Wandering Eyes

What Queensland Guineas Day Where Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, May 4, 2024 First Race 11:28am AEST Visit Dabble The Group 2 Queensland Guineas and Victory Stakes will headline the massive nine-race card at Eagle Farm this Saturday. With rain forecast to fall on Friday and Saturday, it is expected that the track will stay in the Soft range. The rail will be pushed out to the +7m position for the entire circuit, with racing set to kick off at 11:28am AEST. Queensland Guineas Tip: Port Lockroy Of the runners making the trip north from the Sydney Autumn Carnival, Port Lockroy appears to be the pick of the bunch as he steps up to 1600m third-up. The Annabel Neasham-trained colt finished off strongly in the Listed South Pacific Classic over 1400m and is crying out for more ground. Adam Hyeronimus will have his work cut out from barrier 19, but if he can slot in midfield and find a back to follow, Port Lockroy will be one of the strongest late. Queensland Guineas Race 9 – #8 Port Lockroy (19) 3yo Colt | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Adam Hyeronimus (57kg) +750 with Unibet Victory Stakes Tip: Uncommon James Uncommon James drops back from Group 1 grade after he finished fifth in The Galaxy, where he was beaten 1.8 lengths by Zapateo first-up on March 23. The Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted-trained galloper ran into Imperatriz twice last preparation, and even though he didn’t win in three starts, he finished in the placings each time. The son of Cable Bay is unbeaten at the Eagle Farm 1200m, and if Tommy Berry can settle in the one-one position, that record should remain intact. Victory Stakes Race 8 – #1 Uncommon James (7) 5yo Gelding | T: Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted | J: Tommy Berry (58.5kg) +170 with PlayUp Dalrello Stakes Tip: Embassy After a 10-week freshen, Embassy returns for his second preparation with the benefit of two strong trial wins over 794m and 1050m. The Peter & Paul Snowden-trained colt was narrowly beaten on debut before recording a credible fourth-place finish behind Straight Charge in the Group 2 Silver Slipper last start. From a cozy barrier (3) with James Orman jumping into the saddle, Embassy looks to be the class runner in the Dalrello Stakes. Dalrello Stakes Race 6 – #3 Embassy (3) 2yo Colt | T: Peter & Paul Snowden | J: James Orman (57kg) +250 with Picklebet Best Bet at Eagle Farm: Inhibitions Inhibitions didn’t handle the bog track at Randwick in the Group 3 James H B Carr Stakes last start, but he was impressive when winning over 1200m at Moonee Valley the start prior. The daughter of Zoustar has been around the mark throughout this preparation, with her most recent run being the first time she has missed the top four. From barrier six, James Orman can push forward and settle Inhibitions on speed behind Weigall Tiger before unleashing with a blistering finish. Best Bet Race 5 – #2 Inhibitions (6) 3yo Filly | T: James Cummings | J: James Orman (58kg) +280 with Neds Next Best at Eagle Farm: Warby Warby returns from a 16-week spell with the benefit of a nice trial at Doomben over 1000m on April 11. The Tony Gollan-trained gelding was last seen on January 6 at the Gold Coast, where he finished ninth of 17 after getting too far back on a leader-biased track. Ryan Maloney has ridden this son of Hellbent twice for two wins, and if he can settle closer to the speed this time from barrier three, Warby could prove hard to hold out. Next Best Race 5 – #10 Warby (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Tony Gollan | J: Ryan Maloney (57.5kg) +500 with Dabble Saturday quaddie tips for Eagle Farm races Eagle Farm quadrella selections Saturday, May 4, 2024 1-3-7-10 4-9-10 1-3-8 1-2-3-6-8-9-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Son of Galileo bids to become the first galloper in a decade to carry top weight to victory in Sunday’s HK$4.2 million contestView the full article

Surging to the front in the final 100 yards, Stud Montana's 57-1 shot Che Evasora (ARG) scored a half-length victory May 1 in the 1 1/4-mile Gran Premio Criadores (G1) for fillies and mares on the dirt at Hipodromo de Palermo in Argentina.View the full article

Trackside talk’s to the key people around Friday nights Group 1 Messenger out of Alexandra Park View the full article

What Caulfield Races Where Caulfield Racecourse – Gate 22, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Saturday, May 4, 2024 First Race 11:45am AEST Visit Dabble A competitive 10-race meeting awaits punters at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday. With clear skies forecast, the track will remain a Good 4 throughout the day. The rail comes out 8m for the entire circuit, with racing set to commence at 11:45am local time. Best Bet at Caulfield: Mawallock Mawallock won in soft style in both starts during the spring and boasts a bombproof record of two wins from as many first-up runs. With Tayla Childs’ 3kg claim getting the four-year-old mare in with just 56.5kg, she looks well weighted against her rivals. From barrier four, Mawallock will likely land in the one-one and cruise to victory over the 1100m trip. Best Bet Race 2 – #1 Mawallock (4) 4yo Mare | T: Lindsey Smith | J: Tayla Childs (a2) (59.5kg) +100 with Dabble Next Best at Caulfield: Aberfeldie Boy Aberfeldie Boy was a touch unlucky when beaten less than a length by Captain Envious in Group 3 company last time out, but he was hitting the line nicely at the end of the 2000m journey. As such, a return to the track and trip could be a recipe for success. He will need a touch of luck from barrier two under Patrick Moloney, but with a 4.5kg weight advantage over favourite Berkeley Square, Aberfeldie Boy is the play. Next Best Race 9 – #6 Aberfeldie Boy (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock | J: Patrick Moloney (54kg) +450 with PlayUp Best Value at Caulfield: Midwest Midwest is a 1000m specialist, boasting six wins and six minor placings from 14 attempts. The five-year-old gelding returns from a four-month spell, and with a first-up record of 6: 1-3-1, he offers great value at double-figure odds with horse racing bookmakers. Tatum Bull should have no issue finding the rail from barrier three and giving Midwest the opportunity to run his rivals off their feet. Best Value Race 5 – #2 Midwest (3) 5yo Gelding | T: ANthony & Sam Freedman | J: Tatum Bull (a3) (62kg) +900 with Bet365 Caulfield quaddie tips – 4/5/2024 Caulfield quadrella selections Saturday, May 4, 2024 Field 1-2-7-8-9 1-6 1-2-6-7-10 Horse racing tips View the full article

Trainers Phil D'Amato and Michael McCarthy, who have horses in the Kentucky Derby (G1), will be represented by half the field in the Charles Whittingham Stakes at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Life at the beach is agreeing with talented performer Shamus who will make his first appearance on Saturday from his new quarters. The lightly raced five-year-old has been sent north by former trainer Allan Sharrock to Moira and Kieran Murdoch’s Pukekohe stable and is set to begin the next phase of his career when he resumes in the Prezzy Card Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa. The Noel and Ron Stanley-raced son of Shamexpress was runner-up in an open sprint at New Plymouth at his last appearance in February after finishing sixth in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) following an interrupted passage. “Allan sent him up to us just for a change of scenery, we’ve done it before with a couple for him and using the beach and changing things up for the older horses,” Moira Murdoch said. “He’s lovely and you couldn’t get a nicer horse, he’s taken to the beach from the first day and we’ll see how he goes. He’s been with us for a wee while now and I’ve been happy with his work. “We trialled him at Pukekohe and he ran a nice second, that was just over 800m and he did that really easily. “We thought we’d go to Te Rapa where he has run well before, he hasn’t had any right-handed races so it’s a good one to kick him off.” The stable will take a race-by-race approach with Shamus and no firm goals in mind as yet. “He’s obviously a very talented horse so we’ll just see how he goes, he’s an absolute pleasure to do anything with,” Murdoch said. The model professional has also showed a particular liking for one dietary treat. “He’s no bother, but he has got a penchant for Gala apples and can sniff them out anywhere,” Murdoch said. Shamus has an impressive first-up record with four wins and two placings from eight appearances off a spell and will be partnered in his return at Te Rapa by Jasmine Fawcett. “Jasmine rode him at the trials and the Stanley boys were happy to keep her on,” Murdoch said. Shamus has been successful in six of his 13 appearances, including the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) and finished third in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m). As an older horse, he has also been successful in a brace of open handicap sprints and finished runner-up in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m). View the full article

A pair of Group winners take pride of place so far in the training career of David Greene who this week hit a notable milestone. The Te Rapa-based horseman sent out his 100th winner on Wednesday when Goldiluxe scored at Ruakaka in the style to befit the occasion and, for good measure, stablemate Flamboyance finished runner-up. Ghibellines mare Goldiluxe was sent out at less than even money in her 1400m maiden contest and won accordingly, romping home in the hands of Sam Spratt to bring up Greene’s century. “To be honest, I haven’t really given it too much thought, but it is nice and a reflection of an awful lot of work that a lot of different people have put into the stable over the years,” he said. Greene was involved in the industry on a smaller scale before concentrating on training. “I’ve been full time at Te Rapa for 12 years and we played around with a couple of horses before that,” he said. “We were out on the farm at Tahuna (about 15 minutes out of Morrinsville) and Heidi (wife) and I were mainly pre-training and spelling horses back then. Heidi has been key to everything.” In the ensuing years, the stable’s flagship performers have been top-class mare Stolen Dance and the well-performed stayer Justamaiz. A daughter of Alamosa, Stolen Dance was successful on nine occasions and placed a further six times from 21 appearances for Greene. She claimed top honours in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) and the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) and consecutively finished runner-up at Group One level in the Zabeel Classic (2000m), Thorndon Mile (1600m) and Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). “She’s been my favourite horse so far, she was very special to me and the stable,” Greene said. Following a change in the ownership group, Stolen Dance joined the now retired Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman and the mare signed off her career with a deserved success by going one better in the Thorndon. Justamaiz was a tough staying son of Guillotine who won eight races with his most notable successes on his home track at Te Rapa. “He won the Waikato Cup (Gr.3, 2400m) and also won the Counties Cup (Gr.3, 2100m) when it was held here so it was two local Cups for us,” Greene said. “You’d love to have a stable full of geldings like him that can have long careers and he was another real favourite.” Justamaiz also finished third in an edition of the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m). Greene’s most recent winner Goldiluxe broke through at Ruakaka at her fifth appearance. “She had been knocking on the door of late, she was pretty close to breaking her maiden at Pukekohe and then got tripped up by a track that was wetter than we expected at Rotorua,” he said. “It was a well-earned win for her, and the other horse (Flamboyance) is progressing well and keeps getting better with every start. “He has been a bit of a slow learner, but it looks like he’ll make the grade.” View the full article

Wanganui trainer JJ Rayner will head to Woodville on Friday where she will kick off the campaigns of two of her stable stars, with the pair having ambitions of heading to Riccarton’s Grand National Festival of Racing in August. Hacksaw Ridge was a consistent performer for Rayner last year, placing in five of his nine outings, including a runner-up performance in the Listed AGC Training Stakes WFA (1600m). The Wanganui feature is once again in the crosshairs, however, with his improved travelling manners, a trip across the Cook Strait to tackle the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton is also in the offing. “He has matured a lot and we are looking for a nice season with him,” Rayner said. “He does a few funny things and isn’t the easiest horse to ride or travel. “He seems a lot better in the truck, so I think the main aim for us is to try and get him to the Winter Cup. “We will also head to the AGC Training Stakes with him, he was second in it last year, and probably the Opunake Cup (Listed, 1400m).” The six-year-old son of Power will be ridden by Lisa Allpress on Friday from barrier 11 in the David & Ellen Oliver (1400m), and Rayner is hoping he can get a soft trip from that draw. “Lisa has ridden him before and gotten on well with him,” she said. “We are expecting a nice run from him first-up, without expecting too much. “He is not the easiest horse to settle, but if he can get a bit of cover he can relax a little bit, so that is what we are hoping.” Stablemate Lord Spencer was another who was in great form of Rayner last year, and she is hopeful he can add some prestige jumps titles to his record this season. The six-year-old son of Zed had five starts over hurdles last year for a win and four placings, and will prepare to head back to that discipline following his second-up run in the Roly and Phillipa Ellis (2200m) on Friday. “He has come up well, but he will need the run,” Rayner said. “He has been going to Waverley and has been doing a couple of jumping days there. “Lemmy Chief Stipelas will ride him in his first few jumping races. “His main aim this year are the big hurdle races. We would like to think we can head down to the Grand National at Riccarton with him too. “He is a lovely horse and hopefully we will have a nice season with him.” Rayner is also excited about the prospects of Tutin Cans this winter. “Tutin Cans, a half-brother to Hacksaw Ridge, is coming up nicely again,” she said. “On his day he is a very good horse, so I would like to have a bit of fun with him.” View the full article

What Cranbourne Races Where Cranbourne Turf Club – 50 Grant St, Cranbourne VIC 3977 When Friday, May 3, 2024 First Race 5:15pm AEST Visit Dabble The Friday night racing season continues at Cranbourne Turf Club with eight races set down for decision. Despite the track coming up as a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, it should be upgraded to a Good 4 either prior to or during the meeting. The rail sticks to its true position from the 1600m to the winning post and sits 3m out for the remainder. Best Bet at Cranbourne: Berkshire Breeze Based on what Berkshire Breeze did first-up at Caulfield, the $1.80 on offer with online bookmakers looks a steal. Having hit the lead a long way out from home, the son of Mastercraftsman was only gunned down late over 2000m in tougher company than this. He does need to lug 60.5kg again but, from barrier two, draws to gain every advantage in running under the in-form Ethan Brown. Best Bet Race 5 – #1 Berkshire Breeze (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Ethan Brown (60.5kg) -125 with Neds Next Best at Cranbourne: Sun Gift After two narrow defeats, Sun Gift gets her chance to break maiden ranks at the fourth time of asking. The Savabeel filly was hitting the line strongly at the Cranbourne 2025m when missing in a driving finish, but she should find the winner’s stall on her return to the track and trip. Mick Dee will likely try to find a spot midfield with a touch of cover, and when asked for the ultimate effort, Sun Gift should prove too good for her rivals. Next Best Race 4 – #10 Sun Gift (9) 3yo Filly | T: Danny O’Brien | J: Michael Dee (57.5kg) +320 with Picklebet Next Best Again at Cranbourne: Artistic Genius Artistic Genius was a touch disappointing at Morphettville on April 6 when he finished midfield despite being given every conceivable chance in running. The three-year-old gelding returns to a track he won at on debut, and he looks well weighted with 59.5kg on his back. Artistic Genius will need a touch of luck turning for home, but if the gap comes, he should have no issue in disposing of his rivals. Next Best Again Race 7 – #2 Artistic Genius (1) 3yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Jaylah Kennedy (a2) (61.5kg) +210 with Dabble Friday quaddie tips for Cranbourne races Cranbourne quadrella selections Friday, May 3, 2024 1 2-6-7 2-9 2-3-5-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Uncommon James winning the 2023 Oakleigh Plate. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted-trained Uncommon James, victor of the 2023 Oakleigh Plate (1100m), returns to familiar turf after nearly two years, set to compete in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Last seen in Brisbane triumphing in a 1100-metre contest at Doomben on July 9, 2022, Uncommon James finds comfort in returning home, a sentiment echoed by Hoysted. He expressed to Racing Queensland, “It’s the first time he’s been at home since he raced here as a three-year-old.” Hoysted continued, “He still does all his preparation here so racing at Eagle Farm is still definitely an advantage.” Reflecting on recent performances, Hoysted noted, “He ran a good race to finish fifth (in The Galaxy) and was beaten less than two lengths.” Regarding Uncommon James’s prospects, Hoysted remarked optimistically, “He struggled with the tempo a bit as they ran along at a good clip so hopefully over 1200 metres he can travel more comfortably and show his turn of foot.” “He’s going every bit as good now as when he won the Oakleigh Plate.” While Uncommon James was previously ridden by Damian Lane, Sydney’s Tommy Berry will take the reins for this weekend’s Group 2 event. “We spoke with Damian and he wasn’t too sure whether he was coming to Brisbane or not. “Tommy came up to ride Better Get Set for us in The Archer last Sunday before he was scratched, so we offered him the ride on Uncommon James.” Horse racing news View the full article

Group 1 SA Derby aspirant Air Assault. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Local trainer Andrew Gluyas has opted to send Air Assault to Saturday’s Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville following the gelding’s third-place finish in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (2000m) last Saturday. The son of Justify was overtaken in the final strides of the 2000-metre Group 3 event, finishing 0.6 lengths behind the winner, Bold Soul. Now, he prepares to return to the 2500-metre distance for the first time since his 13th-place run in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) last November. Reflecting on Air Assault’s progression, Gluyas shared with Racing.com, “He obviously failed in the Victoria Derby at the trip in the spring, but I firmly believe he is a more mature, seasoned racehorse now.” Gluyas considered alternative options, stating, “We did have the option of keeping him back a week and going to The (Bart) Cummings against the older horses over a mile on Goodwood Day.” Expressing his confidence in Air Assault’s abilities, Gluyas concluded, “Ultimately his form this campaign has been faultless, and he has earned his shot at the big race on Saturday.” Air Assault is marked a +1800 winning chance with online betting sites for Saturday’s South Australian Derby. Horse racing news View the full article

Undefeated galloper Angland. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Angland aims to maintain his flawless record as he enters a 1400-metre handicap at Caulfield this Saturday. The three-year-old, sired by Ace High, secured victories at Pakenham over 1200 metres on April 4, dominating by an impressive 7.5 lengths, followed by another triumph over the same course and distance two weeks later. Transitioning to the 1400-metre distance for the upcoming event doesn’t faze Price, who remarked, “We’re happy with him, but he’s a bit of a big, sleepy bear.” Price continued, “It’s difficult in trackwork to get him to go away from another horse, even though in his maiden win he was out there by himself looking good.” Reflecting on Angland’s potential, Price added, “I think the 1400 metres will suit him ideally at Caulfield, and he’s nice and bright and fresh, and he should run well.” Horse racing news View the full article

Doomben 10,000 contender I Wish I Win. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Co-trainer Peter Moody has confirmed that stable star I Wish I Win is set to head to Brisbane early next week in preparation for his northern campaign, kicking off with the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) on May 18. The five-year-old, a Group 1 winner, recently completed a jumpout at Pakenham, much to the satisfaction of Moody and fellow co-trainer Katherine Coleman. In an interview with Racing.com, Moody stated, “Nice piece of work, he was just having a tick-over (trial), it’s five or six weeks between runs from his last run in Sydney to his next run in Brisbane on the 18th (May) so we just took the opportunity to have a half-mile trial.” Moody continued, “He did it all nicely, his action was good, he was good in the wind and he presented very well post-trial, which was the more pleasing thing.” Regarding the upcoming plans, Moody added, “He’ll do another piece of work here next Tuesday and then he’ll probably get on a plane next Tuesday afternoon and fly up to Brisbane along with his stablemate Chain Of Lightning and, all being well, they’ll both run in the Doomben 10,000.” I Wish I Win is a +200 favourite in futures markets for the Doomben 10,000 with online bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby will try to pull off an encore May 4 in the Fort Marcy Stakes (G2T), sending out international traveler Ottoman Fleet in search of back-to-back wins in the $200,000 turf stakes for older horses.View the full article

It's back to home sweet home for Hoist the Gold.View the full article

That the end comes the same weekend as the Kentucky Derby (G1) seems appropriate for Court, who recalls telling his parents while still in diapers that becoming a jockey was his goal.View the full article

Godolphin's homebred Exceed and Excel son will have started at nine different racetracks around the world when he starts May 4 in the Turf Sprint (G2T) at Churchill Downs. He has already won a grade 1 and placed in a grade 2 in his two U.S. starts. View the full article

NBC team prepared to tell the story of this year's Kentucky Derby (G1), as well as the stories surrounding the race.View the full article

In winning the race that has produced the most Kentucky Derby (G1) winners, Fierceness crossed the line 13 1/2 lengths in front in a blistering time of 1:48.22 for the mile-and-an-eighth. But was it too fast?View the full article

Ova Charged has won four straight including posting career-best Equibase Speed Figures in the her last two times out, culminating with a 123 in the Page Cortez Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots March 24, winning by 12 1/2 lengths. View the full article

Colourful Emperor spears to victory for Angus Chung. Angus Chung has dedicated his graduation to Hong Kong’s senior riding ranks to Tony Cruz, his family and friends and The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School after reaching the 70-win milestone at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Chung, 27, completed his apprenticeship with a runaway success on Colourful Emperor for his master Tony Cruz, having endured a frustrating 33-race run of outs before returning to the winners’ list. “It feels amazing. It was very frustrating to wait for three or four meetings. I felt a little bit of pressure because people were talking about the next winner and they were reminding of previous mistakes and that I should be winning,” Chung said. “Everything is working well for me in Hong Kong. I’ve got a good trainer (Cruz) to support me to teach me how to ride, the Apprentice School and the Hong Kong Jockey Club organises everything for me and I don’t have to worry too much and I can just focus on the riding. “I have the support of a lot of people behind me – my family and friends – and tonight I made them proud and I feel very satisfied.” Chung joined the Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School in 2017 before venturing to South Australia, where he was attached to Jon O’Connor’s stable, riding 76 winners. He returned to Hong Kong for the 2022/23 season and made rapid progress with 31 wins in his first season while tonight’s success was his 39th for the term. Cruz, a legendary Hong Kong racing figure, was elated for his young charge. “Angus rode a perfect race and the horse seemed to love this kind of going. I’m very happy to see him finish his apprenticeship. We thought it would happen last Sunday but this was the horse that could do it for him,” Cruz said. The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director, Racing, Mr Andrew Harding praised Racing SA’s role in developing emerging Hong Kong riding talent. “As well as the congratulating the Headmistress of the Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School, Amy Chan, and the AJS Chief Riding Instructor, Felix Coetzee on what they have done to develop Angus’ talent I would like to acknowledge the integral role Racing SA plays in the advancement of our trainee jockeys. Angus is one of several young riders to go to South Australia to gain invaluable experience before returning to Hong Kong. Several others have preceded him, including Matthew Poon, Jerry Chau and Ellis Wong. “The Hong Kong Jockey Club is extremely grateful to have this partnership and we are delighted with Angus’ progress.” Chung’s graduation came on a momentous night for fellow Apprentice School alumni Ellis Wong and Jerry Chau. Wong notched a double, rating Dennis Yip-trained Cordyceps One to perfection when leading all the way before piloting David Hayes-trained Dragon Delight to victory. The latter success saw the 23-year-old apprentice reach the 20-win mark in Hong Kong, triggering a reduction in his allowance from 10lb to 7lb starting with Sunday’s meeting at Sha Tin. Dennis Yip also celebrated a brace when Modest Gentleman won under Jerry Chau as the Slade Power gelding slotted his second course and distance this season, with his previous success coming for Francis Lui and Andrea Atzeni in January. “This horse only joined my stable about four weeks ago. I have just given him more swimming. I think the horse has been more fit. Lucky he had the draw and he could handle the ground,” Yip said. Zac Purton and Frankie Lor combined to win with Beauty Destiny, who tested the champion jockey’s skills over the last 50 metres. “As we know, he’s been a frustrating horse and once again, he looked like he had the race won,” Purton said. “As soon as he spotted the (infield) screen and the winning post and I gave him one with the whip, he shifted out to the left quite quickly and I thought at one stage there he was going to run completely off the track, but I managed to straighten him up and hang on – it’s been a long time coming.” Purton secured a double when Francis Lui’s Copartner Prance continued his impressive progress with a comfortable win. The Epaulette gelding has strung together three successive course and distance wins under six-time Hong Kong champion jockey. Lui continued to erode Pierre Ng’s lead in the trainers’ championship with Yellowfin’s triumph under Lyle Hewitson. With 20 meetings left in the season, Lui (52 wins) trails Ng (57 wins). Ricky Yiu took his Hong Kong career haul of wins to 999 with Mega Bonus, who fought tenaciously for Antoine Hamelin before Caspar Fownes-trained Jumbo Legend defied the evening’s pattern by maintaining a sustained effort from off the pace under Vincent Ho. Horse racing news View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features a half-brother to St Mark's Basilica (Fr). 17.50 Chelmsford City, Novice, £8,000, 3yo/up, 10fT LAUTREC (GB) (Kingman {GB}) made a winning start at Newcastle in November and takes a small step here with the Gosdens keen on protecting their precious Juddmonte commodity for now. A half-brother to the brilliant St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and to the G1 2000 Guineas-winning sire Magna Grecia (Ire) by Kingman's sire Invincible Spirit (Ire), the 600,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 purchase should have no problems gaining another confidence boost here. The post Next Stop Chelmsford For Lautrec appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Denim and Pearls, a daughter of Into Mischief, rolls into the seven-furlong Eight Belles Stakes (G2) off a 9 1/4-length win in a graded stakes at the same distance.View the full article

LOUISVILLE, KY–Chad Brown certainly knows how to win. He wins with favorites, and he wins with longshots. Although these days, more of his horses likely fall in the former category rather than the latter. However, despite all the trips to the winner's circle throughout his 17-year career–and there have been many–the Kentucky Derby has eluded him. In seven prior attempts, Brown recorded his best finish with Good Magic in 2018. And while the first jewel in the American Triple Crown hasn't always been Brown's main objective, it certainly is beginning to feel like an aberration in its absence. “I liken winning the derby to landing a big aircraft in a rainstorm,” he opined. “You're making your approach, and you better have a steady hand. Everything has to be in place. You have to really focus on landing it the right way. You know the date you're running, and you've dealt with the checkpoints you need to go through. You are trying to get through each checkpoint safely to land.” He continued, “The landing might be winning the race or losing the race, but everything in the process would have to go smoothly even if you weren't good enough. If you miss one of those checkpoints along the way, it'll probably be a rough landing. Maybe the last work doesn't go right or the weather is bad. Maybe the post goes wrong or there is a physical problem. All these things can prevent you from a clean landing.” When the horses line up in the gate, two of the 20 jumbo jets running in this year's derby will be representing Brown. The more fancied of the two, Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), has everything you can ask for in a potential Classic winner. A $2.3 million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga purchase, the colt is campaigned by several of the sport's most influential owners–Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Michael Smith, Derrick Westerberg and Brook Smith. A winner of three of four lifetime starts, including the GII Risen Star S. and GI Blue Grass S., the colt has earned just under $1 million. Flying somewhat under the radar despite his win in the GIII Tampa Derby in March, Domestic Product (Practical Joke) may not have the flash as his more exalted stablemate, but the Klaravich Stables' homebred certainly has shown that he belongs with the big boys. “Sierra Leone won [the Blue Grass] on a speed-favoring track,” reminded Brown. “The track all day had been playing that way and he came from nine lengths back. That was a pretty impressive performance.” As for the race itself, Sierra Leone has drawn the two-hole, while Domestic Product will exit post 15. The former will be reunited with Tyler Gaffalione, while the latter will be accompanied by Irad Ortiz Jr. “I like where my horses are drawn,” said Brown. “I want to save ground with Sierra Leone and not be wide in that first turn and an inside post with a closer does that. I also like Domestic Product's post because he can, hopefully, move out and over and pop in with the second flight.” In addition to this year's derby starters, Brown will also be represented Friday's Kentucky Oaks with Ways and Means (Practical Joke) and Regulatory Risk (Omaha Beach). Framing a Derby Winner Brown, who is affiliated with several owners that are astutely involved in the art world, likens the process of molding a Classic winner like that of crafting a masterpiece. “Getting to the Derby is a long-term play,” he said. “Ultimately, only 20 horses will get into the starting gate. We have turf horses, we have female horses, and we also have a lot of sprinters. So just like painting, you are going to go through a lot of canvas as you narrow things down.” Domestic Product | Horsephotos “You might look at one painting and it's just ok. You'll look at another and decide to throw that one out. You might find one that has potential, so you decide to keep going with it. By the time you have your studio really going, you only have a few paintings left with some real potential. You have to be careful that once you have one with potential, you are careful not to f*** it up because once the paint is on there, you can't remove it. Sometimes you'll end up with paintings that are thrown away, or they'll end up in secondary galleries. Basically, they didn't quite make it. They aren't masterpieces. There are only so many of those.” While the artist will usually take the solo route to creation, in horse racing the team has to operate as a cohesive unit to achieve its own version of a master work. “What I try to teach my assistants is the importance of painting a picture without giving me a novel,” he said when asked how one can help ensure everything coming together on these big days. “There are things that matter and things that really don't. Paint a picture that I can clearly see what's there. If you don't explain to me exactly what it is, I'm not as much help to you. Make it like I'm there with you. So then I know I can tell you exactly what to do. I can't be everywhere at once and so I'm relying on them to paint an accurate picture.” The Frankel Factor Armed with one of this year's Derby favorites, Brown is famously a former assistant to Bobby Frankel, who like Brown, was best known for his turf runners. The Hall of Famer made eight starts in the Kentucky Derby, finishing second with Aptitude (2000) and Empire Maker (2003) and third with Peace Rules (2003). “It's really the only race that eluded him during his legendary career,” said Brown. “He had a couple of close calls. With Empire Maker, he felt that horse was really special. He believed he was going to win the Triple Crown. Bobby was under a tremendous amount of pressure leading up to the derby. It is a very rare opportunity to have a horse that you think can win the Triple Crown. Looking back on it, it felt like he finally got the horse he was waiting for. One that could win the Derby.” Trainer Bobby Frankel with his dog Happy | Horsephotos He continued, “Empire Maker had some issues and timing is everything in the derby. There is no room for error. If something isn't quite right, you can lose the race while still having the best horse. We've seen that a few times in history where the best horse didn't win, but the best horse on that day won. That's one of the things that makes winning the derby so difficult.” While a derby win may have slipped through Frankel's fingers, Brown asserts that the principals he picked up from that master horseman has given him many of the tools that he has employed to earn four consecutive Eclipse training titles from 2016 through 2019. “I learned a lot about training, learning and teaching people from him,” he said. “Sometimes, it took years of experiences to finally understand what he meant and why he did things a certain way. Some people don't really have to say much to teach. But you have to be open to it and really pay attention. He wasn't an active teacher, but you could absorb lessons from him if you were observing in the moment.” And among the intangible things he learned from Frankel? “You obviously can't pass on some things that are more intuitive, because you either have it or you don't,” he explained. “But it's weird because there are some things, I think I absorbed from him simply by being around him. I sometimes see myself having the same sort of feel for certain things as he did. I never realized I even picked certain things up from him until I started doing them.” When asked what would it mean to take home the blanket of roses that Frankel, who succumbed to cancer in 2009, was unable to achieve for himself during his lifetime? “It would mean a lot to me, personally, to win that race knowing that most of what have drawn upon to win that race came from him,” Brown said. “He just ran out of time. I would dedicate it to him.” The post Brown Looking to Close the Circle in the Kentucky Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article