Wandering Eyes

What Mornington Races Where Mornington Racecourse – 320 Racecourse Rd, Mornington VIC 3931 When Tuesday, October 10, 2023 First Race 1:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble A competitive eight-race program is set down for decision on Tuesday afternoon at Mornington Racecourse. A perfect spring day is forecast, and despite the track being rated a Soft 6 at the time of acceptances, we anticipate the track to border on a Good 4, with the rail out 3m the entire circuit. Racing from Mornington gets underway at 1:30pm AEDT. Best Bet at Mornington: Warmonger We liked what we saw on his debut from Warmonger, and with that raceday experience under his belt, he can break maiden ranks at start two. The War Decree gelding made a lot of mistakes but still lost by just over a length, which suggests he was worth following. From barrier nine, Damian Lane will have this bloke settled up on speed, and as long as his racing manners have improved, Warmonger should have enough in the kitbag to reign supreme. Best Bet Race 4 – #12 Warmonger (9) 3yo Gelding | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | J: Damian Lane (57kg) +220 with Betfair Next Best at Mornington: Miss Moonshine In the opening leg of the quaddie, the Cindy Alderson-trained Miss Moonshine will be looking to go one better than her narrow defeat at the Mornington 1500m on September 30. The El Roca mare went down by the barest of margins when leading the field up, only to be nabbed late. Despite being allotted 62.5kg, Logan Bates, claiming 4kg and getting her in with 58.5kg, has her weighted perfectly in this BM58, stepping back from a BM70. She will be in the leading division upon settling, and from there, Miss Moonshine should prove too good. Next Best Race 5 – #1 Miss Moonshine (3) 5yo Mare | T: Cindy Alderson | J: Logan Bates (a4) (62.5kg) +400 with Neds Best Value at Mornington: Let’s Go Letty Hailing from the Peter Gelagotis barn, Let’s Go Letty is rock-hard fit, and recent runs suggest another win is close by. The five-year-old mare ran into one better at Moe two runs back before catching the eye late at Warrnambool when third on September 25. From barrier five under apprentice Tiani Chapman, the Sacred Falls mare will gain a perfect run in transit throughout. With the sit on a genuine speed over 1200m, look for Let’s Go Letty to be overpowering her rivals late. Best Value Race 7 – #14 Let’s Go Letty (5) 5yo Gelding | T: Peter Gelagotis | J: Tiani Champan (a3) (58.5kg) +1100 with Dabble Tuesday quaddie tips for Mornington races Mornington quadrella selections Tuesday, October 10, 2023 1-6-9 1-2-6-14 2-8-13-14 3-4-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Study Of Man (Ire) is making a growing impression with his first crop of runners, not least through his son Deepone (Ire), winner of the G2 Beresford S. for Vimal Khosla and Paddy Twomey. His latest winner, however, is perhaps the most special to Kirsten Rausing, the owner of Lanwades Stud where the son of Deep Impact (Jpn) stands. On Saturday at Newmarket, the newcomer Sons And Lovers (GB) got up on the line to win the seven-furlong juvenile maiden. Rausing, who bred the colt from the Smart Strike mare So In Love (GB), races him in partnership with her close friends Hugo and Maya Morriss, two immensely popular members of the Newmarket racing fraternity and the former owners of Banstead Manor Stud. Hugo was also a long-serving steward at both Newmarket racecourses. He and his wife Maya, who has been on long-term dialysis treatment, were able to be at the Rowley Mile thanks to the forethought of Jane Chapple-Hyam, who trains Sons And Lovers and gained special permission for the Morrises to be brought near to the winning line on the far side of the track in a mobility vehicle, which allowed Maya to watch from her wheelchair in the company of her trainer and her friend Wendy Milbank. Chapple-Hyam explained how she gave the owners an impromptu race-call as their colt made his debut. “I'm not a very good commentator,” she said. “It went something along the lines of 'sat last, now joint-second last, he has pulled out and is third' and then, 'he is coming through', then, 'oh, he's won!'” The trainer added, “I was expecting him to finish in the first three. He is a lovely horse. He is still a bit raw and he has got bit of maturing to do. He is a lovely mover but I was worried the ground might be too quick. I think we will put him away now and look forward to next season.” Parading in front of the stands is usually the preserve of Group 1 winners but, before returning to the winner's enclosure, jockey David Egan brought Sons And Lovers partially back down the track to greet the Morrisses. It was a touching move that wouldn't have been witnessed by many on course on Saturday, but meant the world to Hugo and Maya Morriss. Just over an hour earlier, the brilliant Inspiral (GB) and Frankie Dettori had stolen the show with a dazzling performance in the Sun Chariot, but far and away the most moving moment of the day was seeing that two-year-old, brimming with promise, head over to the far rail to be greeted by his delighted owners. In tough times, these Thoroughbreds have a way of lifting us up. Of helping us dream of better days to come. The post Sons And Lovers Provides Tonic For The Morrisses appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-SA, $61K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6fT, 6:00 p.m. Running on the Monday holiday, Santa Anita cards a maiden grass race which includes JUST FOR FUN (Justify). A $485,000 Keeneland September Yearling purchase by Mayberry Farm on behalf of Lee and Susan Searing's CRK Stable, the juvenile sets sail for trainer John Shirreffs. The bay filly is out fo SP Appeal to the Win (Successful Appeal), who is a half-sib to MSW Cool Cowboy (Kodiak Kowboy) and the dams of GII Bourbon S. hero Mutasaabeq (Into Mischief) and GI Whitney H. champ White Abarrio (Race Day). Under Just for Fun's third dam, we find the dam of MGSW Pee Wee Reese (Tribal Rule). Also making her debut is Lahar Blockade (Uncle Mo) for trainer Phi D'Amato. The bay filly went for $450,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale to Joey Platts and Volcanic Racing. TJCIS PPS The post Monday Insights: Justify Filly Takes To Turf For First Start At Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are few nine-year-old winners of claiming races who make the headlines but in the case of Zarica (Fr) it is fully justified. The daughter of Rio De La Plata entered the French racing history books on Friday when equalling the record number of wins in a season, striking at Compiegne for the 11th time in 2023. In her 15 starts this year stretching back to January, Zarica has never finished out of the first four and has appeared at tracks all over France, from Le Touquet down to Marseille Borely. Trained by Julien Phelippon, Zarica was bred by Julian Ince of Haras du Logis, where her sire stood until his death last year. Having won for the first time at four, she has now accrued 20 victories from her 77 starts. “She took her time,” said Ince of Zarica, who has really hit her stride at the age of nine, equalling the record held since 1997 of Alips (Fr), who was bred by Ince's friends and former Logis clients, the late Georges and Jacqueline Sandor. He added, “But it's another great thing to say about the French premiums, that they keep horses in training. She has equalled the record now but I'm sure Julien will try to beat it. He has October, November and December left, and if you look at her record she has an entry every two to three weeks.” Ince's breeding programme was also seen to good effect at Cholet on Saturday when he was responsible for the first winner of Le Brivido (Fr), the Classic-placed son of Siyouni (Fr) who started his stud career at Overbury Stud in England but is now resident at France's Haras de la Haie Neuve. His daughter Etel (Fr), bred by Ince from the Seeking The Gold mare Angel's Tears, triumphed on her third start for Anne-Sophie Crombez. Through his Haras du Logis draft, Ince is selling two yearlings by Le Brivido at the Arqana October Sale next week, including a brother to Brio (Fr), who was a close second on debut for Gavin Hernon at Saint-Cloud last week. “Brio looks to be a very good horse and his full-brother is going through the ring in October,” Ince said. “It's been a really fun weekend. It was huge fun watching Zarica equal the record. It was like winning the Gold Cup. We were shouting her across the line.” The post ‘It Was Like Winning the Gold Cup’: Ince Salutes Prolific Zarica appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}), the winner of last season's 1000 Guineas, has been retired and will be seen next in the Tattersalls December Mares Sale. The filly, owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, gave Newmarket trainer George Boughey his first Classic success at the Rowley Mile and was narrowly denied a follow-up victory in France when second by a head to Mangoustine (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. Cachet picked up an injury when fifth in the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot the following month and was off the track for 457 days before resuming at Doncaster this September. Her comeback run in the G3 Sceptre Fillies' S. saw her take fourth place, before finishing down the field in the G1 Prix de la Foret on Arc day. “It didn't go to plan as she's a filly who likes to run on the front end, was drawn a bit wide and never really got into a position,” said Boughey of Cachet's final start. “She will head to the mares' sale at Tattersalls later this year and I have no doubt she will become a super mum. If she could produce something half as good as her then we will all be very proud.” He added, “She's a filly who has been an absolute star for us. She's my first Group 1 winner and first Classic winner.” Bred by John Bourke of Hyde Park Stud from the Teofilo (Ire) mare Poyle Sophie (GB), Cachet was bought back when offered as a yearling by her breeder and was later sent to the Craven Breeze-up Sale, where she was bought by John and Jake Warren's Highclere Agency for 60,000gns. Boughey continued, “In this game she was a relatively inexpensive breeze-up purchase who went on to win a Classic. She's got 20 owners and they have all had an amazing time with her. “We will keep trying to find another one for them, but it is very hard to do so. She was a real gem and they are very hard to find.” The post Classic Winner Cachet Retired; Heads Next to Tattersalls appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sales action returns to Hokkaido's Northern Horse Park on Tuesday, October 24 with the second edition of the Northern Farm Mixed Sale. The auction features a selection of 44 weanlings which is followed by 76 broodmares and fillies out of training. The country's most recent Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn) was the star of the foal section of the JRHA Select Sale in July, and the Shadai stallion is represented by two of his first-crop weanlings in the Mixed Sale. Lot 6 is a Contrail filly out of the American Grade I winner Mirth (Colonel John), while lot 11 is a half-brother to the GI Kentucky Oaks winner Cathryn Sophia (Street Boss). Contrail's sire Kitasan Black (Jpn) also has a youngster in the sale, lot 8, a filly out of the Argentinean champion race mare Elvas (Arg) (Catcher In The Rye). A Kingman (GB) colt out of the well-related Deep Impact (Jpn) mare Ikat (Jpn) features as lot 9, while the sale opens with a son of Japanese champion sire-elect Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) out of the G2 Kilboy Estates S. winner Red Tea (GB) (Sakhee). An international array of bloodlines can be found in the filly and broodmare section. Three daughters of Deep Impact are included, with two of them being the offspring of Argentinean Grade I winners. Of those, Culminate (Jpn), out of the champion three-year-old Cursora (Arg) (Candy Stripes), is offered as lot 111 in foal to Jim Bolger's 2,000 Guineas winner Poetic Flare (Ire). The Heart's Cry (Jpn) mare Premiere Score (Jpn) is catalogued as lot 103 and is a winning daughter of the G2 Oaks d'Italia and G1 Premio Lydia Tesio victrix Final Score (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) from the family of Irish Oaks winner Sea Of Class (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). She has been covered by the Japanese Derby winner Rey De Oro (Jpn). Another daughter of Heart's Cry catalogued as lot 151 is the three-year-old filly Lebens Beruf (Jpn), whose claims to being a future enticing broodmare prospect are backed up by her strong page. She is a three-parts-sister to the Japanese champion juvenile filly Danon Fantasy (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and out of the dual Grade 1 winner Life For Sale (Arg) (Not For Sale {Arg}). The post International Bloodlines on Offer at Northern Farm Mixed Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stall Hanse's Geography (Ger) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}–Guajara {Ger}, by Montjeu {Ire}) followed up a debut success at Dusseldorf in August with a fifth in Baden-Baden's G3 Zukunfts-Rennen and bounced back to claim a career high in Sunday's G3 Wettstar.de – Preis des Winterfavoriten, Germany's premier juvenile contest, at Cologne. The 21-10 second choice was the sharpest of seven into stride and tanked along under a firm on the lead from flagfall in this first attempt at this one-mile distance. Shaken up to poach a decisive advantage with 500 metres remaining, he was beyond recall entering the final furlong and kept on strongly in the latter stages to hold the late thrust of Narrativo (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) by a neck. The duo were four lengths clear of the remainder, headed by 2-1 favourite Inside Matters (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). “I didn't really want to go to the front and it wasn't the plan to do so, but we got off to a fast start and nobody wanted to take the lead,” winning rider Rene Piechulek told GaloppOnline. “He just did it all by himself. He has a lot of heart, but was unable to show his true value [in the Zukunfts-Rennen] at Baden-Baden. We still don't know what happened there.” Trainer Peter Schiergen added, “He's going on winter break now and we'll see whether or not he'll be one of the leading stayers in the future.” Pedigree Notes Geography, who becomes the 56th pattern-race winner for his sire, is the fourth of five foals and first black-type scorer out of Listed Premio Paolo Mezzanotte victrix Guajara (Ger) (Montjeu {Ire}). He is a half to Listed Glasgow S. runner-up Groundbreaker (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and a weanling colt by Too Darn Hot (GB). The March-foaled bay's second dam, Listed Dortmunder Stutenpreis third Global World (Ger) (Big Shuffle), has produced three stakes winners headed by G3 Frankfurter Stutenpreis victrix and multiple stakes producer Goathemala (Ger) (Black Sam Bellamy {Ire}). She is also the second dam of G3 Meld S.-winning G1 Grosser Dallmayr Preis third Patrick Sarsfield (Fr) (Australia {GB}). Global World is a full-sister to G3 Dusseldorfer Fruhjahrsmeile victor Global Thrill (GB) as well as being kin to six further stakes performers including G2 Maurice Lacroix Trophy victor Global Dream (Ger) (Seattle Dancer). Geography's fourth dam is G3 German 1000 Guineas heroine Grimpola (Ger) (Windwurf {Ger}), whose descendants feature MG1SW Irish Derby-winning sire Fame And Glory (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire) and MG1SW 1000 Guineas heroine Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Sunday, Cologne, Germany WETTSTAR.DE – PREIS DES WINTERFAVORITEN-G3, €155,000, Cologne, 10-8, 2yo, 8fT, 1:35.21, g/s. 1–GEOGRAPHY (GER), 128, c, 2, by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) 1st Dam: Guajara (Ger), by Montjeu (Ire) 2nd Dam: Global World (Ger), by Big Shuffle 3rd Dam: Goonda (GB), by Darshaan (GB) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€95,000 Ylg '22 BBAGS). O-Stall Hanse; B-Stiftung Gestut Fahrhof (GER); T-Peter Schiergen; J-Rene Piechulek. €85,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, €93,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Narrativo (Ger), 128, c, 2, Adlerflug (Ger)–Nicella (Ger), by Lando (Ger). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Gestut Ittlingen; B-Gestut Hof Ittlingen; T-Markus Klug. €31,000. 3–Inside Matters (Fr), 128, c, 2, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Silimeri (Fr), by Dansili (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€160,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG). O-Eckhard Sauren; B-Ecurie des Monceaux, Ecurie Skymarc Farm & Lordship Stud (FR); T-Henk Grewe. €20,500. Margins: NK, 4, NO. Odds: 2.10, 4.80, 2.00. Also Ran: Borna (Fr), Larios (Ger), Backes (Ger), Mister Fernando (Ire). Scratched: Maigret (Ger). The post Holy Roman Emperor’s Geography Charts Passage To Winterfavoriten Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

French Classic winner Mariah Ya Sanafi (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) heads a total of 60 entries for the $1-million Bahrain International Trophy, which has this year been upgraded to Group 2 status and is set to be run on Friday, November 17. The list of international challengers features horses from eight countries, including France, Germany, Britain and Ireland, with 38 group winners among them. Other notable entries include Godolphin's dual Group/Grade 1 winner Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), Horizon Doré (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}), recent winner of the G2 Prix Dollar, G2 Dante winner The Foxes (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Coolmore's globetrotting Point Lonsdale (Ire) ((Australia {GB}), and last year's winner of the Bahrain International Trophy, Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The 10-furlong race will have maximum field of 14. Yusuf Buheji, CEO, Bahrain Turf Club, said, “We are delighted that the Bahrain International Trophy has attracted such a strong entry. To have eight different countries represented and for the horses to be of such a high standard is very encouraging. “The Bahrain International Trophy is our showpiece event and we are looking forward to staging the most competitive and valuable running of the race to date and welcoming runners and their connections from all over the world to Bahrain.” Ed Veale, Director of Racing and International Relations for the Bahrain Turf Club added, “To have a total of 60 entries featuring 38 Group race winners, including three that have scored at the highest level, is fantastic and a reward for the sustained investment in the race by the Club.” The Bahrain International Trophy is not the only race on the island to have received a boost in prize-money. Bahrain's three Listed races, the Crown Prince's Cup, the King's Cup and the Al Methaq Mile, have all increased in value and the prize-money on offer in the ten races that comprise the Bahrain Turf Series has also increased with each race now worth $80,000 (£65,000). A full list of entries can be found here. The post Classic Winner Heads Bahrain International Trophy Entries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Brian Sheerin has been promoted to sales editor for TDN Europe and will oversee the publication's extensive coverage of bloodstock auctions across all sectors. Sheerin, who is based in Dublin, joined the TDN in May 2022 as an associate editor after six years working for the Racing Post in Ireland. “The bloodstock sales calendar in Europe is growing all the time and, since Brian joined TDN, it is an area which he has embraced,” said TDN's European editor Emma Berry. “Through his extensive contacts and knowledge, Brian will undoubtedly continue to enhance our coverage of this vital sector of the breeding industry. It is a pleasure to work with someone who shows such enthusiasm and initiative.” Brian Sheerin said, “I am extremely proud to be a part of the team behind the leading daily bloodstock publication. I'd especially like to thank Gary King and Emma Berry for introducing me to many of the great characters in the bloodstock industry and for helping me to share their stories since I joined the TDN Europe team last year. I'm excited to endeavour to continue to produce engaging content surrounded by a brilliant team of writers.” The post Brian Sheerin Appointed Sales Editor appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Only in racing are the best sent off to stud to produce new – or preferably better – versions of themselves. Roger Federer, say, will have fielded countless offers for his retirement years – but not that one. To watch magisterial Thoroughbreds race is privilege enough. But we then get to see fresh manifestations of them arrive as foals. Champions retire but their progeny take over and keep the family story going. For many of us the end of Frankel's racing career was hard to bear. Yours truly felt a bit better about it after a visit to Juddmonte to give him a pat and write about his new life as a stallion. His change of role was such big news that BBC Radio 5 Live broadcast a 90-minute programme on how it might turn out. When I made the pilgrimage to Juddmonte, he was showing early promise. Now, he is the big daddy of sires. It's Frankel's world: we all just live in it. The last week or so has affirmed once more his extraordinary potency. First, his grandson (via Cracksman) Ace Impact won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with an exhilarating burst of power. Chasing him home were two sons of Frankel, Westover and Onesto. A couple of hours later his daughter Kelina won the Group 1 Prix de Fôret. Longchamp's podium on Arc day was the Frankel show. Then, four days later, a Frankel colt out of Bizzarria became (at current exchange rates) the most expensive yearling sold this year in Europe, falling to MV Magnier for 2 million guineas from Tattersalls October Book 1. Coolmore were splashing on a son of the fastest sire in history to reach 50 Group winners: a stallion with 10 Group 1 winners already in 2023. To the bloodstock industry it's a numbers game. Yet each Frankel colt or filly represents him in a way more profound than the income generated or their status on a pedigree chart – important though they are. On racetracks and in betting shops, most punters won't care who was the sire or dam of the quadruped carrying their bet, except as a piece of data (“will he get the trip?”). Readers of this publication will know that pedigrees are a richly fascinating second dimension for the sport: a realm of hit and miss, serendipitous pairings, and, when it works, eternal life for sire and dam. There was a problem with sending Frankel to stud. It was virtually impossible for him to sire a superior son or daughter. The same might be said of Sea The Stars, and others. But Frankel had something extra: a perfect record of 14 wins and an exuberant, Hollywood racing style, topped off with a will – or make that a need – to win. And he raced on as a four-year-old, proof of his resilience. The package felt unsurpassable. Even with the world's best mares to buddy up with, all Frankel could do was fertilise versions of himself that were good but less good than he had been. There were other frontiers for him. His own racing range from three-to-four years old was eight-to-10 furlongs. Perhaps he could spawn a champion mile-and-a-half-horse, or even a stayer? Well, this year he has laid claim to an Ascot Gold Cup winner (Courage Mon Ami) and, as grandsire, the best middle-distance horse in Europe, Ace Impact. The successful second life bestowed on arguably the greatest horse to have raced in Britain is immensely pleasing. By Galileo, 12 times the champion sire in Europe, Frankel is creating a dynasty almost as striking as his 10 Group 1 wins on the track from 2010-2012, that golden age. Twelve per cent of his runners have won Group races. In 2023 he has dispatched from his boudoir the 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean and Soul Sister, who won the Oaks. Last year his nine Group 1 winners made him the world's leading stallion by that measure. Westover, Nashwa, Homeless Songs, Alpinista and Inspiral were all his. His sons already at stud include Cracksman, Without Parole, Elarqam and Logician, who stands as a National Hunt stallion, as if to tick yet another box. The successful second life bestowed on arguably the greatest horse to have raced in Britain is immensely pleasing. So many of his offspring present his urge to race and dominate – and to quicken. So many of them have natural enthusiasm – and gears. Now, he's a mellow soul led to daily dalliances. Never again will we see his sumptuous flowing stride. But he lives on as a racehorse. The entertainment he lavished on us renews itself. You can't help feeling that racegoers who have no interest in pedigrees and think of breeding as a remote industrial satellite of betting are missing out. The post Racing’s Unique Claim to Sporting Immortality appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dog Penalties MR FARENHEIT | Palmerston North 2 October; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. BIG TIME STRIPE | Wanganui 6 October; marring (3rd offence); stood down for 3 months and must complete 2 trials. The post 2-8 October 2023 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The stakes-laden Oct. 7 card at Aqueduct Racetrack kicked off with a familiar sight—Chad Brown and Klaravich Stables winning a graded stakes race for female grass horses—when McKulick emerged triumphant in the $200,000 Waya Stakes (G3T).View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Mark Purdon is well placed to win a fourth Victoria Derby final after The Real Sherlock’s upset victory in a heat of the series at Melton last night. In the biggest shock of the night, Australia’s top-rated three-year-old The Lost Storm led and was easily rundown as a $1.12 favourite in the second Derby heat. It was The Real Sherlock, who did plenty early from a wide draw to get back and then took the one-one trail, who finished best to beat Perfect Class in the stronger of the two Derby heats. “I know how fast he is and he was traveling well coming to the last bend. He finished it off really well,” driver Greg Sugars said. “He’s certainly up to the task of winning the final, but the barrier draw and luck in running will be very important.” Purdon, now in partnership with son Nathan, last won the Victoria Derby with the great Lazarus in 2016. Before that he won with Rare Gem in 2001 and Sharp And Telford in 1996. The Lost Storm’s driver Mark Pitt said the star youngster wasn’t quite right. “He didn’t pull-up 100 per cent, but they’ve got a week to get him back on top of his game for the final,” he said. Earlier, Pitt teamed with The Lost Storm’s brilliant stablemate, Petracca, for an easy win in the first Derby heat where it was a Stewart-trained quinella with the emerging Celebrity Royal running a slashing second. X X X What an inspired trip to Australia this has been for young Kiwi trotting filly High Step. Purdon Racing’s youngster made it three wins from as many Victorian runs and did so in by far her most stunning style yet at Melton last Friday night. High Step worked across to lead from gate six, always looked in control and zoomed away to win as she liked by 15.5m. Her closing splits were 57.9 and 28.5sec. Unlike stablemates High Energy and The Real Sherlock, High Step is staying in Victoria until the end of the month. Her biggest target of the trip is the time-honoured $50,000 Group 1 Redwood Classic at Maryborough on October 29. High Step’s older sister, High Energy, clearly wasn’t herself when unplaced for the first time in her 11-start career at Melton last Friday. High Energy sat midfield in the running line, but was struggling before the home turn and weakened to finish 16.1m away in eight spot behind Shes Ruby Roo in the $50,000 Need For Speed Princess final. On the same card, Australia’s top three-year-old trotter The Locomotive smashed through the $300,000 prize money barrier with an easy win in the $50,000 Need For Speed Prince final. X X X Brilliant Kiwi-owned trotting mare Queen Elida looks primed to snare her seventh Group 1 win at Melton next Saturday night. And her owners Tony Barron and Gordon McKenzie will be trackside to cheer her on. The five-year-old made it nine wins (and a second) from her past 10 starts when she toyed with her rivals in the George Gath (2240m) at Melton last Friday night. She will be a hot favourite to back-up and win the Group 1 Bill Collins Sprint at Melton next Saturday night. “It’ll be great to see her trackside again,” Barron said. “I’m actually coming across for a week because she’s got a mares’ free-for-all the following Friday, too.” The daughter of Love You was sublime last Friday, posting her 28th win from just 46 starts despite sitting parked throughout. John Justice’s classy former Kiwi trotter Musafa Metro led easily and cruised along, but was no match for the brilliance of Queen Elida in closing splits of 55.5 and 27.3sec. The other class runner, Im Ready Jet, had the gun behind the leader and closed well late for third without ever looking a winning hope. X X X A huge group of owners were trackside to see August Moon lead throughout and land a photo-finish win in last Friday night’s Group 1 WA Oaks. In a stirring finish, champion driver Gary Hall Jr lifted the August Moon after she appeared to be headed by former Kiwi filly Turn The Page and win by a nose. It was Hall Jr’s third WA Oaks win, having scored previously on Major Reality (2015) and Miss Holmes (2004). Turn The Page, a daughter of Vincent, was the run of race after sustaining a three-wide run without cover for the last lap for Team Bond and driver Deni Roberts. Classy Victorian raider Soho Seraphine did the work outside the leader and battled away well to finish a close fourth in a 1min57.9sec mile rate for the long 2536m trip. Although Roberts was narrowly denied the Oaks win, she enjoyed another stellar night with four wins. The highlight was the return to winning form of Team Bond’s classy pacer Minstrel, who made the most of the pole to lead and blitzed his rivals in slick 1min55.6sec mile rate for 2536. Roberts also won aboard former Kiwi pacers Lusaka, Carana and Getn Wiggy Withit. X X X Top class former Kiwi mare Braeview Kelly booked herself a Victorian trip when she blitzed her rivals first-up at Menangle last night. The reigning Queen Elizabeth II (formerly Ladyship Mile) winner unleashed a blazing finish to beat stablemate B K Swy by 6.3m in a slick 1min51.sec mile. Trainer-driver Jack Trainor thanked fellow trainer Jarrod Alchin for helping prepare the mare for her winning return. “Jarrod’s done a lot of the work with her and it’s great to have her back in this sort of form,” he said. “She wasn’t quite right during the Queensland trip (in winter), but she is back to the mare of old. “I know how hard it will be against the likes of Ladies In Red and others in Victoria, but we’ll give her the chance. She deserves it.” X X X Brilliant filly Major Delight looks to have next Saturday night’s Group 1 Victoria Oaks at her mercy. The Emma Stewart-trained star made it 12 wins from just 13 starts when she won her Oaks heat with ears still pricked in closing splits of 54.7 and 26.3sec at Melton last night. Stablemate Joyful, part owned by Cran Dalgety, grabbed the eye with a booming fourth from last but will need a gun draw to seriously test Major Delight in the final. The first saw Jess Tubbs’ emerging filly First Dance, a half sister to veteran star Triple Eight, land a big betting plunge and lead throughout to beat recent Vicbred final winner Sahara Breeze. View the full article

When Indian Charlie died prematurely from cancer at the age of 16 in 2011, the loss was palpable. He had perennially been among the nation's leading sires, while his prowess as a broodmare sire had yet to fully emerge. He had several sons already at stud, but waiting in the wings was his top successor and one who would ultimately put him on the map as a sire of sires. At the time of Indian Charlie's death, Uncle Mo had just closed out his racing career and was preparing for his first breeding season. No one could have envisioned what would happen next. Uncle Mo was the runaway leading freshman sire in 2015, setting what was then a record for freshman earnings with his first crop, but he didn't stop there. He's constantly come up with good horse after good horse since, then sent his own first sons to stud, where they took three of the top four freshman spots in 2020. And he's showing no signs of slowing down, with current GISWs including Breeders' Cup-bound Arabian Knight and Adare Manor. Two of his sons–dual Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal and GISW Mo Town–have since joined Uncle Mo on Ashford's roster. As icing on the cake, Uncle Mo's first daughters are doing him credit as a broodmare sire, with Saturday's GI American Pharoah S. winner Muth (Good Magic) and this summer's GI TVG.com Haskell S. winner Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) among his early black-type winners as a damsire. Uncle Mo, and the man who campaigned him, Mike Repole, are so entrenched as part of the fabric of the upper echelon of the sport that it's difficult to remember that wasn't the case as recently as 15 years ago. When 'Mo' was born, Repole had never even won a stakes race and was focused on claimers. Repole's purchase of the bay as a $220,000 yearling at Keeneland September in 2009 changed everything. No one can tell it better than Repole himself, who captures the heart of the sport as he shares his memories: “Basically if there was no Uncle Mo, Repole Stable wouldn't be where it is today. He was the patriarch to Repole Stable. I was in horse racing at a claiming level probably from 2004-2009 and then the son of Indian Charlie out of the dam Playa Maya burst on the scene. I was just doing business with Todd [Pletcher] for about a year and I asked him if he liked the horse. He said, 'I think he's really good,' but I didn't know what that meant. “We won [on debut] on Travers Day. Uncle Mo stole the day. The day was supposed to be about the Travers but he broke his maiden by 14 and that's what people were talking about. “I never had a good horse like that before. He was something special. So now, [I'm realizing] this is pretty serious. “I got to witness a superstar [break his maiden]. As someone who has been in racing as a fan since I was 13, I watched horses do this and then I'd be awestruck. I felt like a 13-year-old kid again. It took me about five minutes before I realized he was my horse and I was on my way to the winner's circle. “I never had a horse like this; I had chills.” And that was just Uncle Mo's maiden! Uncle Mo would go next in the GI Champagne S. at Belmont in October of 2010 and get Repole his very first black-type win. “I was 0-37 in stakes races before,” said Repole. “Uncle Mo was my first stakes win. It was pretty special. He won the Champagne by five lengths. Then we went to Churchill [for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile] and he was the favorite. He won by five lengths again. “Fifteen years ago I didn't even know what the Eclipse Awards were and then I won one. It was all new, it was surreal. My whole family–50 or 60 of us–went to every single race. I always knew the game, but this with Uncle Mo was something special.” Repole, in partnership, has won two more Eclipse Awards with Breeders' Cup winners: Vino Rosso in 2019 and Forte in 2022. “To win the Breeders' Cup, to be an Eclipse Award winner…they all feel incredibly special, but nothing like Uncle Mo. “The feelings I experienced then, the innocence of being a first-time owner of a pretty special horse, it makes me emotional just thinking about it.” Ashford, where Uncle Mo now stands, is no stranger to top-class stallions. It's a testament to his ability as a sire that Uncle Mo has topped the Ashford roster's fees for the past few years. “Uncle Mo was a sensational racehorse and is proving to be a very important stallion,” said Charlie O'Connor, Ashford's director of sales. “Successful from the start, he sired 25 stakes winners from his first crop including a Kentucky Derby winner and has since gone on to sire 14 Grade I winners and just shy of 100 stakes winners. They can run on any surface and at any distance: he can get you a Grade I Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner, a Grade I Belmont Stakes winner, and everything in between. He has had another terrific year at the sales with five $1-million+ yearlings and is proving to be a very successful sire of sires and an emerging top broodmare sire, all of this whilst still only being 15 himself. He's a very special horse.” Uncle Mo (2008 bay horse, Indian Charlie–Playa Maya, by Arch) Lifetime record: Ch. 2yo colt, MGISW, 8-5-1-1, $1,606,000 Breeders' Cup connections: B-D. Michael Cavey DVM (KY); O-Repole Stable; T-Todd Pletcher; J-John Velazquez. Current location: Coolmore America/Ashford Stud, Versailles, Ky. The post Catching Up with 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Winner Uncle Mo appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Laurie Plesa and Glassman Racing's Time Passage collected her third straight victory since being sent around two turns on Tapeta Oct. 7 at Gulfstream Park, where the daughter of Tunwoo scored a dominating victory in the $100,000 Miss Gracie Stakes.View the full article

Town Cryer (orange & black) strides away from Prowess to score in the Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) In a captivating turn of events at the Group 3 Taranaki Breeder’s Stakes (1400m), Town Cryer, against the expectations of many, managed to stave off the late challenge from the multiple Group One winner Prowess. Trainer Royden Bergerson, however, harboured a quiet confidence in his mare’s ability to excel, particularly with the track conditions favouring her. Anticipating Prowess to be a formidable contender in the feature race at Hawera, Bergerson’s optimism grew upon learning that the track would be in the Soft range. His six-year-old daughter of Tavistock, guided by rider Johnathan Parkes, established a steady pace from the barrier rise and seemed comfortable approaching the home bend. Town Cryer resisted challenges from Darci La Bella and Mazzolino, surging ahead as Prowess launched a powerful late burst. Despite Prowess making a compelling bid, Town Cryer maintained her lead, crossing the line with a one-length advantage, with Mazzolino securing a respectable third place. Returning to his old hometown, Bergerson expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It was great to come back to my old hometown and pick up the big one today.” The decision to take on a significant challenge paid off, and Bergerson commended both the mare’s form and Parkes’s adept ride. “As soon as she came into the stable as a two-year-old, I said to my old mate GV (Gary Vile) she was a Group horse, and he laughed at me,” shared Bergerson. “She has just matured, and it was a great ride by Parkesy. “I had been thinking I would send her to the Coupland’s Mile, but I might keep her back and aim her at something a little bigger in the North Island now.” Parkes, the winning rider, acknowledged Bergerson’s preparation and the mare’s performance. “Full credit to Royden as he had this mare spot on for today,” Parkes said. “She looked amazing and trialled up really well. She pinned her ears back and fought hard.” Town Cryer’s victory marked her sixth win out of 25 starts, accumulating just under $200,000 in prizemoney for Bergerson and her group of owners. Co-trainer Roger James, handling Prowess in partnership with Robert Wellwood, acknowledged the challenging Soft 7 surface and expressed confidence in Prowess’s improvement in subsequent races, drawing a parallel to the All Blacks’ season opener. More horse racing news View the full article

Merribelle Stable’s Didia was in charge throughout the Oct. 7 Rodeo Drive Stakes (G2T), kicking clear in upper stretch for an unchallenged 1 3/4-length win, "with plenty left in the tank," as track announcer Frank Mirahmadi remarked. View the full article

Zedan Racing Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' Muth (c, 2, Good Magic–Hoppa, by Uncle Mo), second after pressing a blistering pace in the GIII Best Pal S. Aug. 13, showed a new dimension by coming off the pace while making his two-turn debut in style in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' GI American Pharoah S. at Santa Anita. It was four lengths back to his Bob Baffert-trained stablemate Wine Me Up (Vino Rosso) in second. Be You (Curlin) was third. The final time for 1 1/16 miles was 1:42.45. The 2-5 favorite rated kindly in an inside fourth as his aforementioned stablemate led through fractions of :23.30 and :46.49. Muth was ridden to take on Wine Me Up approaching the quarter pole, took over in the stretch and drew clear to win for fun. Muth, the $2 million OBS March topper, becomes a record-extending 12th American Pharoah winner for Baffert and the third winner at the top level for his young sire Good Magic. Sales history: $190,000 yrl '22 KEESEP; $2,000,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0. O-Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.; B-Don Alberto Corporation (Ky); T-Bob Baffert HIS NAME IS MUTH!@JJHernandezS19 set him up for a perfect pocket trip in the $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes (G1) @LanesEndFarms @BreedersCup Challenge Series Race at @santaanitapark. Trained by @BobBaffert for owner @ZedanRacing! Congrats to the connections! pic.twitter.com/zmY2S3hygK — TVG (@TVG) October 8, 2023 The post Good Magic’s ‘Rising Star’ Muth Tops Baffert Exacta in American Pharoah appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Peter Brant's Gina Romantica, who captured the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland last fall for trainer Chad Brown, picked up a second grade 1 at the Lexington racetrack in taking the $750,000 First Lady Stakes (G1T).View the full article

As it would turn out, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, represented by a trio of runners in the $500,000 Jockey Club Derby Invitational, took the top three spots. View the full article

In his stakes debut off an impressive maiden win at Saratoga Race Course, Locked circled rivals in the far turn and then prevailed in a stretch duel with The Wine Steward to win the $580,750 Breeders' Futurity (G1) Oct. 7 at Keeneland.View the full article

Master of The Seas looked like a winner in the final eighth of the $1 million Turf Mile (G1T) but Up to the Mark followed him through the same seam and outran him to a dramatic photo finish that showed Up to the Mark on top by a nose. View the full article

Legarto will head to the A$10 million Golden Eagle after her Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) victory on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) In a commanding performance in Saturday’s Listed Matamata Cup (1600m), Legarto overcame last week’s weather challenges and is now eyeing Sydney. Trained by Ken and Bev Kelso, the exceptional daughter of Proisir, a Group One winner on both sides of the Tasman last season, including the Australian Guineas, showcased her prowess once again. Despite being a hot favourite for the Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Hastings, Legarto was scratched due to relentless rain and unfavourable track conditions. The Kelso’s recalibrated their strategy, opting for the Matamata Cup a week later, where Legarto, aided by weight relief, emerged as the -166.67 favorite. Jockey Ryan Elliot strategically positioned Legarto, keeping her away from the rail to avoid traffic trouble. With a well-timed move down the side of the track, Legarto surged alongside the front-runner La Crique, ultimately winning by three-quarters of a length from Aquacade. “I just told Ryan to ride her like the best horse in the race – give her clear air and she’ll do the rest, “said co-trainer Ken Kelso. “He gave her plenty of room, got her into the clear and it was very pleasing. “She’s an excitement machine, and it’s a privilege to train her for nice people…It’s a big thrill for both of us. “We’ll keep going for a while yet when we have a horse like her.” Looking ahead, the Kelso’s are targeting the A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) on November 4. Legarto’s impressive victory has elevated her status, and online betting sites now rate her as a +500 chance for the Golden Eagle. Ryan Elliot, confident in Legarto’s abilities, remarked, “Just wait until she hits a good track. Watch out, Aussie.” “We’ve got a month now between this race and the Golden Eagle, so we’ll probably give her an exhibition gallop or a trial or something in between,” revealed Ken Kelso. “We’re pretty well on track again now, I think.” More horse racing news View the full article

Three Witches held off heavy favorite Maryquitecontrary to win the Oct. 7 Princess Rooney Invitational Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

The Hong Kong Observatory is expected to issue the No 8 storm signal between noon and 2pm, meaning Sunday’s 10-race card is offView the full article