Wandering Eyes

Englishman orchestrates boilover in Group Three Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1,000m) aboard Whizz Kid and continues successful partnership with Blue MarlinView the full article

John Size’s galloper will head straight to the first leg of the four-year-old series after dismantling his rivals on SundayView the full article

by Jonny Turner Da Vinci’s sizzling speed set up a Wyndham whitewash in the Cromwell Cup on Saturday. The pacer sealed an outstanding result for breeder-owners Paul and Brendan Duffy and trainer Craig Ferguson when holding out his half-sister and stablemate Nutcracker who chased gamely along the inner. In front of a bumper crowd at a meeting hosted by the Wyndham Harness Racing Club, with plenty of friends and family in attendance, vice-president Brendan Duffy had plenty to be proud after the one-three finish. “I’m probably especially proud of Nutcracker, she’s just an honest little horse,” Duffy said. “She’s getting up in the ratings now, and it’s probably going to be to her detriment.” “But she seems to compete in a good field like that, the run probably suited her.” “But Da Vinci he’s just got a bit more class and yeah we’re super proud of how he’s going.” “He’s not a top liner but he’s certainly one of the better ones around down here.” Da Vinci and Nutcracker are from the Duffy’s broodmare gem Rockin Cullen who has also produced the good performer, Yorokobi. “It’s a tough game, the breeding game, we’ve had a bit of bad luck this year but you’ve just got to take the good with the bad,” Duffy said. “We’ve got a mare that’s leaving quality stock so if you breed them well, feed them well, they seem to produce.” “Craig’s doing a great job with his team there and being close to Wyndham, the old man (Paul) gets to see them training.” “He’s got everything there he needs – a swimming pool and grass track, a good all-weather track, so the horses have every chance.” Coming out of age group racing, Da Vinci faced a new challenge in the Cromwell Cup. In his first standing start and in his first start on grass, the pacer showed he was well up to the task. “He’s actually surprised me a little bit, with just how he has stepped up,” Ferguson said. “The key thing today was the start and he managed it good, so we’re going to be able to target some of those nice races.” “With his speed and the way he behaved today, he should do a good job in them.” Da Vinci (2600m stand) was one of four horses to set a track record at Cromwell on Saturday. Song Sung Blue (1800m mobile), Hacksaw Ridge (2600m mobile) and One Two Menny (2600m trotting stand) each set new marks with their victories. Racing over the new distance of 1950m, Bullit Train also set a new track record. One Two Menny set his new mark when taking out the Cromwell Trotters Cup in a thrilling finish with runner-up Maui. Trainer Robert Wilson had already enjoyed success at Cromwell when producing Falcons Watch to win race 6. The pacer scored courtesy of an outstanding front-running drive from Seth Hill who produced his first win in the sulky. View the full article

With just three weeks until the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale commences at Karaka, Stud Manager Leon Casey and his team are busy putting the finishing touches on Pencarrow Stud’s 23-strong 2024 sale draft. The Sir Peter Vela owner operation has developed a rich history of providing quality international and domestic performers since Sir Peter and his late brother Phillip established the Tamahere-based property over three decades ago. Casey is justifiably excited about the wide range of youngsters the Stud will send through the auction ring this year. “We have an excellent range of horses in our draft which we believe will appeal to a large cross section of buyers,” Casey said. “Our pre-Christmas parades for mainly Australian buyers were very well received and we are now doing a number of parades for the domestic buyers. “It is very heartening to see the level of interest that has been generated.” While Casey is reluctant to single out any particular individual for special attention, he believes that those with an eye on the international market will be keen on Lot 210, a colt by European Group One winner Kingman out of the Irish mare Marsden Cross who comes from a family that includes outstanding cross-continent Group One performer, Mother Earth, “Our Kingman colt really catches the eye as he is by an outstanding international stallion who has had only a handful of Southern Hemisphere runners and has already produced VRC Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m) winner Zardozi and JJ Atkins Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m) winner King Colorado down here. “Kingman is already classified in the Frankel and Dubawi category of sire success in the Northern Hemisphere and with a filly like Mother Earth in his extended pedigree, who won two Group Ones in Europe but was also Group One placed in America, there is plenty of class in the family.” Casey is quick to point out that a number of the individuals they will offer are from traditional Pencarrow families that have continued to provide the Stud with success, particularly in the past 12 months. “While we obviously have outstanding horses like Romanee Conti, Ethereal and Darci Brahma come off the farm over the years, it is gratifying to see the families we have built that success on continuing to produce on the racetracks in the last year,” he said. “One that quickly springs to mind is Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock) who won five of her first six races and is already a stakes winner and Group One placed, “We have a half-brother to her by Super Seth (Lot 146) in the sale and he is a cracker of a colt. Super Seth has made a great start to his stud career and this guy looks like a real runner. “We also have Lot 43 by another young stallion in Ole Kirk. We made the conscious decision to put our mare Empyrean, who is a daughter of Ethereal, to a stallion who looked like he produced an early maturing type that could run up to a mile. “It is a great cross for the family and he really is an outstanding type.” Casey is also excited to be offering to fillies by first season sire Hello Youmzain, who won twice at Group One level in England including the Gr.1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot and now shuttles to Cambridge Stud for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season. “We have two lovely Hello Youmzain fillies (Lots 87 & 675) from families who have done a great job for us,” he said. “We are shareholders in the stallion and from what we have seen of his first crop to go through an auction ring in this hemisphere, they should attract plenty of attention as there are some lovely individuals on offer.” The only negative for Casey in the build-up to Karaka is the fact that he has been battling the effects of a broken arm suffered when handling a mare prior to Christmas. “I got kicked by a mare a couple of weeks ago but I’m on the mend now,” he said. “They performed surgery on it and I don’t need a cast or even a bandage, “I can’t put any pressure on it but that won’t stop me mucking in with team as we prepare for the biggest week of the year for the Stud.” The National Yearling Sale kicks off at Karaka on Sunday 28 January at 11pm. View the full article

The father and daughter training partnership of Ken Rae and Krystal Williams will take a two-pronged attack into the main race at Reefton on Tuesday, the Ken Gray Memorial Reefton Cup (1400m). Rae and Williams will back-up both The Buffer (NZ) (Reliable Man) and Follow Your Dreams (NZ) (Contributer) in the event after the pair contested the Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m) on Saturday with contrasting fortunes. While Follow Your Dreams was narrowly beaten into fourth, sentimental favourite The Buffer couldn’t capitalise on a nice run in the trail, battling on to finish beyond midfield behind impressive winner Regal Dice. Williams is confident an improvement in track conditions, with the Reefton surface currently rated a Slow7, will play in favour of both candidates. “On the face of it The Buffer may have looked a little disappointing but I think he got tripped up by a sticky type of track and he may have also not had the race fitness he needed,” Williams said. “He had a blow after he pulled up and will strip a lot fitter for Tuesday. “I also think being back to 1400m will suit and with the fine weather predicted through until Tuesday he will get a track he prefers. “It was great to see Follow Your Dreams back to somewhere near his best as he had a pretty terrible winter. “He just copped a check when a couple stopped on him on Saturday and off his work leading into that race I think he could be a very good chance this week.” The stable will have six stable runners on hand at Reefton with Williams keen on the chances of Berbizier (Race 4) and The Roaring Tiger (Race 8) in their respective events. “The Roaring Tiger (NZ) (Holler) went well at Cromwell to finish third over 1400m and then ran on nicely over 1200m at Kumara last time,” she said. “He is another who will be suited by a better track and with his work of late I’d expect him to be prominent in race eight. “Berbizier (Foxwedge) is a bit of a trick horse as one day he is very good and completely the opposite next time. “The track will suit him as it can be quite a tight circuit and we have been joking about giving all our horses plenty of practice at home going around corners. “He won’t mind that and if he can overcome a wide barrier (8) and topweight (59.5kgs) then he can be right in it.” View the full article

Impressive three-year-old debutant Testwin (NZ) (Time Test) justified some solid support when he took out the opening event on the card at Hastings on Saturday. The Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos-trained son of Time Test boasts an impressive physique and showed he has the ability to match as he put in some huge strides late in the piece to score impressively by half-a-length in the maiden 1600m contest. Given a perfect run behind the pace by rider Jonathan Riddell, Testwin appreciated first use of a track rated as Soft7 before being downgraded during the day to finish a Heavy 10 after some persistent and heavy showers. Trial watchers got an indication of his ability when he took out a 1200m heat at Foxton back in December, with Lowry keen on his chances on Saturday on his home track. “He has shown us plenty and in all honesty we thought he could win based on his trial performance,” Lowry said. “He has a massive stride and we were probably a little lucky to get first use of the track when it was definitely at its best. “He really is a dead set stayer and the mile suited although he might struggle at that distance again in his prep as he just wants to go further.” Lowry will keep that in mind as he attempts to get his charge to the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on 2 March. “We have him on a Derby path and his next run will be at Wellington on the 27th of January at this stage,” he said. “As long as he goes well we will then look at the Avondale Guineas (Gr.2, 2100m) or the Wairoa Cup (2100m) before tackling the Derby. “The Wairoa Cup might suit best as it is here at Hastings which means he doesn’t have to travel after a big trip to Wellington and then another to Auckland after that, which can be hard on a young horse.” Bred and raced by Lowry’s uncle Tom, Testwin is the younger half-brother to Nedwin (NZ) (Niagara) who won three races on the flat before turning his talents to hurdling where he has now won six of 10 starts over the fences including the 2023 Great Northern Hurdle (4200m). He comes from an extended family that includes outstanding three-year-old Cure who won the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) while also finishing second in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). View the full article

Holymanz justified his race favourite status with a win in the Costal Classic at Geelong on Saturday. Photo: Grant Courtney The highly talented Holymanz is in line for a return to the country of his birth after scoring an effortless win in the $300,000 Coastal Classic (1700m) at Geelong on Saturday. The four-year-old races in the colours of Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, who are keen to contest the inaugural $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on January 27. Top horse racing bookmakers reacted to Saturday’s performance by cutting his odds for the four-year-old feature from +1300 to +700. He is now an equal third favourite alongside Desert Lightning in a market headed by Legarto (+160) and Wild Night (+500). Regardless of what the future holds for Holymanz, Saturday’s feature win was itself an enormously satisfying result for the gelding’s connections. After showing bright potential as a three-year-old including a second placing in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, his progress was interrupted by a fall in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) that dented his confidence. But trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have brought him back to the peak of his powers as a four-year-old, winning two of his last three races. His 12-start career has now produced four wins, three placings and $371,050 in stakes. “He’s progressive,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said. “Henry Plumptre and Cambridge Stud have always thought he was a Group horse. He had a tumble in the Guineas last year, and he was travelling at that point of the race. It knocked him around. Even for him to come back and get back into winning form is fantastic. “We set the horse for this race, and now that we’ve got this result, it leads on to a nice potential option at the Karaka Millions meeting in New Zealand in three weeks’ time.” Holymanz was sent out as a +220 favourite, and jockey Michael Dee was delighted with how the horse was travelling throughout the race. He sat in a handy position before cruising into contention at the top of the straight while still under a tight hold. Holymanz quickened in the straight and soon put the result beyond doubt, coasting to victory by three-quarters of a length over the fellow New Zealand-bred Bermadez. “I knew that I didn’t want to lead today,” Dee said. “I was confident that Keats and Independent Road would make the move and go to the front, but it did take a fair while for that to eventuate. I was happy with where we were. We were able to hold a spot one off the fence. “I wanted to stay off the fence, because we feel that he’s a better horse when he’s ridden outside horses and given plenty of room. He towed me into it coming down the hill, and he made easy work of it in the end.” More horse racing news View the full article

Carbonados remains unbeaten after scoring in his Australian debut at Geelong. Photo: Grant Courtney Exciting New Zealand import Carbonados kept his unblemished career record intact with an impressive Australian debut at Geelong. The Belardo gelding began his career in the New Plymouth stable of Allan Sharrock, and he made a huge impression with a five-length victory on debut on his home track in May of last year. Runner-up Chantilly Lace has since been a multiple Listed winner and Group Three placegetter. Carbonados was subsequently sold to clients of Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes, who were quickly impressed by what their new recruit showed them in trackwork and trials. Saturday marked his long-awaited Australian debut, and Carbonados did not disappoint. Ridden by Luke Currie, the three-year-old broke quickly from gate four and settled in second behind the front-running Spicy Margs. That rival kicked strongly at the top of the Geelong straight and provided a brief scare, but Currie released the brakes on Carbonados and he drew past to win by a length and a quarter under a hands-and-heels ride. “He’s pretty push-button,” Currie said. “He’s still doing a few things wrong – he’s a bit hot and worked up today. Deeper into his preparation, I reckon he’ll settle down and keep improving. “He jumped well and just cruised along behind the leader with no real problems. He just took a little while to pick up. He was just looking around and is still a bit green and raw. But it was nice that he had that horse to chase. He chased it and put it away nicely in the end. He’s a nice horse going places.” JD Hayes suggested that Carbonados could step into black-type company for the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on January 26. “That performance was really pleasing to see,” Hayes said. “He’s shown a lot of potential, as everyone would have seen in his overseas form and at the trials. “Luke gave him a good ride today. It was nice to see him pull out to the middle of the track and come away with a good victory. “We’ve got some good owners – you’ll see he’s in those Rupert Legh colours, and there are a number of other great clients involved too. They’ve backed us in. He had a pretty nice price tag alongside him after he won so emphatically in New Zealand. There’s still a lot of water to go under the bridge, but this win is a good start. “We’ll take things one step at a time with him, but a race like the Manfred in a few weeks’ time could be a nice target for him.” More horse racing news View the full article

Lyrical Gangster strides clear of his rivals to win at Randwick on Saturday. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au A gear change and a favourable race tempo helped to unlock the potential of Lyrical Gangster with an impressive win at Randwick. The Proisir gelding headed a New Zealand-bred quinella in the Benchmark 78 event, beating last-start winner Monfelicity by three-quarters of a length. Lyrical Gangster has now had 10 starts for three wins and two placings, earning $165,150 for his co-breeders Cam and Chas Stewart, who race the four-year-old in partnership with Michael Hughes. Since winning on the Kensington track in early November, Lyrical Gangster has been strongly supported for two subsequent starts and has been slightly disappointing in finishing third at Kembla Grange and a last-start fourth at Randwick. Trainer Chris Waller elected to replace blinkers with winkers on Saturday, and with a perfect ride from in-form jockey Kerrin McEvoy, Lyrical Gangster turned his form around. McEvoy had Lyrical Gangster tucked up in behind the speed for most of the race, then presented him in the straight to make his run. Six horses lined up across the track at the 200m in a desperate scramble to the finish, but Lyrical Gangster lifted and kicked strongest of all. “That was a deserved win,” Waller said. “He’s been a work in progress. He’s always shown ability, but he’s been a bit of a heartbreak horse to watch at times. “I said to the owners Cam and Chas Stewart that if we could get his gear right, we can win a decent race with him, and then he’ll train on and get some confidence, and I think that’s the way he’s heading. I’ve just been on the phone to them – they think I’m a genius and I think they’re pretty good too. They’re great supporters of ours, and that’s what racing is all about. “He’s a really big horse and is still growing into himself. Horses like him probably don’t mature until they’re four or five-year-old years, so I think he can win more races once he fills out and gets that confidence.” McEvoy was impressed with Lyrical Gangster’s improvement from his last-start performance. “I think they might have just gone a bit too fast for him the other day,” he said. “He’s a bit of a quirky lad. Today, with the steadier tempo, he was able to settle a bit closer. “Chris changed the blinkers back to the winkers, and I just wanted him to be a bit more enthusiastic out of the gates. He was able to travel after a couple of furlongs, and when I gave him a bit of a smooch around the corner, he came up underneath me and I knew we were in play. “Full credit to the horse – he was able to do his best work and get across the line. He’s heading in the right direction.” More horse racing news View the full article

Hastings three-year-old Testwin kicked off a potential Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) path on home turf on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Impressive three-year-old debutant Testwin justified some solid support when he took out the opening event on the card at Hastings on Saturday. The Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos-trained son of Time Test boasts an impressive physique and showed he has the ability to match as he put in some huge strides late in the piece to score impressively by half a length in the maiden 1600m contest. Given a perfect run behind the pace by rider Jonathan Riddell, Testwin appreciated first use of a track rated as Soft7 before being downgraded during the day to finish a Heavy 10 after some persistent and heavy showers. Trial watchers got an indication of his ability when he took out a 1200m heat at Foxton back in December, with Lowry keen on his chances on Saturday on his home track. “He has shown us plenty and in all honesty we thought he could win based on his trial performance,” Lowry said. “He has a massive stride and we were probably a little lucky to get first use of the track when it was definitely at its best. “He really is a dead set stayer and the mile suited although he might struggle at that distance again in his prep as he just wants to go further.” Lowry will keep that in mind as he attempts to get his charge to the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on March 2. “We have him on a Derby path and his next run will be at Wellington on the 27th of January at this stage,” he said. “As long as he goes well we will then look at the Avondale Guineas (Group 2, 2100m) or the Wairoa Cup (2100m) before tackling the Derby. “The Wairoa Cup might suit best as it is here at Hastings which means he doesn’t have to travel after a big trip to Wellington and then another to Auckland after that, which can be hard on a young horse.” More horse racing news View the full article

Canheroc strides away a dominant victor in the Listed Marton Cup (2200m) at Hastings on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) A day after his connections took a leap of faith with a late nomination for the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m), emerging stayer Canheroc rewarded their confidence with a powerful lead-up performance in the Listed Marton Cup (2200m) at Hastings on Saturday. Canheroc had risen steadily through the North Island’s staying ranks in recent months, culminating in a close third behind subsequent Group Three winner Trust In You in the Dunstan Feeds Stayers’ Championship Final (2400m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day. The El Roca gelding took another step up for Saturday’s $80,000 feature, and he rose to the occasion in style with a dominant five-length win. Horse racing betting sites now rates him a +500 chance for the Wellington Cup on January 20, sharing second favouritism with Waisake. Mary Louise is the market leader at +400. “Friday was the deadline to put in a late nomination for the Wellington Cup, so we took a punt and paid up, hoping that he’d justify it with a good run today,” trainer Chris Wood said. “It’s all worked out really well and his performance has given us a bit of confidence to have a crack at Trentham in a couple of weeks’ time. “I’m pretty sure he’ll run two miles. You never know for sure until you try it, but he races like a horse who’ll see the distance out strongly. We’ll just have to hope that they run the Wellington Cup at a reasonable tempo and he gets every chance.” Wood admitted to some concerns about the deteriorating Heavy 8 track on Saturday, but Canheroc was nevertheless sent out as a +340 favourite and blew his nine rivals off the racetrack. Kelly Myers, who was riding the six-year-old for the first time, got him to settle into a smooth rhythm in midfield as Madame Le Fay set a strong pace out in front. The leader began to tire approaching the home turn and the field bunched up tightly. Myers brought Canheroc out into clear air down the extreme outside and let him rip in the straight. He swept to the lead at the 200m mark and romped clear to win with ease from Prince Alby and Never Look Back. “That was a really good performance,” Wood said. “I was a little bit worried when the second lot of rain came today, but he seemed to get through the ground comfortably enough. “Kelly did a very good job on him today. She got him to settle really well and got him to the right part of the track when it mattered. “There was a good tempo, which is always such a big help for staying horses like him, and once Kelly got him into the clear, he was away.” Canheroc has now had 27 starts for four wins, seven placings and $187,305 in stakes for her owner-breeders, Taranaki’s Schumacher family. Canheroc became the ninth individual stakes winner for Westbury Stud stallion El Roca, and he is the best of three foals to race out of the twice-winning Colombia mare Goldie Cantride. More horse racing news View the full article

Muth was the best California-based 2-year-old of the fall, winning the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) and running second to eastern shipper Fierceness in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). Two months later, he still appears on top on the West Coast.View the full article

The Asmussen family legacy saw the beginning of another important chapter Jan. 5 when Erik Asmussen, the youngest son of North America's all-time leading trainer Steve Asmussen, rode his first career winner at Sam Houston Race Park.View the full article

Eclipse Award finalist Muth (c, 3, Good Magic–Hoppa, by Uncle Mo) opened his 2024 tab with a stylish victory in the GII San Vicente S. at Santa Anita Park after ending his juvenile season a runner-up to Fierceness (City of Light) in the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile.. Caught to the outside of a scramble for the lead, the Bob Baffert trainee contently track Pilot Commander (Justify) and Slider (Jimmy Creed) as they showed the way early. Moving well coming off the far turn, Juan Hernandez cut his charge loose and the race was over as the son of Good Magic left his stablemate in his wake. Pilot Commander would get the better of the photo with Slider. The final time was 1:23.01. Sales history: $190,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP, $2,000,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR. O-Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.; B-Don Alberto Corporation; T-Bob Baffert. Champion Two-Year-Old Male finalist #3 MUTH ($2.80) easily wins the $200,000 San Vicente Stakes (G2). The 3YO Bob Baffert trainee gets his second graded stakes victory with @JJHernandezS19 up. pic.twitter.com/yh53g2O76U — TVG (@TVG) January 6, 2024 The post Muth Takes San Vicente with Style appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Northern visitor Regal Dice reigns supreme in the iconic Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m) on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Regal Dice capped a dream first week of 2024 for trainer Robbie Patterson with her victory in the iconic $40,000 Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m) on Saturday. Remarkably, that was Patterson’s eighth win in the last four days. The New Plymouth trainer collected a win at Greymouth on Wednesday, followed by four winners at Otaki on Thursday and a treble in front of Saturday’s huge crowd at Kumara. Earlier on the Kumara card, Patterson teamed up with jockey Craig Grylls for front-running victories with O’Ceirins Dream and Snipers Dream in maiden and Rating 65 events over the Nuggets distance. They attempted to do the same thing with Times Up in the main event, but a high-pressure pace began to take its toll 500m from the finish. It was stablemate Regal Dice who capitalised as the race suddenly changed complexion, coming up towards the home turn. After settling second-last in a strung-out field, rider Kylie Williams switched across heels and swooped around the outside of the field. By the time she reached the turn into the short Kumara straight, Regal Dice had burst to the lead and was literally going for the gold. Hail Damage provided the sternest challenge, chasing gamely along the inside and clawing back the margin, but Regal Dice held her at bay and won by 1.75 lengths. The Gold Nuggets was the fourth win of a 12-start career for Regal Dice, who has now earned $84,770 for the Regal Dice Racing Syndicate. The daughter of Zed was bred by Bill Stewart, whose other notable successes include the Group Two-winning stayer Tinseltown. “This is great – it’s one of those iconic races that everyone loves to win,” Patterson said. “We managed to win the Coupland’s Mile (Group 3, 1600m) earlier in the season as well. They’re iconic races that mean a lot to people. I’m just really grateful to be here and winning these sorts of races with lovely horses and for good people. “Bill Stewart bred this horse and is a great mate of mine, and I know he’ll be super thrilled with this result too. “It was a smart ride by Kylie. She said they were going to go crazy out in front, so she just sat back smoking her pipe and then made her run and got the result. “Gryllsy got away with those front-running tactics in the previous two races, but he couldn’t quite do it three times in a row. Regal Dice is just a horse with a lot of stamina, and that’s what shone through.” Saturday’s Kumara treble took Patterson to 28 wins for the season, and his runners have now banked more than $1 million in total prize-money through the first half of 2023-24. “I wanted to break a million for the season, so to get there already, less than halfway through the season, is great,” Patterson said. “I’d love to get to 50 wins for the season again, and maybe pick up another Group race along the way. We’ll see what happens. But I’ve got a great crew of people around me and couldn’t have days like this without them.” Regal Dice also became the first Gold Nuggets winner for Williams, who recently reached a milestone of 900 wins in her outstanding riding career. “I’ve always wanted to win the Nuggets,” she said. “I’ve come second a few times, so to finally win the race is great. “I actually only picked up the ride yesterday, and I felt a bit better when Robert said he thought she was the better chance of his two and Craig (Grylls) picked the wrong one. “I said to Robert that there’d be a lot of speed in the race, so I wanted to ride her patiently. At about the 800m I started to get up on heels and in all sorts of trouble, so I elected to come out and let her start to roll forward. “I thought I might have got there too soon, but to her credit, she held them all out. I could hear the others coming at her, but she kept kicking.” More horse racing news View the full article

Charles Dickens secured an automatic berth into the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series Win and You're In, while Beach Bomb landed a guaranteed starting position in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T).View the full article

What Moruya Showcase Cup Day Where Moruya Jockey Club – 100 Donnelly Dr, Moruya NSW 2537 When Monday, January 8, 2024 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble The new week of racing gets underway in country NSW for Moruya Showcase Cup (1425m) Day, with Big Dance (1600m) eligibility up grabs. The $75,000 feature has drawn a strong field of 14 and provides punters with an exciting undercard of racing throughout the afternoon, with a total of eight races set for decision. The rail stays in the true position the entire circuit for the meeting, and with conditions likely to sit somewhere in the Good range for race-day, it should be a terrific day for all participants as racing gets underway at 1:15pm AEDT. Moruya Showcase Cup Tip: Miss Ostend Kokoro heads into the Moruya Showcase Cup (1425m) as the highest-rated runner and we’re happy to be in his corner in Monday’s feature event. The son of Real Impact will resume after a 107-day spell and finished his last campaign at Rosehill on September 23 in a BM88, only to be defeated by 2.7 lengths by an ultra-impressive Vienna Princess. That race has produced four subsequent winners – including Vienna Princess, who would go on to secure victory in the Silver Eagle (1300m). His barrier trial suggests he’s wound up for this, so with luck from barrier 12, we expect Kokoro to be right in this. Moruya Showcase Cup Race 7 – #1 Kokoro (12) 5yo Gelding | T: John O’Shea | J: Andrew Adkins (61kg) +600 with PlayUp Best Bet at Moruya: Lerinka One barrier trial is all it’s taken for the Scott Collings barn to send Lerinka to the races and they seem to have found a very winnable race on debut. The filly by Redente jumped out in stylish fashion at Goulburn on December 15, ridden quietly before being asked for a minimal effort down the centre of the course to finish runner-up 2.6 lengths away. The winner of the trial went on to be a debut winner, and provided Richard Bensley can tack on somewhere mid-field in the opener, Lerinka may continue to frank that form from the trials. Best Bet Race 1 – #4 Lerinka (6) 3yo Filly | T: Scott Collings | J: Richard Bensley (56.5kg) +180 with Bet365 Next Best at Moruya: Missile Leader Missile Leader returns after 121 days off the scene and has placed beautifully on resumption after contesting Highway company at Rosehill on September 9. He drew barrier 13 on that occasion and was dragged back toward the rear of the field in a race where it was on-speed dominated throughout the 1400m journey. He still had the audacity to power through the line to be beaten 1.6 lengths, showing an impressive turn-of-foot in the process. He still has plenty of upside as he returns to country grade, and with this a nice kick-off point in the preparation, we expect a bold showing from Missile Leader. Next Best Race 8 – #5 Missile Leader (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Keith Dryden | J: Damon Budler (58kg) +180 with Dabble Best Value at Moruya: Merc Merc has run into Incentive for his first two starts of the preparation and performed admirably over an unsuitable trip. Both third-place efforts came over 1000m, with his latest in open company at Moruya on December 17. He hit the line well despite a checkered passage in the concluding stages, and with the seven-year-old needing more ground, it was pass mark for the son of Knight Exemplar second-up. The 1200m third-up should be ideal, and with a favourable map from barrier three, Merc warrants an each-way ticket in the second leg of the quaddie. Best Value Race 6 – #10 Merc (3) 7yo Gelding | T: Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones | J: Jake Barrett (a1.5kg) (55kg) +1100 with Picklebet Moruya Showcase Cup Day quaddie tips – 8/1/2024 Moruya quadrella selections Monday, January 8, 2024 2-4-5-7 2-4-5-10 1-2-7-10 3-5 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Spendthrift Farm's Greatest Honour sired his first reported foal Jan. 5 when KatieRich Farms in Midway announced that I Love Nola had delivered a colt by the well-bred son of Tapit. “This colt has the longest legs we've ever seen on a newborn foal. He has an extraordinary hip and a beautiful head. This is the biggest foal the mare has had. We are very, very happy,” said Martha Rattner, whose Rattner Bloodstock LLC bred the foal. Greatest Honour, hailing from a half-sister to champion Rags to Riches; Irish Highweight Man of Iron; GSW-US and G1SP-Jpn Casino Drive; GISW Jazil; and the dam of GISW Streaming (Smart Strike), covered 178 mares in his 2023 introductory season, and will stand his second at stud for a fee of $7,500 S&N. The post Greatest Honour’s First Foal is a Colt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Kerry Petrick and jockey Paul Denton. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Darwin Photography Professionals) The wily combination of trainer Kerry Petrick and jockey Paul Denton started the year in style with a winning double at Alice Springs on Saturday. Petrick and Denton, who celebrated their first win in Darwin in 1997, when Petrick won her first race, are showing no signs of slowing down with Throw At Da Stumps ($1.45) and Hellvit ($19) getting the cash. It proved a cruisy day for the pair, who have won a host of big races in the NT, as Throw At Da Stumps won the 1000m feature (BM76) by 3.8 lengths, with Hellvit saluting in a 1000m maiden by 3.2 lengths. Both horses hit the front early and never looked like losing. Throw At Da Stumps, the son of Rich Enuff, was purchased for $33,000 at the Alice Springs Tried Horse Sale last April during Cup Carnival. The former Victorian galloper made his NT debut in Darwin, where he posted back-to-back wins in June and July. Following a spell, the five-year-old returned in November and narrowly upset Paul Gardner’s Red Wraith over 1000m (BM76) before Terry Gillett’s Great Buy got his number in open company (1200m) in December. Throw At Da Stumps (25: 7-5-3), one to watch during the forthcoming Alice Springs Cup Carnival, dominated after scooting three lengths clear at the 600m in the five-horse field. Turning for home and with 350m to go, Denton constantly peaked over his shoulder, and with the opposition labouring, he won effortlessly from Gillett’s Supreme Attraction ($3.70) and Russell Bell’s Garrucha ($8). Supreme Attraction (62.5kg), the 2023 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) winner, was returning from a spell and despite the efforts of Gillett’s daughter Dakota, a rising apprentice, spotting Throw At Da Stumps 4.5kg and five lengths at the home turn was mission impossible. Hellvit, formerly trained by Kim Waugh at Wyong, disappointed in his first two Alice starts in December, but the four-year-old gelding certainly flipped the script after skipping five lengths clear at the 600m. The addition of blinkers seemed to do the trick for the son of Hellbent, who eventually left Ray Viney’s Bodmin Boy ($12) and Lisa Whittle’s Jackset ($5) in his wake. Meanwhile, Gillett and apprentice Ianish Luximon also claimed a winning double with Valley Prince ($4.60) over 1200m (0-64) and Family Ties ($2.60) over 1100m (BM54). Valley Prince, a former NT Guineas winner at Pioneer Park, hadn’t raced since September, but with eight wins and 10 minor placings from 31 Red Centre starts, the six-year-old gelding by Dissident was a serious contender in the five-horse field. Full of beans in the barrier, Valley Prince, as well as Leanne Gillett’s Ornamental Lady ($1.55) and Greg Connor’s Radio Room, were content to allow Gardner’s Gunnerside and Leanne Gillett’s Esahi to set the early pace. Esashi ($17) went for broke and was three lengths clear at the 400m before Valley Prince and Ornamental Lady found their mojo and with 200m to go, it proved a battle royale. Valley Prince, sandwiched between his two rivals, got there in the end by half a length from Ornamental Lady, who had every chance, with the courageous Esahi hanging on for third. Not only was it a win for Terry Gillett over wife Leanne, but Dakota partnered Ornamental Lady. Family Ties, a four-year-old gelding by Zebedee, made it two wins from his past three starts when he hit the front early and continued to extend his lead before blitzing Dan Morgan’s Angelluccis ($13) and Viney’s Eastside Diamond ($12) by 4.1 lengths. In November, Family Ties won in similar fashion by 5.5 lengths over 1100m (BM54) and looked like repeating the dose in December over 1100m (0-58) before he was pipped at the post and finished third by 0.2 lengths. The bookies cheered when Connor’s six-year-old gelding Vitesse Breeze ($26) swooped late to seal victory by a nose from Whittle’s Prophesier ($5) over 1200m (0-58). Vitesse Breeze had only achieved one win from 32 starts – that was in a 1600m maiden at Pakenham for previous trainers David and Coral Feek (Mornington) – and was having its first ever 1200m start. Easily four lengths adrift of the pack at the 1000m in the seven-horse field, the son of Bullet Train was never a consideration as Prophesier, Bold Tropic, and Omoplata led the way for a major portion of the race. Sticking to the fence, Vitesse Breeze – with Casey Hunter in the saddle – headed for the centre of the track once turning for home and sizzled over the concluding 200m to catch the unlucky Prophesier, with Whittle’s Omoplata ($7) a further 2.6 lengths away in third place. More horse racing news View the full article

Horse Racing on Sunday, January 7 will feature six meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meetings at Warrnambool & Sha Tin (HK). Sunday Racing Tips – January 7, 2024 Warrnambool Racing Tips Sha Tin (HK) Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For January 7, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $37.84 odds return: Sunday, January 7, 2024 Warrnambool – Race 4 #6 Active Duty Warrnambool – Race 8 #11 Loved Up Lawyer Lismore – Race 4 #12 True Fairy Gilgandra – Race 3 #7 Stockholm | Copy this bet straight to your betslip As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on January 7, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Sunday, January 7. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these complimentary promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximize your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for January 7, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Sunshine Coast All Races – Same Race Multi 3+ Leg Bonus Back If 1 Leg Fails Up To $50 Place a 3+ leg Same Race Multi bet on any race at Sunshine Coast this Sunday and if 1 leg of your multi fails, get up to $50 back in Bonus Cash. Available from approximately 8:30am local track time on race day. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Sunshine Coast Race 1 – Run 2nd or 3rd Score up to $100 in Bonus Cash Enter the Bonus Code BONUS100 on the Bonus Bets/Offers page, place a fixed win bet on Sunshine Coast race 1 and if your selection runs 2nd or 3rd get up to $100 in Bonus Cash. One Bonus per week. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Sunday Bonus Back 2nd or 3rd in R1-3 at Lismore Promotional Limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed odds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for January 7, 2024. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and exclusive promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimize your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

Spendthrift Farm's Kopion, a stylish winner at first asking for trainer Richard Mandella, will make her stakes debut against a compact field of five in the Jan. 7 $100,000 Santa Ynez Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Trainer Joe Cantey, who teamed up with owner John Ed Anthony to win a slew of major races, including the GI 1980 Belmont S., passed away Friday at the age of 82 in his hometown of Camden, S.C. The news was confirmed by his ex-wife, Charlsie Cantey. The cause of death was lung and mouth cancer. “Everything he touched pretty much turned to gold,” Charlsie said. “When he set his mind to do something, he exceeded it by leaps and bounds.” Cantey started out handling horses for Bert Firestone as they wintered in South Carolina. He would also go on to work for trainer Evan Jackson. He decided that he wanted to go out on his own and set his sights on coming to New York. “Joe applied for stalls with Kenny Noe and he didn't get them,” Cantey recalled. “He got a plane and went to New York. He met with Noe and said I really want these stalls and I want to train horses in New York. Kenny was so persuaded by that he gave him some stalls. He got better owners and better horses and worked his way up going to work John Ed Anthony and Loblolly Stable and did a damn fine job there.” With Cantey in charge, Loblolly Stable turned into a force on the New York circuit and at Oaklawn Park. Their best horse may have been Temperence Hill, who upset Genuine Risk to win the 1980 GI Belmont S. With wins that same year in the GI Travers S. and the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, he was named 3-year-old male champion of 1980. Their other big star was Cox's Ridge, whose biggest win came in the 1978 GI Metropolitan H. They campaigned still another Grade I winner in Majesty's Prince, a star on the grass who won two runnings of the GI Rothman's International, two runnings of the Man o' War S. and two runnings of the Sword Dancer, one a Grade I race, the other a Grade II race. “I think about him all the time and I always have,” said Eddie Maple, who was Cantey's primary rider. “He was such a big part of our lives back in the seventies and eighties. We were pretty tight. He was an all-around horseman. He picked it up from the guys who were around Camden, like Frank Whiteley. We had a good relationship and it spilled over into our personal lives. He would do anything for anybody.” Cantey's last year of training was in 1987 while he was still in his prime. Charlsie Cantey said he decided to just walk away. “He just said I've had enough,” she said. “When we first got married and were living in Camden, he said, 'Let's go to New York and try our hand at it and then come back to Camden. He loved this town and wanted to come back here. It's not like he got fired or anything. What I want people to know about Joe is that if he stayed in New York, I don't know how far he would have gone. He was a brilliant horse trainer. He just had had enough of New York.” According to Equibase records, which go back only to 1976, Cantey had 444 career winners Charlsie Cantey said she believes he had his first winner in 1970 or 71. Upon retirement he opened up his own gun club and got heavily involved in competitive sporting clay competitions and ran tournaments all over the world. Cantey is survived by Charlsie Cantey, his wife Amy and children J.B. and Ashley. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. The post Belmont Stakes Winning Trainer Joe Cantey Passes at 82 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Brad Cox made it 2-for-2 in the 3-year-old preps when Gold Square's Drum Roll Please took charge leaving the eighth pole and did not miss a beat in recording a 3 3/4-length victory in the $145,500 Jerome Stakes Jan. 6 at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

Fayette Warrior, a diminutive gelding who raced mostly in the elevated bullrings out West, and the hardy Charles Town sensation Divine Fashion, ended 2023 sharing the title as the winningest horse of the year with 10 wins each. View the full article