Wandering Eyes

Skyman pleased in his first New Zealand public outing at Tauranga on Tuesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Well-performed former Sydney galloper Skyman stepped out for his first New Zealand outing at Tauranga on Tuesday with new trainer Stephen Marsh and his owners, the Go Racing Elton Syndicate, keen for him to display the same competitive spirit that he showcased during his numerous Australian campaigns. The eight-year-old European import won eight of his 37 starts from the Chris Waller stable, including four at Listed level, before Go Racing boss Albert Bosma made the decision to bring him to New Zealand to continue his career. Marsh has had the son of Mukhadram for just over a month and was delighted to see him charge to the line in an 1100m open trial to finish a long neck away from dual Group One winner Legarto and Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) runner-up Talisker. Marsh will now press ahead to a Group One target at Trentham with renewed confidence. “He (Skyman) came to us in great order from Chris, but the big question was did he still want to be a racehorse?” Marsh said. “He certainly had settled in well and appeared to be enjoying his new environment, so this was his first test and he passed with flying colours. “We really just wanted to see him hitting the line and wow did he do that, as he didn’t get a lot of room early in the straight but when he got clear he finished off beautifully at a distance well below his best. “As long as he pulls up well and he is a very sound horse, then we will head to Trentham later this month for the Thorndon Mile (Group 1, 1600m).” Marsh believes that Skyman is well suited to the Group One Trentham feature on January 20 and will also be well placed to tackle the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa a month later. “He was a very good horse in Sydney and if he recaptures that form, he looks ideally placed with the set weights and penalties conditions of the Thorndon Mile,” he said. “His main mission is definitely the Herbie Dyke at Te Rapa where he would also be in it up to his ears. “Albert and several of his owners were at Tauranga to see him trial and I’m sure that has got the juices flowing for what lies ahead.” Marsh was quick to strike at the Tauranga meeting with stylish Almanzor filly Almaceta showing plenty of fight in the home straight to break her maiden status over 1200m in the first race on the day. More horse racing news View the full article

Grande Gallo winning at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Stakes targets could be in the offing for promising filly Grande Gallo following her eye-catching win at Pukekohe on Monday. The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew-Scott trained three-year-old was having her first run since disappointing with her 14th placed run in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November and relished returning to the right-handed way of going at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. The daughter of Belardo settled off the pace for jockey Warren Kennedy, who wasn’t content with the speed in the race in the middle stages, so he elected to be the aggressor and sent his filly forward at the 800m mark. Grande Gallo circled the field and quickly found herself in the lead. She pinched a gap on her rivals down the straight and continued to accelerate to score a three-length victory over Sorghaghtani, with a further 1.25 lengths back to To Catch A Thief in third. Former champion jockey O’Sullivan was effusive in his praise for Kennedy’s ride. “If you have a look at the ride from the jock, it was pretty sensational. He took the bull by the horns and took off a long way from home. It was some ride,” O’Sullivan said. “Warren said he was going to search early in the run for ground out wide, and he said if they are dawdling he will go forward at some stage, and that is exactly what he did.” Kennedy was pleased to make a winning start to the premier meeting and said punters should keep their eye in the progressive filly. “She made up a lot of ground pretty quickly and she fought all the way to the line,” he said. “She ran a good race and had a good blow afterwards, so there is more in the tank with her. She looks like a filly you can follow, she is progressive.” O’Sullivan was rapt to see Grande Gallo return to form and said left-handed tracks seem to be her kryptonite at this stage of her career. “If you look at her form, it is all right-handed, even when she has trialled. The only time she has disappointed is when going the left-handed way around,” he said. “It was good to see her turn that form around from Christchurch to today.” While aware of her weakness going left-handed, O’Sullivan said they may have to try their luck once more later this month and tackle the Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham with the filly they purchased out of Haunui Farm’s 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft for $85,000. “It would be nice to run in one of the three-year-old fillies races where she could get black-type, but unfortunately the mile at Wellington is left-handed so Andrew and I will just have to rethink that and have a look at that, but that is still a possibility,” O’Sullivan said. More horse racing news View the full article

Orchestral winning at Pukekohe on Monday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Exciting filly Orchestral was on song at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day when downing a quality, including last start vanquisher Lupo Solitario. The Satono Aladdin gelding beat Orchestral by just a nose in the Group 3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) last month, but she was able to reverse that result on Monday courtesy of a quality ride from Craig Grylls. The daughter of Savabeel was once again tardily away from the barriers but recovered well to regather the field. She remained towards the rear of the field and had all but one before her when turning for home, but Grylls elected to stick to the fence where the pair were able to save ground and quickly found themselves in front and kept up their momentum to win by 2.5 lengths over Lupo Solitario. Robert Wellwood, who trains the filly in partnership with Roger James, was full of praise for Grylls’ astute ride. “The inside of the track is probably not the best but we were drawn one and had to ride her that way,” he said. “It would have been nice to see her get out but when she ended up on the inside I thought Craig did the right thing. “She raced a lot more professionally today and was able to put them away. It might have helped having horses outside her. “I think this filly is pretty special and she has got so much improvement in her physically. Next year is probably when we see the real best of her, but it is lovely seeing her putting it together now.” Grylls was pleased with Orchestral’s performance and believes she has a bright future instore. “We drew one, so we were on the fence by default. We were able to cut the corner and come out. She is a very nice filly and she has improved a lot since that last fresh-up second,” he said. “Even last time here over 1400m, she jumped slow and didn’t have any speed. Today she was a little bit better. She is just new to the game and is still learning a bit, but she has all the amount of ability. I am looking forward to the future with her.” The Kingsclere team now have a bit to contemplate with their filly in the coming weeks, having to decide between tackling the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham in a fortnight or head to Ellerslie later this month for the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). “We will have to sit down with the owners. There is a reason to go to Wellington for a Group One, but there are one million reasons to go to Ellerslie on the 27th,” Wellwood said. “It will probably be one of those two options, but we have yet to make that decision.” The excitement with their filly won’t end there, with the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham in March also on the radar. “She will certainly go 2000m and probably further. It will be an interesting autumn with her, she is pretty exciting,” Wellwood said. More horse racing news View the full article

Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) may not be the only New Zealand mare set to sizzle at Flemington this autumn with last year’s Australian Guineas winner Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) being aimed for a return to the track for the Gr.1 Australian Cup. The four-year-old mare narrowly won an 1100-metre trial at Tauranga on Tuesday in her first public outing since her luckless Golden Eagle run in November and her trainer Ken Kelso later said he felt the mare was ready to put a good score on the board early in 2024. He had two or three lucrative aims at home in mind for Legarto before a potential return to headquarters for a step-up to 2000 metres in the Australian Cup on March 30. ‘’She’s coming up good but while we’ll take it one race at a time, it would be lovely to get back to Flemington,’’ Kelso said. ‘’I’ve always thought that she would really enjoy going 2000 metres. She relaxes in her races and finishes them off. You never know until you try, but her pattern of racing says that trip would be right up her alley.’’ Legarto narrowly took out her trial on Tuesday when ridden up on the speed and Kelso said he liked what he saw ahead of her return to the races in less than two weeks. ‘’She trialled up really nice,’’ he said. ‘’She’ll run at Ellerslie on the 14th (January) just in an open handicap with a maximum topweight of 60 kilograms. ‘’The reason there is its two weeks out from the Karaka four-year-old race worth $1 million and also gives her a good look around the track as she’s never been to Ellerslie. ‘’We’ll go from there possibly to the Herbie Dyke, which is G1 2000-metre race at Te Rapa. Then, all going well, we’d like to think getting back to Flemington for the Australian Cup over the same trip.’’ The Golden Eagle was selected as Legarto’s major spring aim in Australia after connections decided against a Cox Plate tilt, but Kelso said the mare never got into the $15 million race at Rosehill after being slow out. ‘’She got no luck at the Golden Eagle,’’ he lamented. ‘’It was a non-event. She was slow away but her sectionals were second only to the winner (Obamburumai). ‘’I’m not saying she’s better left-handed, but she certainly wants a big, roomy track.’’ View the full article

Promising four-year-old Adam I Am (NZ) (Almanzor) has some lofty goals ahead of him for the rest of the summer but his immediate goal is the feature event at Te Aroha on Wednesday, the Coastwood Homes Lockwood Thames Cup (1600m). Trainer Glenn Old believes the son of Almanzor and Group Two winner Our Famous Eve (NZ) (Fast ‘N’ Famous) has all the attributes to make it to the elite level and is keen for him to showcase those talents as he builds towards his main summer mission. “He is a very good horse and the step up to a mile at Te Aroha is just what he has been looking for,” Old said. “He has only had the four starts and is still learning the game, but I believe he has the ability to be a Group winner when he gets some more experience under his belt. “He got beaten last time after two nice wins but I think he just got too far off them and didn’t really get the rub of the green at all. “We plan to have him race a lot handier at Te Aroha and with their new track drainage I think it will be a great surface after they had a fair bit of rain in the last seven days, which will definitely to his liking.” Old knows a win will help lift his charge into the final field for the $1million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on 27 January, however, he also has his sights set on a second major target at Te Rapa in February. “He would need to win well to make that field on Karaka Millions night and I’m hoping that is exactly what he does,” he said. “In saying that, we have another focus on a slightly different race which is the special conditions maiden at Te Rapa in early February (Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic). “That is a $350,000 race where he won’t meet the likes of Legarto or Desert Lightning, so it is a very realistic target for him. “After that I’m not too sure. He is a very clean winded individual who is still growing and I think we will see the best of him when he gets to 2000m. “If he can make the progress that I think he can then a race like the Livamol Classic (Gr.1, 2040m) wouldn’t be out of the question in the spring, but he needs to put his hand up now if we want to get him to that level.” View the full article

Trainer John Blackadder is hopeful the long trek to Omoto racecourse from his Rangiora base will pay a winning dividend when he lines-up consistent mare Kahma Suitsya (NZ) (Tavistock) in the feature event there on Wednesday, the Recreation Hotel Greymouth Cup (2000m). The four-year-old daughter of Tavistock, who started her career with part-owner Shaun Phelan in the north before transferring to Blackadder last July, has finished runner-up in her last two starts with her mentor keen to see her go one better before she heads to the paddock for a short summer break. “She is only a one-win horse but she has shown a hell of a lot of improvement during this campaign,” Blackadder said. “She has always had ability but could be quite inconsistent at times, however, she is really holding her form nicely at present. “The best thing about her is her versatility as she can race anywhere in a field and she goes on most track conditions. “I think she can go on with it during the autumn so she will probably go to the paddock for a couple of weeks after this one then we will start getting her ready for a new campaign.” TAB Bookmakers have installed Kahma Suitsya as the $4.80 Fixed Odds favourite for the $40,000 contest in a field headed by 15-race winner Camino Rocoso (NZ) (Shocking). Blackadder is also taking six-year-old Sweynesse gelding Telling Tales (NZ) on the trip with his stablemate and was encouraged by his performance to finish fourth at Kurow in his most recent run. “He (Telling Tales) did a lot of work during the run last time and he didn’t chuck it away in the home straight,” he said. “He is fourth up and should be ready to peak now and he is another who can handle a wet track, which is what we are likely to strike as it is currently rated a Heavy8. “I’d like to hope we have two nice chances and I’ve told them that I’m the one going for the picnic as they have a job to do.” Telling Tales will contest the Rating65 Greg Daly Real Estate (1500m) which is the last event on the eight-race programme. View the full article

Well performed former Sydney galloper Skyman (Mukhadram) stepped out for his first New Zealand outing at Tauranga on Tuesday with new trainer Stephen Marsh and his owners, the Go Racing Elton Syndicate, keen for him to display the same competitive spirit that he showcased during his numerous Australian campaigns. The eight-year-old European import won eight of his 37 starts from the Chris Waller stable, including four at Listed level, before Go Racing boss Albert Bosma made the decision to bring him to New Zealand to continue his career. Marsh has had the son of Mukhadram for just over a month and was delighted to see him charge to the line in an 1100m open trial to finish a long neck away from dual Group One winner Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) and Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) runner-up Talisker (NZ) (Embelish). Marsh will now press ahead to a Group One target at Trentham with renewed confidence. “He (Skyman) came to us in great order from Chris, but the big question was did he still want to be a racehorse?” Marsh said. “He certainly had settled in well and appeared to be enjoying his new environment, so this was his first test and he passed with flying colours. “We really just wanted to see him hitting the line and wow did he do that, as he didn’t get a lot of room early in the straight but when he got clear he finished off beautifully at a distance well below his best. “As long as he pulls up well and he is a very sound horse, then we will head to Trentham later this month for the Thorndon Mile (Gr.1, 1600m).” Marsh believes that Skyman is well suited to the Group One Trentham feature on 20 January and will also be well placed to tackle the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa a month later. “He was a very good horse in Sydney and if he recaptures that form, he looks ideally placed with the set weights and penalties conditions of the Thorndon Mile,” he said. “His main mission is definitely the Herbie Dyke at Te Rapa where he would also be in it up to his ears. “Albert and several of his owners were at Tauranga to see him trial and I’m sure that has got the juices flowing for what lies ahead.” Marsh was quick to strike at the Tauranga meeting with stylish Almanzor filly Almaceta (NZ) showing plenty of fight in the home straight to break her maiden status over 1200m in the first race on the day. View the full article

What Yarra Valley races Where Yarra Valley Racing – Armstrong Grove, Yarra Glen VIC 3775 When Thursday, January 4, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Victorian racing heads to Yarra Valley Racecourse on Thursday afternoon, where a competitive eight-race meeting awaits punters. With storms forecast for the region on Tuesday and Wednesday, we expect to be racing on a rain-affected track, not the Good 4 that came up at the time of acceptances, with the likelihood of starting on a Heavy surface seeming like a reality. The rail comes out 3m the entire circuit, with action set to commence at 1:30pm AEDT. Best Bet at Yarra Valley: Midnight Devil Midnight Devil finally broke its maiden at Cranbourne on December 22 and has the scope to go on with the job on Thursday. Having finished second at all three starts this campaign prior to the win, the son of Hellbent looks to have hit his straps as a racehorse. Luke Cartwright will use his 3kg to his advantage and have Midnight Devil tearing along out in front over the 1009m. With just 58.5kg on his back following the claim, Midnight Devil should prove too hard to run down in the penultimate. Best Bet Race 7 – #1 Midnight Devil (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Enver Jusufovic | J: Luke Cartwright (a3) (61.5kg) +100 with Neds Next Best at Yarra Valley: Inordinate Inordinate was the definition of a good thing beat on December 22 at the Yarra Valley 1968m, and a return to the track and trip should see him bring up another win. He drew barrier one on that day and as his rivals made their runs, the son of Onemorenomore simply couldn’t see daylight. He savaged the line once he was clear at the 200m mark, and went down by the barest possible margin. Barrier eight will suit Inordinate a bit better, and as long as he does not get caught wide upon settling, Inordinate should prove too good for this BM58 field. Next Best Race 5 – #1 Inordinate (8) 6yo Gelding | T: Gavin Bedggood | J: Jack Hill (61kg) +290 with Playup Best Value at Yarra Valley: Artspace Artspace has been well-beaten in all three career starts, but the step up to 1968m third-up from a spell might just see him hit his straps. He comes up against a field full of runners who have had more than enough chances to breakthrough, but at just his fourth start, he may just have the fewest convictions. The son of Tavistock really hit the line nicely at Cranbourne when third on December 22, but did show signs of ability. From barrier five, Jordan Childs can land him in the one-one, and with the rise in trip, Artspace can strike at a nice each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 4 – #5 Artspace (5) 3yo Gelding | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Jordan Childs (58kg) +1400 with Dabble Thursday quaddie tips for Yarra Valley races Yarra Valley quadrella selections Thursday, January 4, 2024 1-3-10 1-2-3-10 1-5 1-2-3-8-9 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Trainer Lindsay Hatch is filled with optimism as his sprinter No Going Back prepares for a breakthrough victory at Eagle Farm on Wednesday. The five-year-old gelding has shown consistency by securing four placements, including two at the Eagle Farm Track. Now the focus is set on achieving a long-awaited triumph in the Benchmark 75 Handicap over a distance of 1600 meters. No Going Backs campaign has seen him secure second place in his initial three starts and an admirable third-place finish behind Natalie McCalls Brave Maso in a Benchmark 70 race at Eagle Farm in December. Hatch attributes his horse’s performances to the weights he had to carry in recent races. However, with a weight of 57kg’s this time around, Hatch believes that No Going Back is well positioned for success. The recent rainfall in Brisbane has further boosted Hatch’s confidence as No Going excels in track conditions. With the gelding’s proven ability over a distance of 1600 metres, Hatch is confident that an impressive performance awaits. Hatch doesn’t have any plans for No Going Back, but he does mention the possibility of aiming for the Ballina Cup on January 14 if the horse performs exceptionally well.No Going Back showed potential as a three- and four-year-old, winning both the Rockhampton Guineas and Magic Millions Guineas in Townsville. The gelding also came in second place in the Mackay Guineas, narrowly missing out to Mississippi Prince, who went on to win five races, including one at Doomben. Despite facing challenges along the way, Hatch is confident that No Going Back is now in shape and ready to shine. The addition of experienced jockey Michael Rodd to ride him further boosts his chances. With Rodds expertise and No Going Backs renewed form, Hatch is optimistic about securing a deserved victory for this talented sprinter. No Going Back’s Odds In Eagle Farm Race 7 Race 7 – #9 No Going Back (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Lindsay Hatch | J: Michael Rodd (57kg) +650 with Neds More horse racing news View the full article

What Eagle Farm Races Where Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007 When Wednesday, January 3, 2024 First Race 1:53pm AEST Visit Dabble Brisbane Racing Club will host a very competitive seven-race program at Eagle Farm this Wednesday afternoon. With a lot of rain forecast for Tuesday, we anticipate the meeting will start on a Heavy track, with a slight chance of an upgrade during the day. The rail will be in the +11m position for the entire circuit, with the opening race set to jump at 1:53pm AEST. Best Bet at Eagle Farm: Demon Darb Demon Darb has been very consistent during this preparation, finishing in the placings in all three starts. The Robert Heathcote-trained gelding finished second behind Sacred Mission at his most recent start, where he settled behind the leader and eventual winner but couldn’t run him down in the final 200m. Although this son of Pierro didn’t win the race, he ran through the line strongly, suggesting that a rise in distance would suit him next start. With him stepping up in distance to 1800m and gaining the services of 1.5kg claiming apprentice Cejay Graham, this contest looks like the ideal race for Demon Darb to return to the winner’s circle. Best Bet Race 4 – #3 Demon Darb (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Robert Heathcote | J: Cejay Graham (a1.5) (60.5kg) +230 with Neds Next Best at Eagle Farm: Leitzel Damien Thornton and Chris Waller will combine with Leitzel again, seeking to bring up back-to-back victories after this three-year-old filly broke her maiden at this track on December 13 over 1400m. This daughter of Trapeze Artist was working her way up to a win early in her career before recording a deserved victory at start three. She ran home strongly from the back of the field to win by 1.1 lengths over Ever So Clever. This race is much tougher than her maiden contest, but given that she has drawn to do no work from barrier one, Leitzel will prove hard to beat once again. Next Best Race 1 – #5 Leitzel (1) 3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: Damien Thornton (58.5kg) +280 with Boombet Best Value at Eagle Farm: Winston Smurfhill After being run over in the shadows of the winning post last start, Winston Smurfhill from the Natalie McCall stable will be seeking to go one better when he competes in the last race on Wednesday. The five-year-old gelding has finished fourth and second in two starts this campaign and appears ready to win third-up on a track that is expected to suit him better. With Cejay Graham taking the ride and 1.5kg off his back, this son of Mahisara should be able to cross the field and settle in the first four. If Winston Smurfhill can get a nice cart into the race on the home turn, expect him to play a prominent role in the finish. Best Value Race 7 – #5 Winston Smurfhill (13) 5yo Gelding | T: Natalie McCall | J: Cejay Graham (a1.5) (59kg) +1400 with Dabble Wednesday quaddie tips for Eagle Farm races Eagle Farm quadrella selections Wednesday, January 3, 2024 3-11 3-4-5-10 1-8-13 2-5-8-9-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

A week after a pair of California-breds battled to the wire in the GI La Brea S., the state-bred program was back in the spotlight again on Monday's holiday card at Santa Anita when Jaime Renella's Chismosa (Clubhouse Ride) capped a three-win day for her sire with a 1 1/4-length victory in the GIII Las Flores S. Sent off at 8-1, Chismosa settled just off the pace as favored Sweet Azteca (Sharp Azteca), making just her second career start, blitzed through a quarter in :21.96 and a half in :44.70 while chased by Hot Peppers (Khozan). The pacesetter drifted out badly into the stretch, allowing Chismosa to cut the corner and skip to the lead at the top of the lane. With a resurgent Hot Peppers to her inside and a determined Sweet Azteca to her outside, Chismosa refused to be beaten and was drawing away late. “She is an amazing filly,” said Renella. “She's never had a clean trip in all of her races, and we finally got one today. Starting off the new year like this–there's more to come.” Renella emigrated with his family to the U.S. from Ecuador when he was four, according to a recent profile by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Founder of Performance Tube Bending Inc., an Irwindale-based company specializing in creating customized intake/exhaust systems for automobiles, he claimed Chismosa's dam, You Can Dream (Cat Dreams), for $20,000 in 2010. “She ran very game,” said winning jockey Kyle Frey. “As you saw, the favorite ducked out there at the top of the lane and I didn't want to lose a ton of ground by staying outside her, so I was able to cut inside, over heels and get to the inside. From there, she just kept grinding. Big effort.” Winning trainer Rafael DeLeon added, “I thought Kyle made a good move. We talked in the paddock of how she is just one pace. If she picked up the bridle, she's ready to go. He felt right away the filly picked up the bridle and he was looking for room and he found a clear space inside the other horse. I'm happy he did that. I'm happy to win and I thank God for giving me the victory.” Chismosa opened her career with three straight wins–including two stakes triumphs–versus state-bred foes at Del Mar in the summer of 2022, but she went to the sidelines following a score in the Generous Portion S. in September. She suffered her first loss when sixth on return in the May 6 GIII Senorita S. and, while her four on-the-board efforts in stakes company included a runner-up effort in the July 4 GII Great Lady M S., a series of troubled trips kept her out of the winner's circle in eight 2023 outings. She was most recently fifth in the Nov. 12 Betty Grable S. “I gave her some time off because every morning I touch my horses and she didn't like when I touched her in a certain spot, so I sent her to my farm for a little while,” said DeLeon. “Once she came back, she came back to win.” Pedigree Notes: Chismosa is the third graded winner for Clubhouse Ride, who has also been represented by Warren's Showtime and Brickyard Ride. You Can Dream, who was claimed by owner/breeder Jaime Renella for $20,000 in 2010, produced a colt by Acclamation in 2022 and a filly by that sire in 2023. The colt sold for $100,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearling Sale. The mare was bred back to Acclamation. The winner's third dam, Regal Band, produced GI Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos. Monday, Santa Anita LAS FLORES S.-GIII, $100,000, Santa Anita, 1-1, 4yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:10.22, ft. 1–CHISMOSA, 122, f, 4, by Clubhouse Ride 1st Dam: You Can Dream, by Cat Dreams 2nd Dam: Siphonophora, by Siphon (Brz) 3rd Dam: Regal Band, by Dixieland Band 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Jaime R Renella (CA); T-Rafael DeLeon; J-Kyle Frey. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 12-4-2-2, $368,250. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Hot Peppers, 124, f, 5, Khozan–Friends Pro, by Friends Lake. ($40,000 Ylg '20 OBSOCT; $16,000 2yo '21 OBSOPN). O-Michael J. Caruso and Michael Dubb; B-Brent & Crystal Fernung (FL); T-Philip D'Amato. $20,000. 3–Sweet Azteca, 120, f, 4, Sharp Azteca–So Sweetitiz, by Grand Slam. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Pamela Cee Ziebarth (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. $12,000. Margins: 1 1/4, 1 1/4, HF. Odds: 8.30, 2.00, 1.20. Also Ran: Lady T, Violent Runner. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Gossip Girl: Chismosa Earns Graded Win in Las Flores appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chismosa continued the roll of California-breds excelling in open company with her decisive victory in the Jan. 1 $100,000 Las Flores Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

The colt by Constitution is the first to win qualifying points on the 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby.View the full article

In just his second time out, the son of Curlin remained perfect, stopping the clock in 1:37.76. But it wasn't without a little bit of trouble, as trainer Christophe Clement put it.View the full article

Taj Dragon wins the Group 3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup. Pierre Ng’s inexorable rise continued at Sha Tin on Monday when Taj Dragon provided the young trainer with his first black type triumph with comprehensive victory in the Group 3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1400m). Handing Andrea Atzeni his most important win in Hong Kong, Taj Dragon (116lb) swept to a two-length margin over 2022 winner Healthy Happy (117lb) and Beauty Joy (123lb) as Ng posted his 40th winner of the term to boost hopes of clinching the trainers’ championship in only his second season. “It’s a dream come true,” Ng, 40, said. “I think the whole stable was thinking we could only get prize money against some of these big horses, so the fact we won will mean we’re happier at the dinner tomorrow night. “I didn’t think he could beat the good ones. Before Andrea mounted up, we were just hopeful he could get top three, but today he really impressed a lot of people.” Ng is uncertain of where to head to next with lightly-framed Taj Dragon, who boasts five wins from 13 starts in Hong Kong after winning three races in Great Britain as Taj Alriyadh. “We will see how many ratings points he gets put up. Obviously, he’s not a big horse to carry a heavy weight, so we will have to see. It’s a very big step if we do run him in a Group 1, we will have to see, but he hasn’t let us down from day one.” Leading the championship by 16 wins from Danny Shum (24), Ng said: “This season we got a lot better horses and hopefully we’re just gradually preparing them to be higher-class horses. I’ve got a feeling we have more to come.” Atzeni, a Classics-winning rider in Europe, snared his most important Hong Kong success. “What a horse. He’s a young horse, up-and-coming. I thought he would run well but I just wasn’t sure at the moment if he could beat the big guns, but he obviously is,” the Sardinian said. “It’s nice to get a nice winner on the first day of the year and a nice winner, actually and things are going great.” On an afternoon of breakthroughs, Zac Purton notched his 50th win of the season with a treble with victories aboard Storm Rider, Fire Ball and Endeared to lead the 2023/24 jockeys’ championship by 17 from Karis Teetan (33), while James McDonald ended his five-week stint with a three-timer. “It’s (50 wins) another good number to get to, the season is starting to go a little bit better now,” Purton, a six-time Hong Kong champion, said after reaching the milestone for the 14th consecutive season. “It’s starting to tick over, which is good.” McDonald matched Purton’s haul with wins on Wunderbar, CP Brave and Global Harmony. David Hayes celebrated a quality double with the victories of Storm Rider and Global Harmony, who charged from last under McDonald to post a soft win. Hayes believes Storm Rider will prove to be a progressive horse after the three-year-old’s emphatic win under Purton. “I think he’s going to have a really good future. His first run was excellent, and he’s improved a lot since then,” Hayes said. “He’s still learning on the job. Zac had to wake him up a little bit but it was excellent.” Purton added to his haul when Dennis Yip’s Fire Ball narrowly triumphed before making it a treble with John Size’s Endeared. Wunderbar, who was the first winner of McDonald’s five-week stint, gave the Kiwi a departing victory, leaving the New Zealander with 15 wins for the stint. Benno Yung and apprentice Ellis Wong combined to snare the first race of the New Year – with Eighty Light Years before Yung bookended the meeting with Fun Together, who made it three wins in a row under Jerry Chau. Ricky Yiu-trained CP Brave (134lb) defied a steep weight rise under McDonald, posting successive wins for the first time in his career despite carrying 11lb more than he shouldered when victorious at his previous start on December 10, while Hugh Bowman teamed with Manfred Man with Dream Pursuer. More horse racing news View the full article

by Gayleen MacKinnon The Kidz Kartz Franklin Cup certainly made for an exciting New Year’s Eve at Alexandra Park. Despite wet conditions turning the track to slushy, young competitors showcased their determination and skills in abundance. The first place was claimed by Zoe Smith from Taranaki, who expertly steered her drive Nightmare to victory. Zoe, only fourteen years old, has been involved with Kidz Kartz for three years now since she attended a Taranaki Kidz Kartz open day with her family. This race marked Zoe’s debut at Alexandra Park – an experience made even more memorable by their triumphant win. Nightmare is owned by the Towers family. Zoe was overjoyed to have had the opportunity to bring her to Auckland to compete in the Franklin Cup . It wasn’t an easy win though; there were 13 other strong contenders vying for the coveted Franklin Cup title in this 400m race sponsored by Franklin Park Training Center. Second place was impressively secured by Big Mac under Alexis Grbic’s reins from Kumeu while third place went to Peppi driven by Franklin’s Kaitlin Barendregt, best presented went to Zippity Do Dah and Jasmine Dingle from Franklin and the driver of the night was presented to Franklin’s Matthew Hjalmarsson. View the full article

Trainer Mike Stidham, who recorded the highest earnings mark of his 34-year career in 2023, got the new year off to a quick start when Godolphin's Heckled (Hard Spun) broke her maiden in the eighth race at Fair Grounds Monday. The conditioner has a pair of promising newly turned 3-year-olds who could help keep the momentum going in 2024. Godolphin homebred Central Avenue (Street Sense), a first-out winner at Colonial Downs last August, was second in the Oct. 7 GI Frizette S. and, most recently, third in the Nov. 25 GII Golden Rod S. The dark bay filly worked four furlongs in :47.80 (2/82) at Fair Grounds Sunday. “She's been working well at Fair Grounds,” Stidham said of the filly. “We're looking at her for the preps that lead to the [GII] Fair Grounds Oaks, so we'll see.” Stidham also has high hopes for Pin Oak Stud's Phantom Speed (Arrogate), a $700,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase. The gray colt just missed when second in his six-furlong unveiling at Fair Grounds Nov. 24. He was third behind the Brad Cox-trained Ethan Energy (Uncle Mo) when stretched to 1 1/16 miles Dec. 23. “I expected a little bit better, but the Cox horse looks like something special,” Stidham said of that second effort. “Phantom Speed is a big, heavy colt. Certainly he's going to benefit from the race and improve physically and mentally from that run. That came up a very solid maiden race. Anytime you've got a well-bred $700,000 yearling that comes out and runs a big race like he did the first time out, you begin thinking along the lines [of Derbys], but we're a long way out from thinking that high.” Stidham's New Orleans-based string also includes last year's GIII Monmouth Cup winner Catnip (Kitten's Joy) and Saturday's Pago Hop S. winner Tufani (Distorted Humor). “He's really doing well,” Stidham said of Catnip. “Training very well. We're happy with him. We're waiting to see if we get an invitation to the [Jan. 27 GI] Pegasus Turf. If that happens, we'll probably go there. If it doesn't happen then we'll definitely be looking at the [Jan. 20] Colonel Bradley.” Of the now 4-year-old Tufani, who was winning her first stakes race, Stidham said, “Tufani has always shown us a lot of talent since we first got her. She's developed. She's learned to relax. I think the arrow is pointing up for her.” The Stidham barn reached $5,098,073 in earnings in 2023, led by GI Breeders' Cup Classic third-place finisher Proxy (Tapit). The post Stidham Has High Hopes for Promising Sophomores appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Warren Kennedy recording his seventh win of the day aboard Habana (outside) in the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Warren Kennedy has stamped an indelible mark on New Zealand racing with the ex-pat South African jockey dominating proceedings at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day with seven wins, including four of the five feature events on the card. Fresh off a suspension that cost him riding on Boxing Day, Kennedy made every post a winner and produced one of the rides of the day on the Lance Noble-trained Habana in the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m). Fresh off taking the Group 1 Sistema Railway (1200m) with a last-to-first performance on Waitak, Kennedy produced an almost carbon copy of that effort as he lifted the race topweight Habana (58kgs) across the line to snatch victory in the very last stride from a gallant Saint Bathans. Swedish native Ulrika Holmquist was giggling when she turned for home on the Andrew Forsman-prepared runner-up as he travelled sweetly and quickly established a two-length break on her rivals. Still in front at the 100m she began to get desperate as Kennedy and Habana loomed large in her peripheral vision and her heart must have sunk as the goal of winning her first stakes race in New Zealand was taken from her as the favourite thrust out his head and snatched the victory. 2024 Group 2 Rich Hill Mile Replay – Habana Kennedy was at his typically understated best as he paid tribute to the horse, Noble and winning owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay. “That was absolutely fantastic and especially for Cambridge Stud as they are huge supporters of mine,” Kennedy said. “To Lance and the whole team just a big thank you and there really are so many people to thank. “It has been such a great day and I just couldn’t ask for anything better. “Everything has come together and I actually thought I had got beaten, so luck was definitely on my side. “He didn’t get that luck last time and coming in here he was topweight and the class horse of the field and with him class has prevailed.” Noble was a picture of uncertainty as he waited to hear the judge’s call on the finish and was relieved when it went in his favour. “A lot of satisfaction out of that as he is such a genuine horse although he has a few quirks and makes you work for it,” he said. “Topweight and winning like that gives me a lot of satisfaction. “He doesn’t have the greatest feet so it’s a big thank you to our farrier and all our crew at home that do such a tremendous job with the horses. “You don’t have to give him (Kennedy) too many instructions and when I told him where the best part of the track was he said he knew as he had won a few today.” By Zoustar, Habana is out of four race winner Jeter, who is a half-sister to Group Three winner Fast ‘N’ Famous, with Habana’s granddam Zalinda a daughter of Group 1 Railway Handicap (1200m) winner Alynda. He has now won eight of his 16 starts and over $402,000 in prizemoney, with six of those wins coming from seven starts at Pukekohe. The seven victories by Kennedy sets a new mark for most wins on a raceday in New Zealand with five other riders having achieved six including Lance O’Sullivan, who now as a trainer in partnership with Andrew Scott provided Kennedy with three of his winning mounts in Grande Gallo, Karman Line and Waitak. More horse racing news View the full article

Horse Racing on Tuesday, January 2 will feature three meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meeting at Taree. Tuesday Racing Tips – January 2, 2024 Taree Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For January 2, 2023 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $31.88 odds return: Tuesday, January 2, 2023 Taree – Race 1 #4 Jonny Be Swift Taree – Race 4 #1 Shigeru Rockhampton – Race 2 #2 Pepperdine Wangaratta – Race 8 #6 Zoupurring | Copy this bet straight to your betslip As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on January 2, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Stakes targets could be in the offing for promising filly Grande Gallo (NZ) (Belardo) following her eye-catching win in the Eagle Technology 1500 at Pukekohe on Monday. The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew-Scott trained three-year-old was having her first run since disappointing with her 14th placed run in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November and relished returning to the right-handed way of going at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. The daughter of Belardo settled off the pace for jockey Warren Kennedy, who wasn’t content with the speed in the race in the middle stages, so he elected to be the aggressor and sent his filly forward at the 800m mark. Grande Gallo circled the field and quickly found herself in the lead. She pinched a gap on her rivals down the straight and continued to accelerate to score a three-length victory over Sorghaghtani (NZ) (Mongolian Khan), with a further 1-1/4 lengths back to To Catch A Thief (U S Navy Flag) in third. Former champion jockey O’Sullivan was effusive in his praise for Kennedy’s ride. “If you have a look at the ride from the jock, it was pretty sensational. He took the bull by the horns and took off a long way from home. It was some ride,” O’Sullivan said. “Warren said he was going to search early in the run for ground out wide, and he said if they are dawdling he will go forward at some stage, and that is exactly what he did.” Kennedy was pleased to make a winning start to the premier meeting and said punters should keep their eye in the progressive filly. “She made up a lot of ground pretty quickly and she fought all the way to the line,” he said. “She ran a good race and had a good blow afterwards, so there is more in the tank with her. She looks like a filly you can follow, she is progressive.” O’Sullivan was rapt to see Grande Gallo return to form and said left-handed tracks seem to be her kryptonite at this stage of her career. “If you look at her form, it is all right-handed, even when she has trialled. The only time she has disappointed is when going the left-handed way around,” he said. “It was good to see her turn that form around from Christchurch to today.” While aware of her weakness going left-handed, O’Sullivan said they may have to try their luck once more later this month and tackle the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham with the filly they purchased out of Haunui Farm’s 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft for $85,000. “It would be nice to run in one of the three-year-old fillies races where she could get black-type, but unfortunately the mile at Wellington is left-handed so Andrew and I will just have to rethink that and have a look at that, but that is still a possibility,” O’Sullivan said. View the full article

Exciting filly Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) was on song at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day when downing a quality line-up in the Barfoot & Thompson 1600, including last start vanquisher Lupo Solitario (NZ) (Satono Aladdin). The Satono Aladdin gelding beat Orchestral by just a nose in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) last month, but she was able to reverse that result on Monday courtesy of a quality ride from Craig Grylls. The daughter of Savabeel was once again tardily away from the barriers but recovered well to regather the field. She remained towards the rear of the field and had all but one before her when turning for home, but Grylls elected to stick to the fence where the pair were able to save ground and quickly found themselves in front and kept up their momentum to win by 2-1/2 lengths over Lupo Solitario. Robert Wellwood, who trains the filly in partnership with Roger James, was full of praise for Grylls’ astute ride. “The inside of the track is probably not the best but we were drawn one and had to ride her that way,” he said. “It would have been nice to see her get out but when she ended up on the inside I thought Craig did the right thing. “She raced a lot more professionally today and was able to put them away. It might have helped having horses outside her. “I think this filly is pretty special and she has got so much improvement in her physically. Next year is probably when we see the real best of her, but it is lovely seeing her putting it together now.” Grylls was pleased with Orchestral’s performance and believes she has a bright future instore. “We drew one, so we were on the fence by default. We were able to cut the corner and come out. She is a very nice filly and she has improved a lot since that last fresh-up second,” he said. “Even last time here over 1400m, she jumped slow and didn’t have any speed. Today she was a little bit better. She is just new to the game and is still learning a bit, but she has all the amount of ability. I am looking forward to the future with her.” The Kingsclere team now have a bit to contemplate with their filly in the coming weeks, having to decide between tackling the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham in a fortnight or head to Ellerslie later this month for the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) with the $625,000 Karaka yearling sale purchase out of Haunui Farm’s 2022 Book 1 draft. “We will have to sit down with the owners. There is a reason to go to Wellington for a Group One, but there are one million reasons to go to Ellerslie on the 27th,” Wellwood said. “It will probably be one of those two options, but we have yet to make that decision.” The excitement with their filly won’t end there, with the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham in March also on the radar. “She will certainly go 2000m and probably further. It will be an interesting autumn with her, she is pretty exciting,” Wellwood said. View the full article

Waitak winning the Group 1 Sistema Railway (1200m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Former champion jockey Lance O’Sullivan captured five Group 1 Railway (1200m) successes in the saddle and on Monday he finally got his hands on the silverware as a trainer, courtesy of Waitak’s explosive victory. As expected, Johny Johny set a breakneck speed upfront, while at the opposite end of the field, in-form hoop Warren Kennedy switched Waitak off at the back of the pack. The son of Proisir was still well off the pace at the top of the straight, but he responded to the urgings of Kennedy in the final 200m, bursting through a gap that opened up when Mercurial ran out, checking Bonny Lass, and Waitak continued his momentum to score a 1.25 length victory over Bonny Lass, with Mercurial a further three-quarters of a length back in third. 2024 Group 1 Railway Stakes Replay – Waitak O’Sullivan was duly jubilant with the result. “Out of all the races that I personally wanted to be a part of winning as a trainer, it was certainly the Railway, and it has eluded me. This is Andrew’s third,” said O’Sullivan, speaking of co-trainer Andew Scott’s previous two training victories in the race. O’Sullivan said the win was also a great tonic for Waitak’s breeder-owner Colin Devine. “Also (it’s great) for Colin Devine and all his family, it is great to have him onboard. He is not keeping the best of health, but I am so delighted for him,” O’Sullivan said. Waitak was given a Derby preparation as a three-year-old, where he ran fifth in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and 14th in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) last year, and O’Sullivan is pleased they changed tack with their charge this campaign after he won first-up over 1300m last month. “After his first-up win for the season we said he may just be a short track horse and took a punt today, and it came off,” he said. “Trying to make him run in a Derby last year, we certainly got that wrong.” O’Sullivan was also pleased for jockey Warren Kennedy, who with the win equalled O’Sullivan’s previous New Zealand record of riding six winners at a meeting, before surpassing it a race later aboard Habana in the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m). “I rode six many years ago on Derby Day. He is a fantastic jockey and his rides on all three of ours today were exceptional. I am very happy to have him on as opposed to against us,” O’Sullivan said. Kennedy was openly surprised by the result, believing his charge may have been outclassed by his fellow sprinters prior to the race, but he was glad to have been proven wrong by his charge. “Everyone, myself included, believed the six furlongs with these type of sprinters in the race, they might run a bit too quick for him,” he said. “He jumped out really well and he was out the back where I thought he would be, but he was really comfortable in his run. They split open like the red sea in front of me and when I really asked him to run, he knuckled down and sprinted home. He gave me a really good sprint home, he ran past them like they weren’t there.” It was a career-best haul for the expat South African, who is pleased he made the move to New Zealand and is grateful for the support he has received. “All the support that I am getting makes this possible, so without that support I couldn’t be doing the things am doing,” he said. “I am very grateful and it has been a great start to the year.” More horse racing news View the full article

Trust In You winning the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Ex-pat Kiwi jockey Jason Collett well and truly paid for a flying visit home from his Sydney base when he guided promising stayer Trust In You to a gritty victory in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) on New Year’s Day. On his old stomping ground at Pukekohe, Collett produced an inch perfect effort to bring the Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley-trained son of Sweynesse with a decisive late burst to reel in pacemaker Khan Hunter, who looked like he would steal the race after skipping clear on the home turn. Trust In You had already produced his credentials to run out an energy sapping 2400m when triumphing in the Dunstan Feeds Stayers Championship Final at the venue on Boxing Day in the hands of Michael McNab and was the well-supported second favourite (+220) for the contest behind local runner Terra Mitica (+150). Joe Doyle had Khan Hunter in front from barrier rise and looked to have his rivals in a heap of trouble when travelling comfortably approaching the home bend. At this point Trust In You was tracking Terra Mitica into the race and when Collett switched him to the outer to make his challenge he ate up the ground to collar Khan Hunter at the 100m as he went on to win by a neck, with Mary Louise shading Terra Mitica for third. 2024 Group 3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup Replay – Trust In You Cooksley was confident his charge would handle the quick back-up from Boxing Day and was happy to be proven right in that assessment. “It was a very good run as he had pulled up well from last week and we didn’t do much with him, so he has won well,” Cooksley said. “Michael rode him last week but couldn’t do the weight (53kgs) this time so we put Jason on board and he rode him really well. “He will probably have a bit of a break now and then come back for the Auckland Cup (Group 2, 3200m).” Horse racing bookmakers reacted quickly as they moved Trust In You to a +900 quote on the Fixed Odds market for the Auckland Cup behind One Bold Cat (+700) More horse racing news View the full article

About Time winning the Group 2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) It was a fitting win in the inaugural Group 2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m), formerly known as the Royal Stakes, at Pukekohe on Monday, with the Cambridge Stud-bred and owned About Time taking out the fillies feature named after the farm’s founder. Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay were trackside to welcome back their filly, and trainer Lance Noble said it was a sentimental win for the couple, who purchased Cambridge Stud off the legendary horseman. “He (Brendan) mentioned it beforehand of how fantastic it would be if he could win this race named after Sir Patrick, and he will get a huge thrill out of that,” Noble said. Slowest away, About Time settled towards the rear of the field for jockey Warren Kennedy, who gave his charge an economical trip throughout. The pair were the last to turn for home, but Kennedy was able to navigate his charge through an inside passage and found the lead with 200m to go. The Stephen Autridge-trained pair of Sill Bangon and Livid Sky were descending on her late, but About Time was able to hold out Still Bangon to win by three-quarters of a length, with a head back to Livid Sky in third. 2024 Group 2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes Replay – About Time It was the fourth win for the day from four rides for Kennedy, who was returning to ride from suspension, and Noble said he was glad to be a part of his purple patch of form. “The way he is riding I think he must have counted up what the percentages he missed out on Boxing Day and it made him a bit hungrier,” Noble quipped. About Time was backing up after a sixth placed run behind Molly Bloom in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) on Boxing Day and Kennedy was confident of a bold run after studying the race from the sidelines. “I thought her last run was pretty good, it was against the best three-year-old fillies around. She just looked like she hit a flat spot when they quickened up and she never really recovered from that,” Kennedy said. “The only thing was the quick back-up. but Lance has done a fantastic job, he has kept her really happy. “I thought 2000m would be right up her alley, I would switch her off and ride the last half of the race, which mapped out perfectly. She shot through very nicely, she hit a bit of a flat spot once she got through, but she had enough guns on her to power on to the line.” Noble said being based at Karaka was a huge advantage in helping About Time recover from her Boxing Day outing. “In this day in age not many back-up, but we are only 20 minutes away, so she recovered quickly and we were happy with her. We didn’t do a lot with her and she paraded really well today,” he said. The Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) looms as a major target, although Noble said they may now give her a break and focus on a Queensland Winter Carnival campaign. “I was thinking about giving her a bit of a break and maybe looking at Brisbane, that is a possibility,” Noble said. “We will get home and see, I am sure Brendan will have some ideas.” More horse racing news View the full article

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