Wandering Eyes

By Brigette Solomon No stable is winning races like Michael House is right now. On Tuesday at Manawatu his runners won five of the night’s seven races – it’s the third time this year that he’s had five wins at the same meeting. The previous five-fors were also at Manawatu on February 11 and February 13. Four of the five winners were driven by son Wilson House, who is second in the drivers’ premiership with 43 wins this year, 10 shy of seven time champion Blair Orange. “It was a really good day, but a lot of credit has to go to the team that work for us,” said Michael House, “we have a bunch of really good horse people that give the horses such good consistent care prior to and after racing.” “I’m really proud of my two boys as well, Wilson is doing well with his driving and my youngest son George has taken on the role of travelling manager for me and he’s doing a great job and is really finding his feet and developing into the role.” The stable’s five winners included two horses having their first look at Manawatu with Koko Kaboom taking out the Creative Catering Handicap Trot despite losing considerable ground when galloping on the first bend. Patiently driven by House, the gelding settled with the back markers and caught the leading pack to land the one out one back position. Koko Kaboom was shuffled back one spot when stable mate Tinkerbelle rounded the field to take the parked position, but Koko Kaboom was tough when House made his move with 400 metres left to run, reeling in the field to win by a length. “It was touch and go if we sent Koko Kaboom up as I didn’t think he’d handle the track and he’s not very tractable and there’s still a few things to iron out yet,” said House “he definitely raced better than he’s been working but credit to Wilson who got him round in his two starts prior after we had changed his shoeing and got him a bit more organised.” “Matai Harry was the other having his first look at Manawatu and the genuine pace in the race turned it into a bit of a staying contest which played right into his hands.” Matai Harry, also driven by House, was content to let the gelding settle at the rear of the field before setting off three wide with 700 metres to run. House allowed the gelding to steadily improve, levelling with the leader Jahi 400 metres from home, and from there Matai Harry edged in front to take out the Happy 45th Birthday Greg Olsen Mobile Pace. House also went on to win on Doctor Tim (R5) and Matai Lizzie(R7), while Sailesh Abernethy was the successful driver of Stickifingers (R4) for the House Stable. House now has 56 wins for the season to date. He leads the drivers’ premiership by 32 from nearest rivals Steve and Amanda Telfer. “Chasing the premiership is definitely not one of our goals but it’s been great to see the endeavour of targeting the summer and autumn racing circuits up here pay off” said House, “it was something I had envisioned back in November and after securing Harrison Orange as a concession junior driver for the team it was all systems go.” “There will be a few of the big stables that will have a lot of horses coming out shortly and I’m happy to leave it to them to target premierships, we’ll just be focussing day to day on the stable.” View the full article

Nina Hope’s record-breaking final training tally, an increase to the minimum wage, and plenty of chat about Cambridge’s Night of Champions all feature in this week’s News Briefs. Nina Hope’s final training tally This country’s most successful female trainer Nina Hope is leaving the training ranks with 903 career wins. As announced last week Hope is not renewing her trainers’ licence, with son Ben joining Greg in partnership from yesterday, April 1. The Woodend-based husband and wife combo of Greg and Nina Hope have been a huge successful training operation since their first winner Eyreton Bay at Marlborough 24 years ago. Nina Hope’s last race day was at Rangiora on Sunday where they had two wins with Blue Rock Dancer and Crown Moment, both driven by Ben. With 903 wins she finishes as the most successful female trainer in this country, five wins ahead of Natalie Rasmussen who had 898 in partnership with Mark Purdon between the 2014 and 2021 seasons. The first Greg and Ben Hope runners will be at Timaru today. House draws clear at top of premiership After winning five races at Manawatu last night Michael House has extended his lead in the trainers’ premiership. He now has 56 wins in 2025, 32 ahead of his closest rival Steve and Amanda Telfer. House’s winners last night were Koko Kaboom, Matai Harry, Stickifingers, Doctor Tim and Matai Lizzie. On the back of the stable’s success Wilson House is now second in the drivers’ premiership with 43 wins, 10 behind leader Blair Orange. House is a clear leader in the junior drivers’ ranks, with Harrison Orange next on 29. Minimum Wage Increase – Effective 1 April 2025 Employers are reminded that, effective from 1 April 2025, the minimum wage rates in New Zealand have increased as follows: Adult Minimum Wage: Increased from $23.15 to $23.50 per hour.​ Starting-Out and Training Minimum Wage: Increased from $18.52 to $18.80 per hour. Please ensure all employment agreements and payroll systems are updated accordingly to reflect these changes. For more information on employment obligations and details on the minimum wage rates, visit Employment New Zealand. 3YO Semi Finals at Cambridge on Friday The New Zealand Sires’ Stakes are excited about the two semi finals for the 3YOs at Cambridge’s Night of Champions on Friday. To read their latest newsletter click here To see the Fillies field click here To see the Colts and Geldings field click here Purdon flying at Cambridge Chase A Dream’s return to form last Friday gave co-trainer Mark Purdon his sixth driving win in the Waikato Flying Mile. Paying $24, the Captaintreacherous four-year-old cleared out to beat a quality field by two lengths to confirm his place in Friday’s $1m The race by betcha as part of Cambridge’s Night of Champions. It was his 11th win in 21 starts. Chase A Dream cut out the mile in a new track and race record of 1:51.4, beating the old mark of 1:52 set by Self Assured in 2023. Purdon’s other wins in the event have been Chase Auckland (2020), Turn It Up (2019), Lazarus (2017), Auckland Reactor (2009) and Young Rufus (2003). Chase A Dream will start one the second row in Friday’s $1m The Race by betcha. The BGP Punters Club – how to get involved The BGP Punters Club is currently at just over $65,000 for the Night of Champions at Cambridge. It’s hoped that figure will increase sharply in the last few days heading into Friday’s big meeting. For those wanting to get involved you can purchase a share in the BGP Punters Club directly from the TAB APP. You can no longer enter via a retail store, betting option or the online site. You must use the app. Follow this link: https://www.tab.co.nz/hosted-group/BGPAID2024 which will take you direct to enter. Alternatively: 1. You need to go to the TAB App and bottom right you will find ‘More’. 2. Top left you will see ‘Boys Get Paid’ – click on this. 3. You will see ‘Boys Get Paid’ under groups. If it asks for a joining code that is BGPAID2024 or BGPAID24 4. Once you have joined that you will see ‘The Pot’. 5. Select The Pot and join it and you can follow the steps to add funds. Copy That Perth-bound Dual New Zealand Cup winner Copy That will stand at stud in Western Australia. The $2m earner will be based in Perth from the end of April . The eight-year-old was retired from racing in September 2023 after winning 33 starts, including the Race by Grins two years ago. Another Ray Green-trained pacer is also on the move, with Frisco Bay heading to North America following his last start second to Jolimont in the Lincoln Farms Founders Cup at Alexandra Park on March 14. Milestones for Hackett-Wallis Two milestones were recorded in one race when the Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett-trained Courmayeur won at big odds in the MVS Waikato Country Cup Handicap Trot at Cambridge last Friday night. It gave the husband and wife training combination their 377th win together and it was Wallis’ 700th overall and Hackett’s 500th. Wallis has had 323 on her own account between 1999 – 2012 while Hackett had 123 on his own account between 1988 and 2012. The pair had three wins on the night 75 wins in North America While Take After Me’s record-breaking 400th start got plenty of attention last week he was not alone in racking up some big numbers. In North America former top-liner J L Cruze had career win number 75 in Maryland. The 14-year-old’s winning time was 1:54.4. Take After Me is also 14 with 21 wins from his 400 starts. His third at Ashburton on March 26 may have delayed his retirement with Fred Scott saying no firm decision’s been made yet about his racing future. Winning USA debut for former Kiwi After having two wins for the Telfers in this country, Aardie B Miki has made a winning debut in the USA. He won his race at Yonkers in New York in 1:53.8 for top driver Jason Bartlett. Aardie B Miki headed to Australia last year and won seven times between June and November there before heading to North America. Meanwhile defending champion Catch A Wave is on track for the $1m Nullabor in Perth on April 25. The six-year-old driven by Kate Gath was too good at Geelong in 1:51.9, equaling the track record. It was a bounce back performance from Catch A Wave after a disappointing effort in the Miracle Mile. His last half was timed at 53.8 – not bad considering he raced much of it three wide. Club News : Invercargill The Invercargill Harness Racing Club hosts the annual Regent Race Day at Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill on Thursday (3 April). A nine-race programme commences with the first race at 2.00pm. Regent Car Court and many of those that they have a business relationship with support the day of exciting harness racing while the programme also consists of a heat of the Southern Belle Speed Series supported by VetSouth Equine. Admission to the course on the day will be free. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Champion horseman Luke McCarthy has only one plan for Don Hugo after securing the perfect barrier in Friday’s $1million Race by Betcha at Cambridge. “We will be leading and staying there,” he says matter-of-factly. That was the New South Wales superstar driver’s only tactic after Don Hugo, the Inter Dominion and Miracle Mile champion, drew barrier 2 for the slot race over 2200m mobile, suggesting he will be the early leader. His arch rival and best horse in the race Leap To Fame drew the outside of front line, with Merlin (barrier 7) and Don’t Stop Dreaming (5) drawn between the two Aussie big guns. The latter three will all move in one starting spot if emergency Mo’Unga, as looks likely, doesn’t gain a start from barrier 4. Before the draw McCarthy said the most important factor for him was drawing inside Leap To Fame, who he says the still the best horse in the race and deserves to be favourite. “But now we have the draw to try and lead if he can sit parked outside us and beat us he is just too good. “He couldn’t do that in the Miracle Mile and it will be hard to do here,” said McCarthy from Cambridge. Leap To Fame’s best chance looks to be sitting parked and trying to outstay Don Hugo but that has understandably been his Achilles Heel at the highest level in the last two years, sometimes through a lack of gate speed but also because of a succession of poor draws. Merlin’s co-trainer Barry Purdon suggests while he wasn’t thrilled with his wide draw for the defence of the title he won last season it could work out better than first glance would suggest. “He could roll forward and maybe get the back of Leap To Fame if he ends up parked and that would be okay,” said Purdon. He and training partner Scott Phelan also have Duchess Megxit in the race drawn the ace and looking a chance to trail the potential leader Don Hugo, giving her a place chance. Immediately after the drawing the TAB bookies opened Leap To Fame the $2.30 final field favourite, with Don Hugo at $2.50. While there was little movement in that market favouritism for the $600,000 TAB Trot changed then changed again after varied fortunes in the draw for the best trotters from each country. Oscar Bonavena and The Locomotive went into the draw as the $3 equal favourites but when Oscar drew barrier 3 and The Locomotive was given barrier 6, Oscar Bonavena moved into favouritism. That didn’t last long. Punters quickly rallied for The Locomotive, clearly believing he will still have the gate speed to cross to the lead and trainer-driver Brad Hewitt made it clear that was still his plan. So after the dramatic few hours he was back as the $2.70 favourite with Oscar Bonavena out to $2.80, with Arcee Phoenix $7 into $5.50 after drawing barrier 4. View the full article

Chris Waller‘s Wodeton, narrowly defeated in the Golden Slipper, is the favourite in a closely contested Inglis Sires’ 2025 betting market this Saturday at Randwick. The Group 1 $1 million Inglis Sires’ (1400m) features ten of the season’s top two-year-olds. “Wodeton is favourite to return to winning form in the 2025 Inglis Sires’ this weekend […] The post Inglis Sires’ 2025 Field & Betting Update: Slipper Runner-Up Wodeton Favourite appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The 2025 ATC Australian Derby at Randwick this Saturday features a compelling contest between New Zealand raider Willydoit and the talented filly Aeliana, who are both vying for favouritism in the Group 1 $2 million staying showdown. “NZ Derby winner Willydoit is down under for Saturday’s 2025 Australian Derby,” a racing analyst from Races.com.au reported. […] The post Kiwi Raider Willydoit Heads 2025 ATC Australian Derby Field & Odds appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Chris Waller is aiming for his fourth TJ Smith Stakes victory this Saturday at Royal Randwick, with his mare Joliestar leading the charge in the Group 1 $3 million sprint feature. Waller, who previously enjoyed a three-year reign with Nature Strip, has a strong hand in the 2025 edition. “Newmarket Handicap winning mare Joliestar heads […] The post TJ Smith Stakes 2025 Field & Betting Update: Joliestar Favourite appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

John O’Shea is content he couldn’t have Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) in any better shape for the Doncaster Mile and the rest, he says, is up to the horse. The colt remains favourite at $6 after coming up with gate 14 at Tuesday night’s barrier draw and O’Shea says Linebacker’s campaign has been faultless. “The things we can control we have under control,” O’Shea said. “He is a very fit, healthy horse. Whether we’re good enough, we’re going to determine that on Saturday. “The preparation has gone exactly how we have wanted. He will have a couple of nice easy days going into the race on Saturday. “The horse is in great form, the rider (Zac Lloyd) is in great form and the stable is very relaxed with his preparation.” Three-year-olds have won close to a third of the past 30 renewals of the Doncaster Mile, the latest Celestial Legend last year, and O’Shea has followed a similar template to the one that horse’s trainer Les Bridge adopted. Both claimed the Randwick Guineas and like Celestial Legend, Linebacker has been given a month between runs with a barrier trial in between. The O’Shea-trained Café Millennium finished third in last year’s Guineas and taking a line through him, O’Shea believes the signs point to this year’s instalment being even stronger. “Last year, we ran third in the Guineas and there was about half a dozen of them all going to the line together so I was thinking maybe the Guineas wasn’t that strong,” he said. “This year’s Guineas, they ran time, there was a long distance from first to last, they went a good gallop.” The unknown is how Linebacker will measure up against more seasoned rivals but with just 49kg in a spread that has Another Wil topweight with 56.5kg, O’Shea is happy to find out. “It’s a matter of analysing how he lines up against what was a very strong George Ryder Stakes and a very strong All-Star Mile,” he said. “Those horses are probably weighted up to their best in a Doncaster, so we’re probably going to have to utilise our weight advantage and hopefully get a position in the running that gives us a chance to be in the finish.” The Doncaster barrier draw didn’t have a major impact on markets, Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto) ($7) and Tom Kitten ($7) both holding their place high in betting after drawing barriers six and one respectively. Japanese raider Geoglyph eased slightly to $26 after coming up with the outside gate in the field of 20 plus four emergencies. View the full article

Dual Group One winner La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) has been plagued by foot issues her entire career, and unfortunately they have reared their ugly head once again over the weekend. The daughter of Vadamos was set to contest the Gr.1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill last Saturday, but the race was transferred to Tuesday because of inclement weather, which proved costly to La Crique, who succumbed to a foot infection and was forced to be withdrawn from the rescheduled race. “When they moved those races to the Tuesday, I was forced to give her a gallop on Sunday,” said Katrina Alexander, who trains in partnership with her husband Simon. “With the rain that was around, and her feet aren’t the greatest, she has picked up a foot infection with the moisture, and the gallop brought that out. “Later that afternoon she was a bit foot sore. She is improving all the time, but we just ran out of days to get her right. “She will come home and we will give her a rest now, there is nothing much there to stay for, especially because we have missed a little bit of work with the foot. We will set our sights to a new campaign.” Alexander is ruing what could have been, with her stable star in flying form and in-line for another run post the Tancred. “It is just one of those unfortunate things,” she said. “If it hadn’t rained we probably would have been right, she would have got through Saturday and she would have had a run to improve from. “It is just circumstances and with horses it is down to hours and minutes sometimes and we couldn’t get her over the line to get that done. “She will keep in every other way, she has absolutely thrived on the trip, which has been brilliant to see, and the more she does (travel) the better she gets at it, so that sets us up well for next season.” It brings an anticlimactic end to a pleasing season for the six-year-old mare, who was victorious in the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe last November before posting four consecutive elite-level runner-up results, including the Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m), Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m), Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), and Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). Meanwhile, Alexander was pleased with the debut runner-up performance of stablemate Rise Companions in the Horizon By SkyCity 1200 at Pukekohe on Wednesday, but said the four-year-old son of Capitalist still has plenty to learn. “He is a talented horse,” Alexander said. “He has got a young, green brain in a big, physical body, and he is learning to control his emotions, as we saw today when he was a bit naughty in the barrier, which put him off his game a little bit. “It is always going to be a bit tricky from the 10 draw and he is not a 1200m horse by any means. I thought it was a brave effort and he will learn a lot from that. He will keep and we will get him up over ground. “He is probably going forward a 2000m horse, ideally, but you have got to kick-off somewhere and I was relatively pleased with his effort today.” View the full article

Multiple stakes winner Pivotal Ten (NZ) (Ten Sovereigns) is to continue her career across the Tasman at Lindsay Park with brothers Ben, Will and JD Hayes. The daughter of Ten Sovereigns will relocate in due course to the family’s Euroa complex to prepare for a spring campaign in Melbourne. The three-year-old’s sparkling run of southern form through the summer prompted Cambridge Stud to purchase a 50 percent holding in the filly from owner Colin Wightman. Connections identified Lindsay Park as the ideal fit for Pivotal Ten, given she has previously thrived in rural surroundings. “We feel that environment will be more conducive for her, they’ve got day paddocks there and all the facilities, it’s as good as anything you’d ever see,” said Brendan Lindsay, who owns and operates Cambridge Stud with wife Jo. “It’s all about giving her the best opportunities and do the right thing by the horse, and that has to be in Australia.” Pivotal Ten won five of her eight starts under the guidance of trainer-rider Samantha Wynne, including consecutive Listed victories in the NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m), Gore Guineas (1335m) and Southland Guineas (1400m). “Sam did a terrific job with the horse, there’s no doubt about that with the record speaking for itself,” Lindsay said. She was unplaced for the new ownership group in the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) and returned to Canterbury for a break after the Ellerslie feature. “We’re not exactly sure what happened in The Kiwi and she didn’t perform to the level we thought she would,” Lindsay said. “Maybe it was that way around (right-handed), maybe it wasn’t and perhaps she had come to the end of it. “She has arrived at Karaka, we flew her up from the South Island as we didn’t want to put her on a float, and it was the last plane coming up for a while. “She’ll spell for probably another five weeks and then she’ll go over to the Hayes boys at Euroa.” Bred by Valachi Downs, Pivotal Ten was a $15,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Weanling Sale purchase for Wightman and is a daughter of the unraced English-bred Pivotal mare Lady Woodcote. She is a sister to the Gr.1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (1000m) winner Maarek. Meanwhile, the Cambridge Stud-owned Holymanz (NZ) (Almanzor) has stakes races on his upcoming program after the son of Almanzor finished a bold third when resuming over 1600m at Flemington at the weekend. He has been a multiple Group placegetter for trainer Ciaron Maher and the Listed Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo and the Listed Scone Cup (1600m) are possible targets. “He’s been knocking around that Listed and Group Three area, he’s not quite up to that Group One standard,” Lindsay said. “He’s honest and every time he turns up at the races he puts his best foot forward.” View the full article

Stakes tests are in the offing for Rangiotu galloper Chase (NZ) (Zed) if he performs up to expectations in the Wanganui-Taranaki Racehorse Owners Association Open 1600 at Wanganui on Saturday. The Group One performer will be fresh-up after finishing unplaced in the Gr.3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m) at Trentham in January, and trainer Stephen Nickalls has been pleased with his progress leading up the weekend. “Chase is really well, we went to the Levin jump-outs yesterday (Tuesday) just to have a good hit-out, he ran third and did everything right, so I am really pleased with where he is at,” Nickalls said. “Hopefully a bit of aqua turns up, like it is forecast, and that will certainly help his chances. Those 6, 7, 8 tracks he will love fresh-up.” Nickalls is looking forward to getting a gauge on his gelding this weekend against a quality line-up, with his performance dictating his autumn path. “It is a very good field for Saturday, there are some nice horses in there. We will certainly get an indication of where we are at,” he said. “There are a couple of Listed miles – the ANZAC Mile and Rangitikei Gold Cup. He is a hard horse to place now, he is rating 90, so he gets high up in the weights, which helps in one aspect as we can get Jonathan (Riddell) to ride him. “He is right up at the top of the handicap in a lot of his races, but on Saturday he is good because Mr Myers has got Aljay in there, so that pushes his weight down a bit. He will tell us how well he has come up after Saturday and we will press along those lines.” Earlier on the card, Nickalls will line-up Dark And Dusty (NZ) (Derryn) in the Wanganui Insurance Brokers Maiden 1600, where he will benefit from apprentice jockey Amber Riddell’s three-kilogram claim. “He is a really nice horse,” Nickalls said. “He is probably six to 12 months away, he’s just a bit immature physically and in his brain every now and again, he is one of the spookiest horses I have got. “He has drawn well in four so hopefully Amber can use that and the three kilos off will really help him. “He went well for her at Waverley the other day. He is really happy and a little bit of luck will certainly help him.” View the full article

Shaun and Emma Clotworthy will break new ground in their training careers at Randwick on Saturday, with their first Australian runner coming in the form of the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) second-favourite Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino). The Byerley Park couple unveiled the talented son of Tarzino in November and he was immediately stamped as a Derby prospect, a promise fulfilled five starts later when he bolted away with the $1.25 million Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day. Willydoit caught the hearts of the New Zealand public while attracting plenty of overseas attention, with a 50 percent share in the gelding purchased by syndicator MyRacehorse in December. As a part of the deal, he was initially set to join Ciaron Maher’s stable after the New Zealand Derby, but in the best interests of the horse, he remained in the Clotworthys care before travelling to Sydney last Sunday. “He had a bit of a quiet time after the Derby, then we built him up again and he arrived in Australia on Sunday,” Shaun Clotworthy said. “We elected to keep him at home up to the Derby, just to avoid changing climate quickly and you don’t know whether that’s going to work or not. It was a better way of building into this race. “We are based here at Ciaron Maher’s facility in Bong Bong which is outstanding, he loves this sort of environment and he’ll end up here after the Derby. “I’ve just watched him do a piece of work this morning (Wednesday) and I’m very happy with him, he looks good and has travelled over really well.” Willydoit overcame a barrier of 14 at Ellerslie to triumph in the Derby and he has fared better across the Tasman, drawing 10 with two emergencies to his inside. He will continue his association with expat-Kiwi hoop Mick Dee, who will be vying for his first Australian Derby crown. “We’ll leave it up to Mick, but we were quite happy with the draw as he should come into eight,” Clotworthy said. In the final days as co-trainer of the special galloper, Clotworthy reflected fondly on the past couple of months, from the disappointment of a slowly-run Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) to the high of winning at elite-level for the first time. “It’s been a great journey and pressure isn’t a bad thing, it’s there because he’s a good horse,” he said. “It’s nice to train a good horse and especially to do so with Emma, and our son Harrison being involved as well. “It’s been outstanding.” On the New Zealand TAB market, Willydoit is rated a $4 second-elect in the A$2 million showpiece, splitting fellow Kiwi-breds Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) ($3.50) and Shanwah ($9). View the full article

The 2025 Doncaster Mile at Randwick on Saturday promises a thrilling contest, with a high-caliber field vying for the prestigious Group 1 $4 million prize. The race, a highlight of Day 1 of The Championships, has attracted a typically competitive lineup, reflected in the open betting markets at Ladbrokes. “Gringotts is one of the best […] The post Doncaster Mile 2025 Field & Odds: Top Contenders Hard to Split appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

What Wyong Races Where Wyong Race Club & Function Centre – 71-73 Howarth St, Wyong NSW 2259 When Thursday, April 3, 2025 First Race 12:50pm AEDT Visit Dabble Wyong Race Club is the destination for provincial racing on Thursday afternoon, where the $150,000 Provincial-Midway Championships Wildcard headlines a competitive nine-part program. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit for the meeting, and with improving conditions forecast leading into race-day, punters can expect the Heavy 8 rating at the time of acceptances to be upgraded into the Soft range prior to the opening event at 12:50pm local time. Provincial-Midway Wildcard Tip: French Ruler French Ruler was far from disgraced finishing 4.3 lengths off Matcha Latte at Newcastle on March 20, holding his ground in an on-speed-dominated contest. The John Sargent-trained three-year-old gets the blinkers applied for the first time to keep his mind on the job, as Keagan Latham looks to land in a handy position from barrier eight. He should get a genuine tempo to sprint off despite dropping back to the 1350m, and provided he can secure an economical run in transit, watch for French Ruler to be storming over the top at a good price with horse racing bookmakers. Provincial-Midway Wildcard Race 7 – #6 French Ruler (8) 3yo Gelding | T: John Sargent | J: Keagan Latham (56kg) Best Bet at Wyong: Lady Pankhurst Lady Pankhurst gave a good account of herself debuting in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on March 8. It was always going to be a tricky assignment first-up; however, she never shirked the task to stick within 4.3 lengths of Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) placegetter, Tempted. That’s clearly the best form dropping back into this provincial maiden, and Rachel King likely to take it up from stall five, Lady Pankhurst will take plenty of chasing down heading into start two. Best Bet Race 2 – #9 Lady Pankhurst (5) 2yo Filly | T: John Sargent | J: Rachel King (55kg) Next Best at Wyong: Reducio Reducio appears set to strike first-up after a 215-day spell, with the Harry Angel filly catching the eye in two recent barrier trials. She would’ve gone straight past Rhegion in her latest piece of work at Rosehill on March 17 if asked for an effort, with Kerrin McEvoy being very kind to the three-year-old in the final furlong. She’s likely to get back towards the rear of the field drawn the widest of eight runners, but with an element of class on this lot, expect Reducio to power of the top to justify favouritism with . Next Best Race 3 – #6 Reducio (8) 3yo Filly | T: James Cummings | J: Kerrin McEvoy (56.5kg) Best Value at Wyong: Marenaro Although Marenaro has been a shade disappointing in two starts to kick-off the campaign, punters can expect the son of Dundeel to bounce back third-up. Stepping out to the 2100m should be ideal, and with Aaron Bullock likely to get the run of the race from stall one, Marenaro should get every chance to figure at an each-way price with . Best Value Race 4 – #4 Marenaro (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Dean Mirfin | J: Aaron Bullock (58kg) Thursday quaddie tips for Wyong Wyong quadrella selections April 3, 2025 1-6-7-8-9 2-3-6-7-14 1-2-4-12-15 3-7-8-9-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

La Crique’s (inside) season is over after she succumbed to a foot infection in Sydney. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Dual Group 1 winner La Crique has been plagued by foot issues her entire career, and unfortunately they have reared their ugly head once again over the weekend. The daughter of Vadamos was set to contest the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill last Saturday, but the race was transferred to Tuesday because of inclement weather, which proved costly to La Crique, who succumbed to a foot infection and was forced to be withdrawn from the rescheduled race. “When they moved those races to the Tuesday, I was forced to give her a gallop on Sunday,” said Katrina Alexander, who trains in partnership with her husband Simon. “With the rain that was around, and her feet aren’t the greatest, she has picked up a foot infection with the moisture, and the gallop brought that out. “Later that afternoon she was a bit foot sore. She is improving all the time, but we just ran out of days to get her right. “She will come home and we will give her a rest now, there is nothing much there to stay for, especially because we have missed a little bit of work with the foot. We will set our sights to a new campaign.” Alexander is ruing what could have been, with her stable star in flying form and in-line for another run post the Tancred. “It is just one of those unfortunate things,” she said. “If it hadn’t rained we probably would have been right, she would have got through Saturday and she would have had a run to improve from. “It is just circumstances and with horses it is down to hours and minutes sometimes and we couldn’t get her over the line to get that done. “She will keep in every other way, she has absolutely thrived on the trip, which has been brilliant to see, and the more she does (travel) the better she gets at it, so that sets us up well for next season.” It brings an anticlimactic end to a pleasing season for the six-year-old mare, who was victorious in the Group 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe last November before posting four consecutive elite-level runner-up results, including the Group 1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m), Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m), Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), and Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). Meanwhile, Alexander was pleased with the debut runner-up performance of stablemate Rise Companions in the Horizon By SkyCity 1200 at Pukekohe on Wednesday, but said the four-year-old son of Capitalist still has plenty to learn. “He is a talented horse,” Alexander said. “He has got a young, green brain in a big, physical body, and he is learning to control his emotions, as we saw today when he was a bit naughty in the barrier, which put him off his game a little bit. “It is always going to be a bit tricky from the 10 draw and he is not a 1200m horse by any means. I thought it was a brave effort and he will learn a lot from that. He will keep and we will get him up over ground. “He is probably going forward a 2000m horse, ideally, but you have got to kick-off somewhere and I was relatively pleased with his effort today.” Horse racing news View the full article

Pivotal Ten will continue her racing career with Lindsay Park Racing in Melbourne. Photo: Monica Toretto Multiple stakes winner Pivotal Ten is to continue her career across the Tasman at Lindsay Park with brothers Ben, Will and JD Hayes. The daughter of Ten Sovereigns will relocate in due course to the family’s Euroa complex to prepare for a spring campaign in Melbourne. The three-year-old’s sparkling run of southern form through the summer prompted Cambridge Stud to purchase a 50 percent holding in the filly from owner Colin Wightman. Connections identified Lindsay Park as the ideal fit for Pivotal Ten, given she has previously thrived in rural surroundings. “We feel that environment will be more conducive for her, they’ve got day paddocks there and all the facilities, it’s as good as anything you’d ever see,” said Brendan Lindsay, who owns and operates Cambridge Stud with wife Jo. “It’s all about giving her the best opportunities and do the right thing by the horse, and that has to be in Australia.” Pivotal Ten won five of her eight starts under the guidance of trainer-rider Samantha Wynne, including consecutive Listed victories in the NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m), Gore Guineas (1335m) and Southland Guineas (1400m). “Sam did a terrific job with the horse, there’s no doubt about that with the record speaking for itself,” Lindsay said. She was unplaced for the new ownership group in the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) and returned to Canterbury for a break after the Ellerslie feature. “We’re not exactly sure what happened in The Kiwi and she didn’t perform to the level we thought she would,” Lindsay said. “Maybe it was that way around (right-handed), maybe it wasn’t and perhaps she had come to the end of it. “She has arrived at Karaka, we flew her up from the South Island as we didn’t want to put her on a float, and it was the last plane coming up for a while. “She’ll spell for probably another five weeks and then she’ll go over to the Hayes boys at Euroa.” Bred by Valachi Downs, Pivotal Ten was a $15,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Weanling Sale purchase for Wightman and is a daughter of the unraced English-bred Pivotal mare Lady Woodcote. She is a sister to the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (1000m) winner Maarek. Meanwhile, the Cambridge Stud-owned Holymanz has stakes races on his upcoming program after the son of Almanzor finished a bold third when resuming over 1600m at Flemington at the weekend. He has been a multiple Group placegetter for trainer Ciaron Maher and the Listed Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo and the Listed Scone Cup (1600m) are possible targets. “He’s been knocking around that Listed and Group Three area, he’s not quite up to that Group One standard,” Lindsay said. “He’s honest and every time he turns up at the races he puts his best foot forward.” Horse racing news View the full article

Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners P J Bell Stakes Group Three Betting Guide Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025 Location: Randwick Racecourse – Sydney, New South Wales Prize Money: $250,000 Distance: 1200m The PJ Bell Stakes is a Group 3 race for three-year-old fillies, run over 1200m at Royal Randwick under set weights with penalties. Conducted by the Australian Turf Club, the PJ Bell Stakes was first held in 1985 as the Analie Handicap, named after the Doncaster and Oaks-winning mare. In 1995, it was renamed to honour former AJC chairman PJ (Jim) Bell. The PJ Bell Stakes held Listed status until 2013 and was elevated to Group 3 level in 2014. It was briefly run at Canterbury (2011–2013) before returning to Randwick. The PJ Bell Stakes is now a key feature on Day 1 of The Championships and often serves as a launching pad for fillies targeting the Brisbane carnival. The 2024 PJ Bell Stakes, worth $250,000, was won by Facile, defeating Infancy and French Endeavour. Notable past winners include Dane Ripper, Private Steer, Ortensia, Red Tracer, Catkins, Politeness, Rubisaki, and Magic Time. 2025 P J Bell Stakes betting odds Facile grips on to claims the 2024 PJ Bell Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Odds for the P J Bell Stakes as of April 1 – Courtesy of Neds Clean Energy Win $2.50 Place $1.38 Autumn Glow Win $4.00 Place $1.75 Zeitung Win $4.40 Place $1.85 Lilac Win $5.00 Place $2.00 She’s Got Pizzazz Win $7.00 Place $2.50 Love Poem Win $8.00 Place $2.75 Flying For Fun Win $13.00 Place $4.00 More Territories Win $13.00 Place $4.00 Island Dec Win $15.00 Place $4.50 Useapin Win $15.00 Place $4.50 Husk Win $21.00 Place $6.00 Mckeyla Win $21.00 Place $6.00 Satin Stiletto Win $26.00 Place $7.25 Triple Tempo Win $51.00 Place $13.50 Broadway Follies Win $61.00 Place $16.00 Durova Win $61.00 Place $16.00 Miss Busslinger Win $61.00 Place $16.00 Lutetia Win $101 Place $26.00 Tiye Win $101 Place $26.00 How to bet on the P J Bell Stakes All of our top horse betting sites have markets for the P J Bell Stakes. Most of the Sydney Autumn Carnival races have markets opened well in advance and the Group 3 P J Bell Stakes is no exception. Most of the top P J Bell Stakes bookmakers can be accessed via three distinct methods: via betting apps, online bookies and via telephone. Australians are also able to bet on the P J Bell Stakes via retail betting outlets, which TAB has monopoly on in most states in the country. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. 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P J Bell Stakes News The Follow Files: Star WA filly the horse to beat in The Quokka Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago In this week’s Follow Files, we have found three horses that are worth following next start after impressive runs on … Read More Magic Time remains unbeaten with P J Bell Stakes victory Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Magic Time kept her undefeated record in tact after blowing her opposition away in the Randwick finale on Saturday afternoon … Read More Heresy leads home a Godolphin first four in P J Bell Stakes Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Heresy has led home a stable first four in the Group 3 P J Bell Stakes, with James Cummings delighted … Read More Collide ready to rebound at Randwick Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Imported galloper Collide can put his Sydney Cup campaign back on track when he lines up in the Chairmanâ€s Quality … Read More Group 1 litmus test for emerging sprinter Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Promising sprinter Eleven Eleven will spearhead trainer Greg Hickman’s team for day one of The Championships at Randwick … Read More 2025 P J Bell Stakes Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Clean Energy Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 8 56kg 2 Zeitung James Cummings Mark Zahra 11 56kg 3 Lilac Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Craig Williams 4 55kg 4 She’s Got Pizzazz Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Blake Shinn 9 55kg 5 Love Poem Stephen Marsh Jason Collett 2 54kg 6 More Territories John O’Shea & Tom Charlton Tyler Schiller 12 54kg 7 Flying For Fun Bryce Heys Zac Lloyd 5 54kg 8 Husk Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes — 1 54kg 9 Miss Busslinger Kris Lees Kerrin McEvoy 7 54kg 10 Island Dec Robert & Luke Price Tommy Berry 3 54kg 11 Useapin Chris Waller — 13 54kg 12 Satin Stiletto Matthew Dale — 6 54kg 13 Durova Ciaron Maher Jamie Melham 10 54kg Previous P J Bell Stakes Fields 2024 P J Bell Stakes field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Learning To Fly Annabel Neasham Chad Schofield 5 57kg 2 Kristilli Annabel Neasham Blake Shinn 9 57kg 3 Lazzago Chris Waller James McDonald 14 57kg 4 Platinum Jubilee Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Adam Hyeronimus 11 56kg 5 Infancy Kris Lees Dylan Gibbons 18 55kg 6 Miraval Rose Grahame Begg Jordan Childs 10 55kg 7 West Of Dalby Benjamin Smith Regan Bayliss 7 55kg 8 Blanc De Blanc Michael Freedman Tommy Berry 16 54kg 9 Facile Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou Tyler Schiller 4 54kg 10 Ballroom Bella Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou Michael Dee 20 54kg 11 French Endeavour Matthew Smith Jason Collett 1 54kg 12 Commemorative James Cummings Jamie Kah 8 54kg 13 Cigar Flick Chris Waller Damian Lane 2 54kg 14 Captain Amelia John O’Shea Craig Williams 19 54kg 15 Pajanti Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou Tim Clark 6 54kg 16 Isthmus Anthony & Sam Freedman Luke Currie 15 54kg 17 Countyourblessings John O’Shea Zac Lloyd 12 54kg 18 Unique Ambition John Sargent Rachel King 17 54kg 19e Miss Hades Gary Portelli — 21 54kg 20e August Bloom Peter & Paul Snowden Tom Sherry 13 54kg 21e Monte Supreme Robert & Luke Price — 3 54kg 2024 P J Bell Stakes result https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Randwick-2024-Group-3-PJ-Bell-Stakes-06042024-Facile-Gerald-Ryan-Sterling-Alexiou-Tyler-Schiller.mp4 1st – Facile (+1000) 2nd – Infancy (+320) 3rd – French Endeavour (+220) Recent runnings of the P J Bell Stakes: 2024: Facile goes all the way Facile delivered a strong front-running performance to claim the Group 3 P J Bell Stakes (1200m) at Randwick, capping off a career day for jockey Tyler Schiller. Trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, the daughter of Trapeze Artist jumped well and controlled the race from the front. Schiller rated her to perfection, easing through soft midrace sectionals before kicking clear in the final furlong to fend off the late challengers. The victory marked Schiller’s second stakes win of the day, having earlier partnered Celestial Legend to a memorable victory in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile. Well-supported runner Commemorative had little luck in running and was unable to get clear when it mattered, while Infancy charged late down the centre of the track under Dylan Gibbons to finish close up. But it was Facile who proved too tough, holding them all off to notch her second career win and secure black-type success. 2023: Magic Time keeps undefeated streak alive Magic Time returned in brilliant fashion to remain unbeaten, producing an electric finish to take out the Group 3 P J Bell Stakes (1200m). First-up, after a 147-day spell, the Grahame Begg-trained filly showed no signs of rust, handling the Heavy track with ease and confirming her class in her first run since winning the Listed Amanda Elliott Stakes in the spring. Ridden patiently by Jordan Childs, Magic Time settled behind the leaders and tracked Parisal throughout the run. As the pace quickened turning for home, Childs angled his mount into the clear and unleashed a powerful sprint to overhaul the leaders and win stylishly. Parisal, who had tracked a strong tempo set by stablemate Portray, was overhauled late but held on for second, while Lady Laguna boxed on bravely along the inside to claim third. Race favourite Opal Ridge ran home from the rear to finish fourth, doing enough to maintain the confidence of her supporters. 2022: Godolphin dominates with first four finish It was a bluewash in the final race at Randwick on Day 1 of the 2022 Championships as Godolphin runners filled the first four placings in the Group 3 P J Bell Stakes (1200m), a $200,000 feature for three-year-old fillies. With the market wide open at $6 the field, punters were unsure where to land heading into the event. Godolphin pair Heresy and Zapateo shared favouritism at $6, closely followed by A Very Fine Red ($6.50) and Me Me Lagarde ($8). In the end, it was Heresy who finished strongest, reeling in her stablemate Zapateo in the closing stages to claim the win. Arcaded took third, while Larkspur Run completed a clean sweep for the Godolphin team in a dominant showing from the powerhouse stable. Previous winners of the P J Bell Stakes P J Bell Stakes Past Winners Year Horse Jockey Trainer 2024 Facile Tyler Schiller Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou 2023 Magic Time Jordan Childs Grahame Begg 2022 Heresy Nash Rawiller James Cummings 2021 Matchmaker James McDonald Chris Waller 2020 Rubisaki Nash Rawiller Patrick Payne 2019 Multaja Craig Williams James Cummings 2018 Houtzen Glyn Schofield Toby Edmonds 2017 Diddums Sam Clipperton Gerald Ryan 2016 Tempt Me Not Glyn Schofield James Cummings 2015 Miss Cover Girl Glen Boss Kelly Schweida 2014 Politeness Craig Williams Robert Smerdon 2013 Catkins Jim Cassidy Chris Waller 2012 Ever The Same Jim Cassidy Anthony Cummings 2011 Red Tracer Glyn Schofield Chris Waller 2010 Zingaling Jim Cassidy Kris Lees 2009 Ortensia Craig Williams Tony Noonan 2008 Espurante Glyn Schofield John O’Shea 2007 Hot ‘n’ Ready Damien Oliver Steve Englebrecht 2006 Kakakakatie Jay Ford Patrick Webster 2005 Rich Megadale Jay Ford Stuart Phegan 2004 Besame Mucho Hugh Bowman Bart Cummings 2003 Private Steer Greg Childs John O’Shea 2002 Oomph Lenny Beasley Kerry Jordan 2001 She’s Purring Chris Munce Ron Quinton 2000 Mulan Princess Shane Dye Paul O’Sullivan P J Bell Stakes winners pre-2000 P J Bell Stakes Past Winners Pre 2000 Year Horse 1999 Wynciti 1998 Flickering Fire 1997 Dane Ripper 1996 Presina 1995 Verocative 1994 Hot To Race 1993 Snippet’s Girl 1992 Regina Madre 1991 Peignoir 1990 Reverse Pass 1989 St. Bridget’s Well 1988 Bronze Empress 1987 Winged Prayer 1986 Sweet Dream Lady 1985 Deal Recommended! Take It To The Neds Level Home of the Neds Toolbox Check Out Neds 18+ Gamble Responsibly Full terms Punters Prefer Blondes It’s a fact, Blondes have more fun Join BlondeBet 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE?. Say Hey to the social bet! You Better Believe It Join Dabble 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE?. Full terms. Next Gen Racing Betting Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? It Pays To Play New online bookmaker Check Out PlayUp 18+ Gamble Responsibly View the full article

Group 1 performer Chase will resume in Saturday’s Wanganui-Taranaki Racehorse Owners Association Open 1600 at Wanganui. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Stakes tests are in the offing for Rangiotu galloper Chase if he performs up to expectations in the Wanganui-Taranaki Racehorse Owners Association Open 1600 at Wanganui on Saturday. The Group 1 performer will be fresh-up after finishing unplaced in the Group 3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m) at Trentham in January, and trainer Stephen Nickalls has been pleased with his progress leading up the weekend. “Chase is really well, we went to the Levin jump-outs yesterday (Tuesday) just to have a good hit-out, he ran third and did everything right, so I am really pleased with where he is at,” Nickalls said. “Hopefully a bit of aqua turns up, like it is forecast, and that will certainly help his chances. Those 6, 7, 8 tracks he will love fresh-up.” Nickalls is looking forward to getting a gauge on his gelding this weekend against a quality line-up, with his performance dictating his autumn path. “It is a very good field for Saturday, there are some nice horses in there. We will certainly get an indication of where we are at,” he said. “There are a couple of Listed miles – the ANZAC Mile and Rangitikei Gold Cup. He is a hard horse to place now, he is rating 90, so he gets high up in the weights, which helps in one aspect as we can get Jonathan (Riddell) to ride him. “He is right up at the top of the handicap in a lot of his races, but on Saturday he is good because Mr Myers has got Aljay in there, so that pushes his weight down a bit. He will tell us how well he has come up after Saturday and we will press along those lines.” Earlier on the card, Nickalls will line-up Dark And Dusty in the Wanganui Insurance Brokers Maiden 1600, where he will benefit from apprentice jockey Amber Riddell’s three-kilogram claim. “He is a really nice horse,” Nickalls said. “He is probably six to 12 months away, he’s just a bit immature physically and in his brain every now and again, he is one of the spookiest horses I have got. “He has drawn well in four so hopefully Amber can use that and the three kilos off will really help him. “He went well for her at Waverley the other day. He is really happy and a little bit of luck will certainly help him.” Horse racing news View the full article

What 2025 Doncaster Mile Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Sydney, NSW When Saturday, April 5, 2025 Prizemoney $4,000,000 Distance 1600m Conditions Group 1, Handicap 2024 winner Celestial Legend (4) | T: Les Bridge | J: Tyler Schiller (49kg) Visit Dabble The time-honoured Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) headlines the action for Day 1 of The Championships at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with a capacity field of 20 set to line-up in one of Australia’s iconic 1600m handicaps. Three-year-olds have a terrific record in the $4 million feature, with Celestial Legend (2024) and Brutal (2019) claiming the event in recent years, and it appears to be a similar story heading into this year’s edition as Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) winner Linebacker looks poised to start favourite on Saturday. He gets in on the minimum 49kg taking on the older horses for the first time. Will it be enough to claim back-to-back wins? Or is there an upset brewing in the 2025 Doncaster Mile? 2025 Doncaster Mile odds Linebacker holds the call at $6 with in what shapes up to be a wide-open edition of the Doncaster Mile. Horse racing bookmakers are allowing punters to decide the flow of the market, with Gringotts and Tom Kitten sharing the second line of betting at $7 apiece with . Another Wil ($8) makes the trip north to Sydney and is rock solid in betting, while Swiftfalcon is the big firmer, going from $11 into $9 with ; however, he requires two scratchings to gain entry in the final field. The Chris Waller-trained Firestorm ($10) heads the chances at double-figure odds, while the likes of Moira ($15) and Royal Patronage ($15) are yet to budge in the market. 2025 Doncaster Mile speed map There should be a genuine tempo in this year’s edition of the Doncaster Mile, with Royal Patronage likely to storm across to the top from barrier 19. Rise At Dawn (2) appears the other likely leader, however, he needs one scratching to make the final field as Karis Teetan makes the trip over from Hong Kong. Just Folk made every post a winner in the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude on Tuesday, and you’d imagine similar tactics would be employed from gate 10. Gringotts (6) was handy when winning the Group 1 George Ryder (1500m) and maps to slot into the one-one under Tommy Berry, while Tom Kitten (1), Stefi Magnetica (5) and Encap (3) appear likely to sit in the top-half of the field. Meanwhile, the map doesn’t look kind for the likes of Another Wil (18), Moira (21) and Geoglyph (24), with the trio likely to go back in search of cover from their respective draws. Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Doncaster Mile. Doncaster Mile 2025 preview & form In a race littered with chances, it’s worth splitting your stake in the 2025 Doncaster Mile; however, it’s the Group 1 All Star Mile (1600m) winner Tom Kitten that gets the verdict. It’s a proven recipe for success, with two-time Doncaster winner Mr Brightside doing the double in 2023. His run in an on-speed dominated edition of the George Ryder Stakes should have him set to peak fourth-up into the preparation, and although Ben Melham will need to get off the rail at a crucial stage after drawing barrier one, the $7 about Tom Kitten is a fair price provided the breaks fall his way. Swiftfalcon was every bit as good as Linebacker in the Randwick Guineas and showed plenty of toughness stepping out to the 2000m in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas. The mile appears to be his best trip, and with just 49kg on his back, Swiftfalcon must be considered a major player provided he gets a start. Moira is clearly the best of the internationals lining up on Saturday. She did it tough three-wide no cover when claiming the Group 1 Breeders’ Cup F&M Turf (2213m) before her arrival, and with star hoop Zac Purton in the saddle, she’s the one at the wrong price provided she can overcome the awkward draw (21). Replace the stake on Swiftfalcon with Firestorm if he doesn’t make the field. She’s flying heading into this third-up after savaging the line behind Lady Shenandoah in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m), and is a must include in all exotics regardless. Doncaster Mile 2025 selections & best bets Selections: 3 TOM KITTEN 22 SWIFTFALCON 10 MOIRA 19 FIRESTORM $100 betting strategy $50 Win Tom Kitten (#3) @ +600 with $30 Win Swiftfalcon (#22) @ +800 with $20 Win Moira (#10) @ +1400 with Doncaster Mile 2025 final field 1. Another Wil (18) T: Ciaron Maher J: Ms Jamie Melham W: 56.5kg Age: 5YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Street Boss (USA) Dam: Arohanui +700 +175 2. Gringotts (6) T: Ciaron Maher J: Tommy Berry W: 55.5kg Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Per Incanto (USA) Dam: Miss Bluebell (NZ) +700 +175 3. Tom Kitten (1) T: James Cummings J: Ben Melham W: 55.5kg Age: 4YO Colour: Bay or Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Harry Angel (IRE) Dam: Transfers +500 +125 4. Geoglyph (24) T: Tetsuya Kimura J: Damian Lane W: 55kg Age: 6YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Horse Sire: Drefong (USA) Dam: Aromatico (JPN) +2000 +500 5. Pericles (16) T: James Cummings J: Blake Shinn W: 55kg Age: 5YO Colour: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Street Boss (USA) Dam: Accessories (GB) +5000 +1250 6. Militarize (7) T: Chris Waller J: Chad Schofield W: 55kg Age: 4YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Dundeel (NZ) Dam: Amerindia (GB) +5000 +1250 7. Royal Patronage (19) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Tim Clark W: 54.5kg Age: 6YO Colour: Bay Sex: Horse Sire: Wootton Bassett (GB) Dam: Shaloushka (IRE) +1400 +350 8. Stefi Magnetica (5) T: Bjorn Baker J: Jason Collett W: 54.5kg Age: 4YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: All Too Hard Dam: Mid Summer Music +1600 +400 9. Anisette (20) T: Chris Waller J: Michael Dee W: 54kg Age: 5YO Colour: Bay or Brown Sex: Mare Sire: Awtaad (IRE) Dam: Tutti Frutti (GB) +5000 +1250 10. Moira (21) T: Chris Waller J: Zac Purton W: 54kg Age: 6YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Ghostzapper (USA) Dam: Devine Aida (USA) +1400 +350 11. Just Folk (10) T: Gavin Bedggood J: W: 54.5kg Age: 8YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Magnus Dam: Fast Ruby +2500 +625 12. Celestial Legend (11) T: Les Bridge J: Regan Bayliss W: 54kg Age: 4YO Colour: Grey-Bay Sex: Horse Sire: Dundeel (NZ) Dam: Sarraqa +5000 +1250 13. Kovalica (17) T: Chris Waller J: Kerrin McEvoy W: 53.5kg Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Ocean Park (NZ) Dam: Vitesse (NZ) +2500 +625 14. Port Lockroy (13) T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald J: Craig Williams W: 53.5kg Age: 4YO Colour: Brown Sex: Horse Sire: Better Than Ready Dam: Freezethemillions +2500 +625 15. Al Mubhir (4) T: William Haggas J: Andrea Atzeni W: 53kg Age: 6YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Frankel (GB) Dam: Muffri’ha (IRE) +2000 +500 16. New Energy (22) T: Ciaron Maher J: Dylan Gibbons W: 52.5kg Age: 6YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: New Bay (GB) Dam: For Joy (GB) +10000 +2500 17. Iowna Merc (15) T: Bjorn Baker J: Ashley Morgan W: 52kg Age: 5YO Colour: Bay or Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Winning Rupert Dam: Mercedes +5000 +1250 18. Encap (3) T: Gary Portelli J: Reece Jones W: 51kg Age: 4YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Capitalist Dam: Enquare +2500 +625 19. Firestorm (8) T: Chris Waller J: Jay Ford W: 50kg Age: 4YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Satono Aladdin (JPN) Dam: Dancing Embers (NZ) +1200 +300 20. Linebacker (14) T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton J: Zac Lloyd W: 49kg Age: 3YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Super Seth Dam: Garden of Swans (GB) +500 +125 21. Rise At Dawn (2) T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes J: Karis Teetan W: 51kg Age: 4YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Almanzor (FR) Dam: Kay’s Awake (NZ) +5000 +1250 22. Swiftfalcon (12) T: Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes J: Tyler Schiller W: 49kg Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Exceedance Dam: Tempting Delight +800 +200 23. Sandpaper (23) T: Bjorn Baker J: — W: 50kg Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Snitzel Dam: Smooth +10000 +2500 24. Ducasse (9) T: Michael Freedman J: — W: 50kg Age: 4YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Trapeze Artist Dam: Custard +5000 +1250 Horse racing tips View the full article

World record-setter Cogburn (Not This Time), who is currently standing his first season at WinStar Farm in the U.S., will reportedly shuttle during the Southern Hemisphere season to Widden Stud in New South Wales, according to an email from the Australian farm. Cogburn stands for $30,000 at WinStar and will fetch $27,500 in Australia. Billed as “the fastest horse in the world,” Cogburn blazed 5 1/2 furlongs in :59.80, setting a world record for the distance, while winning the GI Jaipur Stakes at Saratoga last summer. The 6-year-old won an additional three graded stakes, earned Beyer Speed Figures up to 114, and retired last fall with nine victories from 16 starts and earnings of $2,422,630. The post WinStar’s Cogburn to Shuttle to Australia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A Senate committee advanced Florida's controversial decoupling bill at a Tuesday hearing after amending the legislation so that the effective date for removing the live racing requirement for Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs to operate their respective casino and card room would be seven years instead of the five years that appears in the amended companion House bill. After absorbing more than two hours of testimony–almost all of it from Thoroughbred trainers, owners, breeders, sales company officials, veterinarians and other industry workers speaking out against the bill–Senator Jennifer Bradley (R), who chairs the Committee on Regulated Industries, pre-empted what she seemed to know would be the bill's inevitable approval by the eight-member committee by declaring it a “tough issue” and promising industry stakeholders that the legislative dialogue about decoupling is far from over. “I think what you have on this committee are a group of senators who are committed to your future,” Bradley said. “We don't know what that future looks like right now, but we are committed to have those conversations and to see what the future looks like. It is not a reflection of how incredibly valuable horsing is to the state and racing. This is the start of the conversation, and I can assure you that the senators up here will make sure that that conversation happens. “The Senate bill looks very different than the House bill,” Bradley said. “And it gives a seven-year glide path. It doesn't upend agreements, revenue shares. It says if you want to decouple, it will happen in seven years and we are going to have time to have that conversation. It needs to happen now because that uncertainty acts as a cloud on everyone in this room. And we need to have that conversation. We need to make that bargain. “Two years ago everyone else [in Florida in the gaming sector] was decoupled,” Bradley said. “But not [Thoroughbred racing]. And there is an unfairness in that. There is a sense that the future does not look like the way it is as we sit here today. Things are changing. They're going to change. Let's find a better future with a better balance that is going to let the horse industry thrive. There is no one here that is just wanting to throw it to the side and say, 'If it doesn't work, it doesn't work.' I promise you, this Legislature and the Senate recognizes the value [of] this industry.” A busload of Thoroughbred industry supporters had traveled from Ocala to Tallahassee to attend the Apr. 1 hearing, and although some stakeholders waived their right to publicly speak after having it read into the record that they opposed the bill, those who did step up to the podium outnumbered supporters by 30 to 1. Many of the Thoroughbred constituents came prepared with long, written-out speeches or talking points, but the sheer volume of people signing up to publicly comment on the issue meant that Senator Bradley had to curtail their speaking time to 90 seconds each. Thus, some speakers who couldn't adhere to that time constraint were asked to stand down before they had built up to their main points. Those who did testify spoke of their love for horses, the trickle-down effects of the Thoroughbred industry on other sectors, and Florida's importance as an anchor point for the entire national racing landscape. The bill has the backing and was launched at the impetus of Gulfstream's corporate owner, The Stronach Group (TSG). Several speakers in opposition took direct aim at that entity. “They leveraged our industry to gain entry [into gaming], and now that they've benefitted, they want to cast us aside,” testified David O'Farrell, who serves as the third-generation general manager of his family's Ocala Stud. “Basic business sense tells us we have to grow supply and demand,” testified trainer Jena Antonucci. “If we are shrinking our racing demand, it makes it virtually impossible to grow our supply side. The consideration of an asset strip of a Canadian company, which is what [TSG] is, does not allow us to build on the foundation of free market on the racing side, on the breeding side, on the farm side.” Trainer Mark Casse testified that, “Considering the livelihoods of 30,000 hard-working individuals in Florida rural communities, [the bill] would provide a death blow to the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industries in one full sweep.” Jeff Johnston, whose lobbying firm represents Gulfstream, testified in favor of the bill. “The Florida breeders have a racing permit that they have protected for 20 years. My question is, why aren't they racing?” Johnston asked rhetorically. “Out of our slots, we subsidize the industry to the tune of about $6 million [annually]. The other thing that wasn't mentioned is that this [legislative] body gave this industry a state subsidy two years ago.” Senator Jason Pizzo (D), the committee's vice-chair, prefaced his remarks prior to the vote by stating that he respected those who testified against the bill, describing the Thoroughbred constituents as “salt of the earth, working with a pick and shovel, but also incredibly intelligent” people who are just “trying to get a piece of the American dream.” But, Pizzo continued, “the problem is, when you talk about supply and demand, when you talk about growth [but] you do so on a subsidy, that's not sustainable. That's not. When you talk about, 'We need this, we need this, we need this, but oh, a few years ago, we did the same thing', that's not genuine.” Pizzo continued: “This is the only, and I've searched long and far, the only completely government-subsidized [as a pass-through from a private enterprise] industry in Florida–the only one.” Pizzo said he was sympathetic to those who testified that they felt blindsided by the bill's introduction earlier this winter, but he opined that it shouldn't have been difficult for the Thoroughbred stakeholders to see decoupling coming. “I'm sorry you found out a few weeks ago. I've been meeting with horse breeders the last few years,” Pizzo said. “Hallandale Beach is my district. Gulfstream is in my district. You know what I've been pushing for? Get rid of the slot machines. Hand them back. “I want you to build affordable housing. I want you to build some commercial spaces. You know what Gulfstream Park has done? And honestly, I know they're foreign or whatever. You know what they've done? They provided land to the cities of Aventura for schools and for housing. I would like there to be more housing. It's not even close to being the highest and best use [of that land] for being a racetrack. I would like on that supply and demand side for there to be housing.” Pizzo continued: “And let me tell you what the worst-case scenario is here, folks, for all you people who put your blood, sweat and tears into animals, and to your family and to the community. The worst thing is when you do have a wealthy owner of an operation [who] to prove a point says, 'Take [back] the slot machines.' And guess what? There is no more casino if that's your argument. And there is no more industry.” Senator Blaise Ingoglia (R), struck a more empathetic tone in explaining his vote. “I struggle with this whole issue mostly because I live relatively close to Ocala. I understand what the horse industry is to the state of Florida in terms of economic impact. I also understand that that industry was built upon a promise. And the promise has been used as a political football for as long as I've been in the legislature, and probably before that,” Ingoglia said. “I am not for the decoupling, and it seems that I may be alone [among committee members] on this. And the reason is because I don't think it's right that we should have second-, third-, fourth-generation horsemen that have built their whole existence on a promise that the government can then take away,” Ingoglia said. “What I see in the middle of this state in horse country [is] how hard everyone works. And I think the people in this room who've testified against this bill would agree with me in that not only is it like a way of life, it's also like a religion. It's a godly experience to be out in horse country,” Ingoglia said. “I am a no [vote] today. But I hope that this conversation that we're having today [allows] everyone to get in a room and try to figure out a grand bargain where we can have a win-win-win situation. What I'm seeing right now is that not everyone is winning, and I just cannot support it,” Ingoglia said. The Senate bill heads next to the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, and then to the Rules Committee. Florida's legislative session is expected to end May 2. The post Florida Senate Committee Advances Controversial Decoupling Bill but Amends Time Frame to Seven Years appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An amended Florida Senate bill 408 passed the state's Regulated Industries Committee April 1 despite nearly two hours of testimony from those opposed to the legislation that would decouple Thoroughbred racing from gaming in the state. View the full article

The aftercare rehabilitation and retraining organization Second Stride will hold “Champions Night” at Louisville's Valhalla Golf Club Monday, Apr. 28 at 6:30 p.m. ET. The evening will feature a Derby/Oaks handicapping panel, a silent auction, a Derby contenders halter pull, and appearances by Triple Crown-winning jockeys, as well as Kentucky-inspired food and beverage, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and a dessert bar. Tickets are $150 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets for Second Stride's biggest fundraiser of the year, click here. The post Second Stride to Host ‘Champions Night’ Apr. 28 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Willydoit will contest Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick.. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Shaun and Emma Clotworthy will break new ground in their training careers at Randwick on Saturday, with their first Australian runner coming in the form of the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) second-favourite Willydoit. The Byerley Park couple unveiled the talented son of Tarzino in November and he was immediately stamped as a Derby prospect, a promise fulfilled five starts later when he bolted away with the $1.25 million Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day. Willydoit caught the hearts of the New Zealand public while attracting plenty of overseas attention, with a 50 percent share in the gelding purchased by syndicator MyRacehorse in December. As a part of the deal, he was initially set to join Ciaron Maher’s stable after the New Zealand Derby, but in the best interests of the horse, he remained in the Clotworthys care before travelling to Sydney last Sunday. “He had a bit of a quiet time after the Derby, then we built him up again and he arrived in Australia on Sunday,” Shaun Clotworthy said. “We elected to keep him at home up to the Derby, just to avoid changing climate quickly and you don’t know whether that’s going to work or not. It was a better way of building into this race. “We are based here at Ciaron Maher’s facility in Bong Bong which is outstanding, he loves this sort of environment and he’ll end up here after the Derby. “I’ve just watched him do a piece of work this morning (Wednesday) and I’m very happy with him, he looks good and has travelled over really well.” Willydoit overcame a barrier of 14 at Ellerslie to triumph in the Derby and he has fared better across the Tasman, drawing 10 with two emergencies to his inside. He will continue his association with expat-Kiwi hoop Mick Dee, who will be vying for his first Australian Derby crown. “We’ll leave it up to Mick, but we were quite happy with the draw as he should come into eight,” Clotworthy said. In the final days as co-trainer of the special galloper, Clotworthy reflected fondly on the past couple of months, from the disappointment of a slowly-run Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) to the high of winning at elite-level for the first time. “It’s been a great journey and pressure isn’t a bad thing, it’s there because he’s a good horse,” he said. “It’s nice to train a good horse and especially to do so with Emma, and our son Harrison being involved as well. “It’s been outstanding.” Willydoit is rated a $4 second-elect with horse racing bookmakers in the $2 million showpiece, splitting fellow Kiwi-breds Aeliana ($3.50) and Shanwah ($9). Horse racing news View the full article

Evaporate will contest Saturday’s Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Lindsay Park are hoping for a confidence boosting result this weekend with their talented three-year-old Evaporate in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. The New Zealand-bred son of Per Incanto has shown plenty of ability on the track this season but has been winless since the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at The Valley in September, his fourth consecutive victory before placing in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m). He returned to his homeland last month, where he finished runner-up behind Damask Rose in the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), and co-trainer Will Hayes said he has thrived with the trans-Tasman trip. “He coped with the New Zealand trip very well, he came back from the (NZB) Kiwi and I thought it was an incredibly good run,” Hayes told Racing.com. “Mick (Dee, jockey) played all the percentages and it took an absolute masterstroke from Blake Shinn to come up the rail and beat us (aboard Damask Rose). “He has thrived from the travel and he went up there (Sydney) with Rise At Dawn and had a tick over trial on Friday and has come through it very well.” Hayes said the stable had a number of options when selecting his next target but felt the Carbine would hopefully net a confidence-boosting victory for their gelding. “He looks very well placed in the set weights and penalties Carbine on the weekend,” said Hayes, who trains in partnership with his brothers Ben and JD. “It was the most winnable. We wanted to place him in a race where he could dominate and get back to winning because he has had quite a tough prep, and we just want to see him win.” Horse racing news View the full article

Lindsay Park are hoping for a confidence boosting result this weekend with their talented three-year-old Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto) in the Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. The New Zealand-bred son of Per Incanto has shown plenty of ability on the track this season but has been winless since the Gr.2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at The Valley in September, his fourth consecutive victory before placing in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m). He returned to his homeland last month where he finished runner-up behind Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) in the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), and co-trainer Will Hayes said he has thrived with the trans-Tasman trip. “He coped with the New Zealand trip very well, he came back from the (NZB) Kiwi and I thought it was an incredibly good run,” Hayes told Racing.com. “Mick (Dee, jockey) played all the percentages and it took an absolute masterstroke from Blake Shinn to come up the rail and beat us (aboard Damask Rose). “He has thrived from the travel and he went up there (Sydney) with Rise At Dawn (NZ) (Almanzor) and had a tick over trial on Friday and has come through it very well.” Hayes said the stable had a number of options when selecting his next target but felt the Carbine would hopefully net a confidence-boosting victory for their gelding. “He looks very well placed in the set weights and penalties Carbine on the weekend,” said Hayes, who trains in partnership with his brothers Ben and JD. “It was the most winnable. We wanted to place him in a race where he could dominate and get back to winning because he has had quite a tough prep, and we just want to see him win.” Stablemate, and fellow Kiwi-bred, Rise At Dawn will also head to Randwick this weekend where he will line-up in the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) where he will carry a featherweight 51kg. The four-year-old son of Almanzor won his fourth consecutive race when victorious first-up in the Listed The Elms Handicap (1400m) at Flemington in February before returning to the Melbourne track where he was sixth in the Gr.1 All-Star Mile (1600m). Hayes has been pleased with the way he has come through the run and is excited about his chances carrying a light weight in the Doncaster this weekend. “What he did in the Elmsford first-up was particularly impressive,” he said. “He was obviously up against a quality field in the All-Star Mile and getting in with 51 kilos is pretty exciting. “We sent him up to Sydney a little bit early to have a tick over trial. He came through that last Friday in terrific order and we are thrilled with how he is going. “I think with the 51 kilos he will take a bit of catching if things go our way.” View the full article