Wandering Eyes

By Michael Guerin There isn’t much Robert Dunn hasn’t achieved in his career. He was winning the biggest pacing Cups decades ago and Diamond Racing then started adding big trotting success to their arsenal just a few years ago. But now, when he should be in the twilight of his career, the man known as “RJ” has found another special horse, this time to share with daughter-in-law and training partner Jenna and his son John. Because Got The Chocolate is the real deal. He has to be because he shouldn’t have been able to do what he did in The Velocity at Addington on Friday, sit three wide then parked and beat a very good horse in Marketplace. And for good measure tear 1.4 seconds off the 1980m mobile three-year-old national record, all after never seeing the marker pegs. It was the third straight time Got The Chocolates has bested Marketplace after playing second fiddle to him for the first year of their careers. Make no mistake, there are no excuses and no arguments: Got The Chocolates is our best three-year-old pacer. Not by much, but by enough. “That was very special because it was such a great race, what racing needs,” said Dunn. “He has always been a good horse but when he had no gate speed it made it so hard on him. “But we added a nose roll to his gear which helps him concentrate better behind the gate and that has helped him get handier early. “But of course he is also bigger and stronger. He is just a better horse than he used to be.” The pair will clash again in next Friday’s NZ Derby for which Got The Chocolates is now incredibly the $1.45 favourite, with Marketplace at $3.20, odds which would have seemed impossible at the start of this campaign. “We are so thrilled to have a horse like him for Ross and Angela (Gordon, owners) and we will get him home tonight and get him into the surf tomorrow to help him recover.” Safely through the next Friday’s Derby, Got The Chocolates could even tempt Team Dunn to look at a race like the Chariots Of Fire at Menangle in March, a track that would suit his racing style but might charge his some hefty tax for his lack of gate speed. “We haven’t campaigned one in Australia for a long time but maybe this horse could change that,” says RJ. HIs incredible form resurgence also suggests that whoever wins next Friday’s Derby could be named New Zealand Three-Year-Old Pacer of the Year. Just another unbelievable possibility this most wild of Cup Weeks has raised. View the full article

By Michael Guerin The hesitation in Pete McMullen’s voice suggests there could be relief in sight for New Zealand’s beleaguered open class trotting stars. Because after driving Gus to a massive Cup week Group-1 double the Queenslander says he may not be back for the first half of 2026. McMullen was all controlled aggression to add the NZ Trotting Free-For-All to the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot from Tuesday, sitting parked to hold out Muscle Mountain and Oscar Bonavena in another no-argument performance, with leader Jilliby Ballerini fading out. It capped a mammoth week for McMullen and wife Chantal Turpin, who trains Gus, but while they have loved their time in Christchurch and all going well will be back for next Cup week, McMullen wasn’t sure whether an autumn campaign up north will be in the offing. “We have had discussions about the slot race (TAB Trot at Cambridge in April) but not very seriously and haven’t really got into it yet,” said McMullen. “So we will see what happens but I am not sure his owners will be buying a slot.” They probably won’t have to as after his dominance of the two huge trots at this carnival Gus will be at the top of many slot holders shopping lists if the Turpin/McMullen team are up for another Trans Tasman trip in April. What would help is if they are able to get Gus to trot well right-handed, which would open the door for races like the Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park a few weeks later and make the trip a multi-target campaign. But considering how long it has taken them to get Gus close to faultless left-handed, the Queensland couple may not be rushing to start tinkering with him to go the other way around. And any New Zealand autumn campaign is complicated by the fact the Inter Dominions are now based in Queensland during the winter, on Gus’s home track and after this week he, and Victorian star Keayang Zahara, might scare most of the Kiwis away from making that trip. Muscle Mountain was brave in second and Oscar Bonavena again flashed home for third but as good as they were this week of open class trotting belong to the horse with the little name and big heart. View the full article

By Michael Guerin For a few tear-soaked minutes at Addington on Friday there were no borders. No Australia, no New Zealand, no nationalistic racing pride, no sides. Tracy The Jet may have lived up to her name leading throughout in the $500,000 Ascent to continue the total Australian domination of this week at Addington yet that wasn’t what was on anybody’s mind. This was about brave trainer Jess Tubbs and her late husband Greg Sugars. Tubbs trains the Victorian trotting filly and brought her back to Addington, the place Greg drove their champion trotter Just Believe to win the Dominion this time last year. But Greg wasn’t there on Friday. He died in his sleep in April after a shock medical event in New South Wales where he was campaigning the couple’s horses. Tubbs had understandable trepidation about coming back to Addington, last year’s carnival having meant so much to her and Greg. “It was hard coming back after what we did here last year,” says Tubbs. “I watched the race in the stable and straight away there were tears, tears from everybody. “It means a lot to do this, to come back here and have something nice happen. But of course it makes me think of Greg.” While nothing can compare with what Tubbs has been through these last seven months the gravity of the moment was felt around Addington, nowhere more so than in the stabling area that houses the close-knit harness racing participants. There was admiration, for trainer, horse and driver James Herbertson, the young Victorian superstar who has been a rock for Tubbs in recent months. As it turned out, after the incredible sentiment of the build-up, the race itself was a stroll. Tracy The Jet rolled along in front as her Kiwi rivals played dodgem cars in behind and at the end it was left to fellow Victorian filly Gatesys Gem to chase her home after sitting in her slipstream. Tracy The Jet will stay in Canterbury for a week and compete in either the New Zealand Trotting Derby or NZ Oaks at Addington next Friday. She will be favourite in either. The man who was missing at Addington would be proud. View the full article

The twilight Show Day meeting, complete with four Group 1s and the two $500,000 slot races, is underway at Addington Raceway. It promises to be one of the great race days of the year and there are trans-Tasman battles right across the day. By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk IRT SIRES STAKES SERIES 2YO CHAMPS MBL TROT (G1) The day’s opening Group 1 started in similar fashion to Tuesday’s IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup meeting – and that was with an Australian victory. Victoria’s Kyvalley Ray, trained by ex-pat Kiwi Brent Lilley, made it three wins from four New Zealand starts. Driver Blair Orange was unhurried off the gate, and sat parked for most of the journey outside Petite Armour and John Dunn. It came down to a two way battle with Kyvalley Ray just outmuscling his rival. Kyvalley Ray was backed into $1.80. Who’s Ya Daddy finished third, the trifecta paying $33.10. MAJESTIC HORSEFLOATS LP ‘THE ASCENT’ (MOBILE TROT) (Listed) The Australian domination continued with a very emotional victory in the $500,000 slot race for the trotters. Gun Victorian filly Tracy The Jet and driver James Herbertson led from start to finish and hot on her heels was fellow Australian Gatesys Gem who held on stylishly for second. It was a commanding performance as Tracy The Jet set a new national record of 2:23.7 (1980m). The Tony Herlihy-trained and driven Youneverknow finished third. There were plenty of tears and hugs post race with Tracy The Jet’s trainer Jess Tubbs returning to Addington for the first time since the death of her husband Greg Sugars in April. This time last year the Tubbs-Sugars combo won the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot with their champion trotter Just Believe. “To get this win for Greg is special and makes me so proud,” Tubbs said post race. It was Tracy The Jet’s ninth win in 14 starts. Last year’s inaugural THE ASCENT winner was another Victorian in Keayang Zahara. BOB McARDLE SIRES’ STAKES STHN MARES MBL PACE (L) The draw (13) did her no favours but Esmeralda was in a class of her own in the Bob McArdle. Trainer-driver Gerard O’Reilly gave the Always B Miki four-year-old a perfect trip – they were aggressive early and were in the lead with a lap to go and never looked in danger, winning by five lengths. She paid $9 for the win, her fifth in 15 starts. Favourite Ruby Roe went round three wide and finished third with Amaretto Franco mounting a stern challenge out wide to finish second. DUNSTAN SIRES’ STAKES SERIES 2YO FILLIES FINAL (MOB PACE) (Gr1) It was the second Group 1 for the week and the 50th overall for co-trainer Cran Dalgety when favourite All Of Me took out the 2YO Fillies Group 1. It was a Cran and Chrissie Dalgety-trained quinella with The Queens Gambit (Kimberly Butt) finishing second. It also completed a 2YO Group 1 double for Kentuckiana Lodge after Freeze Frame and Butt upset in the Colts and Geldings Final on Tuesday. “It’s just one of those weeks when the stars align,” said Cran Dalgety post race, “it’s a big thrill.” It was All Of Me’s second win in five starts, following on from Kaikoura on November 3. The Dalgetys’ stable star Republican Party lines up in the Group 1 Allied Security Free For All Pace at 8.07pm after his sixth placing in Tuesday’s IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup. AZAP ELECTRICAL NZ TROTTING FREE-FOR-ALL (MOBILE TROT) (Gr1) It takes some trotter to win the Cup Group 1 double but that’s exactly what Aussie star Gus has done this week. He followed up his win in the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot with a dominant win in the Free For All. Driver Pete McMullen was forced to bide his time from a second row draw, only to make a mid race move and sit parked outside hotpot Jilliby Ballerini. As the $1.75 favourite faded, Gus was only getting warmed up and he cleared out from the pack in impressive fashion. “It’s a bit unreal,” said McMullen post race, “he raced super.” Summing up his week he said : “It’s incredible.” Gus has now won four of his last five starts and 18 overall. HILL LEE & SCOTT ‘THE VELOCITY’ (MOBILE PACE) (Listed) It was billed as the $500,000 match race between Marketplace and Got The Chocolates and what a race it was. From his handy draw (2) Marketplace, the $1.85 favourite, headed for the front with Craig Ferguson controlling the tempo. John Dunn meanwhile had to go three wide and then sit parked with Got The Chocolates before he served it to his great rival. He was four lengths off the lead at the 400 metre mark but it was Got The Chocolates who prevailed in an epic battle, with Australian Fait Awaits and Bettors Anvil filling the minors some seven lengths away. As commentator Matt Cross said “Got The Chocolates – he is New Zealand’s best three-year-old.” It was his ninth win in 23 starts. “He must have a big ticker this fella,” said Dunn post race. ALLIED SECURITY NZ PACING FFA MOBILE PACE (G1) When Leap To Fame rolled to the front it was game over as Australia continued to make their considerable presence felt at Addington. “Larry”, as he’s known, is a $5m plus earner and an absolute superstar of the sport. This was win number 59 from just 75 starts. “It’s a helluva relief,”trainer-driver Grant Dixon admitted afterwards. Big Kiwi hope Republican Party pushed him hard in finishing second with Merlin, who had sat parked, holding on for third. Leap To Fame started a $1.80 favourite following his brave second to Kingman in Tuesday’s IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup. View the full article

Sam Agars SPARKLING FELLOW - R4 (12) Did everything but win first up and looks suited here Jay Rooney BEAUTY BOLT - R10 (5) Big run last start and looks the one to beat from a far better draw today Owen Goulding HARRY'S HERO - R2 (14) Desperately unlucky when blocked late last time out and can make amends Phillip Woo SPARKLING FELLOW - R4 (12) Is ready to break through after a solid second fresh Shannon (Vincent Wong) SPARKLING FELLOW - R4 (12) Looks a good chance after catching the eye...View the full article

Ed Harper has admitted to wrestling with the decision to part with Whitsbury Manor Stud's outstanding producer Suelita (Dutch Art) at the forthcoming December Mares Sale at Tattersalls. The dam of the 2,000 Guineas winning-sire Chaldean, among others, Suelita will go under the hammer as lot 1726 during the second of the two Sceptre Sessions on Tuesday, December 2. Harper stressed that the team at Whitsbury Manor will forever be indebted to the now-16-year-old, whilst acknowledging that, if she was ever going to be sold, now was the time. “It was a really difficult decision,” Harper said of the thinking behind Suelita's impending appearance at Park Paddocks, 12 years after she was acquired at the same sale for 21,500gns. “To be honest, it was one we only made right up until the last day of entries. We were going back and forth over it. “Thinking about our young stallions – Dragon Symbol, Elite Status and Sergei [Prokofiev] – we're probably better off investing the money she can realise into young mares that can go to those stallions. She's far too special to go to unproven stallions. She needs to be going to the cream of the cop every time.” He continued, “The truth of it is that she's probably outgrown us. The thing that really keeps Whitsbury growing is our reputation for building stallion careers and supporting our own stallions. She's done a great job with that. We bred [G2 Mill Reef Stakes winner] Alkumait and [Listed Cecil Frail Stakes winner and G1 Flying Five Stakes runner-up] Get Ahead by Showcasing and we've got a lovely colt foal by Havana Grey. “But the truth of it is that she's probably been to a Whitsbury stallion for the last time. She's in foal to Frankel now, it's the perfect match, and now is the time [to sell her].” In addition to Chaldean, who also counted the G1 Dewhurst Stakes among his five career wins, Suelita's other offspring by Frankel include last year's filly who, at 2,500,000gns, equalled the long-held record-high price at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale. “She's been an integral part of the building of Whitsbury over the last few years,” Harper said of the development facilitated by windfalls such as that one. “She was the last mare Dad bought and her legacy will live on in the stock and the infrastructure that having her has been able to build us. “This isn't the last chapter of Suelita at Whitsbury – we still have the colt foal by Havana Grey. I think, selling her at this point, to likely an end user, is the right time for her and we'll enjoy watching what she does beyond this. We'll wish them all the best of luck and hope they breed another Classic winner.” Certainly, Harper is confident that any prospective buyers should have no fears with regards Suelita's longevity, hailing a brilliant mind which has stood her so well in her broodmare career up to this point. “She's so mentally tough and she's always the boss of the paddock,” Harper explained. “She produces a lovely-looking type, but I think it's probably the mentality she passes on which is most special.” He added, “It's fantastic to have a superstar mare that we can genuinely recommend to our best clients and say, 'Look, there are no holes in this mare.' You only need to look at her breeding record to see how easy she is to get in foal. Again, she got in foal to Frankel first time this year and she looks magnificent. Hopefully, people will be able to see that and we'll be able to give everyone the assurances that there's likely to be plenty of foals left in her. “She's meant a huge amount to my family and all of the team here. It's been an absolute privilege to own her and, hopefully, there's lots more of the story to come.” The post ‘Now Is The Time’ – Whitsbury Manor Blue Hen Suelita Prepares for Sceptre Sessions Date appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has received approval from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, to proceed with the development of a second all-weather track in Ireland at Tipperary Racecourse. The approval of the final business case is the last permission required under the Government's Infrastructure Guidelines. It will allow HRI to complete the procurement process with a main contractor and the specialist sub-contractors providing the lighting and surface for the new track. It is expected that contracts will be signed in early-December, at which point further details will be announced. It is anticipated that work will commence on the new all-weather track in Q1 2026 and is to be completed by the end of Q3 2027, with a view to staging a full winter race programme in 2027/28. Minister Heydon said, “I am delighted to announce that my Department has approved the development of a new all-weather track at Tipperary Racecourse. The project, which forms a central initiative within Horse Racing Ireland's current strategic plan, will support the future growth and continued success of the horse racing industry in Ireland. “The approval of this project demonstrates my continued commitment to supporting a sector that plays such an important role in the rural economy and in the social and cultural fabric of Ireland. This support has helped maintain Ireland's world-class reputation for excellence in horse racing. This project will further enhance this incredible reputation.” Suzanne Eade, CEO of HRI, added, “Today represents a very significant and welcome milestone in bringing to fruition the development of a second Irish all-weather track at Tipperary Racecourse. This vital project will create a huge economic stimulus for Tipperary, both town and county, creating jobs, supporting local businesses and driving tourism. “It will also provide a major boost to racing throughout the south of the country, providing accessible racing and training facilities, with 60% of trainers based within a 90-minute journey of the track. Tipperary as a county is at the very heart of Irish racing and the all-weather development at Tipperary Racecourse will further cement this position, delivering long-term benefits for our key, global-leading rural industry.” Tipperary Racecourse will close for racing during construction and HRI will shortly announce alternative temporary venues for its fixtures in 2026. Racecourse manager Andrew Hogan said, “This is very positive news for Tipperary Racecourse, the county and the wider region. This couldn't have happened without the unwavering support of the local community and wider industry. “An independent Deloitte report in 2023 demonstrated the significant contribution of horse racing to County Tipperary, where the industry generates €329 million in expenditure. We expect this figure to grow significantly in the future with the all-weather track development at Tipperary Racecourse. “As well as being able to stage regular Flat racing throughout the winter months, we will retain the existing turf jumping fixtures to provide year-round opportunities under both codes. We will also facilitate training on the main track and a new deep sand gallop throughout the year, providing a tremendous boost for trainers in the south.” The post All-Weather Track at Tipperary Receives Government Go-Ahead appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Already a two-time Group 1 winner Regaleira (Suave Richard) is aiming for her third crown in Sunday's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Kyoto. The Sunday Racing colourbearer will face 15 rivals and carries the mantle of market favouritism in advance of the big day. Leaving from post seven under Keta Tosaki, the four-year-old filly has a Hopeful Stakes score versus males in her win column at two, and defeated them again in last December's Arima Kinen over 2500 metres. She warmed up for this contest with a victory going this trip at Nakayama in the G2 Sankei Sho All Comers Stakes in September. Said assistant trainer Yu Ota, “She looks well in her coat, and her preparation has gone well. Her reactions have improved as the race gets closer, and she's done some good work in training, so she should be just right for the race itself.” Second choice in the wagering is the G3 Fairy Stakes heroine Erika Express (Epiphaneia). Slotted in stall six next to the favourite, Masahiro Miki's three-year-old is coming off a career high performance when she ran second at this venue in the 2000-metre G1 Shuka Sho on October 19. Yutaka Take has ridden four QEII Cup heroines from 2001-2004 in To The Victory, Fine Motion, and dual winner Admire Groove. “When I rode her in training before, she was quite straightforward, and she moves well,” said legendary rider Take. “This time in work, she moved quicker than I thought. She was quite tense before her last race, however. The rhythm she finds in the race this time will be important, particularly with the extra furlong.” Also coming back from the Shuka Sho is the third-place finisher Paradis Reine (Kizuna). Racing for Makio Okada, the G3 Flower Cup runner-up was also fourth in the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) in May. Mirai Iwata will be at the controls, and they will break from the inside gate. Trainer Teruhiko Chida said, “She was a bit tired after her last race, where she really showed a lot of power, so she's had a couple of easy weeks at the stable to recover from that run and get over her tiredness. Regarding the race this time, it's on the outer course, which I feel makes it easier, but we'll have to see how she handles the race overall.” The intriguing Lynx Tip is third choice in the advance markets and has been handed the widest draw of all. The daughter of Kitasan Black also bears the Sunday Racing Silks, and she was third in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) this spring. Although she has yet to win from four starts this season, she would be her sire's fourth top-level winner. His Ravel was runner-up in this race last year. Assistant trainer Kazuki Nitta said, “She's developing nicely, and is in good shape with the work we've given her. We're very pleased with the way she's moving and the times she's posted. The outer course at Kyoto is good for her, and with her flexibility, there's no problem getting into the flow of a race.” Part of the older brigade is 2024 Oka Sho heroine Stellenbosch (Epiphaneia). Although at one time Katsumi Yoshida's runner filled the frame in five consecutive appearances at the top level, she has yet to finish better than eighth in three starts this year. However, she does have the services of Christophe Lemaire and the duo will break from post two. The post Regaleira Aiming For Group 1 Hat Trick In Japan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday, Krefeld, Germany, post time: 14:30, GROSSER PREIS DER RONDO FOOD GMBH & CO. KG – HERZOG VON RATIBOR-RENNEN-G3, €55,000, 2yo, 8 1/2fT Field: Lommi (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Zuender (Ger) (Amaron {GB}), Abachi (Ger) (Japan {GB}), Nariman (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Nitaro (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), True Lion (Ger) (Amaron {GB}). TDN Analysis: Standard-setters Lommi and Zuender are at an instant disadvantage, with their extra kilo for placing behind the country's generation leader Gostam in the G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten and G3 Zukunfts-Rennen, respectively. The former was further away from their exciting peer in the Cologne feature, with Zuender going on to run second in Italy's G3 Gran Criterium. Of the others, Abachi has a Listed placing having run second in Hanover's Youngster Steher Cup and drops back in trip. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Kyoto, Japan, post time: 15:40, QUEEN ELIZABETH II CUP-G1, ¥252,980,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 2200mT Field: Paradis Reine (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Stellenbosch (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), Shinryokuka (Jpn) (Satono Diamond {Jpn}), Kana Tape (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Safira (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), Erika Express (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), Regaleira (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}), Vermicelles (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}), Bond Girl (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), Sekitoba East (Jpn) (Declaration Of War), Verehrung (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}), Lilac (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), Coconuts Brown (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Kelly Fled Ask (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Aurora X (Jpn) (Satono Diamond {Jpn}), Lynx Tip (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}). TDN Analysis: Dual Group 1 winner Regaleira could easily boss this field, and just won the G2 Sankei Sho All Comers Stakes in September. Japanese 1000 Guineas victress Stellenbosch needs to show a spark here, as she has been out of the top three in her previous starts this year. Several fillies return from the G1 Shuka Sho field, among them the second and third in G3 Fairy Stakes heroine Erika Express and Paradis Reine. Kana Tape, a winner of the 1600-metre G3 Sekiya Kinen two back in record time, might find the QEII Cup real estate a bridge too far. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Lommi And Zuender Clash In Germany appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) took another confident step towards the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) as he dashed well clear of a batch of top-class operators in a barrier trial at Sha Tin on Friday. The world’s top-rated sprinter broke well and ran keenly before surging down the 1200m dirt straight in a brisk 1m 10.19s under regular rider Zac Purton. The run provided a final tune-up before the HK$5.35 million Gr.2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on 23 November. It was a commanding display from the five-year-old, who has won 14 consecutive races. Ominously for rivals targeting his HK$28 million Gr.1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) crown on 14 December, handler David Hayes believes Ka Ying Rising has improved since conquering the AU$20 million (approx. HK$101 million) Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) in October. “It was an upper-class trial with some of Hong Kong’s best horses and he did what he does,” Hayes said. “A lot of horses … who have had these international trips come back better if they’ve handled it well. I think he has, and I’m actually confident that the trip has brought him on.” The outing was the five-time Group One-winner’s first trial since his return from Royal Randwick in Sydney, Australia, where he confirmed his credentials as racing’s best sprinter with a convincing win in the world’s most valuable turf race. Purton said his enthusiasm was obvious. “He’s very fresh. He’s very eager to get on with things – he’s probably going 10 per cent keen,” the 42-year-old said. “He trialled well, so that’ll take the stuffing out of him a little bit and he can relax now until race day.” Looking better than ever, Ka Ying Rising! Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year and five-time Group 1 winner Ka Ying Rising led home My Wish and Divano in a trial at Sha Tin this morning with @zpurton up… #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/ovVCrYSvwk — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) November 14, 2025 View the full article

Saturday’s 10-race card at Sha Tin is headlined by a competitive Class Two Lukfook Jewellery Cup (1,200m), while the battle between champion jockeys Zac Purton and James McDonald is sure to be another highlight. Jay Rooney is in the hot seat to provide an extended rundown of his selections. Race 1 – Class Four Lukfook Jewellery Hexicon Handicap (1,200m) Georgian Sigma comes off an impressive second on debut, in which he was carried out just before the turn by eventual winner Ever Luck and fired...View the full article

Lindsay Park could have saved the best for last in terms of stern tests for Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto) this Spring, but Ben Hayes is convinced he can mix it with star sprinters Jimmysstar and Angel Capital in Saturday’s A$1 million Gr.1 C F Orr Stakes at Caulfield. The Per Incanto four-year-old basically demanded a shot at the 1400-metre Group One. Evaporate heads in off a third placing in the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m), which was his main spring target, but Hayes was pleasantly surprised with how well he came through it. “That’s the reason we’ve decided to run, he came back from Sydney and trotted up 100 percent sound and looked a million dollars, so we had no hesitation at all,” Hayes, who trains in partnership with brothers Will and JD, said. “It’s a small but very good field, but we’ve always had a high opinion of him.” Evaporate is chasing a maiden Group One success in the weight-for-age Orr Stakes, which moves to November for the first time after previously being run in February. His Golden Eagle placing, just over 1-1/2 lengths from the unbeaten Autumn Glow, followed a narrow second placing to Transatlantic in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m). That reversed the result of the Gr.3 Sandown Stakes (1500m), while his campaign started with a fifth placing in the Gr.2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) on August 16. Evaporate drops back to 1400m for the first time since that run, but Hayes does not think that will be an issue with the gelding who will start from the second-widest gate in the field of seven. “I actually like it, I think the wide draw will work in his favour in the small field,” he said. “Being one of the last to load will help him. It’s going to be a really tactical race. If he can jump well and, as long as he can get galloping room and get himself in a good rhythm, I think he’ll be very competitive.” Evaporate, who has the services of Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jamie Melham, will have Angel Capital to his immediate inside at the start, while Jimmysstar will start from barrier three. View the full article

The snowballing success of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale has been built on the internationally renowned skills of its vendors, whose efforts were rewarded with outstanding results at Karaka on Wednesday and Thursday. Sam and Hana Beatson’s Riversley Park claimed the title of leading vendor by aggregate for the ninth Ready to Run Sale in a row. They sold 34 horses for a total of $6.525 million, averaging $191,912 and with a top price of $675,000 for a Satono Aladdin colt out of Shezdelicious. “We had our ups and downs, but most of the horses we passed in were getting sold outside the ring and I’d say our clearance rate would be up around 90 percent, which is very pleasing,” Sam Beatson said. “It’s a big effort by everyone involved, such as my wife and all of our staff. We’d probably have over 20 staff here, with all the grooms and leaders, and it’s a big operation with the number of horses that we’re selling. With it being such a compact sale, you’ve got two days of parading and you can be doing up to seven parades at a time for most of the day. “We also put a lot of effort into travelling around Australasia looking for suitable horses and pinhooks, and then there’s plenty of work that goes into all of these horses leading into the breeze ups and the sales. That work has been rewarded with a very good sale. “It seems to have been a successful sale for most of the vendors that I’ve talked to around the complex. They all seem to be happy, they’re all getting horses sold for good results, so it’s been spread around quite well.” Beatson noted the continued Hong Kong influence on the Ready to Run Sale buying bench, along with a new contingent from mainland China. Riversley Park sold 14 horses to Hong Kong this week and two to China. “It’s a great thing they’ve got going on there with the mainland Chinese racing horses in Hong Kong,” Beatson said. “They’re sourcing them here and racing them there, because obviously the money in Hong Kong is unbelievable.” Kit Brooks of KB Bloodstock with Lot 84 who sold to Patella Blo Photo: Angelique Bridson Kit Brooks’ KB Bloodstock sold 13 horses for a total of $3.46 million at an average price of $266,154. That included the sale-topping Lot 374, a colt by Zoustar out of Hijack Hussy, who was purchased by leading buyer Mr KM Yeung for $825,000. “We had a really good couple of days across the board,” Brooks said. “We came into this week reasonably confident that we had a good-quality draft of horses. It’s all about offering the best horses that you can and then just hoping for the best, and we’re really happy with how it went. “Selling the sale-topper was really exciting. He’s an outstanding colt that I’ve always liked and I was hoping the buyers would like him as much as I did. We expected that he’d be reasonably popular, but you never know how popular until the time comes. To see him top the sale was a big thrill. “I was also proud of the way the Snitzel sold (Lot 84, a Snitzel colt out of Samovare, bought by Patella Bloodstock for $525,000), and a couple of lovely Proisir fillies probably exceeded my expectations a little bit as well. It was a rewarding couple of days.” Landsdowne Park is generally more renowned for selling yearlings, but made their mark at this year’s Ready to Run Sale and finished as leading vendor by average. They sold four horses for an average of $277,500, headed by a $480,000 Ghaiyyath gelding. “Yearlings are usually more our focus, but it worked out that we had a few to offer at the Ready to Run Sale this year,” Dave Duley said. “Whether that’s something we’ll continue to do, we’ll wait and see and play it by ear. “These horses sold well and it’s a good result to come out as top vendor by average. It’s a nice little boost for us with the yearling sales just around the corner. The preparations are well underway for that now and it’s a really exciting time of year.” Time-honoured and respected nursery Trelawney Stud had their best-ever Ready to Run Sale, securing an average price of $232,500 across four horses sold. That included a $700,000 colt by Per Incanto out of the winning Rock ‘N’ Pop mare Joan’s A Jett. “We were really pleased with how our small but select draft performed,” Brent and Cherry Taylor commented. “It’s always rewarding to see the horses we’ve prepared find good homes with trusted buyers here in New Zealand and internationally. The Per Incanto colt was a real highlight, and we’re delighted with the overall result. “We’d also like to thank the NZB team for once again staging a world-class Ready to Run Sale – it continues to attract a fantastic buying bench and deliver outstanding results on racetracks around the world.” View the full article

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike will be chasing stakes success at both ends of the country on Saturday, with Agera (NZ) (Complacent) leading his northern charge at Tauranga. The six-year-old son of Complacent has been in a purple patch of form of late, winning five of his last seven starts, including last month’s Listed Matamata Cup (1600m). He went on to win the Feilding Cup (2050m) at Tauherenikau and will now get the opportunity to shoot for further stakes success when he steps back to a mile in the Gr.2 Gartshore Construction Tauranga Stakes (1600m). The Bay of Plenty feature wasn’t initially on the cards for Agera, however, wet weather is luring Pike across the Kaimai Range to tackle the Group Two. “We probably didn’t have this race on the radar but with the rain that came through the week, that is really going to suit him come Saturday,” Pike said. “He is obviously stepping up to weight-for-age company, but outside of Ladies Man it is probably not the strongest weight-for-age race. “I thought he deserved his chance, he has drawn well (3), and the form that he is in he should be a genuine each way chance again.” Following Saturday, Agera’s main aim will be the Harcourts Taupo Cup (2000m) where he will be chasing the $50,000 winner takes all bonus up for grabs in the inaugural Prezzy Card Northern Country Cups Bonus Series. “We are just trying to get him to the Taupo Cup,” Pike said. “He is well ahead in the Country Cups series and just needs to run in the Taupo Cup at this stage to win that. “We will look to give him one more mile post Saturday’s race as a lead-up to the Taupo Cup on the 28th of December.” Pike will also be chasing stakes success in Christchurch on Saturday with Slipper Island (No Nay Never), who will back-up in the Listed Lindauer Stewards Stakes (1200m) after running fourth in the Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) on the opening day of the New Zealand Cup Carnival. “His run on the first day was really good over the 1000m. His sectionals were outstanding,” Pike said. “The favourite, Platinum Attack, is extremely well-weighted under the conditions of the race and is going to be hard to beat, but he (Slipper Island) will improve off last Saturday and the 1200m will suit. I would say he will be right in the finish.” Pike was contemplating a tilt at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) on the Riccarton card with stablemate Happy Youmzain (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) but has elected to stay closer to home with the gelding who will head to Tauranga on Saturday to contest the Laser Plumbing Waihi Beach 3YO (1400m). “We gave consideration about sending him south for the Guineas,” Pike said. “We have elected to leave him up here for this race heading into the Bonecrusher Stakes (Gr.3, 1400m). He has drawn ideally in one, is a talented three-year-old and should run well.” Pike will also be represented at Tauranga by Boss ‘N’ Highheels (Written Tycoon) in the Tauranga Hardware & Plumbing 1200. “She is fresh-up off a good barrier trial,” Pike said. “She is another one that has drawn well (1). It is a strong rating 75 race, but if she can bring her trial form fresh-up into Saturday hopefully she is a place chance.” View the full article

After making a fast start to her short-term stint in the city with a winner with just her fourth ride, Hollie Doyle has picked up a couple of Group Two mounts at next weekend’s Longines Hong Kong International Races lead-up meeting. Doyle will ride Divano in the Group Two Jockey Club Sprint (1,200m) and Sunlight Power in the Group Two Jockey Club Mile, two gallopers she is familiar with. Doyle partnered Divano in a loaded Sha Tin all-weather trial on Friday morning, with Francis Lui Kin-wai’s...View the full article

David Hayes is confident Ka Ying Rising is a better horse for his Group One The Everest (1,200m) expedition after the world’s best sprinter breezed through a Sha Tin trial on Friday morning. Trialling for the first time since his comprehensive success in the world’s richest turf race at Randwick in Sydney last month, Ka Ying Rising cruised home first in a star-studded dirt hit-out featuring My Wish and Helios Express. “It was an upper-class trial with some of Hong Kong’s best horses and he did...View the full article

The oldest living GI Belmont Stakes winner, Touch Gold (Deputy Minister), has passed away at Old Friends Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, according to a post on X from the retirement home late on Thursday. The message said, “We are devastated to share the passing of Touch Gold, the 1997 Belmont Stakes winner, who succumbed to the infirmities of old age at 31. Tough, intelligent, determined, and courageous, he embodied the very spirit of a champion on the track and in retirement.” Touch Gold won six of 15 starts for $1,679,907 in earnings. As a stallion his 29 stakes winners and 67 stakes performers include four Grade I winners–including Old Friends's Seek Gold. We are devastated to share the passing of Touch Gold, the 1997 @BelmontStakes winner, who succumbed to the infirmities of old age at 31. Tough, intelligent, determined, & courageous, he embodied the very spirit of a champion on the track and in retirement. @battles_laura pic.twitter.com/rWPEHoU0wS — Old Friends (@Oldfriendsfarm) November 13, 2025 The post Belmont Winner Touch Gold Passes At 31 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Runner-up in last year's $100,000 Claiming Crown Iron Horse Kent Stirling Memorial, trainer Richard Sillaman says Freedom Road returns to Churchill Downs Nov. 15 as a more mature horse.View the full article

Calandagan, the highest rated horse in the world according to Longines' World's Best Racehorse Rankings, will be the sole international challenger for the Japan Cup (G1) at the end of the month and is preparing for his trip to Tokyo.View the full article

Nobals, winner of the 2023 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T), returns to the all-weather surface at Woodbine seeking to repeat as winner of the Kennedy Road Stakes (G2) on Nov. 15.View the full article

Jockey Paco Lopez, suspended six months by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority in September for what it said were riding violations of a conditional reinstatement, is named to ride in six races at Fair Grounds Nov. 20.View the full article

By Jordyn Bublitz Promising three-year-old pacer Captain Sampson will look to keep his winning streak intact when he lines up tonight at Cambridge Raceway in the 2025 Thames Pacers Country Cup (8.23pm). The son of Captaintreacherous is trained by the father and son team of Brian and Gareth Hughes, and has been a revelation this campaign, winning both of his starts at Alexandra Park in style. He’ll be handled once again by his regular driver Tony Cameron, but faces a fresh challenge this evening, having been handed a 20-metre handicap for the 2200-metre standing start feature. Despite that, the stable couldn’t be happier with where the talented youngster is at. Gareth Hughes says Captain Sampson has always shown the right signs from early on. “He’s always had a great attitude the whole way through,” Hughes said. “He always felt like he had a bit of potential there.” That potential has been on full display this preparation. Both of his recent wins have come in impressive fashion, first when resuming from a spell, and then when stepping up in grade and showing real grit against stronger opposition. “To pick them up the way he did fresh up this campaign was pretty impressive,” Hughes said. “And last start, for him to do what he did against some nicer horses, he’s really stepped up and he did it quite nice.” Tonight’s Thames Pacers Country Cup will be another test of the rising star’s ability and temperament, particularly from the handicap in a standing start event. “We’re just going to have to see how he steps and where he ends up,” he said. “He’s extremely well at the moment and we’ve been very happy with his work.” The Hughes stable has produced plenty of smart pacers over the years, and Captain Sampson is shaping as another to add to that list. Still lightly raced and with plenty of developing to do, his connections are understandably excited about what the next year could bring. When asked where he sees Captain Sampson in 12 months’ time, Hughes didn’t shy away from setting lofty goals. “If he keeps progressing the way he is, I think there’s a very real possibility that he will make an open class horse, and a nice one at that,” he said. “This time next year he could be in a New Zealand Cup or a Junior Free For All. Obviously there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and then, but that’s definitely where we’d love to see him.” For now, the focus is firmly on Cambridge tonight, where Captain Sampson will look to continue his perfect campaign and take another step toward fulfilling that exciting potential. To see the Thames Pacers Country Cup field click here View the full article

A quartet of top-flight contenders on Saturday will give Stephen Marsh a decent shot at completing a memorable elite-level double at Riccarton. The Cambridge trainer’s hopes will rest on the dependable shoulders of Swiss Prince (NZ) (Swiss Ace) and his male counterpart Magic Carpet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) while fillies To Cap It All (Capitalist) and Little Black Dress (Snitzel) complete a quality attack. They give Marsh every chance in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) to complete a Classic clean sweep following Well Written’s demolition of her rivals in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) on the opening day of the carnival. The unbeaten filly justified her short-priced favouritism in dazzling fashion and on Saturday it will be the current third market elect Swiss Prince ($5.50) who gets the nod as Marsh’s top seed. “He just keeps going ahead, every run he gets better and he’s the ultimate professional,” Marsh said. “He’s done nothing wrong since his last start, and everything has just gone perfectly for him.” Swiss Prince has won at his last two appearances, including success most recently in the Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Tauranga. “He relaxes and travels well, he is so unassuming and at the end of a big mile you know he’s going to be there. He’s got no chinks in his armour,” Marsh said. Magic Carpet ran sixth in the Sarten and a better guide to the son of Satono Aladdin’s chances was his previous victory in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). “It’s a tighter track at Tauranga and he’s come on really well since then, coming back left-handed over a mile on a big track will suit him,” Marsh said. “Jonathan Riddell sticks with the ship and he can turn his form around. I think his last start was a forgive run.” To Cap It All booked her passage south when she finished runner-up to Swiss Prince in the Sarten and she has already made an impact at the top level after her third placing in last season’s Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). “It was a very good run last time and she’s bounced out of it without a problem,” Marsh said. “Hopefully, she can get some cover and she’s got a really good turn of foot if she can be held up to give her every chance to get the mile at Riccarton.” Little Black Dress was a distant second to Well Written in the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) to confirm her place in the 1000 Guineas, but her chances were gone at barrier rise last Saturday. “I thought she would have been a good chance to get some of it, but nothing went right,” Marsh said. “She was slowly away and got back to an impossible position. “Her sectionals were good though and if there’s a bit of rain around then it wouldn’t worry her, she just needs to jump well to give herself every chance.” View the full article

Well-related stayer Notabadspillane (NZ) Time Test) is on a mission to take care of unfinished family business at Riccarton on Saturday. The Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) has long been top of Shaun Phelan’s wish list and the Cambridge trainer has enjoyed a trouble-free preparation with the five-year-old son of Time Test. The Cambridge horseman’s charge has been in strong form ahead of his long-term target and his pedigree instills further confidence. He is a half-brother to New Zealand’s 2022-23 Champion Stayer and dual Oaks winner Pennyweka, with their dam the unraced Threepence. The Pentire mare is also a half-sister to the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Titch, who finished runner-up in the 2010 New Zealand Cup with Notabadspillane in the right form to go one better. “There’s a lot of stayers in his family and the two miles shouldn’t be any problem for him,” Phelan said. Notabadspillane claimed consecutive middle distance victories at Te Rapa before finishing fourth in a stop-start Waikato Cup Prelude (2400m) on the Hamilton course. “He won two in a row and then last start it was an unsuitably run race, they just walked in front and then sprinted,” Phelan said. “Him and (race rival) Canheroc didn’t pull up until the 800, so I was more than happy with the run.” The Chris Wood-trained Canheroc subsequently ran fifth behind El Vencedor in the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m), in which Diamond Jack was second after finishing behind Notabadspillane at Te Rapa. Phelan’s partner Elen Nicholas will again be aboard Notabadspillane after partnering the gelding in his last five appearances. “She gets along well with him and rides him in all his work, he can be a tricky horse to ride some days,” Phelan said. “From the draw (11), it should be easy enough to get handy without doing too much and let him run the trip out strongly.” Notabadspillane has also proved himself to be a versatile performer with success on good and heavy surfaces. “He’s a lightly framed horse and he won’t mind any rain, either way it won’t bother him,” Phelan said. “We’re looking forward to getting him on to the big, roomy track.” View the full article

A batch of quality northerners have landed in Christchurch ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 (Guineas) at Riccarton, and local hope Alottago (Tagaloa) will lead the southern defence. The son of Tagaloa hasn’t put a foot wrong so far in his six-start career, placing in all three of his starts as a juvenile, including the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m) and Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m), before returning as a three-year-old where he won his next two starts before finishing runner-up in last month’s Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) behind Cool Aza Rene. Trainer Lance Robinson has been pleased with his progress since that run and is excited to test his talent against some highly credentialed northerners on Saturday. “It is good having him in a race like that, we are excited about it,” Robinson said. “It is a step up, but all Group Ones are hard to win. I am happy with him, he has done everything right, so we will find out how good we are. “He just keeps stepping up all the time. The more we give him the better he gets. As long as he keeps on going that way I think he has got the makings of a very good horse.” The stable started New Zealand Cup Week off on a winning note courtesy of Pequot (NZ) (Vanbrugh) last Saturday, and the Vanbrugh gelding will back-up a week later in Saturday’s Moshtix Premier (1600m) “Pequot won on the first day where he was very impressive and he has done well this week,” Robinson said. “He steps up to a 75 rating race and we are happy with him.” The stable will also be represented by Miss Emerald in the Kuehne + Nagel Premier (1400m). “She is a runner’s chance,” Robinson said. Robinson has been pleased with his stable’s efforts during his home carnival, with Eight Pence (NZ) (Swiss Ace) also collecting a winning cheque at Riccarton on Wednesday in the Avon City Ford Premier (1400m), and he is hoping to continue that winning trend this weekend. “I was very pleased with him (Eight Pence), he just keeps stepping up,” Robinson said. “Every race we have given him he has just improved every time. He is going the right way. “He was a very immature horse and he has just taken a little bit of time and the owner has been very patient with him. He has given him the time and now he is reaping the rewards. “I will see how he comes through it and we will make a plan in a couple of days. We are in no rush with him, time is his best friend.” View the full article