Wandering Eyes

Patrice Cottier trainee Sparkling Plenty (Fr) (Kingman {GB}–Speralita {Fr}, by Frankel {GB}) notched a three-length debut success at Marseille-Borely earlier this month and swooped late over the same course and distance in Monday's Listed Prix Delahante to maintain her perfect record on black-type bow. She was steadied off the tempo and settled into a smooth rhythm racing sixth through halfway in the 8 1/2-furlong contest. Hurried along rounding the home turn, the 9-10 favourite made relentless headway under mild rousting in the straight and kept on strongly to usurp long-time leader Tiffanyli (Fr) (Lethal Force {Ire}) by a length nearing the line for a career high. Pedigree Notes Sparkling Plenty, the latest of three foals, is one of two scorers produced by an unraced half-sister to multiple elite-level heroine and US champion Stacelita (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}), herself the dam of three black-type winners headed by MG1SW dual Japanese champion Soul Stirring (Jpn) (Frankel {GB}). Descendants of Stacelita also include last term's G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) and G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) victrix Stars On Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). Sparkling Plenty's dam Speralita (Fr) (Frankel {GB}) is also a half-sister to the dam of last month's G1 Prix du Moulin victrix Sauterne (Fr) (Kingman {GB}). The April-foaled homebred bay is a full-sister to G3 Jersey S. victor and G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere runner-up Noble Truth (Fr). Monday, Marseille-Borely, France PRIX DELAHANTE-Listed, €60,000, Marseille-Borely, 10-23, 2yo, 8 1/2fT, 1:45.19, sf. 1–SPARKLING PLENTY (FR), 122, f, 2, by Kingman (GB) 1st Dam: Speralita (Fr), by Frankel (GB) 2nd Dam: Soignee (Ger), by Dashing Blade (GB) 3rd Dam: Suivez (Fr), by Fioravanti 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (€600,000 RNA Ylg '22 ARQAUG). O/B-Jean-Pierre-Joseph Dubois (FR); T-Patrice Cottier; J-Marvin Grandin. €30,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, €41,500. *Full to Noble Truth (Fr), GSW-Eng & G1SP-Fr, $275,141. 2–Tiffanyli (Fr), 122, f, 2, Lethal Force (Ire)–La Milletiere (Fr), by Sunday Break (Jpn). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (€11,000 Ylg '22 ARQOCT). O-Ecuries Puglia, Ecuries Jacques Piasco, Abdelhafidh Dridi, Christophe Escuder & Steeve Puglia; B-Haras de Grandcamp EARL (FR); T-Christophe Escuder. €12,000. 3–Pepete (Fr), 122, f, 2, Attendu (Fr)–Painted Girl (Fr), by Monsun (Ger). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Jean-Pierre-Joseph Dubois (FR); T-Jerome Andreu. €9,000. Margins: 1, 2HF, 1. Odds: 0.90, 15.00, 11.00. Also Ran: Maywe (Ire), Un Instant (Fr), Louis De La Klauss (Fr), Wikenda (Fr), Dabasir (Ire). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Kingman’s Well-Related Sparkling Plenty Snags Marseille Feature appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Antipodean mares have again proved their worth in Japan, and the latest high-level success came at Kyoto on Sunday when Durezza (Duramente), a son of Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) heroine More Than Sacred (More Than Ready), powered to a three and a half-length triumph in Sunday’s Gr.1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger). Ridden by Christophe Lemaire for Tomohito Ozeki, the son of Duramente, was in a race of his own over the final 100m. The Satono Crown colt Tastiera, winner of the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), was second, with the favoured Kitasan Black colt Sol Oriens, hero of the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), was a length and a half back in third. “He made a flying start and was keen to go, so I decided to let him take the lead,” Lemaire said. “He responded well between the third and last corner, which made me confident that he was going to close strongly. “When he accelerated in the stretch, I knew we were going to win. To see him beat such a strong field today over the 3,000m distance means we can look forward to him doing well among Group 1 company over 2,000 and 2,400m also.” Third in a Newcomers race at Nakayama at two, Durezza has reeled off five consecutive wins, but this was his first stakes triumph. More Than Sacred, a daughter of More Than Ready, was trained by Tony Pike In New Zealand for Raffles Racing and spent a short time in Australia when trained by Robert Smerdon for Katsumi Yoshida, where she was stakes placed and finished fourth in the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m). More Than Sacred has an unraced two-year-old filly by Real Steel named Divinest and a yearling filly by Rey De Oro. The 14-year-old mare is now owned by Yulong Stud, who revealed she had been covered by Frankel to southern hemisphere time. Durezza wasn’t the only flag-bearer for southern hemisphere matrons in Japan over the weekend, with 2013 Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m) heroine Kirramosa (NZ) (Alamosa) the dam of a promising two-year-old filly named Tropical Tea. The daughter of Real Steel won a Newcomers race over 1800m at Tokyo on Sunday and is the third winner from as many runners for Kirramosa, who was trained by John Sargent before being sold privately to Japan. View the full article

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Havana Grey (GB), one of the most in-demand young stallions in Europe, will stand at an increased fee of £55,000 at Whitsbury Manor Stud in 2024. The Group 1-winning son of Havana Gold (Ire) started his career at a fee of £8,000 and was advertised as low as £6,000 in his third and fourth seasons before the success of his first runners last year forced a price hike to £18,500. Joe Callan, Whitsbury Manor Stud's head of Bloodstock and Sales, said, “After another phenomenal year, including dual Group 1 winner Vandeek and nine other stakes winners in Europe, it is clear he is an elite stallion. We will continue to strictly limit his book to look after both the horse and our clients, so I hope people can understand if his book fills very quickly.” The fee for Havana Grey's stud-mate Showcasing (GB) will remain at £45,000 after a year in which he has been represented by the G2 Temple S. winner Dramatised (GB) and Group 1 performers Get Ahead (GB) and Swingalong (GB). Whitsbury Manor Stud introduces a new stallion for 2024 in the homebred Dragon Symbol (GB). The Group 1-placed son of Cable Bay (GB), who lost the Commonwealth Cup on a stewards' enquiry after he finished first past the post, will start his career at £8,000. Callan added, “He was rated five pounds higher than his illustrious stud-mate Havana Grey so is ideally qualified for joining the Whitsbury roster.” Sergei Prokofiev, a son of Scat Daddy who will have his first runners next season, will remain at £6,000. The post Havana Grey to Stand at £55,000 in 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Four-time 1,200m dirt winner tackles 1,650m all-weather race at Sha Tin on Wednesday night after Koinu caused the cancellation of his intended assignmentView the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk It’s a five and a half hour drive from Hamilton to Palmerston North but Peter Ferguson made it worth his while with three wins and two seconds from five drives at Monday’s mini-meeting at Manawatu. “They weren’t all turn up and win types that’s for sure so to have a day like that is bloody good.” Ferguson combined with Always Flyin, Greater Good and Luka Doncic to go back to back to back in races two, three and four, with second placings in the first and last races of the day as well. All five were trained by the high profile and successful partnership of Graeme Rogerson and Peter’s son Dylan Ferguson. Particularly pleasing for Ferguson senior was the win by Greater Good in the Doug Gale Stables Mobile Pace. Bred by Breckon Farms, it was the Bettor’s Delight three-year-old’s first win in 14 starts. “She’s a lovely wee filly who has had some issues and I’ve driven her a lot in her races and in work at home so I was delighted she got the win,” says Ferguson, “and she can go to the breeding paddock now as a race winner.” The most convincing winner of the day was Always Flyin. The Always B Miki two-year-colt cleared out to a six length win, his first in three starts. “He’s always been a nice horse but has had some bad draws in Cambridge,” says Ferguson. The third winner, Luka Doncic just got up in the shadows of the post to defeat Lady la Salle by half a head in the Stephen Doody Racing Stables Mobile Pace. “He is an honest plodder and he’s got stronger and better as he’s got on.” “He just keeps giving, we were a bit concerned about him getting the track because he brushes a knee but it helps that the track was in super order.” Ferguson also drove Ya Know to second behind Johnny Who in race 1, the Thank You Len Haydock Trot, and was a close up second with Jaccka Cooper, behind Cristiano Buccini, in the last, the Racing Again 13th November Mobile Pace. Ferguson will be back at Cambridge this Friday night, while Dylan will be vying for Group 1 glory with star trotter Lovemeto in the Victorian Trotters’ Derby at Maryborough next weekend, after they combined to easily the first heat on Saturday. “So hopefully we can keep it going at Cambridge and Dylan can do the business in the Derby next Sunday.” View the full article

by Adam Hamilton Spirit Of St Louis’s New Zealand Cup raid is driven by the bucket list of his part-owners Summit Bloodstock and Aaron Bain Racing. The emerging Aussie syndication force has enjoyed a stellar 2023 and wants to add to it with victory NZ’s most iconic pacing race. Summit Bloodstock and Aaron Bain Racing (ABR) successfully used their slot in the Race by Grins at Cambridge back in April to partner with winner Copy That. On the same night, they went close to a remarkable double when Spirit Of St Louis, who they part-own and raced in their slot, ran second to Betterzippit in the inaugural Nullarbor at Gloucester Park. Then came the biggest of the lot. Forced to make a late change when Cobber was injured, Summit and ABR snapped-up classy mare Encipher for their slot in the world’s richest harness race, the inaugural $2.1mil TAB Eureka at Menangle. Of course, Encipher stormed home to win. “When you have the year we’ve had, especially with the Eureka, you start to look at bucket list stuff and a New Zealand Cup is certainly on that list,” Aaron Bain said. “Even as an Aussie it’s a race we’d all love to win. It’s just got so much history and the race day itself is something else. “We think we’ve got the right horse to give it a shake in Spirit Of St Louis. “Then again, he’s probably odds-on to run second again given how many near misses he’s had in some of our biggest races. “If he’d won 80 per cent of those races, he’d be talked about as one of the greats of our time.” Spirit Of St Louis’ seconds include two Miracle Miles and a Hunter Cup. He’s raced 66 times for 28 wins, 19 placings and still banked almost $1.3 million. Bain is still wondering what might have been with any luck in last Saturday week’s Group 1 Victoria Cup. “He ran seventh, but looked like a certainty beaten,” he said. “He and Encipher were the two who simply had nowhere to go and were absolutely bolting in the closing stages.” Spirit Of St Louis will cap his preparation for NZ in a free-for-all at Menangle on Saturday night. “Then he flies across on November 5,” Bain said. “He’s had a good foundation. He’ll run in the Cup and stay for the NZ free-for-all on the Friday.” Bain, who also trains a big team of pacers and thoroughbreds in South Australia, won’t be able to make it trackside for the Cup. “I’d love to, but it’s our Aaron Bain Racing gala ball, just the second time we’ve held it, a couple days after the Cup,” he said. Bain is also excited about the Steven Reid-trained youngster, Coastal Babe, who Summit Bloodstock and Aaron Bain Racing own. “She’s won three of her four runs and looks a bit special,” he said. “She was out first foray into buying yearlings in NZ. We paid $NZ65,000 for her and Jamie (Durnberger-Smith, from Summit Bloodstock) had a relationship with Steven Reid so she went to him.” Summit and ABR recently spread their wings into the US yearling sales market. “That goes back to the Bucket List stuff I mentioned,” Bain said. “The Little Brown Jug is absolutely on the Bucket List, so we bought varying levels of shares in eight yearlings at the sales a few weeks back with a view to trying to get a Jug winner.” View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Wednesday, October 25, 2023 First Race 7:15pm HKT (10:15pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Sha Tin Racecourse is the destination for Hong Kong racing on Wednesday evening with a rare all-weather meeting under lights. Eight races are set for decision as the surface specialists get their chance to claim success. The rail is unmoved in the true position, with the opening event scheduled for 7:15pm HKT (10:15pm AEDT). Best Bet: Adefill Adefill is an all-weather specialist and looks primed to make a first-up statement for the Ricky Yiu barn. He’s had three outstanding barrier trials, keeping the son of Deep Field up to the mark during the offseason, and finds a very winnable assignment. Karis Teetan will slot in for cover from barrier eight, and watch for Adefill to be doing his best work late. Best Bet Race 6 – #3 Adefill (8) 5yo Gelding | T: Ricky Yiu | J: Karis Teetan (58.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best: Youthful Deal Youthful Deal put together three wins on the all-weather surface at the end of last preparation, rising through the grades stylishly for trainer Frankie Lor. His return at Sha Tin on September 10 left a lot to be desired, as the five-year-old finished last of six runners in the Class 1 Chief Executive’s Cup. That was on the turf course, however, and returning to his favoured surface second-up, expect Youthful Deal to recapture his best. Next Best Race 7 – #5 Youthful Deal (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Frankie Lor | J: Matthew Chadwick (57kg) Bet with Neds Next Best Again: Self Improvement (12) Self Improvement returned a winner at this course and distance on September 17, toughing out a victory by a half-length on the wire. Both he and the runner-up, Euro Rocks, put a significant margin back to third as the pair fought out the finish. It was a brave performance by Self Improvement, and with a month between runs and a lovely tick-over trial since, we’re confident Zac Purton can make it back-to-back wins on the five-year-old gelding. Next Best Again Race 8 – #4 Self Improvement (12) 4yo Gelding | T: Manfred Man | J: Zac Purton (57kg) Bet with Betfair Wednesday quaddie tips for Sha Tin races Sha Tin quadrella selections Wednesday, October 25, 2023 1-3-6-9 1-2-3-12 3-5-8-9 1-4-5-11 More horse racing tips View the full article

Rider Penalties T Newman | Ashburton 16 October; careless riding; suspended 22-28 October inclusive. D Danis | Ashburton 16 October; careless riding; suspended 19-26 October inclusive and fined $700. S Muniandy | Ashburton 16 October; careless riding; suspended 17-21 October inclusive. B Grylls | Tauranga 18 October; careless driving; suspended 2-8 November inclusive. S Wynne | Otago 19 October; use of whip; fined $250. D Bothamley | Otago 19 October; failed to make weight; fined $100. E Nicholas | Otago 19 October; medical clearance required. L Satherley | Waikato 21 October; use of whip; fined $250. B Murray | Ashburton 22 October; use of whip; suspended 26 October – 2 November inclusive. T Jonker | Ashburton 22 October; use of whip; suspended 26 October – 1 November inclusive. S Wynne | Ashburton 22 October; use of whip; fined $500. Trainer Penalties M House | Otago 19 October; incorrect gear; fined $100. B Lammas | Woodville-Pahiatua 20 October; failed to scratch by required time; fined $200. H Marsh | Non-raceday dated 13 October; failed to comply with NZTR Welfare Standards; disqualified 1 November 2023 – 31 October 2025 inclusive. Horse Penalties TIGER FIRE | Otago 19 October; suspensory injury; veterinary clearance required. NOBELLEM | Otago 19 October; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. THINK AHEAD | Woodville-Pahiatua 20 October; late scratching after becoming cast in barriers; veterinary clearance required and must complete trial. SUBTLE IMAGE | Woodville-Pahiatua 20 October; late scratching after being fractious in barrier; veterinary clearance required. COMPLEX | Woodville-Pahiatua 20 October; late scratching after becoming fractious and escaping from barrier; must complete trial. JOHNNY BOY | Woodville-Pahiatua 20 October; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. RIP US OFF | Woodville-Pahiatua 20 October; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. SWISS BELT | Woodville-Pahiatua 20 October; late scratching after found to be lame; veterinary clearance required. CINDY FALLS | Waikato 21 October; lame; veterinary clearance required. SHOW COURAGE | Waikato 21 October; late scratching after becoming fractious in barrier; must complete trial. SO GRACEFUL | Ashburton 22 October; bled; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. AMATHUSIA | Ashburton 22 October; bled; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. The post 16-22 October 2023 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Trainer/Handler Penalty J Johnson | Christchurch 19 October; used vehicle without current warrant of fitness; fined $300. Dog Penalties GOLDSTAR BRODIE | Christchurch 16 October; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. WEDDERBURN | Christchurch 20 October; marred in qualifying trial; stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. The post 16-22 October 2023 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Driver Penalties L Chin | Auckland 19 October; careless driving; suspended 20 October – 10 November inclusive. M McKendry | Auckland 19 October; careless driving; suspended 20 October – 17 November inclusive. C Wigg | NZ Metropolitan 20 October; careless driving; fined $250. J Thomas | NZ Metropolitan 20 October; failed to drive to finish; suspended 21-30 October inclusive. B Williamson | Wyndham 12 October (heard Tuapeka 22 October); failed to drive horse to finish; suspended 27-29 October inclusive. Trainer Penalty B Purdon & S Phelan | Auckland 19 October; incorrect gear; fined $100. Horse Penalties BERTHA’S PRIDE | Auckland 19 October; broke at start; must complete standing start trial. BOUNCE N BEYOND | NZ Metropolitan 20 October; broke in running; must complete trial. NED KELLY | NZ Metropolitan 20 October; broke in running; must complete trial. The post 16-22 October 2023 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

What Kensington Races Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Wednesday, October 25, 2023 First Race 2pm AEDT Visit Dabble Racing heads to the Kensington circuit at Royal Randwick on Wednesday afternoon for a competitive seven-race program. The rail is out +4m the entire circuit, and with only a minimal chance of rain leading into race-day, we’ll be doing the form for a Good 4 surface. The opening race is scheduled for 2pm AEDT. Best Bet: Vanquished Vanquished returns from a 25-week spell having undergone a gelding operation, and if his barrier trials are anything to go by, it may have helped unlock the best of this three-year-old. His latest jump-out at Randwick on October 6 was sensational, travelling on speed to score by three lengths with plenty in hand. His two-year-old maiden form against elite company bodes well, and if Vanquished can bowl along in front under Brett Prebble, he looks the one to beat. Best Bet Race 2 – #6 Vanquished (5) 3yo Gelding | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Brett Prebble (57kg) Bet with Betfair Next Best: Shohei Shohei finished her last preparation with a minor placing in the Bendigo Gold Bracelet on April 1, going down by a nose to Foxy Frida. That’s strong form for a BM72, and with the claim of apprentice jockey Jett Stanley getting the weight down to 57.5kg, the Hawkes team has this five-year-old mare perfectly placed to return a winner after 206 days away from the races. Next Best Race 7 – #3 Shohei (9) 5yo Mare | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Jett Stanley (a2kg) (59.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Best Value: Fleetwood Godolphin has one runner engaged in this meeting as Fleetwood returns on the back of two strong barrier trials. The three-year-old colt hasn’t been asked to do much in those hit-outs, with the latest at Rosehill allowing him to stride out under his own steam. Zac Lloyd knows him well, taking the reins in both pieces of work, and although he’s got a tricky assignment from barrier 13, we’re confident Fleetwood can only run well. Best Value Race 6 – #3 Fleetwood (13) 3yo Colt | T: James Cummings | J: Zac Lloyd (59kg) Bet with Unibet Kensington Wednesday quaddie tips – 25/10/2023 Randwick-Kensington quadrella selections Wednesday, October 25, 2023 1-4-5 3-5-6-7-9 3-8-9-10-12 2-3-4-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

by Adam Hamilton Exciting Kiwi trotter Lovemeto can wind back the clock a little in the Group 1 Victoria Trotters’ Derby. There was a time when quality Kiwi raiders made the classic their own. Houdini Star won it for John Hay in 2006 and Phil and Nathan Williamson combined to win with Springbank Richard the following year. There was a bit of a gap then John and Josh Dickie brought across Speeding Spur to win in 2015. The next year it was trotting maestro Paul Nairn and Wilmas Mate winning with Davey Butt in the bike. The Dylan Ferguson and Graeme Rogerson-trained Lovemeto went quicker time than all those Kiwi winners when he toyed his rivals in the first heat of the Victoria Trotters’ Derby at Maryborough yesterday (Ssaturday). The son of What The Hill showed the benefit of a terrific first Aussie run against older rivals, but streeting his rivals to win by a thumping 31.2m in a brisk 2min0.1sec mile rate for the longer 2690m trip. Ferguson, who took the reins, declared he wanted to find the front before the race and did exactly that after 300m. After a steady 62.6sec middle half, Lovemeto ripped home in 57.4 and 28.9sec to win seemingly with plenty in hand. While it was certainly the easier of the two Derby heats, the improvement Lovemeto showed from his encouraging Aussie debut and his obvious staying prowess will make him as far to beat as any in next Sunday’s $75,000 Group 1 feature at Maryborough. The second heat was fought out by local Victorian star The Locomotive and NSW visitor London To AS Brick. Driver Nathan Jack used a gun draw to lead and dictate on The Locomotive, who won well, but London To A Brick’s effort to sit parked and run a close second was outstanding. They will clearly be Lovemeto’s main dangers in the final. Lovemeto is one two young trotters Ferguson is campaigning in Australia. The other, filly Shez Bella, will also race at Maryborough next Sunday in the $12,000 Aldebaran Park Gold Bracelet (1690m). View the full article

Promising three-year-old Talisker (NZ) (Embelish) took the next step on his path to the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) next month with a convincing victory at Ashburton on Sunday. Taken to the front by rider Sam Weatherley, the son of 2017 2000 Guineas winner Embellish, gave none of his age group rivals a look in as he maintained a powerful gallop on the tricky Heavy8 surface to win the Wide Span Sheds (1300m) by a comfortable length and a quarter margin. The win was the third in a row for the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained galloper who has thrived since being sent South to commence his build-up towards the Riccarton blue-riband feature on November 11. “He is in a really good vein of form and is thriving at present,” Bergerson said. “We haven’t given him a conventional 2000 Guineas prep, rather we wanted to see him get some wins on the board and get his confidence up. “He still does a bit wrong and Sam said he didn’t really handle the track, which was pretty testing, but he was classy enough to get through it.” Bergerson is keen to provide his charge with his chance in the 2000 Guineas, where he is rated a $12 Fixed Odds prospect behind hot favourite Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) ($1.60). “Crocetti is definitely the benchmark for the Guineas, but we think our guy deserves his chance,” he said. “He has the advantage that he is down there and acclimatised well whereas the others still have to cope with the travel. “He loves to run handy which is an asset and if he could draw a barrier then he should be in the mix.” Purchased by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for $70,000 from the Karaka Book 1 Sale draft of Lansdowne Park, Talisker has now won three of his seven starts for the Te Akau Classic Edition Racing Partnership. Bergerson also said that excitement was building at the stable as they counted down to star mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) tackling the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on Saturday. “Mark (Walker) is over there at the moment and said she (Imperatriz) is just flying,” he said. “She will have a workout at The Valley on Tuesday morning and that should have her spot on for the weekend. “The sable is really fizzing about how she is doing over there, and I know Opie (Bosson) is just itching to get over there and ride her this weekend, so hopefully it’s going to be a super day for everyone.” View the full article

Consistent galloper Humbucker (NZ) (Iffraaj) will step out on his home track at Gore on Wednesday in the first step towards a start in the Gr.3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) at Riccarton on November 15. It will be the seven-year-old’s first race since April, with trainer Ellis Winsloe frustrated by a lack of trials and raceday opportunities that has prevented him in getting some valuable miles under the gelding’s belt until now. “There just hasn’t been any suitable races for him down here and it is too far to travel up to Riccarton and the like just to kick him off,” Winsloe said. “We don’t want to cart him around just for the sake of it, so he has been working here at home and hopefully that will be enough for Wednesday. “I’m not sure what to expect but he handles all track conditions and once he strikes form he maintains it. “The track at present is perfect, so if we don’t get any rain before the day, I think it will exactly what we are looking for. “As long as he shows us enough we will most likely go to Wingatui with him next and then on to the Coupland’s at Riccarton. “He ran fourth in the race last year and it would be nice to think he can go a few places better this year.” Winsloe also has maiden galloper Mi Jadore (NZ) (Ekraar) in the fifth event at Gore where she requires a scratching to make the field off the ballot. “Mi Jadore is in the same boat as Humbucker in that we haven’t been able to get a start for her either, so I’m hoping she gets a scratching so we can this prep underway,” he said. Winsloe does have a mission at Riccarton this Saturday with Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) contender Taramea Lad (NZ) (Ekraar) set to continue his preparation for the time-honoured event in the Listed Sothys Spring Classic (2000m). “Taramea Lad has been working well since his last start win at Riccarton and we are heading back there again on the weekend,” Winsloe said. “I am keen to get him on a firm track as that is what he is likely to strike there for the New Zealand Cup. “He is unproven on good ground, but I firmly believe he will handle it with no issues.“If he shows he is up to it then we are thinking about the Metropolitan (Listed, 2600m) on the first day, on the 11th (of November) and then into the Cup, but that will be dictated by the track conditions on offer.” View the full article

Smart three-year-old filly Coeur Volante (NZ) (Proisir) made it back-to-back stakes victories when running out a resounding winner of the Gr.2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The Michael Moroney-trained daughter of Proisir had been a stunning winner of the Gr.3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at The Valley at her previous outing and proved she was something special in overcoming the outside barrier (14) to win stylishly. The Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield next month is her next target, with Fairdale Stud principal Duncan Fell nervously awaiting the possibility of a valuable Group One victory for his mare Shanina (Testa Rossa), the dam of Coeur Volante. Bred by the Fell family and prepared for the Book 1 Yearling Sale at Karaka in 2022 by Kelly Van Dyk at Prima Park, Coeur Volante is the younger half-sister of stakes placed filly Hasstobemagic (NZ) (Scissor Kick) and comes from a family that includes multiple Australian Group Two winner Rose O’ War (Danehill) and outstanding racemare Savana City (New Regent), who included the Gr.1 AJC Oaks (2400m) amongst her eight career victories. Fell said the plan to breed some size and strength into the progeny of Shanina, a five-race winning Testa Rossa mare, was at the forefront of his thinking when he chose Rich Hill Stud stallion Proisir as her suitor back in 2019. “We are a shareholder in Proisir so we wanted to support him as best we could,” Fell said. “I thought he was an excellent physical match for Shanina, who tends to produce smaller foals, so the plan was to try and add some size to her progeny. “Coeur Volante isn’t that big, but she is nicely put together and on the evidence so far it looks like we made a pretty good decision. “She was a lovely foal and did really well here at home. “We sent her to Kelly Van Dyk at Prima Park to get her ready for the yearling sale at Karaka and she did a great job with her. “The Moroneys purchased her for $90,000 and we knew she would get every chance from that stable. “Once they sent her to Australia after a couple of trials here it gave us some confidence they thought she had ability and she has really kicked on, which is great for the mare and the family.” Fell advised that Shanina is due to foal down in the next few weeks and he is looking forward to seeing what her mating with Waikato Stud’s fledgling stallion Noverre will produce. “Shanina is in foal to Noverre and is due before the end of November,” he said. “We are in two minds at present about whether we give her a late service after that or we let her miss this season and get her in foal again in 2024. “By then we will have seen what Coeur Volante has done during the rest of the spring and in the autumn which is very exciting. “I see her majority shareholder Rupert Legh is comparing her to one of his best horses in Tofane (multiple Group One winner). If she could get anywhere near what she achieved it would be something special, although I hate getting ahead of myself as we all know just how tough this game is.” Coeur Volante is one of 14 individual stakes winners for her sire Proisir, who was New Zealand’s Champion sire for the first-time last season. View the full article

The second leg of the National Pony Racing Series is set down for this Friday night, October 27, at The Valley, where some of Victoria’s best junior riders will showcase their horse skills while being mentored by two legends of Australian racing. This Friday, Cox Plate Eve, will see the first race run between Races 1 and 2 at The Valley, before the second event over the slightly longer course of 650m is held between Races 3 and 4. Riders on Friday are in for a special treat, with Melbourne Cup history makers Glen Boss and Michelle Payne on hand to offer encouragement and advice to the riders in their roles as ambassadors for the Victorian leg of the series. “The Valley is a pretty special place for our riders to compete,” Thoroughbred Industry Careers’ Lindy Maurice said. “This will be our third time with the pony races after previous events at the William Reid Stakes meetings in 2022 and 2023. The fact we have Michelle and Glen there, plus our series ambassadors Lizzie Jelfs and Lisa Coffey, ensures it will be a memorable experience for each and every one of our riders.” Pony exhibition races have proven popular on some of Australia’s biggest racetracks over the past few years and earlier this year a partnership was formed to formalise the series. Thoroughbred Industry Careers, in conjunction with Pony Club Australia, launched the National Pony Racing series to create awareness of career opportunities in the thoroughbred industry. The first qualifier was run in Brisbane in August at Eagle Farm, with races run for two pony height divisions (riders aged between nine and 15). The Valley will be the second leg before the series moves to Perth in December on Group 1 Northerly Stakes Day, then on to the Gold Coast over the Magic Millions Carnival, Sydney on Australia Day and Adelaide for their Cup Day. First and second placegetters from the respective qualifying heats will then compete in The Finals at Randwick during the 2024 Sydney Autumn Carnival. Maurice said the series would not be possible without the support of the sponsors, whose colours will be worn by the riders and represent Australia’s leading stables, studs, sales companies and owners: Annabel Neasham Racing, Arrowfield Stud, Carl and Lorraine Holt, Chris Waller Racing, Ciaron Maher Racing, Craig Sneesby, Frank and Christine Cook, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing, Godolphin, Hermitage Thoroughbreds, Inglis, Jonathan Munz, Linda Huddy, Lizzie Jelfs Racing Club, Magic Millions, John O’Neill and Ozzie Kheir, Ranvet, Seymour Bloodstock, Woppitt Bloodstock and Yulong Stud. Gai Waterhouse, Lizzie Jelfs and Kerrin McEvoy are official ambassadors for the series. More racing news View the full article

Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners The Invitation Betting Guide Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023 Location: Randwick Racecourse – Sydney, New South Wales Prize Money: $2,000,000 Distance: 1400m The Invitation is a $2 million race that is held at Randwick each year and is run under set weight conditions for fillies and mares. The next edition of the Invitation is due to be run on October 28, 2023, with betting sites now accepting wagers on this race. All 12 runners are exclusively invited by a Racing NSW panel, where invites are given to fillies and mares from Australia and New Zealand. After being introduced by Racing NSW in 2021, The Invitation has been promoted as a grand final race for fillies and mares that race in New South Wales during the spring. With races like the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes and $10 million Golden Eagle scheduled for the following week, if invited, trainers have to decide which direction they will take their mare towards the back end of the spring. The inaugural The Invitation was run on October 23, 2021. The Invitation odds 2023 Promise Of Success winning the 2022 edition of The Invitation. The Invitation odds are currently unavailable at the top horse betting sites. Horsebetting.com.au will update this page when online bookmakers release The Invitation betting odds. Best The Invitation bookmakers The Invitation is a race during the Sydney spring carnival that attracts plenty of betting interest, so online bookmakers tend to open early all-in markets. Bookmakers will have markets for The Invitation throughout the week of the race, with more and more odds becoming available as the race draws closer. The top The Invitation bookmakers will vary dramatically outside of Australia, although with this being a feature race, it is unlikely any racing betting sites will not have odds available in the days leading up to the running. The Invitation Bookmakers Latest The Invitation News Sydney Everest Carnival unveils exciting upgrades & record prizemoney Australia horse racing news 4 months ago Exciting news for racing enthusiasts as Sydney Everest Carnival announces record prize money and thrilling upgrades, raising the stakes to … Read More Icebath’s Group 1 breakthrough a standout for Widdup team in 2022 Australia horse racing news 10 months ago According to stable assistant Rosie Jilla, it was fitting that the quirky Icebath brought up Brad Widdup’s first Group 1 … Read More Promise Of Success causes boilover in The Invitation Australia horse racing news 1 year ago Promise Of Success has taken out the $2 million The Invitation (1400m) for fillies and mares at Royal Randwick for … Read More Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | October 22, 2022 Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago 14 horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips, best odds and quaddie selections for free … Read More More Invitation news & tips 2023 The Invitation Final Field Horsebetting.com.au will update this page when the 2023 The Invitation field is released. Previous The Invitation Field 2022 The Invitation field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Forbidden Love Michael Freedman Blake Shinn 2 59.5kg 2 Nimalee Matthew Smith Regan Bayliss 9 59kg 3 Icebath Brad Widdup Tom Sherry 3 59kg 4 Electric Girl Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Hugh Bowman 8 59kg 5 Promise Of Success John O’Shea Kerrin McEvoy 10 58kg 6 Swats That Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Keagan Latham 11 58kg 7 Expat Mark Newnham Joshua Parr 4 58kg 8 Barb Raider Jerome Hunter Will Price 13 58kg 9 Belle Plaisir Tony & Calvin McEvoy Sam Clipperton 5 58kg 10 Espiona Chris Waller Brenton Avdulla 7 58kg 11 Never Talk Kris Lees Jason Collett 14 57kg 12 Sheeza Belter Peter & Paul Snowden William Pike 1 54kg 13 Charmmebaby Bob Milligan N/A 6 57kg 14 Ita Bjorn Baker N/A 12 57kg 2022 The Invitation result 1st – Promise Of Success (+2500) 2nd – Electric Girl (+390) 3rd – Nimalee (+130) Recent The Invitation results 2022: Promise Of Success causes boilover in The Invitation Promise Of Success (+2500) has taken out the $2 million The Invitation for fillies and mares at Randwick for John O’Shea and Kerrin McEvoy. Coming from the middle of the field at the top of the straight, Promise of Success came down the outside of the leading pack, taking the lead at the 150m and going on with it to defeat Electric Girl (+1700) by a long-neck. Nimalee (+500) took third in a photo from Belle Plaisir (+1900), who finished fourth. 2021: Icebath claims inaugural running of The Invitation The inaugural running of The Invitation was won by Brad Widdup’s mare Icebath (+500), who won by 1.4 lengths over Rocha Clock (+1800) and Forbidden Love (+2000) in Saturday’s $2 million feature at Randwick. Having finished a narrow second in both the Golden Eagle and Doncaster Mile over the past 12 months, the consistent five-year-old was far too good for her rivals over 1400m. Having drawn barrier 12 of 12, Kerrin McEvoy was forced to go back to last early, which made the mare’s win even more dominant as she looped the entire field. The Invitation winners The Invitation Past Winners Year Horse Jockey Trainer 2022 Promise Of Success Kerrin McEvoy John O’Shea 2021 Icebath Kerrin McEvoy Brad Widdup View the full article

The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) is tackling the worldwide racing stewards shortage by growing its own talent through its cadet stewards program. In the 2022-23 financial year, QRIC welcomed 15 new stewards into its cadet program, which will continue to grow into 2024. QRIC’s cadet stewards are now provided Certificate III training, through Racing Queensland’s registered training organisation, equipping new recruits with the tools they need to ensure the highest levels of integrity and animal welfare in Queensland racing. QRIC Commissioner Shane Gillard said that the Grow Your Own program is about furthering the potential of people with racing industry experience. “People who have knowledge and experience in the racing industry make great stewards, as they understand the complexities of the job and have a passion for creating a sustainable industry,” he said. “Not every job in the racing industry is a long-term role, so we are establishing pathways for people who love racing to move into stewarding positions. “By educating and supporting them to learn how to become stewards, we can combat the steward shortage that the industry is facing worldwide and produce great operators who can contribute to a stronger industry here in Queensland.” Cadet stewards John Cremin and Ruby Ride both worked in the racing industry before joining QRIC, their work now consists of splitting their time between working in the office, officiating at race meetings, trial days, stable inspections and track work. No day is the same. Cadet stewards’ office days consist of preparing paperwork for upcoming race meetings, reviewing recent race meetings and studying stewards reports to gain an understanding of how the Rules of Racing are applied in different circumstances. On race days, cadets work to identify racing animals, assisting sample collection officers and working on the stewards panel. Mr Cremin worked around racetracks all his life and said that it was a natural progression to become a steward. He said that being a cadet steward allows him to gain on-the-job experience. “There are always new situations that you will find yourself in, so being able to relate to similar situations that you or your fellow experienced stewards have seen, can give you an insight into the correct way to deal with particular situations,” he said. “To oversee a meeting where animals and humans come off the track safe and well, and all competitors have raced according to the rules and punters go home thinking that they have had a fair run for their money is a great day for any steward.” Cadet steward Ruby Ride entered the racing industry at age 14 as a jockey. She said that she always had an interest in and a respect for the work of race day stewards, and joined QRIC’s ranks after a racing accident. “I love on-the-job training,” said Ms Ride. “For me, I learn a lot faster being hands on and learning, picking up the process as it happens, as well as getting paid to learn! “I love horses and I am no longer able to ride and be part of that side of the industry, so the fact that I can still be around them on a daily basis is a plus for me.” Townsville-based cadet steward Kieran Dean works across both the thoroughbred and greyhound codes. Working at two greyhound meetings and three thoroughbred meetings each week allows him to gain a thorough understanding of the two different rule books. Since beginning work as a cadet steward in April 2022, Mr Dean said that he has had the opportunity to chair both thoroughbred and greyhound race meetings. “Having great mentors in each code is really helpful,” he said. “Having the opportunity to shadow the Chairperson of Stewards and then to work in the role of Chairperson myself has been beneficial in learning how to be a leader and to deal with challenging situations while having supportive colleagues around to bounce ideas off.” More racing news View the full article

The Thoroughbred Racing Industry is today mourning the loss of pioneering former trainer Mrs Betty Lane OAM. “We are saddened to hear of Betty Lane’s passing – Betty was a ground breaker in the racing industry and by becoming Sydney’s first licensed female trainer she laid a foundation for future generations,” said Racing NSW’s Acting Chief Executive, Mr Graeme Hinton. “Betty was highly respected throughout the industry and a mentor to the many women who followed her into the training ranks, including legendary trainer Gai Waterhouse. We pass on our sincere condolences to Betty’s family and friends.” Betty Lane started her training career at Geurie in 1962 where she teamed up with husband of 46 years Tiger Holland, winning three Western District premierships. She was then granted a Metropolitan Trainer’s licence at Randwick, establishing herself in the Sydney ranks by training many winners and being recognised for her success. As a result, in 1983, Lane then became the first female to receive a Number 1 licence at Randwick with Gai Waterhouse the only other female to be given that honour. Throughout her career Lane prepared more than 1000 winners and along with husband Tiger Holland, trained Stakes winners Timothy, Belle Tetue, Nickson, Athelnoth and Smokey Jack who was runner-up in the 1978 Golden Slipper behind champion galloper Manikato. At Wednesday’s Kensington meeting, Race 2 will be named in honour of Mrs Lane. Preparations for Betty’s funeral will be made in the coming days, and she will be laid to rest beside her husband Tiger Holland at St Jude’s Anglican Church. More racing news View the full article

By Michael Guerin Driver Ben Hope says it is time to wake Muscle Mountain up. Not that New Zealand’s most naturally-talented trotter has been sleeping on the job, just more resting a little earlier than he should judging by his latest outing at Addington. Muscle Mountain goes into today’s $40,000 What The Hill Trotter’s Sprint at Ashburton in the rare position of having been beaten last start, even more rarely by a horse coming from behind him. He made a brilliant standing start beginning to lead off a 20m handicap past start but was grabbed late by a flying Oscar Bonavena, who looks back to his best and is in today’s 1700m mobile as well. It is disrespectful to Oscar Bonavena to suggest he fluked his win last time as he was stunning and his little body looks in the best shape it has been in years so he can win one of the big trots coming up. But there was an element of Muscle Mountain either not seeing Oscar Bonavena so wide on the track or stargazing himself in the last 100m, not an uncommon habit for a horse to develop when they get used to winning easily. So Team Hope (trainer Greg and Nina, driver Ben) have added slide down blinds to Muscle Mountain in the hope they will provide a mental turbo boost if and when needed today. “Initially I was disappointed last start but maybe it was an element of him not seeing Oscar or shutting up shop,” says Ben. “So we have tried the blinds on him and they did seem to sharpen him when activated in his work so they go on Monday. “He is really well but we also think he will be better by the time we get to Cup week but we all know what a great sprinter he is.” Muscle Mountain has won the last two runnings of today’s race and might be one of the best trotting sprinters this country has ever produced so the best version of him will be able to rate 1:53ish for the 1700m mobile under the right circumstances. He is also aided by old rival Majestic Man being scratched as that is one less gate flyer to apply early pressure from wide and if Muscle Mountain can get into a good rhythm early and reach the front it will take something truly special to run him down. But if Oscar can pull that off again the big two of New Zealand trotting, Muscle Mountain and Bolt For Brilliance, will become the big three. View the full article

Unlike most races, Moonee Valley’s premier Group One contest allows connections to choose their gatesView the full article

What Geelong Races Where Geelong Racecourse – 99 Breakwater Rd, Breakwater VIC 3219 When Wednesday, October 25, 2023 First Race 12:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble The Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) headlines a stacked nine-race meeting in Victoria’s second city this Wednesday. Perfect conditions above, paired with excellent with a Good 4 track and a true rail, should result in some quality racing on what is one of the fairer tracks in Victoria. Geelong Cup Day is set to commence at 12:30pm AEDT, with the feature jumping at 4pm. Geelong Cup Top Tip – First Immortal First Immortal will be looking to follow in the footsteps of some greats of the turf by claiming the Geelong Cup before running in the Melbourne Cup. He loomed as the winner in The Bart Cummings (2500m) but peaked on his run late after being forced to do too much work early on. He draws awkwardly in barrier 15 on Wednesday; however, top jockey Jamie Kah should be good enough to land the favourite in an ideal spot in midfield. For a stayer, First Immortal is blessed with a strong turn of foot, and if he gets his chance, he will prove too classy for this field. Geelong Cup Race 7 – #13 First Immortal (15) 4yo Gelding | T: Mark & Levi Kavanagh | J: Jamie Kah (54kg) Bet with Betfair Best Bet at Geelong – Helix Helix was a dominant winner in similar company at Benalla on September 29 when leading throughout over the 1406m. The four-year-old gelding has always shown plenty of promise, and in recent starts it looks like the penny might have dropped. From barrier three, Blaike McDougall will use the low draw to his advantage and have the son of Flying Artie leading the field upon settling. Helix will look to drop his rivals on the home turn, and with a strong kick, it is hard to see how his rivals gun him down. Best Bet Race 3 – #6 Helix (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Clinton McDonald | J: Blaike McDougall (60.5kg) Bet with Dabble Next Best at Geelong – Von Hauke The Cliff Brown-trained Von Hauke put in an eye-catching finish in the Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, and stepping back to BM78 from Listed company third-up looks like the ideal recipe for success. His win two back at Sandown was impressive when beating Helix, and if Von Hauke holds his form, then he should just be winning at Geelong. Jamie Kah will have the son of Savabeel settled towards the rear of the field, and from there, his strong turn of foot for this level should prove the difference. Next Best Race 9 – #6 Von Hauke (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Cliff Brown | J: Jamie Kah (57.5kg) Bet with PendleburyBet Next Best Again at Geelong – Sandpaper It was a horrific watch for those on Sandpaper first-up at Moonee Valley on September 29. The Godolphin runner saw nothing but backsides in the home straight and went to the line under a hard hold. The bigger surrounds of Geelong should suit the four-year-old gelding much better, and with Damian Lane booked, he will be given every chance from barrier nine. He is above BM84 grade, and with even luck upon straightening, Sandpaper should pack too much late for his rivals over 1200m. Next Best Again Race 8 – #4 Sandpaper (9) 4yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Damian Lane (58kg) Bet with Neds Wednesday quaddie tips for Geelong races Geelong quadrella selections Wednesday, October 25, 2023 2-3-4 1-7-13 4-13 6-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Alice Springs apprentice Dakota Gillett, who is also riding for leading trainer Bjorn Baker in Sydney, teamed up with Dan Morgan’s Boy Big for yet another win at Pioneer Park on Sunday. She is currently working on her craft under the guidance of leading Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker, but for Alice Springs apprentice Dakota Gillett it’s nice to get a win back home. Landing a double makes it even better. Success aboard Dan Morgan’s +320 hope Boy Big in the opening race on Sunday made it 33 wins for Gillett, while win 34 was achieved on +230 fancy Supreme Times for her dad, Terry. Constant travel isn’t new for the 18-year-old, who went to Darwin, Townsville, Rockhampton, Balaklava, Murray Bridge and the Gold Coast before securing her licence last year. The teenager finished second in last season’s Alice Springs jockeys’ premiership with 24 wins – four behind leading rider Sonja Logan. She now shares the lead this season with Darwin-based Adam Nicholls on five wins. Gillett has ridden interstate previously, and although she has prospered in SA, she’s had no luck in NSW. Boy Big, a six-year-old gelding, is in terrific form, as the victory over 1200m at 0-70 level was his fourth from his past five Pioneer Park starts, with Gillett riding on three of those. Although Gillett claims 2kg, it was a super effort by Boy Big as he missed the start in the five-horse field and sat four deep when he battled for the lead passing the 500m. Turning for home with 320m to go, it was a three-way go between Boy Big, Paul Gardner’s Perkova – camped on the rails – and Ray Viney’s Strike Eagle – sandwiched between the pair. In an exciting finish, only 0.6 lengths separated the trio with Boy Big edging out +750 chance Perkova and -200 favourite Strike Eagle. Alice Springs R1 replay – Big Boy – T: Dan Morgan Supreme Times, who seems to play second fiddle to half-brother and 2023 Pioneer Sprint winner Supreme Attraction, made it 13 wins from 54 starts in the open 1100m handicap. Sitting outside stablemate Macer’s Razor (+8000) early in the piece in the five-horse field, Supreme Times was content before yet another stablemate in -333.33 favourite Great Buy joined the fray at the 400m when looking to split the leading pair. Another three-way battle in the home straight loomed, but with 100m to go Supreme Times kicked clear of Great Buy, a winner three weeks ago at BM76 level, to prevail by 1.3 lengths with Macer’s Razor a distant third. Supreme Times, a former NSW galloper, is an eight-year-old gelding by Supreme Class and boasts nine wins and seven minor placings from 29 Red Centre starts. Terry Gillett also trained fourth-placed Tintern Power, while wife Leanne trained fifth-placed Jen’s Reward. Alice Springs R2 replay – Supreme Times – T: Terry Gillett It was a big day for the female riders with Darwin trio Emma Lines, Casey Hunter and Logan triumphing in the remaining three races on Greg Connor’s +1000 candidate Quanapirri Bay, Lisa Whittle’s +220 prospect Nicotera, and Gardner’s +200 favourite Red Wraith, respectively. In the 1100m maiden, 17-year-old apprentice Lines – fresh from a winning double at Darwin on Saturday – put in a classy performance on four-year-old gelding Quanapirri Bay. The son of Rubick, making his third start, hit the front when they jumped before relinquishing the lead to Drawn To Win, who skipped two lengths clear exiting the back straight. The other nine runners were giving the leading pair a fair start as Quanapirri Bay started to make ground on Drawn To Win’s inside once straightening for home. With 100m to go the backmarkers were coming, but Quanapirri Bay held on by 0.7 of a length from stablemate and +270 favourite Black Shiraz, a distant seventh passing the 800m on his Alice debut, and Leanne Gillett’s +800 runner Li’lmissprancealot, last at the home turn after botching the start. Alice Springs R3 replay – Quanapirri Bay – T: Greg Connor Not only was it back-to-back wins for Red Wraith, a four-year-old gelding, but victory over 1000m against BM54 opposition allowed Gardner, currently the Alice’s leading trainer, to celebrate his birthday in style. Red Wraith pinged out of the gates and never left the fence, and although challenged early by Talent Quest and Esashi, it was a different story mid-race when the son of Charm Spirit started flexing some muscle. With 400m to go and Logan dictating terms, Red Wraith hit the front and once turning for home only extended his lead to overcome Will Savage’s stablemates Talent Quest (+280), who travelled three deep throughout, and NT debutante Boss Shelby (+450) by four lengths. Alice Springs R4 replay – Red Wraith – T: Paul Gardner Nicotera received late support from punters prior to the 1400m race at 0-64 level to close the program. The seven-year-old gelding by Nicconi took the lead at the 1200m and ran the show to seal his debut win at the track at the 11th attempt. Hunter, who hadn’t ridden a winner in Central Australia since landing a double in July, produced a super ride on Nicotera as the pair won by two lengths from Viney’s gutsy +6000 outsider Shoal River and Connor’s +1200 contender Vitesse Breeze. Alice Springs R5 replay – Nicotera – T: Lisa Whittle More horse racing news View the full article

First Immortal will line up in Wednesday’s Group 3 Geelong Cup. (Photo: George Sal/Racing Photos) Wednesday’s Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) has attracted a strong field of 17 stayers vying for the $500,000 on offer in what shapes as one of the final Melbourne Cup (3200m) auditions. The Geelong Cup has often been used as a final run for horses heading towards the Melbourne Cup a fortnight later, with international runners holding a strong record in the race. Media Puzzle won the Geelong Cup on his way to claiming the 2002 Melbourne Cup, as did Americain in 2010 and Dunaden in 2021. Several runners in the 2023 edition of the Geelong Cup need to win it in order to make their way up the 2023 Melbourne Cup order of entry. One of those is Geelong Cup favourite First Immortal, who missed out on qualifying automatically for the Melbourne Cup when finishing second behind Future History in The Bart Cummings (2500m) on October 7. The four-year-old gelding sits 49th in the Melbourne Cup order of entry, and a win on Wednesday would push him well up the list. His chances were dealt a blow on Monday, with First Immortal – set to be ridden by Jamie Kah – drawing barrier 15 in the 17-horse field. Having finished third in the 2021 Melbourne Cup, Spanish Mission will use the Geelong feature as his final run heading into the first Tuesday in November. The Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained stayer is already comfortably in the Melbourne Cup field and looks like he is building nicely to peak in the Melbourne Cup fourth-up. Blake Shinn will partner Spanish Mission from barrier 11 on Wednesday. Chris Waller will send five of his runners to the Geelong Cup, while the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace barn, along with Annabel Neasham, will have two representatives in the Cup. The 2023 Geelong Cup is race seven on a stacked nine-race program on Wednesday afternoon and is set to jump at 4pm AEDT. Geelong Cup 2023 field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Spanish Mission Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Blake Shinn 11 60kg 2 Ashrun Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Mark Zahra 1 56.5kg 3 King Frankel Annabel Neasham Jamie Mott 3 56kg 4 Sheraz Chris Waller TBC 12 56kg 5 Magical Lagoon Chris Waller TBC 5 55kg 6 More Felons Chris Waller TBC 10 55kg 7 Virtuous Circle Liam Howley Damien Lane 4 55kg 8 Fancy Man Annabel Neasham John Allen 17 54.5kg 9 High Emocean Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Harry Coffey 16 54kg 10 Sir Lucan Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Linda Meech 2 54kg 11 Amade Phillip Stokes Zac Spain 13 54kg 12 Mount Popa Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Jye McNeil 14 54kg 13 First Immortal Mark & Levi Kavanagh Jamie Kah 15 54kg 14 Timour Chris Waller TBC 9 54kg 15 Ferago Patrick F Ryan Jnr Harry Grace 6 54kg 16 Mr Waterville Chris Waller TBC 7 54kg 17 The Map Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray Ben Price 8 54kg More racing news View the full article