Wandering Eyes

Seven-pound claimer moves to 12 victories for the season, while South African trainer lands a three-timer of his ownView the full article

The iconic Horsetrader, the 324-page tale of Robert Sangster and the genesis of the Coolmore Throughbred breeding empire, is now available as an audiobook, the Sangster family announced. Horsetrader covers the pivotal shift in the racing industry between 1974 and 1990 when bloodstock prices skyrocketed from $135,000 to over $13 million. This era reshaped the history of bloodstock breeding, prompting even governmental attention, and adjustments in US tax rates during President Reagan's administration to accommodate the sport's transformation. Swettenham Stud's Adam Sangster, Robert's son, commissioned English recording artist Christopher Tester to convert Horsetrader into an audiobook this spring, retaining every page and word from the original text. Written by Patrick and the late Nick Robinson, it will also be available on Audiobook and Amazon later in the year. Owner/breeder Patrick Robinson is currently a globally recognized author with number one bestsellers on both sides of the Atlantic. Nick was one of Robert's oldest friends, and purchased Robert's first racehorse bred by his grandfather Sir John Foster Robinson. Print copies are extremely rare since it was first published in 1995, with many making over $500 for a second-hand hardback. The affordable modern format is priced at $24.99 and is available here. The Sangster family has pledged that a portion of the profits from the audiobook will go to support essential causes. The post Horsetrader Available As An Audiobook appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

G1 Dubai World Cup second Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) will miss an intended start in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile with a foot issues, according to trainers Simon and Ed Crisford. The 6-year-old sustained bruising on his right front leg. “Unfortunately Algiers won't be able to run in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile,” the Crisfords' Gainsborough Thoroughbreds tweeted on X (formerly Twitter). “He is going to have to miss a few days training due to a minor foot issue. He will now be prepared for a winter in Dubai.” The Shamardal gelding enjoyed a fruitful Dubai campaign beginning in January. The G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 went his way that month, as did the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 in February. He was 2 3/4-lengths behind GI Breeders' Cup Classic runner Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the Dubai World Cup proper in March and was last seen taking second in the G3 Durham Cup S. at Woodbine on Oct. 7. Added Ed Crisford at Santa Anita on Wednesday morning, “It's really annoying to have lost Algiers from his race, he had bruising on his right front leg. It doesn't look serious.” The post Algiers Knocked Out Of Breeders’ Cup With A Foot Issue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sea The Moon (Ger) will stand for an increased fee of £32,500 in 2024, Lanwades Stud announced on Wednesday. Previously priced at £25,000, the sire of 31 stakes winners overall enjoyed a great year on the racecourse with his progeny, with seven stakes winners–all at group level–since New Year's Day. Leading the way are German Classic winners Fantastic Moon (Ger) and Muskoka (Ger), who took the G1 Deutsches Derby and G1 Preis der Diana, respectively. The 2014 German Derby winner covered 108 mares this season. Joining him is Study Of Man (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) who has sired seven winners from 24 runners with his first juveniles. His best has been the G2 Beresford S. hero Deepone (GB). The 8-year-old was visited by 68 mares in 2023. His fee has remained unchanged at £12,500. The third and final stallion at Kirsten Rausing's Newmarket stud is Breeders' Cup winner Bobby's Kitten at £5,000. The son of Kitten's Joy has sired four-time group winner Sandrine (GB) has his best progeny. The post Lanwades Stud’s Sea The Moon Gets Fee Increase After Pair Of Classic Winners appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Business Essentials Programme, a new educational resource providing stud farm owners and managers with exclusive industry insights to support business understanding and provide the best welfare for horses, was launched by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) on TB-Ed on Wednesday. Focussing on the areas of employment, leadership, finance and marketing, the courses aim to support the building blocks of a successful business operation with advice from experts across the breeding industry. Each course features fully narrated video-based modules with a downloadable script, allowing users to work through at their own pace and in their own time. TBA members and ACCESS subscribers can access all courses free of charge for a limited time. Courses are available for non-TBA members at a cost of £250 per course, but you can become a TBA ACCESS subscriber for the year for just £60. For further information, please visit the TB-Ed website. TBA chief executive Claire Sheppard said, “We are delighted to launch this new Business Essentials Programme which has been created off the back of feedback from our members. It has always been the intention of TB-ED to provide as many breeders as possible with high quality resources that will prove invaluable in order to thrive in the thoroughbred breeding industry. “Whilst these are the building blocks, our future plans include the development of additional content exploring some of these topics in greater detail and we hope these courses prove useful tools for the smaller and medium-sized breeders in particular.” The post Business Essentials Programme Launched By TBA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A pair of colts by Kodiac (GB) and 34 other yearlings will go under the hammer at the ThoroughBid Online Yearling Sale on Wednesday, Nov. 8. Bidding for the first ever online-only yearling sale by a UK auction house will begin at 9 a.m. and will last approximately three hours. The catalogue is available here. Yearlings by sires like New Bay (GB), Gleneagles (Ire), Farhh (GB), and Highland Reel (Ire) will also feature among the consigned horses. Each lot is sold with the opportunity to win the £5,000 Every 1's A Winner Bonus, to qualify for which the horses sold must win on debut aged two or three in a Flat race in any IFHA territory. CEO of ThoroughBid, James Richardson, said, “It's a real pleasure to be the first UK-based auction house to host an online-only yearling sale. The reception this sale has had from established figures in the industry, like David and Mick Easterby, has been positive and we're delighted with the catalogue, which features some very nice pages. “The fact that the catalogue has a host of well-proven, quality stallions represented and plenty of black-type running through the pedigrees is testament to the appetite for online sales. The importance of horse welfare as well as the ease and economy of selling online for our consignors is clear. “Given there are no barriers to overseas bidders, and the offer of a £5,000 bonus to any debut winners in IFHA countries, we're expecting to see interest from all corners of the globe.” The post Pair Of Kodiac Colts Anchor ThoroughBid Online Yearling Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Blaithin Murphy has been named the new general manager of Wincanton Racecourse, The Jockey Club announced on Wednesday. Part of The Jockey Club since 2021, Murphy recently completed the general manager trainee programme. The 25-year-old will succeed Jack Parkinson, who will remain as the general manager of Exeter Racecourse, a post he has held since 2017. Murphy said, “I am delighted to be appointed general manager at Wincanton Racecourse. Racecourse management has always been a career ambition of mine and racing is a lifelong passion. I would like to thank everyone at The Jockey Club who has supported me so far with a special thanks to Jack Parkinson for the time and guidance he has given me.” Nadia Powell, small courses director at The Jockey Club, said, “I'm delighted to welcome Blaithin as the new general manager of Wincanton. Her passion for racing and racecourse management is clear and I look forward to working with her to continue Wincanton's progress in the years to come. “I'd like to thank Jack for his dedication to Wincanton and know he will continue to maximise Exeter's encouraging growth as a conference and events venue.” The post Blaithin Murphy New General Manager At Wincanton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The meeting lost to Typhoon Koinu on October 8 will take place on Boxing DayView the full article

Father time finally caught up with the seemingly ageless Towkay, who was retired from stallion duties at Little Avondale in 2017, and the decision was made earlier in the week to humanely euthanise the son of Last Tycoon. Full of personality and character, Towkay endeared himself to all the staff after arriving at the Masterton operation in 1999. For LA studmaster Sam Williams, who got on with Towkay “like a house on fire”, the decision was personally very tough, despite the inevitability. “He is the reason the farm is what it is today, we owe him a huge debt of gratitude. Not only was he a most successful sire, but he was so endearing to everyone whose path he crossed” Williams said. Towkay sired 28 black type performers including three individual Group 1 winners highlighted by the multiple elite level winner Viadana. Perhaps his best performer, although he never won an officially recognised Group 1, was the outstanding miler Armada. Bred by Tom Jamieson, Armada won some of the most prestigious mile races in Hong Kong in an era when the former British colony was blessed with some great milers, although arguably his best performance came when running second to the Champion Japanese mare Vodka in the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen, with the winner running 1.32 for the 1600m. L-R: Helen Phinney, Susie, Buzz, Sam and Catriona Williams pictured with Towkay Photo: Supplied His progeny adapted perfectly to the training regime and climate in Hong Kong. He had a mortgage in the top five on the Hong Kong sires premiership for years, and one year he had three runners in the Hong Kong Derby. Towkay did it the hard way, his biggest crop was 59 foals, and in the days well shy of today’s astronomical prizemoney levels, his progeny earnings totalled over $34million. Today his legacy continues through his daughters highlighted by this weekends Golden Eagle runner Legato out of the towkay mare Geordie Girl. Towkay was 29 years of age or 116 in human terms, something which Williams is proud of and that he attributes to the wonderful care and attention the horse received from LA’s longtime Head Stallion Groom, Helen Phinney. No doubt there will be a trainer or two in Hong Kong this week who will raise a glass to Towkay. LA will certainly drink to that. View the full article

In-form jockey Mark Zahra will have to perform a bit of magic if he is to guide Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj) to back-to-back victories from a spell. Victorious in the Caulfield Cup before riding four winners on Cox Plate Day, Zahra has drawn the widest barrier aboard Ayrton in the Gr.2 The Damien Oliver (1400m) at Flemington Saturday. The Damien Oliver replaces the Linlithgow Stakes to celebrate the riding career of the champion jockey who is riding at his final Victoria Derby Day meeting on Saturday. Oliver partners Godolphin galloper Vilana (Hallowed Crown) in the race named in his honour on Saturday who is coming off a last start fifth in the Gr.3 Sydney Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 14. Ayrton made a strong return to racing when successful in the Listed Weekend Hussler (1400m) at Caulfield on October 14. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper had been in the wilderness for 18 months after winning at Caulfield in April 2022. Ayrton won six of his first eight starts and was successful in Group Three company in Brisbane, but a spider bite in September 2021 had an effect on the gelding and Price was concerned whether Ayrton would return to his best form. Barrier 17 makes it difficult on Saturday, but Price said Ayrton had trained on well since his first-up victory at Caulfield. “He worked super on Saturday morning. Matthew Chadwick rode him,” Price said. “It’s 1400 metres on Saturday, it’s on top of the ground and he’s going great. “He seems to have trained on from his last start. “He was one out and one back the other day first-up off a long time, but he still did the job. “He’s improved from racing, he hasn’t been asked to improve too much from trackwork. He works up on the bridle all the time and he’s very well in himself, so it will be wait and see.” View the full article

Liam Howley is hoping to saddle up his first Melbourne Cup runner next Tuesday, with plans to accept with Virtuous Circle (NZ) (Almanzor) in the A$8.4 million race. For a period, Howley was private trainer for the Melbourne Cup’s most-successful owner, Lloyd Williams, but didn’t saddle a starter in his own name on the first Tuesday in November. A big part of the preparation of Almandin and his Cup preparation in 2016, the Macedon Lodge-based trainer is well equipped to tick off the milestone in his own name. “It’s a very costly exercise for a young team, there is no Lloyd Williams in the ownership,” he said. “It’s exciting, we’ve been going for three years. “It’s David versus Goliath for sure but we are here to take them on. “But I think at his best he is better than half the field and that’s all you’ve got to be. “If he can pay his way and make it worth the experience, but at the same time I don’t want to just be sending him around and making up the numbers.” Howley is expected to come up against his old boss, who has the Kris Lees-trained Cleveland and Gai and Adrian Bott-prepared Serpentine aiming for a historic eighth Cup win. To accept in the Melbourne Cup costs a total of A$58,500 after four stages of declarations, with prizemoney up to 12th placing paying out A$160,000. Virtuous Circle is a $51 chance with Sportsbet. “I wasn’t put off by the Geelong Cup and felt he had genuine excuses,” Howley explained. “He just didn’t settle that great and I don’t think he does his best work ridden like that and didn’t let go late. “I am happy to rule a line (through that run), he’s come out of it well and is nice and bright. “Had he drawn a wider gate (in the Bart Cummings) and been able to get clean air at the right time, his run looks a lot better and he’s in the conversation. “He has given me that feel this prep, at the start of the prep I thought a truly run 2000 metres but as the prep has deepened, he has really settled into that real staying mould.” Howley’s final decision will come after a course-proper gallop at either Bendigo or Kyneton on Thursday morning. A Melbourne Cup rider is yet to be booked in. View the full article

While Randwick has The Everest, the richest turf race in the world, across town in a city awash with racing money, Rosehill has the second richest one. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Unbeaten filly Millwood Nike’s spring campaign is back on track after a winning trial at Ashburton on Tuesday. The 15-from-15 filly missed her latest engagement at Ashburton last week because of a stable incident on the day of the race but was back at the same track for a 2400m standing start trial. And it wasn’t just any trial as she took on her stablemate and NZ Derby favourite Don’t Stop Dreaming and beat him home by a head. “They were both good and went to the line together but she just beat him home,” said trainer Mark Purdon. “She she has taken no harm from missing that race last week but to have her ready for Cup day she will also go to the Cup trials next Wednesday.” Millwood Nike came off a 10m handicap to win the trial in 3:05.0, the last 800m in 55.2 seconds and final 400m in 26.6, with the Purdon pair a half length in front of the talented Wheels Of Fortune. Millwood Nike is the $1.30 favourite for the Nevele R Fillies Final on Cup Day over Mantra Blue, who makes her South Island debut at Addington on Friday. Don’t Stop Dreaming was stunning winning his last start in the Three-Year-Old Flying Stakes and could even start in the junior free-for-all on Cup Day as he preps for the New Zealand Derby on December 10, for which he is the $2.10 favourite. View the full article

Zapateo is early favourite for the Begonia Belle Stakes at Flemington this Saturday. A dozen sprinters are set to light up the Flemington straight course this Saturday in the Group 3 Begonia Belle Stakes (1100m). The $200,000 feature is restricted to mares, with the James Cummings-trained Zapateo holding the call with top online bookmakers. Despite being dual-accepted for the Giga Kick Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill, the booking of James McDonald would suggest she’s heading to Melbourne, and most betting sites haven’t hesitated to install her as a +260 favourite. Rose Quartz will be trying to bounce from her minor placing in the Group 3 Northwood Plume Stakes (1200m), while Dancing Alone is seeking three wins on the trot. The pair share the second line of betting at +450. Godolphin stablemate Red Card (+800) comes back in trip after tackling 1200m in the Northwood Plume Stakes at Caulfield. Meanwhile, the Michael Freedman-trained Queen Of The Ball (+1200) brings Sydney Group 3 form into the mix following a fourth-place finish in The Nivision (1200m) at Rosehill on October 7. The 2023 Begonia Belle Stakes is the third race on the Flemington program and is set to be run and won at 1:40pm AEDT. Begonia Belle Stakes 2023 field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Zapateo James Cummings James McDonald 3 58kg 2 Queen of The Ball Michael Freedman Damien Oliver 12 57kg 3 Aitch Two Oh Richard & Chantelle Jolly Linda Meech 6 57kg 4 Red Card James Cummings Tim Clark 11 56kg 5 Lempicka Ken & Kasey Keys Blaike McDougall 7 56kg 6 Rose Quartz Grahame Begg Blake Shinn 1 55kg 7 Willinga Beast Kris Lees Jamie Spencer 9 55kg 8 Hypothetical Anthony & Sam Freedman Jamie Kah 8 55kg 9 Starlight Scope Pat Carey & Harris Walker TBC 4 55kg 10 Dancing Alone Bryce Heys Billy Egan 10 55kg 11 Ghaanati Peter & Paul Snowden TBC 2 55kg 12 South Of Houston Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Jye McNeil 5 55kg More horse racing news View the full article

Brave Mead heads betting for the 2023 Carbine Club Stakes. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Brave Mead has been installed as favourite for Saturday’s Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington Racecourse. Jamie Spencer will partner the last-start Caulfield winner, with Mark Zahra booted off the progressive colt despite partnering him at all three starts this campaign. Online bookmakers have Brave Mead listed as a +160 market elect for the opening event on VRC Derby Day. Zahra will partner Heman (+300), who comes to Flemington after finishing fourth in the Tapp-Craig at Rosehill on October 7. Saturday’s $500,000 race will be Heman’s second look at Flemington after being well beaten in the Listed Poseidon Stakes (1100m) on September 16. Last-start Kembla Grange maiden winner Influential (+320) will be looking to hand master trainer Chris Waller a fourth win in the Carbine Club Stakes. Waller has tasted success in the race with Kermadec (2014), Comin’ Through (2016) and Fangirl (2021). Influential will be partnered by James McDonald, who rode the progeny of The Autumn Sun in his three runs as a juvenile earlier in the year. The Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes will open the jam-packed meeting at Flemington on Saturday afternoon, with racing set to commence at 12:20pm AEDT. Carbine Club Stakes 2023 Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Brave Mead Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Jamie Spencer 5 58kg 2 Heman Peter & Paul Snowden Mark Zahra 2 57kg 3 Kaizad Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 6 57kg 4 Critique Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Opie Bosson 8 57kg 5 Influential Chris Waller James McDonald 3 57kg 6 Rovno Amber Shane Nichols Zac Spain 9 57kg 7 Ersa Ben, Will & JD Hayes John Allen 1 55kg 8 Mah Ali Benjamin Smith Winona Costin 4 55kg 9 Just In Time Richard & Will Freedman Damien Oliver 7 55kg More racing news View the full article

Zardozi, ridden by Chad Schofield, wins the Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington. (Photo: Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) The Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) for the three-year-old fillies has drawn a competitive field of 14 set to line up at Flemington on Saturday. There’s $300,000 up for grabs, but more importantly, it’s the last chance for the girls to build their resume for the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) on November 9. The James Cummings-trained filly Zardozi is a firm +140 favourite with online bookmakers as James McDonald makes his way to Melbourne for the ride. She was impressive when dispatching her rivals in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) and now steps up to 2000m for the first time. Having won the Oaks Trial (1800m) on September 24, the John Sargent-trained Harlow Mist (+400) has gained early support with top betting sites. The daughter of Contributor will be breaking from barrier one with Blake Shinn in the saddle. Jamie Kah has landed aboard Konasana (+450) for the Chris Waller barn, with Damien Lane electing to ride in Sydney this weekend. The daughter of Dundeel is one of the three gallopers pressing on from the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield a fortnight prior. The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Amazonian Lass is the only runner to shorten from double digits, coming from +1000 into +850. The Wakeful Stakes is the fifth race on the Flemington program, jumping at 3pm AEDT. Wakeful Stakes 2023 field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Zardozi James Cummings James McDonald 10 57kg 2 Coco Sun Tony & Calvin McEvoy Mark Zahra 13 56kg 3 Konasana Chris Waller Jamie Kah 5 55kg 4 Harlow Mist John Sargent Blake Shinn 1 55kg 5 Amazonian Lass Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 12 55kg 6 Sentimental Flame Travis Doudle John Allen 7 55kg 7 Subrising Nigel Blackiston Jamie Spencer 8 55kg 8 Diamonds Choice Chris Bieg Harry Coffey 4 55kg 9 Zambezi Khan Guy Lowry Billy Egan 11 55kg 10 Aethelflaed Matthew Smith Damien Oliver 14 55kg 11 Aspenado John McArdle Craig Newitt 3 55kg 12 Bon Mistress Ken & Kasey Keys Blaike McDougall 6 55kg 13 Vieste Benjamin Smith Winona Costin 2 55kg 14 Easy Turn Patrick Kearney Madison Lloyd 9 55kg More horse racing news View the full article

Think About It etches his name in The Everest folklore. (Photo: Racing NSW) Nine runners make up a quality field for the $3 million Giga Kick Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday afternoon. Registered as the Winners Stakes, the race is named in honour of The Everest (1200m) winner from the previous year. This year’s Everest winner happens to be the short-priced favourite for the event, with Think About It looking to continue his winning streak. The Joseph Pride-trained gelding has put together nine consecutive victories, so it is no great surprise that online bookmakers have installed him as a -142.86 favourite. Sam Clipperton has never lost aboard the five-year-old and gets a perfect opportunity to add to his tally from barrier three. Stablemate Private Eye (+260) is the only danger, according to the top Australian betting sites, with the six-year-old seeking to improve upon his third-place finish in the 2023 Everest. Nash Rawiller will continue his association with Private Eye, who is drawn in barrier six. Mazu (+1000) is the only other runner to come through the Everest but failed to make an impression after suffering a setback earlier in the campaign. Bella Nipotina (+1000) managed a third-place finish in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m) on October 14 and should only improve heading into Saturday. Cascadian (+1000) brings different quality to this field as the three-time Group 1 winner resumes from a 201-day spell. The 2023 Giga Kick Stakes kicks off the quaddie at Rosehill on Saturday and is scheduled to get underway at 4pm AEDT. Giga Kick Stakes 2023 field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Think About It Joseph Pride Sam Clipperton 3 58.5kg 2 Cascadian James Cummings Ben Melham 1 58.5kg 3 Mazu Peter & Paul Snowden Tommy Berry 7 58.5kg 4 Private Eye Joseph Pride Nash Rawiller 6 57.5kg 5 Surf Dancer Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott TBC 4 57.5kg 6 Bella Nipotina Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Craig Williams 8 56.5kg 7 Coal Crusher Joseph Pride Tyler Schiller 9 56kg 8 Love Tap Richard & Will Freedman TBC 5 56kg 9 Zapateo James Cummings Damian Lane 2 56kg More horse racing news View the full article

Athabascan has opened as the favourite for the Group 3 Archer Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. (Photo: Racing NSW) This weekend at Flemington, a small field of seven runners will compete in the Group 3 Archer Stakes, which is the final ballot-exempt race for the $7.5 million Melbourne Cup on November 7. Five of the seven runners in the Archer can still gain a spot in the Melbourne Cup, and with Ladies Man sitting 24th in the order of entry, it is expected that all seven will run and attempt to lock in their spot. Paying +650 and giving his nearest rival 3kg, the Allan Sharrock-trained runner will be aiming to become only the third runner in the past 20 years to win this race while carrying 59kg or more. Last start, Athabascan had no luck in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup, where he settled on the rail and didn’t see clear air for most of the final 300m. However, the John O’Shea-trained stayer has opened as the clear +170 favourite with online bookmakers as he attempts to win his way into the race that stops the nation. The Kris Lees-trained Kalapour (+340) recorded consecutive third-place finishes in The Metropolitan over 2400m and the ATC St Leger Stakes over 2600m, which should have him tuned up nicely for the 2500m contest on Saturday. Mostly Cloudy (+340) has been on a Melbourne Cup path all preparation, and after his fourth-place finish in The Bart Cummings, the Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained galloper will need to win to book his place in the field. Ciaron Maher & David Eustace will have five runners in the Cup if United Nations (+600) can claim the Archer Stakes on Saturday; however, he will need to recapture the form of his runner-up finish in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes from two starts back. The Archer Stakes will be the second race on the Derby Day program, scheduled to jump at 1pm AEDT. Archer Stakes 2023 Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Ladies Man Allan Sharrock Dean Yendall 5 59kg 2 Kalapour Kris Lees Damien Oliver 1 56kg 3 Athabascan John O’Shea James McDonald 3 55.5kg 4 Mostly Cloudy Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Tim Clark 6 54kg 5 United Nations Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Jamie Spencer 4 54kg 6 Gan Teorainn Chris Waller Jye McNeil 7 54kg 7 Speak Mike Moroney Billy Egan 2 54kg More racing news View the full article

Triple Missile has opened favourite for Saturday’s Rising Fast Stakes. (Photo: George Sal/Racing Photos) The Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes (1200m) has attracted a field of 12 for the sprint down the Flemington straight on Saturday. The top three in the market with horse racing bookmakers are separated by a point. Triple Missile (+350) has not been seen since chasing home Star Patrol in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) on October 7. The six-year-old gelding went down by a length on that day and put a further 1.25 lengths on C’est Magique, who he meets once again on Saturday. James McDonald will partner Triple Missile from barrier two. Spacewalk +400 was narrowly defeated in the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m) when finishing second behind Doull and will be looking to go one better on the weekend. To be partnered by Jamie Kah once again, the James Cummings-trained runner will be having his second start at Flemington. In his only other run at Flemington, Spacewalk was first across the line in the 2022 Listed Poseidon Stakes (1100m) before losing on protest to Buenos Noches. Chain Of Lightning (+450) finished an eye-catching third when resuming in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m). The Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained mare boasts two wins from three starts when second-up, and Billy Egan will partner her from barrier five. The Rising Fast Stakes is set to jump at 2:20pm AEDT as part of VRC Derby Day at Flemington. 2023 Rising Fast Stakes Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Rocketing By David Pfieffer Rachel King 3 59kg 2 Chain Of Lightning Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Billy Egan 5 58kg 3 Gravina James Cummings Mark Zahra 6 57.5kg 4 It’sourtime Danny O’Brien Blake Shinn 12 57kg 5 Triple Missile Lindsey Smith James McDonald 2 57kg 6 Crosshaven Ben, Will & JD Hayes Daniel Stackhouse 11 56.5kg 7 Spacewalk James Cummings Jamie Kah 10 56.5kg 8 General Beau Mathew Ellerton Dean Yendall 1 56kg 9 C’est Magique Grahame Begg Tim Clark 9 54kg 10 Najem Suhail Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock Zac Spain 4 54kg 11 Cause For Concern Shawn Mathrick Blaike McDougall 7 54kg 12 Garza Blanca Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Jamie Spencer 8 54kg More racing news View the full article

Vilana will be partnered by the man himself in the inaugural running of The Damien Oliver. The inaugural running of The Damien Oliver (1400m) has attracted a capacity field of 16 runners for the $500,000 race at Flemington. Registered as the Chatham Stakes, Saturday’s Group 2 race has been renamed to honour retiring superstar jockey Damien Oliver. Oliver won the race in 2011 aboard the John Sadler-trained Sister Madley and will be looking to add another win when he partners Godolphin’s Vilana (+600) this weekend. Having finished fifth behind I Am Me in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m) on October 14, Vilana comes to Flemington second-up and will carry 59kg as the topweight. Godolphin holds a strong hand in The Damien Oliver, with last-start Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1400m) winner Tamerlane hunting his maiden Group success. Horse racing betting sites have installed the six-year-old gelding as a +280 favourite. Tamerlane brings genuine Group 1 form lines to Flemington, having chased home subsequent Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) winner, Rediener, first-up from a spell on September 16 in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m). The only other runner with a single-figure quote is Here To Shock at +850. The Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained runner took Antino to a long neck in the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) two runs back, before being outclassed in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) last time out. Dropping back in grade, Here To Shock will be partnered by Daniel Stackhouse from barrier four. The Damien Oliver is the final race at Flemington on Saturday afternoon, closing a stacked VRC Derby Day card. The Damien Oliver 2023 Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Vilana James Cummings Damien Oliver 9 59kg 2 King Magnus Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock Thomas Stockdale 8 57.5kg 3 Bandersnatch Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Jordan Childs 6 57kg 4 Ayrton Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Mark Zahra 17 56.5kg 5 Tamerlane James Cummings James McDonald 1 56.5kg 6 Zoutori Mathew Ellerton Linda Meech 3 56.5kg 7 Corner Pocket Lindsey Smith Declan Bates 13 56kg 8 Munhamek Nick Ryan Blake Shinn 18 55.5kg 9 Not An Option Mike Moroney Billy Egan 16 55kg 10 Here To Shock Ben, Will & JD Hayes Daniel Stackhouse 4 54.5kg 11 Savannah Cloud Phillip Stokes Zac Spain 12 54.5kg 12 Kalino Chris Waller Jye McNeil 10 54kg 13 Swords Drawn Mike Moroney Winona Costin 2 53.5kg 14 Williamsburg Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou Rachel King 14 53kg 15 Lord Vladivostok Michael Hickmott TBC 5 53kg 16 Jack The Lad Wayne Francis & Glen Kent Justin Potter 11 53kg 17 Cause For Concern (1E) Shawn Mathrick Jamie Kah 7 53kg 18 Zennzella (2E) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace TBC 15 53kg More racing news View the full article

VRC Derby favourite Riff Rocket. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) A capacity field of 16 three-year-olds will step out at Flemington this Saturday in the Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m). Riff Rocket has been the long-standing favourite for the $2 million feature since destroying his rivals in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m), and despite being nosed out in the Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) at his latest start, still maintains firm favouritism. The Chris Waller-trained gelding opened +160 with online bookmakers after drawing perfectly in barrier five for Saturday’s staying contest. Apulia is clear on the second line of betting at +300 and will be searching for back-to-back wins after saluting in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) last Saturday. Mark Zahra elects to stick aboard the colt by Fiorente and will jump from barrier three. Verdad (+550) will be looking to turn the tables on Apulia on the one-week back up and will be aided in his quest from barrier four. It is double-figure odds for every other runner engaged here, suggesting the VRC Derby may be a top-heavy affair. Air Assault (+1000) will be partnered by Ben Allen for the first time, while John Allen will continue his association with Sunsets ($14.00) after steering him to victory in the Caulfield Classic. The 2023 VRC Derby is the second leg of the Flemington quaddie on Saturday and is set to get underway at 4.20pm AEDT. 2023 Victoria Derby Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Apulia Ben, Will & JD Hayes Mark Zahra 3 57kg 2 Verdad Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock Jye McNeil 4 57kg 3 Air Assault Andrew Gluyas Ben Allen 6 57kg 4 Riff Rocket Chris Waller James McDonald 5 57kg 5 Sunsets Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young John Allen 16 57kg 6 Make A Call Peter & Paul Snowden Jamie Kah 15 57kg 7 Gold Bullion Gai Waterhouse & Jamie Kah Opie Bosson 13 57kg 8 Gates Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Luke Nolen 14 57kg 9 Kosgei Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Blake Shinn 12 57kg 10 Bulawayo Pat Carey & Harris Walker Celine Gaudray 7 57kg 11 Sacred Eagle Symon Wilde Jordan Childs 2 57kg 12 Roguery Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans Billy Egan 1 57kg 13 Mercante Nigel Blackiston Damien Oliver 11 57kg 14 To Be Frank Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Jamie Spencer 10 57kg 15 Warialda Warrior John Ramsey Darryl McLellan 9 57kg 16 Tokyo Run Dean Mirfin Declan Bates 8 57kg More racing news View the full article

Shinzo heads a near full field in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Steve Hart The Coolmore Stud Stakes will kick off a run of three straight Group 1’s at Flemington on Derby Day, where 19 three-year-olds will compete in the $2 million stallion-making race. The top three runners in the market, Shinzo, King’s Gambit, and Cylinder, will all meet again in another 1200m Group 1, after they ran the trifecta in the Golden Slipper as two-year-olds earlier this year. Heading the field in race book order is the Chris Waller-trained and Coolmore-owned Shinzo (+550). Shinzo will be seeking to become the first horse since Sepoy in 2011 to complete the Golden Slipper/Coolmore Stud Stakes double. Although the son of Snitzel hasn’t finished in the placings at his two starts back this preparation, there is no doubt that this is the target race for this colt, who has already amassed $3.7 million in prize money from six starts. As for the owner and trainer combination, they will be attempting to win the Coolmore for the second time in three years, after Home Affairs won the race in 2021. After claiming the Coolmore with In Secret last year, Godolphin will be seeking back-to-back victories, as their star colt Cylinder (+260) will compete in the 1200m contest down the famous Flemington straight. The son of Exceed And Excel took out the Group 3 Vain Stakes and Group 2 Run To The Rose to begin this current campaign before finishing third in the Group 1 Golden Rose and running an impressive fifth in The Everest against the older horses. Last start Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes winner, King’s Gambit (+650), will reconnect with Mark Zahra for the first time since his third-place finish in the Golden Slipper. The Peter & Paul Snowden-trained colt was expected to dominate the two-year-old features after an arrogant five-length victory on debut, but his most recent win was the first since that debut success. Philip Stokes-trained Stretan Angel (+1100)will be joined by two other fillies that will take on the boys in the Coolmore. The daughter of Harry Angel defeated a few of her rivals that she will meet on Saturday in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes last start, and she is expected to attract a lot of market support with online bookmakers based on that win. Veight) (+2200, Steparty (+1100), and Scheelite (+5000) will drop back in distance from the 1600m of the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas, where all three of them ran credible races but couldn’t land that coveted victory at the very top level. I Am Unstoppable (+1100) was narrowly beaten in the Danehill Stakes, and at his fourth start this preparation, he is still seeking his first win this time in. Bjorn Baker-trained Ozzmosis (+1000) had his unbeaten start to his career broken when stepping out in Group 3 company over 1200m for the first time, which has raised some queries about whether he is up to Group 1 level. Will the dominance of the Godolphin and Waller stables from the last three years continue, or will someone else take out the opening Group 1 of the Melbourne Cup Carnival? The Coolmore Stud Stakes jumps at 3:40pm AEDT on Saturday at Flemington. 2023 Coolmore Stud Stakes Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Shinzo Chris Waller James McDonald 4 57kg 2 Cylinder James Cummings Tim Clark 14 57kg 3 Don Corleone Peter & Paul Snowden Opie Bosson 3 57kg 4 Veight Tony & Calvin McEvoy Jamie Kah 18 57kg 5 King’s Gambit Peter & Paul Snowden Mark Zahra 2 57kg 6 Steparty Paul Preusker John Allen 1 57kg 7 Arkansaw Kid Ben, Will & JD Hayes Jye McNeil 16 57kg 8 Snapback Peter & Paul Snowden TBC 13 57kg 9 Scheelite Ken & Kasey Keys Luke Nolen 11 57kg 10 I Am Unstoppable Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans Blake Shinn 12 57kg 11 Ozzmosis Bjorn Baker Rachel King 6 57kg 12 Mexico Michael Freedman Jordan Childs 10 57kg 13 Butch Cassidy Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Jamie Spencer 19 57kg 14 Moravia Michael Freedman Damien Oliver 7 57kg 15 Celui Brent Stanley Craig Newitt 5 57kg 16 Nadal Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Ben Allen 15 57kg 17 Tiz Invincible Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Harry Coffey 9 55kg 18 Stretan Angel Phillip Stokes Daniel Stackhouse 17 55kg 19 Treasurway Jason Warren Billy Egan 8 55kg More racing news View the full article

Atishu has opened as the market elect for the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. (Photo: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) The Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes is traditionally one of the most competitive races on the Derby Day program at Flemington, and the 2023 edition is no different, with a full field of 16 mares expected to compete in the $1 million race. After finishing fifth in the same race last year, the Chris Waller-trained Atishu has opened as the market elect at +450 with online bookmakers. The daughter of Savabeel finished 13th of 14 in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes on October 14, where she settled way too far back and didn’t run on, but her runner-up finish in the Group 2 Golden Pendant two starts back suggests she will be hard to beat on Saturday afternoon. Alcohol Free (+500) from the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott yard finished an impressive fourth in The Invitation last week, and the stable has chosen to back her up after seven days. The ex-European mare has yet to find the winner’s circle since arriving in Australia before the Sydney Autumn Carnival, but after two good performances this time in, the market believes she is close to a win. Wishlor Lass (+750) recorded her sixth win from eight starts last weekend at Moonee Valley, and Symon Wilde has chosen the 1600m Empire Rose over the 2000m Matriarch Stakes later in the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Although he has been aboard for her last two Group 3 victories, Damian Lane will not be riding in Melbourne on Saturday, so John Allen will have his first sit on the Mshawish mare. Princess Grace (+650) appeared destined for Group 1 glory this preparation after consecutive runner-up finishes in the Winx Stakes and Memsie Stakes. However, after she was defeated in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes as an odds-on favourite, the jury is out on the daughter of Karakontie. It was hard not to be impressed with the win of Wrote To Arataki (+1800) in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes at Caulfield on October 21, and she is expected to be one of the key speed influences in this race. The Kerry Parker-trained Hope In Your Heart (+650) will have her first look around Flemington on Saturday in the Empire Rose, coming off an eighth-place finish in the King Charles III Stakes last start. Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman will have two runners engaged: Life Lessons (+1500), who is looking for back-to-back victories after she claimed the Rose Of Kingston last start; and Shuffle Dancer (+2500), who finished second in the Tristarc Stakes last time out. The 2023 Empire Rose Stakes will be race eight on the Flemington program and is scheduled to jump at 5pm AEDT on Saturday afternoon. Empire Rose Stakes 2023 Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Alcohol Free Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Opie Bosson 5 57kg 2 Princess Grace Chris Waller TBC 12 57kg 3 Hope In Your Heart Kerry Parker Tim Clark 1 57kg 4 Atishu Chris Waller TBC 8 57kg 5 Hinged Chris Waller TBC 13 57kg 6 Foxy Frida Andrew Noblet Billy Egan 6 57kg 7 Renaissance Woman Bjorn Baker TBC 14 57kg 8 Barbie’s Fox Ben, Will & JD Hayes Mark Zahra 16 57kg 9 Wrote To Arataki Matthew Williams Dean Yendall 10 57kg 10 Pride Of Jenni Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Declan Bates 17 57kg 11 Deny Knowledge Michael Kent TBC 7 57kg 12 Life Lessons Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Daniel Stackhouse 15 57kg 13 Shuffle Dancer Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Luke Nolen 2 57kg 14 Wishlor Lass Symon Wilde John Allen 11 57kg 15 Ausbred Flirt Brad Widdup Rachel King 9 57kg 16 More Secrets Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Damien Oliver 4 57kg 17 Jennilala (1E) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace TBC 3 57kg More racing news View the full article

The Golden Eagle, Sydney’s second richest horse race after The Everest, will be run and won this Saturday at Rosehill Racecourse for a prize pool of $10 million. View the full article

By Jonny Turner A big week could get even bigger when Brendon Hill heads to Methven on Wednesday. The trainer takes two horses to a rescheduled meeting after producing Jimmy James Maguire to win the NZB Standardbred Sales Series Classic at Kaikoura on Monday. After brilliantly consistent form, the pacer finally nabbed a big race when leading throughout for his driver and part-owner Ricky May. “He was really good; you’ve just got to step and get handy out on that track, and that’s what he did,” Hill said. “The horse deserved it, and he’s got good owners; it was a good result.” “The horse had been knocking for a while to get a big one, and it was great that he was able to get it.” Hill is still deciding on what targets Jimmy James Maguire will be aimed at over New Zealand Cup Week. But the trainer is reasonably sure he won’t target the Junior Free-For-All. “I don’t think he will go to the Junior Free-For-All; he will probably race on one of the two days.” “We will look at a grade race for him; it will probably be 1980m, which isn’t ideal because he likes a bit of distance.” Hill will be out to continue his winning form at Methven on Wednesday with two starters. The trainer starts The Finisher fresh up without a trial in race 3, and he thinks the horse is forward enough to be competitive, with May in the sulky. “I think he is fit enough to go there and go a good race if he steps,” Hill said. “His work has been good; he is on the unruly for mobiles, so I thought we would give that a miss and try some stands.” “He is cleared from a stand, but he is a bit of a fidgety horse around at the start, so it won’t be easy for Ricky.” Hill also lines up Sergeant Best in race 11 on Wednesday. The pacer looks up to matching motors with most of his rivals, but he must overcome drawing barrier 13. “He has been going super; he hasn’t had good draws and he hasn’t had much luck, and he has copped that again.” “But if they go hard and he is following the right horse, Sarge always puts in and lets down that last 150m-200m.” Henry Sail takes the reins behind Sergeant Best at Methven. View the full article