Wandering Eyes

I wish I had met Paul Mellon. He does seem to have been a rather good egg. Mill Reef was born the year before me and though I wasn't precocious enough to have enjoyed his racing career live, for some reason, since I started taking a serious interest in racing, he has long been one of my favourite horses. I think a lot of it has to do with Mellon himself. Can you imagine a modern-day Gimcrack-winning owner writing a poem about his horse, as Mellon did for Mill Reef in 1970? That year was only the tip of the iceberg when it came to the horse's success. Six Group 1 wins would follow at three and four, including victory in the two most important races of all: the Derby and the Arc. I was thinking of Mill Reef the other morning as I always do on visits to the National Stud. His name plaque is still visible, and the stallion yard is made extra special for having his statue there en route to the paddocks. Its plinth bears plenty of clues as to the kind of man Paul Mellon was. One side states the horse's breeding and achievements and, in a particularly nice touch, credits John Hallum, who looked after Mill Reef when the horse was in training with Ian Balding at Kingsclere, and George Roth, who did the same during his stallion career. Again, I wonder how many other owners would have thought to acknowledge the key people in the horse's life in so permanent a manner. On the other side of the plinth is Mellon's poem from his Gimcrack speech: Swift as a bird I flew down many a course. Princes, Lords, Commoners all sang my praise. In victory or defeat I played my part. Remember me, all men who love the Horse, If hearts and spirits flag in after days; Though small, I gave my all. I gave my heart. Mellon's legacy to racing has more substance than this delightful whimsy. American by birth, the confirmed Anglophile was a significant benefactor to the British Racing School and Royal Veterinary College and, pleasingly, his English racing colours live on through the Kingsclere Racing Club thanks to him having bequeathed them to Ian Balding. So too does the story of Mill Reef through Lord Oaksey's wonderful book and the Albert Finney-narrated film Something to Brighten the Morning. Racing and breeding have changed, in some ways for the better, in some ways not. While interviewing Peter Kavanagh of Kildaragh Stud recently this was brought to mind again, as he rued the demise of the owner-breeder. Things are different now, and people breed horses differently, too, with much more of a commercial imperative. This is not a bad thing per se, but one can't help but wonder if we are losing some of that pure love for the horse – call it sentimentality if you like – as well as a proper understanding of the traits of families in the process. A treasured possession in our house is a collection of four leather-bound scrapbooks compiled by Sir Victor Sassoon and detailing every mention of his Guineas and Derby winner Crepello in newsprint. For obvious reasons, scrapbooking is a dying art, except at Heath House, where, during Christmas week, Sir Mark Prescott will have faithfully consigned his favourite clippings of the year to a new book. So much is lost, too, in our digital life, as convenient and environmentally friendly though it undoubtedly is. Sure, we can look up most things online (and of course TDN has a handy daily archive stretching back years) to see the results and ratings, and watch the replays over and over. But there is something rather thrilling about being able to read in yellowing, faded newspaper clippings just what Peter Willett or Roger Mortimer or John Hislop or Dare Wigan thought of Crepello at the time, all adding their own informed takes on his pedigree. All that would have been lost to this reader without those scrapbooks. Hislop, later the owner-breeder of Mill Reef's nemesis Brigadier Gerard, said in the Sporting Life of June 11, 1957, “At no time has our bloodstock been in greater need of a boost, and Crepello's pedigree holds out every hope of his proving a classic sire in the old tradition.” Maybe things haven't changed that much at all. The two best horses we saw on the racecourse in 2023 are now both safely ensconced in stallion barns: Equinox (Jpn) at Shadai Stallion Station and Ace Impact (Ire) at Haras de Beaumont. We've heard plenty of late about how Japan is running rings around the rest of the breeding world when it comes to producing top horses, but another way in which the country is a global leader for the sport is in its fan engagement. When speaking to Japanese journalist and broadcaster Naohiro Goda at Tattersalls just after Equinox's retirement from racing had been announced, he mentioned a JRA-planned retirement ceremony, which took place the week before Christmas at Nakayama. “The fans will expect to be able to say goodbye,” he said. Quite right too. Let's copy this idea. After all, we had one for Frankie Dettori on Champions' Day and he isn't even retiring. One or two such ceremonies for the truly special horses would be a great way to show our appreciation. Because really, all the sales, the politics, the raceday concerts are just sideshows. Horses in full flight are what draw us all in, whether we are punters, racegoers, breeders, owners, trainers or jockeys: they are the one thing we all have in common. Though we have this unifying element, even better is that we all love different horses for different reasons, and it's not just the great ones. That, too, when we are breeding Thoroughbreds in their thousands, is an important message that should not go unheard. Every Christmas we receive a card from a lady who owns one of the former residents of our yard. He's 22 now and he wasn't much cop as a racehorse but he has brought years of fun to his rider on the hunting field in Devon. He's one of many now well into their twenties and proving hugely useful in different spheres. From a personal perspective, one of the only occasions to have brought proper joy following the death of my father in February was our horse Dereham winning at Newmarket for the second season in a row. It was an inconsequential race in the grand scheme, but to win at our home track with a homebred was special. I don't think the Jockey Club will be planning a retirement ceremony for him, but I might start to lobby for one if he wins that same race for a third time in 2024. Dereham is plainly no Mill Reef, but he is small, he gives his all and, as horses do for so many of us who love this sport, he has kept me going when spirits have flagged. The cyclical nature of racing is such that, no sooner have we rued the retirements than we are looking forward to the next big thing. I am hoping that Big Rock and Auguste Rodin continue to be big things and, as every year, continue to hope for a Triple Crown winner. So come on City Of Troy, let's be having you. Before that, however, I would like to thank you for reading TDN and wish you a happy, successful and peaceful new year. The post Here’s to the Horses appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Michael Guerin Don’t Stop Dreaming may have sealed his open class credentials at Alexandra Park on Sunday night but that doesn’t mean he will become a big-time regular just yet. Because co-trainer Nathan Purdon says while Don’t Stop Dreaming is good enough to race in a race like the open class A$500,000 Hunter Cup in a month they will target four-year-old races while they can. Don’t Stop Dreaming arrived in the big time on the last day of his three-year-old career, given a beautiful run by Tony Herlihy he blew straight past open class stars Old Town Road and Akuta in the $60,000 Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup. It was a comprehensive victory against two of our best pacers and confirmed what all harness racing fans have known for months, that Don’t Stop Dreaming is a group 1 Cups horse in waiting. He now heads to Victoria with stablemate Akuta and while they could clash again in some open class races in January, when the biggest money is up for grabs Don’t Stop Dreaming will revert four-year-old company. “He would fit into the Hunter Cup on February 3 but that is the same night as the four-year-old race called The Bonanza,” explains Nathan Purdon. “The Hunter Cup is worth A$500,000 and the Bonanza only A$75,000 but the difference is the Bonanza is an automatic qualifier for the Chariots Of Fire (four-year-olds only) in Sydney a month later. “That is his big target, the race we want to win, so he will go to the Bonanza, hopefully earn a spot in the Chariots Of Fire and then head to Sydney to contest that.” That will mean Don’t Stop Dreaming could ultimately take on his arch rival Merlin, who is also being aimed at the Chariots but trying to qualify via Sydney and if either of the Kiwi four-year-olds was to win the Chariots they would almost certainly get invited to the A$1million Miracle Mile a week later. Akuta was fairly and squarely beaten last night but Purdon says he will improve and he was chasing the whole race from his 30m back mark. “It was always going to be tough for him but he will improve with the race and be better in Victoria,” says Nathan. Old Town Road was a brave second and looks to be returning to his best now he is home in the north. Don’t Stop Dreaming’s win will also only enhance his chances of securing one of the 10 spots in the $1million Race by Grins at Cambridge on April 12 as he already looks well and truly in the top 5 or 6 pacers in the country in the slot race that should attract at least two of Australia’s best pacers, leaving plenty of slots for the locals. Old Town Road’s trainer John Dickie went one better in the night’s open class trot, the Majestic Horse Floats Greenlane Cup, with Resolve defended her title. Trained by Paul Nairn when she races in the South Island, Resolve has joined Dickie for an extended northern campaign and she just clung on to beat a gutsy All Cashed Up in the 2700m standing start. That completed a feature trot-race double for driver Bob Butt as he earlier trained and drove Bet N Win to an explosive, for the conditions, win in the $50,000 The Box Seat Hot To Trot Final. He showed the benefit of having had an Alexandra Park outing in the heats when he trotted smoothly for the majority of the trip and when Butt launched him down the back straight he exploded clear and won like a horse who will march toward open class. View the full article

In Europe, the TDN Rising Stars are awarded by Sean Cronin and Tom Frary, and no amount of begging, bleating or bribery from other members of the editorial team or external forces can persuade this duo to award one if they are not in agreement. Their decisions are based on performance, pedigree and, as the award title suggests, the likelihood of that individual becoming a stakes winner. Today and tomorrow, we bring you 10 TDN Rising Stars of 2023 to follow this year, with the first five having been selected by Sean Cronin. Rising Stars accounted for a tally of 21 European Group 1 contests, and seven Classics, during the course of a banner season with four-time elite-level winners Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) the obvious highlights among the Class of 2023. TDN's signature tag was attained by 51 individuals in Europe last term, down eight on the previous year's total of 59, with subsequent G3 Prix Penelope victrix Pensee Du Jour (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) setting the ball in motion at Chantilly in February. Dubawi (Ire) (Dubai Millennium {GB}) is the numerically dominant sire and responsible for five new graduates, headed by Godolphin's G1 Futurity Trophy hero Ancient Wisdom (Fr) and Coolmore's undefeated G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. victor Henry Longfellow (Ire). Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), sire of G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Ylang Ylang (GB), is one behind with a quartet of his own. Joint-third with three on this year's honour roll are Kingman (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), down five on last term's eight, Lope De Vega (Ire) (Shamardal), No Nay Never (Scat Daddy) and Siyouni First-crop sires Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Soldier's Call (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) snagged one inductee apiece, while Calyx (GB) (Kingman {GB}) became the season's lone freshman with more than one in the ranks. The Coolmore resident's brace is supplied by Amo Racing's G2 Duchess Of Cambridge S. victrix Persian Dreamer and G1 Dewhurst S. third Eben Shaddad. Justify (Scat Daddy), Sea The Stars (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), Starspangledbanner (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) and Wootton Bassett (GB) (Iffraaj {GB} are the only other sires to register more than one new addition. Dubawi, Justify, Kingman, Lope De Vega, Sea The Stars, Siyouni, Calyx and Too Darn Hot were all 'TDN Rising Stars' in their own right. For the first time in recent memory, Coolmore icon Galileo (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) went through the whole campaign without representation and failed to improve upon his impressive haul of 41. Delving deeper into the numbers by jurisdiction, 21 earned their stripes in Britain, 14 were elevated in both France and Ireland, and Germany was the scene of two new recruits. By trainer, Aidan O'Brien is comfortably clear of his peers with 10 new appointees and Ballydoyle's dominance is evident in this year's compilation of 10 Rising Stars to follow for 2024, with O'Brien accounting for half of those put forward. Dermot Weld is next best on two while Charlie Appleby, Ralph Beckett and Yann Barberot are represented by one each. Dubawi has the highest representation among sires, with three, while Frankel is the only other credited with more than one. The gender bias is six to four in favour of the colts. ANCIENT WISDOM (FR), c, 2, by Dubawi (Ire) 1st Dam: Golden Valentine (Fr), by Dalakhani (Ire) 2nd Dam: Gold Round (Ire), by Caerleon 3rd Dam: Born Gold, by Blushing Groom (Fr) Owner: Godolphin Breeder: Ecurie des Monceaux & LNJ Foxwoods Trainer Charlie Appleby Godolphin's Ancient Wisdom had already turned heads when selling for €2-million at Arqana's 2022 August sale and debuted with a highly polished five-length triumph over seven furlongs at Haydock in May. Successful in four of his five juvenile outings, he closed out his freshman season with victories in Newmarket's G3 Autumn S. and Doncaster's G1 Futurity Trophy. His lone defeat came in July, when finishing third behind subsequent G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere victor Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) in the seven-furlong Listed Pat Eddery S. at Ascot. Ancient Wisdom is a son G3 Prix Minerve winner Golden Valentine (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and hails from the family of storied multiple champion and three-time GI Breeders' Cup Mile heroine Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), G1 Prix Vermeille victrix Galikova (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}) and multiple Group 1-placed sire Anodin (Ire) (Anabaa). He does not possess any Classic entries for now, but is quoted at single-digit odds in ante-post lists for the G1 Derby. BEAUVATIER (FR), c, 2, by Lope De Vega (Ire) 1st Dam: Enchanting Skies (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire) 2nd Dam: Estefania (Ger), by Acatenango (Ger) 3rd Dam: Eirehill (Ire), by Danehill Owner: Philippe Allaire Breeder: Ecurie des Monceaux, Qatar Bloodstock Ltd & Mme Barbara M Keller Trainer: Yann Barberot Beauvatier, a €160,000 Arqana August purchase, displayed an array of gears when posting a 5 1/2-length success in a newcomers' event over five furlongs at Chantilly in May to become the 12th Rising Star for his sire. He followed up with a narrow defeat of fellow Rising Star Ramatuelle (Justify) and added the Listed Prix Roland de Chambure and G3 Prix La Rochette before racing too freely and suffering his first reversal when third behind Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in October's G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc day. He is the first foal produced by Listed Prix de Thiberville runner-up Enchanting Skies (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), herself a half-sister to G1 Preis von Europa victor Empoli (Ger) (Halling) from the family of G2 Preis der Diana heroine Elle Danzig (Ger) (Roi Danzig). Beauvatier is one of the leading domestic hopes for next term's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains. ELIZABETH JANE (IRE), f, 2, by Dubawi (Ire) 1st Dam: Sapphire (Ire), by Medicean (GB) 2nd Dam: Polished Gem (Ire), by Danehill 3rd Dam: Trusted Partner, by Affirmed Owner: Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd Breeder: Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd Trainer: Dermot Weld G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and G1 Irish Oaks entry Elizabeth Jane was let go at 16-1 and sported her owner's second silks in her debut over a mile at Leopardstown in October. She made a mockery of those odds when coming from off the pace to trounce her 11 rivals by 4 1/4 lengths and more in a contest annexed the year before by subsequent G1 Coronation S. third Sounds Of Heaven (GB) (Kingman {GB}). “She cut through them like a knife through butter and will be a lovely filly next year when she fills out into her frame,” reflected winning rider Donagh O'Connor at the time. The homebred chestnut is a daughter of G2 British Champions Fillies & Mares victrix and G1 Pretty Polly S. runner-up Sapphire (Ire) (Medicean {GB}), herself a half-sister to four-time Group 1 winner Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). She is a descendant of G1 Irish 1000 Guineas victrix Trusted Partner (Affirmed) and the family also features G1 Irish St Leger heroine Search For A Song (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1 Prince of Wales's S.-winning sire Free Eagle (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}). She will be in her element if there is juice in the ground come Irish Oaks day in July. UNQUESTIONABLE (FR), c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB) 1st Dam: Strawberry Lace (GB), by Sea The Stars (Ire) 2nd Dam: Crying Lightening (Ire), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) 3rd Dam: Auction Room, by Chester House Owner: Al Shaqab Racing, Coolmore & Westerberg Breeder: Mme Camille Vitse, Mme Axelle Vitse, Mme Valentine Vitse & Guillaume Vitse Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Unquestionable was highly tried on debut, running third in May's Listed First Flier S., and became his sire's fifth Rising Star when making all to shed maiden status on the Irish 2,000 Guineas undercard, in a six-furlong contest won by the stable's Arizona (Ire) (No Nay Never) in 2019. He subsequently ran fourth in the G1 Phoenix S. and second in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere before setting the seal on his six-race juvenile campaign with victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. The €340,000 Arqana August yearling, who hails from the family of sires Cityscape (GB) (Selkirk) and Bated Breath (GB) (Dansili {GB}), retains entries in May's G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas and June's G1 Irish Derby. YLANG YLANG (GB), f, 2, by Frankel (GB) 1st Dam: Shambolic (Ire), by Shamardal 2nd Dam: Comic (Ire), by Be My Chief 3rd Dam: Circus Act (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB) Owner: Magnier, Tabor, Smith, Brant & Westerberg Breeder: Newsells Park Stud & Merry Fox Stud Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Ylang Ylang had already made her mark in the auction ring, selling for a cool 1.5-million gns at Tattersalls' October Book 1, and justified odds-on favouritism in a seven-furlong Curragh maiden won previously by subsequent Group 1 performers Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Discoveries (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). Doubling up in the G3 Silver Flash S. next time, she bounced back off a blip in the G1 Moyglare S. to run third in Newmarket's G2 Rockfel S. and closed out 2023 with a game victory in the G1 Fillies' Mile back at Headquarters. Ylang Ylang is out of a half-sister to dual G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup-winning multiple Hong Kong champion Comic Strip (GB) (Marju {Ire}) and GI Flower Bowl Invitational and GI Diana S. heroine Laughing (Ire) (Dansili {GB}). Frankel's 34th Rising Star remains engaged in both G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and G1 Irish Oaks, and the Classic route awaits. The post TDN Rising Stars to Follow: Part I appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New Zealand bred China Pearl (NZ) (Ardrossan) was a winner for Te Akau Singapore trainer Donna Logan in the last meeting of the season at Kranji on Saturday. Ridden by stable apprentice Jamil Sarwi, China Pearl raced between runners beyond midfield but showed courage over the final furlong when spearing through a gap to win stylishly. “I’ve always liked him and he’s quite a striking individual, really athletic, and although not quick to mature he has won at his third start,” Logan said. “I was holding my breath for awhile, not sure whether he would take the gap, but Jamil pushed him through and it was a tough win. There was some give in the ground and I think that suited him, too. “I’ll see how he pulls up, both physically and mentally, and that will determine whether we push on with him at the moment. “He’s still very young, but he is showing me that he could get over some ground, so I’m hoping he could possibly show up in the final legs of the Three-Year-Old Series. Logan also praised apprentice Jamil Sarwi, who finished second (12 wins) on the apprentice jockey table and two behind Jerlyn Seow. “We had the leading apprentice last season when Yusoff Fadzli won, and Jamil started to ride really confidently later in the year and I’ve been taken with how he’s stepped up.” “We’ve also got Ibrahim Mamat (a3) as an apprentice and a new apprentice kicking off in the New Year.” Training since 2018 in Singapore, Logan took over training for Te Akau from Mark Walker on 1 January 2022, and ended her first season finishing second in the premiership. Logan ended the 2023 season with 35 wins, finishing among a cluster of trainers finishing third to eighth with 39 to 32 wins apiece. China Pearl was sold by breeders Jamieson Park at the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale to Chae Ball/Andrew Campbell Bloodstock, he was then offered by Phoenix Park at the Ready To Run Sale where he was purchased for $70,000 by Logan and David Ellis CNZM. China Pearl became the first Singapore winner for young Waikato Stud stallion Ardrossan, who is already making a name for himself with 10 individual winners, including NZ stakes winners Codigo, Loch Katrine, and Saltcoats. View the full article

After winning aboard Wunderbar to get the ball rolling on his longest stint in the city, the superstar Kiwi looks to sign off in identical fashion at Sha Tin on MondayView the full article

Cambridge horseman Ben Foote was left disappointed following Babylon Berlin’s head defeat to glamour mare Imperatriz in this year’s Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) and he is hoping she can go one better in the sprinting feature at Pukekohe on Monday. The six-year-old mare has been a perennial bridesmaid at elite-level, finishing runner-up in her last three Group One outings, and has placed in the last two editions of the Railway. Foote, who now trains in partnership with his son Ryan, is hoping for redemption in the 2024 edition of the Railway. “The biggest disappointment for me was last year (in the Railway). I thought she had it in the bag and then Imperatriz just got up. That was disappointing when you think you are going to win,” Foote told TAB NZ. “I am proud of what she has done but we still really want that Group One.” Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard) began her preparation in impressive fashion when winning the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa last month before just going down to Sacred Satono in the Gr.3 Counties Bowl (1100m). She has subsequently had two pleasing trials and will have a two-kilogram weight advantage over Sacred Satono on Monday compared to a six-kilogram disparity last start. “The win was a bonus first-up. Now we have screwed her down, she is in really good form, and she seems to thrive when she gets to that point when her fitness is right up,” Foote said. “An eight-kilo turnaround is a hell of a lot, he is a good horse, but I am confident that my mare is going to be fitter. Bring on New Year’s Day.” Sydney jockey Jason Collett is set to return to New Zealand to ride the mare on Monday and Foote is hoping his local knowledge will be a key factor in the race, with the expat Kiwi having grown up riding at the track. “I have had an affiliation with Jason before and he is a top-class rider in Australia. He rung me and said he was keen to come over to ride her. He does know the track really well and I think he is a nice, kind rider that would suit her,” Foote said. Ryan Foote is just as excited about Monday’s test and is looking forward to lining up his first horse in Group One company, having joined his father in a training partnership at the start of the season. “It is really exciting for me to have my first Group One runner and for Ben to bring me into his operation and to trust me with all these nice horses we have,” he said. “I get along really well with her (Babylon Berlin). It is just about finding that connection with them. I am always worried about her and just making sure everything is going the right way as going into a Group One is so big. “It would mean a lot to both of us (to win the Railway), especially being able to do it together.” Babylon Berlin is a $2.50 favourite for the Railway with TAB bookmakers, ahead of Maven Belle at $4 and Dragon Leap at $4.80. View the full article

Matamata trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley will head to Pukekohe on New Year’s Day with three live lightweight chances in Group races. Dual stakes winner Maria Farina will carry 54kg under the set weights and penalties conditions of the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m), Ess Vee Are has the equal bottom weight of 53kg in the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m), while his half-brother Arby will carry just 52kg in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m). Maria Farina (NZ) (Contributer) has won twice at black-type level within the last nine months, capturing the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham in March and adding the Gr.3 Stewards’ Stakes (1200m) with a brilliant late burst at Riccarton on November 18. That was the most recent raceday appearance for the six-year-old Contributer mare, who has pleased Darryn Weatherley with her progress in the six weeks since. However, Weatherley is less optimistic about the Pukekohe track, which was rated a Soft7 on Saturday afternoon. “Maria Farina is really bright and well,” he said. “If we were running on a Good4 track on New Year’s Day, I would be liking our chances in the Railway. Unfortunately, that’s not going to be the case. “She’s run a few times on rain-affected ground in her career and has been a bit of a duff, so that’s not filling us with confidence. It’s a big concern.” Four of Maria Farina’s six career wins have come on Good tracks. She has won once on synthetic, while her Lightning Handicap success came on an improving Soft7 track at Trentham where the time was 1:09.69 for 1200m. She has picked up just one third placing from her other five starts on soft ground, and she was unplaced in her only attempt on heavy. Stablemate Ess Vee Are (NZ) (Shocking) failed to fire in two starts in Victoria in September, but he made an encouraging return with a big finish from third-last to be runner-up in a 2100m open handicap at Pukekohe on December 9. That race was won by Terra Mitica, who is again among his opposition in Monday’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup. “He’d gone quite some time between runs since getting back from his Australian campaign, so we were really happy with that performance at Pukekohe,” Weatherley said. “He was helped by a strong tempo in the race, which he may not necessarily get again in that small field on Monday. But he found the line very well and has gone the right way since then.” The step up to 2400m holds no fears for Ess Vee Are, who was a winner over 2600m in the Listed New Zealand St Leger in March. Arby (NZ) (Proisir) is moving up into open class after an eye-catching second in Rating 75 grade on December 9. The four-year-old was blocked in the straight that day before flashing home into second, a short neck behind Flamebird. The highly rated Adam I Am was just behind him in third. “Without taking anything away from the winner, Arby was probably unlucky not to win that race,” Weatherley said. “It was a performance that proved to us that he deserves a shot at a good race like the Rich Hill Mile. “He’s a big horse, almost 600 kilos, so he’s barely going to notice Ashvin (Goindasamy) on his back with 52kg. We think he could be a nice lightweight chance.” Arby will attempt to deliver a second Rich Hill Mile title in three years for the Weatherleys, who won the race with Mali Ston in 2022. View the full article

Stephen Autridge will head to Pukekohe Park on New Year’s Day with two of the fancied runners for the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m), but the wet weather has the Matamata trainer concerned. “I just don’t want that rain to hang around for too much longer. The experts said we were going to have a drought (this summer), so I don’t know when that is arriving,” he said. Still Bangon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) heads into Monday as a $2.50 favourite for the fillies feature off the back of her win in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Trentham a fortnight ago on a Soft7 track. The Pukekohe track was rated a Soft7 on Saturday afternoon and Autridge said he doesn’t want to see the track downgraded further ahead of Monday. “She has handled a couple of Soft tracks. I don’t know what she would be like if it got very heavy,” he said. “Trentham was pretty rain-affected, she came from well off the pace and found the line strongly. “It was her first trip away and she really enjoyed it.” Autridge will also line-up Livid Sky (NZ) (Proisir) in the race, with the daughter of Proisir backing up from her fourth placed run in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day. Livid Sky has already secured black-type with her placing in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) earlier this month when competing on a Good4 track, and Autridge holds concerns for her on rain-affected going. “I thought her run in the Eight Carat was very good (on a Soft5 track), she just got held up a little bit coming into the corner but finished off nicely,” he said. “She is the one that we would rather the track be better than worse. It was (Soft)7 or better I would say she is going to give them a fright as well.” Livid Sky is a $6.50 third favourite for the Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes, with the stablemates being split in the market by the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained My Lips Are Sealed at $3.20. Autridge will also line-up Intrepid Girl in the Auckland Co-op Taxis 1200. “She is one that doesn’t want it too wet either, but it is going to be pretty hard to scratch a horse in an $85,000 (rating) 65,” he said. View the full article

A steady stream of winners in the past few months has the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott training partnership sitting in fourth on the National Trainer’s premiership table and they look to have a number of top chances to add to their season’s 22-win tally at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. Central amongst their stable chances are two of the well-favoured runners lining up in the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) with topweight Dragon Leap (57kgs) and one of last season’s better three-year-olds in Waitak ready to provide their race rivals with a stern challenge. O’Sullivan believes they both have the ability to feature prominently and isn’t concerned that the rain forecast for the region in the next 24 hours will unduly affect their chances with the Pukekohe track currently rated a Soft7. “I think we have two good chances in the Railway and we are very happy with where they are at for the day,” O’Sullivan said. “We know that Dragon Leap (Pierro) is at his best early in a campaign and we have just been ticking him along since he ran second at Hastings in the Tarzino Torphy (Gr.1, 1400m) back in September. “He is lining up sound and his final work this week was very encouraging. “It is a bit of the unknown with Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) and could be considered a throw at the stumps, but after looking around at what was available, this looked like his best option. “He was very good first-up at Te Rapa and if we do get the rain they are predicting I think it will only aid his chances. “He used to over-race badly over the longer distances so we have been working on the theory he really only wants to go around one corner and that seemed to pan out at Te Rapa. “With plenty of speed in the race we are hoping they can both get a nice run in transit and we can look for them to be getting home late in the piece.” The stable’s other stakes contenders on the programme will also be entering the unknown to some degree but O’Sullivan believes that they deserve their chance at black type racing. “We have Uderzo (NZ) (Vadamos) in the Rich Hill Mile (Gr.2, 1600m) and he hasn’t missed a beat since he finished an unlucky second on Boxing Day,” he said. “This is a big step up for him but he is another that didn’t have many other options in the next few weeks, so we are hoping he can be competitive which will give us a few more avenues for the rest of the summer. “Saxs ‘n’ Silks (Saxon Warrior) is still a maiden but she will only have six rivals in the Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (Gr.2, 2050m) in what is a field that isn’t as strong as it has been in previous years. “We had the choice of running in an 1800m maiden at Taupo or trying to get some valuable black type for her, so we have taken a punt to get a result.” Enigmatic one-win mare Karman Line (NZ) (Myboycharlie) will also attract plenty of attention when she makes her long awaited return to racing in a rating 75 1400m contest after last being seen when finishing seventh in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa in April. “We are still on the fence a little with her (Karman Line) as I would have liked to have seen her looking better in the coat, but we have to start somewhere,” O’Sullivan said. “Her work has been very strong and we know she has the ability however we really just want to see her keen and hungry to compete, which she has been doing in her build-up, so we think the signs are positive for her.” The stable tally was boosted by a further victory after racing was completed at Taupo on Saturday with promising three-year-old Tanganyika winning comfortably over 1300m. View the full article

Stella Splendida (NZ) (Zoustar) continued her winning ways at Taupo on Saturday, recording her fourth win from eight career starts in the Cosana NZ – Charge Of The Light Brigade (1200m). The daughter of Zoustar jumped well for Opie Bosson and settled in just behind the speed for the leading hoop. He asked her to improve to sit outside leader Kakadu at the 600m mark and the pair entered a dogfight down the home straight, with Stella Splendida just getting the better of her foe in the final strides to win by a nose, settling the nerves of punters who backed her into $1.80 favouritism. “It was a good, tough, win and I don’t think the track was really to her liking, but she dug deep to get up and win by a nose,” said Mark Walker, who trains the four-year-old in partnership with Sam Bergerson. “It was another gun ride from Opie and he just never seems to get beaten in a tight finish.” The Matamata trainers are now setting their sights towards stakes targets with their mare and are contemplating a trip south to their Riccarton base to try and earn some valuable black-type. “We’ve got her confidence back, which is really good, and where her rating is currently we may even look to the South Island for a suitable black-type race,” Walker said. Stella Splendida was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis out of Pencarrow Stud’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $800,000, and the Te Akau principal was pleased to see her notch up another win on Saturday. “It was an awkwardly run race, but good to see her get there and she’s now won four of her eight starts,” Ellis said. “I think the slow ground was a touch beyond her too, so it was a good effort given the conditions. “We considered her the best filly in the sale that year and, rightfully, she topped the sale. “One of the owners, Ben Kwok, is very loyal and supportive of Te Akau, and also the most successful owner in the world, John Magnier, who founded Coolmore Stud, has a sizeable share. “We’ve trained horses for Coolmore, but she’s the first horse we’ve had in work for him personally and it’s very exciting to have a progressive winning filly that he’s involved in. “John got in touch with me to say that he’d been impressed with the horses that we’d been buying at Te Akau and he’d like to be involved in a nice filly. “I think she’s got more ahead of her and Mark and Sam are doing a good job of placing her as she works through the grades.” Ellis is preparing for the upcoming yearling sales next month, with Magic Millions on the Gold Coast followed closely by Karaka 2024 in Auckland. “We’ve got a big month ahead at the sales, which I’m really looking forward to, and following our inspections I’ve been going through the pedigrees with Marcus Corban,” Ellis said. “We have seen some lovely yearlings, some of which we will be trying to buy at auction, and we’ll be heading to the Gold Coast to start work next week.” View the full article

Already assured a valuable career at stud as a half-sister to dual Group One winner Legarto, talented mare Emanon (NZ) (Burgundy) has herself spent some time in the racetrack spotlight during the holiday period. The five-year-old daughter of Burgundy earned all-important black type with a third placing in the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1200m) at Wingatui on Boxing Day, and then she backed up four days later to win Saturday’s West Coast Steeplechaser Kurow Cup (1400m). Ridden by Sanu Toolooa in the $35,000 Kurow showpiece, Emanon settled in second as last-start winner Diamond Girl again adopted tearaway front-running tactics and sped out to a huge lead. Emanon had to drag the rest of the field up behind Diamond Girl approaching the home turn, then pounced in the straight to lodge her challenge. She quickened sharply to take command, but her job was far from over as The Buffer dashed through the inside and Redford gained ground out wide. Emanon dug deep and turned them both back, scoring by a head in a tight finish. Emanon is trained at Orari by Lionel Dobbs, who also races her in partnership with his wife Janine Young. The couple lease the mare from her breeder Warwick Jeffries. From 53 starts, Emanon has now recorded 10 wins, six seconds and 11 thirds. She has earned $249,009 in stakes. Toolooa has formed a special association with Emanon, having now been in the saddle for five of those wins. “That win today was very exciting and one of the best wins of my career,” said Toolooa, who has ridden a total of 47 winners. “Emanon is a very, very tough horse and a half-sister to Legarto, so getting a result like this is great for everyone. She did such a good job to hold on today. “It’s a good result for me too, coming back from an accident. I’ve won five races on Emanon now and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to ride her.” View the full article

Unusually reserved ahead of Ka Ying Rising’s dominant victory on December 3, the Australian trainer believes his three-year-old has plenty more to giveView the full article

Murphy found the Gulfstream Park winner's circle on his second day of riding at the Championship Meet.View the full article

Speed and tenacity lead to a nose victory from Main Event in the $200,000 Fort Lauderdale Stakes (G2T) Dec. 30 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Graded stakes winner Skelly, racing for the first time in seven months, returned successfully Dec. 30 at Oaklawn Park, leading throughout in a $143,000 allowance optional claiming race.View the full article

Dual grade 1 winner Defunded has been privately acquired by Dr. Muhaideb Abdullah Almuhaideb's HDB Racing Stable, a new Saudi Arabian owner.View the full article

Woodend beach trainers Greg and Nina Hope created history yesterday when Homebush Lad won the Rosco Contractors Reefton Cup. He is the first horse to have won 3 consecutive Reefton cups. Driver Ben Hope was thrilled with the 9 year old Mach Three geldings performance. “He’s a really cool horse. When he’s on song he’s a lovely horse to drive. To get 3 Reefton Cups is really cool.” Homebush Lad began well from his 20m handicap. Settling 5th on the markers early in a strung out field, Hope waited patiently for the right time to move, which came at the 1400m when he dashed around to lead at the winning post with a lap to go. From there Hope and Homebush Lad controlled the race and shot away at the top of the straight to hold on and win from Smoke On The Water and Johnny Mac. “He thrives on these kind of circuits. By the time we get to day 3 he’s usually at his best. I was reasonably confident with him. I thought I’d drive him like the best horse in the race and see if it pays off. And it did!” Homebush Lad is owned by Adeline Smith, who also races Krystal Delight out of the Hope barn. “Adeline loves her horses and has been a pleasure to train for. I’m really happy for her!” Homebush Lad has now won 14 races and over $200,000 in stakes. “We may look at the Nelson Cup, then on to the Marlborough Cup. The Marlborough Cup would be a good race to target.” Meanwhile, Leeston trainer Paul Nairn took out the Dawsons Hotel Reefton Cup for trotters with El Conqueror and Blair Orange. El Conqueror began well from his frontline draw for Orange to lead throughout. Kicking away up the straight to hold on from Hellovamoment and Muscle Bank. The 4 year old Sebastian K gelding completed a double on the circuit after winning on the second day of the Westport meeting. He has now won 5 races from 26 starts and over $65,000 in stakes. El Conqueror’s win gave Nairn a training double on the card after High Noon won the maiden trot with Stacy Whatuira in the sulky. View the full article

Two-time Grade I winner Defunded (Dialed In) will point towards the G1 Saudi Cup for new connections after having been privately purchased. The news, announced Saturday evening via a release, notes that the colt was bought for an undisclosed sum by Dr. Muhaideb Abdullah Almuhaideb's HDB Racing Stable, a new Saudi Arabian owner, and arrived in Saudi Arabia Dec. 18. “He is an exceptional horse and has the profile, hopefully, to be a great asset to Riyadh racing and to do well in the Saudi Cup,” said Khalid Mishref. In addition to the Saudi Cup, the G1 Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse is also possible. The post Defunded Will Point Towards Saudi Cup For New Connections appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Main Event (Bernardini) punched his ticket to the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Saturday with a thrilling gate-to-wire win in the GII Fort Lauderdale S. at Gulfstream to close out Pegasus Preview Day in south Florida. Raced exclusively in New York for his 4-year-old campaign, the OBSAPR grad returned to Gulfstream for the first time since picking up two wins out of three starts to begin his campaign nearly two years ago. A stakes winner over the grass in the Cutler Bay S. back in 2022, Main Event picked up a signature win in the GIII Kent S. at Delaware last July but was relegated back to allowance company after an off-the-board performance in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational as a 3-year-old. A winner on an improved effort, including a career-best 95 Beyer Speed Figure last time out at Aqueduct Nov. 3, Main Event still went off nearly unnoticed at 11-1 Saturday. In a 'catch me if you can' effort, the colt took command before the field passed the wire with a lap to run and held off determined runs from fellow New York runner Jerry the Nipper (Liam's Map) and 17-1 longshot European runner Kingmax (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) to just barely last in a gusty effort. “He is very talented,” said winning trainer George Weaver. “We've always been looking forward to getting back here. He does love this turf course. He's a graded-stakes winner and he's had plenty of experience.” Pedigree Note: One of 86 stakes winner for the great Medaglia d'Oro, Main Event is out of an unraced half-sister to GSW Enstone (Tiznow) and from the family of third dam Garden Secrets, a half-sister to dual champion Silverbulletday ( Silver Deputy). Also under his third dam is GISW Forest Secrets (Forest Wildcat) and GSW Rumor Has It (Awesome Again). Total Knockout last produced a Mastery yearling colt and was bred to Constitution for 2024. #4 MAIN EVENT ($25.00) loved the Gulfstream Turf and gets the bob over #5 Kingmax (IRE) at the wire for victory in the G2 Ft. Lauderdale Stakes with @jjcjockey in the irons. Congratulations to trainer George Weaver and owner Harrell Ventures. pic.twitter.com/f1znGrSC6e — TVG (@TVG) December 30, 2023 Saturday, Gulfstream Park LAUDERDALE S.-GII, $200,000, Gulfstream, 12-30, 3yo/up, 1 1/8mT, 1:46.47, gd. 1–MAIN EVENT, 121, c, 4, by Bernardini 1st Dam: Total Knockout, by Unbridled's Song 2nd Dam: La Suena, by Storm Cat 3rd Dam: Garden Secrets, by Time for a Change ($50,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $130,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR). O-Harrell Ventures, LLC; B-Godolphin, Eric Buckley & Elizabeth Buckley (KY); T-George Weaver; J-Javier Castellano. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 13-5-1-0, $457,783. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Kingmax (Ire), 121, c, 4, Kingman (GB)–Baino Hope (Fr), by Jeremy. (£120,000 Ylg '20 GOFOR). O-Amo Racing USA; B-Sunderland Holding Inc. (IRE); T-Jorge Delgado. $40,000. 3–Jerry the Nipper, 121, g, 6, Liam's Map–Aqua Regia, by Pollard's Vision. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($310,000 Wlg '17 KEENOV; $85,000 3yo '20 KEENOV). O-Repole Stable; B-St. Elias Stable, LLC & Peta Ryan (NY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $20,000. Margins: HD, HF, HD. Odds: 11.50, 17.50, 4.70. Also Ran: Grand Sonata, Stone Age (Ire), Fort Washington, Marwad (GB), Running Bee, Red Run. Scratched: Henley's Joy. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Main Event Springs 11-1 Upset In Fort Lauderdale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Speed and tenacity led to a nose victory from Main Event in the $200,000 Fort Lauderdale Stakes (G2T) Dec. 30 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Monday, January 1, 2024 First Race 1pm HKT (4pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing heads to Sha Tin for a massive 10-race program on New Year’s Day, headlined by the Group 3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1600m). The rail is in the A position throughout for the meeting, and with pristine conditions expected in the lead-up, it should be a perfect day for all participants as the opening event is scheduled to get underway at 1pm local time. Chinese Club Challenge Cup Tip: Super Goldi Beauty Joy appears close to recapturing his best form heading into Monday’s feature event after a terrific showing in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m). He was only beaten 3.5 lengths back in fifth position behind Hong Kong champion Golden Sixty, and closed gamely alongside some genuine Group 1 stars, both local and international. The map looks ideal provided James McDonald wants to kick up from barrier four in this eight-horse field, and if Beauty Joy can manage to find the one-one, watch for him to be powering home to score his first win since June of 2022. Chinese Club Challenge Cup Race 7 – #2 Beauty Joy (4) 7yo Gelding | T: Tony Cruz | J: James McDonald (56kg) Bet with Bet365 Best Bet at Sha Tin: Green N White After two months between runs, Green N White returns to his favourite course and distance in the Sha Tin finale. He was luckless in his latest effort on November 5 chasing home Drombeg Banner, being forced to sit three and four deep at the turn. He never shirked the task and showed plenty of fight to only be beaten by a nose on the wire. Zac Purton sticks aboard the four-year-old, and with a tick-over trial keeping him up to the mark, Green N White will be hard to hold out this time round. Best Bet Race 10 – #9 Green N White (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Ricky Yiu | J: Zac Purton (57.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: Global Harmony Global Harmony was an impressive winner on resumption over 1200m on November 5 and hasn’t been able to replicate the feat after two agonizing minor placings. The son of Shamexpress has a nasty habit of missing the start, which is exactly what unfolded last start at this track and trip on December 10 as the five-year-old was slowly way. He built the revs running down the centre of the course late in the piece, but simply ran out of time. He gets gate one to rectify things on Monday, and with a bit more luck in transit, Global Harmony will be flashing home to score. Next Best Race 8 – #4 Global Harmony (1) 5yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: James McDonald (59.5kg) Bet with PlayUp Next Best Again at Sha Tin: Storm Rider Storm Rider caught the eye on debut during Hong Kong International Race weekend, finishing a clear runner-up behind Gorgeous Win. The gelding by Dracarys raced greenly between runners, but still managed to show a strong turn-of-foot in the closing stages, only being defeated by 2.5 lengths. He stretched out to beat third by 3.3 lengths and should take improvement with fitness on his side heading to this event. Zac Purton takes the reins, and although he’ll have his work cutout for him from barrier 12, Storm Rider may prove too good regardless. Next Best Again Race 2 – #5 Storm Rider (12) 3yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Zac Purton (59kg) Bet with Picklebet Hong Kong Monday quaddie tips – 1/1/2024 Sha Tin quadrella selections Monday, January 1, 2024 5-6-8-9-10 9-10 2-3-4-8-11 1-2-3-4-6-9 More horse racing tips View the full article

Darwin apprentice Emma Lines celebrates a winning double at Fannie Bay on Saturday – which saw the 17-year-old exceed 50 career wins after making her debut 12 months ago. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Darwin Photography Professionals) After a debut win 12 months ago, Darwin apprentice Emma Lines made it 50 career wins at Fannie Bay on Saturday. The 17-year-old now has 51 wins in the bank after booting stablemates Cielo D’Oro ($2.30 fav) and Whitten ($14) home for trainer Phil Cole. Lines, also a regular rider in Alice Springs, has been remarkably consistent since guiding Cole’s Looking For You to victory in her first race start on December 9 last year. Injuries have kept her sidelined, but the teenager finished third in the 2021/22 Top End and Country jockeys’ premiership with 21 wins behind Jarrod Todd (42) and Sonja Logan (30). Todd (26) currently leads the way this season, but Lines – who won the 2023 Darwin Guineas on Cole’s Tubthumper – is second with 16 wins. Cielo D’Oro, a seven-year-old gelding by Medaglia D’Oro, had never finished outside the top four in 14 Fannie Bay starts and made it four wins for Cole after outclassing his three opponents over 1100m (BM75). Trailing frontrunners Doc O’Connor ($4.20) and Spanish Heirloom ($8), Cielo D’Oro swooped at the 200m to win by two lengths from Jason Manning’s Spanish Heirloom, an arrival from SA, and Dick Leech’s Prince Of Mercia ($2.80). Lines also took a sit in the special conditions race over 1100m before four-year-old gelding Whitten, fourth approaching the final bend, pursued Chris Pollard’s Full Damage ($16), who led from the outset, in the home straight. Whitten, who had only managed a fourth in four Darwin starts after four unplaced starts in Victoria, and Chole Baxter’s Enuff Red ($1.50 fav) headed for the fence in their quest for victory. NT debutante Enuff Red was impeded by Whitten passing the 100m before Cole’s son of Written Tycoon nailed Full Damage by 0.05 lengths at the post – Patrick Johnston’s backmarker Gelata ($61) was third. Visiting Ipswich apprentice Olivia Kendal’s first Darwin excursion was eventful after guiding Johnston’s Ankle Rolex ($5), who won on debut at the corresponding meeting last year, home by a length from Gary Clarke’s Prince Ruban ($3.80) and Angela Forster’s Spielberg ($4.40) over 1600m (0-64). Flight cancellations in Brisbane on Friday delayed Kendal’s arrival, but all ended well after Ankle Rolex, a four-year-old gelding by Cable Bay, celebrated his first win since April and claimed his first win over 1600m after taking command passing the 1100m. Kendal, who provided Johnston with his first win in eight months after Ankle Rolex saluted in Alice Springs, headed home on Saturday night as she is riding at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday. For Wellington apprentice Dylan Stanley, returning to the NT after two years, it wasn’t a good day as he was dislodged from the bucking Hey Little Sister, Pollard’s $51 hope, soon after the start over 1000m (0-58). Stanley avoided serious injury, but complained of neck soreness and was transported by ambulance to Royal Darwin Hospital for further observation. Following the demise of Hey Little Sister, who started well, Leech’s Pride Of Limassol ($7.50) dominated as from the 600m after dispensing with four other pacesetters before outclassing Jo Banks’ Colour De Roy ($3.90) – sixth at the 400m – and Tom Logan’s Make An Effort ($41) by 2.4 lengths. Pride Of Limassol, a five-year-old gelding by Pride Of Dubai, was second (1100m) and fourth (1000m) at 0-58 level during December after arriving from Victoria. After four previous failures over 1600m, Clarke’s Wilsons Prom ($1.50 fav) finally saluted when he overcame Kerry Petrick’s gallant Zoutellus ($6.50) by a length at 0-64 level with Cole’s Charretera ($15) a distant third. Petrick did celebrate when seven-year-old gelding New Roman ($12) won over 1100m (0-64) to make it seven wins from 28 Darwin starts – for jockey Phil Crich it was his first Top End win since January 14, when he also partnered New Roman. Logan’s Beatification ($2.15 fav) had posted two seconds following his arrival from Victoria before Impending’s four-year-old gelding finally achieved victory at the 12th attempt after downing Johnston’s Barty Aya ($6) and Manning’s Palentino Rossi ($21) in a 1200m maiden. More horse racing news View the full article

Mehzebeen (outside) beating Town Cryer in the Taupo Cup (2000m) on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) The feature event on the programme at Taupo on Saturday came down to a battle between two of the best riders in the country with victory in the Taupo Cup (2000m) going the way of Michael McNab on Mehzebeen ahead of Town Cryer and Opie Bosson. Bosson, who recently became only the eighth local jockey to register 2000 career wins, was at his brilliant best aboard the front-running topweight Town Cryer (60kgs) as they attempted an all-the-way victory for trainer Roydon Bergerson only to be pipped by McNab on the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared daughter of Almanzor who enjoyed a 6kg pull in the weights. McNab sat back near last in the 10-horse field as Town Cryer raced away in front and at one stage was more than eight lengths in arrears of the pacemaker. McNab picked a path one off the fence approaching the home turn before finding clear air at the 300m as the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) runner-up charged to the front with 50m to run, downing a gallant Town Cryer with Pep Torque three lengths adrift in third ahead of favourite Nom De Plume. Sam Bergerson was delighted to see the mare burst back into winning form in her first start since returning from the Riccarton Spring Carnival in November although he admitted the victory made it a little awkward in the jockeys room where he watched the race with his father. “We had a big swing in the weights which was probably the winning of the race in the end, along with a magical ride by Michael,” Bergerson said. “She was really stiff down at Riccarton when finishing sixth in the Metropolitan Trophy (Listed, 2600m) and she has done really well since she got back home. “She has really matured in the last six months and we think there is more to come from her as she continues to strengthen up. “We’re not sure where she will go to next but there is a special conditions race over 2100m on Wellington Cup Day at Trentham that is worth $350,000 so that holds a lot of appeal given she absolutely thrives on a big roomy track like that. “Some of her owners are here today so it is good to be sharing this with them, although I watched the race with Dad (Roydon) in the jockeys room and when they went past the post I was trying to celebrate while also feeling for him. “All I can say is I’m glad Christmas is over as if we had done this beforehand the presents may have been a little scarce.” More horse racing news View the full article

Grebeni digs deep to take out the Maroubra Mile (1600m) at Randwick. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Four-year-old gelding Grebeni notched his seventh career victory when narrowly prevailing in the Maroubra Mile (1600m) at Randwick in front of a throng of enthusiastic owners. The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained son of Ocean Park had scored a similarly resolute victory at Randwick a fortnight ago and after preforming consistently well across ten starts in 2023, heads to the paddock for a deserved break. “He’s good, isn’t he,” Ryan said. “He just wins, he just tries and I thought when the horse with the lighter weight (Riyazan) kicked at the top of the straight he might have his work cut out. He doesn’t win by big margins, but he wins. “I think Kerrin (McEvoy, jockey) had in the back of his mind that he got to the front too soon on him the other day. “He was just foxing with him a little bit to have the last crack at them. When he went past me, 25 metres out, I thought he was going to win by a head but he has pulled away and won by a neck. “He is a good honest horse that deserves a spell now.” With more than 50 owners, Grebeni has a vocal fan base every time he races. “They love it. They enjoy it,” Ryan said. “Tim Boland, when he was breaking him in after we had just bought him at the sales after he was passed in, he said he’d take a share in him and put a couple of mates in. Well I think he has got 50 mates in him. “Tim can look after him for the next four weeks now.” Jockey Kerrin McEvoy has now ridden Grebeni on six occasions for five wins. “He is a nice big horse that is lovely to ride,” McEvoy said. “He has got a good attitude and Gerald and Sterling had been happy with him. “The start was key today, making sure we moved him out and we were in a dominant spot then and he was able to travel nicely and have the drop on them. He did the rest. “He is just building a nice little record this horse. He has gone through the grades beautifully and he is going to have a break and come back and get ready for some nice races into the next couple of preparations.” Ryan and Alexiou celebrated their 250th winner together with Grebeni after four years in training partnership. The duo are looking forward to the next two campaigns with Grebeni, who can run for some mega-prizes, particularly as a five-year-old. “He gets the confidence of a couple of wins now, and we can miss most of the autumn and target a couple of good money races leading into Brisbane,” Ryan said. “You can run in The Coast (A$500,000, 1600m) and the Scone Cup (A$200,000, 1600m) and maybe have one in Brisbane before coming back for the Epsom (Group 1, A$1.5 million, 1600m), the Big Dance (A$3 million, 1600m) and the Five Diamonds (A$2 million, 1800m). “There is such a good program of races for five-year-olds in the spring now. His year is already mapped out.” More horse racing news View the full article

Miss Tarzy continued her outstanding run of form at The Valley on Saturday. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Progressive mare Miss Tarzy has been in outstanding form this campaign and the daughter of Tarzino continued her rich run of form at Moonee Valley on Saturday when running out a ready winner under jockey Rhys McLeod. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained four-year-old has now won three races in succession, with wins at Seymour and The Valley preceding Saturday’s triumph. From barrier 1, Miss Tarzy sat just behind the leaders throughout and was nursed through a flat-spot by the in-form McLeod before extending impressively for a 1.75-length victory. “She is three from three this prep,” stable representative Steve Adams said. “She was going OK last time in but this preparation she has found another gear and hopefully she can keep putting them together “It was always going to be tricky from barrier 1 and earlier in the day they were getting off the fence and I thought it might work out for her, but she came off the bit and was in a little bit of trouble there for a while but he made his way off and it was a great ride in the end.” McLeod, who with 37 wins from 209 rides this season has an impressive 17.7% winning strike-rate, was back aboard the mare after winning on her fresh-up at Seymour before Ben Allen was successful on the mare earlier in the month at The Valley. “She was right on-song today,” McLeod said. “Obviously three wins in a row now. First-up it was a good effort and then she backed it up last-start and again today. The stable have got her flying. “She was a little bit tardy to begin and I didn’t want to rub her too much, so I ended up in the box seat and I was a little bit wary of that but we ended up pushing our way out and having a nice run. It was a good win.” More horse racing news View the full article