Wandering Eyes

The $1-million GI Pacific Classic will highlight the $7.825-million stakes schedule for the upcoming Del Mar summer meet. The track's signature race will be held on an Aug. 30 card which includes more than $2 million in purses and a pair of Grade II races–the $300,000 Del Mar Handicap and the $300,000 Del Mar Mile. In addition to the Pacific Classic, the track will host five other Grade I races during the meet, which runs from July 18 through Sept. 7. Leading off the top-level races is the $400,000 GI Bing Crosby Stakes July 26, followed by the $400,000 GI Clement L. Hirsch Stakes Aug. 2; the $300,000 GI Del Mar Oaks Aug. 16; the $300,000 GI Del Mar Debutante Sept. 6; and concluding with the $300,000 GI Del Mar Futurity Sept. 7. The meet will also host nine Grade II races and six Grade III stakes. Nineteeen of the 38 stakes races, which include five overnight stakes, will be contested on the turf, and eight of the stakes will be for California-breds, offering a total of $1 million in purses. Additionally, the five overnight stakes each will carry a purse of $100,000. “Our stakes schedule is a very compelling program with something for everyone,” said Del Mar vice president and racing secretary David Jerkens. “The initial feedback from our owners and trainers has been very encouraging. We can't wait to get started.” The post Pacific Classic Highlights $7.825-Million Del Mar Stakes Program appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Michael O'Sullivan will be honoured at this year's Cheltenham Festival with the opening Supreme Novices' Hurdle set to be run in his memory, the Jockey Club and Sky Bet announced on Thursday. The Grade 1 event, the first race of the meeting on Tuesday, March 11, will be staged as the Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle, paying tribute to the National Hunt jockey who died after being seriously injured in a fall at Thurles on February 6. He was 24. It was in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle that O'Sullivan enjoyed his greatest day in the saddle when partnering Marine Nationale (Ire) to a memorable success in the 2023 renewal of the two-mile contest. He later celebrated his second Festival winner when Jazzy Matty (Fr) won the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on the same afternoon. “We are deeply proud of Michael's incredible talent and the legacy he left in the world of racing,” began a statement from the O'Sullivan family. “Renaming the race that marked the pinnacle of his career is a fitting tribute to his skill, dedication, and passion for the sport. “As a family, we have always admired Michael's achievements both on and off the track, and it means so much to us to see his talent recognised in this way. The outpouring of tributes over the past week has been a testament to the impact he had on so many lives. “We would like to sincerely thank the Jockey Club and Sky Bet for giving us this opportunity to honour Michael's memory and celebrate his remarkable career.” Guy Lavender, CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse, added, “Michael was an outstanding jockey and recognised by everyone as a wonderful young man. “When you read the heartfelt tributes paid to him over these past days, you can see how highly regarded he was in the racing community on both sides of the Irish Sea and beyond. “Given that it was at Cheltenham that Michael enjoyed his biggest success as a rider back on that magical Tuesday afternoon in 2023, we felt it was only right to pay tribute to Michael in this way. “Our sincere thanks go to our sponsors of this race, Sky Bet for making it possible. All our thoughts continue to be with Michael's family, friends and weighing room colleagues at this difficult time and for allowing us to pay tribute in this way.” The post Cheltenham Festival Curtain-Raiser to be Run in Memory of Michael O’Sullivan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The annual National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association Conference concluded Wednesday in Safety Harbor, Florida with a session on how retired racehorses are transforming the lives of first responders and military members, as well as school children of backstretch workers, and a session showcasing products using cutting edge technology to provide 24/7 security for stables and state-of-the-art software to help trainers do their jobs. Sally Jane Mixon, a Canterbury Park backstretch chaplain, exercise rider and mental-health counselor with a BS in Human Development Studies and an MS in Professional Counseling, as well as certifications as an equine specialist and mental-health professional, discussed her more than two decades incorporating off-the-track racehorses to help military and first responders suffering from stress, anxiety, coping struggles and other mental-health challenges. “The thing about talk therapy is it doesn't work for everybody. It didn't work for me,” she said. “I almost died of anorexia in my college years, a long time ago. I never half-assed anything, being the daughter of a Marine, so I was a really good anorexic…. So much therapy when you're talking with people, if you don't trust people, it's not going to work. For me, the horses saved my life at a really young age. I grew up riding. I was 5 years old, fell off my first horse and I was hooked. Horses have an innate ability to heal.” Using her therapeutic model Abijah, Mixon pairs a mental-health professional at a Master's level and an equine specialist with a minimum of 4,000 hours per dynamic. “Abijah's is the bridge between a racing industry and community wellness, pairing off-track Thoroughbreds with professional counselors,” she said. “We meet the mental health needs on the backside communities of the tracks to the front lines where our first responders and military serve…. These incredible animals are so intuitive. They're going to pick up what's going on internally and they play it out. This works, and it's completely mind-blowing. My job is to watch miracles.” Mixon said she believes the program's results are so powerful that it will transform, not just participants, but the image of horse racing. “We're going to do it at racetracks or farms around racetracks,” she said. “That's going to give incredible PR for racetracks. It's going to become known for saving lives, horses and humans. We're not going to be talking about breakdowns. We're going to be talking lifting people up, lifting horses up. We're meeting the need in a really unique way.” The Abijah's program expanded with a youth component at Canterbury Park when it joined forces with Furlong Learning as a summer program for the school kids of backstretch workers. The concluding session of the National HBPA conference was titled “Helping Horsemen Through Today's Technology” and featured Jeff DeAngelis, head of sales for Horcery, and Michael Novak, a technologist and software engineer entrepreneur who founded Backstretch, a web-based management platform for horse-racing stables. Horcery, a new National HBPA corporate sponsor, produces the Stall Monitor, a cutting-edge system that provides 24/7 monitoring with AI-enabled cameras and real-time alerts. Horcery bills the system as helping to protect equine investments, improve stable management and ensure horse safety while empowering horsemen to reduce risks and optimize performance. “It's an AI that learns your horse's behavior from the minute they step in the stall,” DeAngelis said. “If there are any deviations, any anomaly, it will actually set that off and you will get a customized alert to your phone to let you get out there before an accident turns into an emergency situation. “With everything going on, regulations changing, there's more of a need than ever to have something like this in all of your stalls… The traditional CCTV cameras were fine in their time. They simply record and you can go back and view data, but it doesn't actually help you get ahead of a problem. Now this is a real solution. We built it out of necessity. It's there to protect the welfare of the horse, as well as to protect the horsemen who care for those horses.” The post National HBPA Conference Concludes with Talks on Aftercare and New Technology appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Robert Croteau's first weeks on the job as general manager at Fair Hill Training Center have included their share of challenges as winter weather threatened more than once to disrupt activity at the Maryland facility, but the vagaries of the February forecast failed to dampen his enthusiasm for his new position. “It's been great,” Croteau, a native of Massachusetts, said of his first weeks on the job. “It's the best job ever.” For Croteau, who succeeded longtime Fair Hill general manager Sally Goswell Feb. 1, the position is the culmination of a lifetime of working with horses. His father trained Thoroughbreds on the New England Thoroughbred Circuit at tracks like Suffolk Downs, Rockingham Park, Lincoln Downs, Narragansett Park and Green Mountain Park. Occasional forays to the seasonal fair circuit of North Hampton, Great Barrington, Berkshire Fair, as well as Brockton and Marshfield Fair added variety and a certain character to their sporting life. Adding in an uncle who trained show horses and fox hunters north of Boston in Hamilton, Massachusetts, a career working with horses seemed almost a foregone conclusion, but Croteau admitted it wasn't always such a clear-cut decision. “I was conflicted about it because it doesn't lead to a model of family life,” Croteau said of a life in the racing industry. “I had a stay-at-home mom, and my brother, and a sister and myself. Dad was on the road a lot of the time. “Up north [in Hamilton], it was more of a family affair,” he continued. “We would all work in the barn and then we'd get on the green horses take them out fox hunting, and go cross country and basically do that sort of thing. We would give some lessons and show some prospects, buy and sell a few, that kind of stuff. So, it was more of a horse country life.” Still, Croteau was tempted by a life outside of the horse world and he attended Boston University with an eye towards what might be considered a more traditional career path. “I went to school as an English major with a minor in theology, and I really was enamored with the idea of teaching or writing, but it just didn't work out,” he said. “I just kept getting drawn back into the horses. I always ended up migrating back towards my core, my roots, I guess you could say. Going to school in town in Boston, it's a lovely city, I loved it, but there's nothing like being with horses out in the country.” Croteau followed his passion for horses and never looked back. He took out his trainer's license and had a small string of horses for a decade or so before moving south and on to stints working for legendary trainers Mickey Walsh and Jonathan Sheppard. “It was quite clear to me that, while the industry was contracting up north, the region on the upswing was due south and was more established in the Mid-Atlantic,” he said. Of working with Walsh and Sheppard, a pair of Hall of Fame trainers, Croteau said, “I learned quite a bit, mostly about how to work really hard. I learned the kind of lifestyle it takes to turn out good horses–the day in and day out of farmwork and being conscious of the agricultural mindset that makes you a better horseman.” His time with Walsh and Sheppard also taught Croteau to look at horses in a more holistic method. “Both Jonathan and Mickey introduced me to something I hadn't experienced while training at a typical oval/racetrack, the practice of turning everything out before they were trained,” he said. “It didn't make any difference whether the horse was a jumper or a flat horse. When they were at the farm, they all went out, whether it was five minutes, 50 minutes or longer. Their point of view was that it got all the twisty bits out of them, and that they focused a bit better on their job afterwards. Clearly, it did that and more.” Irish War Cry training at Fair Hill in 2017 | Sarah Andrew That education met its perfect match at the Fair Hill Training Center. Founded in 1983 and situated on a bucolic 350 acres in northern Maryland with 18 privately owned barns, as well as dirt and Tapeta tracks, the training center epitomizes that holistic approach to horsemanship and it is a key part of Croteau's new position. “Obviously being here at Fair Hill resonates with all those things,” Croteau said. “Here you can hack out through the Department of National Resource Land. You can turn them out, graze them whenever you want. I guess you could say in a rural setting like this, you can let the horses get back to being horses. I mean, being here is so good for all involved. Being able to train a horse with such versatility offers immense flexibility.” Croteau's journey has taken him to Iron Spring Farm, a sport-horse operation where he worked with stallions, young horses and competition horses, and to the equine therapy company Cool Systems Game Ready where he became international sales director. Most recently, he spent 11 years working in equine nutrition as an account manager for the Pennsylvania-based Stoltzfus Feed and Supply. “I've been fortunate to be able make the decision to change things up when I've accomplished the promise made when I entered a position,” Croteau said. “It was always my goal to raise any operation to a certain height, as well as purposely do the best for the horses and their connections.” Of his newest challenge at Fair Hill, Croteau said, “What I want to accomplish here is basically to accomplish that elevation, to see if, in my own particular small way, I can just help get things smoother. Sally and Mike Goswell created something special here and it's an honor to be involved in something so very special.” Croteau sees opportunity in the challenges facing the racing industry and thinks Fair Hill, and places like, it have an important place in the industry's landscape. “I see potential in some of the changes in the Thoroughbred industry,” he said. “You get a chance to engage with people, you can talk to them and you can find out the most important thing, which is what do they think?” Back in his college days, Croteau chose horses over academics and years on, he clearly has no regrets. “I would be useless in whatever I tried in my life if I didn't have a horse attached to it somehow,” he said. “This is not really hard work for me. It's my life more than it is a career. I look back at what I've done and the industry has been really good to me.” The post ‘It’s the Best Job Ever:’ Robert Croteau Finds a Home at Fair Hill Training Center appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Forever Young (Jpn) earned a Timeform rating of 131 when winning Saturday's $20-million G1 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, identifying him as the highest-rated dirt horse in the world. Trained by Yoshito Yahagi, the son of Real Steel (Jpn) had shown very smart form as a three-year-old when he won the G2 UAE Derby and the G1 Tokyo Daishoten, as well as finishing placed in the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Breeders' Cup Classic. However, Forever Young raised his game another notch and produced a top-class performance by Timeform's reckoning when getting the better of a thrilling tussle with Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in Riyadh, posting the best effort in the world's richest race since it was established in 2020. With a rating of 131, Forever Young is now 2lb clear of Romantic Warrior, who shares his rating of 129 with last year's G1 Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River (Into Mischief). That identifies Forever Young as very much the one to beat should he come up against the defending champion in the 2025 running of the Dubai World Cup, which is scheduled to take place at Meydan on Saturday, April 5. Timeform handicapper Jake Price said, “Forever Young capped off yet another fine international meet for Japanese-trained runners by landing the most valuable race on the planet in the Saudi Cup. He took his form up a significant notch with a hard-fought success in ending Hong Kong's Romantic Warrior's eight-race winning streak, that rival proving himself equally effective on dirt as on turf with yet another high-class effort. “Whilst Forever Young isn't the flashiest, he's as genuine as they come and sure knows how to win. He also has some of the best international form on the dirt from last year to his name and, with prior experience of Meydan to boot, should take plenty of beating in the Dubai World Cup.” The post Forever Young Becomes Timeform’s Highest-Rated Dirt Horse appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cheveley Park Stud's G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park Stakes winner Vandeek (GB) has had his first two mares scanned in foal, the Newmarket operation reported on Thursday. The mares in foal include the dual Group 3-placed Kenlova (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), a half-sister to the Listed winner and G3 Prix du Bois runner-up Lova (Fr) (Goken {Fr}). She is joined by the winning Kyllachy (GB) mare So Claire (GB), who is out of a half-sister to the high-class sprinters Deacon Blues (GB) (Compton Place {GB}) and The Tin Man (GB) (Equiano {Fr}). So Claire is also from the family of last year's G1 British Champions Sprint Stakes hero Kind Of Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), who is out of an unraced full-sister to Deacon Blues. Cheveley Park managing director Chris Richardson said, “Domestic and European breeders have strongly embraced Vandeek as a truly exciting stallion prospect, who has an excellent first book of quality mares, and all the connections are delighted that he has had two mares successfully scanned in foal.” The post Dual Group 1 Winner Vandeek has First Mares Scanned In Foal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Kristen Manning/TTR AusNZ Australian racing is in mourning with the loss on Thursday of Michael Moroney, known not only as an outstanding trainer but as a loving and supportive family man who never took a day of his racing life for granted. He was 66. Moroney's grandparents bred a winner of the G1 Melbourne Cup in Hi Jinx (NZ) (Pride Of Kildare {Ire}), the race's 100th winner when saluting at big odds in 1960. Moroney's famous silks–the pale blue, black and red colours–were those of his grandparents, although his own Cup winner, Brew (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) in 2000, wore a different coloured cap. The stable's other runner Second Coming (NZ) (Oak Ridge {Fr}), who gave a great sight boxing on gamely for third after hitting the lead early, had the red cap on–and Brew's black cap story is part of Michael Moroney legend. It was in 1996 that Michael awoke to tell his wife that, “I just dreamt that I won the Melbourne Cup by two lengths with Brew as number 24– wearing our colours except with a black cap.” It was an amazing dream of foresight, all the more so considering that Brew was not a member of the Moroney stable at the time. The horse was then just two, trained by Paul O'Sullivan whose father Dave shaped Moroney's career as his first boss. At track work one morning O'Sullivan mentioned to Moroney that Brew had been sold to Singapore but within a few hours he discovered that the sale had fallen through. “I got straight onto the phone, had him vetted, and we bought him the next day,” said Moroney, having the son of the great O'Sullivan-trained mare Horlicks (NZ) (Three Legs {GB}) gelded straight away. Moroney's dream didn't eventuate immediately, with Brew running out of the placings when contesting the 1999 Melbourne Cup, but the more mature horse was in great form 12 months down the track, on the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup winning the G2 SAAB Quality on the back of a G2 Moonee Valley Cup second. The final qualifier into the field, he had the number 24 saddlecloth and with Kerrin McEvoy aboard Brew won by the same margin Michael had dreamed of. “It was life-changing,” Moroney always said off his Cup win which ended up being one of the 55 Group 1 wins trained out of Ballymore Stables. He cheered home his final stakes winner just last weekend with Coeur Volante (NZ) (Proisir {Aus}) recording a four-length victory in last Saturday's G3 Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield. Moroney's co-trainer Glen Thompson and racing manager Anthony Feroce plan to keep things rolling along, though there will of course be a huge gap in the lives of his staff, his partner Karen and his family including daughter Aleisha and his grandchildren. “Michael was just a wonderful bloke, a great human being,” said Feroce, who has been part of the Ballymore team since 2001. “He was always so calm, so relaxed; even when things went wrong. He loved people's company, loved passing on his experiences with his horses and his travels. He was a very proud dad and grandfather and nobody has ever had a bad word to say about him. “He was a loveable big teddy!” The post Vale Melbourne Cup-Winning Trainer Michael Moroney appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) announced on Thursday the launch of the Stud Employee Accident Benefit Scheme (SEABS), brokered by Howden, the global insurance intermediary group. The scheme enables employers to offer financial support for up to two years to stud employees who are temporarily or permanently unable to work after an accident. Open to TBA members who are employers, the scheme offers weekly payments of up to £400 per week (less statutory sick pay) if an employee is unable to work as a result of an injury for up to 104 weeks–or their current pay level if it is lower (subject to normal payroll deductions). For those employers who already offer enhanced SSP the scheme will help to cover costs, and for those who don't the scheme enables them to offer enhanced SSP with very limited financial exposure. The cost of the scheme to the employer is £96 per employee per year. Claire Sheppard, chief executive of the TBA, said, “With the publication of the Industry Workforce Strategy last month, we are really pleased to get the Stud Employee Accident Benefit Scheme off the ground for our members, which demonstrates our commitment to the welfare of the breeding industry workforce. “The new scheme offers exceptional value for money for employers with stud staff working directly with horses, but who don't ride, and it's another example of the great value TBA membership offers.” Catherine Morgan, head of equine for Howden, added, “We are delighted to have been able to facilitate this new and very important benefit for TBA members. SEABS will allow both large and small studs to act on a level playing field and protect their employees against accidents for a very competitive premium.” Full details of the new SEABS scheme and FAQs can be found on the TBA website. There will also be a webinar open to interested parties on Tuesday, March 4 at 12pm, featuring representatives from the TBA and Howden to run through further details of the scheme. Employers can register in advance by clicking the link here. The post TBA Launches Stud Employee Accident Benefit Scheme with Howden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The return of rising star Marketplace, Seth Hill’s win in the Revell Douglas series, Kentuckiana’s big open day and a Kiwi bred that’s become a millionaire all feature in this week’s News Briefs. Marketplace wins at trials Rising star Marketplace has excelled at Thursday’s Pukekohe trials, running his last 400 in 26.2. The Regan Todd-trained Marketplace, crowned 2YO Pacing Colt/Gelding of the year at the recent HRNZ awards, won the four-horse heat by a head from Jeremiah. It was the pacer’s first public hit out this year after a 2024 that saw him win six in a row. He ran his last 800 in 56.1 as he prepares for his northern debut, the Group 1 Alabar Classic at Alexandra Park on March before heading to Cambridge’s Night Of Champions on April 4 and the Garrard’s Sires’ Stakes 3YO Colts and Geldings Semi Final. The two Sires’ Stakes semi finals will be worth $50,000 heading into a $200,000 final at Addington in May. To see the latest news from the NZ Sires Stakes click here Hill claims Revell Douglas series Seth Hill has been crowned the 2025 Hygain New Zealand Revell Douglas Memorial Junior Driver Series Champion, edging out defending champion Wilson House by just two points. Hill and Deceptive Lee finished second in the final heat of the series at Cromwell on Sunday to go to 42 points. House didn’t drive at the meeting as he had commitments at Manawatu. Mia Holbrough’s win with Quinn saw her finish third over all with 35 points. It’s the fourth year the series has been run. It is held in memory of Revell Douglas who tragically drowned in 2021. Revell’s father Don Douglas was on hand to present the trophy to Hill at Cromwell. Kentuckiana open day Kentuckiana’s open day will be held this Saturday, and people can still get involved. The West Melton stables run by Cran and Chrissie Dalgety will give people an insight into how their operations works as well as an opportunity to get up close with their stable stars like Republican Party and their recent yearling purchases. It will start at 12 pm. To see more click here Melbourne Cup memorabilia raises funds for hospice Hospice Mid Canterbury, a service that helps the terminally ill, was the benefactor of a fund-raiser at the Ashburton Trotting Club meeting on Saturday. Organised by local identity Norm Stewart, the auction featured a number of items including the pants jockey Scott Seamer wore and the whip he used in his 2001 Melbourne Cup win on Ethereal. Donated by Donna Logan Racing, the item raised $1800. Altogether around $5700 was raised for the Hospice. 4000 wins for Greg Sugars Synonymous in this country with the exploits of superstar trotter Just Believe and former Auckland Cup winner Better Eclipse, Greg Sugars has brought up a big milestone in Victoria. When Festinalente won at Bendigo last week it was his 4000th Australian winner. Almost unbelievably Festinalente, who is trained by Sugars’ wife Jess Tubbs, paid $71 for the win. In Latin Festinalente translates to “make haste slowly”. And another Aussie star Luke McCarthy has also had a weekend to remember, clocking up career win number 3000. Win 37 for the Queen Kiwi-owned wonder mare Queen Elida is getting closer to being a millionaire. The seven-year-old won her 37th race over the weekend to now be at $982K in stakes earnings. Owned by the Barrons and the McKenzies, it was Queen Elida’s first win since the third heat of the Inter Dominions last December in Bathurst. She is likely to head across the Tasman again in 2025 and be part of the TAB Trot on Champion’s Night at Cambridge on April 4. New life for southern playboy Robyns Playboy, the so-called “Beast from the East”, has been retired after 15 wins from 105 starts. An Ascot Park specialist he won nine times at Invercargill with Craig Ferguson driving him in 12 of his wins. The Shadow Play nine-year-old was a great performer for the Wilsons at Gore, with Ross breeding the horse and then training him in partnership with son Chris. Robyns Playboy will now join HRNZ’s life after racing HERO programme under the guidance of Invercargill trainer Shannon Armour. Still rockin’ after all these years After having just the one start for trainer Ken Barron at Addington in 2016 Rock Diamonds is now a million dollar earner in North America. Bred by the Whitelocks, the son of Rocknroll Hanover was third on debut eight years ago for Blair Orange before winning 16 races in Western Australia. In the USA he’s now won more than 50 races and surpassed a $1m in stakes. His latest win was at Yonkers in New York last week. On track looking for champions Racing’s mental well being and suicide prevention programme, On Track, is holding its next Champions course in Christchurch on March 27. The Champions is programme is designed to empower and educate those in the racing industry to support mental well-being in their communities. Anyone interested in becoming a Champion should contact james@ontrack.org.nz To see more click here Club News : Otago and Southland The Otago and Southland Harness racing awards for the 2024 season will be held on Saturday, March 1. The Otago awards will be held at the Loan and Merc in Oamaru (contact Bev Williamson : ardgowan.lodge@xtra.co.nz) while the Southland event is at the Waikiwi Rugby Club in Invercargill. For more information contact Gail Paisley : gail.alan@outlook.co.nz Club News : Winton The Winton Harness Racing Club host their annual Southland Master Plumbers Assn Race Day at Central Southland Raceway in Winton on Thursday (27 February). The event sees several plumbing businesses and organisations supporting races on the day with the remainder of the card consisting of a heat of the Southern Belle Speed Series, this one supported by VetSouth Equine, a heat of the Alabar NZ Southern Supremacy Series plus a special race to commemorate Colin Maynard receiving Life Membership of the club after being a part of the club for 60 years and serving time on the committee and also a period as President of the club. The first race is timed to start at 3.25pm and the last of 10 at 7.38pm. View the full article

Seven of the past nine Classic Mile winners have gone on to taste further success in Hong Kong’s prestigious four-year-old series.View the full article

Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners Guy Walter Stakes Group Two Betting Guide Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025 Location: Randwick Racecourse – Sydney, New South Wales Prize Money: $300,000 Distance: 1400m The Guy Walter Stakes is a Group 2 race for mares aged four and older, run over 1400m as part of the Sydney autumn carnival. Originally named the Wiggle Stakes, it was first held in 1996 to honor champion filly Wiggle. In 2015, the race was renamed to commemorate the late trainer Guy Walter. Initially a Listed race, the Guy Walter Stakes gained Group 3 status in 2014 and was elevated to Group 2 in 2016. The Guy Walter Stakes offers $300,000 in prizemoney in 2025 and serves as a key lead-up to the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) and Group 1 Queen of the Turf Stakes (1600m). Notable past winners include dual victors Hot Danish, Steps In Time, and Dixie Blossoms, along with Catkins, Krone, Forbidden Love, and Hope In Your Heart. 2025 Guy Walter Stakes betting odds Hell Hath No Fury arrived in time to claim the 2024 Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Odds for the Guy Walter Stakes as of February 27 – Courtesy of Neds Amelia’s Jewel Win $2.40 Place $1.24 Alsephina Win $4.20 Place $1.55 Olentia Win $4.80 Place $1.65 Tashi Win $9.50 Place $2.50 Sounds Of Heaven Win $17.00 Place $3.70 Dark Glitter Win $18.00 Place $3.90 Our Gold Hope Win $18.00 Place $3.90 French Endeavour Win $21.00 Place $4.40 Ausbred Flirt Win $31.00 Place $5.50 How to bet on the Guy Walter Stakes All of our top horse betting sites have odds for the Guy Walter Stakes. Most of the Sydney Autumn Carnival races have markets opened well in advance and the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes is no exception. 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Guy Walter Stakes News Randwick free racing preview & best bets | Saturday, March 1 Horse Racing Tips 4 hours ago Check out HorseBetting’s free betting preview and quaddie tips for a monster Group 1 day of racing at Randwick on … Read More Amelia’s Jewel to miss All-Star Mile, Sydney return expected Australia horse racing news 1 week ago Annabel Neasham confirms Amelia’s Jewel will resume in the Guy Walter Stakes at Randwick, with the All-Star Mile unlikely unless … Read More Miss Roumbini set to chase Sydney success Australia horse racing news 4 weeks ago After winning the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares Classic, Miss Roumbini will target the Guy Walter Stakes and possibly the … Read More Hell Hath No Fury gets the nose down in Guy Walter Stakes Australia horse racing news 12 months ago The Annabel Neasham-trained Hell Hath No Fury ($10.00) has lunged late to secure victory in the Group 2 Guy Walter … Read More Hope In Your Heart Resumes stylishly in Guy Walter Stakes Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Kerry Parker and Tim Clark have combined in the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes as Hope In Your Heart resumes … Read More Take two for Mustang Valley New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Mustang Valley will be looking to get her campaign back on track when she heads to Randwick on Saturday. The … Read More 2025 Guy Walter Stakes Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Amelia’s Jewel Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald James McDonald 8 57kg 2 Olentia Chris Waller Jason Collett 9 56kg 3 Alsephina Grant & Alana Williams Kerrin McEvoy 5 56kg 4 Sounds of Heaven Joseph Pride Reece Jones 6 54kg 5 Ausbred Flirt Brad Widdup Tyler Schiller 3 54kg 6 Tashi Peter Snowden Tom Sherry 4 54kg 7 Dark Glitter Mike Van Gestel Alysha Collett 1 54kg 8 Our Gold Hope Robert & Luke Price Ashley Morgan 2 54kg 9 French Endeavour Matthew Smith Tim Clark 7 54kg Previous Guy Walter Stakes Fields 2024 Guy Walter Stakes field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Duais Edward Cummings Nash Rawiller 7 59kg 2 Hinged Chris Waller James McDonald 6 58kg 3 Olentia Chris Waller Tommy Berry 3 55kg 4 Barbie’s Fox Ben, Will & JD Hayes Tom Marquand 9 54kg 5 More Secrets Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Zac Lloyd 8 54kg 6 Ausbred Flirt Brad Widdup Kerrin McEvoy 4 54kg 7 Miss Faberge John Sargent Dylan Gibbons 1 54kg 8 Hell Hath No Fury Annabel Neasham Jason Collett 2 54kg 9 Miss Couver Anthony Cummings Chad Schofield 5 54kg 2024 Guy Walter Stakes result https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Randwick-2024-Group-2-Guy-Walter-Stakes-02032024-Hell-Hath-No-Fury-Annabel-Neasham-Jason-Collett.mp4 1st – Hell Hath No Fury (+850) 2nd – Hinged (-200) 3rd – More Secrets (+110) Recent runnings of the Guy Walter Stakes: 2024: Hell Hath No Fury arrives in time The Annabel Neasham-trained Hell Hath No Fury ($10.00) lunged late to secure victory in the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) at Randwick. The daughter of Hellbent had been putting together a strong resume during her campaign, scoring back-to-back wins in BM72 company, giving the stable license to throw her in the deep end to tackle her first stakes contest at start 16. She adapted to the occasion beautifully, courtesy of an outstanding steer by leading hoop Jason Collett, who found the perfect stalking position throughout the 1400m. It was Miss Couver ($26.00) initially looking to make-all under Chad Schofield, ticking along at a solid tempo, with James McDonald moving alongside to sit outside the leader aboard race favourite Hinged ($2.80). Hinged was able to dispatch her leading rival when asked for the ultimate effort, and appeared to be travelling best when the wire was approaching, however, it was Hell Hath No Fury getting the last crack, getting the nose down on the wire. 2023: Hope In Your Heart overhauls rivals Kerry Parker and Tim Clark combined in the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes as Hope In Your Heart resumed a strong winner. The daughter of Dundeel looked to be getting back in the ruck between gallopers, but the toughness of the four-year-old was on full display. When asked to take a tight gap between horses, she obliged with a scintillating turn-of-foot to scoot clear of the girls and get a well-earned Group 2 success. 2022: Forbidden Love makes amends Forbidden Love gave her rivals a galloping lesson in the 2022 Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes, scoring consecutive victories on the same race card after claiming the Surround Stakes 12 months prior. The Richard & Michael Freedman-trained mare was luckless when resuming in the Expressway Stakes at her previous start, splitting Overpass and Anamoe. Ridden by Hugh Bowman, the daughter of All Too Hard was bolting heading into the straight and kicked nicely clear, putting a big gap on her rivals to win comfortably. Previous winners of the Guy Walter Stakes Guy Walter Stakes Past Winners Year Horse Jockey Trainer 2024 Hell Hath No Fury Jason Collett Annabel Neasham 2023 Hope In Your Heart Tim Clark Kerry Parker 2022 Forbidden Love Hugh Bowman Richard & Michael Freedman 2021 Krone Tim Clark Tony Gollan 2020 Dawn Dawn Tommy Berry Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes 2019 Alassio Tim Clark Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 2018 Dixie Blossoms Christian Reith Ron Quinton 2017 Dixie Blossoms Tim Clark Ron Quinton 2016 Solicit Kerrin McEvoy Gerald Ryan 2015 Danesiri Christian Reith John Thompson 2014 Catkins Hugh Bowman Chris Waller 2013 Steps In Time Nash Rawiller John O’Shea 2012 Steps In Time Jim Cassidy John O’Shea 2011 Jersey Lily Tim Clark Les Bridge 2010 Dane Julia Glyn Schofield Lee Freedman 2009 Hot Danish Tim Clark Les Bridge 2008 Hot Danish Tim Clark Les Bridge 2007 Doubling Jay Ford Anthony Cummings 2006 Bhandara Hugh Bowman Guy Walter 2005 Danni Martine Glen Boss Guy Walter 2004 Gold Lottey Lenny Beasley John O’Shea 2003 Forum Floozie Darren Beadman John Hawkes 2002 Youhadyourwarning Corey Brown John Hawkes 2001 Corelli Mitch Newman Mario Caltabiano 2000 Stella Maree Troy Phillips Malcolm Johnston Guy Walter Stakes winners pre-2000 Guy Walter Stakes Past Winners Pre 2000 Year Horse 1999 Bonanova 1998 Sybeel 1997 Timeless Winds 1996 Destruct Recommended! Take It To The Neds Level Home of the Neds Toolbox Check Out Neds 18+ Gamble Responsibly Full terms Punters Prefer Blondes It’s a fact, Blondes have more fun Join BlondeBet 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE?. Next Gen Racing Betting Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? It Pays To Play New online bookmaker Check Out PlayUp 18+ Gamble Responsibly Say Hey to the social bet! You Better Believe It Join Dabble 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE?. Full terms. View the full article

Race 6 HORIZON BY SKYCITY 1200m AGE OF DISCOVERY (M McNab) – Te Akau Racing Manager Mr. R Trumper reported to Stewards, although the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the colt, AGE OF DISCOVERY is scheduled to be gelded on Friday 28 February and then will be sent for a spell. The post Auckland Thoroughbred Racing @ Pukekohe Park, Sunday 23 February 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 1 TAB SOUTHERN PUNTERS CHALLENGE – 12 APRIL MAIDEN 1600m PURPLE PROSE (M McNab) – Te Akau Racing Manager Mr. R Trumper reported to Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, however, PURPLE ROSE has now been sent for a freshen up. RIPARIAN STREAM (R Mudhoo) – Trainer Ms. A McLeod advised Stewards, she was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, however, RIPARIAN STREAM has now been retired from racing. Race 8 KEVIN DALY MOWERS 2000m BEAU BRUMMELL (C Barnes) – Te Akau Racing Manager Mr. R Trumper advised Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of BEAU BRUMMELL, however, has now been sent for a spell. NOVAK (T Comignaghi) – Trainer Mr. C Isdale reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, and it is his intention to carry on with NOVAK’S current preparation, where he may nominate him for the Canterbury JC meeting on Wednesday 5 March. Race 9 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 1600m STAR IN THE SKY (M McNab) – Te Akau Racing Manager Mr. R Trumper reported to Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, however, has now been retired as a racing proposition from their stable. VALYRIAN (A Lindahl) – Trainer Ms R Ayton reported to Stewards, she was satisfied with the post-race condition of VALYRIAN, and it is her intention to carry on with the mare’s current preparation. The post Canterbury Jockey Club @ Riccarton Park, Wednesday 19 February 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 1 ANCROFT DEVELOPMENTS 1400m CYPHER (C Grylls) – Co-trainer Mr. A Scott reported to Stewards, the gelding has now left the local veterinary clinic and is recovering well, however, CYPHER has now been retired from racing. The post Matamata Racing Club @ Matamata, Saturday 15 February 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Brenton Avdulla has a month to remember, while Michael Chang and several jockeys come up empty-handed.View the full article

The racing world is in mourning following the news that New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame trainer Mike Moroney passed away in Melbourne this morning at the age of 66. Moroney, a protégé of legendary trainer Dave O’Sullivan, founded Ballymore Stables in his hometown Matamata in the early 1980s and his almost immediate success led to the establishment of a complementary stable in Australia in 1997. Initially based in Adelaide, his win with Second Coming in that year’s Victoria Derby led to Moroney being allocated stabling at the historic Chiquita Lodge at Flemington. From there he became a Melbourne Cup-winning trainer in 2000 with Brew, and for good measure Second Coming finished third. Moroney was inducted to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in May 2023, less than a year after his father Denny, who could fairly be described as his greatest influence, had passed away at age 93. Moroney senior introduced him and his younger brother Paul to racing, not forgetting that their mother Mary was the daughter of Charlie and Ellie Casey, the breeders 1960 Centenary Melbourne Cup winner Hi-Jinx. While Paul was to find his niche as a bloodstock agent, Mike’s beginnings were as a stablehand at Wexford Stables alongside Paul O’Sullivan, and after doing the hard yards together, they were granted their trainer’s licences on the same day and joined Dave O’Sullivan in a three-way partnership at the start of the 1981-82 season. Moroney took little time to establish his own bona fides when making the decision to go it alone at Ballymore Stables, winning with his very first starter and claiming the first of 55 Group One victories with Imperial Angel in the 1985 New Zealand 1000 Guineas. Besides Brew and Second Coming, star performers during Moroney’s more than four decades as a trainer included New Zealand Horse of the Year Xcellent, Happyanuniot, a Group One winner in New Zealand and later a winner three times at that level in the United States, VATC 1000 Guineas winner Shizu, and classy sprinting mares Tofane and Roch’N’Horse. They were both graduates of Ballymore Matamata and found their peak form in Australia, Roch’N’Horse winning the Gr. 1 Newmarket and Champions Sprint at Flemington, and Tofane scoring four times at Group One level across Australia’s three major eastern states. Pam Gerard was the last of Moroney’s training partners to manage the Matamata operation, and she took sole ownership of Ballymore Matamata last July. Moroney had become seriously ill in April and took his foreman Glen Thompson into partnership at the start of the current season. One of his rare raceday attendances was to the 2024 Melbourne Cup and the final one was just last Saturday, where he was at Caulfield to be part of Coeur Volante’s return to form in the Gr. 3 Mannerism Stakes. “Mike rang me just yesterday for a chat and he was looking forward to being a guest of the VRC at Flemington on Saturday,” his brother Paul said. “While he had his health challenges, none of us were expecting this, but he passed away peacefully in his sleep. “It’s comforting to know that his daughter Aleisha and her husband Chad arrived in Melbourne yesterday and were able to spend some enjoyable time with Mike and his partner Karen last night. “As brothers growing up on the family dairy farm, Mike and I had a fantastic relationship, we were always competitive and shared a passion and fascination for racing fostered by our parents and other family members. “The greatest quality that led to his success as a trainer was his affinity for animals and his work ethic. He was never flustered, he always made plans, setting goals and working backwards, but all the time having that ability to change things if necessary. “I’m proud to say that he and I worked well together, combining our skills and always throwing ideas around, all the time challenging each other. So many of Ballymore’s big wins were shared by both of us. “Since the news broke this morning, I’ve had countless messages and calls, and the one thing that’s come through is how respected and liked Mike was by everyone. “As one person said, not only was he was a champion trainer, but a champion bloke as well.” View the full article

A tilt at next week’s Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) is on the line for evergreen stayer Sword In Stone (NZ) (Redwood) when he heads to Trentham on Sunday to contest the Milestone Homes 2200. The former Hong Kong galloper has been in pleasing form for trainers Kevin and Stephen Gray since returning to New Zealand, winning his resuming run over a mile at Otaki on Boxing Day before bouncing back from a last placed finish in the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) when runner-up over 2060m at Wanganui last week. Stephen Gray, who originally purchased the gelding as a yearling at Karaka for $33,000, was pleased with his last start effort, and he is hoping he can go one better this weekend. “He has improved a lot,” Gray said. “He needed the run there (Wanganui) and he nearly won it. He will go into that race on Sunday pretty fit for an old boy, I am happy with him.” While seventh in order of entry for the Auckland Cup, Gray said Sword In Stone, a Group One performer in Hong Kong, would need to put in a bold performance to head north for the staying feature on Saturday-week. “We are still in there (Auckland Cup), but at the end of the day I think we are dreaming, but you never know, we have got a gun rider on (Michael McNab),” he said. “He needs to win that well to warrant going to the Auckland Cup.” Gray is also looking forward to tackling the IRT 1200 on Sunday with Silent Is Gold and Idyllic, with both horses needing the run following the abandonment of Otaki’s meeting last Saturday. “They were meant to run at Otaki and it would have suited Idyllic because of the short turn,” Gray said. “Trentham probably doesn’t suit her because they can run her over. She needs a race because there are other things coming, so we have to go. “It is unfortunate that these races have been called off, it just stuffs your plans a bit. “Silent Is Gold is much the same, and I think it is a good option for him. He has had a big journey and has had two very good runs, and just got beaten the other day. We have got a good rider on (McNab), we are quite well-weighted (57kg) with the top weight (Lightning Jack, 62kg) there. I think he will run really well.” Gray is also set to line-up last start winner Tivaci’s Affair (NZ) (Tivaci) in the Rothley 1400 and Discovery Bay in the MG Tiling & Clarky’s Painting 1200. “Tivaci’s Affair went to run at Otaki in the mile, and I think the mile is better for her. She will eventually get 2000m and I think she is a promising mare, especially next year,” Gray said. “1400m at Trentham can be like a mile. With three kilos (claim) and a good draw (4), I think she is an each way chance. “Discovery Bay did go very well in a stronger field the other day. He has freshened up and has got a good rider (Tina Comignaghi) on, a light weight (56.5kg) and a good draw (5). He is an honest, genuine horse that can run in the money and might even win.” Meanwhile, Gray will take four horses to Waverley’s Friday meeting, including Cooper (NZ) (Tivaci) in the Roper Agriculture (1200m). “Cooper resumes, he is a good horse,” Gray said. “He just got beaten last start and then he had a little issue we had to sort out. He is fresh-up, has drawn wide (15) and has got a big weight (60kg). If he had a decent barrier I thought he would have been extremely hard to beat.” Gray will also line-up Red Lady (NZ) (Redwood) in the Colin Cromarty Track Manager (1650m), Lucid Dream (NZ) (Wyndspelle) in the NZB Mega Maiden Series (1650m), and Swiss Belt (NZ) (Swiss Ace) in the Eltham Vets (1200m). View the full article

Sword In Stone will take his place in Sunday’s Milestone Homes 2200 at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) A tilt at next week’s Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) is on the line for evergreen stayer Sword In Stone when he heads to Trentham on Sunday to contest the Milestone Homes 2200. The former Hong Kong galloper has been in pleasing form for trainers Kevin and Stephen Gray since returning to New Zealand, winning his resuming run over a mile at Otaki on Boxing Day before bouncing back from a last placed finish in the Group 3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) when runner-up over 2060m at Wanganui last week. Stephen Gray, who originally purchased the gelding as a yearling at Karaka for $33,000, was pleased with his last start effort, and he is hoping he can go one better this weekend. “He has improved a lot,” Gray said. “He needed the run there (Wanganui) and he nearly won it. He will go into that race on Sunday pretty fit for an old boy, I am happy with him.” While seventh in order of entry for the Auckland Cup, Gray said Sword In Stone, a Group 1 performer in Hong Kong, would need to put in a bold performance to head north for the staying feature on Saturday-week. “We are still in there (Auckland Cup), but at the end of the day I think we are dreaming, but you never know, we have got a gun rider on (Michael McNab),” he said. “He needs to win that well to warrant going to the Auckland Cup.” Gray is also looking forward to tackling the IRT 1200 on Sunday with Silent Is Gold and Idyllic, with both horses needing the run following the abandonment of Otaki’s meeting last Saturday. “They were meant to run at Otaki and it would have suited Idyllic because of the short turn,” Gray said. “Trentham probably doesn’t suit her because they can run her over. She needs a race because there are other things coming, so we have to go. “It is unfortunate that these races have been called off, it just stuffs your plans a bit. “Silent Is Gold is much the same, and I think it is a good option for him. He has had a big journey and has had two very good runs, and just got beaten the other day. We have got a good rider on (McNab), we are quite well-weighted (57kg) with the top weight (Lightning Jack, 62kg) there. I think he will run really well.” Gray is also set to line-up last start winner Tivaci’s Affair in the Rothley 1400 and Discovery Bay in the MG Tiling & Clarky’s Painting 1200. “Tivaci’s Affair went to run at Otaki in the mile, and I think the mile is better for her. She will eventually get 2000m and I think she is a promising mare, especially next year,” Gray said. “1400m at Trentham can be like a mile. With three kilos (claim) and a good draw (4), I think she is an each way chance. “Discovery Bay did go very well in a stronger field the other day. He has freshened up and has got a good rider (Tina Comignaghi) on, a light weight (56.5kg) and a good draw (5). He is an honest, genuine horse that can run in the money and might even win.” Meanwhile, Gray will take four horses to Waverley’s Friday meeting, including Cooper in the Roper Agriculture (1200m). “Cooper resumes, he is a good horse,” Gray said. “He just got beaten last start and then he had a little issue we had to sort out. He is fresh-up, has drawn wide (15) and has got a big weight (60kg). If he had a decent barrier I thought he would have been extremely hard to beat.” Gray will also line-up Red Lady in the Colin Cromarty Track Manager (1650m), Lucid Dream in the NZB Mega Maiden Series (1650m), and Swiss Belt in the Eltham Vets (1200m). Horse racing news View the full article

Perfect Scenario will attempt to score his third successive victory in Saturday’s Group 3 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (1600m). Photo: Race Images South Perfect Scenario is right at home at Wingatui Racecourse and when he heads back to the southern venue on Saturday, he’ll aim to become the second horse in the last decade to win three-straight editions of the Group 3 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (1600m). A seven-year-old by Iffraaj, Perfect Scenario has an enviable record of longevity, winning 11 races since debuting as a juvenile. The gelding is a frequent member of Te Akau Racing’s Riccarton stable, where he has recorded his past two successes in the Dunedin feature. In the new term, he has been as consistent as ever, winning twice in the spring before placing in the Group 3 TAB Mile (1600m) and Group 1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m). Rated 103, he has contended with the clear topweight in both lead in races for the White Robe (Listed Timaru Stakes and Listed Hazlett Stakes), but on Saturday, he’ll be back on even terms. “He’ll be going for the three-peat in the White Robe Lodge, he’s very high in the handicaps now and he’s been lugging the big weights so it’s nice to be back at weight-for-age,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains Perfect Scenario in partnership with Mark Walker. “He always goes out there and wears his heart on his sleeve, so he should run well. It’ll be interesting to see how the field comes up, with a big money day down there for them there should be some really nice fields.” The White Robe is the headlining event during Wingatui’s inaugural Otago Classics Day, a lucrative card that has attracted a number of prominent northern jockeys including Rory Hutchings, who will partner Perfect Scenario. Hutchings has already achieved success in the race back in 2015 as an apprentice, having piloted star mare The Diamond One to one of her three consecutive crowns. “This horse has got a great record at Wingatui and Rory is going to ride him, which is a massive plus,” Bergerson said. “He’ll be competitive.” Joining Perfect Scenario at the meeting will be stablemates Elegant Lady and Family Ties, who will contest the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m). Elegant Lady was unlucky not to take out last year’s running, finishing a narrow second to Shockallia. The daughter of Highly Recommended has been in consistent form this campaign, finishing close-up fourths in the Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m) and Marlborough Cup (2000m) before a last-start second to Family Ties at Riccarton on the 19th of February. The mare carried a hefty 62 kilograms on that occasion, a 6.5kg weight swing to her stablemate, who will likely get in on the minimum on Saturday should she make the final field. “Elegant Lady will be in there, she was very stiff not to win this race last year,” Bergerson said “Hopefully Family Ties can sneak in there on the minimum as well, she was very good on Wednesday and they both ran well so they’re going in with good form.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Ascot races Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, March 1, 2025 First Race 12:28pm AWST Visit Dabble Ascot will host a nine-race card on Saturday afternoon, where the opening event is set to kick off at 12:28pm AWST. With warm weather forecast in the lead-up to the meeting, the track will improve into the Good range from the Soft 5 rating that was posted at acceptances. The rail will be in the +5m position for the entire circuit. Best Bet at Ascot: Shmoov Moova It is easy to make a case that Shmoov Moova should be undefeated this preparation after the Simon Miller-trained gelding won his first two starts and was unlucky in the Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy. The son of Territories settled at the rear of the field from his wide barrier before rounding the field from the 500m mark to storm home into fourth place. If Chris Parnham can settle Shmoov Moova midfield off the fence and find a back to follow around the home turn, he will bounce back. Best Bet Race 9 – #11 Shmoov Moova (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Simon Miller | J: Chris Parnham (55kg) Next Best at Ascot: Captain Pluto Captain Pluto returned with a strong win over 1400m at Pinjarra, where the Grant & Alana Williams-trained gelding finished over the top of his rivals in the final 200m. The son of Savabeel was only getting stronger the further they went, so the rise in trip to 1600m will suit him well. Interestingly, William Pike is yet to win on this guy from seven rides; however, Saturday looks like the perfect day for Pike to pilot Captain Pluto to victory. Next Best Race 3 – #1 Captain Pluto (7) 5yo Gelding | T: Grant & Alana Williams | J: William Pike (59kg) Best Value at Ascot: Magic Whistle Misty Bazeley and Luke Campbell will combine with Magic Whistle for the fifth straight start, seeking a third win of the campaign. This six-year-old gelding led over 2000m at Pinjarra before being run over by Stormageddon in the concluding stages last start. With no other speed influences engaged in this contest, Magic Whistle will run the race to suit himself and prove hard to run down at an each-way price with Dabble. Best Value Race 6 – #5 Magic Whistle (6) 6yo Gelding | T: Misty Bazeley | J: Luke Campbell (a1.5) (57.5kg) Saturday quaddie tips for Ascot races Ascot quadrella selections Saturday, March 1, 2025 1-2-5-9 1-2-3 2-10-11 7-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Verry Elleegant Stakes Day 2025 Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, March 1, 2025 First Race 12:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Group 1 action returns to Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday afternoon, with a bumper 10-race program lined up, headlined by the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m). The weight-for-age classic is supported by a stacked undercard, including the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) for the three-year-old fillies, where all the money continues to come for Lady Shenandoah. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and with no significant rainfall forecast leading into the weekend, punters can expect a genuine Good 4 surface. 2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes Day is scheduled to get underway at 12:30pm AEDT. Click here for HorseBetting’s preview of the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes here. Surround Stakes Tip: Lady Shenandoah There is no prize for finding Lady Shenandoah on top in the 2025 Surround Stakes, however, based on what she produced first-up, it’s impossible to be against the Snitzel filly. She was heavily backed with horse racing bookmakers in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) on February 15, pulling clear for a comfortable victory despite returning from a 133-day spell. James McDonald gets legged aboard in place of suspended Zac Lloyd, and with the champion hoop likely to land in the one-one throughout, Lady Shenandoah should simply prove too classy in her quest for a second Group 1 success. Surround Stakes Race 7 – #1 Lady Shenandoah (3) 3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (56kg) Guy Walter Stakes Tip: Amelia’s Jewel Amelia’s Jewel returns after 112 days off the scene, and although she went winless in the spring, her form jumps off the page heading into the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m). She was nosed out by Atishu in the Group 1 Empire Rose (1600m) at Flemington on November 2, beating home race rival Alsephina by two lengths before being far from disgraced in the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) on the one-week backup. She’s trialled up nicely for this first-up assignment, and with even luck from barrier eight of nine, Amelia’s Jewel must be considered the one to beat despite a long time between wins. Guy Walter Stakes Race 6 – #1 Amelia’s Jewel (8) 5yo Mare | T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | J: James McDonald (57kg) Skyline Stakes Tip: Algorithmic Algorithmic got a pass mark debuting behind Bellazaine in the Listed Lonhro Plate (1000m) on February 8. The son of Zoustar was doing his best work late as he cut the corner turning for home, suggesting the step-up to 1200m will be ideal second-up into the campaign. Expect Tyler Schiller to be positive from gate four this time around, with the Hawkes stable of two-year-olds seemingly airbourne after claiming the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) last Saturday, Algorithmic represents good each-way value with Picklebet in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m). Skyline Stakes Race 4 – #8 Algorithmic (4) 2yo Colt | T: Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | J: Tyler Schiller (55.5kg) Sweet Embrace Stakes Tip: Within The Law The Bjorn Baker-trained Within The Law was charging home in her latest outing in the Inglis Millennium (1100m) on February 8 and almost finished best to claim a hat-trick of wins. She was defied by Rivellino in the concluding stages, however, with the daughter of Lucky Vega left too much to do from the rear of the field. Anticipate Jason Collett to drag back again from barrier 12, but with another hot tempo to aid this progressive two-year-old, expect Within The Law to be powering over the top in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m). Sweet Embrace Stakes Race 5 – #1 Within The Law (12) 2yo Filly | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Jason Collett (55.5kg) Best Bet at Randwick: Birdman Birdman should take plenty of improvement after returning over an unsuitable trip at this course on February 8. The European import wasn’t sharp enough over the 1600m; however, he was going through the gears impressively in the final furlong to suggest he would be ready to strike second-up. He fits in nicely in this BM88 contest, and with his UK form suggesting he’ll only improve as he stretches out in distance, Birdman appears to be a fair price in the Randwick finale. Best Bet Race 10 – #2 Birdman (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (59.5kg) Best Value at Randwick: Golden Mile Reminiscent of Godolphin’s Kementari, Golden Mile returns to racing after undergoing a gelding operation. The son of Astern suffered a setback at stud, however, it doesn’t seem to have affected his ability on the racecourse, with his most recent trial at Warwick Farm on February 11 suggesting the five-year-old is resuming in terrific order. Adam Hyeronimus should lob into a handy position from barrier six, and provided he can produce his best after a lengthy absence, the $11 on Bet365 for Golden Mile in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) seems too big. Best Value Race 9 – #2 Golden Mile (6) 5yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Adam Hyeronimus (58.5kg) Saturday quaddie tips for Randwick Randwick quadrella selections March 1, 2025 1 1-2-8 1-2-3-5-6 2-5-8-13-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Flemington Races Where Flemington Racecourse – Melbourne, Victoria When Saturday, March 1, 2025 First Race 12:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble The Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) headlines a stacked 10-race card at Flemington this Saturday, supported by the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) and $1 million Inglis Sprint (1200m). A Good 4 track is expected, while the rail will be out 2m for the entire circuit. The first race on Australian Guineas Day 2025 is set to go at 12:15pm AEDT. Click here for HorseBetting’s preview for the Group 1 Australian Guineas. Blamey Stakes Tip: Zardozi Zardozi may not have beaten a runner home in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m), but the fact she finished 3.8 lengths off Fangirl and 2.8 lengths off Via Sistina reads extremely well heading into the 2025 Blamey Stakes. The four-year-old mare was simply left flat-footed when the sprint went on, but as she returns to Flemington — a track where she has two wins from five starts — she is poised to strike second-up. If Jamie Melham can find a forward position with cover from barrier nine, Zardozi will take some holding out. Blamey Stakes Race 7 – #4 Zardozi (9) 4yo Mare | T: James Cummings | J: Jamie Melham (56kg) Inglis Sprint Tip: Certain Rise Certain Rise returned with an eye-catching run in the Group 3 Peter Le Grand Stakes (1100m) on February 8, when she was beaten 2.4 lengths behind some nice types. The Written Tycoon filly now steps up to 1200m, a trip she has two wins and a second from three runs at. This is her first look at the Flemington straight, but if Blake Shinn can have her settled closed to the speed throughout, Certain Rise could be great value at $9 with PlayUp. Inglis Sprint Race 9 – #11 Certain Rise (9) 3yo Filly | T: Mike Moroney & Glen Thompson | J: Blake Shinn (56.5kg) Best Bet at Flemington: Revelare Revelare brought up a fourth consecutive win when he saluted on his Flemington debut over 2000m on February 15. The son of So You Think managed to overcome trouble in running to score by a length, but the way he overcame Kings Valley inside the final 100m suggested there was plenty left in the tank. He stays at 2000m, and despite needing to lug 59.5kg, Revelare should prove to be the superior stayer once again. Best Bet Race 2 – #2 Revelare (11) 4yo Gelding | T: Robert Hickmott | J: Ryan Hurdle (59.5kg) Next Best at Flemington: Clean Energy Clean Energy has not been seen under raceday conditions since winning the Listed Bill Carter Stakes (1200m) at Dommben on May 25, 2024. The daughter of Zoustar got the better of subsequent Group 1 winner Lady Shenandoah in both of her career starts, which reads ridiculously well in an open handicap for fillies. With three smart trials under her belt, the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott runner will be rock-hard fit and should prove hard to run down as she looks to lead from barrier to box. Next Best Race 5 – #2 Clean Energy (11) 3yo Filly | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Blake Shinn (58.5kg) Best Value at Flemington: Material Dreams Material Dreams has been consistent without winning through three starts this campaign, but she looks to represent great value with horse racing betting sites on Saturday. The four-year-old mare has not gone down by much in those three starts, and based on her effort when beaten 1.2 lengths behind Bossy Nic at the Flemington 1200m, she looks ready to peak fourth-up. Billy Egan will have her settled behind the speed, but with even luck, Material Dreams can salute. Best Value Race 4 – #6 Material Dreams (5) 4yo Mare | T: Nick Ryan | J: Billy Egan (59kg) Saturday quaddie tips for Flemington Flemington quadrella selections Saturday, March 1, 2025 1-2-4-5-6-7-10-11 2-3-4-5-7-10-12 2-7-11-15 5-11-15 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Eagle Farm Races Where Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, March 1, 2025 First Race 12:12pm AEST Visit Dabble Brisbane Racing Club will host a competitive 10-race card at Eagle Farm on Saturday afternoon, with the opening event scheduled to jump at 12:12pm AEST. The track was rated as a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances; however, with no rain forecast in the lead-up, expect a perfect Good 4 surface throughout the day. The rail will be in the +2.5m position for the entire circuit. Best Bet at Eagle Farm: Ouroboros Ouroboros will kick off his career under new trainer Matthew Hoysted when the four-year-old gelding returns from a 52-week spell. The son of Harry Angel was an impressive 4.75-length trial winner over 1050m at Deagon in readiness for this first-up start, where he showed superior speed throughout. If Ouroboros can return in the form that he raced in when finishing second in the Group 3 Vain Stakes, he will prove way too good for this lot. Best Bet Race 2 – #7 Ouroboros (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Matthew Hoysted | J: Boris Thornton (58.5kg) Next Best at Eagle Farm: Goodlucktome After claiming a strong Maiden victory at Canterbury two starts back, Ciaron Maher entered Goodlucktome in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes in his most recent run. Although he was a little out of his depth and sent around as a roughie with horse racing bookmakers, the son of Written Tycoon battled on gamely to finish fourth. This race is much weaker than what he contested in his previous run, and even though he has to give his rivals considerable weight, if Goodlucktome produces a similar performance, he will win. Next Best Race 4 – #1 Goodlucktome (2) 3yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Michael Rodd (60kg) Best Value at Eagle Farm: Toesonthenose Since changing trainers from John Sargent to Jack Bruce, Toesonthenose has been building up to a win in his two starts this preparation, with his last start third indicating that a victory is near. The son of Ocean Park settled at the back of the field at this track and trip before swinging out wide to run on strongly for third place. After drawing barrier four in this contest, the +900 on offer with PlayUp is a great price to see if Toesonthenose can go a couple better. Best Value Race 6 – #5 Toesonthenose (4) 6yo Gelding | T: Jack Bruce | J: Damien Thornton (59kg) Saturday’s quaddie tips for Eagle Farm races Eagle Farm quadrella selections Saturday, March 1, 2025 2-5-8-12 1-2-3-4 6-8-11 2-4-9-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Michael Moroney. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Ballymore Stables announced the passing of renowned trainer Michael Moroney, who passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday morning. Michael was a true stalwart of New Zealand and Victorian racing, not only known for his exceptional skills with horses but also for his warmth and ability to connect with people. Loved and respected by his staff, owners, beloved partner Karen, and his family, Michael will be remembered for his generosity of spirit, willingness to share his expertise, and his deep passion for the sport of horse racing. A devoted father and proud grandfather, Michael was part of a tight-knit family and circle of friends. His legacy in the racing community will endure, as he was not only an outstanding conditioner of horses but also a beloved figure within the industry, with an impressive list of Group 1 victories, premierships, and well-deserved accolades. Michael began his career as a teenager under the mentorship of Dave O’Sullivan before obtaining his training license for the 1981/82 season. His remarkable rise through the ranks was capped when he made the move to Australia in 1999, establishing stables at Morphettville. It was there that he made his mark, most notably with Brew, who triumphed in the 2000 Melbourne Cup, with Second Coming securing third place. Ballymore Stables, under Michael’s guidance, went on to produce a steady stream of exceptional gallopers. Recently, the stable’s latest star, Coeur Volante, claimed a four-length victory in the Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield. Moroney was present at the meeting, visibly thrilled to see the mare, owned by some of his most loyal clients, perform so well. The base of Ballymore Stables at Chicquita Lodge remains an iconic part of Melbourne’s racing history, as Michael’s blue, black, and red silks were seen in victory countless times in major races. Despite his passing, Ballymore Stables will continue normal racing operations under the expert guidance of Glen Thompson and Anthony Feroce. Horse racing news View the full article

What Alice Springs Races Where Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Highway, Connellan, NT, 0870 When Saturday, March 1, 2025 First Race 10:34am ACST Visit Dabble The Alice Springs Turf Club will host its fifth meeting in as many weeks with 47 horses accepting for the six-event program on Saturday. With the Red Centre expecting 43C on Saturday, it will once again be an early start to the race meeting, with the first race jumping at 10:34am ACST. It will be a good dirt surface at Pioneer Park, and the rail will be in the true position. Best Bet at Alice Springs: Cavendish Cavendish will be aiming to make it three wins from three starts in the Red Centre. The three-year-old gelding decimated his rivals over 1400m as a $2 favourite with online bookmakers in February. Hitting the front at the 1100m in a maiden on February 8, the son of Capitalist was never headed before saluting by 3.8 lengths. Challenged for the lead in a Class 2 a fortnight ago, Cavendish was third before unwinding at the 500m to win by 4.3 lengths. Cavendish is clearly the one to beat in the penultimate event. Best Bet Race 5 – #1 Cavendish (2) 8yo Gelding | T: Dick Leech | J: Hannah Le Blanc (a2) (59kg) Next Best at Alice Springs: O’Tycoon Since arriving from NSW, O’Tycoon has made his way through the grades nicely and looks set to add a fifth win in the Red Centre. The son of Written Tycoon impressed in open company when he dominated over 1200m on January 18 before saluting on February 15 over 1100m. Should O’Tycoon settle on the speed like he has in his last two wins, he is once again capable of leaving the opposition in his wake. Next Best Race 4 – #2 Super Sharp (8) 5yo Gelding | T: Lisa Whittle | J: Sonja Logan (57.5kg) Best Value at Alice Springs: Bold Tropic Bold Tropic saluted first up this prep in December over 1200m at 0-58 level with a blistering final 500m after settling four deep at the back of the field. The son of Zoustar was then a solid second over 1200m in 0-64 grade and third over 1100m in the 0-58 ranks when once again caught four deep at the rear. Bold Tropic was just off the speed last start on February 8 over 1200m against 0-58 opposition before sealing victory. The seven-year-old gelding was an early $5.50 quote with horse racing betting sites. Best Value Race 3 – 2 Bold Tropic (7) 7yo Gelding | T: Greg Connor | J: Dakota Gillett (a1.5) (59.5kg) Saturday quaddie tips for Alice Springs Alice Springs quadrella selections Saturday, March 1, 2025 1-2-3-4-8 3-6-7 1-2 1-3-5-6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article