Wandering Eyes

Dozens of flights were cancelled, 34,000 homes were left without power, roads were closed due to fallen trees and race meetings were lost as Storm Kathleen raged across Ireland. Only Con Marnane could organise a BBQ in the middle of one of the worst storms the country has faced in months and it be deemed a success. The plan to stage Saturday's open morning at Bansha House Stables was first hatched when the Marnane family visited the Magic Millions Sale in Australia and, despite the weather in Tipperary, Con couldn't have been happier with how the idea was recieved by buyers and racing fans alike. He said, “We're absolutely thrilled with how the day went. Weather-wise, it was the worst day we've had all year. People were ringing me at seven o'clock this morning wondering if it was going to go ahead or not but I told them that they are bred tough down here. We had about 500 people here this morning and, while the weather was horrendous, we had a lovely time.” Marnane added, “I was at the Magic Millions Sale in January and they looked after us so well over there–I was blown away by the generosity of the sales company. I said to myself when I came home that we are not doing enough to promote our own industry here which is why I decided to have an open day with a nice BBQ and drink for whoever wanted to visit us. About 20 people–agents and trainers–came over from England and I very much appreciate them giving us their time.” John and Sean Quinn, Dylan Cunha, Jamie Piggott and Jeremy Brummit are just a few of those who made the trip across the Irish Sea. It was actually the latter, who, in showering Marnane with praise, said, “It's just a pity more British trainers didn't make the trip to see how it's done because the majority of people with a training licence in Britain wouldn't have been able to pull off what Con has done today. It's a bloody credit to him.” South African native Cunha was happy to have returned to the man who provided him with his big hope for the season. The Newmarket-based handler's El Bufalo (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) was led out unsold at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale by Marnane's Bansha House Stables 12 months ago at 22,000gns. Fast forward to this spring, and the Wolverhampton maiden winner holds an entry for the 2,000 Guineas, albeit he is a 100-1 shot for the early-season Classic. Cunha explained, “We bought El Bufalo from Bansha House last year. It's a very good farm. El Bufalo is still in the Guineas and is a horse we like a lot. We got a nice Ten Sovereigns from Con and he is very nice as well. We bought three horses from the breeze-ups last year and they have all done well so we're hoping to buy more this year.” The trainer continued, “We don't have a big owner behind us so we are trying to find value. Basically, we don't look at the times. We just look for the ones who move nicely. We have to be shrewd–El Buffalo hung in his breeze because he cut his mouth. But we liked how he moved and we ended up buying him pretty cheaply. Hopefully we can find another.” Cunha was not the only man returning to Marnane in search of more big-race riches. Trainer Ado McGuinness, who snapped up Rush Queen (Ire) Ardad (Ire) and Tiger Belle (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) from Marnane last year, was busy scouting the barns. Meanwhile, bloodstock agent Hubie de Burgh, who looks after the interests of Bronson Racing, the buyer of Givemethbeatnoys (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}), was also making the most of the occasion. De Burgh said, “Con is the best in the business at this sort of thing. But, at the end of the day, the results speak for themselves and buyers will return to a place that is having results on the track. We've been working with Con for years and he just keeps coming up with good horses.” He added, “What's also so impressive about Con is, he doesn't have success by buying a lovely Dubawi (Ire) or something, he does it by going out and buying a bloody good-looking horse by a lesser stallion. We're involved in some small little way with Givemethebeatboys but how on earth did Con buy that horse for what he did at a yearling? I have no idea. “Not only that but, we're down here in the middle of a hurricane, and not one of those young horses looked like they were going to buck their rider off. I don't know how he does it but it's just pure professionalism and the horses are a credit to him. Long may it last.” McGuinness was similarly impressed by the professionalism on show, describing the four of five lots of two-year-olds that were put through their paces as “similar to old handicappers” given how not one of the youngsters as much as turned a hair. But we'd all be kidding ourselves if we came away from the morning without acknowledging the huge degree of poignancy in the air given it is just five months since Theresa, Con's wife, passed away aged 61. McGuinness said, “We've dealt with Con these past few years and have been successful. When you get results working with somebody, you're always more likely to come back. He's just a great guy. “Man, he hasn't had an easy year but he's just a top-class man. To be able to pull this all together given what they have all been through in the past few months is incredible. Fair play to them.” The post ‘We Breed Them Tough Here’ – Marnane Brews Up A Storm At Bansha BBQ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Trainer Todd Pletcher reported that both of his fillies that contested Friday's GI Central Bank Ashland S. emerged from the efforts none the worse for wear, but are likely to part company for the time being. 'TDN Rising Star' Leslie's Rose (Into Mischief) atoned for her third in the GII Davona Dale S. with a good-looking three-length victory in the Ashland, earning herself a ticket to the May 3 GI Kentucky Oaks in the process. “We are trying to sort things out, and we will let the dust settle from today,” Pletcher said. “The Oaks and Derby horses have to be on the grounds by 11 a.m. on Apr. 27.” While that $1.15-million Keeneland September purchase will head over to Churchill Downs, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}) is unlikely to make the field for the Oaks after finishing fourth as the favorite on Friday. Her 34 points are good for 18th place on the leaderboard, but the race is limited to 14 starters. “It is too early to say on her, but she is pretty far down the list with two races to go today,” Pletcher said. “The [GII $300,000 George E. Mitchell] Black-Eyed Susan [at Pimlico May 17] or the [GI DK Horse] Acorn S. [June 7] are possible. The Acorn is at Saratoga this year, and it is a mile and an eighth.” Champion 2-year-old filly Just F Y I (Justify), a sound second on seasonal debut in the Ashland, returned to the barn of Bill Mott at Churchill Friday evening. Glengarry Remaining At KEE Following Lafayette Glengarry (Maximus Mischief) was originally supposed to return to the Oaklawn Park barn of trainer Chief Stipe Anderson after participating in Friday's Lafayette S. at Keeneland, but he will instead remain at Keeneland to train up to the $600,000 GII Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs May 4. “He ran huge off a four-month layoff,” Anderson said of Glengarry's 3 1/2-length victory. “When they didn't get him at the three-eighths, it was 'Katie bar the door.' He put everything into it and came back great. We are tickled pink. “Little guys don't get many shots like this,” Anderson added. “We talked it over at dinner last night, and it didn't make any sense to haul him back to Oaklawn and then haul him back [to Kentucky]. He loves this track to train, so we will see what we can get done.” The post Pletcher Sophomore Fillies Headed Down Separate Paths appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Discreet Mischief (c, 3, Into Mischief–Brushwork, by Discreet Cat), a very solid second on debut with an 89 Beyer Speed Figure behind the highly regarded Drip (Good Magic) over a sloppy track at Fair Grounds Feb. 17, delivered a 'TDN Rising Star' performance for trainer Brad Cox to graduate at second asking at Keeneland Saturday. The 4-5 favorite jumped well and secured a perfect spot in an outside second. He took over on the turn for home and ran up the score in the stretch to win by daylight. Timeout (Curlin) was second. The final time for seven furlongs was 1:23.27. Discreet Mischief becomes the 44th 'TDN Rising Star' for the mighty Into Mischief. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1. O-Sumaya U.S. Stable; B-International Equities Holding, Inc. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. #6 DISCREET MISCHIEF ($3.70) impresses in his first career victory in race 3 at Keeneland! The son of @spendthriftfarm's Into Mischief, who earned an 89 Beyer when second on debut in Feb., is trained by @bradcoxracing for Sumaya U S Stables. pic.twitter.com/ZVhyLP7c3G — TVG (@TVG) April 6, 2024 The post Into Mischief’s Discreet Mischief Posts ‘TDN Rising Star’ Performance at Second Asking appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}–Swift Rose {Ire}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}) entered the old Easter Stakes at Kempton on Saturday with a two-for-two record and a glowing reputation and exited as TDN Rising Star with a performance that oozed class. Held up last of the quintet early by a confident William Buick, the 4-7 favourite was slipped through the gaps to overwhelm Ralph Beckett's Derby entry Valvano (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) inside the final furlong and surge to a two-length success. The Hannon runner Persica (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) was a further half a length away in third. “Today was a warm race with a few unexposed types and he gave away weight to all of them, so I'm delighted,” Buick said after the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily British EBF Conditions S., which formerly carried listed status when known as the Easter. “I was very pleased with how he has done physically since the last time I rode him–he has really filled out and I feel like he has grown a bit as well, which is always nice to see from a horse who has had two runs. I couldn't be more happy with him and I tested him a little bit today and he quickened up in a stride.” Charlie Appleby has entered the son of the G3 UAE Oaks runner-up Swift Rose, who beat the subsequent listed scorer Cuban Tiger (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) in the European Road To The Kentucky Derby Conditions S. here in February, in the 2000 Guineas and Buick was not ruling that out as a valid objective. “I just had to pick a path and he's such a genuine, easy horse to deal with,” he added. “He's got a bright future ahead of him. It's so wet, so it was a nice opportunity for him to come here and run again on this surface. I think he would handle a little bit of cut in the ground, but he's a very fast horse with a low action, so I think he would want a bit of decent ground. He's opened up a few options there, but he's a speedy miler.” Notable Speech, the 39th TDN Rising Star for Dubawi, is the first foal out of the aforementioned Swift Rose who is a daughter of the ill-fated Listed Prix Ceres winner and G3 Prix du Palais-Royal and G3 Prix de Meautry runner-up Tulips (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}). Before her death in 2022, she also produced Dubawi's G3 Burj Nahaar winner Desert Wisdom (GB) and also the GI Natalma S. and G3 Fred Darling S. scorer Wild Beauty (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Swift Rose's yearling is a daughter of Pinatubo (Ire). Dubawi's TDN Rising Star tally includes the high-achieving Too Darn Hot (GB), In Italian (GB), Space Blues (Ire) and Zarak (Fr). 6th-Kempton, £30,000, Cond, 4-6, 3yo, c/g, 8f (AWT), 1:40.25, st/sl. NOTABLE SPEECH (GB), c, 3, by Dubawi (Ire) 1st Dam: Swift Rose (Ire) (GSP-UAE, $135,326), by Invincible Spirit (Ire) 2nd Dam: Tulips (Ire), by Pivotal (GB) 3rd Dam: Hint Of Spring (GB), by Seeking The Gold Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $63,378. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. The post Dubawi’s Notable Speech A New Rising Star appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Pensioned Shadai Stallion Station resident Daiwa Major (Jpn) sired the first two home in the G2 New Zealand Trophy S. over 1600 metres at Nakayama on Saturday, with Ecoro Bloom (Jpn) edging filly Bond Girl (Jpn) by three-quarters of a length. Both the first and second were bred by Northern Farm. Sent off at 37-10, Ecoro Bloom soon cruised up to sit in third behind Yukino Royal (Jpn) (Dee Majesty {Jpn}) and Clean Air (Jpn) (Real Impact {Jpn}) before drifting back a bit to the fence while saving ground. Full of run with 600 metres left, he ranged up to within a length of the leaders, but was forced to alter course in early stretch as a hole closed. A gap opened a few strides later and Takeshi Yokoyama directed the colt through, before the duo kicked past a stubborn Yukino Royal, who lost the battle for second with Bond Girl by a head. Third on debut over soft ground going this trip at Tokyo in October, the chestnut claimed a similar affair at that course over a firm surface in November. Making his 2024 bow, Ecoro Bloom was a close second in the G3 Nikkan Sports Sho Shinzan Kinen at Kyoto on Jan. 8. Pedigree Notes The winner is the 47th stakes winner for his sire, who was pensioned after breeding a handful of mares in 2023. American threads run through the dams of both Ecoro Bloom and Bond Girl, as the former's dam, Sugar Shock, a winner of the 2014 GIII Fantasy S., was picked up for $360,000 out of the Fasig-Tipton November Sale in 2015 by Katsumi Yoshida. Stakes winner Coasted (Tizway), the 2016 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf runner-up and the dam of Saturday's runner-up, was sent to Japan after making $1.3 million at that same sale two years later, also on the bid of Yoshida. At stud, Sugar Shock delivered the winning Admire Metis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) as her first foal. Four more winners followed, including G3 Kisaragi NKH Sho hero Lagom (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) and Saturday's victor. After foaling the New Zealand Trophy hero, she produced a 2-year-old filly to the cover of dual Saturnalia (Jpn), a yearling full-brother to Lagom and she visited Kizuna (Jpn) last spring. Saturday, Nakayama, Japan NEW ZEALAND TROPHY-G2, ¥105,100,000, Nakayama, 4-6, 3yo, c/f, 1600mT, 1:34.40, gd. 1–ECORO BLOOM (JPN), 126, c, 3, Daiwa Major (Jpn) 1st Dam: Sugar Shock (GSW-US, $475,619), by Candy Ride (Arg) 2nd Dam: Enthusiastically, by Distorted Humor 3rd Dam: Unbridled Hope, by Unbridled 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. (¥84,000,000 Ylg '22 JRHAJUL). O-Masatoshi Haramura; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Yukihiro Kato; J-Takeshi Yokoyama; ¥55,120,000. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-1, ¥78,606,000. *1/2 to Lagom (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), GSW-Jpn, $1,287,497. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Bond Girl (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Daiwa Major(Jpn)–Coasted, by Tizway. (¥210,000,000 Ylg '22 JRHAJUL). O-Susumu Fujita; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥22,320,000. 3–Yukino Royal (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Dee Majesty (Jpn)–Yukino Queen (Jpn), by Taiki Shuttle. 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Motoyuki Inoue; B-Hattori Farm (Jpn); ¥14,160,000. Margins: 3/4, HD, HF. Odds: 3.70, 2.20, 36.50. Also Ran: Kazu Mikulase (Jpn), Dreaming Up (Jpn), Clean Air (Jpn), Aim For Ace (Jpn), Awesome Stroke (Jpn), Enya Love Faith (Jpn), Spark Richard (Jpn), Rouge Suerte (Jpn), Shines On You (Jpn), Satomino Kirari (Jpn), David Tesoro (Jpn), Bright Man (Jpn), Captaincy (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post One-Two For Daiwa Major In New Zealand Trophy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

4th-KEE, $110K, OC, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 2:36 p.m. Unraced since her 'TDN Rising Star' debut at Churchill Downs last September, TWIRLING GOOD TIME (Twirling Candy) returns to the races Sunday for Rigney Racing and trainer Phillip Bauer. Stretching out from 5 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/16 miles, the $250,000 KEESEP grad will look to carry the speed that saw her go nearly gate-to-wire in her four-length win while posting an 86 Beyer Speed Figure. Out of Celebrategoodtimes, a Harlan's Holiday mare who has produced five foals and as many winners, Twirling Good Time counts both GISW and sire Street Boss (Street Cry {Ire}) and MGISW and sire Jack Christopher (Munnings) as extended family members. TJCIS PPS #11 TWIRLING GOOD TIME ($8.56) was impressive on debut as she was geared down at the end to win race 6 at Churchill Downs. @Rbejaranojockey was in the irons for Philip Bauer. Watch more on @FanDuelTV and wager using the @FDSportsbook. pic.twitter.com/VgWJZ2dcQ5 — TVG (@TVG) September 27, 2023 The post Sunday Insights: ‘TDN Rising Star’ Returns On Keeneland Sunday Card appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hades (Awesome Slew), upset winner of the GIII Holy Bull S. in January and a latest fifth to champion 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) in the GI Curlin Florida Derby Mar. 30, will back up on two weeks' rest for the GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. at Keeneland Apr. 13, co-owner Jon Green of D J Stable said in a text message Saturday morning. “We are entering Hades in the Lexington and have Jose Ortiz in the irons,” Green texted. “Hades is doing great, is sound and ready to ship to KEE on Tuesday.” Owned in partnership with Robert Cotran and trained by Joe Orseno, Hades won his first three trips to the post including a two-length defeat of Domestic Product (Practical Joke) in the Holy Bull, as Fierceness failed to fire at long odds-on. He was bumped at the start of the Florida Derby as a 17-5 chance and endured a wide trip before finishing 19 3/4 lengths adrift of the romping Fierceness. “He got sawed off and never leveled off until he pulled himself back to last,” Green explained via text. Hades has amassed 30 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, good for 18th in the standings prior to the running of Saturday's 100-point preps. The Lexington is the final Derby points race on a scale of 20-10-6-4-2. Also headed to the Lexington is Encino (Nyquist), who was scratched from Saturday's GI Toyota Blue Grass S. The Godolphin homebred, last-start winner of the John Battaglia Memorial S. Mar. 2, had drawn widest in the field of 11 in the Blue Grass. The post Hades To Run On Short Rest In the Lexington appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Amerman Racing's Endlessly (Oscar Performance) breezed an easy four furlongs in :49.60 (78/111) over the Churchill Downs main track Saturday morning, his first move since taking the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park Mar. 23. The homebred could make his next appearance in the $5-million GI Kentucky Derby on May 4, which would mark his first start on the dirt. Working outside of his multiple stakes-placed stablemate Blue Eyed George (Flameaway) and with exercise rider Walter Davila in the irons, Endlessly remained on even terms for the majority of the breeze, easing clear on the gallop out. He pulled up five furlongs in 1:02.80, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols. In the immediate aftermath of the Jeff Ruby Steaks, a victory which took his record to five wins from six starts, connections announced their intentions to point for the GII American Turf S., but reversed course a few days later, with the Derby a possible target. “After the Jeff Ruby, Mr. Amerman and I talked and we're going to leave all of our options open,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “We still have a few weeks to train here and have some time to make a final decision as to what we do next.” In 2011, Animal Kingdom won the GIII Spiral S. before causing a 20-1 upset in the Derby in his first start on the main track. Earlier Saturday, GII Rebel S. runner-up Common Defense (Karakontie {Jpn}) went a half-mile in :47.80 (3/111) outside of his Grade II-placed stable companion Real Men Violin (Mendelssohn). Common Defense covered his opening two furlongs in :24.60 and was out five-eighths in 1:01.40. Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Endlessly returned to the work tab at @ChurchillDowns with a half-mile move in :49.60 outside Blue Eyed George. #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/L8Mr2Z7Vck — Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 6, 2024 The post Endlessly Goes Easy Half-Mile at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The under-tack show for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale begins Sunday morning and continues through Saturday. Sessions begin each day at 8 a.m. Hips one through 173 are scheduled to work Sunday, followed by: hips 174-345 on Monday; hips 346-518 on Tuesday, hips 519-690 on Wednesday; hips 691-863 on Thursday; hips 864-1035 on Friday; and hips 1036-1208 on Saturday. The Spring sale will be held Apr. 16-19 with bidding beginning each day at 10:30 a.m. The post OBS Spring Under-Tack Show Begins Sunday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday's top tips from the Post's racing teamView the full article

A ground saving ride by Thomas Stockdale paved the way for the Paul Preusker-trained Captain Envious (NZ) (Savabeel) to upset the applecart when he prevailed in a thrilling finish top the Gr.3 Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield. The son of Savabeel went into the race after two less than impressive efforts to open his autumn campaign with punters sending last year’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) winner out at odds of better than $32 on the tote. He looked to be travelling easily in midfield against the fence for Stockdale midway through the contest but started to get cluttered up in traffic approaching the home bend. Stockdale angled him between eventual runner-up Jennilala (Shalaa) and race favourite First Immortal (Churchill) at the 200m and he burst through the narrow gap to take the lead in the shadows of the post and record his sixth career victory. Stable representative Sonya Brockenbauer indicated her heart was in her mouth as Captain Envious tried to force his way between runners. “It was a fairly small gap and when it started to close up, I thought we have lost it here but he managed to tough it out and push through and get the job done,” she said. “He is a little bit of a tricky horse as he has been here since 11:30am so he has had six hours of walking before the race but he makes it all worthwhile. “He is very quirky and even trying to put the rug on him sets him off. “Paul thinks so much of this horse and I’m sure he had a bob or two on him.” Stockdale was also full of praise for the horse who showed plenty of courage to charge his way through between horses. “It was tight and I had both horses coming in on me but credit to the horse as he had to punch through and still get the job done,” Stockdale said. “He took a long time to pull up after the post so I think he will be looking for further now. “He really liked the fast tempo throughout as he could camp off it and then present late. “He is gutsy and tough and has had a little bit of a blow after the line so he will come on with this one.” Captain Envious races in the colours of his breeders, Ultra Thoroughbred Racing. He is by Savabeel out of the Italian-bred mare My Central (Central Park), who won seven races including the Gr.3 Balanchine Stakes (1800m) in Dubai. All of the Central Park mare’s four foals to race have been winners, with Captain Envious the first to win at stakes level. My Central is also the granddam of Umgawa (Shamus Award), who has won four races and finished second in the Gr.3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) in Melbourne. He has now won six of his 19 starts and just over $648,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Racing on or near the pace has been a hallmark through most of Here To Shock’s (NZ) (Shocking) career, but the talented New Zealand-bred changed things up at Caulfield on Saturday and powered home from off the pace to win the Gr.3 Victoria Handicap (1400m). The accomplished six-year-old drew the outside gate in a field of 11 for Saturday’s A$200,000 feature, and rider Daniel Stackhouse elected to ease back and settle in the back half of the field as Edison (Fastnet Rock) set a solid pace in front. Here To Shock had only four behind him coming down the side of the track, but Stackhouse swooped widest of all around the home turn and went for gold. Here To Shock quickened powerfully down the middle of the track, hitting the lead with 100m remaining and striding clear to beat Seonee (Winning Rupert) by half a length. The Victoria Handicap was a new career high for the Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Here To Shock, who had previously won the Listed Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo and had also placed in the Gr.3 Sandown Stakes (1500m). “He deserved that win,” Stackhouse said. “He’s been ultra-consistent and he tries his best every time he goes out there. “We just had to take our medicine today from that gate. The pace was on, and he travelled lovely and gave me a sweet ride. He really accelerated off the corner and put them away nicely. It might be a new way to ride him. “He’s a good galloper and he can really let go. He’s maturing and learning to switch off and settle a bit better. Early on in his career, he was very keen and you couldn’t really slow him down. Now he’s a lot more versatile.” Sporting the colours of syndicator Slade Bloodstock, Here To Shock has now won eight of his 27 starts, earning more than A$680,000 in stakes. Rob Slade went to $70,000 to purchase the then colt out of the Lonhro mare Frescoes from the 2019 Cambridge Stud yearling draft at the Book 1 Sale at Karaka. Bred by The Sunlight Trust, Here To Shock is a half-brother to Listed winner Turn The Ace (NZ) (Turn Me Loose). View the full article

Promising three-year-old staying prospect Gold Wolf (NZ) (Tivaci) showed he could be a contender for the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) next month when he produced a strong finish to tip out fellow kiwi-bred galloper Antrim Coast (NZ) (Roc De Cambes) in a thrilling conclusion to the Listed Elvis Thurgood Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield. The David and Coral Feek-prepared son of Tivaci has come along in leaps and bounds of late after breaking his maiden status over 1600m at Moe in December. His continued development was evident with a strong display when finishing second in the Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m) in February. On this occasion rider Neil Farley had Gold Wolf settled and lobbing along nicely towards the rear of the field before commencing a move forward nearing the 600m. Bustled along by Farley, Gold Wolf cut the corner before weaving between runners as he chased down Antrim Coast who had looked the winner when he took over at the 200m. David Feek was quick to mention the heady ride by Farley as the large group of owners in the horse roared the house down as placings were confirmed. “We took the blinkers off today and we got a huge result for his connections and our team at home who put so much work into this one and the other horses we have in our small team,” Feek said. “Neil Farley gave him a peach of a ride and when he won his maiden at Moe, I told people we need a jockey like Neil as this is a very laid-back horse. “We put the blinkers on at Sandown last time and he ran erratically so we took them off and got a huge result today.” Feek is keen to lift his sights again with the horse, indicating a tilt at the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) in early May is a strong possibility, a race won in 2023 by another kiwi-bred in Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel). “He went fantastic in the Tasmanian Derby and he just continues to learn and is thriving,” Feek said. “The South Australian Derby is definitely an option but we will wait to see how he pulls up before making any decisions.” Farley was also excited with the win, his first at stakes level. “It’s my first black-type winner and I can’t believe it,” he said. “This horse is a big work in progress but he is starting to get the hang of it now. “It was a good strong win and it helped he had something to run down as he showed plenty of fight in doing that.” Bred by Mary Chittick out of stakes placed Rock ‘N’ Pop mare Gold Spice (NZ), Gold Wolf was purchased for $80,000 by Emerald Bloodstock from Waikato Stud’s Book 1 draft at Karaka in 2022 before being passed in later in the year at the Ready To Run Sale. Gold Wolf is from the third crop of Stud-based stallion Tivaci and becomes his fourth individual stakes winner. View the full article

Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray continued an outstanding season with their stayers when up-and-coming star Nereus (NZ) (Savabeel) powered home to win the Gr.2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday. The Cambridge-based training partnership completed a rare double in March with two-mile specialist Mahrajaan (Kitten’s Joy) victorious in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and Gr.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 $4.80 equal second-favourite behind the well-performed Arby (NZ) (Proisir). 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 (Mukhadram) and Langkawi (NZ) (Helmet). 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 (NZ) (Zacinto), 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 A$5 million Gr.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 (NZ) (Shocking) earned a place in the Gr.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.” Out of an unraced Pins mare Eudora (NZ), Nereus has earned $258,000 in stakes earnings for Waikato Stud. View the full article

Te Akau Racing produced the goods once again in a major two-year-old event when the highly touted Move To Strike (I Am Invincible) came with a powerful late burst to capture the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham. The son of I Am Invincible, who was purchased by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for A$525,000 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 (Star Witness) on New Year’s Day at Pukekohe followed, before a puzzling run for fifth in the Gr.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 (NZ) (Pierata) set up a solid pace in front, before Pinn began to circle the field on the home turn. Stablemate Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) 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. 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.” Move To Strike is raced by the Te Akau 2023 Stallion Breeding Syndicate and has now won over $340,000 for his connections from just four starts. View the full article

Brenton Avdulla has 24 Hong Kong wins this season. Brenton Avdulla hopes Howdeepisyourlove can add further lustre to a flourishing season when he partners John Size’s sprinter in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Riding in peak form after a pair of elite victories last month aboard California Spangle – the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on March 10 and the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) in Dubai last Saturday – Avdulla has posted 24 wins in Hong Kong this season. The Australian hopes Howdeepisyourlove can prevail this weekend against a field topped by Lucky Sweynesse as well as Lucky With You, Duke Wai, Flying Ace, Adios, Whizz Kid, Invincible Sage, Packing Treadmill, Nervous Witness and Tomodachi Kokoroe. “He (Howdeepisyourlove) is racing really well. Obviously, he didn’t miss by far the other day (when beaten a nose when second to Flying Ace),” Avdulla said. “He’s drawn a bit awkwardly (barrier 10), but I think he deserves his chance at this level and I’m sure he’ll measure up. He’s honest and now he’s back to the sprint trips, he’s racing really well. “I’ve got no doubt he can put his best foot forward and run really well. “I don’t think there’s much between (the horses) when you get to Class 1 or a bit better level here. Class 1 horses – they’re good horses anywhere. I expect he will continue to improve. He’s still only lightly raced and I think he’s got plenty of upside still available.” Avdulla believes barrier 10 is largely irrelevant because of Howdeepisyourlove’s racing pattern. “He’s not quick early any way. It (the barrier) won’t play a factor. He’ll probably be back a little bit. He’ll settle and relax and I hope there’ll be a good speed.,” he said. Entrenched in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship top five with 34 wins behind Zac Purton (87), Karis Teetan (60), Hugh Bowman (42) and Angus Chung (36), Andrea Atzeni will partner Frankie Lor-trained Lucky With You in the Sprint Cup. “He’s obviously a good ride. Hopefully we don’t get any rain. I think if the track is fast, we’ve got a nice draw (barrier three) – he’s been very consistent – if he turns up, he’ll be there or thereabouts,” the Italian said. Lucky With You has twice finished second at Group 1 level at Sha Tin this season behind Lucky Sweynesse in the Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on December 10 before chasing home Victor The Winner in the Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) on January 28. Atzeni will partner Super Sunny Sing in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) on Sunday when Chris So’s galloper searches for his fourth course and distance victory from six attempts despite drawing barrier 13. “The draw is a challenge, it’s not ideal,” Atzeni said. Russian Emperor heads the field with 128lb, while Beauty Eternal, Beauty Joy, Sword Point, Nimble Nimbus, Red Lion, Encountered, Healthy Happy, Money Catcher, Taj Dragon, Happy Together, Super Sunny Sing and The Best Peach will all carry 123lb. Horse racing news View the full article

Feroce remains unbeaten following his win at Caulfield. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli An outstanding few weeks for Waikato Stud’s freshman sire Super Seth continued at Caulfield on Saturday with the unbeaten Feroce winning. Feroce now boasts a two-from-two record and is one of two first-crop winners in Australia so far this season for Super Seth. His other Australian winner is the exciting Linebacker, who has also been successful in both of his starts including last Saturday’s Group 3 Baillieu Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill. Linebacker is being pointed towards the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick later this month. All eyes on Saturday were on Feroce, who delivered a first metropolitan winner for his trainer Dominic Sutton. Stepping up in class after winning on debut at Pakenham on March 21, Feroce settled on the outside of the front-running Invincible Beau until the home turn. Jockey Billy Egan pushed the button in the straight and Feroce dashed past Invincible Beau and opened up a clear lead. Perspiration produced a strong late finish to reduce the margin to half a length, but Feroce was never in any danger of defeat. “It’s hard to put into words,” said Sutton, who is in the early stages of his training career after a long tenure as foreman for Leon and Troy Corstens. “It’s pretty surreal and even more special that I have my father (Nick) over here from the UK. “It was an impressive win. It took him a little longer to get across than I expected – Invincible Beau kicked up on the inside there and just made us take our time to come across. But I loved the way that he dropped his head and settled once Billy asked him to come back. “He is still quite a raw horse and has a tendency to switch off in his gallops, so I think there is a lot of improvement still to come once he really learns to hit the line strong.” Bred by Pencarrow Stud, Feroce was purchased out of Kilgravin Lodge’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale draft for $160,000 by Sutton in partnership with McKeever Bloodstock. Feroce is a son of the unraced O’Reilly mare Corinthia and is a half-brother to the Listed Karaka Classic winner Siracusa and a member of the famed Eight Carat family. “He’s obviously a big strapping horse by a sire on the rise,” Sutton said. “You’ve got to take the gamble when you like a nice horse. We wanted to get some quality into the stable straight away and he’s that type of horse.” Horse racing news View the full article

Gold Wolf (red cap) heads Antrim Coast to win the Listed Galilee Series Final at Caulfield. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Promising three-year-old staying prospect Gold Wolf showed he could be a contender for the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) next month when he produced a strong finish to tip out fellow kiwi-bred galloper Antrim Coast in a thrilling conclusion to the Listed Elvis Thurgood Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield. The David and Coral Feek-prepared son of Tivaci has come along in leaps and bounds of late after breaking his maiden status over 1600m at Moe in December. His continued development was evident with a strong display when finishing second in the Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m) in February. On this occasion, rider Neil Farley had Gold Wolf settled and lobbing along nicely towards the rear of the field before commencing a move forward nearing the 600m. Bustled along by Farley, Gold Wolf cut the corner before weaving between runners as he chased down Antrim Coast, who had looked the winner when he took over at the 200m. David Feek was quick to mention the heady ride by Farley as the large group of owners in the horse roared the house down as placings were confirmed. “We took the blinkers off today and we got a huge result for his connections and our team at home who put so much work into this one and the other horses we have in our small team,” Feek said. “Neil Farley gave him a peach of a ride and when he won his maiden at Moe, I told people we need a jockey like Neil as this is a very laid-back horse. “We put the blinkers on at Sandown last time and he ran erratically so we took them off and got a huge result today.” Feek is keen to lift his sights again with the horse, indicating a tilt at the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) in early May is a strong possibility, a race won in 2023 by another kiwi-bred in Dunkel. “He went fantastic in the Tasmanian Derby and he just continues to learn and is thriving,” Feek said. “The South Australian Derby is definitely an option but we will wait to see how he pulls up before making any decisions.” Farley was also excited with the win, his first at stakes level. “It’s my first black-type winner and I can’t believe it,” he said. “This horse is a big work in progress but he is starting to get the hang of it now. “It was a good strong win and it helped he had something to run down as he showed plenty of fight in doing that.” Horse racing news View the full article

Here to Shock on his way to winning the Group 3 Victoria Handicap at Caulfield. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Racing on or near the pace has been a hallmark through most of Here To Shock’s career, but the talented New Zealand-bred changed things up at Caulfield on Saturday and powered home from off the pace to win the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m). The accomplished six-year-old drew the outside gate in a field of 11 for Saturday’s $200,000 feature, and rider Daniel Stackhouse elected to ease back and settle in the back half of the field as Edison set a solid pace in front. Here To Shock had only four behind him coming down the side of the track, but Stackhouse swooped widest of all around the home turn and went for gold. Here To Shock quickened powerfully down the middle of the track, hitting the lead with 100m remaining and striding clear to beat Seonee by half a length. 2024 Group 3 Victoria Handicap Replay – Here To Shock The Victoria Handicap was a new career high for the Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Here To Shock, who had previously won the Listed Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo and had also placed in the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m). “He deserved that win,” Stackhouse said. “He’s been ultra-consistent and he tries his best every time he goes out there. “We just had to take our medicine today from that gate. The pace was on, and he travelled lovely and gave me a sweet ride. He really accelerated off the corner and put them away nicely. It might be a new way to ride him. “He’s a good galloper and he can really let go. He’s maturing and learning to switch off and settle a bit better. Early on in his career, he was very keen and you couldn’t really slow him down. Now he’s a lot more versatile.” Horse racing news View the full article

Australian rider is ready to adapt to ‘sluggish’ start when he hops aboard the world’s highest-rated sprinter in Sunday’s Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m)View the full article

Facile grips on to claims the PJ Bell Stakes at Randwick. Photo: RacingNSW The Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou-trained Facile (+1000) has cruised to victory in the Randwick finale on Saturday, proving too good for the girls in the P J Bell Stakes (1200m). It topped off a career day by Tyler Schiller, giving him a stakes double for the afternoon, saluting aboard Celestial Legend in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) earlier in the program. It was a perfectly rated front-running ride aboard the daughter of Trapeze Artist, as Schiller was able to tick-over some soft midrace sectionals to give a final kick with a furlong left to travel. Commemorative (+290) was well-backed prior to the jump and didn’t get a lot of luck when the whips were cracking, while Infancy (+1600) launched a late challenge down the centre of the course under Dylan Gibbons, with the young guns left to fight out the finish. It was all about the winner in the end, as Facile held off all challengers to claim her second career win. 2024 Group 3 PJ Bell Stakes Replay – Facile Co-trainer Gerald Ryan was on course to discuss the victory and spoke to what the win means. “A lot of satisfaction,” said Ryan. “I trained the mum, I trained the father. She has always promised a lot, a couple of good fillies beat her in races as a two-year-old.” “She had a setback with a (bone) chip then I probably trained her too hard in the spring, trying to make her run 1400. “After her second run here when she missed the start and she wasn’t one hundred per cent happy, I said to the crew, ‘we’ll freshen her up and aim her at this race, whack the blinkers on and see how we go’. “Tyler was confident. He came out on Tuesday week ago and rode her in a jump out and rode another two fillies, we had three in work. I gave him the pick and he picked her ten days ago.” Tyler Schiller was delighted with the win as well. “It makes a good day even better,” said Schiller. “It’s good to win on her. Last start she was a little bit tardy away, she’s a bit of a temperamental mare. “To get a Group win on the board for her, it’s a big credit for her. The team has done well. “She had a really good kick up the rise. I was surprised that one actually got that close to her.” Horse racing news View the full article

Chris Waller finally conquered one of the few remaining Group 1 races missing from his trophy cabinet. Riff Rocket, ridden masterfully by James McDonald, stormed to victory in the 2024 Australian Derby results, solidifying Waller’s place as a racing legend. Riff Rocket completed the 2024 Rosehill Guineas – Australian Derby double with a narrow win for the punters in the latter at Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart. The victory marked a historic moment, with Riff Rocket becoming only the fourth horse to achieve the coveted interstate Derby double (Victoria Derby & Australian Derby). He joins an elite company alongside Dulcify, Mahogany, and the other most recent Hitotsu (2021/22). The American Pharoah gelding had been enjoying a phenomenal lead-up to the Derby. Fresh off wins in two of his three autumn starts, including the Rosehill Guineas, he was primed for a strong showing. This time around, with McDonald back in the saddle after their successful partnership in the VRC Derby last November, Riff Rocket thrived over the 2400m distance. McDonald executed a brilliant ride, holding his position close to the inside and saving crucial ground throughout the race. This strategy proved decisive in the thrilling final stretch. Riff Rocket found the perfect opening, surging past the brave frontrunner, Glad You Think So (a surprise $91 outsider trained by John Sargent), and holding off the late charge by Ceolwulf. Despite starting as the favourite ($2.20), the victory wasn’t without its challenges. Ceolwulf, trained by Joe Pride, forced Riff Rocket to work hard, mirroring their previous encounter in the Rosehill Guineas where Ceolwulf finished runner-up. Again, Riff Rocket wouldn’t be denied. Glad You Think So, with a commendable on-pace performance, held on for a distant third place, completing the Australian Derby trifecta. This victory adds another feather to Waller’s already impressive cap, etching his name even deeper in racing history as a 160-time Group 1 winning trainer. 2024 Australian Derby Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 1 RIFF ROCKET Chris Waller James McDonald 8 56.5kg $2.20F 2 3 CEOLWULF (NZ) Joseph Pride Blake Shinn 0.34L 4 56.5kg $7 3 9 GLAD YOU THINK SO John Sargent Ms Rachel King 4.47L 3 56.5kg $91 4 2 TOM KITTEN James Cummings Adam Hyeronimus 5.13L 2 56.5kg $7 5 6 IMMEDIACY (NZ) Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Luke Currie 6.01L 11 56.5kg $10 6 4 CAP FERRAT Chris Waller Nash Rawiller 6.03L 5 56.5kg $14 7 7 WYMARK (NZ) Michael Freedman Tommy Berry 6.13L 12 56.5kg $6.50 8 8 NOISY BOY Todd Howlett Jay Ford 9.12L 6 56.5kg $31 9 5 GANBARE Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 9.59L 1 56.5kg $21 10 10 ADAGIO Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Regan Bayliss 12.4L 9 56.5kg $81 11 11 ZENMASTER Craig Carmody Chad Schofield 24.66L 7 56.5kg $201 12 12 HOOLIGAN TOMMY (NZ) John Sargent Jason Collett 29.84L 10 56.5kg $61 14 ZARDOZI James Cummings Ms Jamie Kah 0 13 SAXON BRAVE Daiki Chujo Joshua Parr 0 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Waller Completes Double as Riff Rocket Rockets to Victory in Australian Derby 2024 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Les Bridge etched his name deeper into Doncaster Mile history, training Celestial Legend to a thrilling victory in the 2024 edition of the prestigious race. This marked Bridge’s second Doncaster Mile win, an incredible feat achieved 39 years after his first triumph with Row Of Waves in 1985. Doncaster Mile 2024 winner Celestial Legend was enormous late down the outside to post his third straight win. Photo: Steve Hart. The Group 1 $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m) on Day 1 of The Championships boasted a stellar line-up, but it was the classy three-year-old Celestial Legend who soared to the top. “This is some horse, believe me,” Bridge declared after the emotional win. “I’ve had a lot of good horses, but this horse is unbelievable.” Celestial Legend cemented his dominance with this victory, completing a Sydney triple after his prior wins in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes and the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (over 1400m and 1600m respectively). Following his demanding performance in the Randwick Guineas, Bridge strategically eased him back into training before the Doncaster at the same distance. This proved to be a masterstroke, as Celestial Legend thrived with the weight reduction from 56.5kg to a mere 49kg. “I knew he hadn’t gone backwards,” Bridge explained. “I just gave him a nice easy trial. I just love the horse.” A crucial jockey change saw Tyler Schiller take the reins in place of Kerrin McEvoy on the light weight. Schiller executed a masterful ride, coming from an unlikely position to steal the show in a dramatic finish. The early stages saw Phearson take the lead from a wide barrier, while the top-weighted Think About It made a strong push around the home turn. Another Wil, the Prelude winner, also loomed as a threat entering the straight. The James Cummings-trained Pericles ($41) emerged as a surprise contender, while Chris Waller‘s three-time Group 1 winner Militarize ($11) displayed his customary fighting spirit, launching a late charge up the inside. However, all eyes were drawn to the far outside as Celestial Legend ($6.50) unleashed a powerful surge, overtaking Pericles in a heart-stopping photo finish. Militarize continued his consistent run this season by securing third place, adding another top-level placing to his record. “I didn’t think he could win,” Bridge admitted, still in disbelief. “I thought ‘he won’t get out.’ They just don’t do that, do they? He’s terrific. He’s a superstar.” 2024 Doncaster Mile Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 19 CELESTIAL LEGEND Les Bridge Tyler Schiller 4 49kg $6.50 2 3 PERICLES James Cummings Blake Shinn 0.67L 14 54.5kg $41 3 4 MILITARIZE (NZ) Chris Waller Zac Purton 0.71L 3 54kg $11 4 21e NUGGET (GB) Ciaron Maher Declan Bates 0.75L 7 51.5kg $26 5 22e HINGED Chris Waller Craig Williams 1.91L 12 50kg (cd 51kg) $21 6 8 DETONATOR JACK (NZ) Ciaron Maher Tim Clark 2.1L 1 52.5kg $12 7 18 ANOTHER WIL Ciaron Maher Ms Jamie Kah 2.38L 16 50kg $3.60F 8 13 DEMOCRACY MANIFEST Chris Waller Jay Ford 2.73L 9 51kg $18 9 7 KOVALICA (NZ) Chris Waller Tommy Berry 2.75L 10 53.5kg $20 10 10 RUSTIC STEEL Kris Lees Regan Bayliss 2.88L 5 52kg (cd 52.5kg) 1.0kg $51 11 1 THINK ABOUT IT Joseph Pride Sam Clipperton 3.22L 13 57kg $21 12 15 LOCH EAGLE Kris Lees Dylan Gibbons (a) 3.27L 18 51kg (cd 52kg) $101 13 2 OBAMBURUMAI (JPN) Keiji Yoshimura Damian Lane 3.42L 6 55kg $8 14 9 BERKSHIRE SHADOW (GB) Ciaron Maher Andrew Adkins 3.8L 11 52.5kg $101 15 16 LINDERMANN Chris Waller Zac Lloyd (a) 3.88L 17 50.5kg $16 16 24e PALMETTO (NZ) John Sargent Ms Molly Bourke (a) 3.94L 2 51kg $151 17 23e NAVAJO PEAK David Payne Ms Rachel King 8.82L 15 52.5kg $101 18 12 LADY LAGUNA Annabel Neasham Michael Dee 11.27L 8 51kg $11 19 14 PHEARSON Brad Widdup Ron Stewart 15.45L 19 51kg 1.0kg $151 17 SEMANA Ciaron Maher Andrew Adkins 0 20 SOUTHPORT TYCOON Ciaron Maher Ms Rachel King 0 5 ZOUGOTCHA Chris Waller Craig Williams 0 2.0kg 11 ATTRACTABLE Sara Ryan Reece Jones 0 6 GOLDEN MILE James Cummings Jason Collett 0 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Bridge Back in the Winner’s Circle: Celestial Legend Claims 2024 Doncaster Mile Glory appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

James McDonald lifts Riff Rocket to victory in the Group 1 ATC Derby. Photo: RacingNSW Riff Rocket (+125) proved too classy in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, picking up his third Group 1 victory for the Chris Waller barn. The son of American Pharoah was impressive in the spring, getting the head down in the Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m), and appears to be an even better horse this autumn, winning the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) before making it back-to-back Derby successes. With the early withdrawal of James Cummings-trained filly Zardozi, all the market support was in favour of the Chris Waller-trained gelding, and the steer from James McDonald was a confident one. He elected to race towards the rear of the field throughout, allowing the likes of Glad You Think So (+8000) and Wymark (+550) to set a genuine tempo throughout the 2400m journey. Tom Kitten ($6.50) appeared to have the run of the race in behind the speed, while the eventual runner-up, Ceolwulf (+600), was asked to make a long-sustained run down the centre of the course. McDonald eventually got the split back towards the inside when the race went on, powering to the front, getting the better of a very game Ceolwulf, who would have to settle for the minor money along with Glad You Think so whacking away on speed. 2024 Group 1 ATC Derby Replay – Riff Rocket It’s only the fourth time a three-year-old has done the VRC/Australian Derby double and Chris Waller spoke to the achievement in the aftermath. “It’s pretty special,” said Waller. “Simple as that, and these guys (owner Debbie Kepitis and the Ingham family) were here before I had the first Group 1 winner, so it’s fitting. “I don’t cry as much as I used to but this one’s pretty special. “He’s done a great job, he’s an amazing horse, he puts himself into the race at the right time. “Amazing ride from James. He didn’t panic being back there, it was a truly-run Derby and we had that question mark over his staying ability, but how dare we? “He’d won a Victorian Derby, he’s by American Pharoah, who’s a Derby winner and went beyond that in the Preakness and the Belmont for the Triple Crown. I guess that’s where he gets his stamina.” James McDonald apparently took notes out the Tyler Schiller playbook when referencing his victory aboard Riff Rocket. “I got inspired by Tyler’s ride (On Celestial Legend),” said McDonald. “What he can do I can do better. “I was (worried) at the 300, because he didn’t spend a penny getting there but I could feel he was out on his feet because the distance range is as far as he wants but his will to win, tenacity and finding the line is incredible. “It’s definitely not his trip, that’s for sure, he was out on his feet but he’s tough. He doesn’t know how to run a bad race, he wears his heart on his sleeve, he’s solid as a rock this horse and you’d love him at war with you.” Horse racing news View the full article