Wandering Eyes

Second-season handler has snared eight wins in the past seven days, extending his lead in the premiership to sixView the full article

Australian trainer reaches personal milestone with Class Three Panasonic 4KTV Handicap (1,000m) victory of unexposed speedster at Sha Tin on SaturdayView the full article

Jockey comforts the injured Tuchel after he and Hugh Bowman hit the turf on SundayView the full article

Sauvestre hangs on for victory after Hugh Bowman and Keith Yeung miraculously avoid sustaining serious injuries in an incident that claims Tuchel’s lifeView the full article

High-class mare Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) claimed her second Group One victory when running out a comfortable winner of the Gr.1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington under a well-executed James McDonald ride. A dominant winner of the Gr.1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) in autumn, the daughter of Savabeel had run a mighty race when chasing home Pride Of Jenni into second in last week’s Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) The six-year-old mare again came from back in the field to defeat Duais (Shamus Award) by a length and three-quarters, with Tavistock gelding Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock) again showing his liking for the Flemington circuit when finishing third. Prepared by Chris Waller, Atishu sports the colours of Albert Bosma’s Go Racing, with Kiwi syndicators enjoying a stellar day, given Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) had scored a Group One victory for Te Akau Racing earlier in the day in the Champions Sprint (1200m). Champion trainer Chris Waller was delighted to win the Champions Stakes (formerly Mackinnon Stakes) for the first time in its 155th running. “Winning any race this week is special. It’s not a race we have been overly strong in (previously) and coming into today I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “I think she should have won a Group One on the first day – we all think that as owners and trainers when we don’t win. “To see Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) come out and blow them way in the race before (Gr.1 Champions Mile), I guess that gave us a little bit of confidence. “Atishu backed up similarly last year. She won the Matriarch (Gr.2, 2000m) on this day last year and has gone to a whole new step today.” Winning rider James McDonald was convinced Atishu deserved another elite-level win on her CV. James McDonald celebrates Kiwi-bred mare Atishu’s Group One victory Photo: George Sal – Racing Photos “Horses don’t run that well as she did last week and not win so to run second behind a horse that franked the form in the previous, when I walked out to Chris for the instructions I said, ‘we’re on a winner, I reckon’,” McDonald said. “The way the circle track has been playing, it is hard to make up ground but when it happens like that with the pace generated early, we bided our time and produced the goods. “Her progress has been phenomenal. She’s beautifully bred by Savabeel, stays well, stays the ten furlongs beautifully and she’s as tough as boots.” Atishu transferred to Waller as a multiple stakes winner for trainer Stephen Marsh in New Zealand as a three-year-old. Bred by Waikato Stud, Atishu is by their champion sire Savabeel out of the No Excuse Needed mare Posy (NZ) (No Excuse Needed), who won two races and is a sister to the former Champion Three-Year-Old and multiple Group One winner Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed). Atishu is a sister to the Waikato Stud-raced Mazzolino (NZ) (Savabeel), who won the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) for trainer Stephen Marsh earlier this year. Albert Bosma’s Go Racing went to $260,000 to secure Atishu as a yearling from Waikato Stud’s 2019 Karaka Book 1 draft. The victory capped another bumper day for New Zealand breeders, with Imperatriz bred by Raffles Farm, Pride Of Jenni bred by Trelawney Stud and Atishu bred by Waikato Stud. View the full article

A week after a stunning all-the-way performance to win the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) returned to the course and distance to repeat the dose. This time the Trelawney Stud-bred mare took down a star-studded cast in the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) as Kiwi-bred star Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and warhorse Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) filled the minor placings. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Pride Of Jenni and jockey Declan Bates go together like peas and carrots, with Bates extracting the best out of the bold front-runner, who was more controlled but equally as impressive on Saturday. Maher was full of admiration for Pride Of Jenni saying it was a great effort from her as her style of racing took a lot out of horses. “That was unbelievable. I think it is the combination of a lot of things. She’s an older mare now and they need to be very seasoned to race in that style that she does,” Maher said. “She’s come up very well. The team have done a great job. Tony and Lyn Ottobre (owners), they put so much in and to win one on Saturday, I thought we’d have a throw at the stumps but she’s run as good or better. Jockey Declan Bates and trainer Ciaron Maher savour Pride Of Jenni’s second Group One win in the space of a week Photo: Bruno Cannatelli “Dec Bates, just spot on. He really suits her. It’s hard to get someone to peel off 11s the whole way in a mile race. She was phenomenal. “It is so good to watch a horse race like that.” Declan Bates was thrilled to land another Group One win on the Pride Of Dubai mare and said her victory a week prior hadn’t been fully appreciated by some. “A few people have said to me that I stole it last week and it is a discredit to her to say that I stole it because I think I’m happy with how I executed the tactics, but they are tactics that you can’t employ on many horses. You need a horse with a serious engine and a will to win,” he said. “I think we are made for each other. I just love this mare so much. She proved its no fluke. She’s a champion now, especially in my eyes.” A $100,000 Sydney Classic purchase from the Segenhoe Stud draft for Tony and Lynn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Stud, Pride of Jenni was bred by Brent and Cherry Taylor’s Trelawney Stud and is the first foal of the winning O’Reilly mare Sancerre. She stems from one of Trelawney Stud’s most notable families, and is a grand-daughter of Gr.1 Queensland Oaks heroine Vouvray. Sancerre has a yearling filly by Per Incanto that will be retained by Trelawney Stud to race and is in foal to Cambridge Stud stallion Hello Youmzain. View the full article

High-class mare Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) claimed her second Group One victory when running out a comfortable winner of the Gr.1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington under a well-executed James McDonald ride. A dominant winner of the Gr.1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) in autumn, the daughter of Savabeel had run a mighty race when chasing home Pride Of Jenni into second in last week’s Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) The six-year-old mare again came from back in the field to defeat Duais (Shamus Award) by a length and three-quarters, with Tavistock gelding Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock) again showing his liking for the Flemington circuit when finishing third. Prepared by Chris Waller, Atishu sports the colours of Albert Bosma’s Go Racing, with Kiwi syndicators enjoying a stellar day, given Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) had scored a Group One victory for Te Akau Racing earlier in the day in the Champions Sprint (1200m). Champion trainer Chris Waller was delighted to win the Champions Stakes (formerly Mackinnon Stakes) for the first time in its 155th running. “Winning any race this week is special. It’s not a race we have been overly strong in (previously) and coming into today I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “I think she should have won a Group One on the first day – we all think that as owners and trainers when we don’t win. “To see Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) come out and blow them way in the race before (Gr.1 Champions Mile), I guess that gave us a little bit of confidence. “Atishu backed up similarly last year. She won the Matriarch (Gr.2, 2000m) on this day last year and has gone to a whole new step today.” Winning rider James McDonald was convinced Atishu deserved another elite-level win on her CV. James McDonald celebrates Kiwi-bred mare Atishu’s Group One victory Photo: George Sal – Racing Photos “Horses don’t run that well as she did last week and not win so to run second behind a horse that franked the form in the previous, when I walked out to Chris for the instructions I said, ‘we’re on a winner, I reckon’,” McDonald said. “The way the circle track has been playing, it is hard to make up ground but when it happens like that with the pace generated early, we bided our time and produced the goods. “Her progress has been phenomenal. She’s beautifully bred by Savabeel, stays well, stays the ten furlongs beautifully and she’s as tough as boots.” Atishu transferred to Waller as a multiple stakes winner for trainer Stephen Marsh in New Zealand as a three-year-old. Bred by Waikato Stud, Atishu is by their champion sire Savabeel out of the No Excuse Needed mare Posy (NZ) (No Excuse Needed), who won two races and is a sister to the former Champion Three-Year-Old and multiple Group One winner Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed). Atishu is a sister to the Waikato Stud-raced Mazzolino (NZ) (Savabeel), who won the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) for trainer Stephen Marsh earlier this year. Albert Bosma’s Go Racing went to $260,000 to secure Atishu as a yearling from Waikato Stud’s 2019 Karaka Book 1 draft. The victory capped another bumper day for New Zealand breeders, with Imperatriz bred by Raffles Farm, Pride Of Jenni bred by Trelawney Stud and Atishu bred by Waikato Stud. View the full article

A week after a stunning all-the-way performance to win the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) returned to the course and distance to repeat the dose. This time the Trelawney Stud-bred mare took down a star-studded cast in the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) as Kiwi-bred star Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and warhorse Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) filled the minor placings. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Pride Of Jenni and jockey Declan Bates go together like peas and carrots, with Bates extracting the best out of the bold front-runner, who was more controlled but equally as impressive on Saturday. Maher was full of admiration for Pride Of Jenni saying it was a great effort from her as her style of racing took a lot out of horses. “That was unbelievable. I think it is the combination of a lot of things. She’s an older mare now and they need to be very seasoned to race in that style that she does,” Maher said. “She’s come up very well. The team have done a great job. Tony and Lyn Ottobre (owners), they put so much in and to win one on Saturday, I thought we’d have a throw at the stumps but she’s run as good or better. Jockey Declan Bates and trainer Ciaron Maher savour Pride Of Jenni’s second Group One win in the space of a week Photo: Bruno Cannatelli “Dec Bates, just spot on. He really suits her. It’s hard to get someone to peel off 11s the whole way in a mile race. She was phenomenal. “It is so good to watch a horse race like that.” Declan Bates was thrilled to land another Group One win on the Pride Of Dubai mare and said her victory a week prior hadn’t been fully appreciated by some. “A few people have said to me that I stole it last week and it is a discredit to her to say that I stole it because I think I’m happy with how I executed the tactics, but they are tactics that you can’t employ on many horses. You need a horse with a serious engine and a will to win,” he said. “I think we are made for each other. I just love this mare so much. She proved its no fluke. She’s a champion now, especially in my eyes.” A $100,000 Sydney Classic purchase from the Segenhoe Stud draft for Tony and Lynn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Stud, Pride of Jenni was bred by Brent and Cherry Taylor’s Trelawney Stud and is the first foal of the winning O’Reilly mare Sancerre. She stems from one of Trelawney Stud’s most notable families, and is a grand-daughter of Gr.1 Queensland Oaks heroine Vouvray. Sancerre has a yearling filly by Per Incanto that will be retained by Trelawney Stud to race and is in foal to Cambridge Stud stallion Hello Youmzain. View the full article

High-class mare Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) claimed her second Group One victory when running out a comfortable winner of the Gr.1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington under a well-executed James McDonald ride. A dominant winner of the Gr.1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) in autumn, the daughter of Savabeel had run a mighty race when chasing home Pride Of Jenni into second in last week’s Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) The six-year-old mare again came from back in the field to defeat Duais (Shamus Award) by a length and three-quarters, with Tavistock gelding Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock) again showing his liking for the Flemington circuit when finishing third. Prepared by Chris Waller, Atishu sports the colours of Albert Bosma’s Go Racing, with Kiwi syndicators enjoying a stellar day, given Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) had scored a Group One victory for Te Akau Racing earlier in the day in the Champions Sprint (1200m). Champion trainer Chris Waller was delighted to win the Champions Stakes (formerly Mackinnon Stakes) for the first time in its 155th running. “Winning any race this week is special. It’s not a race we have been overly strong in (previously) and coming into today I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “I think she should have won a Group One on the first day – we all think that as owners and trainers when we don’t win. “To see Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) come out and blow them way in the race before (Gr.1 Champions Mile), I guess that gave us a little bit of confidence. “Atishu backed up similarly last year. She won the Matriarch (Gr.2, 2000m) on this day last year and has gone to a whole new step today.” Winning rider James McDonald was convinced Atishu deserved another elite-level win on her CV. James McDonald celebrates Kiwi-bred mare Atishu’s Group One victory Photo: George Sal – Racing Photos “Horses don’t run that well as she did last week and not win so to run second behind a horse that franked the form in the previous, when I walked out to Chris for the instructions I said, ‘we’re on a winner, I reckon’,” McDonald said. “The way the circle track has been playing, it is hard to make up ground but when it happens like that with the pace generated early, we bided our time and produced the goods. “Her progress has been phenomenal. She’s beautifully bred by Savabeel, stays well, stays the ten furlongs beautifully and she’s as tough as boots.” Atishu transferred to Waller as a multiple stakes winner for trainer Stephen Marsh in New Zealand as a three-year-old. Bred by Waikato Stud, Atishu is by their champion sire Savabeel out of the No Excuse Needed mare Posy (NZ) (No Excuse Needed), who won two races and is a sister to the former Champion Three-Year-Old and multiple Group One winner Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed). Atishu is a sister to the Waikato Stud-raced Mazzolino (NZ) (Savabeel), who won the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) for trainer Stephen Marsh earlier this year. Albert Bosma’s Go Racing went to $260,000 to secure Atishu as a yearling from Waikato Stud’s 2019 Karaka Book 1 draft. The victory capped another bumper day for New Zealand breeders, with Imperatriz bred by Raffles Farm, Pride Of Jenni bred by Trelawney Stud and Atishu bred by Waikato Stud. View the full article

A week after a stunning all-the-way performance to win the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) returned to the course and distance to repeat the dose. This time the Trelawney Stud-bred mare took down a star-studded cast in the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) as Kiwi-bred star Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and warhorse Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) filled the minor placings. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Pride Of Jenni and jockey Declan Bates go together like peas and carrots, with Bates extracting the best out of the bold front-runner, who was more controlled but equally as impressive on Saturday. Maher was full of admiration for Pride Of Jenni saying it was a great effort from her as her style of racing took a lot out of horses. “That was unbelievable. I think it is the combination of a lot of things. She’s an older mare now and they need to be very seasoned to race in that style that she does,” Maher said. “She’s come up very well. The team have done a great job. Tony and Lyn Ottobre (owners), they put so much in and to win one on Saturday, I thought we’d have a throw at the stumps but she’s run as good or better. Jockey Declan Bates and trainer Ciaron Maher savour Pride Of Jenni’s second Group One win in the space of a week Photo: Bruno Cannatelli “Dec Bates, just spot on. He really suits her. It’s hard to get someone to peel off 11s the whole way in a mile race. She was phenomenal. “It is so good to watch a horse race like that.” Declan Bates was thrilled to land another Group One win on the Pride Of Dubai mare and said her victory a week prior hadn’t been fully appreciated by some. “A few people have said to me that I stole it last week and it is a discredit to her to say that I stole it because I think I’m happy with how I executed the tactics, but they are tactics that you can’t employ on many horses. You need a horse with a serious engine and a will to win,” he said. “I think we are made for each other. I just love this mare so much. She proved its no fluke. She’s a champion now, especially in my eyes.” A $100,000 Sydney Classic purchase from the Segenhoe Stud draft for Tony and Lynn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Stud, Pride of Jenni was bred by Brent and Cherry Taylor’s Trelawney Stud and is the first foal of the winning O’Reilly mare Sancerre. She stems from one of Trelawney Stud’s most notable families, and is a grand-daughter of Gr.1 Queensland Oaks heroine Vouvray. Sancerre has a yearling filly by Per Incanto that will be retained by Trelawney Stud to race and is in foal to Cambridge Stud stallion Hello Youmzain. View the full article

High-class mare Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) claimed her second Group One victory when running out a comfortable winner of the Gr.1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington under a well-executed James McDonald ride. A dominant winner of the Gr.1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) in autumn, the daughter of Savabeel had run a mighty race when chasing home Pride Of Jenni into second in last week’s Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) The six-year-old mare again came from back in the field to defeat Duais (Shamus Award) by a length and three-quarters, with Tavistock gelding Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock) again showing his liking for the Flemington circuit when finishing third. Prepared by Chris Waller, Atishu sports the colours of Albert Bosma’s Go Racing, with Kiwi syndicators enjoying a stellar day, given Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) had scored a Group One victory for Te Akau Racing earlier in the day in the Champions Sprint (1200m). Champion trainer Chris Waller was delighted to win the Champions Stakes (formerly Mackinnon Stakes) for the first time in its 155th running. “Winning any race this week is special. It’s not a race we have been overly strong in (previously) and coming into today I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “I think she should have won a Group One on the first day – we all think that as owners and trainers when we don’t win. “To see Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) come out and blow them way in the race before (Gr.1 Champions Mile), I guess that gave us a little bit of confidence. “Atishu backed up similarly last year. She won the Matriarch (Gr.2, 2000m) on this day last year and has gone to a whole new step today.” Winning rider James McDonald was convinced Atishu deserved another elite-level win on her CV. James McDonald celebrates Kiwi-bred mare Atishu’s Group One victory Photo: George Sal – Racing Photos “Horses don’t run that well as she did last week and not win so to run second behind a horse that franked the form in the previous, when I walked out to Chris for the instructions I said, ‘we’re on a winner, I reckon’,” McDonald said. “The way the circle track has been playing, it is hard to make up ground but when it happens like that with the pace generated early, we bided our time and produced the goods. “Her progress has been phenomenal. She’s beautifully bred by Savabeel, stays well, stays the ten furlongs beautifully and she’s as tough as boots.” Atishu transferred to Waller as a multiple stakes winner for trainer Stephen Marsh in New Zealand as a three-year-old. Bred by Waikato Stud, Atishu is by their champion sire Savabeel out of the No Excuse Needed mare Posy (NZ) (No Excuse Needed), who won two races and is a sister to the former Champion Three-Year-Old and multiple Group One winner Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed). Atishu is a sister to the Waikato Stud-raced Mazzolino (NZ) (Savabeel), who won the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) for trainer Stephen Marsh earlier this year. Albert Bosma’s Go Racing went to $260,000 to secure Atishu as a yearling from Waikato Stud’s 2019 Karaka Book 1 draft. The victory capped another bumper day for New Zealand breeders, with Imperatriz bred by Raffles Farm, Pride Of Jenni bred by Trelawney Stud and Atishu bred by Waikato Stud. View the full article

A week after a stunning all-the-way performance to win the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) returned to the course and distance to repeat the dose. This time the Trelawney Stud-bred mare took down a star-studded cast in the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) as Kiwi-bred star Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and warhorse Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) filled the minor placings. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Pride Of Jenni and jockey Declan Bates go together like peas and carrots, with Bates extracting the best out of the bold front-runner, who was more controlled but equally as impressive on Saturday. Maher was full of admiration for Pride Of Jenni saying it was a great effort from her as her style of racing took a lot out of horses. “That was unbelievable. I think it is the combination of a lot of things. She’s an older mare now and they need to be very seasoned to race in that style that she does,” Maher said. “She’s come up very well. The team have done a great job. Tony and Lyn Ottobre (owners), they put so much in and to win one on Saturday, I thought we’d have a throw at the stumps but she’s run as good or better. Jockey Declan Bates and trainer Ciaron Maher savour Pride Of Jenni’s second Group One win in the space of a week Photo: Bruno Cannatelli “Dec Bates, just spot on. He really suits her. It’s hard to get someone to peel off 11s the whole way in a mile race. She was phenomenal. “It is so good to watch a horse race like that.” Declan Bates was thrilled to land another Group One win on the Pride Of Dubai mare and said her victory a week prior hadn’t been fully appreciated by some. “A few people have said to me that I stole it last week and it is a discredit to her to say that I stole it because I think I’m happy with how I executed the tactics, but they are tactics that you can’t employ on many horses. You need a horse with a serious engine and a will to win,” he said. “I think we are made for each other. I just love this mare so much. She proved its no fluke. She’s a champion now, especially in my eyes.” A $100,000 Sydney Classic purchase from the Segenhoe Stud draft for Tony and Lynn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Stud, Pride of Jenni was bred by Brent and Cherry Taylor’s Trelawney Stud and is the first foal of the winning O’Reilly mare Sancerre. She stems from one of Trelawney Stud’s most notable families, and is a grand-daughter of Gr.1 Queensland Oaks heroine Vouvray. Sancerre has a yearling filly by Per Incanto that will be retained by Trelawney Stud to race and is in foal to Cambridge Stud stallion Hello Youmzain. View the full article

The addition of blinkers on the Chris Waller-trained Roots (Press Statement) in the Gr.2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) has proven to be a winning move. After finishing second last in the $2 million The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick last start, a decision was later made to apply blinkers to the well-performed five-year-old mare for Saturday’s fillies and mares’ feature at Rosehill. With Tommy Berry in the saddle, Roots settled off the pace in the field of seven before leaving her rivals in her wake in the final 200m. Roots ($3.20) defeated Call Di ($3.70) by 2-3/4-lengths with a neck back to Finepoint ($13) in third. Berry said he suggested putting blinkers on Roots after The Invitation and was convinced after working the mare a week ago that she was ready to bounce back strongly third-up in the Hot Danish. “I mentioned it (blinkers) but it’s up to them whether they want to use it or not,” Berry said. “Chris knows his horses pretty well. I came to ride work for him last Saturday morning and I jumped on her with blinkers on. “She worked really well and it showed today. “She was a different horse today.” Already a Group Two winner of the Emancipation Stakes and a Group One runner-up in last season’s Group One Tattersall’s Tiara, Roots took her overall record to seven wins from 21 starts. Berry was confident a long way from home in Saturday’s race and brought up his third winner of the meeting after earlier successes with Speycaster and Shadows Of Love. “I had them covered, it was just a matter of when I pushed the button,” Berry said. Berry said he was taken by the return of Roots when she finished fifth in the Alan Brown Stakes earlier this spring and asked Waller if he could stick with the mare for her entire preparation. Roots is a daughter of Novara Park stallion Press Statement, who joined the roster of the Cambridge nursery for the first time in 2023 and stands at a fee of $6,000 plus GST. Press Statement is the sire of 13 stakes performers with Roots and South African Group Two winner Kitty Cat Chat among the Group One winning son of Hinchinbrook’s leading performers. View the full article

Star mare Imperatriz (AUS) (I Am Invincible) cast aside any straight-track doubts with a game victory in the Gr.1 Darley Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday. Ridden by Opie Bosson, the Mark Walker-trained mare sat handy to the speed set by Front Page and powered to the front inside the final furlong before staving off the challenge of Buenos Noches (AUS) (Supido), who got within half a length on the line, with quality mare In Secret (I Am Invincible) beaten a length and a quarter in third. Winning trainer Mark Walker, who has plotted a perfect Melbourne campaign that has netted three Group One victories and a Group Two from four starts, cut a satisfied figure as the five-year-old mare again proved the perfect ambassador for Te Akau Racing’s new Cranbourne quarters. “It’s probably a little bit of relief more than anything and it’s great to see Opie on the big stage as well,” Walker said “Ben (Gleeson) and the team did a fantastic job. I went home after the Manikato and Ben has assembled a great team that we’ve got at Cranbourne and days like this, it makes it all worthwhile.” Walker was full of praise for the clinical ride of Opie Bosson, with whom he has enjoyed a long-standing relationship “Opie sums things up so quickly from the jump,” Walker said. “He’s been on the big stage since he was a teenager and nothing really fazes him. It was great to get the win today.” While further Flemington targets in the autumn and a trip to Royal Ascot has been mooted for the eight-time Group One winner, Walker said no plans have been made at this stage, with the mare heading for a rest before the Te Akau team ponder what’s next. “We’ll sit down in a couple of weeks once we get the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale out of the way at home with Dave (Ellis) and Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) and we’ll come up with a plan.” Winning rider Opie Bosson, who notched the 94th Group One victory of his career, was delighted to win for connections. “This is right up there in terms of career highlights,” Bosson said. “To do it for Te Akau, David Ellis, Mark Walker and the whole team, it is a dream come true riding a horse like her. “I was expecting Asfoora to slide forward but he took a hold. So I saw Front Page and thought there’s my bunny. “I probably got there a little bit soon and gee it’s a long way up that straight when you’re sitting there but to her credit she knuckled down and put her ears back and had a decent crack. “We always knew she was really talented. She’s just getting better with age and she is the real deal and she has proven it now. Hopefully there is more to come for both of us.” Bosson was quick to put his hand up for any assignments further abroad on Imperatriz and to pit himself against the best riders overseas. “I love a trip away. It’d be nice to get to Ascot and show them how good she is,” he said. Bred by Malaysian businessman Dato Yap Kim San’s Raffles Farm, Imperatriz is another nod to the success of the breeding operation, which was managed by Bruce Sherwin since it was established in 2008 and in addition to Imperatriz has produced the likes of Group One winners Glint Of Hope, More Than Sacred and First Seal. Economic pressures stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic forced Dato Yap to sacrifice his ‘hobby’ thoroughbred breeding operation to secure his core businesses throughout Asia. Raffles Farm on the outskirts of Cambridge was sold in 2022, along with almost the entirety of Dato Yap’s Australasian bloodstock portfolio. Imperatriz is by leading Australian sire I Am Invincible out of Berimbau, a Group Two-placed Shamardal mare who was bought by Raffles for A$180,000 at a Gold Coast sale in 2016. Residing since then at Bhima Thoroughbreds in New South Wales, Berimbau produced an I Am Invincible filly two years later who was offered at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She caught the eye of Te Akau’s David Ellis, who secured her for A$360,000 and Saturday’s performance has again confirmed her standing as one of the best sprinters in thew world. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Mark Hurrell will combine with a strong book of drives at Wyndham on Sunday before linking up with one of the rising stars of the sport on New Zealand Cup Day. The reinsman can’t wait to get up to Addington to combine with Wag Star following his outstanding performances at the same track recently. Hurrell looks a good hope of heading north in winning form if his drives at Wyndham stand up to their form. Louie’s Girl was a big winner first up for the Craig Ferguson stable at Winton recently. She steps out over the same mile distance when aiming to make it two out of two this time in. “She is a nice wee horse, and she has drawn inside the two better horses in that race,” Hurrell said. “Hopefully, we can keep that advantage; if we can, I think she will be a good winning chance.”” Brookie’s Player looks a serious winning threat for Hurrell in race 9. The Ross and Chris Wilson trained pacer worked hard but fought on well in his last start at Ascot Park. “His last run was really good; he sat parked in 2.40 (for 2200m),” Hurrell said. “Hopefully, he won’t have to do as much work again.” “There are a couple of nice horses in that race, but he is going really well and should be a handy chance.” Brookie’s Player’s stablemate Robyns Hustler looks a genuine threat in yet another deep Southland maiden field on Sunday. The pacer was third in another quality lineup in his debut at Winton recently. “It is a good maiden field with a bit of depth, but his first run at Winton was pretty good.” “He has a good draw to work with, whereas a couple of the better chances don’t.” “Hopefully, from there he can go a good race.” American Mac and Falcons Watch both look like winning chances for Hurrell at Wyndham. No Perfect Princess and Galleons Future are far from the worst chances in their assignments either. Wag Star has again drawn a wide alley on New Zealand Cup Day, after starting from tricky draws in all three of his recent starts at Canterbury. With plenty of tactical speed, Hurrell will have options in front of him when the gate leaves. “I am really looking forward to it; he is a lovely horse.” “We are going into the biggest day of the year, and he is the favourite for his race.” “It’s not the best draw, but he has shown he can come out of the gate.” “He is a roller and he likes to be up on the pace.” “I’d imagine Craig will want me to be pretty positive on him.” Hurrell also combines with Willangus Lad in race 1 on New Zealand Cup Day. View the full article

The Chris Waller-trained Atishu made up ground from the back in an explosive performance that went against the day’s trend of front-running winners to score an impressive upset in the Group 1 $3 million Champions Stakes (2000m) to finish up elite level racing for another Melbourne Cup Carnival. 2023 Champions Stakes winner Atishu was too good making up late ground to explode home in the Group 1. Photo: Steve Hart. Waller opted to give his six-year-old mare the chance against a well-credentialed field in the marquee Stakes Day race at Flemington over an easier assignment in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m). She would have been a moral in the Group 2 but as it turned out she was a brilliant upset winner in the Group 1 coming from off the pace to hit the front a furlong out and sprint home for a 1 3/4 length success off a perfectly timed ride by James McDonald. Atishu was on the quick back-up after a brave second on Derby Day in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). Relishing another run at headquarters over further with the fitness edge she was able to go one better and further frank the form out of that race following Pride Of Jenni completing the Empire Rose – Champions Mile double on successive Saturdays for the Maher/Eustace stable. Favourite in Champions Stakes betting was the UK raider West Wind Blows who was down in distance off a second to subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Without A Fight in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) last month. Jamie Spencer read the lay of the day and attempted to steal the show whipping his mount round the field to lead. West Wind Blows was gone at the top of the straight however as the challengers came. In the end it was the eye-catching Atishu coming away victorious at $8.50 while jockey Damien Oliver ran second on the Edward Cummings-trained Duais in his final Group 1 ride at Flemington before his pending retirement at the end of the spring. “Horses don’t run that well and not win, so to run second behind a horse (last week) that franked the form in the previous, when I walked out to Chris for the instructions I said, ‘we’re on a winner, I reckon’,” McDonald told Racing.com after riding Atishu to victory. “We’ve just got to do the little things right and get the splits when we need it. She was fantastic, unbelievable.” Young Werther was excellent in another Group 1 placing finishing third at $51 just ahead of the Annabel Neasham-trained nine-year-old Zaaki who finished fourth after momentarily looking a chance at a third straight win before getting run down. 2023 Champions Stakes Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 10 ATISHU (NZ) Chris Waller James McDonald 5 57kg $8.50 2 9 DUAIS Edward Cummings Damien Oliver 1.75L 3 57kg $7 3 3 YOUNG WERTHER (NZ) Danny O’Brien Billy Egan 1.95L 6 59kg $51 4 1 ZAAKI (GB) Annabel Neasham Ms Jamie Kah 2.05L 10 59kg $4.40 5 7 BUCKAROO (GB) Joseph O’Brien Blake Shinn 2.15L 8 59kg $26 6 11 PROWESS (NZ) Roger James & Robert Wellwood Mark Zahra 2.65L 4 56.5kg $5.50 7 2 HUETOR (FR) Peter & Paul Snowden Kerrin McEvoy 2.85L 11 59kg $61 8 8 MONTEFILIA Chris Waller Michael Dee 3.25L 1 57kg $26 9 4 WEST WIND BLOWS (IRE) Simon & Ed Crisford Jamie Spencer 3.35L 2 59kg $2.80F 10 5 ZEYREK (FR) Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Ben Melham 4.85L 7 59kg $61 11 6 PINSTRIPED Enver Jusufovic Ben Allen 5.35L 9 59kg $81 Table Credit: Racing Australia. The post 2023 Champions Stakes Winner Is Atishu In Explosive Performance appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Pride Of Jenni is now a dual Group 1 winning mare on successive Saturdays with the Empire Rose Stakes champ leading all-the-way in an unbelievable upset in the Group 1 $3 million Kennedy Champions Mile (1600m). 2023 Champions Mile winner Pride Of Jenni was outstanding winning her second Group 1 in as many weeks. Photo: Steve Hart. On Derby Day the six-year-old daughter of Pride Of Dubai overcame barrier 16 of 16 crossing to lead the fellow mares around and salute in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at big odds. On the quick back-up she returned to the same track and trip on Stakes Day at double-figures again taking on a field of the country’s premier milers. Jockey Declan Bates continued his excellent association on Pride Of Jenni who he again took straight to the front setting a strong pace in the lead and rating her to perfection. While the rest sat back thinking she would fade, it proved foolish as the bonny mare led from barrier to box and wouldn’t be run down. “Unbelievable,” co-trainer Ciaron Maher told Racing.com. “I think it’s just a combination of a lot of things. “She’s an older mare now they need to be very seasoned to race in that style that she does. “To win one on Saturday I thought we’d have a throw at the stumps (again today) but she’s run as well or better. “Dec bates just spot on. He just really suits her. “What can you say? She’s phenomenal.” Mr Brightside tried hard late on the back of a Cox Plate second but ran out of time crossing one and a quarter lengths second. In third was the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Alligator Blood who didn’t have the early speed to match the eventual winner and having to settle for third in his failed title defence. Race favourite was the Chris Waller-trained Fangirl who ran fourth in a somewhat disappointing performance compared to the winner. 2023 Champions Mile Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 7 PRIDE OF JENNI Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Declan Bates 3 57kg $13 2 1 MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) Ben, Will & JD Hayes Craig Williams 1.25L 2 59kg $3 3 2 ALLIGATOR BLOOD Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 2.5L 5 59kg $4.20 4 6 FANGIRL Chris Waller James McDonald 2.6L 7 57kg $2.40F 5 3 THE INEVITABLE John Keys Damien Oliver 3.6L 4 59kg $26 6 4 BANKERS CHOICE (NZ) Michael Moroney John Allen 7.35L 6 59kg $81 7 5 VICTORIA ROAD (IRE) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Blake Shinn 8.1L 1 58kg $19 Table Credit: Racing Australia. The post 2023 Champions Mile Winner Is Pride Of Jenni In Unbelievable Upset appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Atishu ridden by James McDonald wins the VRC Champions Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The lethal combination of Chris Waller and James McDonald have claimed another Group 1 at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, as they combined with Atishu (+750) to take out the $3 million VRC Champions Stakes. After running in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes last Saturday and running home into second place behind Pride Of Jenni, it was clear that she was going to run well after Pride Of Jenni claimed the Champions Mile in the previous race. In a muddling run affair, Zaaki (+340) took up the lead before West Wind Blows (+180) flew around the outside to then claim him and stride clear at the front of the field. As expected, West Wind Blows started to struggle and Jamie Kah on Zaaki took over once again at the top of the home straight, but the challengers were coming from all angles with Buckaroo (+1800), Duais (+550) and Atishu looming up on the outside to run on. However, it would be James McDonald and Atishu who would run straight past the leaders and kick clear to win by 1.75 lengths on the line from Duais and Young Werther (+5000), who finished in second and third, respectively. 2023 Champions Stakes Replay – Atishu | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald Chris Waller was very happy to get another valuable win for Atishu, and he spoke post-race. “Winning any race this week is (special) but that was something special,” Waller said. “It’s a race they we weren’t overly strong and coming today I didn’t know what to expect. “I think she should have won a Group 1 on the first day – we all think that as owners and trainers when they don’t win. “To see Pride Of Jenni come out and blow them way in the race before, I guess that gave us a little bit of confidence. “She backed up similarly last year. She won the Matriarch and has gone to a whole new step today. “She was a Group 1 winner in Sydney in the autumn so when they’re at that level they’re there for the rest of her career and that is justified.” James McDonald claimed three of the four features during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, with his Champions Stakes victory joining his wins in the VRC Derby and VRC Oaks. “Horses don’t run that well and not win so to run second behind a horse (last week) that franked the form in the previous, when I walked out to Chris for the instructions I said, ‘we’re on a winner, I reckon’,” McDonald said. “We’ve just got to do the little things right and get the splits when we need it. “She was fantastic, unbelievable. “As the days go on, all the jockeys are there zoning in. “They’re not asleep at the wheel. We’ve seen a rush from outside gates, goes forward and generates pace. “When West Wind Blows hightailing it around the outside it only generates speed. “We were in a good position and we were on the back of the right horse and she went bang. “She’s beautifully bred by Savabeel, stays well, stays the ten furlongs beautifully and she’s as tough as boots. It was great to be back on her back.” More racing news View the full article

Tom Sherry guides Unspoken to victory in the Five Diamonds. Photo: Racing NSW The $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) will head the way of the Peter & Paul Snowden barn as Unspoken (+700) got the head down on the wire at Rosehill on Saturday. It’s been an impressive rise throughout the campaign, as the son of Territories had ticked off three straight victories prior to Saturday, gradually stepping up in quality with every start. Tom Sherry continued his association with the European gelding, gaining an economical position throughout the 1800m journey from barrier five, allowing Unspoken to sit just in behind a moderate tempo. The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Zoumon (+2000) lead them up for the majority of the race, with Rachel King trying to pinch off a couple of cheap sectionals. It appeared to have worked with 200m to go, as many struggled to make ground from the rear of the field. Detonator Jack ($11.00) and Democracy Manifest (+900) were game to the line, but simply couldn’t match motors with Unspoken in the closing stages. It was all honours to the winner in the end, as Unspoken continued his unblemished record this time in. 2023 Five Diamonds Replay – Unspoken | T: Peter & Paul Snowden | J: Tom Sherry Co-trainer Paul Snowden was on course to speak on behalf of the stable post-race and didn’t discount the possibility of a Caulfield Cup (2400m) tilt next spring. “It’s been a really solid preparation from him, he’s unbeaten,” said Snowden. “This is his second preparation here in Australia and to see what he has done this time through. We’ve kept him at a mile but he’ll get a lot further than this, he could end up in a Caulfield Cup next year. “We pushed him out in distance last prep and this is where the acclimatisation comes in, he just wasn’t ready. “He wasn’t putting it all together on race day. At home he’s a lovely, relaxed animal but this prep has been a completely different kettle of fish. He led the other day and I never thought he had that in him twelve months ago but everything is clicking.” Tom Sherry was elated post-race and couldn’t hold back his excitement when speaking about his Five Diamonds success. “Prizemoney-wise it’s my biggest win,” said Sherry. “I’ve won a Group 2 and got a great thrill out of that but this was special. Peter and Paul keep believing in me, and giving me back the ride. “The horse was brilliant, I really enjoyed that.” More racing news View the full article

Pride Of Jenni ridden by Declan Bates wins the Champions Mile at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Pride Of Jenni (+1200) took luck out the equation and led at a breakneck tempo in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes seven days ago, and with Declan Bates on board again, the same tactics were adopted in the Group 1 VRC Champions Mile to record the same result. Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained mare loves to lead and run the race at a quick speed and considering that the Flemington track is playing favourable to leaders, she was always going to be hard to run down, no matter the class of opposition. From the moment the field came out until the horses left the mounting yard, all of the attention was on the Cox Plate runners, as Fangirl (+140), Mr Brightside (+200) and Alligator Blood (+320) dominated the betting. However, the Champions Mile was near on a one act affair as Bates took the eventual winner to the front and led the field by three lengths midway through the race, with Alligator Blood sitting in second and tasked with the job to bring the field up to the tearaway leader. Pride Of Jenni led into the home straight with four lengths on the rest of the field and even though Mr Brightside and Fangirl took a lot of ground of the leader, she held on to claim her second Group 1 victory in the space of a week. 2023 Champions Mile Replay – Pride Of Jenni | T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | J: Declan Bates Ciaron Maher was visibly emotional after the win in the Champions Mile. “Unbelievable. I think it is the combination of a lot of things,” Maher said. “She’s an older mare now and they need to be very seasoned to race in that style that she does. “She’s come up very well. The team have done a great job. “Tony and Lyn Ottobre, they put so much in and to win one on Saturday, I thought we’d have a throw at the stumps, but she’s run as good or better. “Dec Bates, just spot on. He really suits her. “Hard to get someone to peel off 11s the whole way in a mile race. She was phenomenal. “He said, ‘I suppose we’ll adopt the same tactics’ and I said I suppose you will. “To do it twice in a week, it takes a lot out of them and mares when they get in form. “It is so good to watch a horse race like that.” Declan Bates showed a lot of emotion as the winner crossed the line and he was equally emotional when speaking post-race. “The love for this horse. She’s proven now that it wasn’t a fluke last week and she’s a champion, I believe,” Bates said of Pride Of Jenni. “Few people have said to me that I stole it last week and it is a discredit to her to say that I stole it because I think I’m happy with how I executed the tactics but they are tactics that you can’t employ on many horses. “I think we are made for each other. “I just love this mare so much. She proved its no fluke. “She’s a champion now, especially in my eyes. “She relaxed through the first half which allowed me to wind her up a long way out and she was able to sustain it. “I had a look at the screen at the top of the straight and I knew I had a nice enough gap. I needed that gap in order to win and she’s so tough. “She’s got such an engine and I love her.” More racing news View the full article

Regan Bayliss guides Shangri La Express to a win in the Golden Gift. Photo: RacingNSW Shangri La Express (+110) remains undefeated in two starts after storming clear in the $1 million Golden Gift (1100m) on Saturday at Rosehill. The daughter of Alabama Express has stamped her authority as a genuine early favourite for the 2024 Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m), leading all the way to score in stylish fashion in Saturday’s Golden Gift. The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained colt pinged the lids from barrier 12, bounding across the face of the field to secure the early lead. He was ticking along at a strong tempo throughout the contest and setup for some back markers to come into play late. The best of those came in the pair of Rue De Royale (+750) and Volatile (+1300) who maintained a strong gallop in behind, but were no match for Shangri La Express, as the two-year-old extended under Regan Bayliss to secure victory. 2023 Golden Gift Replay – Shangri La Express | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Regan Bayliss Co-trainer Adrian Bott was on course at Rosehill to represent the stable and clearly has a high opinion of his colt, suggesting a Magic Million caper may be on the cards prior to the autumn. “Excellent win,” said Bott. “He had to do it pretty hard from that wide gate. He’s a natural two-year-old, he shows good early speed and sustained speed. He’s got that great ability to be able to quicken off that. “He did that first-up and he’s been able to put in an even stronger performance second-up today. All the makings of a top class two-year-old. “He’s going to Magic Millions but we’ve got big plans for him in the Autumn. We need to see whether there’s enough in the tank to do it all, or whether we just focus on the Slipper.” Jockey Regan Bayliss was glowing in his post-race assessment of his mount and praised the constitution of his younger horse to overcome a lengthy wait at the barriers due to a farrier adjustment to a key rival. “He’s a super colt,” said Bayliss “He’s put the writing on the wall in both of these runs. It’s a very hot day here today – he absolutely melted in the mounting enclosure and again behind the barriers. “One of them pulled a shoe and he really got hot and bothered. To overcome that, and the wide barrier, was a credit to him. “I’m convinced we haven’t seen the best of this colt. “He does everything that you ask of him. He looks like a finished product now but he is not, he’s open to further improvement – we’re going to see a really nice colt in the autumn.” Shangri La Express is now a clear +800 favourite in futures markets for the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) on March 23, 2024. More racing news View the full article

Reigning champion must bounce back to form if she wants to become the Group One race’s fifth multiple winner and contest the Vase at Sha Tin on December 10View the full article

Tommy Berry guides Roots to a comfortable victory in the Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW Tommy Berry and Chris Waller have combined with Roots (+210) proving far too classy for the girls on Saturday at Rosehill, careering away with the Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m). The $500,000 feature was swiftly wrapped up by the now five-year-old mare, as Roots circled the six rivals turning for home to secure a dominant 2.7-length victory, her first since taking out the Group 2 Emancipation (1500m) in March. She was aided by a sizzling tempo despite the smaller field size, as the Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexious-trained Call Di (+260) rolled along under Nash Rawiller. Royal Merchant (+210) loomed large on the outside of the leader, while Finepoint (+1200) was allowed to stride forward and make a line of three turning in. Roots was simply sensational in the end, powering through the line under a stranglehold for Tommy Berry as the Hot Danish was sewn up rather connivingly by the daughter of Press Statement. 2023 Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes Replay – Roots | T: Chris Waller | J: Tommy Berry Damien Fitton was on course at Rosehill to represent the Chris Waller stable on Saturday afternoon, and put the much-improved effort down to the addition of blinkers suggested by Berry himself. “The addition of blinkers helped,” said Fitton. “She was probably a bit lazy in The Invitation and Tommy (Berry) said, ‘whack them on’. He worked her throughout the week and she was exceptional. It was a great ride. “There was more speed than anticipated on paper but to Tommy’s credit, he held her up and let her use her turn of foot when it counted most. “Things didn’t go to plan (in the Invitation), simple as that. She lost confidence and didn’t have that finishing dash that she was entitled to give. So with the blinkers back on really helped her today.” Tommy Berry was keen to maintain his association with Roots and it paid dividends on Saturday and credited the stable for allowing him to stick aboard. “She was really good first-up,” said Berry. “I don’t ask Chris (Waller) to stick with too many but I asked if I could stick with her the whole way through. He said ‘how about we just worry about next start’ and he left me on her there (The Invitation) and she was a little disappointing, a bit lacklustre in the run. “We toyed with putting the blinkers on her and Chris agreed it would be a great idea. I worked her last Saturday in them and I knew we were ‘game-on’.” More racing news View the full article

Imperatriz ridden by Opie Bosson wins the Darley Champions Sprint at Flemington Racecourse on November 11, 2023 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Imperatriz (+115) has remained undefeated throughout the spring after taking out the Group 1 VRC Champions Sprint at her first look down the Flemington straight to claim her third Group 1 victory in a row in Melbourne. The Mark Walker-trained mare had won the Group 1 Moir Stakes and Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley in dominant fashion before going to Flemington on Saturday for her biggest test of the spring. The daughter of I Am Invincible has settled near the rear and led in her three starts this preparation but after Asfoora (+1500) and Star Patrol (+1800) took a sit, it left the race favourite with no choice but to settle behind Front Page (+2200), who took a solid lead. As the field hit the track proper, Opie Bosson released the brakes on the favourite and she took the lead, but for the first time this campaign, she had company on her inside as Buenos Noches (+1300) and In Secret (+240) went with her. Buenos Noches got within half a length of the star mare, but in the final 100m, the class of Imperatriz shone through as she held him off to claim victory. 2023 VRC Champions Sprint Replay – Imperatriz | T: Mark Walker | J: Opie Bosson Mark Walker appeared a relieved man after choosing to stay in Melbourne and not go to The Everest with his star mare. “Probably a little bit of relief more than anything. Great to see Opie on the big stage as well,” Walker said. “Ben (Gleeson) and the team did a fantastic job. “I went home after the Manikato and Ben has assembled a great team that we’ve got a Cranbourne and days like this, it makes it all worthwhile. “Opie sums things up so quickly from the jump. “He’s been on the big stage since he was a teenager and nothing really fazes him. It was great to get the win today. “We’ll sit down in a couple of weeks once we get the Ready To Run Sale out of the way at home and we’ll come up with a plan.” Opie Bosson was elated with the win on Imperatriz, and he spoke post-race. “She’s a real darling. To have a horse like this,” Bosson said. “Right up there. Te Akau, David Ellis, Mark Walker and the whole team. It is a dream come true riding a horse like this. “I was expecting Asfoora to slot forward but he took a hold. “So I used Front Page as my bunny. Probably got there a bit soon. “Geez its a long way up that straight. “To her credit she knuckled down and put her ears back. “We always knew she was really talented. “She’s just getting better with age and she is the real deal and she has proven it now. “Hopefully there is more to come for both of us. “I’d love a trip away. It’d be nice to get to Ascot and show them how good she is.” More racing news View the full article

Brilliant mare Imperatriz extended her winning streak to five on the trot with another outstanding performance in the Group 1 $3 million Darley Champions Sprint (1200m) on Stakes Day. The I Am Invincible five-year-old came off four consecutive Moonee Valley wins including her Moir Stakes – Manikato Stakes Group 1 double this spring. Saturday had her running down the famous Flemington ‘Straight Six’ for the first time and she more than proved herself digging deep late to hold off her rivals. After opening odds-on in the markets she got out to around $2.20 through Ladbrokes by race time and won like a short-priced favourite should. Opie Bosson timed his run to perfection moving up to tackle the leader Front Page with a furlong to go. Imperatriz hit the front and despite the late challengers coming she dug in and drew away to salute by a half-length for the punters. Second was Matthew Smith‘s The Everest eighth place-getter Buenos Noches ($14) in a lovely run from the four-year-old, while Godolphin‘s two-time Group 1 winning mare at the track and trip In Secret ($3.50) finished a length back for third. The victory saw Imperatriz become the first horse to take out the Manikato Stakes – Champions Sprint double in the same year since Buffering in 2013. 2023 Darley Champions Sprint Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 8 IMPERATRIZ Mark Walker Opie Bosson 8 56.5kg $2.15F 2 2 BUENOS NOCHES Matthew Smith Blake Shinn 0.5L 11 58.5kg $14 3 7 IN SECRET James Cummings James McDonald 1.25L 5 56.5kg $3.50 4 9 ESPIONA Chris Waller Kerrin McEvoy 2L 3 56.5kg $26 5 6 BELLA NIPOTINA Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Craig Williams 2.1L 1 56.5kg $12 6 1 FRONT PAGE Matthew Dale Tyler Schiller 5.1L 7 58.5kg $21 7 11 C’EST MAGIQUE Grahame Begg Michael Dee 5.85L 2 56.5kg $151 8 5 AIRMAN Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Jye McNeil 6.05L 10 58.5kg $26 9 10 ASFOORA Henry Dwyer Mitchell Aitken 7.3L 9 56.5kg $16 10 3 LOFTY STRIKE Julius Sandhu Damien Oliver 9.05L 4 58.5kg $61 11 4 STAR PATROL Clinton McDonald Ben Melham 11.05L 6 58.5kg $20 Table Credit: Racing Australia. The post 2023 Champions Sprint Winner Is Imperatriz By A Half-Length appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article