Wandering Eyes

Hong Kong racing legend becomes just the third handler to reach the milestone after Group Two successView the full article

Hong Kong’s premier speedster sets up an intriguing clash with California Spangle in the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) later this monthView the full article

Rider Penalties T Comignaghi | Riverton 1 April; use of whip; suspended 5-12 April inclusive. L Chief Stipelas | Ashburton 4 April; medical clearance required (subsequently received on 6 April). K Hercock | Wanganui 5 April; careless riding; suspended 14-19 April inclusive. K Asano | Wanganui 5 April; careless riding; suspended 15-25 April inclusive. T Mitchell | Wanganui 5 April; medical clearance required (subsequently received on 6 April). N Hailey | Auckland 6 April; use of whip; suspended 15-25 April inclusive. N Parmar | Auckland 6 April; careless riding; suspended 11-19 April inclusive. M McNab | Manawatu 6 April; careless riding; suspended 7-19 April inclusive and fined $1,725. B Murray | Southland 7 April; failed to make weight; fined $100. B May | Southland 7 April; weighed in over weigh-out weight; fined $200. Trainer Penalty K Pertab | Non-raceday dated 4 April; failed to handle horse in accordance with NZTR welfare code; disqualified 18 April – 18 August inclusive. Horse Penalties PERPIGNAN | Ashburton 4 April; bled; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. MAGICE | Auckland 6 April; late scratching after becoming fractious in barriers; must complete trial. EGYPTIAN QUEEN | Manawatu 6 April; lame; veterinary clearance required. MOLLY SHAW | Southland 7 April; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. Protest UDERZO | Auckland 6 April; caused interference; relegated from 1= to 2nd. The post 1-7 April 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Driver Penalties T Herlihy | Waikato Bay of Plenty 4 April; use of whip; suspended 13-26 April inclusive. D Butcher | Waikato Bay of Plenty 4 April; careless driving; fined $250. J Cox | NZ Metropolitan 5 April; careless driving; fined $300. Trainer Penalty B Gray | Invercargill 4 April; incorrect gear; fined $100. Horse Penalties APPLE OF MY EYE | Waikato Bay of Plenty 4 April; poor recovery; veterinary clearance required. DEVINE FORCE | Invercargill 4 April; broke at start; must complete mobile start trial. HE’S ROBYN | Invercargill 4 April; broke in running; must complete trial. WHISPERING MAJESTIC | Cheviot 7 April; broke in running; must complete trial. NOAH MAGNIFIC | Cheviot 7 April; atrial fibrillation; veterinary clearance including ECG required and must complete trial. PATRICK SWAYZE | Cheviot 7 April; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. AUDACITY | Cheviot 7 April; broke at start; must complete standing start trial. BELLEROPHONTE | Cheviot 7 April; broke in running; must complete trial. KAIRAKI CONFIDENTIAL | Cheviot 7 April; slow recovery; veterinary clearance required. Protests BOSS KENNY | Waikato Bay of Plenty 4 April; late scratching after being uncontrollable in preliminary. HE’S TOUGH | Cheviot 7 April; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. The post 1-7 April 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The whole point of the breeze-ups is that the functionality of a pedigree is on display. Nowadays, in fact, breeze times are treated as though rendering more or less redundant all the painstaking surmise of the yearling sales. Pinhookers, having seen so many offbeat sires achieve knockout sales, can prioritize “run”—knowing that lot of prospectors won't even bother looking at the catalogue until the lots have shown their wares. But it's for precisely that reason that European breeze-up consignors have increasingly been able to repair a dismal separation between the gene pools either side of the Atlantic. It doesn't matter if European buyers haven't even heard of a stallion, so long as they can piggyback the expertise of these exceptional judges who sieve the American market for a horse with the right mechanics. Of course, it does no harm if the page has some green streaks, whether in Europe or on turf in the U.S. But maybe the spectacular impact of Justify, following that made by his own sire, may help a few people remember how the European breed was once energized by Northern Dancer and his sons. Even if that is only an incipient awakening, then the sheer volume of American stock in the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale—48 individual entries from 34 different American-based sires–will guarantee plenty of competition even among those who will be coming to Deauville (May 9 breeze show, May 11 auction) in the hope of repatriating Kentucky horses broken in by European horsemen. That was the case six years ago when Norman Williamson of Oak Tree Farm sold a War Front colt, a $175,000 RNA at Keeneland the previous September, to Justin Casse for €250,000. Taken back to his native land, he became GI Preakness winner War Of Will—and now brings thing full circle with a member of his first crop featuring as Hip 177. Little wonder, then, if the Arqana management is so eager to encourage American participation in this most cosmopolitan of catalogues. As Arqana's Executive Director Freddy Powell notes, this relatively boutique sale has drawn no fewer than seven members of Justify's third crop—compared with eight in the imminent OBS Sale that encompasses four times as many lots. There are seven sons and daughters of Justify catalogued at Arqana | Sarah Andrew photo “I wouldn't say we deliberately target American sires,” says Powell, “but I would say that our vendors who are used to buying in America quite like the Deauville track. We go left-handed, it's a flat track, and I think it's something that naturally makes sense for an American horse. We're a little bit later in the year, but the chance is there is going to be better ground. I think more than anything, it just makes sense. As we know, pinhookers like things that make sense.” Last year's repatriated graduates already include West Point Thoroughbreds' Stretch Ride (Street Sense), third in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club last fall. But while some pretty flashy pages will inevitably be struck out the moment the time sheets come through, from their catalogue pages alone, here is an early look at 12 offerings that will have obvious resonance for American visitors. Lot 7, c, Uncle Mo—Tocco d'Amore (Ire), MC Thoroughbreds MC Thoroughbreds offers Europeans a familiar page through a colt bought for just $30,000 at Keeneland. That's a startling sum on paper for a son of Uncle Mo out of Tocco d'Amore (Raven's Pass), who had cost Moyglare Stud €2 million as a yearling and won her only two starts including a 12f Listed race at Naas. She represents a famous Kilcarn Stud family as half-sister to five-time Group winner Echo Of Light (GB) (Dubai Millennium {GB}) out of champion Salsabil (GB)'s Group 2-placed sister Spirit Of Tara (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). Lot 13, c, Maclean's Music—Unreachable, Powerstown Stud Powerstown Stud's draft has an especially strong Bluegrass tint and features a very bold KeeSep pinhook in a $310,000 Maclean's Music half-brother [13] to Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid), a dual Group 1 winner in Japan. It all makes sense, though, when you look at his dam, a once-raced daughter of Giant's Causeway out of Harpia (Danzig), a graded stakes-winning sister to Danehill himself. He's a May foal but bred to be anything. Lot 14, c, Justify—Unrivaled Princess, Leamore Horses That colt is followed into the ring by another with an aristocratic page: the first Justify on parade, presented by Leamore Horses after being recruited by Chad Schumer for $105,000 at Fasig-Tipton last October. He's out of an unraced sister to triple Grade I-winning millionaire Unique Bella (Tapit), their dam of course being GI Ladies' Classic winner Unrivaled Belle (Unbridled's Song). This family continues to thrive, with the latter's half-sister having produced a leading sophomore last year in Raise Cain (Violence). The mare's first foal, a filly by Medaglia d'Oro, was retained by breeders Whisper Hill Farm and recently broke her maiden by 9 ½ lengths. Lot 40, c, McKinzie—Belle's Finale, Malcolm Bastard A real standout on paper is the McKinzie half-brother to none other than Up to the Mark (Not This Time) offered by Malcolm Bastard. This fellow contributed $200,000 to his sire's impressive debut at the yearling sales when exported from Fasig-Tipton last October. Lot 55, c, Not This Time—Cloudy Dancer (GB), Gaybrook Lodge Not This Time—now looking the principal heir to Giant's Causeway—has a suitably versatile prospect in a colt out of an unraced Invincible Spirit (Ire) half-sister to Royal Ascot winner/Classic runner-up Gale Force Ten (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) from Gaybrook Lodge. This colt was alertly exported for $62,000 at Keeneland, in that he represents a coveted family in Europe: the next dam is a Listed winner out of a half-sister to fillies that respectively ran first and second in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. before subsequently delivering Group 1 winners and/or producers. Lot 61, c, Tiz The Law—Cozze Up Lady, Powerstown Stud There will be much curiosity about the breeze of Hip 61, a colt from the debut crop of Tiz The Law who appears well found by Powerstown Stud at Fasig last fall for $60,000. That's because his half-sister Kimari (Munnings) has made headlines on both sides of the ocean: she won a Keeneland maiden on debut by 15 lengths, and was then thwarted only in a photo for the G2 Queen Mary S. She again finished second at Royal Ascot the following year, this time at Group 1 level, before returning home to win the GI Madison S. back on dirt. On retirement she was bought by Coolmore for $2.7 million, and her half-brother by Constitution made $1.3 million as a yearling, so any sign of athletic ability in this colt will make him hot property. Lot 62, Justify—Curlylocks (Ire), Lynn Lodge Stud But there probably isn't a page in the catalogue to surpass the next into the ring: a February 2 colt by Justify out of a lightly-raced sister to Churchill (Ire) and Clemmie (Ire). The latter was the first Group 1 winner by Galileo (Ire) over six furlongs, tapping into the speed of her stakes-winning dam Meow (Ire) (Storm Cat) and granddam Airwave (GB) (Air Express {Ire}), a special conduit of indigenous British speed. If he can run at all, this lad will prove a characteristically inspired Mags O'Toole punt at Keeneland for $135,000. Lot 63, c, Omaha Beach—Dad's Princess, Oak Tree Farm Her colleague Norman Williamson of Oak Tree Farm presents another fascinating Keeneland import immediately afterwards. This Omaha Beach colt has already landed one knockout pinhook, Williamson having given $150,000 for him nine months after he made just $6,000 as a short yearling in the same ring. Lot 64, f, Justify—Damson (Ire), Kilminfoyle House Stud The Americans are obviously intended to stick around, as next into the ring is another that could cause a transatlantic tug-of-war: a January filly by Justify out of elite runner and producer Damson (Ire) (Entrepreneur {GB}), subject of a $155,000 docket at Keeneland and presented here by Kilminfoyle House Stud. Damson, who beat colts in the G1 Phoenix S. at two, produced another flying juvenile in Requinto (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) but there's also Aga Khan depth to the further family. Lot 136, c, Quality Road—Love Child, Longways Stables Longways Stables went to $150,000 at Keeneland for a Quality Road colt. The mare's first foal by the same sire is a winner, but the key here is that she's out of a lightly raced sister to none other than Serena's Song (Rahy), who has demonstrated due genetic prowess in delivering not only a multiple graded stakes winner on turf in Doubles Partner (Rock Hard Ten), but also the fertile producer Princess Serena (Unbridled's Song), dam of three Group 1 and/or Group 2 winners and second dam of two others. Lot 147, c, Bernardini—Morilles (GB), Gaybrook Lodge Gaybrook Lodge offers a colt from the final crop of Bernardini pinhooked for $62,000 at Fasig October. He's out of a Montjeu (Ire) half-sister to graded stakes winner Indy Groove (A.P. Indy), their own dam a sibling to GI Super Derby winner Home At Last (Quadratic). Lot 177, c, War Of Will—Promenade Review, C. F. Bloodstock War Of Will, poster boy for this sale, should definitely interest European breeders with the genes he's now recycling at Claiborne. But meanwhile C.F. Bloodstock has brought over a colt from his first crop, unearthed at Fasig last October for $50,000. He's the second foal of a lightly raced half-sister to Promenade Girl (Carson City), winner of the GII Molly Pitcher and dam of triple Grade I winner Cavorting (Bernardini)—herself meanwhile celebrated as mother of Clariere (Curlin). But Powell said he felt that there was much more on offer for Americans than American blood. Of the 207 catalogued, he said, “There are 65 fillies in total, some very well-bred ones by typical European sires that could do well in the U.S. A Frankel (GB) filly (lot 60), two fillies by Kameko (164 and 178), a young, multiple graded-stakes winning son of Kitten's Joy; and fillies by Lope De Vega, No Nay Never, and similar stallions who could appeal to American trainers or owners or people who want to add a bit of European blood to their broodmare band.” The post Arqana Breeze-Up Sale: What’s Interesting for Americans? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dog Penalties APOLLO BALE | Otago 2 April; marring; stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. HOMEBUSH OLIVIA | Otago 2 April; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. The post 1-7 April 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The rise of promising sprinter Platinum Attack (Santos) continued at Trentham on Saturday, claiming his fourth win on the bounce in The Oaks Stud Premier (1200m). First appearing on race-day in mid-December, Platinum Attack showed ability on debut, and two starts later, commenced an impressive winning hat-trick that earned the son of Santos second favouritism ($4.80) for the opener at the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes raceday. With Johnathan Riddell on board, Platinum Attack flew the gates and settled in the one-one, although giving his rider some stress when over racing with the leisurely tempo up-front set by Ima Brazen One. The unique Trentham dog-leg caused several of the less experienced three-year-old’s to race greenly upon straightening, but when Platinum Attack found clear air, he wouldn’t let up when challenged by Koheroa, holding on to extended his winning streak by half a neck. Riddell has guided Platinum Attacks in five of his six starts, and indicated there is plenty more to come from the lightly-tried gelding. “He’s a horse with a lot of upside, he’s still so raw and green at the moment, so what he’s doing, he’ll just improve on. It was a good strong win,” Riddell said. “I was hoping to be a little bit further back than I was, but he bounced and put himself there. He’s done it quite comfortably. “The stable has had a high opinion of him right the way through, he was a little disappointing at his second start where the track tripped him up, but he hasn’t looked back since.” Platinum Attack’s Awapuni-based trainer Lisa Latta was thrilled post-race, and indicated there may now be a black-type opportunity on the cards later this month. “I was absolutely rapt with him, he’s a horse that is just getting better and better,” she said. “This was the strongest field he’s been up against, and he got a lovely run. They did go quite slowly in front so he got up travelling quite keenly, and to his credit, he dug deep.” “We’ll see how he pulls up as he’s come a long way and there is the three-year-old 1200m race at Te Rapa later in the month.” Latta was referring to the Gr.2 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), run on the 27th of April at the Waikato venue. Bred by Aquis Farm, G1G Racing & Breeding and Fly Horse, Platinum Attack was purchased by owners Neville McAlister and Lincoln Farms Bloodstock for $37,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Weanling Sale. From six starts, Platinum Attack has recorded four victories and $97,435 in stakes earnings. View the full article

Progressive galloper Rudyard (NZ) (Charm Spirit) has another victory to add to the win column in his career record after a dramatic finish to the feature race at Pukekohe on Saturday, the Dunstan Horsefeeds 1300 (1300m). The Tony Pike-prepared four-year-old went to the winning post locked together with the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Uderzo (NZ) (Vadamos) with the judge unable to separate the pair, declaring a dead-heat for first with Devastate just a long neck away in third. However, the protest siren sounded due to Uderzo dictating the running line of both Rudyard and Devastate in the final 200m by boring in on the pair. The Adjudicative committee viewed all angles of the finish and after considering submissions they upheld the protest providing Rudyard with a solo victory. Pike was in Sydney with promising three-year-old Witz End and although he was busy during the day he managed to watch the action from Pukekohe at the Randwick course. “It was a bit hectic over here, but I did manage to watch most of our runners on television,” Pike said. “He (Rudyard) seems to have gone to a new level, and although we were dropping him back to 1300m, the pace on suited and he did it well despite copping plenty of interference. “We needed to win today to get him into the Easter Handicap (Gr.3, 1600m) in a fortnight and stepping back to 1600m with a light weight will suit him down to the ground.” Purchased by Pike for $280,000 from the Windsor Park draft during Book 1 at Karaka in 2021, Rudyard has now won six of his 21 starts and over $300,000 for a large group of connections. He is out of outstanding racemare Lady Kipling who won eleven races, with three of those at stakes level, while she was also Group One placed on four separate occasions. Pike also wasn’t disappointed with the performance of Witz End (NZ) (Savabeel) who finished towards the rear in the Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in the hands of James McDonald. “It has been a good experience for the horse but the minute we got the rain yesterday and this morning our chances went out the window as he is a duffer on wet ground,” Pike said. “What was very heartening was James coming back in and telling me not to be disappointed as he believes the horse has huge potential and just needs good ground and another six months development on him.” View the full article

An impressive performance in Saturday’s Stella Artois (1600m) at Pukekohe capped a breakthrough autumn for Billy Lincoln (NZ) (Belardo), who has strung together three successive victories over the last five weeks. Billy Lincoln made a relatively quiet start to his career, finishing outside the placings in all of his first three starts between November and January. The three-year-old Belardo gelding hinted at better things with a second placing at Taupo on February 14, chasing home the subsequent stakes performer Irish Legacy, and he has not looked back since then. The Stephen Marsh-trained Billy Lincoln cleared maiden ranks by two lengths at Hastings on February 28, then defeated a talented field on Oaks Day at Trentham on March 16. Saturday’s opening race at Pukekohe presented another new challenge with a small field of highly capable three-year-olds, including the stakes-performed Solidify, but Billy Lincoln was up to the task. Billy Lincoln led for the first 400m of the race, but apprentice jockey Ngakau Hailey was unfazed when Cintivee and King Of The North slid past him approaching the turn out of the back straight. Billy Lincoln then settled in third place until Hailey spotted a narrow opening on the inside of Cintivee in the straight. Hailey drove Billy Lincoln through that tight gap, striding past Cintivee and taking command. Kealoha came at him with a strong late run, but Billy Lincoln held her out by a long head. Billy Lincoln’s seven-start career has now produced three wins, a second and $90,150 in stakes. “He’s come a long way in a short time this autumn,” Marsh said. “He’s done a really good job and is a pretty promising sort of three-year-old. Putting together three wins on the bounce is no mean feat. “He seemed to relax nicely stepping up to 1600m today. He had to come through quite a tight gap in the straight, so it was good to see him negotiate that and run so strongly to the line. “We probably won’t do a great deal more with him in this preparation. He’s had a fair few runs now, and he needs reasonably good ground. He could have one more if he comes through this one well and the tracks stay dry, but otherwise he can go out to the paddock, and we’ll save him for his four-year-old season.” Billy Lincoln is part-owned by his breeders Lincoln Farms Bloodstock, who remarkably took out the opening race at both New Zealand venues on Saturday. Another of their emerging three-year-olds, Platinum Attack, extended his own winning sequence to four in Trentham’s The Oaks Stud Premier (1200m). View the full article

Favored Sierra Leone did not want to load into the starting gate for the April 6 Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. But once loaded, the talented colt had no reservations about racing, rallying from ninth to overhaul Just a Touch by 1 1/2 lengths.View the full article

Favored Sierra Leone did not want to load into the starting gate for the April 6 Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. But once loaded, the talented colt had no reservations about racing, rallying from ninth to overhaul Just a Touch by 1 1/2 lengths.View the full article

Morplay Racing's No More Time breezed a half-mile April 6 at Palm Meadows Training Center in preparation for a planned start in the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

Rick and Sharon Waller's homebred Stronghold prevails by a head in a test of wills against even-money favorite Imagination in the April 6 $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita Park. He has 100 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

Sent off as the 11-5 second choice, Rick and Sharon Waller's STRONGHOLD (c, 3, Ghostzapper–Spectator, by Jimmy Creed) outbattled even-money favorite Imagination (Into Mischief) through the final eighth of a mile to take Saturday's GI Santa Anita Derby, earning 100 points towards the GI Kentucky Derby. The last-out winner of the GIII Sunland Derby, the homebred was beaten for speed and settled just off the pace in fourth as Tapalo (Tapiture) made the running at the rail in advance Imagination and E J Won the Cup (Omaha Beach) wider out. Content to allow those up front to do the dirty work as they went a good gallop, Stronghold was held together on the turn by Antonio Fresu, who went for his mount in earnest at the quarter pole and split horses in upper stretch. As E J Won the Cup and Tapalo began to back out of it, Imagination and Stronghold were left to settle it, and though neither gave an inch, Stronghold surged by in the shadow of the wire. Lifetime Record: 6-3-3-0. O/B-Rick & Sharon Waller (KY); T-Phil d'Amato. #3 STRONGHOLD ($6.40) holds strong, getting the best of favored Imagination on the wire to win the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1)! The Eric and Sharon Waller homebred was ridden by @Antonio1Fresu for trainer @PhilDamato11. Congratulations to the connections! pic.twitter.com/P8YzIqeQ75 — TVG (@TVG) April 6, 2024 Saturday, Santa Anita SANTA ANITA DERBY-GI, $751,500, Santa Anita, 4-6, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:49.98, ft. 1–STRONGHOLD, 124, c, 3, by Ghostzapper 1st Dam: Spectator (GSW & MGISP, $323,551), by Jimmy Creed 2nd Dam: Diva's Tribute, by Henny Hughes 3rd Dam: Swiss Diva, by Swiss Yodeler 1ST GRADE I WIN. O/B-Eric & Sharon Waller (KY); T-Philip D'Amato; J-Antonio Fresu. $450,000. Lifetime Record: 6-3-3-0, $827,200. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Imagination, 124, c, 3, Into Mischief–Magical Feeling, by Empire Maker. 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($1,050,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Robert E. Masterson, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Catherine Donovan and Tom J. Ryan; B-Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $150,000. 3–E J Won the Cup, 124, c, 3, Omaha Beach–Firsthand Report, by Blame. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($150,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $95,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Superfecta King Stable (Margolis); B-Hoolie Racing Stable, LLC (KY); T-Chief Stipe F. O'Neill. $90,000. Margins: NK, 3 1/4, 4HF. Odds: 2.20, 1.00, 23.40. Also Ran: Curlin's Kaos, Tapalo, Wynstock, Mc Vay, Tessuto. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Stronghold Outfights Favored Imagination In Santa Anita Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Outovstock clears his rivals to score an upset in Saturday’s Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham. Photo: Race Images PN Waikato horseman Chad Ormsby is making a habit of landing major prizes at Trentham with three-year-olds that he was unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale. Ormsby scored an +1700 upset victory in Saturday’s Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) with Outovstock, who he bought for $50,000 as a yearling at Karaka before passing him in with a $150,000 reserve at the 2022 Ready to Run Sale. A similar script produced Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) glory on March 16 with Pulchritudinous, who was a $32,500 yearling purchase and fell short of her $50,000 reserve at the Ready to Run Sale. Ormsby’s Oaks heroine banked $390,000 in prize-money before being sold to clients of Sydney trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Outovstock took his own earnings to the brink of $100,000 with Saturday’s Manawatu Classic heroics, which came in his first appearance at black-type level. “We’ve had a pretty good run with these horses that we couldn’t sell,” Ormsby said. “We try to back ourselves with the horses that we buy and then offer at the Ready to Run Sale. To get results like this win today, along with what the filly did in the Oaks, it’s so rewarding and it really enhances our Riverrock Farm brand. We want to be known for producing quality racetrack performers.” Outovstock has made giant strides over the course of his three-year-old season. The son of Tavistock finished seventh or eighth in all of his first three appearances in the spring, but has come back a different horse in the summer and autumn. He showed promising signs with fourth placings in his first two runs back, then came of age with a stylish maiden win over 1600m at Pukekohe on February 21. The runner-up in that race was Investigate, who filled the same placing behind him in Saturday’s Manawatu Classic. In his only start since that maiden win, Outovstock stretched out over 2100m for the first time with a brave second in testing heavy ground at Tauranga on March 23. Outovstock arrived at Trentham with a formline on an upward trajectory, but it still paled in comparison to some of his rivals in Saturday’s $120,000 feature – most notably the odds-on favourite Just As Sharp, who had chased home superstar filly Orchestral when third in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), second in the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) and fourth in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). Just As Sharp had the right run to live up to his -166.67 odds, and rider Ryan Elliot drove him to the lead early in the run home. But then Outovstock and Investigate emerged from the pack and turned the race on its head. They powered past the favourite in the blink of an eye, with Outovstock pulling ahead of Investigate to win impressively by two and a quarter lengths. Investigate took second, with Just As Sharp another length and a half away in third. “We came into today with our fingers crossed that he might be able to produce a performance like that,” Ormsby said. “Getting up over ground has definitely been the making of him. Michael McNab said he’s still racing quite keenly and has a bit more to learn, but the further he goes, the better he’s going to be. “He’s probably still six months away. I think he’s going to make a lovely four-year-old in time. But he showed today what he’s capable of, and I think that pedigree came through a little bit as well. “We’ve ended up being lucky with how it’s all panned out. The New Zealand Derby was originally our target, but he wasn’t quite ready for it and we changed tack. We unfortunately struck that heavy track last start, but he surprised me with the way he really stuck his neck out and tried hard. It was a strong performance in his first time up over ground, and it gave us a bit of confidence that he might be competitive today. “He won that pretty impressively, so we might have to think about the Queensland Derby (Group 1, 2400m). That’s not too far away now, so we’ll probably give him 10 days in the paddock for now and then see what happens from there.” Horse racing news View the full article

Apostrophe and Masa Hashizume race away with the Group 3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m) at Trentham. Photo: Race Images PN Fresh from an incredible interstate double in Australia last weekend with Orchestral and Mark Twain, the Roger James and Robert Wellwood stable picked up another black-type feature in New Zealand this time when race favourite Apostrophe (+250) claimed victory in the Group 3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m) at Trentham. The lightly raced six-year-old mare enjoys the spacious surroundings at the venue having won and been placed twice in three starts there with those two placings coming in the Group 3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) back in January and at her most recent start, the Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m). The daughter of Tavistock relished a step up in distance as she lobbed along behind midfield for rider Masa Hashizume before angling into the clear with 300m to run. Wound up to a fever pitch by Hashizume, Apostrophe burst clear at the 150m as she cleared out by three lengths from her closest pursuers in Our Jumala and Royal Flower, who filled the minor placings. Wellwood was on hand to witness the triumph after returning from Sydney during the week after watching Orchestral score a rugged victory the Group 1 Vinery Stakes (2000m). “We were a little bit worried about it being a slowly run race, but with only nine runners you’re never really going to get too far off them,” Wellwood said. “A bit of pressure came on at the turn so she could come up behind them and when she got a gap she was electric. “She has been screaming out to go over 2000m her whole life but we’ve never been able to get her there. Now that we have she was very good. “There may be one more race for her at Te Rapa after this (Group 2 Travis Stakes, 2000m) but she is probably destined for the broodmare paddock at the end of this preparation.” Hashizume has featured prominently in recent weeks and was delighted to take out another feature contest. “She jumped better than she normally does, but got back to last although I wasn’t worried as it was only a nine-horse field,” he said. “She was travelling all the way and although the gap closed at the top of the straight, she quickened nicely when I came back a little bit, so I was very happy with the run. “She has always wanted to go over 2000m and she loves the cut in the ground and here at Wellington.” Horse racing news View the full article

Joe Doyle drives Nereus to victory in the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Race Images PN Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray continued an outstanding season with their stayers when up-and-coming star Nereus powered home to win the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). The Cambridge-based training partnership completed a rare double in March with two-mile specialist Mahrajaan victorious in the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m), and look to have another staying star on their hands with four-year-old Nereus. The son of Savabeel had established a formidable record over his brief seven-start career, never featuring outside of the top three, including four victories alongside a narrow second in the $350,000 Remutaka Classic (2100m) in January. His impeccable record has included two previous successes at the champagne turf, and the four-year-old journeyed south on black-type debut in the Awapuni Gold Cup, closing the +380 equal second-favourite behind the well-performed Arby. Carrying the silks of breeder Waikato Stud, Nereus was positioned ideally in the one-one by Joe Doyle, enjoying an economical trip in behind the leaders in Skyman and Langkawi. Skyman gained a break at the top of the straight leaving much of the field flat-footed, but Nereus wore down the pacemaker and showed a strong turn-of-foot late to hold off He’s A Doozy, a Group One winner returning to top form. The victory was Doyle’s 82nd of the season and an 11th at stakes level, as he sits 3rd on the Jockey’s Premiership behind Warren Kennedy and Michael McNab. “He’s a lovely little horse, he’s not very imposing to look at, but he’s got a big heart and he tries very hard,” Doyle said. Ritchie was swift in praising the ride of Doyle, who was having his first ride aboard the gelding. “It was a gun ride, just as Michael McNab has on him in the past. When you’re in the one-one you get your chance, these good jockeys always do that,” Ritchie said. “He’s a very good horse, maybe the best in the stable. He’s definitely better on top of the ground, he lets down much quicker and we’ve got some exciting times ahead.” Ritchie admitted the more suitable option for his charge may have been the Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) next Saturday at Otaki, but the two-week turnaround to the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) offered an opportunity for a golden ticket into the $5 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October. If he takes his place, Nereus will attempt to become the second New Zealand-trained horse to qualify for an iconic Australian feature, after the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Mark Twain earned a place in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. “It wasn’t the ideal race for him today with the set weights and penalties, but the Mornington Cup is in two weeks, and taking a leaf out of Roger James’ book, that’s a golden ticket to the Caulfield Cup,” Ritchie said. “He’s a nifty little horse, who I think will get around Mornington and Caulfield well, if he keeps lifting the bar and getting over it. “He’s got the pedigree, the temperament, and the will to win.” Horse racing news View the full article

Move To Strike powers to the line to capture the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham. Photo: Race Images PN Te Akau Racing produced the goods once again in a major two-year-old event when the highly touted Move To Strike came with a powerful late burst to capture the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham. The son of I Am Invincible, who was purchased by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for $525,000 at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast in 2023, had been unbeaten in three trials before winning on race day debut at Te Rapa back in December last year. A narrow defeat by stablemate Bellatrix Star on New Year’s Day at Pukekohe followed, before a puzzling run for fifth in the Group 3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) on his home track in February was explained when tests revealed he was found to be suffering from a mild heart arrythmia. Given a break by trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, Move To Strike stripped a fit horse for the last Group One event of the current local racing season on Saturday, and lived up to those looks with a comprehensive performance. Rider Wiremu (Billy) Pinn had him back a clear last in the early stages as Red Sea set up a solid pace in front, before Pinn began to circle the field on the home turn. Stablemate Captured By Love hit the front at the 250m but Move To Strike was just cantering at this point as he quickly extended to full stride and raced past his rivals to win by a neat length from Red Sea, who fought back bravely to fight off Captured By Love for the runner-up position. 2024 Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes Replay – Move To Strike Sam Bergerson was beaming as he greeted the horse after the race. “We’ve always thought the world of him as he has always been a very lovely horse,” Bergerson said. “He paraded lovely today, and Bill (Pinn) was very patient on him as we thought we would have to be neutral in midfield early on with his wider barrier draw. “He was very good late and although he did have that blip with his heart at Matamata, we were really happy with him since as he is a top-quality colt. “We had run an ECG test and given him a slow build up before trialling him after that issue. Opie (Bosson) rode him and gave him the tick of approval and his trackwork on Tuesday was top notch. “We were going in quietly confident although respectful of the other runners, but he is a very good colt and he showed that today.” Pinn was also rapt with the winning performance. “He travelled really well, but he doesn’t breathe that well, so I just wanted to keep him relaxed,” he said. “He has a great turn of foot and is a superstar I think, and next time in I think he can win Group One after Group One as he has such a good attitude and an electric turn of foot. “I would like to thank Te Akau Racing for the opportunities they are giving me and after missing most of the major racing through being suspended I’m just relieved to get it done today.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Tamworth Races Where Tamworth Jockey Club – 28 Britten Rd, Taminda NSW 2340 When Monday, April 8, 2024 First Race 1:35pm AEST Visit Dabble The new week of racing gets underway at Tamworth on Monday afternoon, where a quickfire seven-race program awaits punters. The rail is in the true position throughout the entire circuit, apart from the 1000m starting chute, where the rail has been moved out +3m. The forecast looks promising, with only light showers expected to hit the course, so the surface shouldn’t worsen from the current Soft 7 rating at the time of writing. The opener is scheduled to get underway at 1:35pm AEST. Best Bet: Great Siege After a change of stables and 571 days off the scene, Great Siege finally resumes for the Holly Williams barn on Monday afternoon. He suffered a setback at the end of his last campaign and has since undergone a gelding operation to prepare for this first-up target. His latest jump-out at Armidale on March 18 caught the eye as he bounded clear by 1.7 lengths on the wire, and with Aaron Bullock hopping aboard the lightly raced four-year-old, Great Siege will take a power of beating in this maiden contest. Best Bet Race 3 – #2 Great Siege (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Holly Williams | J: Aaron Bullock (59kg) +135 with Bet365 Next Best: Fuld’s Doubt Fuld’s Doubt appears to have turned a corner this preparation, with an impressive first-up maiden victory at Scone on March 22. The daughter of Not A Single Doubt raced greenly throughout the journey and was forced to knuckle down to the task before scooting clear in the concluding stages. The three-year-old is well-in at the weights courtesy of the 1.5kg claim of Chelsea Hillier, and although barrier 12 may prove tricky to overcome, Fuld’s Doubt looks classy enough to get the job done. Next Best Race 7 – #10 Fuld’s Doubt (12) 3yo Filly | T: Rodney Northam | J: Chelsea Hillier (a1.5) (57kg) +140 with Neds Best Value: Powderfinger Powderfinger drops back into winnable company on Monday afternoon and looks perfectly placed for a return to the winners’ enclosure. The daughter of Caravaggio has found some testing material in her two latest efforts at Muswellbrook in BM66 grade, with her most recent start bombing out by 6.5 lengths. If you forgive that run, her form prior reads particularly well, dropping into Class 2, and with the wet track conditions an added benefit, Powderfinger should be ready to rock in this. Best Value Race 5 – #3 Powderfinger (4) 4yo Mare | T: Luke Pepper | J: Ben Looker (59kg) +900 with PlayUp Tamworth Monday quaddie tips – 8/4/2024 Tamworth quadrella selections Monday, April 8, 2024 1-6-8 1-3-4-5-8 1-3-4-7-9 2-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Rigney Racing's Buchu notched a second graded stakes win at Keeneland by capturing in the $386,888 Appalachian Stakes (G2T) over Mo Fox Givin and Dancing N Dixie in the mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies April 6.View the full article

Arzak swept by rivals in the final furlong to win the Shakertown Stakes (G2T) April 6 at Keeneland.View the full article

On the upcoming first Saturday in May, Bill Mott may get another crack at winning the Kentucky Derby (G1) in a more time-honored fashion after sending out Emily Bushnell and Ric Waldman's Resilience for a 2 1/4-length victory in the Wood Memorial.View the full article

Nothing Like You, ridden by superstar Frankie Dettori and trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, upsets Baffert-trained odds-on favorite Kinza in Santa Anita Oaks, giving Dettori his fifth consecutive win on the program.View the full article

Morplay Racing's No More Time (Not This Time), winner of the GIII Sam F. Davis S. and narrow runner-up in the GIII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby, breezed a half-mile in :48.60 (8/52) Saturday morning at Palm Meadows Training Center in preparation for a planned start in the GI Kentucky Derby. “He worked by himself. He went good and also had a strong gallop-out,” trainer Jose D'Angelo said. “Everything's good. We're hoping to get into the Kentucky Derby.” Prior to Saturday's three major prep races at Santa Anita, Keeneland, and Aqueduct, No More Time, who has collected 45 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, was sitting 15th in the standings that will determine the 20-horse field for the first leg of the Triple Crown at Churchill Downs. “We're not just going to just run a horse there. We have a horse with a chance to win the race,” D'Angelo said. The post No More Time Breezes for Potential Start in Kentucky Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Agenging a prior loss to Vahva in the Raven Run Stakes (G2) last fall at Keeneland, Alva Starr turned the tables on that rival by outlasting her in the $600,000 Madison Stakes (G1) April 6 at the Lexington track.View the full article