Wandering Eyes

Champion jockey James McDonald labeled trainer Chris Waller "a genius" and believes Zougotcha has proven herself a historically elite mare in carrying top weight to a courageous victory in the AU$1 million Coolmore Classic (G1) at Rosehill March 16.View the full article

Newgate (Into Mischief), recent winner of the GI Santa Anita H., was one of nine American horses to turn in breezes Saturday morning both domestically and abroad in advance of the Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan Racecourse in two weeks' time. An $850,000 Keeneland September yearling, Newgate returned to the worktab for the first time since the Mar. 3 Big 'Cap, covering five furlongs in a bullet :58.20 (1/77) in the company of GIII Native Diver S. winner Mr Fisk (Arrogate) at Santa Anita. Frankie Dettori, who won his fourth World Cup aboard the Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammer (Tonalist) in 2022, has the riding assignment in the $12-million feature. Stablemate Hopkins (Quality Road) went five-eighths of a mile in :58.80 (2/77) and will have Luis Saez aboard for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, a race in which he was beaten just one length into fourth in 2023. “We had a great day breezing,” trainer Bob Baffert told SF Racing's Tom Ryan, who added, “Two healthy and happy horses. We look forward to getting them to Dubai with Jimmy and Humberto “Beto” to acclimate them to the Meydan surface and surroundings. It's very exciting, and we are very grateful to have the caliber of horse to get invited to participate in such valuable and prestigious events.” Also turning in a work at Santa Anita was Two Rivers Over (Tamarkuz), who covered five furlongs in 1:00.40 (19/77) and is expected for the G2 Godolphin Mile, an event won by his sire in 2015. Trainer Doug O'Neill has tabbed Edwin Maldonado to ride. Crupi (Curlin) will attempt to give trainer Todd Pletcher a maiden victory in the World Cup and the 4-year-old, third to National Treasure (Quality Road) and Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) when last seen in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. Jan. 27, went five furlongs in 1:00.91 (1/7) at Palm Beach Downs Saturday morning. Luis Saez, who guided Crupi to victory in Saratoga allowance company last summer, made the trip up to breeze Crupi and has the mount at Meydan. Jose D'Angelo breezed his two big-night entries about 10 miles north of Palm Beach Downs at Palm Meadows. Caramel Chip (Midshipman), fourth to Sibelius (Not This Time) in the Feb. 10 Pelican S. at Tampa, was the fastest of 92 workers going a half-mile as he stopped the clock in :47.45. While he stretches out in distance for he Godolphin Mile, his Gulfstream Park Sprint-winning stablemate Run Classic (Runhappy) will take on defending champ Sibelius in the Golden Shaheen. The Tom Durant galloper went in :48.95 (22/92). Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed) has been doing the bulk of his training towards the G1 Al Quoz Sprint on the turf, but he turned in his final piece of work over the dirt course at Payson Park. The 8-year-old breezed a half-mile in :49.20 (11/63), with part-owner Lee Einsidler commenting, “He went great and he's doing fantastic.” A pair of U.S.-trained horses who made the short trip over to Dubai after placing in races on the Saudi Cup program were out over the Meydan main track Saturday morning. Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), third to Senor Buscador in the G1 Saudi Cup, went a half-mile under the lights in a reported :48.50. He takes on defending champion Isolate (Mark Valeski) in the Godolphin Mile. Bold Journey (Hard Spun) went a similar distance in a reported :48.46 after daybreak for trainer Bill Mott. The New York-bred faces a rematch with Japan's Remake (Jpn) (Lani) in the Golden Shaheen after closing nicely for third to that rival in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint Feb. 24. Pandagate (Arrogate), last-out winner of the Gander S. at Aqueduct works Sunday at Payson Park towards a potential appearance in the G2 UAE Derby, per assistant trainer Miguel Clement. SAUDI CROWN breezed this Saturday morning, half mile in 48″50 over the Meydan dirt track, handily and comfortably, Kelvin Perez up for trainer @bradcoxracing SAUDI CROWN ajustó esta mañana del Sábado, 48″50 para la media milla, cómodo y en el freno, con Kelvin Pérez up,… pic.twitter.com/w0SYyzCyLn — Agentes305 (@agentes305) March 16, 2024 BOLD JOURNEY looking strong this morning, it breezed 4F – 48″46, easily with Kelvin Pérez up. 3rd last time in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint, will look to turn tables in its favor next in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at @RacingDubai for trainer Bill Mott BOLD JOURNEY lució con fuerza… pic.twitter.com/BaCwfY8iUm — Agentes305 (@agentes305) March 16, 2024 The post Newgate Fires Bullet For Dubai World Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Due to heavy rain expected in New Orleans March 17, Fair Grounds cancels racing Sunday. View the full article

The late Duramente (Jpn) continues to pad his stallion resume, and his Mi Anhelo (Jpn) claimed the spoils in the 1800-metre G3 Flower Cup at Nakayama on Saturday. Sent off as the 5-2 second choice behind Cantiamo (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), the Silk Racing colourbearer found an ideal tracking position while glued to the fence, as Elf Struck (Jpn) (California Chrome) showed the way under mild pressure. Content to rate in midfield, Mi Anhelo began to wind up with 600 metres remaining while still saving every inch of real estate on the fence. Cued in upper stretch, she swung off the inside and burst past Elf Struck to take over inside the furlong pole. Strong to the line, she had built up enough cushion to repel the late charge of Hohelied (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), with Cantiamo a neck back in third with the first six home tightly bunched. Mi Anhelo donned cap and gown over this course and distance when unveiled in September, and closed to take fifth as the favourite in a blanket finish in the Nanohana Sho on Jan. 13, her 3-year-old bow. Pedigree Notes The much-lamented Duramente, posthumous champion sire in his native land in 2023, has his final crop of 3-year-olds this year. Mi Anhelo is his first stakes winner from that group, while he has 18 stakes winners worldwide (14 group) so far lifetime. Six of his progeny have landed Group 1 races, and Japanese Triple Tiara heroine Liberty Island (Jpn) is a leading fancy for the upcoming G1 Dubai Sheema Classic later this month. The winner is a half to Frankel (GB) 'TDN Rising Star' Mi Suerte (Jpn) who won the G3 Fantasy S. in Japan. Originally a $1.7-million Keeneland November weanling, Mi Sueno won both the GIII Sorrento S. and GI Debutante S. as a juvenile. Since being purchased for $1.9 million out of the Fasig-Tipton November Sale in 2013 by Katsumi Yoshida, Mi Sueno has produced eight foals in Japan, with six winners to show for it. Her latest runner-to-be is Shonan Xanadu (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), who just turned two, while she also has a Real Steel (Jpn) yearling colt and was covered by American Horse of the Year Bricks And Mortar last spring. Second dam Madcap Escapade (Hennessy) claimed the GI Ashland S., four other graded races and ran third in the 2004 GI Kentucky Oaks. She, in turn, is a half-sister to GI Ballerina Breeders' Cup S. victress Dubai Escapade (Awesome Again). Saturday, Nakayama, Japan FLOWER CUP-G3, ¥72,610,000, Nakayama, 3-16, 3yo, f, 1800mT, 1:48.00, fm. 1–MI ANHELO (JPN), 121, f, 3, Duramente (Jpn) 1st Dam: Mi Sueno (GISW-US, $288,400), by Pulpit 2nd Dam: Madcap Escapade, by Hennessy 3rd Dam: Sassy Pants, by Saratoga Six 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Silk Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Toru Hayashi; J-Akihide Tsumura; ¥38,427,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, ¥46,697,000. *1/2 to Mi Suerte (Jpn) (Frankel {GB}), GSW-Jpn, $447,954. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Hohelied (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Rulership (Jpn)–Golden Harp (Jpn), by Stay Gold (Jpn). 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Haruya Yoshida; B-Shiraoi Farm (Jpn); ¥15,162,000. 3–Cantiamo (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Epiphaneia (Jpn)–Libiamo (Jpn), by Admire Vega (Jpn). 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Silk Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥9,381,000. Margins: 3/4, NK, NK. Odds: 2.70, 23.80, 2.30. Also Ran: Rabbiteye (Jpn), Elf Struck (Jpn), Canicule (Jpn), Teleos Sarah (Jpn), Marcottage (Jpn), For The Boys (Jpn), Stick By Me (Jpn), Teleos Lulu (Jpn), Hiraboku Minnie (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Duramente Filly Earns Flowers At Nakayama appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Pletcher, a five-time Louisiana Derby (G2) winner and two-time Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, runs three of the 12 entrants—Antiquarian, Agate Road, and Triple Espresso—in the March 23 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.View the full article

Danox, Inc.'s Danon McKinley (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) rallied to win the G3 Chunichi Sports Sho Falcon S. at Chukyo on Saturday. It was the first stakes victory for the son of G1 1000 Guineas heroine Homecoming Queen (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). Fourth last through the early going as Orchid Romance (Jpn) (Roger Barows {Jpn}) led, the 12-1 shot was able to relax behind a rapid pace, with the first 1000 metres reached in :57 flat. He gathered himself on the turn and fanned out into the centre of the course at the 400-metre mark. Making up ground with every stride, Danon McKinley ground past the G2 Keio Hai Nisai S. third and won by a half-length. It was two lengths back to Sonshi (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), who had enjoyed a stalking trip for much of this contest. First in both a newcomer affair at Hanshin in September and in a Kyoto allowance in November, Danon McKinley was eighth to Jantar Mantar (Jpn) (Palace Malice) in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity S. a month later. Wheeled back in the Jan. 27 Listed Crocus S., he improved to fifth over this trip in Tokyo. Pedigree Notes Danon McKinley is the 26th stakes winner worldwide (18th group) for Shadai Stallion Station's Maurice, who also shuttles to Arrowfield Stud in Australia. The 13-year-old son of Screen Hero (Jpn) was Japanese Horse of the Year, Champion Sprinter and Champion Miler in Japan in 2015. His quintet of top-level winners include Australian three-time Group 1 winner Hitotsu (Aus), while Jack D'Or (Jpn) won the G1 Osaka Hai, Mazu claimed the G1 Doomben 10,000 back in Oz, Geraldina (Jpn) struck in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup and Pixie Knight (Jpn) prevailed in the G1 Sprinters S. 2012 G1 1000 Guineas heroine Homecoming Queen left five Galileo (Ire) foals in Ireland with a record of four winners from four runners and three stakes horses. The best of these was Shale (Ire), who won the G1 Moyglare Stud S. and Berkeley Square (Ire), who was third in the G2 Futurity S. Acquired privately by Japanese interests, Homecoming Queen foaled the 4-year-old winner Irish Pearl (Jpn) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}). Next is the ¥220,000,000 JRHA Select yearling and Falcon S. hero, who has a juvenile half-sister by Kizuna (Jpn) and a yearling half-brother by Epiphaneia (Jpn). In 2023, Homecoming Queen–a half-sister to Group 1 winners Dylan Thomas (Ire) (Danehill) and Queen's Logic (Ire) (Grand Lodge)–visited Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn). Saturday, Chukyo, Japan CHUNICHI SPORTS SHO FALCON S.-G3, ¥78,150,000, Chukyo, 3-16, 3yo, 1400mT, 1:20.20, fm. 1–DANON MCKINLEY (JPN), 126, c, 3, by Maurice (Jpn) 1st Dam: Homecoming Queen(Ire) (Hwt. 3yo Filly-Eng at 7-9 1/2f, G1SW-Eng, GSW-Ire, $458,335), by Holy Roman Emperor(Ire) 2nd Dam: Lagrion, by Diesis (GB) 3rd Dam: Wrap It Up (Ire), by Mount Hagen (Fr) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. (¥220,000,000 Ylg '22 JRHAJUL). O-Danox Inc.; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Hideaki Fujiwara; J-Yuichi Kitamura; ¥41,595,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-0, ¥61,684,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Orchid Romance (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Roger Barows (Jpn)– Echinacea (Jpn), by Snitzel (Aus). O/B-Mill Farm (Jpn); ¥16,170,000. 3–Sonshi (Ire), 126, c, 3, Night of Thunder (Ire)–Afdhaad (GB), by Nayef. 1ST BLACK-TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€125,000 Ylg '22 GOFFEB; 200,000gns RNA Ylg '22 TATOCT; $300,000 2yo '23 OBSSPR). O-Susumu Fujita; B-Shadwell Estate Company Limited (Ire); ¥10,085,000. Margins: HF, 2, 1. Odds: 12.60, 11.30, 1.30. Also Ran: Namura Atom (Jpn), Logi Leon (Jpn), Uncle Cross (Jpn), Fender (Jpn), Enya Love Faith (Jpn), Strauss (Jpn), Taiki Vainqueur (Jpn), Satomino Kirari (Jpn), Captain Neki (Jpn), Hakusan Eagle (Jpn), Aim For Ace (Jpn), Val d'Orcia (Jpn), Kris Arthur (Jpn), Miltenberg (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Maurice Colt Scales Falcon Stakes Heights appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When I started covering the Cheltenham Festival in the late 1980s it was still a place of myth and legend: whiskey priests, all-night card schools, hopeful (but not expectant) Irish pilgrimages, farmers with chances of winning a race and wince-inducing whip-use up the hill. It was a place chiefly for aficionados – the county set and jump racing hardcore, leavened with once-a-year urban tweedies who loved the racing and knew what it meant to watch Dawn Run win both a Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup. A place, in other words, for disciples, with newsworthy battles between rails bookmakers and big hitters, which the outside world peered at excitedly but fleetingly. The Cheltenham Festival made the front pages because it was edgy, rooted, fragrant, intense and magical. It united the human and animal kingdoms like no other sport. The Grand National was a national ritual, but it didn't shine a light on our culture the way Cheltenham did. We've come a long way since then. The modern Cheltenham is entertainment industry giant, mass market day out, commercial behemoth, and these days, a place of plunder for Irish yards, principally that of Willie Mullins, who won nine of this year's 27 races, including the two defining events with State Man (Champion Hurdle) and Galopin Des Champs (Gold Cup). More than ever, Cheltenham is subject to modern economic reality. On the track we see a concentration of power into a few hands and a switch to recruitment, scouting and academy-based success. This, aside from the training skill, is the foundation of Mullins' success – a pre-emptive odds-loading in his favour. An astonishing tally of 103 Festival winners suggests Mullins' networking has caught many of his rivals cold. Ireland's latest training win over GB yards by 18-9 in the Prestbury Cup has caused alarm at the British Horseracing Authority, whose chief executive Julie Harrington said in a statement the morning after the Gold Cup… “I have no doubt that the men and women who train horses here in Britain are more than a match for their Irish counterparts. However, they need the ammunition and at present the balance of power and the best horses are going to our colleagues in Ireland, and in particular one yard….. “However, the Irish domination of the Grade 1 races this week has illustrated that the issue is becoming more pronounced and more damaging for the sport on both sides of the Irish sea. “Put simply, the rate of decline of Jump racing in Britain at the top end has outstripped the measures that have been put in place to tackle it. We must do more, more quickly, and in a more coordinated and decisive manner if we are going to restore British Jump racing to the standing at which it belongs.” In other words – it's an emergency. Off the track meanwhile Cheltenham can no longer expect legions of revellers to arrive on autopilot. Like the Ryder Cup in golf, the Festival became drunk on the notion of infinite expansion and untouchable popularity. To the addicted, the last race on Friday triggers a kind of melancholia about the length of the wait for the next Festival to come around. But not even the imperishable charm of that great Cotswold playground can guarantee its survival as an annual must-go event. First, the experience. Muddy and gridlocked car parks are not to the modern consumer's taste. Nor is a £7.50 pint you have to queue for 20 minutes to get. Nor is a lack of places to sit. Nor, you might argue, are small fields or the Mullins dominance. It's hard to disentangle anxiety about Cheltenham's importance as a shop window from wider worries about the health of National Hunt racing. Cheltenham is not to blame for much of this. Climate change and £700 hotel room rates are not their fault. Sport's post-Covid spike is over. The racecourse is promising to freeze ticket prices and stop car parks becoming swamps. They insist there is “no complacency.” Grumbles about the cost of food and drink can be heard across all British sports. And each pays a price for the shambles that our rail network has become. Cost of living pressures are not just Radio 4 news headlines. They force choices on people: what to stick with, what to give up. In that context the drop in attendance at this year's Festival was relatively modest. Crowds were down 11,000 from 240,603 in 2023 to 229,370 this year. But if the lesson is that Cheltenham will have to sing for its supper like every other major sporting event then the signs of a downturn in public interest may turn out to be cathartic. There is a deeply optimistic note in what we saw this year. For some, Cheltenham is about the gambling, drinking, eating and cavorting. For my money it was always about the horses. The romance end of the market survives. Fiona Needham winning the Foxhunters' with a £2,400 horse (Sine Nomine) 22 years after she won the race as a jockey was a throwback tale. And for all the misgivings about Cheltenham becoming the Willie Mullins show, he sent some magnificent horses out for our entertainment: State Man, Ballyburn, Fact To File and above all Galopin Des Champs, whose victory in the hundredth anniversary Gold Cup was a thing of beauty. That's what Cheltenham is, right there. The post Cheltenham Was Always About the Horses and Britain Has Lost Ground appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GII Risen Star S. runner up Track Phantom (Quality Road) headlines the field for Saturday's GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds. The race draw also named the GIII Lecomte S. winner, who will break widest of the field in gate 12, as the 3-1 morning-line favorite. The field listed with their morning-line odds from the rail out include: Triple Espresso (Omaha Beach) (20-1), 'TDN Rising Star' Hall of Fame (Gun Runner) (8-1), Antiquarian (Preservationist) (12-1), 'TDN Rising Star' Agate Road (Quality Road) (8-1), Catching Freedom (Constitution) (4-1), Awesome Ruta (Mendelssohn) (30-1), Honor Marie (Honor Code) (8-1), Next Level (Vino Rosso) (30-1), Real Men Violin (Mendelssohn) (20-1), Common Defense (Karakontie {Jpn}) (6-1), 'TDN Rising Star' Tuscan Gold (Medaglia d'Oro) (8-1) and Track Phantom (Quality Road) (3-1). The GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby is the first of the 100-point Derby preps and awards points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale to eligible runners. The post Louisiana Derby: Track Phantom Draws Widest, Named 3-1 Morning-Line Favorite appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Kentucky Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer supports amending Kentucky legislation that would up commit up to a quarter-million dollars a year to support nationally accredited aftercare organizations in the state.View the full article

Due to heavy rainfall forecasted for the New Orleans area Sunday, Fair Grounds has canceled their Sunday race card. The cancellation, which was announced during the live draw for Saturday's GII Louisiana Derby, will impact racing during the track's closing weekend next Saturday and Sunday with both days carding extra races to make up for the loss. Racing will resume at Fair Grounds Wednesday, March 20. The post Fair Grounds Cancels Sunday Card Due To Expected Rain appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Preceded by a trio of sophomore Listed contests on the card, Saturday's G3 Prix Exbury at Saint-Cloud went the way of last year's three-length winner Haya Zark (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}–Haya City {Fr}, by Elusive City), who handled bottomless conditions at the Paris track and cruised to an easy 1 1/2-length victory from 50-1 Polish raider Gryphon (Ire) (Vadamos {Fr}). The 53-10 chance also bagged 2023's G3 Prix d'Hedouville and was dropped down to this 10-furlong trip for the first time since last term's heroics at this venue coming back off unplaced efforts in ParisLongchamp's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and G1 Prix Royal-Oak. Haya Zark was positioned in a stalking second from flagfall and went wide with the six-strong field off the home turn. Launching his challenge on the bridle passing the quarter-mile marker, he swooped for control underneath the stands' side rail at the 300-metre pole–with rider sitting Christophe Soumillon motionless in the plate–and toyed with long-time leader Gryphon inside the final furlong to easily assert superiority in untroubled fashion. “I dreamt he could do it again after last year and he did,” said owner-breeder Odette Fau. “He had his ground, he was fresh and he won very well.” Trainer Adrien Fouassier expanded, “He loves this extreme ground, and a left-handed course, and he had a dream trip with a lead. He can be keen between horses, but when he is in the clear, like today, he is much more relaxed. In the straight he quickened as if he were on fast ground and it was amazing. We made mistakes with him last year, running on fast ground and over too long a trip, but there will be no such mistakes this year. The weather will dictate where we run.” Pedigree Notes Haya Zark is the second of three reported foals and lone scorer produced by Haya City (Fr) (Elusive City), herself a half-sister to G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud third Haya Landa (Fr) (Lando {Ger}) and Listed Criterium de l'Ouest placegetter Haya Of Fortune (Fr) (Soldier of Fortune {Ire}). Haya Zark's third dam Singing Lark (Fr) (Pampabird {Ire}), a full-sister to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Subotica (Fr), is the dam of G3 Craven S. third Gin Jockey (Fr) (Soviet Star). Saturday, Saint-Cloud, France PRIX EXBURY-G3, €80,000, Saint-Cloud, 3-16, 4yo/up, 10fT, 2:25.22, vhy. 1–HAYA ZARK (FR), 126, h, 5, by Zarak (Fr) 1st Dam: Haya City (Fr), by Elusive City 2nd Dam: Haya Samma (Ire), by Pivotal (GB) 3rd Dam: Singing Lark (Fr), by Pampabird (Ire) O/B-Mme Odette Fau (FR); T-Adrien Fouassier; J-Christophe Soumillon. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 17-5-3-2, €217,930. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Gryphon (Ire), 126, h, 6, Vadamos (Fr)–Guiletta (Ire), by Dalakhani (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€8,000 Wlg '18 GOFNOV; €12,000 Ylg '19 GOFSPT). O-Janusz Szweycer; B-Kellsgrange Stud & John Dwan (IRE); T-Alicja Karkosa. €16,000. 3–Marquisat (Ire), 126, g, 4, Zarak (Fr)–La Marchesa (Ire), by Duke Of Marmalade (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (42,000gns Ylg '21 TATDEY). O-Godolphin; B-Mark H Dixon & Mount Coote Stud (IRE); T-Andre Fabre. €12,000. Margins: 1HF, 8, 2. Odds: 5.30, 50.00, 1.40. Also Ran: Horizon Dore (Fr), American Flag (Fr), Mujtaba (GB). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Zarak’s Haya Zark Cruises to Victory in Saint-Cloud Feature appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Club cops big hit as average purchase price drops more than 30 per cent on last yearView the full article

Five-pound claimer steers Ima Single Man and Outgate to victory, extending his lead on the injured Vincent HoView the full article

Elite front-running mare Pride Of Jenni (Pride of Dubai) triumphed in a captivating edition of the A$3.75 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday for trainer Ciaron Maher and regular rider Declan Bates. The dual Group One winner is known for being able to sustain a strong tempo for longer and once she found the lead within the first furlong for Bates, the pair set a building pace that had several of her rivals gasping a long way from home. The Trelawney Stud-bred Pride Of Jenni kicked off the turn and maintained a good gallop to the line to defeat a gallant Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), who came from a long way off the pace to get within two lengths at the line, while Cascadian (New Approach) finished third. Raced by Tony and Lynn Ottobre, Pride Of Jenni has now won over A$5 million for connections. The first three runners across the line could potentially clash again in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) on March 30 at Flemington. “She is quite special because you don’t get horses that can do that,” Maher said. “Most horses have a 600m sprint but she seems like she can do it for half a mile or 1000m. “She’s unbelievable. “There are obviously options in Sydney (and) the Australian Cup. “Tony has always been very keen to get her to 2000m. We were half contemplating a Cox Plate (Gr.1, 2040m) last year, so she’ll be hard to beat in whatever she goes in.” Maher said there had been some conjecture as to how much speed there would be in Saturday’s race, but the trainer had full faith in Bates. “He understands her, and you’ve got to have the confidence to ride her like that,” Maher said. “I said, ‘don’t worry about that, you know the horse, trust yourself and the horse, just ride the race’ and he said, ‘I just want to be smooth.’ “He never rides her bad.” Pride Of Jenni won the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) and the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington last spring and Bates said the mare had improved this campaign. “We have so much faith in her,” Bates said. “This prep, every time I’ve sat on her back, she has certainly improved from last spring. Pride Of Jenni and Declan Bates score in the A$3.75 million All-Star Mile (1600m) Photo: Bruno Canatelli “I didn’t want to say that out loud because of what she did last spring and not say that she might have come back better, but I think that is the case. “She is doing it, sustaining a gallop, it’s so impressive.” A daughter of Pride Of Dubai, Pride Of Jenni was bred by Trelawney Stud and is out of the O’Reilly mare Sancerre (NZ) (O’Reilly), who was prepared by Cambridge trainer Tony Pike to win on four occasions for the Stud. The star mare stems from a family fashioned over generations at the famed Kiwi nursery, which has been in the Taylor family’s ownership since 1993, having been established by Seton Otway in the 1930s. Group Two winner Real Success (Success Express), the taproot of star Trelawney Stud graduates Vouvray (NZ) (Zabeel), Loire (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice), A Touch Of Ruby (NZ) (Pins) and Pride Of Jenni and many others around them was one of the first families the Taylors bought into upon taking ownership of Trelawney. Pride Of Jenni was sold at the Sydney Classic Sale for A$100,000 through the Segenhoe Stud draft, where she was purchased by Tony and Lynn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Stud. Sancerre has a yearling filly by Per Incanto which has been retained by the Taylors and is in foal to Cambridge Stud stallion Hello Youmzain. View the full article

Elite front-running mare Pride Of Jenni (Pride of Dubai) triumphed in a captivating edition of the A$3.75 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday for trainer Ciaron Maher and regular rider Declan Bates. The dual Group One winner is known for being able to sustain a strong tempo for longer and once she found the lead within the first furlong for Bates, the pair set a building pace that had several of her rivals gasping a long way from home. The Trelawney Stud-bred Pride Of Jenni kicked off the turn and maintained a good gallop to the line to defeat a gallant Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), who came from a long way off the pace to get within two lengths at the line, while Cascadian (New Approach) finished third. Raced by Tony and Lynn Ottobre, Pride Of Jenni has now won over A$5 million for connections. The first three runners across the line could potentially clash again in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) on March 30 at Flemington. “She is quite special because you don’t get horses that can do that,” Maher said. “Most horses have a 600m sprint but she seems like she can do it for half a mile or 1000m. “She’s unbelievable. “There are obviously options in Sydney (and) the Australian Cup. “Tony has always been very keen to get her to 2000m. We were half contemplating a Cox Plate (Gr.1, 2040m) last year, so she’ll be hard to beat in whatever she goes in.” Maher said there had been some conjecture as to how much speed there would be in Saturday’s race, but the trainer had full faith in Bates. “He understands her, and you’ve got to have the confidence to ride her like that,” Maher said. “I said, ‘don’t worry about that, you know the horse, trust yourself and the horse, just ride the race’ and he said, ‘I just want to be smooth.’ “He never rides her bad.” Pride Of Jenni won the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) and the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington last spring and Bates said the mare had improved this campaign. “We have so much faith in her,” Bates said. “This prep, every time I’ve sat on her back, she has certainly improved from last spring. Pride Of Jenni and Declan Bates score in the A$3.75 million All-Star Mile (1600m) Photo: Bruno Canatelli “I didn’t want to say that out loud because of what she did last spring and not say that she might have come back better, but I think that is the case. “She is doing it, sustaining a gallop, it’s so impressive.” A daughter of Pride Of Dubai, Pride Of Jenni was bred by Trelawney Stud and is out of the O’Reilly mare Sancerre (NZ) (O’Reilly), who was prepared by Cambridge trainer Tony Pike to win on four occasions for the Stud. The star mare stems from a family fashioned over generations at the famed Kiwi nursery, which has been in the Taylor family’s ownership since 1993, having been established by Seton Otway in the 1930s. Group Two winner Real Success (Success Express), the taproot of star Trelawney Stud graduates Vouvray (NZ) (Zabeel), Loire (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice), A Touch Of Ruby (NZ) (Pins) and Pride Of Jenni and many others around them was one of the first families the Taylors bought into upon taking ownership of Trelawney. Pride Of Jenni was sold at the Sydney Classic Sale for A$100,000 through the Segenhoe Stud draft, where she was purchased by Tony and Lynn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Stud. Sancerre has a yearling filly by Per Incanto which has been retained by the Taylors and is in foal to Cambridge Stud stallion Hello Youmzain. View the full article

Elite front-running mare Pride Of Jenni (Pride of Dubai) triumphed in a captivating edition of the A$3.75 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday for trainer Ciaron Maher and regular rider Declan Bates. The dual Group One winner is known for being able to sustain a strong tempo for longer and once she found the lead within the first furlong for Bates, the pair set a building pace that had several of her rivals gasping a long way from home. The Trelawney Stud-bred Pride Of Jenni kicked off the turn and maintained a good gallop to the line to defeat a gallant Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), who came from a long way off the pace to get within two lengths at the line, while Cascadian (New Approach) finished third. Raced by Tony and Lynn Ottobre, Pride Of Jenni has now won over A$5 million for connections. The first three runners across the line could potentially clash again in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) on March 30 at Flemington. “She is quite special because you don’t get horses that can do that,” Maher said. “Most horses have a 600m sprint but she seems like she can do it for half a mile or 1000m. “She’s unbelievable. “There are obviously options in Sydney (and) the Australian Cup. “Tony has always been very keen to get her to 2000m. We were half contemplating a Cox Plate (Gr.1, 2040m) last year, so she’ll be hard to beat in whatever she goes in.” Maher said there had been some conjecture as to how much speed there would be in Saturday’s race, but the trainer had full faith in Bates. “He understands her, and you’ve got to have the confidence to ride her like that,” Maher said. “I said, ‘don’t worry about that, you know the horse, trust yourself and the horse, just ride the race’ and he said, ‘I just want to be smooth.’ “He never rides her bad.” Pride Of Jenni won the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) and the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington last spring and Bates said the mare had improved this campaign. “We have so much faith in her,” Bates said. “This prep, every time I’ve sat on her back, she has certainly improved from last spring. Pride Of Jenni and Declan Bates score in the A$3.75 million All-Star Mile (1600m) Photo: Bruno Canatelli “I didn’t want to say that out loud because of what she did last spring and not say that she might have come back better, but I think that is the case. “She is doing it, sustaining a gallop, it’s so impressive.” A daughter of Pride Of Dubai, Pride Of Jenni was bred by Trelawney Stud and is out of the O’Reilly mare Sancerre (NZ) (O’Reilly), who was prepared by Cambridge trainer Tony Pike to win on four occasions for the Stud. The star mare stems from a family fashioned over generations at the famed Kiwi nursery, which has been in the Taylor family’s ownership since 1993, having been established by Seton Otway in the 1930s. Group Two winner Real Success (Success Express), the taproot of star Trelawney Stud graduates Vouvray (NZ) (Zabeel), Loire (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice), A Touch Of Ruby (NZ) (Pins) and Pride Of Jenni and many others around them was one of the first families the Taylors bought into upon taking ownership of Trelawney. Pride Of Jenni was sold at the Sydney Classic Sale for A$100,000 through the Segenhoe Stud draft, where she was purchased by Tony and Lynn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Stud. Sancerre has a yearling filly by Per Incanto which has been retained by the Taylors and is in foal to Cambridge Stud stallion Hello Youmzain. View the full article

Elite front-running mare Pride Of Jenni (Pride of Dubai) triumphed in a captivating edition of the A$3.75 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday for trainer Ciaron Maher and regular rider Declan Bates. The dual Group One winner is known for being able to sustain a strong tempo for longer and once she found the lead within the first furlong for Bates, the pair set a building pace that had several of her rivals gasping a long way from home. The Trelawney Stud-bred Pride Of Jenni kicked off the turn and maintained a good gallop to the line to defeat a gallant Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), who came from a long way off the pace to get within two lengths at the line, while Cascadian (New Approach) finished third. Raced by Tony and Lynn Ottobre, Pride Of Jenni has now won over A$5 million for connections. The first three runners across the line could potentially clash again in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) on March 30 at Flemington. “She is quite special because you don’t get horses that can do that,” Maher said. “Most horses have a 600m sprint but she seems like she can do it for half a mile or 1000m. “She’s unbelievable. “There are obviously options in Sydney (and) the Australian Cup. “Tony has always been very keen to get her to 2000m. We were half contemplating a Cox Plate (Gr.1, 2040m) last year, so she’ll be hard to beat in whatever she goes in.” Maher said there had been some conjecture as to how much speed there would be in Saturday’s race, but the trainer had full faith in Bates. “He understands her, and you’ve got to have the confidence to ride her like that,” Maher said. “I said, ‘don’t worry about that, you know the horse, trust yourself and the horse, just ride the race’ and he said, ‘I just want to be smooth.’ “He never rides her bad.” Pride Of Jenni won the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) and the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington last spring and Bates said the mare had improved this campaign. “We have so much faith in her,” Bates said. “This prep, every time I’ve sat on her back, she has certainly improved from last spring. Pride Of Jenni and Declan Bates score in the A$3.75 million All-Star Mile (1600m) Photo: Bruno Canatelli “I didn’t want to say that out loud because of what she did last spring and not say that she might have come back better, but I think that is the case. “She is doing it, sustaining a gallop, it’s so impressive.” A daughter of Pride Of Dubai, Pride Of Jenni was bred by Trelawney Stud and is out of the O’Reilly mare Sancerre (NZ) (O’Reilly), who was prepared by Cambridge trainer Tony Pike to win on four occasions for the Stud. The star mare stems from a family fashioned over generations at the famed Kiwi nursery, which has been in the Taylor family’s ownership since 1993, having been established by Seton Otway in the 1930s. Group Two winner Real Success (Success Express), the taproot of star Trelawney Stud graduates Vouvray (NZ) (Zabeel), Loire (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice), A Touch Of Ruby (NZ) (Pins) and Pride Of Jenni and many others around them was one of the first families the Taylors bought into upon taking ownership of Trelawney. Pride Of Jenni was sold at the Sydney Classic Sale for A$100,000 through the Segenhoe Stud draft, where she was purchased by Tony and Lynn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Stud. Sancerre has a yearling filly by Per Incanto which has been retained by the Taylors and is in foal to Cambridge Stud stallion Hello Youmzain. View the full article

Ultra-consistent mare Red Card (Ribcester) landed her biggest prize to date when running out a comfortable winner of the Gr.3 Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday for trainer James Cummings. Beginning brilliantly from an inside draw, Red Card comfortably found the lead under Adam Hyeronimus and controlled proceedings throughout. A daughter of Haunui Farm stallion Ribchester, Red Card’s Group Three victory enhances her CV further, having landed the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m) and Listed Queensland Day Stakes (1200m) through the Winter of her three-year-old season. “It was a great job that Adam Hyeronimus was able to do on her,” Cummings said. “She jumped so fast and she gets control of these races and she has got great natural pace. “Great credit to the work riders who are continuing to get her to settle better and better when it matters. “That is the difference between last preparation and this preparation. It is great to see and that gives me the opportunity to step her up to six furlongs if I wish to in a month’s time.” The Gr.2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 13 shapes as the most likely option, although Cummings didn’t rule out a quick back up into next week’s Gr.1 Galaxy (1100m). “I think a month to the Sapphire looks good,” Cummings said. “She will be a nice runner for us during the carnival. She is out of a Street Cry mare and she is a daughter of Ribchester but she is fast. “She is able to handle these tracks and she is in such great form.” A winner of eight of her 16 starts, Red Card has prizemoney earnings of A$721,725. The Godolphin bred and raced mare won a trial at Hawkesbury earlier in the week. “I trialled her on Monday and it was obviously a plan to target this race,” Hyeronimus said. “She was nice and fresh on Monday and needed the blow, so it was very well executed by James and it is good to get a Group Three. “Going up in grade she is probably going to get more pressure than what she did today but she handled that mid-race pressure and it didn’t seem to bother her and she settled last start, so she is taking the right steps.” After two seasons at Darley Australia, Ribchester transferred to Haunui Farm in New Zealand as the replacement for his own successful sire Iffraaj. Ribchester stands for $12,000 plus GST and stood for his fourth season in New Zealand last spring. View the full article

Saturday’s Gr.3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham delivered multiple milestones for the connections of Taranaki mare Hi Yo Sass Bomb (NZ) (Complacent). The underrated five-year-old became the first stakes winner for her New Plymouth trainer Kim Reid, who also co-bred and part-owns the daughter of Complacent. Hi Yo Sass Bomb was ridden to her Cuddle Stakes success by Irish jockey Joe Doyle, who notched up his 100th win in New Zealand. It was also a well-deserved turn at the top of the podium for Hi Yo Sass Bomb herself. Her previous appearances at black-type level had produced a sixth in the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m), fourth in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), a close fifth behind class mare Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer) in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m), and a last-start second to Contribute in the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m). There was a six-week gap between the Taranaki Cup and Saturday’s Cuddle Stakes, but Reid kept Hi Yo Sass Bomb up to the mark with a trial win at Foxton on March 7. She was at fever pitch for Saturday’s $120,000 fillies and mares’ feature, and she swept to an emphatic victory under a well-timed Doyle ride. Hi Yo Sass Bomb jumped well from her inside gate and slid forward in the first 100m of the race, then Doyle was happy to take up a position in third as Kelly Coe led the field down the back straight at a strong tempo. Kelly Coe opened up a big lead and was still clearly in front rounding the home turn, but then Doyle pushed the button and Hi Yo Sass Bomb pounced. She charged to the lead with 300m remaining and kicked away, keeping enough petrol in the tank to hold out a strong late challenge from Apostrophe (NZ) (Tavistock) and win by a long neck. “It’s bloody amazing,” said Reid, who currently has just the one horse in work and has saddled a total of five winners from 35 runners. “I was hoping all the way down the straight, and I know she’s as tough as nails. For her to get the win is amazing. It’s awesome. “She’s a real family horse. We bred her and we’ve had her all the way through, and my parents have been involved all the way through too. It’s just amazing. It’s really cool.” Hi Yo Sass Bomb’s 15-start career has now produced four wins, four placings and $163,520 in stakes. “She’s been fitting to her name, she’s been quite sassy at times, but she’s really grown into it these days and is a real professional,” Reid said. “People keep saying she’s just a mudder, but I think she’ll run on anything. She’s such a neat horse. We’ll wait and see what we do with her next, but it’s great to get this win with her.” The TAB now rates Hi Yo Sass Bomb a $14 chance for the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie on March 30. That market is headed by La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) ($3.20), Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) ($4), Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock) ($6) and Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh) ($8). Doyle was delighted to complete his century of Kiwi winners, which includes 13 at Group or Listed level. “That’s 100 New Zealand winners, and I want to thank everyone that’s looked after me over the last 18 months or so that I’ve been riding here,” he said. “Hopefully the next 100 will be as quick! “This mare was really good today. Fair play to Kim – she had her in absolutely top nick for this race. We travelled comfortably all the way and we were going a good, strong gallop. She picked up well and hit the line strongly. “It’s a big day for Kim and the team, and I was very happy to do the steering for them. “I would have been happy enough to lead, but luckily enough we had a hare to chase down. It was just a comfortable, easy win in the end. I’m delighted.” View the full article

Australian hoop Kyle Wilson-Taylor has made his first visit to New Zealand a memorable one by guiding promising filly Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj) to a hollow victory in the Gr.2 Life Direct Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham. The Queensland-based rider struck up a friendship with trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott when he rode trackwork for the pair during the Queensland winter carnival last year, and was quick to take up an invitation to ride members of their team at Trentham including the daughter of Iffraaj along with El Roca filly Cupid’s Arrow (NZ) in the feature event, the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m). Wilson-Taylor has more than 320 winners to his name in a short career so far, including a maiden Group One victory aboard Palaisipan (So You Think) in last year’s Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm, but had never previously ridden outside Australia until Saturday. He showed an immediate affinity with the roomy Trentham track as he produced an exemplary effort aboard Grail Seeker, settling her quietly near the rear and biding his time until asking her for an effort in the final 200m of the contest. Grail Seeker burst through the pack to dash away from her rivals, winning easing down by three lengths from the late closing Witz End (NZ) (Savabeel), with outsider New Millennium (NZ) (Charm Spirit) battling on gamely for third. Co-trainer Andrew Scott heaped plenty of praise on Wilson-Taylor as well as the filly, who he believes has an exciting future ahead of her. “She was pretty dominant there and it is great for Kyle to come over and ride her and a huge thrill for Team Wexford,” Scott said. “She really deserved a win like this as it would have been a real shame if she had gone to the paddock without a win like that in her three-year-old campaign. “She has a good future as she is a big, raw filly who is only going to get better with age. “Kyle was in Queensland last winter and we got talking to him, we thought what a nice guy and he can really ride. “When he rang us out of the blue, we were happy to get him on and hopefully he is keen to come back again and ride her, as she relaxed the best she ever has for him.” For his part Wilson-Taylor was thrilled to repay the O’Sullivan Scott camp for the faith they showed in him after meeting up last winter. “That’s very satisfying and shows that helping people out when they need a hand can lead to good things,” he said. “Geez what a good filly as she got me out of a bit of trouble and she was just dominant. “I had planned to get back and ride for luck and I’m just pumped. “She has a very short, sharp turn of foot and we were able to ride her to execute that. “I’m just very thankful for the opportunity and it is great to ride a good winner here.” Raced by Trevor Clarke and Chris Jones, Grail Seeker was a $130,000 purchase by Rudy Liefting under his Kakapo Lodge banner from her breeder Jamieson Park’s draft during the Book 1 Sale at Karaka in 2022. Her dam Starwish is a Redoute’s Choice daughter of Gr.1 Australia Stakes (1200m) winner Stella Cadente (Centaine) and she comes from a family that includes stakes winners Deep Image (NZ) (Lord Ballina), Brilliant Bisc (Elvstroem) and outstanding Hong Kong sprinter Dashing Fellow (Duporth). View the full article

Almost two decades after riding Creil to victory in the Gr.1 Avondale Cup (2200m) as an apprentice jockey, multi-talented horseman Chad Ormsby climbed the same mountain in a different way when Pulchritudinous- (NZ) (Wrote) won the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday. Ormsby now trains a small team at Cambridge, saddling eight winners so far this season including Pulchritudinous in the Oaks and Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2000m), along with Master Fay (Deep Field) in the Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m). “Things like a Group One win are what we strive for,” Ormsby said. “I really can’t thank my team enough. The people on the ground make it all possible. “We’re only a small team, around five racehorses, but we bat above our weight and I’m so grateful to the people around us. My mother-in-law has a share in this filly, along with her partner, and they do so much for us with all the days and nights that they look after our kids. It’s a great thrill.” Training is just one of a number of pursuits for Ormsby, who remarkably won a bull-riding competition at a rodeo on Saturday morning – mere hours before his Oaks triumph. Ormsby also prepares Ready to Run Sale drafts under his Riverrock Farm banner, and Oaks heroine Pulchritudinous was originally intended to be a pinhook for that two-year-old sale at Karaka. Ormsby bought the Wrote filly for $32,500 as a yearling at Karaka 2022, but she was passed in when he offered her with a $50,000 reserve at the Ready to Run Sale later that year. “A lot of pride and joy goes into a filly like this, who we bought cheaply and ended up not being able to sell,” Ormsby said. “She’s managed to go on and prove herself.” Pulchritudinous showed promise with a 1400m maiden win in her second career start back in October, but it has only been in the last eight days that she has really made her mark. She stepped up beyond 1600m for the first time and scored an impressive win in the rescheduled Lowland Stakes at Taupo on March 8, then stepped into the Group One spotlight for the Oaks barely a week later. Ridden by Warren Kennedy, Pulchritudinous settled in ninth place alongside the rail as Harlow Rocks (NZ) (Roc De Cambes) set a solid pace out in front and turned the fillies’ classic into a true staying test. Kennedy got her off the fence at the 700m mark and began to creep closer, moving up behind the leading pack and poised to pounce. Pulchritudinous swooped around the home turn and quickly loomed large on the outside of Harlow Rocks, Positivity (NZ) (Almanzor), Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor) and Race Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace). Kennedy sent Pulchritudinous into full flight at the 300m mark and she surged to the lead, pulling away from Positivity and Qali Al Farrasha to win by a length and three-quarters in an impressive display of stamina and class. Pulchritudinous has now had seven starts for three wins and a placing, earning $389,205 in stakes. “We nominated her for the Oaks very early and always had hope,” Ormsby said. We thought there might be some concerns around whether we might get there or if it might come up a bit too soon for her, but the ability was always there. I’m really, really rapt.” Last year’s Oaks was the first leg of a classic double for Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), who added the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick in her next start. Ormsby is unsure whether he will attempt to follow the same path. “I don’t know about that, and I think maybe the paddock might be beckoning,” he said. “But having said that, she hasn’t batted an eyelid with anything that we’ve chucked at her so far, and that’s a great attribute to have.” Kennedy took special satisfaction from Saturday’s Oaks victory, having previously been cruelly denied a win in the South African equivalent. “I’ve always wanted to win an Oaks,” he said. “Covid hit when I had a really good chance in South Africa, so I couldn’t travel to ride her. I missed out on what turned out to be a winning ride. So to win one here in my new home is fantastic. “We found a dream spot in the running and she travelled sweetly all the way. She really worked away at them down the straight and won with a bit in hand in the end. “She’s very progressive. She’s only tried this sort of trip twice now and won both times. She’s done the job today and done it really well.” Pulchritudinous was bred by Tony Rider, who offered her under his Milan Park banner as a yearling at Karaka. She is the first Group One winner for Highview Stud stallion Wrote. Victories in the Lowland Stakes and Oaks have rapidly lifted Pulchritudinous to 20 points in the NZB Filly of the Year Series, finishing in second place on the table. The runaway winner was Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) with 28 points. View the full article

John Size’s rising star the headline act as Mauritian jockey puts a frustrating run of near misses behind himView the full article

Exciting Savabeel three-year-old Wymark runs out a strong winner at Rosehill. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Talented three-year-old Wymark will be put on a Classic path after a strong win against older horses at Rosehill on Saturday. The Michael Freedman-trained son of Savabeel made it three wins in succession with Saturday’s metropolitan victory following a pair of soft victories at Newcastle. Wymark set a new track record for the Newcastle 1850m when winning his start prior by a whopping 9.25 lengths and produced another impressive performance when scoring by just under three lengths on Saturday under a perfect Tommy Berry ride. Having put in some good performances at two, including a luckless third behind subsequent multiple Group One winner Militarize on debut, Freedman believes gelding the well-related youngster has helped make the horse. “He has probably surprised me a little bit with how much he has kept improving as I have stretched his races out, as early doors I thought he was a 1400m-miler type,” Freedman said. “But since we gelded him and brought him back this preparation he has just kept getting better and better. “It’s exciting. We will have a look at the Tulloch Stakes (Group 2, 2000m) in two weeks’ time and then see what happens after that.” Freedman is keen to follow a preparation similar to Major Beel, who finished runner-up in last year’s Tulloch Stakes before landing the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m), which shapes as a natural target. “It has been an interesting form race this over the past couple of years,” Freedman said. “Major Beel finished fourth in it last year and then went on and won the Derby and Benaud of John O’Shea’s did something similar (fifth) and ran second in the Derby. “I think he is an exciting young horse for sure.” With 54.5kgs on his back, Wymark carried a half-kilo over his carded weight, but it mattered little. Winning jockey Tommy Berry was not surprised by the ease of the win after an impressive piece of work mid-week. “I galloped him on Tuesday morning and he just put in one of those staying pieces of work that said ‘you’re ready to go to the next step and put your hand up’,” Berry said. “He has done it against the older horses today at a half (kilogram over) and he did it so well and was very strong through the line. “If you can find a stayer with a turn of foot, it’s gold. “Michael has done a great job taking him through his grades. He gave him a couple of confidence-boosting wins at Newcastle and he is a horse full of confidence and so are we now.” Horse racing news View the full article

Jamie Mott drives Wolfy to a narrow victory at Caulfield. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Smart three-year-old colt Wolfy scored the narrowest of victories when coming deepest of all at Caulfield on Saturday under a driving ride by Jamie Mott. The son of Tivaci is prepared by Nick Ryan and looked set to get the better of his rivals but runner-up Furious kicked back late to make the connections of Wolfy second-guess themselves. “I went the (early) crow, so there were a few anxious moments there,” Ryan said. “It’s good to get him back on track. Things didn’t go right for him first-up in stakes company but we gave him three weeks’ between runs, got him right and got the job done.” Wolfy finished ninth in the Group 3 Zeditave Stakes (1200m) last month won by Raikoke. “He is still very immature. He was on the wrong leg for half the race and didn’t corner too well but I think he is going to get better with racing,” Ryan said. “We have had a high opinion of him. He ran in a Caulfield Guineas (Group 1, 1600m) and we are still figuring out what his go is. “I think 1400m might be the stretch of him, but we will figure it out as we go. “He has got those two things between his legs and I know we have only won a BenchMark 70 but he is going to improve a lot from today. “I think he will get through the wet. We will see how he pulls up. There are some options in Sydney and we will have a board meeting on Monday.” Horse racing news View the full article