Wandering Eyes

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The curtain closes on the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival with a wide-open All Aged Stakes (Race 8) at Randwick on Saturday. Group 1 winning mare Espiona is tipped to salute for the punters in the 2024 All Aged Stakes on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart. Fourteen horses will vie for a share of the $1.5 million prize money in this weight-for-age showdown. Leading the charge in the early betting at Ladbrokes is Chris Waller‘s Espiona ($4.20). Drawn in gate eight for the 1400m race, the five-year-old daughter of Extreme Choice is ready to peak this campaign. She’s been knocking on the door in Group 1 races all year, finishing a close third in both the Black Caviar Lightning and Canterbury Stakes. Last Saturday, she came within a length of victory in a thrilling finish to the TJ Smith Stakes. With the ideal distance (1400m) now on her plate, Espiona looks poised to deliver Waller his third All Aged Stakes win. Hot on her heels is Sunshine In Paris ($5), trained by Annabel Neasham. Ridden by Ryan Maloney, this four-year-old mare boasts a perfect gate two draw and a history of success at Randwick. She captured the Group 1 Surround Stakes here over 1400m last year and has been running competitively this season, narrowly missing out on victory in The Galaxy and finishing just ahead of Espiona in the TJ Smith Stakes. Three-year-old colt Southport Tycoon ($6.50), trained by Ciaron Maher, is looking to add his name to the list of victorious youngsters in the All Aged Stakes. Following Giga Kick’s win last year, Southport Tycoon will be aiming to repeat the feat. Fresh off a win in the Group 1 Australian Guineas, he’ll be making his Sydney debut in this race. Ms Jamie Kah will be in the saddle as he tackles the older horses in a reversed direction. Several other contenders are worth keeping an eye on, including the Group 1 winners Magic Time ($8) and Chain Of Lightning ($9), and Joe Pride’s Private Eye ($8.50). Click here for the latest All Aged Stakes 2024 betting odds thanks to Ladbrokes. 2024 All Aged Stakes Field No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 05x132x260 PRIVATE EYE Joseph Pride James McDonald 10 59kg 112 2 901393×784 GOLDEN MILE James Cummings Adam Hyeronimus 13 59kg 107 3 x1382x4909 BUENOS NOCHES Matthew Smith Mark Zahra 3 59kg 106 4 765824×702 BANDERSNATCH Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Dylan Gibbons (a) 12 59kg 103 5 1410×33346 BUFFALO RIVER (USA) Michael Moroney Tim Clark 9 59kg 103 6 11x3128x37 AIRMAN Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Tommy Berry 11 59kg 102 7 54x1564x29 AMENABLE Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Chad Schofield 14 59kg 99 8 64x370x011 CHAIN OF LIGHTNING Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman Ms Rachel King 4 57kg 115 9 x21714x336 ESPIONA Chris Waller Nash Rawiller 8 57kg 113 10 13121x1x25 SUNSHINE IN PARIS Annabel Neasham Ryan Maloney 2 57kg 113 11 13x5131x67 MAGIC TIME Grahame Begg Michael Dee 6 57kg 109 12 1129×221 SOUTHPORT TYCOON Ciaron Maher Ms Jamie Kah 5 56.5kg 108 13 23125×3256 ENCAP Gary Portelli Tyler Schiller 7 56.5kg 96 14 x11169x688 TIZ INVINCIBLE Ciaron Maher Zac Lloyd (a) 1 54.5kg 9 Table Credit: Racing Australia. 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 Open 2024 All Aged Stakes Field Set for Showdown in Sydney appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Times Ticking will attempt to defend his crown in Saturday’s Group 3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) at Riccarton. Photo: Race Images South Wairarapa gelding Times Ticking has an affinity with the South Island, and he will be looking to extend that record when he heads to Riccarton on Saturday. The eight-year-old son of Tavistock has won three of his seven starts in the south, including the Group 3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m), Listed Easter Cup (1600m), Banks Peninsula Cup (1800m), and was third in the Group 3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) at Wingatui in February. He will return to Riccarton this weekend where he will attempt to defend his crown in the Canterbury Gold Cup, where he has drawn barrier four and will be ridden by Tina Comignaghi. Owner-breeder-trainer Alby MacGregor has the luxury of staying with his son near Rangiora during his southern stints, and said his pride and joy thrives in that environment. “He is down in Christchurch now with my son. He has been down there for a week or so,” MacGregor said. “He has had a fair bit of success down there and he seems to thrive down there. My son is at Rangiora and he has a little farm there and he seems to enjoy it.” Times Ticking heads into Saturday in good form, having won the Group 3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) in January before his White Robe Lodge placing. He was then seventh in the Listed Flying Handicap (1400m) at Trentham a fortnight ago, which MacGregor said has brought him on nicely for Saturday’s title defence. “He needed that run,” MacGregor said. “I was quite happy with it. He whacked away. He is probably not a 1400m horse nowadays, but he had to have something to blow the cobwebs out.” MacGregor said he Times Ticking will likely head for a spell at his son’s property following Saturday’s run. “After the weekend he is going to have a break for a little while and we will work it out from there,” he said. Horse racing news View the full article

Good Oil will contest Saturday’s Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) in Victoria. Photo: Race Images Good Oil has continued to impress Andrew Forsman this season and the Cambridge trainer will give the eye-catching frontrunner his first Australian test in Saturday’s Listed Mornington Cup (2400m). The son of Dalghar took time to develop, only breaking his maiden early as a four-year-old, but a season later he has rapidly stepped through the grades over middle-distance trips with 11 top-four finishes in his 13 starts this term. In his familiar pace-making role, Good Oil almost caused an upset in both the Group 2 Avondale Cup (2400m) and Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m), leading until the dying stages of the latter only to be surpassed by two-mile specialist Mahrajaan, while holding off subsequent Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) winner Mark Twain. Forsman was thrilled with his performance, which warranted a trip across the Tasman for Saturday’s feature. “He’s great and has thrived since he arrived in Australia, he’s taken to it really well, which is good, with the quick turnaround to get him over there and running on Saturday,” Forsman said. Forsman has engaged Billy Egan to partner his charge, who drew the ace barrier and carries an equal-bottom weight of 54kg in the handicap. “Having drawn barrier one is great for him, he’ll ping and put himself on pace,” Forsman said. “I know there’s another strong frontrunning horse in Deny Knowledge and she may take the lead from him, but as long as he’s in the leading group, he’ll be happy. “The only niggling doubt in the back of my mind is the long gap between races for him, but apart from that, I couldn’t be happier with him going into it.” Good Oil will be one of two Kiwi horses making their bid for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) golden ticket available in the Mornington Cup, alongside Nereus, and Forsman is treating any further success as a bonus for the consistent gelding. “Right from day one, we were just trying to get him to switch on and win a race, and now he’s doing what he’s doing,” Forsman said. “Whatever he does is a bonus in my eyes, he’s a neat horse to have around and any race we line him up in, he turns up and tries hard every time.” Forsman will also be represented in the Mornington Guineas (1600m) by Riproar, a son of Charm Spirit that has raced out of his Victorian stable through the season. Riproar was an impressive last-start winner at Geelong and will be partnered by Harry Coffey in the three-year-old event. “He was competitive enough against three-year-olds in the spring, but it’s always different getting into the autumn,” Forsman said. “He won very well first-up, albeit against lesser opposition than he strikes on Saturday. We’re confident that he’s as well as he can be heading into it, but now he’s just got to prove he’s up to this level.” Puccini four-year-old Full Of Sincerity completes Forsman’s Mornington team, contesting the Benchmark 84 Handicap (1600m) later on the card. Horse racing news View the full article

Super Photon storms to a debut victory at Rotorua on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) A bright future is being tipped for Super Photon following his debut win in at Rotorua on Wednesday. The son of Super Seth jumped away fairly from his ace barrier and took an early trail behind pacemaker Force Of Law before jockey Joe Doyle was able to navigate him into the coveted one-one position behind the regally-bred Magice. Turning for home, Super Photon peeled three-wide and quickly ranged up alongside the Magice and Force Of Law and showed his class in the concluding stages to post a 3.75-length victory over Magice. Super Photon was purchased out of Waikato Stud’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by Stephen Marsh in conjunction with Dennis Foster, Bourbon Lane and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock for $380,000. He showed signs of early talent at the trials, placing in all three of his heats and was subsequently backed into +150 favouritism with horse racing bookmakers for his debut. “He is a lovely colt by Super Seth. We paid a lot of money for him at the sales,” Marsh said. “He is still a colt. He is a beautifully bred half to Mo’unga so it is nice that he is fully intact. “We were very confident today and they have always got to put it together, he was beautiful today. I love the way he settled in the trail. “He has still got a lot to learn, but he put them away pretty quick and we believe he is a colt with a big future.” Stakes assignments are now in the crosshairs for Super Photon, with the first in his sights being the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa on May 4. “We thought if he won well today, he could potentially go to Te Rapa on 4th of May, there is a stakes race over 1400m there and then he can go out for a spell,” Marsh said. “You just hope you can set him for a Hawke’s Bay Guineas and 2000 Guineas, that will be out long-term plan.” Horse racing news View the full article

Group Two performer Zaila will resume at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Group Two performer Zaila was in a purple patch of form late last year and trainer Kylie Hoskin is hoping she can pick up where she left off when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday. The five-year-old daughter of Street Boss was fourth in the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m) and Group 3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) before gaining black-type when runner-up to subsequent Group One winner Campionessa in the Group 2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa in December. “It was such a good run in the Cal Isuzu, and to run second behind Campionessa there is no shame in that,” Hoskin said. The Byerley Park horsewoman has been pleased with the way her stable star has returned and is looking forward to stepping her out at Ellerslie for the first time. “It is really exciting to get her back on course and to Ellerslie as well, and give her a look around there,” Hoskin said. “She seems to like any surface – she goes on the Heavy, she goes on the Good – it doesn’t seem to bother her. “She does seem to have better form left-handed than right, but in saying that, she has gone some good races right-handed as well. It will be a bit of a fact-finding mission and we will know more after Saturday.” Zaila has had the one trial over 800m leading into her resuming run and Hoskin said Saturday’s 1200m contest should help bring her on further. “She had the trial at Pukekohe, she is pretty fresh and behaved accordingly, so it was hard to get a line on her,” Hoskin said. “She has definitely got a bit of spunk that we are trying to keep under wraps. I love her to bits, but she does take a bit of managing. “We would have gone back to the trials, but with Waipa being moved and a bit of rain about at the end of this week, we decided to go to Ellerslie instead.” Zaila will jump from barrier seven with Sam Spratt aboard and has been installed a +900 winning chance by online bookmakers. “I think she will get a nice run in behind them,” Hoskin said. “As long as she is running on we will be happy. “It is her first run back with just one trial under her belt, so she is probably lacking a little bit fitness-wise, but the rain will help her, it will help slow them down a bit and bring them back to her.” Hoskin has eyed next month’s Group 3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) as Zaila’s main target this preparation and believes Saturday’s contest is a great starting point. “With those trials being moved we wanted to get a run into her before the Rotorua Stakes,” Hoskin said. “We will then give her a short break and look towards the spring.” Horse racing news View the full article

David Hayes has high long-term hopes for Little Brose. David Hayes concedes stable newcomer Little Brose faces a big challenge at his Hong Kong debut in the HK$22 million Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on Sunday, April 28. The former Australian sprinter, a Group 1 winner of the 2023 Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) for two-year-olds, faces tough local and international opposition in the feature sprint. Japanese runner Mad Cool is a Group 1 winner, while Hong Kong sprinters California Spangle and Victor The Winner have also both won at the highest level. Sunrise Ronaldo will also represent Japan in the international contingent, which is completed by Great Britain’s sprinter Believing – trained by George Boughey. Now a three-year-old, Little Brose was trained in Australia by Hayes’ sons Ben, Will and JD. He is owned by Hong Kong businessman Peter Young who has always been keen to see the colt race at Sha Tin before returning to Australia to potentially stand at stud. The colt has raced nine times for two wins, two seconds and a third pre-import for more than HK$8 million in earnings. His last race was at Caulfield in October in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas when he finished eighth in the 15-horse field, beaten by nearly five lengths, at his first attempt over 1600m. Hayes said that depending on how Little Brose trials on Friday (April 19), he expects a competitive performance against some elite sprinting opposition. “It is a tough task but he is a Group 1 winner,” he said. “There are three other Group 1 winners in the race and we’ll see how he goes. Then he’ll run in a handicap three weeks later if he doesn’t win it because he won’t be eligible if he wins (Chairman’s Sprint Prize).” Hayes was speaking from his own experiences and observations when he said a lot of horses don’t win first-up in Hong Kong. As well as Little Brose’s Blue Diamond Stakes win, the colt is also a Listed 1000m winner at Caulfield. “He has got some sprinting ability and we are happy for him to run in the big races and that’s what we are going to do,” Hayes said. “At the moment I think I will keep him sprinting in the short term and that’s where his best form is and then if need-be we will stretch him out.” Like many good gallopers, Hayes said Little Brose was lazy in his trackwork but had so far won two of his three trials and on Friday he plans to apply blinkers when he trials. He said it was always the plan for Little Brose, who was exported from Australia in December, to race in Australia so he could qualify for Hong Kong. “I’d be surprised if beat the Dubai winner (California Spangle) but we’d be very happy if he ran a place,” Hayes said. Horse racing news View the full article

by Jessica Martini & Stefanie Grimm OCALA, FL – While it took some time to find its stride, the first session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training gained momentum throughout the day and concluded with figures in line with the first session of its record-setting 2023 renewal. “I thought it was a good day,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski. “A good horse sells well and I thought we had a lot of nice horses today. Holding true to last year, that's a great start to the week. Obviously, there are a lot of nice horses left to come.” From a catalogue of 302 juveniles, 205 horses went through the ring Tuesday for a gross of $19,725,000. The average of $136,034 was right on par with the 2023 figure of $136,665, while the median of $87,000 rose 16% from a year ago. With 60 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate was 29.3%. The auction's first hour included a number of RNA's as the Spring Sale settled into rhythm and many of them were getting sold Tuesday evening after bidding had stopped for the evening. “I think some of that was the sale just getting started,” Wojciechowski said of the measured start to the sale. “I think a little bit of that maybe getting their feet wet, getting their sea legs. I wouldn't be surprised to see a number of those horses getting sold in the post-sale setting here pretty quick.” Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni and trainer Bob Baffert purchased the session's top-priced lot, going to $775,000 for a filly by Caracaro on behalf of Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. The filly was consigned by Global Thoroughbreds. Pedro Lantz, bidding on behalf of KAS Stables, purchased the session's top-priced colt, a son of Global Campaign, for $650,000. The juvenile was consigned by Eddie Woods, who was the session's leading consignor with nine sold for $2,213,500. The OBS Spring sale continues through Friday with sessions beginning daily at 10:30 a.m. Three Amigos Strike for Caracaro Filly A filly from the first crop of Grade I-placed Caracaro (hip 199) turned heads with a quarter-mile work in :20 2/5 during last week's under-tack show and she duly delivered in the sales ring Tuesday when selling for session-topping $775,000. Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, alongside trainer Bob Baffert, handled bidding out back of the pavilion to acquire the speedy filly on behalf of Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. She was consigned by Global Thoroughbreds and was bred by the consignment's Rafael Celis. The Caracaro filly's work last week | Judit Seipert “We are happy to get her,” Lanni said. “She did everything she was asked to do. She went fast, came back great.” The filly is out of Key d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), a half-sister to stakes-placed Twirled (Twirling Candy). Caracaro, who was second in the 2020 GI Travers S. and GIII Peter Pan S., stands at Crestwood Farm for $6,500. “He is throwing a beautiful athletic horse,” Lanni said of the stallion's first crop of foals. “You see a lot of Uncle Mo's influence.” @JessMartiniTDN Caracaro Keeps Rewarding Celis Caracaro is the stallion who keeps giving for Rafael Celis, who campaigned the bay in partnership with Lucas Noriego's Top Racing. After watching his homebred filly from the first crop of Caracaro sell for $775,000 at OBS Tuesday, the native of Venezuela was beaming with pride. Rafael Celis and family | Jessica Martini “That was our best filly in the whole program,” Celis said. “We had high expectations for her. She's by Caracaro, who is our stallion that we own with Crestwood Farm. We were really excited about her. She had been doing well all the way in training. We weren't sure if we should work her a furlong or a quarter, but she prepped really nice and we decided to go a quarter. She was really fast and the gallop out was really strong. She went out in :44 and :59, which was very good.” Celis purchased Caracaro for $95,000 as a weanling at the 2017 Keeneland November sale. He admitted he almost had the horse sold as a 2-year-old in 2019. “In our program, we buy weanlings and take them to the 2-year-old sales,” Celis said. “That's what we do. I almost had him sold, but he had an issue and we got him back after we sold him. So we decided to race him.” In the COVID-delayed season of 2020, Caracaro broke his maiden by six lengths at Gulfstream Park in January and returned to just miss when second behind Country Grammer in the GIII Peter Pan S. in July. He was second behind Tiz the Law in the GI Travers S. in what proved to be his final career start. “We qualified for the Kentucky Derby, but we couldn't make it because he had a problem with his suspensory,” Celis said. “We couldn't race in the Derby, so we went shopping around to see who wanted him as a stallion. The Crestwood people were open and we made a deal with them.” While Celis has just 10 broodmares in the U.S., his family has plenty of experience in the breeding industry. “We have a breeding farm in Venezuela,” he said. “So we have been in the horse business for 50 years. The name of Caracaro is actually the name of our farm in Venezuela, which my father, who passed away, named and that's why we named the horse Caracaro.” Celis will offer two more juveniles by Caracaro this spring and has an additional 10 yearlings for next year. But he won't completely divest his foals by the stallion. “We are going to keep two for racing,” he said. @JessMartiniTDN Global Campaign Colt Sells To KAS Stables Hip 291, a colt consigned by Eddie Woods, Agent III from the first crop of WinStar's Global Campaign, may be bound for Saudi Arabia after bringing a final bid of $650,000 from Pedro Lantz, acting as agent for KAS Stables. Selling late in Tuesday's session, the colt impressed Lantz not only during his :10 breeze last week but also as a yearling at OBS last October. Global Campaign | Sarah Andrew “I tried to buy this horse as a yearling at OBS October [last year]. And I saw his breeze–he has spectacular action and a very fluid stride.” Buying for Saudi Arabia-based KSA Stables, Lantz noted that the colt may ship overseas but could also stay in America as KSA is looking to expand their operation. By Global Campaign, who is represented by his first 2-year-olds this year, the colt's price exceeded Lantz's expectations. “I was expecting four [hundred thousand], maybe five [hundred thousand] but people are paying and everyone is on the same horses. So I told them [KSA Stables] to be prepared for at least five [hundred thousand] because the horse [vetted] clean and was about perfect.” Lantz was busy throughout the day, also picking up hip 195, a filly by Nyquist also from the Eddie Woods consignment for KAS Stables bound for Saudi Arabia, and looks to stay busy throughout the remainder of the week. “This is a sale that you can get a good horse,” Lantz continued. “I expect to go for [a few] more horses this week. There are a lot of nice horses–in the final two days especially.” @SGrimmTDN Uncle Mo Filly to Coolmore A filly by Uncle Mo (hip 166) jumped to the top midway through the session at OBS Tuesday when selling for $600,000 to Justin Casse, who was bidding on behalf of Coolmore's M.V. Magnier. The bay, who was consigned by Tom McCrocklin, worked a quarter-mile last week in :20 3/5. She is out of graded winner Jacaranda (Congrats), who is a half-sister to Constitution and is the dam of Grade I-placed Be You (Curlin) and stakes-placed American West (Curlin). Justin Casse at OBS in March | Photos by Z “She is extremely attractive,” Casse said of the filly. “It's a lovely family. The dam is a half-sister to Constitution. She's an Uncle Mo filly, everything you would want from a nice female family sire line and possible future broodmare prospect.” McCrocklin purchased the filly for $380,000 on behalf of Michael Sucher's Champion Equine at the Fasig-Tipton October sale last fall. Of the filly's final price tag Tuesday, Casse said, “I thought she was one of the best fillies here, so it was good to get in at that price. I haven't seen what the rest of the sale has been like, I know it's early, but we are happy to get her.” @JessMartiniTDN Spendthrift Partners Up on Nyquist Colt A third of the way through Tuesday's opening session, Spendthrift Farms's Ned Toffey started the action off, going to $550,000 for a colt (hip 125) by GI Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist. Bred in Maryland by Bowman and Higgins Stable, the colt was purchased as a yearling for a sale-topping $205,000 by Thorostock & Seth Morris Thoroughbreds at last year's Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearling Sale and is out of a winning half-sister to the dam of MGISW and young Spendthrift sire Cyberknife (Gun Runner). Ned Toffey | Spendthrift “He was hard to miss,” said Toffey after signing the ticket. “He's a big, beautiful colt and [we] had him identified based off his breeze. I love the sire and he's just a big, athletic-looking horse.” Toffey confirmed that the colt, who worked in :10, will head west to race in partnership with MKW Racing and Breeding LLC. “He'll go back to Spendthrift to get a little bit of a break and then we'll send him out to Richard Mandella.” @SGrimmTDN Maryland Sale Topper Shines at OBS A Maryland-bred son of Nyquist (hip 125) brought the top price of last year's Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearling Sale when bringing a final bid of $205,000 from Thorostock and Seth Morris Thoroughbreds and he helped kick start the OBS Spring sale Tuesday when selling for $550,000 to Spendthrift Farm/MKW Racing and Breeding. “He was an extraordinarily well-balanced, good-minded horse,” Thorostock's Nick Sallusto said after sending the colt through the ring Tuesday. “He had almost perfect conformation. He was really typical of Nyquist. We felt really lucky the day we found him.” Nyquist | Sarah Andrew Sallusto continued, “At the time, Nyquist wasn't as fashionable as he is right now. But I have long been a fan of his. I just felt he was a lot of horse at that particular sale and I wasn't sure I would be able to get him.” The juvenile worked a furlong during last week's under-tack show in :10 flat. “He's really advanced since [October],” Sallusto said. “He is a later foal, so we knew he had plenty of advancement left in him. And he still does. He has so much more to go. He has put every foot forward the right way. He never had a day of missed training. He was a lovely horse.” @JessMartiniTDN Omaha Beach Filly Brings $390,000 For JVC Training And Sales JVC Training and Sales's Jorge Villagomez saw a good return on investment when the Omaha Beach filly (hip 127) he purchased for clients for $40,000 at Keeneland September last year brought a final bid of $390,000 from Woodford Thoroughbreds during Tuesday's session. “Her particularly, she's been special for a long time,” said Villagomez. “They say the cream always rises to the top and she was always very fast so it's no surprise that she came over here and did what she did.” Omaha Beach | Spendthrift/Autry Graham After working in :10, hip 127 stayed busy throughout the lead up to the sale. Villagomez continued: “She had a ton of activity–almost an overwhelming amount. She was shown over 100 times and got plenty of attention [from vettings]. We're not at all surprised that she brought the kind of money she did. [Her breeze] was exceptional and everyone was on her.” Early in the sale, Villagomez, who will sell three more hips later in the week, was cautiously optimistic on his expectations. “For the good horses? The buyers are here. They're here for horses that breeze well and [vet] well. The rest of [the horses] will be hit or miss. But I don't think anyone will have a problem selling a good horse.” @SGrimmTDN The post $775K Caracaro Filly Tops Solid OBS Spring Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse racing on Wednesday, April 17, will feature six meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meetings at Canterbury, Caulfield, Doomben and Happy Valley (HK). Wednesday Racing Tips – April 17, 2024 Canterbury Racing Tips Caulfield Racing Tips Doomben Racing Tips Happy Valley (HK) Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on April 17, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Jimmysstar will return to the races at Randwick on Saturday. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Ciaron Maher is poised to make waves at Randwick this Saturday as Jimmysstar, one of the stable’s up-and-coming stars, returns from a brief spell. While his appearance in the Benchmark 100 over 1400 metres may not rival the grandeur of Pride Of Jenni’s triumphant Queen Elizabeth Stakes victory, it holds significant importance for the promising runner. The ultimate ambition for this campaign is set on the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) in Brisbane come June, yet Jimmysstar must first elevate his current rating of 93 to secure his path to Group 1 glory. Maher conveyed his optimism on Monday, expressing confidence in Jimmysstar’s form and potential to emerge victorious, thus paving the way for a shot at the Stradbroke. “He’s freshened up really well,” Maher remarked. “He looks fantastic and I think he’s in a good spot. “This is just a ratings race and if he goes well, he’ll have another chance at stakes level in Brisbane.” However, the path to the Stradbroke isn’t without its challenges. Maher highlighted the necessity for Jimmysstar to excel, emphasising the significance of each performance leading up to the Queensland Group 1 event. While Jimmysstar has captured the hearts of punters with impressive wins in his initial Australian outings, including three consecutive victories, he faced adversity in subsequent races, notably in the Listed Elms Stakes (1400m) at Flemington and the Group 3 Newcastle Stakes (1400m) in March. Horse racing news View the full article

Group 1 winner Chain Of Lightning. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Chain Of Lightning is gearing up for a thrilling journey that could take her all the way to Royal Ascot in June, but not before a potential change in ownership in May. According to co-trainer Peter Moody, the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) champion is eyeing the prestigious Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot. “She’s slated for the broodmare sales in May, and we’ve accepted an invitation to Ascot, so she’ll be sold under that arrangement at the Magic Millions broodmare sale,” Moody disclosed to Racing.com. Reflecting on his past success with Black Caviar at Royal Ascot 12 years ago, Moody remains uncertain about overseeing Chain Of Lightning’s campaign at Ascot. He emphasised that his involvement would hinge on whether she’s sold and the identity of the buyer. Sired by the esteemed Northern Meteor stallion, Fighting Sun, Chain Of Lightning has notched up a remarkable Group 1 victory alongside several other Stakes triumphs. Bred and raced by the longstanding Moody client, Stuart Ramsey, the talented mare stands to augment her impressive earnings, currently standing at $2.67 million, and enhance her value should she grace the turf at Randwick in the upcoming Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) this Saturday. “As long as there’s some give in the ground, she’ll be there with Rachel King aboard,” Moody affirmed. “However, if the heavens don’t open up, she has viable alternatives in Brisbane and Adelaide.” Moody also provided updates on T.J. Smith third placegetter I Wish I Win, noting his satisfactory recovery post his first-up outing. He hinted at a potential target being the $1.5 million Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) slated for May 18. Horse racing news View the full article

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In the latest detour in the exhaustive legal saga stemming from Justify's 2018 GI Santa Anita Derby win, the connections of the horse during his racing career filed a notice last week with the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) requesting that the agency entertain an appeal of a recent board of stewards decision disqualifying the horse from the race and to stay the purse distribution. In response, the CHRB have denied a stay of the stewards' decision but stated that it will “assign a Hearing Officer in this matter where the issue of timeliness of the appeal and appeal itself will be heard and a proposed decision submitted to the Board for consideration,” according to an order issued by the CHRB Tuesday. The plaintiffs in the appeal are owners China Horse Club International Limited, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing, WinStar Farm, jockey Mike Smith and trainer Bob Baffert. After the New York Times first reported that Justify had tested positive post-race for scopolamine, Mick Ruis, owner-trainer of the runner-up that day, Bolt d'Oro, sought to have the result of the race overturned with Bolt d'Oro declared the winner. Ruis alleged that the CHRB failed to follow its own rules when it decided not to pursue penalties after Justify's positive test. The CHRB argued that Justify should not be disqualified because the positive test was the result of contamination linked to jimson weed. At the end of last year, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ordered the CHRB to set aside the stewards' 2020 decision and issue a new ruling disqualifying winner Justify from the Santa Anita Derby. Early in March, the CHRB reached a separate settlement that called for the agency to pay Ruis $300,000, and to order a redistribution of the $1-million purse. In last week's notice, Amanda Groves, who represents Justify's connections, argued that grounds for an appeal included how the plaintiffs were not a party to the lawsuit between Ruis and the CHRB, leading to “Procedural irregularities and denial of due process and/or a fair and impartial hearing.” Groves also reiterated the CHRB's original claim, writing that “it is undisputed that the positive scopolamine test was a result of environmental contamination due to inadvertent exposure to jimsonweed in hay/straw.” BloodHorse reported that Ruis's attorneys had filed a response arguing that none of the grounds raised in the appeal are relevant. When asked about the contents of the letter, Darrell Vienna, who represents Ruis, told the TDN that the CHRB issued the disqualification order “because they were ordered to do so by the court.” The court did not demand that the CHRB hold another hearing on the matter, Vienna added. “It just issued an order to disqualify the horse, Justify, and to redistribute the purse,” he said. “If the Justify parties have issue with that, that issue should be addressed at the Superior Court, in my opinion,” said Vienna. “If the court orders a subordinate agency to do something, they must do it.” According to last week's notice of appeal, Justify's first-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby accrued the owners a combined $585,000, while Smith and Baffert each received $58,450. The post CHRB Denies Stay of Justify Decision, Will Entertain Appeal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Check out this week’s Box Seat with hosts Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin. View the full article

Century Mile Racetrack and Casino will host a Kentucky Derby party Saturday, May 4. The event, which begins at 3:15 p.m., will be held in the suites at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino. V.I.P. access tickets are $55 plus GST each and include access to the suites, a program, and appetizers. V.I.P. Premium access tickets are $70 plus GST and also include tables against the glass, a betting voucher, and one drink ticket per person. Limited tickets are available. For tickets please call the CTHS Alberta office at 403-229-3609 or email cthsweb@cthsalta.com. The post Century Mile Kentucky Derby Party appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nobody could accuse Katie Walsh of going around with her head in the clouds but, in the case of Tuesday's 525,000gns top lot, a colt by New Bay (GB), the leading breeze-up consignor revealed that she felt she had something worth dreaming about in the build-up to this year's Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale. And so it proved after the colt was knocked down to Anthony Stroud on behalf of Godolphin. Bought for 125,000gns from the Ogden family's dispersal at Book 1 last year, the already-named Anno Domini (GB) (lot 26) was one of the big eyecatchers from Monday's breeze that took place in some of the most challenging weather conditions that many key stakeholders said they could remember. After out-muscling BBA Ireland's Mick Donohoe, who filled the role as underbidder, Stroud explained how he empathised with some of the consignors and even the horses for negotiating such terrible weather conditions during the breeze. “Struck early, go home early,” Stroud said, referencing the contrasting approach to last year's sale, where he was forced to stay to the bitter end to secure the joint-top lots, including what turned out to be the unbeaten superstar Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}). Asked if he saw the colt last year, Stroud answered, “I did see him as a yearling. I probably should have bought him as a yearling, shouldn't I!? But sometimes, it's better to leave them and come back. It's good to keep the whole business rolling on. He is a very nice horse and did a very good breeze. Katie Walsh does a fantastic job. We're delighted to get him.” He continued, “I thought it was really hard on consignors and mostly the horses [on Monday]. It was really hard. I think I would probably be more flexible in looking at the weather charts but it's difficult when you have people coming in on the Monday for the breeze to go and switch it for another day. I have never seen it that bad. “Also, I sometimes think the concentration required for that length of time [during the breeze] is difficult. I don't know if you want to go and have them on two separate days but I do think that, if you are breezing 180 horses, it's difficult for everyone. If the weather had been really nice, it would have all worked out.” The New Bay colt really was one of the big talking horses coming into the sale and he didn't disappoint. Stroud, who did his bidding at the back wall, held off the persistent challenge of Donohoe in the bidders' area, but there was a moment of confusion before the hammer fell. Double checking with auctioneer John O'Kelly that it was, in fact, he who had placed the winning bid, the bloodstock agent was met with a typically witty response. “Don't worry sir, I'm an auctioneer–I'm here to look after you,” O'Kelly joked. As for Walsh, topping sales is something she has done in the past, but there was an extra layer of satisfaction to Tuesday's result given she owned a large chunk of the colt. “I can't believe it, really,” Walsh said. “But I guess I did dream a little bit as he had cost 125,000gns and he has the pedigree. The people who are into pedigrees couldn't knock him on it. He made sense on paper and then when he breezed well and vetted well, I knew we had a chance of getting a touch.” She added, “In the moments after a big sale it is all a bit of a whirlwind as the phone is ringing from home, and you want to ring everyone, but it is brilliant–it's great for everyone. We are a family-run business with my sister Jennifer, my Mum and Dad, and my husband Ross. We are all in it together–as well as all the lads at home.” Anno Domini hails from the Galileo (Ire) mare Alegra, who has produced five winners, including Listed scorers Pythagoras and Blue Gardenia. Anthony Stroud goes to 525,000gns on behalf of @godolphin for the only New Bay in the #TattsCraven catalogue, consigned by @katiewalsh9's Greenhills Farm. A ½-brother to Stakes winners Pythagoras and Blue Gardenia, the colt was bought for 125,000gns at #TattsOctober Book 1. pic.twitter.com/elg1Kigv8V — Tattersalls (@Tattersalls1766) April 16, 2024 Collins's Pinatubo Colt Off To Paddy Twomey Paddy Twomey doesn't hang about. Along with his stable jockey Billy Lee, the leading Irish trainer day-tripped it to Newmarket on Monday before scouting the barns to catch a glimpse of the horses who caught his eye in the breeze. Back at his base in Golden, County Tipperary on Tuesday, where he opened his yard to the Irish press, Twomey snapped up a colt by exciting first-season sire Pinatubo (Ire) from Johnny Collins's Brown Island Stables for 220,000gns through bloodstock agent Mark McStay. The Pinatubo colt proved to be one of the big hits on day one. Bought by Collins for 68,000gns from New England Stud at Book 2, he ended the session as the third highest-priced lot and will carry the colours of Mohammed Al Suboosi on the racetrack. “It's great,” said Collins. “He's going to a very good trainer and I hope he's very lucky for him. He has a great temperament, he's a straightforward kind of horse. He breezed very well and showed very well all week and was just a pleasure to deal with.” McStay and Twomey have teamed up with a good degree of success at the breeze-up sales and the bloodstock agent explained how the pair came to land on lot 22. The agent said, “He's been purchased for a very good client based in Dubai called Mohammed Al Suboosi who already owns some nice horses with Paddy–Procrastinate (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), another breeze-up horse, and Noche Magica (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), who'll come back for a sprinting campaign this year.” McStay added, “We had a very select list and combined all our thoughts and this was the horse we hit on. I think the sire could be very promising and the mare has already done it by breeding Mrs Gallagher (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). The colt came recommended by Johnny Collins, who I've known for a long time. His recommendation counts for a lot so I'm delighted to get this colt.” O'Callaghan Begins With A Bang Michael O'Callaghan makes no secret about the fact that he prefers to stock his Kildare-based stable with breeze-up horses rather than shopping at the yearling sales. The trainer struck early in the sale for a Mehmas (Ire) half-brother to the Aidan O'Brien-trained Coventry S. winner and Classic hopeful River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) for 300,000gns. Consigned by Willie Browne's Mocklershill Stables, lot 6 got the sale off to a roaring start, with O'Callaghan revealing that he was taken by the professionalism of the colt's breeze. He said, “The horse has a great pedigree. He's a half-brother to River Tiber and it's a very good cross with Mehmas and an Arcano (Ire) mare–Supremacy (Ire) is the very same. He's been bought for an existing client.” O'Callaghan added, “He was up early and, not long after he breezed, things were delayed because of the weather. The weather was bad so he was very professional and we're delighted to get him. Hopefully he can be a nice horse.” The #TattsCraven Breeze Up has started with a bang as @MDOCallaghan goes to 300,000gns for @Mocklershill1's Mehmas ½-brother to the Coventry winner and Prix Morny third River Tiber. pic.twitter.com/d71OOz9iDj — Tattersalls (@Tattersalls1766) April 16, 2024 Talking Points Cormac Farrell told TDN Europe this week that his dream was to emulate top breeze-up handlers Willie Browne, Con Marnane, Norman Williamson and Eddie O'Leary by producing a champion. The Copper Beech Stables-based consignor, who went out on his own under the banner of CF Bloodstock last year, couldn't have wished for a better start to the 2024 breeze-up campaign when his Hello Youmzain (Fr) colt [lot 12] was knocked down to Blandford Bloodstock for 200,000gns. Bought for 58,000gns at Book 2, Tuesday's result represented a respectable profit for the man who sold top-notch prospect Bracken's Laugh (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) at Tattersalls last year. The Rancho Temescal Thoroughbred Partners have lit up Park Paddocks in recent times and, in snapping up lot 20, a Havana Grey (GB) filly consigned by Cian Hughes, the American outfit got in on the action once again. Interestingly, the 180,000gns purchase will go into training with Newmarket-based handler, Dylan Cunha. Mick Donohoe may have been out of luck on the day's top lot but he didn't come away from Tattersalls empty-handed after picking up a City Of Light colt for 210,000gns and a Good Magic filly for 65,000gns. Both horses were bought for Saudi Arabian clients. The BBA Ireland agent said, “I bought two horses for Saudi Arabia today and hope to do a bit more business here tomorrow as well. I have been travelling to Saudi Arabia for 20 years now so you could say that the hard yards are paying off. I actually underbid the New Bay that topped the sale. He probably would have stayed in Britain before eventually going to Saudi Arabia but, anyway, we couldn't get it done.” He added, “We're very happy with the two horses we bought today. The City Of Light colt is a brother to a horse [Rational Choice (Candy Ride {Arg})] who has done very well out there and was a very good individual. The Good Magic filly was good value at 65,000gns and she has a good pedigree being a sister to a Group 3 winner. Happy with the day's business.” Donohoe wasn't the only man representing Saudi Arabian interests at Tattersalls. Lot 46, a Knockanglass Stables-consigned colt by Munnings, went the way of Marco Bozzi for SBS Global. Bozzi said, “We saw the horse in Ireland last week and really liked him. The Prince likes Munnings and we know the family. So we think he is a good prospect to run in Saudi Arabia. He will go to Ireland for now and then ship over in August.” It wasn't all a bed of roses on day one. Of the 75 horses offered, 53 were sold, representing a clearance rate of 71%. The aggregate was down 14% to 5,589,500gns, the median stayed the same at 77,000gns and the average dropped 4% to 105,462gns. The Golden Touch: Lot 78 Filly by King Of Change (GB) out of Greatest Virtue (GB) (Poet's Voice {GB}) Consigned by Donovan Bloodstock Purchased by Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah Danny O'Donovan and Adam Potts deserve some credit for turning lot 78, who was the cheapest yearling sold at Book 1 at 8,000gns, into a 80,000gns breezer. The filly is from the family of Sole Power (GB) and certainly caught the eye of some good judges by how well she breezed. In the end, the hammer fell the way of Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah [owner of Haatem (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire})], securing a healthy profit for the two lads. Thought For The Day Consignors might well have come away from day one of this year's Craven Breeze-Up Sale suffering from a heavy dose of deja-vu. The patchiness that dominated on day one 12 months ago was back again, which was represented in a clearance rate of 71%. The post Craven Sale: Walsh In Dreamland As Godolphin Goes To 525k For New Bay Colt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The connections of Justify have filed a notice of appeal of his disqualification from the 2018 Santa Anita Derby by a California board of stewards.View the full article

Even the Score (Unbridled's Song–Ashtabula, by Rahy), a resident of Old Friends for the past year, has died at the age of 26 after colicking. He was euthanized at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital on Saturday, Apr. 13. A MSGW & GISP during his four-year racing career, Even the Score stood at Rosendo “Ro” Parra's Millennium Farms before he was pensioned in 2020. Among the 17 career black-type winners he sired from his 15 crops are multiple Grade I winners Dullahan and Take the Points. “Even the Score was a special horse to our family,” said Parra. “My wife and I shed some tears when we learned he had to be put down. Even the Score was our first graded stakes winner. We are very thankful to Old Friends for taking care of him over the past year.” John Nicholson, president and CEO of Old Friends, added: “Although Even the Score enjoyed a proud career both on the track and at stud, he was particularly special to us at Old Friends because he was a friendly and gentle stallion who was beloved by everyone at the farm. We will miss this good horse and will always honor his memory.” The post Even the Score Dead at 26 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Agent Donato Lanni purchased a filly for the Three Amigos from the first crop of Caracaro (hip 199) for $775,000 halfway through Tuesday's opening session of the Ocala Breeders' Sale Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The filly breezed a quarter in :20.2, the third-fastest quarter time of the sale, and will race for trainer Bob Baffert. The post Three Amigos Go To $775k For Caracaro Filly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features a daughter of Frankel (GB). 16.45 Newmarket, Mdn, £25,000, 3yo, f, 8fT HILLBRIDGE (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) debuts for Juddmonte and Andrew Balding in this intriguing affair and is the first foal out of the listed-winning and group-placed sprinter Classical Times (GB) (Lawman {Fr}), a half-sister to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and GI Just a Game S. heroine Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) who was acquired by the operation during her racing career. She encounters another blueblooded newcomer in Normandie Stud's homebred Taramasalata (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), a Kevin Philippart De Foy-trained daughter of the G1 Nassau S. winner Sultanina (GB) (New Approach {Ire}). The post Daughter Of Frankel Catches The Eye At Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was a great weekend for fans of runaway winners as three such horses impressed the members of the national media who vote in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top Thoroughbred poll enough to crack the Top 10.View the full article

Famed Pennsylvania horseman F. Bruce Miller, the trainer of one America's greatest steeplechasers in Lonesome Glory, died last week at age 89.View the full article

Paddy Woods, who once rode three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Arkle (Ire) (Archive {GB}) to victory, has died at the age of 93, according to published reports. The Irishman was born in 1930, and began his career in racing at Dan Moore's yard before a few years with Charlie Rogers before returning to Moore. However, he is best known for his association with Tom Dreaper's Greenogue stable which began in 1956. Besides riding work aboard Arkle each morning for Dreaper, the jockey did capture the 1963 and 1965 Irish Grand Nationals for that trainer–with Last Link (GB) (Fortina {Fr}) and later Splash (GB) (Fortina {Fr}) among other victories. Arkle won the 1964 edition of the race, but Woods was not in the irons. He did receive a leg up on the champion in a race once, the 1962 President's Hurdle, and prevailed that day. Later in life he became a trainer. Woods's riding gene carried over to his son Frannie, who also won two editions of the Irish Grand National, in 1994 and 1996. Jim Dreaper, who took over the training licence from his father before handing it off to his own son Tom, told the Racing Post, “Paddy was a great, cute man. He'd known when a horse was right and when a horse was wrong. He was a pivotal part of the team when there were proper horses here.” The post Paddy Woods, Work Rider Of Arkle, Dies At 93 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Preak Weeks initiative in partnership with Heidi Klotzman of HeidnSeek Entertainment returns for its second season, 1/ST and The Maryland Jockey Club announced Tuesday. Preak Weeks shines a spotlight on Baltimore-based businesses in the lead up to the Preakness, the second jewel in the US Triple Crown. Each day from Apr. 26 through May 17, one of 22 participating businesses will give away to a set of customers the “Ultimate Preakness Experience,” a four-pack of tickets to Preakness 149 that includes access to this year's Preakness Live festivities. In addition, each participating business will receive a custom QR code for Preakness 149 ticket sales at 10% off and will receive 10% of all proceeds made through their individual code. The public is encouraged to patronize the establishments–ranging from restaurants and cafes to boutiques, services and community organizations–throughout the three-week promotion, both as a show of support to Baltimore-based businesses and for a chance to win or purchase their tickets through the custom QR codes. No purchase is necessary to win the tickets. Participating businesses in this season's Preak Weeks includes six returning from last year's inaugural initiative (designated with an *): Art of Balance Wellness Spa (Federal Hill)* Baja Tap (Fells Point) Black Acres Roastery (Station North)* Blk Swan (Harbor East) Christopher Schafer Clothier (Canton)* Citron Restaurant (Pikesville) DIFFERENTREGARD (Mt. Vernon) Greedy Reads (Fells Point) Jody Davis Designs (Downtown) Katwalk Boutique (Fells Point) LifeMed Institute (Timonium) Nick's Fish House (Baltimore Peninsula) NOLA Seafood & Spirits (Federal Hill)* Prima Dopa Cucina & Cocktail House (Fells Point) Prim & Proper (Downtown) Reginald F. Lewis Museum (Downtown)* Sassanova Boutique (Lutherville) Self.ish Beauty Spa (Pikesville) The Doll House Boutique (Pikesville) The QG (Downtown) The Urban Oyster (Hampden) Vinyl & Pages (Midtown)* All participating businesses, and access to their websites for additional details, can be found online at https://www.preakness.com/preakweeks. The participating business of the day will be prominently featured on the Preak Weeks homepage. A full calendar of the promotion, noting which business will be highlighted and giving away tickets on which day, can also be found on the site. The post MJC Supports Local Businesses Through Return of ‘Preaks Weeks’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Long absent but certainly not forgotten by the racing intelligentsia, TDN Rising Star Matrika (Ire) (No Nay Never) stages her comeback in a renewal of Newmarket's G3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn S. on Wednesday that could yet determine the shape of next month's G1 1000 Guineas. While seen generally as an understudy to Ballydoyle's sidelined Opera Singer (Justify) and other TDN Rising Star Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the Classic picture throughout the winter weeks, there is time for her to emerge as a leading light with this seven-furlong prep sure to provide evidence as to her true merit. Aidan O'Brien spoke of how Matrika was not inclined to give her all last term and that looked the case despite her winning on debut at The Curragh and in that venue's G2 Airlie Stud S. Runner-up to Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) in Royal Ascot's G3 Albany S. in the interim, she remains one of the budding Rosegreen prospects that could materialise into a top-level performer. Ryan Moore said, “We didn't see her after that win in July, but the fact that she is here speaks for itself, Aidan has his horses in very good nick and, while she has plenty of speed, I'd have thought she will get the extra furlong here okay.” Continuing The Sequence? In general, Charlie Appleby's horses perform to a high level at this Craven meeting and in some ways their performances give a barometer as to what type of season he will have. The yard's leading Guineas hope Dance Sequence (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) has little to prove, having already garnered the important juvenile staging post of the course-and-distance G3 Oh So Sharp S. and she heads into this trial as the hot favourite. “Dance Sequence has done very well over the winter,” Appleby said. “She looks the one to beat again.” KHK Racing Ltd's True Cyan (Ire) is another daughter of No Nay Never with big upside, being out of the multiple group winner Realtra (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and a course-and-distance winner from the Roger Varian stable. Chris Wall, racing manager to owner Shaikh Khalid, said, “She's wintered well, she's been training satisfactorily, we're hopeful of a positive effort and then we'll take it from there. If you're going to be stakes class, you'll have to be up there competing with them and if not, we'll have to go down another route with her.” Narkez Tests The Waters As Fabre Descends On Newmarket Again… Andre Fabre has never made any secret of his regard for the track at Newmarket and it is notable that he ships across Nurlan Bizakov's TDN Rising Star Narkez (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) for the nine-furlong Listed Feilden S. he won with his subsequent G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero Intello (Ger) (Galileo {Ire}) in 2013. He was impressive when handing the well-regarded Supercooled (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) a 6 1/2-length beating in Saint-Cloud's Prix Comrade at a mile last month and that stablemate had been far closer to the recent G3 Prix la Force winner Atlast (Fr) (Farhh {GB}) at Chantilly in October. “The distance should suit him with the extra furlong, as he is from a family of middle-distance horses and obviously he's in good shape,” Fabre said of the homebred, whose form is also closely linked in with Sunday's G3 Prix de Fontainebleau scorer Ramadan (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}). “I want to see how he does it because he won easily last time, beating not much, so this will be a good experience for him. If he does well, he's more of a mile-and-a-quarter horse so the Prix du Jockey Club would be a long-term target for him, but I'll be wiser after the race.” Aidan O'Brien returns with the G3 Zetland S. runner-up Gasper De Lemos (Ire) (Justify), while Godolphin's Kempton novice scorer El Cordobes (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and the Gredley Family's Zetland third Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) are other fascinating contenders. Gasper De Lemos's jockey Ryan Moore is aware of the threat of the French raider. “We are happy with him coming into this race, but he will be suited by further down the line and I am always wary of an Andre Fabre horse and his Narkez won very well on his return,” he said. Rhyme Run Depends On Course Walk… Also at Newmarket, the older horses get their chance in the nine-furlong G3 Earl of Sefton S., where Karl Burke is pondering whether to let his upwardly-mobile Royal Rhyme (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) take his chance on drying ground. One of the back-end of last season's most improved 3-year-olds, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Listed Doonside Cup winner was fifth in the G1 Champion S. on his favoured deep surface. “He's in good shape, but I'd be a bit worried about the ground and if we're not happy with it, he's a possible non-runner,” his trainer said. “If it goes on the firm side, he definitely wouldn't run and really, to be at his best, he wants a bit of soft ground.” The post Matrika Returns In The Nell Gwyn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article