Wandering Eyes

With Western Canadian race meets kicking off in May, the 2025 Western Canadian Derby Series returns this season, highlighted by the $100,000 Derby Bonus. The series offers any 3-year-old that sweeps the Manitoba Derby, Canadian Derby and BC Derby a $100,000 bonus. Additionally, a $25,000 Owner/Trainer Bonus will further stoke the competition. The 2025 series begins Aug. 4 at Assiniboia Downs with the $125,000 Manitoba Derby (1 1/8 miles), continues Aug. 23 with the $200,000 Canadian Derby (10 furlongs) at Century Mile, and concludes Sept. 13 with the $125,000 BC Derby (nine furlongs) at Hastings Racecourse. Points for the Owner/Trainer Bonus are awarded per race: 6 for 1st, 4 for 2nd, 3 for 3rd, 2 for 4th, and 1 for 5th or lower. Horses must start in at least two races to qualify. Owners earn points based on each horse's total, while trainers tally points from all their starters' totals. A 3-point All Derby Bonus is added for horses that run in all three races. Following the BC Derby, the bonus will be split, with $12,500 awarded to the top three owners and $12,500 to the top three trainers: 1st Place: $7,000 2nd Place: $3,500 3rd Place: $2,000 For more information, click here. The post Western Canadian Derby Series Returns in 2025 with $100K Derby Bonus; $25K Owner-Trainer Bonus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Kit Gow/TTR AusNZ One of the world's hottest young sires Too Darn Hot (GB) will return to Darley Australia for the 2025 breeding season, where he will stand for a fee of A$275,000 (inc GST). The sire of champion two-year-old colt Broadsiding (Aus), electric juvenile Rivellino (Aus) and a total of 23 stakes winners worldwide was sorely missed last year after a brief illness during the Northern Hemisphere breeding season prompted connections to cancel his travel down under. A stallion who exploded on to the Australasian racing scene with the exploits of Broadsiding in the G1 Champagne Stakes and the G1 JJ Atkins Stakes, Too Darn Hot has been popular from the start. With 10 individual stakes winners in Australia this season alone, Too Darn Hot is poised to back up his champion first-season sire title with a second-season championship as well. “Too Darn Hot is exceptional,” said Andy Makiv, managing director of Godolphin Australia, in a Darley press release. “What he's achieved at this stage in his career is honestly remarkable. He's producing top line stakes performers and his record-breaking feats speak for themselves. “We are excited to welcome Too Darn Hot back to Australia for the 2025 season and are grateful to the Darley team in the UK and Watership Down Stud for entrusting him to us for another season.” With stakes winners across eight countries, 14 of which are Group winners, Too Darn Hot has sired the winners of more Group races than the champions Redoute's Choice (Aus), Fastnet Rock (Aus), I Am Invincible (Aus) and Zoustar (Aus) at the same stage of their careers. His service fee puts him in line with the top ranks of Australia's stallion elite and he has achieved it faster than any of them, with his oldest crop just three. He has been continually popular at the sales; 16 of his 17 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale entries sold with a top price of A$1 million and an average of A$504,375, conceived off a A$44,000 service fee. The remainder of the 2025 Darley Australia roster is to be announced on April 22. The post Too Darn Hot Returns to Darley Australia for 2025 at A$275,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars COLOURFUL KING - R5 (4) Broke through last start and looks to have the tools to keep winning Jay Rooney COLOURFUL KING - R5 (4) Won well last time out and gets another ideal run from good draw Trackwork Spy COLOURFUL KING - R5 (4) Stable is on fire and he is a progressive type who can win again Phillip Woo QUANTUM PATCH - R7 (1) Is a Class Three horse down in Class Four and should be hard to beat Shannon (Vincent Wong) NINJA DERBY - R1 (2) Drops into Class Five and looks ready to produce his best tonight Racing Post Online COLOURFUL KING - R5 (4) Showed a good turn of foot to win over this C&D last start and can repeat Tom Wood FLYING FORTRESS - R8 (10) He has been knocking on the door and tonight he can bash through itView the full article

Steve Asmussen, Stewart Elliott and owner Richard Chandler lead their respective divisions at the conclusion of the 42-day meet at Sam Houston Race Park that wrapped up Sunday. Asmussen won his 17th training title at the northwest Houston racetrack. He was honored as top trainer here in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005; 2014 -2025. Asmussen started 210 runners, finishing with a record of 41 wins, 39 seconds, 24 thirds and earnings of $1,309,988. He added a record-setting sixth victory in Grade 3, $300, Houston Ladies Classic with Winchell Thoroughbred, LLC's Recharge. Mindy Willis had an outstanding meet, finishing second in the standings with 26 victories. Elliott, who rode first call for Asmussen and Willis, rode 56 winners from 223 mounts, earning $1,375,921 and finishing in the money at a 56% clip. DeShawn Parker returned to Sam Houston Race Park this year, finishing second with 36 wins. In a competition that went down to the final race of the season, Dallas resident Richard Chandler secured his first leading owner title with nine victories. Willis accepted the trophy on behalf of Chandler, who clinched the title with In Open Court in Sunday's second race, after the 5-year-old mare rallied for a neck victory under Elliott in the second race of the Apr. 6 program. Karl Broberg, who announced his retirement as a trainer last year, finished second in the standings with eight wins Four owners: Carl Moore Management, LLC, Mansfield Racing, Century Acres Farm and Steve Asmussen tied for third in the standings with six wins each. “We appreciate the Texas Horsemen and Horsemen for their support throughout our meet,” said Bryan Pettigrew, Sam Houston Race Park's Vice President and General Manager. “We had some challenges with weather and working on the new purses and stakes awards, but the Thoroughbred Industry came together and worked through the challenges. I would like to give a special shout out to our Sam Houston Team Members who implemented a new customer service program as we continue to attract new sports fans and horse racing fans. Sam Houston will continue to focus on safety for the horses, jockeys, and patrons. We look forward to welcoming back the Quarter Horses for our live racing season.” The post Asmussen, Elliott, Chandler Top Standings in 2025 Sam Houston Live Racing Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Christopher Head-trained 'TDN Rising Star' Maranoa Charlie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) raced on turbo boost until running out of fuel in last term's G1 Criterium International, but bounced back in style with a pillar-to-post victory in Tuesday's G3 Prix Djebel at Deauville. The G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains entry backed up wide-margin victories here and at Saint-Cloud with an eighth-length tally back at the latter venue's G3 Prix Thomas Bryon in his penultimate start. In command and comfortable on the front end for the most of this straight seven-furlong test, the 6-4 favourite came under pressure when threatened approaching the final furlong and found extra in the latter stages to hold Silius (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Woodshauna (Fr) (Wooded {Ire}) by 1 1/4 lengths and a half-length. Woodshauna was 6 1/2 lengths clear of the remainder. “I loved his attitude today, he settled in front rather than being too keen,” commented Head. “The work we did with him this winter, and the [first-time] hood, certainly helped. He was able to kick on again when challenged and that is also very positive. Physically, he has done well and has strengthened, which he was not capable of doing last year. At the moment, I think he shows more speed than stamina, but I will discuss everything with the owners, who are watching from Australia, before making a decision. He is in the [G1] French 2000 [Guineas] and there are also more speed-oriented options in England. Again, we need to discuss that together.” Maranoa Charlie returns to winning ways in the Prix Djebel! A good front-running performance on his seasonal reappearance for @lemaitre60LA and @CHeadRacing! pic.twitter.com/NovqNbAwGX — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 8, 2025 Pedigree Notes Maranoa Charlie is the second of two reported foals and lone scorer produced by a winning half-sister to G1 Cheveley Park Stakes-winning European champion Tiggy Wiggy (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), herself the dam of G1 Futurity Trophy third Year Of The Tiger (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The April-foaled bay's second dam Kheleyf's Silver (Ire) (Kheleyf) is a half-sister to G3 Norfolk Stakes victor Masta Plasta (Ire) (Mujadil). Tuesday, Deauville, France PRIX DJEBEL-G3, €80,000, Deauville, 4-8, 3yo, c/g, 7fT, 1:23.12, g/s. 1–MARANOA CHARLIE (FR), 128, c, 3, by Wootton Bassett (GB) 1st Dam: Koubalibre (Ire), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Kheleyf's Silver (Ire), by Kheleyf 3rd Dam: Silver Arrow, by Shadeed TDN Rising Star. (€220,000 Ylg '23 ARQAUG). O-Peter Maher, John Baxter & Carl Fitzgerald; B-Haras d'Etreham, Riviera Equine SARL & Gestut Zur Kuste AG (FR); T-Christopher Head; J-Aurelien Lemaitre. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-0, €191,275. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Silius (Ire), 128, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Silasol (Ire), by Monsun (Ger). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (IRE); T-Christophe Ferland. €16,000. 3–Woodshauna (Fr), 128, c, 3, Wooded (Ire)–Tosen Shauna (Ire), by Alhebayeb (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€70,000 Ylg '23 ARQOCT). O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-Haras de Magouet (FR); T-Francis-Henri Graffard. €12,000. Margins: 1 1/4, HF, 6HF. Odds: 1.50, 3.40, 4.90. Also Ran: Arabie (GB), Le Roi Rene (Fr), Tiego The First (Fr), Rosapenna (Fr), Dynamitic (GB). The post Wootton Bassett’s Rising Star Maranoa Charlie Regains Winning Thread in the Djebel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The wraps come off the European breeze-up season on Wednesday at Osarus's La Teste de Buch fixture. A catalogue of just 37 lots – down by more than 50% on last year's entries – has been reduced further by four withdrawals, and the sale is heavily supported by a draft of 14 from John Bourke's Hyde Park Stud, a long-term backer of Osarus. This more gentle introduction to the 2025 round of two-year-old sales is in a sense the calm before the storm. By Sunday, around 160 Craven horses will be having a practice breeze on Newmarket's Rowley Mile before the real thing on Monday morning. Four straight weeks of breeze-up action at Tattersalls, Goffs UK and Arqana will set the tone for bloodstock sales more generally amid some Trump-inspired instability in the global financial markets. Colm Kennedy of Drumphea Stables in Co Carlow has joined Bourke on the pilgrimage to south-west France and will be consigning at Osarus for the first time this week. “It's beautiful down here. No pressure, and it's a great setting with really good yards,” said Kennedy as he prepared to send out his team of three for the practice breeze on Tuesday afternoon. One of that trio, lot 14, is a colt by Sands Of Mali (Fr), who has three members of his first crop entered in Saturday's G3 Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury and was himself an Osarus graduate, from the September Yearling Sale, before becoming a Bansha House breezer at Ascot. “This fella is a fine colt. We didn't actually enter him anywhere else as we didn't know where we'd get in, but the sire is going a very good job,” Kennedy said. “Con Marnane bought Sands Of Mali here so you would imagine he might be popular here.” He continued, “They all travelled a dream, so we'll see what happens. We've a nice Profitable filly and a Soldier's Call filly. They're three nice horses and they're all rock-and-rolling two-year-old types, though the Sands Of Mali should improve as he's a big horse – he's probably 16 hands and a good, solid horse.” Kennedy was not alone in finding it tougher to claim sales slots for his breezers in recent seasons and said that he has adjusted his operation accordingly. “After this, we've one going to the Guineas and one going to Fairyhouse,” he noted. “We've cut back. I couldn't get horses in the sales the last few years, even ones we'd paid a good few quid for.” He is, however, optimistic for the season ahead despite the general uncertainty prompted by the instigation of President Trump's tariffs on the EU and UK. “A lot of wealthy people would have got stung yesterday on the stock markets but people will always buy horses; there's always an appetite for horses,” he said. Horses for the Osarus sale breeze on the turf track at La Teste de Buch at 9am on Wednesday, and the sale gets underway from 1pm local time. The post Breeze-up Season Gets ‘Rock-and-Rolling’ at Osarus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

BH Interview with Roderick WachmanView the full article

Smart speedster chases back-to-back wins at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.View the full article

Awapuni’s newly renovated grass track was given the tick of approval following Tuesday’s trials at the Palmerston North venue. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Talented stayer Sword In Stone appreciated a stretch of the legs on Awapuni’s renovated grass surface ahead of Saturday’s Listed Valley D’Vine Restaurant Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) at Trentham. The Redwood gelding stepped out in the first of 11 trials at the Palmerston North venue on Tuesday, where jockey Kavish Chowdhoory allowed him to cruise along comfortably in midfield through the mid-stages. When in clear air down the straight, Sword In Stone ran down the leader with ease and powered through the line to take the heat by 1-1/2 lengths. “He hasn’t raced since the Auckland Cup (Group 2, 3200m) and I felt that he needed a bit of a blowout, and with Palmerston on our back doorstep, it was nice to be able to take him there,” co-trainer Stephen Gray said. “I thought he trialled beautifully. “I took him up to Waverley last Friday, and he had a nice gallop between races there, and then he had a quiet weekend, so I thought another quiet trial would bring him on for Wellington.” The evergreen nine-year-old finished seventh in the two-mile feature on Champions Day, a more than satisfactory result for the multiple-Group One performer in Hong Kong. “He went so well in the Auckland Cup; he just went terrific, and we were rapt,” Gray said. “I know he only ran seventh, but for a nine-year-old coming back from Hong Kong to run like he did, I thought he was great. I looked ahead at what could suit, and I thought this race (Hawke’s Bay Cup) would be a better choice than the St Leger, so I freshened him up and he’s had a couple of nice trips away, so he’s ready to go again. “I just hope it doesn’t get too wet down there.” Gray, who trains in partnership with his father, Kevin, couldn’t have been happier with the presentation of Awapuni, which copped plenty of rain through the morning and early afternoon. “I thought the track was amazing at Awapuni; it was beautiful,” he said. “It was very exciting. I’ve only been back (in New Zealand) for about seven months, but the rest of the racing fraternity, the owners and trainers in there, and all of the participants in the CD have been through a lot lately and are looking forward to getting Awapuni going again. “It was quite heavily raining, and the track held up well; it wasn’t slippery. It was a credit to everyone involved, and hopefully it all unfolds later in the season to be of great service.” The Copper Belt Lodge stable had three of their fellow Trentham representatives at Awapuni earlier in the morning, including promising three-year-old Albarossa and stakes contenders Idyllic and Silent Is Gold. “I took those three horses into Awapuni this morning, and RACE provided the track for us to use, which was great, and it presented very well at the trials,” Gray said. Albarossa was among a five-horse finish in the three-year-old race on Sires’ Produce Day, finishing just half a length from stakes winner Super Photon. A potential shot at the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) is now on the table for the son of Vino Rosso, who will contest the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1100m) on Saturday. “Albarossa is a very promising horse. I thought he went huge the other day fresh-up in that field,” Gray said. “He’ll appreciate a bit of easing in the tracks, and I think it’s a good race for him. Hopefully he can prove himself to go up for the Cambridge Breeders.” The meeting was initially set to be held at Otaki, which would’ve been a better fit for Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) contender Idyllic. Known for her scorching early pace, Idyllic has been most effective over courses such as Otaki, Tauherenikau, and Awapuni, but the unique Trentham dogleg hasn’t been her friend in previous attempts. “Unfortunately, Idyllic doesn’t perform as well at Wellington as she can; it just seems to find her out,” Gray said. “We were hoping the races were going to be at Otaki but unfortunately that hasn’t happened, so that’s probably her disadvantage. “She did the trial magnificently at Foxton the other day, and she’s in great order; she’ll run very well, but it’s just unfortunate for the connections that it’s been transferred. “Trentham has taken a lot of big races, and she would’ve been very competitive at Otaki. But it is what it is, and we’ll just see how we go.” Her stablemate Silent Is Gold will also take his place in the $80,000 feature after performing commendably in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) last start. “He went great; (Michael) McNab (jockey) said he just over-raced with the blinkers on for the first time, and he gave me a bit of a tune-up, saying I shouldn’t have put them on,” Gray quipped. “We’ll take them off again this week. “He’s a great little horse; he’s honest and will run well. It’s just whether he’s good enough.” Since returning from Singapore, the seven-time winner is yet to get on the board in New Zealand but has recorded three runner-up finishes in five attempts. Horse racing news View the full article

Awapuni trainer Roydon Bergerson. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Awapuni’s renovated grass track was given its biggest test on its return when it held 11 heats of trials under torrential rain on Tuesday. The track held up well, and the trial meeting concluded without incident, much to the satisfaction of local trainers, including Roydon Bergerson. “It was thumbs up from everybody; it was just great to get back there,” Bergerson said. “It poured with rain before the first heat, and if a horse were to slip, it would have been today, but they got around that corner really well, and all of the jockeys were happy. There wasn’t as much kickback, and that track held up really well. Everyone was happy in the end.” Bergerson recorded two trial wins, including with his former top juvenile Wolverine, who took out her 1000m heat by a nose over Old Town Road. The daughter of Tivaci won her first three races for Bergerson as a two-year-old, including the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) and Group 2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) before finishing runner-up in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). She continued her racing career in Australia for trainer Kris Lees and Australia Bloodstock, for whom she placed on five occasions, including the Gr.2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m), Listed Canberra Guineas (1400m), Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m), Listed Daybreak Lover (1400m) and Listed Princess Stakes (1619m). She was then purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for A$850,000, but failed to fire on her New Zealand return and returned to Bergerson’s care earlier this year. Bergerson is pleased to have Wolverine back in his barn, and he has been satisfied with her progress, eyeing a tilt at the Gr.3 Rotorua ITM Stakes (1400m) at Arawa Park next month as her first-up assignment. “It is nice to have her back, and she has come back in good condition,” Bergerson said. “She had a decent spell, which is probably what she needed, and she has really matured into a really good-looking five-year-old mare. “She will probably gallop between races here (Awapuni) on ANZAC Day and may have another trial at Waipukurau, and on the 10th of May there is a weight-for-age fillies and mares race at Rotorua which will probably be her kick-off. “She is really sound and happy at the moment, so long may it continue.” Bergerson was also pleased with stablemate Reservoir’s 1200m trial victory on Tuesday and is looking to step him up to 1400m for his race day debut on the advice of apprentice jockey Jim Chung. “He has just taken a lot of time,” Bergerson said of the three-year-old son of El Roca. “We put the blinkers on him to help with his confidence. He was travelling in amongst them, but he was just frightened of other horses. We kicked him out of the barriers today and put the blinkers on him and he held on quite well. “Jimmy said he probably needs a bit more ground, so we will look to run him in a 1400m race somewhere.” Bergerson is looking forward to racing returning to his home track on ANZAC Day and said it has been a trying last couple of years having the track out of commission for renovation work. “It has been amazing the success the Awapuni horses have had not having a proper course or grass to gallop on,” he said. “It is really good to have nice grass to gallop on and a proper course to race on now. We did go through hell for a while but now everything is tickety-boo. “There’s nothing like getting up and going across the road to the races. We have really missed it all for the last two summers. The closest ones (raceday tracks) were Otaki, Wanganui, and Woodville. It’s good to save the owners a bit of money now too, so it will be good to get back here on ANZAC Day.” Horse racing news View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Could Sam Snead be the omen bet at Addington’s midweek meeting on Wednesday? The Joseph Gray-trained five-year-old lines up in race 7, the Book Now for Anzac Day Racing and League Mobile Pace (7.15pm) just days before the world’s best golfers compete in the first major of the year, the Masters at Augusta Georgia, a tournament the great Sam Snead won three times between 1949 and 1954. The closest Gray’s horse has come to winning has been two thirds at Addington on March 19 and at Ashburton a week later. Last start he was seventh behind Arthur Shelby at Addington last Friday. “In his last start he ran home (last 800) in 57 and a bit,” says Gray, “I’d say he’d be a good chance and one of the favourites.” “He hasn’t got a lot of high speed and is more of a staying type but he’s going to win one soon.’ He opened an $11 joint third favourite behind Shapely ($2.40) and Melton Enforcer ($2.15). Gray has three runners on the day and reckons “with any luck they are all good each way chances”. King Arthur gets things started in race 1, the IRT. Your Horse. Our Passion Mobile Pace for the amateur drivers. A $3.60 favourite he’ll be driven by Dan Roberts. He’s drawn ideally at three. “His best chance is to get across. He needs the pegs so he can lead or trail,” says Gray, “he loves to get out and rolling.” Motor Mouth, a nine race winner with a similar racing style, will start in Race 3, the Allied Security Mobile Pace. After a last start seventh he’s at $15 in the market with the Michael House-trained Didjashoutthebar a $3.60 favourite.” “He’s had issues with feet and has had some time out and he’s building fitness,” says Gray of Motor Mouth, ” but I was happy with his last start and he shouldn’t be far away in that field.” In keeping with the golf theme, the eight race programme tees off at Addington at 4.31pm. View the full article

A good performance from Von Hauke (NZ) (Savabeel) in Saturday’s Listed Golden Mile at Bendigo would set the Cliff Brown-trained gelding up for another interstate trip. Mornington-based Brown said a trip to Queensland is on the cards for Von Hauke, who is first scheduled to run in Victoria in Saturday’s 1600-metre feature at Bendigo after competing interstate in Sydney at his most recent start in the Gr.2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) second-up at Rosehill on March 15. The five-year-old gelding finished second-last in the Ajax Stakes after racing keenly in the middle stages in an on-pace-dominated event, but he was doing his best work late and Brown believes there was merit in the performance. “I thought he was very good in that race, nothing went right,” Brown said. “I actually thought his last furlong was really good considering the run he had. “He had a jumpout last week and he jumped out well. “He’s in good order so I think he’ll run well.” Von Hauke finished a close fourth in a five-horse jumpout over 800m at Mornington last Wednesday, which was won by Miss Icelandic but also featured Giga Kick, Tropicus and Ameena in what was a bunched finish. “I thought he actually went really well,” Brown said. Brown said the Golden Mile hadn’t originally been in his plans for Von Hauke this autumn but believes it can be a stepping stone to a Queensland campaign. “I want to run him here and then we’ll go to Brisbane,” he said. “We’ll just see how we go on Saturday, but providing he runs well, we’ll go to Brisbane and try to find a race up there.” The trainer said he hasn’t got any Queensland races locked in yet but will look to find a suitable assignment for him. He didn’t rule out the possibility of Von Hauke earning a crack at a Stradbroke Handicap if he really steps up. “He could be (a Stradbroke horse), if he’s good enough,” he said. “But he needs to be doing it. “I think he’s quite a nice horse where nothing has gone right. “Even last preparation nothing went right. He was unlucky in the Crystal Mile (finishing fourth). “He’d had enough in the Cranbourne Cup. He got trapped wide, but he’d had enough.” Von Hauke was among 26 nominations released on Monday for Saturday’s A$200,000 Golden Mile and Brown said Jamie Mott will take the ride. “I think he’s in a really good spot,” Brown said of Von Hauke, whose most recent win came in the Gr.3 Shaftsbury Avenue Handicap (1400m) at Flemington 13 months ago. View the full article

Jockey Matthew Poon worked two key Champions Day hopes in barrier trials on Tuesday ahead of the HK$74 million showcase on 27 April at Sha Tin. Stepping out in the first heat ahead of a possible HK$22 million Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) return, Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) broke smoothly from the wide draw before picking up between runners to win in 57.95s over 1000m on turf at Sha Tin. “I think with every trial he is getting better and better. Now he is almost ready to race, if he pulls up well, then he is almost ready to race,” Poon said. Lucky Sweynesse hasn’t competed since April 2024 when he had surgery on his left front fetlock after he was injured when winning the 2024 Gr.2 Sprint Cup. He is a 16-time winner – including four times at Group 1 level – from 24 career starts in Hong Kong. Ahead of a budding clash with Australian star Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) in the HK$24 million Gr.1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m), Ricky Yiu’s Voyage Bubble impressed Poon as he crossed in first over the mile on turf in 1m 36.68s. “He jumped super, he knows what to do – he travelled nicely and relaxed. I just asked him a little bit and he quickens. How good is that? He’s so relaxed, he jumps super and then next to other horses he can switch off, save energy and then you give him a little signal and he just goes,” Poon said. Meanwhile jockey Jerry Chau seeks wins at consecutive fixtures when he gets the leg up on Super Joy N Fun (NZ) (What’s The Story) in the Class 3 Ho Man Tin Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday for trainer Benno Yung. The pair missed by three quarters of a length last start on 19 March. “Last time he had a good draw and we found the perfect position. He finished well and he always tries hard,” Chau said. “Before last time we put him at Sha Tin and tried the 1400 metres – he didn’t show better (form) than at Happy Valley, that’s why we’re back to his best distance and course.” View the full article

Steve speaks with kiwi Fraser Auret. Who bred and owned the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising but sold for not a lot of money. Fraser Auret 08.04.2025 – Racing HQ with Steve Hewlett – Apple Podcasts View the full article

Talented stayer Sword In Stone (NZ) (Redwood) appreciated a stretch of the legs on Awapuni’s renovated grass surface ahead of Saturday’s Listed Valley D’Vine Restaurant Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) at Trentham. The Redwood gelding stepped out in the first of 11 trials at the Palmerston North venue on Tuesday, where jockey Kavish Chowdhoory allowed him to cruise along comfortably in midfield through the mid-stages. When in clear air down the straight, Sword In Stone ran down the leader with ease and powered through the line to take the heat by 1-1/2 lengths. “He hasn’t raced since the Auckland Cup (Gr.2, 3200m) and I felt that he needed a bit of a blowout, and with Palmerston on our back doorstop, it was nice to be able to take him there,” co-trainer Stephen Gray said. “I thought he trialled beautifully. “I took him up to Waverley last Friday and he had a nice gallop between races there, and then he had a quiet weekend, so I thought another quiet trial would bring him on for Wellington.” The evergreen nine-year-old finished seventh in the two-mile feature on Champions Day, a more than satisfactory result for the multiple-Group One performer in Hong Kong. “He went so well in the Auckland Cup, he just went terrific, and we were rapt,” Gray said. “I know he only ran seventh, but for a nine-year-old coming back from Hong Kong to run like he did, I thought he was great. I looked ahead at what could suit and I thought this race (Hawke’s Bay Cup) would be a better choice than the St Leger, so I freshened him up and he’s had a couple of nice trips away, so he’s ready to go again. “I just hope it doesn’t get too wet down there.” Gray, who trains in partnership with his father Kevin, couldn’t have been happier with the presentation of Awapuni, which copped plenty of rain through the morning and early afternoon. “I thought the track was amazing at Awapuni, it was beautiful,” he said. “It was very exciting, I’ve only been back (in New Zealand) for about seven months but the rest of the racing fraternity, the owners and trainers in there and all of the participants in the CD have been through a lot lately and are looking forward to getting Awapuni going again. “It was quite heavily raining and the track held up well, it wasn’t slippery. It was a credit to everyone involved and hopefully it all unfolds later in the season to be of great service.” The Copper Belt Lodge stable had three of their fellow Trentham representatives at Awapuni earlier in the morning, including promising three-year-old Albarossa and stakes contenders Idyllic and Silent Is Gold. “I took those three horses into Awapuni this morning and RACE provided the track for us to use, which was great, and it presented very well at the trials,” Gray said. Albarossa (Vino Rosso) was among a five-horse finish in the three-year-old race on Sires’ Produce Day, finishing just half a length from stakes winner Super Photon. A potential shot at the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) is now on the table for the son of Vino Rosso, who will contest the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1100m) on Saturday. “Albarossa is a very promising horse, I thought he went huge the other day fresh-up in that field,” Gray said. “He’ll appreciate a bit of easing in the tracks and I think it’s a good race for him. Hopefully he can prove himself to go up for the Cambridge Breeders.” The meeting was initially set to be held at Otaki, which would’ve been a better fit for Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) contender Idyllic (No Nay Never). Known for her scorching early pace, Idyllic has been most effective over courses such as Otaki, Tauherenikau and Awapuni, but the unique Trentham dogleg hasn’t been her friend in previous attempts. “Unfortunately, Idyllic doesn’t perform as well at Wellington as she can, it just seems to find her out,” Gray said. “We were hoping the races were going to be at Otaki but unfortunately that hasn’t happened, so that’s probably her disadvantage. “She did trial magnificently at Foxton the other day and she’s in great order, she’ll run very well but it’s just unfortunate for the connections that it’s been transferred. “Trentham has taken a lot of big races, and she would’ve been very competitive at Otaki. But it is what it is and we’ll just see how we go.” Her stablemate Silent Is Gold (Star Turn) will also take his place in the $80,000 feature after performing commendably in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) last-start. “He went great, (Michael) McNab (jockey) said he just over-raced with the blinkers on for the first time and he gave me a bit of a tune up saying I shouldn’t have put them on,” Gray quipped. “We’ll take them off again this week. “He’s a great little horse, he’s honest and will run well, it’s just whether he’s good enough.” Since returning from Singapore, the seven-time winner is yet to get on the board in New Zealand but has recorded three runner-up finishes in five attempts. View the full article

Awapuni’s renovated grass track was given its biggest test on its return when it held 11 heats of trials under torrential rain on Tuesday. The track held up well and the trial meeting concluded without incident, much to the satisfaction of local trainers, including Roydon Bergerson. “It was thumbs up from everybody, it was just great to get back there,” Bergerson said. “It poured with rain before the first heat and if a horse were to slip it would have been today, but they got around that corner really well and all of the jockeys were happy. There wasn’t as much kick-back and that track held up really well. Everyone was happy in the end.” Bergerson recorded two trial wins, including with his former top juvenile Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci), who took out her 1000m heat by a nose over Old Town Road. The daughter of Tivaci won her first three races for Bergerson as a two-year-old, including the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) and Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) before finishing runner-up in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). She continued her racing career in Australia for trainer Kris Lees and Australia Bloodstock, for whom she placed on five occasions, including the Gr.2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m), Listed Canberra Guineas (1400m), Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m), Listed Daybreak Lover (1400m) and Listed Princess Stakes (1619m). She was then purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for A$850,000, but failed to fire on her New Zealand return, and returned to Bergerson’s care earlier this year. Bergerson is pleased to have Wolverine back in his barn, and he has been satisfied with her progress, eyeing a tilt at the Gr.3 Rotorua ITM Stakes (1400m) at Arawa Park next month as her first-up assignment. “It is nice to have her back and she has come back in good condition,” Bergerson said. “She had a decent spell, which is probably what she needed, and she has really matured up into a really good looking five-year-old mare. “She will probably gallop between races here (Awapuni) on ANZAC Day, and may have another trial at Waipukurau, and on the 10th of May there is a weight-for-age fillies and mares race at Rotorua which will probably be her kick-off. “She is really sound and happy at the moment, so long may it continue.” Bergerson was also pleased with stablemate Reservoir’s (NZ) (El Roca) 1200m trial victory on Tuesday and is looking to step him up to 1400m for his raceday debut on the advice of apprentice jockey Jim Chung. “He has just taken a of time,” Bergerson said of the three-year-old son of El Roca. “We put the blinkers on him to help with his confidence. He was travelling in amongst them, but he was just frightened of other horses. We kicked him out of the barriers today and put the blinkers on him and he held on quite well. “Jimmy said he probably needs a bit more ground, so we will look to run him in a 1400m race somewhere.” Bergerson is looking forward to racing returning to his home track on ANZAC Day and said it has been a trying last couple of years having the track out of commission for renovation work. “It has been amazing the success the Awapuni horses have had not having a course proper or grass to gallop on,” he said. “It is really good to have nice grass to gallop on and a course proper to race on now. We did go through hell for a while but now everything is tickety-boo. “There’s nothing like getting up and going across the road to the races. We have really missed it all for the last two summers. The closest ones (raceday tracks) were Otaki, Wanganui and Woodville. It’s good to save the owners a bit of money now too, so it will be good to get back here on ANZAC Day.” View the full article

John O’Shea has delayed a decision on the immediate future of Randwick Guineas champion Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) as he weighs up the merits of continuing his impressive three-year-old campaign. O’Shea and training partner Tom Charlton have decided against putting Linebacker up against hot favourite Via Sistina in Saturday’s Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick, but O’Shea confirmed on Tuesday that other options this campaign remain alive. “I think if Via Sistina wasn’t to run, we probably would have backed up on Saturday,” O’Shea said. “She’s running so we’re not. There’s a lot to think about and discuss. We just want to take a steady approach to how we move forward.” Linebacker got back in the ruck in last Saturday’s Doncaster Mile, before unleashing a big final sprint to be beaten just over a length in a performance that will stay with O’Shea for some time to come. “We were so proud of his run,” he said. “I think it will probably always go down in my mind as the one that got away. “But looking ahead, he’s not going to go this Saturday. There’s All Aged (Stakes), there’s the Frank Packer Plate, there’s the Stradbroke Handicap, so I haven’t really ruled out anything. “I don’t want to be rushed and just see how the week pans out. “He came through it well. We’ve got one eye on the spring with regard to Golden Eagle and the King Charles, so all those things are in our thinking so we’re trying to work out what’s in his best interests and how to get there. “I think the thing that has added to the discussion is the one thing that we learned from last week is that he now looks like he will be effective at 10 furlongs (2000m).” View the full article

Otago (NZ) (Ocean Park) will make his return to racing at Bendigo this Saturday, but do not go looking for the one-time Australian Guineas favourite among the entries for the day’s features. Co-trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr have selected the $80,000 benchmark 70 as the likely kick-off point for the four-year-old, who will be having his first start in more than 13 months. It will be a return to where it all began for Otago, who created a massive boom when he won a 1300m Bendigo maiden in December 2023, and Kent said Saturday’s priority was to get him through safe and sound. “He’s morphed into a beautiful, big, strong four-year-old and he’s probably going to take the run on Saturday given it’s his first run back in over a year,” Kent said. “Hence, we’re probably going to aim him at the benchmark 70 over 1300 with a claim, hoping that his class might get him there, but realistically he’s going to improve a lot for the run. “He won on debut at Bendigo over 1300, so we think that suits, but if he gets beaten for a lack of fitness late that won’t perturb us for what we’ve got in store for him. “As long as he gets back to the races, runs well, hits out properly and pulls up well, then we can look forward to going up in trip second-up.” Otago, who races under the Roll The Dice colours, has also been nominated for the $130,000 BM84 over 1300m. The Kiwi-bred won at Flemington the start after his maiden, which catapulted him up Australian Guineas markets, then ran fourth as favourite in the Gr.3 C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) before finishing down the track in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m). The son of Ocean Park later suffered what Kent described as a ‘high-end stress injury’ but has been given a long build-up in his return with two 1000m Cranbourne jumpouts resulting in sixth and fourth placings on March 17 and 24. “Those injuries typically heal really well and it’s not normally a problem for them, but he’s had a long, slow build-up and you can’t replace race fitness with what you do at home,” Kent said. “We haven’t crunched the horse at home, he’s just been brought up nice and slowly, everything’s been on the bridle, and I thought he trialled quite nicely at Cranbourne. “He’s got a really nice benchmark rating and, knowing where his ability’s at, we should be able to go through the grades with him but there are no ambitious plans at this stage.” Otago will add intrigue to the Bendigo program that is headlined by the A$200,000 Listed Golden Mile (1600m), but also features the A$200,000 Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m), A$150,000 Bendigo Gold Bracelet (1400m) and A$250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush (1000m). View the full article

Te Akau principal David Ellis. Photo: Trish Dunell Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis was once again to the fore in the sales ring this week, but this time at Inglis’ Easter Yearling Sale in Sydney. On Monday he went to A$1 million to secure lot 398, the Snitzel colt out of Group One performer Harlow Gold, from the draft of Glenlogan Park. His dam was a $200,000 New Zealand Bloodstock yearling sale purchase and went on to win two races for trainers David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, and was runner-up in the Group 1 Victoria Oaks (2500m) and Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), and also placed in the Group 3 Vanity Stakes (1400m). Ellis was impressed by the presence of the colt, and he was delighted to secure him for the seven-figure sum. “He’s an outstanding colt, classically stamped with all the qualities of his sire, Snitzel, and would have to be among the top colts I’ve seen on any sales grounds in the past 12 months,” Ellis said. “He’s really imposing, fills the eye, has great conformation, and we were absolutely delighted to be able to buy him. “He just looks a natural two-year-old, a big powerful boy, with the quality to be a Golden Slipper colt if everything went to plan. “He’ll be trained by Mark Walker at our stables at Cranbourne, and I know the team there will be very excited to have a colt of this quality to work with. “He’s a stunner and it’s hard not to be get ahead of ourselves, but he really does possess all the right attributes.” Ellis bought two other yearlings at the sale, including lot 209, the I Am Invincible filly out of stakes winner Talaria, for A$450,000, and lot 248, the Street Boss filly out of stakes winner Vienna Miss, for $180,000. Horse racing news View the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, April 9, 2025 First Race 6:40pm HKT (8:40pm AEST) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Happy Valley on Wednesday evening, with a competitive nine-part program set for decision. The rail is back in the A course, and with no significant rainfall predicted, punters can expect a Good 4 surface for the meeting. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 6:40pm HKT. Best Bet at Happy Valley: Loveisintheair Loveisintheair appears set to peak third-up after two moderate runs at this course and distance. The son of Street Boss has been forced back from barriers seven and eight in both starts, holding ground to suggest he’s closing in on a win. Hugh Bowman needs to utilise barrier two in an attempt to slot into the one-one, and in a race that appears to have limited chances, Loveisintheair has the upside to take care of this lot. Best Bet Race 2 – #4 Loveisintheair (2) 3yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Hugh Bowman (58kg) Next Best at Happy Valley: Casa Rochester Casa Rochester had no luck at this track and trip on March 19, sucking the air three wide without cover throughout the journey. The Redwood gelding was game in defeat, however, sticking on to finish within 2.5 lengths of Sunday’s Serenade, who got the saloon passage along the inside. Casa Rochester appears poised to turn the tables on some key challengers coming through that form line, and provided Hugh Bowman can slot in for cover, this guy must be considered the one to beat. Next Best Race 7 – #3 Casa Rochester (8) 4yo Gelding | T: Mark Newnham | J: Hugh Bowman (60kg) Best Value at Happy Valley: Casa Of Honor Formerly known as Perennial in Australia, Casa Of Honor looks primed to strike on his Hong Kong debut. He looked great in back-to-back trial wins leading into this and has always given the impression of a horse with above-average ability, claiming five wins and two minor placings across his eight starts before moving to the Michael Chang barn. Expect Matthew Poon to slide across from the widest gate (10), and if this guy has any luck, Casa Of Honor will give a bold sight at an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 5 – #5 Casa Of Honor (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Michael Chang | J: Matthew Poon (57kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Happy Valley Happy Valley quadrella selections April 9, 2025 1-3-6-9 1-3-4-5-8 1-2-9-10 3-4-5-7-8 Horse racing tips View the full article

The Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA), which was created in 2023 by the state to oversee the rebuilding of the 'Home of the Preakness' at Pimlico, will be terminated as of June 30, according to an article published in the Maryland Daily Record Apr. 4 . The piece says that a provision tucked into the state budget bills during final negotiations put the authority on ice and shifts its responsibilities to the Maryland Stadium Authority and the Maryland Economic Development Corporation. As previously reported by the TDN, the MTROA was tasked with overseeing the transition of the industry from a heavily-subsidized but privately run sport into an entity that was intended to be managed by the state. The Stronach Group that owned Pimlico agreed to turn over the property to the state, which will soon embark on a massive, taxpayer-financed renovation once next month's Preakness is run. A state-created nonprofit that adopted the historic name Maryland Jockey Club took over the responsibility of running races in the state beginning in January, though no board was serving in an oversight capacity. The Daily Record article goes on to state that the MTROA–a volunteer panel led by attorney Greg Cross from the Venable law firm–was expected to officiate racing until 2029. However, it will end operations this summer, which the piece says will remove nearly $3.5 million in annual salary and operating costs from the state budget. The article relates that the change is not expected to have any impact on the state's renovation plans at Pimlico. Maryland House Ways and Means Chair Vanessa Atterbeary was quoted in the Daily Record as saying, “We just wanted some more oversight to be able to understand and know what's going on in real time, which wasn't happening.” Neither top lawmakers nor Gov. Wes Moore's office explained how–or why–the provision was inserted into the budget. In an Apr. 6 article published by The Baltimore Banner, State Senator Guy Guzzone, a Howard County Democrat who is chair of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, said, “There is a belief that we will get a lot better results and more accomplished by shifting some of the authority to some known entities, and that's what we're doing,” As for Greg Cross, he told The Banner that the timing was right because the MTROA had “almost totally completed” the tasks it had to accomplish. The post Maryland Nixes Authority Charged With Pimlico Rebuild appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Alalcance winning the Group 3 Chairman’s Quality. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au The Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) has attracted a capacity field of 20 on Day 2 of The Championships at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, where the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Alalcance is on the one-week backup after a dominant victory in the Group 2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m). The daughter of Mastercraftsman holds the call at $2.50 with horse racing bookmakers as she looks to remain undefeated for the preparation, going in search of a four-straight victory and securing a maiden Group 1 triumph. Tim Clark will continue his association with the impressive five-year-old mare as the pair disengage from barrier 15. The James Cummings-trained Zardozi is on the second line of betting at as she returns to Sydney after finding the minor money behind Light Infantry Man in the Group 1 Australia Cup (2000m). She should relish stepping out to the 3200m for the first time since contesting the Group 1 Melbourne Cup in the spring and seemingly gets every chance to settle in the run after drawing barrier three, with Jamie Melham being replaced by Kerrin McEvoy. Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) winner Duke De Sessa will carry top weight in this year’s Sydney Cup, however, he will be aided by drawing in barrier two after a grinding effort behind Dubai Honour in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m). The Lope De Vega gelding is the only other running holding single figures at the , with the trio of Arapaho, Circle Of Fire and River Of Stars yet to garner any support at the . The 2025 Sydney Cup is the feature staying contest of the autumn and is worth $2 million in prizemoney. Horse racing news View the full article

Via Sistina ridden by James McDonald takes out the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au The time-honoured Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) is the headline act for Day 2 of The Championships at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with an outstanding field of 15 set to take their place in the weight-for-age classic. Last year’s runner-up, Via Sistina is looking to go one better in this year’s edition, with the Chris Waller-trained mare the firm $1.80 favourite with horse racing bookmakers after drawing barrier one. James McDonald returns to Australia and is set to be reunited with the daughter of Fastnet Rock in her quest to claim an astonishing eighth Group 1 victory since arriving in Australia. The William Haggas-trained Dubai Honour appears to be the main danger at the as the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) winner drops back in trip after a dominant victory over the mile and a half. The seven-year-old gelding is undefeated in three starts down under and has drawn barrier 13 as ‘Aussie’ Tom Marquand gets legged aboard once again on Saturday. You can write your own ticket for every other runner listed at double-figure odds, including the two-time Group 1 winner Ceolwulf at after a gritty performance to claim the Group 2 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) on April 1. Last year’s Melbourne Cup favourite Buckaroo was the big winner post-barrier draw, with Tommy Berry set to gain the perfect run in transit from barrier three. The Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) winner did match motors with Via Sistina in the Group 1 Turnbull in the spring and is likely to have plenty of admirers at the . Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) winner Light Infantry Man represents good each-way value at , while Japanese raider Rousham Park brings some impressive international form lines into this year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The chances don’t end there, with Tom Kitten ($26) set to run on the one-week backup after a farcically run Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m), while Vauban ($26) could be the fly in the ointment dropping back to 2000m. The 2025 Queen Elizabeth Stakes is one of four Group 1 races for Day 2 of The Championships. Horse racing news View the full article

The $750,000 Ashland Stakes (G1) was essentially over as soon as it started as La Cara bounced beautifully from her No. 2 post position, took command, and never looked back en route to victory by about a half-length at Keeneland April 7.View the full article

The $750,000 Ashland Stakes (G1) was essentially over as soon as it started as La Cara bounced beautifully from her No. 2 post position, took command, and never looked back en route to victory by about a half-length at Keeneland April 7.View the full article