Wandering Eyes

Michael and Matthew Pitman will consider options on both sides of the Tasman with their rising stable star Mystic Park (NZ) (Ocean Park), who faced his toughest test to date at Riccarton on Saturday and passed with flying colours. The local four-year-old stepped into open class for the first time in the Johnny Fresh Darfield & Yaldhurst Open Sprint (1400m), and he was sent out as a red-hot $1.50 favourite after showing real X-factor in his rapid rise through the grades this season. Mystic Park kicked off his campaign with a four-length win in Rating 65 company on New Zealand 2000 Guineas Day in November, then may have struggled with the quick back-up when unplaced on New Zealand Cup Day a week later. The Ocean Park gelding returned to his winning groove in his next appearance at Timaru on December 28, followed by a close second to Madam Dubai after a three-wide run on January 27. Mystic Park carried 60kg to a stunning four-length romp in a 1400m Rating 75 on February 10, prompting the Pitmans to raise the bar again for Saturday’s open handicap over the same course and distance. Once again, Mystic Park was well and truly up to the task. Caught three wide in the early stages of the race, jockey Tina Comignaghi decided to slide forward and take up a position on the outside of the front-running Tradition. Mystic Park travelled well up to the turn and hit the lead at the top of the straight, but he faced challenges on both flanks as horses lined up six-wide across the track. Mystic Park found another gear and edged ahead, beating the well-performed Perfect Scenario by three-quarters of a length and stopping the clock at a quick 1:21.69. Mystic Park has now had nine starts for five wins, three placings and $120,920 in stakes, having been bought by the Pitman stable for $40,000 as a yearling at Karaka in 2021. His victory in the TAB Southern Alps Golden Ticket (1400m) two starts ago secured him a spot in the field for the inaugural $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) on April 13, although Michael Pitman warned that he may not be a certain starter in that lucrative innovation race restricted to South Island-based stables. “You’d say that it’s the obvious race to target, but it is going to depend on how much weight he gets,” he said. “We won’t go there just for the sake of it if it’s not the right thing to do for the horse. It’s worth $350,000, but there’s plenty of races worth that and much more in Australia, and I have no doubt he could go over there and be competitive. There are million-dollar races in Brisbane that he could run in during their winter carnival. So, we’ll wait and see where his rating ends up and then make a plan. “He’s a fantastic horse, and not only because he’s got such exciting ability, but he’s also just a lovely horse to do anything with. We’re thrilled to have him. “Before he even raced I told the owners I thought he was a Group horse and potentially a Group One horse. There’s obviously quite a few steps that a horse has to take to get to that level, but he’s managed every step so far and done it easily. “He’s won five out of nine now and has it all in front of him. This was only his second start beyond 1200m today, he’s won both times, and he’s bred to go over further – he’s out of a Dubawi mare, which makes him pretty rare in New Zealand. I think his owners have a lot to look forward to with him.” View the full article

Rider Penalties K Joyce | Auckland 20 March; use of whip; fined $500. N Downs | Auckland 20 March; use of whip; fined $500. C Campbell | Hororata 23 March; celebratory gesture prior to winning post; fined $300. Horse Penalties SHAWSHANK | Auckland 20 March; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. CHEVAL BOUTIQUE | Auckland 20 March; lame; veterinary clearance required. WITHEEZE | Auckland 20 March; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. SUNSET BOULEVARD | Taranaki 22 March; late scratching after dislodging rider enroute to start; must complete trial. HOARD THE BOURBON | Tauranga 23 March; lame; veterinary clearance required. RUN BABY RUN | Hororata 23 March; bled; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. REDEMPTION | Hororata 23 March; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. IT’S THE VIBE | Hororata 23 March; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. The post 18-24 March 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Driver Penalties L McCormick | NZ Metropolitan 20 March; medical clearance required. C Ferguson | Auckland 22 March; use of whip; suspended 31 March – 13 April inclusive. M Purdon | Auckland 22 March; careless driving; suspended 23 March – 1 April inclusive. Trainer Penalties L Chin | Waikato Bay of Plenty 21 March; incorrect gear; fined $100. S & A Telfer | Auckland 22 March; incorrect gear; fined $150. Horse Penalties OSMIUM | NZ Metropolitan 20 March; laceration to pastern; veterinary clearance required. AKATEA | Auckland 22 March; lame; veterinary clearance required. ARADNE | Auckland 22 March; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. CLASSIE LINC | NZ Metropolitan 22 March; bled; stood down for 30 days and must complete trial with veterinary clearance including endoscopic examination required. MUSICAL TRIX | Waimate 24 March; broke in running; must complete trial. MENTALIST | Waimate 24 March; broke in running; must complete trial. Protest MIXED FAITH | NZ Metropolitan 22 March; lapped on; relegated from 2nd to 5th. The post 18-24 March 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

In theory, the Kentucky Derby (G1) marks the first time a 3-year-old will race at the mile-and-a-quarter distance. That may not be the case for Albaugh Family Stables' Catching Freedom.View the full article

Star Australian jockey looks to continue his strong recent record in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) at Sha Tin on SundayView the full article

The team of trainer Brad Cox, jockey Florent Geroux, and owner/breeder Godolphin swept both stakes races at Oaklawn Park in dominant fashion March 23 as First Mission won the Essex Handicap (G3) and Nash won the Hot Springs Stakes for 3-year-olds.View the full article

Amerman Racing's Endlessly made short work of the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) field, thundering home a powerful winner of the $700,000 feature race of the Turfway Park meet March 23.View the full article

Favored at even money off his victory in the San Marcos Stakes (G3T), Missed the Cut scored back-to-back graded wins by taking the San Luis Rey Stakes (G3T) over Planetario, who also finished second to him in the San Marcos.View the full article

After tracking early leader Our Pretty Woman throughout the $388,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) March 23 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Tarifa edged to the lead in the stretch and held off a couple re-rally attempts from her determined rival.View the full article

The team of trainer Brad Cox, jockey Florent Geroux, and owner/breeder Godolphin swept both stakes races at Oaklawn Park March 23 in dominant fashion as First Mission won the Essex Handicap (G3), and Nash won the Hot Springs Stakes for 3-year-olds.View the full article

I'm Very Busy got busy in the stretch run of the Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2T) March 23 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, rallying stoutly to win by 3 3/4 lengths.View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Sunday, March 24. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these complimentary promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for March 24, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Pinjarra – Same Race Multi 3+ Leg Bonus Back Up To $50 If 1 Leg Fails Place a 3+ leg Same Race Multi bet on any race at Pinjarra this Sunday and if 1 leg of your multi fails, get up to $50 back in Bonus Cash. Market available from approximately 8:30am local track time on race day. Neds Terms and Conditions apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Goulburn Race 1 – Run 2nd or 3rd Score Up To $100 In Bonus Cash Enter the Bonus Code BONUS100 on the Bonus Bets/Offers page, place a fixed win bet on Goulburn race 1 and if your selection runs 2nd or 3rd get up to $100 in Bonus Cash. One Bonus per week. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Place a 4+ leg multi, if one leg fails bonus back up to $50 Applies to your first eligible 4+ leg multi each day. Paid in bonus cash. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo Sunday Bonus Back 2nd on ALL RACES at Sha Tin Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Promotional limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed Odds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for March 24, 2024. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and exclusive promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

Horse racing on Sunday, March 24, will feature seven meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meetings at Ballarat, Goulburn & Sha Tin (HK). Sunday Racing Tips – March 24, 2024 Ballarat Racing Tips Goulburn Racing Tips Sha Tin (HK) Racing Tips As always, there are 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 24, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Strongly backed at 1-2 at the windows, In Theory (Mendelssohn–Lady Hansen by Hansen) broke her maiden at first asking on Saturday afternoon at Santa Anita for trainer Bob Baffert. On the lead alongside a longshot up the backstretch, the gray filly got free before the far turn and she started to roll around the far turn. The 3-year-old continued to pour on the speed as she entered the lane and she powered home to graduate by 3 1/2 over Queen of Naples (Hard Spun). The final running time was 1:11.59. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. Sales History: $125,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $800,000 2yo '23 EASMAY. O-Speedway Stables LLC; B-Kendall E Hansen MD Racing LLC; T-Bob Baffert. #4 IN THEORY ($3.00) goes wire-to-wire to break her maiden in R6 at Santa Anita Park. The three-year-old filly by @CoolmoreAmerica's Mendelssohn is trained by Bob Baffert and was ridden by @JJHernandezS19. pic.twitter.com/aknEiuBjYU — TVG (@TVG) March 23, 2024 The post Fasig-Tipton Grad In Theory Breaks Maiden At Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

CATCHING FREEDOM (c, 3, Constitution–Catch My Drift, by Pioneerof the Nile) ran down race favorite Track Phantom (Quality Road) to go last to first and take the Fair Grounds feature event, the GII Louisiana Derby. Third in the GIII Risen Star S. last out, the 3-1 shot had to come from behind as the favorite led the field through fractions of :23.49 and :48.33. Wide but full of momentum off the turn, Catching Freedom stormed to the front inside the final sixteenth and picked up 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby with the upset win. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0. O-Albaugh Family Stables LLC; B-WinStar Farm, LLC; T-Brad Cox. Sales History: $575,000 ylg '22 KEESEP. The post Catching Freedom Upsets Track Phantom, Wins Louisiana Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eight days after Rusty Arnold ended a controversial week-long suspension, the trainer rebounded with a resounding score in the $292,000 Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes (G3) at Turfway Park with the Calumet Farm homebred Cellist. View the full article

Late-running Red Route One used a sustained rail move in the far turn to move into contention then surged past Touchuponastar to post a two-length victory in the $500,000 New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2) March 23 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.View the full article

ENDLESSLY (c, 3, Oscar Performance–Dream Fuhrever, by Langhfur) is on to Louisville with a no-doubt win in Saturday's GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Picking up 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the El Camino Real Derby winner stormed to the front with a furlong to run and was not for catching, coming home all alone to pick up his third graded-stakes win. West Saratoga (Exaggerator) outran his 36-1 odds to fill the exacta slot. Lifetime Record: 6-5-0-0. O-Amerman Racing LLC; B-Mrs. Jerry Amerman; T-Michael W. McCarthy. The post Endlessly Gets 100 Derby Points With Jeff Ruby Steaks Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' TARIFA (f, 3, Bernardini–Kite Beach, by Awesome Again) stretched her winning streak to three with a gutsy performance in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks. Picking up 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, the Godolphin homebred had to gut it out with a very game Our Pretty Woman (Medaglia d'Oro) to her inside and just managed to get some separation close to home as the 3-2 favorite. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-0. O/B-Godolphin; T-Brad Cox. The post Tarifa Triumphant In Fair Grounds Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin homebred NASH (c, 3, Medaglia d'Oro–Sara Louise, by Malibu Moon) picked up an easy win in Saturday's Hot Springs S. at Oaklawn. The 'TDN Rising Star' was patiently handled through the early stages as an eager Frost Free (Frosted) paced the field, came with a strong rally while three wide turning for home and won easily under a confident Florent Geroux. A fellow 'Rising Star' in Carbone (Mitole) was the best of the rest in second. Lifetime Record: 6-2-3-1. O/B-Godolphin; T-Brad Cox. The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Nash Wins Easily In Hot Springs S. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chris Waller notches back-to-back group 1 victories at Rosehill with Via Sistina's perfect start to her career in Australia with a win in the March 23 Ranvet Stakes (G1) and Riff Rocket in the Rosehill Guineas (G1).View the full article

Late sire and Louisiana champion 3-year-old male Givemeaminit sired his first stakes winner when his daughter Platinum Minit captured the $125,000 Crescent City Oaks for state-bred sophomore fillies at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots March 23.View the full article

Lance Gasaway, 4G Racing and Daniel Hamby III's Mystik Dan (Goldencents) worked five furlongs in 1:01.80 (20/34) over a fast track at the Fair Grounds Saturday morning. Trained by Ken McPeek, the winner of the Feb. 3 GIII Southwest S. is expected to ship to Oaklawn Wednesday in advance of a tilt at the $1.5-million GI Arkansas Derby Mar. 30. McPeek opted to train Mystik Dan up to the Arkansas Derby, which could award as many as 200 qualifying points to its top five eligible finishers (100-50-25-15-10, respectively) for Kentucky Derby. “About three weeks ago, I was down there, and he looked great,” said Gasaway of the homebred. “He's been working lights out. Last week, he worked five furlongs in 1:00 and galloped out [six furlongs] in 1:12 and change. That was the plan–take him back there after the Southwest. Scared of the weather and missing work time. We had to work around some rain and one day we did have to work in the mud.” Also expected for the nine-furlong race, Siena Farm and WinStar's Timberlake (Into Mischief), winner of the Feb. 24 GII Rebel S., also worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 (5/34) at Fair Grounds Saturday. His trainer brad Cox will attempt to win his third consecutive renewal of the race following victories in 2022 with Cyberknife and Angel of Empire last year. The post Mystik Dan Readies for Arkansas Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lady Of Camelot brought a record eighth Golden Slipper (G1) to trainer Gai Waterhouse with a breathtaking victory in the world's richest 2-year-old race at Rosehill Gardens March 23.View the full article

Chris Waller notches back-to-back group 1 victories at Rosehill with Via Sistina perfect start to her career in Australia with a win in the March 23 Ranvet Stakes (G1) and Riff Rocket in the Rosehill Guineas (G1).View the full article