Wandering Eyes

The third annual Blue Jeans, Boots and Bulls Derby Eve Charity event, hosted by the Barn Door Grill & Bar, will benefit Old Friends, the organization announced Tuesday. Held Friday, May 2 from 5:30-11:30 p.m. at The Bluegrass Stockyards in partnership with the Coaches for Kids Foundation, the event will also benefit The University of Kentucky Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and Timbers Grateful Companions. It will include a silent auction, a Derby horse calcutta and a live auction along with live music and a buffet dinner. “Blue Jeans, Boots and Bulls has rapidly become a great Derby Eve tradition,” said Old Friends President and CEO John Nicholson. “It's a good blend celebrating all the splendor of the Derby with having a truly fun down home party. Old Friends is delighted to be a part of the fun and very grateful for being one of the beneficiaries.” The post Third Annual Blue Jeans, Boots And Bulls Charity Event To Benefit Old Friends appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Duke Of Bedford (NZ) (Tavistock) recorded a tenacious all-the-way triumph in the Brierly Steeplechase at Warrnambool on Tuesday with a decision on whether he will take his place in the Grand Annual Steeplechase on Thursday to be made on that morning. “I’d always thought he’d be better on the flat tracks of an Australian Steeplechase and a Grand National at the end of the season,” Trainer Andrew Bobbin said. “We’ll just see how that field holds up and at about 7:28am Thursday morning, I’ll probably still be scratching my head, I might even toss a coin.” Bobbin’s success in the Brierly Steeplechase was particularly satisfying, as it’s a race that he’d carefully prepared Duke Of Bedford for. “I love setting goals with races and working backwards and hitting the target and this was one today,” Bobbin said. “I’ve got a seven-year-old son who comes with me to the races all the time. We walked through the alleyway near the bar down under the grandstand and he always says, ‘Dad, why is our name not on this board’? “It’s on there today.” It was a second-straight win in the Brierly for jockey Willie McCarthy, who won the 3450-metre event aboard star jumper Stern Idol last year, a performance that he drew some inspiration from this time around. “I elected to try and do what we did on Stern Idol last year and make every post a winning post,” McCarthy said. “He gave me a super ride, the horse, he was just so beautiful. I’ve never sat on him before and his jumping was just impeccable. “I got in a little close to the third last but in actual fact, it probably gave me a breather at the point, he was able to come back into it after that and jumped the last two fences very well and I believe he ran away from them at the finish.” Duke Of Bedford’s success was the second leg of a winning double for McCarthy, who won the opening event on Through Irish Eyes in what was his first day back riding over the jumps following an injury enforced absence. The Brierly wasn’t run entirely incident free, however, as Leaderboard fell at Tozer Road, bringing down Bazini in the process. Leaderboard was later found to be lame in his near hind leg and has been officially scratched from Thursday’s Grand Annual Steeplechase, while Bazini was reported to have returned with EIPH. As for the fallen riders, Leaderboard’s rider Will Gordon was stood down from his remaining ride on Tuesday’s card. He was assessed by the doctor, who found him to be ok apart from a small laceration on his nose. Gordon will be assessed by the doctor again on Wednesday morning prior to racing to determine his suitability to ride. Martin Kelly, who partnered Bazini, was found to be all ok. View the full article

Dollars & Sense with Frank AngstView the full article

America's Best Racing provides capsule look at this year's Kentucky Derby (G1) field.View the full article

In this monthly BH interview, Karen M. Johnson profiles young racing personalities.View the full article

Racing Welfare is making a final call for entries to a series of stable staff races which will take place at racecourses across the UK as part of celebrations to mark Racing Staff Week 2025. Entries close on Wednesday, May 7. A unique chance for stable staff to ride under Rules, these races offer participants the opportunity to experience the thrill of competitive racing on the track, whilst raising vital funds for Racing Welfare, the charity dedicated to supporting the well-being of racing's people. Sponsored by Betfair, Racing Staff Week takes place between June 21-27 this year, with stable staff races taking place in the following locations: Ayr, Saturday, June 21 – over a distance of 6f Newbury, Tuesday, June 24 – over a distance of 1m Newton Abbot, Tuesday, June 24 – over a distance of 7f Nottingham, Thursday, June 26 – over a distance of 6f Entries can be made by visiting the Racing Welfare website. The post Final Call for Entries to Series of Stable Staff Races appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

From 2026, Royal Ascot Trials Day will move from its current Wednesday slot to the Friday of the same week, Ascot Racecourse announced on Tuesday. A fixture exchange with Musselburgh Racecourse has facilitated the move, with the approval of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the Flat Pattern Committee. The meeting, Friday, May 1 in 2026, will also feature live on ITV Racing as part of their coverage of the opening day of the Guineas Festival from Newmarket. Nick Smith, director of racing and public affairs at Ascot Racecourse, said, “We are thrilled to be able to host this high-class fixture on a Friday with mainstream terrestrial coverage from 2026 onwards. It has long been an ambition to get the day onto ITV and we are grateful to Musselburgh for working so collaboratively to deliver the transfer. It's an important card in the build up to Royal Ascot and hopefully will complement the opening day of the Guineas Festival at Newmarket really well.” The post Royal Ascot Trials Day to Move to Friday from 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Twain (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is a doubtful runner in Saturday's Betfred 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket due to an unsatisfactory scope, Coolmore revealed on Tuesday. “Following his work this morning, Twain (Wootton Bassett) didn't scope 100% so is unlikely to run in the 2,000 Guineas @NewmarketRace and may now be aimed at the Irish 2,000 Guineas instead,” read a statement posted to X by Coolmore (@coolmorestud). “Expanded (Wootton Bassett) is likely to be @Ballydoyle's only runner in the 2,000 Guineas on Saturday.” Unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile, including the G1 Criterium International, Twain had been Betfred's 5/1 second favourite for the first British Classic of the season prior to this announcement. That position in the betting is now occupied by last year's G1 Dewhurst Stakes runner-up, Expanded (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), after his participation was confirmed. The post Twain Likely to Miss 2,000 Guineas after Poor Scope appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Voyage Bubble remains on track for the race but could face a stern challenge from the foreign contingent.View the full article

Andrew Bobbin will wait until the last-possible moment before making a decision on whether Duke Of Bedford (NZ) (Tavistock) will take his place in Thursday’s Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool. The son of Tavistock recorded a tenacious all-the-way triumph in Tuesday’s Brierly Steeplechase, the biggest win in his career to date. “I’d always thought he’d be better on the flat tracks of an Australian Steeplechase and a Grand National at the end of the season,” Bobbin said. “We’ll just see how that field holds up and at about 7:28am Thursday morning, I’ll probably still be scratching my head, I might even toss a coin.” Bobbin’s success in the Brierly Steeplechase was particularly satisfying, as it’s a race that he’d carefully prepared Duke Of Bedford for. “I love setting goals with races and working backwards and hitting the target and this was one today,” Bobbin said. “I’ve got a seven-year-old son who comes with me to the races all the time. We walked through the alleyway near the bar down under the grandstand and he always says, ‘Dad, why is our name not on this board’? “It’s on there today.” It was a second-straight win in the Brierly for jockey Willie McCarthy, who won the 3450-metre event aboard star jumper Stern Idol last year, a performance that he drew some inspiration from this time around. “I elected to try and do what we did on Stern Idol last year and make every post a winning post,” McCarthy said. “He gave me a super ride, the horse, he was just so beautiful. I’ve never sat on him before and his jumping was just impeccable. “I got in a little close to the third last but in actual fact, it probably gave me a breather at the point, he was able to come back into it after that and jumped the last two fences very well and I believe he ran away from them at the finish.” Duke Of Bedford’s success was the second leg of a winning double for McCarthy, who won the opening event on Through Irish Eyes in what was his first day back riding over the jumps following an injury enforced absence. The Brierly wasn’t run entirely incident free, however, as Leaderboard fell at Tozer Road, bringing down Bazini in the process. Leaderboard was later found to be lame in his near hind leg and has been officially scratched from Thursday’s Grand Annual Steeplechase, while Bazini was reported to have returned with EIPH. As for the fallen riders, Leaderboard’s rider Will Gordon was stood down from his remaining ride on Tuesday’s card. He was assessed by the doctor, who found him to be ok apart from a small laceration on his nose. Gordon will be assessed by the doctor again on Wednesday morning prior to racing to determine his suitability to ride. Martin Kelly, who partnered Bazini, was found to be all ok. View the full article

Grand Annual Steeplechase-winning jockey Willie McCarthy has made a triumphant return to jumps racing at Warrnambool, winning on Through Irish Eyes (NZ) (Tavistock) his first ride back over the obstacles and the second race of his comeback. McCarthy guided the Ciaron Maher-trained Through Irish Eyes to victory in the opening event of the May Racing Carnival, prevailing in a stirring battle with one-time Melbourne Cup contender Stockman (NZ) (Tavistock) with fellow New Zealand bred Raise The Note (NZ) (Raise The Flag) third in the first of the maiden hurdles over 3200m. The Irishman had suffered a shoulder injury that ruled him out of the second half of the jumps season last year. “I’m not ready for the junkyard yet!” McCarthy said. “It took a bit of time recovery-wise, I had the fall on the 30th of June, so I had about seven months’ recovery and I’ve been back riding trackwork for Ciaron and Declan (Maher) at Ballarat. “I just built it up slowly, it’s great to get back here and get on a really nice horse today. Ciaron wanted to give me a winner at my first ride back and I was glad to have the opportunity and also glad to repay him with a decent ride.” A VRC St Leger winner as a three-year-old, Through Irish Eyes was having his first start over the hurdles and while McCarthy noted that his inexperience was on show at times, he does believe that the horse has a bright future ahead of him. “His jumping will come together more and I daresay once he goes over the steeplechase fences, he could be here for a Brierly or something next year,” McCarthy said. Raced by a group that includes former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen and fellow Kiwi’s Peter Kean and Patrick Harrison, Through Irish Eyes was bred by well-known Australian breeder and owner Jonathan Munz under his GSA Bloodstock banner. He was a $150,000 purchase by former trainer Darren Weir out of the Henley Park draft during the Book 1 sale at Karaka in 2019. View the full article

Superstar galloper Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) will contest Saturday’s Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield. Owner Tony Ottobre confirmed the decision to Racing.com on Tuesday morning, with connections believing the space between runs would set the three-time Group One winner up perfectly for a tilt at the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in Brisbane in four weeks. Craig Newitt will ride on Saturday with Pride Of Jenni to carry 61kg. It means Pride Of Jenni will skip the Gr.2 A$500,000 Hollindale Stakes on May 10. “Jenni will appreciate the extra week between runs, being an older horse with her running style we feel she needs an extra week to recharge her batteries,” Ottobre said of the decision to run at Caulfield. “It’s all about managing her so she can still be super competitive, the Vase should be a good hit out run for her.” View the full article

Shaun and Hazel Fannin have two exciting prospects for the upcoming jumps season in Jesko and Fourty Eight and the pair will go head-to-head on the flat at Woodville on Wednesday. The country’s leading jumps jockey, Shaun Fannin, has only ridden in eight races this season and won six of them, including the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) and Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m) aboard Mark Oulaghan’s champion jumper West Coast. He has also had plenty of success with his own horses, most recently with Jesko (NZ) (Atlante), who won first-up under a big impost at Waverley earlier this month. “He had to carry 72 kilos, so I didn’t think he would be a winning chance under that weight,” Fannin said. “It was a really tough effort, he’s getting ready for a jumping campaign, so these are more fitness runs than anything. “He’s got a pretty good record, he’s not often out of the top four so it was another honest run, it was nice to see. “He’s not very nice to ride to be honest, he’s got quite a high head carriage and doesn’t have the best mouth, he’ll get away well and put himself on speed but that’s just how he goes. He comes off the bridle a fair way out and makes me work for it a bit, but he stays pretty well so I’m looking forward to getting him up over a jumping distance for sure.” The son of Atlante had two starts over the hurdles last year, finishing fourth on debut before defeating a tidy field in his maiden success. “With that experience under their belt, any jumper really seems to improve into their second season,” Fannin said. “When he won his maiden, he beat Dictation and Mont Ventoux, and that form was pretty strong throughout the season. “Heading into this year, I’m pretty sure he will measure up again.” Initially a talent on the synthetic tracks, Fourty Eight (NZ) (Ekraar) also stepped successfully into the jumping role last May, with his only other attempt coming behind a promising hurdler in Mugshot. The gelding has impressed his trainers in two lead-in trials but will have his resuming run slightly delayed due to a minor hoof issue. “He seems super, he trialled up well and we were supposed to run him on the same day as Jesko won, but he just had a stone bruise,” Fannin said. “He’s pretty forward, he won a jump-out at Levin last Tuesday quite well so I’m expecting a pretty decent run from him tomorrow.” Although he leads the series, Fannin plans to continue only riding West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu) and his own horses this year. “I’ll probably just ride my two and then West Coast again, that’ll be the plan this year at this stage,” he said. “We’ll go from there.” A newer member to their flat racing team is Afternoon Siesta (Shamus Award), a mare that made a good account of herself on debut at Trentham, only being caught late by a rising three-year-old talent in Croupier. Fannin was pleasantly surprised by the forward showing and hopes to see more of the same when she contests the Dannevirke Carriers (1600m). “She was supposed to go to a highweight two days before that race, but there was a fair bit of rain up at Waverley and I didn’t want to get to the bottom of her first-up,” he said. “I probably wasn’t expecting that sort of effort, Croupier just beat her and he backed that up winning a week later at Ellerslie. It looks like pretty strong form going forward. “She’s not a very big mare and she’s got a few niggles, so she doesn’t take a lot of work. She seems to be quite competitive and jump the gates pretty well, then put herself in the race and tries hard. “That always counts for a lot.” View the full article

Ultra-consistent maidener Oscar (NZ) (Mulaazem) will aim to break a streak of runner-up performances when he contests the NZB Mega Maiden Series (1200m) at Woodville on Wednesday. The front-running four-year-old has been in the Wanganui stable of Jo Rathbone since late last year, and he has emerged as a competitive prospect with two thirds and three seconds in his past five starts. Rathbone, who has had an abundance of success as a jumps jockey and trainer, said that some added variety in his training was the turning point for Oscar. “When he first came he didn’t impress me that much, but he’s been doing heaps of jumping,” she said. “He went from not galloping particularly well and not being all that interested, to just loving his work and racing well. “He seems to bounce back from his races very well and Amber (Riddell) is riding him tomorrow, so hopefully the three kilos will help. He’s keen, he wants to get on and do it, but you can sit there and hold him, he’s doesn’t go too crazy.” Rathbone will have a further quartet of runners at the midweek meeting, including Billy Boy and last-start maiden winner Overdraft in the Dannevirke Dairy Supplies Woodville-Pahiatua Cup (2100m). Billy Boy (So You Think) is unbeaten at the course from three attempts, including an impressive display over the hurdles back in early September. While jumping will be in his future, the son of So You Think is more than capable on the flat and Rathbone intends to mix the two this campaign. “I think he’s still on the way up, he’ll improve out of tomorrow but he’s pretty honest,” Rathbone said. “He likes Woodville, I don’t think he’s been beaten there so far but again, he’ll improve from this run. “He will jump at some stage, I haven’t got a set plan for exactly when, but it’s a matter of taking him as he comes. I’ll get a good idea of how fit he is tomorrow and how he pulls up, but I think he’s still smart enough on the flat to win a couple more. “We’ve got options.” The lightly-raced Overdraft (NZ) (Burgundy) capped off a string of second placings with a comfortable victory at Waverley and has made a good impression on his trainer so far. “He’s been pretty honest and consistent, this is a step up in grade and it’s a stronger 65 so it’ll be a good test for him,” Rathbone said. “He tries, he’s a nice horse and I quite like him. “He’s quite a relaxed horse, he always gave me the impression that he’d go over a trip and he’s been doing a bit of jumping as well, which he’s enjoyed.” View the full article

Group One performer Town Cryer (NZ) (Tavistock) has been retired from racing following her fourth placed effort behind Val Di Zoldo in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa last Saturday, and she already has a date with champion New Zealand sire Proisir. “Joe (Doyle, jockey) said she trotted back a bit lame the other day after the race, so we decided to pull pin,” trainer Roydon Bergerson said. “She was probably a length off being a Group One winner, but she has been a really good mare to us.” The daughter of Tavistock was a standout for the Awapuni horseman, winning eight races, including the Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m), Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m), and she was a giant killer in the Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) when defeating multiple Group One winner Prowess. “That was a big thrill that day (winning the Taranaki Breeders’),” Bergerson said. “I was confident, and I rang up my son (leading New Zealand trainer Sam Bergerson) and I said ‘I am going to have a crack at the big ones. Instead of going somewhere else I am going to go to the fillies and mares race at Hawera’. He said ‘don’t be stupid Dad’. “Bruce Herd was riding work for us then and he said ‘this horse is flying, let’s have a crack’, so we did and it paid off.” Town Cryer also placed on 15 occasions, including the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m), Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m), Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m), and Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes. While sad to see Town Cryer leave is barn, Bergerson is hopeful of welcoming her daughters into the stable in years to come. “She will be sorely missed, let’s hope we can replace her with another one,” Bergerson said. “I don’t think they will be as tough as her though, we have been battling a foot issue for the last two starts and she has done amazingly well. “The Smith family (owners) are breeders. They will put the colts through the (sales) ring and race the fillies, so we’re hoping she has fillies.” Another high-class mare is also set to depart the stable next month, with Group One performer Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci) to be offered at Magic Millions’ Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale. Initially in the care of Bergerson, the daughter of Tivaci won three of her five starts as a juvenile, including the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) and Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m), and was runner-up in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) and Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). During her marvellous two-year-old run, a majority stake in the filly was sold to Australian Bloodstock, and she continued her career in Australia under the guidance of Kris Lees as a three-year-old. While she didn’t post a victory across the Tasman, she was stakes placed on five occasions, including the Gr.2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) and Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m). She was subsequently offered at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in 2023 where she was secured by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis’ bid of A$850,000. She had a couple of unplaced starts for Te Akau trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson before coming full-circle earlier this year and rejoining Roydon Bergerson’ Awapuni barn. She finished last in her resuming run on an unideal Heavy track at Waverley earlier this month, much to the regret of Bergerson. “It was my fault the other day (running her on a Heavy track at Waverley),” he said. “They were running reasonable times throughout the day but she just couldn’t get her foot in and Triston (Moodley, jockey) said she was just wheel spinning.” Wolverine will likely have one more run next week and could get redemption in the Gr.3 Rotorua ITM Stakes (1400m) at Arawa Park next Saturday. “We will look at Trentham or Rotorua next week, I just want to get her back on a Good track,” Bergerson said. “The girls that are riding her are really happy with her work.” Bergerson said Wolverine holds plenty of residual value as a broodmare and expects her to be well sought after on the Gold Coast next month. “She should sell really well,” he said. “She is a beautiful mare. They (Australians) like the speed as two-year-olds, and she had plenty of that.” While he is set to lose two of his stable stars, Bergerson has plenty to look forward to with his younger stable runners, and he is particularly upbeat about the prospects of juvenile filly Lalume (NZ) (Almanzor), who ran on well to finish fourth in her 850m trial at Waipukurau on Tuesday. “I really think the Almanzor filly, Lalume, is a black-type filly,” Bergerson said. “She has got a pedigree to win an Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m). It was an 850m trial today, but she really got through the line strong. She is a lovely filly with a good brain. “I might just give her one more trial for education so when she comes back next season, she is going to be ready to go. We will get her out now while the weather is still warm and bring her back through the cold winter and have her back ready for the spring and hopefully she is up to those fillies races.” View the full article

Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson has plenty of time for his promising juvenile Alottago (Tagaloa) and he is hoping the Tagaloa gelding can end his season on a high at his local meeting on Saturday. Alottago has had just the two starts to date, finishing third in both outings, including last start behind Bona Sforza and Zelia in the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m). Robinson was rapt with his performance in his first stakes test and is confident of an improved result over further ground this weekend. While confident of a bold showing, Robinson does hold concerns about competing on a Heavy surface, with rain forecast in Christchurch for the remainder of the week. “He has done well since his last start, we are really happy with him,” Robinson said. “I think the 1200m will really suit him. My only concern is whether he cops a real heavy track or not. We have got to run to find out, so we are going to find out.” Northern hoop Triston Moodley partnered Alottago in his first two starts, but with riding commitments at Te Rapa on Saturday, he will be replaced by Kate Hercock. “Kate Hercock takes the ride. She won a trial on him, so she knows him well,” Robinson said. Following Saturday’s run, Alottago will head for a spell ahead of a spring campaign. “We have got a very high opinion of him,” Robinson said. “We will get this one over and done with and he will have a nice spell, and hopefully we will get him ready for some nice three-year-old races in the spring.” Robinson will also be represented on Saturday by Mr Bully Tee (NZ) (Complacent) in the Rating 75 1800m event. The five-year-old son of Complacent won two races in March before finishing sixth in the $350,000 Southern Alps Challenge (1600m), and Robinson is hopeful he can return to winning form this weekend. “We were really pleased with his run in the big race at Riccarton the other day, I thought he went really well,” Robinson said. “He has come through that run in great shape, I am really happy with him.” Earlier in the week, Robinson will have strong representation at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Thursday, with the local horseman particularly buoyant about the chances of Grasshopper (NZ) (El Roca) in the Grandstand Eatery In The Phar Lap Maiden (1600m). “We have a big day on the synthetic on Thursday with nine runners. Quite a few of them are kicking off, and a lot of them are synthetic horses,” Robinson said. “We have got a maidener, Grasshopper, she should run well and will be hard to beat.” View the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, April 30, 2025 First Race 6:40pm HKT (8:40pm AEST) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday evening, with a bumper nine-part program set for decision. The rail moves out to the C+3 position, and with no significant rainfall forecast in the lead-up, punters can anticipate a genuine Good 4 surface. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 6:40pm local time. Best Bet at Happy Valley: Colourful King The David Eustace-trained Colourful King has been sensational since arriving in Hong Kong and now goes in search of a hat-trick in this Class 2 contest. The son of Blue Point bolted clear in his latest effort at this course and distance on April 9, surging to the top at the furlong pole and sustaining a two-length margin through the line. He gets an ideal map from barrier one under Andrea Atzeni, and provided he can get off the inside at a crucial stage, Colourful King will prove hard to hold out once again. Best Bet Race 3 – #8 Colourful King (1) 3yo Gelding | T: David Eustace | J: Andrea Atzeni (54.5kg) Next Best at Happy Valley: Mission Strike Mission Strike was disappointing in his latest outing at Sha Tin on March 30, dropping out of the contest after gaining an economical run in transit. He gets back to his favoured Happy Valley circuit, however, and looks well placed with Zac Purton set to be legged aboard for the first time. He’ll be getting back from barrier nine, but provided he can settle in the run, expect Mission Strike to flash over the top at a good price with BlondeBet. Next Best Race 5 – #6 Mission Strike (9) 3yo Gelding | T: Mark Newnham | J: Zac Purton (58kg) Best Value at Happy Valley: Giddy Up Giddy Up found one better last start at Happy Valley on April 9, and it looked like he may have peaked on the run when lugging 61kg second-up. He’ll strip fitter for that performance and gets the run of the race again from gate one. Watch for Brenton Avdulla to stalk what should be a genuine tempo, and once getting clear, Giddy Up should have no issues rounding them up at nice odds with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 6 – #1 Giddy Up (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: Brenton Avdulla (61kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Happy Valley Happy Valley quadrella selections Wednesday, April 30, 2025 1-2-10 1-5-7-9 1-4-5-8-9 1-4-6-11-12 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Canterbury Races Where Canterbury Park Racecourse – King Street, Canterbury NSW 2193 When Wednesday, April 30, 2025 First Race 12:10pm AEST Visit Dabble Metro racing returns to Canterbury Park on Wednesday afternoon, with a competitive eight-race program lined up. The rail moves out +2m the entire circuit, and with the track rated a Heavy 9 at the time of acceptances and more rainfall expected on race-day, punters can expect the rating to hold true prior to the opening event at 12:10pm local time. Best Bet at Canterbury: Cold Gin Although the form guide will say Cold Gin finished sixth debuting at Warwick Farm on April 16, the 1.4-length margin doesn’t tell the full story for the Ole Kirk filly. She should’ve been fighting out the finish with even luck, with the two-year-old held up behind a fall of horses when trying to get clear under Joshua Parr. Zac Lloyd gets legged aboard for this second-up assignment, and with the pair set to gain the economical run of the race from stall one, Cold Gin should bounce back to secure a maiden success in the Canterbury opener. Best Bet Race 1 – #9 Cold Gin (1) 2yo Filly | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Zac Lloyd (54kg) Next Best at Canterbury: Brave One Brave One returns after a 146-day spell and appears to be primed first-up after undergoing a gelding operation in his time away from racing. The team Hawkes-trained galloper caught the eye in his most recent piece of work at Rosehill on April 11, chasing impressively behind Givemethebeatboys, a horse that has proven competitive in stakes grade since. Zac Lloyd should gain a midfield spot with cover from barrier four, and with this BM72 contest a perfect kickoff point for the campaign, expect Brave One to be right in this when the whips are cracking. Next Best Race 5 – #8 Brave One (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Zac Lloyd (58kg) Best Value at Canterbury: Heir Jordan Heir Jordan had no luck in Highway company at Randwick on April 19, held up at a crucial stage to finish 2.3 lengths away from Ballinderry Sal. There’s no doubt the son of Speith would’ve been right in the finish had the breaks fell his way, unable to sprint has key rivals got to his outside. Stepping out to the 1550m appears the ideal setup for success, and with Heir Jordan only set to carry 54kg on his back in this BM78, expect this guy to give a good account of himself at the each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 6 – #9 Heir Jordan (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Luke Musson | J: Jay Ford (54kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Canterbury Canterbury quadrella selections April 30, 2025 4-5-8 1-7-9 2-3-4-5 1-2-5-6-8-9-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

The top handler also has several big chances to strike at Happy Valley on Wednesday.View the full article

The Emma-Lee and David Browne-trained Statuario has firmly established himself as the one to beat in Saturday’s 2025 South Australian Derby at Morphettville, with the popular grey currently leading the betting markets as he aims for consecutive victories. This year’s Group 1 $1 million South Australian Derby (2500m) has attracted a typically strong field of […] The post South Australian Derby 2025 Field & Odds Update: Statuario Favourite appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Ricky Yiu’s stable star is ‘likely’ to push onto next month’s Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m).View the full article

HRNZ has issued updates to several regulations to support industry best practices. Recent amendments include: Centralised Stakes Payment Scheme Regulations New procedures for slot race payment administration Updated processes for paying stakes to overseas bank accounts Minor Infringement Regulations New penalty provision for drivers talking on the track Sulky Fund Regulations Approval of the UFO Eclipse sulky (no crossbar) for use Click on each regulation above to view the full notice and details. View the full article

BH Interview: Mark CutlerView the full article

Clinton Isdale will put the versatility of a former Hong Kong galloper to the test on Wednesday. The Cambridge trainer will head south to the Central Districts with a team of three, including newcomer Gallant Hero (Fast Company) who will step out in the Dannevirke Dairy Supplies Woodville-Pahiatua Cup (2100m). Isdale has been satisfied with the progress made by the seven-year-old since joining his team, with a question of direction the only answer he’s not sure of. “He’s definitely got ability, I’m just not sure how he’ll go left-handed but we’ll find out. It’s going to be interesting,” he said. Gallant Hero has earned pass marks from his first three appearances in New Zealand and will be suited by the step up in distance. “He’s been good in all of his runs, first-up over 1200m he did a few things wrong which he did in Hong Kong when he hung in a little bit, but his sectionals were good,” Isdale said. “Second up over 1500m he hit the line well along the inside at Ellerslie and they were probably making better ground out wide. “The other day he got crowded up and when he got into clear air, he hit the line nicely (for fifth).” The Irish-bred Gallant Hero won four races, including three on the bounce, up to 2200m in Hong Kong. “Ben Foote got him off David Hall and gave him to me, I sold a horse to Hong Kong and Ben got it back and asked if I would take it and this one as well,” Isdale said. “He reached his mark up there, he wasn’t sore or anything and didn’t have any injuries.” Promising three-year-old Melkor (NZ) (Telperion) was a strong debut third at Waverley and has accepted in both the NZB Mega Maiden Series (1200m) and the Property Brokers Pahiatua/Woodville (1100m). “The 1200m race looks a bit weaker and I only put him in the 1100 thinking they would get a heavy track, but the rain hasn’t eventuated there,” Isdale said. “He went really well first-up on a heavy track, he hit the line well. “He got taken on for three-quarters of the race and got pushed down to the worst part of the track and still looked the winner with 40m to go.” Lady Moana (NZ) (Ocean Park) rounds off the team and she looks well-placed in the Corey Wiki Memorial (1600m) following a last-start fifth in stronger company at Pukekohe. “I’ve always thought she was a wet tracker, she won a couple in a row on them when I first got her,” Isdale said. “Kelly (Myers) got off her last time and seemed to think she was probably a little bit sick of the wet tracks. “She’s back to a Rating 60 and if she puts her best foot forward then she’ll be quite hard to beat.” View the full article

Race 3 ENTAIN/NZB INSURANCE PEARL SERIES 1400m MONTAUK (L Hemi) – Trainer Ms. T Rae advised Stewards, she was satisfied with the post-race condition of the filly, however, MONTAUK has now been sent for a spell. The post Ashburton Racing Club @ Ashburton Raceway, Wednesday 16 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article