Wandering Eyes

Despite a niggly draw, Allamericanlover was still just too “brave” in winning the Group 2 Garrards’ Premier Mares Championship at Addington last night. The American Ideal six-year-old started from the outside of the front line over 1980m for Team Telfer and top stable driver Tim Williams. They went back to last before making a big move three wide to sit parked, before running down the pace-making Manhattan to win the $60,000 feature by more than a length. Initially, Williams’ plan was to drive her with “a sit”. “But we went to plan B. They backed off and I was able to get a cart into it and she relaxed in the death and was brave up the straight,” Williams told Harness Unhinged’s Nigel Armstrong post race. She paid $6.90 and $2.40, winning her 12th race in 33 starts. It was her first win since also beating Manhattan in the Group 1 Queen of Hearts at Alexandra Park in December 2022. The well-favoured Lady of the Light for northern trainer Jeremy Young finished off her race well, from an awkward draw, to run into fifth. She’ll stay in Christchurch and prepare for a re-match in the Group 1 Standardbred Breeders’ Stakes at Addington on February 9. It was a memorable night too for Carter Dalgety, as he nabbed four winners from his only four drives of the night. He took out the first three races on the card with horses all trained by his parents Cran and Chrissie Dalgety (Kentuckiana Lodge). Orlando Express got things rolling before All You Need Is Me made it two wins from as many career starts and hot favourite Bryson Dechambeau was an impressive winner on debut after showing plenty of ability at the trials. “There was a big crew on course and it was pretty cool to get it done first up,” Dalgety said. Carter Dalgety made it four for the night when hot favourite Xlendi won Race 9 as well. He has extended his lead at the top of the junior drivers’ premiership with 11 wins so far in 2024. View the full article

Undefeated three-year-old Crocetti was billed as one of the headline acts of Saturday’s Karaka Millions mega meeting at Ellerslie, and he got the evening off to a perfect start in the opening race on the card. The Zacinto gelding was a $1.40 favourite for the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m), bringing in a perfect six-from-six record including the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) and Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). Attempting to join an Almanzor Trophy honour roll that features the likes of Group One winners Melody Belle, Catalyst, Sword Of State and Maven Belle, Crocetti had to carry 60kg under the set weights and penalties conditions of the race and was giving away at least 3kg to all of his rivals. A few nerves rippled through the sold-out track as Crocetti stumbled leaving the starting gates and settled much further back in the field than normal. But jockey Warren Kennedy never panicked and allowed him to gradually cruise closer coming around the side of the track, moving right into striking distance before the home turn. Crocetti pounced in the straight and it was all over, charging past the previously unbeaten Merchant Queen and opening up a winning margin of a length and a half. Egyptian Queen caught the eye with a big finish from the back of the field to run third. “There’s a bit of pressure with this horse,” Kennedy admitted. “The pressure doesn’t come from the owners. It’s just the public and all the publicity that he’s starting to have around him. He’s unbeaten and was a very short favourite in the first race of the night. I wanted everyone to start the night off right. “But he’s just class, this horse. He lost his back legs coming out of the gates and I didn’t end up where I wanted to be, but he just relaxed so nicely and he has a devastating turn of foot.” Crocetti has earned $672,750 in stakes for owner and co-breeder Daniel Nakhle, and his next test is likely to be against older horses in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on February 10. “It was good to get today out of the way,” said Danny Walker, who trains in partnership with Arron Tata. “I didn’t feel too much pressure coming into today – this horse doesn’t give us pressure. He’s just so easy and a delight to train. “We’ve always known he was a special horse and the journey has just been amazing. Everyone’s getting on board with him now. He’s a really, really good horse, and he’s always shown us that. He’s a little star. “Arron and I do all the work with him, along with the staff we’ve got at home. I’m really grateful to all of them. The owner’s a happy man, so it’s all good. “The BCD Group Sprint is the plan now. He usually comes through his races pretty easily, so hopefully he does that again from today’s race and we can look forward to Te Rapa.” View the full article

Imported New Zealand mare Miss Take took her promising career to a new level in Saturday’s A$80,000 Happy 50th Jeff Waters Handicap (1200m) at The Valley. The daughter of Inglewood Stud stallion War Decree has now had six starts for three wins and a placing, earning more than A$80,000 for an ownership group headed by Manoj Wanzare. A debut winner in New Zealand in August of 2022 and successful in Benchmark 64 company at Sale just under a year later, the four-year-old mastered the step up to metropolitan class on Saturday. Ridden by Luke Currie for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman, Miss Take settled near the tail of the field before creeping closer and looming large behind the leaders at the home turn. Currie found a narrow opening two off the rail and drove Miss Take through. The talented mare quickened smartly and timed her run to perfection to prevail in a three-way photo finish. “She was good,” Currie said. “She didn’t jump that cleanly. Sam said that she had speed, but since she was first-up today they’d be happy to give her a bit of cover. “She put herself there, three back on the fence, and she was always travelling. I just had to wait for an opening, and when a run did come, she quickened really well. “Her form is good, and being first-up today, I’m sure she’ll improve. She was a bit hot in the yard. Having this run under her belt will do her good. The turn of foot that she has will definitely help her go on from here.” The Freedman stable was represented at The Valley on Saturday by racing manager Brad Taylor. “We’ve learned a lot about this mare in the time that we’ve had her,” he said. “She was a three-year-old when we first got her and was still a little weak. She’s certainly grown and developed a lot. She’s a much bigger and stronger mare now. “Credit to Andy Williams, who found her in New Zealand off a trial and gave her a couple of starts there before sending her over. It probably didn’t work out as well as we would have liked in her first prep here, but she’s returned well today and she has really good improvement to come. “When the gap appeared today, she showed a very good turn of foot, which we knew she had in New Zealand.” Miss Take is out of the Pins mare Skite, who is the dam of six winners including Group Three winner Timy Tyler and Listed winner Waldorf. Miss Take began her career in the Riccarton stable of Terri Rae, winning two trials before romping to a nine-length victory on debut. She then finished fourth in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m). View the full article

A few short weeks after throwing everything away in a similar race, talented Kiwi-bred gelding Piaggio returned to The Valley on Saturday and turned things around in emphatic style. The six-year-old son of Vespa went into the A$130,000 Simpson Construction Handicap (1600m) after being unplaced in all of his three previous starts at the unique circuit, including bucking soon after leaving the gates on December 30 and failing to finish. Saturday was a completely different story. Piaggio settled into a smooth rhythm near the tail of the field for jockey Celine Gaudray, then moved through his gears and produced a brilliant turn of foot in the straight. He roared past the front-running Toronto Terrier and snatched a thrilling win. “He sure is a character, and after what happened here last time, we didn’t know what to expect,” Gaudray said. “But he was actually really quiet today – so much so that I thought he was going to be flat. “He relaxed beautifully for me behind a good speed. He was off the bridle around the corner and I was pretty sure he was flat, but I kept niggling at him and he really knuckled down late. “We all know he has a terrific turn of foot. I just think he hasn’t been to the Valley that much before. He seems to just wait to straighten up before he really knuckles down. He did that today and got the job done.” Piaggio has now had a total of 22 starts for five wins, seven placings and A$216,445 in stakes. He began his career in the Otaki stable of Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard, for whom he had five starts for a win and three placings including a second in the Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m). Piaggio was later unplaced in five starts in Hong Kong before moving into the care of Cranbourne trainer Greg Eurell. His 12 starts from his new quarters have produced four wins and four placings. “You’ve always got your heart in your mouth with this little guy, waiting to see what he does,” Eurell said. “Leading into this race, I was asked what I thought of his chances and I didn’t know what to say. For whatever reason, this has never been a track that’s been very kind to him. Things just haven’t gone right here. But fortunately they did today. “If you take away the little incident he had here last time, his form in this campaign has been really good. He was a very solid placegetter at Flemington last time out. “Hopefully he can carry on from here. He seems to be holding up really well in this preparation. He’s not a big horse, but he has the heart of a lion. For as long as he’s doing well in the stable, we’ll keep on keeping on.” Piaggio is out of the two-win Scaredee Cat mare Sand’ior and was bred by South Canterbury breeders Sue and Stuart McGiffert, who sold the now gelding as a yearling for $8,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 3 Sale. View the full article

Mitchell Freedman had already crossed the Tasman in search of new recruits for his Ballarat stable, and a win with Ceerseven at The Valley on the eve of the Karaka 2024 yearling sale added to his affinity with New Zealand-breds. Ceerseven recorded the third win of an eight-start career in Saturday’s $80,000 Ascend Sales Trophies Challenger Handicap (1600m), lifting his earnings to A$97,100 for a big syndicate of owners. Saturday’s victory was Ceerseven’s first appearance in metropolitan Melbourne since the Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at the same venue last March, where he finished outside the placings but within four lengths of the winner in only the third race of his career. “It was really pleasing to see him score a good, strong win today,” Freedman said. “He’s a horse that’s always shown us a fair bit of upside and we expect to see him perform strongly over longer distances than today’s 1600m. “We gave him a shot at the Alister Clark last season. The race was there, and he’d shown enough by that point for us to think that it was worth giving him that opportunity. In the end he was still just a little bit immature at that early stage of his career. He’s making good progress now and I think we’ve got a bit more to look forward to with him.” Ceerseven delivered a first metropolitan win for apprentice jockey Jaylah Kennedy, who eased back to second-last from a wide gate and remained there until the 450m mark. She hooked the four-year-old to the outside at the home turn and pushed the button, and Ceerseven lengthened stride stylishly and finished over the top of Brooklyn Boss to score a narrow but authoritative win. “It’s unbelievable,” Kennedy said. “Massive thanks to Mitch and the connections. They didn’t have to keep me on today – he was only carrying 58.5kg before the claim. But they stuck with me, and I’m just glad I could repay them. “I wanted to see him sit three pairs back and one off, but I thought that would probably be out of my range from the barriers. I had to bite the bullet and ride him patiently. He wanted to tow me into the race before I really wanted to, but it was just about keeping him in his rhythm and keeping him balanced. He was really strong to the line.” Ceerseven was bred by Mapperley Stud and is by their stallion Complacent. Ceerseven’s dam is the unraced Elnadim mare Calypso Miss, who has been represented by five winners from six foals to race including the Group Two-placed High Tower. Mapperley Stud offered Ceerseven in Book 2 of Karaka 2021, where Freedman teamed up with Phill Cataldo Bloodstock and bought him for only $30,000. View the full article

On the eve of the blockbuster Karaka Millions twilight race meeting and the Karaka 2024 National Yearling Sales, an exciting three-year-old sourced from the New Zealand Bloodstock sale ring made a bold black-type statement on the other side of the Tasman. Friday night’s $125,000 Listed Kevin Sharkie Launceston Guineas (2100m) was the scene of a breathtaking last-to-first performance by Bold Soul (NZ) (Embellish), who was bought for just $20,000 from Book 2 of Karaka 2022. He has now had five starts for three wins and two placings, earning A$188,925 in stakes. Bold Soul ventured to Tasmania from his home state of Victoria, where he had made a promising start to his career with two early victories including a last-start success at Flemington. He was sent out as a commanding $1.65 favourite on Friday, and in the end he lived up to that billing. But there were plenty of nervous moments along the way. Bold Soul was hampered soon after leaving the starting gates, and he dropped out to the back of the field. He remained there for most of the journey around the Launceston track, and coming up to the home turn, rider Jake Noonan was vigorously urging him along and seemingly getting little response. But after being brought to the outside at the top of the straight, Bold Soul changed gears and powered past his rivals like they were standing still. Despite carrying a 60-kilogram topweight, he swept to the front and went clear to win by a length and a quarter with plenty more up his sleeve. Bold Soul is trained by Patrick Payne at Plumpton and is raced by Graham Cleary. Notably, Bold Soul became the first stakes winner for Cambridge Stud’s emerging sire Embellish (NZ). Himself a graduate of the Karaka sale ring, where he was bought by David Ellis for $775,000 in 2016, the Group One-winning son of Savabeel has already sired 10 winners. His oldest progeny are three-year-olds, and Embellish is also the sire of Group One placegetter Talisker (NZ) and the stakes-placed Luberon (NZ) and Paragon (NZ). Embellish has one yearling available in Book 1 of Karaka 2024, along with another 16 in the Book 2 catalogue. Karaka 2024 kicks off with the Book 1 session from January 28 to 30, followed by Book 2 from January 31 to February 2. Vendor Te Keeti Bloodstock Ltd Purchaser Mr HN Auret (Manawatu-Whanganui) Breeding Embellish – Twin Soul Sale Lot 665, Karaka 2022 Book 2, $20,000 Bred by Te Keeti Bloodstock Ltd View the full article

Miss Take timed her run to perfection in at Moonee Valley. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Imported New Zealand mare Miss Take took her promising career to a new level at Moonee Valley on Saturday afternoon. The daughter of Inglewood Stud stallion War Decree has now had six starts for three wins and a placing, earning more than $80,000 for an ownership group headed by Manoj Wanzare. A debut winner in New Zealand in August of 2022 and successful in Benchmark 64 company at Sale just under a year later, the four-year-old mastered the step up to metropolitan class on Saturday. Ridden by Luke Currie for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman, Miss Take settled near the tail of the field before creeping closer and looming large behind the leaders at the home turn. Currie found a narrow opening two off the rail and drove Miss Take through. The talented mare quickened smartly and timed her run to perfection to prevail in a three-way photo finish. “She was good,” Currie said. “She didn’t jump that cleanly. Sam said that she had speed, but since she was first-up today they’d be happy to give her a bit of cover. “She put herself there, three back on the fence, and she was always travelling. I just had to wait for an opening, and when a run did come, she quickened really well. “Her form is good, and being first-up today, I’m sure she’ll improve. She was a bit hot in the yard. Having this run under her belt will do her good. The turn of foot that she has will definitely help her go on from here.” The Freedman stable was represented at The Valley on Saturday by racing manager Brad Taylor. “We’ve learned a lot about this mare in the time that we’ve had her,” he said. “She was a three-year-old when we first got her and was still a little weak. She’s certainly grown and developed a lot. She’s a much bigger and stronger mare now. “Credit to Andy Williams, who found her in New Zealand off a trial and gave her a couple of starts there before sending her over. It probably didn’t work out as well as we would have liked in her first prep here, but she’s returned well today and she has really good improvement to come. “When the gap appeared today, she showed a very good turn of foot, which we knew she had in New Zealand.” More horse racing news View the full article

Ceerseven wins at Moonee Valley. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Mitchell Freedman had already crossed the Tasman in search of new recruits for his Ballarat stable, and a win with Ceerseven at Moonee Valley on the eve of the Karaka 2024 yearling sale added to his affinity with New Zealand-breds. Ceerseven recorded the third win of an eight-start career, lifting his earnings to A$97,100 for a big syndicate of owners. Saturday’s victory was Ceerseven’s first appearance in metropolitan Melbourne since the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at the same venue last March, where he finished outside the placings but within four lengths of the winner in only the third race of his career. “It was really pleasing to see him score a good, strong win today,” Freedman said. “He’s a horse that’s always shown us a fair bit of upside and we expect to see him perform strongly over longer distances than today’s 1600m. “We gave him a shot at the Alister Clark last season. The race was there, and he’d shown enough by that point for us to think that it was worth giving him that opportunity. In the end he was still just a little bit immature at that early stage of his career. He’s making good progress now and I think we’ve got a bit more to look forward to with him.” Ceerseven delivered a first metropolitan win for apprentice jockey Jaylah Kennedy, who eased back to second-last from a wide gate and remained there until the 450m mark. She hooked the four-year-old to the outside at the home turn and pushed the button, and Ceerseven lengthened stride stylishly and finished over the top of Brooklyn Boss to score a narrow but authoritative win. “It’s unbelievable,” Kennedy said. “Massive thanks to Mitch and the connections. They didn’t have to keep me on today – he was only carrying 58.5kg before the claim. But they stuck with me, and I’m just glad I could repay them. “I wanted to see him sit three pairs back and one off, but I thought that would probably be out of my range from the barriers. I had to bite the bullet and ride him patiently. He wanted to tow me into the race before I really wanted to, but it was just about keeping him in his rhythm and keeping him balanced. He was really strong to the line.” More horse racing news View the full article

What Tuncurry Races Where Tuncurry-Forster Jockey Club – 45 Chapmans Rd, Tuncurry NSW 2428 When Monday, January 29, 2024 First Race 1:40pm AEDT Visit Dabble We kick-off the new week of racing with a massive seven-race program out of Tuncurry-Forster Jockey Club, with a staggering 105 acceptances across the afternoon. The rail is out +2m between the 1000m to 350m pole, while the remainder sits in the true position. The forecast looks like a mix of dry and overcast conditions in the lead-up to the meeting, so we expect the surface to sit somewhere around a Soft 5 prior to the opening race at 1:40pm local time. Best Bet at Tuncurry: Image Of The Sun Image Of The Sun will be searching for back-to-back wins after breaking her maiden status last start at Muswellbrook on January 15. The daughter of The Autumn Sun proved far too good over the 1450m on that occasion, bounding away to score by an impressive two-length margin, coasting through the wire under Grant Buckley. The 1600m should only benefit this progressive filly, and although this Class 1 is much tougher, we’re confident Image Of The Sun has the quality to continue on her winning ways. Best Bet Race 5 – #11 Image Of The Sun (5) 3yo Filly | T: Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | J: Grant Buckley (55.5kg) +110 with PlayUp Next Best at Tuncurry: Canny Prospect Canny Prospect was finally able to secure maiden success at his most recent start at Dubbo on January 15, picking up his first win at start 16. The Todd Howlett-trained gelding had been ultra-consistent prior to that effort, with nine minor placings to his name prior to his dominant 4.4-length victory. It should give the four-year-old plenty of confidence heading into Monday afternoon, and with Aaron Bullock happy to continue his association with Canny Prospect, this guy will be putting in the big strides late once again. Next Best Race 1 – #2 Canny Prospect (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Todd Howlett | J: Aaron Bullock (57.5kg) +140 with Neds Best Value at Tuncurry: Fighting Daughter Fighting Daughter made her debut for the Glen Hodge barn at Coffs Harbour on January 14, and we thought she did enough to suggest she’s worth following into this second-up tilt. She returned after a 161-day spell first-up and didn’t shirk the task when closing strongly behind Golden Dubai, making inroads from towards the rear of the field. Luke Rolls should get the opportunity to sit much closer in the run from gate two, and provided Fighting Daughter can take a step forward from her stable debut, she can figure in the finish. Best Value Race 2 – #6 Fighting Daughter (2) 4yo Mare | T: Glen Hodge | J: Luke Rolls (56.5kg) +900 with Bet365 Monday quaddie tips for Tuncurry Tuncurry quadrella selections Monday, January 29, 2024 4-7-10-11-12 3-6-11 1-4-5-6-8-11-12 2-5-11-15 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

The Jason Manning-trained Noir De Rue, with Vanessa Arnott in the saddle, continued his outstanding first-up record by overcoming high-quality opposition in open grade over 1300m at Fannie Bay on Friday. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Darwin Photography Professionals) Jason Manning’s Noir De Rue continued his fabulous first-up record with victory against quality opposition in open grade over 1300m in Darwin on Friday. For the nine-year-old gelding, it was his fifth win from 13 starts after a spell, and the fact he also lumped 65kg made the achievement even more special. It was the highlight on a gloomy day at Fannie Bay, where the final two races were abandoned because of persistent rain. The dirt surface was left wet and muddy after almost 100mm of rain in three days, and subsequently, visibility for jockeys became an issue. Stewards called off the final two races, including the $40,000 Lightning Wet Season Series Final (1200m), which are expected to be added to the Darwin Turf Club’s meeting next Saturday. The last time Noir De Rue saluted first up was in the ROANT Gold Cup (1300m) last July, when he produced an astonishing finish. It’s not unusual for Noir De Rue to receive the big weights – his current rating is 96 – and he now boasts 14 wins from 72 starts from 1200-2200m. Noir De Rue ($9) hadn’t raced since finishing ninth in the Darwin Cup (2050m) last August and settled in third place on Friday behind leaders Cielo D’Oro ($5 fav) and Bel’s Banner ($10) exiting the back straight at the 700m. Passing the 400m, Noir De Rue, partnered by regular rider Vanessa Arnott, was labouring, but once turning for home, he came to life after finding an inside route. In a desperate finish, Noir De Rue lifted to edge out Cole’s Cielo D’Oro (60.5kg) and Saccharo (62kg) with 0.3 lengths separating the trio, while Gary Clarke’s fourth-placed Bel’s Banner (54kg) was only half a length adrift. Ella Clarke, Gary’s daughter, landed the quinella in the special conditions race over 1200m when Gunshot Glitter (Aaron Sweeney) pipped Debating by half a length. For Gunshot Glitter ($13), it was his first win after seven Victorian starts and 10 Darwin starts, while Debating ($2.45 fav) bounced back after coming seventh over 1100m in his NT debut on December 30. Tom Logan’s Make An Effort ($5) made it back-to-back wins after downing Dick Leech’s Pride Of Limassol ($2 fav) and Patrick Johnston’s Gotta Beat ($61) by 2.5-lengths over 1000m (0-64). The former Victorian mare, pinged out of the gates, but her pilot Sonja Logan was forced three deep before skipping away at the 600m. Last start winner Pride Of Limassol, jumping from the inside gate, never left the fence and was the big threat turning for home, but Make An Effort was home and hosed after sprinting clear at the 100m. With Jarrod Todd aboard, Garry Lefoe’s Barragunda ($9) posted its first Darwin win at the seventh attempt after debuting in July 2022, when he finished strongly to seal victory over 1200m (0-58). More horse racing news View the full article

Race 3 BRIGHTHILL FARM YEARLING DRAFT MAIDEN 1300 OUR PRECIOUS (E Nicholas) – Co-trainer Mrs. J Vance advised Stewards; OUR PRECIOUS is being rested for seven days after developing a respiratory infection which is now getting treated. The post Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Pukekohe Park, Sunday, 21 January 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 5 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK DESERT GOLD STAKES (G3) 1600m MARS (S Spratt) – Co-trainer Mr. B Foote reported to Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the MARS, and it is their intention to continue on with the filly’s current preparation. Race 8 HARCOURTS TEAM GROUP THORNDON MILE (G1) 1600m HABANA (W Kennedy) – Trainer Mr. L Noble advised Stewards, the gelding underwent a veterinary examination on Sunday 21 January, which included an endoscopic examination and blood tests with results showing no obvious abnormalities. L Noble further advised it is his intention to carry on with HABANA’S current preparation. The post Wellington Racing Club @ Trentham, Saturday, 20 January 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Four months after he was beaten in Class Three company, the five-year-old is set to mix it with Hong Kong’s top speedsters in the Centenary Sprint CupView the full article

6.00 Kempton, Mdn, £7,000, 3yo/up, 8f (AWT) VENETIAN STYLE (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is Godolphin's 1.8million 2021 Tatts December Foal Sale topper who is making his belated debut in the royal blue. A half-brother to the Group 2 winner and multiple Group 1-placed I Can Fly (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), he is one of two from the Charlie Appleby stable alongside fellow newcomer Notable Speech (GB), another Dubawi and daughter of the G3 UAE Oaks runner-up Swift Rose (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) who is preferred by William Buick. The post Observations: Tatts December Topper Venetian Style Heads To Kempton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ayrton prevailed in a thrilling finish to Friday’s $175,000 Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m). Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Ayrton added even more shine to his outstanding record at Caulfield with a thrilling win in a photo finish to Friday’s $175,000 Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m). The highly talented New Zealand-bred has now had seven starts at Caulfield for six wins, including black-type successes in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m), the Listed Weekend Hussler (1400m) and Friday’s John Dillon Stakes. Overall, the six-year-old Iffraaj gelding has had 21 starts for eight wins, three placings and $906,975 in stakes. He has been a standout performer for syndicators Roll The Dice Racing. Ayrton ventured west and was unplaced in the A$1.5 million Damien Oliver Gold Rush (1400m) in Perth on December 16, but a return to his favourite stomping ground brought an emphatic form reversal on Friday. Ridden by Jamie Kah, who has been in the saddle for five of his victories, Ayrton jumped well before easing back to take a sit behind Buffalo River and Not An Option. Kah presented Ayrton on the outside of that pair at the top of the Caulfield straight, and he soon quickened and went past them. Ka Bling finished powerfully from third-last to provide a late scare, but Ayrton lunged at the line and held on by the skin of his teeth. “He’s just such a tough horse,” Kah said. “I love this horse. He’s been great to me throughout my career. He was feeling the pinch late today, but he’s always so tough. Whenever I ride him, he tries his hardest. “The race worked out perfectly for him in the end. I know that I can push him a bit in the early stages and he always comes back to me. The tempo ended up being beautiful, we got a good sit, and he’s just a push-button horse. I love him.” Ayrton’s only defeat at Caulfield came in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) on November 18. Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are now looking at giving him another Group One opportunity over the same course and distance. “It was fantastic that he held on to win for the big ownership group that’s on course to see him today,” Price and Kent’s racing manager Tom Sheahan said. “We’ll let the dust settle after this, and then we could aim higher again. There’s a 1400m Listed race in a couple of weeks that might be a nice option, and then there’s the Futurity Stakes (on February 24).” More horse racing news View the full article

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Named for the owner, an immigrant from Scotland who realized a Carnegie-kind of American Dream, it began as a 12-furlong turf race. Five years later in 1964 it was cut back to nine and moved to the dirt. The roll call of Donn H. winners through 2016 at Gulfstream Park reflects a roster of unique equine and human personalities, which is peppered with some magnificent performances that shouldn't be forgotten. Hall of Fame jockey Braulio Baeza won his first of three victories in 1969 aboard Funny Fellow and took home his last Donn with Foolish Pleasure in 1976. One of the greats, Forego, captured the 1974 race. There was Deputy Minister in 1983. The legendary Cigar grabbed back-to-back races starting in 1995 for a trainer with the last name of Mott, who is still collecting accolades and giving sound speeches without notes. And who could forget the haul by Todd Pletcher with his first Donn win in 2003 which was authored by Harlan's Holiday. Speaking of sires, futures breeding shed stars like Medaglia d'Oro, Quality Road and Constitution, all got their picture taken after winning the Donn. As we know, the race was renamed and its history placed on a dusty shelf. Instead of drawing from the near and visceral past, it was time to extract strength from a famous mythological winged horse slaying a dragon. Second in size stateside to only the Statue of Liberty, the completed 2014 edifice ominously guards the entrance of Gulfstream, presides over the Donn's demise and welcomes those attending Pegasus World Cup Day. On Saturday, another edition arrives as the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. anchors a card which sports six other graded events. Looking to join the likes of Arrogate (who won the first Pegasus), Gun Runner and Life Is Good, are a dozen suitors and an also-eligible. National Treasure schooling | Lauren King Out of these, National Treasure (Quality Road) is the clear class leader. The Bob Baffert trainee won last year's GI Preakness S. and ended his 3-year-old campaign as the runner-up in the GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile to newly-minted Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin). One of National Treasure's primary rivals, who is drawn right next to him, is Godolphin homebred GSW First Mission (Street Sense). Trained by Brad Cox, the dark bay missed last year's Triple Crown, but he has the potential to be a major player within the 2024 Classic division. “It couldn't have gone better so far,” said Cox assistant Trace Messina. “He shipped in here early Tuesday morning and had a good gallop over the track Wednesday and another good gallop Thursday.” First Mission was second in the GII Clark S. at Churchill Downs last November. Both the winner of that race, Trademark (Upstart), and the third-place finisher, Il Miracolo (Gun Runner), also received a Pegasus invite. Il Miracolo's trainer Antonio Sano said, “The horse has been doing very well after the [last] race. Right now, the horse is very excited and in good condition. He worked two times with [jockey Javier] Castellano and I hope to run well. I think there are four horses that show speed in the race. I hope we can find room behind the speed for the horse to close.” As for the rest of the field, it includes Mineshaft's own GISW Hoist the Gold and MGSW Senor Buscador (who ran first and second in the GI Cigar Mile), plus the Iavarone's MGSW O'Connor (Chi) (Boboman) and that 7-year-old's Saffie Joseph stablemate MGSW Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator). The Undercard Takes to the Turf The rest of the Gulfstream slate has an intriguing lineup. In the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational S., trainer Aidan O'Brien sends GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf runner-up Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) back to America. Since missing by a neck to newly-crowned champion female turf horse Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), the filly was third in the G1 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in mid-December. Warm Heart workout | Ryan Thompson Last year's winner, Atone (Into Mischief) returns, along with the undefeated MGSW Integration (Quality Road), who picks up rider Tyler Gaffallione for Kendrick Carmouche. West Point Thoroughbreds executive vice president Tom Bellhouse said about Integration's development, “He's as exciting a horse as we've had. He's just a super exciting horse. It took him a while to really get rolling and find his stride. If you look back, he had a lot of works and a lot of base. Shug [McGaughey] was always, 'I like this horse.' He's rewarded all the confidence Shug had in him. To win the race at Colonial [Downs] first time out and to come back a little less than four weeks later and win the Virginia Derby the way he did, it was spectacular. I was lucky enough to be at Aqueduct for the Hill Prince S. and it was one of those races that was never in doubt. It was really an amazing performance.” A trio of graded turf races help to round out the Pegasus Day card. First among them is the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf, which moved up a spot to become a Grade II race. Star Fortress (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the market leader at 5-2 here, made her U.S. debut a winning one by 10 lengths for trainer Cherie DeVaux in the GIII Cardinal S. at Churchill Downs last November. Chief among her rivals will be veteran 6-year-olds like GISW Queen Goddess (Empire Maker), MGSW/MGISP Fluffy Socks (Slumber {GB}) and MGSW/GISP Didia (Arg) (Orpen). As an ode to the Donn's origins, also on the docket are a pair of grass distance tests at 12 furlongs–the GIII La Prevoyante S. and the GIII W.L. McKnight S. Graded dirt races do make an appearance with the GII Inside Information S. for older females at seven furlongs, which is led by local favorite GSW/GISP Maryquitecontrary (First Dude). Also, older males traveling a mile in the GIII Fred Hopper S. will look to challenge morning-line favorite Hejazi (Bernardini), who was the runner-up in the GI Malibu S. Heading West Finally, the graded train also makes Saturday stops at Sam Houston Race Park and Santa Anita Park. H-Town hosts the GIII Ladies Houston Classic S. and the GIII John B. Connally Turf Cup, while the 'Great RIP' has its own nine-furlong test on the dirt in the GII San Pasqual S. The post History Astride As Pegasus Card Promises Once Again To Slay Graded Weekend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Newgrange will seek his fourth graded stakes victory at Santa Anita Park when he tackles seven others in the Jan. 27 San Pasqual Stakes (G2). It would also be the 5-year-old's second consecutive San Pasqual win.View the full article

Racing action heats up at Oaklawn Park Feb. 2 when comebacking graded stakes winners Hot and Sultry and Shotgun Hottie return in the $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3).View the full article

On the heels of an exceptional night at the 53rd Annual Eclipse Awards for Godolphin, the operation will have the chance to collect its first Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) trophy when First Mission steps into the starting gate Jan. 27. View the full article

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. Tipsy Tammy (f, 3, Arrogate–Peggy May, by Lemon Drop Kid) ran a winning race on debut. She just didn't win. Those were the words of trainer Phil Bauer, who saddled the highly regarded $600,000 Keeneland September Yearling purchase to a strong second-place finish behind 'TDN Rising Star' Impel (Quality Road) on debut at Fair Grounds Jan. 1. Sporting a pair of bullet breezes on her worktab, the Rigney Racing colorbearer wasn't much of a secret and was off as the 4-5 favorite in the six-furlong affair. Tipsy Tammy jumped well from post three and battled for command from an outside second with Impel in hot pursuit in third through an opening quarter in a sharp :21.89. Tipsy Tammy poked her head in front as Impel began to wind up with a flashy sweep on the far turn. Tipsy Tammy fought on gamely along the rail as they straightened for home, but couldn't match strides with the Brad Cox-trained Juddmonte homebred down the lane. Impel crossed the wire 3 1/4 lengths to the good and it was another 10 3/4 lengths back to the distant third-place finisher. Tipsy Tammy earned a 77 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort. “Really thought she ran really well,” Bauer said. “Progression and maturity, she should move forward, hopefully.” He continued, “It was as advertised. Obviously, when you spend that kind of money, you hope they turn out to be something special. She indicated that to us in the mornings and everybody was on to her as well. I think that was the reason for the short price. Brad (Cox)'s horse shipped in from Kentucky, so maybe a little bit of camouflage there. No shame in running second to something like that. Visually, I thought they both ran winning efforts. They just got the better of us.” Tipsy Tammy will look to go one better in her second career start in a six-furlong, $57,000 maiden special weight at Fair Grounds next Thursday. With a five-furlong bullet in 1:00 4/5 (1/12) under her belt in the interim, the 8-5 morning-line favorite has drawn widest of all in post seven. Mitchell Murrill will be at the controls once again. Phil Bauer & Richard Rigney | Keeneland “Who knows? Sometimes it's beneficial to get two starts in the maiden ranks and try and get some more seasoning before you take on winners,” Bauer said. “She's put together really well and a very efficient mover. Obviously, you always hope that they'll stretch out a little bit in distance, which I think she will based on her training. We thought coming back in a three-quarter event would be the right move to try and get the maiden broke, then probably point towards something at Keeneland.” Bred in Kentucky by Sierra Farm, Tipsy Tammy hails from the third and final crop of the much-missed Arrogate, who is already responsible for five Grade I winners, led by the recently crowned champion 3-year-old Arcangelo. She was the highest-priced yearling filly by Arrogate to sell in 2022 and the third most expensive overall of 61 yearlings by the late Hall of Famer to change hands that year. The half-sister to MSW Doc Boy (Into Mischief) was produced by Peggy May, an unraced daughter of champion grass mare Perfect Sting (Red Ransom). The Adena Springs-bred Peggy May brought $170,000 from breeder Sierra Farm while in foal to Awesome Again at the 2014 Keeneland November sale. The post Second Chances: $600k Arrogate Filly Tipsy Tammy ‘As Advertised’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kabirkhan, Kentucky-bred, Kazakhstan-owned and Russian-raced, wins the Al Maktoum Challenge (G1) on Fashion Friday at Meydan Racecourse, earning a spot in the Dubai World Cup (G1); Mendelssohn Bay takes the UAE Two Thousand Guineas (G3).View the full article

Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby swept the four turf races on the "Fashion Friday" program at Meydan Racecourse Jan. 26.View the full article

On Saturday, January 27, horse racing enthusiasts can anticipate a thrilling day with nine meetings set to unfold across various locations in Australia. Our team of committed racing analysts at horsebetting.com.au has meticulously selected the top bets and crafted quaddie numbers tailored for the upcoming events at Ellerslie, Moonee Valley, Randwick, Sunshine Coast & Ascot. Saturday Racing Tips – January 20, 2024 Ellerslie Racing Tips Moonee Valley Racing Tips Randwick Racing Tips Sunshine Coast Racing Tips Ascot Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For January 27, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $63.55 odds return: Saturday, January 27, 2024 Ellerslie – Race 2 #4 Imwonderfultonight Moonee Valley – Race 10 #6 Pereille Randwick – Race 4 #1 Glory Daze Sunshine Coast – Race 5 #2 Bossed Up Ascot – Race 5 #10 Autumn Rebel | Copy this bet straight to your betslip For avid Australian racing fans, numerous promotions await your exploration. Be sure to peruse the offerings from top online bookmakers, as daily promotions can enhance your horse racing experience. If you’re in search of a new bookmaker to elevate your horse racing ventures on January 27, 2024, consult our comprehensive guide to the finest online racing betting sites. We’re committed to keeping you informed and enhancing your horse racing betting journey. More horse racing tips View the full article

Kabirkhan, Kentucky-bred, Kazakhstan-owned and Russian-raced, wins the Al Maktoum Challenge (G1) on Fashion Friday at Meydan Racecourse, earning a spot in the Dubai World Cup (G1); Mendelssohn Bay takes out the UAE Two Thousand Guineas (G3).View the full article