Wandering Eyes

Race 8 SCENIC HOTEL GROUP 1200m ARDROE (L Sutherland) – Trainer Ms. L Latta advised Stewards, she was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, however, in her opinion ARDROE failed to handle the Heavy 8 track conditions. L Latta further advised it is her intention to carry on with ARDROE’S current preparation. Race 10 ODT SOUTHERN MILE QUALIFIER 1600m SAY SATONO (K Williams) – Trainer Mr. A Carston reported to Stewards, that upon return to the stable the mare underwent blood tests which revealed no abnormalities. A Carston further advised SAY SATONO has had a quiet week, and he intends to continue with her current preparation. A Carston puts the disappointing performance of the mare down to the Heavy 8 track conditions. The post Ashburton Racing Club @ Ashburton, Sunday 23 February 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Eclipse Award-winning juvenile colt Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) and the well-related Baeza (McKinzie) were each out for breezes Saturday morning as they prep for their respective next starts in the GI Santa Anita Derby on Apr. 5. With former jockey Juan Ochoa in the irons, Citizen Bull went six furlongs in 1:12.60 for trainer Bob Baffert. The $675,000 Keeneland September yearling won three of his four outings in 2024, locking up his championship with a front-running, 3 3/4-length defeat of stablemate Gaming (Game Winner) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar on Nov. 1. The bay kicked off his Classics campaign in style with a facile defeat of 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic) in the GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes Feb. 1. Baeza, the half-brother to 2023 GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic) and to last year's GI Belmont Stakes hero Mage (Good Magic), will look to earn his way into Triple Crown consideration in the Santa Anita Derby. The $1.2-million Keeneland September purchase, who races for Lee Searing's CRK Stable and Grandview Equine, was a debut ninth on the turf at Del Mar at December, but has shown his true talent on the main track. Runner-up to Rodriguez in a one-mile maiden Jan. 4, the bay rolled home a 4 3/4-length graduate over the same course and distance Feb. 14. Baeza worked five-eighths of a mile in 1:02.20 with Hector Berrios up. Also on the Santa Anita worktab was Madaket Road (Quality Road), a latest pacesetting second in the Feb. 23 GII Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park who drilled three furlongs in :37 flat. Work of the Day from @santaanitapark—Baeza worked 5 Furlongs in 1:02.20 on March 8th, 2025, for trainer John Shirreffs. pic.twitter.com/YnSW2hVpl9 — 1/ST TV (@Watch1ST) March 8, 2025 The post Citizen Bull, Baeza Work Towards Santa Anita Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Mike Love After achieving win number 300 in the sulky at Westport on Friday, in-form Canterbury driver Sheree Tomlinson will be looking for more success at Reefton today. Tomlinson drove a double on Friday, bringing up her milestone win on a horse she also part owns in Rosary, trained by Ken Ford and Amanda Tomlinson. “I wasn’t expecting it to be on her (Rosary). She was disappointing at Addington in the start before, and I wasn’t even really going to bring her over but there was space on the truck. “It was cool too because I own her and in our colours. So it was cool,” said Tomlinson. Today Tomlinson will have the responsibility of steering eight runners on a track she seldom visits. “I’ve only driven at Reefton once! They do a great job over here with hospitality. It’s very organised.” Billy Kimbler ($4.40FF) starts the day off in Race 1, the Speights Trot over 2500m. “I’m not sure if the grass suits him. He has the ability to win a maiden, but I just think he’s still a bit mentally weak. If he trots he is competitive but he needs a little more ringcraft.” In Race 3, Gamely ($13.00FF) will be looking to continue her form at juicy each way odds in the Hotel Reefton Liquor Centre pace over 2500m. The Amber Lethaby trained runner was a solid third on Friday, and according to Tomlinson a minor gear change today may assist the seven-year-old Sir Lincoln mare. “She’ll be a good chance. I couldn’t get her onto the passing lane on Friday. I think Amber is going to put a jaw breaker on her so hopefully that helps. But she’s racing well and should be a good place chance again.“ Sweet Glory ($4.20FF) for Lethaby again in Race 4, the Gilsenan Family/Reefton Supervalue Mobile Pace over 2450m will be looking to improve on her performance on Friday – and Tomlinson thinks the Sweet Lou mare will be able to do so. “She got too far back on Friday but she went really well. She hit the line under her own steam, and she’s a good place chance too.” Tomlinson then reunites with the family colours on Zsazsa Binx ($11.00FF) in Race 6, the Birchfield Mining (Team Teal) Trot over 2500m. “I pushed her a bit too hard early on Friday. Hopefully she steps quick enough to hold up her spot. She should go pretty good with the right kind of run and tempo.” Tomlinson suggests her best value drive of the day comes in Race 8, the Greymouth Star (Team Teal) Pace with Major Hipster ($16.00FF). The Matt Purvis trained four-year-old Art Major gelding pleased Tomlinson on Friday at Westport. “They came home in 55 seconds on Friday which makes it really impossible to get into it from the back. His sectionals would’ve been pretty smart. He gets a better draw today and should follow out a quick beginner. As long has he’s come through Friday okay, he should have a good chance with some luck.” Tomlinson’s other drives are : Race 2 – Racey Krusa Race 9 – Misty Blue Race 11 – Normi Stead The Team Teal campaign will enter its final week next week – wrapping up on March 16 at the Banks Peninsula and Wingatui meetings, after female drivers won eight of the 11 races at Westport on Friday. Race 1 gets underway at 11:56am View the full article

Accelerize (c, 3, Omaha Beach–Motion Emotion, by Take Charge Indy) romped by daylight at first asking for 'TDN Rising Star' honors on the Tampa Bay Derby undercard. Off at odds of 7-2, the $400,000 KEESEP yearling hit the ground running beneath Irad Ortiz, Jr. and cleared the field from his wide draw in post 12. He showed the way through fractions of :21.87 and :45.03 and blasted off at the top of the stretch to win going away by 7 3/4 lengths. The final time for seven furlongs was a very sharp 1:21.20. Accelerize becomes the third 'Rising Star' for Omaha Beach. With Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher currently serving a seven-day suspension imposed by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit after a horse from his barn tested positive for betamethasone, Accelerize's trainer of record is listed as his longtime assistant, Anthony Sciametta, Jr. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Spendthrift Farm LLC & Repole Stable; B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY); T-Anthony J. Sciametta, Jr. Wow ACCELERIZE ! What a debut for this 3yo colt (Omaha Beach) today at Tampa Bay Downs, a very promising one with an easy victory, ridden by @iradortiz for the colors of @RepoleStable and @spendthriftfarm pic.twitter.com/MklBlCe6wx — Agentes305 (@agentes305) March 8, 2025 The post Omaha Beach Firster Accelerize Romps for ‘TDN Rising Star’ Honors at Tampa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Mighty Eriu at Fair Grounds. Inns Of Court Filly Strikes At Fair Grounds Qatar Racing and Fergus Galvin's Mighty Eriu (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}) broke her maiden in style at Fair Grounds on Mar. 3 (video). Trained by Brendan Walsh, the 3-year-old filly was bred by Brian Canning and Tom Kelly. The bay caught the eye of Paula Flannery, who paid €30,000 for her at the Goffs November Foal Sale in 2022. Sent back through the Goffs ring, the April foal was knocked down to Kevin Ross Bloodstock for €16,000. Out of the Exceed And Excel (Aus) mare Teeline (Ire), Mighty Eriu ran second in the G2 Queen Mary Stakes at two for trainer Gavin Cromwell and these connections, after making her racecourse bow in the colours of E Hughes, Nigel O'Hare and Kiva Cromwell. Her dam, a half-sister to dual Group 2 winner Signora Cabello (Camacho {GB}), has a yearling colt by Starman (GB). Italy-based stallion Inns Of Court has sired two winners from three runners in North America (66%). Overall, his three worldwide stakes winners are led by G3 Prestige Stakes heroine Anshoda (Ire). Mighty Eriu (IRE) ($3.20) makes her stateside debut a winning one in today's 2nd race from the @fairgroundsnola with jockey @_benacurtis in the irons. The 3-year-old filly by Inns of Court (IRE) in trained by @brenpwalsh. TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/VfCDhVXKJn — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) March 3, 2025 Wootton Bassett Gelding Wins Tampa Route Debt Limit (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) graduated at second asking at Tampa Bay Downs for the familiar axis of Klaravich Stables and Chad Brown on Mar. 7 (video). Bred by Eric Puerari and Yolande Seydoux de Claussone, the bay was a €350,000 Arqana August yearling purchase by Oceanic Bloodstock in 2022. He is the second and last known foal out of G3 Prix Imprudence third Silver Storm (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) and first winner. His granddam Fantastic Filly (Fr) (Myrakalu {Fr}) won both the GIII Miesque Stakes and GIII Senorita Stakes in the U.S., while farther back are Group 1 winners and sires Stormy River (Fr) (Verglas {Ire}) and Silverwave (Fr) (Silver Frost {Ire}). Coolmore's Wootton Bassett is responsible for 21 winners from 40 runners in the U.S. (53%). Of his 10 stakes winners, seven are graded scorers led by the top-level trio of Breeders' Cup winners Audarya (Fr), Unquestionable (Fr) and Henri Matisse (Ire). #7 DEBT LIMIT (FR) ($4.80) comes out of the turn and sprints to victory in Race 7 at @TampaBayDownsFL with @SamyCamacho1 in the saddle for trainer Chad Brown and owner Klaravich Stables. pic.twitter.com/onUC4m7y2y — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 7, 2025 Repeat Winners The GIII Honey Fox Stakes at Gulfstream went to Belardo (Ire)'s Special Wan (Ire) in the colours of Team Valor International and Steven Rocco last Saturday (video). It was the first stakes score for the Brendan Walsh trainee, who featured in Making Waves in 2024. Making Waves repeat Gavea (Ger) (Gleneagles {Ire}) earned her first black-type win in the Mardi Gras Stakes at Fair Grounds on Mar. 4 (video). The Albert Stall, Jr. trainee and 2024 GIII Regret Stakes third races for Bal Mar Equine and first featured in this column in the autumn of 2023. Pisciotta (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) returned to the winner's circle with a tally at Fair Grounds on Feb. 28 (video). She races for trainer Cherie DeVaux and the ownership group of Edward Hudson, Jr., Lynne Hudson and DeVaux's husband, David Ingordo. The daughter of Kazeera (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) first appeared in Making Waves in November. Pura Vida Investments' Out Too Late (GB) added a Fair Grounds allowance on Saturday, Mar. 8 (video). The daughter of Expert Eye (GB) broke her maiden at the New Orleans track in January for trainer Michael Maker. SPECIAL WAN (IRE) ($9.40) and @luissaezpty won the duel in the $165,000 Honey Fox Stakes (G3) at @GulfstreamPark. The 5YO daughter of Belardo (@BearstoneStud) is trained by @brenpwalsh for owners @TeamValor and Steven Rocco. Fountain of Youth next: https://t.co/UXCZfzZ4lz pic.twitter.com/F5teDrubCk — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 1, 2025 The post Making Waves: Mighty Eriu Strikes At Fair Grounds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are five horse racing meetings set for Australia on Sunday, March 9. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Ascot, Canberra, Echuca & Sha Tin (HK). Sunday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – March 9, 2025 Ascot Racing Tips Canberra Racing Tips Echuca Racing Tips Sha Tin (HK) Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on March 9, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. 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. Recommended! 4 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 5 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday's Observations features the return of a 'TDN Rising Star'. 13.05 Chantilly, Listed (Prix Maurice Caillault), €55,000, 3yo, 9f (AWT) Yeguada Centurion's TITO MO CEN (IRE) (Uncle Mo) makes the transition into black-type company returning off a seven-length 'TDN Rising Star' performance in his debut run at this venue last month. The Victoria Head-trained homebred encounters seven rivals, which include wide-margin maiden winners Extrapol (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}) and Curragh Camp (Fr) (Romanised {Ire}). The post TDN Rising Star Tito Mo Cen Set For Black-Type Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-GP, $94K, Msw, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:25 p.m. ET. Carrying the same colors as her successful dam, DOUBLE JEOPARDY (Uncle Mo) is set for her unveiling for Bass Stables and Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. The first-time starter is out of Avenge (War Front), the winner of back-to-back editions of the GI Rodeo Drive Stakes, who counts as a full-sister recent GII Buena Vista Stakes heroine Liguria. Double Jeopardy's older half-sister Defiance (Curlin) broke her maiden at first asking at Santa Anita Jan. 26 for Ramona Bass. Also on debut are an uncoupled entry from Christophe Clement's shedrow. Oak Bluff homebred Eagle Rising (More Than Ready) has a pair of stakes-winning half-siblings in Governor Malibu (Malibu Moon) and Rieno Tesoro (Sprightstown). Merion Road (Quality Road) is out of an unraced dam who is a half-sister to European champions Grandera (Ire) (Grand Lodge) and George Washington (Ire) (Danehill). TJCIS PPS The post Sunday Racing Insights: Well-Bred Bass Stables Filly Makes The Races At Gulfstream Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Norelands Stud has been in the McCalmont family since 1912 and, in the past decade alone, the stud has been associated with Classic winners Power (Ire), Magna Graecia (Ire) and St Mark's Basilica (Fr), continuing its long-standing reputation as one of the finest nurseries of talent in Ireland. In a recent interview with TDN Europe, stud boss Harry McCalmont's son Hamish explained how he swapped a career in finance for working on the farm. In running through Norelands Stud's mating plans for 2025, Hamish explained how choosing the right stallion for a mare is often done collaboratively, given many mares are owned in partnerships, but explained how the outfit uses data and statistics in striving to produce the Classic winners of the future. He said, “A lot of the mares on the farm are owned in partnerships with other breeders and therefore the decisions are made together. But our philosophy has remained the same down through the years–we continue to want to use the proven middle-distance Classic-type stallions. That is what we have always concentrated on because a lot of the best racing across the globe is over the Classic distances and there is a big market at all levels worldwide for middle-distance horses if they are good enough and nice enough. “We especially like to use proven middle distance stallions with younger mares to try and get black-type in the first couple of foals as a large proportion of black-type races are over longer distances and a lot of the time they can be smaller fields, too.” McCalmont added, ” When choosing stallions, we look at nicks and back female family crosses but physical attributes are very important to us and how a stallion matches a mare. Our broodmare band is unusually young, partly by design, but also a lot of our older mares retired or died at the same time in the last few years. Hopefully a few of these young mares will come out in the next few years and prove themselves.” Amenette (Ire), 10, (Power (GB)-Amenixa (FR), by Linamix (Fr). Covered by Camelot (GB). She is the dam of the exciting Sir Dinadan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who has a Derby entry. She is barren but has been covered by Camelot. We raced this filly with Joseph O'Brien and she is from an old family of ours. She's a small, powerful filly so is suited to the Classic-type build of Camelot. Atlantis (GB), 6, (Sea The Stars (Ire)-Alla Speranza (GB) by Sir Percy (GB). Goes to Too Darn Hot (GB). She has just had a lovely New Bay (GB) filly and goes to Too Darn Hot (GB). That mating should add some precocity to what is already a wonderful family that features Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Cava (Ire), 9, (Acclamation (GB)-Royal Fizz (Ire), by Royal Academy. In foal to Sea The Stars (Ire). Goes to Auguste Rodin (Ire). Another filly we raced with Joseph O'Brien, she reached a good rating of 100 over sprinting trips, and secured black-type as a two-year-old when third in a Group 3 at the Curragh. It's quite a good family that includes another smart sprinter we bred in Hitchens (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). She has already produced the talented Caviar Heights (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) from her first foal and she's back in foal to Sea The Stars (Ire)-believed to be carrying a colt. We're really looking forward to sending her to Auguste Rodin (Ire). We absolutely loved him when we saw him at Coolmore Stud and he has one of the best pages in the book. We think he's exceptionally good value. Cava is a small, sprinter-type so Auguste Rodin should give her some leg and will suit her quite well. Cercle D'Or (Ire), 11, (Acclamation (GB)-Fleche D'Or (GB), by Dubai Destination. Goes to Blue Point (Ire). She has a Maurice yearling colt in the Inglis Easter Sale and a two-year-old Frankel (GB) filly that is in training with Gai Waterhouse. She has just had a lovely Lope De Vega (Ire) filly up here, who is a full-sister to Ozara (Ire), a winner of a couple of Stakes races in America. We will probably keep the Lope De Vega and put her in training with the partners involved with the mare. Cercle D'or will go to Blue Point (Ire) and the Shamardal line has worked well with the family. Climate (Ire), 7, (Australia (GB)-Frappe (Ire), by Inchinor (GB). Goes to Wootton Bassett (GB). We had Climate in training with Jessica Harrington and she reached a rating of 106 without getting black-type. She's out of Frappe (Ire) (Inchinor (GB), who is one of the farm's best families and therefore is a sister to Power (GB) and Curvy (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). Both of those horses won Group 1 races. Climate was the final foal out of Frappe and she was a good race filly herself. She has a Lope De Vega colt yearling, is in foal to Blue Point and will go to Wootton Bassett. Curvy produced a good horse by Wootton Bassett called Angeal (Ire) and her close relation Emerald Green (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) produced Green Impact (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) who was actually born and raised on the farm here for Marc Chan. I remember when he was born-he was an absolute beast and he looks to have Derby credentials this year so that's very exciting. Wootton Bassett works with the family anyway! Fleche D'Or (GB), 19, (Dubai Destination)-Nuryana (GB), by Nureyev). In foal to New Bay. Goes to Camelot. Obviously Flèche D'Or is the dam of Golden Horn (GB) and Cercle D'or is the only daughter that we have out of the mare. We had a Sea The Stars filly called Chalice (Ire) out of Fleche D'Or but sadly she broke a leg on the gallops. We really want to get another filly out of the mare and we are sending her to Camelot. She has already produced a Derby winner and Camelot is a proper stallion who can produce Derby and Oaks winners. Camelot is one of the best stallions in the world and we think he's only really getting going. Personally, I've always been a massive fan of Camelot and, even at €75,000, we think he's still good value. I mean, there are a lot of very good stallions up there with him who are standing for twice his fee. Hint Of Pink (Ire), 13, (Teofilo (Ire)-Fragrancy (Ire), by Singspiel (Ire). Goes to New Bay. She has an I Am Invincible filly who goes to Inglis Easter and she also had a Wootton Bassett filly foal late in Australia so that's why we decided to ship her back here. She is going to New Bay. Her sister Choisya (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) has won two Group 2 races in Meydan recently. We think that the Dubawi (Ire) line will work well and, again, we'd love a filly out of her. Crimean Queen (GB), 9, (Iffraaj (GB)-(Victoria Cross (Ire), by Mark Of Esteem (Ire). In foal to Sea The Stars and goes back to him. The dam of the exciting Seacruiser (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who is in training with Ralph Beckett and is entered in the Derby. She is in foal to Sea The Stars and will go back to him. Destiny Unbound (Ire), 9, (Galileo (Ire)-Like A Dame (GB), by Danehill. Goes to Lucky Vega (Ire). This mare is quite interesting. We bought her quite late in the sale in Keeneland back in January. She is by Galileo (Ire) and her first foal was placed in a Grade 2. She is in foal to Jack Christopher and we actually managed to pick her up for $38,000, which we thought was great value. Jack Christopher was a champion sprinter in America and, although people might not be too familiar with him here in Europe, we thought the mare was great value. We're going to breed her back along the Storm Cat line so she goes to Lucky Vega. He has made a very good start in Australia and we booked a nomination to him last month. Obviously it's a bit of a punt but you need to take a punt every year on one or two stallions in order to help balance the books and we think Lucky Vega represents a good opportunity. Moorside (GB), 12, Champs Elysees (GB)-Marching West, by Gone West. Goes to Night Of Thunder (Ire). Moorside is from a lovely Juddmonte family and was second in the Cheshire Oaks. She is the dam of Ghostwriter (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). She has an Australia (GB) two-year-old filly who we are going to race and has just been covered by Night Of Thunder (Ire). Australia is another sire who we think is just acceptional value. There's The Door (Ire), 5, (Starspangledbanner (Aus)-(Calisto Star (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). Goes to Wootton Bassett. Just like Moorside, she was second in the Cheshire Oaks. She's not very big so she will suit Wootton Bassett. We find it really hard to get Danehill line mares in Europe now and we were really keen to buy her when she came up for sale at Tattersalls last year [cost 125,000gns]. Her dam is still quite young, too, and she is an exciting mare for the future. Vedissa (Fr), 4, (Sea The Stars (Ire)-Vedouma (Fr), by Dalakhani (Ire). In foal to Galiway (GB). Goes to Charyn (Ire). Vedissa is based in Etreham and the plan for her is to go to Charyn (Ire). It wouldn't be our usual play but we were massive fans of Charyn as a racehorse and he was a miler, which we like. We're obviously big fans of Dark Angel (Ire), too, and held shares in Acclamation (GB) when he was standing at Rathbarry Stud. Sons of Acclamation–Mehmas (Ire) Dark Angel etc–have that will to win and Charyn had that as well so we were keen to use him. We love Sea The Stars as a broodmare sire and have collected a few mares by him over the past few years. It seems to work well with sons of Acclamation as well. Sans Voix (GB), 4, (Saxon Warrior (JPN)-Blarney Stone (Ire), by Peintre Celebre). Goes to Sea The Stars. We bought her for €200,000 at Arqana back in December. She's a Stakes-winning filly by Saxon Warrior (Jpn) and the plan is to go to Sea The Stars with her. The post 2025 Matings Plans: Norelands Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars LIGHT YEARS CHARM - R11 (4) Looks ready for the mile and can salute again Jay Rooney SKY HEART - R10 (11) Won well last start and can repeat dropping in weight here Trackwork Spy SKY HEART - R10 (11) Maps ideally and has more upside than most. Hard to beat Phillip Woo FLYING LUCK - R4 (2) Has been holding his form well and looks ready to win again Shannon (Vincent Wong) BRILLIANT EXPRESS - R11 (6) Won impressively last start and he can score again Racing Post Online FLYING LUCK - R4 (2) Made late ground last time out and can triumph with Brenton Avdulla aboard Tom Wood LOOKS OUTSTANDING - R5 (5) Ran on well after ending up a long way back on debutView the full article

Waikato Stud’s rising star stallion Super Seth has sired his first two Group One winners within the space of seven days, with Linebacker capturing Saturday’s A$1 million Gr.1 The Agency Randwick Guineas (1600m) a week after Feroce’s heroics in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m). Both Linebacker and Feroce come from the first crop by Super Seth, who was New Zealand’s leading first-season sire in 2023-24 and heads the second-season standings in 2024-25. His 28 winners include six at stakes level, with Feroce and Linebacker backed up by La Dorada, Sethito, Poetic Champion and Super Photon. Linebacker became Super Seth’s first Australian winner and first stakes winner last season, romping home by four lengths on debut at Hawkesbury last February and adding the Gr.3 Baillieu Handicap (1400m) at his second start. He went on to finish second in the Gr.1 Champagne Stakes (1600m), then returned as a three-year-old with a fourth in the Gr.2 Run To The Rose (1200m), sixth in the Gr.1 Golden Rose (1400m), second in the Gr.2 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) and sixth in the Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m). Trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton and jockey Zac Lloyd brought the very best out of Linebacker in Saturday’s Randwick Guineas. After jumping sharply and initially finding himself in the lead, Lloyd eased back and slotted Linebacker into second behind the tearaway leader Tenbury Wells. Linebacker cruised past Tenbury Wells at the top of the straight and dashed clear, turning back the challenge of hot favourite Broadsiding to win by half a length. It was a perfect result for Lloyd, who rode Broadsiding in his last start but was replaced by James McDonald for Saturday’s big race. “It was obviously a big privilege to ride Broadsiding last start, but Linebacker today, it’s not a bad exchange,” Lloyd said. “It panned out perfectly. I just wanted to work with Linebacker, not against him. “He broke well and he had a nice bunny in Tenbury Wells. His asset is his big long stride, and he sustained his gallop nicely. “My pre-race strategy was to get both Broadsiding and Swiftfalcon uncomfortable, because I feel Linebacker is a superior miler, and if we left it to a sit and sprint, they’re probably sharper than him. “He got to me at about the 200m, and I thought it was a bit sooner than I would have liked, but when he got to about a neck, my bloke held him quite comfortably the last 100m. It was a very good effort and I’m super pleased for both John and Tom.” Linebacker became the first Group One winner for the O’Shea/Charlton partnership. “I know the tally of crossbar hits we’ve had in Group Ones over the last few years, so it’s great,” Charlton said. “This horse has pleased us all the way since we gelded him. You could see a long way out that he was in a really good rhythm today. They were going at a high speed, but he looked comfortable. “He’s always been a very talented horse. Last run, I just was convinced it wasn’t his true running. He just got in a better position today and it worked out well.” Bred by GSA Bloodstock, Linebacker was purchased out of Haunui Farm’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $160,000 by O’Shea and Suman Hedge Bloodstock. He is a son of the English-bred Oasis Dream mare Garden Of Swans, who is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Sandown Eclipse Stakes (2000m) winner and sire Mukhadram. View the full article

Lining up for his first start in 84 days, Jedibeel collected the eighth and most important win of his promising career in Saturday’s A$500,000 Gr.2 Schweppes Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick. The five-year-old Savabeel gelding scored his first black-type win in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) in December, and then trainer Brad Widdup elected to freshen him ahead of autumn targets. Saturday’s Challenge Stakes was his first start since, and he announced his return to racing in style. Guided through a narrow opening in the straight by jockey Tyler Schiller, Jedibeel showed a brilliant turn of foot to charge home from off the pace and win by just over a length. “Over a short distance and coming home in that time, I thought it would be pretty hard to pick up the leaders today, especially when they dash like that,” Schiller said. “But he’s just a phenomenal horse at the moment. “I was a bit nervous that James (McDonald, riding I Am Me) was trying to look for the same spot as me. But this horse has just got a great turn of foot, he’s got a great racing pattern, he just lobs in behind the speed. He actually jumped really well today, but I didn’t want to be too close. “I thought James was the horse to follow and then I was getting a bit held up and it just helped him even more, because he’s got that great dash. I thought he was really strong late.” Jedibeel has now had 18 starts for eight wins, seven placings and A$816,150 in stakes. “He’s been a terrific horse from day one for us, and it’s great to see him do this,” Widdup said. “We aimed at the Razor Sharp last time and gave him a short break to get him back for these sort of races. “I was keen to run him next week, but if I did that, I’d miss out on the Galaxy (Gr.1 1100m), so I threw the cards on the table and rolled the dice today, and away we went. “Tyler’s always been a big believer that the Galaxy is a race we should be aiming at. He’s got a massive turn of foot, and especially with a ride like that, where he can get out late and he finishes good. “He’s a winner. You know, these horses, they do it week in, week out. You can’t train them, they just win, they’re naturals.” Jedibeel was bred by Waikato Stud and is out of their unraced O’Reilly mare Starry. The five-year-old gelding is one of five winners from six foals to race out of Starry – a group that also includes the Dunstan Feeds Stayers’ Championship (2400m) winner and multiple Group Three placegetter Starrybeel. But despite being a full-brother to that genuine stayer, there is also no shortage of speed in Jedibeel’s pedigree, which notably features multiple Group One winner I Wish I Win. Waikato Stud offered Jedibeel during the National Weanling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus in 2020, where he was bought for $35,000 by Dengaroka Lodge in New South Wales. Jedibeel was later purchased by Widdup as a yearling for A$190,000 at the Sydney Classic Sale after fielding a phone call from Sydney businessman Mike Gregg. Gregg races Jedibeel in the bumble-bee colours of his Sydney University of NSW cricket club, along with his grandson Locky Sheridan. View the full article

Memories of a confidence-denting defeat in last month’s Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) were blown away on Saturday as Willydoit powered to a dominant victory in the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie. Willydoit strung together three increasingly impressive wins at the Auckland track during the summer and spent most of the last three months at the head of fixed-odds betting for the $1.25 million classic. However, the Tarzino gelding dropped out to a distant third-last among a 15-horse field in the Avondale Guineas on February 22 and made little impression from the back in a slowly run race. He eventually crossed the line in 10th, almost five lengths adrift of the Australian-trained winner Thedoctoroflove. Willydoit’s rise to stardom had suddenly stalled, and his firm grip on Derby favouritism was loosening. The Avondale Guineas has been the very best Derby guide in recent times, with seven of the last 13 Avondale Guineas winners going on to Derby success. Another three Derby winners were placegetters in the Guineas during that period. But supporters stuck strong with Willydoit, sending him out as a $3.70 favourite for Derby redemption. He had a new jockey, Melbourne-based expat Kiwi rider Mick Dee, who made sure there would be no repeat of what happened two weeks ago. Awkwardly drawn in gate 14 among a 16-horse field, Dee was flushed out four wide as the field turned out of the home straight with a lap to go. Dee elected to press forward, sliding up into third down the back straight as Amazing Fluke and Grey Area set the pace. While those two began to tire and fade out of contention coming down the side of the track, Willydoit strode forward with purpose and hit the lead with 600m to run. Dee had a quick look over his right shoulder just before the home turn, then went for gold. Willydoit kicked again at the top of the straight and put a gap between himself and the chasers. Thedoctoroflove, Golden Century and Mustang Morgan emerged from the pack and gave chase, but Willydoit was on another level. He swept past the finish line two and a quarter lengths in front of Thedoctoroflove. It was a first Group One win in New Zealand for Dee, who has won 14 times at that level in Australia including the Blue Diamond (1200m) with Devil Night two weeks ago. “It’s very special,” the 28-year-old said. “I’ve got a lot of family and friends here today, so it’s awesome. “I had a few different sets of instructions coming into this race, but the one idea I had in my mind was to get him going early and get him up there. “I thought I might have been able to get in a couple of times, but it was a bit ugly until we got down the back and pressed on. I said before the race that I’d rather go forward to try and get in rather than dropping back to do so. That’s what we did. “Jeez, he was tough. That was a super effort. We were there to be run down, but he’s got great stamina and just keeps going.” Willydoit was bred by Westbury Stud owner Gerry Harvey and was offered in Westbury’s Book 2 draft at Karaka 2023. He was bought by co-trainer Shaun Clotworthy for $75,000. Now part-owned by international micro-share syndicator MyRacehorse alongside Emma Clotworthy and Bryan Black, Willydoit has had six starts for four wins, a placing and $847,415. Willydoit was a special first Group One winner for Clotworthy, who joins his father Kim as a Derby-winning trainer. The latter won the Ellerslie classic with Uncle Remus in 1977. “I’ve emulated Dad and it’s my first Group One,” Shaun Clotworthy said. “It’s very special to share this with Emma, my son and also the whole team. It’s a dream come true. “I just keep on shaking people’s hands, there’s so many owners here. It’s a huge thrill and is just massive for everyone. “Mick said before the race that he was going to roll forward and ride him like the best horse, and he was the best horse. “The Avondale Guineas was the one blip along the road to this race, but that was just down to the pace of the race. I feel sorry for Masa (Hashizume), but that’s the way it goes in racing.” Willydoit is now set to depart the Clotworthy stable, relocating across the Tasman for a potential Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) campaign from the Ciaron Maher stable. “It’s sad to say goodbye to him now, but that happens,” Clotworthy said. “I think there’s still petrol in the tank for an Australian Derby. We’ll see how he pulls up from this, but he’s a pretty good horse.” Willydoit has enhanced his sire Tarzino’s reputation as a classic sire. The Westbury Stud stallion has now been represented by three Group One winners – Jungle Magnate in the South Australian Derby (Gr.1, 2500m), Gypsy Goddess in the Queensland Oaks (Gr.1, 2200m) and Willydoit in the New Zealand Derby. View the full article

Hasseltoff ridden by Jamie Kah winning at Flemington when under the care of Phillip Stokes. (Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Hasseltoff enhanced his Alice Springs Cup hopes with yet another convincing win at Pioneer Park on Saturday. The Dick Leech-trained eight-year-old gelding proved too classy for Terry Gillett’s stablemates Vinnie’s Spirit and Great Buy when he saluted in an open 1600m handicap by 5.8 lengths. That followed a comfortable win on debut in the Red Centre when he prevailed by two lengths in a BM66 over 1600m on February 22. Formerly linked with Adelaide trainer Phillip Stokes, Hasseltoff is the horse to beat in the $110,000 Alice Springs Cup (2000m) on April 6 after also breaking the track record on Saturday. Starting as a prohibitive $1.55 favourite with horse racing bookmakers, he clocked 1.32.68 to eclipse the previous mark of 1.32.83 set by Gillett’s That’s Justified in the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) during the 2021 Alice Springs Cup Carnival. Sitting off the pace in the five-horse field, Hasseltoff made ground on Vinnie’s Spirit and Great Buy approaching the home turn when two lengths adrift in third place passing the 500m. With Victorian apprentice Hannah Le Blanc aboard, the former SA galloper gobbled up the joint leaders with 350m to go once straightening for home before charging away in emphatic style. Second-placed Vinnie’s Spirit, a $4.40 hope, ridden by apprentice Dakota Gillett and third-placed Great Buy, a $3.50 prospect, partnered by Stan Tsaikos were both last start winners, but were no match for Hasseltoff. After a first up win in Alice Springs with 61kg on his back, Hasseltoff dropped 4.5kg on Saturday and considering he brought good form to the NT it’s no surprise he has hit the ground running. From November-January, the son of Toorak Toff had two wins at Morphettville and a win at Gawler. Hasseltoff won at Flemington as a four-year-old over 1700m and has raced over 2000m and beyond on four occasions in a career that includes 52 starts for nine wins and 16 minor placings. The Alice Springs Cup Carnival starts next Sunday with the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) and although it’s unlikely Hasseltoff will feature there’s no doubt he’ll contest the Chief Minister’s Cup at weight-for-age on March 29. There’s also the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) in Darwin next Saturday followed by an open 1900m handicap in Alice Springs on March 22, but at this stage Hasseltoff should start the Alice Springs Cup a clear favourite. In what is shaping as an open NT Guineas (1600m) on March 22, Viney’s Grinzinger Lass – starting at $8.50 with Dabble – finished strongly along the rails to overcome fellow three-year-olds over 1400m on Saturday with Queensland jockey Brendon Newport in the saddle. Le Blanc ended the day with a winning double aboard Lamprecht’s Down The Wicket ($8.50) in a BM54 over 1100m, while Viney had two wins when Sonja Logan guided Isolyfe ($6.50) home over 1400m at 0-58 level. Horse racing news View the full article

Trav winning Saturday’s Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Raymond Connors’ green and red colours will forever be known for six victories in the Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m) at Ellerslie between 1998 and 2019, but the respected Manawatu horseman returned to Auckland on Saturday and took the spoils in another major test of stamina. Connors won the Great Northern as an owner and jockey on Our Jonty (1998) before adding owner-trainer successes with Hypnotize (2007, 2008, 2009) and Wise Men Say (2017, 2019). Now those trophies sit alongside a major prize on the flat, courtesy of a $17 upset by Trav in the Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m). “The Great Northerns are probably still my biggest thrill, but this has to be right up there as well,” Connors said on Saturday. “It’s awesome to win a big race on a day like this. Champions Day is great to be a part of.” Trav won three races as a four-year-old last season, prompting Connors to put a circle around the Auckland Cup as his main goal for 2024-25. The Almanzor gelding went winless in his seven starts leading into the $600,000 showpiece, but caught the eye with a strong-finishing and unlucky fourth in the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) in his most recent start on January 18. Trav and jockey Masa Hashizume dropped out to the tail of the field in a moderately run Auckland Cup that saw multiple lead changes during the race. They still had only three horses behind them as they angled to the extreme outside coming around the home turn. Arby and Nest Egg kicked off the corner and briefly looked set to fight out the finish, but then Hashizume let Trav rip down the outside of the track. He powered past that pair and then turned back a late challenge from the Chris Waller-trained Tajanis to win by a long head. Another Australian raider, Ciaron Maher’s Interpretation, finished two and three-quarter lengths further back in third. The Auckland Cup was a special consolation prize for Hashizume, who was the long-time rider of Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) favourite Willydoit but was replaced after his unplaced finish in last month’s Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m). Click here for Ellerslie race replays. “This means a lot,” Hashizume said. “The last few weeks have just been one of those things. I’ve had to come back from an injury where I had six weeks off. Willydoit is such a nice horse. I understand the owners making the change and I wish them the best of luck. I’ll just have to hope I can come back next year with another Derby favourite. “Trav is a very tough horse, going from the Wellington Cup to the Auckland Cup with only a jumpout in between. He was a bit fresh going to the start, but very professional after the gates opened. “I wasn’t very confident when I was last in the first lap, so I tried to move a little bit closer and then decided to follow Blue Sky At Night. She’s a tough mare, so I knew she would drag me into it. “I wasn’t sure who was coming through beside me, but I knew my horse was trying his best. He gave me 100 percent all the way to the line and then was hard to pull up after the race. It was such a good effort. Credit to the horse and the trainer. I was just lucky today.” Trav has now had 25 starts for six wins, a second and $462,950 in stakes. “That was a really good performance,” Connors said. “I wasn’t surprised to see him get so far back in the running, because that’s the way he races. But the finish that he produced to get up and win the race was amazing. “He hasn’t been the easiest horse to train, it’s been a bit of an effort from everyone at home, but this race was our goal and it’s great to pull it off.” Horse racing news View the full article

Alabama Lass winning Saturday’s Group 3 King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Ken and Bev Kelso bought Alabama Lass in Melbourne as a yearling two years ago, and a stunning performance in Saturday’s Group 3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie has them plotting a return. The $250,000 sprint feature on Champions Day was a rematch of the Group 1 Railway (1200m) in January, where Crocetti defeated Alabama Lass by a short head. Alabama Lass had a weight swing in her favour on Saturday and jumped as a $1.70 favourite with horse racing betting sites to turn the tables, and she delivered in style. Alabama Lass broke sharply from the gates, went straight to the lead, and never gave her five rivals a look in. Jockey Sam Spratt put the pedal to the floor at the home turn and Alabama Lass exploded clear, opening up a winning margin of 5.25 lengths over Crocetti. Alabama Lass stopped the clock at 1:10.46. Click here for Ellerslie race replays. “It was just such a shame that it rained for the Railway last time,” Spratt said. “If that rain hadn’t come, I’m pretty sure she would have done something similar there and would probably have won that race too. But it was a super effort today. “I just tried to cuddle her up as long as I could. She just travelled so well, and even though she’s skipping along quite fast, she’s doing it so easily. I just cuddled her up and then pressed the button in the straight.” Alabama Lass became the fourth three-year-old to win the King’s Plate in the last 20 years, joining Jazzella (2007), Martini Red (2008) and Sword Of State (2022). Alabama Lass has now had eight starts for five wins, three seconds and $609,750 in stakes – an outstanding return on her $120,000 yearling price in Melbourne. Her three-year-old season has seen her win the Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) and Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m), alongside second placings in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Railway. “I’m very proud of her,” Ken Kelso said on Saturday. “She’s a beautiful filly, a little gem. “We’ve always known she was capable of something like this. She was just unlucky to strike rain-affected tracks in those Group One placings in her last two starts. Take nothing away from the horses that beat her in those races, but the rain just dulled her sprint a little bit. Today was a different story. “We’ll look at taking her across to Melbourne now, where there’s a three-year-old race over 1100m later in the month. It’s just a Listed race, but it would be good to pick up a bit of black type over there if we can.” That race is the $500,000 HKJC World Pool Sprint Classic (1100m) at Flemington on March 29. Horse racing news View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, March 9, 2025 First Race 12:30pm HKT (3:30pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing resumes at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, with a stacked 11-part program set for decision. The rail is in the C course for all races on the turf, and with no rainfall predicted to hit the course proper, punters can expect a genuine Good 4 surface throughout the afternoon. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 12:30pm HKT. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Autumn Vibes Autumn Vibes was his own worst enemy on Hong Kong debut, pulling and tugging his way into the minor money on February 9. It was hard not be impressed by the raw ability he possessed, however, hitting the line well under Zac Purton despite a tricky run in transit. He’s been back to the trials to get his manners in check, and with Hugh Bowman set to take the reins from gate 10 this time, expect Autumn Vibes to be flashing over the top to claim his maiden success. Best Bet Race 2 – #4 Autumn Vibes (10) 3yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: Hugh Bowman (58.5kg) Next Best at Sha Tin: Light Years Charm The David Eustace-trained Light Years Charm will be looking to win his way into the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) in the Sha Tin finale and appears well placed to claim back-to-back wins. The Australian import couldn’t have been more impressive in his latest outing over the 1400m on February 9, storming clear of his rivals by 2.3 lengths under a strangle hold in the concluding stages. The 1600m should be no issue, and with Hugh Bowman likely to lob into the ideal stalking position from stall six, Light Years Charm should book his ticket into the final leg of the four-year-old series. Next Best Race 11 – #4 Light Years Charm (6) 4yo Gelding | T: David Eustace | J: Hugh Bowman (59kg) Best Value at Sha Tin: invincible Sage Invincible Sage brings depth of form to this Class 1 contest, and although he failed to fire a shot in the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m), he appears well placed stepping back in grade. He simply didn’t handle the step out to 1400m in his latest outing, however, he produced a blistering effort behind Ka Ying Rising in the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) the start prior. He must lug top weight under Hugh Bowman, but with gate one allowing him to sit in behind a hot tempo, watch for Invincible Sage to be finishing off best at a good price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 8 – #1 Invincible Sage (1) 5yo Gelding | T: David Hall | J: Hugh Bowman (61kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections March 9, 2025 1 1-5-8-9-11 4-5-6-7-10-11-12-13 1-4-6-9-11-14 Horse racing tips View the full article

Return To Conquer winning the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Expensive colt Return To Conquer extended his unbeaten record to four as he brought up a significant milestone for the Te Akau Racing operation when winning the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. The son of Snitzel was bought by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for $1.3 million as a yearling on the Gold Coast in January of last year and his latest success made it 100 Group One wins for Ellis and his team at Te Akau Racing. Starting a warm $2.10 Fixed Odds favourite with horse racing betting sites, Return To Conquer enjoyed a perfect run in transit for top Australian jockey Blake Shinn who had him relaxed beautifully in midfield before angling into a challenging position approaching the home turn. Shinn asked for an effort at the 250m and the favourite strode to the front but had to endure a testing battle in the final few strides as Landlocked stormed at him, just missing by half a head to land the major spoils. Click here for Ellerslie race replays. Mark Walker, who prepares the colt in partnership with Sam Bergerson, paid tribute to both Ellis and the horse as he summed up the performance shortly after the placings were confirmed. “Since Dave established the stable that is the 100th Group One win,” Walker said. “Full credit to team leader (Ellis) as he has bought many many winners and with this guy he spent $1.3 million without any owners earmarked and it shows just how good he is. “It (the race) looked to be quite smooth sailing until the last 100m, but watching it live can be difficult and I’m pleased for Blake to get the win. “We never make decisions on race day and we will wait until he trots out on Monday before we work it out from there.” Walker hinted a start in the biggest two-year-old event in Australia, the $5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday March 22 at Rosehill is on the cards, as Return To Conquer holds a nomination for the race. “We are open to the idea (a Golden Slipper bid) but he is still a young horse, still developing and growing so we will enjoy today and regroup,” he said. “He has a great temperament, is bombproof and he is unbeaten for a reason as he has the will to win.” Shinn was quick to acknowledge the close relationship he is building with Te Akau Racing which includes winning the Karaka Million 3YO (1600m) in January aboard Damask Rose, his mount in the inaugural $3.5million NZB Kiwi (1500m) later in the day. “The blinkers went on today to encourage him to put a field away as he gets there (the front) and thinks his job is done,” Shinn said. “He rallied hard today when the second horse came at him and he is unbeaten still and may be ready now for a reset as he has had a long prep. “It’s great to win for Te Akau today as I’ve built up a great relationship with David Ellis and the team. I’ve come over in the last few months and put a bit of work in with them and that helped me make the decision to come here today and ride for them. “What David has created here is a world class business and I feel fortunate and lucky to get the call up.” Horse racing news View the full article

Provence winning Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Eight weeks after celebrating what they thought was a career pinnacle in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham, the connections of blue-blooded mare Provence were treated to something even more special in Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie. The fillies and mares’ feature carried a stake of $600,000 and was one of four Group Ones on a star-studded Champions Day card. Provence earned her time in the spotlight with a stunning $30 upset over the $1.30 favourite with BlondeBet, New Zealand’s highest-rated mare Legarto. “This is a great feeling,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. “Throughout the last few weeks and months, I just couldn’t wait to get to this day. It’s the greatest day ever and so awesome for New Zealand racing. You just come into it hoping that your horses can step up, and this mare has done that.” Provence earned her first Group One victory in the Thorndon Mile on January 11. She dug deep all the way down the long Trentham straight that day and edged out Qali Al Farrasha, Town Cryer and Aegon in a desperately close finish. In her only start since then, Provence was badly blocked in the straight in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m) at Matamata on February 15. She saw daylight very late in the piece, making up some late ground to get within three and a half lengths of Legarto. When they met again in Saturday’s Breeders’ Stakes, the result was very different. Legarto had been a victim of circumstances in her two previous shock Ellerslie defeats, finishing strongly from too far back to run second in last year’s Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) and Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). This time rider Ryan Elliot had her well within striking distance, and she ranged up alongside the leaders at the top of the straight. But this time Provence surged out of the pack and soon drew up on Legarto’s outside, with a strong-finishing Jaarffi flashing through closer to the inside. Provence and Jaarffi swallowed up Legarto with about 70m remaining, fighting a head-bobbing finish that Provence won by a short head. Legarto was another half-length away in third. Click here for Ellerslie race replays. It was a third consecutive win in the Breeders’ Stakes for jockey Sam Spratt, who guided Belclare to back-to-back victories in 2023 and 2024. “We had a bad draw to start with, so we were a bit disheartened coming into this race,” she said. “But we ended up actually getting a beautiful trip, just in midfield and one off. “As soon as she got out, she’s just so tough. We went past Legarto, and I thought, ‘If we’ve managed to get past her, we must be a chance here.’ But then Warren (Kennedy, riding Jaarffi) bombed me at the end and he actually said ‘I got you.’ So I went from being excited to ‘aw’. But she’s just so tough. “Stephen has nailed it with this mare. She’s hit the mark when it matters in two Group One races. She went pretty well at Matamata last time too, pretty much just cantering to the line.” Horse racing news View the full article

The 2025 Newmarket Handicap delivered a victory for punters at Flemington, with Chris Waller‘s mare Joliestar returning to Group 1 winning form. The Zoustar four-year-old ($3.40F) charged down the ‘Straight Six’ track, defeating Headwall ($14) by 1.25 lengths in the $1.5 million race. “We had faith about the horse being the best horse in the […] The post 2025 Newmarket Handicap Results: Joliestar Salutes for Punters appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The upsets continued at Randwick on Saturday, with Royal Patronage, from the Waterhouse/Bott stable, winning the 2025 Canterbury Stakes. The six-year-old defied expectations, outstaying his more fancied rivals in the 1300m Group 1 clash. Following Linebacker’s victory over Broadsiding in the Randwick Guineas, Royal Patronage ($20) delivered another upset, providing a lucrative result for those […] The post 2025 Canterbury Stakes Winner is Royal Patronage at $20! appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The 2025 Randwick Guineas witnessed a significant upset as Linebacker, trained by John O’Shea & Tom Charlton, denied odds-on favourite Broadsiding another Group 1 victory. Linebacker ($9) delivered a stunning performance, securing a half-length victory under a brilliant ride from Zac Lloyd. “Yeah, it’s like it’s been well rewarded today,” co-trainer Tom Charlton told Sky […] The post Randwick Guineas 2025 Results: Linebacker Fights Off Broadsiding appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

El Vencedor (outside) winning the Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Pin up boy El Vencedor signed off his latest local campaign with the final leg of a winning Group One treble when he downed gallant mare La Crique in a thrilling finish to the Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie. El Vencedor or EV as he is now affectionately known had added the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and the Group 1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) to his career record at his previous two starts and was shooting for a final local accolade before heading to Hong Kong next month to contest the Group 1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin. Punters installed him the $1.40 race favourite with horse racing bookmakers and looked to be in for an armchair ride to the bank after jockey Wiremu Pinn found the front from barrier four and walked his seven rivals through the first 900m of the race. Michael McNab aboard La Crique was having none of that and sent the mare forward to find the front with 1000m to run and had the favourite breathing down her neck rounding the home bend. El Vencedor put his nose in front at the 300m but La Crique refused to lay down as they went head to head, stride for stride to the finish where EV got his nose down at just the right time to win by a short head. Click here for Ellerslie race replays. Trainer Stephen Marsh, who had produced Provence to win the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) barely 35 minutes earlier, was trying to soak it all in as he answered questions about the performance. “I’m so proud as he is just amazing,” Marsh said. “I thought we had been beaten on the line again as La Crique was so tough, tried her hardest and it was just a great spectacle. “What can I say as I’m a bit overwhelmed as the last half an hour has been the best in racing you could ask for. “The owners (David Price and Mark Freeman) have bred him, have been long term with us and I’m just proud of everyone involved including Wiremu who has done a lot of work for us.” Marsh also outlined his plans for his charge before heading overseas. “This is just such a great race and it is fantastic when it is like that,” he said. “Geez it got tight and it was sweaty palms time, but he is tough and he knows where the winning post is. “We have got six weeks to go until Hong Kong so he might enjoy a little time in the paddock, not too much as he will get too fat, then Hong Kong here we come.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Echuca Cup Day 2025 Where Echuca Racing Club – Corner Scott Road and Murray Valley Highway, Echuca, VIC, 3564 When Sunday, March 9, 2025 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Feature racing in Victoria heads to Echuca on Sunday afternoon where the $100,000 Echuca Cup (1400m) headlines a competitive eight-race meeting. A perfect day for racing is forecast for raceday, with the track likely to receive an upgrade to a Good 3 at some point throughout the card. The rail will be in its true position, with Echuca Cup Day 2025 set to commence at 1:15pm AEDT. Echuca Cup Tip: He’s Our Bonneval He’s Our Bonneval caught the eye first-up over the unsuitable 1200m at Flemington on February 15 and looks a great play in the Echuca Cup. The eight-year-old gelding was held up for a run at a crucial point but still hit the line with great intent, albeit beaten three lengths. The step up to 1400m second-up is ideal, and considering he is twice-placed at the trip when at this point of a campaign, he should have enough freshness in his legs to be competitive. Daniel Moor will look for a bum to follow into the race, and with a well-timed sprint, He’s Our Bonneval will take some holding out. Echuca Cup Race 7 – #4 He’s Our Bonneval (9) 8yo Gelding | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Daniel Moor (56kg) VOBIS Gold Eldorado: Dollar Chaser The Bill Papazaharoudakis-trained Dollar Chaser was an impressive Sandown BM64 winner on February 19, and it followed an eye-catching run at the same track behind the classy Mighty. He looks to have returned in fine form and is no doubt going to enjoy the genuine tempo that the 2025 VOBIS Gold Eldorado is set to be run at. Cory Parish will have him at the rear of the field turning for home, but with a strong turn of foot, Dollar Chaser will prove too hard to hold out inside the final 50m. VOBIS Gold Eldorado Race 6 – #6 Dollar Chaser (5) 6yo Gelding | T: Bill Papazaharoudakis | J: Cory Parish (58kg) Best Bet at Echuca: Soju Soju continues to run eye-catching races throughout his campaign without winning, but the four-year-old mare has seemingly found the right race to gain that elusive breakthrough. key form reference is in her run two starts back when beating Big Me by a length who she meets again, but at a better price than her rival with horse racing bookmakers. Billy Egan will ensure this girl gains every chance in running from barrier two, and if the breaks go her way, Soju looks hard to hold out. Best Bet Race 4 – #4 Soju (2) 4yo Mare | T: Simon Zahra | J: Billy Egan (57kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Echuca Echuca quadrella selections Sunday, March 9, 2025 1-2 3-4-5-6 1-4-7-8 1-2-4-5-7-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article