Wandering Eyes

Gold prices have surged this year as investors seek safe investments amid a spike in economic uncertainty unleashed by US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. But economists say that there is another important factor driving the rally: purchases by central banks. In this explainer, we explore why central banks are increasingly turning to gold assets, how that is driving a long-term structural shift in demand for the metal, and what that means for gold prices going forward. Why are central...View the full article

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Broken bodies, shattered minds: lasting toll of Singapore Airlines turbulence 2. Anwar Ibrahim mints a dynasty – but Malaysia’s youth aren’t buying it 3. North Korean warship launch flops before Kim Jong-un, a blow to his ‘prestige’ 4. How India and Pakistan are...View the full article

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for deeper exchanges and trade cooperation with Malaysia, urging the two countries to safeguard free trade and the global trading system. In a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, Li said China was willing to maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication and enhance cultural cooperation with Malaysia. He also urged the two countries to continue expanding trade and investment cooperation, focusing on...View the full article

The excitement is building for the Group 1 $1 million Ladbrokes Queensland Derby (2400m) this Saturday at Eagle Farm, as a capacity field of promising three-year-old stayers assemble for Brisbane’s lucrative mile and a half feature. Heading the competitive betting markets is Emma-Lee & David Browne‘s classy grey, Statuario, holding narrow favouritism at $6 through […] The post Statuario Heads Ladbrokes Queensland Derby 2025 Field & Betting appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Members of the North Korean community in Japan have accused Tokyo of systematically undermining ethnic Korean schools through funding cuts – echoing Pyongyang’s denunciation of the policy as a “violation of human rights” – in a long-running dispute shaped by Tokyo’s colonial rule and bitter divisions over identity and loyalty. Senior members of Chosen Soren – the pro-Pyongyang organisation representing North Korean residents of Japan – are “very angry and dissatisfied” and have urged Tokyo to...View the full article

Hong Kong stocks erased gains amid concerns that escalating competition among China’s leading carmakers and e-commerce operators will hurt margins and prompt investors to retreat. The Hang Seng Index fell 0.2 per cent to 23,241.23 at the local noon trading break on Tuesday, reversing an earlier gain of as much as 0.4 per cent. The Hang Seng Tech Index lost 0.6 per cent. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index slipped 0.3 per cent while the Shanghai Composite Index declined 0.7 per cent. BYD tumbled...View the full article

A less-than-stellar start and a sloppy track did nothing to stop Komorebino Omoide (JPN) from proving he was much the best in the $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile (G3) May 26 at Lone Star Park.View the full article

Right after winning the Gamely Stakes with Be Your Best, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. added the Hollywood Gold Cup with Skippylongstocking.View the full article

Arriving stateside early last year, King of Gosford's steady rise up the ranks culminated in a powerful late move that carried the 4-year-old Zoustar colt to victory in the $302,000 Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

After a meteoric rise in the US and Southeast Asia, Pop Mart International’s latest iteration of its hit Labubu character is winning deep-pocketed fans in the Middle East, a fresh sign that the Beijing-based toymaker’s ambition to become a “truly global company” is gaining momentum. Google trend data shows that interest in the character surged in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after the April 25 launch of the latest Big Into Energy series. Among the largest emirates, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah...View the full article

If one could look up the word 'workmanlike' in racing's lexicon, it surely would have a picture of Alonso Daniel's Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator). And the 6-year-old one again proved that he fits the bill with a professional one-length score over Midnight Mammoth (Midnight Lute) in the GII Hollywood Gold Cup on Santa Anita's Memorial Day card. Installed the 4-5 choice following a third in the nine-furlong GII Oaklawn Handicap Apr. 19, the two-time GII Charles Town Classic winner broke cleanly and settled in an even-tempo fifth as Packs a Wahlop (Creative Cause) strode to the front through a :22.55 opening quarter. Midnight Mammoth soon pressed the issue with Skippylongstocking and Tarantino (Pioneerof the Nile) in close pursuit following a half in :46.33, and the frontrunner began to get a bit rubber-legged after throwing down three quarters in 1:10.87. Taking over nearing the quarter pole, Midnight Mammoth was quickly collared by the oncoming favorite, and straightening for home, there was never any doubt who was best on the day as the Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee crossed the wire 3/4 of a length ahead of Midnight Mammoth. Second choice Extensive (City of Light) closed to get third while Tarantino rounded out the Super. “He relaxed for me beautifully,” Irad Ortiz Jr. said. “We were planning to stay back and not be on the lead. I was happy where he was and he went on from there. The horse on the inside [Midnight Mammoth] was fighting back and my horse was fighting back as well.” Ortiz Jr. and Joseph Jr. also teamed up to win the GI Gamely Stakes with Be Your Best (Ire) earlier on the card. Skippylongstocking registered wins in the GIII West Virginia Derby and Harlan's Holiday Stakes at three, but also managed third-place efforts in the GI Belmont and GII Wood Memorial during his sophomore season. After pulling up in last year's GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational, the bay won his next two, including the GII Oaklawn Handicap. Third in the GI Stephen Foster, he finished off the board in the GI Whitney but rebounded to score by 5 3/4 lengths in Charles Town. Runner up in the GII Woodward, Skippylongstocking rounded out the season with a sixth in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar. This term, he came home third behind stablemate White Abarrio (Race Day) in the Pegasus before repeating in Tampa in the Challenger, however, he couldn't follow up with another win in the Oaklawn Handicap, and had to settle for third. “He's just a hard knocking horse who takes his track with him everywhere he goes,” Joseph, Jr. said. “He's a sound horse and he's very strong mentally. We'll be forever grateful for him.” Pedigree Notes: In foal to Liam's Map, dam Twinkling was a $42,000 purchase at the OBS January Sale in 2018. For breeder Brushy Hill, the War Chant mare produced a trio of winners, including GSP Moonlite Strike (Liam's Map) and SW Olivia Twist (Mshawish). Responsible for a filly by Authentic in 2023–later a $550,000 buy at Keeneland September–and she dropped a filly by Not This Time last season. She was barren to a Curlin cover for this season. Monday, Santa Anita HOLLYWOOD GOLD CUP S.-GII, $201,000, Santa Anita, 5-26, 3yo/up, 1 1/4m, 2:01.64, ft. 1–SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING, 124, h, 6, by Exaggerator 1st Dam: Twinkling, by War Chant 2nd Dam: Unhurried, by Out of Place 3rd Dam: Laughing Erin, by Irish Castle ($15,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $37,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR). O-Daniel Alonso; B-Brushy Hill, LLC (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $120,000. Lifetime Record: MGISP, 32-11-3-7, $3,661,610. *1/2 to Olivia Twist (Mshawish), SW & GSP, $321,579; 1/2 to Moonlite Strike (Liam's Map), SW & GSP, $175,205. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Midnight Mammoth, 124, g, 6, Midnight Lute–Taker Home, by Vindication. ($70,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR). O-Jeffrey Sengara; B-Pedro Gonzalez & Jorge Herrera (KY); T-Craig Dollase. $40,000. 3–Extensive, 122, c, 4, City of Light–Clothes Fall Off, by Daaher. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-Cheyenne Stable LLC; B-Candy Meadows LLC (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. $24,000. Margins: 3/4, 6, 2 1/4. Odds: 0.80, 12.20, 1.90. Also Ran: Tarantino, Il Bellator, Packs a Wahlop, Arrowthegreat. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuelTV. The post Skippylongstocking Back on Top in the Hollywood Gold Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mike Ryan's homebred Be Your Best dominated the $300,000 Gamely Stakes (G1T) to win by 2 3/4 lengths, earning her first grade 1 victory and first ever win at Santa Anita for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.View the full article

Emily Murphy brings you Winter Weigh In, your place for Thoroughbred racing news, reviews and insights throughout the colder months. Hamish McNeill is in the chair to review the jumps action from the weekend. Then Sam Weatherley joins us from Brisbane to look at the action from Australia and give his assessment of Pier. Winter Weigh In, May 26 View the full article

Ace High filly She’s A Dealer (Ace High) will keep ticking over until her Classic aspirations become clear. The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained three-year-old was a gallant runner-up at Randwick on Saturday, but her chances of a start in the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) remain unclear. She’s A Dealer pleased connections in her Australian debut over 1800m on a heavy track under regular rider George Rooke in Rich Hill Stud’s colours. “We just don’t know yet whether she’ll make the Oaks field,” farm principal John Thompson said. “She’ll stay in Sydney until the field is released on Tuesday week and we can ship her up to Brisbane if she gets in. “If she doesn’t, we’ll make a decision whether we leave her in Sydney for another run or bring her home.” She’s A Dealer was co-bred by Rich Hill and Peter Merton, who race her with Mark Neill, Richard Kidd and Ian Hart. Following a below par debut run, she had reeled off consecutive wins at Ellerslie and Te Rapa to earn a trip across the Tasman. “She fought on pretty well and we were happy with the run, that’s for sure. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens next,” Thompson said. On the domestic scene, Rich Hill graduate Uderzo (NZ) (Vadamos) was an emphatic all-the-way winner of the open 1600m handicap at Te Rapa on Saturday for the fifth success of the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained gelding’s career. The son of Vadamos was bred by Thompson and school friend Merton and sold to Wexford Stables at Karaka for $125,000. Uderzo is out of the Pentire mare Etosha Lass, who has a retained two-year-old filly by Proisir and a weanling colt by Ace High. “The Proisir is in pre-training, we’re not rushing her and haven’t selected a trainer yet,” Thompson said. “The mare is empty and we haven’t made a decision for this year, she’s got a bit of age on her now and we’ll have a chat about it.” Thompson is currently on the Gold Coast for this week’s National Broodmare Sale, having already made a A$250,000 purchase out of Glenesk Thoroughbreds’ draft at the recent Inglis Chairman’s Sale. “She’s by Pierro, a lovely maiden mare off the track called Poifect and will come back and go to Satono Aladdin,” he said. Poifect was trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes and won four of her 14 starts, including the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m). She is out of the winning Flying Spur mare Without Exception, whose brother Krupt was successful in the Gr.2 Todman Stakes (1200m) and half-sister Anevay won the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m). View the full article

A quarter of a length away from being perfect in his last three starts at a mile, King of Gosford (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) came from off the pace to take Monday's GII Hollywood Gold Cup at Santa Anita. Reserved toward the back rounding the first turn, Flavien Prat bided his time as the free-running Goliad (War Front) led early. Coming alive down the lane, the GII Mathis Mile winner got up just in time to best Mi Hermano Ramon (Creative Cause) with Cabo Spirit a nose back in third. Favored Formidable Man (City of Light) was fourth. Final time for the race was 1:33.52. Lifetime Record: GISP, 17-6-3-2, $719,692. O-Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, sal Gevertz, Michael Nentwig and J Peskoff; B-The Miss Sugars Partnership (GB); T-P D'Amato The post Zoustar’s King of Gosford Takes the Shoemaker Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hong Kong’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has confirmed it has no plans to introduce single-pilot operations in the cockpit but admitted it had engaged with aircraft manufacturers regarding enhanced automation, which could lead to reduced crew operations in the future. The airline made its position clear to the Post after the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association (HKAOA), the airline’s pilot union, urged the city’s regulators, airlines and the public to reject single-pilot operations. The...View the full article

3Coins, an Osaka-based retailer, plans to open an outlet in Causeway Bay, joining a list of Japanese businesses that are finding value amid a slump in Hong Kong’s retail real estate market. 3Coins will open its first store in mid-July in Hysan Place and will carry Japanese products including grocery items, according to a Monday statement from Yaichi Group, a partner of the retailer. 3Coins was founded in 1994 and now has 365 stores across Japan. The size of the company’s store in Hong Kong was...View the full article

The United States’ global tariff war has done no harm to trade and cooperation between other countries. It has prompted and energised them to nurture and develop their own relations. The uncertainty that has riled markets and troubled business has therefore had a silver lining. There is no better example in this part of the world than China – the world’s second-largest economy – and Indonesia, the biggest economy in Southeast Asia, which is also China’s biggest market. Premier Li Qiang has just...View the full article

Members of Hong Kong’s trail running community have described the local athletics association’s decision to host a world championship qualifying race in May as “crazy and dangerous”, saying it put runners’ health at risk. On Sunday, hundreds of athletes competed in a 62.4km (38.8-mile) race at the Hong Kong Trail Championships in Tai Mei Tuk, chasing qualification for the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Spain in September. There was also a short-course race of 34.3km, and an...View the full article

Huawei Technologies is pushing for wider support of its Ascend artificial intelligence (AI) processor-based, high-performance computing architecture – called Supernode 384 – that is touted as a rival to the structure used in US semiconductor firm Nvidia’s NVL72 system in alleviating bottlenecks for data centres. “As the scale of parallel processing grows, cross-machine bandwidth in traditional server architectures has become a critical bottleneck for training,” said Zhang Dixuan, president of...View the full article

Talk of a possible US troop reduction in South Korea is fuelling anxiety in Seoul ahead of the June 3 snap presidential election, with analysts warning that Washington’s shifting defence priorities could reshape the alliance amid rising regional tensions, posing an early test for the next administration. With just over a week until South Koreans head to the polls, concerns have been reignited over the long-debated issue of “strategic flexibility” – the idea that US Forces Korea (USFK) might be...View the full article

Sent off the 2-1 favorite to regain the winning thread, Mike Ryan's Be Your Best (Ire) (Muharaar {GB}–Kamakura, by Medaglia d'Oro), named a 'TDN Rising Star' after a debut win at the Spa in the summer of 2022, ran away to a four-length victory in Monday's GI Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita. Sent to the front quickly by Irad Ortiz Jr. from post 8, the 5-year-old mare led comfortably through :22.99, :46.15 and 1;09.75 splits. In control turning for home, this season's GI Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner cruised home a confident winner over GSW Lady Claypoole (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). Ligurua (War Front) rounded out the trifecta. Final time for the nine-furlong test was 1:46.26. Lifetime Record: 20-6-3-2, $1,086,559. O-Mike Ryan; B-St Croix Bloodstock (IRE); T-Saffie Joseph Jr. The post TDN Rising Star Be Your Best Dominates in Santa Anita’s Gamely appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Returning from a six-month layoff, Two Sharp rocketed out of the gate and saved enough energy for the wire as she won the $250,000 Winning Colors Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs May 26.View the full article

Rigney Racing LLC's 'TDN Rising Star' Two Sharp (Twirling Candy–Double Sharp, by Distorted Humor) went to the front right from the onset and was not to be caught late, rolling home a three-length winner in Monday's GIII Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs. Carving out opening fractions of :21.14 and :43.99 as MGSW Hope Road (Quality Road) and GISW Brightwork (Outwork) pursued, the GIII Chilukki Stakes winner dug in down the stretch and couldn't be caught late en route to a confident victory. Final time for the 6-furlong test was 1:08.75. The 4-year-old was a $925,000 Keeneland September sale purchase. Lifetime Record: 6-4-2-0, $516,698. O-Rigney Racing LLC; B-Woods Edge Farm (KY); T-Phil Bauer. Monday, Churchill Downs WINNING COLORS S.-GIII, $250,000, Churchill Downs, 5-26, 4yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:08.75, ft. 1–TWO SHARP, 118, f, 4, by Twirling Candy 1st Dam: Double Sharp, by Distorted Humor 2nd Dam: Bsharpsonata, by Pulpit 3rd Dam: Apasionata Sonata, by Affirmed 'TDN Rising Star' ($925,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Rigney Racing LLC; B-Woods Edge Farm LLC (KY); T-Philip A Bauer; J-Junior Alvarado. $151,520. Lifetime Record: 6-4-2-0, $518,218. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Benedetta, 118, f, 4, City of Light–Tessie Flip, by Grand Slam. ($290,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP; $750,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR). O-Kaleem Shah Inc; B-Springhouse Farm & Dromoland Farm (KY); T-Steven M Asmussen. $49,200. 3–Hope Road, 118, f, 4, Quality Road–Marley's Freedom, by Blame. ($575,000 RNA Ylg '22 FTSAUG). O/B-Cicero Farms LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $24,600. Margins: 3HF, 3/4, HF. Odds: 1.91, 23.48, 0.85. Also Ran: Brightwork, Mink's Palace, Miss Arlington, Into Champagne. Scratched: Easy Red, Harbor Springs. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Twirling Candy’s Two Sharp Scampers off to Victory in Churchill’s Winning Colors appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Brilliant Berti returns May 31 in the $275,000 Arlington Stakes (G3T) going 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs, a course where he is a perfect 4-for-4. He will take on Carl Pollard's Mercante, recently second in the May 3 Turf Classic Stakes (G1T).View the full article