Wandering Eyes

The future leaders and rising stars of the New Zealand racing codes will come together for an awards night in late July for the inaugural Industry Excellence Awards, powered by Entain Australia and New Zealand. Nominations are now open for the awards, which have been developed by Entain, the operators of New Zealand’s TAB, as a way to acknowledge the talents of Kiwis up to the age of 40 in the three racing codes. “We see these awards as a rare opportunity for all our future leaders in racing to gather together and celebrate what has been a huge year for the New Zealand racing industry,” Entain’s Managing Director – New Zealand, Cameron Rodger, said. “Each code already does a tremendous job of recognising the elite performers in their world, and this represents a chance to add to that, and reward the very best of our many great young people involved in New Zealand racing – including across some of the unsung areas that don’t always get the spotlight but are so critical to its success.” There are awards for a total of nine categories, with a supreme winner chosen from the category award winners. Category winners will receive $10,000 with finalists in each category receiving $2,000. The supreme winner will receive an extra $5,000 on top of their $10,000 category win, and a $5,000 educational package. The award categories are: Leadership, Equine Handling (Stud or Stable), Greyhound Excellence, Dedication to Breeding, Dedication to Racing, Administrative and Ancillary Services, Care and Welfare, Newcomer and National Racing Woman of the Year. Several racing stakeholders have also come on board to support the awards. “It’s outstanding to have IRT, Windsor Park Stud, Waikato Stud and Breckon Farms join us in supporting our young New Zealand talent,” Cameron Rodger said. Entain Australia and New Zealand Deputy Chief Executive Lachlan Fitt said the quality of the people involved in the New Zealand industry was a strong influence behind Entain entering the strategic partnership, which began almost one year ago on 1 June 2023. “We were very intentional in including the establishment of these awards as part of our plans,” Lachlan Fitt said. “The current strength and future potential of the New Zealand racing industry and its people was such a strong selling point for us, and we wanted to make sure there was an opportunity to recognise those who contribute today, and who will lead its future tomorrow.” The awards ceremony will be held in Auckland on 28 July, with flights and accommodation supplied for the category finalists. The finalists will be announced and contacted on 4 July. Information on the awards and the nomination process is at entaingroup.co.nz/industryawards. For more information, contact: Matt Smith Senior Manager, Communications Entain Australia and New Zealand M: 027 228 5423 E: matt.smith@entaingroup.co.nz View the full article

Up ‘n’ Gone (NZ) (Castledale) secured a sentimental win for trainer Reece Cole when recording his first victory in nearly two years in the Pryde’s Easifeed 1550 at Cambridge’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday. The eight-year-old gelding was originally raced by Cole’s late mentor Toby Autridge, and the win couldn’t have come at a better time. “It was really good to get that win today,” Cole said. “We are only seven days to the day since it’s been two years since Toby died. This horse is pretty special to all of us.” Following Autridge’s passing, his father Bob took over the handling of the gelding, who faced a limited future on the track before he found his groove on Cambridge’s polytrack. “Two years ago, when Toby died, he was one of the ones that was on the outer and we weren’t going to carry on with,” Cole said. “He ran 100 lengths last at Hastings one day and his next run was his last chance, and he only got beaten by a nose (on the polytrack), and then he won three in a row. After that he earned his place to stay.” The son of Castledale had been winless since those hat-trick of wins, and Cole was pleased to see him break that dry spell when beating the Stephen Marsh-trained Arrowette (NZ) (Zoustar) by a neck on Wednesday. “I thought he needed the run, especially drawing one from the outside,” Cole said. “Maria (Sanson) rode him in the best spot you could because he can be a bit niggly coming out of the gates and miss it, but she ended up in the perfect spot and everything panned out really well.” It was the third training win for Cole, who has held his trainer’s license for two seasons, and he is hoping to quickly add to that tally in the next week. Shocking Penny (NZ) (Shocking) is set to line-up in the Dunstan Horsefeeds 2200 at Pukekohe on Saturday but is also nominated for the Te Aroha Veterinary Services Te Aroha Cup (2200m) and P&J Brosnan Training 0-1 Win Hurdle (3100m) at Te Aroha on Monday. Cole is also set to head to Te Aroha with Meisho Toot (NZ) (Eminent) and Saint Brigid (NZ) (Contributer). “I am not sure what I am going to do with Shocking Penny yet,” Cole said. “Ideally, I would like to run them all on Monday, but I will have a talk with the owner. She will end up hurdling, but I don’t think she will hurdle on Monday, I think she might need one more (run on the flat). “Meisho Toot is a big, staying filly that has taken a bit of time. One of my best mates and I own her. She should run well, she has shown a lot of ability. “Saint Brigid has gone a lot better than what her form suggests, out of a very good mare in Irish Heartbeat, and a wet track should suit.” View the full article

Buyers at next month’s NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka will have access to the progeny of an outstanding range of proven and emerging stallion talent – and at lower price levels than they are likely to command later in life. The catalogue for the National Weanling Sale features 49 different sires, including many of the biggest names among New Zealand’s stallion ranks. SAVABEEL The 2024 National Weanling Sale gives buyers a rare opportunity to secure a weanling by Savabeel at Karaka. In the last seven years, a total of only eight Savabeel weanlings have been sold by NZB for an average price of $121,750. His huge numbers of Book 1 yearlings have averaged $262,350 at Karaka during that same period. He has had 10 yearlings sell for $800,000 or more, with three breaking the $1m mark headed by a $1.4m price tag in 2019. Savabeel’s achievements need little introduction. He is an eight-time champion New Zealand sire and has been credited with no fewer than 145 individual stakes winners, 33 of them at Group One level. He stands for a service fee of $100,000 at Waikato Stud. Savabeel is the sire of Lot 56 in the National Weanling Sale – a colt out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare Miss Maya. The unraced dam is a half-sister to the South African Group One performer Muwaary (O’Reilly), while the stakes-winning second dam Silently (Anabaa) is a half-sister to Australian Group One stars Criterion (NZ) (Sebring) and Comin’ Through (Fastnet Rock). PROISIR Proisir The only stallion to interrupt Savabeel’s almost decade-long dominance of the New Zealand sires’ premiership is Rich Hill Stud’s Proisir. After standing for a $17,500 service fee as recently as two years ago, the breakout performer will command $80,000 in 2024. Proisir topped the New Zealand premiership with an extraordinary season in 2022-23. His progeny earned a total of $4.1m on Kiwi racetracks – the first time a sire has broken the $4m mark in New Zealand. He was represented by no fewer than five Group One winners that season with Legarto (NZ), Prowess (NZ), Levante (NZ), Dark Destroyer (NZ) and Pier (NZ). Yearlings by Proisir have averaged almost $240,000 in Book 1 at Karaka in the last two seasons. In contrast, his weanlings have averaged $47,750 across the 2022 and 2023 National Weanling Sales. Proisir is strongly represented with nine of his progeny in the 2024 National Weanling Sale catalogue, including: Lot 108, a son of Ticket To Ride (NZ) (Shocking), whose nine wins are headed by the Group Three Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). Lot 130, a half-sister to the five-race winner and Group performer Le Castile (NZ) (Dalghar). The dam, the unraced mare Awatea (NZ) (Danasinga), is a half-sister to the dual Group One winner Grout (NZ) (Gold Brose) Lot 146, a filly out of the Zabeel mare Christmas Day. Herself a winner in Australia, Christmas Day is the dam of two foals to race, who have won eight races each – including the Listed John Letts Cup (1800m) winner Pudding (NZ) (Tavistock). ALMANZOR Almanzor It has been a highly successful autumn for Almanzor, whose 2024 service fee has been set at $30,000 by Cambridge Stud. He achieved an incredibly rare double on April 13, siring the quinella in the Group One Sydney Cup (3200m) with Circle Of Fire and Athabascan, while his unbeaten two-year-old son Nucleozor (NZ) won the Listed Welcome Stakes over just 1000 metres that same afternoon. Almanzor has sired 22 winners across Australasia since April 1, including five stakes winners. Moonlight Magic (NZ) captured the Group Three Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie, while Positivity (NZ) – previously runner-up in the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m) – ventured to Adelaide and won the Group Three SA Fillies’ Classic (2500m). Ahuriri (NZ) took out the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m). Yearlings by Almanzor have averaged $128,666 in Book 1 of Karaka in the last two seasons. His weanlings have earned an average price of $33,500 in the same period. Four colts by Almanzor will go through the Karaka sale ring as part of the National Online Weanling Sale, including: Lot 87, whose dam Secret Allure (NZ) (Zacinto) won five races including the Group Three Desert Gold Stakes (1600m), the Group Three Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and two Listed races. She also finished fourth in the Group One New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). This is her second foal. Lot 126, a half-brother to the black-type performer Alchemia (NZ) (Per Incanto). PER INCANTO Per Incanto A prolific source of winners, Per Incanto will stand for a $50,000 service fee at Little Avondale Stud next spring. The son of Street Cry has sired 91 winners since August 1 – a list topped by Belclare (NZ), who won the Group One New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) for the second year in a row. Gringotts (NZ) joined the black-type list with a recent win in Brisbane, while Jimmysstar (NZ), Rue De Royale (NZ), Semper Magico (NZ), Lightning Jack (NZ), Charms Star (NZ), Duke Wai (NZ) and Little Brose have all been stakes-placed. Recognising the deeds of the likes of Melbourne Group One sprinting star Roch ‘N’ Horse (NZ), buyers have elevated the average price for Per Incanto yearlings to $182,978 across the last two Book 1 sessions at Karaka. His weanlings have averaged $50,375 during the same period. Per Incanto is the sire of three lots in the National Weanling Sale catalogue. Among them is Lot 102, whose second dam is a three-quarter-sister to the dam of multiple Group One winner and Australian Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom). SATONO ALADDIN Satono Aladdin A missed season of shuttling during COVID-19 has restricted Satono Aladdin to only two crops of racing age in New Zealand so far, but the Rich Hill Stud sensation has wasted no time in making his mark. His service fee has risen to $65,000 for 2024. Those two New Zealand-conceived crops have produced 38 winners from 83 runners, headed by dual Group One Oaks heroine Pennyweka (NZ) and fellow Group winners Lantern Way (NZ), Sacred Satono (NZ), Tokyo Tycoon (NZ), Still Bangon (NZ), Lupo Solitario (NZ) and Raf Attack (NZ). Satono Aladdin’s return to the sires’ index was enthusiastically welcomed at Karaka 2024 earlier this year, finishing Book 1 with an average of $234,643. His weanlings at the 2023 National Weanling Sale averaged $53,333. The 2024 National Weanling Sale features eight progeny of Satono Aladdin, including: Lot 25, a filly whose dam is a half-sister to the multiple Group One-winning 2017 Weanling Sale graduate Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante). Lot 70, a half-brother to the Listed winner (She’s A) Treasure (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) and is closely related to Group One winners Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) and Chenille (NZ) (Pentire), along with this season’s stakes-winning and undefeated two-year-old Super Photon (NZ) (Super Seth). Lot 85, whose dam is a three-quarter-sister to the Group One Australian Derby (2400m) hero Jon Snow (NZ) (Iffraaj). TARZINO Tarzino Stepping into the void left by his late father Tavistock (NZ), Westbury Stud’s Tarzino (NZ) has quickly racked up a career total of 70 winners and will stand for a $20,000 service fee this season. Tarzino’s 41 winners this season include Group Two Autumn Classic (1800m) winner Immediacy (NZ), along with exciting three-year-old filly Tomodachi (NZ) and fellow three-race winners Star Ballot (NZ) and Akrotiri (NZ). Kind Thoughts (NZ) has made a big impression with two wins and two placings from five starts, while Wallen (NZ) has recorded two wins and five placings in an eight-start career and captured the inaugural $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m) in February. Tarzino had no weanlings catalogued for this sale last year, but buyers will have the choice of eight in the 2024 catalogue, including: Lot 23, a half-brother to Dream Queen (NZ) (Super Easy), who won three of her seven starts including the Listed William Crockett Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. Lot 41, a half-brother to four winners including the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) placegetter Woodcote Lass (NZ) (Showcasing). All weanlings offered in the National Weanling Sale are eligible to be nominated for NZB’s lucrative Karaka Millions Series. Graduates can compete in the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), followed by the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), as well as the new $1m Mega Maiden Series comprising of 40 non-Saturday maiden races located throughout New Zealand. Selling is set to take place at the Karaka Sales Centre from 11am (NZT) on Thursday 20 June. View the full article

Late bloomer Apostrophe (NZ) (Tavistock) executed a near perfect domestic autumn campaign to put herself in line for a trip to the Queensland winter carnival. While the overseas venture has yet to be locked in, the daughter of Tavistock is a strong contender to be given the opportunity to chase Australian black-type and further boost her future broodmare value. “We have freshened her a bit and there is a Listed mile on June 15 and a Listed fillies and mares’ race over 2100m on the 29th for her,” said Roger James, who trains Apostrophe with Robert Wellwood. The Eagle Farm events on the radar are The Wayne Wilson and the Tattersalls Gold Crown. “Nothing is certain at this stage. I’ve got to be happy with her work and happy in every way but it’s certainly a strong possibility,” James said. Apostrophe finished runner-up in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) three runs back before claiming the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m) and the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m). “She was very, very good and has come of age as a six-year-old,” James said. “She is feeding better now than she has for her whole life, she had always been a poor feeder before and is just coping so well. “Providing I am happy with her, it (Brisbane) is a distinct possibility.” Apostrophe has won seven races from 1400m to 2100m from just 21 appearances, although it hasn’t all been plain sailing. “She hasn’t been the soundest mare to train and we’ve hard to work around a few issues with her,” James said. “I thought that it may have been her last run when she won at Te Rapa but honestly, she has bounced through it better than she ever has any other run. “We decided to give her a freshen and look at those two races, they fit in well with the direct flights. “There’s a flight on June 8 and it was going to be a long haul to go through Sydney and then all the way up there. “Obviously, we would be going to try and get some black type for her breeding career.” Meanwhile, rising staying star Mark Twain (NZ) (Shocking) is back in the stable while glamour three-year-old Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) continues to enjoy time in the paddock. Mark Twain finished third in the Gr.3 Auckland Cup (3200m) and then booked a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) berth when he powered home from the tail of the field to win the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington. “He’s grown and strengthened and just looks magnificent. He is a big, big bulk of a horse now,” James said. “To be fair, I thought he might be a Melbourne Cup horse one day and thought it would be in another year’s time, but I am really heartened by the way he has strengthened during his spell. “He has come back in tremendous order, he really has.” Orchestral won five on the bounce, including the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) before she finished third in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m). “I saw her last week and she’d had just a month out then. She has grown and certainly strengthened and decided to give her another couple of weeks out,” James said. “She had a big three-year-old year and we have made no plans yet as to what to do with her as a four-year-old. “I would be keen to give her a pretty light spring though and concentrate more on the autumn.” View the full article

Geriatrix is set to make his Australian debut at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Andrew Scott is looking forward to escaping the Kiwi weather as he heads across to Queensland on Friday, a day out from Geriatrix’s Australian debut at Eagle Farm. Scott, who trains in partnership with Lance O’Sullivan, watched their star filly Molly Bloom from afar last weekend in the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben, where she travelled wide throughout to finish a gallant fifth behind fellow Kiwi-bred Scarlet Oak. “We were pleased with her performance, while she did have much good fortune in the running getting as wide as she did, and they just weren’t winning from out there as it turned out,” he said. “She’s come through it well, and we’re still in the opinion that she’s in the improving stage and has taken good benefit from the run fitness-wise. “We think she’ll be cherry-ripe back on the good track around Eagle Farm and put in a good performance in the Oaks.” The daughter of Ace High shone on home soil this season with victories in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) and Group 2 Fillies’ Classic (2000m), which attracted the attention of prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir. Next Saturday’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) will be her final appearance under the care of O’Sullivan and Scott, as she will remain in Australia to continue her racing career with expat-Kiwi Chris Waller. “For team Wexford, it’s certainly going to be sad to see her go, there’s no doubt about that,” Scott said. “But we all understand her future is in Australia and there will be no lack of support from New Zealand, we’ll be right behind her and will be cheering her home every time.” In the meantime, Scott’s focus will be on Eagle Farm this Saturday, where Geriatrix is double-nominated for a Benchmark 78 over 1400m and the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m). The Almanzor colt has recorded three victories from nine career starts, with the most recent at Taupo on May 11 booking his place on the plane to Brisbane. “He’s travelled over well and settled into the new environment, he’s an adaptable colt with a wonderful mind that can handle the trip not a bother,” Scott said. Scott indicated the stakes race is the preferred option for Geriatrix, however, the three-year-old currently sits a fourth emergency. “If he was to make the field in the Fred Best, we would like to take our chance there with the good draw (4),” he said. “If we’re in the benchmark race, obviously we’re drawn a bit wide (14) but it’s a big long straight at Eagle Farm and the track will really suit him. “He’s going the right way and we’re confident he will run well, it’s just a bit unfortunate he might have to take on the older horses.” Promising filly Tomodachi also made the trip over after producing a winning hattrick this campaign and is set for a spell after finishing seventh behind Derby contender First Innings at Ipswich last Wednesday. “It was her first time going right-handed, and she just raced a bit inexperienced in her first attempt over ground as well,” Scott said. “She may have just been getting to the end of her preparation, so we’ve put her in the spelling paddock there and she’s booked to fly home on the 8th of June without another run. “The trip will be the making of her going forward, and she’s going to come back a very good New Zealand racehorse next season. We’ve got high hopes for her.” Horse racing news View the full article

A Queensland campaign is on the cards for Apostrophe. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North Late bloomer Apostrophe executed a near perfect domestic autumn campaign to put herself in line for a trip to the Queensland winter carnival. While the overseas venture has yet to be locked in, the daughter of Tavistock is a strong contender to be given the opportunity to chase Australian black-type and further boost her future broodmare value. “We have freshened her a bit and there is a Listed mile on June 15 and a Listed fillies and mares’ race over 2100m on the 29th for her,” said Roger James, who trains Apostrophe with Robert Wellwood. The Eagle Farm events on the radar are The Wayne Wilson and the Tattersalls Gold Crown. “Nothing is certain at this stage. I’ve got to be happy with her work and happy in every way but it’s certainly a strong possibility,” James said. Apostrophe finished runner-up in the Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) three runs back before claiming the Group 3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m) and the Group 2 Travis Stakes (2000m). “She was very, very good and has come of age as a six-year-old,” James said. “She is feeding better now than she has for her whole life, she had always been a poor feeder before and is just coping so well. “Providing I am happy with her, it (Brisbane) is a distinct possibility.” Apostrophe has won seven races from 1400m to 2100m from just 21 appearances, although it hasn’t all been plain sailing. “She hasn’t been the soundest mare to train and we’ve hard to work around a few issues with her,” James said. “I thought that it may have been her last run when she won at Te Rapa but honestly, she has bounced through it better than she ever has any other run. “We decided to give her a freshen and look at those two races, they fit in well with the direct flights. “There’s a flight on June 8 and it was going to be a long haul to go through Sydney and then all the way up there. “Obviously, we would be going to try and get some black type for her breeding career.” Meanwhile, rising staying star Mark Twain is back in the stable while glamour three-year-old Orchestral continues to enjoy time in the paddock. Mark Twain finished third in the Group 3 Auckland Cup (3200m) and then booked a Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) berth when he powered home from the tail of the field to win the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington. “He’s grown and strengthened and just looks magnificent. He is a big, big bulk of a horse now,” James said. “To be fair, I thought he might be a Melbourne Cup horse one day and thought it would be in another year’s time, but I am really heartened by the way he has strengthened during his spell. “He has come back in tremendous order, he really has.” Orchestral won five on the bounce, including the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) before she finished third in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m). “I saw her last week and she’d had just a month out then. She has grown and certainly strengthened and decided to give her another couple of weeks out,” James said. “She had a big three-year-old year and we have made no plans yet as to what to do with her as a four-year-old. “I would be keen to give her a pretty light spring though and concentrate more on the autumn.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Queensland Derby 2024 Where Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, June 1, 2024 Prizemoney $1,000,000 Distance 2400m Conditions Set Weights 2023 winner Kovalica (5) | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (57kg) Visit Dabble The Group 1 Queensland Derby will headline a massive day of racing at Eagle Farm this Saturday, with a full field of 18 three-year-olds expected to line up in the $1 million feature. As it is the first meeting at Eagle Farm for the Queensland Racing Carnival, the rail will be in its true position, and the surface is expected to be in perfect order for the nine-race card. Chris Waller has won two of the last three editions of the Queensland Derby, and he will send four runners to this year’s race. The Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman team has accepted with Autumn Angel, who will be seeking to become the first filly to win the Derby since 2010. Queensland Derby 2024 odds Autumn Angel heads the Queensland Derby market at +130 with online bookmakers. The other two runners in single figures are last-start Rough Habit Plate winner Tanhauser (+320) and South Australian Derby runner-up Warmonger (+750). After claiming victory on his Australian debut, the Andrew Forsman-trained First Innings (+1700) sits on the fourth line of betting ahead of Saban (+2500) and Navy King (+2000), who will make their way from Victoria to run in the Derby. Queensland Derby 2024 speed map There don’t appear to be any specialist leaders in the Queensland Derby field, so it is expected that Navy King and First Innings will push forward from their middle barriers and take up the running. Gold Bullion, Kirikan and Shy Guy can settle in behind the leaders, with the likes of Agita, Tanhauser and Autumn Angel expected to hold forward spots from inside barriers. Warmonger, Encoder and Saban will settle at the back of the field and look to swoop down the outside in the home straight. Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Queensland Derby. Queensland Derby 2024 preview & form Autumn Angel will seek history as she attempts to become the first filly to win the Queensland Derby since Dariana in 2010. After winning the Group 1 Australian Oaks at Randwick, the daughter of The Autumn Sun was given a five-week freshen before running second in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate on May 18. If Mark Zahra can get off the fence before the home turn, Autumn Angel should prove to be the superior stayer in this field. Unfortunately for connections of Warmonger, their gelding has once again drawn an outside barrier and will have to settle in the last few in the running. The Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper showed in the South Australian Derby that he can run out a strong 2400m; however, he settles too far off the pace in his races. If Blake Shinn can somehow get the son of War Decree into midfield with cover, there is no doubt that Warmonger can figure in the finish. First Innings is coming off a good preparation in New Zealand and a very impressive win at Ipswich over 2180m. When racing over 2400m in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby, the Andrew Forsman-trained galloper was well beaten and dropped out in the concluding stages. With more experience under his belt, it is expected that he will perform better in his second attempt at Group 1 level and at the distance. Tanhauser was very good in the Rough Habit Plate, where he rounded up his rivals at the 300m before clearing out and winning by a length over Autumn Angel. However, the Chris Waller-trained gelding has yet to race over a distance further than 2000m, and that has to be a concern for his followers. Queensland Derby 2024 selections & best bets Selections: 18 AUTUMN ANGEL 2 WARMONGER 12 FIRST INNINGS 1 TANHAUSER $100 betting strategy $100 Win Autumn Angel (#18) @ +130 with Neds 2024 Queensland Derby Final Field 1. Tanhauser (3) T: Chris Waller J: Nash Rawiller W: 57kg F: 6241 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay/Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Dundeel (NZ) Dam: Luqyaa +320 -140.85 2. Warmonger (23) T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr J: Blake Shinn W: 57kg F: 6252 Age: 3YO Colour: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: War Decree (USA) Dam: Princess Sapphire +750 +166 3. Encoder (18) T: Lee Freedman J: Damien Thornton W: 57kg F: x006 Age: 3YO Colour: Brown/Black Sex: Gelding Sire: Encryption Dam: Eight Below +5000 +1111 4. Gold Bullion (10) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Tim Clark W: 57kg F: 2928 Age: 3YO Colour: Brown/Black Sex: Gelding Sire: Savabeel Dam: Gold Rush +4000 +888 5. Navy King (13) T: Symon Wilde J: Craig Williams W: 57kg F: 7441 Age: 3YO Colour: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: U S Navy Flag (USA) Dam: Eliza Blues +2000 +377 6. Kirikan (8) T: Chris Waller J: James Orman W: 57kg F: x700 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Tivaci Dam: Jammu +10000 +2222 7. Felix The Scat (22) T: Tony Gollan J: Kyle Wilson-Taylor W: 57kg F: x084 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Mendelssohn (USA) Dam: Miss Pocket Rocket +4000 +888 8. Sonofdec (21) T: Jay Hopkins J: Regan Bayliss W: 57kg F: x311 Age: 3YO Colour: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Kermadec (NZ) Dam: Imperial Rule +2000 +444 9. Bullets High (14) T: Joseph Pride J: Tyler Schiller W: 57kg F: 5661 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Ace High Dam: Sororia +1700 +377 10. Agita (6) T: David Payne J: Jason Collett W: 57kg F: 0225 Age: 3YO Colour: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Adelaide (IRE) Dam: Tramotane +2000 +444 11. Warialda Warrior (7) T: John Ramsey J: Jake Bayliss W: 57kg F: 7806 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Saxon Warrior (JPN) Dam: Romance Writer +7000 +1555 12. First Innings (12) T: Andrew Forsman J: Jim Byrne W: 57kg F: 1031 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Contributer (IRE) Dam: Dream Run +1000 +222 13. Shy Guy (4) T: Chris Waller J: Tommy Berry W: 57kg F: x873 Age: 3YO Colour: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Saxon Warrior (JPN) Dam: Timid +4000 +888 14. Saban (16) T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman J: Jamie Kah W: 57kg F: 2412 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Shamus Award (AUS) Dam: Striking Choice +2500 +555 15. Anderson Bridge (15) T: Chris Waller J: Vlad Duric W: 57kg F: 5674 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Savabeel Dam: Tricia’o +8000 +1777 16. Purveyor (11) T: Bevan Laming J: Michael Cahill W: 57kg F: 1049 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Merchant Navy Dam: Mystique +12500 +2777 17. Moonlight Magic (19) T: Andrew Forsman J: Michael Dee W: 55kg F: 5641 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Almanzor (FR) Dam: Japonica +2500 +555 18. Autumn Angel (1) T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman J: Mark Zahra W: 55kg F: 1212 Age: 3YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Filly Sire: The Autumn Sun Dam: Angel Of Mercy +130 -333.33 19 (1E). Mannerheim (9) T: Chris Waller J: Ryan Maloney W: 55kg F: 2310 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Dundeel (NZ) Dam: Miss Helsinki +10000 +2222 20 (2E). Misterckipchoge (5) T: Chris Waller J: TBC W: 57kg F: x902 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Ocean Park (NZ) Dam: Porotene Mhia +3000 +666 21 (3E). Saxon Brave (2) T: Daiki Chujo J: Noriyuki Masuda W: 231627kg F: 1 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Saxon Warrior (JPN) Dam: Manrose Hattan +20000 +4444 22 (4E). Kadavar (17) T: Chris Waller J: TBC W: 57kg F: 0930 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Tarzino (NZ) Dam: Arapaho Miss +10000 +2222 23 (5E). Kairos Louie (20) T: Christos Zintilis J: TBC W: 57kg F: 7310 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Time Test (GB) Dam: Lucy Liu +20000 +4444 More horse racing tips View the full article

Lucky Bay powers to his maiden success at Cambridge Synthetic on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Lucky Bay was able to rectify a narrow defeat last start on the Cambridge Synthetic when putting away his rivals in the Cambridge Equine Hospital 1550 comfortably at Wednesday’s meeting. The son of Sweynesse is prepared at the course by Clinton Isdale and hasn’t been far away from breaking maidens since debuting in January, going down by a nose a fortnight ago to Aladdin Sane over the same distance. Lucky Bay entered Wednesday’s contest a $2.10 favourite and controlled terms from the outset under Opie Bosson, travelling strongly into the straight and never looked under much pressure as he pulled away by 1.5 lengths. Isdale has held a good opinion of the three-year-old and was pleased to see him deliver on that promise. “It was a good win. He’s just a big, raw horse who should’ve won a race by now, we did have bigger plans for him, but things just haven’t really gone his way being quite immature mentally,” Isdale said. “He did a couple of things wrong today and still won quite nicely which was good. “I’ll see how he pulls up now, but he might go to the paddock for a month, as he’s had a few runs this prep. I’d like to target the maiden at midnight race for him on the poly.” Isdale was referring to the four MAAT races held on the Cambridge Synthetic on July 24, each worth $35,000 in stakes for maidens as at midnight of April 30. Lucky Bay was bred by Novara Park and was passed in at the 2022 Ready To Run Sales, leading principal Luigi Muollo to retain ownership under his Explosive Breeding banner. “I’d like to thank Luigi Muollo for not only his continued support as an owner of mine, but also a great friend. He’s been really good through tough times,” Isdale said. Isdale will prepare a further two runners over the King’s Birthday long weekend, with last start winner Knight’s Realm lining up in the Rich Hill Stud 1200 at Pukekohe on Saturday. The Castledale four-year-old was taken down by other runner at Hastings in January and was freshened but has come back strongly this campaign and bolted in to break maidens over 1400m at Trentham on May 18. “He was very impressive at Wellington, he’s always had ability but just quite spooky, so it was pleasing to see him win like he did there,” Isdale said. “He’s come through it really well and he seems to like the wet tracks, which we’ll get at Pukekohe. “With the track being a Heavy 10, I thought it would be more like a 1400m race anyway so at least I know he’ll run the distance.” Another strong performer at his last appearance, Pontardawe will make his debut over the bigger fences in the Silver Fern Farms Maiden Steeplechase (3500m) at Te Aroha on Monday, following a third placing over hurdles behind two subsequent winners in Auld Jock and Run Jakko Run at Hawera. “I had originally entered him for a maiden steeplechase trial at Cambridge, which was abandoned due to numbers, so instead of running him in the hurdle trial, I thought he may as well go to Hawera and run for some money,” Isdale said. “That was the only reason why he went over the hurdles, but he ran third and was a touch unlucky. “He’s come through the run really well, the winner has come out and won by ten lengths at Woodville, and the second horse came out and won as well so I’m expecting a forward run from him on Monday. “He’s a lot better over the bigger fences, John and Karen Parsons had him down in the South Island for a prep, and it was John’s idea to send him back up as he thought he’d be a good chaser and he jumps really well.” Horse racing news View the full article

Up ‘n’ Gone (outside) winning at Cambridge on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Up ‘n’ Gone secured a sentimental win for trainer Reece Cole when recording his first victory in nearly two years in the Pryde’s Easifeed 1550 at Cambridge’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday. The eight-year-old gelding was originally raced by Cole’s late mentor Toby Autridge, and the win couldn’t have come at a better time. “It was really good to get that win today,” Cole said. “We are only seven days to the day since it’s been two years since Toby died. This horse is pretty special to all of us.” Following Autridge’s passing, his father Bob took over the handling of the gelding, who faced a limited future on the track before he found his groove on Cambridge’s polytrack. “Two years ago, when Toby died, he was one of the ones that was on the outer and we weren’t going to carry on with,” Cole said. “He ran 100 lengths last at Hastings one day and his next run was his last chance, and he only got beaten by a nose (on the polytrack), and then he won three in a row. After that he earned his place to stay.” The son of Castledale had been winless since those hat-trick of wins, and Cole was pleased to see him break that dry spell when beating the Stephen Marsh-trained Arrowette by a neck on Wednesday. “I thought he needed the run, especially drawing one from the outside,” Cole said. “Maria (Sanson) rode him in the best spot you could because he can be a bit niggly coming out of the gates and miss it, but she ended up in the perfect spot and everything panned out really well.” It was the third training win for Cole, who has held his trainer’s license for two seasons, and he is hoping to quickly add to that tally in the next week. Shocking Penny is set to line-up in the Dunstan Horsefeeds 2200 at Pukekohe on Saturday but is also nominated for the Te Aroha Cup (2200m) and 0-1 Win Hurdle (3100m) at Te Aroha on Monday. Cole is also set to head to Te Aroha with Meisho Toot and Saint Brigid. “I am not sure what I am going to do with Shocking Penny yet,” Cole said. “Ideally, I would like to run them all on Monday, but I will have a talk with the owner. She will end up hurdling, but I don’t think she will hurdle on Monday, I think she might need one more (run on the flat). “Meisho Toot is a big, staying filly that has taken a bit of time. One of my best mates and I own her. She should run well, she has shown a lot of ability. “Saint Brigid has gone a lot better than what her form suggests, out of a very good mare in Irish Heartbeat, and a wet track should suit.” Horse racing news View the full article

Gum Basher will contest the Henry’s Plumbing Ltd & Design Builders 1200m at Awapuni on Thursday. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North Gum Basher thrives on synthetic track racing over winter, and trainer Peter Didham is looking forward to seeing her return to her favoured surface in the Henry’s Plumbing Ltd & Design Builders 1200m at Awapuni on Thursday. The four-year-old daughter of Vespa is hard to get a line on at home, but Didham said she always brings her A-game to raceday. “She is a terrible trackworker but when it comes raceday she just tries her heart out,” he said. “There is not much of her, but she is pretty gusty and look at her form – she has had six starts on the poly for two wins, a second, third and a fourth. “She is always competitive, but it is a bit stronger field than I was expecting. I think the three $100,000 (All-Weather Champs) races have really put an injection into polytrack racing. “We have got horses coming from up north and I have got a couple staying at my place tonight. It is good to see them supporting the track. “The last raceday was good, I think we had seven local trainers have a winner each, and hopefully that continues tomorrow.” Didham said Awapuni’s synthetic track definitely has its place in racing over the winter months. “You have still got to try horses on there to see if they handle it,” he said. “I have got a couple of horses that don’t like it and horses like Gum Basher just thrive on it. “It is working out really well and we have got good, strong fields tomorrow.” Didham will also be represented by new stable acquisition Reprobate in the Pryda 1400. “He has only had one start for me, he had a couple of starts up north. We are still learning about him,” Didham said. “I ran him on the poly in his first start because he had gone a huge trial. I was really pleased with his first effort, we have spaced it on purpose, it has been a month between races. “He is a nice, big Ace High horse going forward and he will be going on the grass in the next couple of starts, we are just trying to sneak in a win on our home track.” Ruffhouse Rosie will also represent the stable in the Gary Dyer Painters And Decorators 2140, while stablemates Korolova and Moon Money will contest the Reilly Joinery & Spray Specialist Ltd 1000 and Carters 1400 respectively. “Moon Money was huge two starts ago when second, and last start she was a shade slow and got dug up and pulled her head off, so I would forget about that,” Didham said. “She is one of my best each way chances tomorrow. “Korolova is a speedy filly, but I was horrified by the nine draw, and I wasn’t going to run, but the owners have decided to have a run. 1000m, drawn nine, I can imagine us being in a really bad spot early.” With Awapuni’s main grass track undergoing remedial work over the last year, the local trainers have spent plenty of time on the road travelling to race at other tracks, and Didham said he is enjoying the reduced commute that comes with racing on Awapuni’s polytrack. “All the trainers at the gap this morning were talking about it. It is so nice at the end of the day to hop in the car and go five minutes home instead of two or three hours,” he said. “If we can get the track right here in the next year, have 30-odd meetings on our backdoor step will be great. A lot of our owners are here as well.” Horse racing news View the full article

Voyage Bubble wins the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup. Zac Purton believes Voyage Bubble’s uncomplicated racing manners will partially offset the challenge of tackling Romantic Warrior – and the cream of Japan’s milers – in the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday (2 June). Purton will travel to Tokyo on Thursday (30 May) to prepare for Sunday’s feature, which has drawn 18 high-class entries including a string of Japanese gallopers who have previously raced in Hong Kong, including Soul Rush, Namur, Elton Barows, Serifos and Geoglyph. Purton has twice ridden in the Yasuda Kinen previously, finishing sixth on Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Only in 2017 and ninth aboard Paul O’Sullivan’s Fellowship in 2010. With Romantic Warrior likely to vie for race favouritism, Purton believes Voyage Bubble can factor strongly after his last-start third under James McDonald in the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on 28 April – when Elton Barows finished eighth behind Purton’s mount, Beauty Eternal. “His (Voyage Bubble’s) trial was good. 1000m was a bit sharp for him but he showed good speed as he does, went through the gears nicely and we let him gallop on through the line with the mile race in mind. He pulled up well,” Purton said of the gelding’s 1000m Sha Tin trial win on 16 May. “I’ve seen the (Tokyo trackwork) videos and he looks like he’s settled in well. He’s a pretty no-nonsense horse and he takes everything in his stride. I think it’s a suitable race for him and hopefully the track is OK. You need a lot of ability and it’s never easy to win in Japan – they’re very good at defending their own home turf. “I think he’s got a good style where he can race on-speed. He likes fast run races and we’re not guaranteed to get that, but if that’s the case he can clearly handle that. He can run beyond a mile – he’s been good up to 2000m – so the uphill straight and testing conditions shouldn’t be a hindrance for him. “He does a lot of things right and it’s not a vintage year. There’s no standout horse there at the moment, so it’s a good year to roll the dice and see how we go. Bring it on, let’s see what we get.” While Purton has the utmost respect for Romantic Warrior, he said: “Romantic Warrior has had a fairly tough season. He’s gone down to Australia and had to peak down there, then he’s come back to Hong Kong and had to peak a couple of times and he struck the wet track last time when he had to dig deep and lift himself off the canvas to win. “He’s jumped back on a plane and gone again so it’s a big ask for any horse to do that. He might be a little bit vulnerable at this stage in the season and hopefully we can capitalise on that if that’s the case.” Romantic Warrior’s trainer Danny Shum said the seven-time Group 1 winner is thriving in Japan. “He’s pretty good, he’s healthy, he’s happy and enjoying the environment,” Shum said. “It was the decision of the owner to come to Japan – he has been connected to Japan business-wise for a long time and wanted to bring his horse here – the Yasuda Kinen was the best option. “The Tokyo course is beautiful, it’s fantastic. I don’t see any problem for him running left-handed because he won in the Cox Plate (2040m) in Australia, so I’m confident that he can handle the track. “The strong point of the horse is that the world’s champion jockey James McDonald will be on board. He loves the horse and the horse loves him. “All the Japanese horses are very good, they conquer everywhere, in Dubai and in Hong Kong, so I was very happy that the JRA (Japan Racing Association) gave us the invitation to bring Romantic Warrior here.” Hong Kong horses have twice previously won the Yasuda Kinen – Bullish Luck for Tony Cruz and Brett Prebble in 2006 and Fairy King Prawn in 2000 for Ivan Allan and Robbie Fradd. The Group 1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) will be run at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday at 3.40pm (2.40pm, Hong Kong time). Horse racing news View the full article

What Cranbourne Races Where Cranbourne Turf Club – 50 Grant St, Cranbourne VIC 3977 When Friday, May 31, 2024 First Race 5:15pm AEST Visit Dabble Victorian racing returns to Cranbourne Turf Club on Friday evening, with a competitive eight-part program set to kick off at 5:15pm AEST. After racing with the rail out +9m last week, it returns to the true position. The radar looks promising, with only scattered showers across the region, so expect the surface to be rated a Soft 5. Best Bet: Small Town Hero Small Town Hero held ground impressively on debut behind an ultra-dominant Baraqiel at Sale on May 5. The son of Shamexpress was beaten by four lengths while attempting to make every post a winner, and the six-length margin back to third suggests punters should be willing to trust the form. Gate three should allow Jake Noonan to slide across to the rail, and with no Baraqiel giving chase, watch for Small Town Hero to fend them all off in the shadows of the post. Best Bet Race 2 – #5 Small Town Hero (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Brett Conlon | J: Jake Noonan (59.5kg) Bet with PlayUp Next Best: Suances Suances gave a good account of herself on debut at Mornington on May 13 and didn’t have much luck. The filly by The Autumn Sun was held up for a run when the race went on, but she knuckled down to the task to secure some minor money. Watch for Will Price to land in the one-one from barrier three, and provided she gets even luck, Suances can make amends second-up. Next Best Race 4 – #11 Suances (3) 3yo Filly | T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman | J: Will Price (57.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best Again: Godzilla Godzilla is finally starting to put it all together as he seeks his third win of the campaign. The trip to Victoria paid immediate dividends in his most recent start at Sale on May 19, with the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained galloper careering away to win by 3.3 lengths. The step up to 2025m appears ideal, and with this field exhibiting similar quality to what he defeated last start, expect another bold showing by Godzilla. Next Best Again Race 7 – #3 Godzilla (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Peter & Paul Snowden | J: Jordan Childs (59kg) Bet with Neds Friday quaddie picks for Cranbourne races Cranbourne quadrella selections Friday, May 31, 2024 1-3-4-10 1-2-3 2-3-4-7 1-2-4-5-9 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips
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David Hall has 36 wins this season. In the throes of another strong campaign, David Hall hopes to add further lustre to the 2023/24 racing season when he bids for Group 3 glory at Sha Tin on Sunday (2 June) with his stable’s three highest-rated horses – Invincible Sage, Flying Ace and Atullibigeal. Closing in on the career-best mark of 44 wins in a season he set last campaign, Hall has 36 victories this term with the clear highlight being Invincible Sage’s triumph in the HK$22 million Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on 28 April. That success propelled Invincible Sage to a rating of 118 and the four-year-old will carry 129lb for Hugh Bowman in Sunday’s HK$4.2 million Group 3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) while 106-rater Flying Ace will carry only 117lb for Alexis Badel. Hall hopes both gallopers can continue strong preparations. “Both horses have gone up to Conghua since the last race and have certainly enjoyed that. Invincible Sage had a nice trial the other day and had a good blow which is what he needed,” Hall said. “It’s a handicap race now and he’s got to give weight to a couple of his rivals but he still gets six pounds off the top weight (Victor The Winner, 135lb), so it might be the last chance to get a bit of advantage that way. “He’s in good shape and it’s going to be interesting to see how the weather plays and the barrier draw to see what sort of confidence we have. “Flying Ace has been running well all season and the handicap race is a good race for him and if he can just draw a barrier where he could pinch a couple of lengths rather than giving away a couple of lengths every time from a wide gate, that would help. “I’m looking forward to both horses on Sunday.” Hall will saddle 97-rater Atullibigeal in the HK$4.2 million Group 3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (1600m), searching for a third victory this campaign with the gelding. “He’s raced well all season and I just think he’s really looking for the mile now,” Hall said. “It’s going to be a very strong race with Galaxy Patch – on his best form, probably wins the race – and Beauty Joy is a class horse but he’s got the big weight (135lb) at the handicap. “It’s an interesting race but he (Atullibigeal) has raced well all season and he deserves his chance there. “I’m hoping the mile will help us improve a little more.” Hall starts Hong Kong Hall in the Class 3 Chung On Handicap (1200m, dirt) at Sha Tin on Wednesday night (29 May) as the gelding chases consecutive wins. “He’s been very lucky to have barrier one his last couple of starts and now he’s got a bit more difficult barrier (gate eight) and obviously it’s going to be questionable how the track is racing – he’s definitely an on-pace horse,” Hall said. “He’s found a liking for the surface. We were lucky enough to get a nice harrowed track last time, whether we’re going to get the same tomorrow night is all a bit of guess work. He’s in good form, the track and distance form is good and I’m sure he’s going to be competitive.” Hugh Bowman reunites with Telecom Fighters in the Class 2 Chun Shek Handicap (1650m, dirt). “The last time I rode him was on the dirt and he ran a gallant second,” Bowman said. “He’s in a situation where it’s hard for him to win because of his level (rated 99) but he’s racing very consistently and he gave me really good showing last time on the all-weather and looks to set up nicely for him again.” Sha Tin’s eight-race card starts on Wednesday night with the Class 2 Chun Shek Handicap (1650m, dirt) at 7.15pm HKT. Horse racing news View the full article

Race 3 STAPHANO AT NOVARA PARK CHAMPAGNE STAKES 2YO 1600m (Listed Race) STAR SHADOW (W Pinn) – Te Akau Racing Manager Mr. R Trumper advised Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the filly, however, SHADOW STAR has now been sent for a spell. The post Auckland Thoroughbred Racing @ Pukekohe Park, Saturday 25 May 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 2 BRAESIDE FARM MAIDEN HURDLE 3000m JESKO (S Fannin) – Co-trainer Mr. S Fannin reported to Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of JESKO, and it their intention to carry on with the gelding’s current preparation. The post Woodville-Pahiatua Racing Club @ Woodville, Sunday 26 May 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Registration is now open for the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program (RTIP)'s 50th Global Symposium on Racing, the world's largest racing conference, scheduled for Dec. 9-11 at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort near Tucson, Arizona. A full agenda of topics and speakers will be released later this summer. To register for the symposium, get host hotel information, or to explore sponsorship opportunities, visit racingsymposium.com. The post 2024 Global Symposium on Racing Registration Open appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Penn National Race Course has its night in the spotlight May 31 as 10 3-year-olds compete in the $400,000 Penn Mile Stakes (G3T). Among those journeying to Grantville, Pa. are graded stakes winners First World War and Trikari.View the full article

The Week in Review On a day when there were three stakes races, two of them Grade I's, at Santa Anita, the biggest draw on the Monday card was a maiden, Eagles Flight (Curlin). He drew more fans to the paddock than were there for any of the stakes. That's what happens when you're making your first start and are a half-brother to the great Flightline (Tapit). Crank up the hype machine. Eagles Flight, sent off at 11-10, won by 2 3/4 lengths, drawing away with ease inside the final sixteenth. Flavien Prat, who also rode Flightline, was aboard. He covered the six furlongs in 1:10.07 and received an 89 Beyer figure. No, he's not the second coming of Flightline. But who is? It's going to be a long, long time until we see another horse who is that good. But Eagles Flight showed that he is a talented horse and should develop into a major stakes horse. “I was very happy,” winning trainer John Sadler said. “We got this one under our belt. He ran a good race and he got a lot of experience in one race. He was down on the inside, was off a little bit slow, got a chance to eat a lot of dirt. It was like three or four races worth of experience rolled into one.” Sadler believes we will not see the best of Eagles Flight until he gets him to go around two turns. “He will be better with more distance,” he said. “I think we will know his talent level when he gets stretched out to a mile. There are a lot of good horses that can win going short but that's not really their thing. This looks like a distance horse to me.” So far as the next start for Eagles Flight, Sadler hasn't thought that far ahead, but he said it will likely come in an allowance race. Flightline debuted on Apr. 24, 2021 in a six-furlong maiden race at Santa Anita. He was next seen in a Sept. 5, one-mile allowance race at Del Mar. “I haven't decided anything yet, but an allowance race will probably be next,” he said. “That sounds about right.” He said that one of the main differences between the early careers of Flightline and Eagles Flight is that the hype for Eagles Flight started well before his maiden voyage. “What's different is that the spotlight was on the horse from the first jump,” the trainer said. “That's what is a little bit different. Flightline, people got worked up on him after his first couple of starts. With this one, there's a brighter light on him from the beginning. But I'm used to that. Everybody says is this a lot of pressure? No. What's stressful is when they can't run and this horse can run. He's going to be a nice horse. “It was really cool because there were a lot of people there and it was a great day of racing at Santa Anita. That was a hot maiden race. The horse with the numbers (Santarena) was second. It was a fun day.” With more fun to come. My Annual Rant About the Pennine Ridge S. Okay, so maybe there are more pressing issues in racing, but I still fail to understand how NYRA ever named a race after Pennine Ridge (Cure the Blues) in the first place and why they won't change it to recognize some horse or person more deserving of the honor. The fact is Pennine Ridge just wasn't a very good horse. He was 9-for-46 lifetime and his biggest win came in the 1994 GII Jamaica H. He won four stakes in all, including two Grade III's and a listed race. But the real problem is how he ended his career. Nine of his last 12 starts were in claimers, including the final four of his career. He bowed out on Nov. 18, 1998, finishing fourth in a $40,000 claimer at the Meadowlands. It has been suggested to me that NYRA named the race the Pennine Ridge because the horse, before he hit the skids, was owned by former NYRA Chairman Allan Dragone, who passed away in 2006. Dragone is an important figure in the history of the New York Racing Association, so here's how you can fix the problem and still honor Dragone–just rename the race the Allan Dragone S. Problem solved. The Met Mile Belongs on Memorial Day NYRA has done a superb job with Belmont Stakes day. By adding numerous major stakes to the card it has become the best single day of racing in the country outside of the Breeders' Cup. But there has been a price. The weeks leading up to the race and following the race don't have any sizzle, and the biggest problem is the Memorial Day Card, which used to feature the GI Met Mile. The Met, always one of the best races of the year, alone turned the day into a big event. This year, on Memorial Day the feature was the GII Wonder Again S., which was run as the second race. It's just another stakes race. You can have it both ways. Put the Met back on Memorial Day and it won't be that missed on Belmont Day because there are so many big races. Maybe they could move the Wonder Again to Belmont Day to fill the void. Oops This was a weird one. On the overnight, in the condition book, in the program and in the Daily Racing Form, Monday's first race at Belmont at the Big A was listed at 5 1/2 furlongs. Then they went out and ran it at five furlongs. It seems that in the track program, the diagram showing the circumference of the track had the race starting at 5 furlongs, and that's why they placed the gate at the five-eighths pole…even though every other piece of information clearly stated that the race was to be held at 5 1/2 furlongs “Monday's first race at Belmont at the Big A was run at the incorrect distance of five furlongs due to a program diagram error,” said NYRA Vice President of Communications Pat McKenna. “The race was written at 5 1/2 furlongs for 2-year-old maidens, however due to an outside-vendor issue the corresponding race graphic in the program portrayed a five-furlong race. The five-furlong race was won by War Tax with Jose Gomez up for trainer Carlos Martin. “This is a highly unusual scenario and despite the correct distance being written in the program, on the overnight and across wagering platforms, the race was unfortunately contested at the incorrect distance. NYRA will review its protocols to ensure this scenario does not present itself again.” Sometimes all it takes to fix these issues is a little common sense. Somebody must have noticed that the gate was in the wrong place. Just move the gate back a half furlong and make an announcement that the diagram in the program is incorrect. The vast majority of bettors no doubt believed they were betting on a 5 1/2-furlong race. Would the outcome have been any different if it were run at 5 1/2 furlongs? Maybe. Maybe not. But the bettors deserved to have the accurate information made available to them regarding the distance of the race. The crew of stewards, led by New York Gaming Commission Steward Braulio Baeza, Jr., dropped the ball. The post Eagles Flight Passes First Test, and the Best May Be Yet to Come appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are five horse racing meetings set for Australia on Wednesday, May 29. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Canterbury, Doomben, and Sha Tin (HK). Wednesday’s Racing Tips – May 29, 2024 Canterbury Racing Tips Doomben Racing Tips Sha Tin Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on May 29, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? Full terms. 2 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 5 Next Gen Racing Betting PickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

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Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features Ingot, a son of dual Group 1 winner Integral (GB). 19.42 Kempton, Novice, £9,900, 2yo, 7f (AWT) INGOT (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) takes centre stage in an intriguing novice, being the fifth foal out of Cheveley Park Stud's G1 Falmouth S., G1 Sun Chariot S. Duke of Cambridge S. winner Integral (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}). In the care of the Gosdens, who campaigned his listed-placed half-brother Fundamental (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), he encounters Godolphin's Cavallo Bay (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}), a Charlie Appleby-trained son of the GI Natalma S. winner La Pelosa (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}). HOW THEY FARED 18.45 Tipperary, Mdn, €12,000, 2yo, f, 5fT Truly Enchanting (Ire) (No Nay Never), the daughter of the Oaks-placed Alluringly (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), earned TDN Rising Star status on debut with a power-packed performance. The post Wednesday’s Observations: Son of Integral Debuts at Kempton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Todd Mostoller, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (PHBPA), painted a dire economic picture of the state's Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing industries on Tuesday when he told commissioners at the monthly meeting of the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission (PHRC) that the 20-year-old legislative funding mechanism for purses has become “cannibalized” by increased competition among casinos that is harming the state's Race Horse Development Fund (RHDF). “The business model that was created by Act 71 [the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act of 2004] that incentivized hundreds of millions of dollars of investment, by my members and members on the harness side, is being destroyed,” Mostoller warned commissioners. “And that destruction is not slowing down, it is only increasing. “We're impacted from a purse standpoint,” Mostoller continued at a different point. “The breeders are impacted; the breeders get 16.67% of the RHDF. We've seen the foal crop drop from 1,700 to the neighborhood of 500 that is projected this year. So every participant in the industry, both Thoroughbred and Standardbred side, is impacted.” Mostoller explained that his sounding of the alarm bell was meant to educate commissioners about what is going on as the state ponders reexamining Act 71 with reference to games of skill. As a state regulatory agency, the PHRC itself is powerless to make direct changes to the statute-established RHDF. But Mostoller said at the May 28 meeting that he wanted commissioners to be familiar with the same pitch he has been making to legislators over the past three or four months. “We didn't feel the commission really understood the issue and why we continue to see a decrease in race dates,” Mostoller said. “I can tell you, Hollywood Casino, I lose two race days a month from cannibalization, year over year. And it's only accelerating,” Mostoller said. “You guys are acutely aware that we continue to decline in race days at both Penn National and Presque Isle.” Mostoller framed his case by asking the rhetorical question of why are race dates in decline if the news media is full of stories about Pennsylvania's flourishing overall gaming industry? He then supplied his own answer: The advent of online gaming and the issuance of Category 4 “satellite casino” licenses have taken a huge revenue bite out of the RHDF's sole source of funding, which comes from 18% of gross revenue at Category 1 (gaming at racetracks only) slot terminals. Some of Pennsylvania's satellite casinos and online gaming entities are owned by the very same corporate parents that operate the state's horse-track racinos, although Mostoller did not venture off into this aspect of the problem during his presentation. Mostoller did say that the RHDF has been in contraction since achieving its high-water mark of $280 million in the fiscal year 2011-12. “The problem is we have seen that number decline considerably. And why is that?” Mostoller asked. “Well, there's been legislative actions that have transferred [$50 million annually for four years] out of the fund [to shore up a state budget shortfall]. But the real issue now is cannibalization. The gaming market in Pennsylvania has changed dramatically since 2017,” which is when Category 4 licensees and internet gaming were first permitted. “At the Category 1 facilities, cumulatively, we have seen a decrease of almost half a billion dollars in gross terminal revenue on slot machines,” Mostoller said. “And it's important that we talk about slot machines, because that's the only revenue that we get. We don't get revenues from any of the sports [betting], any of the table games. It's slot machine revenues only. “When they created the Category 4 casinos, they put facilities within the demographics of the existing Category 1 facilities,” Mostoller continued. “A perfect example is Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. We now have York, which is 20-25 miles to our south. We now have Morgantown. We now have Shippensburg, and soon-to-be State College. Well there's only so many gaming dollars to go around. And what we've seen, strictly at Penn National, is we've seen a decrease of $100 million in gross terminal revenue since fiscal year 2011-12.” Mostoller said those downward-spiraling Penn figures match what is happening on a larger scale statewide. “I think COVID had a huge role to play in people moving to the online gaming thing. Nobody had predicted that. But that's reality,” Mostoller said. Mostoller then noted that the projected amount for the RHDF in the 2024 fiscal year is only about $17 million higher than it was in 2020. “If that doesn't slap you in the face a little bit to the problem that we're having, I don't know what does,” Mostoller said. “I mean [because of the pandemic] we were basically shut down, for month upon month, every Category 1 facility. And yet we are on pace to only beat that year by $17 million.” PHRC chairperson Russell Redding, who also serves as the state's Secretary of Agriculture, asked Mostoller, “What's the answer? You need [to come up with] more money, but there's only so many options to find the money.” Mostoller replied that there are currently “discussions of regulating games of skill. If the Gaming Act is opened, there are certainly ways that our industry can be 'made whole' [via] the promise that was made in the original act. “The original act was a business model that worked,' Mostoller said. “People invested hundreds of millions of dollars in that business model. That [model] is now in the process of being destroyed. And if we were to get back to the high-water mark, which we believe [would] give the industry the stability and the incentive [to move forward], the original promise of Act 71 would be fulfilled… “The Gaming Act being opened, in conjunction with games of skill, may be a mechanism,' Mostoller summed up. “We're not here to solve the problems. We're simply letting people know of the issue and what the problem is so that they firmly understand it.” Mostoller said his efforts at educating legislators about what's at stake for the racing industry is important because there has been substantial turnover among elected officials since Act 71 first passed two decades ago. Redding estimated that legislative turnover could be as high as 70%. “When you talk about what was sort of the business model and the expectation of the [original Gaming Act] agreement, you have to go all the way back and build up to the point of what the drivers are, the problem, and then the potential solutions,” Redding said. “Because there aren't folks who fully appreciate how we got here.” The post PHBPA: ‘Cannibalization’ of Slot Revenue ‘Destroying’ Horse Biz Development Model appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jaime Rodriguez won twice on the Memorial Day holiday program May 27 to clinch his first riding title at Pimlico Race Course, while Brittany Russell left with her third straight leading trainer crown at the Preakness Meet.View the full article

Siena Farm and WinStar Farm must have thought highly of their Gun Runner colt to bestow the name World Record on him, and his maiden victory May 27 at Churchill Downs may have confirmed that they were right to set their expectations high.View the full article

After being vanned off following his 2 1/4-length victory in the $201,000 Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes (G2) May 27 at Santa Anita Park, Mr Fisk was diagnosed with a condylar fracture.View the full article