Wandering Eyes

A chat with champion trainer Peter Moody has superstar jockey James McDonald confident I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) will be ready to fly in Saturday’s Gr.1 T.J. Smith Stakes at Randwick. The elite sprinter will be first-up in the race over 1200m on what could be a Heavy track, but McDonald is confident I Wish I Win will be ready to go. I Wish I Win will jump from barrier four in the $3 million sprint and is currently a $3.60 chance with bookies. McDonald said the likelihood of a wet track is ‘going to throw a spanner in the works’. “It’s an interesting race. Pretty strong I feel,” McDonald told After The Last. “Imperatriz’s form on Good ground is impeccable. I Wish I Win doesn’t mind the cut out of the track. “The question mark is first-up in the T.J. on Heavy ground. He’s in the right hands to have him right on the day. “The barrier suits us perfectly. In what looks a pretty even T.J., there’s a few chances there and he looks as good as anything. I’m sure if he’s right on the day, he will be exploding. “I’ve spoken to Moods. He seems very confident. He said he’s very happy with where he is. By all reports, he’s going really well. At his best he’s as good as anything in the country.” McDonald secured the ride on I Wish I Win after jockey Luke Nolen told connections he’d struggle to make the weight after suffering an injury earlier this year. Sydney’s leading rider said he knows he is only warming the seat on I Wish I Win until Nolen is ready to return. “Obviously it’s Luke’s ride. He will be taking over pretty much straight away,” McDonald said. “It’s nice to fill in at the moment. Let’s hope he runs well and they have plenty to look forward to heading to Brisbane or wherever they head to.” McDonald has a very strong hand on Saturday, partnering Riff Rocket in the G1 Australian Derby, where they have drawn barrier 10. “He’s flying. He’s going really, really well. He hasn’t put a foot wrong,” McDonald said. “We know he can run the trip, he will be as strong as every over the last furlong. He’s up to scratch.” And he will also throw the leg back over Storm Boy in the G1 Sires’. Ryan Moore rode the horse in the Golden Slipper, where he finished a gallant third after missing the start. “He is a horse that was always crying out for seven furlongs. He comes up with a good gate here,” McDonald said. “I have worked him a couple of times since the Golden Slipper. He seems really, really well. He’s a big brute of a horse, so masculine. The query with all of us is how is he going to handle that wet ground?” View the full article

Al Shira'aa Racing have been announced as the new sponsors of the G3 Prix Vanteaux in a two-year partnership with France Galop. The 2024 edition of the Al Shira'aa Racing Prix Vanteaux, run over nine furlongs for three-year-old fillies, will be held at Longchamp's opening fixture of the season on Sunday, April 7. Kieran Lalor, Al Shira'aa Racing's bloodstock and racing manager, said, “We are delighted to come on board as sponsor of the Group 3 Prix Vanteaux. It is a very important prep race for the Classics and one we hold dearly having won it in the past with Rumi and Jannah Rose, both trained by Carlos Laffon Parias. “Sheikha Fatima Bin Zayed Al Nahan [founder and owner of Al Shira'aa Racing] was very happy about this opportunity and it is a nice way for us to give back to French Racing, which has been so good to us in the past. We would like to thank the team at France Galop and ParisLongchamp for the opportunity and look forward to continuing this partnership into the future. Now we need to find our next filly to compete for us in this race.” Guillaume de Saint-Seine, president of France Galop, added, “We are very proud to welcome Al Shira'aa Racing into the fold of partners who sponsor important racing events in the French racing calendar. The decision of its owner Sheikha Fatima Bin Zayed Al Nahan to support the race, once more shows the attractiveness of our racing program. “An owner and breeder, she is an internationally renowned figure in the racing industry and very well known in France. On behalf of everyone involved, I wish her all the best and success for the upcoming season.” The post Al Shira’aa Racing to Sponsor Prix Vanteaux appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Visiting Italian jockey Stefano Cherchi has died from injuries suffered in a Canberra race fall late last month. View the full article

Racing has been rocked by the news that jockey Stefano Cherchi, 23, has died from the injuries sustained in a fall at Canberra, Australia, two weeks ago. The former apprentice to Marco Botti had been riding Hasime in the third race at Canberra when his mount fell. A statement released on Wednesday morning by NSW Jockeys on X, previously known as Twitter, read, “With deep sadness, the Cherchi family have announced their beloved son Stefano passed away peacefully today. “The family are very grateful for the love, prayers & messages sent by the racing community across the world.” Born in Italy, Cherchi moved to England as a teenager and had his first ride there aboard Casina Di Notte (Ire) in August 2018. He partnered 106 winners in the intervening seasons before relocating to Australia at the beginning of this year. More to follow. The post Racing Rocked By The Death Of Stefano Cherchi After Fall In Australia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Canterbury sprinter Our Echo (NZ) (Echoes of Heaven) will make the trip across the Cook Strait once more this week to take his place in the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. The seven-year-old gelding has recorded two of his six wins at the Upper Hutt track, including his last start heroics in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m). That result may have come as a bit of a surprise to punters, but not trainer and part-owner Danny Frye, who has had a high opinion of the horse for some time. “It (Lightning win) is what we have been expecting from the horse,” Frye said. “He has tended to float under peoples radar a wee bit, but his last two wins have justified our faith in him. He is a lot better horse than people give him credit for.” The son of Echoes Of Heaven is in a purple patch of form, having won his last two outings, and Frye is hopeful he can continue that at Trentham this weekend when he steps up to 1400m. “We are up to 1400m this time,” Frye said. “He did win his first start at Trentham over that distance, but in saying that he did get a soft lead that day. He has got the stats there to say he should go another nice race.” Our Echo will jump from barrier six and will be ridden for the first time by northern hoop Joe Doyle. “I see he has only got 54kg, I was pleasantly surprised by that,” Frye said. “The only thing is he can get a bit anxious in the barriers and the odd time he has missed the jump, which has been detrimental to his racing. “We have got a fresh rider on in Joe Doyle. From what I have seen and heard, he is a lovely soft rider in the hands I am pretty sure he will suit the horse. “The horse is well and at this stage the track conditions (rated a Soft5 on Wednesday morning) are playing into our favour, we are really keen to be there on Saturday.” Following his weekend assignment, Our Echo will return to Canterbury where he will have one final run before heading for a spell ahead of what could be an exciting preparation next season. “While the weather stays well, we are going to give him one more go in the Easter Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Riccarton and then he will definitely have a holiday after that, and we will look at spring and summer racing with him next season,” Frye said. “If we are adventurous enough, we could even take him overseas next year if he holds the form we think he is capable of. “We would have to change his training regime around, he tends to be free-range paddock trained, so we would need to make some changes so it wouldn’t be so much of a culture shock.” Stablemate Aquattack (NZ) (Ocean Park) will also make the trip to Trentham, although she needs a scratching in order to make the field for the Happy 50th Birthday Caryn Premier (2100m). “She is capable enough, but she has tended to be a travelling mate for Echo,” Frye said. “She has got another race or two in her, but we will be looking at retiring her next season.” View the full article

Tony Pike is confident of another bold showing on Saturday from Archaic Smile (Saxon Warrior) at Trentham where she has already enjoyed black-type success. The Cambridge trainer can’t fault his daughter of Saxon Warrior who will attempt to turn the tables on Velocious (Written Tycoon) in the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). Archaic Smile finished a gallant second behind this season’s leading juvenile in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie and Pike is sure his charge will again press the issue at the weekend. “She has been consistent all season and she worked well at Ellerslie in an exhibition gallop with Full Force and she’ll be right in the finish,” he said. “Obviously, there are three or four good two-year-olds with Velocious the benchmark, but our filly has been close up in all the good races and I’m sure she’ll run well again on Saturday. “She is a tough filly and eats well and she’s handled everything well and winning at Trentham (Listed, Wellesley Stakes, 1100m) is always an advantage and I think she’ll run a strong 1400m.” Pike is currently in Sydney carrying out inspections ahead of the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale on April 7-8 and will be at Randwick on Saturday for Witz End’s (NZ) (Savabeel) Australian debut in the Gr.3 HKJC World Pool Frank Packer Plate (1600m) with James McDonald booked for the ride. “They are talking about a lot of rain on Friday and Saturday morning, but he will probably have to run, it’s a race we targeted after the Wellington Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m),” he said. “It looks the ideal race for him, but it will be a bit of a mystery if he handles the track. “We’ll have to wait and see what happens and we’ll decide afterwards whether he runs in the Frank Packer Plate (Gr.3, 2000m) two weeks’ later.” The winner of two of his four starts, Witz End finished runner-up in the Guineas at Trentham and travelled without incident to Sydney. Archaic Smile aside, Pike will also be represented at Trentham by Val Di Zoldo (NZ) (War Decree) in the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m) and Investigate (NZ) (Dundeel) in the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m). War Decree four-year-old Val Di Zoldo was also nominated for the Gr.2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). “She will have more weight in the fillies and mares but it looks a better fit for her,” Pike said. “It doesn’t look an overly strong race and she’s knocking on the door and looks like a race she will be competitive in.” Last season’s Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) winner has finished third in her last two appearances at Matamata and Ellerslie. Investigate stepped up to a middle distance at his latest outing and the Dundeel three-year-old thumped his rivals. “It’s a big step up in class for him, but he’ll stay better than most as he showed at New Plymouth,” Pike said. “It was a weak field, but he did it nicely and deserves his chance.” Meanwhile, Rudyard (NZ) (Charm Spirit) won’t follow through on his nomination in the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m) in favour of a start closer to home. “He’s been very consistent but with the compression of the weights meant Michael (McNab) couldn’t ride him,” Pike said. “We’ve changed tack and he’ll go to Counties as a lead-up to the Easter Handicap (Gr.3, 1600m) in two weeks’ time.” View the full article

Jo Rathbone is hoping to reap the benefits of a patient season with Torque Time (NZ) (Guillotine) as the promising steeplechaser commences his campaign at Wanganui on Friday. A son of Guillotine, Torque Time joined Rathbone’s stable in late-2022, and was a model of consistency through his first jumping season, only twice finishing out of the placings in seven jumping starts. Despite the eight-year-old’s strong form, Rathbone resisted the temptation of more lucrative targets including the Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m) but has the majors firmly in sight this year after he resumes in the Lisa Latta Racing Stables (1600m). “He’s looking great, but it’s just a fitness run for him on Friday, a stepping stone towards the jumps races,” Rathbone said. “I think he’ll benefit a lot from last year, it was his first proper jumping season and he’ll be much improved this time in. They quite often need a year to learn the ropes, and I didn’t want to push him for the Northern and other bigger races too soon. “I think those races will be on the cards for him, but his only governing factor is he doesn’t really like a wet track. I’ll probably look to take him where the tracks will be on the better side, we are aiming to have him ready to go pretty early with that in mind. “I think he has a pretty exciting year steeplechasing ahead, although he would be pretty competitive over the hurdles as well, I just chose to target the chase races last season.” Rathbone indicated the gelding’s first major test would come in the Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m) on May 25, a race she won last year with Des De Jeu (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu), who kicks off his final season in the Kevin Myers Stables Jumpers Highweight (1600m) earlier on the Wanganui card. The Trentham feature was the Mettre En Jeu eleven-year-old’s career highlight to date, while he also finished second and third in the Koral Steeplechase (4250m) and Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) last season. Des De Jeu will join his stablemate when attempting to defend the Manawatu Steeplechase crown in May, preceded by a similar flat preparation. “He’ll just have a run around on Friday,” Rathbone said. “He kicked off his jumping season last year down at Trentham and won, so we’ll be taking a similar path of a few flat runs and hope to do the same. “This will be his last season as he’s getting a bit older now, but he showed enough last year to prove he’s worth having another go.” A former top jumps jockey, Rathbone has utilised her background at home with Yellow Jersey (NZ) (Zacinto), a capable flat performer now preparing for a potential jumping future when resuming alongside Des De Jeu. “He’s been going well, and I think he could go a very good race on Friday,” Rathbone said. “I’ve schooled him over the jumps since he arrived, he used to be a little bit troublesome and I’ve found that he’s really enjoyed it. “A jumping career is definitely on the cards for him, but he’s in the same boat as Torque Time in not liking the tracks too heavy. “He’ll probably go to the point-to-point after this run on the 16th of April, and we’ll just take it from there.” Completing the Wanganui horsewoman’s representatives will be Split (NZ), a son of Turn Me Loose having his first race-day outing since July 2023, and first under Rathbone’s care in the Happy 65th John Baxter Highweight 2040. “He’s another horse that I think should go a nice race on Friday,” she said. “My partner and I purchased him with a jumping future in mind, but he’s still a while away from that. “He hasn’t raced since he was a three-year-old, and by the looks of him, he needed the time. I think he’ll be well improved from then. Peter Didham had him originally and thought a bit of him, so we thought we would give him a crack and he’s done everything right. “Hopefully he can run well, and then we may look to aim for some jumping races later in the year.” View the full article

Last start Group One winner Belclare (NZ) (Per Incanto) looks to have run her last race, with the Lisa Latta-trained mare entered for next month’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Broodmare sale. The daughter of Per Incanto was bred by David Woodhouse, who races the mare in partnership with John Clark and the Rusties Syndicate, for whom she has won 11 of her 36 starts and nearly $1 million in prizemoney. Belclare had a fitting send-off at Ellerslie last Saturday when defending her crown in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), adding to her previous stakes victories in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m), Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), and Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). “I was absolutely rapt with the win on Saturday, we had set her for that a long way out,” Latta said. “We scratched her from Wellington when the track was wet and backed ourselves going in there with five weeks between runs. “She has gone to the paddock and is entered in the Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast on the 31st of May. It is sad to lose her, but you have got to see it from the owners’ perspective, and she is a valuable mare.” Latta is now hoping to continue her stables’ good run of form at Trentham on Saturday where she will have several stakes chances, including Diss Is Dramatic (NZ) (Dissident) in the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m). The four-year-old mare was a last start victor of the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga 10 days ago and Latta is looking forward to stepping her up over ground. “She has come through it really well and I am really looking forward to getting her up to the 2000m,” Latta said. “She looks like she is ready for it after that win and she has trained on nicely.” Latta’s Group One winner He’s A Doozy (NZ) (Zacinto) returned to winning form last start at Trentham and will return to the Upper Hutt venue to try and replicate that result in the Gr.2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). “It was a big relief (to get that win),” Latta said. “He has just had a few niggly problems but we think we are pretty much on top of them. He had a really quiet trial at Foxton yesterday and I am really happy with him.” Latta’s final stakes representative at the meeting will be last start winner Platinumgeneration (NZ) (Ace High) in the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m). “I have got a fair bit of time for Platinumgeneration,” Latta said. “It is a big jump from a maiden race to where we have got him on Saturday, but I am looking forward to getting him up over ground and he certainly is a very nice, promising horse.” Latta is also excited about the prospects of Platinum Attack (Santos), who will be shooting for his fourth consecutive win in The Oaks Stud Premier (1200m). “He is a promising horse,” Latta said. “It is a stronger field again on Saturday, but I am looking forward to seeing where he sits after this.” View the full article

In the midst of a strong season with 35 wins, David Hayes is looking forward to soon unveiling the Group One-winning Little Brose (Per Incanto), who is expected to undertake one more barrier trial next Tuesday (9 April) at Sha Tin before featuring on race day. Winner of last year’s Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) as a two-year-old in Melbourne, Little Brose arrived in Hong Kong last December and has had three barrier trials ahead of his upcoming debut. “He’s going alright. He’s lazy at trackwork just like he was in Australia but I expect his trial next Tuesday will tell us whether he is ready to go to the races,” Hayes said. “The idea is to get him in here, get him to adjust to the ratings and speed of racing, and hopefully he’ll be spot on to go for the good races next season.” Little Brose is entered for the HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on FWD Champions Day (Sunday, 28 April). The 77-rater could potentially feature in the field as it is determined by a selection panel. “He’s entered but I think that will be a bridge too far first-up. We’ll give him a softer option first-up and target the big races next season – he’s only a three-year-old,” Hayes said. Hugh Bowman has partnered Little Brose in each of his barrier trials. The colt is by Little Avondale Stud stallion Per Incanto and clocked 53.9s (31, 22.9) in a turf gallop yesterday (Monday, 1 April). View the full article

Exciting youngster Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) will be hoping to end his juvenile season this Saturday the way he started it, winning at Trentham. The son of Savabeel was an emphatic four-length winner at the Upper Hutt track when on debut in October and trainers Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard would be delighted if he could bookend the season with a winning result in Saturday’s Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). Bred by Waikato Stud, Savaglee was purchased by The Oaks Stud at last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale for $400,000, and he has been living up to his price tag with some pleasing early results in the colours of The Oaks Stud principal Dick Karreman. From six starts to date he has posted two victories, including the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m), and his connections were pleased with his fourth placed run in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie last start. “It was a super run in the Sistema,” Gerard said. “He got a long way back and his sectionals were very good. He came pretty wide as well, so he covered a lot of extra ground. Realistically, I think the horses that led on that day dictated in front, which made it even harder for him from behind, so his effort was very good.” Gerard believes Savaglee has matured a lot this preparation and she said that will hold him in good stead in seasons to come. “Early on he was pretty electric and he thought he was probably bigger than he was,” she said. “He did a few things wrong and it has taken him a little bit of time to settle down and start doing things right. He was super-fast and he just wanted to get on with it, being a colt, but he has learned to settle now, he relaxes and it is going to take him a long way. “His constitution is amazing, he just loves racing. He never takes a backwards step, he has been up for a long time and you wouldn’t even know looking at him – he eats everything and gets on and gets his work done. “He has worked up nicely, he has come through that last run well. I am happy with him and I think the distance (1400m) will be ideal.” Savaglee will be joined on the float trip south by stablemate Lingjun Xiongfeng (The Factor), who will tackle the Gr.2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). “He is a really nice horse and I am looking forward to getting him up over a longer trip,” Gerard said. “He was very good down at Wellington last time when the track wasn’t so good. We know he is not the best on wet tracks, so we are going to have to monitor that, but I think over 2000m he comes to another level yet again.” Meanwhile, the stable will take two good chances to Ashburton on Thursday, including Group One performer Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma). The seven-year-old gelding is on a path towards the Gr.3 Coca-cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) at Riccarton in 10 days, and he will ready for his stakes assignment with a hit-out in the Greg Jones Memorial (1300m) on Thursday. “Harlech was always down there for the Canterbury Gold Cup, but it was a month between runs and there wasn’t another race for him to run in, that is why he is dropping back to the 1300m,” Gerard said. “It looks a bit strange but there are no other options for us. He is doing that well down there he needed to have another run.” The son of Darci Brahma returned to form when placing in the Hororata Gold Cup (1800m) at Riccarton last start, and Gerard is hoping he can continue that form in the south. “He probably looks a bit grey on paper, but he had a really good run last time, he was unlucky not to win,” she said. “He is still showing us around the stables that he wants to be there. We were just in search of that better track, we went down and got one and he showed us that he is still in form.” Sassy Merlot (NZ) (Burgundy) is another stable runner that has headed south in search of stakes targets and will be kept up to the mark with a hit-out in the Agraforum Growing Innovation (1600m). There are 1400s (stakes races) down there on the last couple of days, which we will certainly look at if she can put her hand up,” Gerard said. “She got caught a bit wide after a long trip and worked a bit too much up the straight last time and I thought she was a bit unlucky. “We are trying her at the mile, I think she has showed us at times that she has wanted to get the mile, and there probably won’t be an easier mile than around Ashburton. “She has drawn a bit wide, which is not ideal, but let’s see what she can do tomorrow.” View the full article

What Muswellbrook Gold Cup Day Where Muswellbrook Race Club – Skellatar Park, 15 Racecourse Rd, Muswellbrook NSW 2333 When Friday, April 5, 2024 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble The $150,000 Muswellbrook Gold Cup (1500m) is the headline act in a massive eight-race program at Skellatar Park this Friday. The track is already rated Heavy 8, and with more showers predicted to hit the course throughout the week, that rating may only worsen as we get closer to the day. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit, with racing set to commence at 1:15pm AEDT. Muswellbrook Gold Cup Tips: Acquitted Acquitted went to another level last campaign, putting together back-to-back victories at Listed level before being tipped out. The gelding by Night Of Thunder doesn’t seem to have lost his stride during the 103-day spell, hitting the line best in a recent jump-out at Newcastle on March 27. He needs to lug 61kg first-up, but Acquitted should be classy enough to get the job done in the Muswellbrook Gold Cup. Muswellbrook Gold Cup Race 7 – #2 Acquitted (2) 7yo Gelding | T: Kris Lees | J: Aaron Bullock (61kg) Bet with Neds Best Bet at Muswellbrook: Mogul Monarch The Kim Waugh-trained Mogul Monarch has caught the eye at the barrier trials heading into his debut. He circled his rivals under his own steam in his latest piece of work at Newcastle on March 27, going on to score by a dominant 2.3 lengths. It’s unknown if the two-year-old can handle these bottomless conditions, but based on what he has produced at the trials, it’s worth taking the risk on Mogul Monarch. Best Bet Race 1 – #2 Mogul Monarch (11) 2yo Colt | T: Kim Waugh | J: Rory Hutchings (58kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best at Muswellbrook: Silvanito Silvanito was sensational when finishing runner-up behind Commemorative at Wyong on March 20. While he was no match for the winner, the four-year-old produced a gallant effort considering he was first-up after 26 weeks off the scene. Barrier two should help Koby Jennings slot in for cover behind the leading pair, and when asked for the ultimate effort, expect Silvanito to be finishing off best. Next Best Race 6 – #2 Silvanito (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Nathan Doyle | J: Koby Jennings (58kg) Bet with PlayUp Best Value at Muswellbrook: Bestower Bestower rounded up a relatively weak field in her maiden victory at Taree on January 9, and this BM58 is likely to be testing for the daughter of Contributor as she returns from an 86-day spell. The three-year-old filly likes to get back and run on, so she will be giving her rivals four or five lengths when turning for home. However, with a solid tempo expected, watch for Bestower to be doing her best work late down the centre of the track. Best Value Race 4 – #6 Bestower (9) 3yo Filly | T: Kris Lees | J: Darryl McLellan (60kg) Bet with Unibet Friday quaddie tips – Muswellbrook Gold Cup 2024 Muswellbrook quadrella selections Friday, April 5, 2024 1-3-8-11-13 1-2-13-14 2-3-11-12 1-2-3-9-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Belclare winning the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie last Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Last start Group 1 winner Belclare looks to have run her last race, with the Lisa Latta-trained mare entered for next month’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Broodmare sale. The daughter of Per Incanto was bred by David Woodhouse, who races the mare in partnership with John Clark and the Rusties Syndicate, for whom she has won 11 of her 36 starts and nearly $1 million in prizemoney. Belclare had a fitting send-off at Ellerslie last Saturday when defending her crown in the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), adding to her previous stakes victories in the Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m), Group 3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), and Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). “I was absolutely rapt with the win on Saturday, we had set her for that a long way out,” Latta said. “We scratched her from Wellington when the track was wet and backed ourselves going in there with five weeks between runs. “She has gone to the paddock and is entered in the Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast on the 31st of May. It is sad to lose her, but you have got to see it from the owners’ perspective, and she is a valuable mare.” Latta is now hoping to continue her stables’ good run of form at Trentham on Saturday where she will have several stakes chances, including Diss Is Dramatic in the Group 3 Martin Collins New Zealand Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m). The four-year-old mare was a last start victor of the Group 2 Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga 10 days ago and Latta is looking forward to stepping her up over ground. “She has come through it really well and I am really looking forward to getting her up to the 2000m,” Latta said. “She looks like she is ready for it after that win and she has trained on nicely.” Latta’s Group 1 winner He’s A Doozy returned to winning form last start at Trentham and will return to the Upper Hutt venue to try and replicate that result in the Group 2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). “It was a big relief (to get that win),” Latta said. “He has just had a few niggly problems but we think we are pretty much on top of them. He had a really quiet trial at Foxton yesterday and I am really happy with him.” Latta’s final stakes representative at the meeting will be last start winner Platinumgeneration in the Group 3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m). “I have got a fair bit of time for Platinumgeneration,” Latta said. “It is a big jump from a maiden race to where we have got him on Saturday, but I am looking forward to getting him up over ground and he certainly is a very nice, promising horse.” Latta is also excited about the prospects of Platinum Attack, who will be shooting for his fourth consecutive win in The Oaks Stud Premier (1200m). “He is a promising horse,” Latta said. “It is a stronger field again on Saturday, but I am looking forward to seeing where he sits after this.” Horse racing news View the full article

Our Echo will contest the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Canterbury sprinter Our Echo will make the trip across the Cook Strait once more this week to take his place in the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. The seven-year-old gelding has recorded two of his six wins at the Upper Hutt track, including his last start heroics in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m). That result may have come as a bit of a surprise to punters, but not trainer and part-owner Danny Frye, who has had a high opinion of the horse for some time. “It (Lightning win) is what we have been expecting from the horse,” Frye said. “He has tended to float under peoples radar a wee bit, but his last two wins have justified our faith in him. He is a lot better horse than people give him credit for.” The son of Echoes Of Heaven is in a purple patch of form, having won his last two outings, and Frye is hopeful he can continue that at Trentham this weekend when he steps up to 1400m. “We are up to 1400m this time,” Frye said. “He did win his first start at Trentham over that distance, but in saying that he did get a soft lead that day. He has got the stats there to say he should go another nice race.” Our Echo will jump from barrier six and will be ridden for the first time by northern hoop Joe Doyle. “I see he has only got 54kg, I was pleasantly surprised by that,” Frye said. “The only thing is he can get a bit anxious in the barriers and the odd time he has missed the jump, which has been detrimental to his racing. “We have got a fresh rider on in Joe Doyle. From what I have seen and heard, he is a lovely soft rider in the hands I am pretty sure he will suit the horse. “The horse is well and at this stage the track conditions (rated a Soft5 on Wednesday morning) are playing into our favour, we are really keen to be there on Saturday.” Following his weekend assignment, Our Echo will return to Canterbury where he will have one final run before heading for a spell ahead of what could be an exciting preparation next season. “While the weather stays well, we are going to give him one more go in the Easter Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Riccarton and then he will definitely have a holiday after that, and we will look at spring and summer racing with him next season,” Frye said. “If we are adventurous enough, we could even take him overseas next year if he holds the form we think he is capable of. “We would have to change his training regime around, he tends to be free-range paddock trained, so we would need to make some changes so it wouldn’t be so much of a culture shock.” Stablemate Aquattack will also make the trip to Trentham, although she needs a scratching in order to make the field for the Happy 50th Birthday Caryn Premier (2100m). “She is capable enough, but she has tended to be a travelling mate for Echo,” Frye said. “She has got another race or two in her, but we will be looking at retiring her next season.” Horse racing news View the full article

Archaic Smile will chase Group 1 glory in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Race Images PN Tony Pike is confident of another bold showing on Saturday from Archaic Smile at Trentham where she has already enjoyed black type success. The Cambridge trainer can’t fault his daughter of Saxon Warrior who will attempt to turn the tables on Velocious in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). Archaic Smile finished a gallant second behind this season’s leading juvenile in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie and Pike is sure his charge will again press the issue at the weekend. “She has been consistent all season and she worked well at Ellerslie in an exhibition gallop with Full Force and she’ll be right in the finish,” he said. “Obviously, there are three or four good two-year-olds with Velocious the benchmark, but our filly has been close up in all the good races and I’m sure she’ll run well again on Saturday. “She is a tough filly and eats well and she’s handled everything well and winning at Trentham (Listed, Wellesley Stakes, 1100m) is always an advantage and I think she’ll run a strong 1400m.” Pike is currently in Sydney carrying out inspections ahead of the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale on April 7-8 and will be at Randwick on Saturday for Witz End’s Australian debut in the Group 3 HKJC World Pool Frank Packer Plate (1600m) with James McDonald booked for the ride. “They are talking about a lot of rain on Friday and Saturday morning, but he will probably have to run, it’s a race we targeted after the Wellington Guineas (Group 2, 1400m),” he said. “It looks the ideal race for him, but it will be a bit of a mystery if he handles the track. “We’ll have to wait and see what happens and we’ll decide afterwards whether he runs in the Frank Packer Plate (Group 3, 2000m) two weeks’ later.” The winner of two of his four starts, Witz End finished runner-up in the Guineas at Trentham and travelled without incident to Sydney. Archaic Smile aside, Pike will also be represented at Trentham by Val Di Zoldo in the Group 3 Martin Collins New Zealand Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m) and Investigate in the Group 3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m). War Decree four-year-old Val Di Zoldo was also nominated for the Group 2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). “She will have more weight in the fillies and mares but it looks a better fit for her,” Pike said. “It doesn’t look an overly strong race and she’s knocking on the door and looks like a race she will be competitive in.” Last season’s Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) winner has finished third in her last two appearances at Matamata and Ellerslie. Investigate stepped up to a middle distance at his latest outing and the Dundeel three-year-old thumped his rivals. “It’s a big step up in class for him, but he’ll stay better than most as he showed at New Plymouth,” Pike said. “It was a weak field, but he did it nicely and deserves his chance.” Meanwhile, Rudyard won’t follow through on his nomination in the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m) in favour of a start closer to home. “He’s been very consistent but with the compression of the weights meant Michael (McNab) couldn’t ride him,” Pike said. “We’ve changed tack and he’ll go to Counties as a lead-up to the Easter Handicap (Group 3, 1600m) in two weeks’ time.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Pakenham Races Where Pakenham Racecourse – 420 Nar Nar Goon–Longwarry Rd, Tynong VIC 3813 When Thursday, April 4, 2024 First Race 5:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Pakenham Racecourse is the destination once again for Thursday night racing in Victoria. With a deluge of rain in the lead-up to the meeting, the track has come up a Heavy 8 at the time of acceptances. The rail comes out 9m for the entire circuit, and the first of eight races is scheduled to jump at 5:15pm AEDT. Best Bet at Pakenham: Kooky Kooky was only grabbed in the final stride at Geelong after leading for 1411m of a 1412m event. The four-year-old mare was first-up from a spell on that day, and second-up at the 1600m looks to be ideal for the Turn Me Loose mare. Damian Lane will use the mare’s gate speed to have her lead the field upon settling, and Kooky should have no issue getting a cheap sectional or two as she looks to go one better than last time. Best Bet Race 6 – #7 Kooky (8) 4yo Mare | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Damian Lane (57.5kg) +120 with Neds Next Best at Pakenham: Grid Girl Grid Girl has been impressive on both starts in Australia, winning first-up before peaking on her run late to finish third when beaten under a length at Sandown. The three-year-old Kiwi filly tends to settle in the first four and has a slick turn of foot. If Blaike McChief Stipeall can land her in a prominent position from barrier 10, Grid Girl looks the best horse in the field and should have no issue disposing of her rivals. Next Best Race 8 – #10 Grid Girl (10) 3yo Filly | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Blaike McChief Stipeall (57.5kg) +160 with Picklebet Next Best Again at Pakenham: Araletta Araletta from the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman barn was only gunned down late by a smart one at Sandown on March 20, and a repeat performance will have her fighting out the finish in the quaddie opener. From barrier 12, Thomas Stockdale will have the Pierro filly settled up on speed throughout. With this being her third run this campaign, Araletta has race fitness on her side, while she should have no issues handling the going. Next Best Again Race 5 – #1 Araletta (12) 3yo Filly | T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman | J: Thomas Stockdale (57.5kg) +400 with PlayUp Thursday quaddie tips for Pakenham Pakenham quadrella selections Thursday, April 4, 2024 1-11-12 7 1-2-3-4-5-6 2-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Susan Moulton's grade 2 winner Manny Wah is poised to become a millionaire in the $300,000 Commonwealth Stakes (G3) April 6 at Keeneland. The seven-furlong dirt race for 4-year-olds and up drew a field of nine. View the full article

The next version of Belmont Park features infield tunnels, new racing surfaces that include an all-weather track, and a facility that will give New York racing a proper downstate home to complement beloved Saratoga Race Course in the 21st Century.View the full article

Horse Racing on Wednesday, April 3 will feature five meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and provided free quaddie tips for the meetings at Doomben, Newcastle & Sha Tin (HK). Wednesday Horse Racing Tips – April 3, 2024 Doomben Racing Tips Newcastle Racing Tips Sha Tin (HK) Racing Tips As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on April 3, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

On Wednesday, April 3, various horse racing bookmakers have unveiled their racing promotions, featuring a range of enticing bonus back offers for horse racing enthusiasts. The top Australian racing promotions for April 3, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Doomben All Races – 3+ Leg Same Race Multi Bonus Back Up To $50 If 1 Leg Fails Place a 3+ leg Same Race Multi bet on any race at Doomben this Wednesday and if 1 leg of your multi fails, get up to $50 back in Bonus Cash. Available from approximately 8:30am local track time on race day. Neds Terms and Conditions apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Ballarat Races 1-4 Run 2nd or 3rd Bonus Back Up To $50 Back a runner in races 1-4 at Ballarat this Wednesday and if it runs 2nd or 3rd get up to $50 in Bonus Cash. Fixed Win bets only. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. All races at Doomben, Ascot, Newcastle & Ruakaka Max bonus $100. First bet only (including SRM). Paid in bonus cash. Must use available balance. T&C’s apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo Ballarat – 25% Boosted Winnings Paid in Bonus Cash. First Fixed Win Cash Bet. Max Bonus $250. T&Cs Apply. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Daily Trifecta Boosts Boost your winnings on Trifectas by 10% with new Daily Trifecta Boosts. Thoroughbreds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo Wednesday Bonus Back 2nd or 3rd in R1-3 at Ballarat & Newcastle Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed odds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au has meticulously assessed the premier horse racing bookmakers in Australia, revealing exclusive bonus promotions and specials tailored for thoroughbred enthusiasts on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. These horse racing promotions are a regular feature, exemplifying the unwavering commitment of Australia’s leading horse racing bookmakers. If one bookmaker happens to lack a promotion on a given day, rest assured that another is stepping up with enticing offers within the realm of gallops. For your daily dose of the most lucrative horse racing bookmaker bonuses, HorseBetting.com.au stands as the ultimate destination. Maximise the value of your punting endeavours with bookie bonuses boasting the most competitive horse racing odds for every race. It’s crucial to emphasise that these thoroughbred racing promotions are exclusively designed for existing customers. To access these special promotions and claim the bookmaker’s offers, log in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For those seeking races and horses to leverage their horse betting bookmaker bonus bets, HorseBetting provides a valuable resource with its daily free racing tips. Stay well-informed, adopt strategic approaches, and enhance your overall horse racing experience by capitalising on these exclusive promotions. Horse racing promotions View the full article

Connections of grade 1 winner Timberlake have chosen to skip an opportunity to run in the Kentucky Derby (G1) May 4, according to trainer Brad Cox in a report from the Daily Racing Form April 2.View the full article

First World War, last seen Feb. 3 winning the Kitten's Joy Stakes (G3T), returns April 5 in the Transylvania Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland.View the full article

Five months after finishing noses apart in the $250,000 Remsen Stakes (G2) Dec. 2 at Aqueduct Racetrack, Dornoch and Sierra Leone are rematched April 6 in the $1 million Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.View the full article

The return of springtime racing in Kentucky has brought a wide-open field of 12 fillies to Keeneland April 6 as they look to claim leadership over the 3-year-old turf division in the one-mile, $400,000 Appalachian Stakes (G2T).View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Timberlake (Into Mischief), fourth as the favorite in last Saturday's GI Arkansas Derby, will not be pointed to the GI Kentucky Derby, according to a report in Daily Racing Form. The GI Champagne S. winner and GII Rebel S. winner is currently ranked fifth with 81 points for the Kentucky Derby. “Based on the performance over the weekend, we are not going to run in the Kentucky Derby,” trainer Brad Cox told DRF. “We are thinking about cutting him back in distance.” Cox added, “He came out of it in good order, very sound, and ships back to Churchill Downs today. We still feel it's in his best interest not to try a mile and a quarter in four and a half weeks.” The post No Kentucky Derby for Timberlake appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Check out this week’s Box Seat with hosts Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin. View the full article