Wandering Eyes

Led by the July 20 running of the $1 million GI Haskell S., Monmouth Park is set to offer $8.05 million in stakes races when the track kicks off its 79th season on Saturday, May 11, the venue said in a release Thursday afternoon. This year's race meet, which runs through Sept. 15, will feature 48 total stakes, including 10 graded events, and 11 stakes restricted to New Jersey-bred horses. Along with the featured race, the Haskell Day program will once again sport an undercard with four graded stakes races, including: the $600,000 GII United Nations S., the $500,000 GIII Molly Pitcher S., the $400,000 GIII Monmouth Cup S. and the $300,000 GIII Matchmaker S. Monmouth will offer a “Haskell Preview Day” with four stakes on Saturday, June 15–Pegasus S., GIII Monmouth S., GIII Salvator Mile and GIII Eatontown S., each carrying a purse of $150,000. The 22nd annual New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival, with three stakes events, will be renewed Aug. 25, with the $125,000 Charles Hesse III H. headlining the card. The post 2024 Monmouth Park Stakes Schedule Tops $8 Million; $1 Million Haskell Set For Saturday, July 20 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-AQU, $80k, Msw, 3yo, f, 1m, post time: 12:50 p.m. ET WEATHER DELAY (Curlin), the first foal out of MGISW American Gal (Concord Point), kicks off her career for Repole Stable and trainer Todd Pletcher. The 3-year-old was a $500,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase. Carrying the colors of Kaleem Shah, American Gal captured the 2017 GI Longines Test S. at Saratoga and the following term's GI Humana Distaff S. at Churchill Downs. She was also third as the favorite in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. American Gal brought $3 million from Weather Delay's breeder Whisper Hill Farm at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton November sale. Her 2-year-old colt by Into Mischief brought $1.1 million from Grandview Equine at last year's Keeneland September sale. TJCIS PPs The post Well-Bred Curlin Filly Debuts for Pletcher at Big A appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association promised “lively debate” ahead of its eagerly-anticipated National Hunt seminar and it didn't disappoint with the introduction of three-year-old bumpers, altering the sales programme, the importance of a strong broodmare band and polarisation of the market some of the major topics discussed on the night. The event took place on Wednesday at The Lord Bagenal Inn, County Carlow, just a stone's throw away from where Willie Mullins, arguably the greatest National Hunt trainer of all time, is based. The panel featured Anthony Bromley, Walter Connors, Bertrand le Metayer, Peter Molony, Charles O'Neill and Richard Pugh with Lorna Fowler the master of ceremonies. ITBA chief Cathy Grassick described herself as delighted by the huge turnout, and said, “I was delighted. Not just the number of people, but the caliber of attendees as well, and it made for healthy and important debate. If you want to make change or debate the future of our industry, it's important that the people who make the decisions are in the room, and they were. It's great that there will be some things that will be followed up on.” Grassick added, “One of the key messages I took from the evening is that the panel were keen to point out all of the things we do right in this country and, while, yes, there are some things we could change, we need to make sure that we are not throwing the baby out with the bath water. There's an awful lot of good things happening and a lot that we can be proud of. That doesn't mean that we can't do some things better.” Despite the weight of some of the issues up for debate, the evening got off to a light-hearted start with French bloodstock agent le Metayer revealing that, when Molony called him to see if he would be interested in sitting on the panel, he also asked for his jacket size. Why so? “It was for a bullet proof vest,” he joked, while alluding to the current reign the French thoroughbred is enjoying over its Irish counterpart. A scene from The Lord Bagenal on Wednesday | ITM Le Metayer's sense of humour was once again on show when, paying the Irish breeders a backhanded compliment given their penchant for fashion compared to the French breeders, he said, “Historically in France, and obviously it's a big country, but, the guy from down the road in Burgundy is not going to drive six hours to get his mare covered by Saint Des Saints. “The reality is that [the success of the French breeding model], I wouldn't call it any brilliance or horsemanship, it's sheer luck. Overall, I think Irish people are better horse people than the French but you guys have got less common sense than us! You are thinking commercially and we are thinking of going 10 minutes down the road [to the local stallion master].” The depth of the French broodmare band, and the sheer robustness of the mares that breeders in France can call upon, was also highlighted as a major advantage to the industry over there. Meanwhile, Molony made the point that too much emphasis was being placed on the stallion in Ireland these days and, in borrowing a line from the excellent Jamie Railton podcast with Roger O'Callaghan, where the Tally-Ho Stud man urged breeders to look themselves in the mirror, the Rathmore Stud boss did the same. Molony went on to give examples where broodmares with proven credentials have been sold relatively cheaply in recent times and identified an opportunity for National Hunt breeders to replenish their broodmare band in the current climate. Pugh addressed the issue of polarisation in the National Hunt market, which has been so heavily dominated by the progeny of Walk In The Park and Blue Bresil in recent times, by doing what he does best; wheeling out some cold, hard facts. He said, “We all know the story of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival where 28 races were won by 27 different stallions. But for the purpose of this evening, I looked back over the past 12 months of Grade 1 winners in Ireland. There have been 30 individual winners of Grade 1 races in Ireland in the past 12 months and 20 of them were French while nine were Irish and one was British. “That's what we're up against. Also, no Irish horse won two. Another thing that was interesting was that there were 23 different sires represented by those 30 Grade 1 winners so, for all of the polarisation, actually, when you get out there into those Grade 1 races, it's spread out a lot more.” Pugh added, “I have huge sympathy for the Irish breeders because they are going where they think the market is. It's got to be commercial. I sympathise with the Irish breeder who sits down and says, 'this is the covering I would like because it would suit the mare, but that is the covering I feel that I have to choose to get paid.' If that is the case, it's disappointing.” It was Pugh who summarised that the Irish thoroughbred is, on average, “a year behind” its counterpart in France and the panel agreed that the introduction of three-year-old bumpers or even two-year-old store sales could be an avenue worth exploring in an effort to meet the societal demands. Everybody wants things quicker, it was gleaned. And to deal with the demands, or in some cases dwindling patience, three-year-old bumpers and earlier store sales were put forward as ways in which the process of blooding a National Hunt racehorse could be fast-tracked, thus, providing answers to those paying the bills that bit sooner. Grassick confirmed that both ideas could be explored following the event. She said, “There has been a lot of study and a lot of historical evidence for slow and steady exercise across the whole range of developmen in the thoroughbred-so foals, yearlings, two-year-olds etc. Introducing horses to light exercise from a young age, the physiological benefits are proven to increase bone density, muscle memory, balance etc. That's what the studies are showing. When you look at some of the horses who were broken as Flat yearlings, the likes of Istabraq and Hurricane Fly who have come across and become great Champion Hurdlers and stood the test of time, it obviously wasn't any detriment to them to have begun their careers earlier than most.” One of the more surprising developments of the evening was the criticism levelled at ITM by a number of people in the audience. It resulted in a passionate riposte from O'Neill, who defended the organisation, as did Bromley, who described ITM as “the envy” of everyone in Britain which resulted in a round of applause. It was at this point where le Metayer shared that the foundations set out by ITM, in terms of attracting buyers and promoting the Irish thoroughbred on an international scale, was copied in France. Shortly afterwards, Pugh urged breeders to examine the product and not to point fingers at the people, ie ITM, whose job it is to market the product. One thing that everyone in the room could agree on is that the cost of producing these foals has sky-rocketed in line with inflation. Such a point was explained in no uncertain terms by Connors. The introduction and development of the mares' programme in Britain and Ireland is another thing that had the majority of those in the room singing from the same hymn sheet. The success of that relatively recent development is also reflected in the numbers. Grassick explained, “It's staggering the success of the ITBA National Hunt Fillies Bonus Scheme. When you look at the figures between 2022 and 2017 for example, the turnover on fillies at the Tattersalls Derby Sale has more than doubled, even though they are offering roughly the same number of fillies. “In that time, the turnover has gone from €1.8m to €3.6m for 70 to 75-odd fillies sold. It has resulted in massive increases in the demand for fillies at the sales and proves that the scheme does work and providing a race programme with such opportunities works as well.” The post Bullet Proof Vests, Demand For 3-Y-O Bumpers And More At ITBA Seminar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Friday's AED850,000 G2 Cape Verdi presented by DP World GCC run over 1600 metres on the grass has attracted a field of eight, with a pair of Euro raiders in Mystic Pearl (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Stenton Glider (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) signed on for trainers William Haggas and Hugo Palmer, respectively. The duo ran one-two in the Listed Coral Distaff S. last year. After her July score over Stenton Glider at Sandown, the then-3-year-old was a close third in the G3 Prix de Lieurey, just two heads behind the winner Elounda Queen (Ire) (Australia {GB}). Stenton Glider boasts a pair of group placings, and connections regarded her highly enough to race her in the G1 1000 Guineas at Newmarket last spring. “This has been the target since she disappointed at Haydock [in August],” said Palmer of Stenton Glider. “She's had a break since then, the first real break of her life. She's grown and strengthened, filled out, and is a much stronger filly now. “She's taken to Dubai really well; she's trained super and been very relaxed, so we hope she can run a very big race.” Naturally, Godolphin has a strong presence in the lone group race of the nine-race card, and their trio includes the stakes-placed Silver Lady (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) at a mark of 101. William Buick is aboard the undefeated English Rose (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) who most recently took a Kempton novice in November, while Richard Mullen has the call on the two-for-four Shining Jewel (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), who is riding a two-race winning streak. The trio break from posts three, eight and four, respectively. “Shining Jewel is a nice spare to get,” said Mullen. “She won her last two starts and looks like she's improving. I had a sit on her the other day and she's a lovely big filly by Siyouni and I think she'll get further in time, as well. “Obviously English Rose looks the pick of them, but they're all unexposed horses. The William Haggas filly [Mystic Pearl] brings the best form into it.” The post Coral Distaff One-Two Eye Cape Verdi Riches appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will host a job fair on Wednesday, Feb. 21 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET, the first in a series of events to support the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course, the association said in a release Thursday. The job fair will be held on the first floor of the 1863 Club at Saratoga Race Course. Interested applicants should enter through the Wright Street entrance (Gate 8) with parking available in the 1863 Club lot. “The 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be an economic engine for Upstate New York,” said NYRA President & CEO Dave O'Rourke. “Much of that impact will be the creation of hundreds of temporary jobs to support a Triple Crown event at Saratoga Race Course this June. We look forward to beginning this series of job fairs on February 21.” Employment opportunities for the festival will be available with the following NYRA partners: All Pro, Integrated Staffing, Levy Restaurants, Mazzone Hospitality and Union Square Events. Positions will include restaurant staff, mutuel clerks, cashiers, cleaners, merchandise clerks and others. Applicants must be at least 15 years of age and have New York State Certified Working Papers. Prospective security guards, cashiers and betting clerks must be at least 18 years of age to apply; security guards must have a high school degree or GED. All applicants must present a photo ID and Social Security card or I-9 alternative. NYRA will host its traditional job fair for the Saratoga summer meet later this year. The post NYRA To Hold Job Fair For Belmont Stakes Racing Festival At Saratoga Feb. 21 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Local trainer Jason Teaz has four horses he loves all facing the same problem at Cambridge tonight. Teaz was on a golden run with the likes of Brookies Jaffa, Noble Count and Ultimate Moment a few months ago and all three start tonight as well as a smart maiden mare in Ima Sportyangel. The problem with golden runs is they cost you ratings points and Teaz, well known as a broadcaster as well as a trainer, says his stable stars are now paying the price for the earlier form. “I knew when I was winning a few races with them that it had to come to an end because they started winning their way up the ratings too quickly,” says Teaz. “Horses like Noble Count and Ultimate Moment went from being rating 39 horses to a 51 (Noble Count) and Ultimate Moment got to rating 59 and then the problem is they end up starting off handicaps. “That doesn’t suit either of them because they both like to run on the speed.” Both faces starting behind their rivals tonight as Noble Count is on the unruly for race eight after some recent rogue behaviour while Ultimate Moment is off a 10m handicap in race 4. “Ultimate Moment loves 2200m racing so this race would really suit if he was on the front line as he was pretty good last start against horses like Dream Of You and Resolve.” Brookies Jaffa (R11 tonight) faces not only being a rating 66 horse but there being smart horses coming through the grades he has to give starts to, like recent conquerors Dontstopmenow and Miki Shan. “He has been a great horse for me with 13 wins but I think he struggles in summer because he doesn’t like the hard tracks,” says Teaz. “It is not because he doesn’t have the speed for them, it is because they jar him up, which is one reason he races so well in winter. I am working really hard on it but I am not sure it is a battle I am winning. If he produces his best this week I think he has a real show.” While all three of those horses at least have reasons for giving their rivals a start tonight in the case of maiden mare Ima Sportyangel it is just bad luck. “She has copped a bad draw in quite a nice field but she has real ability. “She wasn’t broken in until she was three and she has had some issues but I really like her and think she will win races. “I am not sure whether it will be this week because I will tell Fergy (Peter, driver) I am happy for her to be driven a bit prettier as I don’t want her having too many hard runs early in her career. “But I know she can do a job and I have some other nice horses coming through in the 14 I am working so it is quite an exciting time.” View the full article

A bill that would have extended annual purse subsidy payments made to New Jersey's Thoroughbred and Standardbred tracks was vetoed Wednesday by Gov. Phil Murphy. The bill called for the $20 million subsidy, which is split between the two breeds, to continue through 2029. The money has already been approved for 2024. The extension was to run from 2025 through 2029. Murphy vetoed 12 bills in all, using what is called a pocket veto. That type of veto applies only to bills sent to the governor's desk in the final 10 days of a legislative session. If the governor does not sign such bills within seven days of the end of a session those bills are vetoed without being sent back to the Legislature. Murphy's decision came as a major surprise since he has largely supported racing during his time in office and that the bill had overwhelming support in the Senate and in the Assembly. It passed the Senate by a 35-1 margin and the Assembly by a 73-0 margin. The purse subsidy is vital to Monmouth Park, which, without it, would offer far smaller purses and have trouble competing for horse with the many other tracks in the Mid-Atlantic region. “If we didn't get this money, it would be a disaster,” said Dennis Drazin, the chairman and CEO of Darby Development, the management team that operates Monmouth. “We'd either have to cut days or purses.” Drazin admits he was alarmed when first hearing news of the veto and he immediately placed a call to Murphy. Drazin said he heard back within 15 minutes and the governor reassured him that future purse subsidies remain very much alive. “I spoke with him and he wholeheartedly supports the industry, but he did not feel a bill like this should get passed through a lame-duck session,” Drazin said. “He is committed to continue to work on and it get it done through the budget process. I take him at his word. He has been supportive of the industry ever since he's been in office and he says he will get it done, just not the way it was being handled. I trust this governor. He made a commitment and I am taking him at his word. If he had said, 'I'm vetoing it that's it, we'd be having a different conversation.” The post NJ Governor Murphy Kills Bill That Would Have Extended Purse Subsidies Through 2029; Drazin Optimistic Deal Will Still Get Done appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A breeding right in smart, young sire Havana Grey (GB) brought a winning bid of 250,000gns to top the Tattersalls Online January Sale which concluded on Thursday. The stallion, whose breeding right sold as lot 95, won the G1 Flying Five S. The best runner so far for the grey, whose eldest progeny just turned four, is multiple Group 1-winning sprinter Vandeek (GB). The Whitsbury Manor Stud stallion has a bevy of group winners to his credit already, among them G2 July S. winner Jasour (GB) and Group 3 winners Elite Status (GB), Mammas Girl (GB), Rumstar (GB), Eddie's Boy (GB) and Lady Hollywood (GB). Second on the buyers' sheet was a breeding right in fellow Group 1 sire Cracksman (GB) (lot 92), which sold for 50,000gns to Dan Astbury post sale. The Darley-based sire enjoyed a strong year with his progeny in 2023 anchored by undefeated Classic winner and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Ace Impact (Ire), who now stands at Haras de Beaumont. Ulysses (GB) 3-year-old Trojan Storm (GB) (lot 2) sold from Ralph Beckett's Kimpton Down Stables to AA Bloodstock for 35,000gns. The chestnut horse-in-training has yet to race, but boasts a strong pedigree, as his Pivotal (GB) dam, Mystic Storm (GB), is a full-sister to listed winner Solar Magic (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and a half to the G1 1000 Guineas/G1 Coronation S. runner-up Starscope (GB) (Selkirk). The latter is the dam of Cartier Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Rounding out the top four lots was Houghton Bloodstock's Renzia (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (lot 85) in foal to Cracksman, who changed hands for 25,000gns to One Agency. The 6-year-old mare, a relative of tough American handicapper and GI Gulfstream Park H. and GI Sword Dancer H. hero and Japanese sire Cetewayo (His Majesty) is out of a full-sister to GI Beverly D. S. winner Dynaforce (Dynaformer). Renzia is also a half-sister to a trio of black-type horses, among them dual Grade I-placed Stormy Len (Harlan's Holiday). Overall, 45 lots sold for a gross of 530,300gns. The average was 11,784gns and the median settled at 3,000gns. The post Breeding Right In Havana Grey Brings Quarter Million At Tattersalls Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GISW Olympiad (Speightstown) has his first foal–a filly–who arrived Jan. 18, Gainesway Farm said in a Thursday release. Out of the mare, Sophie Sophie (Unbridled's Song), a half-sister to GISW and millionaire Seattle Smooth (Quiet American), the filly was bred by Dr. Oscar Benavides and born at his Montesacro Farm. “I am very happy with my filly,” said Dr. Benavides. “She looks racy and has great conformation as we expected being by Olympiad.” Olympiad, a five-time graded stakes winner, posted eight wins in 13 career starts for earnings of $3,027,560 for trainer Bill Mott and owners Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stables and LNJ Foxwoods. Winner of the 2022 GI Jockey Club Gold Cup S., Olympiad also delivered a track-record setting performance over 1 1/16 miles in the GIII Mineshaft S. and added wins in the GII New Orleans Classic S., GII Stephen Foster S., GII Alysheba S. In the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, Olympiad rallied down the Keeneland stretch to finish second behind Horse of the Year Flightline (Tapit). He earned triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures on eight occasions with victories from seven furlongs to 1 1/4 miles. Olympiad stands for $35,000 LFSN. The post First Foal Arrives By Gainesway’s GISW Olympiad appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The immaculately bred MIZZYAAN becomes the first starter in the Emirates for the all-conquering Justify and can make her presence felt at first asking in Friday's Cocoa Beach S. (allowance), a 1600-meter event restricted to 3-year-old fillies at Meydan Racecourse. The Mar. 5 foal, a homebred for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum, is the first foal out of Vale Dori (Arg) (Asiatic Boy {Arg}), a Group 1 winner in her native Argentina, whose two local starts for trainer Mike de Kock included a runner-up effort to Polar River (Congrats) in the 2016 G3 UAE Oaks followed by a close fourth in the G2 UAE Derby. Vale Dori was sent to continue her career in the U.S. under Bob Baffert, taking out the 2017 GI Santa Margarita S. and the GI Zenyatta S. the following season. Mizzyaan has gate two in a field of 10 and Pat Dobbs has the call for trainer Doug Watson, who sent out the promising Russian invader Kabirkhan (California Chrome) to victory in a 2000-meter handicap last Friday. Lining up against Mizzyaan are fellow firster Kibo Misaki (Girvin), a $210,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic breezer who is out of a half-sister to Grade II winner Fantastic Style (Harlan's Holiday); and the well-regarded debut winners Manama Gold (Star Guitar) and Lahfaty (Mitole). The post Desert Debuters: Beautifully Bred Mizzyaan Looks To Keep Ball Rolling For Watson appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Several new sires, led by G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Torquator Tasso (Ger), sired their first reported foals on Thursday. He is joined by fellow second-year sires Caturra (Ire) and Tosen Stardom (Jpn). The blaze-faced chestnut's first foal is a chestnut colt out of Soleila (Ger) (Maxios {GB}), who arrived at Gestut Ebbesloh on Wednesday night. He was bred by Franziska Jacobs. The celebrated middle-distance runner is standing his second season at Gestut Auenquelle for a fee of €20,000. Caturra, a son of Mehmas (Ire) based at Overbury Stud, won the G2 Flying Childers S. and was placed in a pair of group races. His first foal is also a chestnut, a filly produced by Courteous Crown (GB) (Helmet {Aus}) and bred by Wayne Clifford. She arrived at Byerley Stud and is a half-sister to the 97-rated triple winner Zoulu Chief (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}). Caturra stands for €5,000 this year. Tosen Stardom, a multiple Group 1 winner by Deep Impact (Jpn), sired his first known foal in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. The colt, out of four-time winner Minnetonka (Munnings) herself a daughter of Grade III winner Queen Ofthe Catsle (Tale Of The Cat), is a homebred for Zenith Bloodstock. Tosen Stardom commands a fee of €5,000 this year at Zenith Stallion Station. The post Several Young Sires Including Arc Hero Torquator Tasso, Sire First Reported Foals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) have named dynamic broadcaster Tom Hammond as the recipient of this year's Special Eclipse Award for Career Excellence, the NTRA said in a press release Thursday. Hammond will receive the honor at the 53rd Annual Eclipse Awards Dinner and Ceremony at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida on Thursday, Jan. 25. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Hammond has enjoyed a much honored and remarkable career as one of the nation's top broadcasters, most prominently as host and anchor for NBC Sports' broadcasts of the Triple Crown races and Breeders' Cup World Championships, and his coverage of a variety of major sporting events. “I have wanted to be a part of the Thoroughbred industry since I was 15 years old, though I could never have dreamed that involvement would come primarily as an announcer,” said Hammond. “The improbable nature of the Award makes it even sweeter. As I look back on my over 50-year career, I see the many opportunities that the Thoroughbred world has provided to me. No question that I consider the Career Excellence Award to be one of the most meaningful of my life.” Hammond's passion for Thoroughbred racing evolved early when he earned an animal science degree from the University of Kentucky (UK), specializing in equine genetics, and developed a keen interest in Thoroughbred pedigrees. His broadcasting career began with WVLK Radio in Lexington, where he was news and sports director. In 1970 and for the next 10 years, Hammond was sports director for WLEX-TV. At that station, and through Hammond Productions, he founded “The Winner's Circle,” a half-hour weekly Thoroughbred program focused on the news and highlights of major races around the country. The production company aimed at the equine industry and pioneered the use of video in the marketing of horses at the sales. It was also during this period that Hammond began his association with Keeneland, as an announcer at its premier bloodstock auctions, and at Thoroughbred sales in 16 other states. Hammond's 34-year relationship with NBC Sports dates back to the network's regional college basketball broadcasts in the late 1970s. But his big break came in 1984 when he was hired on what was intended to be a one-time-only basis as a reporter for NBC's telecast of the inaugural Breeders' Cup at Hollywood Park. That program turned into an annual assignment, blossoming into a wide-ranging network career. Over the next three decades, Hammond was an integral part of NBC Sports, highlighted by horse racing–covering the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes 16 times apiece, and 11 Belmont Stakes. He was a part of multiple Eclipse Award-winning programs for NBC, including the 2022 Feature-Television Eclipse for his narration of the story of Cody Dorman and his bonding with Breeders' Cup Champion Cody's Wish (Curlin). Said NBC Sports Racing Analyst and co-host of the TDN Writers' Room, Randy Moss, “When Tom would slide into the host chair a couple of hours before the Kentucky Derby, and 'That Voice' would suddenly fill the airwaves, it was a jolt of adrenaline for everyone on the telecast. It was like, “Okay, here we go!” And not only did he bring pure professionalism and experience, from a racing perspective Tom was unique: he called all those big-time sports, but as a native Kentuckian he knew the most about Thoroughbred racing.” Hammond was inducted into the Joe Hirsch Media Roll of Honor, National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame; a recipient of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Jim McKay Award, and is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame. Hammond and his wife, Sheilagh, have a daughter, Ashley, and two sons, David and Christopher, and six grandchildren. The post Tom Hammond To Receive Special Eclipse Award For Career Excellence appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A five-year agreement aimed at strengthening and growing pool betting in the UK was inked by Ascot Racecourse and the Tote on Thursday. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2024, the agreement ensures all pool bets placed on racing from Ascot Racecourse will continue to support liquidity in the UK pool which has been operated by the UK Tote Group since October 2019. The “Bet with Ascot” brand is included under this umbrella of bets as long as the bets are placed on the Tote website, through bookmakers and third-party partners on course. This agreement also dovetails with the initiative that assists Ascot with being central to the World Pool since it began at Royal Ascot in 2019. Tote operators from 28 countries currently commingle pools which are hosted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC). Alastair Warwick, chief executive of Ascot Racecourse, said, “We are delighted have a new agreement in place with the Tote which will allow us to build on what has been achieved domestically and internationally over the last four years. As one of the original architects of World Pool, alongside the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Tote, we are excited to support the further development of World Pool to ensure both racing fans and the sport benefit from it. We will ensure that Ascot's top-class racing continues to be at the forefront of British racing's efforts to see that the sport is watched and bet on by a growing domestic and global audience.” Alex Frost, chief executive of the UK Tote Group, added, “The Tote is immensely proud to be a partner of Ascot Racecourse which hosts some of the most prestigious racedays in the sporting calendar. This new agreement ensures Ascot Racecourse and the Tote are perfectly positioned to work together to achieve a strong UK Pool, alongside the continued development of World Pool, which are crucial elements to the future financial sustainability of the sport.” The post Ascot Racecourse And the UK Tote Ink Five-Year Agreement To Improve Pool Betting appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sheihk Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's multiple listed winner Royal Champion (Ire) (Shamardal) will continue his career in Australia, according to published reports. Successful in the Listed Wolferton S. last June, the homebred was third in the G2 York S. a month later and was runner-up in the GI Canadian International S. most recently in October. “He was very impressive … if he brings that sort of form out here–he's very lightly raced as well for an older horse, he's been well looked after and well managed–he should hopefully have a nice career ahead of him,” co-trainer Sam Freedman, who holds a license with his father Anthony, told Racing.com. “I think he's identified him as the right profile of horse to send out–his form in England and his run in Canada last time out was excellent. “He's pretty versatile–he seems to handle most types of going and he's got a bit of speed, so he should hopefully suit out here.” Sheikh Obaid, who has won the G1 Melbourne Cup, already has Dubai Poet (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Legend Of Dubai (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) with the Freedmans in Australia. “[Royal Champion] is still up there, so he'll fly out soonish, I'd say. The plan is to obviously have him out here and working along through the winter,” Freedman added. “There's going to be some really suitable 2000-metre races for him over the course of the spring, so we'll see where he fits in–but he's going to arrive with a pretty high rating, so hopefully he can feature in some big ones.” The post Listed Winner Royal Champion Bound For Australia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Turfway Park canceled racing Jan. 19-20, and Oaklawn Park Jan. 19-21 due to harsh winter weather.View the full article

He may not be able to dance but Martin Buick, bloodstock consultant for De Burgh Equine, is not afraid to face the TDN question master. What was your proudest moment of 2023? The first horse I signed for, ADMIRAL DE VEGA, won the Group 3 Stockholm's Stora Pris, one of Scandinavia's most prestigious races. He beat a Dubai Carnival winner and Archie Watson's Brave Emperor who went on to win Group races in France, Italy and Germany. Give us one horse to follow and why… Prime Art (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) who is now with Jean-Claude Rouget in France. She was purchased privately by Hubie [de Burgh] after she won the G3 Firth of Clyde Stakes. She won with plenty in hand and should continue to improve. And a young person in the industry to keep an eye on… My younger brother Andrew who joined New Zealand Bloodstock last summer. He is thriving down there and I get a kick out of seeing him do well. Who do you think will be champion first-season sire this year? Pinatubo (Ire) was an outstanding two-year-old and his yearlings looked sharp, so he gets my vote. With his profile and 109 two-year-olds to run for him he should take a lot of beating. And the best value stallion in Europe? Proven value is hard to find so I'll go with Churchill at €30,000. Some might disagree that he's a value play at that price but he has had two champions from his first two crops in Vadeni (Ire) and Blue Rose Cen (Ire) and that fee could look cheap down the line. He is still a young stallion that I suspect we'll hear plenty more about in the years to come. What's the one horse you wish you'd bought in 2023? A yearling filly by Sea The Moon (Ger) out of Jazzi Top (GB) at Tattersalls October Book 1. She was a lovely filly from Meon Valley's famous Reprocolor (GB) family and was bought by Shadwell for 575,000gns. Her looks matched her great pedigree which can be rare. Biggest regret? In business I don't have too many yet but there's plenty of time to change that! On a personal level I wish I had learnt to dance. There have been occasions where I'm the awkward guy hovering around the bar, envious of fellas that can spin their partners around on the dance floor. Biggest influence on your career? I've spent most of my career in this industry with Hubie de Burgh and Alan Cooper, so they have definitely had the biggest influence. This really is a people's business and the way Hubie maintains and builds new relationships is an attribute that has enabled him to stay at the top of the game for decades. Aside from his astuteness as a judge of a horse I admire this quality about him and I'm trying to soak up as much of it as I can. During my time as assistant racing manager with Alan and the Niarchos family we had nine individual Group 1 winners over six years which was unbelievable and something that I'll never forget. Being afforded the opportunity by Alan to represent the family on the biggest of stages, amongst other responsibilities, gives me immense pride to this day. If you could sit down for dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would the be and why? The first would be Vincent O'Brien. I never had the chance to meet him and would love to talk to him about his life in racing, amongst other things. I married his granddaughter, Tara, so it could also be an opportunity to introduce myself! Well-known raconteur Sean Connery would be my second choice, he IS Mr Bond and his stories would keep us going well into the night. We would finish off with a private gig with my third guest, Stevie Nicks. The post In the Hot Seat: Martin Buick appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1/ST, owned by the Stronach Group, will partner with Equine MediRecord (EMR) to digitize equine welfare protocols for this year's running of the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park Jan. 27, the Irish technology company said in a release Thursday morning. The added measure will enhance the stringent equine health and safety protocols, and make the process even easier as EMR representatives will be onsite to help log each horse's information into their system. The platform allows for the full veterinary history of the horse to be collected digitally and recorded securely. Use will be mandatory and provide the opportunity to comply with strict medication protocols. Veterinarians can send required medical record information directly to HISA, which reduces the need for double entry. “We are excited about our partnership with 1/ST and doing all we can to help ensure that best horse welfare and transparency protocols are followed in equine sport while ensuring participants do not have to enter information multiple times to be cleared,” said Pierce Dargan, Equine MediRecord's CEO. The Irish company's list of clients and users include the Thoroughbred Owners of California, Maryland 5 Star, Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the Arabian Racing Organization, Breeders' Cup World Championships and the Saudi Cup. The post 1/ST Racing Partners With Equine MediRecord For Pegasus World Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As the countdown to the start of the covering season begins, a host of Germany's stallions will be on parade at Gestut Rottgen, in Cologne, on Saturday, January 27. The stud's own line-up of Windstoss (Ger), Millowitsch (Ger) and new recruit Iquitos (Ger) will be joined by visiting sires Best Solution (Ire) and Accon (Ger) from Gestut Lunzen, and Gestut Fahrhof's Alson (Ger). Also in attendance will be Japan (GB), who stands at Gestut Etzean, Destino (Ger) from Gestut Westerberg, Gestut Hof Ittlingen's homebred Neatico (Ger), and Rubaiyat (Ger), who will make the journey from Gestut Ohlerweiherhof ahead of his second season at stud. New to the German ranks this year is Alter Adler (Ger), a Group 2-winning son of Adlerflug (Ger) who was also runner-up in the G1 Deutsches Derby, and who is standing at Gestut Erftmuhle. Another Derby second, Nerik (Ire), by Ruler Of The World (Ire), completes the line-up of 13 stallions. Following the parade, renowned stud vet Fred Barrelet, who has for many years been attached to the Rossdales practice in Newmarket, will deliver a talk entitled 'Is inbreeding nowadays a problem?'. The parade gets underway at 12 noon. The post Gestut Rottgen Hosts German Stallion Parade appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The early part of the New Year is invariably about getting two-year-olds ready for the upcoming Group One races like the Blue Diamond Stakes and Golden Slipper. But it is also the time when trainers put in the work of getting their jumpers ready for upcoming season with the Warrnambool Carnival just over three months away. While yet to race over jumps, trainer Henry Dwyer has a jumps campaign in the back of his mind for Irish Butterfly (NZ) (O’Reilly) who is likely to be targeted at one of the maiden hurdles over the three-day carnival. But first there are some flat races to win, and Dwyer has Irish Butterfly down to run in the VRC Life Member Robert Lane Trophy (2520m) at Flemington on Saturday. Irish Butterfly won three races over a trip last year, including two at Sandown, as was one of the favourites for last year’s Warrnambool Cup. After two runs this time in over unsuitable trips, Dwyer is expecting Saturday’s 2520m to suit. “He’s ready,” Dwyer said. “He needed it first-up over 2000 metres and then ran well when dropped back in trip at Warrnambool. “He was one-paced there, but now up to 2500 metres, he should be fit enough this time. “It’s a nice drop back in grade to a benchmark race this time and Celine Gaudray rides him well.” In-form apprentice Celine Gaudray, who rode Irish Butterfly to successive wins at Sandown last year, returns to the saddle for the first time since then Warrnambool Cup in May. Dwyer said Irish Butterfly had schooled over hurdles last year but will rely on flat racing to get him to peak fitness ahead of the jumps season. “We’ll probably just poke around with him during the autumn, and I’d say he’ll probably end up in a maiden hurdle at Warrnambool,” Dwyer said. “If he could pick up a race or two along the way, that would be good. “He had a couple of trials last year, so he’ll be ready to go over the jumps when the time comes.” View the full article

Canheroc (NZ) (El Roca) will be seeking to add another trophy to trainer Chris Wood’s mantle when he heads to Trentham on Saturday. The Cambridge trainer is still admiring the silverware Canheroc won in the Listed Marton Cup (2200m) at Hastings earlier this month, but he is hungry for more. Wood has been pleased with the way the son of El Roca has come through that run and believes he is cherry ripe for his weekend assignment. “I am really pleased with him. He came through his run in the Marton Cup in great order,” Wood told TAB NZ. “I rode him last week and he gave me a run for my money a couple of mornings walking home. He is flying.” Canheroc will be reunited with his Marton Cup-winning jockey Kelly Myers, and Wood is confident his gelding will see out the two-miles. “Kelly seemed to click with him (in the Marton Cup), not that I have had any trouble with the other boys that have ridden him, and she will be riding him on Saturday,” he said. “I don’t think that (3200m) is going to pose any problems. You never know until you unleash them, but the way he works and the way he finds the line on raceday, all the indications are good. “Let’s hope everything goes well to get a nice run in transit, and Kelly gets a bit of clear air and we will be right in the hunt.” Canheroc is a $6.50 third favourite with the TAB for Saturday, behind Waisake ($3.80) and Mary Louise ($5.50). View the full article

Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) might not be the most talented horse his breed-shaping sire has ever produced, but few can claim to have shown the same longevity as John and Thady Gosden's stable stalwart, the star name among 22 entries for the G3 BetUK Winter Derby at Southwell on Saturday, February 24. Successful on his sole two-year-old start at Redcar in October 2018, HH Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Racing's Lord North embarks on his seventh year in training at Clarehaven Stables with relatively few miles on the clock for one of his age, boasting a career record of 10 wins from 20 starts. After climbing through the ranks in handicaps as a three-year-old, notably winning the prestigious Cambridgeshire at Newmarket, Lord North took his form to a new level altogether during the 2020 campaign when he won the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. at Haydock and G1 Prince of Wales' S. at Royal Ascot, beating the multiple top-level winners Addeybb (Ire), Barney Roy (GB) and Japan (GB). That remains Lord North's only Group 1 victory on European soil, but his subsequent exploits in the Middle East have guaranteed his place in history as the first three-time winner of the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan. His £6.3 million in career earnings also makes him the richest-ever racehorse by Dubawi ahead of Benbatl (£5.9 million), whose three Group 1 wins included the 2018 Dubai Turf. Lord North-who had the Lord North Handicap run in his honour at Meydan on Friday, 12 January-has been on the sidelines since March last year when his trademark turn of foot sealed him his third straight win in the Dubai Turf, beating Danon Beluga (Jpn), previously Grade 1-placed in Japan, by three quarters of a length. A few weeks earlier Lord North had returned from eight months off with an emphatic success in the Winter Derby, while his dead-heat with Panthalassa (Jpn) in the 2022 Dubai Turf followed a runner-up finish when returning from an even longer absence at Lingfield. All roads surely lead back to Meydan for the eight-year-old Lord North, who could try to complete a remarkable four-timer in the Dubai Turf on Saturday, 30 March, though it won't quite be the usual tried-and-tested path if he takes up his entry in the Winter Derby along the way, with that Group 3 set to be run at Southwell for the first time this year. The other Group 1 winner among the 22 entries is the William Haggas-trained Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}), who won the G1 Ranvet S. and G1 Queen Elizabeth S. in Australia in the first part of 2023, while there would arguably be no more fascinating runner than the long-absent Eydon (Ire) (Olden Times {GB}), last seen since finishing fourth in the 2022 G1 2000 Guineas when trained by Roger Varian. Now in the care of Andrew Balding, Eydon needs to prove that he retains all his ability after such a significant absence, but there is certainly nothing wrong with his Newmarket form which saw him chase home a trio of multiple Group 1 winners in Coroebus (Ire), Native Trail (GB) and Luxembourg (Ire). Balding said, “Eydon has a very high level of form, although it has been some time since he was last on the track. He has had a few niggles, but we are really pleased with him at the moment and the Winter Derby is very much the plan. The intention is to go straight there without a run-we feel that is the right thing to do.” The post Lord North Looking to Build on Historic Exploits appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Zac Purton chases a fourth win in the Group One contest 14 years on from his first top-level success in Hong KongView the full article

Buoyed by a satisfying midweek success, Stephen Marsh will be hoping to add to his tally on Saturday with a four-strong team engaged at Trentham, including a pair of strong Group One chances. The Cambridge trainer was delighted to see his well-related Pierro filly Moet Down open her winning account at Te Rapa on Wednesday at her fourth appearance. She is the first horse raced by the all-female Heels & Hooves Syndicate, who are supporting a worthy cause with the filly. “They are donating a percentage of their prizemoney to the Breast Cancer Foundation,” Marsh said. He purchased Moet Down for A$200,000 at the Inglis Australia Easter Yearling Sale where she was offered by Coolmore. “Since we bought her, the half-sister (Madame Pommery) won the Thousand Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) in Melbourne and it’s a family that’s booming,” Marsh said. She is out of the Exceed And Excel mare Cancel, who is a sister to the Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) winner Earthquake. Marsh will be banking on Moet Down’s victory to be a forerunner to further success at Trentham where he will have stable newcomer Skyman and El Vencedor in the Gr.1 Harcourts Team Group Thorndon Mile (1600m). Skyman is owned by Go Racing and won nine races, including four at Listed level, from Chris Waller’s Sydney operation. He hasn’t raced since December, but is forward to resume. “He’s in good order, his trial was great and he had an exhibition gallop at Matamata. He’s going really well,” Marsh said. Skyman will be ridden by expatriate Kiwi jockey Daniel Stackhouse, who was booked following a surprise call. “We got a message from Mason Stevens, who used to work in New Zealand, saying would you put Daniel on and I said yes, without a doubt. He’s a very good rider,” Marsh said. “It’s hard to split Skyman and El Vencedor, who has drawn nicely and will jump and put himself right there.” El Vencedor won the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) two runs back and the Shocking gelding followed up with a solid third in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) and will again be ridden by Joe Doyle. Marsh’s other Trentham runners are Doddle in The Oaks Stud Remutaka Classic (2100m) and Sako in the Rydges Wellington Airport Premier (1200m) with Sam Weatherley to partner the pair. Doddle returned to her best form at her most recent appearance when the Dundeel mare successfully stepped up to Saturday’s distance at Tauranga earlier this month. “She’s going very well and it’s going to be a great race with $350,000 up. She has certainly done nothing wrong,” Marsh said. A son of Ardrossan, Sako finished a close second at Te Rapa last month in his first appearance for three months. “He was good last start and has an average gate (10), but he does have early speed and looks a nice chance,” Marsh said. View the full article

Well-performed four-year-old Holymanz (NZ) (Almanzor) has arrived at part-owner Cambridge Stud’s training facility at Karaka to continue his build-up toward a potentially lucrative hit-and-run mission. He is raced by farm principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay with Nicolas De Chambure of Haras d’Etreham, the French base of his sire Almanzor and associate shuttle stallion Hello Youmzain. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Holymanz sealed his trip across the Tasman for a crack at the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on January 27 with a dominant last-start win in the Coastal Classic (1700m) at Geelong. “He got here this (Thursday) morning and travelled well and he’s a pretty laid-back fellow, he’s the right horse to travel,” Cambridge Stud chief executive Henry Plumptre said. “The question really is whether he’s up to the very elite level that Legarto is going to bring to that race.” The stud’s private trainer Lance Noble will put the finishing touches on Holymanz leading up to the Classic. “He’ll race in Ciaron and David’s name because he will probably go back there as soon as he’s run and if he finishes top three, we’d probably think about the All-Star Mile (A$5,000,000, 1600m) with him,” Plumptre said. “The most important thing with him was to get him over that fall in the Australian Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m), it took him six months. “Ironically, Legarto won the Guineas because she avoided the interference and we thought at the 300m when he was brought down that he was running into it pretty well.” In the meantime, the farm’s focus will be on Trentham on Saturday with Habana (Zoustar) in the Gr.1 Harcourts Team Group Thorndon Mile (1600m). The son of Zoustar ran fifth after the false start in the Gr.1 TAB Classic (1600m) and then triumphed in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m). “Habana is a horse that has really grown up in the last 12 months. He was a work in progress when we bought him after he won a trial very well,” Plumptre said. “We had stallion aspirations, but he was a very highly strung, nervous individual and couldn’t keep condition on him. “He’s taking it all in his stride now and using his energy in his races rather than before. He’s very workmanlike and wants to win.” Cambridge Stud is also looking forward to the upcoming New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale and offering first crop representatives of multiple Group One-winning sprinter Hello Youmzain at Karaka. “The colt out of Pretty To Sea (Lot 325) is the number one pick. The mare is a half-sister to the stakes winner Bonny O’Reilly and to the dam of Espiona (Gr.1 Coolmore Classic, 1600m),” Plumptre said. “It’s a big family with Glamour Puss (dual Group One winner) under the third dam. This is Pretty To Sea’s first foal and he’s a beautiful colt, big, bold and strong.” Another favourite son of Hello Youmzain is Lot 438, who is out of the Pivotal mare Steer By The Stars. “She’s had a stakes winner (Never Back Down) in England by Kodiac so this is a three-quarter brother. This colt is a very nice horse,” Plumptre said. Among the daughters of Hello Youmzain in the draft, Lot 626 is another eye-catcher. “She’s a beautiful filly out of But Beautiful and she’s had a recent winner (Bella Waters) for Moira Murdoch that we own and to Immediacy,” Plumptre said. The stud-bred son of Tarzino remained unbeaten on Wednesday when he followed up his debut maiden victory with further success for trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young against older opposition at Sandown. Lot 352 is a good-looking Hello Youmzain filly from the Pierro mare River Mist. “She’s out of River Mist and is a strong type with scope and the dam’s got a Spirit Of Boom colt that we kept 20 percent of,” Plumptre said. He sold for A$300,000 at the recent Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale with River Mist a half-sister to the Gr.2 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) winner Willow Creek. An overall stand-out in the consignment is Lot 358, a son of a multiple champion stallion Savabeel. “On paper, the Savabeel colt out of Romantic Time would be our number one draft pick because he’s a beautiful type and he’s a half-brother to About Time who won the Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (Gr.2, 2000m) for us,” Plumptre said. “It’s a very active pedigree and he’d have to be the one we are very optimistic about.” View the full article

Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson believe Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer) has turned into the perfect package ahead of the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday. Their decision to send her for a spell mid-spring following her subpar performance in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) has proven to be a masterstroke by the Te Akau training partnership. She has returned in career-best form, winning all three starts this preparation, including the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m), and Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2050m). “She has been in great form,” Walker told TAB NZ. “I think pulling the pin early in the spring when things went wrong was the makings of this whole prep. Her work on Tuesday was really good, so we are happy with her. “When you look at her now, she is really thick set, she has got a great hind-quarter on her, she is just the complete package now.” Campionessa is a $3.30 favourite with TAB bookmakers, ahead of Puntura (NZ) (Vespa) at $5.50 and Habana (Zoustar) at $6.50. The Matamata trainers are also looking forward to lining up last start winner Sense of Timing (NZ) (Time Test) in the Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m), who was also sent to the spelling paddock in spring when things weren’t going to plan. “We always thought a little bit of her but she was a little bit weak and we have just taken our time with her,” Walker said. “In the spring she had a couple of trials and we said to the owners she wasn’t really thriving, so we put her back out. “This time around she is stronger and eating better. I don’t think it is the strongest Desert Gold field that we have seen, she is in the mix for sure.” Te Akau Racing will also have a two-pronged attack in the Gr.3 NZCIS Wellington Cup (3200m) courtesy of Fierce Flight (Flying Artie) and last year’s winner Leaderboard (Street Cry). Weight is the biggest concern for Walker with Fierce Flight, while he is hoping for some rainfall in Wellington ahead of the weekend to aid Leaderboard’s chances. “I wouldn’t have thought he (Fierce Flight) would end up with 58kg in a Wellington Cup, and just whether that weight is too much we are not sure,” he said. “With Leaderboard last year, it was a brilliant ride of Joe Doyle’s and he got the wet track that he loves. “They are in the mix, but it is very even Wellington Cup field.” View the full article