Wandering Eyes

Spendthrift Farm's Kingsbarns returned from an 8 1/2-month layoff to score in a second-level allowance optional claiming race March 2 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Military Law earned a spot in the Dubai World Cup (G1) on Super Saturday in Dubai as a full slate of features produced prospects not only for the biggest program on the local scene but also for Europe and American summer racing.View the full article

Last fall's Breeders' Futurity (G1) winner Locked and impressive maiden runner-up Victory Avenue were scratched from the $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park March 2 the morning of the race.View the full article

Helios Express is a solid favorite for the Hong Kong Classic Cup March 3, the second leg of the Hong Kong Derby series, but jockey Hugh Bowman has a few concerns about the added distance of that heat.View the full article

Overwhelming 1-5 morning-line favorite Nysos has been scratched from the March 2 San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

After prevailing in a case in which he was facing multiple federal charges related to distributing controlled substances, the Northern Kentucky-based Kendall Hansen said hopes to return to owning Thoroughbreds. View the full article

6th-Gulfstream, $73,420, Alw (C)/Opt. Clm ($62,500), 3-2, 4yo/up, 7f, 1:22.47, ft, 1/2 length. KINGSBARNS (c, 4, Uncle Mo–Lady Tapit {GSP}, by Tapit), last year's GII Louisiana Derby winner, made his return to the races Saturday off nearly a nine-month layoff. A player on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the son of Uncle Mo wound up 14th behind Mage (Good Magic) under the TwinSpires and finished his 3-year-old season beaten just a neck as the heavy favorite in the Pegasus S. at Monmouth June 17. Confidently bet at 3-5 in his first trip back to Gulfstream since breaking his maiden in Jan. 2023, Kingsbarns was outrun by much of the field through the opening half mile in :44.52 as Vivir Con Alegria (Chi) (Flyer {Chi}) led. The pace began to catch up to the frontrunner and Kingsbarns swung off the turn three wide with a clear path to go by, doing so inside the final sixteenth to pick up the half-length win. Vivir Con Alegria held second at odds of 12-1. An $800,000 2-year-old buy for Spendthrift Farm, Kingsbarns is out of a half to GISW Gozzip Girl (Dynaformer). Lady Tapi's now 2-year-old Gun Runner colt sold as a yearling for $650,000 at Keeneland last September. She foaled a Munnings filly in 2023 and visited Not This Time for this year. Sales History: $250,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG; $800,000 2yo '22 FTFMAR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-4-1-0, $731,100. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-Parks Investment Group, LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. Last year's GII Louisiana Derby winner #5 KINGSBARNS ($3.20) made his return to the races a winning one, getting up in the nick of time to win race 6 at Gulfstream Park. The son of @coolmoreamerica's Uncle Mo was ridden by Luis Suez for @PletcherRacing and @spendthriftfarm. pic.twitter.com/QD7h1JQno4 — TVG (@TVG) March 2, 2024 The post Louisiana Derby Winner Kingsbarns Triumphant In 4-Year-Old Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer John Size has won the Hong Kong Classic Cup, the second leg of the 4-year-old Triple Crown, no fewer than four times and he'll saddle two of the top fancies as he looks for his first victory in the race since Sun Jewellery (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) in 2011 Sunday afternoon at Sha Tin Racecourse. Helios Express (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) is the lone member of the 14-strong field rated in triple figures (102), has won six of his eight lifetime starts and three of his last four. Drawn neatly in gate two Sunday, the bay was impressive in defeating Class 2 rivals over a mile Jan. 7 and backed up the performance with a 1 3/4-length defeat of Helene Feeling (Ire) (Sioux Nation) and a running-on Star Mac (Aus) (Heroic Valour {Aus}) in a slowly run renewal of the Hong Kong Classic Mile four weeks back. The 1800 metres of Sunday's test is as far as he's been, and he'll need to switch off better if he is to see it out, his connections admit. Size said: “We're trying to adapt to a distance and to a tempo, which always is an issue for the jockeys who manage the horse through the race, so it depends on the circumstances on the day and what sections they run during the race. So far, he's been okay.” Size's second entry, Ensued (Lemon Drop Kid), will look to become the first US-bred to take the Classic Cup since Zaidan (Street Cry {Ire}) back in 2012. Placed twice from three overseas runs for James Fanshawe, the bay gelding broke his maiden on local debut over 1800 metres last October and–equally unusually–already owns two victories over the BMW Hong Kong Derby trip of 2000 metres. A horse that grinds it out, he just missed in Class 2 over the metric 10 furlongs, but tries restricted company for the first time in Hong Kong. “He's been quite unusual the way he came into Hong Kong and won immediately at a distance, that doesn't happen too often so he's sort of stamped himself as one who has adapted to Hong Kong quite quickly,” Size said. “[Being] just a little bit one-paced is probably the chink in his armour, he just doesn't have enough acceleration. But, with that, as long as he's running in a forward position and running freely, that's okay.” Two other American-breds are rough chances, Chancheng Glory (Mor Spirit) and Unbelievable (Justify). Chill Chibi (NZ) (Wrote {Ire}) posted four straight wins over the course of last season and this season at Happy Valley before having the streak snapped by subsequent G3 January Cup H. hero Happy Together (Ire) (Dragon Pulse {Ire}) Dec. 20. Having missed the Classic Mile via a minor setback, he makes his Sha Tin debut Sunday. The post Size Runners Dominate Market For Hong Kong Classic Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

7th-GP, $89K, MSW, 3yo, f, 7f, 3:09 p.m. Owned in partnership by Woodford Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds and Chris Larsen, SEDONA (Curlin) debuts Sunday at Gulfstream Park for trainer Shug McGaughey. The full-sister to MGSW/GISP and $1.5m FTSAUG yearling First Captain nearly topped 2022's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale when selling for $2,000,000. Dam America, herself a graded stakes winner and dual Grade-I placed, last went through the auction ring late last year at FTKNOV but failed to meet her reserve at $1,200,000. She also RNA'd for $3.1m at FTKNOV back in 2019. The family has produced plenty of pricey horses including America's half-sister Paris Bikini (Bernardini) who brought $1.95m at FTKNOV in 2020 and that mare's daughter, GISW Paris Lights (Curlin), who went to Spendthrift Farm on a final bid of $3.1m at KEENOV in 2021. TJCIS PPS 5th-FG, $57K, MSW, 3yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 3:45 p.m. Spendthrift homebred Wine and Waves (Vino Rosso), running for Albert Stall, Jr., debuts on the grass Sunday in New Orleans. A daughter of MGSW/GISP Malibu Pier, she is a half to SW and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf runner up Coasted (Tizway) who went the way of Katsumi Yoshida for $1.3m at FTKNOV in 2017 and produced Japanese GSW Danon Beluga (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}, runner up in last year's G1 DP World Dubai Turf. Malibu Pier is additionally responsible for MGSP Malibu Stacy (Tizway). Wine and Waves drilled four furlongs in a near-bullet :47 4/5 (2/54) Feb. 22 in preparation for her debut. TJCIS PPS The post Sunday Insight: $2M Full Sister To First Captain Debuts At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Charlie Appleby, runaway leading trainer this season at Meydan by both earnings ($8,915,500) and percentage of wins (40%) amongst those conditioners with more than a handful of runners at the meet, got his third winner on the Super Saturday card with LEGEND OF TIME (GB) (c, 3, Sea The Stars {Ire}-Kissable {Ire}, by Danehill Dancer {Ire}) in the Listed Jumeirah Classic sponsored by Arabian Adventures. His earlier wins on the evening came with Bold Act (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) in the G2 Dubai City of Gold and with Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal) in the Listed Jumeirah Guineas. All three of the winners are Godolphin homebreds. Perfect in his three starts at Meydan, Legend Of Time emerged from the early scrum in an eager third and had to be hard held by jockey William Buick. Quickly settling into a comfortable spot against the rail with cover just behind the leading duo of Athan (Arg) (Orpen) and Musical Act (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Buick bided his time with a clearly loaded mount until the straight loomed. With little visible effort, Legend Of Time tipped out and around Athan as Musical Act floated wide. Legend Of Time already found the front before Buick encouraged him with hands and heels and was a facile winner despite Musical Act finding more and briefly looking for a battle until Legend Of Time kicked clear by 4 3/4 lengths. Like the winner, Musical Act is a Godolphin homebred trained by Appleby. Athan held for third as none of the others factored at the finish. The final time for the 1800 metres was 1:49.83. Legend Of Time has been steadily building his CV, having won his debut at Haydock last fall. Off the board when trying the G3 Tattersalls S. at Newmarket three weeks later, he was put away before reemerging in Dubai to win conditions events Jan. 5 and Feb. 2, going 1400 meters and 1600 meters, respectively. “He's won the series now and probably 1800 metres is more to his liking,” said Buick. “He's an exciting horse for the rest of the season. The American Turf Derby series over there might suit him.” Appleby's exacta in the Jumeirah Classic mirrored his success in the race in 2023, when he sent Naval Power (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), One Nation (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), and Highbank (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) to fill out the trifecta. He only had the two entrants this year. Pedigree Notes: Legend Of Time is the 117th black-type winner worldwide for Gilltown Stud's all-conquering Sea The Stars (Ire). With the Jumeirah Classic winner, the remarkable sire of 70 group winners now has two stakes winners out of daughters of Danehill Dancer and an additional two out of daughters of that one's sire, Danehill. The late Danehill Dancer has 168 stakes winners as a broodmare sire. Kissable (Ire), dam of Legend Of Time and herself a listed American stakes winner who also placed in the G1 Moyglare Stud S., is the dam of G1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu winner Loving Dream (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and additional American SW & GISP Amandine (GB) (Shamardal). Her 2022 Pinatubo (Ire) colt died as a yearling and she produced a Night Of Thunder (Ire) filly last year. Her granddam, English highweight Eva Luna (Alleged), produced highweight and MG1SW Brian Boru (GB) (Sadler's Wells), global MGSW & MG1SP Sea Moon (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}), and the unraced Soviet Moon (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), dam of G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe/G1 Espom Derby winner Workforce (GB) (King's Best). The post Appleby Strikes Again in Jumeirah Classic with Legend Of Time appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SWEEP FEET (JPN) (Suave Richard {Jpn}–Bijou Tosho {Jpn}, by Deep Sky {Jpn}) proved fleetest in the G2 Tulip Sho at Hanshin on Saturday, a prep for the G1 Oka Sho on Apr. 7. It was the first stakes victory for the YGG Horse Club runner. Slowly into stride, she soon raced third last in the strung-out field behind the swift early pace set by Sekitoba East (Jpn) (Declaration Of War), who covered the first quarter in :23.30 and the half-mile in :46.00. In touch with the main body just after half-way, the filly swung wide on the turn and blew past all comers barring the frontrunner 200 metres from the line. Still traveling with a full head of steam, she forged past that rival to win by 1 1/4 lengths in late stretch. Hawaiian Tiare (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) was third, another half-length behind. A winner at Kyoto in October, Sweep Feet ran second in the Shiragiku Sho , but did not lift a hoof when seventh in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. In her 3-year-old bow, she ran second in the Listed Elfin S. Pedigree Notes Sweep Feet is the third stakes winner and third group winner for 2023 Japanese Champion First-Season Sire Suave Richard. He has also been represented by his star filly, G1 Hopeful S. winner Regaleira (Jpn), and G2 Keio Hai Nisai S. victor Corazon Beat (Jpn). Her dam had fillies by Animal Kingdom in 2022 and 2023, before visiting Majestic Warrior last year. Granddam Sweep Tosho (End Sweep) was named Champion Older Mare in Japan, and she also claimed the G1 Takarazuka Kinen. Saturday, Hanshin, Japan TULIP SHO-G2, ¥100,620,000, Hanshin, 3-2, 3yo, f, 1600mT, 1:33.10, gd. 1–SWEEP FEET (JPN), 121, f, 3, by Suave Richard (Jpn) 1st Dam: Bijou Tosho (Jpn), by Deep Sky (Jpn) 2nd Dam: Sweep Tosho (Jpn), by End Sweep 3rd Dam: Tabatha Tosho (Jpn), by Dancing Brave 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. O-YGG Horse Club; B-Seishindai Farm (Jpn); T-Yasushi Shono; J-Yutaka Take; ¥53,134,000. Lifetime Record: 6-2-2-1, ¥72,864,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Sekitoba East (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Declaration of War–Barefoot Lady (Ire), by Footstepsinthesand (GB). *1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (¥23,100,000 Ylg '22 HOKJUL). O-TN Racing; B-Taihei Farm (Jpn); ¥21,324,000. 3–Hawaiian Tiare (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Lord Kanaloa (Jpn)–Moani Ke'ala (Jpn), by Manhattan Café (Jpn). 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Nagoya Yuho Inc.; B-Shadai Farm (Jpn); ¥13,162,000. Margins: 1 1/4, HF, 1HF. Odds: 8.70, 35.30, 153.30. Also Ran: Tagano Elpida (Jpn), Epoch Venus (Jpn), Mirabilis Magic (Jpn), Lavanda (Jpn), Garza Blanca (Jpn), Erato (Jpn), Steelblue (Jpn), Learn The Ropes (Jpn), Blue Eyed Girl (Jpn), Wide Latour (Jpn), Shonan Manuela (Jpn), Itsumo Nikoniko (Jpn), Fleuraison (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Fleet Feet Delivers The Tulips At Hanshin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' and GI Breeders' Futurity winner Locked (Gun Runner) has scratched from Saturday's GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S. along with Victory Avenue (Arrogate) according to social media posts from each horses' respective connections along with a release from Gulfstream Park Saturday morning. Locked was 5-2 on the morning line while Victory Avenue was 4-1. Locked will scratch from today's Fountain of Youth @GulfstreamPark. The Grade 1-winner and @BreedersCup placed son of Gun Runner still has his eye on the prize. We'll regroup and come up with a game plan. #BelieveBig pic.twitter.com/hkvB1zrsCg — Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners (@EclipseTBP) March 2, 2024 Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners noted on X that, “Locked will scratch from today's Fountain of Youth…but still has his eye on the prize. We'll regroup and come up with a game plan.” “He's [Victory Avenue] a high energy horse and he didn't eat his food and is mouse quiet today,” Ramiro Restrepo told Gulfstream media. “That's totally uncharacteristic.” This AM we had to scratch Victory Avenue from today's FOY. VA is normally a high energy, feel good colt. He does not have a fever & externally is fine, But he didn't eat his feed last night/this AM and is a bit quiet. Horse comes first, we'll monitor him & proceed accordingly. pic.twitter.com/zXAn9d3Jk9 — Gustavo Delgado S (@GDS_Racing) March 2, 2024 The post Locked, Victory Avenue Scratch From Fountain Of Youth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kentucky's Thoroughbred retirement home Old Friends welcomed the recently-retired MGSW/MGISP C Z Rocket (City Zip). The 10-year-old gelding arrived Feb. 29 to the farm and was welcomed by founder Michael Blowen and current Old Friends CEO John Nicholson. “CZ Rocket has captured the affections of countless race fans throughout his many years on the track,” said Nicholson. “After such a successful career, this special gelding has earned the right to enjoy being pampered and celebrated here at Old Friends. We are grateful to his connections for seeking such a well-deserved happy retirement for him.” “”We are very grateful to Peter Miller and Tom Kagele for donating C Z Rocket to Old Friends,” added Blowen. C Z Rocket last raced at Oaklawn Park Feb. 19, finishing sixth against a starter allowance field. “Tom [Kagele] and I talked to each other after the race and we both agreed,” Miller told the Paulick Report after the race. “We said, 'It's time, he's done enough. He's sound, healthy, and happy. Let's not push the envelope.'” The gelding retired with a record of 46-13-9-7 and earnings of over $2.1m. “CZ was a special horse that took us to two great finishes in the Breeders' Cup and became one of the best claims of all times,” continued Miller, who also donated Stormy Liberal (Stormy Atlantic) to Old Friends in 2019. “He was a pleasure to be around and train. We chose Old Friends for his retirement because of the care and love these horses receive and the chance for the public to visit and enjoy this magnificent animal as much as we did.” The post C Z Rocket Retired To Old Friends appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Maxis Stable, Foster Family Racing and Chris Vitale's 23-1 longshot Maxisuperfly was hustled out of the gate and never looked back, taking the field gate-to-wire in the $150,000 Cincinnati Trophy Stakes March 1 at Turfway Park.View the full article

Winless since taking out Round 1 of the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge going this track's 1600 metres way back in January 2021 and second in this race the year prior, MILITARY LAW (IRE) (g, 9, Dubawi {Ire}–Marine Bleue {Ire}, by Desert Prince {Ire}) led home a 1-2 finish for his legendary sire in Saturday's G2 Al Maktoum Classic, besting a valiant Walk of Stars (Ire) by a length on the wire. Content on taking a chasing role as Aldous Huxley (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) was hard-ridden to set fast early sections in advance of Quip (Distorted Humor), Military Law settled in a forward position in the run down the back of the track. Aldous Huxley had run his race with the better part of 800 metres left to travel, and Military Law was first to strike to lead them into the straight. He pinched a bit of a break and though Walk of Stars kept battling to the death, he couldn't quite reel in Military Law. Clapton, drawn three and a horse that prefers to race in clear air, was trapped inside and midfield early before improving into the first four nearing the turn. Pulled out three wide to deliver his challenge, he appeared to have every chance, but just failed to finish off his race and settled for third. Sales history: 900,000gns RNA Ylg '16 TATOCT; 110,000gns HRA '19 TATJUL. Lifetime Record: 20-6-4-0. O-Naser Askar; B-Qatar Bloodstock Ltd; T-Musabbeh Al Mheiri. #7 MILITARY LAW (GB) gained the lead on the final turn and held off #13 Walk of Stars to win Meydan's G2 Al Maktoum Classic. The 9-year-old son of @DarleyEurope's Dubawi (Ire) was ridden by Oscar Chavez for trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri and Naser Askar. pic.twitter.com/r5QZVfOiMW — TVG (@TVG) March 2, 2024 The post Dubawi’s Military Law Turns Back Time In Al Maktoum Classic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday's top tips from the Post's racing teamView the full article

Rabbah Bloodstock's FROST AT DAWN (Frosted-Hawana, by War Front) has had the misfortune of squaring off with two of the best fillies in this jurisdiction multiple times–the undefeated pair of G3 UAE Oaks heroine Manama Gold (Star Guitar) on dirt, and Saturday's listed winner Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal). However, she finally got her chance in the spotlight trying the 1000-metre AED1,200,000 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint Sponsored By Emirates Skywards, and the William Knight trainee walked away with a Group 3 win over Godolphin's Star Of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) by 2 1/2 lengths. One of the early pacesetters in this straight-course test, Frost At Dawn avoided the majority of the field while glued to the far rail. Shrugging off all challengers, she scampered home a good-looking winner, with fellow filly Star Of Mystery emerging from the field to take second. Logo Hunter (Ire) (Brazen Beau {Aus}), who was toting 12 more pounds than his sophomore challengers, was another 1 3/4 lengths back in third. Frost At Dawn is now the 26th stakes winner and ninth group/graded winner for her Darley sire. She broke her maiden at second asking in England last November, but then has failed to win versus Manama Gold in December and January, or Cinderella's Dream in February. Tried in the Dubai Trophy, a conditions race over 1200 metres on grass on Feb. 9, the grey found only Great Truth (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) too good when a head back in second. Pedigree Notes One of two winners for her dam, who has a juvenile colt by Bernardini and a yearling filly by Nyquist to come, Frost At Dawn is related to Ocean Atlantique (American Pharoah), a stakes winner in both France and the US, who was third in the GI Turf Classic S., while noted Blushing Groom (GB)-line sire and American turf champion Leroidesanimaux (Brz) (Candy Stripes) is under the third dam. Hawana was bred to Maxfield last spring. Click for the ERA chart and video. Upset! Star Of Mystery was all the rage for the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint Sponsored By @emirates Skywards But impressively cut loose on the rail to land Group Three honours for @WKnightRacing and Mickael Barzalona #SuperSaturday | #DubaiCarnival pic.twitter.com/SRpFxb3YCC — Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 2, 2024 The post Frosted Filly Skates Home A Winner In Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juddmonte Farms' LAUREL RIVER (h, 6, Into Mischief–Calm Water, by Empire Maker), favored for the 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile before being ruled out on the eve of the race, flashed some of the form that saw him win the 2022 GII Pat O'Brien S. with a towering, front-running victory in Saturday's G3 Burj Nahaar at Meydan Racecourse, the course-and-distance prep for the G2 Godolphin Mile Mar. 30. The result represented a complete turnaround from his local debut Jan. 26 when he was an early factor in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint over 1200 metres, but faded tamely from 2 1/2 furlongs out. Drawn wide for this contest over the mile, the homebred was well into stride and was restrained a bit through the opening exchanges before being allowed to stride into the lead by Tadhg O'Shea after the first 400 metres. Full of run at every stage of the race thereafter, Laurel River had amassed an imposing advantage turning them in and kept on very nicely to take it by eight lengths in a good time of 1:36.90. Previously trained by Bob Baffert, the bay won four of his seven starts in the U.S., capped by his 3 3/4-length success in the seven-furlong Pat O'Brien at Del Mar in August 2022. Trainer Bhupat Seemar served as a Baffert assistant for some time. O/B-Juddmonte Farms (KY); T-Bhupat Seemar. Wow! Laurel River turns the Burj Nahaar Sponsored By @emirates SkyCargo into an absolute procession for @BhupatSeemar, @OsheaTadhg and @JuddmonteFarms #SuperSaturday | #DubaiCarnival pic.twitter.com/rneJwci27D — Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 2, 2024 The post Juddmonte’s Laurel River Thrashes Foes In Godolphin Mile Prep appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

CINDERELLA'S DREAM (GB) (f, 3, Shamardal–Espadrille {GB}, by Dubawi {Ire}) ran out a 5 1/2-length winner of the 1600-metre AED800,000 Listed Jumeirah Guineas Sponsored By Emirates SkyCargo, despite having her saddle slip approaching the far turn. Jockey William Buick kicked free of his irons and rode the rest of the race in what he described as a “bit of a rodeo show”, with the duo keeping straight and true to the line, despite being at least four wide off the fence. Godolphin claimed this contest last year when it was only a conditions race with subsequent G1 1000 Guineas heroine Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Geologist (GB) (Territories {Ire}) was second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Yamamah (Ire) (Masar {Ire}). The final time for the race over good turf was 1:37.62. Did that just happen? William Buick lost his irons a long way from home aboard ' But somehow the fairytale continues for @godolphin's unbeaten filly in the Jumeirah 1000 Guineas Sponsored By @Emirates SkyCargo #SuperSaturday pic.twitter.com/MkJd45sg7U — Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 2, 2024 The post Godolphin’s Cinderella’s Dream Unphased By Tack Drama In Listed Jumeirah Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple Group One winning mare Atishu has claimed a berth in the A$4 million All-Star Mile (1600m) with a strong victory in the Gr.2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday. The Chris Waller-trained daughter of Savabeel was ridden more forward than usual under Blake Shinn, who was aboard the six-year-old for the first time, defeating Holymanz by three-quarters of a length, with Ayrton close-up in third after being held-up for a run. “We know she is a filly that has had her share of issues in the barriers and as a result we have always been riding her a little bit conservatively and she has been finishing off so well in that position,” Waller’s Assistant Trainer Charlie Duckworth said. “I was a little bit concerned when he was so assertive out of the gates. It is all well and good when you win, but if you don’t there are questions to be asked. “But she looked to get into a lovely rhythm and travelled tractably in that position. Blake was very soft on her up until the concluding stages when he had to ask an effort for her to lift. She is a genuine Group One performer and she absolutely loves it here at Flemington. “So looking back it is a fantastic ride from Blake and we are delighted to get the win. She is obviously a valuable horse and the main thing is she is racing in a rich vein of form which is great to see after what on face-value looked like a slightly disappointing first-up performance for her.” Duckworth believed it was the race pattern and the Caulfield circuit that brought about the undoing of Atishu when eighth behind Mr Brightside in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) fresh-up. “She was chasing a long way out that day, whereas today she was able to travel and that was the difference,” Duckworth said. “If you can get her to travel and switch off and do everything right, then she has got a wicked turn of foot and we have seen that time and time again at Flemington and hopefully it can continue for a good while more.” The A$3 million Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) back at Flemington on March 30 is the chief target for the campaign, with Duckworth unsure whether the mare would contest the All-Star Mile which is to be contested at Caulfield on March 16. “$4 million is a lot of money and I will leave it to Chris and the owners to work out whether we go there (to the All-Star Mile) or head straight to the Australian Cup,” Duckworth said. Atishu won the Gr.1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington last spring, while she also won the Gr.1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) in Sydney last autumn. Atishu sports the colours of Albert Bosma’s Go Racing, with the Kiwi mare having transferred to Waller as a multiple stakes winner for trainer Stephen Marsh in New Zealand as a three-year-old. Bred by Waikato Stud, Atishu is by their champion sire Savabeel out of the No Excuse Needed mare Posy, who won two races and is a sister to the former Champion Three-Year-Old and multiple Group One winner Daffodil. Go Racing went to $260,000 to secure Atishu as a yearling from Waikato Stud’s 2019 Karaka Book 1 draft. Atishu is a sister to the Waikato Stud-raced Mazzolino, who won the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) for trainer Stephen Marsh last year and placed a further five times at stakes level before her recent retirement to the broodmare paddock, in-foal to Super Seth. View the full article

Drakaina’s commanding victory in Saturday’s Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui completed a remarkable rise to prominence for a filly that was bought for just $3,000. The daughter of Ace High caught the eye of her trainer and part-owner Ebony Turner on Gavelhouse last year. She was unplaced on debut at Ascot Park in November, then won at $50 odds at Gore on December 24 before finishing fourth in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) and second in last month’s Listed Dunedin Guineas (1400m). Drakaina stepped out as a $5.50 second favourite for Saturday’s NZB Airfreight Stakes, and she continued her rapid rise with a runaway win. Jockey Jasmine Fawcett drove Drakaina forward from a wide gate and took an early lead, but then was happy to settle in second when The Real Treasure made a big mid-race move to take over in the back straight. Drakaina cruised back up on the outside of that rival coming towards the home turn, but she was being accompanied every step of the way by the riderless Amiinit, who had parted company with jockey Lee Callaway when the gates opened. The riderless horse drifted across towards the rail just in front of Drakaina at the top of the home straight, but she was unfazed and produced a brilliant turn of foot to dash clear of the rest of the field. Drakaina got further and further in front through the final 200m, dashing to victory by six and a half lengths over Sense Of Timing and Epee Beel. The NZB Airfreight Stakes was the first stakes success for the Riverton-based Turner, who is in only her second season of training. Fawcett, who had her first ride on Drakaina in Saturday’s $80,000 feature, was delighted to play her part. “I hadn’t ridden her before, but my agent (Jacob Edens) had a good opinion of her previous form and was keen for me to ride her,” she said. “I was really glad I ended up on the right horse. “This filly gave me a fantastic feel and it was a great performance. It was a good-quality field today and she proved she was definitely up to stakes standard. I thought the loose horse made it an even more impressive performance – that didn’t make it easy for her at all, but she handled everything really well and then put them away very convincingly in the straight.” Drakaina has now had five starts for two wins, a placing and $79,235 in stakes – more than 26 times her purchase price. The NZB Airfreight Stakes was the second leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series, and Drakaina earned 7 points and now shares top spot on the table with the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) winner Viva Vienna. The two remaining legs of the series are the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on April 13 and the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) at the same venue a week later. “I have no doubt that she’ll go a bit further than this,” Fawcett said. “I’m sure she’d be very competitive in those other three-year-old fillies’ races that are coming up at Riccarton, if that’s the way she goes. I’m not sure what her plans are from here. I’ll leave that up to Ebony, who’s done a great job with this horse so far. I’ll just do as I’m told, and I’ll definitely be keen to ride her again.” View the full article

Roger James is now the most successful trainer in the history of the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m), but even that enormous achievement was overshadowed at Ellerslie on Saturday by the new superstar of his Cambridge stable. Orchestral became the sixth Derby winner for James, following on from Tidal Light (1986), Roysyn (1995), Zonda (1997), Hades (1999) and Silent Achiever (2012). Saturday’s win took him one ahead of the great Colin Jillings, who had previously shared the record with five. But for James, Saturday’s $1 million classic was all about Orchestral. The super-talented Savabeel filly outclassed her 16 opponents by three and three-quarter lengths, having won the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) by three and a half lengths and the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) by four lengths in her two previous starts. “I’m relieved, elated, awestruck,” said James, who trains in partnership with Robert Wellwood. “She just has an abundance of ability. She could be the next star, I think.” The Derby has been a difficult race for fillies to win, and Orchestral joined Tidal Light, Popsy, Silent Achiever and Habibi as only the fifth to do so in the last 40 years. Three of them have been trained by James. Orchestral’s breathtaking lead-up performances made her one of the hottest Derby favourites in recent memory at $1.30. Despite a slow start and settling all the way back in fourth-last in a strung-out field, James was never worried. “I’ve been lucky enough to have had a lot of runners in this race, and I said to Robert when they went out that I don’t think I’ve ever had one parade better out the back,” he said. “She just never missed a beat. She was cool, calm and collected. “I wasn’t worried when she got so far back in the running. There was a lot of pace on, and I thought she’d outstay them. Pace makes the race. The best horse usually wins when there’s a good pace in the race. “It was very, very special when she went to the lead the way she did in the straight.” Owners Colin and Helen Litt with Orchetral and strapper Michaela Sobieska. Photo: Trish Dunell Orchestral was ridden by Craig Grylls, who had previously won the Derby aboard Crown Prosecutor (2019) and Rocket Spade (2021). But his feeling as the filly moved through her gears coming up to the home turn was something unlike he had ever felt before in this famous race. “I wasn’t planning to be as far back as we were, but she didn’t get away that cleanly,” he said. “But there was plenty of speed on, which was good. At about the 1000m, I got on the three-wide train that was moving into the race. “Passing the 600m, I just brought her out into the open and I could see them all coming off the bridle in front of me, and I just had a handful of horse. She’s some animal. “It’s great for Roger and Robert and the owners, and a big thanks to them for keeping me on. She’s the best of those three Derby winners I’ve ridden, and I think she could be one of the best I’ve ever sat on.” Wellwood took special satisfaction from Saturday’s win, joining his mentor James as a New Zealand Derby-winning trainer. “It’s almost more of a relief,” he said. “When you have a $1.30 favourite, there’s so much pressure. The team at home have done a massive job. To get a result like this just makes it all worth it, and it’s unbelievable. “I was still eight years away from being born when Roger won his first Derby. He’s been doing this for a while now, and I’m so grateful to be in partnership with him. He’s taught me a lot. “Results like this are very special, and especially for owners who trust us to buy them a horse and spend the money that we did. It makes it pretty easy to wake up in the morning.” Orchestral became the 33rd individual Group One winner for champion Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel, and his first New Zealand Derby winner. The exceptional filly comes from a red-hot family – her dam is the stakes-placed O’Reilly mare Symphonic, whose full-sister Glee produced last week’s Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) winner Savaglee. Orchestral was bred by Barneswood Farm and was offered by Haunui Farm at Karaka in 2022, where James and Wellwood bought her for $625,000 on behalf of owners Colin and Helen Litt. She has now had eight starts for five wins and two placings, banking more than $1.57 million. “This is a huge thrill,” Colin Litt said. “This race is the best test of a three-year-old in New Zealand, and we feel very lucky to have won it with a horse like this. She’s just an absolutely class filly, and I think we’re only just scratching the surface with her.” James is now setting his sights across the Tasman, where Orchestral could contest the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m). James and Wellwood won last year’s Vinery with another high-class performer, Prowess. View the full article

Te Akau Racing’s former trainer Jamie Richards had a stranglehold on the Mufhasa Stakes (1400m) on New Zealand Derby Day, and his successors Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson continued that tradition at Ellerslie on Saturday. The runaway premiership leaders won the Mainstream Plumbing-sponsored Group Three feature with classy Waikato Stud homebred Certainly, who became the fourth Mufhasa Stakes winner in the last five years to come from Te Akau’s Matamata stable. Richards had previously won the race with Star Of Bombay in 2020, Need I Say More in 2021 and On The Bubbles in 2022, with Waikato Stud’s I Wish I Win finishing second for a stable quinella two years ago. Last year’s race was staged at Te Rapa while Ellerslie was closed for renovations, and it was won by the Andrew Forsman-trained The Intimidator. Walker and Bergerson have always rated Certainly as one of the potential standouts of their three-year-old crop this season, eyeing the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) before a spring setback held up her preparation. The Savabeel filly eventually kicked off her career at Te Aroha in late November, where she was a $1.80 favourite but had to settle for second behind upset winner Pendragon. That rival later boosted that form with three consecutive wins including the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m), and he was runner-up behind Orchestral in last month’s $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) before venturing to Melbourne. Certainly cleared maidens impressively at Matamata in her second career start, then flashed home from last for an eye-catching sixth in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham. She was again a beaten favourite when third at Te Rapa in early February, but stepped back up into stakes class on Saturday and showed her true colours. Delivering a first winner on Ellerslie’s new StrathAyr track for Walker, Bergerson and jockey Opie Bosson, Certainly settled in midfield but drifted back approaching the turn. At the top of the home straight, she was in tight quarters and had only a handful of horses behind her. But Bosson weaved her through the traffic and into the clear, and Certainly stretched out stylishly to reel in Moet Down and score by a neck. “I’ve had a few goes, so it’s good to get my first win on this new track,” Bosson said. “She really showed some class today. She travelled beautifully throughout. We had to find a bit of a passage up the straight, but she kept coming up underneath me. She was really willing, and I think going up to a mile will be even better for her too.” A half-sister to the multiple Listed-winning Ocean Park gelding Ocean Beyond, Certainly has now had five starts for two wins, two placings and $118,600 in stakes. Walker and Bergerson will now consider adding her to Te Akau’s high-flying Victorian stable for a shot at the Gr.3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on March 23. “That was a really good effort,” Bergerson said. “Obviously it wasn’t fun getting beaten as a $1.20 shot last start, but she got back that day behind a very slow tempo. She would have had to run home in 32 or 33 seconds, which it’s not easy to do at Te Rapa. “But Opie gave her a lovely ride today. I thought we might be getting into a bit of trouble, but he was patient and the splits came in the straight. Fair play to the filly too – she was very good to the line. “She’s shown us plenty at home and we’ve always thought a lot of her. Hopefully she can go on with it now. “We could potentially head to Melbourne, where there’s a race for three-year-old fillies over a mile at Moonee Valley. But we’ll have a team talk with Mark, David Ellis, Mark Chittick and the rest of the team and make up a plan. “It’s good to get this win, and it’s a pleasure to train lovely Savabeel fillies like her for Waikato Stud.” Moet Down was a gallant second while the blue-blooded Irish Legacy was an eye-catching third in only the second start of her career. Bred and part-owned by Christopher Grace, the daughter of I Am Invincible and multiple Group One winner Shillelagh had won by two and a half lengths at Taupo in her only previous appearance. View the full article

Unheralded Almanzor filly Positivity sprang an upset at Ellerslie on Saturday when she fought doggedly in the run home to take out the Gr.3 McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m) and claim her first stakes victory. The Andrew Forsman-prepared three-year-old was having just her fifth start and had looked a likely staying prospect when breaking her maiden status over 1600m a Tauranga at just her second start. She was spotted running on nicely in two subsequent efforts in black-type company without much luck, however punters overlooked those performances as she drifted to $18 in the Fixed Odds market which was headed up by Qali Al Farrasha ($3.30). Rider Masa Hashizume made a mid-race move on a moderate tempo to sit outside the leader from the 1400m before tackling pacemaker Nepheti shortly after turning for home. Qali Al Farrasha joined issue quickly and hit the front however Positivity refused to give in and fought back strongly to take the win by just on half a length as Still Bangon made up good ground from well back to finish third. Forsman stable representative Gemma Hewetson was delighted with the filly who holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubal New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham later this month. “That’s just so good as she has just got better every time she has gone to the races,” she said. “She hasn’t had a lot of luck her last two starts and this was a good tough run. “Andrew has always held a big opinion of her as she is a beautiful filly. “She had done everything right and we didn’t go Hastings with her (for the Gr.3, Lowland Stakes) which was a blessing and she has done it here today.” Hashizume, who was completing a double for the day after taking out race one aboard Gentian Blue, was full of praise for the filly after they were trapped wide early in the race. “We got caught three wide early so may initial thought was to go and lead,” he said. “I wanted to take a sit early but had to roll forward and when they came up her in the straight she switched on and it was a very tough win. “After the line she was about to pull up, but when another horse went past her she grabbed the bit and tried to keep going though I think she can go further.” Raced by Ben Kwok who purchased her for $160,000 out of the Woburn Farm draft during the Book 1 sale at Karaka, Positivity was bred by the late Sir Patrick Hogan and Lady Justine Hogan along with Peter Walker. She is out of Walker’s Group One placegetter Pussy O’Reilly and from an extended family that includes stakes winners Pussy Willow, Dopff and Valpolicella. TAB Bookmakers have installed her as the equal $8 favourite alongside Still Bangon for the New Zealand Oaks on 16 March. View the full article

Underrated mare Maria Farina outsprinted several of the country’s top gallopers to secure Saturday’s Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie. The daughter of Contributer has flown relatively under the radar this season, despite having accumulated six career victories, including the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m), and Listed Stewards Stakes (1200m) during New Zealand Cup Week in November. Maria Farina lined up in both the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) and Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) over the summer months with regular pilot Sam Weatherley aboard, and despite finishing sixth and fifth respectively, her sizzling sectionals in the latter indicated the best was yet to come. Prepared by Weatherley’s father and sister Darryn and Briar, the mare contested a quality six-horse line-up in the King’s Plate, which included Telegraph winner Mercurial, as well as Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) victor Bonny Lass, who started a warm $2.50 TAB favourite. Jumping from barrier three, Weatherley settled Maria Farina near the tail of the field, avoiding early carnage up-front as Mercurial was badly checked when trying to slot inside of pace-maker Not Guilty. Weatherley sat ice-cold in behind Bonny Lass as the field descended down the straight, and when the gap came at the 150m, Maria Farina showed a devastating turn-of-foot to the post, though not without a few nervous moments for connections as Dragon Leap scorched down the outside to force a photo-finish. The unorthodox mare pulled herself up shortly after the line, delight soon appearing on Weatherley’s face as the judge confirmed Maria Farina had triumphed in the $150,000 event by the narrowest of margins. The 24-year-old hoop had won the previous race aboard Dame Lilibic, and indicated quiet confidence in Maria Farina, that was duly rewarded. “I have no doubt in saying it, she should’ve won the Telegraph, and on her day, I think she’s nearly the fastest horse in the country,” Sam Weatherley said. “She’s just so difficult to ride, you’ve got to hold and hold her up. It didn’t go to plan early, but it was probably the right way to ride her, just sit back and bide my time. When we burst through, on any other horse you’d think you’re home and hosed, but she has a bit of a tendency to pull up. “I’m just so thrilled for the family, she really deserves a big one and if we can keep going, there’s a chance she might.” Darryn was full of compliments for his son post-race. “I think Sam’s been watching the tapes, that was a 10 out of 10 ride,” he said. “She’s been consistent all year round and really deserves it, we own half of her which is really good, just a beautiful result. “My feed merchant will sleep well tonight I’m picking.” The Weatherley’s bred the mare alongside part-owner Barry Wright, the combination also breeding her half-brother, last-season’s Gr.1 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Pier, both being out of La Vitesse. Darryn indicated Wright was hoping to test Maria Farina over 1600m, with the ultimate goal being the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha on March 30. “We were looking at going to a 1400m at Tauranga in a few weeks’ time, and just hoping to throw the anchor out to get her to a mile in the fillies’ and mares’ weight-for-age,” he said. “My partner (owner, Barry Wright) has always wanted to try her at a mile, whether he’s right I’m not sure but we’ll have a crack.” Daughter Briar also painted an emotional picture in the birdcage. “This mare means everything to me, sometimes you just need that one horse that gets you out of bed in the morning, and for me, that’s her,” she said. “She’s been unlucky all preparation, and she so deserved this win. I’m absolutely thrilled.” Maria Farina has now earned over $386,000 in stakes, a pedigree the Weatherley’s hope can continue to perform after purchasing a closely-related Hello Youmzain colt out of Jamieson’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2024. View the full article