Wandering Eyes

LEXINGTON, KY–It was standing room only for the inaugural community event in Lexington for Light Up Racing, the initiative launched last year with the goal of empowering the racing industry by providing consistent, transparent information and research. Held Monday, Feb. 26 at Fasig-Tipton, the event drew over 200 industry members who gathered to learn about how Light Up Racing was founded and what it has already accomplished around different parts of the globe, what the organization aims to achieve in the U.S. going forward, and how individuals can play a role in social change to work toward reshaping the public's perception of horse racing. It was a diverse group of attendees, with leaders of some of the top Kentucky farms on hand as well as representatives from various racing organizations, bloodstock agents, consignors and breeders. But it wasn't so much about the entities that were represented as it was the individuals who attended because, as the event's presenter Vicky Leonard explained to the group, the public is much more likely to respond to a community of individuals rather than an institution. Light Up Racing's Vicky Leonard | Photos by Z “A lot of people don't believe what institutions say and they really struggle to trust companies,” Leonard said. “In fact, it's at the point now that a friend on social media–even if you've never met them–is twice as credible as a government leader or a business. The reason for that is we have such an access to information that we expect it and institutions can be very poor at giving it so therefore if they don't, we immediately distrust them.” Leonard's Australian-based marketing agency Kick Collective launched Kick Up For Racing in 2022 after a string of breakdowns at the Melbourne Cup led to an increased negative perception of racing in Australia. Kick Up For Racing provided a resource for Australian racing participants to properly address common concerns about the sport so that they could go into conversations equipped with accurate information. Over the past two years, Kick Up's social media platform has distributed engaging, educational media content and has worked with industry participants to address misinformation by giving fact-checked responses. With the anti-racing voice growing louder in the U.S., Light Up for Racing was founded with the goal of emulating Kick Up's success. Spearheaded by Price Bell, Roderick Wachman, Jason Litt and Dr. Jeff Berk, Light Up for Racing was launched late last year. Monday's event focused on the science of social change, diving into the psychology behind how public perception is formed and how it can be molded over time. Leonard explained that in general, people look to their peers to form their opinions. “We believe people who believe what we believe,” she said. “We want to be able to trust information from people who are like us. If they have the same value system, it's far more likely that we will trust and believe what they tell us.” Examining social movements like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014 and the Black Lives Matter social media movement in 2020, Leonard said that diversity is another important factor. An individual is more likely to believe a subject to be legitimate when they see people from several different social groups share an opinion on the topic rather than multiple peers from the same social group. “This is awesome for our industry because we have people working for minimum wage and we have billionaires. We have people everywhere in between…That widespread reinforcement is crucial.” The question, 'Isn't horse racing cruel?' is one that every racing participant has been confronted with at one point or another. Leonard broke down how individuals can address the topic through science, data and research by asking the other person how they have arrived at their conclusions about the sport. “90% of people come from the perspective where they actually don't know,” she said. “They don't have a clue what's going on and they're taking one tiny piece of information [to form their opinion].” Leonard said that people often base their opinions on topics like fatalities, whip usage, and 2-year-old racing. For these subjects and others, Light Up Racing has curated concise, science-driven responses on their 'Common Questions' page that can serve as a launching point to engage in meaningful conversation. In the coming months, Light Up Racing will be hosting workshops and community groups to train people on how to have effective in-person conversations and social media engagement. “We need to get proud, we need to stand strong and we need to represent our industry in the best way we possibly can because ultimately, the power is with you,” Leonard told the audience. Following the presentation, many attendees remarked on the massive turnout and their optimism for similar numbers at future events. One person said they were surprised and encouraged by the diversity of those in attendance and another said the fact that Light Up Racing has seen so much success already in Australia gives them confidence that their strategies can have a powerful impact here as long as the program continues to receive the industry's support. Light Up Racing's next event will be held Tuesday, March 5 at Keeneland and will focus on transforming negative opinions into positive opinions through strategic communication and social media engagement. The post Packed House for First Light Up Racing Event appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What do Bradsell, Perfect Power, Ardad and Prince Of Lir have in common? Not only did they all taste success at Royal Ascot but they were also sold at the Goffs Doncaster Breeze-Up Sale, one of the go-to sources of top-notch talent. The first glimpse of the potential star graduates of the future were made available on Tuesday with the publication of the eagerly-anticipated 2024 edition of the sale catalogue. Doncaster has proven to be a tried and trusted source of talent with Carla's Way, Beautiful Diamond, Graceful Thunder and Tiger Belle some of the big names to have emerged from the sale less than 12 months ago. This year's catalogue is jam-packed with potential talent and features the progeny of top-class stallions Siyouni, Kingman, Night Of Thunder, Lope De Vega, Wootton Bassett, No Nay Never and more. Goffs UK Managing Director Tim Kent commented, “It is a proud boast that the Doncaster Breeze-Up has been on an upward trajectory for some time now and last year it really made a statement by achieving the highest level of trade in its history. Following that, and Bradsell claiming our ninth Royal Ascot win in the last eight years, we received over 1,000 nominations for places, the most we have ever received, and the resulting catalogue features some outstanding horses.” He added, “The attraction of a winner at Royal Ascot is a huge driver for many when it comes to racehorse ownership and this sale's success there has grown its international following to a new level so we will be working hard over the coming weeks to ensure we attract another large and diverse buying bench. “We will be traveling throughout America, France, Italy, the Middle East, Scandinavia, and of course Ireland and the UK, working alongside GBRI and the Breeze-Up Consignors Association, to market the catalogue and to ensure we can welcome another international audience to Royal Ascot's leading two-year-old sale on 23 and 24 April.” A Siyouni colt out of a half-sister to Regal Parade [lot 4] has the potential to get the sale off to a flying start on paper at least while the Kingman filly out of Group 3 winner Queen Of Bermuda [lot 15] and the Night Of Thunder half-sister to Lucky Vega [lot 16] also catches the eye. There is a Mehmas half-brother to high-class sprinter Marshman [75], a Bernadini half-brother to Group 1 winner Elate, a Wootton Bassett filly out of a Galileo own sister to Group 2 winner Gustav Klimt and a Havana Grey filly out of a half-sister to Group 1 hero Hearts Of Fire that are also noteworthy. As well boasting a strong catalogue with a host of top-class stallions well-represented, Arizona [1], Earthlight [3],Far Above [1], Golden Horde [2], Hello Youmzain [4], Kameko [3], King Of Change [3], Mohaather [7], Persian King [1], Pinatubo [1], River Boyne [1], Romanised [1], Sands Of Mali [6], Sergei Prokofiev [3], Threat [1] and Without Parole [2] are some of the European-based first-season sires with representation in the catalogue. The catalogue can be viewed online here. Meanwhile, the breeze takes place on April 23 with the sale getting underway the following day. The post “Outstanding Horses” Feature In Goffs Doncaster Breeze-Up Sale Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and model Brooks Nader will join with Sports Illustrated to host festivities when Club SI, the new luxury dining experience, debuts at Churchill Downs on opening day of Kentucky Derby week. Club SI, a multi-year exclusive naming rights partnership announced in January between Churchill Downs Racetrack and Sports Illustrated, will offer guests a modern, sophisticated race day experience as part of the racetrack's $200-million renovated Paddock Project. Club SI will offer a luxury dining experience with an immersive view of the all-new Paddock and Paddock Runway and will be open on premium race days throughout the year at Churchill Downs. Guests will have the option to book dining tables, indulge in gourmet dishes from the curated Chef's Table Buffet, visit dedicated wagering windows and private bars, and enjoy outdoor trackside viewing for live races. Steps from the club, guests will be treated to the SI Enclosure which will deliver a front-row experience of the Paddock with covered outdoor dining tables. For ticket information, click here. The post Emmitt Smith, Brooks Nader to Host Club SI Opening at Churchill Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first five mares bred to Nurlan Bizakov's Sumbe newcomers–multiple Group 1 winner Mishriff (Ire), and the pair of G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winners Angel Bleu (Fr) and Belbek (GB), are all in foal the operation announced on Tuesday morning. Group 3 winner Tamarind (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), a winner of the G3 Give Thanks S. and the dam of three stakes-placed horses, is in foal to Mishriff, as is Labaaqa (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}), who is the only one of the five not a member of Bizakov's broodmare band. Albanka (Giant's Causeway), the dam of G3 Oh So Sharp S. heroine Altyn Orda (Ire) (Kyllach {GB}), who placed in a pair of Group 1 races, is pregnant to Angel Bleu. Rounding out the quintet of in foal mares are the black-type producer Melilot (Fr) (Elusive City) and her daughter Mageva (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who was third in the G1 French 1000 Guineas. The post First Mares In Foal For Sumbe New Recruits appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

According to numbers compiled by The Jockey Club for its Equine Injury Database (EID), there were 1.32 fatalities per 1,000 starts at North American racetracks in 2023. That was slightly worse than in 2022 when the number was 1.25, the lowest rate of fatalities since The Jockey Club started compiling numbers in 2009. It was the first time the number had increased year-over-year since 2018 when there were 1.68 fatalities per 1,000 starters. Nonetheless, the figures showed that the sport has made obvious strides since 2009 when it comes to fatalities. In 2009, the rate was 2.0 per 1,000 starters. When compared to 2009, 2023 shows a 34% decrease in risk of fatal injury. “This change is statistically significant,” said Professor Tim Parkin (University of Bristol), who has consulted on the EID since its inception. “This is equivalent to 171 fewer horses sustaining a fatal injury racing in 2023 than would have occurred had the number of starts remained constant since 2009.” The 2023 figures were the second lowest since the EID began compiling numbers, surpassed only by 2022. Analysis of the EID was provided Parkin and by Dr. Euan Bennet of the University of Glasgow. “There was a slight increase in the rate of fatality from 2022 to 2023 of 5.6%,” Parkin said. “However, this is not statistically significant, and we are encouraged by the low numbers in 2023 that the industry is still headed in the right direction with regard to keeping its horses safe.” Based on the 2023 data, 99.87% of flat racing starts at the racetracks participating in the EID were completed without a fatality. Once again, synthetic tracks proved to be the safest among the three types of racing surfaces. There were 0.97 deaths per 1,000 starters on synthetic tracks, 1.13 on turf courses, and 1.43 on dirt tracks. Races for 2-year-olds proved to be the safest types of races. There were 0.79 fatalities per 1,000 starters in those races versus 1.37 for 3-year-old races and 1.38 for races for 4-year-olds an upward. By distance, races run at less than six furlongs showed the fewest fatalities at 1.22 per 1,000. Races run from six to eight furlongs had a rate of 1.37 and for races longer than eight furlongs, the number was 1.32. During the year, the problems of horses breaking down were magnified by a rash of fatalities at Churchill Downs and Saratoga. At Saratoga in 2023, the rate of breakdowns was 2.55 per 1,000 starters. Churchill Downs does not make its numbers public. Among tracks that had meets of more than 10 days, one stood out. There were zero fatalities at Del Mar during its racing seasons. Racetracks under the jurisdiction of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) fared better than non-HISA tracks in 2023. There were 1.23 fatalities per 1,000 starters at HISA tracks, while the number at non-HISA track was 1.63. “HISA's most important goal is driving down equine fatalities,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “We undoubtedly have significant work ahead of us, but I am pleased to see the rate is trending in the right direction. The reduction in the rate of equine fatalities at tracks under our jurisdiction demonstrates that setting high standards for racetrack safety and anti-doping and medication control across the country makes Thoroughbred racing safer.” The post Slight Uptick in Rate of Fatal Injuries in 2023 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wednesday's top tips from the Post's racing teamView the full article

Slew's Crew Racing's multiple stakes winner Slew's Tiz Whiz (Slew's Tiznow) was named Washington's top racehorse for the second year in a row at the 2023 Washington Thoroughbred annual awards dinner held Feb. 24 at Emerald Downs. The 6-year-old gelding, bred by the late Karl Krieg, also earned the titles of champion sprinter and handicap horse. He is trained by Tom Wenzel. Earning her third state title was Petra Lewin (Rainbow Meadows Farm) and trainer Charles Essex's homebred star Blazingbellablu (Grazen). Crowned Washington Horse of Year as a 3-year-old in 2021, the now 6-year-old earned champion older filly or mare titles in 2022 and 2023. Gold Coast Racing III's Freightline (Coat Guard) was named champion 2-year-old colt or gelding and overall champion juvenile runner. Jeff Cissell's Special Diva (Misremembered) earned the juvenile filly title. Three-year-old honors were divided between champion gelding Company's Dream (Jersey Town) and 2022 Washington 2-year-old filly champion Miss Dynamic (Dynamic Impact). The 2020 Washington Horse of the Year Bodenheimer (Atta Boy Roy) earned his second champion turf horse title. Special Racetrack Achievement Awards were given to rider Jose Zunino, trainer Justin Evans and Emerald Downs race starter Mark Gibson. Also acknowledged with a Special Recognition Award were Wes Petree and Cy Labar, who have ably served in the Emerald Downs Television Department for over 20 years. The Mark Kaufman Media Award went to retiring Daily Racing Form correspondent Randy Goulding. For the third year in a row, Blue Ribbon Farm's Conveyance was named sire of the year, while Ron and Nina Hagen's Moscow Symphony, a first and second generation multiple stakes producer, was named broodmare of the year. The Hagens (El Dorado Farms) were also named Breeders of the Year for the seventh time and John Parker, who was the state's TOBA Award winner in 2022 and has led the Emerald Downs' owner standings for six years (by wins), was honored as Owner of the Year. The post Slew’s Tiz Whiz Earns Second Washington Horse of the Year Title appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Joe Fanning appears to be set for a short spell on the sidelines after suffering a fall at Wolverhampton on Monday night that led to three-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy being hit with a nine-day ban which will rule him out of the start of the British Flat season. Fanning, who won the race aboard Sennockian, was knocked unconscious after he was unseated shortly after the winning line. The 53-year-old regained consciousness prior to leaving the track, but was taken to hospital for precautionary tests before later returning home. “Joe is fine,” his agent Niall Hannity said on Tuesday. “He had precautionary scans on his head and everything at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton and they came back clear. He got home late last night and I spoke to him this morning and he is fine.” He added, “I'm not sure how long he'll be out for. He'll have to pass a baseline concussion test and it will be up to Dr Jerry Hill when he'll be able to take that. “We'll see how he is in the next day or two, but he obviously won't be riding this weekend or next week, I wouldn't have thought.” A stewards' enquiry was called to consider the placings after several incidents of interference in the home straight. The stewards ruled that Fanning had not committed any riding offences and that the placings should remain unaltered. However, Murphy was found guilty of careless riding. A stewards' report read, “Murphy was suspended for nine days as he allowed his mount to drift approximately two horse widths right-handed away from the whip causing interference to Sennockian, before then using the whip again in the left hand whereupon his mount shifted further right-handed causing interference to Sennockian, with Fanning being unseated after the line.” Murphy will be out of action on March 11 and 12 and from March 18 to 24, meaning he is set to miss the first weekend of the British Flat turf season at Doncaster. The post Fanning “Fine” After Wolverhampton Spill But Murphy To Miss Start Of Flat Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

“I was speechless,” says David Bowe of being presented with this year's Wild Geese Award at the ITBA's National Breeding and Racing Awards on Sunday night. The award recognises Irish men and women who have forged successful careers in the bloodstock industry worldwide, and its recipients to date have included those working in Australia and America. Bowe didn't fly too far afield, though he did serve a stint in the States early in his career. For more than a quarter of a century he has been based just across the water in England, with the last 22 years spent as manager of Jeff Smith's Littleton Stud in Hampshire. “I was humbled, absolutely blown away, the fact that I was chosen, especially when you think about all the previous recipients,” he adds. “I can't understand why, but it's just wonderful to be acknowledged by the ITBA, being an Irishman. Well, it's phenomenal, absolutely, I couldn't ask for better.” He may not be able to understand why but plenty of people who have worked with Bowe over the years can vouch for the skills and horsemanship that put him in the running for such an award. The video of tributes shown on the night included one from Bill Dwan, who said, “He's an absolute gentleman. I don't know anyone in the business who has a bad word to say about him. It's not ever about David; it's about the horses, it's about Jeff.” Smith himself said, “Year by year he has improved the stud from what it was.” Growing up partaking in all the usual pony endeavours during his schooldays, Bowe's real education began in a nursery famed not just for its equine graduates but for plenty of two-legged graduates as well. “I went to Coolmore from school and didn't come home,” Bowe says. “I think my father hoped I was going to go on to academia but it was never going to happen. “Coolmore was just the best training academy in the world. If you rose to the occasion, they let you and enabled you to do everything. So they sent me to America, and I came back from America and ended up managing Abbeyleix estate for Lord de Vesci for five years.” Bowe eventually found himself in England, with his early time there spent working at the National Stud and at Longholes Stud in the days of the Hon. John Lambton when it still stood the stallions Komaite and Wolfhound. “And then I came to Littleton Stud and met Jeff Smith,” he continues, “and really, I guess, all the graft and work I did previously at Coolmore and Abbeyleix and in America, I was able to put it into practice here. Jeff is a unique man. He's probably going to be the most influential person I've ever met, in that he enabled me to be able to go and do what I've been lucky enough to do. It's been brilliant.” Smith is of an increasingly rare breed of owner-breeders running a select operation. He is loyal to his trainers, many of whom have had horses for him for decades, and he races his homebreds, which are supplemented from time to time by the odd foal purchase. On top of his regular stud management duties, Bowe has been key to this element of the Littleton operation in selecting the foals at the sales, and with some notable success, headed by the four-time Group 1 winner Alcohol Free (Ire). The daughter of No Nay Never was bought from her breeder Churchtown House Stud for €40,000 and was resold following her four-year-old season for 5.4 million gns at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale. “We had land here, we had staff, and sometimes we came up short on numbers, so Jeff let me go off and buy a few. It's going back a long time ago now, but the first horse we bought as a foal was called Dream Eater. He did very well for us,” says Bowe of the son of Night Shift who was a Listed winner and was placed eight times in Group races, including finishing third in the G1 Queen Anne S. behind Goldikova (Ire) and Paco Boy (Ire). “We've done that ever since, really. We never buy any more than maybe three or four every year. We've been lucky. We buy them from good nurseries and you know that they're in good shape when you buy them,” he adds. “I would go out there and spend the money as if it was my own. You're looking for value. But basically, I'm lucky enough that I can go and buy an individual and I don't have to worry about the fact that the sire is not fashionable. I like the horse and I'll buy it, and Jeff and myself are on the same page. It's about the actual individual rather than what it's by or what it's out of. Equally, that's very important for the residual value afterwards if you're going to breed or resell. But primarily, the first thing is the physical specimen.” Casting his mind back to the halcyon days of Alcohol Free, he says, “Honestly, nobody could tell me or anybody else that she was going to be as good as she was. I liked her and I hoped, like we all do every time you buy one, that she was going to be good, but for her to be as good as she was, was beyond our wildest imagination.” The old imagination was fired up again last year thanks to another foal purchase, Ghostwriter (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), trained by Clive Cox. The colt finished his unbeaten run of three last year with victory in the G2 Royal Lodge S. to leave Smith and Bowe dreaming of the 2,000 Guineas. “Again, one of the important things is buying from good nurseries and we bought Alcohol Free from the Gaffneys, and they're just proper horse people. And the same with Ghostwriter. We bought him from Norelands. They always produce brilliant stock. You're ahead of the game already because you're bringing home healthy stock,” he says. “The lovely thing about buying foals is we can bring them home here and then we have them for the next 14 months until they go into training. We're at an advantage because we have such good relationships with everybody, and it is about the bigger picture, it is about the team. It is about the girls here on the farm, like our head girl, Kelly Stevens, and the trainers, the pre-trainers. It can't be put down to one person, but it's wonderful to be credited by it anyway.” Ghostwriter is not alone in fuelling the Classic dreams of the Littleton Stud team this year. Of arguably greater importance to a breeding operation is to have a talented homebred filly, and Smith looks to have just that in See The Fire (GB), who won her maiden last August and was then second in the G2 May Hill S. and third in the G1 Fillies' Mile. But then again, she was bred to be good, as the Andrew Balding-trained filly is by Sea The Stars out of Smith's G1 Juddmonte International winner Arabian Queen (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), making See The Fire a fifth-generation Littleton homebred. “We've had a really, really good winter,” Bowe says. “We're dreaming about what we're going to do. See The Fire has done so well and we're hoping to go to the Guineas without a trial because she ran so well in the Fillies' Mile. It was a good test of stamina and she saw it out well. “So we hope she'll do the fantasy stuff: Guineas and go to the Oaks and maybe the King George, who knows? “Ghostwriter, he loved that hill [at Newmarket] and he was seriously impressive. So we're chuffed to bits with him also. Clive is delighted. I was speaking to him the other morning actually, and he doesn't think he'll go for a trial with him either.” Arabian Queen, Alcohol Free, Ghostwriter and See The Fire are just the latest names on a long list of classy animals to have carried Smith's purple and blue colours over the last four decades. From the speedball Lochsong (GB) to the high-class sprinter/miler Chief Singer (Ire) and the people's favourite stayer Persian Punch (Ire), the owner has been rewarded for his investment in the sport with plenty of days in the sun. To hear Bowe describe his boss is to understand that there would be few people more deserving of such success. “Jeff understands the game intrinsically,” Bowe says. “He understands that, one, it's a sport. Yes, there is a lot of money involved, but he takes bad news as well as he takes good news. “Jeff said to me a long time ago, 'If you don't trust your trainer, why would you have a horse in training? So why would you interfere with the training regime? “We discuss things with the trainers but, fundamentally, the trainer makes a decision and it makes life an awful lot easier. Sometimes we might say, 'What do you think about dropping back in trip?' But the upshot is they're the trainers, we're not. So trust your trainer, let them get on with it. Let them train the horse. And then if it doesn't work out, it is not for the want of trying.” He continues, “Jeff is in it for the sport. There's a huge aspect of enjoyment in it, and it gets you over the dark days when it doesn't go so well. “He is a purist and we are looking to win the Derby. We love speed and going back to Lochsong, a lot of the families were speed, speed, speed. And we weren't trying to breed the speed out of them, but daughters and what have you, have gone to proper Classic-type sires that may not fetch you a fortune in the ring if you went there, but they could breed you a Classic winner. “We have a nice boutique stud with some lovely mares that we can breed to whoever we like. We've had some fun.” With hopefully plenty more fun in the offing, Bowe concedes that he has enjoyed his decades in England. “Don't, whatever you do, say that I've become anglicised,” he says. Right, so we won't say that then. But this particular wild goose admits that he may well be called home eventually to Ireland, where he has land of his own. Bowe's advice on Sunday night for younger folk wishing to become involved in the industry was, “Immerse yourself in it, get involved in it, and stick with it.” They are words to live by, whatever your passion in life, and as he acknowledges, when you find that passion, a job becomes simply a way of life. “I would imagine I'll retire back to Ireland,” he adds. “By retiring, I mean buying and selling a few, walking around the farm. I would love it, but I also love England so much, and my kids are here, so going back would be difficult, but it's only over the water. “I'm here for the time being, though, and enjoying every minute of it.” The post ‘I Went to Coolmore From School and Didn’t Come Home’: David Bowe’s Life in Bloodstock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jerry Chau is running hot and the young rider is hoping to up the ante with a pair of key mounts across the next two fixtures in Hong Kong. He partners impressive talent Chill Chibi (NZ) (Wrote) in Sunday’s HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) at Sha Tin and debut winner Super Joy N Fun (NZ) (What’s The Story) in the second section of Wednesday’s Class 4 Tsuen Wan Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley. “Everything is well and Chill Chibi is running in the Hong Kong Classic Cup this Sunday – I’m very much looking forward to that,” Chau said. Chau has been in super form this campaign with 18 wins from 49 race meetings, four shy of last season’s 22 triumphs. He has a quartet of victories from the past five fixtures. Chill Chibi is one-for-one over the Hong Kong Classic Cup distance and is a four-time winner from six starts at Happy Valley. He debuts at Sha Tin this weekend and the 23-year-old is hopeful the Wrote gelding can continue to progress. “He galloped this morning (Tuesday, 27 February) on the turf and it seemed like he enjoyed Sha Tin. Of course, he missed the run (Hong Kong Classic Mile) last time but now he’s back to normal work and he’s galloping good. He’s not 100 percent yet but I think he will run well and bring better form into the Derby,” Chau said. The four-year-old suffered a setback in January and was ruled out of Hong Kong Classic Mile contention. He has since trialled over 1200m on dirt under Chau, finishing fifth behind stablemate Romantic Warrior. “He had a long break before the season started and still won first-up. I think he liked the fresh run. He always shows his turn of foot and I think he’s looking for a longer distance,” Chau said. “I think the Derby suits him more than the Classic Cup.” Chill Chibi is one of two entries in the Hong Kong Classic Cup for trainer Danny Shum, who also prepares Helene Feeling (Sioux Nation). The three-race Four-Year-Old Classic Series concludes on 24 March with the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m). Sporting the same silks as classy sprinter Joy And Fun (NZ) (Cullen) – who won in Dubai and at the top-level in Hong Kong – first-up winner Super Joy N Fun returns to the races at Happy Valley. “He showed in trackwork that he was still very green and still a baby but he showed speed and ran a good race last time,” Chau said. “The good thing is that he jumped well and he could be forward with a good position.” Super Joy N Fun is a three-year-old trained by Benno Yung. The New Zealand-bred breaks from barrier seven with 134lb assigned tomorrow night. The youngster tenaciously denied Beauty Infinity (Toronado) by a head at odds of 12/1. “When the horse came at him, I felt like he went again, I think in Class 4 he’s a very competitive horse and I hope he can keep improving – in trackwork he is still very green,” Chau said. “He looks around and shies away but he’s a young horse, they’re always like that and he will improve.” View the full article

Patrick Payne will consider giving Bold Soul (NZ) (Embellish) a further chance to emulate the three-year-old deeds of stablemate Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel) by setting him for the South Australian Derby. Bold Soul’s past three wins have come in the same races Dunkel won last year: a Benchmark 70 at Flemington over 2000 metres, then the Launceston Guineas and the Tasmanian Derby. “He’s back home now and he’s travelled well and he’s in great condition. I’ll look after him and we could have a look at the South Australian Derby,” Payne said. “He’s had a long campaign, but we also want to utilise his three-year-old career. If it’s achievable and he’s well, then we will have a go.” Payne is being reserved about Bold Soul’s ability. “I think he’s a handy horse without being a really great horse, but he also might keep improving with time,” he said. View the full article

Guy Lowry has been enjoying watching the success of a few of his stable graduates across the Tasman of late, and he is hoping they are not done yet. Immediacy (NZ) (Tarzino) was the latest in a long list of successful graduates out of Lowry’s Hastings barn, with the Tarzino gelding unbeaten in his three career starts to date for trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, including last Saturday’s Gr.2 Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield. Purchased by Lowry for $15,000 out of Kiltannon Stables’ 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft, the Hawke’s Bay horseman made a tidy profit when selling him through Riverrock’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale draft later that year to his trainers for $200,000. The exciting youngster is now on a Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) path and Lowry is looking forward to seeing what he can do in Sydney over their autumn carnival. Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) has also been a standout graduate for the barn, having won three of his four starts across the Tasman and has gained a wild card for next month’s A$4 million All-Star Mile (1600m), while Grid Girl (NZ) (Time Test) will make her Australian debut for Lindsay Park at Sandown on Wednesday after being purchased following her two placings in New Zealand. “That (trade horses) is what we do and what we have always had to do to survive,” Lowry said. “We have always been known as people who do sell. “I have enjoyed watching them do well over in Australia and we have got an interesting few weeks ahead of us, particularly with Immediacy.” Meanwhile, back in New Zealand, Lowry is looking forward to lining up a quartet of runners at his home track on Wednesday. Gohugo (NZ) (Per Incanto) was denied by just a nose when fresh-up over 1200m at Hastings earlier this month and Lowry is hopeful he can go one better in the Little Avondale Big On Winning Handicap (1400m) where he has drawn the ace barrier and will be partnered by Kelly Myers. “It was a good performance fresh-up and he has got a nice draw again tomorrow. He does go well fresh so hopefully he hasn’t got that second-up syndrome. He should go well,” said Lowry, who trains in partnership with Leah Zydenbos. Gohugo will be joined in his race by stablemate Eparaima (NZ) (Per Incanto), who will be ridden by Sam Weatherley from gate 12. “She has been working up very well and should give a good account of herself,” Lowry said. Lowry is also pleased with drawing barrier two with Candle (NZ) (Super Easy) in the Valley D’Vine Restaurant Handicap (1200m) and is hopeful she can add to her three-win haul. “She has drawn well and is racing really well in lesser company. We are just trying to go through the grades at this stage,” he said. Bedtime Story (NZ) (Per Incanto) has been a standout for the stable of late, winning two and placing in two of her four starts for owner-breeder the Dowager Duchess of Bedford. Lowry is confident of another bold showing from the daughter of Per Incanto in the NZB Insurance 3YO (1300m), with a stakes tilt hinging on the outcome. “She will wear blinkers tomorrow and I think she will be competitive in what is a good field,” he said. “If she happened to go alright, we will go for the Wellington Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m).” View the full article

What Kembla Grange Races Where Kembla Grange Racecourse – Princes Hwy, Kembla Grange NSW 2526 When Thursday, February 29, 2024 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble The $150,000 Provincial-Midway Championship Qualifier (1400m) takes top billing at Kembla Grange on Thursday afternoon, accompanied by a competitive eight-race undercard lined-up for punters. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and with conditions unlikely to have a significant impact on the track rating, expect the course to remain in the Soft range throughout the day. The opening race is set to get underway at 1:15pm AEDT. Provincial-Midway Championship Qualifier: Strait Acer Strait Acer is clearly the highest-rated galloper heading into the Provincial-Midway Qualifier, and all things even, should prove too classy. The son of Headwater found an incredible peak towards the end of last preparation, running third in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke (1400m) at Caulfield on November 18, and the case can be made the four-year-old should’ve finished within a length of the eventual winner Magic Time. His return had plenty of merit when outsprinted in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on February 17, with Tommy Berry implying Straight Acer had returned better than ever. He only needs to hold his form second-up and this guy will take a power of beating. Provincial-Midway Championship Qualifier Race 7 – #1 Strait Acer (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Edward Cummings | J: Tommy Berry (59kg) +150 with Bet365 Best Bet at Kembla Grange: Private Legacy Private Legacy is winless heading into start nine, but when you look at the opposition she has been facing, it’s easy to see why. The Greogry Hickman-trained filly was thrown into the deep end last campaign, culminating in an attempt at the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick September 30. She was only beaten by 3.5 lengths on that occasion before resuming a short-priced favourite at Goulburn on February 15, with the 1300m proving too short for the daughter of The Autumn Sun. Second-up at the mile appears ideal, and with some quality on her opposition, Private Legacy should finally get that much-deserved maiden victory. Best Bet Race 2 – #2 Private Legacy (9) 3yo Filly | T: Gregory Hickman | J: Tommy Berry (58.5kg) +120 with Picklebet Next Best at Kembla Grange: Bonita Queen Bonita Queen produced an eye-catching maiden victory at her most recent start at Hawkesbury on February 13, going on to score by a staggering four-length margin. The filly by I Am Invincible was sensational when making every post a winner on that occasion and gets a similar setup to do it again. Adam Hyeronimus elects to stick aboard the three-year-old, and with the Bjorn Baker barn continue to strike consistently on the provincial circuit, Bonita Queen can add to that tally on Thursday. Next Best Race 3 – #7 Bonita Queen (2) 3yo Filly | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Adam Hyeronimus (57.5kg) +100 with Neds Kembla Grange Saturday quaddie tips – 29/2/2024 Kembla Grange quadrella selections Thursday February 29, 2024 1-2-4-5-7-8-10-12 2-3-5-6-9-12 1 3-4-6-7-11-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

When finishing down the track as the well-supported beaten favourite in the Hobart Cup overs two weeks ago, from trainer to jockey – and punters – they were all disappointed at the outcome of Alhambra Lad’s (NZ) (Proisir) effort that day. When it comes to the climax of the Tasmanian Summer Carnival, the Gr.3 Launceston Cup (2400m), the Patrick Payne-trained gelding is hoped to be better behaved on Wednesday. Jockey Jye Mcneil told stewards post-race that the horses pulled too hard throughout the 2400m Group 3 Cup on February 11, which cost the $2.40 favourite any chance of winning. Launceston Cup favourite, Aurora’s Symphony (Glass Harmonium) took out the Hobart Cup and is shooting to become the first horse in the race’s 160-year history to win the event three times. Melbourne Cup heroine Michelle Payne has been looking after Patrick’s team in Tasmania and Alhambra Lad will be hoping to cap a feature race double this week after Wings Of Song (Mendelssohn) landed the Listed Tasmanian Oaks (2100m) on Sunday.” “Coming down and training at a different venue, there was a bit of working out to do,” Michelle said of the change of scene for the six-year-old gelding who won the 2200-metre Summer Cup at Hobart on January 21. The strong seven-length nature of that win showed something of the added pressure of the Hobart Cup running, and taking on the likes of a seasoned Tasmanian campaigner like Symon Wilde’s Aurora’s Symphony. Concentration on rolling into a race in training is hoped to make a difference this time. “We’ve done a few nice rolling canters in Hobart and that will hopefully let him find a rhythm when he gets into the race,” Payne added. “We can only try and hopefully he’ll settle more.” Aurora’s Symphony is the $3.30 favourite for the Launceston Cup with Oakleigh Plate-winning rider Harry Coffey aboard the second favourite, Excelleration (Excellebration), at $4.20. Craig Williams is making the trip to Launceston to ride $4.40 chance Grand Pierro (Pierro) while Alhambra Lad is at $5. View the full article

It has been an anxious few months for the father-and-son training partnership of Ben and Ryan Foote with their star sprinter Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard). The Group One performer was enjoying some time in the paddock recovering from a throat issue following her sub-par performance in the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day when she had an incident that nearly resulted in the loss of sight in one eye. “She is over her throat issue and then she got a pin prick in her eye, we don’t know if it was a thistle or not,” Ben Foote said. “We were worried for a short time whether she was going to lose her eye. She spent three weeks at the vet clinic and she came right a couple of days before we were looking at having surgery. “She is just about fully recovered and is on the treadmill at the moment. She has got a glow back in her coat and she looks tremendous. We will just take our time and get her fitness back up and then make a plan from there.” Having missed a number of key feature sprints in New Zealand, the perennial Group One bridesmaid will likely head across the Tasman in her next preparation, and Foote believes she is capable of claiming an elusive elite-level scalp. “More than likely she will head to Australia, but she might have a run here first to make sure everything is in order, but I am happy with her,” Foote said. “It was really disappointing it happened when it did, but she has still got fresh legs and has got another big one in her for sure.” Meanwhile, Foote will head to Hastings on Wednesday with half a dozen runners, and he is particularly looking forward to getting Group performed filly Charmer (NZ) (Charm Spirit) back to the races. The three-year-old daughter of Charm Spirit was in pleasing form last year, placing in the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) as a juvenile before returning this season to post four consecutive runner-up performances, including the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki in November. She subsequently finished 10th in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day before enjoying a freshen-up. Charmer had a 950m trial at Tauranga to ready for Wednesday’s test where Foote believes she will be very competitive in the Linden Estate Winery Maiden (1400m). “She has come up well,” he said. “Her trial was good, we just gave her a quiet one. Coming back to maiden class, hopefully she can do the job. She is ready to go. “She is only a little filly, but she tries hard.” She will be joined in her race by stablemate Alcaraz (NZ) (Per Incanto), who placed over 1200m at Tauranga last start. “He is a big, strong boy,” Foote said. “He has promised a bit, so drawn nicely (5) tomorrow, he will give them a bit of a shake.” Foote is also looking forward to watching the Waikato Stud-bred and raced Rayet (NZ) (Tivaci) contest the Vally D’Vine Restaurant Handicap (1200m). The three-year-old daughter of Tivaci won her first two races at New Plymouth before finishing last in her 1200m test at Tauranga last month, but Foote believes the right-handed way of going at the Bay Of Plenty track tripped her up. “Her trial was super, so I am looking forward to her racing again,” he said. “She was a touch awkward around a corner at Tauranga right-handed, so hopefully back to left-handed she might be a bit more comfortabe. She has certainly got a bit of ability.” Foote said last start winner Nancy She Wrote (NZ) (Wrote) is also an exciting prospect in the Hawke’s Bay Racing Function Centre Handicap (1600m). “Nancy She Wrote has always been a quite classy horse, it has just been a matter of getting in her rhythm,” Foote said. “She has got a really good turn of foot and she settles nicely. Micheal (McNab, jockey) knows her well and rides her well. If she does everything right, she will be in it.” View the full article

In-form filly Khanshe (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) is giving every indication she will continue to excel as she steps up in distance toward her grand final at Trentham. The daughter of Mongolian Khan is on course for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) on March 16 and staying the Classic distance is the least of trainer Fraser Auret’s worries. “I know you can’t say with certainty that they will, but I would be very surprised if she didn’t the way she relaxes mid-stages in her races,” Auret said. “She is built in that mould as well, she is a really athletic type of filly for sure. “She does seem to have a sense of timing about her and right from the time she won her first trial she has looked quite smart.” Khanshe will continue her Oaks preparation at Hastings on Wednesday when she steps out in the Gr.2 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2100m) off the back of a last-start victory in the Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth. “To be fair, her two runs before that were both in stakes races so we obviously have a fair bit of time for her,” Auret said. Khanshe was pitched into black-type company off a debut fourth at Waverley and then comfortably broke her maiden at Otaki. She ran sixth in the Gr.2 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki and again finished midfield in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m). “Her run at Trentham wasn’t the worst, she was only beaten three and a-half lengths with the blinkers on and she pulled quite hard that day,” Auret said. “They have come off and we certainly weren’t surprised by the result in the Prelude.” Khanshe also showed her versatility at New Plymouth where she copped a heavy track for the first time and handled it with aplomb, winding up late to claim major honours under Matthew Cameron who will ride her again on Wednesday. “He is riding out of his skin and it’s a massive asset to have him on board,” Auret said. Khanshe is currently sharing the third line of betting for the Oaks at $14 and another bold showing will see her odds again trimmed. The filly is raced by her Amberley breeder Rick Orr and is a daughter of the unraced O’Reilly mare Folies Bergere (NZ) whose dam Dashing Donna (NZ) (Don Eduardo) was successful on seven occasions up to 1600m. Although she was by Don Eduardo, she was blessed with abundant speed and claimed an edition of the Listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1200m). “Rick has got a few nice young fillies and came on board about 18 months ago,” Auret said. “We’re halfway through breaking in a Circus Maximus filly out of the mare (Folies Bergere) and she’s a lovely type and was out of the track this week for the third time.” Auret is also thrilled with the progress of Uareastar (NZ) (Jakkalberry) toward the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m), a race she won in 2022. “I’m very, very happy with where she’s out after the wet track really tripped her up in the Wellington Cup (Gr.3, 3200m),” he said. Despite the conditions, the daughter of Jakkalberry still finished a respectable sixth at Trentham. “She really does need a decent track to let down properly, she’s got a massive stride and I couldn’t be happier with her,” Auret said.” View the full article

Tony Pike certainly knows how to win a Derby, but the Cambridge trainer is taking a philosophical approach into this year’s edition. Pike has collected two Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) titles in recent years with Rangipo (Stryker) (2016) and Sherwood Forest (Fastnet Rock) (2020), and he will have two contenders in Saturday’s Trackside-sponsored edition at Ellerslie. One of his representatives in High Country (NZ), a son of Mongolian Khan, was runner-up in the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) preceding fifth and sixth-placed finishes in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) and Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) respectively. “He just got a little bit wound up before the Avondale Guineas. Our intention probably wasn’t to lead, but he jumped well and crossed them, then went a little bit too keenly through the mid-stages,” Pike said. “He fought on well considering the trip he had.” Kingsclere Stables’ filly Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) was a dominant victor in the latter feature, warranting her overwhelming $1.40 favouritism, and Pike is hopeful High Country can continue his consistent form, albeit possibly in the minor placings. “If he can get a little bit of cover and relax better in the run, I think he’s a genuine top three or four chance. Orchestral looks past the post at this stage, but we’ll have a crack at picking up some prizemoney,” he said. Pike has confirmed stablemate City Gold Ready (NZ) (Perfectly Ready) will also take his place in the Derby field, aiming to recapture his stronger form prior to the Avondale Guineas. “He’s just an out-and-out stayer. Any rain would’ve helped him in the Guineas, but he’s been running on in all of the better three-year-old races leading into the Derby,” he said. “He deserves his chance to pick up some prizemoney as well.” With a potential Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) berth in mind, consistent filly Vera Rose (NZ) (Fiorente) will take on one of the key undercard races at Ellerslie, the Gr.3 McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m). Vera Rose defeated many of her older counterparts when finishing a game third in the $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m), putting her hand up for an attempt over middle-distance on Saturday. “She’s a very progressive three-year-old filly in the making and ran well against the older horses in the Karapiro Classic,” Pike said. “This is a staying test for her, we’ll make the decision after Saturday as to whether we push onto the Oaks, or whether we just drop back to the mile. “Per-Anders Graberg will ride her, and if she ends up down there (Trentham), he’ll stick with her in the Oaks.” Completing Pike’s representatives will be black-type winning sprinter Not Guilty (NZ) (Not A Single Doubt), the mare returning in a fresh state for the Gr.3 Haunui Farm Kings Plate (1200m). “She’s had a freshen-up since her last preparation, she runs very well in that state and is a good sprinting mare,” Pike said. “If she can draw well, she’ll be a nice each-way chance in that race.” View the full article

Last Saturday, the Melbourne Racing Club hosted one of its biggest days at Caulfield, which featured three Group 1 races, including the $2 million Blue Diamond Stakes. This week’s edition of The Follow Files will focus solely on that 10-race card, with three runners catching our eye and suggesting that they are worth following this preparation. You can add these runners to your blackbook with your chosen bookmaker to get updates before they run next. Caulfield Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: +4m entire circuit Race 2: Benchmark 84 Handicap (1100m) | Time: 1:03.56 Horse to follow: Hanchi (5th) Sean & Jake Casey chose to send their exciting three-year-old gelding over to Victoria from Western Australia to kick off his autumn preparation, and they would have been very happy with his first run. The son of Squamosa settled midfield from the barrier and was slightly held up on the home turn before being left flatfooted at the 300m mark. However, once Michael Dee pushed the gelding through a gap, he let down as well as any of his rivals to finish fifth, only beaten one-length by Twin Perfection. When to bet: It is not yet clear whether the Casey’s will keep Hanchi in Melbourne, but if they do, the Flemington program on Saturday, March 9, has two races at 1100m that appear ideal for their galloper. Either the 3YO Handicap or Benchmark 84 are suitable races for this talented sprinter. Race 4: Group 3 Zedative Stakes (1200m) | Time: 1:10.03 Horse to follow: Scully (3rd) After being sent around at +10000 with most online horse betting sites, Scully from the Andew Noblet stable wasn’t expected to play much of a role in the Group 3 Zedative Stakes. The three-year-old gelding settled last on the fence, and John Allen allowed his mount to balance up before picking off his rivals in the final 300m. The son of Shooting To Win ran up behind the leading pack and was able to push through a gap and thunder home to finish third, beaten 1.6 lengths behind Raikoke. Scully clocked the eighth fastest last 400m section (22.51s) and the fourth fastest last 200m (11.34s) section of the entire meeting. When to bet: Andrew Noblet will have plenty of options next start after proving his galloper proved he can compete at Group 3 level against his own age group. Over 1200m or 1300m in three-year-old company on a bigger track should be the next target for Scully. Race 9: Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) | Time: 1:02.63 Horse to follow: Benedetta (4th) Benedetta produced one of the better runs in defeat in the Oakleigh Plate last Saturday, where the Jason Warren-trained mare returned from a four-month spell and took on Group 1 level for the first time. Daniel Stackhouse gave the daughter of Hellbent a very good ride but was disappointed for a run at the top of the home straight before finding a needle-eye opening inside runners at the 200m mark. Once she balanced up, Benedetta let down with her customary turn of foot and worked home nicely into fourth place in a bunched finish. When to bet: Warren and his team have Benedetta nominated for the TJ Smith Stakes on April 6, so we expect that she will have one more run over 1100m or 1200m before going to Sydney to take on Group 1 company again. Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Latest horse racing tips View the full article

Group One performer Babylon Berlin. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) It has been an anxious few months for the father-and-son training partnership of Ben and Ryan Foote with their star sprinter Babylon Berlin. The Group One performer was enjoying some time in the paddock recovering from a throat issue following her sub-par performance in the Group 1 Railway (1200m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day when she had an incident that nearly resulted in the loss of sight in one eye. “She is over her throat issue and then she got a pin prick in her eye, we don’t know if it was a thistle or not,” Ben Foote said. “We were worried for a short time whether she was going to lose her eye. She spent three weeks at the vet clinic and she came right a couple of days before we were looking at having surgery. “She is just about fully recovered and is on the treadmill at the moment. She has got a glow back in her coat and she looks tremendous. We will just take our time and get her fitness back up and then make a plan from there.” Having missed a number of key feature sprints in New Zealand, the perennial Group One bridesmaid will likely head across the Tasman in her next preparation, and Foote believes she is capable of claiming an elusive elite-level scalp. “More than likely she will head to Australia, but she might have a run here first to make sure everything is in order, but I am happy with her,” Foote said. “It was really disappointing it happened when it did, but she has still got fresh legs and has got another big one in her for sure.” Horse racing news View the full article

Khanshe will contest the Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings on Wednesday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) In-form filly Khanshe is giving every indication she will continue to excel as she steps up in distance toward her grand final at Trentham. The daughter of Mongolian Khan is on course for the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) on March 16 and staying the Classic distance is the least of trainer Fraser Auret’s worries. “I know you can’t say with certainty that they will, but I would be very surprised if she didn’t the way she relaxes mid-stages in her races,” Auret said. “She is built in that mould as well, she is a really athletic type of filly for sure. “She does seem to have a sense of timing about her and right from the time she won her first trial she has looked quite smart.” Khanshe will continue her Oaks preparation at Hastings on Wednesday when she steps out in the Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) off the back of a last-start victory in the Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth. “To be fair, her two runs before that were both in stakes races so we obviously have a fair bit of time for her,” Auret said. Khanshe was pitched into black-type company off a debut fourth at Waverley and then comfortably broke her maiden at Otaki. She ran sixth in the Group 2 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki and again finished midfield in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m). “Her run at Trentham wasn’t the worst, she was only beaten three and a-half lengths with the blinkers on and she pulled quite hard that day,” Auret said. “They have come off and we certainly weren’t surprised by the result in the Prelude.” Khanshe also showed her versatility at New Plymouth where she copped a heavy track for the first time and handled it with aplomb, winding up late to claim major honours under Matthew Cameron who will ride her again on Wednesday. “He is riding out of his skin and it’s a massive asset to have him on board,” Auret said. Khanshe is currently sharing the third line of betting with horse racing bookmakers for the Oaks at +1300 and another bold showing will see her odds again trimmed. The filly is raced by her Amberley breeder Rick Orr and is a daughter of the unraced O’Reilly mare Folies Bergere whose dam Dashing Donna was successful on seven occasions up to 1600m. Although she was by Don Eduardo, she was blessed with abundant speed and claimed an edition of the Listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and finished runner-up in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1200m). “Rick has got a few nice young fillies and came on board about 18 months ago,” Auret said. “We’re halfway through breaking in a Circus Maximus filly out of the mare (Folies Bergere) and she’s a lovely type and was out of the track this week for the third time.” Auret is also thrilled with the progress of Uareastar toward the Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m), a race she won in 2022. “I’m very, very happy with where she’s out after the wet track really tripped her up in the Wellington Cup (Group 3, 3200m),” he said. Despite the conditions, the daughter of Jakkalberry still finished a respectable sixth at Trentham. “She really does need a decent track to let down properly, she’s got a massive stride and I couldn’t be happier with her,” Auret said.” Horse racing news View the full article

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike. Photo: Trish Dunell Tony Pike certainly knows how to win a Derby, but the Cambridge trainer is taking a philosophical approach into this year’s edition. Pike has collected two Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) titles in recent years with Rangipo (2016) and Sherwood Forest (2020), and he will have two contenders in Saturday’s edition at Ellerslie. One of his representatives in High Country, a son of Mongolian Khan, was runner-up in the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) preceding fifth and sixth-placed finishes in the Group 2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) and Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) respectively. “He just got a little bit wound up before the Avondale Guineas. Our intention probably wasn’t to lead, but he jumped well and crossed them, then went a little bit too keenly through the mid-stages,” Pike said. “He fought on well considering the trip he had.” Kingsclere Stables’ filly Orchestral was a dominant victor in the latter feature, warranting her overwhelming $1.40 favouritism with horse racing bookies, and Pike is hopeful High Country can continue his consistent form, albeit possibly in the minor placings. “If he can get a little bit of cover and relax better in the run, I think he’s a genuine top three or four chance. Orchestral looks past the post at this stage, but we’ll have a crack at picking up some prizemoney,” he said. Pike has confirmed stablemate City Gold Ready will also take his place in the Derby field, aiming to recapture his stronger form prior to the Avondale Guineas. “He’s just an out-and-out stayer. Any rain would’ve helped him in the Guineas, but he’s been running on in all of the better three-year-old races leading into the Derby,” he said. “He deserves his chance to pick up some prizemoney as well.” With a potential Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) berth in mind, consistent filly Vera Rose will take on one of the key undercard races at Ellerslie, the Group 3 Sunline Vase (2100m). Vera Rose defeated many of her older counterparts when finishing a game third in the $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m), putting her hand up for an attempt over middle-distance on Saturday. “She’s a very progressive three-year-old filly in the making and ran well against the older horses in the Karapiro Classic,” Pike said. “This is a staying test for her, we’ll make the decision after Saturday as to whether we push onto the Oaks, or whether we just drop back to the mile. “Per-Anders Graberg will ride her, and if she ends up down there (Trentham), he’ll stick with her in the Oaks.” Completing Pike’s representatives will be black-type winning sprinter Not Guilty, the mare returning in a fresh state for the Group 3 Kings Plate (1200m). “She’s had a freshen-up since her last preparation, she runs very well in that state and is a good sprinting mare,” Pike said. “If she can draw well, she’ll be a nice each-way chance in that race.” Horse racing news View the full article

Master trainer runs the rule over the consistent team of five gallopers he will take to Happy Valley before turning his attention to Sunday’s featureView the full article

Dom To Shoot on the way to the barriers prior to the running of the Futurity Stakes. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Western Australian Group 1 winner Dom To Shoot has clinched a wildcard entry into the $4 million All-Star Mile, on March 16 at Caulfield. Emerging victorious in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) during the Perth summer carnival, where he narrowly outpaced the renowned Zaaki, Dom To Shoot’s commendable fourth-place finish in the recent Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield caught the attention of the selection panel. The wildcard invitation extends to the top four finishers in the Futurity Stakes – Mr Brightside, Pericles, Buffalo River, and Dom To Shoot – all securing coveted spots in the race scheduled for March 16. Trained by Sean and Jake Casey, Dom To Shoot boasts an impressive record of eight victories from 42 starts, amassing close to $2 million in prize money. Having previously raced in Victoria during the autumn of 2021, he looks to make a mark in the All-Star Mile after previous attempts in the Group 3 C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) and Lunar Fox’s Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m), where he was unplaced. Notably, Dom To Shoot redeemed himself by triumphing in the Mornington Guineas. Dom To Shoot is currently a +3300 winning chance with horse racing betting sites for the 2024 All-Star Mile. Horse racing news View the full article

Wednesday’s meeting at Sandown will now commence at 10:30am AEDT. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Racing Victoria (RV) has announced adjustments to the race schedule for Wednesday’s Sandown meeting due to anticipated hot weather conditions. In light of the forecast, race times have been rescheduled to commence earlier, with the first race set for 10:30am AEDT and the final race at 2pm AEDT. This proactive measure aims to avoid the peak heat of the day, prioritising the welfare of horses and participants. Click here for HorseBetting’s free preview of the Sandown meeting. RV’s Procedure for Racing in Hot Weather Policy will be implemented as standard protocol, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all involved. Participants are reminded to arrive at the venue one hour before the revised starting times. Additionally, the Caulfield Heath trials initially planned for Wednesday morning will now occur on Thursday morning, February 29th, due to the adjusted schedule at Sandown. Horse racing news View the full article

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