Wandering Eyes

A promising three-year-old sourced from Taranaki in New Zealand has made a flawless start to his racing career in Hong Kong. Super Joy N Fun (NZ) (What’s The Story) made his Hong Kong debut over 1200m at Happy Valley on February 7, winning by a head. His next start came over the same course and distance three weeks later, when dominating from the front and winning by three-quarters of a length. The gelding is trained by Benno Yung and has quickly banked more than HK$1.3 million for owners Johnny Wong Chun Nam, Nancy Wong, Maizie Wong and Wong Chi Poh. Super Joy N Fun was bred by Westend Partnership and is by the Savabeel stallion What’s The Story, who finished second in the New Zealand Derby in an injury-shortened racetrack career. What’s The Story stands at Norwegian Park for a service fee of just NZ$4,000, and Super Joy N Fun is among his five winners from only 13 runners so far in his stud career. Originally named Buyback, Super Joy N Fun had his early education in the New Plymouth stable of Debbie Harris, for whom he won a trial in July of 2023. His initial ownership group included Peter Mack, a Hawera businessman and former president of the local Egmont Racing Club. “I’ve had a few horses in the past for Chris Thompson, Mike Swift and Peter Mack, who owned his dam Citycenta and leased her out,” Harris said. “They bought this horse for $8,000 at the weanling sale and named him Buyback and sent him to me to train. “I broke him in and did all of the early education with him. I’d always thought he was quite an impressive type. He showed a fair bit of ability in his very first gallop, and then from there he just continued to improve with every gallop, jumpout and trial that he had from that point on. “It’s pretty exciting to see what he’s gone on to do. He’s off to a great start in Hong Kong and has won both of those races impressively. “Of course it was a bit of a shame to lose him from the stable, but that’s just how it goes – anything with ability usually ends up going overseas. But you can be proud of the work that you do with these horses along the way and get a lot of enjoyment from their success further down the track.” Harris has held a training licence for a decade, and during that time she has been credited with 13 winners from only 80 runners. “I never have a big team, but I’ve been lucky enough to have a few nice ones,” she said. “I think I’ve got a handful of quite nice two-year-olds coming through that are just starting to have their first run along now. Hopefully there’s some good prospects among them. I’m looking forward to seeing how they go.” View the full article

The progress on racing surfaces is due in large part to the Racing Surface Testing Laboratory, whose work grew out of the first Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit held in 2006 at Keeneland. View the full article

Sir Alex Ferguson was back in Britain by Monday after enjoying a second major international victory with his homebred Spirit Dancer (GB) at the Saudi Cup meeting in Riyadh. “It's been fantastic. He's an improving horse. As a younger horse he had some issues but now he seems to be getting better every year,” Ferguson told TDN. “In his races in Bahrain and Saudi there was no catching him. There's no end to him at the moment. The next question is can he go a mile and four furlongs? That would give us other options.” Either side of Christmas the seven-year-old son of Frankel (GB) has given his owner-breeder an excuse for a trip to the sun while picking up around £1.5 million in prize-money, first in the G2 Bahrain International Trophy and then in last Saturday's G2 Howden Neom Turf Cup. These two races are relative blow-ins on the international circuit, and at the end of March Spirit Dancer will be aimed at his own version of a Middle East triple crown when lining up on Dubai World Cup night. The options currently being pondered by Ferguson and Spirit Dancer's trainer Richard Fahey are whether to attempt the G1 Dubai Turf over nine furlongs, a distance easily within his range, or to test the horse in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, which would be asking him to go a furlong and a half farther than he's been before. “I'm swaying towards the mile and a half,” Fahey admits. “But we're going to take our time to think about it. In the back of mind I've been wanting to try him over a mile and a half for a while. I'm undecided but if I had to put a percentage on it, I'm leaning 8o per cent towards running in the Sheema Classic. I'm leaving it as long as I can. Both races look very strong, but you never know, one or two might drop out.” The trainer adds of Spirit Dancer, “He arrived in Dubai two days after his win in Saudi and he's in great order.” The latest bulletin will be music to the ears of Ferguson, who races Spirit Dancer in partnership with his friends Ged Mason and Peter Done. The three men are also partners in a number of smart jumpers, meaning that Ferguson's loyalties are for the time being a little torn. On Saturday, just ahead of Spirit Dancer's triumph, the exciting young prospect Kalif du Berlais (Fr) (Masked Marvel {GB}) maintained his unbeaten run in Britain with victory in the G2 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton Park. He says, “I was definitely looking forward to the National Hunt for a long time and then along comes Spirit Dancer and spoils it all. All of a sudden the excitement is just fantastic. “We've got so many good National Hunt horses. Kalif du Berlais, who won on Saturday, and I think we're in quite a good position for Cheltenham.” Through my life I have always tried to keep my feet on the ground but there are occasions when it takes you, like the reception we got in Bahrain The Cheltenham Festival will be on Ferguson's agenda before he returns to the Middle East, and he is hopeful that Hitman (Fr) (Falco) can improve on his third-place finish last year when he returns for another crack at the G1 Ryanair Chase. Like Kalif Du Berlais and former star chasers What A Friend (GB) and Clan des Obeaux (Fr), Hitman is trained by Paul Nicholls, who has also recently taken charge of Caldwell Potter (Fr) (Martaline {GB}), bought by Ferguson, Mason, Done and another regular partner, John Hales, for €740,000, a record sum for a National Hunt horse at public auction. “I think Hitman will do well,” Ferguson says. “I just feel that he seems to die in the last couple of fences over three miles, but he's back running over two miles and four furlongs. He might just surprise people.” Ferguson admits to having had “some great fun” with his National Hunt string, and there has been no disguising his sheer joy at the performances this winter of Spirit Dancer, who has taken full advantage of the rapidly expanding race programme in the Gulf. “Bahrain in five years' time will be really big,” he says. “It's developing all the time. Of course Saudi is a wee bit ahead of it at the moment but in five years' time Dubai, Saudi and Bahrain will all be fantastic. The prize-money is unbelievable.” He adds, “Richard has been very good at communicating his thoughts and ideas with me. When he won at York, he said he was going to send him to Bahrain. I had to ask, 'What's going on in Bahrain?' He said it was a two-million-dollar race and I thought, 'Oh, okay.' They looked after us so well.” During his legendary career as manager of Manchester United, Ferguson was famed for nurturing young talent on the pitch. Now his eye can't help but assess the ability of the man who has ridden Spirit Dancer in his last 14 starts, 26-year-old Oisin Orr. “The jockey is very calm. He's a very composed lad. He doesn't panic,” says Ferguson. “I said to him in Bahrain – it was a big race for him and he is quiet and unassuming – and I said, 'One thing I am going to tell you is, see that Frankel, he will never let you down. He'll run up a mountain for you.'” The image of Frankel winning the 2,000 Guineas remains at the forefront of Ferguson's mind as he reminisces about the great horse's dominance at Newmarket that day. “I think in sport one superstar comes along every four or five years,” he says. “You get an exceptional horse – a Frankel, a Constitution Hill, or going way back, Arkle or Shergar. It's like that with players – like [Paul] Gascoigne, who was an unbelievable kid. He was one of the best English players, after Bobby Charlton, without question. You get exceptional players, like Ronaldo and Messi, and sport does that, you know.” Spirit Dancer and Oisin Orr up after the Neom Turf Cup | Racingfotos Ferguson is clearly still buoyed by the events of last weekend and he delights in recounting that Spirit Dancer's groom, Hayley Irvine, won the equivalent of £4,000 after being awarded World Pool's Moment of the Day. “And she gets married in two weeks' time,” he says. He and his partners weren't the only ones to revel in Spirit Dancer's success, however. “It was amazing, the number of Manchester United fans in Bahrain and Saudi,” Ferguson says. “It was incredible. I came out of my bedroom early one morning in Bahrain and there were about 20 kids in the foyer waiting for me. They put two security guards outside my door. You always have to give autographs and photographs to kids, and they were there every morning, and when we won in Bahrain they were cheering like hell as if we'd scored a goal. It was really good, it was impressive, and it cheered me up.” The last comment is all the more poignant for Spirit Dancer's Bahrain victory coming a little over a month after the death of his wife of 57 years, Lady Cathy Ferguson. He continues, “Through my life I have always tried to keep my feet on the ground but there are occasions when it takes you, like the reception we got in Bahrain and the other day [in Riyadh].” Breeders will tell you that winning a race is even sweeter with a homebred. Ferguson's own path into breeding racehorses has been guided by his bloodstock advisor Alan Perry and by Greg and Lottie Parsons, the owners of Upperwood Farm Stud near Hemel Hempstead, where Spirit Dancer's dam, Queen's Dream (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}) is a permanent boarder. Whenever I go racing it does a lot for me. I never expected that the horse would be as good as this. And he's getting better “We bought Queen's Dream from Andreas Wohler and Alan Perry recommended that we send her to Hemel Hempstead. Alan worked for Juddmonte for a few years and he talked them into taking the mare for Frankel. Alan has done a great job there, and so have Greg and Lottie Parsons. It's a lovely, quiet operation in the middle of nowhere almost, and they've been great. The mare has had six foals for me now,” he says. “We have [three-year-old] Road To Wembley – a really nice name – with Richard Hughes and then there's a really nice horse, Hampden Park – another nice name – with Andrew Balding. He got a knee knock and was sidelined for a couple of months but he's now back in training and I'm going down there soon to see him. Andrew is very excited about him and he won very nicely at Ascot. “Her two-year-old by Masar is a bit weak at the moment so we'll give him a bit of time, and that's what Greg is really good at. He's so patient.” Ferguson admits that at the age of 82 he is unlikely to expand his breeding interests, but there is still much to look forward to within Spirit Dancer's own family. Sir Alex Ferguson and Greg Parsons with Spirit Dancer as a foal | Upperwood Farm Stud “We had a foal last week by Stradivarius and it's great to have a filly. She's quite petite. I just have to make my mind up who the mare is going to this year,” he says. “To be honest I didn't know what I was getting into, but when I went to the stud and met them I was very impressed with the care that they take with their horses. It's worked very well.” Ever questioning the psychological aspect of sport, Ferguson discussed last Saturday's race with his trainer on Sunday morning and asked Fahey if he thought that Spirit Dancer knew he had won. “He told me, 'Absolutely, they know they've beaten other horses.' I think they must know what they're doing, and Richard has a good point when he says that when Spirit Dancer wins it does something for him,” says Ferguson. “It's the same for me. Whenever I go racing it does a lot for me. I never expected that the horse would be as good as this. And he's getting better. I don't know how far he's going to go. We're going to Dubai now and he must have a chance. He's not shown any weakness at all. He went by Luxembourg and the second horse [Killer Ability] and they were never going to catch him.” It's addictive, winning, and it is something Ferguson became accustomed to during his 26 years with Manchester United. In Spirit Dancer, the horse he has been associated with since his birth, by one of the greatest equine winning machines of all time, he has found the perfect conduit for that addiction. The post From Football to Racing, Ferguson Retains the Winning Spirit appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Veteran trainer hopes his decision to call upon the Australian ace is vindicated in Sunday’s featureView the full article

Trainers, jockeys and stable staff make impassioned plea to city’s chief executive Ho Iat-seng in a letter sent on ThursdayView the full article

What Verry Elleegant Stakes Day Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, March 2, 2024 First Race 12:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Randwick is the destination for NSW Group 1 racing this Saturday, with the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) headlining a bumper 10-race program that kicks off at 12:30pm AEDT. There is black-type racing scattered throughout the afternoon, with the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) to go along with some quality two-year-old races as the juveniles build into some hefty autumn targets. The rail returns to the true position for the entire circuit, and with no rain expected to hinder the Good 4 surface, it should be a fair track for all participants. Race 1: Midway Handicap BM72 (1100m) We kick things off with a wide-open BM72 contest, where the Jarrod Austin-trained Vindication appears perfectly placed on resumption. The son of Deep Field returned a winner last preparation at Wyong on July 15, and although he didn’t put up another win in his next six starts, he still proved to be ultra-consistent with minor placings behind the likes of Mogo Magic and Eye Pea Oh. He returns on the back of an eye-catching piece of work at this track on February 22, and with the speed engaged sure to be genuine, watch for Vindication to be flashing through the wire under Regan Bayliss. Selections: 8 VINDICATION 17 ARTFUL PERSUASION 12 THE EXTREME CAT 14 MAD DARCEY Race 2: BM88 Handicap (1200m) It is hard to go past Our Kobison as he searches for a hat-trick of wins on Saturday. He smashed the clock in his latest effort at Rosehill on February 3, clearing out on his rivals by 3.2 lengths. He does cop a 3.5kg weight penalty while staying in BM88 company, but it simply won’t matter if he can repeat what he produced in his most recent start. The +100 is short enough considering the opposition he faces; however, unless James McDonald doesn’t get clear running from stall one when the whips are cracking, Our Kobison will take a power of beating. Selections: 3 OUR KOBISON 2 MORAVIA 4 PEREILLE 5 TINTOOKIE Best Bet Race 2 – #3 Our Kobison (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Angela Davies | J: James McDonald (58.5kg) +210 with Dabble Race 3: Class 3 Highway Handicap (1000m) There is plenty of depth in this Highway Handicap, so it makes sense to default to the undefeated Perennial. The Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich-trained gelding put together two impressive wins before heading to the paddock and recently resumed his winning ways at Newcastle on February 3 when scoring by 1.7 lengths. It looks like an ideal setup for the three-year-old to continue his rise through the grades, and with the stable flying on the provincial circuit, it looks like Perennial can make the jump to metro class this weekend. Selections: 2 PERENNIAL 5 ONCE AGAIN MY GIRL 3 COMPELLING TRUTH 1 REMEMBERING JACK Race 4: Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) The undefeated Storm Boy has impressed at every turn in his short career, scorching the turf in his most recent effort in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) on the Gold Coast when scoring by 2.5 lengths. The Justify colt is versatile, classy, and has been the long-standing favourite for the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) for a reason, and he should prove why once again in the 2024 Skyline Stakes. Selections: 1 STORM BOY 4 PARKOUR 3 PROST 6 INDECISIVE Skyline Stakes Race 4 – #1 Storm Boy (1) 2yo Colt | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J:James McDonald (55.5kg) +190 with Bet365 Race 5: BM88 Handicap (2000m) Redstone Well picked up his first Australian win at start three for the Annabel Neasham barn, grinding his way to victory at this track on February 17. He should only improve as he gets out further in trip to the 2000m for the first time in the preparation. Many of his key rivals in this BM88 contest he beat home last start, and although the son of Cotai Glory must give them a significant swing in the weights, Redstone Well appears classy enough to fend off all challengers once again. Selections: 1 REDSTONE WELL 10 LOUISVILLE 8 MIRRACLE SPIN 7 FLOATING Next Best Race 5 – #1 Redstone Well (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham | J: James McDonald (59.5kg) +1100 with Dabble Race 6: Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) It is the fillies’ turn to put their hands up for Golden Slipper contention in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m), where the Michael Freedman barn sends out Manaal as a short-priced commodity. The daughter of Tassort finished off best of the rest in the Group 3 Widden Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill behind Lady Of Camelot, who would go on to impress with a runner-up effort in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) last Saturday. Manaal simply found the 1100m too sharp first-up from a 126-day spell, and with this 1200m contest allowing her build the revs, watch for this girl to storm over the top late. Selections: 1 MANAAL 7 WAVE BREAKER 4 CHATEAU MIRAVAL 2 CASTANYA Sweet Embrace Stakes Race 6 – #1 Manaal (6) 2yo Filly | T: Michael Freedman | J: Tommy Berry (55.5kg) +700 with Betfair Race 7: Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) The feature of the afternoon comes with the newly named Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes, where Fangirl has throttled the market since dominating her rivals first-up in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes. The star mare meets a similar field with a sprinkling of new contenders as she looks to stake her claim as one of the best milers in the country. Will she carve them up again, or is there an upset brewing on Saturday? Click here for our full preview of the 2024 Verry Elleegant Stakes Race 8: Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) Learning To Fly gets the nod in the Group 1 Surround Stakes after an outstanding first-up display in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago. The daughter of Justify hadn’t been sighted since last year’s Golden Slipper, and after almost a full year off the scene, she couldn’t have been more impressive in a losing effort. She should only take improvement from that, and with gate six allowing Chad Schofield to sit handier throughout the journey, Learning To Fly can go one better second-up. Selections: 4 LEARNING TO FLY 5 TIZ INVINCIBLE 2 ZARDOZI 8 MAKARENA Surround Stakes Race 8 – #4 Learning To Fly (6) 3yo Filly | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Chad Schofield (56kg) +700 with Betfair Race 9: Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) Most would consider Olentia unlucky first-up in the Group 3 Triscay Stakes (1200m), as she was crowded for room at a crucial stage and lost momentum when trying to sneak rails runs under Tommy Berry. Semana was impressive, so it’s inconclusive to suggest this four-year-old should’ve won, but she is worthy of forgiving heading into Saturday. Berry retains the ride and draws to gain a economical run in transit from gate three, and provided the Chris Waller-trained mare has taken a step forward this preparation, Olentia will justify the short quote with online bookmakers. Selections: 3 OLENTIA 2 HINGED 5 MORE SECRETS 1 DUAIS Sweet Embrace Stakes Race 9 – #3 Olentia (3) 4yo Mare | T: Chris Waller | J: Tommy Berry (55kg) +700 with Betfair Race 10: Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) The Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) rounds out a stellar day of racing at Randwick, and it is worth having a throw at the stumps with the Ciaron Maher-trained New Energy on his Australian debut. Despite the European import only having one win to his name across 11 career starts, the son of New Bay brings a promising resume that includes a runner-up effort in the Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas (1609m). He won a Cranbourne jump-out prior to this event, and with barrier three giving Jason Collett plenty of options, New Energy appears a solid each-way play in the last. Selections: 6 NEW ENERGY 4 KOVALICA 2 COAL CRUSHER 5 DEMOCRACY MANIFEST Liverpool City Cup Race 10 – #6 New Energy (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Jason Collett (56kg) +450 with Picklebet Randwick free Saturday quaddie tips Randwick quadrella selections Saturday, March 2, 2024 4-5-9 1-2-4-5-8-10-12 2-3-5 2-3-4-5-6-7-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Group One winner Jon Snow got off the mark as a sire on Thursday when his son King Of The North took out the Farewell Dave Bradford (1400m) at Matamata. It was the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained gelding’s third start, having run fourth on debut over 1200m at the Waikato track in January before placing over 1300m at Te Rapa a fortnight later. Jon Snow stands at Clearview Park, near Timaru, and farm principal Aaron Tapper was rapt to see King Of The North get his sire on the board. “It was very exciting,” Tapper said. “He raced the day before we had a filly go through at Karaka where he got third at Te Rapa. It would have been nice if it was that day (he won), but it is really good to get a win.” The victory was made even more special for Tapper given the fact King Of The North was foaled and raised on his property for breeder Tim Harrison prior to heading north to Te Runga Stud where he went through their 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft and was purchased by Wexford Stables for $60,000. “He was born and raised on the farm here before he went north. He was pretty impressive then,” Tapper said. “He was a typical Jon Snow, they are all pretty leggy as foals and they grow into their body really well. “I remember going up to Lance and Andrew at the sales when they bought King Of The North just to say congratulations and thank you. They said that they bought him as their next Derby runner. He is a couple of months behind, but there are a couple of Derbys coming up, so who knows?” A New Zealand Bloodstock graduate himself, Jon Snow was purchased by Andrew Forsman on behalf of the Zame Partnership out of Haunui Farm’s 2015 Select Yearling Sale draft for $65,000. Forsman, alongside Murray Baker, trained the son of Iffraaj to four wins and eight placings from 23 starts, including victories in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m), Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m), and Gr.3 JRA Cup (2040m). He also placed in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), Gr.1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m), Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m), and Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m). “We lease him off the Zame Parnership,” Tapper said. “When we were offered him it was a given that we would take him because he was such an impressive racehorse. “For the South Island to get something of his quality was great, so we jumped at the chance. “His temperament is fantastic and all of his foals seem so much more relaxed, they are nice types, and we are pretty happy with him. “His pedigree is awesome. We just need more on the track. “I got a booking for him yesterday for this coming season and to have a winner on the board will certainly help.” Earlier on the card, Tapper celebrated another success for his other stallion Echoes Of Heaven when his son Manawa took out the Matamata Function Centre 1600 for trainer John Bell. View the full article

Wexford Stables look to have a strong hand in the Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday where they will be represented by Group One winner Waitak and Group One performer Dragon Leap. Waitak will be seeking to return to his winning ways for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, having finished eighth in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa earlier this month having posted back-to-back wins in his previous outings, including the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. “Waitak is flying, he is really going well,” Scott told TAB NZ. “He got three wide in the Waikato Sprint and had a tough gig there, but he pressed on well and his sectionals were still really good.” Stablemate Dragon Leap will be out to continue his great association with Ellerslie, having experienced a memorable three-year-old season on the track, having won the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m), placed in the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m), and finished fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). The seven-year-old gelding has been unplaced in his three starts this summer, after experiencing a successful spring where he won the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) and was runner-up in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m). “Dragon Leap is going well, but he is just having no luck,” Scott said. “He came home the quickest last 400m of the race (in the BCD Group Sprint), but he just got out wide where they weren’t winning on that day. Opie (Bosson) is back on and he has a great affinity with the horse. “We are pleased with them both. They are both holding up to the summer racing well, so they should sprint well again. They just need a bit of luck.” Waitak is currently a $4.20 second favourite behind last start Group One winner Bonny Lass ($2.50), while Dragon Leap is the third equal fancied runner alongside Mercurial ($5). View the full article

Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman will be looking to secure his first Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in his own right at Ellerslie on Saturday when First Innings contests the Trackside-sponsored feature. Forsman has won the Classic on two previous occasions when training in partnership with Murray Baker, securing his first NZ Derby with Mongolian Khan in 2015, while Vin De Dance was victorious in the race three years later. First Innings has shown plenty of potential in his four career starts to date, capped by his last start victory over 2100m at Pukekohe last week. Forsman is confident in First Innings’ staying abilities, but admits he faces a stiff task this weekend up against $1.40 favourite Orchrestral. “We haven’t had to do too much with him, he was a pretty fit horse going into it (last start),” Forsman told TAB NZ. “He has had three runs over ground now, so he has had a very quiet week since then. “We have drawn well enough (7) and Orchestral has drawn out a little bit wider than us (9). In my mind, she will need to be very unlucky or have things not go right for her, to (not) be right in the finish. “For us, we just need a good, evenly run race, and he will stay the 2400m.” Co-owner Michael Hughes drew gate seven for his gelding at Tuesday evening’s barrier draw, and while he knows First Innings has a tough assignment to beat a short-priced favourite this weekend, he said it has been done in the past. “I didn’t think they could beat La Crique, and she was a pretty short-priced favourite,” Hughes said. “I am pretty happy with the way things have gone. He will be fit enough and he will be running on.” Meanwhile, Forsman was pleased to secure a slot in the NZB Kiwi (1500m) on Tuesday evening with his bid of $675,000. “You wanted to be a part of it but there is also a point where they are value, and then you have to temper that with where we landed. We went slightly over budget on what we thought we would have to pay, but I am happy to have secured a slot,” Forsman said. “Hopefully we can come up with one good enough.” View the full article

Dual Guineas winner Aberlour’s (NZ) (Mongolian Falcon) racing future lies in Australia, following her majority sale to clients of Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride. The daughter of Mongolian Falcon was trained in New Zealand by Riverton horseman Kelvin Tyler, for whom she won three and placed in two of her six starts, including victories in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) and Listed Southland Guineas (1600m). Her performances piqued the interest of a number of potential buyers, but it was Pride who came out in top, with Tyler retaining 30 percent in Aberlour, and he is pleased his filly is going to a stable he has a good association with. Former Stable runner King Of The Castle (NZ) (Castledale) was sold to Pride in a similar deal, and Tyler has enjoyed watching him perform well across the Tasman, including being trackside for his fourth placed run in the A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day. The son of Castledale has subsequently gone on to place in the Listed Santa Cup (2000m). “She leaves here on Sunday morning, it is pretty exciting to see if she matches up over there,” Tyler said. “Joe Pride is a good trainer and a good guy. I am pleased she is going there, I am quite sure he will do a good job with her. “There is a lot of prizemoney over there if they match up. We are quite excited to see how she goes.” Tyler has enjoyed crossing the Tasman with his family to watch King Of The Castle compete, and he is looking forward to doing the same with Aberlour. “We have got two reasons to go over there now,” he said. “You have got to enjoy it on the way through. It is all well having these horses, but you have still got to live a life too. Hopefully we can get over there and see her and enjoy it.” View the full article

While Kelvin Tyler was pleased to take out the Listed Southland Guineas (1600m) with Aberlour (NZ) (Mongolian Falcon) at Ascot Park earlier this month, the Riverton trainer was left scratching his head after stablemate Lady Sass (NZ) (Staphanos) refused to jump from the gates and took no part in the race. She was duly required to participate in a barrier trial to the satisfaction of the stewards, which she carried out with aplomb earlier this week, and Tyler is hoping she can replicate those manners in Saturday’s Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui. “She went to the jumpouts on Monday and did the opposite (of her last start), so hopefully she does that again,” Tyler said. “I can’t fault her at all, she is as fresh as a daisy. If she gets away with them, she will go a good race.” While frustrated with Lady Sass’s barrier manners last start, Tyler said he wasn’t particularly surprised, and said the quirky filly well and truly lives up to her name. “She has got a bag of tricks, she has had them since she was a foal,” he said. “We have changed a bit of gear on her – put the ear covers and side winkers on – and she flew the gate on Monday.” Tyler has always had plenty of time for Lady Sass, campaigning the daughter of Staphanos in the north over the last couple of months where she ran fourth in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m), fifth in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m), and 11th in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m). “There is not much between her and Aberlour,” Tyler said. “They are both high quality horses and the way she was racing up in the North Island in those Group Ones, she will be competitive on Saturday.” Tyler is also looking forward to Lady Sass’s younger sister More Sass (NZ) (Mongolian Falcon) making her debut in the Dakota Boutique + Lifestyle (820m). More Sass is another daughter of Mongolian Falcon, and Tyler said she has inherited her sister’s quirky nature. “She is a half to Lady Sass and she has got the same kind of attitude,” he said. “She is quite fast, but she is going to be a bit green as she has only had one jumpout and she has drawn out a bit. “I am just hoping she does everything right, which she seems to do here. She is a bit faster out of the gates than her older sister normally. She will go a good cheeky race, but she is still quite green.” Stablemate Mamaea (NZ) (Ribchester) will also make her debut in the same race, having trialled at Ruakaka last year for part-owners Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, and Kerri Spence Bloodstock, who secured a slot in the NZB Kiwi (1500m) earlier this week. “She came down from Shaun and Emma Clotworthy’s stable. She had a trial up north and she has progressed quite nicely, but she has drawn 11 of 11, so over 800m it is going to be a bit tough for her,” Tyler said. “If she settles nicely and runs on it will be a good starting point for her.” View the full article

Stephen Autridge has already made one smart move this week, which has set him up with a stronger hand to play in Saturday’s fillies’ feature at Ellerslie. The Matamata trainer had fortunately withdrawn Livid Sky (NZ) (Proisir) from Wednesday’s Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings, which subsequently fell foul of the weather and was abandoned. Livid Sky will now line up the pre-post favourite in the Gr.3 McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m), in which she will be joined by her talented stablemate Still Bangon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin). “Both my fillies are well and I pulled the right rein by not going to Hawke’s Bay,” Autridge said. “Looking at it, I thought Ellerslie was the better option for Livid Sky and that’s why I had pulled her out.” Proisir’s daughter Livid Sky stepped up to a middle distance for the first time at Pukekohe when third in the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m) and filled the same placing in the Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa where she copped an interrupted passage. Still Bangon won the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni three runs back and then came from last to finish runner-up in the Sir Patrick Hogan on New Year’s Day. At her most recent appearance, the Satono Aladdin filly was well off the pace in the Fillies’ Classic. “It was too big a space between runs for Still Bangon at her last start,” Autridge said. “I couldn’t give her enough work and she was a run short, so hopefully she’s back on target.” Matthew Cameron will take the mount on Still Bangon at Ellerslie where she is at $16 in pre-post betting while Sam Weatherley will continue his association with the $3.50 market elect Livid Sky. “Still Bangon has beaten the other filly every time they have clashed before that last run, so I guess they put the line through her,” Autridge said. “She has worked well and looks great and I think they are very hard to split.” Both fillies hold nominations for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 16. Autridge is confident Livid Sky, whose brother Lauding (NZ) was a last-start middle distance winner at The Valley, will handle the Classic distance while Saturday is D-Day for her stablemate. “We are at the stage now where we are going to find out, one way or another, whether Still Bangon is going to stay,” he said. “She is from a sprinting family, but everything about the filly indicates she will stay. We couldn’t get a true line on her at her last start and she can be forgiven for that.” Still Bangon has a speed-based pedigree and is out of the Le Bec Fin mare Shebang (NZ), who was successful on five occasions up to 1200m while her sister Elle Tresor (NZ) was also a short-course performer with three sprint successes. View the full article

Matamata trainer Cody Cole will be more than happy to let his Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) contender Renegade Rebel (NZ) (El Roca) do what he does best on Saturday. He isn’t overthinking tactics ahead of the Trackside-sponsored feature at Ellerslie and, with regular rider Matthew Cameron, will be taking a simpler is better approach to give his charge his best possible chance of an upset. “It’s pretty obvious that’s his pattern and he likes to get into his own rhythm off the front,” Cole said. “He can run good sectionals and if he got cluttered up in behind them on a changing tempo it wouldn’t suit him at all. “He just has to get out and do his own thing. It might look like he’s just plodding, but he is running along.” Renegade Rebel’s depths of stamina were first emphasised when he led all the way to win the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) off the back of a maiden victory over a mile at Tauranga. In his last appearance, the freegoing son of El Roca was unplaced in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2100m) and Cole has quickly moved on from that. “You can completely draw a line through that last run around Te Rapa, he has never been as comfortable left-handed,” he said. “He was definitely a lot worse than we anticipated and got on one rein the whole way.” Since Te Rapa, it has all been plain sailing with the three-year-old not missing a beat. “He is a real genuine stayer and we always planned on going four and a-half weeks into the Derby and it’s all gone as well as we hoped it would,” Cole said. “It’s been a good preparation and he worked up super at Ellerslie on Monday and did a little bit again on Wednesday morning on the course proper at Matamata. “I can’t fault him and with a couple of days to go, fingers crossed it keeps going that way.” Cole is understandably under no illusions about the task at hand and the long shadow the top-quality Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) casts over the Derby. “We are all hopeful we can beat the filly and it’s a horse race and we’ve seen $1.30 favourites rolled before,” he said. “If she is standing him up six lengths, then who knows, she might not get passed him but we have to be on our A-game and she probably has to have some bad luck. “Anything can happen and I don’t think he’s a $41 shot, which he is at the moment, but I guess a lot of trainers are thinking the same thing, we’re all a bit like that.” Cole is also bullish about a bold showing from his other Ellerslie representative Anise (NZ) (Tivaci), who will contest the Barfoot & Thompson Handicap (1400m). The Tivaci mare was a winner two runs back at Rotorua and three weeks later ran fifth at Trentham. “It was a bit of trainer error, we freshened her up too much and she was a bit keen in the early running and it took away her finish,” Cole said. “We took her to Ellerslie for a gallop on Monday and if she produces her best then she’s a good chance to be in the first three for sure.” View the full article

What Ascot 1000 Guineas Day Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, March 2, 2024 First Race 12:29pm AWST Visit Dabble The Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas and Lex Piper Stakes will headline the nine-race program at Ascot on Saturday afternoon. The track was rated a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, and with warm weather forecast for the remainder of the week, the track will stay in the Good range all day. The rail will be pushed out to the +8m position for the entire circuit, with the opening race scheduled to jump at 12:29pm AWST. Ascot 1000 Guineas Tip: So Nataya In the 1000 Guineas, Luke Fernie and Chris Parnham will combine with So Nataya for the third straight start. Last start, this girl was made to travel three wide without cover but stuck on well to finish third over 1400m at this track on February 21. When you consider that this daughter of So You Think would have run a lot further than the rest of her rivals previously, the step up to 1800m should suit her down to the ground. If Parnham can settle midfield off the fence from barrier seven, So Nataya could blouse her rivals in the final 100m. Ascot 1000 Guineas Race 8 – #10 So Nataya (7) 3yo Filly | T: Luke Fernie | J: Chris Parnham (54kg) +450 with Dabble Lex Piper Stakes Tip: A Lot Of Good Men A Lot Of Good Men will clash with Russian To The Bar again after they met in the Listed Challenge Stakes, where the latter beat the former by one length. The Trevor Andrews-trained galloper will appreciate the rise in distance to 1600m, having finished second behind Zipaway in the Group 2 WA Guineas in his only start at the trip. Although there doesn’t appear to be much speed, this son of A Lot showed last start that he can race forward and still run on strong, so expect similar tactics to be adopted here. Lex Piper Stakes Race 8 – #2 A Lot Of Good Men (12) 3yo Colt | T: Trevor Andrews | J: Paul Harvey (55.5kg) +210 with Playup Best Bet at Ascot: Bonjoy Bonjoy brought up a hat-trick of wins last Saturday when she let down with her customary turn of foot to win easily over 1600m. The Jason Miller-trained galloper raced at the back of the field and appreciated the very quick tempo, with Clint Johnston-Porter pushing her out to the middle of the track before she glided straight past her rivals in the final 300m. With a lot of speed expected in this contest, this daughter of Maschino will settle last again and attempt to replicate her recent victories. Best Bet Race 1 – #7 Bonjoy (2) 4yo Mare | T: Jason Miller | J: Clint Johnston-Porter (57kg) +120 with Picklebet Next Best at Ascot: Sapphire Street Sapphire Street has finished third in each of her last two starts, with one of those placings coming in the Listed WA Breeders’ Classic behind Petula. This daughter of Street Boss will go to 1400m for the first time this campaign, and after running through the line so strongly over 1300m in her most recent run, the rise in trip looks ideal fourth-up. Although this girl has drawn barrier 12 of 12, her get-back-and-run-on racing pattern should negate the wide draw if she gets a solid tempo to follow. Next Best Race 6 – #10 Sapphire Street (12) 3yo Filly | T: Daniel Morton | J: Chris Parnham (56kg) +500 with Neds Saturday quaddie tips for Ascot races Ascot quadrella selections Saturday, March 2, 2024 2-7-10 1-2 1-2-3-4-5-10 1-5-8-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Aberlour winning the Listed Southland Guineas (1600m). Photo: Monica Toretto Dual Guineas winner Aberlour’s racing future lies in Australia, following her majority sale to clients of Warwick Farm trainer Joseph Pride. The daughter of Mongolian Falcon was trained in New Zealand by Riverton horseman Kelvin Tyler, for whom she won three and placed in two of her six starts, including victories in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) and Listed Southland Guineas (1600m). Her performances piqued the interest of a number of potential buyers, but it was Pride who came out in top, with Tyler retaining 30 percent in Aberlour, and he is pleased his filly is going to a stable he has a good association with. Former Stable runner King Of The Castle was sold to Pride in a similar deal, and Tyler has enjoyed watching him perform well across the Tasman, including being trackside for his fourth placed run in the A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day. The son of Castledale has subsequently gone on to place in the Listed Santa Cup (2000m). “She leaves here on Sunday morning, it is pretty exciting to see if she matches up over there,” Tyler said. “Joe Pride is a good trainer and a good guy. I am pleased she is going there, I am quite sure he will do a good job with her. “There is a lot of prizemoney over there if they match up. We are quite excited to see how she goes.” Tyler has enjoyed crossing the Tasman with his family to watch King Of The Castle compete, and he is looking forward to doing the same with Aberlour. “We have got two reasons to go over there now,” he said. “You have got to enjoy it on the way through. It is all well having these horses, but you have still got to live a life too. Hopefully we can get over there and see her and enjoy it.” Horse racing news View the full article

Livid Sky will contest the Group 3 Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Stephen Autridge has already made one smart move this week, which has set him up with a stronger hand to play in Saturday’s fillies’ feature at Ellerslie. The Matamata trainer had fortunately withdrawn Livid Sky from Wednesday’s Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings, which subsequently fell foul of the weather and was abandoned. Livid Sky will now line up the pre-post favourite in the Group 3 Sunline Vase (2100m), in which she will be joined by her talented stablemate Still Bangon. “Both my fillies are well and I pulled the right rein by not going to Hawke’s Bay,” Autridge said. “Looking at it, I thought Ellerslie was the better option for Livid Sky and that’s why I had pulled her out.” Proisir’s daughter Livid Sky stepped up to a middle distance for the first time at Pukekohe when third in the Group 2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m) and filled the same placing in the Group 2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa where she copped an interrupted passage. Still Bangon won the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni three runs back and then came from last to finish runner-up in the Sir Patrick Hogan on New Year’s Day. At her most recent appearance, the Satono Aladdin filly was well off the pace in the Fillies’ Classic. “It was too big a space between runs for Still Bangon at her last start,” Autridge said. “I couldn’t give her enough work and she was a run short, so hopefully she’s back on target.” Matthew Cameron will take the mount on Still Bangon at Ellerslie where she is at $16 in pre-post betting while Sam Weatherley will continue his association with the $3.50 market elect Livid Sky. “Still Bangon has beaten the other filly every time they have clashed before that last run, so I guess they put the line through her,” Autridge said. “She has worked well and looks great and I think they are very hard to split.” Both fillies hold nominations for the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 16. Autridge is confident Livid Sky, whose brother Lauding was a last-start middle distance winner at The Valley, will handle the Classic distance while Saturday is D-Day for her stablemate. “We are at the stage now where we are going to find out, one way or another, whether Still Bangon is going to stay,” he said. “She is from a sprinting family, but everything about the filly indicates she will stay. We couldn’t get a true line on her at her last start and she can be forgiven for that.” Still Bangon has a speed-based pedigree and is out of the Le Bec Fin mare Shebang, who was successful on five occasions up to 1200m while her sister Elle Tresor was also a short-course performer with three sprint successes. Horse racing news View the full article

Renegade Rebel will be out to cause an upset in Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Matamata trainer Cody Cole will be more than happy to let his Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) contender Renegade Rebel do what he does best on Saturday. He isn’t overthinking tactics ahead of the Trackside-sponsored feature at Ellerslie and, with regular rider Matthew Cameron, will be taking a simpler is better approach to give his charge his best possible chance of an upset. “It’s pretty obvious that’s his pattern and he likes to get into his own rhythm off the front,” Cole said. “He can run good sectionals and if he got cluttered up in behind them on a changing tempo it wouldn’t suit him at all. “He just has to get out and do his own thing. It might look like he’s just plodding, but he is running along.” Renegade Rebel’s depths of stamina were first emphasised when he led all the way to win the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) off the back of a maiden victory over a mile at Tauranga. In his last appearance, the freegoing son of El Roca was unplaced in the Group 2 Waikato Guineas (2100m) and Cole has quickly moved on from that. “You can completely draw a line through that last run around Te Rapa, he has never been as comfortable left-handed,” he said. “He was definitely a lot worse than we anticipated and got on one rein the whole way.” Since Te Rapa, it has all been plain sailing with the three-year-old not missing a beat. “He is a real genuine stayer and we always planned on going four and a-half weeks into the Derby and it’s all gone as well as we hoped it would,” Cole said. “It’s been a good preparation and he worked up super at Ellerslie on Monday and did a little bit again on Wednesday morning on the course proper at Matamata. “I can’t fault him and with a couple of days to go, fingers crossed it keeps going that way.” Cole is understandably under no illusions about the task at hand and the long shadow the top-quality Orchestral casts over the Derby. “We are all hopeful we can beat the filly and it’s a horse race and we’ve seen $1.30 favourites rolled before,” he said. “If she is standing him up six lengths, then who knows, she might not get passed him but we have to be on our A-game and she probably has to have some bad luck. “Anything can happen and I don’t think he’s a $41 shot, which he is at the moment, but I guess a lot of trainers are thinking the same thing, we’re all a bit like that.” Cole is also bullish about a bold showing from his other Ellerslie representative Anise, who will contest the Barfoot & Thompson Handicap (1400m). The Tivaci mare was a winner two runs back at Rotorua and three weeks later ran fifth at Trentham. “It was a bit of trainer error, we freshened her up too much and she was a bit keen in the early running and it took away her finish,” Cole said. “We took her to Ellerslie for a gallop on Monday and if she produces her best then she’s a good chance to be in the first three for sure.” Horse racing news View the full article

First Innings will contest Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman will be looking to secure his first Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in his own right at Ellerslie on Saturday when First Innings contests the feature. Forsman has won the Classic on two previous occasions when training in partnership with Murray Baker, securing his first NZ Derby with Mongolian Khan in 2015, while Vin De Dance was victorious in the race three years later. First Innings has shown plenty of potential in his four career starts to date, capped by his last start victory over 2100m at Pukekohe last week. Forsman is confident in First Innings’ staying abilities, but admits he faces a stiff task this weekend up against $1.40 favourite Orchrestral. “We haven’t had to do too much with him, he was a pretty fit horse going into it (last start),” Forsman told TAB NZ. “He has had three runs over ground now, so he has had a very quiet week since then. “We have drawn well enough (7) and Orchestral has drawn out a little bit wider than us (9). In my mind, she will need to be very unlucky or have things not go right for her, to (not) be right in the finish. “For us, we just need a good, evenly run race, and he will stay the 2400m.” Co-owner Michael Hughes drew gate seven for his gelding at Tuesday evening’s barrier draw, and while he knows First Innings has a tough assignment to beat a short-priced favourite this weekend, he said it has been done in the past. “I didn’t think they could beat La Crique, and she was a pretty short-priced favourite,” Hughes said. “I am pretty happy with the way things have gone. He will be fit enough and he will be running on.” Meanwhile, Forsman was pleased to secure a slot in the NZB Kiwi (1500m) on Tuesday evening with his bid of $675,000. “You wanted to be a part of it but there is also a point where they are value, and then you have to temper that with where we landed. We went slightly over budget on what we thought we would have to pay, but I am happy to have secured a slot,” Forsman said. “Hopefully we can come up with one good enough.” Horse racing news View the full article

King Of The North winning at Matamata on Thursday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Group 1 winner Jon Snow got off the mark as a sire on Thursday when his son King Of The North took out the Farewell Dave Bradford (1400m) at Matamata. It was the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained gelding’s third start, having run fourth on debut over 1200m at the Waikato track in January before placing over 1300m at Te Rapa a fortnight later. Jon Snow stands at Clearview Park, near Timaru, and farm principal Aaron Tapper was rapt to see King Of The North get his sire on the board. “It was very exciting,” Tapper said. “He raced the day before we had a filly go through at Karaka where he got third at Te Rapa. It would have been nice if it was that day (he won), but it is really good to get a win.” The victory was made even more special for Tapper given the fact King Of The North was foaled and raised on his property for breeder Tim Harrison prior to heading north to Te Runga Stud where he went through their 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft and was purchased by Wexford Stables for $60,000. “He was born and raised on the farm here before he went north. He was pretty impressive then,” Tapper said. “He was a typical Jon Snow, they are all pretty leggy as foals and they grow into their body really well. “I remember going up to Lance and Andrew at the sales when they bought King Of The North just to say congratulations and thank you. They said that they bought him as their next Derby runner. He is a couple of months behind, but there are a couple of Derbys coming up, so who knows?” Forsman, alongside Murray Baker, trained the son of Iffraaj to four wins and eight placings from 23 starts, including victories in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m), Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m), and Group 3 JRA Cup (2040m). He also placed in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m), Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m), and Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m). “We lease him off the Zame Parnership,” Tapper said. “When we were offered him it was a given that we would take him because he was such an impressive racehorse. “For the South Island to get something of his quality was great, so we jumped at the chance. “His temperament is fantastic and all of his foals seem so much more relaxed, they are nice types, and we are pretty happy with him. “His pedigree is awesome. We just need more on the track. “I got a booking for him yesterday for this coming season and to have a winner on the board will certainly help.” Earlier on the card, Tapper celebrated another success for his other stallion Echoes Of Heaven when his son Manawa took out the Matamata Function Centre 1600 for trainer John Bell. Horse racing news View the full article

Waitak will be one of two runners for Wexford Stables in Saturday’s Group 3 King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Wexford Stables look to have a strong hand in the Group 3 King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday where they will be represented by Group 1 winner Waitak and Group 1 performer Dragon Leap. Waitak will be seeking to return to his winning ways for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, having finished eighth in the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa earlier this month having posted back-to-back wins in his previous outings, including the Group 1 Railway (1200m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. “Waitak is flying, he is really going well,” Scott told TAB NZ. “He got three wide in the Waikato Sprint and had a tough gig there, but he pressed on well and his sectionals were still really good.” Stablemate Dragon Leap will be out to continue his great association with Ellerslie, having experienced a memorable three-year-old season on the track, having won the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1600m), placed in the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m), and finished fourth in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). The seven-year-old gelding has been unplaced in his three starts this summer, after experiencing a successful spring where he won the Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) and was runner-up in the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m). “Dragon Leap is going well, but he is just having no luck,” Scott said. “He came home the quickest last 400m of the race (in the BCD Group Sprint), but he just got out wide where they weren’t winning on that day. Opie (Bosson) is back on and he has a great affinity with the horse. “We are pleased with them both. They are both holding up to the summer racing well, so they should sprint well again. They just need a bit of luck.” Waitak is currently a $4.20 second favourite behind last start Group 1 winner Bonny Lass ($2.50), while Dragon Leap is the third equal fancied runner alongside Mercurial ($5). Horse racing news View the full article

Lady Sass (inside) will contest the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) While Kelvin Tyler was pleased to take out the Listed Southland Guineas (1600m) with Aberlour at Ascot Park earlier this month, the Riverton trainer was left scratching his head after stablemate Lady Sass refused to jump from the gates and took no part in the race. She was duly required to participate in a barrier trial to the satisfaction of the stewards, which she carried out with aplomb earlier this week, and Tyler is hoping she can replicate those manners in Saturday’s Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui. “She went to the jumpouts on Monday and did the opposite (of her last start), so hopefully she does that again,” Tyler said. “I can’t fault her at all, she is as fresh as a daisy. If she gets away with them, she will go a good race.” While frustrated with Lady Sass’s barrier manners last start, Tyler said he wasn’t particularly surprised, and said the quirky filly well and truly lives up to her name. “She has got a bag of tricks, she has had them since she was a foal,” he said. “We have changed a bit of gear on her – put the ear covers and side winkers on – and she flew the gate on Monday.” Tyler has always had plenty of time for Lady Sass, campaigning the daughter of Staphanos in the north over the last couple of months where she ran fourth in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m), fifth in the Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m), and 11th in the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m). “There is not much between her and Aberlour,” Tyler said. “They are both high quality horses and the way she was racing up in the North Island in those Group Ones, she will be competitive on Saturday.” Tyler is also looking forward to Lady Sass’s younger sister More Sass making her debut in the Dakota Boutique + Lifestyle (820m). More Sass is another daughter of Mongolian Falcon, and Tyler said she has inherited her sister’s quirky nature. “She is a half to Lady Sass and she has got the same kind of attitude,” he said. “She is quite fast, but she is going to be a bit green as she has only had one jumpout and she has drawn out a bit. “I am just hoping she does everything right, which she seems to do here. She is a bit faster out of the gates than her older sister normally. She will go a good cheeky race, but she is still quite green.” Stablemate Mamaea will also make her debut in the same race, having trialled at Ruakaka last year for part-owners Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, and Kerri Spence Bloodstock, who secured a slot in the NZB Kiwi (1500m) earlier this week. “She came down from Shaun and Emma Clotworthy’s stable. She had a trial up north and she has progressed quite nicely, but she has drawn 11 of 11, so over 800m it is going to be a bit tough for her,” Tyler said. “If she settles nicely and runs on it will be a good starting point for her.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Australian Guineas Day 2024 Where Flemington Racecourse – 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington VIC 3031 When Saturday, March 2, 2024 First Race 12:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Group 1 racing returns to Flemington on Saturday afternoon as the Australian Guineas (1600m) takes centre stage on a 10-race program. With the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) also on the bill, conditions are set fair for a cracking day of racing. With the rail out 2m and the track a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, there will be no excuses for fancied runners. The action at Flemington is set to commence at 12:15pm AEDT. Keep reading for HorseBetting’s free race-by-race preview of Flemington races. Race 1: Handicap (1100m) A competitive field of mares is set to do battle in the Flemington opener, and if the Mark Walker-trained Sans Doute can replicate her last two efforts, it should be enough to salute once more at the Flemington 1100m. The Not A Single Doubt mare has stalked the speed down the Flemington straight in recent times, and has sprinted the best to get the better of some handy types. With plenty of early speed engaged, Celine Gaudray will be tracking the leaders wherever they go once again, and with a sharp turn of foot, Sans Doute should be bringing up a third straight win. Selections: 4 SANS DOUTE 1 CINDERELLA DAYS 3 TINTOOKIE 2 WALTZ ON BY Race 2: BM84 Handicap (2000m) Aramaco was only grabbed late in a tactical affair by the handy El Soleado on February 17, and a repeat effort should see the five-year-old go on better on Saturday. The Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)-trained runner was a handy all-the-way winner at this track and trip two runs back, and considering he should get an uncontested lead on the weekend, he will prove hard to run down. Damian Lane will have his rivals chasing a long way out, and Aramco should have too big of a lead late on. Selections: 7 ARAMCO 1 KETTLE HILL 5 UP AND UNDER 4 STRAWBERRY ROCK Best Bet Race 2 – #7 Aramco (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Damian Lane (55kg) +170 with Neds Race 3: BM78 Handicap (1200m) Master Montaro was a soft Sandown winner in BM70 company on January 31, and with a month between runs, he can post a second straight win. The seven-year-old gelding has been low-flying since coming to Australia from Hong Kong, and he looks to continue on with that momentum. Jye McNeil will need a touch of luck to land a forward spot from barrier 10, without being caught wide. If he can land one-one or be three wide with cover, Master Montaro is arguably too classy for this lot, and with a swift turn of foot in the home straight, he can be winning again. Selections: 2 MASTER MONTARO 6 BIG WATCH 3 SHOVE OVER 9 MORAL FORCE Race 4: Listed Furphy Trophy (1000m) Bold Bastille was too bad to be true in Group 2 company fresh from a spell, but if she can replicate her debut win from the spring, she should be blowing her rivals away. The Brazen Beau filly put three-lengths on subsequent Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) winner Hayasugi when they clashed in October, before getting her colours lowered in the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) on February 10. She is a natural front-runner, and drawn barrier one down the straight, we expect Mark Zahra to hold the rail, dictate terms and have Bold Bastille runner their rivals into the dirt. Selections: 1 BOLD BASTILLE 5 DRIFTING 6 ALWAYS ENUFF 2 SKY CAP Next Best Race 4 – #1 Bold Bastille (1) 2yo Filly | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Mark Zahra (57kg) +130 with Bet365 Race 5: Handicap (1100m) Satin And Silk simply doesn’t know how to run a poor race, and with three wins and a second from four runs this campaign, the I Am invincible filly looks a great each-way play. The Peter & Paul Snowden-trained sprinter tends to make all in her races, and is poised to do so once again down the Flemington straight. She broke her rivals hearts at Moonee Valley on February 2 under Blake Shinn, and considering she drops 2.5kg from her last start win, she gets in perfectly at the weights. Whether she is up a sprint like this is another question — but at $14 — it’s hard to ignore. Selections: 2 SATIN AND SILK 1 INHIBITIONS 3 PEACE TREATY 5 MOESHA Best Value Race 5 – #2 Satin And Silk (9) 3yo Filly | T: Peter & Paul Snowden | J: Blake Shinn (56.5kg) +1300 with Playup Race 6: BM84 Handicap (1600m) Ceerseven continues to rise through the grades with great aplomb, and on the back of a handy Randwick BM78 win, he looks well-placed to bring up a third straight win. The four-year-old gelding relishes a strong tempo, which he should get on the weekend, and from barrier three under Ben Melham will be given every opportunity in running. Another Wil is a deserving favourite, but at the price Ceerseven looks to be the play in this BM84. With even luck, it is easy to take the $10 on offer, and be confident Ceerseven can cause an upset. Selections: 3 CEERSEVEN 6 ANOTHER WIL 7 ARISTONOUS 5 MAGNASPIN Race 7: Inglis Sprint (1200m) Estriella could not have been any more impressive when saluting in Group 3 company on February 10. Ciaron Maher’s three-year-old filly returns to the Flemington straight for just the second time in her career, but does have that straight-track experience over her main market rival Caballus. Considering the prizemoney on offer in the Inglis Sprint, a lot of her rivals will want to take up the running and ensure a rapid tempo throughout. Estriella has shown she can absorb strong tempo’s and run on from the rear, and if she can replicate her finishing burst that she put forward first-up, she should be winning in grand style. Selections: 8 ESTRIELLA 1 CABALLUS 2 RAIKOKE 7 MUMBAI MUSE Race 8: Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) The time-honoured Group 1 Australian Guineas has attracted a capacity field of 16 three-year-olds duking it out for the $1 million on offer. Can Riff Rocket add a Guineas triumph to his VRC Derby success from the spring, or can Veight or King Colorado claim their first Victorian Group 1 success. It shapes as an intriguing edition of the Australian Guineas. Click here for HorseBetting’s free preview of the 2024 Group 1 Australian Guineas. Race 9: Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) Win and you are in to the All-Star Mile (1600m), that is what is on offer for the winner of the Group 2 Blamey Stakes on Saturday. Dan O’Sullivan’s Berkeley Square caught the eye when finishing fifth in Listed company behind Makram on February 17, and with the run under his belt, he looks poised to turn the table on that bloke and the remaining rivals. He hasn’t won in over 15 months, but the son of Territories is never fair away in races like the Blamey. He is no doubt wanting further than the mile, but on the back of a genuine tempo, Berkeley Square looks to be a super each-way play in the Blamey, considering a few of his rivals can be questionable at the 1600m. Selections: 11 BERKELEY SQUARE 8 MAKRAM 2 ATISHU 5 AYRTON Blamey Stakes Race 9 – #11 Berkeley Square (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Dan O’Sullivan | J: Luke Currie (55kg) +1300 with Picklebet Race 10: BM84 Handicap (1400m) Lounge Bar Rubi was super from the rear of the field in a similar event to this on February 17, going down by 1.3 lengths behind the progressive Jennilala. Having produced some strong late splits, it suggests that the four-year-old from the Mark & Levi Kavanagh barn is edging closer to another win. Jamie Mott will look to have his mount settled midfield with cover from barrier 10, and as long as he doesn’t get shuffled too far back on the corner, Lounge Bar Rubi can produce a strong finish and blow his rivals out in the last. Selections: 5 LOUNGE BAR RUBI 7 HE’S OUR BONNEVAL 11 FRIGID 2 SO RISQUE Flemington free Saturday quaddie tips Flemington quadrella selections Saturday, March 2, 2024 1-2-7-8 1-2-3 2-5-8-11-14 2-5-7-9-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

After twice refusing to leave the gates, the stubborn galloper faces a long and arduous series of jump outs and barrier trials before being permitted to returnView the full article

What Eagle Farm Races Where Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, March 2, 2024 First Race 12:13pm AEST Visit Dabble A very competitive 10-race card awaits punters at Eagle Farm this Saturday afternoon. With warm and dry conditions forecast in the lead-up, the track is expected to stay at the Good 4 rating that was posted at the time of acceptances. The rail will be pushed out to the +7m position, with the meeting scheduled to kick off at 12:13pm AEST. Best Bet at Eagle Farm: Millane Millane kicked off his second preparation in Queensland with a strong victory at this track and trip on February 17. The four-year-old gelding jumped awkwardly and settled towards the rear of the field before making up ground early in the home straight, then sliced his way through the pack to find an inside run before finishing off strongly. As he meets a weaker Class 6 field and Ryan Maloney retains the ride, Millane will go very close to winning again. Best Bet Race 8 – #5 Millane (3) 4yo Gelding | T: David Vandyke | J: Ryan Maloney (58.5kg) +220 with Picklebet Next Best at Eagle Farm: Quothquan Quothquan was desperately unlucky not to win last start, but he flashed home down the outside to finish second at Doomben over 1350m. This son of Rothesay should enjoy the bigger track at Eagle Farm and the slight rise in distance to 1400m. With Molloy’s 3kg claim and a solid tempo, Quothquan will be flying home late to play a prominent role in the finish. Next Best Race 6 – #3 Quothquan (18) 4yo Gelding | T: John Dann | J: Jake Molloy (a3) (58kg) +900 with Neds Best Value at Eagle Farm: Lady Le Da After a luckless run two starts back, Follow Files readers would have been slightly happier with a nice return on the place line when Lady Le Da flew home to nab third behind Seneschal over 1400m at this track on February 17. The Paul Jenkins-trained mare is working her way up to a win, and now she steps up to 1600m — a distance she has won at before. In what appears to be an open race to end the card, Jim Byrne will let this daughter of Domesday settle where she is comfortable before getting into clear air to finish strongly. Best Value Race 10 – #14 Lady Le Da (9) 4yo Mare | T: Paul Jenkins | J: Jim Byrne (55.5kg) +1000 with Dabble Saturday quaddie tips for Eagle Farm races Eagle Farm quadrella selections Saturday, March 2, 2024 3-8-9-13 5-12 2-5-6-11 3-4-9-14-16 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Vanessa Arnott returns to scale aboard the Jason Manning-trained Bon’s Pride following a win at Fannie Bay. (Picture: Caroline Camilleri/Darwin Photography Professionals) Bon’s Pride will be aiming to make it four straight wins for Darwin trainer Jason Manning at Fannie Bay on Friday. The four-year-old gelding will step out in a five-horse field against the three- and four-year-olds over 1300m. Tom Logan’s Queen In The North and Phil Cole’s trio of Tubthumper, Fly Nice and Whitten complete the field. Manning purchased the son of Bon Aurum for $22,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Darwin Select Tried Horse Sale held during the Cup Carnival. Bon’s Pride won his first Darwin race by 8.3 lengths over 1300m in the 0-58 ranks before saluting over 1300m on January 13 and over 1200m on February 9. Darwin Race 3 replay (9/2/2024) – Bon’s Pride The market elect in each of those three wins, he was the early +120 favourite with online bookmakers for Friday’s race. In nine starts for Cranbourne trainer Wendy Kelly, Bon’s Pride had just the one win in a 1400m Cranbourne maiden. “He’s loving life in Darwin, it took him a couple of runs to get used to the track,” Manning said. “Hopefully, he can do the same again and win on Friday. “The horse has got ability and showed that last start when he stepped up in grade. “It’s a nice test again on Friday, the other four runners are in good form.” Returning from a spell in December, Tubthumper saluted twice in open company over 1200m before Cole sent the mare to the Gold Coast in January for the $1 million fillies and mares race over 1300m on Magic Millions Day. She finished 14th, and in her second start two weeks later for Sunshine Coast trainer Natalie McCall, Zoustar’s daughter finished 11th over 1600m in BM78 company at the Sunshine Coast. Tubthumper must be respected, but even with apprentice jockey Emma Lines’ 2kg claim, the four-year-old mare will carry an extra 6kg compared to her last appearance at Fannie Bay, where she lumped 54kg. Fly Nice, who has won twice for Cole, has only missed a place once in six Darwin starts and has a 5.5kg weight advantage over Bon’s Pride (61.5kg). Whitten (54kg) is stepping up in class but has won two of his past three starts, while Queen In The North (55kg), also making the jump in grade, has finished second in her past four starts. “Tubthumper was the standout last year in the three-year-old ranks, she gets in nicely with Emma’s (Lines) 2kg claim,” Manning said. “Our horse goes up 2.5kg — he’s carried 60.5kg previously when he’s won here, so he carries weight not too bad. “In a small field, he should get a good run in transit.” Manning’s partner Vanessa Arnott will ride Bon’s Pride on Friday. Looking ahead, Manning hopes to start Bon’s Pride in the $50,000 race over 1300m on Darwin Cup Day on August 5 for horses sold at the Magic Millions Tried Horse Sale in Darwin (2013-2023) and Alice Springs (2023). “He’s been a very good buy, he’s honest and sound,” Manning said. “He’s a nice horse and had consistent form in Victoria. “He’d only won the one race, but he hadn’t been beaten too far in all of his runs.” Horse racing news View the full article