Wandering Eyes

With a long-term eye on a title defense in this fall's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar, Patricia's Hope LLC's Nobals (Noble Mission {GB}) has begun gearing up for his 2024 campaign. The gelded 5-year-old has posted four breezes at trainer Larry Rivelli's Hawthorne base this spring, most recently stopping the timer for four furlongs in :52.60 (50/51) May 19. “He's doing good, real good,” Rivelli said. “I gave him time just for no reason. I haven't really picked out anything yet (for his return); within his next couple of works, we'll probably start dialing in on something. They got those races (turf sprints) everywhere. It could be at Colonial, Churchill, Ellis, Indiana for his comeback race. The goal is to win the Breeders' Cup (Turf Sprint) again, so we'll just try to get a couple of preps in before that race.” Nobals won four of seven starts during his 2023 season, capped by a narrow decision in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita Nov. 4. A front-running, upset winner at odds of 38-1 in the GII Twin Spires Turf Sprint S. on the GI Kentucky Derby undercard, Nobals showed a different dimension at the Championships, rallying from seventh following a masterful ride from Gerardo Corrales to light up the tote board once again at odds of 12-1. Both wins earned Nobals matching 102 Beyer Speed Figures. Nobals, just a $3,500 FTKOCT yearling, was purchased privately by Vinnie Foglia's Patricia's Hope and transferred to Rivelli following a debut win as a 2-year-old for owner/trainer Leland Hayes at Presque Isle Downs. One of eight graded winners for Frankel (GB)'s full-brother Noble Mission, Nobals was produced by the Dr. John A Chandler homebred and two-time winner Pearly Blue (Empire Maker). “It's good because you just let him run his own race, and if he's where he's at, he fires either way,” Rivelli said of his charge's versatility. “That was not the plan obviously, they just got away from him (at the Breeders' Cup). He plain and simple wasn't fast enough. The trip was perfect. Everything had to work out–the rail opened up just enough and we got through and held on.” Rivelli continued, “A lot of those guys that were in that race last year kinda fell off the map. I'm hoping that we made the right move by just giving him a break. Hopefully, those horses are all (worn) out by that time of the year and we're just coming back with a pretty nice fresh horse.” Larry Rivelli & Gerardo Corrales celebrate at the Championships | Benoit It was a career year for Rivelli in 2023. In addition to saddling his first Breeders' Cup winner, he also came within a length of capturing the GI Kentucky Derby with three-time graded winner and young WinStar stallion Two Phil's (Hard Spun). The Chicago native posted a record of 276-85-59-30 and a personal-best $4,992,862 in earnings last season. “It was the best year we've had in my career,” Rivelli said. “Almost winning the Derby with Two Phil's, then winning the Breeders' Cup all in the same year, it was great. Two Phil's is doing good at WinStar now, I think his book is full. Everything is going good, knock on wood.” Rivelli concluded, “I got a bunch of babies–a bunch of 'em–that aren't named yet that are just getting to the point where the light bulb is going off. There's a lot of could be's right now, which is good.” Who knows? There 'could be' a repeat Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner in his barn as well. REPLAY: Nobals wins the $1 Million #BreedersCup Turf Sprint! Congrats to all connections! #BC23 pic.twitter.com/hpytTFJ2d7 — Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 4, 2023 The post ‘The Goal is to Win the Breeders’ Cup Again’ – BC Turf Sprint Winner Nobals Gearing Up for Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Continuing the stellar start to his stud career of Sergei Prokofiev, Amo Racing and Giselle De Aguiar's Arizona Blaze (GB) outstayed Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) at the close of The Curragh's G3 GAIN Marble Hill S. run in memory of Theresa Marnane on Saturday. Second to the runner-up's stablemate Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never) in the five-furlong Listed First Flier S. here earlier this month, the £82,000 Goffs UK Premier graduate who was his sire's first winner also at this venue in March set off in front under David Egan. Tackled and passed by Ballydoyle's 4-6 favourite inside the final furlong, the 7-1 shot looked booked for second again but battled tenaciously to get back in front close home and score by a head. The post First Group Winner For Sergei Prokofiev In The Marble Hill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) has claimed a berth in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) by the barest of margins when nosing out Freedom Rally (Rubick) to land the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday. Prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, the ever-improving six-year-old continued his strong recent form which included a win in the Gr.3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) last month, prior to a close second to Dashing (Magnus) over a mile at Caulfield. Winning jockey Michael Dee had Here To Shock on a clear path for victory only for Freedom Rally to dive late and make connections of the eventual winner sweat. “Photo finishes haven’t really been going our way over the last six months so I was glad to see him get the head down. It was a brave effort by the horse, terrific ride and just super,” JD Hayes said. “I can’t thank Rob Heathcote and his team enough. They’ve let us stay and made us feel at home and the horse as well. “It is great for Rob Slade and all the owners. This horse has really gone to another level and I was pleased he was able to cope with the speed today and he was strong through the line.” The BRC Sprint-Stradbroke double has only been done once, but Hayes said the son of Shocking is up for the challenge. “It is hard to do but he’s a horse in form and that is a force to be reckoned with. Maybe he can upset history a bit,” he said. Winning jockey Michael Dee claimed a double on the day and was pleased to get the nod in the tight finish. “I thought I might have just held on, but he didn’t want a metre longer. It was a good tough effort but I’m glad the winning post came up,” he said. “I was very happy after two furlongs and then there was a bit more speed coming across from out wide. It got messy there approaching the 1000m. “I had to concede a position or else we would have been in an average spot but I’m glad it all worked out. It was tough to hold out any challengers.” Formerly trained by Brent Stanley, the Lindsay Park trained galloper took his earnings to A$885,180 with his BRC Sprint victory and now gets a shot at the A$3 million Stradbroke Handicap to be run at Eagle Farm on June 15. Sporting the colours of syndicator Slade Bloodstock, Here To Shock has now won nine of his 29 starts, with a further six placings. Rob Slade went to $70,000 to purchase the then colt out of the Lonhro mare Frescoes from the 2019 Cambridge Stud yearling draft at the Book 1 Sale at Karaka. Bred by The Sunlight Trust, Here To Shock is a half-brother to Listed winner Turn The Ace (NZ) (Turn Me Loose). View the full article

By Mike Love Woodend beach trainer Bob Butt heads to Timaru on Sunday with a team of four, three of which step out for the first time under his care. Race 1 the Bronsan Transport LTD Passing Lane Trot over the 2600m stand will see Pandemic front up again after a third on debut. “He’s quite a nice horse. He’s come through his debut run well. He’s got the ability to win a maiden pretty quickly.” Despite Butt’s confidence around the Love You gelding, there is a belief that the best is still a year away. “He’s just not the best gaited just yet. He’s a big rangy bugger, so it will be good to give him a spell after a maiden win.” The first of Butt’s newcomers is Dreamalittledream in race six, The Two Noels Handicap pace over 2600m. The four-year-old A Rocknroll Dance mare won on debut for then Gore trainer Tony Stratford in November 2023 before failing at Timaru and heading Butt’s way. “She trialled well, she seems well and her work is good. With a bit of luck she will be a good winning chance.” “She’s my best chance of the day.” Four-year-old Sweet Lou gelding Zamperini will line up in race 7, the Night ‘N’ Day Park mobile pace over the 2050m. Zamperini was sent up to Butt for beach work by his former Branxholme trainer Nathan Williamson. “He probably just lacks a bit of top-end speed, but he seems pretty honest. Hopefully they’ll go hard up front and that will give him his best chance to be in the finish.” No Perfect Princess in race 10, the Catering South Canterbury Mobile Pace over the 2050m rounds out Butt’s runners. The four-year-old Vincent mare lands a tricky draw of one the second line. “It might work out alright – we will be on the fence which is not a bad place for Timaru. If she gets a bit of luck she’s a top four chance. Purdon’s one (Eyeliner) has a good draw and will be hard to beat so if we can be three or four back the fence all the way it will be okay for her fresh up run.” Butt is also engaged to drive Luvavici in race 3, the Lone Pine Building trot for trainer Paul Nairn, and Betting Gift in race 4 the Turf Services Readylawn Timaru pace for trainer Bruce Negus. Racing commences from 11:40am. View the full article

Golden Path returned to winning form at Randwick on Saturday. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Victorian raider Golden Path has returned to the winner’s circle with a well-timed run to score in the Benchmark 88 Handicap (2000m) at Randwick for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. The son of Belardo was perfectly handled by jockey Chad Schofield, with Golden Path collaring Father’s Day late with Toesonthenose in third. It was the third victory from ten career starts for Golden Path, who made a good early impression from his new quarters after being purchased out of New Zealand. A winner on debut for the stable before going on to win the Silver Bowl Series Final (1600m) as a late three-year-old, the gelding had struggled to reach those early heights as a four-year-old. Following his last start fifth in the A$500,000 The Coast (1600m) at Newcastle, the decision was made to step the galloper up in distance and he relished getting out to 2000m. “He’s a horse that we profiled to get 2000m this time around,” Assistant Trainer Ben Elam said. “He had to work hard for it, the leader skipped away and it was a very honest gallop. “They dropped off mid-section and I thought if the leader skipped away he is going to have to work very hard, but he really pinned his ears back which was good to see because sometimes he can think about it. “We are at a stage now where it was a good time to test him at 2000m and now he has ticked that box.” Schofield made all the right moves at the right time to ensure Golden Path didn’t get too far back on a recently renovated track that was difficult to make up significant ground. “I rode him the other day at Newcastle over a mile and he just kept finding the line like a horse that wants a bit further, so they stepped him up in trip today,” Schofield said. “I was a bit worried about the draw (7) and where we’d end up. I didn’t want to be too far back with how the track is playing but he broke well and we got into a lovely position. “The horse we were following started to get detached so I had to hook out at the 600m and make our own run. It was a good duel up the straight and he was a strong horse late.” View the full article

Jaylah Kennedy guides Hard To Cross home to win at Sandown. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Sandown specialist Hard To Cross made it four wins from five starts at the venue when he posted a comfortable victory in the Benchmark 84 Handicap (1600m) on Saturday. In the process the Patrick Payne-prepared son of All Too Hard headed home a kiwi-bred one-two with seven-year-old Jimmy Choux gelding Trosettee, a stablemate of the winner, charging home late to claim second. Apprentice Jaylah Kennedy, the daughter of Dunedin-based trainers Terry and Debbie Kennedy, handled the four-year-old to perfection as she settled Hard To Cross one-off the fence in fourth place as Georgie Get Mad set up a solid tempo in front. Kennedy bided her time before asking the gelding for his best at the 200m where he charged to the lead before holding out Trosettee by three-quarters of a length at the line. Payne stable representative Neil Greaves was thrilled with the effort of both the horse and apprentice, who has been kicking home winners on a regular basis. “Horses just seem to run well for her, and she rode that one perfectly,” Greaves said. “She has been riding a heap of winners and although Patrick is a little better qualified to assess her riding skills, I think it is there for people to see. “Luke Currie also rode the runner-up perfectly as well, so we are pretty happy with the way things turned out. “I can’t see the reason why they (both horses) wouldn’t keep going the next two to three weeks as there are similar races here and Patrick likes to take a claim where he can if it suits the horse.” Kennedy was delighted to get the win on Hard To Cross at her first ride on the horse. “He has been presented in terrific order and placed really well with the light weight and when I settled that close it doesn’t always pan out like that, but with the 52.5kgs he was pretty dominant,” she said. “I was lucky I had the horse underneath me to put me in the forward position and he was very good. “I hit the front fairly early, but I was travelling so strongly and if something had come up and contested with me, he would have pinned the ears back and kept rolling.” Horse racing news View the full article

Here To Shock (outside) ridden by Michael Dee has taken out the Group 3 BRC Sprint at Doomben. Photo: Darren Winningham The team Hayes-trained Here To Shock (+700) has booked his ticket to the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) after fending off Freedom Rally (+400) in the shadows of the post to claim the Group 3 BRC Sprint at Doomben on Saturday afternoon. The six-year-old son of Shocking has always been a consistent-type, never missing the frame across his three starts heading into Saturday’s $300,000 feature. Michael Dee was able to stalk the speed from barrier four, settling two-back and one-off the inside running rail to guide Here To Shock into the clear, chasing a strong tempo throughout the 1350m journey. The same can’t be said for the luckless runner-up Freedom Rally, with the Tony Gollan-trained four-year-old bombing the start from barrier one, with Craig Williams forced to take his medicine towards the rear of the field. It left punters with a grandstand finish to end the day at Doomben, as Here To Shock bounced off the canvas to claim victory, while Freedom Rally backers will need to wait until next start for the progressive gelding to make amends. 2024 BRC Sprint replay – Here To Shock Co-trainer JD Hayes was on course to discuss the win, suggesting Here To Shock has gone to another level this campaign as he seeks to claim the BRC Sprint/Stradbroke double. “Photo finishes haven’t really been going our way over the last six months so great to get the head down,” said Hayes. “Brave effort by the horse, terrific ride and just super. “I can’t thank Rob Heathcote and his team enough. They’ve let us stay and made us feel at home. “This horse has really gone to another level and I was pleased he was able to cope with the speed. He was strong through the line. “It is hard to do (the double) but he’s a horse in form and that is a force to be reckoned with. Maybe an upset this year.” Michael Dee spoke for the second time after claiming the Pam O’Neil Stakes earlier in the afternoon and was delighted with the win. “I thought I might have just held on,” said Dee. “Good tough effort but I’m glad the winning post came up. “I was very happy after two furlongs and there was speed coming across from out wide. It got messy there approaching the 1000-metres. “Had to concede a position or else we would have been in an average spot. Glad it all worked out. It was tough to hold any challengers.” Here To Shock is now a +1400 chance with top online bookmakers for the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) on June 15. Horse racing news View the full article

Bois D’Argent (inside) ridden by Blake Shinn claims victory in the Group 1 Doomben Cup. Photo: Darren Winningham Annabel Neasham has claimed her second win in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m), with Bos D’Argent (+2500) causing a major boilover on Saturday afternoon. Her recently retired Group 1 star, Zaaki (2021), was her only previous winner in the race prior to Saturday, as Bois D’Argent made-all to collect his first-ever Group 1 prize, courtesy of a front-running masterclass by Blake Shinn. He pinged the lids from barrier eight, taking his time to cross to the lead, with a group of six or seven horses spread across the track. It was the eventual winner that would end up getting across comfortably in the end, while stable companion Naval College (+4000) and Peter & Paul Snowden two-time Doomben Cup winner Huetor (+1200) lobbed into lovely trailing positions. Detonator Jack (+400) cruised across into the one-one under James McDonald, with other leading chances Kovalica (+250) and Numerian (+750) holding positions slightly worse than mid-field turning into the straight. Bois D’Argent gave a strong kick under Shinn as a wall of horses mounted a late challenge, with New Endeavour (+1000) getting the split as Craig Williams pulled the whip. It was a head-bobbing go on the wire, but there was a slight margin in favour of the inside as Bois D’Argent fended off another honest performance by the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained import. 2024 Doomben Cup replay – Bois D’Argent Annabel Neasham was on course to represent the stable and credited everyone involved in her team for the victory. “Well, he was the one I was saying was way over the odds,” said Neasham. “You pick back through his form and he’s no worse than the rest of these better horses in this field. He ran fourth in a Caulfield Cup where he was a bit unlucky, the Tancred didn’t really work out for him that day but he ran really well, and I’m just do happy for Grant Morgan and his team cause he’s been a good support and a great bunch of owners in him. “A beautiful ride by Blake (Shinn), he rated him beautifully, and New Endeavour kept us honest with a flashback of last week, but it was small margin, but a margin nonetheless. “I’m just so happy for the team, they’ve done a great job to get four horses here and they all looked to run really well, so, delighted.” Blake Shinn was emotional as he spoke post-race about the win and what it means to snag his second Doomben Cup as a jockey. “I’m a bit emotional for this one because obviously my last one was Streamer with Guy Walter, so after I realised I’d won it, straight in my mind was Guy, so it was pretty touching to be able to do it,” he said. “The horse was amazing, full credit to Annabel, she’s a lovely woman and to win a race for her of this magnitude is pretty special.” “It was a great race and Annabel was very confident that he would run well. Anyone could have won this race today and he was fortunate he too good. I’m absolutely thrilled.” Horse racing news View the full article

Chief Stipelas Whyte thrilled with stable star’s improvement from his last run as he bids for famous three-peatView the full article

Fresh off a seven-month spell, promising winter sprinter Spencer (NZ) (Derryn) produced a stunning performance to claim one of the feature events on the programme at Trentham, the Metro Interiors Autumn Sprint Final (1200m). Trainer Erin Hocquard was confident of a good performance after the four-year-old had performed well in gallops and jump-outs leading into the contest, however she was in two minds as to whether the testing Heavy10 track may trip him up after such a long break away from racing. As it turned out, he simply relished the underfoot conditions in the hands of Lisa Allpress as he rewarded the support of punters who backed him into $7.50 in the Fixed Odds market from an opening quote of $13. Allpress had him travelling sweetly one off the fence in behind the early speed before sticking closer to the rail as runners fanned wide at the top of the straight. The son of Grangewilliam Stud resident sire Derryn issued his challenge at the 300m and quickly shot to the lead for Allpress, before holding out a stern challenge from Cambridge visitor Super Wraith (NZ) (Super Easy) to collect the major spoils in the $50,000 event. Allpress was impressed with the effort and also had plenty of praise for his trainer. “Erin is doing a super job as she has her horses in great condition and looking so well,” Allpress said. “I hadn’t ridden this guy before, but I went to the jump outs to ride a few and she was looking for a rider for him that day. “He really impressed me the way he went so I asked to stick with him, and we got the result today. “He travelled well throughout, and I had to stick closer in after he drew barrier two, but when I asked him to go, he really kicked and beat a very nice field. “I just think he’s a real little racehorse who doesn’t mind rain affected tracks, which he is going to get from now on. “Looking at his record he won over 1400m in his last campaign so the way he felt today I think he can certainly get over a little more ground.” The victory also brought up a winning treble for Allpress who had earlier taken out race one aboard First Gear (NZ) (Derryn) for trainer Kevin Gray, followed by a win aboard The Ugly Sister (NZ) (Tivaci) for trainer Paul Pertab. “First Gear is very promising and was simply too good today,” she said. “He hasn’t finished winning and I thought The Ugly Sister was also very determined as she fought back hard in the closing stages for a good result.” Bred and raced by members of Taranaki’s well-known Schumacher family, Spencer has now won three of his eleven starts with the promise of more to come over the next few months. View the full article

Five-year-old mare Maracana (NZ) (Shamexpress) recorded a timely victory in the Gr.3 Drinkwise Mile (1600m) at Doomben on Saturday, with the daughter of Shamexpress set to go under the hammer at this week’s Gold Coast broodmare sale. Prepared by Danny O’Brien, Maracana bounced out of a Benchmark 70 victory at Cranbourne to claim Saturday’s contest with a hard-fought victory over Osmose (Zoffany). The smart mare was a multiple stakes performer earlier in her career, including a third placing in the Gr.2 Fillies Classic (1600m) at three. Given a perfect ride by Michael Dee, Maracana sat off the speed in third and belied her $41 odds when staving off her rivals after making her claim rounding the home bend. “She’s a filly that had stakes performances as a three-year-old and just lost her way a little bit but she won last start,” O’Brien said. “When the rain came and took the edge off this track, she’s got very good form once the track gets a little bit affected and she has produced her best today. “She’s a mile to 2000-metre mare. She’s got good performances. She’s actually in the (Magic Millions) mares’ sale on Tuesday or Wednesday and that is one of the reasons she’s up here. “But she’s still got plenty of good racing in her. Whoever decides to put their hand up next week has a horse that is ready to go on with it. She is multiple stakes placed and now a Group Three winner as well.” O’Brien flagged the A$500,000 Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) as a potential target for Maracana. Winning jockey Michael Dee deflected all credit to the mare, suggesting he went for home too early. “She is finding her form again from a bit of a rough patch but to her credit she stuck it out and got challenged at the hundred (metre mark) and she fought again. Credit to her,” Dee said. “It was a nice, genuine tempo where we were able to camp on the two leaders and probably ‘my bad’ I went a bit too soon pressing the button but to her credit, she fought well.” Maracana was bred and is part-owned by O’Brien, who trained her Group One winning Windsor Park Stud sire Shamexpress. O’Brien purchased her dam Rita Moreno (King’s Chapel) in foal to Shamexpress for $20,000 on gavelhouse.com. A half-sister to Group Two winner Natalie Wood (NZ) (Yachtie), dam of Maluckyday (NZ) (Zabeel), Rita Moreno has had three further foals to Shamexpress and is back in foal to the son of O’Reilly, who stands for $8,000 +GST this season. View the full article

Pudding makes the most of a trip to Melbourne, winning at Sandown on Saturday. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli A superbly judged front-running ride by Zac Spain paved the way for five-year-old Tavistock gelding Pudding to score handsomely at Sandown over 1800m. South Australian based father-daughter training partnership Richard and Chantelle Jolly brought their charge to Sandown after four Morphettville starts this campaign and Pudding delivered in emphatic style in the Benchmark 100 contest. Spain dictated terms to his rivals and when he asked him for an effort in the run home, Pudding fought hard to hold out the challenges of race favourite Highlights and fellow kiwi-bred runner Smokin Romans for a comfortable victory. “He has been great ever since he got here. We arrived on Friday morning and he has been bouncing out of his skin,” said stable representative Rin Nagle “We were confident he could run well and that was terrific. “I was pretty happy as he got a good time of it in front, it was a perfect ride and he couldn’t have done any better. “I’m not sure what the boss has planned. They might freshen him up then bring him back but I’m sure they have something in mind.” Spain was quick to admit his original race plan went out the window when Pudding jumped well and none of his rivals wanted to take on the pace-making duties. “The plan certainly wasn’t to lead that’s for sure, it was to get cover on him. “He just began so well and when I looked across there was no-one coming over, so I elected to take it up. “I got him into a good rhythm and made sure I was building from the 600m, with the 54kg on his back he travelled well through the dip and showed a good kick. “Off that win he can progress in Melbourne, and I don’t see why they wouldn’t bring him over again as every time Richard and Chantelle bring one over, they are in the money.” Horse racing news View the full article

Scarlet Oak ridden by James McDonald has taken out the Group 2 Roses at Doomben. Photo: Darren Winningham The old firm of Chris Waller & James McDonald combined with Scarlet Oak (+260) proving the best of the girls in The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday afternoon. The daughter of Kermadec put the writing on the wall last time out, with a dominant 2.4-length victory at Newcastle on May 11, signalling the intent to head north for a tilt at the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m). This was always going to be a necessary steppingstone on that journey, and thanks to a perfectly timed ride by James McDonald, the three-year-old looks poised to take on Group 1 company on June 8. Everything went to plan for McDonald, as he stalked a hectic tempo throughout the 2000m journey, lobbing Scarlet Oak into the perfect position two-back on the rail. The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained last-start winner Amazonian Lass (+900) ensured a genuine staying contest, sending them along at a quick tempo under Adam Hyeronimus. Poifect (+1400) was sent forward to contest the early speed battle but would eventually hand up to the dominant early leader, while a few of the leading chances like Good Banter (+1100) and Molly Bloom (+300) were slowly away, leaving the latter of the pair making a mid-race move under Blake Shinn. The gap appeared early in the straight for McDonald, as Scarlet Oak was sent careering away with the $300,000 prize, while all the action was down the centre of the course, with Mare Of Mt Buller (+3000) and Miss Jolene (+7000) flying home to give exotic players some terrific dividends with top online bookmakers. 2024 The Roses replay – Scarlet Oak It was all honours to the winner in the end; however, as Chris Waller eluded, there was still more to come from this progressive filly as she seeks Group 1 glory next time out. “That’s the beauty of Australian racing,” said Waller. “You’ve got it 52 weeks of the year and you can take advantage of it with a late developer and a rising star. “I was eyeing her off on the TV watching her win in New Zealand. Ozzie Kheir purchased her out of New Zealand from Ken Kelso who is a trainer I respect and I spoke to him. “He said she is the real deal but needs a bit of furnishing. The best is yet to come. “She is taking it all within her stride and that is the only reason she is still up here because she does need time. She’s eating everything and enjoying it. No signs of stress and we’ll push on in two weeks’ time.” James McDonald spoke post-race about her ability, suggesting she gives the feel of a miler despite being on song for the Oaks. “It was a little bit hairy at the top of the straight,” said McDonald. “I was squeezed for room. She’s got an extremely good acceleration to her and I actually genuinely believe that if she got a dry track then she’s going to excel. “I think she’ll come back faster next prep. She feels like a miler to me but she is extremely talented and her talent is really going to have to shine through in two weeks.” Scarlet Oak is now a firm favourite at +200 with top horse racing betting sites for the Queensland Oaks (2200m) on June 8. Horse racing news View the full article

Prince Alby (outside) fights out Saturday’s John Cryan (2200m) at Trentham with Pride Of Aspen. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) A frustrating North Island campaign for Prince Alby finally took a turn for the better with a determined victory in Saturday’s John Cryan (2200m) at Trentham. The quality of the Riverton stayer has never been in question, with seven wins in the South Island along with a second in the Listed Marton Cup (2200m) at Hastings in January of this year. But his latest northern mission had produced more bad luck than good, most notably a last-start sixth when badly blocked in the straight in the Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m) on May 11. Saturday’s $40,000 open handicap looked like an ideal race for the five-year-old Sacred Falls gelding, who dropped to 55kg with the 2kg claim of apprentice jockey Lemmy Chief Stipelas. After settling at the tail of the nine-horse field for most of the journey around the Trentham circuit, Chief Stipelas brought Prince Alby to the outside and began to surge forward coming up to the home turn. Prince Alby came widest of all and quickly took command at the top of the straight, opening up a clear advantage. Pride Of Aspen surged through on his inside down the straight to throw down a stern challenge in the last 150m, but Prince Alby dug deep and held that rival out by a long head. There was a big margin of four and three-quarter lengths back to the third-placed Marroni. Prince Alby is trained and part-owned by Kelvin Tyler, who bought him for only $3,000 as a yearling at Karaka in 2020. His 32-start career has now produced eight wins, six placings and more than $242,000 in stakes. “It’s good to get that win today, he probably deserved it really,” Tyler said. “He’s been running good races but just not getting a whole lot of luck. The Rotorua Cup was a hard race to watch – we think he probably should have won that race. But that’s racing. “He got in with 55kg today, a nice weight in that sort of race and on that sort of ground, and he’s won it well. “I’m not really sure what we’ll do with him now. We could put him aside, or we could have a look for another race for him. I haven’t thought too far beyond today at this stage, so it’s something to think about over the next few days.” Horse racing news View the full article

Maracana (inside) ridden by Michael Dee takes out the Group 3 Pam O’Neill Stakes at Doomben. Photo: Darren Winningham Danny O’Brien & Michael Dee have combined to cause a major upset at Doomben on Saturday, with Maracana (+4000) pushed out to secure victory in the Group 3 Pam O’Neill Stakes (1600m). She was sent north from Victoria after her recent win at Cranbourne on May 10 at BM70 level, forcing the daughter of Shamexpress to make a significant leap in grade on Saturday, which the five-year-old mare was happy to oblige at massive odds with top online bookmakers. It was thanks to a perfectly rated steer by Dee, gaining an economical run in transit towards the one-one, with the Kris Lees-trained favourite Zoe’s Promise (+320) ensuring they ran along at a moderate clip. Senora (+2500) crept up to sit outside the leader throughout, while the well-supported Thalassophile (+400) was dragged back to the rear of the field by James McDonald, biding his time to get the last crack at them in the concluding stages. When the race went on, it became clear that they were all chasing Maracana though, with Dee sending her to the front with 300m left to travel, with only the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Osmose (+750) within striking distance of the leader. She loomed large under Adam Hyeronimus, but it was to no avail as Maracana clinged to victory, while Firestorm (+1000) and Princess Rhaenys (+550) were left to fight out the remaining minor money. 2024 Pam O’Neil Stakes replay – Maracana It was a throw at the stumps that paid off for the Danny O’Brien barn, as he spoke about what’s next for Maracana. “She’s a filly that had stakes performances as a three-year-old and just lost her way a little bit,” said O’Brien. “When the rain came and took the edge off this track, she’s got very good form on tracks that are a little bit affected and she produced her best today. “She’s a mile to 2000-metre mare. She’s got good performances. She’s actually in the (Magic MIllions) mare sale on Tuesday or Wednesday and that is one of the reasons she’s up here. “But she’s still got plenty of good performances. Whoever decides to put their hand up next week has a horse that is ready to go on with it. Multiple stakes placed and now a group three winner as well.” Michael Dee praised his mounts toughness in securing the victory after asking for the ultimate effort. “She seemed well and truly along with her target today,” said Dee. “She is finding her form again from a bit of a rough patch but to her credit she stuck it out and got challenged at the hundred (metre mark) and she fought again. Credit to her. “Lucky enough to have a good draw and hold a position that was probably beneficial. Worked out well. “It was a nice, genuine tempo where were were able to camp on the two leaders and probably ‘my bad’ I went a bit too soon pressing the button but to her credit she fought well.” Horse racing news View the full article

Lisa Allpress secures her third winner at Trentham aboard Spencer in the Autumn Sprint Final (1200m). Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Fresh off a seven-month spell, promising winter sprinter Spencer produced a stunning performance to claim one of the feature events on the programme at Trentham, the Autumn Sprint Final (1200m). Trainer Erin Hocquard was confident of a good performance after the four-year-old had performed well in gallops and jump-outs leading into the contest, however she was in two minds as to whether the testing Heavy 10 track may trip him up after such a long break away from racing. As it turned out, he simply relished the underfoot conditions in the hands of Lisa Allpress as he rewarded the support of punters who backed him into $7.50 in the Fixed Odds market from an opening quote of $13. Allpress had him travelling sweetly one off the fence in behind the early speed before sticking closer to the rail as runners fanned wide at the top of the straight. The son of Grangewilliam Stud resident sire Derryn issued his challenge at the 300m and quickly shot to the lead for Allpress, before holding out a stern challenge from Cambridge visitor Super Wraith to collect the major spoils in the $50,000 event. Allpress was impressed with the effort and also had plenty of praise for his trainer. “Erin is doing a super job as she has her horses in great condition and looking so well,” Allpress said. “I hadn’t ridden this guy before, but I went to the jump outs to ride a few and she was looking for a rider for him that day. “He really impressed me the way he went so I asked to stick with him, and we got the result today. “He travelled well throughout, and I had to stick closer in after he drew barrier two, but when I asked him to go, he really kicked and beat a very nice field. “I just think he’s a real little racehorse who doesn’t mind rain affected tracks, which he is going to get from now on. “Looking at his record he won over 1400m in his last campaign so the way he felt today I think he can certainly get over a little more ground.” The victory also brought up a winning treble for Allpress who had earlier taken out race one aboard First Gear for trainer Kevin Gray, followed by a win aboard The Ugly Sister for trainer Paul Pertab. “First Gear is very promising and was simply too good today,” she said. “He hasn’t finished winning and I thought The Ugly Sister was also very determined as she fought back hard in the closing stages for a good result.” Bred and raced by members of Taranaki’s well-known Schumacher family, Spencer has now won three of his eleven starts with the promise of more to come over the next few months. Horse racing news View the full article

Mary Shan dominates her age-group rivals at Pukekohe Park on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Quality filly Mary Shan gave her age-group rivals a start and a beating at Pukekohe on Saturday when she cleared out for a hollow victory in the second race on the card, the Auckland Co-op Taxis 1400 (1400m) for the three-year-olds. Eased to the rear by rider Craig Grylls, the Andrew Forsman-trained runner idled along on the Heavy 10 surface before Grylls asked her to move into contention approaching the home bend. Any concerns she may not handle the testing conditions were quickly put to bed as Grylls kept her under a strong hold as she levelled up to pacemakers Geldof and Cintivee, before cruising clear at the 250m to win under double wraps by more than five lengths at the line. The victory was just reward for the daughter of Almanzor who had raced in stakes company for her last seven starts, where she finished no further back than sixth and was runner-up twice at Group 2 level. Forsman was satisfied with the result as he contemplates where to next for his charge. “I think she probably does handle these conditions okay and she was the class horse of the field,” Forsman said. “There are a couple of options for her now in either Brisbane or Melbourne or she could just go to the paddock. “She’s had a long season and has been up a while so we will sit down and work it out. “She has been all around it (this campaign) with Molly Bloom being her nemesis and she would go to the paddock with multiple black type placings, although it’s just a shame she’s not a winner at that level but she will get there in time.” Grylls was pleased to see Mary Shan pick up a win and was happy with the way she handled the underfoot conditions. “Her last two runs have been quite good after a little freshen up,” he said. “She didn’t have a lot of favours last time and today she was third up and too strong. “It’s pretty testing out there but she got through it okay.” Horse racing news View the full article

Highlighter relishes the heavy track conditions to score in the Barfoot & Thompson 1100 at Pukekohe. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) A strong tempo and heavy track conditions at Pukekohe Park on Saturday was the perfect winning combination for Highlighter, as the talented mare put her rivals away comfortably in the Barfoot & Thompson 1100. While the daughter of Shamexpress is more than capable on a good surface, she really comes into her own through the soft-track period, as she displayed last year with three consecutive wins through July and August, before capping off her campaign with a runner-up finish behind classy galloper Sacred Satono. Highlighter returned to the trials in mid-March and finished third first-up to the races at Te Rapa behind Turn The Ace, giving her trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott a vote of confidence heading into Saturday’s open sprint. With the exception of Group 3 winner Johny Johny carrying the 59kg topweight, the remaining three runners in a compact line-up sat between 51-54kg, Highlighter at 53kg aided by Triston Moodley’s three-kilogram claim. Highlighter was tardily away from barrier three alongside Johny Johny, but the speedy frontrunner soon assumed a position three-wide outside of Winning For All and Caitlyn’s Wish, while the mare settled as far as six lengths detached in the mid-stages. Moodley allowed his mount to slide up to the remainder of the pack turning for home and found clear air between runners at the 250m, striding through the testing track to score by 1.75 lengths from Caitlyn’s Wish. Matamata-based Scott was delighted to see the mare earn her sixth career success, indicating time had been a positive for the rising eight-year-old. “We had high levels of confidence going into today, she was coming up really well this preparation,” he said. “Her trials and first-up run were really encouraging as she just peaked on her run the last little bit but she took good improvement from there. “She can be a bit tardy away from the gates and she was that way today, but Triston showed good patience. “He’s a three-kilo claimer which is a massive aid at this time of the year in the soft tracks, and he kept her balanced and didn’t panic. He did a great job. “It was great to see this mare back in winning form, she’s a great advertisement for giving a horse time as she’s an older horse with relatively low starts. We’ve really reaped the rewards of longevity out of her.” Wexford Stables and Andrew Williams Bloodstock purchased Highlighter for $40,000 at the 2018 Karaka Yearling Sales, an investment well returned as she surpassed the $200,000 mark in stakes on Saturday. “She’s been an incredibly consistent, honest mare all her life and she just continues to deliver,” Scott said. “She’ll be certainly in for a good winter preparation, she’s a sound mare with great constitution and she continues to thrive in the racing environment. “It would be lovely to get some black-type for her to go to the broodmare paddock with, but where we find that is another thing. “We’ll just keep her in the open 1200’s over the winter months, and she’ll hopefully pick up another nice win through this campaign.” Horse racing news View the full article

Southern Warrior storms home to win the Listed Staphanos At Novara Park Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Pukekohe. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) While some feature-race wins are the result of months of planning and preparation, others can fall perfectly into place within the space of just 17 days. Saturday’s Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Pukekohe only came on to the radar for Cambridge trainer Dean Wiles after he saddled Southern Warrior for a promising fifth on debut at Matamata on May 8. The Belardo gelding produced an eye-catching late run from last over 1200m that day, giving Wiles an inkling that the 1600m of New Zealand’s longest two-year-old race might be up his alley. Two and a half weeks later, Southern Warrior stepped out as a $20 outsider in Saturday’s Champagne Stakes and launched another big finish from the back of the field. This time his stamina counted for so much more. “I just thought the Belardo factor might kick in today on a heavy track,” said Wiles, whose only previous stakes win came with Cong’er in the Listed Karaka Classic (1600m) at the same venue in 2012. “He had been working great. He’s only a little pony, but jeez he can run. “I knew he’d get back to last, and I just thought he could skip through that wet ground. “I didn’t even think about this race until that debut run at Matamata a couple of weeks ago. He got back last that day too and ran on really well. “Everyone that’s ridden him has said that the further he goes, the better he’ll be. And then once the rain came this morning, I was quietly confident.” Jockey Joe Doyle rode a patient race on Southern Warrior on Saturday and was still last of the nine two-year-olds in the field as Zorro’s Revenge swept to the front in a bold move at the 300m mark. Zorro’s Revenge opened up a commanding lead of more than two lengths and appeared to have the $100,000 feature firmly in his grasp, but then Doyle brought Southern Warrior down the extreme outside of the track. The little chestnut worked through his gears and built up his momentum, eating into Zorro’s Revenge’s advantage. That rival saw him coming and lifted again, but Southern Warrior clawed his way past in the final 60m and scored by a neck. The third-placed Magna Memory finished five and a half lengths behind the first pair. “Fair play to Dean – he thought the ground would suit this horse and he’d get the trip,” Doyle said. “This horse isn’t big, but he’s got a big heart and tries very hard. “It was the plan to go to the back early. If anything, it probably helped him that the other horse (Zorro’s Revenge) got so far ahead of us in the straight, because my horse is still very green. Dean has quite a small team, and it’s not the easiest when you have only a handful of horses. But I think having something to aim at was probably a key factor in his performance today.” Horse racing news View the full article

A Randwick win has Casual Connection on track for black-type targets. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au The John Sargent-trained Casual Connection has likely earned a trip to Queensland following a hard-fought victory in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday. The five-year-old son of Complacent had been racing consistently and was perfectly ridden by Sargent’s apprentice Molly Bourke, box-seating in fourth before issuing challenge rounding the home bend and bravely fending off his rivals as he went on to record the fifth victory of his career. Bourke’s three-kilo claim proved the difference as Casual Connection, carrying 52.5kgs, narrowly defeated favourite Quantum Cat. Sargent said the Kiwi bred was now likely to venture to Queensland for the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m), a quality handicap run at Eagle Farm on June 15. “He was perfectly ridden by Molly and the light weight paid off in the end,” Sargent said. “He’s a gutsy type of horse. He needs probably more speed on than that, but she got a bit of a jump on the turn and that helped, and he is a real whacking stayer. “He might get enough points to go up to Brisbane for the Brisbane Cup and get in there with no weight. It’s worth a gamble. I went there last year with Essential Sky and he ran fifth, so we might go up there.” Winning jockey Molly Bourke was pleased to get the victory on the handy stayer. “He has been running very consistently this prep and I was glad to get the job done on him today. He is very tough. Every time I thought one was going to go passed us, he found another level, so I’m very happy,” Bourke said. 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. A race prior fellow Kiwi bred Miss Jennifer came with a well-timed run under Jason Collett to land the Highway Handicap (1200m) for trainer Danny Williams. The daughter of Sacred Falls has now won four races and is a half-sister to stakes winner Seaway and Kiwi Karma. She recently joined Williams after stints with Enver Jusufovic and Clint Lundholm and has won two from two from her new base. “She was really good first-up for Danny last start, albeit in a small field at Goulburn,” Collett said. “Today there was really nice pressure and I was probably fortunate there was a bit more easing in the ground than we initially thought at the start of the day and I think that definitely aided her.” Horse racing news View the full article

Massive Sovereign with Zac Purton defeats Galaxy Patch and Blake Shinn to win the Hong Kong Derby on March 24, 2024 at Sha Tin Racecourse. Photo By: Alex Evers/HKJC Acutely aware of the difficult task confronting Massive Sovereign as he prepares for the HK$13 million Group 1 Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (26 May), Zac Purton hopes the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner can defy ratings and high-class international raider Rebel’s Romance. Rated the second-highest horse in the world this year, Rebel’s Romance will chase a fifth Group 1 having eclipsed a star-studded field containing 10 individual Group 1 winners in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) at Meydan Racecourse on March 30. Trained by Charlie Appleby, Rebel’s Romance is a clear benchmark according to Purton, who is chasing a third win in Hong Kong’s final Group 1 of the season after the Australian’s victories on Exultant in 2019 and 2020. With an international mark of 106, Massive Sovereign meets 123-rater Rebel’s Romance (126lb) at equal weights, while Purton is also concerned at the prospect of further rain. “The forecast is a worry, really, and he (Massive Sovereign) is a long way out of it on the handicap and the horse (Rebel’s Romance) that’s come to Hong Kong is a serious horse – if he runs four lengths off his best on ratings, he’s still got the field covered,” Purton said. “It’s a big challenge. We’re just hoping to get him onto a dry track and assess him a little bit more after last start but the weather doesn’t look like it’s going to play ball, so we’ll have to deal with it.” A brilliant winner of the Hong Kong Derby in record time at only his second Hong Kong start, Massive Sovereign floundered on yielding ground when beaten more than eight lengths by Romantic Warrior in the Group 1 QEII Cup (2000m) on April 28. Hong Kong champion trainer in 2012/13, Yip believes Massive Sovereign can atone for his last-start performance as long as the conditions are suitable. “He’s in very good form and hopefully the rain stays away for him. If the ground is rated good, I think he will show everyone something,” Yip said. “We are very happy. He’s eating well and every day he is working perfectly. “I think (Rebel’s Romance) is very strong and his form looks like it will be hard to beat him. But, (of) all the Hong Kong horses I’m not sure. “It will be a very interesting race. We don’t know the ground of course, but I think Massive Sovereign will be able to run a big race and finish very well.” The Champions & Chater Cup will feature four Irish-bred horses – Rebel’s Romance, Five G Patch, Russian Emperor and Massive Sovereign – Straight Arron and Senor Toba from Australia, La City Blanche from Argentina and Chile-bred Moments In Time. Moments In Time will be ridden by Lyle Hewitson, who hopes the dual Hong Kong winner can surprise after a last-start fourth in the Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2400m) on May 5, when he led and was caught late. “Of course, at the weights, he’s far out of it but at his last run – even though he had the bottom weight – he was doing far too much for too long and the fact he could stay on so well was quite impressive,” Hewitson said. “I think over this trip if he has a genuine lead – but without competition the whole way – he could be quite dangerous. I know it’s going to be a hard task to win but I wouldn’t be surprised if he raised his game and could earn some good prizemoney. “His gallop the other day on the grass, he was very fluent in his action. His ears were pricked and he never put in a wrong step, so I think he could handle it (potentially rain-affected conditions). He’s not a big horse, either, so he gets over the top of it comfortably and I don’t think it’s an issue, so I think he’s one who’ll go under the radar a little bit.” Sha Tin’s 10-race card on Sunday starts at 12.45pm HKT with the Pakistan Star Plate (1200m) for Griffins. Horse racing news View the full article

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Globetrotting superstar bids to become the first overseas winner of Sunday’s Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m)View the full article

Richard Mandella has entered Linda's Gift and Ruby Nell in the Gamely Stakes (G1T), which will also see the 2024 debut of Anisette.View the full article

The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) has extended for another six months its accreditation suspension of the University of Kentucky's Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory. The RMTC initially suspended its accreditation of the laboratory back in March, following news that the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) had stopped sending samples to the lab due to “concerns with the performance” of the facility. Prior to that, the laboratory had been one of six drug testing facilities used under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act's (HISA) drug testing program. According to the RMTC's executive director, Michael Hardy, the UK Lab requested an extension to its initial 60-day suspension period on May 7. “The RMTC acknowledges the good faith efforts and level of cooperation from the laboratory during the originally prescribed 60-day period and has authorized an extension up to, but not to exceed six months to afford additional time for the laboratory to achieve full compliance with the Code of Standards,” Hardy wrote. A UK spokesperson confirmed the suspension extension, adding that the university believes the “timeframe will be sufficient” for the lab to achieve full compliance with the RMTC's code of standards. If the laboratory failed to make the necessary fixes in time and the RMTC had denied the extension request, the organization could have moved to fully revoke its accreditation of the facility. “If that were to [happen], we would have to start very much from scratch and that can be a very laborious and time-consuming process. So, we really want to try as best we can to maintain accreditation so that we can focus on moving forward,” acting lab director, Cynthia Cole, recently told the TDN. The RMTC's extension marks the latest development in a twisting story that has played out with limited public explanations. After halting the flow of samples to the UK Laboratory, HIWU and HISA announced they had opened an investigation into the facility's performance, alongside the university's own investigation into the matter. In the same statement, the agencies announced that the university was conducting “an ongoing personnel investigation” relating to Scott Stanley, the former UK Lab director, and that “Dr. Stanley was not permitted to be in direct communication with the other staff at the laboratory.” Stanley told the TDN that he had stepped down as the UK Lab's director at the beginning of March and has been reassigned within the university. When initially asked why the RMTC had suspended its accreditation, Hardy pointed to a code of standards which lists 10 possible considerations that might prompt the organization to take such an action. RMTC accreditation is a necessity if a laboratory is to be among HIWU's stable of drug testing facilities. Toward the end of March, the university announced that it had hired Cole to be interim lab director. Cole previously served as an associate clinical professor and director of The Racing Laboratory at the University of Florida from 2002-2006, then again from 2018-2023 when the laboratory closed. In a Q&A with the TDN, Cole shared how the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) had also stopped sending samples to UK Lab due to similar concerns that HISA had with the lab, along with issues of turnaround times not being met. Cole also said that “it's possible” the recent developments at the UK Lab could call into question the legitimacy of any HISA/HIWU-related samples previously processed through the facility. Cole, however, voiced optimism that the issues with the laboratory would be rectified in time to avoid full revocation of the RMTC's accreditation. “I am an optimist, so I'm going to say we will be able to achieve this. I think we've made tremendous advances in already meeting some of their requests and their concerns,” said Cole, in the Q&A. “Some of them are simply a little bit more time consuming. So, I believe with an extension we can address almost all of their [RMTC's] concerns.” The post RMTC Extends Suspension of UK Lab’s Accreditation Another Six Months appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article