Wandering Eyes

This day 28th January in horse racing news history From the extensive Horse Betting news archives we present the all the thoroughbred racing action in Australian and overseas racing news in history. Delve in and enjoy our walk back in horse racing time. Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Mariamia storms clear to take out Expressway Stakes From stud duty prospects to Group 2 winner, Mariamia has bolted up to take out the Expressway Stakes in stylish … Read More Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Jigsaw puts a space on rivals in Group 2 Australia Stakes Daniel Moor and Cindy Alderson combine with Jigsaw to win the Group 2 Australian Stakes at Moonee Valley, with the … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 12 months ago Vincent Ho open-minded ahead of riveting Stewards’ Cup encounter Alert to the tactical challenges looming in a blockbuster HK$12 million Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), Vincent Ho is prepared … Read More Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Learning To Fly shows class in Widden Stakes victory Learning To Fly has produced an empathic display of talent to win the Group 3 Widden Stakes on Saturday afternoon … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 12 months ago Latta gets doozy of a result in Thorndon Mile Trainer Lisa Latta has always had faith that five-year-old galloper He’s A Doozy had potential and she was proven right … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 12 months ago Mazzolino too tough in Desert Gold Stakes Rugged filly Mazzolino showed just how tough she is when she dominated the finish of the Group 3 Desert Gold … Read More Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Red Resistance leads all the way in Group 3 Canonbury Stakes Red Resistance has beaten the Golden Slipper favourite, Kings Gambit, in the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes on Saturday at Rosehill … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 12 months ago Waikuku’s on another giant-slaying mission John Size will chase a pair of remarkable feats with Waikuku when his stable star lines up to contest a … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Geelong best bets & quaddie tips | January 29, 2023 Geelong Racecourse will host an eight-race card on Sunday afternoon and Horsebetting’s James Herbert presents his best bets and free … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | January 28, 2023 Horse Racing on Saturday, January 28 will feature 13 meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found … Read More Australia horse racing news 1 year ago Alice Springs top horse of 2022 eyes further success Flying Start, the deserved Alice Springs Horse of the Year for 2022, will aim to return to his winning ways … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Sapphire Coast racing tips & top odds | Sunday, January 30 It’s Bega Cup Day this weekend, and HorseBetting’s New South Wales form analyst has picked out his best bets and … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Sale betting tips, value bets & quaddie | Monday, January 31 HorseBetting.com.au’s James Herbert brings you his best bets, value picks and quaddie selections for the eight-race card at Sale on … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Jason Holder suspended from riding for five months Current Adelaide Jockey Premiership leader Jason Holder has been suspended for five months following a positive swab taken in December … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Punt Drunk: Can anyone get near Anamoe this weekend? In this Friday’s edition of Punt Drunk, we look ahead to the highly anticipated return of Anamoe in Saturday’s Expressway … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Rosehill race-by-race preview & top tips | Saturday, January 29 Rosehill Gardens will host a 10-race card on Saturday, headlined by the return of Anamoe in the Group 2 Expressway … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | January 28, 2022 Six horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips, best odds and quaddie selections here at … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Ascot betting preview, tips & quaddie | Saturday, January 29 HorseBetting’s Western Australian form analyst has previewed Ascot’s nine-race card on Saturday, January 29, and brings you his best bets … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 2 years ago Fa Fa looms large for Sunday’s Hong Kong Classic Mile Taking a less than traditional route with Fa Fa, trainer Frankie Lor believes his Happy Valley maestro is capable of … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Cameron hoping he’s on the right one for Thorndon Gun jockey Matthew Cameron is hoping all the pieces of the puzzle that is Saturday’s Group 1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Trentham trip to decide filly’s end goal Gifted filly La Crique will be the mistress of her own destiny and her performance at Trentham on Saturday will … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Rain Could Help Harpo Marx Go The Distance Imported stayer Harpo Marx will be out to continue his summer form surge when he returns to the scene of … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Rockhampton horse racing tips & best value bets – 29/1 HorseBetting.com.au brings you the best odds, value bets and quaddie selections for Friday’s race meeting at Rockhampton in Queensland … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Construct Out To Build On Slipper Claims Trainers Peter and Paul Snowden will have a strong hand in the Canonbury Stakes with favourite Construct and first starter … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Forster Couldn’t Refuse Coast Mission A lack of tempo does not unduly concern trainer Desleigh Forster as she prepares Couldn’t Refuse to chase a hat-trick … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Tagaloa Back To Happy Hunting Ground Last year’s Blue Diamond Stakes winner Tagaloa returns to racing in the Manfred Stakes at Caulfield and his trainers believe … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Standout No Certainty To Tackle Expressway Track conditions at Rosehill will determine whether Standout resumes in the Expressway Stakes or waits another fortnight to kick off … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Country Cups Winner Bobs Up At Caulfield Stawell horseman Andrew Bobbin will have his second city runner as a trainer when his dual country Cups winner Dubai … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 3 years ago Golden Sixty into top 10 as Hong Kong figures prominently in World’s Best rankings Golden Sixty is within touching distance of status as the world’s premier miler based on the 2020 LONGINES World’s Best … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Canterbury racing preview, best bets & quaddie numbers – 29/1 HorseBetting.com.au brings you the best odds, value bets and quaddie selections for Friday’s race meeting at Canterbury Park in Sydney, … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Flemington horse racing tips, value bets & top odds – 29/1 HorseBetting.com.au brings you the best odds, value bets and quaddie numbers for Friday’s Rapid Racing meeting at Flemington in Melbourne, … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 3 years ago Delightful Laos emerges as a potential Hong Kong Derby hopeful Tony Cruz will aim to add further lustre to his extraordinary BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) record after Delightful Laos … Read More Horse Racing News 3 years ago Punt Drunk: Bivouac and Nature Strip back on the track Punt Drunk takes a look at the latest headlines in local and international horse racing, including Racing Victoria’s new whip … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Aegon ready to embark on familiar path Aegon’s career looks set to mirror that of his sire Sacred Falls for a little while yet, with a trip … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Collett star resting up before Easter challenge Promising miler Super Strike has another week to go on his summer holiday before trainer Richard Collett gets serious about … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Cup meeting holds fond memories for Elliot The Wellington Cup meeting holds fond memories for jockey Ryan Elliot and he is hoping to create some more at … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Surgery for Vorster following Valley fall Doctors have decided the best course of action for Barend Vorster’s fractured collarbone is to undergo surgery … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Bivouac, Kiamichi win trials at Rosehill Godolphin’s Bivouac and Kiamichi have starred at the Rosehill barrier trials ahead of their autumn campaigns … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Kolding added to Expressway entries Star four-year-old Kolding is one of four late nominations for the Group Two Expressway Stakes at Rosehill with defending titleholder … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Free Of Debt ready for Caulfield return The Group Three Manfred Stakes at Caulfield heralds the return of last year’s Blue Diamond Stakes placegetter Free Of Debt … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Ball Of Muscle nearing return with Pride Joe Pride hopes veteran sprinter Ball Of Muscle can reap more stakes success but is wary of the three-year-old crop … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Earlier start for Stony Creek race meeting The expected hot weather in South Gippsland has resulted in an earlier start and finish for the Stony Creek meeting … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Heathcote puts health scare behind him Brisbane trainer Robert Heathcote has returned to track work four days after undergoing heart surgery … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Zahra to replace Rawiller aboard Rulership After guiding Rulership to an easy debut victory at Randwick, Nash Rawiller has been replaced by Mark Zahra in the … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 4 years ago Hardly Swears shoots for four in a row at Happy Valley A hot nine-race card at Happy Valley on Wednesday (29 January) night is the stage for an attempted four-timer when … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Local assignment next stop for Yearn A new addition to the Matamata Breeders Stakes meeting will be the next step on a path to a further … Read More Australia horse racing news, New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Australian campaign looms for Harlech Consistent three-year-old Harlech has been sent for a small break after his fourth-placing in the Karaka Million 3YO (1600m) at … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 4 years ago Arrangements for the Happy Valley race meeting on 29 January 2020 The Hong Kong Jockey Club has reviewed the special arrangements of the Chinese New Year Raceday today as well as … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 4 years ago Golden Sixty leads Lui one-two in Hong Kong Classic Mile Golden Sixty burst into clear ground at the head of Hong Kong’s four-year-old pack with an impressive win in the … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 4 years ago Exultant takes Centenary Vase again as Cruz eyes Dubai Exultant imposed his authority on his local rivals and moved a step closer to a night in Dubai with a … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Manfred Stakes attracts 19 nominations The Group Three Manfred Stakes has attracted 19 nominations including the Darren Weir-trained stablemates Extra Brut and Ringerdingding … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Victory Kingdom dominant in maiden win A step up to stakes class is on the radar for three-year-old filly Victory Kingdom after a convincing win in … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Etymology wins Listed Australia Day Cup Etymology has claimed his third consecutive win, claiming the Australia Day Cup at Warwick Farm … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Lanciato in tough Expressway test Lanciato will take on a tough field featuring four Group One winner when he resumes in the Expressway Stakes at … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Bella Rosa to resume in Chairman’s Stakes Stakes winner Bella Rosa will be among the juveniles out to press their Blue Diamond claims in the Group Three … Read More United Arab Emirates horse racing news 5 years ago Es Ajeeb Takes Speed To The Turf In Abu Dhabi’s G3 Al Ruwais Racing at Abu Dhabi on Sunday is highlighted by a quality renewal of the 1200m Group 3 Al Ruwais in … Read More United Arab Emirates horse racing news 5 years ago Money Burns Opposition In Abu Dhabi Feature Racing at Abu Dhabi on Sunday was highlighted by a quality renewal of the 1200m Group 3 Al Ruwais and … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago She Shao Fly races to Sandown win on debut The Tony McEvoy-trained two-year-old filly She Shao Fly has made an encouraging start to her career with victory at Sandown … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Victor Espinoza nearing a return to saddle Star American jockey Victor Espinoza is nearing a return to the saddle after a long lay-off because of neck and … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Bowman wins HK Classic Mile on Furore Hugh Bowman has won the Hong Kong Classic Mile on the former Kris Lees-trained Furore but has also copped a … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 5 years ago Furore for Lor in Hong Kong Classic Mile Frankie Lor is shaking things up around Sha Tin. The second season handler landed his initial Group 1 last month … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 6 years ago Seasons Bloom & Joao Moreira too good in Stewards Cup Seasons Bloom completed his Group 1 germination in the HK$10 million Stewards’ Cup (1600m) at Sha Tin Racecourse this afternoon, … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 6 years ago John Size trifecta in G1 Centenary Sprint Cup as DB Pin wins Trainer John Size once again showed the depth of the top-line sprinters in his stable as he prepared the first … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago More Than Ready colt sells for $500,000 to be equal Day 1 top lot A solid finish to the selling action on Day One of the annual Karaka Yearling Sale saw a More Than … Read More Australia horse racing news, New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Werther & Milseain’s full sister sells for $500,000 at Karaka Experienced bloodstock agent Dean Hawthorne played a superb game of brinkmanship to secure a royally-bred filly on the first evening … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago No rush for Hugh Bowman’s Winx replacement Connections of Winx are likely to include Hugh Bowman in the decision as to who will replace him aboard champion … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Steve Tregea’s determination pays off with Bergerac Toowoomba trainer Steve Tregea’s determination to get broodmare Miss Argyle has given him a smart horse in Bergerac … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Karaka 2018 is off and running and bidding keen from the start The 92nd edition of the New Zealand National Yearling Sale kicked off at Karaka on Sunday evening with Deputy Prime … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Trapeze Artist ready to begin campaign in Expressway Stakes Trainer Gerald Ryan will study the entries before committing three-year-old Trapeze Artist to a start against older horses in the … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign over injury scare She Will Reign is showing no signs of the minor swelling in a fetlock that threw a scare into her … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Another Blue Diamond in sight for Lindsay Park with Long Leaf A win in the Preview has stamped Long Leaf as a genuine contender to give Lindsay Park another Blue Diamond … Read More United Arab Emirates horse racing news 6 years ago Treble for Richard Mullen on Al Ain racecard including Sky Jockey Champion Jockey, Richard Mullen, was the man to follow at Al Ain on Saturday evening, riding a treble, including landing … Read More United Arab Emirates horse racing news 6 years ago Shamaal Nibras gets better of Forjatt in Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile Friday’s Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile, the biggest race of the entire Jebel Ali season, was fought out by the … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 6 years ago Nash Rawiller confident Mr Stunning can win Centenary Sprint Cup Jockey Nash Rawiller is confident that Mr Stunning can once again live up to his billing as the best horse … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 6 years ago Beauty Generation vs Beauty Only in Hong Kong G1 Stewards Cup Beauty Only enjoyed an unchallenged position as the Kwok family’s leading light in recent seasons but that changed last month … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Parvesh Shaikh finishes apprenticeship with a win on Miroslava A filly who “lost the plot” in her last start helped provide Parvesh Shaikh with a memorable last day as … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Boots ‘N’ All wins Listed Timaru Stakes for Lance Robinson Boots ‘N’ All came close to proving a point for Lance Robinson at Riccarton last November and was duly rewarded … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Irish Flame keeps G1 New Zealand Derby with Trentham win Taranaki three-year-old Irish Flame kept his Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) hopes alive with a win at Trentham on … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Soleseifei wins Trentham Summer Cup for Jaimee-Lee Lupton Waverley trainer Jaimee-Lee Lupton missed an opportunity to follow in the Wellington Cup footsteps of her grandfather this month, but … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Sydney trip in doubt for Showus Ya Diamonds after failure A trip to Sydney for promising Showus Ya Diamonds is in doubt after she pulled up sore after being beaten … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Thee Auld Floozie wins Group 2 Westbury Classic A decision to keep Thee Auld Floozie in training was richly rewarded at Ellerslie on Saturday. The six-year-old had been … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Te Akau Racing win back to back Karaka Millions with Avantage Te Akau Racing secured their second consecutive Listed Karaka Million (1200m) when flying filly Avantage carried their tangerine and blue … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Scott Base scores upset win in Karaka Million 3yo Classic A devastating finishing burst has carried Scott Base to an upset victory in the inaugural running of the $1million Karaka … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Julius wins Group 3 Concorde Handicap on Karaka Million raceday Lightly raced sprinter Julius delivered an emphatic statement when he captured his first stakes victory in the Group 3 Brighthill … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Charles Road repays Jake Bayliss’ effort to waste for Auckland Cup A lean and hungry Jake Bayliss was rewarded at Ellerslie for his belief. The Australian jockey’s New Zealand stint gained … Read More USA horse racing news 6 years ago Gun Runner wins the Pegasus World Cup – retired to stud United States champion Gun Runner has ended his career with victory in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Melody Belle wins Group 3 Mongolian Khan Trophy Melody Belle has again produced a faultless performance on the Karaka Million stage. Twelve months ago, the top filly was … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Panya breaks collarbone in Rosehill fall Apprentice jockey Deanne Panya has broken her collarbone after falling off Sebring Express in the Widden Stakes at Rosehill … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Tivaci too strong first-up at Flemington Stronger races are on the agenda for Tivaci after he returned to racing with an impressive stakes win at Flemington … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Music Magnate in tune in G2 Expressway win Trainer Bjorn Baker has breathed a sigh of relief after Group One winner Music Magnate resumed a winner in the … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Steve O’Dea produces a moment to remember Steve O’Dea has celebrated a return to stakes winning form by Sir Moments in the Sunshine Coast Cup … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 7 years ago Tivaci exudes class with Kensington Stakes win at Flemington TIVACI proved the class is permanent when the four-year-old kicked off a new campaign with a win in the $120,000 … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Perpetual Crisis lands big Inglis prize A $20,000 yearling has given his owners a healthy pay day with a sales-restricted race win at Flemington … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 7 years ago Baker taking wait and see approach with Expressway Stakes winner FORMER group one-winning gelding Music Magnate has made a positive return to racing on Saturday after taking out the Group … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 7 years ago Perpetual Crisis causes boilover in $250,000 Inglis Dash A $20,000 sales purchase at the Inglis VOBIS Gold Yearling Sale has netted a big team of owners the $250,000 … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Corey Brown back in town with Sydney win Jockey Corey Brown has ridden a winner on Royal Navy at his first meeting since moving back to Sydney to … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Goldstream gets on the board at Flemington Italian Derby winner Goldstream has broken through for his first Australian victory with an all-the-way win at Flemington … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Madame De Ban electric in Highway victory Matthew Dunn has set a new benchmark after Madame De Ban gave the trainer his seventh Highway victory … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Snitzkraft to be aimed at winter carnival Kelso Wood will recommend two-year-old Snitzkraft misses the autumn carnivals to run in the winter and spring … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 7 years ago Madame De Ban toughs it out in Highway Handicap Plate HUGH Bowman has two wins from four races at Rosehill as the master-jockey steered favourite Madame De Ban to a … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 7 years ago Portman continues winning campaign with Flemington romp PORTMAN was one of the best-backed runners on the card at Flemington on Saturday and it didn’t disappoint punters. The … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Teaspoon fights back to win Widden Stakes Trainer Michael Freedman has won his first Group race in Australia with Teaspoon taking out the Widden Stakes … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 7 years ago Deanne Panya taken to hospital after horror fall at Rosehill ALL races at Rosehill have been moved back 30 minutes after apprentice jockey Deanne Panya was taken to hospital after … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 7 years ago Drop in grade proves vital for Flemington winner Navagio THREE-year-old filly Navagio found life tough in the Red Roses last start when finishing 14th, but after a break in … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Pariah stakes Blue Diamond claims Trainer Peter and Paul Snowden have unveiled another promising two-year-old colt after Pariah made a winning debut in the Canonbury … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago San Telmo confirms top rating at Coast Lightly raced San Telmo has confirmed his rating as a future star stayer with his win in an open handicap … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Apprentice Panya conscious after fall Apprentice jockey Deanne Panya is in a stable condition after a fall in the Widden Stakes at Rosehill … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Navagio impresses first-up at Flemington Lightly raced three-year-old filly Navagio has made a winning return to racing with victory in the Doriemus Handicap at Flemington … Read More Horse Racing Tips 7 years ago 2017 Karaka Million Day form, odds and tips, Sunday January 29 THE Karaka Million is New Zealand’s richest race and the action happens this Sunday at Ellerslie. The $1 million sprint … Read More View the full article

Don Alberto Stable's Alpha Bella leads wire to wire while securing an upset victory in the $150,000 La Prevoyante Stakes (G3T) Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Repole Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light), newly honored as 2023 champion 2-year-old, breezed at Palm Beach Downs Saturday morning in advance of next Saturday's GIII Holy Bull S. at Gulfstream Park. Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, he was timed in :49.55 (20/29) for a half-mile. “I was very pleased. He had a serious work last week–fifty-nine-and-change [for five furlongs]. We were just looking for a maintenance work today,” Pletcher said. Fierceness is coming off a 6 1/4-length romp in the Nov. 3 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita. “Knock on wood. He's done everything super this winter. We're excited getting him going again,” Pletcher said. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, who guided Fierceness to victory in the Juvenile, was aboard for Saturday's breeze. The post Champion Fierceness Breezes for Holy Bull appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Having been officially recognized as the world's top-rated sprinter in London earlier this week, Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) figures difficult to beat in defence of his title in Sunday's G1 Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse. The 5-year-old added last season's G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup in March and the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize the following month, but took a pair of defeats under big weights in his first two starts this season. More workmanlike than brilliant in besting Victor the Winner (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint in November, Lucky Sweynesse was more dominant in defeating Lucky With You (Aus) (Artie Schiller) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, making him the first to win each of the jurisdiction's Group 1 sprints in a calendar year. Still, champion jockey Zac Purton believes his mount can do even better. “It's not easy to win any international race in Hong Kong, so you've got to put it towards the top of his list,” Purton told South China Morning Post. “But it wasn't one of his most devastating performances. I think he's feeling pretty good. I think he's taken another little step again so I'm looking forward to the race.” See you on Sunday, Lucky Sweynesse! Sha Tin, 28 Jan | #SpeedSeries | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/qiZKauMEvI — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 27, 2024 Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) is winless since taking the 2022 Hong Kong Sprint, a race in which Lucky Sweynesse endured a checkered passage, and was second in this event last season. Now under the care of Jamie Richards, the 7-year-old was a sound third in the International Sprint last time out. Courier Wonder (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) was runner-up to Lucky Sweynesse in the Chairman's Sprint Prize, but hasn't seen a winner's enclosure since running his record to a perfect five-from-five in Group 3 company in May 2021. He returns from a six-month absence and now resides in the barn of Mark Newnham. “I'm very pleased with him,” the Aussie expat told the HKJC's Declan Schuster. “We've had him for about eight weeks now and so far the preparation has been without incident. I've been riding him a lot in work myself and I am happy with the way he is moving.” The post Lucky Sweynessse Part of Baker’s Dozen For Centenary Sprint Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With a pair entered from his shedrow, Brad Cox's barn celebrated as Bergen (Liam's Map) took home the Jimmy Winkfield S. and stablemate Air Cav (Mitole) finished third. The winner broke his maiden at first asking by 3/4 length at Keeneland Oct. 7, but could not keep the streak going when he was late getting to the wire as the runner-up at Churchill Downs Nov. 25. Facing only four others as the well-backed 4-5 choice here, the grey took up a spot to the outside in the second flight up the backstretch. The colt fanned three-wide around the far turn and began to drive home with the lead secured just before the eighth pole. Fully extended and flashing even more speed in the shadow of the wire, the 3-year-old got the money and his first black-type win. Iridescent (City of Light) was second by 5 1/4 lengths. Brad Cox's assistant Dustin Dugas said about his barn's entries, “I told both jockeys that it's a small field and to play it how it comes. It looked like there would be more speed in there than we had to offer, and they both rode their horses really well. I'm happy with both performances, but Bergen is a really cool horse and he's a very forward horse in his training and his races. He likes what he does. Trevor [McCarthy] worked him two breezes back and he came back with some really good feedback, so we used that today.” The winner's dam is responsible for GI Test S. heroine Chi Town Lady (Verrazano), a 2-year-old filly named Aledean (Game Winner), who sold to Greg Tramontin for $600,000 at last year's Keeneland September Sale, and a yearling filly by Not This Time. She visited Justify for this season. JIMMY WINKFIELD S., $97,000, Aqueduct, 1-27, 3yo, 6f, 1:12.63, my. 1–BERGEN, 118, c, 3, by Liam's Map 1st Dam: Toni's Hollyday (SP, $119,047), by Harlan's Holiday 2nd Dam: May Day Vow, by Broken Vow 3rd Dam: May Day Bluff, by Pine Bluff ($205,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP; $375,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Spendthrift Farm LLC, Martin Schwartz, Gandharvi LLC, Big Easy Racing LLC, Rick Kanter, James J. Bakke, Titletown Racing Stables, Kueber Racing, LLC, Golconda Stable, Ali Goodrich and Mark Parkinson; B-Castleton Lyons, Kilboy Estate & Gavin Tierney (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Manuel Franco. $55,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $136,975. *1/2 to Chi Town Lady (Verrazano), GISW, $462,913. 2–Iridescent, 118, c, 3, City of Light–Resolu, by Smart Strike. ($150,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/T-David Jacobson; B-Dixiana Farms LLC (KY). $20,000. 3–Air Cav, 118, c, 3, Mitole–In a Cloud, by Elusive Quality. ($125,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Calumet Farm; B-Highlight Thoroughbreds & Haugh Stables (KY); T-Brad Cox. $12,000. Margins: 5 1/4, 6 3/4, 5. Odds: 0.90, 3.85, 5.50. Also Ran: El Divino Nino, Stolen Magic. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. BERGEN, the 3YO son of @LanesEndFarms stallion Liam's Map, wins the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes with @jockeyfranco aboard for trainer @bradcoxracing. pic.twitter.com/6WC0wqiCZv — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) January 27, 2024 The post Bergen Delivers Strong Performance In Jimmy Winkfield S. At The Big A appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After finishing behind Lucky Sweynesse six straight times, Wellington tries to turn that ship around in the Centenary Sprint Cup (G1) Jan. 28 at Sha Tin Racecourse.View the full article

After finishing behind Lucky Sweynesse six straight times, Wellington tries to turn that ship around in the Centenary Sprint Cup Jan. 28 at Sha Tin Racecourse.View the full article

Two-time champion apprentice Cieren Fallon has revealed to the Racing Post that he will not be retained as second jockey to Qatar Racing in 2024.View the full article

Jonny Turner’s selections for Riverton. Race Jonny Turner Racing Journalist Race 1 12.20pm 2 California Dreaming 5 Robyns Art 4 Rotten Rodden 1 Mechanical Bull Race 2 12.46pm 2 Quercus Rubra 9 Styrax 3 Hail Stone 4 Wattle Hill Race 3 1.21pm 3 Pounamu 5 Montage 9 Peace Of Heaven 1 Rakadeaks Race 4 1.56pm 2 Blithe 7 Night Watch 14 Fiery Bandito 8 Hot Saucy Betty Race 5 2.21pm 6 Falcons Watch 5 Nyla 1 I’m Watching You 2 Sly Tricks Race 6 2.46pm 8 Got You Covered 4 Moonlite Dream 6 Hacksaw Ridge 2 Itoje Race 7 3.20pm 1 Bridget Louise 11 Breeny’s Rock N Roll 12 Sidorova 8 Sunshine Moment Race 8 3.49pm 8 Jimmy Carter 7 Domination’s Call 1 Nubliah Chamay 5 Abadabado Race 9 4.18pm 13 Still Rockin 9 Amass 2 Magnetic Beckers 11 Outback Man Race 10 4.48pm 1 Flying Bird 4 Stillyourshot 2 Tuneinsportsfans 6 Lou’s Deal View the full article

Craig “The Whale” Thompson is back with his best for Riverton View the full article

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Son of the former jockey turned trainer Andy Slattery snr, Tipperary native Andy Slattery was crowned joint-champion apprentice in 2019 alongside Oisin Orr. At just 23 years of age, Slattery has already amassed a glittering CV, having won big-race prizes for Dermot Weld, Eddie Lynam, Fozzy Stack and his own father Andy, for whom he has built up an excellent partnership with. Slattery's decision to swap Dundalk for Dubai, where he rides as number two jockey behind fellow Irishman Tadhg O'Shea for trainer Bhupat Seemar, has worked out well this winter. In this week's Q&A, Slattery talks about all things riding in Dubai and outlines his hopes for the new domestic season in Ireland. You have swapped Dundalk for Dubai this winter and it seems to be going very well. A lot of people advised me to do it and it has been a complete no-brainer. I've had the chance to get on some nice horses, pick up good prize-money and live a very different lifestyle than I would at home. I wouldn't say it's a different quality of life but you are certainly treated a lot differently in Dubai than back home. Is this your first trip away as a rider? I have been to America but I never rode in races over there. I worked with Paddy Gallagher at Santa Anita and rode in a lot of work. It's funny, a lot of what I picked up in America has stood to me in Dubai because a lot of our work out here is done on the clock. Having that clock in your head has been a life saver. Bhupat trains very similarly to how they do it in America and, if I hadn't spent that time in the States, I'd say I would have been lost. There are about 10 or 11 work riders here in the yard and everyone knows their job and what times they have to do each morning. These are top horses in Bhupat's and there is no room for error. It's a very good system he has in place. What has been the biggest learning curve for you in Dubai? I'd hazard a guess that riding those big dirt horses is a bit different to riding around Roscommon and Sligo. They are absolute bulls, they're class and I love riding on the dirt here. Funnily enough, I was joking with Caroline, who is Bhupat's wife and was my neighbour back home in Ireland, that some of these dirt horses look like point-to-pointers. Some of them could be mistaken for our National Hunt horses, they are that big and powerful. But I tell you something, by God they can move. I get some thrill riding on the dirt. The horses are so tough and hardy. The good ones travel and just keep finding and finding. It's all rhythm. It's a different style of riding altogether out in Dubai, though. Say Friday night, for example, you had Christophe Soumillon, Oisin Murphy, Jim Crowley and many of the top riders from all over the world riding at Meydan. Competing against those lads, it makes you raise your own game and you become sharper and a better rider as a result. The one thing I would say is that Ireland is extremely competitive as it is and you don't get anything easy back home. That probably stands to you when you come abroad because you are used to not getting anything easy. We saw your cousin Ben Coen flying the flag for Ireland in Australia over the winter as well. That's another case in point for the benefits of going away and getting out of your comfort zone. Big time. I suppose it is the same with everything, when you go to different places and see how they do things, it can't do you any harm. Stepping outside of your comfort zone, as you say yourself, can only be a good thing and I feel the benefits of it. I came out here on holiday two years ago. I came for a month and just rode out for Charlie Appleby. It was a bit of a working holiday but I really loved it. I had a couple of spins in Arab races and they are quirky but it was a good experience. I'm riding those a bit more frequently but they don't get any easier. Luckily I was given the opportunity to come back this year to ride for Bhupat and it has been going well. And how would you look back on last year's season in Ireland? Things were going great up until when I fractured my vertebrae in a fall riding out. I missed the last couple of months of the season so, all things considered, it was a good year. That injury actually delayed me a little bit when I got out here but, once I got the all clear, it hasn't been a bother. I've had a couple of winners for Bhupat so it's a case of so far so good. We all know the prize-money in Ireland can't compete with the likes of Dubai so I'd imagine you have felt those winners a bit more than you would if you had won a nice handicap at home. That's spot on. The prize-money is very good out here and being able to earn tax free is a big bonus as well. Take riding fees, prize-money etc, none of that is taxed over here so, even if you finish third or fourth in a race, it's a very good payday for a rider. It's not simple to make the game pay back home in Ireland. You have to ride a couple of nice winners every year, definitely. I have been involved in horses outside of the riding and I love the bloodstock side of things so I have been lucky enough in that side of things. If you weren't riding a good few winners or at least bagging one or two big pots a season, you wouldn't exactly be flying it in Ireland. We know your father Andy and the rest of the family are excellent horsemen and have had some brilliant horses through their hands. For example, your Dad trained Faugheen to win his point-to-point before selling him to Rich Ricci and Willie Mullins. Do you dip your toe in that side of the business as well? Big time. I am stuck in five or six young horses and it will be up to Dad if we go racing them or selling them. It's a great interest and Iove that side of the sport. You had a great year with your Dad last year riding eight winners for him. Without his backing, it would probably be fair to say it would have been a tough season. The way Ireland has gone, you only ride for the people who you ride out for or who ride work for as there are only a handful of spare rides up for grabs. We have a family-run yard and I am happy to help out the four or five days a week. I also ride out for Fozzy Stack two days of week and spend an odd Saturday with John O'Donoghue on the Curragh. I rode winners for all of those trainers last season but, the big thing is, you need a stable behind you. I've been lucky enough to have worked for some very good trainers, the likes of Dermot Weld for example, and it's good to be able to bring that sort of experience to the table at home and fire ideas around. Whatever we are doing, it seems to be working well and we are getting some good results. You'd like to think that, if we were to get our hands on some of those nicer horses, we could do the job as well as anyone. It can be tough to get your hands on those horses, though, because we are a selling yard. That can be tough for me as a rider because, as soon as we have one who runs well or wins a maiden, the likelihood is that the horse will be sold. Then you are left searching for the next one and they aren't easy to find. The strength of Irish racing is a major plus when it comes to selling one but sometimes it can come at the detriment of leaving yourself short on ammunition for the track. It's not simple taking on Aidan O'Brian and Ger Lyons and we are operating on a budget but thankfully it's going well. What would the hope be for the new year back home in Ireland? It's the same as every year; try to win as many races as I can and to get on as many nice horses as I can. We've 20 two-year-olds so hopefully some of those can shape up to be nice. It has been nothing to do with me so far, all of the lads have been doing the heavy lifting over the winter, but I have to say I am looking forward to seeing what we have to go to war with this season. I'll be home in the second week of March and Dad tells me we have lovely colts by Mohaather (GB), Blue Point (Ire), Without Parole (GB) and Instilled Regard so hopefully there will be plenty to look forward to this year. The post Andy Slattery: ‘Competing Against The Top Lads Makes You Raise Your Game’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An easy-in-the-market 83-10 from a 4-1 morning line, Siena Farm and WinStar Farm's SPEAK EASY (c, 3, Constitution–Fun, by Harlan's Holiday) outfought the heavily favored fellow firster Victory Avenue (Arrogate) to open his account at first asking before the clock struck noon on Pegasus Day Saturday at Gulfstream Park. The chalk, a $375,000 OBS June purchase who was bet down to 3-2 from a 5-1 morning line, showed good early foot and led what appeared to be a well-bred group onto the track proper, but Irad Ortiz, Jr. asked Speak Easy for some speed and took the sit just off that one's flank down the backstretch. Matching motors through an opening quarter in :22.64 and a half in :44.61, the duo hit the quarter pole more or less on even terms, but it was clear that Speak Easy was going the better of the two into the stretch. Victory Avenue did not go down without a fight, but Speak Easy proved easily best in the finish, scoring by about two lengths. The Frankie Dettori-ridden Big City (City of Light) finished a good five lengths behind the top pair, while $925,000 KEESEP yearling Corporate Power (Curlin) got home well for fourth and galloped out past his rivals around the turn. O-Siena Farm LLC & WinStar Farm LLC; B-WinStar Farm LLC (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. The post Constitution’s Speak Easy A Good-Looking Debut Winner at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

He's moved yards over the winter, across town from Park Lodge Stables to Highfield Stables, and Newmarket trainer Harry Eustace now faces the question master. What are your goals for 2024? Carry on our trend of more winners and more prize-money than the previous year. Give us a horse to follow… Modern Times (GB), a three-year-old by Too Darn Hot (GB). And a young person in the industry to keep an eye on… Jack Jones, trainer on the up. Who do you think will be champion first-season sire in 2024? Pinatubo (Ire) And the best value stallion in Europe? Golden Horn (GB) Your best buy of 2023? Time For Sandals (Ire), a filly from the first crop of Sands Of Mali (Fr) out of Days Of Summer (Ire), bought from Rathbride Farm at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale. The best yearling/weanling you saw at the 2023 sales (that someone else bought)? The filly by Sea The Stars (Ire) out of Waila (GB), bought by Coolmore for 650,000gns. Who is or was the perfect Thoroughbred? Toss of a coin between Frankel and Sea The Stars. Your biggest professional regret? Not having the chance to see Sea Of Class (Ire) have a four-year-old campaign (while assistant to William Haggas). The post In the Hot Seat: Harry Eustace appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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

By Jonny Turner Kyle Cameron hopes a new formula can be a winning one when Style Council shoots for a deserved victory at Methven on Sunday. Cameron heads to the Methven grass with three of his team, including Style Council who put in two excellent performances at the recent Blenheim meeting. The five-year-old hit the line strongly in both of his starts, running second on Friday and fifth on Sunday. The two good runs have come since Cameron has decided to Style Council with a sit, which isn’t always easy to do at the leader-dominated Blenheim track. So theoretically, the pacer should be an even bigger chance up the longer straight at Methven track. “We have been driving him a bit quieter lately and he has gone some good races,” Cameron said. “He has come through his Blenheim trip pretty well, his work has been good.” “Hopefully he can make a good beginning and get into a handy enough spot.” “Fingers crossed he can go another good race.” Cameron also starts maiden trotter Brightman in race 1 at Methven. The four-year-old looks a handy winning chance judging by his recent trial efforts. Cameron thinks the trotter has the ability to win but is weary about how the horse will handle his first start at the races. “He has had a bit of trouble getting away at the trials but he has been got it right in his qualifying trial and he got it right in his last one.” “It is just a case of him getting away trotting, he can be a bit nervy at the start so we will be hanging on and hoping he can do things right.” “He does seem to have the ability there to win a race, for sure.” “If he does things right it will be a good result.” Opawa Peak looks the roughie of the three-horse Cameron team. The trotter broke in both of his starts on the recent Blenheim circuit, but his form before that was solid enough. “He didn’t really like the crossing at Blenheim for some reason, he broke both days,” Cameron said. “He has been over plenty of crossings before and hasn’t had any troubles.” “There is no crossing at Methven so that won’t be a problem.” “From the draw (1) he might be able to get a nice run and go a better race, but he is down on his best form.” View the full article

After reaching the 99 mark on Wednesday at Matamata, Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson were swift in recording their 100th domestic winner for the 2023/24 season early at Riccarton’s Saturday meeting. The powerhouse Te Akau stable has surpassed the 100 mark for the past five seasons on the bounce, initially with former trainer Jamie Richards at the helm, before Walker returned from Singapore in 2022/23 and rewrote the history books in amassing a record total of 203 winners, as well as the fastest to a century. Sam Bergerson joined Walker in partnership this season, and from the stable’s 523 starters, now has three Group One, four Group Two, three Group Three and three Listed winners to his credit with an overall strike rate of 5.2. Te Akau principal David Ellis credited the pair alongside the remainder of their staff at both Matamata and Riccarton Park bases, the latter producing the 100th victor in Angel Wings, who was guided by former Te Akau apprentice Joe Kamaruddin in the Berkley Stud At Karaka 2024 (1100m), ahead of stablemate Superbly Written. “What a great achievement by Mark and Sam to reach 100 wins in such a quick time again this season, and it’s hugely rewarding to everyone involved; staff, owners, and for Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) and me too,” Ellis said. “Everyone that works for Te Akau gives 110%, and without that type of commitment, you just can’t get these sorts of results.” Te Akau Racing established its first Trans-Tasman stable at Cranbourne earlier this season, with champion mare Imperatriz’s three Group Ones headlining nine victories from their Australian-based representatives. “(The 100 wins) have included 18 stakes winners between New Zealand and Australia, and we’ve got some nice black-type chances coming up through the summer and autumn in both countries,” Ellis said. View the full article

Roger James and James McDonald teamed up to win the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie in 2012 with Silent Achiever, and the pair reunited at the Auckland venue 12 years later to take out New Zealand’s richest race, the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) on Saturday evening. Fresh off taking out the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) with the Stephen Marsh-trained Velocious, McDonald was favoured to secure a Karaka Millions double when he jumped aboard Orchestral in the three-year-old contest for James and training partner Robert Wellwood. The daughter of Savabeel was slow to jump from her ace barrier, however, McDonald kept his composure and the pair quickly regained their deficit to settle midfield. Turning for home, McDonald was able to find a passage between runners and Orchestral responded to his urgings down the straight, reeling in pacemaker Pendragon with 100m to go, and dashed away to a 3-1/2 length victory. It was the second consecutive win in the race for Kingsclere Stables, having won last years’ edition with subsequent Group One winner Prowess. James was duly delighted with the win and is hoping Orchestral can go on to the same lofty heights as last year’s victor, who claimed the Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) and Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) before her retirement late last year. “She didn’t just win it, she bolted in,” James said. “To win New Zealand’s richest race two years in a row is something that dreams are made of.” McDonald was left in awe of Orchestral following her win and believes she has the talent to go on and mirror the achievements of her multiple Group One-winning stable predecessor Silent Achiever. Kingsclere Stables trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood. Photo: Race Images “She is a beautiful filly,” he said. “I reckon Roger has got another Silent Achiever on his hands, she is that nice. She accelerated when I asked her and switched off well. I would have loved for her to begin a little bit better, but we got away with it today, everything panned out perfectly.” James shared McDonald’s enthusiasm for Orchestral and believes she has the capability of attaining elite-level status like Silent Achiever and Prowess. “They were multiple Group One winners, this filly has yet to get there, but what she has done to date, there is every reason to think she will,” he said. Orchestral was purchased out of Haunui Farm’s 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by James and Wellwood for $625,000, and she has now gone on to win three and place in two of his six starts to date, amassing $870,000 in prizemoney. Haunui Farm will offer a full brother to Orchestral, lot 464, at the New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale that begins on Sunday. The victory cemented a Karaka Millions double for McDonald, adding to his Karaka Millions 3YO Classic victory aboard Long Leaf in 2019, and the Sydney-based hoop said the way the New Zealand racing industry is heading, it won’t be another four years before he returns to his homeland. “What a brilliant night they have put on,” he said. “It is so good to be a part of it and I am rapt I came back. To get a couple of winners is even better.” View the full article

Desert Lightning has spent the majority of his career flying under the radar, but there was no denying his place at the top of the tree in the inaugural $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. The under-rated son of Pride Of Dubai has consistently been among the very best of his generation. He finished fourth in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) as a two-year-old, then returned as a three-year-old to win the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) and place in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m). Desert Lightning has not put a foot wrong since turning four, winning two of his first three starts this season including last month’s Gr.1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham. However, through no fault of his own, the false start to that race and its effect on rival runners prevented Desert Lightning from getting the credit he deserved. Despite being a last-start Group One winner, Desert Lightning was sent out as a $14 outsider on Saturday. The market was dominated by the multiple Group One winner Legarto, who was a $1.30 favourite and regarded as close to a certainty – so much so that the TAB announced on Wednesday that futures fixed-odds win bets would be paid out in advance of the race. But that script was turned upside down by a spectacular performance by the Peter and Dawn Williams-trained Desert Lightning. He was slotted into second by jockey Vinnie Colgan, who remained calm despite front-runner Wessex opening up a huge margin through the middle stages of the race. Desert Lightning dragged the field up behind that tearaway leader, then took command with a brilliant burst of speed at the top of the straight. Legarto got out into clear air early in the run home and had her opportunity to run him down, but Desert Lightning never stopped. He maintained a margin of a length and three-quarters over Legarto, with an incredible seven lengths back to the third-placed Rudyard. The time was a slick 1:32.53 for 600m. “This is a very good horse,” Colgan said. “His TAB Classic win was outstanding. I know he hadn’t run for seven or eight weeks in between times, but I rode him in a gallop two weeks ago and I knew Pete had him peachy-perfect. “I heard George Simon (commentator) say I had them in trouble down the straight, and it put a smile on my face. Legarto couldn’t have caught him today – no way.” Desert Lightning has now had 16 starts for five wins, six placings and $1.08 million in stakes for his owners, Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer’s Barneswood Farm. Desert Lightning was a $190,000 purchase by Peter and Dawn Williams from Little Avondale Stud’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2021. Peter Williams said his confidence was boosted by Saturday’s Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) victory by Crocetti, who had worked in company with Desert Lightning in an exhibition gallop at Ellerslie on January 14. “He actually worked even better than Crocetti the other day,” Williams said. “Vinnie came back after that and said, ‘Don’t you dare do anything else with him.’ I had been thinking about another trial, but after he came home in 32 seconds in that gallop, we thought we’d just keep him at home. “It was a great win. He’s really grown a leg this year. We had a few problems with him last year, but he couldn’t do anything about it. We turned him out for a good spell at the end of the season, and that’s been the makings of him. “He beat Legarto in the 3YO race on this day last year. No one ever gives him any credit. But I’ve always rated him as a top horse, and Vinnie has too. Everyone in our team has done a great job with him.” Byerley Park-based Peter and Dawn Williams. Photo: Race Images View the full article

Ellerslie racegoers got to witness expat Kiwi jockey James McDonald have his first ride back on home soil in several years at the TAB Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie on Saturday, and he made an instant impact in front of the sold-out crowd. Sydney-based McDonald had returned across the Tasman to partner the Stephen Marsh-trained filly Velocious in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and he showed why he is revered as one of the world’s best. After jumping away well out of the barriers, McDonald was able to secure the coveted one-one position with Velocious, where she was able to settle beautifully. Entering the straight, McDonald guided his charge three-wide and Velocious was able to reel in the leaders and hit the front with 250m to go. She held out the late challenge of Damask Rose to win by 2-1/2 lengths, denying Te Akau Racing a record eighth straight victory in the race. Saturday’s victory completes the Karaka Millions collection for McDonald, who had previously won the Karaka Millions 3YO Classic (1600m) aboard Long Leaf in 2019 for trainers David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig. “It’s bloody great,” an enthused McDonald said post-race. “It has eluded me a little bit this race, I have finished a few seconds, but I was on the right filly today, (who was) trained to an absolute minute. She gave me a beautiful ride and produced the goods, it was unreal.” It was an emotional homecoming for McDonald who said it was great to be back riding at Ellerslie on their new StrathAyr track. “Ellerslie was our headquarters growing up, I was here for three or four years. It was my favourite track, and it still is. To get success here is just awesome,” he said. “There is nothing like home and even though we live in Australia, it is always great to come back and ride winners, especially big ones like that.” McDonald was impressed with Velocious’ talent and tenacity, and he believes there is a bright future instore for the daughter of Written Tycoon. “I could feel them coming (in the straight) but she pulled out all the stops, she didn’t feel like she was ever going to get beaten,” McDonald said. “She is very good, and I just love her tenacity, she is just a gorgeous filly.” With victory, Velocious extended her career record to three wins and a placing from four starts, with her Karaka Millions triumph joining her win in the Listed Challenge Stakes (1100m) and third placing in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m). Trainer Stephen Marsh was quietly confident heading into the race, saying his filly had a faultless preparation and had the benefit of McDonald aboard. “We thought we had the right filly all the way through, and James was very keen to come and ride her,” he said. “We think he (McDonald) is the world’s best and for Go Racing and Marsh Racing to give him his first Karaka Million (2YO) win is exciting for everyone. “It is one of those preparations where nothing has gone wrong – we haven’t nursed her, she hasn’t had shin soreness, we haven’t done anything. She has been the perfect racehorse the whole way through, so we weren’t actually that nervous going into it. We felt we had the right horse, and she is just an absolute gem to train, does what you like, she is unbelievable.” It was an emotional victory for Marsh, who dedicated it to his mother Kay, who is suffering from ill-health. “I just want to say, that is for my mum,” he said. It was the second win in the race for Marsh and syndicator Go Racing, who combined to win the race in 2013 with Ruud Awakeing, and Go Racing principal Albert Bosma was glad he could get another with his great mate, particular during trying times for his family. “It is special for us, but it is probably more special for Stephen and his family with what they are going through. He has been like a brother, 20 years we have been doing this,” Bosma said. Velocious was purchased by Go Racing out of Inglewood Stud’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $190,000 with a view towards to the Karaka Millions 2YO. “Over the last five or six years we have focussed on middle-distance horses for Australia, that is where the money is,” Bosma said. “Now things have changed and last year was the first time we said we have got to start focussing back on New Zealand with all these amazing changes Entain is bringing in and these great races. We bought this filly for this race, and we have done it. “It is hard to win races and when you buy something with a plan, 99 times (out of 100) it doesn’t come off, and it came off this time and we had the right plan. I am so happy for Stephen, and I am so happy for us. “Seven wins in a row by Te Akau may never be beaten but I think it is going to get harder and harder going forward, there are going to be so many people trying to win this race.” View the full article

Up-and-comer Akrotiri passed his first staying test with flying colours at The Valley on Saturday, heading a New Zealand-bred trifecta in the A$130,000 Chandler Macleod Handicap (2040m). Akrotiri jumped well from the starting gates and jockey Celine Gaudray allowed the Tarzino gelding to stride forward, taking the lead turning out of the straight on the first occasion. He dictated terms from there and kicked hard before turning for home, putting himself out of reach of Interlinked and Miss Tarzy. Trained by Cindy Alderson at Cranbourne, Akrotiri has now had six starts for three wins and A$124,350 in stakes. “Cindy gave me a lot of confidence before I hopped on today,” Gaudray said. “She thought he’d run a good race, and she just wanted me to keep it smooth. He’s a big-striding horse, so I just let him find his rhythm. He was too strong in the end. “He’s very inexperienced. He didn’t handle the corner that well today, but he’ll take good improvement from this and there’ll be no problems going further.” Alderson was always confident that the step up beyond 1600m would bring Akrotiri into his element. “He’s a good young stayer,” he said. “Blinkers were off for the first time today. Celine did a great job getting him out of the barriers and giving him a perfect run. “He’s a big, long, lanky horse. He can’t really accelerate when he’s caught back behind them on the fence in a stop-start race, but today, with free running and a well-judged ride from Celine, he went really well. “It was good to see him relaxing and striding along so nicely today. I’ve got no doubt he’ll do 2400m, and maybe he can even go further than that. Who knows?” Akrotiri was bred by Marie Leicester and is out of the Group One-placed Stravinsky mare Tsarina Belle, who is also the dam of the Listed Wanganui Cup (2040m) winner La Flora Belle. Leicester will offer a half-brother to Akrotiri by Belardo through Haunui Farm’s Book 2 Karaka draft next week. Akrotiri was offered by Lilywhites Lodge at the 2021 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, where he was passed in. He was a trials placegetter at Cambridge in July of 2022 before relocating across the Tasman. View the full article

Group One mare Belclare returned to the peak of her powers on New Zealand racing’s biggest stage on Saturday, scoring a dominant victory in the $500,000 Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie. The Per Incanto mare was a triple black-type winner last season, capturing the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and Listed Wairarapa Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) before landing a Group One triumph with a three-length victory over subsequent elite performer Skew Wiff in the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Pukekohe. After resuming with an eye-catching third in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) in August, Belclare struggled for form with four unplaced finishes between September and early December. But she showed signs of a turnaround with a last-start second in the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m), beaten by half a length by the subsequent Group One winner Puntura. Largely overlooked in Saturday’s fillies and mares’ feature at odds of $21.90, Belclare was driven forward from her wide gate by jockey Sam Spratt. By the time the field climbed the rise at the 900m mark, she was ideally placed on the outside of the front-running Express Yourself. Belclare took command at the home turn and burst clear, opening up a big margin that the late-finishing Faraglioni and Maria Farina were unable to claw back. She scored by a length and a half, stopping the clock at 1:22.28. “I got a phone call yesterday saying one of the owners had passed away, so it was really good to get this result, and he might have given me a bit of help,” Spratt said. “We push forward from our wide draw, and in the end it was pretty similar to the Group One she won around this time last year. She hadn’t done that much in between times, but it was good that she really showed the ability that she’s got today.” Belclare has now had 34 starts for 10 wins and six seconds, earning $744,275 in stakes. Trainer Lisa Latta was represented at Ellerslie on Saturday by her son Josh Herd. “She’s looking after the team at Trentham today – it’s a bit unfortunate that the meeting got abandoned there,” he said. “But it’s so great to get a win on Karaka Millions night. This is the pinnacle of New Zealand racing and we couldn’t be happier. “We had a look and there didn’t seem to be too much speed in the race. We were drawn wide, so we planned to go forward from there, and it was a great ride by Sam. “She’s a very good horse. She ran good sectionals last start, where she was beaten by Puntura, who franked that form in the Thorndon Mile (1600m) last week. We’re pretty happy.” View the full article

Former Hong Kong galloper Master Fay displayed a touch of real class when he scored a dominant victory in the Gr.2 Brighthill Farm Concorde Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie. The Chad Ormsby-trained six year-old son of Deep Field was a $100,000 purchase out of the Highden Park Book 1 Sale draft at Karaka in 2019 by Ormsby as a pinhooking prospect but didn’t make it back to the sales ring and was sold to Hong Kong interests following some impressive trial wins. He performed well in Hong Kong, winning his only start at Sha Tin in 2021 for trainer Caspar Fownes before soundness issues struck and he was eventually retired back to New Zealand by his owner who gave permission to Ormsby to try again with him if he stood up to a racing preparation. Ormsby was patient with the well proportioned gelding giving him three trials in preparation for his New Zealand raceday debut over 1200m at Tauranga earlier this month which he won in fine style. Stepped up to stakes company on Saturday, rider Vinnie Colgan bounced him away nicely from an inside gate to trail pacemaker Imwonderfultonight before dashing clear early in the run home to register a comfortable victory over the late closing Petrucci. Ormsby cut an emotional figure as he accepted congratulations after the race. “He is a horse who we managed to secure at Karaka and after we sold him we followed his career up in Hong Kong,” Ormsby said. “He could have been anything but unfortunately he didn’t get to his best and we managed to get him back through the late Stuey Hale. “To get him to a race like this has been a lot of hard work from a lot of people. and I was emotional before the race, let alone now. “There are so many people to thank, but it’s just great to see what the horse can do as there is a lot ahead of him if we can hold him together. “This was a good field but he got in on a light weight so we thought it was here for the taking. “He is a day by day prospect as he is not the soundest so we will look after him as you have seen today what he can do.” Colgan had been doing it hard to get down to the 53kg weight carried by his mount and was glad the race had panned out in his favour. “It’s been a long day and I’m glad this ride was race two,” he said. I’ve been on a pretty lean diet since Wednesday, mostly vegetables and no bread or nice food. “This was well worth it as he is very smart, he is lightly raced and he did that well.” Master Fay is now unbeaten in three starts with just under $262,000 in prizemoney earnings. View the full article

Well known southern breeding and racing identities the Dennis brothers were back in the limelight at Riccarton on Saturday as their royally bred mare The Radiant One took out the Listed Speight’s Timaru Stakes (1400m). Bred, owned and trained by brothers Tony, Ray, Joe and Martin Dennis, the daughter of former The Oaks Stud resident stallion and multiple Group One winner Darci Brahma hadn’t been at her best in her last two runs following a brave performance to finish fourth in the Listed Stewards Stakes (1200m) during New Zealand Cup Week last November. The five-year-old stripped a fitter horse after finishing midfield at Gore a week ago and raced accordingly as she justified her $2.80 favourites tag in the hands of Tina Comignaghi to deliver a stylish victory. Comignaghi had her sitting outside pacemaker Divine Sava throughout and took over rounding the home bend. The Radiant One kicked powerfully to establish a three length break at the 200m and despite Miss Layla steadily closing that gap, The Radiant One had more than enough in reserve to hold her out by two lengths at the finish. Ray Dennis was on hand at the track putting the final touches on the mare and was delighted with the run. “I’m here at Riccarton as I drove the truck up from home,” Dennis said. “We were pleased with her as she struck a very wet track at Wingatui and the same last time at Gore where she got dragged back in the worst part of it and just couldn’t quicken. “I was surprised at her odds today as she was very short on the tote but she did the job in good fashion. “Being breeders, we may have sacrificed a few wins in lower class chasing black type with her but this one today is a real boost and we don’t think it will be her last either.” Milan Park will offer Lot 476, a half-sister by Savabeel to The Radiant One during the Book 1 session at Karaka when the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale kicks off on Sunday (28 January), with Dennis hopeful this win will add some more lustre to the yearling filly. “She (The Radiant One) comes from one of our traditional families that has been hugely successful over the years,” he said. “All five dams in her extended pedigree have produced stakes winners which we hope will play in favour of the filly we are selling at Karaka on Monday.” The Radiant One is out of the four-time Group Three winner The Diamond One and is the grand-daughter of dual Group One winner The Jewel who numbered the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) amongst her eleven career victories. View the full article

World’s best sprinter looks to continue his dominant run at the elite level in Sunday’s Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) at Sha TinView the full article