Wandering Eyes

Frenchman says in-form galloper can raise the bar again after continuing his impressive season on SundayView the full article

Brenton Avdulla claims his first Group One in Hong Kong as Tony Cruz’s stable star bounces back to book his trip to Meydan for the Al Quoz Sprint on March 30View the full article

Arqana has appointed Amy Feng as its representative in China. Amy is based in China and will work closely with Arqana bloodstock team member Mathieu Legars. A graduate of Newcastle University with a Master's degree in International Financial Analysis, Amy took her first steps into the breeding and racing industry alongside her father, with whom she founded Huiying Horse Farm, where she holds the position of Marketing Manager. Together, they bought their first horses in the USA and Australia, notably at the Magic Millions sales, where she met David Chester, Sales Director for Magic Millions, who helped her with her first purchases. A few years later, in 2013, she became the Australian auction house's representative for the Chinese market. She has also worked as the China representative for Aquis Farm for three years. Since 2018, Amy has been working as the secretary of the China Horse Owners Alliance (CHOA), which enables her to maintain strong connections with the members of the CHOA and leading owners in mainland China. Commenting on her appointment, Amy Feng said, “My various past experiences have enabled me to acquire a solid knowledge of racing and breeding, which enables me to provide judicious support to clients. I'm delighted to be able to join the Arqana team, which holds a prime position in the European market. French horses have different aptitudes to Chinese and Australasian horses, and Chinese buyers are increasingly attracted to these profiles.” Olivier Delloye added, “We are delighted to welcome Amy as Arqana's representative in China. Amy has been involved in the breeding and racing industry in her home country since 2008, and has developed strong skills and a great network through her various experiences with Aquis Farm and the China Horse Owners Alliance (CHOA). We took our time to recruit the right profile and are convinced that Amy will be a great asset to Arqana.” The post Arqana Appoints Amy Feng As Representative In China appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mahrajaan and Sam Weatherley power to victory in the Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) on Saturday at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Four months after his triumph in the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton, Mahrajaan earned himself a special place in New Zealand racing history by adding Saturday’s Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie. Mahrajaan became only the third horse to ever win the New Zealand Cup and Auckland Cup in the same season, and the first to do so in more than six decades. The other members of this exclusive group are Lochiel (1887-88), Cuddle (1935-36) and Stipulate (1962-63). The American-bred Mahrajaan was recruited by co-trainer Shaune Ritchie from the 2022 Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale at Newmarket in the United Kingdom, where he was bought for 75,000 guineas. That purchase paid off a year later when the son of Kitten’s Joy outstayed his opposition in the New Zealand Cup in Christchurch on November 18. Ritchie and his training partner Colm Murray then set their sights on the Auckland Cup, but Mahrajaan slipped below the radar after being unplaced in his two lead-up runs – 13th in heavy ground in the Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) and 12th in the Group 2 Avondale Cup (2400m). But Mahrajaan’s two starts over the ultimate distance of 3200m have now produced two powerful victories, and that stamina and strength shone through for a +2500 upset in Saturday’s time-honoured $500,000 feature. Ridden by his New Zealand Cup-winning jockey Sam Weatherley, Mahrajaan enjoyed a perfect run in fifth along the rail as the expected leader My Maebelline Girl set a solid pace out in front. The field packed up coming down the side of the track and approaching the home turn, and Weatherley was able to get away from the rail and into clear air on the outside of My Maebelline Girl, Good Oil and Whangaehu. Good Oil produced a strong kick at the top of the straight to take command, but Mahrajaan moved through his gears and launched an irresistible finish wider out on the track. He swept to the lead at the 50m mark and edged ahead of a brave Good Oil to win by three-quarters of a length. The lightly raced Mark Twain flashed home for an eye-catching third. 2024 Group 2 Auckland Cup – Mahrajaan “It’s special,” Weatherley said. “It’s an iconic race and I’m thrilled to win it. “Shaune is a real genius. He went to the UK and sourced this horse. He backed himself and backed his judgement, and we won the New Zealand Cup with him in November. “People wrote him off after his lead-up runs. He doesn’t like wet ground, and I thought his Avondale Cup run was pretty good the other day. “But he’s the best two-mile stayer in the country by a mile. He’ll just stay all day. “We had a beautiful run, and I know it sounds cocky, but I just knew he would not get beaten. He just travelled so sweetly. All he needed was a run, and he came out in the straight and gee he let down well.” Mahrajaan has now had 20 starts for five wins, six placings and more than $600,000 in stakes. Recognising that Mahrajaan thrives at the beach, Ritchie and Murray took the opportunity to send the chestnut north to spend the week at Ruakaka. “We’ve spent the last week up at the beach,” Murray said. “It worked really well when we were down in Christchurch in the spring. He just loves it and it’s a great way to get the miles into his legs. “He’s just a dead-set two-miler. You know he’ll show up when he gets up over that distance. It’s just fantastic to get this result for a great bunch of owners. It’s just brilliant. “The Melbourne Cup (Group 1, 3200m) is the dream, and that’s the race that he was bought for. We will go to Aussie with him now, probably Brisbane first, and we’ll see what happens. We know he can win over two miles, that’s for sure.” It was a coveted first Auckland Cup win for Ritchie, whose grandfather Merv won the race with Apollo Eleven in 1973. “I grew up spending a lot of time around Ellerslie and this is a race I’ve always wanted to win,” he said. “Mahrajaan is just a lovely horse. He’s had a lot of travel all over the world, but he’s just a little beauty. “I’m delighted to get this win for this group of owners. Many of them have supported my stable for a number of years now, and their support means a lot.” Horse racing news View the full article

Group One winner He’s A Doozy powers back into winning form at Trentham on Saturday under Ace Lawson-Carroll. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) A return to the scene of his greatest win has worked wonders for He’s A Doozy, who burst back into form with victory in Saturday’s Autumn Cup (1600m) at Trentham. The Wellington track has always brought the very best out of the Zacinto gelding, whose 10 previous visits to Trentham had produced five wins including last season’s Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) and Group 3 Thompson Handicap (1600m). But the current season had been a fruitless one for the six-year-old, finishing no closer than fourth in his six appearances before Saturday’s $50,000 open handicap. That all changed at Trentham. He’s A Doozy was assigned a testing 62kg topweight, but dropped to 59kg with apprentice jockey Ace Lawson-Carroll’s 3kg claim. He jumped awkwardly and settled at the rear of the seven-horse field in the early stages of the race, then slid forward into fifth just before the end of the back straight. The leader Marroni rolled off the fence at the home turn and Lawson-Carroll seized his opportunity, driving through the inside and hitting the lead with 200m remaining. Duncan Creek and Sumi gave their all to try to run him down, but He’s A Doozy kept kicking and held on gamely to win by a short head. Trainer Lisa Latta paid $70,000 to buy He’s A Doozy as a yearling at Karaka in 2019. His 30-start career has now produced eight wins, four placings and $505,425 in stakes. “He’s a good horse and it’s a real relief to see him back in winning form today,” Latta said. “He loves it around Trentham, he was given a good ride and won the race really nicely “There’s not a lot of options around for a horse like him at this time of year, but we might look at the Awapuni Gold Cup (Group 2, 2100m), which is at Trentham this year (on April 6). We’ll probably look to give him a trial in between to keep him up to the mark.” He’s A Doozy was the third winner on the Trentham card for Lawson-Carroll and the second for Latta. That trainer-jockey combination also teamed up to win with highly talented three-year-old Platinum Attack, who has now won all of his last three races in succession. “He’s a very promising horse and is just doing everything on raw ability at the moment,” Latta said. “He hit the front a long way out today, so it was a good, tough effort to keep going and get the win.” Horse racing news View the full article

Promising four-year-old Hat Trick (NZ) (Fastnet Rock) proved he has plenty more to offer as he claimed his second victory from just three starts, with a stylish front-running performance to take out a Special Conditions Maiden contest over 1400m at Ellerslie. The statuesque son of Fastnet Rock kept rider Michael McNab on his toes throughout with some erratic behaviour, but when asked to focus his energies on his task he buckled down nicely to dash clear of his rivals in the home straight after setting his own terms in front from barrier rise. McNab was quick to mention those difficulties, but also praised his charge as having plenty of talent and the ability to progress through the grades quickly as he gets more experience under his belt. “He was never comfortable, and he is hard work,” McNab said. “He is beautifully put together though and obviously has great ability, but he is a handful. “He is still really learning and on a high-pressure day like today he could fall to pieces, but to his credit he picked up and sustained a really good gallop. “Better manners would be great but he is going the right way.” Trainer Tony Pike also made mention of the gelding’s manners but also believes more racetrack experience will do him the world of good. “He has always shown the ability, but he has been a bit of a green goose all the way through,” he said. “He chopped and changed legs and pricked his ears all the way up the straight, but he is very talented. “He was dominant last time at Counties (maiden victory) and he was dominant again today. “He relaxed nicely, and he has a very high cruising speed which he can kick off. “We think he has a big future, but he is a big horse, and we will have to manage him carefully as I think he can get through to quite a high level.” Bred and raced by the Smithies family under their Monovale Holdings banner, Hat Trick is out of their stakes winning Savabeel mare No Tricks, who is a half-sister to the nine-race winning mare Amazing Charm. The win also provided McNab with an early treble on the day after winning the first two races aboard Pearl Of Alsace and Adam I Am. View the full article

Beaten Newmarket Handicap favourite Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) is firmly on track to defend her Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) title at The Valley later this month after pleasing connections with her condition on Sunday morning. Racing Victoria stewards on Saturday reported that Imperatriz had pulled up from her Newmarket Handicap run with the common lung condition EIPH (exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage), but Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis said on Sunday that his team were not concerned. “We were very happy with her run and she seems to have come up really well this morning,” Ellis said. “So many horses pull up with that (EIPH) and that won’t be a factor moving forward in her campaign. “She’ll now proceed to Moonee Valley.” Stewards noted in their report on the Newmarket: “Imperatriz: Shortly after the start was hampered when tightened for room between Bella Nipotina and Ruthless Dame. Post-race endoscopy of Imperatriz detected a degree of internal exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage that may have affected the mare’s racing performance. A veterinary clearance will be required prior to racing again.” Ellis said Imperatriz lost none of her greatness with her defeat, where she was run down late by the three-year-old Cylinder as she attempted to match Black Caviar’s weight-carrying feat of 58 kilograms. “I am very proud of her and with her draw she might not have been in the best spot, but there are no excuses,” he said. Te Akau Racing will have a large presence at the William Reid Stakes meeting on March 23, with Campionessa to contest the $300,000 Gr.2 Sunline Stakes (1600m), while filly Quintessa will tackle the Gr.2 $500,000 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m). He said Savabeel filly Certainly will run in the Gr.3 $200,000 Alexandra Stakes (1600m). View the full article

Three hours before pin-up mare Legarto lined up as the centre of attention in Saturday’s Gr.1 Bonecrusher 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 (NZ) (Almanzor) lived up to his $1.90 favouritism 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.” View the full article

Classy mare Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock) returned to summer racing with a vengeance when claiming a narrow victory in the opening event at Ellerslie, the Westbury Stud Royal Descent Stakes (1600m). The Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-prepared five-year-old hadn’t been seen since finishing sixth in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa prior to Christmas, after completing a spring campaign that included placing behind Ladies Man in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m). She then headed to Melbourne for a hit-and-run mission in the Gr.2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, where she finished close-up in fourth. The daughter of Tavistock came into Saturday’s contest off the back of a trial over 1100m at Tauranga, plus a stint at Ruakaka for some beach work, and stripped in good condition for her first-up assignment where punters backed her into the $2.20 favourite in the seven-horse field. Rider Michael McNab gave her the perfect trip in fourth before asking her to join issue shortly after straightening, where she quickly claimed pacemaker Klairelle and looked set for a hollow victory. To her credit, Klairelle kicked back strongly and made it a close contest in the end, however Pearl Of Alsace always had the situation in control and took the win by a head, with Cheval D’Or battling well for third. Ritchie was pleased with the effort, after commenting pre-race that he felt his charge would have to perform with credit to justify a start in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha at the end of the month. “I’m delighted as it’s always nice to win a race on Auckland Cup Day,” Ritchie said. “I felt he (McNab) was quite soft on her as when they are going over a mile first-up you don’t want too tough a run, and she should derive a lot of benefit for the Group One coming up. “She had the other one covered, but it was a great effort by that horse as well. “She has run the mile out well and we won’t do too much with her, just give her a couple of run-a-longs to keep her up to the mark. “We wanted to get the right-handed monkey off her back as she hasn’t won this way around, so it was a nice result.” The victory took the mare’s career record to seven wins and two placings from just 12 starts, with prizemoney earnings of over $291,000. Bred and raced by Pencarrow Stud’s Sir Peter Vela, Pearl Of Alsace is out of the stakes-placed Danroad mare Irion, who is also the dam of progressive Zoustar filly Zourion who took out the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) during her two-year-old season. She comes from a well sought after family, with her Super Seth half-sister selling for $700,000 from the Pencarrow Stud draft at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka in January. View the full article

Danica Guy’s talented three-year-old Lupo Solitario (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) has been sold to Hong Kong. A son of Satono Aladdin, Lupo Solitario announced himself with a bold winning performance on debut in August 2023, attracting extensive buyer interest. His ownership group, including Leighton Howl who purchased the gelding for $82,500 out of Rich Hill Stud’s draft at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales, resisted the sale initially, and Lupo Solitario continued to perform among the best of this season’s three-year-old crop. “His debut run was really exciting, he was so green and he won so well. He really put his name out there with that run and he just kept improving,” Guy said. Matamata-based Guy tested Lupo Solitario twice at Group level through his six starts in New Zealand and his runner-up performance behind star three-year-old Crocetti in the Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) was one she described as his best. “His best run was probably for second in the Annie Sarten, he hit the line hard behind Crocetti,” she said. Lupo Solitario was rewarded for his consistency when defeating subsequent Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Orchestral in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) and had his only finish outside of the top two when finishing eighth in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), also won by the phenomenal filly. “I think he was only tripped up in his last two starts, one was a wet track, and secondly on Karaka Millions night, we were really badly let down by the track being greasy,” Guy said. “With his low, flat action and big stride, he just struggled on the ground. “But I think he’s definitely right up there as one of the best three-year-olds this season.” Following his Karaka Millions performance, Lupo Solitario was subsequently sold to a long-time client of Guy’s stable, that had previously purchased her 2015 Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) winner Gaultier. Gaultier continued on to win a further three races in the competitive jurisdiction, while his sire Rios was later purchased and stood at Guy’s Upstage Bloodstock operation from late 2018. “I’m very excited to have sold him (Lupo Solitario) to a long-time client of the stable, who bought Gaultier off us years ago,” she said. “He will enjoy the environment up there, he’s very laid back and not much bothers him, so he should acclimatise to it all. “They have a different tempo to their races so I’m not sure how he’ll go, but I’d imagine the fast tracks up there will suit him well. I definitely think he can make the step out to the 2000m as well.” View the full article

El Vencedor and Joe Doyle return to the Ellerslie birdcage after triumphing in the Group 1 New Zealand Stakes (1600m) on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) An inch perfect front running ride by Irishman Joe Doyle paved the way for outsider El Vencedor to upset the applecart in the Group 1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie. Despite a consistent form-line with a win and three placings along with a last-start fourth in the Group 1 Otaki-Māori Weight For Age Classic (1600m), the five-year-old son of Shocking was overlooked by punters as he closed at +2000 on the Fixed Odds market. All the smart money was on class four-year-old mare Legarto (-500) who had taken out the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at her last start. Those investments looked well placed early in the piece as Ryan Elliot settled her beautifully in third as she stalked El Vencedor and Doyle, who set up a tidy pace in front. Approaching the home corner, it was evident that El Vencedor was travelling sweetly in his first start beyond 1600m, however Legarto had him in her sights as she switched off the rail and set out to bridge the three-length margin the leader had established with 300m to run. Despite making ground steadily, Legarto couldn’t pull back El Vencedor who kicked strongly for Doyle and powered to the line to win by half a length with Ladies Man finishing resolutely for third, albeit four lengths in arrears of the first two. 2024 Group 1 New Zealand Stakes Replay – El Vencedor Trainer Stephen Marsh, who had two races earlier taken out the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) with Velocious, was a little lost for words as he contemplated what his charge had just achieved. “Legarto is such a great mare and you never take her cheaply, but I loved the way he got to the front under a bit of pressure then got a couple of cheap sectionals,” Marsh said. “He was galloping beautifully in front and coming into the straight I saw Legarto come off the bridle just as we were starting to climb into it. “I thought geez we could be a chance here, and he kicked well and galloped nice and true which was beautiful to see. “He has got better and better with each run, and this is great for his breeders and owners Mark Freeman and David Price as they own the mare, and it is just awesome all around. “Two Group Ones in a day is just surreal.” Doyle wore a massive smile as he accepted congratulations for his performance on the brave winner. “That is just fantastic, and this is a race with a lot of history,” he said. “Stephen’s horse (El Vencedor) was so tenacious, and I’m absolutely thrilled. “We agreed before the race that the only chance we had was if we could get relaxed in front, so I let him slide forward and when we hit the rise, I let him fill his lungs and he was as tough as anything and got me home.” Freeman and Price bred the gelding from their O’Reilly mare Strictly Maternal and he is the younger brother of their Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2200m) winner Chocante, while he is also a half-brother to Hong Kong Derby winner Sky Darci. The win took his career earnings beyond the $636,000 mark with seven wins and thirteen placings from 31 starts. Runner-up Legarto also significantly boosted her career earnings with the runner-up cheque of $83,250, added to a whopping $500,000 bonus as the inaugural winner of the $650,000 summer series that was introduced this year by Entain Australia and New Zealand in association with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. The series ran across four races between January and March, rewarding the series winner with a $500,000 bonus for accumulating the most points from contesting either the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham on January 20, or $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on January 27. Having finished runner-up in the Aotearoa Classic before taking out the third leg of the series, the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa last month, Legarto went into the decider as a clear series leader with 20.5 points and her runner-up finish saw her collect the lion’s share of a much sought after prize. Horse racing news View the full article

Velocious returns to the mounting yard after claiming Group One glory under Sam Spratt in Saturday’s Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Superstar filly Velocious cemented herself atop the country’s two-year-old ranks with a tenacious victory in Saturday’s Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. Velocious burst onto the juvenile scene on debut at Te Rapa in November, the daughter of Written Tycoon swiftly collecting black-type honours in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) at the following start. Her sole defeat in a dazzling five-start career came on heavy track conditions in the Group 2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m), a performance rectified in spades when she delivered trainer Stephen Marsh with a triumphant Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) victory. Cambridge-based Marsh, alongside syndication group Go Racing entered Saturday’s two-year-old feature hoping to repeat a slice of personal history, after the partnership claimed the Karaka Million-Sistema Stakes double with Ruud Awakening in 2013. In the hands of regular rider Sam Spratt, Velocious exploded from barrier four as a -166.67 favourite with horse racing bookmakers, settling outside the pacemaker Poetic Champion. Previously unbeaten in four starts, Captured By Love was touted as the key danger to Velocious, but the Te Akau Racing filly was forced back and three-wide early in the eight-horse affair. As Poetic Champion began to angle wider rounding the home turn, Spratt urged Velocious into the lead and she exploded clear at the 150m, an advantage too great for Archaic Smile and Captured By Love to reel in as the classy fillies scorched home to fill the minor placings. 2024 Group 1 Sistema Stakes Replay – Velocious Marsh admitted to a few nerves prior to the race and was delighted to have claimed his second-straight Sistema crown, after winning last year’s edition with Ulanova after Tokyo Tycoon was disqualified for a swab irregularity. “That feels great. She’s a great filly, a Karaka Million winner, and now she’s a Group One winner. That just tops it all off,” he said. “I was nervous coming into today, a lot more gee’d up than for the Karaka Million, but I’m just happy it’s done and dusted and she’s got it. “I was very comfortable, I thought Sam rode the horse perfectly. I told her to watch out for Poetic Champion, it could run out, and we were always going to nurse her to about the 200m, but when he started to run out, she had to push the button a bit early. “She was just a sitting duck in the last little bit, she sprinted hard and she’s got a great turn of foot. She’s probably ridden better taking a sit, but Sam rode her perfectly, for today.” Marsh had elected to give Velocious a brief freshen-up following the Karaka Millions, a comfortable trial win at Cambridge in late February proving the ideal lead-in. “You can’t run in every race, we peaked her for the Karaka Million and we wanted to give her a freshen up. She had the one quiet trial at Cambridge, that was all she needed, and today just showed that,” he said. “You just can’t beat this feeling.” Champion Kiwi-expat hoop James McDonald took the ride aboard Velocious in the Karaka Millions 2YO, and Spratt, ever the consummate professional, was thrilled to re-partner with the filly on Saturday. “That was just awesome, I’ve had a bit of luck on the horse so it was great to get across the line for them (Marsh, Go Racing),” she said. “It’s part of the game, if you’re playing rugby and Richie McCaw is in your position you’re going to be on the sideline, so I had a sneaking suspicion right from the word go that it was going to be like that (Karaka Millions). “They looked after me and put me back on now, so as I said, it’s just part and parcel.” Spratt became the first female jockey in the 21st century to win the Sistema Stakes, and it hadn’t all been smooth sailing through the running. “Poetic Champion was trying to run off a little bit, I think he (Per-Anders Graberg, jockey) was having a bit of trouble. I didn’t have much of an option, I had to kick-up, so he didn’t get too much of a length on us, otherwise it would’ve just run me off,” she said. “It panned out roughly how I wanted, but that wasn’t helping the scenario. “She just does as much as she needs to, I think if they (Archaic Smile and Captured By Love) came up, she would’ve dug again. It was a good run. “Any Group One is awesome, everyone wants one, and each is worth it.” Horse racing news View the full article

Young Werther was dominant from the front in Saturday’s $200,000 Australian Cup Prelude (1800m) at Flemington. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Five-time Group One placegetter Young Werther earned himself another shot at the elite level with a dominant front-running performance in Saturday’s $200,000 Australian Cup Prelude (1800m) at Flemington. The New Zealand-bred son of Tavistock is well used to performing on the biggest stage, having finished second in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) and Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and third in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m), Turnbull Stakes and Champion Stakes (2000m). The six-year-old was clearly the highest-rated runner in Saturday’s field at 106, but he got in at level weights under the set weights and penalties conditions of the race. Young Werther was sent out as a $2.35 favourite and proceeded to dominate the race from the front. Rider Damian Lane urged him forward out of the gate and took up a leading position that he never looked in any danger of surrendering. Young Werther kicked hard in the straight and opened up a winning margin of two and a half lengths. “He was great today,” Lane said. “I’ve ridden this horse many times now, and this is the first time I’ve been able to win on him. In my defence, his winning strike rate isn’t great, but he’s always raced well at a high level. “He really got in well at the weights today, and I was able to take luck out of the equation and ride him like the best horse.” From 29 starts, Young Werther has now recorded four wins and 11 placings, earning more than $1.89 million in stakes. Trainer Danny O’Brien will now give Young Werther another shot at the big time in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 30. “He’s been in tremendous form since the start of spring, really,” O’Brien said. “You can’t find a bad run, and he’s run against the best all the way through his career. “His third start was in the Derby here, where he ran third, and he was beaten by a half-head in the Australian Derby at Randwick later that season. Here he is, still presenting as a six-year-old and still running really well. “A three-week gap into the Australian Cup now is perfect, and 2000m at Flemington suits him really well. We thought he was unlucky not to win the Champions Stakes over that course and distance in the spring. It would be nice to see him pick up a good Group One.” Horse racing news View the full article

Tote problems that were not fully explained as of 8:30 p.m. ET March 9 played havoc with the late races of the Tampa Bay Downs card Saturday, its most important live race day of the year.View the full article

Tote problems that were not fully explained as of 8:30 p.m. ET March 9 played havoc with the late races of the Tampa Bay Downs card Saturday, its most important live race day of the year.View the full article

Stretching out to two turns in her grade 1 debut proved no problem for the talented Sweet Azteca, who traces back to Horse of the Year and Hall of Famer Tiznow.View the full article

Mark and Nancy Stanley's Tiny Temper broke last in her graded stakes debut, but came running down the lane to catch fellow longshot Misty Veil to win the Azeri Stakes (G2) by a neck March 9 at Oaklawn Park. View the full article

Mark and Nancy Stanley's Tiny Temper broke dead last in her graded stakes debut, but came running down the lane to catch fellow long shot Misty Veil to win the Azeri Stakes (G2) by a neck March 9 at Oaklawn Park. View the full article

A troubled third in her stakes debut in the Jan. 6 Ginger Brew Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Waskesiu lined up as the 5-2 favorite in the Florida Oaks (G3T) and didn't disappoint. View the full article

Kinza remains unchallenged in three starts with a tour de force in the March 9 $101,500 Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Stretching out to two turns in her grade 1 debut proved no problem for the talented Sweet Azteca March 9 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

A troubled third in her stakes debut in the Jan. 6 Ginger Brew Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Waskesiu lined up as the 5-2 favorite in the Florida Oaks (G3T) and didn't disappoint. View the full article

Kinza remains unchallenged in three starts with a tour de force in the March 9 $101,500 Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Facing a bevy of more experienced rivals, lightly raced SWEET AZTECA (f, 4, Sharp Azteca–So Sweetitiz, by Grand Slam) led every step of the way to capture the renamed GI B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile S. at Santa Anita Saturday. The Pamela Cee Ziebarth homebred blasted out of the gate, set early fractions of :23.40 and :47.40, and sailed into the stretch three lengths on top. Last summer's GI Clement L. Hirsch S. winner and even-money favorite Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) chased the gray home, but couldn't catch her. Pumpkin Pie S. winner Green Up (Upstart), an East Coast shipper from the Todd Pletcher barn, was third. Final time for the mile was 1:36.40. Sweet Azteca made one start as a 3-year-old last year for trainer Michael McCarthy, resulting in a Derby week win at Churchill Downs and an 85 debut Beyer Speed Figure. Benched until the GIII Las Flores S. on New Year's Day, Sweet Azteca was third, then roared back with a 12-length optional allowance win and a 91 Beyer over this surface going 6 1/2 furlongs Feb. 2. O/B-Pamela Cee Ziebarth; T-Michael McCarthy; J-Flavien Prat. How sweet it is! SWEET AZTECA was more than up to the task, taking them all the way in Saturday's GI B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile at @santaanitapark. pic.twitter.com/iDV7G9HxF6 — TDN (@theTDN) March 10, 2024 The post Sweet Azteca Pillar to Post in Beholder Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An Ocala Stud-bred and -consigned filly from the first crop of GI Forego S. winner Win Win Win (Hat Trick {Jpn}) established a new record time for a quarter-mile breeze over the SafeTrack surface at the OBS sales grounds, covering the distance in :20 1/5 during the fourth and final preview for next week's OBS March Sale of 2-Year-Olds In Training. “It wasn't a real surprise,” said Ocala Stud's David O'Farrell. “She prepped very well last week, did it very easily and she's just a really, really good filly. She's got 'it'–she's got the that 'it' factor. You really don't know exactly what you have until the final prep. “She's powerful, very classy and very good-minded,” he continued. “She came back to the barn after her breeze and just cooled out beautifully. She never turned a hair, she's very quiet and just great to be around. Every time you ask her for work, she lays it down for you. We were high on her at the farm, but when we got over here it completely translated. She's the real deal, she's fast.” Hip 788 is the latest foal out of their homebred Unanimity (Union Rags), whose own dam Lady Discreet (Boundary) was acquired by Ocala Stud for $45,000 in foal to Phone Trick at the 2004 OBS Fall Mixed Sale. A daughter of 1995 GI Alabama S. heroine Pretty Discreet (Private Account), Lady Discreet is a half-sister to Grade I-winning sire Discreet Cat (Forestry), GISW Discreetly Mine (Mineshaft) and SW/MGISP Pretty Wild (Wild Again). For Ocala Stud, Lady Discreet produced MSW & MGSP Courtesan (Street Sense), the stakes-winning and stakes-producing Chary (Montbrook) and The Shady Lady (Quality Road), the unraced dam of undefeated GIII Holy Bull S. winner Hades (Awesome Slew) and SW Devious Dame (Girvin). The second-fastest quarter-mile move Saturday was turned in by the Pick View LLC-consigned hip 686, a first-crop son of Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}) out of the Irish stakes-placed So Stylish (Johannesburg), who stopped the clock in :20 2/5. Bred by Mt. Briilant Farm & Ranch, hip 686 was purchased by Pick View for $40,000 at Keeneland September last fall. A day after a pair of horses shared the :9 3/5 bullet for one-eighth mile breezes, no fewer than seven juveniles shared top honors when working in :9 4/5 Saturday. They include: Hip 670, a Catalina Cruiser half-brother to SP Motown Mischief (Malibu Moon) from Coastal Equine LLC (Jesse Hoppel); Hip 745, a filly by Uncle Mo out of 2018 GIII Forward Gal S. winner Take Charge Paula (Take Charge Indy) consigned by Top Line Sales LLC; Hip 780, a Bolt d'Oro filly whose dam Troublesome (Into Mischief) produced MSW Amidst Waves (Midshipman) from the draft of Wavertree Sales Inc (Ciaran Dunne); Hip 824, a colt by Mitole–Warrior's Way (Quality Road) from L. G., Agent; Hip 825, a New York-bred, May-foaled colt by Goldencents and a half-brother to SW Treasure King (Treasure Beach {GB}) from the consignment of Cesar Loya Training & Sales; Hip 840, a Top Line-consigned daughter of Liam's Map from the family of Grade I winners Harmony Lodge (Hennessy) and Pinehurst (Twirling Candy) and; Hip 844, a filly from the first crop by Instagrand (Into Mischief) out of a half-sister to Grade I-winning juvenile Noble's Promise (Cuvee) and from the family of GISW Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming) from the Eddie Woods draft. The post Win Win Win Filly Sets OBS Under-Tack Record appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article