Wandering Eyes

Jennilala ridden by Craig Newitt wins the Matron Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Jennilala has kicked off her career under new trainer Gavin Bedggood in the best possible way by taking out the Group 3 Matron Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. The daughter of Shalaa was transferred from the Ciaron Maher stable before starting this preparation, but she was unwated in betting, drifting from +600 out to +750 with Unibet before the jump. Wrote To Arataki (+500) jumped well from her inside gate and took up the lead ahead of Wishlor Lass (+1000) and Miraval Rose (+600), while the winner settled in fourth in a perfect position. Dean Yendall upped the ante on the leader as the field ran around the home turn, which left a few of the runners flat-footed, but it didn’t worry the eventual winner as Craig Newitt hadn’t asked for the ultimate effort yet. Once asked, Jennilala started to take ground off the leaders and eventually levelled up before putting her head in front at the 100m mark. Charisse (+2200) flashed home through the pack to run into third place, but it was Jennilala who recorded a victory by a half length over Wrote To Arataki. Click here for Flemington race replays. Gavin Bedggood spoke about the win post-race. “This is my second runner for Tony and I’m rapt to get a result,” Bedggood said. “I wanted to go the a 1400-metre race today, but Tony gave me a nudge to go to this race, and I really wanted to draw a low gate with her where she’d get that third or fourth (spot) sort of run. “There didn’t look to be a lot of speed on paper and I thought she may find herself outside the leader. “It worked out perfectly. Craig rode her great, and it was a great watch. “She came to us a very sound horse. I’m glad I had her fit enough to go to a mile first-up. “She’ll probably go to Tony’s farm this week for a freshen up, and then we’ll look to the Queen Of The South.” Craig Newitt was very happy to get the win for owner Tony Ottobre. “She’s kept her fresh record in tact,” Newitt said. “She’s dynamite fresh and it was a very good training effort by Gavin to get her first-up over a mile but she is such a relaxed customer. “She flies the gates and put herself in the one-one, switches off, and rested the first half of the race. “I was confident she would be in the finish and it was just a matter of how strong she would be late and she was tough.” “I thought I might have been outside the leader but when Jamie (Melham on Wishlor Lass) edged off the fence, I was able to take cover. “Especially good to win for Tony. He has given me the keys to the good ones. Nice to get another mare over the line.” Horse racing news View the full article

Damask Rose winning Saturday’s $3.5 million Listed The NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Te Akau Racing, Blake Shinn and fantastic filly Damask Rose created a piece of New Zealand racing history when they took out the inaugural running of the richest race in the land, the newly minted $3.5 million Listed The NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie. The slot race is the centrepiece of the newly created Champions Day, a day featuring eight black-type contests, including four at Group One level. Open to New Zealand bred three-year-olds, the 14 slots for the race were auctioned during 2024 and were snapped up by buyers from around New Zealand, Australia and as far afield as Malaysia. Te Akau Racing was one of those successful bidders and announced stable runner Damask Rose as their nominated candidate back in December last year. Since then, the three-year-old daughter of legendary Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel captured the rich Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) in late January before being set for today’s contest. A winning trial over 1100m at Taupo last month fitted her for the assignment, and she delivered in fine style, courtesy of a rails-hugging ride from visiting Australian jockey Blake Shinn, who had been aboard her in the Karaka Million 3YO. Punters that confidently supported her into the $5 Fixed Odds second favourite with horse racing bookmakers behind the Victorian-trained Evaporate ($2.60) were potentially tearing up their tickets shortly after the start as the filly dwelt slightly and was quickly relegated to a clear three lengths off the second last runner after just 400m. Shinn didn’t panic and took Damask Rose where angels fear to tread in the home straight, hugging the rails and bursting clear at the 150m to down Evaporate and Checkmate who fought out the minor placings. Click here for Ellerslie race replays. Shinn, who had earlier piloted stablemate Return to Conquer to victory in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, was brimming with pride at the result. “She was a bit slow at the start so we had to go to Plan B and ride her a bit quiet, so fortunately the speed was on,” Shinn said. “I was contemplating coming wide but the way the race set up I had to look for inside runs, which came and she was good enough to capitalise on them. “She is a really good horse; we won the Karaka Million 3YO and it is really special to win the inaugural running of this race for Te Akau. “She has an electric turn of foot, a real desire to take the gaps and savage the line as the pressure was starting to tell up against the rails but she pinned her ears back and I’m just delighted. “This means a lot as deep down I’m quite emotional and have struck up a great relationship with Te Akau Racing as they a big family unit and this is what it is all about for them.” Both Bergerson and Walker were overjoyed with the performance as they accepted congratulations from the syndicate of owners and many well wishers on course at Ellerslie. “It’s pretty surreal and I said to Mark when we saw her flop out the back she is going to have to be good from there,” Bergerson said. “Fair play to Blake as he was very patient and the filly was so game. When she shot through we were all up on our feet. “She has just kept improving as we had earmarked her for the slot early on and we’re so thankful it has come off. “I was a bag of nerves all week and there are so many people to thank, I’m just so grateful.” An added feature of the race is the opportunity for Damask Rose to now contest a rich Australian event with the recent announcement the slot race has officially become a ‘Golden Ticket’ race, granting the winner direct entry into Australia’s prestigious $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 1, 2025. Horse racing news View the full article

Commemorative winning the Group 3 Wenona Girl Quality. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au The James Cummings-trained Commemorative ($4.40) has capped off a terrific day for Godolphin, claiming the Group 3 Wenona Girl Quality (1200m) in stylish fashion to round out 2025 Randwick Guineas Day on Saturday afternoon. The daughter of I Am Invincible put the writing on the wall after a luckless effort first-up in the Group 3 Triscay Stakes (1200m) at the same course and distance, justifying a wealth of support with horse racing bookmakers prior to the jump. Jason Collett was happy to drag back towards the rear of the field in the early stages in search of cover, and it paid dividends, with her rivals going along at a genuine clip throughout the 1200m journey. Spring Lee () bowled across to the front from barrier 12 under Rachel King, leaving the Joseph Pride-trained pair of The Black Cloud ($14.00) and Cosmonova ($34.00) to clip up and play a stalking role. Kundalini ($21.00) didn’t have much luck sitting wide throughout, while Arctic Glamour ($11.00) was slow away putting an end to her chances. All eyes were on Commemorative as they turned for home, and the four-year-old mare was happy to oblige, putting them away swiftly to record an impressive fourth career victory. Click here for Randwick race replays. James Cummings was on course to speak post-race. “It was ideal the way things unfolded for her,” said Cummings. “Jason Collett was very attentive before the race where we’d like to see her and importantly how he would go about the ride. “He listened, he went with her, he used her momentum and she put in the big bounds out wide and she was going to take some beating. “She’s backed up that excellent first-up run with a big effort this afternoon and lays a good foundation for her prep. “Our options are open. I do like to look at the birthday card in a couple of weeks, but our options are open with her and it’s just pleasing to see her hitting the line so well.” Jason Collett then spoke to the victory. “She was really clean from the gate,” said Collett. “We thought we’d might be a bit further back than that, but she jumped so well and I got that cover, I was really happy with the spot I was in. “I popped her early and just let her go through her gears and she’s just so powerful. You see the size of her in the yard and when you’ve got that up over the rise, it’s a good feeling knowing that you’ve got more on the tank.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Black Opal Stakes Day 2025 Where Thoroughbred Park – 1 Randwick Rd, Lyneham ACT 2602 When Sunday, March 9, 2025 First Race 11:36am AEDT Visit Dabble Country racing returns to Canberra Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, where the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes (1200m) headlines a bumper 10-race program. The two-year-old feature is surrounded by a quality undercard, including the Listed Canberra Cup (2000m) and Listed Canberra Guineas (1400m), with the pair attracting capacity fields on the ACT’s marquee day. The rail moves out +3m the entire circuit, and with the start time moved up to 11:36am AEDT to avoid the possibility of significant rainfall, hopefully participants can be working on a Good 4 surface throughout the afternoon. Black Opal Stakes Tip: Sanctified Sanctified represents terrific each-way value with horse racing bookmakers in the Black Opal Stakes as he attempts to win his way into the 2025 Golden Slipper. The son of Super Seth comes through a hot edition of the Inglis Millennium (1100m), with the quinella pairing of Rivellino and Within The Law claiming the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) and Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) last Saturday, respectively. Sanctified should relish the step-up to 1200m for the first time, and with a strong tempo engaged here, watch for this guy to be storming down the middle of the course at a massive price. Black Opal Stakes Race 6 – #10 Sanctified (10) 2yo Colt | T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | J: Tyler Schiller (56kg) Canberra Cup Tip: Gear Up With half this field dual-accepted for the Listed Randwick City Stakes on Saturday, it’s the Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald-trained Gear Up that gets the nod. The son of Teofilo started to put it all together last preparation, finding a career peak performance when finishing third behind Positivity in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on September 21. His best asset is his early speed, so watch for Joshua Parr to press forward from gate four, and with the likes of Alalcance and Redstone Well possibly being withdrawn, the $13.00 with BlondeBet represents good value. Canberra Cup Race 7 – #2 Gear Up (4) 7yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | J: Joshua Parr (57kg) Canberra Guineas: Snow In May Snow In May was well held in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on February 8 but had clear excuses taking on a quality field. The Autumn Sun filly was on the wrong part of the track, with many failing to make significant inroads towards the inside; however, the lightly raced three-year-old stuck on gamely to get within four lengths of Public Attention. She looks supremely well-placed in the 2025 Canberra Guineas, and with Tyler Schiller set to stalk from the one-one, Snow In May will prove hard to hold out. Canberra Guineas Race 5 – #6 Snow In May (6) 3yo Filly | T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | J: Tyler Schiller (54kg) Best Bet at Canberra: Deal N’ Dash Deal N’ Dash produced a slashing debut at Rosehill on February 26 and justified a wealth of support with online betting sites. The Dundeel gelding didn’t look like figuring with 400m left to travel before putting on the afterburners to claim Wa Wa Wa in the shadows of the post. Deal N’ Dash could be a genuine Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) contender in the autumn, and if he wants to be considered a major player in such a fixture, expect him to take care of this lot. Best Bet Race 9 – #6 Deal N’ Dash (10) 3yo Gelding | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Joshua Parr (57.5kg) Best Value at Canberra: Cliff House Cliff House got a pass mark first-up over an unsuitable trip at Canberra on February 21, closing to within a length of Acapella Sun despite lugging 63kg on his back. The 1200m was always going to prove too sharp for the son of Starcraft, however, he never shirked the task and appears primed to strike second-up. He drops 9kg heading into this assignment, and with the six-year-old tasting success in three of his five starts second-up, expect Cliff House to give a bold sight in the National Sprint (1400m) Best Value Race 8 – #10 Cliff House (14) 6yo Gelding | T: Tim Donnelly | J: Tyler Schiller (54kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Canberra Canberra quadrella selections March 9, 2025 1-2-4-5-6-8 1-2-4-5-10-11 6 1-2-3-4-6-7-9 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Group 1 Randwick Guineas winner, Linebacker. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au The John O’Shea & Tom Charlton-trained Linebacker ($9.00) has tasted Group 1 success for the first time at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, fending off all challengers to claim the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m). The son of Super Seth had always promised to produce at the highest level across seven career starts, consistently finishing on the heel of Broadsiding ($1.60) throughout the spring campaign. It finally eventuated on Saturday with Zac Lloyd storming across to take up the running in the early stages before rank outside with horse racing bookmakers, Tenbury Wells ($201.00), decided to press forward to lead under Tommy Berry. It allowed Linebacker to settle in behind the speed and map in front of Broadsiding, with the Godolphin colt mustering to stalk his fellow three-year-old every step of the way. Aeliana () was next slightly worse than midfield, while Swiftfalcon ($5.00) sat to her outside throughout the journey. Tenbury Well was quick to fade once asked for an effort, while Linebacker surged to the top under minimal riding. James McDonald was forced to get busy aboard Broadsiding and was given every chance to get past Linebacker, however, it was the latter getting the upper hand in the final furlong and claiming his maiden Group 1 success. Click here for Randwick race replays. Emotions were high on course as John O’Shea celebrated his 30th Group 1 win, while training partner Tom Charlton secured his first Group 1 victory. “Well, I know the tally of crossbar hits we’ve had in Group Ones the last few years so look, it’s great, I’m so thankful to him and the ownership of our stable,” said Charlton. “I watched the race with my wife, she cries a lot, which makes it harder for me. “As a gelding he has just pleased us all the way, you could see a long way out, he was in a really good rhythm today, they were going at a high speed, but he looked comfortable. “I thought he paraded beautifully before he didn’t get as warm at the gates. He just was probably, you know, the true showing today back to the mile. “He’s always been a very talented horse and you know, just last run I just was convinced it wasn’t his true running and he just got in a better position today and it worked out well.” Zac Lloyd spoke post-race and celebrated his third Group 1 success. “It was obviously a big privilege to ride Broadsiding last start, but Linebacker today, it’s not a bad exchange, it panned out perfectly,” said Lloyd. “I just wanted to work with Linebacker, not against him today. “He broke well, he had a nice bunny in Tenbury Wells, that’s his asset, 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 oh it’s a bit sooner than I would have liked, but when he got to about a neck, my bloke held him quite comfortably the last hundred.” Horse racing news View the full article

Trainer reserves special praise for promising four-year-old, who must win on Sunday to get into HK$26 million feature.View the full article

Te Akau Racing, Blake Shinn and fantastic filly Damask Rose created a piece of New Zealand racing history when they took out the inaugural running of the richest race in the land, the newly minted $3.5 million Listed The NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie. The slot race is the centrepiece of the newly created Barfoot and Thompson Champions Day, a day featuring eight black-type contests including four at Group One level. Open to New Zealand bred three-year-olds, the 14 slots for the race were auctioned during 2024 and were snapped up by buyers from around New Zealand, Australia and as far afield as Malaysia. Te Akau Racing was one of those successful bidders and announced stable runner Damask Rose as their nominated candidate back in December last year. Since then, the three-year-old daughter of legendary Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel captured the rich Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) in late January before being set for today’s contest. A winning trial over 1100m at Taupo last month fitted her for the assignment and she delivered in fine style, courtesy of a rails hugging ride from visiting Australian jockey Blake Shinn who had been aboard her in the Karaka Million 3YO. Punters that confidently supported her into the $5 Fixed Odds second favourite behind the Victorian-trained Evaporate ($2.60) were potentially tearing up their tickets shortly after the start as the filly dwelt slightly and was quickly relegated to a clear three lengths off the second last runner after just 400m. Shinn didn’t panic and took Damask Rose where angels fear to tread in the home straight, hugging the rails and bursting clear at the 150m to down Evaporate and Checkmate who fought out the minor placings. Shinn, who had earlier piloted stablemate Return to Conquer to victory in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, was brimming with pride at the result. “She was a bit slow at the start so we had to go to Plan B and ride her a bit quiet, so fortunately the speed was on,” Shinn said. “I was contemplating coming wide but the way the race set up I had to look for inside runs, which came and she was good enough to capitalise on them. “She is a really good horse; we won the Karaka Million 3YO and it is really special to win the inaugural running of this race for Te Akau. “She has an electric turn of foot, a real desire to take the gaps and savage the line as the pressure was starting to tell up against the rails but she pinned her ears back and I’m just delighted. “This means a lot as deep down I’m quite emotional and have struck up a great relationship with Te Akau Racing as they a big family unit and this is what it is all about for them.” Both Bergerson and Walker were overjoyed with the performance as they accepted congratulations from the syndicate of owners and many well wishers on course at Ellerslie. “It’s pretty surreal and I said to Mark when we saw her flop out the back she is going to have to be good from there,” Bergerson said. “Fair play to Blake as he was very patient and the filly was so game. When she shot through we were all up on our feet. “She has just kept improving as we had earmarked her for the slot early on and we’re so thankful it has come off. “I was a bag of nerves all week and there are so many people to thank, I’m just so grateful.” An added feature of the race is the opportunity for Damask Rose to now contest a rich Australian event with the recent announcement the slot race has officially become a ‘Golden Ticket’ race, granting the winner direct entry into Australia’s prestigious $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on 1 November 2025. The daughter of Flying Spur mare Sombreuil was purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for $200,000 out of Milan Park’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft. She comes from an extended family that includes her grand-dam Te Akau Rose who was a winner of the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) along with Gr.1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m) winner and now successful sire Brutal. She is also the younger sister of Saturday’s Gr.1 HKJC World Pool New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) winner Provence, who was also bred by Milan Park principal Tony Rider.Damask Rose has now won four of her seven starts and $2.28 million for owners the Te Akau Coming Up Roses Racing Partnership. View the full article

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 Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson 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 Gr.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 Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) favourite Willydoit but was replaced after his unplaced finish in last month’s Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m). “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.” View the full article

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 Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie. El Vencedor or EV as he is now affectionately known had added the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and the Gr.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 Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin. Punters installed him the $1.40 race favourite 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. Trainer Stephen Marsh, who had produced Provence to win the Gr.1 HKJC World Pool 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.” El Vencedor was set to have a big payday on Saturday no matter the outcome, with the gelding having an unassailable lead in the Rich Hill Champion Middle Distance Series going into the final of the series and earning a further $300,000. The six-year-old currently finished the series on 24 points with La Crique (14 points) securing the runner-up bonus of $150,000, with $50,000 split between Snazzytavi and Qali Al Farrasha who finished tied on 10 points each.Bred and raced by Freeman and Price, El Vencedor has now had 41 starts for 12 wins, 14 placings and more than $2.104 million in prizemoney. View the full article

Eight weeks after celebrating what they thought was a career pinnacle in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham, the connections of blue-blooded mare Provence were treated to something even more special in Saturday’s Gr.1 HKJC World Pool 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, 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 Gr.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. 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.” Provence has now had 16 starts for six wins, a placing and $817,115 in stakes. The five-year-old Savabeel mare was bred by Tony Rider, who shares ownership with the Social Racing Ellerslie Winners’ Circle Syndicate. Provence is a full-sister to Damask Rose, who won the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) over the same course and distance in January. “We’ve had so many seconds this season, and when they hit the line there, I thought that was going to be another second placing in the books,” Marsh said. “But then the photo popped up on the screen and it was just the best feeling.“You’d love to have a few more like this mare in your stable. She’s so tough and has an amazing will to win. She has now won two Group One races this season and she’s a beautifully bred Savabeel mare, so it couldn’t be any better than that. It’s great for Tony Rider, for Brent and Wendy Cooper and a massive syndicate of owners with Social Racing.” View the full article

Ken and Bev Kelso bought Alabama Lass in Melbourne as a yearling two years ago, and a stunning performance in Saturday’s Gr.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 Gr.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 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 five and a quarter lengths over Crocetti. Alabama Lass stopped the clock at 1:10.46. “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 A$120,000 yearling price in Melbourne. Her three-year-old season has seen her win the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) and Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m), alongside second placings in the Gr.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 A$500,000 HKJC World Pool Sprint Classic (1100m) at Flemington on March 29.Despite having to settle for second behind Alabama Lass in the King’s Plate, Crocetti picked up the five points he needed to win the $300,000 bonus prize for topping the table in the Sport Nation Champion Sprint Series. He finished with 15 points, which puts him just ahead of Alabama Lass and Here To Shock on 12. View the full article

Ex-pat Kiwi rider Michael (Mick) Dee gained early success on his latest race day return to his homeland when he guided favourite Island Life to victory in the Gr. 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie. Dee, who plies in his trade in Melbourne these days after spending his formative years in New Zealand, had been engaged to partner race favourite Willydoit in the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) later on the card and got his day off to a great start with a superb effort on the Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie-prepared daughter of Vadamos. Dee took up the initiative by sitting the three-year-old filly outside pacemaker Eye Candy, which was against her normal pattern of getting back and finishing her races off strongly. That decision proved a masterstroke in the six-horse field as Island Life was in the perfect position to issue her challenge early in the run home, where she shot to the front and held out the late challenge of This Time Girl to score her second career victory at just her seventh start. Dee was pleased with the run and noted her toughness would hold her in good stead if she pressed ahead to a start in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on 22 March. “She’s very tough and tries hard which is what she has going for her as she is not that big,” Dee said. “I was pleased when she ended up outside the leader as she relaxed really well and when I gave her a squeeze up I got pretty confident a long way out. “The extra distance (of the Oaks) could be a question mark, but she is very tough and is going in the right direction so you have to have a go while she is going well.” Ritchie cut an emotional figure as she waited for the Sir Peter Vela owned and bred filly make her way back to the winners’ enclosure. “I grew up here and this means just so much as we have had huge pressure with this filly,” she said. “To do this for Sir Peter on this incredible day just feels unbelievable. “It has taken a little while to work her out as she is pretty awkward, but Michael gave her a peach of a ride and I’m just so proud of her as she ground it out and finished it off so well. “We will see how she comes through this before we make a decision (on Trentham) as she can be a little quirky, but she relaxed today which was great.” Out of the Montjeu mare Lycia, a half sister to the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) winner De Beers, her third dam is dual Group One winner Tristalove while she is also closely related to recent Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) winner Feroce.Saturday’s victory on the rich Champions Day card at Ellerslie has taken her prizemoney earnings over $208,000 from two wins and three placings from her seven career starts. View the full article

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 Gr. 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. The son of Snitzel was bought by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for A$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, 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. 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 A$5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday 22 March 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.”Return To Conquer, who is out of the Lonhro mare Vaujany, has now had four starts for four black type wins and has banked $534,750 for owners the Te Akau 2024 Stallion Breeding Syndicate. View the full article

The 2025 All-Star Mile, in its inaugural Group 1 running, witnessed a stunning upset as Godolphin‘s Tom Kitten defeated the equal favourite, Mr Brightside, at Flemington on Saturday. Ben Melham delivered a masterful ride, guiding the James Cummings-trained Tom Kitten to victory in a tight finish. “He came back really good, this horse. His second […] The post 2025 All-Star Mile Winner Tom Kitten Beats Mr Brightside appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Jedibeel surges to victory in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Brad Widdup & Tyler Schiller combined with Jedibeel ($10.00) to claim victory in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, slicing between horses to record an impressive eighth career win. The son of Savabeel was first-up after a 84-day spell, however, did bring residual fitness into the $500,000 feature after securing Listed success at the end of last preparation over 1200m. The five-year-old gelding had never missed the frame fresh, and that trend continued on Saturday, with the sharper 1000m journey proving no issues, with Jedibeel cuddled up to get the last crack at his rivals. He was aided by the small field ticking over some slower sectionals in the middle stages, as Rachel King elected to lead aboard Way To The Stars (). The well-supported bookmaker favourite appeared to have it all her own way, with I Am Me ($2.80) finding the leaders’ back throughout the journey, while Uncommon James ($7.50) was the only runner sticking to outside the leader. Jedibeel and Kimochi () were in the back-half of the field, however, the latter was forced to sit three wide throughout the trip, with Dragonstone ($15.00) keeping her in a pocket at a crucial stage. Jedibeel sliced through to hit the lead, and while Kimochi had excuses, the daughter of Brave Smash would have to settle for the minor money. Click here for Randwick race replays. Jedibeel has been a model of consistency for Brad Widdup as he spoke post-race. “He’s been a terrific horse from day one for us, and it’s great to see him do this,” said Widdup. “Obviously, 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, so I threw the cards on the table and rolled the dice today, and away we went. “Tyler’s (Schiller) 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 when they learn how to win and you can’t train them, they just win, they’re naturals.” Tyler Schiller was delighted with the win as he spoke post-race. “I was a bit nervous that James was trying to look for the same spot as me,” said Schiller. “He’s 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, which 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 and I thought he was really strong late.” Jedibeel is now a () for the Group 1 Galaxy (1100m) on March 22. Horse racing news View the full article

Tom Kitten ridden by Ben Melham wins the All-Star Mile at Flemington. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) James Cummings has claimed his first All Star Mile (1600m) as a trainer, following a perfectly timed ride from Ben Melham aboard Tom Kitten (+360) at Flemington. Following his flashing light run when he was an unlucky runner-up behind Mr Brightside (+170) in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes, the son of Harry Angel has turned the tables on the champion by defeating him in a head-bobbing finish to the All Star Mile. As expected, Rise At Dawn (+1700) jumped well from his barrier to lead ahead of Mr Brightside, while the equal-favourite with Neds, Another Wil (+170), settled in the box seat behind the leader, with Light Infantry Man (+3000) holding him on the rail. Very little changed throughout the 1600m contest before the 600m mark, but it was Light Infantry Man who made the first move by peeling off the heels of Mr Brightside, which gave Tom Kitten a perfect cart around the home turn. Craig Williams went for Mr Brightside at the 300m mark but Melham still had a strong hold on Tom Kitten, who was slowly taking ground off the new leader. The two settled down for a ding-dong battle in the final 100m, and it would be the Godolphin runner who would claim victory by a narrow margin on the line. Click here for Flemington race replays. Nacim Dilmi represented the winning stable in the post-race interview. “He pulled up so well from the Futurity. We were very confident coming into this race,” Dilmi said. “Never underestimate Mr Brightside. “He’s the best miler in the world and, gee, at the top of the straight the way he was travelling, we knew he’d put up a good fight and he sure did all the way to the end. “He’s got a lot of ability (Tom Kitten). “A lot of things never went to plan with him. “He’s had many luckless races and this prep, the guys at Osborne Park said earlier, the way he has been going we knew he was in for a good prep and he sure has. “Now it is onwards to the Australian Cup. 2000-metres and he’ll put in another good fight.” Ben Melham was very happy with the win post-race. “He came back really good, this horse. His second prep as a gelding and James Cuummings and Godolphin, they’re such good conditioners of this calibre of horse heading to these big races,” Melham said. “He was obviously very unlucky the other day. In another hop, he probably beats Mr Brightside. “He had the cheaper run and he has probably bounced out of it better. “I was confident he could come here and beat Brightside today, but he just has a few antics on the barriers and stepped a bit ordinary, but it worked out really well for us. “I was able to suck up for a little bit straightening, and when I let him down, I knew he’d be there for me. “He’s really genuine now. I know he’s got a bit of a bad rap but he’s run a lot of good races. He’s run into stiff competition. “For him to put another big one on the mantlepiece is a great effort by the horse and the stable.” Horse racing news View the full article

Middle Earth (GB) ridden by Mark Zahra wins the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington.(Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Ciaron Maher and Mark Zahra have combined with Middle Earth on his Australian racing debut to claim the Australian Cup Prelude (2000m) at Flemington. The ex-European gelding was heavily backed with PlayUp in the final 10 minutes before the jump, as his odds continued to shorten from a high of +380 to +250. The son of Roaring Lion settled worse than midfield and enjoyed a strong tempo that was set by Aramco (+850) and Smokin Romans (+1300) at the front of the field. As usual in most middle distance races at Flemington, the runs started to come as the field swept around the final corner, with Berkshire Breeze (+1800) and Shaiyhar (+850) getting motivated on the outside of the leaders. Zahra had to wait for a run to appear to get Middle Earth off the fence, but once it did, his mount let down with a strong turn of foot and finished over the top of Berkshire Breeze and Shaiyhar. However, his main rival late was his stablemate Duke De Sessa (+340), who was held up behind a wall of horses, and he burst through late to put in a dive at the winner but ultimately missed by a long neck on the line. Click here for Flemington race replays. Ciaron Maher was elated with the victory in his post-race interview. “It is great when those really well-credentialled horses come,” Maher said. “The owners are very patient. He could have a run today and be a live Australian Cup hope. “I’m sure Mark will give him a glowing report. He started well in the market in the King George (in the UK), but we’ve not seen a lot of that form over here. “He’s only going to improve. He’s still furnishing. “There’s no better, patient rider (than Mark Zahra). He gives the horse confidence. “He looks like he liked Flemington. “I’m sure the horse will improve as first-up over 10-furlongs, it is a good effort by the team.” Mark Zahra brought up riding double with the victory, and he spoke post-race. “He had brilliant form in the UK,” Zahra said of the winner. “He travelled well. The speed really came out of it but to let them sprint and put pay to them was a really good effort. “He’s very straightforward, and Ciaron has done a great job getting him ready after they decided not to run in the spring. “I’m sure there is a lot more improvement to come after today.” Middle Earth is the equal-second favourite at +350 with online bookmakers in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) futures markets. Horse racing news View the full article

Little Baia winning the Group 3 Aspiration Quality. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au The Bjorn Baker-trained Little Baia ($9.50) has chalked up her hat-trick of wins for the preparation, making every post a winner in the Group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. Rachel King elected to head straight to the top from barrier three, with the daughter of All Too Hard well-placed with 53kg on her back throughout the contest. She was able to lead at her own leisure throughout the 1600m journey, with no other runners electing to put any pressure on in the race, with the like of It’s A Knockout ($3.00) and Mare Of Mt Buller ($3.50) happy to park towards the rear of the field in the middle stages. Hinged () didn’t have much luck when attempting to get clear under James McDonald, and the Worthy Cause mare already had a difficult task with 61kg on her back. Little Baia still had plenty left in the tank as King pulled the persuaded, while the likes of It’s A Knockout and Mare Of Mt Buller could alone chase in vein, giving the five-year-old too big of a head start as they turned for home. It was honours to the winner in the end, however, as the consistent mare was rewarded with her third straight victory, and her sixth career win at start 26. Click here for Randwick race replays. Bjorn Baker was on track to discuss the victory. “Well, she’s a big, strong mare and she’s really continued to develop,” said Baker. “She’s one of those horses that even a year, year and a half ago we debated whether we should proceed with her, but I’ve always had a lot of faith in her and she’s got a really good pedigree and she’s a Group 3 winner now, so an amazing result for the team. “Her work’s just been unbelievable, we had to pinch ourselves. When she galloped on Tuesday, and Luke and I talk and we’re like, ‘we can’t believe it.’ She is just flying and she looks amazing. So, yeah, it’s so much good fun. “Great to be here.” Baker then briefly spoke about Perfumust after a strong performance in New Zealand for the inaugural running of The Kiwi (1500m). “Yeah, and she went super. “She ran a great race, I was very proud of her performance. She’s done an amazing job this preparation. “We’ll put her out and then we’re going to try and get into the Golden Eagle. We’ll do everything we can to set her up for that. But I thought today she was really good.” Rachel King then spoke post-race about the victory of Little Baia. “She did her thing, she got out there in front, got a nice first half of the race, and 53 kilos on her back which we took full advantage of,” said King. “Probably put them to the sword a little bit early but I knew she’s a very fit horse and she’s very talented. “Her confidence is really great but she’s bigger and stronger as well in this preparation. “I galloped her on Tuesday and noticed a big difference, having been away, how much bigger and stronger she is, and she’s putting that on the race track.” Horse racing news View the full article

Vinrock ridden by Mark Zahra wins the VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Vinrock (+240) has maintained his undefeated record by taking out the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in his second career start, following a dominant debut victory at Pakenham. The Matt Laurie-trained gelding led from start to finish on debut, and Mark Zahra didn’t change tactics on the son of I Am Invincible, who bowled along out in front before kicking clear in the concluding stages of the race. After the opening favourite Tycoon Star was scratched, Vinrock was installed as the clear favourite with BlondeBet, and even though there was specking for a number of runners, the favourite duly saluted for his followers. Zahra made sure the tempo was sedate throughout the 1400m contest, as he led the field up ahead of Ohope (+900) and Brave Design (+650). As the leader straightened for the run home, there was never a worry if you were on him, as he continued to race away from his rivals the further they went. Vinrock claimed an impressive two-length victory over Brave Design and Onavuitton (+2000). Click here for Flemington race replays. Matt Laurie was full of compliments about the winner post-race. “He’s got good gate speed, he put himself there and doesn’t overdo it. He finds when asked the question,” Laurie said. “He was good at Pakenham, which is a big track, and here at Flemington, he has gone well. “He’s a very tough horse, and when he was placed under pressure at his first start, he really responded well and went to another level today. “I nearly ran him last prep. He was the first of our two-year-olds to trial. “I felt that at that stage they were five-furlong races, and he looks like seven-furlongs plus, so we put him away. “If he pulls up well, we’ll go to Sydney for the Sires’ there.” Mark Zahra explained that he was very keen to ride Vinrock after trialling him before his debut. “I have to give Matty credit. I trialled him over 1000-metres and he said he wanted to go to a 1300-metre race at Bendigo on a Saturday and I said it didn’t suit me because I can’t ride him,” Zahra explained. “He went to a 1200 and he won well there. “Matt had this race picked out before he even started. “He’s obviously a very good judge of a horse and he has plotted a path and it has come off. “He is just a dream to ride for a two-year-old. “Came out a bit sticky out of the gates but not too bad. He’s hardly raised a sweat.” Vinrock is rated as a +1400 chance with horse racing bookmakers in the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) futures markets. Horse racing news View the full article

Tentyris winning the Group 2 Todman Stakes. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Godolphin has claimed a race-to-race double at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Tentyris ($8.00) stormed clear of his rivals in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m). The Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) runner-up returned to Sydney in terrific order and got conditions to suit as a trio of runners went forward to dictate terms throughout proceedings. Beiwacht ($7.00), North England ($9.50) and Pallaton ($12.00) made a line of three in the early stages, allowing the heavily back favourite with horse racing bookmakers, Wodeton ($2.00), to track the leaders every step of the way. Tycoon Star ($5.00) was happy to stalk the favourite from the outset, while Nash Rawiller was smoking the pipe towards the rear of the field as they continued to quicken into the final 400m. Wodeton loomed up to take over at the furlong pole and appeared to have them all covered, however, Tentyris was going two to his one in the shadows of the post to give the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) market a real shake two weeks out. Click here for Randwick race replays. Anthony Freedman was on course to speak on behalf of the stable to discuss the win of his impressive two-year-old colt. “We’ve always liked him, but he made a mess of his first start,” said Freedman. “But ever since then he’s grown up and the trip up here, whatever the result, was always going to make him a better horse. “His form’s now looking very consistent if you rule out his first start. So I think the fact that he put a length on them late is the best part of it. “As I said, if he hasn’t been a couple of weeks, he should be there about. “Well, I’ve said all along that there’s no standout and hopefully he’s it.” Nash Rawiller was elated with the win as he spoke post-race. “Good old Nash Road hasn’t let me down again,” joked Rawiller. “He’s a beautiful colt, look he’s very unassuming, he just sort of does what he has to and look as the race developed approaching the 250m, it felt like a track gallop for him winning the race, the way he started to chime into it. “Obviously when the other Melbourne horse drifted out in front of him it made it a little bit more awkward, but I loved his tenacity and the way he hit the line.” Tentyris is now on the second line of betting at for the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) on March 22. Horse racing news View the full article

Is It Me ridden by Billy Egan wins the Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap at Flemington Racecourse. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Is It Me has recorded his first straight win at the Flemington 1400m by giving his rivals a galloping lesson in the Group 3 Staftesbury Avenue Handicap (1400m). The Daniel Bowman-trained gelding was sent out as a heavily-backed favourite with Dabble, shortening from +170 into +150 in the final minutes before jump time. The other well-backed commodity and likely leader, Fancify (+800), found the front ahead of Ayrton (+150), and they ran the race along at a good tempo throughout. Klabel (+2000) settled behind the leading duo, while the eventual winner was well back and searching for runs as the field turned for home. With most of the speed influence struggling to find at the 300m mark, Billy Egan pushed his mount through the field and weaved a passage underneath Fancify to burst through and take over by the 200m pole. Once Egan asked for the complete effort from Is It Me, he stromed clear and ran away with the race to win by 3.75 lengths over Klabel and Lady Jones (+1100). Click here for Flemington race replays. Daniel Bowman was very happy to see Is It Me breakthrough at Group 3 level, and he spoke post-race. “It all worked out. Three or four weeks between runs. Nice, big track. Billy Egan was positive. He said before the race what he’d do and that is how it panned out. He said it might look a bit ugly early but to bear with him,” Bowman said. “The horse was very immature mentally and it has taken time to work out his craft. “It really has been a blessing to link up with Billy. “We just needed a bit of luck and the horse is in a good vein of form. The staff are doing a great job with his trackwork. “I’ve got to say that this is a tough caper. I’ve won a Group 1 race but it has been a while since I have had a good one but you have to catch and kill your own.” Billy Egan echoed similar thoughts to Bowman in his interview. “Credit to Dan. He’s got him in form and he knows him really well,” Egan said. “He doesn’t need to tighten the screws any more. He’s got him in such a good racing zone. “His win on a soft track was good but when he gets on firmer ground, he is really effective. “I thought as he is a big horse that he’d be surrounded by a lot of gallopers. “Rather than trying to get in a bumping duel trying to come out, I thought we’d keep sucking it up. “It might have been messy if we didn’t get through but I was confident.” Horse racing news View the full article

Tempted winning the Group 2 Reisling Stakes. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Godolphin filly Tempted ($2.80) has proven too classy for the girls in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, surging clear to secure a stunning victory and booking her ticket to the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m). The daughter of Street Boss put the writing on the wall after a luckless effort in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on February 22, running up behind a wall of horses in the two-year-old classic. She couldn’t have been more impressive returning to Sydney on Saturday, with the James Cummings-trained galloper producing a barnstorming run down the centre of the course. She was suited by a genuine tempo courtesy of Bel Merci ($7.50) who looked to travel beautifully under Chad Schofield, while the John Sargent-trained debutant Nullarbor Jane ($11.00) was able to land on the leaders’ back from barrier 11. Marhoona ($10.00) loomed large in the concluding stages after landing the one-one throughout, while favourite backers with horse racing bookmakers would’ve been nervous as McDonald found cover in at the back-half of the field. Marhoona hit the front with 200m left to travel, but Tempted was breathing down her neck before surging to the top to claim a dominant win in the 2025 Reisling Stakes. Click here for Randwick race replays. James Cummings was on course to break down the win and confirm what’s next for the two-year-old filly. “We’ll get the opportunity to let the dust settle and see how this lines up amongst all of the lead-ups,” said Cummings. “But I like that she’s come out of the Blue Diamond, she’s not taken a backward step from there. “She’s just freshened up beautifully at the farm between runs and we’ve barely done much with her, yet she’s been able to deliver off the back of a strongly run six furlong race here at Randwick. “Floated home up the middle, perfectly to plan, she’ll step off that and she can go right into the Slipper with a sail full of momentum and an absolute truckload of confidence. “You get a draw in a race like that, it makes a big difference. But she’s had the seasoning, she’s got the attitude for it. There’s a bit of jostling at the back of the field and she could cope with that to hold her spot.” James McDonald was impressed with the performance as he spoke post-race. “Yeah, she was really good,” said McDonald. “She’s a proper genuine chance in two weeks’ time for sure. “I thought I was going to see the outside fence for a little bit, I was getting shunted a little bit. “She’s a professional, she’s very similarly to her mum (Calliope). Her mum was a little rocket, but she’s got a better head on her shoulders, so that’ll take her a long way.” Tempted is now a $11.00 chance with BlondeBet for the Group 1 Golden Slipper on March 22. Horse racing news View the full article

Australian handlers threaten to separate from the pack in pursuit of premiership glory this season.View the full article

Enriched winnings the Listed Fireball Stakes. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au The Michael Freedman-trained Enriched ($6.50) has railed through in the concluding stages to claim the Listed Fireball Stakes (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The son of I Am Invincible did it stylishly in the end, storming along the inside running rail to secure his second career victory under the Tommy Berry drive. It was perfect ride by the star hoop, sitting on the back of Flying For Fun ($8.00) throughout the 1100m journey, with the Bryce Heys-trained filly ticking over some modest sectionals in the middle stages. Yoshinobu ($2.90) had been well-supported with horse racing bookmakers prior to the jump and failed to slot in for cover in the early stages under James McDonald, with the Written Tycoon colt pulling his way three-wide for most of the trip. Zac Lloyd was happy to smoke the pipe aboard Zeitung ($3.30) sitting last as the field of seven swung for home, giving the daughter of Exceed And Excel the final crack at her rivals. There was only one horse punters would’ve wanted to be on, however, as Enriched extended in the final furlong to put them away comfortably in the 2025 Fireball Stakes. Click here for Randwick race replays. Michael Freedman was on course to speak post-race. “He’s a colt I’ve always had a nice opinion of,” said Freedman. “He’s still a colt at the moment which is nice. It was great to see him today faithful some of the potential he’s been showing for the last 12 months or so. “With that pedigree there’s some nice three-year-old races around and as I said he’s still a colt and very well bred, so see how he pulls up, but maybe we look at a Derby Munro or something then possibly a crack at the Arrowfield Sprint.” Enriched is currently a $15 chance with Neds in the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) on April 12. Horse racing news View the full article

Military Tycoon ridden by Thomas Stockdale wins the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Ciaron Maher has struck early on All Star Mile Day at Flemington with his two-year-old filly Military Tycoon (+360) showing a superior turn of foot to claim the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes (1000m). The daughter of Written Tycoon was given a great ride by Thomas Stockdale, as they led from start to finish to salute for punters as a well-backed second favourite with Picklebet. As the only runner who had raced down the Flemington straight, the experience was telling, as Stockdale took the race by the scruff of the neck and dominted from the front. Military Tycoon gave a strong kick at the 300m mark and put up a length margin on Gin Spirit, who chased gamely, before running away with a dominant two-length win over Gin Spirit (+320) and Pure Passion (+1300). With the 12-horse field choosing to split, the group on the stand side were clearly in front of the inside division throughout the run, which may be a sign for later races down the straight. Click here for Flemington race replays. Ciaron Maher spoke to the media post-race. “She’s always shown that sort of ability and it unravelled for her during the Cup Carnival,” Maher said. “She trialled up really nicely and Tom has done a good job. “There is hardly a horse in the stable that I have of Bennett Racing’s that doesn’t have some sort of ability. “They do a very good job of selecting their horses and you can see they’ve got a huge crew of owners so it is fantastic. “They just retired Southport Tycoon to stud so hopefully this is their next group horse. “He’s a good horseman. There’s good jockeys and then there’s good horsemen as well. “They are happy to assist in the training and feedback is crucial. “Tom certainly is one of them. “His feedback in the morning is very beneficial and he’s obviously screwed down, he’s fit and well and has a heap of ability. He is heading in the right direction.” Thomas Stockdale was very happy with the win, and he spoke post-race. “I’ve put a lot of effort into working her at home. She’s not an easy ride. She’s very hot and she wants to do a few things wrong,” Stockdale said of the winner. “Throughout her trials I’ve learnt a lot about her and I was able to implement that today. “I felt like a winner a furlong after the gates. She is going well. “This isn’t the end for her. She is in for good things. “I haven’t had a lift like that up the straight for quite a while. “It is good to be getting support from Ciaron and his team. “Nathan (Bennett) has been a good supporter of mine especially over the last month.” Horse racing news View the full article