Wandering Eyes

John Sargent had extra reason to celebrate at Warwick Farm when debutante Photographics (NZ) (Per Incanto) gave him a rare pre-Christmas two-year-old winner. Not only is the victory timely, it is also a family affair as the filly is leased by Sargent and his wife, along with their children Lucy and Jack. “I put my kids in this horse and they need the money so I was under a bit of pressure to get the horse out and racing,” Sargent said. “At least they’ve got some back now. “We’ve usually got other people in the horses with us, but this is the first time just the whole family. Lucy is here and my son lives in London, so it’s a great thrill for them.” By proven stallion Per Incanto, Photographics won her only barrier trial and had shown Sargent ability from the outset. He wasn’t sure how she would handle the heavy conditions in Wednesday’s Highland Race Colours Handicap (1000m) but they proved no issue, Photographics ($4.40) skipping through the ground to score by 1-1/4 lengths over Miss Piera (Pierata) ($3 equal fav) with Husk (Calyx) ($3 equal fav) another half-head away third. Sargent said Photographics had been a bit fierce early but was relaxing much better in her work and that had translated to race day. “She showed a lot of early speed when I started to gallop her, but she has started to harness it now and I think she will be a nice filly in time,” he said. “I think she will just keep improving.” Photographics was ridden by three-kilo claiming apprentice Molly Bourke, who Sargent felt was a key factor in the win. Bourke has been in good form in town, parlaying a victory aboard the Gary Nickson-trained Felix Majestic (Smart Missile) at Randwick on Saturday into Wednesday’s Warwick Farm success. “It’s a big help on the wet tracks, three kilos, and she judged the pace very well there,” Sargent said of Bourke. View the full article

Industry Update – What the Board are Talking About from Mauro Barsi, Chief Operating Officer December 2023 I begin this report by wishing our CEO, Gary Woodham, the best for a swift and full recovery from his recent medical event. We know that he is on leave until at least February next year and remain excited about seeing him back in the office and on track again soon. Code Funding Code Funding is up for renegotiation and we have had our first meeting already. We are particularly focussed on ensuring that our funding is sufficient to meet the needs of the industry, including the ability to trial new ideas and bring innovation to the sport. We will continue to let you know more in this space as it comes to hand but suffice it to say the full Board has been briefed on the process and the current funding model, and is prepared for a robust debate. We should have a clear idea on what the future may look like by the end of February. Forbury Park The issues surrounding Forbury Park have now been settled and the Board is in the process of formally taking clean title on the site. We remain committed to working through the options surrounding Forbury’s future and we have placed the initial proceeds management model on the HRNZ website. The Board is clear that it will work with the local club to ensure the best outcome for the funds and the community, and it will be looking to potential purchasers shortly. At this stage we are exploring strong opportunities for sale on an ‘as is where is’ basis and we will know more early next year. Entain We are working closely with Entain to look at the new season calendar and to consider trialling some new ideas ahead of the season start as well. One of the issues we are considering is giving more racing opportunities for the horses we breed whereby we can utilise our horse population simply by altering the qualifying standard whilst ensuring horses of similar ability compete together. We have also identified a significant pool of horses that qualify under the current standard yet don’t race due to programming not providing competitive opportunities. It is early days in this process but we remain committed to getting more horses to the track, more racing to Entain, and better wagering for our industry. We are likely to consult with the clubs shortly, once we have a consultation document drafted. Forums We are supporting the creation of the Regional and National Forums, and we look forward to working with them once they are in place. Currently we are providing Chris Lange’s assistance (HRNZ Legal Advisor) to support the mechanics and legal requirements of Forum building and we can see that the process is advancing. We are in regular contact with the Harness Racing Governance Working Group and we are also reaching out to Forum areas. We note that the process for recognising the voices of small clubs is also making progress and we draw your attention to that so that you don’t miss out on being a part of it. Operation Inca As some of you may have read, there are reports that Operation Inca has concluded. We have not as yet received any formal notification of this and we are currently engaging with the parties to find out. Once we know the formal position – and whether there are any ongoing issues of privacy or suppression – we will be able to determine what further steps HRNZ may wish to take. Mauro Barsi Chief Operating Officer View the full article

Media Release : Kapiti Coast Harness Racing Club Race Day Thursday 4th January 2024 The Kapiti Coast Harness Racing Club holds its annual harness race meeting at the Otaki Racecourse on Thursday 4th January 2024 in conjunction with the Otaki Maori Racing Club as a dual code race meeting. This is the fourth occasion on which this has occurred in recent years. Gates open at 10:30 a.m., and the first race is at 11:27 a.m. It is anticipated that there will be six harness races on the programme, with a potential eight galloping races to follow, so possibly a total of fourteen races on a family fun-filled day of excitement. This will be the only harness racing to take place in the Wellington region this season – North Island grass track harness racing at its very best on a wonderful sole of grass, resulting from an extensive grass resewing programme and track drainage work undertaken by the Otaki Maori Racing Club in recent years. The feature harness race on Thursday January 4th is the $20,000 Otaki Cup for the highest graded pacers, from a standing start over 3000 metres. The other feature race on the harness programme is the $15,000 Wellington Trotting Cup for horses with a trotting gait, from a standing start over 3,000 metres. Kapiti Coast Harness Racing Club President Chris Craddock will have his 5yo horse, Raging Whitebait, racing on the day. The horse is trained in Bulls by Doug Gale and is expected to give a bold showing. Doug will have a team of five horses at the race meeting. Local Otaki harness trainer Wendy Devenport will also have horses racing on the day. Uncle Drew from Devenport’s stable is a grass track specialist, “and should give a good account of himself” the trainer stated. She added, “watch out for The Elite Athlete who could be a smoky”, and who placed third on this day at Otaki a year ago. Local Levin harness trainer Murray Gibbs will also be represented with his racing team, with all expected to be primed for the annual local harness race meeting. There will be plenty of free activities for the children, including bouncy castles, face painting, a drawing competition, fun run events, treasure hunts, lolly scramble, tug of war and much more. The meeting promises to be a family-fun, community event, with harness racing not to be missed on the Kapiti Coast. Competitive stakes will be on offer, with very competitive racing on a wonderful grass track surface. Come early, bring a picnic basket, and enjoy a day in the sun on the grassed area on one of the most picturesque race courses in New Zealand…Otaki Racecourse. Harness Club President Chris Craddock stated that he was “delighted that the Kapiti Coast Harness Racing Club and the Otaki Maori Racing Club were once again combining to host this dual code race meeting on the Otaki track. The Kapiti Coast community is getting the best of both worlds with both harness and galloping races featuring on the day”. Chris Craddock President Kapiti Coast Harness Racing Club Inc. 027 410 2420 View the full article

Riverton trainer Stephen Blair-Edie is hoping Christmas comes early when he takes his quintet of runners to Gore on Sunday. The Good Shepherd (NZ) (Power) will spearhead his charge on the Christmas Eve meeting in the Dynes Transport Limited Tapanui Cup (1335m). The six-year-old gelding takes two placings into the meeting and his handler is hoping he can improve on those results this weekend following a short freshen-up. “He takes some good form into the race, and a bit of weight unfortunately,” said Blair-Edie, referring to his 60kg impost. “Two starts back he carried 7.5kg more than the winner, so that speaks for itself. The other day with the tearaway horse in front of him, he had done the work and then Henry Hubber sat on his hindquarter and let him do the work. He wasn’t far away.” Blair-Edie is opting to keep his charge closer to home over the summer in the hope of finding more forgiving ground and believes he should be very competitive on Sunday. “He doesn’t really like the firm going but down in Southland we have got a lot more chance of getting a bit more give (in the ground) than further up the Island,” he said. “He had a couple of days off and was pretty alert this morning when he worked. He is not going to have to pull his feet out of the mud, so let’s hope he can glide over it with 60 kilos.” The Dennis brothers-raced The Motivator (NZ) (Zacinto) is set to make his debut for the stable in the Advance Agriculture Rating 65 1335. Previously in the care of Canterbury trainer Ross Beckett, the son of Zacinto joined Blair-Edie’s barn a few months ago with a view to racing in front of his Southland owners. “I have been friends with the D boys for a long time. They don’t normally farm their horses out, so I took it as a compliment getting the horse,” Blair-Edie said. “He has got southern owners, so they were keen to see him run in Southland. I have had him for over three months. “He went in a jumpout the other day against some open class horses. He ended up winning that. He is just a bit lazy away. He is a big horse. I would like to see him win that if he can.” Blair-Edie will also line-up debutant The Wild Colonial (NZ) (Kilbroney) in the White Robe Lodge Maiden 1200, Sunset Express (NZ) (War Decree) in the Forest Lodge And Hokonui Honda Maiden 1335, and Keep It Loose (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) in the Road Transport Logistics And Tapanui Four Square Maiden 2000. View the full article

As one door closes, another opens, and that is the case for leading New Zealand eventer Amanda Pottinger. The Kiwi horsewoman recently called time on the eventing career of her star thoroughbred Just Kidding, who took Pottinger to the lofty heights of competing at some of the most iconic competitions in the world, including the Badminton Horse Trials and the 2022 World Championships in Pratoni, Italy. By Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, Just Kidding was initially destined for a career on the racetrack and was sold out of Curraghmore’s 2008 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale draft for $110,000. He joined trainer John Sargent’s Matamata barn for whom he raced as Sun Of God and had three raceday starts, however, it soon became apparent that his racing career was limited when finishing last in two of those outings. He subsequently entered the care of former jockey Darryn Weatherley, who was working for Sargeant at the time, and it was through that connection that Pottinger first came about the diminutive gelding. “He came from Darryn and Lou Weatherley and they have a small family run business,” Pottinger said. “We had a horse off them before through John Sargent, who Darryn used to work for. John found us a horse that was owned by Darryn and Lou at the time and that was how the relationship started with Darryn and Lou. “One day we were driving past and called in to see them. They had Ferg (Just Kidding) there in the paddock. “He was very naughty the day we looked at him but it was just his type and movement that I liked about him, but he was tiny – he was like a pony. “Darryn wasn’t letting him go very easily because he was used as the babysitter to take the younger horses to the track. They knew he wasn’t a very good racehorse at that point, but he was a bit of a pet for them.” Pottinger’s tenacity paid off and she took the then five-year-old home. It would prove to be one of the best decisions of Pottineger’s life, with the gelding going on to help launch her riding career onto the world stage. “He has completely made my career. He has taken me all around the world and competed at the highest level of the sport,” Pottinger said. “Finishing second in the five-star in Adelaide on our debut was a real highlight, as was completing Badminton. Being on a small thoroughbred from New Zealand was pretty unheard of at the time. “We were in the top 10 after dressage on the first day. I think I was seventh equal with Oliver Townend, who was world number one at the time, that was a big thrill. “A Badminton to us is like a Wimbledon for tennis. They are the Grand Slams of our sport. He has also taken me to the World Championships to represent my country. He has well exceeded all expectations.” While the curtain has come down on Just Kidding’s eventing career, Pottinger is excited about the prospects of another thoroughbred in her care that she hopes will take her to the Paris Olympics next year. “I have another horse, Good Timing, that is still in the UK,” Pottinger said. “He is campaigning for the Paris Olympics in six months time. I head back to England at the end of January and that is 100 percent our goal to get to Paris. “He is only a 12-year-old. He was born and bred in New Zealand by Stan (Alexander) and Gail Temperton, who just live down the road from me now. They bred him and then sold him as a racehorse, but they have bought back into him in a syndicate to carry on his journey as an event horse. “He is a phenomenal horse who hit the English eventing scene at the beginning of last year and is now full steam ahead campaigning for Paris. “For me, Badminton was amazing and the World Championships was the next step, but the Olympics is definitely at the top of the list.” Thoroughbreds have been a big part of Pottinger’s life and she is enjoying representing the breed at elite-level in eventing. “I am a massive fan of thoroughbreds,” she said. “They are not all I have had, but they are all I had at a younger age because they were all that I could afford. “Now having them at the top of the sport and comparing them to some of the other bred horses, I certainly haven’t changed my opinion on them, even 10 years later and going all around the world. “They are such a great animal to be sitting on at that upper end of the sport. Their endurance and galloping really comes to play. “You never get worried that you are going to run out of steam at the end. When you are still able to accelerate in the last few minutes, that is a feeling that is a luxury at that level because endurance is massive. “To still have something that is able to accelerate and still be ears pricked and wanting to do the job is an unbelievable feeling.” Pottinger has also enjoyed being a Welfare Ambassador for New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing over the last few years, and enjoys educating people about life after racing for thoroughbreds and their capability as eventing horses. “I started with NZTR a couple of years back. They sponsor prizes in eventing, dressage and showjumping. I was a big fan of it and wrote them to thank them for it and that is how the relationship started,” she said. “I think it is massively important for people to see the journey of post-racing and there are other uses in the ability for horses to change disciplines. The versatility of the thoroughbred is amazing. “I promote the life after racing to show that they can be used in other disciplines and right at the top of that discipline. “It’s also about educating people about how to re-train these horses. Even though you do get them after racing at a young age, there is a part of it that is re-training, not just training. I am really trying to promote that actually with the right tools and right education, it is easier than what people have a perception of it being. “I am really big on trying to get people to get those skills to help get the best of the thoroughbred, even though it would have already had a racing career.” Pottinger currently splits her time between England and New Zealand, but said she is set to make a permanent move back home to New Zealand following the Olympics next year. “My fiancé lives in New Zealand and has a business here. We are juggling life on both sides of the world, which takes a great deal of commitment,” Pottinger said. “He is amazingly supportive of what I do, so I come back to New Zealand and try to support him in what he does. “I am fortunate that while I am in New Zealand I can still run a business by training and coaching people with their horses. “I can only split it to a couple of months here before I have to go back there (England) to get back on the horse and training. “This coming year with the Olympics, I need to get back there pretty soon, but after the Olympics we have made the call that I will be moving back to base myself permanently in New Zealand for the future of my career.” Pottinger is hoping that her full-time presence back in her homeland will help spur on the next generation of eventing riders in New Zealand. “What tends to happen with our sport is that you get a big influx going to the UK, which is the natural progression because of Badminton, Burghley and those events. There is only a small contingent (of elite riders) now based back in New Zealand, so what that looks like when I move back is a little uncertain at the moment. “I think you need to have the people in the UK competing against the best in the world and you also need top riders back here promoting the sport and up the game of the next generation.” View the full article

Regally-bred filly My Annie Belle (NZ) (Snitzel) is set to make her much anticipated debut at Matamata on Friday in the Cunningham Decorating Services (1200m). The three-year-old daughter of Snitzel is a half-sister to 14-time Group One winner Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) and stakes winner Tutukaka (NZ) (Tavistock), and breeder-owner Marie Leicester is hoping she can leave her mark on the track under the guidance of trainers Ken and Bev Kelso. She has had two trials to date, including finishing fourth in her 900m heat at Taupo last month, and while happy with their charge ahead of her debut, the Kelsos aren’t overly enamoured with her outside draw in the 14-horse field. “She has had a couple of trials and I thought she trialled up really well at Taupo,” Ken Kelso said. “She has unfortunately drawn wide. It would have been nice to have drawn an alley, but we are going to run her from there, it is going to be a lovely track. She has got a little bit of gate speed so she will probably go forward.” The Kelsos will line-up another well-bred filly in Little Jeanie (NZ) (Savabeel) in the COMAG (1400m). The three-year-old filly is out of Miss Opulence (NZ) (O’Reilly), a half-sister to Group One winners Sir Slick (NZ) (Volksraad) and Puccini (NZ) (Encosta De Lago). The daughter of Savabeel has placed in her two starts this preparation and Kelso believes the Monovale Holdings-bred and raced filly is a good chance of breaking through for her maiden win this week. “She was very unlucky at Te Aroha where she should have won,” Kelso said. “She had to change ground at a crucial time and stormed home and got beaten by a nose. She is a nice Savabeel filly.” Kelso is also excited about Australian import Jolted (Deep Imact) making her debut for the stable in the Noble & Lee Chartered Accountants (1400m). “She is a Deep Impact mare that John Sargent had in Sydney. She won at Newcastle,” Kelso said. “He ran her in the AJC Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m) where she struck a wet track and it probably came up too soon for her. “She is still quite immature. Pinecliff Racing sent her over here to try and get some black-type down the line. “She probably won’t be competitive over 1400m and won’t be competitive until she gets up to 2000m, but you have got to kick-off somewhere.” Meanwhile, stable star Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) will make her first public appearance of the summer when she heads to Matamata on Friday for an Open trial to help ready her for a lucrative assignment next month. “She will trial in the Group and Listed trial before the first race on Friday,” Kelso said. “She will then hopefully kick-off on January 14 at Ellerslie in an Open 1400m where the maximum topweight is 60kg. “It is two weeks before the Karaka Million four-year-old ($1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic, 1600m) and it is to give her a look around Ellerslie as well because she hasn’t been to Ellerslie.” View the full article

Free-going stayer Sagunto (NZ) (O’Reilly) has been a loyal servant of Peter and Shaun McKay’s stable and he will spearhead the father and son’s team at Trentham on Saturday. The eight-year-old will defend his title in the Gr.3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup (2300m), in which barnmate Langkawi (NZ) (Helmet) also looms as a serious chance for the Matamata trainers. Eight-time winner Sagunto will follow an identical path to last year, having finished fourth in an open handicap at Pukekohe ahead of another southern sojourn. “He’s definitely better for that run and he was carrying 61kg and he comes down to a nice weight (55kg) this time with the topweight (Colorado Star) pushing a few of them down, so it’s worked out well,” Peter McKay said. “It didn’t help that he got taken on last time and I was expecting him to pull up and run last on the corner, but he dug deep. “In his lead-up race last year he did run last and then came out and won the Cup so hopefully he does it again.” Lisa Allpress successfully combined with Sagunto 12 months ago and she will be reunited with the son of O’Reilly on Saturday. “She obviously knows how to ride him and lets him roll and do his thing,” McKay said. Safely through the weekend, Sagunto may again tackle the Listed Marton Cup (2200m) and the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m), having finished runner-up in both events last season. Langkawi gave a strong account of himself at his latest outing when he ran second for apprentice Jim Chung, who will take the mount again, on the course earlier this month. “It was a good run, he jumped and pulled quite hard. He was instructed to bring him out into the better part of the track and he kicked again,” McKay said. “He’s a funny horse and needs something to chase and he was out there by himself with his ears pricked. In the last couple of strides he spotted the winner (Fierce Flight) coming inside him and had another dive.” The stable is also looking forward to the debut run of Eminent colt Rocky Marciano (NZ) in the Japac Homes 2YO (1100m). “He’s had two trials and the first one was disastrous, he went up in the gates and he sat back and then rolled up to them the last bit,” McKay said. “He had a few days in the paddock before he trialled again and he jumped and sat outside the leader and then blew out. He’s had a couple of nice gallops since.” The stable will also be represented by the capable pair of Bad ‘N’ Bouj (Deep Field) and Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini) in the Noel Eales Memorial Cup (1600m). The former will be dropping significantly in grade after she tailed the field home in the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) behind El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) and McKay was forgiving of that performance. “They went very slowly and when she went to go, they sprinted and wherever they were around the corner is where they finished, bar the winner who left them to it,” he said. “Her start before, she got back and couldn’t get a run and ran home well. She loves Trentham and I think she will be a very good chance.” Wolfgang has also performed well on the track in the past and from four appearances has a distance victory to his credit and three placings, including a second as a juvenile in the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1000m). View the full article

A huge festive period of racing awaits Wexford Stables, and Christmas has come early for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott with the exciting return of Asterix (NZ) (Tavistock) headlining their team on Saturday at Te Rapa. The son of Tavistock made waves in claiming the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in his fourth raceday appearance last March, and despite battling hoof and lameness issues since, has recorded another Open-class victory and a fourth behind Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher Stakes (2050m). Coming off a 266 raceday hiatus since an unplaced run at Group Two level in Sydney, Asterix will contest the Print House Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa following a comfortable 1150m trial performance at Te Awamutu, with Niranjan Parmar taking one-kilogram off his 58kg allotted weight. “We’re just excited to get him back on the racecourse,” Scott said. “He’s coming up very well, his trial was very encouraging and he trialled in a manner that suggests he’s got good confidence and striding out in his movement. “We’ve been pleased with his work leading in, there’s some improvement to come in his fitness and he generally takes a run or two before he starts to hit his straps, so we see no reason that will change.” The re-opening of the Ellerslie Racecourse presents the five-year-old with an opportunity to emulate his Derby-winning performance at the track this campaign, with Scott indicating the ultimate goal to be the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m). Asterix also holds elite-level nominations for the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), ahead of the Cup on March 9. “We’re hoping to aim him for the Auckland Cup, so it’s all about getting some miles into his legs so when the 2000m races come around he’s got a good base,” Scott said. Promising staying filly Saxs ‘N’ Silks (Saxon Warrior) commenced her career with two runner-up performances this preparation, and Jasmine Fawcett will guide the three-year-old for the third occasion in the Waikato/BOP Racehorse Owners Association Mile (1600m). “She’s been racing well, she’s a filly that is deserving of a win. She does meet a strong field on Saturday, but Jasmine knows her well and she’s fit with a good level of education leading into the race,” Scott said. “There’s no reason why she can’t produce a similar performance to what she has been, she’s a promising staying filly on the way up.” After showing her affinity with the Heavy tracks in her three-year-old season with a victory and two minor placings from three starts, Silver Javelin (NZ) (Reliable Man) will resume in the Peter R Wilson Memorial (1200m). “She’s coming up well, she’s had a nice couple of trials to get her fitness up and has drawn well,” Scott said. “The only question mark is the quicker track, as all of her form has been on softer ground but she’s in for a good prep and there should be a good improvement in fitness post-Saturday.” A quiet Wexford presence at Te Rapa will be preceded by 13 representatives at Matamata on Friday, which include four debutant runners. Among the stable’s leading hopes is Smokeshow (NZ) (Contributer), the talented gelding likely to benefit from a second-placed performance at Otaki, where he did himself no favours in behind Marotiri Molly (NZ) (Per Incanto), who went back-to-back at Trentham last Saturday. “The winner of his race has gone on and won again, so that’s quite a strong form reference,” Scott said. “It was a good educational trip for him away from home, while he still did a little bit wrong in the run so we’ve put a one-eyed blinker on him and we’ve seen improvement in his work with that gear change. We’re hoping the step-up to 1400m, a home-track advantage, and a kind draw will see him finishing well.” Billy Jacobson will partner the Contributer three-year-old in the Comag (1400m), while Masa Hashizume is booked aboard I’munstoppable (NZ) (Charm Spirit) in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1200m), the filly also having her third race-day appearance after two top-four finishes. “Both of her runs have had good merit, last start she got a little wide and still wanted to over-race a bit, so we believe with the benefit of two runs under her belt she’ll have a bit more ringcraft,” Scott said. “She’s another that will benefit from going back left-handed on her home track. We’re hoping she can just find a bit more rhythm, giving her a stronger finish.” Of the four first-starters, Scott indicated three-year-old geldings Trump Card (NZ) (Ace High) and Alavisto (NZ) (Almanzor) to be ones to follow in future, both contesting the Comag (1400m). “We have a promising stayer in Trump Card, he’s another progeny of Ace High who is going well. He’ll be hitting the line there well,” he said. “Alavisto’s trials have been pleasing, he’s going to be better once he gets out over further. Those two are probably the best chances of the first starters.” View the full article

In a special meeting of the Arizona Racing Commission, commissioners voted Dec. 19 to revoke the live racing permit for Arizona Downs, according to Paulick Report.View the full article

Remington Park's 2023 meeting concluded Dec. 16, after having set a new record in pari-mutuel handle Sept. 24 when a 10-race card generated $4,128,147. The 67-day season ended with a decrease in pari-mutuel handle-a total of $82,494,143 wagered throughout the season, a 3.8% decrease from the 2023 total of $85,761,277. Export handle from outside Remington provided the largest portion of the handle at $79,426,201. That is a 3.7% dip from last year's handle of $82,494,002. Remington Park controlled handle, on-track and one off-track site, was $3,067,942, down 6% from $3,267,225 in 2022. Remington hosted 605 races this season, five more than in 2022. From opening day Aug. 18 through the conclusion of the turf season Nov. 11, 92 races were run over the turf this season compared to 108 a year ago. The total purses for the season of $15,847,215 produced a daily average of $236,525. A total of 4,767 horses competed in the 605 events for an average field size per race of 7.9. The Thoroughbreds return from Aug. 16 to Dec. 13. The post Remington Park Concludes 2023 Meeting appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The increase in breeder awards was approved by the Fund board due to projected revenue increases expected by the Fund in 2024. View the full article

Dollars and Sense with Frank AngstView the full article

18.30 Kempton, £6,800, Mdn, 2yo, f, 8f (AWT) George Strawbridge's homebred FRIENDLY SOUL (GB) (Kingman {GB}), one of two nominees from the John and Thady Gosden stable, is a half-sister to six stakes performers headed by elite-level winners We Are (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), With You (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and Call The Wind (GB) (Frankel {GB}). She was scratched from her intended debut at Lingfield earlier this month, having become distressed in the stalls during the loading process, and faces one dozen rivals here. Opposition includes Roger Varian trainee Lightning Touch (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is a once-raced daughter of dual group-winning G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and G1 Prix de l'Opera third Legerete (Rahy). The post Well-Related Daughter of Kingman Set for Belated Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainers with fewer than 20 horses in their stables are eligible to earn points as their horses compete in overnight races at Aqueduct Racetrack. Trainers with the most points can earn bonuses after the spring meet ends.View the full article

A year after the retirement of 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline, trainer John Sadler has another exciting older stakes horse in his barn, this one coming to him from Argentina.View the full article

From an altitude of 10,000 feet, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)'s mandated goal is a simple two-pronged affair. Uniformity in welfare and safety. Uniformity in drug testing. Over the past few months, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU)–HISA's enforcement arm–has made several announcements that have peeled the curtain back on just how difficult the second part of that equation will be to accomplish. Internal reviews of the six HIWU-contracted laboratories uncovered different limits of detection in blood for diabetes drug Metformin and for benzoylecgonine (BZE), a metabolite of cocaine. In the case of Metformin, all the positives originated from just the one lab. After dropping several cases against trainers for Metformin and BZE positives, HIWU explained that it had subsequently harmonized its “testing sensitivity” in blood across the six labs for these two substances, and that it would repeat the harmonization process for other drugs, including banned substances of which there are listed well over a thousand. “There are an awful lot of substances out there that we need to sort through, and we won't sort through them until they're actually identified by a laboratory,” said HIWU chief of science, Mary Scollay, at a recent HISA town hall. “But we are committed to harmonizing across laboratories in fairness to stakeholders.” Scollay then added this coda: “It's important to realize that the lack of harmonization across laboratories has existed for decades.” For those who have watched drug testing evolve in the sport over the years, Scollay's words hardly came as a shot from the dark. One of the key drivers of federal regulation of horse racing was to eliminate the crap-shoot nature of drug testing under a state-by-state system. But under HISA, why haven't these differences been ironed out? The answer involves a bracing plunge into the opaque waters of drug testing, where clear answers can be as easy to retrieve as Excalibur from its stone, and where arcane terminology is used interchangeably depending upon the person talking. But it turns out that a variety of issues–from different testing equipment to different testing methodologies to different sets of staff interpreting the results–have all played a part in leading the sport to where it finds itself now. HIWU has “testing specifications” for more than 300 “core” analytes–most of them controlled medications but some banned substances–to which all HIWU-contracted laboratories are required to test. “Beyond those analytes, HIWU has asked each laboratory to utilize the broadest scope of analysis available to them,” wrote Scollay, in response to a list of questions. Outside of those 300 or so core analytes, therefore, testing variability from facility to facility means the six HIWU-contracted labs are screening for different numbers of substances, and have varying abilities to screen for the same substances, according to drug testing experts. In other words, the same sample sent to two different laboratories could result in two different sets of results. Furthermore, as HIWU–which was built by Drug Free Sports International–continues to work through a laborious “lab harmonization” process, what are the implications for the horsemen and women facing potentially life-changing sanctions for banned substance violations? And how can stakeholders be assured that newly established harmonized limits adequately factor in the risk of inadvertent contamination, especially those banned substances ubiquitously used by humans? “It would be one thing if this was just a fine and a ten-days [ban],” said Cynthia Cole, former director of the University of Florida's (UF) laboratory. No contractual agreement was reached between the UF lab and HISA. In different equine anti-doping cases, Cole has both provided testimony for HIWU, and prepared opinions for trainers defending themselves. “But these bans, these are career ending for people,” Cole added. “I just feel really strongly that the bar should be very high, and that there should be no doubt that there was a violation.” History “Incredulity and disbelief ran neck and neck, but outrage outstripped them both at Santa Anita Saturday as horsemen reacted angrily to the latest drug scandal to rock thoroughbred racing.” The above paragraph, which reads as though plucked from a story from recent years, instead originates from a 1989 LA Times article, when a spate of cocaine positives had entangled several trainers, including leading lights like Wayne Lukas and Laz Barrera. The reason given for the sudden rash of cocaine positives? That Truesdail Laboratories, the drug testing laboratory used at the time by the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB), had started to use more sophisticated equipment to analyze the samples. According to one official at the time, the “improvements in testing” had suddenly increased the sensitivity of the equipment “10-fold.” In other words, new state-of-the-art instruments were detecting substances in blood and urine at previously unachievable levels. Some said at the time the levels were so small as to be inconsequential–a refrain that has turned into a steady drumbeat in the intervening years. “The increased sensitivity in drug testing has resulted in a number of things being called positives that never would have been called before,” said Eric Hamelback, chief executive officer of the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, speaking at the 2019 National HBPA Convention. The same drumbeat has reverberated around other equine sports, as well. Nearly 20 years ago, one Irish veterinarian who had administered a “mild sedative” to the high-level show jumper, Landliebe, one-month prior to a failed drug test subsequently issued a public statement evoking “amazement” that traces of the drug could still be found in a horse's system after that time. On a practical front, drug testing has evolved in an attempt to keep up with an ever more sophisticated array of performance enhancing drugs and doping methods. In human sports at least, regulators don't appear to be winning that war, for there remains quite a lag-time between new drugs coming onto the scene and reliable ways to test for them. But advances in testing sensitivity has also had the effect of widening the gap between possibility and practice from one lab to the next. For it turns out there exists a complicated set of issues that weigh into testing variability between facilities. The instruments used to analyze samples, the way tests are prepared for sampling, the types of tests run, the substances being tested for, staffing expertise, ongoing research into the detection of emerging substances and a slew of other issues all play a part. Just Why Are Labs Different? In pre-HISA days, individual state commissions contracted their drug testing programs out to individual laboratories. And though most states followed the Association of Racing Commissioners International's (ARCI) model rules, it still left a lot of contractual wriggle room around things like the scope and type of testing performed, what specific matrices–blood or urine, for example–were being tested, and so on. At the end of the day, however, the relative accuracy and breadth of each drug testing program can–like so many things in life–be distilled down to money. Funding for the drug testing program, for one. And funding to keep the laboratories at the cutting edge of science. “In a lot of cases, the determining factor in those contracts was price, with the low bidder winning the work,” said Richard Sams, an expert in racing chemistry and toxicology. Sams is also a former lab director currently advising several defendants in cases against HIWU. “Low-bidding often meant limited testing, and oftentimes, not very high quality testing,” Sams added. Take Joe Gorajec's term as executive director of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission. Back in 2015, he organized for blood samples taken from harness and Quarter horses to be sent to the California-based Truesdail Laboratory–the Commission's official lab at the time-and to two audit laboratories: LGC in Kentucky, and Industrial Laboratories in Colorado. Gorajec's actions led to the Indiana racing commission severing ties with Truesdail after it failed to detect in three samples high levels of commonly used corticosteroids that the other two laboratories detected. Under HISA, of course, the regulatory dynamic in drug testing has changed. But horse racing has swapped out a patchwork quilt of different rules for a patchwork quilt of different labs. Though a single entity now contracts out a set of testing requirements to six different laboratories, the fact that no two labs are created equal remains a thorn in the side of testing uniformity. And experts single out two primary reasons why. One concerns the instruments used to analyze the samples. In a recent presentation at the Global Symposium on Racing in Arizona, Scollay compared the situation to the use of different ovens from kitchen to kitchen. This is where the specter of poor funding continues to loom large. “Some of the laboratories have brand new instruments–state of the art,” said Cole. “Other laboratories, not so much.” Historically well-funded laboratories like UC Davis's “Maddy Lab” in California and the University of Kentucky's Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory have “a lot of new equipment and a lot of very well-trained chemists and technicians,” said Cole. When it comes to HIWU-contracted laboratories like the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Analytical Toxicology Laboratory, and the Animal Forensic Toxicology Laboratory at the University of Illinois-Chicago, “these are smaller laboratories with generally older equipment,” Cole said. “Over the years, they've adapted to what they've been asked to do, and they've developed their own methods of testing and confirmation methods, and they're not the same,” said Cole. To get a gauge on just how crucial funding can be, a top-of-range liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry system can retail around the $750k mark. And these machines can have a shelf-life of only around a decade, give or take a few years, due to ongoing technological advances. The other key area concerns drug testing extraction methods. This is the process by which the substance or analyte is removed from the blood or urine to be examined under an instrument like a mass spectrometer. There are all sorts of different extraction processes for different analytes, and each of these processes can be “substantially different” depending on the lab, Sams said. “The fraction of the drug that's present in the sample that gets removed by the process can vary considerably from one lab to the next,” said Sams. Horse racing is far from the only sport confronting these sorts of problems. Just take this 2022 paper, in which three Norwegian researchers focus on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)'s approach to drug testing in human athletics. “Some laboratories are capable of detecting lower concentrations of prohibited substances than other laboratories, simply because the laboratories may use different equipment and/or test methods,” the researchers write. HIWU'S Approach If lab variability has been a decades-long problem ensnaring all professional sports, not just horse racing, why has it become a lightning rod under HISA? One of HISA's most compelling selling points has been the advent of a level playing field comprising the same drug testing rules and a stable of accredited laboratories “testing for the same banned and controlled medicines at the same level,” as HISA CEO, Lisa Lazarus, put it in September of this year. But for the reasons already identified, the goal of a completely fair drug testing playing field for all participants–no matter their location in the country and no matter where a sample is sent-is a major challenge when dealing with multiple laboratories. The more labs needing to be unified in their capabilities, equipment and approaches, the more complex and expensive the problem. For U.S. horse racing, the crux of this issue primarily surrounds HISA's lengthy list of banned substances–those substances, in other words, beyond the more than 300 core analytes that HIWU's six labs can test for reliably. Banned substances are not supposed to be detected in a horse's system at any point, racing or training. As such, violations for these substances come with the heaviest penalties under HISA, including a potential two-year ban for the trainer. No trifling matter, therefore. Unlike most controlled substances under HISA–those with set thresholds and screening limits–banned substances under HISA are being tested to limits of detection, which is the lowest concentration of a substance that can be identified by a laboratory. And different labs can have different limits of detection for the same substances. That's if they're testing for them at all. As Cole puts it, “I think the really difficult issue has come up with the banned substances, which is where they basically have said, 'if it's there at all, it should be called.' That's been a problem because you can have a laboratory that's very, very good at finding [a banned substance], and then another lab where their ability to detect [a banned substance] isn't as good.” When asked about this aspect of the drug testing program, Lazarus wrote in emailed answers to questions that “it is important to remember that all samples at any given racetrack go to the same Laboratory,” so lab variability is not a problem within the same “races and meets.” It's unclear just how many banned substances for which HIWU has set harmonized limits of detection. Nor will the specific limits be made public, once established. “HISA/HIWU cannot comment on the number of Banned Substances that have a harmonized Limit of Detection,” wrote Scollay. “Since Banned Substances should never be in a horse, laboratory testing specifications for them are not published.” Another key question is this: Exactly how many substances is each lab routinely screening for? According to one state regulator–who asked to remain anonymous–the most proficient HIWU-contracted laboratories are screening for around double the number of substances as some other HIWU-contracted labs. Scollay didn't deny the claim, but explained how beyond the more than the 300 “core” analytes, “HIWU cannot speak to the overall capabilities of each lab.” She added, however, that a key part of the harmonization process is the “collaboration and sharing of information” between labs. Human Drugs Which leads to the issue of those banned substances which are commonly found in everyday life, like legitimately prescribed human drugs. What process is the agency using to ensure that the harmonized limits of detection weigh the possibility of intentional misuse of a banned drug in a racehorse against the threat of inadvertent contamination? In her written responses, Scollay explained that the agency uses any or all of the following criteria to set “relevant, effective, and achievable” harmonized limits of detection in banned drugs: 1–A survey of the laboratories to determine their current capabilities to detect the substance. 2–Conducting a review of the science surrounding the substance to determine illicit use in human and equine sports, or its effects in other mammalian species. 3–Assessing the threat level of the substance. “I.e., the potential for that substance to be present in the horse's environment beyond the control of the trainer,” Scollay wrote. Scollay wrote that HISA and HIWU also consult the international community on testing specifications, “and consider their controls on Banned Substances and Controlled Medications that are not regulated by Screening Limits or Thresholds.” A feature of the new regulatory environment is the potential for trainers to be provisionally suspended for banned drug positives while they await a hearing. In Jonathon Wong's case, for example, the trainer has been provisionally suspended since the start of August for a June 1 Metformin positive. What happens if one of the six HIWU-contracted labs detects a new banned substance without a harmonized limit of detection? How will the cases be handled while the harmonization process takes place? “The actions taken will depend on the specific circumstances of the case with an emphasis on fairness to all racing participants,” wrote Scollay. International Community International regulators like the British Horseracing Authority avoid the issue of lab variability by using only using one primary facility to test their samples in their jurisdiction. But how do other international jurisdictions handle substances with no established international threshold, residue or screening limits? In Europe, at least, the answer sounds familiar. The European Horserace Scientific Liaison Committee (EHSLC) considers some substances to be prohibited-at-all-times, as is the case with anabolic steroids and other anabolic agents. For these substances, European laboratories generally work to the lowest concentrations their confirmatory analysis procedures allow. But the EHSLC also maintains an evolving list of substances that have “target sensitivities”–in other words, agreed-upon screening concentrations similar in effect to HIWU's “harmonized limits of detection,” said Clive Pearce, an internationally renowned animal sports medication and doping control expert. To generate this list, the EHSLC's veterinarians, analytical chemists, pharmacologists, and racing administrators work together to select substances whose presence in a racehorse's blood or urine sample would be of particular concern. What are these concerns? That such substances are, for example, unlicensed veterinary products, routinely used human medicines, or environmental and plant-based contaminants, Pearce explained. The “sensitivities” agreed upon for each substance reflect the concentrations considered to have the potential to affect a racehorse's performance or to compromise its welfare. More broadly, for all substances subject to the EHSLC's process for achieving drug screening harmonization, the most important consideration is that all its laboratories are able to routinely deliver the same level of detection, said Pearce. According to Pearce, the list of substances with “target sensitivities”–drug substances and their major metabolites in both blood plasma and urine–total about 150. At the symposium in Arizona, Scollay explained that there are now new “open lines of communication” between HIWU and the EHSLC. Why can't the EHSLC simply share all relevant information on substances with “target sensitivities” with HIWU, therefore? It turns out it's not that simple. “The international community's research and laboratory testing specifications are confidential,” Scollay wrote. “International jurisdictions limit their information dissemination due to potentially compromising their own anti-doping and medication control programs.” Other experts consulted for this story were more specific. They explained that the litigious nature of U.S. horse racing can make international jurisdictions wary of sharing with their American counterparts sensitive information that might be publicly divulged during a case. If all boats can't be lifted by readily shared information across international borders, how else then to make the program here better, quicker? Solutions Gorajec is all in on federal oversight of racing. He played an instrumental part in getting HISA passed in Washington. But he said he has his reservations about the current drug testing program. “This shouldn't be an issue at this juncture,” said Gorajec, highlighting the documented problems associated with uniformly detecting BZE, the cocaine metabolite long on regulators' radars. “They had a couple, three years to get their arms around this. Cocaine has been around for decades.” HIWU-contracted labs must be accredited with an international standards organization and with the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC), the latter of which handles an external quality assurance program, which includes single- and double-blind testing of the six labs. HIWU officials are also putting together another accreditation program to “build on the foundations” of the international and RMTC accreditation systems as the agency “moves testing laboratories towards harmonization of methodologies and sensitivities across the spectrum of Prohibited Substances.” What would help, Gorajec said, would be to significantly raise accreditation standards to whittle down the number of HIWU-contracted labs to just the most proficient. “That should have already been done,” he said. When asked about Gorajec's comments, Lazarus wrote that HIWU will evaluate the contracted laboratories on a regular basis, “and if a Laboratory does not meet HIWU's performance criteria, it will not be continued in the program.” Cole suggested for HIWU to establish an oversight committee-possibly populated by a chemist, a veterinary pharmacologist and an industry figure-to review new or unusual findings and make recommendations as to whether they should be pursued. “They are trying to fix the plane while it is in the air,” said Cole, about the work HIWU officials are doing to fix the problem of lab variability. “But they are trying.” According to Ed Martin, president of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI)–another key industry figure not shy of voicing his concerns and frustrations with the federal law–HIWU should convene a long meeting between the various lab directors with the sole purpose of reaching an agreement as to what the “point of regulatory action” is on a list of some of the more commonly called substances. “It would seem to me, the best way to insulate themselves from legal challenges would be to get that done sooner rather than later,” Martin added. In response to Martin's suggestion, Scollay wrote that HIWU conducts weekly meetings with the directors of its contracted laboratories. “There have been multiple discussions regarding strategies to achieve harmonization,” she wrote. “All the directors are committed to this goal, but all parties recognize that time is needed to reach it. In short, meetings are already happening on a weekly basis.” When asked about her overall thoughts as to the harmonization process, Lazarus wrote that she was “absolutely thrilled” at the progress made in the time given. “The discrepancies amongst states under the prior system were significant, so to be where we are at such an early stage is a major benefit to the industry,” wrote Lazarus. “These adjustments have all been to the benefit of horsemen. Prior to HISA, this level of transparency did not exist at the Laboratory level.” As racing continues to grapple with the practical and legal conundrums posed by lab variability, stakeholders can seek cold comfort from the fact they are not alone. The Norwegian researchers critical of WADA's drug testing program zero in on the testing of “so-called non-threshold substances” for accusations of subjectivity. “These tests lack objective and quantifiable decision limits that undisputedly resolve whether test results should be interpreted as positive or negative,” they write. The lack of “clearly defined criteria for doping tests,” the researchers added, “carries a great risk of punishing innocent athletes and undermines the fight against doping in international sports.” Sound familiar? The post Drug Testing Under HISA: When Uniformity and Variability Collide appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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The New York State Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund Corporation (the Fund) Board of Directors' unanimously approved a motion during its Dec. 12 meeting to increase the breeder award rates for all New York-breds, the organization announced Tuesday. The increase, which covers all New York breds competing in the state beginning Jan. 1, was approved by the Fund board due to projected revenue increases expected in the upcoming season. An increased hold-back rate from 10-15% will also be implemented to ensure the Fund can payout awards up to the new advertised rates. The new breeder's awards rate schedule for New York-breds in 2024: 2024 New York-Bred Program Breeder Awards New York-Sired* '24 Award (% Earned) 2023 Rate First Place 40% 30% Second Place 20% 15% Third Place 10% 15% Cap per Award $40,000 $40,000 Non-New York-Sired* '24 Award (% Earned) 2023 Rate First Place 20% 15% Second Place 10% 7.5% Third Place 5% 7.5% Cap per Award $20,000 $20,000 “These bigger better bonuses reward breeders for creating quality race horses,” said Tracy Egan. “Board Chairman Brian O'Dwyer encouraged the Board to find away to get award money out the door to award earners as quickly as possible and by hiking breeder awards, we will do that.” The Fund pays breeder, owner and stallion awards across six pay periods a year: Jan-Feb, Mar-April, May-June, July-August, Sept.-October, November-December. In conjunction with the these higher awards, 15% will be held back each period, however, are expected to be paid back at the conclusion of the fiscal year. For more information, visit www.nybreds.com. The post NY-Bred Breeding Award Rate Increased for 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Romantic Warrior (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) , who successfully defended his title in a thrilling renewal of the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin Dec. 10, will be given a short break before building back up in time for an appearance in the G1 City Hong Kong Gold Cup Feb. 25. The not-unexpected decision means the 5-year-old will sidestep a clash with Longines Hong Kong Mile winner and three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) in the G1 Stewards' Cup over 1600 metres Jan. 21. Romantic Warrior's nose defeat of a never-say-die Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) came just 43 days after his landmark victory in the G1 W. S. Cox Plate in Melbourne, and trainer Danny Shum is focused on not squeezing the lemon dry. “He looks great, but I feel he will be a little bit tired because it was a hard run, both two races were very hard. He'll have a short break now,” Shum said. “He'll have enough time to recover if we go to the Gold Cup next–2000 metres is his trip, I think that's a better idea. He's easy to train but he won both of those two races with his fighting heart, he uses a lot of energy. I have to look after him because he uses himself a lot, it's better to give him a bit of a break and go again.” Romantic Warrior has six wins from seven starts over the Sha Tin 2000 metres, his lone blemish coming when beaten by Golden Sixty in last year's Gold Cup. With earnings of nearly HK$120 million, Romantic Warrior is just the third horse to surpass HK$100 million, along with Golden Sixty and Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}). The post Romantic Warrior To Skip Stewards’ Cup, HK Gold Cup Next appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dean Reeves, the owner of recently disqualified Brick Ambush (Laoban), issued a statement Tuesday, following the Gaming Commission's decision to not allow appeals relating to last Saturday's Great White Way S. at Aqueduct. The statement read: “After receipt of the letter from the NY Gaming commission and further discussion with our attorney Drew Mollica, our trainer Danny Gargan, Patti and I have decided to not to pursue any further action regarding the disqualification of Brick Ambush in the 9th race at Aqueduct on Dec. 16th, 2023. We maintain our belief that Brick Ambush caused no interference in the race, however, we recognize that all owners who enter a race must adhere to the rules of racing in the State of New York, However it is our hope that by shining light on this unfortunate disqualification we, in someway, help to improve our industry moving forward for the betterment of all of us who love this sport, not only owners, trainers, and jockeys, but those who wager as well. Patti and I have enjoyed racing in New York, and we value our relationship with everyone at NYRA. We would like to thank the racing community for all their support and encouragement as a result of this disqualification.” The post Reeves Responds to Gaming Commission’s Appeals Dismissal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Betty Spaghetti will be looking to continue her impressive run of form at Ashburton on Wednesday. Photo: Race Images South Betty Spaghetti’s impressive run of form during her spring preparation has connections focusing on northern targets for the four-year-old. The Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong-trained mare has been unbeaten in her last three appearances and will step out at Ashburton on Wednesday to warm up for sterner challenges. Betty Spaghetti has been freshened since her last victory and Samantha Wynne will be reunited with the daughter of Stratum Star when she makes her open grade debut. “She is a really handy mare and every question we’ve popped at her she has answered it,” Furlong said. “She has been going so well and has had a freshen-up after Cup Week and the aim is to get her up to Wellington on January 13. She’ll run at Ashburton just to make sure everything is in order.” The Group 3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) is the first goal with others to follow, depending on her performance. Connections will also consider a crack at the Remutaka Classic ($350,000, 2100m) the following Saturday at Trentham while another more lucrative option lies further afield. “She’s got a nomination for the Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic ($1 million, 1600m) at Ellerslie,” Furlong said. “We’ll just see how she goes on the first day at Wellington, it’s a bit wait and see at the moment as to how far we go.” Betty Spaghetti broke her maiden last season and then performed well in stronger company, finishing runner-up behind subsequent Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m) winner Romancing The Moon in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m). She subsequently finished in behind the major players at Listed level in the NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) and the Warstep Stakes (2000m) to round off her three-year-old campaign. “She is very consistent, tries hard and is very tough. She’s got the right attitude for it,” Furlong said. The stable has also been pleased with the progress of Tommy Shelby ahead of the Tivaci gelding’s debut at Ashburton. “He’s had a couple of trials and had a jump-out at Ashburton on the grass in preparation and we do like him. We’ll get a line on him on Wednesday,” Furlong said. Barnmate Pierrogrine will step out and a line can be put through his most recent unplaced run at Riccarton where his chances were extinguished by a riderless horse. “He was put out of contention so it didn’t really end on a good note, we’ve freshened him and it’s a starting pint for him,” Furlong said. The stable’s representation will be completed by Mister Goldie, who also had little luck last time out, and Kudos De Sothys, who resumes off a break. More horse racing news View the full article

Ocean Billy following his win in the Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m). Photo: Trish Dunell It’s been a tough couple of years for Group One-winning stayer Ocean Billy and breeder-owner-trainer Bill Pomare, but the tide is turning and the son of Ocean Park is set to resume racing at Te Rapa on Saturday. The Rotorua pair were sent on a whirlwind trip following the now eight-year-old’s victory in the 2021 Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m), with Pomare setting his sights on fulfilling a lifelong dream and chasing Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) success. He subsequently entrusted Ocean Billy to the care of leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller who campaigned him in Melbourne later that spring where he finished ninth in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and 23rd in the Melbourne Cup. While unsuccessful, Pomare enjoyed fulfilling his dream of competing in a Melbourne Cup, but the wheels would soon come off further Australian aspirations when Ocean Billy sustained a tendon injury in Sydney last February. The gelding returned to New Zealand after initial treatment in Australia and underwent several months of rehab before an unsuccessful two-race campaign late last year. Pomare elected to give his pride and joy a lengthy spell and he has enjoyed his year-long hiatus from racing, which will come to an end this Saturday. “I am looking forward to it. It has definitely been a long wait, but everything seems to be pretty spot on at the moment,” Pomare said. “He had bowed a tendon in Australia. We brought him home and the tendon went back to a spot I was happy with, so we started working him. He was doing everything fine, but we probably kicked off a bit early. We kicked off when the tracks were still wet, which wasn’t a good move because with a tendon that is repairing, the last thing you need is a wet track. “He struck those wet tracks, which antagonised the tendon again, so I turned him right out and gave him a good spell. He had a lot of care and attention and was in a hill paddock. “We have got several rolling hills on our property and I think climbing up and down those hills are as good as anything (for rehabilitation). The farrier is attending to his feet to support his tendons better and his feet look good. He used to have a fair bit of toe on him, but we got that taken back so he rolls over a bit easier. Things like that have probably helped him to stay sound and be happy in his work. “The tendon has come really well and hardened up and we have had a trial and a few decent hit-outs and things seem to be really good with him.” Pomare said Ocean Billy has developed a lot of size and strength in his period away from racing. “He is quite a different horse. He is a heck of a lot stronger and he has really bulked up,” Pomare said. “He spends a lot of time rearing and bucking around the paddock. We knew he felt pretty good, we just had to control it all, keep him in one piece and get him through it. He has done that well. He is certainly acting like his old self, but he is carrying quite a lot of bulk now, he is a solid horse.” In his first-up assignment, Ocean Billy has been lumbered with 62kg, so Pomare has engaged four-kilogram claiming apprentice jockey Ngakau Hailey to ease his load. “He needs this and the mile is probably ideal for him,” Pomare said. “I will use a four-kilo claimer on him and take as much weight off his back as I can. 62kg is not a good weight to be putting on him but he is a big, strong horse and for the first couple of races we will look after him a bit as far as weight goes and hopefully they don’t hit us as hard (with weight) the whole way through.” Pomare has his eyes on the Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie in March, and while it doesn’t hold the elite-level status it did when won by Ocean Billy two years ago, he would dearly love to win it again. “We have got to start and get him running so we can get him ready for those staying races,” he said. “The Auckland Cup is the main target. He goes pretty well up that way and the new track should suit him because he likes a better track.” Pomare is also looking forward to next month’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales at Karaka where he will offer Ocean Billy’s full brother through Waikato Stud’s draft, who will go through the ring as lot 669. “Annabel Neasham bought his full-brother this year (for $140,000) and I have his other full-brother going to the sales next month,” Pomare said. “He is a very nice-looking colt. “He (Ocean Billy) has got a half-brother by Noverre who is a beautiful colt. She (Cool Storm, dam) does leave nice foals. We are going to have one more shot at getting her in-foal this year, she is going to Super Seth.” More horse racing news View the full article

Romantic Warrior is a 12-time winner from 17 starts. Trainer Danny Shum will give Romantic Warrior a short break with a view to returning in the Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) on February 25, 2024 at Sha Tin, opting against a potential rematch with Golden Sixty in the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on January 21. Displaying trademark tenacity to win a second straight Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) on December 10 at the Hong Kong International Races, Romantic Warrior pulled out all of the stops that day, exactly one start – or only 43 days – after doing the same successfully in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m), a challenging overseas conquest, which also required arduous travel, quarantine and acclimatisation. “He looks great but I feel he will be a little bit tired because it was a hard run, both two races were very hard. He’ll have a short break now,” Shum said. “He’ll have enough time to recover if we go to the Gold Cup next – 2000 metres is his trip, I think that’s a better idea.” A graduate of the Hong Kong International Sale, Romantic Warrior will target a sixth Group 1 in the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup. He finished second to Golden Sixty in last year’s renewal. “He’s easy to train but he won both of those two races with his fighting heart, he uses a lot of energy. I have to look after him because he uses himself a lot, it’s better to give him a bit of a break and go again,” Shum said. Narrow victory in the HK$36 million Hong Kong Cup saw Romantic Warrior lift his earnings to HK$119.79 million. In doing so, he became the third horse to reach HK$100 million after Golden Sixty (HK$165.85 million) and Beauty Generation (HK$106 million). “I feel he always tries his best. I think he’s reached his best but he’s good enough and he uses everything. He always tries and never gives up, he is such a tough horse,” Shum said. Romantic Warrior was bought for HK$4.8 million by owner Peter Lau. Shum indicates the five-year-old will remain at Sha Tin instead of shipping to Conghua. “He is always sound, he’s very gentle, he’s a good ride, he has a good temperament, he can eat and he always tries – he’s very easy to look after. He stays at Sha Tin – he always remains in my sight,” Shum said. Romantic Warrior’s record includes wins in the 2022 Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), 2022 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) as well as a pair of Group 1 QEII Cup (2000m) scores in 2022 and 2023. Seeking a fifth straight win to further preserve his standing as a leading 2024 Four-Year-Old Classic Series player, Chill Chibi (123lb) will face seven rivals at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (20 December) when he makes his Class 2 debut in the Saturn Handicap (1650m). Placed second in the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge on 45 points – victory, second, third or fourth place sees Chill Chibi leapfrog Humble Star into first, while the competition – carrying a first prize bonus to owners of HK$1 million – closes on 21 February next year. “He’s got talent, he’s a super horse. It’s amazing that he has won four times from five starts and he’s improving, at this stage, he keeps coming and coming but how much improvement there is still to come, I don’t know,” Shum said. The New Zealand-bred has won three times in Class 3. Last start he rounded the field impressively to secure a first win over 1800m, adding to his three triumphs over tomorrow night’s course and distance. Chill Chibi is yet to race at Sha Tin and Shum expects his first attempt will come in the Hong Kong Classic Mile on February 4 – the first leg of the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series. “The big question is that he has only raced at Happy Valley. He’s never raced at Sha Tin, so that’s a question mark. After this race he will go straight to the Hong Kong Classic Mile. “I want to keep him a little bit fresh and race over 1600 metres and see how he goes. Then he’ll go over 1800 metres and 2000 metres,” Shum said. The Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) is the second leg of the three-race Four-Year-Old Classic Series, while the Hong Kong Derby on 24 March rounds out the competition. Only Golden Sixty (2020) and Rapper Dragon (2017) have won all three legs. More horse racing news View the full article

What Gosford Races Where The Entertainment Grounds – 4 Racecourse Rd, West Gosford NSW 2250 When Thursday, December 21, 2023 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble NSW racing heads to Gosford on Thursday afternoon, with a competitive seven-race program set for decision. The rail moves out +3m for the meeting, and with scattered showers predicted in the lead-up, the track should fall somewhere in the Soft range. The opening event is set to get underway at 1:15pm local time. Best Bet: Costa Smeralda Costa Smeralda has not been seen since her sensational debut victory on September 28 at Wyong, where she travelled outside the leader and bolted clear when asked for the ultimate effort. The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace barn has not put any official work into their filly since, and although she has been off the scene for 83 days, we are convinced she is ready to produce first-up. Best Bet Race 6 – #10 Costa Smeralda (13) 3yo Filly | T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | J: Tyler Schiller (55kg) Bet with Neds Next Best: Restonica Restonica was luckless on resumption at Newcastle on December 2 and should have finished much closer than the 2.8-length margin may suggest. He jumped well from barrier seven but was unable to hold a position throughout the 1200m contest, being forced to chase from near last when turning for home. He never shirked the task, however, and his strong closing sectionals suggest Restonica should improve second-up. Next Best Race 2 – #4 Restonica (8) 3yo Colt | T: James Cummings | J: Tyler Schiller (57.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best Again: The Extreme Cat The Extreme Cat made a successful debut for the Nathan Doyle stable at Coffs Harbour on November 30. It was a brave performance considering the position in transit, as the son of Extreme Choice sustained a three-wide run to score by 2.5 lengths. He makes a step up in trip and grade in this 1200m Class 1 contest, but based on what we saw first-up, The Extreme Cat should prove hard to beat. Next Best Again Race 5 – #1 The Extreme Cat (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Nathan Doyle | J: Ashley Morgan (59kg) Bet with PlayUp Gosford Thursday quaddie tips – 21/12/2023 Gosford quadrella selections Thursday, December 21, 2023 2-5-6-10 1-6-8 1-3-10-11 1-2-5-6-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

With the Christmas period around the corner, the racing in the southern states is starting to cool off, but it is only heating up in the Sunshine State as the Magic Millions Carnival approaches. Many online bookmakers offer a blackbook punting tool, and in this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have found three runners from last Saturday’s races that we suggest you add into yours. Eagle Farm Track rating: Soft 5 (Soft 6 after R8) Rail position: +2m entire circuit Race 8: Listed Gold Edition Plate (1200m) | Time: 1:10.88 Horse to follow: Show Me Mercy (3rd) Show Me Mercy from the Stuart Kendrick stable competed in the toughest race of his five-start career and ran into third place, only beaten by 0.25 lengths. After settling midfield, Michael Rodd chose to make a run out wide but couldn’t make up the ground on the leading pair in the final 100m. However, this son of Astern was first-up, competing in Listed grade for the first time, and racing over 1200m for the second time, so to say he will take a lot of out the run would be an understatement. When to bet: As a Magic Millions purchase, Show Me Mercy is on a Magic Millions 3YO Guineas path. We may see this gelding before Magic Millions Day on January 13 if Kendrick believes he needs another run to secure his place in the target race. Wherever this guy goes next, we will be backing him. Caulfield Track rating: Soft 4 (Good 3 after R6) Rail position: +10m entire circuit Race 9: 3YO & Up Handicap (1400m) | Time: 1:22.03 Horse to follow: Bermadez (2nd) Bermadez has started his preparation with consecutive second-place finishes, beaten by Pascero on both occasions. Last start, this seven-year-old gelding ran home from the back of the field and was the best of the backmarkers in the race. The son of Tavistock has recorded five of his career wins on rain-affected tracks, so for him to clock the second-fastest 400m and 200m sections of the meeting on a Good track suggests he is going as well as ever. When to bet: Bermadez has two solid runs at 1400m under his belt, so Moroney may opt to step him up to 1600m third-up. Two of his six wins have come at Flemington, so the Benchmark 84 Handicap over 1600m there on January 13 ticks all the boxes for this guy. Race 10: Benchmark 84 Handicap (1200m) | Time: 1:08.47 Horse to follow: Kin (2nd) In her second start this preparation, Kin from the Godolphin stable was sent around as a well-backed favourite in the last race at Caulfield. Unfortunately, due to her get-back-and-run-on racing pattern, the four-year-old mare was well out of her ground and gave herself too much work to do in the final 300m. Although the James Cummings-trained mare finished second, she clocked the fastest 200m sectionals from the 1000m to the 200m mark for the entire meeting. When to bet: Kin has raced over 1100m and 1200m so far this campaign, and it appears unlikely she will get out over any further. The Listed Black Pearl Stakes for fillies and mares at Geelong on January 7 looks like a potential black-type target in the off-season. Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Latest horse racing tips View the full article

The Thoroughbred Racing Industry is today mourning the loss of Mr Alan ‘Jock’ Gollogly who passed away overnight following a long illness, aged 72. “Jock Gollogly was a unique character who was well known and respected throughout the industry,” said Racing NSW’s Chief Executive, Mr Peter V’landys AM. “You would not find a more passionate racing person who possessed a fantastic sense of humour and was a master storyteller. “Alan’s passing is a great loss as he touched so many with his sincerity and compassion. We send our sincere condolences to his family and many friends.” Alan ‘Jock’ Gollogly hailed from Queensland and was the son of a successful jockey of the same name who also carried a similar nickname. After finishing five years boarding at Nudgee College in 1968, he was apprenticed to his grandfather Fred Best who won 17 Brisbane Trainers’ Premierships and was an Australian Hall of Fame inductee. Alan went on to have a very successful career in the saddle in Queensland winning the 1970-71 Brisbane Apprentices’ Premiership and riding Bengalla Lad to victory in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 in 1972. In 1975, Alan spent eight months in Hong Kong with George Moore then the following year ventured to the popular Grafton Carnival where he rode several winners for the big betting stable of Hunter Kilner. It was there that trainer Eric Sandford convinced Alan to base himself in Newcastle for a onemonth trial and he never left the city. Gollogly didn’t mind travelling and rode the winner of the Port Moresby Cup in between winning jockeys’ premierships at Newcastle. In later years Alan was involved in the media with stints at the Newcastle Herald, Prime TV, Sky Racing Radio and was a reporter for a local radio station. His last gig was the official track clocker for top Newcastle trainer Kris Lees after being made redundant as clocker for the Sportsman in 2020. He told John Tapp recently: “I’m at the track at 4:30 each morning – Kris Lees starts working 100-plus horses between 5:30am and 8am and I clock the lot.” Australian Turf Club will name a race in Mr Gollogly’s honour at Royal Randwick this Saturday. Mr Alan ‘Jock’ Gollogly is survived by long-time partner Lindsay. More horse racing news View the full article