Wandering Eyes

A thrilling victory for South Australia unfolded at the 2024 Oakleigh Plate as Shane & Cassie Oxlade-trained Queman held off a fierce challenge to claim the Group 1 title on Blue Diamond Stakes Day. Queman Wins the 2024 Oakleigh Plate in a Caulfield thriller. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. The Mint Lane gelding, taking a significant step up in class, displayed remarkable resilience to edge past Hypothetical in a photo finish. Queman, in excellent form, built upon his recent Listed W.J. Adams victory at the same track, extending his winning streak at Caulfield to two. Jockey Harry Coffey, who worked hard to reach the required weight, secured his second Group 1 win with an emotional post-race celebration. “I’ve won a Group 1, so I’ve had that feeling before, but I wanted to do it again so it wasn’t a fluke, so hopefully they flow on a bit now,” he said. The horses carrying the lightest weight dominated the podium, with Mornington Glory finishing a close third behind Hypothetical. Co-trainer Shane Oxlade, thrilled with the victory, acknowledged the family’s dedication to racing and highlighted the win’s significance as their first Group 1 success. He emphasized the joy of training a champion and achieving such a prestigious win. “Whether it’s Cassie or my other daughter Tamara, my wife, the whole family, we’re just battlers. We love racing, it’s been in our family all my life, it’s all I’ve done,” he told Racing.com. “I’ve had some nice horses but to get one to come here on Oakleigh Plate day and pull it off, it’s pretty special. “You get out of bed every day to train a good horse and to win a group race or a Group 1 is just the pinnacle of anything in our sport, isn’t it?” Full 2024 Oakleigh Plate results and finishing order can be found here. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post South Australian Upset: Queman Claims Thrilling Oakleigh Plate 2024 Victory appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Les Bridge’s Celestial Legend delivered a powerful late surge to claim a stylish victory in the 2024 Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill Gardens. 2024 Hobartville Stakes winner Celestial Legend could be Group 1 Randwick Guineas bound. Photo: Steve Hart. The Dundeel colt, improving on his fifth-place finish at Randwick, showcased his potential in the $400,000 Group 2 race. With jockey Kerrin McEvoy timing his run perfectly, Celestial Legend ($8.50) surged to the lead with 150m remaining, securing a commanding 1.89-length victory. Bridge expressed his high regard for Celestial Legend, comparing him favourably to his The Everest winner Classique Legend. He believes the colt has significant room for improvement in the coming months. The spring’s Group 1 Golden Rose runner-up Encap ($6.50), trained by Gary Portelli, finished a commendable second, while Les Vampires ($9.50) from Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott completed the trifecta. These horses are also expected to be contenders in upcoming autumn races. The Hobartville Stakes serves as a crucial lead-up to the Group 1 $1 million Randwick Guineas (March 9th) over the mile. Jockey McEvoy is confident that the 1600m distance will suit Celestial Legend well, making him a serious threat in the Randwick Guineas this autumn. Following his dominant win, Celestial Legend’s odds for the Randwick Guineas have firmed significantly, placing him second favourite at $4.50 through Ladbrokes behind Chris Waller’s Militarize ($3.50). The last three-year-old to achieve the Hobartville Stakes – Randwick Guineas double was The Autumn Sun (2019). Celestial Legend now sets his sights on replicating this feat. Full 2024 Hobartville Stakes results and finishing order can be found here. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Celestial Legend Shines in 2024 Hobartville Stakes, Aims for Randwick Guineas Glory appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Clinton McDonald‘s airborne filly Hayasugi defied her underdog status to etch her name in racing history, becoming only the second filly ever to sweep the Blue Diamond series and capture the prestigious Group 1 $2 million Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) after her lead-up wins in the fillies’ Preview and Prelude races. 2024 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Hayasugi was too good taking out the rare series’ treble. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. Hayasugi’s victory echoed the feat of Midnight Fever in 1987, solidifying her place among racing’s elite. Dismissed by many at 20/1 odds, the tenacious filly displayed remarkable grit to lead an all-filly first four in the juvenile’s feature, defying the dominance of colts and geldings. McDonald was ecstatic, praising Hayasugi’s “determined” and “tough” spirit. Jockey Jamie Kah, who narrowly missed victory with Revolutionary Miss two years ago, expressed disbelief at the filly’s ability to overcome challenges and secure the win. “I still can’t believe it,” she told Racing.com. “This filly, I don’t know how she does it. She gives them plenty of head start, she was wide again, she just finds a way. She’s just so tough. She’s amazing.” The race unfolded with Spywire leading the field initially, before Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott‘s Group 3 Widden Stakes winning filly Lady Of Camelot surged ahead at the 200m mark. However, Hayasugi ($16), with a brilliant final charge, overtook Lady Of Camelot to claim the coveted trophy. South Australian visitor Kuroyanagi on the back of a second in the Prelude completed the trifecta just ahead of the consistent Eneeza from the Moody/Coleman stable. Hayasugi’s historic win has opened the door for an even greater challenge: the Group 1 $4.92 million Golden Slipper Stakes in Sydney on March 23rd. Following in the footsteps of Sepoy (2011), she aims to become the first Blue Diamond winner in over a decade to achieve the coveted double. With her unwavering determination and McDonald’s guidance, Hayasugi’s journey promises to be one to watch. Click here for the full Blue Diamond Stakes race results in 2024. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Hayasugi Makes History with 2024 Blue Diamond Treble appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Revolutionary Miss ridden by Michael Dee wins the Catanach’s Jewellers Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse on February 24, 2024 in Caulfield, Australia. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Revolutionary Miss (+500) has continued her resurgence this campaign chalking up her fourth win of the preparation in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon. Michael Dee elected to take all luck out of the equation from stall eight on Saturday, gliding forward to sit outside the leader throughout the 1400m contest. It turned out to be a winning move in the end, as Wrote To Arataki (+1100) proved to be the only other speed influence in the race, allowing the daughter of Russian Revolution to gain the upper hand in the concluding stages. There was a late surge by the Ciaron Maher-trained Running By (+450) and well-supported Vagrant (+290) in the final 200m, but the race was already over, with Revolutionary Miss already off and gone with the prize. Eternal Flame (+300) was the only other unlucky runner, given very little chance when dragging back towards the rear of field, suggesting she is ready to win next time out. The ultra-consistent Revolutionary Miss proved too good in the end, however, as the Peter & Paul Snowden barn continue to place her perfectly this time in. 2024 Group 3 Mannerism Stakes Replay – Revolutionary Miss Co-trainer Peter Snowden was on course to discuss the win of his stable’s mare, giving insight that the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) would be the next target. “She’s a mare in good form and when mares get in good form they hold it and she’s doing exactly that right now,” said Snowden. “These sort of races suit her perfectly because they’re set weights races, she’s won about one-and-a-half million dollars in prize money now and she’s beating horses that are just going thorough the grades, I call them bread and butter races, they’re very important for her. “She’s got a tremendous record and it won’t be long before she goes to a sale and no doubt she’ll be worth a lot of money. “That’ll be her next target (Coolmore Classic), she deserves a crack at a decent race now, she’s earnt the right to be there, her ratings are up nice and high and she’ll be competitive. ‘If she gets a good draw, she can race on speed, she’s learnt to tough races out well now.” Michael Dee gave credit to his mount and her ability to switch off throughout her races as she builds to even bigger races in the autumn. “She’s a dream to ride,” said Dee. “she’s obviously a model of consistency, she’s better from a better gate where she can possie up just in behind them like we did last week. “Today it was a little bit of a question mark having to work up the hill to get the position we did but I felt pretty comfortable doing so and she won very comfortably in the end.” Revolutionary Miss has now been marked an $11.00 chance with online bookmakers for the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) on March 16. Horse racing news View the full article

Romantic Warrior fends off Luxembourg to claim Group 1 Hong Kong Cup. Setting the scene for the first showdown between the two most recent winners of the Hong Kong Derby (2000m), James McDonald concedes Voyage Bubble represents a serious challenge for Hong Kong’s ruling middle-distance champion Romantic Warrior in the Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. In the unique position of having ridden Sunday’s two leading combatants to Group 1 victory at their most recent starts, McDonald has telling faith in Romantic Warrior as Danny Shum’s flagbearer bids for a sixth triumph at the highest level. Resuming after a courageous success in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on 10 December, 132-rater Romantic Warrior remains the horse to beat, according to the New Zealander. “Romantic’s beaten most of these before, but he hasn’t beaten Voyage Bubble, he’s the new kid on the block, I suppose,” said McDonald, who was in the saddle when Voyage Bubble landed the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) at Sha Tin on 21 January. “Voyage Bubble’s got his own challenges taking on the ‘beast’ (Romantic Warrior) over 2000m. They’re both extremely good horses and both basically at the peak of their powers. “Voyage Bubble’s win in the Stewards’ Cup was great, and Romantic Warrior’s form is impeccable – winning the Cox Plate and Hong Kong Cup, beating a fantastic field in the Hong Kong Cup. “He’s drawn wide (barrier 11), but it is what it is. The Warrior will get it done.” Bidding to join Vengeance Of Rain and Designs On Rome as the only horses since the start of the century to win each of Hong Kong’s top-level 2000m races – the Hong Kong Gold Cup, Hong Kong Cup and FWD QEII Cup – Romantic Warrior will chase a fifth G1 under McDonald, who was also aboard in the 2023 Group 1 FWD QEII Cup, consecutive Hong Kong Cups (2022 and 2023) and a historic Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) triumph in Australia. “He’s had a few crowning moments and it would be nice to have this on the mantelpiece as well,” McDonald said of the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup. “He’s such a good horse, I just love riding him. He’s just one of those horses who’s different to most. You just go to the races pretty much unfazed and you just get the job done nearly every time. You know he’s going to do his absolute best – and that makes two of us. “I just admire the horse. He’s an extremely good galloper, as tough as they come and I’ve got great respect for him.” Zac Purton, who rides Voyage Bubble for the first time since 2022, will start from barrier seven on Ricky Yiu’s charge, while Straight Arron, Beauty Joy, Champion Dragon, Five G Patch, Nimble Nimbus, Senor Toba, Sword Point, Money Catcher and Encountered complete a quality field. Sunday’s 10-race fixture at Sha Tin starts at 1pm with the Class 4 Citi Global Wealth Handicap (2000m). View the full article

Savaglee bolts past Poetic Champion to claim the Group 3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) at Matamata on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) A fruitless summer saw Savaglee slip under the radar in this season’s two-year-old crop, but that all changed with a brilliant upset victory in Saturday’s Group 3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) on his home track. The blue-blooded colt is by Savabeel out of Glee, who is a full-sister to the dam of Orchestral and a three-quarter-sister to the dam of Daffodil. Savaglee was bought by The Oaks Stud for $400,000 at Karaka last year, and he looked worth every cent of that purchase price with a scintillating four-length romp on debut at Trentham in October. But Savaglee went winless in all of his next three starts. He was slowly away in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), then worked too hard to circle the field and force a fast pace. Those efforts took their toll and he faded into fifth. He did things wrong and again did plenty of work in front when third at Pukekohe on Boxing Day, then ran a creditable fifth without all favours in the running in last month’s Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). Savaglee went out as the $16 outsider in Saturday’s six-horse Slipper field. The market was dominated by fellow local Move To Strike, who was the $1.55 favourite to deliver an extraordinary tenth Matamata Slipper win for Te Akau Racing. But in the end it was all about Savaglee. Ridden by Sam Spratt for trainers Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard, Savaglee settled in fourth along the rail as the race broke up into three sets of pairs. Red Sea and Poetic Champion were side by side in the lead, followed by Move To Strike and Savaglee, with another couple of lengths back to Unbridled Joy and Full Force at the tail. Poetic Champion shook free of Red Sea at the home turn, with Move To Strike beginning to warm up down the outside and posing a threat. Poetic Champion was showing no sign of slowing down, however, and by halfway down the straight he had kicked away and looked the winner. But then Savaglee burst out of the pack with just over 100m remaining and swept up alongside Poetic Champion, and he gradually got the better of that rival through the final few strides to win by half a length. “He was really good and had a good turn of foot,” Spratt said. “He travelled beautifully on the bit and did everything really well.” The Oaks Stud’s general manager Rick Williams took special satisfaction from Savaglee joining a Matamata Slipper honour roll that also features stallions such as The Oaks Stud’s own Darci Brahma, along with the likes of Heroic Valour and Sword Of State. “It great to win a stakes race here at Matamata, especially being a colt and winning what has become a stallion-making race,” he said. “We paid a lot of money for him, he’s a lovely horse and Sam gave him a great ride.” Gerard was relieved to see Savaglee make a well-deserved return to winning form. “I’m very grateful to Rick Williams and The Oaks Stud for giving us the opportunity to train such a lovely colt,” she said. “It comes with a little bit of pressure – we realise how much they put into it and that they have plans for this colt, who was sensational winning on debut and has now won again after racing so well in the Karaka Millions. Hopefully between us in New Zealand and Mike in Australia, we can get the results they want. “He’s a Savabeel colt that is still getting there, but he’s shown very good ability. He learned a lot from Karaka Millions night and sat beautifully before showing a really good turn of foot today. “We can’t wait to get him up over 1400m and hopefully keep the good results coming.” Savaglee was bred by Waikato Stud, whose exciting first-season stallion Super Seth is the sire of runner-up Poetic Champion. Horse racing news View the full article

Queman ridden by Harry Coffey wins the Sportsbet Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield Racecourse on February 24, 2024 in Caulfield, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Queman (+1600) produced a late burst to secure victory in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, giving Shane & Cassie Oxlade their first Group 1 success as a training partnership. The Adelaide based galloper has continued to improve throughout the preparation, with this being his fourth win at start five of the campaign, slowly creeping through the grades to culminate in a tough Group 1 victory. The five-year-old son of Mint Lane had to fight off the canvas to secure the win, as Hypothetical (+1100) attempted to make every post a winner from the outset under Michael Dee, just being claimed in the shadows of the post. The race favourites were nowhere to be seen with 300m to travel, with the quinella pair clearing out on their respective rivals, while the likes of King’s Gambit (+290), Benedetta (+600) and Sghirripa (+600) never really looked like figuring in the finish. While Queman and Hypothetical sat down to fight it out, late runs did come, but it was all in vein as Mornington Glory (+4000) filled out the trifecta to give even more value to exotic players. 2024 Group 1 Oakleigh Plate – Queman It was an emotional win for the stable and as connections watched on in joy, Shane Oxlade spoke to the family achievement that unfolded before his eyes. “Whether it’s Cassie or my other daughter Tamara, my wife, the whole family, we’re just battlers, we love racing,” said Oxlade. “It’s been in our family all my life, it’s all I’ve done… I’ve had some nice horses but to get one come here on Oakleigh Plate day and pull it off, it’s pretty special. “You get out of bed every day to train a good horse and to win a group race or a group one is just the pinnacle of anything in our sport isn’t it? “I don’t know if it’ll change much in terms of more horses or less horses, to be honest it doesn’t worry me, I’m happy doing what I’m doing, we have twelve, fourteen, sometimes sixteen in work. It’s a really small team at home. “it’s just good for everyone, it’s a big kick.” Harry Coffey was happy to stick aboard the gelding after his last start victory and praised the camp for keeping him on to get a crack at Group 1 glory. “Racing family that probably haven’t had the fastest of horses,” said Coffey. “Albeit before today, massive effort from the Oxlade’s to have two genuine chances in this race and fortunately enough I was to be on one of them, obviously I won on him last start and I was quite taken with the win and I said to Shane when giving the colours back ‘why did you choose me’ and he goes ‘because I knew you’d try for me’ so I thought I’d better butter up and try again today. “I actually rode for Shane as a kid, funnily enough he bought an old broken down horse truck off my Dad when I was in my teens so whether it’s broken down every day since, I’m sure we’ve made up for it today.” Horse racing news View the full article

Ashvin Goindasamy drives Saint Alice to victory in the Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m) at Matamata. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Underrated mare Saint Alice added valuable winning black type to her blossoming career record when she took out the Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m) in a blanket finish. The Peter and Dawn Williams-prepared six-year-old looks to have come of age in her current campaign with a win at Tauranga over 1600m two starts back followed by a gritty run for third in the Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) earlier in the month. In an even field where betting was dominated by Awapuni visitor Manifique ($3.10), Saint Alice ($14.30) and rider Ashvin Goindasamy settled beautifully outside leader Roger That with eventual runner-up Langkawi tracking her throughout. Goindasamy pushed the button straightening for home as Langkawi moved alongside and they began a tooth and nail struggle for supremacy. Aotea Lad shot through on the inner to join issue and the trio went hammer and tongs before Saint Alice thrust her nose in front on the line to take the win. Dawn Williams had been hoping for a good performance after convincing husband Peter that the mare was a good chance in the event. “Peter was a little worried as she blew a bit in her work the other day, but I had to remind him she had just worked with Desert Lightning so it was probably to be expected,” Williams said. “She really is a tough little biddy and she got left a sitting duck a little when she hit the lead. “She loves a scrap though and she put her head down and wouldn’t give in. “When Aotea Lad dashed through on the inner I thought she might be done, but that mental toughness kicked in and she fought back again.” While the mare has always possessed oodles of ability Williams believes it has taken time for her to strengthen up and show her best. “They all take time as she was a little frail earlier on,” she said. “She has looked good this time in and we thought she was very good at New Plymouth on a track that was just too wet for her last time. “She is hitting her peak now so we have a few things to look forward to over the next couple of months as she does handle cut in the ground and she is still fairly lightly raced.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Ballarat Races Where Ballarat Turf Club – 240 Kennedys Rd, Miners Rest VIC 3352 When Sunday, February 25, 2023 First Race 1:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Ballarat Turf Club is the venue for one of the two meetings in Victoria on Sunday afternoon, and with a competitive eight-race meeting awaiting, hopefully a winner or two can be found. With a perfect summer day forecast, the track should remain a Good 4, and with the rail out 1m from the 400m to the winning post, a perfect track awaits. Action from Ballarat commences at 1:30pm AEDT. Best Bet at Ballarat: Whistlefield In the second leg of the quaddie, the Tom Dabernig-trained Whistlefield looks set to go a couple better having finished third first-up from a spell at Bendigo over 1100m. The Deep Field three-year-old was hitting the line nicely first-up off a five-month spell, and with race fitness under her belt, she should only improve. Considering she will get back in the field upon settling, Jordyn Weatherley’s 3kg claim will get her in nicely with just 56kg on her back. With a swift turn of foot, Whistlefield should have no issue blousing her rivals. Best Bet Race 6 – #8 Whistlefield (9) 3yo Filly | T: Tam Dabernig | J: Jordyn Weatherley (a3) (59kg) +160 with Bet365 Next Best at Ballarat: Altermatum Altermatum has shown more than enough in her two career starts thus far and brings the best exposed form to this two-year-old maiden on Sunday. Tony & Calvin McEvoy thought enough of the Zoustar filly to have her in as the second emergency in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), and considering she has been beaten 2.4 lengths behind Bodyguard and 2.8 lengths behind Hayasugi, she should just be winning her. Harry Coffey will have the filly settled midfield with cover, and if she can replicate her finishing burst from her first two starts, Altermatum will prove too hard to hold out. Next Best Race 2 – #7 Altermatum (5) 2yo Filly | T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy | J: Harry Coffey (56kg) +140 with Picklebet Best Value at Ballarat: Bremen In what looks to be an open maiden contest over 2600m, if the John Moloney-trained Bremen can replicate his last start second at Pakenham, he is right in a race like this. The four-year-old gelding ran into one better on that night over 2550m and looks to have found his niche stepping up to this distance range. Jarrod Fry will have the son of Dundeel stalking the pacesetters throughout from barrier five. He has fitness on his side, and despite being a nine-start maiden, Bremen can salute at a nice price with horse racing bookmakers with an economical run in transit. Best Value Race 3 – #1 Bremen (5) 4yo Gelding | T: John Moloney | J: Jarrod Fry (59.5kg) +1300 with Neds Ballarat Sunday quaddie tips Ballarat quadrella selections Saturday, February 25, 2024 1-2-3-4-9 6-8 7-8-9-13 3-6-8-9-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

What Pinjarra Classic Day Where Pinjarra Park – Racecourse Rd, Pinjarra WA 6208 When Sunday, February 25, 2024 First Race 12:56pm AWST Visit Dabble The Listed Pinjarra Classic will headline the 10-race program at Pinjarra Park this Sunday afternoon. With warm weather forecast across the weekend, we expect the track will remain in the Good range from the start to the end of the meeting. The rail will go back into the True position, with the opening race scheduled to jump at 12:56pm AWST. Pinjarra Classic Tip: Red Fifty Three Red Fifty Three was ultra-impressive first-up at Ascot, where the Grant & Alana Williams-trained galloper sliced his way through the pack to run away with an arrogant victory over 1200m. This five-year-old gelding has won seven of 15 starts to date, and he will take on Listed grade for the first time on Sunday afternoon. Even though this is the son of Gingerbread Man’s first attempt at black-type level, he couldn’t come into this race in better form after winning three of his last four. From barrier three, Madi Derrick can settle this bloke in behind the speed and get the run of the race. Pinjarra Classic Race 9 – #14 Red Fifty Three (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Grant & Alana Williams | J: Madi Derrick (54kg) +800 with Picklebet Best Bet at Pinjarra: My Hidden Universe After finishing second at both of his starts this campaign, My Hidden Universe gets his best chance to break his maiden at the fourth time of asking. The John Doyle-trained gelding led the field up last start before being run over by Papavero Princess, who has subsequently won again at her next start. This son of Universal Ruler will jump from the widest barrier (14), but he will push across the field with ease and lead at his own pace. If the rest of the field leaves My Hidden Universe alone and allows him to control the race from the front, they won’t be able to run him down late. Best Bet Race 4 – #1 My Hidden Universe (14) 4yo Gelding | T: John Doyle | J: Alan Kennedy (58kg) +120 with Boombet Next Best Bet at Pinjarra: Shell Bell Shell Bell was scratched from the meeting at Ascot on Saturday to be saved for this race on Sunday, as the Dion Luciani-trained galloper will look to go a couple better after finishing third behind Angel Undercover first-up over 1000m. This three-year-old filly went very quick out in front when fresh and was only overhauled in the final 50m by the backmarkers. This daughter of Snippetson will appreciate Brayden Gearth’s 2kg claim and another soft lead in this 1000m contest. After having a seven-week break between runs, Shell Bell will have taken a lot out of his previous start and should get every chance to record her third career victory here. Next Best Race 10 – #2 Shell Bell (12) 4yo Gelding | T: Dion Luciani | J: Brayden Gaerth (a2) (60kg) +500 with Neds Pinjarra Sunday quaddie tips – 25/2/2024 Pinjarra quadrella selections Sunday, February 25, 2024 1-4-5-6 1-2-4-6-9 3-4-8-14 2-7-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Talented mare La Crique dashes to a second Group One victory in the Group 1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Katrina and Simon Alexander celebrated one of their most satisfying moments on a racetrack with La Crique’s triumphant turnaround in the Group 1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) on Saturday. The undisputed star of the Alexanders’ Te Awamutu stable, La Crique had endured a turbulent 12 months since her runner-up finish behind Levante in the same race in February of last year. But the efforts and patience of everyone connected with the Vadamos mare was richly rewarded as she bounded away from a star-studded weight-for-age field at Otaki. “It’s the first time I’ve had the shakes for a while,” Katrina Alexander said. “I don’t think anyone other than the team at home will understand what’s gone into getting her here today. “Inch by inch, we’ve improved her, tried to get her back on track and tried to get her back to the horse that we knew as a three-year-old. “I was pretty happy with her during the week. I ride her in all of her trackwork, and I really felt that we were getting her personality back. So this is hugely satisfying and we couldn’t be happier.” There has never been any doubt around La Crique’s quality. She burst on the scene as a three-year-old with five wins from eight starts, including the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) and Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m). She placed in all of her other three, headed by an unlucky second in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) behind another of this summer’s comeback horses, Asterix. La Crique became a Group One winner with a dazzling Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) performance at Matamata in the spring of her four-year-old season, but she had gone winless in seven starts through the 16 months since. “She just had one of those annoying blowouts that happened as soon as she came into the stable at the beginning of her last preparation,” Alexander explained. “Unfortunately it blew out of the coronet, and the hole that came out split horizontally around the coronet. “So every time the hoof grew down, the gap got wider. She obviously had a lot of discomfort in her movement and it was really bothering her. “It’s been frustrating, and mostly for the horse. She’s put up with a lot. She’s very tough and she’s tried to battle her way through it. Even here last year, it was bothering her and she hung in slightly in the straight. I just hate doing that to a horse. “She’s been brave, she’s got here, and she’s just matured so much as well. We’re absolutely thrilled. “It’s so good for Matt (Cameron) as well. This was his first sit on the horse and he produced a beautiful ride.” Cameron settled La Crique in fifth along the inside, keeping a close watch on the $2.30 favourite Desert Lightning, who was in an early speed duel before easing back to take a trail behind Belclare. The field moved away from the rail in search of better ground coming towards the home turn, and Cameron cut the corner and went for gold. She scythed through and burst to the lead at the top of the straight, kicking hard and taking command. Aegon chased hard and ate into the margin late in the piece, with Desert Lightning sticking on bravely in third, but La Crique triumphed by a length and a quarter. 2024 Group 1 WFA Classic Replay – La Crique “I’d never sat on her before, but she makes my job easy,” Cameron said. “My job was to follow the favourite, and she just tracked along beautifully. She’s so athletic and she’s a little machine. She felt super. “She was lovely and quiet and stepped out of the gates well. There was a bit of hustle-bustle in front, and I was fine just doing my thing behind her. She was great. “Jockeys always have a hard choice, either coming here for this race where there isn’t as much on the undercard, or going to Matamata where there’s a lot of good races. I was happy to pick up the ride on this mare today and it was definitely worth the trip.” Bred and raced by John and Jan Cassin, La Crique has had 18 starts for seven wins, seven placings and $956,777 in stakes. Alexander hinted that La Crique might be in line for a return to Australia, where her one previous appearance produced a fourth placing in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). “A lot depended on today and how she finished this race off, not necessarily the placing,” Alexander said. “We haven’t looked too far ahead, so we’ll go home and make some plans. “I think we know now that she’s an autumn horse. The spring just doesn’t suit her.” Horse racing news View the full article

Expat New Zealand trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young know what it takes to win a Derby in Australia, and now they are setting their sights on Sydney with the unbeaten Immediacy (NZ) (Tarzino). The Kiwi-bred son of Tarzino extended his perfect record to three-from-three with a dominant performance in Saturday’s A$300,000 Gr.2 Stow Storage Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield. Immediacy’s super-impressive win prompted his trainers to look ahead to the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on March 23 and Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) on April 6. Busuttin and Young won the latter event with the New Zealand-bred Tavago (NZ) (Tavistock) in 2016, while fellow Kiwi-bred Sangster (NZ) (Savabeel) won the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) for the then-Cambridge-based stable in 2011. “It’s exciting to have a horse that can put together three wins from three starts, including a Group Two along the way,” Young said. “We might have another genuine Derby horse, hopefully.” Previously a narrow winner on debut at Cranbourne on December 29 and again at Sandown on January 17, Immediacy took a big step up in class on Saturday and raised his game in spectacular style. Racing in blinkers for the first time, Immediacy took up a midfield position for jockey Luke Currie but was racing keenly down the back straight. He settled into his work nicely coming down the side of the Caulfield track, then swung out four wide at the home turn to stake his claim. Immediacy swept to the lead 250m from the finish and sailed away, opening up a three-length margin over fellow Kiwi-bred Caracas (NZ) (Shocking). “He jumped well today, first time in blinkers,” Currie said. “If anything, he was a little bit too keen. That was probably because he’d gone five weeks between runs and had the blinkers on. With this run under his belt, it might take that away. He showed a good turn of foot when we came out and I asked him to go.” Immediacy has now earned A$233,790 for an ownership group headed by Ozzie Kheir and John O’Neill. “He was awesome today,” Young said. “We weren’t sure about the blinkers, so we rung Luke during the week to talk to him about it. We said that the blinkers seemed to make him concentrate a lot better on the track at home – he really put his head down. “He did over-race a touch today when the pace slackened, but he was off and gone once he got into the clear. “We’ll probably head towards the Rosehill Guineas now. It’s good prize-money, and it gives him a run that way around ahead of the Derby.” Immediacy was bred by Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay and is the third stakes winner by Westbury Stud stallion Tarzino. The dam of Immediacy is the three-race-winning Pivotal mare But Beautiful, who is a half-sister to two stakes winners in the UK and France. Originally bought by Game Lodge for $15,000 from the draft of Kiltannon Stables at Karaka 2022, Immediacy returned to Karaka later that year as a member of Riverrock Farm’s draft at the Ready to Run Sale. He was bought by Busuttin Racing and Group 1 Racing for $200,000. “I was on my way to the airport to go to the sale, and I told my son Ben to pick out a horse for me,” Young said. “He picked this one, and I had a look and saw he’s out of a Pivotal mare – my type of pedigree. We flew over and had a look at the horse and loved him. Now I keep telling Ben he’s a future bloodstock agent!” View the full article

All roads now lead to the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) for Captured By Love (Written Tycoon), after the talented juvenile maintained her unbeaten status in the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors LTD Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). Local powerhouse stable Te Akau Racing have been victorious in the last two editions of the Breeders’ with Zourion (NZ) (Zoustar) (2023) and Maven Belle (NZ) (Burgundy) (2022) and headed to Matamata on Saturday with a top chance of scoring a three-peat. A daughter of Written Tycoon, Captured By Love had formed an impeccable record early in her career, with a comfortable victory on debut preceding a three-length demolition in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) in December. Starting a scorching $1.40 favourite in the Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m), the filly showed her fighting quality through undesirable track conditions to score a third win on the bounce, setting up an intriguing battle with newcomer Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) at their home track on Saturday. Alabama Lass, courtesy of a storming nine-length debut win a fortnight ago, started the $2.30 TAB favourite, with Captured By Love just adrift in the market at $2.90. Ken & Bev Kelso’s filly flew the ace draw to assume the front-running role under Sam Spratt, while Opie Bosson slotted Captured By Love in behind a strong tempo in third. Bosson moved the filly into contention turning for home, and the two favourites went head-to-head at the 200m, Captured By Love proving too strong for her less-experienced counterpart and stormed clear by 1 & ¾ lengths, with her ears pricked crossing the line. “She’s got a lot of star qualities about her and it really was another terrific win by her today,” co-trainer Mark Walker said. “She’s certainly a very exciting filly and what she’s doing as a two-year-old could be a bonus to what she does at three, as she looks the type to keep getting better with age. “She not only has natural talent, but also a tremendous will to win and all roads lead to the Group One now.” Today’s contest is a key lead-in for the fast-approaching Sistema Stakes, which will be contested at Ellerslie on March 9. All going to plan for both parties, it will be the first occasion Captured By Love will face-off against Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) hero Velocious, another daughter of in-form stallion Written Tycoon. Velocious maintains early TAB Futures favouristism for the $450,000 juvenile feature at $2.40, though Captured By Love has shortened into $2.80, with Alabama Lass currently sitting at $6. A A$525,000 purchase by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM at the 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Captured By Love has earned back over $250,000 in just four starts for the Te Akau 2023 Magic Fillies’ Breeding Syndicate. “What a thrill for us to win this race again, it’s very exciting and I’m especially happy to provide Sam Bergerson (co-trainer) with his first win in the Matamata Breeder’s Stakes,” Ellis said. “It keeps our colours to the forefront on the jockey statue in the birdcage and it’s a race that we just love to compete in and try to win.” Captured By Love headlined a successful local meeting for Te Akau, with impressive victories by El Viento (NZ) (El Roca) (Ancroft Developments 1400), and Freeze Frame (NZ) (Vadamos) (Westbury Stud 1400), alongside a strong runner-up finish in the Lisa Chittick Plate (1400m) by Fashion Shoot (NZ) (Savabeel). View the full article

Underrated mare Saint Alice (So You Think) added valuable winning black-type to her blossoming career record when she took out the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Equine Kaimai Stakes (2000m) in a blanket finish. The Peter and Dawn Williams-prepared six-year-old looks to have come of age in her current campaign with a win at Tauranga over 1600m two starts back followed by a gritty run for third in the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) earlier in the month. In an even field where betting was dominated by Awapuni visitor Manifique (NZ) (Savabeel) ($3.10), Saint Alice ($14.30) and rider Ashvin Goindasamy settled beautifully outside leader Roger That (NZ) (Shinko King) with eventual runner-up Langkawi (NZ) (Helmet) tracking her throughout. Goindasamy pushed the button straightening for home as Langkawi moved alongside and they began a tooth and nail struggle for supremacy. Aotea Lad (NZ) (Savabeel) shot through on the inner to join issue and the trio went hammer and tongs before Saint Alice thrust her nose in front on the line to take the win. Dawn Williams had been hoping for a good performance after convincing husband Peter that the mare was a good chance in the event. “Peter was a little worried as she blew a bit in her work the other day, but I had to remind him she had just worked with Desert Lightning so it was probably to be expected,” Williams said. “She really is a tough little biddy and she got left a sitting duck a little when she hit the lead. “She loves a scrap though and she put her head down and wouldn’t give in. “When Aotea Lad dashed through on the inner I thought she might be done, but that mental toughness kicked in and she fought back again.” While the mare has always possessed oodles of ability Williams believes it has taken time for her to strengthen up and show her best. “They all take time as she was a little frail earlier on,” she said. “She has looked good this time in and we thought she was very good at New Plymouth on a track that was just too wet for her last time. “She is hitting her peak now so we have a few things to look forward to over the next couple of months as she does handle cut in the ground and she is still fairly lightly raced.” Owned by Barneswood Farm Ltd for Sarah Green & Ger Beemsterboer, Saint Alice was purchased for $220,000 by Beemsterboer from the Jamieson Park draft during Book 1 at Karaka in 2019. The daughter of prolific Group One winner So You Think has taken her career record to seven wins from 25 starts while she has also been placed seven times including finishing third in the 2023 Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m). View the full article

A fruitless summer saw Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) slip under the radar in this season’s two-year-old crop, but that all changed with a brilliant upset victory in Saturday’s Gr.3 Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m) on his home track. The blue-blooded colt is by Savabeel out of Glee (NZ) (O’Reilly), who is a full-sister to the dam of Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) and a three-quarter-sister to the dam of Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed). Savaglee was bought by The Oaks Stud for $400,000 at Karaka last year, and he looked worth every cent of that purchase price with a scintillating four-length romp on debut at Trentham in October. But Savaglee went winless in all of his next three starts. He was slowly away in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), then worked too hard to circle the field and force a fast pace. Those efforts took their toll and he faded into fifth. He did things wrong and again did plenty of work in front when third at Pukekohe on Boxing Day, then ran a creditable fifth without all favours in the running in last month’s Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). Savaglee went out as the $16 outsider in Saturday’s six-horse Slipper field. The market was dominated by fellow local Move To Strike (I Am Invincible), who was the $1.55 favourite to deliver an extraordinary tenth Matamata Slipper win for Te Akau Racing. But in the end it was all about Savaglee. Ridden by Sam Spratt for trainers Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard, Savaglee settled in fourth along the rail as the race broke up into three sets of pairs. Red Sea (NZ) (Pierata) and Poetic Champion (NZ) (Super Seth) were side by side in the lead, followed by Move To Strike and Savaglee, with another couple of lengths back to Unbridled Joy (Snitzel) and Full Force (Cosmic Force) at the tail. Poetic Champion shook free of Red Sea at the home turn, with Move To Strike beginning to warm up down the outside and posing a threat. Poetic Champion was showing no sign of slowing down, however, and by halfway down the straight he had kicked away and looked the winner. But then Savaglee burst out of the pack with just over 100m remaining and swept up alongside Poetic Champion, and he gradually got the better of that rival through the final few strides to win by half a length. “He was really good and had a good turn of foot,” Spratt said. “He travelled beautifully on the bit and did everything really well.” The Oaks Stud’s general manager Rick Williams took special satisfaction from Savaglee joining a Matamata Slipper honour roll that also features stallions such as The Oaks Stud’s own Darci Brahma, along with the likes of Heroic Valour (Fastnet Rock) and Sword Of State (Sntizel). “It great to win a stakes race here at Matamata, especially being a colt and winning what has become a stallion-making race,” he said. “We paid a lot of money for him, he’s a lovely horse and Sam gave him a great ride.” Gerard was relieved to see Savaglee make a well-deserved return to winning form. “I’m very grateful to Rick Williams and The Oaks Stud for giving us the opportunity to train such a lovely colt,” she said. “It comes with a little bit of pressure – we realise how much they put into it and that they have plans for this colt, who was sensational winning on debut and has now won again after racing so well in the Karaka Millions. Hopefully between us in New Zealand and Mike in Australia, we can get the results they want. “He’s a Savabeel colt that is still getting there, but he’s shown very good ability. He learned a lot from Karaka Millions night and sat beautifully before showing a really good turn of foot today. “We can’t wait to get him up over 1400m and hopefully keep the good results coming.” Savaglee was bred by Waikato Stud, whose exciting first-season stallion Super Seth is the sire of runner-up Poetic Champion. View the full article

The opening race at Caulfield on Saturday was named in honour of an iconic New Zealand-bred champion, and it was fitting that Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel) won it with some of the stamina and toughness that top-flight Kiwi stayers are renowned for. The A$150,000 Vale Verry Elleegant (2000m) was given its name after the 11-time Group One winner sadly died due to foaling complications earlier in the week. Dunkel’s one Group One victory in last year’s South Australian Derby (2500m) is no comparison with Verry Elleegant’s (NZ) (Zed) full-to-the-brim trophy cabinet, but the Dundeel gelding has nevertheless compiled an impressive record of his own and is still on an upward trajectory. His achievements and his rating of 105 towered over his seven rivals in Saturday’s handicap field, and as a result he had to carry a hefty 61.5kg. But after enjoying a comfortable run on the outside of the leader, jockey Billy Egan pushed the button in the straight and Dunkel took control. Mankayan (Intello) made up late ground to eat into the margin, but Dunkel was still ahead by three-quarters of a length at the finish line. “With a small field and landing outside the leader, it all worked out in his favour today,” Egan said. “I think he probably wasn’t as dominant as he was at Moonee Valley in his previous start (on December 30), but the long gap between runs will be the reason for that. After this run, I think he’ll be really peaking now. “He’s certainly looking for more ground. He relaxed beautifully and was still very strong through the line. He’s just got a naturally good set of lungs on him.” The Patrick Payne-trained Dunkel has now had 11 starts for eight wins, two seconds and A$852,625 in stakes. “This has just been the best ride of all time for all of the family that we’ve got involved in this horse,” part-owner Brendan Danaher said. “We’ll go to the Pakenham Cup (Listed, 2500m) next, and then the Roy Higgins (Listed, 2600m), which gets you into the Melbourne Cup (Gr.1, 3200m). If we end up there, we won’t be able to control ourselves.” Dunkel was bred by Sir Peter Vela’s Pencarrow Thoroughbreds and is out of the Cape Cross mare Kudamm. A four-time winner and placed in the Listed South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), Kudamm is the dam of five winners from five foals to race. In addition to Dunkel, Kudamm’s progeny include Mint Julep (NZ) (Darci Brahma) (five wins), Remington (NZ) (Darci Brahma) (five wins), Garfunkel (NZ) (Excellent Art) (four wins) and Marcolt (NZ) (Reliable Man) (three wins). Dunkel was a $40,000 purchase from Pencarrow Stud’s Book 1 yearling draft at Karaka 2021 by Steven Ramsay. Presented at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale later that year through the Ohukia Lodge draft, Dunkel was purchased by Central Districts trainer Kevin Myers for $100,000 on behalf of long-time family friend Payne. View the full article

Lindsay Park’s champion, Mr Brightside, cemented his dominance by winning the 2024 Futurity Stakes, solidifying his position as a true champion. Mr Brightside, trained by Team Hayes, overcame plenty of mid-race pressure to claim his sixth Group 1 victory. He is the first horse since Black Heart Bart (2017) to achieve the CF Orr – Futurity double in the same year. “It’s so humbling… For him to be able to absorb such high mid-race pressure… is just a champion quality. It’s just awesome,” co-trainer Will Hayes said. Jockey Craig Williams navigated the challenges, and Mr Brightside showed his class in the final furlong to secure the win. “I’m just very grateful… He’s an amazing horse on the race track. A lot of people are getting behind Mr Brightside… Mr Brightside, you’re a champion,” Williams told Racing.com. Mr Brightside remains undefeated at the 1400m distance at Caulfield (5-5-0-0). He now sets his sights on defending his title in the All-Star Mile (March 16) and then the Australian Cup (March 30). He is the current $2 favourite at Ladbrokes to win the All-Star Mile back-to-back and leads pre-field betting for the Australian Cup. Complete results and finishing order for the 2024 Futurity Stakes are available here. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Mr Brightside Shines Again, Claims Sixth Group 1 in Futurity Stakes 2024 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott stable dominated the 2024 Silver Slipper Stakes, showcasing their Golden Slipper contenders with a one-two finish. 2024 Silver Slipper Stakes winner Straight Charge is into single figures to win the Group 1 Golden Slipper on March 23. Photo: Steve Hart. Straight Charge, ridden by Tim Clark, emerged victorious in a thrilling battle with stablemate Espionage. This win solidifies his position as a leading contender for the Group 1 $4.92 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) back at the track on March 23rd shortening his odds to $9 through Ladbrokes. “Excellent. He is a very talented colt,” Adrian Bott told the media speaking of their Silver Slipper winner. “I was heartbroken we didn’t get to see him go up to the Magic Millions, he’s such a great talent. But he’s back here today to showcase it and it was a very impressive win. “He has been a natural two-year-old all the way through, from the minute we did anything with him he has shown that natural brilliance. That great early speed and good, sustained speed. “He has been very impressive today and that’s what we have seen all the way through. “He took the running up early and it was very difficult because he had a good colt (stablemate Espionage) chasing him. “I think he enjoyed the conditions and there is still a bit of improvement to come.” Espionage, ridden by Nash Rawiller, chased valiantly but ultimately fell short by a length. He remains a strong contender in the Golden Slipper picture, currently priced at $11 in all-in markets. “He was excellent. He hasn’t raced since the Breeders’ (Plate) and ultimately, that may have been the difference,” Bott said of Espionage. “That extra grounding and the campaign that Straight Charge had in between, that may have been the difference today. “I do think the ground was also slightly against Espionage. “He’s got a lot of natural brilliance and he may not have been able to pick his feet up initially at the top of the straight. Back on top of the ground I think we’ll see further improvement.” Waterhouse, aiming for her eighth Golden Slipper win, has a powerful contingent in contention. Straight Charge looks to follow in the footsteps of Farnan (2020), the last horse to complete the Silver Slipper – Golden Slipper double also hailing from the Waterhouse/Bott stable. Fellow Tulloch Lodge contender, Magic Millions 2YO Classic winning colt Storm Boy ($3), remains the pre-field favourite for the Golden Slipper 2024, but Straight Charge’s impressive win has shaken up the market. This race sets the stage for an exciting Golden Slipper contest, with Waterhouse & Bott’s two-year-olds poised for a strong showing. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Waterhouse & Bott Aim for Golden Slipper Glory with Straight Charge, Espionage appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Immediacy (NZ) ridden by Luke Currie wins the Autumn Classic. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Immediacy (+400) has maintained his unbeaten start to his career with a very impressive win in the Group 2 Autumn Classic at Caulfield, giving Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young their first victory in the race. After leaving the barriers well, Luke Currie allowed his mount to settle in behind the speed before peeling off the leader’s heels on the home turn and let down with a blistering turn of foot in the home straight. The son of Tarzino ran straight past Socks Nation (+500) and Time To Chat (+4000) along with Our Couver (+1600), but he was quick to shake off the challenge of the horse on his inside and careered away to win by three lengths. Of the backmarkers, the race favourite Caracas (+220) finished off nicely and ran home into second place, showing that more distance will suit the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained galloper well next start. 2024 Autumn Classic Replay – Immediacy Natalie Young was on course to represent the stable and she spoke post-race. “It really was (awesome), we ummed and ahhed about the blinkers and we ran Luke during the week and said what we’ve seen on the track it really made him concentrate a little bit,” Young said. “They went a little bit slow, the tempo, and he did overrace there a touch but once he got off the rail and got clear air he was off and gone. “At home on the track he really put his head down and concentrated, he’s won three from three now and the first two he did a lot wrong and still got off the bit at the six hundred. “He looked like he was never going to win at Sandown, and he came down and won so it’s exciting to have a horse that can put three together and a group two on the way up and we might have a genuine good Derby horse, hopefully. “We’ll probably head to a Rosehill Guineas, it’s good prize money, gets to run that way around and then head into the Australian Derby.” Luke Currie gave the winner a peach of a ride and he echoed the thoughts of the trainer post-race. “Today, first time in the blinkers, he jumped away quite well today, which he also did last time but he just lost the bridle through the run last time, today he was probably doing it a little bit too keen if anything,” Currie said. “Five weeks between runs with the blinkers on, but that run under his belt might take that away from him a little bit, he showed a good turn of foot when I asked him when he came out. “For a horse, he’s a bit of a baby, I think the blinkers really did the trick coming to Caulfield for the first time, it was good thinking by Nat and Trent to do that, take the risk that he may do too much but with that bit of a break he ate up the 1800, it was a nice effort. “He’ll have a bit of trouble getting me off him, anyway.” Immediacy is a +1200 chance in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas futures market with online bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

Straight Charge charges to victory in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott freight train continues to roll along into the early portion of the autumn, as Straight Charge (+140) took total control to secure victory in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday. It was a front-running masterclass by the son of Written By, with Tim Clark electing to cross to the lead throughout the 1100m contest from barrier seven, ensuring stablemate and second-favourite Espionage (+180) would be forced to take the leaders back. The two-year-old colt led them up at a strong tempo, with some of the leading contenders – including Erno’s Cube (+550), Celerity (+900) and Embassy (+800) all left chasing a long way out. That trio would be left fighting out the finish for the minor money, however, as the Waterhouse & Bott pair were simply a class above on Saturday. When the whips were cracking, there was only one horse you wanted to be on, however, as Straight Charge dictated every step of the way, clearing out on Espionage setting up the quinella pair beautifully for the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) on March 23. 2024 Silver Slipper Stakes Replay – Straight Charge Co-trainer Adrian Bott was on course to discuss the impressive outing of both his two-year-olds and gave the impression the traditional Todman lead-up would be the next target for both. “Excellent. He is a very talented colt (Straight Charge),” said Bott. “I was heartbroken we didn’t get to see him go up to the Magic Millions, he’s such a great talent. But he’s back here today to showcase it and it was a very impressive win. “He has been a natural two-year-old all the way through, from the minute we did anything with him he has shown that natural brilliance. That great early speed and good, sustained speed. “He has been very impressive today and that’s what we have seen all the way through. He took the running up early and it was very difficult because he had a good colt (stablemate Espionage) chasing him. I think he enjoyed the conditions and there is still a bit of improvement to come. “Both intend to go to the Todman, that’s the path we have set for them. That will have them fit, hard and ready for the Golden Slipper so every intention we see them both again.” Jockey Tim Clark was elated with the victory of his mount and credited his growing association with the Waterhouse & Bott camp. “I felt that if anything today was where he was going to be probably most vulnerable but he’s just got just an abundance of speed,” said Clark. “But he come back to me nicely when I asked him and sort of rested around the bend. I was confident that he’d get through the ground (Soft 6) from what he’d shown at home. “We come here thinking that that’s the sort of performance we want to see from him, it was excellent to get the result. “It’s a good position to be in. I don’t take that lightly being one of their riders for Gai and Adrian. But I really just lean on them mainly and Gai was pretty adamant I stick with this bloke pre-Christmas and again leading into this prep. “I try and lean on them a lot and they’ve been right most of the time.” Straight Charge is now on the third line of betting for the Group 1 Golden Slipper at +1000 with online bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

Raikoke ridden by Ben Melham wins the Zeditave Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr have taken out their second Zedative Stakes in five years, thanks to a smart front-running ride from Ben Melham aboard Raikoke (+900), who led from start to finish in the Group 3 contest at Caulfield. With the last three winners coming from the first two in running, Melham made sure that he pushed forward and held the front on his son of Written Tycoon, and that decision proved pivotal to the gelding winning the race. The expected leader and race favourite, Brave Mead (+125), slightly missed the jump and was made to settle near the rear of the field before making a sweeping run around the home turn. Both Brave Mead and Scully (+10000) took ground off the winner, with the latter picking his way through the field, but there was no catching the winner, as Raikoke went over the line in splendid isolation. 2024 Zedative Stakes Replay – Raikoke Michael Kent Jnr represented the stable in the post-race interview, where he spoke highly of the winner. “As soon as he won that (maiden), we said straight to the Zedative Stakes, for any horse to do that at their second start, it’s impressive,” Kent Jnr said. “He rolled along, I thought every horse had their chance to catch him, he’s having start number two so a massive effort. “He’s still immature this horse, he’s a bit touchy in the shins during the week so we go quite soft on him so to do that at his second start is a massive effort, very good. “As always, nothing on race day but he’s won now so whether you aim at Sydney or something a bit brighter, a good problem to have. “The other horse (Pivot City) was disappointing, I thought he’d go really well today, he’s a smart horse.” Ben Melham brought up an early winner on Blue Diamond Stakes Day, with his big ride on Coleman in the feature still to come. “He’s a big, strong, robust horse,” Melham said of Raikoke. “It surprised me how well he jumped, he really got off to a flyer and found a beautiful rhythm at the top there and was able to control the tempo, never at any stage did I think he was going to get beaten. “I was surprised he (Brave Mead) wasn’t up there eyeballing me, I’m not sure what happened to him, I just rode my bloke, real professional for a lightly raced horse and exciting to see what the future holds for him. “I imagine he’d be better on tracks with a bit more give, too. “He’s pretty dynamic and explosive at this point in time so, lightly raced, untapped, who knows what the ceiling is.” Horse racing news View the full article

Sassy Boom ridden by Blake Shinn wins the Angus Armanasco Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Sassy Boom (+650) only recorded her second career victory at Sale last Sunday, but after such a strong performance, Danny O’Brien made the right call to back her up in the Group 3 Angus Armanasco Stakes and the filly landed the spoils at Caulfield. Blake Shinn was quick to notice the early track pattern after the winners of races one and two came from inside the first two upon settling, so when the daughter of Spirit Of Boom came around the home turn under a hold, it was always going to be hard to run her down. The race favourites were unlucky, as Serasana (+360) was posted three-wide for the entire trip and did well to hold onto third place, while Autumn Angel (+340) settled near last and didn’t make much of an impression in the concluding stages. Pure Paradise (+650) made ground along the rail, in what looks to be the place to be early on, but So Glamorous (+450) was the best of the swoopers out wide and ran home strong into second place. However, all honours went to the winner as she ran away with a valuable black-type win. 2024 Angus Armanasco Stakes Replay – Sassy Boom Danny O’Brien was very pleased with the win of Sassy Boom, and he spoke post-race. “She filled us with confidence last time that she’d won effortlessly, it was really a barrier trial style of run, she’s a filly we just couldn’t get going in the Spring so we only gave her the one run, but we’ve always had a good opinion of her,” O’Brien said. “She had a very easy week, presented in great order again today, once again got a good map and a good ride and it was a very painless watch. “She’s an on-speed filly, and she’s very much a firm ground filly. “She doesn’t appreciate anything other than a good three, good four.” Blake Shinn echoed the thoughts of O’Brien in his post-race interview. “I certainly did (have a lot of confidence),” Shinn confirmed. “I’ve got a lot of respect for Danny, he’s a wonderful trainer, he’s been one of my biggest supporters since I’ve come back to Melbourne. “He turned his horse out really well, he told me, he said she’d win and I got on her and she gave me a lot of confidence going to the gates. “We envisaged being one, two in the run, she jumped well, just went a moderate tempo, she wanted to build from the five hundred. “I put the pressure on early and Danny’s a great conditioner of horse, so I had confidence to go early and she proved too good.” Horse racing news View the full article

Dunkel proved too strong for his rivals on Saturday winning the Vale Verry Elleegant Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli The opening race at Caulfield on Saturday was named in honour of an iconic New Zealand-bred champion, and it was fitting that Dunkel won it with some of the stamina and toughness that top-flight Kiwi stayers are renowned for. The $150,000 Vale Verry Elleegant (2000m) was given its name after Verry Elleegant sadly died due to foaling complications earlier in the week. Dunkel’s one Group One victory in last year’s South Australian Derby (2500m) is no comparison with Verry Elleegant’s full-to-the-brim trophy cabinet, but the Dundeel gelding has nevertheless compiled an impressive record of his own and is still on an upward trajectory. His achievements and his rating of 105 towered over his seven rivals in Saturday’s handicap field, and as a result he had to carry a hefty 61.5kg. But after enjoying a comfortable run on the outside of the leader, jockey Billy Egan pushed the button in the straight and Dunkel took control. Mankayan made up late ground to eat into the margin, but Dunkel was still ahead by three-quarters of a length at the finish line. “With a small field and landing outside the leader, it all worked out in his favour today,” Egan said. “I think he probably wasn’t as dominant as he was at Moonee Valley in his previous start (on December 30), but the long gap between runs will be the reason for that. After this run, I think he’ll be really peaking now. “He’s certainly looking for more ground. He relaxed beautifully and was still very strong through the line. He’s just got a naturally good set of lungs on him.” The Patrick Payne-trained Dunkel has now had 11 starts for eight wins, two seconds and A$852,625 in stakes. “This has just been the best ride of all time for all of the family that we’ve got involved in this horse,” part-owner Brendan Danaher said. “We’ll go to the Pakenham Cup (Listed, 2500m) next, and then the Roy Higgins (Listed, 2600m), which gets you into the Melbourne Cup (Group 1, 3200m). If we end up there, we won’t be able to control ourselves.” Horse racing news View the full article

Adam Nicholls and the Gary Clarke-trained Wilsons Prom combined for another win in Darwin on Friday, with the five-year-old gelding also breaking the 1600m track record at Fannie Bay. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Darwin Photography Professionals) Wilsons Prom could provide Darwin trainer Gary Clarke with his fourth St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) in five years after Friday’s slashing win at Fannie Bay. In a display that mirrored his last start win, the five-year-old gelding made it four wins from five starts by decimating his rivals by six lengths over 1600m (0-76). Two weeks ago, the son of Xtravagent, lumping 60.5kg, finished 6.5 lengths clear over 1600m (0-64) after sharing the early lead before sprinting clear. Adam Nicholls once again partnered Wilsons Prom (57.5kg), the $1.65 favourite with horse racing bookmakers on Friday. Sandwiched between fellow leaders Command King, who held the fence, and Hong Kong Fighter along the back straight, Wilsons Prom forged ahead at the 600m and was two lengths clear at the home turn with 350m remaining. By the 200m, he was four lengths clear before going on to break the 1600m track record set by Dominus (1:34.22) in June 2022 after clocking 1:34.03. Wilsons Prom outclassed stablemate Vallabar ($5), third in the 2022 Darwin Cup, while Angela Forster’s Volatore ($4.80) pipped stablemate Command King for third. Arriving two years ago from Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s stable in Victoria, Wilsons Prom had little impact in the three-year-old features during the Darwin Cup Carnival. Since June 2023, the gelding has had nine starts and finished second on four occasions before his four wins. The rain and mud on Australia Day proved a hurdle when 11th over 1300m (BM73). The $40,000 St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) at 0-76 level on March 16 is likely to be Wilsons Prom’s next assignment, a race Clarke has mortgaged recently with Java (2020), Count Of Essex (2022) and Siakam (2023). Meanwhile, Clarke’s eight-year-old mare Bel’s Banner (Jarrod Todd), a $4.60 hope, finished strongly over the concluding 100m to overcome stablemates Siakam ($10) and Desert Dreamer ($5) in an open 1200m handicap. For the daughter of Starspangledbanner, it was her first win in 10 starts after saluting on Anzac Day last year. Desert Dreamer, camped on the rails, Siakam and Phil Cole’s in-form Cielo D’Oro ($2.25), who sat three deep, shared the early lead with Bel’s Banner trailing in fourth place. With 200m to go, Bel’s Banner joined the leaders after splitting Desert Dreamer and Siakam, who was having his first start since Darwin Cup Day last August, and a big finish loomed before the mare got home by a length. After riding a winning double for trainers Tayarn Halter and Dick Leech at the start of February, apprentice Jade Hampson repeated the dose at the end of the month. Halter’s Tyquendo ($8), back after five months, exited the outside gate in the nine-horse field over 1100m (0-58) with the five-year-old gelding producing an outstanding performance. Settling midfield, the son of Outreach sat three or four deep for the entire trip and with 100m to go he battled it out with three opponents before toppling Tom Logan’s Wolf Queen ($21) and Chris Pollard’s Overruled ($11). Hampson timed her run perfectly in the 1200m maiden when Leech’s Mutany ($3.60), a four-year-old gelding by Xtravagent, caught Clarke’s Debating ($2.50) – easily two lengths clear at the 200m – right on the line to salute by a long head, with Cole’s Proklisi ($5) third. Horse racing news View the full article

Champion jockey reunites with last-start Group One winner in Sunday’s Sha Tin featureView the full article