Wandering Eyes

Diminutive gelding Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) will be vying for back-to-back Karaka Millions titles when he heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to contest the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). The son of Satono Aladdin was victorious in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) last year, and trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson would love him to join stable predecessor Probabeel as a dual Karaka Millions victor. A standout juvenile, Tokyo Tycoon began his three-year-old term in brilliant style when winning the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings first-up, however, the wheels came off his spring preparation when he found the Heavy9 conditions too taxing at the Hawke’s Bay venue three weeks later when fifth in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). The decision was made by his trainers to give the gelding a freshen-up and he returned in December to place behind Saturday race rival Pendragon at Pukekohe, before returning to the South Auckland track on Boxing Day where he disappointed when finishing last in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m). “We have put a line through his last run,” Bergerson said. “We got him home and couldn’t fault him the next day, which was a bit of a strange one. “He is a lot better than that run, so we gave him a trial with the blinkers on. His trial was just okay, but he was his laidback self just going through the motions. His work on Wednesday was super. “Opie (Bosson, jockey) has elected to ride him over Talisker, which is a huge positive for him. It indicates that Opie thinks he could be back to that two-year-old form where he was so electric. “On his day, I think he is more than capable of figuring in it, it is just what Tokyo Tycoon turns up. “He has got a lovely barrier draw (3) and should get a nice run in behind them somewhere, and we think he will suit the Ellerslie track.” Tokyo Tycoon is a $12 fifth favourite for Saturday’s feature behind Molly Bloom and Orchestral, who are at the top of the market at $3.50, while stablemate Talisker is rated a $15 chance with TAB bookmakers. The son of Embellish has returned north following a southern spring campaign, which culminated in a runner-up result behind undefeated three-year-old Crocetti in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November. He returned to Te Akau’s Matamata base and was runner-up in his trial behind glamour mare Legarto in their 1100m heat at Tauranga on January 2, and he had a feel of Ellerslie’s StrathAyr track when third in his 1500m contest a fortnight ago. “He will be positive from his barrier (8), he has got a great racing pattern and gets up there on speed, and he seems to have improved from that first-up run at Ellerslie,” Bergerson said. “I am happy with them both and I think it is a very high-quality field. It is very even and you wouldn’t be surprised if eight of them won the race. It will come down to the right run and a bit of luck.” Earlier on the card, Maven Belle will get her summer preparation back on track in the Gr.3 Brighthill Farm Concorde Handicap (1200m) after having to bypass the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) earlier this month. “She was heading towards the Telegraph and she spiked a bit of a temperature, so we gave her a few days off and she had to miss the Telegraph,” Bergerson said. “It wasn’t the worst thing missing the Telegraph, it was a muddly race, and she would have been stuck in behind all the carnage we think. “She seems to have bounced back in super form and she looks magnificent at home. We think we have found the right race for her, although she does have to lug a bit of weight (58kg), but she probably deserves it. “Opie on always helps, he knows her very well. She is going in in good form and her work on Tuesday was super.” Maven Belle is a $3.20 favourite for the race with TAB bookmakers and will be joined in the sprint by stablemates Petrucci ($6) and Romancing The Moon ($8). “It is a bit of a step up from Petrucci’s last start, but she was super impressive,” Bergerson said. “It will probably be tempo related but you have got to ride her a bit colder to see her finishing off. Hopefully there will be some genuine speed there. “Romancing The Moon trialled well at Tauranga. She will bounce and put herself on speed. She was just over-racing in the Manawatu Challenge Stakes at Wellington, so we decided to freshen her and back to 1200m we think she will race a bit kinder. She is a Group One winner, she is a high-class mare.” While all eyes will be on Ellerslie on Saturday, down in Riccarton Te Akau will be chasing further stakes spoils when Millefiori and Kai tackle the Listed Speight’s Timaru Stakes (1400m). “They are two mares that really seem to be enjoying the south,” Bergerson said. “Kai was super there last time. She is not overly big but tries her heart out. It is another really nice race for her. Kylie (Williams, jockey) knows her now after having ridden her last time, and Hunter (Durrant, Riccarton stable foreman) is really happy with her heading into Saturday. “With Live Drama up the top, Millefiori doesn’t have to lug the topweight like she did last time. She is another that ran well last time and has gone on since. “It is a very good chance for black-type for both of them.” View the full article

Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott will saddle more than a quarter of the field in Saturday’s $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie, with Group One-winning filly Molly Bloom a headline act among their talented quartet. Molly Bloom burst to stardom with an enormous finish from third-last in an 18-horse field in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November. The Ace High filly added another trophy to the cabinet on Boxing Day with a hard-fought victory over Mary Shan in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe, and Scott believes she has improved through the month since that race. “We’ve been really pleased with her and she’s certainly gone the right way since Boxing Day,” he said. “She’s maintained a very good body weight, and I thought her work on Tuesday morning was probably one of the best pieces of work she’s done this season. “She had a wee twist more improvement on her when she raced on Boxing Day, but now we think we’ve got her pretty close to the mark for Saturday.” Molly Bloom was the outright favourite for the Karaka Millions 3YO until Wednesday night’s barrier draw, where second favourite Orchestral landed the inside gate. That saw her tighten into $3.50 equal favouritism alongside Molly Bloom, who drew gate 10. “We weren’t too worried about Molly’s draw on Wednesday,” Scott said. “She was probably never going to utilise an inside barrier anyway. Her style tends to be to take her time to settle, then quicken late in the race. We weren’t going to rush her out of the gates even if she’d drawn well.” Australian jockey Blake Shinn had his first ride on Molly Bloom in last month’s Eight Carat, and he will make a return across the Tasman to continue that partnership on Saturday. Molly Bloom will be joined Saturday’s line-up by stablemates Geriatrix, The Weapon and Grande Gallo, who will be ridden by Vinnie Colgan, Matt Cameron and Wiremu Pinn respectively. “Grande Gallo was a very good winner at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day,” Scott said. “She sustained a good gallop that day and showed that she really excels right-handed. She’s worked well since then. She doesn’t quite have the form lines that Molly has, but we wouldn’t be surprised if she made her presence felt. She’s drawn in close, which should be to her advantage. “The Weapon found the line very well at Ellerslie last start and is going the right way. He has the hood on for the first time this weekend. “Geriatrix has had some hold-ups and has gone a wee while without a run, but he’s got a good load of talent there.” O’Sullivan and Scott will be represented in Saturday’s Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) by Karman Line, who played a major role at this meeting two years ago. In just her fourth career start, she charged home for a close and unlucky third behind Pin Me Up and Tutukaka in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic. Now a five-year-old, Karman Line collected the second win of her 12-start career with an impressive performance in Rating 75 company at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. “We think she’s taken a good bit of confidence from that win,” Scott said. “For one reason or another, her form probably hasn’t been quite as strong as we might have hoped, but we know she’s very capable on her day. “She’s up in class on Saturday, taking on Group Two company, but she’s a talented mare and we think we’ve got her as good as we’ve had her for quite some time.” View the full article

Te Akau Racing have a rich history in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), having won the last seven editions of the race, and Sam Bergerson is hoping to extend their run in his first year at the helm of New Zealand’s leading stable, alongside co-trainer Mark Walker. “I am massively excited,” he said. “It is a huge occasion and one that Dave (Ellis, Te Akau Racing principal) and the team always look towards from the Karaka sales when they purchase these horses. “I am extremely lucky to be in the position I am in with Te Akau and getting the opportunity to train these lovely horses. You want it to go well but you take the horses there fit and well and just hope they get their chance.” Bergerson couldn’t wish to have a bigger stage for his first Karaka Millions, with plenty of hype surrounding the meeting with its return to Ellerslie to race on its new StrathAyr track. “I don’t think I have seen so much hype around a meeting – heading back to Ellerslie, with Entain onboard and Boys Get Paid, it is going to be a massive night. I am really looking forward to it,” he said. Walker and Bergerson, who currently sit on 99 domestic wins for the season, will have four contenders in the Karaka Million 2YO at Ellerslie on Saturday, which may rise to five, with a scratching allowing Damask Rose into the field of 14. Their charge will be led in the $1 million feature by Bellatrix Star, with the filly to carry the same Fortuna Syndicate colours that Melody Belle carried to victory in the 2017 edition of the race. Purchased by Ellis out of Phoenix Park’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $80,000, Bellatrix Star has shown plenty of talent on the track, winning two and placing in two of her starts to date. The daughter of Star Witness was runner-up in the Listed Challenge Stakes (1200m) at Pukekohe in November behind Velocious but turned the tables on her rival when returning to the track on New Year’s Day to win the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) ahead of stablemate Move To Strike, with Velocious back in third. “Bellatrix Star is a tough, gritty filly who just seems to love her racing,” Bergerson said. “She is absolutely thriving and has got that really good, tough nature, and seems to love a dogfight. “She is doing everything well and is eating well, and her work on Wednesday was top-notch.” She will be met on Saturday by stablemate Cool ‘N’ Fast, with the gelding carrying the weight of expectation from Boys’ Get Paid, with the punting group set to take home $1 million if he comes in, having put $50,000 on Cool ‘N’ Fast at $21 in a futures bet. It has proven to be a clever investment, with Cool ‘N’ Fast going on to win on debut at Pukekohe on Boxing Day, shortening into $7 with TAB bookmakers, and he has shortened even further into $6 ahead of Saturday. “Cool ‘N’ Fast is the hype horse,” Bergerson said. “He did a little bit wrong (in his debut) but still managed to win, which I think is a really positive sign. He has got a bit of x-factor about him. “He only worked okay at Ellerslie with Opie (Bosson, jockey) on, but he was much more bullish after Wednesday’s work. He presents in good order.” Te Akau will also be represented in the race by debut winner When Stars Align and one-win gelding Maracatu, who was runner-up behind Saturday race rival So Naive at Ellerslie a fortnight ago. “When Stars Align is one from one and his form was franked at Matamata on Wednesday when Unbridled Joy won,” Bergerson said. “He has gone on since his win at Wellington and has continued to improve and impress us. He looks super. He is a big type of horse that has still got plenty of filling out to do, so he is doing it on raw ability, and he seems to have plenty of that. “We were disappointed Maracatu got beaten at Ellerslie on the first night (at Ellerslie). He probably got to the front a bit soon, through no fault of Opie’s, and he wanted to pull himself up and do a bit wrong. We will ride him a bit colder on Saturday. He has got a bit of a niggly gate (11), but we will go back and hope for a bit of cover, and hopefully it plays fair enough. It will be interesting to see the pattern of the day.” While needing a scratching to gain a start, Bergerson is also upbeat about debut winner Damask Rose. “Damask Rose is one from one and is another filly we really like. She has shown us plenty at home and has gone the right way since New Plymouth,” Bergerson said. “You wouldn’t be surprised if any one of the four, or five, won it. They are all going in with good form, we are happy with them.” Velocious heads the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO market at $3, with stablemates Bellatrix Star and Cool ‘N’ Fast the next fancied runners at $4.20 and $6 respectively. View the full article

Peter and Dawn Williams will take on the Karaka Millions meeting’s two hottest favourites with their pair of runners at Ellerslie’s eagerly anticipated twilight blockbuster on Saturday. The Byerley Park trainers’ last-start Group One winner Desert Lightning will line up against $1.50 favourite Legarto in the inaugural running of the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m), while Just A Floozie brings fascinating form credentials into her clash with the undefeated $1.30 favourite Crocetti in the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m). This will be the second appearance at the Karaka Millions meeting for Desert Lightning, who the Williams team bought for $150,000 from Little Avondale Stud’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2021. The son of Pride Of Dubai lined up against a star-studded field in last year’s Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m), finishing a close third behind Prowess and Wild Night. Beaten favourite Legarto was just behind him in an unlucky fourth. The stage is set for Saturday’s rematch between Legarto, Wild Night and Desert Lightning, and Peter Williams has been pleased with the latter’s progress since his last-start success in the Gr.1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham on December 9. “Everything’s fine with him,” he said. “He’s done everything right since that win at Trentham last month and we’ve been very happy. “He had an exhibition gallop at Ellerslie the other day with Crocetti and I thought he looked super that day. He worked with a very good horse who’s a $1.30 favourite in his race, and it was really good work by both horses. It showed us that we were on track.” Desert Lightning will again be ridden by Vinnie Colgan, who has been in the saddle for 12 of his 15 career starts. He will jump from gate 10 in a 13-horse Aotearoa Classic field, and the TAB rated him a $12 third favourite on Friday morning behind Legarto and the Australian-trained Holymanz ($9). “The draw is what it is,” Williams said. “He drew wide at Wellington last start too and was able to overcome that, so hopefully it won’t be too much of a disadvantage. “Legarto is clearly the hardest to beat, but he ran a top race against her in the 3YO on this day last year. We’ll see what happens on Saturday.” Just A Floozie, meanwhile, is by Australian super-sire I Am Invincible out of the Group One-winning mare Thee Auld Floozie. She was bred by Jamieson Park, who remain in the ownership after she was passed in at Karaka 2022. In her only previous start, Just A Floozie scored a stylish win in the Avondale Classic (1200m) in April of last year. The second, third and fourth placegetters were Orchestral, Molly Bloom and Still Bangon, who have all made their mark at black-type level as three-year-olds this season. Orchestral and Molly Bloom are the two favourites for Saturday’s $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). “Just A Floozie beat some good horses in that two-year-old race on debut,” Williams said. “She was held up a little bit through the spring, but I think that extra time has done her good and she’s a better horse now. “It might have helped if we could have got another run into her before this race, but we didn’t manage to do that. She’ll improve with the run, but she looks well. “Crocetti is obviously a very smart horse, but when this filly is right, she’s pretty smart too.” View the full article

Live Drama will be looking to get her summer preparation back on track at Riccarton on Saturday. The daughter of Ghibellines was late scratched in the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Trentham last month after failing to load and was required to have a barrier trial to the satisfaction of stewards, and passed with flying colours when winning her 1200m heat at Ashburton earlier this month. Trainer and part-owner Lance Robinson was pleased with Live Drama’s trial and is looking forward to kicking off her summer preparation in the Listed Speight’s Timaru Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton on Saturday. “We had a barrier issue with her at Trentham and missed the run there, so she had a barrier trial. She lined up in the barrier well and did everything right and trialled super. We are very happy with her,” Robinson said. Live Drama was in fine form over the spring, placing in three of her five starts, including runner-up in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), while Robinson rated her fifth placed run in the Listed Stewards’ Stakes (1200m) as the best of her preparation. “Her two races over the Cup meeting were fantastic,” he said. “She went a huge race in the Stewards, she only ran fifth, but she carried a bit weight, got buffeted the whole race, and still finished off strong. It was her third run in the Stewards, she ran second in the two previous years, but I thought last year was a better run.” Live Drama heads the Timaru Stakes market alongside the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Millefiori at $5, and Robinson is hopeful she will get the better of her rival on Saturday. “She has a nice draw (7) and she will be very competitive,” he said. “Miss Layla will be a good lightweight chance and Te Akau are always hard to beat, but our mare is as good as we can have her.” Live Drama won’t have to wait long for her next assignment, with the seven-year-old mare set to head to Wingatui next week to contest the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (1600m). Robinson will line-up four other runners at Riccarton on Saturday and believes Diagon Alley and Aerial Blue are strong chances in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Rating 65 (1400m). “Diagon Alley was very unlucky in her last start. She got held up, was late getting clear, and only got beaten by half a head,” Robinson said. “She has come through that run well and will be very competitive tomorrow. “Aerial Blue went a really nice race the other day at Riccarton. She ran fourth but didn’t get a lot of luck. They will both be very competitive in that race.” View the full article

Desert Lightning winning last month’s Group 1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North Peter and Dawn Williams will take on the Karaka Millions meeting’s two hottest favourites with their pair of runners at Ellerslie’s eagerly anticipated twilight blockbuster on Saturday. The Byerley Park trainers’ last-start Group 1 winner Desert Lightning will line up against $1.50 favourite Legarto in the inaugural running of the $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m), while Just A Floozie brings fascinating form credentials into her clash with the undefeated $1.30 favourite Crocetti in the Group 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m). This will be the second appearance at the Karaka Millions meeting for Desert Lightning, who the Williams team bought for $150,000 from Little Avondale Stud’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2021. The son of Pride Of Dubai lined up against a star-studded field in last year’s Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), finishing a close third behind Prowess and Wild Night. Beaten favourite Legarto was just behind him in an unlucky fourth. The stage is set for Saturday’s rematch between Legarto, Wild Night and Desert Lightning, and Peter Williams has been pleased with the latter’s progress since his last-start success in the Group 1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham on December 9. “Everything’s fine with him,” he said. “He’s done everything right since that win at Trentham last month and we’ve been very happy. “He had an exhibition gallop at Ellerslie the other day with Crocetti and I thought he looked super that day. He worked with a very good horse who’s a $1.30 favourite in his race, and it was really good work by both horses. It showed us that we were on track.” Desert Lightning will again be ridden by Vinnie Colgan, who has been in the saddle for 12 of his 15 career starts. He will jump from gate 10 in a 13-horse Aotearoa Classic field, as the $12 third favourite on Friday morning behind Legarto and the Australian-trained Holymanz ($9). “The draw is what it is,” Williams said. “He drew wide at Wellington last start too and was able to overcome that, so hopefully it won’t be too much of a disadvantage. “Legarto is clearly the hardest to beat, but he ran a top race against her in the 3YO on this day last year. We’ll see what happens on Saturday.” Just A Floozie, meanwhile, is by Australian super-sire I Am Invincible out of the Group 1-winning mare Thee Auld Floozie. She was bred by Jamieson Park, who remain in the ownership after she was passed in at Karaka 2022. In her only previous start, Just A Floozie scored a stylish win in the Avondale Classic (1200m) in April of last year. The second, third and fourth placegetters were Orchestral, Molly Bloom and Still Bangon, who have all made their mark at black-type level as three-year-olds this season. Orchestral and Molly Bloom are the two favourites for Saturday’s $1.5 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m). “Just A Floozie beat some good horses in that two-year-old race on debut,” Williams said. “She was held up a little bit through the spring, but I think that extra time has done her good and she’s a better horse now. “It might have helped if we could have got another run into her before this race, but we didn’t manage to do that. She’ll improve with the run, but she looks well. “Crocetti is obviously a very smart horse, but when this filly is right, she’s pretty smart too.” More horse racing news View the full article

Molly Bloom will contest the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) on Saturday at Ellerslie. Photo: Race Images South Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott will saddle more than a quarter of the field in Saturday’s $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie, with Group 1-winning filly Molly Bloom a headline act among their talented quartet. Molly Bloom burst to stardom with an enormous finish from third-last in an 18-horse field in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November. The Ace High filly added another trophy to the cabinet on Boxing Day with a hard-fought victory over Mary Shan in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe, and Scott believes she has improved through the month since that race. “We’ve been really pleased with her and she’s certainly gone the right way since Boxing Day,” he said. “She’s maintained a very good body weight, and I thought her work on Tuesday morning was probably one of the best pieces of work she’s done this season. “She had a wee twist more improvement on her when she raced on Boxing Day, but now we think we’ve got her pretty close to the mark for Saturday.” Molly Bloom was the outright favourite for the Karaka Millions 3YO until Wednesday night’s barrier draw, where second favourite Orchestral landed the inside gate. That saw her tighten into $3.50 equal favouritism alongside Molly Bloom, who drew gate 10. “We weren’t too worried about Molly’s draw on Wednesday,” Scott said. “She was probably never going to utilise an inside barrier anyway. Her style tends to be to take her time to settle, then quicken late in the race. We weren’t going to rush her out of the gates even if she’d drawn well.” Australian jockey Blake Shinn had his first ride on Molly Bloom in last month’s Eight Carat, and he will make a return across the Tasman to continue that partnership on Saturday. Molly Bloom will be joined in Saturday’s line-up by stablemates Geriatrix, The Weapon and Grande Gallo, who will be ridden by Vinnie Colgan, Matt Cameron and Wiremu Pinn respectively. “Grande Gallo was a very good winner at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day,” Scott said. “She sustained a good gallop that day and showed that she really excels right-handed. She’s worked well since then. She doesn’t quite have the form lines that Molly has, but we wouldn’t be surprised if she made her presence felt. She’s drawn in close, which should be to her advantage. “The Weapon found the line very well at Ellerslie last start and is going the right way. He has the hood on for the first time this weekend. “Geriatrix has had some hold-ups and has gone a wee while without a run, but he’s got a good load of talent there.” O’Sullivan and Scott will be represented in Saturday’s Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m) by Karman Line, who played a major role at this meeting two years ago. In just her fourth career start, she charged home for a close and unlucky third behind Pin Me Up and Tutukaka in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic. Now a five-year-old, Karman Line collected the second win of her 12-start career with an impressive performance in Rating 75 company at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. “We think she’s taken a good bit of confidence from that win,” Scott said. “For one reason or another, her form probably hasn’t been quite as strong as we might have hoped, but we know she’s very capable on her day. “She’s up in class on Saturday, taking on Group Two company, but she’s a talented mare and we think we’ve got her as good as we’ve had her for quite some time.” More horse racing news View the full article

High Octane ridden by Mark Zahra wins the Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) at Caulfield. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) After a very nice barrier trial in Sydney, there was a lot of attention going the way of the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained High Octane (+210) and the colt showed why in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (C&G), as he glided past his rivals and recorded a smart debut victory at Caulfield. The son of Deep Field settled midfield and appeared to lose his way a little bit on the home turn, but as the field turned into the straight, he travelled up to the leaders and put them away within 100m. After hitting the front, High Octane wobbled around and raced greenly late, but he always had the measure of his stablemate and runner-up Holmes A Court (+2200), who held on for a stable quinella. Innervisions (+280) led the field up to the home corner but started to struggle at the 200m mark and just held on for third place ahead of Let’sfacethemusic (+1400). 2024 Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) Replay – High Octane Peter Snowden was on course at Caulfield, and he was very happy with the performance of his colts post-race. “Absolutely, they both went terrific,” Snowden said of Holmes A Court and High Octane. “There isn’t a lot between them in their work at home. I thought there would be more in the finish of a race but I though both colts ran exceptionally well. “He’ll (High Octane) improve a lot, he only had the one trial coming into this, he got lost a fair way out and wobbled on that corner but showed his class late. “He’s a talented horse and no doubt he will take good benefit from this run. “They will go the traditional way now. They will go both go to the Prelude in two weeks’ time and then from there go into the (Blue) Diamond if their run says their good enough, hopefully they will be there.” Mark Zahra made the trip up to Sydney to trial the winner, and he spoke about that in his post-race interview. “I went up there (Canterbury) to trial Bodyguard but as you know, Pete (Snowden) always has a lot of two-year-olds and I was lucky to get on this guy,” Zahra said. “I think they looked at the noms of this race and thought they would use at another trial and he could win anyway, but he came up an easy money favourite, so I thought ‘alright we’ll see how we go’. “He’s a beautiful horse to ride, obviously he is an expensive colt, so you would expect him to be a good type. “I was just gonna have him where he wanted to be today and you see in his trial that he was back chasing, but today I was just able to bounce into a spot, but I travelled like the winner all the way.” High Octane is the +400 favourite in the Blue Diamond Stakes futures market with online bookmakers. More horse racing news View the full article

Wellington with Ryan Moore in the saddle wins the 2022 Hong Kong Sprint (Group 1-1200m). Jamie Richards is optimistic Wellington can defy Lucky Sweynesse’s growing domination when the decorated pair clash in the HK$13 million Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (28 January). Wellington has had his colours lowered on six successive occasions by Lucky Sweynesse – the world’s highest-rated sprinter – since his 2022 Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) triumph and Richards concedes the seven-year-old faces a familiar challenge this weekend. Wellington has accumulated two seconds and four thirds behind Lucky Sweynesse with the only interruption to the pattern coming when the gelding travelled to Royal Ascot last June and finished 10th in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m). The four-time Group 1 winner’s most recent outing yielded a stout third behind Lucky Sweynesse in the 2023 Hong Kong Sprint before he was sent to Conghua to freshen up. “Wellington is good. He’s had an easy time since the international sprint. He went up to Conghua, he trialled nicely the other day, everything seems to be in order with him. So, hopefully with a bit of luck, he can be a nice chance,” Richards said. “When he came back from England, we gave him a bit of a break and he was second-up into the international sprint, he’s now fully fit and ready to go now. He’s been pretty well within himself and I’m happy with the horse. “Obviously, it will be very hard to beat Lucky Sweynesse but hopefully with a bit of luck we can still be a chance.” Wellington is making only his third start for Richards, who inherited the gun sprinter from Richard Gibson when the Englishman decided to stop training at the end of the 2022/23 season. “Wellington has got a few niggles, he’s a seven-year-old but he was very well managed before he got to my stable. You’ve got to take him along a bit quietly – he’s a horse who’s got his own personality and his own quirks but I’m happy with where he’s at and how he’s going,” said Richards, who celebrated a double at Sha Tin on Wednesday night (24 January). Wellington will face 12 rivals in the Centenary Sprint Cup, including Lucky Sweynesse, Sight Success, Courier Wonder, Lucky With You, Victor The Winner, Duke Wai, Taj Dragon, Super Wealthy, Packing Treadmill, Whizz Kid, Flying Ace and Son Pak Fu, with each runner assigned 126lb. Lucky Sweynesse won the 2023 Centenary Sprint Cup from barrier eight and will step away under Zac Purton on Sunday from gate five, while Wellington jumps from barrier six under Hugh Bowman. More horse racing news View the full article

Pierre Ng leads the Hong Kong trainers’ championship with 45 wins. Acknowledging the magnitude of the challenge of competing against the world’s top-rated sprinter Lucky Sweynesse, Pierre Ng hopes his three starters – Duke Wai, Taj Dragon and Super Wealthy – can defy expectations in the HK$13 million Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Conceding his trio faces a monumental task to upstage Lucky Sweynesse, Ng nevertheless is keen to add even more lustre to an already phenomenal season with an unmatched 45 wins – 14 more than nearest rival Francis Lui in the Hong Kong trainers’ championship. Ng, 40, celebrated his first black type victory in Hong Kong on January 1 when Taj Dragon won the Group 3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1400m) and the ambitious second-season handler is eager to add loftier spoils. “Hopefully, getting more and more runners going to those races like these (Group 1s) – I want to try my luck,” Ng said. “Taj Dragon, the distance might be a little bit short and I’m just hoping for a good run from him. Of course, the top sprinter (Lucky Sweynesse) is there and it’s a bit difficult. “So, we’re looking for a good run from Taj Dragon and getting ready for the 1400m race (Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup) next month (March 10). “Duke Wai and Super Wealthy, we’re hoping for good runs. We’ll see if they can get something out of it.” Ng’s trio faces 10 rivals in the Centenary Sprint Cup, including Lucky Sweynesse, Wellington, Sight Success, Courier Wonder, Lucky With You, Victor The Winner, Packing Treadmill, Whizz Kid, Flying Ace and Son Pak Fu, with each runner assigned 126lb. Seeking his second win in the race, Lucky Sweynesse jumps from barrier five under Zac Purton, while Ng’s charges are spread across the line with Super Wealthy in barrier one, Taj Dragon in gate eight and Duke Wai in the outside alley of 13. Manfred Man is confident Lucky Sweynesse has retained the form which saw the gelding convincingly land the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on December 10. “Of course, in the ratings, he’s the best horse and with a good draw, he would be a very good chance,” Man said. “His form is okay, no problem. He helps me a lot, the horse.” More horse racing news View the full article

Hayasugi ridden by Jamie Kah winning the Blue Diamond Preview (F) at Caulfield. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Race experience was the key for Hayasugi (+400) in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview (F), as the Clinton McDonald-trained filly proved a little too tough for her rivals at the end of the 1000m scamper at Caulfield. After jumping a little slow, Jamie Kah was able to get the daughter of Royal Meeting in the three-wide running line and allowed her to travel into the race on the home turn. Tobeornottobe (+550) appeared to have stolen the race when the likes of Shehungthemoon (+400) and I Only Wish (+2000) started to fade out of the race; however, Hayasugi was flashing home down the outside and she got her head down in the final strides to nab the leader late. The three runners from the Anthony & Sam Freedman stable finished in a line of three, with Matisse (+400) finishing ahead of Shehungthemoon and Mindshift (+500). 2024 Blue Diamond Preview (F) Replay – Hayasugi Clinton McDonald was very pleased to get the Group victory and he spoke post-race. “Yeah, definitely (great to get some black type with this filly), last year we won the Adams Stakes with Star Patrol for these clients,” McDonald said. “She made a lot of improvement because she has only had the one trial and it was a soft trial, she was meant have two trials but they were cancelled after the wet weather. “I thought it was a really good win, because she was back, wide and had to find the line. “She was tough enough to win and race day experience, you can’t beat it. “We think six furlongs will be right up her alley, she’s not a 1000m horse that’s for sure. “What she shows at home that she has a nice turn of foot and we are hoping that’s what will show up over six furlongs.” Jamie Kah is starting to build a good connection with Hayasugi, and she was very complimentary of the filly post-race. “She’s a really classy filly and she does whatever you ask her to,” Kah said of Hayasugi. “She was definitely filling the pinch late, but she was good enough to get the job done. “I gave her a little squeeze and got her to tuck in, she has taken a lot of learnings from her first preparation. “She feels like that. I galloped her on Monday, and she gave me a really nice feel, but she was just feeling the pinch late, fitness-wise, and I think she will appreciate the 1200 (metres).” Hayasugi is now a $17 chance in the Blue Diamond Stakes futures market with top horse racing bookmakers. More horse racing news View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, January 28, 2024 First Race 1pm HKT (4pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Group 1 racing returns to Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon, with the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) headlining a stacked 10-race program. The rail moves out to the A+3 position for the meeting, and with no rain forecast to spoil festivities, punters should be assured a genuine Good 4 surface. The opening race is set to get underway at 1pm local time. Centenary Sprint Cup Tip: Lucky Sweynesse We simply can’t be against Lucky Sweynesse in the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) after an outstanding performance in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on December 10. He was the ultimate professional on that occasion, bounding away to score by the better part of a length despite being held-up at a crucial stage. He is the obvious class in this field and although he’s by no means unbeatable on Sunday, all things being even, Lucky Sweynesse will continue to be Hong Kong’s premier sprinter. Centenary Sprint Cup Race 8 – #1 Lucky Sweynesse (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Manfred Man | J: Zac Purton (57kg) Bet with Bet365 Best Bet at Sha Tin: Gorgeous Win Gorgeous Win has produced three terrific performances to start his Hong Kong campaign and appears primed to find his second victory at start four. The son of Press Statement was beaten by a nose at his most recent start at this track and trip on December 26 and locked horns with Raging Blizzard for the majority of the home straight. The Danny Shum barn sent the three-year-old for a tick-over trial since, and with gate three giving Zac Purton plenty of options, we can only see Gorgeous Win figuring somewhere in the finish. Best Bet Race 7 – #9 Gorgeous Win (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Danny Shum | J: Zac Purton (55kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: Green N White Green N White was disappointing at Sha Tin on January 1; however, we want to be forgiving of the Ricky Yiu-trained galloper. He was two months between runs and lacked race-day fitness after a tiring effort prior on November 5 behind Drombeg Banner and will take massive improvement heading into Sunday. Zac Purton makes the decision to stick aboard this progressive type, and although he was a costly commodity last time out, we’re giving him one more chance to make amends here. Next Best Race 10 – #8 Green N White (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Ricky Yiu | J: Zac Purton (56.5kg) Bet with PlayUp Best Value at Sha Tin: The Khan The sixth race is one of the more wide-open affairs on the program and at a massive price, we’re willing to side with The Khan. He’s having his first career start on Sunday afternoon, and although his barrier trials have left a bit to be desired, his most recent jump-out was a dramatic improvement. He shifted to the inside running rail to save all the ground over the 1000m Sha Tin straight on January 9 and we like the way he coasted through the line. Karis Teetan will have no choice but to drag him back towards the rear of the field, so watch for this guy to be storming home late. Best Value Race 6 – #9 The Khan (11) 4yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Karis Teetan (57.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Hong Kong Sunday quaddie tips – 28/1/2024 Sha Tin quadrella selections Sunday, January 28, 2024 4-5-9 1-6-10 1-3-5-8-11-13 2-5-6-7-8-10 More horse racing tips View the full article

What Wyong Races Where Wyong Race Club & Function Centre – 71-73 Howarth St, Wyong NSW 2259 When Sunday, January 28, 2024 First Race 1:35pm AEDT Visit Dabble Provincial racing heads to Wyong on Sunday afternoon where a competitive seven-race program is set for decision. The rail moves out +3m the entire circuit for the meeting, and with the heatwave predicted to continue across the state, the track should be a Good 4 prior to the opening event at 1:35pm AEDT. Best Bet at Wyong: Fugitiva Fugitiva has found the minor money in two of her three career starts to kick-off the campaign and appears set to find a peak performance on Sunday afternoon. She was excellent when chasing home Norton Road on January 18 and should appreciate stepping up an extra 150m in journey. She blew straight past her key rival in the form of Shigeru on that occasion, and with all things even on Sunday, we see no reason why she can’t replicate that effort, finally breaking her maiden status in the process. Best Bet Race 3 – #4 Fugitiva (1) 3yo Filly | T: Robert & Luke Price | J: Brock Ryan (56.5kg) +150 with Neds Next Best at Wyong: Countyourblessings Countyourblessings returns after a 127-day spell and brings an element of class to this maiden contest. She wasn’t beaten far behind eventual stakes winner Makarena second-up at Canterbury on September 13 before finding the 1400m too testing at Kembla Grange a start later. The John O’Shea barn elected to tip the daughter of I Am Invincible out for a spell, allowing the filly to freshen up for this first-up tilt. We love the way she powered through the line at her most recent barrier trial at Rosehill on January 11, and provided she can produce that explosive turn-of-foot, Countyourblessings should be closing off best. Next Best Race 4 – #5 Countyourblessings (11) 3yo Filly | T: John O’Shea | J: Joshua Parr (56.5kg) +110 with Picklebet Best Value at Wyong: Kerguelen Kerguelen has shown enough at the trials to suggest he warrants an each-way ticket in the second leg of the Wyong quaddie. The son of Lonhro loomed large in his latest piece of work at Warwick Farm on January 16, being pushed out to a runner-up finish by a narrow margin. He draws a get an economical run from barrier five, and with Zac Lloyd back in the saddle for team Godolphin, gives us great confidence Kerguelen is prepared to fire a shot on debut. Best Value Race 5 – #7 Kerguelen (5) 3yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Zac Lloyd (57.5kg) +1100 with Dabble Wyong Sunday quaddie tips Wyong quadrella selections Sunday, January 28, 2024 5-9 2-3-5-6-7-8-9 1-2-3-5 2-4-7-10-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Cody's Wish (Curlin) was crowned both 2023 Horse of the Year and Older Dirt Male champion at Thursday night's 53rd annual Eclipse Awards ceremony, and when Kelly Dorman, the father of the late Cody Dorman, accepted the evening's highest honor on behalf of owner/breeder Godolphin, the crowd at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida met his brief pause to shed a few bittersweet tears with a standing ovation that gave him time to collect his thoughts and let the gravity of the moment sink in. On the track, Cody's Wish thrilled his fans with a successful defense of his title in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. But his story resonated far beyond the finish line thanks to the bond that began in 2018 when then-12-year-old Cody Dorman, who was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, first met the then-unnamed yearling while touring Godolphin as part of a Make-A-Wish outing. As Cody's Wish rose through the graded stakes ranks, the story of the inspirational teenager he was named after captivated a nation of racing enthusiasts. But the years-long emotional ride ended too soon, when Cody Dorman died Nov. 5 at age 17 on his way back home to Kentucky after witnessing Cody's Wish end his career triumphantly at Santa Anita in the Breeders' Cup just one day earlier. “I never would have dreamed five years ago, when all this happened, that I would be standing right here doing this,” Kelly Dorman said. “I wouldn't have dreamed about the wonderful people we've met. But I hope you guys got a TV in front of the stall down at Jonabell right now, because I want to thank Cody's Wish for everything he's done. “I know everyone here, you guys just blow me away, because I know you put your heart in these horses, day in, day out,” Dorman said. “That's your life. And I know a lot of times those horses put their heart into you–the jockeys, the trainers, the owners, everybody. And man, that horse, he put his heart into us… “One of the best things to come out of this, other than the grit and determination, was we got to watch Cody's Wish run,” Dorman said. “I think he got that honest when they gave him his name. 'Can't' and 'quit' were two words that we never used, never will. You might think that horse can't talk, but he can. But he won't use those two words either. He always spoke to Cody… “I want to let you guys know how much it means, the fans that have come up to us and let us know how much the story behind the wonderful horse means, and just so many wonderful people that we've gotten to meet through this, the wonderful connections we've made. It puts a smile on our face, day in and day out.” NTRA photo Earlier in the evening, when the story of Cody's Wish won the Moment of the Year award for the second straight season, Dorman recounted an old adage that he said was appropriate in how his son and family have been accepted and welcomed by the racing industry. “Over time, people will eventually forget what you've done,” Dorman said. “They will eventually forget about the things that you've said. But they'll never forget how you made 'em feel. I know Cody made you guys feel that same way. But this Moment of the Year, it's for you guys too. You guys put so much in our hearts, everybody here in this room, watching on TV, we love all you guys. We appreciate that–thank you.” Earlier in the ceremony, victories by Arcangelo (Arrogate) in the GI Belmont S. and GI Travers S. cemented champion 3-Year-Old Male honors for owner Blue Rose Farm (Jon Ebbert) and trainer Jena Antonucci, the first woman to condition the winner of a Triple Crown race. The Arcangelo team | NTRA “The greatest part of this sport is you just need one special horse and a bunch of people who believe in him,” Ebbert summed up. Although the evening was replete with heartfelt thank-yous from award winners extending gratitude that spanned everyone who planned the Thoroughbred matings all the way down to foal caretakers and daily grooms who do the daily-grind type of work behind the scenes, several recipients couldn't resist a bit of forewarning about the future while commanding the podium. Owner and breeder Mike Repole took home the hardware for champion 2-Year-Old Male for the second consecutive season, winning with Fierceness (City of Light) after being victorious last year with Forte (Violence). After doling out thanks to his racing and bloodstock teams, Repole overstayed his allotted 60 seconds at the podium by 2 1/2 additional minutes while advocating for disruptive yet positive changes to the industry. Repole's passion was evident. But by choosing to punctuate his remarks with f-bomb profanities while surrounded by family members and children on the stage as “exit music” got cued up in the background to encourage him to wrap it up, Repole introduced a level of coarseness that didn't mesh with the spirit and tone of the festivities. Mike Repole | NTRA “Right now, this sport, we're all on the Titanic, okay?” Repole said. “There's an iceberg there. But we're not hitting the iceberg yet. We need a vision. We need leadership. We need alignment. We need strategy. We need collaboration. [From] the big entities [all the way down to individuals in the sport], we've got to make this better for everybody. “So I implore you, please, for the next two years–other than me taking more time–be selfless over selfish,” Repole said. “That's number one. [But] this is the most important message of the night: Let's [expletive] compete in the racetrack. Outside the racetrack, let's compete together for what's best for this game. I love this [expletive] game. It's going to be here a long time.” Stuart Janney III, the chairman of The Jockey Club, was honored with the Eclipse Award of Merit for his lifetime of service to the sport. He was thankful for his broad supporting cast, but he too had words about the tenuous future of the sport. Like Repole, Janney spoke of cooperation. But his focus emphasized one of The Jockey Club's main initiatives over the past decade, creating and empowering the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). “Our industry's got a lot of issues that [we need] to get in front of and solve,” Janney said. “We've now been given the tool kit. We didn't have it before. With HISA, we can go forward, but we need to go forward together…. I hope that we have learned, as an industry, the advantages of being together, and that we really do go forward in a unified fashion…. And where racing's continuation is in question, in some states, we'll work with others to hopefully find viable solutions.” The post Tears and Appreciation for Team Cody Carry the Evening at Eclipse Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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NSW apprentice Dylan Stanley, who is based in Wellington, makes his long-awaited return to Pioneer Park on Saturday after accepting an offer to ride for Alice Springs trainer Terry Gillett for the next three months. He didn’t exactly end 2023 on a good note, but NSW apprentice Dylan Stanley hopes to start 2024 in better fashion at Alice Springs on Saturday. The 21-year-old had four rides in Darwin on December 30 – his first appearance at Fannie Bay since July 17, 2021 – before coming to grief aboard the Chris Pollard-trained Hey Little Sister soon after the start. Having pinged out of the gates, the five-year-old mare bucked after 50 metres, dislodging the young rider. Stanley struck his head on the dirt surface and complained of neck soreness before he was taken by ambulance to Royal Darwin Hospital for further observation. Despite escaping serious injury, Stanley was diagnosed with a mild concussion and stood down from riding for 12 days. Having only just arrived back in the NT after agreeing to ride for Alice Springs trainer Terry Gillett for three months, Stanley returned home to Wellington to recuperate. He returned to the Red Centre on January 17 and resumed track work for the Gillett stable. On Saturday, he makes his first appearance back at Pioneer Park since July 18, 2021. Apart from riding Gillett’s talented eight-year-old gelding Supreme Attraction – last year’s Pioneer Sprint (1200m) winner – Stanley has three other bookings on the five-event program. He will partner Kerry Petrick’s last start winner The Girl’s Party and Russell Bell’s Arrogant Miss, as well as Terry Huish’s Brave Fling – scratched on January 6 after rearing backwards in the gates before flipping upside down. Brave Fling only suffered superficial injuries despite being wedged on the ground, while rider Sonja Logan suffered a lower leg injury. Stanley, who first experienced NT racing when he featured at Alice Springs, Darwin and Adelaide River from June-July in 2021, will be aiming to kick-start his return to Central Australia with a win. “I was fine about a week after the Darwin incident, just flew back home and gave my partner Brittany (Haddon) a hand with the house,” Stanley said. “Brittany arrives in Alice Springs on Monday week, she’s bringing up the caravan. “Her grandparents are going to follow her up just to make sure she gets up here safely. “I’m currently staying with Terry and his wife Leanne, who is also a trainer, at the moment.” Supreme Attraction returned from a spell on January 6 and finished almost four lengths adrift of the in-form Throw At Da Stumps in second place in a five-horse field over 1000m (BM76) with 62.5kg on his back. The Gillett’s daughter Dakota, an apprentice currently riding in South Australia, partnered Supreme Attraction that day and on Saturday the gelding will lump 61.5kg thanks to Stanley’s 3kg claim. It’s 1200m (BM76) on this occasion, and although there are just five runners, the Garry Lefoe-trained Mighty Murt, who will carry 56kg courtesy of apprentice Jade Hampson’s 2kg claim, poses a serious threat. Terry Gillett’s Bench Press and Brat, as well as Lisa Whittle’s Omoplata complete the field. “I’m looking forward to Saturday, it’s been a while since I’ve ridden in Alice,” Stanley said. “Hopefully things will go a lot better after what happened in Darwin. “I’m not really under much pressure when it comes to Supreme Attraction. “I rode him a long time ago in Darwin for Nyngan trainer Rodney Robb when he came up here for the Carnival. “He’s been working good and although they should go quick early on Saturday, I think he can run over the top of them. “He does have a lot of weight, but Terry told me that he carried weight last prep and was winning easily.” Meanwhile, Stanley isn’t expecting any problems with Brave Fling this weekend. “I ride him at track work every morning,” he said. “I heard that he reared up in the barriers because of thunder. “He’s going to walk in last on Saturday. “He should be alright – he’s real quiet to ride.” Stanley, who actually returned to the NT in early January, has acquired work with the Alice Springs Turf Club where he helps to maintain the Pioneer Park surrounds. “It’s something to do through the day because there’s not much to do here,” he said. “I’m enjoying, it’s good getting the gardens, the grounds and the track ready for Carnival in March. “For the next three months, my aim is to work as much as I can – make a bit of money. “Everything is going pretty good here, and everyone has made it easy for me to settle in Alice – they’re all good people.” More horse racing news View the full article

It was an evening to remember for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's Godolphin team, as the worldwide operation accumulated no fewer than five statuettes over the course of the evening at Thursday's 53rd Annual Eclipse Awards Presented by FanDuel TV, John Deere, Keeneland and The Jockey Club, honoring and recognizing excellence in Thoroughbred racing. And they saved the best for last, as Cody's Wish (Curlin), whose story resonated with nearly every fan of Thoroughbred racing and beyond, was named Horse of the Year and champion older dirt male for a season in which he won four times from five starts for trainer Bill Mott, including a towering victory in the GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan H. in June and a nails-tough defense of his title in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, overcoming plenty of adversity in the process. For all they have accomplished in their rich history on the North American continent, Godolphin was being represented by its first Horse of the Year and Mott was named outstanding trainer for the fourth time in his Hall of Fame career, but first since 2011. The Brendan Walsh-conditioned 'TDN Rising Star' Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) became Godolphin's first winner of America's premier race for sophomore fillies, the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, and largely on the strength of that effort was named champion of her generation. She is an eighth champion for her sire, whose daughter Covfefe won the same award in 2019. And while falling short of championships, Godolphin's GI Breeders' Cup Mile hero Master of the Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the narrowly defeated 'TDN Rising Star' Mawj (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) received the third-most number of first-place votes in the male and female turf divisions, respectively. With 27 victories in North American graded stakes, including 12 at Grade I level, Godolphin was the outstanding owner for the fourth year in a row and outstanding breeder for a third straight time. A year after accounting for three divisional champions, Hill 'n' Dale Farm's sensational Curlin was responsible for another trifecta in 2023. In addition to Cody's Wish, the recently turned 20-year-old was also represented Thursday evening by Elite Power (Curlin), who took home a second consecutive award as champion sprinter; and by Idiomatic (Curlin), whose meteoric rise through the ranks was capped by an ultra-tough victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. Curlin's daughter Malathaat was champion older dirt female of 2022. While Elite Power has joined the stallion barn at Juddmonte Farms in Lexington, Idiomatic will aim for another championship, as she remains in training in 2024. The female sprint division also saw a repeat champion, as Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) parlayed a second straight victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint into an Eclipse Award, easily outpointing 'TDN Rising Star' Echo Zulu (Gun Runner), whose chances were dashed by a career-ending injury while prepping for the Filly & Mare Sprint. There were no surprises in the male turf category, as Up to the Mark (Not This Time) became a second champion in two years and third overall for his rising stallion, having won Grade Is at a mile, mile and an eighth and mile and a quarter before finishing second to 'TDN Rising Star' Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf going 12 furlongs. While the voters did not go for the latter off his single American appearance, they did in large numbers for Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who–in perhaps the evening's most surprising result–took home the hardware for turf female following her scintillating score in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. She is a first American champion for the Banstead Manor resident and his sixth all totaled. Arcangelo (Arrogate) was much preferred to Auguste Rodin and became his much-missed sire's first champion in the 3-year-old male division, with victories in the GI Belmont S. and GI Travers S. Scratched on the eve of the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, the gray stands his first season at Lane's End in 2024. Courtesy of his bounceback success in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness also gave his sire City of Light a first champion in the 2-year-old male division. There was also little suspense in the 2-year-old filly ranks, as the undefeated GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Just F Y I (Justify) became the first North American champion for her sire. Merry Maker (Ire) (Malinas {Ger}), who won the G1-Stp Lonsome Glory H. at Aqueduct in September, was a relatively narrow winner of the Eclipse for champion steeplechase horse. In the other human divisions, Irad Ortiz, Jr. won his fifth Eclipse in six years as outstanding jockey and Axel Concepcion was the runaway winner of the Eclipse for the country's top apprentice. Stuart S. Janney III received the Eclipse Award of Merit, broadcaster Tom Hammond the Special Eclipse Award for Career Excellence and Paul Calia for Horseplayer of the Year. The TDN Writers' Room Podcast was among the media award winners recognized for the 'Wade and Carson Jost' episode from Sept. 20, 2023. On hand to accept the award were co-producer Anthony LaRocca, editor Alia LaRocca and podcast panelists Zoe Cadman and Randy Moss. The Eclipse Awards are voted upon by the NTRA, Daily Racing Form (DRF) and the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters (NTWAB). The votes are tabulated and certified by LBMC. Voters are asked to identify their top three candidates when submitting their ballots and the three finalists in each division were made public on Jan. 6. Eclipse Award winners are determined by first-place votes only. Of 250 eligible voters, 219 (88%) completed a ballot. The post High Five For Godolphin At The Eclipse Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Just F Y I becomes the 2023 champion juvenile filly from an undefeated season and two grade 1 wins, including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).View the full article

The operation claims its third consecutive title as leading owner and leading breeder.View the full article

Kentucky Oaks (G1) victress Pretty Mischievous was crowned champion 3-year-old female after scoring three grade 1 wins during her 2023 campaign.View the full article

Even with the résumé of a brilliant miler, Godolphin's now 6-year-old homebred Cody's Wish was named the champion older dirt male. The son of Curlin won four of five starts, 3 grade 1s in 2023.View the full article

Cody's Wish (Curlin), whose attachment to 17-year-old Cody Dorman attracted followers from well outside the horse racing world, was crowned Horse of the Year Thursday night at the 53rd annual Eclipse Awards Ceremony at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida. Cody's Wish scored an emotional second win in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile with a gritty display at Santa Anita in November and the victory was made even more poignant when Dorman, who suffered from a rare genetic disorder and after whom the colt was named, died the following day. The post Cody’s Wish Crowned Horse of the Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juddmonte homebred Idiomatic (Curlin) was named Eclipse champion older dirt female during ceremonies Thursday in Florida following a tour de force 2023 campaign which saw her win three Grade I events. The 4-year-old filly, from the same family which gave Juddmonte its 2014 champion mare Close Hatches, was second in the GII Ruffian S. in May before sweeping to victories in the GIII Shawnee S., GII Delaware H., GI Personal Ensign S., GI Spinster S., and GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. Godolphin homebred Cody's Wish (Curlin) was named Eclipse champion older male in an emotionally charged moment at Thursday night's ceremony in Florida. The 5-year-old won his second straight GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile with a display of grit and class in his final career start last November at Santa Anita with his namesake Cody Dorman in attendance. The victory was made more poignant when Dorman, who suffered from a rare genetic disorder, passed away the following day. The post Idiomatic, Cody’s Wish Named Eclipse Champions appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Blue Rose Farm's Arcangelo (Arrogate) and Godolphin's Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) earned Eclipse Awards as leaders of the 2023 sophomore division during Thursday's ceremony in Florida. In a division that failed to produce any runaway leader throughout the year, Arcangelo distinguished himself with wins in the GI Belmont S. and GI Travers S. and took home the Eclipse statue for leading 3-year-old male. The gray's 2023 campaign also included a win in the GIII Peter Pan S. Godolphin homebred Pretty Mischievous was first or second in all six of her 2023 outings to be named champion 3-year-old filly. In a three-race win streak, she won the GI Kentucky Oaks, GI Acorn S., and GI Test S. She also captured the GII Rachel Alexandra S. and was second in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks and GI Cotillion S. The post Arcangelo, Pretty Mischievous Earn 3-Year-Old Honors at Eclipse Ceremony appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For the fourth straight year, Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum's Godolphin has been named Eclipse champion owner and the operation was named champion breeder for the third straight year. During 2023, Godolphin was represented by Eclipse finalists Cody's Wish (Curlin), Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief), Mawj (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) and Master of the Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). In addition to its Eclipse titles as leading owner from 2020 through 2023, Godolphin was also named champion owner of 2009 and 2012. The post Godolphin Sweeps Leading Owner/Breeder Titles appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article