Wandering Eyes

Cannon Hill’s performance in Saturday’s age group feature at Pukekohe will determine the summer path for the colt. The son of Ardrossan has earned his first crack at black-type in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m), which will give trainer Tony Pike a clearer guide on where the three-year-old is best placed for the rest of the campaign. “He’s still a bit immature, but he’s heading the right way and it’s a small but quality line-up. It will be interesting to see how he fits in,” he said. “Obviously, there are some very nice races coming up in the next couple of months, one is at Group One level (Levin Classic, 1600m) and one’s worth a lot of money ($1.5 million Karaka Million, 1600m). “It would be nice to think he would be heading that way, if not then there’s plenty of other options around through the summer and autumn.” To be ridden by Masa Hashizume, Cannon Hill won his first two starts this preparation before he finished third last time out over this course and distance. “He travelled up like the winner in that race and it was still a good, solid run for a horse still learning his trade,” Pike said. “We’ve changed the blinkers to visor blinkers this weekend, which will hopefully help him and he’s really well.” Pike will also be represented by Slipper Island and Tellall in the Stella Artois Championship Qualifier (1400m). Ryan Elliot will partner the former while apprentice Tristan Moodley has been booked for Tellall. “Slipper Island has drawn to get a lovely trip behind the speed. It’s a good quality Rating 75 and he should be hitting his peak after his fresh-up run,” Pike said. “Tellall has come back from injury and his run at Tauranga on a wet track, which he hates, was reasonable but he is a very hard horse to place at the moment. “He’s struggling in open handicap grade, so we’ve dropped him back with a claim and he’s going to need a lot of luck from that barrier (14).” Pike will also have leading chances at Trentham with Poetic Champion in the Gr.2 Mode Technology Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) and Promised Land in the Blue Star Premier (1600m). Poetic Champion romped home in his Hawera debut before he finished third in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m). “On face value he was probably a touch disappointing, but they did go quite quickly and put the pressure on early in the home straight,” Pike said. “We think a lot of him and his work was sensational on Tuesday morning. We’ll take the blinkers off and hopefully he can get back to winning ways.” Vinnie Colgan will ride the Super Seth gelding while Michael McNab will again team up with Echoes Of Heaven four-year-old Promised Land after their last-start Te Aroha success. “He is a nice, progressive staying horse who is still learning and blinkers will help him on Saturday,” Pike said. “The long-term target is for him to get back to Trentham for the Innovation race ($350,000 Remutaka Classic) over 2100m.” View the full article

Fashion Icon has made a stylish start to her career and she looks to have another gilt-edged opportunity on Saturday to again star on the Trentham stage. The Peter Didham-trained daughter of U S Navy Flag was a last-start winner over 1200m on the course and will progress in distance when she tackles the Gee & Hickton Funeral Directors’ Premier (1400m). The filly was to have stepped out in black type company last weekend, but a minor issue prevented her running in the Listed O’Leary’s Fillies’ Stakes (1340m). “I’ve been really happy with her work after she missed Wanganui with a tooth problem, but she’s good to go again,” Didham said. “It’s all worked out fine and we’ve got Michael McNab on her, she’s got a good draw and the track should suit so she ticks all the boxes.” Fashion Icon has yet to race beyond 1200m and her performance on Saturday will dictate her future path. “She’s a nice type of U S Navy Flag and we’re just going to see how she does at 1400m and where we go from there,” Didham said. “Some of the U S Navy Flag’s have got up to a mile so we’ll just see how our girl does. “Last time out she beat the older horses, which is really hard to do, and she wasn’t stopping at the end so don’t I think it will be a problem.” Fashion Icon didn’t have the best of runs when she was a debut fifth on the all-weather track at Awapuni before posting consecutive wins at Woodville and at Trentham last month. Didham will have two other strong chances on Saturday with Manifique in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers’ Championship Qualifier (2200m) and Havarti in the TAB Super Saturday Bonus Back Premier (1000m). By Savabeel out of the multiple Group One winner Shez Sinsational, Manifique was an easy last-start winner at New Plymouth and will also be partnered by McNab. “She’s flying and that win was outstanding, she got checked and held up and still burst away,” Didham said. “We’re just trying to get into some of the cup races on the minimum, so she needs to get a few more points on Saturday. “If she went really well, and we think she will, we’ll probably look at the Manawatu Cup (Gr.3, 2300m).” Swiss Ace’s son Havarti, who will be ridden by Johnathan Parkes, was a winner at Woodville two runs back before he finished a last-start third at Wanganui. “If he had run straight he would have won, he doesn’t usually bore in but he took a trail and then came off the rail and ducked in a couple of times and that cost him the race,” Didham said. “Sinbin looks maybe a shade above them, but my bloke tries hard and he’s drawn well. There looks to be a lot of speed in the race, so he’ll get every opportunity.” View the full article

Prise De Fer was rewarded for his consistency when recording his first elite-level victory in the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham last year, and trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are hoping for a repeat dose in this year’s edition, when run as the TAB Classic on Saturday. The Savabeel gelding was five-times Group One placed before his breakthrough victory at elite-level, and followed that up with another placing in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2050m) on Boxing Day last year. His trainers have elected to take a similar path this year, with the eight-year-old gelding taking a last start runner-up result in the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) into Saturday. “I thought his run on Saturday was really good. It was good to see him back in form and hitting the line like he did,” Sam Bergerson said. “We can’t fault him here at home. He has come through the run really well and he is bouncing around the stable and looks as good as he ever has.” Te Akau Racing will also line-up Group One performer Brando in the Trentham feature, and Bergerson said he is another horse deserving of an elite-level victory. “I thought his run last time (for third in the Gr.2 Tauranga Takes, 1600m) was okay. The rain came at Tauranga and the ground got really shifty. He can obviously handle a rain-affected track but I am not sure he loved that type of heavy,” he said. “He is another that seems in good form and it would be good to see him win a Group One because he is such a stable favourite for everyone at home. He is a real character. “He was probably a bit stiff not to win the Levin Classic (Gr.1, 1600m) as a three-year-old down there, so hopefully he can pick this one up. “He had a fantastic season last season. We think he is going the right way but he is going to need a little bit of luck and to improve a bit to beat a couple of these. “Opie (Bosson, jockey) rode him on Tuesday on the course proper at Matamata and was really happy with him.” The stable has a third bullet in the chamber for the race in Fashion Shoot, who has won two of her three starts this preparation, including the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton last month. “Her last start win was fantastic. It was a very patient ride and she is going to need something like that to win,” Bergerson said. “It is a step up to a Group One but one I think she is deserving of, she has been a really good consistent mare for us who is in really good form. “Opie onboard is a massive plus and we will look to ride her similar to last start – go back and have one last run at them. “It seems a very even field on paper. We have three nice chances and hopefully they can all have nice runs in transit. Hopefully, with a bit of luck, they can be there or thereabouts.” View the full article

Town Cryer upset the applecart when downing multiple Group One winner Prowess in the Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera in October and trainer Roydon Bergerson is hoping she can cause another upset this weekend. The six-year-old mare will tackle the Gr.1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday where she is rated an $11 winning chance with TAB bookmakers, with the Andrew Forsman-trained Aegon at the top of the market at $4.50. Town Cryer was a last start runner-up over a mile at Trentham and Bergerson is hoping she can continue that form when she steps up to elite company. “Her work indicates that she has trained on really well,” Bergerson told TAB NZ. “We thought we would have a throw at the stumps. She likes Wellington and loves the mile. We will throw her in the deep-end and hope she comes up swimming.” Town Cryer has drawn well in two and is set to take on a front-running role this weekend. “I can’t wait for Saturday, I am just hoping nothing takes her on and she can bowl on up front and Parkesy (Johnathan Parkes, jockey) will dictate and sneak away on them,” he said. “She likes to free-wheel and get out and roll along.” While confident in her ability, Bergerson said Town Cryer needs to bring the right attitude to Trentham as well. “It’s just what mood she turns up in,” he said. “We thought she would win her first start and she ran 10 lengths last. She just gets in the mood and she is hard to beat. View the full article

Andrea Atzeni will ride live chances in both the Hong Kong Cup and Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin’s HKIR meeting. Andrea Atzeni has hit the ground running in Hong Kong and will bid to underline his potential as one of the brightest talents in the weighing room with two rides at the Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) at Sha Tin on Sunday. The jockey won the Group 1 Prix Morny aboard Vandeek in August but made the decision to depart Great Britain for Hong Kong shortly afterwards and he has already made an immediate impact with the locals in the first few months of his initial stint. Atzeni has been able to draw on his experience from when he was licenced in Hong Kong during the 2014/15 season and on the weekend he will bid to win a Group 1 in an eighth different racing jurisdiction. “It’s going pretty good,” he said after riding trackwork. “I’ve been here for just over three months. It took a bit of time to settle in with the time difference and getting to know the track and the trainers. I’ve had three doubles since I’ve been here and ridden 13 winners. “I’ve adapted to the racing style a lot quicker than I thought. It’s completely different from the European style of racing, it’s much sharper. The average races are from 1000m to 1600m, with only a few over 1800m or 2000m and that’s as far as you go. Everything happens a lot quicker here and Happy Valley is very sharp. “You’ve got to be mentally quite strong. It’s a very tight system, there are only so many horses, trainers and jockeys. It’s tough anywhere in the world but I can’t complain.” The focus on tempo and positioning is not the only thing Atzeni has had to get used to, as Hong Kong’s jockeys are responsible for sourcing their own rides. However, he has quickly discovered he has an edge over some of his weighing room colleagues. “I had a guy called Roy that the Club provided to help me find rides in the first three months,” he said. “Now I’m starting to do it on my own – it’s different because I’ve always had an agent. You have to keep an eye on entries. “One of the good things is I can do pretty much any weight so if I get an offer for a good ride I can just take it without having to worry about that, because a lot of trainers can book you two or three weeks in advance for a horse. “The Group races here are handicaps so a horse can carry 8st 3lb, which I can do, whereas other jockeys have to wait until they can commit, so that works to my advantage sometimes.” The Italian-born jockey is hoping his promising start in Hong Kong extends to Sunday’s headline meeting, when he will partner six horses including Nimble Nimbus in the HK$36 million Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and Lucky With You in the HK$26 million Hong Kong Sprint (1200m). “Nimble Nimbus ran very well the last day,” he said of the Ricky Yiu-trained five-time winner. “It’s a big step up in grade and he’s got to improve on the ratings quite a bit but he’s a consistent horse, I just hope he runs well.” Atzeni has ridden Lucky With You on both his starts since joining Frankie Lor’s stable and believes his attitude can stand him in good stead against the likes of Lucky Sweynesse, Highfield Princess and Mad Cool. “Lucky With You is the same,” he said. “He’s a very straightforward horse. I won a Class 2 on him and he ran okay last time. They’re two outside chances, it would be nice to pick up some pieces.” More horse racing news View the full article

Fashion Icon will contest the Gee & Hickton Funeral Directors’ Premier (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Fashion Icon has made a stylish start to her career and she looks to have another gilt-edged opportunity on Saturday to again star on the Trentham stage. The Peter Didham-trained daughter of U S Navy Flag was a last-start winner over 1200m on the course and will progress in distance when she tackles the Gee & Hickton Funeral Directors’ Premier (1400m). The filly was to have stepped out in black type company last weekend, but a minor issue prevented her running in the Listed Fillies’ Stakes (1340m). “I’ve been really happy with her work after she missed Wanganui with a tooth problem, but she’s good to go again,” Didham said. “It’s all worked out fine and we’ve got Michael McNab on her, she’s got a good draw and the track should suit so she ticks all the boxes.” Fashion Icon has yet to race beyond 1200m and her performance on Saturday will dictate her future path. “She’s a nice type of U S Navy Flag and we’re just going to see how she does at 1400m and where we go from there,” Didham said. “Some of the U S Navy Flag’s have got up to a mile so we’ll just see how our girl does. “Last time out she beat the older horses, which is really hard to do, and she wasn’t stopping at the end so don’t I think it will be a problem.” Fashion Icon didn’t have the best of runs when she was a debut fifth on the all-weather track at Awapuni before posting consecutive wins at Woodville and at Trentham last month. Didham will have two other strong chances on Saturday with Manifique in the Stayers’ Championship Qualifier (2200m) and Havarti in the Premier (1000m). By Savabeel out of the multiple Group 1 winner Shez Sinsational, Manifique was an easy last-start winner at New Plymouth and will also be partnered by McNab. “She’s flying and that win was outstanding, she got checked and held up and still burst away,” Didham said. “We’re just trying to get into some of the cup races on the minimum, so she needs to get a few more points on Saturday. “If she went really well, and we think she will, we’ll probably look at the Manawatu Cup (Gr.3, 2300m).” Swiss Ace’s son Havarti, who will be ridden by Johnathan Parkes, was a winner at Woodville two runs back before he finished a last-start third at Wanganui. “If he had run straight he would have won, he doesn’t usually bore in but he took a trail and then came off the rail and ducked in a couple of times and that cost him the race,” Didham said. “Sinbin looks maybe a shade above them, but my bloke tries hard and he’s drawn well. There looks to be a lot of speed in the race, so he’ll get every opportunity.” More horse racing news View the full article

Prise De Fer following his win in the Group 1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham last year. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Prise De Fer was rewarded for his consistency when recording his first elite-level victory in the Group 1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham last year, and trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are hoping for a repeat dose in this year’s edition, when run as the TAB Classic on Saturday. The Savabeel gelding was five-times Group 1 placed before his breakthrough victory at elite-level, and followed that up with another placing in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2050m) on Boxing Day last year. His trainers have elected to take a similar path this year, with the eight-year-old gelding taking a last start runner-up result in the Group 3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) into Saturday. “I thought his run on Saturday was really good. It was good to see him back in form and hitting the line like he did,” Sam Bergerson said. “We can’t fault him here at home. He has come through the run really well and he is bouncing around the stable and looks as good as he ever has.” Te Akau Racing will also line-up Group 1 performer Brando in the Trentham feature, and Bergerson said he is another horse deserving of an elite-level victory. “I thought his run last time (for third in the Group 2 Tauranga Stakes, 1600m) was okay. The rain came at Tauranga and the ground got really shifty. He can obviously handle a rain-affected track but I am not sure he loved that type of heavy,” he said. “He is another that seems in good form and it would be good to see him win a Group 1 because he is such a stable favourite for everyone at home. He is a real character. “He was probably a bit stiff not to win the Levin Classic (Group 1, 1600m) as a three-year-old down there, so hopefully he can pick this one up. “He had a fantastic season last season. We think he is going the right way but he is going to need a little bit of luck and to improve a bit to beat a couple of these. “Opie (Bosson, jockey) rode him on Tuesday on the course proper at Matamata and was really happy with him.” The stable has a third bullet in the chamber for the race in Fashion Shoot, who has won two of her three starts this preparation, including the Group 3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton last month. “Her last start win was fantastic. It was a very patient ride and she is going to need something like that to win,” Bergerson said. “It is a step up to a Group One but one I think she is deserving of, she has been a really good consistent mare for us who is in really good form. “Opie onboard is a massive plus and we will look to ride her similar to last start – go back and have one last run at them. “It seems a very even field on paper. We have three nice chances and hopefully they can all have nice runs in transit. Hopefully, with a bit of luck, they can be there or thereabouts.” More horse racing news View the full article

Cannon Hill will contest the Group 3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Cannon Hill’s performance in Saturday’s age group feature at Pukekohe will determine the summer path for the colt. The son of Ardrossan has earned his first crack at black-type in the Group 3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m), which will give trainer Tony Pike a clearer guide on where the three-year-old is best placed for the rest of the campaign. “He’s still a bit immature, but he’s heading the right way and it’s a small but quality line-up. It will be interesting to see how he fits in,” he said. “Obviously, there are some very nice races coming up in the next couple of months, one is at Group 1 level (Levin Classic, 1600m) and one’s worth a lot of money ($1.5 million Karaka Million, 1600m). “It would be nice to think he would be heading that way, if not then there’s plenty of other options around through the summer and autumn.” To be ridden by Masa Hashizume, Cannon Hill won his first two starts this preparation before he finished third last time out over this course and distance. “He travelled up like the winner in that race and it was still a good, solid run for a horse still learning his trade,” Pike said. “We’ve changed the blinkers to visor blinkers this weekend, which will hopefully help him and he’s really well.” Pike will also be represented by Slipper Island and Tellall in the Championship Qualifier (1400m). Ryan Elliot will partner the former while apprentice Tristan Moodley has been booked for Tellall. “Slipper Island has drawn to get a lovely trip behind the speed. It’s a good quality Rating 75 and he should be hitting his peak after his fresh-up run,” Pike said. “Tellall has come back from injury and his run at Tauranga on a wet track, which he hates, was reasonable but he is a very hard horse to place at the moment. “He’s struggling in open handicap grade, so we’ve dropped him back with a claim and he’s going to need a lot of luck from that barrier (14).” Pike will also have leading chances at Trentham with Poetic Champion in the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) and Promised Land in the Blue Star Premier (1600m). Poetic Champion romped home in his Hawera debut before he finished third in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m). “On face value he was probably a touch disappointing, but they did go quite quickly and put the pressure on early in the home straight,” Pike said. “We think a lot of him and his work was sensational on Tuesday morning. We’ll take the blinkers off and hopefully he can get back to winning ways.” Vinnie Colgan will ride the Super Seth gelding while Michael McNab will again team up with Echoes Of Heaven four-year-old Promised Land after their last-start Te Aroha success. “He is a nice, progressive staying horse who is still learning and blinkers will help him on Saturday,” Pike said. “The long-term target is for him to get back to Trentham for the Innovation race ($350,000 Remutaka Classic) over 2100m.” More horse racing news View the full article

Adam I Am will contest the Championship Qualifier (1200m) at Pukekohe on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Adam I Am made quite the impression with his two eye-catching wins over spring and trainer Glenn Old said he has returned a more furnished animal ahead of summer racing. The four-year-old gelding broke through for his maiden win in emphatic style at Matamata in May when winning by five-lengths, and doubled his win tally a month later at Hastings. He has since had a freshen-up and Old is looking forward to tackling the big prizemoney on offer this summer with the son of Almanzor. “He had a bit of a break after Hastings and he has matured up yet again, he looks great,” Old said. “He is going to be a really big horse. He is bordering 16.3 (hands) now and has put on 20kg since Hastings.” Old, who purchased Adam I Am as a yearling at Karaka for $100,000, has taken a patient approach with the gelding, and he is hoping to reap those rewards in the coming months. “We are going a bit like the old ways, letting him mature up before we put the pressure on,” he said. Adam I Am will have his first summer outing in the Championship Qualifier (1200m) at Pukekohe on Saturday, with his summer programme hinging on the result. “He is in good order. He is a naturally fit horse and doesn’t take a lot. We will just take it one race at a time and analyse each race,” Old said. “The only concern (about the Championship Final) would be the back-up of 16 days, but he needs to do things really well on Saturday to do that. “There is a lot of money around this summer. There are a couple of those $350,000 races deep in the summer we can look at.” The $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie January 27 is another big carrot Old is contemplating, but he said he may bypass the rich feature In favour of some softer targets a month later. “I have kept an open mind about that (Aotearoa Classic). If Legarto and Prowess go there, I think I will avoid them. There is no rush at this stage,” he said. Old could also be chasing a berth in the $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m) with last start victor Choose ‘Em Big. “Choose ‘Em Big looks quite promising. He is a big horse as well,” Old said. “He is going to Te Rapa on December 23. If he won that he will qualify for that MAAT mile in February worth $350,000.” More horse racing news View the full article

What Northerly Stakes Day Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, December 9, 2023 First Race 12:05pm AWST Visit Dabble The Group 1 Northerly Stakes will headline a nine-race card at Ascot Racecourse this weekend on the fourth day of The Pinnacles. With warm and dry conditions forecast on Friday and Saturday, the track is expected to stay at the current Good 4 rating for the whole raceday. The rail will be moved from +8m to the +2m position for the entire circuit, and the first race will jump at 12:05pm AWST. Check out our Northerly Stakes preview and $100 betting strategy here G.A. Towton Cup Tip: Queen Alina Queen Alina will be seeking her first win in just under a year when she steps out in the Listed G.A. Towton Cup fourth-up over 2200m. The Daniel & Ben Pearce-trained galloper has run on well from the back of the field in all three of her starts this time in, finishing fourth and third in her last two. The daughter of Mahuta has drawn well to settle off the rail, just worse than midfield in a small field, meaning she shouldn’t be too far off the leaders when turning into the home straight. If Chris Parnham can navigate a clear run from the turn, Queen Alina will be running home strong. G.A. Towton Cup Race 4 – #8 Queen Alina (5) 5yo Mare | T: Daniel & Ben Pearce | J: Chris Parnham (54kg) +300 with Picklebet Best Bet at Ascot: Starry Heights William Pike gave Starry Heights a peach of a ride to overcome trouble and sprint away with an arrogant victory first-up. Grant & Alana Williams chose to kick off the preparation over 1400m, and after such an impressive display, the son of Star Turn has won five straight and appears to be in for another big campaign. With Pike sticking as Starry Heights steps up to a more suitable 1600m second-up, this guy will be very hard to beat again. Best Bet Race 9 – #6 Starry Heights (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Grant & Alana Williams | J: William Pike (58kg) +100 with Neds Next Best at Ascot: Hanchi Hanchi has been running in the top three-year-old races in his first two starts back, running second behind Oscar’s Fortune in the Placid Ark Prelude and fifth behind Ripcord in the Listed Placid Ark Stakes. The Sean & Jake Casey-trained galloper will drop back in grade and take on the older horses in a Benchmark 72+ third-up and is drawn to do no work from barrier one. The son of Squamosa should be able to settle behind the leaders in the box seat, and if he gets clear air in the home straight, Hanchi will play a prominent role in the finish. Next Best Race 7 – #10 Hanchi (1) 3yo Gelding | T: Sean & Jake Casey | J: Chris Parnham (55kg) +240 with Boombet Best Value at Ascot: Celebrity Prince Celebrity Prince will be hoping to snap a six-start losing streak that includes three runner-up finishes. This son of Xtravagant has lost by a combined 0.8 lengths over his last two starts, but with more speed expected in this race, Brayden Gaerth should be able to cross and settle midfield from barrier 13. Gaerth will need to make his move before the 400m mark, and if he is within four lengths of the leaders with 300m to go, Celebrity Prince will go very close. Best Value Race 6 – #3 Celebrity Prince (13) 4yo Gelding | T: Takahide Ikenushi | J: Brayden Gaerth (a3) (58.5kg) +700 with Dabble Saturday quaddie tips for Northerly Stakes Day Ascot quadrella selections Saturday, December 9, 2023 1-3-5-13 3-10-12 1-5-11-15-16 5-6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Navigating international form can be a minefield for punters, but the Post is here to help you back a winner at Sunday’s Hong Kong International RacesView the full article

Navigating international form can be a minefield for punters, but the Post is here to help you back a winner at Sunday’s Hong Kong International RacesView the full article

Navigating international form can be a minefield for punters, but the Post is here to help you back a winner at Sunday’s Hong Kong International RacesView the full article

Navigating international form can be a minefield for punters, but the Post is here to help you back a winner at Sunday’s Hong Kong International RacesView the full article

Latest withdrawal from the first of Sunday’s Hong Kong International Races feature events reduces the HK$24 million stamina test’s field to nineView the full article

Australian racing ion Gai Waterhouse has torn the bombshell Rosehill Gardens plot to pieces. View the full article

What Eagle Farm Races Where Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, December 9, 2023 First Race 12:03pm AEST Visit Dabble Racing will return to Eagle Farm this Saturday afternoon, with the $300,000 Gateway set to headline a massive 10-race card. There is no rain on the forecast, so the track is expected to stay in the Good 4 range for the whole day. The rail will be in the true position, with the opening race set to jump at 12:03pm AEST. The Gateway Tip: Freedom Rally Freedom Rally kicked off this preparation with a runner-up finish at the Sunshine Coast on November 18, where he ran home nicely from the back of the field. The Tony Gollan-trained galloper will return to Eagle Farm second-up as he seeks to keep his unbeaten record at his home track intact (3:3-0-0). This son of Rubick would have taken a lot of benefit out of his fresh start and should be able to settle closer to the speed, as most of the speed influences are drawn outside of him. James Orman has retained the ride, and with even luck in the straight, Freedom Rally should return to winning ways. The Gateway Race 8 – #5 Freedom Rally (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Tony Gollan | J: James Orman (57kg) +240 with Dabble Just Now Tip: Better Get Set Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted-trained Better Get Set ran into a good one first-up in the Listed Eureka Stud Classic, finishing second behind a fit and firing Comrade Rosa. This daughter of Better Than Ready settled behind the speed and was slightly inconvenienced in the straight before moving outside to run home strong. With her closest rival in betting expected to be the sole leader, Ben Thompson should settle in the one-one position to make sure he is within range on the home turn. With a similar finishing burst to last start, Better Get Set can record another win. Just Now Race 7 – #3 Better Get Set (6) 6yo Mare | T: Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted | J: Ben Thompson (54.5kg) +240 with Picklebet Bribie Handicap Tip: Ef Troop Ef Troop will take on several rivals that he faced first-up in the Swiss Ace Plate over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast, where the Tony Gollan-trained gelding was ridden along from the 600m mark but still managed to run third. After jumping slowly, Damien Thornton was forced to push along the son of Spirit Of Boom to keep up with the rest of the field before making a wide run on the turn to challenge late. Thorton has retained the ride, and with a lot of speed expected in this race, Ef Troop should be able to settle off the rail just worse than midfield and let down with a strong finish to stake his claim. Bribie Handicap Race 6 – #7 Ef Troop (8) 8yo Gelding | T: Tony Gollan | J: Damien Thornton (53.5kg) +800 with Neds Best Bet at Eagle Farm: Kureder James Orman and Chris Waller will combine with Kureder in the opening race, with the four-year-old gelding staying in the same grade that he won in last start. This son of Ocean Park will step up to 2400m for the second time this preparation as he seeks a hat-trick of wins. Orman gave this up-and-coming stayer a great ride in his most recent win, settling close to the speed and keeping him out of trouble. If he can replicate that effort, Kureder should complete the treble without much worry. Best Bet Race 1 – #4 Kureder (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: James Orman (56.5kg) +100 with Betfair Next Best at Eagle Farm: Go Wandji Go Wandji returned from a 63-week spell at this track and trip on November 4, finishing second behind Nashira after running up the inside rail in the home straight. The Tom Dougall-trained sprinter is yet to miss the placings from 13 career starts, while his record at the track and trip (4:2-1-1) is far superior to any of his rivals in this. With Jake Molloy’s 3kg claim, this gelding will have to carry 60.5kg, so as an 87-rated runner in a Benchmark 80, he gets in very well at the weights. If Go Wandji gets a similar ride to last start and gets clear air in the home straight, he should go very close. Next Best Race 9 – #1 Go Wandji (8) 6yo Gelding | T: Tom Dougall | J: Jake Molloy (a3) (63.5kg) +550 with Boombet Saturday quaddie tips for Eagle Farm races Eagle Farm quadrella selections Saturday, December 9, 2023 1-2-3 1-3-5-15 1-16-17 5-14-21-23 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

What Darwin Races Where Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 When Friday, December 8, 2023 First Race 2:24pm ACST Visit Dabble We return to Fannie Bay this Friday after an entertaining meeting at the Darwin track last week. Here’s hoping for another good day of racing, with 42 runners accepting for the six-part meeting. In the main race, over 1100m at 0-70 level, the Darwin Turf Club will honour the late Victorian jockey Nathan Stanley, who rode the Dick Leech-trained Club Liquid to a victory in the 2008 Darwin Cup by 13 lengths. Also scheduled is the third heat of the Lightning Wet Season Series, to be run over 1000m at 0-58 level. Since last Friday, upwards of 18mm of rain had fallen in the Top End up until Wednesday, with further rain predicted for the rest of the week. The forecast for Friday shows partly cloudy conditions with showers and a thunderstorm, along with a top temperature of 34C. The rail will be in the true position and Fannie Bay will once again be a good dirt surface. BEST BET: NO RAIN NO FLOWERS This five-year-old mare has yet to win a race after 20 starts. The daughter of Shalaa made her Top End debut in late October when third in a 1300m maiden, before finishing third in a 1200m maiden on Melbourne Cup Day. No Rain No Flowers ran second last start as a $1.75 favourite over 1100m against maiden performers and three-year-olds at Class 2 level on November 18, suggesting she isn’t all that far away. Compared to her rivals, she clearly has the form on the board. Best Bet Race 5 – #5 No Rain No Flowers (2) 5yo Mare | T: Chris Pollard | J: Adam Nicholls (57kg) Bet with Bet365 NEXT BEST: BEL’S BANNER This daughter of Starspangledbanner was making good ground last start over 1100m on Melbourne Cup Day before suffering interference in the 10-horse field at the 500m. The eight-year-old mare recovered and rallied in the home straight before finishing 2.4 lengths behind Mighty Murt in fifth place. Bel’s Banner is a big chance in this five-horse field if she can replicate her effort from a month ago, but Rising Sphere, El Magnificence and Great Diviner are decent opposition. In 15 Darwin starts since debuting in October 2021, the former Victorian galloper boasts five wins. Next Best Race 3 – #4 Bel’s Banner (2) 8yo Mare | T: Gary Clarke | J: Aaron Sweeney (58.5kg) Bet with Unibet BEST VALUE: ZOURISKY Zourisky didn’t set the world on fire when running seventh last start over 1600m on Melbourne Cup Day. That followed a fourth over 1300m on October 21. Prior to that, the five-year-old mare recorded back-to-back wins over 1300m. The daughter of Zoustar — an early $10 quote with racing bookmakers — is back after a let-up, with Gary Clarke’s top rider, Jarrod Todd, electing to ride the horse ahead of stablemates Wilsons Prom and Patria. Best Value Race 1 – #6 Zourisky (4) 5yo Mare | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (60kg) Bet with PlayUp Darwin Friday quaddie tips – 8/12/2023 Darwin quadrella selections Friday, December 8, 2023 2-3-4 1-2-4 1-5-7 1-2-3-7 More horse racing tips View the full article

It is believed the ATC approached the government about selling Rosehill in an unsolicited offer after initially exploring the possibility of re-zoning a parcel of the precinct where the local bowling club and circus site is situated. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Champion filly Millwood Nike is out of Sunday’s Tennant Engineering New Zealand Pacing Oaks with her immediate future in doubt. One of the biggest drawcards on the massive Grand Prix day at Addington, the hot favourite was scratched on Thursday morning after she was found to have a swollen tendon, with co-trainer Mark Purdon hoping it is from a paddock knock. “We will know more after we get it scanned,” says Purdon. The setback means not only will Millwood Nike miss her shot at the Oaks and ending her season unbeaten at 18 from 18 but puts in doubt her early campaign in 2024 and her steps up to mares’ racing. The scratching saw Mantra Blue move from $6 second favourite to $1.85 with the TAB for the Oaks. View the full article

Vincent Ho collected 20 points to take home the IJC title. Vincent Ho claimed a hugely popular first victory in the International Jockeys’ Championship thanks to a beautifully judged front-running success on Tomodachi Kokoroe in the fourth and final leg at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Rachel King, Ryan Moore and Zac Purton had each claimed a maximum 12 points with wins in the opening three races of the challenge, though it was the ultra-consistent Lyle Hewitson who led going into the decider thanks to two seconds and a third. Ho had earlier kept himself in the hunt for the HK$600,000 first prize when finishing third in each of the first two legs, though the reality that he had become Hong Kong’s first home-grown jockey to win the IJC had yet to dawn after he dictated matters from the front on the David Hayes-trained Tomodachi Kokoroe, saving enough to repel the late charge of Purton on Kaholo Angel. Ho claimed the title with 20 points – 12 for a win, six for second and four for third – from Purton (18) and King (16). A four-time winner of the Tony Cruz Award as the leading homegrown jockey in Hong Kong, Ho missed the start of the season when suffering back and rib injuries after a fall in Japan at the end of July. But he has made up for lost time, quickly rising to fifth in the table, and has a huge Hong Kong International Races on Sunday ahead, with Hong Kong Mile hat-trick seeker Golden Sixty, as well as Senor Toba in the Vase and Straight Arron in the Cup. “I was not aware (I had won) and I didn’t even know about the points, I just kept riding every race to have a winning chance,” said Ho. “I felt the track today favoured the front-runners a little bit so that definitely helped and of course Mr Hayes’ team did a great job and helped me win this.” Ho is now firmly established among the world’s elite. But, when reminded of his time serving as an attendant to the riders on IJC night when still an apprentice, the 33-year-old revealed the humble side to his nature that has endeared him to racing fans just as much as his excellence in the saddle. Ho said: “Christophe (Soumillon), Frankie (Dettori) and Ryan (Moore) were always my idols, right up until today, and I keep learning from those good jockeys, those good horsemen. There’s still plenty to improve to (get to) their levels.” Reflecting on his historic achievement, Ho said: “Especially after a tough injury, coming back to win this, I’m really grateful for. Hopefully this will inspire more generations to come and the Hong Kong people especially. “As the first homegrown of course I received plenty of support here and hopefully it will inspire more kids.” Ho can now look forward to getting back aboard his “best friend” in Golden Sixty, while King will return to Australia well satisfied with her IJC debut. She threw down the first marker of the evening, steering the David Hall-trained Oversubscribed to success on her very first ride in Hong Kong. “He was probably the perfect start to riding here at Happy Valley,” said King, whose third-place effort in the fourth leg secured the runner-up spot in the IJC. “He’s looked after me and did everything for me.” Speaking after her third placing was confirmed, King added: “I think it was a good first effort. The atmosphere at Happy Valley is unbelievable and I really enjoyed it.” Twice a winner of the IJC, Moore added to his tremendous record at the Valley when showing no ill-effects from his own recent spill to drive home M Unicorn for Caspar Fownes in leg two. And the plot thickened once more when Purton scored aboard Silver Sonic for Francis Lui in leg three. But it is Vincent Ho who heads into the biggest meeting of the year with the first significant prize of the week in safe-keeping for the next 12 months. Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday with the HK$118 million Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) with the running of the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m), Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m). View the full article

Online bookmakers have released their racing promotions for Thursday, December 7, including several great bonus back offers. The top Australian racing promotions for December 7, 2023, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions 10% Boosted Winnings All Races at Geelong & Albany Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH up to $100 (including SRM). First Bet Only. T&Cs apply Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo Neds Toolbox Check your Neds Toolbox daily to use Bet Boosts, Bet Backs and much more. Neds T&C’s apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting has reviewed the top horse racing bookmakers in Australia and has unveiled exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions and specials for Thursday, December 7, 2023. These horse racing promotions persist almost daily, showcasing the commitment of Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers. If one bookmaker lacks a promotion, rest assured that another is presenting enticing promotional offers in the realm of gallops. HorseBetting.com.au is your go-to source for the most lucrative horse racing bookmaker bonuses every day. Gain the most value out of your punting endeavours with bookie bonuses with the most competitive horse racing odds available for each race. It’s imperative to note that these thoroughbred racing promotion offers cater exclusively to existing customers. Accessing these special promotions and claiming the bookmaker’s offers requires logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For those seeking races and horses to leverage their horse betting bookmaker bonus bets, HorseBetting offers a valuable resource with its daily free racing tips. Stay informed, stay strategic, and make the most of your horse racing experience with these exclusive promotions. More horse racing promotions View the full article

Horse Racing on Thursday, December 7 will feature four meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meetings at Geelong and Gosford. Thursday Racing Tips – December 7, 2023 Geelong Racing Tips Gosford Farm Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For December 7, 2023 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $32.25 odds return: Thursday, December 7, 2023 Geelong – Race 3 #2 Corrupted Geelong – Race 8 #5 Mahrez Gosford – Race 1 #5 Dunaloce (P) Gosford – Race 3 # 1 Cheval Savant | Copy this bet straight to your betslip As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on December 7, 2023 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

The late Nathan Stanley returns to scale after landing a winner at Darwin’s Fannie Bay Racecourse. Former Darwin Cup-winning jockey Nathan Stanley will be honoured at Fannie Bay on Friday. The 47-year-old, who passed away last week, won the Northern Territory’s biggest race in 2008 when he guided the Dick Leech-trained Club Liquid to victory by 13 lengths in a then-record time of 2:01.22 for the 2000m. The Remembering Nathan ‘Bantam’ Stanley 0-70 Handicap (1100m) is the feature on the Darwin Turf Club’s six-race program on Friday. During a 23-year career in the saddle from 1992–2015, Stanley rode winners in every state and territory. He also enjoyed success overseas with 17 wins in Korea and had a short stint in Malaysia. Stanley, who had 432 wins from 5294 career starts, first arrived in the NT in 2006 when he accepted an invitation from good friend Shane Green, the Alice Springs Turf Club’s racecaller at the time, to ride in the Red Centre. Besides the Darwin Cup, Stanley’s other major wins in the NT came aboard Not Abandoned in the 2006 Buntine Handicap (1900m) and Sunshine Resource in the 2008 ROANT Gold Cup (1300m) in Darwin. During the 2008 Alice Springs Cup Carnival, Stanley partnered the mighty NT galloper Periduki to victory at weight-for-age level over 1100m at Pioneer Park. He had 23 wins in the Top End at Darwin, Adelaide River and Pine Creek, as well as 16 wins in Alice Springs, racking up 409 rides in the NT at various intervals from 2006–2011. Born in Queanbeyan in NSW, Stanley had his first ride at Gundagai in November 1992 before booting home his first winner eight days later at Queanbeyan. His last winner was at Derby in WA in June 2015 before having his last ride at Broome in August 2015. “The passing of Nathan Stanley is yet another terrible loss for the Australian racing fraternity,” Thoroughbred Racing Northern Territory chief executive Andrew O’Toole said. “He leaves a wonderful legacy in the Territory as no one will ever forget his Darwin Cup win on Club Liquid. “His passing has been met with great sadness here in the NT, and anyone and everyone connected with racing certainly extends their condolences to Nathan’s family and friends. “It’s only fitting the Darwin Turf Club pays tribute to Nathan on Friday.” More horse racing news View the full article

Two horses outrun on the Breeders' Cup Future Stars Friday program—Repole Stable's Noted and Three Diamonds Farm's Buttercream Babe—return to action Dec. 9 at Gulfstream Park in the Pulpit Stakes and Wait a While Stakes, respectively.View the full article