Wandering Eyes

What Pakenham Races Where Pakenham Racecourse – 420 Nar Nar Goon–Longwarry Rd, Tynong VIC 3813 When Friday, November 10, 2023 First Race 6:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Friday night racing heads to Pakenham Racecourse, where a competitive eight-part meeting awaits punters. Perfect conditions are forecast for the region on Thursday and Friday, meaning we should see an upgrade to a Good 3 at some stage. Despite the rail coming out 6m from the 1000m-400m and then out 5m for the remainder, there should be no bias on what is one of the fairer tracks in Victoria. Racing commences at 6:15pm AEDT. Best Bet at Pakenham: Rackemann Rackemann went to the paddock a winner after breaking his maiden in style at Sandown on August 30. The Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained galloper chased home the likes of Shuffle Dancer and Flying Temptress in his initial campaign and was far from disgraced. We expect Jye McNeil to use gate four to his advantage and lead from barrier to box. Best Bet Race 8 – #4 Rackemann (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Jye McNeil (60kg) +110 with Betfair Next Best at Pakenham: War Frontier War Frontier broke his maiden first-up at Ballarat before putting in a thunderous finish to salute at the Moe 1600m on October 20 in a BM64. He stays at the mile and in similar company on Friday night, and despite going up 2kg, he looks the one to beat. The long straight at Pakenham should suit the son of War Front perfectly as he builds through the gears with the big weight under Beau Mertens. Next Best Race 7 – #3 War Frontier (7) 4yo Horse | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Beau Mertens (61.5kg) Bet with PendleburyBet Next Best Again at Pakenham: El Soleado Robbie Laing’s El Soleado returns from a four-month spell and comes back to the track where he broke his maiden in what has proved to be a hot form reference. He would then go on to Sandown and defeat the smart Who Dares before putting in an end-of-prep run at Flemington. Despite not filling a top-three spot in two fresh runs, El Soleado can break the first-up duck against this field. Next Best Again Race 6 – #5 El Soleado (13) 4yo Gelding | T: Robbie Laing | J: Jamie Mott (61.5kg) Bet with Dabble Friday quaddie tips for Pakenham Pakenham quadrella selections Friday, November 10, 2023 1-2-3-4 5-10-14 3-4 4-9 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Muramasa, ridden by Daniel Moor, wins the Coongy Cup at Caulfield Racecourse on October 18, 2023. (Photo: Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) has brought together 14 stayers to compete for a $300,000 prize packet this Saturday at Flemington, including several gallopers that just missed out on a Melbourne Cup run. After bypassing the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), the Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained Muramasa is pegged as a clear +340 favourite with online bookmakers. The son of Deep Impact has a new lease on his racing life since returning as a gelding and will be attempting to secure his third-straight victory. Jockey Daniel Moor has been a major contributor to the success of Muramasa and continues his association with the four-year-old, who is drawn in barrier eight. There is a strong contingent listed at single figures, with the Kris Lees-trained Luncies holding the second line of betting at +550. Most of the top betting sites cannot split Duke De Sessa and Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) winner Amade, who share the third line at +600 apiece. Meanwhile, So Dazzling and Taramansour have both gained some support, sharing the +800 quote. The 2023 Queen Elizabeth Stakes is the first of five Group races scheduled at Flemington on Saturday and will take place at 2:30pm AEDT. VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2023 field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Ladies Man Allan Sharrock Opie Bosson 1 58kg 2 Duke De Sessa Ciaron Maher & David Eustace John Allen 2 57.5kg 3 Knights Order Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 5 57.5kg 4 Luncies Kris Lees Mark Zahra 14 57.5kg 5 Amade Phillip Stokes Zac Spain 10 56kg 6 Hezashocka Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) TBC 7 55.5kg 7 Regal Power John Leek (Jnr) Michael Dee 6 54.5kg 8 Kukeracha Chris Waller Chris Williams 9 54kg 9 Muramasa Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Daniel Moor 8 54kg 10 Third Realm Anthony & Sam Freedman Jamie Kah 12 54kg 11 So Dazzling John Sargent Dean Yendall 11 54kg 12 Port Philip Julius Sandhu Kerrin McEvoy 3 54kg 13 Taramansour Phillip Stokes TBC 4 54kg 14 Pesto Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Jye McNeil 13 54kg More horse racing news View the full article

Fred and Lindsay Cornege couldn’t have scripted a better afternoon at Pukekohe on Tuesday, the Cambridge-based trainers recording two impressive come-from-behind victories with Kenobi and Highly Vindicated. The Cornege’s first success came with Kenobi, the Burgundy five-year-old among the outside chances, rated a $49 hope on the TAB tote in the Up The Wahs 1600. Kenobi jumped smartly among the early leaders, but from his midfield draw (11) jockey Matt Cameron restrained the gelding to avoid a wide run to settle back near the tail of the 16-horse field. Cameron utilised every metre of the long Pukekohe straight in getting Kenobi to the outside, and like the race’s namesake the Warriors, Kenobi defied the odds storming home late to prevail by a head over race-favourite Wallen. “We couldn’t have scripted it better, it went totally to plan,” Fred Cornege said. “He’s a horse that always had ability but had been a little bit soft and things hadn’t gone right for him. “We were going to run him at Rotorua a couple of weeks ago but I said to the owners that I didn’t want to run him on a heavy track, it took a bit of convincing but it all worked out. “He’s gone up to Rating 62 now so he’ll have to take that next step up, but we’ll space out his races and there’s plenty coming up over the next month over Christmas and into January so there will be plenty of opportunities for him.” The Seattle Lodge matriarch’s were delighted to see promising four-year-old Highly Vindicated overcome the extreme outside draw to post their second victory of the meeting in the final event, the Auckland Thoroughbred Racing 1600. A son of Highly Recommended, Highly Vindicated largely replicated the run of his older stablemate when settling back from the wide barrier under Joe Doyle. The gelding remained back in the field approaching the 200m, but when called upon by Doyle he showed a strong turn-of-foot and powered over the top of Lingjun Xiongfeng to score by a head, race-favourite Agera also closing well late to get up for second. “We were very pleased, he had to overcome a very wide draw but it’s not every day you can race for $75,000 in a Rating 65, so he was going to start regardless,” Cornege said. “We spoke to Joe before the race and the plan was for him to go back and ride for luck, and as it turned out that’s what he got.” Highly Vindicated had produced strong performances in his three-year-old season and finished midfield in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m), but has flourished thus far as four-year-old with Cornege noting Doyle’s contribution to his success. “Joe has been riding him in work alongside one of our track riders and that’s been a great assist, he’s a horse that cannot go out on the track alone otherwise he’ll dig his toes in and come home,” Cornege said. “He’s a very tough horse, he’s not easy but it’s rewarding to see after the work we’ve put into him. He’s totally different to Kenobi, we could line up this horse every day of the week and it wouldn’t worry him.” The victory was Highly Vindicated’s second on the trot this season after a string of minor placings, giving Cornege confidence to aim for the Dunstan Feeds Stayers Championship Final (2400m) on Boxing Day with the gelding. “That’s where we’re going with him, it’s an opportunity available to us and we have the material to work with so we’ll have a crack at it,” Cornege said. “He’s without a doubt a staying prospect, he placed last year as a three-year-old over further distance but we haven’t had the opportunity yet to get him out over ground so that’s the plan.” View the full article

Successful breeder and owner Daniel Nakhle has high hopes of a double celebration in the coming days. He will be in Christchurch to cheer on his unbeaten three-year-old Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) in Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton while also awaiting a new arrival on the home front. Nakhle bred and races the dominant Classic favourite, whose dam Gracehill (NZ) (O’Reilly) is imminently due to produce a valuable half-sibling. “She is in foal to Brazen Beau and expected to foal on the eve of the 2000 Guineas so we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a nice result there as well,” he said. “We’ve got her booked into Proisir in the hope that she comes through the foaling well and that should be a pretty good cross as well.” Nakhle backed his judgement to send the O’Reilly mare Gracehill to the late Zacinto during the stallion’s time at Valachi Downs with Crocetti the dream outcome. “As tidy a sire as Zacinto was, he wasn’t the most commercial option to go to, but it was a very good cross,” Nakhle said. “I planned the mating and I always get (Westbury Stud General Manager) Russell Warwick to review what I’m doing and he’s been exceptionally generous with his time and gave the mating a big tick so that was enough for me.” Crocetti was placed with Danny Walker and Arron Tata at Byerley Park, the training centre established by Nakhle and his father Elias, and didn’t take long to live up to his looks. “He was a gorgeous weanling and put together just perfectly and had a beautiful way about him,” he said. “He’s a professional racehorse all right, he just loves to run so there’s a fair bit of expectation but it’s a Group One and nothing is ever easy. “Danny and Arron are wonderful people and have done a great job with him. They have left no stone unturned and so far, all the plans have come off.” Crocetti was a debut winner at Pukekohe last season before he successfully opened his three-year-old campaign at Ruakaka in August and returned there to claim the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). The gelding continued his winning streak at Te Rapa and last time out was equally impressive in winning the Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m). Crocetti will be Nakhle’s second runner in the Guineas after going close in 2005. “I was fortunate to have Captain Kurt, who ran second to Darci Brahma a few years back now. He gave us a big thrill, but unfortunately Darci decided to show his champion qualities,” he said. Nakhle is also continuing to breed from Crocetti’s grand-dam Irish Colleen (NZ), a daughter of Shinko King who won seven races including the Gr.2 Concorde Handicap (1200m). “She’s at Byerley Park and was my first ever purchase by myself at the weanling sale at Karaka several years back now,” he said. All five of her foals to race have been successful and includes the multiple Group Three winner and Group One placegetter Crosshaven (Smart Missile), who is part-owned by Nakhle. Trained at Lindsay Park by brothers Ben, JD and Will Hayes, he finished runner-up when resuming in the Gr.3 Rising Fast Stakes (1200m) on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington. “His old legs keep on going, he was given a really good freshen-up and he certainly did us proud,” Nakhle said. “He pulled up really well and there’s a couple of options, but the plan at this stage is to go to the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (Gr.1, 1200m).” View the full article

Plans are in place to give talented mare Pure Incanto (NZ) (Per Incanto) every chance to boost her future value before time is called on her racing career. The sparingly raced daughter of Per Incanto’s final campaign will include a crack at Saturday’s Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa as she works her way toward a Group One grand final. “She’s under-estimated really and hasn’t had many starts, we’re chasing more black type this year because she’s in foal to Proisir,” trainer Janelle Millar said. The seven-year-old has won three of her 16 starts, including success in the Listed Power Turf Sprint (1200m) at Hastings in the autumn. “I was confident leading into that race and she proved she was up to it,” Millar said. “She’s always showed a ton of ability, but she is quite quirky and we’ve had issues with her feet and back problems because of that. “We’ve had to space her races out and looked after her. She gets ongoing physio treatment and gets everything she needs. “I think she’ll be competitive on Saturday from a good draw (three) with only 53kg on her back.” All going well, Pure Incanto bow out in the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) at Pukekohe Park on New Year’s Day. “I might be getting ahead of myself, but the plan is to aim for the Railway and that will be her finale,” Millar said. The New Plymouth horsewoman will also be represented at Te Rapa by Testify Me (NZ) (Atlante) in the Skycity Hamilton Waikato Cup Day 16 Dec Handicap (1600m) and Dream Machine in the Impact Off Road Handicap (1300m). The former was a course and distance winner last preparation and recently resumed at Trentham where the son of Atlante finished a sound fourth. “Testify Me is a really nice horse and still learning. He was falling out of the gates and getting back and making it hard for himself, now he’s jumping and putting himself in the race,” Millar said. “I reckon he’s got a bit of black type in him and he’s up to a mile now, but I think 2000m will be his go.” Dream Machine (NZ) (Falkirk) was also successful at Te Rapa last preparation and finished fifth when returning to action on her home track last month. “She was right there before she blew out in the last 100 metres,” Millar said. “She’s a lovely mare who takes a bit of racing and improves with each race and I think she’s going to benefit again from another run.” View the full article

Pearl Of Alsace heads the Kiwi contingent in the 2023 Matriarch Stakes. (Photo: Race Images) A competitive field of 13 mares have accepted for the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington this Saturday afternoon. The $300,000 feature brings together some of the best staying mares in Australia, plus some New Zealand raiders making the trip across the ditch in search of more Group-level success. The Shaune Ritchie-trained Pearl Of Alsace holds the call with most online bookmakers as a +360 favourite. It comes after the daughter of Tavistock produced an impressive third-place finish in the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on October 14. Pearl Of Alsace gains the services of James McDonald and will jump from stall eight on Saturday. Steinem is solid on the second line of betting at +450 after a game effort in the Group 3 Coongy Stakes (2000m) and should get an economical run from barrier six. A few key rivals come through the Group 3 Tesio Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley, with Osmose (+500) and Thalassophile (+650) likely to relish the bigger Flemington circuit. We are getting double-figure odds for every other runner, with the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) winner Amokura rated a +900 chance, while Mustang Valley has shortened from +1400 into +1200. The 2023 Matriarch Stakes is the fifth race on Champions Stakes Day at Flemington and is scheduled to get underway at 3:10pm AEDT. Matriarch Stakes 2023 field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Mustang Valley Andrew Forsman Opie Bosson 11 59.5kg 2 Amokura Kris Lees Damien Oliver 12 59.5kg 3 Affaire A Suivre Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Mark Zahra 2 59.5kg 4 Steinem Ciaron Maher & David Eustace John Allen 6 58kg 5 Thalassophile Chris Waller Kerrin McEvoy 13 57kg 6 Deny Knowledge Michael Kent Jamie Kah 10 57kg 7 Papillon Club Greg Eurell Daniel Moor 5 57kg 8 Pearl Of Alsace Shaune Ritchie James McDonald 8 57kg 9 Noah ‘N’ A Deel Les Kelly Craig Williams 9 56kg 10 Soul Choice Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Jordan Childs 7 56kg 11 She’s A Con Grahame Begg Michael Dee 4 56kg 12 Premise John O’Shea TBC 3 55kg 13 Osmose Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 1 55kg More horse racing news View the full article

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis LEXINGTON, KY – After a vibrant afternoon-into-night of bidding, the Fasig-Tipton November Sale grossed over $100 million for the third straight year with champions Nest (Curlin) and Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) leading the way when bringing matching $6-million final bids Tuesday at Newtown Paddocks. “It was another remarkable horse sale, literally from start to finish,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “It's really humbling to think that we've been able, for three years in a row, do over $100 million in sales in a single night. It's remarkable and beyond our wildest expectations. The first time we did $100 million [in 2021], I told you it was something I never thought we'd be able to achieve. And coming into this year, we would never have dreamt it would happen again. I'm really proud of that.” During the single-session sale, 154 horses sold for $101,281,000. The average of $657,669 was up 9.8% from a year ago, while the median of $295,000 was up 18%. The buy-back rate was 24.9%. A year ago, 169 horses grossed $101,214,000 for an average of $598,899 and a median of $250,000. The 2022 buy-back rate was 29.3%. During Tuesday's auction, 25 mares sold for seven figures, with 16 selling for two million or more and 10 selling for $3 million or more. Lexington financier John Stewart, who burst onto the sales scene at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale two months ago, dominated the domestic buying bench with seven horses purchased for $13,350,000. He purchased broodmares Queen Caroline (Blame) and Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) on matching $3 million bids and capped his evening with the $6-million acquisition of champion Goodnight Olive, who just four days ago won her second GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint at Santa Anita. Earlier in the auction, Mike Repole bought out his partners to retain Nest for $6 million with plans to return the champion to the racetrack as a 5-year-old next season. Also representing strength in the domestic buying bench, Spendthrift Farm purchased five mares for $7.7 million, led by the $3-million acquisition of GI Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath (Arrogate). “It's plenty strong,” Spendthrift's Ned Toffey said of the market Tuesday. “They are not giving them away, that's for sure. I think there are plenty of people here with deep pockets.” Ned Toffey | Fasig-Tipton Japanese buyers were out in force at Newtown Paddocks Tuesday, with nine seven-figure purchases led by Emmanuel De Seroux's $4.2-million acquisition of Group 1 winner Sauterne (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) on behalf of Grand Stud. “There was great international participation tonight–it probably wasn't as reflected on the sheets because of the number of people who got outbid consistently,” Browning said. “But there was great competitive bidding throughout the evening, particularly on the quality mares in-foal and the quality fillies and mares coming off the racetrack. It's remarkable what happens when you are entrusted with fillies like Goodnight Olive, Nest and Wonder Wheel and mares in-foal like Queen Caroline. I could go and on, because there were so many that sold remarkably well. It all comes down to the horses.” The Fasig-Tipton November sale opened with an offering of 135 weanlings and the group was topped by a filly by Munnings who sold for $500,000 to Shadwell Racing. Shadwell also purchased a weanling filly by Gun Runner for $400,000. That $500,000 price tag was matched with a pair of supplemented weanlings late in the sale when the En Fuego Stables pinhooking partnership purchased a son of Maxfield and Cherry Knoll Farm purchased a filly by Into Mischief. Both weanlings were consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency. “We thought we had strengthened our weanling group this year,” Browning said. “And clearly the overall weanlings were better this year than last year.” Browning said the Fasig-Tipton November sale has established a trusted record of success among buyers across the globe. “I think we have clearly established, A) a lot of wonderful relationships and B) the trust and the confidence in the marketplace,” he said. “The buyers know they are going to be able to come here and have the opportunity to buy the best horses on offer anywhere in the world.” Repole Buys Out Partners for Nest Mike Repole, sitting with his team in the pavilion, jumped in the bidding around the $4-million mark and eventually saw off all challengers to purchase out his partners on champion Nest (Curlin) (hip 163) for $6 million Tuesday at Fasig-Tipton. The 4-year-old filly was consigned by Highgate Sales. “I wasn't sure if I was going to get her or not,” Repole said. “At that price, I thought I wanted to give her another shot. If she had gone to $7 or $8 million, I probably would have let her go. But considering I own 50% of her, I feel like I just bought her for $3 million, not $6 million. My family CEO thinks we sold her for $6 million. He's got bad news coming, but I am not going to hurt his feelings right now.” ICYMI: Watch Eclipse Champion NEST sell for $6,000,000 at The November Sale! Congrats to all the connections! #FasigNovember pic.twitter.com/YoXcWKUOW1 — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) November 8, 2023 Racing for Repole, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House, Nest put together a championship season as a 3-year-old in 2022. The bay filly won the GI Alabama S., GI Ashland S. and GI Coaching Club American Oaks and finished second in the GI Belmont S. and GI Kentucky Oaks. During an abbreviated 4-year-old campaign, she won the GII Shuvee S. in July, was third in the GI Personal Ensign S. and fourth in the GI Spinster S. “I am going to try my best to bring her back [to the races],” Repole said. “Hopefully, she will be 100%. If not, I own a couple of stallions, one Uncle Mo. She could have a date with him. But I really think the goal will be to bring her back. I think she has unfinished business.” Repole continued, “I think last year she had a fever and got started late. And then she had that race at Saratoga where she was spectacular. I really think that took a lot out of her. I think if we get off to a better start, and space her properly this year, I think she is good for four or five good starts. Hopefully, she will run in May, June, and August and maybe in the Distaff and hopefully be a champion again.” Nest, who was purchased by Repole and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners for $350,000 as a yearling at Keeneland September, is a daughter of Marion Ravenwood (A.P. Indy), who sold to Coolmore's M. V. Magnier for $2.6 million at Fasig-Tipton last November while carrying a full-sibling to the champion. The mare produced a colt this year and was bred back to Into Mischief. @JessMartiniTDN Laymon Says Emotional Goodbye to Olive After watching champion Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) (hip 237) sell for $6 million Tuesday night at Fasig-Tipton, Steve Laymon admitted, “It's hard not to have a tear in my eye.” Laymon and his First Row Partners, through bloodstock agent Liz Crow, had purchased the filly for $170,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton October sale. Then watched as the dark bay mare won back-to-back renewals of the GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint and $2,196,200 on the racetrack. “I followed her all the way around [the sales grounds],” Laymon said. “And it was just like going to the paddock and to the races, and just like Olive, she never turned a hair. She's such a smart mare. Her intelligence level was just amazing. She came in the ring and she showed who she was. You never dream of buying a horse and selling her for $6 million. I do not know John Stewart, I spoke to him tonight. But I am so thrilled to have him in the business. These mares need to stay in the U.S.–no disrespect to international buyers. But it's hard not to get possessive of one of these and want to keep them in the country.” Laymon, an optometrist from North Carolina who founded First Row Partners five years ago, said it was an easy decision to send the 5-year-old mare through the sales ring. “We are a racing partnership,” he said. “We keep a few mares. But at this level, you just have to part with them if you want to continue to race. Unfortunately, you make mistakes in this business. You try to learn from those mistakes, but you just have to have a horse so often that pays for some of those mistakes.” Laymon's proceeds from the auction weren't his only winnings Tuesday. “There are six First Row partners,” he said. “We were at dinner after the Breeders' Cup Saturday and I asked each one of them to get a one hundred dollar bill out and put their initials on it and put down the number they think she will bring. Guess who won that? I did. I put $5.95 million.” Asked if he planned to reinvest some of that $6 million price tag in racehorses, Laymon smiled and said, “Slowly. We are in the racing business and this will keep us in the business a long time. We have been so blessed. First Row Partners is in its fifth year of racing and we've sent 15 horses to Chad in the last five years and we've won four Grade Is, four Grade IIs and three Grade IIIs and three Grade I placings. That's not supposed to happen in this business. It's the team. Liz Crow, she buys them, and her team is phenomenal. [Trainer] Chad Brown, I've been with him since the Frankel days. He is so focused. He is so darn smart. And he wins races because of his brain and his dedication.” @JessMartiniTDN ICYMI: Watch Eclipse Champion GOODNIGHT OLIVE sell for $6,000,000 at The November Sale! Congrats to all the connections! #FasigNovember pic.twitter.com/VsCYrXu4TB — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) November 8, 2023 Stewart a Man on A Mission at Fasig-Tipton With her Breeders' Cup blanket barely having lost its fragrance after last weekend's victory in the GI Filly & Mare Sprint, Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) (Hip 237) added a slam-dunk in the sales ring, drawing a gaudy $6-million final bid from the red-hot John Stewart. While many had wandered away during the later stages of the sale, an expectant horde began to gather again along the perimeter of the pavilion in the moments leading up to the champion's arrival into the ring. With intermittent volleys being lobbed in rapid succession, Stewart–surrounded by his own entourage including bloodstock advisor Gavin O'Connor–was resolute. Reeling off counterbids without missing a beat, he saw off all competitors to land the session's co-topper at $6 million. Stewart also secured a pair of mares for $3 million during the session: Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Ire}) (Hip 168), and Queen Caroline (Blame) (Hip 171), the dam of champion Forte (Violence). The two-time Breeders' Cup champion was consigned by Elite Sales, who enjoyed a stellar day with 12 head grossing $18.5 million. Bred by Stonestreet, Goodnight Olive was purchased by Liz Crow for $170,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton October Sale. Campaigned by First Row Partners and Team Hanley, the filly enjoyed a spectacular 2022 season, winning all four starts, including the GI Ballerina S. in addition to her Breeders' Cup victory. This season, she added wins in the GI Madison S. and GII Bed 'O Roses S. before defending her title at the World Championships. Crow said, “The owners enjoyed every moment with her. Our team [Elite] got to go along for the ride. And then to get to showcase her here, every major buyer is here at this sale, and to see her bring what she was worth, she is really a once-in-a-lifetime horse.” Liz Crow | Fasig-Tipton The 5-year-old mare joins champion Groupie Doll as only one of two horses to win two Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprints. “I think she was the best horse in the sale,” Crow opined. And Stewart certainly agreed. “She was on my agenda from the beginning,” he said. “I knew there was a lot of foreign interest and I was determined that she was going to stay here.” “With all the success she's had to date, I think she still has some opportunity to still run. To add what she's already done, we need to keep those horses here. That was my main objective. Once I decide I am going to buy them I buy them, they can bid whatever they want, but this horse is going home with me.” Stewart confirmed that he is about a month away from closing on Shadwell Farm's Shadayid Stud in Midway. “That's what's great about this sport,” he said. “I was just at the Breeders' Cup, and this horse wins four days ago and then you have the opportunity to actually buy it. What other sport can you actually do that? It's like Lebron James wins the NBA Championship and then you can buy Lebron or the team. This is really a great sport.” During Tuesday's session, Stewart purchased seven head in total, including a pair of weanlings, for $13.35 million. “We got the dam of Forte, we got Pizza Bianca and we got this horse, which I think is one of the best horses we've seen here for a long time,” he said. “I couldn't be happier right now.”–@CbossTDN Stewart Full Tilt Ahead for $3-Million Pair Firing in quick succession, Stewart, seated alongside by Gavin O'Connor at the back of the pavilion, went to $3 million Pizza Bianca before extending to the same price for Queen Caroline. The former was consigned by Elite Sales, while the latter was offered by Bluegrass Thoroughbred Servies on behalf of South Gate Farm. Queen Caroline represented a major score for Amy Moore, who purchased the Virginia-bred for a mere $170,000 at Keeneland September in 2014. “Those were a lot cheaper than I thought they would be,” admitted Stewart. “I was thinking $5-5.5 million on Queen Caroline. I bought every horse that I bid on.” John Stewart | Fasig-Tipton He added, “And I would have paid a lot more for Queen Caroline. I am really excited with what we have bought and now we have some new horses to put on our farm. A multiple stakes winner on the track, Queen Caroline hit paydirt in the breeding shed, producing champion juvenile colt Forte (Violence) in her first go around. She sold in foal to Horse of the Year Flightline. “Queen Caroline is the whole reason we came to the sale,” added Stewart. “It's a funny story. As we were looking through the weanlings in the catalog, we were looking for something out of Queen Caroline. And then I saw that Queen Caroline herself was in the book and thought 'This is amazing!' Once we saw her, it was a done deal. She was 100% on the list. So I was very glad to walk away with her.”–@CbossTDN 'Pizza' to Go Campaigned by celebrity chef Bobby Flay and trained by Christophe Clement, Pizza Bianca earned over $792,947 on the track, and counts the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf among her career highlights. The 4-year-old mare was offered in foal to Into Mischief. Flay secured Pizza Bianca's dam White Hot (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for 1.25 million guineas at Tattersalls October in 2014. Pizza Bianca was the first foal produced by the unraced mare. Offered at this sale last year, Pizza Bianca RNA'd for $3.45 million. “We were very excited about buying [Pizza Bianca] as well,” Stewart said. “She had an impressive list of accomplishments. If you look at everything we've been buying, it's all about quality.” He added, “We looked at a lot of horses, but to find the pedigree and the accomplishment level, that's what we're looking for. We're not just looking for the bloodline. And Pizza Bianca is a 100% of that.” Stewart also put in a strong showing at Keeneland earlier this September, buying 13 yearlings for total expenditures of $8.425 million and was back in action at Fasig last month for the October Sale. “These are all for me,” he affirmed. “These [resulting foals] are for me to race and for me to breed. I am not looking to sell either of these horses. I looked at them and thought 'you are not leaving this country.' They are staying in this country and it's even better that they are staying in Kentucky. That's been the whole goal is to keep the good bloodlines here. It's the best way that I can invest my money and I am super excited about that.” —@CbossTDN Godolphin Strikes for Faiza Most wouldn't be surprised to see Godolphin among the buyers of a top prospect at the nation's leading yearling sales. However, the operation made somewhat of a surprise appearance on the leaderboard with Faiza (Girvin) (Hip 228), who was purchased by the 'Boys in Blue' for $4 million. The Grade I stakes winner was consigned by Hill 'n' Dale. “She was a very good racehorse and had a lot of quality about her,” said Godolphin's Michael Banahan. “She was a nice type to be able to bring back.” Faiza brought $90,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select sale in 2021 before blossoming into a $725,000 Fasig Midlantic juvenile purchase by agent Donato Lanni for Michael Petersen in 2022. Trained by Bob Baffert, she won her first five starts, including the GI Starlet S. and GII Santa Anita Oaks. Faiza | Benoit “Bob Baffert and Donato Lanni buy beautiful horses that win Grade I races,” said Hill 'n' Dale's John Sikura. “I am really so happy for Michael Petersen and for the entire team. It was a great result for us, too. I am happy for everybody.” Out of MGSW and MGISP Sweet Pistol (Smart Strike), Faiza's dam Sweet Pistol is a half-sister to two-time grades stakes winner Thousand Words (Pioneerof the Nile). The 10-year-old mare was purchased for $33,000 by Faiza's breeder Brereton Jones at Keeneland November in 2016. Sikura added, “Those Grade I winners as mares are hard to find and the Japanese buyers are particularly interested in and respect that Grade I form and they really chase those mares. When they also have the looks to go with it, they have all the questions you can answer. And those are the ones that historically produce stakes winners and graded stakes winners.” The purchase represented the first broodmare/prospect purchase for Godolphin since going to $3.5 million for GI Spinaway S. winner Pretty City Dancer (Tapit) at this venue in 2018. Pretty City Dancer would go on to produce a Classic winner in the form of GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief). Godolphin enjoyed another fruitful Breeders' Cup with Cody's Wish (Curlin) repeating in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, while completing the exacta in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile with Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire)) and Mawj (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}). Named after Cody Dorman, the colt repeated at this year's World Championships with another Dirt Mile win. The victory was bittersweet as Dorman passed away traveling back to his home in Kentucky Sunday. “It was a fantastic story and a wonderful family,” said Banahan. “It was so special that we had that opportunity with them the last five years. I hope the [Dorman] family gets a lot of strength from the people both in and outside the industry while they go through their grieving process. It's heartbreaking for them, I'm sure. I hope they get a lot of strength for the last five years that Cody was able to share this special bond with Cody's Wish.” Commenting on the operation's year overall, “We've had a great couple of years and this has been a really phenomenal year. From winning our first Kentucky Oaks, winning at the Breeders' Cup and helping give Bill Mott his first Met Mile. We've had multiple highlights through the year so we've been fortunate that our horses have performed at a high level. We're so grateful for it.” —@CbossTDN Sauterne to Grand Stud Bloodstock agent Emmanuel De Seroux, bidding on behalf of Japan's Grand Stud, purchased French Group 1 winner Sauterne (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) (hip 178) for $4.2 million Tuesday evening at Fasig-Tipton. The 3-year-old racing/broodmare prospect was consigned by Nicky Drion Thoroughbreds. “She has a fantastic pedigree, as you can see,” De Seroux said of the filly's appeal. “She's beautiful and she was a great racehorse. In the Group 1 in France that she won, she beat the colts. The horse that was second to her just won the mile race at Ascot by six lengths. So her form is outstanding.” Sauterne was making her second trip through the sales ring Tuesday night in Lexington. She had RNA'd for £1.2 million at the Goffs London sale in June just weeks after finishing third in the G1 French 1000 Guineas and second in the G2 Prix de Sandringham. In July, the bay was second in the G1 Prix Jean Prat and third in the G1 Prix Rothschild before beating the boys in the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp Sept. 3 for her owner/breeder Jean Pierre Joseph Dubois. Sauterne is out of Salicorne (Aragorn {Ire}), a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Stacelita (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}), whose daughter Soul Stirring (Jpn) (Frankel {GB}) was champion 2-year-old and 3-year-old filly in Japan in 2016 and 2017. Stacelita's daughter Southern Stars (GB) (Smart Strike) produced Japanese champion Stars on Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). “We just bought her five minutes ago,” De Seroux said with a smile when asked about plans for the filly. “She will probably be bred in Kentucky and then go to Japan.” De Seroux returned a few hips later to acquire And Tell Me Nolies (Arrogate) (hip 206), also on behalf of Grand Stud, for $2.3 million. Consigned by Indian Creek, the 3-year-old filly sold as a racing/broodmare prospect. A $230,000 OBS Spring purchase, the bay won the 2022 GI Del Mar Debutante S. and GI Chandelier S. for Peter Redekop B.C., Ltd. She was second in this year's GII Santa Anita Oaks and GIII Santa Ysabel S. and third in the GII San Clemente S. She is out of graded winner Be Fair (Exchange Rate), a half-sister to Grade I winner Macho Again (Macho Uno). @JessMartiniTDN Secret Oath Leads Spendthrift's Fasig Haul GI Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath (Arrogate) (hip 180) will be joining the Spendthrift Farm broodmare band after selling for $3 million Tuesday in Lexington. In addition to the Oaks, the 4-year-old broodmare prospect won the 2023 GII Azeri S. and 2022 GIII Honeybee S. in the colors of her breeder, Robert and Mitchell's Briland Farm. She also hit the board in seven other Grade I events, including the GI Arkansas Derby. “Her race record needs no explanation,” Spendthrift's Ned Toffey said after signing the ticket on Secret Oath. “She is a big, classy mare. We think she is a perfect type of mare for Into Mischief. She's a really special mare and we need to get that kind.” Secret Oath | Coady Of the filly's final price tag, Toffey admitted, “We thought she might be a little bit more money. That's a lot to pay for any horse, but we thought she could have brought a little more. We were happy to get her for that number.” Secret Oath, who is out of stakes winner and multiple Grade I placed Absinthe Minded (Quiet American), was consigned by Bluewater Sales. Spendthrift was busy through the auction. In addition to Secret Oath, the operation also purchased graded-stakes winning broodmare prospect Travel Column (Frosted) (hip 193) for $2 million and paid that same amount for graded winner Merneith (American Pharoah), in foal to Flightline. In all, Spendthrift purchased five mares for $7.7 million. @JessMartiniTDN Search Results, Wonder Wheel to Northern Farm Japan Grade I winner Search Results (Flatter) (hip 179) and champion Wonder Wheel (Into Mischief) (hip 200) led a trio of seven-figure purchases by Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm. Bidding on behalf of Yoshida, Shingo Hashimoto bid $3.6 million to acquire Search Results from the Elite consignment. The 5-year-old mare, who was a $310,000 Keeneland September purchase, won the 2021 GI Acorn S. and was second in that year's GI Kentucky Oaks. A five-time graded stakes winner, she hit the board at the Grade I level seven times and earned $1,943,810 for Klaravich Stables and trainer Chad Brown. “She was one of the best 3-year-olds [of her generation],” Hashimoto said of the mare, who is out of graded-placed Co Cola (Candy Ride {Arg}). “And we really liked how she looked.” Hashimoto returned just a few hips later to purchase 2022 champion 2-year-old filly Wonder Wheel for $3.2 million. The 3-year-old, who was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency on behalf of the Green family's D J Stable, won last year's GI Darley Alcibiades S. and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. She is out of multiple stakes winner and multiple Grade I placed Wonder Gal (Tiz Wonderful). “Her appearance was very good and she's a champion 2-year-old, so we know she's very good,” said Shingo Hashimoto, who signed for the broodmare prospect. “We will take her back to Japan and keep her as a broodmare.” Wonder Wheel was purchased by the Greens for $275,000 as a Keeneland September yearling and earned $1,591,857 on the racetrack. “We were very confident bringing her here that she was going to bring a good amount of money,” Jon Green said after watching the champion sell. “You can never handicap it perfectly as far as who is on the horse and who liked the horse and to what extent. But I feel like Taylor Made did a phenomenal job of giving us the proper information to handicap who was going to be on her. And Fasig-Tipton, you can't say enough about this night and this venue. And just of competitiveness here. It's just a fun place to be on a night like tonight.” Len & Jon Green | Fasig-Tipton Green admitted the sale was bittersweet, particularly following the death of his mother, Lois Green, in May. “This was the last horse that my mom ever named,” Green said. “We were fortunate as a family to watch Wonder Wheel compete and win in our silks. The last trip that my mom went on was to watch her run in Kentucky. So it was very difficult decision [to sell] from an emotional standpoint, but from a business standpoint, it makes all the sense in the world.” Green continued, “From the moment that we bought her, Kim Valerio picked her out, Mark Casse trained her, Tyler Gaffalione did a phenomenal job riding her. And of course, Taylor Made and Fasig-Tipton did an absolute perfect job of marketing her. Everyone along the way added value. And I can't thank everyone enough for what they've done.” Yoshida's shopping spree at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday also included Armony's Angel (To Honor and Serve) (hip 207), who was acquired for $1.8 million from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment. In foal to Gun Runner, the mare is already the dam of this year's GI Arkansas Derby winner Angel of Empire (Classic Empire). Late in the sale, Yoshida concluded his Fasig purchases with Ceiling Crusher (Mr. Big) (hip 265) acquired for $750,000. Asked if he was able to purchase the mares he was aiming for, Hashimoto said, “Some of them, yes. Not all of them. That's always a part of the game. It's always tough.” @JessMartiniTDN 'Holiday' Brings $2.1m from Alpha Delta With Tuesday's session already in full swing, Stolen Holiday (War Front) (Hip 189) realized a cool $2.1 million from John Clay's Alpha Delta Stables. Reynolds Bell, seated next to Clay inside the pavilion, was resolute in securing the half-sister to Group 1 winners Eishin Apollon (Giant's Causeway), Master of Hounds (Kingmambo) and Minorette (Smart Strike). Consigned by Taylor Made Sales, the 6-year-old mare is out of Grade II scorer Silk and Scarlet (GB) (Sadler's Wells). This represents the family of English Highweight Sanglamore. She sold in foal to Into Mischief. “We have been working the sale, and she fell in the sale the way we like it,” said Bell. “We liked her pedigree and he ability on the racetrack. And we liked who she is in foal to.” He continued, “We find what we like. Whether it's dirt or grass, it doesn't really matter. They have to have some ability and they have to be in foal to something that can give them a good start.” Very late in the sale, Alpha Delta also struck for Hip 264, Strong Incentive (Warrior's Reward), who brought $2.15 million. In foal to Good Magic, she was consigned by Elite. Alpha Delta also went to $900,000 for Hip 159, Canadian champion Munnyfor Ro (Munnings) earlier in the session. Consigned by Hill 'n' Dale, she sold in foal to Curlin. “The market has been strong,” said Bell. “But that's been the market we've been in for a while now. The ones that make sense to go for, everyone is there. And the ones that don't make the cut, nobody is there for. Whether it's yearlings, 2-year-olds, broodmares, it's pretty much the case.” —@CbossTDN Shadwell at the Fore of Weanling Action Highlighting the early swath of weanlings on offer at Fasig-Tipton's November Sale Tuesday, Shadwell emerged at the forefront, purchasing a pair of fillies, including Hip 62, a daughter of Munnings for $500,000. Consigned by St George Sales, the Ontario-bred foal–bred by Narola and Anderson Farm–is out of Grade III winner Summer in Saratoga (Hard Spun). Out of MSW Diversa (Tabasco Cat), the 7-year-old mare, a $630,000 purchased by Anderson Farms at Fasig-Tipton at this venue in 2021, is a daughter of GI Vanity S. heroine Love Theway Youare (Arch). “She was just a beautiful Munnings, I have never seen a Munnings like that, so we are happy with her,” said Shadwell's Jonny Smyth. “I spoke Sheikha Hissa and made some budget decisions, so we were happy to get her.” Back in action later in the session, Smyth–bidding from inside the pavilion–extended to $400,000 for Hip 109, a filly by Gun Runner. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, the dark bay is a daughter of Classofsixtythree (Include). The 10-year-old mare is also responsible for GSW and GISP Gunmetal Gray (Exchange Rate) and Grade III-scorer Sixtythreecaliber (Gun Runner). “She is a nice, leggy filly,” he said. “She was a beautiful mover as well.” Offered at Keeneland January in 2019, Classofsixtythree had failed to meet her reserve at $385,000 while carrying Sixtythreecaliber. Of Shadwell's purchases Tuesday, Smyth added, “Both are from beautiful families, so they have some nice residual value.” Commenting on the overall quality of the weanlings on offer at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday, he said, “It's a nice group. Fasig has put together a nice group of weanlings. We've had a few on our list and we were very happy to get them.” Active both in the sales arena and the racetrack both domestically and abroad this season, Smyth indicated there was also plenty to look forward to on the farm as well. “It's been an exciting year. We have [six-time Grade I winner] Malathaat [Curlin] on the farm and she is in foal to Into Mischief,” he said of the two-time champion. “We're looking forward to what she will produce. And it's also been a phenomenal year in Europe, so we're very happy with the entire program overall.” Later in the session, a colt by Maxfield (Hip 213) and Hip 268-a colt by Into Mischief-also reached that mark. Both top weanling colts were consigned by Taylor Made Sales. The former was purchased by Cherry Knoll Farm and the latter was secured by Enfuego Stables–@CbossTDN The post ‘Remarkable’ Fasig November Gross Tops $100 Million Again as Nest, Goodnight Olive Bring $6 Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Zaaki will attempt to defend his Champions Stakes crown at Flemington on Saturday. (Photo: Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The third and final Group 1 race at Flemington this Saturday will be the VRC Champions Stakes, where 11 runners will do battle over 2000m with $3 million on the line. After finishing second in back-to-back Group 1 races, West Wind Blows has opened as the clear +160 favourite with online bookmakers. The Simon & Ed Crisford-trained galloper finished second in both the Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup in his only two starts this preparation, respectively beaten by Gold Trip and Without A Fight. Roger James & Robert Wellwood-trained Prowess (+450) returned to Australia with a nice win in the Group 2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley last start, which kept her unbeaten record on Aussie shores intact. The daughter of Proisir is a two-time Group 1 winner throughout her career, and she will regain the services of Mark Zahra, who is fresh off winning a second consecutive Melbourne Cup. Duais (+450) was unlucky in the Cox Plate, as she never saw clear air from the 300m mark; however, she did enough to claim fourth place, running only 1.3 lengths behind Romantic Warrior. The daughter of Shamus Award took out the Group 1 Australia Cup at this track and trip in March of 2022, and with Damien Oliver sticking after the Cox Plate, it must be seen as a positive for her chances. The reigning champion, Zaaki (+700), will return to defend his title, but after finishing outside the placings in the Cox Plate, the jury is out as to whether the veteran gelding is going as well as he was last year. Atishu (+650) will back up after running in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes seven days ago, where she attempted to chase down Pride Of Jenni but ran out of ground over 1600m, so the extra 400m should suit the Chris Waller-trained mare. The 2023 VRC Champions Stakes will be race eight on the Flemington card and is scheduled to jump at 5:10pm AEDT. 2023 VRC Champions Stakes Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Zaaki Annabel Neasham Jamie Kah 10 59kg 2 Huetor Peter & Paul Snowden TBC 11 59kg 3 Young Werther Danny O’Brien Billy Egan 6 59kg 4 West Wind Blows Simon & Ed Crisford Jamie Spencer 2 59kg 5 Zeyrek Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Ben Melham 7 59kg 6 Pinstriped Enver Jusufovic Ben Allen 9 59kg 7 Buckaroo Joseph O’Brien Blake Shinn 8 59kg 8 Montefilia Chris Waller TBC 1 57kg 9 Duais Edward Cummings Damien Oliver 3 57kg 10 Atishu Chris Waller TBC 5 57kg 11 Prowess Roger James & Robert Wellwood Mark Zahra 4 56.5kg More racing news View the full article

Mr Brightside heads a small field in the VRC Champions Mile at Flemington on Saturday. (Photo: George Sal/Racing Photos) The Group 1 VRC Champions Mile has attracted a small field of seven runners who will do battle over the 1600m at Flemington on Saturday afternoon, with four runners from the Cox Plate set to clash for the second time in as many weeks. Mr Brightside, Alligator Blood and the unlucky Fangirl – who finished second, third and seventh, respectively, behind Romantic Warrior in last week’s Moonee Valley feature – will all meet again in the Champions Mile, and all three of them are fancied in the market. Fangirl has opened as the race favourite at +150 with online bookmakers after running up backsides for most of the straight in the Cox Plate. Her form is otherwise stellar, as the Chris Waller-trained mare defeated Mr Brightside in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Randwick two starts back. In her only start at the Flemington mile, she destroyed her rivals in the Carbine Club Stakes as a three-year-old, and after four strong performances this preparation, she returns to headquarters looking to keep her undefeated record at the track intact. After going down in a tight photo in the Cox Plate, the Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained Mr Brightside (+200) will be looking to bounce back from his first defeat in Victoria since February. The son of Bullbars will be seeking back-to-back victories at the Flemington mile having claimed the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes three starts back. The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott stable has chosen to target the Champions Mile instead of the Champions Stakes with Alligator Blood after his third-place finish in the Cox Plate, where he appeared to peak on his run 100m from the winning post. From five starts at Flemington, the son of All Too Hard has never finished outside the top two, but he currently sits on the third line of betting at +220. Pride Of Jenni (+1100) will be on the seven-day backup after claiming the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes thanks to a daring front-running ride by Declan Bates last Saturday. The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained mare will be the unknown factor going into the Champions Mile and is expected to set a hot tempo once again. The VRC Champions Mile will be race seven on the Flemington program and is scheduled to jump at 4:30pm AEDT. 2023 Champions Mile Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Mr Brightside Ben, Will & JD Hayes Craig Williams 2 59kg 2 Alligator Blood Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 5 59kg 3 The Inevitable John Keys Damien Oliver 4 59kg 4 Bankers Choice Mike Moroney John Allen 6 59kg 5 Victoria Road Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Blake Shinn 1 58kg 6 Fangirl Chris Waller James McDonald 7 57kg 7 Pride Of Jenni Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Declan Bates 3 57kg More racing news View the full article

Imperatriz, ridden by Opie Bosson, winning the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley. (Photo: Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The VRC Champions Sprint has attracted 11 runners for the final Group 1 sprint race of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, with the Mark Walker-trained Imperatriz opening as an odds-on favourite. After claiming the Moir Stakes and Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley in back-to-back Group 1 starts, the daughter of I Am Invincible is a -111.11 market elect for Saturday’s 1200m contest. In her first look down the Flemington straight, Imperatriz will face 10 rivals, who have all run the track and trip at least once. The only other runner in single figures lining up in the $3 million race is In Secret (+340) from the Godolphin stable. The James Cummings-trained mare has only been down the Flemington straight twice, but in those starts she won the Coolmore Stud Stakes and Newmarket Handicap at Group 1 level as a three-year-old filly. From three starts this campaign, In Secret is yet to record a victory, but her form in a straight line is impeccable. Bella Nipotina (+900) will be on the seven-day backup, having beaten Private Eye and Think About It in the Giga Kick Stakes at Rosehill last weekend. However, at her last two starts in Melbourne, the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained mare finished behind the two favourites in the autumn. Henry Dwyer has given star mare Asfoora (+900) four weeks off, and she will return in the Champions Sprint to clash with Imperatriz again after she was beaten by the Kiwi mare in the Moir Stakes two starts back. The daughter of Flying Artie is unbeaten down the straight but only has one placing from two starts at the 1200m. The 2023 VRC Champions Sprint will be race six on the Flemington program, with the jump scheduled for 3:50pm AEDT. Champions Sprint 2023 Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Front Page Matthew Dale Tyler Schiller 7 58.5kg 2 Buenos Noches Matthew Smith Blake Shinn 11 58.5kg 3 Lofty Strike Julius Sandhu Damien Oliver 4 58.5kg 4 Star Patrol Clinton McDonald Ben Melham 6 58.5kg 5 Airman Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Jye McNeil 10 58.5kg 6 Bella Nipotina Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Craig Williams 1 56.5kg 7 In Secret James Cummings James McDonald 5 56.5kg 8 Imperatriz Mark Walker Opie Bosson 8 56.5kg 9 Espiona Chris Waller Kerrin McEvoy 3 56.5kg 10 Asfoora Henry Dwyer Mitchell Aitken 9 56.5kg 11 C’est Magique Grahame Begg Michael Dee 2 56.5kg More racing news View the full article

Apart from a few “tweaks here and there” the Kaikoura Trotting Club believe they are close to the event they want it to become as a lead up to IRT New Zealand Cup week. “The racing was great, we got good crowds and the turnover was exceptional,” says Club President Ben Smith. The South Bay race course, generally acknowledged as one of the most scenic anywhere in the world, hosted eight races under the Ocean Ridge Fast 10 concept on Sunday October 29, followed by the more traditional Alabar Kaikoura Cup meeting on the Monday, which is also Marlborough Anniversary Day. It featured the Group 2 Alabar Kaikoura Cup, the Group 3 IRT –‘Your horse, Our Passion’ South Bay Trotters Cup and the Listed NZB Sales Series Classic Pace. While the club is yet to debrief the two-day meeting fully Smith says it is clear it was a great success. “We had around 2000 people there on Sunday and close to 4000 on Monday with 185 campervans and 70 gazebos so it was really well supported,” says Smith, “and to have $2.5m turnover over the two days was exceptional.” Total turnover for the two days was $2,524,922, equating to $148,525 per race, with a Gross Betting Margin of 18.8%. Among the on-track highlights were IRT New Zealand Cup favourite Akuta winning the Alabar Kaikoura Cup and Mystic Max taking out the IRT South Bay Trotters Cup at double figure odds while Jimmy James Maguire led all the way in the NZB Sale Series Classic Pace. As to improvements in the future? Smith says there are those “tweaks they will need to make as there are always things we can do better”. They would like to ensure that all races on the Sunday had capacity fields (10) under the Ocean Ridge Fast 10 concept if they continue to use that format in the future, and to have 10 races on the Monday, rather than the nine they had this year. “Ten is imperative,” says Smith, “it would push turnover from $1.45m on Monday to around $1.6m.” “That would be the biggest improvement we could make.” The two-day meeting is make or break for the club financially, and its success in recent years has been good news for the bottom line. “It costs us $97,000 a year to run the club so need to perform financially for the two days a year to support the other 363 days” says Smith. Smith says that success is a tribute to the committee members, the countless volunteers, the local sports clubs who help out and many others who all work tirelessly in the build-up to the big day. “We also have to thank the trainers for their continued support , with most of them making a huge effort travelling back and forth for the two days”. Prizes of accommodation, flights, dolphin encounters and meals in the tourist hotspot were drawn out to three trainers to reward their loyalty – Mark and Nathan Purdon (in the six and more horse category), Steve and Amanda Telfer (3-6 horses) and Brad Mowbray in the up to three category. “We are also very grateful to all our wonderfully loyal sponsors. This was Alabar’s 18th year of continued support”. “There are a lot of moving parts to make the meeting work,” says Smith, “and we really want to create a major event here.” View the full article

The NZ Sires’ Stakes Board wishes everyone racing over IRT NZ Cup Week all the very best of good luck & especially to those with horses in the: – Woodlands Stud NZ 2YO C & G Final – Nevele R 3YO Fillies Final – Dunstan Horsefeeds 2YO Fillies Final – Bob McArdle Southern Mares Classic While it is a busy time of year the Board also wishes to advise that 2YO Sustaining Payments have been emailed/posted but these are not due until Friday, December 1st 2023. This payment is for current yearlings that wish to race as two-year-olds in the 2024 year. If you elect to miss this payment you can still come in for your horses’ three-year-old year (2025) with this payment not due until July 1st 2024. Any queries please contact Martin – 027 4711 081 Martin Pierson NZ Sires’ Stakes Executive HRNZ Building, 114 Wrights Road, Addington, Christchurch 8024 PO Box 9289, Tower Junction, Christchurch 8149 Mobile 027 4711 081 Email: martin@nzsiresstakes.co.nz Website: www.nzsiresstakes.co.nz View the full article

By Michael Guerin As bad barrier draws go this is as good as it gets for Akuta in Tuesday’s $750,000 IRT New Zealand Cup at Addington. The hot favourite will start from wide on the second in the 3200m, which hardly sounds ideal but co-trainer Nathan Purdon isn’t worried for two reasons. Purdon was at Addington preparing for the Cup trials when he heard the news Akuta will, if the emergencies come out, start from four on the second line on Tuesday. His next question produced the answer he wanted when he heard Australian challenger Swayzee had also drawn the second line, likely to start from barrier two there. While the vagaries of standing starts could see any number of scenarios unfold, Akuta drawing the second line but having Swayzee back there for company is far better then having to give the NSW pacer a start. “Yes, we wouldn’t have wanted him (Swayzee) drawing to go straight to the lead and us chasing,” says Purdon. “Them both being back there puts it on level footing and as we know Akuta isn’t a fast beginner so it isn’t like we thought he could step straight to the lead if we drew the front line any way. “So I think it really makes the race and our horse is exactly where he needs to be.” The favoured pair will be joined on the second line by B D Joe (one second line) whereas of the higher-assessed runners Republican Party (3), Krug (4) and Old Town Road (9) have drawn the front line. The Team Dalgety pair will likely start from barriers two and three as one of the emergencies in Got You Covered has drawn barrier two and if he comes out then Smiffy’s Terror will move to the outside of the front line, giving the field a 10-5 split with no unruly runners. Old Town Road looks well suited by his wide draw as he can be a fast beginner but he was pulled out of Wednesday’s Cup trial after being treated for a skin infection so he will have his final public hitout between races at Rangiora on Friday. The IRT New Zealand Cup draw is : 1 Pembrook Playboy 2 Got You Covered (E1) 3 Republican Party 4 Krug 5 Beach Ball 6 Kango 7 Mossdale Ben 8 One Change 9 Old Town Road 10 Macandrew Aviator 11 Smiffy’s Terror 12 B D Joe 13 Swayzee 14 American Me 15 Akuta 16 Heza Sport 17 Bach (E2) To see next Tuesday’s fields at Addington click here View the full article

Race 1 NOTTINGHAM CASTLE HOTEL MAIDEN 2200 ZEIGLAR (J Fawcett) – Co-trainer Mrs. M Murdoch advised Stewards, ZEIGLAR, underwent a veterinary examination on Tuesday, 7 November which revealed the gelding to have hyperextended the near fore shoulder. M Murdoch further advised ZEIGLAR, has now been sent for a spell. POLAMALU (C Grylls) – Trainer Mr. C Isdale reported to Stewards, that on Saturday 4 November, the gelding underwent a veterinary examination with no abnormalities being detected, however, C Isdale advised, that when riding POLAMALU in light track work on the morning of Sunday 5 November, he felt the gelding did not feel entirely comfortable in his action, which resulted in POLAMALU undergoing chiropractor treatment, which confirmed slight soreness to the off-hind hamstring. C Isdale further advised, the gelding has responded well to the chiropractor treatment and will be continuing with POLAMALU’S current preparation. The post Racing Te Aroha, Friday, 3 November 2023 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

What VRC Oaks Day 2023 Where Flemington Racecourse – 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington VIC 3031 When Thursday, November 9, 2023 First Race 12:40pm AEDT Visit Dabble The 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival continues at Flemington on Thursday afternoon with a nine-race card for VRC Oaks Day. The Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) for three-year-old fillies is the headline act, with the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes (1100m) and Group 3 Ottawa Stakes (1000m) featuring in a strong undercard on Ladies Day. The rail comes out 5m the entire circuit and with up to 10mm of rain forecast on Wednesday, it would not be a surprise if we start Oaks Day on a soft track. Another massive day of racing from Flemington commences at 12:40pm AEDT. Keep reading for our free race-by-race preview and quaddie selections for VRC Oaks Day 2023 Race 1: Group 3 Ottawa Stakes (1000m) Raceday experience is key in these early-season juvenile affairs, and Arabian Summer brings just that. The Too Darn Hot filly from the Tony & Calvin McEvoy barn chased home a seemingly smart horse when finishing 1.25 lengths back in second in the Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield. She put a space on the third-place runner there, suggesting she might be worth following at her next start. Harry Coffey will have Arabian Summer in a prominent position throughout, and with natural improvement, she looks hard to go past in the 2023 Ottawa Stakes. Selections: 3 ARABIAN SUMMER 2 CHOSEN LEGEND 8 HARPALEE 7 ENEEZA Ottawa Stakes Race 1 – #3 Arabian Summer (9) 2yo Filly | T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy | J: Harry Coffey (56kg) +500 with Dabble Race 2: 3&4YO Fillies & Mares BM70 (1700m) The Dan O’Sullivan-trained Matriarch Rose was rolled as an odds-on favourite last time out, but they she hit the line over 1400m at Ballarat suggests the step up to 1700m will be ideal. The Flemington straight should suit this Epaulette mare perfectly, as she can build through her gears early in the run home. In a race that should be run at a genuine clip, Matriarch Rose looks poised to finish over the top of her rivals. Selections: 7 MATRIARCH ROSE 5 CITY OF LIGHTS 3 FANCIFY 12 TACUMWAH Race 3: Grand Handicap (2000m) Stepping back from Group 3 company, the Hawkes team sends Foujita San to a winnable race at the Flemington 2000m. The son of Maurice was outclassed in the Coongy Cup (2000m) when chasing home some proven types, but this is much easier and he will be reunited with Damien Oliver. The four-year-old will be in the second half of the field upon settling, but with the likes of Hennessy Lad, Tommy and Tycoon Bec set to run this at a genuine clip, the race sets up perfectly for Foujita San. We’re getting a nice each-way price with horse racing bookmakers to find out if he can gun the leaders down in time. Selections: 4 FOUJITA SAN 7 KETTLE HILL 10 TOMMY 13 HOOPS Best Value Race 3 – #4 Foujita San (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Damien Oliver (61kg) +900 with PendleburyBet Race 4: Inglis Bracelet (1600m) Foxy Frida is backing up five days after a below-par run in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). She was beaten by 5.5 lengths on that day, although she was only 1.8 lengths off Life Lessons in third. Foxy Frida’s effort two runs back when finishing third behind Wishlor Lass in the Group 3 Ladies Day Vase (1600m) is more than good enough to get the job done against this field, especially as Billy Egan should gain a nice cart into the race from barrier five. Selections: 1 FOXY FRIDA 6 CLIMBING STAR 4 MATRON BULLWINKEL 7 OUR EMPRESS ZOE Best Bet Race 4 – #1 Foxy Frida (5) 6yo Mare | T: Andrew Noblet | J: Billy Egan (58.5kg) +190 with Betfair Race 5: Listed Century Stakes (1000m) Spacewalk needs a bunny to chase in his races, and he got that on Derby Day when hunting down Najem Suhail and holding off the fast-finishing Crosshaven. Stepping back to the 1000m is no issue, as the likes of Najem Suhail, Indian Pacific and Cannonball are tipped to set a chaotic pace. Spacewalk can absorb that pressure and should prove too hard to hold out as he continues his impressive spring campaign. Selections: 1 SPACEWALK 3 ATHELRIC 2 CANNONBALL 6 GENERATION Next Best Race 5 – #1 Spacewalk (8) 4yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: James McDonald (58.5kg) +700 with Neds Race 6: MCC Final (1600m) In what is traditionally a dartboard job, we have landed on Belthil following three nice runs to begin his spring campaign. He comes to Flemington fourth-up and looks like he will appreciate every bit of the 1600m on his first go at the trip. Barrier 17 is offset by his want to be back in the field, and if Harry Coffey can land in the three-wide line with cover, Belthil – who is rock-hard fit and boasts one of the best finishing bursts in the race – can inject some nice value into the Oaks Day quaddie. Selections: 5 BELTHIL 8 POISON CHALICE 9 HELIX 2 EUPHORIC Race 7: Group 3 Red Roses Stakes (1100m) It was a hard watch for those on Appin Girl on her Melbourne debut at Caulfield, as she was horribly held up for a run in the home straight. The Flemington straight looks like it will suit the Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted-trained filly perfectly, and she should have no issue finding clear air when it matters. With early speed drawn either side of this daughter of Capitalist, Mark Zahra should be able to gain a perfect track into the race. Put that first run down as a paid barrier trial, because if Appin Girl is anywhere near what she showed during the Queensland winter, she is more than capable of saluting in the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes. Selections: 5 APPIN GIRL 4 MUMBAI MUSE 3 SALTAIRE 14 AVIATRESS Red Roses Stakes Race 7 – #5 Appin Girl (14) 3yo Filly | T: Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted | J: Mark Zahra (57kg) +1200 with Bet365 Race 8: Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500M) A field of 14 three-year-old fillies will line up in the 162nd running of the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m). Zardozi heads the market at +200, with jockey James McDonald looking to complete the VRC Derby and Oaks double in the same week. Group 1 winner Tropical Squall (+300) holds the second line of betting, while Aethelflaed (+750) and Basilinna (+850) are the only other runners under a double-figure quote. Click here for our full runner-by-runner preview of the 2023 Group 1 VRC Oaks Race 9: BM90 Handicap (1800m) Based on his two Australian starts to date, Gregolimo should just be winning in the last. The Mike Moroney-trained gelding is a deserving +130 favourite having chased home the in-form Muramasa at Caulfield on October 18. He steps back from 2000m after running third in the Group 3 Coongy Cup, where he was beaten by under a length. He hit the line with great intent over 1630m at Flemington on September 24, and with a similar effort, he should be putting this race away within a couple of strides. Selections: 4 GREGOLIMO 8 HOLYMANZ 13 SEB SONG 12 GLENTANEOUS Flemington Thursday quaddie tips – VRC Oaks Day 2023 Flemington quadrella selections Thursday, November 9, 2023 2-5-8-9-12 3-4-5-14 2-5-7-8 4-8-12-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Champion Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper–Salty Strike, by Smart Strike), who on Saturday captured her second GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, sold for $6 million Tuesday night at the Fasig-Tipton November sale to John Stewart. The amount matched the price Mike Repole spent on three-time Grade I winner Nest (Curlin) earlier in the evening. Consigned by Elite, agent as hip 237, Goodnight Olive went through the ring as a racing or broodmare prospect. She had first stepped into the same Fasig-Tipton ring in 2019 as an October yearling, where she was picked up by First Row Partners, Liz Crow agent for $170,000. The dark bay or brown mare, now a 5-year-old, raced for First Row Partners and Team Hanley. Trained by Chad Brown, the Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings-bred is nine for 12 lifetime. In addition to her back-to-back Breeders' Cup victories, she also captured the GI Madison S. and GI Ballerina H. She was honored with the Eclipse Award for champion female sprinter in 2022 and has earned just shy of $2.2 million. Gavin O'Connor signed for Goodnight Olive on behalf of John Stewart. The two also paired earlier in the sale on a duo of $3-million mares in Breeders' Cup winner Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and champion Forte's dam Queen Caroline (Blame). #FasigNovember: She is Her. Champion, 2x Breeders' Cup winner GOODNIGHT OLIVE (Ghostzapper) sells for $6 million to John Stewart. Consigned by @EliteRaceSales! pic.twitter.com/Ajwu0Evb3A — TDN (@theTDN) November 8, 2023 The post Dual Breeders’ Cup Winner Goodnight Olive Sells to John Stewart for $6M appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' and GI Starlet S. winner Faiza (Girvin–Sweet Pistol, by Smart Strike), five for six lifetime, hammered for $4 million to Godolphin LLC at Tuesday night's Fasig-Tipton November sale. Sold as hip 228, Faiza was bred in Kentucky by Brereton C. Jones and fetched $725,000 as a 2022 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-old. She raced for Michael Lund Petersen and was trained by Bob Baffert. Consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, agent as a broodmare prospect, the bay 3-year-old is out of a half-sister to MGSW Thousand Words (Pioneerof the Nile). #FasigNovember: Grade I winner FAIZA (Girvin) looking proud of herself as she leaves the ring after bringing the hammer down at $4 million! Consigned by @HillnDaleFarm. pic.twitter.com/fEnLEIUUkE — TDN (@theTDN) November 8, 2023 The post Faiza Fetches $4M from Godolphin at Fasig-Tipton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A homeless man in New Zealand has remarkably won NZ$106,000 ($97,781.29 AUD) from a $5 bet on the Melbourne Cup. View the full article

Wonder Wheel (Into Mischief–Wonder Gal, by Tiz Wonderful), the champion 2-year-old filly of 2022 following wins in the GI NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and GI Darley Alcibiades S., fetched $3.2 million Tuesday evening at the Fasig-Tipton November sale from buyer Katsumi Yoshida. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for DJ Stable LLC Graduate, the dark bay or brown 3-year-old was the first 2-year-old champion for four-time leading sire Into Mischief. Sold as a broodmare prospect as hip 200, Wonder Wheel is from the same family as GISW Force the Pass (Speightstown) and was bred by Three Chimneys Farm and Clearsky Farms in Kentucky. Buyer Yoshida had also purchased GISW Search Results (Flatter) for $3.6 million a little earlier in the evening at Fasig-Tipton. Click here to see a recent video feature on Wonder Wheel. #FasigNovember: Champion WONDER WHEEL (Into Mischief) shines in the ring, selling for $3.2 million to Northern Farm! Consigned by @TaylorMadeSales, agent for @DJ_Stable LLC Graduate. pic.twitter.com/t8WZPSseUK — TDN (@theTDN) November 8, 2023 The post Katsumi Yoshida Adds Wonder Wheel for $3.2M to Fasig-Tipton Shopping Cart appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In what was surely one of the most thrilling few moments of Fasig-Tipton's history, three consecutive mares through the November Sale ring fetched $3 million or more Tuesday evening. Hips 178-180–Sauterne (Fr) (Kingman {GB})–Salicorne, by Aragorn {Ire}), Search Results (Flatter–Co Cola, by Candy Ride {Arg}), and Secret Oath (Arrogate–Absinthe Minded, by Quiet American)–combined for a gross of $10.8 million in approximately five minutes. Sauterne, winner this year of the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp in France and consigned by Nicky Drion Thoroughbreds, agent, was the first of the trio to go through the ring and fetched a cool $4.2 million from Emmanuel de Seroux's Narvick International on behalf of Japan's Grand Farm. The sophomore filly is out of an unraced half-sister to dual American and French champion Stacelita (Fr) (Monsun). Sauterne sold as a racing or broodmare prospect. Jean Pierre Dubois bred her in France. Watch Hip 178 SAUTERNE (FR) sell for $4,200,000 at The November Sale! Sauterne defeated males in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1) in September.#FasigNovember @NickyDrion pic.twitter.com/EXhX2Qy2V0 — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) November 8, 2023 Search Results, winner of the GI Acorn S. in 2021 and most recently sixth in Saturday's GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff, also sold as a racing or broodmare prospect. Bred by Machmer Hall in Kentucky and consigned by Elite, agent, she is from the same family as GISW Mind Your Biscuits (Posse) and Canadian champion Kimchi (Langfuhr). Search Results went to Katsumi Yoshida for $3.6 million. Watch Hip 179 SEARCH RESULTS sell for $3,600,000 at The November Sale! Search Results won the Acorn S. (G1) at Belmont at 3 and is a 5x graded stakes winner.#FasigNovember @EliteRaceSales pic.twitter.com/el4DdSbV08 — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) November 8, 2023 Secret Oath, winner of the 2022 GI Kentucky Oaks, fetched $3 million from Spendthrift Farm LLC. Bred in Kentucky by Briland Farm, Robert Mitchell, and Stacy Mitchell, the chestnut was consigned by Bluewater Sales LLC, agent VI and sold specifically as a broodmare prospect. Her final appearance on the racetrack was a second behind Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Idiomatic (Curlin) in the Aug. 25 GI Personal Ensign S. Watch Hip 180 SECRET OATH sell for $3,000,000 at The November Sale! Secret Oath won last year's Kentucky Oaks (G1) over one of the strongest fields in recent memory.#FasigNovember @BluewaterSales @spendthriftfarm pic.twitter.com/fjzrr0Snb8 — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) November 8, 2023 The post Sauterne, Search Results, Secret Oath: Three Consecutive Mares Bring $3M or More at Fasig-Tipton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority released its 2024 assessments Nov. 6, totaling more than $77.5 million.View the full article

What Hawkesbury Races Where Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 When Thursday, November 9, 2023 First Race 1:35pm AEDT Visit Dabble It’s Ladies Day at Hawkesbury, with the $200,000 Ladies Day Cup (1500m) headlining a competitive seven-race program this Thursday afternoon. The rail is in the true position throughout the entire circuit, and with some rainfall expected to hit the course, the current Soft 5 rating will only worsen. The opening race is set to get underway at 1:35pm AEDT. Ladies Day Cup: Skyman Skyman has been competitive in Group company throughout his campaign and finds a much more manageable task on Thursday. He challenged the likes of Zeyrek and Renaissance Woman in the Group 3 Craven Plate (1800m) on October 28 and looked the likely winner throughout the 1800m contest. Coming back in trip shouldn’t be a concern, and with conditions to suit, we’re confident Skyman can get the upper hand on his rivals in the Ladies Day Cup. Ladies Day Cup Race 6 – #1 Skyman (3) 7yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Kathy O’Hara (60kg) +235 with BoomBet Best Bet at Hawkesbury: Rhesus Rhesus has now had four starts without a win, but the James Cummings-trained gelding is on the brink of a peak performance. The son of Lonhro has produced two runner-up efforts so far this preparation and on both occasions has looked the winner before fading. The three-year-old gains the services of Zac Lloyd on Thursday, and with a soft barrier offering an economical run in transit, look for Rhesus to be powering home late. Best Bet Race 2 – #8 Rhesus (5) 3yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Zac Lloyd (57.5kg) +100 with Betfair Next Best at Hawkesbury: Magnatear Magnatear will resume after a 147-day spell and has been trialling well for the Sam Kavanagh barn. His latest jump-out at Gosford on October 11 was especially promising, as the son of Written Tycoon travelled on the three-wide line throughout to score under his own steam. If he can hold his conditioning heading to the races after a lengthy break, Magnatear will be hard to hold out. Next Best Race 1 – #1 Magnatear (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Sam Kavanagh | J: Ashley Morgan (59kg) +150 with Bet365 Hawkesbury Thursday quaddie tips – 9/11/2023 Hawkesbury quadrella selections Thursday, November 9, 2023 1-7-10 2-3-4-5-7 1-2 2-4-5-6-9-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

To see the IRT New Zealand Cup draw live from Addington View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk The Katie Cox Appeal is now expected to be at around $300,000 after a massive last few days, including a Melbourne Cup fund-raising luncheon at Addington yesterday. The 33-year-old Canterbury trainer-driver is battling a rare form of lung cancer, with a trust fund set up to help pay for expensive medication. She recently started her first round of treatment. Trust founder Craig Wiggins told the 200 people at Tuesday’s luncheon that the total was already at $195,000, after a number of sizeable donations, including $25,000 from Entain, $10,000 from TAB NZ and $5000 from Harness Racing New Zealand. On top of that the luncheon then raised close to $100,000. Money was raised from the luncheon itself ($1200 + GST for a table of 10) as well as an auction featuring around 50 items that had been generously donated. Cox was at the luncheon which was also attended by a who’s who of Canterbury harness racing, including high profile trainers, breeders, owners and drivers. It had been organised at short notice by well-known racing presenter Greg O’Connor who MC’d the afternoon and was involved in some spirited banter with auctioneer for the day (and former junior driver) Stevie Golding. The highest bid was $8500 forked out for a trans-Tasman horse flight with IRT, while a service fee to multiple Group 1 winner King Of Swing sold for $6000. A trip for two to the world’s richest harness race the Eureka in Sydney fetched $4300, while a 10% per cent lifetime share in Levi (courtesy of Tim Vince) raised $4000. Levi, a What The Hill two-year-old, has had one placing from three starts and will race again as early as Friday night. A full driving set by 10-time Kiwi champion and now USA-based Dexter Dunn was also offered up. It went for $1100. One News was also at the luncheon, with an item on Cox’s plight going to air last night. In it she talked of the amazing support she’d had from so many people since the diagnosis. Many in the crowd stayed on to watch Mark Zahra win his second consecutive Melbourne Cup. The final tally from the auction and luncheon isn’t known yet but it will be “close to six figures”, according to O’Connor. “It was a great vibe and everyone has been extremely generous – it was a very successful day.” For those wanting to contribute to the appeal : Whatever with Wiggy Charitable Trust CC59951 Katie Cox Appeal 06-0837-0390071-01 Please use the reference Katie View the full article

NBC Sports commentator Randy Moss, whose career in racing has spanned nearly 45 years, will deliver the keynote address at the 2023 Global Symposium on Racing Dec. 5. Seen working events like the Triple Crown series and the Breeders' Cup World Championships, Moss will take a retrospective look at his career in the industry and share his insights on the future of the sport. The Global Symposium on Racing is hosted by the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program and will be held in Tucson, AZ from Dec. 4-6. The post 2023 Global Symposium On Racing Welcomes Randy Moss As Keynote Speaker appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article