Wandering Eyes

With a victory in the Gr.3 Schweppes Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick that took his career earnings past A$2 million, Lion’s Roar provided the cherry on top of a remarkable Boxing Day for Contributer. The Mapperley Stud stallion had just five runners in action across New Zealand and Australia on Tuesday and came away with three wins including two at Group level. Lion’s Roar’s Summer Cup heroics were preceded by a brilliant Group One triumph by Campionessa in the Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2050m) at Pukekohe, while promising three-year-old Fire Tribe had earlier won on the Randwick undercard. The A$250,000 Summer Cup was a long-awaited second stakes win for Lion’s Roar, who had previously won the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) as a three-year-old in March of 2021. He had placed in five other Group races since then, including the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) and two editions of the Gr.2 The Ingham (1600m), and on Tuesday he had another day in the black-type spotlight. The six-year-old gelding’s eye-catching finish for a last-start third in The Ingham on December 9 earned him $2.80 favouritism for the Summer Cup on Tuesday, and he lived right up to those expectations. Lion’s Roar broke sharply from the starting gates and was one of four horses vying for the lead in the first 200m, but jockey Tyler Schiller was happy to settle into a smooth rhythm in second after Baby Rider won the battle for the front. Lion’s Roar moved up alongside the leader at the home turn and sprinted past him with 300m remaining. Luncies provided a late scare by charging through the inside to make it close, but Lion’s Roar held him out by a long neck. Lion’s Roar has now had 30 starts for five wins and eight placings, earning A$2.09 million in stakes for his Champion Thoroughbreds syndicate and trainer John O’Shea. “He was probably one of the first horses we bought when I came back training in my own right again,” O’Shea said, referring to his departure from Godolphin in 2017. “He’s always dancing the big dance and he hasn’t had a lot of luck barrier-wise either. We are very proud of him and if you have a stable full of those horses, life is easy. He’s now broken the $2 million mark, we got him for $65,000 out of New Zealand. “And hopefully it hasn’t finished. This win is a little kick-along for him and he’ll go to the paddock now with his tail in the air. There’s no reason why he couldn’t pick up another race or two next season.” Lion’s Roar was bred by Peter Gillespie and offered by Wellfield Lodge at Karaka in 2019. O’Shea, in conjunction with good friend Jason Abrahams of Champion Thoroughbreds, purchased him for $65,000. O’Shea knew a thing or two about Contributer, having trained the son of High Chaparral to Group One victories in the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) and Ranvet Stakes (2000m) during his Godolphin tenure, and described Lion’s Roar as very much in the mould of his father. Lion’s Roar is out of the four-time winning Black Minnaloushe mare Minnaleo, a half-sister to Group One performer Vaquera. Both are out of the Group One winner The Mighty Lions. Prima Park will offer a full-sister to Lion’s Roar in Book 1 of Karaka 2024. The filly is catalogued as Lot 229. View the full article

New Zealand-breds had a successful start to the Boxing Day card at Randwick on Tuesday, recording two impressive early wins with Fire Tribe and Monfelicity. Three-year-old Fire Tribe’s victory in the A$65,000 Drinkwise Plate (1200m) started a Boxing Day bonanza for Mapperley Stud stallion Contributer, who later sired the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2050m) winner Campionessa and Gr.3 Summer Cup (2000m) winner Lion’s Roar. Fire Tribe had shown promise with three runner-up finishes in his four previous career starts, and he took a big step forward on Boxing Day to clear maiden grades at start number five. Ridden by Tyler Schiller for trainer Joe Pride, Fire Tribe dropped out to the tail of the eight-horse field and remained there until the 300m mark. Schiller then angled him out into the centre of the track and pushed the button, and Fire Tribe launched an irresistible finish to snatch victory by a neck over Hanau. Fire Tribe has now had five starts for a win and three second placings, earning A$56,850 for his owners. He was offered by Wentwood Grange at the 2022 Inglis Classic Sale in Sydney, where Pride Racing bought him for A$100,000. The dam of Fire Tribe is the Testa Rossa mare Stellafire, who won four races and is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) winner and black-type producer Lights Of Heaven. Later on the Randwick card, a pair of New Zealand-breds trained by David Payne drew more than two and a half lengths clear of the rest of the field to fight out the finish of the A$65,000 TAB Handicap (1500m). Victory went the way of the Vadamos mare Monfelicity, who edged out Belardo gelding Tympanist by half a length. It was the fourth win of a 24-start carer for Monfelicity, who has also recorded six placings and earned A$230,780 in stakes. Monfelicity was purchased out of Haunui Farm’s 2020 South Island Sale draft, hosted on Gavelhouse Plus, and is out of One Cool Cat mare Aplomb, a sister to stakes winner Praecido. View the full article

Pint sized mare Kai showed her undoubted ability on wet and loose footing when she stormed down the outskirts of the Wingatui track to take out the feature race there on Boxing Day, the Listed Property Brokers – Ray Kean Hazlett Stakes (1200m). Heavy overnight rain and persistent showers during the day saw the track downgraded to a Heavy 10 which played into the hands of the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained northern visitor as three of her previous four career wins had come on similar surfaces. Handled patiently by Kylie Williams, the daughter of Ocean Park sat three-wide with cover beyond midfield and was still amongst the tailenders early in the run home. Williams had her winding up nicely though and she swamped her rivals in the last 100m to defeat local galloper Adannaya and pacemaker Emanon with her sustained burst. Walker, who was at Pukekohe where their team won five of the 10 races on the programme including the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m) with Campionessa, was delighted with the win which came off a solitary trial over 1000m for the mare, following a two-month break. “It’s great when a plan comes together as after her last start win back in October her owners were thinking about sending her to a stallion to be served,” Walker said. “We had a chat about it and I said I thought she could definitely get some black type if we placed her right and this race today became the target. “It’s a hell of a long way to go from Matamata to Wingatui for a race but when she drew the outside and the rains came, everything just started to fall into place. “It was a very good ride by Kylie as she used the mare’s great finishing speed to perfection. “This is fantastic for her owners and I think she hasn’t stopped winning just yet either.” Walker hadn’t set any concrete plans for the mare but said a Listed 1400m open event at Riccarton on 27 January was definitely an option worth considering. Bred by Daniel and Elias Nakhle and raced by a group that includes Ohukia Lodge principal Jamie Beatson, Kai becomes the 21st individual stakes winner for Waikato Stud based stallion Ocean Park. She is out of the Testa Rossa mare Brilliant Blush and hails from a family that includes Group One winner Stella Cadente, a host of Australian stakes performers along with the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained filly Grail Seeker who finished third in the Gr.2 Hallmark Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe during the day. View the full article

New Zealand-bred mare Mrs Chrissie began a new campaign in style at Caulfield on Boxing Day with a commanding front-running performance in the A$65,000 Ken Sturt Handicap (1100m). The Benchmark 70 Handicap was the Per Incanto mare’s first appearance since early July, and she brought a strong fresh-up record into the race – recording two wins and a placing from four previous starts in that state. She added another win to that record on Tuesday, sliding forward from gate four and dominating the race from the front for apprentice jockey Carleen Hefel. She had Rubicon Crossing keeping her company on her outside until the home turn, but then Mrs Chrissie kicked away from that rival in the straight and drew clear to score by two and a quarter lengths. “She loved it today,” Hefel said. “She was relaxed and jumped super and was really strong to the line. She’s a bit stronger this time in, I think. She feels really good.” Mrs Chrissie has now had 10 starts for three wins and three placings, banking A$106,925 in stakes for her ownership group. Co-trainer Ciaron Maher believes Mrs Chrissie is coming into her own as a five-year-old. “Her development has been good,” he said. “She does have a very, very good fresh record and had trialled well, so we were reasonably confident. But it was a good ride by Carleen, taking luck out of it and going forward, and it was a pretty easy watch today.” Mrs Chrissie was bred by Chris Doak & Rosie Ealden and was exported to Australia as a unraced two-year-old. She is out of the O’Reilly mare Turf Fire, who herself won nine races and placed in the Gr.3 Stewards’ Stakes (1200m). Turf Fire is the dam of three winners from five foals to race, headed by the stakes-placed Don Carlo. Turf Fire produced fillies by Time Test in 2019, Per Incanto in 2020 and Super Seth in 2021. View the full article

Campionessa shed her Group One bridesmaid’s tag at Pukekohe Park on Boxing Day when recording a well-deserved victory in the Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2050m). Previously runner-up in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2050m) earlier this year, Campionessa returned in the spring where she disappointed in her two outings at Hastings and the decision was made to put her aside for summer racing. That decision by trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson has proven to be a masterstroke, with the daughter of Contributer recapturing form with a first-up victory in the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe last month before winning the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa 10 days ago. She was duly backed into $3 favouritism for Tuesday’s Zabeel Classic and didn’t disappoint her backers. After jumping away well for jockey Opie Bosson, she was settled in the trail behind pacemaker Kelly Coe and enjoyed an economical passage throughout. Entering the straight, the pair had to fight for room in between the leader and Mazzolino and eventually found a passage. In the centre of the track, Sydney raider No Compromise was full of momentum and loomed like the winner at the 200m, but Campionessa was able to fight back and hold on for a neck victory. Her handlers were proud of her winning effort and the tenacity she showed in the concluding stages to score her first elite-level victory. “Things didn’t go right in the early part of the spring and we gave her a break and she has come back in such great form. When a mare gets in form they tend to hold it,” Walker said. “She deserved that. She has had a couple of seconds in Group Ones. She dug deep to win, which was great. “It was great for the ownership group as well, not one of them moaned when we pulled stumps in the spring when things weren’t going right. They supported us and got the rewards today. “It was brilliant for the mare and Contributer is a very underrated stallion.” Campionessa will now likely be set to try and avenge her defeats in the Herbie Dyke Stakes and Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes, however, Walker said she is a chance of heading across the Tasman to join Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne barn. “We will let the dust settle, but she is nominated for all of those big races. Now she has got a Group One on her CV we probably need to look at something in Australia as well,” Walker said. Bosson was full of praise for Campionessa’s brave performance. “We didn’t spend a penny throughout,” he said. “I tried to come out in the better ground and the horse in front (Kelly Coe) rolled out in front of me as well and we just had to push our way through. “It was a good effort, she is tough, she picked herself up from that and fought off the other challenger. She deserved that Group One. “She got a lot of confidence back after that win two starts back and it showed last start. She is just on the way up, she is full of confidence, and she is booming.” Bred by Mapperley Stud principal Simms Davison, Campionessa was originally passed in at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale after failing to meet her $70,000 reserve. She was once again passed in at the Magic Millions sale in June, but a deal was struck with Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for A$60,000, with Davison remaining in the ownership group. With Tuesday’s victory, Campionessa became her sire Contributer’s second Group One winner, joining Lion’s Roar who was victorious in the 2021 edition of the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m). Davison stands Contributer at his Matamata farm and he will be represented by 16 yearlings in the Book 1 session of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka next month. View the full article

What Eagle Farm Races Where Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007 When Wednesday, December 27, 2023 First Race 1:36pm AEST Visit Dabble Brisbane Racing Club will host a very competitive seven-race card at Eagle Farm this Wednesday afternoon. Although there are showers forecast for the day, the warmer weather should see the track improve from the Soft 5 rating to a Good 4 before the start of the program. The rail will be pushed out to the +9m position for the entire circuit, which should play favourably to on-speed runners. The opening race at Eagle Farm will jump at 1:36pm AEST. Best Bet at Eagle Farm: Ring Of Steel Ring Of Steel is coming off his best run in recent starts, where he was just overrun late by Majorelle at Ipswich over 1100m on December 6. After being well beaten first-up at this track four weeks prior, the Kelly Schweida-trained gelding turned in a much better performance second-up for this campaign. On Wednesday, this son of I Am Invincible will drop back in distance to 1000m and jump from barrier one, which should see James Orman push forward and lead the field up. If Ring Of Steel runs up to his last start effort, he should be winning this race. Best Bet Race 5 – #7 Ring Of Steel (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Kelly Schweida | J: James Orman (58.5kg) +115 with Neds Next Best at Eagle Farm: Bullion Boy Michael Murphy and Linday Gough went within a nostril of recording back-to-back wins last start at this track when they combined with Bullion Boy in a Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1500m on December 9. This four-year-old gelding settled behind the speed and had to push his way into the open upon straightening, before battling down the straight with the winner, Brave Maso. Although he finished second, this son of Dream Ahead was very good once again and will appreciate the step up to 1600m third-up. From barrier one, Bullion Boy should settle in the box seat, and with even luck in the straight, he should prove too good for his rivals late. Next Best Race 7 – #4 Bullion Boy (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Lindsay Gough | J: Michael Murphy (60kg) +160 with Boombet Best Value at Eagle Farm: Mixed Spice Helen Page chose to take her three-year-old filly, Mixed Spice, to back-to-back Listed races in her last two starts, where she finished third in the Mode Plate and 11th of 12 in the Gold Edition Plate. After somewhat of a failure in her most recent start, this girl will drop sharply in grade to a mid-week Class 2 Handicap. Tegan Marshall has ridden this daughter of Russian Revolution in every start of this campaign, and she will continue her affiliation with her when she jumps from barrier eight on Wednesday. With a lot of speed drawn outside of Mixed Spice, she should be able to settle in the first four and play a prominent role in the finish. Best Value Race 6 – #8 Mixed Spice (9) 3yo Filly | T: Helen Page | J: Tegan Marshall (58kg) +1200 with Dabble Wednesday quaddie tips for Eagle Farm races Eagle Farm quadrella selections Wednesday, December 27, 2023 1-2-8 7-8 1-2-3-8-10 4-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Campionessa (inside) winning the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2050m) at Pukekohe on Tuesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Campionessa shed her Group One bridesmaid’s tag at Pukekohe Park on Boxing Day when recording a well-deserved victory in the Zabeel Classic (2050m). Previously runner-up in the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 New Zealand Stakes (2050m) earlier this year, Campionessa returned in the spring where she disappointed in her two outings at Hastings and the decision was made to put her aside for summer racing. That decision by trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson has proven to be a masterstroke, with the daughter of Contributer recapturing form with a first-up victory in the Group 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe last month before winning the Group 2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa 10 days ago. She was duly backed into $3 favouritism for Tuesday’s Zabeel Classic and didn’t disappoint her backers. After jumping away well for jockey Opie Bosson, she was settled in the trail behind pacemaker Kelly Coe and enjoyed an economical passage throughout. Entering the straight, the pair had to fight for room in between the leader and Mazzolino and eventually found a passage. In the centre of the track, Sydney raider No Compromise was full of momentum and loomed like the winner at the 200m, but Campionessa was able to fight back and hold on for a neck victory. 2023 Group 1 Zabeel Classic – Campionessa Her handlers were proud of her winning effort and the tenacity she showed in the concluding stages to score her first elite-level victory. “Things didn’t go right in the early part of the spring and we gave her a break and she has come back in such great form. When a mare gets in form they tend to hold it,” Walker said. “She deserved that. She has had a couple of seconds in Group Ones. She dug deep to win, which was great. “It was great for the ownership group as well, not one of them moaned when we pulled stumps in the spring when things weren’t going right. They supported us and got the rewards today. “It was brilliant for the mare and Contributer is a very underrated stallion.” Campionessa will now likely be set to try and avenge her defeats in the Herbie Dyke Stakes and Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes, however, Walker said she is a chance of heading across the Tasman to join Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne barn. “We will let the dust settle, but she is nominated for all of those big races. Now she has got a Group One on her CV we probably need to look at something in Australia as well,” Walker said. Bosson was full of praise for Campionessa’s brave performance. “We didn’t spend a penny throughout,” he said. “I tried to come out in the better ground and the horse in front (Kelly Coe) rolled out in front of me as well and we just had to push our way through. “It was a good effort, she is tough, she picked herself up from that and fought off the other challenger. She deserved that Group One. “She got a lot of confidence back after that win two starts back and it showed last start. She is just on the way up, she is full of confidence, and she is booming.” More horse racing news View the full article

Visiting Australian rider Blake Shinn made good use of his trip across the Tasman to ride at Pukekohe on Boxing Day as he guided Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Molly Bloom to a nail-biting victory in the Gr.2 Hallmark Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m). The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained daughter of Ace High had been unsighted since her victory at Riccarton last month and she gave her supporters, who backed her into a $1.60 favourite for the race, plenty of anxious moments before getting in the deciding stride to down her main rival, Mary Shan. Shinn admitted he had some nervous moments of his own in the concluding stages as his saddle shifted backwards which made it hard for him to fully ride out his mount in a desperate finish. “It was a great win but there were a few worrying moments as her saddle went back a long way and I had to nurse her from the 200m onwards,” Shinn said. “Everything went to plan nicely apart from that as I let her fall asleep out the back and ended up getting on the back of one from the half mile and she had open air in the home straight. “She had her momentum impeded by that saddle so I think the win had more merit than it may have looked. “She is a great filly and I want to thank the connections for inviting me to ride a filly of this calibre.” Scott confirmed Molly Bloom will now head to the $1.5million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) on 27 January at Ellerslie for her next assignment. “It was a good effort to come from off the speed as there was not a lot of it,” he said. “She had to be tough to do what she did today as we had a feeling there was further improvement in her as she had done really well after getting back from Christchurch. “She had to guts it out and we couldn’t be more proud of her.“She is a beautiful type with length and strength and we had Blake on today to tell us where we might go with her. “I would imagine we will be heading towards the Karaka Million Mile now and then we will take stock after that.” Molly Bloom was bred by Seaton Park, who offered her in Book 1 at Karaka 2022 as a yearling where Wexford Stables secured her for $150,000. With her third win from just six starts, Molly Bloom has now earned more than $439,000 in prizemoney for her large group of owners. Her 1000 Guineas victory saw her become the first Group One winner for Ace High, who won the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) and Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at elite-level as a three-year-old and now stands at Rich Hill Stud for a $10,000 service fee. A total of 24 Ace High youngsters will be on offer during the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka from 28 January. View the full article

Enigmatic three-year-old Pendragon demonstrated just how tough he is as he took out the Gr.2 Shaw’s Wire Ropes Auckland Guineas (1400m) at Pukekohe with a strong front-running performance. The Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard-trained son of U S Navy Flag was ignored by punters to start at the juicy odds of $26 in the race, despite having beaten two of his more fancied rivals in Tokyo Tycoon ($3.60) and Quintessa ($4.80) by nearly two lengths at his previous start over 1200m at Te Rapa. Seeking a hat-trick of victories after breaking maidens at Te Aroha in late November, regular rider Niranjan Parmar adopted familiar tactics as Pendragon began well and dictated terms throughout. Rounding the home bend the pair drifted to the middle of the track in search of better footing on the Soft5 rated surface, but in doing so Pendragon began to race erratically as he was challenged by Quintessa on his inner and Tossuforit and Luberon further out. Parmar used all his skill to keep his mount on a straight course as Pendragon fought like a tiger to down Quintessa by a long head with two lengths back to Luberon who shaded Tossuforit for third. “He has been good right from the word go although he probably needed gelding as a two-year-old,” Gerard said. “When they jump and lead like that I’m always nervous but he got there very easily today. “He has run around a little bit in the straight but hats off to Parmar as he gets on really well with him. “He did it to them last week and credit to the horse as he has gone under the radar a little bit. “He is just a gorgeous horse to look at, he is flying and he deserves it.” Gerard confirmed the horse would now head to the $1.5million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie on 27 January where he sits at $10 in the TAB Fixed Odds market. “We have been heading to the mile as we buy these horses at the sales (Karaka) and we want to get them to the $1million races,” she said. “He has stepped up from 1200m and now we will see if he can step up to the mile where we will put him in and find out.” Purchased for $110,000 by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Ballymore Stables from the Valachi Downs Book 2 draft at Karaka in 2022, Pendragon hails from an extended family that features a number of European stakes winners including Gr.1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) winner Solemia. He has now won three of his six starts and more than $182,000 in prizemoney. He becomes the first Group winner and fourth individual stakes winner for The Oaks Stud stallion U S Navy Flag who will have 16 individuals on offer during the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka next month including a half-brother to Pendragon by Time Test as Lot 790 from the Leanach Lodge draft during the Book 2 session. View the full article

Boys Get Paid have become synonymous with the Karaka Millions meeting, and the punting club will have a million reasons to cheer even louder at the feature raceday at Ellerslie on January 27. Their first bet for the meeting was a $50,000 outlay at $21 odds for Cool ‘N’ Fast, which looks to be an astute investment, with the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained colt shortening into $3.50 following his debut win in the New Zealand Bloodstock – Karaka 2024 (1100m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day. The son of Savabeel was slow away and settled second to last for jockey Opie Bosson, who kept his customary cool head before navigating his charge wide when turning for home. The leading hoop timed his run to perfection, with Cool ‘N’ Fast getting up in the final stride to win by a nose over Full Force. Walker believes he will improve a lot from his debut outing and expects him to give the Boys Get Paid community plenty to barrack for next month in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). “He had to do it the tough way coming from behind. You really like a two-year-old that can find the line,” Walker said. “In both of his trials he was quite a natural horse, but when we saddled him up (today) he was a bit above himself, so he will come on a lot for the experience. “He chased them down really well. That will probably be his only run before the Karaka Million, so the Boys Get Paid will have something to look forward to. “He is more of a three-year-old type that is doing it all naturally. He has got a good future.” Boys Get Paid founder Luke Kemeys. Photo: Trish Dunell Bosson also believes the colt will take plenty of improvement from the run. “He never got going early, he took a bit to get into his stride. He was a handful before the race and worked himself up a bit. It was a good effort,” he said. Cool ‘N’ Fast, who was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis out of Hallmark Stud’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $340,000, will be looking to replicate the deeds of his full-brother Cool Aza Beel, who took out the 2020 edition of the Karaka Million 2Y0. Another yearling sale purchase by Ellis, Cool Aza Beel went on to win the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) and was subsequently retired to stud at Newhaven Park in Australia. Meanwhile, Te Akau Racing recorded an early double at Karaka on Tuesday when Petrucci put in a similar back-running performance when winning the Majestic Horse Floats 1200 in the hands of Bosson. “We have ridden her handy in her last couple (of races) and she just relaxed lovely (today) and Opie threaded his way through and she was dominant in the end,” co-trainer Bergerson said. “We were pretty confident that she would run a race and she relaxed beautifully today. She can get into a bit of an attitude, but she is a lovely mare going forward and all going well we can head to the Concorde.” The Gr.3 Brighthill Yearlings Concorde Handicap (1200m) will be run at Ellerslie on January 27. View the full article

Molly Bloom winning the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe on Tuesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Visiting Australian rider Blake Shinn made good use of his trip across the Tasman to ride at Pukekohe on Boxing Day as he guided Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Molly Bloom to a nail-biting victory in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m). The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained daughter of Ace High had been unsighted since her victory at Riccarton last month and she gave her supporters, who backed her into a $1.60 favourite for the race, plenty of anxious moments before getting in the deciding stride to down her main rival, Mary Shan. Shinn admitted he had some nervous moments of his own in the concluding stages as his saddle shifted backwards which made it hard for him to fully ride out his mount in a desperate finish. 2023 Eight Carat Classic Replay – Molly Bloom “It was a great win but there were a few worrying moments as her saddle went back a long way and I had to nurse her from the 200m onwards,” Shinn said. “Everything went to plan nicely apart from that as I let her fall asleep out the back and ended up getting on the back of one from the half mile and she had open air in the home straight. “She had her momentum impeded by that saddle so I think the win had more merit than it may have looked. “She is a great filly and I want to thank the connections for inviting me to ride a filly of this calibre.” Scott confirmed Molly Bloom will now head to the $1.5million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) on January 27 at Ellerslie for her next assignment. “It was a good effort to come from off the speed as there was not a lot of it,” he said. “She had to be tough to do what she did today as we had a feeling there was further improvement in her as she had done really well after getting back from Christchurch. “She had to guts it out and we couldn’t be more proud of her. “She is a beautiful type with length and strength and we had Blake on today to tell us where we might go with her. “I would imagine we will be heading towards the Karaka Million Mile now and then we will take stock after that.” More horse racing news View the full article

Pendragon winning the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Enigmatic three-year-old Pendragon demonstrated just how tough he is as he took out the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) at Pukekohe with a strong front-running performance. The Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard-trained son of U S Navy Flag was ignored by punters to start at the juicy odds of +2500 in the race, despite having beaten two of his more fancied rivals in Tokyo Tycoon (+260) and Quintessa (+380) by nearly two lengths at his previous start over 1200m at Te Rapa. Seeking a hat-trick of victories after breaking maidens at Te Aroha in late November, regular rider Niranjan Parmar adopted familiar tactics as Pendragon began well and dictated terms throughout. Rounding the home bend the pair drifted to the middle of the track in search of better footing on the Soft 5 rated surface, but in doing so Pendragon began to race erratically as he was challenged by Quintessa on his inner and Tossuforit and Luberon further out. 2023 Auckland Guineas Replay – Pendragon Parmar used all his skill to keep his mount on a straight course as Pendragon fought like a tiger to down Quintessa by a long head with two lengths back to Luberon who shaded Tossuforit for third. “He has been good right from the word go although he probably needed gelding as a two-year-old,” Gerard said. “When they jump and lead like that I’m always nervous but he got there very easily today. “He has run around a little bit in the straight but hats off to Parmar as he gets on really well with him. “He did it to them last week and credit to the horse as he has gone under the radar a little bit. “He is just a gorgeous horse to look at, he is flying and he deserves it.” Gerard confirmed the horse would now head to the $1.5million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie on January 27 where he sits at +900 in the market with horse racing bookmakers. “We have been heading to the mile as we buy these horses at the sales (Karaka) and we want to get them to the $1million races,” she said. “He has stepped up from 1200m and now we will see if he can step up to the mile where we will put him in and find out.” More horse racing news View the full article

by Mike Love Franco Marek looks the horse to beat in today’s Pulse Energy Westport Cup at Patterson Park. The 5 year old A Rocknroll Dance gelding has not won a race in almost a year after winning at Banks Peninsula on December 29 last year, but Lincoln trainer Greg Manson suggests “Frankie” may be about to kick another goal. “He seems really well. He’s come through the Methven run and has worked on to my liking.” Franco Marek ran a credible third in his previous start at Methven in the Green Mile, finishing only 1.7 lengths from rising star Ohoka Connor. Franco Marek has had 3 wins and 2 placings on the grass surface from 8 attempts. His consistently good record on the grass should give punters the confidence they need. One statistic that may put a question mark over his chances is that Franco Marek has not competed over the maximum distance of 3200m. But that does not worry Manson. “The distance won’t bother him at all. We do all of his work over the 3200 metres. “I’m looking forward to it!” Franco Marek will also need to overcome his 20m handicap, along with other live chances in the event that include the Greg and Nina Hope trained Homebush Lad, and Live On Legend for Kyle Austin coming off the back of an Addington win. Earlier on the card in race 2 Manson will also line up maiden pacer Prettyboycoby. The 6 year old Bettors Delight gelding has not raced for 17 months, and has had his share of problems. “He did something to his hock that took awhile to get over. He’s always had a few niggles.” Prettyboycoby has had two placings in as many workouts before today’s resumption. “He does things pretty right, but he’s no superstar. He’s a good standing start horse so he should be handy in the running.” Race One is due to get underway at midday. View the full article

Sharp’N’Smart winning the 2023 edition of the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) with Ryan Elliot. Photo: Trish Dunell Over the next three months, Hall of Fame horseman Graeme Rogerson could be racing for more than $4 million in prizemoney with two members of his Tuhikaramea stable. As well as training in partnership with his wife Debbie, Rogerson also part-owns the reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year Sharp ‘N’ Smart and highly promising three-year-old Just As Sharp Triple Group One winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart is rapidly closing in on a return to racing, while Just As Sharp will shoot for the fourth win of his five-race career when he lines up in the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day. “I think we’ve got a bit to look forward to,” Rogerson said. “Sharp ‘N’ Smart will be running on January 14 in an open sprint at Ellerslie. Bailey (Rogerson, granddaughter) will ride him there and claim three kilograms in that race. From there, he’ll head into that new four-year-old race on Karaka Millions night.” Horse racing bookmakers currently rates Sharp ‘N’ Smart a +1100 chance for that race, the inaugural $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on January 27. Legarto is the +150 favourite, with Desert Lightning at +500 and Waitak +900. Meanwhile, Just As Sharp heads into Boxing Day as a +800 fourth favourite for the Auckland Guineas. The Swiss Ace gelding has barely put a foot wrong in his four starts so far. He made his debut in a $40,000 special conditions maiden at Cambridge on July 26, lining up as a two-year-old against older horses and beating Ka Ying Lucky by a short neck. The third placegetter finished another four and a half lengths behind the first pair. Just As Sharp’s three-year-old debut came at Ruakaka in early August, where he placed behind the undefeated Crocetti, who went on to win the Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), Group 2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) and Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) through the remainder of the spring. Just As Sharp returned from a freshen-up with a three-length win in Rating 65 company at Rotorua on November 21, then stepped into stakes class with an impressive last-to-first win in the Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial (1500m) at Te Rapa on December 2. “That was a top win, and I think he has the makings of a very good horse,” Rogerson said. “I’ve been very happy with him since then. He galloped with Sharp ‘N’ Smart on Tuesday morning and had a real good hitout. Ryan (Elliot, jockey) is thrilled with him. “I was a little bit worried about going from 1500m back down to 1400m, but he’s certainly going in the right direction and I think he’ll run a big race. “We’ll take him to Wellington after this for the Levin Classic (Group 1, 1600m), and then he’ll come back up to Auckland for the Karaka Millions meeting. We’ll decide what we do with him after that – it could be the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Group 1, 2000m), or it could be the Avondale Guineas (Group 2, 2100m). We’ll be working our way towards the Derby (Group 1, 2400m). “It might not seem like it for a son of Swiss Ace, but I really think he’s a Derby horse. The way he won the other day, he gives us the impression that he’ll go a lot further. Ryan is very confident that he will.” Just As Sharp is rated a +1500 chance in the market for the $500,000 Levin Classic at Trentham on January 13. He is available at a quote of +1300 for the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO at Ellerslie on January 27. The chestnut is a +6000 outsider for the $600,000 Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa on February 10, and he is rated an +1700 chance for the $1 million New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie on March 2. More horse racing news View the full article

Chancheng Glory is a four-time winner in Hong Kong. Chancheng Glory has found his groove and trainer Francis Lui hopes the American-bred gelding can lift his game again at Sha Tin. Unbeaten across three starts since switching to the mile and also eligible for the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series, Chancheng Glory has been a revelation this season, with two wins in Class 4 and one in Class 3 – the latest returned at the end of November. “He’s good. If he can win, of course, at this moment his rating is a little low (for the Four-Year-Old Classic Series),” Lui said. The Four-Year-Old Classic Series comprises three races: HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on February 4, HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on March 3 and HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on March 24. “He can go a little bit further, he seems a little bit one-paced but he can handle a bit more (distance),” Lui said. A three-year-old son of Mor Spirit, Chancheng Glory faces quality opposition, including Billionaire Secret (126lb), Let’s Do It (123lb) and Accolade Start (132lb). Lyle Hewitson rides Chancheng Glory from barrier five. Lui declared Golden Sixty to be in good condition. Hong Kong’s champion will chase an 11th Group 1 win in the HK$13 million Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on January 21 at Sha Tin, in what shapes as potentially his second last run before retirement. “He’s doing normal work. We’re happy with him, he galloped on Thursday (December 21),” Lui said. “He’s the same, but actually, I think his condition is a little bit better.” Baby Crystal will make his second start for Lui on Tuesday after a dazzling barrier trial earlier this month with jockey Vincent Ho. “He’s ok – blinkers are on this time. I think he’ll like them,” Lui said. Meanwhile, Hugh Bowman returns from injury with a trio of rides, booked to partner Phoenix Light, Pleasant Endeavor and Flagship Warrior on Tuesday afternoon. “The body isn’t where it was when I left off, but we’ve got to start somewhere and I’m pleased to be back. I’ve got a few rides on Boxing Day and I’ll be slowly progressing into a busier schedule as January approaches,” Bowman said. The Australian was sidelined falling a fall on November 11 at Sha Tin. More horse racing news View the full article

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Horse Racing on Tuesday, December 26 will feature 11 meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and provided free quaddie tips for the meetings at Caulfield, Randwick, Pinjarra & Sha Tin (HK). Boxing Day Racing Tips – December 26, 2023 Caulfield Racing Tips Randwick Racing Tips Pinjarra Racing Tips Sha Tin (HK) Racing Tips As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on December 26, 2023 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Do Deuce, reunited with jockey Yutaka Take, swept to victory in the Arima Kinen (G1) Dec. 24 at Nakayama Racecourse, the final top-level contest for older horses on the Japanese racing calendar.View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Tuesday, December 26, 2023 First Race 1pm HKT (4pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Tuesday afternoon, with a massive 10-race program set for decision on Boxing Day. The rail moves to the C+3 position the entire circuit for all turf races, and with no rain forecast in the lead-up, the surface should be a genuine Good 4 prior to the opening race at 1pm HKT (4pm AEDT). Best Bet: Super Goldi Super Goldi makes his Hong Kong racing debut on Tuesday afternoon, and based on his two barrier trials, the son of Tavistock appears to have plenty of ability. The four-year-old went on to win his latest jump-out on the Sha Tin all-weather surface on December 14, trucking through the wire under his own steam. Derek Leung sticks for the ride after getting a feel at the trials, and with barrier one to aid him in this Class 4 contest, Super Goldi should be powering home on his debut. Best Bet Race 5 – #6 Super Goldi (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Frankie Lor | J: Derek Leung (58.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best: Ranging Blizzard The eighth race on the program seems to be pegged as a two-horse affair as Raging Blizzard takes on Gorgeous Win. We’ve led with the former after a terrific win two starts back at this course and distance, benefiting from an outstanding steer from Zac Purton. He wasn’t as fortunate last start in his first attempt at Class 3 company, but from barrier one this time, along with Karis Teetan in the saddle, Raging Blizzard can return to winning ways on Tuesday afternoon. Next Best Race 8 – #10 Ragig Blizzard (1) 4yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Karis Teetan (54kg) Bet with PlayUp Best Value: Kyeema After a short stint in Australia, Kyeema makes his way to the Mark Newnham barn in Hong Kong, and with multiple impressive barrier trials, looks prepared for a first-up peak. The son of Siyouni travelled beautifully down the Sha Tin straight on December 12 and seemingly handled the course stylishly, running into a clear second-place finish behind Baby Crystal. Zac Purton takes the reins from barrier five, and with the four-year-old gelding likely to jag back to find cover, watch for Kyeema to get the last crack of his rivals. Next Bet Race 9 – #9 Kyeema (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Makr Newnham | J: Zac Purton (57kg) Bet with Picklebet Hong Kong Saturday quaddie tips – 26/12/2023 Sha Tin quadrella selections Monday, December 26, 2023 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

Joyful Hunter and Ensued emerged as potential Four-Year-Old Classic Series contenders with quality performances at Sha Tin on Saturday. Ensued showcased BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) credentials with victory in the Class 2 Yan Chai Trophy Handicap (2000m) for 12-time Hong Kong champion trainer John Size. Size, who has won three Hong Kong Derbies, was impressed by Ensued’s latest win – the former British gelding’s third success in Hong Kong. Joyful Hunter (NZ) (Darci Brahma) charged into Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) calculations with a devastating win under Vincent Ho. Trainer Francis Lui, who swept the Four-Year-Old Classic Series with Golden Sixty in 2020, said Joyful Hunter had the characteristics to be above average, but he is following a conservative path with the Darci Brahma gelding. “He looks like a Four-Year-Old (Classic) Series horse but you have to give him time. I think he will be a good horse but you have to be careful,” Lui said. Last on the home turn, Joyful Hunter scorched across the last 400m in 22.47s. Lui also declared Golden Sixty to be in good condition. Hong Kong’s champion will chase an 11th Group One win in the HK$13 million Gr.1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on 21 January at Sha Tin, in what shapes as potentially his second last run before retirement. “He’s doing normal work. We’re happy with him, he galloped on Thursday (21 December),” Lui said. “He’s the same, but actually, I think his condition is a little bit better.” Fighting Machine (NZ) (War Decree) prevailed in the Class 4 Ivy Handicap (1400m) under Zac Purton, who slotted a double to have 46 wins for the campaign – 15 more than Teetan (31). Jimmy Ting got his second winner of the season when Luke Ferraris drove The Absolute (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) to victory in the Class 4 Erica Handicap (1400m). “Every year is tough, and I hope that some of the new horses can run well and we can have better results. Hopefully, the winners can keep coming,” Ting said. Keith Yeung posted his first victory since 25 October when Jubilation (NZ) (Ghibellines) scored for Chris So in the Class 4 Amaryllis Handicap (2000m). “The horse is lovely to ride. 2000m is definitely his distance and because we went so slow today, it suited him. He wants the race tempo like this and we gradually improved the pace every section and then he finished off really nicely,” Yeung said. “Having a win is always good for the confidence.” View the full article

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s quality mare Yonce (NZ) (Proisir) will return to the races for the first time in twenty months when she runs in the Listed Christmas Stakes at Caulfield on Tuesday. A winner of six of her seven starts, Yonce hasn’t raced since she finished fourth in the Gr.1 Queen of the Turf Stakes in April 2022. “She’s come back well, she’s recovered from a tendon strain,” said Eustace. “She’s had four trials in the end, that’s just how it’s worked out. She kicks off over 1100m which is not her ideal trip at all. We’re hoping it’s just not too short, but we feel she’ll probably race reasonably fresh anyway, so 1100m will be ok. “We’d just like to see her travel and hit the line.” Despite her winning record, Eustace suggested that it was at her last run that Yonce demonstrated the depths of her class. “Without downplaying her in any way, we very much kept her in her grade and didn’t pitch her into the deep end until her very last run, but she ran very well in the Queen of the Turf and ran fourth,” he said. “She’s obviously a smart mare and seems to have come back pretty well.” Eustace revealed that the plan was for Yonce to head to the Listed John Dillon Stakes at Caulfield on January 26 for her next run, while longer term, a race like the Gr.1 Coolmore Classic in March could be a suitable target for her. “She’s actually not a stakes winner, she ran fourth in a group one so obviously, first priority will be to try and make her a stakes winner,” he said. “There’s a lot of races for her depending on how she comes back.” Out of the Zabeel mare Ziva, Yonce was passed in as a yearling for $30,000 during the New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Sale from the Woburn Farm draft. She was later purchased by Cambridge trainer Ross McCarroll, for whom she finished third in two trials and caught the eye of prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir. Kheir bought an interest in the Proisir mare, but McCarroll and his fellow Kiwi owners – Shane McAlister, Stephen Kneebone and Lyn McMullan – remain in the ownership. View the full article

Tuesday's top tips from the Post's analystsView the full article

By Brigette Solomon The wet weather and slushy track were no hindrance to Dontstopmenow in the Dunstan Horse Feeds Cambridge Xmas Handicap Pace tonight. The three year old colt by Captaintreacherous won comfortably in the hands of his trainer and driver Tony Herlihy to bring up his 5th win. “He’s a nice horse coming through the grades and I was pleased to get that win with him, he will likely head to the paddock now and be back later in the new year” says Herlihy. Starting from the unruly position on the front line, Dontstopmenow stepped well and was stride for stride with Bad Medicine and Hooray Henry before taking the lead from the 2200 metre mark. “I was very happy to get to the front and stay in front – it’s a good place to be on a slushy track” said Herlihy. Herlihy dictated the pace with the colt travelling comfortably throughout. Village Rebel moved to sit outside Dontstopmenow, in the final lap but the colt was too good when let down by Herlihy to score by 3.5 lengths ahead of Bad Medicine 2nd, and Miki Shan 3rd. Another front running winner was Royal Action, taking out Race 1 the Off The Track Food and Bev Handicap Trot. Trained by Andrew and Lyn Neal, and also driven by Lyn, the three year old filly stepped well to lead and score by just over a length at her first race day start indicating she may be one to follow in the future. “She’s a well bred filly being out of a half sister to Royal Apsirations and we really like her” says Neal “She’s had plenty of educational trials and it was good she got everything right tonight and win.” The slushy track did cause some issues for the starting mobile, with the vehicle losing traction when starting Race 2. Fortunately starter Danny Blakemore was well prepared with a smooth transition to moving starts for races 4, 5 and 8. “Despite changing the tyres and tyre pressure on the vehicle, we still had traction issues” said Blakemore “After speaking with Dave Branch and the Stipendiary Stewards, we all agreed to move to moving starts in the interest of safety.” View the full article

Driver Penalty D Butcher | Waikato Bay of Plenty 21 December; failed to keep straight line in home straight; suspended 1-4 January inclusive. Horse Penalties SUGA RUSH | Waikato Bay of Plenty 21 December; broke in running; must complete trial. KOWHAI SUNSET | Ashburton 21 December; broke in running; must complete trial. THE BETTOR MAJOR | Ashburton 21 December; broke in score up; must complete mobile start trial. The post 18-24 December 2023 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

On Boxing Day at Sha Tin, Francis Lui’s Classic Series dark horse attempts to make it four wins in a row, and two jockeys make their comebacksView the full article