Wandering Eyes

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

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Kyoto and Tokyo Racecourses: Saturday, November 11, 2023 5th-KYO, ¥13,720,000 ($91k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800mT OSCAR BRAVE (c, 2, Oscar Performance–Russian Symbol {Ire}, by Danehill Dancer {Ire}), a $17,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $240,00 OBS April juvenile, is the latest foal out of a winning full-sister to Esoterique (Ire), who defeated the likes of Territories (Ire), Karakontie (Jpn) and Belardo (Ire) in the 2015 G1 Prix Jacques le Marois before validating short-odds favoritism in that year's G1 Sun Chariot S. Esoterique is related to five full stakes winners, among them champion French stayer Russian Hope (Ire) (Rock Hopper {GB}). This breeder acquired Russian Symbol, also the dam of the stakes-placed Rappel (Elusive Quality), for $400,000 in foal to Lonhro (Aus) at Keeneland November in 2013. B-Nancy S Dillman (KY) Sunday, November 12, 2023 4th-KYO, ¥13,720,000 ($91k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400m GENERALE (c, 2, Army Mule–Raging Atlantic, by Stormy Atlantic) sold twice as a yearling, first for $40,000 at Keeneland January and again for $100,000 at the auction house's September sale before changing hands for $290,000 at OBSAPR. The May 11 foal is out of a daughter of MSW & GSP Angel Trumpet (Cape Canaveral), who is also the dam of SW & GISP Seven Trumpets (Morning Line) and MSP Black Bear (Midnight Lute). B-Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings Inc & Jared Burdine (KY) 5th-TOK, ¥13,720,000 ($91k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600mT NOBLE ROGER (c, 2, Palace Malice–Noble Ready, by More Than Ready) is out of a mare who placed three times in stakes company for this breeder and whose Grade II-winning full-sister Zindaya is the dam of the outstanding sophomore turf horse Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). Noble Ready is also a half-sister to Western Aristocrat (Mr. Greeley), Group 3-placed in England before winning the 2011 Jamaica H. at Belmont and finishing third in that year's GI Hollywood Derby. Noble Roger cost $70,000 at OBS this past spring. B-Candy Meadows LLC (KY) The post Carl Spackler Family Represented Sunday at Tokyo appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

WinStar Farm's grade 1-winning millionaire Paynter, whose story of perseverance captivated the racing world in 2012, had to be euthanized due to lameness Nov. 10, the farm announced.View the full article

It has been a memorable 2023 for the team of Richard Rigney and Phil Bauer, and the duo aims to continue their success with their top 3-year-old filly Xigera, who is pointed to compete in the Falls City Stakes (G3) Nov. 23 at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Pleasant Acres Stallions is pleased to announce the arrival of Chess Chief, who will stand in Florida for the 2024 breeding season for a $5,000 fee.View the full article

Distance-loving race mare Vergara will attempt to add a second graded stakes win to her growing CV in the Nov. 12 $300,000 Long Island Stakes (G3T) for older fillies and mares going 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

Pleasant Acres Stallions welcomed 2021 Virginia Horse of the Year and GSW Chess Chief (Into Mischief) who will stand his inaugural season in Florida for a $5,000 fee, the farm said in press release on Friday. Bred by Morgan's Ford Farm, Chess Chief comes to the 220-acre breeding operation northwest of Ocala after finishing his racing career last January. The 7-year-old owned by the estate of James J. Coleman and trained by Dallas Stewart, earned $931,319 over the course of his career with his best effort coming when he won the GII New Orleans Classic at Fair Grounds. Out of the Mineshaft mare Un Blessed who is a half to the dam of MGSW Diabolical (Artax), Chess Chief was declared the Virginia-Bred Older Horse Champion at the same time he was recognized as the state's Horse of the Year. “Chess Chief is a wonderful addition to our stallion barn,” said Director of Stallion Services Christine Jones. “He was a talented athlete who beat Mucho Gusto, Long Range Toddy and twice he beat Roadster–all in graded events.” The post GSW Chess Chief Takes Up Residence For $5,000 Stud Fee At Pleasant Acres appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Geraldine Brooks, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Horse: A Novel, Nov. 9 was awarded first prize in Castleton Lyons's 17th annual Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award, the sponsor of the prize said in a release Friday. The work of fiction tells the story of 19th century racehorse and sire Lexington by moving back and forth through time and space from the antebellum South to modern day New York and Washington D. C. At a reception held at Castleton Lyons outside of Lexington, Brooks received a check for $10,000 and a Tipperary crystal trophy in the form of the farm's stone tower. Two finalists for the award– Kathryn Scanlan, for the novel Kick the Latch, and Mary Perdue for her biography of undefeated champion Landaluce–also received crystal trophies, along with $1,000 checks. “Thoroughbred literature was fortunate that an author of Geraldine Brooks's talent chose the subject of the great Lexington to weave a modern tale into this historical novel,” lead judge Kay Coyte observed. In addition to Coyte, the judging panel included FanDuel's Caton Bredar, and Annette Dashofy, author of last year's winning entry, Death By Equine. The post Author Of Horse Wins Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

4th-Meydan, AED165,000, Maiden, 3yo, 1600m, 1:39.07, ft. MESHTRI (c, 3, Medaglia d'Oro–Clothes Fall Off {MSW & MGSP, $485,860}, by Daaher) made the most of his belated racetrack debut to score by a hard-fought half-length. Spearing through to lead shortly after the break, the bay was overtaken by Nevershow Weakness (Lord Nelson) underneath him and was content to take the sit for the in-form James Orman. Asked to come after the front-runner as they turned into the straight, Meshtri drew on even terms with about 300 metres to travel and just held a brave Nevershow Weakness in the final stages. Second favourite Golden Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) hit his head on the top of the stalls pre-start, could not assume his typical position at the head of affairs, and dropped away to finish a long last.The winner's cleverly named dam, a daughter of the stakes-winning and Grade III-placed Tequilas Dayjur (Dayjur), was purchased by Candy Meadows for $400,000 at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Clothes Fall Off is also responsible for the 2-year-old colt Extensive (City of Light), a yearling filly by McKinzie (Street Sense) that sold for $190,000 at Keeneland September and a weanling filly by Street Sense. She was most recently bred to Not This Time. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $26,958. Click for the Emiratesracing.com chart. O-Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Candy Meadows LLC (KY); T-Michael Costa. ”He gave me a winning feeling throughout.”@JimmyOrman debriefs @_tomstanley_ after Meshtri wins so well on debut for @mcosta_racing #DubaiCarnival pic.twitter.com/0Dz0XSpK8h — Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) November 10, 2023 The post Medaglia d’Oro Colt Annexes Belated Debut at Meydan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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

CBS will air a segment on horse racing reform during its "60 Minutes" television news program Nov. 12. It will be broadcast Sunday along with two other segments during the show scheduled from 7-8 p.m. ET.View the full article

GISW Red Knight (Pure Prize) arrived safely at his new home on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at Old Friends in Georgetown, Kentucky, the retirement farm said in a release Friday morning. Bred, raced and donated by owner Tom Egan of Trinity Farm, the 9-year-old Red Knight was a stalwart campaigner over 38 races in which he was 12-9-2 with total earnings tallying at $1,886,338. The highlight of his lengthy career came this year when he won the GI Man o' War S. at Belmont Park May 13, becoming just the third 9-year old to win a Grade I race in New York. “He has a big personality,” Egan said. “He likes people, but he doesn't suffer fools, whether they're grooms or exercise riders.” Egan went on to thank trainer Mike Maker, who he believes made all the difference last year after he took over for Bill Mott, and helped the veteran runner capture the Man o' War S. “I stalked Tom Egan ever since the Saratoga meet concerning Red Knight,” said Old Friends President, Michael Blowen. “I adored Red Knight and knew that, at nine, his racing career was nearing the end. Tom was gracious enough to acknowledge my adoration and, now, his wonderful horse is here. What could be better?” The post Veteran Racer Red Knight Arrives At Old Friends appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

WinStar's Grade I-winning millionaire Paynter, whose story of perseverance captivated the racing world in 2012, had to be euthanized on Friday, Nov. 10, due to lameness, the farm said in a release Friday morning. The 2009 son of Awesome Again captured the 2012 GI Haskell Invitational S. and finished a close second in that year's GI Belmont S. en route to career earnings of $1,101,924 for owner Zayat Stables and trainer Bob Baffert. After nearly wiring the field in the 2012 GI Belmont S. and winning the GI Haskell Invitational, Paynter developed a fever and was subsequently found to be suffering from colitis. His condition at the time required a lengthy hospital stay, and his life-threatening medical crisis was chronicled on social media under the hashtag #PowerUpPaynter. His remarkable bravery, along with the exceptional veterinary care he received, led to a full recovery. As a result, racing enthusiasts chose to award Paynter the 2012 Vox Populi Award and acknowledged his courageous journey as the NTRA's “Moment of the Year.” Following his recovery, Paynter rejoined Baffert's barn in 2013 and the 4-year-old capped off his improbable comeback with a memorable 4 1/2-length win at Hollywood Park in June. He also went on to finish second in the GI Awesome Again S. and the GII San Diego H. before retiring to WinStar Farm following an unplaced effort in that year's Breeders' Cup Classic. Paynter | WinStar Farm As a stallion, Paynter successfully passed on his unique blend of talent and courageousness. In 2021, he was a Top 10 General Sire, led by his chief earner and Horse of the Year Knicks Go, who bankrolled $9,258,135 in his stellar racing career. Horse of the Year and Champion Older Male, Knicks Go numbers among his victories the 2021 GI Breeders' Cup Classic, the 2021 GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S., the 2021 GI Whitney S., and the 2020 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. He was also a Grade I winner at 2-years-old when he got his picture taken in the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland. Paynter is also the sire of multiple stakes winners Miss Leslie, an earner of $873,530, and Harpers First Ride, an earner of $699,664. This year, Paynter is represented by MSW Hybrid Eclipse, and SW Misty Mauve, SW Diamond Dust, and SW C R Insta Gator. All told, Paynter has sired 49 black-type horses, 24 black-type winners, and has progeny earnings of $39,281,733. His runners have won on all surfaces from five furlongs to 1 ½ miles. A $325,000 yearling purchase at the Keeneland September Sale in 2010, Paynter was produced from Tizso (Cee's Tizzy), a full sister to Tiznow, a two-time GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner, Horse of the Year and a leading sire during his stallion career. Paynter was bred in Kentucky by Diamond A Racing Corp. The post Always A Courageous Fighter, WinStar Stallion Paynter Euthanized appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fans of the film Withnail and I, which surely includes every reader of TDN, will be all too familiar with Withail's immortal line: “We've gone on holiday by mistake.” Dave Lowe could claim similarly that he became a breeder by mistake. As mistakes go, however, it has been one with a joyous outcome, for Lowe is the owner/breeder of one the most spectacularly progressive fillies in training. Sparks Fly (GB), a daughter of Muhaarar (GB), is out of a mare whom Lowe raced in partnership with friends. Named Stepping Out (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}), she won three of her seven races for Tom Dascombe and when injury curtailed her career, Lowe couldn't bear to part with her. “I had no intention at all to breed from her. I had this idea that my daughter might ride her one day,” he says. “If you look at her page though, it's not bad. Everything her mum has bred has won.” Indeed, Stepping Out's dam Teodora (Ire) (Fairy King) was a winner herself and bred eight winners from eight runners, and her 12-year-old daughter is continuing in a similar vein. Three of Stepping Out's first four foals have raced and are multiple winners, all trained by Dave Loughnane. Baby Steps (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}) came first and won four of his 56 starts and, remarkably, was in the first three on another 30 occasions. Caroline Dale (GB) (Lethal Force {Ire}) was next and was third in the G2 Queen Mary S. before winning twice. Rated 92, she is now one of five broodmares owned by Lowe, all of whom board at Kinsale Stud in Shropshire. Like her mother, Caroline Dale is currently in foal to Oasis Dream (GB). Sparks Fly is to date the best of them all. From her debut in January she has now won eight of her 14 races, first winning off a mark of 59 in April, and now rated 107 following her 12-length romp in the Listed Prix Isola Bella at Saint-Cloud under Laura Pearson. She has run every month this year bar August when the ground was too firm, and is scheduled to have one last hurrah for the year back in France. If you've spotted something of a sprint theme here, it is because Lowe has attempted to emulate that noted queen of speed, Fiona Denniff, and he had good reason. Lowe owned the nine-time winner Kachy (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}), bred by Denniff Farms, whose victories included the G3 Molecomb S. as well as finishing runner-up to Quiet Reflection (GB) in the G1 Commonwealth Cup and third behind Blue Point (Ire) in the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. Sadly, Kachy suffered a fatal injury in running at Lingfield in February 2020. Of his new passion for breeding, Lowe says, “I find it really exciting. And when they get to this level it's like dreamland. I don't claim to know lots about it. When I picked Muhaarar as a stallion it was really because I was looking around to see what other people were using at the time, and I noticed that Fiona Denniff was using Muhaarar. And I thought to myself that if she was using him he couldn't be that bad.” He continues, “To date, we've not sold any of the offspring but there will come a time when we have to because we now have five broodmares. “When Kachy passed on in 2020, Sparks Fly was born two months later. At that point I was at an all-time low, thinking that I hated this game, it was a real lull. And then she came along. And the way she won at Saint-Cloud, how far she won by, really reminded me of Kachy.” Based in Wigan himself, Lowe has not just his broodmares in Shropshire but also his horses in training, at Loughnane's yard at Helshaw Grange. Sparks Fly, who is nominated for the ROA Special Merit Award, and who has won one more race this season than her fellow nominee Quinault (Ger), will remain in training as a four-year-old. Lowe says, “Dave thinks she'll be even better next year when she fills out. He's done a good job with all the family and he doesn't rush them, it's not a production line. Sparks Fly wasn't ready as a two-year-old so he just put her away, he knew there was no rush. “And then when she ran in January she was as green as grass. It's unbelievable to look at her now.” Sparks Fly now holds an entry back at Saint-Cloud on Friday in the Listed Prix Tantieme over her favoured trip of a mile, and where she is likely to find the underfoot conditions to her liking. “The last time she ran I didn't even scream because she was so far out in front I knew two furlongs out that she had won it. I was stunned more than anything,” Lowe admits. “I think she likes the routine, she races with her ears pricked and she gets on with Laura so well. If the ground is right it's tempting to go again with her. She's bouncing, absolutely bouncing.” The post ‘She’s Bouncing’: Prolific Sparks Fly Set for French Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gainesway stallion and GI Breeders' Cup Mile hero Karakontie (Jpn) (Bernstein) will stand for $15,000 LFSN, the farm said in a release Friday morning. Bred and raced by the Niarchos Family, Karakontie campaigned in France, where he won a pair of group races at 2-year-old, including the G1 Qatar Prix Jean Luc Lagardere Grand Criterium. The future sire trained on as a 3-year-old to capture the classic G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains-French 2000 Guineas before traveling to Santa Anita for that Breeders' Cup win. Karakontie continues to serve as one of the best value sires in Kentucky with runners like She Feels Pretty, who won the GI Natalma S. and placed in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf; Foreign Relations, winner of the GIII Louisville S. at Churchill; and Princess Grace, a multiple Grade II winner and multiple Grade I performer of over $1.8 million. Also of note, Spendarella, winner of last year's GI Del Mar Oaks, GII Appalachian S., GIII Herecomesthebride S., and runner-up in the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot, was runner-up in this year's GI Just A Game S. and GII Churchill Distaff Turf Mile S. In the sales ring this year, yearlings by Karakontie hammered down for upwards of $525,000. The post Karakontie’s Gainesway Stud Fee At $15,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday's top tips from the SCMP analystsView the full article

The G1 Grand Prix de Paris winner Onesto (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) has been retired to Haras d'Etreham, where he will be introduced at a fee of €12,500. From the Juddmonte family which includes Hasili (GB) and her stallion sons Dansili (GB), Cacique (GB) and Champs Elysees (GB), Onesto was named a TDN Rising Star at two and was also placed in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Irish Champion S. He is in the process of being syndicated. Next season, the Etreham sires Persian King (Ire) and Hello Youmzain (Fr) both have their first crop of runners in action. Persian King, a Classic-winning son of Kingman (GB), has had his fee held at €25,000, while the fee for dual Group 1-winning sprinter Hello Youmzain, the only son of Kodiac (GB) in France, also remains static at €22,500. Almanzor (Fr), the former European champion three-year-old and first major breakthrough runner for his prodigious sire Wootton Bassett (GB), has had his fee cut from €25,000 to €10,000. Completing the Flat roster is City Light (Fr), the leading first-season sire in France with 13 individual winners and a son of champion sire Siyouni (Fr). He remains on his fee of €7,000. “This will be a very special season at Etreham because we welcome Onesto with pride and great enthusiasm, and because 2024 will see the first progeny of our young stallions Hello Youmzain and Persian King on the track. These are important and highly motivating events for a stud farm,” said Etreham's Nicolas de Chambure. “We are committed to offering breeders the very best and we are delighted to be able to offer stallion profiles such as these for the new breeding season.” The post Onesto Joins Etreham Roster at €12,500 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There will be a change of scene for Shadwell's British-based stallions, who will move from Nunnery Stud to be located at the historic Beech House Stud in Newmarket for the 2024 breeding season. As previously announced, the dual Group 1 winner Mostahdaf (Ire) joins the roster for next year and will be introduced at a fee of £15,000. The son of Frankel (GB) is rated joint-second in the world rankings with Arc winner Ace Impact (Fr) on a mark of 128, just a pound lower than Equinox (Jpn). Shadwell's star turn Baaeed (GB), who was the top-rated turf horse in the world in 2022, remains at his opening fee of £80,000, having covered 162 mares in his first book. “Shadwell are delighted to welcome Mostahdaf to the stallion roster for 2024,” said Stephen Collins, Shadwell's European bloodstock manager. “He was an outstanding winner of both the G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes, where he was the highest-rated winner of the race since Dubai Millennium, and the G1 Juddmonte International Stakes: a remarkable historic double as only two horses have won both races in the same season in the last 50 years. “Mostahdaf has a pedigree packed with natural speed, being closely related to champion sprinters Pastoral Pursuits and Goodricke, and he was a winner himself over seven furlongs on debut. He is a quality, well balanced, imposing individual with an athletic walk and, being a son of the remarkable Frankel, he should prove very popular with breeders.” Mohaather (GB), whose first runners will appear on the track next season, completes the line-up in England and will stand at a fee of £12,500, which is down from €15,000 this year when he covered 99 mares. Tasleet (GB) will not stand for Shadwell this year, with a new location for the sire of top sprinter Bradsell (GB) to be announced in due course. Derrinstown Stud in Ireland is home to Minzaal (Ire), whose fee is unchanged in his second season and remains at €15,000. “Minzaal is the highest-rated son of both his sensational sire Mehmas and the best at stud of his grandsire Acclamation,” said Collins. “He covered 161 mares in his first season. As the highest-rated sprinter in Europe in 2022, we are expecting him to prove popular yet again.” Classic winner Awtaad (Ire), the sire of Group/Grade 1 winners Anmaat (Ire) and Anisette (GB) in 2023, will remain at his fee of €5,000. Collins added, “Shadwell's stallion roster gives breeders the opportunity to use top-class stallions at affordable, commercially attractive prices. We recognise the prevailing market correction at the yearling sales this autumn and all our stallions will have special live foal concessions. We look forward to discussing your requirements for the 2024 breeding season.” Shadwell has also launched a new banner to unite the European arms of the operation: Beech House Stud and Nunnery Stud, Derrinstown Stud, and the racing operation. The post Shadwell Fees: Mostahdaf Starts Out at £15,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Moe Racecourse. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Moe Racecourse will have a facelift in the new year, with an investment from the Allan Labor Government to increase the quality and accessibility of its facilities. Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines today welcomed the upgrades, which have been co-funded between the Labor Government, the Moe Racing Club and Racing Victoria. The project will deliver new and improved jockey rooms, as well as a redesign of the administration building. To improve accessibility, new bathroom facilities for people with disabilities or compromised mobility will be built along with a lift to improve access to upper levels of the administration building installed. The $1 million investment from the Victorian Racing Industry Fund will support the project, with the Moe Racing Club contributing almost $2 million and Racing Victoria providing a further $300,000. This project will ensure jockeys, trainers and staff attending Moe Racecourse are provided with high quality and fit for purpose facilities on race days. The community will also benefit with the creation of 80 jobs during the construction phase, which began in July this year and is expected to be completed by April 2024. Since December 2014, the Labor Government has invested more than $1.3 million to support nine thoroughbred racing events and six infrastructure projects at the Moe Racing Club. More racing news View the full article

After a promising start to the campaign, the South African jockey has seven chances to carry on his good form at Sha Tin on SaturdayView the full article

Italian jockey, who sits fifth in the premiership with 10 wins, continues his association with the undefeated Champion Method on SaturdayView the full article

Australian rider’s eight-strong book includes Hong Kong Derby placegetter Tuchel and last-start winner Invincible SageView the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk For 35 years food has played a huge role in Graeme Jones’ life. Right now, as Addington’s Events Centre Manager, he has a key role in feeding the thousands who will flock to the raceway on IRT New Zealand Cup day next Tuesday and then Show day three days later. But this year Jones has a side hustle – he is a published author and his brand new book, Bulls#*t and Barbecues, has just gone on sale. “It started as a project during Covid and now it’s 427 pages and it’s not that bad,” Jones says. It reflects his cooking journey, from an apprenticeship at The George Hotel in Christchurch to Executive Chef stints in the Bay of Islands and Whangarei, and then back to Christchurch to work for Continental Caterers and then Airport Sudima Hotel before arriving at Addington in 2010 pre-earthquake. “This book is not just here’s a recipe and here’s a picture, it’s got some narrative and I tell a few yarns.” “The recipes come from many years of doing this – I’ve got decades of industry experience, there’s not a lot I haven’t done.” The self-described “colourful character” was approached by a publisher friend and “fellow foodie”, Beau Davidson during the pandemic in 2021. “I’ve never written a book or anything, I’d written an IOU once,” he laughs, “and he asked me if I wanted to write a book about barbecuing – giving a few tips, the dos and don’ts, that sort of thing.” Living on a lifestyle block in North Canterbury, Jones is a habitual early riser – “I’m up at 2am every morning and start work at 3” – and he found himself with plenty of time to get to work. “I’d just put on a bit of music and get tapping away – nothing else to do during lockdown.” He wrote each and every day, many times at both ends of the day – “in the evenings the pinot would get opened and off I’d go!” “There’s a bit of my humour in there – for instance in the “need to destroy” section there is just one entry – “condensed milk salad dressing, can’t stand it, hated it as a kid, just don’t get it!” It’s intentionally New Zealand centric. “It’s very much go down to the shops and buy the groceries – no point writing about stuff you can’t find at the supermarket.” And it canvasses a myriad of things related to barbecuing. “There’s picking the style of barbecue, picking the fuel, what to do and what not to do, how to light the barbie, and everything else – hot smokers, cold smokers, brining, herbs, spices, rubs, chillis – you name it.” “I write how I’d like to show people.” As you’d expect proteins feature prominently and Jones has his own personal favourites. “These days everyone goes for brisket but I actually prefer chuck steak – it’s got more flavour. And it could be a 10 hour cook and I’d cook it just for a burger for my dinner.” “Seafood too is always a crowd pleaser” And then there’s salads , vegetables and even deserts. “Pavlova roulade is great on the barbecue or some apple fritters.” After starting out in 2021 Jones finished writing the book earlier this year though it has had some finessing since then. “The editor took me to town on some things – couldn’t say some things because I’d upset some people!” The initial print run is 3000 copies, with the book selling for $50. “We’ve sold 200 just through word of mouth and with Christmas coming up and clients always looking for gifts I’m hopeful it will go alright.” And writing and completing his first book must have an ok experience – he’s already started on his second. To purchase a copy view here (https://www.dhdpublishing.com/product/bullsht-barbecues/) A promo code can be used on the purchase page for a discount of 20% – BSBBQ20 View the full article