Wandering Eyes

What Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup Day Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, March 10, 2024 First Race 1pm HKT (4pm AEDT) Visit Dabble The Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) headlines a bumper 10-race program at Hong Kong’s Sha Tin Racecourse this Sunday. The rail is in the C position for the meeting, and with some chance of rainfall hitting the surface in the lead-up, punters should anticipate a possible downgrade into the Soft range at some stage. The opening race is set to get underway at 1pm local time. Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup Tip: Beauty Eternal Beauty Eternal has only missed the frame once in 12 career starts. That trend continued in his most recent effort behind Voyage Bubble in the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), where he managed to finish runner-up. The five-year-old has to hold out the likes of Hong Kong sprinting champion Lucky Sweynesse, but with Zac Purton sticking with the John Size-trained gelding, Beauty Eternal can snag a much-deserved Group 1 victory in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup. Queen’s Jubilee Silver Cup Race 7 – #3 Beauty Eternal (6) 5yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Zac Purton (57kg) Bet with Bet365 Best Bet at Sha Tin: Eighty Light Years Eighty Light Years has produced back-to-back minor placings at this course and distance in Class 3 company. He was close to knocking off an airborne Gorgeous Win two starts back, before getting stuck three wide with no cover behind Ka Ying Rising on February 12. He gains the services of Zac Purton for the first time, and although he has a sticky draw in barrier eight, Eighty Light Years has his foot on the till for a second Hong Kong victory. Best Bet Race 3 – #3 Eighty Light Years (8) 5yo Gelding | T: Benno Yung | J: Zac Purton (57kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: Patch Of Theta Patch Of Theta is ready to win heading into start five and finds the ideal race to step up to the 1400m. He has found the minor money in all four starts in his debut Hong Kong campaign, most recently making up a stack of ground from an awful gate (12) on a track that clearly favoured on-speed runners. Barrier four should allow Hugh Bowman to hold a position throughout the contest, and when the whips are cracking, Patch Of Theta will prove best. Next Best Race 6 – #7 Patch Of Theta (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Francis Lui | J: Hugh Bowman (59.5kg) Bet with Unibet Best Value at Sha Tin: Aeroinvincible Aeroinvincible was an eye-catcher on debut for the Pierre Ng barn at this course and distance on February 25 and should take plenty of benefit from race-day experience. He exploded through the wire but couldn’t make up the ground on Loyal Bo Bo, who was already off and gone with the prize. It was a promising debut considering he kicked things off over 1400m, and with improvement still to come, Aeroinvincible should be close to going one better on Sunday. Best Value Race 4 – #5 Aeroinvincible (1) 3yo Gelding | T: Pierre Ng | J: Andrea Atzeni (57.5kg) Bet with Ladbrokes Sha Tin quaddie tips – Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup Day Hong Kong quadrella selections Sunday, March 10, 2024 1-2 2-4-7-8-10 1-2-3-7-10-14 2-3-4-5-9-10-13 Horse racing tips View the full article

This weekend is set to be one of the biggest in Chad Ormsby’s career, and the Cambridge trainer kicked it off in style with Pulchritudinous winning Friday’s Gr.2 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2000m) at Taupo. The three-year-old fillies’ feature was run less than 24 hours out from tomorrow’s Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington, in which Ormsby will saddle his unbeaten star sprinter Master Fay. “You can’t really ask for a better way to kick off the weekend,” Ormsby said. “Any win is always good, but a bit of black type for a lovely filly like her just makes it even better.” Pulchritudinous was bought by Ormsby under his Riverrock Farm banner for $32,500 from Book 2 of Karaka 2022. She was a stylish maiden winner in the second start of her career at Tauranga in October, then recorded one placing from her three appearances since then. A strong finish for a last-start third over 1600m on February 11 gave the impression that she was looking for further. Pulchritudinous stepped up to 2000m for the first time in Friday’s Lowland, which was rescheduled from last week’s abandoned meeting at Hastings. Ridden by Joe Doyle, Pulchritudinous settled in sixth place behind a solid pace set by Harlow Rocks and Leave A Light On. She was cruising along beside the rail, with warm favourite Sudbina just in front of her and on her outside. Sudbina loomed out wide on the track at the home turn, and Pulchritudinous surged through and quickly joined her on her inside. They matched motors for a few strides before Pulchritudinous pulled clear, kicking away to win by a length and three-quarters from the dead-heat second placegetters Race Ace and Sign Of Peace. Pulchritudinous has now had six starts for two wins, a placing and $101,705 in stakes. “We were expecting and hoping that she’d put in a good performance today,” said Ormsby, who also shares in the ownership along with four others. “Her work had gone to another level recently, so the signs were pretty good. She went out there today and showed that she’s starting to put things together. “She enjoyed a lovely run and had the favourite outside her. They were on level terms there for a while in the straight, but then she just found that little bit more with her fresher legs. It was great to see.” Pulchritudinous moved in from $26 to $10 on the TAB’s market for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham next Saturday, but Ormsby will wait until early next week before deciding whether she will back up. “What we do with her now is all going to depend on how she comes through this,” he said. “I’m obviously in Melbourne for the next few days, so I’ll run my eye over her on Monday or Tuesday once I’m back. She’s nominated for the Oaks, and it could be a great race to target with her, but it just depends on how she comes through this and whether she’s ready to go again on that tight turnaround.” Pulchritudinous was bred by Tony Rider and has now joined Wrote To Arataki and Best Seller as the third stakes-winning daughter of Highview Stud stallion Wrote. Meanwhile, Ormsby reported that Master Fay has continued to have a flawless build-up to his shot at Australian Group One gold in Saturday’s Newmarket. “He’s ticked all the boxes and is thriving while he’s been over here in Melbourne,” he said. “He’s gained weight since he’s been here and is looking great. I’m excited for tomorrow.” View the full article

Apprentice jockey Donovan Cooper has been enjoying his stint in the South Island and is hoping to bag a few more winners before he heads back north. The promising hoop was making a name for himself in the north before a track incident sidelined him in September and he has been on the comeback trail since. “I was on a little Satono Aladdin filly for Catherine Cameron that I worked every day and unfortunately a piece of plastic blew across the track and she ended up going over onto me. I ended up fracturing my pelvis,” Cooper said. “It was six weeks of bed rest and on crutches, and then slowly working back into normal ground work. “I was out for three months and I was estimated to be out for four-and-a-half months. I was lucky in the recovery process and I did really well. “I did quite a bit of physiotherapy, I did two to three sessions a week as to where I was told to do one. I pushed to get back because I knew the big summer season was coming up. “I have one or two issues now and again, but I just go and see a physio and it has worked out for the next two or three weeks.” While he made solid progress in his recovery, rides were proving to be hard to attain, so the decision was made to head to the South Island where riding opportunities were more widely available for the expat South African. “It was quite difficult getting back into stride and getting rides up north,” he said. “Andrew Forsman and Donavan (Mansour, employers) had a meeting and we thought it was a good idea to go down south just to get me back in a rhythm and if it goes well enough there is a possibility to stay, which I would like, but at the same time I do want to head back up north eventually. “I am currently on loan to Stephen Marsh at Riccarton. I have been down in Christchurch since the start of last month and I am absolutely loving it, it is a really great environment and I have got quite a lot of support from the Riccarton trainers. “I am down south until the end of April. I might try and stay down here for the rest of the season, but that is completely up to my bosses. I want to do the winter in-between south and north if it is a possibility.” That decision is still at least a month away, and in the meantime Cooper will trek south to Gore on Sunday where he has secured a handful of rides, including the in-form Shockallia in the AB Lime Wyndham Cup (2000m). The six-year-old son of Shocking has been firing on all cylinders for trainer Kelvin Tyler, having won two of his last three starts, including the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) at Wingatui last month. He has since posted a runner-up result in the Invercargill Gold Cup (2600m) at Ascot Park with senior hoop Lisa Allpress in the saddle, and will get the benefit of Cooper’s four-kilogram claim this weekend. “Shockallia has been in fantastic form and when I heard I was riding him I was stoked,” Cooper said. “I went down to Wingatui and rode Go Lotte for Kelvin Tyler. Things didn’t really go our way that day, but the next day he messaged me saying he was really happy with the ride and he had Shockallia running and would I be keen to ride him? “My claim makes a big difference, especially in races like that, it takes a fair bit of weight off their back.” Shockallia will jump from barrier six in the eight-horse field, and Cooper is hoping to give him an economical passage. “At this stage, from gate six, I am probably going to sit third or fourth and let them roll up in front and get him into a nice, comfortable position into the home straight and let him do his business from there,” he said. “It is quite a small field, but in my opinion, I think he will be the one to beat.” View the full article

A gallant fourth as favourite in last year’s Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m), quality mare Aquacade is returning to the same meeting 12 months later but setting her sights on a different race. Cambridge Stud’s homebred daughter of Dundeel will contest Saturday’s Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie, continuing a season-long plan formulated by trainer Lance Noble and the Cambridge Stud team. “Back at the beginning of the season, we decided to stick to weight-for-age races around 2000m with this mare,” Noble said. “That came down to the position she’d got to in the handicaps, but also the fact that there are no longer any Group One races for older horses in New Zealand over distances longer than the Livamol (2040m). “She won at Group Two level last season, so what we really want to try to do with her is get that elusive Group One win. “She ran a fantastic race for third in the Zabeel Classic (Gr.1, 2000m) on Boxing Day, then wasn’t far away when fifth in the Herbie Dyke (Gr.1, 2000m) after getting into a bit of an awkward position down on the inside. “I’m really happy with the mare. I think she’s going into this race at least as well as she was before the Zabeel and Herbie Dyke. Hopefully the race will be run at a genuine tempo. It’s going to be very hard to beat Legarto, but we’re expecting her to run well.” Noble will still have Auckland Cup representation on Saturday, this time with imported mare Terra Mitica. The five-year-old daughter of Ulysses scored impressive victories over 2100m at Pukekohe on December 9 and over 2070m at Matamata on February 7. She was fourth in between times in the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m), and she was a close last-start seventh in the Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m). “We were going to run her in the Avondale Cup (Gr.2, 2400m), but we just missed that race with a minor foot problem,” Noble said. “She carried 58kg in the Kaimai Stakes and finished a length and a half away from the winner. She drops to 52.5kg for this, albeit from a tricky draw of 20. “In an ideal preparation, she probably would have had another run over 2400m leading into this, but she’s very fit. Like a number of others in the field, we’re not totally sure about her at two miles, so we’ll just have to find out on Saturday. “She’s certainly a very progressive mare. It’s possible that it’s come up a year too soon for her, but while you’re so far down in the weights, you have to have a go at races like these.” Noble would love to see Terra Mitica go one better than his previous best result in an Auckland Cup. “I had Rose Of Virginia run a big race for second in the Cup one year (behind El Soldado in 2016),” he said. “I think that was one of my very last runners from my old Matamata base before I made the move up to Karaka to train for Cambridge Stud. “I haven’t had a lot of runners over the years, but it’s one of those iconic races that every trainer would love to win.” View the full article

A difficult search for a lightweight jockey for Waisake in Saturday’s Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) led Allan Sharrock to look to the south. Kylie Williams has 919 wins to her name in a decorated career among the South Island’s jockey ranks, but the 44-year-old will be in uncharted territory in Saturday’s $500,000 showpiece. She has never previously ridden at Ellerslie, and it will also be the first time she has ridden for Sharrock. “It was very tricky to find a suitable jockey at 52kg,” Sharrock said. “Kylie has proven herself over a number of years now – she’s a strong rider and has ridden enough winners in her time. She might find Ellerslie a little bit different to what she’s used to, but I thought she was the best option available to us.” Waisake is a proven two-miler, winning the Wellington Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) in 2021 and finishing third behind Auckland Cup rivals Mahrajaan and Nest Egg in the New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) in November. The nine-year-old was one of the favourites for the 2024 Wellington Cup in January, but blundered and lost his rider in the early stages of the race. In his two starts since then, he has been doing his best work late when finishing fifth in the New Zealand St Leger Trial (2300m) and sixth in last Saturday’s Nathans Memorial (2200m). “We know this horse will get two miles,” said Sharrock, who has previously won the Auckland Cup with Shez Sinsational in 2012 and Ladies First in 2018. “I might have liked him to sprint a little bit quicker at the end of the Nathans, but he was still strong enough through the line. He’ll run the trip right out and he has only 52 kilos on his back. I think he’ll beat more home than will beat him home, put it that way.” Six years on from Ladies First’s Cup triumph, Sharrock will also be represented at Ellerslie on Saturday by that mare’s half-brother Ladies Man. The six-year-old son of Zed will line up against red-hot favourite Legarto in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). Third over 1400m and fifth in the Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) in his two lead-up runs, Ladies Man is sure to appreciate the step up to 2000m on Saturday. He has won all of his three previous starts over distances ranging from 2000m to 2100m, including the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) and Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m). “I was happy with his fifth at Otaki,” Sharrock said. “He’s probably not a horse that’s ever going to be winning over 1600m at weight-for-age, but he found the line nicely and his work since then has been outstanding. “I think we’re all running for second behind Legarto, but I think he’s in with a pretty decent chance of doing that. “The 2000m is definitely what he’s been looking for. This is probably his main target race in New Zealand. He has a nomination for the Sydney Cup (Gr.1, 3200m), but we’ll make up our minds after this race whether or not we head in that direction. Brisbane could also be an option for him.” Sharrock also has four runners entered for Saturday’s supporting meeting at Trentham. Three-year-old filly Bella Timing kicks off the day in the Graham’s Painters (1000m). She is a half-sister to former stable star Tavi Mac and has had two previous starts for a win and a placing. Tavi Ann and Sumi go into their respective races as last-start placegetters, while the promising Terra Preta has recorded two wins and two placings from four starts to date and will contest the Adopt A Greyhound @ greytmates.co.nz (1400m). “I think they’re all very good chances,” Sharrock said. “With an ounce of luck, we could come away with a couple of winners down there. “Bella Timing is flying and is probably the best of them. But Sumi was very, very good last time too and is stepping up to a distance that it looks like she needs. “Terra Preta has done nothing wrong so far and should be very competitive again. I thought Tavi Ann found the line well from a position that wasn’t really ideal at Otaki. “They’re all heading into that meeting with some strong credentials.” View the full article

The New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) Members’ Council has appointed Mr Rodney Schick as a Director of NZTR’s Board, effective immediately. Schick’s position fills the vacancy left by current TAB NZ General Manager Commercial, Jason Fleming, who left NZTR’s Board in July 2023. Schick brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Board of Directors, having run his own large-scale Stud Farm operation, Windsor Park Stud, for more than 20 years with his wife Gina. The Stud Master is looking forward to commencing duties for NZTR. “What really drew me to take up this position is that it’s my life’s work and I’m incredibly passionate about it.” “I understand all aspects of the industry, I’ve done most things in this world other than being a horse Trainer or Jockey. I have spent a long time both racing and breeding horses and I understand the fundamentals of what makes this industry tick,” he said. When thinking about the future of the industry, Schick reflected on the journey New Zealand racing has been on over the last 12 months and beyond. “Now really is the time to be involved. With the entry of Entain, we have the opportunity to make a difference and this, coupled with some of the legislation that was brought in through Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, enables us to be able to make some significant changes, working collaboratively with them and New Zealand’s racing Clubs.” “I’m thoroughly looking forward to beginning my tenure, working alongside the current NZTR Board and Management to make a significant impact on our industry,” Schick said. NZTR Members’ Council Chair Jeff McCall welcomed Schick’s addition to the Board of Directors. “We are thrilled to appoint Rodney to the Board and believe his business experience, coupled with strong industry knowledge makes him a great fit.” “He is a passionate member of our industry and we are looking forward to his contribution moving forward,” McCall said. As a result of NZTR Chair Cameron George’s recently announced departure, the Members’ Council will be advertising for a further NZTR Board Director in due course. View the full article

Taranaki trainer Robbie Patterson was getting ready to head to Ellerslie with two contenders for the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) on Saturday until he got a shock when going through his emails on Thursday. “I was going through my emails on my way home from the trials yesterday and this email popped up from Racing Victoria,” Patterson said. It was an invitation for his Group One winner Puntura to compete in next Saturday’s A$4 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield, and Patterson didn’t hesitate in calling owners John and Carole Lynskey. “It was a bit of a shock,” Patterson said. “I rang the owner and told him he better organise it and he is booked on the plane on Sunday to head over.” Patterson is a seasoned campaigner in Queensland, but he is yet to take a runner to Victoria, and he is looking forward to the opportunity. “I am rapt because I am getting these stayers around me and I have been eyeing races over there in the lower grades, so it will be a good eye-opener for me and a good learning experience,” he said. “We are realistic about it (All-Star Mile), we are going to be racing the best in Australasia, but it is just a great thrill to be invited and have the opportunity.” The winner of the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham in January, Puntura was going to head for a spell following his disappointing ninth placing in the Gr.1 Otaki-Maori Weight-For-Age Classic (1600m) last month, however, his antics in the paddock following the race led Patterson to have one final roll of the dice with his gelding this campaign, and now that happens to be across the Tasman. “This will be his swansong for the season,” he said. “I was going to put him out after Otaki because he was a bit disappointing, but he was running around like an idiot. I thought he is a weight-for-age horse, so he is not going to get many chances so we might as well have a go at the Bonecrusher, he has points for that (summer bonus) series. But this opportunity has now come up.” Regular stable rider Craig Grylls will also make the trip over to Australia to partner Puntura in the All-Star Mile. “I told John Lynskey there’s only one rule and that rule is that Craig is riding him, and he was happy with that, so that was fantastic,” Patterson said. As a result of Puntura’s impending trip, the son of Vespa won’t take his place in the New Zealand Stakes on Saturday, leaving One Bold Cat as the stable’s sole representative. It could prove to be a fruitful day for his connections as One Bold Cat is the only eligible horse that is in contention of dethroning Legarto for the Summer Bonus Series’ top prize of $500,000. “We need to win it and for her to come worse than fourth to win it, but realistically from the draws we are running for second at best,” Patterson said. “But to run second to Legarto I would be happy, and picking up second prize in the series would be fantastic.” The series runner-up will receive $100,000, while the third placegetter will receive $50,000 on top of the stakes they accrue in the $450,000 New Zealand Stakes. “Running in Bonecrusher’s honour with Group One status, it is a thrill to just have a horse in it,” Patterson said. The New Plymouth horseman said One Bold Cat has been out of sorts since his victory in the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m) at Pukekohe last November, but he has come right ahead of Saturday’s contest. “When he won the Counties Cup he was right on the top of his game and then he went a bit quiet in his next couple of starts, just in his work,” Patterson said. “Up until the Counties Cup he was bucking and playing around coming off the track. Just this week he has started doing that again and he is licking the bowl and is a very happy horse. “He is probably back at the top of his game, but he will have to be. They will know he is there and he will be rushing home late, and hopefully he is rushing home in time.” While he hasn’t been his usual self at home, the son of The Bold One has still managed fifth in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2050m), fourth in the Thorndon Mile, and third in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa last month. “It was a good run in the Herbie Dyke,” Patterson said. “I don’t know if Ellerslie will suit him that well, he is going to get back from the draw (11). “This will be it and then he will get ready for Hawke’s Bay (in spring). He enjoys a bit of cut in the track as well, so the mile and 2000m will suit him at Hawke’s Bay.” Meanwhile, Patterson will be represented by a trio of runners at Trentham on Saturday, including Sinbin in the Top Tips Dcoppins@xtra.co.nz 1100, The Chopper in the Happy Birthday Noeline Berkett 1600, and Bow Hill in the Adopt A Greyhound @ Greymates.co.nz 1400. “I am really happy with all three of them,” Patterson said. “They have all worked and jumped out great in the last week. “I think Sinbin is a really big chance and The Chopper is a really nice staying horse on the way up, he will go through the grades. “I have always had a lot of time for Bow Hill. She was disappointing in her last two starts, so I spelled her and she seems to have come back with a skip in her step. She is a promising horse, I just want to see her back on track, and I think she can do that tomorrow.” View the full article

What Black Opal Stakes Day Where Thoroughbred Park – 1 Randwick Rd, Lyneham ACT 2602 When Sunday, March 10, 2024 First Race 12:35pm AEDT Visit Dabble The two-year-olds take centre stage at Canberra on Sunday afternoon, with the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes (1200m) drawing together a competitive 13-horse field. The undercard oozes quality as well, with the Listed Canberra Cup (2000m) and Listed Canberra Guineas (1400m) making up a quality 10-race program. The rail is out +3m for the entire circuit, and with no rain to hinder proceedings, it should be a Good 4 surface when the first race jumps at 12:35pm AEDT. Black Opal Stakes Tip: Fully Lit Fully Lit has a resume which speaks for itself. His latest effort was a gritty romp of the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Randwick on February 10 when caught three wide with no cover. The son of Hellbent has already booked his ticket to the Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m), and there is no reason he can’t win the Black Opal Stakes on his way to possible Group 1 glory. Black Opal Stakes Race 7 – #1 Fully Lit (3) 2yo Colt | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Regan Bayliss (58kg) -200 with Bet365 Canberra Cup Tip: Almania Almania appears set to peak third-up after a terrific display in the Listed Parramatta Cup (1900m) at Rosehill on February 24. He hit the front before just being headed in the shadows of the post, and you could throw a blanket over half the field in the concluding stages. The son of Australia usually gets better as the preparation goes on, so with some fitness on his side and a field stacked with dual acceptances, Almania is worth taking on trust in the Canberra Cup. Canberra Cup Race 8 – #7 Almania (10) 8yo Gelding | T: Kris Lees | J: Dylan Gibbons (54kg) +400 with Neds Canberra Guineas Tip: Xidaki Xidaki is yet to miss the frame in five starts and was strong through the wire when finally breaking his maiden on the Kensington circuit at Randwick on February 14. The Peter & Paul Snowden barn has taken its time to pick out his next target, and this 1400m feature looks ideal for the son of Zoustar. With a solid speed for Kerrin McEvoy to take a mid-field sit with some cover, watch for this guy to be storming down the centre of the course. Canberra Guineas Race 6 – #3 Xidaki (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Peter & Paul Snowden | J: Kerrin McEvoy (57kg) +450 with Betfair Best Bet at Canberra: Secret Revolution Secret Revolution is a genuine 1000m specialist and gets ideal conditions to win again as he did first-up at this track and trip. He bounded away from his rivals by 1.6 lengths on that occasion and has since made a strong account of himself in midweek metro company behind the undefeated Confess Our Dreams on Randwick’s Kensington course on February 14. He looks primed to peak, and with Tom Sherry taking the reins once again, Secret Revolution will be hard to hold out. Best Bet Race 3 – #4 Secret Revolution (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Peter & Paul Snowden | J: Tom Sherry (56kg) +140 with PlayUp Canberra Sunday quaddie tips – 10/3/2024 Canberra quadrella selections Sunday, March 10, 2024 1 1-2-3-4-5-7 1-4-8 4-5-6-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Echuca Races Where Echuca Racecourse – Cr Scott Rd and Murray Valley Hwy, Echuca VIC 3564 When Sunday, March 10, 2024 First Race 10:45am AEDT Visit Dabble The Echuca Cup headlines a competitive eight-race meeting on Sunday at Echuca, with $100,000 on the line for the feature race. Extreme weather conditions have forced an early start of 10:45am AEDT for the club’s marquee day. The track will start as a Good 4, with an upgrade to a Good 3 almost a certainty, while the rail sticks to its true position. Echuca Cup Tip: Here To Shock With a smart jumpout victory under his belt, Here To Shock brings all the right formlines into Sunday’s feature. The six-year-old gelding ran subsequent Group 1 placegetter Antino to a half-length in Group 3 company, and prior to that he was defeated by a length at Group 2 level during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. The 60.5kg is the only concern, but if Blaike McDougall can gain a cart into the race from a midfield position, Here To Shock should blow his rivals away. Echuca Cup Race 7 – #1 Here To Shock (9) 6yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Blaike McDougall (60.5kg) +170 with Picklebet VOBIS Gold Eldorado Tip: Belle Et Riche Belle Et Riche was racing in much tougher races than this during the spring. She finished two lengths off Life Lessons in Group 2 company and was far from disgraced when chasing home Skew Wiff during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. In a small field of seven, Jarrod Fry will be stalking the speed and race favourite Show Some Decorum throughout, and with a swift turn of foot, Belle Et Riche should be charging clear of her rivals late. VOBIS Gold Eldorado Race 6 – #8 Belle Et Riche (4) 5yo Mare | T: Mitchell Freedman | J: Jarrod Fry (57kg) +130 with Playup Best Bet at Echuca: Storm’s Colours Storm’s Colours can be hard to catch, but the six-year-old gelding looks to have found the right race to bring up an overdue success. Drawn in barrier one under John Allen, the Fighting Sun progeny will have no issue in finding the rail and dictating terms. He looks to gain a relatively uncontested lead, and if Storm’s Colours is anywhere near his best, this BM58 field will not get close to him. Best Bet Race 3 – #2 Storm’s Colours (1) 6yo Gelding | T: Anthony Chibnall | J: John Allen (60.5kg) +240 with Neds Next Best at Echuca: Communication Communication simply got too far back at Albury on February 18 to be a winning hope, but the Akeed Mofeed mare made up a stack of ground late on to suggest she was worth following. She looks to be natural backmarker these days, and with a genuinely run 1400m expected, she should be able to absorb the pressure and run down her rivals in the shadows of the winning post. Next Best Race 4 – #5 Communication (2) 4yo Mare | T: Adrian Corboy | J: Blaike McDougall (57kg) +450 with Dabble Sunday quaddie tips for Echuca Echuca quadrella selections Sunday, March 10, 2024 3-4-5-6-9 3-8 1-2-6 2-3-5-6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Savaglee will contest the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) The Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) is being a billed as a match-race between Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) winner Velocious and undefeated Te Akau Racing filly Captured by Love, but Pam Gerard is keen to spoil the party with her Group Three winner Savaglee. Bred by Waikato Stud, the two-year-old son of Savabeel races in the colours of The Oaks Stud principal Dick Karreman after he purchased the colt out of the former’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $400,000. Entrusted to the care of Ballymore Stables’ Matamata operation, headed by Pam Gerard, Savaglee has won two and placed in one of his five starts to date, including a last start victory in the Group 3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) ahead of Saturday race rival Poetic Champion. While Velocious (+110) and Captured By Love (+180) clearly head the market for the $450,000 juvenile feature, Savaglee’s last start performance has landed him as the only runner in single figures, rated an +750 winning chance with horse racing bookmakers. Gerard, who trains in partnership with Michael Moroney, is aware of the mammoth task ahead of her colt this weekend, but she believes he is up to the challenge. “They (Velocious and Captured By Love) are superstars, so it is a big ask, but he hasn’t been too far away from them when he has been doing things wrong,” Gerard told Trackside NZ. “His time he ran the other day was quicker than any of them, so he deserves to have his go. Back to Ellerslie, I think he might be better left-handed, but it is hard to know when he was doing things wrong before. “If he can have the same run (as the Matamata Slipper) he will be giving them a bit of a fright I think.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Tamworth Races Where Tamworth Jockey Club – 28 Britten Rd, Taminda NSW 2340 When Sunday, March 10, 2024 First Race 1pm AEDT Visit Dabble The $150,000 Country Championships Qualifier will headline an eight-race card at Tamworth this Sunday afternoon. With warm weather forecast across the weekend, it is expected that the track will remain in the Good range for the whole meeting. The rail will be in the true position for the entire circuit, with racing set to get underway at 1pm AEDT. Country Championships Qualifier Tip: Sting Jet Sting Jet was very good first-up when he ran home from the back of the field to round up his rivals in the final 50m and win by a head over 1200m. Now second-up (3:2-0-0), this bloke should take natural improvement and appreciate the rise in distance to 1400m. If Nock can settle a little closer to the speed from the good barrier (4), Sting Jet will prove hard to hold out in the Tamworth Country Championships Qualifier. Country Championships Qualifier Race 7 – #10 Sting Jet (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Brett Cavanough | J: Braith Nock (56kg) +700 with Picklebet Best Bet at Tamworth: More Szyslak More Szyslak showed significant improvement in his second race start, running home strongly from the back of the field to finish second behind Don’t Call Me Honey over 1000m at Scone. He lengthened nicely in the final 300m to show that a rise in trip to 1200m should suit, and from barrier six, Mitchell Bell should be able to have this guy closer to midfield than the rear. With even luck, More Szyslak should be breaking his maiden at the third time of asking. Best Bet Race 3 – #2 More Szyslak (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Brett Cavanough | J: Mitchell Bell (59kg) +150 with Neds Next Best at Tamworth: Aesthete Aesthete was a dominant winner at this track over 1400m last start, settling behind the speed and then taking over from the 200m mark to career away with a 2.3-length victory. Although this son of Muhaarar will drop back in distance to 1200m, it should allow Angus Villiers to settle in the three-wide line from a slightly wide barrier (9). With the aid of Villiers’ 1.5kg claim and the fitness from his previous win, Aesthete appears to be a great bet at the price on offer with the top online bookmakers. Next Best Race 8 – #6 Aesthete (9) 6yo Gelding | T: Cody Morgan | J: Angus Villiers (a1.5) (61kg) +360 with Playup Tamworth Sunday quaddie tips – 10/3/2024 Tamworth quadrella selections Sunday, March 10, 2024 1-3-11 1-2-4-10 4-5-10-14 3-5-6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Aquacade will contest the Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) A gallant fourth as favourite in last year’s Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m), quality mare Aquacade is returning to the same meeting 12 months later but setting her sights on a different race. Cambridge Stud’s homebred daughter of Dundeel will contest Saturday’s Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie, continuing a season-long plan formulated by trainer Lance Noble and the Cambridge Stud team. “Back at the beginning of the season, we decided to stick to weight-for-age races around 2000m with this mare,” Noble said. “That came down to the position she’d got to in the handicaps, but also the fact that there are no longer any Group One races for older horses in New Zealand over distances longer than the Livamol (2040m). “She won at Group Two level last season, so what we really want to try to do with her is get that elusive Group One win. “She ran a fantastic race for third in the Zabeel Classic (Group 1, 2000m) on Boxing Day, then wasn’t far away when fifth in the Herbie Dyke (Group 1, 2000m) after getting into a bit of an awkward position down on the inside. “I’m really happy with the mare. I think she’s going into this race at least as well as she was before the Zabeel and Herbie Dyke. Hopefully the race will be run at a genuine tempo. It’s going to be very hard to beat Legarto, but we’re expecting her to run well.” Noble will still have Auckland Cup representation on Saturday, this time with imported mare Terra Mitica. The five-year-old daughter of Ulysses scored impressive victories over 2100m at Pukekohe on December 9 and over 2070m at Matamata on February 7. She was fourth in between times in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m), and she was a close last-start seventh in the Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m). “We were going to run her in the Avondale Cup (Group 2, 2400m), but we just missed that race with a minor foot problem,” Noble said. “She carried 58kg in the Kaimai Stakes and finished a length and a half away from the winner. She drops to 52.5kg for this, albeit from a tricky draw of 20. “In an ideal preparation, she probably would have had another run over 2400m leading into this, but she’s very fit. Like a number of others in the field, we’re not totally sure about her at two miles, so we’ll just have to find out on Saturday. “She’s certainly a very progressive mare. It’s possible that it’s come up a year too soon for her, but while you’re so far down in the weights, you have to have a go at races like these.” Noble would love to see Terra Mitica go one better than his previous best result in an Auckland Cup. “I had Rose Of Virginia run a big race for second in the Cup one year (behind El Soldado in 2016),” he said. “I think that was one of my very last runners from my old Matamata base before I made the move up to Karaka to train for Cambridge Stud. “I haven’t had a lot of runners over the years, but it’s one of those iconic races that every trainer would love to win.” Horse racing news View the full article

The 2024 Adelaide Cup promises to be an exciting race, with punters heavily favouring The Map to claim victory. Progressive mare The Map heads betting on Monday’s 2024 Adelaide Cup this autumn. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. Trained by Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray, the in-form mare boasts a winning combination – a favourable draw (gate 3), jockey Jamie Kah fresh off a Group 1 double in Melbourne, and a runner-up finish in the lead-up Lord Reims Stakes. The Map is aiming to become the first mare to win the Adelaide Cup since Fanatic in 2018, and with a weight drop to 53kg, she appears well-positioned for the challenge. Currently priced at $2.80 and firming through Ladbrokes, she is the clear favourite. However, there are challengers lurking. Veteran Amade ($6.50) cannot be ignored despite his age. The 10-year-old gelding finished third in last year’s Adelaide Cup and comes into the race with a win in the Group 3 Geelong Cup from the spring. While carrying top weight (58kg) from an outside barrier (15), his experience and recent form make him a contender. Another horse to watch is Yellowbrick Road ($7.50), winner of the Lord Reims Stakes. Trained by Patrick Kearney, this Victorian raider is chasing a hat-trick of victories and a historic Lord Reims – Adelaide Cup double (last achieved by Apache King in 2001). Yellowbrick Road’s impressive win suggests it has the stamina for the two-mile Cup distance with a drop in weight aiding his chances. Rounding out the top contenders in the markets are Excelleration ($8) and Alhambra Lad ($9.50). Excelleration comes off back-to-back wins, while Alhambra Lad finished second in the Launceston Cup behind Excelleration in Tasmania last start. The Adelaide Cup is set to be run as Race 7 at 4:15 pm local time at Morphettville on Monday. 2024 Adelaide Cup Field No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 00×9515423 AMADE (IRE) Phillip Stokes Zac Spain 15 58kg 101 2 122×762182 ALHAMBRA LAD (NZ) Patrick Payne Dean Yendall 16 53.5kg 92 3 41x22x5511 EXCELLERATION Richard Cully Harry Coffey 13 53.5kg 92 4 3641014×12 THE MAP Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray Ms Jamie Kah 3 53kg 93 5 2818×75554 SKELM Terry Kelly Michael Poy 1 53kg 88 6 4621464333 GRAND PIERRO Jason Warren Craig Williams 6 53kg 87 7 0x1325x711 YELLOWBRICK ROAD (IRE) Patrick Kearney Jye McNeil 11 53kg 86 8 364185×579 PORT GUILLAUME (FR) Ben, Will & JD Hayes Jason Holder 4 53kg 85 9 5054475×66 LINCOLN KING (NZ) Kathryn Durden Dom Tourneur 12 53kg 81 10 x78x458985 TEAM CAPTAIN (IRE) Matt Cumani Ms Jaylah Kennedy (a) 5 53kg 79 11 4×21242510 ONE LAST KISS Dan O’Sullivan Luke Currie 10 53kg 75 12 4513311151 SANDASTAN Garret Lynch Sairyn Fawke 9 53kg 73 13 72325×8524 OCEANIC FLASH (NZ) Andrew J Payne Kerrin McEvoy 7 53kg 69 14 1056471614 RAPINOE (NZ) Peter Chow Ms Alana Kelly 8 53kg 69 15 65×4364121 ROARING ENGINE (NZ) Danny O’Brien Ms Kayla Crowther 14 53kg 68 16 5332425173 EIGHT ON THE DOT (NZ) Scott Whittle Ben Price 17 53kg 57 17 0233225558 TULLAGHAN (NZ) Trevor Day Jeffrey Maund 2 53kg 56 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post The Map Poised for Adelaide Cup 2024 Glory appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Southern hoop Kylie Williams will have her first ride at Ellerslie on Saturday aboard Waisake in the Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m). Photo: Tayler Strong A difficult search for a lightweight jockey for Waisake in Saturday’s Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) led Allan Sharrock to look to the south. Kylie Williams has 919 wins to her name in a decorated career among the South Island’s jockey ranks, but the 44-year-old will be in uncharted territory in Saturday’s $500,000 showpiece. She has never previously ridden at Ellerslie, and it will also be the first time she has ridden for Sharrock. “It was very tricky to find a suitable jockey at 52kg,” Sharrock said. “Kylie has proven herself over a number of years now – she’s a strong rider and has ridden enough winners in her time. She might find Ellerslie a little bit different to what she’s used to, but I thought she was the best option available to us.” Waisake is a proven two-miler, winning the Wellington Cup (Group 3, 3200m) in 2021 and finishing third behind Auckland Cup rivals Mahrajaan and Nest Egg in the New Zealand Cup (Group 3, 3200m) in November. The nine-year-old was one of the favourites for the 2024 Wellington Cup in January, but blundered and lost his rider in the early stages of the race. In his two starts since then, he has been doing his best work late when finishing fifth in the New Zealand St Leger Trial (2300m) and sixth in last Saturday’s Nathans Memorial (2200m). “We know this horse will get two miles,” said Sharrock, who has previously won the Auckland Cup with Shez Sinsational in 2012 and Ladies First in 2018. “I might have liked him to sprint a little bit quicker at the end of the Nathans, but he was still strong enough through the line. He’ll run the trip right out and he has only 52 kilos on his back. I think he’ll beat more home than will beat him home, put it that way.” Six years on from Ladies First’s Cup triumph, Sharrock will also be represented at Ellerslie on Saturday by that mare’s half-brother Ladies Man. The six-year-old son of Zed will line up against red-hot favourite Legarto in the Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). Third over 1400m and fifth in the Group 1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) in his two lead-up runs, Ladies Man is sure to appreciate the step up to 2000m on Saturday. He has won all of his three previous starts over distances ranging from 2000m to 2100m, including the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) and Group 3 Trentham Stakes (2100m). “I was happy with his fifth at Otaki,” Sharrock said. “He’s probably not a horse that’s ever going to be winning over 1600m at weight-for-age, but he found the line nicely and his work since then has been outstanding. “I think we’re all running for second behind Legarto, but I think he’s in with a pretty decent chance of doing that. “The 2000m is definitely what he’s been looking for. This is probably his main target race in New Zealand. He has a nomination for the Sydney Cup (Group 1, 3200m), but we’ll make up our minds after this race whether or not we head in that direction. Brisbane could also be an option for him.” Horse racing news View the full article

Puntura winning the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m). Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Taranaki trainer Robbie Patterson was getting ready to head to Ellerslie with two contenders for the Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) on Saturday until he got a shock when going through his emails on Thursday. “I was going through my emails on my way home from the trials yesterday and this email popped up from Racing Victoria,” Patterson said. It was an invitation for his Group One winner Puntura to compete in next Saturday’s $4 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield, and Patterson didn’t hesitate in calling owners John and Carole Lynskey. “It was a bit of a shock,” Patterson said. “I rang the owner and told him he better organise it and he is booked on the plane on Sunday to head over.” Patterson is a seasoned campaigner in Queensland, but he is yet to take a runner to Victoria, and he is looking forward to the opportunity. “I am rapt because I am getting these stayers around me and I have been eyeing races over there in the lower grades, so it will be a good eye-opener for me and a good learning experience,” he said. “We are realistic about it (All-Star Mile), we are going to be racing the best in Australasia, but it is just a great thrill to be invited and have the opportunity.” The winner of the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham in January, Puntura was going to head for a spell following his disappointing ninth placing in the Group 1 Otaki-Maori Weight-For-Age Classic (1600m) last month, however, his antics in the paddock following the race led Patterson to have one final roll of the dice with his gelding this campaign, and now that happens to be across the Tasman. “This will be his swansong for the season,” he said. “I was going to put him out after Otaki because he was a bit disappointing, but he was running around like an idiot. I thought he is a weight-for-age horse, so he is not going to get many chances so we might as well have a go at the Bonecrusher, he has points for that (summer bonus) series. But this opportunity has now come up.” Regular stable rider Craig Grylls will also make the trip over to Australia to partner Puntura in the All-Star Mile. “I told John Lynskey there’s only one rule and that rule is that Craig is riding him, and he was happy with that, so that was fantastic,” Patterson said. As a result of Puntura’s impending trip, the son of Vespa won’t take his place in the New Zealand Stakes on Saturday, leaving One Bold Cat as the stable’s sole representative. It could prove to be a fruitful day for his connections as One Bold Cat is the only eligible horse that is in contention of dethroning Legarto for the Summer Bonus Series’ top prize of $500,000. “We need to win it and for her to come worse than fourth to win it, but realistically from the draws we are running for second at best,” Patterson said. “But to run second to Legarto I would be happy, and picking up second prize in the series would be fantastic.” The series runner-up will receive $100,000, while the third placegetter will receive $50,000 on top of the stakes they accrue in the $450,000 New Zealand Stakes. “Running in Bonecrusher’s honour with Group One status, it is a thrill to just have a horse in it,” Patterson said. The New Plymouth horseman said One Bold Cat has been out of sorts since his victory in the Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m) at Pukekohe last November, but he has come right ahead of Saturday’s contest. “When he won the Counties Cup he was right on the top of his game and then he went a bit quiet in his next couple of starts, just in his work,” Patterson said. “Up until the Counties Cup he was bucking and playing around coming off the track. Just this week he has started doing that again and he is licking the bowl and is a very happy horse. “He is probably back at the top of his game, but he will have to be. They will know he is there and he will be rushing home late, and hopefully he is rushing home in time.” While he hasn’t been his usual self at home, the son of The Bold One has still managed fifth in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2050m), fourth in the Thorndon Mile, and third in the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa last month. “It was a good run in the Herbie Dyke,” Patterson said. “I don’t know if Ellerslie will suit him that well, he is going to get back from the draw (11). “This will be it and then he will get ready for Hawke’s Bay (in spring). He enjoys a bit of cut in the track as well, so the mile and 2000m will suit him at Hawke’s Bay.” Horse racing news View the full article

The 2024 Randwick Guineas promises to be a thrilling edition this Saturday, featuring a field of eleven talented three-year-old colts tackling the prestigious mile race. Golden Rose winner Militarize is favourite to win the 2024 Randwick Guineas in Sydney this weekend. Photo: Steve Hart. Punters have heavily favoured Chris Waller‘s Militarize to return to Group 1 glory, making him the clear favourite at $2.35 through Ladbrokes. The Kiwi-bred Dundeel colt boasts an impressive resume, securing the Inglis Sires’ – Champagne Stakes double at two-years-old and claiming the prestigious Golden Rose Stakes last spring. He most recently finished a close second to stablemate Fangirl in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes and now steps back up in distance against his own age group. With a remarkable record at Randwick (2 wins, 1 second, and 1 third from 4 starts), Militarize appears poised to dominate the race once again. The biggest threat to Militarize appears to be Les Bridge‘s Celestial Legend ($4.20), currently second in the Randwick Guineas betting markets. Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, the Dundeel colt comes into the race in top form after a dominant victory in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes. Celestial Legend is aiming to become the first horse since The Autumn Sun (2019) to achieve the Hobartville Stakes – Randwick Guineas double. Other contenders include James Cummings‘ Tom Kitten ($6.50) and Gary Portelli‘s Encap ($9). Tom Kitten, last year’s Spring Champion Stakes winner, will be looking to return to his winning ways after a couple of unplaced runs this prep. Encap, runner-up in the Golden Rose last spring, has shown promise with two strong finishes this campaign and represents potential value for punters. Rounding out the headline contenders is Les Vampires ($15), trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. The Pierro colt will be looking to improve upon his third-place finish in the Hobartville Stakes. The Randwick Guineas is scheduled as Race 8 on Saturday’s 10-race card at Royal Randwick, with a post time of 4:35 pm (AEDT). 2024 Randwick Guineas Field No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 011x5158x2 MILITARIZE (NZ) Chris Waller James McDonald 4 56.5kg 110 2 4x13321x65 TOM KITTEN James Cummings Nash Rawiller 8 56.5kg 100 3 21x25x51 CELESTIAL LEGEND Les Bridge Kerrin McEvoy 11 56.5kg 96 4 x223125x32 ENCAP Gary Portelli Jason Collett 10 56.5kg 95 5 86x41183x7 GANBARE Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 5 56.5kg 88 6 317×13 LES VAMPIRES Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Adam Hyeronimus 2 56.5kg 82 7 12×314 FUKUBANA Matthew Dunn Tommy Berry 3 56.5kg 80 8 37x4763x18 DUCASSE Michael Freedman Tyler Schiller 9 56.5kg 78 9 312x6x6 CEOLWULF (NZ) Joseph Pride Sam Clipperton 1 56.5kg 76 10 150x840x9 CAFE MILLENIUM John O’Shea Tom Marquand 7 56.5kg 70 11 413 COSMIC LAD Edward Cummings Chad Schofield 6 56.5kg 62 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post 2024 Randwick Guineas Set for Stellar Edition with Militarize Favoured appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Randwick Guineas Day at Royal Randwick this Saturday features a double dose of elite racing action, with the 2024 Canterbury Stakes showcasing a small but high-quality field of sprinters. The Everest winner Think About It is tipped to return to winning form first-up in the 2024 Canterbury Stakes this weekend. Photo: Steve Hart. Trainer Joe Pride holds a strong hand in the race with his returning Everest champion Think About It the clear favourite at short odds of $1.85 through Ladbrokes. The So You Think gelding boasts an impressive record of 11 wins and 2 thirds from just 13 career starts, including an undefeated first-up record and a flawless 4-for-4 record at Randwick. Following a well-deserved break after a surprise third-place finish in the Giga Kick Stakes at Rosehill, Think About It has put in two strong trial runs at Warwick Farm and appears primed for a winning return. With jockey Sam Clipperton in the saddle and drawn outside barrier, he is the one to beat in this reduced field of seven runners. Pride also saddles up Coal Crusher ($11) in the Canterbury Stakes. The six-year-old comes into the race with a slight fitness advantage as he goes for his third run this campaign. Following a narrow runner-up finish in the Expressway Stakes and a fifth last weekend, Coal Crusher should appreciate the drop in weight and the familiar track and distance. The main danger to Think About It is expected to be Espiona ($3.90) from the Chris Waller stable. Waller opted to withdraw her from the Newmarket Handicap in Melbourne in favour of this race against a smaller field over a longer distance in Sydney. The daughter of Extreme Choice finished a close third in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at headquarters and is tipped to perform well again back in Sydney, chasing her first win since last year’s The Invitation. Rounding out the best in betting are Pericles ($6.50) and Lady Laguna ($10). Pericles, a gelding from the powerhouse Godolphin stable, has put in two solid runs this campaign after narrowly missing out on the Golden Eagle prize in the spring. Lady Laguna, following a recent winning streak of three, will be looking to bounce back after a second-place finish in the Millie Fox Stakes. The Canterbury Stakes is scheduled as Race 7 at 4:00 pm (AEDT) on Saturday’s 10-race card at Royal Randwick. 2024 Canterbury Stakes Field No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 1x111x113x THINK ABOUT IT Joseph Pride Sam Clipperton 8 59kg 117 2 92x1132x62 PERICLES James Cummings Tom Marquand 1 59kg 110 3 10x3441x25 COAL CRUSHER Joseph Pride Adam Hyeronimus 5 59kg 109 4 04x765824x BANDERSNATCH Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Jordan Childs 3 59kg 104 5 x1576x3633 MALKOVICH Bjorn Baker Joshua Parr 4 59kg 103 6 17x21714x3 ESPIONA Chris Waller James McDonald 2 57kg 113 7 3123×21112 LADY LAGUNA Annabel Neasham Tyler Schiller 6 57kg 107 8 349x22532x CALL DI Joseph Pride Nash Rawiller 7 57kg 91 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Think It About It Poised for 2024 Canterbury Stakes Glory appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Three months after a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ordered the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) to set aside a 2020 stewards' decision and issue a new ruling disqualifying winner Justify from the 2018 GI Santa Anita Derby, a separate settlement has been reached that calls for the CHRB to pay $300,000 to Mick Ruis, the owner of runner-up Bolt d'Oro, and to order a redistribution for the $1-million purse of that stakes. Dick Downey of the Blood-Horse was first to report the settlement on Thursday, citing details made public in court filings. Neither the settlement nor the underlying lawsuit involved any direct claims against 'TDN Rising Star' Justify's then-ownership group (China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing, and WinStar Farm) or the colt's trainer, Bob Baffert. Although, as Downey pointed out in the Blood-Horse, “Presumably they retain the right to appeal the stewards' ruling” and the purse redistribution. By winning the Santa Anita Derby, the undefeated Justify was able to earn necessary qualifying points to enter the GI Kentucky Derby. He then swept the remaining two Triple Crown races, the GI Preakness S. and GI Belmont S, but was retired from racing six weeks later after developing a left front ankle filling. It wasn't until 15 months after Justify's Triple Crown romp that a September 2019 bombshell story in the New York Times revealed that Justify had tested positive for scopolamine after he won the Santa Anita Derby, and that the result had been kept hidden from the public. The Times further reported that CHRB officials arranged to handle Justify's positive “differently than usual” by holding an August 2018 executive session hearing during which CHRB members voted unanimously not to disqualify Justify or to sanction Baffert because the positive test was the result of contamination linked to jimson weed. The stewards subsequently claimed they had no jurisdiction on the matter as it had already been decided, a decision with which the CHRB later concurred. Ruis then began what would turn out to be a years-long legal quest to have the result of the race overturned with Bolt d'Oro declared the winner, alleging that the CHRB failed to follow its own rules when it decided not to pursue penalties after Justify's positive test. Carlo Fisco, one of Ruis's attorneys, told TDN via email Thursday evening that the settlement also will quell a separate civil case pending against the CHRB that sought monetary damages. “We have settled our monetary claims against the CHRB, which now has the additional duty to recover and redistribute the purse to the rightful owners including our client,” Fisco wrote. “It was never about the money. I'm hoping we can all move on and put the actions in 2018 of a few bad actors behind us. It's all been settled save for the purse redistribution.” According to the Mar. 5 court document that outlines the settlement, “within five days of [the CHRB] being served with the signed Judgment, the Board of Stewards will enter a new order disqualifying the horse Justify and redistributing the purse pursuant to Rule 1859.5 and ordering that all purse monies earned or awarded be returned to the Paymaster of Purses at Santa Anita within 30 days of their order. If the purse is not redistributed within 30 days, [the] CHRB shall use its best efforts pursuant to its rules [in] ensuring that the [court ruling] is upheld.” The settlement filing states that the CHRB's obligations “are expected to be fully performed by CHRB using its best efforts as expeditiously as possible.” The settlement also stipulates that “Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as an admission of liability, any wrongdoing, or any violation of law.” The post CHRB Settles with Ruis in ’18 Santa Anita Derby Dispute Involving Justify DQ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Millionaire turf mare Closing Remarks is retiring following a sixth-place finish March 3 in the Buena Vista Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Following an unforgettable 2023, the ride could continue for Patrick Lewis when Red Carpet Ready returns to action in the March 9 $125,000 Hurricane Bertie Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park. View the full article

The California Horse Racing Board has agreed to pay Mick Ruis $300,000 and direct stewards to disqualify Justify and order a purse redistribution to settle a long-simmering dispute over the outcome of the 2018 Santa Anita Derby (G1) won by Justify.View the full article

The 2024 season for top-level older fillies and mares begins in earnest March 9 with Santa Anita Park's Beholder Mile Stakes (G1). View the full article

The Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) is being a billed as a match-race between Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) winner Velocious and undefeated Te Akau Racing filly Captured by Love, but Pam Gerard is keen to spoil the party with her Group Three winner Savaglee. Bred by Waikato Stud, the two-year-old son of Savabeel races in the colours of The Oaks Stud principal Dick Karreman after he purchased the colt out of the former’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $400,000. Entrusted to the care of Ballymore Stables’ Matamata operation, headed by Pam Gerard, Savaglee has won two and placed in one of his five starts to date, including a last start victory in the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) ahead of Saturday race rival Poetic Champion. While Velocious ($2.10) and Captured By Love ($2.80) clearly head the market for the $450,000 juvenile feature, Savaglee’s last start performance has landed him as the only runner in single figures, rated an $8.50 winning chance on the TAB’s fixed odds. Gerard, who trains in partnership with Michael Moroney, is aware of the mammoth task ahead of her colt this weekend, but she believes he is up to the challenge. “They (Velocious and Captured By Love) are superstars, so it is a big ask, but he hasn’t been too far away from them when he has been doing things wrong,” Gerard told Trackside NZ. “His time he ran the other day was quicker than any of them, so he deserves to have his go. Back to Ellerslie, I think he might be better left-handed, but it is hard to know when he was doing things wrong before. “If he can have the same run (as the Matamata Slipper) he will be giving them a bit of a fright I think.” View the full article

Fresh off Orchestral’s dazzling display in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie last Saturday, trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood will head back to the Auckland track this weekend hoping to add another feature scalp to their record. While Orchestral’s victory extended Roger James’ tally in the Derby to six, the Cambridge trainer hasn’t had the same luck in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m), having yet to win the Barfoot & Thompson-sponsored staying feature. However, he will have two solid chances of rectifying that this Saturday with Mark Twain ($6) and Dionysus ($6.50) the second and third favourite’s respectively behind Wexford Stables’ Asterix ($4.20). Dionysus is accruing an enviable Cups record, having won the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m), Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m), Bulls Country Cup (2200m) and placed in the Waikato Cup, Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m), Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m), and Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m) last start. The son of Ocean Park has been on the comeback trail since his Waikato Cup triumph in December, but showed he was back to somewhere near his best with his Avondale Cup performance. “Dionysus sustained quite a significant foot injury after his Waikato Cup win and had some time off,” James told Trackside NZ. “We have been playing catch-up and I think his last run signalled that we are right on track.” While featuring prominently in the Cup market, Mark Twain was in danger of not making the final Auckland Cup field earlier this week, and his connections breathed a sigh of relief when he made the cut. The son of Shocking returned to winning form at Te Rapa last month before finishing runner-up in the New Zealand St Leger Trial (2300m) at Otaki a fortnight later. “I thought it (run in the St leger trial) was really good,” James said. “He got hemmed up in a small field which wasn’t ideal, but when he got out, he made good ground.” James is happy with both of his runners ahead of Saturday and believes the weights may play a telling factor in the concluding stages of the two-mile test. “Dionysus has got more weight (55kg) but he has also got more maturity. He is probably a little more rideable, you can put him in the race a little bit if you have to,” he said. “The other horse doesn’t seem to have a lot of early pace, but he rounds them up really strongly late and he is beautifully weighted (52kg).” View the full article

Friday, March 8 promises an exciting day of horse racing with five meetings scheduled across Australia. Our dedicated team of racing analysts at horsebetting.com.au has curated the top bets and provided quaddie numbers specifically for the upcoming Moonee Valley & Newcastle meetings. Friday Racing Tips – March 8, 2024 Moonee Valley Racing Tips Newcastle Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For March 8, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $91.30 odds return: Friday, March 8, 2024 Newcastle – Race 3 #4 Just Party Newcastle – Race 5 #1 New Pharoah Moonee Valley – Race 5 #7 Martial Eagle Moonee Valley – Race 8 #4 Midtown Boss | Copy this bet straight to your betslip For avid Australian racing fans, numerous promotions await your exploration. Be sure to peruse the offerings from top online bookmakers, as daily promotions can enhance your horse racing experience. If you’re in search of a new bookmaker to elevate your horse racing ventures on March 8, 2024, consult our comprehensive guide to the finest online racing betting sites. We’re committed to keeping you informed and enhancing your horse racing betting journey. Horse racing tips View the full article