Wandering Eyes

Trainer Chad Brown breezed several Breeders' Cup prospects Saturday at Belmont Park, including Jeff Drown's Zandon (Upstart), who registered his first move since capturing the GII Woodward S. October 1 at Belmont at the Big A. Under overcast skies and temperatures in the 50s, Zandon, who is targeting the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, went a half-mile in 48.87 seconds over the Belmont main track. “He went great, he worked super,” Brown said. “His energy level is good coming out of the Woodward. He's doing well and it was just what we wanted to see.” Other Breeders' Cup aspirants on the work tab for Brown include Klaravich Stables' Search Results (Flatter), who covered a half-mile in 49.66 seconds and is pointing towards the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. First Row Partners and Team Hanley's reigning GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) breezed a solo half-mile in 49.44 seconds. “They both went well – a solo work to stretch their legs a little bit,” Brown said of Search Results and Goodnight Olive. “We got all of our works in ahead of the rain which was good.” In Kentucky, Lael Stables' undefeated She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}) worked a half-mile over the fast main track in :48.40 as she continued her preparations for a possible run in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. The post East Coast Brown Runners Top Saturday Work Tab appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-KEE, $90K, Msw, 2yo, f, 7f, 3:40 p.m. ET In a wide-open maiden special weight at Keeneland, Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider homebred GRINNING (Bernardini) makes her debut for trainer Riley Mott. The first foal out of Tickle (Distorted Humor), her second dam is a full-sister to champion older horse and GI Breeders' Cup Classic hero Blame and a half to the dam of GSW Carve (First Samurai). The Stoneway Farm-bred Shiloh's Mistress (Vino Rosso) also makes her first start. A $235,000 Keeneland September buy, the Michael McCarthy trainee's dam is a half-sister to three-time GIII Arlington H. victor Rahystrada (Rahy) and is responsible for GII Falls City H. heroine Ahh Chocolate (Candy Ride {Arg}). The D. Wayne Lukas-trained firster Happy Talk (Arrogate) was purchased for $175,000 during Keeneland September. The gray filly is a half-sister to GII Jim Dandy S. winner Laoban (Uncle Mo) and her extended female family includes MGISW I'm a Chatterbox (Munnings). TJCIS PPS The post Sunday’s Racing Insights: Bernardini Homebred Debuts At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK–Friday's biblical rains had cleared by the early hours of Saturday to ensure City Of Troy's coronation was brightly lit against the big East Anglian sky. And make no mistake, however good Vandeek had been across most of the same turf just a fortnight earlier, this was the two-year-old performance of the year. Across the Devil's Dyke, City Of Troy had already stormed the July Course to take the Superlative S. in imperious fashion, with braking the only problem for Ryan Moore as he attempted to pull up the young son of Justify. More superlatives were needed after the Dewhurst, and co-owner Michael Tabor perhaps had the most enticing of them when he said, “I really think he is our Frankel.” No pressure then. City Of Troy did actually win the Dewhurst by a wider margin than Frankel did 13 years ago, and though not physically imposing in stature, he has that ease and length of stride that sets him apart from other decent colts in his class. As if to emphasise his athleticism, he delivered a flying change just shy of the winning line, but that was really his only nod towards flamboyance. In the parade rings, and walking in to greet his public, City Of Troy was a model, almost meek, pupil. A professional mindset to match his moves. He is of course by a Triple Crown winner of the American variety and, let's face it, it's high time we had another one of our own on these shores. MV Magnier wasted no time in uttering the words that some of us still want to hear. With the 2,000 Guineas already being regarded as a shoo-in for City Of Troy, and most bookmakers offering evens about his chances back in Newmarket next May, talk turned to the Derby. “It's what everyone wants to do,” said Magnier. “It's all about the Derby, it's all about the Triple Crown.” He went on to outline the positive pedigree elements that point towards City Of Troy at least being able to get the trip at Epsom: his sire won the Belmont over 1m4f, while his dam, Together Forever, boasting that rather special Derby winner Galileo as her sire, and a winner of the G1 Fillies' Mile herself, is also a sister to the Oaks winner Forever Together. He added, “Put it this way, we won't stop trying to win the Triple Crown.” These are not empty words. There is little doubt that had Auguste Rodin not flopped in the Guineas he would have made an assault on the St Leger after winning the Derby. Instead Aidan O'Brien won the latter with Continuous, while Auguste Rodin's season consisted of a different triple of the Derby, Irish Derby and Irish Champion S. Before we get too carried away, the Derby is still more than seven months in the future. And there were other pretensions made towards that race at Newmarket on Saturday with two impressive performances from runners trained by Charlie Appleby, whose stable appears to be returning to the form we have become accustomed to seeing. Both sons of Dubawi, Ancient Wisdom took the G3 Autumn S., followed by a third victory this season for Arabian Crown, in the G3 Zetland S. Overlooking the anomaly that was a 10-year-old hurdler winning the Cesarewitch on Dubai Future Champions Day, Saturday really did feel all about next spring, which is a heartening prospect as the wind starts to blow colder across Newmarket Heath. For three wonderful years in Newmarket we had Frankel to warm the cockles. It is scarcely believable that he's already been gone for more than a decade, though his prowess at stud means that he will never be forgotten. What now for City Of Troy? “Let's hope he is as popular as Frankel was,” said Tabor. “He will only get that popularity as time goes on. And hopefully, as time goes on, he will win all those big races and get those accolades given to him. It is easy to talk. But I like to talk before they achieve and that is what we believe. “Maybe down the line we will have egg on our face. But I really believe it: this horse could be anything.” The frailties of the Thoroughbred have indeed left many a bold predictor looking foolish. But for now at least, the eyes don't deceive, and we too can believe. The post Traces of Frankel as City Of Troy Rules Old Rowley appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Baden-Baden's BBAG October Sale concluded its two-day run on Saturday, and the top six lots were all consigned by the sale's leading vendor Gestut Ohlerweiherhof. Wonderful Art (Ire) (lot 35) was well in front on the leader board during Friday's session, bringing a €100,000 winning bid from Panorama Bloodstock to top the sale as a whole. By Caravaggio, the 2-year-old filly is out of the dual stakes winner Wish You Well (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}). The Soldier Hollow (GB) filly Salve's Secret (Fr) (lot 24) was knocked down for €65,000 to Albrecht, to take second honours. Tracing to the German blue blood Salve Regina (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), the filly was produced by Salve Stella (Ire) (Shamardal). Rounding out the top three lots was Saturday's topper, the winning Salve Le Meer (Ger) (Le Havre {Ire}) (lot 241), who went to Liberty Breeding 2023 for €60,000. A 4-year-old, she is a half-sister to G3 Derby-Trial winner Sea Of Sands (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), and is from the same female family as Salve's Secret. Michael and Susanne Volz's Ohlerweiherhof operation sold 52 of their 59 lots offered (88%) during the sale for a gross of €947,000 and an average of €18,212. The leading buyer was Wilhelm Feldman, who signed for eight lots worth €338,000. At the end of the sale, 191 lots were sold of 279 offered (68%) for a gross of €2,261,000. The average was €11,838 and the median was €7,000. The post Ohlerweiherhof Draft Rules At BBAG appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A Golden Horde (Ire) colt topped Book 3 of the October Yearling Sale at 35,000gns bringing the two-week selling bonanza to a close on Saturday. The top lot was sourced by Middleham Park and was described as “a standout” on the day by the operation's Tom Palin. “We loved him, we thought he was a standout,” said Palin of lot 1919. “He walked around there with a bit of presence. He goes to Eve Johnson Houghton, he's our first horse with her and he's a strong, racy, two-year-old sort and looks to be the type that she'll do well with. Golden Horde was such an impressive racehorse and his stock looks racy. We're delighted to get him.” Of this week's business Palin added: “We've got stuck in, we got eight since the start of Book 1. It's been competitive for the better lots and we've had to stretch a bit on some of them but it hasn't been silly. It's been sensible but strong. We're delighted with what we've bought.” Golden Horde is best known for scorching to G1 Commonwealth Cup glory for Clive Cox in 2020. He stands for €8,000 at Montfort et Preaux and his first yearlings have been well received by the market. Of the 1,862 yearlings offered across Book 1, 2, 3 and 4, 1,531 were sold at a clearance rate of 82%. That represented a drop of 4% on last year. The aggregate was down 20% to 158,567,500gns while the median fell 10% to 52,000gns and the average by 18% to 103,571gns. Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony commented, “More than 165 million guineas has been spent on yearlings at Tattersalls in the past few weeks which, although some way below last year's runaway record-breaking returns, is a substantial sum that has only been bettered once. “There have been some memorable highlights in amongst those impressive sums, including the 2,000,000gns October Book 1 sale-topping Frankel colt, who is the highest-priced yearling to be sold in Europe this year, the 725,000gns Dubawi filly, who headed Book 2 and is the second highest-priced filly ever sold at Europe's largest yearling sale, and some astounding pinhooking triumphs throughout the past two weeks which, as ever, reflect the professionalism and commitment of the consignors. “The pre-eminent status of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales owes everything to the support of the breeders and consignors, primarily from Britain and Ireland, but also from France, Germany and Italy, who entrust us with the cream of the European yearling crop year after year. “Evidence of this support and the peerless quality of the yearlings is to be seen on racecourses around the world with Tattersalls yearlings consistently winning at the highest level on the global stage. To date in 2023 Tattersalls yearlings bought for as little as 5,000gns have won Group 1 races in Britain, Ireland and France, as well as Australia, Hong Kong and the US. It is this unrivalled level of achievement which brings buyers to yearling sales at Tattersalls from throughout the world, alongside the domestic British and Irish buyers for whom the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales are unmissable. “While the total 2023 yearling spend at Tattersalls has been the second highest ever, we should recognise that there has been a recalibration from the dizzy heights of last year and we should pay heed to this. “With specific regard to Books 3 and 4 it has not been ideal to have coincided with the top-class racing at Newmarket, but this will not be the case again for the foreseeable future. With a wider perspective, our industry faces challenges which we all acknowledge. “Nevertheless we should not lose sight of the fact that we have an outstanding internationally admired product, much of which has been showcased over the past two weeks at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales and which we will continue to work tirelessly to promote.” The post Golden Horde Colt Leads Final Day Of October Yearling Sale At Tattersalls appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Charlie Appleby trainee Arabian Crown (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}–Dubai Rose {GB}, by Dubai Destination), a €600,000 Arqana August purchase, provided Godolphin with a third straight win in Salisbury's Listed Stonehenge S. when last seen and duly obliged in Saturday's G3 Ghaiyyath Zetland S. at Newmarket to become the operation's third straight winner of the 10-furlong contest. The 10-11 favourite, who backed up a debut third at Sandown with a breakthrough score back there in July, was the sharpest of four into stride and seized an immediate lead. Turning the screw in effortless fashion inside the final half-mile, he was beyond recall passing the quarter-mile marker and raced in splendid isolation thereafter before gearing down nearing the line to easily account for Gaspar De Lemos (Ire) (Justify) by an untroubled 5 1/2 lengths. Pedigree Notes Arabian Crown, the latest of nine foals, is one of seven scorers produced by Listed Kolner Stuten-Trophy victrix Dubai Rose (GB) (Dubai Destination), herself a half-sister to G2 Pretty Polly S. victrix Hanami (GB) (Hernando {Fr}) and Listed Grosser Dresdner Sachsischer Herbst Preis winner Soho Rose (Ire) (Hernando {Fr}). Soho Rose, in turn, is the dam of G1 Prix de Royallieu heroine Sea La Rosa (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), G2 Great Voltigeur S. and G3 Bahrain Trophy victor Deauville Legend (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and the Group 3-placed Dean Street Doll (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}). The February-foaled bay is a full-brother to the stakes-winning Everest Rose (GB) and a half to MGSW G1 Prix Vermeille third The Juliet Rose (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}) and the dual stakes-placed Pocketfullofdreams (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Smooth as you like €600,000 purchase Arabian Crown slams his rivals with a dazzling performance in the G3 Ghaiyyath Zetland Stakes to give team @godolphin a double at HQ @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/cKJ6oKHSP3 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 14, 2023 Saturday, Newmarket, Britain GHAIYYATH ZETLAND S.-G3, £60,000, Newmarket, 10-14, 2yo, 10fT, 2:05.93, sf. 1–ARABIAN CROWN (FR), 130, c, 2, by Dubawi (Ire) 1st Dam: Dubai Rose (GB) (SW-Ger), by Dubai Destination 2nd Dam: Russian Rose (Ire), by Soviet Lad 3rd Dam: Thornbeam, by Beldale Flutter 1ST GROUP WIN. (€600,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Godolphin; B-GB Partnership (FR); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £34,026. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-1, $79,442. *1/2 to The Juliet Rose (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}), MGSW & G1SP-Fr, $554,634; Everest Rose (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), SW-Ger; and Pocketfullofdreams (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), SP-Eng & Ire. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Gasper De Lemos (Ire), 130, c, 2, Justify–Hence (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £12,900. 3–Dallas Star (Fr), 130, c, 2, Cloth Of Stars (Ire)–Agathe Rare (Ire), by Sadler's Wells. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€30,000 Wlg '21 ARQDEC; 50,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT; 180,000gns RNA 2yo '23 TATBRE). O-Amo Racing Ltd; B-Mme Eliane Dieuaide & SAS Domaine Billard Pere Et Fils (FR); T-Dominic Ffrench Davis. £6,456. Margins: 5HF, 3HF, 22. Odds: 0.91, 2.20, 33.00. Also Ran: Dambuster (GB). Scratched: Meribella (GB). The post Arabian Crowns Memorable Day For Dubawi With Zetland Rout appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday's top tips from the SCMP analystsView the full article

Assuaging any and all fears presented by softened conditions, Coolmore's impressive G2 Superlative S. victor City Of Troy (Justify–Together Forever {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) set the seal on European champion juvenile status with a performance brimming with pure brilliance in Saturday's G1 Native Trail's Dewhurst S. at Newmarket. The 'TDN Rising Star' was the sharpest of eight into stride and floated along on the lead through halfway. Committed by Ryan Moore when stirred into action approaching the quarter-mile marker, the 8-15 favourite lengthened clear in effortless fashion to take an insurmountable buffer into the final furlong and moved like a tremendous machine on the ascent to hit the line strong with a 3 1/2-length advantage back to G3 Somerville Tattersall S. winner Alyanaabi (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}). Fellow 'TDN Rising Star' Eben Shaddad (Calyx {GB}) performed with credit on unsuitable ground and finished one length adrift in third. The success provided Aidan O'Brien with a record-equalling eighth victory in the seven-furlong contest. City Of Troy. Brilliant in the Dewhurst Stakes Three runs Three wins G1 Native Trail Dewhurst Stakes G2 Superlative Stakes What a prospect@Ballydoyle | @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/wo7HJP2EjH — Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 14, 2023 Saturday, Newmarket, Britain NATIVE TRAIL'S DEWHURST S.-G1, £528,750, Newmarket, 10-14, 2yo, 7fT, 1:24.85, sf. 1–CITY OF TROY, 129, c, 2, by Justify 1st Dam: Together Forever (Ire) (G1SW-Eng & SW-Ire, $318,729), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Green Room, by Theatrical (Ire) 3rd Dam: Chain Fern, by Blushing Groom (Fr) 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. TDN Rising Star. O-Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (KY); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £299,854. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $451,293. *1/2 to Military Style (War Front), GSW-Ire; Absolute Ruler (War Front), GSP-Ire; and King Of Athens (War Front), SP-Ire. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Alyanaabi (Ire), 129, c, 2, Too Darn Hot (GB)–Alyamaama, by Kitten's Joy. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (IRE); T-Owen Burrows. £113,681. 3–Eben Shaddad, 129, c, 2, Calyx (GB)–Galileo's Lady, by Galileo (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. TDN Rising Star. ($100,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; €190,000 2yo '23 ARQMAY). O-HRH Prince Faisal Bin Khaled & Najd Stud; B-Charles Fipke (KY); T-John & Thady Gosden. £56,894. Margins: 3HF, 1, 1HF. Odds: Scratched: 0.53, 6.00, 25.00. Also Ran: Henry Adams (Ire), Haatem (Ire), Iberian (Ire), Array (Ire), Indian Run (Ire). The post Justify’s City Of Troy Outclasses Dewhurst Opposition appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's €2-million Arqana August 'TDN Rising Star' Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}–Golden Valentine {Fr}, by Dalakhani {Ire}), who ran third to subsequent G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagradere victor Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) in July's Listed Pat Eddery S., came back off a 77-day sabbatical to trounce his six-strong opposition in Saturday's Emirates Autumn S. at Newmarket. Positioned off the clear leader in third until taking closer order once past halfway, the 2-1 joint-favourite seized control approaching the final furlong and powered clear of toiling rivals up the hill to easily outpoint Chief Little Rock (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by an impressive 3 3/4 lengths. Ancient Wisdom had previously followed up a taking debut performance at Haydock in June with a second triumph, under a six-pound penalty, at Newmarket's July track. “We were disappointed that we were beat at Ascot, but that race worked out so well you couldn't really be disappointed in it,” commented Charlie Appleby. “I've probably mismanaged him running him back at Newmarket. He broke his maiden at Haydock Park and I went to Newmarket thinking I could try and get a bit more experience. He is a Dubawi and I was probably forcing him a bit too much so, after Ascot, we said collectively we will give him a break and we toyed with this and the Zetland. I told William [Buick] he is a horse that will travel for fun stepping up a furlong and also the conditions out there were going to suit him. I said to ride him with mega confidence, to sit up there and travel in the van as he will pick up for you, and he has duly obliged. He is a horse next year that will be a middle-distance type. He is a horse that I do feel a mile-and-a-quarter will be well within his compass and I personally think he will appreciate going a mile-and-a-half. He is a Dubawi and, as we know with those middle-distance Dubawis, you can't force them too much in the spring of their 3-year-old career, so therefore something like the [G2] Dante might be a target for him. We will see where we are in the spring, but we have a long winter ahead of us now. It is nice to be able to put these horses to bed on the back of an impressive victory.” Pedigree Notes Ancient Wisdom, full to a weanling colt and half to a yearling colt by Lope De Vega (Ire), is the third of five foals and one of two scorers produced by G3 Prix Minerve winner Golden Valentine (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}), herself one of seven stakes performers out of G3 Prix Cleopatre victrix Gold Round (Ire) (Caerleon). Golden Valentine's siblings include her G3 Prix du Lys-winning full-brother Goldwaki (Ger), GIII Robert J Frankel S. victrix and GI Rodeo Drive S. runner-up Luck (Kitten's Joy) and the dam of G3 Prix Vanteaux winner and GI E P Taylor S. third Platane (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}). Gold Round, in turn, is a half-sister to storied multiple champion and three-time GI Breeders' Cup Mile heroine Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), G1 Prix Vermeille victrix Galikova (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}) and multiple Group 1-placed sire Anodin (Ire) (Anabaa). Golden Valentine was a €520,000 purchase at Arqana's 2012 December Broodmare sale. Third to subsequent G1 scorer Rosallion last time out, the exciting Ancient Wisdom (Dubawi) is all class for team @godolphin in the G3 @emirates Autumn Stakes pic.twitter.com/N169vzyfmd — Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 14, 2023 Saturday, Newmarket, Britain EMIRATES AUTUMN S.-G3, £60,000, Newmarket, 10-14, 2yo, 8fT, 1:37.92, sf. 1–ANCIENT WISDOM (FR), 129, c, 2, by Dubawi (Ire) 1st Dam: Golden Valentine (Fr) (GSW-Fr, $125,200), by Dalakhani (Ire) 2nd Dam: Gold Round (Ire), by Caerleon 3rd Dam: Born Gold, by Blushing Groom (Fr) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. TDN Rising Star. (€2,000,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Godolphin; B-Ecurie des Monceaux & LNJ Foxwoods (FR); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £34,026. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-1, $60,512. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Chief Little Rock (Ire), 129, c, 2, Galileo (Ire)–Amicus (Aus), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). O-Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £12,900. 3–Ambiente Friendly (Ire), 129, c, 2, Gleneagles (Ire)–Roxity (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (25,000gns RNA Ylg '22 TATOCT; 80,000gns 2yo '23 TATBRE). O-The Gredley Family; B-Al Shira'aa Farms SARL (IRE); T-James Fanshawe. £6,456. Margins: 3 3/4, 1 3/4, 5. Odds: 2.00, 3.50, 16.00. Also Ran: Orne (Ire), Per Contra (Ire), Arabic Legend (Ire), Starliner (Ire). The post Dubawi’s Ancient Wisdom Powers To Autumn Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Gifted Aussie pacer Captain Ravishing will target next month’s New Zealand Cup after his shock late scratching from the Victoria Cup. Trainer Ahmed Taiba was forced to withdraw the four-year-old just hours before the Cup with an elevated temperature. Outsider Act Now went to win a star-studded Cup, paying $72 for the win. “It’s nothing serious, but horse welfare has to come first and we didn’t want to take any risk with him at all,” Taiba said. Taiba and his brother, Hass, recently made the late entry payment for Captain Ravishing to tackle the NZ Cup. “That’s the target now,” Taiba said. “It’s a real shame to miss this race (Victoria Cup) because he was ready to run really well. “I’d been able to get five weeks of good, consistent work into him and he was so much better than when he ran third in the Eureka. “For him to run as well as he did in the Eureka really gave us confidence going ahead, knowing how much he could improve with a better preparation. “We’ve got time on our side now to get him right for NZ.” Taiba said he would look to head over for at least one NZ lead-up race. “We had Sushi Sushi go across for the Kaikoura Cup and know the value in going early to settle in,” he said. “We’ll get through the next week or then lock in some plans.” View the full article

By Mike Love Weedons trainer James Stormont will be looking for his first taste of Oamaru success as both a trainer and a driver when he lines up two runners on Sunday. “It’s the first time for training with a runner at Oamaru! I’ve been to Ashburton as a trainer, but never further south, so it’s all new to me.” A former Aucklander who’s now based in Canterbury, Stormont has had one drive around Oamaru racetrack when he steered Bold Sharvid into second placing behind Blossom Lady in the 1990 Hannon Memorial. The first of his runners today, Hayley Zhor ($16.00FF), lines up in race 2 the Oamaru Club maiden trot. The three-year-old Majestic Son filly let herself down with an early gallop on debut, and again at the trials, but Stormont suggests there is a motor under the bonnet. “She’s still learning. She made up a lot of ground at the trials since her first race. “If she trots all the way I think she can run in the first 4.” Stormont’s best chance looks to be five-year-old Sweet Lou gelding Hey Bartender ($1.90FF) in race 9, the Placemakers Oamaru Cup. He has not raced since running second in the Summer Cup to Copy That at Alexandra Park back in December 2022. “He had a joint problem. We gave him a good four or five months out and brought him up slowly for six months.” Stormont is confident he will give a good account. “I didn’t want to give him a gut buster first up, so this race looks ideal for him. “He had a hard trial at Addington, then I snuck him to a grass workout at Motukarara. It was a nice workout. “He’s not screwed down. But he’s got a lot of natural ability.” All things going well Hey Bartender and Stormont will likely head to Kaikoura for the NZB Standardbred Sales Classic. “We might look at Addington next week, but probably go straight to Kaikoura.” Stormont trains a team of three from his recently established Weedons base. View the full article

A multiple stakes winner over 1800m and 2000m as a three-year-old last season, Renaissance Woman (NZ) (Reliable Man) showed real spark over a shorter trip with a highly impressive second-up performance in Saturday’s A$250,000 Gr.3 James Squire Angst Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. Trained by Bjorn Baker, the daughter of Reliable Man won the Gr.3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield last spring. She later added the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) during the Queensland Winter Carnival before finishing second in the Gr.2 Doomben Roses (2000m) and fourth in the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m). Renaissance Woman made her four-year-old debut with a fifth placing over 1600m at Randwick on September 30, and she returned to the same venue two weeks later and produced an outstanding Group Three-winning performance. Ridden by Josh Parr, Renaissance Woman settled in sixth before being presented at the top of the home straight. She charged home over the top of the favourite Ausbred Flirt (Maurice) and drew ahead to win by three-quarters of a length. “She was explosive,” Parr said. “I’m so happy to win on her. She’s just a lovely mare now. She’s taken that progression from three-year-old filly to a really strong mare. “To sprint like that twice at the mile in this preparation, I think, is a big feather in Bjorn and his team’s cap, because they’ve kept her sharp enough to be able to show that. But she’s as fit as a trout and she ran through the line hard.” From 14 starts, Renaissance Woman has now had four wins and a second placing, earning more than A$500,000 in stakes. Renaissance Woman was offered by Westbury Stud in Book 1 of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale in 2020 and was knocked down for $250,000. The ticket was signed by Brian Nutt’s Attunga Stud, and the filly is raced by his brother-in-law Geoff Walsh.Renaissance Woman is out of the Fastnet Rock mare MrsKennedy (Fastnet Rock), who is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) winner Mrs Onassis (General Nediym) and the Gr.3 How Now Stakes (1200m) winner Miss Judgment (Strategic), dam of Group Two winner Passive Aggressive (Fastnet Rock) and multiple Group One placegetter Missrock (Fastnet Rock). View the full article

Previously a five-time placegetter at Group level, classy mare Our Alley Cat (NZ) (Atlante) broke through and secured her first stakes win in style in Saturday’s Gr.3 Valley D’Vine Restaurant Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings. The seven-year-old daughter of Atlante went into the $120,000 feature as the winner of six of her 29 starts, but she had also been runner-up behind Levante (NZ) (Proisir) and Imperatriz (NZ) in two editions of the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m), second to Showoroses (NZ) in the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), third behind Belclare (NZ) (Per Incanto) and Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), and third to Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard) and Packing Rockstar (Fastnet Rock) in the Gr.3 King’s Plate (1400m). Saturday was finally her day in the sun. Our Alley Cat was awkwardly drawn in gate nine, but she was given a dream run by red-hot jockey Opie Bosson, who rode four of the first six winners on the Hastings card. Our Alley Cat trailed a hot pace set by Not Guilty (NZ) (Not A Single Doubt), then moved up alongside that rival at the top of the home straight. She took command at the 200m mark and drew clear with ease, opening up a winning margin of two and three-quarter lengths. Not Guilty held on bravely for second, just ahead of Mercurial (NZ) (Burgundy), El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) and beaten favourite Romancing The Moon (NZ) (El Roca). The time for the 1400m feature was a slick 1:21.95. Saturday’s black-type breakthrough was an enormously satisfying reward for Our Alley Cat’s trainer and part-owner Vicki Prendergast, whose stable star has now banked $307,935 in stakes. “She’s such a special horse to us,” said the Matamata trainer, who was credited with the first black-type success of her career. “We nearly retired her after last season, but I thought, ‘Come on – we’ve really got to win a Listed race or something with her.’ She really deserved to win one. She’s been such a good horse. “She’s run second behind Levante and Imperatriz in big races, and she really deserved to win one. Finally she’s done it. “The pace was really on today, and it probably wasn’t ideal with the draw that we had, but we had the jockey, didn’t we?”Our Alley Cat became the fifth individual stakes winner for former Mapperley Stud stallion Atlante (Fastnet Rock). Her dam, the Scaredee Cat mare Cat Woman (NZ) (Scaredee Cat), won five races and placed in the Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m). View the full article

Respected New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock has always seen Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed) as a superstar in waiting, and Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) marked the big gelding’s arrival on the major stage. The lightly raced six-year-old overpowered his elite weight-for-age opposition at Hastings, joining his half-sister Ladies First as a Group One winner. It was the seventh win of a 22-start career for the son of Zed (NZ) (Zabeel), who had won three races last season headed by the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m). He also ran third in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) and Listed Marton Cup (2200m) and was fourth in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m). “He got up into open company last year but he was still quite an immature five-year-old,” Sharrock said. “He did a good job, but a few things went wrong along the way. I thought we might have to wait one more year with him. “From the moment he came into work, it was obvious that he was a very different horse this year. He’s grown into a man, and he’ll probably be better again next year. “His work on Tuesday morning was absolutely outstanding. He gave his poor old stablemate Ned (Justaskme (NZ) (Darci Brahma)) a hiding. Ned has run a good race today too (eighth), I’m proud of him, but Ladies Man was set for this race.” Ladies Man became the latest in a long line of big winners at the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival for Sharrock, who had previously won this race with Shez Sinsational (NZ) (Ekraar) (2012). He saddled I Do (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) (2014) and Kawi (NZ) (Savabeel) (2015 and 2016) for three consecutive wins in the race now known as the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m), while Kawi also won the 2015 edition of the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m). Ladies Man was a respected $5.50 third favourite for Saturday’s Livamol, and his star quality well and truly shone through. Ridden by Ryan Elliot, he settled into an effortless rhythm in midfield as Times Ticking (NZ) (Tavistock) strode forward to put pace into the race as the field turned into the back straight. Elliot got Ladies Man rolling coming down the side of the track, and by the home turn, he had ominously moved up into fifth out wide on the track. Ladies Man worked through his gears in the straight, lengthened stride and took control at the 150m mark. Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock) surged through along the inside to lodge a major challenge, with Platinum Invador (NZ) (Redwood) launching a powerful run from near the back of the field. But Ladies Man was too big and too strong, holding them out by three-quarters of a length. Platinum Invador got up to take second place from Pearl Of Alsace, with beaten favourite Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh) close up in fourth but perhaps not as effective on Saturday’s Good4 track. “I’m ecstatic,” Elliot said. “I have to thank Allan Sharrock and his team, as well as Michael McNab – it was his ride originally, but he’s gone to Sydney today to ride Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin). “He travelled really strongly all the way. I didn’t want to overdo it, but he tracked into it so nicely. Coming up to the turn I thought I’d have to get going, otherwise they might outsprint me. But he toughed it out really well and still had a bit under the hood.” Saturday’s big win may have earned Ladies Man a trip across the Tasman. He holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 7, for which the TAB rates him an $81 chance. “I guess we’ve got to go now,” Sharrock said. “He’ll probably have just the one more run before the Cup, in that race on the Saturday before it that Bart Cummings used to use (the 2500m Gr.3 Lexus Archer Stakes). “He’s done enough. We’ll come up a little bit short of Bart’s famous 10,000km, but only marginally. He’s doing very well.” View the full article

The roller-coaster career of highly talented galloper Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj) got back on the right track with a tenacious performance to win Saturday’s Listed The Big Screen Company Weekend Hussler (1400m) at Caulfield. The New Zealand-bred son of Iffraaj made waves in the early stages of his career, winning six of his first eight starts including the Gr.3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m) and Gr.3 Victoria Handicap (1400m). Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr have endured their share of trials and tribulations through the 18 months since the most recent of those wins, with Ayrton recording only one placing from his eight subsequent appearances. But the Ayrton of old made a welcome return at Caulfield on Saturday, surging out of midfield and collaring the front-running Buffalo River (Noble Mission) at the 200m mark. That rival tried to respond to the challenge, with Stageman (Written Tycoon) and Rubamos (I Am Invincible) joining in late, but Ayrton held them all out by a short neck. “I ride a lot for this stable and have ridden lots of winners, so it is good to team back up with this horse and get a long-awaited win for the owners,” jockey Damian Lane said. “I got it right because the number is in the frame, but it was close to being wrong. I was tracking Regardsmaree (So You Think), going lovely, and I just wondered if Billy (Egan) was giving Buffalo River enough respect. So I got out and collared him quite quickly. I was in front quite early for a horse that was first-up over 1400m. As you can see, he got a bit tired late. “All’s well that ends well, but I think he’ll benefit from the run and hopefully he’s got another good race in him.” Price was relieved to see Ayrton back to his best after a long ordeal that dates back to a spider bite more than a year ago. “He had a lot of toxicity in his system,” he said. “We suspect it was a white-tailed spider. We nursed him and nursed him. He was a very sick horse. “He could have easily called it a day and gone to heaven. I wasn’t sure whether he’d come back today or ever, but today is a great day for the owners and the staff. “He’s had a different training regime. We took him to our beach stable and brought him in. We’ve been kind to him. The race set up beautifully, and D Lane had him one out and one back in a perfect spot. “So I’m hoping he can go on. We found a few things out about him – don’t go past a mile, don’t run on wet tracks, and train him like a bit of a girl.” Ayrton was bred by Cambridge accountant Greg McCarthy, who remains in the ownership group after a private sale was negotiated by bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo after the horse finished second in his only trial in New Zealand at Te Teko for trainer Lauren Brennan. View the full article

Gavelhouse Plus is offering buyers a special opportunity to enhance their broodmare bands with a speedy and well-bred daughter of super-sire Savabeel. Te Akau Racing’s black-type winner Synchronize (NZ) is now for sale on Gavelhouse Plus, with bidding closing from 7pm (NZT) on Wednesday October 18. One of 135 individual stakes winners by Waikato Stud’s eight-time champion New Zealand sire Savabeel, Synchronize is out of the blue-blooded O’Reilly mare Splits (NZ). Herself unraced, Splits is a full-sister to the black-type winner Wolfwhistle (NZ) (O’Reilly), a blood sister to dual Group One winner Tiptronic (NZ) (O’Reilly), a three-quarter-sister to Australian Group One winner Guyno (NZ) (O’Reilly), and a half-sister to the Group Two placegetter Scrutinize (NZ) (Savabeel). Both Wolfwhistle and Scrutinize were highly successful yearling purchases by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, who returned to the same high-quality family again at Karaka 2020 and secured Synchronize for $280,000. Synchronize had 14 starts for four wins, and she made an immediate impression with smart victories in two of her first three starts. Her black-type highlight came as a four-year-old last season, where she produced a dazzling late burst to come from nowhere and win the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day. That race was run in a slick 1:08.97, with Synchronize clocking 32.67 for her last 600 metres. “She was an absolutely stunning yearling and had a beautiful pedigree, coming from a family that we’ve had a lot of success with previously,” Ellis said. “We thought she was one of the picks of the Waikato Stud draft when we bought her – a very neat type of filly, and she’s all quality and rich in colour. “She had an incredible turn of foot, which she showed in the Hallmark Stud Handicap on Boxing Day where she broke 33 seconds for her last 600 metres. “And you just can’t beat these Savabeel mares, and especially the ones who have performed at black-type level – I think they’re going to be worth a fortune in years to come.” Synchronize’s Boxing Day heroics made a big impression on her rider, Craig Zackey. “I was in a good position until the bend came and then it got a little bit rough,” he said. “I got pushed out the back, but the more I was riding her patiently, the more she just started to climb against the bit. When she got through a tight gap, she just exploded.” View the full article

The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Griff showed plenty of greenness in his Group 1 debut but, despite a dramatic finish, proved too good for his rivals in the Group 1 $3 million Neds Caulfield Guineas (1600m). 2023 Caulfield Guineas winner Griff was wayward late but still very good taking out the Group 1 mile event. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. The Trapeze Artist colt fired up out of the gates for jockey Ben Melham leading from barrier to box to beat home Veight by one and three-quarter lengths in the mile feature in Melbourne. Third in the Caulfield Guineas trifecta when to the previously unbeaten Steparty coming off a win in the Prelude, which Veight had run fifth in. Veight and his hoop Damian Lane were thrown off their line a few times over the closing stages by the wayward Griff, but trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy opted not to lodge a protest after reviewing the tape. “Obviously there was a bit of interference towards the end of the race, and just with respect to the owners of the horse and the punters, we went down to have a look at the film and decided not to throw in a protest,” co-trainer Calvin McEvoy told Racing.com. “It was probably too close to the line, which was unfortunate as there was quite a bit of interference, but it probably needed to be further away from the winning post to be overturned.” The challenge was on when Steparty peeled out three-wide approaching the turn to move up to Griff, but the eventual winner gave a strong kick at the furlong. He spotted something to the side of the track with a few strides to go and made a sharp right turn, but his winning margin was too good to take much away from the up-and-comer. “He began exceptionally well. When he began in the matter that he did, he rolled across and got across so easy,” Melham said. “A really courageous effort by the horse. There he is now a Caulfield Guineas winner.” Griff made it three straight wins with his Guineas triumph and two over the 1600m following a lead-up Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) win at The Valley. He became the first horse since Whobegotyou 15 years earlier to do the Stutt Stakes – Caulfield Guineas double. “I think he obviously showed a little bit of greenness, but he got a beautiful ride by Ben,” co-trainer David Eustace said. “He’s just kept improving and improving. “He hasn’t put a foot wrong (since coming down to Victoria). “Got in pretty easily and just judged it perfectly. “He’s got a bright future the horse because he’s still furnishing.” 2023 Caulfield Guineas Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 6 GRIFF Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Ben Melham 15 57kg $31 2 5 VEIGHT Tony & Calvin McEvoy Damian Lane 1.75L 1 57kg $14 3 4 STEPARTY Paul Preusker John Allen 2.75L 7 57kg $3.70 4 3 KING COLORADO Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Michael Dee 3.5L 8 57kg $13 5 1 MILITARIZE (NZ) Chris Waller Joao Moreira 4.25L 12 57kg $2.60F 6 11 VERDAD Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock Beau Mertens 4.35L 14 57kg $21 7 7 SCHEELITE Ken & Kasey Keys Mark Zahra 4.85L 13 57kg $14 8 2 LITTLE BROSE Ben, Will & JD Hayes Damien Oliver 4.95L 10 57kg $61 9 9 SOUTHPORT TYCOON Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Harry Coffey 5.7L 4 57kg $21 10 8 SCENTIFY Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Ben Allen 6.7L 5 57kg $14 11 10 WOLFY (NZ) Nick Ryan Blake Shinn 8.95L 11 57kg $16 12 12 ROCK EMPIRE Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 9.25L 3 57kg $61 13 13 LIMBURG Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Jye McNeil 9.65L 9 57kg $201 14 14 COPACABANA Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Jordan Childs 9.85L 6 57kg $201 15 15 THE LONGEST YARD Matthew Brown Brian Higgins 11.1L 2 57kg $301 Table Credit: Racing Australia. The post 2023 Caulfield Guineas Winner Is Griff at 30/1 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The wins just keep on coming for champion galloper Think About It who once again proved his class and versatility with a peach of a win in The Everest 2023 for trainer Joe Pride. 2023 The Everest winner Think About It was huge saluting for the punters in the seventh edition of the world’s richest turf race. Photo: Steve Hart. Pride ran second in last year’s edition of the world’s richest turf race with Private Eye, and that horse was back in another terrific performance finishing third in the $20 million The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Splitting the two Pride-trained stablemates in The Everest trifecta was the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained Golden Eagle winner from last season, I Wish I Win, who tried his best in a weaving run from barrier one. “That is unbelievable,” Pride told Sky Thoroughbred Central. “They both (Private Eye – 3rd) ran terrific. “I was pretty confident coming into the race that not only my two would run well but Peter Moody’s (trainer of I Wish I Win – 2nd) was the only danger. “It doesn’t really matter at the end, but I thought they were the three and sure enough they fought it out.” Despite jockey Luke Nolen‘s best efforts aboard I Wish I Win, he just couldn’t get there in time going down a long neck to the 2023 The Everest winner. “He was terrific. The draw probably did us no favours,” Nolen said. “I thought he was every hope but brave under the circumstances. Just didn’t get the chance to find free air and build. “He has run super. The run of the race. “They run this every year so we got a little bit this year so I hope we get a lot more next year.” Think About It extended his winning streak to nine straight with his incredible performance thanks to a 10/10 ride by Sam Clipperton who got into the ideal one-one position before coming home strongly down the straight to fight them off. “I had such a nice run in the race and travelled so well,” Clipperton said. “This stuff doesn’t happen, it just went too perfect. “I guess that’s what very good horses do, maybe even champions, they eliminate the opposition. “I’m just so privileged to be in a position of riding this horse. “I had my apprenticeship here at Randwick with Ron Quinton and I know every blade of grass at this joint. “If you had have told me when I started that I was going to win an Everest well A, The Everest didn’t exist and now it’s exploded into one of the most incredible races in the world and I’m just incredibly proud.” The winter’s Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup – Stradbroke Handicap double winner in Brisbane had his The Everest slot confirmed by Newgate Farm and GPI Racing soon after, and rewarded slot-holders and connections on the day. Think About It ran in The Everest second-up off a Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) success, and Pride is now looking forward to a wide-open future with plenty of potential targets for the champ. “It’s going to be a really interesting journey with him, where we go from here,” he said. “It was an incredible performance to stay at 1200m because after he won the Stradbroke (over 1400m), if it wasn’t for The Everest being what it is, I never would have aimed him at this race. A 1200m race that is, but I’m glad I did.” Pride’s other runner Private Eye also went into the race a last start winner of the Group 2 The Shorts and lost few admirers finishing third after getting caught deep. “He was very gallant. Got into a position where you don’t want to be,” third-placed hoop Nash Rawiller said. “Same time he got very comfortable. Was just watching Think About It the whole race and wishing I was where you are. “My bloke travelled up beautifully. Gave his heart and soul and will be there in a couple of weeks time.” 2023 The Everest Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 3 THINK ABOUT IT Joseph Pride Sam Clipperton 5 58.5kg $4.40F 2 1 I WISH I WIN (NZ) Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman Luke Nolen 0.4L 1 58.5kg $5 3 2 PRIVATE EYE Joseph Pride Nash Rawiller 0.76L 9 58.5kg $7 4 9 IN SECRET James Cummings Zac Purton 1.06L 12 56.5kg $10 5 12 CYLINDER James Cummings Zac Lloyd (a) 1.17L 4 53kg $11 6 7 HAWAII FIVE OH Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott James McDonald 2.32L 10 58.5kg $9.50 7 10 ESPIONA Chris Waller Hugh Bowman 2.79L 3 56.5kg $17 8 6 BUENOS NOCHES Matthew Smith Dylan Gibbons (a) 3.5L 8 58.5kg $20 9 11 SHINZO Chris Waller Kerrin McEvoy 3.57L 6 53kg $21 10 5 OVERPASS Bjorn Baker Joshua Parr 3.99L 2 58.5kg $9 11 4 MAZU Peter & Paul Snowden Tommy Berry 4.94L 11 58.5kg $51 12 8 ALCOHOL FREE (IRE) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Craig Williams 6.19L 7 56.5kg $51 15e KING OF SPARTA Peter & Paul Snowden 0 16e VILANA James Cummings 0 13e BELLA NIPOTINA Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 0 14e ZAPATEO James Cummings 0 Table Credit: Racing Australia. The post The Everest Results 2023: Winner Think About It Full of Pride appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Renaissance Woman claims the 2023 Angst Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW Joshua Parr & Bjorn Baker have combined in the last race at Randwick on Saturday, claiming the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m) with Renaissance Woman (+500). It was a sensational ride from Parr, finding a mid-field position with cover aboard the daughter of Reliable Man, allowing her to travel strongly throughout the 1600m journey. The eventual runner-up, Ausbred Flirt (+380), was backed into favouritism with online bookmakers prior to the start, and punters were given a terrific sight as Craig Williams sat outside the leader. When the race went on with 300m to go, there was only one horse you wanted to be with, however, as Renaissance Woman strode past the leaders to score a dominant win. More Secrets ($6.50) was the big drifter late with online betting sites but didn’t shirk the task in third, while Thalassophile ($9.50) got plenty late support but probably found the 1600m short of her best trip second-up. Renaissance Woman has now won three of her last four races when second-up into the campaign, and Bjorn Baker suggested there’s more wins to come for his four-year-old mare. “It’s been a big week actually,” said Baker. “I must say I was confident she’d run well. It was a great ride by Josh (Parr), it worked out really well. It’s a funny game racing, one minute you’re in front, one minute you’re down and you can come back in a quick period of time. “We’re going to have a lot of fun now and might kick on a bit.” Joshua Parr spoke post-race and gave full credit to Bjorn Baker and his team for getting Renaissance Woman to sprint well over the sharper trip. “She certainly was (explosive),” said Parr. “I’m so happy to win on her. She’s just a lovely mare now. “She’s taken that progression from three-year-old filly to a really strong mare and to sprint like that twice at the mile this preparation I think is a big feather in Bjorn (Baker) and his team’s cap because they’ve kept her sharp enough to be able to show that. But, as fit as a trout and she ran through the line hard.” More horse racing news View the full article

Attrition ridden by Beau Mertens wins the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) The 2023 Toorak Handicap has provided Mitchell Freedman and Beau Mertens their maiden Group 1 success, with Attrition (+3000) just edging out Antino (+400) in a photo finish in the 1600m contest. After going so close in his last Group 1 efforts, Mitchell Freedman finally got that Group 1 success that he has been working so hard for throughout his career, while Beau Mertens added his first Group 1 winning ride to his five Group level victories throughout his career. As expected, Pride Of Jenni (+1400) went to the front and ran the race at a good tempo before pushing the button and setting the race alight at the 500m mark, which saw a number of jockeys go for their mounts earlier than they would have wanted to. Amenable (+1800) took over with 300m to go, but Attrition and Antino were finishing stronger down the outside, and they claimed him with 200m to go and fought out the finish. A glaring absentee from the contending runners was the race favourite Amelia’s Jewel (+130), who looked to be coasting behind the eventual winner, but she lacked that explosive turn of foot and ended up finishing an underwhelming ninth — beaten 5.5 lengths. Mitchell Freedman was clearly emotional after the win, and he spoke post-race. “What a ride from Beau and everyone in the team who takes a massive part in it,” Melham said. “I’ve had, I think, three seconds in group ones before today and it is so good to get over the line because we have been nutted a few times. “We always knew he was up to the level. “He was very disappointing last start. Back to handicap, aided by a brilliant ride by a jockey that is well and truly on the rise. “It worked out perfectly. We thought we’d take the bull by the horns today. ”He got back the other day and he just never got in the race. We knew we had to be in the race and put him in a spot.” Beau Mertens was just as emotional as Freedman, and he spoke post-race after the win on Attrition. “It is unbelievable. So much work goes into days like these and to do it for Mitch and these connections and this owner, it is such a big privilege,” Mertens said. “I can’t thank my friends and family enough and my beautiful fiance Hayley. “I don’t really get emotional that often but obviously with Dad’s passing earlier in the year, all he wanted to do was see me ride a group one winner. “To come out and do it this spring, unfortunately he can’t be here and I know he was riding with me every step of the way today. “I fought hard for the ride and I was super excited to get on it. “It is a tremendous feeling to do my family and friends proud.” More horse racing news View the full article

James McDonald salutes aboard Fangirl when winning the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes. Photo: Racing NSW The inaugural running of the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) has been taken out by Fangirl ($5), as Chris Waller & James McDonald combined for their fourth success on the five-year-old mare. It was a race setup by the stablemate and Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) winner, Rediener (+3300) electing to head straight to the front, along with Godolphin colt Golden Mile (+2200), giving the back markers every opportunity to travel into the race strongly. Craig Williams was smoking the pipe from the one-one position aboard Mr Brightside (-111.11) and when the race went on, you would’ve thought the two-time Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) winner was going to career away with the prize. It wasn’t to be, however, as James McDonald just sat quietly in behind the leading pair and travelled strongly before putting them away in style, with Mr Brightside and My Oberon (+3300) clearing out on the rest of the field holding the minor money spots. It’s all about the winner today though, as Fangirl put her hand up as a live chance in this year’s Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) and Chris Waller confirmed that’s the plan for her moving forward. “That was always the plan,” said Waller regarding a trip to Melbourne on Cox Plate Day. “to space her runs and get her to Melbourne as well. That will be tomorrow’s decision I guess, she was pretty dominant today.” James McDonald suggested in the washup that Fangirl is going as good as ever, and even joked that an Everest (1200m) tilt wouldn’t of been out of the question. “She’s flying at home, I haven’t seen her go any better at home,” said McDonald. “She’s quite funny, she’s hard to read at times because she can put in an odd gallop. Her form is great but (she) doesn’t really gallop that well. “These two weeks have been unbelievable. She trialled with all those Everest horses and she probably could’ve almost got a slot after that trial that’s how good she was going. She’s a really good horse, under certain conditions she’s pretty hard to beat.” Fangirl is now a +800 chance with most top online betting sites for the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) on October 28. More horse racing news View the full article

Griff ridden by Ben Melham wins the Neds Caulfield Guineas at Caulfield Racecourse on October 14, 2023 in Caulfield, Australia. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace have trained the winner of another Victorian Group 1 winner, with Griff (+3300) taking out the feature Group 1 Caulfield Guineas at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon. Ben Melham took the reins for the Caulfield Guineas after Mark Zahra jumped off the son of Trapeze Artist to ride Scheelite (+1200), leaving Melham to ride the outsider in the feature. With the speed map unclear, Melham took his colt to the lead from barrier 15 and allowed him to run along at a good speed, with Steparty (+270) and Veight (+1300) sitting right behind the leader sweating on runs. Once the field rounded the home bend, Melham pushed the button on the leader and he gave a strong kick to put a length or two on Veight; however, Damian Lane still had a good hold on the eventual runner-up and he began to lengthen with 250m to go. The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained galloper had a crack and got within a length of the winner and even though Griff started to wander and slightly inconvenienced Veight, Melham took hold of the winner and he held onto win by just over a length. With Ciaron Maher in Sydney, David Eustace spoke on behalf of the stable post-race. “It’s a great thrill and it’s great to win a race for Sean Griffiths,” Eustace said. “He’s very, very new to game, this is his first year buying horses and he’s put a lot faith in us. “It’s not easy to get a nice horse and to get a Guineas winner. “They’re rare to come by and for him to own the horse 100 per cent, it’s fair enough again. “He’s got a bright future the horse. He’s still furnishing, and Sean is going to think this is easy now, winning a Guineas in his first year.” Ben Melham claimed his first Caulfield Guineas victory on Griff, and he spoke post-race. “He began exceptionally well and the more I looked at the race the more I thought initially there was no speed and in group one races that kind of plays on people,” Melham said. “Throughout the day, things can change and when he began in the manner that he did, he rolled across and got across so easily. “He just lobbed along in a beautiful rhythm. “I started to quicked up from the 500-600 (metre mark) and he spotted something on the inside of the track and nearly threw the race away. “He did a right-turn on me. “Very good, courageous effort by the horse and a great job by the stable. “They kept him up a while and kept him winning. Here he is now a Caulfield Guineas winner.” More horse racing news View the full article

Vienna Princess claiming The Silver Eagle. Photo: Racing NSW Vienna Princess ($14.00) has claimed $1 million in prizemoney, plus a free ticket to the Golden Eagle (1500m) after a dominant display in the Silver Eagle (1300m) on Saturday at Randwick. The Chris Waller-trained mare made a triumphant return from a spell last start at Rosehill in BM88 company and has continued her winning ways to blouse her rivals down the centre of the course to win empathically. The daughter of Snitzel was given every opportunity to swoop over the top due to a very hot tempo engaged, as Yellow Brick (+400) was urged to head to the front. Sacred Satono (+10000) pushed forward as well, leaving Pericles (+270) and Zac Purton to take a sit just in behind the speed. The Godolphin gelding gave a big sight, but was swallowed up late by a tenacious Vienna Princess, while Straight Acer (+4000) powered into the quinella spot. The top three have now earned their way into the Golden Eagle if they choose to head that way. Chris Waller spoke post-race but kept his cards close to the chest as to whether that’s the next step for Vienna Princess. “She’s come good,” said Waller. “She’s shown us ability in previous preparations but hasn’t really done it back-to-back. So after a good first-up win I just wanted to see her run similar to that but she probably exceeded my expectations. “It’s an amazing race day, as this spring is unfolding what a day today. “In a few weeks’ time the west gets their chance to shine out at my home track of Rosehill. It just brings people to the races, I’m just so proud to be a trainer in Sydney and racing is in a good place. We should all be very proud of it and keep it going.” Kerrin McEvoy was full of praise for his mount in his post-race assessment, with Chris Waller giving him plenty of confidence prior to start time. “She’s great, she’s so willing, brilliant to ride her,” said McEvoy. “I’ve only ridden her once I think and never got out on her at Rosehill so it was nice to get the job done today on her. “A little bit further back than we thought but Chris (Waller) gave me good confidence he said ‘she’s in good form’. “There was a bit of heat early so I just filed in and was able to get a little bit closer at the halfway mark in the three wide line with some cover and I knew I was going to finish well. That’s what she did, she’s very game.” Vienna Princess is now (+1400) with most top online betting sites heading to the Golden Eagle (1500m) on November 4. More horse racing news View the full article

Damian Lane returns to the mounting yard on Wishlor Lass after winning the Catanach’s Jewellers Vase at Caulfield. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Wishlor Lass (+120) has taken out the Group 3 Ladies Day Vase to take her career record to five wins from seven starts, proving that the Symon Wilde-trained mare still has a lot of upside. The daughter of Mshawish was heavily backed with online bookmakers, from +200 into her starting price of +120, suggesting that many punters were in the camp of the expected leader in another race that was dominated by a horse that settled in the first four. Damian Lane was having his first ride on Wishlor Lass, and after she jumped well from barrier six, Lane allowed the five-year-old mare to roll along at her own speed. After the field rounded the home turn, it appeared as though Barbie’s Fox (+380) was going to run straight on by, but the leader picked herself up off the canvas and kicked back to win the race by neck on the line, with Foxy Frida (+750) running into third place just under two lengths away. Symon Wilde spoke about the win of his lightly-raced mare post-race. “She’s a bit untapped and we threw her in the deep end today. I think she’s got really good staying potential,” Wilde said. “I think that horse (Barbie’s Fox) levelling with her actually pushed her on a bit. She’s still very green and has got plenty of upside. “That is a really valuable win for her and we’ve got the mare and a lot of the progeny so it is an important win. “She is a winner and for the two runs that she didn’t win she was desperately unlucky. “She’s building a really nice record, and it will be so interesting where else we go in the springtime. “She handled today beautifully. I led her around and she was lovely and relaxed. “For a country horse coming to the city with people screaming with The Everest on, she handled it really well. “She’s just starting to mature, and I don’t know where the ceiling is. “I don’t know. Maybe the Empire Rose. We loosely pencilled in the 2000-metre mares race (Matriarch).” Damian Lane brought up a riding double on Wishlor Lass, and he spoke post-race. “She was great. Big bold-going horse. Big stride,” Lane said. “She just floated out in front there a little bit but when the other horse came at her she knuckled down. “She tends to pull but she’s got the stamina and was strong to the line.” Wishlor Lass is an +1000 chance in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes futures market with online betting sites. More horse racing news View the full article

Think About It etches his name in The Everest folklore. Photo: RacingNSW Think About It (+320) continues to add to his astonishing resume, going on to score an impressive win in the $20 million Everest (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The son of So You Think was given a perfect ride, courtesy of Sam Clipperton, finding the one-one throughout the worlds’ richest race on turf. The stage was set with Overpass (+900) kicking up to find the lead as Alcohol Free (+5000) injected a bit more speed into the race, sliding across to sit outside the leader. Zac Lloyd gained a perfect position aboard the three-year-old Cylinder, gaining the leaders back on the rail, while the eventual winner got the ideal stalking position. I Wish I Win (+380) settled bang on mid-field turning into the home straight and when asked for the ultimate effort by Luke Nolen, the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) winner obliged, powering between runners. Think About It hit the front with 100m to go, and was simply too strong to the line, as I Wish I Win claimed second spot, leaving the winner’s stable companion Private Eye (+600) surging into the trifecta after sitting three-wide for most of the journey. It’s 11-career wins and almost $10 million in prizemoney accumulated for Think About It, continuing his rise as one of Australia’s best. Joe Pride spoke with affection for both Think About It and Private Eye, while crediting I Wish I Win as well. “That is unbelievable,” said Pride. “They both (Private Eye – 3rd) ran terrific. I was pretty confident coming into the race that not only my two would run well but Peter Moody’s (trainer of I Wish I Win – 2nd) was the only danger. “It doesn’t really matter at the end, but I thought they were the three and sure enough they fought it out. “It was an incredible performance to stay at 1200m because after he won the Stradbroke if it wasn’t for The Everest being what it is I never would have aimed him at this race. A 1200m race that is, but I’m glad I did.” Sam Clipperton was emotional after the race and reminisced on his career while speaking to the magnitude of the victory. “I don’t know. Blown away,” said Clipperton. “I had such a nice run in the race and travelled so well. This stuff doesn’t happen, it just went too perfect. “I guess that’s what very good horses do, maybe even champions, they eliminate the opposition. “I’m just so privileged to be in a position of riding this horse. “I had my apprenticeship here at Randwick with Ron Quinton and I know every blade of grass at this joint. If you had have told me when I started that I was going to win an Everest well A, The Everest didn’t exist and now it’s exploded into one of the most incredible races in the world and I’m just incredibly proud.” More horse racing news View the full article