Wandering Eyes

Zourion (NZ) (Zoustar) already holds a special place in Mark Walker’s career, but she has a chance to further endear herself to the decorated Kiwi trainer this Saturday at Caulfield. The daughter of Zoustar will chase Group One success in the A$1.5 million Thousand Guineas (1600m). Zourion became Walker’s 1000th winner in New Zealand when she won on debut at Taupo on February 7, a win she followed up with victory in the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). That performance confirmed to Walker and Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay and chief executive Henry Plumptre that Zourion was worthy of being put on a Group One path, with the Thousand Guineas identified as the prime spring target. “We had a chat after the Matamata Breeders Stakes with Brendan, Jo and Henry and this was the program we mapped out,” Walker said. “She had a nice, decent break after that and hopefully the plan comes off on Saturday.” Zourion’s Guineas campaign started with a sixth placing in the Group 3 Champagne Stakes (1200m) at The Valley before a meritorious third placing in the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m). She endured a wide run that day but boxed on to be nosed out of second spot, just 1-1/4 lengths behind Coeur Volante, and the way she not only handled that run, but came through it, has Walker confident she is a genuine winning chance this weekend. “She’s really thrived since her good run in the Guineas Trial,” Walker said. “She got a tough run and really toughed it out to the line in that race. “She’s still very lightly-raced, a little bit green, and on raceday she can get on her toes a little bit, but she’s learning all the time and it’s just got a really good sense of timing about it.” Michael Dee retains the ride for the Guineas and victory would justify the decision to go to NZ$475,000 for Zourion, who is out of the Danroad mare Irion, at last year’s Karaka Yearling Sale. “She’s got a beautiful pedigree, bred by Sir Peter Vela at Pencarrow Stud, and she was an expensive yearling but she’s already added to that value,” Walker said. “If we could pull Saturday off, she’d be worth ten-fold what they paid for her.” Zourion is one of two Zoustar fillies who will carry Cambridge Stud’s black and yellow colours in the Thousand Guineas with Chris Waller’s Joliestar, a $950,000 Inglis Easter buy, also engaged. View the full article

Trainer Robbie Patterson and jockey Craig Grylls were again to the fore at Riccarton where they combined with Puntura (NZ) (Vespa) to claim the major prize on Wednesday’s program. They have proven to be a formidable pairing in recent seasons and joined forces on the middle day of the New Zealand Cup carnival to claim top honours in the Gr.3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m). “He’s a big horse and it was great to have Craig on him, we gel really well and he’s a great mate of mine. He’s a champion to me,” Patterson said. While it wasn’t the pre-race plan to go to the front, circumstances dictated Puntura made the running and he revelled in the role to land the biggest prize of his career. “I never tell Craig to do anything, apart from telling him to get the first round in when we have a winner,” Patterson said. “He’s a good galloper though, a beautiful big horse and he’s come back from a wind operation.” Puntura stepped well from the barrier and worked his way to the front before the six-year-old forged clear in the straight. He comfortably held the challenge of the favourite It’s Business Time (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) at bay with Diss Is Dramatic (NZ) (Dissident) and Times Ticking (NZ) (Tavistock) next to cross the line. “The plan wasn’t to be in front, but he began as well as anything and I was looking to slot in when they eased up,” Grylls said. “I was able to let him stride forward and got a pretty soft lead and once we got passed the 400m mark he was still travelling pretty well. “He’s been going good races and been a bit unlucky and showed he’s more than capable.” Patterson and Grylls have now combined for 36 winners and most notably with the now-retired Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress) in the Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) and the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). Her former stablemate Puntura has been well-travelled during his career, which now includes six domestic wins and complemented by victories in Queensland at the Sunshine Coast (twice) and one at Doomben. “He’s not a Group One horse so we have to pick around now and see what else we get, he’s an older gelding and done a lot of miles,” Patterson said. Bred and raced by John and Carole Lynskey, Puntura is out of the Magic Of Sydney mare Mumzahoney who was successful on two occasions with the Group winners Ellakapella (NZ) (Pompeii Court) and Jason Belltree (NZ) (Ferlax) the stand-out names on her pedigree page. Mumzahoney is also the dam of Puntura’s full-sibling and stablemate Margherita Veloce (NZ), who has won three races, and she also has an unraced three-year-old sister to the pair named Gigi Galle (NZ) and a yearling colt by Vespa. View the full article

The first of three Group 3 events on the Ascot program this Saturday afternoon will be the $200,000 R.J. Peters Stakes, where 10 runners will do battle over 1500m. Grant & Alana Williams-trained Alsephina, who claimed her first Group 3 victory earlier this year in the La Trice Classic, will have to carry the top weight of 59kg. The lightly raced five-year-old mare returned to the racetrack in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes, where she was sent around as a heavily backed favourite with online bookmakers but was unable to get past Marocchino and finished in second place. The only other Group 3 winner in the race is Admiration Express, who was a dominant winner on this day last year in the W.A. Champion Fillies Stakes over 1600m as a three-year-old. The Jason Miller-trained mare kicked off her campaign in the Asian Beau Stakes, where she finished ninth of 10 and was beaten more than three lengths by Alsephina. Magnificent Andy claimed the first Listed victory of his 21-start career when winning the Listed Hannans Handicap at Kalgoorlie two starts. Daniel & Ben Pearce will have two runners in the R.J. Peters Stakes, with last-start Northam Cup winner Let’s Galahvant and Listed Belmont Classic winner Black Fantasy both seeking their maiden Group 3 success. The 2023 R.J. Peters Stakes will be the fourth race of the day and is scheduled to jump at 2:28pm AWST. R.J. Peters Stakes 2023 field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Alsephina Grant & Alana Williams William Pike 4 59kg 2 Ginger Baker Vernon Brockman Jarrad Noske 6 58.5kg 3 Playing Marika Stephanie Bakranich Jason Whiting 9 58kg 4 Let’s Galahvant Daniel & Ben Pearce Chris Parnham 10 56.5kg 5 Weaponson Daniel Morton Steven Parnham 8 56.5kg 6 Magnificent Andy Stephen Miller Brad Parnham 2 56kg 7 Black Fantasy Daniel & Ben Pearce Lucy Fiore 1 55kg 8 Admiration Express Jason Miller Clint Johnston-Porter 3 54kg 9 Billy Ray Peter Fernie Michael Poy 5 54kg 10 Mojo Rhythm Mitchell Pateman Holly Watson 7 54kg More racing news View the full article

Skybird will attempt to keep her unbeaten record intact when she tackles the Group 1 Thousand Guineas this Saturday. (Photo: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) A field of 13 three-year-old fillies are set to do battle in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon. Two runners stand clear at the top of the market, as Skybird (+260) and Coeur Volante (+300) will be looking to add Group 1 success to their already glittering records. Undefeated through three starts, the Mitchell Freedman-trained Skybird holds the call at the time of acceptances, following a breathtaking victory in the Group 2 Fillies Classic (1600m) at Moonee Valley. Beau Mertens, who has partnered Skybird in all three of her starts, will stick on board the Exosphere filly, with the pair drawn perfectly in barrier two. Having tasted Group 1 glory with Attrition in the Toorak Handicap (1600m), Mertens and Freedman will be looking to add further Group 1 success in an already breakout spring. Coeur Volante will be looking to rewrite the history books following her win in the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) on October 21. No filly has completed the Prelude and Guineas double since Irish Lights in 2009. Blake Shinn will once again partner the daughter of Proisir, jumping from barrier five. The ever-consistent duo of Joliestar (+600) and Kimochi (+850) are the only other runners at a single-figure quote, both coming through the Listed Desirable Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day when finishing second and third, respectively. The 2023 Thousand Guineas is the opening leg of the quaddie in Saturday’s meeting at Caulfield, with the race set to jump at 3:45pm AEDT. Thousand Guineas 2023 field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Kimochi Gary Portelli Craig Williams 4 56kg 2 Coeur Volante Mike Moroney Blake Shinn 5 56kg 3 Skybird Mitchell Freedman Beau Mertens 2 56kg 4 Arctic Glamour Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou Kerrin McEvoy 7 56kg 5 Carina Queen Grahame Begg Jamie Kah 8 56kg 6 Joliestar Chris Waller James McDonald 1 56kg 7 Zourion Mark Walker Michael Dee 11 56kg 8 Vivy Air Archie Alexander Declan Bates 13 56kg 9 Apache Song Michael Trotter Zac Spain 9 56kg 10 Enna’s Dream Alex Rae Jake Noonan 6 56kg 11 Ersa Ben, Will & JD Hayes Mark Zahra 12 56kg 12 Vibrant Sun Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Damien Oliver 10 56kg 13 Quickster Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Billy Egan 3 56kg More horse racing news View the full article

Red Can Man will compete in the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes on Saturday afternoon. The 2023 Colonel Reeves Stakes will feature 11 sprinters who will battle over 1100m in the final Group 3 contest of the Ascot program this Saturday afternoon. Seven of the 11 runners will meet again after they clashed last start in the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes over 1000m on November 4, while five of the starters also competed in the Listed R.S. Crawford Stakes two runs back. The Steven Wolfe-trained Red Can Man was a very good winner of the R.S. Crawford before finishing third in the Price Of Wales, where he was sent around as the race favourite with online bookmakers. The son of Gingerbread Man is a proven performer at Group 3 level with one win and eight placings from 16 starts, which makes him the only winner in the grade, and he should get a nice run from barrier five. My Bella Mae from the Dion Luciani yard has been finishing off strongly at her past two starts over 1000m in the Crawford Stakes and Price Of Wales and appears to be looking for more distance. After flying home to finish second behind Red Can Man two starts back, the daughter of Deep Field was slightly unlucky last start and finished fifth, beaten by 2.3 lengths. Clemenceau will be making his debut for his new trainers Chris & Michael Gangemi on Saturday after he was transferred from the care of the Hawkes team earlier this month, and he brings solid Group form from Sydney and Queensland last preparation. Luke Fernie-trained Man Crush was very good in the Prince Of Wales Stakes last start, where he led for the majority of the 1000m contest but was nosed out in a tight photo. Colonel Reeves Stakes 2023 field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Hot Zed Lou Luciani Jason Whiting 9 57.5kg 2 Nerodio Stephanie Bakranich Laqdar Ramoly 7 57.5kg 3 Clemenceau Chris & Michael Gangemi Jarrad Noske 8 57.5kg 4 Man Crush Luke Fernie Clint Johnston-Porter 4 57.5kg 5 Red Can Man Steve Wolfe Shaun McGruddy 5 56.5kg 6 My Bella Mae Dion Luciani Patrick Carbery 1 56.5kg 7 Ghost Who Walks Neville Parnham Keshaw Dhurun (a) 2 56.5kg 8 Laverrod Sean & Jake Casey William Pike 11 55kg 9 Beads Steve Wolfe Joseph Azzopardi 3 55kg 10 Bitofmerit Michael Campbell Lucy Fiore 10 55kg 11 Go Forward Chris & Michael Gangemi Brad Parnham 16 55kg More racing news View the full article

Arkansaw Kid looms as the one to beat in the 2023 Blue Sapphire Stakes. (Photo: George Sal/Racing Photos) Saturday’s Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield has attracted a strong contingent of 11 three-year-olds, with the Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained Arkansaw Kid pegged as a firm +150 favourite with online bookmakers. It comes after a terrific performance in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on Derby Day, where the son of Harry Angel powered into a fourth-place finish behind Ozzmosis. Prior to that effort he was a Listed winner at Caulfield in the Gothic Stakes (1200m), where Damien Oliver — who takes the ride this weekend — steered him to secure victory. The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Brave Mead may have found the 1600m too testing in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes, but now the son of Brave Smash gets back to a track and trip where he found success two starts back. He finds himself on the second line of betting at +320, as top betting sites seemingly have this race pegged as a top-heavy affair. The pair of Snapback and The Instructor at +600 apiece are the only other gallopers in single figures, with the only runner with any support at a big price being Sunset Dreaming, who has shortened from +1400 into +1200. The 2023 Blue Sapphire Stakes is the sixth race on the Caulfield card and is set to be run and won at 3:10pm local time. Blue Sapphire Stakes 2023 field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Arkansaw Kid Ben, Will & JD Hayes Damien Oliver 6 57kg 2 Brave Mead Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Mark Zahra 8 57kg 3 Snapback Peter & Paul Snowden James McDonald 7 57kg 4 The Instructor Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Jordan Childs 5 57kg 5 Eugenius Shane Nichols Zac Spain 4 57kg 6 Run Harry Run Mike Moroney Daniel Stackhouse 3 57kg 7 Don’t Hope Do Simon Zahra Blaike McDougall 10 57kg 8 Mont Saint Michel Shane Nichols Jye McNeil 11 57kg 9 Treasurway Jason Warren Craig Williams 1 55kg 10 Sunset Dreaming Tony & Calvin McEvoy Harry Coffey 9 55kg 11 Riverina Power Tom Dabernig Michael Dee 2 55kg More horse racing news View the full article

Magic Time heads betting markets for the 2023 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. Photo: Racing NSW The Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1600m) has attracted a capacity field of 16 runners, who are vying for the $1 million on offer at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday. Traditionally run in mid-September, the 2023 edition of the Rupert Clarke Stakes was moved to after the Melbourne Cup Carnival in an attempt to solidify the race as one of the premier handicap events for sprinters/milers. Having raced in Sydney at her past two starts, Grahame Begg’s Magic Time returns to Caulfield for the first time since chasing Asfoora in The Heath 1100 on September 2. The four-year-old mare heads the market with horse racing betting sites as a +270 market elect. The Hellbent mare will make her Group 1 debut on Saturday after finishing third in The Invitation (1400m), where she was defeated by 0.3 lengths behind Group 1 winners Espiona and Ruthless Dame. I Am Me has not been seen since finishing second behind Imperatriz in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m). Set to be partnered by Blake Shin from barrier 10, Saturday’s Group 1 will be I Am Me’s second run at the 1400m, a distance she has not stepped out to since October 2021, when she was defeated 5.5 lengths behind Fangirl and Roots. Strait Acer is another who will make his way down from Sydney, having last been seen finishing fourth behind Obamburumai in the Golden Eagle (1500m). Mark Zahra is set to partner the Edward Cummings-trained gelding who continues to rise through the grades in Sydney with great aplomb. Damien Oliver will take his final Group 1 ride in Victoria aboard Godolphin’s Vilana. Despite needing to carry the top weight of 57kg, Vilana is firm in the market at +1100 as he looks to break his Group 1 maiden tag at at his fifth attempt. The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is race eight on the bumper 10-race meeting at Caulfield and is set to jump at 4:25pm AEDT. 2023 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Vilana James Cummings Damien Oliver 1 57kg 2 I Am Me Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Blake Shinn 10 56kg 3 Strait Acer Edward Cummings Mark Zahra 4 55.5kg 4 Bandersnatch Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Jordan Childs 3 55kg 5 Skew Wiff Mark Walker Craig Williams 12 55kg 6 The Inferno Cliff Brown Jake Noonan 7 55kg 7 Ayrton Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Daniel Moor 6 54.5kg 8 Zoutori Mathew Ellerton Beau Mertens 2 54.5kg 9 Buffalo River Mike Moroney Celine Gaurdray 19 53.5kg 10 Chain Of Lightning Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Billy Egan 11 53.5kg 11 Magic Time Grahame Begg Michael Dee 15 53.5kg 12 Munhamek Nick Ryan Luke Currie 18 53.5kg 13 Cause For Concern Shawn Mathrick Jamie Kah 8 53kg 14 General Beau Mathew Ellerton Linda Meech 16 53kg 15 Crosshaven Ben, Will & JD Hayes Daniel Stackhouse 5 52.5kg 16 Wrote To Arataki Matthew Williams Dean Yendall 13 52.5kg 17 Not An Option (1E) Mike Moroney Craig Newitt 9 52.5kg 18 Military Expert (2E) Annabel Neasham Winona Costin 17 52.5kg 19 Umgawa (3E) Leon & Troy Corstens Liam Riordan 14 52.5kg More horse racing news View the full article

The Group 3 W.A. Champion Fillies Stakes is the feature race of the day at Ascot on Saturday afternoon, with a quality field of 12 vying for bragging rights. The undefeated filly from the Grant & Alana Williams yard Keshi Boom took on Super Smink in the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes at her first metropolitan start, and she gave her windburn at the top of the home straight to record a dominant win. The daughter of Spirt Of Boom appears to be a very smart filly, and after winning her first three starts, she will seek to remain unbeaten in the Champion Fillies Stakes, at her first attempt at the 1600m. The Boss Lady made it a hat-trick of wins last start when taking out a 3YO Plate at this track and will have to step up from 1200m to 1600m on Saturday. The Michael Lane-trained filly has been going through her grades nicely, but she will have to improve again to continue the winning streak when stepping up to the mile and taking on Group company for the first time. Simon Miller will have two fillies in the feature race of the day, with Generosity coming through the Burgess Queen Stakes and Brave Strike through the Listed Belgravia Stakes. Both of Miller’s runners are coming through strong form races, but like every runner in the field, they will be attempting the 1600m for the first time. Ima Wild Girl from the Daniel & Ben Pearce yard is one of two runners that have raced over further than 1400m. The daughter of Performer finished second behind Ecstasy Of Gold over 1500m at this track in a Class 1 Handicap last start, where the Greg Cave-trained filly had a good margin on the runner-up. The W.A. Champion Fillies Stakes will be run as the sixth race on the program and is scheduled to jump at 3:07pm AWST. 2023 W.A. Champion Fillies Stakes Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 More Special Paul Jordan Craig Staples 11 55.5kg 2 Brave Strike Simon A Miller Steven Parnham 12 55.5kg 3 Keshi Boom Grant & Alana Williams William Pike 5 55.5kg 4 Paris Calling Trevor Andrews Shaun McGruddy 1 55.5kg 5 The Boss Lady Michael Lane Clint Johnston-Porter 6 55.5kg 6 Generosity Simon A Miller Chris Parnham 3 55.5kg 7 Miss Rockjoy Susan Olive Peter Knuckey 4 55.5kg 8 Ecstasy Of Gold Greg Cave Lisa Staples 9 55.5kg 9 Guarding Heaven Ryan Hill Brad Parnham 2 55.5kg 10 Ayumi Trevor Andrews Paul Harvey 7 55.5kg 11 Ima Wild Girl Daniel & Ben Pearce Lucy Fiore 8 55.5kg 12 Hoba Meteor Dion Luciani Holly Watson 10 55.5kg More racing news View the full article

Trainer Robbie Patterson and jockey Craig Grylls were all smiles after Puntura’s Group 3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile win on Wednesday. Photo: Race Images South Robbie Patterson and jockey Craig Grylls were again to the fore at Riccarton where they combined with Puntura to claim the major prize on Wednesday’s program. They have proven to be a formidable pairing in recent seasons and joined forces on the middle day of the New Zealand Cup carnival to claim top honours in the Group 3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m). “He’s a big horse and it was great to have Craig on him, we gel really well and he’s a great mate of mine. He’s a champion to me,” Patterson said. While it wasn’t the pre-race plan to go to the front, circumstances dictated Puntura made the running and he revelled in the role to land the biggest prize of his career. “I never tell Craig to do anything, apart from telling him to get the first round in when we have a winner,” Patterson said. “He’s a good galloper though, a beautiful big horse and he’s come back from a wind operation.” Puntura stepped well from the barrier and worked his way to the front before the six-year-old forged clear in the straight. He comfortably held the challenge of the favourite It’s Business Time at bay with Diss Is Dramatic and Times Ticking next to cross the line. “The plan wasn’t to be in front, but he began as well as anything and I was looking to slot in when they eased up,” Grylls said. “I was able to let him stride forward and got a pretty soft lead and once we got passed the 400m mark he was still travelling pretty well. “He’s been going good races and been a bit unlucky and showed he’s more than capable.” Patterson and Grylls have now combined for 36 winners and most notably with the now-retired Coventina Bay in the Group 1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) and the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). Her former stablemate Puntura has been well-travelled during his career, which now includes six domestic wins and complemented by victories in Queensland at the Sunshine Coast (twice) and one at Doomben. “He’s not a Group One horse so we have to pick around now and see what else we get, he’s an older gelding and done a lot of miles,” Patterson said. More racing news View the full article

Queen Of The Ball ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Begonia Belle Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The Group 3 How Now Stakes (1200m) has attracted a strong field of 11 mares vying for the $200,000 on offer at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon. All eyes will be on champion jockey Damien Oliver, who will have his final ride in Victoria aboard Queen Of The Ball (+220) in the How Now Stakes. Queen of The Ball, the last start Begonia Belle Stakes (1100m) winner, will look to add a third win at 1200m from eight attempts. A winner of four Group 3 races, Queen of The Ball will be looking to hand Oliver a fourth win in the race after partnering Sister Madly (2011), Secret Agenda (2016) and Zapateo (2022) to success in recent years. Heading the market with online bookmakers, She Dances (+190) is hunting a third straight win following success in the Group 3 Northwood Plume Stakes (1200m) and Listed Chautauqua Stakes (1200m). She Dances will once again be partnered by Linda Meech from barrier nine, with the pair having combined for five wins from nine starts. Rose Quartz (+380) is the only other runner at a single figure quote ahead of the How Now Stakes. The Grahame Begg-trained mare needs to overcome a 3.75 length defeat to Queen Of The Ball and a 1.25 length defeat to She Dances in the Northwood Plume Stakes. The How Now Stakes brings the 10-race meeting at Caulfield to a close on Saturday, with the race set to jump at 5:40pm AEDT. How Now Stakes 2023 Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Queen Of The Ball Michael Freedman Damien Oliver 7 57kg 2 She Dances Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Linda Meech 9 57kg 3 Rose Quartz Grahame Begg Michael Dee 6 55kg 4 Unusual Culture Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Blake Shinn 11 55kg 5 Starlight Scope Pat Carey & Harris Walker Jye McNeil 3 55kg 6 Fortunate Kiss Daniel Bowman Daniel Moor 2 55kg 7 My Yankee Girl Vincent Malady Billy Egan 5 55kg 8 Holly Lolly Clinton McDonald Blaike McDougall 4 56kg 9 Ghaanati Peter & Paul Snowden Kerrin McEvoy 10 55kg 10 Miss Middle Park Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Craig Williams 8 55kg 11 Lady Di Di Cliff Brown Beau Mertens 1 55kg More horse racing news View the full article

What 2023 Thousand Guineas Where Caulfield Racecourse – Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Saturday, November 18, 2023 Prizemoney $1,500,000 Distance 1600m Conditions 3YO Fillies | Set Weights 2022 winner Madame Pommery (4) | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (56kg) Visit Dabble The 73rd running of the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) will headline the action at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday afternoon. A field of 13 three-year-old fillies will be vying for Group 1 glory as well as the majority share of the $1.5 million on offer in the feature. Coeur Volante will look to become the first horse since Irish Songs in 2009 to complete the Thousand Guineas Prelude and Thousand Guineas double, while the Mitch Freedman-trained Skybird will look to keep her unbeaten record intact as she hunts Group 1 success in just her fourth start. 2023 Thousand Guineas odds The 2023 Thousand Guineas looks to be a race in two, if markets with horse racing bookmakers are anything to go by. Skybird heads betting at +260 following a breathtaking win in the Group 2 Fillies Classic. Mike Moroney’s Coeur Volante at +300 looks the obvious danger following a dominant win in the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m). Joliestar (+600) and Kimochi (+850) are the other runners at a single-figure quote, following their respective placings in the Listed Desirable Stakes (1400m). 2023 Thousand Guineas speed map The speed map in the Thousand Guineas looks a bit tricky. Vibrant Sun and Ersa look the obvious speed influences having drawn out wide, while Apache Song, Arctic Glamour, Kimochi and Joliestar all looking to settle just off the pace. Coeur Volante will have a tactical advantage on Skybird, with Blake Shinn likely to settle the second favourite in midfield with cover. Skybird will most likely be last on the home turn, but look for the favourite to be savaging the line late. Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 Thousand Guineas. 2023 Thousand Guineas preview & form Skybird could be anything. The three-year-old from the Mitch Freedman barn produced a thunderous finish at Moonee Valley to score under a peach of a Beau Mertens steer. She will need a similarly good steer from the in-form jockey, having drawn barrier two on Saturday. Considering she is a get-back-and-run-on type, the low draw is not as big of an advantage as it usually can be, but the Exosphere filly has the ability to overcome any issue she faces. She has the best finishing sprint in the field, the 1600m looks ideal, and the +260 on offer is too good a price to pass up. The obvious danger is Coeur Volante. The Mike Moroney-trained filly was the beneficiary of a Blake Shinn special in the Thousand Guineas Prelude, landing a plumb spot upon settling after jumping from a wide barrier. The pair will not need as much luck from barrier five this weekend and should gain every favour in running. Already a two-time Group winner inside four starts, the Proisir filly looks every bit a Group 1 winner in the making. Shinn will look to try and pinch the race early on in the home straight, and if Coeur Volante reproduces what she has put forward this campaign, some of these will find her too tough to gun down over the mile. The one we are giving a big chance at a nice price is the Archie Alexander-trained Vivy Air. The Hellbent filly caught the eye when savaging the line late behind Coeur Volante in the Prelude when defeated by 1.25 lengths. She put in some strong sectionals late in the race, and the run suggested the step up to 1600m from the 1400m should be perfect for her. Declan Bates will go to the rear from barrier 13, but this girl will need to go to another level to get the better of Skybird and Coeur Volante. However, if either of those runners are not at their best, Vivy Air looks a great each-way play. Kimochi and Joliestar deserve to be in calculations, but it would be a shock if one of the top two in betting didn’t win the 2023 Thousand Guineas. 2023 Thousand Guineas selections & best bets Selections: 3 SKYBIRD 2 COEUR VOLANTE 8 VIVY AIR 1 KIMOCHI $100 betting strategy $100 win Skybird (#3) @ +260 with Betfair More horse racing tips View the full article

By Michael Guerin Most of the big-race favourites for the massive Show Day meeting at Addington should not have to repeat the Group 1 heroics we saw on Cup Day. Because while the winners of the Group 1s on Tuesday all came from the second line to record astonishing winning performances on Friday most of the big names who could draw well have. The obvious exception is hot favourite Muscle Mountain in the $300,000 Renwick Farms Dominion as he had to draw wide on the second line as he starts from the unruly. But two of the other favourites for the 3200m trot have drawn handy, with Bolt To Brilliance to start from barrier 4 if the emergency Tu Tangata doesn’t get a start while Smokin Bandar coud move into the tricky barrier 1. That would see Oscar Bonavena starting behind him from 1 on the second line. The $200,000 Airpark Canterbury NZ Free-For-All could hardly have more different draws from Tuesday’s Cup when both Swayzee and Akuta started from the second line as on Friday the Cup winner has barrier 4 and Akuta barrier 1 over the 1980m mobile. On what doesn’t look a particularly fast front for this grade of horse the question for punters and bookies will be whether Akuta can show more gate speed than he has usually been asked for in the past to try and hold the lead or will Swayzee, who is not a gate blazer by Australian standards, cross him and lead again. The other Group 1 pacing favourite to get the perfect draw is Coastal Babe, who will start from barrier 2 in the Dunstan Feeds Sires’ Stakes Final. She has shown great gate speed to win Caduceus Club Fillies Final and Harness Million as her last two starts and looks a certain leader again and very hard to beat for trainer Steven Reid and driver Mathew White. The first of the 12 races goes at 12.02pm. To see Friday’s fields click here View the full article

Fashion Shoot winning the Group 3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton on Wednesday. Photo: Race Images South The Riccarton Park crowd is getting all too used to the masterful tactics of Warren Kennedy, and the premiership-leading hoop produced another black-type winning ride in guiding Fashion Shoot to victory in the Group 3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). Kennedy arrived back in Christchurch on Wednesday fresh off a successful first day of the New Zealand Cup Carnival last Saturday, where he took out the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) with Crocetti and the Listed Metropolitan Handicap (2600m) with Nest Egg, and he didn’t take long in adding to his black-type haul. Navigating an awkward draw of 13 aboard the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Fashion Shoot, Kennedy took the patient approach in settling the mare at the tail of the field behind a hot tempo set by Goldie’s Chance. Kennedy still had the full 16-horse field before him nearing the 400m where race favourite Watch Out looked ominous, but the six-year-old’s strong turn-of-foot shone in the closing stages where she burst into the clear, wearing down a game Live Drama to score by a neck. Underrated mares Miss Layla and Hi Yo Sass Bomb stormed home late to round out the first four placings in the feature. Co-trainer Bergerson was delighted to see the daughter of Savabeel collect the valuable stakes victory following third placings in the Breeders’ and the Group 3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) last season. “That was some ride, I was watching it during the running and I was thinking ‘she can’t win from there’, but fair play to him (Kennedy), he was patient,” he said. “We sort of thought we had to ride her cold today and just come at them with one last run and she was electric. It was a massive effort. “On the way down we were confident, she was a touch disappointing at Trentham but maybe we rode her a bit too handy and she was just exposed. “She was probably unlucky not to have picked up a black-type race before today, she’s a lovely mare and lovely to deal with so it’s fantastic to finally get a result for the team.” “It’s great to win a race sponsored by Windsor Park. They are great supporters of the industry and of us as a stable as well so a huge result.” Kennedy was pleased to have executed his carefully planned ride aboard the Te Akau mare and see it pay off. “It was always the plan to come up neutral because she’s not the best breather so I had to get her breathing as soon as possible, they went fast and I was happy to be at the back,” he said. “She travelled in a good rhythm, she was breathing lovely and midway through the race she started to kick up at me really nicely. “Going the 1400m I was able to wait a little bit longer, get her into that good rhythm and she was building throughout the race, and when I showed her clear air at the 250m she really kicked smartly. “I’m very happy to be out here again and riding another feature winner is fantastic.” More racing news View the full article

The Riccarton Park crowd is getting all too used to the masterful tactics of Warren Kennedy, and the premiership-leading hoop produced another black-type winning ride in guiding Fashion Shoot to victory in the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). Kennedy arrived back in Christchurch on Wednesday fresh off a successful first day of the New Zealand Cup Carnival last Saturday, where he took out the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) with Crocetti and the Listed Metropolitan Handicap (2600m) with Nest Egg, and he didn’t take long in adding to his black-type haul. Navigating an awkward draw of 13 aboard the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Fashion Shoot, Kennedy took the patient approach in settling the mare at the tail of the field behind a hot tempo set by Goldie’s Chance. Kennedy still had the full 16-horse field before him nearing the 400m where race favourite Watch Out looked ominous, but the six-year-old’s strong turn-of-foot shone in the closing stages where she burst into the clear, wearing down a game Live Drama to score by a neck. Underrated mares Miss Layla and Hi Yo Sass Bomb stormed home late to round out the first four placings in the feature, each closing north of $38 with TAB bookmakers. Co-trainer Bergerson was delighted to see the daughter of Savabeel collect the valuable stakes victory following third placings in the Breeders’ and the Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) last season. “That was some ride, I was watching it during the running and I was thinking ‘she can’t win from there’, but fair play to him (Kennedy), he was patient,” he said. “We sort of thought we had to ride her cold today and just come at them with one last run and she was electric. It was a massive effort. “On the way down we were confident, she was a touch disappointing at Trentham but maybe we rode her a bit too handy and she was just exposed. “She was probably unlucky not to have picked up a black-type race before today, she’s a lovely mare and lovely to deal with so it’s fantastic to finally get a result for the team.” “It’s great to win a race sponsored by Windsor Park. They are great supporters of the industry and of us as a stable as well so a huge result.” Kennedy was pleased to have executed his carefully planned ride aboard the Te Akau mare and see it pay off. “It was always the plan to come up neutral because she’s not the best breather so I had to get her breathing as soon as possible, they went fast and I was happy to be at the back,” he said. “She travelled in a good rhythm, she was breathing lovely and midway through the race she started to kick up at me really nicely. “Going the 1400m I was able to wait a little bit longer, get her into that good rhythm and she was building throughout the race, and when I showed her clear air at the 250m she really kicked smartly. “I’m very happy to be out here again and riding another feature winner is fantastic.” Fashion Shoot was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis out of Waikato Stud’s Book 1 draft at the 2019 National Yearling Sales, and the mare has now earned over $250,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

A tilt at Group One level could be in the offing for Lady Telena following her upset victory in the Amicus Insurance Brokers Premier (2000m) at Riccarton on Wednesday. The daughter of Vespa was rated an $18.70 winning chance for the Open Handicap but defied those odds when chasing down Kelly Coe late in the piece to win by three-quarters of a length under a patient Akshay Balloo ride. While many punters were taken by surprise with the victory, trainer Kenny Moore was not. “I am absolutely delighted. It was a really tough win and she is a lovely mare,” he said. “I was pretty confident, she was very unlucky in her last two runs. The only thing that would beat her today was bad luck and fortunately we didn’t get any.” Moore said she lapped up the Good3 track conditions on a blustery Christchurch day. “We know she likes Riccarton, but she really needs to be on top of the ground,” he said. “She can handle wet, but she is two or three lengths below what she can achieve on top of the ground.” Moore was delighted with the ride from stable jockey Akshay Balloo and believes more trainers should utilise his services. “Akshay works for me – I brought him out from Mauritius four years ago. He has been with me right through and has been my right-hand man, he’s awesome,” Moore said. “He rode her beautifully, rated her well and followed instructions to the letter. I couldn’t be happier with him. “He doesn’t get too many chances and I can never work out why. He has got a fantastic strike-rate with us and he has ridden some beautiful races. The thing I like is that horses really relax for him. He has got a real knack with the horses.” The Cromwell Cup (2000m) was set to be Lady Telena’s next key target, however, Moore is now considering a ferry trip across the Cook Strait to tackle the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham next month. The Upper Hutt track holds fond memories for Moore, with stable favourite Bluey’s Chance finishing runner-up to Waisake in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) two years ago. “We were going to look at the Cromwell Cup but I have perhaps got to consider the Captain Cook Stakes on that run. It will be one or the other, it certainly won’t be both,” he said. “Trentham is my favourite course in the whole wide world, so it would be lovely to get back up there again.” View the full article

After a foot abscess ruled her out of the Empire Rose Stakes on Derby Day, trainer Matthew Williams is confident Wrote To Arataki (NZ) (Wrote) remains on song to take on her first Group one in Saturday’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. “She galloped the Tuesday after, so she really hasn’t missed any work, so we don’t think it’s upset her prep too much,” said Williams. “She’s done everything right since being scratched from Derby Day. “She had a gallop on the course proper at Warrnambool this morning,” he added. The Gr.2 Tristarc Stakes winner will again be partnered by jockey Dean Yendall, and with the benefit of hindsight, Williams believes Saturday’s contest may be a better fit for the mare. “I sort of didn’t think it was the worst result, watching the race (Empire Rose Stakes), that we weren’t in it. “Dean’s confident she’d run a mile all right, I’m a little bit suspect on her at a mile.” Whilst her previous victory at Caulfield saw the mare lead the field round the 1400m, Williams may aim to change tactics this weekend. “I’m thinking we’ll potentially take a little bit of a sit. “There’s a couple there that I thought, if they accepted, they might be a little bit sharper than us out of the gates. “She can lead, but it would have to be very much on her terms, or else we’ll take a sit on her. “Obviously, Matthew Smith’s horse was great on Saturday, so if he can run a strong 1400m out, he’s going to be hard to beat. “There’s quite a few horses that are in form, Skew Wiff – she was good on Cup Day. “I would say, at this stage, it looks like the race is going to hold up pretty strong, considering that it’s been moved to after the Flemington Carnival. “I thought it potentially might not have come up as strong as that…she’ll (Wrote to Arataki) need to be running right up to her best to be in the top three.” A now five-year-old, Williams is complimentary of the daughter of Wrote’s progression. “Each preparation she’s come back, she’s been stronger, and she’s really been able to show that then on the track.” View the full article

Paul Preusker loves nothing more than winning a country cup so it’s little surprise his eyes lit up when he first heard about Saturday’s A$500,000 Country Cups Final at Caulfield. Courtesy of victory in the Murtoa Cup and a placing in his hometown Horsham Cup, the highly capable Captain Envious (NZ) (Savabeel) will represent Victoria’s Wimmera region in the inaugural running. It was only 12 months ago that Captain Envious burst onto the scene with a flashing third in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes behind Soulcombe on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. “I find that the first prep at my joint you can get them going but you can pay for it,” Preusker admitted. “They are better off their second and third prep and I did a lot with him in that first prep and a quick spell wasn’t really good for him. “He is stronger this time him.” Captain Envious didn’t trouble the scoreboard in his autumn campaign but a closing second over 1800 metres in the John Letts Cup at Morphettville at his previous start has Preusker confident he is peaking at the right time. “Everything is smooth and where we want it,” he said ahead of Saturday. “He’s hit the sweet spot and the timing is very good and he will get his chance. “I think he is right in his element and weighted well, I don’t think the track will worry him and the 2000 metres ticks the box too.” Fellow Ultra Thoroughbreds-owned galloper Poison Chalice (NZ) (Savabeel) is also set to line up on Saturday but not likely to be joining his stablemate in the float to Caulfield. Instead Preusker is leaning towards a rise to 1800m with the unlucky fifth placegetter from last Thursday’s Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Series Final. “He is a very good horse with not too many points and he is in great shape and sound,” Preusker said. “I’m thinking at this stage the Adelaide 1800 metres will be nice for him. “He was the one closing off late the last 100 metres, so you’re happy to step them up from that.” He is also accepted in a 1600-metre Benchmark 80 event at Caulfield. View the full article

Dream Of The Moon winning at Riccarton on Wednesday. Photo: Race Images South Stakes targets could be looming for Dream Of The Moon following her dominant victory at Riccarton on Wednesday. The daughter of All Too Hard settled midfield for jockey Michael McNab before he pulled her wide and into the clear when turning for home where she gobbled up her rivals and dashed away to a comfortable 2.5 length victory over Diablo Blanco. Dream Of The Moon was able to turn the tables on Diablo Blanco, who denied her victory at Riccarton last start, and the stable were duly delighted with the result. “Her work on Saturday was super and we were quietly confident heading into today,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains in partnership with Mark Walker. “She still did a little bit wrong, so I think there is plenty of improvement there.” A A$160,000 yearling purchase by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis from Australia, Dream Of The Moon isn’t eligible for the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) but is set to chase some other juvenile features this season. “Speaking to Mark this morning, whether we give her a break now or whether we head to the Wakefield (Group 2, 1200m) at Wellington, we will just see how she pulls up and go from there,” Bergerson said. The win sealed an early double for the stable at Riccarton, with Mazzucato winning earlier on the card. “She was slow out of the barriers, but Michael (McNab, jockey) got her into a beautiful rhythm,” Te Akau Racing Manager Reece Trumper said. “I think the noseband coming off today really helped her and the shadow roll – I think she got her head down and relaxed nicely. “She worked into it nicely at the top of the straight and at the 300m I was very confident that she was going to pick them up.” More racing news View the full article

The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott stable will saddle up the favourite in the 3YO Spring Stakes at Newcastle this weekend. The Group 3 3YO Spring Stakes (1600m) has brought together a quality field of 14 runners set to do battle at Newcastle on Saturday afternoon. The $250,000 in prizemoney has attracted a strong contingent from some of Sydney’s leading stables, with the Chris Waller and Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott barns combining for five of the 14 three-year-olds engaged. Invincible Spy has opened as a +300 favourite with top betting sites as the Waterhouse & Bott-trained colt seeks a third-straight win since debuting at this course on October 17. After a lacklustre performance in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Derby Day, Influential makes his return to Sydney for the Waller stable. Prior to that misstep, the son of The Autumn Sun was a dominant winner in maiden company at Kembla Grange on October 21. It seems punters want to take the chance on Influential recapturing that form heading into Saturday, as he shares the second line of betting at +550. Sharing that quote is the Gary Portelli-trained Kintyre, who arguably comes through the elite form-lines as he drops back in trip after contesting the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m). Until Valhalla (+600) proved too strong second-up at Randwick’s Kensington track on November 1, leading for the duration of the 1400m journey. Meanwhile, Just In Time leads the chances among the fillies and has been the early mover, coming from +700 into +550. The 2023 3YO Spring Stakes will kick off the quaddie at Newcastle on Saturday and is set to get underway at 4:05pm AEDT. 3YO Spring Stakes 2023 field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Kintyre Gary Portelli Adam Hyeronimus 8 56.5kg 2 Influential Chris Waller TBC 7 56.5kg 3 Invincible Spy Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 9 56.5kg 4 Sly Boots Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Regan Bayliss 6 56.5kg 5 Jurisprudence Chris Waller TBC 13 56.5kg 6 Metallic Ruler Sam Kavanagh Chad Schofield 3 56.5kg 7 Heads You Lose Chris Waller TBC 12 56.5kg 8 Uncle Harry Paul Perry Reece Jones 10 56.5kg 9 Until Valhalla Ciaron Maher & David Eustace TBC 5 54.5kg 10 Vieste Benjamin Smith Robyn Freeman 14 54.5kg 11 Genzano Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich TBC 11 54.5kg 12 Just In Time Richard & Will Freedman Dylan Gibbons 4 54.5kg 13 Mah Ali Benjamin Smith Jay Ford 2 54.5kg 14 Kind Words Kris Lees Sam Clipperton 1 54.5kg More horse racing news View the full article

What Pakenham Races Where Pakenham Racecourse – 420 Nar Nar Goon–Longwarry Rd, Tynong VIC 3813 When Thursday, November 15, 2023 First Race 1:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Horse racing in Victoria heads to Pakenham Racecourse on Thursday afternoon for a competitive eight-race meeting. Perfect conditions for racing are forecast, with the track rated a Good 4, while the rail comes out 8m from the winning post to the 1000m mark and then out 9m the remainder. The action from Pakenham gets underway at 1:30pm AEST. Best Bet at Pakenham: Everett Enver Jusufovic’s Everett has finished second in her last two starts, and the stable looks to have found the right race for her. The Winning Rupert mare finished a length off the winner at Benalla on October 30 when outgunned late, and the start prior she chased home the smart Apache Song at Moe. This is obviously her easiest assignment this campaign, and from barrier six, under Carleen Hefel, she will be given every chance to strike. Hefel will have the mare stalking the speed throughout, and with a well-timed sprint, Everett should prove too good for her rivals. Best Bet Race 3 – #10 Everett (6) 4yo Mare | T: Enver Jusufovic | J: Carleen Hefel (57.5kg) +110 with Betfair Next Best at Pakenham: Raetihi Raetihi was a dominant 1400m maiden winner at Pakenham on November 4, leading from barrier to box to win by seven lengths. From barrier nine, Jake Noonan will hunt for the rail from the outset, and it could well be an action replay of his maiden win. That win came at start 13, so he certainly is no superstar, but with a bit of luck, Raetihi can run his rivals off their feet over 1600m. Next Best Race 7 – #6 Raetihi (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Emma-Lee & David Browne | J: Jake Noonan (60.5kg) +180 with PendleburyBet Best Value at Pakenham: Superior Zara The Simon Zahra-trained Superior Zara finished second behind Modown on October 29 at Sale, with that runner subsequently placing at Group level during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. This Super One filly was held up for a run at a crucial time at Sale and went within 1.25 lengths of the winner. From barrier 15, Winona Costin will need to have this girl settled at the rear of the field. If Superior Zara puts in a similar run to what she produced at Sale, she can go close to winning this at any old price. Best Value Race 2 – #13 Superior Zara (15) 3yo Filly | T: Simon Zahra | J: Winona Costin (56kg) +2500 with Dabble Thursday quaddie tips for Pakenham Pakenham quadrella selections Thursday, November 16, 2023 2-3-9 1-5-6-7-8-11 6-7 5-6-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Far Too Easy has opened as the favourite for the $1 million Hunter at Newcastle this weekend. Metropolitan racing heads to Newcastle on Saturday afternoon, with a competitive 16-horse field set to line up in The Hunter (1300m). After running third in The Kosciuszko (1200m), Far Too Easy has opened as a +340 favourite with online bookmakers. The son of All Too Hard was impressive making inroads from near-last on October 14, leaving punters keen to latch onto the David McColm-trained five-year-old. Mazu brings an element of class to the $1 million race as the only Australian Group 1 winner engaged and shares the second line of betting at +500. His form behind 2023 Everest (1200m) winner Think About It prior to a mid-field finish in the Giga Kick Stakes (1300m) reads well heading into Saturday. I Am Me (+500) is yet to have a jockey assigned but has been racing in terrific order, finding success in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m) before running into Imperatriz in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 28. The Joseph Pride-trained Coal Crusher (+500) beat home Mazu in the Giga Kick and has been respected as an equal-second elect in the market. King Of Sparta heads the double-figure hopes at +1000 after finishing mid-field in the Sydney Stakes and will need to overcome another awkward draw in barrier 10. Opal Ridge and Dajraan share that quote and will be considered strong chances with only 53kg on their backs. The Hunter is scheduled as race eight on the Newcastle program on Saturday and is set to get underway at 4:45pm AEDT. The Hunter 2023 field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Mazu Peter & Paul Snowden Nash Rawiller 6 59kg 2 Vilana James Cummings Adam Hyeronimus 16 58kg 3 King Of Sparta Peter & Paul Snowden Chad Schofield 10 57.5kg 4 I Am Me Ciaron Maher & David Eustace TBC 4 57kg 5 Street Acer Edward Cummings N/A 5 57kg 6 Coal Crusher Joseph Prider Tyler Schiller 2 56.5kg 7 Rustic Steel Kris Lees Sam Clipperton 18 56kg 8 Dark Destroyer John O’Shea Tom Sherry 17 55.5kg 9 Excellent Proposal Michael Freedman Joshua Parr 11 56kg 10 Ayrton Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Brett Prebble 9 55kg 11 Far Too Easy David McColm Jason Collett 1 54kg 12 Rocketing By David Pfieffer TBC 12 54kg 13 Sinawann Joseph Pride Reece Jones 15 53.5kg 14 Opal Ridge Luke Pepper Dylan Gibbons 14 53kg 15 Dajraan Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 13 53kg 16 Gravina James Cummings Zac Lloyd 7 53kg 17 Military Expert (1E) Annabel Neasham Rachel King 3 52kg 18 Umgawa (2E) Leon & Troy Corstens Liam Riordan 8 52kg 19 Much Much Better (3E) Sara Ryan TBC 19 52kg More horse racing news View the full article

Stakes winner Ocean Safari (Temple City) (Hip 2451) led the proceedings with a $190,000 final bid from Hugo Merry Bloodstock during Tuesday's seventh session of the Keeneland November Sale in Lexington. Purchased on behalf of Blue Diamond Stud, the 4-year-old, who was offered as a racing or broodmare prospect, was consigned by Taylor Made Sales, also the session's leading consignor with sales of $1,374,000 for 38 horses. A daughter of Media Access (Devil's Bag), the dark bay is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Access to Charlie (Indian Charlie) and SW Bear Access (Gators N Bears). Media Access is also related to a bevy of Midlantic black-type winners, including half-siblings Foufa's Warrior (Jade Hunter), Maryland Moon (Al Mamoon), Full Brush (Broad Brush) and Certantee (Known Fact). Also during the Book 4 finale, Woods Edge Farm purchased Carats and Cake (Bernardini) (Hip 2666), in foal to Good Magic, for $155,000. From the family of Grade I winner Wild Rush and MGSW Lewis Bay, the daughter of Wild Summer (Unbridled's Song) also offers GSWs Summer Raven, Misconnect, Winslow Homer and Lost Raven on her page. Heading the weanlings Tuesday, a colt by Tacitus (Hip 2714) realized a $125,000 final bid from ELC Investments. Offered by Sally Thomas, the colt out of Dreamed to Dream (Deputy Wild Cat) is a half-brother to SWs Dreamalildreamofu and Dream Central. During Tuesday's session, a total of 272 head sold for $7,067,000, a 24.4% decline from the comparable session last year when 279 horses grossed $9,349,400. The average of $25,985 was 22.46% below $33,510 in 2022, while the median of $19,000 dipped 5% from $20,000. Cumulative figures through seven days of selling weighed in at $170,860,000 for 1,615 horses sold, while averaging $105,796. The median for the sale so far is $50,000. The gross was 15.16% lower than the same period last year when 1,566 horses sold for $201,383,300. The average declined 17.73% from $128,597 last year, while the median is 16.67% below $60,000. The sale continues Wednesday, beginning at 10 a.m. ET. The post Stakes Winning Daughter of Temple City Heads Book 4 Finale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk After facing his own cancer battle, Gerald Cayford felt compelled to help out Katie Cox. He responded by putting up a Creatine yearling he owns on auction site gavelhouse, with all proceeds going to the Katie Cox Appeal Fund. The horse named Courageous Katie is currently at $2000, with the auction closing just after 7pm on Friday night. “I’ve only met Katie once but when you think of what she’s going through and I thought you have to do something.” “The response from everyone in the sport has been outstanding” Katie Cox was diagnosed earlier this year with a rare form of lung cancer, and a trust was immediately set up to help pay for her expensive medication and treatment. That appeal is now at an estimated $300,000. Cayford, a well known owner, breeder and administrator, battled throat cancer this year. It prompted him to make some big decisions, including selling the Golden Fleece Hotel at Waikouaiti just north of Dunedin he owned with wife Rose. “I’m basically retired though I’ve still got some business interests.” He bred Courageous Katie himself. She is by Creatine out of his four-win mare Ygritte. And the rising two-year-old has shown some early ability. “She’s from a great family,” says Cayford, “and she’s been broken in and had a couple of preps.” “I reckon she’s worth 10 to 15,000 but whatever she goes for will go to Katie.” As well as the purchase price the appeal will also get five per cent of all lifetime earnings. At the moment the horse is at Matty Williamson’s Oamaru stables. To see the gavelhouse auction click here View the full article

Update : Forbury Park The Forbury Park site in South Dunedin will soon be on the market, following an agreement this week between Forbury Park Trotting Club Inc (FPTC), Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) and SEED Housing Limited. In 2019, SEED Housing contracted to purchase land at Forbury Park from FPTC with a view to developing affordable housing that is resilient to the future impacts of climate change in consultation with the local community. A new Racing Industry Act came into force in 2020 granting HRNZ new powers in respect of transactions concerning racing venues. The broader 12-hectare site was subsequently made surplus after FPTC held its last race meeting at the South Dunedin site in July 2021. Approximately 5,000m² of the Forbury Park site was sold to the Ministry of Education in June 2023, for the use of the St Clair school, which was consistent with the findings from the earlier community consultation carried out by HRNZ and SEED Housing. Since then, SEED Housing, HRNZ and FPTC have been engaged in negotiations and litigation concerning whether HRNZ’s powers under the Racing Industry Act apply to SEED Housing’s contract with FPTC to purchase land at Forbury Park. Now, the three parties are pleased to have agreed to a way forward. Last week, the parties met to resolve the dispute over a portion of the Forbury land which is subject to a caveat by SEED Housing, and a confidential settlement has been reached. This settlement means that HRNZ can now start the process of selling the site with the intention of investing proceeds from its sale to benefit harness racing in the southern region. HRNZ is hopeful that the sale process can be concluded by the end of its financial year of 31 July 2024. View the full article

Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners Thoroughbred Club Stakes Group Three Betting Guide Date: Saturday, November 18, 2023 Location: Caulfield Racecourse – Melbourne, Victoria Prize Money: $200,000 Distance: 1200m The Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes is a 1200m event held at Caulfield Racecourse under set weights and penalty conditions for three-year-old fillies, boasting a prize pool of $200,000. First run in 1968, the Thoroughbred Club Stakes has been run over a few distances, with the race chopping and changing between 1100m, 1200m an 1400m. However, from 2000 the Thoroughbred Club Stakes has been run over 1200m. After being classified as a Principal race from 1976-1978, the Thoroughbred Club Stakes was upgraded to Group 3 level from 1979 onwards. Notable winners of the Thoroughbred Club Stakes include: Sneaky Five (2021), Swats That (2020), California Zimbol (2019), Sunlight (2018), Earthquake (2014), Platelet (2011), Verocative (1994), Boardwalk Angel (1988) and Imposera (1987). 2023 Thoroughbred Club Stakes Betting Odds HorseBetting will update this page when 2023 Thoroughbred Club Stakes odds are released. Best Thoroughbred Club Stakes bookmakers All of our top horse betting sites have markets for the Thoroughbred Club Stakes. Most of the Melbourne Spring Carnival races have markets opened well in advance and the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes is no exception. Sport Table Latest Thoroughbred Club Stakes News Follow Files: VRC Derby chance impresses at Randwick Horse Racing Tips 2 weeks ago In this week’s Follow Files, we have found three runners from Moonee Valley and Randwick on Saturday that are worth … Read More English Riviera claims thrilling Thoroughbred Club Stakes Australia horse racing news 1 year ago After displaying her potential without a Stakes victory to show for it, English Riviera is now a deserved winner at … Read More 2023 Thoroughbred Club Stakes Final Field HorseBetting will update this page when the Thoroughbred Club Stakes Final Field is released. Previous Thoroughbred Club Stakes Field 2022 Thoroughbred Club Stakes field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 See You In Heaven Richard & Chantelle Jolly Michael Dee 13 58kg 2 Troach James Cummings Craig Williams 14 57kg 3 Nanagui Peter Moody Luke Nolen 6 56kg 4 Lady Laguna Annabel Neasham Tim Clark 9 56kg 5 English Riviera Tony & Calvin McEvoy Blake Shinn 12 56kg 6 Mumbai Jewel Annabel Neasham Ethan Brown 10 56kg 7 Prairie Flower Henry Dwyer Damien Thornton 5 56kg 8 Hell Hound Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr Damian Lane 7 56kg 9 Wee Nessy Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr James McDonald 3 56kg 10 Kin James Cummings Jamie Kah 2 56kg 11 Berry Bubbly Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock Patrick Moloney 15 56kg 12 C’est Magique Grahame Begg Jordan Childs 1 56kg 13 Cholante Clarry Conners Jye McNeil 4 56kg 14 La Danseuse Rouge Cliff Brown Matthew Cartwright 8 56kg 15 Lovetta Anthony & Sam Freedman Daniel Moor 11 56kg 16 Sweetened Ben & JD Hayes Damien Oliver 16 56kg 2022 Thoroughbred Club Stakes result 1st – English Riviera (+700) 2nd – (+550) 3rd – (+970) Recent Thoroughbred Club Stakes results 2022: English Riviera hangs on to claim Thoroughbred Club Stakes English Riviera (+700) took out the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes at Caulfield to hand the filly her second win from seven career starts. After rounding the home turn four-wide, the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained galloper took the lead early in the straight, but she had a strong challenge coming on her outside. Ridden by Blake Shinn, English Riviera held off a late lunge from Mumbai Jewel (+2000) to win by a short-half-head, with La Danseuse Rogue (+3000) a neck away third. 2021: Sneaky Five remains unbeaten After nearly 12 months off the racetrack, Sneaky Five (+2500) returned with a big win in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes at Caulfield, keeping her undefeated record intact. The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained filly settled at the rear of the field before unleashing a devastating turn of foot down the outside of the field. The daughter of Fastnet Rock went straight past her rivals to run away with a three-quarter-length victory over New York Baby (+600) and Crystal Bound (+340). 2020: Swats That claims back-to-back Group 3 victories The Leon & Troy Corstens-trained Swats That (+180) has brought up back-to-back Group 3 victories after taking out the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes at Caulfield as the race favourite. The talented daughter of Shamus Award settled behind the leader Bella Nipotina (+1000) before peeling off her heels to run straight by her in the final 150m. Muntaseera (+230) appeared as though she was going to challenge in the final 100m, but the winner pulled away from the placegetters to claim an easy win. 2019: California Zimbol leads all the way in Thoroughbred Club Stakes The Peter & Paul Snowden-trained California Zimbol (+320) has taken out the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes at Caulfield. Kerrin McEvoy took his filly straight to the lead, ahead of the heavily backed odds-on favourite Loving Gaby (-117.65). However, when the whips began to crack, it was the daughter of I Am Invincible who kicked clear with 200m to go and left the favourite in her dust to record a 2.25-length win. Thoroughbred Club Stakes winners Thoroughbred Club Stakes Past Winners Year Horse Jockey Trainer 2022 English Riviera Blake Shinn Tony & Calvin McEvoy 2021 Sneaky Five Linda Meech Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 2020 Swats That John Allen Leon & Troy Corstens 2019 California Zimbol Kerrin McEvoy Peter & Paul Snowden 2018 Sunlight Luke Currie Tony McEvoy 2017 Invincible Star Stephen Baster Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 2016 Hear The Chant Dwayne Dunn David Hayes 2015 Serene Majesty Kerrin McEvoy Paul Snowden 2014 Earthquake Kerrin McEvoy John O’Shea 2013 Missy Longstocking Damian Browne Liam Birchley 2012 Cavalry Rose Nash Rawiller Gerald Ryan 2011 Platelet Michelle Payne Darren Weir 2010 Solar Charged Nash Rawiller John O’Shea 2009 Avenue Damien Oliver Peter Moody 2008 Damselfly Damien Oliver Mick Price 2007 Gamble Me Steven Arnold Lee Freedman 2006 Splashing Out Steven King Danny O’Brien 2005 Queen Of The Hill Noel Callow Lee Freedman 2004 Emlozza Darren Beadman Tony Noonan 2003 Crown Princess Hugh Bowman Marc Conners 2002 Innovation Girl Nash Rawiller Brian Mayfield-Smith 2001 Paterns Corey Brown Clarry Conners 2000 Arrabeea Greg Childs Paul Perry Thoroughbred Club Stakes winners pre-2000 Thoroughbred Club Stakes Past Winners Pre 2000 Year Horse 1999 Camargue 1998 Speedy Kids 1997 Corwall Queen 1996 Flaming Heart 1995 Vigil 1994 Verocative 1993 Cairncross 1992 Googs Dream 1991 Cushion 1990 Mammy 1989 Lady Of Perfection 1988 Boardwalk Angel 1987 Imposera 1986 Why Julie 1985 Tonephil 1984 Delightful Belle 1983 Fear Burst 1982 Sovereign Palace 1981 Voli Dream 1980 Biscadale 1979 Lady’s Slipper 1978 Just Landed 1977 Miss Expensive 1976 Happy Kitten 1975 Vamp/Silver Sari 1974 Honoured 1973 Orinthos/Fulmina 1972 Make Mine Roses 1971 Abinger/Tina’s Joy 1970 Intention 1969 Via 1968 Threat View the full article