Wandering Eyes

Juddmonte's group winner Zanzoun has been withdrawn from the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches after sustaining a setback in morning training, according to racing manager Barry Mahon. “She was a little off after exercise this morning, John and Thady called to say after she cantered they weren't happy with her and she looked a little tight behind,” said Mahon. “When you are not in peak condition, you can't be heading off to the races, so we will have to sit and wait and diagnose whether it is muscular or something a bit more–and when she tells us she's ready, we will make a plan then. “This only all unfolded at 7 a.m. this morning, so we will just have to wait and see what comes out during the next couple of days.” The daughter of Dubawi has won her two most recent starts, a Southwell maiden in November and the G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket in her 3-year-old bow on April 15. The Gosdens and Juddmonte will still be represented in the French Guineas on Sunday, with Detain (Wootton Bassett) set for the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains. Another Juddmonte colt, Andrew Balding's G3 Greenham Stakes hero Jonquil (Lope De Vega) is also set to contest that Classic. Group winner Field Of Gold, trained by the Gosdens, ran a fast-finishing second in last Saturday's G1 Betfred 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Mahon added, “We sort of said we wouldn't fully discuss plans until after Sunday and we had said [listed winner] Cosmic Year (Kingman) would go to the Irish 2,000 Guineas after winning the King Charles II Stakes and that still looks the main target for him. “But Field Of Gold, no, we said we would sit down with John and Thady after France on Sunday once we've seen how the other horses run. The owners will be there and we will all discuss it and come up with a plan.” The post Juddmonte’s Zanzoun Knocked Out Of French Guineas With A Setback appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SIDR Pharma, a source of organic healing products for horses, has launched its Equine Allies Program aimed at supporting Thoroughbred rescues, rehabilitation centers, and rehoming organizations. Each month, the company will select a non-profit as its Featured Ally to receive 5-10% of Equine Allies product profits, along with dedicated promotional support. The program also offers tiered discounts on SIDR Pharma's equine recovery and wellness products to selected partner rescues. The application is open to all 501(c)(3) equine rescues, rehab centers, and rehoming programs across the U.S. For more information, or to apply, visit www.sidrpharma.com/pages/equinealliance. The post SIDR Pharma Launches Equine Allies Program to Support Aftercare Efforts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hong Kong's star sprinter Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) has moved up the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings to sit in a joint second at 126, after the latest round of rankings were released on Thursday. Now a winner of 12-straight after his victory in the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize, he shares that mark with fellow Hong Kong wunderkind Romantic Warrior (Acclamation). Japan's Forever Young (Real Steel) remains the leader at 127. After the first Classics of the season, G1 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court (Justify) is among the top 10 at 121, the same number given to GI Kentucky Derby victor Sovereignty (Into Mischief). The former defeated the 120-rated Field Of Gold (Kingman) and Guineas third-place finisher Shadow Of Light (Lope De Vega) (119). In the Louisville showpiece, Sovereignty beat Journalism (Curlin) (119) by 1 1/2 lengths. Japan's Tastiera (Satono Crown) is a newcomer to the rankings with a mark of 120 after winning the G1 QEII Cup in Hong Kong. Several horses are tied at 119–G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) scorer Museum Mile (Leontes), G1 Prix Ganay winner Sosie (Sea The Stars), American Horse of the Year and GI Apple Blossom Handicap heroine Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), and Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock), successful in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Australia. For the complete rankings, please visit the IFHA website. The post Hong Kong’s Ka Ying Rising Moves Up To Joint-Second In Longines WBRR appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After reading “Enough Already. It's Time to Fix the Triple Crown” by Bill Finley, I must say I find myself not only disappointed by Mr. Finley's attitude, but also shocked by how he misconstrues and ignores the facts. In 2019, Bill Mott was planning to run Country House in the Preakness. Mott actually said, “We're leaning toward the Preakness, since he is the Derby winner and we don't want to pooh-pooh the Triple Crown. We want to support that.” But two days later, Country House was coughing, placed on antibiotics, and out of the race. This was not a decision to skip the race because it came two weeks after the Derby. Country House was so ill in fact that it led to complications which had him in and out of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, he eventually developed laminitis, and was retired without ever racing again after the Derby. At the time of the running of the 2021 Preakness, Medina Spirit was still the official Derby winner. The split sample test result didn't even come back until early June. Medina Spirit did run in the Preakness, finishing third. As Mandaloun was not at the time of the running of the 2021 Preakness a contender for the Triple Crown, there was no deliberate snub of the Triple Crown series. It is worth noting that Mandaloun also did not compete in the Belmont Stakes. Yes, not running Rich Strike in the Preakness was a deliberate decision on the part of his connections. Until this year, he was the only Derby winner whose connections deliberately made the decision to skip the middle leg of the Triple Crown since a huge bonus to run in the Jersey Derby instead lured away Spend A Buck in 1985. (To refresh Mr. Finley's obviously poor memory, Grindstone did not compete in the Preakness in 1996 only because a knee injury ended his racing career.) So the reality is it's been 40 years since Spend A Buck, and in that time the only horses deliberately skipping the Preakness are Rich Strike and Sovereignty. Two horses, not four, and those in 2022 and 2025 as Pimlico itself literally falls down around us, held together with chewing gum, twine, and baling wire. (Alright, chewing gum and twine are likely an exaggeration, but baling wire definitely is not.) So one must ask the legitimate question of if trainers and owners are actually skipping decrepit Pimlico and the exaggerated bad reputation of the Park Heights neighborhood in which it sits, using the two weeks between races as a polite excuse. Yes, exaggerated. I live 3.3 miles from Pimlico according to Google Maps, and despite being an elderly and disabled white female who walks with a cane, I have never once been afraid when in Park Heights whether at Pimlico, the Dept. of Motor Vehicles office, shopping, or anything else. Yet I constantly come across comments from people not residing in the Baltimore metro area about how they are afraid to come to Pimlico, often from young men who otherwise put on quite the macho front. Though there has been much in the news about the ongoing revitalization of the Park Heights neighborhood, all the changes for the better there have been completely ignored by the racing community at large. Even when discussing the fact that after the 150th Preakness, the current Pimlico will be demolished to make way for a new, modern Pimlico racing ignores the fact that the neighborhood is in the process of being rebuilt as well. The Triple Crown is already in the process of being fixed. Just not in the way Mr. Finley wants. In 2027, there will be a brand new Pimlico and a brand new Park Heights neighborhood. Give them a chance before trying to change anything else. I believe everyone will be pleasantly surprised by the positive effect those changes will have on the Preakness field. Diane Hain Pikesville, Maryland The post Letter to the Editor: New Pimlico Could be Triple Crown ‘Fix’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Already responsible for the winners of the G3 Chester Vase, Listed Cheshire Oaks and Listed Dee Stakes, Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore combined with Illinois in Thursday's G3 Ormonde Stakes to complete the quadruple of Chester's black-type events on the first two days of the May Festival. Sent off the 6-5 favourite having his first start of the season under a penalty, last year's G2 Queen's Vase winner and G1 St Leger and G1 Grand Prix de Paris runner-up enjoyed a lead from Al Qareem until taking over two out. Sent on from there, the half-brother to the Arc heroine Danedream (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}) stayed on to secure a 1 1/4-length success. Ormonde Stakes Dee Stakes Cheshire Oaks Chester Vase A clean sweep of Stakes titles for Aidan and Ryan at @ChesterRaces so far… pic.twitter.com/qB1TVuRoOj — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 8, 2025 The post O’Brien And Moore Stay In Control With Illinois In The Ormonde appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Discover Newmarket is celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2025 with the release of five one-off, Anniversary Tours. From meeting the legendary racehorse Frankel, to taking breakfast with renowned trainer Sir Mark Prescott, these extraordinary experiences are destined to enchant racing and horse lovers alike. The exclusive Anniversary Tours are now available to bid for in a silent auction running until May 19th at 10 a.m. To bid on the items please click here or to learn more about Discover Newmarket, please visit their website. The post Discover Newmarket Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Unique Tour Offerings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wootton Bassett has surpassed Redoute's Choice and Extreme Choice as the most expensive stallion to ever stand in Australia, after Coolmore announced on Thursday that his 2025 fee has been set at A$385,000 (inc GST). A published fee of A$330,000 (inc GST) was the previous record, first set by Redoute's Choice when he stood at Arrowfield Stud in 2007 and 2008. Earlier this year, Newgate Farm announced that Extreme Choice would match that fee in 2025, a significant increase on the A$275,000 (inc GST) he stood for in 2024. Wootton Bassett returns to Australia having made an excellent start with his first crop of two-year-olds bred in the Southern Hemisphere, headed by G1 Golden Slipper runner-up Wodeton and State Visit, who filled the same position in the G1 Inglis Sires'. That first crop was conceived when Wootton Bassett stood for a fee of just A$71,500. “Wootton Bassett is the hottest stallion in the world at the moment and he is already making an undeniable mark on the breed in Australia,” said Coolmore Australia's Tom Magnier last month, confirming the son of Iffraaj's return to Jerrys Plains. “What is most exciting about him in an Australian context is that he has 100 unraced two-year-olds from his first crop and every trainer we speak to seems to have a good one. We're just excited to have him back again, as we see him as a champion sire of the future in Australia.” In Europe, Wootton Bassett is responsible for 11 Group winners from his first crop bred at Coolmore's Fethard base. They are now three-year-olds and include the top-level winners Camille Pissarro, Henri Matisse, Tennessee Stud and Twain, with the first-named pair due to appear in Sunday's Poule d'Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp. The post Wootton Bassett to Stand for New Australian Record Fee at A$385,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aidan O'Brien trainee Mount Kilimanjaro (Siyouni) needed every yard of Thursday's Listed Boodles Raindance Dee Stakes and continued the Ballydoyle maestro's dominance of this year's Chester Cup meeting with a seventh win in eight renewals, and a record-breaking 12th overall, in the extended 10-furlong contest. Last year's Criterium d'Automne winner and G1 Criterium International runner-up broke well and settled in fifth passing the judge first time, but slipped to sixth at halfway. Coming under pressure with a quarter-mile remaining, the even-money favourite was under a full Ryan Moore pump thereafter and stayed on relentlessly to collar the hitherto undefeated High Stock (Dubawi) by a neck in the dying strides. Long-time leader Great David (Ribchester) fared best of the remainder and finished 2 3/4 lengths adrift in third. “It was a great ride by Ryan and he was very patient,” said Paul Smith. “I think the pace was very honest, Ryan didn't panic and the horse quickened up well and showed a nice attitude. As we've always said, they learn so much here and it's almost like they have two races in one. He'll come forward again from this, so we're delighted with him. I think he'll go for a Derby of some sorts, either Epsom or the French Derby was mentioned as well. There's options for him and we'll just see how the trials go and juggle them and see where they all go.” Kevin Buckley added, “I thought this fella showed a great turn of foot and I suppose it gives us the option of either going to Epsom or going to France with him. It was a good performance and Ryan was very complimentary. I was impressed and it makes it a record of Dee Stakes wins for Aidan with 12.” Mount Kilimanjaro is the latest of two foals and lone scorer out of the dual Grade III-placed Decorating (Galileo), herself kin to four black-type performers headed by dual Grade I-winning sire Coil (Point Given) and GI Hollywood Derby hero Chiropractor (Kitten's Joy). The April-foaled bay's second dam Eversmile (Theatrical) is a half-sister to multiple Grade I-winning US champion Possibly Perfect (Northern Baby) and G3 Horris Hill Stakes-winning sire Makhlab (Dixieland Band). Left it late! Mount Kilimanjaro gets up on the line to take the Listed Dee Stakes at @ChesterRaces for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien… pic.twitter.com/2mwcDb9V5B — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 8, 2025 Thursday, Chester, Britain BOODLES RAINDANCE DEE STAKES-Listed, £100,000, Chester, 5-8, 3yo, c/g, 10f 70yT, 2:12.89, gd. 1–MOUNT KILIMANJARO (FR), 128, c, 3, by Siyouni (Fr) 1st Dam: Decorating (MGSP-US, $132,768), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Eversmile, by Theatrical (Ire) 3rd Dam: Avasand, by Avatar 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (€420,000 Ylg '23 ARQDOY). O-Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Glen Hill Farm LLC (FR); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £56,710. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Fr, 6-2-1-2, $285,860. 2–High Stock (GB), 128, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Proserpine, by Hat Trick (Jpn). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Sheikh Hamed Dalmook Al Maktoum; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-Andrew Balding. £21,500. 3–Great David (GB), 128, c, 3, Ribchester (Ire)–Prussian (GB), by Dubai Destination. 1ST BLACK TYPE. (25,000gns RNA Ylg '23 TATOCT). O/B-Yerbol Zhaxylykov (GB); T-James Tate. £10,760. Margins: NK, 2 3/4, 3 1/4. Odds: 1.00, 2.75, 25.00. Also Ran: Calla Lagoon (GB), Mirabeau (GB), Hott Shott (GB), Isambard Brunel. The post Siyouni’s Mount Kilimanjaro Provides Aidan O’Brien With Record-Breaking 12th Dee Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A BH Daily edition of What's Going On HereView the full article

As the dust settles beneath the Twin Spires, America's Best Racing takes an updated look at the Equibase standings for horses, jockeys, trainers, and owners.View the full article

The post Equine Podcasts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

While Zac Purton is coasting to an eighth jockeys’ title and John Size is sitting pretty in the trainers’ premiership, the final Group One of the season should be a cracker and there is change afoot in riding ranks.View the full article

Greg Sugars’ funeral will be live streamed at Addington Raceway on Monday afternoon (May 12). The funeral will be held at Melton just outside Melbourne, starting at 2pm NZT. The service will be live streamed via thetrots.com.au and on the big screen at Spectators Bar and Bistro at Addington Raceway. It will be open from noon on Monday so that his friends and many in the wider harness racing community on this side of the Tasman can pay their last respects. A very popular figure, both here and in Australia, Sugars died suddenly, aged 40, in Sydney at the end of last month. He had a stellar 2024 highlighted in this country by his Auckland Cup – Rowe Cup double with Better Eclipse and Just Believe at Alexandra Park last May. He had more than 4000 lifetime wins, including 71 Group 1s. Could anyone intending to be at Spectators please email brooke.henderson@addington.co.nz so the venue has an idea of numbers attending. Food and drink will not be provided but will be available for purchase. View the full article

Presenter-driver-trainer Brittany Graham knows a thing or two about racing on both sides of the Tasman and now that the Queenslander is working for Trackside in this country she’s (reluctantly) agreed to write a weekly column. Why are so many races too close to call? By Brittany Graham What is it with all the dead heats that seem to be happening in this country? The latest was at Cambridge on Tuesday when Power N Glory and Beta Prepare couldn’t be separated in the first of the night, the Dunstan Horse Feeds Mobile Pace. And that got me thinking .. does it happen more these days or is it just perception because every time there is a dead heat it is a bit of a notable event and gets a bit of chatter going. Well the answer is that dead heats are well and truly more commonplace in 2025 than they have been historically. From August 1, 2024 there have been 13 dead heats in this country. It’s an extraordinary number. And they are happening everywhere, from Invercargill to Auckland. There have been nine in 2025 alone. Compare that to the six they had in the 2023-2024 season and just 3 in 2022-2023. The highest number of dead heats in the last decade (before this year) was 7 in 2018. And to emphasise the point even more the average since the 1999-2000 season is 3.5. Numbers of dead heats per season (August 1 – July 31) over the last handful of years are : 2017 2 2018 7 2019 6 2020 1 2021 5 2022 3 2023 3 2024 6 2025 13 It also begs the question – why? Is it the programming, is it the style of racing, is it the quality of horses, is it the quality of the tracks? Or is just a random occurrence? Or is it all of these and more? I don’t have the answers but it is interesting. P.S. thanks to Ollie Partridge the data analyst at HRNZ for his help with this! View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Despite having the toughest of trips, Miki Bennett produced a powerhouse performance to highlight last night’s meeting at Addington. Driven by Nikita Burton, the Always B Miki five-year-old was last at the 800 in the Ladies’ Night 13 June Book Now Junior Drivers Mobile Pace. But Burton was unphased. She launched at the 600 metres and was forced five and six wide around the home turn before overhauling the leaders to win by nearly two lengths. Miki Bennett covered the last 800 in 57.7, the last 400 in 28.6. Jack Tar and Social Distancing, who had also been back in the field, did well to fill the minors with the favourite and early pace-setter Gladys Greenland fading to eighth. “Credit to the horse – he went huge,” said Burton to Harness Unhinged’s Nigel Armstrong post race, “I kinda had to keep on going and hope for the best.” Trained by Steve and Amanda Telfer, it was Miki Bennett’s fifth win in 35 starts though he had failed to finish top three in eight starts since his last win at Oamaru last September. “He dug so deep and he did it quite easy in the end. He pricked his ears at the line,” said Burton. Employed by Stonewall Stud, Burton is in her first year of driving. It was her fourth win in 33 starts. Robbie Close also had a great night with three wins. He drove Lily’s A Star and Hes Santas Excuse to give John McDermott a training double both at double figure odds. He also won with Monarch Prince for John Howe. “John’s had a good night tonight, he doesn’t mind lining them up and he deserves all his success,” Close said post race. McDermott was similarly in praise of Close’s efforts. “It was a brilliant drive by Robbie – a top drive.” View the full article

After 13 months off the scene, Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young’s stable stalwart Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel) will make his return to the races on Saturday at Caulfield. After most recently racing in March last year, the dual Group Two winner is set to line up in the Thoroughbred Club of Australia Handicap (1400m). “He did a suspensory ligament, he’s been at Lee Evison’s, he’s obviously rehabbed him,” Busuttin said. “Touchwood, at the moment, he’s looking good.” Forgot You has had two jumpouts leading into his comeback run on Saturday, which will also be his first start as a gelding. “Given that he needed time off, we decided to geld him, so he’s come back as a gelding this time,” Busuttin said. “Off the scene for 12 months, 1400m, we just want to see him hit the line, but I think he’s in for a good prep. “I’m looking forward to seeing him back at the races.” Beyond Saturday, Busuttin noted that the Brisbane Winter Carnival could be an option for Forgot You, while an 1800-metre Benchmark 100 at Sandown in a fortnight also looms as a logical second-up target for the son of Savabeel. Bred by Waikato Stud’s Garry Chittick, Forgot You is out of the winning O’Reilly mare Simply You (NZ), a three-quarter sister to stakes-winners Escadaire (NZ) (O’Reilly), Bonny O’Reilly (NZ) (O’Reilly) and Group Two winner Rare Insight (NZ) (O’Reilly), dam of Gr.1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) winner Steps In Time (Danehill Dancer). Simply You is a daughter of multiple Group One winning sprinter Glamour Puss (NZ) (Tale of the Cat). Forgot You was purchased by Busuttin Racing for A$330,000 at the Sydney two-year-old sale after being prepared by Ohukia Lodge on behalf of Waikato Stud. View the full article

Mapperley Stud has announced Champion son of Galileo – Armory will stand for a fee of $10,000+gst this season. Armory will be standing his 4th season at stud in 2025 and has been heavily supported by New Zealand breeders since his arrival covering 350 mares across his first 3 seasons. “Breeders were attracted to his elite Gr.1 form as a 2 year-old, where he won the Gr.2 Futurity Stakes and Gr.3 Tyros Stakes before placing in 3 Gr.1 contests including a 2nd to Champion 2 year-old Pinatubo” “Breeders also like to see horses train on and that’s exactly what he did – his run in the Cox Plate as a 3 year-old was enormous and proved he was among the elite middle distance horses in Australasia. He continued to prove himself at the highest level against the best weight-for-age horses in the world” On the back of his gallant 2nd in the Cox Plate, Armory was crowned Champion 3 year-old in Ireland and Europe and achieved a timeform rating of 122 in his classic season. His performances at Gr.1 level as a 4 year-old earnt him the Champion Older Horse in Ireland title and another season with a timeform rating of 122. “We have been thrilled with the level of support shown by New Zealand Breeders, he’s got great numbers on the ground and it was really encouraging to see that his first crop have found good homes and he will have a good representation in both New Zealand and Australia” added Davison “There is a fantastic opportunity to breed to him this year, with a big crop of 2 year-olds to run next season, he could be on the upward spiral by the time your foal arrives next year” Profondo, who stands at Windsor Park Stud, also bolsters Mapperley Stud’s stallion ranks with the Group One winning son of Deep Impact covering full books in his first 2 seasons at stud “Profondo was an instant hit with breeders and his popularity continued into his 2nd season where he covered another fantastic book of mares,” Davison said. “We absolutely love his foals and you can see why breeders were eager to breed to him again last season, and we very much expect the same to happen again this year” Profondo was a standout individual from the start topping the Magic Million yearling sale when he sold for $1.9 million. A brilliant debut winner over 1400m, he reached racing’s elite level winning the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes at only his 3rd career start. “We are very excited about his future, he has it all ahead of him. He’s the full package – outstanding physical, by the world conquering Deep Impact and an elite Gr.1 win next to his name” View the full article

Iconic Southern nursery White Robe Lodge has kept things simple for breeders this season with their stallion roster of three – Alflaila, Ancient Spirit and Ghibellines – all to stand at $7,000+GST. New addition Alflaila has been positively-received with the well-related multiple Group Two winner providing breeders with access to the highly sought-after Dark Angel sire-line. “It’s great timing with Dark Angel being the Champion Sire of Britain and Ireland last year and with his sire-son Harry Angel being one of the most exciting stallions across the Tasman,” White Robe Lodge’s Jack Stewart said. “We have had a very good initial response to breeding rights and also early bookings.” The Taieri Plains stud farm has been buoyed by the early feedback on the stock of Ancient Spirit, with the eldest by the dual Group Two winning son of Invincible Spirit just two-years-old. “He is going great,” Stewart said. “He’s had a few trial winners and we have had great reports from trainers from the ones that are in work, so it’s a case of so far so good.” Proven sire Ghibellines completes the roster, best represented by Group One winner Smokin’ Romans, who has added the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) and last week’s Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) to his tally this season, with his career earnings now A$2,329,265. Fellow Ghibellines gelding Palmetto has enjoyed another strong season in Australia for John Sargent, with the recent Listed Canberra Cup (2000m) winner now up to A$1,423,429 in career earnings. “He’s had two stakes winner across the ditch, he’s had a great season in New Zealand with horses like Lofty’s gift and he’s sitting third on the Premiership for winners,” Stewart said. “He’s just doing a good solid job for us. He leaves winners every week either side of the Tasman and he stands at such great value.” View the full article

Marotiri Molly will aim to complete her season on a high note at Arawa Park on Saturday, taking on her own sex in the Gr.3 Rotorua ITM Stakes (1400m). Prepared by Matt Dixon at Foxton, Marotiri Molly has conquered all before her since opening her preparation in late August, winning four of nine races including the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m), and placing behind gun mare La Crique in the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1400m). After running a creditable fifth-equal in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) in January, Dixon had one final target for his mare in the weight-for-age feature, where she is back on even terms with her rivals after carrying topweight in her lead-up run, the Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m). Despite the hefty impost, Marotiri Molly was characteristically game, running a close-up fourth behind Slipper Island, Pier and Tomodachi. “I always knew she was going to be pretty vulnerable in that race with the weight she had to carry,” Dixon said. “She was giving four-and-a-half (kg) to Pier and six (kg) to the other two so I thought it was a huge effort to finish only a length from them.” “She’s just been ticking over since then. She likes to get on with things in her gallops, she goes pretty hard. “She’s certainly ready for another race, that’s for sure.” As planned, Marotiri Molly is more than likely to be making her final six-year-old appearance on Saturday when she jumps from the ace draw. “We’ll see what happens on Saturday, but she was always going to have a pretty light autumn,” Dixon said. “She won’t be slogging through the mud and I want to give her a bit of a let-up, before targeting the spring. “This race was the one we were looking at, the 1200m at Trentham was the lead-in to Saturday’s race so being a weight-for-age, it suits her a lot better these days. She’s come through the grades very quickly and all of a sudden she’s shot up over 100 rating, but makes things a bit difficult outside of weight for age races. “I’m very proud of her and where she’s come from, and where she has got to.” View the full article

It may have not been the result he was after, but Andrew Campbell was pleased with Croupier’s run at Eagle Farm last Saturday, and will press on towards his intended feature targets. Following two wins in New Zealand, Croupier made his Australian debut over a mile at the Brisbane track last weekend where he finished fourth in the hands of former New Zealand-based jockey Mark Du Plessis. “I thought it was a good run, maybe he (Du Plessis) should have hooked him out wide instead of going to the rail,” Campbell said. “I don’t think a horse won on the rail all day except for the last, so it probably wasn’t the best place to be. The big horse he is, he got held up at a vital stage too. “He has only been beaten three-quarters of a length, so we are over the moon, and that is why we are still here.” The three-year-old son of Ace High has pleased Campbell with the way he has come through the run, and he is now looking forward to heading to Doomben next Saturday to contest the Gr.3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) before returning to Eagle Farm later this month to tackle the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m). “Croupier came through his run extra well,” Campbell said. “I gave him a little gallop this (Thursday) morning and he galloped really nice. We are hoping to go to the Rough Habit Plate next Saturday, providing he makes the field. I couldn’t be happier with him.” Meanwhile, stablemate Hayworth is set to make her debut at Trentham on Saturday in the Ladies Man 2YO (1200m). Bought out of Highline Thoroughbreds’ New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft last year for $30,000, the daughter of Ace High will race in the colours of stable stalwart Tommy Heptinstall. “We had sold her brother Caracas overseas, and he went really well. Unfortunately, he broke down, but he’s still Group Two placed,” Campbell said. “We bought her as insurance. She was a nice, big, strong filly by Ace High that was going to take a bit of time, as they do.” Hayworth is on the fourth line of betting for the opening race of the eight-race card at $6, and while hopeful of a positive result, Campbell is realistic about her chances and said it is more of an educational run before heading for a spell. “She is going well, she’s not really a two-year-old though, we are just going to give her one run, and to lob into the money would be good,” he said. “She’s a capable horse and she is going to make a really nice three-year-old. Win, lose or draw, we’ll give her a nice six weeks out and get her ready for the spring.” View the full article

Fresh off tackling the Warrnambool May Carnival with Berry The Cash, Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan is back home and looking forward to kicking off his Champion jumper West Coast’s season this weekend. The imposing son of Mettre En Jeu will compete on the flat in the Palamountains Nutrition Maiden (2060m) at Wanganui on Sunday, and while Oulaghan isn’t expecting to see his charge feature in the finish, it isn’t beyond the realms of possibility. The nine-year-old gelding ran fourth over 2200m first-up last year, and Oulaghan has been pleased with his progression this time in. “He has done things pretty right, he has done a bit of work. He is probably on a par with other seasons,” Oulaghan said. “A flat race isn’t really his thing, but he is just there for a conditioning run. “If he goes quietly early, I think he can run home well, it just depends on how the race is run.” Stablemate Super Spirit is a dual acceptor for the meeting, but Oulaghan is leaning towards running the nine-year-old gelding in the Dr John D. Moore Memorial Open Steeplechase (3800m) over the Ken Duncan Racing Maiden Hurdle (3000m). “He will probably run in the chase,” Oulaghan said. “He is not the fastest horse around and I think steeplechasing suits him better. I just thought if it was going to be a wet track there, he could have run in the maiden hurdle, but I think the track is going to be reasonably good.” Oulaghan’s Wanganui representation will be rounded out by Kentucky Boy in The Grant Sweeney Memorial Open Hurdle (3000m). “He will run in the open hurdle, it’s a conditioning run for him, and next start will be a steeplechase,” he said. A day prior, Oulaghan will take just the one runner south to Trentham, with Jack Morrison set to tackle the West Coast Sponsored By Wairepo Herefords (1600m). “He is a little bit of an enigma, he has had one or two problems,” Oulaghan said. “We will run him there and get a bit of a line on him on Saturday and see where we are with him.” Meanwhile, Oulaghan is looking forward to welcoming back Berry The Cash to his stable on Thursday after an Australian campaign that netted fourth placings in the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) and Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m). “He gets back to the stable this (Thursday) afternoon,” Oulaghan said. “I haven’t seen him since the race, but by all reports he is quite perky and well. “We will give him two or three weeks in the paddock and then look at something further down the track for him.” Oulaghan enjoyed his time at Warrnambool and isn’t ruling out a return but said it would unlikely be with his star jumper West Coast. “Like everything new that you do, it was a learning curve, but Warrnambool was quite interesting,” he said. “I just don’t know whether he (West Coast) is an Australian-type of horse. His forte is heavier tracks and bigger fences, and over in Aussie it is a bit different, they run on better ground and over smaller fences. I just don’t know whether it would all-together suit him, but I guess you don’t know until you try. At this stage, we will keep him around here.” View the full article

Promising juvenile Engine Of War (NZ) (Circus Maximus) has joined the growing Australasian stable of international micro-share syndicator MyRacehorse. The son of Circus Maximus was purchased after finishing third at the first time of asking for Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman. “We bought him about a week and a-half ago and he had a couple of private jump-outs that we really liked and loved him on debut at Waverley,” said Ben Willis, MyRacehorse’s Australasian Managing Director. “We were going to run him in that 1400m two-year-old stakes race (Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes, 1400m) last Saturday, but decided to scratch. “I know Andrew has a really good opinion of the horse and he was great to work with.” Engine Of War will be raced by the company with the youngster’s new Victorian trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. “We’re going to transfer him over to Australia as soon as possible to have a crack at the spring carnival,” Willis said. “Andrew Williams does a lot of our bloodstock work in New Zealand, he had spotted him and after his debut run, we really liked what we saw and got involved. “The form has been pretty strong out of that race and the horse that ran second (Spandeedo) has come out and won quite convincingly. “The winner Belzoni will be running at Trentham on Saturday, so we’ll be interested to see how he goes.” Off the back of their flagship Group One winner Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino), MyRacehorse is keen to build its New Zealand profile. “Willydoit was, and still is, a huge success for us and we’ve had a fair bit of luck out of New Zealand,” Willis said. A son of Tarzino, Willydoit romped to victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) for trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, who race the three-year-old with Bryan Black and MyRacehorse. He subsequently finished fourth in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) and has remained across the Tasman with his future career to be guided by Ciaron Maher. “He’s currently spelling in Queensland, there’s not a lot of sun anywhere in Australia so he’s probably in the best climate,” Willis said. “He’s really settled in well and thriving and he’ll have another three or four weeks in the paddock. “He’ll come back and target the spring, what he goes for yet is still to be confirmed and we’ll have a chat with the stable and see what they’re thinking.” Plans are now afoot for MyRacehorse to ramp up its involvement here. “We went over there a few times for the Avondale Guineas and the New Zealand Derby and the general warmth and acceptance of the New Zealand industry of our brand has been really positive, so we’re really excited about doing more over there,” Willis said. “It’s definitely an industry that we are looking to invest more and more into and the way you guys breed horses, educate and prep them, especially when they get out over a bit of ground, is a huge advantage. “We bought a Contributor colt out of Sharp Proposition (NZ) at Karaka this year with Shaun and Emma, and he’s staying in New Zealand. “We’re starting to look at how we can expand the company and have a permanent base so we can buy more horses in New Zealand and continue to keep them there to race. “We will be looking for more trainers, owners and partners very shortly.” View the full article

Sovereignty will be the fifth Derby champion in seven years to miss the event in Baltimore.View the full article

Veteran handler rates his exciting sprinter a strong chance despite lumping 135lbs against strong opposition on Saturday.View the full article

After failing to get in foal last season, Chantilly Lace (NZ) (US Navy Flag) is progressing well toward black-type targets before connections turn their focus back to her breeding career. The daughter of U S Navy Flag will step out in Saturday’s Trust House Masterton Cup (1400m) at Trentham as a forerunner to further stakes opportunities. Chantilly Lace will be making the third appearance of her campaign, and the prospect of soft ground will provide her with the ideal stage to showcase her talent. “Obviously, she didn’t get in foal so we’re having another crack, this race works in perfectly for her,” trainer Chrissy Bambry said. A winner at Listed level in the Wanganui Guineas (1200m) and Castletown Stakes (1200m), Chantilly Lace is likely to return to Windsor Park Stud stallion Paddington, a four-time Group One-winning son of Siyouni, later this year. In the interim, the mare will have chances to boost her future broodmare value. “If she goes well on Saturday, she’ll back up in the Rangitikei Gold Cup (Listed, 1600m) and then head to Wanganui for the weight-for-age (Listed AGC Training Stakes, 1600m), in which she was a really unlucky fourth last year,” Bambry said. Chantilly Lace opened this preparation when unplaced at Ellerslie and then finished fourth in an open handicap sprint at Wanganui. “I’m really happy with her, she’s come up very well and the tracks were just a bit firm for her,” Bambry said. “The 1400m on a softer track on Saturday should be right up her alley with no weight (54kg) on her back.” Chantilly Lace will be accompanied to Trentham by her promising stablemate Dubai’s Potitki (NZ) (Ocean Park), who runs in The Cossack Handicap (2200m). He has yet to win but showed his staying quality two runs back when runner-up to Kiwi Skyhawk in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m). “He’s got all the ability in the world, and it’s just taken a long time for the penny to drop,” Bambry said. “Just his greenness beat him that day, if he had taken the gap that Ryan (Elliot) had showed him at the 300m he might have gone close to winning. “He’s been a work in progress and he’s going to be a very, very good horse. I can see some nice Cups in his future.” Dubai’s Potiki finished midfield last time out in the Gr.3 Championship Stakes (2100m). “He went up to Ellerslie for his first trip away and handled it really well, so we thought we might get another good run before the tracks get too wet for him.” The stable had thoughts of a tilt at the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) with the son of Ocean Park and the venture hasn’t been completely ruled out. “If he had gone well at Ellerslie, that’s where we were going and obviously if he was to come out and go really well at Trentham there’s always a chance he could still go, but it will be his last chance,” Bambry said. By Ocean Park, Dubai’s Potiki is the last live foal of the E Dubai mare Dubai Belle, a gifted performer who won nine races including the Gr.3 Merial Mile when trained by Bambry’s father Tony. View the full article