in November. After completing a hat-trick in his next Class Three test over 1650m a fortnight later, Chill Chibi continued his ascendancy over 1800m by notching his fourth win on the bounce and third in the space of a month. Tested in Class 2 company in December, Chill Chibi finished third but was subsequently found to have a hind limb lameness. Prominent Hong Kong-based breeder Nicola Chu Photo: HKJC Off the scene until the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) the four-year-old was one of the eyecatchers of the race, coming from last to finish seventh and he looks certain to relish the 2000m of the Derby. Chu is a shareholder in Highview Stud stallion Wrote, a Grade 1 winning son of High Chaparral, who is making a good impression. He has had three runners to date in Hong Kong for three winners, while he sired his first Group One winner in New Zealand last weekend when Pulchritudinous (NZ) won the New Zealand Oaks (2400m) in emphatic fashion. Wrote was the third leading sire by average at Karaka Book 2 behind popular fellow young sires Ardrossan and Satono Aladdin. Chill Chibi comes from a family that Chu knows well, having raced his dam My Amazing Cool (NZ), a daughter of her Group One performed son of Danehill, Danroad, who also stood at Highview Stud. It is the second-year in succession that Chu has bred a Derby runner. Vice Chair of the Hong Kong Thoroughbred Breeders’ Alliance, Chu also bred Sweet Encounter (NZ) (Toronado), who was seventh in the blue riband race last year. The winner of five of his 22 starts, Sweet Encounter is prepared by John Size and boasts a further seven placings for owner Vicky Tang. Like Chill Chibi, Sweet Encounter was sold as a yearling by Highview Stud and went on to do further education through the New Zealand trials system. Chill Chibi had three trials for Cambridge horseman Ben Foote, while Sweet Encounter finished runner-up in his only trial for Jenna Mahoney. “It is so exciting seeing a number of our New Zealand bred horses making a significant impact in the Hong Kong racing scene,” Chu said. “I will be cheering loudly for Chill Chibi on Sunday and nothing would make me prouder than breeding a Derby winner.” View the full article

Te Akau Racing will hold a strong hand at The Valley on Saturday, with their seven-strong charge being led by their sprinting sensation Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), who will attempt to defend her crown in the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m). After taking out last year’s edition of the sprinting feature, the Mark Walker-trained mare went on to win a further five consecutive races, including four at elite-level, with her picket fence form line coming to an end last start when runner-up behind Cylinder (Exceed and Excel) in the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington. “Imperatriz was very tough running second in the Newmarket Handicap last time, is unbeaten in four starts at Moonee Valley, and hopefully she is able to go back-to-back in the William Reid,” Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis said. Imperatriz will be met in the William Reid by stablemate Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel), while the stable will also be represented at The Valley by a handful of other runners, including Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer) in the Gr.2 Sunline Stakes (1600m), Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) in the Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m), Certainly (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m), Mehzebeen (NZ) (Almanzor) in the BM78 2500m Handicap, and Prismatic (NZ) (Savabeel) in the MB84 2040m Handicap. “Quintessa ran a great race for fourth in the Australian Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) last start and I think she’ll appreciate getting up in trip,” Ellis said. “The two Waikato Stud fillies (Certainly and Skew Wiff) are both of the highest quality, and Campionessa is one of the gamest mares we’ve got in the stable, so we’re looking forward to seeing how it unfolds on Saturday.” Ellis will be trackside on Saturday and is looking forward to a big day of racing. “Karyn (Fenton-Ellis, wife and Te Akau Racing director) and I are going over to host our owners and while we’re under no illusions about the quality of the fields, we’re excited about being part of it with some good chances,” Ellis said. “It’s a massive day for us and maybe the most stakes runners a New Zealand stable has ever had on a race day in Australia.” Leading buyer for the 18th consecutive year at the Karaka Sales in January, following his notable impact at the Magic Millions Sale on the Gold Coast, Ellis has purchased 50 horses since New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run Sale last November and spent nearly $16 million. “We based our spend on Australia being the fastest growing and most lucrative racing jurisdiction in the world, and New Zealand prizemoney going ahead in leaps and bounds with the incredible input by Entain in partnering the NZ TAB,” Ellis said. “We’ve still got shares to sell in horses, but overall, the uptake and support by the loyal Te Akau owner base and new owners has been quite overwhelming. “People want to see horse racing flourish in New Zealand, they’re very passionate about it, and given the increase in stakes they’re getting involved in syndication ownership. “We’re really happy with our timing in getting our stable up and running this season in Melbourne, and the training facilities at Cranbourne are absolutely world-class.” View the full article

A likely trip across the Tasman is looming for promising stayer Trust In You (NZ) (Sweynesse). The five-year-old son of Sweynesse put himself on the map over the Christmas Carnival when winning the Stayers Championship Final (2400m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day before returning to the South Auckland track on New Year’s Day where he was victorious in the Gr.3 Queen Elzabeth II Cup (2400m). He was then sixth when fresh-up in the Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie in February, and readied for the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) with a runner-up performance in the Nathans Memorial (2200m) a week prior. Trainers Grant Cooksley and Bruce Wallace were pleased with his sixth placing in the Auckland Cup and are looking at heading to Sydney with their charge with an eye towards next month’s Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick. “He has come through the Auckland Cup well,” Cooksley said. “It was a good run, he just got pushed back a bit at the 800m and made up good ground and went a very good race. “He had a few days out after the Cup and has done a bit of work in the last week and he is doing well. We will just see how he is doing next week before we decide on Australia. “If he goes over to Australia, it will be for the Sydney Cup and he may run a week prior in the Chairman’s (Gr.2, 2600m). “It will be a nice race for him, Randwick is a fair bit different than what Ellerslie is. At Ellerslie, you have to be on the pace at the moment, but at Randwick you can come from anywhere.” A trip to Australia could also be on the cards for Group Three winner Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), with Cooksley eyeing the Queensland Winter Carnival with the son of Satono Aladdin. “Sacred Satono may have a run on the 20th next month at Ellerslie and may then head to Brisbane for the Stradbroke (Gr.1, 1400m), but we will just see how he comes up,” Cooksley said. Meanwhile, the stable’s evergreen galloper Gino Severini (Fastnet Rock) has been retired following his last placed run in the $350,000 Rangitoto Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie earlier this month. The globetrotting gelding commenced his career in his native Ireland where he won the Madrid Handicap (1400m). He then had three unplaced runs in Hong Kong before joining Bruce Wallace’s Byerley Park barn where he has prepared the now 10-year-old initially in partnership with Allan Peard prior to Cooksley joining the business. In all, the son of Fastnet Rock won eight and placed in 20 of his 68 career starts and earned more than $500,000 in prizemoney. His highlights include victories in the Gr.2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m), Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m), and Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m), while he also placed in the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m), Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2050m), Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m), and was twice placed in the Japan Trophy. “He did well and gave his best every time he went out there. He was a good horse,” Cooksley said. “He won a couple of weight-for-age races at Tauranga and he was always thereabouts in Group One races.” View the full article

Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) runner-up Antrim Coast will contest the Group 2 Alister Clark (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) He beat all but glamour filly Orchestral in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie earlier this month and now Antrim Coast will be given his chance to test his talent across the Tasman. Bred by The Oaks Stud, the son of Roc De Cambes races in the blue and white silks of farm principal Dick Karreman, for whom he has been a standout in his three-year-old year. Under the care of Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh, Antrim Coast has won two of his seven starts this term and secured black-type with his Derby performance. The Oaks Stud General Manager Rick Williams was rapt with his second placed run in the Ellerslie Classic and said that gave the Cambridge-based team the confidence to press on for an Australian campaign. “It (NZ Derby) was a really honestly run race,” Williams said. “We all knew the filly (Orchestral) was better than the rest of us, but I was so pleased that he found the line well. I think ultimately he will be a two-mile horse. “He has bounced through the Derby. We gave him a week off at the farm and he put on so much weight, he certainly hasn’t come to the end of his campaign – he is made of steel this horse.” Antrim Coast will fly to Melbourne this week ahead of making his Australian debut at Moonee Valley on Saturday in the Group 2 Alister Clark (2040m), with his performance dictating the remainder of his Australian campaign. “Saturday will work out how we plan his races from now on and whether we go to South Australia or Queensland. We will get a line on where he sits in the pecking order over there,” Williams said. “Subject to his run on Saturday, we will find a couple of races for him. He is a horse that can handle Heavy tracks right through to Good tracks.” Antrim Coast has been one of a number of quality three-year-olds to carry Karreman’s colours this season, however, a number of them have had their season curtailed by inury. Burn To Shine struck early in spring, winning first-up at Te Rapa before finishing runner-up in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) and third in the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), before trekking south to Riccarton where he won the Group 3 War Decree Stakes (1600m). He was freshened following his ninth placed run in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), but has returned to the paddock after injuring a tendon following his placing over 1400m at Te Rapa last month. “Burn To Shine is out with a tendon injury, so we have had a bit of bad luck with horses getting different injuries and having to be turned out,” said Williams, with $350,000 Karapiro Classic (1600m) placegetter Vera Rose having faced a similar fate. “She (Vera Rose) has got a bit of a knee issue that needs sorted. It is not major but it her three-year-old year is over, but they will all be back.” Fellow The Oaks Stud homebred Harlow Rocks is also enjoying some well-earned time in the paddock, with her three-year-old campaign coming to a close following her 12th placed run in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham last Saturday. She had been in pleasing form prior to her Oaks assignment, having finished runner-up to Group One winner Molly Bloom in the Group 2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa last month before finishing fourth in the postponed Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Taupo. “She has come through the Oaks well but she will be turned out for a spell now,” Williams said. “I am not sure a mile and a half is her trip, but we got there and had to run. I think she is a 2000m horse if you take a line on Molly Bloom being the only one to beat her at Te Rapa. “It was a funny race at Taupo, and everything got a bit mucked up with the Lowland Stakes being postponed and it didn’t suit the horse she was and the prep she had. In saying that, Chad Ormsby’s horse (Pulchritudinous) won despite that, but I think they are two different horses – one is an out-and-out stayer and the other is a more brilliant horse.” Meanwhile, The Oaks Stud’s exciting juvenile Savaglee will head to Trentham next month to tackle the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), the first bonus race for next year’s inaugural $3.5 million The NZB Kiwi (1500m). “Savaglee seems to be much better left-handed, he is unbeaten left-handed,” Williams said. “He has bounced through Auckland. Both of his runs there have been slightly below par. He will go onto the Sires’ at Trentham and we think he is crying out for 1400m. “He has given us every indication that he is a horse that wants to go there and will go better over the extra 200m. “He seems to be getting better and better throughout his two-year-old year.” Horse racing news View the full article

A trip to Sydney could be on the cards for promising stayer Trust In You. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) A likely trip across the Tasman is looming for promising stayer Trust In You. The five-year-old son of Sweynesse put himself on the map over the Christmas Carnival when winning the Stayers Championship Final (2400m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day before returning to the South Auckland track on New Year’s Day where he was victorious in the Group 3 Queen Elzabeth II Cup (2400m). He was then sixth when fresh-up in the Group 2 Avondale Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie in February, and readied for the Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) with a runner-up performance in the Nathans Memorial (2200m) a week prior. Trainers Grant Cooksley and Bruce Wallace were pleased with his sixth placing in the Auckland Cup and are looking at heading to Sydney with their charge with an eye towards next month’s Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick. “He has come through the Auckland Cup well,” Cooksley said. “It was a good run, he just got pushed back a bit at the 800m and made up good ground and went a very good race. “He had a few days out after the Cup and has done a bit of work in the last week and he is doing well. We will just see how he is doing next week before we decide on Australia. “If he goes over to Australia, it will be for the Sydney Cup and he may run a week prior in the Chairman’s (Group 2, 2600m). “It will be a nice race for him, Randwick is a fair bit different than what Ellerslie is. At Ellerslie, you have to be on the pace at the moment, but at Randwick you can come from anywhere.” A trip to Australia could also be on the cards for Group Three winner Sacred Satono, with Cooksley eyeing the Queensland Winter Carnival with the son of Satono Aladdin. “Sacred Satono may have a run on the 20th next month at Ellerslie and may then head to Brisbane for the Stradbroke (Group 1, 1400m), but we will just see how he comes up,” Cooksley said. Meanwhile, the stable’s evergreen galloper Gino Severini has been retired following his last placed run in the $350,000 Rangitoto Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie earlier this month. The globetrotting gelding commenced his career in his native Ireland where he won the Madrid Handicap (1400m). He then had three unplaced runs in Hong Kong before joining Bruce Wallace’s Byerley Park barn where he has prepared the now 10-year-old initially in partnership with Allan Peard prior to Cooksley joining the business. In all, the son of Fastnet Rock won eight and placed in 20 of his 68 career starts and earned more than $500,000 in prizemoney. His highlights include victories in the Group 2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m), Group 2 Japan Trophy (1600m), and Group 3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m), while he also placed in the Group 1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m), Group 3 Balmerino Stakes (2050m), Group 3 J Swap Sprint (1400m), and was twice placed in the Japan Trophy. “He did well and gave his best every time he went out there. He was a good horse,” Cooksley said. “He won a couple of weight-for-age races at Tauranga and he was always thereabouts in Group One races.” Horse racing news View the full article

Frenchman considers taking the Voyage Bubble approach when he rides Beauty Crescent at Sha Tin this SundayView the full article

Group One performer Aquacade has been retired. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Multiple Group-winning mare Aquacade will begin the next phase of her career later this year. Time has been called on the racing days of Dundeel’s daughter with the five-year-old to become a valuable addition to Cambridge Stud’s broodmare band. Trained at Karaka by Lance Noble for breeder-owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Aquacade performed up to the highest level with seven victories and six placings and only twice missed a top five finish from 19 appearances. “She has been fantastic and that’s what we’re here for, to try and develop fillies and mares into broodmares and get black type,” Noble said. “To be able to do that with her has provided a great sense of achievement. She was so consistent and has been retired happy and sound. “She could possibly have raced again next season, but she doesn’t have anything left to prove and will make a lovely broodmare.” Aquacade’s career highlights included successes in the Group 2 Avondale Cup (2400m) and the Group 3 Balmerino Stakes (2050m), and gained an elite level credit when third in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2050m). “After last season and rightfully so, she went up in the ratings from the bottom of the handicap up to 57, 58 and 59kg against the younger ones coming through that have the weight advantages, especially over ground,” Noble said. “We made a conscious decision at the beginning of this season to see if we could crack a Group One and she got that Group One placing in the Zabeel. “She was really a 2200-2400m horse and maybe lacked that turn of foot to be a 2000m weight-for-age horse, but she acquitted herself really well in those races against some very good horses.” Aquacade is a daughter of the unraced Sea The Stars mare Forest Of Seas and a pedigree that includes international stakes-winning stayers Sea Of Heartbreak, Self Defense, Degas Art and Puncher Clynch. “She took a bit of time to develop and ran third in the Royal Stakes (Group 2, 2000m) as a three-year-old and as a four and five-year-old really came to the party,” Noble said. “I am very happy and satisfied that she has been retired safe and well, she hasn’t been over-raced and with her size, temperament and pedigree, she is going to make a lovely broodmare. “Early on, like most young horses, she had her quirks but the more we did with her the more professional she became and was an easy horse to train.” Meanwhile, promising mare and last-start Rangitoto Classic (1500m) winner Jaarffi will step up in grade at Tauranga on Saturday. “All being well, she’ll run in the Japan Trophy (Group 2, 1600m),” Noble said. “We did look at the Group One (New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, 1600m), but felt it was a little bit too soon at weight-for-age against seasoned and quality mares. “The Japan Trophy sits better at set weights and penalties, and she gets in on the minimum. She will be better next season, but we will test the waters and hopefully get a bit of black type.” Noble has enjoyed a rewarding 2023/24 with 19 winners, including four at Group or Listed level, with a number of the team now out for well-deserved breaks. “It’s been a fantastic season and will quieten down on the racing front,” Noble said. “We’ll look to the yearlings now who are being broken in and will then come into through the system.” Horse racing news View the full article

Last Saturday, Rosehill Gardens featured Group 1 racing, with multiple Group races littered throughout the program, while the $3.75 million All Star Mile headlined the meeting at Caulfield. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have found three runners that are worth following and throwing into your blackbook with your chosen bookmaker. Eagle Farm Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: +0.5m entire circuit Race 8: Three-Year-Old Handicap (1200m) | Time: 1:11.11 Horse to follow: Press Link (1st) Press Link took his career record to three wins from as many starts after careering away from his rivals in the final 200m over 1200m at Eagle Farm. The Robert Heathcote-trained galloper has won in arrogant fashion at his last two starts over 1100m and 1200m, showing that he has a lot of ability in the process. Even though it appeared as though he wouldn’t pick the leaders halfway down the straight, once Michael Rodd shook him up, the son of Press Statement let down with an explosive turn of foot. When to bet: As a lightly raced three-year-old going into the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, there are plenty of options for Heathcote and his team. It is possible that Press Link could target the Listed Daybreak Lover (3YO) and get his first crack at black type level on April 20 at Eagle Farm. Rosehill Gardens Track rating: Soft 6 Rail position: True entire circuit Race 6: Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) | Time: 1:03.89 Horse to follow: Libertad (2nd) Libertad went into the Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes second-up for the campaign, coming off a disappointing last place when fresh in a Benchmark 94 Handicap over 1000m. The Annabel Neasham-trained colt was made to travel three-wide without cover for the entire 1100m journey, but still rallied a strong challenge in the final 200m to finish less than a length off Red Card. Considering how well this son of Russian Revolution ran through the line, a rise in distance to 1200m third-up should suit him perfectly. When to bet: Neasham and her team have Libertad nominated for the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes and Group 2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint, with both races being over 1200m. It is expected that Libertad will run in the Arrowfield and take on his own age group again. Race 9: Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) | Time: 1:15.62 Horse to follow: Detonator Jack (3rd) Detonator Jack returned from a three-month spell after an impressive spring campaign with a very good third-place finish in the Ajax Stakes, as the Ciaron Maher-trained gelding seeks to gain a start in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile. After settling behind the speed, the son of Jakkalberry took the lead at the 250m mark and held it until the final 75m before being run over by Democracy Manifest and Territory Express. Second-up, this five-year-old gelding will go very close to winning, if he competes over a similar distance. When to bet: The Doncaster Mile looks to be the target race for Detonator Jack, so it is most likely that he will compete in the Doncaster Prelude on March 30, where he will be extremely hard to beat. Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Latest horse racing tips View the full article

Schooling over fences has brought a new lease on life for Mahoe (NZ) (Alamosa), with the six-year-old gelding having won two of his last three races. Formerly trained by Jon Miller, the son of Alamosa had won three races for the Cambridge horseman before he was bought by Isdale at the start of the year on the advice of leading jumps jockey Shaun Phelan. “I was looking for another jumper to replace Aigne and Shaun Phelan pointed this horse out and said Jon Miller was finishing with him. Shaun suggested to give him a crack because he reckons milers make the best jumpers,” Isdale said. “I took him aboard and we have put him over the jumps and it has turned him around, he has won two of his last three.” Isdale is hoping he can extend that winning sequence to three when he heads to Pukekohe on Wednesday to contest the Auckland Co-op Taxis 2100, for which he is a $2.80 favourite with TAB bookmakers. While pleased with his progress on the flat, Isdale is looking forward to commencing his jumping career in the coming months. “He doesn’t really like wet tracks, but we will try and get his (jumping) ticket and aim him for the maiden at Hastings on a drier track,” he said. “I love jumps racing, it is quite exciting and I always love to have one.” Later on the card, Isdale will line-up promising three-year-old Lucky Bay (NZ) (Sweynesse) in the Ellerslie Events 1600. The son of Sweynesse has placed in two of his three starts to date and is set to head to Trentham next month for the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) before a possible trip across the Tasman. “He was unlucky last start (when third over 2200m at Hastings),” Isdale said. “He got a nice run and then all of a sudden he was five lengths behind the second-to-last horse. I thought he had broken down and then he just flew home. “I really wanted him to win last start to have a runner in the (New Zealand) Derby (Gr.1, 2400m), but it wasn’t meant to be. It is good to see the form out of that race has stacked up with Zachery (winner) winning again on Saturday. “I am wanting to see him hit the line well (on Wednesday) and then he will go to the Manawatu Classic. If he were to run a placing in the Manawatu Classic, we will probably look at taking him to Brisbane (for the Queensland Winter Carnival), but whether he stays with me or goes to (Chris) Waller’s (leading Sydney trainer) I am not sure.” Another stable runner that could be destined to head to Queensland is Group Three performer Beebeep (NZ) (Vespa). The four-year-old daughter of Vespa was runner-up fresh-up over 1100m at Trentham earlier this month and is set to head to Tauranga on Saturday where she will contest the Triton Pacific Owens Plate (1200m). “It looks like a good race for her,” Isdale said. “It is not a big field and she will get nice weight relief with Tayla Mitchell set to ride her. It will be a big drop down from the 58kg she carried the other day. “We will just get this race out of the way and then look for a stakes race. She may head to Brisbane all things going well for the Dane Ripper (Gr.2, 1300m), we have just got to get her rating up a little higher over here.” Further south on Saturday, stablemate Funfetti (NZ) (Embellish) will be looking to regain some confidence in the Southern Alps Golden Ticket (1600m) at Riccarton. “She raced two weeks ago down there (Wingatui) and got put through the rail (in the Listed Airfreight Stakes, 1400m), so I have put her back to a (rating) 65 to get her confidence up and then she will go to the NZB Insurance Stakes (Listed, 1600m) in two weeks.” Meanwhile, Isdale has been pleased with the way Is That So (NZ) (Sufficient) has come through his runner-up performance behind Our Echo in last Saturday’s Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham. “He has come through it really well and has gone to the water-walker for a week,” he said. “He went well, the track was probably a touch too wet for him, but I don’t think he would have beaten the other horse. “He backed up two weeks in a row, so he deserves some time off.” View the full article

He beat all but glamour filly Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie earlier this month and now Antrim Coast (NZ) (Roc De Cambes) will be given his chance to test his talent across the Tasman. Bred by The Oaks Stud, the son of Roc De Cambes races in the blue and white silks of farm principal Dick Karreman, for whom he has been a standout in his three-year-old year. Under the care of Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh, Antrim Coast has won two of his seven starts this term and secured black-type with his Derby performance. The Oaks Stud General Manager Rick Williams was rapt with his second placed run in the Ellerslie Classic and said that gave the Cambridge-based team the confidence to press on for an Australian campaign. “It (NZ Derby) was a really honestly run race,” Williams said. “We all knew the filly (Orchestral) was better than the rest of us, but I was so pleased that he found the line well. I think ultimately he will be a two-mile horse. “He has bounced through the Derby. We gave him a week off at the farm and he put on so much weight, he certainly hasn’t come to the end of his campaign – he is made of steel this horse.” Antrim Coast will fly to Melbourne this week ahead of making his Australian debut at The Valley on Saturday in the Gr.2 Alister Clark (2040m), with his performance dictating the remainder of his Australian campaign. “Saturday will work out how we plan his races from now on and whether we go to South Australia or Queensland. We will get a line on where he sits in the pecking order over there,” Williams said. “Subject to his run on Saturday, we will find a couple of races for him. He is a horse that can handle Heavy tracks right through to Good tracks.” Antrim Coast has been one of a number of quality three-year-olds to carry Karreman’s colours this season, however, a number of them have had their season curtailed by inury. Burn To Shine (NZ) (So You Think) struck early in spring, winning first-up at Te Rapa before finishing runner-up in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) and third in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), before trekking south to Riccarton where he won the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m). He was freshened following his ninth placed run in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), but has returned to the paddock after injuring a tendon following his placing over 1400m at Te Rapa last month. “Burn To Shine is out with a tendon injury, so we have had a bit of bad luck with horses getting different injuries and having to be turned out,” said Williams, with $350,000 Karapiro Classic (1600m) placegetter Vera Rose having faced a similar fate. “She (Vera Rose) has got a bit of a knee issue that needs sorted. It is not major but it her three-year-old year is over, but they will all be back.” Fellow The Oaks Stud homebred Harlow Rocks (NZ) (Roc De Cambes) is also enjoying some well-earned time in the paddock, with her three-year-old campaign coming to a close following her 12th placed run in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham last Saturday. She had been in pleasing form prior to her Oaks assignment, having finished runner-up to Group One winner Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) in the Gr.2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa last month before finishing fourth in the postponed Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Taupo. “She has come through the Oaks well but she will be turned out for a spell now,” Williams said. “I am not sure a mile and a half is her trip, but we got there and had to run. I think she is a 2000m horse if you take a line on Molly Bloom being the only one to beat her at Te Rapa. “It was a funny race at Taupo, and everything got a bit mucked up with the Lowland Stakes being postponed and it didn’t suit the horse she was and the prep she had. In saying that, Chad Ormsby’s horse (Pulchritudinous) won despite that, but I think they are two different horses – one is an out-and-out stayer and the other is a more brilliant horse.” Meanwhile, The Oaks Stud’s exciting juvenile Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) will head to Trentham next month to tackle the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), the first bonus race for next year’s inaugural $3.5 million The NZB Kiwi (1500m). “Savaglee seems to be much better left-handed, he is unbeaten left-handed,” Williams said. “He has bounced through Auckland. Both of his runs there have been slightly below par. He will go onto the Sires’ at Trentham and we think he is crying out for 1400m. “He has given us every indication that he is a horse that wants to go there and will go better over the extra 200m. “He seems to be getting better and better throughout his two-year-old year.” View the full article

What Albury Races Where Albury Racing Club – 16-46 Fallon St, Albury NSW 2640 When Thursday, March 21, 2024 First Race 1:35pm AEDT Visit Dabble Albury Race Club is set to host back-to-back meetings this week, starting with a competitive seven-race program for Albury Mile (1600m) Day. The rail has been placed in the true position throughout the entire circuit, and with some minor showers expected in the lead-up, a Soft 5 surface should be the expectation for participants. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 1:35pm AEDT. Albury Mile Top Tip: Cliff House Cliff House appears perfectly placed second-up in the campaign as he heads towards the $50,000 Albury Mile. The son of Starcraft was sensational through the wire at this course on February 18, simply finding the 1400m too sharp to produce his best. He gets much more suitable conditions on Thursday afternoon, where the sting out of the ground will do wonders for his chances. He is a well-experienced five-year-old now, and with the pace on in this event, watch for Cliff House to be exploding down the centre of the course with Danny Beasley in the saddle. Albury Mile Race 6 – #2 Cliff House (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Tim Donnelly | J: Danny Beasley (56.5kg) Bet with Playup Best Bet at Albury: Duchy Of Cornwall Duchy Of Cornwall has found the minor money in his last five starts, and although he may be a frustrating commodity for punters, it is worth keeping faith in this Class 1 contest. He has a nasty habit of getting too far back in his races, which occurred once again in his most recent effort at Wagga on March 14, before mounting a late charge to find another place cheque for connections. He is drawn to hold a much closer position from stall two on Thursday, and with a bit of luck when the whips are cracking, Duchy Of Cornwall can finally finish best. Best Bet Race 2 – #2 Duchy Of Cornwall (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Tim Donnelly | J: Danny Beasley (59kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Albury: County Kilkenny County Kilkenny was crowded for room at a crucial stage at Wagga on March 5 and showed plenty of class to only go down by a half-length. The son of Fast Company was first-up after a 17-week spell on that occasion, and the four-year-old gelding should appreciate the soft conditions for his second-up assault. Danny Beasley retains the ride after taking the reins on return, and with barrier five to help find a soft run in transit, County Kilkenny should be right in this Class 1 contest. Next Best Race 6 – #1 Modown (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Tim Donnelly | J: Danny Beasley (59kg) Bet with Picklebet Thursday quaddie tips for Albury Albury quadrella selections Thursday, March 21, 2024 1-2-3-4 5-6-8-11 1-2-3-5-6 1-2-4-5-8-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Storm Boy will go into the Group 1 Golden Slipper as the favourite at Rosehill on Saturday. Photo: Racing NSW One of the most anticipated editions of the Group 1 Golden Slipper will headline the 10-race meeting at Rosehill this Saturday afternoon, with a full field of 16 expected to take their place in the 1200m contest. The near $5 million two-year-old feature is headlined by the Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner and undefeated colt from the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott stable, Storm Boy, who has opened as the clear favourite at +110 with top online racing betting sites. The son of Justify has never looked in trouble or gone close to losing in his four starts, with his Magic Millions triumph being the most impressive win of his short career. Adding to the excitement has been the drama around which jockey will ride which Coolmore-owned horse, as the ownership group will have both Storm Boy and Switzerland in the race. Coolmore’s number one jockey, Ryan Moore, has been booked on the favourite, while James McDonald, who has ridden both horses at their last two starts, will be legged aboard second favourite Switzerland (+350). The Chris Waller-trained colt has beaten jumped every hurdle that he has been faced with and he will join the favourite as the only unbeaten runners in the Slipper. Last start, the son of Snitzel came from behind the leading contenders to win in stylish fashion in the Group 2 Todman Stakes, with McDonald saying post-race that there is very little splitting the top two. Unlike most Golden Slipper fields, this year’s edition appears to be a race between two; however, there is still plenty of quality outside the market leaders. Blue Diamond Stakes winner Hayasugi (+1600) and runner-up Lady Of Camelot (+1000) have to be considered big chances after taking care of the two-year-old ranks in Victoria three weeks ago. Straight Charge (+1000) and Fully Lit (+2000) must been given strong chances, but they have been beaten by the leading contenders throughout their Golden Slipper preparations, which could be detrimental to their confidence. First emergency Espionage (+1400) is considered a genuine winning hope, but needs a scratching within the starting 16 to gain a start. The Golden Slipper is scheduled to jump at 4:40pm AEDT and will be race eight on the Rosehill program. 2024 Golden Slipper Final Field 1. Storm Boy (2) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Ryan Moore W: 56.5kg F: 1111 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Justify (USA) Dam: Pelican (NZ) +110 -454.55 2. Fully Lit (1) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Sam Clipperton W: 56.5kg F: 211 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Hellbent Dam: Sunlit +2000 +400 3. Shangri La Express (3) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bot J: Regan Bayliss W: 56.5kg F: 32×11 Age: 2YO Color: Brown Sex: Colt Sire: Alabama Express Dam: Sent From Above +2000 +400 4. Rue De Royale (14) T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy J: Chad Schofield W: 56.5kg F: 202×2 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Per Incanto (USA) Dam: Urban Royal +20000 +4000 5. Traffic Warden (6) T: James Cummings J: Craig Williams W: 56.5kg F: 18312 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Street Boss (USA) Dam: Efficiently +3300 +660 6. Straight Charge (9) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Tim Clark W: 56.5kg F: 21x1x Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Written By Dam: Matryoshka +1000 +200 7. Switzerland (7) T: Chris Waller J: James McDonald W: 56.5kg F: 111 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Snitzel Dam: Ms Bad Behavior +350 -142.86 8. Bodyguard (10) T: Peter & Paul Snowden J: Mark Zahra W: 56.5kg F: 41×1 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: I Am Invincible Dam: Tumooh +3300 +660 9. Dublin Down (13) T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy J: Hugh Bowman W: 56.5kg F: 10×12 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Exceedance Dam: Dublin Lass +7000 +1400 10. Coleman (4) T: Matt Laurie J: Kerrin McEvoy W: 56.5kg F: 301×1 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Pierata Dam: Sboog +3300 +660 11. Holmes A Court (8) T: Peter & Paul Snowden J: Tom Marquand W: 56.5kg F: 132 Age: 2YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Colt Sire: Capitalist Dam: Menagerie +5000 +1000 12. Prost (11) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Adam Hyeronimus W: 56.5kg F: 21×3 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Snitzel Dam: Samarmeteors +5000 +1000 13. Hayasugi (16) T: Clinton McDonald J: Jamie Kah W: 54.5kg F: 111×5 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Royal Meeting (IRE) Dam: China Road +1600 +320 14. Lady Of Camelot (5) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Blake Shinn W: 54.5kg F: 21×4 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Written Tycoon Dam: Miss Debutante +1000 +200 15. Manaal (17) T: Michael Freedman J: Jason Collett W: 54.5kg F: 12×1 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Tassort Dam: Red Lodge (USA) +3300 +660 16. Enneza (15) T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman J: Damian Lane W: 54.5kg F: 42×12 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Exceed and Excel Dam: Sweet Sherry +7000 +1400 17 (1E). Espionage (12) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Tommy Berry W: 56.5kg F: 52×1 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Zoustar Dam: In Times of War +1400 +280 Horse racing news View the full article

Australian handler is looking forward to seeing his charge step up in distance in front of a bumper crowd at Sha Tin this SundayView the full article