Wandering Eyes

A new incentive programme for the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene was launched by France Galop this spring. In danger of being downgraded from Group 2 to Group 3 status next year, the race now has a quintet of lead-up sprint-race qualifiers where the winner will be automatically entered in the June 2 1000-metre sprint and the €1,200 entry fee will be waived. Two of the five qualifying races have already taken place, the Prix Cor de Chasse at Deauville on Apr. 9, won by Vicious Harry (Fr) (Harry Angel {Ire}), and the G3 Prix Sigy at Chantilly, which was claimed by Sajir (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) on Apr. 15. The remaining qualifiers for the event are as follows: Prix Servanne over 1200 metres at Chantilly on May 2 Prix de Saint-Georges over 1000 metres at ParisLongchamp on May 12 G3 Prix Texanita going 1200 metres at Chantilly on May 17 In Italy, the €640,200 G2 Derby Italiano over 2200 metres will be held on Sunday, May 19. Open to colts and fillies, the Capannelle showpiece is one of the most lucrative Group 2 races in Europe. A generous travel incentive is being offered for prospective entrants, with entries closing on Monday, Apr. 29 at 10:30 a.m. local time. The entry fee is €1,455. Supplemental entries will be accepted until 10:30 a.m. on May 16 for a cost of €48,200. Declarations, at a fee of €2,910, are due by 8:30 a.m. on May 17. The post France Galop To Offer Incentives For Prix Du Gros-Chene appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Matscot will contest the Gr.3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) at Riccarton on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Fresh off his rich payday after taking out last Saturday’s $350,000 Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) at Riccarton, Matscot will return to the Christchurch track this weekend in search of more feature spoils. Initially set to target Saturday’s Group 3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m), trainer Sharon Robertson elected to make a late bid for the Southern Alps last week, which more than paid off for the local trainer. Her decision earned her and fellow part-owners $175,000, bringing Matscot’s season tally to four wins, including the Listed Spring Classic (2000m), Hororata Gold Cup (1800m) and Southern Alps Challenge, and nearly $290,000 in earnings. “It was nice to get that win (Southern Alps Challenge),” Robertson said. “We were originally just going to go for the Cup this week, but we decided to go in and it worked out well.” Robertson has been pleased with the way he has come through the run and is looking forward to stepping him up over ground this weekend in the Canterbury Gold Cup, which will be his last start of the season. “He will benefit from the step up to 2000m, he likes that distance,” she said. “He is going out once he has finished here on Saturday afternoon because he has been up for quite a while. He will go out for two or three months and then come back for the spring.” Robertson also co-bred Matscot out of her five-win mare Bewarned, with the son of Haradasun being the last of four foals out of the daughter of Danske. “She had four foals but the only one that was any good was this one (Matscot),” Robertson said. “He has taken a long time, but it has been worth it.” Robertson will also be represented on Saturday by Hey Now and debutant Yorrick. “Hey Now probably needs a bit more moisture, but I don’t think we are going to get it,” Robertson said. “We will just go back from that draw (14) and see what happens. He is honest. “It will be more for education with Yorrick, he is still learning.” Horse racing news View the full article

Snazzytavi will be one of two contenders for trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall in Saturday’s Group 3 Easter Handicap at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Matamata trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall were rapt with their treble at Arawa Park on Wednesday, and they are hoping they can continue that winning form into the rest of the week. Therapeutic kicked off the treble before Confiance and Darci’s Angel carried Social Racing’s colours to victory respectively. “I am absolutely over the moon,” Richardson said. “It’s good for Social Racing, Brent and Wendy Cooper have been very good supporters, and the owners of Therapeutic as well, it was a great day.” It was a nice appetiser ahead of a couple of exciting days for the stable, culminating with two quality stakes chances at Ellerslie on Saturday. Stakes performer Snazzytavi and Group Two performer Channel Surfer will tackle the Group 3 Easter Handicap (1600m) and Richardson believes both horses are in with a show. “Snazzytavi and Channel Surfer are both lovely horses and both are good chances. We just like to have horses in a big race,” he said. “It’s a little bit disappointing that it is a Group Three now. It is a prestigious race and one that everyone loves to win. It used to be a Group One, but I am sure they had good reason to downgrade it, but it is disappointing.” Snazzytavi heads into the race fresh after recovering from a stone bruise since her placing in the South Waikato Cup (2000m) at Matamata last month. “Bringing her back to the mile, there is a question mark, but she hasn’t raced for a while because she had a bit of a stone bruise” Richardson said. “She is better off a bit fresh anyway. She will be an interesting runner from an awkward draw (10).” Snazzytavi is coming towards the end of her campaign and Richardson said she will be an ideal Cups mare next season. “Without confirming it with Cambridge stud, she is getting to a stage where she will probably need a rest soon and she will look at the Cups races next season,” he said. Channel Surfer also takes a placing into Saturday, having run third over a mile at Trentham a fortnight ago. “It was a very good run last time,” Richardson said. “He missed the kick and got held up halfway up the straight at Wellington. He has definitely improved on that run. He had 58.5kg last time and now he has got 53kg on his back. He will be an interesting runner.” Richarson will also head to Ellerslie with Lovearoadie. “She got trapped three-wide last time. It certainly wasn’t the jockey’s fault, it’s just the way it turned out,” Richardson said. “We have got a lot of enthusiastic owners from all over the country in her, so hopefully she goes well.” A day prior, the stable will have two contenders at their home meeting, including Sorghaghtani and Chante Moi. “Sorghaghtani is a very, very good horse that has had more issues than I have,” Richardson said. “She is getting better and stronger, and her work on Tuesday was good. I would ideally have liked to have given her a trial. She is going into tomorrow not 100 percent fit, but it doesn’t mean she can’t win. “Chante Moi has improved lengths since she had a spell and come back in.” Horse racing news View the full article

Investigate will contest the Group 3 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North Up and coming staying prospect Investigate promises to give another bold account of himself at Ellerslie on Saturday in what is likely to be the final appearance of his current campaign. The Tony Pike-prepared son of Dundeel has relished the step up to middle distance racing and appeals as a leading chance in the Group 3 Championship Stakes (2100m). He is one of a quartet of strong black type chances for Pike, who also has Lanikai in the three-year-old feature while Rudyard contests the Group 3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) and Boss ‘N’ Highheels runs in the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m). He will be further represented at Riccarton by Dangerous Liaisons, who will be chasing a degree of compensation after she was forced to bypass her intended stakes target last weekend. Investigate was a runaway winner in his first crack at 2000m two runs back before he handled a sharp rise in class in style when runner-up in the Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham. “Obviously, he jumped from a very weak maiden at Taranaki to a good performance significantly up in grade,” Pike said. “He’s always suggested he’s a really genuine staying three-year-old and he got squeezed up late and was strong through the line at Wellington. “It looks a similar race for him on Saturday and this will probably be his last run. He’s come a long way in a short time, so I’d suggest he’ll go out and come back next season.” Lanikai has yet to break his maiden and the son of Ocean Park will appreciate the step up to 2100m off the back of placings up to a mile. “He’s a horse we’ve always really liked all the way through. His racing manners have let him down a touch and he’s had a few wide gates as well,” Pike said. “He’s a lovely horse in the making who wants to do a few things wrong, so we’ll ride him a lot quieter than he has been and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him run a lot better than his price.” Charm Spirit four-year-old Rudyard lines up in the Easter in grand form with four wins and five top-four finishes from his last nine starts. “He’s come of age this season and is very professional and been in very solid form, it doesn’t appear as if anything has changed going by his trackwork,” Pike said. “It looks a perfect race for him, ideally we would have liked to have got in with a couple of kilos less in weight than 57kg, but that probably reflects the lack of horses at this level. “The wide draw is a bit of a concern, but he’ll go forward and he should be hard to beat going back up to a mile.” Written Tycoon filly Boss ‘N’ Highheels was unbeaten in two trial appearances before carrying that form over to race day on debut. “She’s a lovely type and we were really concerned about the track conditions at Matamata when the rain came,” Pike said. “She’s got a beautiful, sweet low action and ability got her through and on a better surface at Ellerslie she will be even better. “She has drawn wide, but she seems to have good gate speed and hopefully she can get across without ding too much work. She’s a really progressive filly.” Dangerous Liaisons is back to full health for her assignment at Riccarton after the No Nay Never filly originally headed south for last weekend’s Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m). “She was sound on the Friday night and on Saturday morning she was three out of five lame with a throbbing pulse in her foot,” Pike said. “That popped pretty quickly and she’s sound as a bell now but missed the race we wanted so she’s going to have to run for a consolation prize.” Horse racing news View the full article

Caspar Fownes celebrates the milestone with Ellis Wong. The Fownes name has been synonymous with Hong Kong racing across the past 40-plus years and Caspar, son of former trainer Lawrie, became only the fourth horseman after John Moore (1,735), John Size (1,535) and Tony Cruz (1,502) to reach 1,100 Hong Kong wins on Wednesday night at Happy Valley. Assistant to his late father for several seasons, Fownes, 56, gained his licence in 2003/04 and since then he has been crowned Hong Kong Champion Trainer four times: 2006/07, 2008/09, 2013/14 and 2020/21. He is best known for handling top talents Lucky Nine, Sky Field, The Duke, Southern Legend, Super Satin, Sky Darci and Green Birdie. “It’s a nice number and we’ll keep trying to build on that and hopefully we can get to where we want to get. We’re happy and it’s good that Ronan (Fownes) is with me now, learning the game, so it’s been a bit more special to have my young man with me. It’s nice and all in all it’s a nice team effort,” Fownes said. The milestone came as Ellis Wong capped a double atop Kaholo Angel. “It’s very special and to get it with the young lad, my indentured apprentice Ellis, it was good. It’s kind of funny because we felt looking at the race that we would jump and use our gate speed and go forward and see what happens,” Fownes said. “I said to the kid though, when you’re out there you have got to ride these races and start to think for yourself, for whatever reason you don’t ping the gates or they just come out a little bit tardy, always go to ‘Plan B’ and learn a little bit yourself, which was good. “He did the right thing there and gave the horse a nice chance. He was electrifying over the last part – it’s nice to see that.” Known as the long-time ‘King of the Valley’, Fownes has 596 wins at the city circuit, which includes a famous six-win afternoon in 2010. The trainer is readying Straight Arron for a HK$28 million Group 1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) tilt at Sha Tin on FWD Champions Day (Sunday, April 28) after the horse finished sixth in the Group 1 Dubai Turf (1800m) at Meydan last month. “I’m happy with him. He came out of quarantine on Monday (15 April) and he had a bit of pace work yesterday morning. The plan is to bring him here (Happy Valley) on Friday (19 April) for a trial. Just to keep him nice and ticking over. “Obviously, you hope they can come back nicely, especially from what I felt was a nice effort in Dubai, a brave effort against some of the best horses. At 2000 metres, we hope that we can run in the first four and just be competitive,” Fownes said. Wong also scored aboard Super Axiom for trainer Me Tsui. Jerry Chau and Danny Shum collected doubles. The duo combined with Exuberant. Shum prevailed again with Flying Silver thanks to a sweet ride from Angus Chung, who also bagged a brace. Shum concedes the HK$22 million Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) is a big test for Victor The Winner: “He’s good. It’s hard to beat California Spangle, he’s too good.” Romantic Warrior is aiming to become the first horse in history to record three wins in the FWD QEII Cup following his victories in 2022 and 2023. “He’s very fit, he’s very good and he’s doing well. I’m expecting him to run a very good race,” Shum said. Chung moved to within one of the 70-win graduation mark as Superb Capitalist won for trainer Tony Cruz. Matthew Chadwick bounced to the front aboard California Touch and was never headed, for trainer Cody Mo. Following 10 top-three finishes, Turin Warrior grasped an overdue first Hong Kong win for Karis Teetan and trainer Manfred Man. Northern Beast, a son of Maurice, recorded a breakthrough victory for Hugh Bowman and trainer David Hall. The four-year-old overhauled a determined Big Two by three quarters of a length. “He deserved the win. He’s been a consistent horse, he lost form at the back end of last year but he’s been showing signs of regaining his own form. He’s better than Class 5 – it wasn’t a dominant win but I thought it had a lot of merit,” Bowman said. Zoom Boom closed out the midweek programme with victory under Harry Bentley for trainer Chief Stipelas Whyte. Horse racing news View the full article

Waitak will jump from barrier 10 in Saturday’s $5 million The Quokka (1200m) in Perth. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) An omen barrier may prove the key to Waitak’s success in a star-studded line-up for Saturday’s $5 million The Quokka (1200m) in Perth. The son of Proisir is trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, and the latter flew from their Matamata base to Western Australia to be present at the Breakfast With The Stars promotional event, where he drew barrier 10 for the Group 1 Railway (1200m) winner. While the gate assists Waitak’s racing pattern of settling back and showing his sharp sprint late, it also has acted as a springboard for many of Wexford’s great victories, more recently Molly Bloom’s Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), and Dragon Leap’s Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m). “It’s been a very lucky number for our stable with good results as number 10, and barrier 10,” Scott said. “My birthday is actually on the 10th as well. “For Waitak, it suits him as he can go back and settle in, and possibly be in the open to get home late. It should give him an opportunity to open up in the straight.” Earlier on Wednesday morning, Waitak and travelling representative Erin Leighton galloped on the course proper at Ascot Racecourse with Scott watching on. “He worked yesterday morning on the course proper on nice soft ground and we couldn’t have been more pleased with how he moved through his gallop. Erin was really pleased, she said he felt quite explosive so we couldn’t be happier with his work,” he said. “He’s handled the travel and recovered well, his appetite is good and he’s consuming a good lot of feed. “He’s sound and very well within himself, and he’s continued to thrive over here in the warmth.” With temperatures reaching as high as 33 degrees in Perth this week, Scott has been wary of the four-year-old’s routine in contrast to the Kiwi climate. “We’ve brought his work back a fair bit with the heat, as well as with his long trip over, you can’t quite do as much as you would back home in cooler temperatures. It’s just been a matter of ticking him over,” Scott said. “We’re under no illusion that it’s going to be a very strong field, but he’s going as well as he can which is the exciting part. They’ve done a great job of building the race up so it’s all go for Saturday.” Waitak and jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor will represent Trackside Media in the $5 million slot race, and he has shortened into +2500, with glamour local mare Amelia’s Jewel heading the market at +250 with horse racing bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

New Zealander rider Michael McNab has answered the call to partner Maharba (Pride of Dubai) in the Hareeba Stakes at Mornington. With the potential of a jockey shortage at Mornington, trainer Grahame Begg and owner Gary Towzell got on the front foot in the search of a jockey for Maharba at Mornington. The three-year-old runs in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) on Saturday, but longer-term Wagga-based Towzell has his eyes on a feature race at home next month. With that in mind, Wagga-based jockey Danny Beasley was offered the mount at Mornington with the view to riding Maharba in the Wagga Town Plate (1200m) on May 2. After initially accepting the offer, Beasley contacted Begg on Monday to turn the Mornington ride as he was unable to get a flight to and from Melbourne on Saturday in time for a near full book of rides at Wagga the following day. It was a scramble for Begg afterwards to find a jockey, eventually contacting leading New Zealand rider Michael McNab who is in Melbourne to partner Nereus (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m). “Jockeys were always going to be a premium on Saturday,” Begg said. “I thought I had a jockey, especially with a jockey shortage with those going to Perth and Sydney, but he was unable to make it, which made it a bit tickly, so we were left scrambling around. “He’s owned in Wagga by Gary Towzell and he wants to have a runner in the Town Plate, so that’s why he asked me to book Danny Beasley. “I asked him to come and ride him on Saturday to get the feel of him, but it’s fallen through. “I did read a story that Michael was coming over to ride in the Mornington Cup, so I was straight on the phone.” That jockey merry-go-round has added to the frustration Begg has had with Maharba this campaign. Begg was rueing the lack of suitable three-year-old sprinting options for the gelding during the autumn and was eyeing off the Country Discovery (1200m) at Yarra Valley on Good Friday. However, Maharba missed a run there when he was an emergency while on Saturday the gelding has drawn gate 13 in the 15-horse field. “He missed that run at Yarra Valley, which was disappointing, but he’s had a 1000-metre jump-out, so he all’s good to go, but he’s drawn a poor gate,” Begg said. View the full article

Group 3 winner Grand Impact is ready to get his career back on track in the Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington on Saturday. Grand Impact burst onto the racing scene in spring 2022, winning his first three starts including the G3 Blue Sapphire Stakes on a Heavy track at Caulfield. His co-trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr then threw him in the deep end when they ran him in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and he finished 12th, but only 5.25 lengths adrift of winner In Secret. He then didn’t race again until a month ago, when he finished fifth behind Extratwo over 1200 metres at The Valley on March 23, with Price saying at the time that the four-year-old stallion would improve with the run. “He was always going to be vulnerable with his race fitness and that tightened him up nicely,” Kent Jnr said of the performance. “We’ve given him a month between runs to get fitter and he’s going quite well at home.” Kent Jnr pointed out that Grand Impact is still an entire and can still be a bit wayward. “We’d like to see him do it on race day still. We’re happy with the horse but we’d love a bit of rain,” he said. The stable will also saddle up the five-year-old mare Party For One, who will also be suited by a wet track according to Kent Jnr. View the full article

Mark Walker will have at least five runners at Morphettville next Saturday as Te Akau Racing attempts to plunder the record prizemoney on offer during Adelaide’s showpiece carnival. The stable’s NZ Oaks (2400m) placegetter Qali Al Farrasha will make her Australian debut in the $1 million Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m), while Skew Wiff will look to add an Australian G1 win to her top-flight New Zealand success when she tackles the $1m Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m). Melbourne-based assistant trainer Ben Gleeson said Qali Al Farrasha has been in Australia for several weeks and while connections did contemplate a lead-up run, it was decided that a quiet 1000-metre jumpout at Cranbourne on Monday was the best option for the daughter of Almanzor. “The horses are in form so it’s hard not to run them and now with the prizemoney boosts in those Group 1 races, it’s too hard to not come over,” Gleeson said. “Skew Wiff will run in the Sangster and Qali Al Farrasha will come across for the Oaks. “She’s (Qali Al Farrasha) been over here for about a month now and she’s just been building up slowly. “We were thinking about running her beforehand, but she’s got plenty of fitness and she’s quite a small, light thing, so it was just a tricky timeframe. “We gave her a quiet jumpout on Monday and she gave us confidence that it’s worth bringing her over. “We know that she runs the trip, having run third in the New Zealand Oaks, so we know that we’re going to have a filly that sees out the 2000m.” Gleeson confirmed that in-form mare Sans Doute, a last-start winner of the Listed Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m), will run in the rebranded G3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m), while Stakes winner Zourion, who was last seen running in the G1 Thousand Guineas during the spring, will likely return to the track in the G2 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m). He said he is particularly bullish about the prospects of G1 winner Campionessa, who finished midfield without luck in the G1 Queen of the Turf (1600m) in Sydney last week. “Campionessa is going to come over for the Queen of the South,” Gleeson said. “She was caught three wide in the Queen of the Turf and she wasn’t given any favours. “She had a bit of interference with Atishu, but she was picking up again in the last 100m and she probably hasn’t received the attention for how big her run actually was. “We’re adamant she’s airborne at the moment, hence why we’re going from Sydney to Adelaide in two weeks, which isn’t normally what we’d do. “J-Mac (James McDonald) is going to rider her, which is a big acquisition.” Gleeson reported that Quintessa, who won the G1 Levin Classic in January before running well in the Australian Guineas, Alister Clark Stakes and ATC Oaks, has returned to New Zealand for a spell. “That’s it for her,” he said. “She’s already back at Te Akau Stud in New Zealand, where she’ll have a good six-week spell there. “She’ll probably start her spring campaign in New Zealand before coming back to Cranbourne. “We now know she’s probably not an out-and-out stayer, so we’ll target her towards mile and 2000-metre races as a four-year-old.” View the full article

The international and domestic buying bench went head-to-head during the 2024 National Online Yearling Sale held on Gavelhouse Plus, with top prices secured by the progeny of Ace High, King’s Legacy, Per Incanto, and Zousain just to name a few. However, it was the renowned nursery Brighthill Farm’s, Lot 36 that came out on top. The filly by in-form sire Written Tycoon from Mozzie Monster (Sebring) was secured by Stephen Marsh and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock for $80,000. “We love Written Tycoon as a stallion, and his fillies are like gold, they are getting harder to source,” commented Dylan Johnson. “We’ve had great success with his chestnut fillies, Velocious winning the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO and following it up with a Group One win, while Glamour Tycoon has been very impressive this season. “She [Lot 36] is being syndicated and there are shares still available. She has a fantastic pedigree being the first foal from a winning stakes-performed Sebring mare. “We are thrilled to have secured such a nice one for incredible value,” he added. Lot 22, a gelding by the first-season sire King’s Legacy was also snapped up by the Stephen Marsh Racing and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock combination for $41,000 from Landsdowne Park’s draft. Daniel Nakhle secured Lot 15 on behalf of the Entain Student Stable for $48,000. Offered by Landsdowne Park Prominent owner Daniel Nakhle secured two lots on behalf of the Entain Student Stable. He went to $48,000 for Lot 15, a daughter of Per Incanto from Landsdowne Park’s draft, and then later purchased Lot 73, a colt by Ocean Park for $26,000 from Rich Hill Stud. “It was a no-brainer to support the school and its students, and with Entain giving us massive support it was something I really wanted to do,” commented Nakhle. “It will be a great learning curve for these students and Donovan Mansour will be running the stable at Cambridge. “It’s a very exciting adventure for the students before they head into the world of work,” he added. “We think the Per Incanto filly will be a lovely three-year-old, she was beautifully presented, and I just fell in love with the Ocean Park – the Landsdowne Park and Rich Hill team have prepared these yearlings brilliantly.” Australian trainer Mick Price went to $31,000 for Lot 16 the daughter of Ace High from Kiara from Rich Hill Stud’s draft. There were a number of notable trainers and agents active during the online auction, with Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, Japan, and New Zealand all represented on the buyers lists. Australian trainer Mick Price who co-trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr, went to $31,000 for Lot 16 the daughter of Ace High from Kiara from Rich Hill Stud’s draft. While Richardson Racing and Brendon McCullum teamed up to purchase Lot 25 a filly by Zousain for $32,000 from the same draft. NZB Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones reflected on the evening of selling. “We saw good interest and strong competition for the quality yearlings on offer, and those who did their homework have come away with some lovely horses.” “Our buyers have a good grasp of the online format, with an abundance of information supplied by our vendors, providing full transparency and confidence in the product on offer. “The Karaka Millions eligibility has proven a huge drawcard for the Sale, and I fully expect some of these horses to be competing in the Series over the coming seasons,” he added. “The team is working hard behind the scenes, and we expect to sell more horses over the next few days.” All unbroken yearlings purchased from the National Online Yearling Sale are eligible to be nominated for NZB’s lucrative Karaka Millions Series. Just nine short months after they make their virtual sale-ring debut, graduates of the online sale can compete for a share of the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). Entries close Friday 17 May 2024. To make enquiries about any Passed Lots contact Patrick Cunningham on +64 21 181 5898 or email Patrick.Cunningham@nzb.co.nz, or Andrew Buick on +64 27 555 0640 or email Andrew.Buick@nzb.co.nz. View the full article

A better barrier draw will keep Grid Girl at home for the Mornington Guineas. Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes have elected to keep Grid Girl (NZ) (Time Test) in Melbourne for another start before the possibility of tackling Stakes company. Grid Girl will run in the Mornington Guineas (1600m) on Saturday rather than travel to Adelaide for the Listed H C Nitschke Stakes (1400m) on the inner track at Morphettville. A better barrier draw at Mornington, four as against 14, was crucial in that decision, but also Ben Hayes’ desire to see the filly at 1600m. And if Grid Girl performs up to expectation on Saturday, Hayes said the filly could travel to Morphettville on May 4 for the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m). “We had her dual accepted here and in Adelaide,” Hayes said. “She’s drawn four here and 14 over in Adelaide, so we’ll stay here, and I wouldn’t mind trying her at the mile either and if she was to win and look impressive, then we would seriously consider heading to Adelaide for a mile race there.” Grid Girl had raced twice in New Zealand before coming on the radar of Australian buyers. She had beaten home the future Group 1 winner Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) at her second race start when placed at Hastings last October. Grid Girl scored first-up over 1400m at Sandown in maiden grade in February before being placed at that track at her next outing. At her most recent start, Grid Girl scored over 1400m at Pakenham. Hayes said the most appealing part of that victory was the way in which she attacked the line. “The best part of her race last time was through the line, which is what you want to see,” he said. “She’s always been a good track worker at home, very enthusiastic, and that is probably what pleases us the most. “She relaxed better last time and finished off, so stepping to the mile, that is what we want to see, and I’m sure she’s ready to run a strong race.” View the full article

Fresh off his rich payday after taking out last Saturday’s $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) at Riccarton, Matscot (NZ) (Haradasun) will return to the Christchurch track this weekend in search of more feature spoils. Initially set to target Saturday’s Gr.3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m), trainer Sharon Robertson elected to make a late bid for the Southern Alps last week, which more than paid off for the local trainer. Her decision earned her and fellow part-owners $175,000, bringing Matscot’s season tally to four wins, including the Listed Spring Classic (2000m), Hororata Gold Cup (1800m) and Southern Alps Challenge, and nearly $290,000 in earnings. “It was nice to get that win (Southern Alps Challenge),” Robertson said. “We were originally just going to go for the Cup this week, but we decided to go in and it worked out well.” Robertson has been pleased with the way he has come through the run and is looking forward to stepping him up over ground this weekend in the Canterbury Gold Cup, which will be his last start of the season. “He will benefit from the step up to 2000m, he likes that distance,” she said. “He is going out once he has finished here on Saturday afternoon because he has been up for quite a while. He will go out for two or three months and then come back for the spring.” Robertson also co-bred Matscot out of her five-win mare Bewarned, with the son of Haradasun being the last of four foals out of the daughter of Danske. “She had four foals but the only one that was any good was this one (Matscot),” Robertson said. “He has taken a long time, but it has been worth it.” Robertson will also be represented on Saturday by Hey Now (NZ) (Zacinto) in the Happy 50th Clarkey Maiden (1400m) and debutant Yorrick (NZ) (Redwood) in the Riccarton Park Function Centre Maiden (1400m). “Hey Now probably needs a bit more moisture, but I don’t think we are going to get it,” Robertson said. “We will just go back from that draw (14) and see what happens. He is honest. “It will be more for education with Yorrick, he is still learning.” View the full article

Fraser Auret couldn’t find any reason not to send his ultra-consistent filly Race Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace) south to chase down a deserved black-type victory. The Marton trainer can’t fault the three-year-old, who will again be partnered by Lisa Allpress in Saturday’s Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton. “It’s always a case of race by race with these fillies and I was certainly mindful that she has had a big season and there’s only so many times you can ask these young girls to peak,” Auret said. “Her work has indicated that she is really well in herself and there’s no signs whatsoever that she has come to the end of things, so that’s the reason she’s headed south.” Race Ace was a gallant last-start fifth under Allpress in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham off the back of a runner-up finish in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2000m). “She ran a really creditable race in the Oaks and I think she’s a lot more suited to the 2000m than 2400m,” Auret said. “It wasn’t the perfect preparation for the Oaks with the rescheduled Lowland Stakes at Taupo popping up seven days beforehand. “She ran an enormous second in the Lowland and we had been 50-50 whether we should go there, but any black type is so important and it was well worth it.” Race Ace has one win to her credit from 10 attempts, but a further six placings emphasise her genuine nature. “She’s had a wonderful preparation and been right up there all the way through her campaign, she’s had a really solid season,” Auret said. He has had several cracks at lifting the Warstep title and came closest in 2021 when his charge had the misfortune to bump into a Stephen Marsh-trained filly who was to go on to multiple Group One successes for Chris Waller. “It’s a race that has eluded me before, we were second with Exquisite Pearl (NZ) (Power) one year when Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) won it and have had a couple of other goes,” Auret said. Race Ace travelled without incident to Christchurch earlier this week. “She went down on Tuesday night and has settled in well so it’s full steam ahead,” Auret said. “She’s staying at Sam Wynne’s property and we’ve stayed there before and she’s a terrific horsewoman in her own right so it works really well.” Race Ace is a daughter of Swiss Ace and the American stakes performer Megan’s Tough Love, a pedigree that may not have immediately instilled confidence in her middle-distance prospects. “She ran second in O’Leary’s Fillies’ Stakes (Listed, 1340m) at Wanganui in the early part of the season and I definitely felt then that she was more of a sprinter,” Auret said. “I just think with experience and becoming more relaxed she has got over more ground, it’s down to her attitude more than anything else. “She just loves stable life and the job, she’s been a pleasure to train, that’s for sure.” View the full article

Matamata trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall were rapt with their treble at Arawa Park on Wednesday, and they are hoping they can continue that winning form into the rest of the week. Therapeutic (NZ) (Time Test) kicked off the treble when taking out the Greenlight Insurance Brokers 1560 before Confiance (NZ) (Proisir) and Darci’s Angel (NZ) (Darci Brahma) carried Social Racing’s colours to victory in the Novara Park 1560 and Campbell Infrastructure 1560 respectively. “I am absolutely over the moon,” Richardson said. “It’s good for Social Racing, Brent and Wendy Cooper have been very good supporters, and the owners of Therapeutic as well, it was a great day.” It was a nice appetiser ahead of a couple of exciting days for the stable, culminating with two quality stakes chances at Ellerslie on Saturday. Stakes performer Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock) and Group Two performer Channel Surfer (NZ) (Derryn) will tackle the Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) and Richardson believes both horses are in with a show. “Snazzytavi and Channel Surfer are both lovely horses and both are good chances. We just like to have horses in a big race,” he said. “It’s a little bit disappointing that it is a Group Three now. It is a prestigious race and one that everyone loves to win. It used to be a Group One, but I am sure they had good reason to downgrade it, but it is disappointing.” Snazzytavi heads into the race fresh after recovering from a stone bruise since her placing in the South Waikato Cup (2000m) at Matamata last month. “Bringing her back to the mile, there is a question mark, but she hasn’t raced for a while because she had a bit of a stone bruise,” Richardson said. “She is better off a bit fresh anyway. She will be an interesting runner from an awkward draw (10).” Snazzytavi is coming towards the end of her campaign and Richardson said she will be an ideal Cups mare next season. “Without confirming it with Cambridge Stud, she is getting to a stage where she will probably need a rest soon and she will look at the Cups races next season,” he said. Channel Surfer also takes a placing into Saturday, having run third over a mile at Trentham a fortnight ago. “It was a very good run last time,” Richardson said. “He missed the kick and got held up halfway up the straight at Wellington. He has definitely improved on that run. He had 58.5kg last time and now he has got 53kg on his back. He will be an interesting runner.” Richarson will also head to Ellerslie with Lovearoadie (NZ) (Savile Row), who will contest the Ellerslie Events 1200. “She got trapped three-wide last time. It certainly wasn’t the jockey’s fault, it’s just the way it turned out,” Richardson said. “We have got a lot of enthusiastic owners from all over the country in her, so hopefully she goes well.” A day prior, the stable will have two contenders at their home meeting, including Sorghaghtani (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) and Chante Moi (NZ) (Savabeel). “Sorghaghtani is a very, very good horse that has had more issues than I have,” Richardson said. “She is getting better and stronger, and her work on Tuesday was good. I would ideally have liked to have given her a trial. She is going into tomorrow not 100 percent fit, but it doesn’t mean she can’t win. “Chante Moi has improved lengths since she had a spell and come back in.” View the full article

An omen barrier may prove the key to Waitak’s (NZ) (Proisir) success in a star-studded line-up for Saturday’s A$4 million The Quokka (1200m) in Perth. The son of Proisir is trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, and the latter flew from their Matamata base to Western Australia to be present at the Breakfast With The Stars promotional event, where he drew barrier 10 for the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) winner. While the gate assists Waitak’s racing pattern of settling back and showing his sharp sprint late, it also has acted as a springboard for many of Wexford’s great victories, more recently Molly Bloom’s (NZ) (Ace High) Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), and Dragon Leap’s (Pierro) Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m). “It’s been a very lucky number for our stable with good results as number 10, and barrier 10,” Scott said. “My birthday is actually on the 10th as well. “For Waitak, it suits him as he can go back and settle in, and possibly be in the open to get home late. It should give him an opportunity to open up in the straight.” Earlier yesterday (Wednesday) morning, Waitak and travelling representative Erin Leighton galloped on the course proper at Ascot Racecourse with Scott watching on. “He worked yesterday morning on the course proper on nice soft ground and we couldn’t have been more pleased with how he moved through his gallop. Erin was really pleased, she said he felt quite explosive so we couldn’t be happier with his work,” he said. “He’s handled the travel and recovered well, his appetite is good and he’s consuming a good lot of feed. “He’s sound and very well within himself, and he’s continued to thrive over here in the warmth.” With temperatures reaching as high as 33 degrees in Perth this week, Scott has been wary of the four-year-old’s routine in contrast to the Kiwi climate. “We’ve brought his work back a fair bit with the heat, as well as with his long trip over, you can’t quite do as much as you would back home in cooler temperatures. It’s just been a matter of ticking him over,” Scott said. “We’re under no illusion that it’s going to be a very strong field, but he’s going as well as he can which is the exciting part. They’ve done a great job of building the race up so it’s all go for Saturday.” Waitak and jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor will represent Trackside Media in the A$4 million slot race, and he has shortened into $26, with glamour local mare Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni) heading the TAB Fixed market at $3.50. Wexford will also have three representatives at their home meeting on Friday, with Tempest (NZ) (Frankel), Ever Charm (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) and Baggio (NZ) (War Decree) all poised to break maidens at short notice. Well-bred mare Tempest has been six times a bridesmaid and will contest the Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1400m) in the colours of Pencarrow Stud. “It’s important to the connections, and to us, that a daughter of Frankel goes to the broodmare paddock a winner, and she’s been very close in the past. She goes well fresh and gets a home track advantage tomorrow, so hopefully she can break through for a well-deserved,” Scott said. Stablemates Baggio and Ever Charm will face off in the following race, the J.P Wills Bloodstock 1400, with the former finishing runner-up in his sole race-day start in early February. “Baggio’s trial was good in between times as he’s been away from the races for a wee bit, but he’s fit and worked in a manner that suggests he’ll race very well. We’re confident he’ll be right in the mix tomorrow,” Scott said. “We had Ever Charm going over the summer months, but he’s certainly going to appreciate the autumn give in the ground. He’s in for a good autumn preparation, possibly an improver out of tomorrow, but we think he’ll get through a couple of grades this time in.” View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Saturday, April 20, 2024 First Race 1pm HKT (3pm AEST) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin for a rare Saturday meeting, where a competitive 10-race program is set to get underway at 1pm local time. The card is split between the turf and all-weather circuits, with the rail in the C+3 for all turf contests throughout the afternoon. There are some showers predicted in the lead-up; however, with excellent drainage at Sha Tin, the surface should hold its Good 4 rating. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Call Me Glorious Call Me Glorious was sensational on debut at this course and distance on February 25 and wasn’t disgraced in his following effort in Class 3 company. He was collared by Ka Ying Rising but held on comfortably to secure a second-place finish, running sharp time in the process. Watch for Lyle Hewitson to lead throughout from barrier seven, and provided he can tick-over a soft sectional in the middle stages, Call Me Glorious will take a power of beating. Best Bet Race 8 – #7 Call Me Glorious (7) 3yo Gelding | T: Francis Lui | J: Lyle Hewitson (55kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: Chill Chibi After a bold showing in the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on March 23, Chill Chibi appears well placed in this Class 2 contest. The son of Wrote hit the line powerfully under Jerry Chau despite getting into a bumping duel with 150 metres left to travel. He should be able to slide across into the one-one throughout the 1800m journey, and with a genuine tempo engaged with the likes of Flaming Rabbit and All For St Paul’s attempting to burn the candle at both ends, Chill Chibi should be closing off best. Next Best Race 9 – #4 Chill Chibi (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Danny Shum | J: Jerry Chau (a1) (56.5kg) Bet with PlayUp Best Value at Sha Tin: Prince Of Porty Prince Of Porty hasn’t found the minor money in six starts this preparation; however, dropping back into Class 4 should be a major benefit. His only two wins have come in this grade, with his debut victory at this track and trip proving a gritty effort in January 2023. He should lob midfield under Hugh Bowman, and although he may need luck down the Sha Tin straight, Prince Of Porty warrants an each-way ticket with online bookmakers. Best Value Race 4 – #1 Prince Of Porty (4) 5yo Gelding | T: David Hall | J: Hugh Bowman (61kg) Bet with Picklebet Sha Tin quaddie tips – Saturday 20/4/2024 Sha Tin quadrella selections Saturday, April 20, 2024 1-2-3-5-11-12 2-7 5-6-7-9 3-4 Horse racing tips View the full article

What The Quokka Raceday Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, April 20, 2024 First Race 11:19am AWST Visit Dabble The $5 million Quokka will headline the 10-race card at Ascot this Saturday afternoon. The track was rated as a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, and with no rain forecast for Friday and Saturday, it is expected that the surface will be perfect for racing throughout the meeting. The rail will be in the +3m position for the entire circuit, with racing scheduled to kick off at 11:19am AWST. Click here to view our Quokka preview and betting strategy. Karrakatta Plate Tip: Golden Kathleen Golden Kathleen is coming off a strong performance behind Siren Assault, where the Russell Stewart-trained filly was held up behind runners until the final 100m. This daughter of Leonardo Da Hinchi was an impressive winner at Bunbury on debut over 1100m; however, the stable chose to ride her towards the rear of the field last start and they will do the same from a wide barrier here. With William Pike engaged for the first time and a lot of speed expected in this race, Golden Kathleen should get every chance to fly home from the back of the field late. Karrakatta Plate Race 7 – #7 Golden Kathleen (10) 2yo Filly | T: Russell Stewart | J: William Pike (54.5kg) +320 with Bet365 Best Bet at Ascot: Bondi’s Future Bondi’s Future brought up a hat-trick of wins at this track over 1800m, as the Adam Durrant-trained gelding let down with a strong turn of foot from midfield to take over in the final 150m and held on for a tough win. Clint Johnston Porter has ridden this son of Bondi in his last five starts and gets along well with him, so with him stepping up in trip to 2000m, it is expected he will perform very well once again. From barrier seven, Bondi’s Future should find a spot just behind the speed and attempt to replicate his most recent victory. Best Bet Race 4 – #8 Bondi’s Future (7) 3yo Gelding | T: Adam Durrant | J: Clint Johnston-Porter (54kg) +300 with Neds Next Best at Ascot: Laced Up Heels Chris Parnham gave Laced Up Heels a perfectly timed ride second-up to claim a narrow victory over Saloon Bar and Almighty Class at this track and trip on March 30. The Luke Fernie-trained mare settled midfield, started her run well before the home turn, and let down with a sustained turn of foot to nab the leaders in the final strides. In a much bigger field with more speed injected in this race, this daughter of Toronado will appreciate a cosy run from barrier two. If Parnham can find a horse to follow around the home turn, Laced Up Heels will go very close. Next Best Race 9 – #16 Laced Up Heels (2) 4yo Mare | T: Luke Fernie | J: Chris Parnham (56.5kg) +400 with PlayUp Best Value at Ascot: Star Power Star Power has won three on the bounce after the Neville Parnham-trained mare held on for a narrow victory over 1200m at this track on April 3. This four-year-old mare led at a strong tempo, and even though she started to struggle late, she held on to win by a nose on the line. Dropping back to 1000m in a race with good speed, Kershaw Dhurun can push forward from barrier five, as the other speed influences drawn outside of her. With Dhurun’s 1.5kg claim, Star Power can run the race at a good clip, kick clear on the home bend, and give her rivals something to chase. Best Value Race 5 – #9 Star Power (5) 4yo Mare | T: Neville Parnham | J: Kershaw Dhurun (a1.5) (59kg) +2000 with Picklebet Saturday quaddie tips for Ascot races Ascot quadrella selections Saturday, April 20, 2024 2-6-7-10 1-7-8-10 2-6-12-13-16 1-3-4-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Alice Springs Races Where Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Highway, Connellan NT 0870 When Saturday, April 20, 2024 First Race 2:52pm ACST Visit Dabble The Alice Springs Cup Carnival concluded on April 7, but numbers in the Red Centre are good, with 61 accepting for Saturday’s six-race meeting. No rain has fallen in Alice Springs since March 28, with fine conditions prevailing for the rest of the week. Come Saturday, it will be sunny and windy, with a top temperature of 24°C. The rail will be in its true position, and it will be a good dirt surface. BEST BET: Protostar Protostar has a wide gate and carries plenty of weight, but he hasn’t been far away in four starts since arriving in the Red Centre. The fact that Stan Tsaikos is on board is certainly an added bonus for the five-year-old gelding. A third and a second over 1100m at BM54 and Class 2 level was followed by a win and a second over 1200m against 0-58 opposition. The son of Star Turn looked set to go back-to-back on April 6 before getting pipped on the post, and Protostar is capable of making amends on Saturday. Best Bet Race 3 – #2 Protostar (12) 5yo Gelding | T: Terry Gillett | J: Stan Tsaikos (59kg) Bet with Bet365 NEXT BEST: Daniher Daniher jumped from the inside gate over 1600m against the three and four-year-olds at BM68 level on April 6 and looked set to lead from start to finish before succumbing to He’s Maverick right on the line. The four-year-old gelding lumped 58kg that day and spotted the winner 4kg, so he has more than a decent chance if he overcomes the wide gate. You must respect the opposition, but the son of Fighting Sun clearly boasts better form. In six Alice Springs starts, Daniher’s record stands at one win and four minor placings. Next Best Race 6 – #1 Daniher (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Kevin Lamprecht | J: Ianish Luximon (a2) (60kg) Bet with Neds BEST VALUE: Princess Pancakes Princess Pancakes, a full sister to last year’s NT derby winner Anphina, bombed in her first two Alice Springs starts at the end of 2023 before heading to Darwin. The mare has finished second over 1600m in her past three starts and gave the winner Macer’s Razor – a rival on Saturday – far too much start on April 7 before going down by 2.5 lengths. Expect Princess Pancakes to turn the tables on her rival at a nice price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 5 – #9 Princess Pancakes (3) 5yo Mare | T: Kerry Petrick | J: Paul Denton (55kg) Bet with Neds Saturday Alice Springs quaddie tips – 20/4/2024 Alice Springs quadrella selections Saturday, April 20, 2024 1-2-3-4-8 1-2-3-4 3-4-5-7-9 1-5-7-8 Horse racing tips View the full article

Son of Galileo ‘flying’ as he eyes Group Three assignment en route to Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) hat-trick bidView the full article

What Eagle Farm Races Where Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, April 20, 2024 First Race 11:38am AEST Visit Dabble The Listed Ascot Quality Handicap and Daybreak Lover will headline the nine-race card at Eagle Farm this Saturday afternoon. Although there is rain forecast for Friday and Saturday, it is expected that the track will remain in the Good range after being rated as a Good 4 at the time of acceptances. The rail will be in the +1m position for the entire circuit, with the opening race scheduled to jump at 11:38am AEST. Ascot Quality Handicap Tip: Zarastro Zarastro will return from a three-month spell in the first of the features as the Tony Gollan-trained gelding seeks to keep his unbeaten record at Eagle Farm intact (4:4-0-0). This son of I Am Invincible was an impressive winner of a 1000m trial at Doomben on April 11, where he led from start to finish and won by 1.8 lengths under little to no riding throughout. From barrier nine, James Orman will have to cross the field to find the front but if Zarastro jumps as well as he did in his trial, he should have no trouble doing so on his way to a first-up victory. Ascot Quality Handicap Race 8 – #2 Zarastro (9) 5yo Gelding | T: Tony Gollan | J: James Orman (58kg) +230 with Unibet Daybreak Lover Tip: Press Link Robert Heathcote and Michael Rodd will combine with Press Link for the fourth straight start as the smart three-year-old gelding steps up into Listed grade for the first time. This son of Press Statement has recorded impressive back-to-back victories over 1110m and 1200m this preparation, with his most recent win by 2.5 lengths being the best of the two. With good speed expected and a cosy run from barrier four, Press Link will get every chance to extend his unbeaten start to his career to four. Daybreak Lover Race 9 – #5 Press Link (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Robert Heathcote | J: Michael Rodd (57kg) +170 with PlayUp Best Bet at Eagle Farm: Iverson Iverson has finished inside the top two in all three starts this campaign, including a dominant win by 2.5 lengths last start at this track and trip. The Robert Heathcote-trained gelding settled behind the speed before peeling out wide to run past the leaders and away from his rivals late. With Bailey Wheeler retaining the ride, this son of So You Think will appreciate his 2kg claim and will get in very light at the weights. From barrier four, it is expected that Iverson will settle in a similar position and attempt to replicate his most recent victory. Best Bet Race 4 – #10 Iverson (4) 6yo Gelding | T: Robert Heathcote | J: Bailey Wheeler (a2) (54.5kg) +220 with Picklebet Next Best at Eagle Farm: Star Of Chaos After putting in a shocker first-up, Star Of Chaos returned to form with a strong performance to finish second behind En Pointe over 1300m at this track second-up. The Tony Gollan-trained mare will rise slightly in trip to 1400m third-up, which was the recipe for success at the same time as last preparation. From barrier 13, James Orman will push forward and cross the field to find the lead or settle outside the leader. If Star Of Chaos doesn’t have to work too hard to find the front, she can kick clear at the top of the home straight and give her rivals something to chase. Next Best Race 6 – #6 Star Of Chaos (13) 5yo Mare | T: Tony Gollan | J: James Orman (58kg) +450 with Neds Best Value at Eagle Farm: The Fixer The Fixer has only been seen at the races twice, but on both occasions, the Jack Bruce-trained galloper was an ultra-impressive winner, claiming back-to-back wins by a combined 7.3 lengths over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast. Although this race is a rise in grade for this lightly raced four-year-old gelding, he appears to have a lot of speed at both ends of his race, and he should be able to handle it. Damien Thornton will push forward from the wide gate (15), and if he is left alone in front, The Fixer can surprise a few at double-figure odds with online bookmakers. Best Value Race 1 – #5 The Fixer (15) 4yo Gelding | T: Jack Bruce | J: Damien Thornton (58.5kg) +1200 with Dabble Saturday quaddie tips for Eagle Farm races Eagle Farm quadrella selections Saturday, April 20, 2024 6-10-11-12 2-4-7-8 1-2-4 1-4-5-17 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

What All Aged Stakes Day 2024 Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, April 20, 2024 First Race 11:25am AEST Visit Dabble After two phenomenal days of racing for The Championships, Royal Randwick gets set to host its third metro meeting in as many weeks headlined by the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m). A massive 10-race program awaits punters, with the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) rounding out the triple crown series for the two-year-olds, while the undercard is littered with black-type racing throughout Saturday afternoon. The rail is out +7m between the 1000m mark to winning post, while the remainder is out +5m. The track is rated Good 4 at the time of acceptances, however, with some consistent showers anticipated in the lead-up, expect a downgrade prior to the opening event at 11:25am AEST. Race 1: BM72 Midway Handicap (1400m) Silvanito is a terrific bet to kick-off proceedings in this BM72 Midway handicap. The son of Shooting To Win was sensational first-up for the Nathan Doyle barn chasing home Commemorative at Wyong on March 20, narrowly defeated by 1.8 lengths despite a three-wide trip in transit. Koby Jennings may need to navigate a passage from the inside draw (2), but if Silvanito has the breaks fall his way, the $7 with online bookmakers seems to be a fair price. Selections: 6 SILVANITO 1 ELETTRICA 17 HELLBENT ON YOU 9 RESISTIBLE Next Best Race 1 – #6 Silvanito (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Nathan Doyle | J: Koby Jennings (59.5kg) +600 with Neds Race 2: Class 3 Highway Handicap (1400m) The Class 3 Highway handicap is one of the trickier races to dissect, however, the Lyle Chandler-trained Rapbidash warrants plenty of respect. He rounded up all but two rivals in the $1 million Country Championship Final (1400m) on April 6, striding between gallopers with limited racing room in the concluding stages. That form reads extremely well dropping back into this grade, and provided Rapbidash can peak again, this guy will be hard to hold out. Selections: 4 RAPBIDASH 3 BELVEDERE BOYS 1 TIP OF THE SPEAR 2 SHIPSHAPE Race 3: Group 3 H B Carr Stakes (1400m) The Group 3 H B Carr Stakes (1400m) is for the three-year-old fillies, where New Zealand import Scarlet Oak makes her debut for the Chris Waller barn. She broke her maiden in stylish fashion on debut at Matamata on March 13, and the daughter of Kermadec seems to have acclimatised well into her new conditions based on her eye-catching barrier trial win at Warwick Farm on April 12. Zac Lloyd takes the reins from stall one, and although she comes through weaker races, Scarlet Oak appears to have the ability to match motors with this group of fillies. Selections: 12 SCARLET OAK 4 CHICA MOJITO 2 MIRAVAL ROSE 5 FRENCH ENDEAVOUR H B Carr Stakes Race 3 – #12 Scarlet Oak (1) 3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: Zac Lloyd (54kg) +450 with PlayUp Race 4: Group 3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m) Tannhauser hit the line best of the rest in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) on April 6 and should be primed for the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m). He sustained a long run when clear with 300m to travel, as the son of Dundeel attacked the line under Zac Purton. He finally draws a gate to sit prominently from barrier three, and with James McDonald hopping back aboard, if Tannhauser doesn’t win a race like this, it’s hard to picture this guy in the winners’ enclosure anytime soon. Selections: 1 TANNHAUSER 3 SALTCOATS 4 KINTYRE 8 BULLETS HIGH Frank Packer Plate Race 4 – #1 Tannhauser (3) 3yo Colt | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (56.5kg) +210 with Dabble Race 5: Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) The James Cummings-trained Vilana resumes after 133-day spell and looks prepared to go back-to-back in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m). He won this race first-up last year and seemingly does his best work fresh, with five starts for three wins and one minor placing to his name. His two jump-outs have caught the eye, striding out comfortably in the most recent outing at Warwick Farm on March 26. Nash Rawiller has three wins aboard the five-year-old, and a repeat of last year’s effort should be enough for Vilana to pick up career win number eight. Selections: 3 VILANA 2 AFT CABIN 7 FRONT PAGE 6 KALINO Hall Mark Stakes Race 5 – #3 Vilana (7) 5yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Nash Rawiller (58.5kg) +340 with Bet365 Race 6: Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m) Renaissance Woman represents outstanding each-way value in the Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m) on the one-week backup. She was more impressive than the 4.1-length margin may suggest in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf (1600m) last Saturday, finding the 1600m journey too sharp to produce her electrifying best. Zac Lloyd hops in the saddle this time, and with gate four allowing Renaissance Woman to sit closer, watch this girl burst clear in the concluding stages. Selections: 8 RENAISSANCE WOMAN 12 FAWKNER PARK 7 GOLDMAN 6 NEW ENERGY JRA Plate Race 6 – #8 Renaissance Woman (4) 4yo Mare | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Zac Lloyd (55kg) +1000 with Picklebet Race 7: Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) The final leg of the two-year-old triple crown has been built as a match-race between Linebacker and Manaal, with the former narrowly getting the nod. The son of Super Seth had to work hard to remain undefeated last start in the Group 3 Baillieu (1400m) at Rosehill on March 30, knuckling down to the task to score. There’s no doubt he comes through the weaker form compared to his key rival, but with a favourable map to sit outside the leader throughout, Linebacker will give a bold sight in the 2024 Champagne Stakes. Selections: 2 LINEBACKER 7 MANAAL 3 BROADSIDING 1 ANODE Champagne Stakes Race 7 – #2 Linebacker (5) 2yo Colt | T: John O’Shea | J: Tommy Berry (56.5kg) +180 with Neds Race 8: Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) The $1.5 million Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) has attracted a quality 14-horse field, where the Chris Waller-trained Espiona holds the call as a $3.70 favourite. Sunshine In Paris has the early support backed into $4.60 on the second line of betting, while the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) winner is on the drift at $6.00. Private Eye ($8.50) has firmed from the double figures on offer early, while Chain Of Lightning ($10.00) and Encap ($15.00) are sure to gain some admirers. Check out HorseBetting’s free preview of the 2024 All Aged Stakes here. Race 9: BM100 Handicap (1400m) The best value bet of the afternoon comes up in the penultimate, where the Chris Waller-trained Waterford returns after 133 days off the scene. The son of Awtaad was consistent without winning last campaign, with three minor placings across seven starts. Every race was at stakes level, however, proving to be slightly out of his depth in his second Australian prep. With a strong first-up record of (5:2-0-2), and Tommy Berry continuing his association with the five-year-old, Waterford warrants an each-way ticket with online betting sites. Selections: 9 WATERFORD 3 WELWAL 12 JIMMYSSTAR 16 WHINCHAT Best Value Race 9 – #9 Waterford (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Tommy Berry (58kg) +1400 with PlayUp Race 10: BM88 Handicap (1200m) The best bet comes in the Randwick finale as Kazou returns to racing. The daughter of Zoustar cruised through the wire in a recent barrier trial at Rosehill on March 18, making every post a winner to score by 8.6 lengths. Simply put, if Kazou can replicate those jump-and-run tactics under James McDonald on race-day, the four-year-old mare will run her rivals into the ground in this BM88 handicap. Selections: 12 KAZOU 17 GENERAL SALUTE 7 PEREILLE 3 KIBOU Best Bet Race 10 – #12 Kazou (4) 4yo Mare | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (55.5kg) +210 with Dabble Randwick free Saturday quaddie tips Randwick quadrella selections Saturday, April 20, 2024 2-7 1-3-9-10-11-12 3-5-6-9-12-13-16 2-3-7-12-17 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Darwin-based apprentice Jade Hampson, who represented the NT during the final leg of this year’s National Apprentice Race Series at Doomben on Wednesday, celebrating victory aboard Mighty Murt at Alice Springs in January Picture: Nikki Westover Photography The National Apprentice Race Series has put aspiring young NT jockeys on the map. After a nine-year absence, the NT returned to the NARS last year, finishing well adrift of eventual winners Queensland. Before the fifth and final leg, comprising two heats, took place at Doomben on Wednesday, the NT (31 points) were second behind South Australia (37). Jade Hampson, who finished second in both Darwin heats on Saturday as the designated NT rider after replacing the suspended Emma Lines, made the trip to Brisbane with the hopes of the Territory resting on her shoulders. Darwin-based Hampson, 20, rode at Eagle Farm last year before dead-heating for first in a Sandown heat, and in Wednesday’s first heat she finished third in a 2060m maiden aboard Aces Up. Drawing gate 11, Hampson had Ryan Tyrell’s gelding sitting outside the leader for most of the race before hitting the front in the home straight and tiring over the concluding 200m. In the second heat – a 1200m Class 1 – Hampson’s mount Under Twenty Two, Andrew Parramore’s gelding, started well, but hung wide throughout, finishing 10th. Sixth in the first heat, SA’s Rochelle Milnes came third in the second heat to seal the NARS title for her state with 45 points from the NT (36), WA (35), Tasmania (27) and Queensland (17). Alice Springs trio Dakota Gillett, Lek Maloney and Ianish Luximon also featured in the 2024 NARS. “Our kids were terrific, I travelled to WA when Ianish won a heat,” Thoroughbred Racing NT’s Greg Aldam said. “If there is an apprentice anywhere in Australia looking for an opportunity and a sea change, then they should consider the NT. “They will get rides most weekends in Darwin or Alice Springs for experienced trainers, and most of all they will get national exposure.” TRNT CEO Andrew O’Toole, who accompanied Hampson to Brisbane, praised the NT team during the 2024 NARS. “They all rode well, absolutely, and hopefully our young riders will continue to go from strength to strength,” he said. “Ianish will be missing next year as he will be a senior rider, but Emma will get to ride for us. “It was a good performance by Jade today, it’s hard to come to a different track on horses you don’t know. “Well done to SA, they’ve done a great job winning the NARS. “They won the first two heats at Murray Bridge and haven’t looked back, so congratulations to Briony Moore and her team. “We’ll be back next year to give them a run for their money.” For Hampson, representing the NT and riding at a premier track once again was gratifying. “Very happy, it was a great experience,” she said. “The first horse ran well, but the other one didn’t show up based on it’s last start when it won. “I prefer Doomben, it’s a long straight at Eagle Farm and last year it caught me out. “I found it a lot easier here at Doomben, but they’re both beautiful tracks. “Back to Darwin for Friday’s meeting and then Alice Springs on Saturday – it’s full on.” Horse racing news View the full article

What All Aged Stakes 2024 Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, April 20, 2024 Prizemoney $1,500,000 Distance 1400m Status Group 1 Conditions Weight For Age 2023 winner Giga Kick (12) | T: Clayton Chief Stipelas | J: Craig Williams (56.5kg) Visit Dabble The prestigious Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) headlines a bumper 10-race program at Royal Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with a near-capacity field of 14 set to battle it out for the $1.5 million prize. Five of the runners engaged come through the Group 1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m), where Chain Of Lightning secured her maiden Group 1 success. Can a rival turn the tables? Or should punters be looking elsewhere for the winner? ALL AGED STAKES 2024 ODDS Online bookmakers didn’t miss the luckless run of Espiona in the T J Smith Stakes on April 6, quickly installing her as the +270 favourite for the All Aged Stakes. Sunshine In Paris and Southport Tycoon share the second line of betting at +450 apiece, while Private Eye, Chain Of Lightning and Magic Time share the +800 quote. Meanwhile, the three-year-old pair of Encap and Tiz Invincible are bound to have admirers at the double figure price which is on offer. 2024 ALL AGED STAKES 2024 SPEED MAP There should be a genuine tempo throughout the 1400m feature, with the Michael Moroney-trained Buffalo River attempting to make all from gate nine. Golden Mile (13) will be sliding across to sit on his outside, leaving Sunshine In Paris (2) and Tiz Invincible (1) to get on the back of the leading pair. Southport Tycoon (5) shouldn’t be far away one-off the rail, with Chain Of Lightning (4) and Magic Time (6) ridden up to hold a position. The likes of Buenos Noches (3), Espiona (8) and Private Eye (10) will be dragged back to be ridden cold. Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 All Aged Stakes. ALL AGED STAKES 2024 PREVIEW & FORM Southport Tycoon gets the nod in the 2024 All Aged Stakes. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt was sensational winning the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 2, bounding away to score by 1.3 lengths thanks to a perfectly timed Jamie Kah steer. The form has already been franked with the second and third placegetters securing Group 1 victories in the aftermath, and with another ideal draw (5) to gain an economical run in transit, there is no reason why Southport Tycoon can’t produce something similar against the older horses. The Annabel Neasham-trained Sunshine In Paris appears set to peak third-up after closing off impressively in the T J Smith Stakes. She was the widest galloper turning for home and never shirked the task to go down by less than a length. Her only attempt at 1400m resulted in victory in the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) with Ryan Maloney in the saddle, so with this combination usually producing her best, punters should be saving on Sunshine In Paris. Buenos Noches is the one over the odds with online betting sites. He knuckled down to the task over 1200m in the TJ Smith and gave the impression that 1400m should be ideal for the son of Supido. He takes a long time to wind up, but with the genuine tempo likely to suit some of these back markers, Buenos Noches will be launching late at a massive price. It’s hard to knock Espiona, however, she’s simply too short in the market. She was luckless last time out but tends to be her own worst enemy, seemingly unable to run straight when asked for the ultimate effort. She is worth keeping safe in wider exotics, but punters should be willing to risk her at the current price. 2024 ALL AGED STAKES SELECTIONS & BEST BETS Selections: 12 SOUTHPORT TYCOON 10 SUNSHINE IN PARIS 3 BUENOS NOCHES 9 ESPIONA $100 betting strategy $45 win #12 Southport Tycoon @ +550 with Bet365 $45 win #10 Sunshine In Paris @ +360 with PlayUp $10 win #3 Buenos Noches @ +3000 with Picklebet 2024 All Aged Stakes Final Field 1. Private Eye (10) T: Joseph Pride J: James McDonald W: 59kg F: 062×2 Age: 6YO Color: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Al Maher Dam: Confidential Queen +800 +180 2. Golden Mile (13) T: James Cummings J: Adam Hyeronimus W: 59kg F: 487×3 Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Horse Sire: Astern Dam: Calaverite +3300 +650 3. Buenos Noches (3) T: Matthew Smith J: Mark Zahra W: 59kg F: 9094x Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Horse Sire: Supido Dam: Koi +3000 +600 4. Bandersnatch (12) T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes J: Dylan Gibbons W: 59kg F: 207×4 Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Casino Prince Dam: Divine Faith +6000 +1100 5. Buffalo River (9) T: Mike Moroney J: Tim Clark W: 59kg F: 64333 Age: 8YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Noble Mission (GB) Dam: Fashion Insider (USA) +4500 +850 6. Airman (11) T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes J: Tommy Berry W: 59kg F: 73×82 Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: I Am Invincible Dam: Zara Bay +3300 +650 7. Amenable (14) T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) J: Chad Schofield W: 59kg F: 92×46 Age: 4YO Color: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Lonhro Dam: Caribbean Sunset (IRE) +4000 +750 8. Chain Of Lightning (4) T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman J: Rachel King W: 57kg F: 110×0 Age: 5YO Color: Grey Sex: Mare Sire: Fighting Sun Dam: Magic Art +850 +190 9. Espiona (8) T: Chris Waller J: Nash Rawiller W: 57kg F: 633×4 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Extreme Choice Dam: Dahooil (NZ) +300 -133.33 10. Sunshine In Paris (2) T: Annabel Neasham J: Ryan Maloney W: 57kg F: 52x1x Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Invader Dam: Zenaida (NZ) +360 -111.11 11. Magic Time (6) T: Grahame Begg J: Michael Dee W: 57kg F: 76×13 Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Hellbent Dam: Time Awaits +800 +180 12. Southport Tycoon (5) T: Ciaron Maher J: Jamie Kah W: 56.5kg F: 122×9 Age: 3YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Colt Sire: Written Tycoon Dam: Ready To Rule (USA) +550 +135 13. Encap (7) T: Gary Portelli J: Tyler Schiller W: 56.5kg F: 6523x Age: 3YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Capitalist Dam: Enquare +1200 +260 14. Tiz Invincible (1) T: Ciaron Maher J: Zac Lloyd W: 54.5kg F: 886×9 Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: I Am Invincible Dam: Amuletum (GB) +3300 +650 Horse racing tips View the full article

Off the back of another exceptional season for its high-class stallion roster, Rich Hill Stud has announced its service fees for 2024. Proisir, Shocking, Ace High and Vadamos all sired Group One winners and Satono Aladdin also continued to build on his burgeoning Southern Hemisphere record to sire another five Group winners. Champion sire Proisir has continued his remarkable rise through the Australasian sire ranks and has now sired six individual Group One winners over the last 20 months, while his commercial return to breeders has soared to new levels. At New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale in January, his magnificent daughter out of Donna Marie sold for $1.6 million to set a benchmark record-price for a filly sold at auction in New Zealand. Proisir’s 27 Karaka Book 1 yearlings averaged $275,000, while at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale his four yearlings sold up to A$450,000 and averaged A$283,000. “Proisir’s future looks particularly exciting with his bigger books and better pedigreed offspring to hit the sale-ring and racetracks over the next few seasons,” Rich Hill Stud’s managing director John Thompson said. Proisir will stand at a fee of NZ$80,000 + GST for the 2024 breeding season. Leading young stallion Satono Aladdin has had another stellar year with his progeny to the fore both on the racetrack and in the sale ring. His yearlings were in huge demand at Karaka 2024, selling up to $900,000 and a Book 1 average of $235,000 for 14 lots sold. Satono Aladdin was crowned Champion Two-Year-Old Sire and Leading Second Season Sire last season through the exploits of his Champion Two-Year-Old Tokyo Tycoon and Champion staying filly Pennyweka. He has continued in the same vein this season and currently leads the New Zealand 3YO sires by stakes winners with four individual three-year-old stakes winners. “Satono Aladdin has achieved his racetrack results to-date off relatively small initial books, and he has since bred quality-books of 168 mares in 2022, and 162 in 2023,” Thompson said. “Should he maintain his current standout statistic of 10.62 percent Group winners-to-runners, he looks the likely heir apparent to his own champion sire Deep Impact.” Leading young stallion Satono Aladdin Photo: supplied Satono Aladdin will stand at a fee of NZ$65,000 + GST for the 2024 breeding season. Ace High, a dual Group One-winning son of High Chaparral, has made an immediate impression with his first crop three-year-olds. “Ace High is the Leading New Zealand Second Season Sire by combined Australian-New Zealand winners with his tally of 16,” Thompson said. “He has already sired outstanding Group One-winning filly Molly Bloom, stakes winner Drakaina, stakes placed My Lips Are Sealed and a host of other promising gallopers including the recent eye-catching Victorian debut winner Angland. “His stock have been keenly sought both at public auction and via private trade, with his Karaka 2024 yearlings selling up to $280,000 with a Book 1 average of $164,000.” Ace High will stand at a fee of NZ$15,000 + GST for the 2024 breeding season. Proven top-flight producer Shocking continues to enhance his reputation as one of New Zealand’s most consistent sources of high-class racehorses. Shocking has already sired seven stakes performers in 2023/24, including Group One winner El Vencedor and Victorian stakes winners Here to Shock and Mark Twain. The New Zealand-trained galloper Mark Twain has already qualified for the 2024 Melbourne Cup after his stunning last-to-first win in the Listed VRC Roy Higgins Handicap at Flemington. “Shocking offers breeders a real opportunity to breed a superior racehorse at a fee of NZ$12,500 +GST for the 2024 breeding season,” Thompson said. The progeny of Group One-winning French miler Vadamos have enjoyed another strong season on the racetrack. Vadamos currently sits inside the top 20 on the New Zealand sires’ list, having sired 19 winners with over $1 million in stakes. His star mare La Crique has added another Group One victory to her resume this season, while Mosinvader and Devastate have both performed at Group Two level. “His Karaka yearlings sold up to $220,000 and we can look forward to another successful season for his progeny on the racetracks of Australasia,” Thompson said. Vadamos will stand at a fee of NZ$9000 + GST for the 2024 breeding season. View the full article

Two-time stakes winner Mr Fisk takes on four in the Californian, and undefeated Medoro is slated to meet seven in the Providencia.View the full article