Wandering Eyes

The Castlebridge Consignment's Primo Bacio (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) (lot 1771) became the first seven-figure lot of the Tattersalls December Mare Sale on Tuesday, when bringing 1.1 million gns in foal to Frankel (GB). Hillwood Bloodstock's Charlie Vigors signed the ticket for the listed-winning mare, who was third in the G2 Duke Of Cambridge S. This is the family of multiple group winner Bocca Baciata (Ire) (Big Bad Bob {Ire}), who was second in the G1 Pretty Polly S. Bred by Kildaragh Stud, she was picked up for just 100,000gns by SackvilleDonald as a Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling. lot 1771 is the first to seven figures at the #TattsDecember Sceptre Session PRIMO BACIO, a L. winner from the family of Bocca Baciata, sells for 1.1million gns. She is in-foal to Frankel and was consigned by The Castlebridge Consignment. Hillwood Stud have bought her. pic.twitter.com/1ZeoMf0UrR — TDN (@theTDN) December 5, 2023 The post Hillwood Bloodstock Snaps Up Listed Winner Prima Bacio For 1.1m Gns At Tattersalls appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Jockeys' Guild and its Board of Directors released a statement Tuesday underscoring that the organization has taken the position that the United States should remain under the Category 2 approach for adjudicating potential interference during Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. The press release was issued in advance of a panel discussion at Tuesday's Global Symposium on Racing hosted by the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program (RTIP) in Tucson titled “Embracing Change: Are We Ready to Adopt Category 1 Rules In the US?” The Guild also noted that it plans to “voice opposition” to proposed modifications to that standard that will be up for discussion during the Association of Racing Commissioners International Model Rules Committee meeting Dec. 7. “While considering this decision, the Guild considered the safety of both the human and equine athletes, as well as fairness for all parties involved,” the release stated. “The Category 2 method provides Stewards with the authority to disqualify a horse if, in their opinion, it interfered with other horses, regardless of whether the interference was accidental, willful, or the result of careless riding. “Based on experience, the Guild believes that Category 2 provides for some additional safety protections for the riders,” the release continued. “By giving the Stewards the ability to disqualify the horse which has caused the interference, regardless of where the horse finished, it will serve as a deterrent to unsafe riding. “We, as an industry, have a responsibility to assure safety for both the horses and the jockeys. It is unreasonable to create a racing environment that is potentially going to lead to more hazardous riding styles,” the release stated. “Additionally, with regards to the fairness of such rules, while Category 1 often protects 'the best horse,' Category 2 rules enable strong advocacy on behalf of all horses and jockeys who suffered interference,” the release stated. “This is achieved by ensuring that the interferer is placed behind all of the horses who suffered the interference, both directly and indirectly. Using this method provides a safeguard against horses having their finishing position compromised as a result of the interference, and in turn, provides a fairer playing field to all participants, as opposed to just the 'best horse'… “It should be noted, with the exception of Oklahoma, no other racing jurisdiction in the United States has adopted Category 1 method,” the Guild's release stated. A pre-symposium summary of the RTIP panel discussion stated that “The conflict of equity and fairness versus heightened consistency in decisions is the heart of the conundrum that surrounds the disqualification policies between Categories 1 and 2. “While most international racing jurisdictions have shifted away from Category 2, which requires the demotion of a horse for consequential interference if the sufferer of the interference loses a placing, North America remains reluctant to embrace this global approach which only demotes horses when the sufferer would have beaten the interferer. “In the age of the growing global wagering market, it is imperative for our racing companies to revisit this issue as our domestic bettors have already embraced such practices at events like Ascot, and our new international customers are already accepting of Category 1 disqualification policies,” the RTIP summarized prior to its panel discussion. The post Jockeys’ Guild Underscores Support for Keeping Category 2 Interference Standards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Longines International Jockeys' Championship (IJC) is the premier event of its kind in the world, and with good reason, as it brings together 12 of the most-accomplished riders from all corners of the globe vying for the winner's share of the HK$800,000 (£81,120/$102,320) prizemoney on offer. The IJC, the true start of Longines Hong Kong International Races festivities, takes place annually at iconic Happy Valley Racecourse on Hong Kong Island, its tight turns and unique configuration offering up additional challenges, especially for jockeys based outside of Hong Kong. Britain's Tom Marquand is one of four previous IJC winners in the mix Wednesday evening, joining Ryan Moore, Zac Purton and Karis Teetan, and looks to record his second victory in the event. The 25-year-old reinsman, whose wife Hollie Doyle finished on the IJC podium in 2020 (third) and again in 2021 (second) and also takes her chances this time around, is looking forward to perhaps winning the title outright, after sharing the spoils with Silvestre de Sousa 12 months ago. “Last year was a bit turbulent but it's fantastic to be back,” said Marquand, who just last month won his first Breeders' Cup race in his first ride aboard Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) in the Grade I Juvenile Turf Sprint. “It was great to win with Silvestre. You'd always rather win it on your own, but it's better to take it home with someone else than not at all. “It looks like I've got a good enough book of rides that if things fall right it could all happen again, but it's a tough evening of racing and it's highly competitive.” Marquand has two of his rides in the four-race competition for trainer Caspar Fownes, who has posted more wins at Happy Valley than any other trainer, and one each for Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro)'s conditioner Francis Lui and Ricky Yiu. The latter sends out top-weighted and 79-rated Splendid Living (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in the third leg–carded as race seven–a Class 3 (80-60) over the 1650 metres. The 6-year-old gelding has a record of 4-3-1 from 10 runs over course and distance, but will need his best with the big weight and a tricky draw in 10. Doyle is one of two females in the field and is joined British transplant and now Australian-based Rachel King. The 33-year-old showed that she could mix it with foreign riders in Japan's World All-Stars Jockeys, going down by a point to Mirai Iwata. “Last time I was here I went and watched some races at Happy Valley, I'd just ridden in an amateur ladies' flat race in Macau,” King said.” So, it's been a bit of a journey to where I am now. “I'm really looking forward to it, hopefully I'll have a few decent rides in there as well. Zac (Purton) was giving me a few little pointers, there are plenty of good people to learn from. I'll just try to get as much information as I can.” Kazakhstan-born Bauyrzhan Murzabayev also makes his first IJC appearance off a strong season in France, during which he rode 60 winners–including 12 in black-type competition–for the legendary Andre Fabre. Like Marquand and Doyle, the four-time German and three-time Czech champion, jets in from Japan, where he is riding on a short-term contract for the second straight season. “I am very lucky to have spent a year riding for Andre Fabre, who for me is a great trainer,” says Murzabayev. “I learned a lot from him and it was a good experience. “I think I learn new tracks and places pretty quickly. But if somebody had told me 10 years ago 'you will be riding in all these top races,' I'm not sure I would have believed them.” Also participating are Moore, James McDonald, Mickael Barzalona and Yuga Kawada from overseas, while Lyle Hewitson and Vincent Ho join Purton and Teetan in representing Hong Kong. The IJC begins with the evening's fourth race at Happy Valley at 8.10pm local time (12.10pm GMT, 7.10am US Eastern Time). Click here for the race card. Ready to rock for 2023! @zpurton Ryan Moore @TomMarquand @HollieDoyle1 @mcacajamez @Vincenthocy @KarisTeetan @LyleHewitson Yuga Kawada @RachelK11 @mickaelbarzalon @BauyrzhanBauy1 Happy Valley, 6 Dec | @LONGINES | #IJC pic.twitter.com/3rJWX7ibtp — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 5, 2023 The post ‘It Could All Happen Again’: Marquand A Live Chance In IJC Title Defence appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Jockeys' Guild and its board of directors have taken the position that the United States should remain under Category 2 approach to adjudicating potential interference during Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. View the full article

The third year of the 10-race Bahrain Turf Series begins at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club on Friday. In November, Sir Alex Ferguson scored a memorable win with Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the $1-million G2 Bahrain International Trophy. A pair of owners who also have backgrounds in football, Michael Owen and Harry Redknapp, have runners in one of the first races of the Bahrain Turf Series, the Al Muharraq Cup By Texel Air over 2000 metres on the grass. Trainer Phil McEntee sends out the gelding Moktasaab (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) for Redknapp, while Hugo Palmer will saddle Box To Box (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in the same race on Owen's behalf. Running from December to February, the series provides opportunities for internationally trained runners (rated 85-100) to compete against local Bahrain based horses across 10 races. Each race is worth $80,000 with bonus prizes for the horses accumulating most points in the two divisions, sprint and middle distance. For more information on the series, please visit the Bahrain Turf Club website. The post Third Edition Of The Bahrain Turf Series Begins On Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wednesday's top tips from the SCMP analystsView the full article

In this monthly BH interview, Karen M. Johnson profiles young racing personalities.View the full article

With two mounts for ‘King of the Valley’ Caspar Fownes, the British rider is hopeful he can again deliver on Happy Valley’s big nightView the full article

Hong Kong’s six-time champion rider backs the ‘Kazakh king’ to plunder the loot at Happy Valley on Wednesday nightView the full article

The spring carnival’s most prolific Group One winner Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) returns to work this week, but it will be a few days later before the mare’s potentially mouth-watering 2024 plans will be revealed. Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis said on Tuesday that discussions will take place this weekend in New Zealand as to which of the countless local and international options make most appeal for the mare, who threatens to become Australasia’s premier sprinter next year after an unbeaten run over the spring in Melbourne. “We’ll be deciding by early next week what we will do with her,” Ellis said. “There are plenty of options and we’ll be having a chat over the weekend and making an announcement early next week.” Ellis said that foremost in the decision-making process will be the mare’s welfare and the interests of racing. “To do what’s best for Imperatriz and for the racing industry in general and that’s what we are thinking of,” he said. Imperatriz clearly won all her four spring races, starting off with a spectacular victory over Giga Kick in the G2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at The Valley before G1 wins in the Moir Stakes (1000m), Manikato Stakes (1200m) and Champions Sprint (1200m) to complete her faultless campaign. That trio of G1s took her 2023 tally to six as she won two G1 sprints in New Zealand earlier in the year before taking the William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley in March. Royal Ascot scout Nick Smith has already confirmed that Imperatriz is “at the top of the list” to be invited to race over the Royal Ascot carnival in June. The Group One A$1 million Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 17 is likely to prove crucial to any potential international as only one (Merchant Navy in 2018) of the eight G1 sprint winners to have won at Royal Ascot, did not win the Lightning . Ellis said Imperatriz has done well during her short break. “She had a two-week spell and then had a week in the water-walker and she’ll be back in the stable in the next few days,” he said. View the full article

Swords Drawn (Camelot) is expected to be Mike Moroney’s runner in the Ballarat Cup as the trainer chases back-to-back wins in the Listed race. Moroney won last year’s rain-sodden Ballarat Cup with Bankers Choice (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) and will rely on another veteran in this year’s A$500,000 race over 2000m. Swords Drawn, who was a Listed winner when racing out of Moroney’s Matamata arm of his operation, will be backing up from finishing fourth in the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield last Saturday. It was not the route Moroney was expecting to be taking with Swords Drawn, but it was a suitable back-up option after missing a start the week prior. Swords Drawn had been engaged to contest the Listed Kilmore Cup (1600m) on November 26, but the meeting was abandoned after three races over concerns with the track. “We were going to go to the Kilmore Cup and then into the Ballarat Cup, so that threw us off a little, so we had to go to Caulfield,” Moroney said. Moroney saw enough in Swords Drawn’s performance last Saturday to run the gelding again on Saturday, proving he gets through the remainder of the week unscathed. It was Swords Drawn’s second run back from a spell after the gelding finished tenth in the Group 2 Damien Oliver (1400m) at Flemington on November 4. “He made good ground again late, which was a bit surprising because I thought he still had some freshness in his legs, but he obviously didn’t,” Moroney said. “He was pretty unlucky over 1400 metres at Flemington which surprised us up on top of the ground, but he was under pressure a long way-out on Saturday, but he picked up and ran on again. “He seems to just take that one run and then becomes pretty dour. “The 2000 metres will suit him third-up and there is some rain forecast, and he does handle that.” Last year’s Ballarat Cup meeting was lashed with rain and the forecast is varying for Saturday. The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a day of 17 degrees with between 1-20mm of rain. When nominations closed on Monday, 27 horses had been nominated including former Victoria Derby winner Warning (Declaration of War), Derby placegetter Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock) and South Australian Derby winner Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel). Moroney reported Bankers Choice was likely to be spelled after finishing second in the Gr.2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield last Saturday. View the full article

Faced with the honour of training potentially Singapore’s last champion and international runner, Dan Meagher isn’t under-estimating the challenge for Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec) in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. With racing to officially end on the island after 180 years with the running of the 100th edition of the Singapore Cup in October 2024, Meagher is keen to add another accolade to the six-year-old gelding’s glittering career, which includes wins from 1200m to 2000m and seven Group One victories. Lim’s Kosciuszko – who was bred by Trelawney Stud and is Singapore’s reigning champion horse of the year – is back at Sha Tin after a modest effort in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at last December’s Hong Kong International Races. But this time around Meagher believes the gelding will be better suited to the 1600m trip where he will face-off against the likes of local heroes Golden Sixty and California Spangle; Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Cairo, France’s Tribalist and five Japanese raiders. It will be tough, but the expatriate Australian is looking forward to the challenge of racing against an array of top milers. “He has travelled really well and he should because it’s his second time and had a trial in Singapore before we left,” Meagher said. “He won’t be going on the grass. I am just going to stick to what I would do with him back in Singapore and he always trials the week before. “In his career he has never galloped in the week of his race. He will go a bit quicker some days but mainly I’ll just keep him happy and content.” The 40-year-old Meagher is unperturbed by people who question Lim’s Kosciuszko’s Singapore form, but he doesn’t care and points to his winning record from sprints to 2000m. “He has won 17 races,” he said. “He is no duffer and we are up against the best, so of course we might be exposed a little bit, obviously but you expect that. “But I had a horse before him called Lim’s Lightning (also a Group 1 winner), and I have only been training for seven years, so I have had two champion Singapore horses and I’m really lucky. “But what this horse has done, not many have done it in Singapore.” While Meagher concedes the legendary sprinter Rocket Man was Singapore’s best galloper, he was restricted to 1200m races but says Lim’s Kosciuszko has shown his versatility by going from 1200m to 1600m and then back to 1200m and then to 2000m. He is also a 1600m course record holder at Kranji. Meagher, the son of Australian Hall Of Famer trainer John Meagher, is likely to join his brother Chris’ Queensland training operations when racing stops in Singapore. “It’s really sad to be honest that the history has gone,” he said. “It was a great hub for horses and for the many people who have gone through it. “I am just doing the best I can and you never know what opportunities might come along in the next six months. “And I probably wouldn’t be there now if I didn’t have this horse.” The only setback to Lim’s Kosciuszko’s Hong Kong campaign is the current suspension to Jimmy Wong who has ridden the gelding to five Group One victories but he has travelled to Sha Tin to ride him in track work. He has been replaced by Australian Damian Lane who has ridden a Group One winner for Chris Meagher. “We are up here having a bit of fun and doing our best,” Meagher said. “It’s a lot more relaxed this time around. “Last time I didn’t prepare him as I should have and over-thought it.” Before tackling last year’s 1200m Hong Kong Sprint, Lim’s Kosciuszko won three consecutive races, including two G1 victories which were the first of his career. His form since returning from last year’s Sha Tin Sprint has been impeccable with his seven runs netting five wins at the highest level, a G3 win over 1200m in his comeback run, with his only blemish a narrow and unlucky second in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) in October. He notched up a victory at his most recent run in the G1 Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) on 11 November. View the full article

Oisin Murphy, who was three times been crowned champion jockey on the Flat in Britain, will make his debut over hurdles at Wincanton on Thursday. The 28-year-old, who is also a keen showjumper, has partnered six Group 1 winners in 2023, led by the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas winner Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) for Godolphin. His first public spin over jumps comes in the National Hunt Novices' Handicap Hurdle aboard Lets Do This (Ire) for Irish trainer Cian Collins but Murphy has plenty of experience working with jumpers through his uncle Jim Culloty, who rode the treble Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate (Fr) and also trained the Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere (Ire). He said, “I worked with [Jim] in my teens, so jump racing has always been part of my life and it has always been a burning ambition of mine to ride in a jumps race. “I took out a jumps licence earlier in the year, as at one stage it looked like I might get a ride in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. “The programme of Flat racing means it is unlikely that I will be able to ride over hurdles often, but this opportunity arose as I know the trainer and owner of Lets Do This well. It is only a fairly low-grade handicap hurdle on Thursday, so it seemed like a good place to start. “I have been schooling horses to prepare, though have not yet ridden Lets Do This.” Murphy added, “It would be an amazing feeling to get a winner over jumps and I'm not looking beyond Thursday at the moment – I just hope I don't embarrass myself.” The post Multiple Flat Champion Oisin Murphy To Make His Jumping Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Will there be two successful Aussie raids at Addington in less than a month? Swayzee set the tone with his powerhouse NZ Cup win on November 14, when he became just the second Aussie-trained pacer since My Lightning Blue in 1987 to win the iconic race. Now top young trotter Not As Promised gets his turn. His Queensland-based trainer Graham Dwyer already feels like a winner. Dwyer has been in New Zealand since last Thursday with Not As Promised, who is one of the favourites for Sunday’s $110,000 Group 1 NZ Trotting Derby. Not As Promised, already a winner of the Victoria Trotters’ Derby and Breeders Crown final at Group 1 level, has drawn wide on the front row (gate eight). “All the thanks go to Tony Veivers, who owns the horse,” Dwyer said. “He’s bringing our dreams to life. “Tony’s got some well-documented health battles. He was given six months to live about two or three years ago, so he just said ‘go for it’ when we first talked about this trip. Most owners would be reluctant for you to travel two hours, let alone come here. “It’s massive being over here, just incredible. “The people we’ve met. I spent time with Tony Herlihy the other day and he’s always been an idol of mine. “There’s so many others as well. Everyone has been so helpful, from ‘Bunty’ Hughes and others up in Auckland to Brent White, who we’re staying with down here in Christchurch. “Ever since I first thought about bringing the horse across, everyone I’ve spoken to in NZ has done everything they can to help us.” Not As Promised spent three days at Hughes’ stables before heading to Christchurch last Sunday. “He’s handled it all well,” Dwyer said. “I thought he’d gone to a new level before the Breeders Crown (last start) and he’s at least at that level now. I’m really looking forward to the race.” Dwyer isn’t fazed by a wide draw. “I don’t stress about stuff like that. He’s out of trouble and he’s got the speed to work his way forward if that’s what Nathan (Dawson, driver) wants to do,” he said. “I don’t really know the opposition that well, but you know NZ always has good young trotters. “To be fair, I respect them all. We’re away, it’ll be a different pattern of racing and we may not have earned the respect here we did back home.” Dwyer said the most exciting part of Not As Promised is that he remains untapped. “Yes, we don’t know how good he actually is yet. He’s still raw and learning. “Take the Breeders Crown win. He’d never run a 27sec quarter before that, but did it and handled it well. “He also slackened-off at the top of the straight in the Crown when he had the horse outside him beaten and he hasn’t done that before. He got going again, but he switched on and off. “I’m sure he’ll be competitive on Sunday, but we don’t have to win for the trip to be a success. Just competing over here and being part of it all is amazing.” It’s a big call from Dawson, who is edging close to 400 wins for the season, to sacrifice driving at Saturday night’s third night of the Inter Dominion heats to partner Not As Promised at Addington. “I was never going to miss it. I’ve never been to NZ, let alone driving there,” he said. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Oscar Bonavena may have been handed a shot at a most unlikely Trotter of the Year title at Addington on Sunday. There wouldn’t have been a day in 2023 that Muscle Mountain hasn’t been considered our best trotter and he still is but he will now miss Sunday’s $110,000 Livamol NZ Trotting Free-For-All after a slight setback and won’t race again this year. He goes to the paddock the winner of eight of 12 starts including two Group 1s in 2023, which encapsulates the harness racing season as it now runs for the calendar year. But being the best and winning Horse of the Year doesn’t always go hoof in hoof as when the voters get their papers early next year Muscle Mountain’s CV will be missing the two biggest trotting races that matter: the Rowe Cup and the Dominion. Not much fault of his own there, he galloped but staged a huge recovery for fourth in the Rowe Cup while he suffered atrial fibrillation in the Dominion last start and was pulled up. But voting forms don’t note circumstances or merit, just finishing positions and while this spring has been a costly rollercoaster for Muscle Mountain, it has seen the renaissance of Oscar Bonavena. He was the budding champion four years ago but has been fighting his frailities for many of the seasons since until he came back this campaign looking happier and sounder. Oscar not only beat Muscle Mountain fair and square in the Canterbury Park Trotting Cup but bolted away with the Dominion and, maybe crucially, was second to upset winner Love N The Port in the Rowe Cup in May. With Muscle Mountain to miss Sunday’s Free-For-All, Oscar Bonavena will start around a $1.20 favourite and if he wins he and Muscle Mountain’s records will look surprisingly similar. They will both have won two Group 1s during the season being voted on, won similar Group 2, 3 or lesser feature races and have a head-to-head record of 3-3. If he wins on Sunday, Oscar Bonavena has that second placing in the Rowe Cup as his little bonus credit and while name recognition and simple stunning brillance will take Muscle Mountain a long way toward the title, Oscar Bonavena’s case may be impossible to deny. The little horse winning Trotter of the Year would be one of the great redemption stories of all time after he won one minor race in 13 starts last year for a mere $45,252 in stakes. He won’t be the only star trying to potentially seal a Horse of the Year category at Sunday’s Grand Prix meeting as there could also be a title on the line in the $250,000 Garrards Pacing Derby in which Merlin (barrier 4) has the draw advantage over arch rival Don’t Stop Dreaming (6). Again, it is a case of Don’t Stop Dreaming having felt the better horse for the second half of their three-year-old season but if (there is that word again), Merlin can win the NZ Derby on Sunday and add it to the Northern Derby he won in March and the Harness Million. That would means his major race body of work could trump Don’t Stop Dreaming although in the latter’s favour will be a 3-1 head to head advantage but that gap could close on Sunday and the early tactical battle in the Derby could be the highlight of the day. Millwood Nike gets another dreadful draw at barrier 9 as she tries to remain unbeaten in 18 starts in the NZ Pacing Oaks while the NZ Trotting Derby sees a rare Australian age group trotting raider in Not As Promised, who should start favourite. The day also contains four Group 1 juvenile races, two of each gait, Addington saving the $110,000 Betavet Ace Of Spaces for the male pacers by keeping nominations open, two late entries bringing the field to seven starters. To see Sunday’s Grand Prix fields click here View the full article

Last Saturday, we saw the final meeting of the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival at Caulfield Racecourse, while the Perth and Queensland summer carnivals continued to heat up at Ascot and Doomben. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have picked out three runners that impressed on the weekend and appear to have big summer campaigns ahead of them. Caulfield Track rating: Soft 5 (Soft 6 after R3, Soft 7 after R7) Rail position: +5m entire circuit Race 1: Listed Merson Cooper Stakes (1000m) | Time: 0:58.59 Horse to follow: Eneeza (1st) After finishing second in the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes on debut, the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained Eneeza took out the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes in fine style second-up. Although the daughter of Exceed And Excel was made to travel four wide for the entire 1000m trip, when Damian Lane pushed the button, she sprinted straight past her rivals and careered away to record a 2.25-length victory. The two-year-old filly ran the fastest last 600m sectional (34.31s) and the third-fastest last 400m sectional (22.67s) for the meeting. When to bet: As a Magic Millions purchase, this filly is peaking at the perfect time to have a crack at the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in early January on the Gold Coast. Katherine Coleman said the stable would see how she pulls up before deciding, but if connections do choose to send her north, Eneeza will be a massive chance. Race 10: Listed Doveton Stakes (1200m) | Time: 1:10.69 Horse to follow: Showmanship (4th) Showmanship returned from a 15-month layoff at Caulfield in the Doveton Stakes, and he produced one of the better swooping runs from the back of the field that we witnessed all day. Before that, the son of Showcasing was last seen running 13th of 14 in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes in September 2022. The eight-year-old gelding settled last before turning in as the widest runner on the home turn to let down with a strong finish. Although he peaked on his run at the 100m mark, it was a very encouraging performance after such a long spell. When to bet: Showmanship appears to be back at his best, and after a good fresh run over 1200m, the step up to 1400m should be the next step for him. The Listed Chester Manifold Stakes over 1400m at Flemington on January 1 looks like the ideal race for the John Leek Jnr-trained galloper. Rosehill Track rating: Soft 6 Rail position: True entire circuit Race 10: Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m) | Time: 1:04.11 Horse to follow: Legio Ten (1st) Legio Ten from the Godolphin stable returned from a four-month spell at Rosehill on Saturday and was a heavily backed favourite in the last race. The four-year-old gelding settled at the rear of the field over 1100m, which is normally a horrible place to be for any runner; however, the son of Exosphere worked his way to the outside at the 400m mark, and when Nash Rawiller asked for the ultimate effort, he flew past his rivals to claim a narrow victory. When to bet: With Legio Ten taking a lot of benefit from his first-up run, expect James Cummings and his team to find a 1200m race at a similar level for this talented sprinter. On Saturday, December 16, there is a Benchmark 78 Handicap over six furlongs at Randwick, and that looks like a nice race to target second-up. Latest horse racing tips View the full article

What Geelong Races Where Geelong Racecourse – 99 Breakwater Rd, Breakwater VIC 3219 When Thursday, December 7, 2023 First Race 1:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Geelong Racing Club will host a very competitive eight-race card on Thursday afternoon. The track is currently rated a Good 4, and with no rain forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, expect the surface to stay at that rating for the whole program. The rail will be in the true position for the entire circuit, with the opening race scheduled to jump at 1:30pm AEDT. Best Bet at Geelong – Mahrez Mahrez was a dominant winner at this track over 1755m last time out, when he led from start to finish to record a 1.8-length victory over Red Columbine on November 30. The Lindsey Smith-trained galloper jumped well from his barrier and was allowed to cross the field and lead at his own speed before upping the tempo at the 600m mark. With the rest of his rivals off the bit and struggling to pick him up, this son of Iffraaj was eased down in the final 50m to win arrogantly. Fred Kersley will retain the ride, and if he can find the front on Mahrez, he will prove hard to beat again. Best Bet Race 8 – #5 Mahrez (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Lindsey Smith | J: Fred Kersley (60kg) Bet with Dabble Next Best at Geelong – Lauding Ciaron Maher & David Eustace will send Lauding to Geelong for his Australian debut. The four-year-old gelding has only missed the placings once from his four starts, and he finished fourth in the Group 3 Manawatu Classic in his most recent start. The son of Proisir has been given three jumpouts at Cranbourne to get ready for this first-up run, with his last piece of work over 1200m being the best of them. Dylan McMonagle will take the ride, and if he can settle midfield off the rail before getting into clear running on the home turn, Lauding will be doing his best work late. Next Best Race 7 – #2 Lauding (12) 4yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace| J: Dylan McMonagle (61kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Geelong – Corrupted The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Corrupted was very good when running on from the back of the field to finish third, beaten half a length by Pisanello over 1103m at Kyneton on November 20. This three-year-old filly settled midfield and made her run out wide on the home turn before letting down with a strong finishing burst. After running out of ground to pick up the leaders, the daughter of Hellbent should enjoy the rise in distance to 1200m second-up. Ben Allen should be able to find a nice spot midfield off the rail and allow Corrupted to go through her gears. Best Value Race 3 – #2 Corrupted (9) 3yo Filly | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: Ben Allen (57kg) Bet with Neds Thursday quaddie tips for Geelong races Geelong quadrella selections Thursday, December 7, 2023 2-4-5-8 3-4-7 2-5-6-11 5-6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

The father-son training partnership target their first Hong Kong International Races win with West Wind Blows on SundayView the full article

Trainer of Singapore star Lim’s Kosciuszko says his legendary father’s dementia means he is unaware of the imminent end to racing in the Lion CityView the full article

High-priced Karaka purchase Mad Max (NZ) (Savabeel) is set to make his much-anticipated debut this week, but where is yet to be decided. Trainer Andrew Forsman, in partnership with bloodstock agent Andrew Williams, went to $575,000 to secure the Savabeel gelding out of Ohukia Lodge’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale draft last year, and he is excited about his future. The Waikato Stud-bred three-year-old has won all three of his trials to date, his last being over 900m at Taupo last month. He has been nominated for both New Plymouth on Thursday and Rotorua on Sunday, and will likely head to the earlier assignment after drawing barrier three in the Central Electircal & Smith & Sons Maiden (1200m). “The track should come back to being pretty well perfect and it does look like the right race to get him going in,” Forsman said. “His trial the other day was very encouraging and from a good draw hopefully we can achieve that (win) on Thursday.” Forsman has been impressed by what Mad Max has shown to date, but said he is still learning his craft. “He is only lightly tried. He has got a lot of ability, he has just been prone at times to do things a little bit upside down, he just wanted to get on with it a bit early,” he said. “He has got good, natural, early speed and we are just trying to harness that and get him to button off and do things right, get amongst horses and learn a bit. “He may be a horse that takes a run or two to get his head around things to the point where we have him tractable and racing well.” Forsman will also head to New Plymouth with a couple of other debutants. Rebecchi (Trapeze Artist) is set to have his first raceday outing in the Nulook Aluminum Maiden (1400m), where he has drawn barrier two, while fellow debutant Lady Pappygate (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) has drawn barrier 10 in the Return To Earth Maiden (1400m). “Rebecchi has been a little bit disappointing at the trials to date, but he might be one of those horses that switches on come raceday,” Forsman said. “It is always hard to get a line on certain horses at the trials and I think with him up to 1400m from a good draw he will get his chance. “Lady Pappygate is another one that hasn’t shown up a lot at the trials. We have been trying to race her for the last two or three weeks and she keeps drawing poorly. She drew wide at Te Rapa the other day and we almost started her and now she has drawn an awkward barrier again. “At this stage, we are getting to the point where we just need to take her to the races and see how she gets on.” Meanwhile, Forsman was pleased with the trials of stakes winners Wessex (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) and Ethereal Star (Snitzel) at Te Awamutu on Tuesday. Ethereal Star took out her 850m heat, while Wessex was runner-up behind Timing (NZ) (Darci Brahma) in her 1150m heat. “Ethereal Star is coming back off a disappointing spring campaign in Australia, but I haven’t been able to fault her since she has been back, and it is nice to see her do that today,” Forsman said. “We just wanted to see her attack the line like she did and she will improve a heap off that, both fitness-wise and confidence-wise. “I think we will keep her closer to home for now and try and get her confidence back. “We may consider giving her one more trial if there is something suitable around. She is a probably a good two or three weeks away from being ready to race. “I am really happy with how Wessex is coming up. That was her second trial, so she was asked to do a little more today than she was at Taupo last time around. “We would like to consider running her in the Group sprint (Gr.3 J Swap Sprint, 1400m) race next Saturday at Te Rapa, which might be a nice option for her to kick-off in.” View the full article

It’s been more than a year since New Zealand punters have seen Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls) step out on raceday in his homeland, but they will get their fix of the gelding when he lines-up in the Gr.1 TAB Classic (1600m) on Saturday. The son of Sacred Falls was runner-up behind Prise De Fer (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Trentham feature last year, when run as the Captain Cook Stakes, and trainer and part-owner Andrew Forsman is hoping he can go one better this year. “I think it is going to be a big enough field from looking at the nominations. The key with him is that we are desperately hoping he draws a decent barrier,” Forsman said. Since his last New Zealand outing, Aegon has campaigned in Australia and Hong Kong, with his best result coming in the Gr.2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in August when third behind fellow Kiwi-bred Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars). He subsequently returned to New Zealand for a freshen-up and has pleased Forsman with his progress ahead of Saturday’s return, winning his 1200m trial at Taupo last month. “I am really happy with him,” he said. “It would have been nice to get two trials into him in a perfect world, or even a lead-up run, but there just wasn’t anything suitable for him. “First-up, off what has been a bit of time between races, over a mile up against horses that are fit will be a bit of a question mark, but we are just hoping his class can overcome that.” Following Saturday, Forsman is itching to get Aegon up over 2000m for just the second time in his career. “We will take it race-by-race with him, but we would like to get him to 2000m at some point,” he said. “Whether that is the Zabeel Classic (Gr.1, 2000m) or we keep him a little bit fresh for the Thorndon (Gr.1, 1600m) and then go to the Herbie Dyke (Gr.1, 2000m), we have just got to work that out and that will be dictated to by how he performs on Saturday.” Forsman will also be vying to gain some black-type with promising juvenile Red Sea (NZ) (Pierata) in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m). The Cambridge Stud-bred and raced colt was runner-up behind subsequent stakes winner Velocious (Written Tycoon) when on debut at Te Rapa last month, which has filled Forsman with confidence ahead of his second-up assignment. “The form (out of his debut race) has been great,” Forsman said. “We were disappointed that he didn’t win on debut, but he was beaten by a pretty handy filly. She is probably the best two-year-old to step out so far, so there is no disgrace in being beaten by her. “He has taken good improvement. We gave him one more trial just to make a point of having him settle off the speed a little bit, knowing that going to Trentham we don’t want to have to lead them up again. That will be the plan heading into Saturday.” View the full article

Steven Cole is hoping to kill two birds with one stone when he heads to Trentham on Saturday with Hard Attack (NZ) (All Too Hard). The two-year-old daughter of All Too Hard will be attempting to gain some valuable black-type in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m), with the $175,000 purse almost assuring her a place in next month’s TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie if successful. A $100,000 purchase by Cole out of Westbury Stud’s New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft earlier this year, Hard Attack was runner-up by a nose on debut at Wanganui in September and readied for Saturday’s assignment with a 900m trial at Taupo last month. “She was quite a strong filly (as a yearling) and she looked quite precocious. My wife picked her out originally and then we had a second look at her and really took to her,” Cole said. “It was a nice run first time to the races in September and she then had a nice spell and has come back well and had a quiet trial at Taupo the other week and came through it really well. “It would be great to get some black-type on Saturday, which would pretty much assure a spot in the Karaka Million, which is also a big goal.” Cole is eyeing another black-type target prior to the Karaka Million, with Hard Attack potentially set to head to Pukekohe on New Year’s Day to target the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m). “If she went well enough, we will either go to Boxing Day or New Year’s Day and she would have the one run into Ellerslie,” he said. Cole is excited about a return to racing at Ellerslie and will get his first taste of the new surface next week. “I have a couple going there to the trials on Monday, so that is quite exciting. I think everyone is looking forward to it being back up and running from all the reports everyone is getting.” Cole will also make the trek to Trentham with Mega Mogul (Written Tycoon), who will contest the Stella Artois 1500m Championship Qualifying Race (1600m). “Hopefully if he can go a nice race down there he can qualify for the Stella Artois. He has come through his first run well and the step up to a mile will really suit him,” he said. On Thursday, Cole will have a two-pronged attack at New Plymouth, with Let It Begin (NZ) (Telperion) lining up in the Taranaki Associated Cleaners 3YO (1100m), while Matetsi (NZ) (Proisir) will tackle the Return To Earth Maiden (1400m) fresh-up. “Let It Begin went a nice race at Ruakaka behind Glamour Tycoon, who won a stakes race on the weekend, so the form looks really good there,” he said. “Matetsi trialled up quite well, so I would expect a nice run fresh-up from him.” Cole will round out the week at Rotorua on Sunday where he will be represented by There Goes My Hero (No Nay Never) in the Rating 65 1230m event. “There Goes My Hero ran fresh-up at Pukekohe the other day, so I would expect sharp improvement from him,” Cole said. View the full article

Well-performed stayer Uareastar (NZ) (Jakkalberry) is back in work with Marton trainer Fraser Auret to build toward another extreme distance target. The Jakkalberry mare didn’t get the rub of the green at Riccarton last month, but has taken no harm from the southern venture with the focus now on next month’s Gr.3 NZ Campus For Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m). “She got trapped on the inside in the New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) where the track was a bit worn,” Auret said. “She couldn’t get out when she needed to, obviously it was a long way to go for a run like that, but she has come through it in good spirits. “She had 10 days in the paddock and she’s back now and looking really good, so the Wellington Cup is the next target.” Auret is unsure whether Uareastar will have another outing before the Trentham feature. “We will just see because she is such a clean-winded horse that you can suit yourself really. We’ll just play that one by ear,” he said. The winner of six races, Uareastar highlighted her depths of stamina last year when she triumphed in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m). Auret is blessed with an abundance of younger talent in his stable with Swiss Ace filly Race Ace (NZ) a strong finishing second at Wanganui where she stepped up in grade in the Listed O’Leary Fillies’ Stakes (1340m). “She was fantastic and she hadn’t had a lot of luck in her couple of maiden starts, hence we thought a bit of her to have a go in the first place,” he said. “It was wonderful to get a bit of black type early in her career and she’ll soldier on to the Eulogy Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m) on Saturday week.” Another potential stakes contender is Star Witness’ son Buenos Dias, who took the eye in his last-start maiden victory. “He’s heading to Trentham on Saturday for the three-year-old set weights and penalties over 1400m, so we’ll get a nice line on him there,” Auret said. “The form out of his win at Tauherenikau has been quite strong and I thought he was quite impressive, his last 100m in particular. “He’s entered for the Levin Classic (Gr.1, 1600m), but obviously he would need to show on Saturday that he is going the right way.” Stablemate Iva Mission also broke his maiden the same day at Tauherenikau where The Mission gelding stepped up to 2050m in his second career outing. “He is another nice three-year-old and I thought that was a great effort as he only got out the last 350m and let down beautifully,” Auret said. “He is scheduled to go to Trentham on Saturday week for a Rating 65 stayers’ events and he looks like a really progressive type. “We’ve got some really nice young ones, but it’s still really hard to hang on to some of them because the demand in Australia is so high.” Another one Auret hasn’t managed to retain is Unusual Legacy (NZ) (Unusual Suspect), who will cross the Tasman in a deal brokered by Cambridge bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo. He was a debut winner earlier this month for Auret’s parents Nigel and Adaire, who stand the four-year-old’s sire Unusual Suspect at their Letham Stud. “He has been sold to Chris Waller, that’s why he didn’t start at Wanganui the other day,” he said. “The Unusual Suspects have done a wonderful job in Australia. “Unusual Culture that we placed with in the Wellington Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m) and Eulogy Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m), ran second in a Group Three race (Heffernan Stakes, 1400m) at Caulfield last Saturday. “They have really gone over there and stepped up to the plate, which is fantastic.” View the full article

What Gosford Races Where The Entertainment Grounds – 4 Racecourse Rd, West Gosford NSW 2250 When Thursday, December 7, 2023 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble NSW horse racing heads to Gosford on Thursday afternoon for a competitive seven-race program starting at 1:15pm local time. Hot summer conditions are forecast across the region in the lead-up, with sunny skies promising to leave the surface at a Good 4 rating. With the rail set in the true position, every runner should get their chance. Best Bet: Cheval Savant Cheval Savant was thrown in the deep end last preparation when contesting the Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m) on April 1. While he ran 14th in that race, the campaign did highlight his staying potential. Two solid performances this prep should have the four-year-old gelding fit and firing for this 2100m contest, and with an economical run ensured from gate three, watch for Cheval Savant to surge over the top. Best Bet Race 3 – #1 Cheval Savant (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | J: Tyler Schiller (59kg) Bet with PlayUp Next Best: Dunaloce Nothing went right for Dunaloce in her debut for the Nathan Doyle stable at Newcastle on November 21. Despite being forced to travel three and four deep throughout the 1400m journey, she showed plenty of tenacity to cling on for third place. The daughter of Dundeel with take massive improvement from that effort, and with the 1600m holding no concern, Dunaloce can make amends for followers. Next Best Race 1 – #5 Dunaloce (3) 4yo Mare | T: Nathan Doyle | J: Ashley Morgan (57kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best Again: All Too Lucky We were impressed with the barrier trial of All Too Lucky at Kembla Grange on November 27, as the three-year-old filly bolted through the line under minimal riding. It should hold her in good stead for her debut, and with the Joesph Ible team happy to send her to the races on that single jump-out, it gives us great confidence that All Too Lucky is ready to win first-up. Next Best Again Race 4 – #6 All Too Lucky (5) 3yo Filly | T: Joseph Ible | J: Louise Day (55.5kg) Bet with Unibet Gosford Thursday quaddie tips – 7/12/2023 Gosford quadrella selections Thursday, December 7, 2023 1-6-7-8 1-3-4-7 2-4-8 1-2-3-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Hollie Doyle chases second consecutive win aboard trainer’s Spirited Express in feature night’s Class Two, while veteran is eager to see ‘something fresh’ from Tom MarquandView the full article