Wandering Eyes

Few people know how to win a Doncaster Mile like Chris Waller. A six-time winner of the 1600-metre Group One, Waller sits just one win behind Tommy Smith and Gai Waterhouse who share the record for most wins in the A$3 million event that will be run at Randwick this Saturday. Three of Waller’s wins have come with three-year-olds, Triple Honour (NZ) (Honours List), Kermadec (NZ) (Teofilo) and Sacred Falls (NZ) (O’Reilly), meaning he is aware of the task confronting Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel) this weekend. The three-time Group One winner has 54kg, a weight that has been carried to victory just twice by a three-year-old since the introduction of the metric system in 1973. “(He’s got a) bit of weight to carry, he’s giving away five kilos to Celestial Legend, but he only knows how to run well,” Waller said. “He doesn’t know how to run bad, so we know he’s going to be consistent, we know he’ll try his best, he just needs a bit of luck with that big weight.” Seven three-year-olds have attempted Doncaster glory this century with at least 54kg and while Assertive Lad is the only one to win, Pierro (57kg) and Mentality (55kg) both finished runner-up, while Whobegotyou (54.5kg) finished third. No 21st century three-year-old has carried more weight than Pierro, but he ran in it on a 53kg minimum. Show A Heart, who ran 13th under 54.5kg the year Assertive Lad won, is the only other three-year-old who has been 5kg above the limit this century, while Assertive Lad and Super Seth were 4.5kg above. Mentality had 3.5kg more than the lightest-weighted horses, while Whobegotyou and Megatic were 3kg above. Militarize not only has the two Group 1 Guineas winners, Celestial Legend and Southport Tycoon, on the 49kg limit, he has two other rivals on 50kg, another on 50.5kg – including favourite Another Wil– and four on 51kg, meaning he’s conceding at least 3kg to nine rivals. Pierro and Show A Heart both gave at least 3kg to 11 rivals, Assertive Lad had nine, Whobegotyou eight, Super Seth three and Megatic just one. Militarize is the highest-weighted of Waller’s five runners in Saturday’s race, in which Think About It is the 57kg topweight. The Joe Pride-trained The Everest winner will become the 48th horse to run in a Doncaster with at least 57kg in the past 35 years. Six have won, Happy Clapper (57kg) the most recent, while an additional six have finished second and three others third with 32 unplaced. View the full article

Peter Moody fears a lack of recent match practice could come against defending titleholder I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) when he resumes against a crack field of race-fit sprinters in the Gr.1 T J Smith Stakes at Randwick. A forecast for drenching rain in Sydney has many expecting a heavy track on Saturday and while I Wish I Win handles those conditions, Moody says tackling them fresh from a break is a different kettle of fish. “He has handled the wet at Randwick, but that’s probably more taxing first-up than anything,” Moody said. “Being realistic, you’ve got a horse first-up off a long break that is probably going to find wet ground, and his opposition is probably going to go there a fair bit fitter. “I’m not kidding myself thinking we’re going there and just winning or anything like that, but he is forward enough to go and run well.” I Wish I Win defeated Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) to win the corresponding race last year on a heavy 9 surface, but he arrived third-up from a spell following placings in the Lightning Stakes and Newmarket Handicap. This year he returns from a six-month break, having not raced since his brilliant half-length second to Think About It (So You Think) in The Everest in October. With regular rider Luke Nolen still recovering from injuries suffered in a trackwork fall in January, James Mcdonald takes over the reins aboard I Wish I Win, who has eased to $4.40 with bookmakers, behind $3.20 favourite Imperatriz (I Am Invincible). Moody also reported to stewards that I Wish I Win had undergone minor surgery to remove a bone chip in his right knee since his Everest run. View the full article

Michael Freedman might be preparing to saddle up his first Australian Derby runner in his own right, but the Randwick trainer has plenty of experience when it comes to the time-honoured race. Freedman will start Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes winner Wymark (NZ) (Savabeel) in Saturday’s blue riband, 30 years after strapping 1994 winner Mahogany and 32 years after looking after Naturalism, both for his older brother and fellow trainer Lee. “I haven’t had a Derby runner,” Freedman said. “But I looked after Mahogany from when he was a yearling, so lots of fond memories with him, and Naturalism as well.” Mahogany won the Tulloch Stakes (2000m) as his final Derby lead-up, the same race Wymark triumphed in at Rosehill on Saturday to convince his connections to pay the A$44,000 late entry fee to run. While the former was a much more experienced horse at the same stage – Mahogany had captured the Caulfield Guineas and Victoria Derby in the spring and placed against the older horses in the Australian Cup – Wymark has been making a rapid progression. Breaking his maiden at Newcastle in February, he went on a four-start winning streak which included an almost 10-length romp at the same track and his last-start Tulloch Stakes success. Like most of his rivals, he will extend to 2400m for the first time in the ATC Australian Derby at Randwick after Freedman initially marked him as a sprinter-miler. “I didn’t think he was a genuine staying-type early doors, but he has well and truly proved me wrong,” Freedman said. “I always had a good opinion of him. I guess he is one of those colts that once gelded, he has just taken that next step. “I am mindful that he has been up a while, he’s not showing any signs of feeling the pinch just yet, but it takes a good, tough horse to do what he has done.” Saturday will be Wymark’s hardest test against the likes of Victoria Derby hero Riff Rocket (American Pharoah), Spring Champion Stakes winner Tom Kitten (Harry’s Angel) and classy filly Zardozi (Kingman), especially after drawing the widest gate in 14. But Freedman has taken heart from a conversation he had with big brother Lee prior to the son of Savabeel winning the Tulloch Stakes, a race which has produced four of the past seven Derby winners. “I was actually chatting to Lee (on Saturday morning) and he said, ‘I reckon your bloke is a great chance and it’s the right lead-up race’,” Freedman said. “I thought, ‘if he’s telling me that then I might be heading the right way’.” View the full article

A new communications campaign, HorsePWR, has been launched by British racing, designed to share and promote the facts around welfare in horseracing. HorsePWR will have its own dedicated website (www.horsepwr.co.uk) to provide information about the sport and the thoroughbred, the lives they lead and the high welfare and safety standards within racing. The website also explores the areas that racing has committed to improve, from reducing risk on and off the racecourse to better supporting horses when they leave the sport. The campaign has been led by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), Great British Racing (GBR) and racing's Horse Welfare Board (HWB), with additional funding provided by the Jockey Club. Kinross-based National Hunt trainer Lucinda Russell said of HorsePWR, “This is just what racing needs. We must provide the facts, help educate and confront the tough questions head on. The facts matter. We understand our responsibility and respect our horses and we want to make sure the public know this too. “It's good to see us taking a new approach, showing pride in the lives we give our horses and challenging and correcting inaccurate information which is put into the public domain by those who are opposed to the sport.” Robin Mounsey, BHA head of communications and HWB member, added, “The HorsePWR campaign sees the sport take a new approach when it comes to talking about welfare. It is about being up-front, open and transparent. It is about tackling head-on the elements of the sport that we know are areas of concern and providing information to educate and reassure. “Those who work in the sport are rightly proud of our record and standards when it comes to welfare. This campaign provides a platform to allow those connected with the sport to share their pride. It will be aimed at racing's current and potential fans, seeking to ensure that future generations of racing followers are not lost to the sport due to negative perceptions around the welfare issues which are tackled by this campaign.” The post British Racing Launches New Campaign to Address Welfare Concerns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Arby will contest the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North A year after his triumph in the Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2100m), classy four-year-old Arby will chase another feature on Manawatu’s feature day, the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). A son of Proisir, Arby has established a consistent record while often in the best of company this season, with top-five finishes in the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m), Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m), and Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m). Matamata-based training partnership Darryn and Briar Weatherley were given a vote of confidence when the gelding flashed home to narrowly finish runner-up to The Mighty Spar in the South Waikato Cup (2000m) on March 13, and Darryn’s son Sam will retain the ride on Saturday. “He’s trained on really well from his last run, we’re very happy with his work and the way he’s looking,” Darryn Weatherley said. “His run at Matamata was really good, probably made look even better with the rail out as far as it was, and the 2000m there is quite short. He’s a horse that gets back, and he found the line really well against the pattern.” Arby showed his powerful staying ability in the feature three-year-old event which was held at Awapuni, and Weatherley indicated the son of Proisir would relish the relocation to Trentham for this year’s meeting. “We’re really looking forward to Saturday with the big, roomy track down at Trentham as well as the long straight,” he said. “We’re crossing our fingers, but I’m sure he’ll run a race.” The Weatherleys will also be represented by Dark Destroyer, a highly-talented galloper with the 2022 edition of the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) to his name, alongside a string of black-type performances on either side of the Tasman. Another progeny of Proisir, Dark Destroyer joined the Weatherley stable this season, recording two fifth-placed efforts in the Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) and Group 2 Japan Trophy (1600m) from his three race-day appearances. Leading Central Districts jockey Lisa Allpress was aboard in his Tarzino triumph and will take the reins when the five-year-old jumps from barrier eight. “He’s probably the class horse of the field on what he’s achieved so far in his career,” Weatherley said. “Our horse that ran second (Mali Ston) just kept him in a bit of a pocket at a vital stage in the Japan Trophy, he needed to be rolling forward when he got held up. For him to run fifth on a bog of a track, it was a pretty nice effort. “He’s probably better suited to a bit of cut in the track, so if they get the rain at Wellington, he would come right into contention. “The set weights and penalties suit him down to the ground, he’ll only carry 55kg where in a normal handicap he would be carrying 60kg or more. He’s well placed and I think the 2100m will suit him as well.” Horse racing news View the full article

Tomodachi Kokoroe has four wins this season. When Tomodachi Kokoroe arrived in Hong Kong last year, David Hayes harboured modest ambitions with the gelding despite a statistically imposing record in Australia but, such has been the speedster’s progress in his new surroundings, he has earned a tilt at Lucky Sweynesse in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Dual Hong Kong champion trainer Hayes is happy to concede the galloper formerly known in Australia as Bank Bank Bank has exceeded expectations with four wins and three seconds from 15 starts, HK$7.4 million in prize money and a surge up the handicap this season from 61 to 92 and believes there is scope for even more improvement. “When he arrived and I hadn’t worked him, I thought his Cairns form wouldn’t be good enough in Hong Kong,” Hayes said, referencing the Written Tycoon gelding’s six straight wins at Cairns and Townsville for Ricky Ludwig. “But the moment I worked him, I knew he had something and he’s gone above expectations – and I don’t think he’s finished. He looks like he’s training on nicely. This is his biggest test, of course.” Having posted a Class 4 win at Happy Valley in October, Tomodachi Kokoroe added two Class 3 victories before scoring in Class 1 two starts ago on 21 February. To be ridden by Karis Teetan from barrier one on Sunday, Tomodachi Kokoroe (123lb) will press for his first victory at Sha Tin where the world’s top-rated sprinter Lucky Sweynesse will carry 128lb under Hugh Bowman, conceding five pounds to his opposition. Each assigned 123lb, Lucky With You, Howdeepisyourlove, Duke Wai, Flying Ace, Adios, Whizz Kid, Invincible Sage, Packing Treadmill and Nervous Witness complete the field. Tomodachi Kokoroe’s stablemate Nervous Witness has five 1000m victories in Hong Kong but is yet to succeed at 1200m, where the gelding has three placings from eight attempts at the distance. “He’s never won at 1200 metres, but he’s had a couple of good seconds,” Hayes said. “I expect a big turnaround in form. First-up, he got left alone and won well. Second-up, he got attacked by three horses that all finished out the back. There mightn’t be quite the pressure in the big sprint this Sunday and if there is a little less pressure up front, he could turn his form around quickly.” Along with Lucky Sweynesse, Lucky With You, Howdeepisyourlove, Duke Wai, Flying Ace, Adios and Invincible Sage, Tomodachi Kokoroe and Nervous Witness are entered for the HK$22 million Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on April 28, when Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) winner California Spangle and Victor The Winner are also likely to feature for Hong Kong. The HK$5.35 million Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) also highlights this weekend’s Sha Tin card with a 13-horse field headed by Russian Emperor. Chief Stipelas Whyte’s dual Hong Kong Champion Stayer will carry 128lb, while Beauty Eternal, Beauty Joy, Sword Point, Nimble Nimbus, Red Lion, Encountered, Healthy Happy, Money Catcher, Taj Dragon, Super Sunny Sing and The Best Peach are all assigned 123lb. Several of the city’s leading trainers and jockeys are the brink of significant landmarks, including dual champion trainer Tony Cruz (1,499), four-time champion handler Caspar Fownes (1,098), six-time champion jockey Zac Purton (1,697) and 2019/20 champion trainer Ricky Yiu (994). Horse racing news View the full article

He’s endured four defeats, blood in his trachea and lameness this season, but the sprinter will be sent out to boost his prize money yet againView the full article

Full Force will contest the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North Full Force fitted a formula that vendor Kilgravin Lodge has previously enjoyed racing success with and that process could take them to the highest level this weekend. Eion and Megan Kemp’s Matamata operation retained an interest in the Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard-trained youngster, who will take aim at the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. “We bought him as a weanling and then reoffered him as a yearling at Karaka. He was originally passed in and Johno rang me later and we got a deal done,” Eion Kemp said. “We kept a piece of him and he’s really gone on and done the job, we’ve been rapt with the results. We do stay in a few if we really like the horse, especially if they look like being an earlier type. “People support us and we’re quite happy to reciprocate in some way.” Originally secured for A$70,000 at the Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale, Full Force has posted a win and three placings, including a third in the Listed Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), from his five appearances. “He was straightforward and pretty settled right from day one, great-natured and good to have around,” Kemp said. Full Force heads to Trentham off the back of a commanding victory last month and has thrived since. “He’s absolutely flying, we’re very happy with him and his win the other day was really dominant and he deserves to have a go at this race,” Benner said. “He hasn’t really put a foot wrong this season and you probably have to forgive his run (two starts ago) at Matamata. “He didn’t get clear running after he got back into a horrible spot and Michael (McNab) was pretty kind on him late. “We put that behind us and he justified his short price at Otaki. The horse (Sergeant Major) he beat there came out and won at Wellington and they’re racing about him so the form around him is good.” The stable will also have two runners at Wanganui on Friday with Titled and O’Riordan to contest the Palamountains Animal Nutrition Handicap (2040m). “It looks a very winnable race for either of them really, there is a little bit of quality in there and Field Of Gold won a Waikato Guineas (Group 2, 2000m),” Benner said. “It’s not going to be any walk over but Titled has been stakes placed twice and he’s very, very well and so is O’Riordan so we think they will run well. “They are hard to split them, O’Riordan has been up for a little while and we’ll probably see the best of her as a five-year-old. “I would probably lean toward Titled, if he brings his A-game then he’s the horse to beat.” Titled was a winner two runs back at New Plymouth and then finished runner-up in the Masterton Cup (2000m) while O’Riordan ran fourth at Tauherenikau before an unplaced effort in the New Zealand St Leger (2600m). Horse racing news View the full article

Tony Cruz celebrates Monta Frutta’s victory. Fresh from Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) success in Dubai on Saturday with California Spangle, Tony Cruz stands on the brink of another remarkable Hong Kong milestone after Monta Frutta’s breakthrough success at Sha Tin’s all-dirt meeting on Wednesday night. Monta Frutta’s victory under Angus Chung left Cruz with a total of 1,499 Hong Kong wins as a trainer – a total bettered only by John Moore (1,735) and John Size (1,534). Having won Hong Kong championships as an apprentice, senior jockey and trainer, Cruz is one of city’s most revered racing figures and, at 67, he has no intention of slowing down. “Reaching 1,500 winners would be an accomplishment – every winner counts,” Cruz said. “As I like to say – the more, the merrier. I will try to win as many races as I can, that’s my job. “This horse (Monta Frutta), I gave him some trials and I found he was very good on the dirt, so I’ve kept racing him on the dirt – he likes it more than the grass – and I think he can win again on the dirt.” Cruz is one of several leading Hong Kong figures within reach of landmark figures, including Zac Purton (1,697), Caspar Fownes (1,098) and Ricky Yiu (994). Size maintained hopes of a 13th Hong Kong trainers’ championship after posting a double with Must Go and Bundle Of Charm. The Australian’s brace boosted his tally to 41 wins for the season to trail Pierre Ng (54) and Francis Lui (45) with 28 meetings left in the season. “It’s always nice to win a race. I haven’t got many horses for the dirt track, but if they can win a race on it, well it’s a really good thing,” Size said after Bundle Of Charm won for Alexis Badel. “We’ll keep going and see what we can find for him (Bundle Of Charm). He’s been so honest and consistent this season that he’s handicapping himself out of a few races now. But he just keeps turning up so we’ll keep hoping.” Badel said: “Great form, great performance – he’s been doing his very best recently. I was hoping he was going to give me another great performance and he did. “He was a bit stiff not to win the Class 1 in Happy Valley because he had the advantage and he lost it on the line. That was a bit frustrating but today is a great victory and well deserved.” Must Go struck for Size under Brenton Avdulla. Karis Teetan slotted a double when Joyful Champion broke through at his 24th start for Michael Chang before Mark Newnham’s Sing Dragon rallied strongly under the Mauritian. Chang made it 10 winners for the campaign with Ben Thompson’s ground-saving ride on Forever Folks. Super Joy ended a string of frustrating near-misses for trainer Cody Mo under Matthew Chadwick. Runner-up on four occasions this season over the course and distance, the Starcraft gelding avenged two narrow defeats with a short-head success over Daily Trophy. Caspar Fownes posted his first win since March 3 with M Unicorn’s powerful finish under Keith Yeung. Horse racing news View the full article

Velocious will contest the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Top juvenile Velocious moves into serious bonus territory at Trentham on Saturday. The Written Tycoon filly will attempt to not only double her tally at the highest level, but also race for an extended prize pool in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). The feature is the first event in the $1 million bonus series attached to next season’s inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). “There’s been light discussions at the moment with a few (slot holders) but certainly nothing set in concrete,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. Velocious will spearhead the Cambridge conditioner’s domestic team while Antrim Coast will bid to remain unbeaten in Australia when he runs at Caulfield. The Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) runner-up produced another top performance to win the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at The Valley and his sights are now set on the Elvis Thurgood Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield. Velocious has already bagged victories in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) and the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Marsh can’t fault the star filly. “She had a week in the paddock after her last win and she has come on really well,” Marsh said. “We took her for an exhibition gallop to Ellerslie and she galloped beautifully. She’s had one gallop this week and she’s going there in great order. “Win, lose or draw she’s had a fantastic campaign and will have a nice spell after this. She won’t have a taxing spring and we’ll be targeting the Kiwi.” Velocious is raced by Albert Bosma’s Go Racing syndication company and they also have stablemate Skyman in the Group 2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). The eight-year-old was a last-start sixth in the Group 2 Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga and will appreciate the return to middle distance racing. “He gets in well at set weights and penalties, that’s the key, and he had the mile last week and that has brought him on a bit more,” Marsh said. “He’s got a nice draw (two) and he will jump and put himself there, I think he’ll be hard to beat.” The stable’s Trentham team, all to be ridden by Sam Spratt, is completed by last start winner Provence in the Listed Flying Handicap (1400m). “She’s got a sticky gate (11) and she’ll get off the speed a bit. Her form has been really good and she’s a beautifully bred mare that deserves a crack at black type,” Marsh said. Meanwhile, Antrim Coast has trained on well since his last-start success and will be in line for another Classic tilt if he runs up to expectations on Saturday. “It looks an even sort of a field and I wouldn’t have thought it has the depth of the Alister Clark,” Marsh said. “He’s got to carry 59kg and has a sticky gate (9), but he’ll go forward to get into a possie and 2400m at Caulfield will suit him better than 2000m at Moonee Valley. “He’s in great order, his work has been very good so we’re happy.” The Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on May 4 will be Antrim Coast’s next target. “It’s gone from A$500,000 to a $1 million this year and it’s in a months’ time so it will be a beautiful race for him,” Marsh said. Horse racing news View the full article

Tavattack (inside) winning last year’s Listed Flying Handicap (1400m). Photo: Race Images Palmerston North New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock will saddle three runners in his bid for back-to-back victories in the Listed Flying Handicap (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. Sharrock won last year’s edition of the $90,000 race at Awapuni with Tavattack, who powered home for an impressive win over subsequent big-race stars El Vencedor and Maria Farina. Tavattack is back again on Saturday to defend that title, and Sharrock rates him the pick of his stable’s Flying Handicap trio. The Tavistock gelding was back in winning form at Otaki last start, carrying 59.5kg to score impressively over 1200m on February 24. The seven-year-old drops to 55.5kg on Saturday, with Craig Grylls again taking the ride. “I think Tavattack could be a very strong chance again this weekend,” Sharrock said. “He’s a pretty smart horse, he gets in nicely at the weights and he’s got the blinkers back on. He should go well.” Sharrock will also be represented by the 12-race winner Justaskme, who will carry the 60kg topweight with Michael McNab aboard. The eight-year-old is being pointed towards the Listed ACG Training Stakes (1600m) at Wanganui on June 1 – a race he won last year. “They’ll run Justaskme off his feet on Saturday,” Sharrock said. “Realistically, there’s probably only one race on the calendar that he’s capable of winning these days, which is the weight-for-age race at Wanganui. We’re gearing his whole campaign around that race.” Sharrock’s Flying Handicap trio is completed by the exciting four-year-old mare Alexandra Quick, who will carry the equal minimum weight of 53kg with Matt Cameron in the saddle. This will be only the fourth career start for the daughter of Per Incanto, who produced stunning finishes from seemingly hopeless positions to win her first two starts. She was a beaten favourite when a last-start fifth at Otaki on February 24. “We found a few little issues with Alexandra Quick after her disappointing run at Otaki,” Sharrock said. “We think we’re on top of those now, and as people know, she’s a bit freakish when she puts everything together on the track. “The connections have a full-brother going through the Easter Sale in Sydney, so they’re keen to have a crack at some black type with her before that yearling goes through the ring. We’ll roll the dice and see what happens.” Bookmakers rates Tavattack a $3.80 favourite to defend his Flying Handicap title, while Alexandra Quick is an $11 chance and Justaskme is at $16. Sharrock will also be represented by a pair of leading chances at Wanganui on Friday. Tavi Ann goes into the Fraser Auret Racing (1600m) as a placegetter in both of her last two starts over the same distance, and Triston Moodley’s 3kg claim takes her down to just 53.5kg. Bella Timing is a half-sister to former Sharrock stable star Tavi Mac. The three-year-old Time Test filly has shown some bright promise of her own with a win, a third and a fifth from her three starts so far, and Sharrock is running her in Friday’s Tina Egan Pre-Training (1200m) in preference to a three-year-old sprint at Trentham on Saturday. Horse racing news View the full article

The Patron Saint winning at Ruakaka on Wednesday. Photo: Race Images Andrew Forsman commenced a big week of racing in winning fashion on both sides of the Tasman. Out of his Cambridge stable, Forsman prepared The Patron Saint to an impressive front-running win at Ruakaka on Wednesday. A promising son of Dissident, The Patron Saint flew his outside barrier draw under Joe Doyle and was never headed in the maiden three-year-old 1600m contest, with 2-1/2 lengths back to race favourite Mister Meaner. “We’d given him a bit of a freshen-up, he was thereabouts last prep, but he was just a bit weak, so we put him aside and he’s come back a lot stronger,” Forsman said. “It was nice to see him do that fresh-up. We hoped to see him win a race this week, then if he could, he could be a candidate for the Championship Stakes (Group 3, 2100m) on the 20th (of April) at Ellerslie.” After initially establishing his Victorian stable at Macedon Lodge, Forsman moved to Flemington earlier this year, and promising three-year-old Riproar recorded a dominant fresh-up victory for the stable at Geelong on Tuesday. A winner on home soil as a two-year-old, Riproar added a second victory to his Australian record in a Benchmark 64 contest over 1340m, closing strongly under his 60kg impost. “It was good to get him underway again after a long lay-up, after almost six months since he last raced. He didn’t quite hit his straps in the spring, I think it was all a little bit too much, too soon for him,” Forsman said. “He’s come along really well after the break, and it was testing enough track for the distance there at Geelong. “We’ll see how he comes through it, but there are a few Guineas options in the next couple of weeks. There is the Bendigo Guineas over 1400m next Saturday, but we may look to the Mornington Guineas over a mile on the 20th instead.” Another Australian representative will resume on Saturday, with four-year-old Mr Maestro facing a stern task in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield. The talented son of Savabeel has been successful at Listed and Group Three level across the Tasman, in a career hindered by soundness issues. “He had a tendon injury in the autumn and we gave him a light spring, so now we’re hoping to get some runs into his legs and make plans after that,” Forsman said. “It’s a very good field on Saturday and obviously we didn’t want him to resume in such a strong race, but there weren’t many options and he’s pretty much ready to go. “It’s a matter of lining up and getting the run into him without too many expectations, but he is coming up well and we’re happy. It will be a hard run 1400m, hopefully he can settle back and run on well, and we can press on from there.” Back in New Zealand, the rain forecast for the Wellington region is posing a query for Red Sea, as the impressive Pierata colt readies for the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). A decisive last-start winner over 1200m at Matamata, Red Sea will partner with regular rider Warren Kennedy in an attempt to dethrone all-conquering filly Velocious, among a string of other classy performers. “It’s a big step-up in class, and the rain-affected track is an unknown, he hasn’t really been tried on what may become a Slow to Heavy track,” Forsman said. “The distance is also a query on a big track. “He’s a horse that likes to jump and run, he was better with blinkers on last time, but it’s whether he can run out the 1400m in the track conditions at Trentham.” A Forsman runner that will be undeterred by a downgrade in track conditions is White Noise, who will likely head to Trentham over the Open 1300m event at Pukekohe. The El Roca five-year-old will aim to add to his three black-type victories in the Listed Bramco & Granite Flying Handicap (1400m) under an in-form Masa Hashizume. “I’m probably leaning towards Trentham now with the rain forecasted, a bit of give in the track will help him and the weight he will carry (54.5kg). We’ll have to make a call on Wednesday whether we send him down or not,” Forsman said. “He’s really well, we’ve given him a couple of trials and we’re happy with where he’s at.” Also benefitting from a softening in the surface, Moonlight Magic and Wren will return to Trentham after finishing 6th and 11th in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) last month, this time to contest the Group 3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m). “They both just got a long way out of their ground in the Oaks,” Forsman said. “Moonlight Magic was probably the better of the two, her last 600m was good and we’ve put the blinkers on her to hopefully sharpen her up. “Wren got a long way back in an awkward spot, and she’ll appreciate the smaller field on Saturday. The rain affected track will help both of them.” Completing Forsman’s contingent will be Koheroa, a lightly-tried son of I Am Invincible attempting to build on a deserved maiden win in early January, which followed a second placing behind subsequent Group Three-winner Certainly. “He’s a nice horse that’s always shown good ability,” he said. “We gave him a break as we always thought he would be better with a bit more time, but he might be a bit of an unknown if the track gets too wet as well. It is a query for him fresh-up. “We just want to test the waters against some of the better ones in his own age group, and he gets a nice chance to do that on Saturday.” Koheroa will contest The Oaks Stud Premier (1200m) with Michael McNab aboard. Horse racing news View the full article

A year after his triumph in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m), classy four-year-old Arby will chase another feature on Manawatu’s feature day, the Gr.2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). A son of Proisir, Arby has established a consistent record while often in the best of company this season, with top-five finishes in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m), Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m), and Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m). Matamata-based training partnership Darryn and Briar Weatherley were given a vote of confidence when the gelding flashed home to narrowly finish runner-up to The Mighty Spar in the South Waikato Cup (2000m) on March 13, and Darryn’s son Sam will retain the ride on Saturday. “He’s trained on really well from his last run, we’re very happy with his work and the way he’s looking,” Darryn Weatherley said. “His run at Matamata was really good, probably made look even better with the rail out as far as it was, and the 2000m there is quite short. He’s a horse that gets back, and he found the line really well against the pattern.” Arby showed his powerful staying ability in the feature three-year-old event which was held at Awapuni, and Weatherley indicated the son of Proisir would relish the relocation to Trentham for this year’s meeting. “We’re really looking forward to Saturday with the big, roomy track down at Trentham as well as the long straight,” he said. “We’re crossing our fingers, but I’m sure he’ll run a race.” The Weatherleys will also be represented by Dark Destroyer, a highly-talented galloper with the 2022 edition of the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) to his name, alongside a string of black-type performances on either side of the Tasman. Another progeny of Proisir, Dark Destroyer joined the Weatherley stable this season, recording two fifth-placed efforts in the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) and Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m) from his three race-day appearances. Leading Central Districts jockey Lisa Allpress was aboard in his Tarzino triumph and will take the reins when the five-year-old jumps from barrier eight. “He’s probably the class horse of the field on what he’s achieved so far in his career,” Weatherley said. “Our horse that ran second (Mali Ston) just kept him in a bit of a pocket at a vital stage in the Japan Trophy, he needed to be rolling forward when he got held up. For him to run fifth on a bog of a track, it was a pretty nice effort. “He’s probably better suited to a bit of cut in the track, so if they get the rain at Wellington, he would come right into contention. “The set weights and penalties suit him down to the ground, he’ll only carry 55kg where in a normal handicap he would be carrying 60kg or more. He’s well placed and I think the 2100m will suit him as well.” View the full article

New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock will saddle three runners in his bid for back-to-back victories in the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. Sharrock won last year’s edition of the $90,000 race at Awapuni with Tavattack, who powered home for an impressive win over subsequent big-race stars El Vencedor and Maria Farina. Tavattack is back again on Saturday to defend that title, and Sharrock rates him the pick of his stable’s Flying Handicap trio. The Tavistock gelding was back in winning form at Otaki last start, carrying 59.5kg to score impressively over 1200m on February 24. The seven-year-old drops to 55.5kg on Saturday, with Craig Grylls again taking the ride. “I think Tavattack could be a very strong chance again this weekend,” Sharrock said. “He’s a pretty smart horse, he gets in nicely at the weights and he’s got the blinkers back on. He should go well.” Sharrock will also be represented by the 12-race winner Justaskme, who will carry the 60kg topweight with Michael McNab aboard. The eight-year-old is being pointed towards the Listed ACG Training Stakes (1600m) at Wanganui on June 1 – a race he won last year. “They’ll run Justaskme off his feet on Saturday,” Sharrock said. “Realistically, there’s probably only one race on the calendar that he’s capable of winning these days, which is the weight-for-age race at Wanganui. We’re gearing his whole campaign around that race.” Sharrock’s Flying Handicap trio is completed by the exciting four-year-old mare Alexandra Quick, who will carry the equal minimum weight of 53kg with Matt Cameron in the saddle. This will be only the fourth career start for the daughter of Per Incanto, who produced stunning finishes from seemingly hopeless positions to win her first two starts. She was a beaten favourite when a last-start fifth at Otaki on February 24. “We found a few little issues with Alexandra Quick after her disappointing run at Otaki,” Sharrock said. “We think we’re on top of those now, and as people know, she’s a bit freakish when she puts everything together on the track. “The connections have a full-brother going through the Easter Sale in Sydney, so they’re keen to have a crack at some black type with her before that yearling goes through the ring. We’ll roll the dice and see what happens.” The TAB rates Tavattack a $3.80 favourite to defend his Flying Handicap title, while Alexandra Quick is an $11 chance and Justaskme is at $16. Sharrock will also be represented by a pair of leading chances at Wanganui on Friday. Tavi Ann goes into the Fraser Auret Racing (1600m) as a placegetter in both of her last two starts over the same distance, and Triston Moodley’s 3kg claim takes her down to just 53.5kg. Bella Timing is a half-sister to former Sharrock stable star Tavi Mac. The three-year-old Time Test filly has shown some bright promise of her own with a win, a third and a fifth from her three starts so far, and Sharrock is running her in Friday’s Tina Egan Pre-Training (1200m) in preference to a three-year-old sprint at Trentham on Saturday. View the full article

Top juvenile Velocious moves into serious bonus territory at Trentham on Saturday. The Written Tycoon filly will attempt to not only double her tally at the highest level, but also race for an extended prize pool in the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). The feature is the first event in the $1 million bonus series attached to next season’s inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). “There’s been light discussions at the moment with a few (slot holders) but certainly nothing set in concrete,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. Velocious will spearhead the Cambridge conditioner’s domestic team while Antrim Coast will bid to remain unbeaten in Australia when he runs at Caulfield. The Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) runner-up produced another top performance to win the Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at The Valley and his sights are now set on the Elvis Thurgood Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield. Velocious has already bagged victories in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) and the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Marsh can’t fault the star filly. “She had a week in the paddock after her last win and she has come on really well,” Marsh said. “We took her for an exhibition gallop to Ellerslie and she galloped beautifully. She’s had one gallop this week and she’s going there in great order. “Win, lose or draw she’s had a fantastic campaign and will have a nice spell after this. She won’t have a taxing spring and we’ll be targeting the Kiwi.” Velocious is raced by Albert Bosma’s Go Racing syndication company and they also have stablemate Skyman in the Gr.2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). The eight-year-old was a last-start sixth in the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga and will appreciate the return to middle distance racing. “He gets in well at set weights and penalties, that’s the key, and he had the mile last week and that has brought him on a bit more,” Marsh said. “He’s got a nice draw (two) and he will jump and put himself there, I think he’ll be hard to beat.” The stable’s Trentham team, all to be ridden by Sam Spratt, is completed by last start winner Provence in the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m). “She’s got a sticky gate (11) and she’ll get off the speed a bit. Her form has been really good and she’s a beautifully bred mare that deserves a crack at black type,” Marsh said. Meanwhile, Antrim Coast has trained on well since his last-start success and will be in line for another Classic tilt if he runs up to expectations on Saturday. “It looks an even sort of a field and I wouldn’t have thought it has the depth of the Alister Clark,” Marsh said. “He’s got to carry 59kg and has a sticky gate (9), but he’ll go forward to get into a possie and 2400m at Caulfield will suit him better than 2000m at Moonee Valley. “He’s in great order, his work has been very good so we’re happy.” The Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on May 4 will be Antrim Coast’s next target. “It’s gone from A$500,000 to a $1 million this year and it’s in a months’ time so it will be a beautiful race for him,” Marsh said. View the full article

Full Force fitted a formula that vendor Kilgravin Lodge has previously enjoyed racing success with and that process could take them to the highest level this weekend. Eion and Megan Kemp’s Matamata operation retained an interest in the Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard-trained youngster, who will take aim at the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. “We bought him as a weanling and then reoffered him as a yearling at Karaka. He was originally passed in and Johno rang me later and we got a deal done,” Eion Kemp said. “We kept a piece of him and he’s really gone on and done the job, we’ve been rapt with the results. We do stay in a few if we really like the horse, especially if they look like being an earlier type. “People support us and we’re quite happy to reciprocate in some way.” Originally secured for A$70,000 at the Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale, Full Force has posted a win and three placings, including a third in the Listed Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), from his five appearances. “He was straightforward and pretty settled right from day one, great-natured and good to have around,” Kemp said. Full Force heads to Trentham off the back of a commanding victory last month and has thrived since. “He’s absolutely flying, we’re very happy with him and his win the other day was really dominant and he deserves to have a go at this race,” Benner said. “He hasn’t really put a foot wrong this season and you probably have to forgive his run (two starts ago) at Matamata. “He didn’t get clear running after he got back into a horrible spot and Michael (McNab) was pretty kind on him late. “We put that behind us and he justified his short price at Otaki. The horse (Sergeant Major) he beat there came out and won at Wellington and they’re racing about him so the form around him is good.” The stable will also have two runners at Wanganui on Friday with Titled and O’Riordan to contest the Palamountains Animal Nutrition Handicap (2040m). “It looks a very winnable race for either of them really, there is a little bit of quality in there and Field Of Gold won a Waikato Guineas (Gr.2, 2000m),” Benner said. “It’s not going to be any walk over but Titled has been stakes placed twice and he’s very, very well and so is O’Riordan so we think they will run well. “They are hard to split them, O’Riordan has been up for a little while and we’ll probably see the best of her as a five-year-old. “I would probably lean toward Titled, if he brings his A-game then he’s the horse to beat.” Titled was a winner two runs back at New Plymouth and then finished runner-up in the Masterton Cup (2000m) while O’Riordan ran fourth at Tauherenikau before an unplaced effort in the New Zealand St Leger (2600m). View the full article

Andrew Forsman commenced a big week of racing in winning fashion on both sides of the Tasman. Out of his Cambridge stable, Forsman prepared The Patron Saint to an impressive front-running win at Ruakaka on Wednesday. A promising son of Dissident, The Patron Saint flew his outside barrier draw under Joe Doyle and was never headed in the maiden three-year-old 1600m contest, with 2-1/2 lengths back to race favourite Mister Meaner. “We’d given him a bit of a freshen-up, he was thereabouts last prep, but he was just a bit weak, so we put him aside and he’s come back a lot stronger,” Forsman said. “It was nice to see him do that fresh-up. We hoped to see him win a race this week, then if he could, he could be a candidate for the Championship Stakes (Gr.3, 2100m) on the 20th (of April) at Ellerslie.” After initially establishing his Victorian stable at Macedon Lodge, Forsman moved to Flemington earlier this year, and promising three-year-old Riproar recorded a dominant fresh-up victory for the stable at Geelong on Tuesday. A winner on home soil as a two-year-old, Riproar added a second victory to his Australian record in a Benchmark 64 contest over 1340m, closing strongly under his 60kg impost. “It was good to get him underway again after a long lay-up, after almost six months since he last raced. He didn’t quite hit his straps in the spring, I think it was all a little bit too much, too soon for him,” Forsman said. “He’s come along really well after the break, and it was testing enough track for the distance there at Geelong. “We’ll see how he comes through it, but there are a few Guineas options in the next couple of weeks. There is the Bendigo Guineas over 1400m next Saturday, but we may look to the Mornington Guineas over a mile on the 20th instead.” Another Australian representative will resume on Saturday, with four-year-old Mr Maestro facing a stern task in the Gr.3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield. The talented son of Savabeel has been successful at Listed and Group Three level across the Tasman, in a career hindered by soundness issues. “He had a tendon injury in the autumn and we gave him a light spring, so now we’re hoping to get some runs into his legs and make plans after that,” Forsman said. “It’s a very good field on Saturday and obviously we didn’t want him to resume in such a strong race, but there weren’t many options and he’s pretty much ready to go. “It’s a matter of lining up and getting the run into him without too many expectations, but he is coming up well and we’re happy. It will be a hard run 1400m, hopefully he can settle back and run on well, and we can press on from there.” Back in New Zealand, the rain forecast for the Wellington region is posing a query for Red Sea, as the impressive Pierata colt readies for the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). A decisive last-start winner over 1200m at Matamata, Red Sea will partner with regular rider Warren Kennedy in an attempt to dethrone all-conquering filly Velocious, among a string of other classy performers. “It’s a big step-up in class, and the rain-affected track is an unknown, he hasn’t really been tried on what may become a Slow to Heavy track,” Forsman said. “The distance is also a query on a big track. “He’s a horse that likes to jump and run, he was better with blinkers on last time, but it’s whether he can run out the 1400m in the track conditions at Trentham.” A Forsman runner that will be undeterred by a downgrade in track conditions is White Noise, who will likely head to Trentham over the Open 1300m event at Pukekohe. The El Roca five-year-old will aim to add to his three black-type victories in the Listed Bramco & Granite Flying Handicap (1400m) under an in-form Masa Hashizume. “I’m probably leaning towards Trentham now with the rain forecasted, a bit of give in the track will help him and the weight he will carry (54.5kg). We’ll have to make a call on Wednesday whether we send him down or not,” Forsman said. “He’s really well, we’ve given him a couple of trials and we’re happy with where he’s at.” Also benefitting from a softening in the surface, Moonlight Magic and Wren will return to Trentham after finishing 6th and 11th in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) last month, this time to contest the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m). “They both just got a long way out of their ground in the Oaks,” Forsman said. “Moonlight Magic was probably the better of the two, her last 600m was good and we’ve put the blinkers on her to hopefully sharpen her up. “Wren got a long way back in an awkward spot, and she’ll appreciate the smaller field on Saturday. The rain affected track will help both of them.” Completing Forsman’s contingent will be Koheroa, a lightly-tried son of I Am Invincible attempting to build on a deserved maiden win in early January, which followed a second placing behind subsequent Group Three-winner Certainly. “He’s a nice horse that’s always shown good ability,” he said. “We gave him a break as we always thought he would be better with a bit more time, but he might be a bit of an unknown if the track gets too wet as well. It is a query for him fresh-up. “We just want to test the waters against some of the better ones in his own age group, and he gets a nice chance to do that on Saturday.” Koheroa will contest The Oaks Stud Premier (1200m) with Michael McNab aboard. View the full article

Star five-year-old suffers some scratches in an incident in the Meydan straight but has pulled up fine ahead of a likely Group One Champions Mile tiltView the full article

Darwin apprentice Emma Lines, who is having an exceptional Alice Springs Cup Carnival at Pioneer Park, is all smiles after celebrating a recent win at Fannie Bay. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Darwin Photography Professionals) Darwin apprentice Emma Lines continues to make a huge impression in the NT and she could end the Alice Springs Cup Carnival in grand style. After three days of the Carnival, the 17-year-old is the leading jockey with five wins and rides Kym Healy’s in-form Noble Magnate in the $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) on Saturday. “It’s been amazing Carnival, I’ve been lucky enough to get on Kym’s horses, who have been going well securing a few wins,” Lines said. “It has been more than I could imagine with the amount of success we have been getting. “I rode here on Sprint and Cup Day last year, but this year I’ve been down here for the entire Carnival.” Lines, who started her apprenticeship with Top End trainer Phil Cole in December 2022, boasts 60 wins and 92 minor placings from 324 career rides. She recently rode her 50th provincial winner and is the leading NT apprentice and female rider with 29 wins. The teenager finished third in the Top End and Country Premiership last season, but this season she sits second behind Jarrod Todd (31) with 20 wins. During last year’s Darwin Cup Carnival, Lines booted the Cole’s Tubthumper to victory in the Darwin Guineas (1600m), but she will trump that success should Noble Magnate salute on Saturday. Strathalbyn-based Healy brought the four-year-old gelding to Alice Springs with the Pioneer Sprint in mind and he was a first up winner over 1100m (0-64) on March 27 before backing up three days later to win at weight-for-age over 1200m by 2.8 lengths. The son of Magnus drops 4kg for the Pioneer Sprint and jumps from gate five. “Noble Magnate is flying, he’s been going really well, especially against open class last Saturday,” Lines said. “He definitely stepped up against those better horses, so far he has proven himself good enough to make the Pioneer Sprint. “I think he’s a good chance, but there’s a lot of good horses that I’m going up against.” Healy and Cole are good friends, so it’s no surprise that Lines has ridden for the SA trainer; the pair were the leading trainer and jockey at Birdsville last year. Healy has seven wins for the Alice Springs Cup Carnival, followed by local trainer Dan Morgan (3), while Lines holds a two-win advantage over fellow Top End jockey Sonja Logan. Meanwhile, Healy’s eight-year-old gelding Taipan Tommy made the 12-horse field for the $110,000 Alice Springs Cup (2000m) on Sunday, and Lines will ride the son of Dark Valley. “It will be interesting to see if he gets the trip, he’s a very easy-going horse,” Lines said. “He gives his all every time, so I have no doubt he’ll run a good race.” Taipan Tommy, who featured during last year’s Alice Springs Cup Carnival, boasts an outstanding Pioneer Park record (8:5-2-1) from 1100-1600m. During March, he was victorious over 1400m at 0-70 and BM76 level before finishing third in the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) at weight-for-age last Saturday – he drops 5kg for the Cup. Horse racing news View the full article

What Caulfield Races Where Caulfield Racecourse – Gate 22, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Saturday, April 6, 2024 First Race 12:10pm AEDT Visit Dabble Feature racing in Victoria heads to Caulfield Racecourse this Saturday afternoon for a stacked 10-race meeting, with the Victoria Handicap (1400m) and Easter Cup (2400m) at Group 3 level headlining proceedings. The track is a Soft 6, but with clear skies forecast in the lead-up, we should be edging towards a Good 4 surface. The rail sticks to its true position, and the action from Caulfield is set to commence at 12:10pm AEDT. Victoria Handicap Tip: Buffalo River Buffalo River has been nothing short of brilliant this campaign, registering two Group 1 placings behind Mr Brightside before being well beaten by Pride Of Jenni in the All-Star Mile. With four wins and six minor placings at the Caulfield 1400m, the eight-year-old gelding is poised to do as he pleases from a rails draw in a field that lacks speed. He is as tough as old boots these days, and Buffalo River should have no issues in leading from barrier to box in the Victoria Handicap. Victoria Handicap Race 8 – #2 Buffalo River (1) 8yo Gelding | T: Mike Moroney | J: Celine Gaudray (58kg) +320 with Neds Easter Cup Tip: First Immortal First Immortal was impressive when ridden closer to the speed in his first-up win over 1600m at Caulfield on March 16. The four-year-old steps up to his preferred distance of 2000m, where he has five wins and a second, while he is near-bombproof when second-up. Jamie Mott will likely have First Immortal midfield with a bit of cover, and when the pressure goes on, the up-and-coming stayer should have no issue accounting for his rivals. Easter Cup Race 9 – #3 First Immortal (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Mark & Levi Kavanagh | J: Jamie Mott (57.5kg) +200 with Picklebet Best Bet at Caulfield: Antrim Coast Antrim Coast returns to Caulfield on the back of a handy win in Group 2 company over 2040m. The three-year-old gelding steps back up to 2400m, a trip where he finished second behind Orchestral in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby two runs back on March 2. He comfortably accounted for Apulia and Sunsets on that day, and if he produces anything close to what he did in his last two starts, Antrim Coast should prove too good for his rivals once more. Best Bet Race 7 – #2 Antrim Coast (9) 3yo Gelding | T: Stephen Marsh | J: Daniel Stackhouse (59kg) +260 with PlayUp Next Best at Caulfield: Unseen Ruler Matthew Williams’ Unseen Ruler has caught the eye in his last two starts when chasing home the progressive Sir Atlas. The four-year-old gelding produced the fastest last 800m split when finishing midfield in the Country Mile Series Final (1600m) on March 16, suggesting the run was better than it reads on paper. This will be the son of Mongolian Khan’s first crack at 2000m, but everything he has produced in his three runs this campaign indicates the trip should be no issue. Next Best Race 2 – #6 Unseen Ruler (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Matthew Williams | J: Dean Yendall (59kg) +380 with Dabble Best Value at Caulfield: Lazzago The Chris Waller-trained Lazzago has put in two stinkers since an eye-catching run when first-up over 1100m in Group 3 company behind the classy Estriella. The three-year-old filly seemingly had excuses in both of those runs, but a repeat of her fresh run could be good enough to spring an upset. Barrier 10 is offset by the fact she is a genuine backmarker, and despite needing to lug 58kg, Lazzago has the finishing burst to blouse some potentially vulnerable leaders. Best Value Race 4 – #2 Lazzago (10) 3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: John Allen (58kg) +1500 with Bet365 Caulfield quaddie tips – 6/4/2024 Caulfield quadrella selections Saturday, April 6, 2024 1-2-3 1-2-3-9 3-6-8 1-3-8-11-13-15 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Alice Springs Races Where Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Highway, Connellan NT 0870 When Saturday, March 30, 2024 First Race 12:22pm ACST Visit Dabble Day 4 of the Alice Springs Cup Carnival features the $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) on Saturday afternoon. With 78 acceptances for Saturday’s races, anticipation is high for one of the feature events in the NT. Despite recent rain, ideal conditions are forecast, promising thrilling races at Pioneer Park commencing at 12:22pm ACST. BEST BET: Protostar Protostar has done little wrong since arriving in the Red Centre. He debuted over 1100m on February 17 and was third behind Gunnerside over 1100m (BM54) before going down narrowly at the hands of Il Don Cavallo over 1100m (Class 2) on March 2. The five-year-old gelding backed up that performance when he snuck home by 0.3 lengths over 1200m (0-58) on March 17 when he overcame Lotto Fight, who went on to decimate her rivals by 4.8 lengths over 1400m (0-58) subsequently. The son of Star Turn appears to be getting better with every start. Best Bet Race 3 – #3 Protostar (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Terry Gillett | J: Stan Tsaikos (58.5kg) Bet with Bet365 NEXT BEST: Garrucha Garrucha had 14 starts for former trainer Russell Bell over an 11-month period, for two wins at Pioneer Park and two wins on the grass surface at Kununurra. The former Victorian galloper’s form did fluctuate; he also managed four thirds over the short course before joining the Morgan stable. The four-year-old gelding could not have been more impressive when he rolled his rivals by 3.8 lengths over 1100m (0-58) before finishing 0.8 lengths adrift of Noble Magnate, a strong fancy in the Pioneer Sprint, over 1100m (0-64) on March 27. A 2kg claim enhances his hopes. Next Best Race 5 – #1 Garrucha (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Dan Morgan | J: Dakota Gillett (a2) (59kg) Bet with Neds BEST VALUE: Strike Eagle Strike Eagle ad 22 starts for former Tony and Calvin McEvoy for three wins, but since relocating to the NT the five-year-old gelding has recorded five seconds and a third in seven appearances. Strike Eagle’s only failure was over 1000m (0-64) in February when he finished sixth. He has featured over 1400m in three of his past four starts since November and was the runner-up on each occasion. The son of More Than Ready was scratched form the past two meetings, so he’s fresh and raring to go. Next Best Race 6 – #5 Strike Eagle (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Ray Viney | J: Jessie Philpot (55kg) Bet with PlayUp Saturday Alice Springs quaddie tips – 6/4/2024 Alice Springs quadrella selections Saturday, April 6, 2024 1-3-4-5 1-3-5-6 2-3-4-5 2-3-4-10-12 Horse racing tips View the full article

Ashbrook Farm and Upland Flats Racing's Red Carpet Ready, a onetime Kentucky Oaks (G1) hopeful who found her best stride sprinting around one turn, will finally have her chance to taste grade 1 glory in the April 6 Madison Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.View the full article

A change of equipment and a return to the site of her greatest victory might do the trick for Repole Stable's Life Talk in the April 6 Gazelle Stakes (G3). View the full article

What The Championships 2024 Day 1 Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, April 6, 2024 First Race 12:25pm AEDT Visit Dabble Royal Randwick is the destination for NSW racing on Saturday afternoon, where a blockbuster 10-race program awaits punters. Every race throughout Day 1 of The Championships will be run under black-type conditions, with four massive Group 1 races, including the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) and Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) headlining one of the biggest days on the Australian racing calendar. The Sydney autumn weather will have its say on proceedings, however, with plenty of rain forecast in the lead-up. Punters should anticipate the track to be rated somewhere in the Heavy range for race-day as the rail returns to its true position throughout the entire circuit. All the action is set to get underway at 12:25pm AEDT. Race 1: Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) The two-year-olds do battle in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m), where the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Espionage will prove hard to beat. The son of Zoustar only narrowly missed out on a spot in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) and based on his effort in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m), he should be ready to fire on all cylinders this weekend. His tick-over trial has him kept up to the mark, and with Tommy Berry to get all favours from stall three, Espionage can get followers on the board early. Selections: 1 ESPIONAGE 4 ROSELYN’S STAR 7 EXTREME DIVA 3 EMBASSY Kindergarten Stakes Race 1 – #1 Espionage (3) 2yo Colt | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Tommy Berry (56.5kg) +135 with Neds Race 2: Group 2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m) The Group 2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m) is the last chance for the stayers to stake their claims on the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) on April 13. Circle Of Fire gives the impression he is ready to win third-up into his first Australian campaign, storming through the wire behind Wymark in a BM78 at Rosehill on March 16. This is clearly a much tougher task on paper for the lightly raced four-year-old, however, with the Ciaron Maher-trained import getting into this event on the minimum 53kg, Circle Of Fire can outstay his rivals and claim a spot in next Saturday’s Sydney Cup. Selections: 11 CIRCLE OF FIRE 2 STOCKMAN 3 MANZOICE 8 VERONA Chairman’s Quality Race 2 – #11 Circle Of Fire (10) 4yo Horse | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Dylan Gibbons (53kg) +320 with PlayUp Race 3: Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) A capacity field of 20 three-year-olds are set to line up in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m), where the New Zealand raider Witz End presents at a good each-way price. The son of Savabeel produced back-to-back wins before finishing runner-up in his two most recent outings, including when closing off gamely behind Grail Seeker in the Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham on March 16. The Tony Pike-trained galloper gains the services of James McDonald on Saturday, and with the sting out of the ground only set to enhance his chances, Witz End should prove competitive in the Carbine Club. Selections: 2 WITZ END 9 PORT LOCKROY 5 TANNHAUSER 15 PASIMA Carbine Club Stakes Race 3 – #2 Witz End (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Tony Pike | J: James McDonald (56kg) +550 with Dabble Race 4: Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) The three-year-old fillies take centre stage in the Group 3 Adrian Knox (2000m), where Good Banter will be attempting to win her way into the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) on April 13. The John O’Shea-trained filly was impressive when chasing wide without cover in the Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) in her most recent outing and never shirked the task despite the torrid run in transit. The step up to 2000m looks ideal for the daughter of Tavistock, and with leading Victorian hoop Jamie Kah in the saddle, watch for Good Banter to be challenging late. Selections: 12 GOOD BANTER 1 AUTUMN ANGEL 3 WAIKATO GIRL 5 HEAVEN BOUND Adrian Knox Stakes Race 4 – #12 Good Banter (14) 3yo Filly | T: John O’Shea | J: Jamie Kah (53kg) +600 with Bet365 Race 5: Country Championship Final (1400m) There is $1 million up for grabs in the Country Championship Final (1400m) and Gallant Star warrants an each-way ticket at the current price with online bookmakers. The Brett Robb-trained gelding has only missed the frame once in his 10-start career, with his latest runner-up effort in the Coonamble Qualifier confirming his entry into this event on Saturday. He simply had too much work to do from the rear of the field on that occasion, but with this bigger field and genuine tempo on offer, Gallant Star is sure to give a bold sight when the whips are cracking. Selections: 10 GALLANT STAR 11 ASSOCIATE 1 BANDI’S BOY 7 TRIBECA STAR Best Value Race 5 – #10 Gallant Star (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Brett Rob | J: Sam Clipperton (56kg) +1100 with Picklebet Race 6: Group 1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m) The Group 1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m) is the second leg of the two-year-old triple crown, where Storm Boy will be trying to redeem himself after going down as a short-priced favourite in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m). He lost no admirers on that occasion, however, bombing the start and being forced to muster in the middle stages, blunting his usually devastating turn-of-foot. He has shown plenty of versatility in the past, so whether he takes a sit or elects to go forward under James McDonald, leave it to his more than capable hands to claim victory on this ultra-talented son of Justify. Selections: 1 STORM BOY 9 LADY OF CAMELOT 10 MANAAL 3 TRAFFIC WARDEN Next Best Race 6 – #1 Storm Boy (8) 2yo Colt | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: James McDonald (56.5kg) +160 with Neds Race 7: Group 1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) An outstanding crop of 15 sprinters are set to scorch the turf on Saturday and there could be an upset brewing in the form of Aft Cabin. The James Cummings-trained galloper was unsighted in an on-speed dominated Group 1 Galaxy (1100m) on March 23 and didn’t seem to deal with the tight-turning Rosehill circuit after sitting wide without cover throughout. His form reads much better at Randwick, with a fifty percent winning strike to go along with wet track form of (6:3-2-0). Hong Kong’s leading jockey Zac Purton makes his return down under to take the reins, and provided there’s a genuine tempo, Aft Cabin is too big a price to ignore in the Group 1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m). Selections: 5 AFT CABIN 8 IMPERATRIZ 1 I WISH I WIN 13 MAGIC TIME T J Smith Stakes Race 7 – #5 Aft Cabin (8) 4yo Horse | T: James Cummings | J: Zac Purton (58.5kg) +1900 with PlayUp Race 8: Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) The $4 million Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) is stacked with quality, as the Ciaron Maher-trained Another Wil made his presence felt securing his place in this event with a blistering win in the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m) on March 30. Online bookmakers don’t want to take on the talented four-year-old, installing him as a $3.50 favourite. Celestial Legend is on the second line of betting at $6.00, while the Japanese are represented by Golden Eagle (1500m) winner Obamburumai ($9.00). Will it be a rising star to take out this year’s edition? Or perhaps a more proven miler like Mr Brightside in last year’s running of Australia’s great handicap? Click here for HorseBetting’s free Doncaster Mile preview Race 9: Group 1 Australian Derby (1500m) Zardozi is on the one-week backup after a bold display behind kiwi filly Orchestral in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and will revel in the conditions on offer. The daughter of Kingman goes to another level with sting out of the surface, signified by her dominant victory two starts back in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 16. She won the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) with a very similar setup utilizing a short turnaround, and with Jamie Kah likely to gain the perfect run in transit, Zardozi can prove better than the boys in this year’s Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m). Selections: 14 ZARDOZI 1 RIFF ROCKET 2 TOM KITTEN 3 CEOLWULF Best Bet Race 9 – #14 Zardozi (2) 3yo Filly | T: James Cummings | J: Jamie Kah (54.5kg) +280 with Dabble Race 10: Group 3 P J Bell Stakes (1200m) The final race is a sprint for the three-year-old fillies and the James Cummings-trained Commemorative appears to be a good play in the get-out stakes. The daughter of I Am Invincible was an impressive winner resuming at Wyong on March 20, sitting wide throughout the entire journey before bounding away to score by 1.8 lengths. This will prove a much tougher task, but the Godolphin filly oozes class based on her limited race-day experience, and although she hasn’t taken on this level quite yet, Commemorative has the ability to be more than competitive in the Randwick finale. Selections: 12 COMMEMORATIVE 1 LEARNING TO FLY 6 MIRAVAL ROSE 18 UNIQUE AMBITION P J Bell Stakes Race 10 – #12 Commemorative (8) 3yo Filly | T: James Cummings | J: Jamie Kah (54kg) +450 with Bet365 Randwick free Saturday quaddie tips Randwick quadrella selections Saturday, April 6, 2024 1-5-8-9-13 1-2-4-8-16-17-18-19 1-14 1-6-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Red Centre trainer Paul Gardner (right), with sons Jeremy (left) and Josh, celebrating another win at Pioneer Park in what has been a fabulous season for the stable in the Alice Springs and Provincial trainers’ premiership. Would you rather win your first Alice Springs and Provincial trainers’ premiership or a NT feature? Tough question for Paul Gardner, the Red Centre’s leading trainer with 18 wins, who starts Red Wraith in Saturday’s $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m). The Pioneer Sprint comprises the NT’s big four – Sunday’s $110,000 Alice Springs Cup (2000m), and the Top End’s $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) and $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m). “I’d definitely like to win on Saturday, I’ve never won a Cup or Sprint,” Gardner said. “We’re leading the premiership, but a feature would be cream on the cake. “I’ve won Country Cups and the Chief Ministers Cup with Cumanaation. “Last week’s win by Better Not Fuss in the NT Guineas was good, I’d never had a runner in the race. “His win surprised me, he had been working well, it took a while to get him going. “It was an A class ride by Casey Hunter in the Guineas. “It wouldn’t surprise me if Red Wraith runs well on Saturday, but it’s a big race. “A lot of pressure, a lot of good horses.” Red Wraith, a four-year-old gelding by Charm Spirit, was formerly trained by Murray Bridge’s Matthew Sayers where he had six starts for one win in an 1100m Port Augusta maiden. Following a first up seventh for Gardner at Pioneer Park in September, Red Wraith has had nine further starts for five wins, three seconds and a third. Gardner took the gelding to Morphettville in December and finished three lengths adrift of the winner in sixth place over 1050m before returning from a spell in March. Two seconds over 1200m (0-70) and 1100m (BM76) were followed by victory in a 1000m handicap on March 27 by 5.8 lengths. Red Wraith, who set the 1100m track record (1.01.87) in November, lumped 55.5kg last start; he carries 54kg on Saturday. “He’s a very handy horse and he puts in 100 per cent, it was an enormous win last start,” Gardner said. “They went fast in front and to his credit he kept chasing, but he wasn’t struggling. “Took the rails run and shot away – he proved that he can just sit off them and as long as he’s in a nice rhythm he’ll run on. “I took him to Adelaide because I wanted to know how much he had improved. “For a maiden horse to now, he’s definitely at the next level. “I’ll be happy if he wins, over the moon, I think he’s going to go close.” Darwin jockey Sonja Logan, who will partner Red Wraith, has yet to win an NT feature. Logan won her first NT title last season when she won Central Australia’s jockeys’ premiership, is in good form with two wins, three seconds, and two thirds at Pioneer Park on March 30. “Sonja has ridden a lot of winners for me, she puts in every time and I couldn’t be happier she’s riding Red Wraith,” Gardner said. “I thought barrier one to five would be a good draw in the 12-horse field, I’m pleased he’s got four.” Horse racing news View the full article