Wandering Eyes

James McDonald loses his ride in Sunday’s HK$24 million race at Sha Tin after narrowly missing out on Group One glory at Ascot in Australia on SaturdayView the full article

Captain Envious (NZ) ridden by Michael Dee wins the Ballarat Cup at Ballarat Racecourse on December 09, 2023. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Captain Envious (+280) cruised past his rivals to secure victory in the $500,000 Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday afternoon, reveling in the Heavy track conditions. There was plenty of money for the Paul Preusker-trained son of Savabeel, firming into a clear favourite with online bookmakers prior to the jump. He didn’t disappoint, as Michael Dee sat quietly aboard the five-year-old, before unleashing down the centre of the course with 400m to travel. It proved to be a real testing 2000m as En Francais (+2000) led them up at a genuine tempo throughout, with Young Werther (+550) and Just Folk (+400) landing into the trail. Young Werther swung the bend to head his rivals but did run into some interference before Captain Envious rounded them up to score a convincing victory, while Foxy Cleopatra (+340) backers were left disappointed, as the mare was unable to handle conditions. 2023 Ballarat Cup Replay – Captain Envious | T: Paul Preusker | J: Michael Dee Paul Preusker was on course to give his thoughts on his progressive stayer on the rise, and suggested Cup races like this are always a target for his stable. “I always like having the right horse for the right job, and it’s only now that I thought about targeting the race,” said Preusker. “He’s got that blistering turn of foot. He’s turned into a nice horse, handles wet and dry. I thought let’s have a go here. I didn’t want to stay him out this prep, so 2000 metres ticked the box.” “He’s a horse that will get over a bit more ground. It was a matter of getting some points. Today was good for that.” Michael Dee was glowing about his mount in his post-race assessment, giving credit to the horse for his ability to get through the tough going. “He quickened up like it was a good track,” said Dee. “He ploughed through that. He was running away from them on the line and he took time to pull him up. It was a super effort. “There was a little more speed than I thought. He didn’t jump the cleanest as well. “He ended up positioning further back than we planned. “As the races had been planning out, I wanted to stay on the fence, but that wasn’t going to eventuate for us, so I ended up peeling him out, he took off, and he did the rest.” More horse racing news View the full article

Loch Eagle claims the Group 2 The Ingham at Randwick. Photo: Racing NSW Kris Lees and Dylan Gibbons have combined with Loch Eagle (+1700) proving too strong in the Group 2 The Ingham (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday, earning his ticket to the 2024 Doncaster Mile (1600m) in the process. The writing was on the wall for this talented son of Lonhro after a luckless performance last start in The Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange a fortnight ago, settling for a runner-up finish after sitting wide without cover for the duration. It was going to be another tough task to overcome on Saturday, with the five-year-old gelding picking up barrier 18 prior to the gates opening, but courtesy of an excellent ride from Dylan Gibbons, Loch Eagle was navigated to a perfect stalking position. Phearson (+3000) and Attractable (+750) were always going to ensure the 1600m contest would be run at a genuine clip, and that’s exactly what unfolded. The former was unable to match motors with the eventual runner-up, as Attractable slipped away for what, for a moment, seemed an unassailable lead, before Loch Eagle produced a stunning turn of foot to claw back the margin in the shadows of the post. The quinella pair of last year’s Ingham finished honest as ever, with Lion’s Roar (+500) and Kirwans Lane (+3300) finishing in third and fourth respectively. It was all honours the winner, however, as Loch Eagle took home the majority of the $2 million prize to winning connections. 2023 The Ingham Replay – Loch Eagle | T: Kris Lees | J: Dylan Gibbons Kris Lees was on course in the aftermath to praise his winning galloper and alluded to preparing for a different race after only gaining entry earlier in the morning. “Great thrill,” said Lees. “Great to win with Dylan and a really good bunch of owners. “At 7.29am he hadn’t gained a start and he was just about to have a gallop. Was going to prepare for a race next Saturday. “The phone call came through being third emergency and he had to overcome a wide gate. “Early in the run I thought he was going to be posted but he got him in three deep with cover. “It was a lovely ride, presented him at the right time and was able to get there on the line. “It was really pleasing to see.” Dylan Gibbons was elated with his mount and new it was only a matter of slotting in for cover to see the best version of Loch Eagle. “The only concern from out there was if I’d get the cover,” said Gibbons. “We had a bit of a crack and went forward. “Thankfully I was able to jag a spot, three wide with cover. He’s an absolute warrior this horse. “He’s slowly progressed through his grades, he’s always had a lot of ability but never had the luck. “For him to win today and reward everyone it’s great.” More horse racing news View the full article

The 32-year-old jockey makes his belated first appearance in a Sha Tin Group One and hops aboard four last-start winners on Sunday’s 10-race programmeView the full article

Desert Lightning scoring in a turbulent running of the Group 1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) In a race thrown into disarray by a false start, quality four-year-old Desert Lightning stood tall and claimed his first Group 1 victory in Saturday’s TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham. The enduring story out of the $400,000 weight-for-age feature will be the auxiliary gates failing to open and the horses with the three widest draws – Faraglioni, Desert Lightning and Aegon – being left behind. Fortunately the remainder of the field all pulled up before the end of the back straight, but when the race was re-run several minutes later, those three horses all finished in the top four. That result indicates that it was clearly an advantage to have avoided the exertion of the aborted first running of the race, but dwelling on that would be doing a disservice to Desert Lightning. He was one of the standout male three-year-olds of last season, winning the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) and placing in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), the Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2000m) and a star-studded running of the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m). The son of Pride Of Dubai has come back strongly as a spring four-year-old, winning first-up at Pukekohe before finishing third on heavy ground at Tauranga. He stepped up on to the big weight-for-age stage on Saturday and showed that he belonged. Rider Vinnie Colgan had to use up some petrol after Desert Lightning eventually left that wide gate, pushing forward to take up a position outside the front-running Town Cryer. Desert Lightning swept past Town Cryer soon after rounding the home turn, and he was all alone in front down the long Trentham straight. Faraglioni, Malt Time and Aegon came at him with powerful late finishes, but Desert Lightning kept finding and held them all out to win by a length. “It was unfortunate that we had the false start, and I imagine some of the other horses have tired legs now,” Colgan said. “But full credit to my horse. We had an awkward gate and I had to use him up early. He got off the nickel a little bit at the 600m and I was a little worried, but then he came back up underneath me again and made me feel a lot better. “He’s a very good horse and was strong right to the line. I think if something else had got to him a bit earlier in the straight, it would have actually helped him. It’s pretty windy today and I was out in front all by myself, and he did start to lug the last little bit. But every time he felt the presence of a horse coming, he lifted again. He’s a very good horse.” Desert Lightning is trained by Peter and Dawn Williams, who saddled Shuka for back-to-back wins in this race in 2013 and 2014. The Byerley Park-based couple bought Desert Lightning for $150,000 from the Little Avondale Stud draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2021. He is raced by the Williams team’s long-time clients, Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer’s Barneswood Farm. From 15 starts, Desert Lightning has now recorded four wins and five placings and earned $584,895 in stakes. “That was quite exciting, really,” Peter Williams said. “I was a nervous wreck after the false start, but fortunately he stayed very settled at the barrier. People might say that it was an advantage that he didn’t get away in the false start, but a lot can go wrong when the gates don’t open too – they can hit their heads and things like that. So there are factors for and against. “The owners are here today, so this is a great result. We’ll go home now and play it by ear in terms of the rest of his campaign.” Faraglioni ran second, a nose in front of Malt Time, with Aegon flashing home from last to be close up in fourth. Malt Time’s trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy were proud of the seven-year-old’s effort, being the only horse who took part in the first take of the TAB Classic to end up in a top-four position in take two. “We’re really happy,” Emma Clotworthy said. “She seems to just keep getting better with age, and she showed how tough she is today – especially with that false start. “She’s run huge races in a couple of Group 1’s over 1600m now, and she was hard to pull up after the line, so maybe we could even look at further. But she’s pulled up well and we’re really happy. I think she’ll go home and have a good break now, and then we’ll regather and go from there.” More horse racing news View the full article

A desperate finish to the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) saw exciting three-year-old Lupo Solitario extend his career record to three wins from just four starts as he defeated talented filly Orchestral by the barest of margins in a thrilling conclusion to the age-group feature. While it wasn’t plain sailing in the concluding stages of the contest as Orchestral put in a valiant challenge, it was a meritorious performance from the $1.40 race favourite who had been in serious doubt of lining up in the contest after picking up a niggling stone bruise in the lead-up to the race. Trainer Danica Guy had warned she would not risk the horse if he wasn’t ready to perform to his best and he vindicated her judgement despite having to pass a stringent vet inspection on raceday to be allowed to take his place in the field. Bounced away nicely by rider Ryan Elliot, Lupo Solitario travelled comfortably behind the speed before taking a narrow gap against the rail shortly after straightening for the run home. Elliot shot him clear and he looked to be in a for a comfortable win, however Orchestral and rider Craig Grylls had other plans as they joined issue at the 200m for a tooth and nail struggle that was decided by a mere nose at the winning post. Guy explained she had felt as late as Friday evening the horse was no chance to run the next day. “We were very pleased with him although last night I didn’t think we would make it here today,” Guy said. “When he walked out this morning he was a happy horse so we knew we were on the right track so we had him vetted and made the decision to start. “He still had to pass another vet check on-course which was a little nerve wracking but he was cleared and took his place in the field and we got the right result.” Guy was quick to praise Elliot for his ride and was heartened with what he had to say after the race. “We knew he still has a lot of maturing to do and that showed at the finish as Ryan said he was goofing around a little, thinking the job was done,” she said. “His manners have improved a lot during the break he has had and Ryan was also quick to mention that, which was pleasing to hear. “His main mission is the Karaka Classic at Ellerslie next month, a race we have targeted for quite some time. “As long he pulls up well he will come back here to Pukekohe on New Year’s Day for a three-year-old mile as he really wants to go 1600m now and that will be a good lead into the Ellerslie race.” Guy was referencing the TAB Karaka Million 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie on 27 January where her charge sits alongside Tokyo Tycoon as a $5 chance in the TAB Fixed Odds market which is headed by Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Molly Bloom ($4). Purchased by co-owner Leighton Howl for $82,500 out of the Rich Hill Stud Book 2 draft at Karaka in 2022, Lupo Solitario becomes the seventh individual stakes winner for Rich Hill Stud shuttle stallion Satono Aladdin, who will be represented by 22 individuals at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale that kicks off on 28 January. Rich Hill Stud will also offer the Proisir half-siter to Lupo Solitario as Lot 396 during the Book 1 session of the sale. View the full article

Te Akau Racing was on top of the two-year-old podium at Trentham on Saturday, with their untapped filly Captured By Love running out a dominant victor in the Gr.2 Mode Technology Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m). This year’s edition of the juvenile feature drew a strong 11-horse field, with four individual race winners and several with competitive form behind the likes of current Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) Fixed Odds favourite Velocious ($3). A daughter of prominent sire Written Tycoon, Captured By Love put away a small field with ease on debut at Tauherenikau last month, which saw the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained runner close a $3.80 second-favourite behind Red Sea ($2.50) for the $175,000 feature. Enjoying the services of leading rider Opie Bosson, Captured By Love bounced from barrier three and descended strongly down the Trentham chute to take up the pace making role alongside Hard Attack. As the challengers began to loom at the 400m, Bosson had barely moved on the filly and she drew away comfortably to score by a dominant three length margin from the Tony Pike-prepared Poetic Champion. Captured By Love was nominated by Walker as the pick of the Te Akau trio for the race and so it proved as stablemate Dream Of The Moon closed nicely for third, while debutant Donna Chiara did well for seventh. “She’s a beautiful filly, Opie was pretty bullish about her and sometimes the hardest thing Opie looks at is whether they’re quiet enough for him to ride,” Mark Walker said. “She’s got size and strength which will count for a lot later on. She’s got a good future.” Captured By Love was a A$525,000 purchase by David Ellis CNZM at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, with the Wakefield a particularly special victory for the Te Akau Racing principal on his 70th birthday. “Happy birthday to our team leader David Ellis, that’ll be a special win for him today and he bought her at Magic Millions,” Walker said. The filly is ineligible for the upcoming Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) event, however not for the Australian equivalent (Magic Millions 2YO Classic, 1200m) in mid-January. Although the A$3 million carrot on the Coast is tempting, Walker will consider the welfare and longevity of the talented filly before taking the plunge across the Tasman so early in her career. “I think longer term, she’s got a really bright future so whether that’s the right thing to do I’m not sure,” he said. “We don’t like making decisions on raceday, it’s quite a trip down here so we’ll get her home for a few quiet days and by the middle of next week we should have an idea.” Walker commended Bosson’s efforts to get down to Captured By Love’s 55kg carded weight as the champion jockey typically ranges around the 56-57kg mark. “He worked pretty hard at it during the week, full credit to him.” Bosson has paired with many of Te Akau’s brightest juvenile stars over the past decade and was complimentary of their latest black-type winning charge. “She was just always cruising underneath me. She had a bit of a look around, she spotted just about everything on the course but she’s got that big long stretch about her, a big strong filly too,” he said. “She’s just a natural, she’d probably be better chasing them, but we drew in close and just cruised up to the leaders. She was just too good. “It’s hard to tell just yet (how good she is) but she’s doing everything the right way, she was pretty much untapped in that race so there’s plenty more gears left.” Bosson has been well-travelled this spring with several trips across to Australia to partner Te Akau’s star mares Imperatriz and Skew Wiff, and hinted another could be on the cards in the New Year. “There’s another horse in mind that I’m trying to get them to take (to Magic Millions), we do love a trip away so we’ll see how we go,” he said. View the full article

Lupo Solitario fought hard to better Orchestral in the Group 3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) A desperate finish to the Group 3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) saw exciting three-year-old Lupo Solitario extend his career record to three wins from just four starts as he defeated talented filly Orchestral by the barest of margins in a thrilling conclusion to the age-group feature. While it wasn’t plain sailing in the concluding stages of the contest as Orchestral put in a valiant challenge, it was a meritorious performance from the $1.40 race favourite who had been in serious doubt of lining up in the contest after picking up a niggling stone bruise in the lead-up to the race. Trainer Danica Guy had warned she would not risk the horse if he wasn’t ready to perform to his best and he vindicated her judgement despite having to pass a stringent vet inspection on raceday to be allowed to take his place in the field. Bounced away nicely by rider Ryan Elliot, Lupo Solitario travelled comfortably behind the speed before taking a narrow gap against the rail shortly after straightening for the run home. Elliot shot him clear and he looked to be in a for a comfortable win, however Orchestral and rider Craig Grylls had other plans as they joined issue at the 200m for a tooth and nail struggle that was decided by a mere nose at the winning post. Guy explained she had felt as late as Friday evening the horse was no chance to run the next day. “We were very pleased with him although last night I didn’t think we would make it here today,” Guy said. “When he walked out this morning he was a happy horse so we knew we were on the right track so we had him vetted and made the decision to start. “He still had to pass another vet check on-course which was a little nerve wracking but he was cleared and took his place in the field and we got the right result.” Guy was quick to praise Elliot for his ride and was heartened with what he had to say after the race. “We knew he still has a lot of maturing to do and that showed at the finish as Ryan said he was goofing around a little, thinking the job was done,” she said. “His manners have improved a lot during the break he has had and Ryan was also quick to mention that, which was pleasing to hear. “His main mission is the Karaka Classic at Ellerslie next month, a race we have targeted for quite some time. “As long he pulls up well he will come back here to Pukekohe on New Year’s Day for a three-year-old mile as he really wants to go 1600m now and that will be a good lead into the Ellerslie race.” Guy was referencing the Karaka Million 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie on 27 January where her charge sits alongside Tokyo Tycoon as a $5 chance in the fixed odds market which is headed by Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Molly Bloom ($4). Purchased by co-owner Leighton Howl for $82,500 out of the Rich Hill Stud Book 2 draft at Karaka in 2022, Lupo Solitario becomes the seventh individual stakes winner for Rich Hill Stud shuttle stallion Satono Aladdin, who will be represented by 22 individuals at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale that kicks off on 28 January. Rich Hill Stud will also offer the Proisir half-siter to Lupo Solitario as Lot 396 during the Book 1 session of the sale. More horse racing news View the full article

British rider’s acceptance of Warm Heart ride at 117 pounds surprises Irish trainer: ’Since he came to us, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him do that’View the full article

Captured By Love dominates her juvenile rivals at Trentham claiming the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m). Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Te Akau Racing was on top of the two-year-old podium at Trentham on Saturday, with their untapped filly Captured By Love running out a dominant victor in the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m). This year’s edition of the juvenile feature drew a strong 11-horse field, with four individual race winners and several with competitive form behind the likes of current Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) fixed odds favourite Velocious ($3). A daughter of prominent sire Written Tycoon, Captured By Love put away a small field with ease on debut at Tauherenikau last month, which saw the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained runner close a $3.80 second-favourite behind Red Sea ($2.50) for the $175,000 feature. Enjoying the services of leading rider Opie Bosson, Captured By Love bounced from barrier three and descended strongly down the Trentham chute to take up the pace making role alongside Hard Attack. As the challengers began to loom at the 400m, Bosson had barely moved on the filly and she drew away comfortably to score by a dominant three length margin from the Tony Pike-prepared Poetic Champion. Captured By Love was nominated by Walker as the pick of the Te Akau trio for the race and so it proved as stablemate Dream Of The Moon closed nicely for third, while debutant Donna Chiara did well for seventh. “She’s a beautiful filly, Opie was pretty bullish about her and sometimes the hardest thing Opie looks at is whether they’re quiet enough for him to ride,” Mark Walker said. “She’s got size and strength which will count for a lot later on. She’s got a good future.” Captured By Love was a A$525,000 purchase by David Ellis CNZM at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, with the Wakefield a particularly special victory for the Te Akau Racing principal on his 70th birthday. “Happy birthday to our team leader David Ellis, that’ll be a special win for him today and he bought her at Magic Millions,” Walker said. The filly is ineligible for the upcoming Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) event, however not for the Australian equivalent (Magic Millions 2YO Classic, 1200m) in mid-January. Although the A$3 million carrot on the Coast is tempting, Walker will consider the welfare and longevity of the talented filly before taking the plunge across the Tasman so early in her career. “I think longer term, she’s got a really bright future so whether that’s the right thing to do I’m not sure,” he said. “We don’t like making decisions on raceday, it’s quite a trip down here so we’ll get her home for a few quiet days and by the middle of next week we should have an idea.” Walker commended Bosson’s efforts to get down to Captured By Love’s 55kg carded weight as the champion jockey typically ranges around the 56-57kg mark. “He worked pretty hard at it during the week, full credit to him.” Bosson has paired with many of Te Akau’s brightest juvenile stars over the past decade and was complimentary of their latest black-type winning charge. “She was just always cruising underneath me. She had a bit of a look around, she spotted just about everything on the course but she’s got that big long stretch about her, a big strong filly too,” he said. “She’s just a natural, she’d probably be better chasing them, but we drew in close and just cruised up to the leaders. She was just too good. “It’s hard to tell just yet (how good she is) but she’s doing everything the right way, she was pretty much untapped in that race so there’s plenty more gears left.” Bosson has been well-travelled this spring with several trips across to Australia to partner Te Akau’s star mares Imperatriz and Skew Wiff, and hinted another could be on the cards in the New Year. “There’s another horse in mind that I’m trying to get them to take (to Magic Millions), we do love a trip away so we’ll see how we go,” he said. More horse racing news View the full article

Give Giggles ridden by Harry Coffey wins the BM70 Handicap at Ballarat Racecourse on December 09, 2023. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Promising mare Give Giggles extended her perfect record at Ballarat to four-from-four with an emphatic win in Saturday’s A$80,000 A Grade Sheds Handicap (1100m). Trained locally by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the New Zealand-bred had previously collected three consecutive Ballarat victories, starting with a maiden win in her final three-year-old appearance in March. She resumed in the spring and picked up where she left off, winning again on September 22 and October 15. Give Giggles was unplaced at Flemington on November 11, but bounced back impressively on Saturday in the hands of jockey Harry Coffey. She jumped well from gate one and sat in third along the inside, then dashed through a narrow gap one off the rail in the straight. The result was in little doubt from there as Give Giggles bounded away to win by three and a half lengths. “That was the best feel she’s given me so far,” Coffey said. “She had a nice turn of foot in that soft ground today and felt really nice underneath me when she let go. “We had a nice run and it all went her way, but I thought it was a pretty good win. Once that gap came, the way she quickened, she was always going to be hard to beat.” Give Giggles has now had six starts for four wins, a second placing and A$104,940 in stakes for owners Peachester Lodge. The four-year-old has won three of her four starts this spring, and Tony McEvoy considers her unlucky not to have an even better record. “That Flemington result wasn’t her fault,” he said. “I made a call on the day that we didn’t think we could get out to the spot on the track that you needed to get to that day, so we stayed in and it really backfired on us. It wasn’t her fault at all. “We’ve just kept her fresh since then and she’s done a bit of dressage work. It’s such an advantage just to be able to walk over the road to the races, and she’s unbeaten here. She was fabulous today. “I’d probably like to stop and wait with her now. She’s owned in Queensland, and she might be a filly that could go to Queensland next winter. Either way, she’s a handy filly and could come up a bit more yet.” Give Giggles was bred by Inglewood Stud and is one of four winners in Australia this season for in-form Inglewood stallion War Decree. That list is headed by the three-year-old Warmonger, who won the Listed TAB Trophy (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington. The dam of Give Giggles is the Domesday mare Giggly, a winning half-sister to the Group winners Crack Me Up and Hoofit. Give Giggles was offered by Inglewood Stud in Book 1 of Karaka 2021, where she was bought by Mulcaster Bloodstock for $85,000. More horse racing news View the full article

Group 1-bound sprinter Mercurial toughens out Bonny Lass in a tight tussle at Pukekohe Park on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Under-rated sprinter Mercurial booked himself a ticket to the Group 1 Sistema Railway (1200m) at Pukekohe with a tenacious all-the-way win over the same course and distance on Saturday. A ballot exemption for the New Year’s Day feature added extra value to the $65,000 Happy Milestone Birthday David Ellis (1200m), and it was Mercurial who stood up and took advantage. The five-year-old jumped from the second-to-outside gate in the small field and was sent forward by jockey Craig Grylls to take the lead inside the first 100m. He was soon joined by the high-class mare Bonny Lass, and the pair had the race to themselves from that point on. Bonny Lass was travelling with ominous ease at the home turn and looked likely to kick away down the Pukekohe straight, but Mercurial rose to the challenge. He eyeballed the $2 favourite and matched her acceleration, and the two went to war in a head-bobbing battle through the final 150m. Mercurical returned everything Bonny Lass threw at him, and by the time they reached the finish line, the gelding was in front by a head. There was another four and a quarter lengths back to the third-placed Digger, and the race was run in 1:09.48 on a Good 4 track. “I’m rapt with that performance,” Mercurial’s trainer Stephen Marsh said. “He was so determined and tough and got the job done really well. He really rose to the challenge. “This race carries a ballot exemption for the Railway on New Year’s Day. “Coming into it, my thinking was that if he could put his hand up today and be competitive against a good sprinter like Bonny Lass, we should have a crack at the Group 1. “He’s definitely done that with a very good win, so we’ll press on and run him in the Railway. Why not? He’s earned that opportunity with such a good performance today. “We don’t have a rider booked for the Railway yet, but I’m hoping a few jockeys might be putting their hands up after that win today.” By Burgundy out of the unraced Tavistock mare Roxette, Mercurial has now had 24 starts for five wins, nine placings and $199,032 in stakes. He collected his first black-type placing earlier this season with a third behind Our Alley Cat and Not Guilty in the Group 3 Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings. Mercurial was part of a strong start to Saturday’s Pukekohe meeting for Grylls, who rode the first two winners on the card. He followed up Mercurial’s win with an impressive come-from-behind victory aboard promising three-year-old Mosinvader in the $30,000 Barfoot & Thompson (1600m). More horse racing news View the full article

Ryan Moore is acclaimed as World’s Best Jockey. As the newly minted four-time winner of the World’s Best Jockey Award, Ryan Moore will bid to add further lustre to his Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) achievements at Sha Tin on Sunday. Moore on Friday night was awarded the World’s Best Jockey crown for 2023, tying Frankie Dettori for the most victories in the prestigious award. The European-based rider was the inaugural winner of the award in 2014 and again won it in 2016 and 2021. He was officially announced as the winner during a special ceremony and presentation at the Hong Kong International Races Gala Dinner at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Moore claimed the title with victories in eight of the “World’s Top 100 Group 1 Races”. His qualifying victories were in the Hong Kong Sprint (Wellington), Tattersalls Gold Cup (Luxembourg), Epsom Derby (Auguste Rodin), St James’s Palace Stakes (Paddington), Coral-Eclipse (Paddington), Qatar Sussex Stakes (Paddington), Irish Champion Stakes (Auguste Rodin) and the Breeders’ Cup Turf (Auguste Rodin). Moore won this year’s award comfortably, totalling 156 points, 36 more than Dettori (120), while James McDonald, who won the title last year, was third with 116 points. The scoring process rewards jockeys for finishing in the top three of races. The 100 highest-rated Group 1 races as established for the year by the World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee. The scoring incorporates races from 1 December of the previous year until 30 November of the current year. Jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, 6 points for placing second, and 4 points for placing third. In accepting the award, Moore said he always wanted to ride the best horses and the best horses win the best races. Moore was presented with a watch from LONGINES Vice President Marketing Bernardo Tribolet and a crystal vase by The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, in his role as Chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). Moore said getting to ride all around the world and competing against everyone else means more. “I am very fortunate,” said Moore. “I get to ride some really good horses for great owners and trainers. When I started, the aim was to ride in the best races on the best horses. That’s what it really is always about.” Moore, who rode Wellington to victory in last year’s Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), has rides in all four Group 1 races at Sha Tin tomorrow. All his feature rides are for Aidan O’Brien who has is the only trainer to have runners in all four of the top-level contests on the 10-race program. Moore’s rides start with the exciting filly Warm Heart in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m). The filly has been allocated 117 pounds which has forced Moore to get down to his lowest riding weight in months. Moore said he was looking forward to riding the filly and rated her a good chance but was wary of a couple of the Japanese horses in the field. “I’d be disappointed if she didn’t run very well, and if she brings her form from the last sort of four races, she’ll be right there,” he said. Moore said Hong Kong racing was probably the most competitive in the world and every race is hard to win. “You appreciate all the winners you get here,’’ he said. Moore’s second ride of the day for O’Brien is Aesop’s Fables in the Hong Kong Sprint. He will also ride Cairo in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) and Luxembourg in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m). Moore returned to riding at Happy Valley’s Wednesday International Jockeys’ Championship following a fall in Japan last month. He won the second leg of the four-race championship, taken out by Vincent Ho, on M Unicorn. Moore has previously won all four of the HKIR feature races. More horse racing news View the full article

Champion jockey seeks his third win in the city’s top sprint following his 2014 and 2016 victories aboard the Paul O’Sullivan-trained globetrotterView the full article

Valentine Candy (Justify) put a sweet punctuation to his year with a dominant display in the Advent S. on Oaklawn's opening day. Victorious against a well-met field of Saratoga maidens in July, the chestnut tired badly in the GI Hopeful S. after a round of bumper cards soon after the break took him off the pace. He resurfaced at Keeneland in October with two starts–a second against first-level optional claimers on the seventh and then running third Oct. 28 in the Bowman Mill S. Sent away at 9-5 in good order and able to be part of the pace pressure on the frontrunner, he swung into the backstretch four wide and was three off the rail heading for the homeward stretch. Given his cue with Roman Vazquez sitting pretty, Valentine Candy shut down all challenges right there, kicking home 6 2/3 lengths best over 67-1 shocker Willy D's (Lookin At Lucky) and late-running Andy's Candy (Practical Joke). It was Steve Asmussen's record-extending 105th career Oaklawn stakes victory. A perfect ride by @JockeyRamonVazq aboard #10 VALENTINE CANDY ($5.60) for victory in the Advent Stakes at @OaklawnRacing for the Steve Asmussen barn. Congratulations to the connections with this son of Justify, who stands at @coolmoreamerica. How about that $156 Exacta? pic.twitter.com/3YjIMR9R2g — TVG (@TVG) December 8, 2023 “I'm just very, if anything, relieved to see him run back to his first race,” Steve Asmussen said. “The field that he beat at Saratoga first time out–showed great quality that day. Beautiful horse; great opportunity. That's who he's supposed to be.” Added Ramon Vazquez: “Steve didn't give me any instructions. [Valentine Candy]'s a nice horse. I just had to guide him.” The most recent to the races for Taste Like Candy, who went runner-up in the GI Hollywood Starlet S. in her season on the track, Valentine Candy has only one other sibling of racing age. The unplaced King Happy (Street Sense) was sent to Ireland in 2018 as a yearling and the broodmare had a run of poor breeding fortunes since then until she produced the winner and recently a 2023 colt by Mitole. She was bred to Liam's Map for 2024. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG. ADVENT S., $150,000, Oaklawn, 12-8, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:04.65, ft. 1–VALENTINE CANDY, 117, c, 2, by Justify 1st Dam: Taste Like Candy (GISP, $286,205), by Candy Ride (Arg) 2nd Dam: My Success, by A.P. Indy 3rd Dam: Towering Success, by Irish Tower ($250,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT). 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-L. William & Corinne Heiligbrodt, Jackpot Farm, Whispering Oaks Farm LLC & Coteau Grove Farms LLC; B-Pine Creek LP (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen; J-Ramon A. Vazquez. $96,038. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-1, $195,713. 2–Willy D's, 117, c, 2, Lookin At Lucky–Boston Mine, by Mineshaft. ($60,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Danny Brown, Charis Brenneman & Greg Compton; B-Beau Lane (KY); T-Greg Compton. $29,550. 3–Andy's Candy, 117, g, 2, Practical Joke–In Gold Blood, by My Golden Song. ($28,000 Ylg '22 TTAYRL; $84,000 2yo '23 TTAAPR). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-JD Thoroughbreds, LLC, Joey Keith Davis & Larry J. Romero; B-Samuel Sherman (KY); T-Chris A. Hartman. $14,775. Margins: 6 3/4, HD, 1. Odds: 1.80, 67.30, 10.10. Also Ran: Market Street, Molly's Town, General Shipman, Frost Free, Ceepeegee, Bye Bye Liam, Drewmania, Sweet Soddy J. Scratched: Spirit's Mischief. The post Justify’s Valentine Candy Dominates Oaklawn’s Advent appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reed Saldana, a Los Alamitos Race Course-based trainer who has been licensed since 2017, has been penalized with a two-year suspension and a $25,000 fine after a Dec. 6 Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) arbitration judgment found him to be in violation of a banned substance rule. This resulted from a positive test for diisopropylamine in one of his trainees, Ice Queen (Cairo Prince), who finished third in a Santa Anita Park starter-allowance on June 16. Saldana is also on the hook for $12,000 toward HIWU's share of the arbitration costs that resulted from his request for a hearing. Arbitrator Jeffrey Benz further wrote in his ruling that the connections of the mare (owner 5th Street Stables) must forfeit the disqualified $4,560 in purse winnings. Saldana, 41, who rode as a Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse jockey between 2007 and 2011 prior to his licensure as a trainer, did not engage an attorney for his hearing and could not be reached for comment prior to deadline for this story. It is unclear if he intends to appeal the arbitration result to a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) administrative law judge, which is the next option for covered persons who wish to contest HIWU arbitration results. Diisopropylamine is a vasodilator listed as a banned substance by HIWU, which means it can never be found in a covered racehorse. It lacks Food and Drug Administration approval. Among Saldana's arguments presented at his Nov. 1 hearing were 1) That there was no proof he gave diisopropylamine to Ice Queen; 2) Hand sanitizer containing the prohibited substance was allegedly found and used in the test barn; 3) That there was allegedly accidental contamination by the test barn personnel; 4) That there were issues with the chain of custody during the testing process, and 5) That diisopropylamine is not a vasodilator but is a “secondary amine.” According to the arbitrator's ruling, Saldana also submitted the following statement for consideration: “The evidence HIWU has presented is very lacking. NO integrity, NO security, NO proof that the urine sample actually was collected properly, stored correctly or even transported securely. This urine sample MUST be INADMISSIBLE and case needs to be dismissed, to continue to proceed is just a travesty,” Saldana stated. “We are in a country where we are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and the evidence shows no proof of guilt. HIWU has failed to demonstrate Burden of Proof in this matter. HIWU has claimed that Diisopropylamine is a vasodilator when in fact by scientific proof it is not, it is an amine. These false claims and misclassification by [the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act] of Diisopropylamine have cost me my livelihood, has caused stress, emotional, monetary and repetitional damage that I can't ever get back, to continue would just be [an] injustice,” Saldana stated. After taking testimony from both parties, the arbitrator sided with HIWU's recommended penalties for a first-time anti-doping “presence” finding. Benz noted the key factors in his decision. “Mr. Saldana argues that alleged errors made in collecting and analyzing Ice Queen's Sample should result in its disqualification,” Benz wrote. “His allegations are vague and unparticularized. The only specific alleged deficiency in the sample collection or custody for Ice Queen was that the Nominated Person was prevented from seeing the collection of Ice Queen's urine… “HIWU could certainly do a better job of ensuring that the written chain of custody documentation is clearer and that the labs are required to uniformly handle chain of custody issues and documentation,” the arbitrator continued. “Having said that, Mr. Saldana's obligation was to show that the irregularities in the chain of custody that he claims were present had some effect on the outcome of the testing and he was unable to make that showing… “With respect to his allegation that Mr. Saldana's Nominated Person was prevented from entering the testing barn to observe Ice Queen pass urine, there is no specific requirement in this regard,” Benz wrote. “In addition, Mr. Saldana's argument that Diisopropylamine is not a vasodilator by virtue of being a secondary amine is false,” Benz wrote. “As explained by [Dr. Lara Maxwell, a veterinarian and pharmacology professor who testified on behalf of HIWU], drugs such as Diisopropylamine can be classified both in terms of their chemical structure and their pharmacological or medicinal effects on the body. Diisopropylamine is classified as a secondary amine due to its chemical structure. It is also considered a vasodilator due to its general pharmacological effect, i.e., causing blood vessels or open or dilate. There is nothing inconsistent about the simultaneous application of both categories, which address entirely different properties of Diisopropylamine,” Benz wrote. “Lastly, and despite the irrelevance of a substance's effects on the Covered Horse to any argument on liability, as addressed by Dr. Maxwell, Diisopropylamine is known to have a performance-enhancing potential in horses due to its status as a vasodilator, which expands blood vessels and 'temporarily decreases the work of the heart.' “Mr. Saldana also advanced a theory that hand sanitizer used by the [testing personnel] could have caused the positive result found in the Sample because hand sanitizers often contain the prohibited substance found here,” the arbitrator continued. “He adduced no evidence on this point, and HIWU's evidence to the contrary was compelling.” “First, the evidence was unrefuted that the hand sanitizer used in the testing barn and all relevant areas for the Sample's journey to the refrigerator and the next day to the laboratory did not contain the Diisopropylamine,” Benz wrote. “Second, the evidence was unrefuted that the [personnel] did not use hand sanitizer and instead used surgical gloves when collecting samples.” “Third, HIWU's expert Dr. Maxwell testified, on an unrefuted basis, that the active ingredient in hand sanitizer is ethanol and had the horse been contaminated with hand sanitizer not only would it have required a large amount of hand sanitizer to yield the levels of Diisopropylamine found here but ethanol would also have been found in the sample and it was not found here.” “Accordingly, the Arbitrator finds that hand sanitizer contamination was simply not possible here, and certainly not at all likely,” Benz wrote. Saldana's career training record is 88 wins and $2.5 million in earnings from 656 starts. His last entrant was on July 1, and through the first half of 2023 Saldana posted a 7-10-9 record from 61 starters. The Thoroughbred Regulatory Rulings database maintained by The Jockey Club shows two prior drug-related entries for Saldana: A Class 4 phenylbutazone violation in a third-place horse that resulted in a $500 fine at Santa Anita in 2022, and a Class 3 clenbuterol positive that resulted in the disqualification of a winner (but no fine) in 2020 at Los Alamitos. Saldana's suspension, unless overruled at the FTC level, will run through Aug. 5, 2025. The post Trainer Saldana Suspended Two Years, Fined $25k After Losing Banned Substance Arbitration Hearing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Valentine Candy gave his rivals more than they could chew with a 6 3/4-length romp Oaklawn Park opening day Dec. 8 in the $150,000 Advent Stakes for 2-year-olds.View the full article

The racetrack will now host an additional day of racing Dec. 16.View the full article

Anthony Farrior, who through Dec. 7 ranks fourth in North American wins with 211, is accused of a violation of the banned substance rule by the enforcement arm for the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.View the full article

Trainer Anthony Farrior is facing a possible suspension after a horse he trained allegedly tested positive for the banned substance Metformin, according to a posting Friday on the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit website. His status is listed as “Pending: Provisional Suspension–Postponed.” Alexa Ravit, the director of communications & outreach for HIWU explained that the wording means, “that B Sample analysis has been requested following a positive A Sample result, so the implementation of the Provisional Suspension is postponed unless/until the B Sample comes back positive.” Farrior will be allowed to train at least until the B sample is turned over to HIWU. If he is unable to beat the charges, he faces a suspension of up to two years and a fine of $25,000. The infraction allegedly took place Nov. 5, 2023 at Laurel with the $10,000 claimer Geothermal (Gormley), who did not finish the race. According to the Equibase chart, Geothermal sustained an injury through the backstretch run, was pulled up entering the far turn and was vanned off. According to sources, the horse was euthanized, but the TDN has not been able to confirm that with its connections. HIWU has penalized at least six trainers for Metformin positives, including Jonathan Wong, a top trainer on the Northern California circuit. In humans, Metformin is used to treat type 2 diabetes. Wong has said that he takes Metformin. The Federal Drug Administration has approved Metformin for use in humans but it is not officially approved for use in animals. Metformin has been used in horses to counteract the effects of equine metabolic syndrome, which is a disorder associated with inappropriate blood insulin levels and increased fat deposition. Farrior's lawyer, Drew Mollica, said that to the best of his knowledge, Farrior does not take Metformin. However, he was adamant that in Farrior's case, the finding is a matter of environmental contamination. “We are in the process of evaluating the evidence and intend to vigorously follow the evidence,” Mollica said. “We absolutely believe this is case of contamination. We are in the midst of fact finding and I think that it will be quite clear that Mr. Farrior is not liable for any wrongdoing. We are investigating any and all possibilities and eventualities. We firmly believe this is a case of contamination and when all the facts are in, it will be found that he was not liable or negligent on any manner.” When asked what steps he would take if the B Sample came back positive, Mollica replied: “We'll cross that bridge when we get there. We ordered the B sample and are following the science. We believe that when we have all the science and the facts are in, we believe he will be exonerated.” Farrior has been training since 2011 and has 837 wins from 3,708 starts. He is currently racing at Laurel, Charles Town and Mahoning Valley. He is leading the Charles Town standings with 134 wins on the year through Thursday. At Charles Town, he is winning with 25% of his starters. The post Top Mid-Atlantic Trainer Farrior Faces Possible Suspension For Metformin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With the largest Fasig-Tipton online auction to-date underway–counting just over 300 diverse entries in its catalogue–their December Digital Sale is making this one to remember before it closes next Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. ET. Fasig-Tipton's Director of Digital Sales Leif Aaron took time out of his busy day to discuss with the TDN the numbers, the expectations, comparisons with the physical sales and a whole lot more, as the offerings unfold through the holiday weekend. TDN: It seems like every digital sale you are announcing a record number of entries! The sheer size of the December catalogue must be a positive? What does that say about the digital climate? Leif Aaron: Buyers and sellers are becoming increasingly comfortable with the platform. It takes time to change people's buying habits, and obviously, digital sales are very different from a live auction. Digital is being embraced by more and more owners who are conscious of costs, stress on horses and the narrow buying base at the end of marathon auctions. TDN: The share you are offering in Flameaway (Scat Daddy), do you envisage more and more stallion shares being traded this way? Is this a growing trend? How did this opportunity develop? Leif Aaron: I think it's actually a case of history repeating itself, many readers will remember the days when Fasig-Tipton did stallion access. In the early 2000's, Fasig-Tipton was selling seasons, shares and options online. We are happy to try things for sellers, but mainly it depends on the stallion, stud farm and the market. Just like the digital auction it must make sense for everyone involved. I've been begging farms to save me a couple very desirable seasons to auction in February Digital. That way when they have to say 'no' to multiple breeders, they can always offer the option of 'you can buy the last one' in February online. That hasn't gained any traction as of yet and I really am puzzled as to why. As far as how the Flameaway season came about, Chance Timm contacted me and said I have a client with a share and a LBR in a leading first-crop sire, can we go on the website? Darby Dan was kind enough to oblige and here we are. Leif Aaron | Fasig-Tipton TDN: Did you expect to get so many broodmares, especially just after the physical sales? Digital sales run August, October etc., so the timing has to be right, correct? Leif Aaron: We were confident we would have a lot of breeding stock. So far on the platform we have had most of our success with broodmares and racing stock. What was a surprise to us was the number of weanlings and yearlings that were entered for this sale. We've had some success with young horses, so I think that part of the market is currently developing online. Time of year does have to make sense in general for certain types of horses–breeding stock etc.–to sell well, but racehorses can sell no matter the time of year. TDN: Speaking of racehorses, online seems like a perfect place to trade them (which is a very liquid market at the moment due to high purses). Could you speak about that a little? Why are racehorses maybe more suited to the digital space? Leif Aaron: I touched on this a little bit earlier, but racehorses are in huge demand right now because of record high purses. With a digital sale, the seller can keep the horse in the barn and continue with training, while the potential buyer gets to look at the horse and look at the vetting. They are getting a lot more information than they would through the claim box. In general, the horse racing ownership community are traders. It only makes sense for us to have a platform for those owners and trainers to buy and sell. The post Q&A With Fasig-Tipton Digital Sales Director Leif Aaron appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2023 Thoroughbred Season at Remington Park will stretch one day deeper into December as an afternoon program has been added for Saturday, Dec.16, the track announced Friday. The first race will be at 2:30pm. The extra date of races will serve as a make-up for the nine races lost Wednesday, Dec. 6 when the track lighting system did not power up to the full potential needed for racing. The Dec. 16 race date will feature 12 races to put a wrap on the season. Remington Park had previously planned to finish the live racing calendar the night before, on Springboard Mile Night, Friday, Dec. 15. The post Extra Race Date Added To Remington Park Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features the smartly bred Champagne Prince (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). 16.40 Newcastle, Nov, £20,000, 2yo, 7f 14y (AWT) Jane Chapple-Hyam trainee CHAMPAGNE PRINCE (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who took the eye with a 4 1/2-length debut success at Chelmsford last month, is out of a Group 3-winning half-sister to G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. runner-up and G2 Celebration Mile-winning sire Zacinto (GB) (Dansili {GB}). The 230,000gns Book 1 graduate's three rivals include James Wigan's hitherto unraced Kilt (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), who is a homebred son of dual Grade I victrix heroine Dank (GB) (Dansili {GB}), from the William Haggas stable. The post Relative Of Zacinto Back For More At Newcastle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer John Ortiz is wintering his horses in Arkansas and Florida this winter.View the full article

McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds has enjoyed tremendous success with their young stallion Solomini, the leading first-crop sire standing outside Kentucky. He is 10th overall among first-crop sires.View the full article