Wandering Eyes

Horse Racing on Sunday, December 24 will feature four meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meeting at Tamworth. Sunday Racing Tips – December 24, 2023 Tamworth 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 24, 2023 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

What Caulfield Races Where Caulfield Racecourse – Gate 22, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Tuesday, December 26, 2023 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Boxing Day racing returns to Caulfield on Tuesday afternoon, where an eight-race meeting is headlined by the Listed Lord Stakes (1700m) and Listed Christmas Stakes (1100m). A fair amount of rain is forecast for Melbourne over the Christmas period, so we anticipate the meet will be run on at least a Soft 6 on Tuesday as a best-case scenario. The rail sticks in its true position, with action set to get underway at 1:15pm AEDT. Lord Stakes Tip: En Francais The Listed Lord Stakes has attracted a strong field of 10, and we’re hoping the South Australian visitor, En Francais, can walk away with the prize. The Jake Stephens-trained mare was well beaten in the Listed Ballarat Cup last time out, and despite not winning this campaign, continues to run well. She draws perfectly in barrier one under Lachlan Neindorf, and with the lightweight of 54 kg on her back, we anticipate the mare will stalk the likely leader Keats wherever it goes. She gives away a bit of class on her rivals, but if En Francais is anywhere near her best, she looks like a great play in the Lord Stakes. Lord Stakes Race 6 – #8 En Francais (1) 6yo Mare | T: Jake Stephens | J: Lachlan Neindorf (54kg) +750 with Neds Christmas Stakes Tip: Sghirripa We’re with another South Australian in the Christmas Stakes as Sghirripa looks to gain a perfect run in the sprinting feature. The four-year-old gelding from the Shane & Cassie Oxlade barn wasn’t beaten far in similar grade at Caulfield last time out and his two wins at Morphettville prior suggest he might be up to a race like this. Barrier two should be perfect for this son of Lonhro, and considering he has three wins and a second from five runs on rain-affected ground, the conditions should suit him perfectly. Craig Newitt will have him settled just off a hot speed, and with even luck upon straightening, we’re confident Sghirripa can cause an upset. Christmas Stakes Race 7 – #12 Sghirripa (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Shane & Cassie Oxlade | J: Craig Newitt (54kg) +900 with Picklebet Best Bet at Caulfield: Angel Down Angel Down was defeated by the barest of margins at the Caulfield 1400m on December 12, and as she steps up to the 1800m for the first time, she looks awfully hard to go past. The Hellbent filly broke her maiden in dominant fashion at Scone on November 20, and despite being gunned down late last time out, she looks like she will appreciate the rise in distance on Tuesday. Jye McNeil will have her bounding along out in front from barrier eight, and with a cheap sectional or two, Angel Down should prove too hard to run down in the opener. Best Bet Race 1 – #6 Angel Down (8) 3yo Filly | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Jye McNeil (58kg) +280 with PlayUp Next Best at Caulfield: Toronto Terrier Toronto Terrier has returned in fine form this time in, with a win and two runner-up efforts alongside his name. The four-year-old gelding put a space on his rivals at Sandown on November 29, and looks set to go on with the job as he returns to Caulfield. From barrier one, Jye McNeil should have no issue in stalking the speed over the 1400m, and with even luck in the home straight, Toronto Terrier should be able to exert his dominance late and prove too hard to hold out. Next Best Race 8 – #9 Toronto Terrier (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Mike Moroney | J: Jye McNeil (56.5kg) +250 with Dabble Caulfield Boxing Day quaddie tips Caulfield quadrella selections Tuesday, December 26, 2023 12-13-14 2-3-4-6-8 1-2-4-6-7-8-12 4-9 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

What Randwick Races Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Tuesday, December 26, 2023 First Race 1:35pm AEDT Visit Dabble Holiday racing continues at Randwick on Tuesday afternoon, with an eight-race program lined up for punters on Boxing Day. The $250,000 Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m) headlines the meeting, as the rail moves back to the true position after the course proper had been utilized with the rail out +6m on Saturday. There are some showers forecast across the weekend in the region, so we expect the surface to sit somewhere in the Soft range prior to the opening event at 1:35pm local time. Summer Cup Tip: Huetor Huetor is building nicely fourth-up into the campaign and looks set to peak in Tuesday’s feature event. The son of Archipenko was luckless second-up at this course on October 28 in the Group 3 Craven Plate (1800m), chomped out for a run at a crucial stage and should’ve finished much closer than the 2.5-length margin may suggest. He followed it up with a solid effort in the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 11, and with this a much more suitable fixture for the two-time Group 1 winner, Huetor should be right in the finish. Summer Cup Race 7 – #1 Huetor (6) 7yo Gelding | T: Peter & Paul Snowden | J: Tom Sherry (60kg) +450 with Bet365 Best Bet: Hanau Hanau returns after a 143-day spell and a gelding operation on Tuesday afternoon and looks prepared for a first-up assault. The James Cummings-trained three-year-old has been sent to the barrier trials on three occasions to gain fitness in his legs, with the latest at Hawkesbury on December 12 catching the eye, trucking through the wire under his own steam. Zac Lloyd has the tricky assignment of overcoming barrier 14, but if he does, Hanau can show his class to pick up a much-deserved maiden victory. Best Bet Race 3 – #3 Hanau (14) 3yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Zac Lloyd (57kg) +380 with PlayUp Next Best: Very Sewreel Very Sewreel was able to break her maiden first-up on the Kensington circuit at Randwick on December 1, fighting off a gallant Miss Emma in the process. The runner-up has since won, franking the form nicely as this daughter of Snitzel heads to the course proper on Tuesday afternoon. Tom Sherry gets the appointment this time, and with similar tactics to lead throughout, Very Sewreel is sure to give followers a bold sight up on speed. Next Best Race 4 – #10 Very Sewreel (5) 3yo Filly | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Tom Sherry (55.5kg) +400 with Neds Boxing Day quaddie tips for Randwick Randwick quadrella selections Tuesday, December 26, 2023 2-3-4-7 3-4-5-9 1-5 3-4-5-7-13-17 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Puntura comes over the top of Belclare to reign supreme in the Group 2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Puntura showed he will be a force to be reckoned with over the coming months as he scored in dominant fashion in Saturday’s Group 2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Trentham. Having his first start since a memorable victory in the Group 3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) at Riccarton during New Zealand Cup Week, the Robbie Patterson-trained six-year-old was fitted for his first up run with a comfortable win over 1000m at the Foxton trials during the week. Unlike his Riccarton victory where he led most of the way, this time regular pilot Craig Grylls let the son of Vespa settle near last and remained there until making a wide run approaching the home turn. With a wall of horses across the track it looked like Belclare would get the victory when she hit the front at the 200m however Grylls had Puntura wound up and finishing powerfully to grab the game mare at the 50m and win drawing away by half a length. Patterson had expressed plenty of confidence leading into the race and was well satisfied with the result. “It didn’t pan out the way I had envisaged it although the final result did,” Patterson said. “He actually did that in the Glasshouse (Listed, 1400m) at the Sunshine Coast during the winter and flashed home then, so we might end up riding him that way. “He was fantastic today and it is fantastic for the Lynskey’s, who put a lot into the game and he is finally backing things up now as he has come of age.” Patterson has expressed doubts in the past about the horse’s ability to take the step up to Group One company but is now prepared to take that gamble as he targets the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham next month. “We are going to have to go to the Thorndon after that,” he said. “He loves a big roomy track and his work has been enormous so we have to have a go.” Grylls admitted he had to go to Plan B shortly after the start when he wasn’t anywhere near the lead. “He lost his back end out of the gates as he slipped and I had to ride him back from there,” he said. “He was nice and relaxed and travelling that good he was always going to get over the top of them. “I think he is in career best form and deserves his shot at a Group One.” More horse racing news View the full article

Sagunto puts on a front-running masterclass to claim back-to-back Group 3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) crowns with Lisa Allpress. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) After leading all the way to claim his first black-type win in last year’s Group 3 Manawatu Cup (2300m), Sagunto returned to defend that crown with an even more spectacular front-running performance at Trentham on Saturday. Sagunto defied $20 odds for his narrow victory over Subtle Point and Soprano Supreme in the 2022 edition of the Cup, and the Peter and Shaun McKay-trained runner started as a distant $10 second favourite on Saturday behind dominant market leader Manifique ($1.65). However, almost from the moment the starting gates opened, all eyes were firmly on Sagunto. Jockey Lisa Allpress has formed a successful partnership with Sagunto, guiding him to three wins from four rides including last year’s Cup. She is well aware of the O’Reilly gelding’s fondness for doing his own thing out in front, and she was happy to let him roll on Saturday. Sagunto took command within the first few strides of the $120,000 race, and by the time he swung around into Trentham’s back straight, he was in full flow. A margin of three lengths quickly grew to seven, eight and 10. Still loving his work and doing it with ease, Sagunto led by almost a dozen lengths coming around the side of the track and approaching the home turn. He was showing no sign of slowing down, and the chasers were beginning to panic. Allpress drove Sagunto down the Trentham home straight to complete a dominant victory, beating Fierce Flight and Never Look Back by six lengths. “That was very cool,” Allpress said. “I had Peter in the back of my mind, saying, ‘Whatever you do, don’t look back. Just trust that you can judge the speed.’ “He’s such a neat horse and had no weight today – 55 is a seriously light weight for a horse like him, who’s been carrying 60 kilos in his previous races. Dropping down today, he felt like a different horse. He was so bouncy out in front and just pinging off that track. He literally leaped over the back gap there. “I was counting my furlongs, thinking that even though we were going quick, he felt so good and I thought I still had plenty there. He wasn’t overly pulling. He was just nicely on the bit. I didn’t want to look back, but I couldn’t hear anyone. “He loves to roll along and get his own way, and he’s just such a neat horse.” Sagunto was bred by Waikato Stud, who offered him at Karaka as a yearling in 2017, where Peter and Kim McKay bought him for $120,000. His 65-start career has now produced nine wins, 16 placings and $369,046 in stakes. “That was a dominant performance,” Shaun McKay said. “I was a little bit nervous around the back when he rolled forward like that, but that’s what he likes doing. He had five or six on them at the corner and just kept going. It was great to watch. “People sometimes ask why we ride him like that, but that’s the way he likes to go. The faster he goes, the more he keeps going. “He’s won nine races now and gone back-to-back in this race, so he’s been a great horse for us. He’s definitely the stable pet. “He can be quite hard to place. When you go through the fields and there doesn’t seem to be any other speed, you’re pretty confident he’s going to run well. It’s when there’s another horse in the race that’s going to put pressure on him that you get a bit nervous. But when you get days like this, it’s amazing. “It’s a big thrill to defend the title. He was carrying only a couple of kilos more this time around, but up against some good horses. He keeps getting better and better.” Manifique was the disappointing runner in the Manawatu Cup, finishing a clear last with rider Michael McNab reporting that she hung badly throughout the race. More horse racing news View the full article

Trainer makes it 15 consecutive meetings at least one win thanks to the victories of Starship Eighty and Fighting Machine at Sha Tin on SaturdayView the full article

In a corner of a hidden Scottish field, there stands a scruffy, woolly, wintery mare. There has been a frost of minus three, so she has fluffed up her coat like a Teddy bear, to capture the warmth generated by her huge heart. Her chestnut colour is singing russet and scarlet in the sunshine. Her eyelids flicker as she dreams her dreams, and her great muscle-set, handed down to her by twenty-eight generations of athletes, is entirely relaxed. She is at peace. She is possibly the least important Thoroughbred in Britain. She never set the crowd on a roar. She didn't come close to winning a race. (She liked to trundle round at the back.) Her name would not be recognised by the most diligent historian of racing. She appeared on the scene for a brief, catastrophically unsuccessful season, never troubling the judge, leaving not a ripple among the punters, hardly fast enough to be given a Timeform rating, before disappearing quietly into the realms of the forgotten. In terms of worldly value, she is worth nothing. To me, she is worth everything. No amount of money could buy what she gives me, every single day, and that is because, each morning and each evening, she makes me laugh and she gives me pure, singing joy and she makes me a better human being. She is my best companion and there is no price you can put on that. This is what the forgotten do, as they vanish from public view. They lift private hearts, in unseen paddocks. They have no fame or fortune. They leave not a trace behind. And it's important to remember that the majority of Thoroughbreds will fall into this unremembered category. Champions are rare, which is why the public recalls their names and lists them in order of greatness. It's why people still say, 'I was there.' I was there – when Frankel blew apart the field in that almost unbelievable, sun-spangled Guineas, when Kauto Star tore up the history books in his fifth, joyous King George, when Dancing Brave danced past them all in the Arc, when Desert Orchid battled up the hill to an unstoppable, exuberant, riotous swoon of adoration in the Gold Cup. Just as horses are herd animals, so humans are social animals – we need our tribe, our sense of community, our knowledge of belonging. And, curiously, this is one of the things that the ordinary, unstarry Thoroughbreds unobtrusively give, in their unremarked retirements, long after the crowds have moved on. That's the official value – the historic victories, the vast purses won, the ineradicable memories, the great duels, the stratospheric ratings. That's the plain meaning of success, in racing, as the great ones reach their legendary status, and go into the realm of myth. Possibly the greatest human need is connection. Just as horses are herd animals, so humans are social animals – we need our tribe, our sense of community, our knowledge of belonging. And, curiously, this is one of the things that the ordinary, unstarry Thoroughbreds unobtrusively give, in their unremarked retirements, long after the crowds have moved on. It's not what they were bred for. The breed was invented over three hundred years ago, when Captain Byerley brought his great Turk back from the wars. The Big Daddy of them all was later joined, in the development of one of the most beautiful, fleet set of horses ever seen, in the other storied sires – The Darley Arabian and the Godolphin Arabian and a whole slew of Barbs and Arabs and Turks. The mares who were put to them are not so heralded; some of them even did not have proper names. (My favourite is Miss Darcy's Pet Mare, who can be found in the pedigree of almost every champion, if you go far back enough. I have a vision of Miss Darcy riding about on her sweetheart, until her father cast a beady eye over the horse and said, 'I'll take that one to the breeding shed'.) The breed was, and still is, predicated on strength and speed and stamina. The goal is what it always was: winning. But my red mare has taught me that there are different kinds of winning. She made me look anew at ideas of value and success. Her gentleness and kindness and beauty don't just make my heart expand, until it feels it will fly out of my chest, but they touch many other humans too. She brings smiles to the faces of the young children who ride her, as if she is a doting old schoolmistress. She is a part of the family, and all my relatives know that if they are having a bad day, they can come and stand by her and take away some of the peace she exudes. (You can feel it rolling off her, in embracing waves.) I often go for walks with her, in the woods, and we pass many merry people from the village, out with their dogs, and they stop and beam at us and talk for a while, as she stations herself perfectly still and does her special event, which is the Standing Still Olympics. I think they thought that taking your horse for a walk was an odd thing to do, and they probably laughed at us, at the beginning, but now we are a known part of the community. I make jokes about her being a therapy horse, but really it's deadly serious. She keeps me anchored, in the literal and metaphorical Scottish earth. She makes me know who I am. She offers me her great power, when we gallop up into the Scottish hills and I feel her mighty Thoroughbred strength pouring into my puny human body. She gives me routine and purpose. In all weathers, I go out to care for her, however tired or grumpy I am feeling, and when I've set her to rights, I have that holy feeling of having done something good. There are many kinds of retirement for racehorses. You'll hear about some of the ones who find stardom in their second career – wowing the watchers at Badminton, or gleaming under the lights at the Horse of the Year Show, or working as actual therapy horses. (There are four of these down the valley from me, at a charity called HorseBack UK, and these ex-racers work with wounded veterans and troubled children and people in wheelchairs. They literally save lives.) But there will be lots just like mine. We don't do much. We pootle around on the buckle, taking our old lady rides into the high forests. We exist on different sides of the species barrier, but we are both made of the ancient remnants of exploded stars, and that's what makes me feel part of something much, much greater than myself. We are unseen, but we are not alone. There are many just like us. Every time I see a mare in foal to Frankel stalk through the Tattersalls ring, raising gasps as her price rises into the millions, or I watch a new star bursting onto the scene, as the race-callers' voices hit a bright pitch of excitement, or I contemplate the hardened warriors lining up in the King George, as they will on Boxing Day, I think of the ones like me, who are not winning in the obvious way. We have mud on our boots and hay in our hair and more love in our hearts than words can express. Because that's what Thoroughbreds can do, when their racing days are over: they cleverly train their humans in the ways of love. The post The Unremembered Mare: Valueless but Priceless appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Highly successful second-season trainer and New Zealand’s former premiership-winning jockey took two days to settle on a name for their first childView the full article

Former New Zealand apprentice Wiremu Pinn was seen in winning action at The Valley on Saturday as he guided Flash Feeling (NZ) (Iffraaj) to a first-up victory in the Sharp EIT Solutions Handicap (1600m). Unsighted since running fourth at the venue back in July, the John Sadler-trained five-year-old entire looped the field from last at the 600m before out-duelling Captain Britain (Camelot), Awash (Merchant Navy) and Golden Crusader (Golden Horn) in a driving finish that saw less than half a length separate the first four home. The victory was Pinn’s second on the day after he had earlier piloted Holly Lolly (Snitzel) home in the sixth event on the card. “I actually said to the strapper before I jumped on that I wasn’t too sure that the horse liked me,” Pinn said. “Last time I rode him I had absolutely no control of him, but he has won very well today. “He was really tough as he copped a bit of a check at the top of the straight and lost some momentum so he has done well to pick himself up and sprint again. “Mr Sadler had rung me and said to just get him to settle and have one crack at them, as he is the best horse in the race and if he is good enough he will win and he proved that today.” Stable representative Sarah Fannin was all smiles as she explained the decision to start in this race as opposed to a stakes race on Boxing Day. “It (the decision) was based on the weather forecast as he definitely prefers a dry track and that decision has paid off,” Fannin said. “It was a fantastic ride which we couldn’t have been happier with as he had to overcome the tricky draw (10 of 10), be patient and he popped off when he needed to, to get a terrific result. “He’s come back a nice mature and strong horse for this prep, so we will take everything now as it comes.” Flash Feeling is a graduate of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, where he was prepared by Prima Park and purchased by Dean Hawthorne for $160,000. By former Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Iffraaj, Flash Feeling is out of the winning High Chaparral mare Shanzam, who in turn is out of the Group Three winning mare Shanzero. He is the older half-brother of exciting three-year-old filly Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor) who finished close up in fifth in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton last month after finishing runner-up in the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m). The two-year-old Ocean Park half-brother to Flash Feeling was a $110,000 purchase by Henry Dwyer at The New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale in November while Prima Park will offer the Almanzor half-sister as Lot 393 during the Book 1 session at the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale at Karaka which kicks off on 28 January next month. View the full article

A rails hugging ride from jockey Tommy Berry paved the way for well-performed galloper Waihaha Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls) to return to the winner’s enclosure with a remarkable display to take out the Schweppes Handicap (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday. Trained by John O’Shea for owner-breeders Waikato Stud and Guy and Bridget Lowry, Waihaha Falls lapped up the rise to 1400m after making ground strongly over 1200m in his first two runs in a new campaign. Although well supported in early markets, punters were wary of the chances of the noted back runner on a day where those on pace had dominated most of the earlier races, however they hadn’t counted on the powerful finishing capabilities of the six-year-old son of Sacred Falls. Settled a clear last by Berry as Frosty Rocks (Your Song) set up some slick sectionals in front, Waihaha Falls was still a clear last on the home bend and a long way from a winning prospect. Berry hunted a rails run as he wound his mount up and despite having to switch one-off the fence to get clear running in the final stages Waihaha Falls was at full steam as he dived through a narrow gap to take the victory in the shadows of the post. Berry was thrilled with the win after having his confidence dented when the horse drew barrier nine in the 10-horse field. “That was just breathtaking as it was gut wrenching when I saw where we drew given John had him set for this race,” Berry said. “The fence has been where most of the winners have been at some point during the day so we were aware of that. “When they quickened as we came around the corner he dropped the bit a little and when I was coming through he got baulked a little bit, but he has been working up to this so it was a brilliant win.” O’Shea was one of those in the camp who felt the task for his charge could have been too great given the racing pattern on the day. “We thought we were just going around for practice when we saw the nature of the running early on and where he was going to be,” O’Shea said. “I have been so happy with him as he has been airborne at home and I have to make particular mention of my staff who have done a wonderful job, including my son Jordan who has been brushing him incessantly over the last fortnight as he wanted something on him. “Tom had worked him during the week and he was so happy with him, so to produce a ride like that was unbelievable. “I said to him earlier we would just have to cop our medicine as everyone was intent on going forward so it was in the lap of the gods, but it was a great Tom Berry ride and the horse has been deserving of that.” Waihaha Falls has now won five of his 19 starts with a further five placings for more than A$544,000 in prizemoney. He is by Sacred Falls out of the Scaredee Cat mare Mink (NZ), who herself was a winner from Lowry’s Hastings stable. She later crossed the Tasman to join O’Shea, for whom she collected another two wins and also finished fourth in the Listed Civic Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill in 2012. Mink is the dam of two winners from three foals to race, with Waihaha Falls’ half-brother Golden Key (NZ) (Pins) a five-time winner in Australia and Macau. View the full article

Recording consecutive victories, Lingjun Xiongfeng (The Factor) rose markedly in grade to win the Print House Open Handicap (1600m) on Saturday at Te Rapa. Deserving of victory in the Rating 65 1500 metres on 9 December at Pukekohe, the sharp rise posed no obstacle for the striking grey entire and he did a demolition job on his rivals. Ridden again by newly acquainted South African immigrant Billy Jacobson, who is quickly adjusting to track conditions in New Zealand, Lingjun Xiongfeng sat last in a field of eight, travelled effortlessly throughout, and once drawn out in the straight he rattled home to win by a rather astonishing five and a half lengths. “He was just cruising at the back and just went so well,” said Jacobson, on dismounting. Always held in high regard by co-trainer Pam Gerard, Lingjun Xiongfeng was reported to have worked up terrifically well since winning at Pukekohe, and she was bullish on his prospects despite the jump in class. “He’s absolutely flying at the moment, jumping out of his skin, working and eating well and looks terrific,” Gerard said. “He’s very fit and I’d been very happy with the way he’d been working. “Bart (Cowan) has prepared another really good track, which has been fantastic for the amount of racing it’s had, and thank you to everyone at the club,” Gerard said. “He (Lingjun Xiongfeng) was absolutely amazing at Pukekohe, and I think in the last month he has grown lengths after being a little bit wayward, obviously still being a colt. “About a month ago he just started looking like something different and he’s shown that in races by winning in 65-grade and now a big win in an Open Handicap, against some very nice horses. “He’s a horse with a lot of potential and could now prepare for the Rich Hill Mile (Gr.2, 1600m).” View the full article

Ensued shows impressive staying prowess. Ensued and Joyful Hunter emerged as potential Four-Year-Old Classic Series contenders with quality performances at Sha Tin on Saturday as Pierre Ng continued his advance on the Hong Kong trainers’ championship with a double. Ensued (115lb) showcased Hong Kong Derby (2000m) credentials with victory under Karis Teetan for 12-time Hong Kong champion trainer John Size before Francis Lui’s Joyful Hunter charged into Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) calculations with a devastating win under Vincent Ho. 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. “He’s done that well. He likes his racing, he’s got a very good temperament and he does everything pretty easily,” Size said. “I think stamina is his strong suit and it’s what he has in his favour. “He showed before he came here that 2000 metres would be no problem. It wasn’t my opinion, it was that he showed he can stay before he was in Hong Kong, and that’s why I put him in a 1800m race on his first start. “He’s won three out of four and you can’t deny him anything at the moment. He’s now well into Class 2, so he’s got to be given that opportunity (in the Hong Kong Derby).” The Hong Kong Derby on March 24 is the third leg of the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which also features the Hong Kong Classic Mile on February 4, the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on March 3. Teetan was also positive over Ensued’s progress. “I thought the race panned out really well. In the straight, when I peeled him off, he really quickened up and when he hit the front – he’s still a baby – and he was waiting for the other horses to join him,” Teetan said. “You would think the Hong Kong (Classic) Cup and the Derby would be his trip, the Mile would be too short for him but he’s got potential. He’s improving all the time and he gave me a good feel today. He’s definitely on target for those races.” 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. Ng extended his streak of training at least one winner at successive meetings to 15 race days when Starship Eighty prevailed in the Class 5 Hibiscus Handicap (1600m) under a wonderful ride by Teetan. Ng, who leads the trainers’ championship with 39 wins, 16 ahead of Danny Shum (23), has saddled 27 winners across the past 15 meetings. “As long as the horses are keeping fit and healthy, we can keep doing a bit more,” Ng said. “Hopefully we can continue to have more winners. There’s a lot of meetings to think about and a lot of work to do.” Fighting Machine was the second leg of Ng’s brace, prevailing under Zac Purton, who slotted a double to have 46 wins for the campaign – 15 more than Teetan (31). Purton linked successfully with Shum aboard Nordic Star as the globe-trotting galloper posted his first Hong Kong victory. “Everything worked out well, he had a good barrier (one), a good ride and he just won. I think 1800m could be better for him,” Shum said of the Brazilian-bred gelding, who previously raced in Uruguay, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The five-year-old was a Listed winner at three in Uruguay and Group 3-placed in Dubai. Ng’s domination continued on a day where others savoured drought-breaking success, including Jimmy Ting who slotted his second winner of the season when Luke Ferraris drove The Absolute to victory. “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 October 25 when Jubilation scored for Chris So. “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.” Dennis Yip and Alexis Badel combined with Vantastic Choice, while James McDonald and Ricky Yiu scored with Adefill. Leslie’s explosive acceleration under Derek Leung enabled Michael Chang’s charge to land the Class 3 Poinsettia Handicap (1400m) at odds of 55/1. More horse racing news View the full article

Flash Feeling prevails in a blanket finish to win at The Valley. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Former New Zealand apprentice Wiremu Pinn was seen in winning action at Moonee Valley on Saturday as he guided Flash Feeling to a first-up victory. Unsighted since running fourth at the venue back in July, the John Sadler-trained five-year-old entire looped the field from last at the 600m before out-duelling Captain Britain, Awash and Golden Crusader in a driving finish that saw less than half a length separate the first four home. The victory was Pinn’s second on the day after he had earlier piloted Holly Lolly home in the sixth event on the card. “I actually said to the strapper before I jumped on that I wasn’t too sure that the horse liked me,” Pinn said. “Last time I rode him I had absolutely no control of him, but he has won very well today. “He was really tough as he copped a bit of a check at the top of the straight and lost some momentum so he has done well to pick himself up and sprint again. “Mr Sadler had rung me and said to just get him to settle and have one crack at them, as he is the best horse in the race and if he is good enough he will win and he proved that today.” Stable representative Sarah Fannin was all smiles as she explained the decision to start in this race as opposed to a stakes race on Boxing Day. “It (the decision) was based on the weather forecast as he definitely prefers a dry track and that decision has paid off,” Fannin said. “It was a fantastic ride which we couldn’t have been happier with as he had to overcome the tricky draw (10 of 10), be patient and he popped off when he needed to, to get a terrific result. “He’s come back a nice mature and strong horse for this prep, so we will take everything now as it comes.” More horse racing news View the full article

John Size’s three-year-old galloper wins an incident-packed Class Two Yan Chai Trophy at Sha Tin over the Classic Series finale’s course and distanceView the full article

After leading all the way to claim his first black-type win in last year’s Gr.3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup (2300m), Sagunto (NZ) (O’Reilly) returned to defend that crown with an even more spectacular front-running performance at Trentham on Saturday. Sagunto defied $20 odds for his narrow victory over Subtle Point (NZ) (Nadeem) and Soprano Supreme (NZ) (Contributer) in the 2022 edition of the Cup, and the Peter and Shaun McKay-trained runner started as a distant $10 second favourite on Saturday behind dominant market leader Manifique (NZ) (Savabeel) ($1.65). However, almost from the moment the starting gates opened, all eyes were firmly on Sagunto. Jockey Lisa Allpress has formed a successful partnership with Sagunto, guiding him to three wins from four rides including last year’s Cup. She is well aware of the O’Reilly gelding’s fondness for doing his own thing out in front, and she was happy to let him roll on Saturday. Sagunto took command within the first few strides of the $120,000 race, and by the time he swung around into Trentham’s back straight, he was in full flow. A margin of three lengths quickly grew to seven, eight and 10. Still loving his work and doing it with ease, Sagunto led by almost a dozen lengths coming around the side of the track and approaching the home turn. He was showing no sign of slowing down, and the chasers were beginning to panic. Allpress drove Sagunto down the Trentham home straight to complete a dominant victory, beating Fierce Flight (Flying Artie) and Never Look Back (NZ) (Shocking) by six lengths. “That was very cool,” Allpress said. “I had Peter in the back of my mind, saying, ‘Whatever you do, don’t look back. Just trust that you can judge the speed.’ “He’s such a neat horse and had no weight today – 55 is a seriously light weight for a horse like him, who’s been carrying 60 kilos in his previous races. Dropping down today, he felt like a different horse. He was so bouncy out in front and just pinging off that track. He literally leaped over the back gap there. Sagunto with co-trainer Shaun McKay. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) “I was counting my furlongs, thinking that even though we were going quick, he felt so good and I thought I still had plenty there. He wasn’t overly pulling. He was just nicely on the bit. I didn’t want to look back, but I couldn’t hear anyone. “He loves to roll along and get his own way, and he’s just such a neat horse.” Sagunto was bred by Waikato Stud, who offered him at Karaka as a yearling in 2017, where Peter and Kim McKay bought him for $120,000. His 65-start career has now produced nine wins, 16 placings and $369,046 in stakes. “That was a dominant performance,” Shaun McKay said. “I was a little bit nervous around the back when he rolled forward like that, but that’s what he likes doing. He had five or six on them at the corner and just kept going. It was great to watch. “People sometimes ask why we ride him like that, but that’s the way he likes to go. The faster he goes, the more he keeps going. “He’s won nine races now and gone back-to-back in this race, so he’s been a great horse for us. He’s definitely the stable pet. “He can be quite hard to place. When you go through the fields and there doesn’t seem to be any other speed, you’re pretty confident he’s going to run well. It’s when there’s another horse in the race that’s going to put pressure on him that you get a bit nervous. But when you get days like this, it’s amazing. “It’s a big thrill to defend the title. He was carrying only a couple of kilos more this time around, but up against some good horses. He keeps getting better and better.” Seaton Park will offer a Per Incanto half-sister to Sagunto as Lot 338 in Book 1 of Karaka 2024 next month. Manifique was the disappointing runner in the Manawatu Cup, finishing a clear last with rider Michael McNab reporting that she hung badly throughout the race View the full article

After leading all the way to claim his first black-type win in last year’s Gr.3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup (2300m), Sagunto (NZ) (O’Reilly) returned to defend that crown with an even more spectacular front-running performance at Trentham on Saturday. Sagunto defied $20 odds for his narrow victory over Subtle Point (NZ) (Nadeem) and Soprano Supreme (NZ) (Contributer) in the 2022 edition of the Cup, and the Peter and Shaun McKay-trained runner started as a distant $10 second favourite on Saturday behind dominant market leader Manifique (NZ) (Savabeel) ($1.65). However, almost from the moment the starting gates opened, all eyes were firmly on Sagunto. Jockey Lisa Allpress has formed a successful partnership with Sagunto, guiding him to three wins from four rides including last year’s Cup. She is well aware of the O’Reilly gelding’s fondness for doing his own thing out in front, and she was happy to let him roll on Saturday. Sagunto took command within the first few strides of the $120,000 race, and by the time he swung around into Trentham’s back straight, he was in full flow. A margin of three lengths quickly grew to seven, eight and 10. Still loving his work and doing it with ease, Sagunto led by almost a dozen lengths coming around the side of the track and approaching the home turn. He was showing no sign of slowing down, and the chasers were beginning to panic. Allpress drove Sagunto down the Trentham home straight to complete a dominant victory, beating Fierce Flight (Flying Artie) and Never Look Back (NZ) (Shocking) by six lengths. “That was very cool,” Allpress said. “I had Peter in the back of my mind, saying, ‘Whatever you do, don’t look back. Just trust that you can judge the speed.’ “He’s such a neat horse and had no weight today – 55 is a seriously light weight for a horse like him, who’s been carrying 60 kilos in his previous races. Dropping down today, he felt like a different horse. He was so bouncy out in front and just pinging off that track. He literally leaped over the back gap there. Sagunto with co-trainer Shaun McKay. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) “I was counting my furlongs, thinking that even though we were going quick, he felt so good and I thought I still had plenty there. He wasn’t overly pulling. He was just nicely on the bit. I didn’t want to look back, but I couldn’t hear anyone. “He loves to roll along and get his own way, and he’s just such a neat horse.” Sagunto was bred by Waikato Stud, who offered him at Karaka as a yearling in 2017, where Peter and Kim McKay bought him for $120,000. His 65-start career has now produced nine wins, 16 placings and $369,046 in stakes. “That was a dominant performance,” Shaun McKay said. “I was a little bit nervous around the back when he rolled forward like that, but that’s what he likes doing. He had five or six on them at the corner and just kept going. It was great to watch. “People sometimes ask why we ride him like that, but that’s the way he likes to go. The faster he goes, the more he keeps going. “He’s won nine races now and gone back-to-back in this race, so he’s been a great horse for us. He’s definitely the stable pet. “He can be quite hard to place. When you go through the fields and there doesn’t seem to be any other speed, you’re pretty confident he’s going to run well. It’s when there’s another horse in the race that’s going to put pressure on him that you get a bit nervous. But when you get days like this, it’s amazing. “It’s a big thrill to defend the title. He was carrying only a couple of kilos more this time around, but up against some good horses. He keeps getting better and better.” Seaton Park will offer a Per Incanto half-sister to Sagunto as Lot 338 in Book 1 of Karaka 2024 next month. Manifique was the disappointing runner in the Manawatu Cup, finishing a clear last with rider Michael McNab reporting that she hung badly throughout the race View the full article

After leading all the way to claim his first black-type win in last year’s Gr.3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup (2300m), Sagunto (NZ) (O’Reilly) returned to defend that crown with an even more spectacular front-running performance at Trentham on Saturday. Sagunto defied $20 odds for his narrow victory over Subtle Point (NZ) (Nadeem) and Soprano Supreme (NZ) (Contributer) in the 2022 edition of the Cup, and the Peter and Shaun McKay-trained runner started as a distant $10 second favourite on Saturday behind dominant market leader Manifique (NZ) (Savabeel) ($1.65). However, almost from the moment the starting gates opened, all eyes were firmly on Sagunto. Jockey Lisa Allpress has formed a successful partnership with Sagunto, guiding him to three wins from four rides including last year’s Cup. She is well aware of the O’Reilly gelding’s fondness for doing his own thing out in front, and she was happy to let him roll on Saturday. Sagunto took command within the first few strides of the $120,000 race, and by the time he swung around into Trentham’s back straight, he was in full flow. A margin of three lengths quickly grew to seven, eight and 10. Still loving his work and doing it with ease, Sagunto led by almost a dozen lengths coming around the side of the track and approaching the home turn. He was showing no sign of slowing down, and the chasers were beginning to panic. Allpress drove Sagunto down the Trentham home straight to complete a dominant victory, beating Fierce Flight (Flying Artie) and Never Look Back (NZ) (Shocking) by six lengths. “That was very cool,” Allpress said. “I had Peter in the back of my mind, saying, ‘Whatever you do, don’t look back. Just trust that you can judge the speed.’ “He’s such a neat horse and had no weight today – 55 is a seriously light weight for a horse like him, who’s been carrying 60 kilos in his previous races. Dropping down today, he felt like a different horse. He was so bouncy out in front and just pinging off that track. He literally leaped over the back gap there. Sagunto with co-trainer Shaun McKay. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) “I was counting my furlongs, thinking that even though we were going quick, he felt so good and I thought I still had plenty there. He wasn’t overly pulling. He was just nicely on the bit. I didn’t want to look back, but I couldn’t hear anyone. “He loves to roll along and get his own way, and he’s just such a neat horse.” Sagunto was bred by Waikato Stud, who offered him at Karaka as a yearling in 2017, where Peter and Kim McKay bought him for $120,000. His 65-start career has now produced nine wins, 16 placings and $369,046 in stakes. “That was a dominant performance,” Shaun McKay said. “I was a little bit nervous around the back when he rolled forward like that, but that’s what he likes doing. He had five or six on them at the corner and just kept going. It was great to watch. “People sometimes ask why we ride him like that, but that’s the way he likes to go. The faster he goes, the more he keeps going. “He’s won nine races now and gone back-to-back in this race, so he’s been a great horse for us. He’s definitely the stable pet. “He can be quite hard to place. When you go through the fields and there doesn’t seem to be any other speed, you’re pretty confident he’s going to run well. It’s when there’s another horse in the race that’s going to put pressure on him that you get a bit nervous. But when you get days like this, it’s amazing. “It’s a big thrill to defend the title. He was carrying only a couple of kilos more this time around, but up against some good horses. He keeps getting better and better.” Seaton Park will offer a Per Incanto half-sister to Sagunto as Lot 338 in Book 1 of Karaka 2024 next month. Manifique was the disappointing runner in the Manawatu Cup, finishing a clear last with rider Michael McNab reporting that she hung badly throughout the race View the full article

Puntura (NZ) (Vespa) showed he will be a force to be reckoned with over the coming months as he scored in dominant fashion in Saturday’s Gr.2 Bramco Granite & Marble Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Trentham. Having his first start since a memorable victory in the Gr.3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) at Riccarton during New Zealand Cup Week, the Robbie Patterson-trained six-year-old was fitted for his first up run with a comfortable win over 1000m at the Foxton trials during the week. Unlike his Riccarton victory where he led most of the way, this time regular pilot Craig Grylls let the son of Vespa settle near last and remained there until making a wide run approaching the home turn. With a wall of horses across the track it looked like Belclare (NZ) (Per Incanto) would get the victory when she hit the front at the 200m however Grylls had Puntura wound up and finishing powerfully to grab the game mare at the 50m and win drawing away by half a length. Patterson had expressed plenty of confidence leading into the race and was well satisfied with the result. “It didn’t pan out the way I had envisaged it although the final result did,” Patterson said. “He actually did that in the Glasshouse (Listed, 1400m) at the Sunshine Coast during the winter and flashed home then, so we might end up riding him that way. “He was fantastic today and it is fantastic for the Lynskey’s, who put a lot into the game and he is finally backing things up now as he has come of age.” Patterson has expressed doubts in the past about the horse’s ability to take the step up to Group One company but is now prepared to take that gamble as he targets the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham next month. “We are going to have to go to the Thorndon after that,” he said. “He loves a big roomy track and his work has been enormous so we have to have a go.” Grylls admitted he had to go to Plan B shortly after the start when he wasn’t anywhere near the lead. “He lost his back end out of the gates as he slipped and I had to ride him back from there,” he said. “He was nice and relaxed and travelling that good he was always going to get over the top of them. “I think he is in career best form and deserves his shot at a Group One.” Bred and raced by John and Carole Lynskey, Puntura is out of the Magic Of Sydney mare Mumzahoney (NZ) who was successful on two occasions with the Group winners Ellakapella (NZ) (Pompeii Court) and Jason Belltree (NZ) (Ferlax) the stand-out names on her pedigree page. Mumzahoney is also the dam of Puntura’s full-sibling and stablemate Margherita Veloce (NZ), who has won three races, and she also has an unraced three-year-old sister to the pair named Gigi Galle (NZ) and a yearling colt by Vespa. View the full article

Well-related four-year-old Raetihi (NZ) (Savabeel) showed his rivals a clean pair of heels as he led virtually throughout to score a narrow victory in the Cirka Group Handicap (1600m) at The Valley. The son of Savabeel is prepared by Emma-Lee and David Browne from their Pakenham base and has found his winning groove this campaign, having commenced it a maiden. The gelding has won three of his last five starts and finished no worse than fourth since resuming in August, with Saturday’s triumph making it successive wins at The Valley. Sent to the front by rider Billy Egan shortly after jumping well from barrier eight in the 10-horse field, Raethi dictated terms nicely and was travelling well as he skipped clear rounding the home bend. Chased hard by eventual runner-up Cradle Of Life (Written Tycoon), Egan got the best out of his mount to hold out the stout challenge and win by a neck at the line. “He’s finally turned the corner. He used to be a hairy little horse that we knew had ability, but he is just loving life at the moment and Billy gave him a lovely ride,” Emma-Lee Browne said. “He’s not the easiest, but Billy seems to just get a tune out of him. “He is a very strong-willed horse and doesn’t like to take a sit easily.” Egan confirmed Raetihi was nearly out of gas late but said he had gained some insights to the son of Savabeel having partnered him to his previous success at The Valley. “He has been a little bit difficult but the (last two) races have worked out nicely for him,” Egan said. “I learnt something from riding him the other day. I took my time when getting there the other day. I didn’t want to rev him up, but he is that way anyway so you can use him a bit early and cross them quickly because he is probably going to race a bit boldly no matter how kind you are to him. “He can sustain a pretty good gallop. He just sustained it for long enough today and I don’t think he needs it any further than a mile.” Bred by Waikato Stud, Raetihi is by Savabeel out of the O’Reilly mare Lego (NZ), a winning daughter of multiple Group One winner Legs (NZ) (Pins). Under their Sparta Racing banner, the Brownes went to $155,000 to purchase the gelding from the draft of Ohukia Lodge at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale. View the full article

When Stars Align (NZ) (Zoustar) and Unbridled Joy (Snitzel) kicked off their careers with a quinella in the Japac Homes (1100m) at Trentham on Saturday, adding their names to a bumper list of two-year-old talent in the Te Akau Racing stable this season. Premiership-leading trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson headed into the $40,000 race with half a dozen winners already among the 2023-24 juvenile ranks. Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) was a dominant three-length winner of the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) earlier this month, while boom colt Move To Strike (I Am Invincible) made a huge impression on debut at Te Rapa last weekend. Bellatrix Star (Star Witness), About Last Night (NZ) (Capitalist), Dream Of The Moon (All Too Hard) and Maracatu (NZ) (Ardrossan) have also recorded stylish victories. On Saturday the spotlight shifted to When Stars Align and Unbridled Joy, who both arrived at Trentham as trial winners and dominated the betting at $2.10 and $2.20 respectively. When Stars Align narrowly shaded his stablemate for favouritism, and that was also how it played out on the track. Ridden positively from the inside gate by Michael McNab, When Stars Align slid forward to take the lead in the early stages of the race. He dominated proceedings from there, accelerating impressively at the top of the straight and kicking clear. Unbridled Joy emerged from the pack and was the only one to eat into the leader’s margin, closing to within a length and a quarter at the line, but there was no catching When Stars Align. The Te Akau pair dominated the finish, with the third-placed The Tattler (Dubious) finishing another two lengths behind the runner-up Unbridled Joy. When Stars Align is by Zoustar out of the Group Two-placed Darci Brahma mare Shenandoah (NZ). The colt was bred by the Hawkins family’s Llanhennock Trust and offered under their Wentwood Grange banner in Book 1 at Karaka earlier this year, where David Ellis purchased him for $400,000. Wentwood Grange will offer a half-brother by Almanzor in Book 1 of Karaka 2024 in late January. Saturday’s debut win earned $23,000 in prize-money for When Stars Align, which puts him in seventh place on the order of entry for the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 27. Te Akau has celebrated seven consecutive victories in the $1 million juvenile feature, and they also have Bellatrix Star, Maracatu and About Last Night among the top 10 in this season’s order of entry. “It always comes around pretty quickly, but hopefully we’ll be there in force again,” Bergerson said. “We’ve got another couple of first-starters in on Boxing Day at Pukekohe who can hopefully put their hands up as well. “We’re really happy with When Stars Align’s win today. Nabber (McNab) was pretty keen to find the fence. He worked the horse on Tuesday and said that he does have a bit of an awkward action and an awkward way of going, so he was pretty keen to find the rail and follow it. Thankfully he did. “He’s still a pretty raw colt and doing a few things wrong, changing legs there, but it’s all in front of him. He looks like a nice type going forward. “The Karaka Millions would be nice, but we’ll see how he comes through this. He’s a nice, big, strong horse. He’s still a bit immature, but it’s all in front of him.” Bergerson was also more than satisfied with the performance of Unbridled Joy – a Snitzel colt bought by Ellis for A$650,000 on the Gold Coast. “He got in behind them, relaxed nicely and was strong to the line,” Bergerson said. “He will have learned a lot from this race, I think. He’s another nice prospect.” View the full article

In her first Saturday assignment, exciting filly Bedtime Story (NZ) (Per Incanto) took it all in her stride at Trentham on Saturday going back-to-back in the Tui Backing A Winner Since 1889 1200. Bedtime Story was a close-up second on debut at Woodville and soon went one better with a comfortable maiden victory at her local Hastings track last month for trainers Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos. Stepping into Open three-year-old company on Saturday, the filly was well supported to continue her winning form as she started a $4.50 third favourite behind Fashion Icon (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) ($2.50) and Superbly Written (Written Tycoon) ($3.70). Jockey Kozzi Asano allowed Bedtime Story to settle comfortably in the trail behind Party Rocking (NZ) (Belardo) and angled his mount into a gap between the leader and Bella Corno (NZ) (Charm Spirit) turning for home, before the daughter of Per Incanto showed a dashing turn-of-foot to race clear and score comfortably by 1½ lengths. Zydenbos, who recently entered into partnership with Lowry, was thrilled to see the filly perform in her first Trentham excursion. “She was really impressive today, we thought it would be good for her to have the trip down here and have a go down the straight, so we were rapt,” she said. Zydenbos indicated Bedtime Story will only continue to improve as she matures, with her Per Incanto bloodlines offering versatility over further distances. “She’s a little bit immature both physically, and still learning the game mentally, so we think as a four and five-year-old will be her go,” she said. Waikato-based hoop Asano was equally impressed with the filly’s performance, and went on to earn an early double on the Trentham undercard with the Ashley Meadows-trained Waitui Rose (NZ) (Tarzino). “She always gets cover and gets into her rhythm. She’s done everything right today and wasn’t scared of the little gap,” he said. “She’s still small, so I think she’s going to improve a lot over time, hopefully I can stick with her.” Bedtime Story was bred and is part-owned by Henrietta Duchess of Bedford out of an unraced mare in Happy Endings (NZ) (Tavistock). Her granddam is Snap (NZ) (Kingdom Bay), the Duchess’ former Joint Champion Three-Year-Old and New Zealand Filly of the Year who was a five-time Group One winner. Brighthill Farm will offer a half-brother by Savabeel as lot 118 at the New Zealand National Yearling Sales at Karaka through their Book 1 draft in January next year. View the full article

By Jonny Turner A brilliant tactical drive saw the Group One dreams of driver Sarah O’Reilly and trainers Brent and Tim White come true with American Me in the Invercargill Cup at Ascot Park yesterday. O’Reilly added the biggest prize yet to her already glittering resume as a junior driver with a pinpoint effort to win Southland’s biggest harness race. But before she could taste the joys of victory, the reinswoman had to be told she won the race as she wasn’t totally sure after crossing the line. “It is pretty amazing; I can’t believe it – I didn’t think I had won.” In a crucial move, O’Reilly made the second favourite Self Assured work hard to take the lead off her in the second lap of the race. With American Me able to wear down the former New Zealand Cup winner in a thrilling finish, there was little doubt afterwards that O’Reilly’s tactics were a crucial factor in her horse’s win. “I knew I probably had to make them work a little bit because my guy is quite tough, and I knew he could handle it,” O’Reilly said. American Me’s victory also handed trainers Brent and Tim White their maiden Group One successes, both individually and as training partners. “It is a super result for the old boy and me, and the whole team at home,” Tim White said. “We couldn’t do it without all of our helpers; it is a team effort and it is a credit to the team.” The White stable has been an unstoppable force since father and son went into partnership. Though the momentum has been building for years since Brent White went training on a full-time basis. Yesterday’s result left no doubts about the White stables’ status as one of New Zealand’s top-class barns. “It is always your goal to be better; we have been in the class races this year, which is great for the stable,” White said. New Zealand’s trotting star again shone brightest when Oscar Bonavena sped to victory in the Group Three David Moss Stakes at Ascot Park. A strong tempo early in the race left the Dominion-winning star well off the pace, but it wasn’t long until Mark Purdon slotted the trotter into a perfect one-one sit. From there, there was only going to be one result. “He is just lethal when he gets that sort of drag into the race,” Purdon said. “I was forced to go when the others went before me, but it worked out perfectly.” With his victory, Oscar Bonavena has earned some quiet time over the Christmas-New Year period before the Purdon stable looks for his next target. View the full article

What Tamworth Races Where Tamworth Jockey Club – 28 Britten Rd, Taminda NSW 2340 When Sunday, December 24, 2023 First Race 1:50pm AEDT Visit Dabble Christmas Eve racing heads to Tamworth on Sunday afternoon, with a competitive seven-race program set to get underway at 1:50pm local time. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and with a minor chance of showers hitting the course proper, the current Soft 5 rating at the time of writing should hold true for race-day. Best Bet: Macleay Macleay almost made a winning return to racing at Armidale on December 3 after 334 days off the scene. The son of Ready For Victory had zero luck turning for home, running into nothing but backsides at a crucial stage, before savaging the wire when getting clear with 200m to travel. The Cody Morgan barn sent Macleay back to the trials to regain that winning feeling since, and with an extra 100m to be a major benefit, watch for this guy to be storming over the top in this Class 2 contest. Best Bet Race 2 – #1 Macleay (10) 6yo Gelding | T: Cody Morgan | J: Aaron Bullock (61.5kg) +230 with Bet365 Next Best: Custo Custo was impressive lugging 64.5kg to victory first-up into the campaign but was unable to make it back-to-back wins in a testing Highway contest at Randwick on November 7. He pinged the lids to sit three-wide on speed on that occasion and knocked up after a torrid run in transit. We anticipate similar tactics in this event; however, this time Aaron Bullock will attempt to cross to the rail – and if he does, Custo will take plenty of chasing in the concluding stages. Next Best Race 5 – #4 Custo (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Stephen Jones | J: Aaron Bullock (59kg) +200 with Neds Best Value: Seahaven After chasing home Indifference in open company for his first two starts of the preparation, Seahaven should be much better suited taking a step back in grade on Sunday afternoon. The gelding by Mikki Isle has never missed the frame at this course and distance, and the appointment of Cobi Vitler seems to be a key one. It should allow Seahaven to use his early toe to lead, and with 60kg on his back in this BM66 affair, the five-year-old looks perfectly placed to chalk up career win number four. Best Value Race 4 – #1 Seahaven (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Janne Clement | J: Cobi Vitler (a3kg) (63kg) +900 with Betfair Tamworth Sunday quaddie tips – 24/12/2023 Tamworth quadrella selections Monday, December 24, 2023 1-2-4-5 4-9 8-9-11-12 1-2-3-5-6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Anisette heads the home squad against a pair of ambitiously placed invaders in the American Oaks (G1T) on opening day at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

The San Gabriel Stakes (G2T) on the Santa Anita Park turf has a compact field of six but no shortage of diversity.View the full article