Wandering Eyes

Samarkand (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) made it two wins in a row with success in the Class 4 Ngau Chi Wan Handicap (1800m) for David Hayes and Jerry Chau in Hong Kong on Wednesday night. Carrying 127lb, the Mongolian Khan gelding again show his liking for Happy Valley with another brave performance. “He’s acclimatised now and I have a feeling he’s that style of horse who really likes the Valley and can keep going through the classes because he’s got tactical speed and that makes it easier,” Hayes said. “We’ll race him around here and probably keep him to a mile. He can go 1800 (metres) but he’s more impressive at the mile.” Samarkand showed early promise in New Zealand finishing fourth on debut as a two-year-old in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman. He then went on to record a win and two seconds as a three-year-old before crossing the Tasman to join the stable of Bjorn Baker. He added another win and two placings to his record before heading to the Asian racing jurisdiction. View the full article

Scoring your first win in front of a bustling home crowd is what dreams are made of for most aspiring trainers, and for Leah Zydenbos that became a reality at Hastings on Wednesday. The Christmas at The Races twilight meeting attracted plenty of racegoers to Hastings Racecourse and local hope Candle made sure they had something to cheer about when taking out the Bramwell Bate Lawyers Handicap (1200m) for Zydenbos and training partner Guy Lowry. The daughter of Super Easy was slow away and settled at the rear of the field for apprentice jockey Lily Sutherland, who kept a cool head aboard the mare throughout. They entered the straight with all before them and Sutherland elected to stick to the fence where she was able to find a passage Candle snuck through to claim a 1-1/4 length victory. It is a moment that will live long in the memory of Zydenbos, 22, who recently joined Lowry in partnership. “It was really exciting to get that first win,” Zydenbos said. “Lily did a terrific job. When she was a little bit slow away, she waited for the gap up the straight and it came, and the horse sprinted away. We were very happy.” Zydenbos has had a lifelong involvement with horses, competing in showjumping and mounted games, and became a world champion in the latter before a chance encounter led her to pursue a career in racing. “I grew up showjumping and riding mounted games. In mounted games in 2017 I won a World Championship in a New Zealand team,” she said. “Through a mutual friend I ended up riding racehorses for the Pitman family down in Christchurch.” After gaining a grounding in racing in Canterbury, Zydenbos moved north to Hastings three years ago to work for Guy Lowry at Game Lodge and has enjoyed competing as an amateur jockey in recent years. “When I moved up to Hastings in 2020 I ended up working for Game Lodge and I went from there. I have ridden as an amateur and have really enjoyed that,” she said, “I won the Duke Of Gloucester Cup (aboard Nedwin) in 2021 down at Riccarton, which was a real highlight.” While still looking to compete in the amateur riding ranks, Zydenbos is enjoying her new challenge of training, but said she is still coming to grips with the opportunity she has been given at such a young age. “I am lucky to have the opportunity the Lowrys have given me. It doesn’t quite feel real yet,” she said. View the full article

Highly regarded two-year-old Montana Bay (NZ) (Thunder Down Under) will deliver a memorable victory at Te Rapa on Saturday if he can go one better on his previous visit to the Hamilton course. The ICIB Brokerweb 2YO (1100m) contender is prepared by Stephen Ralph for long-standing friends and clients Stuart and Cherie Hope, who enjoyed a successful association with the juvenile’s sire. Montana Bay has drawn a handy barrier (five) after producing a game performance last time out to finish runner-up from an awkward gate. “It was a good run and we had to jump from out wide and he got taken on to the first corner and he had to keep going,” Ralph said. “He just didn’t get a rest and it took a good one (Maracatu) to beat him. If he had jumped from an inside draw, he would have had a lot more petrol left at the other end. “He’s a quality animal and it was just a shame he didn’t get a breather, so we’re hoping for another good run and then look for a decent race for him.” “If he can front up, there’s one on January 1 (Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes, 1200m) and we’ll be off to have a crack at that.” Montana Bay is a son of Thunder Down Under, who won four races from Ralph’s stable including the Listed ARC 3YO Salver (2100m) and placed in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m). Out of the Galileo mare River Dreaming, he subsequently retired to Ralph’s property and from limited books has produced three placegetters from four runners to date. “We really rate the Thunder Down Unders and Stuart and Cherie own half of the stallion with us,” Ralph said. “They have been in the game almost from the start with us and have been extremely successful, obviously with Santa Monica. “We all get on really well and they leave us to do our thing and trust our judgement.” Santa Monica (NZ) (Per Incanto) won the 2019 Gr.1 Railway (1200m) and is a half-sister to Montana Bay, whose sister and stablemate Monique Tonnerre (NZ) (Thunder Down Under) was a trial winner at Ellerslie on Monday, with their dam the Volksraad mare Monarch. Meanwhile, Ralph is looking forward to the next appearance of his talented but wayward three-year-old Leroy Brown (NZ) (Ace High). The son of Ace High impressively accounted for subsequent Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) runner-up Charmer (NZ) (Charm Spirit) at Tauranga two runs back before finishing fourth in the Listed Trevor & Corallie Memorial (1500m) at Te Rapa. “We were a bit disappointed last start because he led and he’s just not a leader and needs to take a sit,” Ralph said. “We’re trying to get to the Levin Classic (Gr.1, 1600m) so we’re going to have to hope that he wins on January 1 in a set weights and penalties over a mile or that he has enough points to get in.” The Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) is the long-term aim for Leroy Brown. “Hopefully, we can keep ticking the boxes as we go. He’s as green as grass but he’s got a massive future,” Ralph said. View the full article

What Caulfield Races Where Caulfield Racecourse – Gate 22, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Saturday, December 16, 2023 First Race 12:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Victorian metro racing heads to Caulfield on Saturday afternoon for a bumper 10-race program kicking off at 12:15pm local time. With no rain predicted in the lead-up, it should serve up a pristine Good 4 surface. The rail comes out +10m for the entire circuit, so it may pay to favour horses ridden on speed. Best Bet: Traffic Warden Traffic Warden did enough on debut at Rosehill on December 2 to suggest he can get the job done on his first trip to Melbourne. He chased gamely behind the talented Storm Boy but was only able to reel in the final margin to 2.3 lengths. Jamie Kah takes the reins this time, and with barrier three allowing her slot in closer for cover, Traffic Warden should be right in this two-year-old contest. Best Bet Race 1 – #1 Traffic Warden (3) 2yo Colt | T: James Cummings | J: Jamie Kah (59kg) -111.11 with PlayUp Next Best: Jambalaya Jambalaya is seeking back-to-back wins after producing a breathtaking performance on debut at Mooney Valley on November 17. The son of Shooting To Win went straight to the front and never looked like losing, heading to the wire under a hold for Jamie Kah. This BM70 is clearly more competitive, but with similar tactics to his first-up romp, Jambalaya will be hard to hold out. Next Best Race 7 – #3 Jambalaya (7) 3yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Jamie Kah (57.5kg) +120 with Dabble Best Value: Spanish Tides The top betting sites are giving us a massive each-way price for Spanish Tides this weekend. She ran on well first-up at Cranbourne in open company behind Revolutionary Miss on November 25 and found enough to finish in the minor money despite lacking fitness. This BM78 is a big step down in grade, and with three wins from four second-up runs, Spanish Tides should be in the finish. Best Value Race 4 – #1 Spanish Tides (1) 7yo Mare | T: Luke Oliver | J: Wiremu Pinn (a2kg) (62kg) +1900 with Bet365 Caulfield Saturday quaddie tips – 16/12/2023 Caulfield quadrella selections Saturday, December 16, 2023 3 3-4-6-8-10-14 2-4-5-9-11 2-4-5-7-11-16-17-18 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Our Alley Cat will contest the Group 3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Our Alley Cat will have several disadvantages to contend with in the Group 3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday, but trainer Vicki Prendergast hopes the score can be evened out with Opie Bosson on board. A winner of seven races, and more than $311,000 in stakes, Our Alley Cat sits on top of the book in the feature sprint with 59kg, her closest rivals being Romancing The Moon and Jodelin Gal, five kilograms adrift, and the rest of the 14-horse field on the minimum. The seven-year-old mare earned her 99 rating with classy, and often bridesmaid-status performances through the group sprints in past seasons, which she rectified with a deserved black-type victory in the Group 3 Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings in October. Typically among the quickest out of the gates, Our Alley Cat was uncharacteristically slow away last-start in the Group 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe, and was unable to take up her usual on-speed position in the running, finishing an eventual sixth behind Campionessa. “She just missed the kick at Pukekohe. She was supposed to load last but that didn’t happen, and she’s pretty naughty in the gates so apparently when the gates opened she was playing up. She’s no good getting back like that,” Prendergast said. “She’s been fine since then and she’s in really good order for Saturday, we’re really happy with her.” Our Alley Cat will also contend with a wide draw in 12 at Te Rapa, Prendergast’s decision to start her mare fairly reliant on having the expertise of Bosson in the saddle. “I reckon Opie takes about five kilos off and she has to be a chance when he gets on her. I’m not sure I’d start her with anyone else, but having him on, I think it’s worth giving her a go,” she said. Although identifying the mare’s pet distance as 1400m, Prendergast is debating a start in the Group 1 Sistema Railway (1200m) on New Year’s Day at Pukekohe over the mile features through the summer. “I haven’t really decided on the Railway, I’ve kept her nomination in because I think she’s better over 1200m than she is over a mile, so we’re still thinking on that one.” More horse racing news View the full article

Tokyo Tycoon will resume his three-year-old campaign at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Talented three-year-old Tokyo Tycoon will commence his path towards next month’s $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) when he heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Wentwood Grange 3YO (1200m). Tokyo Tycoon began his three-year-old term in brilliant style when winning the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings first-up, however, the wheels came off his preparation when he found the Heavy 9 conditions too taxing at the Hawke’s Bay venue three weeks later when fifth in the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). The decision was made by trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson to give the Satono Aladdin gelding a freshen-up and they are pleased with the condition the diminutive gelding has returned in. “The heavy track tripped him up and when he got home he was pretty tired,” Bergerson said. “The two trips down there caught up with him and we thought it was a good time to give him a break. “We gave him a quick freshen-up and I am really glad that we did, he is the best he has ever looked. We got a bit of spring grass into him and he looks fantastic.” While not overly enamoured with his 900m trial at Taupo last month, where he finished fourth, Bergerson said he had a similar showing in his lead-up to the Colin Meads Trophy, so he isn’t overly concerned. “He is hard to get a line on here at home because he has been laidback. I thought he trialled okay at Taupo, but he has done that before when he won first-up at Hawke’s Bay,” he said. “He has got the most condition we have ever had on him. He is obviously not the biggest, but he is pretty electric when he is on song. I am really looking forward to it. “We want to get him to the Karaka Million at the end of January. Hopefully he runs well on Saturday and we can map a path.” Tokyo Tycoon will be met on Saturday by stablemate Quintessa, with the Shamus Award filly also fresh-up. Quintessa has won all three of her starts to date, including the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings in September. Her preparation was curtailed by a niggly injury following that run and Bergerson is looking forward to resuming her three-year-old campaign on Saturday. “She is another one that is unassuming here at home but when it comes to raceday, she really turns it on,” Bergerson said. “She had a bit of a setback following her last run, pulling a muscle in behind, so we gave her a bit of time and rehabbed her slowly. “She has come back in good order and her work this week has been super. I am really excited to see her step out as well.” Quintessa could be on a course to meet Tokyo Tycoon once more in the Karaka Million, however, her trainers are also contemplating targeting her at an elite-level assignment instead. “It is a bit up in the air where we go to after Saturday, whether we get her to that Karaka Million or the Levin Classic (Group 1, 1600m),” Bergerson said. “We will be guided by Saturday’s performance.” More horse racing news View the full article

Wessex will kick-off her summer campaign in the Group 3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell Wessex is in good order to resume at Te Rapa on Saturday, although trainer Andrew Forsman believes the four-year-old will improve as she steps up in distance this preparation. The stakes-winning daughter of Turn Me Loose hasn’t raced since she finished fourth in the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) during the winter and will kick off her campaign in the Group 3 J Swap Sprint (1400m). Wessex has a smart first-up record with two victories off a break and Forsman has been pleased with her progress since returning from a break. “She’s going well and has had a couple of quiet trials without the blinkers on and I think she’s been quite sharp,” he said. “For her on top of the ground, she is going to be better when she gets up to a mile. She could get some of it, but the race will set her up to get up to a mile pretty quickly.” Wessex, whose three wins feature a decisive front-running victory in the Group 3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) earlier this year, and in just two outings further she ran third in last season’s Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m). “I think the Rich Hill Mile (Group 2, 1600m) on New Year’s Day could be a nice race for her and if she ran well in that we might keep her ticking over for the Elsdon Park ($1 million Aotearoa Classic, 1600m),” Forsman said. He also has Ethereal Star and Bella Ragazza in the Wentwood Grange 3YO (1200m), although the former may not front up. “I’m happy with her, but I don’t know if it’s the right race,” Forsman said. “It’s a small field and she’s got a niggly draw (seven) so it’s 50/50 whether she’ll run, I might wait for Pukekohe.” Ethereal Star enjoyed a lucrative juvenile campaign with success in the Listed Challenge Stakes (1100m), finished runner-up in the Karaka Million (1200m) and fourth in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). However, the Snitzel filly was below par in two unplaced runs in Melbourne earlier this season. “It’s often a time when they’re growing and can be all a bit much for them,” Forsman said. Bella Ragazza won on debut last term and then finished in behind the major players in stronger company. “She won early on in a soft sort of race and then lost her way a little bit,” Forsman said. “She’s by Tivaci so we’ve given her some time and hoping that she can relax and hit the line well on Saturday and that will give us confidence to get up to 1400m and a mile this preparation.” Forsman’s Te Rapa team is completed by Armino in the Stayers’ Championship Qualifier (2200m) with Medina a doubtful starter in the Power Farming Handicap (1300m) from a wide barrier (14). Armino was a close fourth at Pukekohe two runs back and the son of Fastnet Rock then ran eighth under trying circumstances at Te Rapa where he was taken on in front. “I thought it was a very brave run, a super effort, and if he gets any peace up on speed then he’ll be competitive,” Forsman said. More horse racing news View the full article

What Damien Oliver Gold Rush Day Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, December 16, 2023 First Race 12:29pm AWST Visit Dabble The Group 3 Damien Oliver Gold Rush will headline the final day of The Pinnacles at Ascot this Saturday afternoon. With warm weather forecast across the weekend, the track should remain in the Good range for the whole nine-race program. The rail will be moved from the +8m position from last Saturday to the +4m position for the entire circuit, with racing to get underway at 12:29pm AWST. Check out our Gold Rush preview and $100 betting strategy here Starstruck Classic Tip: Rusty Dreams Last start, Rusty Dreams made up a lot of ground from the back of the field to finish second behind Baby Paris in the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic. This daughter of Universal Ruler has shown versatility in her racing, as she can go forward and sit on-speed or settle last and run on strongly. With little speed engaged in this race, Damien Lane should be able to push forward and settle just ahead of the main dangers, which could prove pivotal. Starstruck Classic Race 4 – #2 Rusty Dreams (6) 4yo Mare | T: Michael Lane | J: Damien Lane (56.5kg) +240 with Picklebet Best Bet at Ascot: Billy Ray Last weekend, Billy Ray dropped back from Group 3 level to a 1600m Benchmark 78+ and was very good behind the in-form Starry Heights. Backing up seven days later, the son of Sebring steps down in grade again to a Benchmark 72 but will only rise 1kg in the weights. With Michael Poy retaining the ride and jumping barrier four, this gelding should be able to settle midfield off the rails and work his way into the race around the home turn. Best Bet Race 3 – #2 Billy Ray (4) 6yo Gelding | T: Luke Fernie | J: Michael Poy (59.5kg) +220 with Neds Next Best at Ascot: Devine Belief David Harrison-trained Devine Belief was a dominant winner over 1000m on December 2, running away from his rivals to record a two-length victory over Baalbek. This four-year-old mare won her only prior second-up start and will enjoy the rise in trip to 1100m in a slightly stronger race. Damien Oliver jumps in the saddle, and from barrier seven he will push forward and settle in the one-one position before peeling off the leader’s back to take control in the final 200m. Next Best Race 7 – #7 Devine Belief (1) 4yo Mare | T: David Harrision | J: Damien Oliver (56.5kg) +320 with Boombet Best Value at Ascot: Full Of Merit Full Of Merit finally broke her maiden on December 3 in Pinjarra, where she sat outside the leader before taking over at the top of the home straight to win by 1.3 lengths over 1500m. This weekend, jockey Holly Watson will look to push forward from barrier one, take a solo lead and run the race to suit her mount. If Full Of Merit can get away with some cheap sectionals through the middle of the race, she will prove very hard to run down. Best Value Race 2 – #11 Full Of Merit (13) 4yo Mare | T: Dion Luciani | J: Holly Watson (54kg) +1500 with Dabble Saturday quaddie tips for Damien Oliver Gold Rush Day Ascot quadrella selections Saturday, December 16, 2023 5-9-10 7-9-11 1-5-13 2-4-5-16-18 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Leah Zydenbos recorded her first training win at Hastings on Wednesday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Scoring your first win in front of a bustling home crowd is what dreams are made of for most aspiring trainers, and for Leah Zydenbos that became a reality at Hastings on Wednesday. The Christmas at The Races twilight meeting attracted plenty of racegoers to Hastings Racecourse and local hope Candle made sure they had something to cheer about when taking out the Bramwell Bate Lawyers Handicap (1200m) for Zydenbos and training partner Guy Lowry. The daughter of Super Easy was slow away and settled at the rear of the field for apprentice jockey Lily Sutherland, who kept a cool head aboard the mare throughout. They entered the straight with all before them and Sutherland elected to stick to the fence where she was able to find a passage Candle snuck through to claim a 1-1/4 length victory. It is a moment that will live long in the memory of Zydenbos, 22, who recently joined Lowry in partnership. “It was really exciting to get that first win,” Zydenbos said. “Lily did a terrific job. When she was a little bit slow away, she waited for the gap up the straight and it came, and the horse sprinted away. We were very happy.” Zydenbos has had a lifelong involvement with horses, competing in showjumping and mounted games, and became a world champion in the latter before a chance encounter led her to pursue a career in racing. “I grew up showjumping and riding mounted games. In mounted games in 2017 I won a World Championship in a New Zealand team,” she said. “Through a mutual friend I ended up riding racehorses for the Pitman family down in Christchurch.” After gaining a grounding in racing in Canterbury, Zydenbos moved north to Hastings three years ago to work for Guy Lowry at Game Lodge and has enjoyed competing as an amateur jockey in recent years. “When I moved up to Hastings in 2020 I ended up working for Game Lodge and I went from there. I have ridden as an amateur and have really enjoyed that,” she said, “I won the Duke Of Gloucester Cup (aboard Nedwin) in 2021 down at Riccarton, which was a real highlight.” While still looking to compete in the amateur riding ranks, Zydenbos is enjoying her new challenge of training, but said she is still coming to grips with the opportunity she has been given at such a young age. “I am lucky to have the opportunity the Lowrys have given me. It doesn’t quite feel real yet,” she said. More horse racing news View the full article

Montana Bay (outside) will contest the ICIB Brokerweb 2YO (1100m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Highly regarded two-year-old Montana Bay will deliver a memorable victory at Te Rapa on Saturday if he can go one better on his previous visit to the Hamilton course. The ICIB Brokerweb 2YO (1100m) contender is prepared by Stephen Ralph for long-standing friends and clients Stuart and Cherie Hope, who enjoyed a successful association with the juvenile’s sire. Montana Bay has drawn a handy barrier (five) after producing a game performance last time out to finish runner-up from an awkward gate. “It was a good run and we had to jump from out wide and he got taken on to the first corner and he had to keep going,” Ralph said. “He just didn’t get a rest and it took a good one (Maracatu) to beat him. If he had jumped from an inside draw, he would have had a lot more petrol left at the other end. “He’s a quality animal and it was just a shame he didn’t get a breather, so we’re hoping for another good run and then look for a decent race for him.” “If he can front up, there’s one on January 1 (Group 2 Eclipse Stakes, 1200m) and we’ll be off to have a crack at that.” Montana Bay is a son of Thunder Down Under, who won four races from Ralph’s stable including the Listed ARC 3YO Salver (2100m) and placed in the Group 3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m). Out of the Galileo mare River Dreaming, he subsequently retired to Ralph’s property and from limited books has produced three placegetters from four runners to date. “We really rate the Thunder Down Unders and Stuart and Cherie own half of the stallion with us,” Ralph said. “They have been in the game almost from the start with us and have been extremely successful, obviously with Santa Monica. “We all get on really well and they leave us to do our thing and trust our judgement.” Santa Monica won the 2019 Group 1 Railway (1200m) and is a half-sister to Montana Bay, whose sister and stablemate Monique Tonnerre was a trial winner at Ellerslie on Monday, with their dam the Volksraad mare Monarch. Meanwhile, Ralph is looking forward to the next appearance of his talented but wayward three-year-old Leroy Brown. The son of Ace High impressively accounted for subsequent Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) runner-up Charmer at Tauranga two runs back before finishing fourth in the Listed Trevor & Corallie Memorial (1500m) at Te Rapa. “We were a bit disappointed last start because he led and he’s just not a leader and needs to take a sit,” Ralph said. “We’re trying to get to the Levin Classic (Group 1, 1600m) so we’re going to have to hope that he wins on January 1 in a set weights and penalties over a mile or that he has enough points to get in.” The Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) is the long-term aim for Leroy Brown. “Hopefully, we can keep ticking the boxes as we go. He’s as green as grass but he’s got a massive future,” Ralph said. More horse racing news View the full article

What Randwick Races Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, December 16, 2023 First Race 12:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Royal Randwick is the destination for NSW metropolitan racing this Saturday, with 10 races set for decision. The rail moves out +4m the entire circuit for the meeting, and with warm weather forecast in the lead-up, the track should sit comfortably in the Good range. The first race is scheduled to get underway at 12:30pm AEDT. Best Bet: Zouphoria Zouphoria broke her maiden status in style last start on Randwick’s Kensington circuit, making every post a winner. Jett Stanley’s 2kg claim leaves the daughter of Zoustar with just 50.5kg on her back, so we can expect a similar front-running display this weekend. Provided she gets across to lead again, Zouphoria will be hard to catch when they straighten for home. Best Bet Race 3 – #10 Zouphoria (3) 3yo Filly | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Jett Stanley (a2kg) (52.5kg) +160 with Bet365 Next Best: Louisville Louisville should be fit and firing as he heads to Randwick third-up. The son of Redwood was gallant last start but could not cut into the margin quick enough, going down to Cloudland by a half-length. A small field and lack of tempo went against the five-year-old, but with more speed on in this BM78 contest, watch for Louisville to be closing off down the centre. Next Best Race 8 – #11 Louisville (5) 5yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Tommy Berry (56.5kg) +340 with Neds Best Value: Glory Daze Following a gelding operation and two barrier trials, Glory Daze is set to return after 273 days off the scene. He has been a terrific find for connections, winning twice in his four starts since arriving in Australia — one of which came at this course on February 25. Although the 1600m may be short of his best trip, Glory Daze looks way over the odds with online bookmakers. Best Value Race 7 – #9 Glory Daze (5) 5yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | J: Rachel King (53.5kg) +1000 with Unibet Randwick Saturday quaddie tips – 16/12/2023 Randwick quadrella selections Friday, December 16, 2023 2-5-9-11-15 1-6-7-11 3-4-5-10 9-10-11-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

What Eagle Farm Races Where Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, December 16, 2023 First Race 11:38am AEST Visit Dabble The Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes headlines Saturday’s massive 10-race card at Eagle Farm, which will be hosting its third meeting in eight days. Rain is forecast on Friday and Saturday, but with warm weather also expected, the track should not start any worse than a Soft 5. The rail will move from the +7m position to the +2m position for the entire circuit, while racing is set to commence at 11:38am AEST. Grand Prix Stakes Tip: Felix The Scat Last start, this three-year-old colt ground away in the final 200m to finish third over 2000m at Doomben on December 2. Going into the Grand Prix Stakes fourth-up over slightly further should be ideal for the son of Mendelssohn. From barrier one, Ryan Maloney should be able to lob in the box seat, follow the leaders and wait for a gap to appear before letting down with a strong finishing burst. Grand Prix Stakes Race 7 – #1 Felix The Scat (1) 3yo Colt | T: Tony Gollan | J: Ryan Maloney (57kg) +240 with Dabble Gold Edition Plate Tip: Cifrado Cifrado kicked off his three-year-old preparation with two races against the older horses, finishing fourth in an Open Handicap and second-last in the Listed Keith Noud Quality. This Rex Lipp-trained gelding won two Group 2 races as a two-year-old — the Champagne Classic and BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes — and now drops back to his own age group while getting in well at the weights. Damien Thornton knows Cifrado well and will give him every chance to run over them from the back of the field. Gold Edition Plate Race 8 – #1 Cifrado (12) 3yo Gelding | T: Rex Lipp | J: Damien Thornton (57kg) +1400 with Picklebet Lough Neagh Stakes Tip: Far Too Easy Far Too Easy was last seen finishing third in The Kosciuszko at Randwick on October 14, when the David McColm-trained galloper ran home from the back of the field to finish just over two lengths behind Front Page. James Orman will continue his strong affiliation with this son of All Too Hard, who has found a very winnable race to begin his summer campaign. From barrier five, Orman should be able to settle midfield off the rails and make his run around the home turn. Lough Neagh Stakes Race 9 – #4 Far Too Easy (5) 5yo Gelding | T: David McColm | J: James Orman (53.5kg) +110 with Neds Best Bet at Eagle Farm: Liquor The Tony Gollan-trained Liquor comes into this Benchmark 70 races off a close fifth-place finish at Doomben over 1100m on November 25. This four-year-old mare has won twice from five starts this preparation, with one of those victories coming at this track and trip. Bailey Wheeler will have his first ride on this daughter of Spirit Of Boom, and with the aid of his 2kg claim, we expect Liquor to lead and prove very hard to run down over 1000m. Best Bet Race 1 – #5 Liquor (5) 4yo Mare | T: Tony Gollan | J: Bailey Wheeler (a2) (60.5kg) +150 with Betfair Next Best at Eagle Farm: Fumiko On her debut for her new stable, Fumiko recorded an eye-catching second at the Sunshine Coast over 1000m on November 24. The four-year-old mare will have taken a lot of benefit from her fresh start and should be ready to win second-up at the Eagle Farm 1200m. With a good amount of speed expected, Ryan Maloney will settle near the rear of the field from barrier five and take Fumiko to the outside of runners to let down with her blistering turn of foot. Next Best Race 4 – #9 Fumiko (5) 5yo Mare | T: Tony Gollan | J: Ryan Maloney (56kg) +360 with Boombet Saturday quaddie tips for Eagle Farm races Eagle Farm quadrella selections Saturday, December 16, 2023 1-3-4 1-3-4-9-10 1-4-9 2-3-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Dragon Star delivers for Pierre Ng and Karis Teetan. Extending an extraordinary start to the season, Pierre Ng maintained his lead in the Hong Kong trainers’ championship at Happy Valley on Wednesday night when the second-season trainer struck with a winner for the 12th consecutive meeting. Leading the championship after 27 meetings with 32 victories – 10 clear of Danny Shum (22) – Ng has saddled 20 winners from the past 12 fixtures as he delivers on a pre-season pledge to eclipse his debut season haul of 41 winners. “We don’t think of the number of winners, we just keep our head down and keep going and we try to get as many winners as we can,” Ng said. “We haven’t set any targets, we just want to achieve, win races for the owners, get prize money for the stable and get more support for the future. “That’s how the game is and that’s how we’re going to play it.” Dragon Star, given a flawless front-running ride by Karis Teetan in the Class 4 Lam Tin Handicap (1650m), became Ng’s latest winner as four-time Hong Kong champion trainer Caspar Fownes celebrated a double crowned by veteran Explosive Witness’ drought-breaking victory in the Class 3 Choi Wan Handicap (1000m) for James McDonald. Both Teetan and McDonald slotted doubles as Zac Purton continued to lead the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with 39 wins – 13 ahead of Teetan (26) – after the Australian’s triumph on Benno Yung’s Tourbillon Prince in the Class 3 Kowloon Bay Handicap (1650m). Famed as the ‘King of the Valley’ with a record 582 wins at the city circuit, Fownes has 19 wins overall for the campaign, but few of those successes have provided Fownes with as much as satisfaction as Explosive Witness, who won for the first time since his Group 3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap (1000m) victory on 1 January, 2021. “He’s a nine-year-old but he’s raced extremely well all season. Every run he’s given us a great effort and he’s certainly one horse who’s deserved to get that win. We worked hard to get him there, we worked hard to maintain his fitness and present the horse in good form, so he was well deserving of that victory,” Fownes said. Super Contented gave Fownes the first leg of his brace after prevailing in a tight finish to the Class 5 Sau Mau Ping Handicap (1650m) under Keagan De Melo, who has posted 10 wins for the campaign, with six of those victories coming at the Valley. McDonald closed the meeting with victory aboard Copartner Ambition in the Class 3 Jordan Valley Handicap (1200m) for Danny Shum – only three days after he and Shum teamed to land the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) with Romantic Warrior. Brazen Beau three-year-old provided Frankie Lor with his first winner since 11 November and ended a 55-run of outs for the 2021/22 champion trainer with an authoritative win in the second section of the Class 4 Kwun Tong Handicap (1200m) under Matthew Chadwick. “He’s still a little bit green but he won the race well. He finished well and I hope he can be a really good horse,” Lor said. Samarkand made it two wins in a row with success in the Class 4 Ngau Chi Wan Handicap (1800m) for David Hayes and Jerry Chau. Carrying 127lb, the Mongolian Khan gelding again show his liking for Happy Valley with another brave performance. “He’s acclimatised now and I have a feeling he’s that style of horse who really likes the Valley and can keep going through the classes because he’s got tactical speed and that makes it easier,” Hayes said. “We’ll race him around here and probably keep him to a mile. He can go 1800 (metres) but he’s more impressive at the mile.” Cody Mo and Luke Ferraris combined with Togepi, narrow winner of the first section of the Class 4 Kwun Tong Handicap (1200m) after Douglas Whyte’s patience with Double Show was rewarded when the Showcasing gelding snared the Class 5 Ngau Tau Kok Handicap (1000m) under Teetan. Rated 25 after 25 winless starts across three seasons, the five-year-old finished stoutly for breakthrough success. Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday. View the full article

By Michael Guerin New Zealand’s best pacer is set to head to Australia for the first time and he could be taking some heavyweight mates with him. Akuta has had a change of plans and will be set for the Ballarat (January 20) and Hunter Cups (February 3) in Victoria after stopping in at Alexandra Park in Auckland for the $60,000 Franklin Cup on December 31. “We looked at the programmes and there isn’t a great deal for him here in January and February and he can make a lot more money in Australia,” says co-trainer Mark Purdon. “At this stage he is booked to fly to Melbourne on January 10 and that would give us the option of the Shepparton Cup a few days later. “But that one isn’t confirmed. The main focus for him will be the Ballarat Cup leading into the Hunter Cup.” That sets up a possible shot at revenge over NSW pacer Swayzee, who beat Akuta in last month’s IRT New Zealand Cup, the rigours of that race leaving Akuta vulnerable as he was beaten three days later by stablemate Self Assured in the NZ Free-For-All. Before that he has dominated the New Zealand spring and the Australian trip will be his first there as Mark Purdon has barely raced a horse in Australia since the border re-opening after Covid. That will change in a big way with exciting three-year-old Don’t Stop Dreaming to join Akuta on the plane to Melbourne and Oscar Bonavena still a chance of heading to Melton for the two-race Great Southern Star, also on February 3. “Don’t Stop Dreaming is definitely going and he has a couple of Free-For-Alls he can race in and then the Bonanza on Hunter Cup night,” says Purdon. “If he won that it would qualify him for the Chariots Of Fire (March 2) in Sydney and he would go on that.” The Chariots is also on the agenda for Don’t Stop Dreaming’s arch rival and conqueror in last Sunday’s New Zealand Derby, Merlin. Purdon says that would raise the possibility of Akuta also heading to Sydney for the A$1million Miracle Mile on March 9 but no decision will be made on that until after the Hunter Cup. If Akuta, Swayzee and Leap To Fame all make it to the Hunter Cup to take on the local Victorian stars it would be a dream result for Harness Racing Victoria as harness fans have seen little true Trans Tasman competition since Covid, as this Saturday’s Kiwi-less Inter Dominion Finals highlight. A decision on whether New Zealand’s trotter of the moment Oscar Bonavena joins his stablemates in Victoria won’t be made until mid January as Purdon and son Nathan don’t want the Dominion winner away from home for too long. “He is in such a good space I wouldn’t want him over there for a month or anything because I’d hate to undo all our work. “But if he is sound and happy in January he could pop over for the Dullard Cup on January 27 and then the Great Southern Star the following week. “But that decision won’t be made for a while. For now, he will go to Invercargill next week.” Any sort of consistent high-level Trans Tasman competition would be a blessing for the industry at the moment as the code is so parochial and the biggest names clashing in both Melbourne and Sydney would create a totally different dynamic to the two major carnivals, one that has been missing for much of the last five years. Meanwhile, Purdon says the immediate future of unbeaten filly Millwood Nike will be cleared next Monday after she will have a scan to access the tendon injury that saw her withdrawn from last Sunday’s NZ Oaks. View the full article

Our Alley Cat (NZ) (Atlante) will have several disadvantages to contend with in the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday, but trainer Vicki Prendergast hopes the score can be evened out with Opie Bosson on board. A winner of seven races, and more than $311,000 in stakes, Our Alley Cat sits on top of the book in the feature sprint with 59kg, her closest rivals being Romancing The Moon (NZ) (El Roca) and Jodelin Gal (NZ) (Swiss Ace), five kilograms adrift, and the rest of the 14-horse field on the minimum. The seven-year-old mare earned her 99 rating with classy, and often bridesmaid-status performances through the group sprints in past seasons, which she rectified with a deserved black-type victory in the Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings in October. Typically among the quickest out of the gates, Our Alley Cat was uncharacteristically slow away last-start in the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe, and was unable to take up her usual on-speed position in the running, finishing an eventual sixth behind Campionessa (NZ) (Contribtuer). “She just missed the kick at Pukekohe. She was supposed to load last but that didn’t happen, and she’s pretty naughty in the gates so apparently when the gates opened she was playing up. She’s no good getting back like that,” Prendergast said. “She’s been fine since then and she’s in really good order for Saturday, we’re really happy with her.” Our Alley Cat will also contend with a wide draw in 12 at Te Rapa, Prendergast’s decision to start her mare fairly reliant on having the expertise of Bosson in the saddle. “I reckon Opie takes about five kilos off and she has to be a chance when he gets on her. I’m not sure I’d start her with anyone else, but having him on, I think it’s worth giving her a go,” she said. Although identifying the mare’s pet distance as 1400m, Prendergast is debating a start in the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) on New Year’s Day at Pukekohe over the mile features through the summer. “I haven’t really decided on the Railway, I’ve kept her nomination in because I think she’s better over 1200m than she is over a mile, so we’re still thinking on that one.” View the full article

Golden Gate Fields, which track owner 1/ST Racing is closing in mid-2024, will operate with sharply reduced purses when it opens for its winter/spring meet Dec. 26.View the full article

The two richest races in North America this week take place Dec. 16 when Aqueduct Racetrack hosts a pair of $500,000 divisions of the New York Stallion Series for juveniles at seven furlongs. View the full article

Santa Anita's popular Paddock Captain, John Shear passed away Tuesday from natural causes at age 102 in a rehabilitation facility in Arcadia, according to a statement from the Shear family that was shared via a racetrack press release. Beloved by the many fans with whom he came in contact, as well as by his fellow employees, jockeys and horsemen, Shear opted to retire at age 100 in 2021. That same year he was honored by the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters with the Mr. Fitz Award for typifying the spirit of racing. “John will be deeply missed by countless life-long friends here at Santa Anita,” said Nate Newby, Santa Anita Senior Vice President and General Manager. “We were honored to have him as part of the Santa Anita family for more than 60 years of dedicated service and we'll never forget him.” Born Jan. 17, 1921 in England, Shear was raised in an orphanage from age four to 14. At four feet, 11 inches, Shear, who sustained a shoulder injury while serving in an anti-aircraft unit during World War II, originally aspired to be a jockey and following the war, he emigrated to Vancouver, B.C., from where he came to Santa Anita as an exercise boy in 1954. Shear, who was an assistant trainer when he first began working in Santa Anita's parking lot in 1961, led an amazing life and remained fit thanks to a good diet and a consistent exercise regimen. He earned national acclaim at age 90, when on March 12, 2011, he saved a 5-year-old girl from catastrophic injury when he shielded her from a loose horse that bolted out of Santa Anita's Seabiscuit Walking Ring. John Shear is survived by his wife, Diane and their son, Michael Shear, who said that at some point in the near future, the family would have a private ceremony in honor of his father. The post Santa Anita Paddock Captain John Shear Passes At 102 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Oliver Kite will have to take the good with the bad when combining with a quality book of drives at Winton on Thursday. Kite won’t be lacking horsepower when he links up with six chances, headed by the highly talented Tact McLeod. But being handed a series of tough barrier draws means nothing is likely to come easy for the junior driver. Kite will have to negotiate a path from barrier 1 on the second row for Tact McLeod, who returns to racing in race 10 after an explosive first campaign earlier this year. After impressing in his recent trials, there seems little doubt the horse will be a big winning threat if he can get into clear air. “I am definitely excited to be driving him; I have driven him a few times at the trials, and he feels like a really nice horse,” Kite said. “He has got an awkward draw, but hopefully, he can get off at some stage and get a run.” “He won his maiden in 2.54 (for 2400m), so he is a pretty classy horse and he should be a good chance if he gets a bit of luck.” Kite also links up with Rakamurph in race 9 on Thursday. The Nathan Williamson-trained pacer looks a solid each-way threat in a handy field of three-year-olds. “He has trained on well since his first-up run; he has taken a lot of improvement from it. “He is a nice horse and he has tactical speed, so he should be an each-way chance.” Kite combines with his regular drive Durrant in race 5, who has also drawn barrier 1 on the second row. “With any sort of luck, he should be hitting the line strongly.” “He will definitely need the luck to come his way, but if it does, he’s a good each-way chance.” Bill Bootit looks another handy hope for Kite on Thursday. “He is a pretty honest trotter; he’s been going handy without getting a lot of luck.” “There are a couple of smart ones in there, but he looks a handy place chance.” Kite’s book is rounded out by Kensi and Tact Ronin. Kensi took on smart types in her last start at Addington, while Tact Ronin returns from a spell after trialling well. View the full article

Minutes after a $40,000 claimer named Jack A Rose (Midshipman) broke down in an April 3 race at Parx Racing, part owner Lisa Novak got a call and was told she had two choices, have the gelding euthanized or go through with an expensive and complex surgery that may or may not save his life. She didn't see it that way. There was only one choice. She would do whatever it took to save Jack A Rose's life. “I have so much love for him,” Novak said. “You can't just throw a life away.” Not everyone would have seen it that way. It was the tenth race at Parx that day, a $40,000 claimer for the type of horses who come and go without hardly anyone noticing. Trained by Michael Stidham, Jack A Rose had won two of eight career starts and earned $87,430. He would never be a stallion, be a star or make a lot of money, but Novak didn't care. She instructed the veterinary team at Parx to send Jack A Rose to Dr. Patty Hogan's clinic, where he would undergo a surgical procedure known as arthrodesis. An arthrodesis is where surgeons artificially fuse the joints through the use of ancillary devices like plates and screws. “This horse is just so sweet, kind and intelligent,” Novak said. “I had to do this for him.” The injury occurred in the left hind leg. “You hear the common term breakdown injury all the time, on the newscasts and TV shows.” said Hogan, who would perform the surgery on Jack A Rose. “They are very serious injuries that happen to the ankle. It's when the horses lose the integrity of the function of the ankle whether by breaking a sesamoid or suspensory. These surgeries are difficult and they are expensive. It has a lot of complications associated with it. It's a huge investment.” Jack A Rose on his day of admission | Hogan Equine Performing an arthrodesis on a horse is not uncommon. Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) underwent the surgery after she broke down prior to the Breeders' Cup and so did Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) before he was also injured while preparing for the Breeders' Cup. Echo Zulu survived; Geaux Rocket Ride did not. For those horses, the surgery made economic sense. Both had tremendous residual value and were worth far more than the cost of the surgery. No matter what happened with his surgery, Jack A Rose would never race again and could not even be ridden. He would be a pasture pet, one with no economic value. “The people who owned this horse are working class people who bred and loved this horse,” Hogan said. “He was a modest race horse but they didn't feel like bailing on him. They wanted to fix him even if that meant he was just going to live somewhere for the rest of his life. He has no economic value whatsoever. What they did, that kind of got to us. It was really touching that they took this to the extremes they did as responsible horse owners. Euthanasia was an absolutely reasonable choice for this kind of injury.” And there were no guarantees that he would survive the surgery. “There a lot of problems with this surgery,” Hogan said. “They are prone to laminitis in the other leg. They get infections because of all the metal. There's a lot of stress and a lot of tissue trauma. It's a big undertaking. Even if you have a horse that is insured many insurance companies consider the surgery an extreme measure and they won't honor the insurance policy.” Jack A Rose fused ankle | Hogan Equine Hogan normally gives a horse a break of a few days between the time they are injured and when she operates. Novak could have changed her mind, something a lot of people might have done when they started to add up the numbers. The cost of the operation plus the payments for the time the horse is laid up and recovering would come out to about $25,000. Novak grew up in Chicago and followed racing since she was very young. The first horse she fell in love with was Timely Writer, who had to be euthanized after breaking down in the GI 1982 Jockey Club Gold Cup. She said she was always haunted by his death and that it was never far from her mind when she had to start making decisions about Jack A Rose. Then there was the finances. “I am a supervisor at a carwash here in Chicagoland,” Novak explained. “I've made $61,000 so far this year and my take home pay has been about $48,000. No, I really didn't have the money to do this. I've been through hard times financially before. I had to do it.” She said she used credit cards to make the payments. Jack A Rose was operated on April 18 and everything went according to plan. “We removed all the cartilage of his joint and put it back in perfect alignment with screws and wiring and a plate and let bone heal to bone so it becomes one single unit of bone that's very functionable,” Hogan explained. “It no longer bends but horses who have had this surgery can get around fine.” Jack A Rose in the paddock running | Dr. Patricia Hogan Hogan said that she and her entire team rallied around the horse. “This was a completely heart-warming story,” Hogan said. “We do this surgery for horses, but it's always for ones that are worth a ton of money. To do one for a horse who is a 5-year-old gelding was just amazing. Our whole crew, we were heavily invested in this horse. He's a wonderful horse. Just a amazing animal. To know how much these people cared about him was special. It was very satisfying to have been able to do a good job for them. Horse racing get bashed so much. I like to get these stories out there to educate people and show them there are plenty of people out there who really love their horses.” Unable to have a second career, Jack A Rose is among the newest arrivals at Old Friends. Novak is hoping to visit him in January. “I love animals,” she said. “If I could save every horse I would.” The post A Loving Owner Takes A Chance, Spares No Expense To Save A Claimer’s Life appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Michael Hui made a shrewd buy at the 2022 November Horses of Racing Age Sale at Keeneland when he bought Value Engineering from the ELiTE consignment for $35,000. The gelding seeks a second straight victory in the Dec. 16 H. Allen Jerkens Handicap.View the full article

Tuesday's session featured Walk In The Park (Ire) as the sire of the top three lots at the Goffs December National Hunt Sale, and Wednesday's trade reflected much the same story, with that aforementioned sire responsible for two of the three top lots. However, it was No Risk At All (Fr)'s lot 605 that stole the show, when Glenvale Stud made a winning bid of €120,000 to top the session. Out of the Kayf Tara (GB) mare Hidden Harmony (Ire), the colt, the only one by his sire in the catalogue, entered the ring midway through the session. Consigned by Galbertstown Stables, the bay is a grandson of Shirley Casper (Ire) (Presenting {GB}), who won a Grade 2 NH Flat race, and was third in the G1 Paddy Power Champion INH Flat Race, as well as taking the G3 EBF Mares Novice Final Hurdle. The colt is from the family of G1 Irish Grand National H. Chase winner Thunder And Roses (Ire), a full-sister to his second dam. Colts by Walk In The Park brought €88,000 and €82,000 from Tally-Ho Stud and Redpender Stud, respectively. Lot 543, part of the Yellowford & Drumlin consignment, is from the same female line as Grade 1-winning hurdlers Best Mate (Ire) (Un Desperado {Fr}) and Cornish Rebel (Ire) (Un Desperado {Fr}). The third highest price was lot 557, who was consigned by Ballintry Stud. He is the first foal out of listed hurdle winner Getaway Gorgeous (Ire) (Getaway {Ger}), who was second in the G2 Island H. Hurdle. Of the 208 horses offered, 121 sold (58%). The gross was €2,139,600. Both the average and median showed improvement from fewer sold from those lots sent through the ring than last year, with the average up 8% to €17,683. The median rose by 14% to €12,000. Thursday's session will see foals, broodmares, and breeding prospects go under the hammer from 10 a.m. local time. The post Sire Polarisation Continues At Goffs December appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Both Charles Town Races and Mountaineer Park got approval Wednesday from the West Virginia Racing Commission (WVRC) to reduce live racing dates in 2024 compared to recent seasons. The Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) chapters at both tracks supported the diminished schedules based on available purse funds and projected horse populations. Right now the placeholders are 158 dates for Charles Town and 121 for Mountaineer. But the exact number of programs will ultimately be contingent on the outcome of several overlapping federal lawsuits that have to do with the legality of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). In July of 2022, the states of West Virginia and Louisiana won a preliminary injunction that has kept the HISA rules from being implemented in those two states until their lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of HISA gets decided in full. Then in September of 2023, the judge handling that case ordered it to be “administratively terminated” until the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals made a ruling in a separate (but related) suit in which the National HBPA is also alleging that HISA is unconstitutional. Oral arguments in the HBPA vs. HISA case were heard Oct. 4 but no Fifth Circuit decision has been issued yet. WVRC executive director Joe Moore explained during the Dec. 13 meeting that if HISA were to be deemed legal nationwide and/or the court's injunction barring implementation in West Virginia got lifted, both tracks would need to recalculate how much purse money was available and how many racing dates those funds could cover. That's because Charles Town and Mountaineer would be subject to HISA assessments for safety oversight and drug testing services that they currently don't pay because of the injunction that grants them an exception. According to HISA's 2024 budget, West Virginia's assessment for next year is $4,448,269 (Charles Town $3,281,367; Mountaineer $1,166,902). Moore said that “if HISA were to become effective in West Virginia, I suspect Charles Town and the horsemen would consider reducing their race days by a number to ensure that there were purse monies available after the [HISA] assessments were calculated for them.” Charles Town's director of racing, Charlie McIntosh, concurred. “If HISA were to come back into effect, we'd have to sit down and evaluate” funding options, McIntosh said. Mountaineer gate | Coady Photography No representative from Mountaineer spoke on the track's behalf during the meeting. The two tracks handled their dates reduction requests differently. Charles Town asked for and received 158 dates but left the door open to come back to the commission for a further reduction request if necessary. Mountaineer took the opposite approach, asking for and receiving the commission's approval for two dates contingencies so the track wouldn't have to come back a second time to request another trim if HISA gets legalized in the state. So the WVRC approved 121 dates for Mountaineer, with Moore explaining that “if feasible and [if West Virginia continues to] remain exempt from HISA, their number of live race days would increase to 128.” Moore said Mountaineer's season would run Apr. 28-Dec. 4 under the first contingency, with the meet extending through Dec. 11 if the second plan got utilized. Charles Town's 2024 schedule, according to the track's website, will consist of four- and three-date weeks nearly year-round, with breaks Aug. 25-Sept. 11 and Dec. 15-31. Charles Town's 158 dates for 2024 continues a downward trend. The track was awarded 164 dates in 2023 and 179 in 2022. Unless Mountaineer ends up running the bumped-up 128 dates, its 121-date allotment also represents a decrease, from 124 dates in 2023 and 130 dates in 2022. (All dates cited above are based on dates as originally assigned by the commission, and do not reflect any in-season program losses that might have occurred because of weather cancellations.) Even in years when the costs of HISA assessments have not been in play, the awarding of race dates in West Virginia has been a somewhat confusing several-step process. A state statute requires Charles Town to apply for 220 programs every year, and Mountaineer is required to apply for 210 dates. But those quotas haven't been reached for quite some time. What has ended up happening in recent seasons is that after the initial approvals of those mandated 220 and 210 dates every November by the WVRC, both venues have subsequently come back before the commission to ask for reductions that reflect what each track and its HBPA representatives think is a workable schedule. The dates reduction votes were unanimous Dec. 13, with WVRC chairman Ken Lowe Jr. and commissioner J.B. Akers voting in the affirmative, while commissioner Tony Figaretti was listed as being absent from the meeting because of a travel conflict. The post West Virginia Trims Dates For ’24, Exact Schedules Hinge On Outcome of HISA Legality appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2023 Wanamaker's December Sale catalogue is now available online with bidding open at 8:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 21, the first listing complete that day at 5:00 p.m. ET and subsequent listings to close in three-minute increments, the company said in a release Wednesday. With weanlings, yearlings, horses of racing age, open broodmares and broodmares in-foal all catalogued this month, top first-crop stallions of 2023 will also be represented. Yearlings by Mitole, Maximus Mischief and Vino Rosso are included. Highlights of the catalogue: A yearling filly by Mitole (Hip 6). Mitole is the leading first-crop sire by earnings and co-leader by winners. A yearling filly by Vino Rosso (Hip 3), out of SW Awesome Alexandra. A yearling filly by Maximus Mischief comes from the family of MGSW Candy Man Rocket (Hip 4). In-person inspections may be scheduled by contacting sellers with the information provided in the catalogue. The post Wanamaker’s December Sale Catalogue Released appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kentucky State Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, (R-Georgetown), a staunch supporter of horse racing in the Bluegrass, will not seek re-election for the 17th Senate District and allow his term to expire in December 2024, the Commonwealth of Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus said in a release early Wednesday afternoon. “I have decided not to seek re-election to the state Senate in 2024,” Senator Thayer said. “The end of my current term next year will mark 22 years in the Senate and 12 as Majority Floor Leader. After conversations with my adult children, close friends and colleagues, I have concluded this is the right decision.” Thayer is the longest-serving Republican Senate Majority Floor Leader in Kentucky history. The 17th Senate District, which includes Grant and Scott Counties and portions of Fayette and Kenton Counties, is within what has become known as Kentucky's Golden Triangle. As a leading voice for Thoroughbred racing, Thayer has championed the passage of historical horse racing and last year successfully co-led the fight to dissolve penny breakage, which has already returned millions of dollars back to horseplayers. The post Staunch Horse Racing Supporter Damon Thayer Will Not Seek State Re-election appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article