Wandering Eyes

Fawkner Park cruises to victory in the Q22. Photo: Darren Winningham Tyler Schiller and Annabel Neasham have combined with Fawkner Park ($4.00) proving far too strong in the Group 2 Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday afternoon, turning the tables on stable companion Bois D’Argent ($15.00) after a luckless performance in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 25. It was all too easy for the son of Zoffany, as Tyler Schiller lobbed into the perfect position mid-field with cover throughout the 2200m journey, allowing the progressive five-year-old to cruise through his gears heading into the final 400m. Adelaide River ($5.50) had been well-backed with online bookmakers prior to the jump as James McDonald attempted to add a fifth win to his massive day, however, the European never seemed to travel when asked for the ultimate effort when leading at the final bend. It left Bois D’Argent gaining the lead momentarily, while Knight’s Choice ($101.00) managed to power into a runner-up finish; however, they were simply playing for minor money as Fawkner Park launched down the centre of the course to claim a dominant 3.75-length win in the Eagle Farm finale. 2024 Q22 Replay – Fawkner Park [/video Annabel Neasham was delighted with the win and praised all her runners for a testing preparation before suggesting a Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) tilt might be on the tables for Fawkner Park in the spring. “I love them all (her horses) but I particularly love this horse now,” said Neasham. “It was an impressive win. It was a funny race. I was trying to watch all of them where they were and there was a lot of shuffling around going on midrace. “You could see Tyler (Schiller) biding his time where he was and once he got on the back of the right horse and popped out at the top of the straight, it was an easy watch. “He’s a lightly raced horse and it is great fun to have this horse with Bennett Racing because they’ve given us a fair few horses and it is nice to repay them with a big winner. He’s a very exciting horse and we see the key to him with the right jockey. “He’s got a big heart, he’s got a good stride, he goes on soft, goes on firm and I think we should have a big spring to look forward to. “You’d imagine the Caulfield Cup might be a really nice race for him and then we’ll see.” Tyler Schiller echoed similar thoughts to the rise of Fawkner Park in such a short space of time. “He just keeps improving,” said Schiller. “The confidence that he’s grown from when I first rode him at Albury in the Cup, it isn’t an overly strong race there and I thought he had done a good job to knock another race off in his career – a listed race. “For him to come up to these levels and keep improving, he arguably should have won a group one last start and to see him do that today he’s an exciting horse going forward.” Horse racing news View the full article

Stefi Magnetica sprinted sharply to claim the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap. Photo: Racing Queensland Stefi Magnetica ($15,00) has stormed home to claim the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday afternoon, fending off a gallant Bella Nipotina ($11.00) in the shadows of the post to give NSW-based apprentice Zac Lloyd his first Group 1 victory in the saddle. The Bjorn Baker-trained three-year-old had been on the rise despite not having produced a win since a BM58 at Orange on December 28, with the Autumn preparation culminating in a runner-up performance in the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m). She appeared ready to peak third-up into the campaign on Saturday, but from barrier 15, Zac Lloyd had no choice but to drag back towards the rear of the field to maintain cover throughout the journey. It was a decision that would eventually pay dividends thanks to a strong early tempo by Here To Shock ($34.00) and Prince Of Boom ($26.00), as the leading pair were allowed to stride clear early. Bella Nipotina was stalking under Craig Walliams, while Stefi Magnetica was forced to make her run towards the inside running rail. The quinella pair sat down to fight out the finish with 150m left to travel, but with 6kg less to carry and an economical run in transit, it was Stefi Magnetica finishing off best to collect her first Group 1 win. 2024 Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap Replay – Stefi Magnetica Bjorn Baker was out of the country to celebrate the win, however, stable representative Jim Clark spoke on their behalf. “She’s an amazing filly,” said Clark. “She won a Wellington two-year-old race at the back end of the season, she won a BM58 at Orange in December, she was just chinned in the Surround, Bjorn opted to give her a short break and set her for the winter. Her run in the 10 000 was amazing. She was in the wrong part of the track, I think everyone saw that.” “It was an amazing ride there. To win Queensland’s greatest race with a filly that (Gary and Mitch Cunningham) bought as a yearling and trained by one of my best mates and one of my best supporters in Bjorn, is the biggest thrill of my career and I’m just so pleased.” Zac Lloyd couldn’t contain his emotion with his family on course and spoke to the magnitude of the win. “I was fine the whole time cantering back but to see my dad has got me emotional,” said Lloyd. “I was very confident pre-race. She galloped enormous on Tuesday. My dad and I went through the race thoroughly and we honestly thought we were on the right horse. The first furlong or two went perfect. She was in a good rhythm, she wasn’t overracing. “Just as a couple of horses started dropping back in our face I had to make a decision to go around with the pack but I ultimately thought there’d be too much traffic so I thought I was travelling so well I was happy to go inside of them. “She was tough. I saw Bella Nipotina and I thought that was one horse you don’t want to be in a finish with, but she was great. “It is really good just to get that group one on my resume. I’ve had some great opportunities in the past year or so and I haven’t been able to capitalise. To get the job done today in a very big race, it is very special.” Horse racing news View the full article

C’est Magique was a smart winner of the Dane Ripper Stakes. Photo: Darren Winningham After a short 63-day spell and a change of stables to the Chris Waller barn, C’est Magique ($5.50) has returned in fine style to claim the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday afternoon. The previously Grahame Begg-trained daughter of Zoustar had only managed one win prior to Saturday’s triumph for the former stable, unable to return to the winners’ enclosure since breaking her maiden in August of 2022. It was a clever ride by star hoop James McDonald as he sent the four-year-old forward from barrier eight, taking luck out of the equation, bounding across to gain the leader’s back throughout the 1300m journey. Chinny Boom ($4.60) had been well-supported with online bookmakers and was happy to lead them along at a moderate tempo under Justin Stanley, looking to pinch a break as she did in her last victory. Abounding ($18.00) looked to lob into the ideal stalking position, before Ausbred Flirt ($26.00) got a split towards the inside; however, they were simply playing for minor money as C’est Magique pulled away to score a comfortable 1.5-length win. 2024 Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes Replay – C’est Magique Chris Waller was on course and was delighted with the victory, suggesting there would be more to come from this lightly raced mare as she targets the Group 1 Tatts Tiara (1400m) on June 29. “Coolmore purchased the horse and entrusted our team to train her,” explained Waller. “We’re just taking over. I spoke to Grahame (Begg) before the race. She’s a lovely mare and we weren’t sure whether she’d cope with this track – it is quite firm today. “From the draw, James (McDonald) took the option to roll forward and left the race (for her) to show her class. “She’s a lovely horse. Grahame did a great job with her. She’s got good, clean legs. We haven’t panicked and had the confidence to back her. She’s got good form and a talented horse. “That is the plan (the Tatts Tiara). Today was only the entree.” James McDonald spoke again for the fourth time during the afternoon and suggested the Tatts Tiara could be well within her grasp. “We went on a sedate tempo throughout and she only had to sprint home 400 metres so it was a good effort,” said McDonald. “Similar sort of field (in the Tatts Tiara so she could (progress).” C’est Magique is now on the second line of betting at $8.00 with online bookmakers for the Group 1 Tatts Tiara (1400m) on June 29. Horse racing news View the full article

New Zealand-bred gelding Hard To Cross further enhanced his impressive record at Sandown with victory in Saturday’s A$130,000 Quayclean Handicap (1600m). The son of All Too Hard has had a total of 20 starts for six wins and five placings, earning A$381,055 for his big group of owners. But he saves his very best for Sandown, where his eight starts have produced five wins and two placings. A winner in Benchmark 70 and Benchmark 84 company at Sandown in his last two appearances, Hard To Cross lined up in Benchmark 78 grade on Saturday. He was lumped with a 61.5kg topweight, but expat Kiwi apprentice jockey Jaylah Kennedy’s 3kg claim took that down to 58.5kg. Hard To Cross was drawn handily in gate four, and the in-form Kennedy took up a handy position in the slipstream of the front-running Golden Crusader. Kennedy switched to the outside at the home turn and Hard To Cross took care of the rest, lengthening stride and driving past Golden Crusader to win by a length. “This horse is flying,” said Kennedy, who has now notched up 60 wins in Victoria this season. “He was probably thinking about things a little bit late in the race. If anyone had come up alongside him, he might have been a bit more impressive. “We drew a low gate in this race, and with the pattern today, I was happy to roll with him. He travelled nicely in my hands. “Just before the straight, I saw the chance to pop out and start building into it. He was super. I always felt like the winner.” Hard To Cross is trained by Patrick Payne, who was represented at Sandown on Saturday by Neil Greaves. “It was a great ride by Jaylah,” he said. “The speed map probably favoured him today and we thought he’d settle somewhere in the first four. Jaylah got him into a lovely spot. “Patrick and his team have done a very good job with this horse, who has a great bunch of owners. They’re spread quite far and wide – these colours are fairly famous around Alice Springs – but a small group of them are here today and I’m sure they’re getting a big thrill out of this win. “This is a great little horse and the ownership group have had a fantastic ride with him.” Bred by Cambridge Stud couple Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Hard To Cross is out of their two-race winning Commands mare Egyptian Cross and is the older half-brother to Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) runner-up Red Sea. View the full article

Richard Laming’s decision to scratch Name Dropper from a A$27,000 midweek race at Sale paid dividends when the Kiwi-bred gelding took on city company at Sandown on Saturday and maintained his unbeaten record. The son of Tavistock won his only previous start, which was a 1400m maiden race at Eagle Farm last August. After 10 months on the sidelines, he returned to action on Saturday, mastered the step up in class for the A$80,000 Vale Fr Brendan Dillon (1400m) and remained undefeated. Name Dropper was sent forward by jockey Ethan Brown in the early stages of Saturday’s race and took up a position in second on the outside of the front-running Vail Mountain. Brown still had a tight hold on Name Dropper when he cruised up alongside the leader with 400m remaining, and he surged ahead of that rival halfway down the home straight. Snappy Secret and El Rocko produced strong late finishes and got close, but Name Dropper held on for a narrow but convincing win. “That was a very good effort,” Laming said. “I thought his inexperience could bring him undone today, but he has plenty of class, which took him a long way. “He’s always shown very good ability, but he’s just been a bit slow-maturing. Our patience is starting to pay off. “I was pretty impressed with what he did there today. He took on some horses with a lot more experience than him, and he dug deep when he was challenged down the straight. “He’s still maturing. He’s a typical Tavistock, a typical New Zealand-bred that’s going to get up over ground a bit later on. I think he’s going to be an exciting stayer. “He’s bred to go a lot further, so to do that over 1400m today and show a turn of foot, there’s exciting times ahead for him. “We’ll just take things one step at a time with him for now. He can go up to a mile next, and we’ll just keep chipping away and bring him through the grades. Hopefully, around this time next year, we might have him up in Brisbane and thinking about the spring as well.” Name Dropper’s two-start, two-win career has so far earned A$66,000 in stakes for his ownership group. Bred by Standard 2080 Ltd, Name Dropper is out of the O’Reilly mare Mandy O’Reilly, whose three winners from four foals to race include the Group Three-placed Miss Mandito. Mandy O’Reilly is a half-sister to the stakes performers and black-type producers Dating and Miracle Miss. Mandy O’Reilly produced Ocean Park colts in 2021 and 2022. She was covered by Proisir in 2022 but died prior to foaling. View the full article

Handy galloper Blackwood Star made a welcome return to winning form when she charged home against the outside rail to take out the time-honoured Hallmark & Stone Parliamentary Handicap (2200m) at Trentham. The Dan O’Leary-trained seven-year-old had made a disappointing start to her new campaign, finishing well back in her two starts at Listed level over 1600m before tackling one of Saturday’s feature events. Rider Kate Hercock gave the daughter of Westbury Stud-based stallion Redwood plenty of opportunity to settle into a rhythm at the back of the field, before inching her way into contention at the 600m. The field fanned across the track entering the home straight with eventual minor placegetters Marroni and Pride Of Aspen settling into a battle for supremacy, however Hercock had Blackwood Star finishing powerfully to their outer where she swept past to win comfortably by just over a length at the line. O’Leary who bred and races the mare with his wife Jane Nugent-O’Leary was thrilled to see his stable star return to the top step of the podium. “It’s great to have her back,” he said. “She just wasn’t hitting out on the firmer tracks for her first two starts and that wasn’t good for her. “Her work has been fine, but I was wondering whether she wanted to really stretch out properly and we got that today as Kate had her in a lovely rhythm throughout. “Now the wet tracks have really arrived I think she can hold her form as this win will give her plenty of confidence. “In saying that I don’t have anything specific planned for her, we will just take it step by step as the opportunities present themselves.” Bred by her owners, Blackwood Star is out of the six-race winner Miss Ana and has now won four of her own races from 19 starts for just over $120,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Under-rated mare Liffey stepped down from stakes company scored a tenacious win in the $40,000 Neteffext Payroll North Island Challenge Stakes (1300m) at Trentham on Saturday. After collecting the sixth win of her career with a stylish performance at Wanganui in early May, the six-year-old daughter of Niagara took on the big guns with a seventh in the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) and an eighth in the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m). Liffey was beaten by only 2.6 lengths by the Rangitikei Gold Cup winner Islington Lass on May 18. She finished five lengths adrift of Belardo Boy in the AGC Training Stakes, but was less than half a length from the sixth-placed Turn The Ace, who was a strong winner at Te Rapa earlier on Saturday afternoon. Liffey stepped out as a $7.40 third favourite for Saturday’s North Island Challenge Stakes, and she produced an irresistible finish down the Trentham straight in the hands of rider Kate Hercock. There was a changing picture out in front as firstly Chajaba, then Old Town Road and then Rocababy took turns in the lead through the first half of the race. Hercock was happy to bide her time aboard Liffey, who settled in second-last until around the 800m mark. Hercock then brought Liffey to the outside and began to improve her position around the outside of the field. She was well within striking distance coming around the home turn, and she found the better footing down the extreme outside lane of the home straight. Liffey moved through her gears and quickly drew up alongside the Lisa Latta-trained stablemates Old Town Road and Prioress, who both fought back gamely. That trio drew clear of the rest of the field to fight out a tight finish, but Liffey kept lifting and edged ahead to win by three-quarters of a length. Liffey is trained in Foxton by Jim Sweetensen, who also bred her and races her with the Sweetensen Racing Syndicate. Her 38-start career has now produced seven wins, four placings and $124,847. “I’m very happy with that, she won well today,” Sweetensen said. “She’s been racing in strong company lately and performing well. But when you’re racing against those sorts of horses, you really need to have everything go your way, and she just wasn’t quite getting that luck in the running. So I think she deserved it today and it was a very good performance.” Liffey has proven to be particularly effective at distances around the 1300m of Saturday’s race. Her two starts over 1300m have produced two wins, while she has also been a winner over 1340m and 1360m at Wanganui. Saturday’s win was a career-best third victory of the season for Liffey, who had previously won twice in both the 2020-21 and 2022-23 seasons. Sweetensen will now give her some deserved winter downtime. “She’ll go to the paddock now,” he said. “We’ll bring her back and race her again later in the year, but she can have a nice break now. She’s earned it.” View the full article

Outstanding jumper The Cossack commenced another campaign over the fences in winning fashion as he captured Saturday’s Signature Homes Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) at Te Rapa. Since joining the stable of Paul Nelson and Corrina McChief Stipeal in 2020, The Cossack initially fashioned an enviable record over hurdles with prestige titles at Hawke’s Bay, Waikato, Wellington alongside a Grand National and two Great Northerns. The son of Mastercraftsman finished a narrow second in the Australian Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) in 2022 and remained in the steeplechase format with success in last year’s Waikato Steeplechase and the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4800m), with fellow star West Coast coming out on top in their Great Northern and Wellington battles. His opening jumping assignment for 2024 was an attempt at back-to-back crowns at Te Rapa and he was heavily backed to do so closing the $1.40 favourite, despite giving away seven kilograms to the remainder of the five-horse field. Hamish McNeill, who won the maiden hurdle earlier on the card with Pacheco, was entrusted with the ride on The Cossack and soon had him travelling kindly and jumping economically in front through the opening lap. In pursuit of a winning treble on the card, jockey Portia Matthews served up the challenge to The Cossack aboard Torque Time, sitting alongside the favourite and not letting him get away with a comfortable trip while promising chaser Hey Happy bided his time in behind the duelling pair. The Cossack and Torque Time were a significant margin ahead of Hey Happy entering the home straight but the Kevin Myers-trained galloper stormed into contention after cutting the corner, and was neck-and-neck with The Cossack jumping the final fence. Hey Happy fought valiantly to test the qualities of The Cossack, but the star was too strong in the finish and prevailed by ¾ of a length, with Torque Time a further 20 lengths back in third. Nelson applauded the talent of his charge after the feature, particularly with his 73kg impost. “It was a huge effort and he does know how to fight,” Nelson said. “I know Hamish is light, but you pick that saddle up and you think ‘poor horse, he has to carry this’, but he did it. “He would be the best I’ve trained, and it makes it hard for the ones underneath him. I think he just knows how to win a race, he’s got a huge heart and is the best winded horse you could have. “Thanks to Corrina, Carol and the team at home, they do a wonderful job and we’re just here collecting a bit of the spoils.” Nelson indicated his next target would likely be the Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) on July 13, with a shot at the Grand National Steeplechase (5500m) at Riccarton Park in August also a possibility. A thrilled McNeill shared Nelson’s high opinion of the gelding post-race. “He (Torque Time) gave it to me, but fair play to this horse (The Cossack), he’s the best horse I’ve ever sat on,” McNeill said. “He jumped out of the gates, dropped the bit, and knew what he wanted to do. He had to fight a bit after the last so he’ll come on from the run, and I’m really happy with that. “He’s a warhorse, a veteran. Hey Happy is an up and coming horse that I’ve won on before and he’s a nice one for the future, but you’re not going to beat The Cossack. “I was a passenger until after the last, then I just eased him to the line.” The Cossack has earned north of $645,500 in stakes and 18 wins over a 58-start career, with his current ownership group including Nelson, and fellow Hawke’s Bay residents Peter and Chief Stipe Grieve, and John Frizzell. Peter’s brother Ivan Grieve bred the ten-year-old out of his Galileo mare Stellardelmar. View the full article

Last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run sale-topper Megastar Heart secured a black-type victory in his fourth start with a relentless performance in Saturday’s A$160,000 Listed SEN Oxlade Stakes (1300m) at Eagle Farm. The two-year-old Star Turn colt was offered by KB Bloodstock at Karaka in November, where he was bought by Hong Kong’s Pato Leung for $825,000. Megastar Heart kicked off his career with a second placing at Kembla Grange in April and a win on Randwick’s Kensington track on May 15. He was thrown in at the deep end for the Gr.2 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm for his third start on June 1, where he finished eighth after pressing forward from a wide gate. Drawn well out again in gate 13 among Saturday’s 14-horse field, Megastar Heart was backed into warm favouritism at $3.10. Jockey James McDonald was unable to get closer than three wide at any stage of the journey, but Megastar Heart nevertheless cruised into contention after rounding the home turn. Embassy burst through along the inside and threw down an almighty challenge, but Megastar Heart lived up to his name and kept fighting to snatch victory by a head. “He was really good, that was a very tough effort today,” McDonald said. “He kept his momentum building and was strong late, so he’s a nice horse. I think the second horse is pretty good too and it was a good battle down the straight. It bodes well for the future for both horses.” Megastar Heart is trained by Annabel Neasham and has now earned A$139,850 from his four-start, two-win career. “It was always going to be tricky from that draw today,” Neasham said. “But it was a very good win and he’s a beautiful colt. I’ve just got to persuade his owner to keep him in Australia for another year, rather than whisking him off to Hong Kong now. “I think he’ll be better again next year. He’s just very natural and a really, really nice colt. I’ll be interested to hear what James thinks of him, because he’s obviously ridden a lot of the nice two-year-olds. “I’d say this one is right up there with the nicest two-year-olds that I’ve had.” Megastar Heart became the eighth stakes winner for the Star Witness stallion Star Turn, who stands at Vinery Stud. The colt’s dam is the winning Foxwedge mare Commonwealth. Second dam Our Pride and Joy is a half-sister to the New Zealand-bred multiple Group One winner Criterion. View the full article

Apprentice jockey Maria Sanson has been with Caitlyns Wish for almost every step of her career, and a tough front-running victory in Saturday’s Mike Stent Decorators Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa handed them their fifth win together. The $40,000 sprint was the sixth win from 15 starts for Caitlyns Wish, who has also picked up five placings and has earned more than $124,000 for the estate of the late Stan Painton. Sanson has been in the saddle for 12 of those 15 races, winning five times and placing in another four. The pair have enjoyed a particularly successful autumn and winter, starting with an impressive win at Wanganui on April 27 and a placing at Pukekohe on May 25. With Sanson riding at the northern meeting on June 1, Ciel Butler took over on Caitlyns Wish when she made another successful visit to Wanganui – the only time anyone other than Sanson has won on the mare. Sanson was back aboard on Saturday as the pair went wire-to-wire to defeat a well-credentialled sprint field. Plenty of pace was expected in the Mike Stent Decorators Sprint, but that script quickly went out the window when renowned front-runner Babylon Berlin bombed the start and settled at the back of the field. Sanson seized that opportunity, going forward and dictating terms in front while another frequent leader, Johny Johny, sat just behind her in second spot. Caitlyns Wish shook free of Johny Johny at the home turn, but then she faced another battle down the straight as Gospodin, Highlighter and Dusty Road finished strongly and ate into her advantage. Caitlyns Wish was equal to that challenge, holding out the chasing trio and winning by three-quarters of a length. The under-rated mare is trained by Stephen Autridge, who is open to the possibility of taking on elite company while Caitlyns Wish is in such outstanding form. “I might even look at a Foxbridge Plate (Gr.2, 1200m),” he said. “She’s in good form, she loves these sorts of track conditions and she likes it here at Te Rapa. “It was always going to be a tactical race today, and I think we were a bit lucky with the way it worked out. We hadn’t planned to ride her that way, but Maria gets on so well with Caitlyn and she judged it well in this race. “With those good horses right up at the top of the weights, we were all the way down on the minimum and claiming 3kg as well, so that was a big plus for us.” The win completed a race-to-race double on the Te Rapa card for Sanson, who also won the Skycity Hamilton (1400m) with $27 outsider Barcelona. Sanson now boasts a total of 35 wins in her riding career. “When mares like this get into form, they usually stay in form,” Sanson said. “It was a good win today. I thought Johny Johny might take me on when I went to the front, but Ngakau (Hailey) ended up sitting off me. “She was vulnerable out in front for a long time, but she’s tough as. She just kicked too strongly. Hopefully she’ll keep running as well as this all through the winter.” Caitlyns Wish continued a remarkable run of winter form for the former Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Belardo, who also sired fellow Te Rapa winner Barcelona along with Farravallo, who won the opening race on the card at Trentham. View the full article

Berry The Cash added another dominant hurdle victory to his ever-growing list of achievements in Saturday’s Fairview Motors Waikato Hurdle (3200m) at Te Rapa. Prepared by Mark Oulaghan, Berry The Cash made a bold statement winning last year’s Grand National Hurdles (4200m) in his first season over fences, and he picked up where he left off in the hurdling role with a comfortable victory in the Awapuni Hurdle (3000m) last month. The son of Jakkalberry ventured north to Te Rapa for his next assignment as a $1.70 favourite, with his closest danger returning star hurdler Nedwin at $5.80, who won last year’s Great Northern Hurdles (4200m) and started the 73kg topweight on Saturday. In the hands of regular rider Portia Matthews, Berry The Cash settled into his work in midfield, while English Gambler soon broke away to a 15-length margin in his typical front-running style. The lead was narrowed as the field headed down the back straight for the final time, the charge led by a cruising Berry The Cash, who got on even terms with English Gambler passing the 600m mark while the remainder of the field were well off the bridle. Berry The Cash hit the front turning for home and the margin was extending as English Gambler fell at the second-last, leaving Matthews to guide the seven-year-old to an 11-length demolition over Smug and Lord Spencer, who fought gamely into the minor placings. Matthews shook her head and saluted in admiration of the gelding passing the post, their partnership now spanning five wins from nine attempts. “He’s incredible, and we haven’t seen the end of it now,” she said. “I ride him differently when English Gambler is in the race because I don’t want to put myself too far behind, but I know when English Gambler stops, he stops very quickly and with the ground being the way it was with the extra distance, I knew that the track was going to suit my horse better. I never panicked, and I knew it was coming up for me. “He gets a couple of rough ones (jumps), but I’ve ridden him all the way through, so I know what to expect. We’ve worked our way over those rough ones, and he just goes phenomenally. “He’s only a second-season jumper and Mark has been very patient with him, I can’t thank him enough for the connection with this horse and carrying on through our ups and downs. “The group of owners have been wonderful and have supported me all of the way.” Oulaghan had left Berry The Cash in the care of Tommy Hazlett for the meeting, a former top jump’s jockey who had major success for the stable with notable partnerships including Yourtheman and Counter Punch. “The boss (Oulaghan) has done it again. He had a fair idea 18 months ago that this horse had a fair bit of potential, and his run the other day at Woodville was absolutely magnificent,” Hazlett said. “Isn’t she (Matthews) riding well, she’s really turned a leaf this year. She’s relaxed, she’s not overthinking things, she sees a stride well, and she gets along with this horse absolutely fantastically, “I was a bit worried when Portia started to chase the tearaway leader (English Gambler) at the half-mile because I had my doubts whether or not he would stay, but I’ve been away from the game a long time and I’d be far from telling her what to do. “She’s done a great job, and he’s a serious animal this horse.” The victory also extended Mathews’ lead atop the Jump Jockey’s Premiership with 10 wins, two ahead of Shaun Fannin. She added a further win two races later aboard stablemate Super Spirit in the day’s maiden steeplechase. Berry The Cash has won $192,100 in stakes earnings for connections in 27 starts. View the full article

New Zealand import Strathtay has wasted no time in making his mark in Australia, scoring a runaway win at Rosehill on Saturday in his second start for the Chris Waller stable. A two-time winner from eight races for Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, the Preferment gelding flew across the Tasman in February. He finished an eye-catching fifth in his Australian debut at Rosehill on June 1, and he returned there second-up on Saturday and made a statement in the A$160,000 James Squire Handicap (2000m). Strathtay jumped from the inside gate and was ridden by Jay Ford, who took up a midfield position beside the rail. Ford moved away from the fence coming up to the turn, and he presented Strathtay on the outside of the leading trio at the top of the straight. The four-year-old produced a smart turn of foot in testing Heavy9 ground and shot clear, opening up a winning margin of three and a half lengths. “I rode this fella first-up the other day and was rapt with how he went,” Ford said. “I came here confident that he’d run really well. “Most importantly, he settled a lot better today. He obviously handles wet conditions very well, so I think he’s going to have a good winter. He really stretched out and lengthened nicely down the straight today. “He should have a successful campaign ahead of him. He’s got plenty of stamina.” Strathtay has now had 10 starts for three wins and a placing, earning A$125,678 for his owner-breeder Iain Bruce. “He’s a horse going places and he was fantastic today,” Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said. “Jay had plenty of confidence pre-race today after the feel the horse had given him in his first-up run. His only concern was whether he might pull a little bit, going straight to 2000m second-up, but to his credit the horse performed very well. “His father Preferment was a fantastic racehorse himself, and he’s obviously put a little bit into this son of his. Hopefully he can go onwards and upwards from here. “Mr Bruce has been a massive supporter of Chris over the years and he owns this horse outright, so it’s a big win.” One of 44 winners from 114 runners for Brighthill Farm stallion Preferment, Strathtay is out of the Savoire Vivre mare Miss Remington. Miss Remington was a placegetter on the racetrack and is a half-sister to the Group Three winner and Gr.1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1400m) fourth placegetter Miss Steele. Both of Miss Remington’s two foals to race have been winners. Since Strathtay was foaled in the spring of 2019, Miss Remington has had two further matings to Preferment and produced the three-year-old filly Cash Treasure and an unnamed two-year-old colt. She foaled a colt by young Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State last spring. View the full article

Godolphin colt Broadsiding continued his winning streak with a stunning display in the 2024 Ladbrokes JJ Atkins results at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Champion jockey James McDonald piloted the two-year-old to a comfortable victory, securing his 98th career Group 1 win and 19th for the season. Broadsiding ($1.60F), a Too Darn Hot colt, dominated the […] The post Broadsiding Claims Dominant 2024 JJ Atkins Victory at Eagle Farm appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

James McDonald salutes as Broadsiding destroys his rivals in the Group 1 JJ Atkins. Photo: Darren Winningham Broadsiding announced himself as the best two-year-old galloper in Australia with a breath-taking win in the Group 1 J.J. Atkins, as James McDonald rose in the irons to salute the crowd as the pair crossed the line 4.25 lengths ahead of the rest of the field. The James Cummings-trained colt has taken everything in his stride this season, claiming the Group 1 Champagne Stakes three starts back before producing a slashing run to claim the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes last start at the same track as Saturday’s victory. A son of Too Darn Hot, Broadsiding opened as an odds-on market elect when the fields came out on Wednesday, and punters continued to back the favourite, who jumped at -166.67 with online bookmakers. China Sea (+10000) and Aemelius (+1800) made sure that the tempo was strong as they served up to each other mid-race and tried to kick away before the home turn, while Busustow (+3300) and El Morzillo (+1300) stalked them and started to peel off their heels. However, everyone could see McDonald coasting along aboard the eventual winner and when he asked for the ultimate effort, Broadsiding bounded clear and put the race to bed with 200m to go. 2024 J.J. Atkins replay – Broadsiding James Cummings was very complimentary of his rising star, and he spoke post-race. “He’s such a good colt, so he certainly deserved his chance but great credit to the team who have managed through a big campaign,” Cummings said. “The only real doubt throughout the week for some was a dry track or perhaps even a long prep but I’ve got such a good team that I’ve been able to keep not only fit but also healthy, well, growing, and loving his training. “He paraded like a colt that was thriving and he got the big salute there from James McDonald. “He sort of had that feel about perhaps being the best two-year-old in the country this season. “He’s been a horse that has been able to keep improving and being by Too Darn Hot out of a Street Cry mare, he’s got his future well and truly assured on the roster at Darley. “We haven’t had the best of luck earlier in the day and he said I’ll be getting out on this horse, and he just rode the horse magnificently. “That big salute, that’s pretty special for a colt that I think deserves a lot of praise.” James McDonald echoed the thoughts of Cummings in his post-race interview. “Champion two-year-old that one,” McDonald announced. “I’ve had enough practices being in behind today, I thought I better let that one go. I thought we executed the gallop beautifully. “He’s a ball of muscle. He knows he’s really good. “He’s a character but James (Cummings) has done a phenomenal job. I can’t stress how good a job he’s done, to be fair. “He keeps raising the bar but he’s got a good colt on his hands. He’s special. “He is a fair dinkum two-year-old and he will get stronger as he gets older. It is a pleasure to ride him.” Horse racing news View the full article

The lethal combination of Tim Clark and the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott stable struck with Bases Loaded (+600) in the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic as the three-year-old colt led all the way in the 1600m contest at Eagle Farm. Although the connections of the winner wouldn’t have been happy after drawing barrier 15, it appeared as though it worked in their favour as Clark pushed forward and crossed the field to find an uncontested lead. The son of Deep Field ran the field along early in the race before getting a mid-race breather, which allowed him to fill up the lungs and kick away on the home turn and race away from his rivals. Thanks to a great front-running ride by Clark, Bases Loaded didn’t give anything else a chance, with the best of the rest being Port Lockroy (+1000) and McHale (+2200), who ran on nicely from midfield to fill the placings. The race favourite, Razors (+180), made up solid ground but it was all to no avail as the leader was hailed the winner with more than 100m to go in the race as he held an unassailable lead. 2024 Gunsynd Classic replay – Bases Loaded Adrian Bott spoke post-race about the win of Bases Loaded after his stylish win. “He’s a very talented horse and that is the style of racing that he likes. The mile is his pet distance and a sustained tempo which he can do,” Bott said. “I thought he broke their hearts in the mid stages the way he got rolling and was able to be tough enough to hang on. “(Third-up) has been the key. He’s been a talented horse right from the outset. “The best run of his career was in a group one placing at a mile to Militarize so we’ve always been trying to get back to those conditions. “It just took those couple of runs to really get the fitness improvement that we needed and get back to the right conditions. “Getting him back on top of the ground today was the key.” Tim Clark was very pleased with the win and spoke post-race about the strength of Bases Loaded’s victory. “He came into this prep after a long layoff and he’s a big horse that has needed that couple of runs to get that fitness into him,” Clark said of the winner. “Third-up at a mile with a good base underneath him, he was ready to go today. “He just needed a bit of racing. He’s been running really well on rain affected ground over shorter distances, and getting up to the mile today on a dry track, he’d put his best foot forward. “He ran through the line strongly. I couldn’t pull him up so I know that the guys up here looking after him were really pleased with him.” Horse racing news View the full article

Alegron salutes in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup. Photo: Darren Winningham Dylan Gibbons and Bjorn Baker have combined with Alegron (+700) to take out the Group 2 Brisbane Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday afternoon. The five-year-old gelding entered the 3200m contest off the back of a strong performance behind the Hezashocka in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup two weeks ago at the same track over 2400m. After jumping from barrier nine, Gibbons took his mount to the back of the field and allowed the race to unfold before getting on the back of Amade (+600) turning for home, and when he asked for an effort, the son of Teofilo let down with a strong finish. As expected, Knight’s Order (+2000) ran the race along at a good tempo at the front of the field, with his stablemate Goldman (+900) settled behind in second; however, the leading division began to struggle at the 400m mark, and the swoopers started to make their runs. The race favourite with online bookmakers, Mostly Cloudy (+125), stayed towards the inside and looked for gaps but was held up until the 200m mark behind the slowing leaders; meanwhile, Captain Envious (+900) and Alegron took over and started to draw away. Once Mostly Cloudy got a run on the inside rail, he finished off strongly, but he had to settle for a second-place finish ahead of Captain Envious, still a length off the winner, with Warning (+1200) running home nicely into fourth. 2024 Brisbane Cup replay – Alegron Jim Clark was on course to represent the Bjorn Baker stable in the post-race interview. “He’s been a fantastic horse since Bjorn bought him relatively inexpensively,” Clark said. “He’s had a really good prep and his run the other day put the writing on the wall. “They were very confident he’d be strong at the end of two miles. “They ran along nicely and it was a really cool ride from Dylan. Great result. “Each run he has kept improving physically. “I thought he looked a million dollars today. Stepping up to the two miles is the key. “I’m sure that is the ultimate aim (Melbourne Cup). “It’d be a great story – an online purchase and one that could get to a Melbourne Cup after a wind operation. Bjorn has had very good luck with that.” Dylan Gibbons spoke about the ease of the win post-race. “I only had to think for about 400 meters, so it was great,” Gibbons said of his ride on the winner. “His run the other day was enormous and he took me into the race. ”I just had to give him that good 400-metres and I knew he’d be tough for me late and he had to be. “I had a look back through his form and he’d won over 2800-metres so Bjorn isn’t afraid to get him out (in distance).” Horse racing news View the full article

Norman Stables' Secret Faith provided freshman stallion Aurelius Maximus with his first winner when she captured her debut June 14 in a maiden special weight at Evangeline Downs.View the full article

Rich Strike (Keen Ice), who upset the GI Kentucky Derby at 80-1 in 2022, is set to join trainer Bill Mott, according to owner Rick Dawson. Rich Strike was last seen finishing fifth for his former trainer Eric Reed in the 2023 running of the GII Alysheba S. at Churchill Downs. “Richie visited Rood & Riddle this morning for his final ultrasound test,” Dawson said in a Facebook post on Thursday. “All went as good as could be expected & better than expectations on several issues – our plan is to move him to HofF Trainer Bill Mott in a few days. Richie's training will be stepped up slowly & forwardly over the next month or two. Should he continue to stay sound after more training is implemented we will look for a first race that fits him coming back from over a year off the track.” Withdrawn by Dawson from last year's Keeneland November Sale, Rich Strike subsequently underwent stem cell treatments — under the advice of Dr. Larry Bramlage — aimed at healing issues with his suspensory ligaments in his two front legs. The post Kentucky Derby Longshot Hero Rich Strike to Head to Bill Mott appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stan Tsaikos, a long-time rider in Victoria and Tasmania, returns to scale aboard Dakota Lee for Alice Springs trainer Terry Gillett after saluting at Pioneer Park where the five-year-old mare is unbeaten in eight starts. He has had big days in Alice Springs previously, and with a decent book of rides, Stan Tsaikos could be the one to follow on Sunday. Tsaikos, who continues to commute from his Geelong base to ride in Alice Springs and Darwin, will partner Terry Gillett’s Dakota Lee, Family Ties and Altar Boy, as well as Dan Morgan’s Maid Of Mystery. The quartet are considered to have strong hopes, with Tsaikos having ridden five winners during a meeting at Pioneer Park and four winners on two other occasions. He has won the Alice Springs and Provincial jockeys’ premiership twice and won the Alice Springs Cup on Kerry Petrick’s Venting in April. That’s after winning the Pioneer Sprint (Supreme Attraction), NT Guineas (Valley Prince), Chief Ministers Cup (That’s Justified) and The Soldier Lightning (Early Crow) in the past. Alice Springs’ pride and joy Dakota Lee, the $1.85 favourite with online bookmakers, will aim to make it nine wins from as many starts at her home track when she takes on open company over 1200m. The five-year-old mare, who developed claustrophobia two years ago when being placed into the stalls before being sent to Ballarat trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy for therapy, could head to Darwin for the Palmerston Sprint (1200m) in August, should she salute. The daughter of Kuroshio, who also injured her suspensory with the McEvoy’s, won seven straight for the Gillett’s before she was scratched from the NT Guineas (1600m) in April 2022 when she refused to enter the gates. She made her return at Moonee Valley in February when ninth over 1000m (BM64) before making a triumphant home-coming over 1000m at open level on Alice Springs Cup Day (April 7) with Gillett’s apprentice daughter Dakota-Lee, whom the horse was named after, the pilot for the first time. Tsaikos, who has had six wins aboard Dakota Lee, replaces Dakota-Lee on Sunday, with the apprentice riding the Gillett’s new arrival Morgenstern. “Obviously, I’m looking forward to getting back on Dakota Lee,” Tsaikos said. “Fingers crossed, we can try and fix her barrier manners. “Not that she is any trouble in the barriers, it’s more getting her in – it’s a confidence thing. “Terry hasn’t made his mind up yet, but I believe taking Dakota Lee to Darwin is on the cards. “She could probably hold herself well in the Palmerston. Family Ties ($7.50), who suffered a narrow loss two weeks ago after a spell, will feature over 1100m (0-64) and Altar Boy, victorious by 6.5 lengths in his second NT start a fortnight ago, lines up over 1400m (0-64) on Sunday. Altar Boy ($1.65 fav) was formerly trained in Townsville by Sarah Acornley, the wife of former Darwin jockey Carl Spry, a current jockey and former trainer in Townsville. Maid Of Mystery ($4.20 fav) makes her Alice Springs debut in a 1400m maiden and will jump from the outside gate in the 12-horse field. The four-year-old mare arrives from the stable of Ken and Kasey Keys in Victoria with her best performance from four starts, a third over 1600m at Cranbourne. Horse racing news View the full article

The third 'TDN Rising Star' to come out of the freshman sire class in just 24 hours, MIDLAND MONEY (c, 2, Shancelot–Magnolias In Bloom, by Flatter) went gate to wire Friday at Santa Anita to become the second winner and a new 'TDN Rising Star' for his sire (by Shanghai Bobby). The $650,000 OBS March grad broke with speed from his outside draw and quickly asserted himself on the front, putting away his closet rival in Smash It (Star Guitar) and coming home under a hand ride by Juan Hernandez to win decisively. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-CSLR Racing Partners LLC; B-Memory Lane Racing, LLC; T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $40,000 wlg '22 KEENOV, $130,000 ylg '23 KEESEP, $650,000 2yo OBSMAR. As advertised #6 MIDLAND MONEY ($2.40) was a rocket out of the gate and cruises to an easy win on debut in race 6 at Santa Anita. The 2yo son of Shancelot was ridden by Juan Hernandez and is trained by Bob Baffert. Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/5zbZnBJQas — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) June 14, 2024 The post Shancelot’s Midland Money A New ‘TDN Rising Star’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Due to the weather forecast of extreme heat and humidity, post time June 18-19 has been moved up two hours to 11:15 am. Racing gates will open at 10:30 am.View the full article

Optimistic of restarting the racing career of 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Rich Strike after suspensory ligament issues, owner Rick Dawson posted June 13 that the plan is to move the horse into the barn of trainer Bill Mott "in a few days."View the full article

Trainer Jack Fisher has entered a trio of contenders, led by grade 1 winner and highweight Awakened, in the June 20 rescheduled inaugural running of the Beverly R. Steinman Hurdle Handicap (NSA-1) at Belmont at the Big A.View the full article

The Horse Racing Women's Summit returns to Saratoga Springs, N.Y., for an engaging and educational event to be held July 23 at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.View the full article

By Jonny Turner Losing one of her best drives may not spoil Kerryn Tomlinson’s day at Ascot Park on Saturday. Tomlinson will be unable to reunite with Dont Ask with the trotter retired and scratched from race 8. The junior driver recently formed a great combination with the mare, trained by Alister Black. “She would be one of the best trotters I have driven regularly down here,” Tomlinson said. “She had great manners and good speed, she was a lovely mare to drive.” Tomlinson isn’t lacking horsepower to work with on Saturday, with the Oamaru reinswoman teaming up with the unbeaten Southside Of Heaven. The mare will be out to make it four from four for trainer Brent McIntyre in race 9, the All Purpose Engineering/Regent Car Court Mobile Pace. Starting from barrier 8 won’t be easy for the pair, but Tomlinson is hopeful her charge has the class to overcome the outside of the front line. “She has to be a very good chance, she has shown she can do work in her races and finish off.” “She looks very versatile, so hopefully she can work into it from the wide draw.” “We should have a few options, we can choose when we want to get into it.” Night Watch looks a solid eachway hope for Tomlinson in race 6, the Stirling Auto Repairs/Regent Car Court Handicap Trot. Though the junior driver would prefer her mare was off the front line, her 15m handicap looks workable. “She looks a good eachway chance.” “She does prefer to be off the front because she is a good beginner and she likes to bowl along in front.” “Hopefully she can still step away fast and get handy enough.” Sargent Best looks another solid eachway hope for Tomlinson on Saturday. The pacer comes into race 5, the Autosure Handicap Pace, on the back of a consistent run of form for trainer Matthew Williamson. “He hasn’t had a stand for a while but knowing Matty, he will have given him plenty of practice.” “If he can step away and stay handy he should be a pretty good chance, he’s in good form.” Tomlinson also combines with Durrant in race 7, the Final Touch/Regent Car Court Mobile Pace, and has also been reasonably consistent recently. “He hasn’t got the best draw (11) but he has been racing pretty well and he was unlucky last start.” Tomlinson and Shezza Vinny have been handed an even tougher draw in race 3, the Creation Signs Mobile Pace, with the pair set to start from barrier 14. View the full article