Wandering Eyes

Following its inaugural sponsorship last year, Betfred has increased its support of the Derby meeting and now has naming rights to the two-day fixture at Epsom, which will be branded the Betfred Derby Festival. The company's partnership with the Jockey Club will continue until at least 2026. Betfred will now sponsor six of the races across Oaks day and Derby day, including those two Classics, with the original three-year deal extended by a further 12 months. “Following on from a memorable two days at Epsom last year we are delighted to further develop our support of the Betfred Derby Festival and we very much look forward to working with Amy and her team to keep the fixture at the forefront of world racing,” said Betfred's Fred Done. Amy Starkey, managing director of Jockey Club Racecourses' east region, added, “Our relationship with Betfred spans many years and many major races, and we are delighted to be strengthening our partnership at Epsom Downs still further following a brilliant first running of The Betfred Derby in 2023. “Betfred's support of British racing over many years is clear for all to see and we can't wait to get cracking with Fred and his team as we look to promote the greatest Flat race in the world in 2024 and beyond.” The post Betfred Extends Derby Sponsorship appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The lightly raced Blissfull Lady boasts the pedigree of a quality stayer, and she stepped up in distance on Friday and produced a performance worthy of those bloodlines in the Trigg Construction Northland Cup (2200m) at Ruakaka. Blissfull Lady is a daughter of the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Shocking and the Prized mare Prize Lady, who herself was a back-to-back winner of the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) in 2007 and 2008. Prize Lady has passed on some of that staying talent to the next generation, producing four winners from five foals to race including Blissfull Lady’s full-brother Dragon Storm, who won the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and the Listed Sandown Cup (3200m). Friday’s Ruakaka feature was the second win of an 11-start career for the promising Blissfull Lady, who was bought by Stuart Hale for $35,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2021. She was a maiden winner over 1600m at Avondale as an autumn three-year-old last April, and recent fourth placings over 1950m and 2000m hinted that another winning turn might be just around the corner. The four-year-old delivered in style on Friday in the hands of high-flying jockey Warren Kennedy. Blissfull Lady settled in fifth before pouncing at the home turn and quickly putting the result beyond any doubt with a powerful kick. She bounded clear down the Ruakaka straight, opening up a four-length winning margin over Sentry and Selva Verde. Blissfull Lady’s 11-start career has now produced two wins, a placing and $33,950 in stakes, with the promise of much more to come as she continues to mature. “She’s always given us the impression that stepping up over this sort of distance would be the making of her, and I think you saw the best of her today,” trainer Andrew Forsman said. “Warren gave her a perfect ride from a handy draw, and she produced a strong finish and won the race very comfortably in the end. “We’ve deliberately brought her along quite quietly through this early part of her career. We’ve always thought that she would benefit from being given plenty of time, and if we continue that patient approach, I think she’ll continue to develop and furnish into a lovely staying mare in time. Next season might be her time to step up into some of the better races over these staying trips.” View the full article

The Englishman will relocate to the city in April and is itching to start building relationships and his stableView the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, January 7, 2024 First Race 1pm HKT (4pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing continues on Sunday as Sha Tin Racecourse gets set to host an ultra-competitive 10-race program. The Group 3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1000m) headlines the meeting, and with the rail moving to the B+2 position, it should be a fair track throughout the afternoon. The forecast looks favourable for all participants, and we anticipate the course to be Good to Firm when racing gets underway at 1pm local time. Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Tip: Flying Ace The speedsters will step out in the Group 3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1000m), where we believe, Flying Ace is beginning to build to a victory. The son of Swiss Ace has found the minor money in all four of his starts this campaign, with his latest coming on the Sha Tin all-weather surface on December 3, just missing out in the shadows of the winning post. All his runs prior to that came at this track over 1200m, with the six-year-old getting no luck from the barriers nine, 13 and 12 respectively. This race should setup perfectly for Flying Ace, and with a genuine tempo all but guaranteed, watch for this guy to storming over the top late. Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Race 7 – #7 Flying Ace (6) 6yo Gelding | T: David Hall | J: Matthew Poon (52kg) Bet with Bet365 Best Bet at Sha Tin: The Heir The Heir has proven to be a model of consistency without winning since his arrival in Hong Kong, with the four-year-old adding three minor placings to the resume. He was dragged back towards the rear of the field after striking some minor interference last start at this course and distance on December 23, but still closed off strongly in the concluding stages to be defeated by 1.3 lengths. He appears set to peak in this event, and with the in-form Alexis Badel in the saddle, we’re anticipating The Heir can achieve his first Hong Kong success. Best Bet Race 9 – #8 The Heir (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Alexis Badel (56kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: Patch Of Theta Patch Of Theta gave a good account of himself when contesting the Sha Tin straight course on December 17 and should appreciate the immediate step-up in trip on Sunday afternoon. The son of Zoustar raced very green throughout the 1000m journey first-up but still managed a third-place finish despite his lack of race-day knowledge. He didn’t get any cover on that occasion, and provided Vincent Ho can find a slot in the four-year-old gelding somewhere midfield, we should see a much-improved version of Patch Of Theta second-up. Next Best Race 2 – #8 Patch Of Theta (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Francis Lui | J: Vincent Ho (57.5kg) Bet with PlayUp Best Value at Sha Tin: Helios Express Helios Express has been racing in terrific order since making his Hong Kong debut and will be seeking his fourth win at start six. It’s the first time the John Size barn has attempted to test the four-year-old gelding over 1600m, and based on his previous 1400m effort on December 10, it shouldn’t pose an issue for this guy. He should get an economical run from barrier five in this event, and provided he can still produce his stunning turn-of-foot over the journey, Helios Express should give followers a bold sight in the Sha Tin finale. Best Value Race 10 – #5 Helios Express (5) 5yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Hugh Bowman (57.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Hong Kong Sunday quaddie tips – 7/1/2024 Sha Tin quadrella selections Sunday, January 7, 2024 1-3-6-7-8 1-2-3-5-6 1-4-8 1-5-7-11 More horse racing tips View the full article

Blissfull Lady winning at Ruakaka on Friday. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images) The lightly raced Blissfull Lady boasts the pedigree of a quality stayer, and she stepped up in distance on Friday and produced a performance worthy of those bloodlines in the Northland Cup (2200m) at Ruakaka. Blissfull Lady is a son of the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Shocking and the Prized mare Prize Lady, who herself was a back-to-back winner of the Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m) in 2007 and 2008. Prize Lady has passed on some of that staying talent to the next generation, producing four winners from five foals to race including Blissfull Lady’s full-brother Dragon Storm, who won the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and the Listed Sandown Cup (3200m). Friday’s Ruakaka feature was the second win of an 11-start career for the promising Blissfull Lady, who was bought by Stuart Hale for $35,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2021. She was a maiden winner over 1600m at Avondale as an autumn three-year-old last April, and recent fourth placings over 1950m and 2000m hinted that another winning turn might be just around the corner. The four-year-old delivered in style on Friday in the hands of high-flying jockey Warren Kennedy. Blissfull Lady settled in fifth before pouncing at the home turn and quickly putting the result beyond any doubt with a powerful kick. She bounded clear down the Ruakaka straight, opening up a four-length winning margin over Sentry and Selva Verde. Blissfull Lady’s 11-start career has now produced two wins, a placing and $33,950 in stakes, with the promise of much more to come as she continues to mature. “She’s always given us the impression that stepping up over this sort of distance would be the making of her, and I think you saw the best of her today,” trainer Andrew Forsman said. “Warren gave her a perfect ride from a handy draw, and she produced a strong finish and won the race very comfortably in the end. “We’ve deliberately brought her along quite quietly through this early part of her career. We’ve always thought that she would benefit from being given plenty of time, and if we continue that patient approach, I think she’ll continue to develop and furnish into a lovely staying mare in time. “Next season might be her time to step up into some of the better races over these staying trips.” More horse racing news View the full article

Per La Vita winning at Ruakaka on Friday. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images) A classy front-running ride from Tegan Newman provided Steven Cole with a special victory at Ruakaka on Friday with Per La Vita. Based out of Byerley Park, Cole has a team of around 25 gallopers in training, of which many are shared in ownership with his father, David Cole. However, when Cole purchased Per La Vita at the 2022 National Yearling Sales, his mother elected to take a share in the filly and was duly rewarded when she broke through for her maiden victory in The Whangapiro Valley Free Range Egg Cup (1400m). Having an awkward barrier draw (10) to contend with, Per La Vita was among the best at the jump and jockey Tegan Newman utilised the back straight to work into the pace-making position. After settling kindly in front, the filly broke away from the field turning for home and staved off the challenge of Sawbay and Lucky Bay to score by a neck. Cole indicated the race had not panned out as anticipated, however, he was thrilled to see the daughter of Per Incanto salute the judge when starting as a double figure chance, after two midfield finishes this time in. “It was a really good run and a gutsy effort. It probably wasn’t our initial intention to jump and lead, but with the way she jumped, Tegan used a bit of initiative and rode her positively,” he said. “We’ll just see how she comes through this, but there’s plenty of three-year-old racing coming up so we may look to find her something at the new Ellerslie track. It would be pretty cool if she could win a race there.” Cole had secured Per La Vita for $90,000 out of Book 1 when presented by Wentwood Grange, and soon had involved his mother and a close friend into the ownership. “I bought her at the sales and my mum ended up taking a share in her, as well as Cherie Hope, a lady that we’ve been family friends with for a long time,” he said. “It was really cool to be able to get this for them, as my dad is usually the one down on the ownership paper. “She was just a nice type and by a good stallion in Per Incanto. She’s got a bit of breeding there, so if we could get a bit of black-type with her, we thought she could be quite valuable.” More horse racing news View the full article

A classy front-running ride from Tegan Newman provided Steven Cole with a special victory at Ruakaka on Friday with Per La Vita. Based out of Byerley Park, Cole has a team of around 25 gallopers in training, of which many are shared in ownership with his father, David Cole. However, when Cole purchased Per La Vita at the 2022 National Yearling Sales, his mother elected to take a share in the filly and was duly rewarded when she broke through for her maiden victory in The Whangapiro Valley Free Range Egg Cup (1400m). Having an awkward barrier draw (10) to contend with, Per La Vita was among the best at the jump and jockey Tegan Newman utilised the back straight to work into the pace-making position. After settling kindly in front, the filly broke away from the field turning for home and staved off the challenge of Sawbay and Lucky Bay to score by a neck. Cole indicated the race had not panned out as anticipated, however, he was thrilled to see the daughter of Per Incanto salute the judge when starting a $24.80 chance, after two midfield finishes this time in. “It was a really good run and a gutsy effort. It probably wasn’t our initial intention to jump and lead, but with the way she jumped, Tegan used a bit of initiative and rode her positively,” he said. “We’ll just see how she comes through this, but there’s plenty of three-year-old racing coming up so we may look to find her something at the new Ellerslie track. It would be pretty cool if she could win a race there.” Cole had secured Per La Vita for $90,000 out of Book 1 when presented by Wentwood Grange, and soon had involved his mother and a close friend into the ownership. “I bought her at the sales and my mum ended up taking a share in her, as well as Cherie Hope, a lady that we’ve been family friends with for a long time,” he said. “It was really cool to be able to get this for them, as my dad is usually the one down on the ownership paper. “She was just a nice type and by a good stallion in Per Incanto. She’s got a bit of breeding there, so if we could get a bit of black-type with her, we thought she could be quite valuable.” View the full article

Almanzor four-year-old Holymanz will be vying to secure his ticket back to New Zealand later this month when he heads to Geelong on Saturday to contest the A$300,000 Coastal Classic (1700m). Raced by Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Holymanz is earmarked to head to Ellerslie on January 27 for the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) if he performs up to expectations this weekend. “We are hoping that he runs well enough tomorrow to put himself in the picture for the $1 million race on Karaka Million night,” Cambridge Stud chief executive Henry Plumptre said. “We would love to get him here for that race. He has got a high enough rating to get into the field but obviously he needs to run well at Geelong. It is a pretty competitive field, but it is worth A$300,000 so you would expect it to be.” Cambridge Stud purchased the chestnut son of their shuttle stallion Almanzor for A$400,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in conjunction with Nicolas de Chambure of Haras d’Etreham, home to the high-class stallion in the Northern Hemisphere. He was entrusted to the care of trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace for whom he has won three and placed in three of his 11 starts. If given the green light to head across the Tasman, it could be a hit-and-run mission for the four-year-old, however, Plumptre said they will leave that decision up to his handlers. “We will leave it up to Ciaron. The only request that we have had in the horse’s career is that he goes where he is best placed,” Plumptre said. “We thought that race on Karaka Million night, on what will probably be a good surface at Ellerslie, would be a good target race for him. “After that, if Ciaron said that he would bring him back and give him a freshen-up for Sydney in the autumn, we wouldn’t argue with that. “We could look at something like the Herbie Dyke (Gr.1, 2000m) but we have probably got that pretty well covered with a mare like Aquacade. “The important thing about Holymanz is that he is an Almanzor and you are trying to show him off in the best races. Whether that is in Australia so be it, but if he can win a $1 million race at Ellerslie that will be the cream on the cake.” Holymanz showed plenty of promise early on, having won two and placed in two of his first five starts, before his confidence was dented following a fall in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) last year. It has taken time to rebuild that confidence and Plumptre believes they have now achieved that. “It took him a long time to get over that fall in the Australian Guineas. Not just physically, but mentally it knocked him around,” Plumptre said. “I think we could safely say that the early part of the spring last year he was probably still thinking about that fall a little bit. He appears to have got his confidence back now and he trialled pretty well the other day. Michael Dee’s (jockey) feedback was really good. We are going into the race with some hope and confidence.” View the full article

There will be plenty of local interest at the Hastings meeting on Saturday, with Candle looking to prove she is a black-type mare in the making in the Complete Flooring HB Handicap (1200m). Apprentice jockey Lily Sutherland was given praise after a smart ride aboard Candle last start at the Hastings course, coming from last on the home turn to storm down the rail in a slick 33.57 last 600m. Sutherland is booked to partner the daughter of Super Easy on Saturday in the Rating 75 contest, which is a hopeful stepping stone onto black-type targets according to Leah Zydenbos, who trains in partnership with Guy Lowry. “She’s turning into a great mare for the stable, and she put them away really nicely last time. We think she can repeat that again tomorrow,” she said. “Should she win tomorrow, there’s definitely some nice fillies and mares races coming up that we would look at, and we’d love to get black-type with her.” Another runner of interest to the wider Hawke’s Bay public will be Testwin, a three-year-old on debut in the Linden Estate Winery Maiden (1600m). The son of Time Test is a half-brother to Hawke’s Bay-owned galloper Nedwin, a 12-race winner and a talented jumper, with his impressive record including last year’s Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) under the care of fellow local trainers Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal. With staying quality in his bloodlines, Zydenbos indicated the stable are setting their sights on a potential Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) bid this preparation for Testwin, which was kicked off on a positive note with a trial win over Smug One, who was victorious on debut at Otaki on Thursday. “He’s an exciting horse and we’re looking forward to kicking off his campaign. He’s Derby nominated, but that will be entirely performance-based, so we’re hoping he’ll go well tomorrow,” she said. “He trialled really well and Johnathan Riddell was really keen to stick with him, so we’ll leave it up to him.” Completing their competitive trio will be Eparaima, the lightly-raced four-year-old, currently rated a $5 TAB second favourite for the AHD – Animal Health Direct Handicap (1400m). Eparaima was a luckless third last start at Hastings behind Vera Rose in the hands of Sam Weatherley, who retains the ride aboard the daughter of Per Incanto. “She was really unlucky last time out, she copped a lot of interference but we’ve been patient with her and we think this is a nice race for her.” View the full article

Robbie Patterson’s stable has been firing on all cylinders since Boxing Day, including a four-win haul at Otaki on Thursday, and now the New Plymouth trainer has Saturday’s iconic Kumara Gold Nuggets meeting in his sights. Patterson saddled winners at Otaki on Boxing Day, New Plymouth on December 27 and Greymouth on January 3, along with a valuable black-type placing by Mary Louise in the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day. But he went to a new level at Otaki on Thursday with four wins and two placings on a seven-race card. Shameless Boy, Catherinenz, The Mistress and Smug One all scored impressive wins, while Stout picked up a second placing and Manzappeal finished third. “It was a really good day,” Patterson said. “We thought we were heading into that meeting with a pretty strong team of horses, and everything worked out and fell into place. “We actually thought we’d win the first race on the card with Stout. He’s a three-year-old we’ve got a pretty good opinion of and potentially a good horse in the making. We had to settle for second there, but the day went pretty much perfectly from that point on. “Shameless Boy and Smug One are a couple of nice three-year-olds who won very well on debut. Shameless Boy is big, strong and powerful, and Smug One is one that I reckon will get up over ground later on. “The Mistress has won two from four now, and I thought it was a good effort on Thursday to go from an 1800m maiden win to win a 1600m Rating 65. I know it was only a Thursday meeting, but I thought that performance had a lot of merit.” Patterson is in no rush to make big plans with his Otaki winning quartet, although The Mistress is eligible for the inaugural $350,000 Remutaka Classic (2100m) at Trentham on January 20. “The Mistress could potentially go to that new race at Wellington, but we’ve been patient with all of these horses so far and we’ll probably keep stick to that approach while it’s working,” Patterson said. “We’ll just slowly take them through the grades.” The purple patch over the holiday period has taken Patterson to 25 wins for the 2023-24 season – already halfway to his career-best total of 50, which he set last season. “My goal was to get 50 again and to reach a million in prizemoney for the first time ,” he said. “We’re already at 25 wins and $990,000, so it’s been a great season so far. I’d be rapt if we could get up to 50 wins again.” Patterson’s next chance to add to those totals is at Kumara on Saturday, where Regal Dice will take on the $40,000 Vernon & Vazey Truck Parts Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m). “She was a good second at Greymouth last start and has come through that run really well,” Patterson said. “This is a bit of a throw at the stumps, stepping up in trip. I’m currently in Greymouth and it’s raining, so I think the track is going to be quite heavy and testing. “We’ve got Times Up on the ballot for the Nuggets as well, and he’ll go around if he gets a run there. Otherwise he’s in the Rating 65. Snipers Dream is in that same Rating 65 race and could be a really good chance there. He’s probably not the strongest-willed horse around, but if he shows up on his game, he’ll be hard to beat. “Our other runner is the maiden O’Ceirins Dream. Her owner Wayne Keenan is originally from Hokitika, so it would be fantastic to get a win down here with this mare. She’s probably the best shot out of all of our team too – she looks close to a maiden win, and she can race up on the speed.” View the full article

Seasons Wit steps up in grade for Sunday’s Group Three Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1,000m) at Sha TinView the full article

The best of the best will be crowned at the 2023 season NZB Standardbred Harness Racing Awards at Addington on Monday, 19 February. There will be 16 age-group awards – eight each for the pacers and trotters. The Trotter and Pacer of the Year will then square off for the ultimate accolade – Horse of the Year. Here is the list of all the age group contenders Tickets to the awards will be on sale within the next two weeks View the full article

Holymanz will contest the $300,000 Coastal Classic (1700m) at Geelong on Saturday. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Holymanz will be vying to secure his ticket back to New Zealand later this month when he heads to Geelong on Saturday to contest the A$300,000 Coastal Classic (1700m). Raced by Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Holymanz is earmarked to head to Ellerslie on January 27 for the $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m) if he performs up to expectations this weekend. “We are hoping that he runs well enough tomorrow to put himself in the picture for the $1 million race on Karaka Million night,” Cambridge Stud chief executive Henry Plumptre said. “We would love to get him here for that race. He has got a high enough rating to get into the field but obviously he needs to run well at Geelong. It is a pretty competitive field, but it is worth $300,000 so you would expect it to be.” Cambridge Stud purchased the chestnut son of their shuttle stallion Almanzor for A$400,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in conjunction with Nicolas de Chambure of Haras d’Etreham, home to the high-class stallion in the Northern Hemisphere. He was entrusted to the care of trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, for whom he has won three and placed in three of his 11 starts. If given the green light to head across the Tasman, it could be a hit-and-run mission for the four-year-old, however, Plumptre said they will leave that decision up to his handlers. “We will leave it up to Ciaron. The only request that we have had in the horse’s career is that he goes where he is best placed,” Plumptre said. “We thought that race on Karaka Million night, on what will probably be a good surface at Ellerslie, would be a good target race for him. “After that, if Ciaron said that he would bring him back and give him a freshen-up for Sydney in the autumn, we wouldn’t argue with that. “We could look at something like the Herbie Dyke (Group 1, 2000m) but we have probably got that pretty well covered with a mare like Aquacade. “The important thing about Holymanz is that he is an Almanzor and you are trying to show him off in the best races. Whether that is in Australia so be it, but if he can win a $1 million race at Ellerslie that will be the cream on the cake.” Holymanz showed plenty of promise early on, having won two and placed in two of his first five starts, before his confidence was dented following a fall in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) last year. It has taken time to rebuild that confidence and Plumptre believes they have now achieved that. “It took him a long time to get over that fall in the Australian Guineas. Not just physically, but mentally it knocked him around,” Plumptre said. “I think we could safely say that the early part of the spring last year he was probably still thinking about that fall a little bit. He appears to have got his confidence back now and he trialled pretty well the other day. Michael Dee’s (jockey) feedback was really good. We are going into the race with some hope and confidence.” More horse racing news View the full article

Candle will seek back-to-back victories at Hastings on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) There will be plenty of local interest at the Hastings meeting on Saturday, with Candle looking to prove she is a black-type mare in the making. Apprentice jockey Lily Sutherland was given praise after a smart ride aboard Candle last start at the Hastings course, coming from last on the home turn to storm down the rail in a slick 33.57 last 600m. Sutherland is booked to partner the daughter of Super Easy on Saturday in the Rating 75 contest, which is a hopeful stepping stone onto black-type targets according to Leah Zydenbos, who trains in partnership with Guy Lowry. “She’s turning into a great mare for the stable, and she put them away really nicely last time. We think she can repeat that again tomorrow,” she said. “Should she win tomorrow, there’s definitely some nice fillies and mares races coming up that we would look at, and we’d love to get black-type with her.” Another runner of interest to the wider Hawke’s Bay public will be Testwin, a three-year-old on debut in the Linden Estate Winery Maiden (1600m). The son of Time Test is a half-brother to Hawke’s Bay-owned galloper Nedwin, a 12-race winner and a talented jumper, with his impressive record including last year’s Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) under the care of fellow local trainers Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal. With staying quality in his bloodlines, Zydenbos indicated the stable are setting their sights on a potential Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) bid this preparation for Testwin, which was kicked off on a positive note with a trial win over Smug One, who was victorious on debut at Otaki on Thursday. “He’s an exciting horse and we’re looking forward to kicking off his campaign. He’s Derby nominated, but that will be entirely performance-based, so we’re hoping he’ll go well tomorrow,” she said. “He trialled really well and Johnathan Riddell was really keen to stick with him, so we’ll leave it up to him.” Completing their competitive trio will be Eparaima, the lightly-raced four-year-old, currently rated a +400 second favourite with horse racing bookmakers. Eparaima was a luckless third last start at Hastings behind Vera Rose in the hands of Sam Weatherley, who retains the ride aboard the daughter of Per Incanto. “She was really unlucky last time out, she copped a lot of interference but we’ve been patient with her and we think this is a nice race for her.” More horse racing news View the full article

James McDonald will ride in New Zealand for the first time since 2020. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Champion Sydney jockey James McDonald is gearing up for a homecoming at the Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie on January 27. After a successful stint in Hong Kong, where he rode 15 winners in five weeks, McDonald is set to ride Roger James and Robert Wellwood’s Orchestral in the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO and Stephen Marsh’s Velocious in the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO. McDonald, who last rode in New Zealand at the 2020 Karaka Millions meeting, expressed his excitement about the upcoming event. “I haven’t ridden here for three years and everything has changed, the stables look magnificent” said McDonald. The meeting will feature the inaugural $1 million Elsdon Park Aoteora Classic (1600m) for four-year-olds, in addition to the traditional $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), which now boasts an additional $500,000 prize money for the 2024 edition. Notably, McDonald’s previous success at the Karaka Millions meeting in 2019, aboard Long Leaf in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic, adds to the anticipation of his return. Blake Shinn will also be joining the meeting, partnering with the promising filly Molly Bloom in the Karaka Millions 3YO. The jockey lineup promises an exciting day of racing for fans at Ellerslie on January 27. More horse racing news View the full article

by Jonny Turner Maui delivered a big thrill for the McCormick family when running to a deserved win in the feature trot at yesterday’s Roxburgh Cup meeting. The brilliantly consistent squaregaiter did enough to hold out the late challenge of runner-up Vertigo to seal a father and son quinella for trainers and drivers David and Lawrence McCormick. While David took top honours in the family’s great result, he resisted the chance to make full use of the bragging rights he had over his son following his victory. Instead, the Canterbury horseman was thrilled his family produced a one-two finish in the fast class event for trotters at Roxburgh. For Maui it was a case of him having his turn to shine at Roxburgh following a run a strong efforts in strong fields recently. “He’s been racing good for the last six weeks or so, and he just keeps getting better and better,” David McCormick said. Maui and Vertigo will both head to Saturday’s Cromwell meeting, the last of the three-day Central Otago Summer circuit. With Maui having pulled up well from his Roxburgh victory and Vertigo being a grass track specialist, there looks no reason why the pair can’t deliver the McCormicks more success. “He will be a good chance at Cromwell, you’d think,” McCormick said. “He loves the grass and Lawrence’s horse loves the grass, too.” “We might be able to do it again.” Their one-two finish saw the McCormicks fill a race day quinella for the first time in their careers. Kikorangi Blue turned yesterday’s Roxburgh Cup into a one-act affair with a powerful front-running performance to win. The mare made one of her customary smart beginnings which set up her front-running victory for trainer Bob Butt and driver Brent Barclay. Butt stationed the mare in the south with Barclay and his partner Lauren Pearson, ahead of the pacer’s Roxburgh Cup tilt. Judging by the horse’s work and her victory, Kikorangi Blue has thrived at her temporary base at Winton. “We didn’t have a lot of luck at Invercargill, but her work has been terrific this week so we were expecting a bold showing,” Barclay said. Kikorangi Blue’s victory has earned her a shot at the upcoming Group One and Group Two mares feature races at Addington. View the full article

Perfect Drift, the popular gelding who won or placed in 32 of 50 starts from 2001-08 and earned more than $4.7 million, was euthanized Jan. 4 due to complications from an old paddock injury, according to Dr. Bryan Reed of Stonecrest Farm. He was 25.View the full article

The Dunstan Stayers’ Championship Final (2400m) has become renowned as a strong form reference for feature staying races every season, and trainer Chris Wood is hoping that trend continues when Canheroc contests the Listed Marton Jockey Club Marton Cup (2200m) at Hastings on Saturday. The Dunstan has unearthed countless quality big-race performers over its 30-year history, including Group One winners Pentane and Zabeat. The race has been won in the last two seasons by Dionysus and Aquacade, who have both gone on to bigger and better things. This season’s edition of the Dunstan was run at Pukekohe on Boxing Day, where Trust In You prevailed in a tight three-way finish. He beat Liquid Fire by a neck, with a short head back to Canheroc in third. That form has already been given a significant boost, with Trust In You backing up to win the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. Canheroc’s Dunstan placing headlines a strong run of form this season for the six-year-old El Roca gelding, who has picked up a win, four placings and more than $83,000 in stakes from nine appearances so far. His only failure from seven starts over distances longer than 1600m was in last month’s Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m), where he lost his footing leaving the gates and missed the start by five lengths. “He’s been in good form and his performance in the Dunstan was super,” Wood said. “He’s probably not quite the same horse right-handed – I think he’s a lot better the other way around. He got on the wrong leg a couple of times during the race at Pukekohe, including in the straight. But then he got balanced up and came back at them again late in the race, so I thought it was a really good run. The form stacks up pretty well after what the winner did on New Year’s Day. “He’s come through Boxing Day really well. He’s as bright as a button and hasn’t needed much work leading into the trip to Hastings on Saturday.” Canheroc will be ridden by Kelly Myers and was rated a $5.50 favourite in the TAB’s Marton Cup market on Friday. A bold performance at Hastings on Saturday could encourage Canheroc’s connections to make a late nomination for the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham on January 20. “The Wellington Cup would be a great target to work towards,” Wood said. “He’s not currently in the race, but if he happened to run well this weekend, the owners might not take much convincing to put in a late nomination. I think the two miles would be right up his alley.” View the full article

Red Centre trainers Terry and wife Leanne Gillett will welcome back daughter Dakota, who is currently riding in South Australia, on Saturday when the Alice Springs Turf Club kicks off its 2024 campaign at Pioneer Park. It could be a good day for the Gillett family when racing resumes in Alice Springs on Saturday. Husband and wife Terry and Leanne Gillett, both licenced trainers in their own right, have decent prospects in four of the five races for Pioneer Park’s first meeting of 2024. Daughter and apprentice Dakota, who kicked off her career in July 2022, returns home from Adelaide, and each of her three rides are capable of saluting. Dakota, 18, is currently based in South Australia riding for leading Adelaide trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly and is fresh after posting two thirds for the Jolly’s aboard Corden and Ok Gerry at Murray Bridge on New Year’s Day. Determined to work on her craft, the teenager – currently sitting equal second in the Alice Springs and Provincial jockey’s premiership with six wins – also spent time in Sydney with Warwick Farm-based trainer Bjorn Baker during the spring. The talented Supreme Attraction, trained by Terry, along with Li’lmissprancelot and Ornamental Lady, trained by Leanne, will be ridden by Dakota this weekend. Supreme Attraction, an absolute star last year, returns after five months and was allotted 64.5kg for Saturday’s feature over 1000m (BM76). With Dakota’s 2kg claim, the eight-year-old gelding – with a rating of 93 – will spot his four opponents 4.5kg first up since finishing sixth behind Early Crow in the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) at Fannie Bay during the Darwin Cup Carnival in August. Prior to his Top End sojourn, the son of Supreme Class claimed the $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) – starting at $26 – in April during the Alice Springs Cup Carnival before winning four straight from 1000-1400m. The Palmerston may have been different had Supreme Attraction – the winner of nine races from 16 Alice starts – had a lead up race, but Saturday’s assignment should not be as daunting despite carrying plenty of weight. Assessing Supreme Attraction’s hopes, Terry Gillett said: “Coming back from a good campaign last season – will definitely need the run, but not out of this.” The Kerry Petrick-trained Throw At Da Stumps, who upset Paul Gardner’s impressive Red Wraith by a nostril over 1000m (BM76) at Pioneer Park on November 26 must be respected. Throw At Da Stumps was a last-start second in open company over 1200m behind Great Buy, trained by Terry, at the Alice Springs meeting on December 17, and come Saturday, will most likely be second favourite behind Supreme Attraction. Li’lmissprancealot, winless after nine starts, gets her opportunity to break the ice when she will probably start favourite in a 1000m maiden. Ornamental Lady, who brought good form north from SA before coming fifth over 1100m (0-70) three weeks ago, has the chance to show her true colours over 1200m (0-64). The daughter of Sir Prancelot, Li’lmissprancelot hasn’t been far away with two thirds from five starts in the Red Centre following her arrival from SA, and with Dakota’s 2kg claim (55kg), as well as a decent gate, the four-year-old mare definitely has an edge in class over her nine opponents. Ornamental Lady, the daughter of Epaulette, was far from disgraced during last year’s Darwin Cup Carnival and managed a second in October and a fourth in November at Morphettville before parting ways with Murray Bridge trainer Nicole Irwin. On Saturday, the six-year-old mare will take on Terry’s handy Valley Prince, who returns from a four-month spell, and Leanne’s Esashi, renowned for her brilliant starts, before hitting the wall in the home straight in the five-horse field where Greg Connor’s Radio Room is a worthy each-way hope. “Li’lmissprancealot is still looking to break her maiden and is jumping from a nice barrier – winkers taken off this start hoping for a clean jump,” Terry said. “Wasn’t the worst run last start for Ornamental Lady – a couple of gear changes for Saturday and she will appreciate the 2kg claim. “Valley Prince is coming back from a well-deserved break – working well and will improve off what he does on Saturday fitness wise. “As for Esashi – not her race, but will put the speed into it.” Family Ties, who brained the opposition by 5.5 lengths over 1100m (BM54) in late November before a last start third over 1100m (0-58) on December 17 when 0.2 lengths separated the first three across the line, is certainly a genuine chance for the Gilletts when he lines up over 1100m (BM54). With apprentice Ianish Luximon, who can claim 2kg, in the saddle, Family Ties, the son of Zebedee, boasts a 2kg weight advantage over Connor’s Trystoff (59.5kg), clearly the biggest challenger to Terry’s four-year-old gelding. “Family Ties is racing in fine form at the moment and is jumping from a nice gate,” Terry said. After a week where the mercury climbed beyond 40C, it is expected to be 37C with the possibility of showers on Saturday. More horse racing news View the full article

Friday, January 5 promises an exciting day of horse racing with nine meetings scheduled across Australia. Our dedicated team of racing analysts at horsebetting.com.au has curated the top bets and provided quaddie numbers specifically for the upcoming Canterbury and Cranbourne meetings. Friday Racing Tips – January 5, 2024 Canterbury Racing Tips Cranbourne Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For January 5, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $67.25 odds return: Friday, January 5, 2024 Canterbury – Race 1 #10 Voile Canterbury – Race 3 #10 Yvette Cranbourne – Race 5 #3 Acid Wash Cranbourne – Race 7 #2 Bombastic Boy | Copy this bet straight to your betslip For avid Australian racing fans, numerous promotions await your exploration. Be sure to peruse the offerings from top online bookmakers, as daily promotions can enhance your horse racing experience. If you’re in search of a new bookmaker to elevate your horse racing ventures on January 5, 2024, consult our comprehensive guide to the finest online racing betting sites. We’re committed to keeping you informed and enhancing your horse racing betting journey. More horse racing tips View the full article

David Eustace will have his first runner in Hong Kong next season. David Eustace made his first appearance in Hong Kong on Thursday night as a fully-fledged trainer in the city. Meeting with local media before the first of eight races at Happy Valley, Eustace laid down the roadmap for the coming months as he prepares to make the full-time move from Australia to Hong Kong. “It’s been fantastic. The Hong Kong Jockey Club have been extremely helpful and efficient – it’s great to be here for it to be official and the hard work starts now over the next few months. I’m looking to get an understanding of the rules, the setup, the races and most importantly try and build a stable,” Eustace said. Formerly in a training partnership with Ciaron Maher, Eustace will finish up at one of Australia’s leading stables later this month before embarking on monthly trips to Hong Kong ahead of his permanent basing at Sha Tin in April. “I’m looking forward to the challenge and pressure of building a team myself. It was not an easy decision. I had a great five and a half years in partnership and eight years working for him (Ciaron Maher), but I felt that it was time to take on the challenge and I’m really looking forward to that. “I head back on Saturday evening. I will head to Magic Millions for the stable and I finish up with Ciaron at the end of January. I’ll look to move full time in April and my understanding is that I can train a horse from June 1 and then start having runners at the start of the 2024/25 season in September,” Eustace said. No stranger to the Hong Kong racing scene, Eustace is the nephew of David Oughton, trainer of Cape Of Good Hope, Precision, San Domenico, Che Sara Sara and Idol. “David (Oughton) was a massive influence. He was here (in Hong Kong) and he had a great career and it was something that always hugely interested me. It is genuinely a dream come true to get the opportunity to train here,” Eustace said. Eustace was a former amateur jockey. In Great Britain he worked with Roger Varian and also his father James Eustace. “I did two trips (to Hong Kong). One with War Artist for my father and a couple of years later with Farraaj who ran in the (Hong Kong) Cup for Roger Varian. “They were two great experiences and only bolstered my enthusiasm to hopefully one day get the opportunity,” Eustace said. Maher and Eustace trained 347 winners across the last racing season in Australia, including a string of Group 1 triumphs. They’re best known for Group 1 winners Gold Trip, Hitotsu, Sir Dragonet, Pride Of Jenni, Bella Nipotina, Explosive Jack and more. “Every trainer wants to win the big ones and I have no doubt that is going to take a bit of time, so I think it would be wrong to set targets. I just want to get the right horses in the stable, not necessarily to work on numbers, but quality and competing for the good races to make sure that the product that arrives for owners is the right one,” Eustace said. More horse racing news View the full article

Majestic Knight (No. 6) takes out the night’s feature. Thriving in the absence of Zac Purton and Hugh Bowman, Karis Teetan and Vincent Ho consolidated positions inside the top five of the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with doubles at Happy Valley on Thursday night. Teetan, who sits second in the standings with 35 victories, combined twice with Douglas Whyte to cut Zac Purton’s lead to 15 wins with the Australian on a rare leave of absence, while Ho moved into fifth place with 19 wins after teaming up staunch ally Francis Lui on two occasions. A remarkably consistent performer, Teetan extended his lead over third-placed Bowman (suspended) to 12 following his success on Shinkansen and Majestic Knight. “The New Year has just started and it’s great to get some winners,” the Mauritian said. “Tonight has worked out well and I’m glad I got some winners. I had some decent rides and some good support, so it’s nice to get the wins. “Credit to Douglas and his team. Majestic Knight, when I didn’t lead, he came back under me and when I picked him up, he really responded well. I was very impressed – Howdeepisyourlove is a very classy horse and for Majestic Knight to beat him tonight shows how well he is going.” Whyte was elated after Majestic Knight’s (122lb) triumph after the gelding staved off Wonder Kit (119lb) by a head with Howdeepisyourlove (132lb) only a short head away in third place. “He’s the model of consistency really. It looked like he would lead tonight but that didn’t work out,” the South African said. “He took the trailing position and it worked out well. He saved some energy and it proved beneficial at the end.” Lui and Ho combined with Cordyceps One and the duo also struck with Gallant Waking as Lui took his tally for the season to 26 wins – 15 fewer than Pierre Ng. Extending an incredible season, Pierre Ng scored with Bon’s A Pearla – one of the few mares racing in Hong Kong – under Alexis Badel. Winner of the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) in Australia in 2021, Bon’s A Pearla had placed only twice in 11 starts before the mare unleashed a withering finish tonight. “She’s always been a tricky one – even for the stables who had her before,” Ng said, celebrating his 41st win of the campaign. “We tried everything – every course and distance – but she didn’t like it. Finally, she liked a sprinting race at the Valley.” Jamie Richards’ season continued to gain momentum when Super Fast Dragon swept to victory under Lyle Hewitson, enhancing the Kiwi’s strong affinity with Happy Valley. “He’s a horse who needs a little bit of luck because of his racing style. He was pretty unlucky on IJC (International Jockeys’ Championship) night, and he didn’t have everything go his way that day. It’s good to get a bit of luck, and like most horses in Hong Kong, they need a little bit of time to adjust,” Richards said. “He’s getting there now, and he was given a good ride tonight. Hopefully, he can go on from there. He’s down at the bottom of Class 4, so he’s going to get another go for sure. He’ll find his rating eventually. The owners have been very patient and very loyal, so I thank them for the support.” Beauty Infinity provided 12-time champion trainer John Size with his 20th winner of the campaign and left a favourable impression on in-form jockey Andrea Atzeni. “He ran a very promising race last time, he finished off nicely but we knew we were taking on better horses this time,” Atzeni said. “But he’s obviously improved again and he’s a nice horse.” Sure Joyful proved too strong for Ricky Yiu to provide Matthew Poon with his fourth score of the season. More horse racing news View the full article

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Perfect Drift, the popular gelding who won or placed in 32 of 50 starts from 2001-08 and earned more than $4.7 million, was euthanized Jan. 4 due to complications from an old paddock injury, according to Dr. Bryan Reed of Stonecrest Farm. He was 25.View the full article

When Jimmy Corrigan was informed after an Oct. 7 race at Belterra Park that his horse Stay Lost (Bernardini) had tested positive for the banned substance methamphetamine he was shocked. The native of Ireland had been training in the U.S. since 1992 and had never had a drug positive of any kind. He said he is careful who he hires and that he's sure that no one in his barn had ever touched the drug. But, at least initially, these things don't matter to the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU). Corrigan's horse had tested positive and he would be held responsible. With the B sample having come back and also containing methamphetamine, his suspension has taken effect. He faces a suspension of up to two years. “This has to stop now, not just for me, but for racing,” Corrigan said. “I'm not walking out on this. But things have to change. People are scared and what they have done is create a toxic environment for everyone. People come to me and say they are scared. Is that what they want, where everyone is paranoid? It used to be that when you lost races you worried. Now, when you win races you worry as well.” Corrigan, 63, who never trained in Ireland, opened up his stable in 1992. He has 315 career winners, including 13 in 2023. His best year was in 2011 when he won 32 races. According to the Jockey Club's Thoroughbred Regulatory Rulings page, Corrigan has never had a positive test. There's nothing about him or his record to even remotely suggest that he cheats. But that's not something that enters in the picture when a trainer gets a positive test from HIWU for a banned substance. Six trainers have been sanctioned by HIWU for methamphetamine positives, including one trainer, Dick Clark, who has three separate positives for the drug. Corrigan believes these are all cases of environmental contamination. He said that at Belterra one of the bathrooms is filthy, a reason why some urinate in the stalls. On top of that, he said dozens of people might handle the horse between the time it gets to the track and when it runs. “They want me to control that. I can't,” he said. “It's environmental contamination. That's what happened. I can't be responsible for what other people are doing. So many different people touch the horses by the time they get to the starting gate. It's ridiculous that this can be penned on anyone. “We know we're being scrutinized under HISA,” he said. “We're like fish in a bowl. We're under a microscope. Why would anybody give a horse anything when they know they're going to be tested. There's no logic to this, no commonsense. They want you to be responsible for what other people may or may not be doing. That's impossible, they're ignoring science and what you've got is people who don't know what they're doing patting themselves on the back.” For Corrigan, the next step is to have a hearing which he said will cost him $8,500. If he loses the hearing he can always take his case outside of racing and to a court, which will cost even more money. “I am not quitting,” he said. “I love the game and have been at it a long, long time. I've got the greatest owners and greatest staff in the country. Nobody has it better than me. I love the game.” In the meantime, since the suspension went into effect on Dec. 27, he has had to disperse his horses to other trainers. He hopes commonsense will prevail and HIWU will cut him a break. But he can't be sure. “Yes, I am worried I will get the full two years,” he said. “But to do so they're going to have to ignore that in the 30 years I've been training I've never had a bad test. And 30 years later, I am going to start cheating? It's mind boggling.” Asked to comment on the Corrigan suspension, Alexa Ravit, Director of Communications & Outreach of the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit, provided the following statement: “There were 10 reported methamphetamine findings (five positives from the same trainer, and two positives from Belterra) from 34,470 horses tested through October 7, the date of sample collection for Stay Lost. Therefore, the methamphetamine positivity rate was 0.029%. When a trainer is notified that a Covered Horse under their care has tested positive for a human substance of abuse such as methamphetamine, the positive test will not be publicized, and a Provisional Suspension will not be imposed, unless/until the B Sample result confirms the A Sample finding. This rule was modified to give trainers time while the B Sample analysis was being completed to provide information to HIWU that indicates that the positive test result was likely due to unintended transfer or contamination. Mr. Corrigan did not provide any information to HIWU while waiting for B Sample analysis. The ADMC Program's adjudication procedures for alleged Anti-Doping Rule Violations include the right to request a hearing before the Arbitral Body, and Mr. Corrigan has informed HIWU that he is exercising that right.” The post Jimmy Corrigan Vows to Fight HIWU Suspension appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article