Wandering Eyes

Tom Pedulla is interviewing prominent owners, trainers, and jockeys as they travel the Road to the 150th Kentucky Derby May 4 at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Hallways Feeds is now an official sponsorship partner of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), the organization announced via press release Monday. Founded in 1964, Hallways Feeds and the Hall family have a long history in Bluegrass and whose products can be found throughout Kentucky, at all major equine population centers throughout the country and in more than one dozen countries globally. “The team at Hallway Feeds is proud to serve as a partner to those involved in the Thoroughbred industry; from supplying feed to the stallions and mares on the farms, playing a role in the development of young, growing horses, preparing horses for the sale, horses in training and racing, and careers after racing,” said Hallway Feeds' director of sales and marketing Anthony H. Koch . “It is only natural that we support the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association in their mission to improve the sport.” The post Hallway Feeds an Official Sponsorship Partner of TOBA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Back in 2000, the amateur rider Mr Mitsumasa Nakauchida rode the first of what would be two eventual winners from just 10 rides on the Flat in Britain, following three appearances in Irish bumpers a couple of years earlier. Having left Japan at the age of 16 to study initially in Ireland, the young would-be jockey had just turned 22 at the time of his first victory for Richard Hannon aboard Dolphinelle (Ire), beating Eve Johnson Houghton, on her father's Corn Dolly (Ire), by a head. That was half a lifetime ago for Nakauchida, who, 21 years later was crowned champion trainer in Japan. A year after that he took charge of the filly who will take some beating in the race to be his horse of a lifetime. Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) wasn't just the best filly in Japan last year, she was the top-rated three-year-old filly in the world on a mark of 121, and she is set to head a star-studded cast on Dubai World Cup night on March 30. Bred by Northern Farm and campaigned in the colours of Sunday Racing, she has amassed four Grade 1 victories from only seven lifetime starts. At two, Liberty Island won the GI Hanshin Juvenile Fillies before returning the following April to sail through the Fillies' Triple Crown of the Oka Sho, Yushun Himba and Shuka Sho. Only one horse could get the better of her last year, and that was the mighty Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), to whom she finished second in the Japan Cup. Next, she will aim to emulate his international smash and grab on the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic. Liberty Island is on course for the Dubai Sheema Classic | Scoop Dyga We've seen plenty of Japanese trainers at the top meetings around the world over the years. Nakauchida is one who won't be calling on the excellent translating skills of Naohiro Goda or Mariko Seki as he is a fluent English speaker, having completed a thorough grounding in international racing since flying the nest at such a tender age. His list of former bosses reads like's a who's who of the Turf and includes Richard Hannon, Criquette Head and Bobby Frankel. “As a student I wanted to learn equine science at college or university in Europe and I decided to go to Ireland first,” says Nakauchida, who also rode out for trainer JJ Lennon in Ireland and later for Sylvester Kirk in the UK. “Then I found a course in Witney in England which specialised in Thoroughbreds. It's thanks to my parents for letting me do that.” His parents' way of life had no doubt ignited the flame as Nakauchida was born at Shigaraki Farm, a pre-training yard run by his father Katsuzi and based close to the JRA's famous Ritto training centre where he is now based. After eventually returning to Japan and initially assisting Mitsuru Hashida, Nakauchida started training in his own right in 2014 and, now 45, is a permanent fixture in the JRA's list of top ten trainers. Liberty Island could yet bring his name and talents to even wider prominence. “It's such an honour to have a horse like her,” he says. “Her racetrack record is incredible. She's just a natural in her races and she has such talent. It's a pleasure to have her in my stable. “After the Japan Cup she had a little rest and she was actually tired after the race so it took her a little while to recover. After that she bounced back and she did quite well during the winter. She looks much stronger now and she looks like she is starting to fill out.” Liberty Island, a product of the mating between dual Japanese Classic winner Duramente, who died woefully young at the age of just nine, and champion Australian filly Yankee Rose (Aus) (All American {Aus}), will travel to Dubai 10 days prior to what will be her 2024 debut. She follows in the footsteps of the great Japanese fillies Gentildonna (Jpn) and Almond Eye (Jpn), both of whom were crowned Horse of the Year in their native country. The Sheema Classic has been a happy hunting ground for Japanese raiders, with the fourth running in 2001 going to Stay Gold (Jpn). Since then Heart's Cry (Jpn), Gentildonna, Shahryar (Jpn) and Equinox have all joined the roll of honour. Liberty Island will be the red-hot favourite to bring up a third consecutive win for Japan in the mile-and-a-half contest and, should she prevail, she would become the first major international winner for her trainer. “Considering the international racing programme, we look throughout the year to choose which horses we can take to Dubai or Saudi or Europe, even Hong Kong and Australia. All around the world there are great races and I am always looking for an opportunity to run in them,” he says. Nakauchida was represented in Dubai and Hong Kong last year by the Grade 1 winner Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), and he came close in Sha Tin's G1 FWD QEII Cup with Prognosis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who was runner-up to Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). He also managed to call in on family when represented at Royal Ascot in 2022 by Grenadier Guards (Jpn) (Frankel {GB}), who was stabled in Newmarket with his brother-in-law Roger Varian. Nakauchida and Varian are married to the sisters Yoko and Hanako (née Sonobe) respectively. Through his experience working for trainers in Britain, Ireland, France and America, Nakauchida has accrued vital knowledge of the aspects of different racecourses and racing styles. “That's why I can't take anything and everything overseas,” he says. “I have to think very carefully. You cannot take light-footed horses to Europe. You have to think of the suitable track for each horse. “We are planning to take Prognosis to Hong Kong this year again. He likes Sha Tin and performs well there. We tried to run Serifos in Dubai and Hong Kong but we didn't get the result we wanted so, this is another good example. He's good in Japan, he's well built and a muscular horse, and you'd think he would run well overseas but we tried and it didn't work. So we will concentrate on Japan for him this spring.” In the past, Nakauchida has spoken of having to relearn about training on his return to Japan, and he outlines the differences between his overseas experience, were he recalls “every person was good to me”, and the way he now operates back at home, where he has 20 boxes at Ritto. “The whole system in Japan is different to any other country,” he says. “Each trainer is allocated a certain number of boxes in the training centre but you obviously have more horses than the number of stables, so we shuffle the horses around a lot, which is quite different. The racing style is different too. [The going is] like concrete here and the racing time is different, much faster than any other country. You have to jump off well, settle down, then you have to finish strong. Even the top level of races, they jump off fast and then there is no slowing down in the middle part of the race, but then you still need to quicken at the end. The races are very tough.” On the home front this year his main Classic hopes appear to rest on Queen's Walk (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), the winner of last month's G3 Daily Hai Queen Cup, whose brother, the aforementioned Grenadier Guards, won the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity for the stable in 2020. The latter has just commenced his first covering season at Shadai Stallion Station. Their dam is the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner Wavell Avenue (Harlington). “We are lucky to have a filly going to the Classics this year,” says Nakauchida. “She is a half-sister to Grenadier Guards, who has just become a stallion this year. We really liked him and took him to Royal Ascot. Actually it was the other way round: he took us to Royal Ascot. That's the way I look at it.” Now it is the turn of Liberty Island to take her trainer and owners to Meydan for Dubai's biggest meeting of the year. Whether that will be her only overseas trip of 2024 is yet to be decided. He says, “With Liberty Island we still don't know how good she is. So we will just see how she performs in Dubai against the top international horses, then she will probably open the door for other options. It's nice to be in this position.” The post ‘We Still Don’t Know How Good She Is’: Japan’s Triple Tiara Winner Liberty Island Heads to Dubai appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kentucky Derby 135 winner Mine That Bird (Birdstone) began a temporary residence in the Kentucky Derby Museum's stable and will be showcased as part of the final event of the 2024 Legends Series with Maker's Mark, announced via press release by the Kentucky Derby Museum. The Legends Series brings together horseracing and bourbon enthusiasts for an exclusive lineup of five tastings, and is considered a highlight on the Museum's annual calendar. Tickets for the event, held Mar. 27 from 5-8:00 p.m., are available for purchase. Mine That Bird will be at the Museum through mid-April. “We are thrilled to bring Mine That Bird to the Museum's Stable for this extraordinary Legends event,” said owner Mark Allen. “It's a unique opportunity for fans to get close to a living legend and explore the captivating history of long shots in the Kentucky Derby.” Other highlights include dinner on the newly renovated Oaks Terrace, a sneak peek at the brand new Long Shots display before it opens to the public, and the opportunity to purchase bottles of the limited supply of the Museum's Private Barrel Selection. There will be a live auction for a prize package that includes several rare memorabilia items from Derby-winning long shots, and the funds raised will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Museum. The post Mine That Bird Showcased During 2024 Legend Series appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

From bustling cities to quiet rural towns, the potential for achievement and success knows no geographical boundaries. The same goes for Thoroughbred racing partnerships. Successful partnerships are not always born on major circuits like Kentucky, New York, or California. Sometimes they are born in a barn just south of a rural town in Minnesota called Elko New Market. For Rocket Wrench Racing's managing partner Justin Revak, what started out as a dream one summer while stomping divots on Canterbury Park's turf course has developed into a partnership group on a meteoric rise. From a daydreaming teenager to top-10 owner at his home track, this story proves all you need is for the planets to align and a rocket to get you there. “It really has been an extraordinary adventure that began over a decade ago when I came across a Craigslist ad offering one percent of a Minnesota-bred 2-year-old colt for $300,” Revak began. “Loving horse racing since I was a kid, I decided to pick up the phone and call the number on the ad. Hell, it was only $300.” The horse's name was Rocket Wrench, an unimpressive dark bay with donkey-like ears and a blaze on his face resembling an open-faced wrench. The trajectory of the new venture started out with a series of not-so-impressive races, thus the general partner was ready to give up on the horse after the second year. “I still had faith in Rocket, as we called him around the barn, so I agreed to buy him. The next day I brought him to my farm for the winter,” recalled Revak. At the start of Rocket's third season, Justin took to Craigslist himself and looked for nine partners asking $1,000 each. The ad, to his surprise, took. Revak was now the general partner of Rocket Wrench Racing. Rocket Wrench partner Shawn Valek recalls the day the stars aligned for him. “I was looking for a lawn mower about 12 years ago on Craigslist. I clearly got sidetracked and found an ad for a partnership in a racehorse. The price was $1,000 for a 10% share. I quickly called my friend Joe McBroom and said I had two questions for him. First, I asked him if he would like to go in on this horse. He said, “Yes but what is your other question?” The second question was, “Can you tell my wife you found the ad on Craigslist?” McBroom granted the request, and the first group of partners were on their way. Justin Revak and Rocket Wrench | Courtesy Justin Revak McBroom has never regretted that day either. “When your horse is at the top of the stretch, it's absolutely thrilling to me and, the fact that we have a group of friends involved makes it a decidedly social endeavor.” Revak sent Rocket to Canterbury Hall of Fame trainer Bernell Rhone to see if he could work his magic. On June 30th, 2012, Rocket Wrench Racing officially became a winning partnership as Rocket Wrench pulled away from the field by four lengths and crossed the finish line first. Since that first win in 2012, Rocket Wrench Racing has amassed over $1,000,000 in earnings, boasts a 28% win percentage, and an in-the-money rate of 64%. “We have always been an aggressive claiming partnership. If a horse we have in the barn can't win or at least hit the board, we will drop him to where they belong,” explains Revak. The team of trainers still includes Rhone but is now led by Karl Broberg and Tony Rengstorf. “We currently race in multiple states and all our trainers have impressive teams that do the day-in and day-out work that is ultimately responsible for our success,” said Revak. “Karl has taught me so much about finding good claims and we've become a really strong team. If both of us like the same horse, there's a pretty good chance it is going to do well for us.” Partner Bret Woodson recalls, “I was in a previous partnership with some friends when I lived in Kansas City. It was a decent-sized group that claimed horses mostly in Louisiana. At the time, we were always going up against, and usually getting beat by, trainer Karl Broberg. Now I am a partner in Rocket Wrench Racing with Karl as our trainer. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, right?” Plenty of other racing enthusiasts have joined Rocket Wrench Racing in recent years including Lisa Migletz. “After my parents passed away, I wanted to honor them and our tradition of going to races by doing something special,” she said. “After doing some research, I was eventually led to Justin Revak and Rocket Wrench, and I became a partner. It was one of the greatest and most exciting things to ever happen to me.” Rocket Wrench Racing has zero markups on any of their claiming partnerships and has gone from one group to seven in the last decade and now have 37 different owners. “We have had Canterbury-only groups, groups with higher investment levels, and groups with specific circuits in mind,” said Revak. “We are currently offering our first Hoosier group to race at Horseshoe Indianapolis in 2024, which is exciting.” Each partnership group has $300 per month set aside to pay for all necessary legal and accounting services. The minimum investment level for a group starts at $2,500 and partners can own anywhere from five percent to 25 percent. “I work to retain enough capital for each group so that we have few, if any, cash calls while the group is still active,” remarked Revak. “I am proud to say that we haven't had a single cash call since the first group was formed. That is not to say we haven't had swings in the total value from year to year, but overall, I work hard to manage our cash and horses, so I don't have to send out invoices.” Partner Ida Schneck was drawn to the business model. “What I liked about Rocket Wrench Racing was that it was affordable and had a solid business plan so the risk of having to pay additional fees beyond my initial investment was minimal. Plus, I could own 5% and get an owner's license.” Rocket Wrench Racing will be moving into the yearling market with Marcus and Crystal Ryan from Mason Springs Farm this year, due to a number of current partners looking for something new to experience. “I am fortunate to be able to be a part of the main group of owners who have a piece of all the diverse groups within Rocket Wrench,” said partner Woodson. “My wife and I have three adult kids and they are all interested in and supportive of the Rocket Wrench partnership. Our four-year-old grandson has already been in the paddock and the winner's circle on numerous occasions, and we are hoping for many more as the years progress.” Chris McCarron, Angel Cordero, and Justin Revak | Courtesy Justin Revak Revak not only has learned that partnerships are the best vehicle to introducing new owners to the industry, but also that new owners expect more from the industry as it relates to racehorse aftercare and supporting the people who live and work in the stable areas. Nebraska native 29-year-old Derek Drews is one of those partners. “I love being able to take family and friends to the barns to feed the horses,” he said. “Watching horses train in the morning is something special to see. Justin has always been great about getting myself and my family involved with the entire experience of ownership. Rocket Wrench participates and supports many of the charitable organizations, such as the Leg Up Fund down at the track. Yes, our ownership group is managed as a business, but we believe in much more than just winning races.” Revak and several Rocket Wrench Racing partners unintentionally started a campaign in 2021 to buy air conditioner units for the dorms at Canterbury Park. “It was a sweltering summer, especially for Minnesota, and I went out and bought a couple of air conditioners at Home Depot for our groom's dorm rooms. Before I knew it, the HBPA, and the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association (Minnesota's breeding organization) and our partners chipped in even more money. Home Depot gave me a discount to help and away we went,” recalled Revak. The giving did not stop there. Rocket Wrench Racing is a generous supporter of Jockeys and Jeans, the Leg Up Fund, and an exciting new organization that operates at Canterbury Park called Abijah's on the Backside. Sally Mixon, the founder of Abijah's, summarized the program. “Abijah's is the bridge between the racing industry and community wellness, pairing off-track Thoroughbreds with counselling professionals who are trained in a mental health experiential framework called ARCH. Justin and Rocket Wrench Racing have been big supporters of the work we do not only with horses and horse people, but also local first responders who participate in the program.” The Rocket Wrench Racing story has now come full circle as the very first horse to launch this partnership, Rocket himself, is now one of the horses providing care for the clients of Abijah's. “It's cool being able to see Rocket work with people who need help, plus I get to see him most of the summer,” said Revak. “It is fun to look back at winner's circle photos on my wall from 2012 when my kids were eight and six and Rocket won his first race for us, until now when they are all grown up. My family and these horses are so important to me. The whole thing is wild. This horse, and this partnership has brought so much to so many.” The post Partnerships, Presented by Taylor Made Partnerships: Rocket Wrench Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In many regions of the country, it is not uncommon to find one racing group at odds with another. These rifts do not appear to occur with the same frequency in Arkansas. View the full article

Constitution Hill (GB) (Blue Bresil {Fr}) will not run at the Cheltenham Festival, trainer Nicky Henderson has announced. The unbeaten and defending Champion Hurdle hero worked poorly at Kempton Park last Tuesday, putting his participation at the showpiece meeting in major doubt. A scope showed mucus in his lungs and despite slightly more positive news in the following days, results of a blood test on Thursday proved to be another blow. However, Henderson stressed that another blood test on Monday would probably prove to be the “acid test”, and on receiving the results he posted on his Twitter account, “Very sadly we are going to have to admit defeat in the battle to get Constitution Hill ready for the Champion Hurdle and therefore have to declare that he will not be running there this year. “He has undoubtedly improved over the weekend and seems noticeably brighter than he was at the end of last week and I really did think he was much perkier when ridden this morning. “Unfortunately the all important blood test shows that although the figures have also improved, they are quite a way from being satisfactory for a horse to commence serious training and to race in a week's time. “There are three significant markers on the blood test all of which have come down since Thursday's sample but are still raised enough to indicate that he has not fully recovered from whatever was ailing him. “The only way to continue the improvement is not to stress him and he obviously cannot run in these Olympic games if he's not trained sufficiently. “This is very sad for all of us and particularly Michael [Buckley, owner] but it is in everybody's best interests that we ensure we have a fit and healthy Constitution Hill to win back his crown next year.” The Willie Mullins-trained State Man (Fr) (Doctor Dino {Fr}), who was the nine-length runner-up to Constitution Hill in last year's Champion Hurdle, is now the 1-3 favourite for the race. The post Champion Hurdle Favourite Constitution Hill to Miss Cheltenham appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rod Street has announced his intention to step down from his role as CEO of Great British Racing (GBR) at the end of April. Street has led British horseracing's marketing body since 2010 but has plans to launch his own mentoring venture. He will continue in his role as CEO of British Champions Series Limited until later in the year. “It is my privilege to work in horseracing. I enter my 31st year in the sport in May this year and that time has been split evenly between senior leadership roles – both at racecourses and at the centre of the sport,” he said. “The time feels right to do something new and it is my intention to launch a new venture in coaching and mentoring leaders of the future, which many people know is a passion of mine. “I am very proud of the achievements of the team at GBR. Racing is significantly better promoted now than it was 15 years ago. Jockeys are developing into superb ambassadors for the sport, we produce content on an almost daily basis and it is rare for a news opportunity or milestone to be missed. GBR has delivered large national campaigns on themes as diverse as equine welfare, under 18s race free and Sports Personality of the Year. Such is the extent of GBR's work that our name goes largely unnoticed, as it should do, because our job is to tell the stories – not be the story.” He continued, “Reflecting on my time at GBR, there have been so many positive moments. Often it is the hard-earned wins that provide the most satisfaction – such as the team landing coverage of a sporting achievement on the national six o'clock or ten o'clock news programmes, or securing a big feature in the tabloids and broadsheets. But, in terms of major impact, I would cite QIPCO British Champions Series and Day and National Racehorse Week as huge innovations. And we also now have a Flat Racing Hall of Fame, which has been an honour to work on. “Looking to racing's future, this is a time of both challenge and opportunity. It is encouraging that the sport has come together to address declines in revenue and engagement. Racing is not alone – most sports outside football face precisely the same challenge – and we are competing for customers' attention in a fiercely competitive environment. The principle of leading with our best quality products through Premier Racing is the right one. I remain optimistic for the sport, because we have history, heritage and a level of coverage that other sports would die for.” The BHA's chief executive Julie Harrington paid tribute to Street's “trademark optimism and vivacity”. She said, “Rod is an experienced, respected and much-loved individual in racing. Working in a multi-stakeholder environment is not easy and it is testament to Rod's qualities that he has thrived in the role of CEO at Great British Racing for nearly 15 years. “More recently he has been an integral part of the Industry Strategy, working across multiple areas, and has made a huge contribution to that. “We are sincerely sorry to lose him, but respect his decision and on behalf of racing's stakeholders thank him for all he has done, including the energy and passion he has brought to every task. Rod has made a big difference to how racing is promoted, compared to when he joined GBR in 2010. I'm sure we will continue to see lots of him in the future.” \ The post Rod Street to Leave GBR Next Month appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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The G2 National Hunt Chase at next week's Cheltenham Festival will be run in honour of the late Maureen Mullins, who died last month at the age of 94. The move, which was announced by Cheltenham Racecourse on Monday, was welcomed by her son Tony, who said, “Undoubtedly the correct race for a great stayer.” The matriarch of a hugely successful Irish racing dynasty, Mullins's late husband Paddy saddled six Festival winners, including one of the greatest National Hunt mares of all time, Dawn Run (Ire), who remains the only horse ever to win both the Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup, in 1984 and 1986 respectively. A successful rider, owner and breeder herself, Mullins's five children have also had a huge impact on the Cheltenham Festival. Her son Willie is the winningmost trainer with 94 winners to his name, while his brothers Tony and Tom have also also saddled winners at the Festival, and grandsons Patrick, Danny and Emmet have all ridden Festival winners. “The National Hunt Chase has a long tradition of commemorating some of jump racing's most famous names and we are delighted that the Mullins family has agreed to have the historic contest run in honour of Maureen Mullins in 2024,” said Ian Renton, Managing Director, West, The Jockey Club. “A true stalwart of jump racing, Maureen Mullins was a regular visitor to the Festival and her sad passing last month leaves a big void. We hope that putting her name to the National Hunt Chase celebrates her tremendous legacy in the appropriate way.” Willie Mullins added, “Our family are delighted and honoured to have a race named after our mother Maureen who had a great affinity for Cheltenham and enjoyed every moment there.” The post National Hunt Chase to be Named in Memory of Maureen Mullins appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dennis Yip’s exciting four-year-old jumps above all but five gallopers on the list of those who look likely to target the city’s most prestigious raceView the full article

Whangaehu will head to Ellerslie on Saturday to contest the Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m). Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Whangaehu has taken a significantly different route to the Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) than Bill Thurlow’s last contender, but the Waverley trainer is hopeful he can produce an identical result on Saturday at Ellerslie. Thurlow prepared his former star mare Glory Days to an emphatic victory in the two-mile feature five years ago, the mare’s ideal lead-in preparation culminating in winning the Group 2 Avondale Cup (2400m) three weeks prior. A son of Proisir, Whangaehu returned to New Zealand in late 2023 after a year under Chris Waller’s care across the Tasman, and Thurlow has carefully weaved an unorthodox path to the Cup, albeit only assured of a place in the final field on Monday morning. The gelding was an impressive winner of the Wairoa Cup (2200m) in mid-February, with his handicap rising to just 77, and in a last-ditch effort to raise his rating, Whangaehu defied his 61kg impost to score at Tauherenikau on Sunday. In the hands of Lisa Allpress, Whangaehu travelled comfortably midfield throughout, and after being briefly held-up at the top of the straight, showed his class to fight off Ruby Rocks to score by three-quarters of a length, the runner-up six kilograms better off. “I thought his run on Sunday was very good, he carried a lot of weight and he was very diligent. I was very happy,” Thurlow said. Allpress sported the red-and-white colours of owner-breeders Humphrey and Fiona O’Leary, the couple also dreaming of another Auckland Cup triumph after claiming the 2018 edition with the Allan Sharrock-trained Ladies First. “When he (Whangaehu) came back from Australia, we spoke with the owners and they were very keen for us to try and get to the Cup, that was their wish, so we set on a path to do that,” Thurlow said. “It’s been our plan for a while, but it was whether or not he was going to make the field, but it looks like we’ve made it.” Te Akau’s Prise De Fer will contend with the 57kg topweight, while Whangaehu will enjoy the luxury of the 52kg minimum, and his regular rider in Allpress. “Lisa will stay with him, he’ll have a significant weight drop which will help, but he’ll need all the help he can get in the Cup,” Thurlow said. Before heading north, Thurlow’s talented filly No Rain Ever will prepare for her next black-type quest in the Cavallo Farm & Chris Rutten Bloodstock 3YO (1300m) at Otaki on Wednesday. The daughter of No Nay Never made a bold statement with a barnstorming run into third in the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m) on February 17, Thurlow now determining whether the Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) or the Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) will deem more suitable. “She’s come away from her Ellerslie trip very well, it hasn’t bothered her, and I think she’s come on from it. We’re really happy with her,” he said. “She’ll probably go back a little bit in the running, but I’ll leave that to Craig (Grylls, jockey), he’s riding very well at the moment and knows her well. She certainly won’t lead, but he’ll find a nice spot from that gate (7) in a smaller field. “All going well on Wednesday, she’ll go to Wellington next Saturday, but we’re just not sure which race she’ll run in. It could be that she runs in the Cuddle over a mile instead, we’ll make our minds up after the race.” Stablemate Field Of Gold completes Thurlow’s pair at the Otaki meeting, apprentice Toni Davies providing three-kilogram weight relief from 62kg. “I think he may still be a run away, but I’m very happy with him, he’s progressing really well,” Thurlow said. “He’s just taken a little bit longer to come up than we would’ve liked, but I was happy with his run at Ellerslie, he ran a really good race. Even though he wasn’t right in it, he didn’t give it away and kept trying hard to the line. “This is a drop in class, we’ve decided to do that just to hopefully get his confidence up. If we can get him back on track, there’s definitely a good race in him going forward. “It may be a race like the Hawke’s Bay Cup (Listed, 2200m), nothing is set in stone, but that could be a nice race for him further down the track.” Horse racing news View the full article

Collect Your Cash following his win in last month’s Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) at Wingatui. Photo: Monica Toretto Local trainer Shankar Muniandy continued his great run of form at Wingatui on Saturday, adding a win and two runner-up results to his season tally. He now sits on six wins and more than $180,000 in earnings, highlighted by Collect Your Cash’s victory in last month’s Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m), his first stakes triumph. The three-year-old son of Rageese was subsequently sixth in the Listed Southland Guineas (1600m) at Ascot Park and returned to Wingatui over the weekend where he ran fourth. Muniandy was pleased with the run and had planned on heading north with the gelding for next week’s Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham, but the decision has been made to send him out for a well-deserved spell and concentrate on next season with him. “The plan was to head to the Wellington Guineas and that was his lead-in run on Saturday and he went really well,” Muniandy said. “I talked with the owners last night, he has done well for them, and we have decided to send him for a spell. “We want to look after him and we think he has a bright future next prep. He is a staying type of horse and there are a lot of opportunities for him next year.” Meanwhile, Lucienne doubled her win tally for the stable when victorious in the hands of Muniandy’s jockey brother Ruvanesh. “She is a nice horse,” Muniandy said. “She has only had five starts for me and this is her second win. She is not an easy horse to train, she is pretty hard work. “To come home like she did on Saturday, she was able to show her class.” Lucienne is also enjoying some time in the paddock but will be set to head to Riccarton later this month. “We will give her three or four quiet days in the paddock and go from there,” Muniandy said. “We have got some nice races coming up in Christchurch in a few weeks’ time.” Muniandy also recorded two runner-up results on Saturday courtesy of Enterprise and Salaam Namastey. He was particularly pleased with Enterprise’s debut showing, with the promising son of U S Navy Flag now enjoying a spell ahead of what Muniandy is tipping to be a bright future on the track. “He has always shown a bit and I was really happy with the run, he is a nice horse,” Muniandy said. “We pulled his shoes off this morning and he will be going to the paddock. “He has got the pedigree behind him. He is a lovely horse and there has been a plan with him from day one. He will head towards the Guineas races (next season). It was a good educational run (on Saturday) and it has done him the world of good.” Stablemate Perfect California was runner-up in last year’s edition of the race behind subsequent stakes performer Cu Chulainn, and Muniandy is looking forward to her return to the races later this month. “We have got a three-year-old filly, Perfect California, she ran second in the same two-year-old race last year,” he said. “She is going really well and she is ready to race at Wingatui on the 17th (of March).” Horse racing news View the full article

Te Akau Racing trainer Mark Walker. Photo: Trish Dunell Exciting young prospect Nucleozor will be given his chance at attaining black-type in the coming months following his pleasing debut victory at Wingatui on Saturday. Bred and raced by Te Akau Stud and Westonlea Bloodstock, the son of Almanzor had two previous trials, placing behind subsequent multiple Group performer Poetic Champion over 850m at Te Awamutu last November before winning his 800m heat at Riccarton last month. Punters took note of his trial form, backing him into +240 favouritism with horse racing betting sites ahead of stablemate Discretion Rules at +250. Nucleozor was caught three-wide with cover through the middle stages before improving five-wide at that turn and under the urgings of jockey Ashvin Goindasamy he showed a good turn of foot late and was able to reel in the Shankar Muniandy-trained Enterprise to win by half a length, with stablemate Discretion Rules a further three-quarters of a length back in third. “It was a really good win because it’s hard to sit wide, especially over that short distance, and then find the line like he did,” said Mark Walker, who trains Nucleozor in partnership with Sam Bergerson. “Hunter (Durrant, Riccarton stable foreman) is doing a fine job with the horses in the South Island. He’s a gun track work rider and that’s a big help with these young horses. “He’s (Nucleozor) definitely up to black-type level and we’ll give him that chance in his next few starts.” Durrant was pleased with Nucleozor’s debut showing and is looking forward to watching him take on stakes company in the near future. “He (Nucleozor) travelled down well and has a good constitution on him. He just wants to eat and work, he’s so professional,” Durrant said. “We gave him a quiet trial at Riccarton, behind runners, and he did it nicely in winning, and he’d worked great since then. “He’s pretty laidback, they both are, and it was great to see Discretion Rules hit the line well too. Lily (Sutherland, jockey) felt Discretion Rules would improve for it, but he’s very quiet as well and does everything right. “They’ll have some stakes race options coming up for them, and also Quintefeuille, who won on 10 February at Riccarton.” Bred and owned by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis and Weston Lea Bloodstock’s David Peacocke, the Te Akau Racing-trained dam, Nucleonic, impressed winning on debut over 1200m as a two-year-old, while granddam Mexican Rose was Champion two-year-old and three-year-old in Singapore, having first impressed when winning two of her three starts in New Zealand. “Greg Tomlinson (Nearco Stud) and I bought Mexican Rose,” Ellis said. “We sold two O’Reilly colts out of her for good money and her weanling topped the sale in 2016. “She was pretty smart, Nucleonic, and this is her third foal, so it’s great to get another promising horse like this early in her breeding career. “The Peacocke family has had a lot of success with Te Akau, racing Avantage among others, and have a long family involvement in racing. “We won the same race last year with our homebred Cu Chulainn and it was great to do it again with Nucleozor.” The family had another pleasing result on Saturday, with Nucleozor’s full-sister Qali Al Farrasha gaining black-type when runner-up behind Positivity in the Group 3 Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie. Horse racing news View the full article

Ricky Yiu’s in-form speedster carries 134 pounds from gate nine as he eyes a third consecutive Class Three win on Wednesday nightView the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, March 6, 2024 First Race 6:40pm HKT (9:40pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to the bright lights of Happy Valley on Wednesday evening as the city circuit gets set to host a bumper nine-race program. The rail is in the B position for the meeting, and with some chance of showers hitting the course proper, punters should be wary of a possible downgrade into the Soft range. The action is scheduled to get underway at 6:40pm HKT (9:40pm AEDT). Best Bet at Happy Valley: Kyrus Unicorn Kyrus Unicorn won five starts ago in Class 5 company and has only managed one minor placing since, coming in his most recent start at this course and distance on February 21. It was a slowly run 1800m affair which didn’t allow the son of Havana Gold to utilise his scintillating turn-of-foot, while the eventual winner, Serangoon, got every favour along the inside rail. Kyrus Unicorn gets a swing in the weights against some key opposition, and if the speed is on, watch for this guy to be storming down the centre of the track. Best Bet Race 3 – #10 Kyrus Unicorn (3) 8yo Gelding | T: David Hall | J: Brenton Avdulla (55kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best at Happy Valley: Quantum Patch Quantum Patch was hopelessly held at Sha Tin on February 12 and never got clear running in the home straight, yet he only went down by 2.3 lengths. His five starts on this course prior to that effort read exceptionally well, including a runner-up effort behind an airborne M Unicorn on his last visit. He might need favours at some stage with a small field of nine engaged, but leave it to Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton to navigate a passage to victory. Next Best Race 5 – #4 Quantum Patch (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Pierre Ng | J: Zac Purton (59kg) Bet with Unibet Best Value at Happy Valley: Solar Partner Solar Partner returns to Class 4 company for the first time since June 2023, when he was last victorious for the Ricky Yiu camp. He has been racing consistently since heading into Class 3, including a 5.8-length defeat to Ka Ying Rising on February 12. There should be speed to burn in this 1200m contest, which should suit Solar Partner’s get-back style of racing, and we are getting a nice each-way price with the top HK racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 6 – #1 Solar Partner (6) 6yo Gelding | T: Ricky Yiu | J: Hugh Bowman (61kg) Bet with Neds Hong Kong Wednesay quaddie tips – March 6, 2024 Happy Valley quadrella selections Wednesday, March 6, 2024 1-4-6-8-9 2-3-4-9 3-5-7-8-12 1-2-7-10 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Warwick Farm Races Where Warwick Farm Racecourse – 2 Hume Hwy, Warwick Farm NSW 2170 When Wednesday, March 6, 2024 First Race 1:45pm AEDT Visit Dabble Metropolitan racing returns to Warwick Farm on Wednesday afternoon for an ultra-competitive eight-race program. The rail is back in the true position throughout the entire circuit, and with the start of autumn bringing some much-appreciated cooling conditions, the track should be a genuine Good 4. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 1:45pm local time. Best Bet: Pasima Three straight runner-up performances have Pasima on the right track as he heads into this 1600m maiden contest. The son of Pierro was looming large behind Miss Chenery in his most recent effort at Canterbury on February 9, going down by less than a half-length. Jason Collett retains the ride aboard the Ciaron Maher-trained colt, and provided Pasima’s form holds up as he gets deeper into the campaign, he must be considered the one to beat. Best Bet Race 2 – #1 Pasima (7) 3yo Colt | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Jason Collett (60.5kg) Bet with Unibet Next Best: Etna Rosso Etna Rosso has been making steady improvement throughout his first Australian campaign and appears primed third-up for the Chris Waller barn. The European import was strong through the line at Randwick on February 17 but just found the 1600m a bit too sharp in BM88 company. He drops back into BM72 grade and will need to lug 61kg to victory, but with James McDonald in the saddle over a more suitable distance, Etna Rosso looks a cracking bet in this staying contest. Next Best Race 4 – #1 Etna Rosso (4) 4yo Horse | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (61kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best Again: Piercing Arrow Piercing Arrow was an impressive debut winner at Warwick Farm on May 31 last year before going straight to the paddock following a setback. The three-year-old has had two strong jump-outs to prepare for this, with his latest catching the eye behind last Saturday’s Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) winner, Phearson. Piercing Arrow will stride forward under Adam Hyronimus, and despite the lengthy layoff, he should be fighting out the finish. Next Best Again Race 5 – #1 Piercing Arrow (4) 3yo Colt | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Adam Hyeronimus (61kg) Bet with Neds Wednesday’s Warwick Farm quaddie tips Warwick Farm quadrella selections Wednesday, March 6, 2024 1-5-10-12 1-2-4-7-10 1-4-6-7-11 1-2-5-6-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Local trainer Shankar Muniandy continued his great run of form at Wingatui on Saturday, adding a win and two runner-up results to his season tally. He now sits on six wins and more than $180,000 in earnings, highlighted by Collect Your Cash’s victory in last month’s Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m), his first stakes triumph. The three-year-old son of Rageese was subsequently sixth in the Listed Southland Guineas (1600m) at Ascot Park and returned to Wingatui over the weekend where he ran fourth in the Nellies Restaurant & Bar (1400m). Muniandy was pleased with the run and had planned on heading north with the gelding for next week’s Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham, but the decision has been made to send him out for a well-deserved spell and concentrate on next season with him. “The plan was to head to the Wellington Guineas and that was his lead-in run on Saturday and he went really well,” Muniandy said. “I talked with the owners last night, he has done well for them, and we have decided to send him for a spell. “We want to look after him and we think he has a bright future next prep. He is a staying type of horse and there are a lot of opportunities for him next year.” Meanwhile, Lucienne doubled her win tally for the stable when victorious in the Be My Guest (1600m) in the hands of Muniandy’s jockey brother Ruvanesh. “She is a nice horse,” Muniandy said. “She has only had five starts for me and this is her second win. She is not an easy horse to train, she is pretty hard work. “To come home like she did on Saturday, she was able to show her class.” Lucienne is also enjoying some time in the paddock but will be set to head to Riccarton later this month. “We will give her three or four quiet days in the paddock and go from there,” Muniandy said. “We have got some nice races coming up in Christchurch in a few weeks’ time.” Muniandy also recorded two runner-up results on Saturday courtesy of Enterprise in the Dakota Boutique + Lifestyle (820m) and Salaam Namastey in the Grand Casino (1600m). He was particularly pleased with Enterprise’s debut showing, with the promising son of U S Navy Flag now enjoying a spell ahead of what Muniandy is tipping to be a bright future on the track. “He has always shown a bit and I was really happy with the run, he is a nice horse,” Muniandy said. “We pulled his shoes off this morning and he will be going to the paddock. “He has got the pedigree behind him. He is a lovely horse and there has been a plan with him from day one. He will head towards the Guineas races (next season). It was a good educational run (on Saturday) and it has done him the world of good.” Stablemate Perfect California was runner-up in last year’s edition of the race behind subsequent stakes performer Cu Chulainn, and Muniandy is looking forward to her return to the races later this month. “We have got a three-year-old filly, Perfect California, she ran second in the same two-year-old race last year,” he said. “She is going really well and she is ready to race at Wingatui on the 17th (of March).” View the full article

Whangaehu has taken a significantly different route to the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) than Bill Thurlow’s last contender, but the Waverley trainer is hopeful he can produce an identical result on Saturday at Ellerslie. Thurlow prepared his former star mare Glory Days to an emphatic victory in the two-mile feature five years ago, the mare’s ideal lead-in preparation culminating in winning the Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m) three weeks prior. A son of Proisir, Whangaehu returned to New Zealand in late 2023 after a year under Chris Waller’s care across the Tasman, and Thurlow has carefully weaved an unorthodox path to the Cup, albeit only assured of a place in the final field on Monday morning. The gelding was an impressive winner of the Wairoa Cup (2200m) in mid-February, with his handicap rising to just 77, and in a last-ditch effort to raise his rating, Whangaehu defied his 61kg impost to score in The Wright Cabins (2050m) at Tauherenikau on Sunday. In the hands of Lisa Allpress, Whangaehu travelled comfortably midfield throughout, and after being briefly held-up at the top of the straight, showed his class to fight off Ruby Rocks to score by three-quarters of a length, the runner-up six kilograms better off. “I thought his run on Sunday was very good, he carried a lot of weight and he was very diligent. I was very happy,” Thurlow said. Allpress sported the red-and-white colours of owner-breeders Humphrey and Fiona O’Leary, the couple also dreaming of another Auckland Cup triumph after claiming the 2018 edition with the Allan Sharrock-trained Ladies First. “When he (Whangaehu) came back from Australia, we spoke with the owners and they were very keen for us to try and get to the Cup, that was their wish, so we set on a path to do that,” Thurlow said. “It’s been our plan for a while, but it was whether or not he was going to make the field, but it looks like we’ve made it.” Te Akau’s Prise De Fer will contend with the 57kg topweight, while Whangaehu will enjoy the luxury of the 52kg minimum, and his regular rider in Allpress. “Lisa will stay with him, he’ll have a significant weight drop which will help, but he’ll need all the help he can get in the Cup,” Thurlow said. Before heading north, Thurlow’s talented filly No Rain Ever will prepare for her next black-type quest in the Cavallo Farm & Chris Rutten Bloodstock 3YO (1300m) at Otaki on Wednesday. The daughter of No Nay Never made a bold statement with a barnstorming run into third in the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m) on February 17, Thurlow now determining whether the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) or the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) will deem more suitable. “She’s come away from her Ellerslie trip very well, it hasn’t bothered her, and I think she’s come on from it. We’re really happy with her,” he said. “She’ll probably go back a little bit in the running, but I’ll leave that to Craig (Grylls, jockey), he’s riding very well at the moment and knows her well. She certainly won’t lead, but he’ll find a nice spot from that gate (7) in a smaller field. “All going well on Wednesday, she’ll go to Wellington next Saturday (16 March), but we’re just not sure which race she’ll run in. It could be that she runs in the Cuddle over a mile instead, we’ll make our minds up after the race.” Stablemate Field Of Gold completes Thurlow’s pair at the Otaki meeting in the Vets On Riverbank Handicap (1600m), apprentice Toni Davies providing three-kilogram weight relief from 62kg. “I think he may still be a run away, but I’m very happy with him, he’s progressing really well,” Thurlow said. “He’s just taken a little bit longer to come up than we would’ve liked, but I was happy with his run at Ellerslie, he ran a really good race. Even though he wasn’t right in it, he didn’t give it away and kept trying hard to the line. “This is a drop in class, we’ve decided to do that just to hopefully get his confidence up. If we can get him back on track, there’s definitely a good race in him going forward. “It may be a race like the Hawke’s Bay Cup (Listed, 2200m), nothing is set in stone, but that could be a nice race for him further down the track.” View the full article

The final countdown is on to take advantage of the early-bird pricing for the Entain-NZB Insurance Pearl Series. With less than four weeks to enter your 2022-born filly at the reduced price of $1,000 + GST, the time is now! The Entain-NZB Insurance Pearl Series bonuses have been DOUBLED! Winning one of these bonus races means: The winning filly/mare will take home $22,000 for her connections – surplus to her winning stake! Plus, trainers and nominators get the added bonus of $1,000 for every Pearl Series winning filly/mare Second place takes home $4,000 and third place takes home $2,000 It pays to nominate! Early-bird pricing ends SUNDAY MARCH 31, so head to https://pearlseries.nzthoroughbred.co.nz/ View the full article

Waikato Stud celebrated trans-Tasman success at the weekend with female representatives of two of their leading families and the nursery is well-placed to continue reaping future rewards. The Matamata farm’s colours were carried to victory by Savabeel filly Certainly in the Gr.3 Mufhasa Stakes (1400m) while their champion stallion also sired homebred Gr.2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) winner Atishu. Australia now beckons the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Certainly, a retained daughter of the Pins mare Frankly whose four foals to race have all been successful. “It is O’Reilly and Courtza’s family and funnily enough we’ve got a bit of that family but not a hell of a lot,” farm principal Mark Chittick said. “Over the last couple of years, we have been very conscious of Savabeel’s stage of life and we’re not going to be able to keep making these fillies forever. “We’re keeping an eye on that and will be doing so in the future.” A half-sister to dual Listed winner Ocean Beyond, Certainly provided her trainers and rider Opie Bosson with a notable victory. “It was lovely to be part of Te Akau and Opie’s first win on the new Ellerslie track,” Chittick said. “Mark and the stable have held her in very high regard, so it was great to get that result and it was a lovely ride. “He needed the right horse underneath him to get out and do what she did, obviously we were rapt and excited about going forward.” Certainly has bounced through her latest outing well and will now likely join Te Akau’s Cranbourne base. “Mark and I had a bit of a yarn and he said she has come through the run extremely well,” Chittick said. “He’s leaning toward the Group Three race (Alexandra Stakes, 1600m) in three weeks’ time and then maybe the Australasian Oaks (Gr.1, 2000m) or something like that.” Frankly has an unraced juvenile filly by Ocean Park and is in foal to Noverre after producing a daughter to the Group One-winning son of Savabeel last year. Dual Group One winner Atishu was sold at Karaka in 2019 to Albert Bosma’s Go Racing for $260,000 and is out of the No Excuse Needed mare Posy, a sister to three-time Group One winner Daffodil. Waikato Stud retained and raced Atishu’s sister Mazzolino, who won the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and was a multiple black-type placegetter. “She is back on the farm and is in foal to Super Seth,” Chittick said. Posy is in foal to Ardrossan and hails from a family, that also features Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Orchestral and the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Aegon, the farm has been involved with for decades. “It’s a great family and our entry came some 30 years or so ago with our relationship with Chris Turner (of Veandercross fame),” Chittick said. “It started in the Palmerston North days of Thornton Park through Head Of The River, Chris owned her and we went 50/50 and she came up with us to Waikato Stud.” Head Of The River produced seven winers, including Posy’s dam Spring, a daughter of O’Reilly. “As a yearling, Spring was a bit immature so we kept her and bought Chris’ half-share out,” Chittick said. She won her first two starts as a three-year-old before finishing sixth in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and then suffered a serious injury. “Spring broke a leg in the Bayer Classic (Gr.1, 1600m), but was fortunately saved,” Chittick said. Meanwhile, another high-class daughter of Savabeel will represent the stud and Te Akau Racing at Flemington on Saturday when Skew Wiff steps out in the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m). “She will run and we are taking on the stablemate Imperatriz, so let’s hope Te Akau will quinella the race,” Chittick said. View the full article

Exciting young prospect Nucleozor will be given his chance at attaining black-type in the coming months following his pleasing debut victory at Wingatui on Saturday. Bred and raced by Te Akau Stud and Westonlea Bloodstock, the son of Almanzor had two previous trials, placing behind subsequent multiple Group performer Poetic Champion over 850m at Te Awamutu last November before winning his 800m heat at Riccarton last month. Punters took note of his trial form, backing him into $3.40 favouritism in the Dakota Boutique + Lifestyle (820m) ahead of stablemate Discretion Rules at $3.50. Nucleozor was caught three-wide with cover through the middle stages before improving five-wide at that turn and under the urgings of jockey Ashvin Goindasamy he showed a good turn of foot late and was able to reel in the Shankar Muniandy-trained Enterprise to win by half a length, with stablemate Discretion Rules a further three-quarters of a length back in third. “It was a really good win because it’s hard to sit wide, especially over that short distance, and then find the line like he did,” said Mark Walker, who trains Nucleozor in partnership with Sam Bergerson. “Hunter (Durrant, Riccarton stable foreman) is doing a fine job with the horses in the South Island. He’s a gun track work rider and that’s a big help with these young horses. “He’s (Nucleozor) definitely up to black-type level and we’ll give him that chance in his next few starts.” Durrant was pleased with Nucleozor’s debut showing and is looking forward to watching him take on stakes company in the near future. “He (Nucleozor) travelled down well and has a good constitution on him. He just wants to eat and work, he’s so professional,” Durrant said. “We gave him a quiet trial at Riccarton, behind runners, and he did it nicely in winning, and he’d worked great since then. “He’s pretty laidback, they both are, and it was great to see Discretion Rules hit the line well too. Lily (Sutherland, jockey) felt Discretion Rules would improve for it, but he’s very quiet as well and does everything right. “They’ll have some stakes race options coming up for them, and also Quintefeuille, who won on 10 February at Riccarton.” Bred and owned by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis and Weston Lea Bloodstock’s David Peacocke, the Te Akau Racing-trained dam, Nucleonic, impressed winning on debut over 1200m as a two-year-old, while granddam Mexican Rose was Champion two-year-old and three-year-old in Singapore, having first impressed when winning two of her three starts in New Zealand. “Greg Tomlinson (Nearco Stud) and I bought Mexican Rose,” Ellis said. “We sold two O’Reilly colts out of her for good money and her weanling topped the sale in 2016. “She was pretty smart, Nucleonic, and this is her third foal, so it’s great to get another promising horse like this early in her breeding career. “The Peacocke family has had a lot of success with Te Akau, racing Avantage among others, and have a long family involvement in racing. “We won the same race last year with our homebred Cu Chulainn and it was great to do it again with Nucleozor.” The family had another pleasing result on Saturday, with Nucleozor’s full-sister Qali Al Farrasha gaining black-type when runner-up behind Positivity in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie. View the full article

Trans-Tasman trainer Michael Moroney caused one of the biggest upsets in Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) history when Roch ‘N’ Horse took out the Flemington feature two years ago as a $101 outsider, and now his son-in-law Chad Ormsby is hoping to replicate that feat. Ormsby is over in Melbourne on a hit-and-run mission with his exciting sprinter Master Fay, who has made a remarkable comeback following a three-year hiatus from racing. Purchased as a yearling by Ormsby under his Riverrock Farm banner, Master Fay was subsequently sold to Hong Kong as a juvenile where he had one start for one win before returning to New Zealand and the care of Ormsby. “He was one that we purchased as a yearling and then sold on after a trial win and went up to Hong Kong,” Ormsby told Racing.com. “He had one start up there and was an impressive winner. For some reason, I think soundness issues, he didn’t race for a few years and then I managed to get him back home to retire.” Master Fay’s enthusiasm in the paddock enticed Ormsby to try Master Fay on the racetrack once more and he has been a revelation for the Matamata horseman, winning impressively first-up at Tauranga in January before heading to Ellerslie a fortnight later where he took out the Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) in emphatic style. “He acts like a bit of a young two-year-old, so when you look out the window and you see him running around like a bit of a clown, he was keen to do something as well, so it all worked out well,” Ormsby said. Orsmby has always had a high opinion of the now six-year-old, and the feats of Roch ‘N’ Horse in the race Newmarket Handicap two years ago spurred his decision to cross the Tasman with his charge. “That made it a little bit more encouraging, off the back of Roch ‘N’ Horse, seeing it can be done,” Ormsby said. “She was a very, very good horse, right up there with the best of them. We’re hoping that we can emulate that and go along those lines. “It’s all new territory for us and the horse, he’s only going to have his fourth start, so it’s a big ask.” Master Fay had his first look at Flemington last Friday where he pleased in his jump-out under jockey Craig Newitt. “It was really nice,” Ormsby said. “Craig Newitt, who rode him, gave him a good, glowing report shortly after. He looked keen, he was willing to get on with the job. “It’s one (run) at this stage. He seemed to settle in really well and he’s enjoying his time here, so we may push on a little bit afterwards. It just comes down to him and his condition. It’s only his first prep back after having three years off. I think there’s more in store down the future.” View the full article

Helios Express (purple and yellow silks) overtakes Chancheng Glory in a desperate finish. Helios Express will be given the chance to match the colossal deeds of Golden Sixty and Rapper Dragon by chasing a Four-Year-Old Classic Series clean sweep and HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) success after John Size’s emerging star’s narrow HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) victory at Sha Tin on Sunday. Winner of the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) last month, Helios Express gave Size a fifth Hong Kong Classic Cup win, joining Unique Jewellery (2009), It Has To Be You (2013), Thunder Fantasy (2015) and Sun Jewellery (2016). The high-class galloper was forced to dig deep under Hugh Bowman before catching Chancheng Glory and Keagan De Melo in the last stride after finally bullocking into the clear late, eventually winning by a short head as Size’s stablemate Ensued finished third, two and three-quarters of a length further back under Ryan Moore. Inconvenienced when the tempo came out of the race between the 800m and 400m with a 24.40s split, Helios Express needed luck in gaining a run but still clocked the fastest final sectional of 22.93s to grab Chancheng Glory in an overall time of 1:47.73s. “It seemed like he was pretty strong in the run in a slow-run race and he was lucky to get out, get the breaks and get the leader,” Size said. “It could have been prettier than that, but he got the job done, so that’s the main thing. “I’m not sure how confident he (Bowman) was that he was going to win, but it was a difficult assignment for any rider and he certainly made a good fist of it.” Addressing the Hong Kong Derby on March 24, Size said: “The degree of difficulty just gets greater as these races continue for each of the horses. His health has been good and his work’s been good so, at the moment, we’re hoping he’s got another one in him.” Notching a treble with success on Sun Of Makfi for David Hall and Blue Marlin for Douglas Whyte, Bowman hopes Helios Express – winner of six of eight Hong Kong starts and HK$23.07 million prize money after leaving Australia as a Benalla maiden winner – can match the deeds of Golden Sixty (2020) and Rapper Dragon (2017) by snaring all three legs of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series. “He settled really well but then when the pace started to change, it got really muddling around the corner, he didn’t cope with that very well. It’s hard to be too critical of him for that reason, either. With a smooth run race (in the Derby), he’ll be okay,” Bowman said. “He needs an even tempo, he doesn’t particularly need it fast. Like all horses, he’s going to benefit from an even pace. It’s not only him – it’s the entire field. “Look, it (Classic Cup) probably doesn’t define the Derby picture. It wasn’t run genuinely enough, so two good horses fought the finish out and I’m very proud of my horse because he had to dig deep and most horses wouldn’t have done that. “There were a few anxious moments at the 700m when I couldn’t hold him but I was given no option but to ride him as I rode him, given the way the race panned out.” Dennis Yip’s Massive Sovereign charged into Hong Kong Derby calculations with a dazzling win for Dennis Yip and providing Zac Purton with a treble. Formerly known as Broadhurst when trained by Aidan O’Brien, Massive Sovereign earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million and impressed six-time champion jockey Purton, who also scored on Oriental Smoke and Devas Twelve, with his striking three and quarter-length win. “I’ve liked him (Massive Sovereign) in everything I’ve had to do with him, he’s just got a lovely attitude,” Purton said. “He really conserves his energy and looks after himself well. His trials, I thought, were good and it was unconventional to run him over 2000 metres the first time but the owner really wants to run him in the Derby. “We had to roll the dice and if it worked, it worked – which it has. Off that effort, he’s got to be in the Derby field, doesn’t he?” David Hayes produced a double, scoring with Oriental Smoke for Purton and Nervous Witness under Andrea Atzeni. Purton also prevailed on Chris So’s Devas Twelve, while Harry Bentley also posted a brace with Ricky Yiu’s Mr Ascendency and Mark Newnham’s Prawns Eleven, who finished powerfully. “Great to get a double. I’m really pleased with how things are going at the moment. The momentum is up and to be able to capitalise is really good – hopefully there’s more to come,” Bentley said. By Super Easy, Prawns Eleven collected a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million. Blake Shinn made a triumphant return to Hong Kong, teaming with familiar ally Caspar Fownes aboard Sky Heart. “Very special, actually. Caspar was wonderful to my career when I was based full-time in Hong Kong for three years,” Shinn said. “Still to have that association and for him to ask me to come over here today – he’s thrown me a great book of rides – is wonderful. “To win in these colours is obviously very sentimental, obviously going back to (2021 Hong Kong Sprint winner) Sky Field. It’s really fitting that I could come here today and get a result for Caspar and his owners.” Horse racing news View the full article

Trained by Christophe Clement, the Liam's Map colt entered the one-turn mile for sophomores from a seven-month layoff following his successful debut in August and showed no signs of rust with a stylish score under Joel Rosario.View the full article