Wandering Eyes

Four-time group 1 winner Zaaki has been retired from racing after a 48-start career and amassing more than AUS$11 million in prize money.View the full article

The New York State Supreme Court issued a ruling Friday which says that the disqualification of Forte from the 2022 Hopeful Stakes and the 10-day suspension given to trainer Todd Pletcher must remain at the Supreme Court level, and not be transferred to the appelate division. Judge Michael Cuevas wrote that the court found procedural and legal issues in the process that must be addressed by this court. The ruling was in response to a motion filed by the Gaming Commission seeking to move the appeal of the Forte disqualification and his suspension to the appellate division. That motion was in response to Pletcher's request for a review of the New York Gaming Commission's order disqualifying the horse and suspending him. Forte was disqualified from the Hopeful after post-race tests turned up the presence of meloxicam. Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, widely prescribed to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and is sold under the brand name Mobic. It is not one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatories that is approved in the United States for the treatment of racehorses in training. Pletcher's petition argued several points; first, that he was found to have violated a rule that doesn't exist; that he was found liable based upon a standard outside of the Commission's rules; that the text of the rule is impermissibly vague; and that an attorney for the second-place horse, Gulfport, owned by William Heiligbrodt, was allowed to intervene in the hearing, and co-prosecute Pletcher, despite not being a duly licensed attorney in the State of New York. That attorney was Clark Brewster. “This Court can only conclude that Petitioner has demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of success on the alleged due process violations and the alleged misinterpretation of existing rules or application of a non-existent rule,” the judge wrote. “We are very pleased that the Supreme Court has decided to allow us to litigate what we believe are serious due process issues in this case,” said Pletcher's attorney, Drew Mollica. “We are also elated that the Supreme Court has taken the position that they will review the alleged zero-tolerance standard by which the Gaming Commission saw fit to unjustly disqualify Forte and sanction Mr. Petcher. While it's early, the issues raised, including the participation of an unlicensed attorney to assist in prosecuting this matter, is something we look forward to litigating, and must be addressed.” “Judge Cuevas has flagged these procedural legal issues before any appellate review,” Mollica continued. “The procedural and legal issues will prove that not only should Forte not have been disqualified, but that any sanction of Mr. Pletcher is a miscarriage of justice.” This story will be updated. The post Pletcher Wins Round in Supreme Court Over Forte DQ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — RRR Racing's Clapton (Brethren) may be one of the rank outsiders in international markets for Saturday's G1 Dubai World Cup, but trainer Chad Summers, who won the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen with Mind Your Biscuits (Posse) in 2017 and 2018, is embracing the underdog role against the likes of Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) and Kabirkhan (California Chrome). “We're not here for the accommodations. We're not here for the badges and the passes and the parties,” Summers said. “We're here because we want to have a chance to hold that trophy up and put our name in the lore of the horses that have won it in the past. “We're 60-1 and everyone says we have no shot. And we like being there. We like being the one that everybody counts out. It's a comfortable place for us and we're used to it.” Clapton, last year's GII Lukas Classic winner, made a pair of starts during the Dubai Racing Carnival, finishing third to Kabirkhan in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge in January and again to Military Law (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge on Super Saturday, Mar. 2 After some internal debate, Clapton–whose owner also campaigns defending G2 Godolphin Mile champion Isolate (Mark Valeski) with trainer Chief Stipe Watson–has been green-lighted for the World Cup and he'll leave from gate seven with Dylan Davis taking the ride. Summers and team have made some subtle tweaks and he believes he has the chestnut ready for the test. “We have some working theories now as to what happened,” he explained. “For the last two months, he'd come out of the stall at 4 a.m. and we're waking him up at 2:30. He's not used to that. By the time he goes back in the stall at 7 a.m. he's been out of the stall for three hours. That's a lot of walking.” It's a four-mile round trip from the barn to the Meydan main track. “We're only taking him to this track three days a week instead of six days a week now,” Summers continued. “He seems like a fresher, happier horse. They have other tracks in the back and he seems just more like the old Clapton that we needed to see, because to be honest with you, we have too much respect for this race to run just to run.” It's a bit of a full-circle moment for Summers this weekend, as Mind Your Biscuits is ironically the sire of one of Clapton's main World Cup foes in the form of G2 UAE Derby winner and GI Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up Derma Sotogake (Jpn). “To watch him pop out of the gate and go on with it and just utterly dominate and then go on to the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders' Cup was amazing,” Summers said of Derma Sotogake's run in last year's UAE Derby. But the gloves come off this weekend, make no mistake. “Hopefully Biscuits can look down on me one more time and tell Christophe Lemaire to ride him like he rode him in the UAE Derby, go to the lead and battle Laurel River (Into Mischief) and go fast enough to help set things up for Clapton. The post Clapton Returns Summers To Scene of His Finest Hours appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario recently announced the appointment of Steven Lym as executive director.View the full article

With A$500,000 on offer, you’d expect a keen finish, and that was certainly the case in the Good Friday Country Discovery at Yarra Valley with Savannah Cloud (NZ) (Savabeel) prevailing in thriller. As many as seven horses had winning chance inside the final 100m, but it was the Phillip Stokes-trained six-year-old at $12 who withstood the final charge by a short half head from General Beau (Brazen Beau) ($17), with topweight Pounding (Exceed and Excel) ($41) a half-head away third. So close was the finish, the first six horses home had less than a length between them and just three lengths covered the entire 12-horse field. For Stokes, every win from Savannah Cloud is celebrated as he’s had a long history in his Pakenham stable. “He’s been here from when I first came here and set up at Pakenham… he’s a real favourite,” Stokes said. The trainer has hatched a plan to add significantly to the horse’s current prizemoney total of A$920,000 by eyeing a A$1 million race in Adelaide in May. “He’s getting up to about $1 million now and about 100 rating, so we are looking probably at something like the Goodwood.” Thomas Stockdale continued his great form with his centimetre-perfect ride. “He didn’t have the best drag-up in the race,” he explained to Racing.com. “He had to make the run all on his own but he’s a tough horse. “A big thank you to the team and the ownership group as it’s a big thrill for me to have my parents here today to witness it, so a very special day.” View the full article

Crimson Light (NZ) (Redwood) has won the A$150,000 Country Oaks, dashing best off a slow tempo at Yarra Valley on Good Friday and giving Mick Kent his second consecutive victory in the race. The daughter of Redwood settled outside Hard Squeeze (All Too Hard), who came out on top when the pair clashed at Moonee Valley last start, but strode out under Craig Williams to lead outright down the back straight. Williams put the foot on the pedal coming around the home turn, and in an instant the whole field went from travelling to chasing in a bit of a sit-and-sprint affair. But despite Makrana (Pierro) ($4) and Whakamana (Sacred Falls) ($13) chasing valiantly, Kent’s galloper comfortably held her rivals at bay, securing back-to-back Country Oaks for the stable, after Deny Knowledge (Pride of Dubai) won last year’s edition at Geelong. He was delighted to pick up another edition of the race, with a mare he firmly believes will measure up in Stakes grade. “I love the staying mares, don’t we all, and there’s not many opportunities to run for this sort of money with them,” Kent said. “She’s been coming up perfectly for this race, we actually wanted to take her to Sydney for the (Group 3) Epona, that’s how well she was going. She didn’t get a run so this was a good back-up. “We didn’t really plan for her to lead, but she jumped outside the leader, and they went so steady it was a good move by the rider in the end… I was very conscious of her not getting cluttered up. “She’s a really solid sort of mare, and we think she’s up to a bit better class than this, so we’re helpful of maybe going to Adelaide for the (Listed) Centaurea Stakes.” View the full article

In a vote late Thursday night, the Kentucky General Assembly passed a bill to establish an independent Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation, according to a press release from Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown), the primary sponsor of the legislation. Senate Bill (SB) 299 revises Thayer's original proposal to attach the commission to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture administratively. The legislative effort was revised following further conversations with stakeholders and House Speaker David Osborne (R-Prospect), which would now establish an independent Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation. In his support of the bill, Osborne drew comparisons to the Kentucky Lottery Corporation and the Public Service Commission. A Senate Committee Substitute was adopted to outline the corporation's formation and set forth a robust framework for its operations. Subsequently, the Senate committee approved SB 299 on Tuesday and with passage in the House was delivered to the Governor on Wednesday. Currently, HRC oversees all aspects of horse racing in the state, including venues housing historic horse racing (HHR) machines. SB 299 seeks to create the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation as an independent entity that regulates horse racing, sports wagering and charitable gaming in the commonwealth, effective July of this year. “With the passage of SB 299, we're taking a crucial step in safeguarding the integrity and prosperity of our signature horse racing industry,” said Thayer. “As a cornerstone of Kentucky's heritage and economy, it's imperative that we uphold strong oversight and management of these vital industries. I contend the success of this industry demands it be a stand-alone entity capable of utilizing its funding without having to get authorizations from a bureaucratic agency. I am proud to sponsor this measure to promote this integral part of the commonwealth.” Under SB 299, the existing racing commission members would transition to become the initial board of the newly formed corporation, serving two-year terms. Future board members would continue to be appointed by the governor but would require approval from the Kentucky Senate and oversight from the Executive Branch Ethics Commission. Read SB 299 in its entirety here. The post Bill to Establish Independent Kentucky Gaming Commission Passes House appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Legarto winning the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m). Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Ken Kelso is hoping lightning might strike twice when Legarto makes her second start at Flemington in Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m). The top-class daughter of Proisir produced arguably the best performance of her glittering career when she ventured to Melbourne 12 months ago and became the first New Zealand-trained winner of the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m). Held up until after the 200m mark, she quickly moved through her gears for jockey Mick Dee and launched a stunning late burst down the Flemington straight to snatch victory in the shadows of the post. That was the second Group One victory for Legarto, who had won the New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) the previous spring. She has since added the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) to her collection during a four-year-old season that has also produced surprise defeats in the Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) and this month’s Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). “That’s twice now in big races at Ellerslie where a horse has slipped away on the corner and it’s just been too hard to pick them up and we’ve had to settle for second,” said Kelso, who trains in partnership with his wife Bev. “I certainly wasn’t disappointed on either occasion. She was making ground strongly again in the Bonecrusher last start and would have got El Vencedor in another couple of strides, and her sectional times were very good again. “It’s going to be nice to get her back to Flemington on Saturday, it’s a big and roomy track that she’s shown she likes, and I just have an inkling in the back of my mind that she might be better left-handed. Mick Dee will ride her again.” Legarto flew across the Tasman on Wednesday, and Kelso reported that she took the travel in her stride. “She’s handled the trip over perfectly,” he said. “She did well overnight and is looking very bright this morning. I think we’re right on target for Saturday. The build-up couldn’t have gone any better. “We know it’s a strong Australian Cup field this year, but she deserves her shot and I’m sure that she’ll acquit herself very well again.” Horse racing news View the full article

Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Pulchritudinous Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Impressive last-start Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Pulchritudinous will continue her racing career in Australia following her sale this week. The Chad Ormsby-trained filly has been the subject of interest from prospective buyers from around the globe, care of her commanding Oaks victory, which came just eight days after a strong win in the Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2000m). The daughter of Wrote will join the stable of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott after a deal was brokered by bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo in conjunction with the Waterhouse-Bott team. The winner of three of her seven starts, the staying-bred three-year-old flagged her ability last spring when winning a 1400m maiden at Tauranga, but has taken giant strides more recently as one of the elite members of the three-year-old crop. With the Lowland Stakes postponed and relocated to Taupo this year due to the abandonment of the Hastings meeting on which the fillies feature was originally carded, plans for Pulchritudinous to join the Waterhouse-Bott stable sooner were thwarted. “She’s a filly that we have been following closely based on Rob’s (Waterhouse) form,” Bott said. “Rob has helped us buy a lot of horses out of New Zealand in the tried-horse space, which have been very good to the stable over a long period of time. This is a filly that Rob identified pretty early. We actually tried to buy her after the Lowland, but the (short) time-frame (to the Oaks) didn’t allow vetting in time. “From Rob’s data standpoint, it was no surprise to see her come out and win the Oaks and we were lucky we had great support on the filly and were able to secure her for the stable.” Waterhouse and Bott are keen to assess the filly when she arrives next week, but given the close proximity to the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) following a sale-pending few weeks, other three-year-old targets are more likely. “She will arrive over here on Monday and we will keep going with her this preparation,” Bott said. “With the timing of the Australian Oaks it might be a bit of a tight turnaround. “At this stage we are looking at all of the Group One targets for three-year-olds in that middle distance range. The Australasian Oaks (Group 1, 2000m) and the South Australian Derby (Group 1, 2500m) are now worth $1 million each and then there is the Queensland Oaks (Group 1, 2200m) and Queensland Derby (Group 1, 2400m) as well.” Bott said the eyes and ears of respected bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo were a significant assist and they were buoyed by his positive feedback. “I was at Tauranga the day that she won (in October) and I thought she was most impressive that day,” Cataldo said. “She presented as a great type. I thought she was a real classic style of filly. She came onto the radar that day and I had been watching her ever since and tried to buy her straight after the Lowland. “Hence I thought we were always at the front of the queue and I’m delighted she will be joining Gai and Adrian. She’s a stunning filly with plenty of upside.” Pulchritudinous was the first Group One winner for Chad Ormsby, who only trains a small team and is most-noted as a trader of horses under his Riverrock Farm banner. Ormsby purchased the daughter of Wrote out of Milan Park’s 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft for $32,500 as a pinhook prospect for the Ready To Run Sale later that year, however, she failed to meet her $50,000 reserve. Ormsby backed his judgement in the filly, who he always envisaged would be a middle-distance type, and brought in partners including Chris Grace, Jason Walker and his mother-in-law Jane and her partner Darren Roach to race the filly. “It is bitter-sweet to sell her, but that’s the business we’re in,” Ormsby said. “As much as it didn’t feel quite right to sell her, it is the right thing at this stage of our career and pathway we are taking. We move on to the next one hopefully. “I’m delighted for our owners as they all jumped on board with the hope to sell her at some point and the fact that we did get a Group One out of her sealed the deal and we were able to enjoy that along the way. It’s a case of having the cake and eating it too.” The hands-on horseman said the New Zealand Oaks would long hold fond memories, with his young family on-course to witness the Group One triumph. Additionally the fact he selected Pulchritudinous as a yearling and was able to take her through to being a Group One winner was particularly special. Ormsby wished the new connections well and believes there is plenty of upside. “She has hit a rich vein of form and with fillies when they hit that form they can be very hard to beat,” he said. “I feel like with time there is a lot more in store for her and from what I feel even in this last week, she is a filly I think will mature into a Group One winner over a mile.” Horse racing news View the full article

Straight Arron stretches out at Meydan Racecourse. Caspar Fownes is hopeful Straight Arron can prove his wares against elite opposition, including Voyage Bubble, in the HK$39 million Group 1 Dubai Turf (1800m) at Meydan on Saturday night despite drawing barrier 12. To be ridden by Brenton Avdulla, Straight Arron faces 15 opponents as Fownes bids to better his stable’s previous best result at the Dubai World Cup meeting – Lucky Nine’s third behind Krypton Factor in the 2012 Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m, dirt). “It (the barrier draw) is not ideal, but it is what it is,” said Fownes, who has accumulated prolific Group 1 victories in Hong Kong and Singapore. “We’ll get back and hopefully he (Straight Arron) can finish off nicely. He’s going well so we’re hopeful he can bring a peak performance. “He’s good, he seems to be bright and happy and he’s eating well. He looks healthy, he’s got a nice, shiny coat. He did a nice bit of pace work this week (Wednesday, March 27), so let’s see how we go.” Straight Arron will clash with 2023 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and 2024 Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) winner Voyage Bubble, who has drawn in gate one for Mickael Barzalona and Ricky Yiu and 14 other decorated international rivals, including Lord North, who is chasing a fourth consecutive win in the race. Fownes is mindful of the challenge Straight Arron faces, but he remains upbeat. “You’ve got to see where you stand against those horses and see how he is travelling. If he can run in the first five, I’d be very, very chuffed,” Fownes said. “That’s what we’re looking for. And to see how he goes against the other Hong Kong horse (Voyage Bubble) that beat him convincingly last time.” Bidding to become the first Hong Kong trainer to win the Dubai Turf – the race was previously known as the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free when Ivan Allan’s Fairy King Prawn finished second over 1777m at Nad Al Sheba in 2001 – Fownes believes Straight Arron has the versatility to cope at 1800m, a distance he has won at twice in Hong Kong. “This horse is quite versatile – that’s why we’ve dropped him back to 1800m for this race,” Fownes said. California Spangle and Sight Success will carry Hong Kong’s hopes in the HK$11.7 million G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) on Saturday night. 2024 Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) and 2022 Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) victor California Spangle will start from barrier five for Tony Cruz and Brenton Avdulla, while Sight Success – who was fourth in this race last season – will jump from gate 12 for John Size and Ryan Moore. The Hong Kong pair will vie with 10 others, including Charlie Appleby’s three-year-old filly Star Of Mystery, American speedster Casa Creed, England’s Diligent Harry and last season’s Al Quoz Sprint winner Danyah. Horse racing news View the full article

The Alice Springs Turf Club’s Cup Carnival is in full swing with the third of five meetings scheduled for Pioneer Park on Saturday. Fields for the $110,000 Alice Springs Cup (2000m) and $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) will take shape in the Red Centre on Saturday. For horses who have yet to qualify for either race, it’s their last chance on Day 3 of the Alice Springs Turf Club’s Cup Carnival at Pioneer Park. Currently, 19 nominations have been received for the Cup scheduled for April 7, with 21 nominating for the Sprint on April 6. Write Your Name and Supreme Attraction, the respective winners of the Cup and Sprint last year, are expected to defend their title. Only 12 starters will contest the Cup and Sprint. Five horses nominated for Central Australia’s biggest race will feature in the $40,000 Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) at weight-for-age on Saturday. Write Your Name, who also won the 2023 Darwin Cup (2050m), Venting and Hettinger have qualified for the Alice Springs Cup, while Quizzle (13th in the order of entry) and Taipan Tommy (15th) have to win to secure automatic qualification. Desert Lass, second in last year’s Cup, had already qualified and was scratched from the Chief Minister’s Cup after finishing second behind Boom Boom Sweet in an open 1900m handicap on Wednesday. Victory secured a Cup berth for Kerry Petrick’s Boom Boom Sweet. Plenty of intrigue surrounds South Australian galloper Taipan Tommy, who has never raced beyond 1600m, as he has had seven Pioneer Park starts for Kym Healy for five wins and two seconds. He is backing up after saluting over 1400m (BM76) on Wednesday. Murray Bridge trainer Michael Hickmott has nominated Exalted Fire, Lake’s Folly and Oath Of Omerta for the Cup, fellow Murray Bridge trainer Garret Lynch has nominated Shiny Rock, and Darwin trainer Chris Nash has nominated Son Of Bielski. Neither of the five horses have yet to appear at Pioneer Park, while the in-form Son Of Bielski made it five straight wins in the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) in the Top End on March 16. Better Not Fuss, who was exempt from the Cup ballot after winning the NT Guineas (1600m) on Wednesday at $91 for trainer Paul Gardner, has not been nominated. Meanwhile, Gardner’s Red Wraith, who was sitting 13th in the order of entry, qualified for the Sprint after emphatically winning The Soldier Lightning (1000m) on Wednesday. The winner of the 1200m weight-for-age on Saturday will seal their Sprint ticket, so the door remains ajar for Brat, Munster, Noble Magnate and Vitesse Breeze as they sit outside the top 12. There’s a 1000m (0-70) race on Saturday, and of the six horses in the field that have been nominated for the Sprint, only Kumicho and Liberty Blue have qualified. Leading Sprint hopes Early Crow, who won last year’s Palmerston Sprint in Darwin, and Kerioth are last start winners in Alice Springs. Alice Springs Cup Order Of Entry Write Your Name 90 Shiny Rock 84 Desert Lass 81 Exalted Fire 78 Lake’s Folly 78 Son Of Bielski 77 Century Fox 74 Venting 73 Hettinger 70 Vallabar 70 Boom Boom Sweet 69 Oath Of Omerta 68 Quizzle 67 Equal Balance 63 Taipan Tommy 62 Kippax 60 Canny Impact 58 Duty 57 Fischer 48 Pioneer Sprint Order Of Entry Horse Rating Supreme Attraction 90 Great Buy 88 Early Crow 83 Expert Witness 79 Supreme Times 77 City Regal 76 Kerioth 76 Throw At Da Stumps 74 Kickatorp 69 Kumicho 69 Liberty Blue 69 Red Wraith 67 Brat 68 Square Cut 67 Munster 66 Strike Eagle 64 Mathematics 63 Cyclonite 62 Real Valentia 62 Noble Magnate 60 Vitesse Breeze 58 Horse racing news View the full article

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — The 28th running of the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup is set for Saturday at sprawling Meydan Racecourse and has attracted an internationally flavored field of 12, a third of which are based in various parts of the U.S. Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) will attempt to make history as the first to sweep the 'Desert Double,' having caused a surprise when just touching off the re-opposing World Cup champion Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) 600 miles to the west of here in the G1 Saudi Cup five weeks ago. Newgate (Into Mischief), one of two in the race for his all-conquering sire alongside Juddmonte's stretching-out Laurel River, exits a victory in the GI Santa Anita H. and goes out for the team of trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Frankie Dettori, successful with Country Grammer (Tonalist) in 2022. The progressive Crupi, a son of 2008 World Cup hero Curlin, and Grade II winner Clapton (Brethren) round out the quartet. American horses have won 13 of the 27 previous runnings of the World Cup. Sibelius (Not This Time) will look to join Caller One and Mind Your Biscuits as back-to-back winners of the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, a 1200-meter dash that has also attracted GI Breeders' Cup Sprint third Nakatomi (Firing Line); Bold Journey (Hard Spun), the GIII Fall Highweight H. winner and third in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint; Run Classic (Runhappy); and Hopkins (Quality Road), third after setting the pace last year. Saudi Cup third Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming) is down in trip and should jump as the favorite for the G2 Godolphin Mile, where he is joined by his compatriots Two Rivers Over–whose sire Tamarkuz took the 2015 Mile–and Caramel Chip (Midshipman). There is a single American representative in each of three of the remaining five Thoroughbred races Saturday evening. Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed) will look to improve on a troubled fifth in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint in 2022, while the striking Catnip (Kitten's Joy) takes on some of the world's best in the G1 Dubai Turf. New York-bred Pandagate (Arrogate), whose sire was spectacular in winning the 2017 World Cup, will try to earn points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby in the G2 UAE Derby. Previews for all eight races will appear in TDN Europe. The post Senor Buscador Leads American Challenge On Dubai World Cup Night appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Much remains unresolved as the sport winds down in the city, with veteran trainer Joe Lau saying the sad end will only really hit home after Saturday’s finaleView the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, March 31, 2024 First Race 12:45pm HKT (3:45pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, where an ultra-competitive 10-race program is set for decision. The rail moves out to the A+3 position for the meeting, and with the radar suggesting some scattered showers may hit the course proper, punters should anticipate the surface to be rated somewhere in the Soft range. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 12:45pm local time. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Mugen Mugen continues to impress heading into his sixth start of the campaign and is yet to miss the minor money. The son of Deep Field has been beautifully placed by the Pierre Ng stable, producing three victories to go along with two placings, with his most recent effort resulting in a narrow defeat at the hands of Red Lion in the Class 1 Chinese New Year Cup (1400m) on February 12. The 1600m journey appears ideal for the five-year-old gelding, and with Hugh Bowman in the saddle from a soft draw, Mugen must be considered the one to beat. Best Bet Race 3 – #4 Mugen (5) 5yo Gelding | T: Pierre Ng | J: Hugh Bowman (59.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: Gorgeous Win Gorgeous Win is seeking a hat-trick of wins in the Sha Tin finale, and despite being forced to carry top-weight, it shouldn’t hinder his chances. The Danny Shum-trained gelding has been impressive in his two most recent successes at this course and distance, and although the margins haven’t been significant, the three-year-old has been rather arrogant in putting his rivals to the sword. He should find a mid-field sit with cover under Zac Purton, and when asked for the ultimate effort, Gorgeous Win can put them away again. Next Best Race 10 – #1 Gorgeous Win (7) 3yo Gelding | T: Danny Shum | J: Zac Purton (61kg) Bet with Unibet Best Value at Sha Tin: Viva Graciousness Viva Graciousness is yet to bother the judge in his four Hong Kong starts to date, however, the Tony Cruz-trained gelding appears to be building to something heading into Sunday. He was strong through the wire in his last start at Happy Valley on March 13, finding the 1200m too sharp when the sprint went on. The son of Deep Field looks ready to tackle the Sha Tin 1400m, and with Brenton Avdulla likely to find the one-one throughout from stall three, Viva Graciousness represents terrific each-way value with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 7 – #3 Viva Graciousness (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Tony Cruz | J: Brenton Avdulla (57kg) Bet with Bet365 Sha Tin quaddie tips Sha Tin quadrella selections Sunday, March 31, 2024 1-3-4-11-12 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-13-14 1-3-6-7-8-9-10-12-13 1 Horse racing tips View the full article

Mugen is chasing his fourth win of the season. A week after almost executing an unconventional win in the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) with Galaxy Patch, Pierre Ng will test Mugen at an unfamiliar distance when the talented sprinter clines up over 1600m at Sha Tin on Sunday. The winner of three races this season – two at 1200m and the other at 1400m – Mugen (131lb) stretches to 1600m for the first time as he faces The Golden Scenery (135lb), All For St Paul’s (133lb), Running Glory (133lb), Flaming Rabbit (126lb), Rising From Ashes (120lb) and Superb Boy (120lb). To be ridden for the first time by Hugh Bowman, Mugen drops in grade after his neck second to Red Lion on February 12. “Connections wanted to try him over a further distance and see how he stays, so hopefully with the hands of Bowman, he can settle well and have a good run,” said Ng, who saddled the Hong Kong Derby runner-up Galaxy Patch and third place-getter Ka Ying Generation last Sunday. “Running over 1600m is a trial for him (Mugen). He handled the 1400m well. so hopefully he can switch off in the early part of the race and wait for the last 400 metres. “We’ll test him out over the mile and if it doesn’t work, we can always drop him back. We just have to wait and see how he goes this weekend and then hopefully we can look to some Group races later on.” Galaxy Patch almost delivered an incredible Derby win for Ng, jumping from 1000m to 1400m and then to 2000m of the Classic in the space of three runs, eventually failing by a neck to catch Massive Sovereign in the fastest Derby ever run over 2000m. Lyle Hewitson hopes Flaming Rabbit can foil Ng and Bowman’s hopes with Mugen by reproducing his best form at the weekend for Chief Stipelas Whyte. “He’s a lovely horse – he’s probably just been below his best form of recent times but they always bounce back. His class is permanent so hopefully he can show his ability again because he is a class horse,” Hewitson said. “I was really looking forward to what he could do this season and there was a slight setback that played a role in that and now, with a couple of runs under his belt, hopefully he’s getting stronger and getting better and back to that form.” Zac Purton hopes Gorgeous Win can make it three wins in a row when Danny Shum’s charge contests the Class 3 Morningside And S.H. Ho Alumni Handicap (1200m). “He’s an exciting horse, he’s got a good record,” Purton said of the Press Statement three-year-old who has three wins and two minor placings from five starts in Hong Kong, rising 28 points in the handicap to 80. “If anything – I’ve said it before – he just wants to overdo things a little bit, so I think he’s still learning the process, but what he’s done has been impressive. He’s a nice horse. “From the first trial he had here in Hong Kong, he showed he had something. He’s always turned up on race day and delivered. He’s done what Danny hoped he was going to do. Hopefully, it’s not over yet.” Horse racing news View the full article

Veteran local trainer will attend the gambling hub’s final meeting on Saturday: ‘Sending a horse to Macau was always a lot of fun’View the full article

After landing the most significant blow of his Hong Kong career earlier his month, the Australian jockey is eager to seize his opportunities at MeydanView the full article

By Jonny Turner The biggest danger to Muscle Mountain in the Fred Shaw Memorial New Zealand Trotting Championship at Addington on Saturday could be himself. The star trotter clearly looks the horse to beat in the Group 1 event and is set to start at red-hot odds in the vicinity of $1.20. Muscle Mountain is such a clear-cut favourite that the biggest danger to his winning chances could be himself. On occasion, the seven-year-old has goofed around when clear at the end of his races and been nabbed on the line. With sharp gate speed and drawing barrier 1, the seven-year-old looks almost certain to be in front throughout Saturday’s feature and copping little pressure in the process. Ben Hope goes into the event with a plan to keep his trotter’s mind on the job. “At times I have tried to get easy runs with him and that has probably worked against him.” “He is actually better off rolling along a decent tempo where he is comfortable.” “We don’t have to go out there and break any records, but I think if he can roll along and keep him happy, that keeps him up to the task.” “He has the sliding blinds back on this week, too.” “Every time he has worn them he has sprinted up really well.” Muscle Mountain turned heads first up at Addington a fortnight ago and the bad news for his rivals is that he hasn’t taken a backwards step yet. “He seems perfect, we were really happy with how he came through his last run and he has worked really well since then,” Hope said. Midnight Dash has drawn beside his star stablemate in barrier 2 and looks a genuine eachway threat in Saturday’s Group 1. The trotter’s last start second to Muscle Mountain suggests he has come back better than he was in his last racing prep. “He went a great race behind Muscle Mountain last time and we have been very happy with him.” Though he hasn’t threatened at Group 1 level yet, Jimmy Carter looks set to get his shot to feature at the top level if he trails Muscle Mountain throughout from his draw in barrier 1 on the second row. The trotter was solid in a middle-grade trot at Addington last week, won by race rival El Conqueror. View the full article

Leading Victorian jockey Billy Egan will be hoping that Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel) can bounce back to his best on Saturday when he lines up in the Gr.3 Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington. The Patrick Payne-trained four-year-old has won two of his past three starts this preparation but finished a disappointing sixth in the Listed Pakenham Cup at his most recent outing. “It was very unusual for him, he pulled up a bit battered and bruised,” Egan said. “I think he’s come through that run; Paddy wouldn’t run him unless he was confident in the horse. It was quite unusual for him but I’m sure that if he brings his A game, that distance will suit him because he is a good stayer.” Despite the defeat, Egan hasn’t lost his belief in the ability of Dunkel, a horse who he guided to Group One success in the South Australian Derby last year. “He’s shown he’s definitely got good ability and he’s matured a lot since his three-year-old year,” he said. “Paddy did a really good thing by giving him a spell after his hard three-year-old season.” Saturday’s A$500,000 event also gives the winner a golden ticket into the field for this year’s Melbourne Cup, a race that Dunkel is rated as a $34 chance by Sportsbet. “It would make the owners very happy, I think they’d be very keen to see him there but either way, if he doesn’t win on Saturday, I think he’s got a good-enough rating and he might be able to win a race over the spring and earn his spot as well,” Egan said. Dunkel is at $6 in Sportsbet’s market for the Roy Higgins on Saturday. View the full article

Impressive last-start Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Pulchritudinous (NZ) (Wrote) will continue her racing career in Australia following her sale this week. The Chad Ormsby-trained filly has been the subject of interest from prospective buyers from around the globe, care of her commanding Oaks victory, which came just eight days after a strong win in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2000m). The daughter of Wrote will join the stable of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott after a deal was brokered by bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo in conjunction with the Waterhouse-Bott team. The winner of three of her seven starts, the staying-bred three-year-old flagged her ability last spring when winning a 1400m maiden at Tauranga, but has taken giant strides more latterly as one of the elite members of the three-year-old crop. With the Lowland Stakes postponed and relocated to Taupo this year due to the abandonment of the Hastings meeting on which the fillies feature was originally carded, plans for Pulchritudinous to join the Waterhouse-Bott stable sooner were thwarted. “She’s a filly that we have been following closely based on Rob’s (Waterhouse) form,” Bott said. “Rob has helped us buy a lot of horses out of New Zealand in the tried-horse space, which have been very good to the stable over a long period of time. This is a filly that Rob identified pretty early. We actually tried to buy her after the Lowland, but the (short) time-frame (to the Oaks) didn’t allow vetting in time. “From Rob’s data standpoint, it was no surprise to see her come out and win the Oaks and we were lucky we had great support on the filly and were able to secure her for the stable.” Waterhouse and Bott are keen to assess the filly when she arrives next week, but given the close proximity to the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) following a sale-pending few weeks, other three-year-old targets are more likely. “She will arrive over here on Monday and we will keep going with her this preparation,” Bott said. “With the timing of the Australian Oaks it might be a bit of a tight turnaround. “At this stage we are looking at all of the Group One targets for three-year-olds in that middle distance range. The Australasian Oaks (Gr.1, 2000m) and the South Australian Derby (Gr.1, 2500m) are now worth $1 million each and then there is the Queensland Oaks (Gr.1, 2200m) and Queensland Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) as well.” Bott said the eyes and ears of respected bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo were a significant assist and they were buoyed by his positive feedback. “I was at Tauranga the day that she won (in October) and I thought she was most impressive that day,” Cataldo said. Quality filly Pulchritudinous will join the stable of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Photo: Race Images Palmerston North “She presented as a great type. I thought she was a real classic style of filly. She came onto the radar that day and I had been watching her ever since and tried to buy her straight after the Lowland. “Hence I thought we were always at the front of the queue and I’m delighted she will be joining Gai and Adrian. She’s a stunning filly with plenty of upside.” Pulchritudinous was the first Group One winner for Chad Ormsby, who only trains a small team and is most-noted as a trader of horses under his Riverrock Farm banner. Ormsby purchased the daughter of Wrote out of Milan Park’s 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft for $32,500 as a pinhook prospect for the Ready To Run Sale later that year, however, she failed to meet her $50,000 reserve. Ormsby backed his judgement in the filly, who he always envisaged would be a middle-distance type, and brought in partners including Chris Grace, Jason Walker and his mother-in-law Jane and her partner Darren Roach to race the filly. “It is bitter-sweet to sell her, but that’s the business we’re in,” Ormsby said. “As much as it didn’t feel quite right to sell her, it is the right thing at this stage of our career and pathway we are taking. We move on to the next one hopefully. “I’m delighted for our owners as they all jumped on board with the hope to sell her at some point and the fact that we did get a Group One out of her sealed the deal and we were able to enjoy that along the way. It’s a case of having the cake and eating it too.” The hands-on horseman said the New Zealand Oaks would long hold fond memories, with his young family on-course to witness the Group One triumph. Additionally the fact he selected Pulchritudinous as a yearling and was able to take her through to being a Group One winner was particularly special. Ormsby wished the new connections well and believes there is plenty of upside. “She has hit a rich vein of form and with fillies when they hit that form they can be very hard to beat,” he said. “I feel like with time there is a lot more in store for her and from what I feel even in this last week, she is a filly I think will mature into a Group One winner over a mile.” View the full article

Hi Yo Sass Bomb has become a horse of a lifetime for New Plymouth trainer Kim Reid, and she is hoping to further her dream ride with her pride and joy at Ellerslie on Saturday. The daughter of Complacent fulfilled her long-held stakes potential at Trentham earlier this month when taking out the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m), giving Reid the green light to press on for her first tilt at elite-level this weekend in the Gr.1 NZEA New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). “I have always believed in that horse, she is just so tough and gutsy,” Reid said. “I said to myself that if she came out and won the Cuddle then I would consider it (New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’). I think she will be better over a bit more ground, but she is strong at the mile as well. “I think she deserves to be there and I think she has stepped up a notch since her run in the Cuddle. It is all looking good. “She is very consistent and I have always felt there was something special about her. I don’t think we have seen the best of her yet.” While Reid believes the race’s traditional home of Te Aroha would have suited her mare more, she is looking forward to heading to Ellerslie for the first time and experiencing their new StrathAyr track firsthand. “It will be interesting,” she said. “I did think Te Aroha could suit her with the track being a bit heavier and the 500m straight, but I am looking forward to going to Ellerslie and I was excited to see our one draw.” Reid has been involved with Hi Yo Sass Bomb’s family for a number of generations and she is getting plenty of satisfaction in seeing her belief in the lineage come to fruition. “My mum went up with a good friend and purchased her (Hi Yo Sass Bomb) granddam, Hi Yo Wassup, at the sales 20-odd years ago. She was quite a handy mare herself and she won five,” Reid said. “Mum bred from her, and Sass Bomb is out of Hi Yo Soo, one of the daughters of Hi Yo Wassup. The breeding has been there for a while and we thought something special might come out of it one day and it’s really nice to see that happen. “There are two (good) mares that came out of that line – Sass was one of those and the other is Hi Yo Coco, who is by Shocking out of Hi Yo Wassup. I am planning to breed from her, we tried this year going to Derryn, but she missed. “It is nice when you know the horses, you get a bit of an affinity, and there’s something that you see in them. Coco (the shocking mare) had it, she had a twinkle in her eye, and I think Sass has always had it too. There is something extra special about them and you have that bond as well.” Reid has been involved in all stages of Hi Yo Sass Bomb’s education and training, and said her mare certainly lives up to her name. “I broke Sass in and we had her right from the start. She was quite sassy to break in,” she said. “She has got a real personality, she is very expressive and she tells you. She gets impatient and she likes her routine, and she lets you know when she is not happy. I love it, I think she is a neat horse.” While Hi Yo Sass Bomb has increased her residual value as a broodmare with her last start heroics, Reid said she is keen to retain her mare and continue breeding from the family. “We have sold the mother (Hi Yo Soo), so we will definitely be keeping her, she is a bit of a family pet as well,” Reid said. While Reid is looking forward to breeding from Hi Yo Sass Bomb, she is hoping that isn’t for a few more years yet and she is excited to try to add to her burgeoning record in the coming months. “I just take it race-by-race with her,” she said. “I give her breaks all the way through and she does some water-walking through her breaks. “If she is still well and happy I might continue onto the Travis Stakes (Gr.2, 2000m) at the end of April. I would like to see her over that distance. She has only had the one trip over that ground, but nothing went right that day. She lost a shoe and she had no time in the birdcage and was really wound up, so we didn’t really get to see how she would handle it. But I do think she will like that distance.” View the full article

Ken Kelso is hoping lightning might strike twice when Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) makes her second start at Flemington in Saturday’s Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m). The top-class daughter of Proisir produced arguably the best performance of her glittering career when she ventured to Melbourne 12 months ago and became the first New Zealand-trained winner of the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m). Held up until after the 200m mark, she quickly moved through her gears for jockey Mick Dee and launched a stunning late burst down the Flemington straight to snatch victory in the shadows of the post. That was the second Group One victory for Legarto, who had won the New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) the previous spring. She has since added the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) to her collection during a four-year-old season that has also produced surprise defeats in the Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) and this month’s Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). “That’s twice now in big races at Ellerslie where a horse has slipped away on the corner and it’s just been too hard to pick them up and we’ve had to settle for second,” said Kelso, who trains in partnership with his wife Bev. “I certainly wasn’t disappointed on either occasion. She was making ground strongly again in the Bonecrusher last start and would have got El Vencedor in another couple of strides, and her sectional times were very good again. “It’s going to be nice to get her back to Flemington on Saturday, it’s a big and roomy track that she’s shown she likes, and I just have an inkling in the back of my mind that she might be better left-handed. Mick Dee will ride her again.” Legarto flew across the Tasman on Wednesday, and Kelso reported that she took the travel in her stride. “She’s handled the trip over perfectly,” he said. “She did well overnight and is looking very bright this morning. I think we’re right on target for Saturday. The build-up couldn’t have gone any better. “We know it’s a strong Australian Cup field this year, but she deserves her shot and I’m sure that she’ll acquit herself very well again.” Back home, the Kelso stable has dual representation at Ellerslie on Saturday. Melody Belle’s half-sister My Annie Belle (NZ) (Snitzel) will line up in the Barfoot & Thompson (1400m), while Jolted – a daughter of Deep Impact and the Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) winner Abbey Marie (Redoute’s Choice) – tackles the Elsdon Park (2200m). “My Annie Belle worked very nicely in company with Legarto on Tuesday morning,” Kelso said. “She ran a really nice race for third on Auckland Cup Day last start and has progressed well since then. I think she’ll appreciate the step up to 1400m. “We ran Jolted over ground at Matamata two starts ago and she didn’t have a lot of luck. She dropped back to a mile at Tauranga last time and was good, but I think she’s looking for further now. She’ll be an interesting runner.” View the full article

A rain-affected Riverton track poses both positives and negatives for Leda Beck, as she prepares one of the leading contenders for the Bupa Care Services Francolin Stakes (1400m). Beck’s consistent mare Adiktiv Passion (NZ) (Ghibellines) carries sterling form into the fillies and mares feature, with three wins in her last five outings, including a one-length victory over subsequent Gr.3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) winner Burgie on March 10. Adiktiv Passion has struck nothing worse than a Soft7 in her current campaign, and her Winton-based trainer is wary of how the downgraded conditions may affect the five-year-old daughter of Ghibellines. “She’s been very well, but it might just be the track that upsets her on Saturday,” Beck said. “It’s a Heavy10 at the moment and still raining, so I can’t see it turning much better than that. “She’s had a couple of tries in heavy conditions, but they were in three-year-old company when she was a bit younger. Now that she’s a bit older, she may handle it if it’s loose enough.” Beck has engaged North Island apprentice Bailey Rogerson, her two-kilogram claim enhancing the mare’s chances in a strong 12-horse field. “Sometimes she’s a bit slow out of the gates, but if she can be as handy as possible from there (barrier six) would be ideal,” Beck said. “If the track was on the better side, she’d definitely be capable of featuring in the money. But these races don’t come up too often for us down here, so we have to have a go.” In contrast, Beck’s other runner Par Tee (NZ) thrives on softer ground, the Verdi mare accumulating three wins and a further eight minor placings in Soft or Heavy conditions. Par Tee will contest the TAB Southern Alps Golden Ticket (1600m) in the hands of Samantha Wynne, with the winner gaining an automatic place in the lucrative $350,000 final at Riccarton Park on April 13. “She enjoys the heavy track, and fresh-up over the mile will suit her as well. We’re not worried about the track for her,” Beck said. View the full article

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is giving two sets of connections the opportunity to claim a lucrative payday in Saturday’s Entain-NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final (1400m) at Ellerslie. In addition to its $40,000 stake, the Rating 72 race for fillies and mares also carries Pearl Series bonuses of $70,000 for the owner of the winner, with $20,000 for second and $10,000 for third. Marsh will saddle two runners in the nine-horse field, with C’est Moi (NZ) (Vadamos) joined by lightly raced three-year-old Imperial Empress (NZ) (Satono Aladdin). C’est Moi races in the colours of respected owner-breeder Joan Egan and is by Vadamos out of the Stravinsky mare Lady Eiko (NZ), who is a sister to multiple Group One performer November Rain (NZ). From 12 starts, C’est Moi has recorded three wins and four placings. She made an eye-catching return to racing at Ellerslie on March 2, dropping out to last before flashing home for third in a 1300m Rating 75. “It was a super run resuming,” Marsh said. “This has always looked like a very nice race for her, and it’s ended up with quite a small field racing for that lovely bonus. I’m surprised there aren’t a few more in there. “She’ll have to carry a bit of weight, but she’s had a go around Ellerslie and went really well, and getting up to 1400m suits. I’m expecting her to be very competitive. Craig Grylls rode her last time and sticks with the ship.” Imperial Empress represents one of Marsh’s major clients, leading syndicators Go Racing. Their colours have enjoyed a purple patch of form in recent weeks, being carried by the likes of Marsh’s Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) winner Velocious (Written Tycoon), along with last Saturday’s Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m) winner Diss Is Dramatic (NZ) (Dissident). On the other side of the Tasman, Go Racing’s multiple Group One winner Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) scored a last-start win in the Gr.2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) and will line up in Saturday’s Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m). Imperial Empress finished third on debut at Te Rapa on January 31, beaten by a length by the promising You Say D’Orsay (Under The Louvre). A half-length maiden victory at Matamata came next for Imperial Empress, and the Satono Aladdin filly was a last-start fourth behind Valentine (NZ) (Turn Me Loose), Aquilifer (NZ) (Charm Spirit) and She Turns Heads (Headwater) at Tauranga. “We originally only had her in the three-year-old race on Saturday, but once we saw the Pearl Final come up so light, we decided to put her in that race as well,” Marsh said. “We’ve accepted for both, but I’d be leaning towards the Pearl race for her too. She’s shown some real promise in just that three-start career so far. She’s a really nice filly.” Imperial Empress will be ridden by Michael McNab. The TAB rates C’est Moi and Imperial Empress equal favourites at $3.80, with Te Akau’s topweight I Choose You (I Am Invincible) on the third line of favouritism at $4.50. Marsh considers the Pearl Series Final pair to be his best chances among a team of 11 horses at Ellerslie on Saturday. Another notable runner is the in-form Cambridge Stud homebred Arrowette (Zoustar), who is the $4.50 favourite for the final race on the card – the Skycity Horizon (1600m). View the full article

Australian Cup contender Esti Feny. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Esti Feny, coming off a commendable third-place finish in the Australian Cup Prelude (1800m) at surprising odds of +4000, is gearing up to take on his more esteemed counterparts in the headline event at Flemington this Saturday. Trained by Matthew Smith, the Hungarian-bred import enters the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) as the outsider at +12500 with horse racing bookies. Despite the odds stacked against him, Smith remains optimistic, drawing inspiration from the potential for another underdog victory in the race. “I had him in up in Sydney as well and I looked at both races and I thought at least there would be a solid tempo in Melbourne,” said Smith. There’s only nine acceptors, and I thought we would try and beat one home, and if we finish fifth, there will be a little better prize.” Emphasising Esti Feny’s chances amidst the competitive field, Smith highlighted the importance of a steady gallop. “The quicker they go, the better his chance of being in the finish. He just needs a steady gallop.” While acknowledging the calibre of his rivals, Smith remains hopeful that Esti Feny could emerge as the unexpected sensation of the Carnival, defying the odds to etch his name in racing history. Horse racing news View the full article