Wandering Eyes

In HISA claiming rules on voiding claims and requiring veterinary information transfer to new connections, horsemen, and regulators are seeing real, positive results for horses.View the full article

Five returning champions and one previous champion highlight the prospective fields for the Dubai World Cup meeting to be held at sprawling Meydan Racecourse in Dubai Saturday, Mar. 30. The connections of 106 horses from no fewer than 12 racing jurisdictions have accepted invitations to the eight Thoroughbred races on a $30.5-million program that begins with the $1-million Dubai Kahayla Classic for the Purebred Arabians and concludes with the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup. The main event has attracted a field of 15 that is led by its defending champion Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), one of 23 runners set to ship in from Japan for the meeting. Looking to become the first 7-year-old World Cup winner since Gloria de Campeao (Brz) back in 2010 and just the third overall, the recent G1 Saudi Cup runner-up is joined by three compatriots, including last year's G2 UAE Derby hero Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits). The American challenge numbers five and is topped by Saudi Cup upsetter Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) and GI Santa Anita H. hero Newgate (Into Mischief) for four-time World Cup winner Bob Baffert, while the exciting Kabirkhan (California Chrome) has been the talking horse of the Dubai International Racing Carnival and the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge victor will have his supporters to become a first World Cup winner for perennial leading trainer Doug Watson. Laurel River (Into Mischief) won the G3 Burj Nahaar over a mile on Super Saturday Mar. 2, but opts for the World Cup over the Godolphin Mile for trainer Bhupat Seemar. The $6-million G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, won in imperious fashion by Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) last March, was the second highest-rated race in the world in 2023, and if the field assembled for this renewal is any indication, it could go one better. A likely field of 12 has been revealed, fully 10 of which have succeeded at Group 1 level, and features a mouth-watering clash between G1 Betfred Derby, G1 Irish Derby and GI Breeders' Cup Turf hero Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Japanese Triple Tiara winner Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). Japan is also represented by 2022 Sheema Classic victor Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), while Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is set to make her first appearance beyond the borders of the UK and is one of four on the evening for John and Thady Gosden. Godolphin sends out Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), impressive in taking out the Listed HH The Amir Trophy in Qatar last month. Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) also represents the Clarehaven operation as he goes in search of an unprecedented fourth victory in a row in the G1 Dubai Turf, where he squares off with G1 Arima Kinen hero Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), the would-be 2023 favourite who was scratched leading up to the race. Also in the field is Lord North's hard-knocking stable companion Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}); Godolphin's progressive G1 Jebel Hatta winner Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}); treble elite-level scorer Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) for Aidan O'Brien; and Hong Kong's Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), victorious in this year's G1 Stewards Cup at Sha Tin. Godolphin's Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) will look to avenge a tough defeat in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup, where he'll surely face a stiff challenge from recent G3 Longines Red Sea Turf H. winner Tower of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and runner-up Enemy (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}); G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup conqueror Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}); and G2 Yorkshire Cup winner Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {GB}). Danyah (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) proved a somewhat unlikely winner of the 2023 G1 Al Quoz Sprint for local trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri and will have to dig deep if he is to defend against the Jamie Osborne-trained veteran Emaraaty Ana (GB) (Shamardal), a recent winner in Qatar; the nails-tough US raider Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed); Annaf (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), so game up the rail to scoop the G2 1351 Turf Sprint Feb. 24; Hong Kong's G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup winner California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}); and the 3-year-old fillies Star of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) and Frost At Dawn (Frosted). America's Sibelius (Not This Time) will have Ryan Moore back in the saddle as he defends his title in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen against the likes of G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint winner Remake (Jpn) (Lani) and the locally trained Tuz (Oxbow), while Isolate (Mark Valeski) is certain to face a strong challenge from Saudi Cup close third-placegetter Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), who drops back in trip for the G2 Godolphin Mile. The G2 UAE Derby features a budding star in the form of the Yoshito Yahagi-conditioned Forever Young (Jpn), a son of 2016 Dubai Turf hero Real Steel (Jpn), whose undefeated run includes a razor-thin victory in the 1600-metre G3 Saudi Derby Feb. 24. G3 UAE 2000 Guineas winner Mendelssohn Bay (Mendelssohn) and Listed Al Bastakiya S. scorer Killer Collect (Collected) front the local challenge, while Ballydoyle is set to be represented by G3 Tyros S. winner Henry Adams (Ire) (No Nay Never). The Derby offers 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Click here for the full fields. The post Star-Studded Fields Announced For Dubai World Cup Meeting appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2024 QuinnBet National Hunt Finale was the final fixture at Leopardstown Racecourse to be overseen by track foreperson Willie Gibbons, who is set to retire from the position he's held since July 1986. He was preceded by his father John, who first took on the role in the late 1940s, kicking off nearly 80 years of dedicated service to Leopardstown from the Gibbons family. Speaking at Leopardstown, Gibbons said, “It's been very good, I've enjoyed it. It's a great place to work. I've always been blessed by having great staff both with me on the track and in management. Leopardstown has always been blessed by having really great staff everywhere.” Paying tribute to Gibbons' decades of service, Leopardstown CEO Tim Husbands added, “Willie is going to be greatly missed by the team here at Leopardstown. We congratulate him on all that he has achieved, and of course massively thank Willie for his decades of service to Leopardstown. The Gibbons' family have contributed greatly to the success of the racecourse over the last eight decades, a massive contribution to the history and legacy of Leopardstown.” Gibbons will be succeeded in his role of track foreperson by Roy Butler, who has an extensive background in the fields of agronomy and sports turf management. Butler also oversaw the development of the racing surface and wider site presentation at Naas Racecourse. The post Leopardstown Track Foreperson Willie Gibbons Retires After 38 Years appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Like many of you, I read Rusty Arnold's open letter about his positive test with interest, and carefully considered the concerns that he identified. Also, like many of you, I am privileged to personally know, and respect Rusty, so I do not take his criticisms lightly. Rusty identified some of the challenges inherent in administering an equine anti-doping and medication control (“ADMC”) program that is efficient, effective, and fair. However, it is important to note that those same challenges existed long before HISA and HIWU came onto the scene. In fact, there is no difference whatsoever between the prohibition of, and the testing for, Tramadol (the substance found in Rusty's horse) pre- and post-HISA, nor for the application of the trainer responsibility rule. There is a difference in the sanction, however, which is less severe under HISA. But more importantly, HISA is doing, and will continue to do, whatever it takes to help make our ADMC Program as effective and fair as it can be. Let me start by laying out the relevant history of Tramadol, an opioid analgesic, in horseracing. Tramadol has always been a prohibited substance under ARCI rules; it was originally a Class A penalty and was changed to Class B in March 2016. In fact, Carol Cobb, a Kentucky trainer, was ordered to serve a 180-day suspension in 2021 for Tramadol (the violation arose prior to March 2016.) Every international racing jurisdiction bans Tramadol. Under FEI rules (sport horses), Tramadol is classified as a doping–not medication–substance, and a positive test yields a presumptive two-year ban. Under HISA, Tramadol is a Class B violation because HISA's ADMC Committee recognized that there are legitimate indications for the use of Tramadol in a horse outside of a race. A Tramadol positive now comes with a 15-day suspension, which can be reduced to seven days if the trainer accepts the consequences without a legal challenge (which is what Rusty opted to do in this case). HIWU testing specifications for Tramadol are consistent with TOBA's Graded Stakes testing which were in place prior to the implementation of the HISA ADMC Program. Kentucky samples were previously tested to the TOBA standards, as the KHRC did not distinguish between stakes and non-stakes races when testing for Tramadol. So, put simply, nothing has changed regarding the treatment of Tramadol in Kentucky, except that HISA has a more lenient sanction than previously applicable to Kentucky trainers. One of two things is true for any substance: it either has a legitimate, medically justified use in Thoroughbreds and is permitted to be administered properly–or it doesn't, regardless of whether it's been proven to enhance performance. If a substance has no legitimate therapeutic use, then as an industry we need to ensure these substances are not permitted in a horse's system–whether intentionally or unintentionally. In addition, while horsemen's fears are understandable, in truth the risk of “contamination” causing a positive test is exceedingly low. Nonetheless, HISA firmly believes that maintaining a backstretch free of contamination is a responsibility that must be shared amongst all racing stakeholders, and not fall exclusively on horsemen's shoulders. So, what are HISA and HIWU currently doing to help protect horsemen from the risk of contamination? The Atypical Findings Policy: This program applies to environmental contaminants (e.g., ractopamine, caffeine) and hormones that the horse can produce on its own (e.g., testosterone). The full list of Atypical Findings substances can be found here. HISA Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program Atypical Findings Policy – HIWU. If any of those substances are detected in a horse's sample, HIWU recognizes that they may likely be the result of contamination, and an investigation is initiated to determine the likely source or cause of the positive test. If HIWU is satisfied that the likely source of the positive was contamination, the trainer is never charged with a violation, and it is never made public. Since HIWU took over testing nine months ago, there have been 35 positive tests suspected of being environmental contamination and only two have been pursued as violations. The public has not heard of these positive tests, because they are disposed of confidentially; in short, it's a successful program. Inadvertent Transfer of Human Drugs of Abuse: This is a modification that HISA made in response to a request from the Horsemen's Advisory Group. This separate protocol applies to a list of substances including cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, and oxycodone, and is included in the revised rules sent to the Federal Trade Commission.[1] If any of those drugs are detected in a horse's sample, the expectation is that it is likely inadvertent human transfer, and, assuming that the new rules are approved, the ineligibility period will be capped at 60 days (unless of course there are concerns, based upon the available evidence, that the drug may have been intentionally administered.). While HISA awaits the approval of the new rules, HIWU is putting any cases that would result in a shorter ineligibility period under the new rules on hold so that horsemen who have such cases now will be able to benefit from the proposed rule change if it is approved. All Track Accreditation Visits Now include Cleanliness and Protocol Reviews related to Receiving Barns: Beginning in 2024, once HISA became alerted to Horsemen's concerns, these receiving barn reviews were added as a mandatory requirement at all HISA track accreditation visits. What are HISA and HIWU planning to do to further protect Horsemen from the risk of contamination? Random Use of Mobile Drug Test Pouches: Prior to Rusty Arnold's letter, HISA had purchased a significant number of Mobile Drug Test Pouches and is engaging in discussions with HISA's Racetrack Accreditation team and HIWU on how these tests might be deployed under a protocol that would further assist HISA in reducing contamination risk from the backside. Daily Monitoring by HIWU Investigators: Also previously planned, HIWU investigators stationed at racetracks will employ a daily “to do” list each morning beginning on March 14, which will include the monitoring of common areas for horses, such as receiving barns, for cleanliness. Continually Review Testing Levels to Address Contamination Issues: As an integral part of HISA's Laboratory Harmonization Initiative, the laboratories continually review testing levels for harmonization, contamination risk, and to ensure consistency with the goals of the ADMC Program. What can horsemen do to help? If you See Something, Say Something: As an industry, we are all in this together. We need to know when horsemen observe contamination risks at racetracks if we are to be effective. Please email HISA at keepitclean@hisaus.org with any photos or concerns and we will follow them up immediately. We will keep the source of all such communications strictly confidential. Maintain a Strict Policy against Urination in the Stables: We understand that trainers cannot be everywhere and see everything. But your employees should know that urinating in the stalls is prohibited and, if they do, there will be serious consequences. To be most effective, this should come with reminders to employees to apply hygienic practices, especially handwashing. If You Can Afford Them and the Racetrack does not Provide Them, Install Webcams in Your Barns: HISA encourages the installation of cameras whenever and wherever possible for an additional layer of risk protection. HISA will be working to promote more widespread use of cameras at racetracks. Use Best Efforts to Avoid Hiring Drug Users in Your Barn: We understand that this may not be obvious when you hire someone, but you should at least have a policy in your stables of avoiding the knowing hiring or retention of drug users. In sum, HISA and HIWU are fully committed to a fair and effective ADMC program that minimizes the risk of holding anyone without fault accountable for an anti-doping or controlled medication rule violation. If everyone does their part as listed above, we believe that goal is attainable. The HISA ADMC Program will always prioritize the inherent integrity of the program by treating everyone, no matter their stature, the same. We will never allow personal views, or the reputation of any individual racing participant, to supplant what the laboratory reports or related science dictates. (In fact, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act prohibits HISA/HIWU from taking any trainer's pre-HISA history–good or bad–into account.) Having the regulator decide who are the “good” guys and who are the “bad” guys, would completely undermine the integrity of any program, and make HISA's mandate entirely futile. We hope by outlining our program and explaining how trainers can contribute, you will see that we take this issue seriously. HISA and HIWU always welcome constructive industry feedback on our programs as we continue to refine processes and protocols. Feedback can be submitted directly to HISA at feedback@hisaus.org or to the Horsemen's Advisory Group here at horsemenadvisory@hisaus.org. Please don't hesitate to continue to provide feedback and suggestions of any nature, so that we can work together to reach the important goals that are in the common interest of all industry stakeholders. [1] The full list includes the following substances: i) Cocaine/Benzoylecognine; (ii) Methamphetamine; (iii) Methaqualone; (iv) Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA); (v) Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA); (vi) Methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA);(vii) Oxycodone; (viii) Phencyclidine (PCP); and (ix) Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The post Open Letter to the Industry: Lisa Lazarus on Contamination appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), in collaboration with Cornell University, has found that inbreeding is a contributing factor to mid- and late-term pregnancy loss (MLPL), but not early pregnancy loss (EPL) in thoroughbreds. This is the first study which explores the effect of genomic inbreeding levels on late-term pregnancy loss in the horse and will help inform mating choices to minimise the risk of miscarriages in thoroughbreds. Inbreeding is a common practice in the livestock industry because individuals with desirable traits are highly prized for breeding. However, excessive inbreeding is known to increase the probability of uncovering homozygous recessive genotypes which have previously been associated with an increased risk of retained placenta and lower semen quality in horses. Approximately five to 10 per cent of equine pregnancies end in early pregnancy loss and a further seven percent of pregnancies are lost between day 70 of gestation and 24 hours post parturition (MLPL). However, to date, there has been no definitive analysis to investigate the association between genomic inbreeding levels and pregnancy loss in horses. Therefore, the research team, led by Dr Jessica Lawson, Alborada Trust research fellow at the RVC, and Professor de Mestre at the Baker Institute for Animal Health at Cornell University, together with previous PhD student at the RVC, Charlotte Shilton, analysed DNA samples from 189 individuals, including a control group. The study found that thoroughbred pregnancies lost in mid and late gestation (MLPL) had significantly higher inbreeding metrics than UK thoroughbred adults. However, pregnancies lost early in gestation (EPLs) showed no significant difference in inbreeding metrics compared to the adults. Dr Jessica Lawson said, “This research provides critical evidence showing that mating highly related individuals does have a tangible effect on our breeding operations, as there is a real risk of a mare losing her pregnancy late in gestation and failing to produce a foal at all that season. “The take home from our work should be to carefully consider breeding choices that involve mating of highly related individuals as, ultimately, this may increase the chance of the foal inheriting mutations which may not be compatible with life. We are already working on the next step, looking to identify these changes so more specific advice can be provided in the future”. The post Inbreeding Contributes To Mid- And Late-Term Pregnancy Loss In Thoroughbreds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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There are few more respected figures in French National Hunt racing than Nicolas de Lageneste. It seems as though everything de Lageneste turns his hand to, be that breeding, training or simply owning racehorses, it is a success. Last year he completed the rare achievement of being crowned champion National Hunt owner and breeder in the same season. Nobody has ever done that before. Fewer still would be capable of nurturing a horse like Il Est Francais (Fr) (Karaktar {Ire}). Not only did de Lageneste breed the superstar chaser, who could be on course for next year's Gold Cup, but he also sourced the stallion, Karaktar, who is tipped to be the next big thing in National Hunt racing in France. The cherry on top is the fact that Haras de Saint-Voir remain involved in the ownership of Il Est Francais, who de Lageneste compares favourably with former star graduate Vautour (Fr) (Robin Des Champs {Fr}). De Lageneste has built up a particularly strong relationship with Champion National Hunt trainer in Ireland Willie Mullins in recent years and Tuesday's short-priced Champion Hurdle favourite State Man (Fr) (Doctor Dino {Fr}) will be bidding to fly the flag for Haras de Saint-Voir on the big stage again. From breeding top-class National Hunt stallion Saint Des Saints (Fr), to his association with Mullins and his hopes for Cheltenham and beyond, de Lageneste makes for a fascinating Q&A. State Man: will fly the flag for de Lageneste in the Champion Hurdle | Racingfotos.com You became the first person in French National Hunt history to be crowned leading breeder and owner in 2023. What did that mean to you? It gave me great satisfaction and in many ways it was a consecration of our breeding at Haras de Saint-Voir. I can only imagine that Il Est Francais (Fr) (Karaktar {Ire}) was the highlight of last year for you. He was sublime at Kempton. How difficult of a decision was it to bypass Cheltenham with him or was the Grand Steeple Chase de Paris always Plan A? For over two years now the plan has always been to run and try to win the Grand Steeple Chase de Paris. He has never had to fight in a race and we thought that he needed to be battle hardened in order to run in a Cheltenham Gold Cup. We have respected him since the beginning of his career, knowing that he was outstanding and a horse for the biggest challenges. Who knows what next year will bring. Assuming all goes well at Auteuil, what could be in store for the horse next year? I presume the King George and the Cheltenham Gold Cup will come under consideration? Exactly. He will go back to Kempton in December and if everything keeps going well for him, we could think about that great expedition in March 2025. You are famous for taking a chance on little known sires and making them famous. Tell us a little bit more about why you decided to back Karaktar (Ire)? I like to buy stallion shares when I am impressed by horses on the track. Karaktar had been so impressive at the beginning of his three-year-old career before running in the French Derby and showed great ability and fantastic movement. He got hurt in the French Derby but Alain de Royer Dupré, a great horseman, liked him so much and was still thinking about the Arc de Triomphe for him. Unfortunately, he met with another problem and his trainer never found a way to get him back. We bought him for €110,000 in a sale for horses-in-training and he has turned out to be a great success. I sent him some good mares for the first season and I am rewarded today. When you really believe in something, give it your all for the chance to be successful. That's my approach to breeding. Karaktar is for sure going to be the next top National Hunt stallion in Europe, as his book of mares has been improving a lot in only the last two seasons, and he covered 243 mares last year. Most people will know you as the breeder of Saint Des Saints. He is making a pretty emphatic mark on the National Hunt breed. That must provide you with huge satisfaction? Oh yes. That's another great satisfaction. I had bought the mare of Saint Des Saints for about €2,000 in a liquidation sale in a supplement of a catalogue at 9pm in Deauville. She was a Group 2 winner but was quite old and had a poor career as broodmare. She was a bad milker and, unfortunately, many of her foals died. However, she was from one of the great French thoroughbred families (highlighted by de Chambure's family). Saint Des Saints showed on the turf that he was the best four-year-old in France before getting a virus in May of that campaign and that probably weakened him. However, the genetic potential was there and we are delighted to see that he is today a successful sire of sires and probably the best National Hunt sire of broodmares. Looking ahead to Cheltenham next week, what graduates of yours are you most looking forward to and why? State Man winning a Champion Hurdle would be very special. State Man is a short-priced favourite in the Champion Hurdle and he must win. He is trained by the best National Hunt trainer in Europe and comes from the breeding of Guy Cherel who is a perfect horseman, breeder and trainer. Not to mention that State Man's dam was class at Auteuil, a tough mare, and his sire Doctor Dino is probably the best National Hunt stallion in France. Put the best with the best and you will have more chances to be among the best. Apart from State Man, I will not have a lot of runners at Cheltenham as my policy is now to try to keep my horses in France. French breeding will definitely be successful this year at Cheltenham, though. One of the reasons is that we breed horses more for the track than the sales ring. We use stallions with a National Hunt profile in the first choice and we are lucky to stand very good French stallions for that discipline. You must have many fond memories from Cheltenham? Would Vautour rank as the most spectacular horse you have bred? He was awesome when winning the Ryanair Chase. Yes, Vautour really was a great horse, really impressive in all his Cheltenham victories. He was a potential Gold Cup winner and his premature end was very sad for everyone involved. He was an amazing jumper, such a natural, and it was a great thrill to see him flying over his fences. I have found some similarities in his own way of jumping with how Il Est Francais jumps as well. Tell us a bit more about your relationship with Willie Mullins. He has trained a lot of excellent horses that you have bred. How has that relationship developed? Willie is just the best. An amazing man. I am a long-time good friend of Pierre Boulard, who used to buy for Willie and when I have a horse who could be exported, Willie has the first preference. We have full confidence with Willie. I have visited him twice and was very impressed by the quality of his training, by his gallops and by his staff. I am drawn by his humanity and humility. I understand that Willie and Jackie Mullins have a few mares in partnership with you, including a half-sister to Benie Des Dieux (Fr) (Great Pretender {Ire}). That must be exciting. I take care of a few mares owned by Jackie and when the owner of Grace Des Dieux (Fr) (Blek {Fr}) [a half-sister to Benie Des Dieux) asked me to buy her, as he knew that I loved the family, I thought that this mare might please Jackie. She immediately agreed and we bought the mare in partnership. The first produce is for Jackie, a very good colt by Great Pretender. She is in foal to Karaktar and is due on April 1. The second foal is mine and that is very exciting. I am very much enjoying this venture with Willie and Jackie. You have a soft spot for Ireland and have been there many times. What is it about Irish racing and bloodstock that you like so much? I like the atmosphere in Ireland and love Irish people. I feel well over there with some good friends I like to meet. It's a country I would have loved to live in. It's not all about National Hunt racing for you. You have also had some fun on the Flat and Knock On (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}) won a Listed race for you last October. What are the plans for her this year? I stand with only one Flat mare by Acclamation (GB) and I have a share in Zelzal (Fr) as well. So the cross is simple each year, and has been successful with J'Acclame (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}) [five wins in Longchamp and Chantilly] and Knock On [Listed winner and Listed-placed]. Knock On could go for Listed races over less than a mile. She is very easy and quiet in the morning, but on the track she is a lion with a lot of speed. Finally, despite your huge success, you have never forgotten your roots and you remain closely connected to the grassroots of your sport in France. What is your philosophy to racing and breeding and what advice would you impart on others? When I took the management of the stud at the beginning of 1990s, we worked hard, standing stallions-usually four-and improved each year our genetics in broodmares. This period was difficult but we have learned our job as breeders. When I stopped standing stallions, I invested a lot to improve the land and select the mares, and today we are hopefully reaping the benefit of all these years of work. Nothing happens by itself. I can't pretend to teach others as I myself learn everyday something new about horses. My principal advice can be to always keep [one's] humility and stay observant. The post ‘State Man Must Win’ – Q&A With Haras de Saint-Voir Boss Nicolas de Lageneste appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After bypassing the Classic Mile to focus on sprint trips, the second-season handler now faces the task of stepping his galloper up from 1,000m to 2,000m in the space of three weeksView the full article

Tauranga horseman Patrick McCarten enjoyed one of his more memorable days as a trainer when producing Butterfield to win on Auckland Cup Day at Ellerslie last Saturday. The eight-year-old gelding ran seventh at the Auckland track seven days prior after placing in his two previous starts this year, and McCarten was hopeful of a better showing in the Tempur Classic 1200. From his wide gate, Butterfield was fairly away and settled midfield for apprentice jockey Tayla Mitchell. The son of Niagara tracked Covermeinsunshine into the race and Mitchell presented her charge six-wide at the turn where he showed a good turn of foot in the final 200m to score a 1-1/4 length victory over Marengo, with a further 1-1/2 lengths back to race favourite My Annie Belle in third. While things didn’t go to plan in the early stages of the race, McCarten was ecstatic with the outcome. “The initial plan was to be positive from the start with the intentions of sitting handy. He missed the start fractionally, so we didn’t achieve that, and he was posted a little wide,” he said. “Tayla rode a great race in getting him to settle and make her move on the home turn. It was very pleasing to see him go to the line so well. He seemed to win it quite convincingly. “There may be time for another start before the winter, but he will have a few days off after racing both days at Ellerslie. We will see how he comes through the race. He will spell through the winter and we look forward to a spring preparation. “He will step up to rating 75 in his next start. We will just see what is available when he is ready.” McCarten has operated yearling video production company Equivision for the last three decades and in that time he struck up a good association with Butterfield’s Hong Kong-based part-owner Edmond Yue. “I started Equivision in 1991 and was pretty much the first one to start filming at the yearling sales. Through that I made a few contacts and started to sell horses as well,” McCarten said. “I had sold Edmond a couple of good horses, including High Five, who won five or six races in Hong Kong. He asked me to look for another horse for him, so I decided on Butterfield.” McCarten purchased Butterfield off Darryn Weatherley as a juvenile and enjoyed following his career before taking over training the gelding in 2020, with Butterfield winning first-up for McCarten after a 12-month absence from racing. “I bought him for Edmond quite a while back off the Weatherleys,” McCarten said. “I liked the look of him. He wasn’t a big horse, he was only 15.1 (hands) when I bought him as a two-year-old, but there was something about him. “He was initially with Finbarr Leahy for a couple of years.” McCarten is enjoying focussing more on training these days and is looking forward to adding to his stable numbers over the winter months. “I have been concentrating on training a bit more lately,” he said. “I have got a couple of horses that I am going to bring in over the winter, so hopefully we can have a bit of fun with them next season.” View the full article

At odds of 70-1, Young Diva was a clear outsider for last Friday’s DPA Chartered Accountants (1400m) at Taupo, but as trainer Allan Wright said, she didn’t know that. The five-year-old mare had been unplaced in her previous nine outings and was out of favour with punters after producing a last placed performance at Matamata a week prior. However, Wright said her last start performance was better than it looked, which was reinforced by her winning display at Taupo. The daughter of Turn Me Loose was the best away from the gates and was taken straight to the front by jockey Jasmine Fawcett, where they dictated terms throughout and ran out a half-length victor. While many were surprised by the result, Wright was not. “It wasn’t a real surprise,” he said. “Lynsey Satherley rode her at Matamata the week before and couldn’t get a run. She reckons she would have run in the first five there. “She has had bad draws and bad luck. If you look at her first five runs, they were reasonable runs. “It was great to get that win with her. Any win is a good win.” Young Diva has had a quiet weekend following her win and Wright said he is yet to decide what her next assignment will be. “She is a light-framed horse, so we will space her races after backing her up like that. We don’t have any set plans with her as yet,” he said. A dry stock farmer, horses and racing have always been a passion for Wright, who inherited the racing bug off his father. “My father trained Silver Bay and Token Bay, they made open-class, but I prefer training maidens, it is cheap racing and good fun,” Wright said. While scrolling through gavelhouse.com two years ago, Wright saw Young Diva, who was being sold as a broodmare prospect but he thought she fitted the bill as a project horse for him and he went to $200 to secure her. “She is a well-bred filly and we like to try the horses that are slower maturing. She is a five-year-old now and it has just taken time,” he said. “I just like getting a horse and bringing them through. When you get a win, it makes you feel good.” Wright said he only ever has a couple of horses in work, with the majority of their work undertaken around the farm, with Wright using them as his primary choice of transport when doing stock work. “They are our motorbikes, and we use them as farm hacks,” he said. “If they show anything we carry on racing them.” View the full article

Snazzytavi has seemingly flown through the grades this season, and the talented mare will prepare for another black-type target in Wednesday’s Holster Engineering Lally and Symes South Waikato Cup (2000m) at Matamata. The daughter of Tavistock has been near faultless through her preparation, building from a Rating 65 victory over 1400m in early December to a comprehensive win in the Stella Artois Championship Final (1500m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day, followed by a narrow third placing in the Listed Wairarapa Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) last month. Stepping out over ground for the first time at Matamata last start, regular rider Warren Kennedy situated the mare back in the field throughout and her strong turn-of-foot was revealed in claiming the 2000m contest. Snazzytavi will shoulder 57.5kg in the Matamata mid-week feature, with co-trainer Graham Richardson indicating Wednesday’s race will act as a hopeful prelude to the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m) at Trentham on April 6. “The plan was to get back at her last start, as she was having her first time over ground and drawing wide, and they can tend to go hard early at Matamata,” he said. “We decided to sit off the pace, and it was a very good effort to win. “This race is a lead-up to the Manawatu Breeders’ all going well on Wednesday, and if the track is good down there. If it’s too wet, we’ll more than likely send her out and come back for the spring.” Richardson, who trains in partnership with Rogan Norvall, will prepare a further four runners at their local meeting, including juvenile filly Lotus, who steps out of stakes company after contesting the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). “She missed the kick last start in a very strong field and had to be used up a bit to put her back in the race. She went okay, it was a pretty good run, and I was happy with her,” he said. “She’d be very competitive on Wednesday, she’s learning all the time and she’ll want further than this eventually. She’ll be a better and stronger three-year-old.” Lovearoadie was another representative who did little wrong in her last preparation, and Richardson is upbeat about the chances of the lightly-raced Savile Row mare fresh-up in the Tirau Vets 1200. “She’s flying, she’s doing really well. I’ve got Ace (Lawson-Carroll, apprentice jockey) claiming a couple of kilos on her and she’s got a nice draw (3), she is fresh-up but I’m happy with her work and she should be pretty competitive,” he said. Social Racing have enjoyed a fruitful season with the stable, highlighted by Group One hero Bonny Lass, and the syndicator will have three-year-old filly Mi Bella resuming in the Matamata Tractors & Machinery 1050. Richardson will also engage Royal Ace in the 1050m contest, the pair guided by Warren Kennedy and Bridget Grylls respectively. “Both of these horses show a fair bit of potential,” he said. “It’s first-up over 1000m, it’ll be interesting with a lot of speed in the race so they’ll both improve from the run regardless of how they go.” View the full article

Butterfield winning at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images Tauranga horseman Patrick McCarten enjoyed one of his more memorable days as a trainer when producing Butterfield to win on Auckland Cup Day at Ellerslie last Saturday. The eight-year-old gelding ran seventh at the Auckland track seven days prior after placing in his two previous starts this year, and McCarten was hopeful of a better showing in the Tempur Classic 1200. From his wide gate, Butterfield was fairly away and settled midfield for apprentice jockey Tayla Mitchell. The son of Niagara tracked Covermeinsunshine into the race and Mitchell presented her charge six-wide at the turn where he showed a good turn of foot in the final 200m to score a 1.25 length victory over Marengo, with a further 1.5 lengths back to race favourite My Annie Belle in third. While things didn’t go to plan in the early stages of the race, McCarten was ecstatic with the outcome. “The initial plan was to be positive from the start with the intentions of sitting handy. He missed the start fractionally, so we didn’t achieve that, and he was posted a little wide,” he said. “Tayla rode a great race in getting him to settle and make her move on the home turn. It was very pleasing to see him go to the line so well. He seemed to win it quite convincingly. “There may be time for another start before the winter, but he will have a few days off after racing both days at Ellerslie. We will see how he comes through the race. He will spell through the winter and we look forward to a spring preparation. “He will step up to rating 75 in his next start. We will just see what is available when he is ready.” McCarten has operated yearling video production company Equivision for the last three decades and in that time he struck up a good association with Butterfield’s Hong Kong-based part-owner Edmond Yue. “I started Equivision in 1991 and was pretty much the first one to start filming at the yearling sales. Through that I made a few contacts and started to sell horses as well,” McCarten said. “I had sold Edmond a couple of good horses, including High Five, who won five or six races in Hong Kong. He asked me to look for another horse for him, so I decided on Butterfield.” McCarten purchased Butterfield off Darryn Weatherley as a juvenile and enjoyed following his career before taking over training the gelding in 2020, with Butterfield winning first-up for McCarten after a 12-month absence from racing. “I bought him for Edmond quite a while back off the Weatherleys,” McCarten said. “I liked the look of him. He wasn’t a big horse, he was only 15.1 (hands) when I bought him as a two-year-old, but there was something about him. “He was initially with Finbarr Leahy for a couple of years.” McCarten is enjoying focussing more on training these days and is looking forward to adding to his stable numbers over the winter months. “I have been concentrating on training a bit more lately,” he said. “I have got a couple of horses that I am going to bring in over the winter, so hopefully we can have a bit of fun with them next season.” View the full article

Snazzytavi will contest Wednesday’s South Waikato Cup (2000m) at Matamata. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Snazzytavi has seemingly flown through the grades this season, and the talented mare will prepare for another black-type target in Wednesday’s South Waikato Cup (2000m) at Matamata. The daughter of Tavistock has been near faultless through her preparation, building from a Rating 65 victory over 1400m in early December to a comprehensive win in the Stella Artois Championship Final (1500m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day, followed by a narrow third placing in the Listed Wairarapa Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) last month. Stepping out over ground for the first time at Matamata last start, regular rider Warren Kennedy situated the mare back in the field throughout and her strong turn-of-foot was revealed in claiming the 2000m contest. Snazzytavi will shoulder 57.5kg in the Matamata mid-week feature, with co-trainer Graham Richardson indicating Wednesday’s race will act as a hopeful prelude to the Group 3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m) at Trentham on April 6. “The plan was to get back at her last start, as she was having her first time over ground and drawing wide, and they can tend to go hard early at Matamata,” he said. “We decided to sit off the pace, and it was a very good effort to win. “This race is a lead-up to the Manawatu Breeders’ all going well on Wednesday, and if the track is good down there. If it’s too wet, we’ll more than likely send her out and come back for the spring.” Richardson, who trains in partnership with Rogan Norvall, will prepare a further four runners at their local meeting, including juvenile filly Lotus, who steps out of stakes company after contesting the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). “She missed the kick last start in a very strong field and had to be used up a bit to put her back in the race. She went okay, it was a pretty good run, and I was happy with her,” he said. “She’d be very competitive on Wednesday, she’s learning all the time and she’ll want further than this eventually. She’ll be a better and stronger three-year-old.” Lovearoadie was another representative who did little wrong in her last preparation, and Richardson is upbeat about the chances of the lightly-raced Savile Row mare fresh-up. “She’s flying, she’s doing really well. I’ve got Ace (Lawson-Carroll, apprentice jockey) claiming a couple of kilos on her and she’s got a nice draw (3), she is fresh-up but I’m happy with her work and she should be pretty competitive,” he said. Social Racing have enjoyed a fruitful season with the stable, highlighted by Group One hero Bonny Lass, and the syndicator will have three-year-old filly Mi Bella resuming. Richardson will also engage Royal Ace in the 1050m contest, the pair guided by Warren Kennedy and Bridget Grylls respectively. “Both of these horses show a fair bit of potential,” he said. “It’s first-up over 1000m, it’ll be interesting with a lot of speed in the race so they’ll both improve from the run regardless of how they go.” Horse racing news View the full article

Waitak winning the Group 1 Railway (1200m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Wexford Stables will break new ground next month with their Group One-winning sprinter Waitak heading to Western Australia. The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained son of Proisir has been confirmed as the slot runner for New Zealand’s Trackside Media and host club Perth Racing in the $5 million The Quokka (1200m) in Perth. Trackside is the media and broadcast arm of the TAB, which Entain Australia and New Zealand operates under a 25-year strategic partnering agreement. The inaugural 2023 running of the weight-for-age The Quokka was won by expatriate Kiwi trainer Bjorn Baker with Overpass, who is expected to return to defend his title at Ascot on April 20. “It’s exciting for the whole team here and the ownership group and we’re very appreciative of Entain offering us the slot,” Scott said. “It’s something new for us and we’re not going there to make up the numbers, he’s a very good sprinter and if he gets conditions and tempo to suit then he’ll be finishing off strongly.” Waitak opened his four-year-old season with victory in an open handicap at Te Rapa before he thundered home from last to claim the Group 1 Sistema Railway (1200m). He then finished midfield in the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) after racing three wide without cover. Waitak subsequently bypassed the Group 3 Kings Plate (1200m) earlier this month due to a slightly elevated temperature and won’t race again before The Quokka. “We decided to leave him at home and he’s well and truly over that now and he had a wee breeze along on Saturday morning and moved well,” Scott said. “We will be giving him a quiet trial on Thursday and we might even look to trial him again on the 28th. “He races really well fresh and he’ll fly to Sydney and then to Perth. By the time we get a couple of trials into him this month and, on top of the travel, he will be ready when he arrives there. “We haven’t talked about a jockey yet but hopefully we’ll be locking in a top rider.” Perth Racing Chief Executive James Oldring welcomed the confirmation of Waitak as the Trackside Media runner. “It’s fantastic to have New Zealand representation in Perth for The Quokka and no doubt Waitak’s presence will generate plenty of interest from Kiwi racing fans,” he said. “We look forward to welcoming him and his team to Ascot in April.” Meanwhile, Waitak’s star young stablemate and Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Molly Bloom is progressing well. The daughter of Ace High is in the mix for a crack at the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) on March 30, which has been relocated to Ellerslie. An inspection of the Te Aroha track last Friday deemed the current issues with the course will not be remedied in time. “Her progress will dictate whether she gets to that race and, at this stage, we are hoping to build toward it,” Scott said. “She will have a quiet trial on Thursday and everything will become a lot clearer after that.” A trip to the Brisbane winter carnival is also in the mix for Molly Bloom filly, who won last month’s Group 2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) at her most recent appearance. “Her progress toward race day fitness in the next couple of weeks will dictate where we look to run her,” Scott said. “We haven’t really made plans and want to get the trial under her belt first and then set a plan from there.” Horse racing news View the full article

Kiwi handler hopes seven-day turnaround can prove fruitful with impressive last-start winnerView the full article

Ever-green NT jockey Paul Denton, 60 years young these days, is currently leading the way in the Alice Springs and Provincial jockeys’ premiership. Veteran NT jockey Paul Denton, the current leader in the Alice Springs and Provincial jockeys’ premiership, is looking forward to the start of the 2024 Cup Carnival next Sunday. However, he isn’t necessarily sold on the Alice Springs Turf Club’s revamped format. The Carnival accommodates five meetings at Pioneer Park from March 17 before concluding on April 7 (Cup Day). In recent years, Carnival has started in early April ending on the first Sunday in May – Cup Day last year was April 30. Previously, Cup Day was the first Monday in May with Pioneer Sprint Day the preceding Saturday. The $35,000 St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) has been added to the Carnival and is now the Day 1 feature. The $50,000 NT Guineas (1600m) is the Day 2 feature on March 23, with the $40,000 Chief Ministers Cup (1600m) the Day 3 highlight on March 30. The two major races are scheduled for April 6-7 – the $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) on Saturday (Day 4) and the $110,000 Alice Springs Cup (2000m) on Sunday (Day 5). Denton, who rides predominately for Kerry Petrick’s stable in Alice Springs, said it will be interesting to see how the new schedule is received. “The new format probably suits some stables like us because we take horses to Darwin and it gives them more of a break between Carnivals,” he said. “In saying that, we’re going to race in hotter weather. “I don’t like the idea of racing Saturday and Sunday – horses can’t back up. “If you win the Sprint you can’t celebrate because you’ve got to ride Cup Day. “I was against the Friday and Sunday format at the end of Carnival, which was introduced a few years ago. “I liked the old days when they raced Saturday and Monday.” Meanwhile, Denton, who won a few premierships in Central Australia in the early 1990s, has 13 wins for the season. Denton saluted on Dan Morgan’s three-year-old gelding Don’t Be Dramatic at Pioneer Park on Saturday. He leap-frogged Sonja Logan (11.5), last season’s top rider, the previous week when he rode a double for Petrick and Lisa Whittle. The 60-year-old, with 1273 career wins, and Petrick are in good form after a quiet start to the season. Petrick has 12.5 wins and trails Paul Gardner (16) and Whittle (13). Following the Darwin Cup Carnival in early August, Petrick took a team to Kununurra a month later before having three months off. “Kerry had 16 horses spelling at the same time, we virtually had one runner over that period,” Denton said. “The others returned to track work and things are definitely rolling along. “A few of them are starting to fire up – Kerry had four winners on February 24. “I’m probably a chance in the Alice premiership this year as we’ve got a team of 19 here, they’re all coming into Carnival and are starting to hit form.” Denton has been riding in the NT since 1983 and has won a litany of feature races in Alice Springs and Darwin. Horse racing news View the full article

Michael McNab drives Adam I Am to a decisive return to the winner’s circle at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Three hours before pin-up mare Legarto lined up as the centre of attention in Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m), an up-and-comer carrying those same cream and brown colours earned his own share of the Ellerslie spotlight. Adam I Am lived up to his -111.11 favouritism with horse racing bookies in style with a bold victory in the $90,000 Go Racing 1400. The Rating 85 contest was the toughest test yet for the four-year-old Almanzor gelding, who has now won four of his seven starts and placed in another two. Adam I Am has earned $134,720 in stakes for a syndicate that includes his co-breeders, Ancroft Stud’s Philip and Catherine Brown. After showing a real X-factor with two dominant spring wins and a later victory in the Thames Cup (1600m), Adam I Am’s upward trajectory was briefly interrupted when he finished fourth as favourite in last month’s inaugural $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m) at Te Rapa. But the exciting chestnut was right back at the peak of his powers on Saturday, settling in fourth behind a slow pace before stretching out stylishly down the Ellerslie straight. He surged past Uderzo and Financier, cruising to victory by a length under a hands-and-heels ride from Michael McNab. “It’s a bit of a relief, really,” trainer and part-owner Glenn Old said. “We thought we managed to get a couple of little things ironed out since Te Rapa. “He was put to the test today, they cantered in front, but Michael got him to relax and he did everything well. “We’ll get him home now and see how he pulls up before we decide what we do next. We don’t have any plans set in place. “We don’t really know what his ceiling is. I believe he’s going to make a good 2000m horse in time. Hopefully that’s where we might end up in the spring. He’s exciting.” The win completed an early double on Saturday’s Ellerslie card for McNab, who also rode Pearl Of Alsace to victory in the Westbury Stud Royal Descent Stakes (1600m). “Great start to the day,” he said. “I was happy with where we were in the run. If you’re in the first four and you think you’re on a good horse, you’re in a good spot. “I rode him during the week and he really filled me with confidence with what I felt. He’s grown up a lot since I last rode him at Te Rapa. “He’s going the right way, and I think he’ll get to Group One level for sure – maybe not in this prep, but in the spring.” Horse racing news View the full article

California Spangle wins his second Group 1. Tony Cruz dedicated California Spangle’s victory in the HK$13 million Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday to late owner Howard Liang, while praising Brenton Avdulla’s “perfect” ride on the stable flagbearer. Unplaced at his previous four runs, California Spangle reprised his best form under Avdulla, who claimed his first Hong Kong Group 1 with a brilliant front-running ride to beat a charging Galaxy Patch by a length. Red Lion was third, a nose further away. Allowed to saunter through the first 600m in 36.26s, California Spangle gradually upped the tempo in covering the final 800m in 45.92s to have his main rivals, including Beauty Eternal (fourth) and Lucky Sweynesse (fifth), chasing from the home turn. Challenged late by Galaxy Patch, who had to change course under Karis Teetan to gain a clear run before accelerating powerfully, California Spangle was never under serious threat, while Lucky Sweynesse was taken to the tail of the field by James McDonald before fanning four-wide on straightening to finish one and a half lengths behind the winner. 2024 Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup Replay – California Spangle Cruz, who previously won the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup with Silent Witness (2005), Egyptian Ra (2009) and Beauty Flash (2011), jubilated in California Spangle’s redemptive triumph – his first at the elite level since the 2022 Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m). “It (victory) means everything, this horse was very important to the late Howard Liang. He bought the horse and I’m so glad he has won another Group 1. He is the best horse Howard raced and the exciting part of today is that California Spangle had to perform to go to Dubai – and now he’s heading to Dubai and everybody is thrilled about it,” Cruz said. “He had the perfect race today. I think Brenton rode a perfect race. He did exactly what I expected him to do. I’m so happy about that. We’re going to Dubai now and Brenton is going to ride him in Dubai.” Cruz has been invited to run California Spangle in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) at Meydan Racecourse on March 30. Avdulla, who boasts 13 Group 1 victories in Australia, exulted in his most significant Hong Kong win. “I was able to get a controlled gallop. Probably on the ground everyone was a fraction reserved, but he just enjoyed it,” Avdulla said, referring to the steady rain which fell during the meeting. “He galloped along at a nice tempo and he gave a good kick for me. “I came here in May with an expectation of probably doing 10 weeks and go home. Even though I only had the three winners, I started to build a bit of relations at the end (of last season) and really enjoyed the racing and spending time with my family. “I was confident that given an opportunity that I could succeed here. I rode a winner for Tony at the beginning of the season and then I was quiet for a bit. But, then I had a four-timer and Group 2 win for John (Size). “All the hard work pays off and like anything, with an opportunity, I always thought I was good enough to capitalise and today shows that.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Warrnambool Races Where Warrnambool Racing Club – 2-64 Grafton Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280 When Tuesday, March 12, 2024 First Race 1pm AEDT Visit Dabble The jumps season kicks off for another year as three races over the obstacles headlines the competitive eight-race meeting on Tuesday afternoon. With plenty of warm weather in the lead up to the meeting, the track was rated a Soft 6 at the time of acceptances, with the likelihood of beginning on a Good track. The rail is out 6m the entire circuit, with action commencing at 1pm AEDT. Best Bet at Warrnambool: Active Duty It took a while for Active Duty to hit top gear when breaking his maiden at Terang over 1600m, but the way he hit the line over the final 100m suggests he has a bit of talent about him. The Lindsey Smith-trained three-year-old gained the gun run in transit, and despite needing virtually the whole straight to get there, he never really looked like getting beat on March 5. On the quick back-up, the National Defense progeny has found a weak BM64 to go on with the job. With a similar run in transit in the small field, Active Duty should prove too good for his rival. Best Bet Race 8 – #5 Active Duty (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Lindsey Smith | J: Fred Kersley (58kg) +130 with Picklebet Next Best at Warrnambool: Verbosity Andrew Bobbin’s Verbosity is deep into a campaign, and despite being well held at Stawell on February 22, his form prior reads perfectly against this BM64 field. The four-year-old gelding strung together handy victories in arguably stronger races three and four starts back, and a repeat of those efforts will be enough to score here. Will Gordon will hold the rail from barrier one, and in the small field of five, he will be on the tail of the leader throughout, and pounce late to score. Next Best Race 6 – #1 Verbosity (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Andrew Bobbin | J: Will Gordon (60.5kg) +135 with Dabble Next Best Again at Warrnambool: Instigator Instigator doesn’t win out of turn, but the veteran can break his Warrnambool duck when he lines up in the 3450m open class Steeple. Having had eight starts at the ‘Bool, Andrew Purcell’s 10-year-old has just three placings in those starts, but his trial leading into his jumps campaign suggests he is raring to go. He blew the cobwebs out at Ararat over 2200m on February 11, but his Terang trial win over the hurdles suggests a race like this is within his grasp. He will be stalking the speed throughout under Will McCarthy, and from there, Instigator should prove to be the superior jumper late on. Next Best Again Race 3 – #3 Instigator (7) 10yo Gelding | T: Andrew Purcell | J: Will McCarthy (71kg) +340 with Neds Tuesday quaddie tips for Warrnambool races Warrnambool quadrella selections Tuesday, March 12, 2023 1-4-6 1-2-3 2-3-4-5-7 3-5 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

The lightly raced Newgate (Into Mischief), last-out winner of the GI Santa Anita H. Mar. 3 and Hopkins (Quality Road), narrowly second when last seen in the Feb. 10 GIII Palos Verdes S. at Santa Anita, will ship to Dubai for the G1 Dubai World Cup and G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen Mar. 30, respectively, SF Bloodstock's Tom Ryan confirmed in a message Sunday. An $850,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase, Newgate won the GIII Robert B. Lewis S. last February before being sidelined for 11 months. Runner-up to subsequent Palos Verdes winner Big City Lights (Mr. Big) in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance Jan. 6, the bay completed the exacta behind Newgrange (Violence) in the GII San Pasqual S. three weeks later and was most recently up in the final jump to win the Big 'Cap by a head. Trainer Bob Baffert is a four-time winner of the World Cup, most recently with Country Grammer (Tonalist) in 2022. The commonly owned Hopkins will make his second consecutive appearance in the Golden Shaheen, after finishing fourth, beaten just one length, behind Sibelius (Not This Time) in last year's contest. A $900,000 KEESEP yearling, Hopkins was off 10 1/2 months following his overseas trip, returning to be runner-up after setting a fast pace in a Jan. 19 allowance at Santa Anita and he led deep into the final furlong of the Palos Verdes before being mugged on the money by Big City Lights. Hopkins breezed a half-mile in :47.80 (13/92) at Santa Anita Mar. 9. Ryan indicated that he and his partners are still in the process of firming up riding assignments. The post Newgate, Hopkins Confirmed For Dubai World Cup Night appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1/ST Racing's AmTote is a technology & services provider to numerous tracks, while Roberts provides the communication link between AmTote and client tracks.View the full article

Riverton galloper Shockallia is set to tackle his home Cup later this month following his victory in the AB Lime Wyndham Cup (2000m) at Gore on Sunday. The six-year-old son of Shocking has been in a purple patch of form, heading into the Southland feature off the back of two victories from his previous three starts, including the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) at Wingatui last month. He was duly backed into $1.60 favouritism for Sunday’s contest, where he was ridden by apprentice jockey Donovan Copper, whose four-kilogram claim brought his allotted weight down to 54kg. Shockallia settled towards the rear of the field in the early stages before Cooper asked him to improve three-wide from the 500m. Sutherland and The Tui Toiler had opened up an advantage on the remainder of the field at the top of the straight, but Shockallia took chase and was able to show his class when reeling in the pair in the concluding stages to score by a half-length. Trainer Kelvin Tyler was a relieved man when his short-priced favourite was able to get a result for punters. “Being a short-priced favourite, I was relieved to get it off my back,” he said. “He is above average and is probably too good to be down here, so we will enjoy it while we have got him. He is a big, strong horse and has been given the chance to mature. He is at his peak age really.” With his charge set to lumber 58kg, Tyler was pleased he utilised the services of Cooper and his claim. “He is going to be around the topweight for the next wee while, so I thought if we could get a nice three or four-kilo claimer that we could use would be quite handy. We gave him (Cooper) a chance and he has done a good job,” Tyler said. The Riverton Cup (2147m) is now firmly in the crosshairs for Shockallia, with Tyler hoping to give his local owners a victory in their home Cup after coming up just short in last year’s edition. “He will definitely head to the Riverton Cup,” Tyler said. “The syndicate is from here and it would be a big thrill if they could win a race like that, they got second in it last year with Kilowatt.” A stakes target then awaits the talented gelding before potentially heading for a spell. “He will then probably head to the Canterbury Gold Cup (Gr.3, 2000m) after that, it is weight-for-age and it is a good race for him. “He is not really a wet tracker, so we will just assess things after Canterbury and whether he goes out for a short break.” The stable also enjoyed placing with Classic Diva in the Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1335m) on Sunday, with the daughter of Proisir also earmarked to head to Riverton in a fortnight. “She always goes well fresh,” Tyler said. “The track was probably a bit too good for her. She has won quite a few races at Riverton, so if we could get a bit of cut in the track, she’ll hopefully be a good chance there.” View the full article

Waitak (NZ) (Proisir), the stunning winner of the Group 1 Railway Stakes on New Year’s Day, has been confirmed as the slot runner for New Zealand’s Trackside Media and host club Perth Racing in The Quokka in Perth on April 20. Trackside Media has partnered with Perth Racing for their slot in the A$5 million feature for the next three years. This partnership will help promote the very best of New Zealand racing in Western Australia and enhance growth of The Quokka into the important New Zealand market. Trackside is the media and broadcast arm of TAB in New Zealand, which Entain Australia and New Zealand operates under a 25-year strategic partnering agreement. The 4-year-old Waitak, who went from last to first in the Pukekohe straight to win January’s Railway, has the turn of foot to make a real impact in The Quokka at Ascot Racecourse next month. Cameron Rodger, the Managing Director – New Zealand for Entain Australia and New Zealand, said the team was excited to take a New Zealand-bred sprinter to Perth to take on the best short-course stars on offer in The Quokka. “The sprint he showed to win the Railway, particularly over the last 200 metres, blew us away,” Rodger says. “Waitak brings many strong qualities to the Trackside Media slot. He’s by Proisir, New Zealand’s leading sire last season, and is trained by the outstanding team at Wexford Stables in Matamata, led by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott. “The tempo of these sprint races can often suit horses that are proven over more than the sprint distance, and Waitak’s record shows he can handle that.” Perth Racing Chief Executive James Oldring welcomed the confirmation of Waitak as the Trackside Media runner. “It’s fantastic to have New Zealand representation in Perth for The Quokka and no doubt Waitak’s presence will generate plenty of interest from Kiwi racing fans. We look forward to welcoming him and his team to Ascot in April,” James Oldring said. The Wexford Stables team of O’Sullivan and Scott are enthusiastic about partnering with Trackside Media for the slot in the 1200-metre dash, won last year by ex-pat Kiwi trainer Bjorn Baker with Overpass. “This is a great opportunity to take one of our stable stars to uncharted territories for us. While we’ve campaigned horses in the eastern states of Australia, we can’t wait to take Waitak to Perth to have a red-hot go at the Australians,” Lance O’Sullivan said. Trackside also had a slot in The Everest in 2023, with I Wish I Win finishing a luckless second. The association with The Everest helped build the profile and awareness of that race in New Zealand and similar benefits are expected to flow through for The Quokka. Waitak is a $31 chance in The Quokka market with New Zealand’s TAB Waitak is going west! (youtube.com) View the full article

D J Stable and Robert Cotran's Hades certainly pleased trainer Joe Orseno during a five-furlong breeze and gallop-out March 10 at Gulfstream Park in preparation for a start in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) March 30.View the full article

Horse Racing on Monday, March 11 will feature five meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meetings at Ballarat & Morphettville. Monday Racing Tips – March 11, 2024 Ballarat Racing Tips Morphettville Racing Tips As always there a 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 11, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Horse racing tips View the full article