Wandering Eyes

What Donald Races Where Donald Racecourse – 990 Jeffcott Rd, Donald VIC 3480 When Sunday, November 19, 2023 First Race 1:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Donald Racecourse is set to host a competitive eight-race meeting on Sunday afternoon for Donald Cup Day. A perfect spring day is forecast for Donald, and despite the track coming up a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, we expect to be racing on a Good 4 come race day. The rail will stick in the true position for the club’s marquee day, beginning at 1:30pm AEDT. Here are our free Donald race tips for November 19, 2023. Donald Cup Top Tip: Crackerjack Prince The Archie Alexander-trained Crackerjack Prince will be looking to go one better in the Donald Cup following a runner-up effort in the Ballan Cup at Geelong on November 11. The six-year-old gelding was a nice winner of the Avoca Cup two runs back over 1860m, so the 1620m on Sunday will be no issue for the son of Crackerjack King. Thomas Stockdale will have this bloke settled towards the rear of the field, but with a strong finishing burst under his bonnet, Crackerjack Prince should prove too good for his rivals in the Donald Cup. Donald Cup Race 6 – #1 Crackerjack Prince (7) 6yo Gelding | T: Archie Alexander | J: Daniel Stackhouse (58kg) +220 with Bet365 Best Bet at Donald: Champagne Sharon Champagne Sharon was the best of the beaten bunch behind Mr Mojo Risin’ at Moonee Valley on November 3, and as she steps back to country-level racing, she looks hard to go past. The All Too Hard mare was hitting the line nicely over 1519m, and despite being beat 1.75 lengths, she still put a length on the runner back in third. From barrier 11, we expect Jordan Childs to settle Champagne Sharon in a forward position. There does not look to be too much early speed in the race, so if the pair can grab a cheap sectional or two, Champagne Sharon should have too much in reserve. Best Bet Race 7 – #8 Champagne Sharon (11) 4yo Mare | T: Symon Wilde | J: Jordan Childs (57kg) +200 with Betfair Next Best at Donald: Kodiak Bear We will be hoping the Symon Wilde and Jordan Childs combination can have a fruitful day as they partner up with Kodiak Bear. The four-year-old gelding produced a thunderous finish on debut at Mortlake on November 4, when beaten by the barest of margins. The straight at Donald should suit the son of Tosen Stardom perfectly, as he will be able to build through his gears. The step up to 2200m looks ideal, with Apache Prince and Sardonian set to make this a genuinely run affair, and if Kodiak Bear can produce a similar turn of foot, they simply will not be able to hold him out. Next Best Race 3 – #3 Kodiak Bear (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Symon Wilde | J: Jordan Childs (59.5kg) +150 with Dabble Sunday quaddie tips for Donald races Donald quadrella selections Sunday, November 19, 2023 3-4-6-7-8-9 1-6 2-8 1-2-4-5-9-10-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Molly Bloom will contest the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Visits to Christchurch have been few and far between for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott during their decade-long training partnership, but the Matamata pair have two strong reasons for venturing south this weekend. The Wexford Stables trainers have combined for just nine runners at Riccarton since they went into partnership in the 2013-14 season, but they will send out a two-pronged attack on Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). O’Sullivan and Scott’s headline act is Molly Bloom, who soared to favouritism for the $500,000 fillies’ classic with an outstanding come-from-behind maiden win at Taupo on September 15. The daughter of Ace High has been unlucky in both of her two starts since then. She got too far back, raced greenly and encountered traffic trouble in a race dominated by on-pace runners at Hastings on October 14, ultimately finishing fifth and 1.2 lengths from the winner. She then struck severe interference in the incident-packed Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe two weeks later, crossing the line in a close fourth. Molly Bloom remains at the head of the 1000 Guineas market, sitting at a quote of $4 on Friday morning. “She certainly didn’t have the rub of the green in the Soliloquy last start, but we thought she ran a very good race despite that,” O’Sullivan said. “It was an encouraging performance heading into a race like the Guineas. “She’s continued to go the right way in between times, and we think we’re sending her down to Christchurch in good shape. “You never know for sure how a three-year-old is going to cope with the step up to 1600m until they try it, but everything about this filly and her bloodlines suggests to us that she should really appreciate that extra bit of ground.” By Rich Hill Stud’s Derby-winning stallion Ace High and out of a half-sister to the multiple Group-winning staying mare Decorah, Molly Bloom was a $150,000 purchase by Wexford Stables as a yearling at Karaka last year. Wexford paid $85,000 at the same sale to secure her stablemate Grande Gallo, who was rated a $21 chance for the 1000 Guineas earlier this week but has since been trimmed to $16. The Belardo filly was unplaced in two starts as a two-year-old, but resumed with a desperately unlucky third at Tauranga early last month. She returned to the same venue a month later and made amends, producing an impressive finishing burst to win a 1400m maiden race with ease. “She’s certainly a filly who’s made very good progress over the last few weeks,” O’Sullivan said. “We’ve added blinkers for the race this weekend, and my feeling is that she’s actually not far inferior to the other filly. Time will tell on that, but I think she very much deserves the opportunity to run in the race as well.” More horse racing news View the full article

What Taree Cup Day Where Manning Valley Race Club – Racecourse Dr, Taree NSW 2430 When Sunday, November 19, 2023 First Race 1:25pm AEDT Visit Dabble Country racing heads to the Manning Valley Race Club on Sunday afternoon for a competitive eight-race program headlined by the $100,000 Taree Gold Cup (2000m). The rail is in the true position the entire circuit for the meeting, and with only a minor chance of rain forecast to hit the course in the lead-up, we’re expecting a surface in the Good range. The opening race is scheduled for 1:25pm AEDT. Taree Gold Cup: Rogue Bear The leading chances in the market for the Taree Gold Cup are all dual accepted for races at Newcastle on Saturday, so we’ll take a risk and lock in the early price for the Kris Lees-trained Rogue Bear. He’s fourth-up into his second Australian campaign since arriving from the UK and the son of Kodiac is finally starting to find his best. He won at this course first-up before heading to metropolitan grade at Randwick his last two starts and wasn’t disgraced behind the likes of Loch Eagle and Deficit. Rogue Bear’s well-weighted in this Country Cup, and with some key contenders likely to scratch, the +500 seems a fair price. Taree Gold Cup Race 7 – #5 Rogue Bear (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Kris Lees | J: Dylan Gibbons (56kg) +500 with Betfair Best Bet at Taree: Solutionist We were taken with the first-up victory of Solutionist in maiden company, and she looks perfectly placed in this Class 1 affair. The daughter of Written By was a dominant winner by 2.6 lengths at Newcastle on resumption and seemingly had plenty left in the tank. The extra 100m on Sunday shouldn’t hinder her chances, and with a soft run from barrier six, we’d be shocked if Solutionist wasn’t fighting out the finish here. Best Bet Race 5 – #6 Solutionist (6) 3yo Filly | T: Kris Lees | J: Dylan Gibbons (56.5kg) -133.33 with Boombet Next Best at Taree: Cluster’s General After only one barrier trial, the Brett Bellemy barn is happy to send Cluster’s General to the races, and we’re happy to follow their lead. This recently gelded galloper was impressive in his jump-out at Coffs Harbour on November 4, with Matthew McGillvray sitting quietly on the four-year-old before asking for a short sprint. The son of Cluster responded kindly to being urged along, and with this big field likely to have a genuine tempo, Cluster’s General should get the last crack at his rivals. Next Best Race 6 – #2 Cluster’s General (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Brett Bellamy | J: Matthew McGillivray (59kg) +500 with Bet365 Best Value at Taree: Innervoice We’re keen on the chances of Innervoice in the final race of the card as the Lyle Chandler-trained mare heads to Taree second-up. Her profile suggests she’ll only run well here, with a second-up record of four starts for a win and three minor placings to her name. Her first-up effort at Dubbo on November 4 was a promising start to the campaign, and if she can hold that form heading to this BM66 contest, Innervoice will give a bold sight at each-way odds with online bookmakers. Best Value Race 8 – #11 Innervoice (4) 6yo Mare | T: Lyle Chandler | J: Ben Looker (58kg) +1000 with Neds Sunday quaddie for Taree Gold Cup Day 2023 Taree quadrella selections Sunday, November 19, 2023 1-6 1-2-5-7-14 1-4-5 4-5-6-9-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Riodini will contest the Group 2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m) on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell Highly regarded filly About A Girl will continue her career in Australia from the champion Sydney stable of Chris Waller. The daughter of Almanzor made an impressive winning debut over 1200m at Tauranga last month for trainer and part-owner Nigel Tiley, prompting a trans-Tasman agreement for the three-year-old. “We did a deal with one of Chris Waller’s owners and our partnership group got to retain 20 percent of her,” Tiley said. “I’ve never really had a horse like her, she just kept improving in leaps and bounds and if she keeps going that way it will be quite exciting. “She is pretty talented and I think it’s best for her to be over there and chasing that prizemoney in the autumn.” Tiley’s immediate focus now rests on a senior member of his boutique team to fly the stable flag with Riodini to step out in Saturday’s Group 2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m). He is in his second spell with the Pukekohe horseman, having won four of his six starts including the Group 3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) and placed in both the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m) and the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1600m). The son of Proisir then relocated to the Sydney stable of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and won the A$1 million The Gong (1600m) and finished runner-up in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) and third in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m). He has had one outing since returning to Tiley when seventh in the Group 3 Sweynesse Stakes (1400m) under Sam Spratt, who takes the mount again at Tauranga. “It was a good run and there was an obvious on-speed bias, which Te Rapa can be when it’s a good track,” he said. “They just went too quickly for him, but Sam was happy with him and he found the line well. “I scratched him the other day because of the heavy track and had the option to give him a jump-out at Pukekohe. “We did that and he had a decent blow, he’s come on quite nicely since then so he’s going in the right direction. He’s also drawn to get a nice, soft run behind the speed somewhere.” Safely through Saturday, Riodini will be prepared for the Group 1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham on December 9. More horse racing news View the full article

Another Melbourne Cup Carnival has been and gone, and the team at Punt Drunk are paddock bound in a couple of weeks. However, we still have a bumper Group 1 raceday at Caulfield to get through, as well as three massive Group 1’s across the Nullabor in WA beginning next weekend. Tyler Schiller somehow escapes suspension If you are ever in need of a lawyer, employ the guy who represented Tyler Schiller during the week at an appeals hearing. The young jockey was the topic of a controversial ride on Strait Acer in the Golden Eagle won by Obamburumai. Schiller’s mount shifted in abruptly in the home straight, taking out race favourite Amelia’s Jewel in the process. The incident left Damian Lane on board Amelia’s Jewel saying “glad I came back to the jockey’s room alive”. The horse didn’t get through unscathed either, with WA’s superstar mare needing stitches to a laceration to her near-fore fetlock. Despite ‘Frosty’ Lane being grateful to be alive, Schiller got cleared of any wrongdoing. Amelia’s Jewel’s connections were not too pleased with the outcome on Monday. I know jockeys make mistakes but precedents need to be set especially in these huge prizemoney races, our horse had her legs taken from under her and how she is ok is a Miracle, but we will move on, disappointed with this decision it was light anyway. — Amelia Park Racing (@amelia_racing) November 14, 2023 Let us know your thoughts about the decision in the comments box below! Can Ollie end his Melbourne career in style? Queen Of The Ball ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Begonia Belle Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Saturday’s meeting at Caulfield will be the final time, the G.O.A.T, Damien Oliver rides in Victoria. Ollie has ridden 405 winners at Caulfield throughout his career and will partner Vibrant Sun in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) and Vilana in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m). Those two runners can cause minor upsets in their respective races, but Ollie looks set to farewell Melbourne in style in the Group 3 How Now Stakes (1200m). Oliver will partner the Michael Freedman-trained Queen Of The Ball in the final race of the day, with the pair looking to build on their last start win in the Group 3 Begonia Belle Stakes (1100m) during Melbourne Cup week. His mount is the second favourite in the race with online betting sites, but come Saturday at 5:40pm AEDT, the sentimental money will come late, and if the script writers have a sense of occasion, Queen Of The Ball will send the Caulfield crowd into pandemonium. About Punt Drunk Welcome to Punt Drunk – our weekly column covering all the latest horse racing and punting controversies, dramas and headline news. Have a story or gripe or issue that just grinds your gears? Just hit us up in the comments or contact us page and our jaded, punt hardened Punt Drunk staff will give it the Punt Drunk treatment it deserves. Don’t expect pleasantries or typical racing media fanboy gloss from Punt Drunk – we’re on the punt and we don’t have time to bullshit; the next is about to jump… If you have any stories that you want our Punt Drunk Team to cover or just want to say G’day send us a message on: More horse racing news View the full article

The Garry Lefoe-trained Mighty Murt, with Darwin Cup winning jockey Paul Shiers in the saddle, returns to scale after sealing victory at Fannie Bay on Melbourne Cup Day. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Darwin Photography Professionals) Yet another high-class sprinting event at Darwin will take centre stage at Fannie Bay on Saturday. It continues a plethora of races for the top speedsters in recent weeks, which includes the narrow win by the Garry Lefoe-trained Mighty Murt over 1100m against a handy 0-70 field on Melbourne Cup Day. That day, Mighty Murt produced a strong burst along the rails in the home straight to seal victory from the fast-finishing Pocket Pistol, Rising Sphere, El Magnificence, Bel’s Banner, Raffalli and Just Strolling. Mighty Murt will be aiming for his fourth straight win this weekend when he confronts Gary Clarke’s pair Mr Cashman and Great Diviner, Phil Cole’s stablemates Star Magnum and Vunivalu, and Dick Leech’s Prince Of Mercia over 1100m (0-76). The six-year-old grey gelding by Murtajill boasts a fantastic Darwin record with six wins from 10 starts – amazingly he has never ran a place in his four other appearances. Starting his career in Victoria under the guidance of Cranbourne trainer John Price in May 2020, Mighty Murt’s first win came in his third start as a three-year-old six months later when he saluted in 1000m Bairnsdale maiden. He only had five starts in Victoria before debuting in Alice Springs for leading Red Centre trainer Lisa Whittle in June 2021. After two starts in Darwin, Mighty Murt ended up with Lefoe before returning to Pioneer Park where he had one start for a second for Whittle on Alice Springs Cup Day last year. It was back to the Top End, but when Lefoe received a 15-month ban the horse wound up in the stable of Tayarn Halter. In August last year, it was back to Central Australia where Mighty Murt had eight further starts for Whittle. That included a trip to Mt Gambier in March when the winner of numerous Alice Springs and Provincial training premierships spent a few months in SA before returning to the NT. With 10 career wins from 31 starts, Mighty Murt has achieved at least one win for Price, Whittle, Lefoe and Halter. Victory over 1200m at 0-64 level and over 1100m in 0-70 company in the Alice in October was followed by that win on the first Tuesday in November. Mighty Murt can make it four wins on the bounce, especially with Darwin Cup winning jockey Paul Shiers in the saddle, but it won’t be easy. Mr Cashman also has a wonderful Fannie Bay record, and after finishing third in the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) behind Early Crow and Ideas Man in early August he has been placed three times at the top level. Star Magnum’s form can fluctuate, but in eight Darwin starts he has posted three wins – that included wins over Ideas Man and Mr Cashman – and only once has he missed a place. Great Diviner might find the trip a fraction short, but write him off at your peril as he has had success over 1100m and will have in-form jockey Adam Nicholls for company. Prince Of Mercia was placed in his last two starts in Kununurra in late August-early September, but in two Darwin starts in August he managed a win at Class 2 level over 1100m and a second in 0-70 class over 1200m. Vunivalu is likely to jump as the outsider, but he has 11 wins and 11 seconds from 41 starts for Cole at Fannie Bay and usually races well first up after a spell. “Mighty Murt is only a little fella, but has got a super record in Darwin,” Thoroughbred Racing NT chief executive Andrew O’Toole said. “That last start win on Melbourne Cup Day was super, but this is a bit tougher to be fair. “I know he won with 61kg last time out – he’s got 60.5kg this time, but is up in grade, so I just favour Mr Cashman. “This probably looks like his race, Jarrod Todd takes the mount here. “I don’t think any other horse in this race could run third in the Palmerston behind Early Crow and Ideas Man. “The additional distance on Saturday should suit Mr Cashman – he’s won at the trip before and has been placed on six occasions. “Star Magnum has been good for Phil Cole, while stablemate Vunivalu hasn’t raced since September in Queensland. “You just know that Dick Leech will have Prince Of Mercia primed for Saturday.” Apprentices Emma Lines (Star Magnum), Ianish Luximon (Vunivalu) and Jade Hampson (Prince Of Mercia) will also claim 2kg. Clarke, Darwin’s top trainer, agreed that although it wasn’t a big field, it was a tough field. “Open company races are never easy,” he said. “Great Diviner would be more of a chance if it was 1200m. “Mr Cashman has got more speed about him and the 1100m should suit despite drawing gate six. “Unlike Mr Cashman, Great Diviner needs to settle down early in his races and then get home.” More horse racing news View the full article

All post-race test samples taken from contenders in the 2023 Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita Park have been cleared by the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU). Purse distribution has begun accordingly.View the full article

The Keeneland November Breeding Stock concluded its nine-day run in Lexington Thursday with numbers off from its 2022 renewal in what Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy called a “pragmatic, solid sale.” At the close of business Thursday, 2,128 horses had sold through the ring for $176,571,000. The average of $82,975 was down 16.94% from a year ago, while the median of $32,000 was down 20.00%. “Overall, it's been a very pragmatic, solid sale,” said Lacy. “Demand for quality is extremely strong, probably as strong as ever, and that's very encouraging. There's a lot of stability in the market. With a slight correction, we're down just 15% on most metrics, and that's within expected parameters considering we're dealing with increasing interest rates and a strong U.S. dollar. Early in the sale, there was some protectionism from sellers who weren't going to let nice horses go below a value they felt was reasonable. And the market is more sensitive to mares that are a little more exposed. That's not unreasonable. We saw that in September and in other markets. The middle market was extremely healthy. Sellers were pleased for the most part, and buyers found it tough to buy the quality stock.” With 600 horses reported not sold during the nine-day auction, the buy-back rate of 21.99%–just a tick lower than last year's figure of 22.04%–was a bright spot in the November results, according to Keeneland Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach. “I think one thing we observed, a few sessions into the sale, sellers recognized the market in front of them and were very pragmatic in their approach, so as a result, we have had a very good clearance rate,” Breathnach said. “It's actually better than last year. When you do that and you manage expectations and have a high clearance rate, typically average and median are going to come down a little bit as well.” The Keeneland November sale also featured a vibrant post-sale market this year. “Our RNAs-to-sales activity is double what it was last year,” said Breathnach. “So the post-sale transactions are twice the gross total volume that they were last year. Which is a sign that the market is still hungry. There is still a lot of activity, a lot of horses being traded.” There were 91 post-sale transactions at the 2023 November sale, resulting in an additional $12,265,000 in gross. In 2022, an additional 84 post sales grossed $6,402,500. The most high-profile of those post-sale transactions this year was for Puca (Big Brown). Carrying a full-sibling to this year's GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic), the mare was originally led out of the ring unsold during Wednesday's Book 1 session, but she ultimately sold for what would have been a sale-topping $2.9 million to John Stewart. With her inclusion, the November sale had 12 seven-figure offerings. The 2022 November sale had 13 seven-figure sales, including the $5.5-million sale topper Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute) and the $4.6 million fractional interest in Flightline (Tapit). The Keeneland November results do reflect a softening in the market and that should be no surprise amidst swirling global uncertainties, said Gabriel Duignan of Paramount Sales. “There's no denying there's a little correction, which kind of mirrors the rest of the world,” said Duignan. “I thought the good foal market was business as usual; if you had a good foal, you got well-paid for him. With the mares, the horses they want–the young mares and broodmare prospects–they're selling good. As a seller, it was a little sad that some of the mares that had just a little bit of exposure sold for cents on the dollar. The market just wants certain things and if you don't fit into that category, you're going to be penalized.” High Demand in the Foal Market While the 2023 November sale failed to come close to the seven-figure weanling from 2022, the overall foal market was strong. “If you look at the foal market, it was incredibly strong and it shows that with quality breeding stock producing quality foals, you can get a great return, whether it's a yearling or a weanling,” said Lacy. “When you look at the weanling market, the weanlings who brought $400,000 or above, or $500,000 or above, were double the number from last year. And last year was widely considered a very strong market. So I don't think that there is a perception that the market is weak. The market has shown that they are willing to spend premium for quality stock.” A colt by Gun Runner was the top-priced weanling of 2023 when selling to Shadwell Racing for $750,000. The youngster was one of 19 to sell for $400,000 or over this year. A total of 775 weanlings sold at the 2023 November sale for a gross of $54,908,700. The average was $70,850 and the median was $35,000. In 2022, 855 weanlings sold for $60,770,600 for an average of $71,077 and a median of $37,000. With a $1.5-million filly leading the way, 10 weanlings sold for $400,000 or over in 2022. “We have had a couple of record September [yearling] sales in the last couple of years and the September market has been incredible,” said Breathnach. “So what we all noticed early on in the first few sessions [of the November sale] was strength in the foal market, which we feel is a reflection of confidence in next year's yearling market.” Breathnach added that the strength of the weanling market may have boosted the mare market. “Buyers saw an opportunity in the mare market,” he said. “If they were getting shut out or having to spend 20% to 30% more than the same foal might have cost last year, they pivoted and began buying mares carrying those pregnancies.” Grade I winner Yaupon, whose first crop arrived this year, was the November sale's leading sire of weanlings with 31 foals bringing a total of $4,137,000. At $450,000, the most expensive was a colt out of the Bernardini mare Zetta Z who sold to Randy Hartley and Dean De Renzo's AAA Thoroughbreds, the sale's second-leading buyer with 18 purchases through the ring for $4.85 million. Into Mischief was the leading sire of weanlings by average with three or more sold. His three weanlings averaged $433,333. Leading Buyers, Sellers Jacob West, as agent for Repole Stable, was the November sale's leading buyer with nine horses purchased for $5.22 million. Repole, whose week in Lexington began with the $6-million purchase of champion Nest (Curlin) at Fasig-Tipton, purchased Interstatedaydream (Classic Empire) for $1.4 million and Surprisingly (Mastery) for $1 million at Keeneland. The auction's 12 highest-priced horses sold to 11 buyers representing interests from the U.S., Europe and Japan. The November Sale also featured the first mares offered at Keeneland in foal to 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline, who was represented by seven mares sold for $6,625,000 to lead covering sires by gross and rank second to Into Mischief by average with $946,429. The most expensive mare in foal to Flightline was Grade I winner Dalika (Ger) (Pastorius {GB}), who is carrying her first foal and sold for $1.65 million to Pursuit of Success LLC. For the 26th time since 1987, Taylor Made Sales Agency was the November sale's leading consignor, with 262 horses sold for $22,889,900. The operation sold the auction's top-priced weanling, a colt by Gun Runner who brought a final bid of $750,000 from Shadwell Racing. Pacific Pink Tops Keeneland Finale Multiple stakes winner Pacific Pink (Private Vow) (hip 3310) brought the highest bid of Thursday's final session of the Keeneland November sale when purchased by Cary Bloodstock on behalf of Coteau Grove Farms for $85,000. The 11-year-old mare, who sold in foal to Volatile, was consigned by Denali Stud. Her first foal, the 3-year-old Make the Boys Wink (More Than Ready), won a Churchill allowance Nov. 4 and, supplemented to the Fasig-Tipton November sale, sold for $450,000 to Gigi Stables three days later. A filly by Beau Liam (hip 3359) was the session's top-priced weanling when selling for $70,000 to Buena Madera. Out of stakes-placed Sierra Aleone (Gemologist), the dark bay was consigned by Eaton Sales. During Thursday's session, 255 horses sold for $2,645,700 for an average of $10,375 and a median of $7,000. Horses of Racing Age Sell Friday Selling will continue Friday at Keeneland with the company's second November Horses of Racing Age Sale. With entries still being added just days before sale time, 330 horses were catalogued for the one-session auction which begins at noon. “We are excited for tomorrow's sale,” said Breathnach. “It's our second annual November Horses of Racing Age sale, so it's still a sale in its infancy. It's an important part of the market for us. This is where the purses really come into play and feed the demand for horses. Turfway is opening, Oaklawn is opening soon and Fair Grounds, so people are moving locations and it's a perfect opportunity for them to tweak their numbers and add or sell horses that have racing left in them.” The Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale had included a section of horses of racing age before that portion of the sale was separated out for its own sale a year ago. The inaugural November Horses of Racing Age sale saw 161 horses sell for a gross of $11,029,500 and an average of $68,506. Extortion (Into Mischief) topped the sale when bringing $1 million from Mick Wallace on behalf of Gandharvi. “It's a sale that takes a little time to get really established,” Lacy said. “But we are seeing that there is an interest level from the Middle East and from different parts of world that are looking at this sale as an option now to source individuals for their racing programs. I think as the sale goes forward–and also the Horses of Racing Age Sale in April–it's going to gain more traction.” The post ‘Pragmatic’ Keeneland November Sale Concludes with Numbers Down 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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What Darwin Races Where Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 When Saturday, November 18, 2023 First Race 2:37pm ACST Visit Dabble There are only five races at Darwin on Saturday, but there are 43 acceptors in what shapes as yet another competitive meeting where it will be no easy task picking winners. The feature race is a 1100m sprint at 0-76 level, and good luck separating Mr Cashman, Star Magnum, Mighty Murt, Great Diviner, Prince Of Mercia and outsider Vunivalu, who runs well first-up after a spell. Heats of the Darwin Turf Club’s Lightning Wet Season Series kick off this weekend — and speaking of rain, upwards of 12mm has fallen in the Top End since the Melbourne Cup Day meeting, with more tipped for Friday and Saturday. Sunny conditions, north to north-westerly winds and a top temperature of 34C is the Saturday forecast, with showers and a thunderstorm likely in the afternoon. The rail will be in the true position and Fannie Bay will be a good dirt surface, as usual. BEST BET: HENESTROSA In a very open race, this five-year-old gelding was an early $3.50 equal favourite and is capable of producing the goods this weekend despite not having won a race since March. In the past 12 months, Henestrosa has proven a lot more consistent despite the lack of success. Two fourths over 1100m in May and over 1000m in September came before a last-start third over 1100m on October 28 when he set the early pace. He’s not facing the strongest line-up and two interstate arrivals are making their debuts, so it could be Henestrosa’s day. Best Bet Race 2 – #2 Henestrosa (7) 5yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (59kg) Bet with Betfair NEXT BEST: NO RAIN NO FLOWERS Arriving from the stable of former champion Darwin trainer Stephen Brown, now based in Seymour, this daughter of Shalaa made a delightful first-up impression when third in a 1300m maiden after jumping from gate eight and clearly benefitted from that run when finishing a narrow third in a 1200m maiden on Melbourne Cup Day after starting from barrier 11. She has a favourable draw this weekend, and Barty Aya — fourth behind No Rain No Flowers on November 7 — is the only threat. A narrow second in a 1170m Wangaratta maiden and a narrow third in a 1200m Echuca maiden were the mare’s best results during her Victorian stint. Next Best Race 4 – #7 No Rain No Flowers (2) 5yo Mare | T: Chris Pollard | J: Casey Hunter (57kg) Bet with Bet365 BEST VALUE: PRINCE RUBAN This six-year-old gelding lumped 61kg to finish third behind in-form pair Son Of Bielski and The Albion over 1300m on October 7 before backing up a fortnight later with 60kg on his back to finish a length behind The Albion in second place over 1600m. A drop in weight and a decent gate will enhance the hopes of Prince Ruban immeasurably, and with a record of six wins, a second, five thirds and four fourths from 21 Fannie Bay starts, he must be considered. The former Victorian galloper was an early $7 quote in what shapes as a terrific race and his record over 1300m sits at two wins, a second and three thirds. Best Value Race 1 – #7 Prince Ruban (4) 6yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (57.5kg) Bet with Unibet Darwin Saturday quaddie tips – 18/11/2023 Darwin quadrella selections Saturday, November 18, 2023 2-3-4-6-10 1-2-3 3-7 2-5 More horse racing news View the full article

What Newcastle Races Where Newcastle Racecourse – 100 Darling St, Broadmeadow NSW 2292 When Saturday, November 18, 2023 First Race 12:35pm AEDT Visit Dabble Newcastle Racecourse is set to host an ultra-competitive 10-race program this Saturday, with The Hunter (1300m) headlining a card stacked with quality. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit, and with only light showers expected in the lead-up, we’re expecting a surface no worse than a Soft 5. The opening race is set to get underway at 12:35pm AEDT. Group 3 3YO Spring Stakes: Invincible Spy We couldn’t get away from the favourite in the Group 3 3YO Spring Stakes (1600m) as Invincible Spy searches for his third-straight win of the preparation. The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained colt has led his rivals every step of the way in both victories, with his latest catching the eye as the son of I Am Invincible cleared out by 1.6 lengths in Class 1 company. This is the toughest test to date for Invincible Spy, but with the front-running tactics utilised by Tim Clark, ths guy will look the winner a long way out. 3YO Spring Stakes Race 7 – #3 Invincible Spy (9) 3yo Colt | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Tim Clark (56.5kg) +320 with Bet365 Best Bet at Newcastle: Tavi Time Tavi Time had no luck when returning to the Kensington circuit at Randwick on November 1 and should’ve finished much closer than 2.6 lengths away. The four-year-old gelding was held up with 400m to run and on multiple occasions was forced to change course under Dylan Gibbons. It was no more than a glorified barrier trial for the son of Tavistock, and with a bit more room to run from barrier eight on Saturday, watch for Tavi Time to storm down the centre of the course in the penultimate. Best Bet Race 9 – #11 Tavi Time (8) 4yo Gelding | T: Kris Lees | J: Dylan Gibbons (55.5kg) +250 with Betfair Next Best Bet: Canberra Legend Canberra Legend was beaten first-up as a drifting favourite at Rosehill on November 4 but was a hard luck story throughout the 2000m journey. The former European galloper was wide without cover before pressing forward to sit outside the leader, spending too much petrol in the process. He showed plenty of tenacity, only beaten by two lengths on the wire, and with a much-appreciated step up in trip, we should see major improvement from this lightly raced three-year-old on his debut for new trainer Chris Waller. Best Bet Race 6 – #9 Canberra Legend (5) 3yo Colt | T: Chris Waller | J: Tyler Schiller (53kg) +350 with Neds Best Value Bet: Efharisto The opening race is a 900m scamper for the two-year-olds, and we’re happy to take a chance on the each-way price about Efharisto. She’s been trialling exceptionally for the James Cummings barn, with the latest jump-out a winning effort at Hawkesbury as the daughter of Blue Point was allowed to roll forward under her own steam. She can lead or take a sit from barrier two, and with Zac Lloyd in the saddle, we’ll leave it to him to make the winning move aboard Efharisto. Best Bet Race 1 – #4 Efharisto (2) 2yo Filly | T: James Cummings | J: Zac Lloyd (54.5kg) +900 with Dabble Newcastle Saturday quaddie tips – November 18, 2023 Newcastle quadrella selections Saturday, November 18, 2023 1-2-3-9-12 1-7-9-11-17 11 1-2-3-6-7-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Horse Racing on Friday, November 17 will feature seven meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meetings at Canterbury & Moonee Valley. Friday Racing Tips – November 17, 2023 Canterbury Racing Tips Moonee Valley Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For November 17, 2023 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $27.44 odds return: Friday, November 17, 2023 Canterbury Race 1 – #4 Mogwai Canterbury Race 7 – #5 Louisville Moonee Valley Race 5 – #3 Awash Seymour Race 8 – #4 Rotokura | Copy this bet straight to your betslip As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on November 17, 2023 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

All post-race test samples taken from contenders in the 2023 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park earlier this month have been cleared by the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU). 2023 marked the first year the Breeders' Cup World Championships were run under the full jurisdiction of the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Authority (HISA), including the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, which took effect in May of this year and is implemented and enforced by HIWU. As was the case under Breeders' Cup's anti-doping and medication control rules that were in place before HISA's ADMC Program was implemented, medication is prohibited within 48 hours of the 14 Championship races and the undercard. All potential Breeders' Cup competitors were also subject to out-of-competition testing for banned substances. The post Post-Race Samples From 2023 Breeders’ Cup Cleared By HIWU appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The deadline to make a horse eligible for the Claiming Crown on Dec. 2 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans has been extended to Tuesday, Nov. 21.View the full article

Outlandishly high amounts of money that were bet into exotic pools at Thoroughbred and Standardbred tracks across the country during a several-hour time window Wednesday might have been the result of a feeding frenzy of opportunistic gamblers trying to take advantage of an alleged “glitch” in the FanDuel Racing account wagering system that debited only the base cost of a wager from a customer's account instead of correctly pricing multiple-combination bets at much higher amounts. Although both FanDuel executives and state regulators were largely mum on the subject of the multi-million-dollar pool spikes as of Thursday afternoon, Ed DeRosa of Horse Racing Nation (HRN) was able to provide insight into the possibility that a profound technological shortcoming might have been the root cause of the massive spike in betting. DeRosa got the scoop on the potential fraud by publishing screen shots from the account of a now-suspended FanDuel customer who shared betting information from Wednesday under the condition of anonymity. “The user was able to wheel the entire field for only the cost of the base wager,” DeRosa reported in HRN Nov. 16. “In other words, even though an all-all-all-all dime superfecta in a seven-horse field should cost $84, the bet cost only 10 cents via FanDuel Racing.” DeRosa further reported that the alleged glitch was made apparent “when five super-exotic wagering pools at four different racetracks handled a historic amount of money, but FanDuel Racing account users exploited the situation in other pools and at other tracks as well.” Among the Thoroughbred tracks whose pools were inordinately large on Nov. 15 were Churchill Downs, Finger Lakes and Mahoning Valley. The Standardbred tracks Monticello Raceway and The Meadows also reported outsized handles. Many of the bloated pools were first reported anecdotally on social media by horseplayers on Wednesday afternoon. Although they could only guess as to the possible causes, most folks agreed that the betting handles were far out of line with established norms. By way of comparison, DeRosa reported in HRN, “Churchill Downs handled $751,000 on the [Nov. 15] race 4 Super High 5, a huge number given that the track handled $967,598 on the bet type for this year's [GI] Kentucky Derby and $118,698 on the [GI] Kentucky Oaks.” Superfecta and trifecta pools also appeared to have been targeted. “The two things all the wagers had in common is that they came through FanDuel Racing and involved liberal use of the 'all' button in each position of the wagers,” DeRosa reported. Prior to HRN revealing the purported glitch, speculation as to the cause of the conspicuously gaudy bets included allegations of money laundering, possible mistakes by computer-robotic wagering players, and misplaced decimal points in the bet-processing code. On Wednesday, FanDuel Racing put out a statement on that said the company had “identified technical issues and potential fraud related to wagering pools and took the appropriate steps to stop wagering via its platform. This issue is no longer ongoing, and wagering has resumed. The company is undertaking a full review of this matter and will be cooperating with regulatory authorities.” On Thursday, TDN contacted a FanDuel spokesperson for a follow-up and also emailed commission-level regulators in New York and Kentucky to ask if they were investigating the issue. None of the queries yielded replies prior to deadline for this story. Curtis Linnell, who is the executive vice president of the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau (TRPB), which monitors integrity and security in the sport, told TDN in a brief phone interview Thursday that he could not discuss specifics beyond explaining that the TRPB is “actively looking at the occurrences on behalf of regulator and racetrack clients who are involved.” The post Report: Outlandishly High Pari-Mutual Pools Might Have Been Sparked By FanDuel ‘Glitch’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Frank Di Giulio's Patches O'Houlihan continues his pursuit of perfection in 2023 when he battles nine rivals in the CA$175,000 Kennedy Road Stakes (G2) at Woodbine Nov. 18.View the full article

Owner Rick Dawson announced via a text message to media that 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Rich Strike's withdrawal from the Nov. 17 Keeneland Horses of Racing Age Sale. He was to be consigned as a stallion prospect.View the full article

Nov. 23 is Opening Day, and new outfits and new jockeys—some fresh-faced kids, others with faces displaying the gritty nature of the profession—have been lured to compete during the 2023-2024 meet.View the full article

Xigera—pronounced "kee-jera"—might be a name hard to speak, but she is relatively easy to predict. Now, she is favored to win the $400,000 Falls City Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs Nov. 23.View the full article

A yearling by Blue Bresil (Fr) led the final session of the Tattersalls Ireland November NH Sale NH Sale Thursday. Out of the Shantou mare Thanks For Tea (lot 992), the colt was purchased for €58,000 by Kevin Ross Bloodtsock. Sold by Ballyhampshire Stud, the yearling was the 18th foal or yearling by Blue Bresil to sell for €50,000 or more over the five days' sale, and was the week's third session topper for the Rathbarry Stud stallion. “The gelding has been bought on spec,” said Anna Ross. “We have the 4-year-old half-brother by Mount Nelson, he goes pointing next spring and we like him. The two are quite different types of horses. The sire speaks for himself and we have been very lucky with the broodmare sire Shantou.” Consignor Edmond Kent added, “We had a lot of fun with Thanks For Tea, she won some bonuses for us, picked up black-type and was a hardy mare. She is back in-foal to Blue Bresil and is due on Jan. 12–she looks very big at the minute, I won't be taking any holidays in January!” Of this yearling, he said, “This was always a nice foal, he was born a bit late and I said I'd keep him until he was a yearling.” It was a two-way split for leading honours in the NH broodmares session with the Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed Bonny Kate (Beneficial) from Clonbonny Stud, and The Twelve Pins (Beat Hollow) out of Sixhills (Sabrehills) from the Closutton Stables draft, both bringing €40,000. The Twelve Pins was purchased by Temple Bloodstock. Aubrey McMahon said, “She has been bought to stay in Willie's. She is a sound racemare, she will race on and has been bought as a broodmare prospect, hopefully, she will do the two jobs.” At the conclusion of the November NH Sale, Simon Kerins, CEO of Tattersalls Ireland commented, “It was always going to be a tough ask to follow two years of record-breaking trade at the November NH Sale, so for the foal section to return an average just off €18,000 and a commercially-bred yearling to fetch €58,000, the best price given for a yearling at the sale since 2021, is a satisfying result. “The mares' session lacked the stars from previous years reflecting the desire for owners to retain good racemares as breeding prospects. We recognise that the yearling format on the last day did not prove effective, and we are committed to a thorough reflection on improving this particular section for 2024.” A total of 641 head sold this season, down 17% from 772 sold in 2022, while gross also dipped to €11,395,200 from €13,883,050 last term. This year's average was €17,777, down slightly from €17,983 in 2022 while media fell 14% from €14,000 to €12,000. Lots listed as unsold stood at 371–a 12% decrease–after this season's five-day run. “Foals sold at that top level were a feature of all four days' trade, but whilst that top bracket of foals sold this week over €50,000 was a joint record and more foals were sold in excess of €80,000 than ever before, undoubtedly there are trade gaps further down the level and there is no denying the current market is selective.” The post Blue Bresil Yearling Heads Final Day of Tattersalls November NH Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

She Can't Sing will carry on the racing legacy of late owner/breed Bob Lothenbach when she attempts to win the $300,000 Chilukki Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs for the second consecutive year. The one-turn mile race is Nov. 18.View the full article

Fernando Jara is scheduled to ride in his first race in the U.S. since 2015 Nov. 18 at Gulfstream Park, where he is named to guide Jeremiah O'Dwyer-trained Unabated for his debut in Race 8, a maiden optional claiming event on Tapeta for 2-year-olds.View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a full-brother to Irish Oaks heroine Savethelastdance. 14.30 Newcastle, £9,950, Mdn, 2yo, 10f 42y (AWT) Amo Racing's hitherto unraced MR HAMPSTEAD (Galileo {Ire}) is a $575,000 Keeneland September full-brother to this term's G1 Irish Oaks heroine Savethelastdance (Ire) and encounters seven in this debut. Opposition to the Roger Varian trainee includes Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's fellow newcomer Meydaan (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who is a son of G1 Pretty Polly S. victrix Nezwaah (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), from the Simon and Ed Crisford stable. 16.15 Newcastle, £6,600, Nov, 2yo, 7f 14y (AWT) Sultan Ali's INVOLVEMENT (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), a son of G1 Oaks third Lady Of Dubai (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), made a winning debut at Redcar in September and is burdened with a seven-pound penalty for that initial success. The Simon and Ed Crisford trainee's eight rivals include Kirsten Rausing homebred Heat Of Passion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who is a Sir Mark Prescott-trained half-sister to the Hong Kong Group 1-winning duo Time Warp (GB) (Archipenko) and Glorious Forever (GB) (Archipenko). The post Full to Irish Oaks Heroine Savethelastdance debuts at Newcastle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a meeting Nov. 16, CHRB commissioners praised the service of longtime racing executive Cliff Goodrich, who is retiring from his position as executive director of the California Thoroughbred Horsemen's Foundation. View the full article

By Mike Love Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson was pleased but by no means surprised when Empire City was simply too good for her rivals in yesterday’s listed Macca Lodge Sires’ Stakes Fillies Classique at Ashburton. “The draw was my main concern. But I’m scared of nothing as far as the fillies go. She’s as good as any of them,” said Williamson. The Volstead filly had to avoid an early galloper at the dispatch before settling at the rear for driver Ricky May. May eased off the rail at the 1000m, before tracking into the race three and four wide from the 400m, picking them up short of the line to beat Judy J by 1 ¼ lengths. “She’s a good filly for sure! Beautiful gait.” The daughter of Volstead was a lucky gain for Williamson due to a withdrawal from the sales. “She was supposed to go to the sales but was withdrawn, so they decided to leave her here with me. Matthew (Williamson) broke her in and liked her from day dot.” Empire City will look to the Ace of Hearts on grand prix day at Addington. “We’ll head to the big race in December. She is also Sires Stakes paid up, so we will reassess things then.” It was her second win in four starts after winning on debut at Addington in June. Williamson heads to Addington today with four runners, three of which are in the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot. Cup day winner Love N The Port has come through the week well, and Williamson expects the Love You gelding to give a good account today. “He’s eaten up good, seems good, I’m happy with him. Muscle Mountain is a scary task but you can’t win if you don’t try!” Love N The Port, the Rowe Cup winner, is the most favoured of the three Williamson runners at $18, with Majestic Man at $31 and Jimmy Carter at $61. View the full article