Wandering Eyes

Matamata trainer Cody Cole will be more than happy to let his Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) contender Renegade Rebel (NZ) (El Roca) do what he does best on Saturday. He isn’t overthinking tactics ahead of the Trackside-sponsored feature at Ellerslie and, with regular rider Matthew Cameron, will be taking a simpler is better approach to give his charge his best possible chance of an upset. “It’s pretty obvious that’s his pattern and he likes to get into his own rhythm off the front,” Cole said. “He can run good sectionals and if he got cluttered up in behind them on a changing tempo it wouldn’t suit him at all. “He just has to get out and do his own thing. It might look like he’s just plodding, but he is running along.” Renegade Rebel’s depths of stamina were first emphasised when he led all the way to win the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) off the back of a maiden victory over a mile at Tauranga. In his last appearance, the freegoing son of El Roca was unplaced in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2100m) and Cole has quickly moved on from that. “You can completely draw a line through that last run around Te Rapa, he has never been as comfortable left-handed,” he said. “He was definitely a lot worse than we anticipated and got on one rein the whole way.” Since Te Rapa, it has all been plain sailing with the three-year-old not missing a beat. “He is a real genuine stayer and we always planned on going four and a-half weeks into the Derby and it’s all gone as well as we hoped it would,” Cole said. “It’s been a good preparation and he worked up super at Ellerslie on Monday and did a little bit again on Wednesday morning on the course proper at Matamata. “I can’t fault him and with a couple of days to go, fingers crossed it keeps going that way.” Cole is understandably under no illusions about the task at hand and the long shadow the top-quality Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) casts over the Derby. “We are all hopeful we can beat the filly and it’s a horse race and we’ve seen $1.30 favourites rolled before,” he said. “If she is standing him up six lengths, then who knows, she might not get passed him but we have to be on our A-game and she probably has to have some bad luck. “Anything can happen and I don’t think he’s a $41 shot, which he is at the moment, but I guess a lot of trainers are thinking the same thing, we’re all a bit like that.” Cole is also bullish about a bold showing from his other Ellerslie representative Anise (NZ) (Tivaci), who will contest the Barfoot & Thompson Handicap (1400m). The Tivaci mare was a winner two runs back at Rotorua and three weeks later ran fifth at Trentham. “It was a bit of trainer error, we freshened her up too much and she was a bit keen in the early running and it took away her finish,” Cole said. “We took her to Ellerslie for a gallop on Monday and if she produces her best then she’s a good chance to be in the first three for sure.” View the full article

What Ascot 1000 Guineas Day Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, March 2, 2024 First Race 12:29pm AWST Visit Dabble The Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas and Lex Piper Stakes will headline the nine-race program at Ascot on Saturday afternoon. The track was rated a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, and with warm weather forecast for the remainder of the week, the track will stay in the Good range all day. The rail will be pushed out to the +8m position for the entire circuit, with the opening race scheduled to jump at 12:29pm AWST. Ascot 1000 Guineas Tip: So Nataya In the 1000 Guineas, Luke Fernie and Chris Parnham will combine with So Nataya for the third straight start. Last start, this girl was made to travel three wide without cover but stuck on well to finish third over 1400m at this track on February 21. When you consider that this daughter of So You Think would have run a lot further than the rest of her rivals previously, the step up to 1800m should suit her down to the ground. If Parnham can settle midfield off the fence from barrier seven, So Nataya could blouse her rivals in the final 100m. Ascot 1000 Guineas Race 8 – #10 So Nataya (7) 3yo Filly | T: Luke Fernie | J: Chris Parnham (54kg) +450 with Dabble Lex Piper Stakes Tip: A Lot Of Good Men A Lot Of Good Men will clash with Russian To The Bar again after they met in the Listed Challenge Stakes, where the latter beat the former by one length. The Trevor Andrews-trained galloper will appreciate the rise in distance to 1600m, having finished second behind Zipaway in the Group 2 WA Guineas in his only start at the trip. Although there doesn’t appear to be much speed, this son of A Lot showed last start that he can race forward and still run on strong, so expect similar tactics to be adopted here. Lex Piper Stakes Race 8 – #2 A Lot Of Good Men (12) 3yo Colt | T: Trevor Andrews | J: Paul Harvey (55.5kg) +210 with Playup Best Bet at Ascot: Bonjoy Bonjoy brought up a hat-trick of wins last Saturday when she let down with her customary turn of foot to win easily over 1600m. The Jason Miller-trained galloper raced at the back of the field and appreciated the very quick tempo, with Clint Johnston-Porter pushing her out to the middle of the track before she glided straight past her rivals in the final 300m. With a lot of speed expected in this contest, this daughter of Maschino will settle last again and attempt to replicate her recent victories. Best Bet Race 1 – #7 Bonjoy (2) 4yo Mare | T: Jason Miller | J: Clint Johnston-Porter (57kg) +120 with Picklebet Next Best at Ascot: Sapphire Street Sapphire Street has finished third in each of her last two starts, with one of those placings coming in the Listed WA Breeders’ Classic behind Petula. This daughter of Street Boss will go to 1400m for the first time this campaign, and after running through the line so strongly over 1300m in her most recent run, the rise in trip looks ideal fourth-up. Although this girl has drawn barrier 12 of 12, her get-back-and-run-on racing pattern should negate the wide draw if she gets a solid tempo to follow. Next Best Race 6 – #10 Sapphire Street (12) 3yo Filly | T: Daniel Morton | J: Chris Parnham (56kg) +500 with Neds Saturday quaddie tips for Ascot races Ascot quadrella selections Saturday, March 2, 2024 2-7-10 1-2 1-2-3-4-5-10 1-5-8-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Aberlour winning the Listed Southland Guineas (1600m). Photo: Monica Toretto Dual Guineas winner Aberlour’s racing future lies in Australia, following her majority sale to clients of Warwick Farm trainer Joseph Pride. The daughter of Mongolian Falcon was trained in New Zealand by Riverton horseman Kelvin Tyler, for whom she won three and placed in two of her six starts, including victories in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) and Listed Southland Guineas (1600m). Her performances piqued the interest of a number of potential buyers, but it was Pride who came out in top, with Tyler retaining 30 percent in Aberlour, and he is pleased his filly is going to a stable he has a good association with. Former Stable runner King Of The Castle was sold to Pride in a similar deal, and Tyler has enjoyed watching him perform well across the Tasman, including being trackside for his fourth placed run in the A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day. The son of Castledale has subsequently gone on to place in the Listed Santa Cup (2000m). “She leaves here on Sunday morning, it is pretty exciting to see if she matches up over there,” Tyler said. “Joe Pride is a good trainer and a good guy. I am pleased she is going there, I am quite sure he will do a good job with her. “There is a lot of prizemoney over there if they match up. We are quite excited to see how she goes.” Tyler has enjoyed crossing the Tasman with his family to watch King Of The Castle compete, and he is looking forward to doing the same with Aberlour. “We have got two reasons to go over there now,” he said. “You have got to enjoy it on the way through. It is all well having these horses, but you have still got to live a life too. Hopefully we can get over there and see her and enjoy it.” Horse racing news View the full article

Livid Sky will contest the Group 3 Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Stephen Autridge has already made one smart move this week, which has set him up with a stronger hand to play in Saturday’s fillies’ feature at Ellerslie. The Matamata trainer had fortunately withdrawn Livid Sky from Wednesday’s Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings, which subsequently fell foul of the weather and was abandoned. Livid Sky will now line up the pre-post favourite in the Group 3 Sunline Vase (2100m), in which she will be joined by her talented stablemate Still Bangon. “Both my fillies are well and I pulled the right rein by not going to Hawke’s Bay,” Autridge said. “Looking at it, I thought Ellerslie was the better option for Livid Sky and that’s why I had pulled her out.” Proisir’s daughter Livid Sky stepped up to a middle distance for the first time at Pukekohe when third in the Group 2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m) and filled the same placing in the Group 2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa where she copped an interrupted passage. Still Bangon won the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni three runs back and then came from last to finish runner-up in the Sir Patrick Hogan on New Year’s Day. At her most recent appearance, the Satono Aladdin filly was well off the pace in the Fillies’ Classic. “It was too big a space between runs for Still Bangon at her last start,” Autridge said. “I couldn’t give her enough work and she was a run short, so hopefully she’s back on target.” Matthew Cameron will take the mount on Still Bangon at Ellerslie where she is at $16 in pre-post betting while Sam Weatherley will continue his association with the $3.50 market elect Livid Sky. “Still Bangon has beaten the other filly every time they have clashed before that last run, so I guess they put the line through her,” Autridge said. “She has worked well and looks great and I think they are very hard to split.” Both fillies hold nominations for the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 16. Autridge is confident Livid Sky, whose brother Lauding was a last-start middle distance winner at The Valley, will handle the Classic distance while Saturday is D-Day for her stablemate. “We are at the stage now where we are going to find out, one way or another, whether Still Bangon is going to stay,” he said. “She is from a sprinting family, but everything about the filly indicates she will stay. We couldn’t get a true line on her at her last start and she can be forgiven for that.” Still Bangon has a speed-based pedigree and is out of the Le Bec Fin mare Shebang, who was successful on five occasions up to 1200m while her sister Elle Tresor was also a short-course performer with three sprint successes. Horse racing news View the full article

Renegade Rebel will be out to cause an upset in Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Matamata trainer Cody Cole will be more than happy to let his Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) contender Renegade Rebel do what he does best on Saturday. He isn’t overthinking tactics ahead of the Trackside-sponsored feature at Ellerslie and, with regular rider Matthew Cameron, will be taking a simpler is better approach to give his charge his best possible chance of an upset. “It’s pretty obvious that’s his pattern and he likes to get into his own rhythm off the front,” Cole said. “He can run good sectionals and if he got cluttered up in behind them on a changing tempo it wouldn’t suit him at all. “He just has to get out and do his own thing. It might look like he’s just plodding, but he is running along.” Renegade Rebel’s depths of stamina were first emphasised when he led all the way to win the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) off the back of a maiden victory over a mile at Tauranga. In his last appearance, the freegoing son of El Roca was unplaced in the Group 2 Waikato Guineas (2100m) and Cole has quickly moved on from that. “You can completely draw a line through that last run around Te Rapa, he has never been as comfortable left-handed,” he said. “He was definitely a lot worse than we anticipated and got on one rein the whole way.” Since Te Rapa, it has all been plain sailing with the three-year-old not missing a beat. “He is a real genuine stayer and we always planned on going four and a-half weeks into the Derby and it’s all gone as well as we hoped it would,” Cole said. “It’s been a good preparation and he worked up super at Ellerslie on Monday and did a little bit again on Wednesday morning on the course proper at Matamata. “I can’t fault him and with a couple of days to go, fingers crossed it keeps going that way.” Cole is understandably under no illusions about the task at hand and the long shadow the top-quality Orchestral casts over the Derby. “We are all hopeful we can beat the filly and it’s a horse race and we’ve seen $1.30 favourites rolled before,” he said. “If she is standing him up six lengths, then who knows, she might not get passed him but we have to be on our A-game and she probably has to have some bad luck. “Anything can happen and I don’t think he’s a $41 shot, which he is at the moment, but I guess a lot of trainers are thinking the same thing, we’re all a bit like that.” Cole is also bullish about a bold showing from his other Ellerslie representative Anise, who will contest the Barfoot & Thompson Handicap (1400m). The Tivaci mare was a winner two runs back at Rotorua and three weeks later ran fifth at Trentham. “It was a bit of trainer error, we freshened her up too much and she was a bit keen in the early running and it took away her finish,” Cole said. “We took her to Ellerslie for a gallop on Monday and if she produces her best then she’s a good chance to be in the first three for sure.” Horse racing news View the full article

First Innings will contest Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman will be looking to secure his first Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in his own right at Ellerslie on Saturday when First Innings contests the feature. Forsman has won the Classic on two previous occasions when training in partnership with Murray Baker, securing his first NZ Derby with Mongolian Khan in 2015, while Vin De Dance was victorious in the race three years later. First Innings has shown plenty of potential in his four career starts to date, capped by his last start victory over 2100m at Pukekohe last week. Forsman is confident in First Innings’ staying abilities, but admits he faces a stiff task this weekend up against $1.40 favourite Orchrestral. “We haven’t had to do too much with him, he was a pretty fit horse going into it (last start),” Forsman told TAB NZ. “He has had three runs over ground now, so he has had a very quiet week since then. “We have drawn well enough (7) and Orchestral has drawn out a little bit wider than us (9). In my mind, she will need to be very unlucky or have things not go right for her, to (not) be right in the finish. “For us, we just need a good, evenly run race, and he will stay the 2400m.” Co-owner Michael Hughes drew gate seven for his gelding at Tuesday evening’s barrier draw, and while he knows First Innings has a tough assignment to beat a short-priced favourite this weekend, he said it has been done in the past. “I didn’t think they could beat La Crique, and she was a pretty short-priced favourite,” Hughes said. “I am pretty happy with the way things have gone. He will be fit enough and he will be running on.” Meanwhile, Forsman was pleased to secure a slot in the NZB Kiwi (1500m) on Tuesday evening with his bid of $675,000. “You wanted to be a part of it but there is also a point where they are value, and then you have to temper that with where we landed. We went slightly over budget on what we thought we would have to pay, but I am happy to have secured a slot,” Forsman said. “Hopefully we can come up with one good enough.” Horse racing news View the full article

King Of The North winning at Matamata on Thursday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Group 1 winner Jon Snow got off the mark as a sire on Thursday when his son King Of The North took out the Farewell Dave Bradford (1400m) at Matamata. It was the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained gelding’s third start, having run fourth on debut over 1200m at the Waikato track in January before placing over 1300m at Te Rapa a fortnight later. Jon Snow stands at Clearview Park, near Timaru, and farm principal Aaron Tapper was rapt to see King Of The North get his sire on the board. “It was very exciting,” Tapper said. “He raced the day before we had a filly go through at Karaka where he got third at Te Rapa. It would have been nice if it was that day (he won), but it is really good to get a win.” The victory was made even more special for Tapper given the fact King Of The North was foaled and raised on his property for breeder Tim Harrison prior to heading north to Te Runga Stud where he went through their 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft and was purchased by Wexford Stables for $60,000. “He was born and raised on the farm here before he went north. He was pretty impressive then,” Tapper said. “He was a typical Jon Snow, they are all pretty leggy as foals and they grow into their body really well. “I remember going up to Lance and Andrew at the sales when they bought King Of The North just to say congratulations and thank you. They said that they bought him as their next Derby runner. He is a couple of months behind, but there are a couple of Derbys coming up, so who knows?” Forsman, alongside Murray Baker, trained the son of Iffraaj to four wins and eight placings from 23 starts, including victories in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m), Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m), and Group 3 JRA Cup (2040m). He also placed in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m), Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m), and Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m). “We lease him off the Zame Parnership,” Tapper said. “When we were offered him it was a given that we would take him because he was such an impressive racehorse. “For the South Island to get something of his quality was great, so we jumped at the chance. “His temperament is fantastic and all of his foals seem so much more relaxed, they are nice types, and we are pretty happy with him. “His pedigree is awesome. We just need more on the track. “I got a booking for him yesterday for this coming season and to have a winner on the board will certainly help.” Earlier on the card, Tapper celebrated another success for his other stallion Echoes Of Heaven when his son Manawa took out the Matamata Function Centre 1600 for trainer John Bell. Horse racing news View the full article

Waitak will be one of two runners for Wexford Stables in Saturday’s Group 3 King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Wexford Stables look to have a strong hand in the Group 3 King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday where they will be represented by Group 1 winner Waitak and Group 1 performer Dragon Leap. Waitak will be seeking to return to his winning ways for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, having finished eighth in the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa earlier this month having posted back-to-back wins in his previous outings, including the Group 1 Railway (1200m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. “Waitak is flying, he is really going well,” Scott told TAB NZ. “He got three wide in the Waikato Sprint and had a tough gig there, but he pressed on well and his sectionals were still really good.” Stablemate Dragon Leap will be out to continue his great association with Ellerslie, having experienced a memorable three-year-old season on the track, having won the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1600m), placed in the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m), and finished fourth in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). The seven-year-old gelding has been unplaced in his three starts this summer, after experiencing a successful spring where he won the Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) and was runner-up in the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m). “Dragon Leap is going well, but he is just having no luck,” Scott said. “He came home the quickest last 400m of the race (in the BCD Group Sprint), but he just got out wide where they weren’t winning on that day. Opie (Bosson) is back on and he has a great affinity with the horse. “We are pleased with them both. They are both holding up to the summer racing well, so they should sprint well again. They just need a bit of luck.” Waitak is currently a $4.20 second favourite behind last start Group 1 winner Bonny Lass ($2.50), while Dragon Leap is the third equal fancied runner alongside Mercurial ($5). Horse racing news View the full article

Lady Sass (inside) will contest the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) While Kelvin Tyler was pleased to take out the Listed Southland Guineas (1600m) with Aberlour at Ascot Park earlier this month, the Riverton trainer was left scratching his head after stablemate Lady Sass refused to jump from the gates and took no part in the race. She was duly required to participate in a barrier trial to the satisfaction of the stewards, which she carried out with aplomb earlier this week, and Tyler is hoping she can replicate those manners in Saturday’s Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui. “She went to the jumpouts on Monday and did the opposite (of her last start), so hopefully she does that again,” Tyler said. “I can’t fault her at all, she is as fresh as a daisy. If she gets away with them, she will go a good race.” While frustrated with Lady Sass’s barrier manners last start, Tyler said he wasn’t particularly surprised, and said the quirky filly well and truly lives up to her name. “She has got a bag of tricks, she has had them since she was a foal,” he said. “We have changed a bit of gear on her – put the ear covers and side winkers on – and she flew the gate on Monday.” Tyler has always had plenty of time for Lady Sass, campaigning the daughter of Staphanos in the north over the last couple of months where she ran fourth in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m), fifth in the Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m), and 11th in the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m). “There is not much between her and Aberlour,” Tyler said. “They are both high quality horses and the way she was racing up in the North Island in those Group Ones, she will be competitive on Saturday.” Tyler is also looking forward to Lady Sass’s younger sister More Sass making her debut in the Dakota Boutique + Lifestyle (820m). More Sass is another daughter of Mongolian Falcon, and Tyler said she has inherited her sister’s quirky nature. “She is a half to Lady Sass and she has got the same kind of attitude,” he said. “She is quite fast, but she is going to be a bit green as she has only had one jumpout and she has drawn out a bit. “I am just hoping she does everything right, which she seems to do here. She is a bit faster out of the gates than her older sister normally. She will go a good cheeky race, but she is still quite green.” Stablemate Mamaea will also make her debut in the same race, having trialled at Ruakaka last year for part-owners Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, and Kerri Spence Bloodstock, who secured a slot in the NZB Kiwi (1500m) earlier this week. “She came down from Shaun and Emma Clotworthy’s stable. She had a trial up north and she has progressed quite nicely, but she has drawn 11 of 11, so over 800m it is going to be a bit tough for her,” Tyler said. “If she settles nicely and runs on it will be a good starting point for her.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Australian Guineas Day 2024 Where Flemington Racecourse – 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington VIC 3031 When Saturday, March 2, 2024 First Race 12:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Group 1 racing returns to Flemington on Saturday afternoon as the Australian Guineas (1600m) takes centre stage on a 10-race program. With the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) also on the bill, conditions are set fair for a cracking day of racing. With the rail out 2m and the track a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, there will be no excuses for fancied runners. The action at Flemington is set to commence at 12:15pm AEDT. Keep reading for HorseBetting’s free race-by-race preview of Flemington races. Race 1: Handicap (1100m) A competitive field of mares is set to do battle in the Flemington opener, and if the Mark Walker-trained Sans Doute can replicate her last two efforts, it should be enough to salute once more at the Flemington 1100m. The Not A Single Doubt mare has stalked the speed down the Flemington straight in recent times, and has sprinted the best to get the better of some handy types. With plenty of early speed engaged, Celine Gaudray will be tracking the leaders wherever they go once again, and with a sharp turn of foot, Sans Doute should be bringing up a third straight win. Selections: 4 SANS DOUTE 1 CINDERELLA DAYS 3 TINTOOKIE 2 WALTZ ON BY Race 2: BM84 Handicap (2000m) Aramaco was only grabbed late in a tactical affair by the handy El Soleado on February 17, and a repeat effort should see the five-year-old go on better on Saturday. The Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)-trained runner was a handy all-the-way winner at this track and trip two runs back, and considering he should get an uncontested lead on the weekend, he will prove hard to run down. Damian Lane will have his rivals chasing a long way out, and Aramco should have too big of a lead late on. Selections: 7 ARAMCO 1 KETTLE HILL 5 UP AND UNDER 4 STRAWBERRY ROCK Best Bet Race 2 – #7 Aramco (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Damian Lane (55kg) +170 with Neds Race 3: BM78 Handicap (1200m) Master Montaro was a soft Sandown winner in BM70 company on January 31, and with a month between runs, he can post a second straight win. The seven-year-old gelding has been low-flying since coming to Australia from Hong Kong, and he looks to continue on with that momentum. Jye McNeil will need a touch of luck to land a forward spot from barrier 10, without being caught wide. If he can land one-one or be three wide with cover, Master Montaro is arguably too classy for this lot, and with a swift turn of foot in the home straight, he can be winning again. Selections: 2 MASTER MONTARO 6 BIG WATCH 3 SHOVE OVER 9 MORAL FORCE Race 4: Listed Furphy Trophy (1000m) Bold Bastille was too bad to be true in Group 2 company fresh from a spell, but if she can replicate her debut win from the spring, she should be blowing her rivals away. The Brazen Beau filly put three-lengths on subsequent Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) winner Hayasugi when they clashed in October, before getting her colours lowered in the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) on February 10. She is a natural front-runner, and drawn barrier one down the straight, we expect Mark Zahra to hold the rail, dictate terms and have Bold Bastille runner their rivals into the dirt. Selections: 1 BOLD BASTILLE 5 DRIFTING 6 ALWAYS ENUFF 2 SKY CAP Next Best Race 4 – #1 Bold Bastille (1) 2yo Filly | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Mark Zahra (57kg) +130 with Bet365 Race 5: Handicap (1100m) Satin And Silk simply doesn’t know how to run a poor race, and with three wins and a second from four runs this campaign, the I Am invincible filly looks a great each-way play. The Peter & Paul Snowden-trained sprinter tends to make all in her races, and is poised to do so once again down the Flemington straight. She broke her rivals hearts at Moonee Valley on February 2 under Blake Shinn, and considering she drops 2.5kg from her last start win, she gets in perfectly at the weights. Whether she is up a sprint like this is another question — but at $14 — it’s hard to ignore. Selections: 2 SATIN AND SILK 1 INHIBITIONS 3 PEACE TREATY 5 MOESHA Best Value Race 5 – #2 Satin And Silk (9) 3yo Filly | T: Peter & Paul Snowden | J: Blake Shinn (56.5kg) +1300 with Playup Race 6: BM84 Handicap (1600m) Ceerseven continues to rise through the grades with great aplomb, and on the back of a handy Randwick BM78 win, he looks well-placed to bring up a third straight win. The four-year-old gelding relishes a strong tempo, which he should get on the weekend, and from barrier three under Ben Melham will be given every opportunity in running. Another Wil is a deserving favourite, but at the price Ceerseven looks to be the play in this BM84. With even luck, it is easy to take the $10 on offer, and be confident Ceerseven can cause an upset. Selections: 3 CEERSEVEN 6 ANOTHER WIL 7 ARISTONOUS 5 MAGNASPIN Race 7: Inglis Sprint (1200m) Estriella could not have been any more impressive when saluting in Group 3 company on February 10. Ciaron Maher’s three-year-old filly returns to the Flemington straight for just the second time in her career, but does have that straight-track experience over her main market rival Caballus. Considering the prizemoney on offer in the Inglis Sprint, a lot of her rivals will want to take up the running and ensure a rapid tempo throughout. Estriella has shown she can absorb strong tempo’s and run on from the rear, and if she can replicate her finishing burst that she put forward first-up, she should be winning in grand style. Selections: 8 ESTRIELLA 1 CABALLUS 2 RAIKOKE 7 MUMBAI MUSE Race 8: Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) The time-honoured Group 1 Australian Guineas has attracted a capacity field of 16 three-year-olds duking it out for the $1 million on offer. Can Riff Rocket add a Guineas triumph to his VRC Derby success from the spring, or can Veight or King Colorado claim their first Victorian Group 1 success. It shapes as an intriguing edition of the Australian Guineas. Click here for HorseBetting’s free preview of the 2024 Group 1 Australian Guineas. Race 9: Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) Win and you are in to the All-Star Mile (1600m), that is what is on offer for the winner of the Group 2 Blamey Stakes on Saturday. Dan O’Sullivan’s Berkeley Square caught the eye when finishing fifth in Listed company behind Makram on February 17, and with the run under his belt, he looks poised to turn the table on that bloke and the remaining rivals. He hasn’t won in over 15 months, but the son of Territories is never fair away in races like the Blamey. He is no doubt wanting further than the mile, but on the back of a genuine tempo, Berkeley Square looks to be a super each-way play in the Blamey, considering a few of his rivals can be questionable at the 1600m. Selections: 11 BERKELEY SQUARE 8 MAKRAM 2 ATISHU 5 AYRTON Blamey Stakes Race 9 – #11 Berkeley Square (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Dan O’Sullivan | J: Luke Currie (55kg) +1300 with Picklebet Race 10: BM84 Handicap (1400m) Lounge Bar Rubi was super from the rear of the field in a similar event to this on February 17, going down by 1.3 lengths behind the progressive Jennilala. Having produced some strong late splits, it suggests that the four-year-old from the Mark & Levi Kavanagh barn is edging closer to another win. Jamie Mott will look to have his mount settled midfield with cover from barrier 10, and as long as he doesn’t get shuffled too far back on the corner, Lounge Bar Rubi can produce a strong finish and blow his rivals out in the last. Selections: 5 LOUNGE BAR RUBI 7 HE’S OUR BONNEVAL 11 FRIGID 2 SO RISQUE Flemington free Saturday quaddie tips Flemington quadrella selections Saturday, March 2, 2024 1-2-7-8 1-2-3 2-5-8-11-14 2-5-7-9-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

After twice refusing to leave the gates, the stubborn galloper faces a long and arduous series of jump outs and barrier trials before being permitted to returnView the full article

What Eagle Farm Races Where Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, March 2, 2024 First Race 12:13pm AEST Visit Dabble A very competitive 10-race card awaits punters at Eagle Farm this Saturday afternoon. With warm and dry conditions forecast in the lead-up, the track is expected to stay at the Good 4 rating that was posted at the time of acceptances. The rail will be pushed out to the +7m position, with the meeting scheduled to kick off at 12:13pm AEST. Best Bet at Eagle Farm: Millane Millane kicked off his second preparation in Queensland with a strong victory at this track and trip on February 17. The four-year-old gelding jumped awkwardly and settled towards the rear of the field before making up ground early in the home straight, then sliced his way through the pack to find an inside run before finishing off strongly. As he meets a weaker Class 6 field and Ryan Maloney retains the ride, Millane will go very close to winning again. Best Bet Race 8 – #5 Millane (3) 4yo Gelding | T: David Vandyke | J: Ryan Maloney (58.5kg) +220 with Picklebet Next Best at Eagle Farm: Quothquan Quothquan was desperately unlucky not to win last start, but he flashed home down the outside to finish second at Doomben over 1350m. This son of Rothesay should enjoy the bigger track at Eagle Farm and the slight rise in distance to 1400m. With Molloy’s 3kg claim and a solid tempo, Quothquan will be flying home late to play a prominent role in the finish. Next Best Race 6 – #3 Quothquan (18) 4yo Gelding | T: John Dann | J: Jake Molloy (a3) (58kg) +900 with Neds Best Value at Eagle Farm: Lady Le Da After a luckless run two starts back, Follow Files readers would have been slightly happier with a nice return on the place line when Lady Le Da flew home to nab third behind Seneschal over 1400m at this track on February 17. The Paul Jenkins-trained mare is working her way up to a win, and now she steps up to 1600m — a distance she has won at before. In what appears to be an open race to end the card, Jim Byrne will let this daughter of Domesday settle where she is comfortable before getting into clear air to finish strongly. Best Value Race 10 – #14 Lady Le Da (9) 4yo Mare | T: Paul Jenkins | J: Jim Byrne (55.5kg) +1000 with Dabble Saturday quaddie tips for Eagle Farm races Eagle Farm quadrella selections Saturday, March 2, 2024 3-8-9-13 5-12 2-5-6-11 3-4-9-14-16 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Vanessa Arnott returns to scale aboard the Jason Manning-trained Bon’s Pride following a win at Fannie Bay. (Picture: Caroline Camilleri/Darwin Photography Professionals) Bon’s Pride will be aiming to make it four straight wins for Darwin trainer Jason Manning at Fannie Bay on Friday. The four-year-old gelding will step out in a five-horse field against the three- and four-year-olds over 1300m. Tom Logan’s Queen In The North and Phil Cole’s trio of Tubthumper, Fly Nice and Whitten complete the field. Manning purchased the son of Bon Aurum for $22,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Darwin Select Tried Horse Sale held during the Cup Carnival. Bon’s Pride won his first Darwin race by 8.3 lengths over 1300m in the 0-58 ranks before saluting over 1300m on January 13 and over 1200m on February 9. Darwin Race 3 replay (9/2/2024) – Bon’s Pride The market elect in each of those three wins, he was the early +120 favourite with online bookmakers for Friday’s race. In nine starts for Cranbourne trainer Wendy Kelly, Bon’s Pride had just the one win in a 1400m Cranbourne maiden. “He’s loving life in Darwin, it took him a couple of runs to get used to the track,” Manning said. “Hopefully, he can do the same again and win on Friday. “The horse has got ability and showed that last start when he stepped up in grade. “It’s a nice test again on Friday, the other four runners are in good form.” Returning from a spell in December, Tubthumper saluted twice in open company over 1200m before Cole sent the mare to the Gold Coast in January for the $1 million fillies and mares race over 1300m on Magic Millions Day. She finished 14th, and in her second start two weeks later for Sunshine Coast trainer Natalie McCall, Zoustar’s daughter finished 11th over 1600m in BM78 company at the Sunshine Coast. Tubthumper must be respected, but even with apprentice jockey Emma Lines’ 2kg claim, the four-year-old mare will carry an extra 6kg compared to her last appearance at Fannie Bay, where she lumped 54kg. Fly Nice, who has won twice for Cole, has only missed a place once in six Darwin starts and has a 5.5kg weight advantage over Bon’s Pride (61.5kg). Whitten (54kg) is stepping up in class but has won two of his past three starts, while Queen In The North (55kg), also making the jump in grade, has finished second in her past four starts. “Tubthumper was the standout last year in the three-year-old ranks, she gets in nicely with Emma’s (Lines) 2kg claim,” Manning said. “Our horse goes up 2.5kg — he’s carried 60.5kg previously when he’s won here, so he carries weight not too bad. “In a small field, he should get a good run in transit.” Manning’s partner Vanessa Arnott will ride Bon’s Pride on Friday. Looking ahead, Manning hopes to start Bon’s Pride in the $50,000 race over 1300m on Darwin Cup Day on August 5 for horses sold at the Magic Millions Tried Horse Sale in Darwin (2013-2023) and Alice Springs (2023). “He’s been a very good buy, he’s honest and sound,” Manning said. “He’s a nice horse and had consistent form in Victoria. “He’d only won the one race, but he hadn’t been beaten too far in all of his runs.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Moonee Valley Races Where Moonee Valley Racecourse – 1 McPherson St, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039 When Friday, February 23, 2024 First Race 6:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble This Friday night, the spotlight will shine on the Listed Abell Stakes amidst an exciting eight-race lineup at Moonee Valley. After some hot weather earlier in the week, officials expect the track to remain in the Good range throughout the program. The rail will be= 4m out for the entirety of the circuit, with the first race scheduled to commence at 6:15pm AEDT. Abell Stakes Tip: Jungle Jim Jungle Jim was a touch disappointing in a BM84 at Caulfield when weakening to finish fourth over the 1100m, but his two wins prior to that run were eye-catching. He put 2.3 lengths on Rey Magnerio at Flemington on January 20 and then held out the impressive Is It Me in a strong form race. Celine Gaudray will have him leading from the outset, and as long as he can find the rail without using up too many carrots, Jungle Jim should prove too hard to run down in Friday night’s feature. Abell Stakes Race 7 – #7 Jungle Jim (7) 6yo Gelding | T: Mike Moroney | J: Celine Gaudray (55kg) +260 with Picklebet Best Bet at Moonee Valley: Sea What I See Sea What I See coasted to maiden success first-up at Bendigo on February 11, getting home by 3.8 lengths after settling outside the lead and then putting the race to bed in a couple of strides. Barrier two should suit the Sea The Stars mare perfectly, and with Blake Shinn sticking on board, the recipe for success is clear. She should gain an uncontested lead over the 1600m, and with a good kick on the home turn, Sea What I See will prove too hard to run down. Best Bet Race 5 – #8 Sea What I See (2) 4yo Mare | T: Danny O’Brien | J: Blake Shinn (57kg) +120 with Playup Next Best at Moonee Valley: My Name Is My Name Is comes to this 955m scamper following a dominant all-the-way victory over 1000m at Moonee Valley on February 9. Drawn ideally in barrier one, the three-year-old gelding will look to run his rivals off their feet once again, and with a 3.5kg weight advantage on market rival Holy Racket, he will look to make the most of it. Damian Lane will need to use up some tickets early to hold the rail, but My Name Is should prove too slick for this field. Next Best Race 2 – #3 My Name Is (1) 3yo Gelding | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: Damian Lane (59.5kg) +220 with Dabble Friday quaddie tips for Moonee Valley races Moonee Valley quadrella selections Friday, March 1, 2024 1-8 4-6-8-9 3-7-9-10 3-5-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

In the case of the March 2 Busher Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack, a victory in the mile $200,000 race for 3-year-old fillies should be enough to deliver a starting spot in the May 3 Lillies for the Fillies at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Group 1 winner Riff Rocket. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Chris Waller, while preparing Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) winner Riff Rocket for the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington, suggests that the talented gelding might excel at the shorter 1600-metre distance, despite his previous staying success. The son of American Pharoah has showcased his versatility by winning both the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) and securing a victory in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) this campaign. “It was an important stepping stone towards the Guineas and I just thought 1400 metres, with the penalty of being a Group 1 winner, he might find a few of those horses a bit sharper,” Waller explained to Racing.com, “To see him let go at the 200 metres and pull away to some degree, or at least finish off as well as anything else in the race, if not better, was good to see going into a mile race second-up.” Waller believes that Riff Rocket’s brilliance, which propelled him to victory in the Victoria Derby, might make him a sharper miler. “I think his brilliance probably got him home in a Victoria Derby and we might just see on Saturday that he’s more a sharper miler.” “If he is, then it opens up probably more races. If you go down the Derby route, you don’t have a lot of options really if you become that one-paced stayer. “It’s a good problem to have, we know he can stay if we need him to, but I’d be more inclined to be targeting mile, 2000-metre races.” Riff Rocket is a +135 favourite for the Australian Guineas with leading horse racing bookies. Horse racing news View the full article

When the one-turn mile distance of the Gotham Stakes (G3) is taken into consideration, it's hardly a surprise that a different race on Derby Day at Churchill Downs could be on some of the travel itineraries.View the full article

Jockey Junior Alvarado was still "on cloud nine" while returning to action Feb. 28 at Gulfstream Park, where he rode for the first time since capturing the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) Feb. 24 aboard Senor Buscador.View the full article

2022 Everest champion, Giga Kick (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Giga Kick, the prized runner from Clayton Douglas’s stable, has returned to its Mornington base, but the trainer is taking a patient approach to his return to the track, despite being back in training for almost a month. The son of Scissor Kick last competed in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley last September, finishing third to Imperatriz before sustaining a hip injury that sidelined him for both the spring carnival last year and this autumn. “It was a very unique injury, but I’m glad we found it,” Douglas shared. “Hopefully he’s fine under full stress, but we won’t know until we try him. He’s been back at my place for nearly a month now. “He’s been on the treadmill and the water walker, just doing a bit of conditioning work. “We’ve missed the boat with the TJ Smith and all the autumn stuff, and whether we go to Brisbane, I don’t feel we will. “He’ll have a few trials and we’ll get him to a certain stage and the spring will be our focus, but how I get there, I haven’t worked out what he does. “I’m not going to worry about the last 12 months, I’ll just look forward with him. “At the moment he’s ticking all the boxes, so hopefully he keeps going that way.” Horse racing news View the full article

Horse Racing on Thursday, February 29 will feature six meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and provided free quaddie tips for the meetings at Kembla Grange & Pakenham. Thursday Horse Racing Tips – February 29, 2024 Kembla Grange Racing Tips Pakenham Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For February 29, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $38.52 odds return: Thursday, February 29, 2024 Kembla Grange – Race 2 #2 Private Legacy Kembla Grange – Race 3 #7 Bonita Queen Pakenham – Race 1 #1 Modown Pakenham – Race 8 #2 North Channel | Copy this bet straight to your betslip As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on February 29, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Horse racing tips View the full article

Rose Quartz ridden by Michael Dee wins the Neds How Now Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse on November 18, 2023 in Caulfield, Australia. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Trainer Grahame Begg, based in Cranbourne, sadly announced the passing of his Group-winning sprinter, Rose Quartz, due to a bout of colic. The six-year-old mare, sired by Written Tycoon, claimed victory in five races, notably securing the Group 3 How Now Stakes (1200m) and accumulating $619,090 in prize money over 20 starts. “She got colic and we had to do surgery, but she didn’t make it,” Begg revealed to Racing.com. “It’s just one of those things out of the blue … they did surgery and she survived the first 24 hours.” “I dare say she would’ve ended up in one of the (broodmare) sales later in the year and would have been a valuable mare.” Horse racing news View the full article

Having claimed the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate on Queman, Harry Coffey will look to add the Newmarket Handicap to his record on Benedetta. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) In the aftermath of securing his second Group 1 victory astride Queman in the recent Oakleigh Plate (1100m), jockey Harry Coffey has now been enlisted to ride Benedetta in the upcoming Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) scheduled for March 9. Trainer Jason Warren, based in Mornington, has affirmed Coffey as the replacement for the regular rider, Daniel Stackhouse. Stackhouse will be serving a suspension, necessitating a change for Benedetta’s second-up autumn appearance. Benedetta’s most recent outing saw her claim a fourth-place finish behind Queman in the Oakleigh Plate. Horse racing betting sites have Benedetta marked as a +1400 chance for the Newmarket Handicap. Horse racing news View the full article

Top-tier bookmakers have rolled out an enticing lineup of racing specials slated for Thursday, February 29. Standouts on the list include a slew of lucrative bonus-back incentives, elevating the thrill of the trackside action. Dive into these offers from top horse racing betting sites to maximise your wagering prospects. The top Australian racing promotions for February 29, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions 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 Pakenham 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 Daily Trifecta Boosts Boost your winnings on Trifectas by 10% with new Daily Trifecta Boosts. Thoroughbreds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au has conducted a thorough evaluation of Australia’s leading horse racing bookmakers, unveiling exclusive bonus promotions and specials tailored specifically for Thursday, February 29, 2024. These horse racing promotions stand as a testament to the unwavering dedication of Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, if one bookmaker is not currently offering a promotion, you can be confident that another is capitalising on promotional offers. Your go-to destination for the most rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses each day is HorseBetting.com.au. Take advantage of bookie bonuses and the best horse racing odds available for every race to increase the value of your betting endeavours. It’s important to note that these thoroughbred racing promotion offers are exclusively crafted 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 seeking races and horses to optimise their horse betting bookmaker bonus bets, HorseBetting provides a valuable resource with its daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

What Verry Elleegant Stakes Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, March 2, 2024 Prizemoney $1,000,000 Distance 1600m Status Group 1 Conditions Weight for age 2023 winner Anamoe (1) | T: James Cummings | J: James McDonald (59kg) Visit Dabble A quality field of 10 weight-for-age gallopers are set to fight it out in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday, with seven of them coming through the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) a fortnight ago. Fangirl is the one to beat, but is there some value to be found elsewhere? 2024 VERRY ELLEEGANT STAKES ODDS After a sensational win in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes, online bookmakers wasted no time installing the Chris Waller-trained Fangirl as a -166.67 favourite for the Verry Elleegant Stakes. She is the only galloper with any early money, with all other contenders drifting in the market. It leaves Just Fine on the second line of betting at +650 as he returns after conquering The Metropolitan (2400m). Think It Over (+750) is the only other galloper in single figures, while the likes of Buckaroo (+900) and Lindermann (+1200) are the leading contenders at double-figure odds. 2024 VERRY ELLEEGANT STAKES SPEED MAP The speed map for this one should be relatively straightforward. Just Fine only knows one way, and barrier two should allow Regan Bayliss to take his time crossing to the rail. Lindermann (5) looks the most likely to sit on his outside. Think It Over should get into the box-seat position from stall three, with Buckaroo likely to utilise gate one to hold a position just in behind the speed. Fangirl has no choice but to drag back from gate 10, which shouldn’t be any issues for the five-year-old based on her first-up romp, while Cascadian (9) and Atishu (7) will be ready towards the rear of the field. Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Verry Elleegant Stakes. VERRY ELLEEGANT STAKES 2024 PREVIEW & FORM There’s no doubt Fangirl is very hard to beat, hence the short quote, but you simply can’t be with her at this price. Punters should instead take a chance splitting the stake with two other contenders. Fangirl is arguably one of the best two horses in the country right now, so while she must go on top on Saturday, she can go around without our money on. Just Fine has been strong first-up in the past, and although he has more achievable targets over further later in the campaign, he warrants a throw at the stumps in the 2024 Verry Elleegant Stakes. He won on debut for the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott barn over 1600m at this track and trip on September 2 and carried that form right through the preparation, culminating in Group 1 glory in The Metropolitan (2400m). He maps to get a relatively uncontested lead on Saturday, and if his rivals allow him to steal some cheap sectionals, Just Fine could add another Group 1 to the resume. Buckaroo was no match for Fangirl in the Apollo Stakes, but he has the best chance from that form-line to turn the tables. He got too far back first-up and never looked likely to figure; however, the son of Fastnet Rock closed off beautifully, and he now gets the opportunity to sit much closer throughout the journey. He should relish the immediate step up in trip to the 1600m, and with a bit more luck, the double-figure odds about Buckaroo may seem overs at some stage. Cascadian had a glorified barrier trial in the Apollo Stakes and will be much better this weekend. Tom Marquand takes the reins as he makes his way back to Australia, and despite gate nine being tricky to overcome, Cascadian is worth a shout for each-way players. VERRY ELLEEGANT STAKES 2024 SELECTIONS & BEST BETS Selections: 9 FANGIRL 5 JUST FINE 4 BUCKAROO 2 CASCADIAN $100 betting strategy $50 win #5 Just Fine @ $7.50 with Unibet $50 win #4 Buckaroo @ $10 with Neds Horse racing tips View the full article

With rain in the Arcadia forecast for Friday night through Saturday, track officials at Santa Anita could move Saturday's card, according to The Daily Racing Form. Saturday's slate includes the GI Santa Anita H. and three other graded races, which could shift to Sunday. That day's card would then move to Monday. An announcement is expected Thursday morning. The post Rain Might Force Santa Anita To Move Big Cap Card To Sunday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article