Wandering Eyes

Kentucky Derby morning-line favorite Journalism (Curlin) topped a work tab of six entrants for the GI Kentucky Derby by working five furlongs over a fast track in 1:01.40 Sunday morning at Churchill Downs. Trained by Michael McCarthy, Journalism put in his morning breeze during the 7:15-7:30 EST training window for Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses. Sunday morning the early favorite was reunited with rider Umberto Rispoli. Journalism cut out splits of :13.60, :25.80 and :37.60, galloping out in 1:13.60 and 1:26.80. “I was very pleased with the work,” said trainer Michael McCarthy. “Umberto was happy, so that's good. He'll just walk tomorrow. It's all good for now.” Also working during that time were Sovereignty (Into Mischief), East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro), Rodriguez (Authentic), Publisher (American Pharoah) and Tiztastic (Tiz the Law). Sovereignty, winner of the GII Fountain of Youth Stakes and the second choice on the morning line behind Journalism, worked five furlongs in company in 1:01.80 for trainer Bill Mott. Regular exercise rider Javier Cardona was aboard the colt, who posted internal fractions of :25.40, :37.80 before finishing up in 1:15. “I liked what I saw,” Mott said, overseeing the activity trackside from his pony. “He looked good coming through the stretch.” Mott has named Junior Alvarado to ride his charge and they'll start the proceedings from post 18 in the 20-horse Derby field. Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez, the co-fourth choice on the morning line, worked five furlongs in 1:00 for trainer Bob Baffert. East Avenue, runner-up in the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, worked five furlongs in :59.40 for trainer Brendan Walsh. Rodriguez was accompanied by Martin Garcia, who came off the track at the five and a half-furlong gap. The track's clockers caught the pair in :12.20, :24.20, :36.20 and :47.60 splits, then timed him “out” in 1:12.60 and 1:27. “Amazing work; amazing,” the rider said shaking his head in a form of pleasing disbelief. “He was in hand all the way.” Trainer Steve Asmussen's Derby duo of Publisher, with Wilson Fabian in the irons, breezed a half-mile in :49 and Tiztastic, ridden by Carlos Rosas, worked a half-mile in :50.20. Scheduled to work Monday morning are Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), Coal Battle (Coal Front) and Baeza (McKinzie). The post Journalism Heads Kentucky Derby Workers at Churchill Downs Sunday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It's an immense accomplishment to be one of the 20 Thoroughbreds out of the current sophomore crop of 17,146 to earn a coveted starting berth in the GI Kentucky Derby. But the cruel fate of a random post-position draw annually assigns the dreaded No. 1 gate to a single member of that elite set. Because the Derby is unmatched in American racing in its outsized stature and jumbo field size, so too is the stigma of breaking closest to the inside fence prior to the chaotic first-turn free-for-all, where primo positioning and a clean trip can take precedence over being the most talented. The year the difficult (but not impossible) rail draw was conferred upon 2-year-old champ Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), adding another layer of complexity to his quest for a blanket of roses on the first Saturday in May. But take heart, connections of Citizen Bull: In two of the past three years, the horse who has drawn the rail for the Derby has gone on the win the GI Belmont Stakes after running poorly at Churchill Downs. The fact that inside-post losers in Louisville have recently been adorned with the Belmont's traditional white carnations is probably nothing more than an interesting but coincidental blip. Yet in an anecdotal way, it does lend credence to the argument that post one has an adverse impact on Derby performance. Last year, the rail-drawn Dornoch got bumped and brushed early, never settling while hemmed inside. Once he got free from cover, Dornoch launched a decent far-turn bid, but was forced to check hard when the hole he was aiming for closed. Despite the momentum loss, Dornoch regrouped and boxed on with interest, but mid-stretch traffic cost him any chance of attaining a Derby placing better than tenth. Trainer Danny Gargan bypassed the GI Preakness Stakes, and the 17-1 Dornoch forced the pace to win the 10-furlong third leg of the Triple Crown at its temporary home of Saratoga. He then won the GI Haskell Stakes in his next start. In 2022, Mo Donegal came out of post one awkwardly and was relegated to the back of the pack. Considering his come-from-behind style; nimble, athletic way of going, and the hot pace in that year's Derby, such positioning shouldn't have been a problem. But Irad Ortiz, Jr., kept Mo Donegal in “wait” mode all the way to the five-sixteenths pole before asking for run, and by the time opportunity materialized at the head of the lane, they were fanned way out in the 13 path. Even though he managed only fifth beneath the twin spires, his sneaky-good acceleration inside the eighth pole foretold a Belmont Stakes fortune reversal. Trainer Todd Pletcher opted out of the Preakness, and Mo Donegal responded with a 5-2 favored win over 12 furlongs at Belmont Park (in what would turn out to be his final career race before a September retirement). Sandwiched between those two years was Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}), a no-show fifth from the fence in the 2023 Derby. He ran fourth in that year's Belmont after skipping the Preakness, but deserves an honorable mention alongside Dornoch and Mo Donegal because of how he's since rounded into a world-class racehorse. As a May 9 foal with only five starts, Hit Show was against the grain of seasoning even before getting burdened with the one hole for the Derby. He broke fluidly and the early part of his trip was uneventful, but Hit Show went from attack mode to being under siege and looking lost in the matter of a few strides in upper stretch. Trainer Brad Cox didn't coax the best from this colt until ages four and now five, but Hit Show has since won five of seven stakes, most recently the G1 Dubai World Cup three weeks ago. Since the advent of the use of a starting gate for the Derby in 1930, the aggregate record of horses starting 95 times from post one is 8-5-5 with an 8.4% win percentage and an 18.9% in-the-money ratio. The average finish is eighth. It's an oft-cited fact that the last Derby winner from the inside gate was Ferdinand in 1986, who prevailed in a field of 16 after getting bumped to the back, rallying wide, then darting up the rail under a masterful ride by 54-year-old Bill Shoemaker. The other Derby winners starting closest to the fence (again, only referring to 1930 onward from the gate) have been Chateaugay (1963), Needles (1956), Hill Gail (1952), Citation (1948), Gallahadion (1940), Lawrin (1938) and War Admiral (1937). Field size can be a factor in how undesirably the one hole is perceived. Five of those Derby champs raced in fields of 10 or fewer horses, so post one was likely considered an advantage in those years, not a detriment. The two Triple Crown winners among those rail-drawn Derby winners beat fields sized at opposite ends of the spectrum, with Citation prevailing over just five rivals and War Admiral besting 19. Even though the gap back to the last Derby winner to break from the rail now exceeds the 37-year wait that the sport endured between Triple Crown champs, statistically speaking, the drought has been longer for post two, which has not sent out a Derby winner since Affirmed in 1978. In fact, despite the rail's bad rap, posts two, three and four have all been less-productive draws in terms of wins. Over the same 95 Derbies since 1930, they have resulted in only seven, six and five Derby winners, respectively. Neoequos (Neolithic), Final Gambit (Not This Time) and 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic) were assigned gates two, three and four. Gate five has been the sweet spot, the only post to yield double-digit winners from 95 editions (10-8-4 with a 10.5% win rate and 23.2% in the money). American Promise (Justify) landed that placement. Post 10 is next-best from 88 Derbies, with a 9-6-11 record, 10.2% win-rate, and high-mark 29.5% in-the-money ratio. Grande (Curlin) snagged it this year. Despite the favorable results out of those “five and dime” gates, how do you explain the bafflingly poor performances out of the neighbors right next door to those productive posts? Gate six is 2-for-95. Gate 11 is 2-for-84. Don't tell that to Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong) or Flying Mohawk (Karakontie {Jpn}). Post 17 has never generated a winner at 0-for-45. Enter Sandman (Tapit)! (Technically, two other Derbies in the era since the starting gate have generated outer-post 0-fers, with gate positions 21 through 23 also being blanked. That happened only twice, when 21 horses ran in 1981 and when 23 went to post in 1974. The Derby is now limited to 20 starters.) Among posts that have produced at least one victory, gate 14 (2-for-68) is on the longest current winless streak, dating to Carry Back in 1961. Tiztastic (Tiz the Law) got that draw this year. The outside gates, although not considered as unfavorable as the inner posts, are no picnic, either. Posts 18, 19 and 20 combined are a collective 5-for-87. This year, from 18 outward, those spots belong to Sovereignty (Into Mischief), Chunk of Gold (Preservationist) and Owen Almighty (Speightstown). There have been 17 Derbies in which post 20 has been the outermost position in the starting gate. That widest draw gave us the much-the-best, 5-2 winner Big Brown in 2008, and the improbable 50-1 bomb Rich Strike, who drew in off the also-eligible list in 2022. Of the gates that didn't get mentioned above, post seven (8-for-94) went to Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah); post eight (9-for-94) to Journalism (Curlin); post nine (4-for-91) to Burnham Square (Liam's Map); post 12 (3-for-80) to 'TDN Rising Star' East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro); post 13 (5-for-78) to Publisher (American Pharoah); post 15 (6-for-63) to Render Judgment (Blame), and post 16 (4-for-52) to Coal Battle (Coal Front). The post Rail-Drawn Derby Horses Rarely Wear Roses, but Look Great in Carnations in June appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ballylinch Stud's Make Believe (GB) was responsible for the first two home in the G3 Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1,000 Guineas), as Klaynn (Ire) justified favouritism to deliver a dominant victory in the fillies' Classic over Fast Spirit (Ire). The winner, trained by Endo Botti for owner Sandro Cardaioli, upheld her unbeaten record, with her string of five victories including last season's G2 Premio Dormello. Botti indicated after the race that he is considering running the filly in the Derby Italiano on June 2 ahead of the Oaks d'Italia. His cousin Stefano Botti, who, earlier on the card had saddled Lao Tzu to win the Premio Parioli, was responsible for both the runner-up and the third home, Mystery Of Love (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}). Klaynn's victory completed the full set of Italian Classics for her breeder, the Parri family's Allevamento Le Gi. “It's unbelievable,” said Giovanni Parri, who runs the farm with his father Massimo. “This was the one Classic we were missing so we are particularly happy. Sadly we lost her dam Dweezil three weeks ago, and Klaynn is her last foal.” In 2013, the Tuscan stud farm was responsible for the Derby Italiano winner Biz The Nurse (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}), and two more Classics came their way in 2020 thanks to the Oaks d'Italia victory of Auyantepui (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), while Cima Emergency (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) won that year's Premio Parioli. Sunday, Rome, Italy PREMIO REGINA ELENA (ITALIAN 1000 GUINEAS)-G3, €165,000, Rome, 4-27, 3yo, f, 1600mT, x:xx.xx, sf. 1–KLAYNN (IRE), 123, f, 3, by Make Believe (GB) 1st Dam: Dweezil (Ire), by Rip Van Winkle (Ire) 2nd Dam: Drifa (Ity), by Hamas (Ire) 3rd Dam: Rarissima, by Woodman O-Sandro Cardaioli. B-Allevamento Le. Gi. SRL Societa' Agricola (Ire). T-Endo Botti Galoppo Di E. Botti. J-Dario Di Tocco. €63,750. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 2yo Filly-Ity, 5-5-0-0, €224,250. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Fast Spirit (Ire), 123, f, 3, Make Believe (GB)–Nazli (Ire), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). (€26,000 Ylg '23 TATSEP). O/T-Stefano Botti Turf SRL Societa. B-La Fabbrica Delle Candele Sas (Ire). €28,050. 3–Mystery Of Love (Ire), 123, f, 3, Ten Sovereigns (Ire)–Similu (GB), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€72,000 Wlg '22 GOFNOV; 17,000 HRA '25 TATJAN). O-Enrico De Simone. B-Patrick Kiely (Ire). T-Stefano Botti Turf SRL Societa. €15,300. Margins: 6, 1HF, 5. Odds: 0.45, 11.60, 8.10. Also Ran: Love Words (Ire), Hekla Colt (Ity), Pozzo Di Bugia (Ire), Giorgia Forever (Ire), Teddy Dream (Ire), Bubuz (Ire), Sopran Norma (Ire), Ice Capades (Ire). Click for the Grande Ippica Italiana chart & video. The post Derby Italiano on Cards for Klaynn After Dominant Regina Elena Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Goffs UK Breeze-up graduate Lao Tzu (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) took first blood as the European Classic season got underway in Rome, when getting up late under jockey Maikol Arras to win the G3 Premio Parioli (Italian 2,000 Guineas) for owner/trainer Stefano Botti. He narrowly got the verdict over Kabir (Ire), one of two Italian stakes winners for Far Above (GB), who was beaten just a short-neck into second after making most of the running. Zenorione (Ita) (Mount Everest {Ire}) was almost three lengths shy of the leading duo when taking third. The winner, who was bred by Jack and Noel Finegan, was bought by Valfredo Valiani from from the Tally-Ho Stud draft at Doncaster last year for £16,000 and he entered the Classic off a conditions race victory in Pisa three weeks ago. Lao Tzu is the third foal of the unraced Bionic Buffy (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a half-sister to the Listed winner Red Stars (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}). The mare's current two-year-old is a colt by Starman (GB) and her further family includes the St Leger winner Simple Verse (Ire) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}). Sunday, Rome, Italy PREMIO PARIOLI HID (ITALIAN 2000 GUINEAS)-G3, €165,000, Rome, 4-27, 3yo, 1600mT, 1:35.50, sf. 1–LAO TZU (IRE), 128, c, 3, by Kodiac (GB) 1st Dam: Bionic Buffy (Ire), by Dark Angel (Ire) 2nd Dam: Magen's Star (Ire), by Galileo (Ire) 3rd Dam: Bluffing (Ire), by Darshaan (GB) 1ST GROUP WIN. (€44,000 Wlg '22 GOFNOV; 38,000gns RNA Ylg '23 TATOCT; £16,000 2yo '24 GOFAPR). O/T-Stefano Botti Turf SRL Societa. B-Noel & Jack Finegan (Ire). J-Maikol Arras. €63,750. Lifetime Record: 8-5-2-0, €159,610. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Kabir (Ire), 128, c, 3, Far Above (Ire)–Khameela (GB), by Equiano (Fr). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€30,000 Ylg '23 TATSEP). O-Scuderia Pink And Black, SRL. B- (Ire). T-Endo Botti Galoppo Di E. Botti. €28,050. 3–Zenorione (Ity), 128, c, 3, Mount Everest (Ire)–Pozzielli (Ity), by Shaweel (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Giovanni Vitale Vittorio. B-N.D. (Ity). T-Melania Cascione. €15,300. Margins: SNK, 2 3/4, 1HF. Odds: 3.09, 5.39, 14.76. Also Ran: Brisone (GB), Cleone Jet (Ire), Became Good (Ire), Monello Sabino (Ire), Kanthan Fly, Conformist (Ity), Grand Kodiac (Ire), Pompeo Dream (Fr), Lost President (Ire), Bridge Ashi Kun (Ire), Impressive Royal (Ire). Click for the Grande Ippica Italiana chart & video. The post Italian Guineas Glory for Kodiac’s Lao Tzu appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

One of the elite of his generation last term, the Wertheimers' Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) showed he has lost nothing of his power in Sunday's G1 Prix Ganay at ParisLongchamp. Patiently-ridden by the double-seeking Maxime Guyon, the Andre Fabre-trained G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero had first run on the 6-5 market-leader Map Of Stars (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) heading to the final furlong. Able to contain that rival's threat close home, the 5-2 second favourite scored by a neck, with Royal Rhyme (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) a further two lengths away in third. Sosie lands the Group One Prix Ganay on his seasonal reappearance! The Sea The Stars colt was always doing enough to hold on from the fast-finishing Map Of Stars! pic.twitter.com/Z7Qy8fPc0X — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 27, 2025 The post More Wertheimer Joy As Sea The Stars’ Sosie Takes The Ganay appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lucky Vega (Ire) has enjoyed success this season Down Under with his first runners, and he will stand at Yulong for an increased fee of A$38,500, the farm announced on Sunday. A winner of the G1 Phoenix Stakes and a resident at the Irish National Stud during the Northern Hemisphere breeding season, the bay son of Lope De Vega (Ire) already has the G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes heroine Within The Law (Aus) to run for him in Australia among his three winners. The shuttle stallion has also enjoyed positive sales results at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale (up to A$380,000), the Inglis Classic (A$340,000) and the Magic Millions (up to A$220,000). “His yearlings across all sales this year have averaged A$150,000,” said Yulong's Harry King said of the horse whose fee increases from A$16,500 to A$38,500 (incl gst). “His sales results having him knocking around with some of the best stallions in the country and his progeny have been bought by some of the best judges. We will continue to get behind him and we think the best is still to come.” Yulong also released the rest of its 2025 roster and fees on Sunday, with stalwart Written Tycoon (Aus) remaining at a private fee, and American-based shuttle stallion More Than Looks priced at A$22,000. The post Yulong’s Lucky Vega’s Fee Raised To A$38,500 After Good Start appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Far ahead of her peers heading to Sunday's G3 Prix Allez France at ParisLongchamp, the Wertheimers' Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) still had to deliver and in the end it was as straightforward as it gets. Always tanking behind the leader for Maxime Guyon, the Christophe Ferland-trained 3-5 favourite was finally let down to express herself approaching two out and quickly settled the outcome. At the line, the Arc runner-up had 2 1/2 lengths to spare over Mme Jourdain (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}). Aventure makes a successful reappearance in the Prix Allez France! Last year's Arc runner-up runs out a ready winner at ParisLongchamp and could be heading to Epsom next… pic.twitter.com/6TYEBRnwDY — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 27, 2025 The post Wertheimers Enjoy Stress Free Allez France Return For Sea The Stars’ Aventure appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday's G1 FWD QEII Cup featured a Japanese winner in 2023 G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) hero Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}), but that joy quickly turned to heartbreak, as Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown heroine Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) succumbed to injuries sustained during the running of the 2000-meter event. Second favourite in the betting at 11-4, the 5-year-old entire was forwardly placed and soon perched three wide into the first turn while New Zealand multiple Group 1 winner El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking {Aus}) enjoyed an uncontested lead. They were crawling on the front end with a first half-mile in :50.22, but the Carrot Farm runner and Damian Lane were unperturbed. The pacesetter was pulling hard through six furlongs in 1:13.94, but held daylight on his foes and Tastiera was winding up just off Cap Ferrat (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus})'s left shoulder, still caught wide. Taking over roughly 300 metres from the wire, the winner employed a sharp turn of foot to deny the fast-finishing Prognosis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), runner-up for the third consecutive year, by 1 3/4 lengths. Calif (Ger) (Areion {Ger}) was third, another two lengths behind. G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes hero Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) wound up ninth, while Liberty Island went amiss battling in the stretch. Vanned off, she could not be saved. Said Damian Lane, “Noriyuki Hori is an amazing conditioner of horses and this horse is just a star. A great success for Carrot Farm. “I just feel privileged and lucky to be here on these days, let alone having great chances on these horses. It is what being a jockey is all about, competing on these big international carnivals. It's very rewarding.” It was the second success in the race for Hori after Neorealism (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}) won in 2017 and Japan's seventh win overall since 2002. “I'm very, very grateful for all the support from the Jockey Club to travel to Hong Kong and give us a great opportunity to come over here,” Hori said. “It's been a while since my last runner in Hong Kong, but I'm very grateful to win today. In my stable, only Maurice (Jpn) won on his first trip to Hong Kong. “Since Tastiera's third in the Hong Kong Cup, we targeted this race considering he was suitable to the track conditions and change in environment.” “Just his barrier manners let him down,” said James McDonald of Prognosis. “He ran well.” Second in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) and the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) on either side of his Derby Triumph, Tastiera went winless in four 2024 starts, with a second in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) last October to go with his third-place finish to Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup in December. It is likely that Tastiera will return to Sha Tin for another try at the Hong Kong Cup later this year. Pedigree Notes Four of Satono Crown's progeny have won stakes, with the QEII Cup hero his first group/Group 1 winner. The son of Last Tycoon (Ire) horse Marju (Ire) stands at Shadai Stallion Station this year. Out of the triple winner Partitura (Jpn) (Manhattan Café {Jpn}), Tastiera is followed by three fillies–4-year-old Spartito (Jpn) (Bricks And Mortar), 3-year-old Cento Porte (Jpn) (Rey De Oro {Jpn}) and a yearling full-sister. This is the family of G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) and G1 Mile Championship-winning sire Company (Jpn). Tastiera takes out the FWD QEII Cup at Sha Tin with @LaneDamian for trainer Noriyuki Hori! #タスティエーラ | #競馬 | @WorldPool pic.twitter.com/rtJnH9rRpq — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 27, 2025 The post Victory And Heartbreak For Japan, As Tastiera Secures QEII Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Officials hail Sha Tin spectacular a success, with crowd numbers up 37.5 per cent, but death of Liberty Island casts shadow over proceedings.View the full article

Superstar Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) completed a record-equalling season with scintillating victory in the HK$22 million Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Taking his unbeaten record to 12 consecutive races in defeating a world-class field of 12 rivals in a winning time of 1m 07.88s, Ka Ying Rising completed a clean sweep of the Hong Kong Speed Series and collected a HK$5 million bonus, emulating the feats of Mr Vitality (1995/96), Grand Delight (2002/03), Silent Witness (2003/04 and 2004/05) and Lucky Sweynesse (2022/23). Living up to his title of the world’s highest-rated sprinter, the four-year-old Shamexpress gelding was untouched with the whip by Zac Purton and was eased down to win by two and a quarter lengths from Japanese visitor Satono Reve and Helios Express. Settling perfectly behind the speed, Ka Ying Rising had the race at his mercy once Purton eased him and accelerated at the 250m to cruise away to an effortless victory to snare his fourth successive Gr.1 win, clocking 21.78s for the final 400m. The sprinting sensation picked up HK$12 million for the win and scored a HK$5 million Speed Series bonus after sweeping the three-race challenge this season with previous victories in the Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) and Gr.1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m). Trained by David Hayes, Ka Ying Rising also matched another record, equalling the most wins in a season – eight – set by Beauty Generation (2018/19) and Lucky Sweynesse (2022/23). He will now be sent for a spell to prepare for potentially his biggest pay day and first international assignment in the world’s richest turf race, the (approx. HK$100 million) Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse on 18 October. Purton said: “What more can you say? Every time you come out here, he produces something special and he did that again today and he didn’t even change his leg. He puts them away very quickly. “He’s getting better and better. He can have a break now and the next one is the big one. “The race panned out really well. He began well and I was able to just pop him into a lovely spot with the way the race was unfolding. I just kept it uncomplicated and let him do his thing. “Once again, he was brilliant. He’s had a long season, he’s been exceptional all the way through and it’s a good way to finish it. “He did what he had to do. The track has got a little bit of give in it today, so he’s not going to run any faster if people are looking at the clock but he’s run a lot quicker than the other horses today.” Zac Purton celebrates the win of Ka Ying Rising. Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club Hayes also congratulated Purton on his ride. “It was a great ride by Zac. He took the sit and didn’t want to get pocketed and went a bit early, but when you’re on a ($1.05 chance), I think you take the luck out of it,” Hayes said. “I can’t wait to watch the replay. It’s all a bit of a blur now. He had a perfect prep and a perfect season. It’s just nice nothing went wrong. “Zac said if they were going slow, he would lead and if they go too fast, he’ll follow. They broke 1:08, I think that’s about the fifth time he’s done that.” Hayes said Ka Ying Rising had probably got to the front a bit early and stargazed but he got the job done and he won by a decent margin. “It’s a good effort to do the Triple Crown and he’s only four, so I think we’ve got a lot to look forward to in the coming seasons,” he said. “What he’s starting to show is that he’s not one-dimensional. He can take it up or take a sit. He did pull slightly mid-race but I love the fact that he can take a sit. Hayes said Ka Ying Rising would now go straight to Conghua. “He loves it up there, and he’ll have a month to himself going out in the beautiful day paddocks. Then we’ll start targeting to hopefully have him ready to race at the start of next season with The Everest in mind,” Hayes said. Bred by trainer Fraser Auret with his wife Erin under their Grandmoral Lodge Racing banner, Ka Ying Rising was born, raised, broken-in and initially trained at Auret’s property before he was sold to Lindsay Park following an impressive jumpout at Levin. View the full article

‘Magic Man’ kept good times rolling as Craig Williams and Francis Lui also got on the scoresheet.View the full article

Red Lion (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) has hit the crossbars in group company plenty of times in Hong Kong, and the John Size trainee broke his black-type duck in fighting fashion, taking the G1 FWD Champions Mile by a short head over multiple Group 1 winner Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}). Sent off at 90-1, the Ronald and Johanna Arculli silksbearer jumped straight to the head of affairs, covering the first quarter mile in :24.50 while pressed by Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). Voyage Bubble stalked from third. After a half-mile in :47.27, Red Lion still had a three-quarter length lead on Voyage Bubble who was moving ominously to his outside. That margin was gradually whittled down, and with 400 metres remaining the top two began to slug it out in earnest. Hugh Bowman grew animated aboard his charge in the final furlong, and that paid off, as Red Lion fought off Voyage Bubble by a bob. Sunlight Power (Aus) (Capitalist {Aus}) closed up the rail to take third. There was an inquiry into a brushing incident between the leading pair in the closing stages, but the stewards ended up making no change to the finishing order. A former chairman of the Kong Kong Jockey Club, Arculli also raced globetrotter Red Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}), and Hong Kong Triple Crown winner Red Verdon (Ire) (Be My Native) (1993/94). “He just kept going and kept fighting–under the circumstances, it's very hard to beat a horse in that frame of mind,” Size said. “The owners are one of the groups of people in Hong Kong who buy and race lots of horses in this jurisdiction. Anyone who does that deserves some success and they've had a lot of good luck on the racetrack.” Winning jockey Hugh Bowman added, “He ran second in the race last year. Congratulations to John and the ownership group because he's such a consistent horse and he's a worthy Group 1 winner, but I'm a bit lost for words to be honest.” Of beaten 3-5 chalk Voyage Bubble, James McDonald said, “He was super. I was really proud of his effort.” Second in this race a year ago to Sunday's 10th-place finisher Beauty Eternal (Aus) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), the gelding was winning for the first time since successful in a Class 1 handicap over 1400 metres in February of 2024. Third to Voyage Bubble in the G1 Stewards' Cup in January, he was fifth in the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup to Sunday's G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize hero Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) in February. He prepped for this contest with a sixth-place run in the G2 Chairman's Trophy in March. Pedigree Notes Bearstone Stud's Belardo is now the sire of a pair of top-level winners, with Red Lion joining GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile scorer Gold Phoenix (Ire) in that sphere. The sire of 15 stakes winners and nine group winners, he stands for £5,500 this year. Crystal Idea (Ire) (Namid {GB}), a winner over a mile at three, has four foals to her credit, of which Red Lion is the most accomplished. Her latest is the 3-year-old filly Sinach (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), who has yet to race. Red Lion's granddam Great Idea (Ire) (Lion Cavern) is a half-sister to G3 Noblesse Stakes heroine Grace O'Malley (Ire) (Refuse To Bend {Ire}), while G1 Derby hero and sire Sir Percy (GB) is under the fourth dam. RED LION ROARS! It's an 89/1 shocker in the FWD Champions Mile at Sha Tin for @HugeBowman and John Size as Red Lion lands his first Group 1 over Voyage Bubble… #FWDChampionsDay | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/BoYbwGqmmt — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 27, 2025 The post Red Lion Has Plenty Of Bite In Champions Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Land of the Rising Sun strikes in Group One feature with the first two home, but star filly’s death sours the success.View the full article

Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) further cemented his status as the world's best sprinter with a 2 1/4-length victory in the 1200-metre G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin on Sunday. Sent off the heavy 1-9 crowd's pick, the bay gelding duly made it a dozen wins in a row with the closing Satono Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) a neck ahead of third-place finisher Helios Express (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}), who also rallied from the rear of the field. In touch with the leaders in a tracking fifth through the early stages as Magic Control (Aus) (Sioux Nation) forged the way, Ka Ying Rising was a touch keen with 650 metres to travel. Asked for his best just inside the final 400 metres, he put the race to bed in a matter of strides while on his wrong lead and won geared down, leaving his rivals toiling. He covered his final 400 metres in a sharp :21.78, and is the third horse to win eight races in Hong Kong in a season. Regular rider Zac Purton said, “What more can you say? Every time you come out here, he produces something special and he did that again today and he didn't even change his leg. “I applaud the Japanese. They're willing to travel and willing to take anyone around the world on, so you've got to give them credit for doing that, but they were only second fiddle against him today. He's had a long season, he's been exceptional all the way through and it's a good way to finish it.” Satono Reve's jockey Joao Moreira, a former Hong Kong Champion Jockey, said, “That was a brilliant run, we just bumped into probably the best sprinter in the world. He was able to hold on for second place and I just couldn't be any happier with how he performed.” Sunday's win was his fourth at the highest level and gave the Ka Ying Syndicate-owned runner a clean sweep of the Hong Kong Speed Series, earning him an HK$5-million bonus. He is the fourth horse to complete that milestone, with Sunday's sixth-place runner Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {NZ}) the most recent winner of the series in 2022/23. Ka Ying Rising's 2024/25 season has been flawless, with January's Centenary Sprint Cup, the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup in February, and the G2 Sprint Cup last month his latest tallies. Trained by David Hayes, Ka Ying Rising will be rested before taking his chance in the world's richest turf race, Australia's G1 The Everest over 1200 metres at Royal Randwick on October 18. Hayes said “He loves it up there [Conghua], and he'll have a month to himself going out in the beautiful day paddocks. Then we'll start targeting to hopefully have him ready to race at the start of next season with The Everest in mind.” Pedigree Notes One of 14 stakes winners for his Windsor Park Stud-based sire Shamexpress, Ka Ying Rising is by some margin his sire's best runner. His Coventina Bay (NZ) is a dual Group 1 winner in New Zealand. His dam, the Per Incanto mare Missy Moo (NZ), won five times, with Ka Ying Rising her first produce. Her second, the gelding Ka Ying Glory (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}), has started once in Hong Kong so far. Kin to Ka Ying Rising are Sir Tristram (Ire)'s Group 1 scorers Gurner's Lane (NZ), Sovereign Red (NZ), Trichelle (NZ) and Centaine (Aus)'s Foxwood (NZ), who won the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas in 1997. HE DOES IT AGAIN! Ka Ying Rising makes it 12 straight wins, four Group 1s and a HK$5 million Speed Series bonus with victory in the 2025 Chairman's Sprint Prize… @zpurton #FWDChampionsDay | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/IvPSPH9pcn — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 27, 2025 The post Ka Ying Rising Romps In Chairman’s Sprint Prize appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Red Lion wins his first Group 1 race. (Photo: HKJC) Second in this race last year, Red Lion scored an upset victory in the HK$24 million Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, April 27 by a gripping short head over Voyage Bubble for jockey Hugh Bowman and trainer John Size. Breaking from gate 12 as a $101 outsider, Red Lion became the longest-priced winner in the race’s history as the six-year-old Belardo gelding tenaciously made all in 1:33.21, eventually holding success after an enquiry and several nervous moments as stewards deliberated following a brush of contact between Red Lion and Voyage Bubble in the closing stages. The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s former Chairman Ronald Arculli and his wife Johanna own Red Lion. A long-term passionate owner, Arculli also raced globetrotter Red Cadeaux and legend River Verdon – the only winner of Hong Kong’s Triple Crown in 1993/94. Red Lion lifts his earnings to HK$34.81 million with his sixth career win at his 29th start, giving Size a fifth race victory following Electronic Unicorn (2003), Sight Winner (2009), Contentment (2017) and Beauty Eternal (2024). “He ran second in the race last year. Congratulations to John and the ownership group because he’s such a consistent horse and he’s a worthy Group 1 winner, but I’m a bit lost for words to be honest,” Bowman said. Red Lion crossed early for the lead with Bowman to overcome his draw as Voyage Bubble sat to his outside. The pair broke clear of rivals in the straight and were an evenly matched neck-and-neck as Sunlight Power grabbed third with My Wish a battling fourth. “It’s fantastic. He’s a very consistent, courageous horse. Having had the opportunity to ride him a few times, I had the confidence in him,” Bowman said. “I didn’t really expect to lead but full credit to John and his team because they’ve turned him out in fantastic order and with a little bit of moisture in the ground, it certainly assisted his chances and I’m just so proud of him.” 2025 Group 1 Champions Mile Replay – Red Lion https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Sha-Tin-2025-Group-1-Hong-Kong-Champions-Mile-27042025-Red-Lion-John-Size-Hugh-Bowman.mp4 Size said: “He’s been so consistent over the period he’s been racing. He always does his best and always puts himself in a position to win. Today, like all winners, you need plenty in your favour to win a race. Maybe a bit of moisture around helped him and the fact he could lead by himself. All those things contributed to him winning.” Before Sunday afternoon, Red Lion had proven consistent at the top level, placing three times in Group 1 races – including twice over a mile. “I think the horse’s mind for racing and what is going on inside his brain is so important. Today he showed the determination of a real racehorse – he looked like he thought he could win the race and he decided he would. “He just kept going and kept fighting – under the circumstances, it’s very hard to beat a horse in that frame of mind,” Size said. “The owners are one of the groups of people in Hong Kong who buy and race lots of horses in this jurisdiction. Anyone who does that deserves some success and they’ve had a lot of good luck on the racetrack.” Of the Ricky Yiu-trained Voyage Bubble, jockey James McDonald, said: “He was super. I was really proud of his effort.” Christophe Soumillon was pleased with Sunlight Power’s third-placed effort: “He ran a great race. Unfortunately, it was a little too far for him to win it, but he put in a great effort and I think he’s going to be a good horse.” Galaxy Patch (fifth), Happy Together (sixth), Beauty Joy (seventh), Chancheng Glory (eighth), Gaia Force (ninth), Beauty Eternal (10th), Goemon (11th), Royal Patronage (12th) and Mr Brightside (13th) rounded out the finishing order. Horse racing news View the full article

Tastiera edges clear of Prognosis. (Photo: HKJC) Tastiera was triumphant on his return to Sha Tin as Japan’s 2023 Group 1 Tokyo Yushun (2400m) hero dominated a thrilling renewal of the HK$28 million Group 1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. The five-year-old showed his aptitude for top-class racing in Hong Kong when third to Romantic Warrior in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) in December. The local champion had won this contest for the last three years but sat it out this time, leaving Tastiera to stamp his class on a glittering international field for rider Damian Lane for trainer Noriyuki Hori. “Noriyuki Hori is an amazing conditioner of horses and this horse is just a star,” Lane said. “It’s a great success for Carrot Farm. It’s just a privilege. It’s what it’s all about. I just feel privileged and lucky to be here on these days, let alone having great chances on these horses. “It is what being a jockey is all about, competing in these big international carnivals. It’s very rewarding.” While it was Lane’s first victory in the HK$28 million race, it was Hori’s second after Neorealism’s success in 2017. It was Japan’s seventh win in the contest since 2002. “I’m very, very grateful for all the support from the Jockey Club to travel to Hong Kong and give us a great opportunity to come over here,” Hori said. “It’s been a while since my last runner in Hong Kong, but I’m very grateful to win today. In my stable, only Maurice won on his first trip to Hong Kong. “Since Tastiera’s third in the Hong Kong Cup, we targeted this race considering he was suitable to the track conditions and change in environment.” 2025 Group 1 QEII Cup Replay – Tastiera https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Sha-Tin-2025-Group-1-QEII-Cup-27042025-Tastiera-Noriyuki-Hori-Damian-Lane.mp4 Hori confirmed Tastiera would likely return to avenge his Hong Kong Cup defeat in December, while adding of Lane: “Damian’s one of the greatest team members in our stable. We’ve had a relationship for a long time and he always gives us good feedback.” Already a winner of the 2022 Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) aboard Win Marilyn, Lane’s latest major Sha Tin strike was achieved in remarkably smooth circumstances. Tastiera broke swiftly from gate ten and settled into fourth position in the back straight as New Zealand star El Vencedor carved out the early tractions under Zac Purton. While Lane maintained a prominent position, fancied runners Goliath, Liberty Island and Prognosis were forced to settle further towards the rear in a steadily run race. Tastiera travelled up strongly to the quarters of El Vencedor and Cap Ferrat at the head of the home straight and soon skated into a clear lead. He never looked like being caught and scored comfortably by a length and three-quarters, with Lane punching the air in delight after the line. Prognosis, runner-up for the last two years for fellow Japanese trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida, filled the same position again, while Bahrain’s Calif produced an excellent effort to clinch third. Horse racing news View the full article

Superstar Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising completed a record-equalling season with scintillating victory in the HK$22 million Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Taking his unbeaten record to 12 consecutive races in defeating a world-class field of 12 rivals in a winning time of 1:07.88, Ka Ying Rising completed a clean sweep of the Hong Kong Speed Series and collected a HK$5 million bonus, emulating the feats of Mr Vitality (1995/96), Grand Delight (2002/03), Silent Witness (2003/04 and 2004/05) and Lucky Sweynesse (2022/23). Living up to his title of the world’s highest-rated sprinter, the four-year-old Shamexpress gelding was untouched with the whip by Zac Purton and was eased down to win by 2.25 lengths from Japanese visitor Satono Reve and Helios Express. Drawn barrier four, Ka Ying Rising stalked the speed, sitting fifth behind Lucky With You, Lucky Sweynesse, last year’s winner Invincible Sage, who finished fourth, and Magic Control. Settling perfectly behind the speed, Ka Ying Rising had the race at his mercy once Purton eased him and accelerated at the 250m to cruise away to an effortless victory to snare his fourth successive Group 1 win, clocking 21.78s for the final 400m. The sprinting sensation picked up HK$12 million for the win and scored a HK$5 million Speed Series bonus after sweeping the three-race challenge this season with previous victories in the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) and Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m). Trained by David Hayes, Ka Ying Rising also matched another record, equalling the most wins in a season – eight – set by Beauty Generation (2018/19) and Lucky Sweynesse (2022/23). He will now be sent for a spell to prepare for potentially his biggest pay day and first international assignment in the world’s richest turf race, the Group 1 The Everest (1200m) at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse on October 18. 2025 Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize Replay – Ka Ying Rising https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Sha-Tin-2025-Group-1-Chairmans-Sprint-Prize-27042025-Ka-Ying-Rising-David-Hayes-Zac-Purton.mp4 Purton said: “What more can you say? Every time you come out here, he produces something special and he did that again today and he didn’t even change his leg. He puts them away very quickly. “He’s getting better and better. He can have a break now and the next one is the big one. “The race panned out really well. He began well and I was able to just pop him into a lovely spot with the way the race was unfolding. I just kept it uncomplicated and let him do his thing. “Once again, he was brilliant. He’s had a long season, he’s been exceptional all the way through and it’s a good way to finish it. “He did what he had to do. The track has got a little bit of give in it today, so he’s not going to run any faster if people are looking at the clock but he’s run a lot quicker than the other horses today.” Hayes also congratulated Purton on his ride. “It was a great ride by Zac. He took the sit and didn’t want to get pocketed and went a bit early, but when you’re on a ($1.05 chance), I think you take the luck out of it,” Hayes said. “I can’t wait to watch the replay. It’s all a bit of a blur now. He had a perfect prep and a perfect season. It’s just nice nothing went wrong. “Zac said if they were going slow, he would lead and if they go too fast, he’ll follow. They broke 1:08, I think that’s about the fifth time he’s done that.” Hayes said Ka Ying Rising had probably got to the front a bit early and stargazed but he got the job done and he won by a decent margin. “It’s a good effort to do the Triple Crown and he’s only four, so I think we’ve got a lot to look forward to in the coming seasons,” he said. “What he’s starting to show is that he’s not one-dimensional. He can take it up or take a sit. He did pull slightly mid-race but I love the fact that he can take a sit. “The second horse is probably the second-best sprinter in the world at the moment, so the form came out. And Helios (Express), what a great horse he’s been this year. He just keeps putting his run up. I think he would be a multiple Group 1 winner if he was back home in Australia. Hayes said Ka Ying Rising would now go straight to Conghua. “He loves it up there, and he’ll have a month to himself going out in the beautiful day paddocks. Then we’ll start targeting to hopefully have him ready to race at the start of next season with The Everest in mind,” Hayes said Going into Sunday’s race local horse Helios Express, trained by John Size and ridden by Hugh Bowman, had raced in Group features in his past six races against Ka Ying Rising, finishing second to the champion five times and third once. Horse racing news View the full article

It appears as if 80 is the new 50 in Thoroughbred racing.View the full article

Hong Kong's Champions Day at Sha Tin was overshadowed by tragedy with the death of Japan's Triple Tiara winner of 2023, Liberty Island (Jpn). The five-year-old daughter of Duramente (Jpn) went amiss after some scrimmaging in the home straight during the G1 FWD QEII Cup, which was won by her compatriot and fellow Classic winner Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}). Trained by Mitsu Nakauchida for Sunday Racing, Liberty Island followed up her Fillies' Triple Crown success by finishing second to Equinox (Jpn) in the G1 Japan Cup, which was rated the best race of 2023 in the Longines World Rankings. Though winless since her Classic season, she had also run some good races in defeat, including when finishing runner-up to Romantic Warrior (Ire) in the G1 Hong Kong Cup last December, and third in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic of 2024. Liberty Island was bred by Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Racing from the dual Australian Group 1 winner Yankee Rose (Aus) (All American {Aus}). Following confirmation that Liberty Island had been euthanised after being pulled up lame by jockey Yuga Kawada, Hong Kong Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said when interviewed on Luck On Sunday, “I am glad that people bring their horses here, and being a horse owner myself, you know when you have an incident like this and you lose a [treble] Classic winner it is something which is very emotional. I have talked to our Japanese friends and it is going to take some time for them to overcome this.” Nakauchida was represented by two runners in the race with the other, Prognosis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), filling the runner-up spot for the third year in succession. The post HKJC Champions Day Marred by Death of Japan’s Triple Tiara Winner Liberty Island appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Unheralded 89-1 outsider upstages raging $1.6 favourite in thrilling finish to Group One feature.View the full article

World’s best sprinter clean sweeps Hong Kong Speed Series with 12th straight victory at Sha Tin on Sunday.View the full article

Nothing went to script in the lead up to the Listed Manawatu ITM ANZAC Mile (1600m), but when the race finally took its place on Sunday evening at Wanganui, the favourite in Khafre (American Pharoah) delivered on expectations. The feature contest was initially set to be run on Friday at Awapuni, which was subsequently abandoned following a slip in the first race. Moved two days later across to the River City, the race was added to the end of a nine-race programme, but in the seventh event, a horse was stuck under the starting gates, which caused a lengthy delay. Fortunately that runner escaped unscathed from the incident, and industry participants moved swiftly to run the remaining two races in the space of 23 minutes. A number of scratchings decreased the field size down to eight in the feature, where the ever-consistent Khafre was the top pick at $3.30, aiming to build on a campaign that included a victory in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) and placing in the Gr.3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m). The Ralph Manning-trained gelding has an outstanding record at Wanganui and jumped well on this occasion for Jasmine Fawcett, who opted to push forward from a wide gate to sit outside Bedtime Story. The pair remained in their respective positions through the running and put the pressure on turning for home, where Khafre got the edge on Bedtime Story in the final 50m, striding clear to score with Fall For Cindy powering through to take the runner-up position. While Friday’s abandonment was disappointing, it meant that Fawcett picked up the ride on the son of American Pharoah, having been suspended at the earlier date. Having guided him on six previous occasions including in the Matamata Cup, Fawcett was confident he would play a major role in the $80,000 event. “I went into the race quite confident, knowing that he can handle a nice track and is an on-pace runner,” she said. “I did expect to lead, but racing doesn’t always go the way you expect, so I was happy to take a sit outside the leader. “I think Ralph Manning would have had him pretty prepared for anything, but in my favour, going to Wanganui meant that I got to ride him. “He’s gotten better with age, Ralph Manning has done a great job with him as he was a little bit naughty in his younger days. Now, he’s like riding a schoolmaster.” The five-year-old has now earned just shy of $300,000 in stakes for connections, having been a $155,000 purchase by Manning at the National Yearling Sales in 2021 when sold out of the draft of Phoenix Park. Out of a High Chapparal mare La Dama, Khafre’s grand-dam is Group Two-winning mare Star Affair, who is a half-sister to champion galloper The Jewel. View the full article

Talented sprinter Silent Is Gold (Star Turn) collected his first victory on New Zealand soil at Wanganui on Sunday with a powerful display in the Fraser Auret Racing Open Handicap (1350m). The son of Star Turn was among a handful of horses that travelled to New Zealand upon Stephen Gray’s return from Singapore, and with him came good credentials, with seven wins and multiple Group Three placings to his record. Since arriving, Silent Is Gold has performed solidly with three runner-up finishes in six starts and ran creditably in each of the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) and Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m). Back in open grade, Silent Is Gold was well-fancied in the five-horse contest, which featured stakes winners Belardo Boy, Bradman and Chantilly Lace, as well as up and coming sprinter Ima Brazen One. Typically the pacemaker, Ima Brazen One stepped slowly from the gates but soon sped up to find her customary role, while Silent Is Gold settled in her trail. Mereana Hudson attempted to slow the tempo aboard the leader, while Craig Grylls angled off the fence on Silent Is Gold and the big gelding was cruising into the home turn. Coming down the centre of the track, Silent Is Gold hit the lead and pinned his ears back, putting away the field comfortably to score by 2 – ¼ lengths. Ima Brazen One stuck on bravely in second, while the flashing light was on the resuming Belardo Boy, storming into third despite carrying a clear topweight. Gray, who trains in partnership with his father Kevin, was rapt to see Silent Is Gold complete his campaign on a winning note. “It was good, it was the right race for him on a good track, which is what he wants,” he said. “A few had dropped away and he was well-handicapped, so we found the race he needed to win and it’s awesome that he did. He’s been going really well, he had some good seconds earlier on then just ran in behind them in the bigger races. “It’s good to get him back from Singapore and winning, we’ll probably turn him out now and get him ready for the spring. I think he’ll come back much better, he’s done it all in one campaign while acclimatising as well. “For him, he’s a pretty happy horse and I’ve been pleased with how he’s been running, he’s just a grade below the best. They’ve been happy horses and done well, and at the end of the day, the owner of Silent Is Gold did a great thing sending him here and giving him another life. “It’s great, it’s a big thrill and we’re so happy to see him win.” In 32 appearances, Silent Is Gold has won eight races and placed on a further 11 occasions. Sunday’s victory boosted his earnings above $560,000, as a horse that was purchased for just $50,000 through an Inglis Online Sale in 2021. Bred by Serene Lodge, he is raced by Stephen and Bridget Gray alongside Chin Hien Tan. View the full article

The Ciaron Maher stable is keeping their options open with reigning Horse of the Year Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) who is being prepared for a Group One assignment in Brisbane. Pride Of Jenni was noted among early nominations for the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday, a Quality Handicap that carries a 61kg maximum topweight. Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said Pride Of Jenni holding an entry for next Saturday was one option for the mare in the lead up to the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 24. “I wouldn’t read too much into it,” Turnbull said. “It’s just her holding a nom and for us keeping our options open. “We may go anywhere. We could use that as a jump-out, I guess, but the likelihood is that she will jump-out the Monday after. “It’s an option, if the weather came and the tracks weren’t up to scratch, but being entered, certainly doesn’t mean that she is going there.” The Doomben Cup is in the Maher team’s eyes after Pride Of Jenni returned to owner Tony Ottobre’s property on the Mornington Peninsula after her defeat in the Australian Cup last month. Turnbull said the stable had not been able to identify any cause for Pride Of Jenni’s below par performance at Flemington, other than the quick back-up off a peak return winning performance at Caulfield two weeks earlier. “In a perfect world we would have loved to have gone three to four weeks between runs, but sometimes, how the programs are, you’re just forced into running two weeks, some cop it, some don’t,” Turnbull said. “It was possibly the only thing we could put it down to as physically she was fine. “Her throat was OK and everything we see at home is positive. Since she had that break, the enforced lay-off, she’s been as clean as a whistle. “She’ll gallop Monday. She had a course proper gallop at Cranbourne on Tuesday. She worked really well and everything is positive.” Turnbull said Cambridge Stud owned Holymanz (NZ) (Almanzor) would head to the Anniversary Vase on Saturday. View the full article

The crowd roared at Wanganui on Sunday when first-starter Silver Salute (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) powered past her better-backed rivals to win the Egan Racing 2YO (1200m). Silver Salute had trialled twice for two placings prior to her debut assignment, where she was underrated in a market dominated by Presence Of Mind ($2.40) and Pink Gin ($2.80). The latter stepped slowly from the gates, while Silver Salute picked it beautifully and settled midfield in the six-horse affair. Princess Elsa had set the early tempo but was soon joined by Presence Of Mind, who forced Pink Gin to race three-wide and do plenty of extra work. Mereana Hudson stuck to the rail turning for home on Silver Salute and soon was on terms with the first three, eventually finding an extra kick late to take the juvenile contest by 2 – ¼ lengths. In front of a large syndicate of owners, Silver Salute delivered on the promise that trainer Chrissy Bambry always believed she had. “She is pretty quick, and the whole way along, everyone that has had something to do with her has thought a lot of her,” Bambry said. “She’s got a lot of growing and maturing to do, so whatever she did today, she was going to benefit from. “The plan was to have a good experience and hopefully be running through the line strongly, then head to the paddock and come back for some nice spring three-year-old races. “The race just panned out for her, she can over-race a little bit so the plan was to sit in behind that speed and they went very hard in front. That worked out in our favour, and with the cutaway rail, we stuck to the inside and Mereana rode her an absolute treat. “It was great to get the choccies.” A daughter of U S Navy Flag, Silver Salute is a similar type to Bambry’s stakes-winning mare Chantilly Lace, which drew her to the filly at the 2024 Ready To Run Sale. The Foxton horsewoman was rapt to secure her for $80,000 out of the draft of breeder Woburn Farm. “She reminded me a lot of Chantilly Lace and her breeze-up was very exceptional, she did it with a lot of ease,” Bambry said. “I saw her and I liked her type so we were very happy to get her. Adrian Stanley (Woburn Farm principal) stayed in for a small percentage and I could’ve nearly over-subscribed her, she sold within a week. “There would be over 30 people in her and a lot of them were here today. It was just great to see, a lot of them are first time owners so it’s always exciting. “Hopefully they can be the lucky owners.” Bambry will follow her initial path in sending Silver Salute to the paddock, with a view on spring targets next season. “She’ll head to the paddock now, that was the plan win, lose or draw,” she said. “She’s got a lot of growing to do so hopefully she can go out while there is still a bit of grass and sun about.” Silver Salute is out of a Reliable Man mare The Grey Lady, who while herself was unraced, is a half-sister to Singapore stakes performer Cavallo. View the full article