Wandering Eyes

A classic case of being in the right place at the right time led Rich Hill Stud’s John Thompson to the stable door of Ace High. Impressed by what he saw, Thompson duly signed the son of High Chaparral to the farm’s stallion roster and at Riccarton on Saturday major celebrations were sparked by his first-crop daughter Molly Bloom when she triumphed in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained filly came from the tail of the field with a powerhouse finish under Joe Doyle to claim top honours and provide Ace High with a massive fillip. “The 1000 Guineas is a proper Group One and for him to get one so early in his career is a major boost for everybody involved in the horse and for the New Zealand industry,” Thompson said. Ace High was the dual top-flight winner of the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and the VRC Derby (2500m) for Sydney trainer David Payne and Thompson was led in his direction by Astute Bloodstock’s Louis Le Metayer. “I always go to the Sydney Easter Yearling Sale for a look around, I wasn’t selling anything, and I ran into Louis,” he said. “I said to him do you know of any stallions available, and he said you have to come and look at this horse, he’s just come on the market.” Timing proved to be crucial as the stars aligned for Ace High to begin the second stage of his career at Rich Hill. “At Sydney Easter, most of the Australian studs had got their stallions and they were going to race Ace High on, but he was getting a bit colty and David Payne said he needed to go to stud,” Thompson said. “I went and had a look at him with Louis at Payne’s stable and because no one had expressed any interest in standing him I thought he must have bad legs or something. “I just couldn’t believe it, he was a big, physical horse and went away and said to Louis that as soon as I get home, give me a chance to try and syndicate the horse.” Thompson’s efforts were well-received on his return and an agreement was subsequently locked in. “I got on the phone and rang around the people I spoke to were very keen,” he said. “A number of New Zealand stud jumped in like The Oaks, Mapperley Stud, Gordon Cunningham (Curraghmore), Mark Baker (Hallmark Stud) and Graeme Hunt as well. “The fact that he was a dual Group One-winning son of High Chaparral and how well that blood has done in New Zealand enabled us to get the deal over the line. “We announced him reasonably late that year, probably around May by the time we got everything together. “He’s since been a popular horse and served around 100 mares every season and he’s heading that way again. After Saturday, we had more inquiries from people with late foaling mares.” Expectations had always been high for the stallion’s first three-year-old representatives. “When you look at Ace High’s race record, he was a mature spring three-year-old as evidenced when he won the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and that race has very much developed into a sire-making race,” Thompson said. “You need a physically and mentally mature horse to win that race and he’s by High Chaparral out of a Redoute’s Choice mare. “I must admit, I have preached on about Ace High’s pedigree and High Chaparral as a sire of sires so there’s a lot of good factors involved.” Sold by breeder Seaton Park to Wexford Stables for $150,000 at Karaka last year, Molly Bloom headlined a stellar weekend for Rich Hill. They also bred and retain an ownership interest in Riccarton undercard winner Say Satono, a daughter of Satono Aladdin who has been successful twice in a handful of starts for Andrew Carston, and bred and sold Molly Bloom’s gifted stablemate Uderzo. The son of Vadamos was a $125,000 yearling and his resuming victory at Tauranga was his fourth from 11 appearances. “Say Satono is out of Say No More, who won two Group Ones and her first foal is now the dam of Lantern Way who won the Hawke’s Bay Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m) so she’s a three-quarter sister to him,” Thompson said. “Uderzo is also out of a Pentire mare and he looks like he is in for a good campaign and then the Shocking horse Never Look Back won the Waipukurau Cup for Gail Temperton on Sunday, so it was a really exciting weekend for us.” View the full article

What Sandown Lakeside Races Where Sandown Racecourse – 591-659 Princes Hwy, Springvale VIC 3171 When Wednesday, November 22, 2023 First Race 1pm AEDT Visit Dabble Racing will return to Sandown Racecourse for the first time in seven weeks on Wednesday afternoon as the Melbourne Racing Club hosts a very competitive eight-race card. With no rain and fine weather forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday, expect the track to stay at the Good 4 rating for the whole program. The rail will be in the true position, with the opening race scheduled to jump at 1pm AEDT. Best Bet at Sandown: Alectrona After finishing second in back-to-back runs, Alectrona from the Tony & Calvin McEvoy stable broke her maiden in fine style at Bendigo last start. This three-year-old filly was sent around as an odds-on favourite with online bookmakers, and even though she was pestered in the lead, she kicked clear with 300m and recorded a dominant 3.25-length victory. This daughter of The Autumn Sun now steps up to Benchmark 64 grade, but we don’t expect that to trouble this progressive youngster. Harry Coffey will retain the ride, and if he can find the front from barrier four, Alectrona should prove very hard to run down. Best Bet Race 3 – #3 Alectrona (4) 3yo Filly | T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy | J: Harry Coffey (57.5kg) +130 with Betfair Next Best at Sandown: Sisterhood Sisterhood will return from a 34-week spell as she seeks her second win in only her fourth career start. Before going out for a spell, the four-year-old mare finished third behind Caste and Jennilala at Sandown Hillside over 1300m, where she was made to work early and stuck on to be beaten just over two lengths by the top two. As those two runners went on to win Group races later in their respective preparations, the form is superior to that of her rivals in this field. From barrier one, Ben Allen should lob in the box seat and get all the favours in the running. Next Best Race 2 – #6 Sisterhood (1) 4yo Mare | T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | J: Ben Allen (57kg) +200 with Boombet Next Best Again at Sandown: Jenniferwish Jenniferwish has recorded back-to-back thirds to kick off this preparation. At Pakenham last time out, she settled towards the rear of the field and, once she found clear air, ran home strongly with a nice turn of foot. This daughter of Mshawish is crying out for 1400m, and that is exactly what she gets here. Declan Bates can settle much closer to the speed from barrier two, and if Jenniferwish produces a similar finishing burst as her last two starts, she will go very close. Next Best Again Race 6 – #4 Jenniferwish (2) 5yo Mare | T: Rachael Frost | J: Declan Bates (59.5kg) +450 with Dabble Sandown Lakeside Wednesday quaddie tips – 22/11/2023 Sandown Lakeside quadrella selections Wednesday, November 22, 2023 1-2-4 2-3-4-6-8 3-4-5-10-11 5-6-7-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

What Warwick Farm Races Where Warwick Farm Racecourse – 2 Hume Hwy, Warwick Farm NSW 2170 When Wednesday, November 22, 2023 First Race 2pm AEDT Visit Dabble NSW metropolitan racing heads to Warwick Farm Racecourse on Wednesday afternoon for a quickfire seven-race program. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and with some scattered showers predicted in the lead-up, we’re expecting a Soft 5 track. The opening race is scheduled to get underway at 2pm AEDT. Best Bet: Le Parrain Le Parrain looks beautifully placed in this BM68 to start the day, bringing quality form through the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 28. The son of Street Boss was slowly away that day before being ridden up to find a position on speed, just fading in a testing 1200m contest. His 2.6-length maiden victory prior to that at Gosford caught the eye, and with Le Parrain stepping back to his ideal distance, the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained colt should prove too classy in this grade. Best Bet Race 1 – #1 Le Parrain (8) 3yo Colt | T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | J: James McDonald (59kg) Bet with Betfair Next Best: Rockola While Rockola is winless heading into start four, the Edward Cummings-trained gelding appears to be set for a peak performance. He tackled metropolitan company for the first time on the Kensington track at Randwick on November 1, charging through the wire on a day when it was extreme hard to make ground from back in the field. The form is strong with the runner-up securing victory since, and we strongly believe Rockola can do the same here. Next Best Race 4 – #1 Rockola (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Edward Cummings | J: Tyler Schiller (59kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best Again: Accredited Accredited makes his return after a 138-day spell and looks to be travelling well. The gelding by All Too Hard has been soft in his work through the line in two jump-outs at Warwick Farm, with his latest allowing the four-year-old to stride forward under his own steam under Rory Hutchings. He draws to get an economical run from barrier two, and with more upside than some of his key rivals, expect Accredited to put in a strong showing in the penultimate. Next Best Again Race 6 – #8 Accredited (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Joseph Pride | J: Rory Hutchings (57kg) Bet with Unibet Warwick Farm Wednesday quaddie – 22/11/2023 Warwick Farm quadrella selections Wednesday, November 22, 2023 1-5-6 2-3-4 1-2-7-8-10 1-2-7-11-12-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

HRNZ would like to clarify how its leadership team will operate as Chief Executive Gary Woodham continues his recovery from a medical event. Gary is in a stable condition and continues to make progress after being hospitalised earlier this month. In his absence Mauro Barsi, a former chief executive of the Auckland Trotting Club and at Greyhound Racing NZ, will support HRNZ as Chief Operating Officer. “This is not a permanent appointment or solution,” says HRNZ Chair Phil Holden, “he is stepping in to assist HRNZ and its staff over the period Gary is recovering.” “We are very grateful that Mauro has agreed to help us out and believe this is the best way to keep the organisation focused and support our people at what is a difficult time.” “Our thoughts and prayers remain with Gary, his wife Keryn and the rest of his whanau.” View the full article

Horse Racing on Monday, November 20 will feature three meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meeting at Scone. Monday Racing Tips – November 20, 2023 Scone Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For November 20, 2023 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $24.82 odds return: Monday, November 20, 2023 Scone Race 3 – #7 Bangetta Scone Race 2 – #1 Ferro Vero Kyneton Race 6 – #1 Le Reach Warwick Race 3 – #5 Granny’s Reward | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Here are my bets with BoomBet. Click the link to add my bets straight to your betslip: =BetShare As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on November 20, 2023 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Nysos lived up to his lofty debut performance with an equally dazzling display in the Nov. 19 $100,000 Bob Hope Stakes (G3) for 2-year-olds at Del Mar.View the full article

With a power statement down the stretch at Del Mar, 'TDN Rising Star' Nysos (Nyquist–Zetta Z, by Bernardini) acquitted himself well for Baoma Corp as he ran off the page in the GIII Bob Hope S. Racing wide up the backstretch, the bay colt was sent before the far turn, rolled nicely along once he reached the quarter pole and Flavien Prat served as the passenger all the way home by at least six lengths over Stronghold (Ghostzapper). The final running time was 1:21.71. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. Sales History: $130,000 MIXED '21 KEENOV; $150,000 '22 FTKOCT; $550,000 '23 OBSAPR. O-Baoma Corp; B-Susie Atkins; T-Bob Baffert. NYSOS ($2.40) CRUSHED 'EM! INCREDIBLE! Flavien Prat just hand rode him home in the $100,000 Bob Hope Stakes (G3) at @DelMarRacing for trainer @BobBaffert. What an exciting son of @DarleyAmerica's Nyquist! Bet the last race at Del Mar: https://t.co/vBc9pBedT0 pic.twitter.com/R9LpdwOJsE — TVG (@TVG) November 20, 2023 The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Nysos Ascends Skyward In Bob Hope appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The all-conquering Sarah O’Reilly will once again be a part of the Kiwi challenge at the up-coming Australasian Young Drivers’ Championship in Queensland. Run in conjunction with the Inter Dominions, the AYDC will feature three nights of heats before the final at Albion Park in Brisbane on December 16. Throughout the series the winner will get a maximum of 17 points, through to one point for the driver finishing last. O’Reilly will be joined in the three-strong New Zealand team by Crystal Hackett and Zev Meredith. Hackett qualifies as the North Island’s top junior while O’Reilly qualifies as the South Island leading junior and Meredith sealed his trip across the Tasman by finishing second to Sarah who was already qualified at the New Zealand Junior Drivers’ Championships which concluded at Methven last month. O’Reilly has 69 wins this year and is guaranteed to win her third successive Junior Drivers’ Premiership this year to go along with her three consecutive wins in the NZ Junior Drivers’ Championships. O’Reilly is a previous AYDC winner. In 2019 she pipped local star Cameron Hart, the winning driver of last Tuesday’s New Zealand Cup with Australian visitor Swayzee. Other New Zealanders to have won the championship include : Sheree Tomlinson (2018), Robbie Close (2015), Andre Poutama (2014), Joshua Dickie (2011) and Jay Abernethy (2006). Last year Canterbury-based Sam Thornley was leading for the majority of the championship, only to be pipped by Australian Tayla French. View the full article

In his latest Behind the Breeds column breeding expert Don Rae casts his eye around the trials at Manawatu, Addington and Winton. At Manawatu earlier this month (Nov 7) Scott Dickson had two qualifiers in solo heats – Dothelocomotion (3yo G Love You ex Shell Seeker) and That Maj Ya Look (2yo F Art Major ex There’s A Dancer) and there were three trotting qualifiers that sparked interest from the Addington Cup Day trials – Ready Set Jet (3yo G Quaker Jet ex Lochabelle), Idle Lilly (2yo F Majestic Son ex Idle Wishes) and Midnight Diamond (3yo F Royalty For Life ex Lady Midnight). Dothelocomotion’s dam, the C R Commando mare Shell Seeker won twice for Kevin Townley in 2014 with Dexter Dunn in the cart. From seven live foals, she has left two winners, the handy Aiguille (four wins so far for Kevin Townley) and Princess Sadie (one win from three starts for Matty Williamson). The grand-dam of Dothelocomotion is Solar Fire. By Yankee Reb from the Roydon Boy mare Sunsong, Solar Fire was a top juvenile trotter. From 48 starts she recorded 14 wins, 10 seconds and 2 thirds, and won $214,200 in stakes. At two, she won the NZ Sires’ Stakes 2YO Trotting Championship and ran second in the New Zealand 2YO Trotting Stakes. At three she would be dominant; during a magical four months in New Zealand and Australia; she first won the NZB Standardbred Harness Million Trotters Final, then followed by wins in the New Zealand Trotting Derby and Northern Trotting Derby and a second in NZ Sires’ Stakes Trotting Championship behind John Lischner’s Gee’s Pride. She then went across the ditch to win five races in Australia as a three year old including the Group 1 New South Wales Trotting Derby, the Group 1 Victoria Trotters Derby, the Group 2 Holmfield and the Group 1 Victoria Trotters Oaks. As an aged mare, she won the Group 2 New Zealand Trotting Championship before leaving her mark as a broodmare. Her best offspring was undoubtedly Sheemon who won 19 races. Like his mother, he was a precocious juvenile and was able to win at two, securing the Group 2 Sires Stakes 2YO Trotting Championship. He also ran second in the Group 3 New Zealand Trotting Stakes and the 2013 Group 1 2YO Ruby. At three placings in the big races were to be his lot; third to Paramount Queen and Saratoga in the Group 3 Hambletonian Classic, third to Royal Aspirations and Prime Power in the Sires Stakes 3yo Trotting Championship, third behind Blitzemcalder and Habibti in the Northern Trotting Derby and second in the 3yo Trotting Ruby in the wake of Prime Power beaten just over two lengths. Fortunately for his patient connections, at four he finally cracked winning a Ruby. He also won the 2014 Group 3 Greenlane Cup, the 2014 Group 1 National Trot, the 2015 Group 1 Anzac Trotters Cup, and the 2015 Ordeal Trotting Cup. Sheemon amassed 80 starts, 19 wins, 19 seconds, 12 thirds, and lifetime $548,064 in stakes. Another good trotter left by Solar Fire was Fratellino (Monarchy). He won eight races from 48 starts for a record of (2.02.6T,S* and 1.58.6T, 1M* AUS) 48 starts, 8 wins, 6 seconds, 6 thirds, Lt $75,544. Firenze also won five races, Hot Vacation won twice and Solar Spark once giving Solar Fire a breeding record of thirteen live foals and six winners. Solar Fire’s dam Sunsong was unraced and only left the one live foal from seven attempts and just as well one of the matings worked! Many may recognise the name of Sunsong’s dam Sungait Song. By B F Coaltown from Princess Diller, she was imported from America by Sir Roy Mackenzie to his Roydon Lodge stud and has proved to be one our most influential broodmares ever. Not only did she leave super-horse and super-sire Sundon (27 wins from 60 starts), she also left Arnsong (8 wins), Roydon Arnie (9 wins), Sungait Reb (15 wins and another excellent juvenile trotter), Sunning (8 wins), A Touch of Sun (5 wins) plus two other minor winners. Sundon would be worth a book by himself but suffice to say as a racehorse he was of the highest class. At two, he was simply incredible winning eleven from eleven including the 1988 New Zealand 2YO Trotting Stakes, while at three he was able to win a Hambletonian Classic and the 1989 Northern Trotting Derby. His undefeated run reached fifteen starts until he was beaten in the 3YO New Zealand Trotting Stakes. In 1990 he picked up a Dominion Handicap beating Game Paul by three quarters of a length and and also the 1990 DG Jones Memorial / Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup. In 1991 he secured a New Zealand Trotting Championship and Ashburton Trotters Flying Mile. As a stallion he was quite probably our greatest ever; he left the winners of 3116 races for stakes earnings of $32,180,419. One Over Kenny topped the stakes earners list winning 26 races and $811,194 in stakes. Names like Master Lavros, Springbank Richard, Marcoola, Allegro Agitato, Houdini Star, Pompallier, Ima Gold Digger, Our Sunny Whiz and Springbank Sam complete the list of Sundon’s top ten stakes earners. It would be unfair too not to acknowledge the marvellously durable Moment of Truth who wound up being Sundon’s top race winner with 29 wins over twelve seasons from aged three to fourteen, winning at least once in every season except as a three year old when he had just the one start and as an eleven year old. (His best season was as a ten year old when he won eight races, and yes, he did win a race at the age of fourteen.) Sundon’s broodmare stats are no less impressive racking up 2996 wins and $37,329,881 to date. No less than 52 horses from Sundon mares have won ten or more races. Top of the pack is Sundee’s Son with 34 wins while others such as Sovereignty, Stent, Monbet, Royal Aspirations, One Over Da Moon and Prime Power showcase the ability of Sundon mares to leave top horses. Another top horse from this family (from Focus On Me out of an unraced half-sister to Sundon in Sunny Gal) is Highgrove (11 wins from 22 starts to date). He has also been a fine juvenile winning the New Zealand 2YO Trotting Stakes and NZB Standardbred 2YO Mobile Trot while at three he has picked up NZB Standardbred Harness Million 3YO Trotters Final and the Group 1 Northern Trotting Derby, carrying on the fine family tradition in that race. On to That Maj Ya Look, her dam is the Falcon Seelster mare There’s A Dancer, who is out of the fine racemare There’s A Franco, by Holmes Hanover from Tango Franco by El Patron out of the very talented Tiger Wave mare Tempest Tiger. There’s A Dancer, who won four times, had a very successful start to her breeding career leaving five winners from her first five foals, several of which have gone on to achieve very good results in Australia and USA. Ocean Ridge won three times from ten starts before being sent offshore; times like 1.52.6,1M*AUS & 1.49.8,1MUS suggest he is a very good horse. Bracken Ridge won five from fourteen before he went to Australia and McClinchie has set a best time in USA of 1.51.6,1M. There’s A Franco was certainly a very good mare, winning thirteen races in all. At three she won the 1995 Group 2 Caduceus Club Ladyship Stakes and the 1996 New Zealand Oaks. She could sprint or stay too, as evidenced by wins in the 2000m 1997 Group 1 New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stake, the 1997 Geraldine Cup (3200m on grass) and the 1998 Invercargill Cup (3200m on grit), a race in which she also placed second and third over the next two years, in 1999 and 2000 respectively. There’s A Franco would have wished for a better career as a breeder but she did manage to leave four winners with Franco The Man probably the best of them with a best time of 1.51.6,1MUSA. Next dam Tango Franco did well as a broodmare. Not only did she leave There’s A Franco, she also left This Time Franco who also won a Caduceus Club Fillies Classic. This Time Franco had a similar career to her little sister, competing in many of the same races as a two and three year-old. She ran second in both the New Zealand Oaks and Northern Oaks, but won the season defining Nevele R 3YO Fillies Series Final. Her other top wins included the 1992 Ladyship Stakes and the 1993 New Zealand Sires’ Stakes Fillies Championship. Amazingly, reconfirming the glorious – and expensive – uncertainty of racing, from eleven live foals This Time Franco left just one minor winner. Happily to report, at least one her unraced daughters did well at stud. Silksngems left several decent winners for George Timperley”s Motu Stud. Motu Crusader (16 wins, $294,434, 1.52.9,1M* AUS) was clearly the best but Motu Treasure (6 wins), Motu Meteor (5 wins), and Motu Pocket O’Jewels (4 wins) all managed to prove that having This Time Franco in the distaff line isn’t necessarily a kiss of death breeding wise. Other daughters have managed to produce minor winners of up to four races to date. Next dam Tempest Tiger was a hugely exciting racehorse for Peter Ryder. Winning seven races from just fifteen starts, she had a blistering sprint and high cruising speed. In her brief but spectacular career, her first major win came in the 1979 Canterbury Park Four-Year-Old Flying Mile (Gr2). Her biggest win then came when she beat the boys in the 1979 New Zealand Messenger Championship Final, with Genesis, Matai Dreamer, Individualist and Trio among the beaten division. At stud, from twelve live foals, she left eight winners with OK Tiger (7 wins) being the best. Ready Set Jet is by Quaker Jet from the unraced Lochabelle, by The Pres from Lady Eskay by Safely Kept from Lady Attewell. The foundation mare in this line is the 1933 mare Mac’s Jimmy, by Maxegin. She left a good horse in Culture (8 wins) and two others who won four times each. The next dam up the chain, Nalder, left five winners with False Star (8 wins) being the best of these. To be fair, there are just four minor winners anywhere else in the pedigree above this level on the dam side but Safely Kept is surely interesting. By Jate Lobell from an Abercrombie mare, Safely Kept is pacing bred through and through, yet in his stats his horses roughly speaking won one race trotting for every two pacing. Admittedly, the numbers aren’t huge with only 131 races in total won but his broodmare stats are even more telling. Safely Kept mares are actually more likely to leave the winners of trotting races than pacing races. With 207 races in total won by horses from Safely Kept mares, 111 of those having been trotting winners. Safely Kept trotters were actually the best of his winners with Larix (10 races won), Paris Metro (8) and Cyclone Vance (6) leading his list of successful offspring. Similarly, the best horses from Safely Kept mares are all trotters too; Massive Metro (10 wins), Commander Paris (10 wins), Cyclone U Bolt (9 wins), Cool Cobber (9 wins), Peregrine (7 wins) and Clyde (7 wins). So even while it’s hard to see where Safely Kept”s trotting influences come from all I can say is that they are definitely there! And adding the French strains of Quaker Jet is quite an interesting blend. Good luck to the connections!! Idle Lilly is next to highlight. It won’t take Einstein to figure out that she is from the famous “Idle” family from whom so many good trotters have emerged. Still top of this list for my money is Idle Scott. An iron horse campaigner for Kumeu”s Dave Gibbons, Idle Scott raced fom three years until thirteen. He racked up 219 starts for 46 wins 26 seconds 49 thirds and $585,863 in stake earnings. His first major win came in the the 1988 Air New Zealand NZ Trotting Free-For-All (Gr2). He won many top races with the 1990 Rowe Cup beating Directorship and Drott Moss possibly the best of them. His record in the Cambridge Trotters Flying Mile may never be beaten; in 1990 he placed third, in 1992 it was a win, third in 1993, second in 1994, first again in 1995 to be followed by a final third placing in 1996. He also won two National Trots (1989, 1991), two Lyell Creek Stakes (1991, 1992) and was oftentimes sighted starting off long handicaps at his beloved Alexandra Park. Among the other good “Idle “trotters have been Idle Speedster (10 wins), Idle Lilly’s dam Idle Wishes (7 wins for Mike Austin), Idle Lilly’s siblings Idle Monkey (6 wins), Idle Moose, Mikemaro (both 5 wins), Idle Conn (5 wins), and Idle Bones (12 wins). Interestingly, Idle Lilly traces directly to Berthabell who was highlighted in the previous article. Certainly a family of considerable talent. The last on our list is Midnight Diamond who is by Royalty For Life out of Lady Midnight and races out of the Robbie Holmes barn in the colours of Merv Neill. The merits of the distaff side notwithstanding – and believe me, with Cabaletta as the grand-dam those merits are considerable – what first caught my eye was a sire whose name I didn’t recognise at all, no disrespect to the horse’s connections. It turns out Royalty For Life Is a thirteen year old US-bred stallion who for whatever reason has left a mere six live foals from fifteen servings since first being offered here in 2016. He certainly has trotting pedigree with a top line of RC Royalty, Credit Winner, American Winner and Super Bowl. On the dam side, stallions such as Donerail and American Winner (again) show up. I mentioned Cabaletta above – she was a half-sister to Allegro Agitato (22 wins), Arpeggio (6 wins) and Rondo (9 wins). Allegro Agitato has been a handy breeder too for V Lauren and M J Lauren leaving I Got Rhythm (7 wins), Gershwin (11 wins), Lady Be Good (6 wins) and Itaintnecessarilyso (5 wins to date) amongst her foals. Another foal from the same dam (Chiola’s Lass) has been Skyvalley NZ. Unraced in New Zealand he was a Group 1 winner in Australia and recorded 24 wins from 47 starts with stakes in excess of $AU322,000. He has been the most successful colonial-bred sire in Australia over the last decade or so, and has left top horses such as Tornado Valley ($1,033,977) and Pink Galahs (AU$330,174). Overall, Skyvalley NZ is the sire of seven Group 1 winners and has sired the winners of over $AU6.6 million including fifteen winners of over $AU100,000, and five winners of over $AU200,000. In Australia, Skyvalley NZ has a 68 percent winners-to-starters ratio and in New Zealand, he has a 73 percent winners-to-starters ratio. He remains available through Aldebaran Lodge in Australia. Chiola’s Lass traces directly to the 1951 Baffelan mare Serenelli who won eleven races for Noel Berkett. Descendants with -NELLI at the end of their names are highly likely to belong to this same family. Briganelli (7 wins), Carsonelli (5 wins) and Maxenelli were some of Serenelli’s offspring, while Gypsenelli (5 wins) and Kiwinelli (4 wins) also showed up some. Chiola’s Lass (dam of Cabaletta etc) was a high class filly who won ten times from just seventeen starts. The Rosso Antico Stakes (Gr2) at Alexandra Park was probably hee best win in New Zealand but she also won three times in Australia. There are winners in this line dating back to the 1920s and 1930s where Grattan Derby left the talented Homeward (9 wins) and Bulls Eye (8 wins). The Winton Harness Racing Club Trials on Friday November 3 turned up some interesting qualifiers whose breeding provides the background for fertile research. In the first heat, a 2yo Mobile Pace over 1609m, six of the seven runners successfully qualified – the other horse, Dawson, had already qualified and was previously profiled in this series. Today we look at Wild Bull and Lydah Valley – Wild Bull being a gelding by Raging Bull from Bay Jet trained by Lauren Pearson, and Lydah Valley a filly by boom sire Sweet Lou from Extreme Force, who races from the Tony Stratford barn. Wild Bull took my eye as much for his sire as for his dam, although her background is interesting enough. Bay Jet traces to the “Averil” family of Clarrie Rhodes who we covered in https://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/behind-the-breeds-whos-catching-the-eye-2/. This is the family featuring 1972 New Zealand Trotting Cup winner True Averil, the unbeaten New Age Man (13 starts 13 wins for Laurence Hanrahan) plus the highly talented Extraordinaire (5 wins from 7 starts) and the exciting free-legged pacer Hondo’s Dream (8 wins for Eddie Cowie). It’s Wild Bull’s sire Raging Bull who really catches my eye in context of this article. He was a talented juvenile before injury checked his progress – ten starts, five wins, five seconds attest to that fact. In fact, he was only ever defeated by three Group One-winning horses: Smolda, Christen Me and Ideal Scott. The key point apart from his high winners to starters ratio is that he is by the mighty Christian Cullen from a US-bred mare, San Sophia, who was herself a full sister to one of the greatest mares to race in America during the 1990s namely Galleria, (1:49.2; $US1,814,453). Galleria too was by Artsplace who has racked up an imposing record as a broodmare sire. Raging Bull is thus a different kind of blend of colonial and imported blood. While on paper he is definitely and correctly classed as New Zealand-bred, there is also a line of American blood present through Christian Cullen’s grand-dam Pleasant Evening who was by US super-sire Overtrick but from a Kiwi-bred Lumber Dream mare, Romanda. Incidentally, Christian Cullen traces through Romanda directly to the thorough-bred mare Pride of Lincoln, who was in turn dam of Thelma who proved to be one of our greatest foundation broodmares. This is a family of superstars throughout the ages; for example, Thelma runs in the pedigrees of several historical New Zealand Trotting Cup winners, Wildwood Junior (1909, 1910), Author Dillon (1916), Lucky Jack (1937, 1939) and Marlene (1940) and Invicta (1961) just to name some. Others include Auckland Cup winner Thelma Globe (1956), Australian stars such as Rip Van Winkle (Queensland/New South Wales Derbies, Australian Pacing Championship), Inter Dominion Pacing champion Welcome Advice (also Victoria Derby), and Great Northern Derby winners Bolton Byrd (Auckland Cup) and Melton Monarch (Messenger). More recently top trotters such as Stig (22 NZ wins), Take A Moment (31 wins), Moment of Truth (29 wins), Dr Hook (20 wins), Quite A Moment (16 wins) have all carried the Thelma blood in their pedigrees as have literally hundreds of winners in both gaits. Oscar Bonavena (54 starts, 19 wins, 10 seconds, 5 thirds, Lt $440,208) is a current flag bearer for Thelma and being entire by Majestic Son, perhaps he will get a chance at stud to carry on the proud heritage. Raging Bull is standing in Victoria these days at Northern Rivers Equine but remains available to New Zealand breeders. From 66 foals aged four years and older, he has sired 25 individual winners. These include Wildwest (1:52.8, WA Pacing Cup, earnings of over $470,000) the Group Three-winning Our Bare Knuckle (1:51.5; $100,340) and Raupunga Lad (unbeaten in three starts). It will certainly be interesting to monitor the progress of Raging Bull, especially in Australia where he seems to have a higher profile. Raging Bull achieved his second win as a broodmare sire when Better Knuckle Up (out of the 8yo mare Bare Knuckle) won for the second time at Auckland, Friday 10 November, in 1:53.3. Better Knuckle Up now has two wins and a fourth from his three starts to date. On to Lydah Valley, as we mentioned she is by Sweet Lou from a Christian Cullen mare namely Extreme Force. She traces directly back to the immensely influential 1909 mare Berthabell who was by Peter The Great out of Corona Mac. From 14 live foals, she left 11 winners among which were five who went to open class and ran and won against the best. This remarkable list includes Great Bingen (21 wins, rated as one of the best horses NOT to win a New Zealand Trotting Cup), Peter Bingen (16 wins, New Zealand Trotting Cup 1928 and 1929), Great Peter (8 wins), Baron Bingen (7 wins), Great Parrish (14 wins, 1932 Auckland Cup) and Ringtrue (10 wins). Bertha Bell’s progeny won £34,535 in stakes at a time when this was a small fortune and her sons also sired numerous winners. Worthy Bingen sired Worthy Queen, whose mile record of 2.03 3/5 stood as the trotting benchmark for decades and 30 plus other winners. Great Bingen sired more than 40 winners, including classic winners in Taxpayer, Double Great, Refund and Great News, Great Parrish left about 40 winners, and Ringtrue over 30. Even her moderate and/or unraced fillies also had an influence; Bertha Bingen was great-great-grand-dam to champion trotter Vodka while Bertha Parrish was grand-dam to 1955 New Zealand Trotting Cup winner Our Roger (15 wins) and Lavengro (10 wins). More recently, directly tracing to Lydah Valley along the pedigree bottom line, Sam Ballantyne had some success with the broodmare Viva Reine. Among her foals she left Graikos (8 wins from just 17 starts including Forbury Park 4YO & 5YO Championship), the great-great-grand-dam of Lydah Valley in Eastwood Jubilee (4 wins) and Rameses (5 wins). Franco Enforce was a top horse in this line recording 1.55.7,1M* & 1.57.8,S*AUS and 1.50.6,1MUSA. He raised $343,105 in stakes with 11 wins from 21 NZ starts, 3rd 1988 New Zealand Trotting Cup, 1st NZ Sires’ Stakes Final, and was placed in both New Zealand and Great Northern Derbies. Franco Emirate was yet another good horse from this wider family. His 14 wins included the Cup Day Group 3 Ricoh Free-For-All, the 2011 4YO Harness Jewels (male) and the 2011 Group 1 New Zealand Messenger. Lydah Valley therefore has noble ancestors both near and far and no doubt the owners, as do all owners of recently qualified horses, will be looking forward to the future with excitement and optimism. The last horse to note from this day at Winton is the 5yo Superfast Stuart gelding Our Superfund. Racing out of the stable of Stephen Balloch, he is out of the Majestic Son mare Majestic Dream, out of Whispering Dream by Chairmanoftheboard from the Lumber Dream mare My Dream. This is the family with which Oamaru’s Noel Taylor enjoyed considerable success. Most notable was the durable and consistent Live The Dream who was by Live Or Die from a Lumber Dream mare. Live The Dream won 14 times from 132 starts over 11 seasons. He won three pacing aged three and four but over the next nine seasons trotting he racked up 11 wins, 26 seconds and 27 thirds from 108 starts trotting. Just a whisker off the best classes, his best runs were possibly his fourth beaten four and a quarter lengths in the 2009 Group 1 New Zealand Trotting Championship in behind One Over Kenny and third in the 2012 Ordeal Cup . Live Or Die was nearly exclusively a pacing influence; his pacers won 2372 races while his trotters won a mere 32 times. Similarly, while on a much smaller scale Chairmanoftheboard left the winners of 51 races pacing and just two races trotting. Perhaps the trotting influence descends from Lumber Dream who managed to leave a hair over ten percent of his 764 wins as trotters (77 wins). Other trotting winners recently from this family include Fast Whispering (4 wins to date), Fake Whispering (2 wins), Whispering Champagne (3 wins), Pegasus Dream (7 wins) while Boyz Invasion, out of an Armbro Invasion daughter of My Dream is another to shine as a trotter with 11 wins thus far. Going two steps further back from My Dream we find the U Scott mare Arahina who left seven winners from ten live foals including Best Bet (12 wins trotting including 1977 New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All, 2nd 1977 Dominion Handicap behind Nigel Craig beaten just a quarter of a length) and the free-legged pacer Best Dream who won eight races. Arahina in turn was a half sister to top colonial bred sire Local Light (9 wins, 2nd 1953 Great Northern Derby, sired the winners of 629 races). Her dam Local Gold also left the very good horses Arania (12 wins) and Golcourt (9 wins, 1st 1964 Thames Pacing Cup, sired 20 NZ winners including Gallio 8 wins and Wild Briar 7 wins). Arania won the 1959 New Zealand Oaks and ran third in the New Zealand Derby that year too. As an older mare she won the 1961 Dunedin Festival Cup for George Noble and managed third in the 1961 Inter-Dominion Pacing Final behind Massacre and multiple New Zealand Trotting Cup winner False Step. As her peak offspring, Arania left Hurrania at stud among her six foals and three winners. Like her mum, Hurrania won the 1974 New Zealand Oaks and also ran third in the 1974 Northern Oaks. Others descending from Arania fillies include Galaxy Scott (8 wins), Hurricane Star (7 wins). Coma Berenices (7 wins including 1986 Caduceus Club Fillies Classic), Deimos (6 wins), Sagitta (6 wins) Classiesistar (11 wins) and Cala (10 wins), just to name a few. Wrapping up on Our Superfund, it can be seen that the immediate family is well and truly trotting oriented while further back there are strong pacing performers albeit sometimes with a trotting streak. As usual, the proof will be in the pudding with all these qualifiers but certainly there are grounds on pedigree to look forward to race-day starts for all of them. View the full article

Straight Arron adds another credit to his blossoming career. Straight Arron has continued a building advance towards the HK$36 million Hong Kong Cup (2000m) next month with an emphatic victory in the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday in a performance which drew the plaudits of trainer Caspar Fownes and jockey Vincent Ho. Accelerating from the tail of the field, clocking 23.20s over the final 400m, the Fastnet Rock gelding overpowered Sword Point and Money Catcher to confirm Fownes’ lofty opinion of the five-year-old. “This horse is a quality animal and he’s just getting to where he should be now. That was a good result for us and it gives us a chance to get into the big race (Hong Kong Cup), which is always tough against the top stayers in the world,” Fownes said. “But he’s earned his spot there and if they can run in the first four or five on international day, it’s a job done really. “Like I said in the interview before the race, if (Straight Arron) couldn’t win the way I had him, then I hadn’t got him to where I thought I had. I called it a while ago that I thought he was a 120 (rated) horse and he’s still got a chance to improve on those numbers.” Fownes will target the HK$24 million Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) with stablemate Senor Toba, who finished fifth. “He ran very well there, Senor Toba. He was a bit held up at the wrong time of the race but his run was good. Both horses have run with a lot of merit and I’m very happy.” Jumping from barrier six, Straight Arron was unsuited by the sluggish early tempo as he and Russian Emperor drifted towards the rear of the field behind Money Catcher, Sword Point and Nimble Nimbus. “At first when they were going very slow, he was a little bit keen. Matthew (Chadwick) outside of me (on Russian Emperor) tried to push me in as well and when they quickened up, I felt more confident,” said Ho, who angled into the clear approaching the home turn before allowing Straight Arron to slip through his gears. “He is also a good horse, Straight Arron and 2000 (metres) is his best distance as well. We had some ‘prep’ races before this and he’s coming up with this form so we’re glad to see his performance today and he will improve from this and perform at the internationals if he gets in.” Straight Arron won by three-quarters of a length with a neck separating Sword Point and Money Catcher. More horse racing news View the full article

Marble Arch, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, wins the 2023 Future Stars Final at Pakenham. (Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Racing Victoria (RV) and Pakenham Racing Club (PRC) have teamed up to present the return of Australia’s richest maiden series, the Future Stars, in early 2024. This exciting event, hosted at Pakenham during January and February, boasts a total prize pool of $1.2 million. Commencing on January 11, 2024, the series will consist of heats held over seven consecutive Thursday nights, concluding with a grand final meeting on Thursday, February 29, 2024. The pinnacle of the series will be the $300,000 Future Stars Final (1400m), featured alongside the $300,000 Pakenham Cup (2500m), which has been rescheduled from its previous December slot. The successful series, won by Marble Arch in 2023, aims to propel promising racing careers, offering trainers and owners a chance to compete for substantial rewards. Following the 2023 format, the Future Stars series will be staged under the following conditions: Open to three-, four- and five-year-old horses only 12 maiden heats, each with a prize of $75,000, covering distances of 1200m or 1400m Fields of 12 for heats and final, with winners of each heat earning automatic qualification for the final If qualified horses don’t accept, spots will be offered to the highest-rated second-placegetters among the heats The $300,000 final will be a 1400m Class 3 set weights contest In addition, the Future Stars Jockey Contest returns in 2024, featuring a $50,000 prize pool across the eight night meetings. Jockey points will be awarded on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis in each of the 12 heats, with double points available in the final. The top three pointscorers will receive $30,000, $15,000, and $5,000 for first, second, and third place, respectively. To enhance the competition, riders can nominate one ‘Power Play’ across the heats, doubling their points in that race. The 2023 series was clinched by Ethan Brown, who secured first prize with three heat wins and a strategic use of his Power Play, with Daniel Stackhouse and Blaike McDougall filling out the podium. More horse racing news View the full article

Beauty Eternal continues to improve. Preparing to meet Golden Sixty at next month’s Hong Kong International Races, Beauty Eternal landed the biggest prize of his burgeoning career in Sunday’s HK$5.35 million Group 2 Jockey Club Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin. Carrying the same silks as exceptional miler Beauty Generation for owner Patrick Kwok, Beauty Eternal (123lb) took his racing to yet another level as he repelled the late charge of Beauty Joy (123lb) by a short-head to win his first Group 2 under jockey Zac Purton. “It’s probably the first time he’s had to dig deep when something has come at him like that and find and he’ll take some confidence out of it,” Purton said. The winning time of the race was 1m 33.04s. Voyage Bubble (123lb) finished in third place first-up following knee surgery, while a fading California Spangle (128lb) could only manage fourth. Healthy Happy (123lb) rounded out the five-runner field. Beauty Eternal – under the care of 12-time champion trainer John Size – broke evenly from barrier five. He cruised down the back straight in fourth before ambling into contention, taking the lead with 300m left to run before denying a rampaging Beauty Joy. “They went a decent tempo and he came into the race nicely. He had no horse to run at and he was there to get shot down. To his credit, he was able to kick and win the race,” Size said. “He probably learned a bit more about racing today.” Beauty Eternal is now an eight-time winner from 12 starts. Last season he captured the mantle as Most Improved Horse (2022/23) in Hong Kong after rising 65 rating points. “If you get to the front a fair bit too early and the horse starts to wander around or think, you’re in trouble. I think the horse that’s running down the leader has some sort of advantage. It’s not very often he’s been in that situation so I think he’ll learn something from it,” Size said. The five-year-old’s earnings now sit at HK$18.15 million and he is expected to chase a significant boost to that figure in the HK$32 million Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) when he faces Hong Kong’s current champion Golden Sixty for the first time. “We’ll see how he pulls up after this race, and that will give me a guide on what to do between now and 10 December. “He went to the race in good condition and should come out of it nicely. It’s always nice for the owners who contribute so much to get some nice results,” Size said. Beauty Eternal’s success was part of a four-timer for Size, who earlier prevailed with Raging Blizzard, Helios Express and Ensued. More horse racing news View the full article

After two successive defeats this campaign, champion sprinter Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) produced a fighting finish to narrowly down Victor The Winner to claim successive victories in the Gr.2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Lucky Sweynesse will now aim to land his first LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on 10 December. It was Zac Purton’s tenth win on Lucky Sweynesse, who is the first horse since Hot King Prawn in 2018 and 2020 to win the race twice. “He got the job done,” Purton said. “He’s sort of getting back to his best. He’s not quite there yet but he took another step in the right direction today and he’s going to need to be better next time.” In what was billed as a dress rehearsal for next month’s LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint with every horse in today’s race all entered, Lucky Sweynesse went into the race after twice finishing second since resuming from a spell. Many saw it as a race in two between Lucky Sweynesse and Wellington, who was having his first run since finishing his last campaign when tenth of 16 at Royal Ascot in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes in June over 1200m. Victor The Winner, who downed Lucky Sweynesse by 2.5 lengths in September, again threatened to topple Hong Kong’s sprint king. Lucky Sweynesse was wide going forward after the jump and settled fourth, while Wellington jumped well but was happy to let Victor The Winner make the running in front. Victor The Winner kept rolling along in front and 600m from home was waiting for the challengers to arrive. Lucky Sweynesse started his charge home three wide, with Sight Success chasing Victor The Winner in second. Wellington started to peg the leader back and Lucky Sweynesse lunged late to snatch a gutsy victory from Victor The Winner. Wellington was third. After carrying 135lb in his first two races this campaign, Lucky Sweynesse was much better off with the set weights and penalties scale in today’s race with 128 pounds. Victor The Winner’s jockey Karis Teetan rode a bold race and made the heavily-supported Lucky Sweynesse earn his win, scoring by just a neck in 1m 08.42s. The key to Victor The Winner’s race was that he was able to settle and dictate terms in front and it was perhaps only the world class of Lucky Sweynesse that got him that narrow victory. Lucky Sweynesse was sold at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale out of Woburn Farm’s 2020 draft for $90,000 to Joe Barnes’ J & I Bloodstock. The gelding was a six length trial winner at Ellerslie out of Shelley Hale’s Cambridge stable before transferring to Hong Kong. Woburn Farm are offering a half brother by Contributer as Lot 116 at this week’s Ready To Run Sale at Karaka. View the full article

Chili Flag put the cherry on top of a series of encouraging performances with a commanding stakes victory in the $120,000 Forever Together Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack Nov. 19.View the full article

Lucky Sweynesse posts his 14th win. After two successive defeats, champion sprinter Lucky Sweynesse produced a fighting finish to narrowly down Victor The Winner to claim successive victories in the Group 2 Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin. Lucky Sweynesse will now aim to land his first Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on December 10. It was Zac Purton’s tenth win on Lucky Sweynesse, who is the first horse since Hot King Prawn in 2018 and 2020 to win the race twice. “He got the job done,” Purton said. “He’s sort of getting back to his best. He’s not quite there yet but he took another step in the right direction today and he’s going to need to be better next time.” In what was billed as a dress rehearsal for next month’s Hong Kong Sprint with every horse in today’s race all entered, Lucky Sweynesse went into the race after twice finishing second since resuming from a spell. Many saw it as a race in two between Lucky Sweynesse and Wellington, who was having his first run since finishing his last campaign when tenth of 16 at Royal Ascot in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes in June over 1200m. Victor The Winner, who downed Lucky Sweynesse by 2.5 lengths in September, again threatened to topple Hong Kong’s sprint king. Lucky Sweynesse was wide going forward after the jump and settled fourth, while Wellington jumped well but was happy to let Victor The Winner make the running in front. Victor The Winner kept rolling along in front and 600m from home was waiting for the challengers to arrive. Lucky Sweynesse started his charge home three wide, with Sight Success chasing Victor The Winner in second. Wellington started to peg the leader back and Lucky Sweynesse lunged late to snatch a gutsy victory from Victor The Winner. Wellington was third. After carrying 135lb in his first two races this campaign, Lucky Sweynesse was much better off with the set weights and penalties scale in today’s race with 128 pounds. Victor The Winner’s jockey Karis Teetan rode a bold race and made the heavily-supported Lucky Sweynesse earn his win, scoring by just a neck in 1:08.42s. The key to Victor The Winner’s race was that he was able to settle and dictate terms in front and it was perhaps only the world class of Lucky Sweynesse that got him that narrow victory. More horse racing news View the full article

John Size celebrates his 1,500th Hong Kong win with HKJC Chief Executive Officer Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and Executive Director, Racing, Mr Andrew Harding. John Size added another remarkable layer to an extraordinary career when the 12-time champion trainer saddled his 1,500th Hong Kong winner at Sha Tin on Sunday, becoming only the second person to achieve the feat behind fellow Australian John Moore. Marking his entry into one of Hong Kong racing’s most exclusive clubs with a quartet, Size reached the 1,500 win-mark when Raging Blizzard won under six-time Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton. One of the most influential figures in Hong Kong racing’s long and decorated history, Size was humbled to reach the colossal figure to sit behind only Moore (1,735 wins) before crowning the achievement with the subsequent wins of Beauty Eternal, Helios Express and Ensued. “I’m very satisfied with my career in Hong Kong. It’s been very good from the first season when I started here and it’s given me great satisfaction,” Size, 69, said expressing surprise that he had reached such an imposing milestone with his 10,912th starter in Hong Kong. “No, I didn’t imagine that (reaching 1,500 winners). I thought it was a very tough assignment for me to come here but right from the beginning it seems like I was well suited and I’ve done much better than I could have imagined.” With 16 Group 1 victories and three Hong Kong Derby triumphs to his credit, Size has been synonymous with some of the jurisdiction’s smartest horses while reaching the landmark with a winning strike rate of 13.7%. First licensed for the 2001/02 season, Size swept to the Hong Kong trainers’ championship and repeated the feat in 2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2022/23 – to stand alone as the owner of the most training crowns. “I’ll leave someone out if I start mentioning names, but Electronic Unicorn started the procession. He was a fantastic horse to come to me in my first season and gave me a great start and a big kick along,” Size reflected. “The three (Hong Kong) Derby horses, of course – Fay Fay (2012), Luger (2015) and Ping Hai Star (2018) – and Beat The Clock, who won four Group 1s in 12 months. It’s been a great ride and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. “I’m very satisfied and I’m very grateful that I was able to come here.” After his customary measured start to the season, Size accelerated his push for a 13th training crown with a quartet today. The master trainer completed a race-to-race double when Helios Express won Brenton Avdulla charged into contention for the International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley on December 6 with his first Hong Kong four-timer. “It’s a massive result, obviously I had just knocked over a few singles (previously) – I hadn’t even had a double until today,” Avdulla said. “I did think coming here today that this was my strongest book of rides. I had good gates. “I thought with a bit of luck, I could get one or two – it worked out well to get three, now four. It’s a big result.” Shaping as a potential BMW Hong Kong Derby contender, Ensued remained unbeaten with a dogged display in the Class 3 BOC Credit Card Handicap (2000m). “It worked out really well, it was a wide draw but the race panned out well. On the turn, I thought he was the winner. He’s a nice horse,” Avdulla, 32, said. A Toronado gelding, Helios Express claimed a Top-Up Bonus of HK$1.5 million with his third win from four starts in Hong Kong. Avdulla earlier combined with David Hall to win on Star Club before triumphing atop Michael Chang’s Lost Child as the Australian made it four on Size’s impressive young stayer Ensued. Tony Cruz-trained Champion Dragon, a HKIR entrant, proved too classy under Alexis Badel before Pierre Ng (23 wins) consolidated his place at the head of the 2023/24 trainers’ championship with Galaxy Patch’s success under Karis Teetan. Antoine Hamelin struck aboard Douglas Whyte’s Tamra Blitz. More horse racing news View the full article

What Newcastle Races Where Newcastle Racecourse – 100 Darling St, Broadmeadow NSW 2292 When Tuesday, November 21, 2023 First Race 1:10pm AEDT Visit Dabble After hosting The Hunter on Saturday afternoon, racing returns to Newcastle Racecourse on Tuesday for a competitive eight-race program. The rail moves out +8m the entire circuit after being in the true position over the weekend, and with the forecast suggesting there could be showers throughout the day, we expect the Good 4 surface to deteriorate into the Soft range. The opening race is set to get underway at 1:10pm local time. Best Bet: Prairie Legend Prairie Legend returns after a 125-day spell and seems to be relishing his trackwork since undergoing a gelding operation. The son of I Am Invincible has been to the jump-outs twice to prepare for his return, with the three-year-old ridden cold towards the rear in his latest piece of work at Rosehill on October 27. Lee Magorrian had a vice grip aboard Prairie Legend that day, and we expect a bold showing in this 1200m maiden. Best Bet Race 6 – #4 Prairie Legend (13) 3yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Lee Magorrian (57.5kg) +450 with Betfair Next Best: Hunter Bred It’s been seven starts without success throughout the campaign for the Damien Smith-trained Hunter Bred, but this looks like an ideal setup. He sat wide without cover at Taree on October 20 in open company, going down by a length on the wire. His form prior to that reads well, with a minor placing behind Territory Express at this course on October 14. With Anna Roper getting 3kg off his back, Hunter Bred is paying overs with online bookmakers. Next Best Race 4 – #4 Hunter Bred (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Damien Smith | J: Anna Roper (a3kg) (59kg) +900 with Bet365 Best Value: Dunaloce Dunaloce will make her debut for the Nathan Doyle barn after being transferred across from Phillip Stokes and has done enough at the trials to suggest she’s worth following. She was soft through the line in her latest jump-out at this course on October 24, slowly clicking through her gears for a third-place finish. She’s started as a short-priced favourite in the past, and with a much more tempting price here, Dunaloce is worthy of an each-way ticket. Best Value Race 5 – #11 Dunaloce (7) 4yo Mare | T: Nathan Doyle | J: Ashley Morgan (57kg) +1100 with Neds Newcastle Tuesday quaddie tips – 21/11/2023 Newcastle quadrella selections Tuesday, November 21, 2023 3-4-5-8-11 4-8 1-5-8-9-10 1-4-6-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Roberto Escobarr became the first British-trained winner of the Italian St Leger since Spanish Hidalgo scored for John Dunlop in 2007.View the full article

Highlighted by a Winter Carnival program featuring the Barbara Fritchie (G3) and General George (G3) for older sprinters, Laurel Park will offer 17 stakes worth $1.8 million in purses during its 2024 winter meet.View the full article

Namur rallied from last to score her first grade 1 victory in her eighth try in the Mile Championship at Kyoto Nov. 19 as scheduled rider Ryan Moore was replaced after suffering a fall earlier on the program.View the full article

Highlighted by a Winter Carnival program featuring the GIII Barbara Fritchie S. and GIII General George S., as well as the start of Maryland's series for 3-year-olds leading up to the 149th GI Preakness S., Laurel Park will offer 17 stakes worth $1.8 million in purses during its 2024 winter meet. The 38-day winter meet begins Friday, Jan. 5, running Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Saturday, Mar. 30. Daily post time is 12:25 p.m. There will be no live racing Easter Sunday, Mar. 31. Stakes action kicks off Jan. 20 with the Fire Plug S. and What a Summer S. The seven-furlong Spectacular Bid S. Jan. 27 kicks off Maryland's series of stakes for 3-year-olds on the road to the Preakness, Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown, at Pimlico. It is accompanied by the Xtra Heat S. at six furlongs, the first local prep for 3-year-old fillies en route to the GII Black-Eyed Susan S. Preakness eve. Winter Carnival is set for Saturday, Feb. 17 led by a pair of Grade III events: the $200,000 Barbara Fritchie S. for fillies and mares 4 and up and the $200,000 General George for 4-year-olds and up, both sprinting seven furlongs. Maryland's second series of races for sophomores will be hosted Saturday, Feb. 24. Highlighted by the $100,000 Miracle Wood S. and $100,000 Wide Country S. The winter meet stakes schedule wraps up Saturday, Mar. 23 with the $100,000 Private Terms S. for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles and the $100,000 Beyond the Wire S. for 3-year-old fillies. The post Laurel Winter Schedule Includes 17 Stakes Worth $1.8M appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A first-time starter for Steve Asmussen, CARBONE (2, c, Mitole–Treasure in Heaven, by Street Sense) put in a professional debut effort to earn a 'TDN Rising Star' tag Sunday under the Twinspires. 5-2 on the tote board, the homebred flashed early speed from his outside draw and quickly opened up a lead through the opening furlong. Goldbrick (Goldencents) kept him honest from second as the opening quarter went in :22.13 but Carbone cornered in the two path and was let out by Ricardo Santana Jr. into the stretch to come home unopposed. The 2-year-old colts ran the six furlongs in 1:09.84. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O/B-William & Corinne Heiligbrodt; T-Steve Asmussen. The post Mitole’s Carbone Debuts To ‘Rising Stardom’ At Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lucky Sweynesse, Straight Arron, and Beauty Eternal were the winners on Jockey Club Day in Hong Kong, earning spots to defend local honor in the Longines Hong Kong International Races Dec. 10.View the full article

Pukekohe Workouts Saturday 18th November Weather Raining Track Slushy Simply Sam (4g American Ideal – Simply Stunning) The Green trained runner set a leisurely pace in wet conditions then sprinted sharply last 400m to hold out open class pacer Allamericanlover who gave him 20m start. MR:2:09.2, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 27.2. Looked to be holding his more accomplished rival comfortably over final stages, the winner of seven already looks more than capable of breaking through the $100k in stakes barrier in the coming weeks Beaudiene Rocknroll (3g A Rocknroll Dance – Beaudiene Babe) Another from the Ray Green stable and soon in front then kept going strongly to comfortably hold out his 3 rivals at bay. MR:2:04.9, 800m in 60.9, 400m in 28.4. Formline a rather mixed bag but freshened since last racing in early September and bred to be above average, likely improver. Bangkok Betty (5m Majestic Son – Roxie Heart) The Brownlee trained winner of 4 (from 20 starts) gave 2 maiden rivals 40m start and after sitting 3rd most of the way, improved from the 600m and gathered in pacemaker Own The Moment inside the final 50m. MR:2:13.3, 800m in 63.0, 400m in 29.8. The mare did break at her last start over a mile when looking likely to run a place but has generally been a model of consistency throughout her career and looks a place punter’s friend at the very least. I Didn’t Know That (2c Vincent – Serena’s Whisper) The Hughes trained youngster, still unqualified, was quite green against his one rival but the best part of his trial was the last 200m where he strode up purposefully to outfinish that runner in the straight. MR:2:12.5, 800m in 63.2, 400m in 29.0. His dam is a daughter of class mare Alta Serena (21 wins), making him a half brother to Mr Yips (9 wins) and Whispering Artist (6 wins to date) so plenty of good blood to help him become a successful racehorse. Invercargill Workouts Thursday 16th November Weather Overcast Track Good Ramblin Rover (3g Net Ten Eom – Niftey Franco) The Gray trained 3yo sat back in rear of six before improving around field to lead at the bell, applied the pressure from the 500m and cleared out in the final stages to win impressively, officially by 6L. MR:2:01.2, 800m in 57.5, 400m in 27.9. A last start winner back in September (from only three starts), this effort suggested more in store for the Butterworth owners. Xerion (3g Majestic Son – Loxi Clairborne) The Larsen trained trotter got his qualifying ticket here by beginning well enough to trail mostly, improved inside 800m to lead then ran away in straight from its only real rival. MR:2:12.8, 800m in 60.1, 400m in 28.9. The official margin was 17L and while the other two runners didn’t flatter, the last 800m suggested a worthy consideration when lining up against other maiden trotters in the deep south Franklin Delano (2g Fear The Dragon -Eleanor Roosevelt) Another from the Kirk Larsen team, he came out running from behind the mobile to lead and kept up a strong run to hold out Opportunity and Pounamu, both who have been mentioned in this forum in recent weeks. MR:2:02.5, 800m in 58.4, 400m in 27.6. Won his qualifier back in September and his dam won six and has already left a 1:51 horse so plenty to like about the debut that cant be far away Wyndham Workouts Saturday 18th November Weather Fine Track Fast Port Pegasus (5g Pegasus Spur – Delcola) The winner of five trained by Brian Norman gave his ‘non winner rivals (3) a fair start (supposedly 30m but it looked more) and sat back until starting the final 800m, went around to lead and cleared out from that point, officially 12L at the line. MR:2:23.5, 800m in 61.0, 400m in 30.6. Not quick overall but hasn’t started since March on raceday so building into a new campaign and a likely improver in the coming weeks. His record is handy enough in the right company. Always B Elvis (2c Always B Miki – Tupelo Mississippi) The Lee trained but yet unqualified pacer went straight to the front and kept going nicely to beat his 3 rivals without being fully extended MR:2:11.3, 800m in 60.6, 400m in 29.5. He is a half to the promising Treacherous Miss and his dam is a daughter of Tupelo Rose, a very smart filly here before going overseas. In all, she won 35 races over three continents Motukarara Workouts Saturday 18th November Weather Fine Track Good (Grass) Franco Tim (4g Sportswriter – Thatcher Franco) The Thornley trained runner looked to have trained on from a luckless last start at Methven when he did best over 6 rivals in a handy time. MR:2:04.3, 800m in 61.0, 400m in 28.0 Now 3 runs back from a good spell, those ‘loyal to the cause’ might be about to receive some reward especially on a grass surface. He has dropped back in the ratings which also should be noted Franco Norton (5g A Rocknroll Dance – Navarra Franco) The McRae trained pacer again showed his liking for the grass overcoming the handy Franco Marek in a sharp sprint over the last 400m. MR:2:19.3, 800m in 60.0, 400m in 27.5. The winner of 10 from just 23 starts, the lightly raced gelding started last in the Hannon Memorial but didn’t flatter on a slushy track and after making an early mistake. His grass track record is excellent so must be accorded much respect wherever he is placed over the summer months. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Addington’s Grand Prix Day is set to get some serious Aussie flavour. Australia’s leading driver Nathan Dawson will accompany star three-year-old trotter Not As Promised across the ditch for the $110,000 NZ Trotting Derby on December 10. It will make for a frantic few days for Dawson, who has a string of drives in the Brisbane Inter Dominion around the same time. “We’re going and Nathan said he’ll make it work, too,” Not As Promised’s trainer Graham Dwyer said. Before then, Not As Promised will chase his second Group 1 win of the season in Saturday night’s Breeders Crown 3YO trotting colts and geldings final at Melton. “I’m confident. He’s better now than when he won the Victoria (Trotters’) Derby a few weeks back and this race isn’t as strong,” Dwyer said. Not As Promised is booked on a flight from Melbourne to Christchurch on November 29. “It might surprise a few and I’m sure those young Kiwi trotters will be very good, but our guy is improving with every run and he owes us nothing. We’re going. We may never get another chance to try something like this.” Dwyer, 49, gave up panel beating a decade ago to try full-time training. He and 16-year-old son Layne now have 30 in work and 120 wins this season have them in equal eighth place on the Australian training premiership table. “Most of our horses are bread and butter and passed-on from other stables, but Not As Promised is different,” Dwyer said. Owner Tony Veivers paid $A40,000 for Not As Promised a few months back when Greg Sugars and Jess Tubbs opted to cut back their stock a little after Greg’s extended stint in Sweden with champion trotter Just Believe. “They liked him, but Greg told Tony something had to give,” Dwyer said. “Tony actually looked at a pacer of theirs first, but we didn’t really like it and then Greg (Sugars) suggested Not As Promised. “It took a while to get him going, but you could see the talent was there and it was when he beat an open-class trotter here (Queensland) called My Ultimate Eddie that I said to Tony we should have a crack at the Victoria Derby. He said go for it. Not As Promised’s win shocked most, but not Dwyer, who admitted to having $50 each-way at $251 fixed odds. “I’m not really a punter so it was more out of spite because I couldn’t believe the odds. I gave him a big chance, but it seems nobody else did,” he said. “It just added to an amazing day, by far the biggest thrill of my career.” Dwyer said 28-year-old Nathan Dawson, who is on target for 400-plus wins and a runaway win in the Australian drivers’ premiership this year, has been instrumental in Not As Promised’s emergence. “He’s helped teach the horse and then his drive in the Derby was fantastic,” he said. “I think he’ll end up one of the best drivers in Australia, if he’s not already, and it’s great having him in my corner. “I know he’ll have lots of drives in the Inter Dominion, but when I mentioned this NZ trip, Nathan jumped at it.” View the full article