Wandering Eyes

Former Kiwi galloper Jimmysstar dashes to victory at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Pat Scala – Racing Photos Former Kiwi galloper Jimmysstar continued his rise through the grades when winning at Caulfield on Saturday for trainer Ciaron Maher in stunning fashion. The four-year-old son of Per Incanto is now unbeaten in three starts in Australia, with the gelding having originally been prepared by Guy Lowry for two wins and a placing before his sale to a syndicate headed by prominent owner Ozzie Kheir. Despite being slow from the barriers, Jimmysstar was able to muster to land midfield under Blake Shinn and when presented mid-track soon after straightening, the result was never in doubt, going on to score by more than two lengths from Who Dares and Forbidden City in BenchMark 84 company. Jimmysstar defied the pattern of the day, where it was difficult to make ground given the rail was out 9 metres and his slick 1:21.54 backed up the impressive visual performance. Racing Victoria’s general manager of racing Matt Welsh was quick to grant Jimmysstar a wildcard entry for the $4 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield on March 16, joining fellow wildcard entries Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni, while Aotearoa Classic (1600m) winner Desert Lightning has also been awarded a start in the March assignment. “You’d like them to break cleanly, but Blake knows the horse very well,” Maher said. “He took luck out of it, rode the horse confidently and obviously I’m pretty chuffed to get that sort of offer for the All-Star Mile and I’m sure the owners will be pretty chuffed as well. “He has got a bright future. “Just from the short time we have had him here in Australia, the team have done such a good job with him. It took him a little bit to settle in and I thought the team over in New Zealand did a super job, given the way he arrived. It was basically a case of saddling him up and getting him into the routine. “It was a super win and Blake rode him well.” Maher admitted it was a big assignment to throw a ratings horse in the deep-end at weight-for-age should they go down the All-Star Mile path. “He does show that talent that not many horses possess. I know it was only a ratings race today but he just continues to do it and as we raise the bar he does it with similar ease,” the leading trainer said. More horse racing news View the full article

Legendary trainer holds all the cards in the first leg of the four-year-old series with Helios Express and HowdeepisyourloveView the full article

What Dubbo Races Where Dubbo Turf Club – Merrilea Rd, Dubbo NSW 2830 When Monday, February 5, 2024 First Race 1:20pm AEDT Visit Dabble Country racing heads to Dubbo on Monday afternoon for a competitive eight-race program. The rail is out +3m between the 900m and 400m marker, while the remainder is in the true position. The scorching conditions are set to continue across the region, and with little to no rain predicted in the lead-up, we expect the track to be on the firm side of the Good range. The opening race is set to get underway at 1:20pm AEDT. Best Bet at Dubbo: Plonk The Rodney Northam barn will send Plonk to the races for the first time after a terrific barrier trial at Scone on January 21. The daughter of Adelaide couldn’t have been more impressive, bounding into a third-place finish in the jump-out when racing under her own steam through the wire. Chelsea Hillier got a feel for the three-year-old filly taking the reins in the trial, and with a useful 1.5kg claim on race-day, we’re confident Plonk can circle her rivals from the rear of field, making her debut a winning one. Best Bet Race 2 – #4 Plonk (7) 3yo Filly | T: Rodney Northam | J: Chelsea Hillier (a1.5kg) (56.5kg) -133.33 with Neds Next Best at Dubbo: Himorher Himorher returns to the races after a lengthy 246-day spell and although she’s winless in four career starts, she looks to be returning in supreme order. The now four-year-old caught the eye with a four-length barrier trial win at Muswellbrook on January 10 and we’re yet to see her reemergence since that piece of work. It suggests the Rodney Northam-trained galloper is ready to rock and roll for this event, and with barrier three giving Chelsea Hillier plenty of options, we’ll be looking for Himorher to be charging over the top late. Next Best Race 1 – #6 Himorher (3) 4yo Mare | T: Rodney Northam | J: Chelsea Hillier (a1.5kg) (57kg) +240 with Bet365 Best Value at Dubbo: Competition Trainer Cameron Crockett has four runners engaged in the fourth event on Monday and Competition looks to be the one over the odds with top horse racing bookmakers. The son of Shooting To Win has made steady improvements throughout the campaign and appears to be ready to peak third-up at the mile. His first two runs were over an unsuitable trip on tracks that were deteriorating, and his best form clearly comes when racing on top of the ground. He gets conditions in his favour on Monday, and although Grant Buckley will need to navigate a passage from barrier nine, Competition will be doing his best work late. The double-figure odds on offer here seem big for a horse that brings some quality highway form to the country. Best Value Race 4 – #3 Competition (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Cameron Crockett | J: Grant Buckley (58.5kg) +900 with Picklebet Monday quaddie tips for Dubbo races Dubbo quadrella selections Monday, February 5, 2024 3-4-5-10 2-4-5-7-10-12 1-2-6-7 4-5-7-8-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Vagrant ridden by Beau Mertens winning the Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Mitchell Freedman and Beau Mertens have combined with another classy mare to take out another Caulfield feature, with Vagrant (+500) flying home from the back of the field to claim the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes. After jumping a little slow from barrier two, Mertens allowed the daughter of Pariah to settle and get into a rhythm three back on the rail, while Penthouse (+450) set a solid tempo out in front. As the field rounded the home turn, it appeared as though Jordan Childs had pinched a winning gap on Penthouse as the rest of her rivals started to struggle but Mertens was picking them off along the rail and making solid ground. Once Vagrant was given full bore and got clear, she finished off with a blistering turn of foot and put the race to bed within a few strides and defeated Penthouse and Party For One (+800) to claim valuable black type for her connections. 2024 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes Replay – Vagrant Mitchell Freedman was elated with the Group 3 victory for Vagrant, and he spoke post-race. “Great to see this horse (Vagrant) salute today,” Freedman said. “There’s always plenty of confidence when I’m throwing Beau (Mertens) on at the moment, he doesn’t make too many wrong decisions for us. “When she was ducking and weaving back there towards the inside and I knew there had been a good tempo in front of her, I knew she was the fit horse on the scene and the horse in form. “She was pretty impressive in the finish. “It might be a bit easier to stay at home now, as winning that race is equal to winning that race in Tassie, so she’s got that on the board now and we will assess all her options.” Beau Mertens is building a nice affiliation with Mitchell Freedman’s mare and he spoke post-race about the win and his relationship with Freedman. “Every time I was building up from the 600 (metres) and got more room, she just kept finding underneath me,” Mertens said of Vagrant. “I could just feel her building her revs up and got the space up the fence, I thought she was the winner a long way out. “It’s been fantastic (building a relationship with Mitch Freedman). “It started with Skybird and we haven’t look back since… then obviously with Attirtion winning a Group 1, ever since then we have built on a relationship and partnership.” More horse racing news View the full article

Rider Penalties N Parmar | Waikato 31 January; careless riding; suspended 11 February – 7 March inclusive. J Fawcett | Waikato 31 January; careless riding; suspended 4-17 February inclusive. R Elliot | Waikato 31 January; broke riding engagement; fined $200. T Newman | Waikato 31 January; broke riding engagement; fined $200. J Riddell | Waikato 31 January; medical clearance required. W Kennedy | Waikato 31 January; medical clearance required. C Grylls | Taranaki 3 February; failed to make weight; fined $350. N Parmar | Otago 3 February; careless riding; suspended 8-17 February inclusive and fined $225. N Hailey | Otago 3 February; medical clearance required. D Tait | Otago 3 February; medical clearance required. Horse Penalties CHARMINGAFFAIR | Waikato 31 January; lame; veterinary clearance required. AGATHA | Waikato 31 January; bled; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. REBECCHI | Waikato 31 January; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. SUGAR | Otago 3 February; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. The post 29 January – 4 February 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Trainers Brent and Tim White won’t be lacking any firepower when they attempt to take the Waikouaiti Cup home on Sunday. The Whites have another grass track feature in their sights with Got You Covered, who ran to an easy victory in the Riverton Cup last week. The big difference this week is that the Whites have brought him back up, with Lone Wolf and Commander Ben also heading south to contest the day’s feature at Oamaru. Got You Covered takes top billing among the White team, opening the $2.30 fixed odds favourite for his 3000m staying test. And his team think that’s pretty fair. “The old boy has probably got to be the top pick out of our ones,” Tim White said. “It is actually surprising how close our other two horses are to him in the handicaps considering he has run in the top four in group races.” Got You Covered was heading to the Amberley Cup at Rangiora on Tuesday, but being given a 10m handicap was too tempting. “We were doing the nominations on Monday and just fitted into the handicaps for this race too well,” White said. “He came back from Riverton, and he came off the float like a two-year-old.” “His work this week was really good; he worked with Commander Ben, and they both went to the line really nice.” Commander Ben will face his toughest recent test in the Waikouaiti Cup. But he brings excellent form to the race, having scored in his last two outings on grass. “This is a bit of a test for him, but if he can get a similar run to his last start, he probably shouldn’t be too far away from them,” White said. “If he can get a handy run, he should be able to get home well enough.” “The only thing is he can get keen at times which he can’t afford to do over 3000m.” Lone Wolf comes south after two close-up efforts in competitive fields at the recent Blenheim grass track meeting. The White camp hope the horse’s front-line handicap and the Sunday’s eight horse field will help the pacer be even more competitive. “In this race he is going to be a spot closer than he was at Blenheim, if that was the case he should be pretty competitive.” “His form going into this is pretty solid really.” “And he will be on a track that isn’t as leader-biased as his last two starts.” “He has come on from the trip to Blenheim, and he seems really well.” One Change and Homebush Lad look like the two big threats to the White trio in the Waikouaiti Cup. View the full article

Two years after Kilowatt claimed the Listed Positive Signs + Print Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m), Shockallia emulated that performance in carrying the same green and white silks to victory on Saturday at Wingatui. Kilowatt, a former North Island-based galloper that entered Kelvin Tyler’s Riverton stable in 2017 had shone on the Southern cup’s circuit over several seasons, headed by his Gold Cup success in 2022. The Shocking gelding was retired after a career that earned breeders John & Colleen Thompson near $270,000 in stakes, and their promising stayer Shockallia, also a son of former Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Shocking, was sent to Tyler as a replacement after doing his early racing from the stable of Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray in Cambridge. Shockallia produced two creditable performances in his first two starts for Tyler, before a last-start win at Gore put the writing on the wall ahead of the Wingatui feature, where he started a $6.30 TAB second-favourite behind local runner Capo Dell Impero ($3.20). Jumping from the ace draw, the six-year-old was settled quietly back in the field under Jasmine Fawcett, with pacemaker Kahma Suitsya controlling a solid early tempo, soon taken over by an eager The Tui Toiler. Fawcett remained patient at the tail before making her move at the 800m, seemingly cantering around the outer of the field to take over before the gelding displayed his staying quality as he prevailed in a tight battle to the post with third-placed runner Noble Knight, who was gathered in late by a rapidly-closing Elegant Lady near the finish line. “I know he’s a tough horse, but it was whether he was rock hard fit, although the horse certainly thought so,” Tyler said post-race. “I was a bit worried stepping up to 2400m on this sort of track (Soft7), but I told Jasmine to ride him patiently and do nothing, get into the race about the 600m and look after him as much as she could. He’s a good horse.” Tyler indicated Shockallia’s next target would be the Open 2600m event at Ascot Park in a fortnight. “I think we’ll have too head there. He’s come down here a good horse, it’s pretty exciting going forward,” he said. Shockallia has now earned over $133,000 in stakes for Rich Hill principal Thompson and wife Colleen, who race the gelding alongside the Carriers Arms Racing Syndicate. “John & Colleen sent him down, and I really thank them. He was a replacement for Kilowatt who was another great horse, so this was a big thrill,” Tyler said. Northern-based Fawcett has enjoyed a myriad of southern success recently, adding the Wingatui feature to her Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) winning ride aboard Tyler’s filly Aberlour a fortnight ago. “I had a good feeling about this horse, being a Shocking I knew he’d love the distance and the ground, and that just showed today,” she said. “Mr Tyler told me that he wasn’t sure if he would be fit enough, but he definitely was. He was finding the line really strong.” View the full article

Consistent performer Perfect Scenario made it back-to-back victories in the feature event at Wingatui on Saturday when he captured his second Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (1600m) title. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained six-year-old had bolted away with the 2023 edition of the time-honoured southern mile, winning by more than three lengths, but was made to work much harder this time around as he survived a torrid home straight scrap with eventual runner-up Dazzling Miss. Settled in fourth by Te Akau Racing apprentice Niranjan Parmar, the son of Iffraaj was content to lob along before swooping into contention around the home bend to join issue with Dazzling Miss who made her challenge closer to the inside rail. The pair waged war in the closing stages with Perfect Scenario gaining the upper hand short of the line as race favourite Times Ticking battled on well to shade Ears Back for third. Bergerson was on duty at Wingatui and wore a smile a mile wide as he celebrated the result. “Hugely satisfying to see a horse like him go back-to-back as he is just an old marvel to have around the stable,” Bergerson said. “He is a real favourite of everyone and just plods around doing his own business as he loves stable life. “He has grown a leg since coming down here and it was a good ride by Parmar. “I think the key was getting him out wide as he looked like he was floundering at the top of the straight but as he came wider and wider he found another leg. “He is such a genuine horse and puts his best foot forward every time he steps out.” Bergerson believes the horse has plenty of options ahead of him including the Gr.1 Trackside Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki on 24 February, a race where he finished fourth behind glamour mares Levante and La Crique in 2023.. “It seems the logical step to keep him down here but there is the Group One at Otaki that he contested last year,” he said. “He is in fantastic form but we’ll take him home and then go from there.” Perfect Scenario has now won nine of his 34 starts and over $352,000 for the Te Akau Perfection Syndicate after being purchased by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for $165,000 from the Woburn Farm draft during the 2019 Book 1 Sale at Karaka. In a sensational start to the race senior jockey Terry Mosely survived a nasty incident when he was dislodged from Burgie just 30m after the gates opened but walked unaided back to the barrier seemingly no worse for wear. View the full article

Despite clearly not enjoying the testing underfoot conditions on offer at New Plymouth, exciting juvenile filly Captured by Love showed plenty of courage to retain her unbeaten record when taking out the Gr.3 Platinum Homes New Plymouth Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m). The two-year-old daughter of Written Tycoon had cantered home in a three-horse field at Tauherenikau on debut before blitzing a handy field in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham prior to Christmas. Although eligible for the 2024 Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic (1200m) courtesy of being purchased for A$525,000 by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis at the 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson resisted that temptation in favour of a short break before her resumption on Saturday. Heavily supported as the $1.40 race favourite Captured By Love made a sharp beginning in the hands of Opie Bosson to trail pacemaker Chicago Jack who set up a solid tempo out in front. Persistent rain in the previous 24-hours had reduced the track to a Heavy8 status with Bosson niggling at his charge to try and get her up on the bit approaching the home turn as she struggled in the tricky going. Captured By Love showed all her class as she picked herself up to make her challenge at the 200m, snatching the lead before holding out a late run from debutant Love Poem to claim the major spoils and her third victory in succession. Walker wasn’t overly confident the filly would handle the heavy surface but took some heart from what he had heard in prior races. “I went down and stood down by the rail and listened to the horses going to the start and I thought she would struggle a little but might just get away with the way the track was,” Walker said. “As it turned out she was really battling most of the way but she has so much heart and is very tough. “She’s a real fighter and that was a superb effort to stick on the way she did.” Walker is now eyeing further black-type challenges for the filly including a prized home-track feature later in the month. “The immediate target is the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.2, 1200m) at home towards the end of the month (24 February),” he said. “From there the Sistema Sakes (Gr.1, 1200m) a fortnight later will be next and then we will reassess after that. “The beauty is whatever she is doing now, she will only get better as I think we will see her best next season. “Once she gets up to a mile she is going to be well-suited as she is such a lovely big, scopey filly who really covers the ground.” Raced by the Te Akau 2023 Magic Fillies’ Breeding Syndicate, the filly is the first foal of two-race winning mare Moldova and features Australian stakes winner Savvy Nature and Addictive Nature in her extended pedigree along with 2017 Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Hasahalo. View the full article

Lightly raced filly Khanshe displayed her staying credentials ahead of a potential tilt at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham next month when she captured the Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth. The Fraser Auret-prepared filly was having just her fifth start as she lined up for her first start since a six-week break following her eye-catching performance to finish seventh in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on similarly rain-affected going. Rider Matthew Cameron settled Khanshe one-off the fence in fifth in the early running and was content to bide his time before moving her into contention with 600m to run. In a driving finish Khanshe held out a gallant late run from Chantilly Lace who had tracked her three-wide the whole way with maiden galloper Moonlight Magic making good ground against the fence to finish within a length of the pair in third. Auret was delighted to see his charge show plenty of resilience at the finish after coming off her mid-summer break. “She really is a lovely filly who hasn’t had a lot of luck to date,” Auret said. “We think a lot of her and we were keen to give her a short break after she ran midfield at Trentham and then target this race first-up. “It was a beautiful ride by Matt and when he came back in he said she would only improve as she is still very green with a lot of potential.” Auret will now press on with the second component of his plan for the daughter of Mongolian Khan with her next run likely to be in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings on 28 February before tackling the Oaks on 16 March. “She has plenty of sprinting blood in her pedigree but seems to have thrown to the staying qualities of her sire as she is built in the mould of a classics filly,” he said “At this stage we have the Oaks earmarked for her with the Lowland at Hastings her final lead-up to that. “You never know if they will get the 2400m of the Oaks but her racing style and work at home suggests she will, so we are willing to roll the dice with her.” Bred and raced by Rick Orr, Khanshe is the second individual stakes winner for former Windsor Park Stud-based stallion Mongolian Khan who stood at the Cambridge nursery after completing a stellar career on the track where he won the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the Gr.1 ATC Derby (2400m) in his three-year-old season followed by the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) as a four-year-old. Her dam is the unraced O’Reilly mare Folies Bergere, a daughter of stakes winning sprinter Dashing Donna who finished runner-up in the 2009 Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1200m). View the full article

The sensational summer form of Robbie Patterson’s New Plymouth stable kept on rolling on Saturday with his first win in the Gr.3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m) on his home track. Contribute’s Cup victory was the 36th win of the season for Patterson, who now sits in fourth place on the New Zealand trainers’ premiership. He also saddled unbeaten three-year-old Shameless Boy to win an earlier race on Saturday’s card. Patterson’s runners have earned more than $1.6 million, with six black-type victories headed by Puntura’s treble in the Gr.3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m), Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) and Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m). Mary Louise won the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and One Bold Cat took out the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m). “It’s been an amazing run, I can’t believe it,” Patterson said on Saturday. “I just hope it isn’t finished yet! “Everyone always wants to win their home-town Cup, so it was very special to win that race today. It’s amazing, really.” Contribute went into Saturday’s $120,000 race as the winner of four of her 19 career starts, including two in Queensland in August and September for Sunshine Coast trainers Stewart and Taylah Mackinnon. Apprentice jockey Ciel Butler. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) The six-year-old Contributer mare closed out her Australian stint with an unplaced finish at Eagle Farm in late October, then went out for a spell before returning to action with an eye-catching fifth in the Douro Cup (1600m) at Trentham on January 20. Saturday’s Taranaki Cup was just the second start of a new preparation for Contribute, and she rose to the occasion as the $5 favourite. Ridden by Patterson’s apprentice Ciel Butler, Contribute settled in eighth place behind a fast pace set by tearaway leader Masetto. The defending Taranaki Cup champion Colorado Star dragged the field up behind that rival and hit the front soon after turning for home, but Contribute was looming ominously wider out on the track. Butler got her balanced up and then got her to change gears, striding forward and taking command with 200m remaining. Fellow Taranaki mare Hi Yo Sass Bomb chased bravely down the outside, but Contribute was going too strongly and held her out by half a length. Hi Yo Sass Bomb finished second, two and a half lengths ahead of the third-placed Saint Alice. It was the first black-type win for Butler, who replaced Craig Grylls on the 53kg lightweight runner on the morning of the race. “I’m absolutely rapt for Ciel,” Patterson said. “Craig was going to take the ride, but he just wasn’t able to make the weight this morning. He’s been struggling with a bit of a virus lately, so that’s not his fault. “But Ciel thoroughly deserves this. She does all the work on this horse every day, and she had her in exactly the right place today.” Bred and raced by Ross Bellingham and Adrianne Gemmell, Contribute has now had 20 starts for five wins, seven placings and $184,755 in stakes. “This horse has done a bloody good job,” Patterson said. “She got back from Aussie and had a bit of time off. She ran really well over a mile first-up, then went straight into this good race a couple of weeks later. It was great to see her produce that sort of performance. “We’ll have to try to chase more black type from here. A race like the Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.3, 2000m) might be a good option a bit further down the track.” View the full article

With a powerful burst from the back of the field, Collect Your Cash delivered an unforgettable result for local horseman Shankar Muniandy in Saturday’s Listed Dunedin City Motors Dunedin Guineas (1500m) at Wingatui. Muniandy has been a popular member of local jockey ranks for most of the last two decades, riding 237 winners in a career that started in the 2007-08 season. His seven black-type victories include the 2022 edition of the Dunedin Guineas with Palmetto. While the 36-year-old has continued to ride in a handful of races this season, he is transitioning into training. He saddled his first runner in May 2022 and has now had nine winners from 68 career starters, headed by a very special first stakes success in Saturday’s Dunedin Guineas. “I’ve been based here for a long time now, so I’m very pleased to win this race today,” Muniandy said. Muniandy was mobbed by well-wishers after Saturday’s $100,000 feature, in which Collect Your Cash defied longshot odds of $23.50. The Rageese gelding had shown bright talent in the spring, winning by almost four lengths on debut at Ascot Park in November and finishing second at Wingatui on Boxing Day – beaten by a long neck by Dunedin Guineas favourite Hakadecree. Collect Your Cash was a respected $10 chance in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) in the third start of his career on January 20, but he faded from favour with a lacklustre eighth along the more rain-affected inside part of the track. But Collect Your Cash bounced back in style on Saturday. Patiently ridden by Terry Moseley, Collect Your Cash settled second-last among the 14-horse field. The only runner behind him was Sugar, who had bucked soon after leaving the starting gates and was distantly detached from the field from that point on. Collect Your Cash was still at the back of the pack at the home turn, but Moseley angled him to the outside and let him rip. He made up plenty of ground with big, powerful bounds down the straight and swept past Drakaina and Sense Of Timing to score an impressive win. “He’s been a nice horse, right from the beginning,” Muniandy said. “Things went wrong for him last time, but I was very pleased with that performance today. “I think, last time, they reckoned the track was off down on the inside, and the boy (Ruvanesh Muniandy) just got stuck there and he wasn’t able to let down. I told Terry today, ‘Don’t go inside, mate, if you can help it.’ He rode a good race and it was a very good performance.” The win marked a successful return to the saddle for Moseley, who was having his first day riding since last September. “In the last week or 10 days, I feel like I’ve been riding okay in work and it just feels like a progression,” he said. “I’m getting there. “It’s good to win this race for Shankar. We’re good mates on and off the track. He’s a good bloke and just starting out as a trainer, and he’s obviously doing a very good job with the team he’s got. It’s nice to see some younger people coming into training and doing well. “We had a bit of an awkward draw today in gate 12. He poked up a little bit along the fence coming up to the corner and I was tempted to go that way, but I think the ground is slightly off on the inside. So I decided to just bide my time and get to the outside to make our run in the straight. This horse is still a bit green yet, he did a few things wrong, so there’s good improvement in him.” Collect Your Cash was bred by Windsor Park Stud and is a half-brother to the champion Singapore galloper Debt Collector, who won 12 races including eight at black-type level. Bought for $4,500 on Gavelhouse.com in April of last year, Collect Your Cash has now earned $80,475 from a four-start career. View the full article

Terry Moseley returns to scale aboard Collect Your Cash following the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) at Wingatui on Saturday. Photo: Monica Toretto With a powerful burst from the back of the field, Collect Your Cash delivered an unforgettable result for local horseman Shankar Muniandy in Saturday’s Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) at Wingatui. Muniandy has been a popular member of local jockey ranks for most of the last two decades, riding 237 winners in a career that started in the 2007-08 season. His seven black-type victories include the 2022 edition of the Dunedin Guineas with Palmetto. While the 36-year-old has continued to ride in a handful of races this season, he is transitioning into training. He saddled his first runner in May 2022 and has now had nine winners from 68 career starters, headed by a very special first stakes success in Saturday’s Dunedin Guineas. “I’ve been based here for a long time now, so I’m very pleased to win this race today,” Muniandy said. Muniandy was mobbed by well-wishers after Saturday’s $100,000 feature, in which Collect Your Cash defied longshot odds of $23.50. The Rageese gelding had shown bright talent in the spring, winning by almost four lengths on debut at Ascot Park in November and finishing second at Wingatui on Boxing Day – beaten by a long neck by Dunedin Guineas favourite Hakadecree. Collect Your Cash was a respected $10 chance in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) in the third start of his career on January 20, but he faded from favour with a lacklustre eighth along the more rain-affected inside part of the track. But Collect Your Cash bounced back in style on Saturday. Patiently ridden by Terry Moseley, Collect Your Cash settled second-last among the 14-horse field. The only runner behind him was Sugar, who had bucked soon after leaving the starting gates and was distantly detached from the field from that point on. Collect Your Cash was still at the back of the pack at the home turn, but Moseley angled him to the outside and let him rip. He made up plenty of ground with big, powerful bounds down the straight and swept past Drakaina and Sense Of Timing to score an impressive win. “He’s been a nice horse, right from the beginning,” Muniandy said. “Things went wrong for him last time, but I was very pleased with that performance today. “I think, last time, they reckoned the track was off down on the inside, and the boy (Ruvanesh Muniandy) just got stuck there and he wasn’t able to let down. I told Terry today, ‘Don’t go inside, mate, if you can help it.’He rode a good race and it was a very good performance.” The win marked a successful return to the saddle for Moseley, who was having his first day riding since last September. “In the last week or 10 days, I feel like I’ve been riding okay in work and it just feels like a progression,” he said. “I’m getting there. “It’s good to win this race for Shankar. We’re good mates on and off the track. He’s a good bloke and just starting out as a trainer, and he’s obviously doing a very good job with the team he’s got. It’s nice to see some younger people coming into training and doing well. “We had a bit of an awkward draw today in gate 12. He poked up a little bit along the fence coming up to the corner and I was tempted to go that way, but I think the ground is slightly off on the inside. So I decided to just bide my time and get to the outside to make our run in the straight. This horse is still a bit green yet, he did a few things wrong, so there’s good improvement in him.” More horse racing news View the full article

Lady Of Camelot kicked clear to win to win the Group 3 Widden Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW After taking out the Canonbury Stakes with Prost earlier in the day, Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott took out the second of the two-year-old features at Rosehill, with Lady Of Camelot (-222.22) getting the job done well as the odds-on favourite in the Group 3 Widden Stakes. Tim Clark took the heavily backed favourite to the front and led every step of the way over the 1100m and careered away for a dominant victory in the concluding stages. This daughter of Written Tycoon was able to turn the tables on Manaal (+600), as the winner of the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes couldn’t reel in the front runner and could only manage a runner-up finish on return. The Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Wave Breaker (+1000) ran on nicely to nab third place ahead of Extreme Diva (+2500) in the final strides, but it was clear that the top two runners were the ones to follow from this contest going forward. Much like the win of Prost earlier, the Waterhouse & Bott-trained gallopers are starting to hit their straps on their way to the Golden Slipper in seven weeks time. 2024 Widden Stakes Replay – Lady Of Camelot Adrian Bott was on course to represent the stable and he spoke post-race. “She’s got so much natural speed,” Bott said of Lady Of Camelot. “Beautifully bred filly, she’s well-related. “Her first two progeny (Queen Of The Ball and Platinum Jubilee) have been stakes winning two-year-olds as well, so she becomes the third in just three foals. “She obviously looked to show plenty of natural speed but once he was able to change it over, she really found another gear and lengthened very impressively. “That last furlong was very sharp.” Tim Clark rode both of the Waterhouse & Bott two-year-old winners at Rosehill, and he spoke post-race about the win of Lady Of Camelot. “She’s done a great job, she’s a really precocious filly,” Clark said. “She wouldn’t break ice, she’s so light on her feet. She’s got such a good cruising speed, that’s what we wanted to use. “Good thing about her though is she rests within herself when she’s there. “She got a little bit lost up the straight still, so I think there’s still a little more to give. But she couldn’t have been any more impressive. “I think she’s just naturally so fast, I think trying to harness her too much would take away from her asset. “She was probably just parked a little bit when she was there by herself and nothing with her. “When I asked her for another effort she lengthened really well, it was a strong effort.” Lady Of Camelot is a +1600 chance in Golden Slipper futures markets with online bookmakers. More horse racing news View the full article

James McDonald and Lady Laguna proved too slick in the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW Lady Laguna (-105.26) has brought up a hattrick of wins for this preparation after running away from a small field of older horses in the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes at Rosehill, adding to her Listed Nudgee Stakes and Magic Millions Fillies & Mares victories at her previous two starts. This daughter of Overshare has started to put it all together in during her four-year-old campaign, taking her record to six wins and 10 placings from 22 starts for Annabel Neasham. As everyone expected, Malkovich (+450) took up the lead and ensured a solid gallop, with James McDonald settling the race favourite behind the leader and received the run of the race. There was only one horse that punters wanted to be on at the 400m mark, as McDonald slipped Lady Laguna more rein and she took over with 300m to go. Hard To Say (+360) was the best of the swoopers, as the Jason Deamer-trained gelding took ground off the winner in the concluding stages to finish second, beaten 1.6 lengths on the line. 2024 Southern Cross Stakes Replay – Lady Laguna Annabel Neasham claimed that Lady Laguna was in career-best form last start and the mare backed up what she said with another strong performance. “She’s a star, she’s three on the bounce now,” Neasham said of Lady Laguna. “The great thing with her is she’s so diverse. She’ll go on a bottomless track, she’ll go on a firm deck. “She can be on speed, she can sit back. She’s so diverse. “She jumped really well today which was pleasing to see because she was coming back in trip from two runs where she had been ridden a bit quieter. “She just makes her own luck, she’s very tenacious and I think she will just keep on improving and hopefully we can pick off a race like the Millie Fox in a few weeks. “It would be great if she could stretch out a little bit further because obviously there’s a couple of nice mares races at the top level. We’ll just take it a race at a time but delighted with that.” James McDonald is starting to build a nice affiliation with this mare, and he spoke post-race. “It was a nice position to be in (on-speed), that’s for sure,” McDonald said. “Especially outside of the lead no dramas at all on a fit, in-form mare that’s absolutely airborne. “I don’t know what these TAB traders ‘Lay of the day’ – what’s that go? “She would actually chase down. You can see when she hit the front, she just thinks her job is done. “Lovely mare in form, well placed.” More horse racing news View the full article

John Size will mount a two-pronged bid on the opening leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series. Aiming for his fourth success in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), John Size is optimistic Helios Express and Howdeepisyourlove can perform to expectations at Sha Tin on Sunday. Having previously triumphed in the opening leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series with Sun Jewellery (2016), Nothingilikemore (2018) and Excellent Proposal (2021), Hong Kong’s master trainer is strongly represented this season by Helios Express, who starts from barrier six under Hugh Bowman and Howdeepisyourlove, who jumps starts from gate nine under James McDonald. The winner of four of six Hong Kong starts, Helios Express has risen to a rating of 102 after effortlessly winning his only start at Benalla, Australia when known as Tex Mex and trained by Jamie Edwards. Size expects the Toronado gelding to maintain his excellent consistency after a commanding last-start win on January 7 over Sunday’s course and distance. “He made the adaption to 1600 (metres) more or less straight away, he seemed to travel not too bad. He was a little bit strong, I guess, but still managed it in a slow-run race and he sprinted well off a slow speed, that’s about all we expected from him,” Size said. “I don’t think he’s taken harm from the race. He seems to have coped with that pretty well. His trial was normal and he looks like he’s going to run a race again.” Last season’s Hong Kong Champion Griffin Howdeepisyourlove, rated 98, is yet to win in three starts at Sha Tin after spending the bulk of his formative career at Happy Valley, but Size hopes the Deep Field gelding can contend strongly. “He’s a different style of horse at Sha Tin, but I think he handles it quite well – the few times we’ve run him here, he’s been fine. He would probably appreciate a slower track, and it’s coming that way now the way the winter grass is growing,” Size said. “He seems in good order and he’s certainly going to run well. He looks like he can run a mile and this is first attempt, so he’s going to be fitter in the future but he’d still run well, I’d say.” Size will saddle 10 runners at the weekend as the 12-time Hong Kong champion bids to add to his current tally of 25 winners for the season. Prominent among the stable entry is Young Champion, who makes his first Hong Kong appearance in the Class 3 Peach Blossom Handicap (1200m) from barrier one under McDonald. Formerly known as Sharlouk when trained in Ireland by Johnny Murtagh, the Zoustar gelding has not raced since finishing second to Cosmic Vega in the Listed Owenstown Stud Stakes (1400m) at Naas on 21 May, 2023. “He seems to be enjoying it, he hasn’t given us reason to be concerned about him. He’s healthy and well, he’s sound, he’s got a good temperament. In his barrier trials, he seems to make the adaption of Hong Kong style of trialling rather quickly for a northern hemisphere horse, so I’m happy to take him to the races,” Size said. “I think he’s going to acquit himself very well.” Lyle Hewitson will chase his fourth win on Chancheng Glory when the gelding tackles the Hong Kong Classic Mile for Francis Lui, conceding Helios Express is the horse to beat. “We’re under no illusions that there is some smart opposition in the race, particularly the John Size horse so we’ve got our task in front of us, but he (Chancheng Glory) maps well in the race,” the South African said. “He’s very consistent and he raises the bar just enough each time to put himself right there at the finish. I expect him to deliver the goods once again and whether that’s being into the minor money or we can be better than that, we’ll be very happy. “He’s done well at home and he’s done us proud, so hopefully he can do it again.” More horse racing news View the full article

Coleman ridden by Ben Melham winning the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Matt Laurie’s boom colt, Coleman (+110), has proven his dominant debut victory in the Listed Debutant Stakes was no fluke as he powered home over the top of his rivals to take out the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield. Counteroffensive (+850) set a solid tempo out in front and after he pinched a couple of lengths on the race favourite and eventual winner, it looked as though he would take some running down with 300m to go. However, once Ben Melham gave the son of Pierata a crack with the whip and allowed him to go through his gears, he picked up the leader and powered away in the final 150m. The second favourite Eneeza (+140) from the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman yard settled near the rear and made good ground in the home straight to run into second place but was no match for the super impressive winner. Laurie confirmed post-race that Coleman would go straight into the Blue Diamond Stakes next start after his dominant win. 2024 Chairman’s Stakes Replay – Coleman Matt Laurie was on track to witness Coleman’s performance, and he spoke post-race. “Watching him walk around today, he was very cruisy, but you could just tell he was on the ball,” Laurie said. “That was a really good win. “When he picked it up he was super powerful through the line. “(He) is a really impressive colt, very exciting few weeks ahead. “He’s going to learn a lot from today too. “I think we can just train him, and three weeks (until the Blue Diamond) is good for him.” Ben Melham has picked up an early riding double after winning on Icelandic Miss in the previous race and he spoke after the win of Coleman. “He’s got very good ability, but he is just a competitive horse,” Melham said of Coleman. “Matty (Laurie) has managed him really well and I like the fact that he has got three weeks into the Blue Diamond. “Really nice colt, very good colt I think, still putting it all together but it’ll be scary when he does. “I was momentarily worried, but he is a very good horse our bloke and he just expanded underneath me and picked him up and won with ease in the end.” Coleman is now the +300 favourite in Blue Diamond Stakes futures markets with top horse betting sites. More horse racing news View the full article

Prost ridden by Tim Clark wins the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes. Photo: Racing NSW Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott have continued their winning ways with their two-year-olds in 2024, as Tim Clark guided Prost (+240) to victory in the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes at Rosehill. With several of their juveniles taking out most of the two-year-old races in the lead up to the Golden Slipper, the Waterhouse & Bott team appear to have another good one on their hands. This son of Snitzel was returning for his second racing preparation after finishing third behind his stablemate Espionage in the Group 3 Breeders Plate in September last year. King Of Roseau (+360) led the field up to the home corner before Prost took over at the 200m mark and raced to a clear margin, with Fearless running home down the outside into second and the race favourite Traffic Warden (+240) battled on for third. An awkward stride after letting down by the runner-up hindered his chances of winning, but nothing really worried the winner as he ran over the line to win by a half-length. 2024 Canonbury Stakes Replay – Prost Adrian Bott was on course to see Prost’s win and he spoke post-race. “We’re in a great position, had some great support this year and we’ve got some lovely colts and Prost is a great example of that going forward,” Bott said. “Really strengthened up and mentally we saw a real professional performance from him there. “After the Breeder’s Plate, discussing the options, being a Magic Millions purchase he had the option of going up there. “But speaking with Kia Ora and everyone involved with this colt we wanted to give him the right time and just have a real good run up and a real good lead up towards the Golden Slipper. “Obviously today was very important for him to get some prize money and get a good win on the board. “We’ve got a bit of time now to work out what the path is going to be, how many runs he needs. But certainly, we’ll see him again and all roads will be leading towards the Golden Slipper.” Tim Clark has ridden most of the Waterhouse & Bott two-year-olds and he will have a choice to make in a few weeks. “He put the writing on the wall with his run in the Breeder’s (Plate) and then he’s come back and trialled nicely on both occasions, so he looked ready to go,” Clark said. “He began well from the inside and when the other horse was racing keenly outside me, I let him go and it gave him a chance to have something to chase. “He was probably a sitting shot the last 100m but to his credit he pulled out plenty and held his rivals at bay. “Their two-year-olds are airborne at the moment. “It makes our job a lot easier when you’re getting legged onto these jets every week and you’ve just got to point them. “They’ve got a good bunch of two-year-olds, and they get a good line on them and they’re going well.” Prost is a +1600 chance in Golden Slipper futures markets with online bookmakers. More horse racing news View the full article

Jockey Alexis Badel takes aim at consecutive Group Three victories aboard the in-form galloper: ‘Hopefully we’ll be in the right spot and hit the line strong’View the full article

Godolphin horses won four of the five turf races on the Feb. 2 program at the Dubai World Cup Carnival, previewing some potential stars for the summer season in Europe and the United States.View the full article

The Feb. 4 Hong Kong Classic Mile is the first of three races in the series that culminates with the Hong Kong Derby.View the full article

Breaking on top despite a slight bobble after the jump, Comparative (Street Sense) was headed only once in the GII Bayakoa S., but put that rival away in the lane to hold off all comers in a gutsy performance to pick up her first graded win. On a two-race win-streak coming into this contest after another dueled performance in the Ladies S. Jan. 6, and a winner to cap her 2023 season against New York optional claiming company Nov. 25 at Aqueduct, she was given a 6-1 chance by the betting public to repeat her performances. Quick to show the way after recovering from the unsteady jump, she put up :24.07, :48.12, and 1:12.82 splits as GSW Shotgun Hottie (Gun Runner) breathed down her neck. Briefly headed by that one in the far turn, she regained her advantage coming into the straight. Turning away another two challenges in the lane, the wire could not have arrived fast enough, and Ice Orchid's final lunge came a half-length short. Misty Veil had to settle for third. Pedigree Note A full-sister to dual track-record setting GSW Shared Sense, Comparative has a pair of winning and placed elder brothers as well as a 3-year-old full-brother Kinetic. Dam Collective, herself a half-sister to GSW & MGISP Penwith (Bernardini) and MGSW & MGISP Cantering (A. P. Indy), dam of GISP Central Avenue (Street Sense), produced a pair of Medaglia d'Oro offspring–a 2-year-old colt and yearling filly. She has no breeding on record for 2024. This is also the family of GISP Tranquil Manner (A. P. Indy). Friday, Oaklawn BAYAKOA S.-GIII, $250,000, Oaklawn, 2-2, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:44.81, ft. 1–COMPARATIVE, 121, f, 4, by Street Sense 1st Dam: Collective, by Bernardini 2nd Dam: Composure, by Touch Gold 3rd Dam: Party Cited, by Alleged 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Manuel Franco. $135,000. Lifetime Record: 11-5-0-3, $410,995. *Full to Shared Sense, MGSW, $577,435. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Ice Orchid, 119, m, 5, Super Saver–Singlet, by Real Quiet. O/B-Shortleaf Stable (KY); T-John Alexander Ortiz. $45,000. 3–Misty Veil, 121, m, 6, Tonalist–Genuine Class, by Birdstone. ($210,000 6yo '24 KEEJAN). O-Resolute Racing; B-William Humphries & Altair Farms LLC (KY); T-Michael J. Maker. $22,500. Margins: HF, 1 1/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 6.20, 8.00, 20.80. Also Ran: Butterbean, Hot and Sultry, Shotgun Hottie, Just Katherine, The Alys Look, Skratch Kat. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Comparative Takes Them All the Way in Bayakoa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

He might be 38 points shy of raging favourite Helios Express but the Mauritian jockey is hopeful of a bold showing from the David Hayes-trained galloperView the full article

The Lothenbach dispersal of Horses of Racing Age on Fasig-Tipton Digital, run Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, closed with 66 horses selling for $4,840,000 with MSP Minnesota Ready (More Than Ready) leading all lots at a final price of $380,000, changing hands to Richard Colton Jr.. The first in the digital ring, Minnesota Ready was most recently seen Jan. 20 in the Duncan F. Kenner S. at the Fair Grounds, where he again ran third in a blanket finish with SW Sosua Summer (Summer Front) and MSW & MGSP Just Might (Justin Phillip) and wrapping his 2023 season before that Dec. 23 in the Richard R. Scherer Memorial S. behind those familiar foes. The four others who went beyond the $300,000 mark include Dazzlin Dictator (American Pharoah), a two-time winner at Turfway Park, who went to Rodolphe Brisset, agent for Ann Harrison; Tickle Me Unclemo (Uncle Mo), a $350,000 KEESEP yearling, went to Robert Salome for $320,000; and Practically Dark (Practical Joke), recently second in a maiden special at the Fair Grounds, sold to C2 Racing Stable for $310,000. Most notable of that group is GSW & GISP Happy American (Runhappy), who went as a racing prospect and sold to trainer Neil Pessin for $340,000. A frequent face in the graded ranks across the country, he won the GIII Louisiana S. in 2023 and ran third that summer in the GIII Blame and GI Stephen Foster S.. After uninspiring finishes in the a pair of graded efforts in Kentucky, he returned to the Big Easy and hit the board in the Tenacious S. to cap his season. He'd made his 2024 bow in the GIII Louisiana S. Jan. 20, finishing third in his title defense attempt. In addition to the $4.84-million aggregate, the average was $73,333 while the median was $41,000 with 16 horses selling for $100,000 or more with Taylor Made Sales consigning. A total of 741 potential buyers from 46 states and seven countries registered to bid, placing a total of 3,047, and averaging 46 bids per offering. “All I can say is, 'Wow,'” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton's Director of Digital Sales. “We have to thank the estate of Mr. Lothenbach for trusting us with this dispersal of racing stock. This is exactly what the digital platform was built for: horses and buyers from all over the country. These are phenomenal results.” The dispersal of Lothenbach's breeding stock and yearlings will come during the Kentucky Winter Mix sale Feb. 5 to Feb. 6 with the catalogue available online. Full results for the Lothenbach dispersal are available here. The post Minnesota Ready Tops Lothenbach Dispersal on Fasig-Tipton Digital appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grade-I winner One in Vermillion (Army Mule) was euthanized Friday at a clinic in Phoenix due to the effects of laminits, according to his owner Jonathan Kalman, in a story posted by the DRF. According to that story, the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. victor had been preparing for a trip to Kentucky for the Keeneland January sale, where he was slated to go through the ring as a stallion prospect, when a farrier noticed the colt was foundering in his opposite foreleg of the injured fetlock sustained during a workout at Zia Park in November. “We called the vet immediately,” Kalman told DRF's Steve Anderson Friday. “He'd been with the vet since Dec. 27.” Hailing from humble beginnings as a $26,000 yearling from ARZNOV, the California-bred had more travel miles to his credit than most people, but thrived on the schedule, winning the tragic edition of the GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial after New York Thunder broke down on the lead. He picked up the Lazaro Barrera S. at Santa Anita and Sunland's Riley Allison Derby among his four wins in 2023. He also hit the board in the GIII West Virginia Derby in the lead up to that Grade I score and made runner-up appearances at Prairie Meadows and Canterbury in the Iowa and Canterbury Derby, respectively. The post One In Vermillion Euthanized appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article