Wandering Eyes

Fifth in Sunday’s feature, the four-year-old could lock horns with star Australian galloper Mr Brightside on Champions Day next month.View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk A speedy customer on the track, Elite Stride had the perfect debut as a stallion when Who’s Ya Daddy won at Addington Raceway on Friday night. “He’s one from one,” says Alabar New Zealand’s General Manager Graeme Henley. “That was his first starter and first winner … he’s undefeated.” In just a three horse race Who’s Ya Daddy (Elite Stride – One Night Stand) was nursed along early in the Isaac Infrastructure Two-Year-Old Mobile Trot only to overhaul the pace-making Redpark Warrior to win by one and a quarter lengths. Trained by Trent Yesberg and driven by Bob Butt, the two-year-old gelding was a $1.40 favourite after impressing at the trials. On his Facebook page Yesberg posted : “From the moment he hit the track, his attitude and natural work ethic blew us away. We knew he had the potential, but seeing him shine in his first race was something special. And this is just the start – the future looks bright.” Yesberg’s Ripple Creek purchased Who’s Ya Daddy for $8000 at the 2023 National Weanling Sale at Karaka, with his debut win earning more than $20,000 in stakes and bonuses. “He does have a nice way of going,” says Henley of the winner, “and he’s out of a Love You mare and Elite Stride is a son of Muscle Hill so there’s a heck of pedigree right there.” Bred and raced in Australia by powerhouse owners Emilio and Mary Rosati, Elite Stride (Muscle Hill – Real Babe) had nine wins from 14 starts in Australia, with a best mile rate of 1:55.8 before injury put an end to his racing career. “He was Australian 3YO Trotter of the Year,” says Henley, “and he was very quick.” His first stud season was with Alabar Australia in 2021. He is still based in Victoria with his fresh chilled semen sent over here as required. So far he’s not been an easy sell in a very competitive market. “It’s amazing what’s available when you see the selection of frozen semen from Europe and the United States – it’s a tough gig,” says Henley, “there were 19 2YOs in his first crop in New Zealand and 37 in Australia.” But in Who’s Ya Daddy, Elite Stride has now produced a race winner. And everyone has to start somewhere. View the full article

Trainers as well as owners are being encouraged to get along to Addington Raceway’s annual Owners night this Friday. Starting at 5pm, the expo is free to all. The night will feature a number of stall-holders and an array of prizes and giveaways including an accommodation package to Australia worth around $3000, Bed and Breakfast at the Commodore Airport Hotel in Christchurch, and a free entry for a yearling at the 2026 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales. “We are hopeful of getting around 250 people along,” says Addington Raceway’s Sponsorship Manager Rachel Deegan. Harness Racing New Zealand will be among the stall-holders with Head of Racing and Wagering Matthew Peden encouraging existing and prospective owners, as well as trainers to get along. “It’s a valuable forum for everyone in the sport,” says Peden, “and especially useful for trainers who have shares available in yearlings that they bought in February.” “It’s also a golden opportunity for trainers to promote themselves and get some free exposure.” All trainers who get involved will receive a $50 card for Addington’s Spectators Bar and Bistro. For more information click here Or contact Rachel Deegan at 021 734936 View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk With over 100 years between them, Alice Sinclair and Keira are a formidable combination. Earlier this month the Otago-based 89-year-old and her 13-year-old standardbred “Keira” completed the annual Cavalcade in the heart of the South Island. Organized by the Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust, “cavalcaders” ride horses, wagons, or walk trails, retracing the steps of the old gold miners. For Sinclair it involved seven days of horse riding, covering around 40 kilometres a day. Crossing land that usually only musterers would see the destination, or host town, changes every year. This time the finishing point was at Twizel. It continued a remarkable run for Sinclair. She’s ridden in every Cavalcade since it started in the early 1990s though she admits it can take a toll. “My mind is willing but my body’s not,” she quips, “I’ve had three screws put into one hip and had the other one replaced twice.” Sinclair’s trusty companion on the Cavalcade was Nikeira, a now 13-year-old Changeover mare who was a one race winner at Addington in 2016. She was a pacer in her racing days but is adept at trotting under saddle. “I can’t ride a horse with a pacing action. They are like a rocking horse going side to side but a trotter is up and down and no trouble at all.” So was Keira willing during the week long trip? “She was too willing at times,” she laughs, “but she was no trouble.” “She loves being out there.” As does Sinclair. “It’s the people you are with, they come from all over, and the country you see – it’s such a wonderful time.” She takes part in the Tussock Creek Light Wagons and Riders category. That involves riding mostly over high country/farm 4WD tracks. They stay in woolsheds along the way. And there’s another bonus – it is fully catered and supported. “The Oamaru Sea Scouts looked after all our catering for the whole week. It was terrific. The best thing about the trip is that you don’t have to cook!” Sinclair was a relative latecomer to horse riding. She didn’t get own horse until she was in her 40s. She now has seven, including Keira, grazing on her 37 acre (15 hectare) farm at Mosgiel near Dunedin. Keen to give anything a go Sinclair remains super fit through her farm work. She went skydiving at 65 and for her 80th birthday she walked the 75km Camino Salvado trail in Western Australia. She’s also completed a number of Great Walks and many cycle trials around the country. Such have been her exploits that she’s featured in many magazine articles, including Woman’s Day and the Woman’s Weekly. 2026 may or may not be Sinclair’s final Cavalcade. “Next year will be number 33 when I’m 90.” And she thinks that has a pretty good ring to it. View the full article

A training first for Grant Milne and a welcome return to the winner’s circle for Murray Brown highlighted harness racing action at Oamaru and Winton over the weekend. First training win for Grant Milne By Jonny Turner Grant Milne lived up to his pedigree when producing his first winner as a trainer at Oamaru on Sunday. Milne is a blueblood in harness racing terms given both of his grandfathers have been leading Southland trainers, while his father and uncles have produced hundreds of winners between them. Milne is the son of Alex Milne and brother of Nigel Milne, the grandson of the late Alex Milne Snr and the late Les Norman, as well as being the nephew of Keith and Brian Norman. Cruising Fontana helped the rookie trainer begin to add to his family’s incredible legacy when breaking through for a deserved maiden win in the Well Done to Team Teal Mobile Pace for driver Blair Orange. Milne went into partnership with his father at the beginning of this year and Sunday’s victory is their first together. The junior training partner bred and races Cruising Fontana which made his first victory nearly perfect. There was just one aspect Milne missed out on, he wasn’t able to be on track or watch his horse win live. Milne previously worked in both touch and rugby league development and still volunteers as a coach. So rather than being tuned into his horse’s race from afar, his eyes were firmly on the road. “It’s pretty special, it is the dream result, really,” Milne said. “Well the dream would have been to be there, but I was driving a van load of kids home from a tournament in Christchurch.” “But it is still special, I have been hoping we could kick things off with this horse because I bred and own him.” Milne works in the harness racing industry full-time and he has plenty more horses he can tick off more milestones with in the future. “It is nice working with Dad and I love working on the farm.” “When I was working in Dunedin I was breeding horses and I have got a heap of them to come through.” “I have a couple of three-year-old fillies coming up to the workouts soon and a nice two-year-old by Captain Crunch coming through.” Having worked alongside all of his relatives at some point, Milne has no shortage of knowledge to call on as he builds his training career. And along the way he has made some great memories. “One of Grandad Milne’s last good horses was Camsplace Alec, he raced in the New Zealand Derby and a few good races and I remember going up with him to Addington.” “I would pop around and help him with trackwork.” “There are a lot of great stories of Grandad Les (Norman) too.” “And when I have worked with Brian (Norman) there has always been a lot of banter.” Milne credits Cruising Fontana’s win to careful placement, as well as the horse’s continued progression. “He showed us a bit breaking him in and even as a two-year-old, but he is five now.” “He has just taken a bit of time.” “It has taken careful study of the programmes to get him into the right races, either low-rated or on the grass where the big bangers won’t go.” “It is nice reward for a wee battler.” “He is a great horse to have around, we use him to educate the younger ones, he will just cruise along.” Milne will continue to place Cruising Fontana carefully and has plans to head to Ascot Park early next month with the pacer. Ted sees Murray Brown back in winner’s circle By Jonny Turner Murray Brown’s outstanding training career may have ended but his colours are still making their way into the winner’s circle. The outstanding Southland horseman enjoyed another victory when Lauren Pearson produced Ted to win the Winton Cup Day Thursday 17th April Mobile Pace for driver Nathan Williamson at Winton on Saturday. Ted transferred to Pearson’s stable earlier this year after Brown closed the doors on his Ascot Park barn after establishing himself as one of Southland’s best trainers during his 35-year training career. Brown won 551 races and just about all of Southland’s feature and cup races over that time and he has many career highlights to look back on fondly. “There are plenty of good memories to choose from and a few bad ones, you know what horses are like,” Brown said. “Beaudiene Bad Babe would have to be the best of them, she could do it all.” “She never knocked herself around, she was just the perfect horse.” “She would just run around with the rest of them at home but she knew when it was race day.” “We had a heap of good ones over the years, Highview Jude, Freeway Don and horses like Awesum Teddy.” “We won most of the cup races in Southland but I think there was one we missed out on.” Though he isn’t hands-on anymore, Brown’s horses will continue to be seen in Southland. “I qualified a two-year-old filly by Bettor’s Delight and we have a brother to Ted as well as a Sweet Lou foal.” Brown races Ted with Andrew Grierson of Woodlands Stud who he struck up a racing connection with many years ago. “I didn’t know him until he was billeted with us for the yearling sales tour down here, that was probably 15 years ago and we have had a few horses together since.” The Sweet Lou four-year-old hadn’t been handed much racing luck leading up to his Winton victory, but he’d been running home strongly in his recent races. On Saturday, it could have been a similar story until Williamson found clear air for the pacer late. “He has been going good races, but we always seem to draw badly with the preferential draws.” “He has always had speed, but he hadn’t shown that at the races.” “But he is getting better, they ran home in 27.6sec (400m) and he would have gone better than that coming from behind them.” The feature event at Saturday’s Winton meeting was taken out by another Sweet Lou pacer. Canterbury raider Piccadilly Pete took out a highly tactical running of the Central Southland Cup for trainer Matt Purvis and driver Matthew Williamson. View the full article

New Zealand trainers are advised that the feed supplement MetaboLize has been linked to recent cases in Australia and New Zealand involving the detection of caffeine in race day samples. The manufacturer has informed authorities that while the raw materials used in MetaboLize do not contain caffeine, they are currently investigating a possible contamination in a production run from November 2024. Certain batches from this run have been identified as potentially containing caffeine at levels that could result in a positive race day sample. Please see the attached notice here from Poseidon regarding the product: Important Information about MetaboLize – Poseidon Animal Health NZ If you have any concerns or questions, please contact Harness Racing New Zealand for guidance. View the full article

The popular National Online Breeding Stock Sale is due to take place again on Gavelhouse Plus this July with dates now confirmed for the popular stand-alone breeding sale. Breeders will have the opportunity to offer quality broodmares as well as stallion shares and nominations at a key time ahead of the breeding season. Over the past three years the sale toppers have included Yearn (NZ) (Savabeel), Chanel’s Choice (Redoute’s Choice) and Dee and Gee (NZ) (Darci Brahma) who fetched $195,000, $115,000 and $105,000 respectively. The Sale has been a great source of investment potential, with future progeny going on to sell well at Karaka. High Tranquility (High Chaparral) was a $30,500 purchase at the 2021 edition of the Breeding Stock Sale, while her Vadamos colt born in 2022 went on to sell for $220,000 at Karaka 2024. Another mare from that Sale, Pin Up Lae (NZ) (Pins) was sold in foal to Per Incanto for just $15,000. 18 months later, the resulting foal was sold as a yearling at Karaka for $200,000. “We are pleased to offer this standalone sale to breeders, which has become a popular trading avenue at a key time in the breeding season,” commented NZB Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones. “It is the perfect opportunity for breeders to assess their portfolio and use a proven platform to buy and sell quality mares. “We’ve seen some great investment results with the resulting foals, with many of their offspring going on to achieve great returns at Karaka.” Entries will open early June and close Tuesday 17 June, while the catalogue will go live on Friday 27 June and bidding closes from 7pm (NZT) on Wednesday 9 July. The sale’s entry fee will remain at $400 + GST and commission will be 5% with no pass in fees. For more information about the Sale, contact NZB Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones (+64 27 274 4985 or kane.jones@nzb.co.nz) or Gavelhouse.com Manager Haylie Martin (+64 9 296 4436 or haylie@gavelhouse.com). Key dates: Entries open on Gavelhouse Plus Tuesday 3 June Entries close Tuesday 17 June at 10pm, late entries may be accepted but after that date, they must be submitted first via email to Haylie Martin. Catalogue live Friday 27 June Bidding ends from 7pm (NZT) on Wednesday 9 July. View the full article

The Australian racing scene has been swimming in premier sprint races over the past month or so, but there is a chance the most revealing performance of the autumn is yet to be seen. Last Saturday, we saw the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley and the Gr.1 Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill with next month’s Gr.1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) still to come, but, despite its restricted clauses, this Saturday’s A$500,000 World Pool Classic (1100m) at Flemington could offer the best view into the future of Australasia’s sprinting stocks. Running for the $500,000 stake will be Kiwi filly Alabama Lass (Alabama Express), who comes off a 5.3 length trouncing of rivals at Ellerslie. Her visit has other origins as well, with her trainers Ken and Bev Kelso keen to see how their flying filly handles the Flemington straight course. “The Flemington straight can be very tricky, so that’s why we’ve booked an Australian jockey in Craig Williams,” Kelso said on Sunday. “There’s nothing left for her here and I think it’s a nice stake and it gives us the chance to try her out down the straight. That’s one of the things you want to find out when you are planning with a filly like this.” The World Pool Classic (formerly Sunlight Classic) is restricted to three-year-olds, but has proven a solid pointer in recent years. Last year, Estriella (I Am Invincible) defeated Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel) with Stretan Angel (Harry Angel) in fourth place. Alabama Lass, who was a $120,000 yearling purchase out of Melbourne Premier, flies into Melbourne on Wednesday with a record of eight starts for five wins. Kelso said that her record could even be better. “We do have a very good opinion of her,” he said. “She should be unbeaten really. “She won the early shorter distances and then I stepped her up to a mile (in the NZ 1000 Guineas). She struck a wet track there. She was very brave, but she’ll probably never go a mile again in her life. “Then it rained again Railway night, and we got nutted by Crocetti. She’s been unlucky with those Group Ones.” Alabama Lass’s racing career began in February of last year with a 9.5 length debut win at Matamata. “The margin surprised me I suppose, but not the win,” Kelso said. “She’s always been very smart.” Kelso confirmed that his 2024 Australian Guineas winner Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) was enjoying a well-earned break with a view to bringing her back for the spring. “She hurt herself back in August and she’s now out spelling,” Kelso said. “We did the rehab and then went to Matamata (in February) and won before she was a fraction disappointing (at Ellerslie), but she’d been up for a long time and that run was her telling us she needed that break. “She never went to the paddock when she did get injured as she would have blown right out as she’s huge.” View the full article

Michael Kent Jnr fears Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree) might have picked the wrong year to be heading to the Gr.1 Tancred Stakes (2400m), but the Cranbourne trainer is taking solace from the fact the Group One winner is returning to something like his best. The four-year-old will look to post his first win since last year’s Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) in Saturday’s 2400-metre Group One at Rosehill. Top international Dubai Honour (Pride Of Dubai), rejuvenated import Vauban (Galiway), Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) winner Duke De Sessa (Lope de Vega) and last past winner Arapaho (Lope de Vega) are among those likely to be there waiting for him but Kent has been buoyed by what he has seen from the gelding in two starts this campaign. The most recent was a fast-finishing second placing to Alalcance (Mastercraftsman) in the Listed Randwick City Cup (2000m) and Kent was thrilled to see that form franked in Saturday’s Gr.3 Manion Cup (2400m). “Second-up at 2000 he was much, much better, it was a very good run and the form has stood up with Alalcance bolting over 2400,” Kent, who trains in partnership with Mick Price, said. “It is looking one of the best editions of the Tancred that I can recall, it’s a very deep race with Vauban, Dubai Honour and Duke De Sessa, just to name a few a few. “It’s a really, really hot race but he’s going super.” Warmonger one of 22 nominations for the Tancred, one of two Group Ones at Rosehill this Saturday, alongside the A$1 million Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), which is headlined by star Victorian filly Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express). Warmonger won the Queensland Derby on a wet track, and while early predictions are for fine conditions during the week but a chance of rain on Saturday, Kent has confidence in Warmonger in all kinds of track conditions. “I think he gets through wet, but he showed last start on very firm ground that he could sprint at the end of 2000,” he said. “Last start was the fastest he’s ever sprinted home his last 600 – he was home in sub-34 (seconds) – which is very good for Warmonger. “That gives us good confidence out to 2400m. He’s a true stayer and he’ll be right in the race.” View the full article

Quality European galloper Alflaila has been secured for stud duties by White Robe Lodge, introducing one of the world’s great sire-lines to New Zealand through his champion sire Dark Angel. Bred and raced by the famed Shadwell operation, Alflaila’s racing career is defined by resilience, consistency, and elite-level talent, as evidenced by back-to-back victories in the fiercely competitive Gr.2 York Stakes (2100m), a race that has tested some of Europe’s best middle-distance horses. A winner on debut as an early two-year-old over 1200m, Alflaila would train-on to showcase his class over the ensuing three seasons for trainer Owen Burrows. In six starts at three, Alflaila won on four occasions, commencing his Classic season with a victory at Ascot over 1400m before landing the Listed Pomfret Stakes (1600m), the Gr.3 Strensall Stakes (1750m) at York and the Gr.3 Darley Stakes (1800m) at Newmarket. On resumption at four, Alflaila swept past Group One performer My Prospero to land the York Stakes and produced a big run from last to finish fifth behind Auguste Rodin in the Gr.1 Irish Champion Stakes (2000m) in a field that featured high-class gallopers Luxembourg, Nashwa and King Of Steel. He returned as a five-year-old to defend his York Stakes title and was also a fast-finishing fourth in the Gr.1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes (2000m) at Royal Ascot. Alflaila’s peak Timeform rating of 125 placed him among the elite performers of his generation. “He repeatedly proved he belonged at the top-level,” trainer Owen Burrows said. Alflaila, a Group Two winning son of Dark Angel, will retire to White Robe Lodge Photo: Supplied “He was sharp enough to win over six (furlongs) first-time out as a two-year-old and he showed a briliant turn of foot that day. “As a three-year-old, he never stopped improving and as we stepped him up in trip to a mile, he was getting better. “That winter at the end of his three-year-old season he travelled out to Bahrain where he’d probably have started quite a short-price favourite for the Bahrain Trophy (Gr.2, 2000m), but unfortunately, he picked up an injury out there. “But he was very resilient and came back and won the York Stakes on resumption, a race which he won again last year in tenacious fashion. “It was a very big run in both the Irish Champion Stakes and again last year to finish fourth in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, where he had his ground slightly taken and he was right on the heels of some proper top-class horses. “He is a very athletic horse who was tough as well. He came back from a few little setbacks that plenty wouldn’t have, but he did really want it. “I think breeders will be impressed. He is very attractive and is all in proportion, moves well and has a good athletic build on him. “I have trained a few by Dark Angel and he is quite typical in terms of build and looks. He was champion stallion in Britain and Ireland last year and he has been quite a phenomenon.” Dark Angel is one of Europe’s most sought-after stallions, with 17 individual Group One winners including the likes of Harry Angel, Battaash and Charyn. Harry Angel has taken the Southern Hemisphere by storm, with star performers like Tom Kitten, Private Harry, Angel Capital and Stretan Angel propelling him into the top tier of Australia’s general sires’ standings, an incredible achievement for a stallion with only three crops racing. Alflaila is out of the Stakes placed Oasis Dream mare Adhwaa, who in turn is a daughter of the Stakes winning Darshaan mare Hammiya, also the dam of Listed winner Shaqira. Third dam is the stakes winning Fairy King mare Albacora, herself a half-sister to Group Three winner and Gr.1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (1600m) runner-up Pont-Aven. “Marcus Corban has been pivotal in helping us land Alflaila,” said Jack Stewart of White Robe Lodge. “He’s a great family friend but also one of the great minds of our industry and he facilitated David Redvers inspecting the horse on our behalf. “He provided a glowing review, describing Alflaila as a very attractive, classy individual with a great action and very good confirmation standing at around 16hh. “As soon as I showed my grandad (Brian ‘BJ’ Anderton) his race performance, pedigree and photos he simply said, “get it done”. “BJ stood his first stallion at 18 years old and now, just recently turned 88, will be in his 70th year of owning and standing stallions which is phenomenal and speaks volumes of where his judgement has got him over the decades. “Alflaila embodies what modern breeders seek – raw power, proven speed, an elite pedigree, and a stunning physical type. Being a debut winner as an early two-year-old was key for us in today’s market and also that he trained on to win at Group level at three, four and five across distances ranging from 1200-2100m. “Shadwell Stud have elected to retain a breeding interest in Alflaila and we are buoyed by the fact Zabeel and Per Incanto are graduates of their successful racing and breeding program who have gone on to have a huge impact at stud in New Zealand. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring Alflaila to White Robe Lodge.” Alflaila will stand at an introductory fee of $7,000+GST, with a limited number of lifetime breeding rights available, presenting a unique opportunity to breeders to share in the stallion’s future success. View the full article

Pearl Of Alsace came desperately close to a fairytale finish to her racing career, with the Group One performer retiring off the back of a second placing in Saturday’s Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m). A serious talent from day one, the daughter of Tavistock rose rapidly through the grades in her first racing preparation for trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray, winning her first five appearances culminating in the 2023 edition of the Cuddle Stakes. Stepping up to elite-level in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), she lost no admirers finishing a luckless fourth. Bred and owned by Sir Peter Vela of Pencarrow Stud, Pearl Of Alsace secured her all-important Group One placing in the Livamol Classic (2050m) and performed admirably in her only start in Australia, finishing fourth to Deny Knowledge in the Gr.2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m). Her final season on the track produced a placing in the Gr.2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m) and a booming effort to only just fall short to Our Jumala at Trentham on Saturday, indicative of her consistency at the highest level. From just 21 starts, she bows out with seven wins, four minor placings and just shy of $400,000 in stakes. “She couldn’t have run any better on Saturday, she just came up short by a nose, but sectionally, she was outstanding,” Vela’s racing manager Garry Cossey said. “She’s going out on a good note. “She’s certainly done Pencarrow proud, and she’s been a great mare – Group One placed and a Cuddle Stakes winner. She also ran fourth in a Group Two in Melbourne, so she’s done a fantastic job in the time that she has been racing. “Sir Peter got an offer on her before she even raced, but we asked Shaune if he thought she could get black-type, and he believed she most certainly could. She won first-up at Taranaki and then went bang-bang-bang, that first season was great, culminating in the Cuddle and an unlucky fourth in the Breeders’ Stakes.” Out of Group Two-performing mare Irion, Pearl Of Alsace has the pedigree to match her ability, setting her in good stead for her next chapter in the broodmare paddock. “She was always a nice filly and a good genuine horse, we were always hopeful of her reaching Group class which is what she did,” Vela said. “We’re very proud of her, she’s done really well, and she’ll be a beautiful broodmare. We thought she looked as good as a horse could look on Saturday and the time is right for her to go and think about other things. “We tried with Proisir last season, but she’ll go back into the bundle now and we’ll go through all of the stallions that are available to her. We will see which one we feel will make the best mate and keep our fingers crossed.” Pearl Of Alsace will join Irion in Pencarrow’s broodmare band, with the dam visiting Cambridge Stud’s shuttle stallion Chaldean in her most recent mating. “He has a beautiful pedigree and was a lovely racehorse, we’re very lucky to have him in New Zealand,” Vela said. “To have a horse of that quality and that pedigree, it was a gift.” View the full article

What Ballarat Races Where Ballarat Turf Club – 72 Midas Rd, Miners Rest VIC 3352 When Tuesday, March 25, 2025 First Race 1:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble The Ballarat Turf Club is the destination for racing in Victoria on Tuesday afternoon, where a competitive eight-race meeting awaits punters. Despite the track being rated a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, clear skies in the lead-up to race day should mean the program is held predominantly on a Good 4. The rail will be out 3m the entire circuit, with the first event set to jump at 1:30pm AEDT. Best Bet at Ballarat: Adamana Adamana made good ground late on debut when chasing home Altermatum at the Ballarat 1200m and the step up to the 1400m at start two looks ideal. The three-year-old filly made up good ground from the rear of the field, and despite not threatening the winner, the way she finished suggested she was worth following. If Harry Coffey can have the Shamus Award filly settled a touch closer in running and Adamana can replicate her finish, she should be finishing too strongly for her rivals. Best Bet Race 3 – #9 Adamana (7) 3yo Filly | T: Andrew Noblet | J: Harry Coffey (56kg) Next Best at Ballarat: Shehungthemoon Shehungthemoon was forced to work early over 1200m at Moonee Valley last time out when finishing second in tougher company than this, and if she produces anything close to that effort, she should be winning. The filly was made to work for the lead and was left vulnerable in the home straight. She kept fighting to the line and was beaten a half-length, suggesting with a smoother run in transit, she would have won. Stephanie Hateley will make full use of her 3kg claim, and if the pair can find the rail, Shehungthemoon will take some catching. Next Best Race 6 – #8 Shehungthemoon (9) 3yo Filly | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: Stephanie Hateley (a3) (57kg) Best Value at Ballarat: Asawin Asawin may have been well held when finishing third, beaten 4.3 lengths at Ararat last time out, but the way he disposed of his rivals the start prior suggests he presents great each-way with horse betting sites. His win on February 16 saw him come from a midfield position and unleash a strong finish to win by 2.3 lengths. That was in a BM58, so this BM64 is a touch harder, but with the right run in transit and blessed with a strong finish, Asawin should be fighting out the finish. Best Value Race 7 – #4 Asawin (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Archie Alexander | J: John Allen (59kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Ballarat Ballarat quadrella selections Tuesday, March 25, 2025 1-2-5-8 6-7-8 2-3-4-5-10-11 1-2-5-6-12-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

2023 Tancred Stakes winner, Arapaho. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Bjorn Baker believes Arapaho is in the right form to mount a serious challenge for a second Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) crown at Rosehill on Saturday. The eight-year-old gelding, who won the Group 1 feature in 2023, missed last year’s edition but returns this weekend looking to become just the third dual winner of the weight-for-age staying test after Tie The Knot and Octagonal. Arapaho has been building nicely this preparation, finishing fifth in both the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) before a strong second to Vauban in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 15. Vauban is also expected to line up in the Tancred. “He’s going great,” Baker said. “Of course, he won the race two years ago and his runs this preparation have been outstanding, it’s hard to think he’s not going better than ever. “The 2400 metres suits, that’s probably his best distance, he looks good and I think he definitely has a really good chance. “I think with a bigger field and more tempo (than his last start) it will suit.” Arapaho also claimed the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield last spring and the Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) back in 2022. Rachel King, who has built a strong partnership with the son of Lope De Vega, will again be in the saddle. Horse racing news View the full article

After a flurry of activity this past week which appeared to breathe life into the idea of Pleasanton racetrack remaining open for training and stabling, potentially even for a race-meet this summer, the facility looks set to end its current tenure as a state licensed auxiliary training and stabling center midnight Tuesday. “Please be aware that as of March 25 at midnight, Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton will no longer be an approved auxiliary training facility of Santa Anita Park. The agreement between the Southern Stabling and Vanning Committee (TOC and the southern tracks), the California Authority of Racing Fairs, and the Alameda County Fair will end on that date,” wrote the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) in a Sunday advisory. “From a regulatory standpoint, California Horse Racing Board rules will no longer be applicable to Pleasanton. Racing rules will apply for horses shipping to tracks from non-regulated facilities (i.e. Pleasanton). Importantly, Post Time workers' compensation insurance policies only cover activity at approved training facilities, meaning your policy will no longer cover activity at Pleasanton beginning March 26,” the advisory states. According to officials, there remain as many as 340 to 350 horses stabled at the facility, leading to some last-minute decision-making among the horsemen and women still there as to what's next. Their hopes had been tentatively raised this past week, as politicians and key industry figures pushed for Pleasanton racetrack to extend stabling and training at the facility beyond the current March 25 deadline, citing, among several concerns, the impacts to the backstretch workers there. Long-time California owner George Schmitt and owner-breeder John Harris announced that they had devised a business plan to essentially bankroll the proposed summer meet at Pleasanton, under the banner of a newly formed company called Bernal Park Racing. On Tuesday evening, the Alameda County Agricultural Fair Association reportedly voted in closed session to indeed try to extend stabling and training there, and to possibly hold a race meet this summer. This essentially reversed a decision earlier this year, when CARF and the Alameda County Agricultural Fair Association voted to end the stabling agreement on March 25, citing wastewater discharge and financial concerns. The timeframe, however, to thrash out the specifics of such a plan was perilously short. In the intervening days, key entities have been unable to come to an agreement about how to bring this to fruition-a convoluted and often confusing narrative that has sharpened the tensions between industry interests in the Northern and Southern halves of the state. The current stabling and training agreement at Pleasanton is between the Southern stabling and vanning committee, the Alameda County Agricultural Fair Association and the California Association of Racing Fairs (CARF). This agreement makes Pleasanton one of the licensed auxiliary stabling centers for Santa Anita. According to California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) executive director, Scott Chaney, a new agreement with new signatories would need to be drafted and signed for stabling and training to continue at Pleasanton after Tuesday. According to Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) president and CEO, Bill Nader, the Southern California stabling and vanning committee “could not entertain” such an agreement with Bernal Park Racing for several reasons. They included that Alameda County Fair and Bernal Park Racing did not have a signed license agreement; that the facility's long-standing regulatory wastewater and stormwater discharge problems had not been adequately addressed; that the TOC had not properly determined whether such an agreement was statutorily permissible; and that the CHRB has not officially recognized Bernal Park Racing as a licensed operator. “Lastly, even if everything was in order, the business case to go forward did not make sense,” said Nader. “We have more than enough stall space [at Los Alamitos and San Luis Rey Downs] to accommodate any horse that wants to travel down,” said Nader. Alameda County Fair CEO Jerome Hoban said his organization was prepared to enter into a license agreement with Bernal Park Racing for the entity to act as a private operator of training and stabling at Pleasanton. For that to occur, however, Bernal Park Racing would first need assurances that the track would remain a CHRB licensed auxiliary training facility. Reached Sunday, Schmitt voiced frustration that entities from the South of the state-including The Stronach Group (TSG) and the TOC-would not support Bernal Park Racing to continue stabling and training at Pleasanton after Tuesday, or to help devise a temporary extension until something more concrete could be determined. “They're begging for some heavy-duty lawsuits and I'm probably going to accommodate them,” said Schmitt. When asked about the stable staff currently living and working at Pleasanton, Hoban said that the Alameda County Fair Association was working with the city, county and local school district to ensure families with school children who wished to remain for a period of time could do so. “We are still committed to working with the families in the RV park to assure them that they get to remain in the schools through the end of the school year,” said Hoban. The post Pleasanton Looks Set to Close for Training and Stabling After Tuesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Australian Cup contender, Atishu. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Chris Waller is confident Atishu is ready to fire in Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington, with the champion trainer aiming to have the mare at peak fitness for the $2.5 million feature. The seven-year-old finished third in the race last year, but Waller is optimistic she can go even better this time around. “I think she’s ready to go,” Waller told Racing.com. “I’ve made a purpose of just keeping her weight down. “She does very well between runs, and I think that’s why her best runs are at the end of the prep, because she does so well between races and from her spells we’ve sort of always been behind the eight-ball.” “We saw that in the spring, we finally got her to peak on the first day of Cup week (when winning the Empire Rose), and then she ran second to Via Sistina on the last day (in the Champions Stakes). “So we’ve made a purpose of just keeping her a bit fitter. She’s ready to peak.” Atishu has an outstanding record at Flemington, where she will be racing for the 12th time on Saturday. Her record at headquarters includes Group 1 victories in last year’s Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) and Champions Stakes (2000m), as well as wins in the 2023 Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) and 2022 Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m). Blake Shinn takes over the reins this weekend, with Atishu coming off a fifth-place finish under Damien Lane in the Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m). Horse racing news View the full article

Deakin will chase a Melbourne Cup start in the Roy Higgins Quality. (Photo by George Salpigtidis/Racing Photos) The Phillip Stokes team is confident they made the right call in bypassing the Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) with progressive stayer Deakin, who will instead chase a golden ticket into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in Saturday’s Listed Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington. Deakin had been among the early favourites with horse racing betting sites for the Adelaide Cup, but the decision was made to stay in Victoria and target a more suitable option closer to home. “The price we would have paid to go there at the time, running on a 40 degree day and carrying 59-kilos in a two-mile race for the first time, the risk was greater than the reward,” stable representative Shae Dinunzio said. “We thought it best to keep him here and jump him out in between and follow the same recipe we did last time.” That recipe delivered success in February, with Deakin scoring in the Listed Torney Night Cup (2500m) at Moonee Valley. He steps out to 2600 metres this weekend with the added incentive of a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup on the line, where he is currently a $26 hope in Melbourne Cup futures markets with horse racing bookmakers. “He worked super on the grass at Pakenham on Saturday morning,” Dinunzio said. “Joe Bowditch rode him and couldn’t have been happier. If he wins the Roy Higgins there’s a chance he goes to the Sydney Cup next month but if we think he’s not ready we’ll pull the pin, send him to the paddock, and get him ready for the Melbourne Cup.” “His jump-out on Tuesday was the same as how he jumped out before he won the Torney Cup. We’re rapt and couldn’t be happier.” Horse racing news View the full article

The Queens M G, winner of the Davona Dale Stakes (G2) March 1 returns in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) March 29. The 1 1/16 mile race for 3-year-old fillies offers qualifying points on the road to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on a scale of 100-50-25-15-10.View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Monday, March 24. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for March 24, 2025, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Eligible Customers Only. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo COPYCASH. GET COPIED. GET PAID – Get paid $0.10 every time someone uses Copy Bet to copy your bets Earn $0.10 per unique Copy Bet. Max $1000 per week. Copy Cash is real money into your account. Dabble T&Cs apply. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo Top 4 Betting! Bet & win up to 4th Place Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Daily Multi Insurance Any Race. Any Runner. Any Odds. Get a Bonus Back if your Multi loses by a specified number of legs. Fixed odds only. Check your Vault for eligibility. Unibet T&C’s apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% of winnings in cash Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds only. PlayUp T&Cs Apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Boost ‘Til You Boom Place a boosted racing single bet and get your racing boost back each time your boosted bet doesn’t win Eligible Customers Only. BoomBet T&C’s Apply. 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing thoroughbred bonus promotions for March 24, 2025. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. Horse racing promotions View the full article

Following a scary incident at the top of the stretch in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park March 22, trainer Thomas Drury Jr. was happy to report California Burrito emerged from the race in good order.View the full article

Stakes-winning jockey Philip Ernst, a mainstay on the old New England circuit for five decades, died peacefully in his Derry, N.H., home March 22 surrounded by his family. Ernst, 84, had battled leukemia for the past several years.View the full article

Half Hollow Stables' My Mitole breezed five furlongs in 1:02.55 March 22 over the Belmont Park dirt training track toward a probable next start in the $750,000 Wood Memorial Stakes (G2), a 1 1/8-mile test for sophomores at Aqueduct Racetrack April 5.View the full article

Graded stakes winner Will Then gave trainer Jonathan Thomas his 300th career victory when she charged home an authoritative victress of the China Doll Stakes Sunday at Santa Anita. The even-money favorite settled into second as Amorita bound out to the early lead and was clear through fractions of :23.67 and :48.14. Will Then inched up closer to the pacesetter on the far turn and surged to the lead at midstretch before drawing clear under a hand ride for an easy victory. “I think she really ran awesome,” said winning rider Umberto Rispoli. “She is coming off of a layoff and the race just set up perfectly. I had a good target ahead of me. I used Amorita in front of me as much as I could and at the top of the stretch, she changed leads and really did the rest. She is a really special filly. I could feel that my filly was full of run, and I was happy with the way she was travelling around the track. She got a little hot in the post parade, but I think that was just because she was coming from off a layoff.” A non-factor in her debut at Kentucky Downs last August, Will Then graduated over the Woodbine lawn Oct. 26. She was last seen with a late-charging victory in the Nov. 30 GIII Jimmy Durante Stakes at Del Mar Nov. 30. Remember Then, a daughter of multiple graded winner Owsley (Harlan), produced a filly by Quality Road last year. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The flashy #5 WILL THEN ($4.00) wins the $100,000 China Doll Stakes at @SantaAnitaPark impressively. @ClaiborneFarm's War of Will is the sire of this three-year-old filly. @umbyrispoli was in the irons for trainer @ThomasStables. pic.twitter.com/W9ahuT9WU2 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 23, 2025 CHINA DOLL S., $98,000, Santa Anita, 3-23, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:35.21, fm. 1–WILL THEN, 124, f, 3, by War of Will 1st Dam: Remember Then, by Pulpit 2nd Dam: Owsley, by Harlan 3rd Dam: Insipid, by Sham O-Augustin Stables; B-George Strawbridge (KY); T-Jonathan Thomas; J-Umberto Rispoli. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0, $152,571. *1/2 to Born Dapper (Union Rags), SW, $141,218. 2–Amorita, 122, f, 3, Liam's Map–Cara Bella, by Ghostzapper. ($260,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Augustin Stables and Stone Farm LLC; B-Stone Farm (KY); T-Richard E. Mandella. $20,000. 3–Take Another Card, 124, f, 3, I'll Have Another–You Missed It, by Lookin At Lucky. O/B-Reddam Racing, LLC (CA); T-Simon Callaghan. $12,000. Margins: 1HF, 1 1/4, 1. Odds: 1.00, 2.10, 2.40. Also Ran: Tequilaandtherapy. Scratched: Casalu. The post War of Will’s Will Then Returns on Top in China Doll appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Barnes, Rodriguez, Gaming, and champion Citizen Bull all worked for trainer Bob Baffert March 23 at Santa Anita Park. Also on the tab was Vodka With a Twist, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) runner-up.View the full article

With a runner-up performance in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) earning him 50 points, it appears Flying Mohawk's connections are intending to take a shot at the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs May 3.View the full article

Lugamo Racing Stable's Cloe (f, 3, Tiz the Law–Nuhood, by Smart Strike) went wire-to-wire and came home much the best while making her turf debut and first start for trainer Jose D'Angelo in the Melody of Colors Stakes at Gulfstream Sunday. The 5-1 shot was pressed by favored Me Governor (The Factor) through an opening quarter in :21.32 and put that foe away in upper stretch before drawing clear to the wire to win by three lengths. She completed the five furlongs in :54.83. A debut winner while sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs over Gulfstream's Tapeta surface Jan. 8, Cloe was a well-beaten sixth while trying the dirt and one mile and 40 yards in the Feb. 8 Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay last time out for trainer Victor Barboza. “I really liked this filly since she arrived at the barn. I think she's special,” said trainer Jose D'Angelo. “I spoke with the owner and we had plenty of options. I worked her two times, one time on the dirt and one time on the grass, and I said she's definitely grass. That's why we decided to go into this race, and she responded very well.” The winner is her dam's last registered foal, but Nuhood was sent to Atta Boy Roy for this term. Cloe became the sixth stakes winner for Tiz the Law, who was represented Saturday by GII Louisiana Derby winner Tiztastic. MELODY OF COLORS S., $100,000, Gulfstream, 3-23, 3yo, f, 5fT, :54.83, fm. 1–CLOE, 118, f, 3, by Tiz the Law 1st Dam: Nuhood, by Smart Strike 2nd Dam: Habibti, by Tabasco Cat 3rd Dam: Miss Sobriety, by Temperence Hill ($80,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL; $145,000 RNA 2yo '24 OBSMAR). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Lugamo Racing Stable LLC; B-Crosshaven Bloodstock (KY); T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo; J-Luis Saez. $60,140. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $107,140. 2–Me Governor, 122, f, 3, The Factor–Mocha Chip, by Trappe Shot. ($42,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT). O-Danbro Farms, LLC; B-Mr. & Mrs. Mike Buckley & William Van Meter (KY); T-Carlos A. David. $19,400. 3–Laurice, 118, f, 3, Bolt d'Oro–Major Z, by Candy Ride (Arg). ($75,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $80,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $460,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Bregman Family Racing LLC; B-Vehbi Hakan Keles (KY); T-George Weaver. $9,700. Margins: 1 3/4, HF, HD. Odds: 5.30, 2.10, 6.50. Also Ran: Make Haste (GB), Le Amazonia, Origami (Ire), Dare to Breeze, Thankfully. Scratched: Abientot, Shesinamood. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. #4 CLOE ($12.60) secures her first stakes victory in the $115,000 Melody of Colors Stakes at @GulfstreamPark. The three-year-old filly by @CoolmoreAmerica's Tiz The Law was piloted by @luissaezpty for trainer @JFDAngelo. Cloe is now 2-for-3. pic.twitter.com/c5iLB2sqJB — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 23, 2025 The post Tiz the Law’s Cloe Wires the Melody of Colors appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article