Wandering Eyes

Emerging staying star Nest Egg (NZ) (Reliable Man) tightened his hold on favouritism for next weekend’s Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) with a perfect dress rehearsal on the opening day of the carnival at Riccarton on Saturday. The Stephen Marsh-trained gelding arrived in the South Island as a $6 favourite for the New Zealand Cup next Saturday, and his impressive final lead-up in the Listed Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) has slashed that quote to $3.50. Nest Egg was a black-type placegetter in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) as an autumn two-year-old, then ran a creditable sixth in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) the following year. The son of Reliable Man continued to make good progress as a four-year-old last season with a number of promising staying performances, including a close fourth behind Aquacade (NZ) (Dundeel) in the Dunstan Feeds Stayers’ Championship Final (2400m) on New Year’s Day. A dominant last-start win by three and a half lengths over 2400m at Te Rapa on October 21 hinted that this might be the year that Nest Egg really makes his mark among New Zealand’s staying ranks, and on Saturday he delivered. The Metropolitan was run at a fluctuating tempo, with plenty of speed on in the early stages before it slackened and then picked up again down the back and far side of the expansive Riccarton course. Through all of this, Nest Egg and jockey Warren Kennedy settled into a smooth rhythm in seventh along the rail, biding their time until the business end of the race. Nest Egg began to work through his gears after rounding the home turn, but found himself with nowhere to go for the first half of the home straight. Kennedy spotted a narrow gap one off the rail, switched his mount back towards the inside and drove him through it. Nest Egg quickened sharply and burst through, taking command through the final 100m and scoring by a long neck from Oso Savvy (NZ) (Savabeel) and Aljay (NZ) (Rock ‘N’ Pop). “We’d planned to give him an economical run, since he’s racing again in a week’s time,” Kennedy said. “I was able to get him into a good position on the fence, a really quiet ride, and then he tracked up behind them and just had to wait for a gap. When the gap came, I put him through and he won the race still extending. It was a really, really good win.” Bred and part-owned by David Price and Brian Stewart, Nest Egg has now had 30 starts for five wins, six placings and more than $190,000 in stakes. “I was shaking my head at the 200 today,” Marsh admitted. “I was thinking, ‘Oh, here we go again, another hard-luck story.’ But Warren was patient and found a way through. It was lovely to see. “The horse jumped well today and put himself in a good spot, and Warren seems to get on well with him. He gets him into a really good rhythm. The horse is such a laid-back customer as well. “He was great today. He was very strong to the line. He’s probably not one of those sorts of horses that really wants to be held up and to have to dive back to the inside like that, but he did it well today. I think he’s right on track for the Cup and he’s going super.” View the full article

A three-time stakes placegetter over the last eight months, Not Guilty (NZ) (Not A Single Doubt)took the next step with a brilliant black-type breakthrough in Saturday’s Listed Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton. The Tony Pike-trained mare had made her stakes debut in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham in March, where she ran third and only half a length behind Maria Farina (NZ) (Contributer) and Shamus (NZ) (Shamexpress). Not Guilty added a close second placing in the Listed Power Turf Sprint (1200m) at Hastings in April to sign off her four-year-old season, then made another visit to Hawke’s Bay this spring and was runner-up behind Our Alley Cat (NZ) (Atlante) in last month’s Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m). On Saturday it was fourth time lucky in black-type company for Not Guilty, who dropped back to 1000m and packed too much power for a talented sprinting field. One of the quickest to leave the starting gates, Not Guilty was driven forward by jockey Lily Sutherland and took up a position on the outside of the front-running Third Decree (NZ) (War Decree). Sutherland went to work at the top of the straight and Not Guilty reciprocated, pinning her ears back and surging to the front. Last year’s Pegasus winner Lincoln’s Kruz (Kuroshio) chased hard through the final 200m, accompanied by The Radiant One (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and Imwonderfultonight (I Am Invincible), but Not Guilty kept kicking and held them all out by a half-neck. The time was 55.66 seconds – the second-fastest Pegasus in the last 14 years, beaten only by Sensei’s 55.00 in 2019. It was Sutherland’s fourth Listed win, having previously captured the Tauranga Classic (1400m) aboard Flower Of Wanaka (NZ) (Burgundy) and the Castletown Stakes (1200m) and Wanganui Guineas (1200m) with Chantilly Lace (NZ) (U S Navy Flag). This was her first-ever winning ride for Pike. “That’s an incredible thrill,” Sutherland said. “You’re only as good as the horses you sit on, so I really appreciate opportunities like this. I’m very grateful that he (Pike) and the connections have put me on this lovely little mare. “Coming back from that 1400m race last start, I thought she’d be quite well suited today. We wanted to go forward and be as close to the rail as we could get, then not push the button until the straight. She was very tough.” Saturday’s win was particularly satisfying for Pike, whose family’s VTW Breeding Company bred and owns the mare in partnership with Frontier Bloodstock. Not Guilty is by Not A Single Doubt out of the O’Reilly mare Notice Received (NZ) (O’Reilly), which makes her a half-sister to the multiple Australian Group Two winner and Group One-placed Subpoenaed (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle). From 15 starts, Not Guilty has recorded five wins and six placings, earning more than $208,000 in prize-money. “Lily has ridden her really well today,” Pike said. “It’s great for her. She’s a really good up-and-coming jockey, and it was nice to give her a good win today. “This mare has been really competitive in good sprint races late last season and in the early part of this spring. I suppose the query was dropping back from 1400m to 1000m today, but she’s a very game mare and she kept finding and won nicely. I think she’ll be better again in the Stewards’ (Gr.3, 1200m) next Saturday.” View the full article

Deny Knowledge ridden by Jamie Kah wins the Matriarch Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Deny Knowledge (+270) has led just about every step of the way in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes to give Jamie Kah her third winner from the first five races on Champions Day at Flemington. The daughter of Pride Of Dubai jumped well from the barrier and even though she took a while to cross the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained runners, Osmose (+650) and Soul Choice (+3300), the Michael Kent-trained galloper found the lead and set an even tempo. Kah gave her mount a good mid-race breather at the 800m mark before ramping the speed up again on the home turn, as Osmose went with her and took a comfortable lead on the rest of the field. With over three lengths between the leaders and the rest of the field, it was clear that Deny Knowledge and Osmose were going to fight out the finish, as they settled in for a ding-dong battle in the final 200m. After being headed by Osmose, Deny Knowledge kicked back and got her head down on the line to get the photo and claim her first Group 2 victory of her career. The Kris Lees-trained Amokura (+700) was heavily backed before the jump, but after jumping slowly and settling last, she had to make up several lengths to finish third, beaten half-a-length on the line. 2023 Matriarch Stakes Replay – Deny Knowledge | T: Michael Kent | J: Jamie Kah Michael Kent was very complimentary of his mare and Jamie Kah’s ride when he spoke post-race. “She’s a really good mare and the only time she hasn’t run well this prep was when she’s gone too hard,” Kent said. “At Caulfield, both times she’s run there, she went too hard. They had that big disco there and it really seemed to upset her. “The plan was to run her on Saturday to have the edge off for today and I’ve got to say that midrace I thought we were going too slow. “I said to Jamie 12, 12, 12, 12. She let her slow down to 12.8 but her strength is that she can maintain that gallop as long as she sits around that speed. “Great to have Jamie on. She rode her last week and full of confidence, she was. “She’s as good a jockey as I’ve ever seen. “I’ve had a lot of apprentices and she’s as good a jockey as I have ever soon. A beautiful horsewoman and very relaxed. “First winner she has ridden for me and I’m glad we’ve finally got one.” Jamie Kah brought up her third winner on Champions Day, and she spoke post-race. “Mick said to let her do her thing. Don’t push her, don’t pull her,” Kah said. “When she drew wide she jumped a little bit slow but I let her do her thing to get to the front and he’s got this horse flying. Her run last start was super. “Mick has timed it to perfection with her. She was good the other day. “That (last run) took the edge off her. She was a darling to ride today. “She relaxed, she settled. That helped her get the win in the end. “I didn’t really care if one of Gai’s horses kicked up. “I just wanted to ride her out. I was happy to cruise along outside of them. “She relaxed and that really helped her. She’s a talented horse.” More racing news View the full article

Muramasa ridden by Daniel Moor wins the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Muramasa (+380) continued his winning ways since returning as a gelding, smashing his rivals in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) on Saturday at Flemington, and securing his third-straight victory of the campaign. The Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained four-year-old was able to get into a lovely rhythm under Daniel Moor and take a sit mid-field with cover throughout the 2600m journey. It was a race set alight with a solid tempo courtesy of Knights Order (+2000) and Third Realm (+2200) charging to the lead, allowing some of the more favoured gallopers a luxurious run in transit. Duke De Sessa (+360) got into a perfect stalking position when turning for home, as did Ladies Man (+1300) as both looked to weave a passage to victory. It was to no avail, however, as Muramasa simply outmatched his rivals, with the low-weighted son of Deep Impact storming away with the prize. 2023 Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Replay – Muramasa | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Daniel Moor Victory on Saturday assures Muramasa a spot in next year’s Melbourne Cup and co-trainer Natalie Young was on course to speak about her progressive stayer. “This means he is qualified for the big race next year,” said Young. “The owners love this horse. I remember being at Inglis and thinking I’d pay $800,000 for him and he was half the price of that. “I thought he was going to turn into something one day and hopefully it is a Melbourne Cup horse. “He’s got a real turn-of-foot and this race panned out for the goals in a year’s time. “We’ve just got to keep it together for the Zipping, so he might do that. Just has to pull up well.” Jockey Daniel Moor has taken the reins on all three occasions this preparation, and although he wasn’t always confident, spoke to the class of his mount. “It was a little sticky first time out of the straight,” said Moor. “I was awkwardly placed and had to bide our time before getting down to the fence. “He didn’t parade well, he didn’t go to the start well, the crowd really got him stirred up which is not ideal when you’ve got to go over a trip. “I reckon I went 60 metres out of the gates and it was awkward. Once I got down the back, a good jockey – Steven Arnold – says always go to the rail and rest. “The main thing was to get him to rest and I knew he’d be strong late. He presented a little early because the run presented and I had to go. “Even though he was having a bit of a wander late he was very good. More racing news View the full article

Lily Sutherland drives Not Guilty to glory in the Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton Park on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South A three-time stakes placegetter over the last eight months, Not Guilty took the next step with a brilliant black-type breakthrough in Saturday’s Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton. The Tony Pike-trained mare had made her stakes debut in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham in March, where she ran third and only half a length behind Maria Farina and Shamus. Not Guilty added a close second placing in the Listed Power Turf Sprint (1200m) at Hastings in April to sign off her four-year-old season, then made another visit to Hawke’s Bay this spring and was runner-up behind Our Alley Cat in last month’s Group 3 Spring Sprint (1400m). On Saturday it was fourth time lucky in black-type company for Not Guilty, who dropped back to 1000m and packed too much power for a talented sprinting field. One of the quickest to leave the starting gates, Not Guilty was driven forward by jockey Lily Sutherland and took up a position on the outside of the front-running Third Decree. Sutherland went to work at the top of the straight and Not Guilty reciprocated, pinning her ears back and surging to the front. Last year’s Pegasus winner Lincoln’s Kruz chased hard through the final 200m, accompanied by The Radiant One and Imwonderfultonight, but Not Guilty kept kicking and held them all out by a half-neck. The time was 55.66 seconds – the second-fastest Pegasus in the last 14 years, beaten only by Sensei’s 55.00 in 2019. It was Sutherland’s fourth Listed win, having previously captured the Tauranga Classic (1400m) aboard Flower Of Wanaka and the Castletown Stakes (1200m) and Wanganui Guineas (1200m) with Chantilly Lace. This was her first-ever winning ride for Pike. “That’s an incredible thrill,” Sutherland said. “You’re only as good as the horses you sit on, so I really appreciate opportunities like this. I’m very grateful that he (Pike) and the connections have put me on this lovely little mare. “Coming back from that 1400m race last start, I thought she’d be quite well suited today. We wanted to go forward and be as close to the rail as we could get, then not push the button until the straight. She was very tough.” Saturday’s win was particularly satisfying for Pike, whose family’s VTW Breeding Company bred and owns the mare in partnership with Frontier Bloodstock. Not Guilty is by Not A Single Doubt out of the O’Reilly mare Notice Received, which makes her a half-sister to the multiple Australian Group Two winner and Group One-placed Subpoenaed. From 15 starts, Not Guilty has recorded five wins and six placings, earning more than $208,000 in prize-money. “Lily has ridden her really well today,” Pike said. “It’s great for her. She’s a really good up-and-coming jockey, and it was nice to give her a good win today. “This mare has been really competitive in good sprint races late last season and in the early part of this spring. I suppose the query was dropping back from 1400m to 1000m today, but she’s a very game mare and she kept finding and won nicely. I think she’ll be better again in the Stewards’ (Group 3, 1200m) next Saturday.” More racing news View the full article

John Size has won a record 12 Hong Kong training championships. John Size hopes a powerful string headed by HK$3.72 million Class 1 Panasonic Cup Handicap (1400m) contenders Tuchel and Red Lion will deliver the master trainer’s 1,500th Hong Kong win at Sha Tin on Saturday. Bidding to become only the second handler after fellow Australian John Moore (1,735) to prepare 1,500 winners or more in Hong Kong, Size was both reflective and future focused as he contemplated the landmark. “All the milestones are important and you tick off things as they go along. One thing about records or milestones that you attain, they’re there forever, they’re part of history and they’re pretty important. Hopefully, I’ll get the 1,500 soon and we’ll put it behind us,” said Size, who will saddle 11 runners tomorrow. Entered for the Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) on December 10, Hong Kong Derby (2000m) runner-up Tuchel resumes under Hugh Bowman from barrier six with Size anticipating another strong campaign from the gelding. “He raced consistently all the way through the season, he was in pretty good shape most of the time and he acquitted himself very well – he just got beaten (a short head by Voyage Bubble) in the Derby and I suppose that was a very good effort,” Size said. “He’s had a good break and a bit of time off to try and recuperate. He seems alright at the moment and we’ll learn more when we go to the races. He’s got a handicap (135lb) that he has live up to and perform first-up from a break, which is not easy to do, but he’ll have to improve on that to win the race. So, if he can run up to his handicap, he’s probably doing very well.” With six wins and seven minor placings from 16 starts, Tuchel has advanced from a rating of 52 to 106. Size will also be represented by another HKIR entrant Red Lion, who is again shaping positively after strong recent trials. “He trials well normally probably because of the surface of the all-weather track at Sha Tin – I think he handles it okay. He does look good in the trials, but he takes it to the races also. He’s been very consistent, he’s a very diligent worker, he likes his training and his racing and he always seems to run a good race in all different track conditions,” Size said. Red Lion, winner of four of 13 starts in Hong Kong, will be ridden by Alexis Badel from barrier one. Resuming following after missing five meetings through suspensions, Bowman will also ride David Hall-trained Invincible Sage – another LONGINES HKIR entrant – as he bids to cut Zac Purton’s two-win lead in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship. “He (Invincible Sage) was dominant off a pretty hot speed last start and hopefully they’ll run along again,” Bowman said. “When I asked him for an effort (last start), his performance was outstanding – I think it’s fair to expect a similar performance. “I think there’s still progression, he came from Australia with good, consistent form, lightly-raced and he seems to have settled in well, he’s got the right temperament to do well in Hong Kong. I guess this is still a stepping stone but, win, lose or draw tomorrow, I can still see him being effective once he goes up into Class 2, this horse.” Assessing Hong Kong’s sprinting ranks headed by Lucky Sweynesse and Wellington, Bowman is optimistic Invincible Sage can advance from his current mark of 80 to eventually contend at higher levels. “Outside of those two (Lucky Sweynesse and Wellington), we’re waiting to see who’s going to put their hand up and I’ll be as interested as everyone else to see where this guy measures up,” Bowman said. “Whether it’s just now or six or 12 months away, he’s a pretty handy horse.” More racing news View the full article

Champions Stakes Day signifies the final day of the Flemington carnival, and it promises to be a doozy with three Group 1’s worth $9 million to be run and won. View the full article

Cup Week is upon us! And we’ve got all the information you need to get amongst it on Cup Day! Our 2023 Cup Day form guide includes selections and previews from Michael Guerin, Jonny Turner and Mike Love; fun facts from Dave Di Somma; full fields and a Sweepstake kit for the office. Click here for the Form Guide Click here to download the sweepstake kit View the full article

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis LEXINGTON, KY – Three Witches (Into Mischief) provided the highlight of a workaday Book 2 section of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale when selling for $1.7 million Friday in Lexington. Book 2 opened with a uneven session Thursday at Keeneland, but activity was more consistent throughout Friday's Book 2 finale. “It was a solid day of trade,” said Keeneland's Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. “From start to finish, it felt a little more consistent and healthy today. Yesterday was a little bumpy, the clearance rate was a little higher than we probably would have liked, but today was a lot more consistent.” Through the two Book 2 sessions, 444 horses sold through the ring for a total of $69,520,000. The section's average of $153,599 was down 15.1% from the 2022 Book 2 figure, while the median fell 20%. “There is certainly a little bit of an adjustment through the marketplace, but I think everyone felt pragmatic about it,” Lacy said. “I think it was an encouraging day. The money is still here for the right horses.” Consigned by Indian Creek on behalf of Bob Edwards's e Five Racing, Three Witches brought the section's top price when selling for $1.7 million in the name of Rifa Mustang Europe, Ltd. “Quality mares, young mares, well bred with the right breeding and not overly exposed, were highly desirable,” said Lacy. “I think that's been the consistent theme that we've seen so far. When we saw Three Witches go through for $1.7 million going to a client that is pretty established internationally, that's really encouraging. We are seeing that international investment still here.” Justify, who had a pair of winners on Breeders' Cup weekend, was represented by the top two weanlings during Friday's session. Paul Sharp went to $525,000 for a daughter of the Triple Crown winner and AAA Thoroughbreds acquired a colt for $425,000. The Keeneland November sale continues through Nov. 16 with sessions beginning daily at 10 a.m. Three Witches Stars at Keeneland Friday Three Witches (Into Mischief) (hip 936), just a week removed from a third-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint, became the 12th seven-figure filly of the Keeneland November sale when selling for $1.7 million to the internet bid of Rifa Mustang Europe, Ltd. The 4-year-old is expected to stay in training in the U.S. next year. “She'll stay here in America and we'll try again on the racetrack,” said Keeneland Australian representative Barry Bowditch. “For a mare that raced five days ago, in one of the strongest Breeders' Cup races of the week, she looked so well and handled the trip back so well. You just feel that the best of her racing is yet to come. It will be great to have a new investor racing horses here in America.” The spell is cast at $1.7 million for Three Witches.#KeeNov @IndianCreekKy @e5Racing pic.twitter.com/634fpWBgEB — Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) November 10, 2023 Bowditch said a trainer is still being discussed for the filly's 2024 campaign. Bloodstock agent Mike Ryan purchased Three Witches on behalf of Bob Edwards's e Five Racing for $350,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September sale. Trained by Saffie Joseph, the dark bay earned a trip to the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita with a win in the GIII Princess Rooney S. in October. “It's always a hard decision [to sell] when you have something special that's won a Grade III and you drop her in the Breeders' Cup and, at 30-1, she hits the board,” Edwards said. “We believed in her and Saffie did a phenomenal job suiting her up and getting that Princess Rooney win for us and getting to the Breeders' Cup. That was all Saffie.” Of the decision to send the graded-stakes winner through the ring at Keeneland, Edwards said, “I have a fair number of mares now. I have graded-stakes-winning mares on the roster and I figured I would move some inventory and see what happens next. We need to make room for up-and-coming stars.” Edwards admitted Three Witches' $1.7-million price tag was above expectations. “I was super excited with that result,” he said. “We knew there would be interest, we knew she would be the big horse for today. Keeneland did a phenomenal job. Chip McGaughey and his crew did a great job recruiting her and obviously bringing in the buyers. We were super happy with the job they did and the outcome was phenomenal. I wasn't expecting $1.7 million, but I was very happy to get it.” @JessMartiniTDN Sharp Splurges for Justify Filly Paul and Sarah Sharp, sitting in a back row of the sales pavilion, went to $525,000 to acquire a weanling filly by Justify (hip 975) from the Elite consignment Friday at Keeneland. The filly was the day's highest-priced weanling. “We have been trying to buy really nice horses like that from the beginning of the sale and across town [at Fasig-Tipton] as well,” Paul Sharp said. “It's been really hard.” Paul Sharp | Keeneland The bay filly is out of Ada Lovelace (Algorithms), a half-sister to sprint champion Mitole (Eskendereya) and to Grade I winner Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow). “That was a legit family and a very athletic, really nice filly by one of the best sires in the world at this time,” Sharp said. “I feel like that justified the price and we are very happy to have her. It was a little higher than we wanted to go, honestly, but we are running out of bullets.” The weanling was bred by Villa Rosa Stables, which purchased Ada Lovelace for $110,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November sale. “Right now, the plan is to sell her back next summer,” Sharp, who signed for the filly as CSWV, said. “We're not sure where, but that's the plan.” CSWV purchased another daughter of Justify Friday at Keeneland, going to $290,000 to acquire hip 793 from the Paramount Sales consignment. Through three sessions, the partnership has purchased five weanlings for $1,295,000. @JessMartiniTDN Justify Colt to AAA Thoroughbreds Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo's AAA Thoroughbreds, which has been busy buying weanlings from the Fasig-Tipton November sale Tuesday and into the first week of the Keeneland November sale, purchased a colt by Justify (hip 855) for $425,000 Friday in Lexington. Hip 855 | Keeneland “He's just a beautiful horse,” said Hartley. “We are big fans of Justify. When Scat Daddy passed away, we never dreamed that we would have another stallion that could replace him, let alone a Triple Crown-winning son of his. We came here in September and tried to buy every one that we could get our hands on. We bought, I think, six of them in September. We came here with the same goal in mind and the [Justify's two winners at the] Breeders' Cup just did it for us. He's the kind of stallion we haven't seen in a long time. I know Gun Runner got off to a really good start, but it looks like Justify is going to follow in the same suit.” The chestnut colt, consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, is out of Saralin (Curlin), a half-sister to graded winners Salutos Amigos (Salute the Sarge) and Sarah's Secret (Leroidesanimuax {Brz}). He was bred by Orpendale, Chelston, Wynatt, and Kaleem Shah. Shah and M.V. Magnier purchased Saralin for $1.3 million at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream sale. She made just one racetrack appearance and her first foal, another colt by Justify, sold for $300,000 at this year's Keeneland September sale. The mare proceeded her weanling into the ring, selling not mated to Shah for $285,000. Through three sessions, AAA Thoroughbreds has purchased 14 weanlings for $4,370,000. A filly by Curlin (hip 151) leads the operation's acquistions with a price tag of $550,000. Earlier in Friday's session, it acquired another colt by Justify (hip 812) for $250,000. “I just had a big order for babies–I needed about 20,” Hartley said. “I buy some for Tom Durant in Texas. He likes buying babies because he feels like he gets a little bit of a discount. This colt might have made $600,000 or $700,000 as a yearling. He feels he can save a little if he can get some nice babies. Some [that we are buying here] will be for pinhooking and some will go to him in Texas.” Also Friday, AAA Thoroughbreds added to its collection of weanlings by first-crop sire Yaupon. With the addition of a filly (hip 733) for $300,000, the operation has now purchased three weanlings by the Spendthrift stallion for $1.15 million. @JessMartiniTDN Colt By Nyquist Goes For $385K at KEENOV With the market continuing to remain competitive for weanlings, a colt by Nyquist (Hip 893) reached $385,000 at Keeneland Friday. Baroda Stud's David Cox signed the ticket on behalf of Goodwill Bloodstock. Hunter Valley Farm consigned the bay colt. The Feb. 10 foal is out of the Bernardini mare Spa Treatment, a daughter of SW and GISP Silver Knockers (Silver Deputy) and a half-sister to SW Manipulated (Malibu Moon). This is the extended family of Grade I winner Joe's Tammie (Zoning). “He's a real athlete, a great cross,” said Cox. “Hopefully, he'll be resold [pinhooked] next year. [Nyquist] is proven, and has good runners. We tried to buy a few more, but we got beat plenty, so we're delighted to get him.”–@CbossTDN Charlatan Colt Brings $370K Early on Day 3 A colt by Charlatan brought $370,000 from Stonestreet Stables during Friday's Book 2 finale at Keeneland. He was consigned as Hip 695 by John Stuart's Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services, acting as agent for Merribelle Stable. Charlatan | Coady Out of Hillhouse High (Exchange Rate), the Jan. 23 foal hails from the notable Sam-Son Farm family, including Canadian champions Regal Classic, Sky Classic, Classy 'N Smart and Always a Classic. Headed by this colt, 14 weanlings sold by the sire–with four surpassing the $200,000 mark–through three days of selling at Keeneland. The weanlings grossed $2,810,000, averaging $200,714. Charlatan stands for $50,000 LFSN at Hill 'n' Dale Farms in 2024. Campaigned by SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Fred Hertrich, III, John Fielding, and Golconda Stables, the son of Speightstown was trained by Bob Baffert. The 'TDN Rising Star' won his first four career starts, including the GI Arkansas Derby and GI Runhappy Malibu S. before finishing second in what would be his career finale in the 2021 G1 Saudi Cup. “Barbara [Banke] owns Charlatan and we still own a good piece of him as a stallion,” said Stonestreet advisor John Moynihan. “She really wanted a nice one, so he was one of the better ones we saw. [Charlatan's] weanlings have been really well received and we're really excited. We bought him to run. Barbara saw him [Thursday] and really liked him. Hopefully, we'll get Charlatan off to a good start.” Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services has already enjoyed a profitable run in the sales ring this week. Kicking things off with a bang, the operation sold Queen Caroline (Blame) (Hip 171), in foal to Flightline, for $3 million to John Stewart at Fasig-Tipton November Tuesday. And thus far at Keeneland, the consignment also hit a home run, selling Skims (Frankel {GB}) (Hip 125) for $1.8 million to Summer Wind Farm in Book 1. At Keeneland this week, the operation sold five head, grossing $2,437,000 with an average price of $487,400.–@CbossTDN The post $1.7m Three Witches Highlights Book 2 Finale at Keeneland November appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-DMR, $61K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 4:00 p.m. A couple of pricey colts will lineup for their Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert on Saturday at Del Mar. IMAGINATION (Into Mischief) was purchased for $1,050,000 as a yearling at Keeneland September by SF Bloodstock/Starlight Racing/Madaket before adding investors Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Robert Masterson, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovon and Tom Ryan. The bay colt out of GSW Magical Feeling (Empire Maker) counts Oaklawn Mile S. hero Exulting (Tapit) as a half-brother and GIII Monmouth Oaks heroine Occult as a full-sister. Under the third dam, we find GI Travers S. champ Golden Ticket (Speightstown). The other Baffert first time starter here is Pilot Commander (Justify), who winged his way during OBS March to a 9 4/5 furlong at the undertack breeze show and then jetted home with CSLR Partners for $700,000. The chestnut colt out of Rebuke (Carson City) is a half-brother to GSP Freedom Flyer (Constitution). TJCIS PPS The post Saturday Insights: Pricey Sons Of Into Mischief And Justify Debut At Del Mar For Baffert appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Mike Love Pinseeker turned heads yesterday at Rangiora when he won on debut in race three the Robyn Powell – Bayleys Maiden pace. Pinseeker is trained and driven by Leeston horseman Jonny Cox for who part-owner Peter Brindson describes are a “bunch of golfers” that purchased the gelding off gavelhouse during a covid lockdown in early 2020. “We weren’t surprised he won, but surprised how he won! We couldn’t have wished for a better start, said Brindson. The three-year-old came from well off the pace with a devastating finish to gun down Festus Haggen and Sophia’s Dream who dead-heated for second. “He’s got plenty of up side.” Pinseeker was pinpointed by Brinsdon and his good mate Iain Wilson on gavelhouse. Wilson also raced the good mare Folklore (winner of 13 races and over $185,000 in stakes) whom Jonny Cox also trained. “There are seven of us in the ownership of the horse. All golfers. A few new owners to harness racing too. “When we were bidding on the horse we discovered Kim Butt (Cox’s partner) was also bidding, so we had to tell her to stop bidding but that if we won the horse then they could train him.” Once that eventuated, the Downbytheseaside weanling arrived and he had “5 year old written all over him.” Pinseeker qualified in May this year, running second to the talented Tanzania before being set aside over winter. He had three trials prior to making his debut yesterday, winning his most recent. “Matthew Brindson, my brother, trains at Gore. So the interest has always been there. We had a few horses with John Cox, Jonny’s dad, when he was at Winton many years ago. “I’ve never had a horse win their first start!” Once the dust settles, the puzzle will piece itself together for Pinseeker. “He’s looking like he could make a good Country Cups type of horse, but in the meantime Jonny will map something out for him.” Pinseekers’ win made it a double in the cart for Jonny Cox, who also steered Bonnie Bagrie to win race five for trainer Sam Payne. View the full article

Making his first start on the main track after finishing a sneaky-good third when trying the turf on his Santa Anita debut Oct. 7. Zedan Racing Stables' Coach Prime (c, 2, Quality Road–Act Now, by Street Sense) was let off the leash with a furlong and a half to go Friday at Del Mar and powered away from his rivals to become the afternoon's second 'TDN Rising Star'. The joint third-priciest offering at last year's Keeneland September sale when hammering to bloodstock agent Donato Lanni for $1.7 million, was roughed up a bit after breaking from gate nine in a field of 10 and took a few awkward strides, but that bit of trouble at the start assured that he would be able to get in and save a bit of ground three wide around the first turn. Remaining a couple of paths off the inside down the backstretch, Coach Prime looked as if he'd like to go on with things at an early stage, but Flavien Prat sat hard against him, waiting for the right moment to set him alight. Shuffled back into sixth, but still well within striking distance as they raced towards the quarter pole, Coach Prime advanced in hand into the lane, and when he was asked to take a gap between horses, he burst through, got a single right-handed reminder and was shown the whip the rest of the way, graduating by 7 1/4 emphatic lengths as the somewhat chilly 7-5 favorite. Ostensibly named for University of Colorado football head coach Deion Sanders, Coach Prime is out of a winning half-sister to the stakes-placed The Right Path (Quality Road), a mare who was purchased for $150,000 in foal to Kitten's Joy at the 2020 Keeneland January Sale. The majority of the black-type in the family is under the colt's third dam, a half-sister to Minardi (Boundary) and Tale of the Cat (Storm Cat) who produced MGSW & MGISP Fed Biz (Giant's Causeway) and SW Spun Silk (A.P. Indy), the dam of GI Vosburgh S. winner Joking (Distorted Humor). Act Now is the dam of a yearling colt by Union Rags, was barren to Audible for 2023 and was most recently bred to Quality Road's son City of Light. 4th-Del Mar, $63,500, Msw, 11-10, 2yo, 1m, 1:37.18, ft, 7 1/4 lengths. COACH PRIME, c, 2, by Quality Road 1st Dam: Act Now, by Street Sense 2nd Dam: Always Trouble, by Bernardini 3rd Dam: Spunoutacontrol, by Wild Again Sales history: $1,700,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $43,920. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree. O-Zedan Racing Stables Inc; B-Kim Nardelli, Rodney Nardelli & William Werner & W S Farish (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Big win for Coach Prime today!! https://t.co/HUKZtM9TSs — Zedan Racing Stables, Inc (@ZedanRacing) November 10, 2023 The post Post Pattern: $1.7M Quality Road Colt Streaks Away to ‘Rising Star’ Tag appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse Racing on Saturday, November 11 will feature 12 meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meeting at Flemington, Rosehill, Doomben, Morphettville, Ascot, Alice Springs & Sha Tin (HK). Saturday Racing Tips – November 11, 2023 Flemington Racing Tips Rosehill Racing Tips Doomben Racing Tips Morphettville Racing Tips Ascot Racing Tips Alice Springs Racing Tips Sha Tin (HK) Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For November 11, 2023 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $145.31 odds return: Saturday, November 11, 2023 Flemington Race 2 – #5 Parisal Rosehill Race 10 – #10 Gustosisimo Doomben Race 9 – #1 Tidal Creek Morphettville Race 3 – #1 Hallstatt Ascot Race 2 – #8 Run Pattie Run | Copy this bet straight to your betslip As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on November 11, 2023 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Sailing into the weekend fresh off the Breeders' Cup might not sound like a bit of a letdown, but there is some graded racing scheduled that will cure any hangover of the purple and white variety. Across a triad of tracks, including Aqueduct, Woodbine and Churchill Downs, we find both Grade II and Grade III races over the turf and the Tapeta which should come as a welcome dose. First on Saturday, the Big A cards the GIII Pebbles S., which is a one mile battle on the Inner Turf. If Chad Brown trainee Rhiannon (Medaglia d'Oro) can build on her first grass attempt at second asking, which was an impressive seven-length score Sept. 16, then she's the pick. Before we send the bay filly straight to the winner's circle, don't count out her stablemate, Startup Mentality (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), who debuted a winner at Monmouth Park July 22. Nor should we negate the talent of GI Coaching Club Oaks runner-up Sacred Wish (Not This Time). The George Weaver trainee finished just off the board in the GIII Valley View S. at Keeneland Oct. 27. Towards the end of the Aqueduct card the renewal of the GII Red Smith S. includes a number of experienced older turf experts who will take on the 3-year-old upstart and younger brother to MGISW Nest (Curlin) in Lost Ark (Violence). Last seen winning the off the turf GI Jockey Club Invitational Oct. 7 during the Belmont at the Big A meet, the Todd Pletcher trainee is going to have his work cut out for him against the likes of MGISP Soldier Rising (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and GSW Verstappen (War Front). The Sunday action concludes in Ozone Park with the GIII Long Island S., which will be headlined by GSW Vergara (Noble Mission {GB}). Heading to Canada, Woodbine Racetrack puts on a pair of Saturday graded stakes races in the GIII Maple Leaf and the GII Bessarabian. Both have large fields, but the latter might be the most intriguing with several alums present from the GIII Ontario Fashion S. Oct. 14. Out of the bunch, look for GSW Loyalty (Hard Spun) to get back to her winning ways for Gainesway Stable and LNJ Foxwoods. Trucking down to Churchill Downs that same afternoon, the GIII River City S. is a nine-furlong route over the Matt Winn Turf Course. You'll recognize stalwarts GISW Rockemperor (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and GSW Cellist (big Blue Kitten), plus older colts like GSW Kitodan (Point of Entry), GSP Smokin' T (War Front) and GSW Grand Sonata (Medaglia d'Oro). A mark of consistency, SP Siege of Boston (War Front) takes his first shot at graded company for owner Joseph Allen and trainer James Toner. The post Dose Of Weekend Graded Stakes A Cure For Any Breeders’ Cup Hangover appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3rd-Del Mar, $63,500, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($80,000), 11-10, 2yo, f, 5fT, :57.39, fm, neck. JULIAS DREAM (f, 2, Flameaway–Cinnamon Girl, by Meadowlake) earned the title 'TDN Rising Star' at first asking Aug. 6 by the seaside oval when she won pillar to post by 5 1/2 lengths for her top five first-crop sire while sprinting over the turf. Switching to the main track in the GI Del Mar Debutante, she was a well-beaten eighth to fellow 'TDN Rising Star' Tamara (Bolt d'Oro). Back on the grass as the 3-5 choice here, the chestnut filly was challenged to the inside by Thermal (Nyquist), who is part-owned by Talla Racing. On even terms until the top of the lane, Julias Dream found another gear, put away her opponent and won by a neck over the surging Cheeky Gal (Maximus Mischief). The winner's dam, a full-sister to GISP Abby Girl (Meadowlake), produced a yearling colt by Air Force Blue, foaled a colt by Brody's Cause Apr. 10 and was bred to Blueblood for next year. Sales History: KEESEP; $180,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $87,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Talla Racing LLC; B-David Soblick (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. #5 JULIAS DREAM ($3.20) makes her return to the turf a winning one, taking the lead in the stretch and holding off a late rally by Cheeky Gal to win the 3rd at @DelMarRacing. The 2yo filly by @darbydanfarm's Flameaway was ridden by Flavien Prat for @mwmracing & Talla Racing. pic.twitter.com/F4DLIHWoQL — TVG (@TVG) November 10, 2023 The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Julias Dream Back On Del Mar Turf And In Winner’s Circle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The post Cody appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Winless over his last eight starts, with six of those coming in grade 1 company, Soldier Rising receives class relief in the $300,000 Red Smith Stakes (G2T) Nov. 11 at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

NBC's coverage of the Breeders' Cup Nov. 4 registered a .51 Nielsen Rating, reflecting approximately 834,000 television viewers, according to statistics published by Sports Media Watch.View the full article

Graded stakes winner Three Witches, most recently third in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) Nov. 4 at Santa Anita Park, sold for $1.7 million to Rifa Mustang Europe Nov. 10 during the third day of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.View the full article

Brookdale Racing and Mark Edwards's THORPEDO ANNA (f, 2, Fast Anna–Sataves, by Uncle Mo) proved that her wide-margin debut success in a sales price-restricted Keeneland maiden Oct. 26 was no fluke, backing up that performance with an even bigger one Friday at Churchill en route to 'TDN Rising Star' honors. Tightening from even money to jump at exactly 2-5, the $40,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling switched off beautifully and settled in a three-wide third behind fractions of :23.22 and :46.74. Slipped a bit of rein at the three-eighths, Thorpedo Anna was held together for the run into the stretch and went Brian Hernandez, Jr. went for her in earnest in upper stretch, the response was equal parts instantaneous and devastating, as Thorpedo Anna widened through the final eighth of a mile to take it by nine lengths without ever feeling the crop. She covered her final two furlongs in a very strong :23.84 while not fully extended. Sales history: $40,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O-Brookdale Racing & Mark Edwards; B-Judy Hicks (KY); T-Ken McPeek. #7 Thorpedo Anna was cut loose and dominates in R6 at Churchill Downs for trainer @kennymcpeek with @b_hernandezjr aboard! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/9J31QBv1qX — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) November 10, 2023 The post Fast Anna Filly Drops The ‘Hammer’ En Route to ‘Rising Star’ Honors appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Three Witches (Into Mischief) (hip 936), coming off a third-place effort in the GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint, sold for $1.7 million to the internet bid of Rifa Mustang Europe Friday at Keeneland. The 4-year-old filly was consigned by Indian Creek on behalf of Bob Edwards's e Five Racing. Out of Layreebelle (Tale of the Cat), Three Witches is a half-sister to graded winner Spellbound (Bernardini) and Kid Cruz (Lemon Drop Kid). The post Three Witches Smashes Through Seven-Figure Mark at Keeneland Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Insights features Noisy Music (Ire), the daughter of G1 Falmouth S. heroine Music Show (Ire) and is the lone filly in a nine-runner field. 12.15 Newcastle, £9,950, Mdn, 2yo, 6f (AWT) Jaber Abdullah's NOISY MUSIC (IRE) (Showcasing {GB}) is a Kevin Ryan-trained daughter of G1 Falmouth S. heroine Music Show (Ire) (Noverre). She is the lone filly in a nine-runner field and her eight rivals include Fiona Carmichael's Altmore (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}), a €360,000 Arqana August half-brother to two black-type performers produced by Listed Prix Dahlia victrix Keegsquaw (Ire) (Street Cry {Ire}), representing the in-form William Haggas stable. The post Daughter of Music Show in Line for Newcastle Bow appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New York-based Midnight Stroll, a graded stakes-winning Not This Time filly, is the 3-1 morning line favorite in the Nov. 11 Bessarabian Stakes (G2) for fillies and mares sprinting seven furlongs at Woodbine.View the full article

By Michael Guerin Two horses who a few months ago were the best and worst in Jeremy Young’s team gave him a winning double at Alexandra Park on Friday night. Because while nobody should be surprised Lady Of The Light won the night’s main pace it was only a short while ago Young doubted Gladys Greenland would even get to the races. At only her second start the three-year-old filly led throughout to beat In Excess and My Way in 1:55.4, the last 800m in 55.4 seconds in what will surely not be her last win. But it wasn’t always so easy for Gladys. “The first workout she had she finished 20 lengths last,” laughs Young. “She has just got better and better every time we take her off the place and she hasn’t finished yet. “I think she will continue getting better and I’m thrilled because her owner Murray Matthews is a great guy. “He bought her as a weanling and he is a sole owner, which are rare, and he just loves the trots and having a horse to race. “And now he has a really promising one.” More than promising is Lady Of The Light, who was registering career win number nine when she led and won the main pace from Jethro Bodine, the winner’s last 800m in 54.7 seconds giving those back in the field little chance. Lady Of The Light is the undoubted star of Young’s team and she went close to giving him Group 1 glory in the Breeders Stakes at Addington this season when beaten a head by Callies Delight in the NZ Breeders Stakes. “Those races will be her aim again, starting with the Queen Of Hearts here (Alex Park) next month,” says Young. “Then she will go to Addington for the two big mares’ race there and while that means taking on some good mares like Aardie’s Express with her you don’t have to worry. “She is so tough that if she gets a good draw you can go forward and roll those strong quarters and if they are good enough to come and beat it so be it. “But we don’t have to change her racing style because that is how she goes best and it means she can run the things you need to be competitive in those big races and he it doesn’t hurt her.” Young helped look after Swayzee when he stopped in in Auckland for two days this week before flying south and says the Aussie star looked great ahead of his New Zealand Cup bid. And he says there is more room at his stable. “We usually have more horses in work but we only have 12 at the moment and we are very open not only to new horses but South Island horses looking for easier racing and more regular racing.” View the full article

Geraldina looks for a return to form as she defends her title in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) at Kyoto Racecourse, but some promising 3-year-old fillies are ready to take their shot at dethroning her.View the full article