Wandering Eyes

Friday's G2 Challenge S. heroine Matilda Picotte (Ire) (Sioux Nation), who was Classic placed earlier this year, will be offered by Clonanny Bloodstock at the upcoming Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale from Nov. 24-25. The multiple group winner will sell on Nov. 24, opening day of the sale. A daughter of the stakes performer Hallie's Comet (Ire) (One Cool Cat), the 3-year-old filly was bred by Mighty Universe, Ltd., and raced for trainer Kieran Cotter and the Matilda & Kilmichael Racing Partnership. Placed in both the G2 Airlie Stud S. and the G2 Lowther S., she claimed the Listed “Bosra Sham” Fillies' S. at Newmarket last October. At three, she was second in the G3 “Priory Belle” 1000 Guineas Trial S., and third in the G1 1000 Guineas back in Newmarket. Third later this year in the G3 Fairy Bridge S., Matilda Picotte won the G3 Sceptre Fillies' S. before doubling up at the group level with Friday's win. Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said, “Matilda Picotte demonstrated real star appeal at Newmarket this afternoon and is a hugely appealing international racing and breeding prospect so we are thrilled and grateful to connections that she will take her place among the stellar lineup for this year's Goffs November Sale. We look forward to welcoming the world to Kildare Paddocks for Europe's first major breeding stock sale of the year and are excited to reveal the outstanding catalogue in the coming days.” The full catalogue, featuring over 40 horses from the Niarchos family's bloodstock holdings will be revealed on Tuesday, Oct. 17. The post In-form Matilda Picotte Joins Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Rogues Gallery's Rogue Lightning (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) will be offered at the Goffs QIPCO British Champions Day Sale prior to racing at Ascot on Saturday, Oct. 21. Bred by Airlie Stud, the crack sprinter won the Listed Scarbrough S. over the minimum trip at Doncaster last month, prior to being a fast-finishing fifth in the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye at ParisLongchamp on Oct. 1. The 3-year-old gelding is rated 119 by Timeform. The full catalogue for the boutique horses-in-training sale will be available on Monday and entries are still being accepted until midday on Oct. 16. The post Crack Sprinter Rogue Lightning Entered In Goffs QIPCO British Champions Day Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The last time the G1 Shuka Sho was staged at Kyoto Racecourse in 2020, Daring Tact (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) validated a quote of 1.4 (2-5) favouritism to become the fifth winner of the Japanese Fillies Triple Tiara in the modern era. Closed for two years for reconstruction, racing returned to Kyoto this spring and Sunday afternoon, the fans will pack the grandstand to watch Sunday Racing's Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) try to add her name to the list at what will be a similarly skinny price, if not shorter. The daughter of two time Australian champion and dual Group 1 winner Yankee Rose (Aus) (All American {Aus}) is sparingly raced to date, having made just five trips to the post and having tasted defeat on only one occasion, a desperately unlucky runner-up effort to the re-opposing Ravel (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) when badly held up for a run in the G3 Artemis S. last October. Liberty Island locked up champion 2-year-old filly honours in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies in December and returned to action in the Apr. 9 G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas), coming from a seemingly unlikely position to defeat Kona Coast (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) (video, SC 3). The G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) was a much more straight-forward task, as Liberty Island turned on the afterburners in the final 200 metres to score by a half-dozen lengths from Harper (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and Dura (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) (see below, SC 5). Liberty Island reportedly won the Oaks at 468kg, but was a reported 520kg when she returned to training in September. She recently tipped the scales at 490kg, but jockey Yuga Kawada remains bullish on his ride. “I'd heard so many reports about how big she'd gotten, so I'd been thinking she was going to be too big, but she wasn't,” the leading rider commented this week. “In a good way, I found it hard to even feel the difference. She didn't feel heavy either when she started working, but since it was a week out, I did think she would improve from then. “Since she's so talented, it's always hard to find a training partner,” he added. “This week, so call it a partner or a pacemaker, we put another horse in front and worked this one, being careful to keep her in good balance. I did feel improvement from last week.” Dura was better than 100-1 when rallying from far back in the Oaks and went on to frank the form of the race with a one-length success when favoured in the G3 Queen S. (1800m) at Sapporo July 30. “She had a prep that should tie in nicely with the Kyoto 2,000 meters, and physically she's much more powerful than she was in the spring,” said assistant trainer Atsushi Nishioka. “I hadn't been confident she'd do well in either the Oaks or the Queen S., but this time I'm looking forward to her performance. On top of that, I'm looking forward to seeing how close she can get to Liberty Island.” Shadai's Masked Diva (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) is one of the more progressive types in the field, with three wins from her four starts, including a convincing 1 1/2-length success in the G2 Rose S. in her group-stakes debut last month. As of this writing, the dark bay is the second choice in the markets at better than 17-1, such is the expected dominance of Liberty Island. Moryana (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) was well-beaten in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies and was absent from the first two legs of this series, but gained a berth in the Shuka Sho with a half-length defeat of Oaks sixth Hip Hop Soul (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G2 Shion S. over Sunday's trip Sept. 9. 3yo filly MASKED DIVA working the Ritto chip slope this morning, considered the main rival to LIBERTY ISLAND in the G1 Shuka Sho on Sunday Ran a world record time for 1800, / 9F winning last start 12.1 up the slope was sweet, footwork awesome Big watchpic.twitter.com/5zIq6HDIqM — Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) October 11, 2023 The post History Awaits Liberty Island In Shuka Sho appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Charlie Appleby had yet to taste success in Newmarket's G3 Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp S., but made a first dent on the seven-furlong contest when Godolphin's hitherto undefeated homebred Dance Sequence (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}–Tearless {GB}, by Street Cry {Ire}) pounced late to maintain her perfect record. The 4-1 chance, who prevailed over the same trip on debut at HQ's summer venue at the beginning of July, recovered from a slightly tardy start to race in sixth, but slipped to last of the seven contenders soon after passing halfway. Bustled along to reduce arrears approaching the two pole, she moved into third entering the final furlong and kept on relentlessly under continued urging in the closing stages to deny Juddmonte's 7-4 favourite Skellet (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) by a neck in the dying strides. Dance Sequence shows off her moves in the Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes pic.twitter.com/30gNoSAaxo — Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) October 13, 2023 The post Dubawi’s Dance Sequence Pounces Late For Oh So Sharp Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mike Repole, who announced last weekend on CNBC's Spinster Stakes program that he was interested in forming an owners' association to address problems in the sport, issued an update on his progress Thursday night on the social media platform X. The update reads, in its entirety: “I am amazed and motivated at the overwhelming support that the new Association has received!!!!! I have a name for the association that is are awaiting final approval. Not only have so many people reached out for our cause to make the horse racing industry better, but I've had a few tracks and five current racing associations contact me expressing great interest in working together to make the sport better. A few things I'd like to address are: 1. Thoroughbred Retirement has always been incredibly important to me. I've owned thousands of horses over 20 years, and have always focused on being a positive example for thoroughbred retirement. Many times a horse is claimed away from you and it is out of your control what happens a year later or three years later. Even though I am a significant donor to Old Friends, New Vocations, Thoroughbred Aftercare. I and we can all do better. 2. I've been investing in horse racing for 40 years. The first 20 as a gambler and the last 20 as a owner & a gambler. Gamblers put up their money for the sport. We need to do A LOT more and better for the gambler. The way the tracks need to make money financially is to grow the handle not the takeout. We all love this great sport!!!!!” After his initial statement, Repole was questioned about why he hadn't addressed Thoroughbred retirement and the gambler in his comments. I am amazed and motivated at the overwhelming support that the new Association has received!!!!! I have a name for the association that is are awaiting final approval. Not only have so many people reached out for our cause to make the horse racing industry better, but I've had… — Repole Stable (@RepoleStable) October 13, 2023 The post Repole Issues Update on Owners’ Organization; `Amazed’ at Support appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wee Sean Gan's Inquisitively (GB) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}–Ballyalla {GB}, by Mind Games {GB}), fresh off a breakthrough score in York's Listed Roses S., continued on the upgrade with a pillar-to-post victory in Friday's Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis S. at Newmarket, becoming the first pattern-race winner for his freshman sire (by No Nay Never). The 10-3 second choice had hit the board for Ollie Sangster in Royal Ascot's Listed Windsor Castle S., in his penultimate start, and broke sharply from the far-side stall to seize an immediate lead in this five-furlong dash. Unflustered on the front end until shaken up soon after passing the quarter-mile marker, he held a decisive advantage entering the final furlong and was ridden out up the hill to comfortably hold Rosario (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire}) by 1 1/2 lengths for a career high. The post Inquisitively Makes All For Cornwallis Success, First Group Winner For Ten Sovereigns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gun Runner has joined Into Mischief and Curlin on top of the roster of 2024 stallions with a $250,000 fee, Three Chimneys announced Friday morning. He is the first sire in history to have sired nine individual millionaires with just two full crops. He currently ranks second on the TDN's General Sire list, behind only Into Mischief, with over $14 million in progeny earnings. Counted among his 13 stakes winners and 31 stakes performers in 2023 are Grade I winners Gunite and 'TDN Rising Stars' Echo Zulu and Locked, winner of last weekend's GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland. They are 3 of 11 Grade I performers this year. Recent Grade II Chandelier S. winner Chatalas is one of seven likely starters in the upcoming GI Breeders' Cup NetJets Juvenile Fillies. Volatile had a strong season with his first yearlings in the sales ring, seeing 75 yearlings average $135,000. He was the leading first-crop sire by average at Fasig-Tipton July and was the sire of Three Chimneys' homebred yearling out of Love and Pride who sold for $1,150,000 at Keeneland September. His stud fee is set at $15,00 LFSN, up from $12,500 in 2023. Palace Malice, whose 2024 stud fee remains at $7,500 LFSN, will be represented with Breeders' Cup starter Brocknardini. The complete 2024 fees are as follows: GUN RUNNER – $250,000 Live Foal Stands and Nurses VOLATILE – $15,000 Live Foal Stands and Nurses SKY MESA – $10,000 Live Foal Stands and Nurses PALACE MALICE – $7,500 Live Foal Stands and Nurses FUNTASTIC – $5,000 Live Foal Stands and Nurses The post At Three Chimneys, Gun Runner Becomes Third Stallion to Stand for $250,000 in 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Matty was the man, banking two Harness Million titles on a huge night of thrilling harness racing at Addington on Friday night. Matthew White enjoyed one of his biggest nights in the sport when he reined home highly impressive Harness Million winners, Coastal Babe and Paramount Kiwi. The Northern horseman took no chances with either, sending Paramount Kiwi forward to lead the Harness Million 2YO Trot before employing exactly the same tactics behind Coastal Babe in the NZB Standardbred Harness Million 2YO Fillies Final. The similarities between the two powerful winners don’t stop there because physically they are only just getting started. “I think that is the big thing with Coastal Babe; she is just getting stronger all the time,” White said. “She is a really happy horse, and she was happy to roll along in front tonight.” “It has been a great night, I am absolutely rapt.” When Coastal Babe stamped herself as clearly New Zealand’s best two-year-old pacing filly, it brought a sense of relief to trainer Steven Reid. Reid admitted the filly’s recent Group One win in the Caduceus Club Fillies Classic has lifted Coastal Babe’s profile and brought extra pressure with it. “It probably wasn’t as exciting as the Caduceus because she is establishing herself as maybe the best filly, and with it comes extra pressure.” “I felt pretty relieved when she crossed the line.” Paramount Kiwi left his rivals in the dust when powering to an impressive win in the NZB Harness Million 2YO Trot, handing White the biggest win of his training career. The victory would ordinarily make the trotter the horse to beat in the remaining spring two-year-old trotting features. But his rivals are off the hook, with White choosing to spell Paramount Kiwi with a view to his next campaign. “He will go to the paddock; it is the best thing for the horse,” the trainer said. “It is tempting to carry on but the Northern Trotting Derby is early in the year and the Harness Million for three-year-olds is too.” “He’s done a super job and we want to look after him.” Cold Chisel took out the NZB Standardbred Harness Million two-year-old pacing colts and geldings final before Don’t Stop Dreaming prevailed in what Addington racegoers were calling the race of the night, the Airpark Canterbury Flying Stakes. Sizzling early speed from Wag Star and Coney Island Lou set up an outstanding contest, with the lead pair only run down late in a thrilling finish. With the chasers spread across the track, ultimately it was the favourite Don’t Stop Dreaming who claimed victory in a thrilling finish. The three-year-old had to be good to win after coping with a check before the home turn. “There was a bit of a skirmish, and I had to check him quite quickly,” Mark Purdon said. “But once he balanced up he really sprinted and he tried hard.” The Mark and Nathan Purdon barn picked up another feature race title when Oscar Bonavena charged home to beat the favourite Muscle Mountain in the Group Three Canterbury Park Trotting Cup. The victory continued the outstanding form of driver Olivia Thornley, who drove a patient race, making full use of the trotter’s scintillating speed. The only negative on an incredible night of harness racing was the failure of the TAB’s website and mobile app which went down, leaving many punters frustrated through the night. View the full article

Hong Kong’s six-time champion jockey must contend with barrier 12 aboard In Secret in Saturday’s mega-rich Randwick sprintView the full article

By Jonny Turner Craig Ferguson warmed up for his Group 1 tilt at Addington on Friday night by turning heads at Wyndham on Thursday. The trainer-driver produced Rustenburg for a brilliant maiden win in the stunning time of 2-54.4 for 2400m to win the Lazarus Standing at Nevele R Stud Mobile Pace. The three-year-old was beaten by a classy type in Dreams Are Free on debut at Winton. But Ferguson had a plan to avenge that defeat on Thursday. “We’re pretty pleased with that, he sat back last start and he got out sprinted so we didn’t want to take that chance today.” “They ran along and he stuck to the task, it was really good.” Rustenburg races in the colours of former New Zealand football coach Ricki Herbert, who races the three-year-old with Braedon Makgill and Liam Dixon. The horse isn’t the first winner for Ferguson and Herbert who have struck up a good combination as owner and trainer. “It’s a whole crew of them from up north there and Ricky’s involved in that,” Ferguson said. “He’s mad keen on the horses and he’s always messaging to see how they’re going and he’ll be thrilled with that run.” Ferguson also produced Huki Fella to win on his home track on Thursday. The pacer is pint-sized by standardbred standards, much like his sire Lord Forbes. But he doesn’t lack determination – when his mind is on the job that is. “He’s got small man syndrome I think, he thinks he’s big, he gets out there and he doesn’t always try that hard, he’s a bit green but at the finish line he tries, which is when you want it.” Ferguson’s attention turns to Addington on Friday night where Wag Star will start in the Airpark Canterbury Group 1 Flying Stakes. The pacer was an emphatic winner of a warm up event at Addington last week and Ferguson has been happy with his progress since. “He’s come through the run really good.” “We would have liked a bit of a better draw and it’s a really, really hot field, so he’s going to need a few favours.” “But as far as the horse, I’m happy with him going into it.” Mark Hurrell takes the reins behind Wag Star on Friday night. View the full article

Now that many of the very best horses are coming out to play we are regularly updating what’s happening at the trials right around the country. Here’s the latest installment. Rangiora Trials Wednesday 11th October Weather Fine / Track Good Smoke On The Water (3g Art Major – Left In The Dark) The Purvis trained runner, in the hands of the trainer, sat midfield before working into the 1×1 1000m from home swept up around the final turn to quickly establish his superiority. MR: 2:03.3, 800m in 56.9, 400m 28.5. Big runs from the Dalgety trained pair Franco Sinatra and Ohoka Le Bron who were content to sit at the back of the field mostly and were giving the winner a start beginning the last 800m. Franco Sinatra (2nd place) in particular dashed home very late to get up a 1/2L from the Purvis runner. Aardiebytheseaside (3f Downbytheseaside – Divine) The Telfer trained filly, already the winner of six and over a $102k in stakes, settled last of six, from 30m, stayed there until tracking up co-backmarker Donmaro (7 wins) inside the final 800m, ducked to the inside on straightening to get within a neck of the latter. MR:2:07.1, 800m in 56.9, 400m in 28.8 These two had nearly 10L back to their rivals and their class shown through over the final stages. Of note, the one-win Louie (from only four starts) ran on from last for trainer Mark Smolenski albeit in a gap for fourth but back in his own racing grade, one might give him more than a second glance. Head Em Up (2g Waterloo Sunset – Eva Longoria) The Nairn trained 2yo, a regular mention in this forum, reminded punters again what a natural talent he is by pressing on to lead soon after the gate pulled away and then ran away from his opposition in the straight. The official margin was 13L. MR:2:04.4, 800m in 61.1, 400m in 30.5 His manners were perfect on this day and if he replicates that on race day, then he should be a winner sooner than later. A Fine Patrick, another to be highlighted previously, made a mistake after 400m and settled a long way off the pacemaker/winner, was close to 20L away at the 800m and put in an eyecatching run to beat the stragglers, finishing third. His final sectionals would have easily match the winner. Elizabeth Hill (3f What The Hill – Iwi Alex) The Telfer trained runner stepped beautifully to lead and kept going strongly to keep her rivals at bay. MR 2:09.9, 800m in 59.8, 400m in 30.7. A winner on debut back in April and the veteran of only two starts, the filly has a lot of breeding to live up to. Her dam won 10 on the way to winning $107k and her second dam Elizabeth Bay was an open class trotter winning eight and competed at Group 1 level. The trainers should be able to place her to advantage in the coming weeks. Confessional settled last off his 20m handicap and while working closer inside the final 400m, was only pulled out late and allowed to run home under his own steam for a closing 3rd Marlborough Trials Saturday 7th October Weather Fine Track Fast The Mantis (2g Sportswriter – Redback Jars) The Thomas trained runner qualified on this day and what was impressive was the way in which he dispatched his two rivals by 4L over the concluding stages. MR:2:05, 800m in 57.3, 400 NA. Obviously raceday is quite different but the final 800m suggested that there is a ‘motor there’ and one to paste away especially if wrapped up until the summer meetings at Nelson and Blenheim. Cambridge Trials Thursday 12th October Weather Overcast Track Good. Dear God (2f Betterthancheddar – God Forbid) The Marshall trained filly began well but then was restrained to trail her two rivals in a qualifying heat, came wide on the final turn to challenge, raced greenly before balancing up the last 100m to get up over the top of the pacemaker. Times not available at time of writing. God Forbid won 12 here and $111k before taking a time of 1:50 in America. Dear God is her second foal and she is a half to God Dam Pukekohe Workouts Saturday 7th October Weather Showery Track fast Merlin (3c Art Major – Imaginary Bet) In his final hit out before heading south, the class 3yo trailed stablemate Sooner The Bettor (who trailed the galloping pacemaker), both popped out at the 400m, Merlin widest of all, and the two Purdon/Phelan runners could not be separated at the line, MR:2:02.9, 800m in 57.8, 400m in 27.1 This heat was run the Addington way of going. Kiss (2f Always B Miki – Weownthenight) The Purdon/Phelan trained runner trailed stablemate Ultimate Racy Girl until the 400m then finished best (officially a head) over that runner in the straight. MR:02.3, 800m in 57.1, 400m in 27.2 Kiss has been crucified by the preferential draw in recent starts but there is no doubting her class when at her best. The other runner, Coastal Babe, trailed third and was never asked for an effort over the final stages in the hands of her trainer Steven Reid, finishing full of running at the line. All three fillies now head to Addington for the big money and all three are going to be very competitive in a very open age group. Cambridge Workouts Saturday 7th October Weather Overcast Track Fast Le Major (2g Art Major – Le Girl) Talking of those going to Addington for the big money, the Donnelly trained 2yo has been a ‘big mover’ in the last month and he had little trouble outfinishing stablemate Mr President in a MR:2:03, 800m in 57.1, 400m in 27.4 in what was just a ‘quiet run’ to keep him ticking over. He looms as a ‘major’ player in the 2yo specials coming up. Wyndham Workouts Saturday 7th October Weather Fine Track Fast Dawson (2g Sweet Lou – Speights Girl) The Stratford trained 2yo trailed throughout then got the better of the pacemaker in the last 100m. The half brother to Bubbled Up was a $35k purchase by astute trainer Graeme Anderson at the 2022 Auckland yearling sale with his ‘liking’ of the stock of Sweet Lou well known. He has gathered some high profile ‘mates’ to join him in the ownership and on this day, they saw their charge rush home in 56.2, 400m in 27.5 in an unqualified pace. The track spies would have put him straight into the black book. Da Vinci (3g Art Major – Rockin Cullen) The Ferguson trained runner (winner of 4 from just 11 starts / 3 as a 2yo) strutted his stuff in impressive fashion running his last 800m in 57.2, 400m in 27.3 to outfinish Flying Ellie by 3/4L He has always been highly regarded by his connections and throughout his career he has been pitted against quality opposition. He won’t be afraid to come to Addington and we all saw what Wagstar did to the opposition last week Flying Ellie heads to Addington this week for the 2yo fillies Harness Million race for those sold through the yearling sales and is yet to taste defeat on raceday. Manawatu trials Thursday 5th October Weather Fine Track Fast Stealer’s Wheel (2g A Rocknroll Dance – Miss Sunshine) The Doug Gale trained 2yo qualified this day all by himself MR:2:02.8, 800m in 59.9, 400m in 29.2 Noteworthy because of the solo effort, he is also a half brother to four in better than 1:55, the best being Mattgregor who won 18 in Australia, won $190k and took a time of 1:50.6. This is a family developed over a long period of time by Graham Pearson (of Under Cover Lover fame) and is the immediate family of present day ‘superstar’ Millwood Nike North Otago trials Wednesday 4th October Weather Fine Track Good Huzuni (3f A Rocknroll Dance – VC Windermere) The Matty Williamson trained runner impressed clearing out from her two rivals winning by 3L, MR:2:01.0, 800m in 58.8 (time honours for the day) Former Central Otago trainer Geoff Knight has a share in the half sister to Mufasa (10 wins mainly in Queensland) and her dam won 4. Huzuni qualified back in May and has been given time to strengthen up and that patience could be rewarded sooner than later. Winton Workouts Thursday 5th October Weather Overcast Track Good Mach’s Back (9g Mach Three – Dream Angel). The Forbes trained 9yo boomed to the front from the outside of seven and kept going too well to hold his rivals at bay MR:2:03.2, 800m in 56.5, 400m in 27.8. The winner of nine and nearly $100k was not disgraced when fourth last time behind the promising Captain Tom and he would seem to be on a ‘cushy’ rating (R55) in the deep south. He might think he is only 5 years old ! Montage (3g A Rocknroll Dance – Shamrocks) The Hunter trained runner went to the front and spent most of the heat out on his own by 5-8 lengths from his 4 rivals, looked home until Craigsyde (who ran 2nd throughout) nabbed him via the passing lane in the last 30m. MR:2:03.3, 800m in 58.4, 400m in 28.4 Interestingly, he qualified way back in January but he has real size about him and the connections have obviously been patient. Still a work in progress but one to paste away. Now that many of the very best horses are coming out to play we are regularly updating what’s happening at the trials right around the country. Here’s the latest installment. Invercargill Workouts Friday 29th September Weather Showery Track Easy Miki Knows (4g Always B Miki – Who Knows) The Douglas trained winner of three (from only 9 starts) raced third of four in indian file mostly but was back to last at the 400m peg when ‘tailender’ Joe’s Rock improved to challenge pacemaker Raklou (2yo filly), came stylishly down outer to grab those two runners but less than 1L covering the four horse field and all runners looked to have something in hand. MR:2:02.8, 800m in 58.4, 400m in 29.5 Raklou looks on target to come north to Addington for the Sires Stakes heat this coming week Miraculous (2g Bettor’s Delight – Kelly Maguire) The as yet unqualified Nathan Williamson trained, Breckon owned 2yo looked quite ‘green’ leading but was doing his best work over the final 200m in holding out his three rivals by nearly 2L, MR:2:11.2, 800m in 60.8, 400m in 29.3 Buckie Dundee (2c Net Ten Eom – Tact Ruby) paced roughly in the early stages but put in a determined run wide out on final turn to push the winner Flying Ellie (2f Art Major – Hi Ho Silver Lining) The unbeaten filly (two wins from two starts) trained by Nathan Williamson missed the start (mobile) by 5L, recovered to attach herself to the five horse trial in indian file, ran on under her own steam in the straight to finish officially 4th. MR:2:07.6, 800m in 60.3, 400m in 28.7. The weather was particularly bad for this heat and her sectionals would have been at least the equal of the winner Takeitout. ‘Ellie’ is well staked for the upcoming 2yo filly specials. Pukekohe Workouts Friday 29th September Weather Showery Track fast Merlin (3c Art Major – Imaginary Bet) The class 3yo trained by the Purdon/Phelan partnership sat third in the three horse trial then exploded around the 400m and literally ‘zoomed’ up to take control over the final stages for Zac Butcher. While obviously not race day, observers had to be impressed with his work MR: 2:03.5, 800m in 57.2, 400m in 28.3 Whispering Artist (4m Art Major – Serena’s Whisper) The Hughes trained winner of six (from only 11 starts) led her two rivals from the stand (Old Town Road raced third of three from 10m behind) and when that rival attacked inside the final 400m, kept up a strong run to be only a head away in the hands of Tony Herlihy. MR:2:07.4, 800m in 56.8, 400m in 27.6 She hasn’t started since May when she strung 4 wins together to end her last campaign. The patient connections should reap reward when asked to compete against her own sex. Bettor Knuckle Up (2c Bettor’s Delight – Bare Knuckle) The Purdon/Phelan runner trailed stablemate Duchess Megxit throughout then outfinished that runner as they came away from their three rivals from as far as 800m out. Both impressed in a MR:2:02.5, 800m in 57.5, 400m in 28.3 Bettor Knuckle Up debuted back in April for 4th and looks to have strengthened up during his spell. Mum won 8 & $106K (mostly in Australia) and took a best mile time of 1:51.5. He is her first foal. Cold Chisel (2c Always B Miki – Shezaball) In the fastest heat of the day, the Purdon/Phelan 2yo sat last of five in indian file, was still last starting the final 600m before improving through the middle for driver Zac Butcher and was seen doing his best work over the concluding stages without being extended. MR:2:00.4, 800m in 57.6, 400m in 28.6 Given time to get over a tough trip fourth in the Cambridge Sires Stakes heat, he now heads south to Addington to lock horns with the best of his age group and a potential place in the Cup day Sires Stakes final. Invercargill Trials Friday 29th September Weather Showery Track Easy Cochise (3c Father Patrick – Rae Galleon) The Ferguson trained trotter trotted solidly in front throughout and was far too good, winning by some 9L. It was a qualifying heat but he had got his ‘ticket’ back in the beginning of May. He has plenty of breeding to suggest he can win races and his 2:10.5 MR would be good enough to be competitive in most maiden trots down south. His debut is keenly awaited from a stable kicking many goals. Cambridge Trials Thursday 28th September Weather Overcast Track Good Its Nae Or Never (2f Art Major – Juice Brogden). The first foal from Juice Brogden (9 wins + $147k in stakes) was an impressive qualifier trailing two and three deep before letting loose in the home straight to power away from her two rivals, winning by 3L. MR:2:02.2, 800m in 60.8, 400m in 29.5 Trained by Nicky Chilcott, she looks to have inherited some of her dams ability on this effort and would be one to paste away for future reference. The Addington Trials Wed 27th September Weather Raining and cold and windy / Track Easy Patani (2c Father Patrick – Sagan) The Hope trained 2yo trotter trailed before improving to lead 1000m out, extended nicely last 300m and in the end 4 1/2L clear of rivals. MR:2:07.9, 800m in 61.9, 400m in 29.1. Only the two race day starts so far but did win on debut back in May then struck Wilma’s Boy when a resuming sixth, some 11L from winner. Should be further improved next up and from a stable that does well when placing its trotters. Ohara (3f Always B Miki – Paula’s On Fire ) The Howe trained filly trailed before popping out at the 400m to challenge in her qualifying heat run in trying conditions, too good for her two rivals in the straight, winning by 4L, MR:2:03.9, 800m in 62.5, 400m in 30.6. This filly comes from the immediate family of Hot N Treacherous and The Orange Agent so has a few things going for a potential race career. A Fine Patrick (2g Father Patrick – Harriet Of Mot) The Edmonds trained 2yo again showed why he is so highly regarded by his connections while the time did not set any records. Driver John Dunn bided his time back in the field before launching wide out on final bend, picked up his rivals with ease over the final stages without being extended. MR:2:14.4, 800m in 63.2, 400m in 30.6 Conditions again were not conducive to quick times but he will be at cramped odds when he makes his debut this season The Quiet Pirate (2g Captaintreacherous – Silence Is Golden) The Purdon trained 2yo broke briefly when crossing to lead just after the start but came down pacing in the hands of Mark Purdon and kept going to be way too good for his rivals MR:2:05.5, 800m in 60.4, 400m in 28.7. He was a $60k purchase at the 2022 Auckland Yearling Sales and is from the Auckland Reactor family that Purdon has had considerable success with in the past …. there must be a story behind that name ! We Walk By Faith (2g Bettor’s Delight – Wicked Nights) Another Purdon trained 2yo with plenty of breeding. He trailed mostly then used the passing lane to win in good style MR:2:03.6, 800m in 60.4, 400m in 28.7 Qualified back in June, owned by the Dunfords who have had much success with their ‘faith’ horses. Zara Tindall (3f Vincent – Royal Impression) The Robbie Holmes trained filly boomed off the gate, steadied midrace before coming home sharply, 400m in 27.8 (on an ‘off’ track) to win well She has placed four times already in just eight raceday starts including a meritorious second to the capable Treacherous Miss back in June, freshened, she should be one to follow in races restricted to Non Winners F&M. Kawhi (3g Andover Hall – Miss Lovalot) The Tom Bagrie trained runner is a full brother to the well performed Harold Smith (6 wins) and after 400m led for driver John Dunn, cleared out from the 400m and officially 8L clear of his rivals at the line. MR:2:04.9, 800m in 59.3, 400m in 29.0 Already the winner of one from 12 raceday starts and good enough to place twice as a 2yo, has not raced since May, but good enough to build upon his record at short notice. Millwood Nike (3f Captaintreacherous – Alburquerque) The star Purdon trained filly (14 starts for 14 wins) took time honours on what was quite a miserable day. She settled 4th of seven in indian file, received a nice 1×1 cart into race by a game Sweet Diamond at the 400m, not pushed to get over the top of her rivals, MR:1:59.7, 800m in 57.2, 400m in 27.2. With a number of her 3yo rivals hardened by recent racing and with the filly specials looming, one imagines that this hit out was much needed and her trainers would have been smiling post race. Her unbeaten stablemate Vessem (5 starts for 5 wins) set the pace and fought strongly when challenged to just hold second from the above mentioned Sweet Diamond and Celtic Spirit (trail) close up Piccadilly Pete (2g Sweet Lou – Piccadilly Princess) The Purvis trained 2yo is yet to qualify but proved too good for his six rivals, winning by a comfortable margin in the hands of his trainer, MR:2:08.7, 800m in 58.9, 400m in 27.8. His dam, of course, won 17 races and some $760k for the same connections and he is the first live foal from the mare. Needless to say, he looks to have inherited a fair amount of the family ability. Ashburton trials Tuesday 26th September Weather Fine Track Fast She’s Tough (6m He’s Watching – Cullen’s Mercy) The Mowbray trained mare started off 20m behind but soon trailed third of five in indian file, out to attack 400m out and kept up strong run to come away from rivals final stages MR:2:06.3, 800m in 56.8, 400m in 26.7 While a natural fast track in good fine conditions, the seven win mare put plenty of dash into her work in the hands of Matty Williamson Lime In A Bottle (2f Imperial Count – Gina) The Williamson trained 2yo raced third of four before being set alight by her trainer inside the final 600m, led around final corner, cleared out by 6L at the line MR:2:12.2, 800m in 58.7, 400m in 28.6 She qualified in early May but has yet to make her raceday debut. She is a half to some handy types including Time In A Bottle (9w and $101k) The Vixen (3f Always B Miki – Pocket Of Jewels) High strike rate trainer Laurence Hanrahan produced a handy qualifier in the hands of Rick May, soon led and kept going too well for her rivals, 3 1/2L clear at the line MR:2:06.7, 800m in 58.0, 400m in 28.4 The filly has a bit of breeding behind her and the ‘Miki’ fillies have proven good racehorses, one to watch when the astute trainer elects to take her to the races. Wyndham Workouts Sunday September 24 Weather Fine Track Fast Cormac Leo (3g Sweet Lou – Athena Matai) The Craig Ferguson trained 3yo settled third off five in indian file before improving midrace to take control and kept going strongly to win impressively, last 800m in 55.6, 400m in 27.5 Taken all the way to Addington for his debut where he duly won earlier in the season and then placed fifth in the Group 2 Southern Supremacy at his last start back in April (from only four race day starts), he looks to have come back stronger this time in and will be one to follow in the coming weeks Pukekohe Workouts Saturday September 23 Weather Overcast Track Good Chimichurri (4h Bettor’s Delight – Saucycullen) The Telfer trained entire missed away from the 2500m stand but quickly recovered to assume control after 600m from Bolt For Brilliance (T) who had stepped nicely. Kept up a strong run to hold out Old Town Road. The latter settled last of five then took the short way home inside the final 600m, was giving leader 4L at 400m and got within a neck at the line. Winners last 800m in 58.1, 400m in 27.1 Bolt For Brilliance sprinted sharply from the trail to be a 1/2L away in third and trainer Tony Herlihy would have been super happy with the effort against open class pacers Yourdoinamazinsweety (2g Sunshine Beach – Alesandra Ambrosio) The Herlihy trained 2yo raced last of five before improving to sit parked last 800m, fought strongly for his third, less then 1L from winner Lenny Lincoln who trailed then came along inner to just get up. MR:2:04.7, 800m in 59.7, 400m in 27.7 He won a heat of the Young Guns earlier in the season but being a big type he has been given time and should show the benefit from the patient approach once he reappears on raceday Minjee (2f Bettor’s Delight – Western Confidential) The Hollis/Robertson filly only had one rival but showed plenty of dash after leading throughout and coming clear by some 5L, running her last 400m in 28.3.Her breeding would suggest she will just get better as she gains further experience. One to paste away. The McGowan stable produced 3 workout winners who all showed enough to be followed when they resume. Lucky Mum (2f Father Patrick – Girls On Film) Already placed behind The Moonstone earlier in the season, she trailed against her two rivals then showed plenty of dash to clear out by 5 1/2L, 800m in 62.7, 400m in 29.3 Castana (3g Quaker Jet – Rosemaryz Luck) Already the winner of two from nine starts, he trailed last of four before improving to lead 600m out, he cleared out in the straight to win impressively, last 800m in 60.3, 400m in 28.4 Broken Promise (5g Sweet Lou – On A Promise) Settled third of five in indian file before improving to sit parked inside final lap, kept going strongly to win well, MR:2:05.1, 800m in 57.9, 400m in 28.1. The trainers must have some faith in him as he has raced only 5 times over 2 seasons and now nearly 6yo! Cambridge Workouts Saturday September 23 Weather Overcast Track Slushy Diamonds Are Forever (3f Always B Miki – Three Jewels) The Neal trained filly was good enough to place behind Millwood Nike at Group 1 level earlier in the season. In this trial she trailed throughout, elected to come out on the home turn and without too much effort finished best over her 3 rivals. MR:2:03.3, 800m in 58.8, 400m in 28.6 She would have have derived much benefit from the outing as she prepares to take on the best 3yo fillies in the coming weeks The Rangiora Trials Wed September 20 (Weather Fine but windy / Track Fast) Tinkerbelle (2f What The Hill – Belle Galleon) The Mark Jones trained half sister to top trotter Stent led and then did enough to hold out Bounce N Beyond with 24L to the rest. MR:2.10, 800m in 60.1, 400m in 28.6. The latter was good enough to beat Wilma’s Boy in a recent Rangiora trial and that runner came out and won a 2yo trot by 9L at Addington on the 15th September. Tinkerbelle qualified way back in early March where she dead-heated with High Step, now winning in Australia for her connections at Group level. All these references add up to her being a major player in the upcoming 2yo specials. Its fair to say that the current crop of 2yo trotters is collectively one of the strongest ever ! Masterly (4g Love You – Brilliant) Formerly with Paul Nairn (4 wins from 14 starts) but now with part owner Bob Butt, the Love You gelding stepped beautifully and was soon in front then had little trouble holding his rivals at ‘arms length’, MR:2:08.7, 800m in 59.5, 400m in 29.4 Remembering he won the 3yo Sires Stakes championship at Alex Park by nearly 7L at Group 2 level and competed at Group 1 level against the best of his age, this fellow has a touch of class and with another year on him, could be a big mover amongst the Canterbury trotters. Posh Painter (2f Terror To Love – Hanover Glory) The Robbie Close trainer filly raced 4th in indian file before improving to lead 600m out and kept giving to win nicely, last 800m in 57.8, 400m in 28.5. The head wind was quite strong down the back at this time and this qualifying effort looked full of merit. The trainer also has a share in this one. Winton Workouts Thursday 14th September (Weather Fine Track Fast) Mallory Maquire (2f Art Major – Miranda Maguire) Trained by Alister Black, the unqualified filly raced in a learners heat but it was the way she finished that suggested she might have a future when she gets to the races. ‘Mallory’ trailed early but lost her place as a couple of runners went rough in the running, well back starting the last 500m, she came very wide on final turn then collared the leader in the final 50m under her own steam for young driver Riley Black. 800m in 59.6, 400m in 30.3 She is a 3rd foal half sister to a nice maiden in Lewey Maguire (trained by Telfers) and Sonny Maguire now the winner of three in Queensland. Pukekohe Workouts Friday 14th September (Weather Showery Track Slushy) The Surfer (2g Downbytheseaside – Styx On) Another of the Telfer 2yo fillies Seafield Rose in the hands of Alicia Harrison sped out to lead and kept going too well for her rivals, nearly 3L to the good at the line. 800m in 58.2, 400m in 28.4 The only runner to make any headway over the final 600m was the Donnelly trained The Surfer (3rd) who made up good ground from well back for driver David Butcher. He also qualified back in April where he ran a 2:02MR at Cambridge and has some quality breeding behind him as well. Wyndham Workouts Saturday 16th September (Weather Fine Track Fast) Falcon’s Watch (4g He’s Watching – Touch Of Rose) The Ross Wilson-trained one race winner trailed three deep mostly before mounting a challenge around the final bend and was able to finish strongly and clear of his rivals at the business end, cutting the 2400 mobile out in a 2:02.8MR, last 800m in 57.2, 400m in 28.8. Formerly trained by Nicky Chilcott where he was a winner at Alexandra Park, he has been given a good spell and this run suggested he could turn the poor formline around at short notice. Motukarara Workouts Saturday 16th September Weather Overcast Track Firm (Grass track) Quinn (2g Downbytheseaside – Vengance) Word is that trainer Bruce Negus thinks a lot of Quinn and it was the trainer who hopped in the cart to steer his charge to an impressive win over 3 rivals, last 800m in 61.0, 400m in 27.0 He qualified way back in April at Ashburton but has been given plenty of time to fill into his frame by the astute horseman. He is definitely one to paste away as we wait for that raceday debut. Footnote : Quinn went on to win his debut impressively at Wyndham on October 12. View the full article

Four weeks on from an eye-catching placing in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m), promising filly Warning Signal is set to relish the extra distance of Saturday’s Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton. A well-bred daughter of U S Navy Flag and the stakes-performed Iffraaj mare La Veuve, Warning Signal made her raceday debut with a sixth over 1000m on September 2. She was thrown in at the deep end to run in the Canterbury Belle in only the second start of her career, and she defied $87 odds for a close third behind Viva Vienna and Illicit Dreams. Those two fillies will be rivals again on Saturday. However, while the connections of favourite Viva Vienna concede that the step up to 1400m will be a question mark, Warning Signal’s trainers Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong are excited to see their filly stretch out over the longer trip. “It was actually a super run in the Canterbury Belle,” Furlong said. “She found the line really well. It was definitely a performance that warranted a step up to Group Three this weekend at Ashburton. We’ve been really happy with everything that she’s done in between times, and we know that she’s going to absolutely love the step up in distance.” Rated a $14 fourth favourite for the Barneswood Farm Stakes on Saturday, Warning Signal is nominated for the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 18 and is currently a $151 outsider. Kennedy and Furlong’s 15-strong team at Ashburton on Saturday also includes Second Thought in the $50,000 McCrea Painters & Decorators Ashburton Cup (1600m). The Ghibellines mare has won five of her 17 starts, and she kicked off her six-year-old season with a bold third behind The Buffer and Goodanya in the Coupland’s Bakeries Mile Trial (1400m) on September 30. “She always goes well fresh, but we thought that was a particularly good effort first-up,” Furlong said. “She was up against quite a smart field and on a track (Heavy10) that was pretty undesirable for her. We were quite excited by that performance, and she’s definitely going to appreciate the step up to the mile on Saturday.” The GD Jones Salute Stewards’ Trial (1200m) will be Petty’s Legacy’s first start since October 30 last year. However, the talented daughter of Sweynesse – a four-time winner and four-time placegetter from 17 starts to date – has had an early hiccup in this preparation. “She’s coming up well, but this is not the race that we were originally planning to start her off in,” Furlong said. “She played up in the truck on the way to Timaru last week and ended up having to be late-scratched. “So we’ve ended up having to go to this race just because there isn’t really anywhere else to go. It’s really only a starting point for this campaign, so we’re not necessarily expecting too much from her first-up.” The promising Iffididit will step up to Rating 65 grade in the Clem & Russell Brand Memorial (1400m). The Iffraaj gelding ran second in all of his first three starts, then scored a smart maiden win at Timaru last Friday. “He went really well that day and is putting together a pretty good formline,” Furlong said. “He’s always seemed like a horse who’s just needed a bit more maturity, and he seems to have that now as a four-year-old. “We’re hoping a few of our runners will be thereabouts on Saturday. Miss Layla, Betty Spaghetti and Ugo are all second-up, and we’re hoping to see them hitting the line well. Madame Giselle is fresh up and seems to be going into it in good order.” View the full article

The heavy ground that has carried Mustang Valley to two spectacular Group One victories will be nowhere to be seen at Hastings on Saturday, but trainer Andrew Forsman is confident that drier conditions will pose no problems for his stable star’s defence of her Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) crown. The high-class daughter of Vanbrugh blew her rivals away in last year’s edition of the weight-for-age feature, romping to victory by five and three-quarter lengths in testing Heavy10 ground. Mustang Valley collected her second win at the elite level in the Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) two weeks ago, where she again encountered a heavy surface and powered clear in the straight to score by more than a length. All of Mustang Valley’s six career victories have come on heavy tracks. Hastings was rated a Heavy8 on Tuesday, but a fine and warm week has seen it come back to a Soft5 on Friday morning. Mustang Valley has recorded multiple placings in similar conditions, including a strong-finishing second to La Crique in last year’s Arrowfield, along with a close third in the Gr.2 Guy Walter Stakes in Sydney, where the 1400m were run in a quick 1:22.56. “She’s effective on drier tracks too, particularly once she gets up over a bit more distance,” Forsman said. “The wet ground obviously brings her into contention a bit more over those shorter trips, but once she’s up beyond a mile in this sort of company, I think she’s absolutely fine on top of the ground.” The TAB agrees with that sentiment, making Mustang Valley a $2.30 favourite to join Princess Coup (2007 & 2008) and Melody Belle (2019 & 2020) as only the third back-to-back winner of this race since it was awarded Group One status in 1996. “She was very good in the Arrowfield,” Forsman said. “She got out of the gates well, Joe (Doyle, jockey) put her in a good position and the heavy track obviously suited her a lot better than a few of the others in the race. She was quite dominant in the end. “Everything’s been great with her in between times. She’s pretty fit now, with the benefit of that trip and run under her belt. We haven’t had to do heaps with her. She had a really good gallop on Tuesday morning and I think she’s right on target.” Mustang Valley headlines a four-strong team of runners this weekend for Forsman, who also has Good Oil entered for the Heretaunga Hastings An Out There District Premier (2000m) at Hastings on Saturday. At Rotorua the following day, Turn The Ace will stretch out beyond 1600m for the first time in his 20-race career to contest the Staphanos Classic (1950m), while promising maiden mare The Queen Bee tackles the Green Light Insurance Brokers (1400m). View the full article

Million-dollar earner Riodini will make his first New Zealand appearance in almost four years when he lines up in the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua on Sunday. The Proisir gelding began his career in the Pukekohe stable of Nigel Tiley, making a winning debut as a winter two-year-old in June of 2019. Riodini went on to have another five starts on home soil as a three-year-old, recording three wins including the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m). He also ran second to Dragon Leap in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) and third behind Travelling Light and Harlech in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m). Riodini relocated across the Tasman in early 2020 to join the stable of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Still racing in the colours of his breeder and part-owner Alan Galbraith, he had a total of 22 starts in Australia, winning last year’s A$1 million The Gong (1600m) and placing in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m), Gr.1 George Main Stakes (1600m), Gr.2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) and Gr.2 Shannon Stakes (1500m). Riodini has now returned to his old home at Tiley’s stable, and he has had two trials including a win in a 1150m heat at Waipa last Friday. The seven-year-old will resume in Sunday’s $100,000 Sweynesse Stakes, where he will be ridden by Sam Spratt and is rated a $5.50 third favourite by the TAB. “He did such a good job in Australia and we definitely followed his career over there with plenty of interest,” Tiley said. “We watched every race. “It’s great to have him back in the stable again now, and he seems to be a very happy horse. He’s not like some others who come back after long careers overseas – he seems to still have plenty of life in his legs. “I’ve been really happy with how he’s come up in this preparation. I’m expecting him to need the run on Sunday. He’s a seven-year-old now and will probably take a run or two to build his fitness. But I’ve been pleased with his progress.” Riodini’s rating of 98 limits his options over the next few weeks, but Tiley is working backwards from the Gr.1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham on December 9 – a race formerly known as the Captain Cook Stakes. “The Captain Cook is the main race that we’ll be targeting with him at this point,” Tiley said. “What we do with him apart from that hasn’t been decided yet, but his position in the ratings means we’ll have to focus on weight-for-age and set weight and penalty races. He’s going to be weighted out of the handicaps.” View the full article

Zacinto gelding Mach Schnell has returned to New Zealand with an eye towards some lofty summer targets. Initially trained in New Zealand by Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, Mach Scnell won two races for the Auckland couple before joining Joe Pride’s Warwick Farm barn last year. The now seven-year-old won four races in Sydney for Pride and earned nearly A$400,000 in prizemoney for his group of owners, including Leighton Howl, who purchased Mach Schnell out of Beaufort Downs’ 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $80,000. The Clotworthys have enjoyed having the gelding back in their barn and are looking forward to kicking off his New Zealand return in Saturday’s Gr.3 Valley D’Vine Restaurant Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings, for which he is a $9 joint third favourite behind the Mark Waker and Sam Bergerson-trained Romancing The Moon ($3) and Puketiro ($7.50). “We are happy with the draw (1) and happy with the horse,” Shaun Clotworthy said. “Joe Pride did a great job with him and won some nice money for his owners over there. Leighton promised me that he would come back to New Zealand and it is great to have a quality horse like him come back. “He has always been a very genuine animal. We kicked him off as a younger horse and he has been to Australia and has fully matured now. “He hasn’t done a lot since he has come back from Australia. We have only had him for four weeks, but he was running over 2000m six weeks ago. He has had a nice little freshen-up and looks well-placed. “We will start him off tomorrow and see where he is at.” Group One targets are on the horizon for Mach Schnell, with his connections eyeing a tilt at the Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2050m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day. “He will improve a lot with the run and his main aim is the 2000m Zabeel Classic, that is his long-term goal,” Clotworthy said. “He will probably head next to the Open 1500m on Melbourne Cup Day at Counties and then we will assess it after that.” Many his connections also share in the ownership of unbeaten three-year-old Lupo Solitario, who will line-up at Te Rapa next weekend in the Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) for trainer Danica Guy. “It’s nice having a couple of good ones racing around this Summer on the big days,” Howl said. View the full article

Mach Schnell will contest Saturday’s Group 3 Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings. Photo: Trish Dunell Zacinto gelding Mach Schnell has returned to New Zealand with an eye towards some lofty summer targets. Initially trained in New Zealand by Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, Mach Scnell won two races for the Auckland couple before joining Joe Pride’s Warwick Farm barn last year. The now seven-year-old won four races in Sydney for Pride and earned nearly A$400,000 in prizemoney for his group of owners, including Leighton Howl, who purchased Mach Schnell out of Beaufort Downs’ 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $80,000. The Clotworthys have enjoyed having the gelding back in their barn and are looking forward to kicking off his New Zealand return in Saturday’s Group 3 Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings, for which he is a $9 joint third favourite behind the Mark Waker and Sam Bergerson-trained Romancing The Moon ($3) and Puketiro ($7.50). “We are happy with the draw (1) and happy with the horse,” Shaun Clotworthy said. “Joe Pride did a great job with him and won some nice money for his owners over there. Leighton promised me that he would come back to New Zealand and it is great to have a quality horse like him come back. “He has always been a very genuine animal. We kicked him off as a younger horse and he has been to Australia and has fully matured now. “He hasn’t done a lot since he has come back from Australia. We have only had him for four weeks, but he was running over 2000m six weeks ago. He has had a nice little freshen-up and looks well-placed. “We will start him off tomorrow and see where he is at.” Group One targets are on the horizon for Mach Schnell, with his connections eyeing a tilt at the Zabeel Classic (2050m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day. “He will improve a lot with the run and his main aim is the 2000m Zabeel Classic, that is his long-term goal,” Clotworthy said. “He will probably head next to the Open 1500m on Melbourne Cup Day at Counties and then we will assess it after that.” More horse racing news View the full article

What Ballarat races Where Ballarat Turf Club – 240 Kennedys Rd, Miners Rest VIC 3352 When Sunday, October 15, 2023 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble The Ballarat Turf Club is set to host a competitive eight-race affair on Sunday afternoon. With friendly spring weather on the agenda and the Ballarat track already rated a Good 4, having the rail in its true position means we should be racing on a fair deck throughout the afternoon. Action from Ballarat is set to commence at 1:15pm AEDT. Here are our free Ballarat tips for October 15, 2023. Best Bet at Ballarat: Lady Di Di We were confident about Lady Di Di’s chances at Sale on Wednesday, but she was scratched and saved for another day. That day is Sunday, and she looks incredibly hard to go past. The Cliff Brown-trained mare ran into Lempicka at Sandown upon return on September 13, with that runner since coming out and winning at Mornington to frank the form. The Written Tycoon mare can lob in a handy position from barrier eight and with even luck, Lady Di Di looks to have a class edge on her rivals. Best Bet Race 6 – #10 Lady Di Di (8) 4yo Mare | T: Cliff Brown | J: Billy Egan (58.5kg) +145 with Betfair Next Best at Ballarat: Black Penn Despite taking an odds-on favourite on Sunday, we’re confident the Greg Eurell-trained Black Penn can cause a minor upset in the opening leg of the quaddie. The six-year-old gelding has been racing in seemingly tougher events then what he faces on the weekend and has been far from disgraced. He maps to follow the favourite Tommy wherever he goes and if Black Penn can put his best hoof forward over the 2000m, we’re confident he can bring up a second win at start 20. Black Penn is paying a generous $5 with horse racing bookmakers. Next Best Race 5 – #5 Black Penn (10) 6yo Gelding | T: Greg Eurell | J: Daniel Moor (58kg) +450 with Boombet Best Value at Ballarat: Kings Consort Kings Consort has not won since saluting in The Showdown (1200m) in April 2022, but looks to have found one of his easiest assignments since that day. The four-year-old gelding did enough on his spring debut to suggest he will benefit with the run under his belt, and a step-up to 1400m second-up looks ideal. He needs to lug 62kg under Declan Bates, but if Kings Consort can produce his best finishing burst under the big weight, there’s no reason why he cannot salute at a nice price with online betting sites. Best Value Race 7 – #1 Kings Consort (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: Declan Bates (62kg) +1400 with Dabble Sunday quaddie tips for Ballarat races Ballarat quadrella selections Sunday, October 15, 2023 2-5 8-10 1-2-3-4-13-14 1-8-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Mustang Valley will contest the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on Saturday. Photo credit: Trish Dunell Trainer Andrew Forsman is confident that Mustang Valley, with her remarkable record on heavy tracks, will perform well at the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on Saturday, despite the absence of heavy ground. The daughter of Vanbrugh, who secured a five and three-quarter-length victory in last year’s edition on Heavy 10 ground, recently claimed her second elite-level win in the Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) under similar conditions. Mustang Valley has consistently excelled on wet surfaces, with all six of her career victories achieved on heavy tracks. Despite the track at Hastings transitioning from a Heavy 8 to a Soft 5 due to a dry and warm week, Forsman remains optimistic about her performance. He notes that Mustang Valley is effective on drier tracks, especially over longer distances. Forsman acknowledges her success on wet ground but emphasises her capability on top of the ground once the distance extends beyond a mile in this level of competition. Mustang Valley has previously secured placings in similar conditions, including a second place in the Arrowfield and a close third in the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes in Sydney. The betting odds also reflect confidence in Mustang Valley’s abilities, positioning her as the +130 favourite to become only the third back-to-back winner of the Livamol Classic since it gained Group One status in 1996, following Princess Coup (2007 & 2008) and Melody Belle (2019 & 2020). Forsman expressed satisfaction with Mustang Valley’s recent performance in the Arrowfield, highlighting her dominance on the heavy track. He emphasised her fitness, noting a solid gallop on Tuesday, and believes she is on target for a successful defence of her Livamol Classic crown. More horse racing news View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, October 15, 2023 First Race 1pm HKT (4pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Twilight racing heads to Hong Kong this Sunday afternoon, as Sha Tin Racecourse plays host to a massive 10-race program headlined by the Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy (1600m). The rail is in the A+3 position for the meeting, and with some drying conditions heading into the weekend, we should be racing on a Good surface. The opening race is scheduled to get underway at 1pm HKT (4pm AEDT). Sha Tin Trophy Top Tip: Beauty Eternal The Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy (1600m) brings together a quality field of 10 staking their claim on the $900,000 prize packet on offer. Beauty Eternal is an exciting five-year-old on the rising through the grades and gets the nod for us in the feature event. He closed out his previous campaign with back-to-back wins in Group 3 company, solidifying himself as a future challenger to some of Hong Kong’s best. The son of Starspangledbanner has never missed the frame in his 10-career starts to date, and with a soft draw to go along with Zac Purton giving him the tick of approval, Beauty Eternal can resume a winner on Sunday. Sha Tin Trophy Race 7 – #3 Beauty Eternal (3) 5yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Zac Purton (56kg) Bet with Neds Best Bet at Sha Tin: Ka Ying Warrior Ka Ying Warrior made his return from almost a year off the scene on September 17 at Sha Tin and was extremely close to making it a winning return. He seemingly peaked on the run when bounding to the lead on that occasion, allowing race rival I Give to sneak back on his inside to nail him on the wire. He’ll strip much fitter in what was only his second-career start, so with Zac Purton a bit more familiar with this gelding by Written Tycoon, we’re confident Ka Ying Warrior can improve to score this time. Best Bet Race 3 – #5 Ka Ying Warrior (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Dennis Yip | J: Zac Purton (58.5kg) Bet with Dabble Next Best at Sha Tin: Snaffles Snaffles is ready to peak third-up on Sunday after two promising efforts to kick-off the new season. He’s found the minor money over the 1400m and 1600m respectively, and should relish getting out to the 1800m for the first time in the campaign. He closed best behind Happy Together on September 24, and with any luck, the David Hayes-trained gelding could’ve secured victory provided he wasn’t held-up at a crucial stage. Karis Teetan elects to stick aboard Snaffles, and it’s easy to see why, as he looks very close to breaking his Hong Kong maiden. Next Best Race 6 – #6 Snaffles (2) 4yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Karis Teetan (58kg) Bet with Betfair Best Value at Sha Tin: Chilli Baba Chilli Baba should represent terrific each-way value with online bookmakers in the fourth race as he makes his seasonal debut. He’s been unable to recapture the heights of his debut Hong Kong victory, only managing one minor placing in his next five starts for the Ricky Yiu barn. He’s shown glimpses of his best; however, barriers have been cruel to the lightly raced four-year-old. He’s now drawn the one marble on Sunday, and it should leave no excuses to see the best version of Chilli Baba. Best Value Race 4 – #6 Chilli Baba (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Ricky Yiu | J: Brenton Avdulla (58.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Sunday HK quaddie tips for Sha Tin races Sha Tin quadrella selections Sunday, October 15, 2023 3 2-7-9-11-12-13 1-2-4-6-14 1-2-3-4-8-9-10-12-14 Investment: $270 for 100% More horse racing tips View the full article

We are on the eve of one of the best racing days on the calendar, and the team at Punt Drunk is here to help you through your Friday! All eyes will be on Caulfield and Randwick tomorrow, where the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and The Everest (1200m) take centre stage with a butt tonne of money on the line at both venues. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, on Saturday, but make sure to (responsibly) load up on the Mr Brightside/Amelia’s Jewel multi and enjoy what may come of your Saturday night once that lobs. Before we get to Saturday, there’s a few things that caught our eye from around the racing world. Frankie Dettori unretires Frankie Dettori is a deadset icon throughout the horse racing world, but it feels like he has been on a retirement tour for the last four years. The Italian jockey, who is set to ride in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) next month has boycotted the retirement that he announced prior to Royal Ascot, instead opting to take up a full-time gig in America. It is unclear how long he will be riding in the States, but if the retirement tour of John Farnham is anything to go by, Frankie Dettori will still be riding in 2039 and most likely still hunting his first Melbourne Cup win. All joking aside, racing is better off with Frankie Dettori in the saddle. The worst barrier draw known to man THe Everest is worth $20million and who knows how much money RacingNSW has pumped into promoting the event. However, they simply shat the bed on Tuesday night with the barrier draw, in what can only be described as a waste of money. We’ve had barrier draws that have included the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, and even a massive skyscraper. This year, it was a lame water show and lasers. If you squinted hard enough, you would have made out which horse was up next and where they drew for the event. It was a massive eyesore. Mazu draws barrier 11 in The Everest for the second year in a row. #TABEverest ⁦@SnowdenRacing1⁩ ⁦@ArrowfieldStud⁩ ⁦@TheStarSydney⁩ pic.twitter.com/cZw0Co8nxi — Triple Crown Syndications (@TripleCrownSynd) October 10, 2023 That was the Meat Loaf of barrier draws #Everest — Alex Marsh (@Ajmarsh87) October 10, 2023 Dead set, this Everest barrier draw entertainment is embarrassing. Two sprinklers from Bunnings and a projector from some classroom. They are making the NRL look good. — Nick Adams (@Narkov) October 10, 2023 Have you seen a sicker beat? If you are a degenerate and love a punt on a Kyneton maiden on a Thursday afternoon, you would have seen one of the worst beats imaginable in the fourth race. Thoughts and prayers with anyone that backed the 2 at Kyneton just then, literally refusing to win pic.twitter.com/vfK6kkhxgi — No Morals (@NoMoralsRacing) October 12, 2023 The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Rouge Moulin literally refused to win. Having hit the front with 100m to go, the maiden looked to have spooked himself out of a win, despite jockey Jake Noonan’s best efforts. He hit -10000 in play with Betfair because the judge was almost ready to ask for time and margins. However, Red Vicar was the one who took advantage of Rouge Moulin’s misfortunes to salute as a +1200 chance after hitting +29900 in live betting. The great game giveth, and the great game taketh away. About Punt Drunk Welcome to Punt Drunk – our weekly column covering all the latest horse racing and punting controversies, dramas and headline news. Have a story or gripe or issue that just grinds your gears? Just hit us up in the comments or contact us page and our jaded, punt hardened Punt Drunk staff will give it the Punt Drunk treatment it deserves. Don’t expect pleasantries or typical racing media fanboy gloss from Punt Drunk – we’re on the punt and we don’t have time to bullshit; the next is about to jump… If you have any stories that you want our Punt Drunk Team to cover or just want to say G’day send us a message on: More horse racing news View the full article

Alligator Blood is tipped to continue his ace spring campaign with the cult galloper heading betting on the Group 1 $1 million Neds Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday. 2023 Underwood Stakes winner Alligator Blood is the horse to beat in the Neds Might And Power 2023 at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. Caulfield Guineas Day headlines the racing action in Melbourne this weekend with a triple-shot of Group 1 racing including the Might And Power race that was formerly known as the Caulfield Stakes. A host of potential Ladbrokes Cox Plate-bound horses face off in the million-dollar weight-for-age clash with betting led by the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained marvel Alligator Blood. The All Too Hard seven-year-old franked the Mr Brightside form backing-up from two good runs behind the country’s leading miler before a successful title defence in the Underwood Stakes over 1800m here at the Caulfield track. The ‘Gator now pays $2.30 in Might And Power betting at Ladbrokes to secure another career Group 1 and win over the 2000m distance for the first time. He jumps from gate three fourth-up and fit with Tim Clark aboard and looks a strong chance to stretch the extra furlong and salute for the punters. Alligator Blood faces nine rivals on Saturday with the main danger at current Might And Power odds of $3.90 is the airborne import with a Royal back story, Just Fine. The former Queen-owned European is also now with the Waterhouse/Bott stable and chases his fifth win on the trot. The Sea The Stars gelding is undefeated down under winning all three Australian starts including stepping-up in grade to salute in the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Epsom Day. He is back down in distance for the Might And Power, heads south for the first time ahead of a Melbourne Cup bid, and goes up notably from 50kg to 59kg so needs to answer a few questions here. The early Might And Power market mover meanwhile well-supported in the markets is the Edward Cummings-trained multiple Group 1 winning mare Duais ($5.50 into $4.80). Blake Shinn rides this talented daughter of Shamus Award who is out to break a lengthy winning drought. She looked back to her best in the Underwood running a slashing third at big odds only a length beaten. Unlike Alligator Blood, Duais is a three-time winner over the 2000m distance and will relish getting up in trip now fourth-up and ready to fire. Outside of the dominant trio some of the runners chasing an upset include Chris Waller’s Rosehill Guineas winner at the distance Lindermann ($14) with the rails run for jockey Joao Moreira and the Grahame Begg-trained Nonconformist ($17) who can finish hard here. The 2023 Neds Might And Power is set to run as Race 7 at 3:45pm (AEDT) as part of Caulfield’s 10-race card on Saturday. 2023 Might And Power Stakes Field & Barriers No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 51x140x421 ALLIGATOR BLOOD Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 3 59kg 117 2 01x22460x0 VOW AND DECLARE Danny O’Brien Billy Egan 8 59kg 106 3 0x18402x07 NONCONFORMIST Grahame Begg Harry Coffey 5 59kg 106 4 16x69x00x0 ALENQUER (FR) Michael Moroney Mark Zahra 7 59kg 112 5 3x05420x80 HEZASHOCKA (NZ) Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Damian Lane 9 59kg 103 6 386061×111 JUST FINE (IRE) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Jordan Childs 4 59kg 106 7 5x4430x762 FORGOT YOU (NZ) Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young John Allen 6 59kg 97 8 x51210x048 LINDERMANN Chris Waller Joao Moreira 1 58kg 105 9 880x43x793 DUAIS Edward Cummings Blake Shinn 10 57kg 112 10 415931×173 DENY KNOWLEDGE (IRE) Michael Kent Wiremu Pinn (a) 2 57kg 97 Table Credit: Racing Australia. The post Alligator Blood Leads 2023 Might And Power Stakes Field & Odds appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Celebrating 40 Years of the Breeders' Cup with Living Legends In the nearly 40-year history of the Breeders' Cup, only two sets of full-siblings have won Breeders' Cup races. It's difficult enough for a mare to produce one Breeders' Cup winner, but two individual Breeders' Cup winners? That's such a rarity only six mares have ever done it. And only two of those six have had lightning strike twice as they've produced two Breeders' Cup winners by the same sire. The first set, Juddmonte homebreds Banks Hill (GB) and Intercontinental (GB), won the GI Filly & Mare Turf in 2001 and 2004, respectively. By Danehill and out of the wonder mare Hasili (Ire), each wrapped up their broodmare careers in Great Britain. Closer to home are full-sisters Sweet Catomine and Life Is Sweet. Both by Storm Cat out of the Kris S. mare Sweet Life, the Sweet sisters won the 2004 GI Juvenile Fillies and the 2009 GI Ladies Classic, respectively. Both raced as homebreds for Pam and Marty Wygod and both were uber-talented with a number of other top-class graded events on their CVs to go along with their Breeders' Cup wins. The moment was cemented alongside Trevor Denman's call in 2009 at Santa Anita. Life Is Sweet, despite capturing the GI Santa Margarita and two other graded stakes earlier that year, had the distinct misfortune of running against the mighty Zenyatta three times in 2009. She was always a bit in Zenyatta's shadow, magnified because the two shared a conditioner in John Shirreffs. Zenyatta, the defending Ladies Classic winner, would skip the race in 2009 and face the boys in the Classic instead, which of course she would win in one of the most thrilling Breeders' Cup races to date. Without her stablemate, Life Is Sweet finally had her moment to shine and shine she did. Life Is Sweet takes the 2009 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic | Sarah Andrew Life Is Sweet trailed about 20 lengths behind the leader leaving the backstretch, was still last coming off the turn, and borrowed a Zenyatta-like move. Denman captured the excitement: “Life Is Sweet exploding in the center and Life Is Sweet looking like she just joined in at the quarter pole! And it's Life Is Sweet and Garrett Gomez annihilating them in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic. Life Is Sweet could not have been more impressive!” Denman didn't mention the significance at the time of just the second set of full-sisters to win the Breeders' Cup, but owner Marty Wygod did in the winner's circle. And make no mistake, for a broodmare to accomplish that is a very, very big deal. Sweet Life would be named Broodmare of the Year in 2009. The sisters Sweet were both foaled and raised at Mill Ridge Farm near Lexington. Ric Waldman of Storm Cat fame worked with the Wygods on the matings, according to Mill Ridge's Price Bell, Jr. Donnie Snellings, now with Denali Stud and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers' Club's 2018 Farm Manager of the Year, was instrumental in raising both as fillies at Mill Ridge. Even today, so many years after they'd left his care, his affection for them still rings through. “It was an immense gratification [to see them win the Breeders' Cup],” said Snellings. “That's what we do this for. We obviously work long hours and to see something you've raised turn out that way is immensely gratifying. Sweet Catomine with Ruben Trujillo | Sarah Andrew “Sweet Catomine was my special one. I really liked her. We raised her there on the farm and she was just a special filly. Sometimes when you're around good horses, they just give you a feel. She was super easy to deal with, had a great attitude, would do anything you asked her to do, very willing.” Bell confirmed that Snellings knew early something exceptional was brewing with Sweet Catomine. “Sometimes when you work with them, you just know there is something different,” said Bell. “I still remember him gloating about Sweet Catomine. He said she breathed different air. He had a soft spot for her. He talked about her with passion.” Snellings was pleased to confirm it. “You get a sense that the animal is special and she was very special. We had her up until she was a yearling, both of them until they went off for breaking,” said Snellings. “To see horses like that move on and go on to win the Breeders' Cup means we raised them the right way. It's very gratifying. Life Is Sweet | Sarah Andrew “Life Is Sweet I don't remember as well as Sweet Catomine, but that's just a fantastic family. How often does this happen? Two full-sisters winning the Breeders' Cup. How fortunate it is that both those fillies were raised at the farm. Mill Ridge has had some very special mares and some very special owners.” Sweet Catomine broke her maiden in the GI Del Mar Debutante as the first in a five-race win streak–all in graded races–which included the Juvenile Fillies. She was a part of the late Julio Canani's barn. Her Breeders' Cup win, five years before her younger sister's, happened during the championship's stop at Lone Star Park. Tom Durkin had that call and it was just as exciting as Life Is Sweet's. Let's pick it up leaving the backstretch, with the patented Durkin energy that made every Breeders' Cup call indelible. “Oh! Sweet Catomine had to check and it cost her dearly. She checked in traffic… Sweet Catomine now has running room. And here comes the big filly on the outside… Sweet Catomine has overpowered them and strides away impressively and unquestionably the 2-year-old filly champion. She wins by five.” Sweet Catomine with Ruben Trujillo and Life Is Sweet with Pedro Valdivia at Lane's End | Sarah Andrew Sweet Life was carrying Life Is Sweet in utero when Sweet Catomine won her Breeders' Cup. The mare had three more foals by Storm Cat: the MSW & MSP colt named Calimonco and two unraced fillies. Another daughter, by Bernardini, would produce MGSW Modernist, a son of Uncle Mo whose first foals were born this year. He stands at Darby Dan Farm. “It's a phenomenal family that we worked with and raised for the Wygods,” said Bell. “Those [Breeders' Cup] races were incredible.” Both Breeders' Cup winners raced briefly after championship day. Sweet Catomine would be named the Eclipse champion 2-year-old filly and the next spring parlayed a GI Santa Anita Oaks victory into a try against the boys in the GI Santa Anita Derby. To the disappointment of many in the sport, she wasn't herself that day and finished fifth as the odds-on favorite, one spot behind eventual GI Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo. A controversy ensued, resulting in the Wygods removing her from Canani's barn to the Shirreffs shedrow, where she only spent a brief amount of time. She was eventually retired without racing again. Life Is Sweet finished second in her one start the spring following her Breeders' Cup win, but she had a history of tying up and it was decided to retire her. It was in the days before TikTok and Instagram, but Shirreffs surely would have been a sensation if they'd been around. At the time, he uploaded a number of videos of Life Is Sweet around the barn to YouTube and they were extremely popular. Bell remembers them, too. “In those early days when John would have a camera in the barn, he spent a lot of time with Life Is Sweet. He would feed her each morning as she was laying down. I just remember John loving on her, feeding her in the stall on the ground. It was beautiful, individual attention he would give to her and I'm sure all of his horses. He really showcases them as individuals.” For an example of one of the videos, click here. Spoiler alert: it will warm even the hardest of hearts. When contacted recently, Shirreffs shared the video and commented, “This is Life is Sweet, everything on her time.” Ruben Trujillo and Sweet Catomine with Pedro Valdivia and Life Is Sweet | Sarah Andrew Both Sweet Catomine and Life Is Sweet were retained by the Wygods and each produced several winners. They are now living the life of Riley together at Lane's End Farm near Versailles. “Both are pensioned,” said Alys Emson, who works in client management at Lane's End. “Sweet Catomine had her last foal in 2018. Life Is Sweet had her last foal in 2021. This is the 2-year-old filly called Life's for Living [by Uncle Mo]. She was sold as a yearling [to Mathiesen Racing at Keeneland September for $170,000]. Mr. and Mrs. Wygod still board their mares with us and have retained various offshoots of the family. “They are different physically,” continued Emson. “Sweet Catomine is a big, wide-chested mare that is very powerfully made. Life Is Sweet is a little smaller and more refined in type. “We have a group of retired mares that live in two to three separate fields depending on the time of year. These two are in the same field. They are outside all the time unless they need special care. They are fed and checked twice a day and just allowed to enjoy life and do as they please.” Broodmare of the Year Sweet Life passed away earlier this year at the age of 27 and was buried at Lane's End. As Juddmonte's Hasili was based primarily in Newmarket, Sweet Life remains the only U.S.-based mare to produce two Breeders' Cup-winning full-siblings. To borrow words from Bell and Snellings, surely “she breathed different air.” The post The Sweet Sisters, One of Only Two Sets of Full-Siblings to Win the Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

While I don't know Mike Repole, I do know about his business success and acumen. I also know about his repeated calls to improve and perhaps save the sport so many of us love. Let's be realistic, horse racing has been in a decline for 25 years. I have personally considered giving up and moving on many times recently. Yet on a recent trip to Lexington to see my foals and horse friends I realized how much it still all means to me. I don't get the push back and the “it can't be done” attitude of so many participants. I don't see anything in his “Call to Action” suggesting it's my way or the highway. Rather he offers sensible ideas to assign accountability, make improvements along the way and most importantly act together NOW. When one of the biggest players with a major ability to think big and succeed offers a path forward we should do more than just listen. We should act together. –Jeff Bowen, Gryphon Investments The post Letter to the Editor: ‘We Should Act Together’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Jonny Turner After nearly eighteen months of anticipation, a long-awaited showdown of superstars will finally take place on Friday night at Addington. Brilliant square gaiters Muscle Mountain and Bolt For Brilliance will finally renew their massive rivalry in the Group Three Canterbury Park Trotting Cup. Bolt For Brilliance started off his season in style, triumphing over a lower-grade field before making his way south for the huge night of feature racing at Addington on Friday night. Just a week prior, Muscle Mountain powered his way to victory in the Ordeal Trotting Cup. Though his big-striding trotter has been in excellent form, driver Ben Hope acknowledges that there’s still room for improvement in the horse’s performance. “He is definitely getting fitter with every run, but I think there is still plenty of improvement in him to come.” “He is still hanging onto his winter coat a little bit. His work has been great, and for where he is, we are very happy with him.” “It is still over a month until the Dominion, and hopefully, we can have him in top form for that.” Bolt For Brilliance’s impressive fresh-up win did not go unnoticed by the Hope camp, and they are approaching the Friday night clash with the utmost respect for the northern star. “Absolutely, we have great respect for him,” Hope said. “A few people have said to me, ‘You won’t be able to sleep at night taking on Bolt For Brilliance,’ but I am more excited than anything.” “He’s a great horse, and so is ours. It should be a great race.” Both Bolt For Brilliance and Muscle Mountain will start from the 20m back mark in the Friday night contest. Muscle Mountain may concede a slight advantage starting from the unruly position, but this is somewhat offset by Bolt For Brilliance starting widest in the draw. Muscle Mountain faced an initial hiccup in his first spring run but still managed to start safely. But crucially ahead of Friday night’s clash, he made an excellent beginning in his Ordeal Trotting Cup win. “He stepped really well last start; he seems really happy on the unruly at the moment,” Hope said. The potential open class stars of tomorrow are among the outstanding fields for NZB Standardbred’s three Harness Million Finals at Addington on Friday night. Impressive debut winner Princess Sadie clashes with the recent northern winner Paramount Kiwi, as well as Look To Da Stars. Princess Sadie gives away a draw advantage to both of her key rivals, but trainer-driver Matthew Williamson is still hopeful of a strong performance from his filly. “She’s come through her first start very well; it was a tough run but she has been very well since then,” Williamson said. “It is a classy field, and her wider draw won’t make it easy, but she has the ability to be among the finishers.” Mark and Nathan Purdon look to have some of the best draws in the Harness Million two-year-old fillies final. After running one-two at Addington last week, Waterfront and Madrid will start from barriers 6 and 5, respectively. “There isn’t a lot between them at all; they have both come through their runs really well too, and their work has been good,” Mark Purdon said. “Waterfront seems to be on the way up; she’s improving, and hopefully, she can be even better.” “Madrid punched through from the second row last week and ran a nice race; she’s a lovely filly, too.” All eyes will be on Le Major in the Harness Million Final for two-year-old boys. The Arna Donnelly trained youngster heads south after a highly impressive run of three recent wins in the north.” View the full article

A New York court dismissed a lawsuit brought by plaintiffs aligned with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals that sought to block the disbursement and receipt of New York state funds for the reconstruction of Belmont Park.View the full article