Wandering Eyes

Legarto catapulted herself into the spotlight in last year’s A$1 million Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m), and Te Akau Racing is hopeful another Kiwi filly can follow suit in the Flemington feature on Saturday. That filly is Quintessa, a daughter of Shamus Award that has only once finished out of the top two in seven raceday starts, with her quartet of victories including the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham in January. Mark Walker, and his New Zealand co-trainer Sam Bergerson, gave Quintessa her biggest challenge to date in last month’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa, and she lost no admirers in a barnstorming run into fourth behind Bonny Lass, recording the fastest closing sectionals in a quality field. “We were stoked with her run, she got back and rattled off some really good sectionals late on a track that was probably hard to make ground on,” Bergerson said. “She was a three-year-old filly against some hardened older weight-for-age horses, so it gave us the confidence to put her on the plane and take on the Aussies.” Quintessa soon headed across the Tasman to join Te Akau’s Cranbourne base headed by assistant trainer Ben Gleeson, with reports she has settled in well ahead of her assignment on Saturday, where she will be partnered by last year’s winning jockey Mick Dee. “She galloped really well on Tuesday, Mick rode her, and the team said she’s handled everything really well since she arrived there,” Bergerson said. “We’re very pleased with how she is heading into Saturday, it’s hard to know how she will go against some of the best three-year-olds in Australia, but we’re confident she can run a good race.” One of just two fillies in the 16-horse affair, Quintessa is currently rated a $18 chance with the TAB Fixed Odds jumping from barrier eight, directly alongside $2.70 favourite Riff Rocket, Chris Waller’s Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) winner. Fellow Kiwi The Pendragon, now based with trainer Michael Moroney at Flemington, is just adrift in the market at $21. “We think the New Zealand form will stack up well with her and Pendragon, she’s a little bit friendless in the market, but on her day, she’s more than capable,” Bergerson said. “She’s a Group One winner over a mile at Trentham, and the Flemington track is quite similar being a big, roomy course. “She’s pretty adaptable, she can go forward or back, so I’m guessing they’ll leave it up to Mick really, the draw gives her a few options.” View the full article

Two breakthrough performers from November’s New Zealand Cup Carnival will line up alongside a pair of promising staying three-year-olds in a talented team for New Plymouth trainer John Wheeler at Ellerslie on Saturday. The Hall of Fame horseman’s first runner will be Oso Savvy in the $90,000 Vertical Logistics Nathans Memorial (2200m) – a race Wheeler won with accomplished stayer Pentathon back in 2008. Oso Savvy has yet to scale the heights of that predecessor, but the Savabeel gelding made a big impression in two feature staying appearances in Christchurch in November. He ran second in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m), beaten by a long neck by Nest Egg, then finished a close fourth in Mahrajaan’s Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m). After a summer freshen-up, Oso Savvy returned to action with an unplaced finish in the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) and a fourth in last weekend’s New Zealand St Leger Trial (2300m). “This race should bring him along nicely,” Wheeler said. “I’m not sure yet whether he’ll back up into the Auckland Cup (Gr.2, 3200m), or whether we’ll wait for the St Leger (2600m) at Trentham. I’ll see how he goes on Saturday and then make up my mind. But I’m happy with how he’s tracking.” Lord Donovan completed a rare feat at Riccarton in November, winning on all three days of the New Zealand Cup Carnival. The five-year-old’s only appearance since then was a 1200m Rating 75 at New Plymouth on February 16, where he carried 59kg and ran second, beaten by a nose by Lilhoovesgotmoves. Those two horses will clash again in Saturday’s $80,000 Auckland Co-Op Taxis (1400m). Lord Donovan drops from 59kg to 58kg, while Lilhoovesgotmoves rises from 57kg to 58kg. “Lord Donovan ran a super race first-up,” Wheeler said. “This will be his first start right-handed, but I’m expecting him to run well. We’ve given him plenty of work that way around and he’s handled it fine. “I don’t really have any plans in mind for him his autumn, we’ll just take things as they come.” The Gr.3 McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m) features Black Betty, who produced an impressive finish from third-last to win a 1600m maiden race at Trentham on January 27. She then ran ninth in the Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m) and a last-start fourth against older horses in a 2060m Rating 65 at Wanganui. “She’s got a bit of a bruise at the moment, so I’m not completely sure at this stage if she’ll run,” Wheeler said. “But she’s a nice filly that will run 2100m strongly. I think she’ll end up being a pretty good staying horse in time.” Black Betty is by Zed, who is also the sire of Wheeler’s Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) runner Tranzed. The gelding is one of the least experienced three-year-olds in the 17-horse field, with just four starts to date headed by a 2000m maiden win on his home track on February 3. “He’ll definitely stay the distance,” Wheeler said. “He’s bred to be a stayer and has been trained to be a stayer. “He deserves his chance to run in the race. I can’t see him winning it or finishing in the top couple, but I’ll be happy if he runs in the first half a dozen. He’s a nice horse in the making.” All of Wheeler’s Ellerslie quartet will be ridden by Kate Hercock. On Friday afternoon, the TAB offered odds of $16 for Oso Savvy, $5 for Lord Donovan, $26 for Black Betty and $126 for Tranzed. View the full article

The curtain has come down on the decorated career of Callsign Mav following his sixth placed run in last Saturday’s Gr.1 Trackside Otaki-Maori Classic (1600m). Purchased as a weanling out of Windsor Park Stud’s 2017 National Weanling, Broodmate, & Mixed Bloodstock Sale for $3,000, he belied his initial purchase price when going on to win eight and place in 12 of his 38 career starts on both sides of the Tasman, accruing more than $1.6 million in prizemoney. The son of Atlante showed plenty of promise from the outset for trainer and part-owner John Bary, winning on debut as a juvenile over 800m at Hastings. At just his fourth start he finished runner-up in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1600m) behind boom three-year-old Catalyst. The following season he caused a major upset when taking out the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) first-up as a four-year-old, paying a winning dividend of $82.60. He went on to show that victory was no fluke, placing in the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) behind glamour mares Melody Belle and Avantage a fortnight later. He continued a memorable four-year-old term when runner-up in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m), Gr.1 Otaki WFA Classic (1600m) and Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m), and was third in the Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m). Callsign Mav returned in dominant fashions as a five-year-old, winning the Tarzino Trophy and Windsor Park Plate, before crossing the Tasman where he ran seventh in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m). He subsequently joined Danny O’Brien’s Victorian barn and continued on an upward trajectory, finishing runner-up first-up for his new trainer in the Gr.3 Carlyon Cup (1600m). He returned in the spring of 2022 to post his first elite-level victory in Australia in the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield and was runner-up in the Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m). Having met his mark in Australia, he returned to Bary’s care last spring where he placed in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Hastings and posted the same result in the Gr.1 BCD Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa earlier this month. Following his run in the Otaki WFA, the decision was made by Bary, in consultation with his ownership group, to retire the well-performed seven-year-old from racing. “Mav’s career has been one of the highlights of my training career and he bows out gracefully from the racing world,” Bary said. “Along with his fantastic Australian owners, he will forever be a stable champion, whose determination, heart and spirit inspired those who had the privilege to witness his feats on the turf.” View the full article

Te Akau Racing has confirmed Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) will contest next Saturday’s Gr.1 Newmarket handicap (1200m) at Flemington. The star mare was either going to run in the Flemington feature or head to Sydney to contest the Gr.1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on the same day, but the stable has decided she will remain in Melbourne. “Careful consideration was given to both Sydney & Melbourne options for that date and a number of factors (pros and cons) determined the decision by the team of David (Ellis), Mark (Walker), Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) & Ben (Gleeson),” a social media post read. With the Gr.1 William Reid (1200m) and Gr.1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) the star sprinter’s ultimate goals for the campaign, the Te Akau team determined running in the Newmarket is in the nine-time Group One winner’s best interests. Imperatriz had another track gallop at Moonee Valley on Friday morning, with her work ‘excellent’ according to Te Akau Racing. Imperatriz is the $2.30 favourite for the 1200-metre sprint, with the confirmation of the stable’s intention resulting in her price being crunched from $3.50. View the full article

Seven years after settling for second in their last raid on New Zealand’s premier classic, expat trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are resigned to running into one better again when Interlinked contests the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Busuttin and Young tackled the 2017 edition of the Derby with Rising Red, who ran a gallant second behind Gingernuts. That hugely popular chestnut later proved himself to be among the better Derby winners in recent years, adding the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) in Sydney and Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings to his impressive record. A return to Ellerslie for last month’s Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) left Busuttin with an all-too-familiar feeling. Interlinked finished strongly into third in a highly satisfactory Derby trial, but he was more than five lengths adrift of the runaway winner Orchestral. Interlinked heads into Saturday’s rematch as an $8 second favourite in a Derby market that is completely dominated by Orchestral at $1.40. “We thought his Avondale Guineas run was very good,” Busuttin said. “It was his first spin right-handed and first time around Ellerslie, and he handled everything really well. “But unfortunately for us, the reality is that the filly is in a different pay grade. She looks like she’s a class above the rest of the field. There’s every chance that we’ll look back in a couple of years and say she’s one of the better fillies to have come out of New Zealand in recent times. I’m sure she’ll go across to Australia later on and prove herself there too. “On what we saw in that lead-up race a couple of weeks ago, realistically she’s going to need to strike a lot of bad luck if she’s going to be beaten.” But despite the daunting task that awaits Interlinked in Saturday’s $1 million showpiece, Busuttin believes his promising stayer has had a flawless preparation. By Savabeel out of a daughter of the multiple Group One winner Daffodil, Interlinked has had five starts for two wins, two placings and a fourth. He won his first two starts at Kilmore and Caulfield in November and December, then finished fourth at Flemington behind the subsequent Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m) and Launceston Guineas (2100m) winner Bold Soul. Interlinked later warmed up for his trans-Tasman venture with a solid second at The Valley on January 27. “He’s had a perfect preparation,” Busuttin said. “He’s been staying at Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s beautiful property at Karaka and he’s absolutely thriving there. “I think we’ve got as good a chance as anybody of running second on Saturday. He’s drawn beautifully in gate six and won’t have to do much work. Sam Weatherley knows him pretty well now and should be able to give him a lovely run. “He’s going to stay the 2400m on his ear. He doesn’t have a lot of brilliance or a turn of foot, but he’ll stay all day. He’s a fit and happy horse and we’re expecting him to run well. “You never want to wish bad luck to anyone in a race, but who knows – if something did happen to go wrong for the favourite, we might be the best placed to take advantage of it.” View the full article

Breakthrough performer Pericles will be out to continue a remarkable summer for his part-owners Hugh Fletcher and Dame Sian Elias when he lines up in the Gr.3 Mainstream Plumbing Mufhasa Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. The pair’s familiar Fletcher tartan colours have been carried to eight wins since the end of November. Pendragon has been a headline act with a winning treble headed by the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m). He was a last-start second placegetter behind Orchestral in the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), and he will shoot for Group One glory in Saturday’s Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington. Pendragon is trained by Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard, who have also guided Pericles through an increasingly impressive three-year-old campaign of his own. The Rubick gelding cleared maiden ranks as a $22 upset winner at Rotorua on December 10, then repeated that result with a $28 boilover in a 1400m race at Pukekohe on January 21. The Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on February 17 brought more of the same as Pericles started as a $30 outsider but powered out of the pack for an authoritative win. “He’s just kept improving all the way through,” Gerard said. “It was a really good win at Ellerslie last start and he seems to have continued to go in that same positive direction since the race as well, which is encouraging.” Pericles is a grandson of Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) and Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) heroine Ethereal, and Gerard expects the step back up from 1200m to 1400m on Saturday to be firmly in his favour. “It should suit him even better than the last race,” she said. “He’d won over 1400m previously and we just dropped him back for the Uncle Remus. He’s definitely looking for a bit further. “We’ll see what he does on Saturday before deciding what we do next with him. There’s not a whole lot left for three-year-olds like him, but the Wellington Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m) might be an option, or maybe there might be something in Australia for him. We’ll take it one race at a time and see what happens.” Another notable recent performer for Fletcher and Elias has been the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Kingfisher, who was a last-start winner of a $65,000 race on Legends Day at Te Rapa on February 10 and will run in an $80,000 undercard race at Ellerslie on Saturday, while talented filly Foxglove was a maiden winner at Matamata in January for the same stable and will run against Pericles in Saturday’s Mufhasa Stakes. Moroney and Gerard’s accomplished seven-year-old Harlech will carry those same colours in Saturday’s inaugural running of the $350,000 Rangitoto Classic (1500m). The new race is restricted to horses whose trainers were outside the top 10 on the New Zealand premiership at the end of November. Moroney and Gerard fit those criteria, despite now sitting in equal 10th with 24 winners, total stakes of $1.15 million – the best in the partnership’s decade-long history – and black-type successes with Pendragon, Pericles and last Saturday’s Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) hero Savaglee. The Matamata trainers will have two runners in the Rangitoto Classic on Saturday, with Harlech joined by eye-catching last-start placegetter Lingjun Xiongfeng. “He (Lingjun Xiongfeng) was really good last time out,” Gerard said. “He was just doing a little bit too well at home, so we decided to get another race into him and at the same time give him a look around Ellerslie. It was all about having him in prime condition for his main target in this campaign, which is this race. I’ve been very happy with how he’s been working leading into it. He should be spot on. “I thought Harlech’s last run was better than it might have looked. We possibly should have ridden him a little bit handier. He just got caught out when the pace came out of the race, and he was pushed back through the field. He did a good job under the circumstances. “He’s drawn out a little bit for this race, but if we’re able to give him a better run, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him finish a lot closer.” View the full article

Imperatriz gets the better of Private Eye to win the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m). Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Te Akau Racing have locked in the next assignment for their star sprinter Imperatriz, with the nine-time Group One winner looking to add to her elite-level tally in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington next Saturday. The daughter of I Am Invincible was victorious first-up in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at the Melbourne track last month, putting to bed any doubts following a lacklustre trial. Te Akau Racing was considering heading to Sydney to tackle the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on the same day but have opted to stay close to their Cranbourne base. “Careful consideration was given to both Sydney and Melbourne options for that date and a number of factors (pros and cons) determined the decision by the team of David (Ellis, Te Akau principal), Mark (Walker, trainer), Karyn (Fenton-Ellis, Te Akau Racing director & Ben (Gleeson, assistant trainer),” Te Akau Racing posted on X. “With her main end targets remaining the William Reid (Group 1, 1200m) at The Valley & TJ Smith (Group 1, 1200m) at Royal Randwick, we believe this is in the mare’s best interests.” Imperatriz had a hit-out at Moonee Valley on Friday morning, pleasing her connections. “She enjoyed her track gallop at The Valley this morning, her work was excellent,” they said. Horse racing news View the full article

Pericles will contest the Group 3 Mufhasa Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Breakthrough performer Pericles will be out to continue a remarkable summer for his part-owners Hugh Fletcher and Dame Sian Elias when he lines up in the Group 3 Mufhasa Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. The pair’s familiar Fletcher tartan colours have been carried to eight wins since the end of November. Pendragon has been a headline act with a winning treble headed by the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1400m). He was a last-start second placegetter behind Orchestral in the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), and he will shoot for Group One glory in Saturday’s Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington. Pendragon is trained by Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard, who have also guided Pericles through an increasingly impressive three-year-old campaign of his own. The Rubick gelding cleared maiden ranks as a $22 upset winner at Rotorua on December 10, then repeated that result with a $28 boilover in a 1400m race at Pukekohe on January 21. The Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on February 17 brought more of the same as Pericles started as a $30 outsider but powered out of the pack for an authoritative win. “He’s just kept improving all the way through,” Gerard said. “It was a really good win at Ellerslie last start and he seems to have continued to go in that same positive direction since the race as well, which is encouraging.” Pericles is a grandson of Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) and Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) heroine Ethereal, and Gerard expects the step back up from 1200m to 1400m on Saturday to be firmly in his favour. “It should suit him even better than the last race,” she said. “He’d won over 1400m previously and we just dropped him back for the Uncle Remus. He’s definitely looking for a bit further. “We’ll see what he does on Saturday before deciding what we do next with him. There’s not a whole lot left for three-year-olds like him, but the Wellington Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m) might be an option, or maybe there might be something in Australia for him. We’ll take it one race at a time and see what happens.” Another notable recent performer for Fletcher and Elias has been the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Kingfisher, who was a last-start winner of a $65,000 race on Legends Day at Te Rapa on February 10 and will run in an $80,000 undercard race at Ellerslie on Saturday, while talented filly Foxglove was a maiden winner at Matamata in January for the same stable and will run against Pericles in Saturday’s Mufhasa Stakes. Moroney and Gerard’s accomplished seven-year-old Harlech will carry those same colours in Saturday’s inaugural running of the $350,000 Rangitoto Classic (1500m). The new race is restricted to horses whose trainers were outside the top 10 on the New Zealand premiership at the end of November. Moroney and Gerard fit those criteria, despite now sitting in equal 10th with 24 winners, total stakes of $1.15 million – the best in the partnership’s decade-long history – and black-type successes with Pendragon, Pericles and last Saturday’s Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) hero Savaglee. The Matamata trainers will have two runners in the Rangitoto Classic on Saturday, with Harlech joined by eye-catching last-start placegetter Lingjun Xiongfeng. “He (Lingjun Xiongfeng) was really good last time out,” Gerard said. “He was just doing a little bit too well at home, so we decided to get another race into him and at the same time give him a look around Ellerslie. It was all about having him in prime condition for his main target in this campaign, which is this race. I’ve been very happy with how he’s been working leading into it. He should be spot on. “I thought Harlech’s last run was better than it might have looked. We possibly should have ridden him a little bit handier. He just got caught out when the pace came out of the race, and he was pushed back through the field. He did a good job under the circumstances. “He’s drawn out a little bit for this race, but if we’re able to give him a better run, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him finish a lot closer.” Horse racing news View the full article

The Group 1 horses are well and truly back on the track, and with another three top-level races between Flemington and Randwick on Saturday, the Punt Drunk team thought it was a good time to rank our top five horses doing the rounds in Australia at the moment. It is safe to say that, unlike a certain radio programme, we will not be leaving reigning Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup winner Without A Fight out of our top three. We aren’t that silly. #5 – Think About It The top five kicks off with the reigning Everest champion, Joe Pride’s Think About It. With 11 wins from 13 starts, the five-year-old gelding is without a doubt one of the horses to follow over the next 12 months. Having claimed the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) and Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) during the Brisbane Winter Carnival, the up-and-coming star would go on to claim the Group 2 Premiere Stakes ((1200m) and The Everest during the spring, before being narrowly defeated behind Bella Nipotina and Private Eye in the Giga Kick Stakes (1300m). Pride has said he’d like to get Think About It out in trip to the 1600m and potentially even the 2000m, with a tilt at the Cox Plate (2040m) on the agenda during the spring. Safe to say, wherever he goes during this autumn campaign, he is going to be hard to beat. Relive Think About It winning The Everest #4 – Imperatriz A bit like Pavlova, we’re going to claim Imperatriz as an Aussie for this process. Imperatriz has not been beaten in a race since the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) in March last year. Since then, she has gone on to win the five Group 1 sprints in Victoria, including all three spring sprinting majors down south during the spring. She returned to racing last weekend with a determined win in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m). What more can she do to silence the doubters, though? Every win comes with some sort of negative response from “experts”. If she comes out and wins the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) during The Championships, someone will bring up the fact that Giga Kick isn’t there, and they will need to see her do it in The Everest. Pish posh, the Kiwi is a superstar and is comfortably the best sprinter in the land. She’s a champion, and she should be treated as such. Relive Imperatriz winning the Group 1 Champions Sprint #3 – Fangirl Is it a bit of recency bias that Fangirl is this high up the order? Potentially. However, every autumn weight-for-age race between 1400m-2000m is Fangirl’s for the taking, especially in Sydney. Chris Waller’s star mare returned with a breathtaking win in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) last weekend, backing up her ridiculous win in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) during the spring. She has a mortgage on the inaugural running of the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) on Saturday, and is expected to be a genuine contender in races like the Cox Plate during the spring. If she doesn’t win two Group 1 races this autumn, knock us over with a feather. Relive Fangirl winning the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes #2 – Mr Brightside It is easy to make the argument that Mr Brightside is the best horse in the country. There is no argument, however, that he is one of the top two racehorses. The Lindsey Park product won two Group 1 races during the spring and ran second in three subsequent elite-level events, including when being nosed out in the Cox Plate behind Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior. Mr Brightside returned a winner in breathtaking fashion in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m), and was just as impressive when winning last weekend’s Futurity Stakes. He won a second straight Doncaster Mile (1600m) in April last year, a feat only eight other horses have ever done. Mr Brightside is the genuine definition of a superstar. Much like Fangirl, any WFA race between 1400m-2000m in Melbourne, he is the one to beat. Let’s hope they clash at some point! Watch Mr Brightside win the 2023 Doncaster Mile #1 – Without A Fight It is hard to believe, but it feels like Without A Fight winning the Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double during the spring is not being respected enough. He became the first horse since Ethereal in 2001 to achieve the feat, one that was expected to never happen again. He won the Caulfield Cup second-up, having just one run at 1800m prior to his history-making achievement. Not much more needs to be said, he is the best horse in the country and despite being set to miss the autumn, Without A Fight is sure to be the one to beat in the Melbourne Cup later this year. Watch Without A Fight win the 2023 Melbourne Cup About Punt Drunk Welcome to Punt Drunk – our weekly column covering all the latest horse racing and punting controversies, dramas and headline news. Have a story or gripe or issue that just grinds your gears? Just hit us up in the comments or contact us page and our jaded, punt hardened Punt Drunk staff will give it the Punt Drunk treatment it deserves. Don’t expect pleasantries or typical racing media fanboy gloss from Punt Drunk – we’re on the punt and we don’t have time to bullshit; the next is about to jump… If you have any stories that you want our Punt Drunk Team to cover or just want to say G’day send us a message on: Horse racing news View the full article

Munhamek is the latest to receive an All-Star Mile wildcard. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Munhamek, a Group 3 victor, has clinched a wildcard entry for the prestigious All-Star Mile at Caulfield on March 16, courtesy of Racing Victoria officials. “We’re really pumped to be getting into the All-Star Mile,” expressed trainer Nick Ryan to Racing.com. “All the staff are up and about, so it’s very exciting.” “His run in the Futurity was super, his sectionals told the story and he was really savaging the line. Going up to the mile should really suit him now.” “We’ll need Mr Brightside not to be at his best to stand any chance of winning the All-Star Mile, but I’m confident our horse will improve stepping up in trip and hopefully we can have him peaking on the day.” “It’s a $4 million race, so we’re all really looking forward to the big day now. “Three weeks between runs should be perfect for him, and as we’ve seen before anything can happen in racing.” Munhamek is currently a +5000 winning chance for the All-Star Mile with top horse racing bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

The time-honoured Australian Guineas 2024, a Group 1 $1 million race over the mile distance, takes centre stage at Flemington on Saturday. Riff Rocket is tipped to pick up a second Group 1 as favourite in Saturday’s 2024 Australian Guineas at Flemington. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. A capacity field of talented three-year-olds has been assembled, with Chris Waller‘s Riff Rocket emerging as the clear favourite at $2.60 through Ladbrokes. Riff Rocket, an American Pharoah gelding, boasts a consistent and versatile record. He has won five of his eight career starts, with the highlight being his impressive victory in the Group 1 Victoria Derby last spring. In his first run back from a break, he surprised many by winning the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes over a shorter-than-ideal distance of 1400m. He remains the short-priced favourite to complete the CS Hayes-Australian Guineas double. Craig Williams stays aboard Riff Rocket for this challenge, aiming to deliver Waller his first victory in the Australian Guineas. However, Riff Rocket faces stiff competition from a full field, with only two other runners currently under $10 for the win. Veight, trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, is the early mover in the market, shortening from $7 to $5.50. This Grunt colt seeks his fifth win in his tenth career start. He has been performing well this preparation, finishing second in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas in the spring and showing promise in recent runs. King Colorado, trained by Ciaron Maher, is another key contender at $7. The Kingman colt has been consistent this season, securing back-to-back seconds in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes and CS Hayes Stakes. Punters seeking value can find several interesting options at longer odds. Southport Tycoon, trained by Maher, comes off a strong second-place finish in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes and is well-drawn for jockey Jamie Kah. Snow Patrol, trained by Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr, recently claimed victory in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes and cannot be ruled out. Additionally, the same stable’s lightly-raced colt Otago, who finished fourth in the CS Hayes in just his third career start, has the potential to improve significantly. The Australian Guineas promises to be an exciting race with a strong favourite facing several worthy challengers. All eyes will be on Riff Rocket as he attempts to extend his winning streak and claim another Group 1 victory for Chris Waller. 2024 Australian Guineas Field No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 17x12121x1 RIFF ROCKET Chris Waller Craig Williams 9 57kg 107 2 14x1525x14 VEIGHT Tony & Calvin McEvoy Damian Lane 6 57kg 105 3 11x9740x22 KING COLORADO Ciaron Maher Mark Zahra 12 57kg 96 4 42x128412x APULIA Ben, Will & JD Hayes Luke Currie 15 57kg 100 5 43x11413x3 ZIPAWAY Neville Parnham Steven Parnham 10 57kg 100 6 335x9732x6 CAP FERRAT Chris Waller Joshua Parr 2 57kg 85 7 44×01112 THE PENDRAGON (NZ) Michael Moroney Jordan Childs 14 57kg 95 8 6111×9 RUN HARRY RUN Michael Moroney Daniel Stackhouse 16 57kg 88 9 x52512413x SUNSETS Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young John Allen 13 57kg 90 10 12625×3 VERDAD Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock Jye McNeil 3 57kg 81 11 134×1 SNOW PATROL (NZ) Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Blake Shinn 7 57kg 90 12 1129×22 SOUTHPORT TYCOON Ciaron Maher Ms Jamie Kah 4 57kg 90 13 114 OTAGO (NZ) Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Ben Melham 5 57kg 74 14 6086×11455 HEY FAT CAT Robbie Laing Ethan Brown 1 57kg 81 15 1x11x2214 QUINTESSA (NZ) Mark Walker Michael Dee 8 55kg 105 16 91908×3 VIESTE Benjamin Smith Brock Ryan 17 55kg 64 17e x5167669x2 MAH ALI Benjamin Smith Fred Kersley 11 55kg 63 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Riff Rocket Poised to Shine in Australian Guineas 2024 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The Group 1 Surround Stakes at Randwick on Saturday features a field of 12 talented three-year-old fillies, with Annabel Neasham‘s Learning To Fly the clear favourite at $3.20 through Ladbrokes. Class filly Learning To Fly is favourite to return to winning form in the Surround Stakes 2024 at Randwick this weekend. Photo: Steve Hart. Fresh off a narrow loss in the Light Fingers Stakes, Learning To Fly seeks redemption at her preferred distance of 1400m. This Golden Slipper hard luck story boasts an impressive 3:2-1-0 record at Randwick and looks poised to overcome her last-start rival, Kimochi. Kimochi, trained by Gary Portelli, chases the Light Fingers-Surround Stakes double at $6 odds. While unproven beyond 1200m, her two strong Group 1 runner-up finishes over the mile last year suggest she shouldn’t be underestimated. Flight Stakes winner Tropical Squall, trained by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, is another major contender at $7.50. After a long break, she returns to Sydney in good form following two promising trials. Other notable contenders include multiple Group 2 winner Tiz Invincible ($7) and the consistent Makarena ($8.50), who finished a close second in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes recently. The $750,000 Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) is scheduled to run as Randwick Race 8 – 4:35pm (AEDT) on Verry Elleegant Stakes Day 2024. 2024 Surround Stakes Field No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 1x13120x TROPICAL SQUALL Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Adam Hyeronimus 2 56kg 104 2 11x007121x ZARDOZI James Cummings Tom Marquand 10 56kg 102 3 3x322232x1 KIMOCHI Gary Portelli Jason Collett 7 56kg 96 4 111Lx2 LEARNING TO FLY Annabel Neasham Chad Schofield 6 56kg 95 5 42x11169x6 TIZ INVINCIBLE Ciaron Maher James McDonald 5 56kg 92 6 21x08x43 KRISTILLI Annabel Neasham Zac Lloyd (a) 8 56kg 88 7 221x6734x TUTTA LA VITA Chris Waller Tyler Schiller 3 56kg 86 8 211×2 MAKARENA Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Tim Clark 13 56kg 85 9 15x188x8 AUTUMN BALLET Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Regan Bayliss 4 56kg 83 10 2211x ROLL ON HIGH Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman Billy Egan 11 56kg 80 11 32x1165x7 ARCTIC GLAMOUR Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou Kerrin McEvoy 9 56kg 77 12 6x331x1234 STEFI MAGNETICA Bjorn Baker Tommy Berry 1 56kg 76 13 24x4012x9 KIND WORDS Kris Lees Sam Clipperton 12 56kg 70 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Learning To Fly Poised to Soar in the Surround Stakes 2024 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The Map ridden by Jamie Kah wins at Flemington. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Jamie Kah has been confirmed as the rider for The Map, trained by Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray, in the upcoming Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville on Monday week. Kah previously partnered the five-year-old to a commanding victory in a Benchmark 96 (2800m) race on Melbourne Cup Day last year. “She’s (Kah) obviously been in the mix to ride her since Flemington and her management confirmed her for the ride this week,” revealed Clarken to Racing.com. “She’s (The Map) pulled up enormous. The plan was to always try and get the back of the McEvoy horse (Unusual Pearl), who had a big spruik on it, but she found herself a long way off them and a lot of horses in front of her. “I thought her last 100 metres was solid and we always knew she was going to take a lot out of the second-up run.” Kah, aiming for her second Adelaide Cup victory, previously triumphed in 2022 aboard Daqiansweet Junior. Horse racing news View the full article

Tom Marquand will chase further Australian Group 1 success at Randwick on Saturday. Photo: HKJC Godolphin has enlisted the talents of British jockey Tom Marquand for their key contenders in Saturday’s feature races. Marquand, recognised in Australia for his successes with William Haggas, particularly winning three of the last four Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on Addeybb and Dubai Honour, is set to guide Cascadian in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m), Zardozi in the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m), and Golden Mile in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m). “We’ve booked him on a little team of horses. Tom’s had a terrific run when he’s come out here to Australia,” shared Cummings. “There’s absolutely no reason why we shouldn’t be lining up to book Tom Marquand given we’re interested in having the best available on our horses.” “He’s very good to work with, he’s ridden for us in the past and we’re fortunate he was available to take the rides we offered.” “The other piece of the puzzle is he’s happy to work in with us, he popped out and rode a bit of work for us through the week and ridden a few trials.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Pakenham Races Where Pakenham Racecourse – 420 Nar Nar Goon–Longwarry Rd, Tynong VIC 3813 When Sunday, March 3, 2024 First Race 1:20pm AEDT Visit Dabble Victorian horse racing returns to Pakenham Racecourse on Sunday afternoon for a competitive eight-race meeting. Having raced on Thursday night, the rail comes out 7m for the entire circuit, with the track expected to remain at a Good 4 rating for the duration. The action from Pakenham is set to commence at 1:20pm AEDT. Best Bet at Pakenham: Happy Link Greg Eurell’s Happy Link was the latest victim of the ‘barrier one curse’ at Moonee Valley on debut, running up plenty of backsides approaching the home turn before launching late to finish a half-length back in third. The Toronado filly didn’t see clear air until the final 100m and arguably would have won with even luck in running. Jamie Kah should be able to put her in a better spot from barrier nine on Sunday, preferably outside the leader or in the one-one. From there, Happy Link should have no issue kicking clear from her rivals and righting those wrongs from an unlucky debut. Best Bet Race 4 – #8 Happy Link (9) 3yo Filly | T: Greg Eurell | J: Jamie Kah (56kg) +130 with Neds Next Best at Pakenham: Artistic Genius Artistic Genius returns from a six-month spell and only needs to replicate what he put forward in his first two starts to win here. The three-year-old gelding saluted on debut at Cranbourne before running within two lengths of the Group 1-quality Rey Magnerio at Sale. Daniel Stackhouse will have the son of Flying Artie settled midfield with a touch of cover, and barring any bad luck, Artistic Genius should prove too classy for his rivals. Next Best Race 6 – #2 Artistic Genius (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Daniel Stackhouse (59.5kg) +210 with Picklebet Best Value at Pakenham: Dancinginthedark Dancinginthedark from the Mick Kent barn brought up an overdue victory at Yarra Valley on February 24 when storming home late to win in a restricted BM58. Despite this being a restricted BM64, the Testa Rossa mare looks well placed against a field that is no harder than what she beat last time out. Barrier 18 is offset by the fact she gets back in the field upon settling, and if she gets a genuinely run 1600m affair, Dancinginthedark has the finishing burst to blouse her rivals and salute a nice price with horse racing bookies. Best Value Race 8 – #11 Dancinginthedark (18) 5yo Mare | T: Mick Kent | J: Ethan Brown (59.5kg) +900 with Playup Sunday quaddie tips for Pakenham Pakenham quadrella selections Sunday, March 3, 2024 1-2-5 2-4-5 Field 1-4-11-12-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Golden Slipper favourite, Storm Boy. Photo: Darren Winningham In preparation for the highly anticipated Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) on March 23, co-trainer Adrian Bott expresses confidence in Storm Boy’s readiness as he gears up for the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) this Saturday. Storm Boy, a promising son of Justify, boasts an unblemished record in his three starts, securing victories in the Group 3 BJ McLachlan Stakes (1200m) and the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m). Bott, who collaborates with Gai Waterhouse in the training partnership, emphasises the significance of the upcoming 1200-metre race in conditioning Storm Boy for the Golden Slipper. “Obviously, it is an important race for him. It’s a 1200-metre race that will really condition him for that SlipperHorse racing bookmakers have Storm Boy as a -384.62 favourite for the Skyline Stakes. Horse racing news View the full article

Peter Brant's fond memories of Kentucky Derby (G1) 110 have been stoked lately as he currently owns one of the top contenders for Kentucky Derby 150 in Risen Star Stakes (G2) winner Sierra Leone.View the full article

Peter Brant's fond memories of Kentucky Derby (G1) 110 have been stoked lately as he currently owns one of the top contenders for Kentucky Derby 150 in Risen Star Stakes (G2) winner Sierra Leone.View the full article

Red Centre trainer Barry Cooke is hopeful of success during the forthcoming Alice Springs Cup Carnival at Pioneer Park. (Picture: Nikki Westover Photography) With the Alice Springs Cup Carnival starting on March 17, local trainer Barry Cooke is eyeing the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) with former Queensland mare Nasha. The five-year-old, whom Cooke purchased from Rockhampton trainer Clinton Taylor, made her Red Centre debut two weeks ago when third behind Zoustorm over 1400m at 0-70 level. Nasha will line up against Benchmark 76 opposition over 1400m on Saturday, and should she impress, it will be on to the St Patrick’s Day Cup — the $35,000 feature on Day 1 of the carnival. “I’m hoping to finish in the top three and then I’ll assess from there,” Cooke said. “The St Paddy’s Cup is what I’m aiming for, so hopefully she will run well on Saturday and improve her rating. “She’s got to show me something before I’ll consider the St Paddy’s Cup. “There are other mile races for her over carnival, we’ll map a schedule after Saturday.” It’s never easy for a horse to deal with the dirt surface first-up, as well as running in the opposite direction and dealing with the kickback, but Nasha handled it with aplomb. Cooke could not fault her, and as was the case on February 17, she will carry 55kg with Casey Hunter on board. “She covered a lot of ground first-up and got caught wide, but she hit the line hard,” he said. “If she got an inside run, she would have been right there with Zoustorm. “Nasha handled the conditions, no worries at all. “She’s just a little professional, but Saturday is a big test.” Before Nasha arrived in Alice Springs, Cooke had been looking for a mare for the $35,000 Queen Of The Desert (1200m) on Cup Day on April 7. However, he couldn’t find one. “Nasha was probably the pick online at the time — she gets that bit more ground and has won over the mile,” Cooke said. “She’s a handy mare — lightly raced and consistent.” Nasha had three starts for Cranbourne-based trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr and won a 1400m Wangaratta maiden in late 2021 before joining Robert Heathcote’s Eagle Farm stable. She didn’t run a place in five starts in Brisbane before debuting for Taylor last June. In 11 starts, the mare had two wins and was placed on five occasions, while she finished in the top four twice. Naturally, Cooke did his homework, and it was a narrow fourth over 1500m at Rockhampton last November that sealed the mare’s ticket to Alice Springs. “I actually watched that particular race live on TV,” he said. “I was in Adelaide visiting my Dad in hospital when I bought the horse the next day on the online auction. “I only paid $4500 for her, I thought she would go for a lot more.” Horse racing news View the full article

The newly minted 2024 Verry Elleegant Stakes, formerly known as the Chipping Norton Stakes, casts an emotional shadow over Royal Randwick this Saturday. Fangirl is tipped to go one better than her second in last year’s race leading markets on the 2024 Verry Elleegant Stakes this weekend. Photo: Steve Hart. The renamed Group 1 race pays tribute to the recently deceased champion mare, Verry Elleegant, who dominated the previous iterations in 2021 and 2022. The spirit of Verry Elleegant is expected to linger as Chris Waller‘s stable aims to claim victory in her honour. Fangirl, a three-time Group 1 winner, stands as the clear favourite at $1.50 through Ladbrokes, looking to redeem herself after finishing second in the same race last year. Fangirl’s recent form is compelling. She dominated the Group 2 Apollo Stakes last month and boasts a strong record at Randwick over the 1600m distance, including a win in the prestigious King Charles III Stakes. Top jockey James McDonald will be in the saddle, guiding her from barrier seven. While Fangirl holds the favour, challengers exist. Just Fine, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, is undefeated at Randwick and returns from a Group 1 win in The Metropolitan over the spring last year. The veteran galloper Think It Over, trained by Kerry Parker, also presents a threat, having previously bested Fangirl at this track and distance in the $1 million 7 Stakes. The Verry Elleegant Stakes is set to run as Randwick Race 7 at 4:00pm (AEDT) on Saturday. Other horses to watch include Buckaroo ($11) also hailing from the Waller camp and the James Cummings-trained champ Cascadian ($16). 2024 Verry Elleegant Stakes Field No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 241x6316x3 THINK IT OVER Kerry Parker Nash Rawiller 3 59kg 120 2 4x5213x7x9 CASCADIAN (GB) James Cummings Tom Marquand 9 59kg 114 3 x77114x0x7 ARAPAHO (FR) Bjorn Baker Zac Lloyd (a) 8 59kg 109 4 x143x275x5 BUCKAROO (GB) Chris Waller Tommy Berry 1 59kg 107 5 6061x1110x JUST FINE (IRE) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Regan Bayliss 2 59kg 106 6 222x0180x4 NAVAJO PEAK David Payne Jason Collett 4 59kg 106 7 210x0488x6 LINDERMANN Chris Waller Tim Clark 5 59kg 102 8 Px9911872x ATHABASCAN (FR) John O’Shea Tyler Schiller 6 59kg 99 9 27x13174x1 FANGIRL Chris Waller James McDonald 10 57kg 119 10 6Px52021x8 ATISHU (NZ) Chris Waller Kerrin McEvoy 7 57kg 114 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Emotional First Running of the Verry Elleegant Stakes: Fangirl Favoured to Honour Stablemate appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Winning a Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) is nothing new for Roger James, with the Cambridge trainer looking to extend his tally in the Classic to an even half dozen at Ellerslie on Saturday, while training partner Robert Wellwood will be looking for his first. Tidal Light (1986), Roysyn (1995), Zonda (1997), Hades (1999), and Silent Achiever (2012) currently fill Kingsclere Stables’ honour roll of New Zealand Derby winners, and they have a $1.40 chance in Orchestral to enhance their record this weekend in the Trackside-sponsored contest. Wellwood is now into this sixth season training in partnership with James, and while they have had plenty of success in that time, including a Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) victory with Pinarello, a New Zealand Derby has so far eluded him, and he is keen to change that on Saturday. “When I first started with him (James) I said, ‘you have got to teach me how to win a Derby’. We have done it in Queensland, but I haven’t done it in New Zealand yet, so hopefully this year is the year,” Wellwood told TAB NZ. “Any Group One or $1 million race is extremely special, but the New Zealand Derby is certainly one I want to tick off and hopefully carry on the tradition for Kingsclere Stables.” Orchestral looks the horse to do it, having accrued an enviable record of four wins and two placings from seven starts. Her only unplaced run came in her sole spring outing when 10th in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1400m) at Hastings in September, and Wellwood said the decision to put her aside has been a masterstroke. Orchestral has subsequently been runner-up in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe in December before winning her next three starts, including the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m). “In the spring we weren’t going the right way and fortunately we had the support of the owners to back off her and it is paying dividends now,” Wellwood said. “I think that is why we have got her in the order we do at this stage of her career. “Craig (Grylls, jockey) was a bit blown away after the Avondale Guineas. He said he thought he was going to win and then got to the 200m and he said she kept accelerating, got to the 50m and she accelerated more and gave him an incredible feel. Hopefully he is saying the same after the Derby.” Grylls also has a proud record in the Derby, having won it aboard Crown Prosecutor in 2019 and Rocket Spade in 2021. James is delighted to have another exciting Derby prospect and believes Orchestral will lap up the 2400m with her two-kilogram advantage against the boys. “She had her first run over ground in the Avondale Guineas, she ran through the line, and I am very confident a mile and a half will be right up her alley,” he said. “We are aware that she has become a bit of a public figure. It is so good for racing if we share the journey and give a lot of people joy, hopefully.” Like Wellwood, the Derby has always been the pinnacle race in New Zealand for James, who would love to add another to his mantle this weekend. “It was the race when I got my trainer’s ticket that I most wanted to win, so I am never going to get sick of them,” he said. View the full article

Blake Shinn reunites with Elliptical on Sunday. Searching for his first Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) victory since Green Birdie’s 2008 triumph, Caspar Fownes will unleash a double-pronged attack on Sunday’s HK$13 million feature as a quartet of international jockeys descend on Sha Tin. Fownes has booked Blake Shinn to ride Elliptical, while Harry Bentley takes the reins on stablemate Awesome Fluke as the Australian black type winners press for Hong Kong breakthroughs. With Englishman Ryan Moore (Ensued), France’s Mickael Barzalona (Speed Dragon) and Australian Damian Lane (Simply Maverick) also flying in for Sunday’s contest, Fownes hopes Melbourne-based Shinn can coax the best from Elliptical. Winner of two Australian races, including the 2023 Group 3 C. S. Hayes Stakes (1400m) under Shinn, Elliptical has failed to show his best in four Hong Kong starts, having scoped with a substantial amount of mucus in the trachea after finishing 10th behind Ka Ying Generation over 2000m at Sha Tin on February 4. “Elliptical is going alright, he’s a better horse than what he’s showing, that’s for sure,” Fownes, a four-time Hong Kong champion trainer, said. “He’s just taking a bit of time to adjust in Hong Kong, not everything has gone smoothly for him. So, we’ll see – it’s going to be a tough race on the weekend. “It’s good to have Blake Shinn coming up – he knows the horse really well so he’ll be able to give us a bit more feedback. The horse’s future is way ahead of him. It’s not where he is. I’m just hopeful that he can come up quick. “It’s good that Blake is coming up to ride most of ours. There’s hopefully a couple of live chances and hopefully we can get a winner.” Shinn returns to Hong Kong hoping to add to the 77 wins he has accumulated in the city, headlined by Group 1 triumphs aboard Sky Field (2021 Hong Kong Sprint) and Russian Emperor (2022 Hong Kong Gold Cup and 2022 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup). Crowned champion Victorian metropolitan jockey last year, Shinn will partner five other Fownes’ entrants on Sunday – Charming Steed, Sky Trust, Fruity Warrior, Sky Heart and Kurpany. Fownes gained a Hong Kong Classic Cup start with Awesome Fluke, who won the Group 2 WATC Derby (2400m) when known as Awesome John and trained by John O’Shea, with the scratching of Tony Cruz’s California Voce. Joining the Fownes duo in the 2024 Hong Kong Classic Cup are John Size’s Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) victor Helios Express, Helene Feeling, Chill Chibi, Ensued, Beauty Crescent, Speed Dragon, Unbelievable, Chancheng Glory, Ka Ying Generation, Fallon, Simply Maverick and Star Mac. The Hong Kong Classic Cup is the second leg of the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which culminates with the running of the HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on March 24. Horse racing news View the full article

Friday, March 1 promises an exciting day of horse racing with eight meetings scheduled across Australia. Our dedicated team of racing analysts at horsebetting.com.au has curated the top bets and provided quaddie numbers specifically for the upcoming Darwin & Moonee Valley meetings. Friday Racing Tips – March 1, 2024 Darwin Racing Tips Moonee Valley Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For March 1, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $16.83 odds return: Friday, March 1, 2024 Darwin – Race 1 #2 Bon’s Pride Darwin – Race 4 #1 Mr Have A Chat Moonee Valley – Race 2 #3 My Name Is Moonee Valley – Race 5 #8 Sea What I See | Copy this bet straight to your betslip For avid Australian racing fans, numerous promotions await your exploration. Be sure to peruse the offerings from top online bookmakers, as daily promotions can enhance your horse racing experience. If you’re in search of a new bookmaker to elevate your horse racing ventures on March 1, 2024, consult our comprehensive guide to the finest online racing betting sites. We’re committed to keeping you informed and enhancing your horse racing betting journey. Horse racing tips View the full article

Horse racing bookmakers have unveiled an array of enticing racing promotions for Friday, March 1. Among the highlights are multiple generous bonus back offers that add an extra layer of excitement to your horse racing experience. Explore these free promotions from top online bookmakers to make the most of your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for March 1, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Moonee Valley Races 1 & 2 2nd or 3rd Bonus Back up to $50 Back a runner in races 1 & 2 at Moonee Valley this Friday and if it runs 2nd or 3rd get up to $50 in Bonus Cash. Fixed Win bets only. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Moonee Valley Races 1-4 Bonus Back 2nd or 3rd Get your stake back in bonus bets. Limits apply. General T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Moonee Valley All Races – 25% Boosted Winnings Paid in Bonus Cash. First Fixed Win Cash Bet. Max Bonus $250. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo Sunshine Coast All Races – 25% Boosted Winnings Paid in Bonus Cash. First Fixed Win Cash Bet. Max Bonus $250. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Friday Bonus Back 2nd ALL RACES at Moonee Valley Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Promotional limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed odds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo Friday Best Tote Exotics ALL RACES at Moonee Valley Includes Quaddies, Quinellas, Exactas, Trifectas & First 4s. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au has meticulously assessed the premier horse racing bookmakers in Australia, unveiling exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions and specials tailored for Friday, March 1, 2024. These horse racing promotions are a consistent feature, underscoring the unwavering commitment of Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers. In the world of horse racing betting, if one bookmaker isn’t currently running a promotion, rest assured that another is making the most out of promotional offers. Your ultimate resource for the most lucrative horse racing bookmaker bonuses every day is HorseBetting.com.au. Gain the most value out of your punting endeavours by leveraging bookie bonuses, accompanied by the most competitive horse racing odds available for each race. It’s crucial to note that these thoroughbred racing promotion offers are exclusively designed for existing customers. To access these special promotions and claim the bookmaker’s offers, simply log in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For those on the lookout for races and horses to optimise their horse betting bookmaker bonus bets, HorseBetting provides a valuable resource with its daily free racing tips. Horse racing promotions View the full article

Horse racing in New York registered a $3-billion impact on the Empire State's economy and an employment impact of 19,785 in 2023, per results released from the American Horse Council's 2023 Economic Impact Study. “It's impressive to see how much of an economic engine horse racing is in the state of New York,” said NYTHA President Tina Marie Bond. “Together with a total economic impact of $3 billion statewide, racing has added over 2,000 direct jobs in the past five years. Racing supports land preservation and green space across the state, and is a significant driver of tourism both in the Capital Region and on Long Island. With the Belmont Stakes Festival at Saratoga for 2024 and 2025, as well as a redeveloped Belmont Park on the horizon, racing will continue to boost local economies and provide jobs for years to come.” “The findings from the American Horse Council's economic impact study for New York report that the breeding and racing industry is an invaluable asset to our state,” said NYTB President Dr. Scott Ahlschwede, D.V.M. “Our state-bred program has positioned itself as the leading regional program in the nation, and we look forward to continuing to work with our fellow stakeholders to ensure that the additional investment in breeding and racing in New York will result in added revenue for all areas across the state.” The post Horse Racing in New York Brings $3 Billion to the NYS Economy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article