Wandering Eyes

Sunday's top tips from the Post's racing teamView the full article

A gear change and a favourable race tempo helped to unlock the potential of Lyrical Gangster (NZ) (Proisir) with an impressive win in Saturday’s A$160,000 Climate Roofing Handicap (2000m) at Randwick. The Proisir gelding headed a New Zealand-bred quinella in the Benchmark 78 event, beating last-start winner Monfelicity (NZ) (Vadamos) by three-quarters of a length. Lyrical Gangster has now had 10 starts for three wins and two placings, earning A$165,150 for his co-breeders Cam and Chas Stewart, who race the four-year-old in partnership with Michael Hughes. Since winning on the Kensington track in early November, Lyrical Gangster has been strongly supported for two subsequent starts and has been slightly disappointing in finishing third at Kembla Grange and a last-start fourth at Randwick. Trainer Chris Waller elected to replace blinkers with winkers on Saturday, and with a perfect ride from in-form jockey Kerrin McEvoy, Lyrical Gangster turned his form around. McEvoy had Lyrical Gangster tucked up in behind the speed for most of the race, then presented him in the straight to make his run. Six horses lined up across the track at the 200m in a desperate scramble to the finish, but Lyrical Gangster lifted and kicked strongest of all. “That was a deserved win,” Waller said. “He’s been a work in progress. He’s always shown ability, but he’s been a bit of a heartbreak horse to watch at times. “I said to the owners Cam and Chas Stewart that if we could get his gear right, we can win a decent race with him, and then he’ll train on and get some confidence, and I think that’s the way he’s heading. I’ve just been on the phone to them – they think I’m a genius and I think they’re pretty good too. They’re great supporters of ours, and that’s what racing is all about. “He’s a really big horse and is still growing into himself. Horses like him probably don’t mature until they’re four or five-year-old years, so I think he can win more races once he fills out and gets that confidence.” McEvoy was impressed with Lyrical Gangster’s improvement from his last-start performance. “I think they might have just gone a bit too fast for him the other day,” he said. “He’s a bit of a quirky lad. Today, with the steadier tempo, he was able to settle a bit closer. “Chris changed the blinkers back to the winkers, and I just wanted him to be a bit more enthusiastic out of the gates. He was able to travel after a couple of furlongs, and when I gave him a bit of a smooch around the corner, he came up underneath me and I knew we were in play. “Full credit to the horse – he was able to do his best work and get across the line. He’s heading in the right direction. ” The Stewarts bred Lyrical Gangster in partnership with Goodwood Stud, who bought his dam Dream Run (NZ) (Pins) for just $5,500 from the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock Winter Mixed Bloodstock Sale at Karaka. View the full article

The highly talented Holymanz (NZ) (Almanzor) is in line for a return to the country of his birth after scoring an effortless win in the A$300,000 Coastal Classic (1700m) at Geelong on Saturday. The four-year-old races in the colours of Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, who are keen to contest the inaugural $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on January 27. The TAB reacted to Saturday’s performance by cutting his odds for the four-year-old feature from $14 to $8. He is now an equal third favourite alongside Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride of Dubai) in a market headed by Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) ($2.60) and Wild Night (NZ) (Vanbrugh) ($6). Regardless of what the future holds for Holymanz, Saturday’s feature win was itself an enormously satisfying result for the gelding’s connections. After showing bright potential as a three-year-old including a second placing in the Gr.3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, his progress was interrupted by a fall in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) that dented his confidence. But trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have brought him back to the peak of his powers as a four-year-old, winning two of his last three races. His 12-start career has now produced four wins, three placings and A$371,050 in stakes. “He’s progressive,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said. “Henry Plumptre and Cambridge Stud have always thought he was a Group horse. He had a tumble in the Guineas last year, and he was travelling at that point of the race. It knocked him around. Even for him to come back and get back into winning form is fantastic. “We set the horse for this race, and now that we’ve got this result, it leads on to a nice potential option at the Karaka Millions meeting in New Zealand in three weeks’ time.” Holymanz was sent out as a $3.20 favourite, and jockey Michael Dee was delighted with how the horse was travelling throughout the race. He sat in a handy position before cruising into contention at the top of the straight while still under a tight hold. Holymanz quickened in the straight and soon put the result beyond doubt, coasting to victory by three-quarters of a length over the fellow New Zealand-bred Bermadez (NZ) (Tavistock). “I knew that I didn’t want to lead today,” Dee said. “I was confident that Keats and Independent Road would make the move and go to the front, but it did take a fair while for that to eventuate. I was happy with where we were. We were able to hold a spot one off the fence. “I wanted to stay off the fence, because we feel that he’s a better horse when he’s ridden outside horses and given plenty of room. He towed me into it coming down the hill, and he made easy work of it in the end.” Cambridge Stud purchased the chestnut son of their shuttle stallion Almanzor for A$400,000 as a yearling in Sydney in conjunction with Nicolas de Chambure of Haras d’Etreham, home to the high-class stallion in the Northern Hemisphere. Holymanz was offered by Lime Country Thoroughbreds on behalf of breeder Jamieson Park. He is out of the winning Dubawi mare Perfect Offering, who is a half-sister to the stakes winner and Group performer My Country (Poet’s Voice). View the full article

A day after his connections took a leap of faith with a late nomination for the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m), emerging stayer Canheroc (NZ) (El Roca) rewarded their confidence with a powerful lead-up performance in the Listed Marton Jockey Club Marton Cup (2200m) at Hastings on Saturday. Canheroc had risen steadily through the North Island’s staying ranks in recent months, culminating in a close third behind subsequent Group Three winner Trust In You (NZ) (Sweynesse) in the Dunstan Feeds Stayers’ Championship Final (2400m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day. The El Roca gelding took another step up for Saturday’s $80,000 feature, and he rose to the occasion in style with a dominant five-length win. The TAB now rates him a $6 chance for the Wellington Cup on January 20, sharing second favouritism with Waisake (NZ) (Zed). Mary Louise (NZ) (The Bold One) is the market leader at $5. “Friday was the deadline to put in a late nomination for the Wellington Cup, so we took a punt and paid up, hoping that he’d justify it with a good run today,” trainer Chris Wood said. “It’s all worked out really well and his performance has given us a bit of confidence to have a crack at Trentham in a couple of weeks’ time. “I’m pretty sure he’ll run two miles. You never know for sure until you try it, but he races like a horse who’ll see the distance out strongly. We’ll just have to hope that they run the Wellington Cup at a reasonable tempo and he gets every chance.” Wood admitted to some concerns about the deteriorating Heavy8 track on Saturday, but Canheroc was nevertheless sent out as a $4.40 favourite and blew his nine rivals off the racetrack. Kelly Myers, who was riding the six-year-old for the first time, got him to settle into a smooth rhythm in midfield as Madame Le Fay (Smart Missile) set a strong pace out in front. The leader began to tire approaching the home turn and the field bunched up tightly. Myers brought Canheroc out into clear air down the extreme outside and let him rip in the straight. He swept to the lead at the 200m mark and romped clear to win with ease from Prince Alby (NZ) (Sacred Falls) and Never Look Back (NZ) (Shocking). “That was a really good performance,” Wood said. “I was a little bit worried when the second lot of rain came today, but he seemed to get through the ground comfortably enough. “Kelly did a very good job on him today. She got him to settle really well and got him to the right part of the track when it mattered. “There was a good tempo, which is always such a big help for staying horses like him, and once Kelly got him into the clear, he was away.” Canheroc has now had 27 starts for four wins, seven placings and $187,305 in stakes for her owner-breeders, Taranaki’s Schumacher family. Canheroc became the ninth individual stakes winner for Westbury Stud stallion El Roca, and he is the best of three foals to race out of the twice-winning Colombia mare Goldie Cantride (NZ). View the full article

Leading Riccarton trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman played a starring role on one of the South Island’s most famous racedays at Kumara on Saturday. The father-son team came away from the eight-race card with two wins and eight placings, including back-to-back trifectas in the $25,000 Phoenix Minerals (1150m) and the $18,500 McMullan ITM/Greymouth Star (1150m). They also saddled Charbano (NZ) (Vespa) for a third placing in the $40,000 Vernon & Vazey Truck Parts Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m). The stable’s standout performance came from highly talented sprinter Third Decree (NZ) (War Decree), who added the Phoenix Materials to her unbeaten record at Kumara. The daughter of Inglewood Stud stallion War Decree was a maiden winner on the same day last year, and she later went on to add victories at Riccarton on January 28, the Riccarton synthetic track on June 29 and Oamaru on July 26. Third Decree has stepped up into stakes company as a four-year-old this season, starting with a close sixth in the Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton on November 11 – finishing only a length and a half behind the winner Not Guilty (NZ) (Not A Single Doubt). She filled the same position in the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1200m) at Wingatui on Boxing Day, crossing the line three lengths adrift of the winner Kai (NZ) (Ocean Park). Third Decree stamped her superiority over her Rating 80 opposition on Saturday. With apprentice jockey Abdul Najib’s three-kilogram claim reducing her weight to just 52.5 kilograms, Third Decree settled in third spot before looming ominously behind O’Jessica (Deep Field) and Tengiz (NZ) (Sacred Falls) at the home turn. A smart turn of foot carried Third Decree straight past that pair, and she kept up a strong gallop to score by a length from her fast-finishing stablemates Makabar (NZ) (Swiss Ace) and Express Coup (NZ) (Shamexpress). “It’s good to see her win here again, after she won against a small field on this day last year,” Michael Pitman said. “I’m surprised she didn’t pay $1.50 today, considering her performances in the Pegasus and the Hazlett in Dunedin. She dropped to 52.5 kilograms today. “She was given a great ride by a jockey who’s come over from Malaysia. He’s a really good fella who’s going to be with me for the next two years.” Third Decree’s 12-start career has now produced five wins, a placing and $76,905 in stakes. She was bred by Anne Bruford, who races her in partnership with husband Jim and 10 other co-owners. The Pitman stable’s second trifecta came just over half an hour later, when King Cougar (NZ) (Alamosa) scored a narrow victory over Tail Lights (NZ) (Burgundy) and Russian Rosette (NZ) (Russian Revolution). It was a poignant result for King Cougar, who collected his 10th win at his 100th career start and who recently joined the Pitman stable after having previously been trained by the late Paul Harris. “New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing approached us about taking over Paul’s team,” Pitman said. “I’m so proud to be associated with a winner for Paul Harris today. People may not know this, but Paul and I knew each other for close to 50 years. It’s a bloody shame what happened.” View the full article

David Hall launches two-pronged attack on Sunday’s feature at Sha Tin as he bids for first Group-level success in over four yearsView the full article

Prebbleton trainer John McDermott completed his best personal season as a trainer in 2023 and will look to continue that form at Banks Peninsula Sunday. McDermott trained 13 winners in 2023 and has so far amassed over $770,000 in stakes throughout his training career. “It was very satisfying! I’d be happy to do as well again this coming season.” McDermott will line up five runners at today’s meeting. In race 3 I Spy Diamonds will be looking for her maiden win after some solid placings on the coast circuit, and will be driven by Sarah O’Reilly. “She raced very well on the coast circuit. A good beginner, but will need a bit of luck from the second row draw. She’s actually in foal to Lazarus. It would be nice to pick up a win before she reties from racing.” Race 5 Flyaway for Sarah O’Reilly cops a nasty draw outside of the front line. She was only 3.9 lengths from the winner in her last start after doing some work in the run. “Awkward draw in an even field. I’m happy with her work this week, she’s an upset chance.” The junior drivers compete in race 7, with Jordy represting McDermott and Devon Van Til in the sulky. “Very even field but he will need some luck from the draw. Hopefully there’s not too many lead changes and get too far back. But with a bit of luck he shouldn’t be far away.” Ricky May combines with McDermott and Ruby’s A Delight in race 9. She has only been beaten 7.1 lengths in total out of her last 3 starts and is always a gold coin option for punters. “She’s a genuine mare and is always a chance. Raced well on the coast circuit. Definitely a top three chance.” According to McDermott the best of his chances comes with the last of his runners in race 10 – Topaz and Sarah O’Reilly. “I was very pleased with her last start run. She’s trained on really well. I think she’s my best chance for the day!” McDermott works a team of seven from his Prebblton base. “I also have Refine that I transferred to Ben Hope on the beach. She’s in foal to Sweet Lou so it would nice to pick up another win with her before she retires. She will be going to Nelson.” The first of 12 races gets underway at 12:02pm. View the full article

Rider Penalties O Bosson | Auckland 1 January; use of whip; fined $550. J Doyle | Auckland 1 January; use of whip; suspended 5-11 January inclusive and fined $100. W Kennedy | Tauranga 2 January; use of whip; fined $250. B Jacobson | Thames 3 January; use of whip; fined $600. D Wilson | Greymouth 3 January; weighed in in excess of weigh-out weight; fined $200. T Abel | Whangarei 5 January; careless riding; suspended 11-17 January inclusive. K Myers | Whangarei 5 January; use of whip; fined $250. J Fawcett | Whangarei 5 January; engaged for two runners; fined $200. Trainer Penalty S & E Clotworthy | Thames 3 January; late gear declaration; fined $50. Horse Penalties DEEBEE ZAPOWER | Auckland 1 January; bled for 2nd time; ineligible to race in New Zealand. OMINOUS | Auckland 1 January; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. THE PRINCIE ONE | Riverton 1 January; late scratching after rearing in barriers and becoming cast; must complete trial. MEGALOMANIAC | Riverton 1 January; late scratching after becoming cast in barriers; veterinary clearance required and must complete trial. LOMAH | Tauranga 2 January; breathing issues; veterinary clearance required. BALZANO | Tauranga 2 January; lame; veterinary clearance required. SHE TURNS HEADS | Tauranga 2 January; lame; veterinary clearance required. BIT NOSY | Thames 3 January; late scratching after becoming fractious in barrier; must complete trial. FLUTTERBELLE | Whangarei 5 January; late scratching after becoming fractious in barrier; must complete trial. SAVACAT | Hawke’s Bay 6 January; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. DU’BLUES | Kumara 6 January; tendon injury; veterinary clearance required. The post 1-7 January 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Hugh Bowman heads to Sha Tin armed with a full book of 10 rides, including the exciting four-year-old in the Class Two Butterfly Handicap (1,600m)View the full article

by Mike Love The Seddon Summer Trotting series, an initiative led by the Seddon Harness Racing Group with support from Harness Racing New Zealand, is beginning to heat up. After the coast circuit Boy’s Invasion and Anna’s Boy hold the throne each on 12 points, with Masterly breathing down their necks on 11 points. At the end of the series the connections of the horse with the most points will get a bonus of $10,000, with $3,000 for second and $2,000 for third. Points for each race is allocated as follows; 1st – 7 points 2nd – 5 points 3rd – 4 points 4th – 3 points 5th – 2 points Other starters – 1 point The remaining meetings included in the series are Nelson this weekend January 12 & 14, Blenheim January 19 & 21 and it rounds out back where it began on the coast with Westport March 8 and Reefton March 10th. Below is the current table; Horse Points Anna’s Boy 12 Boy’s Invasion 12 Masterly 11 Helloveamoment 8 El Conqueror 7 Tu Tangata 7 Son of Patrick 5 Muscle Bank 4 The Bloss 4 Prince Teka 3 Unico Vacanza 3 T K Megastar 1 View the full article

Exciting New Zealand import Carbonados (NZ) (Belardo) kept his unblemished career record intact with an impressive Australian debut in Saturday’s A$175,000 SCAADA Group 3YO Handicap (1100m) at Geelong. The Belardo gelding began his career in the New Plymouth stable of Allan Sharrock, and he made a huge impression with a five-length victory on debut on his home track in May of last year. Runner-up Chantilly Lace (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) has since been a multiple Listed winner and Group Three placegetter. Carbonados was subsequently sold to clients of Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes, who were quickly impressed by what their new recruit showed them in trackwork and trials. Saturday marked his long-awaited Australian debut, and Carbonados did not disappoint. Ridden by Luke Currie, the three-year-old broke quickly from gate four and settled in second behind the front-running Spicy Margs (Deep Field). That rival kicked strongly at the top of the Geelong straight and provided a brief scare, but Currie released the brakes on Carbonados and he drew past to win by a length and a quarter under a hands-and-heels ride. “He’s pretty push-button,” Currie said. “He’s still doing a few things wrong – he’s a bit hot and worked up today. Deeper into his preparation, I reckon he’ll settle down and keep improving. “He jumped well and just cruised along behind the leader with no real problems. He just took a little while to pick up. He was just looking around and is still a bit green and raw. But it was nice that he had that horse to chase. He chased it and put it away nicely in the end. He’s a nice horse going places.” JD Hayes suggested that Carbonados could step into black-type company for the Gr.3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on January 26. “That performance was really pleasing to see,” Hayes said. “He’s shown a lot of potential, as everyone would have seen in his overseas form and at the trials. “Luke gave him a good ride today. It was nice to see him pull out to the middle of the track and come away with a good victory. “We’ve got some good owners – you’ll see he’s in those Rupert Legh colours, and there are a number of other great clients involved too. They’ve backed us in. He had a pretty nice price tag alongside him after he won so emphatically in New Zealand. There’s still a lot of water to go under the bridge, but this win is a good start. “We’ll take things one step at a time with him, but a race like the Manfred in a few weeks’ time could be a nice target for him.” Bred by David Paykel, Carbonados was purchased for $30,000 by Sharrock out of the Haunui Farm draft during the National Yearling Sale Book 2 session at Karaka in 2022. View the full article

Regal Dice (NZ) (Zed) capped a dream first week of 2024 for trainer Robbie Patterson with her victory in the iconic $40,000 Vernon & Vazey Truck Parts Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m) on Saturday. Remarkably, that was Patterson’s eighth win in the last four days. The New Plymouth trainer collected a win at Greymouth on Wednesday, followed by four winners at Otaki on Thursday and a treble in front of Saturday’s huge crowd at Kumara. Earlier on the Kumara card, Patterson teamed up with jockey Craig Grylls for front-running victories with O’Ceirins Dream (NZ) (Dial A Prayer) and Snipers Dream (NZ) (Telperion) in maiden and Rating 65 events over the Nuggets distance. They attempted to do the same thing with Times Up (NZ) (Time Test) in the main event, but a high-pressure pace began to take its toll 500m from the finish. It was stablemate Regal Dice who capitalised as the race suddenly changed complexion coming up towards the home turn. After settling second-last in a strung-out field, rider Kylie Williams switched across heels and swooped around the outside of the field. By the time she reached the turn into the short Kumara straight, Regal Dice had burst to the lead and was literally going for the gold. Robbie Patterson with winning jockey Kylie Williams. Photo: Race Images South Hail Damage (NZ) (Reliable Man) provided the sternest challenge, chasing gamely along the inside and clawing back the margin, but Regal Dice held her at bay and won by a length and three-quarters. The Gold Nuggets was the fourth win of a 12-start career for Regal Dice, who has now earned $84,770 for the Regal Dice Racing Syndicate. The daughter of Zed was bred by Bill Stewart, whose other notable successes include the Group Two-winning stayer Tinseltown (NZ) (Pentire). “This is great – it’s one of those iconic races that everyone loves to win,” Patterson said. “We managed to win the Coupland’s Mile (Gr.3, 1600m) earlier in the season as well. They’re iconic races that mean a lot to people. I’m just really grateful to be here and winning these sorts of races with lovely horses and for good people. “Bill Stewart bred this horse and is a great mate of mine, and I know he’ll be super thrilled with this result too. “It was a smart ride by Kylie. She said they were going to go crazy out in front, so she just sat back smoking her pipe and then made her run and got the result. “Gryllsy got away with those front-running tactics in the previous two races, but he couldn’t quite do it three times in a row. Regal Dice is just a horse with a lot of stamina, and that’s what shone through.” Saturday’s Kumara treble took Patterson to 28 wins for the season, and his runners have now banked more than $1 million in total prize-money through the first half of 2023-24. “I wanted to break a million for the season, so to get there already, less than halfway through the season, is great,” Patterson said. “I’d love to get to 50 wins for the season again, and maybe pick up another Group race along the way. We’ll see what happens. But I’ve got a great crew of people around me and couldn’t have days like this without them.” Regal Dice also became the first Gold Nuggets winner for Williams, who recently reached a milestone of 900 wins in her outstanding riding career. “I’ve always wanted to win the Nuggets,” she said. “I’ve come second a few times, so to finally win the race is great. “I actually only picked up the ride yesterday, and I felt a bit better when Robert said he thought she was the better chance of his two and Craig (Grylls) picked the wrong one. “I said to Robert that there’d be a lot of speed in the race, so I wanted to ride her patiently. At about the 800m I started to get up on heels and in all sorts of trouble, so I elected to come out and let her start to roll forward. “I thought I might have got there too soon, but to her credit, she held them all out. I could hear the others coming at her, but she kept kicking.” Leanach Lodge will offer a half-sister to Regal Dice by Derryn in their Book 2 draft at the upcoming National Yearling Sales at Karaka. View the full article

Well-related filly Sudbina (NZ) (Almanzor) took advantage of a step-out of stakes company at Hastings on Saturday, taking an eye-catching victory in the CACI Hawke’s Bay 3YO (1400m). Displaying promise early into her three-year-old season, Sudbina broke maiden status at start three, and subsequently was thrown the challenge of black-type racing in her following two starts in the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m), and the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m). After finishing a creditable sixth in a star-studded Soliloquy field, which included top-line Northern fillies in Impendabelle (Impending) and Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High), Sudbina finished fourth in a compact Bonecrusher field headed by Lupo Solitario (NZ) (Satono Aladdin). Returning to open three-year-old company at Hastings, punters recognised Sudbina’s class and backed her into $4.10 second-favouritism, only bettered by consistent Central Districts filly Fashion Icon (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) at $3.90. Sudbina jumped cleanly on-par with the front-runners from the 1400m, but was allowed by jockey Kozzi Asano to settle back off the rail as Bella Corno (NZ) (Charm Spirit) dictated the pace early. The daughter of Almanzor travelled comfortably into the straight, though had given Fashion Icon a healthy head-start, but as she descended down the middle of a testing Hastings track, Sudbina rocketed past the favourite to score by a ½ length. Robert Wellwood, who trains the filly in partnership with Roger James, praised Asano’s tactics which ultimately proved the winning of the race on the Heavy8 surface. “She was ridden well, Kozzi got her into a lovely rhythm and probably found the best part of the track in the straight. It was good to see her hit the line strongly,” he said. Kingsclere Stables prepare the filly on behalf of owner-breeders Frantic Bloodstock and Haunui Farm, her dam Destined also having produced a three-time Group Two-winner in Fix (NZ) (Iffraaj). “Haunui and Cathy (Franich) sent us the horse, she has a good pedigree and has now won two so hopefully we can carry on and get some black-type in the near future,” Wellwood said. “She’s a half to Fix, so she would be a valuable filly should we get some black-type.” The Cambridge-based training partnership have enjoyed a fruitful season with their three-year-old cohort, with Group Three-winning colt Zabmanzor (NZ) (Almanzor) currently rated a $4.00 Tab Futures chance for the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham on January 13, while talented filly Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) has announced herself as a top-liner for the $1.5 million Karaka Million 3YO (1600m) a fortnight later. Sudbina may appear in the latter meeting during the Wellington Cup Carnival, with Wellwood indicating a step-up to the mile is on the cards with the Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m). “We may look to head to the Desert Gold on the 20th, but we’ve just got to see how she comes through this and decide whether we think she can go a mile or not.” View the full article

A long drought was emphatically broken at Geelong on Saturday as Wertheimer (NZ) (Tavistock) overpowered his opposition and landed a $51 upset in the A$100,000 Canadian Club Handicap (2400m). It was the fourth win of a 32-start career for the New Zealand-bred son of Tavistock, and his first since taking out a Benchmark 78 at Morphettville in November of 2021 – more than 750 days ago. Wertheimer had run several highly creditable races in between times, finishing fourth in the Gr.3 Lord Reims Stakes (2600m), fourth in the Murtoa Cup (2050m), second in the Horsham Cup (2100m), fourth in the Gr.3 Bendigo Cup (2400m), third in the Werribee Cup (2000m), second in another shot at the Murtoa Cup, and fourth in another Horsham Cup. Saturday was finally his day. Rider Billy Egan took advantage of an inside draw and took up a handy position just behind the leaders, then pounced in the straight and took command. He burst clear by almost three lengths with 200m remaining, and the late-finishing Kailash (Mastercraftsman) and Christmas (Palace Episode) were only able to reduce that to a length and three-quarters at the finish line. “It’s been a while between runs, but he’s run some really good races in decent company in the meantime,” trainer Matthew Enright said. “He’s run in two Bendigo Cups, where one of his runs was really good and he possibly could have been ridden better in the other one. “I don’t know why I put blinkers on him at Caulfield last start. I’d seen before that he overdoes things when he wears blinkers. So I pulled them off today and it’s worked out well. “I asked Billy what he thought from that inside draw, and he suggested riding handy and seeing if the horse can finish it off. That worked for me. “He hasn’t been going badly and he deserves this. I’m rapt for the syndicate, Tommy (Heptinstall) and the boys. It’s fantastic for them. It’s a $100,000 race, a good stake, and it just fell into place today.” Bred and part-owned by Tommy Heptinstall, Wertheimer has now earned A$217,335 in stakes. He is by Tavistock out of the winning Lonhro mare Wild About Me (NZ), whose dam Like Me Wild (NZ) (Cape Cross) was a Listed placegetter in Sydney. Wertheimer’s younger half-sisters Wild Jakkal (NZ) (Jakkalberry) and Diva Kingdom (NZ) (Proisir) have both been placegetters during the current season, while Wild About Me’s filly by Eminent was passed in as a yearling at Karaka last year. View the full article

Sudbina snatches victory on the line at Hastings on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Well-related filly Sudbina took advantage of a step-out of stakes company at Hastings on Saturday, taking an eye-catching victory. Displaying promise early into her three-year-old season, Sudbina broke maiden status at start three, and subsequently was thrown the challenge of black-type racing in her following two starts in the Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m), and the Group 3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m). After finishing a creditable sixth in a star-studded Soliloquy field, which included top-line Northern fillies in Impendabelle and Molly Bloom, Sudbina finished fourth in a compact Bonecrusher field headed by Lupo Solitario. Returning to open three-year-old company at Hastings, punters recognised Sudbina’s class and backed her into +310 second-favouritism with horse racing bookmakers, only bettered by consistent Central Districts filly Fashion Icon at +290. Sudbina jumped cleanly on-par with the front-runners from the 1400m, but was allowed by jockey Kozzi Asano to settle back off the rail as Bella Corno dictated the pace early. The daughter of Almanzor travelled comfortably into the straight, though had given Fashion Icon a healthy head-start, but as she descended down the middle of a testing Hastings track, Sudbina rocketed past the favourite to score by a half length. Robert Wellwood, who trains the filly in partnership with Roger James, praised Asano’s tactics which ultimately proved the winning of the race on the Heavy8 surface. “She was ridden well, Kozzi got her into a lovely rhythm and probably found the best part of the track in the straight. It was good to see her hit the line strongly,” he said. Kingsclere Stables prepare the filly on behalf of owner-breeders Frantic Bloodstock and Haunui Farm, her dam Destined also having produced a three-time Group Two-winner in Fix. “Haunui and Cathy (Franich) sent us the horse, she has a good pedigree and has now won two so hopefully we can carry on and get some black-type in the near future,” Wellwood said. “She’s a half to Fix, so she would be a valuable filly should we get some black-type.” The Cambridge-based training partnership have enjoyed a fruitful season with their three-year-old cohort, with Group Three-winning colt Zabmanzor currently rated a +300 Tab Futures chance for the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham on January 13, while talented filly Orchestral has announced herself as a top-liner for the $1.5 million Karaka Million 3YO (1600m) a fortnight later. Sudbina may appear in the latter meeting during the Wellington Cup Carnival, with Wellwood indicating a step-up to the mile is on the cards with the Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m). “We may look to head to the Desert Gold on the 20th, but we’ve just got to see how she comes through this and decide whether we think she can go a mile or not.” More horse racing news View the full article

Wertheimer caught punters by surprise when winning at Geelong on Saturday. Photo: Grant Courtney A long drought was emphatically broken at Geelong on Saturday as Wertheimer overpowered his opposition and landed a +5000 upset. It was the fourth win of a 32-start career for the New Zealand-bred son of Tavistock, and his first since taking out a Benchmark 78 at Morphettville in November of 2021 – more than 750 days ago. Wertheimer had run several highly creditable races in between times, finishing fourth in the Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes (2600m), fourth in the Murtoa Cup (2050m), second in the Horsham Cup (2100m), fourth in the Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m), third in the Werribee Cup (2000m), second in another shot at the Murtoa Cup, and fourth in another Horsham Cup. Saturday was finally his day. Rider Billy Egan took advantage of an inside draw and took up a handy position just behind the leaders, then pounced in the straight and took command. He burst clear by almost three lengths with 200m remaining, and the late-finishing Kailash and Christmas were only able to reduce that to 1.75 lengths at the finish line. “It’s been a while between runs, but he’s run some really good races in decent company in the meantime,” trainer Matthew Enright said. “He’s run in two Bendigo Cups, where one of his runs was really good and he possibly could have been ridden better in the other one. “I don’t know why I put blinkers on him at Caulfield last start. I’d seen before that he overdoes things when he wears blinkers. So I pulled them off today and it’s worked out well. “I asked Billy what he thought from that inside draw, and he suggested riding handy and seeing if the horse can finish it off. That worked for me. “He hasn’t been going badly and he deserves this. I’m rapt for the syndicate, Tommy (Heptinstall) and the boys. It’s fantastic for them. It’s a $100,000 race, a good stake, and it just fell into place today.” More horse racing news View the full article

Englishman out to continue his strong association with Blue Marlin in the Class Three Lai King Handicap (1,400m) at Sha Tin on SundayView the full article

California's Rancho San Miguel will host an open house and stallion show Saturday, Jan. 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. while featuring an informational program for both current and prospective Thoroughbred owners and breeders, the farm said in a release Friday. In addition to a parade of the farm's nine-horse stallion roster, the free event will also offer horse husbandry seminars, networking opportunities, a catered lunch, and giveaways, including a stallion season raffle. The farm's newest addition to the stallion roster is the undefeated Bolden (Square Eddie), who will stand his initial season in 2024 for $3,500. “We are always proud to open our doors to members of the racing and breeding community, and to invite mare owners to see our stallions up close in this casual format,” said Rancho San Miguel's Tom Clark. “This year, we are adding some educational sessions and expert speakers to our line-up, which I believe will offer a well-rounded experience for attendees.” Additionally, several horses representing Rancho San Miguel's consignment to the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association's 2024 Winter Mixed Sale will also be on display during the event. Among other scheduled activities are a discussion on equine reproduction by Stacy Potter, DVM, of S&S Equine Veterinary Services and a session on equine nutrition by Purina feed representative Jordan Baumgartner. Contact the farm at (805) 467-3847 or info@ranchosanmiguel.net to RSVP. The post Open House Scheduled Jan. 20 at Rancho San Miguel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first foal for three-time Grade I winner Mind Control (Stay Thirsty) was reported born Thursday, Jan. 4, at Irish Hill Farm in Stillwater, New York. The filly, who is also the first foal out of the winning mare Gentle Annie (Freud), was bred by Blue Streak Racing LLC. “She looks just like her daddy,” said Irish Hill's Rick Burke. “We all like her a lot. One of her owners was out here and commented that she looks just like her sire. That's a good thing. If they all come out looking like him we'll have some runners.” For his first season in 2023, Mind Control set New York records for mares bred with 190 and number of mares in foal with 171. Winner of the GI Cigar Mile H., the GI H. Allen Jerkens S., and the GI Hopeful S., Mind Control will stand the 2024 season at Rockridge Stud for $8,500 LFSN as a joint venture between Irish Hill/Dutchess View Farm, Waldorf Farm, and Hidden Lake Farm. The post First Foal Reported for New York’s Mind Control appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ma Yetal, an impressive 3-year-old colt by Flameaway, stole the thunder from older runners on the Jan. 5 World Cup Carnival card with a victory in the UAE Two Thousand Guineas Trial, promising more to come.View the full article

Invincible Sage makes it three in a row. David Hall is cautiously optimistic Invincible Sage can extend a meteoric rise when the emerging speedster contests the Group 3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap (1000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Unbeaten in three starts this season over the course and distance, Invincible Sage (115lb) faces nine rivals under Alexis Badel as the gelding rises from Class 2 company to take on seasoned opposition in the most serious test of his career. Victor The Winner (135lb) heads the weights from Super Wealthy (129lb), Duke Wai (128lb), Packing Treadmill (116lb), Kurpany (115lb), Seasons Wit (115lb), Flying Ace (115lb), Invincible Sage, Whizz Kid (115lb) and We Are Hero (115lb). Hall has plotted a conservative path with Invincible Sage since the gelding arrived in Hong Kong in January last year after winning three times in Australia as Thron Bone and believes the four-year-old’s form warrants a tilt at Group company. “He’s had three (wins) for three (starts) this season and he’s becoming a bit of a straight track specialist and each of his wins have had different sort of merit in it. He’s had to overcome an awkward spot (first-up), the pace wasn’t as we thought it would be the next time and he’s carried the big weight (135lb) and then the light weight (120lb) and up in grade, but he kept answering the call,” Hall said. “He’s got another big step to take now but it’s the perfect race for him in that he carries the light weight and it’s his favourite track and trip, where his stats look exceptional – I’m looking forward to seeing how much of a step he can take.” Invincible Sage has risen 20 points in the ratings after his trio of 1000m wins, winning twice under Hugh Bowman and last start for Zac Purton. With Bowman unable to ride at 115lb and Purton on a short leave of absence, Badel takes the plate for the first time. Hall is also represented by Flying Ace, a four-time Sha Tin 1200m winner who makes his debut over the 1000m straight course on Sunday under Matthew Poon. “He’s another who’s had winning performances without winning so he does deserve a win,” Hall said of the gelding who has slotted three seconds and a third from four starts this season. “It’s a bit of a different game for him – the straight 1000 as against getting out the back in 1200 metre races, but that’s probably been because of the barriers he’s been drawing. “His performances are there for everyone to see – they’ve been quite eye-catching and he also deserves his place in the field. It’s going to be an interesting race for him. His form is good, he’s trialled well since and I expect him, with a good speed on down the straight 1000, to be very strong late again.” Victor The Winner reappears after a last-start fourth behind Lucky Sweynesse in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on December 10 and reunites with Bowman for the first time this season. “He’s doing well. Everything is okay,” trainer Danny Shum said. “The only thing is the weight, that’s the worry but he’s got a good jockey and hopefully he can run well.” Shum has previously won the feature with Scintillation (2007) and Little Bridge (2012). More horse racing news View the full article

Zedan Racing's 'TDN Rising Star' Muth (Good Magic), winner of the GI American Pharoah S. and runner-up in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, will take on five rivals in Saturday's seven-furlong GII San Vicente S. at Santa Anita. Regular rider Juan J. Hernandez will be aboard the 4-5 morning-line favorite. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert will also saddle front-running Del Mar debut winner and 5-2 second-choice Pilot Commander (Justify). Baffert is seeking his record 13th win in the San Vicente, which was previously held in early February. “They changed the format,” Baffert said. “While I liked it better when this race was in February, I think this should be a good starting point to his season. I think the winner (Fierceness) just ran a crazy fast race (in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile). Muth ran well, he just got beat.” This weekend's graded stakes action also includes Sunday's GIII Santa Ynez S. at Santa Anita. The rail-drawn Kopion (Omaha Beach), a sharp debut winner for trainer Richard Mandella at Del Mar in late November, is the 3-5 morning-line favorite. The post Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Runner-Up Muth Headlines San Vicente appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This story is a deeper dive into the joint press release issued earlier Jan. 5 by The Stronach Group, the Maryland Jockey Club, and the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority. The latest recommendation in a years-long attempt by multiple stakeholders to consolidate Maryland racing at a single, reimagined racetrack now calls for a project dubbed “Pimlico Plus,” with racing centered in Baltimore and supported by the construction of a new training facility elsewhere in the state, according to a report issued by the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA) Jan. 5. The ambitious remake of the sport's infrastructure in Maryland hinges upon legislative approval, although the report did come with the endorsement of Maryland's governor, Wes Moore. Another key to the deal would require 1/ST Racing and Gaming, which owns Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park, to transfer ownership of Pimlico to the state, and for 1/ST Racing to cede control of its day-to-day Thoroughbred operations to a to-be-created, non-profit entity as of Jan. 1, 2025. The report stated that 1/ST Racing is amenable to “a framework for an agreement in principle” for those transfers to happen. In addition, the state would negotiate a licensing agreement with 1/ST Racing to operate and promote the GI Preakness S. and the GI Black-Eyed Susan S., Maryland's two signature races. Laurel Park would be maintained as “a transitional facility for live racing and training during the expected four-year construction and transition period,” the report stated. The Washington Post reported that if all went according to plan, Pimlico would be shut down after this year's Preakness on May 18, with the 2025 and 2026 editions of the race temporarily shifting to Laurel. After that, the MTROA report stated, Laurel will likely be redeveloped. Complementing the rebuilt Pimlico's projected 700-horse stabling capacity would be the construction of a new training facility at a to-be-determined location that can house 650 horses “in reasonable proximity to Pimlico that would also be acquired and developed under a non-private ownership structure,” the report stated. The report stated that the cost for the entire project would be “significantly below” previous concepts proposed in recent years that involved keeping both Pimlico and Laurel running “and within the range of General Assembly allocations.” A story in the Baltimore Banner gave a more specific breakdown: “The new Pimlico comes with a price tag of $274 million to $284 million, while the training facility would cost about $113 million–in line with $400 million in state subsidies previously set aside for the renovation of Pimlico and Laurel.” The concept of consolidation in Maryland has been openly discussed for the better part of a decade. 1/ST Racing (known as The Stronach Group when it took over in Maryland in 2002) has been on the record for years as acknowledging the sub-optimal conditions at outmoded Pimlico, which as recently as 2018 raced only 12 dates for an abbreviated meet surrounding the Preakness. Initially, The Stronach Group invested tens of millions of dollars in upgrades at Laurel while publicly stating that the company did not foresee putting any of its own funds into an overhaul of Pimlico. Civic and state officials, fearful of Baltimore losing the Preakness to Laurel, helped to push for the years-long commissioning of several years of studies for a publicly funded solution led by the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA). In 2019, Baltimore's mayor even tried to sue Pimlico's ownership in an attempt to force a city takeover. As the MTROA report explained, “After many iterations, an agreed-upon program was finalized in late 2021 and estimates were generated. The estimates were significantly over the available bonding capacity for the project.” The Maryland General Assembly then called for additional input and yet more studies in 2022, and that year, the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (MTHA), the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, and others proposed an alternative scenario that would maintain year-round training and racing at both facilities. “In total, six scenarios have been analyzed by the MSA [and] all of them significantly exceeded available project funding,” the MTROA report stated. It also concluded that “given the level of State investment required to rehabilitate and sustain the industry, a public ownership structure for the tracks and subsequent lease of them to a nonprofit entity led by Maryland industry professionals is the best path forward.” The report stated at least one significant reason why 1/ST Racing would agree to give up Pimlico: The company would be on the hook for huge taxes if the state provided any funding for the rehab of a privately owned track. “An additional issue complicates any public investment at either Pimlico or Laurel Park under the current ownership structure,” the report stated. “Under Section 118 of the Federal Tax Code, expenditures made by a government unit to construct improvements at a facility owned by a for-profit entity will constitute taxable income to that entity. Tax advisors have concluded that MSA expenditures at either racetrack may be treated as taxable income to any private owner.” Belinda Stronach, the chairwoman, chief executive and president of The Stronach Group, stated in a press release that “The Stronach Group and [its subsidiary] the Maryland Jockey Club remain deeply committed to reinvigorating Thoroughbred racing in Maryland, and this framework agreement represents an important first step in that process.” MTHA president Tim Keefe echoed those sentiments in a separate press release that stated “The Maryland racing industry is one of the most storied in the nation and [Friday's] announcement is an important step forward for a sustainable and bright future.” TDN had follow-up questions for Keefe about the horsemen's perspective on the project, but a voicemail message left for him did not yield a return call prior to deadline for this story. However, the MTHA press release did state that a “town hall” webinar for members to discuss and ask questions about the project would be scheduled for the near future. So what might the reimagined Pimlico look like? The MTROA report outlined the following basic concepts for what would be one of the nation's few remaining tracks nestled within an urban neighborhood. A new Pimlico would be a “best-in-class facility” featuring both a “right-sized” grandstand and clubhouse “with overlays that could be activated for the Preakness and other large events,” the report stated. The report also envisioned the creation of a 1,000-seat event space, development parcels, a hotel built by a private partner, and “state-of-the-art equine diagnostic health facility with space for veterinary services.” Housing for backstretch workers would not be in the stable area, but instead “constructed in the Park Heights community” near Pimlico. Two parking facilities would be constructed. One would be part of the hotel. A second garage could be shared by both racetrack patrons and patients and staff at Sinai Hospital, which is adjacent to Pimlico. As for the new training facility, the report stated that MTROA identified eight potential locations within a 50-mile radius of Pimlico to be examined for suitability. Ranked on a scoring mechanism that evaluated nine criteria, the top three were Shamrock Farm in Woodbine, Mitchell Farm in Aberdeen, and the former Bowie Race Track in Bowie that last hosted racing in 1985 but had functioned as a training facility until 2015. The report stated that “it is the recommendation and conclusion of the [MTROA] that those three locations move to a next stage for final consideration and subsequent acquisition. The [MTROA], however, will continue to evaluate and consider additional suitable properties if and when they become known.” A footnote within the report disclosed that during the investigation of possible sites, “the [MTROA] learned through industry sources that Shamrock Farm, which is currently owned by the family of [MTROA] Authority member [and National Thoroughbred Racing Association president and chief executive] Tom Rooney, may be for sale. Those members leading the search reached out to Mr. Rooney about its availability, and he confirmed that a sale may be possible.” With regard to the fundamental change of the state's operating model for racing, the report stated that it is seeking a system that “mirrors that in use by the New York Racing Association. Facilities would be owned by the State and leased to a professional not-for-profit operator. This structure will better align operations with the needs of the horse racing industry and the State's significant financial investments.” The MTROA, the report stated, would be in charge of coming up with a recommended operator. The MTROA has been meeting regularly since first convening in August 2023, while also conducting research and receiving testimony from a wide variety of stakeholders. It was created to meet twin objectives mandated by legislation: Reimagining the state's horse racing infrastructure to better align with budget realities, and conducting a review of Maryland horse racing operations in order to recommend the best path forward. The MTROA is composed of appointees of the governor and legislative leaders and representatives of horse industry organizations, plus the MSA, the Maryland Economic Development Corporation, and others who have a stake in the areas surrounding Pimlico, Laurel, and Bowie. The report that came out Friday was required by the General Assembly to be issued by that date. The post Latest Version of Maryland Remake: Pimlico Sole Track under Non-Profit Control, with 1/ST Racing out of Daily Ops appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reigning Sovereign Award-winning owner Bruno Schickedanz, who topped the standings during meets at Woodbine, Fort Erie, and Gulfstream Park last year, also finished first across a broader metric in 2023—by wins throughout all of North America.View the full article

A pair of reports commissioned by the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority released Jan. 5 outline a very different future for Maryland racing. How precisely to get to that future? That is a bit less clear.View the full article