Wandering Eyes

Lady Laguna defied the odds to claim a stunning victory in the 2024 Canterbury Stakes at Royal Randwick. Lady Laguna wins the 2024 Canterbury Stakes in an impressive upset. Photo: Steve Hart. Ridden by a strategic Tyler Schiller, the Annabel Neasham-trained mare outlasted a strong field that included the highly anticipated return of The Everest champion Think About It. In her first win at Randwick after seven attempts, Lady Laguna capitalized on her peak fitness level. Fresh off a string of victories, including the $1 million Magic Millions Fillies & Mares race and the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes, she proved her class against elite competition. “No horse deserves it more than her,” Neasham told the media after securing her ninth Group 1 success as a trainer. “She’s an iron-woman. She’s so tough. “We were a little bit further back than I wanted to be but it was a beautiful ride by Tyler and I’m just so over the moon that she’s a Group One winner. And to win for OTI and the team is just so special.” Schiller expertly guided Lady Laguna throughout the race, opting to sit behind the leaders and conserve energy. This calculated approach proved decisive as Lady Laguna unleashed a powerful finishing kick in the straight. Taking advantage of her fitness edge, she surged past the tiring Joe Pride-trained Think About It in the final stages to secure a dominant one-length victory. “It (winning a second Group 1) feels as good as the first time,” Schiller said. “I actually thought she was going to get rounded up late but she just kept kicking and she was strong for the 1300 (metres). “She’s not a renowned 1300-metre horse but she was too good for them there. “She’s come out of some good Group Two races, not the best formlines for this but just the turn of foot she’s had in her last three starts I think held her in good stead. “I always thought Think About It might have been a little bit touchy at the 1300, just with his prep going forward. “He’s looking to get out in trip so I was just hoping he would be a little bit dour. When I cruised up past him at the 100 I thought it was going to be a little ding-dong battle and she put them away very well.” This win marks a significant rise for Lady Laguna, who has now triumphed in four of her last five starts. Chris Waller‘s smart mare Espiona finished third, rounding out the Canterbury Stakes trifecta. 2024 Canterbury Stakes Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 7 LADY LAGUNA Annabel Neasham Tyler Schiller 6 57kg $11 2 1 THINK ABOUT IT Joseph Pride Sam Clipperton 1.25L 7 59kg $2.35F 3 6 ESPIONA Chris Waller James McDonald 1.35L 2 57kg $2.45 4 3 COAL CRUSHER Joseph Pride Adam Hyeronimus 2.49L 5 59kg $13 5 2 PERICLES James Cummings Tom Marquand 2.94L 1 59kg $9 6 5 MALKOVICH Bjorn Baker Joshua Parr 4.87L 4 59kg $41 7 4 BANDERSNATCH Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Jordan Childs 5.2L 3 59kg $51 8 CALL DI Joseph Pride Nash Rawiller 0 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Lady Laguna Upsets Favourites in 2024 Canterbury Stakes Thriller appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Brad Widdup and Kerrin McEvoy combined with Tintookie (+340) in the final race at Randwick on Saturday, securing victory in the Group 3 Weona Girl Quality (1200m). The daughter of Winning Rupert had put together a consistent preparation so far, finding the frame in three of her four starts, finally getting the opportunity to add black-type racing to her resume. The Brad Widdup stable has placed her beautifully since winning first-up and found the perfect setup for success on Saturday. She was given a perfect steer by Kerrin McEvoy as he landed her in the one-one position throughout the contest, relishing the strong tempo supplied by Byron Belle (+10000) and Eagle Nest (+1200) in the early stages. It allowed McEvoy to get the ideal run in transit, while the likes of C’est Magique (+600), Wee Nessy (+850) and Rainbiel (+650) were left chasing a long way from home, unable to cut into the margin as Tintookie bolted clear with the prize. 2024 Wenona Girl Quality Replay – Tintookie Brad Widdup gave a glowing appraisal of his mare in the aftermath, speaking to the forgive effort she supplied last Saturday when three wide without cover the trip. “It’s great. Full credit to all my staff back at home. It’s been a great day and it’s their reward,” said Widdup. “It was hard to watch last week, I tell you, but it’s nice to watch this week. “She landed in a great spot. That’s the benefit, Kerrin knows her. She began well and she was good under the weight. “With her, I didn’t do a lot. Some you have got to keep an eye on and have to do something, but she was pretty straightforward. And, last week was only a gallop.” Kerrin McEvoy was quick to thank the stable for keeping him aboard on Saturday after a luckless effort last Saturday before speaking to the class of his mount. “I didn’t give her one of the best of rides last week, and thanks to Brad (Widdup) for putting me back on and backing her up,” said McEvoy. “It was a good call. She was able to get a better start today and utilise the draw. She travelled well throughout and was able to kick and give a nice finish coming home. “She was down on the limit with 53 kilos, getting a nice weight pull off a few of those better performed mares but she’s improving all the time.” Horse racing news View the full article

Lekvarte ridden by Tommy Berry has taken out the Group 3 Aspiration Quality at Randwick. Photo: Racing NSW The Joseph Pride-trained Lekvarte (+320) has bolted back into the winners’ enclosure in stylish fashion, storming over the top to claim the Group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. The daughter of Reliable Man had produced three wins on the trot to kick-off the campaign before a minor let-up prior to the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) left her chasing a long way from home over an unsuitable trip. Getting back to the 1600m was always going to be favourable, and thanks to a patience steer from Tommy Berry, Lekvarte was back to her scintillating best. A pair of outsiders strolled to the lead, as Podium Queen (+8000) and Little Mix (+1800) cruised along to lead them up at a moderate tempo, with the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Osmose (+600) gaining the economical run of the race just in behind. Rebel Rama (+8000) looked to cause a major upset when shooting up the inside running rail, while the likes of Premise (+5000) and Thalassophile (+500) were doing their best work late. The leaders were all sitting ducks for Lekvarte in the end, who proved too strong for the girls, with Osmose running into a clear second, while Rebel Rama and Premise would be left fighting out the last spot in the minor money. 2024 Aspiration Quality Replay – Lekvarte It was all about the five-year-old mare in the end, as she continues to build on an already glowing resume for the Joseph Pride camp. “She raced through the summer but just had the three runs and I gave her a freshen up to come back and her run the other day was exceptional,” said Pride. “The punters worked that out, she started favourite today but that was a good win. “She really sprouted wings coming through the centre of them and that’s the way she’s racing now, as a five-year-old she’s really started to hit her straps as a racehorse. And who knows, they might want me to race her on for another 12 months yet. “The way she’s going, she still seems to be improving which is not totally unusual in a horse her age, but I’m really happy with her. “I contemplated, because her run was really good the other day, going to the Coolmore Classic next week but I don’t think we would have got a run in it. “Who knows, we might be able to back up yet. But this looked the right race for her.” Tommy Berry spoke to the instructions he received pre-race and was able to allow the mare clear air when necessary in the home straight. “Joe (Pride) has always thought she’s a better horse getting to the outside, and she probably is,” said Berry. “So Joe might have been saying a few other words, I reckon, coming to the 600m but his instructions were pretty simple today – just get her to the outside. “But she just never steps away brilliantly and no matter how much I wake her up in the gates, she’s like, I’m not going anywhere yet, just wait til I’m ready.” Lekvarte is listed as a +1600 chance in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) next Saturday at Rosehill. Horse racing news View the full article

Celestial Legend ridden by Kerrin McEvoy takes out the Group 1 Randwick Guineas. Photo: Racing NSW The Les Bridge-trained Celestial Legend (+270) has fought off Militarize (+120) and Cafe Millennium (+7000) to secure a gritty victory in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) on Saturday afternoon. The son of Dundeel had to do it the hard way as opposed to his relatively soft victory in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) a fortnight ago, sitting three wide without cover throughout the 1600m, still proving too good for his rivals in the shadows of the post. He was favoured in some regards, thanks to a genuine tempo throughout the trip, with the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott pair of Les Vampires (+1800) and Ganbare (+2500) leading into the home bend. Fukubana (+3300) pushed forward as well, allowing the back markers to come into play as the leading trio began to fade with 300m to go. The favoured pair of Celestial Legend and Militarize appeared set to fight it out, throw in a late charge by Cafe Millennium, and punters were in for a grandstand finish. Militarize loomed large on the inside, while Cafe Millennium looked like swamping the pair of them late, but it was Celestial Legend and Kerrin McEvoy who would prove victorious in the end, fending off all challengers to secure Group 1 glory in the famous colours of Classique Legend. 2024 Randwick Guineas Replay – Celestial Legend Les Bridge was on course to praise his now Group 1 winning colt, and seems to think there is still more to come, perhaps in the form of a Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) tilt. “He never got on the track (today),” said Bridge. “It was amazing. I think he’s the best horse I’ve had and I’ve thought so for a while but I’ve been frightened to even admit it to myself. But he’s fantastic. “If he pulls up well, I’ll run him in the Doncaster. Bridge briefly spoke about the relationship he and the McEvoy family have as well. “Well, his family has got Classique Legend. And there’s a really close bond between the lot of us. It’s special. That’s all I can say.” Kerrin McEvoy gave full credit to his mount in his post-race assessment and spoke to the toughness of his colt to fight despite the torrid trip. “He was great,” said McEvoy. “It’s a dream for Les (Bridge) and for (owner) Bon (Ho). Les has really loved this horse for a while. It’s been well documented and he did a great job, the horse. “It worked out fine early but then the pressure went on and then I lost my cover and I thought OK, I’ll just try to slide forward and be in front of J Mac (James McDonald) and then he muscled me out of the way on the corner and I had to just regroup and balance him. “He was tough the last furlong because I had to ask him for that extreme effort and he put his head out and dug deep. It was a lovely win, first time up to the mile.” Celestial Legend is now on the second line of betting at +500 with most online bookmakers for the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) on April 6. Horse racing news View the full article

Lady Laguna ridden by Tyler Schiller takes out the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Racing NSW Lady Laguna (+1000) has produced a boil over to claim victory in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes on Saturday afternoon, storming over the top to claim the $750,000 prize. She had put the writing on the wall throughout the campaign, with a hat-trick of victories holding the Annabel Neasham-trained mare in good stead heading into the event but suffered a minor hiccup last start, finishing second behind Zougotcha in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) a fortnight ago. A faster run 1300m seemed to do the trick for the daughter of Overshare, who continues her rise through the grades, culminating in Group 1 success for the first time on Saturday. All the talk was surrounding the return of the Joesph Pride-trained Think About It (+140) heading into the weekend, along with Espiona (+140) hopping on the float back to Sydney after an impressive first-up performance in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington first-up. Both ended up jumping towards the rear of the field, with Think About It making a mid-race move with 600m to travel, it gave jockey Tyler Schiller the perfect opportunity to check off the back of the Everest winner with 400m to go, putting them away stylishly in the concluding stages. Think About It lost no admirers holding onto the runner-up position, while a fast-finishing Espiona would have to settle for a third-place finish. 2024 Canterbury Stakes Replay – Lady Laguna Lady Laguna was simply too good in the end, and Annabel Neasham was on course to discuss the dominant win of her talented mare. “No horse deserves it more than her,” said an elated Neasham. “She’s an iron-woman. She’s so tough. “We were a little bit further back than I wanted to be but it was a beautiful ride by Tyler and I’m just so over the moon that she’s a Group 1 winner. And to win for OTI and the team is just so special. “She’s just very straightforward. She’s always a happy, sound horse. “I didn’t gallop her on Tuesday because in the back of my mind I had the Coolmore Classic for next week as well, so I thought we’ll just keep her fresh because she’s been up a long time. And that’s the beauty with her, you don’t have to do a whole lot with her. “She’s an absolute star.” It was the second Group 1 success as a jockey for Tyler Schiller as he spoke to the gravity of the victory for himself and how the race unfolded for his mount. “It feels as good as the first time,” said Schiller. “I actually thought she was going to get rounded up late but she just kept kicking and she was strong for the 1300 (metres). She’s not a renowned 1300-metre horse but she was too good for them there. “I would have loved to have actually stayed in behind Bandersnatch or be in advance of him early, he was a bit of a fly in the ointment but it gave me a lovely run in transit. “And once I pulled into the lane I just had to travel her up the rise and she was too strong for them late.” Horse racing news View the full article

Champion jockey is adamant John Size’s consistent performer will relish dropping back to seven furlongsView the full article

A return to the scene of his greatest win has worked wonders for He’s A Doozy, who burst back into form with victory in Saturday’s The Hits Autumn Cup (1600m) at Trentham. The Wellington track has always brought the very best out of the Zacinto gelding, whose 10 previous visits to Trentham had produced five wins including last season’s Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) and Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m). But the current season had been a fruitless one for the six-year-old, finishing no closer than fourth in his six appearances before Saturday’s $50,000 open handicap. That all changed at Trentham. He’s A Doozy was assigned a testing 62kg topweight, but dropped to 59kg with apprentice jockey Ace Lawson-Carroll’s 3kg claim. He jumped awkwardly and settled at the rear of the seven-horse field in the early stages of the race, then slid forward into fifth just before the end of the back straight. The leader Marroni rolled off the fence at the home turn and Lawson-Carroll seized his opportunity, driving through the inside and hitting the lead with 200m remaining. Duncan Creek and Sumi gave their all to try to run him down, but He’s A Doozy kept kicking and held on gamely to win by a short head. Trainer Lisa Latta paid $70,000 to buy He’s A Doozy as a yearling at Karaka in 2019. His 30-start career has now produced eight wins, four placings and $505,425 in stakes. “He’s a good horse and it’s a real relief to see him back in winning form today,” Latta said. “He loves it around Trentham, he was given a good ride and won the race really nicely “There’s not a lot of options around for a horse like him at this time of year, but we might look at the Awapuni Gold Cup (Gr.2, 2100m), which is at Trentham this year (on April 6). We’ll probably look to give him a trial in between to keep him up to the mark.” He’s A Doozy was the third winner on the Trentham card for Lawson-Carroll and the second for Latta. That trainer-jockey combination also teamed up to win the Graham’s Painters 1000 with highly talented three-year-old Platinum Attack, who has now won all of his last three races in succession. “He’s a very promising horse and is just doing everything on raw ability at the moment,” Latta said. “He hit the front a long way out today, so it was a good, tough effort to keep going and get the win.” View the full article

An inch perfect front running ride by Irishman Joe Doyle paved the way for outsider El Vencedor to upset the applecart in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie. Despite a consistent form-line with a win and three placings along with a last-start fourth in the Gr.1 Otaki-Māori Weight For Age Classic (1600m), the five-year-old son of Shocking was overlooked by punters as he closed at $21 on the Fixed Odds market. All the smart money was on class four-year-old mare Legarto ($1.20) who had taken out the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at her last start. Those investments looked well placed early in the piece as Ryan Elliot settled her beautifully in third as she stalked El Vencedor and Doyle, who set up a tidy pace in front. Approaching the home corner, it was evident that El Vencedor was travelling sweetly in his first start beyond 1600m, however Legarto had him in her sights as she switched off the rail and set out to bridge the three-length margin the leader had established with 300m to run. Despite making ground steadily, Legarto couldn’t pull back El Vencedor who kicked strongly for Doyle and powered to the line to win by half a length with Ladies Man finishing resolutely for third, albeit four lengths in arrears of the first two. Trainer Stephen Marsh, who had two races earlier taken out the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) with Velocious, was a little lost for words as he contemplated what his charge had just achieved. “Legarto is such a great mare and you never take her cheaply, but I loved the way he got to the front under a bit of pressure then got a couple of cheap sectionals,” Marsh said. “He was galloping beautifully in front and coming into the straight I saw Legarto come off the bridle just as we were starting to climb into it. “I thought geez we could be a chance here, and he kicked well and galloped nice and true which was beautiful to see. “He has got better and better with each run, and this is great for his breeders and owners Mark Freeman and David Price as they own the mare, and it is just awesome all around. “Two Group Ones in a day is just surreal.” Doyle wore a massive smile as he accepted congratulations for his performance on the brave winner. “That is just fantastic, and this is a race with a lot of history,” he said. “Stephen’s horse (El Vencedor) was so tenacious, and I’m absolutely thrilled. “We agreed before the race that the only chance we had was if we could get relaxed in front, so I let him slide forward and when we hit the rise, I let him fill his lungs and he was as tough as anything and got me home.” Freeman and Price bred the gelding from their O’Reilly mare Strictly Maternal and he is the younger brother of their Gr.2 Brisbane Cup (2200m) winner Chocante, while he is also a half-brother to Hong Kong Derby winner Sky Darci. The win took his career earnings beyond the $636,000 mark with seven wins and thirteen placings from 31 starts. Runner-up Legarto also significantly boosted her career earnings with the runner-up cheque of $83,250, added to a whopping $500,000 bonus as the inaugural winner of the $650,000 summer series that was introduced this year by Entain Australia and New Zealand in association with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. The series ran across four races between January and March, rewarding the series winner with a $500,000 bonus for accumulating the most points from contesting either the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham on January 20, or $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on January 27. Having finished runner-up in the Aotearoa Classic before taking out the third leg of the series, the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa last month, Legarto went into the decider as a clear series leader with 20.5 points and her runner-up finish saw her collect the lion’s share of a much sought after prize. View the full article

Superstar filly Velocious cemented herself atop the country’s two-year-old ranks with a tenacious victory in Saturday’s Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. Velocious burst onto the juvenile scene on debut at Te Rapa in November, the daughter of Written Tycoon swiftly collecting black-type honours in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) at the following start. Her sole defeat in a dazzling five-start career came on heavy track conditions in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m), a performance rectified in spades when she delivered trainer Stephen Marsh with a triumphant Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) victory. Cambridge-based Marsh, alongside syndication group Go Racing entered Saturday’s two-year-old feature hoping to repeat a slice of personal history, after the partnership claimed the Karaka Million-Sistema Stakes double with Ruud Awakening in 2013. In the hands of regular rider Sam Spratt, Velocious exploded from barrier four as a $1.60 TAB tote- favourite, settling outside the pacemaker Poetic Champion. Previously unbeaten in four starts, Captured By Love was touted as the key danger to Velocious, but the Te Akau Racing filly was forced back and three-wide early in the eight-horse affair. As Poetic Champion began to angle wider rounding the home turn, Spratt urged Velocious into the lead and she exploded clear at the 150m, an advantage too great for Archaic Smile and Captured By Love to reel in as the classy fillies scorched home to fill the minor placings. Marsh admitted to a few nerves prior to the race and was delighted to have claimed his second-straight Sistema crown, after winning last year’s edition with Ulanova after Tokyo Tycoon was disqualified for a swab irregularity. “That feels great. She’s a great filly, a Karaka Million winner, and now she’s a Group One winner. That just tops it all off,” he said. “I was nervous coming into today, a lot more gee’d up than for the Karaka Million, but I’m just happy it’s done and dusted and she’s got it. “I was very comfortable, I thought Sam rode the horse perfectly. I told her to watch out for Poetic Champion, it could run out, and we were always going to nurse her to about the 200m, but when he started to run out, she had to push the button a bit early. “She was just a sitting duck in the last little bit, she sprinted hard and she’s got a great turn of foot. She’s probably ridden better taking a sit, but Sam rode her perfectly, for today.” Velocious returns to the winners enclosure. Photo: Trish Dunell Marsh had elected to give Velocious a brief freshen-up following the Karaka Millions, a comfortable trial win at Cambridge in late February proving the ideal lead-in. “You can’t run in every race, we peaked her for the Karaka Million and we wanted to give her a freshen up. She had the one quiet trial at Cambridge, that was all she needed, and today just showed that,” he said. “You just can’t beat this feeling.” Champion Kiwi-expat hoop James McDonald took the ride aboard Velocious in the Karaka Millions 2YO, and Spratt, ever the consummate professional, was thrilled to re-partner with the filly on Saturday. “That was just awesome, I’ve had a bit of luck on the horse so it was great to get across the line for them (Marsh, Go Racing),” she said. “It’s part of the game, if you’re playing rugby and Richie McCaw is in your position you’re going to be on the sideline, so I had a sneaking suspicion right from the word go that it was going to be like that (Karaka Millions). “They looked after me and put me back on now, so as I said, it’s just part and parcel.” Spratt became the first female jockey in the 21st century to win the Sistema Stakes, and it hadn’t all been smooth sailing through the running. “Poetic Champion was trying to run off a little bit, I think he (Per-Anders Graberg, jockey) was having a bit of trouble. I didn’t have much of an option, I had to kick-up, so he didn’t get too much of a length on us, otherwise it would’ve just run me off,” she said. “It panned out roughly how I wanted, but that wasn’t helping the scenario. “She just does as much as she needs to, I think if they (Archaic Smile and Captured By Love) came up, she would’ve dug again. It was a good run. “Any Group One is awesome, everyone wants one, and each is worth it.” Out of the Snitzel mare Parmalove, Velocious has now earned $917,750 for the Go Racing Burrata Syndicate, after Albert Bosma purchased the filly out of Inglewood Stud’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2023 for $190,000. View the full article

Luckless in feature races in her two previous starts, Eternal Flame turned things around and collected a deserved first black-type victory in Saturday’s A$200,000 Gr.3 Matron Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. The New Zealand-bred daughter of Sacred Falls was already a three-time winner, but her previous appearances at stakes level had produced a sixth in the Gr.2 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m), sixth in the Gr.2 Kewney Stakes (1600m), fifth in the Listed Black Pearl Stakes (1200m), fifth in the Gr.3 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m) and a last-start fourth in the Gr.3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m), with plenty of hard-luck stories along the way. Saturday was finally her day. Eternal Flame settled in the back half of the field in the early stages of the race, then slid forward into a handier position in fourth and one off the rail. Running By burst to the lead and kicked clear with 200m remaining, but Eternal Flame gradually wore her down and passed her in the final 50m to score by half a length. “I rode her neutral out of the gates, but a spot presented itself a bit closer so I ended up rolling forward and taking it up,” jockey Damian Lane said. “I thought the tempo was good throughout, which was ideal for us. “Running By left me off the bridle early in the run home, and I wasn’t sure if she was going to pick her up. But to her credit her last 100m were her best and she got the job done. “She’s just taken leaps and bounds in this preparation. She’s really strengthened and is a different animal. Hopefully this isn’t the ceiling for her and she can reach a higher bar again.” From 11 starts, Eternal Flame has now had four wins and a second placing. The Michael Kent-trained four-year-old has earned A$273,200 in stakes. “We’ve had a great ride with this filly,” part-owner Craig Williams said. “She’s been so unlucky in a number of races. She might have had a few people knocking her after her last couple, but she proved herself today. “Mick picked her out of the Ready to Run Sale in New Zealand a couple of years ago, and he took his time with her, as he does with all his horses. I think she’ll be even better as a five-year-old next year. She’s great to be involved with.” Kent was represented at Flemington on Saturday by Nikki Burke. “I was happy with where she was placed in the run, although I’d probably expected her to be a pair or two further back,” she said. “Coming into the straight, I thought she was going to win easily, but then the leader really kicked and she was left flat-footed for a couple of strides. But then she was very strong late and she really deserved a Group win. She arguably should have won her last two. “I think we might give her a freshen-up now and maybe look at something in Adelaide in May.” Eternal Flame was bred by Hoofbeat Ltd and is one of five winners from seven named foals out of the Savabeel mare Suriyan. Herself a winner over 1200m, Suriyan is a three-quarter-sister to the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner and Waikato Stud stallion Noverre. Suriyan’s other foals include the multiple placegetter Tres Rapide, who is the dam of Group Three winner Kinane. Offered by Kilmore Farm at the 2021 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, Eternal Flame was bought by Phill Cataldo Bloodstock for $260,000. View the full article

Promising New Zealand-bred Von Hauke took his career to new heights with his first black-type victory in Saturday’s A$200,000 Gr.3 Furphy Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap (1400m) at Flemington. The Savabeel gelding had made only one previous appearance in stakes company, finishing fifth in the Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1400m) over the same course and distance back in October. But the four-year-old had caught the eye with a strong finish in his resuming run over 1100m at Caulfield on February 24, giving trainer Cliff Brown the confidence to raise the bar on Saturday. Von Hauke rose to the occasion with an impressive come-from-behind win. Von Hauke was ridden by Craig Williams, who settled him in fourth among a small field of just six. The hot favourite Amenable enjoyed a comfortable time in front and looked hard to catch when he kicked at the home turn, but Williams unleashed Von Hauke down the centre of the track and he clawed his way up alongside Amenable and pipped him in a tight finish. “This race ended up being a small, select field,” Williams said. “It was my first ride on the horse, but Cliff’s instructions were simple – just ride him and don’t dig him up. He has had a tendency to over-race and take control of the rider. “They put the right amount of work into him and he travelled sweetly for me and then responded nicely in the straight. On the strength of that performance, they’re going to have a lot of fun with this horse.” From 11 starts, Von Hauke has now recorded three wins and five placings, earning A$268,075 for his owners Brave Pastoral Co Pty Ltd and Imperial Racing Stable. “He’s a lovely horse,” Brown said. “Today was significant because he showed that he can relax. “He ran over 1100m last time, he learned a lot there and his sectionals were incredible. He was thrown in at the deep end today, but we did that for a reason and 1400m was a good distance for him second-up. “We’ll probably go to a mile next. I think he’s a horse with good upside.” Von Hauke became the 144th individual stakes winner for champion Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel, who has had a big week with the heroics of Orchestral in last Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and Certainly in the Gr.3 Mufhasa Stakes (1400m). Von Hauke was bred by Waikato Stud and is out of the O’Reilly mare Tiara, who is a granddaughter of the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Royal Tiara. Von Hauke is now the best of three winners from four foals to race from Tiara, who produced a Super Seth colt in 2021, a Tivaci filly in 2022 and a Tivaci colt last spring. Offered by Stonehouse Thoroughbreds at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Von Hauke was bought by Cliff Brown Racing for A$190,000. View the full article

Bidding to add to an impressive collection of Hong Kong feature wins this season, James McDonald is wary of emerging threats to Lucky Sweynesse as the world’s top-rated sprinter attempts to win a second successive HK$13 million Gr.1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (10 March). McDonald reunites with Manfred Man’s speedster for the first time since the pair’s 2023 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup triumph as the New Zealander shapes to add to Hong Kong Group One races – the 2023 Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and 2024 Gr.1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) on Romantic Warrior and the 2024 Gr.1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on Voyage Bubble – he has already secured this season. The New Zealander is excited to be aboard Lucky Sweynesse, who is unbeaten at the course and distance from three starts. “He’s (Lucky Sweynesse) a champion sprinter and he’s as good as you can get. Obviously, last season he was great and he’s been a slow build this year, but I wouldn’t swap him for anything that’s for sure,” McDonald said. “He was very good last year (in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup). He beat a very in-form California Spangle who was flying. He did a good job and ran it out strongly.” Lucky Sweynesse, who has drawn barrier eight, will again face California Spangle as well as Beauty Eternal, Beauty Joy, Lucky With You, Healthy Happy, Taj Dragon, Son Pak Fu, Red Lion and Galaxy Patch. McDonald is respectful of all Sunday’s competitors, but has identified Beauty Eternal and Taj Dragon as likely dangers as Lucky Sweynesse attempts to rebound after a last-start sixth to Victor The Winner in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) on 28 January. “It was the worst run of his career last start, but he’s a serious horse on his day and he’s unbeaten over 1400m,” McDonald said. “It’s a bit of a different kettle of fish because it’s over 1400m rather than six furlongs, but I’m pretty hopeful of our chance this time around. “Zac’s on Beauty Eternal, so he must have a massive chance. Taj Dragon is also going super at the minute and he may be able to come up another notch.” McDonald has five other mounts on Sunday – Seizing The Moment and Golden Rise for John Size, Danny Shum’s Packing Prospect, Champion Dragon for Tony Cruz and Giddy Up for Jamie Richards. Sunday’s (10 March) 10-race card at Sha Tin starts with the Class 5 Hau Wong Handicap (1800m) at 1pm. View the full article

Five-time Group One placegetter Young Werther earned himself another shot at the elite level with a dominant front-running performance in Saturday’s A$200,000 TAB Australian Cup Prelude (1800m) at Flemington. The New Zealand-bred son of Tavistock is well used to performing on the biggest stage, having finished second in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) and Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and third in the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m), Turnbull Stakes and Champion Stakes (2000m). The six-year-old was clearly the highest-rated runner in Saturday’s field at 106, but he got in at level weights under the set weights and penalties conditions of the race. Young Werther was sent out as a $2.35 favourite and proceeded to dominate the race from the front. Rider Damian Lane urged him forward out of the gate and took up a leading position that he never looked in any danger of surrendering. Young Werther kicked hard in the straight and opened up a winning margin of two and a half lengths. “He was great today,” Lane said. “I’ve ridden this horse many times now, and this is the first time I’ve been able to win on him. In my defence, his winning strike rate isn’t great, but he’s always raced well at a high level. “He really got in well at the weights today, and I was able to take luck out of the equation and ride him like the best horse.” From 29 starts, Young Werther has now recorded four wins and 11 placings, earning more than A$1.89 million in stakes. Trainer Danny O’Brien will now give Young Werther another shot at the big time in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 30. “He’s been in tremendous form since the start of spring, really,” O’Brien said. “You can’t find a bad run, and he’s run against the best all the way through his career. “His third start was in the Derby here, where he ran third, and he was beaten by a half-head in the Australian Derby at Randwick later that season. Here he is, still presenting as a six-year-old and still running really well. “A three-week gap into the Australian Cup now is perfect, and 2000m at Flemington suits him really well. We thought he was unlucky not to win the Champions Stakes over that course and distance in the spring. It would be nice to see him pick up a good Group One.” Young Werther was purchased out of Cambridge Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by O’Brien, in partnership with Aquis Farm, for $140,000. Out of the winning Fastnet Rock mare Romantic Time, Young Werther is a half-brother to this season’s stakes-winning three-year-old filly About Time, along with stakes placegetter Romantic Lady. View the full article

Passive Aggressive ridden by Jordan Childs takes out the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Racing NSW After almost a full calendar year off the scene and a brief stint as a broodmare, Passive Aggressive (+700) has made a triumphant return to racing, claiming back-to-back victories in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday. The Grahame Begg-trained mare won this race impressively last year, before finding Group 1 company in the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) too testing and was retired shortly after being unable to make an impact in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 6 of 2023. She was unable to get into foal while standing as a broodmare, and the decision was made to return to racing, paying dividends on Saturday as she has quickly returned to form. It was a patience steer aboard the daughter of Fastnet Rock, with Jordan Childs sliding across to find a mid-field position one horse off the rail throughout the 1000m journey, as Zapateo (+1800) found herself in an unfamiliar front-running role. Aft Cabin (+500) and Remarque (+400) got into lovely positions behind the speed, while the race favourite Private Eye (+120) was slightly slow away, with Nash Rawiller making the decision to take him towards the rear of the field. Passive Aggressive rounded up her rivals with relative ease with 200m to go, while Aft Cabin never got clear running between gallopers. Zapateo held her ground nicely to find the minor money, while Remarque rounded out the top four, with Private Eye unsighted in the concluding stages. It was all about the winner in the end, as Passive Aggressive bounded away to score, making it back-to-back wins in the Challenge Stakes, suggesting there is still more to come from the five-year-old mare. 2024 Challenge Stakes Replay – Passive Aggressive Stable representative Jack Lake was on course on behalf of the Grahame Begg team and praised his mare after a tough time at the breeding barn. “Since day one she’s always been a class horse,” said Lake. “It was disappointing when she had to be retired and when she couldn’t get in foal and she came back into work, she’s just been terrific since she’s come back in. “After having almost a year off we probably thought she could have been very vulnerable late but she was very gallant to the line. So it was very impressive. “She’s a bit of a cranky mare at times, so the fitter she gets, the more wound up she gets and becomes more of a bit of a typical mare, sort of thing. “But we’re just rapt to have her back and I don’t think she could have been any more impressive there.” Jordan Childs was delighted with the win and also spoke post-race about a change of tactics with the way the race unfolded before stating her claims to a possible Group 1 tilt in the autumn. “It’s a bit different to last year, we went a bit conservative today,” said Childs. “It wasn’t originally the plan but she just didn’t begin as well as what she usually could so I went to Plan B and just took her nice and quiet. When I was travelling into the straight she gave me a really unreal feel once I pressed that button. She was just too good for them. “She’s strengthened up a lot and she has come back a proper horse this time in, so I’m very looking forward to what the future holds.” Passive Aggressive is now a +2500 chance with online bookmakers for the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on April 6. Horse racing news View the full article

After finding one too strong in both the Hong Kong Sprint and Centenary Sprint Cup, Lucky With You bids to go one better in Sunday’s Group OneView the full article

Chris Waller has emerged as a major Golden Slipper contender after his exciting colt Switzerland powered to victory in the Todman Stakes at Randwick. 2024 Todman Stakes winner Switzerland heads into the $4.92 Golden Slipper undefeated. Photo: Steve Hart. This win puts jockey James McDonald in a difficult position, as he must choose between Switzerland and Storm Boy, the winner of last week’s Skyline Stakes, for the $4.92 million Group 1 in a fortnight at Rosehill Gardens. Switzerland, a son of Snitzel, remained undefeated with a flawless display in his first attempt at Group company. Ridden perfectly by McDonald in the Todman Stakes over 1200m, he stalked the leader Straight Charge before surging past the beaten favourite in the final stages. “It makes things a bit easier knowing you’re on target,” said Waller after the race. “He improved from his last run and relished the step up in distance. “This was a strong field, and hopefully it translates into good form for the Slipper in two weeks.” Switzerland’s victory has seen him shorten significantly in all-in Golden Slipper betting, moving into second favouritism at $6 through Ladbrokes. However, Storm Boy remains the clear pre-field favourite at $2.40. Following the race, McDonald hinted that he might favour Switzerland on Slipper Day. “He’s a proper little racehorse,” he said. “He surprised me today with his authority in the finish. He’s definitely the one to beat in the Slipper.” The Golden Slipper promises to be an exciting race, with Waller boasting a strong chance at back-to-back victories after his 2023 victory with Shinzo. Only Farnan (2020) has achieved the Todman Stakes – Golden Slipper double in recent years, and the racing world will be watching closely to see if Switzerland can emulate that feat. 2024 Todman Stakes Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 6 SWITZERLAND Chris Waller James McDonald 4 55.5kg $3.60 2 3 STRAIGHT CHARGE Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 0.91L 1 55.5kg $2.80F 3 1 SHANGRI LA EXPRESS Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Regan Bayliss 2.12L 2 55.5kg $14 4 4 BODYGUARD Peter & Paul Snowden Tommy Berry 2.7L 7 55.5kg $8.50 5 5 ESPIONAGE Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Nash Rawiller 3.68L 8 55.5kg (cd 56kg) $4 6 8 GETAFIX John O’Shea Jason Collett 8.82L 5 55.5kg $19 7 10 VERLANDER Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Jordan Childs 9.07L 3 55.5kg $81 8 7 ALL INCLUSIVE David Vandyke Ryan Maloney 13.26L 6 55.5kg $26 2 ODINSON Ciaron Maher Tom Marquand 0 9 FULL METAL JACKET Gary Portelli Zac Lloyd (a) 0 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Waller’s Switzerland Stakes 2024 Golden Slipper Claim with Dominant Todman Win appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

A thrilling Newmarket Handicap unfolded at Flemington on Saturday, with Godolphin‘s Cylinder emerging as the surprise winner under a masterful ride by Jamie Kah. 2024 Newmarket Handicap winner Cylinder was big running down the favourite to salute for the Godolphin stable off a gun Jamie Kah ride. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. Just a year after missing the winning ride on In Secret due to a fall, Kah found redemption aboard the three-year-old colt. Cylinder, overlooked by punters at $11, bounced back from a second-place finish to Imperatriz in the Lightning Stakes to claim his first Group 1 victory. Despite carrying the weight advantage (51.5kg), Cylinder defied odds and stormed home down the outside lane in the final stages. He secured a dominant 1.25-length victory over the heavily favoured nine-time Group 1 winning New Zealand mare Imperatriz (burdened by the top weight of 58kg), who faded slightly after leading early. The race also delivered a fairy tale ending for Kah. The win came a year after her horrific fall in the VRC Sires’, a race she won this year aboard Godolphin’s Traffic Warden. Following the victory, Kah expressed her emotions, acknowledging the contrasting fortunes of the past year. Adding another layer of significance, Cylinder’s win came in the same week his sire, Exceed And Excel who won the Newmarket 20 years ago, was retired from stud. Trainer James Cummings highlighted the special connection, emphasising Cylinder’s potential as a future champion stallion. The victory also marked the inaugural awarding of the Dean Holland Trophy, honouring the late jockey who rode In Secret last year as a late call up before tragically passing away in a race fall the following month. While Cylinder’s next race remains undecided, the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick on April 6th is a potential target. He is currently priced at $13 in pre-field betting through Ladbrokes. Meanwhile, the gallant Imperatriz sets her sights on a title defence in the William Reid Stakes at The Valley on March 23rd. Despite the Newmarket defeat, she remains the overwhelming favourite at $1.50 in all-in markets back to weight-for-age. 2024 Newmarket Handicap Result Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 14 CYLINDER James Cummings Ms Jamie Kah 11 51.5kg $11 2 1 IMPERATRIZ Mark Walker Opie Bosson 1.25L 3 58kg $2.80F 3 7 THE ASTROLOGIST Leon & Troy Corstens Declan Bates 1.55L 12 52.5kg $101 4 8 BENEDETTA Jason Warren Harry Coffey 1.65L 9 52kg $18 5 2 BELLA NIPOTINA Ciaron Maher Craig Williams 1.85L 4 55.5kg $15 6 6 MAGIC TIME Grahame Begg Michael Dee 2.25L 10 53kg $5 7 12 SGHIRRIPA Shane & Cassie Oxlade Craig Newitt 3.5L 6 52kg $11 8 5 RUTHLESS DAME (NZ) Ciaron Maher Damian Lane 3.6L 2 53.5kg $26 9 3 BUENOS NOCHES Matthew Smith Blake Shinn 4.35L 7 55.5kg $5 10 10 MASTER FAY Chad Ormsby Dean Yendall 11.35L 8 52kg $26 11 13 SKEW WIFF (NZ) Mark Walker Ms Celine Gaudray (a) 16.85L 5 52kg $61 12 9 IT’SOURTIME Danny O’Brien Ms Linda Meech 18.6L 1 52kg $81 4 ESPIONA Chris Waller Jye McNeil 0 11 REY MAGNERIO Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock Daniel Moor 0 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Jamie Kah Steers Cylinder to Upset Victory in Emotional 2024 Newmarket Handicap Result appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Switzerland ridden by James McDonald takes out the Group 2 Todman Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Racing NSW Switzerland (+260) has taken out the Group 2 Todman Stakes to remain undefeated after claiming victory in the main lead-up race for colts for the Golden Slipper, giving James McDonald two live chances in the prestigious two-year-old race in a few weeks. The Chris Waller-trained colt made it three wins from as many starts and after jumping as the second favourite with online bookmakers, behind only Straight Charge (+180), the son of Snitzel proved too strong at the end of 1200m. Straight Charge led the field at a good clip and set the race up for a runner to run on strong from midfield, and that is exactly what the winner did, thanks to a calm and perfectly timed ride from McDonald. The leader was able to hold on for second place and Shangri La Express (+1200) got into clear air late to run home into third place behind the top two. After McDonald rode Storm Boy to victory last weekend, we wait to see who Coolmore chooses to ride their undefeated runners in the Golden Slipper, as their leading rider, Ryan Moore, will make the trip to Australia to ride one of the two colts. 2024 Todman Stakes Replay – Switzerland Chris Waller was on course to speak about the win post-race. “It makes the next two weeks that little bit easier to know you’re on target. For a coach, it makes it a little bit easier,” Waller said. “If you’re running second and thirds you’re scratching your head and wondering, what do I have to do to get a bit of improvement out of a horse. “What I will be doing for the next two weeks is keeping things simple. “Today’s field was as good a field as I’ve seen leading into a Slipper for a while and hopefully the form stacks up in two weeks’ time. “He has kept improving with each run and putting on a bit of weight, strengthening up nicely and enjoying himself, which is the most important thing for any horse. “I’m very lucky to be training for so many great owners, including Coomore. The beauty of that is they’re well organised and they’ll make their decision.” James McDonald was very complimentary of the winner and he believes Switzerland is the one to beat in a few weeks. “He’s a proper little racehorse. He just turns up and does his job,” McDonald said of the winner. “There’s no riff-raff with him. He’s so economical, he’s got the best attitude and that takes him a long way. “He surprised me today. I thought that was an extremely good field and he won with a bit of authority in the end. “I felt like I was really building to my top level right at the end, so he sustained a great gallop. And he’s definitely the one to beat in the Slipper.” He just keeps turning up. The other one (Storm Boy) is completely different. “He’s a big beast of a colt and he’s got so much character and enthusiasm about everything. “This one, he’s a racehorse. He gets out there and does it.” Switzerland is a +500 chance in futures markets for the Golden Slipper with online horse racing sites. Horse racing news View the full article

Eternal Flame (NZ) ridden by Damian Lane wins the Matron Stakes at Flemington Racecourse on March 09, 2024 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Eternal Flame (+320) has finally received some luck for the this campaign as she claimed the Group 3 Matron Stakes in the final event at Flemington. Damian Lane gave the four-year-old mare a prefect ride from barrier nine, getting her into a nice spot behind the speed before allowing the daughter of Sacred Falls to work through her gears in the final 300m. After Running By (+380) took over from the tiring leader, the Mick Kent-trained mare starting to lay in slightly but when Lane switched the whip into his left hand, she straightened and let down with a very strong finish to win the 1600m contest. Running By was very good and finished second in her just her second run in Group 3 grade, while Foxy Cleopatra (+450) produced another solid run from the back of the field to claim another placing this preparation. 2024 Matron Stakes Replay – Eternal Flame Mick Kent was on track to speak about the win post-race. “She’s been very stiff. I didn’t want to be here because I thought we’d have black type by now and we might have gone to Sydney,” Kent said. “We were desperate to get it and she possibly should have won three stakes races by now. “We like her a lot and she’s still got a bit more to come. “We might ease up on her and head to the spring now. “She’s still got two or three inches to grow and these mares get better with age.” After riding Young Werther to victory earlier in the day, Damian Lane brought up a riding double after his win on Eternal Flame. “We were mindful that we didn’t want to work forward at the mile into the breeze so I came out neutral and a spot presented itself so I ended up rolling forward and taking up that spot. “We went out with an open mindset and it was great that that was able to eventuate and we were able to have a prominent role. “I thought the tempo was good throughout and I thought that was ideal but Running By left me off the bridle there on straightening and I was unsure whether I was going to be able to pick up and reel them in. “To her credit her last 150 metres was her best.” Horse racing news View the full article

Von Hauke (NZ) ridden by Craig Williams wins the Furphy Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap at Flemington Racecourse on March 09, 2024 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Craig Williams and Cliff Brown have combined with Von Hauke (+700) to take out the Group 3 Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap at Flemington, which gave Williams his fifth victory in the race in the last 13 years. The son of Savabeel appeared to be disappointing to the eye last start but the four-year-old gelding ran appreciated the rise in distance to 1400m and savaged the line late to claim victory. The race favourite Amenable (-125) led the field from the barriers and beat all bar the winner, as he began to tire in the final 100m after doing all of the hard work into the strong wind. Savannah Cloud (+290) faded out of the race in the concluding stages to finish third after settling outside the leader, leaving the top two to fight the race out, gapping the rest of the field by 2.5 lengths on the line. 2024 Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap Replay – Von Hauke Cliff Brown was very pleased with the win of Von Hauke post-race. “He’s a lovely horse. Today was really significant,” Brown said of the winner. “He actually relaxed. He was a little keen on the bridle early, but then he relaxed. “It was significant his last start, back to the 1100, he wanted to get running, he came back and had he learnt a lot. “His sectionals last start were incredible. You throw them into the deep end for a reason. “This is a good distance second-up and we’ll go to the mile next time.” Craig Williams picked up his first win in the race that he has owned in recent times, and he spoke post-race. “Cliff’s instructions were pretty simple for the horse today; just ride him and don’t dig him because he overraces and takes control,” Williams explained. “I was very fortunate from his first-up run, he’s had a very good time in between and the right amount of work into him which made it really easy. “He was nice and relaxed, he didn’t get too keen. “He seems to change legs through the run but most importantly he wasn’t aggressive and usually takes control of the rider so I was very fortunate that he was well prepared for today.” Horse racing news View the full article

Erno’s Cube ridden by Jason Collet gets his head down in the 2024 Reisling Stakes Ciaron Maher & Jason Collett have combined with Erno’s Cube (+260) to secure victory in the Group 2 (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday. The two-year-old proved too good for her fellow fillies in what is considered one of the strongest lead-up races for the girls before heading to the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) in a fortnight. It was a perfectly timed steer by Collett, who elected to sit back for cover throughout the middle stages of the race, while drifting bookmaker favourite Too Darn Lizzie (+210) utilised her early speed to lead early. James McDonald got the eventual runner-up Silmarillion (+360) into a lovely stalking position in the one-on-one throughout, while the Anthony Cummings-trained Extreme Diva (+650) was locked up with nowhere to go when the whips were cracking. Silmarillion looked to have them all covered with 200m left to travel, but Too Darn Lizzie was in for the fight, as Erno’s Cube launched late to spoil both their parties, getting the head down where it mattered most. 2024 Reisling Stakes Replay – Erno’s Cube Stable representative Johann Gerard-Bubord was on course to discuss the win, and the Golden Slipper seems to be their next likely target. “She is still improving physically, mentally still doing plenty wrong” said Gerrard-Bubord. “From that gate, it was always going to be a bit tricky. “She didn’t help herself early, once she got a bit of cover, she dropped the bridle, and it was a good effort to be able to quicken and get her nose in front.” “We will see how she comes through it first. Obviously, the Slipper is always tempting, but the boys seem to be better than the fillies this year. “She’d gone two weeks from the Silver Slipper, so the right thing to do would be to give her a bit of time and go to the Percy Sykes, but we’ll see how she comes through it. It’s a discussion to have, also now she is a Group Two winner.” Jason Collett was delighted with the victory and gave full credit to the stable before discussing her Slipper chances. “Credit to the stable and Ciaron (Maher),” said Collet. “This is a big effort by them. She was there for the first set of trials, first two-year-old race, she’s just been in the training set-up the whole time, this is a big day for us today with her a Group Two winner. “She’s a work in progress as we’ve been saying. She’s still a work in progress. “She just needs to do things right and when she does it like that, when she relaxes through the middle then she can finish it off. “She’s qualified now, so she’ll be worth a crack. She’s in form and although she still does a few things wrong, you’ll get a good tempo in the Slipper so probably won’t have to worry about that head coming up on me early.” Erno’s Cube is currently listed as a +2500 chance with Neds bookmaker for the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) on March 23. Horse racing news View the full article

Autumn Angel ridden by Mark Zahra wins the TAB Kewney Stakes at Flemington Racecourse on March 09, 2024 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) After a luckless run last start, Autumn Angel (+360) has taken out the Group 2 Kewney Stakes at Flemington, thanks to smart ride by Mark Zahra. The Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained filly settled midfield and received a good smother before she began to make her run under a vigorous ride from Zahra, as she hit the front with 250m to go. After putting the stablemate Mollynickers (+290) in a pocket upon straightening, the daughter of The Autumn Sun lengthened nicely and appeared to have the race within her keeping at 200m mark, but the swoopers were coming. Along with the stablemate, Basalinna (+2200) started to challenge the leader but the strength of Zahra in the final 50m helped the filly hold on and claim a valuable win over a distance that is slightly short of her best. On a personal note for Zahra, he has claimed the last two editions of the Kewney Stakes, after partnering Revolutionary Miss to victory in the race 12 months ago. 2024 Kewney Stakes Replay – Autumn Angel Katherine Coleman represented the winning stable and spoke about the victory after the race. “I’m shaking. That was amazing. She’s a really special filly,” Coleman said of the winner. “We’ve had a big opinion of her. Last start didn’t go to plan at all but to come through and to run like that, she’s really something special. “She’s a very tough girl. She gives us a bit of a hard time at home every now and again but when they’re tough like that on race day you don’t mind it. “It was a fantastic ride from Mark Zahra. He produced her at the right time. She was able to build momentum and roll into it. There are good things in store for this girl. “There’s plenty of options for her at this this time of year. An Australasian Oaks, you wouldn’t go past that. Then in Sydney as well.” Mark Zahra was very pleased with the win, and he spoke post-race. “It is too hot to be riding horses today,” Zahra said of the conditions. “She hit the front, she’s a 2000-metre horse, and I felt when she got to the front she was hitting a flat spot. “I just needed (the whip in) the left quickly and when I pulled it through the rein I was riding it out and shit was going everywhere. “Eventually my whip went and I was able to keep the momentum going. “She was strong to the line and it was a good win. “When I got to the front, I got there, and she wasn’t quickening really good. Even going to the gates I thought she’s a 2000-metre horse. “The Vinery should be no problem. She’s got a lot more upside.” Autumn Angel is +1400 chance in futures markets for the Vinery Stud Stakes with online bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

Ciaron Maher‘s Erno’s Cube displayed both determination and experience to claim a narrow victory in the 2024 Reisling Stakes at Randwick. Erno’s Cube will be considered for the Group 1 Golden Slipper after her 2024 Reisling Stakes win in Sydney. Photo: Steve Hart. The Rubick filly, the most seasoned competitor in the field, overcame early challenges to surge past rivals in the closing stages. Jockey Jason Collett rode Erno’s Cube from an awkward position towards the back of the pack. Despite the extra effort required to find a running lane, Erno’s Cube unleashed a powerful late run wider out, edging out Godolphin’s Silmarillion for the win. Race favourite Too Darn Lizzie, fresh off her Magic Millions Fillies Debut victory in January, led for much of the race but ultimately settled for third despite showing plenty of fight. “She is still improving physically, mentally still doing plenty wrong. From that gate it was always going to be a bit tricky,” stable rep Johann Gerard-Bubord told the media post-win. “She didn’t help herself early, once she got a bit of cover she dropped the bridle and it was a good effort to be able to quicken and get her nose in front.” Erno’s Cube, who previously finished fourth in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and third in the Silver Slipper Stakes, has now solidified her credentials as a contender on the big stage. This win has sparked discussions about a potential tilt at the Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on March 23rd. A victory in the Golden Slipper would see Erno’s Cube emulate Estijaab, the last filly to achieve the Reisling Stakes – Golden Slipper double (2018). Her pre-field Golden Slipper odds have significantly shortened from $51 to $34 at Ladbrokes following her impressive performance. However, connections may also opt for a Randwick target during The Championships in April. The Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) is a potential alternative with a million dollars up for grabs, with Erno’s Cube currently priced at $11 in pre-field betting at Ladbrokes. “We will see how she comes through it first. Obviously, the Slipper is always tempting but the boys seem to be better than the fillies this year,” Gerard-Bubord said. “She’d gone two weeks from the Silver Slipper, so the right thing to do would be to give her a bit of time and go to the Percy Sykes, but we’ll see how she comes through it. “It’s a discussion to have also now she is a Group Two winner. “She has been going for a long time, she’s had a little freshen between races but she seems to handle her racing very well.” Erno’s Cube’s fighting spirit and closing speed have made her a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming juvenile features. The racing world will be watching closely to see which path her connections choose. 2024 Reisling Stakes Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 2 ERNO’S CUBE Ciaron Maher Jason Collett 8 55.5kg $3.70 2 8 SILMARILLION James Cummings James McDonald 0.14L 2 55.5kg $4.60 3 1 TOO DARN LIZZIE Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 0.34L 3 55.5kg $3.10F 4 5 MISS BUSSLINGER Kris Lees Dylan Gibbons (a) 1.95L 7 55.5kg $20 5 6 EXTREME DIVA Anthony Cummings Chad Schofield 2.1L 1 55.5kg $8 6 9 MIC DROP Todd Howlett Tommy Berry 2.27L 6 55.5kg $26 7 4 NYMPHADORA Stephen O’Halloran Tom Sherry 3.54L 4 55.5kg $19 8 7 REASONABLE POINT Ben Brisbourne Sam Clipperton 3.86L 5 55.5kg $10 3 CASTANYA Annabel Neasham Zac Lloyd (a) 0 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Erno’s Cube Scores Gritty Reisling Stakes Win, Golden Slipper Ambitions Emerge appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Cylinder ridden by Jamie Kah wins the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) For the third time in the last five years, Godolphin has taken out the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap with their three-year-old colt Cylinder (+900) joining Bivouac and In Secret by claiming the time-honoured contest. After not being able to ride In Secret in the race last year, Jamie Kah has returned 12 months later to claim the race that she rightfully would have won if she didn’t suffer her terrible fall in the Sires’ Produce Stakes. Cylinder, a son of Exceed And Excel, settled midfield from his outside barrier and followed the group of runners that ran up the outside fence before exploding with a blistering turn of foot to challenge the leaders at the 300m mark. In the leading division on the inside was Imperatriz (+170) and Magic Time (+450), but they couldn’t go with the colt in the final 100m, as he pulled clear from the rest of the field late. Although Imperatriz didn’t win, she was very good with the big weight to finish second, ahead of The Astrologist (+10000) in third place. 2024 Newmarket Handicap Replay – Cylinder Representing the stable once again, Nacim Delmi spoke about his first Group 1 victory since taking over as the Victorian foreman. “It is massive. Obviously there is a big team behind us and we’ve always believed in the horse,” Delmi said. “He came to the races today and we knew he was bang on and ready to go. He delivered. “We added a tongue tie on the horse as he had a bad habit at the stables but early on as a two-year-old he had an accident in the barriers and broke his jaw. “He’s always been a little bit tricky with his mouth and we wanted to try that on. Jamie came and galloped him on Tuesday and when she came back she was like, ‘he was awesome’. “We were very confident today.” Jamie Kah was understandably emotional after the win and she spoke post-race. “I thought I was a tough person but I’m not today. Even (winning) the last race was massive for me, to get through that and have it behind me,” Kah said. “This is for Dean Holland. I couldn’t imagine anyone riding that horse as well as he did last year and I felt so happy that I gave him the opportunity to win the Newmarket. “Hopefully he is watching down on us today. I can’t believe that happened. “Obviously it was a horrible day for me last year but I’m so happy that Dean got to win on that horse. “He was an amazing person. “Today has been amazing and for Godolphin, they have always supported me. “Last year I didn’t get the opportunity to win the Newmarket for them but Dean Holland did which is great. “It is great to get over last year and start again and I don’t think any day will top today.” Cylinder is a +1200 chance in futures markets for the TJ Smith Stakes with online horse racing betting sites. Horse racing news View the full article

Superstar Kiwi hunts for fourth elite-level victory in Hong Kong this season aboard Sunday’s Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) favouriteView the full article