Wandering Eyes

By Michael Guerin A change of plans for a key rival and a seemingly perfect barrier draw may have combined to hand Saturday’s $110,000 Fred Shaw Memorial NZ Trotting Championships at Addington to Muscle Mountain. The wonderful trotter will be long odds-on for the 2600m mobile which he has won in two of the last three years after drawing barrier 1. He won in 2021 and 2023 and was second to Sundees Son in 2022. He has stablemate Midnight Dash alongside at barrier 2 and while there is gate speed outside them from Majestic Man (barrier 4) it could surprise if the hot favourite is not in front or the trail heading out of the Addington straight the first time. If that is the case he should only have to race up to his comeback form in the Lamb And Hayward Trotters Classic last start to win again and head to the TAB Trot at Cambridge on April 12 looking near his best form. While his draw may have made Muscle Mountain unbeatable his task at Saturday’s afternoon-twilight meeting was made a lot easier when arch rival Oscar Bonavena didn’t nominate for the race. He has already moved north to be based at Pukekohe for the remainder of the autumn and will contest the $60,000 Trotters Flying Mile at Cambridge on April 4 as his lead-up to the TAB Trot eight days later. “We think that is the best way to get him ready,” said co-trainer Mark Purdon. Saturday’s meeting sees a return to the historic Saturday afternoon slot for the Easter meeting and will feature a decent $40,000 free-for-all headlined by the Team Telfer pair of Alta Meteor and Ohoka Connor and one of the big finds of the pacing season in Beach Ball. The first of the 11 races goes at 1.52pm and the card will have a full Trackside hosting crew and be shown on Trackside 2. To see Saturday’s fields click here View the full article

Quality mare Town Cryer (NZ) (Tavistock) performed with distinction in her first appearance at Ellerslie and trainer Roydon Bergerson has every reason to expect another bold showing there on Saturday. The daughter of Tavistock finished a gallant runner-up last time out in the inaugural Rangitoto Classic (1500m) to confirm a return for this weekend’s feature, the Gr.1 NZEA New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). The free-going Town Cryer has been in great touch this year and the Awapuni-based Bergerson is looking forward to the six-year-old giving another top account of herself. “She worked really well this (Tuesday) morning and she’s had a look around Ellerslie,” Bergerson said. “There doesn’t look to be too much pace in the race so hopefully she will get a reasonable lead.” Three runs back, Town Cryer finished third in the Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m), when conceding the winner Churchillian (NZ) (Churchill) and runner-up Apostrophe (NZ) (Tavistock) 4.5kg and 3kg respectively. She was then victorious in the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (2000m) before finishing determinedly to run second in the Rangitoto Classic, again giving the winner Jaarfi (NZ) (Iffraaj) 4.5kg. Town Cryer is a proven frontrunner, although she has also shown she is no one trick pony. “She doesn’t have to lead and if something else wants to take her on she can take a sit,” Bergerson said. “She had the big weight the other day and had to carry them all up and she only got sling shotted the last bit. She fought strongly to the line and is a really tough mare.” Bergerson will wait until after this weekend before deciding whether Town Cryer has one more run or goes for a break. “If she went really super then we would maybe look at the Travis Stakes (Gr.2, 2000m), but she has been up for a while,” he said. “She is handling things a lot better than she did last year though. “She has got a lot better mentally and is physically stronger. She’s a lot easier to deal with, she used to be quite a tart but takes it all in her stride now.” Town Cryer will be partnered at Ellerslie by Craig Grylls, who has ridden the mare at her last two starts and eight times overall for four wins, including the Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m). She was bred by Wanganui couple Peter and Barbara Smith and is raced by them with a number of partners with leased interests. “We’ve got another season with her, which is good of the Smith family,” Bergerson said. “If for any reason she didn’t come up again then she would go to stud, so we’ll see what happens.” Town Cryer is a daughter of the Volksraad mare The Speaker (NZ) and the family of the Smith-bred Willy Smith (NZ) (Volksraad), who won the Wellington Cup (3200m) when it caried Group One status. View the full article

Diss Is Dramatic (NZ) (Dissident) is establishing a strong base for her future broodmare career, adding the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m) to her burgeoning record at Tauranga on Saturday. The four-year-old daughter of Dissident now boasts a record of six wins, including four at stakes level, from 21 starts and nearly $350,000 in earnings. Her three other stakes victories include the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m), Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m), and Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m), while she has also placed in the Gr.3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m). Bred by Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Diss Is Dramatic was offered through their 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft where she was purchased by Go Racing for $60,000, with the syndicator entrusting her to Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta. “She is a fantastic mare, you would love to own one like her. She has done it every season, she was a stakes winner at two and here she is winning a Group Two (at four),” Cambridge Stud’s head of sales and nominations Scott Calder said. “She is a really tough performer and keeps coming back every prep. Go Racing bought her for $60,000 and with the pedigree she has got to back her up she is a very valuable commodity, and one I am sure they will have more fun with yet.” Cambridge Stud bought her dam, Our Drahma Queen (NZ) (Darci Brahma), out of Widden Stud’s 2019 Magic Millions National Broodmare sale in-foal to Diss Is Dramatic for $85,000, and it has proven to be an astute buy. “We purchased the mare at Magic Millions carrying Diss Is Dramatic and we took her (Diss Is Dramatic) up to Karaka and she was a beautiful type,” Calder said. “At the time Dissident probably hadn’t made the grade as a stallion and people wrongly overlooked her for that because she was as good a filly as we had that year on type. Credit to Go Racing as they saw the potential in her and they have been the winners at the end of the day. “We have still got her mother, who has left another stakes performer (Cap Estel) in Australia. Diss Is Dramatic has got a lot of pedigree to carry her through.” But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing with Our Drahma Queen. “We have had a bit of bad luck with the mare, we lost her Almanzor foal this year at birth, which was a tough one to take,” Calder said. “The mare is still relatively young so we will hopefully get her back on track this season and get more foals out of her. It is a family we would like to build on and perhaps keep a filly for ourselves in the future. “She has also got an Almanzor two-year-old over with John Thompson, and I believe he has a nice opinion of them, so hopefully that horse can go on and do a bit more for the family as well.” Cambridge Stud were also pleased to see fellow farm graduate Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) finish runner-up in the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on Saturday behind Riff Rocket (American Pharoah). “Ceolwulf is another graduate off the farm, as well as Immediacy, who ran fifth. They are two horses we are looking forward to seeing in the AJC Derby (Gr.1, 2400m),” Calder said. Meanwhile, the Cambridge farm are looking forward to homebred Red Sea (NZ) (Pierata) carrying the silks of farm principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday week. It is the first eligible bonus race for next year’s inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), for which Cambridge Stud are slot holders. “Every horse that wins from now on we will be thinking whether they are suitable for the slot and we can keep dreaming about that,” Calder said. “Right now, you would say Red Sea is at the top of the pecking order. He is a horse Andrew Forsman (trainer) has had a lot of time for and had some pretty good form around him as an early two-year-old. “For him to put it all together at Matamata (winning maiden last start) was exactly what we wanted. He is going to have to step up as there will be a lot of good horses in the Sires’ but he has earned that opportunity and hopefully he can go well. “It will be great if he can put his hand up as a genuine contender for the NZB Kiwi in time.” View the full article

Last weekend, Rosehill Gardens took centre stage as it hosted Golden Slipper Day, while Moonee Valley hosted its William Reid Stakes Day as a strong support card. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have found three runners that are worth following from the two meetings. Most online bookmakers offer a blackbook service, and we suggest putting these three horses into yours so you can follow them next time they run. Rosehill Gardens Track rating: Soft 5 (Good 4 after R1) Rail position: +2m entire circuit Race 9: Group 1 Galaxy (1100m) | Time: 1:02.95 Horse to follow: Sunshine In Paris (2nd) After being heavily backed in the hours before the Galaxy last Saturday, Sunshine In Paris was sent around as the favourite but was narrowly beaten by Zapateo in the final strides. Considering the Annabel Neasham-trained mare was first-up off a six-month spell, it is easy to forgive the daughter of Invader for not winning. However, the four-year-old mare was one of the strongest through the line over the 1100m trip, and she should appreciate a rise in trip to 1200m second-up at a bigger track. When to bet: Sunshine In Paris is nominated for the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes on April 6, and after such a good run in the Galaxy, it is expected that Neasham will accept for the 1200m contest at Randwick. Race 10: Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) | Time: 1:09.83 Horse to follow: Tashi (2nd) Tashi competed in her first Group 3 race and didn’t disappoint, as the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained mare ran home strongly into second behind Chain Of Lightning in the Birthday Card Stakes. The daughter of Sebring settled midfield and had to work her way through the pack before busting into the clear with 100m to go, but she couldn’t pick up the winner before the line. With a lower rating of 86 before last Saturday’s race, Tashi should be able to sneak into another Group 3 with a light weight. When to bet: The Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes over 1200m stands out as a race that the Snowdens can target with Tashi, as she will get a light weight as a mare and will take on similar competition to last start. Moonee Valley Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: True entire circuit Race 10: Benchmark 84 Handicap (1200m) | Time: 1:10.99 Horse to follow: Papillon Club (2nd) Papillon Club returned from a five-month spell at Moonee Valley last Saturday and finished second behind Extratwo over 1200m, which is well short of her best distance. After settling midfield, the daughter of Toronado recorded the fastest last 200m section (11.79s) of the entire meeting when flashing home through the middle of the pack late in the piece. With further improvement expected second-up, Papillon Club was clearly one of the few horses to follow from the meeting. When to bet: There aren’t many options for Eurell and his team in the coming weeks, but if they send Papillon Club to a race on a bigger track over 1400m next, she will be very hard to beat second-up. Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Latest horse racing tips View the full article

Following his recent sale, exciting juvenile Sergeant Major will have one final run in New Zealand before continuing his racing career in Australia. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North Gavin Sharrock is confident his young protégé Sergeant Major can sign off his New Zealand career in perfect style. The Stratford trainer’s well-related two-year-old son of champion sire Proisir will take aim at the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday week. “He has been sold, but the new owner Ozzie Kheir wants me to carry on with him until after the Sires’ and then he’ll go to either Chris Waller or Ciaron Maher,” Sharrock said. Sergeant Major ran second on debut at Otaki behind Final Force, who had previously placed in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), before he impressively went one better at Trentham to attract Kheir’s attention. His maiden success was all the more meritorious as he had reared at the start and hung throughout before unleashing a powerful finishing burst wide out on the track. “He had never run crooked in his life and then I saw the replay and he got his tongue over the bit so he (Sam Weatherley, jockey) wouldn’t have been able to steer him,” Sharrock said. “That’s probably why he went up when he jumped, the bit’s hit him under the tongue. “I’ve put a tongue control bit on him and he’s worked every day in that and accepted it and everything should be fine. “He is a freak and he’s from a staying family and he will be far better at 1400m than 1200m. He hasn’t missed a beat and is jumping out of his skin.” Sergeant Major was bred and raced by Gavin O’Dea, with the seven-figure deal brokered by bloodstock agent Melissa Robinson. Hawera accountant O’Dea has enjoyed a successful association with Sharrock through Sergeant Major’s multiple stakes winning brother Soldier Boy and their sister Vancooga, runner-up in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). Another sister is currently being broken in and the mare is in foal to Vanbrugh while Vancooga has a yearling filly by Vadamos. Sharrock and O’Dea are looking forward to a big day out at Trentham on April 6. “It would nice if we could get a family double with Soldier Boy, running in the Awapuni Gold Cup (Group 2, 2000m),” Sharrock said. The five-year-old is expected to be a major improver off the back of a pair of lead-up outings. “He’s going well and he’s just taken a couple of runs to get him back because I put him out on dairy land for six weeks and he came back as big as a bull,” Sharrock said. Soldier Boy has won on four occasions, including Listed successes in the Marton Cup (2200m) and the Wanganui Guineas (1340m). He also has a runner-up finish to his credit in the Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) and ran fourth in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m). Horse racing news View the full article

Galaxy Patch (outside) is one of Hong Kong’s best improvers. Galaxy Patch could next take on the might of Golden Sixty or Romantic Warrior on FWD Champions Day (Sunday, April 28) at Sha Tin. After his slashing second in Sunday’s HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) behind Massive Sovereign, Galaxy Patch will be set for the HK$22 million Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) or HK$28 million Group 1 QEII Cup (2000m) – holding entries for both contests. Golden Sixty chases a fourth consecutive FWD Champions Mile, while Romantic Warrior is aiming for a hat-trick of FWD QEII Cup wins, leaving trainer Pierre Ng eager to halt either of the star galloper’s famed streaks with his rapidly improving four-year-old. “I will talk with Blake (Shinn) but we’ll either go to the Mile or FWD QEII Cup. I don’t think he will go back to sprinting. I think he can do a mile or further – we’ll see how he pulls up,” Ng said. Galaxy Patch is one of Hong Kong’s hottest talents. He is a four-time winner from nine starts in the city, having placed at Group 1 level two runs back in the HK$13 million Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) behind California Spangle. “Galaxy Patch tried 2000 metres for the first time and he did it in the Derby. It was a very promising run. No one could have predicted what he could do but Blake has shown us what he is capable of doing,” Ng said. Galaxy Patch had previously only ever raced as far as 1400m before his bold Hong Kong Derby tilt for Ng, which nearly came through with success. By Wandjina, Galaxy Patch has earnt HK$16.66 million for his owner. “He was a bit unlucky over the last 200 metres, but he got a clear run from there and finished close. I know we can’t have a second crack at the Derby, but we have a potential Group horse for later on,” Ng said. Stablemate Ka Ying Generation finished a brave third for Ng in the Hong Kong Derby. Aiming to return following a setback, Golden Sixty’s preparation ramped up on Tuesday morning ahead of Champions Day – his planned final start – with a grass gallop for trainer Francis Lui at Sha Tin, clocking 31.9s, 27.2s, 24.8s (1:23.9s). Horse racing news View the full article

Champion rider miffed by ratings hike dealt to emerging star as Jockey Club handicapper outlines reasons for the penaltyView the full article

Molly Bloom winning the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton last November. Photo: Race Images South There has been a slight change in plans for Group One-winning filly Molly Bloom. The Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner was set to tackle this Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie but will now head straight to Queensland for a three-race campaign. “She had a busy time over the spring and summer, so we thought this was a good opportunity to take a deep breath with her,” said Andrew Scott, who trains in the filly in partnership with Lance O’Sullivan. Initially purchased out of Seaton Park’s 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by Wexford for $150,000, Molly Bloom went on to win three races for her syndicate of owners, including the NZ 1000 Guineas and Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), before a deal was brokered with well-known Australian owner Ozzie Kheir after the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) in January, where she ran seventh. She immediately struck for her new connections with victory in the Group 2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa last month. While another Group One victory in her homeland would have been a great addition to her pedigree page, her connections felt focussing on the Queensland Winter Carnival was the best option. “There are some good opportunities for her in Brisbane,” Scott said. “We are hoping to trial her on the ninth of April and hopefully she puts in a nice trial, and it can give us the confidence to go. “We may even look to trial her again through May with the idea of running her on the 11th of May in the Bracelet (Listed, 1800m) on the Gold Coast. There is The Roses (Group 2, 2100m) and the Oaks (Group 1, 2200m) as well, providing her form continues to improve.” It will be a farewell tour of sorts for Wexford Stables and their gun filly, who is set to remain in Australia in the care of another trainer following her campaign. “For our team to have a horse like her and have the opportunity to take her over and compete in races like that is what we strive to do,” Scott said. “It will be exciting for the team to have a good chance like her. She is a staying three-year-old filly and we think she is up to the grade. “She will head over and have her campaign and then most likely continue to race as a four-year-old in Australia.” She is not the only stable runner heading across the Tasman, with Group One-winning sprinter Waitak set to head to Perth next month to take his place in the $4 million The Quokka (1200m) for slot holders Trackside Media. “It’s incredibly exciting for our team to take on the Quokka,” Scott said. “He had a very quiet trial down at Taupo and will have another trial on Thursday. That should top him off nicely and then he looks to fly out on the 7th (April) to Sydney, and then from Sydney to Perth on the 8th. He has got nearly 10 days in Perth to settle in before the race on the 20th. “We think he is best kept fresh and we are taking him over there in that form. We haven’t quite settled on a jockey, but we are looking to get that finalised within the next couple of days. “The horse is at the top of his game and we know he has to be as he will run in an incredibly strong field.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Hawkesbury Races Where Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 When Thursday, March 28, 2024 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Provincial racing returns to Hawkesbury on Thursday afternoon for a competitive eight-race program from 1:15pm local time. There are some showers predicted on the radar, so punters should expect a surface rated somewhere in the Soft range for race-day. The rail moves out +2m between 1100m-450m and sits true for the remainder. Best Bet at Hawkesbury: Soobooco Soobooco was tested against some genuine Group 1 quality when running into the likes of Royal Merchant and Semana in the Magic Millions Wyong 3YO & 4YO Stakes (1200m) on December 13, and he was far from disgraced when careering into a fourth-place finish. This BM64 is a more manageable task for the son of Sooboog as he returns from a 13-week spell. Although Jason Collett will need to navigate stall 13, leave it in his capable hands to steer Soobooco to victory. Best Bet Race 6 – #6 Soobooco (13) 4yo Gelding | T: Mark Minervini | J: Jason Collett (58.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best at Hawkesbury: Floodgates The Matthew Smith-trained Floodgates has had four jump-outs since December to get ready for her debut in this 1100m maiden, with the team giving the three-year-old plenty of experience before heading to race-day conditions. Mitchell Bell will be legged aboard from gate five on Thursday, and provided he can get her to ping across to the front, Floodgates may prove hard to reel in. Next Best Race 2 – #5 Floodgates (5) 3yo Filly | T: Matthew Smith | J: Mitchell Bell (58.5kg) Bet with PlayUp Next Best Again at Hawkesbury: Je Reve Je Reve has been placed in two of his three career starts and should be ready to peak in this event. The gelding by Capitalist has shown good early speed in all his starts to date, and he should get every chance to cross to the front once again. With fitness on his side as Zac Waddick hops in the saddle, watch for Je Reve to make every post a winner in the third race of the afternoon. Next Best Again Race 3 – #1 Je Reve (8) 3yo Gelding | T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | J: Zac Wadick (a2kg) (60.5kg) Bet with Neds Wyong Thursday quaddie tips – 28/3/2024 Wyong quadrella selections Wednesday, March 28, 2024 1-3-8-9-10 3-5-6-9-10 1-4-5-11-12 2-4-5-6-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Town Cryer (inside) will contest the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Quality mare Town Cryer performed with distinction in her first appearance at Ellerslie and trainer Roydon Bergerson has every reason to expect another bold showing there on Saturday. The daughter of Tavistock finished a gallant runner-up last time out in the inaugural Rangitoto Classic (1500m) to confirm a return for this weekend’s feature, the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). The free-going Town Cryer has been in great touch this year and the Awapuni-based Bergerson is looking forward to the six-year-old giving another top account of herself. “She worked really well this (Tuesday) morning and she’s had a look around Ellerslie,” Bergerson said. “There doesn’t look to be too much pace in the race so hopefully she will get a reasonable lead.” Three runs back, Town Cryer finished third in the Group 3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m), when conceding the winner Churchillian and runner-up Apostrophe 4.5kg and 3kg respectively. She was then victorious in the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (2000m) before finishing determinedly to run second in the Rangitoto Classic, again giving the winner Jaarfi 4.5kg. Town Cryer is a proven frontrunner, although she has also shown she is no one trick pony. “She doesn’t have to lead and if something else wants to take her on she can take a sit,” Bergerson said. “She had the big weight the other day and had to carry them all up and she only got sling shotted the last bit. She fought strongly to the line and is a really tough mare.” Bergerson will wait until after this weekend before deciding whether Town Cryer has one more run or goes for a break. “If she went really super then we would maybe look at the Travis Stakes (Group 2, 2000m), but she has been up for a while,” he said. “She is handling things a lot better than she did last year though. “She has got a lot better mentally and is physically stronger. She’s a lot easier to deal with, she used to be quite a tart but takes it all in her stride now.” Town Cryer will be partnered at Ellerslie by Craig Grylls, who has ridden the mare at her last two starts and eight times overall for four wins, including the Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m). She was bred by Wanganui couple Peter and Barbara Smith and is raced by them with a number of partners with leased interests. “We’ve got another season with her, which is good of the Smith family,” Bergerson said. “If for any reason she didn’t come up again then she would go to stud, so we’ll see what happens.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Pakenham Races Where Pakenham Racecourse – 420 Nar Nar Goon–Longwarry Rd, Tynong VIC 3813 When Thursday, March 28, 2024 First Race 5:45pm AEDT Visit Dabble Pakenham Racecourse is gearing up for an electrifying evening of racing this Thursday, featuring an enticing seven-race card. The track is rated a Good 4 and the rail set out 6m across the entire circuit. Racing is set to commence at 5:45pm AEDT. Best Bet at Pakenham: Magarten Magarten wasn’t beaten far by some handy types in BM70 grade on February 29, chasing home Saturday-class runners like Marble Arch and Ambassadorial when finishing fourth. He was forced to travel three wide with no cover throughout and was only outgunned late by those with a softer run in transit. From barrier five, and stepping down to BM64 grade with Luke Cartwright claiming 3kg, Magarten looks to have his opponents’ measure. Best Bet Race 7 – #1 Magarten (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Jerome Hunter | J: Luke Cartwright (a3) (62kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Pakenham: Tarvue Tarvue was the definition of a good thing beat at Caulfield prior to heading to the paddock in December, finishing a half-length back in fourth. The Tarzino progeny didn’t see daylight until the final 100m before unleashing late. She will need a touch of luck at a key point from barrier three under Daniel Moor, but Tarvue looks capable of rising through the grades and should win this if she finds clear air when it matters. Next Best Race 6 – #11 Tarvue (3) 3yo Filly | T: John Sadler | J: Daniel Moor (57kg) Bet with Picklebet Next Best Again at Pakenham: Alma Rise Alma Rise made everyone’s blackbooks when she stormed home late at Sandown on March 6 to second over 1500m on debut. She steps up to 2000m on Thursday night, and with natural improvement she can go one better. The Pakenham straight will suit her perfectly, as she’ll have plenty of time to build through her gears, and if Jamie Kah can have Alma Rise in clear air at the top of the straight, she will prove too good for maiden grade. Next Best Again Race 1 – #11 Alma Rise (7) 3yo Filly | T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman | J: Jamie Kah (57kg) Bet with Playup Thursday quaddie tips for Pakenham Pakenham quadrella selections Thursday, March 28, 2024 1-2-3-5-7 2-5-8 5-11 1-2 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Top End trainer Ella Clarke will be out to win her biggest race when she starts three-year-old gelding Debating in the NT Guineas at Alice Springs on Wednesday. (Picture: Caroline Camilleri/Darwin Photography Professionals) Ella Clarke was speechless when Pop Magic won the $40,000 Lightning Wet Season Series Final (1200m) in Darwin last month, so anything is possible if Debating wins the $50,000 NT Guineas (1600m) in Alice Springs on Wednesday. Clarke, daughter of leading NT trainer Gary, will start the gelding in the Red Centre’s biggest race for the three-year-olds. Day 2 of the Alice Springs Cup Carnival looks set to finally go ahead after it was postponed on Saturday when relentless rain saturated Pioneer Park. “I couldn’t talk when Pop Magic won, it was my biggest win,” Clarke said. “I was gobsmacked, he has been such an amazing horse for me. “I never expect too much from him, he just goes out there and does his best. “I didn’t make it back to Darwin for his last run, I’ve been in Alice.” Pop Magic, a five-year-old gelding by Wandjina, has had 15 starts under Clarke for six wins and four seconds. The son of Reward For Effort had four starts and third minor placings for Flemington trainer Nick Ryan before arriving in Darwin, where he was a first-up seventh over 1100m against Class 2 opposition on December 30. It was then, after two narrow defeats over 1200m, that Clarke considered the NT Guineas. Stepping up to 1400m against his own age group at Pioneer Park on March 9, the gelding finished three lengths behind the Dan Morgan-trained Don’t Be Dramatic in second place. “He’s knocking on the door at the moment,” Clarke said. “He’s learnt a lot since I’ve had him and I’m learning a lot from him. “There wasn’t a lot of three-year-olds around at the time and I thought I’d give him a crack in Alice. “He was up and down with the hot weather in Darwin — the cooler weather in Alice has helped. “He had a few excuses last start, he flipped out of the barriers and lost his near front shoe. “He only got to Alice a few days prior to that race and it was a tough run, but I was happy.” Clarke agreed that Don’t Be Dramatic was the horse to beat on Wednesday. “He’s been very good for Dan,” she said. “There’s a few new ones there, but I definitely think Don’t Be Dramatic will be up there. “Debating has an awkward gate (eight), but he has a good jockey in Jarrod Todd. “His last run indicated that he will get the mile, so hopefully he’s up there and good enough to win on the day. “I don’t know what I’ll do if Debating wins, but it will definitely be exciting. “He’ll just have this run, then back to Darwin — just get him through the Guineas at this stage.” Clarke, who boasts 14 wins from 67 starts in her short career, has three horses in her stable but is on the outlook for new additions. Horse racing news View the full article

Paragon winning at Tauherenikau on Sunday. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North Stakes assignments are in the offing for promising three-year-old Paragon following his convincing win at Tauherenikau on Sunday. Bred by Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay, the couple race the son of Embellish with Alan and Kerry Harper, who have enjoyed early success with the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained youngster in just a handful of starts. He had particularly shown promise as a two-year-old when finishing runner-up in both of his juvenile starts, including the Listed Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe last May. He was spelled following a disappointing two-start spring preparation, and his connections were pleased to see him bounce back first-up on Sunday. Paragon was fair away and was sent forward to take up the pace-making role by jockey Jonathan Riddell. The pair didn’t relinquish their advantage and Paragon ran out a two-length victor over Tivaci’s Affair, with Rosalita a further short neck back in third. “He has shown plenty of promise, so it is good to get a maiden win out of the way,” Cambridge Stud’s head of sales and nominations Scott Calder said. “It was a really nice win, and it was nice to see him do it so convincingly. “He was a stakes performer as a two-year-old, so he has always shown plenty, particularly considering he is a mid-November foal. “The way he is bred, and being by Embellish, we always hoped he was going to get better at three, so it was nice to see him get a win on the board. “We are getting later in the season, but I am sure Rob and Roger will hatch a plan, he is a horse we think can go on with it from here.” Horse racing news View the full article

Lady Telena pictured with trainer and part-owner Kenny Moore. Photo: Race Images South Kenny Moore resisted the urge to chase the $650,000 Summer Series Bonus with his Group One performer Lady Telena in favour of targeting southern riches, and his decision is looking to have paid off. Following Lady Telena’s placing in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham in January and seventh-placed run in the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa in February, the daughter of Vespa was in contention for the $100,000 and $50,000 bonuses for the second and third series placegetters, but trainer and part-owner Moore elected to resist heading north once more to tackle the final leg of the series, the Group 1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie earlier this month. “She was in the hunt, but we didn’t go to the Bonecrusher because at the time I thought Legarto was unbeatable, but as it happened she was,” Moore said. “We had to get back here because we had to have two starts in the South Island to be eligible for that $350,000 race (Southern Alps Challenge), so she couldn’t have gone to the Bonecrusher and gone for that, so I chose to go for the South Island one instead. “It is good to have a home too, I was getting sick of travelling and I like having my babies with me.” Lady Telena showed she is more than up to the task of tackling next month’s Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) when finishing runner-up behind Burgie in the Group 3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday. “It was a brilliant finish with amazing sectionals, it was just a shame we couldn’t be a tad closer on the turn, but that is racing,” Moore said. “It is a Group Three, as well as a Group One placing now, so that is great. “She is just such a good girl, she is that little horse that could, and she does.” Moore has been pleased with the way she has come through Saturday’s run and can’t wait to try and snare the lion’s share of the big prizemoney up for grabs in the last innovation race of the season. “She is jumping out of her skin. I couldn’t be happier with her,” he said. “She is going to go forward for the Southern Alps, it is a nice chance for us little chaps to have a chance at something a little bit bigger without the big boys being in the picture.” Lady Telena has really come of age this year and Moore said he is pleasantly surprised by the success she has been having in the top echelon of racing in New Zealand. “In the first month of training her I thought she had the ability to win a race or two, but she kept improving,” he said. “She is nothing to look at, she is quite a plain, ordinary horse and you wouldn’t think she is anything special, but whatever we throw at her, she just steps up to the mark and takes it on.” Meanwhile, Moore is looking forward to kicking off the winter campaigns of a couple of his team next week. “We have got the winter team coming along now,” he said. “Steve Austin and Franni Caccini will kick-off at Ashburton next week.” Horse racing news View the full article

Asfoora will take on the world at Royal Ascot. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Following her commendable fourth-place finish in the Group 1 Galaxy (1100m) last Saturday, the Henry Dwyer-trained Asfoora is now poised to embark on an overseas campaign, likely venturing to the UK. Despite narrowly missing victory by less than a length to winner Zapateo in the prestigious sprint, Asfoora’s performance has paved the way for a potential journey to Royal Ascot if connections opt for a European venture. “She was great, just a bit frustrating to get beaten 0.8 lengths and run fourth but she ran as well as she could,” said Dwyer. “I’ve got a few calls to make in the next couple of days to work out what’s what, (but I’m) still keen for us to head over there.” Highlighting the rationale behind the decision, Dwyer added, “At the end of the day, there are zero races for her here and there are six races for her over there, so we may as well go over. “She’s come through the run well, she’s just travelled so well, which is great knowing what’s ahead.” Horse racing news View the full article

The Ciaron Maher-trained Another Wil. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) The dream of securing a berth for the promising gelding Another Wil in the upcoming Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) appears to be dwindling, as the Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old is unlikely to secure a place in Saturday’s Group 3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m) at Rosehill. Despite his impressive record of four victories from six career starts, including three consecutive wins, Another Wil finds himself at the bottom of the order among the 32 entries for the Prelude, which accommodates a maximum field of 16 runners along with six emergencies. With slim chances of making the cut for the Prelude, Another Wil, currently priced at +1000 and positioned fifth in the betting for the Doncaster, faces uncertainty regarding his participation in the prestigious race. Furthermore, Another Wil has also been nominated for the $150,000 Benchmark 88 (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday, where 29 nominations have been received. Horse racing news View the full article

Post Impressionist was too classy for his rivals in the Group 3 Manion Cup. Photo: RacingNSW Post Impressionist, the dominant victor of the Group 3 N.E. Manion Cup (2400m), remains a potential contender for Saturday’s prestigious Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m), as confirmed by trainer William Haggas who submitted his nomination on Monday. Following his remarkable come-from-behind triumph in the Group 3 event at Rosehill last Saturday, the son of Teofilo has surged to the forefront of the betting with top horse racing bookmakers for the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m). Nick Williams, son of owner Lloyd Williams, expressed thoughts on a potential swift turnaround, stating, “It’s got me wondering whether he should be running next Saturday, to be honest with you. “I’m sure he (Haggas) and dad (Lloyd) will be discussing that over the coming days. “We’ll see how the horse pulls up. He’s done that pretty easily, it was a pretty soft win, so let’s wait and see.” In addition to his Sydney Cup favouritism for April 20, Post Impressionist has also secured a prominent position, sitting at +1400, in the betting markets for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). Horse racing news View the full article

Two-time Melbourne Cup runner Grand Promenade. (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Tragedy struck at Warrnambool on Monday as Grand Promenade, a two-time Melbourne Cup contender, was euthanised following a harrowing fall during the opening race. The eight-year-old gelding, poised for victory, stumbled at the second-last hurdle, resulting in a catastrophic tumble. With a racing career boasting eight wins and eight placings out of 32 starts, Grand Promenade, adorned in the colours of owner Gerry Ryan, amassed over $1.2 million in prize money. Among his notable achievements was clinching the 2021 Group 3 Bart Cummings (2520m) and finishing sixth in the Melbourne Cup, under the training of Ciaron Maher and his former partner David Eustace. In a somber statement, Racing Victoria (RV) expressed, “It is with sadness that Racing Victoria (RV) confirms that Grand Promenade was humanely euthanized by the on-course veterinarian as a result of an injury sustained during the running of the Maiden Hurdle at Warrnambool today.” RV extended condolences to the owners, trainer Shane Jackson, and stable staff, acknowledging their sorrowful loss. Horse racing news View the full article

Cascadian ridden by Ben Melham winning the 2023 Australian Cup at Flemington. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Cascadian, victor of last year’s prestigious Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington, enters this year’s edition with a slight alteration in his preparation. Trainer James Cummings believes the extended week between the All-Star Mile (1600m) and the Australian Cup is advantageous for the now nine-year-old campaigner. “Cascadian’s had a good week since the All-Star Mile,” said Cummings. “His effort to finish third was very solid, he’s just racing so well, and the step up to ten furlongs looks good now he’s had the right grounding.” Cumminfs emphasised the benefits of the additional week between the All-Star Mile and Australian Cup. “Probably this year it’s (the break between runs) an advantage, given that I’ve raced him so sparingly in the last 12 months. “Just that little bit more time to get over the All-Star Mile is ideal.” “Last year he was just booming that week and with clear running we just couldn’t see him being held back and he flooded home. “This time, given he only had the one run (in spring), we’ve just taken our time with him.” Cascadian is on the fourth line of betting for the Australian Cup, marked as a +600 chance with leading horse racing bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

The Jockey Club announced today that the 2024 edition of the Fact Book is available in the Resources section of jockeyclub.com.View the full article

Three Thoroughbreds died March 25 after a trailer transporting them crashed in Nelson County, Ky., during the early morning.View the full article

While she made the Honeybee (G3) look easy in her come-from-behind, 3 1/2-length win, the 1 1/16-mile Fantasy for 3-year-old fillies will present its own set of challenges. It is the last of three Kentucky Oaks (G1) qualifying races at Oaklawn. View the full article

What Sandown Lakeside Races Where Sandown Racecourse – 591-659 Princes Hwy, Springvale VIC 3171 When Wednesday, March 27, 2024 First Race 2:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Sandown’s Lakeside circuit is gearing up to host metropolitan racing this Wednesday afternoon. The forecast for Melbourne suggests perfect weather for racing throughout the week. The rail will be positioned 3m out across the entire track, with the action set to commence at 2:30pm AEDT. Best Bet at Sandown: Pantelone Pantelone was rolled as favourite on resumption after he was held up for a run when trying to build momentum, and that proved to be pivotal as he went down by 1.3 lengths. The son of Street Boss draws barrier two, but Mark Zahra will look to be a touch more aggressive in landing a spot up on speed and out of trouble. Pantelone has a strong turn of foot for this level, and with even luck, he should be winning. Best Bet Race 7 – #9 Pantelone (2) 3yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Mark Zahra (58.5kg) +240 with Neds Next Best at Sandown: Sunshineinmypocket Sunshineinmypocket looks well above midweek grade and is well placed to bring up a third win from as many starts. The three-year-old gelding from Ciaron Maher’s stable has produced smart victories at Ballarat and the Hillside track at Sandown when sprinting sharply over 1200m and 1300m respectively. John Allen will have Sunshineinmypocket stalking the speed throughout, and when asked for the ultimate effort, he should be shining brightly once again. Next Best Race 4 – #6 Sunshineinmypocket (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: John Allen (58kg) -125 with Playup Best Value at Sandown: Amphactor Amphactor was beaten by a nostril on the Caulfield Heath track last time out over 1800m and looks primed to strike third-up as he steps up to 2100m. The four-year-old gelding placed in his only ever crack at the trip, and in a race that should be run at a decent clip, it sets up perfectly for Amphactor. The son of American Pharoah will absorb the pressure from a mid-field position, and with a strong finishing burst, he should have no issue reeling in the on-pacers. Best Value Race 8 – #14 Amphactor (11) 4yo Gelding | T: Mark & Levi Kavanagh | J: Daniel Stackhouse (58kg) +1000 with Picklebet Sandown Lakeside Wednesday quaddie tips – 27/3/2024 Sandown quadrella selections Wednesday, March 27, 2024 1-2-3-9 2-4-5-8-10 2-9 2-9-10-13-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Horse Racing on Tuesday, March 26 will feature three meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meeting at Taree. Tuesday Racing Tips – March 26, 2024 Taree Racing Tips As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on March 26, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

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