Wandering Eyes

Danny Shum has indicated that his Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) may yet return to Riyadh for a second attempt at the Saudi Cup at the age of eight. The 10-time Group 1 winner lost out by a neck to Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) in the $20 million contest, the pair having pulled more than 10 lengths clear of 2024 runner-up Ushba Tesoro (Jpn). “It was a great run and for the next 10 years they will be talking about what a great race The Saudi Cup was,” said Shum. “The horse is fine since the race and he recovered fast and has eaten well. He is already back to his normal body weight and seems very happy in himself.” He continued, “Next year Romantic Warrior will be eight years old and Forever Young a five-year-old so it will be more difficult, but I am not saying no. I am open to the possibility. “We will take in the Group 2 in November and then the Hong Kong Cup and see then if he takes the same plane and goes to Dubai with the same plan. We will know more after the Hong Kong runs.” Romantic Warrior will be aimed next at the G1 Dubai Turf on April 5, before a possible return to Japan for the G1 Yasuda Kinen, which he won last June. “I am still talking to the Japan Racing [Association] and the Hong Kong agricultural department about the possibility of going to Japan, but it will depend on quarantine,” Shum added. “I'd like to maybe go there but if not we will go back to Hong Kong for the Group 2 and then the Hong Kong Cup.” The post Romantic Warrior Could Return for 2026 Saudi Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges pleased the government has recognised ‘a significant illegal gambling problem’.View the full article

Star British jockey replaces Zac Purton on in-form galloper for Wednesday night’s Happy Valley meeting.View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk With one milestone ticked off Nina Hope is now just one win away from another. The Woodend-based trainer became the most successful female trainer ever in this country with Kowhai Summit’s upset win at Rangiora yesterday. That gave her 899 New Zealand wins, eclipsing the old mark set by Natalie Rasmussen, in partnership with Mark Purdon, between 2014 and 2021. Yesterday Kowhai Summit started well in the Mainstreet Sports Bar Rangiora Trot before settling into the one-one for driver Henry Sail. Turning for home they took some shortcuts along the inside before getting the perfect split between the pace-making Trans Tasman Bubble and Tessamae to get up on the line by a head. “(Son) Ben tracks all the facts and figures so I knew I was close,” says Hope, “and to get there was pretty cool.” All 899 wins have come in partnership with husband Greg Hope. Together they have had 6747 starters, their first winner together being Eyreton Bay at Marlborough in May 2001. “It’s very much a team thing I haven’t done this on my own,” Nina says. Other female trainers to have topped 500 winners are Catherine Butt, who’s trained 740 in partnership with husband David Butt, Michelle Wallis with 691 (323 on her account and 368 in partnership with husband Bernie Hackett), and Nicky Chilcott on 558. In the last 20 or so years there have been so many highlights for the Hopes – but a few stand out for Nina. “The Dominion quinella with Monbet and Quite The Moment was a pretty cool moment.” In the country’s most prestigious trotting race only three quarters of a length separated Monbet, driven by Ricky May, and Quite A Moment, with the two stablemates five lengths clear of the rest. Bred by the Hopes, Monbet won 23 from 37 and was voted New Zealand Horse of the Year in 2015/16. These days fellow multiple Group 1 winner Muscle Mountain is the stable star. “He’s special because I spend so much time with him.” “You have different connections with different horses and you love them all but Jason Rulz had my heart,” she says. Jason Rulz won 14 races in this country including back to back Central Otago Cups in 2014 and 2015. Hope’s history-making training feat follows Sam Ottley’s record-breaking year as a driver in 2024. She became the first woman to rein 100 winners in a 12-month season and also become the first female driver in this country to go past 800 career wins. Now Nina Hope is one away from 900 training successes, and that could come later this week with more of the team’s runners heading to the West Coast with Westport on Friday and Reefton on Sunday. View the full article

Harness Racing New Zealand and Addington Raceway have confirmed that qualifying trials are going to be held before Addington’s Tuesday and Wednesday meetings. There will be a maximum of four trials, one of each gait, and a mobile and a standing start. The trials will be for only unqualified horses seeking to qualify. The trials will be held on : Wednesday, March 19 Wednesday, April 9 Tuesday, April 15 Wednesday, April 30 Wednesday, May 7 Wednesday, May 14 Nominations should be sent to Cameron Kirkwood at HRNZ by the day prior to the trials. He can be contacted at : cameron@hrnz.co.nz or 03 964 1183 View the full article

Just days out from the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), Slot Holders Kerri Spence Bloodstock and Clotworthy Racing have been forced to find another contender following the withdrawal of Dealt With (NZ). The son of Ace High looked to be among the race’s leading contenders, having won his first two starts before placing in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m). Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood felt there was plenty of improvement left in the gelding, but he has been ruled out of the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race after he pulled up sore following track work on Saturday. “He has galloped on Saturday and we haven’t completely gotten to the bottom of exactly what happened. At this stage we are thinking he has probably pulled a muscle high up in a hind limb,” Wellwood said. “The vets are going to come for further diagnostics. We don’t think it is going to be a major long-term, but it is something that means we are unable to get to the race.” Wellwood said it is disappointing for all concerned, but the welfare of the horse comes first. “It is absolutely gut-wrenching,” he said. “It is such a high-profile race, and we were so excited to have him in there for the ownership group and ourselves. “His form looked to put him right there with a winning chance. “It’s hard to take, but the reality of it is that the horse comes first.” A silver lining for the Cambridge barn is that the slot holders have elected to replace Dealt With with stablemate Zormella (NZ), who had previously just missed out on securing another slot in the race. The daughter of Almanzor, who is raced by RNZ Frac Club 1 and Surf Coast Racing, has had just two starts to date, breaking through for her maiden win in impressive fashion over 1400m at Pukekohe last month. “Fortunately, we had a filly (Zormella) we had just missed out on another slot with,” Wellwood said. “She looks high quality and we are very lucky that the slot holders have chosen us. There were a number of options they were going through and have clearly decided that filly fits the bill. “It is bittersweet to have another one in there.” While the Slot Holders share Wellwood’s disappointment in losing the services of Dealt With for the NZB Kiwi, they believe they have found a suitable replacement in Zormella. “It is sad news (withdrawal of Dealt With). I feel for the trainers and owners,” Slot Holder representative Shaun Clotworthy said. “The horse looked like he had a lot of potential and looked like a real chance in the NZB Kiwi. “Roger and Robert have been happy with her (Zormella) and she won nicely the other day. She looks like a progressive horse, with a nice action, and being an Almanzor we hold no fears getting up to the 1500m. “We have relied a lot on Roger and Robert’s opinion of her, and they have quite a high opinion of her. She lacks a bit of ringcraft with only have a couple of starts, but we think she has got potential, and Roger thinks she has potential. “We had to make a decision pretty quickly. It’s a bit frustrating, but that is horse racing, and we all know what it’s like with horses, they can be sound one day and unsound the next.” View the full article

Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) is a step closer to returning to the racetrack after an impressive jump out win at Cranbourne on Monday morning. With Craig Newitt in the saddle, the seven-year-old and reigning Australian Horse of the Year bowled along in her customary front-running style over 1000-metres winning the heat by four lengths. It was her first official outing since the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) over the Melbourne Cup Carnival where she bled from both nostrils. “Her prep has been pretty smooth to date and we wanted to see a good showing today and she’s pleased us up until now and she was quite impressive again this morning,” Maher said. “You are never really surprised with Jenni, it’s just good to see her back bowling along out doing what she loves doing. “Froggy said she gave him a good feel and she seemed to pull up pretty well. “She had a bit of a blow and she will take improvement off it but all signs are pretty positive.” Maher identified the Gr.1 Queen of the Turf (1600m) at Randwick on April 12 as a possible kick-off point. “Normally she has a couple of trials and I would say that is still probably going to be the case,” Maher admitted. “She seems her same old self and hopefully it was just a little glitch there and she can go right back to business .” The $10 million earner is a $15 chance with Sportsbet for the Queen of the Turf Stakes. View the full article

The inaugural Property Brokers Otago Classics Day was staged at Wingatui over the weekend, and for the club, racegoers and horses alike, the day was an undeniable success. Noelle Prince, General Manager of Otago Racing Club, acknowledged how special it was for the club to host such a significant event, which was a step in the right direction for racing in the lower South Island. “It was amazing to be given the opportunity to host such a big day,” she said. ‘It was incredible to be a part of. “The racing calendar was rejigged to have all of our large races moved to this day, so it was phenomenal to create a day like that down here and it was something we’ve never seen before. “The team worked very, very hard on it, so it was great to see it come to fruition and everyone enjoy themselves on the day.” A total stake of nearly $1 million was on offer, with the meeting combining four of the Otago Racing Club’s big races, with the $220,000 Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m), $170,000 Listed Dunedin Guineas (1600m), $170,000 Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) and $200,000 ODT Southern Mile Final (1600m). The track, prepared by Wayne Stevens and Kevin Jones, played fairly throughout the day, improving from a Soft5 to a Good4 through the 10-race card. Despite raiders from Canterbury, Central Districts and Waikato, the southerners held their own in many of the feature races, including the Wingatui-trained Loose Sally dominating the Guineas for Shankar and Ruvanesh Muniandy. “It was fantastic to see some local wins,” Prince said. “Seeing Loose Sally win was probably the highlight as Ray Chalklin, her owner, sponsored the Dunedin Gold Cup for many years when he owned Fire and Mechanical, so seeing him pick that up was pretty outstanding.” Ascot Park gallopers Loftys Gift and Maximus Augustus were successful in the Dunedin Gold Cup and ODT Southern Mile Final respectively, while there was plenty of cheering on course when Danny Frye’s Our Echo came out on top in a Group Three thriller over Perfect Scenario. “It was awesome to watch the Group Three and Danny Frye get the win, seeing what it meant to his team was a highlight as well,” Prince said. “Those four big races stood out and it was a joy to be a part of.” Off the track, the various hospitality areas were buzzing, and entertainment act The Black Seeds were a big hit after the last. “The Black Seeds were fantastic, they entertained the crowd and everyone loved it, we had Loose and Colourful on before them too,” Prince said. “We partied on with the DJ for the evening as well. “We hoped to put on a well-rounded day, racing is the star of the show, but we wanted to entertain everybody and give them a great day out. “It was one big experience.” Prince is among a nearly all-female contingent operating the club, with Samantha Wells (Sales and Marketing Coordinator), Becs Michelle (Event Coordinator) and Sharyn Anderton (Club President) bringing the Classics Day vision to life, fittingly with International Women’s Day approaching this Saturday. As the dust settles, the team is already looking ahead to next year, with areas in racing, entertainment and hospitality all with improvement to come. “There will be a lot,” Prince said. “In the events experience industry you put on the first day and there are many tweaks and changes. We’ll put on buses later in the day next time, as the students don’t want to come as early as when we had them. “There are a lot of things we will do differently and build on, so onwards and upwards from here.” View the full article

Dual licence holder Samantha Wynne had a day to remember in the saddle at Wingatui on Saturday, and she is hoping she can take that winning momentum north to Ellerslie on Saturday where she will line-up Pivotal Ten in the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). At the Property Brokers Otago Classics Day last Saturday, Wynne rode Loftys Gift and Maximus Augustus to victory in the Listed Positive Signs + Print Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) and $200,000 ODT Southern Mile Final (1600m) respectively, while she finished runner-up aboard Airpark Hustler and Perfect Scenario in the Listed Property Brokers – Ray Kean Dunedin Guineas (1600m) and Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (1600m) respectively. “It was a great day,” Wynne said. “I thought I had nice enough rides in great fields. I was more hopeful than confident going into the day, and they did really well. “It was a dominant effort by Loftys Gift, and it was great to get the win. It was also great to get the win for Bill (McNamara, with Maximus Augustus). He is a small trainer and does a great job in looking after his horses. I thought he was a cheeky chance going into the race, but he travelled like the winner throughout and he had a great finish on him.” Wynne said the meeting was a big hit with locals, attracting plenty of punters to the Dunedin track. “It was great to see so many young people on course enjoying themselves, and it is only going to get better as it grows,” she said. Wynne’s attention has swiftly shifted to preparing her star filly Pivotal Ten for Saturday’s NZB Kiwi. “It’s the biggest week of my career,” she said. Wynne will don Cambridge Stud’s familiar colours when she rides Pivotal Ten in the southern hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race, after they recently bought into the filly, with Colin Wightman remaining in the ownership. “It (Cambridge Stud ownership) was a confidence boost going into this week, which was needed,” Wynne said. The Canterbury horsewoman has a good relationship with Cambridge Stud, which she is looking forward to extending with Pivotal Ten. “I rode in the Auckland Cup (aboard Dance Card) for Brendan and Jo (Lindsay, Cambridge Stud principals), and I am retained rider to one of his (Brendan’s) good friend’s, Alan Harper,” Wynne said. “I have trained a horse for Cambridge Stud, and I lease and have bought horses off them. They have been great people to deal with and it’s exciting going forward.” The Lindsays colours will also be represented in the NZB Kiwi by First Dance, with the couple selecting the Lance Noble-trained filly to fill their slot. Pivotal Ten, who has strung together five successive victories, her last three at stakes level, will fly to Auckland on Monday where she will spend the week at Cambridge Stud’s Karaka complex. “She is good, and she is happy in herself,” Wynne said. “She’s perky at the moment and we are flying out today (Monday) so hopefully she handles the travel. It is going to be a lot easier on her than the truck. “We are going to base ourselves at Lance Noble’s (Cambridge Stud’s private trainer) at Karaka. She is going to be in the best place. It is amazing, I was lucky to spend a week there before and it is out of this world, so I am excited to bring her up there and show her what it is all about.” Pivotal Ten, who will represent NZB Kiwi slot holders Selangor Turf Club, is currently rated a $12 winning chance with TAB bookmakers in the NZB Kiwi futures market, with Australian raiders Evaporate and Public Attention dominating the market at $2.80 and $4 respectively. While Pivotal Ten is currently Wynne’s only ride for Champions Day, she said she is open to being more active on the exciting card. “If I could get another ride or two on the day that would be amazing,” she said. View the full article

Gun three-year-old Savaglee will likely head to the spelling paddock following his heroic runner-up performance behind fellow Kiwi-bred Feroce in Saturday’s Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington. Racing in The Oaks Stud’s familiar colours, Savaglee has been a standout in his three-year-old term for trainer Pam Gerard, winning the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and placing in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) prior to Saturday’s result. While he was unable to get the chocolates at Flemington, The Oaks Stud General Manager Rick Williams was rapt with his performance and said it indicates the best is yet to come from the Savabeel colt. “It was terrific,” he said. “It was quite a significant lift on his run at Te Rapa (in the BCD Group Sprint). As Mick Dee (jockey) said, he is right up to Group One form, he was just a bit on the steel early and that cost him in the last 100m. That is just practice and experience at that level. “I am very happy with him. He is a very sound horse. I think he is still a bit of a baby and is improving, like most Savabeels, the good ones get better with each year. I think he has still got his best races in front of him. “It (Saturday’s result) has only added to his value, the way that the media and the people that I respect are talking about his performance. He is right up there with the best three-year-olds over here (Australia) and another day, another way, he might have won. “I think a very good horse (Feroce) has beaten him and a horse that you will see more of as they go deeper into the autumn.” Nominated for Saturday’s Gr.1 All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington, Williams said Savaglee would more than likely take his place on a mid-week flight back to New Zealand and enjoy some time in the paddock. “I put a nom in as an afterthought (for the All-Star Mile),” Williams said. “We will see what the ratings are like, he has bounced through the race incredibly well. “I haven’t had a talk with Pam, but at this stage he is booked to come home on Wednesday and that will be the end of his three-year-old season, and that is more than likely what is going to happen. We will just watch the noms and see what happens over the next 24-hours to make a final decision.” Meanwhile, The Oaks Stud filly Alaskan will press on to the $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) later this month following Sunday’s unplaced run in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Trentham. “She got in an awkward position back and then went for the run at the top of the straight and got shut right out, so it was a non-event,” Williams said of the Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-trained filly. “If she has bounced through the race, I am still very keen to go through to the Oaks now.” While The Oaks Stud has plenty to look forward to with Savaglee and Alaskan, the racing career of fellow promising three-year-old Cypher has likely ended. The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained filly was set to line-up on Champions Day at Ellerslie this weekend but has been ruled out after she was injured in a track incident. “I am pretty certain she won’t be able to race again,” Williams said. View the full article

Goodwood Stud has downsized its thoroughbred operation in more recent times, but the Manawatu farm remains a breeding force to be reckoned with. Its latest high-profile graduate is the Per Incanto mare Marble Arch, a hollow last-start winner of Gr.2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained five-year-old’s victory also earned her a golden ticket into this weekend’s Gr.1 All-Star Mile (1600m), should Lindsay Park take the option of backing her up. “It’s exciting and that would be her toughest task, but she was pretty impressive on Saturday,” Goodwood’s William Fell said. “We haven’t bred a nice horse up to that level for a little while, so it’s nice to see one come off the farm.” Marble Arch was offered via the gavelhouse.com platform in 2020 and was knocked down for $3100 while her dam Jonquil was sold for $800 as part of a downsizing approach. Ill-fated multiple Group One winner Gingernuts and his dam Double Elle were also significant past sales. “We had a lot of horses on the farm, and it probably took a good five or six years to get down to a more manageable level and more commercial viability,” Fell said. “It was a process to move on mares and weanlings and from that point we have concentrated on building up the quality. “It’s inevitable when you downsize that something will pop up and it would be nice to have a crystal ball, but these things happen. “Peter Wood bought Marble Arch and he’s a local guy whose been involved in the industry for a long time and Margaret Cartwright bought the mare and bred the winner Black Opium. “Someone else benefits and we’re very happy for them.” Marble Arch subsequently finished third on debut at Wanganui from Wayne Marshment’s stable before her sale to Lindsay Park and partners. Goodwood is now operating with a small broodmare band along with client mares and yearlings. “It works pretty well for us and with about six to 10 mares and Rosie and I can manage that pretty easily,” said Fell, referring to his wife (nee Myers). “We still have stallions shares, Little Avondale is handy, and we’ve had some luck with Sam (Williams) so Per Incanto and Little Brose are the main two and it’s a good model for us.” Goodwood also has a handful of horses in training, including home-bred Great Escape who is prepared by Rosie and was third when recently resuming at Waverley. “She looks like she should have a pretty handy preparation,” Fell said. View the full article

What Kembla Grange Races Where Kembla Grange Racecourse – Princes Hwy, Kembla Grange NSW 2530 When Tuesday, March 4, 2025 First Race 1:50pm AEDT Visit Dabble Provincial racing returns to Kembla Grange Racecourse on Tuesday afternoon, with a competitive seven-part program set for decision at the Illawarra Turf Club. The rail moves out +8m between the 1100m marker to winning post, while the remainder stays out +6m the rest of the way around. Overcast conditions leading into race-day could mean a downgrade from the Good 4 surface listed at the time of acceptances, with the opening event scheduled to get underway at 1:50pm local time. Best Bet at Kembla Grange: Love The Cube Love The Cube was savaging the line first-up over 900m at Goulburn on February 1, with the son of Rubick just running out of time. He was only beaten by a half-length on that occasion and appears to have returned in supreme order, with the winless four-year-old set to peak stepping out to the 1000m second-up. Jay Ford should land in the one-one from barrier two, and provided he can show a similar turn-of-speed sitting closer in the run, Love The Cube must be considered the one to beat in the opener. Best Bet Race 1 – #1 Love The Cube (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Blake Ryan | J: Jay Ford (59kg) Next Best at Kembla Grange: Faceoff Faceoff failed to bother the judge across his two starts last preparation; however, he showed glimpses of being an ultra-progressive type. He caught the eye in his latest effort at this course and distance on August 17 before heading to the paddock, and the Russian Revolution gelding looks primed to strike based on his recent barrier trial at Warwick Farm on January 20. Alysha Collett gets the gun run in transit from stall two, and with an even tempo to sprint off, expect Faceoff to be flashing home late at a good price with BlondeBet. Next Best Race 2 – #2 Faceoff (2) 3yo Gelding | T: Bryce Heys | J: Alysha Collett (58.5kg) Best Value at Kembla Grange: Threatening Threatening represents terrific each-way value with horse racing bookmakers after a strong first-up effort at Wyong on February 13. The son of Shamus Award was always going to find the 1100m too sharp first-up but never shirked the task, closing to within three lengths of Mogul Monarch. He runs into another smart one in the form of Written Scandal; however, with a hot tempo engaged here, watch for Threatening to be storming down the heart of the course to cause a minor upset in the second leg of the quaddie. Best Value Race 5 – #3 Threatening (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Joseph Pride | J: Jay Ford (59kg) Tuesday quaddie tips for Kembla Grange Kembla Grange quadrella selections March 4, 2025 1-2-5-7 2-3-7 2-4-6-8 1-3-4-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Feroce ridden by Billy Egan winning the Group 1 Australian Guineas. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Dom Sutton has stated that the possibility of backing up Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) winner Feroce in Saturday’s Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) is still being considered. Feroce, the son of Super Seth, earned an automatic spot in the $2.5 million race after his impressive win over the weekend, which also marked Sutton’s first Group 1 victory. “I had him out in the day yards this morning (Sunday) and actually had to bring him in because he was bucking and rearing and carrying on, so he had to go straight back in his box. But he’s very bright,” Sutton told Racing.com. “We won’t make any decisions on whether we back him up probably until Tuesday; we’ll just give him all the time that he needs. “My gut was always to head to the Rosehill Guineas and get him out over 2000 metres, but now we know he hates soft ground that’s going to put a hold on that. “Sydney gets very wet this time of year, so we haven’t made any set plans.” While not making a final decision on the three-year-old’s next step, Sutton also noted that the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 29 is on the radar. Horse racing news View the full article

Joliestar. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Chris Waller is hoping for a bit of luck when Joliestar lines up in Saturday’s Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington. The Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m)-winning filly returns to Victoria for the first time since her Group 1 success in November 2023, with Waller targeting the straight-track sprint to break a run of unlucky performances. “She just needs a bit of confidence and a bit of luck, so we thought bringing her down to Flemington to run in the Newmarket would be a good idea,” Waller said. “She is certainly good enough in our opinion. Obviously, it’s a different style of racing, but one that she should adapt to.” Joliestar resumed with a third-place finish in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) after being posted wide and was unlucky in her last two runs during the spring, finishing seventh in both The Everest (1200m) and the Golden Eagle (1500m). By Zoustar, who won the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) down the Flemington straight, the four-year-old mare had a familiarisation gallop at the track last Friday with Damian Lane in the saddle. “We love to give our horses an experience down the straight because there are so many great races here at Flemington or even overseas if we want to travel,” Waller said. Joliestar will be joined in the Newmarket by stablemate Gatsby’s, with the three-year-old being scratched from last Saturday’s $1 million Inglis Sprint (1200m) to be saved for the Group 1. Horse racing news View the full article

Group 1 Epsom Handicap winner, Ceolwulf. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Joe Pride expressed disappointment over Ceolwulf missing a run in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Randwick last Saturday. The four-year-old is now likely to target the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) to boost his fitness ahead of the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m). Already a two-time Group 1 winner, Ceolwulf was expected to face Via Sistina and Fangirl again after their first-up performances in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m), where Ceolwulf finished fourth. However, a minor setback prevented him from racing. “We couldn’t go around this time,” said Pride. “We had him ready to go in a Group 1 and you want to run them but it was one of those 50-50 calls on Friday and I just wasn’t happy enough on race morning.” Ceolwulf suffered an abrasion to the off-hind cannon during Friday’s trackwork. “It wasn’t too bad but it wasn’t worth the risk,” Pride explained. “We’re still on track to go to the Queen Elizabeth as our main aim, but it might be now that we run in the Doncaster as he needs a bit of racing to get there. “Where he was probably a less than 50 per cent chance to go to the Doncaster, he’s now a better chance of going there.” Ceolwulf will next race in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick this Saturday, followed by the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 22, where he is likely to meet Fangirl again. The Doncaster Mile will be held on April 5 at Randwick. Horse racing news View the full article

Goldrush Guru ridden by Jamie Kah wins the Penfolds Victoria Derby at Flemington Racecourse on November 02, 2024 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) is next on the agenda for Goldrush Guru following the colt’s strong showing in the Australian Guineas on Saturday. The winner of last spring’s Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) powered home to finish third behind Feroce and Savaglee, and is now set to step up in distance. “I thought he performed quite well,” trainer Andrew Gluyas told Racing.com about the Flemington performance. “We’re excited for him moving up in distance, but yesterday’s run was excellent and sets the tone for the next few runs. “He was very competitive, he just sort of had the door shut on him at the top of the straight as he was trying to angle off the eventual winner, and he hit the line super.” The Adelaide-based trainer confirmed the focus will now shift to Sydney targets, with the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 5 also in his sights. “We’ll take him to the Rosehill Guineas,” he said. “He was good this morning. I’m quite happy with the way he recovered.” Goldrush Guru is currently a $6 chance for the Rosehill Guineas with horse racing betting sites. Horse racing news View the full article

After acting up in the gate ahead of the Sunland Park Oaks, a happier Maysam appeared at Santa Anita Park March 2 and earned a hard-fought victory in the $98,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3).View the full article

Brenton Avdulla jubilates after Rubylot’s stunning win. Photo: HKJC Brenton Avdulla continued a blossoming season by dominating at Sha Tin on Sunday, crowning a stellar display with victory in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on David Hayes-trained Rubylot before piloting emerging HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) hopeful Enthralled to an important triumph. Avdulla, 34, moved into third place in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with 29 wins behind injured Zac Purton (84) and Hugh Bowman (42) after taking riding honours with three successive wins after also striking with Young Champion for John Size. “Nice day. I had four rides, I thought three of them were good, competitive rides and they’re the three that have lobbed. They all had nice runs in transit, got the job done,” Avdulla said. “Hayesey’ had the horse (Rubylot) spot on. He had a nice run through and I was confident at the 250 (metres) he was going to get the job done. I’ve got no doubt if he drew a gate in the (Hong Kong Classic Mile) he would have gone very close (to winning). “I was just back in No Man’s Land and he still ran on well, so I was confident enough to stick with him to come to 1800m. I thought the draw (barrier eight) was a little bit tricky again (today) and, ideally, I would have been a bit closer but it just didn’t look any good after 50 (metres), so I just rode him quiet and my only decision was whether I go inside Mickley or around him. “I just felt I was going good enough to get Mickley out of the way when I cornered and to his credit the horse found the line really well.” Crowning a glorious eight days, David Hayes immediately set sights on the Hong Kong Derby with Rubylot on March 23, when the Australian horseman will attempt to win the Classic for a second time. Leading the 2024/25 Hong Kong trainers’ championship with 35 wins, Hayes last Sunday (February 23) saddled HK$13 million Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) victor Ka Ying Rising before claiming the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge at Happy Valley on Wednesday (February 26) with Soleil Fighter and then striking on Sunday afternoon with Rubylot. Rubylot steamed from the tail of the field at the 400m to overhaul Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) winner My Wish and score by three quarters of length in 1:06.29, with fast-finishing Johannes Brahms (Karis Teetan) half a length further back in third. In clinching the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, Rubylot improved his record to six wins and eight placings from 18 starts for his owners, the HK Football Club Horse Racing Syndicate, while taking his earnings to HK$15.5 million. Settling second last, Rubylot tracked Mickley (Ryan Moore) into the straight before angling into the clear and accelerating powerfully with a race-best 22.30s final 400m sectional to quickly settle the contest and atone for a luckless sixth in the Hong Kong Classic Mile. 2025 Hong Kong Classic Cup Replay – Rubylot https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Sha-Tin-2025-Hong-Kong-Classic-Gold-Cup-02032025-Rubylot-David-Hayes-Brenton-Avdulla.mp4 Dual Hong Kong champion trainer Hayes last won the BMW Hong Kong Derby in 2003 with Elegant Fashion, who was the first filly to triumph in Hong Kong’s most coveted race since Corvette in 1976. “It would be very nice (to win another Hong Kong Derby Derby). It’s been a long time. It’s one of the races everyone in Hong Kong wants to win,” Hayes said. “To my eye, he (Rubylot) was the strongest late and that’s a good sign stepping up to the 2000m. Being a Rubick you were always concerned, but he’s out of a Dubawi mare and stoutly-bred on the dam side. “You always look at this race (Hong Kong Classic Cup) to find the closers and that’s a good pointer to the Derby. I don’t think anyone ran home faster than him today. It was a brilliant sectional.” A two-time winner in England for Sir Michael Stoute, Size-trained Enthralled showcased his staying potential with a last-to-first win to earn a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million and impressing Avdulla. “I actually said to John after I first rode him that if you had another two months up your sleeve, he’d be one of the live chances in the Derby,” Avdulla said. “So, he’s had to get him there quickly. It’s not often you see John give them only a couple of trials and then run them in a mile. “I think he’s a good quality horse and if he makes his way into the Derby field, he’ll be a live hope for sure.” Size joined Hayes and Ricky Yiu in scoring a double with Young Champion’s impressive display before James McDonald completed a brace with victory on Dennis Yip’s Fast Network. McDonald opened his account on Lucky Fionn for Yiu, who also combined successfully with James Orman and The Concentration. Orman was elated after notching his first Sha Tin victory – four days after the Queenslander posted his first win at Happy Valley on Yiu-trained Charming Babe on Wednesday. “It’s pretty surreal, I’m still pinching myself from Wednesday to be honest with you,” Orman said after notching his second win from only six rides. “To be honest, I was pretty confident with this horse today because I know he’s only won one from 17 but he was one of the first horses I trialled when I got here and he trialled up really good against horses higher in the ratings. “I galloped him on Thursday and I thought he would be really hard to beat. I was always going to get a good run from that alley (barrier two) and I got a good run through today.” Justifying made a striking debut for Caspar Fownes when the three-year-old surged to a 3.75-length win under Luke Ferraris. “He’s a very fast horse and he’s got a long way to go because he’s still quite mature. I gave him two trials and normally I’d give them a few more but he looked to be ready to come to the races. He’s a pretty straightforward horse, he showed a lot of speed and I think he’s quite exciting,” Fownes said of the Justify gelding. Britney Wong slotted her 10th win of the season with Hayes-trained Ariel’s triumph before Blake Shinn and Benno Yung combined with well-backed Ballistic Win as Ellis Wong piloted Danny Shum’s Shanghai Style to victory. Horse racing news View the full article

11th-Gulfstream, $70,840, Msw, 3-2, 3yo, 1 1/8mT, 1:47.55, fm, neck. BULLDOZE (c, 3, Nyquist–Riley's Choice {SW, $172,838}, by Distorted Humor), fourth going a furlong shorter in his Jan. 25 unveiling, was sent off the 3-2 favorite in this second outing. The chestnut colt angled to the rail and settled well off the pace. He inched closer down the backstretch and, shadowing the move of Fateful Lightning (Tapit), tipped to the center of course at the top of the lane. That first-time starter surged to the lead with a sixteenth to run, but Bulldoze was closing powerfully to just get a neck in front on the wire. The winner, a $260,000 KEESEP yearling, is out of stakes-winner Riley's Choice, a daughter of GI Breeders' Cup F/M Turf winner Shared Account (Pleasantly Perfect) and a half-sister to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Sharing (Speightstown). Riley's Choice has a 2-year-old filly by Street Sense who sold for $50,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale, and a yearling filly by Not This Time. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $44,800. O-Repole Stable; B-Upson Downs Farm & Louie W. Wright (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. #9 BULLDOZE ($5.00) and @iradortiz take the clear route on the outside to break his maiden in Race 11 at @GulfstreamPark for @PletcherRacing and @RepoleStable. Another winner by @DarleyAmerica's Nyquist. pic.twitter.com/hGJfB7zIvP — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 2, 2025 The post Nyquist’s Bulldoze Mows Them Down to Graduate at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-Santa Anita, $65,000, Msw, 3-2, 3yo, 6fT, 1:09.17, fm, 3 1/2 lengths. STRATE CASH (c, 3, Tiz the Law–Conquest Strate Up {SW, $192,984}, by Not Bourbon) was well-received by the betting public on the back of a bullet work Feb. 22 before this unveiling, and was sent off here as the 2-5 favorite. Breaking outwardly and forced to chase from fourth as Cajun Gold (Cajun Breeze) stepped out to set a pressured tempo, Strate Cash was four off the fence behind :22.46 and :45.46 opening splits. Rolling to the outside of the leaders entering the lane, he nailed the pacesetter outside the eighth pole and drew away to win by 3 1/2 lengths as Cajun Gold successfully turned away Going Viral (Into Mischief) to hold on for second. The victor is a half-brother to Classical Cat (Mendelssohn), SW, $166,300 and one other winner. Their dam, who hails from the immediate female family of the great Curlin (Smart Strike), is a stakes winning half-sister to the dam of MSW Cactus Joe (Cactus Ridge). The mare has a juvenile full-sister to Strate Cash named Sadie Earp as well as a yearling half-brother by Epicenter to her credit. She is due back to the latter stallion for 2025. This is the extended family of MGSP Miracle (Mendelssohn) and MGSW & G1SP-Jpn Red Spada (Jpn) (Taiki Shuttle). Sales history: $100,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $39,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-JKX Racing; B-Pippa's Hurricane LLC (KY); T-Richard Baltas. The post Tiz the Law’s Strate Cash Kicks Home Strongest in Santa Anita Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Leica Lucy leaves the field in her wake winning Sunday’s Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Leica Lucy displayed exactly why she is the overwhelming favourite for the upcoming $1 million Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) with a fourth-straight Group victory in Sunday’s Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2100m). An unstoppable force out of the Central Districts, Leica Lucy was a winner on debut and Robbie Patterson, who trains her out of New Plymouth, stamped her as an Oaks filly from that moment forward. After a narrow second to Wingman at the following start, Leica Lucy has not been beaten since, dominating her way through the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m), Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and Group 2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m). There was little doubt from punters that she would continuing her winning stampede in the Oaks dress rehearsal, shortening from an opening quote of $1.50 into $1.22 with horse racing betting sites, with her closest rival Connello closing at $10. After getting on-toe in the parade, Leica Lucy was a consummate professional at the barriers and jumped away positively, with regular rider Craig Grylls holding his position on the inside to land on the rail trailing the leader in Prestissimo. A moderate tempo quickened as the field neared the home turn and Leica Lucy was travelling like the winner a long way out, and when Grylls let her go at the 250m, it was game over, the filly charging clear to score by an extending 3.5 lengths to an honest Myakkabelle. Other meritorious runs with the upcoming Oaks in consideration came from third and fourth placegetters Dubai Gold and Thrilling. 2025 Group 2 Lowland Stakes Replay – Leica Lucy https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Trentham-2025-Group-2-Lowland-Stakes-02032025-Leica-Lucy-Robbie-Patterson-Craig-Grylls.mp4 Grylls had already steered home One Bold Gigolo for Patterson earlier in the meeting, and when it comes to Leica Lucy, he has the upmost praise for the filly. “I didn’t have to use her as such (at the start), but just dig to hold my spot because they were going to rush around,” he said. “As you’ve seen before the race, she got quite worked up today, but as soon as she jumped out of the barriers, she comes straight back to you and switches off. I was able to get off (the rail) and she’s improving all the time, that was even better than last time. “She does it without really being asked too, I was pretty soft on her but she just loves it and runs through the line.” While Patterson has trained the likes of Coventina Bay, Puntura and One Bold Cat to top-flight victories in recent years, he holds Leica Lucy in the highest regard as the best horse to come out of his successful operation. “She’s not even screwed down yet, she’s an unbelievable horse and I’ve never had one like it,” he said. “I think she’ll be screwed down in three weeks’ time, that’s been the goal since the day she won her first start and I’m looking forward to that. “We all know she’s going to Chris Waller’s, and you know what, Caulfield Cup maybe next year, or the Queensland Oaks this year, she is the real deal.” The Oaks will be Leica Lucy’s final appearance for Patterson before she heads across the Tasman to join the Waller powerhouse, with the million-dollar feature being run back on the champagne turf on March 22. “I can’t plod her along, I’ve purposely left her a little bit fresh and I know I can’t leave her too fresh, because you can’t win an Oaks behaving like that,” Patterson said. “I’ll tighten up the screws a little bit on her, but even if I stuff up, she makes up for it on her ability.” Horse racing news View the full article

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association announced the 2024 finalists for various horsemen and horse of the year awards that will be presented as part of this year's Renaissance Awards dinner, scheduled for this spring.View the full article

Godolphin's Sovereignty, who surged from last to first to capture the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park March 1, met his connections' expectations and then some while emerging as an exciting Triple Crown prospect.View the full article

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Michael Lund Petersen's Maysam (f, 3, Game Winner–Sefani, by American Pharoah) shot out to the early lead and set the pace before outlasting favored Supa Speed (Justify) in a stretch-long battle to the wire to win the GIII Fasig-Tipton Santa Ysabel Stakes at Santa Anita Sunday. The 3-2 shot was tracked by even-money Supa Speed as she strolled through fractions of :23.45 and :47.74. The favorite rolled up to engage the pacesetter at the top of the lane and there was nothing between the two fillies down the stretch, with Maysam just getting her nose down when it counted most. Maysam earned the 'TDN Rising Star' designation with a six-length debut victory going 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita Jan. 24. She was heavily favored while making her second start in the one-mile Sunland Park Oaks last time out, but came home a distant sixth. Maysam was a $140,000 Fasig-Tipton July yearling purchase and sold for $500,000 at last year's OBS March sale. She is the third black-type winner for her sire Game Winner. Sunday, Santa Anita FASIG-TIPTON SANTA YSABEL S.-GIII, $98,000, Santa Anita, 3-2, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:45.62, ft. 1–MAYSAM, 120, f, 3, by Game Winner 1st Dam: Sefani, by American Pharoah 2nd Dam: Seacrettina, by Sea of Secrets 3rd Dam: Sha Hearah, by Dehere 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. 'TDN Rising Star' ($140,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL; $500,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR). O-Michael Lund Petersen; B-Seclusive Farm LLC, Chester & Anne Prince (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $98,500. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Supa Speed, 122, f, 3, Justify–Elfin Queen, by American Pharoah. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($460,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing LLC; B-Coteau Grove Farms, LLC (LA); T-John W. Sadler. $20,000. 3–Howin, 120, f, 3, Gun Runner–Flora Dora, by First Dude. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($550,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Baoma Corp; B-Coffee Pot Stables (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $12,000. Margins: NO, 6HF, 20. Odds: 1.50, 1.00, 3.50. Also Ran: Just as Fancy. Scratched: Cipriani, Hey Jessie. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. What a race!! #5 MAYSAM ($5.00) outdueled Supa Speed in the $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3) at @santaanitapark. This win earned her 37.5 Kentucky Oaks points. Maysam is sired by @LanesEndFarms' Game Winner. She was ridden by @JJHernandezS19 for @BobBaffert. pic.twitter.com/ATuRP6sQuy — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 2, 2025 The post Game Winner’s Maysam Just Holds on in Santa Ysabel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article