Wandering Eyes

Te Akau Racing’s The Mighty Spar (NZ) (Savabeel) made it back-to-back wins in the Holster Engineering Lally And Symes South Waikato Cup (2000m) at Matamata on Wednesday. Piloted by apprentice jockey Jessica Allen, The Mighty Spar settled in the one-one early on behind Langkawi (NZ) (Helmet) and enjoyed an economical trip before Allen asked her charge to improve three-wide from the 300m and the pair quickly hit the lead, with the Mighty Spar able to hold out the late challenge of Arby (NZ) (Proisir) to win by a short-head. Mark Walker, who trains the gelding in partnership with Sam Bergerson, was delighted to see The Mighty Spar defend his crown in the Matamata feature and was full of praise for their stable apprentice. “It was great to see him win the South Waikato Cup two years in a row and a lovely ride by Jess to get him into the perfect spot,” he said. “She pinched a break to gain the winning margin and rode a perfect race. I think Jess will really come into her own over the next few months, especially with the three-kilo claim.” Following the Mighty Spar’s win in last year’s edition of the South Waikato Cup, the son of Savabeel spent the winter months jumping over hurdles, highlighted by a placing in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles (3100m), and he may return to that discipline in the coming months. “He’s a bit of a marvel The Mighty Spar, winning five races on the flat and one over hurdles, and we’ll decide whether we keep him on the flat or go back over jumps,” Walker said. Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, who purchased the gelding as a yearling, was pleased to see him back in winning form. “He’s come back to racing in great fettle and I’m thrilled for the owners to win this race again, which had a pretty good mid-week stake,” Ellis said. “They way he hit the line fresh-up over a mile at Hastings suggested that he was in the right shape to go 2000m second-up, and it’s a really good training performance by Mark and Sam to have the horse spot on.” View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Saturday, March 16, 2024 First Race 1pm HKT (4pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing heads to Sha Tin for a rare Saturday meeting, with both the all-weather and turf circuits being utilised throughout the afternoon. The rail is out in the C+3 position on the turf surface, and although there is some chance of rainfall hitting the track, punters shouldn’t anticipate a downgrade from the current Good 4 rating. All the action is set to get underway at 1pm local time. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Chateauneuf Chateauneuf produced an impressive debut Hong Kong victory at this course and distance on February 18 and appears classy enough to go on with the job. The David Hayes-trained gelding bolted away by a half-length on that occasion and looked to be holding his rivals comfortably on the wire. He should get a very similar setup on Saturday, and with Zac Purton happy to stick in the saddle, Chateauneuf must be considered the one to beat as he looks to win his way out of Class 4 company. Best Bet Race 3 – #3 Chateauneuf (6) 3yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Zac Purton (60.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: Devas Twelve It took Devas Twelve six starts to break his maiden status, but he proved far too good in his most recent effort at Sha Tin on March 3. The son of Headwater stormed over the top of his rivals over the 1600m and looked to have plenty in hand as he crossed the winning post, suggesting the 1800m should be no issue on Saturday. Zac Purton should lob into a soft position in transit from barrier two, and a repeat of his last start victory will have Devas Twelve connections celebrating back-to-back wins. Next Best Race 4 – #1 Devas Twelve (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Chris So | J: Zac Purton (60.5kg) Bet with Unibet Best Value at Sha Tin: Affordable Affordable makes his debut for the David Hayes barn and has done enough at the trials to suggest he is worth following on Saturday. His most recent tick-over trial caught the eye when he was striding comfortably behind Victor The Winner down the Sha Tin straight course and looks to have acclimatised well to conditions. Gate six should allow Brenton Avdulla to find a midfield sit with cover, and at a good each-way price with horse racing bookmakers, Affordable can send punters home happy. Best Value Race 4 – #5 Affordable (6) 4yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Brenton Avdulla (56.5kg) Bet with Playup Sha Tin quaddie tips Hong Kong quadrella selections Saturday, March 16, 2024 1-3-4-6-7 1-4-5-7 1-6-7-9-10 1-2-5-9-14 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Darwin Races Where Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 When Saturday, March 16, 2024 First Race 2:08pm ACDT Visit Dabble St Patrick’s Cup Day is one of Darwin’s big off-season meetings of the year with 48 accepting for the six-race card. The St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) is one of only two $40,000 races in the Top End outside the Darwin Cup Carnival, and has attracted a good field. Damp conditions prevailed a year ago and it looks like being wet once again this weekend with over 160mm of rain falling in the Top End since Monday. The rail will be in the true position and despite the rain it will be a good Fannie Bay dirt surface. BEST BET: Saccharo Arguably one of the best horses in the Top End, Saccharo suffered a narrow loss at the hands of the talented Son Of Bielski over 1300m (BM76) two weeks ago. Both horses trailed their rivals in the five-horse field with Saccharo (60.5kg) forced wide in the home straight, while Son Of Bielski (54.5kg) kept to the fence before getting home by a neck. Saccharo, an eight-year-old gelding, continues to carry the big weight, but only spots the other four runners 4kg on this occasion. The son of Magnus, who boasts a win at Flemington, should have the class to make it five wins from 14 starts at Fannie Bay. Best Bet Race 2 – #1 Saccharo (4) 8yo Gelding | T: Phil Cole | J: Wayne Davis (60kg) Bet with Bet365 NEXT BEST: Pop Magic Pop Magic returns after a slashing last start win on February 3 when he saluted by 6.8 lengths against 0-70 opposition over 1200m. Sharing the early lead, after jumping from the inside gate, Pop Magic (57kg) never left the fence before flicking the switch once turning for home. The son of Wandjina, who was stepping up to 0-70 grade for the first time, was easing up on the line to suggest that he had plenty of petrol in the tank. Pop Magic boasts five wins and four seconds from 14 Darwin starts. He will certainly take some stopping if he picks up from where he left off six weeks ago. Next Best Race 3 – #1 Pop Magic (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Ella Clarke | J: Stan Tsaikos (58.5kg) Bet with PlayUp BEST Value: Wolf Queen It was hard to fault Wolf Queen’s performance three weeks ago when she finished second by 0.8 lengths to Tyquendo over 1100m (0-58). Wolf Queen settled midfield and was travelling comfortably before winding up when the gaps appeared in the home straight. At the 250m, the five-year-old mare lost all momentum when she was forced to shift to the middle of the track and although she recovered it cost her the race as it allowed Tyquendo to swoop down the outside. Unplaced in her first four Darwin starts, the daughter of Tivaci appears to be on the improve. Best Value Race 4 – #4 Wolf Queen (8) 5yo Mare | T: Tom Logan | J: Sonja Logan (57.5kg) Bet with Unibet Fannie Bay quaddie tips – Saturday 16/3/2024 Darwin quadrella selections Saturday, March 16, 2024 1-3-5 1-2-3-4 3-5-8 1-2-4-5 Horse racing tips View the full article

Witz End will contest the Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Tony Pike believes the big, roomy Trentham track will suit his promising three-year-old Witz End right down to the ground in Saturday’s Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m). Unbeaten in his first two starts, the Savabeel gelding’s picket fence form line came to an end last Friday when beaten by December on the tight-turning Taupo track over 1300m. “It was just disappointing having to take him to Taupo. He needed the run, but he is just such a big-actioned horse, he really got lost around the tight turns from the half-mile to the corner at Taupo,” Pike told Trackside NZ. “He looked in all sorts of trouble, like he was going to drop out and run last, but once he balanced up in the straight, he was really strong over the final stages. “Getting him back to Wellington is going to be key. He has won down there and that big, roomy track with his action is really going to suit. “He is an exciting horse going forward and I am looking forward to Saturday with him.” Pike will also trek south with Harlow Rocks and Sign Of Peace, with the pair both set to contest the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). Harlow Rocks has been a consistent performer for Pike, winning one and placing in three of her seven starts, including a runner-up performance behind Molly Bloom in the Group 2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa last month. She subsequently finished fourth in the transferred Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Taupo last week and Pike has been pleased with her progress ahead of Saturday’s Group 1 assignment. “It (Lowland) was a funny run race, she got attacked through the mid-stages of the race, which was unfortunate,” Pike said. “I think it was a lot better run than her placing suggested. “It had been a mixed-up preparation with the Lowland being abandoned originally. I think that run will have her at her peak for Saturday. She is a real staying filly and she will run a big race.” Sign Of Peace has also been in consistent form for the stable, winning one and placing in four of her five starts to date, and heads into Saturday off the back of a dead-heat for second in the Lowland Stakes last Friday. “She is a filly with a bit of timing,” Pike said. “She has had a long time between runs, but it was a big performance stepping up in class (in the Lowland). I think she is peaking at the right time. She is a filly that is bred to stay and I think she will round out the 2400m better than most.” Horse racing news View the full article

Central Districts commentator Justin Evans. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Phantom calling races in his childhood bedroom is a key memory for Justin Evans, and he is pinching himself that he is now able to live out his lifelong dream of being a race caller. Growing up in Palmerston North, Evans became hooked on the sport after attending race meetings with his family at Awapuni, and his senses were captivated by the event. “I don’t have any family in racing, but I would go to the races with my family as a kid,” Evans said. “I just got the bug madly and loved everything about it – the sights, the sounds, the smells.” While many budding racing fans are fascinated about becoming a trainer or jockey, Evans was more intrigued by the voice coming out of the speakers and the theatre behind describing a race. “For some reason as a young fella I cottoned on to this idea of being a race caller,” he said. “As far back as I can remember that is what I wanted to do. I was just mad on it from a very young age. “I would sit in my bedroom and practice race calling as much as I could. I would go to the races and sit at the back of the stand and call the races to myself. It is all I have ever wanted to do.” Intent on pursuing a career in race calling, a young Evans plucked up the courage to pen a letter to local commentator Alan Bright, who fostered the enthusiasm of his young fan and invited him up to the commentator’s box. “I wrote Alan Bright, who was the CD (Central Districts) caller at the time, a letter when I was nine-years-old telling him I wanted to be a race caller,” Evans said. “I met him and he took me up to the Awapuni race callers box and I met all of the jockeys and had a great time.” While Bright was his introduction to race calling, Evans said it was his successor Tony Lee who made the biggest influence on him. “It was really when Tony came along a few years later that really lit the fire in me,” Evans said. “I was lucky enough to be taken under Tony’s wing, he was very much my mentor. I would do all of the trials and helped Tony out as a teenager going into my early twenties. He really nurtured me.” While his ambition and passion for race calling never wavered, opportunities did, and Evans was forced to turn away from his dream vocation to pursue a career in radio. “I got out of racing for an extensive period. There was no gig happening, so I needed to pay the bills and get on with life, so an opportunity came up to get into music radio, so I took it,” Evans said. “I spent 15 years in a really rewarding and fun career on the air at various stations and I had an absolute blast, it was great fun. “In radio you learn so many skills and how to think on your feet. It is just a really fast-paced, dynamic job, and I loved it.” While he enjoyed his time in radio, the pull of race calling was always there, and he decided to chance his arm once more and put out feelers to test whether he still had the talent to pursue his passion. “I got in touch with both Mark Rosanowski and George Simon (commentators). I knew George from years ago,” he said. “Initially it was purely could I even call again? I hadn’t called a race for 15-odd years and I just wanted to see if I could still do it and I still had it. People said it was like riding a bike and I wasn’t so sure, but it turns out it was. “George was very accommodating and fed me a lot of trials. I was back in Palmerston North at the time and I remember driving up to Te Teko at 3:30am to call 30 heats there and then I was back in Palmy by about midnight (ready to head back to my radio job the next day). I did that for a year or so. “I was then given the Manawatu trots to call and it just picked up from there. The big opportunity came through a full-time (race calling) job in the south, which I took with both hands.” Evans took up his southern commentating role in 2020 and enjoyed more than three years calling in Otago and Southland before the opportunity came to return to his home region earlier his year and take over the Central Districts commentating reins from his mentor Tony Lee. “I can’t put into words how much Tony has meant to me and has done for me,” Evans said. “He was my absolute hero and I idolised him. I would record all of his race calls on Radio Pacific and listen to them over and over again. “When I got to be under him, he really did take me under his wing. I would describe Tony as a father figure, a mentor, a friend and co-worker. His influence on me has been enormous. It was very special, albeit daunting, to take over from your hero. “I really stand on his shoulders as I do the job. There wouldn’t be a more influential person in my race calling career than Tony. I will be eternally thankful for what he did for me and it’s a massive thrill to take over from him.” Evans returned to his home region earlier this year and was honoured to share the commentating duties alongside Lee in his final day of calling at Trentham’s Wellington Cup Day meeting in January. “That was Tony’s call to do that,” Evans said. “He really wanted me to share the stage with him on what was his day. It was a surreal day as I very much remember the boy who would follow Tony up to these boxes like a lapdog. “The Wellington Cup might no longer be the enormous race it once was, but from a traditional point of view that was always the biggest day when I went to the races, it was a big deal and there is something special about Trentham. It was a massive privilege to share that stage and day with Tony.” Evans has enjoyed being the new voice at many of the tracks he frequented as a young racing fan and his biggest test awaits him this weekend as he gets set to call at New Zealand Oaks Day at Trentham on Saturday. “It will be the biggest day so far,” he said. “I called my first Group 1 a couple of weeks ago at Otaki, but the Oaks is a big race and is one of several (Group Ones) I will get to do. “In terms of the courses, I think there is something special about calling at Trentham, and I know it was Tony’s favourite track. The Oaks is a great race with a big field on a big track, so I will need to be on my toes. I am very much looking forward to it.” While Evans didn’t take his desired direct path into race calling, he is glad the way his career has panned out and is grateful to have finally secured his dream job in racing. “Race calling was my childhood dream and I love the game,” he said. “I am glad I had that radio life because the experiences you get to do when you are in that job are unbelievable, and now I am back doing my initial love.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Ascot Races Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, March 16, 2024 First Race 12:29pm AWST Visit Dabble The Listed Natasha Stakes and J.C. Roberts Stakes will headline the nine-race program at Ascot Racecourse this Saturday afternoon. Although the track was rated a Soft 5 on Thursday, with warm weather forecast for Friday and Saturday, the track will improve into the Good range by raceday. The rail will go back into the true position for the entire circuit, with the opening race scheduled to jump at 12:29pm AWST. Natasha Stakes Tip: Own The Queen Own The Queen comes into the Natasha Stakes off the back of bringing up a hat-trick of wins in her first racing preparation, with her most recent victory coming in the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas. The Justine Elkins-trained filly showed a blistering turn of foot to run away from her rivals at the top of the home straight and held Miss Skyhigh at bay in the final 100m to win by just under one length. If Troy Turner can settle this girl in the one-one position from barrier six and allow her to build momentum around the home turn, Own The Queen will prove very hard to beat again. Natasha Stakes Race 6 – #1 Own The Queen (6) 3yo Filly | T: Justine Elkins | J: Troy Turner (56kg) +140 with Dabble J.C. Roberts Stakes Tip: A Lot Of Good Men A Lot Of Good Men was made to settle three-wide without cover and still battled on well to finish second behind Russian To The Bar in the Lex Piper Piper Stakes. Now that this son of A Lot is fourth-up and rising in distance to 1800m—a distance that he finished 1.6 lengths off the winner in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes—it is expected that he will be peaking this weekend. Paul Harvey will continue his affiliation with the colt, and from barrier five, he will be able to settle worse than midfield and not get trapped out wide. With a solid tempo expected, A Lot Of Good Men will be one of the strongest late, and his class should see him prevail. J.C. Roberts Stakes Race 8 – #2 A Lot Of Good Men (5) 3yo Colt | T: Trevor Andrews | J: Paul Harvey (55.5kg) +250 with Playup Best Bet at Ascot: Angel Undercover Angel Undercover has been very impressive in recent starts, recording back-to-back victories over 1200m at Belmont and Ascot, and she will seek a hat-trick of wins on Saturday. The Sean & Jake Casey-trained filly has won three of her last four, with her last win being the best of the those, where she ran home from midfield and won by two lengths over Wubin Gold. Although she is competing against older horses in this contest, there appears to be a good amount of speed on paper, and the race should be set up for a swooper such as Angel Undercover to run home strongly down the outside in the final 300m. Best Bet Race 3 – #7 Angel Undercover (8) 3yo Filly | T: Sean & Jake Casey | J: Jade McNaught (55kg) +180 with Picklebet Next Best at Ascot: Sapphire Street Coming off three straight third-place finishes, Sapphire Street will be looking for a change of fortune and a little more luck this weekend. In her most recent start, the Daniel Morton-trained filly found the fence from a wide barrier but was held up before the home turn and had to pick her way through gaps between runners late. After drawing barrier nine, Chris Parnham will more than likely settle midfield, off the rail, and allow this daughter of Street Boss to build her momentum before the home turn. If Sapphire Street gets into clear air and shows her customary turn of foot, she will prove hard to hold out late. Next Best Race 9 – #10 Sapphire Street (9) 3yo Filly | T: Daniel Morton | J: Chris Parnham (54kg) +380 with Neds Saturday quaddie tips for Ascot races Ascot quadrella selections Saturday, March 16, 2024 1-2-3 1-3-4-8 1-2 2-3-8-9-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Naxos (centre) will contest the Frocked Up Girls 3YO (1200m) at Tauranga on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) The well-related Naxos may lack size but possesses a determined nature that was emphasised when successful at the first time of asking last month at Tauranga. He will return to the scene of his debut triumph on Saturday for the Frocked Up Girls 3YO (1200m) and is expected to give another good account of himself. The Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard-trained Naxos will be joined at the northern venue by Mineshaft and Madame Le Fay while the stable will also have black-type contenders Pericles and Reputation in action at Trentham. A grandson of multiple stakes winner Santagostino, Naxos has progressed well since his opening victory and the Sir Peter Vela-bred and raced son of Harry’s Angel will again be ridden by Billy Jacobson. “He’s only a little fellow, but he’s got a big heart and tries hard. We’ve given him a bit of time between runs and he worked super the other morning,” Gerard said. Successful two runs back, Mineshaft will bid to return to winning ways in the Manco Handicap (1600m) off the back of an unplaced effort in the Remutaka Classic (2100m). “He won over a mile and was second-up at Wellington, so it was quite a big ask,” Gerard said. “We gave him a freshen-up after that and we just think he’s better ridden back a bit more and can then finish off strongly.” Jacobson will guide his fortunes and also takes the reins aboard last-start course and distance winner Madame Le Fay in the Super Liquor Greerton (1600m). “We had to late scratch her from Matamata a couple of weeks ago after a mishap, but she’s good now and likes the track and the mile,” Gerard said. Meanwhile at Trentham, Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1600m) hope Pericles won the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m) two runs back before everything went wrong for him when out of the money in the Group 3 Mufhasa Stakes (1400m). “You can put a line through that, I never want to see that race again,” Gerard said. “He’s a really nice horse with a lot of potential. It’s nearly the end of his season and his first trip away so it’s a bit of a learning curve for him. “He’s drawn well so we’ll be positive with him and go forward.” Highly regarded four-year-old Reputation goes into the Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) off the back of a top effort for fifth after a wide passage in the Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m). “It was a huge run last start considering she lost her shoes and was slipping and sliding,” Gerard said. “I really like this mare and think she can go a long way.” Thatsallshewrote completes the stable’s team at Trentham and looms as an each-way chance in the Harrison’s Flooring Handicap Premier (1600m). “She has been unlucky in her last couple of starts and doesn’t always help herself,” Gerard said. “The one draw isn’t ideal for her, she’s a mare that gets back and has to be held up for one run. She’s got a nice low weight (54kg) and is far better than what her form reads.” Horse racing news View the full article

Stephen Autridge will line-up Livid Sky and Still Bangon in this Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Stephen Autridge has triumphed in many of New Zealand’s most iconic races, and the Matamata horseman would rate a victory in Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) among the headliners. Autridge, a former Group 1-winning jockey, has accumulated 98 domestic stakes victories as trainer, with periods at the helm of Te Akau Racing, a stint training Kevin Hickman’s Valachi Racing stable, and also trained in partnership for a time with Graeme Rogerson. Over recent seasons, Autridge has downsized his operation, focusing on a more select team of 15 gallopers, and among them has emerged two leading hopes for the time-honoured fillies’ feature in Still Bangon and Livid Sky. A daughter of last year’s Oaks-winning sire Satono Aladdin, Still Bangon has been a model of consistency this season, her record boasting a tough victory in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) before finishing second in the Group 2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m) on New Year’s Day. The filly’s campaign was blemished slightly when finishing back in the field in the Group 2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa last month, a performance rectified with a scorching finish from near-last to third in the Group 3 Sunline Vase (2100m), earning her place alongside stablemate Livid Sky in the Oaks field a fortnight later. “She (Still Bangon) was outstanding at Ellerslie, her sectionals said that, and she’s come through it really well,” Autridge said. Proisir filly Livid Sky has followed suit with repeatedly solid raceday efforts, with her five black-type starts on the bounce this campaign including a pair of thirds and fourths behind the likes of Orchestral and Molly Bloom, alongside a strong last-start sixth in the Sunline Vase. “Initially, I thought Livid Sky was a little bit disappointing in the Sunline Vase, but Sam Weatherley (jockey) told us it was a really good run, and her sectionals would reflect that,” Autridge said. “They ended up being pretty much second best of the race behind Still Bangon, so we’ve got to be happy going forward.” A step-up to the 2400m distance now beckons the pair, and Autridge is optimistic after the barrier draws revealed gates four (Livid Sky) and nine (Still Bangon), with Weatherley and Matt Cameron taking the respective rides. “When the sectionals say they’re just about first and second-best going 2100m, you’ve got to be quite confident they can run out the extra 300m. We believe they’re a big chance of doing that,” Autridge said. “For these two horses, they’re very good draws, they haven’t had many good draws between them, so we certainly aren’t complaining. “From the better draws they should be able to race a bit closer, hopefully around midfield which would be ideal, they usually race near last. “I’ve had a few Oaks runners and you need luck in the running. It’s usually a pretty roughly run race, so let’s hope they stay out of trouble.” Still Bangon is currently rated a $4.80 second-favourite for the Oaks, while her stablemate lies an equal-fourth fancy at $8.50, but according to Autridge, the contrasting fillies enter on equal terms for their grand final. “Their personalities have always been quite different, Still Bangon is a lovely, kind filly, but Livid Sky was very erratic and strong-willed to start with. She is coming around to it now though,” he said. “At the end of the day, I can’t split them. “This is their grand final, they’ve done a great job this season and have been in a while. They’ve raced well every time they’ve gone out and I think they’re going into the Oaks at 100 percent. I’d hate to be saying they’re doing anything afterwards, other than going to the paddock.” Autridge hopes to take one step closer to the elusive century of stakes winners on Saturday and indicated that an Oaks win would rank alongside any of his major crowns in New Zealand and Australia. “At the moment, with now only having 15 in work in a small stable, having two fillies in the Oaks is great to start with,” he said. “To win it, that would be right up there with everything I’ve done as a trainer.” Horse racing news View the full article

The Mighty Spar winning the South Waikato Cup (2000m) at Matamata on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Te Akau Racing’s The Mighty Spar made it back-to-back wins in the Lally And Symes South Waikato Cup (2000m) at Matamata on Wednesday. Piloted by apprentice jockey Jessica Allen, The Mighty Spar settled in the one-one early on behind Langkawi and enjoyed an economical trip before Allen asked her charge to improve three-wide from the 300m and the pair quickly hit the lead, with the Mighty Spar able to hold out the late challenge of Arby to win by a short-head. Mark Walker, who trains the gelding in partnership with Sam Bergerson, was delighted to see The Mighty Spar defend his crown in the Matamata feature and was full of praise for their stable apprentice. “It was great to see him win the South Waikato Cup two years in a row and a lovely ride by Jess to get him into the perfect spot,” he said. “She pinched a break to gain the winning margin and rode a perfect race. I think Jess will really come into her own over the next few months, especially with the three-kilo claim.” Following the Mighty Spar’s win in last year’s edition of the South Waikato Cup, the son of Savabeel spent the winter months jumping over hurdles, highlighted by a placing in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles (3100m), and he may return to that discipline in the coming months. “He’s a bit of a marvel The Mighty Spar, winning five races on the flat and one over hurdles, and we’ll decide whether we keep him on the flat or go back over jumps,” Walker said. Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, who purchased the gelding as a yearling, was pleased to see him back in winning form. “He’s come back to racing in great fettle and I’m thrilled for the owners to win this race again, which had a pretty good mid-week stake,” Ellis said. “They way he hit the line fresh-up over a mile at Hastings suggested that he was in the right shape to go 2000m second-up, and it’s a really good training performance by Mark and Sam to have the horse spot on.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Eagle Farm Races Where Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, March 16, 2024 First Race 11:38am AEST Visit Dabble Brisbane Racing Club will host a competitive 10-race card at Eagle Farm this Saturday afternoon. The track is rated a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, but with little rain on the forecast, it is expected that the going will improve into the Good range before the start of the meeting. The rail will be pushed out slightly to the +0.5m position for the entire circuit, with racing set to kick off at 11:38am AEST. Best Bet at Eagle Farm: Press Link After returning from a 16-week spell with a dominant win at Doomben in mid-week grade, Press Link appears ready to step up to Saturday metropolitan level this weekend. The Robert Heathcote-trained gelding was able to settle behind the speed before peeling off the leaders back to run straight on by at the 250m mark. The son of Press Statement showed a devastating turn of foot as he put two lengths on his rivals within a few strides to career away with a 2.3-length victory. Although this bloke has drawn an awkward barrier (11), Michael Rodd has been on his back in both of his career starts, and he will give Press Link every chance to remain undefeated. Best Bet Race 8 – #2 Press Link (11) 3yo Gelding | T: Robert Heathcote | J: Michael Rodd (59.5kg) +160 with Picklebet Next Best at Eagle Farm: Tribeca Star Tribeca Star returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in four starts as the Matthew Dunn-trained galloper recorded a soft win at Grafton over 1410m on February 17. Since that win, Dunn has given his four-year-old gelding a four-week break, which should do him well considering he has been up since September of last year. Ryan Maloney will be legged aboard for his first ride on this son of Star Turn, and from barrier nine, he should be able to slot into a midfield position off the rail. If Tribeca Star lets down with a similar finish to his last start, he will prove very hard to hold out late. Next Best Race 5 – #4 Tribeca Star (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Matthew Dunn | J: Ryan Maloney (57kg) +200 with Neds Best Value at Eagle Farm: Hyde Hyde ran home nicely from midfield to finish third behind Boom Torque first-up and was only beaten by 1.3 lengths on the line over 1350m. Rising in distance to 1600m second-up (3:2-1-0) in a slightly weaker race looks to be the ideal step for the Annabel Neasham-trained gelding. With the aid of Bailey Wheeler’s 2kg claim, this son of Snitzel gets in very well at the weights and should be able to land in a good spot midfield from barrier six. With even luck from the 600m mark, Hyde will be running home strong to play a prominent role in the finish. Best Value Race 10 – #1 Hyde (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Bailey Wheeler (a2) (60.5kg) +800 with Dabble Saturday quaddie tips for Eagle Farm races Eagle Farm quadrella selections Saturday, March 16, 2024 Field 2 1-4-7-11 1-5-10-16 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Moments In Time powers away for Ellis Wong. Ellis Wong celebrated a significant milestone in his fledgeling career at Happy Valley on Wednesday night when the apprentice exploited his 10lb claim to maximum effect with a double on Happy Horse and Moments in Time. Wong, 23, made the most of his opportunities by striking in tandem with Manfred Man when Happy Horse prevailed before sealing his first double when Chilean Group 1 winner Moments In Time swept to victory. “It feels amazing. Thanks to Danny and Manfred for their support,” Wong said. “I’m very happy. “Moments In Time was really strong, we had a good pace and he followed really nicely and he won easily. It’s a great night.” Indentured to four-time Hong Kong champion Caspar Fownes, Wong returned to Hong Kong last season after riding 88 winners in South Australia, highlighted by a quartet at Gawler on January 7. Wong was in the best of company tonight, matching the feats of three senior jockeys who also produced braces – six-time champion Zac Purton, Brenton Avdulla and Harry Bentley – while Mark Newnham took training honours with a double. Purton boosted his tally of wins for the 2023/24 season to 79 to sit 29 clear of Karis Teetan (50) in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship after victories on Copartner Prance and Raging Blizzard, who continued a strong season with his fourth win of the preparation with success for John Size. Rated 55 at the start of the season, the Per Incanto gelding was dominant under 135lb at the top of Class 3 at his seventh start of a productive campaign, which has seen the four-year-old earn HK$4.6 million and rise to 79 (pre-race) in the handicap. Purton also combined with Francis Lui’s Copartner Prance. Douglas Whyte-trained King Eccellente overcame barrier 12 and unwound a powerful finish under a strong ride from Harry Bentley. “He obviously had a really wide draw, which was always going to make things difficult but we got a nice run, actually – three-wide but with cover,” Bentley said. “He travelled like a dream, actually, and it was just a matter of letting him down and he really picked up for me. “Good training performance, as well.” Bentley sealed a double aboard Mark Newnham’s Show Respect – also securing a brace for Newnham. Riding with supreme confidence after winning the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on Tony Cruz-trained California Spangle last Sunday, Brenton Avdulla struck aboard Master Of Luck for Newnham. Avdulla closed the meeting victoriously when he teamed with Cruz’s Beauty Charge to have 22 wins for the season. Resuming from suspension, Matthew Poon took only two rides to strike, scoring with Cody Mo’s Happy Fat Cat to slot his ninth win of the season. “I had two long suspensions and, at the beginning of the season, I think I missed the kick – I didn’t have too many rides,” Poon said. “So, it was pretty tough. “But now, everything is going the right way and slowly getting better. Thanks to Cody and the owners for trusting me. The owners have given me great support with the ride, and not only with the horses, but they have also given me mental support, so I’m very pleased for the owners. “I’m very happy to win on this horse.” Horse racing news View the full article

Brazilian salutes with his first ride back following a 10-month ban for helping countryman Vagner Borges place a wagerView the full article

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis OCALA, FL – With a pair of colts topping the seven-figure mark, the tempo picked up during the second session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training Wednesday. With 144 horses sold Wednesday for $25,488,000, the session average was $177,000–up 6.2% from last year's corresponding session–and the median of $87,500 declined 2.8% from a year ago. The buy-back rate was 31.8%. “I thought it was a very good session,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski. “It felt like there was activity all through the day at all levels. The numbers bear that out. It felt really good today.” Through the first two days of the three-day auction, 307 horses have grossed $47,164,000. The average of $153,629 is down 2.2% from last year's corresponding figure and the median is down 11.8% to $75,000. The cumulative buy-back at the end of Wednesday's session was 26.7%. It was 27.3% at the close of the second session last year. Trainer Jose D'Angelo made the highest bid of Wednesday's session when going to $1.5 million to acquire a colt by Not This Time. Earlier in the session, Ramiro Restrepo of Marquee Bloodstock went to $1.3 million to acquire a colt by Flatter. With that colt to be trained by Gustavo Delgado, both million-dollar juveniles will be kept in training with Florida-based trainers. “It's exciting for the future of Florida racing,” Wojciechowski said. With one session still to come, this year's OBS March sale has now produced three seven-figure juveniles. The entire 2023 sale had five 2-year-olds reach that threshold. A total of 23 horses have sold for $500,000 or more through two sessions, compared to 14 to reach that level at the same point last year. The OBS March sale concludes with a final session Thursday beginning at 11 a.m. D'Angelo Looking for More Time Jose D'Angelo, who has a colt on the GI Kentucky Derby trail with Morplay Racing's No More Time (Not This Time), was already looking ahead to next year's Triple Crown chase when he purchased another colt by Not This time for $1.5 million in Ocala Wednesday. D'Angelo said he purchased the colt for a partnership of owners, which includes Morplay's Rich Mendez. Mendez had partnered with Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo to purchase the colt for $900,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. Jose D'Angelo | Photos by Z “I train No More Time, so we were looking at another son of Not This Time,” D'Angelo said after signing the ticket on hip 533 in the name of Pro Racing Stable. “He had an amazing work with a nice gallop out. And he looked mentally very focused. We are on the way to the Derby with No More Time. And I spoke with all of the owners and I told them this was a good opportunity to get a good horse for racing next year. Rich Mendez owns No More Time and I train horses for him. So hopefully we can replay this story next year with another son of Not This Time.” Consigned by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds, the colt is out of Pammy Whammy (War Front) and is a half-brother to stakes-placed Pammy's Ready (More Than Ready). He worked a furlong last week in :9 4/5. Mendez was standing next to Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo when the pinhookers acquired the colt at last year's Saratoga sale. “We paid a lot of money for him at the yearling sale,” Hartley said. “We thought he was a beautiful horse at Saratoga. We took a shot and brought him here and he worked beautiful. It is bittersweet because we loved the colt so much. We wanted to hang on, but we're here to sell horses.” Of the colt's final price, Hartley said, “The sale has been all or nothing, so we figured it was going to be really big or nothing. Jose got the colt and we are so proud of him because he also trains some for us, too. He has our horse [No More Time] that we're headed to the Derby with, too. There are a bunch of his people that just love Not This Time, so they made a deal together. We hope they can be successful.” A native of Venezuela, D'Angelo has been training in the U.S. for five years now. He works alongside his father, who was a champion trainer in their native country. “I arrived in the U.S. in 2019 and in 2020, I got Jesus' Dream, who brought me to the Breeders' Cup and the Preakness S. and Dubai World Cup and Pegasus World Cup. He put me on the map.” D'Angelo hopes No More Time will help continue his career's upward trajectory. The sophomore won the GIII Sam F. Davis S. in February and was second last week in the GIII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby. “This is the first year with my babies,” he said. “I am very happy and I feel blessed. Probably next year we will have better babies.” Hip 533 | Photos by Z/Joe DiOrio As for plans for his newest Not This Time colt, D'Angelo said, “We will let him decompress for 15 days on the farm and later we will send him to Palm Meadows where I am getting all my babies. We will prep him for Keeneland or Saratoga. We don't know how early he can go, we are just going to do whatever is best for him and see what happens.” @JessMartiniTDN Flatter Colt Lights Up OBS A colt by Flatter (hip 494) became the second seven-figure juvenile of the March sale when bringing a final bid of $1.3 million from bloodstock agent Ramiro Restrepo. Restrepo, who signed for the colt in the name of his Marquee Bloodstock, said he had purchased the colt on behalf of a group of international partners, including Gustavo Delgado, who will train the youngster. Delgado has already had success with offspring of Flatter. The stallion is the sire of Paola Queen, who won the 2016 GI Test S. for the trainer. Hip 494 | ThoroStride The dark bay colt, who worked a furlong in :9 4/5 during last week's under-tack show, is out of Napier (Midnight Lute), a half-sister to Grade I winner Obligatory (Curlin). He was consigned by Sequel Bloodstock on behalf of his breeder, Gentry Stable. “The family, with the dam being a half-sister to Obligatory, it's four generations of Juddmonte,” Restrepo said. “You have to respect that type of breeding program. So this is a horse that, if he goes on to do what you buy these kind of horses to do, eventually he will be a sire. He has that kind of female family supporting him.” Delgado and his son and assistant Gustavo, Jr., as well as Restrepo hit the big stage with a partnership which tasted victory with Mage in last year's GI Kentucky Derby. The younger Delgado has plenty of optimism for this newest acquisition. “Gustavo Delgado, Jr. was with me at the sale and he loved the horse so much and was crucial in getting this done,” Restrepo said. Of the partnership, Restrepo added, “The group is going to be comprised of several partners, both domestic and international. I was just in the Middle East for the G1 Saudi Cup and Super Saturday [at Meydan] and met with some interesting clients over there. So this will be another interesting hodge-podge mix of characters into this gumbo and we are always open to bringing other partners into this group. It's never one locked-up team. With are using a the-more-the-merrier approach. We will race together and hopefully celebrate together.” @JessMartiniTDN Chasanoff's Audible Pays Off Robert Chasanoff of Gentry Stable typically sells his foals as yearlings, but the breeder decided to hold back a Flatter colt last year and the decision paid dividends Wednesday in Ocala when the juvenile, consigned by Becky Thomas's Sequel Bloodstock, sold for $1.3 million to Ramiro Restrepo's Marquee Bloodstock. Robert Chasanoff with daughter, Carlos Manresa, Becky Thomas, Ramiro Restrepo, and Tom Bozarth | Photos by Z “Becky has been raving about the horse in her own low key way,” Chasanoff said after watching the colt go through the ring. “Obviously, the horse has done really well. He worked so well and we had just positive feedback. I thought he would sell well, but he exceeded my expectations. But he has exceeded my expectations every step of the way since he's been a foal.” The colt is out of Napier (Midnight Lute), a half-sister to Grade I winner Obligatory (Curlin). The mare was purchased by Chasanoff's bloodstock advisor Tom Bozarth for $130,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November sale. “I only have three broodmares and I typically sell my yearlings,” Chasanoff said. “We liked this horse enough to keep him back. He was a little immature and I didn't think we would get full value. I thought, well I haven't trained one in a while, maybe I will send him to Becky and we will train him or race him. The next thing I knew, he was in the sale.” Chasanoff looked at Thomas and said with a laugh, “She thought he was too good for me.” Chasanoff gave credit for Wednesday's success to the entire team surrounding the colt. “Tom Bozarth is responsible for all my matings and he has been for 25 years,” he said. “All of my success is thanks to Tom. The colt was raised by Mike Owens at Cobra Farm, and of course Becky. Becky took him from being just a nice horse to that. It was all Carlos [Manresa] and Becky and the team at Sequel. I couldn't say enough about them.” Napier, who RNA'd for $285,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November sale, has a yearling colt by Maxfield and was bred back Wednesday as her 2-year-old prepared to go through the sales ring in Ocala. “She is being bred today to Elite Power,” Chasanoff said. Of the sale result, he added, “I am gratified beyond all reasonable expectation. When you do business with Tom Bozarth or Becky and Carlos, good things will happen. That will be the best comment I could make.” @JessMartiniTDN Nyquist Filly to Casse, Eventually A filly by Nyquist (hip 304) jumped to the lead early in the second session of the OBS March sale Wednesday when selling to bloodstock agent Justin Casse, bidding on behalf of an undisclosed client, for $750,000. Consigned by Wavertree Stables, the juvenile is out of High Heeled Girl (Malibu Moon), a daughter of Grade I placed High Heeled Hope (Salt Lake) and a half-sister to graded winners Lady T N T (Justin Phillip) and Sweet Hope (Lemon Drop Kid). Hip 304 | Photos by Z “I love the sire,” Casse said of the filly's appeal. “And I think she was a beautiful physical. She'd catch your eye just walking by. She was just that type. And then what she did on the track was very special as well. She put in a very good time and she's an excellent mover and she did it right.” The filly worked a furlong in :9 4/5 at last week's under-tack preview. “I don't know which trainer she is going to,” Casse said. “She doesn't seem like the type that needs any time. She could probably go right on. She looks like a promising 2-year-old type. But as of this moment, there are no plans.” The chestnut filly was originally led out of the ring at $850,000, but after some confusion and much discussion, she was ultimately sold for $750,000. “I am not entirely sure what happened,” Casse said. “It looked like basically a bid might have been taken that was supposed to be lower than what they were put in at–it looked like somebody was put in at $800,000 and they were trying to be $775,000. I think there was a bit of that. That was my take, from what I could tell. We are very happy to have the horse at the end of the day at that number after the dust had settled.” Also unsure how the kerfuffle had occurred, Wavertree's Ciaran Dunne said, “I haven't had time to go and talk to OBS and see what actually did happen. Unfortunately, you have to make game time decisions and we couldn't sit around, we had to make a decision and we made the decision to go ahead and sell her. We probably would have been very happy without the shenanigans and when the check arrives, we will probably forget about the shenanigans and be happy again.” The filly was purchased by the Red Wings pinhooking partnership of Paul Reddam, who campaigned her GI Kentucky Derby-winning sire, and Dunne for $250,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. “She's by a stallion, for us, that is probably one of the top stallions in the country,” Dunne said. “I think he's an amazing stallion–dirt, long, short, it doesn't matter. They are horses that are great to train. We have been fortunate to be around enough of them because to our connection with Mr. Reddam. So he's always a stallion who is high on the radar for us. Physically, I thought she was as good a filly as you're going to get. Great shape, great hind end on her, moved good, and she did everything we wanted her to do on the racetrack.” Later in the session, Wavertree sold a colt from the first crop of graded stakes winner Shancelot (hip 421) for $650,000 to Bill Childs. The juvenile, who worked a furlong last week in :9 4/5, was purchased by Dunne's Waves Bloodstock partnership for $130,000 at Keeneland last September. Hip 421 | Photos by Z “He brought all a Shancelot was ever going to bring,” Dunne said. “He was a beautiful colt when we bought him, so it wasn't rocket science. He matured just as you would want him to and he performed on the racetrack. I think he brought as much as a first-season stallion people probably forgotten was at stud could bring.” The speedy Shancelot won the 2019 GII Amsterdam S. and was second in that year's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, but questions surrounded him as he began his stud career when his trainer Jorge Navarro was sentenced to five years in prison for employing performance-enhancing drugs. Asked if there were any concerns about buying a six-figure yearling by the stallion last fall, Dunne said, “Maybe I am naive, but we've been doing this a long time and I'm not sure that anybody has ever come up with anything that can make one go faster than it is. I remember seeing that horse win at Saratoga and I was blown away.” @JessMartiniTDN One and Done for Speedway Peter and Ann Fluor and Kane Weiner's Speedway Stables don't depend on numbers when attending the season's biggest sales. But what they lack in quantity they more than make up for in quality, and employed that formula again Wednesday when landing Hip 445, a colt by Mitole, for $725,000. Peter Fluor handled the bidding duties for the dark bay, who was the sole purchase for the team through the first two days of the sale. “It was a little beyond where we had hoped he'd be. We are aware of the fact it is usually all or nothing,” admitted agent Marette Farrell. “We didn't want to pay any more, but we are happy to get the horses. We had to stretch a little bit, but we were at the tipping point.” Consigned by Eddie Woods, the son of Midnight Magic (Midnight Lute) breezed :9.4 during Friday's breeze session. The Florida-bred colt is a half-brother to GIII Delaware Oaks winner Midnight Stroll (Not This Time) and stakes-placed Atthecrossroads (Practical Joke). Midnight Magic is a half-sister to Grade III winner Coalport (Kitten's Joy), in addition to French listed winner Jolly Good Kitten (Kitten's Joy). “He had a flawless breeze and we just loved his gallop out,” recalled Farrell. “An obvious selling point was that he was by Mitole, who was the champion first-season sire last year. However, what we really liked about this particular colt was the way he was built. He had more Midnight Lute in him, more stretch and more length. [Trainer] John and Tonya Terranova train [GSW Midnight Stroll], so we were aware of that.” According to Farrell, the $250,000 OBS October purchase will ultimately head to Bob Baffert. “We hope he will be a Del Mar horse,” she said. In addition to the obvious talent witnessed on the track last week, Farrell also pointed to some of the more intangible factors that went into pursuing the colt. “It was the class of the horse. We went back after we bought him and there he was, head out of the stall eating hay and very calm. I love that too,” explained Farrell. “Angela [Woods] told us he's a highly intelligent horse and every day when they clean his stall, he's back on the clean part of the shavings laying down. To me, growing up in Ireland, that was something that was really important. The really good horses really take care of themselves and are easy on themselves mentally.” She continued, “When they go to the next level, it's stress 24/7. They go into a tense environment every morning. So if they can zone out and chill, I think they are easy on themselves mentally and physically as a result.” From limited 2-year-old purchases over the past few years, Speedway has unearthed a handful of gold nuggets at OBS, most notably GI Pacific Classic scorer Collected (City Zip), a $170,000 OBS March buy in 2015, and juvenile champion Corniche (Quality Road), secured for $1.5 million at the OBS Spring sale in 2021. Both colts were trained by Baffert for the majority of their careers. “I feel really comfortable at the 2-year-old sales,” she said. “We have a great team here. At the yearling sales, sometimes it feels like 'pin the tail on the donkey'. You just don't have as much information to go by. But at the juvenile sales, there are a lot more factors to consider. And I really find that fun.”–@CBossTDN Strong Showing for Woods at OBS Eddie Woods usually can be counted on to come well armed to the OBS sales and this season was no different. Highlighting his consignment on the second day of the sale, the Woods team was headed by Hip 445, a colt by Mitole who realized a $725,000 final bid from Speedway Stables. Woods purchased the colt for a sale topping $250,000 at OBS last October. Also during Day 2 of the sale, Woods sold Hip 499, a filly by Twirling Candy, for $600,000 and Hip 348, a Florida-bred colt by the Lane's End sire for $550,000. Rounding out his top sales of the session was Hip 395, a $400,000 colt by freshman sire Improbable. From 10 horses offered Wednesday, Woods got nine of the sold, with eight realizing over $200,000. “I thought he'd sell really well, but I didn't really think he'd bring over $700,000,” admitted Woods on the sale of his session topper. “We paid well for him in the beginning because he was a really good-looking yearling. He just kept getting better all winter. He stayed together and vetted well. He worked fantastic even though he worked on his wrong lead, which was a surprise because he's never put a foot wrong. But that's the way it goes. He's magnificent looking and I think he has a chance to be a really top-end horse.” Weighing in the colt's dam, Midnight Magic (Midnight Lute), Woods added, “He's out of a good mare. I tried to buy the sister [GSW Midnight Stroll] a couple of years ago, but Tonya Terranova outbid me for her and she went on to become a graded stakes horse for them. And these horses were similar. The Midnight Lute is a big influence on that whole family.” At this venue last year, the Woods consignment was headed by the Twirling Candy colt Top Conor, who brought $1-million from Sean Flanagan. The colt, who was the co-fourth highest priced at this venue last season, broke his maiden for Chad Brown at Gulfstream Park Feb. 17 and is targeting the GII Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Apr. 6. Asked about his apparent affinity with the sire, Woods explained, “I've been lucky with Twirling Candy. We also had a beautiful-looking horse sell here for $550,000 here today. I actually thought he would bring a little bit more because Twirling Candy is a bit more accomplished [than Mitole] at this point. We also had a filly bring $600,000 and she was just an athlete. She was an oil painting. She did just everything right.” However, even with the stars aligning and all the pieces falling exactly into place, Woods was quick to point out the common theme in the juvenile sales market. “If they are good they'll give you all you need from them, but if they're not, you'll be holding on to your hat.” —@CBossTDN The post $1.5-Million Not This Time Colt on Top as Action Ticks up at OBS March appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Switzerland ridden by James McDonald takes out the Group 2 Todman Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Racing NSW Coolmore has finalised the jockey selections for their two entrants in the prestigious Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m), scheduled to grace Rosehill on March 23. The renowned English jockey, Ryan Moore, is confirmed to pilot the +130 favourite, Storm Boy, adding to the anticipation surrounding this juvenile feature. Meanwhile, James McDonald maintains his partnership with Chris Waller’s Switzerland, a contender closely trailing as the +300 hopeful with top horse racing bookies. Coolmore Australia took to Twitter/X to officially announce these developments, putting an end to the speculations that intensified following Switzerland’s impressive victory in the Todman Stakes last week. Golden Slipper jockeys confirmed for Storm Boy and Switzerland. Unbeaten Magic Millions winner Storm Boy will be partnered by Ryan Moore. Unbeaten Todman Stakes winner Switzerland will be ridden by James McDonald. pic.twitter.com/LKsqW6jqbn — Coolmore Australia (@CoolmoreAus) March 13, 2024 McDonald’s involvement with Storm Boy in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes victory, replacing Adam Hyeronimus after Coolmore’s acquisition of the talented progeny of Justify in a landmark deal worth up to $60 million, further fueled the intrigue surrounding the jockey allocations. While Hyeronimus may not be aboard Storm Boy, he remains in contention with the ride on Lady Of Camelot (+1400), a stablemate who narrowly missed out on victory in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m). Horse racing news View the full article

What Coolmore 2024 Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, March 16, 2024 Prizemoney $1,000,000 Distance 1500m Status Group 1 | Fillies & Mares 2023 winner Espiona (14) | T: Chris Waller | J: Michael Dee (51kg) Visit Dabble The fillies & mares take centre stage in the time-honoured Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill this Saturday afternoon. A near capacity field of 18 is set to line up in the $1 million feature, with form-lines converging from all across NSW, plus a couple of intriguing Victorian raiders, all vying for their chance at Group 1 glory. Will it be the older horses? Or perhaps a low-weight three-year-old set to etch their name in the record books? 2024 Coolmore Classic odds After a dominant victory in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) first-up, horse racing bookmakers have installed Zougotcha as a +320 favourite post barrier draw. Two-time Group 1 winner Tropical Squall is on the second line of betting at +550, while the Ciaron Maher-trained Semana is the only other galloper holding single figures in the market. Stable companions Jennilala (+900) and Yonce (+1000) appear to be the best backed of those at double figures, with the duo making the trip north from Melbourne. 2024 Coolmore Classic speed map There should be a genuine tempo engaged in this year’s Coolmore Classic, with the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Tropical Squall likely to ping across to the rail despite drawing out in barrier 17. Deny Knowledge usually utilizes early speed and will be looking to get across from stall nine. Yonce (1) led all the way to score last start and has the option to slot in behind the speed, and Jennilala (4) can do the same. Zougotcha gets favours drawn in barrier two, while the likes of Kimochi (14), Hinged (15) and Madame Pommery (16) have it all to do from some awkward draws. Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top tips and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Coolmore Classic. Coolmore Classic 2024 preview & form Zougotcha deserves to be favourite heading into the Coolmore Classic, with the form out of the Millie Fox Stakes reading exceptionally well. Lady Laguna finished runner-up in that event and has already franked the form by winning last Saturday’s Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m). The daughter of Zoustar had no issues putting her away despite being first-up into the campaign, and provided Zougotcha takes a step forward from that victory, she must be considered the one to beat on Saturday. Semana has been a model of consistency for the Ciaron Maher barn and continues to impress at every opportunity. She was sensational when winning on the Gold Coast before adding the Group 3 Triscay Stakes (1200m) to the resume at Randwick on February 17, powering away from her rivals to score by a half-length. She has earnt the right to compete against Group 1 quality based on how she is travelling this campaign, and although she may have to work from barrier 11 to find an economical run, leave it in the capable hands of Dylan Gibbons to secure his second Group 1 victory. Vienna Princess is the one missed in the market by the bookies and should be much shorter than the +1400 currently available. She was excellent through the line in the Millie Fox behind Zougotcha and was never going to figure over the 1300m. Punters only need to reference her final performance last preparation at this track and trip in the Golden Eagle (1500m) on November 4 to justify serious claims, and with the price on offer for the Chris Waller-trained mare, you don’t want to lose on her as she jumps out of the ground late. There are a stack of chances to round out the numbers, with the likes of More Secrets, Tropical Squall, Kimochi and Madame Pommery all worth throwing in wider exotics. Coolmore Classic 2024 selections & best bets Selections: 1 ZOUGOTCHA 3 SEMANA 4 VIENNA PRINCESS 14 MORE SECRETS $100 betting strategy $50 win Zougotcha (#1) @ +300 with Picklebet $30 win Semana (#3) @ +750 with Neds $20 win Vienna Princess (#4) @ +1500 with Playup 2024 Coolmore Classic Final Field 1. Zougotcha (2) T: Chris Waller J: James McDonald W: 57kg F: 1×646 Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Zoustar Dam: Fast Talker +300 -133.33 2. Revolutionary Miss (13) T: Peter & Paul Snowden J: Michael Dee W: 55.5kg F: 11311 Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Russian Revolution Dam: Purcentage +1300 +320 3. Semana (11) T: Ciaron Maher J: Dylan Gibbons W: 55.5kg F: 112×5 Age: 4YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Mare Sire: Winning Rupert Dam: Festivity +750 +190 4. Vienna Princess (8) T: Chris Waller J: Kerrin McEvoy W: 55.5kg F: 4×611 Age: 4YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Mare Sire: Snitzel Dam: Graciousness +1500 +360 5. Hinged (15) T: Chris Waller J: Tommy Berry W: 55kg F: 2×687 Age: 5YO Color: Brown Sex: Mare Sire: Worthy Cause Dam: Tints +1800 +400 6. Tropical Squall (17) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Tim Clark W: 54.5kg F: 1×021 Age: 3YO Color: Brown Sex: Filly Sire: Prized Icon Dam: Squalls +600 +150 7. Deny Knowledge (9) T: Mick Kent J: Tom Sherry W: 54.5kg F: x7146 Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Pride of Dubai Dam: The Paris Shrug (GB) +2500 +550 8. Foxy Frida (12) T: Andrew Noblet J: Billy Egan W: 54.5kg F: 4×103 Age: 6YO Color: Brown Sex: Mare Sire: Foxwedge Dam: Family Portrait +3000 +650 9. Madame Pommery (16) T: Chris Waller J: Jason Collett W: 54.5kg F: 3×740 Age: 4YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Mare Sire: No Nay Never (USA) Dam: Cancel +3400 +750 10. Renaissance Woman (5) T: Bjorn Baker J: Rachel King W: 54.5kg F: 8×021 Age: 4YO Color: Brown Sex: Mare Sire: Reliable Man (GB) Dam: Mrs Kennedy +5000 +1000 11. Yonce (1) T: Ciaron Maher J: John Allen W: 54kg F: 158×4 Age: 6YO Color: Brown Sex: Mare Sire: Proisir Dam: Ziva +1200 +290 12. Barbie’s Fox (10) T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes J: TBC W: 53kg F: 50×02 Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Foxwedge Dam: So Barbie Says +6000 +1200 13. Hell Hath No Fury (3) T: Annabel Neasham J: Tyler Schiller W: 52kg F: 13112 Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Hellbent Dam: Diamond Cove +3000 +650 14. More Secrets (6) T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes J: Jay Ford W: 51.5kg F: 3×035 Age: 6YO Color: Brown Sex: Mare Sire: More Than Ready (USA) Dam: Secret Indulgence (NZ) +2600 +600 15. Ausbred Flirt (18) T: Brad Widdup J: Alysha Collett W: 51kg F: 6×052 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Maurice (JPN) Dam: Seven Year Itch +4500 +900 16. Jennilala (4) T: Ciaron Maher J: Craig Newitt W: 51kg F: 1x01x Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Shalaa (IRE) Dam: Rosarian +1000 +250 17. Kimochi (14) T: Gary Portelli J: Zac Lloyd W: 50.5kg F: 71×23 Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Brave Smash (JPN) Dam: Summer Fun +750 +190 18. Barby’s Doll (7) T: Jerome Hunter J: TBC W: 50kg F: 3312 Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Fighting Sun Dam: Barbaretta +15000 +3300 Horse racing tips View the full article

Horse Racing on Thursday, March 14 will feature six meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and provided free quaddie tips for the meeting at Cranbourne. Thursday Horse Racing Tips – March 14, 2024 Cranbourne Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on March 14, 2024, check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Horse racing tips View the full article

Darwin trainer Garry Clarke with veteran NT jockey Paul Denton, after they combined to win Darwin’s St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) at Fannie Bay last year. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Darwin Photography Professionals) Leading Darwin trainer Gary Clarke will attempt to win the $40,000 St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) at Fannie Bay on Saturday for a third straight year. Count Of Essex, who won the Alice Springs Cup (2000m) two years ago in his final race, saluted for Clarke in 2022 before Siakam overcame stablemate Influential Jack last year. Clarke, who has won 11 straight Top End and Country premierships, will start Wilsons Prom, Vallabar and Influential Jack in the 2024 edition. “I’ve got a couple of nice horses in the race, it’s a good race to win,” Clarke said. “Wilsons Prom, he’s been in fine form, and Influential Jack, he was favourite last year. “The other old horse Vallabar, he’s tough and he’s a contender in a race like that.” Wilsons Prom, a five-year-old gelding, has won four of his past five starts since December. During February, the son of Xtravagant saluted by 6.5 lengths (0-64) and six lengths (0-76) over 1600m. “His last two runs have been super,” Clarke said. “He didn’t have an easy run in both races – they’ve served it right up to him and then he’s run away from them in the home straight. “If he can race like that again, he’ll be pretty hard to beat.” Clarke agreed that Chris Nash’s Son Of Bielski, who has won four on the bounce, Phil Cole’s Tubthumper and Jason Manning’s Bon Pride will provide stiff opposition. “It’s a bit hard to gage Wilsons Prom against the better horses, but he has been winning fairly dominantly,” Clarke added. “Vallabar ran second behind Wilsons Prom last start – he’s probably going to be better when he gets out to the 2000m. “He’s a horse you just can’t leave out, no matter what the distance.” Clarke, who has arrived in the Red Centre with a small team for Cup Carnival, is already eyeing the Alice Springs Cup, but may not have a runner in the Pioneer Sprint (1200m). “I’ve got a horse here called Marimenko, one of Viv Oldfield’s, for the Cup,” he said. “I had him last year, but he hurt himself and never got to run in the Cup. “He’s been in work with Richard Jolly in Adelaide and recently won his last start at Morphettville over 1800m. “If Wilsons Prom and Vallabar run well on Saturday they will come down for the Cup.” Clarke also confirmed that Syncline, the 2022 Top End Horse and Sprinter of the Year, has retired. The seven-year-old gelding, who won Darwin’s Palmerston Sprint (1200m) in 2022, had 33 career for eight wins and 12 minor placings. Arriving from Kris Lees’ Newcastle stable, the son of Stratum had 24 starts for Clarke for six wins. “In his first prep, he had 16 starts and was only out of the money once – he ran fourth,” Clarke said. “He still enjoyed doing his track work and was the soundest horse in our stable. “Race day, he just clocked off – he didn’t want to be there.” “We made the decision to find a new home for him.” Horse racing news View the full article

Alice Springs Turf Club general manager Tony McGovern is looking forward to the start of the 2024 Cup Carnival at Pioneer Park on Sunday It’s all systems go as the Alice Springs Turf Club prepares for its re-configured Cup Carnival starting on Sunday. Bringing the Alice Springs Cup Carnival forward was finalised late last year, but re-scheduling the Red Centre’s showpiece event was first raised at the Thoroughbred Racing Northern Territory board meeting during the Darwin Cup Carnival last August. In recent times, the ASTC Carnival started in April, culminating with Cup Day on the first Sunday in May; it took place on April 30 last year. The new format ensures a longer break between the Alice Springs and Darwin Cup Carnivals. After five meetings in as many weeks at Pioneer Park, Cup Carnival kicks off with the $35,000 St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m), with Cup Day scheduled for April 7. On Tuesday, 87 nominations had been received for Sunday’s meeting, which is likely to accommodate eight races with $193,000 in stakes. “I think most people have accepted the new format, so it’s time to get on with it,” ASTC general manager Tony McGovern said. “If numbers for this week was the indicator as to whether or not trainers and owners are embracing changes to the Carnival, then you’d have to say yes. “There was about 80 horses doing trackwork this morning, and I imagine that’s going to be the case over the next four weeks. “The racing has been very good the last few weeks, and horse numbers have been great.” A number of runners in the St Patrick’s Day Cup will back up in the Chief Ministers Cup (1600m) in a final hit-out before the Alice Springs Cup (2000m). “There are a few Darwin horses and jockeys here now, and certainly numbers will improve over the next couple of weeks,” McGovern said. “Kym Healy from South Australia has brought a nice team, while Neil Dyer has arrived with a team from Victoria. “I know Michael Hickmott is going to bring some horses up from Murray Bridge for the Alice Springs Cup. “We’re missing a few familiar faces, but it opens up the opportunity for local trainers to win some prizemoney. “We’re lucky that Darwin jockeys Sonja Logan, Aaron Sweeney, Jade Hampson and Emma Lines have decided to move down here for the month. “Trainers haven’t got any excuses as far as giving their horses work, as there are plenty of jockeys here.” With the Darwin Cup Carnival starting in July, McGovern supports the extended interval between carnivals. “It gives the three-year-olds, especially, the chance to take their shoes off and have a break before Darwin,” he said. “In the past that never applied, I think it’s important that they have a bit more time off.” The three-year-olds get the opportunity to pick up a $50,000 bonus if they win the Darwin Double – the $75,000 Darwin Guineas (1600m) and the $135,000 NT Derby (2050m). There’s also the Triple Crown with a $100,000 bonus should a horse win the Alice Springs Cup before heading north and winning the $60,000 Chief Ministers Cup (1600m) and $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m). Horse racing news View the full article

Top-tier bookmakers have rolled out an enticing lineup of racing specials slated for Thursday, March 14. Standouts on the list include a slew of lucrative bonus-back incentives, elevating the thrill of the trackside action. Dive into these offers from top horse racing betting sites to maximise your wagering prospects. The top Australian racing promotions for March 14, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Cranbourne – 25% Boosted Winnings Paid in Bonus Cash. First Fixed Win Cash Bet. Max Bonus $250. T&Cs Apply. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Daily Trifecta Boosts Boost your winnings on Trifectas by 10% with new Daily Trifecta Boosts. Thoroughbreds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au has conducted a thorough evaluation of Australia’s leading horse racing bookmakers, unveiling exclusive bonus promotions and specials tailored specifically for Thursday, March 14, 2024. These horse racing promotions stand as a testament to the unwavering dedication of Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, if one bookmaker is not currently offering a promotion, you can be confident that another is capitalising on promotional offers. Your go-to destination for the most rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses each day is HorseBetting.com.au. Take advantage of bookie bonuses and the best horse racing odds available for every race to increase the value of your betting endeavours. It’s important to note that these thoroughbred racing promotion offers are exclusively crafted for existing customers. To access these special promotions and claim the bookmaker’s offers, simply log in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For those seeking races and horses to optimise their horse betting bookmaker bonus bets, HorseBetting provides a valuable resource with its daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

Ryan Moore, number one jockey for Coolmore in the Northern Hemisphere, has been booked to ride exciting Justify colt Storm Boy (Aus) in the upcoming G1 Golden Slipper on Mar. 23, Coolmore Australia announced on X early Thursday morning. Fellow unbeaten Coolmore-owned colt Switzerland (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), a winner of the G2 Todman S. on Mar. 9, will be the mount of James McDonald. Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Storm Boy rattled off victories at Rosehill on debut in early December, followed by the G3 BJ McLachlan S. over 1200 metres on Dec. 23. He made his 2024 bow a winning one in the Listed Magic Millions 2yo Classic over that same trip in mid-January and continued to pad his record–after being purchased by Coolmore in the interim–when partnered with McDonald in the G2 Skyline S. earlier this month. He was the recipient of a positive update on Wednesday, after participating in a Rosehill exhibition gallop, under McDonald once again, on Wednesday morning. In the case of Switzerland, Chris Waller trains the son of Snitzel (Aus), who claimed a Randwick affair in January and added the Coolmore Pierro Plate over 1100 metres in February, one start prior to his Todman heroics with McDonald at the controls. The post Ryan Moore To Ride Storm Boy In Golden Slipper, James McDonald On Switzerland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Chosen Vron looks to reprise his role as king of the Southern California sprinting ranks when he starts as the heavy favorite in the $100,000 San Carlos Stakes (G3) March 16 at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

After receiving a seven-day suspension and a $1,000 fine after a horse he trained tested positive for a metabolite of Tramadol, trainer Rusty Arnold went on the offensive. While he did not argue the fact that the horse tested positive, he has said that it is grossly unfair that the HISA/HIWU continues to suspended trainers for minute amounts of drugs that aren't considered performance-enhancing. Advocating for a major change in how these infractions are dealt with, Arnold was this week's guest on the TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Green Group Guest of the week. “I can't deny that the horse raced on Tramadol,” Arnold said. “I took my positive and I didn't argue it. I didn't say anything. But after taking it, I wanted to point out that I don't think it's fair. I don't think the system is right on these trace limits. I'm trying to create some positive movement to change the rules and bring about some positive changes.” Arnold said the only way the drug could have gotten into the horse's system is through environmental contamination and that HIWU's zero tolerance stand on drug positives is unrealistic. “I have no doubt that it came from contamination,” he said. “But my major objection is that in today's society, there is no such thing as zero tolerance. There needs to be a level and if the medication is under that level it won't be a drug positive. I'm trying to move forward and trying to make a positive change. Too many people are getting involved in similar situations right now. It's one every day or one every few days. And I disagree with it.” Arnold said he heard from over 300 people since his ordeal became public and said the overwhelming sentiment was that he was being treated unfairly. “The response has been very good, a little bit overwhelming actually,” he said. “I answered over 300 emails and texts over the next 48 hours. I would say 99.9% were positive and that included support I received from several Jockey Club members, which very much surprised me. The one thing that was the theme that echoed between every one of them was, 'this isn't what we signed up for with HISA. This isn't what we thought it was going to be. We thought we were going to catch guys that were clearly cheating. We didn't know that the everyday guy that's out there trying to do his job was going to be snared by the gotcha mentality.'” In our breeding spotlight section we looked at the Coolmore stallion Tiz the Law and the WinStar stallion Audible. Domestic Product | SV Photography Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, Coolmore, 1/ST Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, WinStar https://www.winstarfarm.com/and XBTV.com, the team of Randy Moss, Bill Finley and Zoe Cadman reviewed the major races from last week, which included the one nobody could bet on–the GIII Tampa Bay Derby–won by Domestic Product (Practical Joke). Cadman said she was impressed by the performance of the Chad Brown-trainee, while Finley said he was underwhelmed because of the weak field. There was also talk of the win by Kinza (Carpe Diem) in the GIII Santa Ysabel S. Kinza is arguably the best 3-year-old filly in training but because she is trained by Bob Baffert she cannot run in the GI Kentucky Oaks. Cadman was in Ocala for the March OBS 2-Year-Old Sale and gave a scouting report on which freshman sires she thinks will stand out during the sale. To watch the Writers' Room, click here. To view the show as a podcast, click here. The post Rusty Arnold Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Brigette Solomon The country’s leading trainers, Steve and Amanda Telfer send two additional horses south for today’s feature races at Manawatu and stable driver Joshua Dickie is confident of their chances. “There are several horses in our team that are capable of good performances but I’d say Joca’s Hill and Fernleigh Cash have strong claims,” says Dickie. Joca’s Hill starts in Race one, the Marty & Di’s Catering Handicap Trot over 2500 metres. The gelding has had just seven starts for three wins, the most recent of those at Cambridge on March 7 where he was three wide over the last 600 metres and pulled away from Con Grazia Love to win by two and a quarter lengths. “He will still need a bit of luck as he’s still learning his trade and is only lightly raced but I’ve been rapt with his behaviour to date,” says Dickie, “he’s a lovely horse with good speed and he I think he’ll have no trouble coming up through the grades.” The gelding by What The Hill starts off a 20 metre handicap today. In Race two, the Festival Night 28 March Palmerston North Cup Handicap Pace, Dickie drives Fernleigh Cash. The gelding won the Bay of Plenty Cup at Cambridge Raceway last week defeating Miki Shan and Bad Medicine. “He pulled up really well from last week’s run but he’s off 30 metres today and New York Minute also warrants respect in this race,” says Dickie, “being a small field benefits us with the handicap and he’s been absolute humming in his races lately so I’m fairly confident.” Of the stable’s other three starters, Dickie also expects another good performance from Molly Belwin in Race six, the Power Farming Mobile Pace. “She’s a handy filly and finished strong for second place on Tuesday,” says Dickie, “she’s a handy filly and by all reports she’s come through the run well and I think she’s a great chance.” Semba, who finished fourth on Tuesday, starts in Race seven, the Southern Rangitikei Vet Services Mobile Pace over 2500 metres. “He needed the run on Tuesday but still went well enough and I think he will appreciate the extra distance as well as being better off from Tuesday’s run.” Dickie also drives Grace N Elegance (R3), Sharkntatties (R4), No Added Sugar (R5), and Shirley Bassey (R8). Team Telfer currently have 40 wins in 2024, 13 clear of Robert and Jenna Dunn. View the full article

Late in Wednesday's session at the OBS March sale, a colt by Not This Time realized a $1.5 million final bid. Jose d'Angelo signed the ticket on the Hartley/ De Renzo Thoroughbreds- consigned juvenile. Offered as Hip 533, the son of Pammy Whammy (War Front) breezed an eighth in :9.4 during last week's breeze show. Bred by Rockingham Ranch, the bay brought $900,000 at last summer's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Sale. The post Not This Time Colt Brings $1.5M at OBS March appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

CHELTENHAM, UK — “It's the Willie Mullins five as they come towards the last.” Commentator Ian Bartlett issued a line to strike dread into the hearts of rival trainers. Mullins had picked up where he left off, with Ballyburn (Ire) (Flemensfirth) leading home his stable-mates Jimmy de Seuil (Fr), Ile Atlantique (Fr), Mercurey (Fr) and Predators Gold (Fr) in the G1 Gallagher Novices' Hurdle. The only other finisher, and one of two British-trained runners, was Ben Pauling's Handstands (Ire), tailed off, while Jingko Blue (Fr) continued a week of woe for Nicky Henderson by becoming his sixth horse in the last two days at Cheltenham to be pulled up mid-race. In the parade ring ahead of the next, Queen Camilla looked unperturbed by England's apparent inferiority in the jumping ranks as she chatted with friends, very much at home in the Cotswolds. Just across the paddock was the man who trained Cheltenham's original 'Famous Five', Michael Dickinson, holding court amid a group of visiting influencers. Things have changed since 1983 when Dickinson saddled Bregawn, Captain John, Wayward Lad, Silver Buck and Ashley House, who became an instant quiz question when securing their places in history by being the first five home in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Dickinson looked around, gesturing towards the impressive new grandstand, and said, “The Festival is so different now, none of this was here. It has changed and gone forward, it was nothing like this in the old days.” The Yorkshireman has been based in America for many years but can't resist an annual pilgrimage to Cheltenham. “It's four days of championship racing with over 200,000 people attending. They bet half a billion dollars and there's £7 million in prize-money,” he added. “That's it in a nutshell. There's nothing like this.” There is also nothing, or nobody, quite like Willie Mullins. After Ballyburn came the stunning Fact To File (Fr) (Poliglote {GB}) to win the G1 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase and put Ireland's champion National Hunt trainer on the cusp of notching 100 winners at the Cheltenham Festival. He walked in to the winner's circle with an almost apologetic air. Nicky Henderson, his main British rival and the man who for a long time had been the winningmost trainer at the Festival, was barely at the races. Henderson had acknowledged the poor performances of his runners on the opening day of the meeting and announced the withdrawal of Jonbon (Fr), First Street (GB) and Kingston Pride (Ire) from Wednesday's proceedings. As Mullins mused next year's Champion Hurdle potential of Ballyburn, his thoughts turned also to his friend and rival. “Nicky Henderson must be devastated, having to pull out his horses,” he said. “That's what I'm always dreading, that you have an axe swung in from the side that takes you out at the knees. “We all feel for him, because we'd rather have beaten Constitution Hill to win the Champion Hurdle. We're good pals and we like the competition, and it's just awful for people. You save it all up for the whole year, your energy, everything, put it all into this and then the horses are taken out because of some mystery, whatever's going through the yard.” Setbacks come in different guises, however, and by the time of the day's feature race, the G1 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, it was Mullins who was ruing his luck when his odds-on favourite El Fabiolo (Fr) (Spanish Moon) crumpled on landing over the fifth fence and, though swiftly back to his feet with Paul Townend still aboard, was sensible pulled up, all momentum lost. Instead, it was that immensely popular duo of Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore who prevailed with the appropriately named Captain Guinness (Ire), who had been second last year behind Energumene (Fr). This time around Mullins had to settle for second courtesy of his other runner, Gentleman De Mee (Fr) (Saint Des Saints {Fr}). For the winning trainer it was a fourth success in this championship for the two-mile chasers in the last 13 years, but it was the first time his stable jockey Blackmore had won this particular race and it completed her triple crown to go with Honeysuckle's Champion Hurdles and A Plus Tard's Gold Cup. “Here she is, the Queen of Cheltenham,” said the announcer as Blackmore was led back in while the actual Queen stood discreetly to one side applauding. Blackmore has long been jump racing's greatest gift. A fierce competitor on equal terms in an unforgiving sport, she would almost certainly loathe to be thought of as anything other than just a jockey, but she is indubitably one of the best we've seen and she just happens to be female. “You just leave it to her,” said de Bromhead as he assessed the performance of Blackmore. “I've said it all before, she's such an incredible rider, and whatever it is about here, she's amazing here, even better.” Blackmore herself said after claiming her 16th Festival victory on Declan Landy's nine-year-old, “He's an incredible horse and just fantastic. I'm not shocked, because I thought his day would come, but at the same time I can't believe it came today. “Although he was beaten a long way, he ran a really good race here last year behind an incredibly talented horse, and when you are riding for Henry around here this week he does just get them spot on, so I was very, very hopeful coming into the race. I'm just so delighted it's finally happened, and on the biggest stage of all. It's an incredible race to win.” Britain did get two strikes on the board on Wednesday – both from the same stable. Dan Skelton, the trainer of repeat Coral Cup winner Langer Dan (Ire) (Ocovango {Ger}) and Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase winner Unexpected Party (Fr) (Martaline {Fr}), had started the week in less auspicious fashion by being fined £6,000 by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) for his part in the saga surrounding the sale of George Gently (Fr). In a “fast-tracked” disciplinary hearing into a case which has actually been ongoing for six years, Skelton admitted to two breaches of the Rules of Racing. He was handed a financial penalty but no suspension despite having been found to have misled or attempted to mislead the BHA in regard to the ownership of George Gently prior to his sale to a syndicate. Not the greatest PR for British jump racing at a time when its fragility is becoming increasingly apparent. Cheltenham, too, has issues that will need to be addressed in the near future in regard to the Festival. The attendance figure for Wednesday was 46,771, the lowest it has been since 2009. In 2022, the first year the crowds returned after Covid, there were 64,431 people at Cheltenham for Queen Mother Champion Chase day, but prior to the pandemic the more usual figure for the Wednesday had been just shy of 60,000. More positively, the day ended as it had started, with victory for Willie Mullins and a significant milestone reached with his century of Cheltenham Festival winners. “Willie's in the bumper” has been a favourite fall-back option for festival-goers for years, ever since Mullins trained – and rode – his first Champion Bumper winner Wither Or Which (Ire) in 1996. That sparked three in a row, and his tally in the Festival's sole flat contest now stands at 13 victories. On four of those occasions his son Patrick has been aboard, as he was for this significant 100th Festival win. In fact, these days it is hard to narrow down exactly which one of Willie's it will be in the bumper. This year he trained eight of the 19 runners, and the winner, Jasmin De Vaux (Fr) (Tirwanako {Fr}), is owned, like the unfortunate El Fabiolo, by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. “I can't put into words what it feels like to train 100 winners here, because nobody ever thought that anybody would train 100 winners,” Mullins said. “As I've often said, when I started out and had my first win here with Tourist Attraction I thought that was a lifetime achievement, so I'm absolutely stunned that we've come this far. “We have such a wonderful team at home, with my wife Jackie, Patrick, David Casey, Ruby [Walsh], Dick [Dowling], and all of my head people. It's such a team effort, and they had all of those horses to saddle there. I didn't go near one saddle.” He added, “I was really pleased Patrick got the ride. I wasn't sure he was on the right one, but he picked it and he was spot on. “Simon and Isaac had the disappointment with El Fabiolo so for them to own this horse was a little bit of justice.” It is indeed, for while Mullins is dominating the Festival, with six of the 13 winners at the halfway stage, those horses were owned by five separate owners or partnerships. It is hard to see the influx of young equine talent to his stable ending any time soon. The post Two Queens But Only One King as Mullins Rules Cheltenham appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article