Wandering Eyes

Sunday Racing's Queen's Walk (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) rallied to victory in the 1600-metre G3 Daily Hai Queen Cup in Tokyo on Saturday. She was just a neck to the good of Epiphaneia (Jpn)'s Arsenaal (Jpn). Stranded widest of all when breaking from gate 13, the filly soon perched well off the inside third from the rear as Morino Red Star (Jpn) (Declaration Of War) set a solid pace on the front end through an opening quarter in :23.80 and a half-mile in :47.10. Sweeping out into the centre of the course for the stretch drive, Queen's Walk unleashed a sustained closing move to reel in Morino Red Star. Rouge Suerte (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), located dead last for the majority of the contest, also produced a strong closing kick even wider on the course, and, at one point, appeared to be the eventual winner's main danger. Arsenaal, much nearer the front end with a stalking trip, also had plenty left in the lane and her finishing burst carried her just a neck short of Queen's Walk at the line. Rouge Suerte's bid flattened out in the final 50 metres and she made do with third, another 1 1/4 lengths behind the top pair. Second on debut versus Kyoto newcombers over 1800 metres in November, the dark bay won going that trip at Hanshin on Dec. 23. Saturday was her 3-year-old bow. Pedigree Notes The Japanese Champion 3-Year-Old Colt when he won the G1 Japanese Derby in 2013, Kizuna has now sired 26 stakes winners. His best runners to date have been the dual champion Songline (Jpn) and G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Akai Ito (Jpn). His total group winners have increased to 14 with Queen's Walk's victory. Queen's Walk is a half-sister to G1 Asahi Hai Futurity S. hero Grenadier Guards (Jpn) (Frankel {GB}) (click here for Emma Berry's piece on Frankel's growing influence in Japan), who won the G2 Hanshin Cup and was also third in the G1 NHK Mile Cup. Their dam, the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint heroine Wavell Avenue (Harlington), is also the dam of the winning Astrophyllite (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), 3-year-old filly Sopers Lane (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), and a juvenile filly by the late Duramente (Jpn). She was bred to Lord Kanaloa's champion 3-year-old colt and G1 Japanese 2000 Guineas winner Saturnalia (Jpn) last spring. Saturday, Tokyo, Japan DAILY HAI QUEEN CUP-G3, ¥72,660,000, Tokyo, 2-10, 3yo, f, 1600mT, 1:33.10, fm. 1–QUEEN'S WALK (JPN), 121, f, 3, by Kizuna (Jpn) 1st Dam: Wavell Avenue (GISW-US, $1,190,008), by Harlington 2nd Dam: Lucas Street, by Silver Deputy 3rd Dam: Ruby Park, by Bold Ruckus 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Mitsumasa Nakauchida; J-Yuga Kawada; ¥38,462,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, ¥46,862,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Arsenaal (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Epiphaneia (Jpn)–Sambre et Meuse (Jpn), by Daiwa Major (Jpn). 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥15,132,000. 3–Rouge Suerte (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Heart's Cry (Jpn)–Ryzhkina (Ire), by Storm Cat. 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Tokyo Horse Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥9,566,000. Margins: NK, 1 1/4, 1. Odds: 2.10, 3.30, 4.20. Also Ran: Success Calla (Jpn), Morino Red Star (Jpn), Sunset View (Jpn), Teleos Sarah (Jpn), Cosmo Dinner (Jpn), Safira (Jpn), Karenna Otome (Jpn), Rouge Salinas (Jpn), Bright Again, Gabby's Sister (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Kizuna’s Queen’s Walk Rallies To Victory At Tokyo appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Unbelievable (Justify), a full-brother to the undefeated Cartier champion 2-year-old colt City of Troy and a veteran of five European starts when racing as Bertinelli for Coolmore and Aidan O'Brien, will become his boom sire's first starter in Hong Kong in the Class 3 Red Packet H. (1600m) at Monday's Chinese New Year meeting at Sha Tin Racecourse. A son of G1 Fillies' Mile winner Together Forever (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), also the dam of Group 3 winner Military Style (War Front) as well as the latter's full-brothers–the Group 2-placed Absolute Ruler and the listed-placed King of Athens–Unbelievable won his maiden over the Dundalk all-weather in the second of two juvenile appearances last November. A first-up second over a mile and two furlongs at Cork last April, the colt validated 9-2 second favoritism in the London Gold Cup H. at Newbury the following month and was last seen finishing third to subsequent Group 3 winner and G1 St Leger third Desert Hero (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the King George V. S. (Hcp.) at Royal Ascot June 22. Unbelievable is under the care of trainer Frankie Lor, a former assistant to top conditioners John Moore and John Size and Hong Kong's champion trainer during the 2021/2022 season. He has had a pair of barrier trials, including a running-on fifth Jan. 30 (video) going 1200 meters over the 'all-weather' track, but Lor told the HKJC's Nick Child that preparations have not been entirely straight-forward. “I wanted to trial him in early December, but he had a temperature, so I had to wait a little bit,” Lor said. “Of course, the trial was a bit short for him, so that's why we start him over 1600 meters, but more ground later on.” Unbelievable will race in the colors of the Frankie Lor Fu Chuen Trainer Syndicate and would have been imported with the hopes of making the gate for Hong Kong's richest domestic prize, the HK$26-million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) Mar. 24. Monday's race is clearly a jumping-off point, but Lor is hopeful that Unbelievable will do enough between now and then to earn a berth in the field. “You can see his form is over 200 meters and further, but he's rated 80, so if he can pick up a few points, hopefully he can get into the Derby,” he said. Unbelievable has drawn gate one in a field of 14 in the ninth race of the program at 4:40 p.m. local time. Derek Leung has the riding assignment. Unbelievable is one of four sons of Justify currently registered in Hong Kong. The others are Pray For Mir (Aus) (ex Javaja), an A$950,000 Inglis Easter yearling who was perfect in two starts at the Sunshine Coast in Australia prior to his import; Call Me Supreme (Aus); and Miles Away (Aus), a son of SW & GISP Stopshoppingmaria (More Than Ready), who has also produced SW/GSP Mo Shopping (Uncle Mo) and MGSW Always Shopping (Awesome Again). The post City of Troy Full-Brother A First Hong Kong Starter For Justify appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Driver Ricky May admits Sunday’s $20,000 Garrards House And Hound Horotata Cup may not be the ideal comeback race for Jimmy James Maguire. But compared with what happened the last time he tried to go to the races the 3000m standing start at Methven will seem like a picnic. Jimmy James Maguire is having his first start since finishing eighth of nine in the Green Mile at Methven in early December, having been sixth to Don’t Stop Dreaming and Merlin in the Junior Free-For-All on Cup day the start before. But trainer Brendon Hill has actually tried to race Jimmy James Maguire since that Methven start on December 3 but it couldn’t have gone worse. “He got attacked by another horse in the float on the way to the races when he was heading to Invercargill for their Cup Day,” says May, who also shares in the ownership. “The other horse had a real go at him and took some skin off his neck and it was only the great work of the float driver to break them up that saved it being a lot worse. “But this poor fella needed a break after that.” Hill took Jimmy James Maguire to the workouts last weekend and was pleased with his performance but May has been around long enough to know winning fresh-up after an incident like that over 3000m from a 20m handicap in a big field will take some real doing. “Benny (Hill) is taking the attitude he has to start off somewhere so it might as well be here but clearly he will improve with the run.” With those doubts in mind the latest leg of the Country Cups circuit looks very even with the distance even bringing veteran grass track hero Homebush Lad into play after a remarkable 13th grass track win last start. While May isn’t going to his hometrack confident he can win the Cup he rates two stablemates trained by Stephen Boyd as good chances. “Both Kawatiri Creek (R4, No.7) and What A Minx (R9, No.7) went really well last week and I think they will both be good each way chances.” View the full article

By Jonny Turner Sand Wave might have the biggest task in front of him among the powerful team Nathan Williamson starts on Wairio Cup Day. While the pacer is the class horse of the field in Sunday’s 2400m feature, he is going to need to bring all of his best qualities to overcome a massive 40m back mark. Williamson knows exactly how big that task could be, especially if Sand Wave’s key rivals set a fast tempo from their lesser handicaps. But the trainer-driver is comfortable in knowing he has his horse ready to run the best race he can, no matter what circumstances are thrown up in front of him. “It certainly won’t be easy off 40m,” Williamson said. “I suppose the small field does help, but it’ll just be what happens in front of him.” “But he’s well, and he’ll go good race.” Mr Cash Man starts from a 10m handicap in the Wario Cup for Williamson. The pacer had a temporary stable movement lodged as he is based with Tyler Dewe in the hope the horse can bounce back to the kind of form that saw him win the South Of The Waitaki event during New Zealand Cup week. “We just went for a bit of a change of scenery, he raced at Ascot Park last start and I just decided afterwards why don’t we leave him here for a change of scenery and try something new.” “If he does bring his best form, he wouldn’t be without a chance.” The unbeaten Miraculous starts in Sunday’s Southern Supremacy Stakes heat for the Williamson barn. The pacer looks the horse to beat, while stablemate Ultimate Weapon looks a Trifecta and First4 player. “Miraculous is a classy horse, he’s got nice point-to-point speed, and he’s pretty trackable.” “The other fella is probably not the finished product yet and he is a good staying horse.” “I think over the longer trips later on will suit him better.” “But you’d have to lean towards Miraculous.” Another Williamson pairing go head to head in Sunday’s Southern Oaks heat in Flying Ellie and Ruby Roe. “There isn’t much between them, and it probably comes down to the run, who will finish in front of the other.” “But they both seem very well.” “I’d say the Flying Ellie might be a little bit more forward this week.” “But I’m in saying that Ruby Roe trialled lovely as well, and I’ve been happy with their both of their work.” “So, there’s not much between them.” Another Williamson pairing take on race 11 in Itoje and Micaitlen Denario. Itoje has the benefit of recent racing, while Micaitlen Denario comes in fresh from barrier 1. “Micaitlen Denario has got a nice draw and shouldn’t have to do a lot of work from there. “So that brings her into calculations.” “But Itoje is a very smart horse, and I think he’s ready to show his best on Sunday.” Zamperini returns to Winton on Sunday after impressing in his debut 5th. The pacer gets a big draw upgrade from his first run, moving from barrier 8 to the 3 draw. “He’s got a couple of wee fancy steps in him, but he’s quite a strong horse.” “He always runs on, so I think in that type of field, if he didn’t settle too far away he should be there or thereabouts.” Rakapmurph rounds out the outstanding Williamson line up when starting in race 12. The pacer disappointed in his last start at Omakau, but he has produced a handy workout effort since being freshened. View the full article

Promising galloper Wallen (NZ) (Tarzino) produced one of the standout performances on Legends Day at Te Rapa, claiming the inaugural Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m) in sensational fashion. The Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic was the third of the five newly-instated innovation races worth $350,000 this season, with eligible horses required to be maideners as of 31 July last year, the day before commencement of the new racing season. Wallen, a four-year-old son of Tarzino, was a relative late-starter commencing his career in September last year, though he has impressed at each race-day appearance in finishing third on debut behind race-rival Adam I Am (NZ) (Almanzor), before three second-placed efforts preceded his deserved maiden victory at Pukekohe in early December. Shane Crawford, who prepares Wallen out of his Cambridge base, opted to freshen the gelding ahead of a tilt at the Karapiro Classic, where he entered the race an underrated $17 chance, in a market dominated by Adam I Am ($2.20). Wallen jumped leisurely away from barrier seven in the hands of regular rider Ryan Elliot, who was flying high after a Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) victory aboard Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) in the previous race. Hastobeawinner (NZ) (Vadamos) took up the dominant front-running role down the back straight while Elliot bided his time near the tail of the 14-horse field, and passing the 800m mark, Wallen had a sizable task on his hands trapped on the fence in last. As many runners spread wide turning for home, Elliot remained on the rail and looked to be running into the minors nearing the 100m, before Wallen showed a scintillating turn of foot to chase down a game Hastobeawinner and talented filly Vera Rose (NZ) (Fiorente) to score by a neck. An elated Crawford admitted to a few nerves during the mid-stages of the 1600m event, while watching from afar alongside partner Kara Waters in Sydney. “I spoke to Ryan this morning and said let’s not change his pattern of racing, just ride him in a rhythm and comfortable. But, at the 800m, I was thinking ‘jeez, where are we going to go from here’,” he said. “But it was a cool, calm and collected ride from Ryan, he stuck to the inside which I was happy with, and he got all the splits up the straight. “It’s a great thrill for us, certainly money-wise, and also to get the win for Russell (Warwick, General Manager at Westbury Stud) and Gerry Harvey (owner of Westbury Stud) is just huge. “I’m just gutted that Kara and I are over in Sydney at the moment for the sales, not able to be there to enjoy the moment.” Crawford had initially hoped to contest the first innovation race, the $350,000 The Oaks Stud Remutaka Classic (1600m) at Trentham with Wallen, however changed those plans when his rating wasn’t going to be high enough for him to make the field. “We had the Remutaka in sight originally, but we realised his rating wouldn’t get him in, so we thought we may be a better chance of freshening him up and going for this race. It had been on our radar for a while,” he said. “It was a great effort today with six weeks between runs, but I think another key was putting the blinkers on.” While contemplating a spell, Crawford indicated he may consider targeting the $350,000 Rangitoto Classic (1500m) on Derby Day at Ellerslie on March 2, for horses prepared by trainers outside of the Top 10 in domestic stakes earnings. “After winning today, we seriously will give some thought to the innovation race on Derby Day, but he has been up a long time, probably a spell would be a possibility as well. We’ll discuss it with Russell Warwick and see what the plan’s going to be.” Wallen carried the familiar blue-and-white silks of breeder and owner Gerry Harvey, who was represented by Warwick at Te Rapa. The victory was one of sentimental value for Warwick, a former employee at Cambridge Stud, as the race was named in honour of the late Sir Patrick Hogan, an incredible figure of the New Zealand racing and breeding industry. “That was fantastic, these races are pipedreams, and it’s great for Entain, TAB and NZTR to be able to put a race on like this. The Sir Patrick insignia on this race also makes it very special for me,” Warwick said. “Shane and Kara have done an amazing job with this horse. He was probably just about at the end of his preparation, but Shane thought he could get him to this race with a freshen-up and putting the blinkers on. “Supplemented by a great ride by Ryan, it was superb. I thought (about Ryan) ‘you’ve just won on Legarto so you’re up high now”, and we just hoped he could do it for us too, but he was going to need a lot of luck at the 600m for sure. To get up and win was just fairy-tale stuff. “He’s been up since October, and we think he’ll be even better next season getting up over a trip.” View the full article

Cult horse Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) commenced his autumn campaign in the Gr.1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday and after looking beaten for much of the contest called on all his fighting qualities to mow down bold front runner Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) and Buffalo River (Noble Mission) in the shadows of the post. The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained gelding has a never say die quality that has endeared him to racing fans and has been scarcely out of the money since crossing the Tasman from New Zealand. The non-descript son of Bullbars was a near certainty beaten in a Matamata maiden exactly three years ago to the date and has gone on to bag five Group One victories plus an A$5 million All-Star Mile in his 15 victories since. Sent out a $1.85 favourite, Mr Brightside was slow from the gates but quickly mustered under regular rider Craig Williams, who got him into fifth position one off the fence. Bonny Trelawney Stud-bred mare Pride Of Jenni adopted her customary front-running role under Declan Bates, setting a strong tempo that had most of the field gasping. But after playing second fiddle to Pride Of Jenni in the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington last spring, Mr Brightside turned the tables on resumption on Saturday to collar the mare on the line. JD Hayes said the win can be the start of a huge campaign for the son of Bullbars, who until Saturday had never won first-up in the autumn. “He’s a great horse. He’s so dear to our hearts. He was slow away, but it worked out perfectly with the pace on,” Hayes said. “Pride Of Jenni was so brave there, but I was glad that he got there late and there’s so much improvement in him to come. Hopefully it’s the start of a big autumn.” The stable has also been vindicated in their belief that Mr Brightside’s slightly underwhelming jumpouts were of no concern as they build towards a campaign targeting the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m), A$4 million All-Star Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m). “He’s been beaten in the autumn first-up every time so if history repeats, this is a first for him, and we’re very happy,” Hayes said. “He’s a seasoned campaigner now and there was nothing to read into the trials and jumpouts. We thought it was nothing for him just being an older horse. “I’d just like to take the opportunity to thank everyone at home and all of the clients supporting us. It’s such a team effort and when a horse like Mr Brightside is able to fly the flag, it gives us a reason to have a sore head in the morning.” A son of the former Highview Stud stallion Bullbars, Mr Brightside is out of the Tavistock (NZ) mare Lilahjay (NZ) (Tavistock), who is also the dam of Will Power (NZ) (Power), an eight-time winner in Hong Kong. Mr Brightside was bred by Ray Johnson in partnership with his late wife Martha. He was sold as a yearling for $22,000 via Janine Dunlop’s Phoenix Park at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock May Sale, then failed to meet his $50,000 reserve when re-offered at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale. Later an opportunity arose for Johnson to buy him back on gavelhouse.com for just $7,750, in conjunction with Cambridge trainer Ralph Manning and good friend Shaun Dromgool. Mr Brightside finished a luckless fifth in his sole New Zealand start at Matamata for Manning, having previously won a trial. He was subsequently sold privately to clients of the Hayes stable via Australian agent Wayne Ormond. The Kiwi-bred star has now won 15 of his 30 starts, with a further seven placings and boasts prizemoney of A$11,925,752. View the full article

An astute piece of placement by trainer Mitch Freedman combined with a perfect Ben Melham ride has resulted in Ceerseven (NZ) (Complacent) pulling off a successful Sydney raid, when running out a ready winner of a BenchMark 78 Handicap over a mile at Randwick on Saturday. The son of Complacent was in a stalking position throughout as favourite Nana’s Wish (NZ) (Belardo) and Canadian Ruler (NZ) (Vancouver) set moderate fractions up front, and pounced when Melham pressed the go-button to score a dogged victory. Ceerseven had previously won at The Valley over 1600m in BenchMark 70 company and despite believing the four-year-old gelding will be seen to better effect over further in the future, Ballarat trainer Freedman identified the Sydney target and was duly rewarded with his first Sydney success. “It looked a great race for him, being a three and four-year-old 78 mile,” Freedman said. “He came up on Thursday night and it was a nice little rise in grade for him. He came off a very restricted race at Moonee Valley but he was impressive and he’s a horse with a bit of upside. “He is a horse that is still maturing and we thought a trip away from home would harden him a bit. “He might be just off the top tier Country Cup horse going forward for us, but at the moment we will race him through the ratings and see where he ends up.” Now a winner of four of his nine starts, Ceerseven was bred by Mapperley Stud and is a son of Complacent, who previously stood at the Matamata nursery. Ceerseven’s dam is the unraced Elnadim mare Calypso Miss (NZ) (Elnadim), who has been represented by five winners from six foals to race including the Group Two-placed High Tower (NZ) (Keeninsky). Mapperley Stud offered Ceerseven in Book 2 of the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, where Freedman teamed up with Phill Cataldo Bloodstock and bought him for only $30,000. The Group One winning trainer was back in New Zealand recently for the Karaka Sales where he secured yearlings by Churchill ($140,000), Satono Aladdin ($220,000) and Zed ($70,000). View the full article

Matamata trainers Ken and Bev Kelso have long believed Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) had the potential to excel over 2000m, and their stable star proved them right on Saturday with a sparkling performance in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa. Legarto was a Group One superstar on both sides of the Tasman as a three-year-old last season. She blew her rivals off the Riccarton track in a five-length New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) romp in the spring, then ventured to Melbourne in March and launched a stunning burst from nowhere to become the first New Zealand-trained winner of the Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington. The 2023-24 season has so far delivered a few ups and downs for the daughter of Proisir. She resumed with a third placing without a lot of luck in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m), then won the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) before getting too far back in a rough-run Golden Eagle (1500m) in Sydney. An outstanding first-up win at Ellerslie in mid-January earned Legarto red-hot favouritism for the inaugural Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) on Karaka Millions night, where she was again a victim of circumstances but flashed home for second with the fastest sectional times in the race. The step up to 2000m in the Herbie Dyke Stakes was always going to be the key to Legarto’s four-year-old campaign, and on Saturday she answered the stamina question in no uncertain terms. Barrier one had the potential to pose a few problems for the renowned fast-finisher, but regular rider Ryan Elliot managed to get her off the fence and into clear air by the time the field turned into the back straight. Legarto enjoyed a comfortable run in fourth, one off the rail, keeping the defending champion Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood) firmly in her sights as he sat on the outside of the front-running Mazzolino (NZ) (Savabeel). No Compromise (NZ) (Pins) made a big mid-race move to take the lead down the back straight after being caught wide, but Sharp ‘N’ Smart loomed on his outside at the 600m mark and had taken command by the home turn. That was Elliot’s time to push the button on Legarto, and she quickened and went past Sharp ‘N’ Smart with more than 200m remaining. But there was another stern test to come for Legarto yet, with proven Group One 2000m mare Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer) sweeping up alongside her. Legarto saw that challenge coming and lifted again, holding Campionessa at bay by half a length. “Everything went to plan,” Elliot said. “I said to Ken that I would just let her hold her spot, and if I could get her one off, I’d do so. Everything worked out perfectly, and there was just no trouble from 600m onwards. “She came around the corner and I wasn’t going for her yet – just holding her together. She started pricking her ears and just waiting for them a little bit. “But once Campionessa came up to her, she really fought hard, as she does.” Legarto was bought by part-owner Phillip Brown’s Ancroft Stud for $90,000 from the Karaka 2021 draft of Highline Thoroughbreds. Her 13-race career has now produced nine wins, two placings and more than $1.8 million in stakes. “I’m elated,” Ken Kelso said. “There’s only one downside to it – that Bev can’t be here to witness it. Her health hasn’t been the best. But I’m sure she gave that couch a bit of a hiding at home. It’s just a shame that she can’t be here to enjoy it. “Lovely ride by Ryan. He got her off the rail early on. I thought he might have gone a bit early, but she won well. “We never had a chance to try her over 2000m last year, because she had a big season and ended up winning the Guineas in Australia, but it was always the plan to go further. “She can do things other horses can’t, and she has all the class, and today she showed the staying qualities to knuckle down and win. “Onwards and upwards from here. It opens up a few avenues, knowing she can go over ground, so it’s very, very pleasing.” The next of those avenues is likely to be the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on March 9. That is the final leg of the New Zealand Summer Series, which carries a bonus of $500,000 to the winner. Legarto now heads the standings with 13.5 points. “We’ll probably go to the Bonecrusher, I would think,” Kelso said. “It’s a good-money race here, especially with the bonus, and it’s three weeks before the Australian Cup (Gr.1, 2000m), so it works pretty well.” Among Legarto’s owners is Tony Enting, who spent 34 years as general manager of the Waikato Racing Club. “To win this race at Te Rapa is extra special for Mary and I,” he said. “We are very, very lucky to race a horse like her. Ken and Bev have done such a marvellous job with her, they’ve left no stone unturned.” In a notable family double, Legarto’s Herbie Dyke heroics were followed less than 10 minutes later by her half-sister Emanon (NZ) (Burgundy) winning the $50,000 C S Stevens Memorial Banks Peninsula Cup (1100m) at Riccarton. Both mares are out of the Towkay mare Geordie Girl, and both were bred by Warwick Jeffries. View the full article

One of the unluckiest horses in the top echelon of New Zealand racing in recent times, Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) turned things around with a supreme front-running performance in Saturday’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa. The $400,000 weight-for-age feature was the first Group One victory for the Super Easy mare, whose long run of misfortune dates back to a raceday scratching from the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) on New Year’s Day last year. She returned for another shot at that race a year later and was knocked sideways in the straight, recovering admirably and building back her momentum to surge into second behind Waitak (NZ) (Proisir). The Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham brought more of the same, with Bonny Lass finding herself awkwardly positioned behind a slow pace in a rough-run race. She had to switch across the heels of eventual winner Mercurial (NZ) (Burgundy), only getting into the clear halfway down the straight and working through her gears to dash into third. On Saturday the luckless Lass had a deserved change of fortune. Overlooked at $17 odds in a field headed by undefeated three-year-old Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) and four other Group One winners, Bonny Lass dominated from the moment the gates opened. The five-year-old was driven from her outside barrier by jockey Craig Grylls and soon found the lead, and that was where she stayed. Crocetti sat in second throughout the race and lodged his claim in the straight, eating into the margin with big strides, but Bonny Lass rose to meet his challenge. She pinned her ears back and fought for all she was worth, clinging on to win by a long head. “The plan was to be positive from the outside gate,” Grylls said. “She jumped better than anything else, and there didn’t seem to be a real torrent of speed. I thought I’d take it up, and I had a pretty soft lead. I felt like I was getting it easy enough, and we all know how game she is. “She travelled well until close to the 200m, and then I went for her and she had a good kick. I could hear Crocetti coming, but she’s just so determined and kept fighting him off. She deserved that. “This is very satisfying. I’ve ridden her in most of her starts, right from when she was a two-year-old. She’s such an honest wee girl, and this just tops it all.” Bonny Lass was bred by Sandy Moore, who shares ownership with Brent and Wendy Cooper and the Social Racing Starting Gates Syndicate. She is trained by Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall at Matamata. Bonny Lass has won seven of her 19 starts, placing in another eight and earning $655,900. Her previous black-type wins came in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m), and she had been a four-time Group One placegetter in the Railway, Telegraph, Sistema Stakes (1200m) and Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). “Wow, I’m speechless,” said Richardson, who added that Bonny Lass might race in Melbourne later this season. “What a brave ride. It was the right tactic. He dug her out and she just did it all for us. She really deserves this, and so do the owners. “In my opinion, no horse in the country deserves to win a Group One more than her. She’s been amazing.” Moore bred Bonny Lass out of his Le Bec Fin (NZ) mare Posh Bec (NZ) (Le Bec Fin), who herself won three races and placed at Listed level. “This is a huge thrill,” he said. “For her to race against such a strong field and hold them all out was incredible. “I bred this horse and she started out worth about $7,000, and now she’s won more than half a million. She’s been so unlucky in so many races along the way, so I’m absolutely over the moon with this result.” Those sentiments were echoed by part-owner and syndicate manager Brent Cooper. “I’ve been racing horses for over 30 years now and this is my first Group One,” he said. “She’s just the toughest, bravest, most beautiful horse I’ve had anything to do with. She gives her best every single time. You couldn’t want a better horse to syndicate. “She just demonstrates that no matter what level of involvement you have, you can be a part of things like this. There’s a great group of owners involved in this horse who really deserve it, Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall deserve it, and most of all Bonny Lass deserves it. She’s an absolute rock star.” Crocetti’s second placing brought an end to his unbeaten record, which had previously stood at seven starts for seven wins including the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m). Co-trainer Danny Walker commented that his first taste of defeat could not have come at the hands of a better group of people, while owner-breeder Daniel Nakhle was also far from disappointed. “He’s done us proud,” he said. “Bonny Lass and her connections really deserve that. She’s been so unlucky in a number of races all the way through. We don’t have any excuses today and we’re happy with his performance.” View the full article

What Bendigo Races Where Bendigo Jockey Club – Heinz St, White Hills VIC 3550 When Sunday, February 11, 2024 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble The Bendigo Jockey Club is scheduled to host a competitive eight-race program this Sunday afternoon on a track rated a Good 4, with the rail sticking to its true position the entire circuit. Action from the ‘Nursery of Champions’ is set to commence at 1:15pm AEDT. Best Bet at Bendigo – Haaland Robert Hickmott’s Haaland chased home Star Vega at Sandown in BM70 grade on January 24 when finishing second beaten 1.5 lengths, and he can go one better on the weekend. The five-year-old gelding did plenty wrong early on over 1800m and raced wide without cover, however the son of Pentire had the audacity to knuckle down and produce a strong finish. From barrier four, Mickaelle Michel can have Haaland settled a touch closer in running, and as long as the pair find clear air at the top of the home straight, we’re confident Haaland can slot one in the top corner in the quaddie opener. Best Bet Race 5 – #7 Haaland (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Robert Hickmott | J: Mickaelle Michel (59.5kg) +170 with Picklebet Next Best at Bendigo – Skywriter There is little doubting the fact that the Chris Waller-trained Skywriter is a frustrating punting conveyance, but she should be finally breaking maiden ranks on Sunday. The four-year-old mare returned with yet another runner-up effort at Mornington on January 21, her fourth time finishing second in six career starts. She was first-up from a near six-month spell, so we expect the Written Tycoon will derive plenty of benefit and be primed to strike on Sunday. From barrier she’ll gain a suck run in transit, and if she puts her best hoof forward, Skywriter should finally be winning. Next Best Race 2 – #10 Skywriter (4) 4yo Mare | T: Chris Waller | J: Ethan Brown (57.5kg) +240 with Dabble Best Value at Bendigo – The Octopus Simon Zahra’s The Octopus put in an eye-catching run on debut when finishing fifth at Wangaratta on January 25 over 1300m, and the step up to 1600m second-up looks ideal. The three-year-old gelding was hitting the line with great intent, and despite being beaten two-lengths, the step up to the mile should see him competitive in a maiden like this. From barrier 12, Daniel Moor will have him at the rear of the field, but with a genuinely run race, we’re confident The Octopus can strike at a nice price with leading horse racing bookies. Best Value Race 3 – #12 The Octopus (12) 3yo Gelding | T: Simon Zahra | J: Daniel Moor (56.5kg) +1000 with Neds Sunday quaddie tips for Bendigo Bendigo quadrella selections Sunday, February 11, 2024 1-7 5-7-10-13 2-4-5-9-11 1-4-8-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More racing tips View the full article

Legarto asserts her dominance over 2000m in claiming the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Matamata trainers Ken and Bev Kelso have long believed Legarto had the potential to excel over 2000m, and their stable star proved them right on Saturday with a sparkling performance in the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa. Legarto was a Group One superstar on both sides of the Tasman as a three-year-old last season. She blew her rivals off the Riccarton track in a five-length New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) romp in the spring, then ventured to Melbourne in March and launched a stunning burst from nowhere to become the first New Zealand-trained winner of the Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington. The 2023-24 season has so far delivered a few ups and downs for the daughter of Proisir. She resumed with a third placing without a lot of luck in the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m), then won the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) before getting too far back in a rough-run Golden Eagle (1500m) in Sydney. An outstanding first-up win at Ellerslie in mid-January earned Legarto red-hot favouritism for the inaugural Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) on Karaka Millions night, where she was again a victim of circumstances but flashed home for second with the fastest sectional times in the race. The step up to 2000m in the Herbie Dyke Stakes was always going to be the key to Legarto’s four-year-old campaign, and on Saturday she answered the stamina question in no uncertain terms. Barrier one had the potential to pose a few problems for the renowned fast-finisher, but regular rider Ryan Elliot managed to get her off the fence and into clear air by the time the field turned into the back straight. Legarto enjoyed a comfortable run in fourth, one off the rail, keeping the defending champion Sharp ‘N’ Smart firmly in her sights as he sat on the outside of the front-running Mazzolino. No Compromise made a big mid-race move to take the lead down the back straight after being caught wide, but Sharp ‘N’ Smart loomed on his outside at the 600m mark and had taken command by the home turn. That was Elliot’s time to push the button on Legarto, and she quickened and went past Sharp ‘N’ Smart with more than 200m remaining. But there was another stern test to come for Legarto yet, with proven Group One 2000m mare Campionessa sweeping up alongside her. Legarto saw that challenge coming and lifted again, holding Campionessa at bay by half a length. 2024 Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes Replay – Legarto “Everything went to plan,” Elliot said. “I said to Ken that I would just let her hold her spot, and if I could get her one off, I’d do so. Everything worked out perfectly, and there was just no trouble from 600m onwards. “She came around the corner and I wasn’t going for her yet – just holding her together. She started pricking her ears and just waiting for them a little bit. “But once Campionessa came up to her, she really fought hard, as she does.” Legarto was bought by part-owner Phillip Brown’s Ancroft Stud for $90,000 from the Karaka 2021 draft of Highline Thoroughbreds. Her 13-race career has now produced nine wins, two placings and more than $1.8 million in stakes. “I’m elated,” Ken Kelso said. “There’s only one downside to it – that Bev can’t be here to witness it. Her health hasn’t been the best. But I’m sure she gave that couch a bit of a hiding at home. It’s just a shame that she can’t be here to enjoy it. “Lovely ride by Ryan. He got her off the rail early on. I thought he might have gone a bit early, but she won well. “We never had a chance to try her over 2000m last year, because she had a big season and ended up winning the Guineas in Australia, but it was always the plan to go further. “She can do things other horses can’t, and she has all the class, and today she showed the staying qualities to knuckle down and win. “Onwards and upwards from here. It opens up a few avenues, knowing she can go over ground, so it’s very, very pleasing.” The next of those avenues is likely to be the Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on March 9. That is the final leg of the New Zealand Summer Series, which carries a bonus of $500,000 to the winner. Legarto now heads the standings with 13.5 points. “We’ll probably go to the Bonecrusher, I would think,” Kelso said. “It’s a good-money race here, especially with the bonus, and it’s three weeks before the Australian Cup (Group 1, 2000m), so it works pretty well.” Horse racing news View the full article

Mr Brightside, the beloved superstar from the Lindsay Park stable, made a dramatic comeback in the 100th edition of the CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield, stealing the show in a thrilling finish. C.F. Orr Stakes winner 2024 Mr Brightside won by a nose on the line first-up at Caulfield. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. Despite a slow start, the champion settled comfortably behind a frantic pace set by Pride Of Jenni. Jockey Craig Williams expertly guided him through the pack, unleashing a powerful finishing kick in the final 50m to snatch victory from the brave mare. “He’s a great horse. He’s so dear to our hearts. It panned out he was slow away, but it worked out prefect with the pace,” said co-trainer JD Hayes, relieved after Mr Brightside’s impressive return, speaking to Racing.com. This triumphant return marked Mr Brightside’s fourth win from five starts at Caulfield and his second Group 1 victory on the track/trip. The win was particularly meaningful after a series of frustrating runner-up finishes last season, including in his heart-breaking loss in the Cox Plate. “He’s an absolute freak,” said Mr Brightside’s strapper, Will Evans, echoing the team’s excitement. “He just knows where the winning post is.” The victory cemented Mr Brightside’s position as a leading contender in the upcoming autumn carnival. His next target is the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) on Blue Diamond Stakes Day, followed by a title defence in the All-Star Mile taking place in 2024 at Caulfield, and a potential tilt at the prestigious Australian Cup at Flemington on March 30. 2024 C.F. Orr Stakes Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 1 MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) Ben, Will & JD Hayes Craig Williams 4 59kg $1.95F 2 8 PRIDE OF JENNI Ciaron Maher Declan Bates 0.1L 3 57kg $9 3 5 BUFFALO RIVER (USA) Michael Moroney Ms Celine Gaudray (a) 0.3L 1 59kg $61 4 9 VEIGHT Tony & Calvin McEvoy Damian Lane 1.3L 2 55.5kg $6 5 6 AYRTON (NZ) Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Ms Jamie Kah 2.8L 8 59kg $19 6 2 PERICLES James Cummings Mark Zahra 4.05L 5 59kg $6.50 7 3 MUNHAMEK (GB) Nick Ryan Blake Shinn 4.55L 9 59kg $21 8 7 ATISHU (NZ) Chris Waller Michael Dee 6.55L 7 57kg $12 9 4 BUSTLER Neville Parnham Steven Parnham 6.65L 6 59kg $31 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 Mr Brightside Shines in Thrilling Return in CF Orr Stakes 2024 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Ceerseven (NZ) provides Victoria-based trainer Mitch Freedman with his first Sydney at Randwick on Saturday. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au An astute piece of placement by trainer Mitch Freedman combined with a perfect Ben Melham ride has resulted in Ceerseven pulling off a successful Sydney raid, when running out a ready winner of a BenchMark 78 Handicap over a mile at Randwick on Saturday. The son of Complacent was in a stalking position throughout as favourite Nana’s Wish and Canadian Ruler set moderate fractions up front, and pounced when Melham pressed the go-button to score a dogged victory. Ceerseven had previously won at Moonee Valley over 1600m in BenchMark 70 company and despite believing the four-year-old gelding will be seen to better effect over further in the future, Ballarat trainer Freedman identified the Sydney target and was duly rewarded with his first Sydney success. “It looked a great race for him, being a three and four-year-old 78 mile,” Freedman said. “He came up on Thursday night and it was a nice little rise in grade for him. He came off a very restricted race at Moonee Valley but he was impressive and he’s a horse with a bit of upside. “He is a horse that is still maturing and we thought a trip away from home would harden him a bit. “He might be just off the top tier Country Cup horse going forward for us, but at the moment we will race him through the ratings and see where he ends up.” Horse racing news View the full article

Mr Brightside and Craig Williams return to scale after a fifth Group One success. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Cult horse Mr Brightside commenced his autumn campaign in the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday and after looking beaten for much of the contest called on all his fighting qualities to mow down bold front runner Pride Of Jenni and Buffalo River in the shadows of the post. The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained gelding has a never say die quality that has endeared him to racing fans and has been scarcely out of the money since crossing the Tasman from New Zealand. The non-descript son of Bullbars was a near certainty beaten in a Matamata maiden exactly three years ago to the date and has gone on to bag five Group One victories plus an A$5 million All-Star Mile in his 15 victories since. Sent out a $1.85 favourite, Mr Brightside was slow from the gates but quickly mustered under regular rider Craig Williams, who got him into fifth position one off the fence. Bonny Trelawney Stud-bred mare Pride Of Jenni adopted her customary front-running role under Declan Bates, setting a strong tempo that had most of the field gasping. But after playing second fiddle to Pride Of Jenni in the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington last spring, Mr Brightside turned the tables on resumption on Saturday to collar the mare on the line. 2024 Group 1 CF Orr Stakes Replay JD Hayes said the win can be the start of a huge campaign for the son of Bullbars, who until Saturday had never won first-up in the autumn. “He’s a great horse. He’s so dear to our hearts. He was slow away, but it worked out perfectly with the pace on,” Hayes said. “Pride Of Jenni was so brave there, but I was glad that he got there late and there’s so much improvement in him to come. Hopefully it’s the start of a big autumn.” The stable has also been vindicated in their belief that Mr Brightside’s slightly underwhelming jumpouts were of no concern as they build towards a campaign targeting the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m), A$4 million All-Star Mile (1600m) and Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m). “He’s been beaten in the autumn first-up every time so if history repeats, this is a first for him, and we’re very happy,” Hayes said. “He’s a seasoned campaigner now and there was nothing to read into the trials and jumpouts. We thought it was nothing for him just being an older horse. “I’d just like to take the opportunity to thank everyone at home and all of the clients supporting us. It’s such a team effort and when a horse like Mr Brightside is able to fly the flag, it gives us a reason to have a sore head in the morning.” Horse racing news View the full article

Kallos ridden by Blake Shinn returns to the mounting yard after winning the Rubiton Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) High-quality performer Kallos secured a spot in the esteemed Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m), making a remarkable comeback from a 23-week hiatus to triumph in the $300,000 Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Under the skilful guidance of jockey Blake Shinn, riding for trainer James Cummings, Kalios made a decisive move down the centre of the track, clinching victory by a length over the short-priced favourite Asfoora (-133.33), with stablemate Zapateo (+750) finishing a long head back in third. Boasting his fourth stakes success, Kallos now boasts a record of seven wins, two seconds, and a third from 19 starts, accumulating earnings of $797,205. 2024 Group 2 Rubiton Stakes Replay – Kallos Stable representative Nacim Dilmi shed light on the challenges Kallos faced, stating, “He’s had a few things wrong; we’ve had to put a tongue tie on him and all kinds of other gear, but it was good to see him win the way he did today.” “He’s been in a better mental state at this stage, had a nice training session at Osborne Park, and arrived here a few days ago. “It was great to see him back in the winner’s enclosure.” “The way he’s done it today, it took him a while to get into gear, he was strong late. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw him again in two weeks (Oakleigh Plate).” Following his first-up win, Kallos is now a +1000 chance for the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate with leading horse racing bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

Fully Lit was a class above in the Inglis Millennium. Photo: RacingNSW The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott barn continue to add to their list of well-performed two-year-olds as Fully Lit (+190) smashed his rivals in the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m). It was the stablemate Trunk (+700) leading them up on a break-neck speed, as he and Art’s Alive (+8000) went head-to-head for the lead, ensuring the back markers would come into play. Fully Lit sat three wide for the entire journey under Regan Bayliss and did a mountain of work from barrier 15, but it didn’t seem to blunt his turn-of-speed as the two-year-old son of Hellbent made a long-sustained run to the first turn. Rue De Royale (+600) loomed largely into the picture at the top of the straight and seemed to be prepared to go past the leading trio, while the David Payne-trained Rag Queen (+3300) was screaming home as he did in his first-up victory. They simply couldn’t match motors with the undefeated colt from the Waterhouse & Bott stable, as his consecutive wins put him well in-play for the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) on March 23. 2024 Inglis Millennium Replay – Fully Lit Adrian Bott spoke with media in the aftermath of his dominant colts’ performance and didn’t leave a possible tilt at the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) off the table either. “It’s fantastic to see,” said Bott. “We’ve had some great support so I’m very thankful to everyone who’s been able to support us throughout the year and the team at home that’s worked so hard to educate these horses. “We like to make that a big part of our stable and the education of these young ones and it’s great to see that the results are there. “He’s certainly going in the right direction, that’s for sure. Obviously it was a restricted race today so we’ll sort of look at the options, whether we do tempt a Blue Diamond. “We kept him in calculations there. He may stay here in one of the Slipper lead-ups, just keep him at home and look at one of those lead-ups and give him that opportunity to see how he does stack up against the grade. Because every time we’ve raised the bar he’s responded in a big way.” Regan Bayliss was delighted with the win of his two-year-old and praised his toughness after a tough journey. “Very tough win,” said Bayliss. “I got more confident as the day grew on, just how the track was racing that I didn’t need to find that fence. I was quite happy giving him a bang out, and I was so confident in the horse I was happy to sit three-deep and just get him into a rhythm. It was a really tough effort today.” Depending on where the team elect to head next, Fully Lit is currently +1000 in the Blue Diamond and +2000 in the Golden Slipper markets with top horse racing bookies. Horse racing news View the full article

Hayasugi ridden by Jamie Kah returns to the mounting yard after winning the Blue Diamond Prelude (F) at Caulfield. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Hayasugi is set to embark on a rare and impressive journey as she aims for victory in Melbourne’s premier juvenile race at Caulfield, the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on February 24. Trained by Clinton McDonald, the two-year-old has already secured victories in the Blue Diamond Preview and the Blue Diamond Prelude. Attempting to achieve a feat not accomplished by a filly since Midnight Fever in 1987, Hayasugi faces a significant challenge. The last colt to win the treble was Sepoy in 2011, following in the footsteps of Bel Esprit in 2002 and Rancher 20 years prior. With jockey Jamie Kah aboard, Hayasugi (+750) clinched victory by a narrow margin, defeating South Australian contender Kuroyanagi (+450) and Matisse (+1600) in third place. 2024 Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude – Hayasugi Clinton McDonald expressed confidence in Hayasugi’s toughness. “She’s one of those fillies that’s just tough,” said McDonald. “She cops anything you throw at her, and you saw today she had a horse on her inside pushing her off the track, but she was good enough to balance up and find the line.” McDonald acknowledged there is still room for improvement in Hayasugi’s performance, emphasizing the filly’s ability to handle challenges. “I thought there was a lot of credit to the win, and I know there’s still improvement to come.” Reflecting on Hayasugi’s temperament, jockey Jamie Kah commented, “They obviously have to be fast to win good races but she’s just so easy to deal with.” Kah also discussed potential adjustments, saying, “Today was the first time she’s ever been a bit difficult to ride on the turn. “She didn’t like that tongue tie, so I’ll speak to Clinton about it.” Following the victory, Hayasugi is now a +1000 chance for the Blue Diamond Stakes with top horse racing betting sites. Horse racing news View the full article

The CF Orr Stakes was the epitome of what Group 1 racing should be. View the full article

Caballus was too slick for his rivals in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW Joshua Parr and Bjorn Baker have combined with Caballus (+700) making it back-to-back wins to start the new campaign, smashing his rivals in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. The change of stables has seemingly done the trick for the son of I Am Invincible, with the Bjorn Baker barn unlocking the best of this three-year-old colt. He was forced to do it the hard way on Saturday, as Caballus sat three-wide without cover for the duration of the 1200m journey, but it didn’t seem to affect his ability to sprint when asked by Joahua Parr, as the field simply couldn’t match motors with the eventual winner. All the money came for Moravia (+250), who was backed into favouritism with leading horse racing bookmakers. and had all the map favours according to punters pre-race, and that’s exactly how things unfolded, as he and previous Group 1 winner Griff (+450) strode to the front on a moderate tempo. It left Caballus stranded, while the only filly in the race, Makarena (+400), tracked the eventual winner every step of the way, racing into a comfortable second-place finish. 2024 Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes Replay – Caballus The stunning performance of Caballus now has the Bjorn Baker barn targeting bigger targets in the future, as he spoke about in his post-race assessment. “Well, he’s as good a looking horse,” said Baker. “He’s the second best horse I’ve ever trained after Ozzmosis. I was very lucky. Darby Racing have been unbelievably good to me. He’s been an absolute pleasure to train. I was lucky to be the benefactor of a ready made horse. It’s been very straight-forward and everything’s worked out well. He is a very, very nice horse. “The aim when we bought him was to go to the Inglis Three-Year-Old race at Flemington, so I don’t think we’ll divert from that. It’s a $1 million race and then we might have a race like the Arrowfield Sprint.” Every other runner engaged in this event was first-up, which Parr alluded to in his confidence hopping aboard Caballus. “I thought today, the best way for me to take advantage of this horse having a run under his belt compared to his opposition was to the as close as I could, comfortably,” said Parr. “So pre-race I made sure I was pretty adamant that I was going to press forward a little bit, all within reason. “Obviously we didn’t get the cover but with that south-easterly blowing we’re running down wind down the side and he did no work to the 400m. From the top of the straight I knew with this horse’s turn of foot and with his race-fitness as well, there was no way they were going to beat him.” Horse racing news View the full article

Quality mare Yonce (NZ) (Proisir) scored a richly-deserved Group Three victory when landing the Carlyon Cup (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday for trainer Ciaron Maher. The highly-talented daughter of Proisir rewarded her connections faith with her first stakes victory at her third start this campaign, having been off the scene for 20 months due to a tendon strain. The now six-year-old mare won six of her first seven starts, with her only defeat in her maiden campaign a brave fourth in the Gr.1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m). Maher had built the mare back to full fitness with solid runs in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) and a close-up fifth placing in the Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m) prior to Saturday’s triumph. Jockey John Allen was back in the saddle and elected to take luck out of the equation, leading throughout on the game mare, kicking away to score by three-quarters of a length from Foxy Cleopatra (American Pharoah) and Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock). “First it is a credit to the owners,” Maher said. “She had a little injury and she could have gone to stud. She had a pretty good record but I said there is still a lot more to offer and they were patient. “She promised so much. She went all the way through to be a Group One performer basically in one preparation. “It is great to have her back and Johnny (Allen) knows her so well. There wasn’t a lot of speed and she jumped well. I was a little bit nervous when I did see him in front because she has been a little bit aggressive this preparation, but he took luck out of it and it was full credit to him.” Maher said the Queen Of The Turf Stakes was potentially again on the radar, but he quipped he’d love another wildcard entry for the A$4 million All-Star Mile (1600m), which was handed to stablemates Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) and Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto). “I’d love to get her up there (to Sydney, for the Queen Of The Turf). I think she’d appreciate it. She ran so well at the end of a long first prep. “We’ll see if Matty (Racing Victoria’s general manager of racing Matt Welsh) is around and we can get another Wildcard. “She has got a lot of options now and it is just great to have her back in form.” Out of the Zabeel mare Ziva, Yonce was passed in as a yearling for $30,000 during the New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Sale from the Woburn Farm draft. She was later purchased by Cambridge trainer Ross McCarroll, for whom she finished third in two trials and caught the eye of prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir. Kheir bought an interest in the Proisir mare, but McCarroll and his fellow Kiwi owners – Shane McAlister, Stephen Kneebone and Lyn McMullan – remain in the ownership. View the full article

New Zealand-bred gelding Snow Patrol (NZ) (Contributer) dug deep as he defeated classy rival Southport Tycoon (Written Tycoon) in a stirring edition of the Gr.2 Hyland Race Colours Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained son of Contributer was fresh-up but had trialled well leading into Saturday’s assignment. Winning jockey Mark Zahra made sure he never let chief rival Southport Tycoon and Damian Lane out of his sight, with that duo pulling away to fight out a two-horse war, with Snow Patrol just shading his rival at the post. Snow Patrol and Southport Tycoon were two and a half lengths clear of Perth raider Zipaway (Playing God), who made good ground for third, setting up another mouth-watering clash in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington in three weeks’ time. Michael Kent Jnr was quick to pay tribute to one of the founding members of emerging syndication company Ace Bloodstock, whose colours are sported by the three-year-old gelding. “We knew he was going really well but we left plenty in the tank and I’m delighted for all the (Ace Bloodstock) boys,” Kent Jnr said. “I’d like to dedicate the win to Tim Mangan, who along with his son Darcy got Ace Bloodstock going. We lost Tim last year, he was in I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking), and I’m rapt for all the boys. They are awesome guys to be in a horse with and it is a really big win. “I was taken with his last 100m where the second horse really kicked back and made it tough for him and he just fought it out. We have got three weeks now until the Guineas, which is ideal. “Being by Contributer, we hope he will get out to 2000m, why wouldn’t he? He’s a big strong clean-winded sound horse and the race worked out beautifully for him. The pace was on and how good is Mark Zahra.” Zahra is the first jockey to win the Autumn Stakes on four occasions and the hoop admitted he was taken by the lightly-tried gallopers trial leading into Saturday’s victory. “The plan was to follow Southport Tycoon everywhere he went, and I did,” Zahra said. “Frosty (Lane) was travelling really strong and I thought if I waited for him to kick, I wouldn’t be able to pick him up. “Mick Price and Junior always have their horse fit, even first-up, so I opted to rush him a bit at the top of the straight and it became a two-horse war. There was nothing in it but it was a great battle and I just got the head over the line at the right time and I think he will improve a lot from that too.” Amongst the throng of supporters to welcome the gelding back to scale was Ace Bloodstock Director Chris Fraraccio. “It was very exciting. It’s our first stakes win – a Group Two – it’s his second prep and his first start, so onto the Guineas,” Fraraccio said. “Ace Bloodstrock has been around for about a year and a half. It is a group of mates – me, Darcy Mangan and Rob Colaneri. “We really focus on bloodstock from New Zealand and this guy came out of the Ready To Run Sale at Karaka. We have about 15 on the books now.” Snow Patrol is another quality galloper to come out of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, purchased for $170,000 by Price from the draft of Derek and Sophia Nolan’s Lilywhites Lodge at the 2022 sale. By Mapperley Stud stallion Contributer, Snow Patrol is out of the O’Reilly mare O’Rocker (NZ) (O’Reilly), a half-sister to smart galloper Keefy (All Too Hard) who was fourth in last year’s Hong Kong Derby (2000m). The three-year-old was bred by Bruce, Mark and Raelyn Wallbank from Pukekohe. Contributer continues to do a sterling job at stud with three limited books due to a misplaced kick from a mare, but now back to full-health the Group One winning son of High Chaparral operates off an impressive 6.5 percent stakes winners to runners with bigger books to come. View the full article

If Saturday’s Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa was the final New Zealand appearance for Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High), the Group One-winning filly farewelled her homeland on a high. The daughter of Ace High established herself as one of the standouts of her generation in the late spring, scoring scintillating victories in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m). Molly Bloom’s winning sequence was interrupted in last month’s Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), where she got a long way back, was never able to get into the race and finished seventh behind Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel). But she bounced back in style on Saturday, playing a starring role in her first attempt at 2000m. Jumping as a $2.60 favourite as a heavy shower drifted over the course, Molly Bloom settled in sixth spot and one off the rail for jockey Joe Doyle. She began to cruise forward out wide coming down the side of the track, then pounced as the field straightened for home. Molly Bloom dashed up alongside the front-running Harlow Rocks (NZ) (Roc De Cambes), and despite getting her head to the side and drifting inwards through the last 200m, her superiority shone through and she edged ahead to win by three-quarters of a length. It was a winning reunion for Doyle and Molly Bloom, whose previous race together was the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 18. “I’m delighted and so grateful to the connections for putting me on,” Doyle said. “She’s an exceptional filly, and these are the types of horses you want to ride. She has bags of class and ability. “She was the class act in the race today. We got a very smooth run, and then I switched her to the outside and she took off. She probably got there a little bit early, but when you’re on class horses like these you don’t want to run the risk of getting stuck behind horses. She was too strong in the end.” Molly Bloom was bought by Wexford Stables trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott for $150,000 from Seaton Park’s draft at Karaka 2022. She has now had eight starts for four wins, a placing and $566,800. Molly Bloom had an ownership change during the week, with prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir coming on board alongside the existing syndicate. “This is a great result for Ozzie, who’s been very keen on this filly since day one,” O’Sullivan said. “I’m thrilled for him. There’s always a bit of pressure in the first race after making a purchase like that, so for her to win the way she did is fantastic. It’s great for her previous owners as well, who have retained a 50 percent share. “And we’re just delighted to win this race. We’ve known David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis for a long time now, so it’s certainly a special race to win.” Molly Bloom will remain in the O’Sullivan/Scott stable for the rest of her three-year-old racing, but she is likely to chase Australian black-type, with potential targets including the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) in Sydney and the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) in Brisbane. She will then join an Australian stable. “That’s still to be decided and Ozzie is going to have input on that, but I’m sure she’ll end up with a top Australian trainer,” O’Sullivan said. Although Molly Bloom is not expected to play any further part in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, she has now won three of the eight legs that have been run so far and holds a commanding lead with 28 points. Her nearest challenger is Impendabelle (NZ) (Impending) with 15. Saturday’s runner-up Harlow Rocks earned her first four points of the series, while the third-placed Livid Sky (NZ) (Proisir) earned two points and now also has a total of four. Molly Bloom completed a race-to-race double at Te Rapa on Saturday for O’Sullivan and Scott, who had previously saddled Kingfisher (NZ) (Savabeel) to win the Dr John Southworth Memorial Vase (1200m). View the full article

A strong tempo and a perfect Blake Shinn ride played to the strengths of handy stayer Wertheimer (NZ) (Tavistock) as he ran out a strong winner of the Herald Sun Handicap (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The six-year-old son of Tavistock is prepared by Matthew Enright at Bendigo and is racing consistently well this campaign for the ex-pat Kiwi conditioner, showing no signs of fatigue at the ninth start of his preparation. Wertheimer settled second-last in the run and tracked Oceanic Flash (NZ) (Sacred Falls) throughout as Divine Purpose (Divine Prophet) set a strong tempo up front. Shinn timed his run to perfection, claiming the lead shortly after straightening and staved off the late challenge of Galilaeus (Galileo) to score by a half-length. “I thought with Peter Moody’s horse (Divine Purpose) going 12 seconds to the furlong it suited me as he is not a sit and sprint horse,” Enright said. “He likes a genuine tempo, and I was happy where we were in the run. I didn’t give Blake any instructions. You don’t have to. I was surprised he was that far back, but it was a beautiful ride and he’s the master.” Enright said his facilities at Bendigo, where he has a water-walker, have enabled him to keep the horse happy throughout a lengthy campaign, and he is now eyeing a tilt at the Gr.2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) on March 11. “This is run number nine (this preparation) and I said to Blake that there is no sign of him training off,” Enright said. “He goes on the water-walker for four days after each run. I don’t do anything with them and then I just regenerate them. He seems to be coping so hopefully we might sneak to Adelaide for the Adelaide Cup. “I think it is probably a year for a horse like him. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of high-class stayers around, so he will sneak there on the minimum I presume. It is certainly an option.” It was the fifth win of a 34-start career for Wertheimer and incredibly it had been 19 years since Shinn had previously ridden a runner for Enright. Bred and part-owned by Tommy Heptinstall, Wertheimer has now earned A$295,335 in stakes. He is by Tavistock out of the winning Lonhro mare Wild About Me (NZ) (Lonhro), whose dam Like Me Wild (NZ) (Cape Cross) was a Listed placegetter in Sydney. View the full article

Bodyguard ridden by Mark Zahra wins the Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) at Caulfield. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) The Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Bodyguard (+320) demolished his rivals in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, staking his claim for Group 1 glory later in the campaign. The son of I Am Invincible was given a confident steer by Mark Zahra from barrier nine, sliding across to sit three wide throughout, gaining cover on the eventual runner-up Stay Focused (+240). The speed was genuine courtesy of Innervisions (+5000) who elected to bowl along on speed, ensuring a testing 1100m for the two-year-old, allowing some eye-catching performances in behind the speed. Bodyguard showed an electric turn-of-foot at the top of the straight, bounding clear of his rivals and putting some significant margins through the field despite not gaining the most economical runs in transit. Favourite backers may be a shade disappointed in High Octane (+130), but it was a forgivable effort as the Snowden stablemate didn’t have much room to move on the inside running rail, unable to be tested in the concluding stages. It was all honours the winner however, as Bodyguard appears primed to tackle the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) in a fortnight. 2024 Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude Replay – Bodyguard Co-trainer Peter Snowden was on course to breakdown the win and believes Bodyguard will be primed for a Group 1 tilt. “I think it was a perfect ride,” said Snowden. “First time at Caulfield, Sydney horses if they get on the wrong leg you’ve just got to coax them around the corner but when you’re buried away inside and can’t see air it takes longer for them to change stride but he’s a very professional horse this bloke, it was good to see what he did late. “He’s a very talented horse.” Mark Zahra rode High Octane for his debut and joked he though he may have hopped aboard the wrong Snowden galloper. “He’s a bit of a race day horse and to be honest after the last one I said to Peter “do I have to ride a certain one here” and he said just stick with Bodyguard and he knows more than me,” joked Zahra. “His trials were okay, I wouldn’t say amazing, I said after his last one he trialled good, could’ve trialled better, but the difference is, race day vibe, good atmosphere, he was up and about, one around his bum and he was away, he had it won a long way out. It was a good victory.” Bodyguard has now firmed into the third line of betting for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes and is currently a +500 chance with horse racing bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

Yonce (NZ) ridden by John Allen wins the Carlyon Cup at Caulfield Racecourse. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Yonce ($3.30) held off all challengers in the Group 3 Carlyon Cup at Caulfield on Saturday, making every post a winner to secure victory in the 1600m feature. The lightly raced six-year-old mare was third-up into the campaign after suffering a lengthy setback and had only recently returned from the paddock after 626 days off the scene. Two moderate performances at this course at Listed level were both clearly short of her best journey, with the 1100m and 1400m proving too sharp for the daughter of Proisir. That simply wasn’t the case on Saturday, as Yonce was able to recapture the form that allowed her to storm to victory on six consecutive occasions in her last preparation. John Allen utilized her early speed to cross to the lead from gate five and was able to steal a few cheap sectionals, staving off her rivals all the way to the wire. Both Foxy Cleopatra ($4.00) and Young Werther ($2.70) were impressive returns to bound into the minor money but were no match for the battle-tested Yonce on the weekend. 2024 Group 3 Carlyon Cup Replay – Yonce Trainer Ciaron Maher was on course to speak post-race and praised his resilient mare. “Super,” an excited Maher said. “She promised so much, she went all the way through to Group 1 performer basically in one prep so great to have her back and Johnny. “There wasn’t a lot of speed; she jumped well. “I was a bit nervous when I did see him in front because she has been a bit aggressive this prep, but he took luck out of it, and full credit to him.” John Allen spoke about his mount in the aftermath and seemed to suggest that leading wasn’t always the plan. “It probably wasn’t the plan to lead,” Allen explained. “Ideally we wanted a bit of cover because she can overdo it a little bit, but she began well, and when Craig tried to kick up and cross me. “I didn’t want to get into an argument at that stage; it was just getting her into a rhythm, little bit strong with me, but she wasn’t overdoing it too much, and she’s obviously a class filly. “Last prep she was very good; she’s been out a while, but she’s been building this prep very good, and she’s a quality horse.” Horse racing news View the full article