Wandering Eyes

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk A new name will join the junior driving ranks in the north tonight. Holly Moralde Sands, who was judged the Most Promising Cadet at the latest North Island Harness Racing Awards, will drive Grace N Elegance in the NZ Trainers and Drivers Association North Island Handicap Trot at Alexandra Park. Adding to the occasion, the 19-year-old also co-races the six-year-old mare. “I’m actually leasing that mare. It was Crystal’s idea (Hackett) to get me a horse that I could have for trial drives and get onto the racetrack.” Crystal’s mother and father Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett train the mare from their Waiuku base. Both Crystal (Mad Mary) and Bernie (Happy Hill) will also drive in the same race. Moralde Sands has had the 25 trials required before a race day debut. Her background is through Pony Club and “low level showjumping” before she started working weekends and school holidays for champion trainer-driver Tony Herlihy at his Papakura stables. She began full-time there about three years ago. “Tony’s been good to put me on some older horses and some younger ones and trotters and the like,” says Moralde Sands, “I’ve had lots of different drives at the trials.” Grace N Elegance is currently a $4.60 second favourite behind the Tony Herlihy-trained Pretty In Pink. Both will start off 30 metres. They finished one-two at the trials on July 18. “She’s been trailing nice and we are pretty happy with her,” Moralde Sands said of Grace N Elegance. Moralde Sands joins a growing list of northern-based junior drivers including : Neita Balle Stephanie Burley Kate Coppins Nathan Delany Kristina Denifostova Jacob Dunn Crystal Hackett Taitlyn Hanara Alicia Harrison Leah Hibell Emily Johnson Harrison Orange Monika Ranger Fergus Schumacher Brooke Wilkins The NZ Trainers and Drivers Association North Island Handicap Trot is due to go at Alexandra Park at 9.18pm. View the full article

The return of Akuta after last racing in December 2023 will be of huge interest at Alexandra Park tonight. The millionaire pacer has had a long road back from a tendon injury ahead of his appearance in the World’s Best Hoof Oil – Here For The Horse Mobile Pace (7.51pm). Trackside presenter Brittany Graham and racing journalist Michael Guerin share their thoughts on the return of the former superstar, who’s a $1.35 favourite to resume on a winning note. A perfect kick off point for Akuta By Brittany Graham New Zealand’s fightback against another Aussie invasion during New Zealand Cup Week is about to get a serious uplift with the return of glamour pacer Akuta. Not seen since running third in the Franklin Cup of 2023, a significant tendon issue for the now six-year-old keep him off the scene with some concern over him ever being seen on the racetrack again. Meticulously handled by Mark and Nathan Purdon, alongside their support team, it has been a long road with no corners cut to ensure he was given an ample opportunity for a return. Stepping out publicly in May, the millionaire pacer was then given another brief let up to give him every chance at a genuine Spring preparation and a third New Zealand Cup tilt. He looks thrown into a R55 to R115 mobile event over 1700metres at Alexandra Park on Friday night, although, he will have a new driver with Brooke Wilkins junior driving concession required for race eligibility. And while being first up off such a long injury enforced layoff is always a word of warning for punters, co-trainer Nathan Purdon is thrilled with the star’s progress. “Akuta seems really good for his comeback race this week” he said. “He is probably at 85% (fitness) going into this week, but he has found the perfect race.” He is also likely to stick around in the North for longer than first thought with another suitable contest programmed. “At this point, he will have one more start after this weekend before heading South.” Albeit far from the biggest race in his calendar, it would be an exceptionally rewarding achievement should the Purdon’s attain fairytale success after all that has gone into his return. It would also be ‘just rewards’ for Tony Shaw who has played a significant role in his rehabilitation and now has an ownership share. Purdons happy with the champ’s prep ahead of return By Michael Guerin Trainer Mark Purdon and most punters want the same thing from Akuta’s comeback at Alexandra Park tonight. They probably just want it delivered in different ways. The one-time superstar of New Zealand racing returns tonight after 20 months away from the racetrack, his career all but ended by a split tendon in his leg. If it wasn’t for a very detailed rehabilitation plan put in place by veterinarian Barbara Hunter, who is now also Purdon’s fiancee, the champion trainer says Akuta wouldn’t be back at the track tonight. “When it happened he was given a 10 per cent chance of racing again,” says Purdon. “But Barb put a really detailed plan in place and part of that was once it was healing to keep it that region stretched and active. “So he spent time being ridden and then he has been wonderfully looked after by Tony Shaw, who now has a share in the horse as our way of saying thank you for all the work he has done with him.” So can punter’s back the former Auckland Cup winner with confidence tonight? “Well, he seems very sound and has handled everything well so far,” explains Purdon. “He is working like a good horse should and on class you would think he could have their measure.” But Purdon has been doing this for long enough to know the easiest way to undo a campaign is to start it by giving a horse a headache which brings us to tonight’s tactics from the outside of the front line over 1700m with junior driver Brooke Wilkins, her junior concession allowing Akuta to start in the race. Punters who take the short odds would love to see Akuta race forward, wrest the lead and blow his rivals away as a former Taylor Mile winner should in a mid-grade sprint. After all, punters taking short odds love an easy watch. “The problem with going forward is if he doesn’t work out it is hard to have a Plan B,” says Purdon. “I’d hate to see him have a hard run and be finishing on his hands and knees in his first race in so long. “It will be up to Brooke to drive him how he feels and how the race looks, but if he has any luck he should probably win anyway.” That is true but even tonight’s rivals who are rated 20-40 points below Akuta are capable of pacing a 1:53 mile rate or quicker for 1700m, whether Akuta is actually a sensible bet will come down to final price with the opening TAB quote of $1.35 too short to be value. Purdon and his son Nathan are in the perfect position to rate the opposition as they also train Treacherous Baby, who looks one of Akuta’s main rivals. “As good a mare as she is, it would hard to see her beating him,” says Purdon. The stable also has two reps in Race 2 tonight with little between River (No.1) and debutante Georgie Best (No.6). “There wouldn’t be much between them but they were supposed to go in a two-year-old race that didn’t get off the ground so they have to take on the older horses. “River will be hard to beat and with her draw might be slightly the better chance but I would prefer to see her driven with cover, being a two-year-old filly against the older horses. “But if the colt [Georgie Best] can get in front of her and even around to the lead he would be really hard to beat.” View the full article

George Weaver-trained stablemates Governor Sam and Ortley Avenue, the 1-2 finishers of last month's Quick Call Stakes (G3T), return for the $175,000 Mahony Stakes (G3T) Aug. 10 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

A stakes schedule packed with $3.575 million in purses will headline this year's 14-day September Meet at Churchill Downs, which runs Thursday, Sept. 11 through Sunday, Sept. 28 and features 11 stakes contests over three weekends. Saturday, Sept. 13 sets the tone with five stakes races led by the $400,000 GII Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove and the first points events on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks: the $300,000 GIII Iroquois and $300,000 GIII Pocahontas. The second Saturday of the meet on Sept. 20 includes four more stakes topped by the $300,000 GIII Dogwood. The stakes action concludes Saturday, Sept. 27 with a duo of marquee races: the $500,000 GII Lukas Classic and $400,000 GIII Ack Ack. Four weeks later, Churchill Downs will host its 26-day Fall Meet from Sunday, Oct. 26 through Sunday, Nov. 30 with 16 stakes worth $5 million. Thanksgiving weekend once again anchors the Fall Meet: Friday, Nov. 28 will be headlined by the $600,000 GII Clark; and Saturday, Nov. 29 features the Stars of Tomorrow II card headlined by the $400,000 GII Kentucky Jockey Club and $400,000 GII Golden Rod. The meet will open with the first Stars of Tomorrow card on Sunday, Oct. 26 led by the $200,000 GIII Street Sense and $200,000 Rags to Riches. The post Churchill Downs to Host 11 Stakes Worth $3.575 Million During September Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Chukyo and Niigata Racecourses: Saturday, August 9, 2025 3rd-NII, ¥14,250,000 ($97k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT JANSHI (c, 2, More Than Ready–Autumnal, by Forestry) made $80,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale and was knocked down to trainer Hideyuki Mori for $280,000 at this year's OBS March Sale after breezing an eighth of a mile in :9 4/5 (see below). Hailing from the final crop of his legendary sire, the Mar. 30 foal is a full-brother to Eclipse Award-winning turf female and 'TDN Rising Star' Rushing Fall and a half to SW & MGSP Milam (Street Sense), herself the dam of GSP Lakota Spirit. The Grade III-placed granddam Marie J (Mr. Prospector) is responsible for the stakes-placed and stakes-producing Sisti's Pride (Forestry). Owner Susumu Fujita campaigned the sire's Group 2-winning juvenile and fellow OBS grad Jean Gros. O-Susumu Fujita; B-Fred Hertrich III & John D Fielding (KY); T-Hideyuki Mori 即ヅモなるか──。 土曜新潟３Ｒでデビューするジャンシを。 由来は「雀士」。先週末は坂路５０秒９をマークしています。 阿佐田哲也、小島武夫、桜井章一、古川凱章先生らの伝説級！？#ジャンシ #モアザンレディ#森秀行 #藤田晋 #雀士 pic.twitter.com/xjnNWkn0YR — 日刊ゲンダイ　競馬 (@gendai_keiba) August 7, 2025 8th-NII, ¥30,400,000 ($206k), Allowance, 2yo, 1400mT YU PHAROAH (c, 2, American Pharoah–Limari, by Medaglia d'Oro) was a respectable fifth on 1400-meter debut, but defied odds of 18-1 to graduate over the metric six furlongs at Kokura June 28. A $75,000 acquisition by Mori out of last year's Keeneland September sale, the February-foaled bay is the year-younger half-brother to West Beach (Omaha Beach), second in last year's Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile, and is out of a half-sister to Eclair (Bernardini), winner of the Golden Gate Debutante Stakes back in 2019. The yearling half-sister to Yu Pharoah is cataloged as hip 401 at next month's Keeneland September Sale. O-K Aietsu; B-Don Alberto Corporation & American Pharoah Syndicate; T-Hideyuki Mori 10th-CKO, ¥15,200,000 ($103k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1400m AMERICAN BEYOND (c, 3, McKinzie–Church by the Sea, by Harlan's Holiday) is one of four winners from as many to race out of his dam, whose MGSW daughter Significant Form (Creative Cause) is responsible for the stakes-winning Opulent Restraint (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a close third in last month's GI Belmont Oaks Invitational at Saratoga. A $275,000 Keeneland November weanling and $400,000 KEESEP yearling, the bay is also kin to GSW Hay Dakota (Haynesfield) and to the dam of Bobrovsky (Daredevil), a 10 1/2-length maiden winner at the Spa July 24. Second dam Witness Post (Gone West) produced GSW & GISP Hello Liberty (Forest Camp). O-Yoshizawa Holdings Co Ltd; B-Brereton C Jones (KY); T-Hideaki Fujiwara Sunday, August 10, 2025 3rd-NII, ¥14,250,000 ($97k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200m IDATEN SHACHO (c, 2, Goldencents–Wildcat Belle, by Intidab) was bought back on a bid of $40,000 out of last year's Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Sale, but improved into a $145,000 OBS March juvenile after drilling a furlong in :9 4/5 (see below). The colt's yearling half-sister by Omaha Beach is set to sell as hip 429 during Monday's session at the FTNAUG sale in Saratoga. Idaten Shacho is the mount of leading jockey Yuga Kawada. O-Miki House HK Service Co Ltd; B-Willow Brook Stables (NY); T-Hideyuki Mori The post Rushing Fall Juvenile Full-Brother Set For Niigata Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Prettiest Star (Starman) was the subject of support on this debut into 15-8 favouritism, and cruising to the fore before two out, the homebred drew away to score with a large degree of comfort by 4 1/2 lengths from Sara Moon (Oasis Dream). “She was very cool and calm and pretty professional–she did the job nicely,” commented owner-breeder David Ward, who was watching his first runner by the sire he bred and campaigned to win a July Cup, and who now sits on 17 first-crop winners. “It's one thing to breed and race a horse, but it's another to breed one by a stallion you bred and I'm absolutely delighted. This was a nice opportunity and it worked out. Starman has everything and I'm very proud. Their temperament is excellent and we have another eight or nine of his to run.” The winner is the second foal out of Ediyva (Kingman), a €300,000 purchase from the Aga Khan Studs draft at 2021 Goffs November who is a daughter of the G3 Athasi Stakes winner Emiyna (Maria's Mon). That makes her a half-sister to three black-type performers headed by the dual Stakes winner Elamaz (Gleneagles), who was also runner-up in the G2 Oettingen Rennen. From the dynasty of the G1 Gold Cup winners Estimate (Monsun) and Enzeli (Kahyasi) and the Irish Oaks heroine Ebadiyla (Sadler's Wells), her yearling filly is by Zarak while her 2025 colt is a full-brother to the winner. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $4,976. O-David Ward; B-Northern Star Bloodstock Ltd; T-Ed Walker. Winning debut The Prettiest Star (Starman) does the business nicely for @edwalkerracing pic.twitter.com/kFclyZNZ3p — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 7, 2025 The post ‘Very Proud’ David Ward Reflects On His Starman Homebred The Prettiest Star’s Debut Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced juveniles from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes, sponsored by OBS Sales, highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, including links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Friday at Saratoga and Ellis Park. Friday, August 8, 2025 Saratoga 1, $80k, 2yo, (R), 6f, 1:10 p.m. Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Fin Del Mundo (Rock Your World), OBSAPR, 45,000, :21 4/5 C-Six Ks Training & Sales, agent; B-Robert M Jones Hong Kong Phooey (Complexity), FTMMAY, 40,000, :10 2/5 C-Julie Davies, agent; B-Rudy Rodriguez Running On Bourbon (Bourbon Courage), FTMMAY, 55,000, G C-Hidden Brook, agent; B-McMahon & Hill, agent Bourbon Lane Saratoga 3, $100k, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 2:20 p.m. Deep Learning (Cairo Prince), OBSAPR, 325,000, :20 4/5 C-Eddie Woods, agent; B-Klaravich Stable Inc Well Shaken (Frosted), OBSMAR, 37,000, :10 1/5 C-Jose Munoz; B-Sunset Ridge Farms, Ricehorse, agent Ellis 6, $100k, 2yo, 6f, 3:12 p.m. Circle Tap (Twirling Candy), OBSAPR, 335,000, :21 2/5 C-Pick View LLC, agent; B-Willis Horton Racing LLC Infiltrate (Oscar Performance), OBSAPR, 270,000, :20 4/5 C-Tom McCrocklin, agent; B-Fergus Galvin, agent Island Town (Echo Town), OBSAPR, 180,000, :20 4/5 C-Thorostock LLC; B-L & N Racing LLC Saratoga 5, $90k, 2yo, (S), 5 1/2fT, 3:30 p.m. Truman's Commander (Omaha Beach), OBSAPR, 50,000, :10 2/5 C-Omar Ramirez Bloodstock, agent; B-Harry Rosenblum Saratoga 6, $80k, 2yo, (R), 6f, 4:06 p.m. Aye Eye (Esssential Quality), FTMMAY, 45,000, G C-Julie Davies, agent; B-Robert Cotran Escape Hall (Independence Hall), OBSAPR, 42,000, :21 1/5 C-Wavertree Stables Inc (C Dunne), agt; B-Three Diamonds Farm Tactics (Tacitus), FTMMAY, 60,000, G C-Endurance Equine, agent; B-Repole Stable The post Summer Breezes Sponsored By OBS: Friday, August 8, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

One of those Ballydoyle juveniles who can make giant strides from start one to two, Montreal (Sea The Stars) looked every inch a 2026 Derby prospect as he stormed to an eight-length maiden success at Leopardstown on Thursday. Always happy on the front end under Wayne Lordan, the 6-4 favourite who had been third over this mile trip and track last month set sail in the straight to put healthy daylight between him and the Jessica Harrington-trained Strikewhileitshot (Too Darn Hot). “They went steady the last day and Ryan said he was a little bit green when they quickened,” his rider said of the sire's 21st TDN Rising Star who is a half-brother to the G2 Blandford Stakes winner and Irish Oaks runner-up Cayenne Pepper (Australia). “Today he got out a bit more professional and went a nice even gallop–I knew the way I quickened he was going to put some distance between them and I went out through the line pretty well. Whatever he does this year is a bonus, as I think he'll stay next year.” Montreal (Sea The Stars) absolutely hoses up in the @LeopardstownRC opener pic.twitter.com/3cTrfyZwKS — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 7, 2025 The post Sea The Stars’s Derby Prospect Montreal A New TDN Rising Star For Ballydoyle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Speaking Aug. 7 during a KTDF committee meeting, Keeneland vice president of racing Gatewood Bell said the track's winner's circle area for stakes competitors will move to what had previously been the paddock walking ring area.View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert bids for his fourth straight victory and 12th overall win in the Aug. 9 Best Pal Stakes (G3) at Del Mar with impressive maiden winner Desert Gate and St. Petersburg, a $700,000 son of Constitution. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a full-sister to a Group 1 winner. 5.55 Newmarket, Mdn, 2yo, f, 8fT RIBBON OF SEA (IRE) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is a significant Godolphin runner for Charlie Appleby's stable on an intriguing “Newmarket Nights” card full of tantalising prospects, being a full-sister to the G1 Prix de Royallieu heroine Sea Silk Road who cost 1.6 million gns at Tattersalls October Book 1. Among her peers is the similarly-unraced Legacy Link (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Juddmonte's first foal out of the Galileo mare Chiasma, gold dust as a full-sister to Frankel and Noble Mission, who races for John and Thady Gosden. 6.30 Newmarket, Mdn, 2yo, 6fT GAURDMAN (IRE) (Blue Point {Ire}) was one of the focal points of the Arqana May Breeze Up, with KHK Racing going to €900,000 for the half-brother to two Listed performers. Roger Varian has charge of the exciting juvenile, whose opponents include another pricey newcomer in Saeed Suhail's 340,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 graduate Crown Office (GB) (No Nay Never), a William Haggas-trained son of Antonia De Vega who boasted the rare distinction of beating Alpinista in the G3 Princess Royal Stakes. The post Sea Silk Road’s Sister Ribbon Of Sea Debuts At Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Phil D'Amato has half the field in Del Mar's Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2T), which gets a shipper from the Graham Motion barn in Heredia.View the full article

French sales house Auctav is set to stage its first solely Flat yearling sale at Haras de Bois Roussel on Saturday, September 13. The 100-lot catalogue, which is now online, includes drafts from Haras de Petit Tellier, Haras de Colleville, Hestia Farm, and Haras du Long Champ and features a Galiway filly (lot 30) who traces back to Shadwell's hugely successful Height Of Fashion family, offered by Haras du Vieux Bourg. Galiway's Group 1-winning son Sealiway has his first yearlings for sale this year and included in the Auctav offering is a colt from Haras du Chateau de Rabodanges whose dam Moon Power (Exceed And Excel) is a half-sister to Listed winner Shepherd Market (Reckless Abandon). Group 1 winner Ebro River was a new recruit to the French stallion ranks in 2023 and a member of his first crop will be the first lot through the ring at this inaugural yearling sale. The colt, names Ebrosindra, is out of an unraced half-sister to Group 3-winning sprinter Air De Valse. The sale is scheduled to get underway at 2pm. The post Auctav to Hold First Flat Yearling Sale in September appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Four additional yearlings, including fillies by Flightline, Gun Runner and Into Mischief along with a colt by Golden Pal, have been supplemented to Book 1 of the September Yearling Sale on Sept. 8-9, Keeneland announced Thursday. Opening day of the sale will include these supplements: Hip 181 is a filly from the first crop of Horse of the Year Flightline who is out of stakes winner Call On Mischief, by Into Mischief. Call On Mischief is a half-sister to Grade I winner and millionaire Power Squeeze. The filly is consigned by Thorostock, agent. Hip 182, a colt from the first crop of two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal, is a half-brother to Grade III winner Becky's Joker. Consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent, he is out of the Elusive Quality mare Becky's Best and from the family of Grade II winner Vertical Oak and stakes winners Vertical Vision and Giant Mischief. Yearlings supplemented to the second day are: Hip 372 is a filly by Into Mischief out of multiple graded stakes winner Keertana, by Johar. A half-sister to Grade III winner Ticonderoga, she is consigned by St George Sales, agent. The filly is from the family of Grade II winner Diversy Harbor; Grade III winners Snow Top Mountain, Greyvitos and Parochial; and Italian highweight Knifebox. Hip 373 is a filly by Gun Runner who is the first foal out of multiple stakes winner Hear My Prayer, by The Big Beast. From the family of stakes winner Additional Prayer, she is consigned by Mulholland Springs, agent. The post Four Yearlings Supplemented To Keeneland September Book 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Despite having flown to Lexington as recently as Tuesday, there was never any chance of Ted Voute not being at Deauville this weekend, with the jet-setting adviser to Prince Faisal describing himself as “quietly quite excited” about the prospects of Sajir when the son of Make Believe lines up in Sunday's G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest. After gaining a second Group 3 triumph in April's Abernant Stakes at Newmarket, Sajir was then conceding 2lb to his conqueror, Topgear (Wootton Bassett), when filling the runner-up spot in the Prix du Palais-Royal at ParisLongchamp the following month. That form nugget is fueling Voute's optimism that Sajir can be competitive on Sunday, in against some of the best sprinters that Europe has to offer. Above all else, with over 4,000 air miles set to be racked up in his commitment to the cause, Voute is simply hoping that Sajir himself doesn't get stuck on the runway this time, having been withdrawn from the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot after getting upset in the stalls. “That was so out of character,” Voute says of that incident. “I think it was just the heat on that day. He was in for a long time and Oisin [Murphy, jockey] said he went to go under the front of the stall. Oisin pulled his head up and the next thing he was kicking out. He had some scrapes on his hind legs after that, but nothing broke the skin. We've obviously been careful with him since and Andre [Fabre, trainer] thinks he's ready to run. Let's just hope he jumps out of the gate this time!” Sajir could be joined by up to 10 rivals in the gate for the Maurice de Gheest, including six individual Group 1 winners, headed by defending champion and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee hero Lazzat. Should Lazzat retain his title, then champion sprinter status for the son of Territories would be all but assured, but recent history has taught us to expect the unexpected in this division. “It looks quite a tough race, but with those sprinters you just never know,” Voute points out. “They all take it in turns and some of the top ones don't need much to go wrong to not perform like they should on the day. “I'm quietly quite excited about going. I'm in Lexington at the moment, but I'm going to fly back so I can go to Deauville because I think he could run one of his best races there. Whether he can win it or not, I don't know, but he's got Oisin on top. Let's hope we can get a big race out of him somewhere and maybe then we'll have another stallion on our hands.” As the conversation meanders through the rest of Prince Faisal's best and brightest prospects, the topic of producing stallions becomes a recurring theme. Not content with giving us the breed-shaping brothers Invincible Spirit and Kodiac, it would seem that Prince Faisal's quest to uncover the next big thing in the breeding shed continues apace. The first foals by three-time Group 1 and Saudi Cup winner Mishriff arrived earlier this year, a source of immense pride for his owner-breeder, while many would share Voute's view that Make Believe was a steal at the career-low fee of €8,000 he stood for this year at Ballylinch Stud. “He's incredibly good value,” Voute says of the Classic-winning sire of both Mishriff and Sajir, as well as Klaynn, the seven-length winner of this year's Oaks d'Italia. “We've probably been more successful with him than a lot of people, but we probably send him more mares. It's worked out nicely for us. “He should get 100 mares every year and, hopefully, if we can get some of the race records right this year, with the likes of Sajir, we might be able to get his book filled again.” Another homebred with the potential to put wind back in the Make Believe sails is the John and Thady-Gosden-trained Nahraan, who announced himself as potentially something out of the ordinary when making a successful debut at Wolverhampton in May, coming from miles back to upset the now-100-rated favourite Cajole (Dubawi). Voute admits to being incredulous in the aftermath of that victory, having travelled to Wolves more in hope than expectation, whereas relief was the overriding emotion at Hamilton last month when Nahraan clung on by a nose to win the Listed Glasgow Stakes. What a race! Nahraan (Make Believe) makes it three from three – just! – in a thrilling Listed @BritishEBF Glasgow Stakes for @oismurphy, John and Thady Gosden and Prince Faisal @HamiltonParkRC pic.twitter.com/cAvvvLlBIG — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 18, 2025 “It was a bit close for my liking!” Voute says of that performance. “I wish he'd won with more in hand, but I think it might have been the distance that made it so tight. We pretty much proved to ourselves that a mile and a half might be a bit too far for him. That was a mile and three [furlongs] and I think we learnt that it was right on his limit in terms of distance.” A notable absentee from the declarations for Saturday's Rose Of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock, Nahraan is another who now looks to be Deauville-bound. His connections are weighing up a tilt at the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano on Saturday week. “We were keeping our options open, but I think we'll probably go to Deauville,” says Voute. “It will be a very hot race – I think Charlie Appleby is going to run his Guineas winner [Ruling Court] there – but he has to step up at some stage. To do that against the three-year-olds might be the best thing for him, even though it is a Group 2. Otherwise, he'd have to take on the older horses.” Giving a glimpse into the excitement surrounding the unbeaten Nahraan, Voute adds, “It does look like we could have a very nice horse on our hands. When you have these horses, you think they come around quite easily, but they really don't. They are very special when they come along. “The Prince is always trying to make a stallion out of these horses and he's been very lucky in getting a few over the line. He's a very patient man and, between him and John, I'm sure they'll decide the best route. Obviously, we'd like to progress to a Group 1 and we've entered him in everything he's eligible for, including the Champion Stakes.” Nahraan is the first foal out of the dual winner First Kingdom, a half-sister to Sajir and among a select bunch of Prince Faisal's mares with a Mishriff foal on the ground this year. “The Prince has always bred to Frankel or bought yearlings by him,” Voute says of First Kingdom's sire. “From the first crop, he's been very supportive all the way through. We're very lucky that he's ended up being a good broodmare sire and we've got some of the first ones who show that. First Kingdom also has a two-year-old filly by Olden Times with Andrew Balding which is the second foal. Sadly, she didn't get in foal this year to Dark Angel, but she's got a Mishriff foal which is very nice. “We're very pleased with what we've got,” he adds of Mishriff's first foals. “We bought two mares to go to him. Sadly, [triple Group 3 winner] Oscula didn't have a foal, but [Group 2 winner] Bounce The Blues did. We obviously sent First Kingdom as well and we've sent three or four others back again this year. He's been well supported and it's very exciting.” “Very exciting” is also the phrase used to describe the two-year-old Oxagon, who earned 'TDN Rising Star' status when winning his maiden by eight lengths at Sandown last week. The son of Frankel is out of Godolphin's homebred mare Endless Charm (Dubawi), but the family can be traced back to Prince Faisal's very best – he bred and raced the third dam Wosaita (Generous), a half-sister to the Prix de Diane heroine Rafha, the dam of Invincible Spirit and Kodiac and third dam of Mishriff. Oxagon (Frankel) sheds his maiden at the second time of asking under Luke Catton for John & Thady Gosden in the Chasemore Farm @BritishEBF Novice Stakes @Sandownpark pic.twitter.com/vMYHX2bZpg — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2025 “Again, we've got to try and keep our feet on the ground,” Voute says of Oxagon. “We were claiming 5lb with Luke Catton [at Sandown] and it was only a class 4. We're going the right way, but we need to choose our spots. “John Gosden obviously thinks a bit of him, though, because he's entered him well. We've got him in all of the seven-furlong races. We put him in the Champagne the other day and we'll probably put him in the Acomb. It will be up to the Prince and John, they do that race planning better than anyone else, but I think it will be a black-type race for him somewhere. “Let's just hope we keep going the right way. Sometimes you tempt fate and, when you get two weeks down the road, all of the bubbles have burst. But he's definitely exciting.” Certainly, if there is one horse who has taught Prince Faisal and Voute not to get ahead of themselves, then it must be Eydon, the now-six-year-old who has raced just six times since finishing fourth in the 2022 edition of the 2,000 Guineas. There's little doubt that the engine is still in full working order, as Eydon demonstrated when last seen winning May's Aston Park Stakes, but once again the chassis let him down in the aftermath of that Newbury success. “He's back now and he's going the right way,” Voute says of Eydon's recovery from his latest setback. “He just has a niggly problem every single time and they're all different. It's never anything major. He just needs a bit of box rest and then everything comes good. “It started when he was at Roger Varian's. He got cast in his box before the Derby and that was sort of it. It's always at the most inopportune times, the day of a race or a week or two after. We think we've got over the hurdle and then something comes out of nowhere.” Provided another bolt from the blue doesn't come along, then Eydon should be seen on a racecourse again before the end of the year, with Voute keeping everything crossed that he can land another big pot to reward the patience of Prince Faisal. It would also go a long way to guaranteeing him some mares at his door, in an attempt to continue the line of his sire, the Prix Jean Prat winner Olden Times, a son of Darshaan, who died last year at the age of 26. Whilst it would be fair to say that Olden Times was never the most fashionable stallion – his largest crop of foals was the 25 born in 2009 – the female side of Eydon's pedigree is littered with some of Prince Faisal's most happening names. Indeed, his dam, Moon Mountain (Frankel), is a half-sister to Simple Magic, the dam of Sajir and second dam of Nahraan. “The Prince has been so patient, I would love it for him if we could win a decent race with Eydon,” Voute sums up. “He probably would then stand him as a private stallion. I don't know how many people would like to breed to him, but it's a sire line that is expiring and it would be great if we could continue that somehow. “The Prince did it with Olden Times and his own mares. Sadly, he's now gone, so Eydon would be a nice replacement.” The post Sajir and Nahraan Ready to Showcase Stallion Potential for Prince Faisal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kevin Philippart de Foy has outlined plans to travel his new recruit Ghostwriter over next winter. Now training for Amo Racing, having replaced Raphael Freire at the operation's Freemason Lodge Stables in Newmarket, Philippart de Foy has had the four-year-old under his wing since he reared over at Newmarket and was subsequently withdrawn from the Princess of Wales's Stakes when trained by Clive Cox. “Ghostwriter is a really exciting horse, Clive has done an excellent job with him and now we just need to carry on that work,” he said of the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes winner. “There will be some exciting winter targets and he is a horse that is probably going to be travelling over the winter and into next year as well. “The idea for him is to become that high-profile flagbearer for the yard. We're just going to let him settle in and get used to surroundings and take our time with him. “He's a highly-talented horse and we want to do everything right by him and once he tells us he's ready to run, we'll get him to the races.” Philippart de Foy has also taken charge of Amo Racing's Coronation Stakes fourth Cathedral and the unraced two-year-old Partying, a daughter of Frankel and Aljazzi who was bought for 4.4 million gns at Tattersalls last year. Both fillies were previously trained by Ralph Beckett. Philippart de Foy said of Cathedral, “She's a filly which will probably go to Sandown for the Atlanta at the end of the month, then we will take it from there. She showed she is very good over a mile in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and then might not have stayed the extra furlong in France last time when the ground was a bit slow that day. “We'll bring her back to a mile on faster conditions and she has arrived in great shape.” He continued, “[Partying] is a very exciting filly to be training. We're not asking too many questions at the moment, but it's so far so good and she's a really exciting filly going forward. “We'll look to get her on track towards the back end of the year and hopefully she can deliver and prove to be another exciting prospect for Amo.” He added of his move from Induna Stables to Freemason Lodge, “Training for Amo Racing is a real privilege and I'm delighted with how things have started. It's been a smooth transition and hopefully it's going to be an exciting couple of months coming up. “When you start training these are the type of horses you are always targeting training and when I started five years ago I could only dream of training these types, so I'm obviously delighted but I have just got to deliver now.” The post Philippart de Foy Outlines Plans for ‘Exciting’ Ghostwriter appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

First-time starter Setting Sun (Caravaggio), who was pulled up during the running of the ninth race at Saratoga Wednesday, has been euthanized according to a press release from NYRA Thursday. The note reads: “During the running of Race 9 on Wednesday, August 6 at Saratoga Race Course, the Miguel Clement-trained Setting Sun was pulled up by jockey Flavien Prat in the stretch run with an injury to the left front. The filly was immediately attended to by on-track veterinarians, who transported Setting Sun to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital for further evaluation. Radiographs performed at Rood & Riddle showed severe fractures to the left knee, which were deemed to be inoperable. As a result, and upon recommendation of the attending veterinarians, Setting Sun was humanely euthanized on Wednesday evening.” Additionally, NYRA noted that Setting Sun's death marked the fourth total with two equine fatalities occurring during racing and two more occurring during morning training. The post Setting Sun Euthanized After Saratoga Race Injury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Solene Hudbert has been appointed to the Arqana bloodstock team and will gradually take charge of both Flat and National Hunt-bred yearling and store inspections. A graduate of the Godolphin Flying Start programme, Hudbert has gained international experience working across the racing and breeding sectors, including spending a season foaling and sales preparation for the breeze-ups at Kildaragh Stud, and a season preparing yearlings for sale at Cambridge Stud in New Zealand. She thas also worked as pupil assistant for trainers Johnny Murtagh, William Haggas, Jamie Richards and Nicolas Clement, before being assistant trainer for Mickael Seror, Richard and Will Freedman, and Peter Snowden. She said: “I am delighted to be joining the Arqana team and very excited about taking on this new challenge on my return to France. It is a wonderful opportunity to fully immerse myself in a dynamic team and a stimulating environment, directly linked to my passion for racing.” Arqana bloodstock director Ludovic Cornuel added, “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Solene to the bloodstock team. With her academic background and solid professional experience, particularly in breeding and training, Solene will be a wonderful addition to the team and will enable us to further enhance the quality of service we strive to offer both our vendors and buyers.” The post Solene Hudbert Joins Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation will host its final fundraiser of the year, the Backyard BBQ, at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, August 19, the organization announced Thursday. The event, held from 5:30-8:30pm, includes a full BBQ dinner, a drink ticket, live music, a silent auction and an opportunity to hear from graduates of the TRF Second Chances Program. All proceeds from the event benefit the TRF's herd of nearly 400 retired race horses and the Second Chances Program which pairs incarcerated individuals with horses to teach skills through horsemanship. More information and tickets for the Backyard BBQ can be found here. The post Thoroughbred Retirement Fund To Host Annual Backyard BBQ Fundraiser appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Geelong Races Where Geelong Racecourse – 99 Breakwater Rd, Breakwater VIC 3219 When Friday, August 8, 2025 First Race 12:45pm AEST Visit Dabble Geelong serves up an eight-race Friday card on a Soft 5 with the rail true and light winds forecast. The opener jumps 12:45pm AEST, the closer 5:00pm AEST. Early at Geelong, rails-in-run can be fine if tempo is controlled, but as the day wears on, expect the best ground to creep a couple of lanes off the fence—so track patterns through R1–R3 before locking in staking plans. Best Bet at Geelong: Navy Nina Navy Nina is a progressive mare who brings the right platform into the 0-64. She broke her maiden stylishly at this track last time out on July 25 and looks set to measure up immediately in this. From barrier 3, expect Jamie Melham to hold a spot just behind the leaders, conserve, and slide into the moving line from the 600m—textbook Geelong when the track has some give. Her action is tailor-made for Soft 5, and her closing figures say she’ll relish a sustained build rather than a dash-home sprint. With map, fitness and upside in her corner, she’s well placed to go back-to-back. Next Best Race 6 – #12 Navy Nina (3) 4yo Mare | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Jamie Melham (57kg) Next Best at Geelong: Deep Pleasure Deep Pleasure looked a coming metro winner last prep and resumes in a very suitable Class 1. She trialled up sweetly, draws barrier 7 to land midfield with cover, and strikes a race where the pressure looks genuine from inside/outside speed. That pattern is perfect for a mare who can build from the 600m and lengthen through the line. Damien Lane sticks, the yard is flying, and her late splits from last campaign stack up against better grade than this. If Lane can have her within three lengths turning for home, Deep Pleasure’s superior engine should kick in and prove too strong late. Next Best Race 7 – #1 Deep Pleasure (7) 4yo Mare | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Damian Lane (60.5kg) Next Best Again at Geelong: Trapdoor Debutant Trapdoor appeals at a nice price in the 3YO 1200m maiden that opens proceedings. The Hawkes team rarely bring them to the races undercooked; he’s drawn barrier 3 to park just off the speed and get the dream stalking run for Blake Shinn. With plenty of unraced rivals and a handful of well-exposed maideners, the profile of a colt with a solid jump-out base and tactical gate speed is exactly what you want. Soft 5 looks ideal, and if the inside is holding early, he can punch through off the cutaway; if it isn’t, Shinn can pop off and build momentum. Next Best Again Race 1 – #10 Trapdoor (3) T: Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | J: Blake Shinn (58kg) Friday quaddie tips for Geelong Geelong quadrella selections Friday, August 8, 2025 1-4-11 12 1-3 3-9-10 Horse racing tips View the full article

Rangiora mare Ears Back (NZ) (Jakkalberry) added an all-important black-type success to her record in the autumn, and her trainer John Blackadder has designs on another fruitful campaign this spring. The Jakkalberry seven-year-old defeated the likes of Belardo Boy and Bradman to take out the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m) at Wanganui in May, which also provided a new career-high for Blackadder. “It was pretty amazing, she’d been a bit unlucky in some of those big races, so it was great to go up there and do it for the owners,” he said. “She delivered on the promise she’s always showed, aided by a great ride from Mereana (Hudson). “She had three-and-a-half weeks off to freshen her up, and we’re aiming to go back up for a Group Three mile at Awapuni on the 20th of September.” Blackadder is referring to the Gr.3 Merial Metric Mile (1600m), and her build-up into the $100,000 feature is likely to commence at Riccarton Park on Saturday, when she contests the Stephanie Murray Mortgages Open Handicap (1400m). “I didn’t plan to kick her off here, but she’s working a bit above herself, so I thought I’d put her in,” he said. “It does depend on the amount of rain we get though, if it’s going to be really deep, I won’t start her. “At the moment, she’ll start, and I think she’ll give a very good account of herself. I took her down to the beach this week, which she loves, and she worked really well.” While Blackadder will be keeping an eye on the forecast with Ears Back, rain will not be of concern to her stablemate Blane who makes his Kiwi debut in the Johnny Fresh Darfield and Yaldhurst Rating 65 (1400m). The son of Swiss Ace originally started his career with Awapuni trainer Roydon Bergerson, and after winning a three-year-old trial in the early part of the 2023/24 season, he was sold to Hong Kong. After three unplaced efforts in the competitive jurisdiction, he found his way back to New Zealand, where he has settled well into life with Blackadder. “Clinton Isdale and I have shares in him, he’s a pretty nice horse,” Blackadder said. “I’ve had him for about four or five months. He was fairly light in condition when he came back from Hong Kong, so we’ve done a lot of slow work with him. Hong Kong doesn’t suit a lot of horses, sometimes they need a change of scenery, and he’s happy here. “We keep him away from the track a bit, getting down to the beach and doing different things. I had a lovely horse (from Hong Kong) called Eptimum who ended up winning quite a few races for us, and we had another couple of old fellas last year that had a few races before they were retired.” Blackadder was struggling to get a start in a maiden event with Blane, hence his entry into the Rating 65 contest. “He enjoys a wet track, but the only reason he’s in a 65 is because I can’t get a start with him in a maiden race, and he doesn’t like the synthetic,” he said. “We ended up getting a start here, so we’ll see how he goes.” Completing his representation will be Reverberations, a winner at the course in similar conditions in late April. With Bridget Grylls in the saddle, the gelding will line up in the Scenic Hotel Group Rating 75 (1600m). “He’s had a good freshen-up and he goes well in that state, I just need to space his races out a bit more,” Blackadder said. “He’s working well, but it is a good class of horse in that race on Saturday.” View the full article

The first foal by Grangewilliam Stud’s Group Two winner and multiple Group One performer Hilal arrived on Thursday morning with a filly born out of the well-related No Nay Never mare La Frox. “His first foal is a filly born at Shaun and Anna O’Leary’s, of Who Shot Thebarman fame,” Grangewilliam Stud’s Mark Corcoran said. “I’ve just been around to see her and she’s a lovely foal. She is the second foal out of a No Nay Never mare called La Frox who was a $110,000 yearling and is a half-sister to a progressive stakes horse in Bourbon Proof from the family of Showella. “The foal is very well put together. She is well-muscled with good size and bone and a lovely head. I couldn’t be happier. If they all look like that, I’d be very happy.” An impeccably bred son of Fastnet Rock, Hilal covered a book of 134 mares last spring. A filly foal by Hilal out of La Frox Photo: supplied “It gives him every opportunity,” Corcoran said. “We sold breeding rights in him which was a good way for us to get numbers to the horse initially and a great way for the breeders to get into a stallion at a good price for life. “He was well supported beyond those breeding rights and we were really pleased with the support.” Hilal showed elite ability from the outset as a Kensington maiden win over 1100m in February of his juvenile year, when defeating King Of Sparta before finishing runner-up in the Gr.2 Skyline Stakes (1200m). He finished second to Anamoe in the Gr.1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and was also runner-up in the Gr.1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) when narrowly beaten by Captivant. As a spring three-year-old Hilal excelled on good ground when winning the Gr.2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) and A$1 million Bondi Stakes (1600m). During his autumn campaign he was beaten a neck by nine-time Group One winner Anamoe when second in the Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) and finished third behind Converge and Anamoe in the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m). “Hilal is a lovely physical type. He is a strong horse with a good head for a Fastnet Rock and there has been a fair bit of upside since last spring with his half-sister Marhoona winning the Golden Slipper (Gr.1, 1200m),” Corcoran said. “Straight after the Golden Slipper win, we had a few mares booked in and his bookings are really solid to this point. He is well ahead of where he was this time last year and I think he will be well-supported again, especially with foals like that.” Hilal is one of four stakes winners from five foals out of the Encosta de Lago mare Salma, along with Marhoona, Salateen and Trojan Harbour. Hilal will stand at $8,000+GST this spring. View the full article

Savabeel gelding Force Of Nature (NZ) (Savabeel) has been in a purple patch of form of late, and weight-for-age assignments could be in the offing for the five-year-old if he continues his impressive form line on Saturday. Bred and raced by Milan Park principal Tony Rider, Force Of Nature has won five and placed in three of his nine career starts to date, including winning his last three outings. He will bid to continue his golden run in the Dunstan Horsefeeds 1200 at Te Rapa on Saturday, for which he is currently a $1.90 favourite with TAB bookmakers. Trainer Andrew Forsman has been pleased with his progression to date, and he will likely give him his first tilt at weight-for-age at the Hamilton track in a fortnight, in the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m), if he performs up to expectations. “He is running in really good form and he seems to love Te Rapa,” Forsman said. “Each race brings stronger opposition, so hopefully he can keep stepping up. “We would like to see him run really well this weekend to justify potentially pressing onto a Foxbridge Plate, and then if he measured up to weight-for-age company then the other two races come into play.” Those other two races are the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) and Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m), which will take place at Ellerslie and Te Rapa respectively next month. “It would be nice to get to that level,” Forsman said. “He is little way off proving himself as a weight-for-age candidate yet, but I guess that will just be determined by his next start or two.” Forsman does have a plan b in place if his charge doesn’t measure up, with some Australian targets in mind from his Flemington base. “He does seem a lot more comfortable left-handed,” he said. “If he is not quite at weight-for-age level at the moment, then there could be some nice handicap options for him in Melbourne.” Forsman is also looking forward to Privy Garden resuming at Te Rapa in the See You At The Te Rapa Tavern 1400. “She is off a little freshen-up,” he said. “Over 1400m from a wide draw, we will just ride her patiently. “It might be a run she needs to have to get back underway and I think at this level, in this company, she is probably going to need a little bit further. “She has always run pretty well at Te Rapa and generally performs pretty well fresh as well.” Forsman will also be represented by Milanese in the BCD Group 2100, while last start winner Fat Cat is unlikely to take his place in the Fairview Motors 1200 after drawing the outside gate in the 10-horse field. “Milanese has been a bit disappointing raceday to date,” he said. “She struck a very heavy track at Tauranga so we have just kept her ticking over while we were waiting for a better track, which we will get this Saturday. “She has really got to put her hand up. She has shown glimpses of ability on the track, but you have got to produce on raceday. “Fat Cat is an unlikely runner from the bad draw. There is a lot of speed in that race and he has drawn the outside barrier. Unless there were two or three significant scratchings, we will probably save him for another day.” A day prior at Cambridge, Unequivocal will attempt to snare the lion’s share of the $100,000 on offer in the TAB Polytrack Championship (2000m). “It is a race that we have had in mind all campaign,” Forsman said. “We have been working towards having her right for this. “She has drawn a reasonable barrier (eight), better than what she has had in her last start or two, so hopefully she can utilise that, and she drops significantly in weight as well.” Forsman will also be represented at his local meeting by Rufus in the Group One Protable Structures (1550m). “He is a better horse than what his form line suggests,” Forsman said. “We took him down (to Waverley last start) thinking we had found a nice race to resume in and I think the track was just too tricky for him, his wheels were spinning in it as soon as he was asked to quicken first-up. “He jumped out well on the polytrack prior to that, so hopefully getting back on the poly, on a decent, consistent surface will get his confidence back and I am sure he will run really well.” View the full article

Matt Cartwright is back on Kiwi soil and he has made an instant impact on his return, riding home two winners from just nine rides in the past week. The 22-year-old Australian hoop moved across the Tasman last year to further his riding career, and he was rapt with his season tally of 53 wins, including seven Group or Listed victories, and he amassed more than $3.2 million in prizemoney. “I felt like I had a great season for my first season in New Zealand,” he said. “I am very happy with how things went. A highlight would be the first day at the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival, having a treble and my first Group One win on Grail Seeker. “It was a rewarding season, and I am looking at hopefully going a little bit better this season.” Cartwright went back home to Victoria for the last few months to spend time with family and friends, for whom he also had success for in the saddle. “I had a bit of a lighter winter, but I rode here and there just to keep my fitness up,” he said. “I was very happy with my time at home, I spent a lot of time with family and friends, and I had a bit of success too, which was great. “I rode a couple of winners for my Mum and Grandmother, and I rode a couple of winners for one of my good mates, Clay Beasy, so It was quite rewarding. I had a metro Saturday winner for my family, which was definitely a highlight for my time back at home.” Feeling renewed after his trip back home, Cartwright is pleased to be back in New Zealand where he has already ridden a couple of winners, including Cashla Bay for Andrew Forsman at Ruakaka last Saturday and Secret Beau for Joe Waldron at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday. “I am very happy to get a couple of winners within my first week of riding back in New Zealand,” he said. “I am feeling fit and well, so I am ready to have a good crack this season and hopefully a bit of support comes my way, and I have a bit of luck over the next month or two.” Cartwright has a number of horses he is looking forward to riding in the new term, including the Stephen Marsh-trained Kiwi Skyhawk, who he rode to victories in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) and Gr.3 Championship Stakes (2100m). “A horse that holds a special place in my heart is Kiwi Skyhawk,” Cartwright said. “He is a horse I had great success on and had a couple of Group wins. I am looking forward to getting back on him. “I am also looking forward to riding a horse called Storm Front for Tony Pike, he is quite a nice colt.” While Cartwright admitted leaving his family and friends in Australia was quite tough, he knows he is better placed in New Zealand at this time of his career, and he is hoping to have another lucrative season on this side of the Tasman. “It was naturally a little bit (hard) leaving family, but it (New Zealand) is where my career is best set at the moment, so I am happy here and I will be working very hard,” he said. Cartwright will be looking to add to his winning haul at Cambridge’s synthetic meeting on Friday where he will ride Agera in the Saddlery Warehouse (2000m) and Deep Pursuit in the Phelan Racing (1300m) for local trainer Tony Pike. View the full article

There is a tough sense of déjà vu for Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal in Christchurch this week, with Dictation (NZ) (Tavistock) being ruled out of Saturday’s Hospitality NZ Canterbury 135th Grand National Hurdles (4200m) through injury. The son of Tavistock had risen to prominence in the hurdling ranks this term, winning the Waikato Hurdle (3200m) in June before an outstanding front-running display in last Saturday’s Sydenham Hurdles (3100m). Off the back of that effort, Dictation joined two-time champion Berry The Cash on top of the National market, but he was scratched from the $100,000 contest on Wednesday afternoon after a minor ligament strain was detected. “He has a minor ligament strain, he’s been working on it and been okay but had a very little reaction when he was looked at by the vet,” Nelson said. “He’s a very good horse, and the vet suggested that we wouldn’t want to race him now with that risk. Fortunately, it’s not too serious.” At this time 12 months ago, the stable’s star jumper The Cossack was set to run in the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) but was unable to take part in the race under similar circumstances. The Hastings trainers and Dictation’s ownership group, the I See Red Syndicate, will still be represented in the Grand National Hurdles, with their hopes now solely with Suliman. A former Wellington Hurdles (3400m) winner, the evergreen 12-year-old pleased Nelson with his fifth-placed effort in the Sydenham. “A lot of the owners are coming down, so it’s just as well we have Suliman in there too,” he said. “He was good in the Sydenham, he made up a lot of ground and you’d hope he could be pretty competitive on Saturday. He hasn’t had a lot of racing this year and he’s going well.” Talented hurdler Nedwin will have his first major test over the bigger fences in the Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge 150th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m), after a tidy performance for fourth in the Koral Steeplechase (4250m). Nedwin’s co-owner Mick Gardner has been in the south alongside Nelson this week and had a positive report on his charge after taking the gelding for a spin in trackwork. “He’s been very keen this week in his work, Mick worked him for a couple of days and he wasn’t enjoying it by the end very much,” Nelson quipped. “He went well in the Koral and will improve off that experience.” View the full article