Wandering Eyes

While Team Ballydoyle missed out on the Group 1s at Ascot, Saturday's two-year-old card at Leopardstown well and truly belonged to it with Dorset (Wootton Bassett) making all in the G3 Killavullan Stakes to make it five wins from five races. Last seen winning the Goffs Million, the TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard was also completing a treble on the day for Jack Cleary as he registered a half-length success from stablemate Daytona (Wootton Bassett) as the 13-8 second favourite. O'Brien failed to complete the clean sweep in the following maiden, but did collect the nursery as the final race on the card with River Ara under Cleary. The 22-year-old was completing a four-timer in the process on his birthday. Five races, FIVE winners for Aidan O'Brien at @LeopardstownRC as Dorset lands the Group Three Killavullan Stakes! It's also a treble for Birthday boy Jack Cleary (22 today!) Two races left, and O'Brien has the favourite for both contests pic.twitter.com/NmUfjQNiVC — Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 18, 2025 The post Dorset Completes Ballydoyle Leopardstown Five-Timer In The Killavullan, Cleary Dominates appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Tom Baddock Hong Kong champion Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) delivered on the weight of expectation at Randwick on Saturday, producing a high-pressure, high-class performance to claim the AU$20 million G1 TAB Everest and in doing so, confirmed his status as the world's best sprinter. Ridden by Zac Purton, Ka Ying Rising jumped cleanly from barrier seven and settled in his trademark on-speed position. As Overpass (Aus) (Vancouver) cut out a brutal early tempo, Purton kept his mount poised just behind the leaders as Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) made a surprise move to slide up on his outside. At the top of the straight, Purton remained relaxed before pushing the button on Ka Ying Rising, who surged into clear air and struck the front at the furlong, racing clear for an effortless victory against Australia's best equine athletes. Top Godolphin filly Tempted (Street Boss {USA}) ran on strongly along the inside to finish 1.15 lengths back in second, narrowly ahead of her stablemate Jimmysstar who raced for TAB and finished 1.42 lengths back from the winner. Already a multiple Group 1 winner and a sprinting powerhouse at home, the Shamexpress gelding arrived in Sydney carrying immense expectation as the clear odds-on favourite for the richest race on turf. With 14 wins from 16 starts, all but one of them over 1200 metres, Ka Ying Rising's record spoke for itself but The Everest would ask new questions on foreign turf, under intense pressure, and in front of a global audience. The pre-race attention reached phenomenal heights after a plain trial at Randwick raised eyebrows and travel queries lingered, however trainer David Hayes remained confident throughout. In the end, Ka Ying Rising answered the doubters with authority. “It was a long way down that straight but when he got over the rise and Zac hadn't used him I thought they were going to have to be pretty good to beat him,” Hayes said. “I can't wait to really watch the replay and enjoy it. It's a long straight at Randwick isn't it when you hit the front with 300 metres to go but I think he held on pretty well. Great ride by Zac (Purton) and I actually would've been shattered if he lost today. I think there's more to come with this horse.” Hayes, who has recorded 67 Group 1 victories, rated the win as one of the greatest of his stellar training career. “It's certainly the biggest thrill in my life,” he said. “It's been the longest ten days in my life I think. He (Better Loosen Up) was the last world champion rated horse I've trained and this is the next one. A lot of good horses in between but these are the two stars.” It was a performance worthy of his reputation and one that confirmed his standing as one of the world's premier sprinters. However, Purton was adamant that we didn't see the best of Ka Ying Rising at Randwick and also admitted he'd had his doubts in the lead up to the race. “There were a few days when I was not that happy with his trial but the more I analyzed it, the ground was soft and he didn't like it, he was overweight and heavy,” Purton said post-race. “Overpass is a pretty good horse and I underestimated him until I went back into his replays over the last few days and he'd just been beaten in an Everest before so I thought, well, he just got beaten in an Everest and I couldn't beat him in a trial so he's still there.” “I don't think we saw him at his best today but even though he wasn't at his best he's still good enough.” The result was a landmark moment not only for connections, but also for Hong Kong Jockey Club who own The Everest slot. Ka Ying Rising made history; becoming the first international runner to win The Everest. It is the gelding's 14th consecutive victory and took his earnings past a staggering $20-million. EPIC! KA YING RISING TAKES OUT THE EVEREST AT ROYAL RANDWICK! @SkyRacingAU | @WorldPool | @zpurton pic.twitter.com/Y84VjwMrUe — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) October 18, 2025 Pedigree Notes: Bred in New Zealand by Grandmoral Lodge Racing, Ka Ying Rising was purchased off good jump out form in New Zealand prior to his debut by Lindsay Park investment group. The 5-year-old is the first and only winner out of Missy Moo (Per Incanto {USA}), a five-time winner who passed away in 2022. Her family is one of the most iconic in the New Zealand Stud Book, it is better known for classic stamina than sprinting brilliance tracing directly back to blue hen Taiona (Sovereign Edition {Ire}), dam of Champion 3-year-old Sovereign Red (Sir Tristam), Melbourne Cup winner Gurner's Lane (Sir Tristam), while Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) also features further down the page. Ka Ying Rising is the standout performer among 15 stakes winners by Shamexpress (NZ) who stands at Windsor Park in New Zealand for a fee of (NZ)$20,000 +GST. Saturday, Royal Randwick THE EVEREST-G1, AU$20,000,000, ATC, 10-18, Open wfa, 1200mT, 1:08.13, gd. 1–KA YING RISING (NZ) , 58.5, g, 5, by Shamexpress (NZ) 1st Dam: Missy Moo (NZ), by Per Incanto (USA) 2nd Dam : Royal Rhythm (NZ), by Rhythm (USA) 3rd Dam: Her Dynasty (NZ), by Sir Tristram (Ire) O-Ka Ying Syndicate; B-Grandmoral Lodge Racing, (NZ); T-D A Hayes; J-Z Purton; A$7,549,000. Lifetime Record: 17-15-2-0, AU$21,171,178. Click for the Arion.co.nz catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Tempted, 51.0, f, 3, Street Boss (USA)–Calliope, by Exceed and Excel. O-Godolphin; B-Godolphin Australia (NSW); T-C Maher; J-Craig Williams; AU$2,900,000. 3–Jimmysstar (NZ), 58.5, g, 6, Per Incanto (USA)–Anniesstar (NZ) , by Zed (NZ) . O-A Kheir, J O'Neill, AK Racing (Mgr: Ms K Solomon), Mrs C Algie, Ciaron Maher Racing (Mgr: C Maher), J Steet, Carty Racing (Mgr: B Carty), T Maddern, Red Rocks and Crocks, S and D Racing, B Nettlefold, S Lewin, GC 600 Syndicate, Mrs C Williams, A Williams, Solscaf Racing, P Algie & Cookie Racing; B-Mrs C A & P M Algie & Little Avondale Trust (NZ); T-C Maher; J-Ethan Brown; AU$2,000,000. Margins: 1 1/4, NK, NS. Odds: 2.00, 16.00, 13.00. Also Ran: Overpass, Joliestar, Angel Capital, Lady Shenandoah, Briasa, Mazu, War Machine (NZ), Jedibeel (NZ), Magic Time. Scratched: Rothfire, Golden Mile, Iowna Merc, Generosity. Click for the Racing Australia chart. Click for the VIDEO. The post ‘There’s More to Come with this Horse’: Ka Ying Rising Scales the Everest appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ten furlongs? No problem, as Calandagan (Gleneagles) dominated his rivals to land his first Group 1 at the trip in Ascot's Qipco Champion Stakes on Saturday. Pigeon-holed as a mile-and-a-half performer following his wins in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and King George this summer, The Aga Khan Studs representative went through this test with ease under Mickael Barzalona. In front and in command approaching the final furlong, the 15-8 second favourite powered to the line to beat the 13-8 market-leader Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder) by 2 1/4 lengths. There was another 1 3/4-length margin back to Almaqam (Lope De Vega) who edged out Delacroix (Dubawi) for third. Capping a stellar season for Francis Graffard and his owner-breeders, Calandagan becomes the first horse to win the King George and Champion Stakes in the same season since the great Brigadier Gerard in 1972. THE KING GEORGE WINNER HAS DONE IT! CALANDAGAN WINS THE QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES! @Champions_Day @Ascot | @GraffardRacing @mickaelbarzalon pic.twitter.com/hffREMKMKe — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 18, 2025 The post Calandagan Powers To Champion Glory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Adding another bizarre twist to the 2025 Qipco British Champions Day, the 100-1 shot Cicero's Gift (Muhaarar) swooped to conquer for Charlie Hills and Jason Watson in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Not really in the vicinity of the best of these on form despite carrying an early TDN Rising Star tag, Rosehill Racing's gelding outstayed The Lion In Winter (Sea The Stars) in the final furlong to register the second of the card's major upsets. At the line, the five-year-old who had warmed up for this by taking the Listed Fortune Stakes at Sandown last month had 1 1/4 lengths to spare over Ballydoyle's fellow TDN Rising Star, with Alakazi (Footstepsinthesand) a neck away in third as the big favourites all failed to fire. The 13-8 favourite Field Of Gold (Kingman) ran flat in fifth in a race that could have been heavily influenced by a far-rail bias. “You have to be surprised at that price in a race of that calibre, but the team at home know this horse so well and he's been in great order,” Watson said. “He had every right to be in this race, but we were looking for more rain and it's unbelievable. I can't help but feel that Barry Hills, who we lost this year, is looking down.” 100/1 WINNER! CICERO'S GIFT WINS THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES!@Champions_Day @Ascot | @cbhills @_JasonWatson pic.twitter.com/ZbBmpLa4JB — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 18, 2025 The post Second Champions Day Shock As 100-1 Shot Cicero’s Gift Wins The QEII appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Having captured the first two maidens on Leopardstown's Saturday card, Aidan O'Brien continued the sequence with Christmas Day (Camelot) in the nine-furlong G3 Mongey Communications Eyrefield Stakes. Coming off a maiden win at Gowran Park last month, the 13-2 shot was delivered by Jack Cleary to deny A Boy Named Susie (Starspangledbanner) on the line and prevail by a short head. The winner's stablemate, the 11-10 favourite Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Basilica), was only fourth. WHAT. A. FINISH. Christmas Day narrowly denies A Boy Named Susie in the Group Three Mongey Communications Eyrefield Stakes..! Three races, three winners for Aidan O'Brien so far today @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/p3rkI2cVyy — Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 18, 2025 The post Ballydoyle Leopardstown Whitewash Continues With Christmas Day In The Eyrefield appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juddmonte's star distaffer Kalpana (Study Of Man), trapped wide and never really a factor in this month's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, bounced back to her best in imperious fashion and outsmarted her rivals for back-to-back renewals of Saturday's G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares at Ascot. “It was a great performance and she's been very consistent all year,” said winning rider Colin Keane. “Things didn't go to plan in France and fair play to Andrew [Balding] and the team for making the call to bring her back so quick. She's a filly that thrives on her racing, so this is brilliant.” Ideally positioned in a stalking second for the most part and racing hard on the bridle straightening for home, the 11-8 favourite surged clear in style to settle the 12-furlong test in a matter of strides soon after passing the quarter-mile marker and stayed on powerfully once clear to easily defeat Estrange (Night Of Thunder) and Quisisana (Le Havre) by 2 1/2 lengths and 3/4-of-a-length. SHE'S DONE IT AGAIN! KALPANA WINS THE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS FILLIES AND MARES STAKES @Champions_Day | @Ascot | @JuddmonteFarms pic.twitter.com/2xx4Zpw1Ua — Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 18, 2025 The post Kalpana Overpowers Opposition for Second British Champions Fillies & Mares Title appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars MY WISH - R7 (6) His weight advantage over Voyage Bubble should prove too much Jay Rooney BRILLIANT EXPRESS - R9 (1) Can strike down in class after a good run in a hot Class Two Owen Goulding HAROLD WIN - R9 (5) Cracking run over 1,200m latest and can go in again back at best trip Phillip Woo DOUBLE WIN - R3 (13) Has solid claims off an eye-catching third last start over this trip Shannon (Vincent Wong) PERFECT PAIRING - R3 (10) He found trouble in the straight last start and...View the full article

Last term's G2 Mill Reef Stakes winner Powerful Glory (Cotai Glory) was the lowest-rated and least experienced contender lining up for Saturday's G1 Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot and, having beaten just one rival in two starts this season, came home with a career high after posting a 200-1 shock in the straight six-furlong dash. His odds are the longest for the winner of a European Group 1 contest, surpassing Qirat's 150-1 in this term's G1 Sussex Stakes. “We always thought he was a nice horse, but at 200-1 nobody thought he'd win,” said trainer Richard Fahey, who won this in 2018 with Sands Of Mali. “That's only the fifth run of his career and I'm delighted.” The rank outsider of 19 was slowly into stride and raced several lengths off the pace in rear as Quinault (Oasis Dream) set the fractions up front. Thundering forward in the centre of the track once past halfway, Powerful Glory quickened into contention approaching the furlong marker and kept on relentlessly under a Jamie Spencer drive to deny the revitalised dual Group 1 winner Lazzat (Territories) by a neck in the dying strides. Quinault ran on gamely once headed and finished best of the rest, 1 1/4 lengths back in third. WOW!!!! 200-1 CHANCE POWERFUL GLORY CAUSES A HUGE UPSET IN THE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SPRINT STAKES @Champions_Day | @Ascot pic.twitter.com/3mfSYi3dO6 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 18, 2025 The post Powerful Glory Pounces for 200-1 Shock in Ascot’s Champions Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Japan made history at the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar, as the country sent out a pair of ground-breaking winners in the form of the well-fancied Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the GI Filly and Mare Turf and with the improbable Marche Lorraine (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the GI Distaff. Both were conditioned for separate ownership interests by Yoshito Yahagi, a familiar face on the international stage. With a little more than two weeks to go before the 2025 renewal–also to be contested at Del Mar–Breeders' Cup is listing no fewer than nine Japanese-based horses with championship weekend ambitions, as the country tries to broaden its footprint at this particular meeting. To follow is a brief overview of the entrants, a few with previous Breeders' Cup experience, but the bulk of whom would be less recognizable to the American audience. FOREVER YOUNG (JPN) (4c Real Steel {Jpn}, Classic) In many eyes the best dirt horse ever produced by Japan, the son of American Grade II winner Forever Darling (Congrats) makes a third trip to the States for the Classic, where he rounded out the trifecta underneath his close relation (on the female side) 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) in last year's main event. Subsequently the winner of a G1 Saudi Cup for the ages last February, he was a shell of his true self when third in the G1 Dubai World Cup Apr. 5 and got a well-deserved break. The $720,000 JRHA Select Yearling was surely underdone when winning the Listed Nippon TV Hai on Oct. 1 (see below, SC 7) and will improve for the effort. Enough to win? Anyone willing to say it's out of the question? ALICE VERITE (JPN) (5m Kizuna {Jpn}, Distaff/FM Turf) A homebred for Makoto Kato, Alice Verite was a Group 3 winner on the turf during her 4-year-old season in 2024 before making her first–and only–appearance on the dirt when beaten just under seven lengths behind eventual Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) into fourth after atypically not making the running in the Distaff. From four starts this term, she was a pacesetting fifth, beaten a length, in the G1 Victoria Mile in May (see below, SC 18) and was eighth in Group 3 company over nine grassy panels in early August. The bay is listed as possible for either a return trip to the Distaff or the Filly & Mare Turf, though she has never been beyond 10 furlongs. AMERICAN STAGE (3c Into Mischief, Sprint) As many as three Japanese runners could be headed to the GI Sprint. A $500,000 Keeneland September purchase, American Stage went on a three-race tear at the tail end of his juvenile season that had Yahagi thinking outside the box going forward. Sent across to Dubai for the Carnival, the bay was a sound second to the outstanding Tuz (Oxbow) in the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal (video, SC 12) and gained a run in the Apr. 5 G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, finishing sixth and not all that far behind Dark Saffron (Flameaway). American Stage did all the heavy lifting in an Oct. 5 allowance on a rain-affected track at Kyoto and was chinned on the wire at odds-on (video, SC 9). Forever Young's jockey Ryusei Sakai has a record of 1-3-1 from five rides on the colt and is likely to have the call at Del Mar. American Stage | DRC/Liesl King DRAGON WELDS (3c Frosted, Sprint) This $72,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $150,000 OBS April breezer has three wins from seven starts on the main track at six and seven furlongs, including a dominating four-length score from the front in two-win allowance company at Niigata Aug. 9. He was drawn very wide for his latest and was forced to settle off the pace going 1400 meters on two weeks' rest at Chukyo and finished willingly to just miss third, beaten a length for all of it. PURO MAGIC (JPN) (4f Asia Express, Sprint/Turf Sprint) This paternal grand-daughter of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up Henny Hughes cost a little more than $217,000 and has more than earned her keep with a pair of Group 3 successes on the grass, including the Aug. 3 Ibis Summer Dash (see below, SC 6), where she clocked :53.70 over the always quick straight course at Niigata. The bay was last seen in the G1 Sprinters' Stakes on Sept. 28, where she was in the thick of it into the final furlong before fading into eighth in a race dominated up front, repeating her 2024 finish. FEE BLANCHE (JPN) (5m Real Steel {Jpn}, FM Sprint) Campaigned in the green-and-white hoops of the Carrot Farm syndicate, Fee Blanche has recorded half of her six career victories on the tracks of the National Association of Racing (NAR circuit), where the standard is far lower than that of the Japan Racing Association tracks, but whose black-type contests races attract some of the better JRA horses. A five-length winner at Urawa in April, she achieved her career high-water mark two back, winning the one-mile Listed Sparking Lady Cup at Kawasaki in July (video, SC 7). She would be cutting back off a fourth in the nine-furlong Listed Ladies Prelude at Ohi in early October. INVINCIBLE PAPA (AUS) (c, 4, Shalaa {Ire}, Turf Sprint) This Arrowfield Stud-bred colt was sold for A$200,000 (US$135,723) at the 2023 Inglis Easter Sale and surprisingly proved to be an effective runner on the dirt, winning five of his eight starts while dipping a toe into group competition. The bay has made his two most recent appearances on the grass, finishing a close fourth at Group 3 level at Hakodate in June before causing a 12-1 upset in the G3 CBC Sho at Chukyo in August (video, SC 17). That win came at the expense of June Blair (American Pharoah), a big second in the Sprinters' last time. ARGINE (JPN) (5m Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}, Mile/Distaff/FM Turf) Argine is listed as a possible runner in any of three Breeders' Cup events. A Group 3 winner over a mile at the back end of last season, the homebred has been in good nick this season, with a comebacking near miss in a Group 2 mile in April followed by a fourth–beaten a neck–in the G1 Victoria Mile (see Alice Verite above). She stretched back out to 1800 meters for her latest and proved a neck best in the G3 Queen Stakes at Sapporo Aug. 3 (see below, SC 10). All 14 of her career starts have come on the grass, but there are dirt influences on both sides of her pedigree and her second dam is One For Rose (Tejano Run), a three-time Sovereign Award winner and three-time graded winner on the main track. SWITCH IN LOVE (JPN) (2f Contrail {Jpn}), JF Turf/Juv. Turf Sprint) The third of the Yahagis penciled in for the Breeders' Cup, this $1.2-million JRHA Select Foal got the job done by a nose on Chukyo debut Aug. 17 (video, SC 2) and settled for a runner-up effort trying winners for the first time at Hanshin Sept. 20. From the first crop of this Japanese Triple Crown-winning sire, the Mar. 23 foal is one of three winners from as many to race out of a winning daughter of Switch (Quiet American), victorious in the 2010 GI La Brea Stakes and GI Santa Monica Stakes and twice placed in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Switch in Love carries the colors of DMM Dream Club Co Ltd, who also campaigned Loves Only You. The post Strength In Numbers As Japanese Breeders’ Cup Team Takes Shape appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It didn't take long for Ballydoyle to register a winner on Qipco British Champions Day as Mission Central (No Nay Never) came good in the second act of the afternoon at Ascot. Sent off at 5-1 for the inaugural Qipco British Champions Day Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes, the Round Tower winner cruised through the six-furlong test under Christophe Soumillon and when committed inside the two readily asserted to beat Ardisia (Ardad) and the 11-10 favourite Words Of Truth (Lope De Vega) by half a length and a length respectively. “It was easy,” Soumillon said. “He was really relaxed and I was cruising. I think the distance and ground really helped him today and I was quite impressed. I think he's a really good horse and he's going to do some travelling overseas I think.” The win extends O'Brien's current lead in the trainer's title in Britain and Soumillon was keen to express his pleasure at getting the main rides for the stable after Ryan Moore's injury. “I am like a kid who has been brought to Disneyland! I couldn't have imagined getting in this position even for a short time and for me it's about enjoying every day with this amazing team.” Mission accomplished for MISSION CENTRAL Aidan O'Brien's charge wins the Qipco British Champions Day Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes! @Champions_Day @Ascot pic.twitter.com/ah2GAjXSA0 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 18, 2025 The post Mission Central Gets Ballydoyle Off The Mark On Champions Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's G1 Gold Cup victor Trawlerman (Golden Horn), who has also picked up wins in this term's G3 Henry II Stakes and G2 Lonsdale Cup, sealed his status as the year's outstanding stayer with another defeat of his John and Thady Gosden-trained stablemate Sweet William (Sea The Stars), in race-record time, in Saturday's G1 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot. The 5-6 favourite pick was sharply into stride and led passing the judge first time before accepting a tow in second once out in the country. Regaining control with a half-mile remaining, he kicked clear off the home turn and had enough in reserve as Sweet William threatened to spoil the party in the latter stages. Trawlerman hit the line with a 1 1/2-length advantage, with one dozen lengths back to Al Qareem (Awtaad) in third. TRAWLERMAN WINS THE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP WHAT A PERFORMANCE! @Champions_Day | @Ascot pic.twitter.com/for2dgsFEV — Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 18, 2025 Pedigree Notes Trawlerman is the leading performer from two scorers out of G3 Deutsches St Leger second Tidespring (Monsun), herself one of three black-type representatives for G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Sweet Stream (Shantou). Tidespring is kin to stakes-winning G3 Munster Oaks third Loveisthehigherlaw (Kodiac) and Listed Radley Stakes placegetter Sweet Dream (Oasis Dream). Sweet Stream is the leading performer out of the stakes-placed Snug Dinner (Jareer) while Sweet Dream produced G3 Prix Penelope victrix Making Dreams (Make Believe). Snug Dinner, the best daughter of the stakes-placed Stand By Me (Home Guard), is the second dam of Listed Premio Royal Mares victrix Testa O Croce (Orpen). The post Trawlerman Subdues Rivals in the Long Distance Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin The Ashburton Flying Stakes could decide the New Zealand Cup chances of Jeremiah and Better Knuckle Up. And it may now also play a pivotal role in the preparation of their stablemate Merlin after his moderate fifth at Addington on Friday night. Jeremiah and Better Knuckle Up head south next week to join the rest of the Barry Purdon/Scott Phelan raiders already in Canterbury and they looked in fine form for the trip when they quinellaed the Vale Chris Garrard Pace at Alexandra Park on Friday night. Both were slow away and had to make up enormous ground in the 2200m stand and their runs had equal merit. Better Knuckle Up dragged Jeremiah into the race but it was a beautifully-timed drive from Barry Purdon that proved the difference as Jeremiah got over the top of his stablemate late in sizzling sectionals. “He is a pretty good horse, they both are,” said Purdon, driving his second winner in two meetings after six years out of the racenight sulky. “He has speed and they will both head to the Ashburton Flying Stakes next. “That should give us a really good idea of where they stand and we can make our decisions about whether to aim at a New Zealand Cup after that. “They both have the Christian Cullen against their own age group down there as well and there are other options for them during Cup week as well.” One of those is the NZ Free-For-All, a race Merlin won last season but quite incredibly he now hasn’t won a race in 10 starts since. He was only okay, by his own high standards, when fifth behind Republican Party in the Canterbury Classic at Addington on Friday. “He maybe gets a pass mark but really I think he should have finished second,” said Purdon. “He will likely head to Ashburton next too and we’d like to see him go a little better.” Purdon will also head south next week to join up with the team and can look forward to the upcoming three-year-old races in both gaits with some excitement after Greased Lightnin and Meant To Be were both excellent in their races at Addington on Friday night. Meant To Be will improve on his fresh up second to Habibti Pat in the three-year-old trot while Greased Lightnin looks to have gone to another level after a storming win in the Garrards Sires’ Stakes Sophomore. “He went great and he had taken ground off the best three-year-olds in the Flying Stakes the start before too,” said Purdon. Greased Lightnin as of yet doesn’t have a spot in The Velocity but after the last two weeks it is hard to believe there are 10 three-year-old pacers in the country better than him. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton The odds are mounting against Swayzee’s quest for a record-equalling third successive IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup win at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11. The champion stayer missed defending his Victoria Cup title with a bowel infection and owner Mick Boots revealed it is still an issue. “He’s touch and go for NZ,” Boots said. “It’s that bowel infection and it’ll be hard to get the work into him for an NZ Cup.” The line in the sand looks to be next Saturday night’s Battle of Beersheba free-for-all at Menangle. If Swayzee doesn’t contest the race, NZ looks impossible. Swayzee has only raced twice in the past six months for a first-up sixth in the Group 1 Len Smith Mile on September 6, then a second to Kingman at Menangle on October 4. View the full article

Ceolwulf mastered the Randwick mile again on Saturday, going back-to-back in the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) and heading an all New Zealand-bred trifecta in the A$5 million showpiece. The Tavistock gelding defended his King Charles crown with a powerhouse performance to beat 10-time Group One winner Mr Brightside by a length and three-quarters. The Matamata-trained Proisir gelding Pier finished another neck away in third. That trifecta capped a remarkable day at Randwick for the Kiwi-breds, who had earlier produced a one-three result with Ka Ying Rising and Jimmysstar in the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m), followed by a Linebacker-Lord Penman quinella in the A$1 million Silver Eagle (1300m). A top-flight performer up to a 2400m placing in the Gr.1 Australian Derby as a three-year-old, Ceolwulf added a new dimension to his repertoire with a scintillating spring Group One 1600m double in last year’s Epsom Handicap and King Charles. The five-year-old was below that very best form through his first four runs this spring, finishing fourth in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m), fourth in the Gr.2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m), third in the 7 Stakes (1600m) and sixth in the Epsom. But he rose to the occasion on Saturday and was right back at the peak of his powers. Trainer Joe Pride applied blinkers for the King Charles and Ceolwulf showed an explosive turn of foot to burst out of the pack in the straight. Just as Pride Of Jenni, Mr Brightside, Pier and Pericles seemed set to fight out the finish, Ceolwulf flew through on their inside to score a superb win. “That was absolutely amazing,” Pride said. “I watched it down there with my two daughters, who never come to the racetrack, so it was really special. “It’s been 12 months of waiting, really. I was here 12 months ago and I thought this is the best horse I’ll ever train, and we spent another 12 months waiting to see that again. “I’m just glad to see him return to what he is capable of, because his best is better than a lot of the horses that have been beating him. “We chucked the blinkers on him, it’s the first time today he’s ever worn them, and it’s done the trick. He just needed to find some room in the straight because he was full of running. “This horse is a long way from being finished, there’s plenty of wins to come. He wins the races that count and gets beaten in a few that I guess don’t count as much.” Ceolwulf has been ridden to all of his three Group One victories by Chad Schofield. “It’s a relief as much as anything,” Schofield said. “First up I didn’t give him the best ride, but his last couple have been below par. “But Joe had the ace up his sleeve with the blinkers and he travelled so well today. I knew we were on today. We found a happy spot on the rail and he did the rest.” Ceolwulf was bred by Cambridge Stud owners Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay and is a son of the Shamardal mare Las Brisas. The gelding is a graduate of the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, where Pride and part-owner Leighton Howl went to $170,000 to secure him from Riversley Park’s draft. Ceolwulf has now had 24 starts for six wins, seven placings and A$9.13 million in stakes. View the full article

Two New Zealand-bred horses lined up in the A$1 million Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday and filled the first two placings, headed by a sparkling performance by Linebacker. Previously the winner of three of his 10 career starts headed by the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) in the autumn, the first-crop son of Waikato Stud’s rising star stallion Super Seth had a spring setback last month when he sprained an ankle and was ruled out of the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m). But Linebacker showed he was back on track and caught everyone’s eye with a win in a Randwick trial last week that also featured the champion sprinter and Saturday’s A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) winner Ka Ying Rising. Linebacker was sent out as a $3.10 favourite for his assignment on Saturday, and the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained four-year-old made it look easy despite a tricky draw of 12 in a 13-horse field. Despite never getting closer than three off the rail, jockey Zac Lloyd was able to find cover. Linebacker took care of the rest, taking command in the straight and going on to score a dominant victory by two and a half lengths over Go Racing’s promising Contributer gelding Lord Penman. “He is so nice to ride,” Lloyd said. “I thought today was a query, obviously he’s had a couple of setbacks, but John and Tom are just training him so well. His trackwork rider Santiago too – the horse can be quite keen and he does a fantastic job with him. “I just tried to keep it smooth and trust that I was on the best horse. I actually got a lovely run, considering he was three deep and they weren’t going fast. I had cover off the horse in front of me, because he was a bit off the fence. “He put that field away so quickly and there is still so much more to come with him. I am so excited. He knows how to get the job done and he is a serious racehorse.” Linebacker has now had 11 starts for four wins, two placings and A$1.63 million in prize-money. “This horse has just been going so well,” O’Shea. “I was really disappointed when we had a setback early in this preparation, because I was desperate to run him in the King Charles (Gr.1, 1600m). “Zac (Lloyd) has got a great understanding of him now and the team have done a great job, my staff at home. A lot of work has gone into him to get him to this point. “He’s in great form and Zac is riding him really well, so I’m very happy.” Bred by GSA Bloodstock, Linebacker was purchased out of Haunui Farm’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $160,000 by O’Shea and Suman Hedge Bloodstock. He is a son of the English-bred Oasis Dream mare Garden Of Swans, who is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Sandown Eclipse Stakes (2000m) winner and sire Mukhadram. Saturday’s runner-up Lord Penman, previously a four-time winner in New Zealand for Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh, has now had 11 starts for four wins, four placings and A$439,164 in stakes. He was a $60,000 purchase by Toro Bloodstock from Mapperley Stud’s yearling draft at Karaka in 2023. View the full article

New Zealand-bred champion Ka Ying Rising climbed the highest mountain of his career and claimed a piece of racing history in the A$20 million Gr.1 The TAB Everest (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday. The world’s highest-rated sprinter lived up to his red-hot favouritism and became the first overseas-trained winner of the world’s richest race on turf. Ka Ying Rising’s record spoke for himself when he arrived on Australian shores for his Everest mission. He was the winner of 14 of his 16 starts, including his last 13 in a row, and scored four dominant victories at Group One level in Hong Kong last season. He had effortlessly broken 1:08 on five occasions since October of last year. But this was his first time away from the familiar surroundings of his Hong Kong home, and he was taking on an elite field of Australian sprinting talent that has a well-earned reputation as being the world’s best. Some were quick to knock the Shamexpress gelding after he finished third in a quiet trial at Randwick last week, and that was followed by unfounded rumours about the horse’s well-being. But Hong Kong’s World Pool stuck firm with their champion, backing him into $1.50 favouritism for his career-defining assignment. The superstar racehorse did not let them down. “I think this will be wonderful for Hong Kong racing, he’s the pin-up boy there,” said expat Australian trainer David Hayes, who is these days based in Hong Kong. “This is certainly the biggest thrill in my career. It’s been the longest 10 days in my life, I think. “He blew out all the mothballs in his trial. A lot of people were very critical of the trial, but he still beat the winners of 20 Group One races and ran third without being really tested. “I’m so relieved. Once he’d saddled up as calmly as he did, he had to really run below form not to win today, but I couldn’t say that, I couldn’t be cocky. I would have been so disappointed if he hadn’t won after saddling up so calmly. “I can’t wait to really watch the replay and enjoy it. It’s a long straight at Randwick, isn’t it, when you hit the front with 300m to go. But I think he held on pretty well. I actually would’ve been shattered if he lost today. I think there’s more to come with this horse. “Better Loosen Up was the last world-champion-rated horse I’ve trained, and this is the next one. There’s been a lot of good horses in between, but these are the two stars.” Given a perfect ride by Zac Purton, Ka Ying Rising settled into a smooth rhythm just behind the Everest leaders Mazu and Overpass. He loomed ominously at the home turn, then gave Purton everything he asked down that long Randwick straight. Ka Ying Rising pulled clear and won by just over a length from three-year-old filly Tempted and New Zealand-bred multiple Group One winner Jimmysstar. “He had a beautiful run in the race,” Purton said. “Ethan (Brown, riding Jimmysstar) was trying to sneak up on my outside, but we just had to make sure we had the room. That was pretty easy because of the pace of the race. “Overpass skipped early and I had to chase him. To my horse’s credit, he wasn’t letting him go. He got the better of me in the trial and we said that he’s not going to get the better of me in the race. We chased him down and coasted to the line. “You become a bit emotional. You appreciate it more now, because the career is nearly over, but I’m so lucky. I’ve had such a good career and I’m so lucky to have this horse come along now.” Bred by Marton trainer Fraser Auret and his wife Erin under their Grandmoral Lodge banner, Ka Ying Rising is by Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress, who himself was a Group One-winning sprinter in Australia in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington. The dam of Ka Ying Rising is the Per Incanto mare Missy Moo, who won five races between 1200m and 2050m. Ka Ying Rising was one of only two foals out of Missy Moo, who won the 2024-25 Eight Carat Broodmare of the Year award. She died in 2021 after producing a colt by Turn Me Loose, who has been named Ka Ying Glory and has been a placegetter in Hong Kong. View the full article

Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) was a class above his rivals in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, completing a spring Group One double in the early stages of what might be a career-defining season. The son of Proisir has been a Group One horse since his two-year-old days, when he ran third in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in April of 2022. He went on to be a Listed winner at three, along with placings in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) and Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) and a fifth in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). But what Waitak has been able to do since then has cemented his reputation as one of New Zealand’s most versatile weight-for-age performers. He flew home from nowhere to win the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) at Pukekohe as a four-year-old, and after a frustrating run of bad luck for most of his five-year-old season last summer, got back into the winning groove with autumn double in the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m) and Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). Waitak has picked up this spring where he left off in the autumn. After a luckless 11th when he resumed in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m), he has now gone back-to-back in the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa and now the $550,000 Livamol Classic. “He really deserves this,” said Andrew Scott, who trains in partnership with Lance O’Sullivan. “He was so unlucky last season with unsuitable track conditions and the way his races were being run. Today was just beautiful. He really showed what he can do.” Again ridden by his Howden Mile-winning jockey Craig Grylls, Waitak settled into a perfect position in fifth place and all by himself as Khan Hunter (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) showed the way through the first half of the race. Ellerslie specialist El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) threw down the gauntlet and surged into a clear lead coming down the side of the track, but Grylls never panicked. He gave Waitak all the time he needed to warm into his work, then set his sights on El Vencedor in the straight. A four-length deficit was quickly dissolved and Waitak powered into the lead. He bounded away to win by five and a quarter lengths. El Vencedor finished second, a length and a quarter in front of Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood). It was the 20th win at Group One level for Grylls – fittingly at the same venue where he rode his first one, Pasta Post (NZ) (Postponed), in the 2008 Easter Handicap (1600m). “Any Group One win is great, but this is special – especially to do it for Wexford, who have been such great supporters of mine,” Grylls said. “This horse is just a marvel and it was an incredible win today. He’s taken a lot of improvement out of his last-start win at Te Rapa. “The speed was on from the 600m and I had to get on my bike a little bit earlier than I might have expected, but he quickened so well. He got up alongside El Vencedor, then changed legs, quickened again and got away from him.” Waitak has now had 34 starts for eight wins, nine placings and more than $1.5 million in stakes. He was bred by the late Colin Devine and is raced by his wife Jill. Saturday’s win capped a notable double for the Devine family, who also had a win at Matamata yesterday with Waitak’s talented full-brother Crackercol (NZ) (Proisir). “To have the winner yesterday and now today is a huge result for Team Devine,” Scott said. “It means a lot to our camp too. It’s a massive team effort and it’s been a big build-up to this carnival. “The team’s been racing well, and you only hope you can keep building on that and getting results like today. “The team was so confident in Waitak all week. Craig got off him last weekend and just said the horse had improved since Te Rapa. You try and keep your confidence levels measured, but the horse is just going so well. “Today he got into his rhythm on his own, and then he really showed what he can do. He’s got a beautiful gallop on him, and he’s just come of age so we’re thrilled. “When the favourite took off at the 600m, we knew we’d had an economical run. When he gets on his own and is able to relax, he can really quicken. “He wasn’t being bothered by anything with 1000m to go and we knew he was going to finish strongly. It was brilliant to watch. “He’s a horse that keeps getting better and better. He’s a beautiful sound horse and goes in any ground. We’re just very fortunate to have him in our stable.” Scott identified the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham on December 6 and the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) on Boxing Day as Waitak’s next likely targets. “We’re pretty keen to get him down to Wellington for the Captain Cook,” he said. “He can have a bit of time away between now and then – he’ll be out in the farm on Monday for a break. “Hopefully he’ll be back here Boxing Day, and then through the summer.” Waitak’s winning margin was among the widest seen in a Group One race in New Zealand in the last 30 years. It equalled Mustang Valley’s (NZ) (Vanbrugh) runaway victory by the same margin in the 2022 Livamol Classic on a heavy track at Hastings. The only larger margins in the last three decades were Xtravagant’s (NZ) (Pentire) eight-length demolitions in the 2015 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and 2016 Waikato Sprint (1400m), plus Lizzie L’Amour’s (NZ) (Zabeel) victory by five and a half lengths in the 2018 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). View the full article

Progressive stayer Enrico (NZ) (El Roca) could be in for his best campaign yet after showing plenty of grit and tenacity to collect his fourth win at Trentham when he overcame some home-straight troubles to win the Toast To Tiptronic (1600m) open handicap on Saturday. The Ilone Kelly-prepared seven-year-old came into the event off the back of an eye-catching run for third at Otaki at his last start over 1400m and relished the step up in distance for his next assignment. On a day where on-pace runners dominated, rider Madan Singh bounced Enrico away nicely and quickly had him trailing pacemakers Turn The Ace (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) and Tobias (NZ) (Complacent). That ideal position began to look increasingly difficult approaching the home turn with Enrico travelling sweetly but needing a can-opener to find a gap and clear air to issue his challenge. Things got tight early in the run home as Enrico was shut out of an inside run, however he soon picked himself up and burst between runners to hit the front before holding out a game challenge from topweight Belardo Boy (NZ) (Belardo) and the late-closing Letsbringthebling (NZ) (Shocking). Kelly was thrilled with the victory and is hoping it is the first of plenty more in his campaign. “He just loves Trentham as that is his fourth win there,” Kelly said. “He seems to have really matured for this preparation and I think that helped when he got into a little bit of trouble in the straight as he picked himself up and charged after them. “I probably didn’t place him that well last season as there never seemed to be the right race when we needed it, but I think this campaign will be different as there looks like some nice races ahead for him. “We had thought of taking him to Riccarton for the New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m), but he just goes a little keen for two miles so we will stick around here and look at some of the middle-distance races coming up.” Enrico has now won four races at Trentham alongside a victory at Wanganui and Awapuni respectively and over $196,000 in prizemoney. The other feature event on the card, the NZCIS Wellington Cup Packages Now On Sale Sprint (1200m) was also taken out in resilient fashion by the Bryce Newman-trained Bold Belle (NZ) (The Bold One), who is also proving to be a Trentham specialist. The now seven-year-old mare collected her third victory at the venue as she refused to admit defeat when headed by race favourite I’m All In early in the home straight, fighting back to gain the upper hand in the final two strides to register her fifth career victory. Newman was pleased to see the hard work he has put into the mare to get her to settle starting to pay dividends. “We were expecting a good run but were more hopeful than confident as it was a strong field,” Newman said. “Trentham is a favourite place for her, but in the early days she just used to go far too hard and had nothing left at the finish. “We’ve been teaching her to settle and today she managed to do that and have a good kick when she got headed. “She also had a light weight so she will probably cop a re-handicap for the future. We have been thinking we could lift our sights with her and now could be a good time for that.” A daughter of The Bold One and five-race winner Gossiping, Bold Belle has won five of her 24 starts and over $153,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

We are back at Sha Tin on Sunday for an incredible card that features the return of Triple Crown hero and Champion Miler Voyage Bubble in the Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m). Owen Goulding is back in the hot seat with an extended rundown of his selections. Race 1 – Class Five Shek Mun Handicap (1,400m) Tsuen Wan Glory overcame an even wider draw when winning easily on return and can go back to back with another wire-to-wire success. Great ride, Britney Wong! 👏 Crossing from gate 12 of 14,...View the full article

Stephen Marsh ran rampant with wins in four of the first seven races at Ellerslie on Saturday, but his hottest favourite of the day had to settle for a placing as another Cambridge stable stole the show. The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Arabian Songbird (NZ) (Pierro) took flight from the back of the field to upstage Tardelli (I Am Invincible) in the $65,000 Elsdon Park (1400m). Marsh had been an unstoppable force until that point of the afternoon, winning the Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) by almost seven lengths with Well Written (Written Tycoon) along with undercard victories by Miss Fladgate (Russian Revolution), Swiss Prince (NZ) (El Roca) and On The Town (NZ) (Blue Point). “Someone had to stop him,” Wellwood quipped. “But I have to give a big shout out to Cambridge. Today’s results are testament to the quality of training centre we work at.” While all eyes were on Tardelli following his dominant first-up victory over the same course and distance as Saturday’s race, Arabian Songbird also boasted a one-from-one record so far this season. She stormed home to take out a 1300m Rating 75 on September 6. The Pierro mare was sent out as a distant second favourite at $5.70 on Saturday while Tardelli jumped at $1.90. The race appeared to be following that script as Tardelli cruised to the lead with 300m to run, but then Arabian Songbird turned that on its head. After rounding the home turn with only two horses behind her, Arabian Songbird was angled to the outside by jockey Masa Hashizume and let rip. Capitalising on her 6kg advantage at the weights, she swept past Tardelli in the final 100m and went on to win by three-quarters of a length. The favourite’s stablemate Bourbon Empress (NZ) (Proisir) also edged him out to fill the runner-up position. Arabian Songbird has now had 10 starts for five wins, two placings and $158,025 in stakes for owners Barneswood Farm. Four of those wins have come from only five appearances at Ellerslie. “With the prize-money on offer here and the fantastic surface to race on, it’s a pretty good track to like,” Wellwood said. “She was very impressive today. Masa gave her a patient ride and she showed a wonderful turn of foot. “She’s an exciting mare and we’ve got a lot of options available to us from here. We’ll have a team talk with Barneswood Farm and come up with a plan. We could take her to Riccarton for the TAB Mile (Gr.3, 1600m), or there’s the Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.2, 1400m) at Pukekohe and even the possibility of a Group One at Trentham (TAB Mufhasa Classic, 1600m). We’ve got a lot to look forward to, wherever we end up going with her.” Hashizume now boasts a four-from-five record with Arabian Songbird. “She’s a fantastic mare, she’s very special,” he said. “She’s just the easiest horse to ride. “The favourite is a good horse, but I knew he had a lot to weight to carry with 60.5kg. I knew from quite early in the straight that we were going to catch him.” Arabian Songbird was bred by Jamieson Park and is by Pierro out of Rare Delight, which makes her a half-sister to the Group Two performer Saint Alice. That mare raced in the tangerine and white colours of Barneswood Farm, who went back to the same well and bought Arabian Songbird for $260,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2022. View the full article

If trainer Stephen Marsh thought his day couldn’t get any better after winning the first three races on the card at Ellerslie on Saturday, he had to revise those thoughts pretty quickly after the running of the Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Sakes (1400m). Successful with Miss Fladgate (Russian Revolution) (Race 1), Swiss Prince (NZ) (El Roca) (Race 2) and On The Town (NZ) (Blue Point) (Race 3), Marsh sent out consistent filly Little Black Dress (Snitzel) and impressive debut winner Well Written (Written Tycoon) in the feature for the three-year-old fillies and returned the quinella in spectacular style as Well Written showed her debut victory at the venue was just a sign of things to come. The Written Tycoon filly had come from midfield to dash away from a handy maiden field over 1200m on debut, winning by three lengths in the hands of Matt Cartwright. Cartwright was back aboard on Saturday and made full use of the coveted number one barrier draw. He got her away perfectly to trail her stablemate throughout as Little Black Dress was softened up by another winning debutant in Places To Be (NZ) (Hello Youmzain). Left in front as Places to Be ran off on the home corner, Little Black Dress quickened nicely but soon had Well Written alongside briefly as Cartwright pushed the turbo button on his mount, who took off like a rocket at the 300m. To the cheers of her large group of owners, Well Written bolted away to win easing down by nearly seven lengths over Little Black Dress, who held out the late run of the well-favoured Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahma) to claim second, with Savvy Donna (NZ) (Savabeel) and Lollapalooza (NZ) (El Roca) also figuring in the finish for third. Marsh was quick to pay tribute to Bloodstock agent Dylan Johnson who convinced him to purchase the filly out of the Brighthill Farm draft during the 2024 NZB National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, where they paid a sale-topping $80,000. “That was bloody exciting as we thought we had two excellent fillies,” Marsh said. “It was just a shame Little Black Dress got softened up and taken on the whole way. “Well Written got a great run and you could just see at the top of the straight it was going to be another good win like last time. “I was hoping she had the X-factor. Holy hell, she could be pretty special. “Dylan has got take a lot of credit as he shopped around the whole of the online book and took me to every place in New Zealand to look at them and he found her. Big ups to him and a big group of owners, including some new stable clients.” Well Written holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 8, with Marsh confirming she would be heading to the race along with Little Black Dress. “We will certainly be going down there with the way she has won today,” he said. “We won’t get too far ahead of ourselves as she has had a short prep with just the two runs. If she comes through well, we will give her a crack. “She (Little Black Dress) will also be there as she is also a very good filly.” Cartwright was struggling to put the performance into words when asked about the run. “Jesus, we might have unravelled one here,” he said “She was a bit awkward away, but she enjoyed a lovely run and from the corner she was travelling way too good for them. “She let rip and is very special, a very good horse.” TAB Bookmakers didn’t waste any time by installing her as the $4 Fixed Odds favourite for the New Zealand 1000 Guineas ahead of Tajana and Lollapalooza, who share the second line of betting at $5 for the race. Well Written is by Written Tycoon out of the Sebring mare Mozzie Monster, who placed in the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) and Bendigo Guineas (1400m). She has now earned over $117,000 from just two starts to date. View the full article

A winning debut by bargain buy Midnight Dart (NZ) (Derryn) in the Rat Tat 2YO Plate (800m) at Trentham on Saturday has kept the Karaka Millions dream alive and well for a big group of young and first-time owners. Midnight Dart was bought for just $20,000 from Book 2 of Karaka 2025 by Josh Herd, whose mother Lisa Latta trains the colt at Awapuni. He ran second in his only trial at Otaki on September 16, beaten by a wide margin by subsequent race winner De Armas (NZ) (Ardrossan), and was sent out as the $8.50 outsider in Saturday’s five-horse field. Patiently ridden by Kate Hercock, Midnight Dart settled towards the back of the field in the early stages as Magill (Farnan) led the field up to the home turn. The five runners fanned out across the track to stake their claims in the straight, and the favourite Rupeni (Home Affairs) burst through closest to the inside in what looked like a winning move. But Hercock drove Midnight Dart up alongside that runner and he outfinished him through the last 100 metres, edging ahead to win by three-quarters of a length. Rupeni ran second, with two and a quarter lengths back to Home Secretary (Home Affairs) in third. “He’s a true-blue little professional racehorse,” Latta said. “This is a great story. My son Josh bought the horse from the sales at Karaka and syndicated him out. He’s got a lot of people involved, which is great. There are a lot of small shares and heaps of young people. It’s just fantastic. “This little horse has done everything right. He had one trial last month, and then he went really well in the Levin jumpouts two weeks ago and was narrowly beaten there. “We bought him with a dream of getting him to the Karaka Millions for these young owners, so that’s the goal and we’ll work our way backwards from there.” The $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) will be run at Ellerslie on January 24. Latta has already made her mark on the Karaka Millions stage, winning New Zealand’s richest two-year-old race with Fort Lincoln (Charge Forward) in 2011 and finishing second with Showmeyamoneyhoney (NZ) (Showcasing) in 2016. Midnight Dart earned $23,000 from Saturday’s win, which puts him straight into equal second place in the Karaka Millions order of entry alongside De Armas. The top spot belongs to the Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Torture (NZ), by freshman Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State, who earned A$120,750 with her victory on debut in the Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield during the week. Midnight Dart was bred by Grangewilliam Stud and is a son of their headline stallion Derryn. His dam Ambitious Beauty is a full-sister to the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) winner Ambitious Owner. View the full article

Ka Ying Rising has silenced his doubters with victory in Saturday’s mega-rich Group One The Everest (1,200m) at Randwick in Sydney. Long the favourite for the A$20 million (HK$101 million) sprint, Ka Ying Rising further entrenched himself as the world’s best sprinter with victory for trainer David Hayes and jockey Zac Purton. There was never a moments worry for his backers, with Purton landing a clear third behind the early pace of Mazu and The Overpass. The latter took the lead turning in, but...View the full article

For Matthew Poon Ming-fai, the prized ride on Voyage Bubble couldn’t have come at a better time as he bids to end a long winning drought in Sunday’s Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m). It has been more than four months and a staggering 135 rides since Poon last visited the winners’ enclosure, but the reigning Tony Cruz Award winner isn’t letting the drought get him down. “The only thing I can do is just stay positive and the winner will come, but hopefully it won’t be too long,” Poon said. While...View the full article

A wide draw has failed to dampen Alexis Badel’s excitement about riding My Wish in Sunday’s Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m), with the Frenchman backing the rising star’s versatility for his much-anticipated clash with Voyage Bubble. In what shapes as one of the highlights of the season so far, last season’s Triple Crown hero Voyage Bubble and My Wish face off with the former conceding his younger rival a massive 20lb. While the handicap conditions certainly favour Mark Newnham’s stable star,...View the full article