Wandering Eyes

Ballydoyle has sent out 10 winners of the Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1), but none had as stellar a juvenile campaign as Lake Victoria, who lines up against 11 rivals at the Curragh May 25.View the full article

Only Cirrus des Aigles in 2014 has completed the Prix Ganay-Prix d'Ispahan double this century, but Sosie will attempt to buck that trend May 25 having been supplemented to the 1 3/16-mile Prix d'Ispahan (G1) at Longchamp.View the full article

Kentucky Derby hero Sovereignty (Into Mischief) was out over Saratoga's Oklahoma training track Saturday morning as his preparations for the GI Belmont Stakes continued while a fleet of Grade I hopefuls also put in their works for respective contests. Putting in his second move since winning the nation's top prize for sophomores in early May, the Godolphin homebred went in company with fellow Grade I-winner Arthur's Ride (Tapit)–the pair clocking five panels in 1:02.54 (4/5) and 1:02.94 (5/5), respectively. Sovereignty started two lengths behind the grey and to his outside. NYRA clockers caught sectionals of 12 2/5, 25 1/5, and 37 4/5 before the Derby winner overtook his workmate through the turn and inched ahead at the end of the work. His gallop out was caught in 1:17 flat and 1:33.10. “I thought it was good,” trainer Bill Mott said back at his barn. “He was a little strong in the warm-up. When he [Poznansky] tipped him out, he kind of went right to the other horse. He had him in behind to begin, and he went well.” Since Sovereignty's return to the track, Mott says he's noted a change in his charge's overall demeanor since claiming the roses. He expects the colt to have another breeze before the Belmont. “He's almost a little more aggressive,” Mott said. “It [the Derby] hasn't set him back. He's just getting a little stronger than he was. He wasn't quite that strong [before the Derby].” Regarding Arthur's Ride, who has not started since finishing well back in last November's GI Breeders' Cup Classic, Mott noted it was only his fifth work since that race last year. “I thought he went well the first five-eighths–he probably got a little tired. He hasn't had that many works.” It wasn't just the elite colts on the Oklahoma track Saturday as the Mott barn also sent out MGSW & MGISP Scylla (Tapit) to work four furlongs in company with GSW Resilience (Into Mischief). The pair rolled through the breeze in :48.25, the joint second-fastest of 21 that morning. Scylla is under consideration for the GII Bed o' Roses Stakes June 6 during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Grade I Trio, Two from Brown barn and One for Weaver, Work over Oklahoma Trainer Chad Brown sent out three horses Saturday morning for half-mile works over the Oklahoma training track–MGISW Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie), MGISW Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro), and GSP Praetor (Into Mischief), who worked with the former while the latter went alone. The pair were clocked in :48.65 (4/21) and the solo went in :49.95 (9/21). Geaorge Weaver's GI Matriarch Stakes victress Sacred Wish (Not This Time) also went a half-mile in :51.25 in her first work since finishing seventh in the GII Churchill Distaff Turf Mile May 3. Hill Road (rail) works in company with Lordship (outside) | Susie Raisher Hill Road Leads Breezers on the Belmont Park Training Track Downstate from Saratoga, but seeing their fair share of elite horses in the morning, the Belmont Park training track was also busy Saturday with Chad Brown's GI Belmont Stakes hopeful Hill Road (Quality Road) leading the parade of workers. Out for his first breeze since winning the GIII Peter Pan Stakes in dramatic fashion May 10, the colt went in company with Lordship (Gun Runner)–who was sporting blinkers for the first time–as the pair clocked four furlongs in :48.75 (43/153). The effort was everything Brown wanted to see from his Belmont contender. “[Hill Road] worked super, I'm really pleased with him,” said Brown. “He had a nice gallop-out. He is coming along really well. He came out of his last race really well.” “I put this horse Lordship on the outside of him, they were a good match, they galloped out strong. They are two endurance type horses that are kind of stayers.” Brown continued, “I just wanted a steady work but with a strong gallop-out. These are staying horses that the best part of their works and races will be the late stages, I liked what I saw around the turn galloping out. He is very fit now, Hill Road. He is in a good part of his form cycle. I'm just looking to maintain where I'm at with that horse.” The conditioner also provided some future targets for Juddmonte's homebred Garamond (Uncle Mo), who most notably defeated the well-met Bob Baffert runner Cornucopian (Into Mischief) in an optional claimer Apr. 27. The colt is being pointed to the Listed NYRA Bets Pegasus Stakes June 14 at Monmouth with an eye on an eventual start in the GI NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes July 19. “He's heading over to the Pegasus at Monmouth,” said Brown. “For the time being, I'm hoping he turns into a Haskell horse, I don't want to upend that plan.” Macho Music Prepares for Woody Stephens at Churchill GSW Macho Music (Maclean's Music), winner of the GII Pat Day Mile on the Kentucky Derby undercard, worked Friday with an eye toward a next start in the GI Woody Stephens June 7 during the Belmont Stakes Festival. In his first breeze back since his 3 1/4-length score, he clocked five panels in 1:00.60 over the training track, the best of two on the morning. Trainer Rohan Crichton was happy with what he saw from Macho Music. “It was good. He worked really well,” said Crichton, who is looking to claim his first win at the elite level. “Julien Leparoux worked him and said he galloped out really well. We are happy, and he cooled out well, so we are moving forward.” Crichton continued, “It was really gratifying to see him run that way [in the Pat Day]. That was our biggest win for sure, no doubt.” “I think he is getting ready to put in another good run. He's come out of that race full of energy and focus, and he's doing really well. We are probably going to sit chilly in Louisville due to weather and ship to Saratoga after his next work.” View the full article

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"Bring on Via Sistina and the Cox Plate" was the bold call from trainer Tony Gollan and jockey Blake Shinn after Antino broke a 9-year-old course record with a slashing triumph in May 24 Doomben Cup (G1) in Australia.View the full article

1st-Churchill Downs, $118,575, Msw, 5-24, 3yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:35.89, ft, nose. SWEET SERAPHINE (f, 3, Quality Road–Venetian Sonata, by Bernardini) debuted as a 2-year-old at Ellis Park last August, finishing a respectable third just 1 1/2 lengths behind a pair of classy fillies in last weekend's GIII Miss Preakness Stakes winner Echo Sound (Echo Town) and Evanescence (Munnings), who ran third in the GII Eight Belles Stakes on Kentucky Oaks day to start the month. Not seen since that effort and now coming off the nine-month layoff, the 2-1 favorite added Lasix Saturday to open the Churchill card. Drawn in the middle of the eight-horse field, Sweet Seraphine was content to lay off the pace and track up the outside out of the chute and onto the backstretch. Angling down to take the shortest route around the far turn, she really picked the bridle up past the quarter pole and bid between horses just off the rail to try and reel in late leader Shewontbudge (Army Mule). That pair came to the line together with Sweet Seraphine just getting her nose on the wire first to graduate second time out. Venetian Sonata, also the dam of Moonlight d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), GSW, $222,670, GII Adirondack Stakes third Olive Branch (Speightstown) and GII Starlet Stakes runner up Flynn's Chance (Medaglia d'Oro), sold to Stonehaven Steadings for $170,000 at KEEJAN back in 2013 and has produced four winners from six to the track. The dam is herself a half to A.P. Sonata (A.P. Indy) who sold for $1.1m to Whisper Hill as a yearling and would produce MGSW Grand Sonata (Medaglia d'Oro) while another half-sister, In the Moonlight (Tapit), is responsible for GSW Ballerina d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro). This is also the family of champion 3-year-old filly and GI Kentucky Oaks winner Abel Tasman (Quality Road). Venetian Sonata's 2-year-old Curlin filly, now named Sonare, brought $425,000 at KEESEP last year and the mare reported an Uncle Mo filly this season. Sales History: $900,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $75,755. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Stonehaven Steadings (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux. PHOTO FINISH! Sweet Seraphine gets her nose down at the wire to win Race 1 for @jose93_ortiz and @reredevaux! pic.twitter.com/WbOkNvXaOP — Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) May 24, 2025 The post Sweet Seraphine An Off-The-Layoff Winner For Cherie DeVaux appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Perhaps unlucky in Newmarket's 2,000 Guineas, Juddmonte's Field Of Gold was in a class of his own in Saturday's Tattersalls-sponsored Irish equivalent at The Curragh. More at home on this conventional galloping track, the even-money favourite never looked in any semblance of trouble travelling kindly for Colin Keane despite being trapped wide without cover. Sent forward approaching two out, the son of Kingman opened up to settle the issue quickly and lead home a one-two for the operation and sire as Cosmic Year chased him at a respectable 3 3/4-length distance. Hotazhell was third, 3/4 of a length away. What a race!! Field of Gold @JuddmonteFarms wins the @Tattersalls1766 Irish 2000 Guineas in great style against a tough field at @curraghrace Now with a magnificent ride!! pic.twitter.com/Dk9954dsfT — Manu (@_ElManu) May 24, 2025 The post No Mistake For Kingman’s Brilliant Field Of Gold In The Irish Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's homebred Victoria Harbour (Frankel) followed up a breakthrough success at Thirsk for the Karl Burke stable last month and made all to register a career best on black-type debut in Saturday's Listed BetGoodwin Height Of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood. Holding sway at a comfortable rhythm for most of this late-stage G1 Oaks trial, for which she is not yet entered, the 12-1 chance came under pressure as the pack loomed large passing the quarter-mile marker and she called upon abundant reserves in the closing stages to bravely hold the late charges of Music Piece (Camelot) and Never Let Go (No Nay Never) by a neck and a half-length. Victoria Harbour is the latest of nine foals and one of six scorers produced by Listed Sandringham Handicap second Dubai Queen (Kingmambo), herself out of G1 Oaks d'Italia victrix Zomaradah (Deploy). Zomaradah is also the dam of multiple Group 1-winning sire Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) and G2 Lancashire Oaks victrix Emirates Queen (Street's Cry). Emirates Queen, in turn, is the dam of G2 Jockey Club Stakes winner Outbox (Frankel) and G3 Winter Derby victor and GI Canadian International runner-up Royal Champion (Shamardal). The March-foaled bay is a full-sister to G2 May Hill third Zabeel Queen and a half to last term's G3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes-winning G1 Champion Stakes and G1 Prix Ganay third Royal Rhyme (Lope De Vega). The post Frankel’s Victoria Harbour Makes All for Game Height Of Fashion Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Backing up successfully a week after his win in the Listed Carnarvon Stakes, Godolphin's Symbol Of Honour showed courage as well as class to earn a narrow verdict in Saturday's G2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock. Anchored in rear early by William Buick, the 2-1 favourite was moved through to challenge Arabian Dusk inside the final half a furlong and mastered that Havana Grey filly close home for a short-head success. There was a 3/4-of-a-length margin back to another filly, Bated Breath's First Instinct in third. The post Havana Grey’s Symbol Of Honour Wins The Sandy Lane appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars ALSONSO - R9 (13) Didn't have a lot of luck when running second again last start but can atone Jay Rooney GOLD MASTER - R10 (8) Only narrowly beaten from a wide draw last start, gets gate two here Trackwork Spy DUBAI HONOUR - R8 (2) Boasts elite form at the trip and looks set to get the better of Voyage Bubble Phillip Woo INVINCIBLE IBIS - R2 (7) Has had a nice preparation at the trials and can strike first up Shannon (Vincent Wong) SHINE BRIGHT - R2 (14) Looks to have some ability and gets a chance to break through here Racing Post Online SHAMUS STORM - R7 (3) Unlucky second three weeks back and can go close again Tom Wood INVINCIBLE IBIS - R2 (7) Looks to have been well prepared, he can win on debutView the full article

Given the recent history of The Curragh's opening 2-year-old maiden of its Guineas weekend, it was no surprise that Aidan O'Brien was to unveil another TDN Rising Star for Wootton Bassett in the deeply promising newcomer Brussels. Sent off at 11-4 for the six-furlong contest won in the past five years by the stable's subsequent luminaries Henri Matisse, Unquestionable and Arizona, the 300,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 graduate who traces back to a successful Fittocks Stud family cruised along behind his experienced stablemate Kansas with Ryan Moore poised. Cajoled by that fellow son of Wootton Bassett inside the final furlong, he readily asserted for a 3/4-of-a-length success, with the well-supported 13-8 favourite Learntodiscover 1 1/4 lengths away in third in what should prove a maiden to follow. “Ryan was very happy. He said he was very green, he was very babyish when he got on and going down,” O'Brien said of the sire's 14th TDN Rising Star and fourth for the sire among the stable's current crop of juveniles after Italy, Simply Astounding and Albert Einstein. “He said he will come forward a lot from it. All these horses are running with Ascot in mind, but Ryan said that he was so babyish that it might come too quick. We'll see how much he comes on.” “He said that he thought he would have no problem getting seven,” he added. “He's very big, a massive big powerful horse. I mentioned the [G3] Tyros to Ryan and he said he'd also love to ride Italy in that, but the fact that he'll get seven leaves a lot options for him. The second horse ran lovely. Six is far enough for him. It was five in Naas and he might be a fast horse. I think the third horse was well fancied, Ger [Lyons] liked him too, so it might not have been a bad race.” The post Ballydoyle’s Brussels Another TDN Rising Star For Wootton Bassett appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Bjorn Baker-trained Hollywood Hero (NZ) (Sacred Falls) followed the rail home under a perfect Dylan Gibbons ride to claim the Charity Challenge Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. It was the first leg of a double for the pair, who would later combine with Miss Kim Kar to win the last race on the card. It was the fifth career win for Hollywood Hero, who is a half-brother to Group One winner Never Been Kissed (NZ) (Tivaci). “Hollywood Hero is a strange horse as he just has to be completely switched off early in his races,” Baker said. “I emphasized that to Dylan. He was on the same page and he was very good late. It is a big thrill and it’s always great winning a race at the best track in the world.” The five-year-old son of Sacred Falls is being aimed at the A$750,000 Little Dance (1600m) on Melbourne Cup Day. “He’s not in the Big Dance, but I think he has qualified for the Little Dance from memory though, so we definitely have something to look forward to in the spring. That’s a big race in it’s own right. “He was an expensive Ready To Run horse for Ozzie Kheir and the team, so I am very grateful to train him for them. “I am always hoping to get more horses from him. Hey Ozzie can you look at my stats,” Baker quipped. Baker praised Gibbons ride, with the hoop making a return from a serious shoulder injury. “He’s a good rider Dylan. He’s coming back off an injury and I am happy to have him back. He’s a great, great person and I have had a lot of luck with him.” Bred by Waikato Stud, the well-named Hollywood Hero is out of the Savabeel mare Movie (NZ). A graduate of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run Sale, Hollywood Hero was purchased for $600,000 from the Ohukia Lodge draft by Bjorn Baker Racing and Group 1 Bloodstock. View the full article

Hot favourite War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) made light work of his rivals in the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday and it is now all systems go as the four-year-old heads towards the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 14. Prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, the New Zealand bred galloper is a recent addition to the Lindsay Park team, having transferred from the stable of the late the late Michael Moroney and Glen Thompson. A last-start Caulfield winner from his new quarters, War Machine made it two from two for the Hayes team as he cruised to victory under Blake Shinn defeating Far Too Easy (All Too Hard) and Kiwi raider Pier (NZ) (Proisir). “That was an unbelievable effort by the horse,” JD Hayes said. “We’ve only had him a short time. He came in incredible condition from Ballymore and we’ve been very lucky to inherit him and he’s gone from strength-to-strength. “It looked like we’d get a beautiful fun from the barrier and he’s let down well, which he did. “He had his ears pricked on the line and we’re really looking forward to the Stradbroke. “He’s a lovely calm animal and a real professional. That was only his 12th start and he’s on the way up. We’re extremely excited to see what we can do in the next couple of weeks and in the spring. “He’s got a lovely racing style and in these colours – Rupert Legh – who is a big supporter of the stable and he’s drawing comparisons to a horse that dad trained called Eagle Falls to win an Oakleigh Plate. “We couldn’t be happier with how everything has panned out.” Bred by MDJ Bloodstock Ltd, War Machine was offered for sale at both the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales and the Ready To Run Sale via the Wallace family’s Ardsley Stud, but failed to reach his $100,000 reserve on both occasions. By Harry Angel out of the winning Hussonet mare Caserta, the gelding subsequently went into training with Jim Wallace and won his only trial at Foxton by six lengths before his private purchase. With five victories and four placings from 12 starts, War Machine has amassed A$680,010 in prizemoney to date and he is $5 favourite for the A$3 million Stradbroke. War Machine’s two-year-old half-brother by Darci Brahma named Vanvitelli (NZ) was also the winner of a recent trial at Waipukurau and has subsequently been sold to clients of the Hayes team. View the full article

The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Roadcone (Almanzor) led his rivals a merry dance when winning the Stow Storage Solutions Handicap (1600m) at Sandown on Saturday, bringing up a treble for the stable and jockey Luke Cartwright. The four-year-old son of Almanzor was perfectly ridden by the in-form apprentice who utilised his three-kilo claim when setting a solid tempo and had too much dash for his rivals as Persian Spirit (Cable Bay) and Otago (NZ) (Ocean Park) chased in-vain. With Moody on holiday in Scotland, Coleman cheered home three consecutive winners with Suances (The Autumn Sun) ($15), Saban (Shamus Award) ($4.40) and Roadcone ($4.40) as she celebrated her first metropolitan treble, having joined Moody as co-trainer at the start of the 2023/23 season. “It’s really satisfying getting city wins with these horses that have been a part of the stable for a long time and each of them for a different ownership group that have been big supporters of ours,” Coleman said. “It is really special, and Luke has been doing work for us behind the scenes and it’s good to see him rewarded and again, that was a lovely ride.” Roadcone has now won four of his 12 starts with the four-year-old gelding a winner at Pakenham at his previous start. “Luke looked at me a little bit funny when I said, if he begins as well as he did at Pakenham, you might find yourself in front and I’m not sure what he thought of that pre-race, but when the horse jumped as well as he did, there were no questions as to how it was going to pan out from there,” Coleman said. “Knowing he had that light weight (51kgs) on his back, it was a pretty confident watch. “He is still quite a physically immature horse. I don’t think he’s ever going to be a really big and strong individual, but even still, you’d probably just like to see him furnish that little bit more. “I think it’s still ahead of him. We’ll just keep building him through his rating races and go from there.” By Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor, Roadcone was bred by Bob Emery and is out of the So You Think mare On The Ball, who placed at two for Murray Baker before a career ending injury. Baker went to $120,000 to purchase Roadcone from Woburn Farm on behalf of part-owners John Rattray and Alastair Lawrence. Roadcone is a half-brother to Listed winner and Group One placed Archaic Smile (Saxon Warrior), while his yearling half-sister by Too Darn Hot made $675,000 this year at Karaka. View the full article

Trainer Tony Gollan has earmarked the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) as the long-range target for star galloper Antino (NZ) (Redwood) after a stunning victory in the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on Saturday. Paired with Blake Shinn, the six-year-old son of Redwood has thrived with a pattern of circling the field and dashing for home early and the tactics again paid full dividends as the near-black gelding surged to a four length triumph over Fawkner Park (Zoffany) and Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park). Campaigned predominantly as a sprinter-miler throughout his career, Antino has successfully made the transition to a middle distance galloper this campaign and is the 12th horse to land the Hollindale Stakes-Doomben Cup double. Antino completed the 2000m in a slick 2:00.88, aided by the usual front-running tactics of Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai), with the star mare labouring into tenth. “He is the best horse I have trained,” Gollan said. “I said that a couple of seasons ago before he won a Group One and I was looking like a bit of a fool there and then he finally won the Toorak (Gr.1, 1600m) in dominant fashion. “To run a track record today, gee a lot of good horses have won Doomben Cups, he puts himself in rare air now and I think he can really go on with it in the spring in Melbourne. “He is a genuine weight-for-age horse, genuine at 2000m and there is a lot to look forward to. Everything is now set toward the Cox Plate with him. “What we have seen today is pretty special. He is a very good horse, we’ve got a world-class jockey and I have got a world-class team helping get him ready.” Winning rider Blake Shinn was delighted to be able to showcase the class of the locally-trained Antino on the big stage in Queensland. “He’s some horse. He told me when he wanted to get rolling about the half mile when I just pulled him off Osipenko’s back and it was time to go, and it was a great feeling,” Shinn said. “He went from about seven (lengths) off them to have the race at his mercy about the 400m and I knew he’d keep that gallop up. “It’s great for Queensland racing to witness Antino at his best here today. It’s great for Tony Gollan, and it’s great to showcase a horse of his ilk. It’s special to be on him.” Bred by George Kit Ma’s Blossom Trading & Breeding Company Ltd, Antino is by Westbury Stud stallion Redwood. Out of a full-sister to Group One gallopers Hurrah (NZ) (Bahhare) and Best Gift (NZ) (Bahhare), Antino’s dam Mahamaya was purchased for just $3,000 in foal to Redwood at the 2018 Karaka May Sale by Logan Salvador on behalf of Ma. Antino was purchased for $27,000 by his Hong Kong-based owner Jeetu Ramchandani under his New Balance Racing banner at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale. Antino advanced his record to 13 wins from 26 starts with a further six placings and prizemoney of A$3,108,865 with plenty still to come from the exciting galloper. View the full article

In its second year at the Spa while Belmont Park is rebuilt, the Belmont Stakes (G1) will be contested at the 1 1/4-mile distance, making it more attractive to breeders and stud farms than the mile-and-a-half Belmont Stakes. View the full article

Ten-time Group One hero will not parade in front of fans on Sunday after scans reveal ‘potential changes’ in one of his legs.View the full article

Last year’s Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Pulchritudinous landed her first blow across the Tasman with a gritty victory in the Gr.3 Magic Millions Fillies & Mares Mile (1600m) at Doomben on Saturday for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. The four-year-old daughter of Wrote was having her fourth run since being sold out of Chad Ormsby’s stable and despite sitting three-wide throughout fought doggedly under jockey Tim Clark to defeat Adiella and Exotique Miss. “She a lovely mare,” Bott said. “We’re very fortunate to have her in the yard. “Obviously she was very talented in New Zealand through her three-year-old career but it has taken a bit longer to get her into a bit of form and used to the conditions over here. “We’re thankful that Yulong are more than happy to be patient with her and she has come back in good shape. A nice first-up run there and it opens a few options for her going forward.” Pulchritudinous ran well when fifth to Vibrant Sun in the Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) when she first transferred to the Waterhouse-Bott stable but disappointed in her two subsequent runs. “We’d like to give her a couple of runs up here and she’ll thrive in the conditions. They suit her well and she’s very lightly raced,” Bott said. “I want to see her getting up in trip and she’ll keep improving. I think today’s performance was going to determine which way she’d go. “Whether this lifts our sights a bit more, we’ll try and think about the residual value for Yulong and see if we can add to that going forward. Importantly she is back in good shape today. “Her trial coming in was the best we’d seen since her arrival, so it’s very encouraging.” Bred by Milan Park’s Tony Rider, Pulchritudinous is by Highview Stud stallion Wrote, a Grade One winning son of High Chaparral. Out of the Pentire mare Showus, who has left three other winners, Pulchritudinous was purchased by Chad Ormsby from the Milan Park draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $32,500 and she was subsequently passed in when reoffered at the Ready to Run Sale. After her New Zealand Oaks victory, Pulchritudinous was sold privately in a deal brokered by bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo in conjunction with the Waterhouse-Bott team. View the full article

The $120,000 Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth on July 19 is looming on the horizon for course specialist Chajaba (NZ) (Keano), who added another win to his remarkable record at the track on Saturday. Chajaba is now an eight-time winner from 28 career starts, and Saturday’s Seaton Park (1400m) was his sixth win from only 14 appearances at New Plymouth. The eight-year-old son of Keano was assigned a testing topweight of 60kg for Saturday’s feature sprint, but Egan eased that burden with apprentice jockey Elle Sole’s 3kg claim. Sole gave Chajaba a perfect run, settling in third place on the inside as Old Town Road (NZ) (El Roca) led the field up to the home turn. While most of the field fanned away from the rail in search of better footing, Sole saved crucial ground by sticking to the fence around the bend. Chajaba had made the lead by the time he straightened for home, and the chestnut gelding kicked hard at the 300m mark. Unfazed by the sticky Soft7 conditions, Chajaba scooted clear and put a space between himself and the chasers. Chajaba kept up a strong gallop all the way to the finish, holding on to beat the late-closing Make Time (NZ) (Makfi) by three-quarters of a length. Soldier Boy (NZ) (Proisir) crossed the line another three lengths away in third. “That was fantastic,” said Egan, who also co-bred and part-owns the $180,000 earner. “It was a good ride and a very good performance from the horse. “He loves this track at New Plymouth, he’s won six races here now. They’ve been saying the track is quite sticky today, and he likes those sorts of conditions too, so it looked like a really good race for him today and I was quite confident coming into it. The only worry was the weight, but he did a great job. “I haven’t looked much further ahead than this race, but I might have to back off him for a while and then just set him for the Opunake Cup in July. I don’t want him to have to carry too much weight in that race, so it’ll probably make sense not to give him too many runs between now and then.” View the full article

Group One winner Velocious (Written Tycoon) bounced back to her brilliant best in the Jarvis Trading (1100m) at Te Rapa on Saturday, raising the possibility of a trans-Tasman mission. The Stephen Marsh-trained filly was New Zealand’s champion two-year-old last season, when she won four of her six starts, including the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). Her three-year-old season has been an up-and-down journey for her connections. There was a wind operation in the spring, then a smart first-up win at Te Aroha in March, then a luckless run in the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and a disappointing fifth after a costly slow start at Ellerslie last Saturday. Trainer Stephen Marsh and owners Go Racing decided to roll the dice and run Velocious in Saturday’s $40,000 sprint feature on a seven-day turnaround, and the gamble paid off. Velocious jumped much better this time around, and her jockey, Michael McNab took up a handy position in third along the fence as Shoes (NZ) (Derryn) and Illicit Dreams (NZ) (Vancouver) showed the way through the early stages. Shoes rolled off the rail in the home straight and opened up a dream run for Velocious. McNab drove the Written Tycoon filly through that gap, and she showed her true colours, dashing to the front and winning by a length from Shoes and Pokuru Gold (NZ) (Darci Brahma). “That was great to see,” Marsh said. “We had been thinking about taking her to Australia, but we wanted a better result than that last-start run at Ellerslie to give us the confidence to have a crack at Brisbane. “We saw a nice week of weather leading into Te Rapa and a suitable race today, and we saw how well the filly came through her last-start run. We thought, ‘Bugger it, let’s back her up and see how she goes.’ It worked out perfectly. “She was her own worst enemy at Ellerslie. She was the first one loaded into the gates and did a lot wrong and ended up getting too far off them against a good field. I think she might also have resented the crossover nose band, which came off today. “This performance was exactly what we were hoping to see. I briefly thought she might be hesitant to take the gap in the straight, but then she quickened through it. I think that might be a real confidence boost for her.” Marsh is now keen to give Velocious a shot at the Queensland Winter Carnival. “Depending on how she comes through this, there’s a race at Eagle Farm in a couple of weeks that might be worth having a really good look at,” he said. That potential target is the A$200,000 Listed Queensland Day Stakes (1200m), for three-year-olds at set weights, which will be run on June 7. Velocious was bred by Inglewood Stud and offered in their draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2023, where Go Racing bought her for $190,000. She has now had 12 starts for six wins, a placing, and $980,550 in stakes. View the full article

Trainer John Sargent has a soft-spot for handy stayer Causal Connection, who once again relished the heavy track conditions at Randwick on Saturday as he notched win number eight of his career when successful in the PF Civil Handicap (2400m). Ridden positively by apprentice Molly Bourke, the six-year-old son of Complacent maintained a strong gallop to the line after being left in front 600m from home and defeated the fast-finishing Wuddzz, also a son of Complacent, by nearly three-lengths. “I own this horse with some friends from New Zealand and he’s been a great horse, especially in this type of ground,” a delighted Sargent said. “He’s got to get rolling and Molly knows him well and rode him a treat today. When he’s up there bowling he can keep staying.” Casual Connection contested last year’s Gr.2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) where he finished down the track on an unfavourable surface. “I wouldn’t take him (to Brisbane) again, he’s getting older now, unless it was wet,” Sargent said. “He went last year and it was rock hard and he didn’t like it. We’ll just tick along for a few weeks and see what the Winter does.” The victory was also important for Bourke as she chases an apprentice premiership, which is headed by Braith Nock. “He absolutely thrives in these conditions, and he was really tough today,” Bourke said. “He just needed everything to go his way. He’s a momentum horse so as long as nothing in front of him coming into the straight he’s usually really hard to run down.” By former Mapperley Stud stallion Complacent, Casual Connection is out of the three-win O’Reilly mare Casual Fling and is raced by the Davisons of Mapperley Stud in conjunction with the Sargent family. The stayer has now won A$481,175 in prizemoney with eight wins and 10 placings from 42 starts to date. View the full article

Progressive three-year-old gelding Taken showed his fighting qualities over the concluding stages of the Sportsbet More Places Handicap (1600m) at Sandown on Saturday when repelling the challenge of Detroit City. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper was sent out the $4.20 favourite in the hands of Jamie Melham and was given a perfect ride outside the leader. When asked for an effort mid-straight, the son of Ardrossan kept finding for Melham, who cajoled enough from the gelding as she defeated her husband Ben on the runner-up. Originally prepared in New Zealand by Sam Mynott, Taken was sold to the Price-Kent stable following a trial win at Tauranga. Since crossing the Tasman, Taken has not been out of the money in seven starts, with Saturday his second career victory to go with five placings. “He’s done well this preparation,” Price said. The last preparation, I didn’t think he got 1400m and now he’s getting a mile with four and a bit weeks between runs. “We were a bit perplexed by the barrier (11), but Jamie had it worked out in her head and the ride helped win the race. “It was his first try at the mile and he toughed it right out, so he has got a nice bright future if he is well-placed.” The A$150,000 Silver Bowl Series Final (1600m) for three-year-olds at Flemington on July 5 shapes as a target for Taken. “I think space between runs helps and the mile is OK and certainly that’s where they funnel the three-year-olds, so he will be a big chance to present there,” Price said. Jamie Melham brought up a race-to-race double on Taken and has bragging rights in the Melham household tonight. “I didn’t realise it was him (Ben) and if I did, I would have tried harder,” she quipped. “It was a very good effort by this horse. I galloped him on Tuesday and said he’s just a bit of a weirdo with his head. He always gets his head up when you let him off the bridle and the team listened and then put the nose roll on him. “I’m not saying it was the reason why he won, but it definitely helped him. He was very tractable the whole race. “He had to do more work than I wanted to early, so it was a nice win in the end. “They were a bit worried about the mile and having to do work on him, but I think he just shouts 2000m every day. Especially because he can land on pace and he can settle and drop the bit and doesn’t spend a penny, so onwards and upwards.” By Waikato Stud’s emerging young sire Ardrossan, Taken is out of the Henrythenavigator mare Katherine Wright and stems from the same family as Ardrossan’s Group Three winner and Queensland Derby hope Beau Dazzler. Taken was bred by the Dewar Partnership, which was put together to support Ardrossan when he launched at stud by some people who raced the Group One performed son of Redoute’s Choice. The Dewar Partnership is managed and part-owned by Bruce Perry with Lib Petagna the majority supporter along with Max Brown, Tony Joyce and Dave and Nicki Wilson. View the full article

Promising three-year-old Ribkraka (NZ) (Ribchester) thrived on a change of venue to deliver a front-running victory for Wexford Stables trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott at New Plymouth on Saturday. Entered for both the AB Electrical 3YO (1400m) at New Plymouth as well as a similar three-year-old contest a Te Rapa, O’Sullivan and Scott rolled the dice and sent the son of Ribchester down country and it paid off handsomely as Khavish Chowdhoory had him rolling from barrier rise and looking the winner a long way out. Chowdhoory applied the pressure rounding the home bend and Ribkraka shot five lengths clear in the twinkling of an eye before easing down slightly to score by three lengths over gallant local Meloni (NZ) (Ghibellines), who chased diligently throughout. O’Sullivan was at Te Rapa with Scott but took time out to watch the race on television and got the perfect result. “We had him in at Te Rapa which always looked like it was going to come up as a pretty decent surface (Soft6),” O’Sullivan said. “We know this guy can handle it wet so we rolled the dice and sent him down the Island where the track looked like it would be a little more testing. “Khavish did a good job as he got him away nicely from a low barrier and dictated the speed to a nicety. The track looked like it was playing in favour of those up front on the speed and that was how it panned out. “He is a promising horse and with that ability on wetter tracks should be well served whatever we do next with him.” The victory was the second on the day for O’Sullivan and Scott who also took out the open mile event at Te Rapa with Uderzo. Bred by John Alexander, who shares in his ownership with a large group of Wexford clients, Ribkraka is out of the lightly raced mare Tickle Me (NZ), a daughter of supreme South Island sprinter Ticklish (NZ) who won eight races including the Listed Timaru Stakes (1200m) and Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) View the full article

Underrated galloper Uderzo (NZ) (Vadamos) took up pacemaking duties at Te Rapa on Saturday for the first time in his career, and it proved a masterstroke for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott as he never looked like being headed in the KPMG 1600 (1600m). The six-year-old gelding is far better known as a get back and charge home type so many were surprised when apprentice Rihaan Goyaram bounced him straight to the front and set up a leisurely tempo from race favourite Witz End (NZ) (Savabeel). It was evident from 800m out that the son of Vadamos was going to be hard to peg back as he controlled affairs in front and turned for home with a handy two-length lead. Witz End chased hard as did his late closing stablemate Roederer (NZ) (Turn Me Loose), but it was all in vain as Uderzo kept up a powerful gallop to hit the line nearly four lengths to the good of the Tony Pike-trained pair in a moderate 1.37.46 for the 1600m journey. O’Sullivan and Scott felt it was time to change tactics with Uderzo, who had not had much luck of late in some handy fields. “We thought with the apprentice claim (3kgs) he could go forward and make it hard for the rest of them,” O’Sullivan said. “He relaxed really well and didn’t reef or pull, which has been his downfall in the past. “He hasn’t had much racing luck at times so we thought if we could even up the playing field a little by getting him forward and out of trouble he might recapture his best form and he showed today what he is capable of. “We will wait until we get him home before deciding on whether we give him another run or put him away for a break. “He will be back next season and with a new trick in his bag we will have a lot of fun with him.” Purchased by Wexford Stables for $125,000 out of Rich Hill Stud’s 2020 Book1 draft at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, Uderzo has now won five of his 30 starts and over $235,000 in prizemoney. Out of the Pentire mare Etosha Lass (NZ), his extended family includes brilliant Australian sprinter and successful stallion Canny Lad who took out the 1990 Gr.1 Golden Slipper (1200m) along with a host of notable Australian Group One winners including Camarena, Canny Lass, Guelph and Sepoy. View the full article

The powerful jumping stable of Hastings trainers Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal sprung to life for the 2025 season on Saturday with a feature double at Te Rapa. Nelson and McDougal secured their first jumps success of the winter with the up-and-comer Taika (NZ) (Mettre en Jeu) in the $40,000 Jones Trucking Hurdle (2800m). Just over an hour later, seven-time hurdle winner Nedwin (NZ) (Niagara) made a seamless switch to the bigger fences in the $40,000 Dunstan Horsefeeds Steeplechase (3900m). Both winners carried the colours of the meeting’s major sponsor. “It’s a thrill to win with those Dunstan colours on,” Nelson said. “Dave Smith has been a good mate of mine for a long time and is a huge supporter of racing.” There was plenty of interest in Saturday’s steeplechase debut for Nedwin, whose outstanding hurdling CV featured wins in the Great Northern Hurdle (4200m), Waikato Hurdle (3200m), Pakuranga Hunt Hurdle (3200m) and two editions of the Wellington Hurdle (3400m). The Niagara gelding was sent out as a $2.40 favourite for Saturday’s steeplechase debut, in which he was ridden by comeback jockey Mathew Gillies. Nedwin jumped his first couple of fences in bold style and took up an early lead before being passed by Kentucky Boy (NZ) (Jakkalberry) as the field came down the side of the track in the first lap. Nedwin pressed forward again and regained the lead going past the start point in the back straight, but he was soon joined by a new challenger in Leitrim Lad (NZ) (Tavistock). That runner appeared to be travelling better and clearly headed the favourite coming into the home turn. But just when Nedwin looked beaten, he flipped that script with an outstanding leap over the final fence. Nedwin suddenly shook free of Leitrim Lad and pulled away, going on to win by three and a half lengths from the strong-finishing Renegade Fighter (NZ) (Zed). “That was very good,” Nelson said. “He’s a classy jumper and he showed that today. He obviously loved those steeplechase fences. “He’s been a quality hurdler for a number of years. We considered switching to steeplechases with him last year, but he was going that well in his hurdle races that we put the idea on hold. It was always our intention to give him a chase quite quickly this time around, and this one looked like the right one. “We’ve got plenty of the winter left in front of us, so we’ll see how he does after this race before considering where we go with him next.” Gillies has recently resumed riding after spending a number of years on the sidelines. Before Saturday’s success with Nedwin, his last win came aboard Guy Fox (NZ) (Zed) in a hurdle race at Riccarton in August of 2019. “It’s a really good feeling,” Gillies said. “This horse jumped so well today, and the winning of the race was the way he jumped the last. I thought the other horse was going better than us coming into the straight and we might have to settle for second, but his last jump was amazing.” Nelson and McDougal’s other success on Saturday came with Taika, who collected his fourth win from 13 starts over hurdles with an impressive performance in the Jones Trucking Hurdle. After enjoying a comfortable run just behind the customary pacemaker English Gambler (Casino Prince), Taika and his stablemate Dictation (NZ) (Tavistock) warmed into their work and loomed on the outside of that rival coming into the straight. English Gambler still had plenty left in the tank and fought back strongly, but Taika gradually got the better of him through the final 300m and edged ahead to win by a length and three-quarters. “That was a good run and a very good ride by Dean Parker,” Nelson said. “This horse ran a nice race on the flat the other day (fourth at Rotorua on May 10), which he hadn’t done for a while. He loves the jumping, so hopefully it’s onwards and upwards from here.” Last winter was a breakthrough campaign for Taika, who won the Pakuranga Hunt Hurdle (3200m) and finished third in the Great Northern Hurdle (4200m), second in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdle (3100m) and third in the Wellington Hurdle (3200m) and Awapuni Hurdle (3000m). View the full article