Wandering Eyes

With just three weeks remaining to the GI Kentucky Derby, a trio of probable starters turned in workouts over the Churchill main track, while another continued his preparations at Turfway Park. Trainer Steve Asmussen sent out his GII Louisiana Derby romper Tiztastic (Tiz the Law) for a five-furlong move in the company of maiden stablemate Publisher (American Pharoah). Taking to the track around 5:45 a.m., the pair went the distance in 1:00.80 in fractional times of :13, :24.80 and :36.60 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.40 and up seven-eighths in 1:26.60. Joel Rosario was aboard Tiztastic and worked outside of Publisher, the GI Arkansas Derby runner-up, who was put through his paces by longtime exercise rider Carlos Rosas. “Both horses moved in here to Churchill nicely,” said Asmussen, still in search of that elusive first win in the Derby. “With all of the weather we had in the area last week, it was nice to have a fast track to work over. I was extremely pleased with how they handled and traveled over the racetrack. They looked capable of doing more.” Louisiana Derby winner Tiztastic working five furlongs in 1:00.80 outside Arkansas Derby runner-up Publisher. pic.twitter.com/vlB5Ta6Brx — Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 12, 2025 Just after 7 .a.m., Flying Mohawk (Karakontie {Jpn}) went to the track to work in the company of 2024 Kentucky Derby eighth-place finisher Honor Marie (Honor Code). They were timed in a leisurely :50.80 for a half-mile, with the opening two furlongs in :26 flat. The pair galloped out five panels in 1:03.40. “It was both of their first works back after running so I just wanted an easy move,” trainer Whit Beckman said. “(Flying Mohawk) has worked well on dirt before so I figured he'd handle it just fine.” Joe Ramos rode Flying Mohawk to a runner-up effort in the GIII Jeff Ruby Stakes Mar. 22, was in the irons for Saturday's move and retains the call in the Derby, Beckman confirmed. “Joe has always given me his best,” Beckman said. “This horse is fairly straightforward to ride but I'm always confident with Joe knowing that he'll give me his top effort every time. That's all you can really ask.” The Beckman-conditioned Drexel Hill (Bolt d'Oro) and Simply Joking (Practical Joke) went a half-mile in company in :48.60 with a five-furlong gallop-out in 1:00.80 in advance of the May 2 GI Kentucky Oaks. “(Simply Joking) is a really nice filly,” said jockey Florent Geroux, who was aboard the GII Fantasy Stakes runner-up. “It was a good work–pretty easy and not asking much of her.” Third to her stable companion in the Silverbulletday Stakes Jan. 18, Drexel Hill exits a 3/4-length victory in the Mar. 1 Busher Stakes at Aqueduct. Chunk of Gold (Preservationist), runner-up to Tiztastic in the Louisiana Derby, drilled five furlongs in :59.40 over the Turfway Polytrack for trained Ethan West Saturday morning. “(Jockey) Jareth (Loveberry) came in town to work him and it was a really good move,” West said. “I had him :47 and change for a half-mile and he galloped out three-quarters in 1:12.” Training hours at Churchill Downs remain 5:30-10 a.m. with renovation breaks from 6:45-7:15 a.m. and 8:30-9 a.m. Beginning Friday, April 18, training will shift to 5:15-10 a.m., with a special 7:15-7:30 a.m. window designated exclusively for Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders. Chunk of Gold (inside) working this morning at @TurfwayPark. 47.3, 59.3/1:12.1 on trainer @EWest592's watch. : Coady Media/@CpWest3890 pic.twitter.com/ATstDKZS8M — Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 12, 2025 The post Flying Mohawk, Publisher, Tiztastic Breeze at Churchill, Chunk of Gold at Turfway appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Shadwell Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' Muhimma (Munnings) will not participate in the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks on May 2, trainer Brad Cox told Carlos Morales of Agentes 305 on X during an interview from the Churchill Downs backstretch Saturday morning. Perfect in her three racetrack appearances at two, the $700,000 Keeneland September purchase earned her 'Rising Star' over 6 1/2 furlongs at Churchill last Sept. 20 and followed up with a 5 1/2-length allowance victory going seven-eighths of a mile before closing the season with a front-running success in the GII Demoiselle Stakes. The gray filly made her sophomore debut in the GIII Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn Park Feb. 23, weakening in the late stages to be third to Quietside (Malibu Moon) as the odds-on favorite, and she filled the same spot behind the front-running La Cara (Street Sense) in Keeneland's GI Central Bank Ashland Stakes Apr. 7. “Muhimma will pass, we'll kind of regroup,” Cox told Morales. “She ran well, but not as well as we were hoping.” Having accumulated 50 points, Muhimma held 12th place on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. Her defection allows GII Gulfstream Park Oaks runner-up Anna's Promise (Promises Fulfilled) into the field of 14. The post Muhimma To Skip Kentucky Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 15:50, PRIX DE FONTAINEBLEAU-G3, €80,000, 3yo, c/g, 8fT Field: Batal Youmzain (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Ridari (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}), Sahlan (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Misunderstood (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Heybetli (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}), Madero (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Darius Cen (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}). TDN Verdict: France's premier Poule d'Essai des Poulains trial sees the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere third Misunderstood tackle some up-and-comers including the Listed Prix Omnium II winner Darius Cen and the maiden winners Sahlan and Ridari. Sahlan, who represents the all-conquering Graffard stable, looked a smart prospect when winning by four lengths on debut on Deauville's Polytrack in late November with sharp finishing sectionals suggesting he must be taken seriously. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 16:25, PRIX DE LA GROTTE-G3, €80,000, 3yo, f, 8fT Field: Zarigana (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), Shes Perfect (Ire) (Sioux Nation), Godspeed (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Safia (Fr) (Sottsass (Fr), Rosa Salvaje (Ire) (Maximum Security), Tigress Of Gaul (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Lady Majesty Cen (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) TDN Verdict: Prospects don't come much more exciting than Zarigana, who despite tasting narrow defeat in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac over this course and distance on Arc day is potentially one of this year's leading lights. Previously dominant in the G3 Prix d'Aumale, the grandaughter of Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) is greeted by two unbeaten peers with big upside in Safia and Tigress Of Gaul with the former showing she was ready for this kind of test in Saint-Cloud's Prix Kizil Kourgan last month. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 17:00, PRIX NOAILLES-G3, €80,000, 3yo, 10 1/2fT Field: Stormy Donald (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Aidan's Phone (Fr) (Prince Gibraltar {Fr}), Rafale Design (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Sirius Brown (Fr) (Dream Ahead), Nitoi (Siyouni {Fr}), Uther (GB) (Camelot {GB}), Tito Mo Cen (Ire) (Uncle Mo). TDN Verdict: Yeguada Centurion's TDN Rising Star Tito Mo Cen is put to the test in this Prix du Jockey Club pointer, with his wide-margin debut success at Chantilly followed by success in that track's Listed Prix Maurice Caillault. Another wide-margin Polytrack winner, Rafale Design wowed at Deauville in November while Andre Fabre saddles Nitoi, the half-brother to the G1 Hong Kong Vase hero Junko (GB) (Intello {Ger}) who has the one run under his belt having scored at Chantilly in September. Click here for the complete fields with owner and breeder information. The post Black-Type Analysis: Zarigana Back In Action In La Grotte appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars ENTHRALLED - R10 (1) Close last-start second in a similar race and can make amends here Jay Rooney JUSTIFYING - R9 (10) Outstanding win on debut and looks destined for bigger and better things Trackwork Spy JUSTIFYING - R9 (10) Big winner at his first start, rises in class here but drops seven pounds Phillip Woo HAROLD WIN - R7 (3) Continues to race consistently well and deserves another win Shannon (Vincent Wong) CHEER FOR SOUTH - R3 (7) Won well on the dirt last start and suggests he can go close on turf Racing Post Online ZETTA FORCE - R6 (11) Big run last start when a close second and can go one better here Tom Wood ENTHRALLED - R10 (1) Narrowly beaten last start, does have extra weight to shoulder but he can still winView the full article

Putting a disappointing juvenile finale firmly behind him at Newbury on Saturday, Juddmonte's Jonquil (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) emerged best in a fascinating G3 Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes. Labelled a TDN Rising Star after his debut at Sandown in August, the homebred relation of Frankel (GB) who had flopped when sixth in Doncaster's Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes in September tracked Rashabar (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) towards the stand's side throughout the early stages. Mastering that rival with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining, the 8-1 shot, who was switched to Andrew Balding following the retirement of Sir Michael Stoute, asserted under Oisin Murphy to beat that rival by 1 1/2 lengths, with two lengths back to Saracen (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) in third. Whereas the preceding Fred Darling was a demanding test throughout, this was more about finishing speed with Jonquil demonstrating his ruthless pace at the close with a final three-furlong split of :34.42. Murphy was not 100% convinced that the 2,000 Guineas trip is a given afterwards. “I would imagine he'll go for the [2,000] Guineas if he's healthy but he's a very fast horse–if he gets a mile it'll be exciting,” he said. “His work was excellent and Ryan [Moore] liked him last year, so that was exactly what we hoped it would be. Rashabar is a really good horse and he cruised up to him on only his third start. He's the perfect specimen of the modern racehorse. If you think of the likes of Auguste Rodin and all those champions, they're not overly-big but this lad is big enough.” Andrew Balding appeared to lean towards Newmarket afterwards. “He looked a smart horse for Sir Michael last year on debut and things didn't quite go to plan second time. I think everyone connected with the horse previously was sure that Doncaster run was just a blip and they always had a very high opinion of him. He arrived at Kingsclere before Christmas, so it's been a while and he's done plenty of work.” “We're thrilled to win a race like this and it looks like a mile will suit him,” he added. “He's settled through the race, hit the line strong and I couldn't be happier. He's a very well-balanced horse and I wouldn't have thought Newmarket would be a problem if we decide to go there. We'll wait to see what next week's trials bring and he's in the English and French Guineas.” Rashabar was coming off second-best again, but trainer Brian Meehan was only seeing positives. “I'm very happy–that's what we came here to do and he has needed that run a little bit,” he said. Sean [Levey] said he was just doing all the things he wouldn't have necessarily wanted to do–there was no real pace so we had to get on and go forward.” “There is massive improvement to come and I've been saying that all week,” he added. “Today was a trial and now Newmarket is high on the list, there should be a good 20 per-cent improvement to come. I'm just glad to get that out of the way because he's weighed in there last night at 508kg, which is a huge amount of weight so he would have needed it and he's gone and run really well. We have to see how he comes out of the race and the ground will be a factor. He's been placed in two Group 1s, with one of those on ground he doesn't like, so he's going to be a great horse this year.” Pedigree Notes Jonquil is the first foal out of the dual listed-placed Jovial (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who found seven furlongs on a flat track as far as she wanted to go. She took after her dam in that respect, the dual listed scorer and multiple group-placed Joyeuse (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) whose tally included a third in this fixture's G3 Fred Darling Stakes. Joyeuse is responsible for five black-type performers in total, including the G2 Mill Reef Stakes winner Array (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Jubiloso (GB) by Lope De Vega's sire Shamardal who stayed a mile well enough to be third in the G1 Coronation Stakes. The third dam Kind (Ire) (Danehill) needs no introduction, but the dam of Frankel et al was also a fast mare and seems to have stamped Joyeuse and passed that pace down this particular line. Frankel was at his quickest when winning this en route to 2,000 Guineas glory in the last decade, but he had already proven himself at a mile at two. Jovial's yearling filly is by Wootton Bassett (GB). How high can Jonquil fly in 2025? Now 12/1 in places for the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas… pic.twitter.com/Bkuz4AFZho — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 12, 2025 Saturday, Newbury, Britain WATERSHIP DOWN STUD TOO DARN HOT GREENHAM STAKES-G3, £100,000, Newbury, 4-12, 3yo, c/g, 7fT, 1:24.42, gd. 1–JONQUIL (GB), 128, c, 3, by Lope De Vega (Ire) 1st Dam: Jovial (GB) (MSP-Eng), by Dubawi (Ire) 2nd Dam: Joyeuse (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB) 3rd Dam: Kind (Ire), by Danehill TDN Rising Star. 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms (East) Ltd (GB); T-Andrew Balding; J-Oisin Murphy. £56,710. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $82,255. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Rashabar (Ire), 128, c, 3, Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)–Amazonka (Ire), by Camelot (GB). (€120,000 Ylg '23 ARAUG). O-Manton Thoroughbreds IX; B-SARL Ecurie Haras de Beaufay (IRE); T-Brian Meehan. £21,500. 3–Saracen (Fr), 128, c, 3, Siyouni (Fr)–Soteria (Ire), by Acclamation (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€500,000 Ylg '23 ARAUG). O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-China Horse Club International Ltd (FR); T-Joseph O'Brien. £10,760. Margins: 1HF, 2, 1HF. Odds: 8.00, 6.00, 6.50. Also Ran: Diablo Rojo (Ire), Yah Mo Be There (GB), Chancellor (GB), Noble Champion (Ire), Al Qudra (Ire), Aurora Majesty (Ire), Rogue Allegiance (Ire). The post “He’s the perfect specimen.” Murphy Hails Lope De Vega’s Jonquil After Greenham Strike For Juddmonte And Balding appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In the first race at the Curragh on Saturday, GREEN SENSE (IRE) (f, 2, Starman {GB}–Big Boned, by Street Sense) broke well and stalked the pace in second through halfway in this debut. Making a forward move soon after passing the quarter-mile marker, the well-supported 5-2 favourite gained an edge approaching the final furlong and was ridden out to assert by three lengths from Extravagant (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), becoming the second winner for her freshman sire (by Dutch Art {GB}). “She's a well-bred filly and obviously the sire has had a good start to his career,” said trainer Joseph O'Brien. “We liked what we saw at home and thought she was ready to run well, but didn't expect her to win like that. I didn't expect her to win to be honest as I thought she would need the run. She's pretty smart and that's what the smart ones do. She was really professional and she has a very straightforward attitude. You'd imagine she'll have no problem with seven [furlongs] eventually. I think we'd probably look to go either to the [G3] Marble Hill or Naas and then [Royal] Ascot.” Green Sense is the latest of eight foals and fifth scorer out of a half-sister to multiple stakes-winning GII Commonwealth Stakes runner-up Cool Bullet (Red Bullet) and GIII Coolmore Lexington Stakes third Casper's Touch (Touch Gold). The May-foaled bay, whose second dam is Listed Ruthless Stakes winner Lizzy Cool (Saint Ballado), is a half-sister to G3 Grosser Preis von Lotto Hamburg victrix K Club (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and the multiple stakes-placed Back To Brussels (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). Sales history: €90,000 Ylg '24 GOFORB. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Simon Munir & Isaac Souede. B-N Hartery (Ire). T-Joseph O'Brien. Impressive debut Green Sense (Starman) makes a successful start for @JosephOBrien2 and @DylanBrowneMcM by winning in good style at @curraghrace @ToteRacing | @IrishEBF_ pic.twitter.com/0XwfgqL5DI — Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 12, 2025 The post Another Winner For Starman, As Green Sense Zips Home In Curragh Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Upping her game on her 3-year-old bow, Victorious Racing's Duty First (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) spreadeagled some choice opposition in Saturday's G3 Dubai Duty Free Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury. Always travelling with gusto near the front end, the Archie Watson-trained 33-1 shot opened up under Hollie Doyle from two out to take the seven-furlong 1,000 Guineas trial by 3 1/4 lengths from the 40-1 fellow outsider Hey Boo (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}). There was another length back to Time For Sandals (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}) in third. The winner, who was second in the G3 Prestige Stakes and third in the G2 Rockfel Stakes last term, does not hold an entry in the Newmarket Classic at present but her trainer is keen to have a crack. “We always thought a lot of her and we knew she'd do very well from two to three, as she was a big yearling,” Watson said. “Obviously, it's a surprise that she took apart a race like that but she had been in great order this Spring. The reason she came here was there were three extra days before the Italian Guineas, but that won't be happening now! I'll speak to the owners, but I'd imagine we'll supplement her for the English Guineas.” A 33/1 winner of the Fred Darling at @NewburyRacing! Duty First blows the field away with an impressive performance for @HollieDoyle1 and @Archie_Watson! pic.twitter.com/6vm6oj2G9C — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 12, 2025 Saturday, Newbury, Britain DUBAI DUTY FREE STAKES (FRED DARLING STAKES)-G3, £85,000, Newbury, 4-12, 3yo, f, 7fT, 1:23.95, gd. 1–DUTY FIRST (GB), 128, f, 3, by Showcasing (GB) 1st Dam: Dream Dana (Ire), by Dream Ahead 2nd Dam: Lidanna (GB), by Nicholas 3rd Dam: Shapely Test, by Elocutionist 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (58,000gns Wlg '22 TADEWE; 370,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Victorious Racing; B-Plantation Stud (GB); T-Archie Watson; J-Hollie Doyle. £48,204. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-1, $106,046. *1/2 to Army Ethos (GB) (Shalaa {Ire}), GSP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Hey Boo (GB), 128, f, 3, Iffraaj (GB)–Tricksy Spirit (GB), by Lethal Force (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Jonathan Mitchell (GB); T-Jack Channon. £18,275. 3–Time For Sandals (Ire), 128, f, 3, Sands of Mali (Fr)–Days of Summer (Ire), by Bachelor Duke. (€35,000 Ylg '23 TATIRY). O-D Bevan & Mrs D Bevan; B-Ballyhane (IRE); T-Harry Eustace. £9,146. Margins: 3 1/4, 1, 1 1/4. Odds: 33.00, 40.00, 14.00. Also Ran: Betty Clover (GB), Maw Lam (Ire), Enola Holmes (Ire), Simmering (GB), Formal (GB), Ellaria Sand (GB), Bright Times Ahead (Ire), Mountain Breeze (Ire), California Dreamer (GB), British Blue (GB), Greydreambeliever (Ire), Heavens Gate (Ire). Scratched: Nardra (Ire). The post Showcasing’s Duty First Dominates The Fred Darling For Victorious Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Local mare Third Decree (NZ) (War Decree) picked a lucrative day for a big-race breakthrough, going from last to first in the $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday. It was the second running of the Southern Alps Challenge, which was established last season by Entain and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and is restricted to trainers who operate a stable in the South Island. Last year’s inaugural edition was taken out by Matscot (NZ) (Haradasun) for local owner-trainer-breeders Sharon Robertson and Alan Reeves, and on Saturday the spotlight landed on Third Decree and Michael and Matthew Pitman. Third Decree went into the Southern Alps Challenge as an eight-time winner from 23 starts, but the best of those wins was a $50,000 open handicap at Ashburton in October. The daughter of War Decree had finished second on another five occasions including the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and Listed Great Easter Stakes (1400m). Third Decree clearly possessed the potential to star on the big stage, and on Saturday she did exactly that. The five-year-old was patiently ridden by Kylie Williams, who settled in second-last in the early stages and had dropped right out the back as the field made their way down the side of the track towards the home turn. Williams angled Third Decree to the outside in the home straight and let her rip. She immediately changed gears and charged past her 13 rivals, catching Dazzling Miss (NZ) (Proisir) and Treybon (NZ) (Sweynesse) in the final 100m and pulling ahead to win by three-quarters of a length. Defending champion Matscot produced an eye-catching finish of his own to get up into fourth. Third Decree was bred by Anne Bruford, who races her in partnership with her husband Jim and 10 other co-owners. The super-talented mare has now earned $370,105 in stakes from her 24-start, nine-win career. The only thing missing from her CV is a win at black-type level, and the Pitman stable will try to do something about that during the next Riccarton meeting on April 26. “She’s always had a performance like that in her,” Matthew Pitman said. “She’s placed at Group Three and Listed level and won quite a lot of races, but until now she’d just never quite managed to get over the hurdle of winning a big one. It was really good to see her do that in a $350,000 race today. “She was given a phenomenal ride by Kylie Williams, and when she’s ridden like that, she has the ability to be quite explosive. She showed that today. “We never like to make decisions on raceday, but a race like the Great Easter Stakes back here in a couple of weeks might be right up her alley. We’d love to pick up a black-type win with her.” View the full article

Patrick Carbery salutes as Amelia’s Jewel claims the 2022 Group 1 Northerly Stakes. Photo: Western Racepix One of Australian racing’s modern-day stars, Amelia’s Jewel, has officially been retired following her final start in Saturday’s Group 1 Queen of the Turf Stakes at Randwick. The announcement came via Amelia Park’s social media in an emotional post: “It’s with great sadness and pride that we announce the retirement of our G1 performer and star in Amelia’s Jewel! What a wonderful ride it’s been and a record to be so admired by. More announcements to follow.” Amelia’s Jewel, a five-year-old bay mare by Siyouni (FR) out of Bumbasina (IRE), retires with a remarkable career record of 24:10-7-0 and $4.1 million in earnings. Initially trained by Simon Miller in Perth before transferring to Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald in Sydney, she captured the imagination of punters across the country. 2022 Northerly Stakes Race Replay – Amelia’s Jewel https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Ascot-2022-Group-1-Northerly-Stakes-03122022-Amelias-Jewel-Simon-A-Miller-Patrick-Carbery.mp4 Her glittering resume includes victories at Group 1 and Group 2 level, with her most iconic moment coming in the 2022 Northerly Stakes at Ascot. She was near untouchable in WA, winning races from 1000m to 1800m, and was a force in Melbourne and Sydney in elite company. Her final race saw her finish a brave fifth in the $1 million Queen of the Turf StakesQueen of the Turf behind Fangirl, beaten just over four lengths after settling midfield. It capped off a strong campaign that included a dominant win in the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes and placings in the Empire Rose and Coolmore Classic. TABtouch paid tribute on X: “10 electrifying wins, a Group 1 and $4.1 million in the bank. Happy retirement Amelia’s Jewel ” A superstar on the track and a dream for connections, her retirement marks the end of an era—but with her pedigree, a new chapter as a broodmare is only just beginning. Horse racing news View the full article

The formidable trainer-jockey combination of Chris Waller and James McDonald continued their dominant run at Royal Randwick, securing their second Group 1 victory on Day 2 of The Championships with the talented mare Fangirl claiming the 2025 Queen Of The Turf Stakes. Just one race after stablemate Via Sistina equalled Winx’s record with her seventh […] The post Waller and McDonald Strike Again as Fangirl Reigns Supreme in Queen Of The Turf 2025 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Chris Waller‘s exceptional import, Via Sistina, etched her name further into racing folklore, equalling the legendary Winx’s remarkable record of seven Group 1 victories in a single season with a dominant performance in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2025 at Royal Randwick. The outstanding daughter of Fastnet Rock ($2F) delivered a third consecutive elite-level victory in […] The post Waller’s Champion Mare Via Sistina Equals Winx’s Record in Queen Elizabeth Stakes Triumph appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

What Wagga Races Where Murrumbidgee Turf Club – Travers St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 When Sunday, April 13, 2025 First Race 12:35pm AEST Visit Dabble Country racing returns to the Murrumbidgee Turf Club on Sunday afternoon, with a competitive eight-part program lined up in the Riverina region. The rail moves out +4m between the 1400m marker to winning post, while the remainder is in the true position. The forecast promises no rainfall across the weekend, and with sunny skies predicted on race-day, punters can expect a genuine Good 4 surface. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 12:35pm local time. Murrumbidgee Cup Tip: Cliff House Cliff House had excuses in the Wellington Cup on March 31, getting too far back and sustaining a long run for home as Aimpoint pinched a winning break at the top of the straight. He was inconvenienced with a hefty weight (61kg) to boot, and although he’ll lug the same weight in the Murrumbidgee Cup (1800m), the son of Starcraft appears set to peak fourth-up into the campaign against what looks inferior opposition. Claiming apprentice Nadia Daniels just need to keep Cliff House out of trouble, and he’ll prove hard to hold out at a good price with Neds. Murrumbidgee Cup Race 6 – #1 Cliff House (4) 6yo Gelding | T: Tim Donnelly | J: Nadia Daniels (a3) (64kg) Best Bet at Wagga: Rose Aye Rose Aye looked all over the winner at Albury on March 20 but was narrowly claimed in the shadows of the post by Spicy Lu. The pair cleared out in a ding-dong go over the 1400m, with Rose Aye just peaking on the run after hitting the front in the final furlong. She maps to do no work from barrier one under Nick Heywood, and provided they can get clear running at a crucial stage, expect Rose Aye to justify the short price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Bet Race 4 – #4 Rose Aye (1) 3yo Filly | T: Matthew Dale | J: Nick Heywood (58kg) Next Best at Wagga: My Inspiration My Inspiration debuts on the back of one impressive barrier trial win at Wagga on March 10, with the daughter of Admire Mars booting clear to score by six lengths on the wire. She did it comfortably under minor urging by Amy O’Driscoll, allowing the unraced two-year-old to stride freely as they turned for home. Barrier three should allow the pair to search for the one-one, and provided she’s been kept up to the task with a month between hit outs, expect My Inspiration to be storming through the line at a good price with . Next Best Race 1 – #11 My Inspiration (3) 2yo Filly | T: Michael Travers | J: Amy O’Driscoll (2kg) (56kg) Best Value at Wagga: Panic Panic debuts for the Matthew Kelley barn after being transferred across from the Michael Freedman camp and gets a perfect opportunity to strike first-up for his new stable. The son of Time Test brings strong metro form into this, and although he was well held in his latest outing at Warwick Farm on March 5, the four-year-old didn’t appreciate being ridden outside the leader on a deteriorating surface. He’s far better searching for cover in behind the speed, and with the firming deck set to bolster his chance, expect Panic to be flashing over the top at a good each-way price with . Best Value Race 7 – #4 Panic (13) 4yo Gelding | T: Matthew Kelley | J: Jeff Penza (59.5kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Wagga Wagga quadrella selections April 13, 2025 7-9-11 1-7-10 2-3-4-7 1-2-7-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Infancy and jason Collett win the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes to end Day 2 of The Championships at Randwick. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au The Kris Lees-trained Infancy ($26) has come with a withering burst to claim the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, closing out Day 2 of The Championships. The daughter of Wandjina was first-up after a 119-day spell; however, did appear primed to strike, being sent around for three barrier trials prior to this first-up assignment. The four-year-old rounded them up impressively from the rear of the field at a massive price with horse racing bookmakers, narrowly spoiling the party for favourite backers as Commemorative () sat three-wide the trip under James McDonald. The race was setup for the back markers to come into play, with the Bjorn Baker-trained Queues Likely () setting a strong tempo under the urgings of Rachel King, while Skirt The Law ($26) sprung the lids to sit on her hammer. Lady Laguna () was stalking the pair the entire straight from gate four and seemingly got every chance to strike at the top of the straight; however, she couldn’t match motors with Commemorative as she pounced to the top. She had to fend off Infancy though, and with the Godolphin filly sustaining a tough run in transit, it was the Australian Bloodstock mare getting the better in the final 50m. Click here for all Randwick replays. Kris Lees was on track to discuss the performance. “She’s a backmarker so you never go in with great confidence. I was confident she was at her best, which she’d need to be against this field,” Lees said. “Got a lovely ride from Jason, he got it right in the first half and was able to peel off and give us some clear air and she did the rest, but she’s got a really good Randwick record. “She’s a backmarker, so if you go through her form, there’s a few hard luck stories amongst it, but she had the luck today. “She’s got a bit more racing, so onwards and upwards. She does like her runs spaced, so we’ll just have her have an easy week and then we’ll decide.” Jason Collett then spoke post-race. “Yeah nice consolation, pace was on, it suited her,” said Collett. “I was hoping to be closer from the gate, I thought on paper we could land that way, but the tempo was strong and just had to let her find her feet and follow the right horse,” Collet said. “I got a great drag into it where I was able to sort of save her up over the hill. When I came off the back of the Commemorative, I knew I’d be a pretty strong late because her turn of foot when held together for that period of time. It’s pretty explosive.” Horse racing news View the full article

Fangirl ridden by James McDonald winning the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Randwick. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Fangirl was one of the heaviest backed runners with horse racing bookmakers during The Championships, and thanks to a 10 out of 10 ride from star jockey James McDonald, the Chris Waller-trained mare took out the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes on Saturday afternoon. The daughter of Sebring jumped as an odds-on favourite at -166.67 with BlondeBet, and even though she was the class horse in the 1600m contest, favourite backers would have been worried when she settled second to last on the rail. As expected, Grinzinger Belle (+1800) took up the lead ahead of Lazzura (+850), while Quickster (+12500) and Sounds Of Heaven (+12500) took up a good position behind the leading duo. Very little changed throughout the race, but as the field went past the 600m mark, the runs started to come from the swoopers, leaving enough space for Atishu (+900) and Fangirl to make up ground along the inside of runners. Fangirl and Atishu made their runs up the inside running rail, and they quickly took over from Lazzura, passing the 200m mark. The two stablemates continued to battle in the concluding stages before Stefi Magnetica (+550) finally got into clear air and charged at them. With James McDonald throwing everything at the eventual winner, she kicked clear of Atishu, and even though Stefi Magnetica charged late, Fangirl held on to win by a length on the line. Click here for all Randwick replays. Chris Waller claimed his second Group 1 of the day, following Via Sistina’s win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and he spoke after Fangirl’s win. “Yeah, an amazing team of owners, that’s a huge thing in itself,” Waller said. “There’s so many great stories with any winner on the racetrack, but the Group 1s on big days like today, it really is special. So I don’t know where to start. “She won her first race in Goulburn during COVID, if I remember. “Yeah, she’s come a long way. Each preparation, she just stands up and she’s counted. “We took a step back today from the Queen Elizabeth, but she’ll get her time in another 2,000m race, I promise you that. “Obviously, today means so much. “We’ve got to have horses winning, and the big races especially. “We would have liked to have had a crack at the Queen Elizabeth, but Via Sistina was flying, and I didn’t want to break her heart.” James McDonald was very happy with the win post-race. “She’s a great mare, love her to bits,” McDonald said. “Just ridden a bit quieter today than what we did last time. “Tried to win last start and she ran well, but back to mares’ grade, it was looking pretty good. “She’s quick, she’s got a lethal 400m, but not 405m. “I thought I’d be there, because last time I drove her up, today I wasn’t going to do that and so I was always going to be curled up somewhere, and I was just going to have to pray that it would open up. “Sometimes when you just let it happen before trying to make it happen, it can be in your favour. “I actually went out there with the mindset that she was a 10-to-1 chance and rode her like that.” Horse racing news View the full article

Via Sistina and James McDonald partner to with the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick. Photo:Bradleyphotos.com.au Via Sistina ($2) has continued to add to her astonishing resume, securing a ninth Group 1 victory in the 2025 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. She was simply too classy for her rivals in the $5 million feature, with the Chris Waller-trained mare bursting clear from the back-half of the field to solidify herself as the best horse in the nation, fending off a gallant Dubai Honour () in the shadows of the post. It was ugly viewing for favourite backers as they sorted the order out, however, with the star mare caught along the inside running rail and a wall of horses in her sight. Deny Knowledge () helped settle the nerves, with the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) runner-up setting a genuine tempo throughout the 2000m journey, as Light Infantry Man ($18) went forward to sit on her outside. Tom Kitten ($16 with Dabble) loomed into the one-one as he backed up from last Saturday’s Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m), while Dubai Honour didn’t have much luck getting into a bumping dual with Japanese raider Rousham Park (). Lindermann ($34) took over as they turned for home and gave the stable companion something to follow into the race as the saloon passage unfolded for Via Sistina as James McDonald pulled the whip at the top of the straight. She was quick to takeover, and while Dubai Honour and Tom Kitten were making some inroads late, they were simply no match for Via Sistina, adding a seventh Group 1 success in the last 12 months, equally the feat of champion mare Winx. Click here for all Randwick replays. An emotional Chris Waller was on track at Randwick to break down the win. “She just keeps turning up every week, I’d like to have a few more like her,” Waller said. “And we have, we’ve got a great team, but she just shows the difference between a good horse and a champion. “It was an economical run, we had the right man aboard. James has continued to mature and not panic, that’s the key to winning these big races. The big jockeys win them all the time, to have one of them on your horse’s back is a big plus for your team. “She’s a big big horse and she’s quite scary really, we don’t ask her too much at home, we just hold it together and know that it’s their raceday. “You’re looking for them to sprint, and when she sprints, the acceleration is there. We’re still getting to know her, it’s as simple as that and she’s well into her twilight years. It’s scary, really, how good she is.” James McDonald spoke post-race and was quick to credit Waller. “Chris just trains her up beautifully every time,” McDonald said. “He did it for a Cox Plate, he’s done it for the Queen Elizabeth. “You could poke holes in her performances coming into today because she hasn’t been winning by big margins, but that’s the type of horse she is now, she only does what she has to. “She felt like she was going to rip away and then at the furlong she’s just doing enough. “Very good horse. There was one little worrying moment, I thought the one I was following was going to kick for a gap and he just didn’t go for it and I ended up back off him, but she was superior, once I got those gaps, she sliced through and went bang.” Horse racing news View the full article

Arapaho Stuns in Sydney Cup, Clocking Record Time in Upset Victory The staying feature on Day 2 of The Championships witnessed a significant upset as Bjorn Baker‘s $20 outsider, Arapaho, defied expectations to claim the Sydney Cup 2025 in emphatic record-breaking fashion. The resilient eight-year-old Lope De Vega gelding, who had finished fourth in the […] The post Sydney Cup 2025 Winner is Arapaho at $20 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Saturday’s Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) capped a remarkable four-win sequence at Trentham for Slipper Island (No Nay Never), whose trainer Tony Pike now has his eye on an even bigger prize at the Wellington track. As recently as January of this year, Slipper Island was an underachiever with a record that fell far short of his talent. The five-year-old son of No Nay Never had won only twice in a 26-start career, with another nine minor placings and a rating languishing in the low 60s. But Pike mapped out a series of sprints down the Trentham chute through the summer and early autumn, and Slipper Island has turned his whole career around with four straight wins. He kicked off the sequence in Rating 65 grade on Wellington Cup Day on January 18, followed by Rating 75 victories on March 2 and again under a 59kg topweight on March 29. Saturday’s $80,000 black-type feature was another big step up in class, but Slipper Island rose to the occasion and carried on his winning way. Slipper Island broke awkwardly from gate three, but soon recovered and took up a midfield position along the rail. When the front-runner Idyllic (No Nay Never) rolled away from the fence coming across on to the course proper, jockey Lily Sutherland drove Slipper Island through on her inside. Slipper Island dashed to the front with 200m remaining and quickly moved two lengths clear of Idyllic, but his job was far from over. Group One winner Pier (NZ) (Proisir) was powering out of the pack, while the talented mare Tomodachi (NZ) (Tarzino) flew home down the extreme outside. The three of them hit the finish line locked together, with Slipper Island maintaining a margin of a half-head over Pier. Tomodachi was the same margin away in third. Slipper Island was offered by Hallmark Stud in Book 1 of Karaka 2021, where Pike Racing bought him for $180,000. He has now had 30 starts for six wins, nine placings and $246,664 in stakes. “He was very good today,” Pike said. “He’s certainly loved that chute at Trentham in his last few starts and has gone to a whole new level. “He’s probably done enough in this preparation now and can go out for a bit of a spell. We’ll see how he comes up next time in, but if he could get to the level of a race like the Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m), that would be a great target to try to aim at.” Slipper Island completed a black-type double on the Trentham card for Sutherland, who made a similar winning move along the inside rail aboard Mehzebeen (NZ) (Almanzor) in the Listed Valley D’Vine Restaurant Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m). View the full article

Te Akau Racing ran rampant at both New Zealand venues on Saturday, culminating in a runaway by Dream Of The Moon (All Too Hard) in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton. The $80,000 three-year-old fillies’ feature was the third win on the Riccarton card for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson. The premiership-leading stable previously had a quinella with Knowledge Is Power (NZ) (Written Tycoon) and Hooray For Harry (Harry Angel) in the Windsor Park Stud RR&B Luncheon & Yearling Sale Rating 65 (1200m), followed by Star Shadow’s (NZ) (Reliable Man) success in the Avon City Ford Rating 65 (1600m). Meanwhile at Trentham, quality staying mare Mehzebeen (NZ) (Almanzor) bounced back from a disappointing Australian campaign with victory in the Listed Valley D’Vine Restaurant Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m). But none of those victories were as dominant as Dream Of The Moon, who added a first black-type win to her CV alongside second placings in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) and Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m), third in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) and fourth in the Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) and Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m). The only blemish in the All Too Hard filly’s form line was a last-start eighth at Riccarton on March 22, after which she was found to have a slow recovery rate. She bounced back in style on Saturday. Dream Of The Moon and rider George Rooke settled in sixth place as Lady Diva (NZ) (Eminent) and Kellanzor (NZ) (Almanzor) showed the way up to the home turn. Rooke had Dream Of The Moon under a firm hold as she cruised up alongside those two rivals in the straight, and the race was over as soon as Rooke pushed the button. Within the space of a few bounds, Dream Of The Moon powered away and opened up a winning margin of three and a quarter lengths over the multiple Group placegetter Connello (NZ) (Time Test). The winner’s stablemate Donna Chiara (NZ) (Belardo) finished another length and a quarter away in third. Bought by David Ellis for A$160,000 from the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Dream Of The Moon has now had 11 starts for three wins, four placings and $165,175 in stakes. “It was a richly deserved stakes win to add to her previous stakes-placed efforts, and she really was dominant today,” said Walker, who has trained 16 Group and Listed winners in partnership with Bergerson this season. “She’s a beautiful filly that Dave (Ellis) bought for a realistic price in Australia, and she’s put together a very good record. Dave has bought so many good yearlings out of the Gold Coast, and she’s proving to be on par with some of those. “It’s great for the ownership group to get that win, and Hunter (Durrant) and the team are doing a fine job at our Riccarton stables. It was a brilliant win and she can now contest the Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m) in a fortnight.” The Warstep Stakes will be run at Riccarton on April 26 and is the final leg of the four-race New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series. Saturday’s win lifted Dream Of The Moon to the top of the table with 11 points. Raziah (NZ) (Niagara) and Pivotal Ten (NZ) (Ten Soverigns) share second spot with 7 points, while Lil Zena (NZ) (US Navy Flag) and Connello have 4 points and Lavender Haze (Dubious), Loose Sally (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) and Donna Chiara (NZ) (Belardo) all have 2. View the full article

Underrated mare Tikki (NZ) (Per Incanto) added to her burgeoning career record when she claimed the feature race for the open handicap speedsters at Riccarton on Saturday, the Commodore Hotel Open Sprint (1200m). The Steven Prince-trained five-year-old had made her mark on tracks with a little give in them around her home province of Otago but Prince wasn’t afraid to bring her to Christchurch to tackle the best on a Good 4 surface after she had finished third in the Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) at the venue in November last year. With leading rider Tina Comignaghi aboard, fresh from an overseas break to visit family and friends, Tikki jumped well before working forward to sit just behind pacemakers Rhonda Wood (NZ) (Redwood) and South Of Houston (Deep Field). Comignaghi pushed the go button at the 350m and she joined South Of Houston before beating off her challenge with 100m to run, as The Radiant One (NZ) (Darci Brahma) closed strongly to take third behind a game South Of Houston who clung on for second. Prince has a high opinion of the mare and has some lofty ambitions for her in her next campaign. “She just keeps stepping up for us and I don’t think she is finished yet although we are going to put her in the paddock now as she has come a long way in this prep,” Prince said. “She had to do plenty of work to get handy today and then she was left in front, but she really knuckled down and Tina said she just has a fantastic will to win. “She ran her last 600m in just over 33 seconds so she has the ability there. “We will give her a good spell and then we will get her back to get ready for races like the Pegasus (Listed, 1000m) and Stewards Stakes (Listed, 1200m) back here in November.” Tikki is raced by a group of Otago mates including Craig Hunter who purchased the Per Incanto filly online from New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2020 National Weanling Sale on gavelhouse.com during the COVID-19 lockdown. Under his pseudonym Wagonwheel, Hunter went to $11,000 to secure the half-sister to stakes performer Princeton Spirit (NZ) (Nadeem), who has now won seven of her 16 starts and just under $173,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Former Kiwi Sergeant Major (NZ) (Proisir) recorded a strong victory in the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday as the three-year-old son of Proisir made a deserved Australian breakthrough. Racing for a syndicate headed by Ozzie Kheir, the Ciaron Maher trained galloper raced prominently throughout and defeated ownership-mate Nostringsattached (Extreme Choice) by just under a half-length. Ridden by Ethan Brown, Sergeant Major sat to the inside of the leader a half-length adrift throughout in what is often an awkward position, but he showed plenty of resilience to run out a ready winner over the concluding stages. A juvenile winner at Trentham last season for original trainer Gavin Sharrock, Sergeant Major was subsequently snapped up by Kheir in a deal brokered by bloodstock agent Melissa Robinson. The gelding has been multiple stakes placed since crossing the Tasman and came out of a strong form race when fourth to the highly talented Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) in the Listed Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) at his previous start. “He’s a horse that has always shown really good ability,” Maher said. “Ozzie and the team found another nice horse over in New Zealand. “I think he will just continue on the path of a few of his other New Zealanders. Each preparation he will just get better. “It was a beautiful ride by Browny (Ethan Brown). He took luck out of it and took the race by the scruff and he was very good.” Maher was unsure of what would come next for the talented three-year-old but a trip north to Queensland could be in the offing. “We will just assess his performance today and how he is,” Maher said. “I have always thought he is going to be a horse that is better in time but we will just assess that. “There is a big race up there (the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap, 1400m) where you do get a light weight as a three-year-old, so we will see how we go.” Sergeant Major was bred and initially raced by Hawera accountant Gavin O’Dea, who retained a small interest in the horse. O’Dea has enjoyed a successful association with Gavin Sharrock through Sergeant Major’s multiple stakes winning brother Soldier Boy (NZ) (Proisir) and their sister Vancooga (NZ) (Proisir), runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). The trio are all of the Ekraar mare Forty Love and by Rich Hill Stud stallion Proisir, who is the sire of 6.5 percent stakes winners to runners. Sergeant Major is the 23rd individual stakes winner for the high-class stallion, with six of those Group One winners. View the full article

A brilliant rails hugging ride by apprentice Lily Sutherland combined with the never-say-die attitude of progressive stayer Mehzebeen proved the key to the finish of a thrilling running of the Listed Valley D’Vine Restaurant Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) at Trentham. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared five-year-old mare certainly enjoys the scenery at Trentham having placed at her only two appearances there prior to Saturday including finishing second to Pennyweka in the 2023 Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). The daughter of Almanzor had franked her staying potential with a winning double at Riccarton last November where she claimed the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) and Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) in consecutive weeks, however she was overlooked a little by punters at Trentham as she started an $11 chance despite having finished third in the New Zealand St Leger (2600m) at her last start. Sutherland wasn’t afraid to take the initiative from barrier rise as she went to the lead on the mare leaving the straight before relinquishing that position with 1200m to run when tackled by Final Return. Turning for home Mehzebeen was trucking along nicely and Sutherland dived underneath Final Return at the 200m and sent the mare for home as she sprinted clear before holding out the strong late challenges of Nereus and Orlov by threequarters of a length at the line. Te Akau Racing Manager Reece Trumper revealed the pre-race tactics from Bergerson were to head forward with the mare and they had paid a handsome dividend. “Sam and I spoke this morning and he said Plan A was to push forward and then get a breather if Final Return went around and took over,” Trumper said. “Luckily when she (Sutherland) was going to come to the outside the inside run came and it was a great ride by Lily. While she is the leading apprentice in the country she is also one of the best jockeys as well. “The owners allowed us to bring her (Mehzebeen) home when she didn’t measure up in Australia and let us keep her racing and now they have been rewarded. “Unfortunately, one of her owners (Xavier Kos) is in surgery at the moment after a serious car crash and I’m sure when he wakes up he will be absolutely thrilled.” Sutherland admitted she may have to spend some time with the judicial committee later in the day regarding her movement on the winner in the straight but was thrilled to get the victory. “We got to the front fairly easily and as she has lead before we just cruised along and then got some cover (behind Final Return),” she said. “I may have carved up one in the straight to get her out but she has gone really well. “When she quickens up she does it well and I knew she has a good turn of foot. “I’m thankful to the whole team at Te Akau Racing and I’m just lucky to be on her.” Mehzebeen was bred by Pencarrow Thoroughbreds and offered in their draft at Karaka 2021, where she was bought for $50,000 by Danny Rolston, who was previously Director of Sales for New Zealand Bloodstock and is these days Executive Manager, International Sale / Owners Advisory Services for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. She has now won six of her 23 starts and over $556,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Samantha Finnegan picked up her first winner as a trainer when flying filly Bona Sforza (Written By) swept home on debut to take out the Listed Riccarton Park Function Centre Welcome Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton. Finnegan moved back to New Zealand last year with husband Francis and their young family and have based themselves in Palmerston North where Samantha prepares their small team of just two runners. Bona Sforza was belatedly having her first start after missing a run at Tauherenikau when the meeting was abandoned before winning an 850m trial at Foxton last month in impressive fashion. The daughter of Written By was undaunted by the reputations and raceday form of her rivals as she began nicely for Ace Lawson-Carroll and settled in fifth behind a hot speed set up by race favourite Zelia. Zelia (Fierce Impact) shook off the majority of her pursuers when she dashed two lengths clear with 300m to run however Lawson-Carroll had the Finnegan runner winding up nicely and she swept past the pacemaker with a determined bid at the 100m, running away to win by two and a half lengths from Zelia with Alottago (Tagaloa) making up many lengths to claim third. Francis Finnegan was on hand at Riccarton and was delighted by the performance by both the filly and his wife. “It’s a pity Samatha isn’t here but we came down expecting it to be off the back of a win but the races got called off when she was saddled up and ready to go on the track,” Finnegan said. “She had won a trial and a jumpout since and Sam has always been a pretty good judge and she has had a great opinion of her. “It’s hard to win any race on debut let alone a stakes race. “I’d like to say a big thanks to the owners as they have let us go and buy a nice filly and hopefully she can progress from here.” Finnegan also hinted that the filly could be seen back at Riccarton in November with a possible Gr.1 New Zealand One Thousand Guineas (1600m) tilt in mind. “The view was that even if she could only place here on debut we just wanted to get her here before November,” he said. “She has had a look around and hopefully we can get back here.” Lawson-Carroll was also taken by the performance and had a cheeky response to the connections of the filly after the race. “She is a really nice filly and Mr Finnegan gave me a lot of confidence before the race and you saw why,” he said. “She got taken back a little bit at the start when she was between horses but once the runs appeared (in the home straight) she burst through and hit the line well. “They did say to me they were looking at the 1000 Guineas so I said you’d better keep me on then.” Purchased for $150,000 by Samantha Finnegan from the Highline Thoroughbreds Book 1 draft at Karaka in 2024, Bona Sforza is out of the stakes placed Snitzel mare Thwayya who won three races during a brief career. View the full article

Apprentice Luke Cartwright landed his first metropolitan Saturday victory when guiding hardy galloper Heavenly Eagle to victory in the Balgownie Bendigo BM70 Handicap (1300m) at the standalone meeting at Bendigo on Saturday. The six-year-old son of Echoes Of Heaven came from well-back in the field to grab Waimarie and leader Prinzerro just on the line in a perfectly timed ride. Prepared by Stephen Brown, Heavenly Eagle has got a good fresh record, with two wins and two placings from five occasions in a fresh state. “We’re all pretty happy,” Elisha Brown said. “He goes really well fresh and when I looked at the price this morning, I thought he was well over the odds. “Luke has ridden the horse before and knows him well and Luke has got a bright future ahead. Apprentice Luke Cartwright notches his first Saturday metropolitan win when partnering Heavenly Eagle. Photo: Grant Courtney “The horse has been a lot of fun for the owners.” With four wins and 11 placings, Heavenly Eagle has been a solid money-spinner for connections since crossing the Tasman. Bred by Frontier Bloodstock, Heavenly Eagle trialed on two occasions for Tony Pike in New Zealand before joining the Brown camp. Jockey Luke Cartwright, who is the younger brother of Matt Cartwright who has really made his mark in New Zealand this season, was delighted to get the victory for the Browns. “I had Stephen Brown Jnr’s voice in the back of my head telling me not to go too early as he has got a really good turn of foot late,” Catrwright said. “I listened to him and pressed the button when the time was right and he timed it to perfection and got the job done late. “I am rapt as it’s my first ever Saturday winner. “Browny (Stephen Brown) has supported me since day dot and he has always been there for me. He is a great person to ride for. He is really cruisy and I know this fella, I have won on him before, and he said to me today to keep it simple, midfield and press the button when he feels right. He really grew another leg today. “I’ll just keep working hard and hopefully I can keep racking up winners whether it’s in the country or the city, it should lead into a nice winter for me.” By Echoes Of Heaven out of a winning Shinko King mare, Heavenly Eagle is a full brother to handy stayer Promised Land. View the full article

Handy stayer Through Irish Eyes was back in the winner’s circle for the first time since prevailing in the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) as a three-year-old when successful at the standalone Bendigo meeting on Saturday. The now seven-year-old son of Tavistock might have delayed his jumping debut with his dominant three-length victory in the Off The Track BM78 Handicap (2400m) under a clever ride by John Allen. The Ciaron Maher-trained stayer was sent forward to lead after it soon became evident the race was being run at slow sectionals and he proved too strong for Steel Run and Inevitable Award. Having recently placed in a hurdle trial, Through Irish Eyes has amassed $496,300 in prizemoney and could potentially be seen at the Warrnambool carnival in either a flat or jumping capacity. His time away from the winner’s circle also included a rehab period from injury. “He has had a couple of jump trials and it can really sweeten up those older horses sometimes,” Allen said. “We knew he was fit and the plan was always to go forward. There was a little bit of pressure early and he didn’t have a lot of tactical speed for the first couple of furlongs. “We were going even time coming out of the straight for the first time and I was happy to go around them and let him find his feet and he did the rest. “They really steadied it up coming out of the straight and with only the six runners there was never going to be a lot of pressure in the race, so I was happy to pop out and make my own luck. “I actually watched his jump trial the other day and he was quite good with Willie McCarthy on his back. They will have a bit of fun with him.” Raced by a group that includes former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen and fellow Kiwi’s Peter Kean and Patrick Harrison, Through Irish Eyes was bred by well-known Australian breeder and owner Jonathan Munz under his GSA Bloodstock banner. He was a $150,000 purchase by former trainer Darren Weir out of the Henley Park draft during the Book 1 sale at Karaka in 2019. A son of Group Three-winning Zabeel mare Zapurple, Through Irish Eyes is a three-quarter brother to stakes placed Anchor Bid. View the full article

A trip to Trentham for Saturday’s Life Direct 2YO (1300m) was something of an afterthought for Peter, Kim and Shaun McKay, but the Matamata family struck gold in the $35,000 race with their bargain buy Faultless (NZ) Tivaci . The McKays and the late Trevor Luke paid just $6,500 to purchase Faultless from the 2024 National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus. The talented Tivaci gelding has now earned $22,070 from a four-start career. Faultless went into Saturday’s race as the $17 outsider in a six-horse field. His three previous races had produced a sixth behind Romanoff (NZ) Belardo at Otaki in November, an eighth in a Te Rapa race in December won by Sweet Ice (NZ) (Frosted), and a last-start fifth to The Espy (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) at Tauranga on March 30. Apprentice jockey Amber Riddell used her 3kg claim to good effect on Saturday, sending Faultless straight to the lead and dictating terms out in front. Faultless looked vulnerable turning into Trentham’s long home straight, hanging out under pressure as challengers loomed alongside him on both sides. But Faultless refused to be passed and lifted again. He hung on for a tenacious half-length win over Rufus (NZ) (Circus Maximus) and Justice For All (NZ) (Turn Me Loose). “He’s not the complete package yet,” said Shaun McKay, who shares ownership of Faultless with his parents and trains in partnership with his father Peter. “He probably needed Amber’s claim to be able to beat these horses today, and she rode him perfectly. She got him to the front and set a nice tempo, and the horse won well. “He’s still very green. We weren’t sure whether to bring him down here for this race today or put him in the paddock, but he was really well in his work. It ended up being the right decision to come here, and I think this trip is going to really bring him on.” Faultless became the 11th winner at Trentham for the McKay training partnership, with five of those wins coming this season. That list is headed by Wolfgang, who won the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and the New Zealand St Leger (2500m). Riddell, who has now racked up 25 winners in her promising career, had her first ride for the McKay stable in Saturday’s juvenile race. “He jumped out well, got to the lead and was just doing it easily,” the 23-year-old said. “He wanted to hang out a bit coming around the bend, then got a bit lost in the straight and hung out some more. But he did it well in the end. “They came up to him, but he fought them off well. I guess the bit of weight off his back helped him.” Faultless is out of the Sacred Falls mare Without Flaw (NZ), who is a half-sister to the stakes winners Kiwi Karma (Fast ‘N’ Famous) and Seaway (Ocean Park). Kiwi Karma was a multiple black-type winner in Singapore and is the dam of two Group Two performers in South Africa. View the full article