Wandering Eyes

David Hayes thanks stewards for expediting the return of his stubborn galloper, who lines up in Sunday’s Class Two TVB Cup (1,400m) at Sha TinView the full article

Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}), the winner of last year's G1 Ranvet S. and G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. in Sydney, will not be returning to Australia for this year's Championships after meeting with a setback. The six-year-old, who is trained in Newmarket by William Haggas for owner Mohamed Obaida, had been set to defend his crown this spring but will be prepared instead for Hong Kong's G1 QEII Cup, in which he finished third last year. “We are disappointed to announce that Dubai Honour has had a setback and is unable to travel to Australia for the upcoming Carnival in Sydney,” said Haggas on Friday morning. “It is particularly frustrating as we felt he was in the form of his life. We hope to be able to prepare him for another tilt at the QEII in Hong Kong on 28 April with a run beforehand, more than likely in Magnolia Stakes at Kempton on 1 April.” In recent years the Haggas stable has reaped rich rewards in targeting the Sydney programme during the Australian autumn. Along with the dual Group 1 strike for Dubai Honour last year, Protagonist (Fr) won the G3 Sky High S. In 2020, Addeybb (Ire) completed that same Group 1 double as Dubai Honour and returned the following year to go close to repeating that feat, beating Verry Elleegant (NZ) to win the Queen Elizabeth II S. after finishing second to that top mare in the Ranvet. Haggas also landed the G3 NE Manion Cup in 2020 and 2021 with Young Rascal (Fr) and Favorite Moon (Ger). This year the trainer will be represented by two runners in Sydney, with Shadwell's G2 Huxley S. runner-up Mujtaba (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) set to travel to Australia along with the Old Borough Cup winner Post Impressionist (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). The trainer added, “We will be represented by Mujtaba who will be aimed at the Ranvet and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, although he does have the option of the Tancred Stakes. He is training well and due to enter quarantine today along with Post Impressionist, a useful stayer who will be aimed at the Manion Cup and the Sydney Cup. Once again Isabella Paul will be in charge.” The post Setback Prevents Dubai Honour’s Return to Sydney appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The good horses are back, which means the armchair experts are well and truly out of hibernation. The team at Punt Drunk have been scoping near and far for people potting jockeys, especially the back-and-forth between a prominent owner and a Melbourne Cup-winning rider. John O’Neill v Mark Zahra No, this is not an undercard fight for Wrestlemania 40, but more so one of the more prominent owners in Australia potting Melbourne Cup-winning hoop Mark Zahra. On his weekly radio time slot, John O’Neill took aim at Zahra for his ride on Bold Bastille in the Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies). Bold Bastille was rolled as an odds-on favourite at Caulfield last weekend, and her owner blamed it all on Zahra. “That horse has trotted up 100 per cent fine; I will tell you what, it was a shithouse ride. It was absolutely ludicrous,” said O’Neill. “It was horrendous, I don’t know what he was doing.” Now, potting a jockey cannot be a smart business decision, surely? Especially when Zahra is on a holiday in Las Vegas for the Super Bowl… His response all over his Instagram story was top-tier. O’Neill quickly came out and said it was just a couple of close friends having a bit of fun… usually seems that way to the person who takes the L. Kayla Crowther v Terry McAuliffe Now, this one certainly felt a lot more tongue-in-cheek. After Kayla Crowther steered Miss Subtly to victory in race six at Gawler on Wednesday, South Australian legend Terry McAuliffe was quick to pick at Crowther’s tactics during the win. Stay in your lane, @MaccasMock @KaylaCrowther2 pic.twitter.com/g0RetrZuhx — Racing.com (@Racing) February 14, 2024 Crowther didn’t take the bait, instead putting the winning result back to McAuliffe, proving it was a good ride. It was probably an exchange that John O’Neill could learn a thing or two from. Taranaki – A punter’s worst nightmare In light of certain events at Ipswich on Thursday, some punters who subscribe to the adage ‘odds on, look on’ are undoubtedly feeling validated. Meanwhile, those who regularly include short-priced favourites in their multis are likely reassessing their strategies after witnessing yet another disappointing performance. Taranaki, trained by Chris Waller, was heavily backed as the -500 favourite but failed to deliver victory for the fourth consecutive race. Despite being touted as a strong contender with odds of -125, -357.14, -285.71 and -500 in his past four starts, the three-year-old son of Tarzino has yet to secure a win. Moreover, he has failed to make the places in any of this last three outings, leaving punters questioning his potential and their future bets. What an absolute cat. Who says punters aren’t resilient? Taranaki (R2 @IpswichTurfClub today) has been beaten at the odds of $1.80, $1.28, $1.35 & $1.20 at its last 4 runs, in maidens. It has also been unplaced at the last 3 of those. Surely now holds a record for most consecutive losses at odds on. — Glenn Munsie (@MunsieGlenn) February 15, 2024 About Punt Drunk Welcome to Punt Drunk – our weekly column covering all the latest horse racing and punting controversies, dramas and headline news. Have a story or gripe or issue that just grinds your gears? Just hit us up in the comments or contact us page and our jaded, punt hardened Punt Drunk staff will give it the Punt Drunk treatment it deserves. Don’t expect pleasantries or typical racing media fanboy gloss from Punt Drunk – we’re on the punt and we don’t have time to bullshit; the next is about to jump… If you have any stories that you want our Punt Drunk Team to cover or just want to say G’day send us a message on: Horse racing news View the full article

The tireless efforts of co-trainer and part-owner Hollie Wynyard were rewarded at New Plymouth on Friday when comeback galloper Titled took out the Landmark City of New Plymouth Cup (1800m). The well-bred son of Exceed and Excel was a $500,000 yearling purchase at Karaka in 2020, and he showed early signs of living up to his pedigree and purchase price with black-type placings as a two and three-year-old. Titled finished fourth in the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1000m) at two, then ran third in the following season’s Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2000m) and was runner-up behind the next-start Group One winner Pinarello in the Gr.2 Championship Stakes (2000m). After recording a win and a placing in two starts as a spring four-year-old, Titled suffered a tendon injury that put him on the sidelines for more than a year. Nursed back to health by Wynyard along with her partner Johno Benner, Titled returned to the races with unplaced finishes at Te Rapa on December 23 and Te Aroha on January 3. A strong-finishing second at Wanganui on February 9 hinted at brighter things, and it all came together at New Plymouth on Friday. Titled settled in fifth place among the nine-horse field for jockey Craig Grylls, then drifted back coming down the side of the track and had only a couple of horses behind him at the home turn. But Grylls got him into clear air down the middle of the home straight and Titled took care of the rest, bursting to the lead with 100m remaining and then holding out the late challenge of Complicate by a long neck. Now raced by Wynyard alongside Linda Harding, Titled has had 19 starts for two wins, 10 placings and $80,667 in stakes. “He was good under the 60kg today,” Benner said. “He’s just taken a few runs to get the rust off him, but he seems to have turned the corner and he’s coming into some good form. “He’s always been very capable as we know, and he showed that today, although he knocked off a little bit once he got to the front. “Full credit has to go to Hollie. He tweaked a tendon and a couple of well-respected vets said they didn’t believe he’d race again. But she’s put a huge amount of work into rehabilitating him over a long period of time. He’s beautifully sound now, and it’s a real credit to her that he’s back racing and performing well. “It’s great that Hollie shares in the ownership now too. He’s her little pride and joy, and he’s almost become more of a pet than a racehorse. “We’re really happy to have him back racing and to get this win today, and we’ll probably just chip away with him now and see how he goes.” View the full article

Bill Thurlow has enjoyed some of his greatest successes at Ellerslie and will return to the Auckland track on Saturday with a promising filly on the rise in No Rain Ever. Thurlow tasted success on the Avondale Cup card when claiming the feature event with special mare Glory Days in 2019, before she went on to claim the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m). Aiming for another Ellerslie feature, the Waverley horseman is preparing No Rain Ever for the Listed SkyCity Horizon Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m). The three-year-old sprint was formerly run on Boxing Day, however, its new place on Avondale Cup Day has drawn a relatively fresh-faced field of gallopers chasing black-type honours, with the daughter of No Nay Never among them. No Rain Ever impressed in her juvenile campaign, splitting subsequent Group-performing fillies Tulsi and Chantilly Lace on debut, before going on to finish a creditable sixth in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). The filly broke maidens in dominant fashion when returning as a three-year-old last September, however, a set-back following the Gr.2 Hawkes Bay Guineas (1400m) ruled her out for the remainder of the spring. Thurlow’s patience was rewarded when her impeccable fresh-up formline continued at Trentham on Wellington Cup Day last month when No Rain Ever showed her class when winning over 1200m in the hands of Craig Grylls. “She was very good at Trentham, she went down there off a preparation that we thought she may be a little bit raw still, but her class shone, and she got the job done,” Thurlow said. Thurlow expressed his confidence in Grylls, who is in flying form at present, and sticks aboard the filly on Saturday. “The way Craig is riding at the moment, which is extremely well, he doesn’t need many instructions, so we’ll leave it to him pretty much,” he said. “He knows this filly really well now, he’s ridden her twice for two wins and really likes her, which is always a good sign. “There’s a lot of speed in the race, especially with Merchant Queen who is very quick, so I’d imagine our filly will be two or three pairs back, but she’s got a nice strong finish on her,” he said. “It’ll be her first time going right-handed at Ellerslie, but her work has been very good since and she’s had a nice break in between races so we’re really happy with her. We think she’ll run a nice race.” Thurlow had originally hoped No Rain Ever would follow in her dam’s footsteps in chasing the three-year-old distance features, with the talented November Rain narrowly missing top honours in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) in 2010, finishing second under the care of Richard Collett. “Originally, we were going to push her out over ground and aim for something like the Oaks, but it just all came to soon, so we’ve just stuck with the sprinting game for the moment,” Thurlow said. “If she comes through the race well on Saturday, it’ll leave our options open either way. She’s quite a talented filly so there are plenty of options for her, whether that possibly is in Australia as there’s not a huge amount left for her here this season.” Thurlow will also line-up Field Of Gold in the Victoria Racing Club 1500, the Starsplangedbanner five-year-old returning to the meeting where he claimed the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) two years ago when prepared by Tony Pike. Also a Group One-placegetter at three, Field Of Gold will have his second raceday appearance for Thurlow, after not taking a liking to the tough conditions at New Plymouth fresh-up earlier this month. “He’s been with us for a little while now, he had a bit of a setback, but he’s done everything right since then,” Thurlow said. “We were a little bit disappointed with his fresh-up start, albeit the track was very heavy which he doesn’t like, and he got back in the field. “He’s an Open horse, and there’s not that many races that suit him, so he had to go up there. He might just need the run tomorrow.” Thurlow elected to trial Field Of Gold on Tuesday at Foxton as a final preparation, which resulted in a comfortable victory over 1200m under Grylls, who takes the reins on Saturday. “He trialled well,” Thurlow said. “Instead of taking the risk and going straight to Ellerslie, we just thought we’d give him the hit-out on Tuesday and make sure he’s where we want him to be heading to the races.” Thurlow’s attention will return to the Central Districts on Sunday, with Whangaehu contesting the AFFCO NZ Ltd Wairoa Cup (2100m) at Hastings. The Proisir gelding spent much of his career across the Tasman with Chris Waller and returned to New Zealand on a winning note in December. He has produced two creditable performances since, most recently when stepping up to 2000m at New Plymouth earlier this month. “We thought his last start was possibly a little bit flat, we thought perhaps he should’ve been winning that race, but the locals on a heavy track at New Plymouth are very hard to beat so he did well,” Thurlow said. “This is probably the right race for him, we think he’ll run well but we’re still not 100 percent sure if he’s an out-and-out stayer, so we’ll know a lot more after Sunday. The track will be good, which will give us a good line on him.” Thurlow has engaged the services of Per-Anders Graberg, who will ride the five-year-old at the 54kg minimum on Sunday. “I haven’t met him (Graberg) yet, but he’s got a lot of experience and ridden over 2000 winners so he knows this game, and can ride at 54kg,” Thurlow said. View the full article

Now 10 years old and with 90 starts under his belt across seven seasons of racing, the remarkable Pep Torque is showing no signs of slowing down. The Nadeem gelding will shoot for the 11th win of his career when he contests Sunday’s Affco NZ Ltd Wairoa Cup (2100m) at Hastings. This will be the second Wairoa Cup start for Pep Torque, who ran third behind He No Opilio and Felaar in the 2021 edition of the historic Hawke’s Bay feature. Pep Torque has added another three wins to his record since then, headed by the Listed Feilding Gold Cup (2100m) in October of 2022 and a placing in the Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m) at Matamata. Although he has yet to win in his 10-year-old season, Pep Torque has placed in four of his nine starts including all of his last three. In his first three races with apprentice jockey Ace Lawson-Carroll in the saddle, Pep Torque has run third behind Mehzebeen in the Taupo Cup (2000m), third to Coruba Jak at Tauranga and a last-start second at Matamata behind leading Gr.2 Eagle Technology Avondale Cup (2400m) contender Terra Mitica. Lawson-Carroll retains the mount again on Sunday, reducing Pep Torque’s topweight from 60kg to 57kg. “He’s such an honest old bugger,” trainer and part-owner Kirsty Lawrence said. “If every horse in the stable was like him, life would be easy. “He just loves his racing and we’ve got a great group of owners involved with him, including Susan (Best) who works for me and a couple of other really good people that we’ve known for a long time. “He doesn’t know he’s a 10-year-old. He was rearing in his paddock this morning. I’ve been lucky that he’s been so sound all the way through his career, and it’s just been a matter of looking after him and keeping him happy. “Everything’s gone well with him leading into Sunday. The only problem for him is the lack of strength in our staying ranks at the moment. We had that placing at Matamata last start, where he picked up another three rating points, and we’re going straight from 51kg last start to 57kg after the claim on Sunday. He’s been a good horse and has earned that weight, but it’s much harder to get rid of rating points than it is to pick them up. Claiming is definitely the go with him.” Fortunately for Lawrence, Pep Torque has shown a real affinity for apprentice riders. “He’s such a good horse for the apprentices,” Lawrence said. “If you go through his record, only two of his wins have been with senior jockeys. Alysha Collett rode him in his maiden win, and then Kate Hercock won the Fielding Gold Cup on him. All of his other wins have been for apprentices. “Ace has ridden him really well in his last few races, and Ciel Butler won a race on him last season and look where she’s got to now. He just seems to be a really neat horse to ride for apprentices that are coming through.” Sunday marks the Wairoa Cup’s welcome return to Hawke’s Bay after last year’s edition was relocated due to the devastating effects of Cyclone Gabrielle. “It’s a bit weird looking back to what happened last year,” Lawrence said. “I had a look the other day to see who ran in last year’s Wairoa Cup, and it was only then that I remembered the race ended up being moved to New Plymouth. “It was a horrible ordeal for Hawke’s Bay, and I saw a lot of that with the things I had do as part of the recovery at this time last year. “To have the Wairoa Racing Club’s big day back on in the Bay this year is pretty cool. Coming from a tenant club myself at Waipukurau, I know how important these big days are and how hard you need to work to try to get the locals to come along the road to Hastings. “I’m looking forward to a really good day on Sunday, even if it’s not the same as it used to be on their home track.” View the full article

An emerging star of New Zealand’s staying ranks has returned from a short summer break and will shoot for a pair of Group Two prizes at Ellerslie over the coming weeks. Trust In You began the season with one win to his name from 14 starts and a rating of 62. His rapid rise since then has earned him a position among the favourites for Saturday’s Gr.2 Eagle Technology Avondale Cup (2400m), along with the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) on March 9. The five-year-old Sweynesse gelding won over 1600m at Te Rapa in September, then stepped up over a middle-distance with second placings in two 2100m Rating 75 races at Pukekohe in November and early December. Trust In You went to a new level over the Christmas-New Year period, winning the $125,000 Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers’ Championship Final (2400m) on Boxing Day and backing up six days later to take out the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m). “He’s always shown us quite a bit, so we haven’t really been surprised by what he’s done this season,” Cooksley said. “He had a lot of bad luck in his last campaign – he was badly blocked probably three or four times during that season. “We always knew the ability was there, and we were very confident that he’d stay as well. I think getting him up over those longer distances has been the key.” From eight starts over 2100m or further, Trust In You has recorded two wins and three second placings. That includes victories in both of his previous two attempts at 2400m. “He was very good in those two races on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day,” Cooksley said. “We gave him a few days off after that and then brought him back up again. Everything seems fine with him leading into Saturday. “The Auckland Cup is the main target, so we’ll see what happens on Saturday and hopefully push on towards that in a few weeks’ time.” The TAB rates Trust In You an $8.50 chance for Saturday’s Avondale Cup, which makes him third favourite behind Terra Mitica ($5.50) and Mehzebeen ($7.50). The Auckland Cup market is headed by Mark Twain at $7 and equal second favourites Mary Louise and Terra Mitica at $10. Trust In You sits on a $12 quote alongside Dionysus and Mehzebeen. Wallace and Cooksley’s other runner on Saturday is the well-performed veteran Gino Severini in the Bentleys Chartered Accountants (1200m). The 10-year-old has won eight races, most recently the Gr.2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m) on November 18. Since then he has been unplaced in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2050m) on Boxing Day and a 1600m open handicap at Tauranga on January 12. “He was pushed off the track there, and the ground was also too hard for him and he came back a little bit sore,” Cooksley said. “He’s right back to 100 percent again now. “The 1200m is going to be a bit short for him on Saturday, but there’s not a heck of a lot of trials around at the moment, so he’s got to start somewhere.” View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, February 18, 2024 First Race 1pm HKT (4pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing heads back to Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon for a massive 10-race program. The rail moves out to the C+3 position, and with pristine conditions forecast across the weekend, the track should be rated a genuine Good 4. The opening race is scheduled to get underway at 1pm local time. Best Bet: Global Harmony After failing to leave the stalls in his most recent start, Global Harmony has been forced back to the barrier trials to get his manners in check. The David Hayes-trained gelding jumped perfectly in his latest piece of work at Sha Tin on February 6, leaving the gates evenly before cruising in behind California Spangle over the 1000m. When this improving five-year-old puts it all together, he can be electrifying, and provided he can replicate his winning effort two starts back, Global Harmony fits in beautifully in this Class 2 contest. Best Bet Race 8 – #11 Global Harmony (7) 5yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Zac Purton (55kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best: Lucky Fionn Lucky Fionn has drawn barrier 12 and 13 to kick off his debut campaign, and despite finishing off boldly, the gates have proven too tough to overcome. The son of Per Incanto has been forced towards the rear of the field, leaving the four-year-old with far too much work to do when turning for home. Antoine Hamelin retains the ride, and with gate four allowing him to take a prominent position this time, Lucky Fionn finally gets his chance to chalk up a maiden victory. Next Best Race 4 – #8 Lucky Fionn (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: Antoine Hamelin (57kg) Bet with Unibet Best Value: The Best Peach The Best Peach has only found one win across his 17 Hong Kong starts but has been ultra-consistent and somewhat luckless. His latest effort at this course on January 21 left the son of Twilight Son chasing a long way out in a stop-start affair over 2000m as Hugh Bowman tacked on towards the rear of the field from stall 13. A step back to 1800m shouldn’t be a concern for this guy, and if his latest barrier trial behind superstar Romantic Warrior is anything to go by, The Best Peach will be closing off best. Best Value Race 9 – #1 The Best Peach (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Tony Cruz | J: Karis Teetan (61kg) Bet with Neds Sha Tin Sunday quaddie tips – 18/2/2024 Hong Kong quadrella selections Sunday, February 18, 2024 1-2-4-5-7 2-3-5-11 1-3-4-7 2-3-4-5 Horse racing tips View the full article

Italian jockey targets consecutive H.H. The Amir Trophy (2,400m) wins in Qatar on Saturday and longs for one more chance: ‘There’s always a hope’View the full article

The punters have spoken, placing Fangirl firmly at the forefront of the Apollo Stakes 2024 at Randwick this Saturday. Multiple Group 1 winning mare Fangirl is the one to beat first-up in the 2024 Apollo Stakes field at Randwick this weekend. Photo: Steve Hart. The five-year-old Sebring mare, trained by the masterful Chris Waller, enters the Group 2 $300,000 Apollo Stakes (1400m) race as the short-priced favourite at $2.25 and firming through Ladbrokes. Fresh off a well-deserved break, Fangirl seeks to build upon her promising record last season, which included a first-up victory in the prestigious Group 1 Winx Stakes at this very track and trip. Her highlight remains her dominant win in the inaugural Group 1 King Charles III Stakes, where she effortlessly outdistanced Mr Brightside by nearly three lengths. Despite falling short in her last two starts (7th in the Cox Plate, 4th in the Champions Mile), Fangirl returns to Sydney in a field considered more manageable. With champion jockey James McDonald in the saddle, she presents a compelling case for her first win of the season. However, the challenge comes not only from seasoned rivals, but also from within Waller’s own stable. Militarize, the young Dundeel colt, aims to break a long-standing record by becoming the first three-year-old Apollo Stakes champion since 2002. Despite the historical odds stacked against him, Militarize boasts an impressive resume, including two wins at the distance and a formidable Randwick record featuring two Group 1 victories as a juvenile. Waller further strengthens his presence with two more contenders: the imported Buckaroo, who has shown promise in recent trials, and former Rosehill Guineas winner Lindermann, seeking a return to his peak form. Beyond the Waller stable, Think It Over emerges as a key contender. The seasoned eight-year-old, known for his strong first-up performances, looks to add another victory to his $7.84 million bankroll. With three Group 2 features scheduled for the 10-race Randwick card, the Apollo Stakes promises an exciting start to the autumn racing season. Can Fangirl live up to expectations and secure victory, or will another horse claim the prestigious prize? All eyes will be on Randwick Race 7 at 4:00pm (AEDT) on Saturday to find out. 2024 Apollo Stakes Field & Barriers No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 4241x6316x THINK IT OVER Kerry Parker Nash Rawiller 7 59kg 120 2 54x5213x7x CASCADIAN (GB) James Cummings Zac Lloyd (a) 9 59kg 114 3 0x77114x0x ARAPAHO (FR) Bjorn Baker Joshua Parr 3 59kg 112 4 6x143x275x BUCKAROO (GB) Chris Waller Tommy Berry 6 59kg 107 5 61141x412x ATTRACTABLE Sara Ryan Regan Bayliss 1 59kg 105 6 1222x0180x NAVAJO PEAK David Payne Jason Collett 10 59kg 103 7 1210x0488x LINDERMANN Chris Waller Tim Clark 4 59kg 102 8 227x13174x FANGIRL Chris Waller James McDonald 8 57kg 117 9 5121215×21 SEMANA Ciaron Maher Dylan Gibbons (a) 2 57kg 101 10 3011x5158x MILITARIZE (NZ) Chris Waller Kerrin McEvoy 5 55.5kg 107 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Fangirl Favoured to Lead Waller Charge in Apollo Stakes 2024 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Comeback galloper Titled strides clear to claim the City of New Plymouth Cup (1800m) on Friday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) The tireless efforts of co-trainer and part-owner Hollie Wynyard were rewarded at New Plymouth on Friday when comeback galloper Titled took out the City of New Plymouth Cup (1800m). The well-bred son of Exceed and Excel was a $500,000 yearling purchase at Karaka in 2020, and he showed early signs of living up to his pedigree and purchase price with black-type placings as a two and three-year-old. Titled finished fourth in the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1000m) at two, then ran third in the following season’s Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2000m) and was runner-up behind the next-start Group 1 winner Pinarello in the Group 2 Championship Stakes (2000m). After recording a win and a placing in two starts as a spring four-year-old, Titled suffered a tendon injury that put him on the side lines for more than a year. Nursed back to health by Wynyard along with her partner Johno Benner, Titled returned to the races with unplaced finishes at Te Rapa on December 23 and Te Aroha on January 3. A strong-finishing second at Wanganui on February 9 hinted at brighter things, and it all came together at New Plymouth on Friday. Titled settled in fifth place among the nine-horse field for jockey Craig Grylls, then drifted back coming down the side of the track and had only a couple of horses behind him at the home turn. But Grylls got him into clear air down the middle of the home straight and Titled took care of the rest, bursting to the lead with 100m remaining and then holding out the late challenge of Complicate by a long neck. Now raced by Wynyard alongside Linda Harding, Titled has had 19 starts for two wins, 10 placings and $80,667 in stakes. “He was good under the 60kg today,” Benner said. “He’s just taken a few runs to get the rust off him, but he seems to have turned the corner and he’s coming into some good form. “He’s always been very capable as we know, and he showed that today, although he knocked off a little bit once he got to the front. “Full credit has to go to Hollie. He tweaked a tendon and a couple of well-respected vets said they didn’t believe he’d race again. But she’s put a huge amount of work into rehabilitating him over a long period of time. He’s beautifully sound now, and it’s a real credit to her that he’s back racing and performing well. “It’s great that Hollie shares in the ownership now too. He’s her little pride and joy, and he’s almost become more of a pet than a racehorse. “We’re really happy to have him back racing and to get this win today, and we’ll probably just chip away with him now and see how he goes.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Sale Races Where Sale Turf Club – 1227 Maffra-Sale Rd, Sale VIC 3850 When Sunday, February 18, 2024 First Race 1:20pm AEDT Visit Dabble The Sale Turf Club is set to host a quick-fire meeting on Sunday afternoon with seven races on the card. A perfect summer’s day is forecast, the track is rated a Good 4, and the rail is out 4m for the entire circuit. The action is set to commence at 1:20pm AEDT. Best Bet at Sale: Fioreen Fioreen was a touch unlucky not to win last time out at Pakenham on February 1. Having been struck by an opponent’s whip at a key point in the home straight, the Fiorente filly did well to only go down by a head on the line. From barrier five, Zac Spain should have this girl camped off the leaders throughout, and when asked to quicken, Fioreen should have no issue in putting this race away. Best Bet Race 1 – #10 Fioreen (5) 3yo Filly | T: Phillip Stokes | J: Zac Spain (57kg) +170 with Picklebet Next Best at Sale: Adonis Kick Stevie Wonder could see that Adonis Kick should have won at Sandown on February 7. He struck plenty of interference in the final furlong and went down by a half-length, but with clear air he would’ve gone a lot better. The son of Scissor Kick steps back to a country-level BM64, and with Sheridan Clarke sticking on board and claiming 2kg, he gets in perfectly in this 2226m affair. With this set to be a genuinely run event, Clarke can stalk the leaders throughout from barrier five and then scoot on by in the final 300m. Next Best Race 6 – #1 Adonis Kick (5) 6yo Gelding | T: Peter Galagotis | J: Sheridan Clarke (a2) (60.5kg) +140 with Neds Best Value at Sale: Think Baby Resuming from a spell, the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained Think Baby looks to be a great each-way play. The three-year-old filly has chased home a couple of smart types in her career thus far, and if she can replicate her effort behind Wolfy and Basilinna in her only other Sale start, it should be enough to account for her rivals. Billy Egan will look to roll forward on the So You Think filly, and at a nice price with horse racing bookies, Think Baby looks the goods upon return. Best Value Race 2 – #12 Think Baby (9) 3yo Filly | T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman | J: Billy Egan (57kg) +700 with Playup Sunday quaddie tips for Sale races Sale quadrella selections Sunday, January 18, 2024 1-3-4 2-4-5-9 1-3 1-3-4-6-7-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Latest horse racing news View the full article

No Rain Ever will represent Bill Thurlow in Saturday’s Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Bill Thurlow has enjoyed some of his greatest successes at Ellerslie and will return to the Auckland track on Saturday with a promising filly on the rise in No Rain Ever. Thurlow tasted success on the Avondale Cup card when claiming the feature event with special mare Glory Days in 2019, before she went on to claim the Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m). Aiming for another Ellerslie feature, the Waverley horseman is preparing No Rain Ever for the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m). The three-year-old sprint was formerly run on Boxing Day, however, its new place on Avondale Cup Day has drawn a relatively fresh-faced field of gallopers chasing black-type honours, with the daughter of No Nay Never among them. No Rain Ever impressed in her juvenile campaign, splitting subsequent Group-performing fillies Tulsi and Chantilly Lace on debut, before going on to finish a creditable sixth in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). The filly broke maidens in dominant fashion when returning as a three-year-old last September, however, a set-back following the Group 2 Hawkes Bay Guineas (1400m) ruled her out for the remainder of the spring. Thurlow’s patience was rewarded when her impeccable fresh-up form line continued at Trentham on Wellington Cup Day last month when No Rain Ever showed her class when winning over 1200m in the hands of Craig Grylls. “She was very good at Trentham, she went down there off a preparation that we thought she may be a little bit raw still, but her class shone, and she got the job done,” Thurlow said. Thurlow expressed his confidence in Grylls, who is in flying form at present, and sticks aboard the filly on Saturday. “The way Craig is riding at the moment, which is extremely well, he doesn’t need many instructions, so we’ll leave it to him pretty much,” he said. “He knows this filly really well now, he’s ridden her twice for two wins and really likes her, which is always a good sign. “There’s a lot of speed in the race, especially with Merchant Queen who is very quick, so I’d imagine our filly will be two or three pairs back, but she’s got a nice strong finish on her,” he said. “It’ll be her first time going right-handed at Ellerslie, but her work has been very good since and she’s had a nice break in between races so we’re really happy with her. We think she’ll run a nice race.” Thurlow had originally hoped No Rain Ever would follow in her dam’s footsteps in chasing the three-year-old distance features, with the talented November Rain narrowly missing top honours in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) in 2010, finishing second under the care of Richard Collett. “Originally, we were going to push her out over ground and aim for something like the Oaks, but it just all came to soon, so we’ve just stuck with the sprinting game for the moment,” Thurlow said. “If she comes through the race well on Saturday, it’ll leave our options open either way. She’s quite a talented filly so there are plenty of options for her, whether that possibly is in Australia as there’s not a huge amount left for her here this season.” Thurlow will also line-up Field Of Gold in the Victoria Racing Club 1500, the Starsplangedbanner five-year-old returning to the meeting where he claimed the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) two years ago when prepared by Tony Pike. Also a Group 1-placegetter at three, Field Of Gold will have his second raceday appearance for Thurlow, after not taking a liking to the tough conditions at New Plymouth fresh-up earlier this month. “He’s been with us for a little while now, he had a bit of a setback, but he’s done everything right since then,” Thurlow said. “We were a little bit disappointed with his fresh-up start, albeit the track was very heavy which he doesn’t like, and he got back in the field. “He’s an Open horse, and there’s not that many races that suit him, so he had to go up there. He might just need the run tomorrow.” Thurlow elected to trial Field Of Gold on Tuesday at Foxton as a final preparation, which resulted in a comfortable victory over 1200m under Grylls, who takes the reins on Saturday. “He trialled well,” Thurlow said. “Instead of taking the risk and going straight to Ellerslie, we just thought we’d give him the hit-out on Tuesday and make sure he’s where we want him to be heading to the races.” Thurlow’s attention will return to the Central Districts on Sunday, with Whangaehu contesting the Wairoa Cup (2100m) at Hastings. The Proisir gelding spent much of his career across the Tasman with Chris Waller and returned to New Zealand on a winning note in December. He has produced two creditable performances since, most recently when stepping up to 2000m at New Plymouth earlier this month. “We thought his last start was possibly a little bit flat, we thought perhaps he should’ve been winning that race, but the locals on a heavy track at New Plymouth are very hard to beat so he did well,” Thurlow said. “This is probably the right race for him, we think he’ll run well but we’re still not 100 percent sure if he’s an out-and-out stayer, so we’ll know a lot more after Sunday. The track will be good, which will give us a good line on him.” Thurlow has engaged the services of Per-Anders Graberg, who will ride the five-year-old at the 54kg minimum on Sunday. “I haven’t met him (Graberg) yet, but he’s got a lot of experience and ridden over 2000 winners so he knows this game, and can ride at 54kg,” Thurlow said. Horse racing news View the full article

Pep Torque will contest the Wairoa Cup (2100m) on Sunday at Hastings. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Now 10 years old and with 90 starts under his belt across seven seasons of racing, the remarkable Pep Torque is showing no signs of slowing down. The Nadeem gelding will shoot for the 11th win of his career when he contests Sunday’s Wairoa Cup (2100m) at Hastings. This will be the second Wairoa Cup start for Pep Torque, who ran third behind He No Opilio and Felaar in the 2021 edition of the historic Hawke’s Bay feature. Pep Torque has added another three wins to his record since then, headed by the Listed Feilding Gold Cup (2100m) in October of 2022 and a placing in the Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m) at Matamata. Although he has yet to win in his 10-year-old season, Pep Torque has placed in four of his nine starts including all of his last three. In his first three races with apprentice jockey Ace Lawson-Carroll in the saddle, Pep Torque has run third behind Mehzebeen in the Taupo Cup (2000m), third to Coruba Jak at Tauranga and a last-start second at Matamata behind leading Group 2 Avondale Cup (2400m) contender Terra Mitica. Lawson-Carroll retains the mount again on Sunday, reducing Pep Torque’s topweight from 60kg to 57kg. “He’s such an honest old bugger,” trainer and part-owner Kirsty Lawrence said. “If every horse in the stable was like him, life would be easy. “He just loves his racing and we’ve got a great group of owners involved with him, including Susan (Best) who works for me and a couple of other really good people that we’ve known for a long time. “He doesn’t know he’s a 10-year-old. He was rearing in his paddock this morning. I’ve been lucky that he’s been so sound all the way through his career, and it’s just been a matter of looking after him and keeping him happy. “Everything’s gone well with him leading into Sunday. The only problem for him is the lack of strength in our staying ranks at the moment. We had that placing at Matamata last start, where he picked up another three rating points, and we’re going straight from 51kg last start to 57kg after the claim on Sunday. He’s been a good horse and has earned that weight, but it’s much harder to get rid of rating points than it is to pick them up. Claiming is definitely the go with him.” Fortunately for Lawrence, Pep Torque has shown a real affinity for apprentice riders. “He’s such a good horse for the apprentices,” Lawrence said. “If you go through his record, only two of his wins have been with senior jockeys. Alysha Collett rode him in his maiden win, and then Kate Hercock won the Fielding Gold Cup on him. All of his other wins have been for apprentices. “Ace has ridden him really well in his last few races, and Ciel Butler won a race on him last season and look where she’s got to now. He just seems to be a really neat horse to ride for apprentices that are coming through.” Sunday marks the Wairoa Cup’s welcome return to Hawke’s Bay after last year’s edition was relocated due to the devastating effects of Cyclone Gabrielle. “It’s a bit weird looking back to what happened last year,” Lawrence said. “I had a look the other day to see who ran in last year’s Wairoa Cup, and it was only then that I remembered the race ended up being moved to New Plymouth. “It was a horrible ordeal for Hawke’s Bay, and I saw a lot of that with the things I had do as part of the recovery at this time last year. “To have the Wairoa Racing Club’s big day back on in the Bay this year is pretty cool. Coming from a tenant club myself at Waipukurau, I know how important these big days are and how hard you need to work to try to get the locals to come along the road to Hastings. “I’m looking forward to a really good day on Sunday, even if it’s not the same as it used to be on their home track.” Horse racing news View the full article

Trust In You will contest Saturday’s Group 2 Avondale Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) An emerging star of New Zealand’s staying ranks has returned from a short summer break and will shoot for a pair of Group 2 prizes at Ellerslie over the coming weeks. Trust In You began the season with one win to his name from 14 starts and a rating of 62. His rapid rise since then has earned him a position among the favourites for Saturday’s Group 2 Avondale Cup (2400m), along with the Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) on March 9. The five-year-old Sweynesse gelding won over 1600m at Te Rapa in September, then stepped up over a middle-distance with second placings in two 2100m Rating 75 races at Pukekohe in November and early December. Trust In You went to a new level over the Christmas-New Year period, winning the $125,000 Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers’ Championship Final (2400m) on Boxing Day and backing up six days later to take out the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m). “He’s always shown us quite a bit, so we haven’t really been surprised by what he’s done this season,” Cooksley said. “He had a lot of bad luck in his last campaign – he was badly blocked probably three or four times during that season. “We always knew the ability was there, and we were very confident that he’d stay as well. I think getting him up over those longer distances has been the key.” From eight starts over 2100m or further, Trust In You has recorded two wins and three second placings. That includes victories in both of his previous two attempts at 2400m. “He was very good in those two races on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day,” Cooksley said. “We gave him a few days off after that and then brought him back up again. Everything seems fine with him leading into Saturday. “The Auckland Cup is the main target, so we’ll see what happens on Saturday and hopefully push on towards that in a few weeks’ time.” Bookmakers rate Trust In You an $8.50 chance for Saturday’s Avondale Cup, which makes him third favourite behind Terra Mitica ($5.50) and Mehzebeen ($7.50). The Auckland Cup market is headed by Mark Twain at $7 and equal second favourites Mary Louise and Terra Mitica at $10. Trust In You sits on a $12 quote alongside Dionysus and Mehzebeen. Wallace and Cooksley’s other runner on Saturday is the well-performed veteran Gino Severini in the Bentleys Chartered Accountants (1200m). The 10-year-old has won eight races, most recently the Group 2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m) on November 18. Since then he has been unplaced in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2050m) on Boxing Day and a 1600m open handicap at Tauranga on January 12. “He was pushed off the track there, and the ground was also too hard for him and he came back a little bit sore,” Cooksley said. “He’s right back to 100 percent again now. “The 1200m is going to be a bit short for him on Saturday, but there’s not a heck of a lot of trials around at the moment, so he’s got to start somewhere.” Horse racing news View the full article

Alice Springs trainer Carrol Hunter with her late partner Ken Rogerson, who enjoyed a highly successful training career in New Zealand, Victoria and the NT. After celebrating the life of her late partner Ken Rogerson on Wednesday night, Alice Springs trainer Carrol Hunter is hoping for success at Pioneer Park on Saturday. Desert Lass, a seven-year-old mare, lines up in the Alice Springs Turf Club’s feature race – an open handicap over 1200m – which features last year’s Pioneer Sprint winner, Supreme Attraction. The daughter of Rock Hero, who has had success over 1200m in the past, returns after a five-month spell and might find her rivals too speedy. Alice Springs racing tips & quaddie picks – Saturday, February 17 However, Desert Lass is renowned for her competitiveness, unpredictability and versatility. After finishing sixth in the Darwin Cup (2050m) last August, the mare won at Pioneer Park three weeks later over 1400m (BM66) before finishing a narrow second in open company over 1400m in late September. Rogerson, who hails from New Zealand, made a serious impact in Victoria before relocating to the Red Centre in 1993. He won seven races as the trainer of What A Nuisance before the horse moved to the Joh Meagher stable, going on to win the 1985 Melbourne Cup. Champion NT sprinter The Soldier, who regularly carried big weights to victory in the NT and was victorious over 1000m at Flemington in December 2011, was also trained by Rogerson. Rogerson, 78, passed away from a long illness on January 20 having retired from training in 2021. During the week, the NT racing fraternity and friends gathered at Pioneer Park to celebrate Rogerson’s life. “I’ve been in touch with Carrol quite a bit lately, she seems positive, and it’s great she will have a runner on Saturday,” fellow Alice Springs trainer Greg Connor said. “On Wednesday night, we had a function at the Turf Club in honour of Ken. “Huge numbers attended and there were some interesting stories throughout the night. “There were a lot of people who came down from Darwin and a few visitors from down south. “It was a good night, a positive night – it was all about Ken. “When Lisa Whittle moved back to South Australia last year, Carrol finished up with Desert Lass. “She’s had a great run with it – two wins, four seconds and a third from 11 starts. “The mare has gone well in Alice and has also raced well in Darwin — it handles both tracks. “(She’s) a good horse for around here with the 1400m and mile races, she’s more than competitive.” ASTC chairman Andrew Maloney also agreed that it will be good to see Hunter start Desert Lass this weekend. “We had Ken’s wake on Wednesday night, it was a good send off,” he said. “A number of people such as Gary Clarke, Garry Lefoe and Wayne Davis all came down from Darwin, which was good to see. “Lot of funny stories and very much a celebration of Ken’s life. “Carrol was in good spirits, but of course she misses him. “It will be exciting for Carrol to have Desert Lass step out again. “She’s not too bad first up, but she’ll obviously improve no matter what she does on Saturday. “I would imagine that her destiny would end up being the Cup once again on April 7.” Horse racing news View the full article

Trainer Ricky Yiu confirms World Cup night at Meydan is very much on the cards for his stable starView the full article

What Alice Springs Races Where Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Highway, Connellan NT 0870 When Saturday, February 17, 2024 First Race 1:37pm ACST Visit Dabble There will be 53 horses on deck for the six-race meeting at Alice Springs this Saturday, with last year’s Pioneer Sprint winner, Supreme Attraction, lining up in an open handicap over 1200m. Up to 16mm of rain fell in the Red Centre earlier in the week, with hot and sunny conditions predicted for the rest of the week. The rail will be in the true position and it will be a good dirt surface. BEST BET: FLYING YISHU Flying Yishu returns after three months in the paddock, but in six starts since arriving in Central Australia he has made a huge impression. The four-year-old gelding was a last-start winner over 1400m in November and boasts a win and a third when returning from a spell. After winning an 1100m maiden on his Alice Springs debut last July, the son of Flying Artie backed up two weeks later to post a narrow win over 1400m. Flying Yishu finished second in his next three starts from 1100-1200m, which included going down twice to the talented Red Wraith. Despite jumping from the outside gate and stepping up in class, the former Victorian galloper will benefit from a 3kg claim. Best Bet Race 5 – #2 Flying Yishu (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Greg Connor | J: Lek Maloney (a3) (59.5kg) Bet with Unibet NEXT BEST BET: SUPREME ATTRACTION After finishing sixth in the Palmerston Sprint (1200m) in Darwin last August, Supreme Attraction had five months off before returning last month. The eight-year-old gelding was no match for Throw At Da Stumps when second over 1000m on January 6 before coming second behind Mighty Murt over 1200m three weeks ago. That latest effort suggested he could be getting back to his best form. The Pioneer Sprint winner carries a lot less weight on Saturday after lumping 62.5kg and 61.5kg in his previous two starts. Best Bet Race 1 – #1 Supreme Attraction (2) 8yo Gelding | T: Terry Gillett | J: Dylan Stanley (a3) (62.5kg) Bet with Neds BEST VALUE BET: VITESSE BREEZE In his first 32 starts, Vitesse Breeze had only raced beyond 1300m. That resulted in one win for the six-year-old gelding in a 1600m maiden on the Pakenham synthetic surface in August 2021. Arriving in the NT last March, the son of Bullet Train had nine starts for three minor placings before debuting over 1200m on January 6. Vitesse Breeze saluted narrowly in 0-58 grade that day before putting Class 2 opposition to the sword over 1200m a week later. Had he not been held up at a critical stage in the home straight three weeks ago over 1200m, he would have gone close to winning that race too. Best Value Race 2 – #5 Vitesse Breeze (4) 6yo Gelding | T: Greg Connor | J: Casey Hunter (58.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Alice Springs Saturday quaddie tips – Feb 17, 2024 Alice Springs quadrella selections Saturday, February 17, 2024 1-2-3-4-6 3-5-7-10 2-3 1-2 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

The mighty Imperatriz returns to Flemington on Saturday, aiming to extend her dominance and claim her ninth Group 1 victory in the prestigious Black Caviar Lightning 2024. Imperatriz is the one to beat again first-up in Flemington’s 2024 Black Caviar Lightning field. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. The Kiwi superstar heads a field of eight in the $1 million sprint, with Ladbrokes placing her firmly as the odds-on favorite at $1.90. Fresh from an impressive spring campaign where she conquered Melbourne with four consecutive wins, including Group 1 triumphs in the Moir, Manikato, and Champions Sprint, Imperatriz boasts an imposing first-up record and proven track credentials. Drawn ideally in barrier two with champion jockey Opie Bosson in the saddle, she appears almost unstoppable. However, three challengers lurk under double-figure odds, offering the potential for an upset. Joe Pride‘s Private Eye ($5) emerges as the primary threat, seeking redemption after placing second in the Giga Kick Stakes behind Bella Nipotina in the spring. He returns to Flemington for the first time since a narrow defeat in last year’s Newmarket Handicap. Ciaron Maher‘s impressive mare Bella Nipotina ($7), winner of the Giga Kick Stakes, and the consistent I Am Unstoppable ($7), trained by Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans, also warrant close attention. One interesting storyline unfolds with I Am Unstoppable, aiming to become the third consecutive three-year-old to conquer the Black Caviar Lightning, following in the footsteps of Home Affairs (2022) and Coolangatta (2023). Though yet to win at Flemington, his three runner-up finishes at the track display his potential. All eyes will be on Flemington Race 8 at 4:15pm (AEDT) on Saturday as Imperatriz seeks to further etch her name in racing history. Will she add another chapter to her incredible legacy, or will one of the challengers rise to the occasion and cause a major upset? 2024 Black Caviar Lighting Field & Barriers No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 7x405x132x PRIVATE EYE Joseph Pride Blake Shinn 8 58.5kg 115 2 x062725x95 THE ASTROLOGIST Leon & Troy Corstens Luke Currie 7 58.5kg 104 3 236x33315x BELLA NIPOTINA Ciaron Maher Craig Williams 6 56.5kg 114 4 1121x1111x IMPERATRIZ Mark Walker Opie Bosson 2 56.5kg 119 5 117x21714x ESPIONA Chris Waller Michael Dee 4 56.5kg 112 6 x1135x3534 RICH FORTUNE Jerome Hunter Mark Zahra 1 56.5kg 84 7 127x11350x CYLINDER James Cummings Damian Lane 5 55.5kg 107 8 11x3222x I AM UNSTOPPABLE Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans Ms Jamie Kah 3 55.5kg 100 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Imperatriz Seeks Ninth Group 1 Glory in Black Caviar Lightning 2024 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

What Apollo Stakes Day Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, February 17, 2024 First Race 12:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble NSW racing returns to Randwick on Saturday afternoon for a blockbuster 10-race program. There is black-type racing scattered all over the card, with the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) luring a quality field of nine returning stars. The rail is out +4m for the entire circuit, and with some minor showers predicted in the lead-up, the surface should be no worse than a Soft 5 or 6 prior to the opening event at 12:30pm AEDT. Group 2 Expressway Stakes: Buenos Noches Buenos Noches returns after a 98-day spell in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) and brings some elite form in from his last campaign. The son of Supido was far from disgraced in The Everest (1200m) on October 14 before heading down south to contest the Group 1 VRC Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on November 11, only being held out by a superstar in Imperatriz. He took out the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) at this track and trip on resumption last season, and with two tick-over trials winding him up for this event, watch for Buenos Noches to be launching late. Expressway Stakes Race 5 – #4 Buenos Noches (6) 4yo Horse | T: Matthew Smith | J: Nash Rawiller (56.5kg) +100 with Bet365 Group 3 Triscay Stakes: Semana Semana will be looking to continue her impressive rise through the grades as she tackles the Group 3 Triscay Stakes (1200m) for the fillies and mares. The four-year-old flashed home to score an eye-catching win in the Listed Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast on January 13, taking home the $1 million prize despite a torrid run in transit. She heads into this contest third-up with a fitness edge on some key rivals, and with this seemingly a perfect opportunity to add some black type to the resume, Semana appears well placed by the Ciaron Maher stable. Triscay Stakes Race 6 – #2 Semana (5) 4yo Mare | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Jason Collett (57.5kg) +280 with Neds Group 2 Apollo Stakes: Buckaroo All nine of the runners in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) are first-up, and it’s worth giving Buckaroo a chance heading into his second Australian campaign. He was only even in his two starts last preparation, unable to bother the judge in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick before showing improvement at Flemington in the Group 1 Champion Stakes (2000m) on November 11. His trials give the impression the European import has settled much better ahead of this prep, and with Tommy Berry electing to stick on the back of those jump-outs, Buckaroo can produce a bold showing in the Apollo Stakes. Apollo Stakes Race 7 – #4 Buckaroo (6) 5yo Horse | T: Chris Waller | J: Tommy Berry (59kg) +550 with Unibet Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes: Learning To Fly Learning To Fly returns after almost a full calendar year off the scene and takes on the girls in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m). The Coolmore filly was the long-standing favourite for the 2023 Golden Slipper, but jockey Chad Schofield was dislodged in the middle stages, leaving the now three-year-old on the mend. It’s clearly been a challenge for the Annabel Neasham barn to get the daughter of Justify back to the races sound, but with two impressive barrier trials giving the impression she’s ready to go, Learning To Fly’s best is good enough to win this first-up. Light Fingers Stakes Race 8 – #3 Learning To Fly (12) 3yo Filly | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Chad Schofield (56kg) +300 with PlayUp Best Bet at Randwick: Redstone Well Redstone Well is third-up since arriving at the Annabel Nesham barn and doesn’t look far off a peak performance. The son of Cotai Glory savaged the line on his debut at Randwick on January 6, where the 1400m proved too sharp for this European import, before getting to the mile as Glory Daze bolted away by 2.3 lengths. This lightly raced five-year-old was clearly the best of the rest on that occasion, working through the line with some impressive closing sectionals. He should be able to sit much closer this time from barrier seven, and with the help of star hoop James McDonald in the saddle, Redstone Well can go one better. Best Bet Race 9 – #7 Redstone Well (7) 5yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham | J: James McDonald (57kg) +320 with Picklebet Best Value at Randwick: Fly Fly Fly Fly makes her debut in the Listed Pierro Plate (1100m) to kick off proceedings at Randwick and looks a lively each-way chance with online bookmakers. The Hawkes-trained filly has won both her barrier trials stylishly, with the latest catching the eye as the daughter of Trapeze Artist was urged to score under Zac Lloyd at Rosehill on February 5. The stable has great confidence sending her to such a quality race to take on the likes of Switzerland and Shangri La Express, and with gate one to help her, Fly Fly is worth a pop at good odds. Best Value Race 1 – #8 Fly Fly (1) 2yo Filly | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Zac Lloyd (54kg) +1600 with Dabble Randwick Saturday quaddie tips – 17/2/2024 Randwick quadrella selections Saturday, February 17, 2024 1-4-8-10 1-2-3-4-9 3-5-7-10-12 3-6-8-9-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Edited Press Release The Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association will run 23 stakes at Pennsylvania tracks throughout 2024, including five for PA-Sired, PA-Bred runners. 2-year-olds will have added opportunities, as the PA-Sired, PA-Bred Stallion Series returns in its third year with four stakes worth $400,000. The Series will continue into 2025 with races for 3-year-olds, with a $50,000 breeder bonus paid out to the top three point-earning horses after the third leg. The first of 23 stakes with purses of $100,000 will be run April 22 at Parx Racing: the Unique Bella for fillies and mares, and the Page McKenney H., each at seven furlongs for older horses. Penn National will host two $100,000 stakes on its Penn Mile card Friday, May 31–on the turf for older horses. State-bred stakes action continues at Parx and Presque Isle Downs throughout the summer, with the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association's signature event, Pennsylvania's Day at the Races, to be held Aug. 26 at Parx. Four $100,000 stakes are on the card that celebrates state-bred runners. Kicking off the PA-Sired, PA-Bred Stallion Series are the Whistle Pig and Miss Blue Tye Dye (the latter for fillies), both worth $100,000 and run at a distance of six furlongs. They are among the four state-bred stakes offered on Pennsylvania Derby Day Sept. 21 at Parx. Presque Isle Downs will host five $100,000 Pennsylvania-bred stakes starting in July and two for juveniles on back-to-back weeks in October. The $100,000 Shamrock Rose S. for juvenile fillies will once again be run on Thanksgiving Eve at Penn National in November, followed by the $100,000 Pennsylvania Nursery at Parx one week later. Over a five-week span at the end of the year, $400,000 in purses for juveniles is up for grabs as the PA-Sired PA-Bred Stallion Series continues Dec. 30. The $100,000 Wait For It S. and $100,000 Miss Behaviour S. (for fillies) will be contested at seven furlongs. View the complete list here. The post PA Horse Breeders Association To Host 23 State-Bred Stakes In 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock has purchased 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint champion Caravel (Mizzen Mast) in a private sale conducted early in 2024. Resolute's breeding director Chelsey Stone said the 7-year-old mare will visit Juddmonte's champion sire Frankel (GB) in 2024. Bred and initially campaigned and trained by Elizabeth Merryman, Caravel earned nearly $2 million and amassed 15 career victories. In addition to her Breeders' Cup score, she earned a second Grade I win in the 2023 Jaipur S. In her final career start at the 2023 Breeders' Cup, the mare was campaigned by the ownership group of Qatar Racing, Madaket Stables and Marc Detampel. She then RNA'd for $2.4 million at the Keeneland November Sale. “Chelsey and I are were surprised to find out that both Puca (Big Brown) and Caravel had RNA'd,” Stewart said. “We ended up purchasing Puca that night and the idea of having Caravel too haunted me all year. After the first of the year when we heard Caravel was going to be at Fasig-Tipton in November of 2024, we reached out and were able to purchase her in a private sale. We couldn't be happier to have her joining the other mares on our farm.” Stone said that Caravel will depart from Resolute Farm in early March to visit Frankel. She will be bred back to a stallion in Europe after she foals there and then return to Kentucky next year. “John and I visited Frankel just last week at Juddmonte and we are very excited to send her to him,” said Stone. “He's big-boned and the shoulder and hip on him is just so impressive. He's every bit of what he's been hyped up to and we are more than thrilled.” Resolute Farm has also been in the news as of late with the announcement of the retirement of champion female sprinter Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper), who will visit Taylor Made's Not This Time in 2024. The post Resolute Bloodstock Purchases Caravel, To Visit Frankel in 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Friday, February 16 promises an exciting day of horse racing with six meetings scheduled across Australia. Our dedicated team of racing analysts at horsebetting.com.au has curated the top bets and provided quaddie numbers specifically for the upcoming Canterbury & Moonee Valley. Friday Racing Tips – February 16, 2024 Canterbury Racing Tips Moonee Valley Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For February 16, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $37.42 odds return: Friday, February 16, 2024 Canterbury – Race 2 #3 Gaylord Canterbury – Race 3 #6 Zarrose Moonee Valley – Race 5 #1 Dubai Moon | Copy this bet straight to your betslip For avid Australian racing fans, numerous promotions await your exploration. Be sure to peruse the offerings from top online bookmakers, as daily promotions can enhance your horse racing experience. If you’re in search of a new bookmaker to elevate your horse racing ventures on February 16, 2024, consult our comprehensive guide to the finest online racing betting sites. We’re committed to keeping you informed and enhancing your horse racing betting journey. Horse racing tips View the full article

Francis Lui celebrates the 900-win milestone. Francis Lui has become only the sixth trainer to produce 900 wins in Hong Kong after a Happy Valley treble on Thursday night left the veteran horseman clasping ambitions of landing the 2023/24 Hong Kong trainers’ championship. Lui, 65, joins John Moore (1,735 wins), John Size (1,523), Tony Cruz (1,485) Caspar Fownes (1,092) and Ricky Yiu (986) as the only Hong Kong-based trainers to post 900 wins or more after General Ace, Joy Coming and Golden Empire struck for the quietly-spoken handler. “Tonight is a bit of a surprise but, as a trainer, you want more and more winners. I have proved to myself that I can train. I want to train as many winners as I can still,” Lui said. “I just want to keep going.” Famed for his association with Hong Kong superstar Golden Sixty, Lui was typically humble on reaching the milestone as he reflected on his stable champion’s record-breaking accomplishments. “It’s not easy to find such a horse – Golden Sixty is the horse of a lifetime,” he said. Runner-up last season to 12-time champion Size with 67 wins, Lui boosted his tally this term to 35 wins after 46 meetings to trail only Pierre Ng (47) with his three-timer. “I’m a bit surprised (by the treble),” he said before addressing the championship. “I’ll keep going and I hope I can (win), of course.” Keagan De Melo slotted the first winner of Lui’s winners when General Ace steamed from the tail of the field to win before De Melo’s fellow South African Lyle Hewitson chimed in with a race-to-race double for Lui. Hewitson prevailed with Joy Coming, who covered plenty of ground before snaring the second section of the Class 4 Tsun Yip Handicap (1200m), before giving Golden Empire a rails-hugging run behind the leaders to clinch the second section of the Class 3 Mut Wah Handicap (1200m). Zac Purton and Size continued a flourishing partnership when A Americ Te Specso steamed to victory in the Class 3 Volunteers’ Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m). Slotting his fourth win, the Per Incanto gelding gave Purton and Size their 12th win in tandem this season. Fownes teamed with Alexis Badel to snare the Class 3 Yue Man Handicap (1800m) with Noble Pursuit, who delivered a quality performance in the card finale after Super Eagle’s triumph in the first section of the Class 4 Tsun Yip Handicap (1200m) under Karis Teetan provided Chris So with extra satisfaction after the five-year-old ended an exasperating run of minor placings this season – five seconds and three thirds – with deserved breakthrough success. A dual winner in Australia where he was known as Wish Master, Super Eagle had racked up six seconds and four third placings from 22 previous Hong Kong attempts. “Finally. It’s just good for (owner) Mr Leung. Every time he’s chasing me asking ‘When, when, when?’ The horse is honest but just no luck,” So said. “But he’s an honest horse and we’ll keep trying. After the win, maybe we’ll give him a small break and bring him back.” Douglas Whyte laid down a positive marker ahead of Russian Emperor’s tilt at the G3 H.H. The Amir Trophy in Doha on Saturday (17 February) when Harmony Fire blazed to an impressive win in the Class 4 Hoi Yuen under Ellis Wong. Clocking 57.27s, Harmony Fire posted his fourth win over the course and distance with his first victory since June, 2021. “It gives the yard and myself a bit of a boost. You always worry when you leave the stable and step away for a couple of days,” Whyte said from Qatar. “I’ve got a good team behind me and it’s nice to get a winner under the belt while I’m away. It will give them a bit of confidence as well.” Extending impressive form from the Chinese New Year Raceday on Monday, Brenton Avdulla struck with Danny Shum’s Charity Bingo in the second section of the Class 4 Wai Yip Handicap (1650m). Unplaced in his first nine Hong Kong starts, Charity Bingo appreciated the strong tempo in adding to the three wins he scored in Great Britain, where he raced as Tyrone’s Poppy for Tim Easterby. Angus Chung continued his strong season, notching his 28th win for the term, with a brilliant front-running ride on Dennis Yip-trained Cordyceps One in the first section of the Wai Yip Handicap (1650m). Allowed to stride through the first 400m in a leisurely 29.20s, Chung gradually upped the tempo before easily holding off Brave Witness and Joyful Prosperity. Horse racing news View the full article

Horse racing bookmakers have unveiled an array of enticing racing promotions for Friday, February 16. Among the highlights are multiple generous bonus back offers that add an extra layer of excitement to your horse racing experience. Explore these free promotions from top online bookmakers to make the most of your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for February 16, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Moonee Valley Races 1 & 2 Bonus Back 2nd or 3rd Back a runner in races 1 & 2 at Moonee Valley this Friday and if it runs 2nd or 3rd get up to $50 in Bonus Cash. Fixed Win bets only. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Moonee Valley Races 1-4 Bonus Back 2nd & 3rd Get your stake back in bonus bets. Limits apply. General T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Canterbury & Moonee Valley All Races – 25% Boosted Winnings Paid in Bonus Cash. First Fixed Win Cash Bet. Max Bonus $250. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo Place a 4+ leg multi, if one leg fails Bonus Back up to $50 Applies to your first eligible 4+ leg multi each day. Paid in Bonus Cash Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Friday Bonus Back 2nd ALL RACES at Moonee Valley Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Promotional Limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed Odds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo Friday Best Tote Exotics ALL RACES at Canterbury & Moonee Valley Includes Quaddies, Quinellas, Exactas, Trifectas & First 4s T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au has meticulously assessed the premier horse racing bookmakers in Australia, unveiling exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions and specials tailored for Friday, February 16, 2024. These horse racing promotions are a consistent feature, underscoring the unwavering commitment of Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers. In the world of horse racing betting, if one bookmaker isn’t currently running a promotion, rest assured that another is making the most out of promotional offers. Your ultimate resource for the most lucrative horse racing bookmaker bonuses every day is HorseBetting.com.au. Gain the most value out of your punting endeavours by leveraging bookie bonuses, accompanied by the most competitive horse racing odds available for each race. It’s crucial to note that these thoroughbred racing promotion offers are exclusively designed for existing customers. To access these special promotions and claim the bookmaker’s offers, simply log in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For those on the lookout for races and horses to optimise their horse betting bookmaker bonus bets, HorseBetting provides a valuable resource with its daily free racing tips. Horse racing promotions View the full article