Wandering Eyes

The $1.25 million Rebel Stakes (G2) Feb. 24 at Oaklawn Park is among the races under consideration for Champagne Stakes (G1) winner Timberlake's 3-year-old debut, trainer Brad Cox said Jan. 31.View the full article

Trainer Michael McCarthy reported all was well with Sweet Azteca the morning after her eye-catching 12-length victory sprinting against allowance foes Friday, Feb. 2 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

One of the best trainers in Hong Kong history, John Size is a three-time winner of the Hong Kong Classic Mile, a 1600-metre event that serves as the first of the three legs of the Classics series restricted to 4-year-olds from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The 12-times champion conditioner, who is approaching 1500 career victories, has two bonafide chances to add a fourth Classic Mile Sunday in the form of Helios Express (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) and Howdeepisyourlove (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}). Helios Express is the lone member of the nine-horse field rated north of 100, and he has earned it with four wins from his six starts dating back to last June, including a powerful 2 3/4-length victory in a Class 2 over Sunday's distance Jan. 7. That effort has stamped him as the $1.40 (2-5) jolly overnight and Hugh Bowman has the call before beginning a suspension. “He made the adaption to 1600 (metres) more or less straight away, he seemed to travel not too bad,” the always matter-of-fact Size said of his latest effort. “He was a little bit strong, I guess, but still managed it in a slow-run race and he sprinted well off a slow speed, that's about all we expected from him. “I don't think he's taken harm from the race. He seems to have coped with that pretty well. His trial was normal and he looks like he's going to run a race again.” One to beat in the Hong Kong Classic Mile!? Helios Express is back in action this Sunday… Sha Tin, 4 Feb | #4YOSeries | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/XigLtF0VWu — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 30, 2024 James McDonald is due to partner with Howdeepisyourlove, but suffered a foot injury before Saturday's G3 Widden S. at Rosehill and will be subject to an exam by the HKJC's chief medical officer upon his arrival. The gelding has four wins to his credit, all over the 1200-metre distance and each at Happy Valley, and he'll need to lift here to make his presence felt. There are 34 stakes races held each season in Hong Kong, and the Classic Mile is the only one to have thus far eluded champion jockey Zac Purton. He takes the reins on Helene Feeling (Ire) (Sioux Nation) for Danny Shum and actually exits a try at group level when he was third as the favourite in the G3 January Cup H. at the city circuit Jan. 10. Winner of four from 10 in Hong Kong, he raced in England as Indian Dream and was a two-time scorer in the lower grades while under the care of Michael Bell. Beauty Crescent (Ire), whose sire Acclamation (GB) was responsible for 2022 Classic Mile and now multiple Group 1 winner Romantic Warrior (Ire), won the Listed Blenheim S. in 2022 while under the care of Ger Lyons, and though he may not quite be up to winning this, can contend for a minor award. He exits a pair of luckless runs in Class 3 over 1400 metres and attacked the line on both occasions. Andrea Atzeni rides for the legendary Tony Cruz. The post Size Holds Strong Hand For Hong Kong Classic Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

4th-Tampa Bay Downs, $32,000, Msw, 2-3, 3yo, 1 1/8mT, 1:48.37, fm, neck. WAITLIST (c, 3, Not This Time–Grandezza, by Scat Daddy) opened his account in highly impressive fashion at first asking going nine furlongs over the Tampa turf course Saturday afternoon. By the sire of recently crowned champion Up to the Mark and sent out by that one's trainer Todd Pletcher, the $240,000 Keeneland September acquisition was void of early speed and settled one from the tail. Asked to improve his position leaving the five-furlong pole by Emisael Jaramillo, the dark bay colt had tacked on to the back of the leading group and raced in about seventh position entering the second turn. Consigned to an overland trip around the bend, Waitlist had no choice but to launch his bid five deep off the final corner. He confronted narrow second favorite and perfect-trip Stop the Press (Uncle Mo)–a $1.5-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling trying the grass after three unplaced efforts on the dirt–nearing the midstretch marker, was overtaken for a stride or two with time ticking away and re-rallied to take it by a neck at a starting price of 44-5, double his morning line of 4-1. Breeder David McCarty paid $210,000 for Grandezza at the 2016 Keeneland November Sale and bought her back on a bid of $340,000 at Keeneland September the following year. A maiden winner of better than $134,000 from ages two to four, Grandezza is also represented by a yearling colt by Yoshida (Jpn) and she is due to Audible this season. Waitlist's second dam Tap Mate (Pleasant Tap) is a full-sister to GSW & GISP Tap Day and to Street Mate (Street Cry {Ire}), whose Grade I-winning daughter and $2-million earner Bell's the One (Majesticperfection) sells as part of the Lothenbach Dispersal Tuesday at Fasig-Tipton. Street Mate is also responsible for GSW King Cause (Creative Cause). Sales history: $240,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $18,560. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Centennial Farms; B-David McCarty (KY); T-Todd A Pletcher. WORTH THE WAIT! Huuuuuge debut win from Waitlist under a tremendous ride by @JaramilloJockey! pic.twitter.com/7QCTtBxmoO — Centennial Farms (@Centennial_Farm) February 3, 2024 The post Not This Time’s Waitlist Proves Toughest On Tampa Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Timberlake (Into Mischief), winner of last fall's GI Champagne S., could potentially launch his sophomore season in the GII Rebel S. at Oaklawn Park Feb. 24. The Siena Farm and WinStar Farm colorbearer was last seen finishing a well-beaten fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Nov. 3. “He's pointing for it,” trainer Brad Cox said. “We've got to see how our works go over the next several weeks, but he's doing well. Hopefully, we can get him there.” Timberlake worked four furlongs in :48.60 (10/92) at Fair Grounds Saturday. “The other race in play for him would probably be the (GII) Gotham at Aqueduct (Mar. 2),” Cox said. “He did win up in New York. He won the Champagne there at Aqueduct, so that could be something that is in play as well. We'll see how he performs over the next few weeks breezing.” The post Timberlake Pointing for Rebel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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The 2024 seven-strong stallion roster at the Irish National Stud will parade daily while the Goffs February Sale is going on, the INS announced on Saturday. Parades, featuring stallions like Group 1 sire Invincible Spirit (Ire), Phoenix Of Spain (Ire) who has his first 3-year-olds this year, and Classic winner Mac Swiney (Ire), will take place at the stud on Feb. 6-8 from 11-3 p.m. each day. Please contact the stud office to arrange your time at +353 045-521251. The post Stallions To Parade At Irish National Stud Next Week appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday's top tips from the Post's racing teamView the full article

Kelly Thomas enjoyed a banner year with Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), who she bred at her Maywood Stud, going unbeaten in a spellbinding two-year-old campaign that featured Group 1 wins in the Prix Morny and Middle Park S. In this week's Q&A, Thomas revealed how some people in the industry have shared with her that she has become an inspiration for smaller breeders. She also lifted the lid on her own hopes and dreams for Vandeek this season and explained her philosophy to breeding. You have had lots to dream about over the past few months. Where is the ceiling with Vandeek? Gosh, who knows? Everybody is excited about what could be. What he has shown so far, if he can carry on the same trajectory for a little bit longer, you don't know where he will end up. In your heart of hearts, could you see him staying a mile or is he pure unbridled speed? I think that, if a race was run to suit, the mile wouldn't bother him. If he is dilly-dallying at the back, he's not going to waste an ounce of energy and, then if it came down to a turn of foot at the end, you could almost see him doing it. He's a tall horse, has a really good stride and he relaxes in his races so I suppose you could say, from that perspective, he might be able to do it. His grandmother won over a mile in France so it's in the pedigree. But, what's he best at? Probably the distance he has been racing at, which is over six furlongs. There's nothing wrong with fast horses. There's not. I like speed horses and that excites us. It seems to be what we have managed to do quite well with over the years so we stick to it. That's not to say we don't look outside the box as well when it comes to stallion choices and to buying mares. But speed is generally the way we tend to go and we try to breed commercially as well. You need to be able to bring something to the sales that will be attractive to buyers; something that is precocious, early and fast. That's the way we have been heading. The big thing I would say about your success story with Vandeek is that it would have given a lot of smaller breeders huge encouragement to keep going despite what was a very difficult year. Absolutely. I've had so many text messages and phone calls from some people that I have never even met before. Some people have told me that I am their inspiration! All I could say, was, 'thank you very much.' It definitely has given a lot of people hope. But it's very difficult. Financially, it's a hard thing to do. We do all of the work ourselves and it's only recently that I have managed to get somebody in to help with the mucking out on the days that I am not here. That will help to take the pressure off my husband a little bit. We've always done it on a bit of a shoe-string. I did my Masters in Equine Science and I tend to draw on that knowledge a lot as well. I think it helps in keeping horses healthy and in their best condition which, in the long run, makes them more efficient. The biggest gamble you are ever going to take in this industry is breeding because you never know what you are going to get. If you are lucky, you get a nice foal but, if you are unlucky, you might get something that won't even make it through the sales ring. My Dad is in a different business to us and often says that this is the only profession where, often the product you produce might not be worth what went into producing it. That can put you in a very difficult position, especially if you have invested heavily. And given the current economic climate, have you made any changes to how you run your operation with regards to reinvesting in the broodmare band or maybe not putting some of your mares in foal? We try to be economical and efficient in everything we do and we've never really spent a lot of money on stud fees. If we have wanted to use some of the more expensive stallions, we have tended to do foal shares. But, with regards to covering and not covering mares, when you only have five mares like we do, you have to keep plugging away. If you don't breed anything you don't have a chance of making any money. You have to keep the wheel turning otherwise you will have nothing to sell. If you were to leave one mare off for a year, you are guaranteed that one of the mares you did choose to breed from won't go in foal, so then there's two mares who aren't producing for you in a year. And Mosa Mine (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), the dam of Vandeek, could be viewed as a triumph for perseverance with regards to giving your stud a major payday given her Starspangledbanner (Aus) colt sold to Coolmore Stud for 450,000gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale last year. The triumph of that is for a little stud like ours to produce a horse that will be trained at Ballydoyle. I think that is amazing. For us to have a horse trained at Ballydoyle and the prospects of Vandeek becoming a stallion in the same year, it's a dream come true really. A result like that is nice because we can invest a bit into facilities and look at buying our next broodmare. I haven't really felt the rain on my back this winter. It does put a spiring in your step, that's for sure. Remind us how Mosa Mine joined your broodmare band? We bred Mosa Mine to begin with. She was a beautiful foal; in fact, we named her Bonny because she was a bonny wee thing. It was back in the days when we had just moved to this property and we had no stables at the time. She was a May baby and we foaled her in the field because the weather was kind. We sold her as a yearling but she probably didn't reach her potential on the track. We loved her and decided that we wanted her back. We thought she wouldn't make much money at the horses-in-training sale, and she didn't [£800], so that was great for us. And what does the future hold for her? She's not in foal at the moment but she is going back to Havana Grey (GB). It's kind of an obvious choice but then again, you think can lightning really strike twice? But it's a proven recipe at the highest level and Havana Grey seems to be progressing all the time so it suits. When you look at the other proven stallions, you could be looking at the likes of No Nay Never, which is at a much higher price and therefore we'd have to consider a foal share. With Havana Grey, we could possibly think of retaining the next filly out of the mare if we wanted to. I know you said that you have a penchant for speed but what sort of stallions are your mares in foal to? We've got a sister to Mosa Mine by Compton Place (GB) and she is in foal to Twilight Son (GB). We've gone for speed there in the thinking that the progeny could end up becoming quite a nice breeze-up prospect as Twilight Son had quite a good time of it at the breeze-ups last year. The family is quick and it might just suit. Then we have a Medicean (GB) mare in foal to Masar (Ire), so that is something a bit different. But then again, Masar showed quite a bit of speed as a two-year-old as well, so that helps. She has already produced a lovely horse by Masar called Move On In (GB), who is trained by Ralph Beckett, and it was off the back of him that we sent the mare back to the stallion. She had an Ardad (GB) in between and he's gone to breeze. We also have a mare in foal to Perfect Power (Ire), so speed again. We have done well with first-season sires in the past. Could you put your philosophy towards breeding into words? Wow. That is a tough one but you have to enjoy it. This doesn't feel like work to me. I might be mucking out all day long but it doesn't really feel like work. It's a lifestyle. You have to take the highs and the lows and you mustn't take the lows personally. If you talk to other breeders, everybody suffers the lows. Not everybody gets to enjoy the highs, but we all suffer the lows. When you get the highs, you have to enjoy them without looking at them like a pleasure plane. You have to do your best by your horses; look after them, keep them healthy and well fed. We've a good team of vets, farriers and local feed merchants and that all helps. Above all else, you need the help and support of your friends and family. When it comes to deciding on your stallions, you have to go with what you like, what you can afford and what you hope will work, and you must make your own decisions. When I first started, there were times when I took advice on stallion choices. If it didn't work out, then that person would get the blame and I don't like that. I'd prefer to live and die by my own decisions and remain positive. I'm an optimist at the end of the day. It's a refreshing story, especially in a year where there was a lot of doom and gloom. And, who knows, maybe you can inspire one more breeder to keep going and maybe they will breed a champion like Vandeek. You never can tell where the next one will come from. You are very lucky when it happens to you but, you must remember, you can breed the best to the best and get the worst. I was talking to John Deere before and he was explaining how, you put a bunch of genes from the stallion and the mare into a bucket and you take a handful of each and, what you're left with, that's what you get. It's true, really, isn't it? In saying that, I have chosen the mares I want to breed from so it's not exactly random but, when you do put the ones you like together, there is no predicting what you might get. The post Kelly Thomas Q&A: ‘Some Breeders Have Told Me That I Am Their Inspiration’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Brigette Solomon At face value Sunday’s Alabar Hawera Cup has a feel of deja vu about it. All but one of the 12-strong field are backing up from Friday’s Stratford Cup where the Matt Purvis trained Smoke On The Water was a dominant winner. However, Sunday’s feature may pan out differently with runners such as Idolou and New York Minute getting another chance after both galloped out of contention on day one, while Smoke On The Water will start off a 20m handicap. Whooshka, trained by David Marshall, also joins the field and is the sole starter off the front line. Brent Mangos drives the Mike Berger trained Cos I Can who finished third in Friday’s Stratford Cup with a late sprint home from well back in the field. “He went a good race on Friday and should go good again, although it’s always tough off that 30 metre mark,” says Mangos. “There’s only one off the front line which does help a bit though.” Mangos, who drove a double on Friday, also drives the Stephen Doody trained Mr Monty in Race 1, who finished second behind runaway leader Lightning McQueen on Friday. “He went well enough on Friday and being a similar field today I think he should finish in the top 4.” Perun, who Mangos trains and drives, looks a chance to break maiden ranks in Race 4, the Rough Habits Restaurant & Bar Mobile Pace. The gelding was runner up to Onetangi Girl on Friday after placing third in his three prior appearances. “I was really happy with his run on Friday,” says Mangos. “He went a good race to stick on for second after leading in that strong head wind and I think he’s a winning chance even off his second row draw.” Mango’s other drives are Sharkntatties (R3), Sweet Olivia (R5), Bettor Grunter (R8), Maleficence (R9) and Baileys Pitch (R10). Race 6 is Heat 3 of the Revell Douglas Memorial Series with Monika Ranger looking to complete a hat-trick of the North Island Heats with Sean McCaffrey trained Norvic Charlie. The gelding was an impressive winner on Friday when missing the start by some 10 lengths to score by just over a length. The first of ten races starts at 12:00pm with the Alabar Hawera Cup Handicap Pace at 2:30pm. View the full article

Former Kiwi galloper Jimmysstar continued his rise through the grades when winning the Sportsbet Get On Extra Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday for trainer Ciaron Maher in stunning fashion. The four-year-old son of Per Incanto is now unbeaten in three starts in Australia, with the gelding having originally been prepared by Guy Lowry for two wins and a placing before his sale to a syndicate headed by prominent owner Ozzie Kheir. Despite being slow from the barriers, Jimmysstar was able to muster to land midfield under Blake Shinn and when presented mid-track soon after straightening, the result was never in doubt, going on to score by more than two lengths from Who Dares and Forbidden City in BenchMark 84 company. Jimmysstar defied the pattern of the day, where it was difficult to make ground given the rail was out 9 metres and his slick 1:21.54 backed up the impressive visual performance. Racing Victoria’s general manager of racing Matt Welsh was quick to grant Jimmysstar a wildcard entry for the A$4 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield on March 16, joining fellow wildcard entries Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni, while Aotearoa Classic (1600m) winner Desert Lightning has also been awarded a start in the March assignment. “You’d like them to break cleanly, but Blake knows the horse very well,” Maher said. “He took luck out of it, rode the horse confidently and obviously I’m pretty chuffed to get that sort of offer for the All-Star Mile and I’m sure the owners will be pretty chuffed as well. “He has got a bright future. “Just from the short time we have had him here in Australia, the team have done such a good job with him. It took him a little bit to settle in and I thought the team over in New Zealand did a super job, given the way he arrived. It was basically a case of saddling him up and getting him into the routine. “It was a super win and Blake rode him well.” Maher admitted it was a big assignment to throw a ratings horse in the deep-end at weight-for-age should they go down the All-Star Mile path. “He does show that talent that not many horses possess. I know it was only a ratings race today but he just continues to do it and as we raise the bar he does it with similar ease,” the leading trainer said. Jimmysstar was bred by Wairarapa couple Pete and Chrissy Algie in partnership with Masterton’s Little Avondale Stud. Stud proprietors Sam and Catriona Williams along with the Algies remain in the ownership of the rising star. The chestnut gelding is by Little Avondale’s headline stallion Per Incanto out of Anniesstar. The Zed mare won five races including the Listed Feilding Gold Cup (2100m), while her full-brother Jacksstar was a seven-time winner up to Group Two level and also placed in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) and her half-brother Bourbonaire was runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m). Anniesstar is the dam of three named foals, and all of them have been winners, including Charms Star, winner of the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m), and she was also runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and Queensland Oaks (2200m) as a three-year-old. Anniesstar has since produced an unnamed three-year-old filly by Time Test, and she has a yearling full-brother to Jimmysstar which was withdrawn from last week’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale and will now be presented at Sydney Easter. Anniesstar is back in foal to Per Incanto. View the full article

Former Kiwi galloper Jimmysstar dashes to victory at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Pat Scala – Racing Photos Former Kiwi galloper Jimmysstar continued his rise through the grades when winning at Caulfield on Saturday for trainer Ciaron Maher in stunning fashion. The four-year-old son of Per Incanto is now unbeaten in three starts in Australia, with the gelding having originally been prepared by Guy Lowry for two wins and a placing before his sale to a syndicate headed by prominent owner Ozzie Kheir. Despite being slow from the barriers, Jimmysstar was able to muster to land midfield under Blake Shinn and when presented mid-track soon after straightening, the result was never in doubt, going on to score by more than two lengths from Who Dares and Forbidden City in BenchMark 84 company. Jimmysstar defied the pattern of the day, where it was difficult to make ground given the rail was out 9 metres and his slick 1:21.54 backed up the impressive visual performance. Racing Victoria’s general manager of racing Matt Welsh was quick to grant Jimmysstar a wildcard entry for the $4 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield on March 16, joining fellow wildcard entries Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni, while Aotearoa Classic (1600m) winner Desert Lightning has also been awarded a start in the March assignment. “You’d like them to break cleanly, but Blake knows the horse very well,” Maher said. “He took luck out of it, rode the horse confidently and obviously I’m pretty chuffed to get that sort of offer for the All-Star Mile and I’m sure the owners will be pretty chuffed as well. “He has got a bright future. “Just from the short time we have had him here in Australia, the team have done such a good job with him. It took him a little bit to settle in and I thought the team over in New Zealand did a super job, given the way he arrived. It was basically a case of saddling him up and getting him into the routine. “It was a super win and Blake rode him well.” Maher admitted it was a big assignment to throw a ratings horse in the deep-end at weight-for-age should they go down the All-Star Mile path. “He does show that talent that not many horses possess. I know it was only a ratings race today but he just continues to do it and as we raise the bar he does it with similar ease,” the leading trainer said. More horse racing news View the full article

Legendary trainer holds all the cards in the first leg of the four-year-old series with Helios Express and HowdeepisyourloveView the full article

What Dubbo Races Where Dubbo Turf Club – Merrilea Rd, Dubbo NSW 2830 When Monday, February 5, 2024 First Race 1:20pm AEDT Visit Dabble Country racing heads to Dubbo on Monday afternoon for a competitive eight-race program. The rail is out +3m between the 900m and 400m marker, while the remainder is in the true position. The scorching conditions are set to continue across the region, and with little to no rain predicted in the lead-up, we expect the track to be on the firm side of the Good range. The opening race is set to get underway at 1:20pm AEDT. Best Bet at Dubbo: Plonk The Rodney Northam barn will send Plonk to the races for the first time after a terrific barrier trial at Scone on January 21. The daughter of Adelaide couldn’t have been more impressive, bounding into a third-place finish in the jump-out when racing under her own steam through the wire. Chelsea Hillier got a feel for the three-year-old filly taking the reins in the trial, and with a useful 1.5kg claim on race-day, we’re confident Plonk can circle her rivals from the rear of field, making her debut a winning one. Best Bet Race 2 – #4 Plonk (7) 3yo Filly | T: Rodney Northam | J: Chelsea Hillier (a1.5kg) (56.5kg) -133.33 with Neds Next Best at Dubbo: Himorher Himorher returns to the races after a lengthy 246-day spell and although she’s winless in four career starts, she looks to be returning in supreme order. The now four-year-old caught the eye with a four-length barrier trial win at Muswellbrook on January 10 and we’re yet to see her reemergence since that piece of work. It suggests the Rodney Northam-trained galloper is ready to rock and roll for this event, and with barrier three giving Chelsea Hillier plenty of options, we’ll be looking for Himorher to be charging over the top late. Next Best Race 1 – #6 Himorher (3) 4yo Mare | T: Rodney Northam | J: Chelsea Hillier (a1.5kg) (57kg) +240 with Bet365 Best Value at Dubbo: Competition Trainer Cameron Crockett has four runners engaged in the fourth event on Monday and Competition looks to be the one over the odds with top horse racing bookmakers. The son of Shooting To Win has made steady improvements throughout the campaign and appears to be ready to peak third-up at the mile. His first two runs were over an unsuitable trip on tracks that were deteriorating, and his best form clearly comes when racing on top of the ground. He gets conditions in his favour on Monday, and although Grant Buckley will need to navigate a passage from barrier nine, Competition will be doing his best work late. The double-figure odds on offer here seem big for a horse that brings some quality highway form to the country. Best Value Race 4 – #3 Competition (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Cameron Crockett | J: Grant Buckley (58.5kg) +900 with Picklebet Monday quaddie tips for Dubbo races Dubbo quadrella selections Monday, February 5, 2024 3-4-5-10 2-4-5-7-10-12 1-2-6-7 4-5-7-8-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Vagrant ridden by Beau Mertens winning the Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Mitchell Freedman and Beau Mertens have combined with another classy mare to take out another Caulfield feature, with Vagrant (+500) flying home from the back of the field to claim the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes. After jumping a little slow from barrier two, Mertens allowed the daughter of Pariah to settle and get into a rhythm three back on the rail, while Penthouse (+450) set a solid tempo out in front. As the field rounded the home turn, it appeared as though Jordan Childs had pinched a winning gap on Penthouse as the rest of her rivals started to struggle but Mertens was picking them off along the rail and making solid ground. Once Vagrant was given full bore and got clear, she finished off with a blistering turn of foot and put the race to bed within a few strides and defeated Penthouse and Party For One (+800) to claim valuable black type for her connections. 2024 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes Replay – Vagrant Mitchell Freedman was elated with the Group 3 victory for Vagrant, and he spoke post-race. “Great to see this horse (Vagrant) salute today,” Freedman said. “There’s always plenty of confidence when I’m throwing Beau (Mertens) on at the moment, he doesn’t make too many wrong decisions for us. “When she was ducking and weaving back there towards the inside and I knew there had been a good tempo in front of her, I knew she was the fit horse on the scene and the horse in form. “She was pretty impressive in the finish. “It might be a bit easier to stay at home now, as winning that race is equal to winning that race in Tassie, so she’s got that on the board now and we will assess all her options.” Beau Mertens is building a nice affiliation with Mitchell Freedman’s mare and he spoke post-race about the win and his relationship with Freedman. “Every time I was building up from the 600 (metres) and got more room, she just kept finding underneath me,” Mertens said of Vagrant. “I could just feel her building her revs up and got the space up the fence, I thought she was the winner a long way out. “It’s been fantastic (building a relationship with Mitch Freedman). “It started with Skybird and we haven’t look back since… then obviously with Attirtion winning a Group 1, ever since then we have built on a relationship and partnership.” More horse racing news View the full article

Rider Penalties N Parmar | Waikato 31 January; careless riding; suspended 11 February – 7 March inclusive. J Fawcett | Waikato 31 January; careless riding; suspended 4-17 February inclusive. R Elliot | Waikato 31 January; broke riding engagement; fined $200. T Newman | Waikato 31 January; broke riding engagement; fined $200. J Riddell | Waikato 31 January; medical clearance required. W Kennedy | Waikato 31 January; medical clearance required. C Grylls | Taranaki 3 February; failed to make weight; fined $350. N Parmar | Otago 3 February; careless riding; suspended 8-17 February inclusive and fined $225. N Hailey | Otago 3 February; medical clearance required. D Tait | Otago 3 February; medical clearance required. Horse Penalties CHARMINGAFFAIR | Waikato 31 January; lame; veterinary clearance required. AGATHA | Waikato 31 January; bled; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. REBECCHI | Waikato 31 January; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. SUGAR | Otago 3 February; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. The post 29 January – 4 February 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Trainers Brent and Tim White won’t be lacking any firepower when they attempt to take the Waikouaiti Cup home on Sunday. The Whites have another grass track feature in their sights with Got You Covered, who ran to an easy victory in the Riverton Cup last week. The big difference this week is that the Whites have brought him back up, with Lone Wolf and Commander Ben also heading south to contest the day’s feature at Oamaru. Got You Covered takes top billing among the White team, opening the $2.30 fixed odds favourite for his 3000m staying test. And his team think that’s pretty fair. “The old boy has probably got to be the top pick out of our ones,” Tim White said. “It is actually surprising how close our other two horses are to him in the handicaps considering he has run in the top four in group races.” Got You Covered was heading to the Amberley Cup at Rangiora on Tuesday, but being given a 10m handicap was too tempting. “We were doing the nominations on Monday and just fitted into the handicaps for this race too well,” White said. “He came back from Riverton, and he came off the float like a two-year-old.” “His work this week was really good; he worked with Commander Ben, and they both went to the line really nice.” Commander Ben will face his toughest recent test in the Waikouaiti Cup. But he brings excellent form to the race, having scored in his last two outings on grass. “This is a bit of a test for him, but if he can get a similar run to his last start, he probably shouldn’t be too far away from them,” White said. “If he can get a handy run, he should be able to get home well enough.” “The only thing is he can get keen at times which he can’t afford to do over 3000m.” Lone Wolf comes south after two close-up efforts in competitive fields at the recent Blenheim grass track meeting. The White camp hope the horse’s front-line handicap and the Sunday’s eight horse field will help the pacer be even more competitive. “In this race he is going to be a spot closer than he was at Blenheim, if that was the case he should be pretty competitive.” “His form going into this is pretty solid really.” “And he will be on a track that isn’t as leader-biased as his last two starts.” “He has come on from the trip to Blenheim, and he seems really well.” One Change and Homebush Lad look like the two big threats to the White trio in the Waikouaiti Cup. View the full article

Two years after Kilowatt claimed the Listed Positive Signs + Print Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m), Shockallia emulated that performance in carrying the same green and white silks to victory on Saturday at Wingatui. Kilowatt, a former North Island-based galloper that entered Kelvin Tyler’s Riverton stable in 2017 had shone on the Southern cup’s circuit over several seasons, headed by his Gold Cup success in 2022. The Shocking gelding was retired after a career that earned breeders John & Colleen Thompson near $270,000 in stakes, and their promising stayer Shockallia, also a son of former Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Shocking, was sent to Tyler as a replacement after doing his early racing from the stable of Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray in Cambridge. Shockallia produced two creditable performances in his first two starts for Tyler, before a last-start win at Gore put the writing on the wall ahead of the Wingatui feature, where he started a $6.30 TAB second-favourite behind local runner Capo Dell Impero ($3.20). Jumping from the ace draw, the six-year-old was settled quietly back in the field under Jasmine Fawcett, with pacemaker Kahma Suitsya controlling a solid early tempo, soon taken over by an eager The Tui Toiler. Fawcett remained patient at the tail before making her move at the 800m, seemingly cantering around the outer of the field to take over before the gelding displayed his staying quality as he prevailed in a tight battle to the post with third-placed runner Noble Knight, who was gathered in late by a rapidly-closing Elegant Lady near the finish line. “I know he’s a tough horse, but it was whether he was rock hard fit, although the horse certainly thought so,” Tyler said post-race. “I was a bit worried stepping up to 2400m on this sort of track (Soft7), but I told Jasmine to ride him patiently and do nothing, get into the race about the 600m and look after him as much as she could. He’s a good horse.” Tyler indicated Shockallia’s next target would be the Open 2600m event at Ascot Park in a fortnight. “I think we’ll have too head there. He’s come down here a good horse, it’s pretty exciting going forward,” he said. Shockallia has now earned over $133,000 in stakes for Rich Hill principal Thompson and wife Colleen, who race the gelding alongside the Carriers Arms Racing Syndicate. “John & Colleen sent him down, and I really thank them. He was a replacement for Kilowatt who was another great horse, so this was a big thrill,” Tyler said. Northern-based Fawcett has enjoyed a myriad of southern success recently, adding the Wingatui feature to her Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) winning ride aboard Tyler’s filly Aberlour a fortnight ago. “I had a good feeling about this horse, being a Shocking I knew he’d love the distance and the ground, and that just showed today,” she said. “Mr Tyler told me that he wasn’t sure if he would be fit enough, but he definitely was. He was finding the line really strong.” View the full article

Consistent performer Perfect Scenario made it back-to-back victories in the feature event at Wingatui on Saturday when he captured his second Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (1600m) title. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained six-year-old had bolted away with the 2023 edition of the time-honoured southern mile, winning by more than three lengths, but was made to work much harder this time around as he survived a torrid home straight scrap with eventual runner-up Dazzling Miss. Settled in fourth by Te Akau Racing apprentice Niranjan Parmar, the son of Iffraaj was content to lob along before swooping into contention around the home bend to join issue with Dazzling Miss who made her challenge closer to the inside rail. The pair waged war in the closing stages with Perfect Scenario gaining the upper hand short of the line as race favourite Times Ticking battled on well to shade Ears Back for third. Bergerson was on duty at Wingatui and wore a smile a mile wide as he celebrated the result. “Hugely satisfying to see a horse like him go back-to-back as he is just an old marvel to have around the stable,” Bergerson said. “He is a real favourite of everyone and just plods around doing his own business as he loves stable life. “He has grown a leg since coming down here and it was a good ride by Parmar. “I think the key was getting him out wide as he looked like he was floundering at the top of the straight but as he came wider and wider he found another leg. “He is such a genuine horse and puts his best foot forward every time he steps out.” Bergerson believes the horse has plenty of options ahead of him including the Gr.1 Trackside Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki on 24 February, a race where he finished fourth behind glamour mares Levante and La Crique in 2023.. “It seems the logical step to keep him down here but there is the Group One at Otaki that he contested last year,” he said. “He is in fantastic form but we’ll take him home and then go from there.” Perfect Scenario has now won nine of his 34 starts and over $352,000 for the Te Akau Perfection Syndicate after being purchased by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for $165,000 from the Woburn Farm draft during the 2019 Book 1 Sale at Karaka. In a sensational start to the race senior jockey Terry Mosely survived a nasty incident when he was dislodged from Burgie just 30m after the gates opened but walked unaided back to the barrier seemingly no worse for wear. View the full article

Despite clearly not enjoying the testing underfoot conditions on offer at New Plymouth, exciting juvenile filly Captured by Love showed plenty of courage to retain her unbeaten record when taking out the Gr.3 Platinum Homes New Plymouth Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m). The two-year-old daughter of Written Tycoon had cantered home in a three-horse field at Tauherenikau on debut before blitzing a handy field in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham prior to Christmas. Although eligible for the 2024 Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic (1200m) courtesy of being purchased for A$525,000 by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis at the 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson resisted that temptation in favour of a short break before her resumption on Saturday. Heavily supported as the $1.40 race favourite Captured By Love made a sharp beginning in the hands of Opie Bosson to trail pacemaker Chicago Jack who set up a solid tempo out in front. Persistent rain in the previous 24-hours had reduced the track to a Heavy8 status with Bosson niggling at his charge to try and get her up on the bit approaching the home turn as she struggled in the tricky going. Captured By Love showed all her class as she picked herself up to make her challenge at the 200m, snatching the lead before holding out a late run from debutant Love Poem to claim the major spoils and her third victory in succession. Walker wasn’t overly confident the filly would handle the heavy surface but took some heart from what he had heard in prior races. “I went down and stood down by the rail and listened to the horses going to the start and I thought she would struggle a little but might just get away with the way the track was,” Walker said. “As it turned out she was really battling most of the way but she has so much heart and is very tough. “She’s a real fighter and that was a superb effort to stick on the way she did.” Walker is now eyeing further black-type challenges for the filly including a prized home-track feature later in the month. “The immediate target is the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.2, 1200m) at home towards the end of the month (24 February),” he said. “From there the Sistema Sakes (Gr.1, 1200m) a fortnight later will be next and then we will reassess after that. “The beauty is whatever she is doing now, she will only get better as I think we will see her best next season. “Once she gets up to a mile she is going to be well-suited as she is such a lovely big, scopey filly who really covers the ground.” Raced by the Te Akau 2023 Magic Fillies’ Breeding Syndicate, the filly is the first foal of two-race winning mare Moldova and features Australian stakes winner Savvy Nature and Addictive Nature in her extended pedigree along with 2017 Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Hasahalo. View the full article

Lightly raced filly Khanshe displayed her staying credentials ahead of a potential tilt at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham next month when she captured the Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth. The Fraser Auret-prepared filly was having just her fifth start as she lined up for her first start since a six-week break following her eye-catching performance to finish seventh in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on similarly rain-affected going. Rider Matthew Cameron settled Khanshe one-off the fence in fifth in the early running and was content to bide his time before moving her into contention with 600m to run. In a driving finish Khanshe held out a gallant late run from Chantilly Lace who had tracked her three-wide the whole way with maiden galloper Moonlight Magic making good ground against the fence to finish within a length of the pair in third. Auret was delighted to see his charge show plenty of resilience at the finish after coming off her mid-summer break. “She really is a lovely filly who hasn’t had a lot of luck to date,” Auret said. “We think a lot of her and we were keen to give her a short break after she ran midfield at Trentham and then target this race first-up. “It was a beautiful ride by Matt and when he came back in he said she would only improve as she is still very green with a lot of potential.” Auret will now press on with the second component of his plan for the daughter of Mongolian Khan with her next run likely to be in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings on 28 February before tackling the Oaks on 16 March. “She has plenty of sprinting blood in her pedigree but seems to have thrown to the staying qualities of her sire as she is built in the mould of a classics filly,” he said “At this stage we have the Oaks earmarked for her with the Lowland at Hastings her final lead-up to that. “You never know if they will get the 2400m of the Oaks but her racing style and work at home suggests she will, so we are willing to roll the dice with her.” Bred and raced by Rick Orr, Khanshe is the second individual stakes winner for former Windsor Park Stud-based stallion Mongolian Khan who stood at the Cambridge nursery after completing a stellar career on the track where he won the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the Gr.1 ATC Derby (2400m) in his three-year-old season followed by the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) as a four-year-old. Her dam is the unraced O’Reilly mare Folies Bergere, a daughter of stakes winning sprinter Dashing Donna who finished runner-up in the 2009 Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1200m). View the full article

The sensational summer form of Robbie Patterson’s New Plymouth stable kept on rolling on Saturday with his first win in the Gr.3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m) on his home track. Contribute’s Cup victory was the 36th win of the season for Patterson, who now sits in fourth place on the New Zealand trainers’ premiership. He also saddled unbeaten three-year-old Shameless Boy to win an earlier race on Saturday’s card. Patterson’s runners have earned more than $1.6 million, with six black-type victories headed by Puntura’s treble in the Gr.3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m), Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) and Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m). Mary Louise won the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and One Bold Cat took out the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m). “It’s been an amazing run, I can’t believe it,” Patterson said on Saturday. “I just hope it isn’t finished yet! “Everyone always wants to win their home-town Cup, so it was very special to win that race today. It’s amazing, really.” Contribute went into Saturday’s $120,000 race as the winner of four of her 19 career starts, including two in Queensland in August and September for Sunshine Coast trainers Stewart and Taylah Mackinnon. Apprentice jockey Ciel Butler. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) The six-year-old Contributer mare closed out her Australian stint with an unplaced finish at Eagle Farm in late October, then went out for a spell before returning to action with an eye-catching fifth in the Douro Cup (1600m) at Trentham on January 20. Saturday’s Taranaki Cup was just the second start of a new preparation for Contribute, and she rose to the occasion as the $5 favourite. Ridden by Patterson’s apprentice Ciel Butler, Contribute settled in eighth place behind a fast pace set by tearaway leader Masetto. The defending Taranaki Cup champion Colorado Star dragged the field up behind that rival and hit the front soon after turning for home, but Contribute was looming ominously wider out on the track. Butler got her balanced up and then got her to change gears, striding forward and taking command with 200m remaining. Fellow Taranaki mare Hi Yo Sass Bomb chased bravely down the outside, but Contribute was going too strongly and held her out by half a length. Hi Yo Sass Bomb finished second, two and a half lengths ahead of the third-placed Saint Alice. It was the first black-type win for Butler, who replaced Craig Grylls on the 53kg lightweight runner on the morning of the race. “I’m absolutely rapt for Ciel,” Patterson said. “Craig was going to take the ride, but he just wasn’t able to make the weight this morning. He’s been struggling with a bit of a virus lately, so that’s not his fault. “But Ciel thoroughly deserves this. She does all the work on this horse every day, and she had her in exactly the right place today.” Bred and raced by Ross Bellingham and Adrianne Gemmell, Contribute has now had 20 starts for five wins, seven placings and $184,755 in stakes. “This horse has done a bloody good job,” Patterson said. “She got back from Aussie and had a bit of time off. She ran really well over a mile first-up, then went straight into this good race a couple of weeks later. It was great to see her produce that sort of performance. “We’ll have to try to chase more black type from here. A race like the Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.3, 2000m) might be a good option a bit further down the track.” View the full article

With a powerful burst from the back of the field, Collect Your Cash delivered an unforgettable result for local horseman Shankar Muniandy in Saturday’s Listed Dunedin City Motors Dunedin Guineas (1500m) at Wingatui. Muniandy has been a popular member of local jockey ranks for most of the last two decades, riding 237 winners in a career that started in the 2007-08 season. His seven black-type victories include the 2022 edition of the Dunedin Guineas with Palmetto. While the 36-year-old has continued to ride in a handful of races this season, he is transitioning into training. He saddled his first runner in May 2022 and has now had nine winners from 68 career starters, headed by a very special first stakes success in Saturday’s Dunedin Guineas. “I’ve been based here for a long time now, so I’m very pleased to win this race today,” Muniandy said. Muniandy was mobbed by well-wishers after Saturday’s $100,000 feature, in which Collect Your Cash defied longshot odds of $23.50. The Rageese gelding had shown bright talent in the spring, winning by almost four lengths on debut at Ascot Park in November and finishing second at Wingatui on Boxing Day – beaten by a long neck by Dunedin Guineas favourite Hakadecree. Collect Your Cash was a respected $10 chance in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) in the third start of his career on January 20, but he faded from favour with a lacklustre eighth along the more rain-affected inside part of the track. But Collect Your Cash bounced back in style on Saturday. Patiently ridden by Terry Moseley, Collect Your Cash settled second-last among the 14-horse field. The only runner behind him was Sugar, who had bucked soon after leaving the starting gates and was distantly detached from the field from that point on. Collect Your Cash was still at the back of the pack at the home turn, but Moseley angled him to the outside and let him rip. He made up plenty of ground with big, powerful bounds down the straight and swept past Drakaina and Sense Of Timing to score an impressive win. “He’s been a nice horse, right from the beginning,” Muniandy said. “Things went wrong for him last time, but I was very pleased with that performance today. “I think, last time, they reckoned the track was off down on the inside, and the boy (Ruvanesh Muniandy) just got stuck there and he wasn’t able to let down. I told Terry today, ‘Don’t go inside, mate, if you can help it.’ He rode a good race and it was a very good performance.” The win marked a successful return to the saddle for Moseley, who was having his first day riding since last September. “In the last week or 10 days, I feel like I’ve been riding okay in work and it just feels like a progression,” he said. “I’m getting there. “It’s good to win this race for Shankar. We’re good mates on and off the track. He’s a good bloke and just starting out as a trainer, and he’s obviously doing a very good job with the team he’s got. It’s nice to see some younger people coming into training and doing well. “We had a bit of an awkward draw today in gate 12. He poked up a little bit along the fence coming up to the corner and I was tempted to go that way, but I think the ground is slightly off on the inside. So I decided to just bide my time and get to the outside to make our run in the straight. This horse is still a bit green yet, he did a few things wrong, so there’s good improvement in him.” Collect Your Cash was bred by Windsor Park Stud and is a half-brother to the champion Singapore galloper Debt Collector, who won 12 races including eight at black-type level. Bought for $4,500 on Gavelhouse.com in April of last year, Collect Your Cash has now earned $80,475 from a four-start career. View the full article

Terry Moseley returns to scale aboard Collect Your Cash following the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) at Wingatui on Saturday. Photo: Monica Toretto With a powerful burst from the back of the field, Collect Your Cash delivered an unforgettable result for local horseman Shankar Muniandy in Saturday’s Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) at Wingatui. Muniandy has been a popular member of local jockey ranks for most of the last two decades, riding 237 winners in a career that started in the 2007-08 season. His seven black-type victories include the 2022 edition of the Dunedin Guineas with Palmetto. While the 36-year-old has continued to ride in a handful of races this season, he is transitioning into training. He saddled his first runner in May 2022 and has now had nine winners from 68 career starters, headed by a very special first stakes success in Saturday’s Dunedin Guineas. “I’ve been based here for a long time now, so I’m very pleased to win this race today,” Muniandy said. Muniandy was mobbed by well-wishers after Saturday’s $100,000 feature, in which Collect Your Cash defied longshot odds of $23.50. The Rageese gelding had shown bright talent in the spring, winning by almost four lengths on debut at Ascot Park in November and finishing second at Wingatui on Boxing Day – beaten by a long neck by Dunedin Guineas favourite Hakadecree. Collect Your Cash was a respected $10 chance in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) in the third start of his career on January 20, but he faded from favour with a lacklustre eighth along the more rain-affected inside part of the track. But Collect Your Cash bounced back in style on Saturday. Patiently ridden by Terry Moseley, Collect Your Cash settled second-last among the 14-horse field. The only runner behind him was Sugar, who had bucked soon after leaving the starting gates and was distantly detached from the field from that point on. Collect Your Cash was still at the back of the pack at the home turn, but Moseley angled him to the outside and let him rip. He made up plenty of ground with big, powerful bounds down the straight and swept past Drakaina and Sense Of Timing to score an impressive win. “He’s been a nice horse, right from the beginning,” Muniandy said. “Things went wrong for him last time, but I was very pleased with that performance today. “I think, last time, they reckoned the track was off down on the inside, and the boy (Ruvanesh Muniandy) just got stuck there and he wasn’t able to let down. I told Terry today, ‘Don’t go inside, mate, if you can help it.’He rode a good race and it was a very good performance.” The win marked a successful return to the saddle for Moseley, who was having his first day riding since last September. “In the last week or 10 days, I feel like I’ve been riding okay in work and it just feels like a progression,” he said. “I’m getting there. “It’s good to win this race for Shankar. We’re good mates on and off the track. He’s a good bloke and just starting out as a trainer, and he’s obviously doing a very good job with the team he’s got. It’s nice to see some younger people coming into training and doing well. “We had a bit of an awkward draw today in gate 12. He poked up a little bit along the fence coming up to the corner and I was tempted to go that way, but I think the ground is slightly off on the inside. So I decided to just bide my time and get to the outside to make our run in the straight. This horse is still a bit green yet, he did a few things wrong, so there’s good improvement in him.” More horse racing news View the full article

Lady Of Camelot kicked clear to win to win the Group 3 Widden Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW After taking out the Canonbury Stakes with Prost earlier in the day, Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott took out the second of the two-year-old features at Rosehill, with Lady Of Camelot (-222.22) getting the job done well as the odds-on favourite in the Group 3 Widden Stakes. Tim Clark took the heavily backed favourite to the front and led every step of the way over the 1100m and careered away for a dominant victory in the concluding stages. This daughter of Written Tycoon was able to turn the tables on Manaal (+600), as the winner of the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes couldn’t reel in the front runner and could only manage a runner-up finish on return. The Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Wave Breaker (+1000) ran on nicely to nab third place ahead of Extreme Diva (+2500) in the final strides, but it was clear that the top two runners were the ones to follow from this contest going forward. Much like the win of Prost earlier, the Waterhouse & Bott-trained gallopers are starting to hit their straps on their way to the Golden Slipper in seven weeks time. 2024 Widden Stakes Replay – Lady Of Camelot Adrian Bott was on course to represent the stable and he spoke post-race. “She’s got so much natural speed,” Bott said of Lady Of Camelot. “Beautifully bred filly, she’s well-related. “Her first two progeny (Queen Of The Ball and Platinum Jubilee) have been stakes winning two-year-olds as well, so she becomes the third in just three foals. “She obviously looked to show plenty of natural speed but once he was able to change it over, she really found another gear and lengthened very impressively. “That last furlong was very sharp.” Tim Clark rode both of the Waterhouse & Bott two-year-old winners at Rosehill, and he spoke post-race about the win of Lady Of Camelot. “She’s done a great job, she’s a really precocious filly,” Clark said. “She wouldn’t break ice, she’s so light on her feet. She’s got such a good cruising speed, that’s what we wanted to use. “Good thing about her though is she rests within herself when she’s there. “She got a little bit lost up the straight still, so I think there’s still a little more to give. But she couldn’t have been any more impressive. “I think she’s just naturally so fast, I think trying to harness her too much would take away from her asset. “She was probably just parked a little bit when she was there by herself and nothing with her. “When I asked her for another effort she lengthened really well, it was a strong effort.” Lady Of Camelot is a +1600 chance in Golden Slipper futures markets with online bookmakers. More horse racing news View the full article