Wandering Eyes

German racing's loss is New York's gain. View the full article

Only four horses have taken up the challenge of going from an autumn Mornington Cup victory to take on the Caulfield Cup in the spring since the former was first elevated to offer ballot-free status for the 2013 Cup at Caulfield. None have yet managed to be even placed in the Caulfield Cup, but trainer Ben Hayes is thinking this year might be different with plans to run 2025 Mornington Cup winner Bankers Choice at Caulfield in the $5 million feature on October 18. “If Bankers Choice (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) runs well in the Ansett (Classic) at Mornington this Sunday, yes, he’ll go to the Caulfield Cup,” Hayes said last weekend. “We think he’s going very well.” The Listed Ansett Stakes (2415m) attracted 15 nominations when entries closed on Tuesday morning, with Bankers Choice and last year’s Melbourne Cup third placegetter Okita Soushi both taking in the highest domestic rating of 104. Bankers Choice won this year’s Mornington Cup as a $10 chance for trainer Glen Thompson but the horse has since switched stables to the Lindsay Park yard run by the Hayes brothers Ben, JD and Will. There is a perception about Bankers Choice that he is not a genuine staying type, but his record belies that as he’s never been further back than second place at his four starts at 2400 metres. The Lindsay Park team knows a little about winning a Caulfield Cup with an unfancied runner as they took the race in 2017 with $51 outsider Boom Time. View the full article

The 1% Club, a new fundraising initiative designed to unite consignors, breeders, and buyers in support of Racing Welfare, was launched on Wednesday. Through the scheme, consignors and breeders are invited to nominate one yearling from their draft at the upcoming Tattersalls October Yearling Sales, pledging 1% of its sale price to Racing Welfare. Participating horses will be highlighted in sales catalogues, signalling to buyers and the wider industry their valuable contribution to the welfare of racing's people. Chasemore Farm has nominated lot 1827, a bay filly by Pinatubo out of Parsnip (Zebedee), who will sell on Friday, October 17. Newsells Park Stud is also supporting the new initiative and they have nominated lot 608, a son of Palace Pier. Hillwood Stud has put forward lot 1599, a colt by A'Ali, as their nominee. To find out more about the 1% Club or join, please visit the Racing Welfare website. Dawn Goodfellow, chief executive of Racing Welfare, said: “Racing Welfare exists to care for the people who care for racing. As a charity which receives no government funding, we need to raise £3m each year to provide our vital support services to the people who keep British horseracing and Thoroughbred breeding running – 24/7, 365 days a year. We can only do this thanks to the generosity of our donors and the 1% Club is a simple yet powerful way of enabling people to show their support. A small pledge from individuals can have a transformational impact when combined and we are hugely grateful to those who have already shown their support and signed up.” The post Racing Welfare Launches 1% Club Ahead Of Tattersalls October appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Hawkesbury races Where Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 When Thursday, September 25, 2025 First Race 1:05pm AEST Visit Dabble Provincial racing in New South Wales heads to Hawkesbury with a competitive eight-race meeting this Thursday. Perfect conditions above will mirror those on the track, with the Good 4 rating expected to hold through the program, while the rail is out +2m from the 1100m-450m and sticking true for the remainder. Below are our top betting tips for Hawkesbury races on September 25, with the action set to commence at 1:05pm AEST. Best Bet at Hawkesbury: Nepo Baby Fresh off a slick debut win at Scone over 1100m, Nepo Baby returns to the same trip and gets in light with the 2kg claim. From barrier five, expect Mollie Fitzgerald to use her natural pace to hold a prominent spot before letting the filly roll through the gears on the Good 4. With a cheap sectional, Nepo Baby should prove hard to catch again. Best Bet Race 7 – #9 Nepo Baby (5) 3yo Filly | T: Annabel & Rob Archibald | J: Mollie Fitzgerald (a2) (55.5kg) Next Best at Hawkesbury: Tambeloa Tambeloa was strong winning the a Super Maiden at Warwick Farm (1600m) and now dips into a Midway Class 1 over 1500m. He draws sweetly in gate five for Jay Ford and should land just off the speed, ideal for the Hawkesbury bend. The colt’s profile says he’ll be even better as the tempo builds late, and the step back in grade offsets the slight drop in trip. Next Best Race 2 – #3 Tambeloa (5) 3yo Colt | T: Kristen Buchanan | J: Jay Ford (59kg) Next Best Again at Hawkesbury: Exclusive Artist Exclusive Artist has been holding metro BM72 form and looks well placed, dropping to a provincial BM64 with blinkers on for the first time. From barrier three she can settle a pair closer, and the 2kg claim brings her down to a workable impost. Her record on Good tracks is solid, and stretching to 1800m may unlock a new peak given her closing splits at 1550–1600m. Exclusive Artist is a mare who can stalk, peel, pounce late and justify her short quote with horse racing bookmakers. Next Best Again Race 6 – #5 Exclusive Artist (3) 4yo Mare | T: Annabel & Rob Archibald | J: Mollie Fitzgerald (a2) (59kg) Thursday quaddie tips for Hawkesbury Hawkesbury quadrella selections September 25, 2025 1-2-4-5-6 5-9 1-9 1-2-3-5 Horse racing tips View the full article

Classic winner Scandinavia will not travel Down Under for a G1 Melbourne Cup engagement in November, trainer Aidan O'Brien revealed. The son of Justify, fresh off consecutive victories in the G1 Goodwood Cup and the G1 St Leger, will head to winter quarters instead with an eye to Royal Ascot's G1 Gold Cup in June. O'Brien told the PA news agency of the Coolmore partners' runner, “He's not going [to Australia], he's finished for the year and will be trained for the Gold Cup next year.” Placed twice from three starts as a juvenile, the son of Fabulous (Galileo) graduated in a Navan maiden in May and ran fifth in the G2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. He dominated the G3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes at Newmarket in July prior to his brace of top-level victories. The post Scandinavia Camp Opts Against Melbourne Cup, With 2026 Gold Cup In Mind appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The weekly Harness 5000 tracker is about to achieve its first big milestone. The tracker is updated weekly depending on how many horses have become eligible for the Harness 5000 at Ashburton on December 21. The series, featuring 12 $60,000 finals, is for trotters and pacers whose sire stood for an advertised retail service fee of $5,000 or less in the breeding season of conception and to be eligible horses must compete in at least five race day starts between July 3 – December 9,2025. The “168” on the tracker signifies correlation to the maximum number of horses that can compete on the day, based on 12 races of 14 horse fields. Right now the figure is at 162, that’s an increase of 26 on a week ago. It is anticipated that around 350 horses will be in the mix come December, though this figure could fluctuate. So far the biggest categories are for the 5YO and older Entires and Geldings. There are currently 41 pacers and 35 trotters. To see the Harness 5000 leaderboards click here View the full article

Two health updates, Nathan Purdon’s 20th Group 1, the return of qualifying trials at Addington, and Dex’s $1m win all feature in this week’s News Briefs. O’Reilly back at work Sarah O’Reilly has been given the all clear to return to work. The Ashburton based trainer-driver has had a long and frustrating time on the sidelines since breaking her arm in July 2024. She was injured when a horse “jumped” into her cart. Since being given the all-clear by medical specialists she’s returned to light duties at his employers Tim and Brent White’s stables. While she can drive some trackwork there’s no date for a race day return as yet. A former champion junior driver on both sides of the Tasman O’Reilly has had 304 wins since her first in 2018. Ranger on the mend In other health-related news, well-known New Zealand harness racing journalist Duane Ranger is recovering well and taking “little steps” after undergoing prostate surgery earlier this month. The 61-year-old went public with his health battle just before the start of Blue September, the annual fund-raiser for prostate cancer research. He wanted to encouraged all men over 45 to get checked after being diagnosed with the disease earlier this year. Based in Brisbane, he has since had his prostate removed and while he’s a been tough few weeks he is making good progress. A sport and racing fanatic he is looking forward to getting back into cricket umpiring at the end of the month. Nathan Purdon’s 20th Group 1 When Shezsofast won the Caduceus Club 2YO Fillies Classic at Alexandra Park on Friday night it gave co-trainer Nathan Purdon his 20th Group 1 success. He has had 19 training in partnership with his father Mark, starting with Millwood Nike in the 2023 Northern Oaks, and one in partnership with Cran Dalgety (Krug). The Purdons’ weekend finished on a massive high too with Oscar Bonavena’s highly impressive victory in the Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup at Addington on Sunday. Trials back at Addington Qualifying trials return to Addington next Wednesday (October 1). They will be run prior to the races. Nominations should be emailed to Cameron Kirkwood by 1pm on the Tuesday before. His contact is : cameron@hnzco.nz Date change for Northern 3YO Stakes The Northern 3YO Stakes have been re-scheduled to Friday, December 12 at Alexandra Park. The race was originally scheduled for this Friday but will now not take place because of insufficient entries. The re-scheduling will give an opportunity to the 3YOs heading to the Golden Gait a week later. Dex wins $1m race Another week, another big race win for Dexter Dunn in North America. This time the Kiwi star won the $1m Mohawk Million in Ontario with the Marcus Melander-trained Apex. It was the sixth edition of the two-year-old trotting feature with Apex winning by over a length in 1:51.8, a new stakes, track and Canadian record. Dunn, the five time USA Driver of the Year, has now past $10m in stakes earnings this year and is second in the overall list behind Jason Bartlett $US11.6m). Dunn has had 209 wins in 2025. In one of the country’s great races, the Little Brown Jug in Ohio Dunn was second with Odds On Outlier, with Louprint leading all the way for top trainer Ron Burke and driver Ronnie Wrenn. Louprint is unbeaten all year with nine successive wins while Burke has now won five LBJs to be second all-time behind William Haughton. Burke also won the Jugette for the 3YO pacing fillies with Rodeo Drive Deo. Buffy Northstains 150th start Seven-year-old trotting mare Buffy Northstains reached a special milestone at Addington on Friday night. It was her 150th start. Since debuting as a two-year-old in 2020 the daughter of Majestic Son has won 15 races and a tick over $200,000 for her owners who include trainer Bruce Negus. Her last win was just three starts ago at Addington on August 15. Accommodation available at Kaikoura For anyone looking for accommodation for the races at Kaikoura in November there are still some places available at the White Morph on The Esplanade. The races will be held on Sunday and Monday, November 2 and 3, highlighted by the running of the 100th Kaikoura Cup. The scenic race course will also host the opening rounds of the World Driving Championships with our own Blair Orange taking on nine of the world’s very best. To check on availability at the White Morph click here Club News : Ashburton Ashburton’s “Emerging Talent” meeting to be held on the Thursday of IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup week (November 13) will feature a $20,000 Drivers Invitational race. It will be for 4YO Mares (R35-44) over 1700 metres. It will have a maximum field of 12 (and one ballot). Already dual New Zealand Cup-winning driver Cam Hart has signalled he’ll be there. It comes just two days after the New Zealand Cup where he is aiming for a record-equalling third consecutive New Zealand Cup with Swayzee. The race could also feature other global stars who will be here for the World Driving Championship that finishes on Cup day. The WDC will feature 10 of the world’s best drivers, including our very own Blair Orange. Invitations for the race will be issued closer to the event once it becomes apparent who is available and keen to take part. Club News : Methven The team at Methven under President Laurence Hanrahan are putting the finishing touches on the racecourse ahead of their big day on Sunday, October 5. The features will be the $40,000 Alabar Methven Cup where the best stayers in the South will fight out over 3000 metres while the trotting fillies and mares will be to the fore in the $25,000 Yabby Dam Fillies and Mares handicap trot. The barbeques will be going on course including the one funded by the Canterbury Owner’s Association and Methven Club catering to trainers, drivers and stablehands. Special thanks to Nigel and Brenda Armstrong. The club is continuing to upgrade facilities with the next targets likely to be the old doubles tote and possibly the upstairs grandstand bar. View the full article

Up 10 places in a week, Paris Prince is now in contention to make the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot field at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11. The Fred Fletcher-trained Paris Prince has gone from 28th to 18th in this week’s rankings, just three places outside the cut-off. His promotion comes on the back of his game second to the super impressive Oscar Bonavena in the Group 3 Elite Stride D G Jones Memorial Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup at Motukarara. Paris Prince, a Royal Aspirations seven-year-old, is the winner of 10 races and was driven on Sunday by Sam Thornley. Also on the improve is Australian trotter Jilliby Ballerini. The four-year-old mare has gone from 24th to 19th following her win in the Hip Pocket Castlemaine Trotting Mares Free For All at Melton on Saturday night. She is prepared by the Lees of Keayang Zahara fame. Both the Dominion and the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup are limited to 15 starters. There has been very little change this week at the top of the rankings for both races though Sooner The Bettor has gone from 17th to 14th rankings following his success in Friday night’s ITM Spring Cup at Alexandra Park To see the latest rankings click here View the full article

Check out this week’s The Box Seat with hosts Matt Cross, Brittany Graham and Greg O’Connor. View the full article

Bruce Tapper may have been a late starter to the training ranks, but he hasn’t let that slow him down, with the Timaru horseman bringing up his 100th win at his home track on Wednesday. It was a special day for Tapper, who was able to celebrate bringing up the milestone with visiting family members. “It was good to get it (100th win), it has been a while,” Tapper said. “I had three grandchildren from Cambridge and two from Pukekohe here, and three from Timaru, so it was pretty special to have them all here.” He was also delighted to achieve his 100th win with one of his favourite horses, Natural Momentum, who recorded his fourth career victory in the Hospitality NZ – SC Branch 1600. “The horse, even though he is no champ, he is a pretty special horse,” Tapper said. “We have got a girl with us now, Grace Afleck, and she is the third rider he has taught to ride track work. He also teaches all of our young horses in the barriers. We just go one by one with him and he jumps out with them. He is just a neat horse.” Tapper spent his formative years in racing but elected to pursue a career outside of the industry and kept an interest in racing through ownership. At the age of 60 he decided to try his hand at training and he has enjoyed plenty of success in that capacity over the last decade. “Since I was 13, I used to ride track work for my Dad at Matamata,” he said. “I got out of it for a while to earn some money and when I turned 60 I decided to take out my trainer’s licence. I was a bit of a late starter. “It wasn’t a bucket list thing, but you like to achieve it.” Among his 100 wins, there are three that stand out above the rest for Tapper. “The first one, Five Kings at Gore, the Group Three (Barneswood Farm Stakes, 1400m) at Ashburton that Specialty and Redmond ran first and second, and Specialty winning the Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1500m).” The now six-year-old Specialty is a sentimental favourite of Tapper’s, having recorded both of his stakes wins to date, and he will attempt to add to his win tally at Riccarton Park on Saturday where he will contest the Cup Week Tickets On Sale Rating 75 (1200m). The Rip Van Winkle gelding ran third when first-up over 1200m at the Christchurch track earlier this month, and Tapper is hoping for another bold showing this weekend. “Specialty is coming up very well this prep,” Tapper said. “He is in on Saturday, and he should be running a good race.” View the full article

There was a time when Annabel Tuthill wondered whether Tetbury (NZ) (Tavistock) would ever get to the races, but that all became a distant memory when the homebred mare became her first winner at Timaru on Wednesday. The daughter of Tavistock was having her 12th start and had placed on several occasions, and despite a wide barrier draw in the Power Farming Timaru 1600, was backed into clear favouritism in the hands of Bridget Grylls. She went back from the gate and settled into a good rhythm, while Happy Story (NZ) (What’s The Story) ensured a genuine tempo out in front. Grylls started to circle the field turning for home and Tetbury looked likely early in the straight, but had to fight hard in the closing stages to narrowly get up over Shakabrah (NZ) (Darci Brahma), a photo finish favouring the mare by a nose. Tuthill, who bred Tetbury alongside her husband Olly, was elated with the result. “I’m just so thrilled, it was really exciting,” she said. “Training is more of a hobby for us, but one day she’ll be in the broodmare band so it’s great to get a win with her. “She was feeling so good at home so I was gutted when she got the wide draw, I thought that was our chances gone, but I said to Bridget to settle back at the start and get her into the race. “She rode her so well, she gave her every chance and she (Tetbury) tried really hard, it was great.” The North Canterbury couple, who operate thoroughbred nursery Beaufort Downs, initially planned to sell Tetbury through their draft the Karaka Yearling Sales, but that plan was derailed by an untimely injury. She was retained by the family to race but struggled to adjust into a stable environment in her earlier years, so Tuthill decided to bring her back to the farm and train her around their breeding operation. “This win means a lot because she has been tricky over the years, she’s a pretty quirky mare,” she said. “We think she minorly fractured her pelvis as a yearling so she didn’t make it to the yearling sales, and we didn’t think she ever would make it to the races. Eventually she did come right, but she didn’t quite handle a stable environment, so we decided to potter around at home on the farm and see if that would work for her. “When the ground is good at home, I spend as much time as I can working her around the farm. She is very relaxed cantering around the paddock and I do quite a bit of galloping at the beach, which she really enjoys. “She gets quite stressed out going to the track, so I avoid that as much as I can. I just do what works for her, she’s a quirky thing and travels with a wee pony, which is quite funny. “She gets fitted in around everything else, with school drop-off, the mares and foals, she just slots in where she can. We’re lucky to have the farm and the opportunity to do it like that, she’s my one horse so I can fit her around our lives. “All of our family are involved, we bred her and the stud owns her, then we’ve leased her to the family to race. It’s really fun, we get to do it together which is great.” Tetbury will be a welcome addition to Beaufort’s broodmare band when the time comes, as a daughter of well-performed mare Dazzling Lady (NZ). From three foals to race, Dazzling Lady has produced Australian Group One performer So Dazzling (NZ) (So You Think), Tetbury, and Dazz (NZ) (Microphone), who was a debut winner for Kevin and Stephen Gray in the autumn. The Lonhro mare recently foaled a colt by Satono Aladdin and she had another mating booked with the Rich Hill sire this spring. “We gave her a break last year because she got a bit late, then we sent her to Satono Aladdin, and she’s just had a gorgeous colt by him,” Tuthill said. “We are sending her back to him, which seems like a nice mating for her because she’s not the biggest mare. “We’ve had some really nice foals on the ground, it’s such a nice time of the year when all the grass is growing and the foals are here. “It’s exciting having a few in the foaling paddock ready to foal, it’s like Christmas waiting for them to come.” View the full article

New Zealand gelding Trust In You (NZ) (Sweynesse) should get conditions to suit at Rosehill on Saturday when he contests the Gr.3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m). It will be his second run in Australia this preparation, having finished seventh in the Gr.3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) earlier this month after a first-up run on an unsuitable Heavy10 track over a mile at Te Rapa last month. “His first-up run (at Te Rapa) was okay because it was a really heavy track and he doesn’t handle a real heavy track,” said Grant Cooksley, who trains in partnership with Bruce Wallace. “His run the other day (at Newcastle), 2300m was just a little bit too far so he was coming to the end of it.” The son of Sweynesse drew the outside barrier in the nine-horse field at Newcastle but has drawn much more favourably in three on Saturday, where he will be ridden by Regan Bayliss. “He has got a nice draw this time so he should be alright,” Cooksley said. “He usually goes well third-up, so hopefully he does.” Trust In You’s next target will likely be the Gr.3 St Leger (2600m) at Randwick next month, a race he finished fourth in last year before going on to contest the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). “He will probably go to the St Leger, but we will just see how he comes through Saturday and go from there,” Cooksley said. Meanwhile, Cooksley has been pleased with the way stablemate Son of Sun (NZ) (Tavistock) has come through his eighth placed run in the Gr.3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday and said the Group Three winner will likely return to the Sydney track on Saturday week. “He has pulled up well and he is going to the Metropolitan (Gr.1, 2400m),” Cooksley said. View the full article

Lucky Sweynesse’s (NZ) (Sweynesse) preparation for Sunday’s (28 September) G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) saw the four-time Group 1 winner gallop gracefully over Nakayama’s turf course under beaming sunshine this morning (Wednesday, 24 September) in Tokyo, Japan. Trainer Manfred Man and owners the Cheng family watched on delighted as the seven-year-old brown gelding powered up the 310m-long uphill home straight under restraint from jockey Derek Leung, who with Lucky Sweynesse, is aiming to secure Hong Kong, China’s third win in the prized contest this weekend after Silent Witness (2005) and Ultra Fantasy (2010). “He feels great. He always looks around like he does in Hong Kong, always curious with everything. It was his first time galloping here but everything went smoothly,” Leung said. After his hit-out, Lucky Sweynesse – exuding swagger and confidence – returned to a swarm of photographers and then made a few laps around the paddock before heading to the Japan Racing Association’s international stables at Nakayama. Man said: “He worked very good. The jockey reported that the horse feels very fit. Today was just to see him gallop. In Hong Kong, we already know that his form keeps coming. In my mind, I am happy about the horse. “He had two runs last season and came sixth and fourth. Beginning this season, he came second in the (Class 1 HKSAR) Chief Executive’s Cup (Handicap, 1200m) and the track that day wasn’t really suitable for him, but he still came second behind the best (sprinter) in the world (Ka Ying Rising).” Sporting a visor first-up on 7 September in the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup under persistent rain at Sha Tin, Lucky Sweynesse will again don headwear this Sunday when he squares off with Group 1 winners Satono Reve, Lugal, Mama Cocha and more at Nakayama, a picturesque racetrack located in the Chiba Prefecture of the Greater Tokyo Area. Speaking of Lucky Sweynesse’s added gear, Man said: “Now as his age is getting a bit older, we need a little bit of support to keep him more concentrated (in races).” Lucky Sweynesse began his career as an unraced three-year-old with debut success at Happy Valley in 2022, the former Hong Kong Champion Sprinter (2022/23) has won 16 times from 27 starts in Hong Kong for earnings of HK$75.75 million. Barriers for the Sprinters Stakes are drawn on Friday (26 September) at 9am (JST). View the full article

Kiwi stayer Trust In You will contest the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) at Rosehill on Saturday. (Photo: Kenton Wright/Race Images) New Zealand gelding Trust In You should get conditions to suit at Rosehill on Saturday when he contests the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m). It will be his second run in Australia this preparation, having finished seventh in the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) earlier this month after a first-up run on an unsuitable Heavy 10 track over a mile at Te Rapa last month. “His first-up run (at Te Rapa) was okay because it was a really heavy track and he doesn’t handle a real heavy track,” said Grant Cooksley, who trains in partnership with Bruce Wallace. “His run the other day (at Newcastle), 2300m was just a little bit too far so he was coming to the end of it.” The son of Sweynesse drew the outside barrier in the nine-horse field at Newcastle but has drawn much more favourably in three on Saturday, where he will be ridden by Regan Bayliss. “He has got a nice draw this time so he should be alright,” Cooksley said. “He usually goes well third-up, so hopefully he does.” Trust In You’s next target will likely be the Group 3 St Leger (2600m) at Randwick next month, a race he finished fourth in last year before going on to contest the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). “He will probably go to the St Leger, but we will just see how he comes through Saturday and go from there,” Cooksley said. Meanwhile, Cooksley has been pleased with the way stablemate Son of Sun has come through his eighth-place run in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday and said the Group Three winner will likely return to the Sydney track on Saturday week. “He has pulled up well and he is going to the Metropolitan (Group 1, 2400m),” Cooksley said. Horse racing news View the full article

Lucky Sweynesse strides out at Nakayama. (Photo: HKJC) Lucky Sweynesse’s preparation for Sunday’s Group 1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) saw the four-time Group 1 winner gallop gracefully over Nakayama’s turf course under beaming sunshine on Wednesday morning in Tokyo, Japan. Trainer Manfred Man and owners the Cheng family watched on delighted as the seven-year-old brown gelding powered up the 310m-long uphill home straight under restraint from jockey Derek Leung, who with Lucky Sweynesse, is aiming to secure Hong Kong, China’s third win in the prized contest this weekend after Silent Witness (2005) and Ultra Fantasy (2010). “He feels great. He always looks around like he does in Hong Kong, always curious with everything. It was his first time galloping here but everything went smoothly,” Leung said. After his hit-out, Lucky Sweynesse – exuding swagger and confidence – returned to a swarm of photographers and then made a few laps around the paddock before heading to the Japan Racing Association’s international stables at Nakayama. Man said: “He worked very good. The jockey reported that the horse feels very fit. Today was just to see him gallop. In Hong Kong, we already know that his form keeps coming. In my mind, I am happy about the horse. “He had two runs last season and came sixth and fourth. Beginning this season, he came second in the (Class 1 HKSAR) Chief Executive’s Cup (Handicap, 1200m) and the track that day wasn’t really suitable for him, but he still came second behind the best (sprinter) in the world (Ka Ying Rising).” Sporting a visor first-up on 7 September in the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup under persistent rain at Sha Tin, Lucky Sweynesse will again don headwear this Sunday when he squares off with Group 1 winners Satono Reve, Lugal, Mama Cocha and more at Nakayama, a picturesque racetrack located in the Chiba Prefecture of the Greater Tokyo Area. Speaking of Lucky Sweynesse’s added gear, Man said: “Now as his age is getting a bit older, we need a little bit of support to keep him more concentrated (in races).” Lucky Sweynesse began his career as an unraced three-year-old with debut success at Happy Valley in 2022, the former Hong Kong Champion Sprinter (2022/23) has won 16 times from 27 starts in Hong Kong for earnings of HK$75.75 million. Sparingly raced over the last year due to surgery and setbacks, Lucky Sweynesse’s biggest wins have come in the 2023 Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), 2023 Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), 2023 Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) and 2023 Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m). He is one of only five horses to claim the HK$5 million Hong Kong Speed Series bonus, doing so in the 2022/23 season, along with Mr Vitality (1995/96), Grand Delight (2002/03), Silent Witness (2003/04 & 2004/05) and Ka Ying Rising (2024/25). The three-race bonus rewards a horse successful in the Centenary Sprint Cup, Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and Chairman’s Sprint Prize in the same season. Horse racing news View the full article

TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) hopeful Tale Of The Gypsy. (Photo: Kenton Wright/Race Images) Lady Luck has finally smiled on talented filly Tale Of The Gypsy, who has been plagued by wide barriers throughout her short career to date. The daughter of Written By has jumped from the outside gate in half of her six appearances and contended with poor draws in the other three. Despite that, she posted a debut victory last season and finished fourth in the Group 1 Sistema (1200m), fifth in the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and had no luck again when out of the money in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) earlier this month. Tale Of The Gypsy has finally drawn a decent barrier (one) in Saturday’s Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Te Rapa with stablemates Magic Carpet and Moretothinkabout to also represent trainer Stephen Marsh. “I rate all three and Tale Of The Gypsy was unlucky in the Group One and just kept drawing outside gates,” he said. “Last time out, she was again caught wide with no cover.” Magic Carpet finished third on debut on the course and added another placing last time out in a competitive maiden at Taupo. Moretothinkabout gave a bold account of himself in his only appearance last season when he ran second at Ruakaka. “The two boys are a lot better than maidens and I think they’re going places,” Marsh said. “Magic Carpet has done nothing wrong and last start we had to ride him a bit upside down. “On a bigger track, we can ride him a spot further back and I think he’ll be a lot better chasing rather than leading them up and doing the donkey work. “We’ve changed a bit of gear on Moretothinkabout with the blinkers and tongue tie on to help him focus and the 1400m with a trial under his belt will be ideal for him.” Marsh isn’t short on age group talent in the stable with Churmatt, a leading light after the fast start he has made to his career. The Rotorua debut winner then finished runner-up in the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1200m) before a dominant last-start victory at Ellerslie. “He’ll run on Melbourne Cup Day in a three-year-old race over 1400m back at Ellerslie,” he said. Marsh is also delighted with stable star El Vencedor ahead of the Group 1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m), although the upcoming Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) is seen as a more ideal opportunity to add to his top-flight record. “He had a gallop at Ellerslie and is going great, although he won’t get a track to suit him on Saturday,” he said. “Hopefully, it doesn’t rain too much and it will be full steam ahead to the Livamol after this.” Of his two runners in the BCD Group Sprint (1200m), Ardalio is slightly favoured over Glamour Tycoon. “As long as it doesn’t get to a Heavy 10 they’ll run, it’s hard to split them and maybe Ardalio at the weights,” Marsh said. She will carry 54kg in her first start since winning last season’s Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) while dual stakes winner Glamour Tycoon has 58.5kg to carry in her resuming run. Horse racing news View the full article

Otaki trainer Andrew Campbell. (Photo: Angelique Bridson) Otaki trainer Andrew Campbell is excited about the prospects of his promising juvenile Singletary, and he is looking forward to kicking off his career at his home track on Friday. The Satono Aladdin colt was purchased by Campbell and his primary owner Tommy Heptinstall out of Rich Hill Stud’s 2025 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 draft for $125,000, and he is living up to his price tag. He has impressed Campbell with his two trials to date, including victory over 850m at Foxton last week, and he is confident of a bold showing in his debut run where he will come up against just three other runners. “He was pretty impressive at the trials the other day,” Campbell said. “He is such a big striding horse. “There’s a question mark about the track (rated a Heavy10 on Wednesday morning), but we are going to start him because he is going to go to the paddock regardless.” Karaka Millions eligible, the $1 million 1200m showpiece at Ellerslie in January is Singletary’s primary objective, and Campbell is hopeful of adding some money to his kitty this weekend to help qualify him for the race. “The ultimate goal would be the Karaka Millions,” he said. “We are going to get a bit of stakes money on Friday and I would love to think it is the thicker end of it. “Then we will put him in a paddock, bring him back for two or three races into the Karaka Millions, if he is good enough, but he certainly shows enough promise.” While Singletary is an assured starter, Campbell said track conditions will dictate whether Croupier steps out in the New World Otaki Handicap (1200m). The Ace High gelding showed a lot of promise as a three-year-old, winning two of his three starts in New Zealand before a two-run campaign in Queensland. The enigmatic gelding has pleased Campbell with his progression this preparation, but his first-up tilt could be saved for another day. “He trialled up well the other day,” Campbell said. “We are just worried about the track and whether we are going to start him or not. It’s a Heavy track so it might be a bit of an ask first-up, but I am happy with him.” Croupier holds a nomination for the Group 3 Join TAB Racing Club Mile (1600m) at Riccarton in November alongside stablemate Cocobill, who is looking for a better track than the Heavy 10 he faced in his New Zealand debut at Woodville last month. The four-year-old son of Vadamos was initially trained in Australia by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, for whom he won three and placed in one of his nine starts. He returned to New Zealand in search of his more favoured wet tracks, but as his connections found out last start, he doesn’t like it bottomless. “We thought he might have needed quite a heavy track because his form over there was on wet tracks, hence why he came back to me,” Campbell said. “We started him at Woodville, thinking he would thrive on a heavy track, and he just couldn’t go an inch in it. “It’s 50/50 whether he starts, but he is working well and I think he just needs the cut out of the track and not a bottomless track. “He will keep, he has got a few more wins left in him yet on the way he works.” Campbell’s racing team on Friday will also include Perfect Pete, who he is expecting to feature in the Aquashield Roofing Maiden (1600m). “It is probably his day in the sun,” Campbell said. “He has got a half decent draw (7) this time, a good, strong rider (Jonathan Riddell) and a wet track. “He is well, I galloped him this morning and it’s his best gallop this time in. I would be very disappointed if he wasn’t in the first three.” Horse racing news View the full article

by Dan Ross & Jessica Martini POMONA, CA – The Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale, held Tuesday at Fairplex, produced average and median figures largely in line with its 2024 renewal even as its clearance rate declined. A total of 140 yearlings sold for $4,603,400. The average increased 11.4% to $32,666 and the median remained steady at $15,000. In 2024, 163 head grossed $4,781,400 for an average of $29,334. With 97 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate rose to 40.8%. It was 34.8% a year ago. “The California breeding program is such a great breeding program, so these breeders are proud to take and race their homebreds,” said Fasig-Tipton's Mike Machowsky. “There is such an advantage for stallion awards, breeders awards, and owners awards in California. There is a big advantage for those breeders. There is money to be made with a nice Cal-bred. So guys aren't shy to take them home.” A filly by Corniche brought the auction's top price when selling for $250,000 to Legacy Ranch. The yearling was one of three to sell for over $200,000–matching the figure from last year–and 11 to sell for six figures. Eight yearlings sold for six figures at the 2024 auction. “We are committed to serving and establishing a solid sale out here in Southern California to support the market and all the breeders,” said Machowsky. “We are here to support these California breeders and we are going to stay here.” Corniche Filly to Legacy A filly from the first crop of Corniche (hip 193) will be joining the roster at Legacy Ranch after the Parrellas' operation purchased the yearling for a sale-topping $250,000 in Pomona Tuesday. “The Corniches were selling very well at Keeneland,” trainer John Sadler, who was seated alongside Legacy manager Terry Knight, said of the filly's appeal. “And she is a very smooth filly. We thought she was the best horse in the sale.” The 43 yearlings by Corniche who sold at the recently concluded Keeneland September sale averaged $203,651. The stallion stands at Coolmore for $15,000. Hip 193 is out of Carmelita (North Light {Ire}) and is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Carmelita's Man (Mucho Macho Man). She was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises and was consigned by Barton Thoroughbreds, agent. “There have been a lot of good horses coming out of this sale the last couple of years and the state-bred program is solid,” Sadler said. “There are races for these horses on our circuit. We were delighted to get her.” Sadler continued, “She will go to Legacy Ranch. Terry Knight will break her and supervise her early training up there.” Hip 20 | Fasig-Tipton Moroney Strikes Again at Fairplex John Moroney, who purchased the $250,000 sale-topping son of Stay Thirsty at last year's Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale, struck again in Tuesday's renewal of the auction with matching $225,000 bids to acquire a colt by Maxfield (hip 20) and a son of Good Magic (hip 61). Both yearlings were purchased in partnership with trainer Steve Knapp and Thomsen Racing. Knapp handled the bidding on both colts, who, like last year's sale-topper, were bred by Terry Lovingier and consigned by Lovingier's Lovacres Ranch. Out of graded stakes winner Lost Bus (Bring the Heat), hip 20 is a half-brother to stakes winner Bus Buzz (Stay Thirsty), who won the 2023 Real Good Deal Stakes for Knapp, Lovingier, Thomas Halasz and Amanda Navarro. “I trained Bus Buzz, who looks just like him,” Knapp said. “He was a running son of a gun.” Steve Knapp | Fasig-Tipton Knapp also has experience with the colt's freshman sire Maxfield. He trains his son Max Ciao and co-owns the colt with Lovingier and Moroney. Max Ciao won the Sept. 5 I'm Smokin Stakes at Del Mar. “He looks like both of them,” Knapp said. “He's a big, good-looking horse. And we will go from there.” Hip 61 is out of stakes winner Noble and a Beauty (Noble Causeway), a mare purchased by Lovingier with the colt in utero for $22,000 at the 2023 Keeneland November sale. “He's bred really nicely and he's a really good-looking colt,” Knapp said. “If you don't buy them, then you've got to beat them.” Moroney, along with Knapp and Thomsen Racing, partnered to acquire an additional three yearlings, led by a filly by McKinzie (hip 86) for $100,000. In partnership with Tom Landon, Moroney purchased a pair of yearlings by Stay Thirsty (hip 65 and hip 21) for matching $40,000 price tags. All seven were from the Lovacres Ranch consignment. A Missouri businessman, Moroney owns a string of Taco Bell restaurants in the Midwest. Last year's sale-topper, now named Fionello, races for Knapp, Lovingier, Moroney and Sandra Lee Grey. A debut winner at Santa Anita in May, he was fourth in the Aug. 8 Graduation Stakes and again in the I'm Smokin Stakes last time out. The post $250k Corniche Filly Leads Steady Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lady Luck has finally smiled on talented filly Tale Of The Gypsy (Written By), who has been plagued by wide barriers throughout her short career to date. The daughter of Written By has jumped from the outside gate in half of her six appearances and contended with poor draws in the other three. Despite that, she posted a debut victory last season and finished fourth in the Gr.1 Sistema (1200m), fifth in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and had no luck again when out of the money in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) earlier this month. Tale Of The Gypsy has finally drawn a decent barrier (one) in Saturday’s Gr.2 Timberspan Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Te Rapa with stablemates Magic Carpet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) and Moretothinkabout (NZ) (So You Think) to also represent trainer Stephen Marsh. “I rate all three and Tale Of The Gypsy was unlucky in the Group One and just kept drawing outside gates,” he said. “Last time out, she was again caught wide with no cover.” Magic Carpet finished third on debut on the course and added another placing last time out in a competitive maiden at Taupo. Moretothinkabout gave a bold account of himself in his only appearance last season when he ran second at Ruakaka. “The two boys are a lot better than maidens and I think they’re going places,” Marsh said. “Magic Carpet has done nothing wrong and last start we had to ride him a bit upside down. “On a bigger track, we can ride him a spot further back and I think he’ll be a lot better chasing rather than leading them up and doing the donkey work. “We’ve changed a bit of gear on Moretothinkabout with the blinkers and tongue tie on to help him focus and the 1400m with a trial under his belt will be ideal for him.” Marsh isn’t short on age group talent in the stable with Churmatt (Churchill), a leading light after the fast start he has made to his career. The Rotorua debut winner then finished runner-up in the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1200m) before a dominant last-start victory at Ellerslie. “He’ll run on Melbourne Cup Day in a three-year-old race over 1400m back at Ellerslie,” he said. Marsh is also delighted with stable star El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) ahead of the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m), although the upcoming Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) is seen as a more ideal opportunity to add to his top-flight record. “He had a gallop at Ellerslie and is going great, although he won’t get a track to suit him on Saturday,” he said. “Hopefully, it doesn’t rain too much and it will be full steam ahead to the Livamol after this.” Of his two runners in the BCD Group Sprint (1200m), Ardalio (NZ) (Ardrossan) is slightly favoured over Glamour Tycoon (Written Tycoon). “As long as it doesn’t get to a Heavy 10 they’ll run, it’s hard to split them and maybe Ardalio at the weights,” Marsh said. She will carry 54kg in her first start since winning last season’s Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) while dual stakes winner Glamour Tycoon has 58.5kg to carry in her resuming run. View the full article

Otaki trainer Andrew Campbell is excited about the prospects of his promising juvenile Singletary (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), and he is looking forward to kicking off his career in the Vets On Riverbank Two-Year-Old (800m) at his home track on Friday. The Satono Aladdin colt was purchased by Campbell and his primary owner Tommy Heptinstall out of Rich Hill Stud’s 2025 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 draft for $125,000, and he is living up to his price tag. He has impressed Campbell with his two trials to date, including victory over 850m at Foxton last week, and he is confident of a bold showing in his debut run where he will come up against just three other runners. “He was pretty impressive at the trials the other day,” Campbell said. “He is such a big striding horse. “There’s a question mark about the track (rated a Heavy10 on Wednesday morning), but we are going to start him because he is going to go to the paddock regardless.” Karaka Millions eligible, the $1 million 1200m showpiece at Ellerslie in January is Singletary’s primary objective, and Campbell is hopeful of adding some money to his kitty this weekend to help qualify him for the race. Otaki trainer Andrew Campbell. Photo: Angelique Bridson “The ultimate goal would be the Karaka Millions,” he said. “We are going to get a bit of stakes money on Friday and I would love to think it is the thicker end of it. “Then we will put him in a paddock, bring him back for two or three races into the Karaka Millions, if he is good enough, but he certainly shows enough promise.” While Singletary is an assured starter, Campbell said track conditions will dictate whether Croupier (NZ) (Ace High) steps out in the New World Otaki Handicap (1200m). The Ace High gelding showed a lot of promise as a three-year-old, winning two of his three starts in New Zealand before a two-run campaign in Queensland. The enigmatic gelding has pleased Campbell with his progression this preparation, but his first-up tilt could be saved for another day. “He trialled up well the other day,” Campbell said. “We are just worried about the track and whether we are going to start him or not. It’s a Heavy track so it might be a bit of an ask first-up, but I am happy with him.” Croupier holds a nomination for the Gr.3 Join TAB Racing Club Mile (1600m) at Riccarton in November alongside stablemate Cocobill (NZ) (Vadamos), who is looking for a better track than the Heavy10 he faced in his New Zealand debut at Woodville last month. The four-year-old son of Vadamos was initially trained in Australia by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, for whom he won three and placed in one of his nine starts. He returned to New Zealand in search of his more favoured wet tracks, but as his connections found out last start, he doesn’t like it bottomless. “We thought he might have needed quite a heavy track because his form over there was on wet tracks, hence why he came back to me,” Campbell said. “We started him at Woodville, thinking he would thrive on a heavy track, and he just couldn’t go an inch in it. “It’s 50/50 whether he starts, but he is working well and I think he just needs the cut out of the track and not a bottomless track. “He will keep, he has got a few more wins left in him yet on the way he works.” Campbell’s racing team on Friday will also include Perfect Pete (NZ) (Fabulous), who he is expecting to feature in the Aquashield Roofing Maiden (1600m). “It is probably his day in the sun,” Campbell said. “He has got a half decent draw (7) this time, a good, strong rider (Jonathan Riddell) and a wet track. “He is well, I galloped him this morning and it’s his best gallop this time in. I would be very disappointed if he wasn’t in the first three.” View the full article

Cody Cole is keeping his options open with talented three-year-old Landlock (Merchant Navy) as wet weather threatens to halt his initial plan to contest Saturday’s Gr.2 Timberspan Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Te Rapa. Landlock is the highest-rated galloper in the $175,000 contest, having narrowly gone down to Return To Conquer (Snitzel) in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) and placing in a Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) as a juvenile. The son of Merchant Navy resumed in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) earlier this month and pleased Cole with a fourth-placed finish, having been held up at a vital stage in the straight. “It was a good effort, he didn’t really get a chance to get out and go through his gears to build momentum,” he said. “He was coming off heels at the 200 and had to pick himself up, which I thought he did really well especially with the way the race was run, it was hard for them to make ground. “It was a good kick-off point, he raced like he is looking for a little bit further and his manners were good, so he’s only going to be better for that run as a first good blowout.” While the Hawke’s Bay Guineas is the natural next step for Landlock, Cole said he won’t hesitate to scratch if the wet weather continues. “My biggest concern is the track at the moment,” he said. “If it did get to the really testing, heavy going, we’d be looking at other options.” Cole has nominated four other runners for the feature meeting, including Astoria Brooke (NZ) (American Pharoah), who looked impressive when cruising to second in a competitive trial at Ellerslie a fortnight ago, taken out by stakes winner Glamour Tycoon (Written Tycoon). “It was a super trial, she was vulnerable fitness-wise and came to the end of her run inside the 100, but we expected that, it was just a nice hit-out for her and she did it effortlessly,” Cole said. “She’s only gone forward since then.” The American Pharoah mare completed her last campaign with back-to-back wins on off tracks, but Cole will consult with her owner-breeders before assuring her place in the St John’s College Foundation 1400. “I have to speak to Brent and Cherry Taylor, we will make that call together. But based on the way she has been working on off-going, I would say yes (to starting),” he said. Coming off a well-deserved spell will be Renovations (NZ) (Ardrossan), who secured more valuable black-type when third in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) in January. She continued that form through to mid-May, and Cole couldn’t have been happier with her overall efforts at three. “She really deserved that break, she had a long preparation and trekked all over the country and did a really good job for the crew involved in her,” he said. “She was hardly ever out of the first four. “She’s a really genuine little racehorse and I think she’s come back better from the break. We had her in last weekend but scratched from a wide gate, so we were able to get some more work into her with the extra week up our sleeve. “I’m a bit worried about the track with her, the better side of heavy is alright, but it would be a question mark if it was really bottomless.” She is entered for the Craigs Investments Partners Sprint (1100m) at Rating 75 grade. Cole will also be well-represented across the Central Districts, particularly with the progressive Atmospheric (NZ) (El Roca) stepping out at Otaki on Friday in the Otaki Tyre Repairs Handicap (1600m) The son of El Roca was an eye-catcher resuming at Ellerslie, being held up for most of the straight before flashing home into fourth over 1300m. “He was super first up, he just didn’t get the breaks when he needed them,” Cole said. “He was really solid to the line and doing his best work late. “The 1300m is obviously short of his best, his most recent run was in the Trelawney Championship Stakes (Gr.3) over 2100m, and he’s only taken steps in the right direction this time in. “It’ll just be whether we put him on the truck and trek all the way down there for a heavy track, but there are limited options around, so we’ll be considering it.” His stablemate Oneira (NZ) (Contributer) will being heading down regardless of track conditions, taking her place under a light weight in the New World Otaki Handicap (1200m). “I don’t think she’s as capable on wet tracks as she looked to be when she was younger, but on the way she’s working, she looks like she can run a race,” Cole said. “She was a little bit disappointing at Ruakaka, but I just felt that tough run from a wide gate at Tauranga might’ve just knocked a bit of the nip out of her. She’s been freshened up since then and is working well, so we’ll be looking to run her either way down there.” Of his remaining runners, including a couple heading to Waverley on Sunday, Cole noted Dance For Her (Testa Rossa) (Te Rapa) and Arrowfield Stud-owned filly Cheerio (Maurice) (Waverley) as ones to follow. “Dance For Her was a big run out of her grade at Taranaki, she was fresh-up over a mile on extremely testing going and that condition just told,” he said. “She’s bounced through it well and worked well this morning, so provided she cops the two-week back-up, I think she’ll run well again. “Cheerio is one that I am really looking forward to, she’s probably still six months away from really seeing a bit more from her but I think she’s got a bright future, however long it takes for us to get there.” View the full article

Landlock (inside) will contest Saturday’s Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Te Rapa. (Photo: Kenton Wright/Race Images) Cody Cole is keeping his options open with talented three-year-old Landlock as wet weather threatens to halt his initial plan to contest Saturday’s Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Te Rapa. Landlock is the highest-rated galloper in the $175,000 contest, having narrowly gone down to Return To Conquer in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) and placing in a Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) as a juvenile. The son of Merchant Navy resumed in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) earlier this month and pleased Cole with a fourth-placed finish, having been held up at a vital stage in the straight. “It was a good effort, he didn’t really get a chance to get out and go through his gears to build momentum,” he said. “He was coming off heels at the 200 and had to pick himself up, which I thought he did really well especially with the way the race was run, it was hard for them to make ground. “It was a good kick-off point, he raced like he is looking for a little bit further and his manners were good, so he’s only going to be better for that run as a first good blowout.” While the Hawke’s Bay Guineas is the natural next step for Landlock, Cole said he won’t hesitate to scratch if the wet weather continues. “My biggest concern is the track at the moment,” he said. “If it did get to the really testing, heavy going, we’d be looking at other options.” Cole has nominated four other runners for the feature meeting, including Astoria Brooke, who looked impressive when cruising to second in a competitive trial at Ellerslie a fortnight ago, taken out by stakes winner Glamour Tycoon. “It was a super trial, she was vulnerable fitness-wise and came to the end of her run inside the 100, but we expected that, it was just a nice hit-out for her and she did it effortlessly,” Cole said. “She’s only gone forward since then.” The American Pharoah mare completed her last campaign with back-to-back wins on off tracks, but Cole will consult with her owner-breeders before assuring her place in the St John’s College Foundation 1400. “I have to speak to Brent and Cherry Taylor, we will make that call together. But based on the way she has been working on off-going, I would say yes (to starting),” he said. Coming off a well-deserved spell will be Renovations, who secured more valuable black-type when third in the Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) in January. She continued that form through to mid-May, and Cole couldn’t have been happier with her overall efforts at three. “She really deserved that break, she had a long preparation and trekked all over the country and did a really good job for the crew involved in her,” he said. “She was hardly ever out of the first four. “She’s a really genuine little racehorse and I think she’s come back better from the break. We had her in last weekend but scratched from a wide gate, so we were able to get some more work into her with the extra week up our sleeve. “I’m a bit worried about the track with her, the better side of heavy is alright, but it would be a question mark if it was really bottomless.” She is entered for the Craigs Investments Partners Sprint (1100m) at Rating 75 grade. Cole will also be well-represented across the Central Districts, particularly with the progressive Atmospheric stepping out at Otaki on Friday in the Otaki Tyre Repairs Handicap (1600m) The son of El Roca was an eye-catcher resuming at Ellerslie, being held up for most of the straight before flashing home into fourth over 1300m. “He was super first up, he just didn’t get the breaks when he needed them,” Cole said. “He was really solid to the line and doing his best work late. “The 1300m is obviously short of his best, his most recent run was in the Trelawney Championship Stakes (Group 3) over 2100m, and he’s only taken steps in the right direction this time in. “It’ll just be whether we put him on the truck and trek all the way down there for a heavy track, but there are limited options around, so we’ll be considering it.” His stablemate Oneira will be heading down regardless of track conditions, taking her place under a light weight in the New World Otaki Handicap (1200m). “I don’t think she’s as capable on wet tracks as she looked to be when she was younger, but on the way she’s working, she looks like she can run a race,” Cole said. “She was a little bit disappointing at Ruakaka, but I just felt that tough run from a wide gate at Tauranga might’ve just knocked a bit of the nip out of her. She’s been freshened up since then and is working well, so we’ll be looking to run her either way down there.” Of his remaining runners, including a couple heading to Waverley on Sunday, Cole noted Dance For Her (Te Rapa) and Arrowfield Stud-owned filly Cheerio (Waverley) as ones to follow. “Dance For Her was a big run out of her grade at Taranaki, she was fresh-up over a mile on extremely testing going and that condition just told,” he said. “She’s bounced through it well and worked well this morning, so provided she cops the two-week back-up, I think she’ll run well again. “Cheerio is one that I am really looking forward to, she’s probably still six months away from really seeing a bit more from her but I think she’s got a bright future, however long it takes for us to get there.” Horse racing news View the full article

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5. DISCLAIMER, BAQ, 9/20, 1 mile (turf) (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 82 (3rd) (c, 3, by Caracaro–Tara Road, by Quality Road) O-Curragh Stables. B-Joe Jr., John and Karen Mulholland (Ky). T-John Terranova. J-Luis Rivera. As the slight 5/2 favorite after his solid 3rd at Saratoga, he ran his race on numbers but may be better than this. He and runnerup Wicked Improbable (see below) exchanged a bump at the start that appeared minor, yet both wound up farther back than expected. Next-last by 8 lengths down the backstretch, he followed Wicked Improbable on the rail around the 2nd turn then swung out to finish with good energy. 4. FAST MARKET, BAQ, 9/21, 1 mile (turf) (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-82 (f, 3, by Volatile–Betty Draper, by Street Cry {Ire}) O-Hit the Bid Racing Stable. B-Breed First (Ky). T-John Terranova. J-Dylan Davis. The first four on this list represent trainers making their initial appearances in Five Fastest Maidens–and Terranova makes it twice. Terranova removed blinkers for this race, and Fast Market settled willingly inside for Davis then unleashed a final quarter in :23.21 to win going away with nice strides. Her dam began her racing career with Andre Fabre for Godolphin's French wing, but was bred by Darley in Kentucky and probably named there, too: Betty Draper was the wife of Don Draper on the acclaimed American TV series “Mad Men.” 3. WICKED IMPROBABLE, BAQ, 9/20, 1 mile (turf) (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-83 (2nd) (c, 3, by Improbable–Baffle Me, by First Samurai) O-Donegal Racing. B-WinStar Farm (Ky). T-Thomas Morley. J-Ricardo Santana. After a somewhat awkward beginning, he was given a ground-saving ride by Santana and finished strongly inside for 2nd in his third lifetime outing, all on turf. His consistent dam Baffle Me won five stakes and recorded 13 Beyers between 90 and 94 after being switched from dirt to grass. 2. CUANDO, BAQ, 9/20, 1 mile (turf) (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-90 (g, 4, by Not This Time–Fox Hunt, by Saint Liam) O-Two Tone Farms. B-LaDona Hudson (Ky). T-Bruce Levine. J-Ruben Silvera. The 16-race maiden had previously shown he was capable of running competitive numbers when a) in peak form and b) on an uncontested early lead. And at 8/1 odds here he was ridden with intent early by Silvera to set the pace and was never threatened in a strong performance. Owner/breeder Hudson has raced at least four generations of the female family dating back 40 years. 1. ENGLISHMAN, CD, 9/19, 7 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-97 (c, 2, by Maxfield–In It for the Gold, by Speightstown) O-C R K Stable. B-Fifth Avenue Bloodstock. T-Cherie DeVaux. J-Jose Ortiz. He somehow wasn't even the betting favorite, but Englishman recorded the second-fastest 2-year-old debut figure thus far in 2025, behind only Brant's 101. As the 2/1 second choice, this 'TDN Rising Star' left 9/5 Tagermeen in the dust–and Tagermeen had finished 4th at Saratoga in Ted Noffey's maiden win. Sire Maxfield (who won his first five starts) has been represented in his first crop by 11 winners to date, including California-bred stakes winner Max Ciao and Sapling runner-up Just Asap. The post Five Fastest Maidens, Presented By Taylor Made: Sept. 15-22 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Beginning Oct. 1, Delaware Park will introduce a starter bonus for the remainder of the 2025 meet, which is scheduled to conclude Oct. 18.View the full article