Wandering Eyes

A new training partnership will shoot for its first win at Timaru on Friday. Celebrated North Canterbury husband and wife duo John and Karen Parsons have been joined in partnership by former South Canterbury trainer Vicky Ramhit. Ramhit spent five years working for the Parsons before going into partnership with Timaru trainer Bruce Tapper for three years, winning 30 races including the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton and the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) with Specialty. The Parsons and Ramhit had their first runners together at Riccarton last week but six runners at Phar Lap Raceway give them the chance to chalk up their first win as a training trio. “Vicky had approached us and we’re at the stage now where we need someone to help us out, so it’s worked out all right,” Karen Parsons said. “He went home to Mauritius for six weeks and then joined us. It would be nice to get our first win tomorrow. Vicky’s been through our runners and he’s hoping Final Savings can be the one. He was always his favourite horse when he worked here before.” Savabeel eight-year-old Final Savings tackles the Richard & Bridget Preston Handicap (1200m) fresh-up for a new campaign. A winner of six of his 77 starts, Final Savings has yet to win in a fresh state but Parsons said he was fit enough to run a bold race under the stables 4kg-claiming apprentice Mahipal Singh. “The horse is really forward. He’s been working really well and we’re hoping he can run well,” Parsons said. The stable’s other runners at Timaru are Cheyenne Bodie, On File, My Degree, Colossal and Henriqui, while Watch Out and Amberecho will have exhibition gallops ahead of racing assignments at Ashburton next weekend. “I’d love to see My Degree win. One of his owners hasn’t been very well and we’d love to see her run well for him,” Parson said. “We used to train the mother and as John said, she wouldn’t have even got warmed up before she got up to 1600m so the extra distance should really help her.” Parsons said all the team had prepared well for the meeting and she was hopeful one could get the win for Ramhit. View the full article

New Zealand stud master and owner Luigi Muollo didn’t hesitate to pay the $2000 first acceptance fee for the Melbourne Cup for Medatsu, who has the distinction of being the only three-year-old among the 72 horses left in contention for the race. Muollo said he wasn’t being fanciful but cautious in paying up for his Chris Waller-trained gelding, who won a Kembla Grange Class 1 over 2000 metres at his Australian debut on September 23. “He’d have to win the Victoria Derby without too much pressure to even consider a Melbourne Cup start but he’s a stayer with great potential and that’s why he is in the Melbourne Cup so that the dream lives,” Muollo said. “Once he gets to the 2500m of the VRC Derby he’ll be at his best, so he’s better off still being in it than out of it at this stage. “He had always shown potential even over a shorter distance as a younger horse. We knew he was a Derby horse even though he had been placed at 1200m at Stakes level in New Zealand.” The most recent Southern Hemisphere-bred three-year-old to run in the Melbourne Cup was Arena in 1998. Medatsu had four starts in New Zealand, with placings at his final three runs there before being transferred to Waller. “We saw his ability and sent him over to Australia with staying races in mind. He stepped up to 2000 metres for the time at Kembla Grange and he ran his last 600 metres in 33.97 seconds,” he said. “He will only get better with more ground and he can handle a firm track or a heavy track.” Muollo said Medatsu will have his next start in the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill on October 14. “He’s coming back in distance. A lot will be determined after that as he’ll be better with more distance,” he said. Medatsu is from the first crop of Muollo’s son of Deep Impact, Staphanos, who stands at his stud in Waikato, Novara Park. Muollo predicted Staphanos will be a sensational sire of stayers and his first crop will be to the fore in Derby and Oaks races this season. Medatsu is $17 for the Victoria Derby, with Emma-Lee and David Browne’s recent debut winner, three-year-old filly Basillina, $13 for the VRC Oaks. Staphanos has already sire a Group 1 winner in New Zealand, with filly Pignan winning the NZ Sires’ Produce. Muollo’s foundation stallion was the ill-fated but successful sire of stayers Jakkalberry. He also stands for Sweynesse, the sire of Hong Kong sprinting star Lucky Sweynesse. View the full article

Gr.1 Queensland Derby winner Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park) has dropped out of the Melbourne Cup nominations this week and the door was also shut on a run in the Golden Eagle (1500m) and Caulfield Cup (2400m) as trainer Chris Waller refined his campaign to target firstly the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday week before a Cox Plate tilt. “We’ve been thinking Cox Plate with him all along and that’s the way he’ll go as long as he runs as we expect in the King Charles,” Waller said. “We always intended on running him in the Epsom (Handicap) and he ran terrific to be just beaten. “He’s a sharp horse. I know he won a Queensland Derby (2400m) but I think he’ll peak at 2000 metres.” Despite Waller’s glowing opinion of the winner of six of his 11 starts to date, Kovalica is rated a $17 chance to upset the confirmed weight-for-age stars in the King Charles and is a $21 chance to succeed at The Valley. Meanwhile Medatsu (NZ) (Staphanos) is another kiwi-bred from the stable and is considered a long-shot Melbourne Cup candidate. He is the only three-year-old to be paid up at first declaration stage. “He’s a really nice staying horse and while it’s a real longshot him getting there (Cup), he’ll go to the Spring Champion and then (Victoria) derby and we’ll see where we are.” View the full article

Blue Diamond winner Little Brose (Per Incanto) will push on to the Caulfield Guineas and look to become the first horse since Redoute’s Choice 24 years ago to complete the double. The son of Per Incanto stretched out to 1400 metres at his most recent start in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude but missed the start with blinkers on for the first time. Little Brose returned with a fourth placing in the Vain Stakes and closed well over 1200m in the McNeil Stakes second-up. “He’s just had bad luck,” co-trainer Ben Hayes explained. “He has drawn wide gates and got disconnected the other day and had to do a lot of work to get into the race and held his ground and didn’t lose ground or weakened. “I think he is improving and he is being punished for being a Group 1 winner carrying more weight than the other horses and now he gets to meet them on level weights. “He does need to show improvement to win a Caulfield Guineas, it’s a very strong race this year but we haven’t lost faith in him.” Hayes, who trains the grey colt in partnership with his brothers JD and Will, said they will leave the blinkers on. “We’ve kept him in Melbourne to change things up and if he draws an inside draw in the Caulfield Guineas and can settle in that nice midfield position, you will see a different horse,” he said. Little Brose is a $34 chance with Sportsbet for the Caulfield Guineas on October 14. View the full article

Leading apprentice Zac Lloyd might be booked to ride Hezashocka (NZ) (Shocking) in Saturday’s Gr.2 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill, but the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained stayer isn’t guaranteed a start in the A$2 million contest. Currently sitting 15th as the first emergency in the order of entry, the stable says it’s elected to travel him up north regardless and wait on a possible scratching. On a Caulfield Cup path, the New Zealand-bred gelding bypasses a run in the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington in order to race down in grade and hopefully increase his prizemoney earnings which currently sit at A$1,023,503. “We have to go to Sydney despite being first emergency and take the punt,” said Kent Jnr. “So there is a chance he could get up there and not get a run but it’s a race worth $2 million, so it’s worth taking the punt. “But in saying that, for A$2 million, there might not be many scratchings, so hopefully it works out well for us. Connections are hoping the six-year-old can return to the winner’s stall after only beating one runner home last start in the Naturalism Stakes (2000m), where he raced wide after jumping from the outside gate. The son of Shocking had run well first-up when strong late in the Listed Heatherlie Handicap (1700m). The OTI Racing-owned gelding has also performed well previously in Sydney, most recently finishing fourth in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) behind Dubai Honour in the autumn, as well as finishing runner-up in last spring’s Rosehill Cup (2000m). “The horse is going really good, very happy with him, he ran super first-up and I think you can forget last time,” he said. “If he gets even luck he’ll run really well, he’s gone well in Sydney before, so fingers crossed. “I think when he’s back and wide he gives up, the jockey gives up and we were kind to him late. “You can put a line through his last start, he was off the track the entire race.” Sportsbet has Hezashocka at $20 for the Hill Stakes and $51 in its futures market for the Caulfield Cup. View the full article

Rookie trainer Cody Mo celebrated in his first training success in Hong Kong after Zac Purton piloted Romantic Laos (NZ), a son of Pins, to victory in the Class 3 Wong Chuk Hang Handicap (1650m). “I’m very happy and I want to thank my team and also the owners’ support,” the 45-year-old trainer said. “I thought this horse would run well because he trialled well and I came here tonight feeling good – but I was a bit concerned about having barrier 12. I’m feeling really good and very thankful.” A vastly experienced assistant trainer after stints with Tony Cruz, David Hall, Benno Yung and David Ferraris, Mo was granted a licence for this season and has made a conservative start to his maiden campaign. Romantic Laos was Mo’s eighth starter for the season so far. Bred by Waikato Stud, Romantic Laos is by the stud’s late sire Pins out of the Zabeel mare Zaburn (NZ) and was purchased by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for $210,000 as a yearling at Karaka. Romantic Laos had previously won twice for Jamie Richards in his Rookie season last year. View the full article

What Kalgoorlie Cup Day 2023 Where Kalgoorlie Racecourse – 14 Meldrum Ave, Kalgoorlie WA 6430 When Saturday, October 7, 2023 First Race 12:04pm AWST Visit Ladbrokes The Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club will host its marquee meeting on Saturday afternoon, with the Listed Kalgoorlie Cup headlining the nine-race program. Warm and dry weather is expected all weekend, which should mean the track remains at the current Good 4 rating for the whole day. The rail will go back to the true position, with the first race set to jump at 12:04pm AWST. Kalgoorlie Cup Tip: Villeins Last-start Boulder Cup winner Villeins will be seeking to do the Cup double at Kalgoorlie. The Grant & Alana Williams-trained gelding has been in great form this preparation, recording three wins from seven starts, while he hasn’t finished outside the top two in his last four runs. At his most recent start, this son of Domesday made his way through the field and kicked clear at the 200m mark to run away with a dominant victory over 2100m. Stepping up to 2300m should be no problem, especially from a great barrier (2). Kalgoorlie Cup Race 8 – #3 Villeins (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Grant & Alana Williams | J: Chris Parnham (58kg) +140 with Boombet Best Bet at Kalgoorlie: Californication After going down by the barest of margins at Belmont over 1600m last start, Californication from the Paul Rowe yard heads home seeking his fourth win from his fifth start at Kalgoorlie. This four-year-old gelding overraced during the middle stages last time out, and even after doing things wrong, he was only beaten by a nose. Joseph Azzopardi will have his first sit on this son of Preferment, and if he can find a good spot midfield and allow this guy to build his revs around the home turn, Californication should be able to run over the top of the leaders late. Best Bet Race 9 – #4 Californication (8) 4yo Gelding | T: Paul Rowe | J: Joseph Azzopardi (57kg) +100 with Betfair Next Best at Kalgoorlie: Men’s Club The Paul Fernie-trained Men’s Club will be seeking a fifth win from 11 Kalgoorlie starts when he lines up in this 1300m RTG 72+ Handicap. This son of Rommel won the Coolgardie Sprint at this track and trip two starts back before finishing ninth of 13 in the Open Sprint last start. With only one other speed influence in this contest, Chris Parnham should be able to find the lead with this five-year-old gelding. If he can find the front with minimal effort and kick off the home bend, Men’s Club should prove hard to run down. Next Best Race 7 – #6 Men’s Club (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Paul Fernie | J: Chris Parnham (55.5kg) +300 with PendleburyBet Best Value at Kalgoorlie: Wanna Cracker After two good performances to kick off his career, Wanna Cracker from the Paul Fernie stable will take on a 1200m maiden to open the card. This three-year-old gelding will be on the quick backup after finishing fourth at this track over 1100m on October 4, where he missed the kick slightly and settled near the back of the field before running on nicely. On Saturday, this son of Galah will get an extra 100m and should be able to push forward and settle behind the likely leader, Mining Legend. With an economical run and a bit of luck on the home turn, Wanna Cracker should give them something to chase in the final 200m. Best Value Race 1 – #9 Wanna Cracker (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Paul Fernie | J: Clint Johnston-Porter (56kg) +1100 with Dabble Saturday quaddie tips for Kalgoorlie Cup Day Kalgoorlie quadrella selections Saturday, October 7, 2023 1-4-6 1-3-6 3-5 1-4 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

What Turnbull Stakes Day 2023 Where Flemington Racecourse – 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington VIC 3031 When Saturday, October 7, 2023 First Race 12:25pm AEDT Visit Dabble It is Group 1 Turnbull Stakes Day at Flemington on Saturday afternoon – a meeting that traditionally plays a key role ahead of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. A stacked 10-race program awaits, and following consistent rain in the lead-up to Saturday, we expect to be racing on a Soft 5 or 6, with the rail coming out 9m the entire circuit. Racing is set to commence at 12:25pm AEDT. Keep reading for our free race-by-race preview and quaddie selections Race 1: BM78 Handicap (1200m) Xtravagant Star returns to Melbourne with a narrow runner-up effort at Warwick Farm and a convincing win at Rosehill to her name. The mare tends to settle just off the speed, and from barrier 10, James McDonald can have her settled in the first six. With a well-timed sprint, Xtravagant Star looks to have a turn of foot and a touch of class that this lot cannot match. Selections: 13 XTRAVAGANT STAR 15 BEWS 11 BOLDINHO 5 WILLIAM THOMAS Next Best Race 1 – #13 Xtravagant Star (10) 4yo Mare | T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | J: James McDonald (57.5kg) +450 with Dabble Race 2: Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) It was hard to not be impressed with the recent Flemington jumpout win by Blue Illusion ahead of his debut in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m). The two-year-old son of Blue Point went to the line hard held and looked like he had another gear or three to go through. From barrier seven, Jamie Kah will no doubt want to have this bloke close to the speed throughout. If he brings what he put forward in his jumpout, Blue Illusion can justify his short price in style. Selections: 2 BLUE ILLUSION 4 CENTRE SQUARE 3 BODYGUARD 8 WOLFGANG Race 3: Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) Riff Rocket gave his rivals too much of a start when finishing second at Rosehill on September 27, but the way he hit the line suggested he was worth following. The son of American Pharoah has already competed at Flemington during his last campaign, and that should hold him in good stead. James McDonald will need a touch of luck from barrier one, but there is no better jockey to have on board when needing a good steer. Selections: 6 RIFF ROCKET 8 RIPROAR 5 APULIA 1 SUNSOURCE Best Bet Race 3 – #6 Riff Rocket (1) 3yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (57kg) +200 with PendleburyBet Race 4: Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) De Sonic Boom has not won since her debut success in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview (1000m), but recent form suggests this race is well within her grasp. The three-year-old filly looked good when chasing home Charm Stone and Oz Empress, but she has seemingly been screaming out for the 1600m. She was hitting the line the best in the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m), so the extra 200m should be beneficial. With the long straight of Flemington, De Sonic Boom can build through her gears and ultimately bring up an overdue second win. Selections: 1 DE SONIC BOOM 2 LEGACIES 8 NODACHI 4 ZARDOZI Edward Manifold Stakes Race 4 – #1 De Sonic Boom (7) 3yo Filly | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: Daniel Moor (56kg) +650 with Betfair Race 5: Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) The Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) has attracted a strong field of three-year-old sprinters, and we’re confident Stretan Angel can announce herself as a genuine Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) contender. The filly from the Phillip Stokes barn was hitting the line strongly in the Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m) but ultimately ran into one better. With that Flemington experience under her belt, this race shapes up perfectly for Stretan Angel to unleash a strong turn of foot and reign supreme. Selections: 9 STRETAN ANGEL 10 CIGAR FLICK 3 I AM UNSTOPPABLE 4 ARCHO NACHO Danehill Stakes Race 5 – #9 Stretan Angel (8) 3yo Filly | T: Phillip Stokes | J: Damian Lane (56kg) +380 with Bet365 Race 6: Group 3 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) Having defeated a star-studded lineup in the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) in New Zealand, we’re happy to side with Skew Wiff in the Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m). The four-year-old mare from the Mark Walker yard defeated the likes of Legarto, Sharp ‘N’ Smart and Dragon Leap, and form like that really stands out in this race. Princess Grace is a deserving favourite based on her efforts in Group 1 company this campaign, but given how Skew Wiff put her rivals away in a tougher race than this, she looks a great play at a nice price. Selections: 1 SKEW WIFF 3 PRINCESS GRACE 10 LIFE LESSONS 7 STARTANTES Rose Of Kingston Stakes Race 6 – #1 Skew Wiff (12) 4yo Mare | T: Mark Walker | J: Opie Bosson (58.5kg) +800 with Dabble Race 7: Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2520m) A golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) is up for grabs in The Bart Cummings (2520m). Despite lining up as an outsider in Saturday’s Group 3, Alaskan God looks a great betting prospect based on his run in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m). He was hitting the line strongly over 2000m, and if Jamie Kah can have the Daniel Morton-trained stayer in clear air when it matters most, he can feature in the finish prominently. Selections: 10 ALASKAN GOD 18 FIRST IMMORTAL 7 ATHABASCAN 2 GOLDMAN The Bart Cummings Race 7 – #10 Alaskan God (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Daniel Morton | J: Jamie Kah (56kg) +2000 with Picklebet Race 8: Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000M) Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior makes his Australian debut as a short-priced favourite in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m). West Wind Blows is another who is set for his first run on these shores, while local runners Soulcombe, Osipenko, Right You Are and Gold Trip are looking to spoil the party. Click here for our full preview of the 2023 Group 1 Turnbull Stakes Race 9: Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) The Clinton McDonald-trained Star Patrol was a determined winner first-up from a long layoff in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m). The five-year-old chased a ridiculous speed set by Najem Suhail and managed to fend off the likes of King Of Sparta and Benedetta to win by the barest of margins. He will have taken great benefit from that run and should be ready to strike second-up at the same track and trip. Jigsaw will be leading the field up, but with Star Patrol expected to camp just off the leader’s heels, he will prove too hard to hold out. Selections: 2 STAR PATROL 1 JIGSAW 11 TRIPLE MISSILE 7 ZOUTORI Gilgai Stakes Race 9 – #2 Star Patrol (11) 5yo Gelding | T: Clinton McDonald | J: Ben Melham (59kg) +150 with BoomBet Race 10: Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1400m) Charterhouse produced the best last 200m split in the Bobbie Lewis Quality and should relish the step up to 1400m. With race favourite Tamerlane set to make this a genuinely run 1400m affair, the race looks perfectly set up for John Allen’s mount to be thundering down the heart of the track late. His turn of foot is elite, and as long as Charterhouse isn’t caught wide without cover from the wide barrier, he is going to take a power of beating. Selections: 4 CHARTERHOUSE 5 TAMERLANE 12 NICOLINI VITO 9 UMGAWA Best Value Race 10 – #4 Charterhouse (16) 5yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | J: John Allen (55.5kg) +1000 with Neds Flemington quaddie tips for Turnbull Stakes Day 2023 Flemington quadrella selections Saturday, October 7, 2023 1-2-4-7-10-18 1-5-11 1-2 4-5-9-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Varma Ramhit will have several chances at Timaru on Friday, with training partners John and Karen Parsons. Photo: Race Images South In pursuit of their maiden victory as a training trio, the esteemed North Canterbury couple, John and Karen Parsons, have forged a new alliance with former South Canterbury trainer Vicky Ramhit. Having spent five years in the employ of the Parsons before a three-year partnership with Timaru trainer Bruce Tapper, Ramhit brings a wealth of experience, including triumphs in notable races such as the Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes and the Listed Dunedin Guineas. The Parsons and Ramhit recently debuted their collaboration at Riccarton, and their ambitions for a first triumph intensify with six contenders at Timaru’s Phar Lap Raceway. Karen Parsons expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, “Vicky had approached us, and we’re at the stage now where we need someone to help us out, so it’s worked out all right.” Highlighting Final Savings as a potential victor, Parsons conveyed Ramhit’s attachment to the horse, emphasizing, “Vicky’s been through our runners, and he’s hoping Final Savings can be the one. “He was always his favourite horse when he worked here before.” The Savabeel eight-year-old Final Savings, brings a record of six wins in 77 starts. Although yet to secure a victory in a fresh state, Parsons asserted the horse’s readiness for a spirited performance, guided by the stable’s 4kg-claiming apprentice, Mahipal Singh. “The horse is really forward. He’s been working really well, and we’re hoping he can run well,” Parsons affirmed. The stable’s other contenders at Timaru include Cheyenne Bodie, On File, My Degree, Colossal, and Henriqui. Additionally, Watch Out and Amberecho will showcase exhibition gallops in preparation for racing assignments at Ashburton the following weekend. Expressing a sentimental wish for My Degree’s success, Parsons shared, “I’d love to see My Degree win. One of his owners hasn’t been very well, and we’d love to see her run well for him.” “We used to train the mother, and as John said, she wouldn’t have even got warmed up before she got up to 1600m, so the extra distance should really help her.” Assured of the team’s meticulous preparation, Parsons expressed hope that one of their entries could secure the victory that would mark a significant milestone for the newly formed training partnership with Ramhit. More horse racing news View the full article

What Murray Bridge Cup Day 2023 Where Murray Bridge Racing Club – 342 Brinkley Rd, Murray Bridge South, SA, 5253 When Saturday, October 7, 2023 First Race 12:05pm ACDT Visit Dabble The Listed Murray Bridge Cup (1600m) is the headline act on a stacked 10-race program at Murray Bridge on Saturday afternoon. A perfect spring day is forecast for the region, and with no rain on the radar leading into the meeting, we should be racing on an ideal track throughout the day. The surface is officially a Good 4, the rail sticks to its true position, and racing is set to get underway at 12:05pm ACDT. Murray Bridge Cup Tip: En Francais With even luck, En Francais can cause an upset in the $120,000 Murray Bridge Cup. The Jake Stephens-trained runner returned with an eye-catching third at Morphettville behind Chicago Storm on September 23. She meets that same runner again and is double the price. She will need an abundance of luck from barrier 22 under Lachlan Neindorf, but with tactical versatility and a run under her belt, En Francais looks the value play in Saturday’s feature. Best Bet Race 9 – #14 En Francais (22) 6yo Mare | T: Jake Stephens | J: Lachlan Neindorf (54kg) +1500 with Picklebet Best Bet at Murray Bridge: Second To Nun This four-year-old mare won impressively at the Murray Bridge 1200m on May 27 and then proved competitive in a BM78 at Sandown prior to heading to the paddock. The Akeed Mofeed mare resumes from her four-month spell at 1000m, a trip she has only placed at once in three attempts. However, she looks to be the best horse in the race, and camped on the back of a genuinely tempo, Second To Nun can blouse the leaders with a strong finishing burst. Best Bet Race 3 – #1 Second To Nun (2) 4yo Mare | T: Will Clarken & Nikki O’Shea | J: Todd Pannell (59.5kg) +250 with PendleburyBet Next Best at Murray Bridge: Hoops It was hard not to be impressed by the way the Danny O’Brien-trained Hoops scored at Seymour on September 17. The four-year-old mare gave her rivals a start and a beating when relishing the step back in class to a country-level BM64. She comes across to Murray Bridge and has struck a 2000m race no harder than what she has been contesting. Hoops is already stakes-placed over 2100m, and with even luck at the right time from barrier two, she should be winning again. Next Best Race 5 – #6 Hoops (2) 4yo Mare | T: Danny O’Brien | J: Kayla Crowther (55kg) +500 with Betfair Best Value at Murray Bridge: Texan Windstorm The John MacMillan-trained Texan Windstorm was only grabbed late when leading the field up at Morphettville on September 16, and a similar performance will put him in the finish of this race. Kelsey Hannan, who claims 3kg, should gain an uncontested lead from barrier nine. If Texan Windstorm can get his own way out in front, he should prove too hard to run down – and at good odds with the top betting sites. Best Value Race 10 – #2 Texan Windstorm (9) 6yo Gelding | T: John MacMillan | J: Kelsey Hannan (a3) (62.5kg) +900 with Dabble Saturday quaddie tips for Murray Bridge Murray Bridge quadrella selections Saturday, October 7, 2023 1-2-4-11 1-3-8-10 1-2-9-11-14-15 2-6-7-10-11 | 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, October 7, 2023 First Race 11:48am AEST Visit Dabble The Brisbane Racing Club will host a massive 10-race program at Eagle Farm this Saturday afternoon, with the Listed Queensland Cup headlining the card. With good weather expected all weekend, the track should stay at the current Good 4 rating for the whole day. The rail has been pushed out slightly from last weekend to the +6m position for the entire circuit, and the opening race will kick off at 11:48am AEST. Queensland Cup Tip: King Frankel The Annabel Neasham-trained King Frankel has finished down the field and well outside the placings at his first two starts this preparation in Group 3 company. However, now that this five-year-old gelding drops back to Listed grade and steps up in trip to 2400m – a distance where he was placed at Group 1 level last campaign – he appears to have found a winnable race third-up. Ben Thompson can lob in the box seat from barrier one and give his mount every chance to return to the winner’s circle in a wide-open edition of the Queensland Cup. Queensland Cup Race 8 – #1 King Frankel (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Ben Thompson (60.5kg) +800 with PendleburyBet Best Bet at Eagle Farm: Kronenbourg Kronenbourg from the Tony Gollan yard has won four of his last five starts, with his most recent victory coming over 1625m at Toowoomba when running away from his rivals in the final 100m. After such a dominant win, the step up to 1830m should be ideal for this talented stayer. James Orman may have been the catalyst for this gelding’s run of form, claiming four wins from five rides. If Orman can settle outside the leader from barrier nine, Kronenbourg should be able to continue his winning ways. Best Bet Race 5 – #5 Kronenbourg (9) 5yo Gelding | T: Tony Gollan | J: James Orman (59kg) +190 with Betfair Next Best at Eagle Farm: Outlawed Outlawed has recorded three wins from five starts this preparation, with the Robert Heathcote-trained galloper proving too good for a Benchmark 75 Fillies & Mares field at Toowoomba last start. Since breaking her maiden four runs back, this daughter of Foxwedge has gone through the grades nicely and now has great chance to maintain her unbeaten record at Eagle Farm. Ben Thomspon has been aboard for all three wins on this girl, and with him sticking, we expect Outlawed to settle towards the back of the field before letting down with her superior turn of foot in the final 300m. Next Best Race 6 – #13 Outlawed (6) 4yo Mare | T: Robert Heathcote | J: Ben Thompson (55.5kg) +275 with Boombet Best Value at Eagle Farm: Mississippi Prince Mississippi Prince returns from a four-month spell and has won first-up to begin both of his last two campaigns. This son of Foxwedge has been given an easy 1000m trial at Doomben and should be ready to go. The five-year-old gelding appears to be the only leader in this race, so Samantha Collett should be able to find an easy lead from barrier four and run the race to suit. If that happens and he can kick off the home bend, Mississippi Prince will be very hard to run down. Best Value Race 10 – #11 Mississippi Prince (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Brent Gray | J: Samantha Collett (56kg) +1100 with Dabble Saturday quaddie tips for Eagle Farm races Eagle Farm quadrella selections Saturday, October 7, 2023 3-7-9-14-16 1-2-4-7 1-3-5-11 7-8-11-16 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Three-year-old Anisette and 5-year-old Closing Remarks bring back-to-back stakes scores at Del Mar to the table in the Rodeo Drive (G2T) at Santa Anita.View the full article

Trainer Kenny McPeek about V V's Dream: "I'm looking forward to a rematch. I'm pretty confident in our filly's talent level."View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer has entered Muth and Wine Me Up in the American Pharoah (G1), named for the horse Baffert trained to win the 2015 Triple Crown.View the full article

One of the biggest stories going into the 2018 Breeders' Cup was trainer John Sadler's 0-41 record on racing's championship day. Accelerate, whose five for six already on the year included four Grade Is in California, succinctly put all that babble to rest with his win in the biggest race on the card. “What stands out to me with Accelerate was the year he had that culminated in the Breeders' Cup Classic,” said Sadler. “He won, what, four or five Grade Is that year. So, he had just a fabulous year and he went to Churchill Downs as the favorite and he ran his race. It was just the thrill of one of the biggest days of my career. My first Breeders' Cup win. They hashed me over the coals because I hadn't, until then, hit the big one. It was a great day.” Accelerate (2013 chestnut horse, Lookin At Lucky–Issues, by Awesome Again) Lifetime record: Ch. older male, MGISW, 23-10-5-6, $6,692,480 Breeders' Cup connections: B-Mike Abraham (KY); O-Hronis Racing LLC; T-John Sadler; J-Joel Rosario. Current location: Lane's End Farm, Versailles, Ky. The post Catching Up with 2018 Breeders’ Cup Classic Winner Accelerate appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Superstar local jockey ‘failed to ride his mount out all the way to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the stewards’View the full article

What Hill Stakes Where Rosehill Gardens Racecourse – James Ruse Dr, Rosehill NSW 2142 When Saturday, October 7, 2023 Prizemoney $2 million Distance 1900m Status Group 2 Conditions Weight For Age 2022 winner Cascadian (1) | T: James Cummings | J: James McDonald (59kg) Visit Dabble The Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) returns to Rosehill Gardens on Saturday afternoon with a massive field of 14 set to line up in the $2 million event. Many differing form-lines converge in this race; however, two of the main lead-up events seemingly took place on the same day, as the 7 Stakes (1600m) and the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) make up a significant portion of the field engaged. The rising prizemoney has produced a mouthwatering edition of the Hill Stakes and makes it a wide-open betting prospect for punters to sink their teeth into. HILL STAKES 2023 ODDS Five-time Group 1 winner Montefilia holds the call at +300 with most online bookmakers. After a minor drift, Hoo Ya Mal has shortened into +350, while the Kris Lees-trained Protagonist rounds out the single-figure chances at +700. Zeyrek (+900) leads the double-digit hopes, with Hinged (+1200) and Fireburn (+1300) not far behind. Melbourne raider Young Werther has seen plenty of early support, firming from +2500 into as short as +1500. HILL STAKES 2023 SPEEDMAP Don’t expect a charging of the light brigade, as there is a distinct shortage of on-speed gallopers in this field. Hinged has shown early speed in the past and could elect to dictate terms under Brett Prebble, provided nothing drawn inside barrier five wants to keep her out. Numerian has always shown early toe, so from barrier 15, Ryan Maloney may have no choice but to go and sit outside the lead. Hoo Ya Mal (6) will be more positive this time, while the likes of Protagonist (1), Montefilia (2) and Sky Lab (4) should be looking to drop in behind for some cover. The Chris Waller pair of No Compromise (16) and Magical Lagoon (9) will have no choice but to check back towards the rear from their awkward draws. HILL STAKES 2023 FORM & BETTING PREVIEW As Just Fine just broke the track record in the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) last Saturday at Randwick, we’re trusting that’s the best form for the Hill Stakes. Protagonist closed off best in that race and looks ready to surge third-up over the Rosehill 1900m. He drew an awful barrier (11) in the Kingston Town Stakes and, despite a torrid run, accelerated through the line powerfully to finish less than three lengths away. He gets the economical run from barrier one this time and already has a win at this course and distance at Group 3 level, so he should be right in this. Zeyrek comes through the 7 Stakes last start and was far from disgraced, finishing mid-field after facing the breeze for a large portion of the race. He won third-up last campaign at Rosehill in the Group 3 Sellwood Stakes (2000m), and with a similar setup on Saturday, Zeyrek will look the winner at some stage. Sky Lab has snuck under the radar with a strong closing effort in the Kingston Town Stakes, where he finished off his race gamely after tracking wide throughout. The Paul Perry-trained galloper is ready to peak here, and given the massive odds on offer with the top betting sites, we must have something on. Montefilia is the class of this field and warrants all the respect in the world. She’s a deserving favourite and, at her best, is the obvious danger. HILL STAKES 2023 SELECTIONS & BEST BETS Selections: 6 PROTAGONIST 2 ZEYREK 8 SKY LAND 11 MONTEFILIA $100 betting strategy $50 win #6 Protagonist @ $8 with Betfair $30 win #2 Zeyreb @ $10 with Unibet $20 win #8 Sky Lab @ $23 with Dabble More horse racing tips View the full article

After a major legal challenge to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was lost in another venue, a different group of opponents sought to even the score during oral arguments in a Louisiana federal appeals court.View the full article

Louisiana's Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will host 73 black-type races worth a combined $9.7 million during the upcoming 76-day 2023-24 Thoroughbred meet, officials at the New Orleans oval announced Wednesday. The amount is up $1.2 million from last year, but does include $1 million in base purses offered Dec. 2 as Fair Grounds hosts the 25th annual Claiming Crown. That event returns to Fair Grounds for the first time since 2011 with purses ranging from $75,000 to $200,000. Another $25,000 in each race will be available in purse supplements for accredited Louisiana-bred horses. “In our 152nd year, Fair Grounds will set another record for the richest stakes schedule in Louisiana history,” said Doug Shipley, President and General Manager of the track. Opening day is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 17, with six $75,000 Louisiana-bred stakes over the season's first two days, while the Road to the Derby Kickoff Day happens Dec. 23 with eight stakes. “Many deserve thanks for their dedication and efforts to make this happen,” said Fair Grounds Racing Secretary Scott Jones. “Along with our phenomenal Road to the Kentucky Derby series and thriving turf course, this is one more reason why there is no better winter destination for horse racing than New Orleans.” The highlight of the season, the $1,000,000 GII Louisiana Derby, is set for Saturday, Mar. 23, with 100-50-25-15-10 points awarded to the top five finishers on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Eight stakes worth a total of $2,625,000 will be carded for the day, including the $400,000 GII Fair Grounds Oaks Presented by Fasig-Tipton, which awards 100-50-25-15-10 points en route to the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks. Last year's runner-up Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) rebounded from that defeat with a victory in the Oaks. “The strong infusion of our sport's top 3-year-olds training and racing at Fair Grounds has been very apparent these past few seasons,” Jones said. “Beginning with the Gun Runner and the Untapable for late-season juveniles, it's proven that our progressive schedule of 3-year-old races for both the boys and girls gives horsemen the proper distances and spacing to prepare their runners for the first weekend in May and beyond.” Closing day is Sunday, Mar. 24. Regular post time throughout the meet will be 12:45 p.m. CT, with an earlier noon CT first post on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 23), Road to the Derby Kickoff Day (Dec. 23), Road to the Derby Day (Jan. 20), Louisiana Derby Preview Day (Feb. 17), and Louisiana Derby Day (March 23). Click to see the entire Fair Grounds 2023-24 stakes schedule or the first Condition Book. The post Stakes Purses Raised by $1.2 Million at Fair Grounds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse Racing on Thursday, October 5 will feature four meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meeting at Gosford. Thursday Racing Tips – October 5, 2023 Gosford Racing Tips Thursday’s Best Racing Bets Of The Day – October 5, 2023 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $36.48 odds return: Thursday, October 5, 2023 Gosford Race 6 – #3 Rhettara Geelong Race 7 – #9 Grinzinger Angel Gatton Race 3 – #4 Lizzie’s Pride Geraldton Race 4 – #1 Arcadia Star | Copy this bet straight to your betslip As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on October 5, 2023 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

A 2 1/2-year-old legal fight led by the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA) to try and overturn the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) based on alleged constitutional flaws got distilled into one hour of oral arguments on Wednesday in the case's second go-round before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans. As expected, lawyers for the two sides stuck to the finer points of constitutionality law, and there were only several passing references related to horse racing. The arguments centered on the non-delegation doctrine, which is a legal principle that holds that Congress cannot delegate the power to legislate to executive agencies or private entities. The panel of three judges–the same trio that declared a previous version of HISA unconstitutional last November, leading to an amended version of HISA that became law in December–did not overtly tip their hands as to which arguments they might be favoring based on the questions they asked of the attorneys. Nor did the judges conclude the session by declaring any timetable for issuing their decision. The National NHBPA, 12 of its affiliates, and a number of Texas-based racetrack entities, plus the state of Texas itself and its racing commission, are the plaintiffs/appellants. The HISA Authority, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and officials from each organization are the defendants/appellees. “Congress did not, with this meager amendment, fix the fatal non-delegation problems plaguing HISA,” said William Cole, an attorney for the state of Texas who was among those who argued for the appellants. “Again, there's at least three areas where the lawmaking power is not sufficiently subordinated, because, as we've mentioned time and again, the Authority's rules govern unless they can shove a rule through notice-and-comment rulemaking. The upshot is that for years, it's likely going to be the case that the Authority's rules govern, not the FTC's,” Cole said. Joseph Busa, an attorney for the FTC, argued that the appellees believe the Fifth Circuit already settled the outstanding non-delegation issues when the same panel identified the constitutional flaws that led to Congress's rewrite of HISA. “What [the appellants] are presenting to you, is they are saying no private entity can wield this kind of power, regardless of how subordinate they are, regardless of the degree of supervision that the public agency has over them. That is squarely inconsistent with almost 100 years of Supreme Court precedent,” Busa said. The panel of judges referenced the “voluminous” number of pre-argument briefs filed by both sides in the case. The HBPA had written in a pre-argument brief that it has problems with the Authority allegedly portraying itself as both a governmental body or a private organization “depending on which suits its interests on any individual argument,” according to an Aug. 25 court filing. “Sometimes [the Authority] wants to be like a government entity, with the power to compel registration, collect mandatory fees, conduct searches, draw blood and urine samples, and impose sanctions with 'the force of federal law,'” the HBPA brief stated. “Other times it wants to be a private business league, choosing its own board, running its own corporate affairs, and exempt from the Appointments and Appropriations clauses, the Freedom of Information Act, etc…” the brief continued. This purported dual nature of the Authority, the HBPA alleged, “exposes the overall flaw” by which the 2022 rewrite of the HISA law should be struck down. “Nothing could be more unfair or inequitable than to have a regulator with all the powers of government but exempt from all the democratic accountability and safeguards for liberty imposed on government,” the HBPA's filing stated. The Authority defendants had asserted to the Fifth Circuit in their own pre-argument brief filed Aug. 4 that the HBPA's “feeble attempts” to contrast HISA with other statutes upheld against private non-delegation challenges rest on supposed differences that are either factually inaccurate or constitutionally irrelevant. The Authority's brief put it this way: “Congress, the Executive, and all three federal courts that have considered the amended Act have reached the same conclusion: HISA is now constitutional. As every court to consider Congress's amendment has held, HISA no longer violates the private-nondelegation doctrine because the Authority is now subordinate to the FTC,” the filing stated. The first time the HBPA plaintiffs attempted to challenge the original 2020 version of the HISA statute in federal court, on Mar. 15, 2021, the suit was dismissed, on March 31, 2022. The HBPA plaintiffs then appealed, leading to the above-referenced Fifth Circuit Court reversal on Nov. 18, 2022, that remanded the case back to the lower court. In the interim, an amended version of HISA got passed by Congress and was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Dec. 29, 2022. On May 4, 2023, the lower court deemed that the new version of HISA was constitutional because the rewrite of the law fixed the problems the Fifth Circuit had identified. The HBPA plaintiffs then swiftly filed another appeal back to the Fifth Circuit, which led to an “expedited” scheduling of the Oct. 4 oral arguments. The three judges on this Fifth Circuit panel are Stuart Kyle Duncan and Kurt D. Engelhardt (both nominated to their positions by President Donald Trump in 2018) and Carolyn Dineen King (who was nominated by President Jimmy Carter in 1979). The post The Wait Begins: Fifth Circuit Hears HISA Constitutionality Appeal Arguments appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The South African accent has been growing in volume in jockey rooms around the country in recent years thanks to former jockey turned NZ Equine Academy director Donavan Mansour, with that number growing by one this season. Apprentice jockey Gareth Lahoud has added his voice to the expat South African contingent and is quickly making his mark on New Zealand tracks, scoring his first win at Tauranga on Wednesday aboard the Stephen Ralph-trained Mi Amigo (NZ) (Fabulous) in the Celebrating 150 Years Of Racing In Tauranga (1400m). “It is a day I will never forget,” Lahoud beamed following the race. “Mr Ralph gave me the best instructions. He told me to get a bit of cover and place the horse where he is happy, and that is exactly what I did. “Full credit to the horse, he took me through the race and did all the work, and it was the best part to get up on the line.” Lahoud has always been a fan of racing, a passion instilled in him by his father, and he was encouraged to pursue a career as a jockey when attending a race meeting in his homeland. “My Dad knew a bit about racing, so we would go to the racecourse where I met one of the jockeys’ wives and she said I was small enough and I should start riding racehorses,” he said. “She told me to go to a person in South Africa to teach me and from that day I just fell in love with it and never looked back.” Lahoud progressed to become an amateur jockey in South Africa before moving abroad last year to further his riding career. “I went to England last year to do an apprenticeship but unfortunately with the visa it didn’t work out,” he said. “That is when I got hold of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing who said John Bary was looking for an apprentice and I arrived on Christmas Day last year.” Lahoud first contemplated moving to New Zealand when he was introduced to Mansour in 2019 after hearing he was establishing a jockey academy, and he is pleased to now be apprenticed to the former jockey. “One of the jockeys in South Africa said to get hold of him (Mansour) back in 2019 and he said he was opening up an academy and he didn’t have the things in place to get me in the country at that time,” Lahoud said. “When I came to New Zealand, I went to John Bary’s first and when Donavan had a space open, he said I should come up and join him. “I am based in Cambridge and my main stable is Roger James, I also ride for Mr (Stephen) Marsh, Mr (Andrew) Forsman, and a few other trainers when I have time. “I am just thankful for all of the support, especially from Mr James and Mr Mansour. They have been right behind me and getting me some good rides, and I couldn’t have done it without them.” Lahoud is enjoying his time in New Zealand and said he is wanting to make a real go of establishing himself in the country’s riding ranks. “I am loving it and it has really been good to me with all of the support,” he said. “I came here to just get more knowledge and get my apprenticeship, and it has really treated me well. It is a good country and the people are nice, I am really enjoying it. “My plan is to ride as many winners in New Zealand and see how far I can take it. It has been a good country to me so far, so however long I can stay here I will.” View the full article

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, in conjunction with Dean McKenzie, is thrilled to announce the establishment of the NZTR McKenzie Future Leaders Scholarship, commencing in November 2023. Jointly funded by NZTR and Dean McKenzie, the Scholarship offers a $10,000 award to support promising students connected to the Thoroughbred racing industry in their educational pursuits. The primary objective is to nurture future leaders for the benefit of New Zealand’s racing industry. The Scholarship aims to support motivated and passionate individuals who aspire to pursue a Commerce or Law degree at a university in New Zealand. Dean McKenzie, co-benefactor of the Scholarship, commented on its significance for the future leaders of New Zealand’s racing administration. “The future success of our industry is heavily influenced by good business decisions being made more often at all levels of our sport, and the greater the skills the people making those decisions have, the better chance we all have of good decisions being made on a more regular basis – that simply benefits everyone.” “Having started my own administrative journey straight out of university in a voluntary capacity at a country Club, I fully appreciate the value that well educated, enthusiastic people, who have an affinity with the sport, can bring at all levels. “Having a connection and love for Thoroughbred racing is an attribute we simply cannot have enough of at all levels in administration and hopefully this Scholarship can play a role in the future to broaden the number of administrators who have that passion and background. “Some of the best administrators I have observed over the years like Allan Fenwick, Sir Peter Vela and the late Campbell Moncur, all had the love of our sport and the desire to leave it in a better place than they found it at the heart of all they did. “We need more people of that elk involved in the generations to come if we are going to be the best we can be,” McKenzie said. Eligibility criteria include recent high school graduates who have gained acceptance into an accredited New Zealand university for an upcoming academic year, with plans to pursue a Commerce or Law degree. Applicants must demonstrate a tangible connection to the New Zealand Thoroughbred Industry, whether it be through community involvement, employment, family ties, or other means. The application deadline is set for Friday 17 November 2023, with required materials being a cover letter and CV. NZTR Chief Executive Officer, Bruce Sharrock, is pleased to see the Scholarship target a sought-after demographic within our industry. “The NZTR McKenzie Future Leaders Scholarship is a one-time award of $10,000, open exclusively to incoming first-year undergraduate students.” “Working alongside Dean, NZTR has committed to awarding the Scholarship for a five-year period on an annual basis to create a pathway for young talent entering our industry. “The recipient of this Scholarship will also be encouraged to commit to future volunteering, if not otherwise employed full time in some capacity in the industry. “We are looking forward to following the journeys of our future recipients as they embark on their careers in racing after completing their studies,” Sharrock said. Legal residency in New Zealand is a prerequisite for eligibility. The selection process involves a review by a Panel, administered by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. For appeals or inquiries about this Scholarship, contact NZTR Internal Operations Manager Sam Fursdon via sam.fursdon@nztr.co.nz or call 0274369670. Applications close Friday 17 November 2023 View the NZTR McKenzie Future Leaders Scholarship Terms and Conditions here. View the full article

Matamata trainer Ken Kelso is taking inspiration from a turf legend as he prepares Group One-winning mare Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) for Saturday’s Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m). Kelso, who trains in partnership with his wife Bev, opted to scratch Legarto on the morning of last Saturday’s Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Hastings, preferring not to risk the Proisir four-year-old mare on a heavy track. Instead, he revised his focus to this weekend’s hometrack feature for Legarto, who would join a sparkling honour roll of past winners if she was successful on Saturday. Among those past winners was Waverley Star (NZ) (Star Way), who romped home by seven lengths in the 1986 Matamata Cup at his lead-up to his gallant defeat at the hands of Bonecrusher (NZ) (Pag-asa) in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley, a race that became known as the ‘race of the century’. “I was told yesterday that DJ (trainer Dave O’Sullivan) had used this race as a lead-up to the Cox Plate so we’re hoping it works out alright for us too,” Kelso said. However, should either Legarto or key rival La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) win the Matamata Cup, they would become the first established Group One winner to triumph in the handicap. Waverley Star, Mickey’s Town (NZ) (Icelandic) and Rodin (NZ) (Masterpiece) all went on to win Group One races after their Matamata Cup wins, while a notable placegetter was Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm) in 2001. Ethereal was already a winner of the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm and two starts after the Matamata Cup she won the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and then added the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington. Ethereal finished third to Platonic (NZ) (Trustful), a mare trained by Matamata’s Graham Richardson, who rode Waverley Star in his final gallop leading up to his Matamata Cup win. He has gone on to win two more Matamata Cups, with Atom Cat (NZ) (Traditionally) successful in 2010 and Paisley Park (NZ) (Azamour) winning last year. Paisley Park returns to defend his title on Saturday. But it’s clear that Legarto is the horse to beat, TAB bookmakers installing her a $1.70 favourite, ahead of La Crique at $6 and Aquacade (NZ) (Dundeel) at $8.50. Legarto was favourite for last weekend’s Arrowfield Stud Plate before the Kelsos withdrew her, a decision that sits comfortably with them five days later. “I’m just very glad I made the call on Saturday. I was sweating up to the first race when the rain hadn’t come but all the forecasts said it was going to come,” Kelso said. “I made the call early rather than subject her to the big trip down there. It gets pretty hard on horses – you go down there and run on a heavy track and then you subject them to a four or five-hour trip home. It can really set you back, so I’m really pleased we made that decision.” With the Simon and Katrina Alexander-trained La Crique also accepting for the Matamata Cup and taking the benchmark 60kg, Legarto gets into the race with 58.5kg, a weight that has her neatly placed in the handicap in a race that will be her final leadup to the $A10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on November 4. “It’s all worked out really well. From this race, it’s four weeks to the Golden Eagle. She’ll be at home in the paddock an hour after the race and she won’t have had that gutbuster like she would have if we’d run on Saturday,” Kelso said. “We’ve got a four-week period where she can have an exhibition gallop or a trial. We’ll decide that after the race.” Kelso reported that Legarto had continued to train well as she prepared for a possible seventh win at just her ninth start. “She’s very bright. She had a good hit-out on Tuesday morning on the course proper against the rail along with Belle Of The Ball and she worked very well,” he said. “They worked over 1200m in 1:16 and came home (the last 600m) in about 35 and a half (seconds). The track was a little bit off so that was nice work. “We’re very happy with her. I thought her work leading up to Hawke’s Bay was excellent and yesterday’s work on the course proper was very good so she’s pretty right.” View the full article

What Port Macquarie Cup Day Where Manning Valley Race Club – Racecourse Dr, Taree NSW 2430 When Friday, October 6, 2023 First Race 1:05pm AEDT Visit Dabble It’s Port Macquarie Cup Day this Friday afternoon, and due to the state of the track in Port Mac, it will be run at Manning Valley Race Club in Taree. The winner of the $200,000 feature will be eligible for The Big Dance (1600m) on the first Tuesday of November. The eight-race program is filled with 113 acceptors, and with the rail in the true position to go along with Good 4 conditions, the majority of those should go around. The first race is set to get underway at 1:05pm AEDT. Port Macquarie Cup: Mount Popa March of 2022 was the last time Mount Popa found the winner’s enclosure, and this looks like his best opportunity yet to return there. He is second-up after closing well behind Democracy Manifest in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle on September 15. That was always going to be short of his best trip, and the eight-year-old gelding should relish this 2000m journey. He has drawn soft in gate three, and with a solid second-up record (7:2-2-1), Mount Popa should be peaking in the 2023 Port Macquarie Cup. Port Macquarie Cup Race 7 – #3 Mount Popa (3) 8yo Gelding | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawekes | J: Koby Jennings (60.5kg) +250 with Betfair Best Bet at Taree: Headley Grange Headley Grange was ultra-impressive on debut at Grafton on September 26, going on to score by a narrow margin. He had all the work to do from near-last turning for home, circling all 12 rivals. The margin doesn’t indicate the dominance of the win, and now, stepping into Class 1 company, we’ll get a real measure of the ability of this son of Exosphere. We think he’s up to the task, and we’re getting a nice price from the top online bookmakers. Best Bet Race 3 – #4 Headley Grange (2) 3yo Gelding | T: Noel Mayfield-Smith | J: Darryl McLellan (57.5kg) +450 with Bet365 Next Best at Taree: Rogue Bear Rogue Bear will resume in the opening race for the Kris Lees camp and needs to make a strong impression in this company. The now five-year-old gelding has shown plenty of promise since arriving in Australia, but he hasn’t been able to maintain any consistency. He has trialled with style heading into Friday, and with this being his easiest task to date, if Rogue Bear isn’t competitive, he may land in the ‘forget’ file permanently. Next Best Race 1 – #1 Rogue Bear (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Kris Lees | J: Benjamin Osmond (a2kg) (62.5kg) +300 with Bet365 Friday quaddie for Port Macquarie Cup Day 2023 Taree quadrella selections Friday, October 6, 2023 1-2-4-8-10 1-2-5-6-8 2-3 1-3-6-8-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article