Wandering Eyes

A second tilt at the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) in Dubai in April for California Spangle will hinge on the veteran’s performance in the HK$13 million Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. A Group 1-winning miler and Hong Kong Derby (2000m) runner-up, California Spangle underscored his quality and versatility by triumphing in both the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint last March. Now seven, California Spangle has failed to recapture his best form in five starts this season, with a last-start eighth to Voyage Bubble in the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on January 19, but trainer Tony Cruz believes the 120-rater is primed for an improved performance after winning a 1200m dirt barrier trial on February 7. “You saw the barrier trial, he’s back in business. The trial was good and the jockey was very happy with him,” Cruz said. “His condition compared to last season is not as good, so we’ll make a decision after the race on Sunday. Let’s see the outcome before we decide on Dubai.” California Spangle broke the Meydan 1200m course record when scoring under Brenton Avdulla in the Al Quoz Sprint last year and Cruz hopes the 13-time winner can rebound with a decent effort against Ka Ying Rising, Beauty Eternal, Beauty Joy, Helios Express, Howdeepisyourlove, Invincible Sage, Red Lion, Patch Of Theta and Mugen. Dual Hong Kong champion trainer Cruz will also pit Five G Patch, La City Blanche and Winning Dragon into battle against Voyage Bubble in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) on Sunday. “They’re all ready for the race. They’re all 2000 metres and above horses, but I’m happy with their condition going into the race,” Cruz said. The Hong Kong Gold Cup also includes Galaxy Patch, Chancheng Glory, Ensued, Happy Together, Straight Arron and Sword Point. Reigning Hong Kong champion trainer Francis Lui is taking a pragmatic approach to challenging Ka Ying Rising on Sunday with Patch Of Theta. “Ka Ying Rising is outstanding. Patch Of Theta is okay, he’s kept his form and I hope he can improve a little bit more – but Ka Ying Rising is outstanding. Just hope for the best,” Lui said. “Chancheng Glory is also in good form. He’s maintained his form, so we hope he can run well.” Hong Kong racing continues Wednesday at Happy Valley, where Australian James Orman – who rides Francis Lui-trained Magic Beans in the first section of the Class 4 Kwai Chung Handicap (1200m) – and Englishman Richard Kingscote – who also joins forces with Lui aboard Brave Joy in the Class 4 Tsuen Wan Handicap (1000m) – start short-term riding stints in the city. Horse racing news View the full article

Best Rose winning at Riccarton on Wednesday. Photo: Race Images South Progressive juvenile Best Rose turned the tables on her key rival at Riccarton Park on Wednesday, scoring an impressive second-up victory in The Tea House At Riccarton Park 2YO (1000m). A filly by Maurice, Best Rose had made two trial appearances for Te Akau Racing’s Matamata stable before venturing south to their Riccarton base where she debuted for second behind Zelia. The pair were set to go head-to-head again at the midweek meeting and despite the last-start defeat, Best Rose closed an odds-on favourite at $1.60, with Zelia at $2.90 and debutant Shesascorcher at $8.20. With a number of inexperienced runners in the field, the race was delayed significantly with the eventual late scratching of Miss Starlight, while Best Rose also took her time to join the line. In the hands of Michael McNab, the filly finally settled and flew the barriers, crossing to find the rail from her outside draw. Zelia remained off the fence throughout and once they straightened, Best Rose was off and gone, pinning her ears back to put a three-length margin on Zelia, with Shesascorcher a further 2-3/4 lengths back in third. McNab collected a pair of Group victories aboard Te Akau’s juveniles last Saturday at Matamata, and heading south, he was complimentary of Best Rose’s effort. “She jumped well, cleared them and worked along at a nice gallop, then picked up off that,” he said. “She did a really good job. “To be honest, going through the form and replays yesterday, there were a lot that were very green. If the favourite (Zelia) went, I’d go sit with them, but I jumped and was able to muster quicker, so I was happy to find the rail. “She won well today and she can only go ahead with it.” Sam Bergerson, who trains the filly in partnership with Mark Walker, was on course and was rapt with the performance, albeit with a few anxious moments pre-race. “Apart from loading in the barrier, she was very straightforward,” Bergerson said. “It’s good when the two-year-olds can find the rail and follow the rail home. “She quickened nicely and seemed to relax lovely for Michael, it was a good positive ride. “There were a few nervous moments, they late scratched one and then she was in and out a bit. She was pretty stubborn and that’s probably the only time she’s put a foot wrong to be honest. “She’s got that good aggressive racing style and seems to love being a racehorse. Onwards and upwards with her.” Te Akau scooped the pool in the South Island’s two-year-old stakes races last season and they hope to do so again in a couple of months’ time, with the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m) and Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) on her radar. “I think at this stage, she seems happy down here,” Bergerson said. “Hunter (Durrant, assistant trainer) and the team are doing a fantastic job with her and those two Listed races in April look ideal. “There is a bit of time between now and then, so we’ll get her home and see how she pulls up, but they look like two nice initial targets.” Bred by Gene Tsoi’s Standard 2080 Ltd, Best Rose is out of a Snitzel mare Queen’s Legacy, a half-sister to Group 1 winning-mare King’s Rose, carrying the same purple and pink silks King’s Rose did when she won the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) for Te Akau back in 2010. Horse racing news View the full article

Hastings trainer Jordan Bassett. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) After going through all stages of life together so far, it would be a fitting result for Meltemi and Wild Thyme to collect their maiden victories in respective races at Wanganui on Friday. The three-year-old fillies were bred by Richard McKenzie, an equine veterinarian by trade, who trains the pair in partnership with Jordan Bassett. Back in 2020, the Hastings couple elected to send the dams of both fillies to Darci Brahma, mating with The Oaks Stud’s former sire on the same day. “Ironically, I took both of the mares up to stud on the same day and both were served by Darci Brahma, which resulted in these two fillies,” Bassett said. “We’ve done everything with them ourselves and we’re having a lot of fun with them.” Lining up first on Friday will be Wild Thyme, having her fourth raceday appearance in the Wanganui Maiden (1200m). The filly contended with the extreme outside draw and did plenty of work last-start at Tauherenikau, to only be caught late by Bold Choice and Shavasana. “I thought it was a good run, she was three-wide most of the way before she got to the straight and Joe (Doyle, jockey) thought she would’ve won had she drawn a better barrier,” Bassett said. “She was very brave. “What we liked most about the run was even though it was only over 1000m and she got run down late, she keep running through the line. She’s trained on well from there, so we’re hoping she will see out the extra 200m. “She’s got really good tactical speed early so we won’t change much with her, she puts herself there.” Her stablemate Meltemi has been knocking on the door in her first two starts, finishing runner-up on both occasions in the hands of experienced local hoop Kate Hercock. Aiming to go one better, she is one of the key players in the Whanganui MDN 3YO (1200m). “She’s come through her last run very well, she’s still learning on the job and Kate does a very good job with her, because she’s not the easiest filly to manage,” Bassett said. “But she tries really hard and has trained on well since her last start.” Horse racing news View the full article

Vegas Queen will take her place in Saturday’s Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images) There are only a few slots to fill in next month’s $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), and Ruakaka filly Vegas Queen will be seeking to secure one of them when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to contest the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m). The daughter of Proisir scored her maiden win at her home track as a juvenile in July and has hardly put a foot wrong as a three-year-old, running fourth in the Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) before posting two runner-up results at Ellerslie, including the Group 3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) on Karaka Millions night last month. A number of NZB Kiwi slot holders have been circling the filly, but none have yet to bite, with Vegas Queen getting her final chance to impress this weekend in what will be a dress rehearsal for the richest three-year-old race in the southern hemisphere on Champions Day, March 8. The Uncle Remus field comprises four confirmed NZB Kiwi runners in Checkmate, Dealt With, Penman and Sethito, and trainer Kenny Rae believes his filly can match it with her more fancied opponents this weekend. “It is a big step up for her, but I think she is up to it,” he said. “She is the best horse in Ruakaka, if that means anything. “I was rapt with her run (in the Almanzor Trophy). She missed the start a wee bit and Jasmine (Fawcett, jockey) used her up a bit to get up there, but she had a good draw. You can’t complain when you are getting $47,000 for second.” Rae had planned on heading to the South Island with his filly to tackle some stakes targets, however, he opted to remain in the north following her Almanzor Trophy performance. “She was going to go down for the Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1600m), but she went well at Ellerslie, so we decided to keep her up here,” he said. Vegas Queen, a relation of champion mare Winx, will jump from barrier seven on Saturday where she will once again be ridden by Fawcett. “Seven is a good draw for her. She will tuck in right behind them somewhere,” Rae said. While hopeful of gaining an NZB Kiwi berth, Rae said he isn’t fazed if his filly misses out, highlighting that he has another lucrative target in-mind for her on Champions Day in the form of the $100,000 Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m). “Everybody is sitting playing the waiting game,” Rae said. “I would be quite happy to go to the Windsor Park, she is only a young horse and there is plenty of time. “We may give her a small break (after Champions Day) and then look for something for her in the autumn or the spring even. She will be better as a four and five-year-old, I am sure of it.” Vegas Queen is currently a $16 winning chance for the Uncle Remus with horse racing bookmakers, with the Wexford Stables pair of Checkmate and Sethito heading the market at $3.80. Horse racing news View the full article

Belclare will contest Saturday’s Group 1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Gun mare Belclare has had plenty of success raiding the northern riches at Ellerslie and she’ll be back to do just that on Saturday, taking on the Group 1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m). A two-time winner of the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), Belclare spent the first half of the season in Sydney with Bjorn Baker, adding a pair of Group 2’s and over A$1 million in earnings to her already dazzling Kiwi record. Returning to the care of Lisa Latta, the Per Incanto mare attempted a defence of her Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m) crown on Karaka Millions night but faded after a tough trip three-wide, a result her trainer is happy to forgive. “She had a really tough run, she was caught three-wide with no cover and I think that effort told,” she said. The soft conditions at Ellerslie were not in Belclare’s favour on that occasion, but after pleasing Latta in the lead-up, a firm track should bring her back into contention, with online bookmakers currently placing her a fourth-favourite at $10. “Ellerslie suits her when it’s really firm, which it wasn’t on Karaka Millions Night, but the forecast looks good for this weekend,” Latta said. “She had a few days in the paddock and come back, she’s been for a trip to Otaki for a gallop and I’m really happy with her. She looks great.” Latta confirmed that, all going well on Saturday, the seven-year-old will return to defend her title and chase a three-peat in the Breeders’ on Champions Day. The Awapuni horsewoman will have a busy week with more than a dozen runners lining up at Wanganui and Otaki, with the latter featuring talented mare Belle’s Echo in the Open 1200m. A winner of five, Belle’s Echo impressed winning first-up and continued that form into third at the Wellington Cup meeting, before disappointing on the back-up over 1400m. “We gave her a week off, it was a really disappointing run and I just don’t think she backed up, which she’s done once before,” Latta said. “We’re going in here a bit on the fresher side.” Stable stalwart Lincoln Star and Group 1 winner He’s A Doozy had both been nominated for the open mile, but the latter may be seen further south next Saturday, with Latta considering a bid at the Group 3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m). “He’s A Doozy probably won’t run, he’ll more likely head down to Wingatui for the weight-for-age,” she said. “We’ll work him tomorrow morning and make a final decision. “Lincoln Star has done plenty of work, but it’s probably a bit short of his best on Saturday.” The colours of Belclare will also be represented in the South Island, with her full-brother Ardroe travelling to Ashburton on Sunday to contest the Scenic Hotel Group (1200m). “He’s gone down this morning, he’s just going down for the run at this stage,” Latta said. “There’s just a lack of suitable races up here and he suits those shorter courses well.” Meanwhile, Latta’s talented three-year-old filly Connello is on track for a shot at the $1 million Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) in a month’s time. Connello has been a model of consistency, only falling short to Oaks favourite Leica Lucy in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) and Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m), while recording the fastest closing sectionals in the latter. “She’s a very easy and clean-winded filly, she’ll go to the Lowland (Group 2, 2100m) and then on to the Oaks, all going well,” Latta said. Horse racing news View the full article

Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston. Photo: Trish Dunell Talented southern filly Miss Ziggy will provide trainer Andrew Carston with answers to her immediate program on Saturday. The daughter of Brazen Beau has acquitted herself well in strong company this season and will step out in the TAB 2YO (1100m) at Ellerslie with her performance to determine the future path she takes. Miss Ziggy will be coming off a gallant third in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), in which she didn’t enjoy the smoothest of runs. She settled well back after being crowded at barrier rise and, once into the clear in the straight, powered to the line. “She had 10 days off after the Karaka Million and we’ve brought her back up slowly again, we’ll take a close look at this race to give us a few clues,” Carston said. “This is a nice race for her and will give us the line as to what we do, there are a couple of options. One is to bring her home and put her in the paddock.” Another is the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) on March 8, but Carston isn’t getting too far ahead of himself. “We will see how she goes on Saturday first, the Sistema is in two weeks and we would need to see another very good run to go there,” he said. The jockey merry go round will continue for Miss Ziggy on Saturday with Michael McNab booked for the first time. “It’s a bit frustrating that she’s had six starts and five different riders, but it is what it is, and I can’t fault her,” Carston said. “It is a race at a time and this one fits in well for her. Apart from winning a race, she has done a superb job and I will let her tell me how much further we go.” Miss Ziggy, who has been based with Byerley Park trainer Steven Cole, was a $250,000 purchase for Christchurch-based owner Glenn Ritchie out of breeder Inglewood Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale. “She is the first horse he has had with me, he’s a very good client to have,” Carston said. Closer to home, the stable will have multiple runners at Sunday’s Ashburton meeting with Say Satono and Super Sincere considered their leading hopes. The former will run in the ODT Southern Mile Qualifier (1600m) and has won two of her last four starts and most recently finished a close fifth at Riccarton. “Say Satono has a last chance to qualify for the Southern Mile Final and I think she can go close,” Carston said. Rainer Irrigation (1200m) contender Super Sincere broke her maiden two runs back and then didn’t have everything go her way when unplaced in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m). Horse racing news View the full article

Qali Al Farrasha will contest Saturday’s Group 1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Group 1 performer Qali Al Farrasha will be out to shed her bridesmaid tag when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday, but she will face a stiff task against a quality line-up in the Group 1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m). The homebred daughter of Almanzor has been a model of consistency for Te Akau Racing, winning two and placing in eight of her 12 starts, earning more than $260,000 in prizemoney to date. She has finished runner-up in her last three outings, including the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) and Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m), and also boasts placings in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and Group 3 Sunline Vase (2100m). She will be searching for an elusive stakes success this week, but will be met by some fierce competition, with five Group 1 winners set to tackle the Ellerslie feature, including course specialist and in-form gelding El Vencedor. “We earmarked this race because we thought we would skip the big guns but unfortunately there is Orchestral and El Vencedor, it is a quality field,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains the mare in partnership with Mark Walker. “She is probably going to have to lift to win it off her previous runs, but she deserves the opportunity. “She was really good in the Group One and just missed last time against Provence down in Wellington. She has freshened well, had a really nice exhibition gallop between races at Te Aroha a week ago and her work was good on Tuesday morning.” Stablemate, and former Australian galloper, Midnight Blue has acclimatised well to the New Zealand way of life, which was evident in his last two runner-up performances, including the Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) at New Plymouth earlier this month. He will look to go one better on Saturday in the Group 3 Avondale Cup (2400m), and the son of So You Think is already well-acquainted with Ellerslie, having finished fourth in the Group 3 Challenge Stakes (1600m) at the Auckland track in his New Zealand debut last November. “He is going well and seems to be really enjoying the New Zealand lifestyle,” Bergerson said. “He is doing really well over here and looks super. “He has gone on from the Taranaki Cup and is back up to 2400m, a distance he won the Perth Cup (Group 2, 2400m) a couple of years ago, so he is proven at the trip. “He has to lug a bit of weight (58kg), which is the concern, but we are really pleased with him and he goes in in good form.” Stablemate Hakkinen will be looking to stamp his $1.25 million Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) credentials when he contests the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m). Another Te Akau homebred, Bergerson has been pleased with his progression since his fourth placing in the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie last month and is hoping he can secure a berth into the Derby with a strong performance this weekend. “He is a galloper that has got plenty of upside and we think he is coming in with the right prep, he seems a natural stayer to us,” Bergerson said. “He is fit and well here at home. I thought he trialled really well at Ellerslie with the blinkers on, which go on Saturday. We think he is heading in the right direction and hopefully onto the Derby. “He would need to run well there on Saturday, but he seems in really good form and his work was good on Tuesday morning. “It is a very good field, and the favourite (Willydoit) looks very hard to beat and all things being equal, he is probably going to be the winner, but we can think our fella can give it a real shake.” Across the Tasman, Te Akau will also be shooting for stakes success at Caulfield on Saturday. Group 1 winner Quintessa will be looking to return to form in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m), while Group 3 performer Sans Doute will get her first crack at elite-level in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m). Horse racing news View the full article

Estriella is the $3.60 final field favourite for the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate. (Photo by Ross Holburt/Racing Photos) The sprinters step out to scorch the turf in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, with a near capacity field of 17 set to line up in $750,000 handicap. Estriella headlines the three-pronged attack from the Ciaron Maher barn and is the early $3.60 favourite with horse racing betting sites after drawing barrier nine. The daughter of I Am Invincible is undefeated in two starts at Caulfield, and although she is unplaced in four starts at Group 1 level, the four-year-old possesses a formidable first-up record of three starts for two wins on her resume. The Charlotte Littlefield-trained She’s Bulletbroof was a dominant winner of the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) at Sandown on February 1 and is being shown plenty of respect on the second line of betting at $6.50. She will only need to carry 52kg to victory on Saturday as star hoop Craig Williams gets legged aboard from stall eight. Punters can get double-figure odds about every other runner engaged on Saturday, with the likes of Espionage and Rey Magnerio priced at $10.00 apiece with BlondeBet. Meanwhile, I Am Me ($12.00) will be forced to carry top weight with 57kg on her back, with Nash Rawiller making the trip to Melbourne to partner the classy six-year-old mare. The chances don’t end there with plenty of value runners to be specked in betting, with Sghirripa ($11.00) and Arabian Summer ($14.00) likely to be suited by a hot tempo and no weight on their backs. The 2025 Oakleigh Plate is the penultimate race on the Caulfield program and is scheduled to be run at 4:55pm local time. 2025 Oakleigh Plate Final Field 1. I Am Me (2) T: Ciaron Maher J: Nash Rawiller W: 57kg Age: 6YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: I Am Invincible Dam: Mefnooda +1000 +260 2. Estriella (9) T: Ciaron Maher J: Blake Shinn W: 55kg Age: 4YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: I Am Invincible Dam: Madrigals +280 -125 3. Golden Boom (13) T: Tony Gollan J: Damian Lane W: 55kg Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Spirit of Boom Dam: Golden Falls +1800 +450 4. Ostraka (17) T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald J: Mark Zahra W: 55kg Age: 4YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Pariah Dam: Madame Andree +2200 +550 5. Rey Magnerio (5) T: Robbie Griffiths J: Jye McNeil W: 55kg Age: 5YO Colour: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Magnus Dam: Luchardo +850 +230 6. Insurrection (12) T: Michael Freedman J: Regan Bayliss W: 54.5kg Age: 5YO Colour: Brown or Black Sex: Gelding Sire: Russian Revolution Dam: Marple Miss +2500 +600 7. Jimmysstar (14) T: Ciaron Maher J: Ethan Brown W: 54.5kg Age: 5YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Per Incanto (USA) Dam: Anniesstar (NZ) +1200 +320 8. Brudenell (16) T: Kris Lees J: Declan Bates W: 52.5kg Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Russian Revolution Dam: Knit ’n’ Purl +6000 +1200 9. Hard To Say (7) T: Jason Deamer J: Craig Newitt W: 52.5kg Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Exceed And Excel Dam: Malasun +4000 +850 10. Sghirripa (3) T: Shane & Cassie Oxlade J: Michael Dee W: 52.5kg Age: 5YO Colour: Grey/Black Sex: Gelding Sire: Lonhro Dam: Wonder I Do +1100 +290 11. Ashford Street (4) T: Tom Dabernig J: Teo Nugent W: 52kg Age: 7YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Moshe Dam: Magic By Gosh +3400 +750 12. Headwall (6) T: Matthew Smith J: Harry Coffey W: 52kg Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Dream Ahead Dam: Positive Quest +3000 +700 13. Prairie Flower (1) T: Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea J: Ms Kayla Crowther W: 52kg Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Star Turn Dam: Leotie +4500 +1000 14. Sans Doute (10) T: Mark Walker J: Liam Riordan W: 52kg Age: 5YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Mare Sire: Not a Single Doubt Dam: My Prerogative +6600 +1300 15. She’s Bulletproof (8) T: Charlotte Littlefield J: Craig Williams W: 52kg Age: 4YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Shooting to Win Dam: Offshore Sham +550 +150 16. Arabian Summer (15) T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy J: Ms Jamie Melham W: 50kg Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Too Darn Hot (GB) Dam: Maraam +1200 +320 17. Espionage (11) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Dean Yendall W: 50kg Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Zoustar Dam: In Times of War +1000 +260 Horse racing news View the full article

Mr Brightside ridden by Craig Williams winning the 2024 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) is the first of three Group 1 features set to take place at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, with the $750,000 weight-for-age classic attracting a quality field of 11. Eight-time Group 1 winner Mr Brightside is the clear-cut favourite with horse racing bookmakers for the event, with the son of Bullbars opening $1.85 after a stellar first-up performance behind Another Wil at the same course and distance in the Group 1 C.F Orr Stakes (1400m) on February 8. Craig Williams is set to partner the battle hardened seven-year-old once again and may have work to do searching for cover drawn in barrier 11. I Wish I Win is slated to make his return to racing after failing in The Everest (1200m) on October 19 and is on the second line of betting as a $4.60 chance with Dabble. The son of Savabeel has won two jump-outs at Pakenham to get ready for this first-up assignment, with Jamie Melham booked to take the reins from barrier three. The Godolphin duo of Tom Kitten ($8.00) and Pericles ($10.00) are listed to return from a spell, with the pair set to gain economical runs from barriers two and one respectively. Meanwhile, the three-year-old contingent represents good value at the bottom of the racebook, with Private Life ($26.00) and Evaporate ($17.00) set to take on the older horses. The 2025 Futurity Stakes is the first leg of the quaddie at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon and is scheduled to get underway at 3:40pm local time. 2025 Futurity Stakes Final Field 1. Mr Brightside (NZ) (11) T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes J: Craig Williams W: 59kg Age: 7YO Colour: Bay or Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Bullbars Dam: Lilahjay (NZ) +100 -625 2. I Wish I Win (3) T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman J: Jamie Melham W: 59kg Age: 6YO Colour: Black Sex: Gelding Sire: Savabeel Dam: Make a Wish (NZ) +360 -166.67 3. Pericles (1) T: James Cummings J: TBC W: 59kg Age: 5YO Colour: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Street Boss (USA) Dam: Accessories (GB) +1000 +180 4. Tom Kitten (2) T: James Cummings J: TBC W: 59kg Age: 4YO Colour: Bay/Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Harry Angel (IRE) Dam: Transfers +750 +135 5. Light Infantry Man (5) T: Ciaron Maher J: Ethan Brown W: 59kg Age: 6YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Fast Company (IRE) Dam: Lights On Me (GB) +2000 +340 6. Pinstriped (6) T: Enver Jusufovic J: TBC W: 59kg Age: 6YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Street Boss (USA) Dam: Snitzel Blitz +2500 +400 7. Freedom Rally (4) T: Tony Gollan J: Jye McNeil W: 59kg Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Rubick Dam: Ipioga +5000 +750 8. Super Smink (7) T: Daniel Morton J: Billy Egan W: 57kg Age: 4YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Super One Dam: Sminky Shorts +3300 +550 9. Place Du Carrousel (9) T: Anthony & Sam Freedman J: Mark Zahra W: 57kg Age: 6YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Lope de Vega (IRE) Dam: Traffic Jam (IRE) +2200 +380 10. Private Life (10) T: Chris Waller J: Damian Lane W: 55.5kg Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Written Tycoon Dam: Aliyana Tilde +2000 +350 11. Evaporate (8) T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes J: Michael Dee W: 55.5kg Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Per Incanto (USA) Dam: Savanna (NZ) +1400 +250 Horse racing news View the full article

Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners Zeditave Stakes Group Three Betting Guide Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025 Location: Caulfield Racecourse – Melbourne, Victoria Prize Money: $200,000 Distance: 1200m The Zeditave Stakes is a Group 3 race for three-year-olds, run over 1200m under set weights and penalties by the Melbourne Racing Club at Caulfield. Named after the champion sprinter Zeditave, the Zeditave Stakes was first held in 1989 and upgraded from Listed to Group 3 status in 2014 when it moved to Blue Diamond Stakes day. Offering $200,000 in prizemoney in 2025, the Zeditave Stakes has been occasionally run at Sandown due to rennovations at Caulfield. The 2024 Zeditave Stakes was won by Raikoke, defeating Brave Mead and Scully. 2025 Zeditave Stakes betting odds Markets for the 2025 Zeditave Stakes are unavailable. Zeditave Stakes betting will open on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. How to bet on the Zeditave Stakes Every decent Australian horse racing bookmaker will have betting on the Zeditave Stakes available. Many of them will open an early market so you can wager on the race a week or so in advance. Unlike many of the bigger races, the Zeditave Stakes acceptances are only done a few days before the race so you won’t find a market many weeks in advance. Aussie bookies offer all of the usual bet types on the race and you will have the option of using ‘boosted odds’ or other racing promotions at most of them. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Recommended! 4 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 5 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 7 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. 8 By Players, For Players UniBet Unibet offer daily promotions to registered and logged in customers only Join Unibet Review 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Chances are you are about to lose. Full terms. 9 On Your Side Betfair Australia Australia’s only betting exchange Visit Betfair Review What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit. Full terms. 10 Ladbrokes Switch Ladbrokes Ladbrokes offer daily promotions to registered and logged in customers only Visit Ladbrokes Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Ladbrokes does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. Zeditave Stakes News Raikoke dominates Group 3 Zedative Stakes from the front Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr and Ben Melham have combined with Raikoke to claim the Group 3 Zedative Stakes … Read More Caulfield racing preview & tips | Blue Diamond Stakes Day 2024 Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Check out HorseBetting’s free race-by-race preview for Blue Diamond Stakes Day 2024 at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday afternoon … Read More Recommendation causes minor boil over in Group 3 Zeditave Stakes Australia horse racing news 2 years ago John Allen and Ciaron Maher & David Eustace have combined with Recommendation to take out the Group 2 Zeditave Stakes … Read More Finance Tycoon Back to Winning Ways at Caulfield Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Finance Tycoon returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since April, leading all of the way in the … Read More Payne Mulls Over Cup Tilt For Defibrillate Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Patrick Payne wanted to see Defibrillate win with more authority but he will still consider an Australian Cup berth for … Read More Caulfield race-by-race betting preview | Blue Diamond Stakes Day Horse Racing Tips 4 years ago HorseBetting’s top punting experts bring you the full breakdown of every race – including our best racing tips, value bets, … Read More 2025 Zeditave Stakes Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Lofty Arch Alex Rae Craig Williams 9 57.5kg 2 Tropicus Anthony & Sam Freedman Mark Zahra 3 56kg 3 Polyglot James Cummings Ben Melham 4 56kg 4 Interest Point David Brideoake & Matt Jenkins Jamie Mott 1 56kg 5 Sergeant Major Ciaron Maher Ethan Brown 2 56kg 6 Bartolf John O’Shea & Tom Charlton Jamie Melham 7 56kg 7 Parliamentary Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Thomas Stockdale 5 56kg 8 Yes Lulu Ciaron Maher Declan Bates 6 54kg 9 Shadhavar Tom Dabernig Jordan Childs 8 54kg Previous Zeditave Stakes Fields 2024 Zeditave Stakes field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Brave Mead Ciaron Maher Blake Shinn 11 58.5kg 2 Maharba Grahame Begg Jordan Childs 5 57.5kg 3 Don Corleone Peter & Paul Snowden Mark Zahra 1 56kg 4 Scheelite Ken & Kasey Keys Craig Williams 3 56kg 5 Lakota Fire Mark & Levi Kavanagh Jamie Mott 8 56kg 6 Wolfy Nick Ryan Luke Currie 9 56kg 7 Scully Andrew Noblet John Allen 4 56kg 8 Hello World Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Jye McNeil 2 56kg 9 Raikoke Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Ben Melham 7 56kg 10 Pivot City Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Damian Lane 10 56kg 11 Legacies Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Jamie Kah 6 55.5kg 2024 Zeditave Stakes result https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Caulfield-2024-Group-3-Zeditave-Stakes-24022024-Raikoke-Mick-Price-Michael-Kent-Jnr-Ben-Melham.mp4 1st – Raikoke (+900) 2nd – Brave Mead (-333.33) 3rd – Scully (+1240) Recent runnings of the Zeditave Stakes: 2024: Raikoke makes a mess of rivals Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr claimed a second Zedative Stakes in five years, thanks to a smart front-running ride from Ben Melham aboard Raikoke ($10.00), who led from start to finish in the Group 3 contest at Caulfield. With the previous three winners coming from the first two in running, Melham made sure that he pushed forward and held the front on the son of Written Tycoon, and that decision proved pivotal to the gelding winning the race. The expected leader and race favourite, Brave Mead ($2.25), slightly missed the jump and was made to settle near the rear of the field before making a sweeping run around the home turn. Both Brave Mead and Scully ($101.00) took ground off the winner, with the latter picking his way through the field. In the end, there was no catching the winner, as Raikoke went over the line in splendid fashion. 2023: Recommendation causes upset John Allen combined with Ciaron Maher & David Eustace’s Recommendation to take out the Group 3 Zeditave Stakes in somewhat of a boil over in the three-year-old race over 1200m at Sandown. La Danseuse Rogue and Queen Of The Ball led the field with the eventual winner, and as the other two started to tire with 200m to go, the winner just kept kicking to take out the Group 2 by a long neck on the line. The Shalaa gelding has successfully made the jump from winning a Benchmark 64 Handicap at Canterbury to winning a Group 3 event on Blue Diamond Stakes Day in Victoria. Recommendation took taken his career record to four wins from six starts and now adds some very important black type to his name. 2022: Finance Tycoon runs rivals ragged Finance Tycoon returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in nearly a year, leading all of the way in the Group 3 Zeditave Stakes at Caulfield. The three-year-old colt went into the race as a $6 chance with online bookmakers, while Generation ($1.60) was heavily backed late to win. Finance Tycoon hadn’t won since April when romping in by 4.5 lengths in the $1 million VOBIS Showdown at this track and distance, so this race was always in the back of trainer Danny O’Brien’s mind. Caulfield once again proved to be a happy hunting ground for the son of Written Tycoon, who ran the race to suit himself and proved too slick over the 1200m. Previous winners of the Zeditave Stakes Zeditave Stakes Past Winners Year Horse Jockey Trainer 2024 Raikoke Ben Melham Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) 2023 Recommendation John Allen Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 2022 Finance Tycoon Damian Lane Danny O’Brien 2021 Oxley Road Luke Nolen Peter Moody 2020 He’ll Haunt Us Damien Oliver Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) 2019 Terbium John Allen Phillip Stokes 2018 Overshare Dwayne Dunn Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes 2017 Benz Blake Shinn Gordon Richards 2016 Santa Ana Lane Ben Melham Lee & Anthony Freedman 2015 Rommel Chris Parnham Neville Parnham 2014 Not Listenin’tome James McDonald Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes 2013 Happy Galaxy Dwayne Dunn Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes 2012 Instinction Craig Newitt Mick Price 2011 Eclair Mystic Chris Symons Robert Smerdon 2010 Denman Kerrin McEvoy Peter Snowden 2009 Time Thief Dwayne Dunn Lee Freedman 2008 Bundle O’ Gold Dwayne Dunn Paul Seater 2007 Haradasun Nash Rawiller Tony Vasil 2006 Minson Craig Williams Michael Hibbs 2005 Not a Single Doubt Kerrin McEvoy Tony Vasil 2004 St Elmo’s Fire Danny Nikolic Brian Mayfield-Smith 2003 Innovation Girl Nash Rawiller Brian Mayfield-Smith 2002 Barkada Patrick Payne Lee Freedman 2001 Desert Eagle Patrick Payne Mathew Ellerton 2000 Pins Shane Dye Clarry Conners Zeditave Stakes winners pre-2000 Zeditave Stakes Past Winners Pre 2000 Year Horse 1999 Destruction Point 1998 Blaze The Turf 1997 Catainer 1996 Street Talk 1995 Hurricane Sky 1994 Superact 1993 Oozook 1992 My Saturn Star 1991 Paklani 1990 Tango Master 1989 Almurtajaz 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

Among a raft of changes to the French calendar ratified by the European Pattern Committee, a clear determination from French racing's rulers to return the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) to global pre-eminence shines through.View the full article

After Golden Gate Fields ran its last race on June 9, 2024, there was plenty of business that still had to be dealt with, and it went beyond the mundane tasks of selling such items as the pots and pans used by the kitchen staff. According to conventional wisdom, two of the best horses ever to race at the Northern California track, Lost in the Fog and Silky Sullivan, were buried in the infield. Wanting to do the right thing, the track's owner, The Stronach Group (TSG), tasked Golden Gate management with finding their remains so they could be exhumed and sent to what would be an appropriate resting spot. The Lost in the Fog case was cleared up quickly. Following his death in 2006 from cancer, he had not, in fact, been buried in the infield. “We were very quickly able to establish that Lost in Fog was not buried at Golden Gate Fields,” said track COO David Duggan. “We spoke to Greg Gilchrist, who trained the great Lost in the Fog and Lost in the Fog's ashes are in the company Greg Gilchrist as we speak. They are in a wooden urn with the colors of his owner, Harry Aleo, on them. That eliminated Lost in the Fog immediately from our inquiries.” But what about Silky Sullivan? Where had his remains gone? There was never a horse quite like him. He didn't get geared up to run until a half-mile or more of the race had been run. By that time he was so far back that the idea of his winning seemed impossible. He would drop back as many as 30 lengths. But his weapon was his devastating late kick. He charged from 28 lengths off the pace to win the 1958 Santa Anita Derby going away. The Kentucky Derby was the next stop but he spun his wheels over a wet track and finished twelfth. He won 12 of 27 career starts, hardly the stuff of a superstar, but he may have been the most popular horse of his times because so many people identified with how he'd dig a hole for himself, never gave up and so often prevailed. In another race, on Feb. 25, 1958, he came from 41 lengths behind to win a 6 1∕2-furlong allowance race by a half-length. In 1959, during his 4-year-old season, he was retired. When Kjell Qvale, a Norwegian-American business executive and a horse owner, heard that Silky Sullivan's owners were looking for a home for their late-running star, Qvale stepped in and bought him, even though his racing days were over. He had a very brief and unsuccessful stud career. Even in retirement, Silky Sullivan remained immensely popular. After his retirement, Qvale would parade him every year at Golden Gate Fields on St. Patrick's Day and every year at Santa Anita on Santa Anita Derby Day. In 1977, at age 22, Silky Sullivan died of an apparent heart attack at Qvale's farm in Pleasanton, California. It was a huge story in newspapers all across the country, which reported not only on his death but that he was “probably” going to be buried in the infield at Golden Gate Fields. Even Wikipedia, to this day, reports that both Silky Sullivan and Lost in the Fog were buried in the infield at Golden Gate. But while there were literally hundreds of newspapers stories regarding his death, one cannot find even one that covered his burial at Golden Gate or a picture of his remains being lowered into the ground. That's probably because it never happened. But Duggan at first believed that Silky Sullivan was in fact buried in the infield. He had read it enough times and heard it enough times that he came to believe that it had to be true. The last thing Duggan and his management team wanted was to leave behind the remains of one of the most beloved horses ever to run at Golden Gate only to have it covered by a housing development. “Our idea then was that we would exhume Silky Sullivan,” he said. “I hate to say it this way because it may not come across well, but we wanted to pack him in a designated box and send him on a journey to Old Friends in Kentucky. They had agreed to take his remains.” Duggan had no idea how difficult and cumbersome the task would become. Legend had it that the horse was buried behind a picket fence in the infield. But he wasn't there, or any place else the Golden Gate team looked. After the track closed, some companies and some government agencies, including the FBI, asked if they could hold training exercises at the track until it was bulldozed over. That the FBI was coming was perfect. One of the units it sent was its Evidence Response Team (ERT). Part of its job is to work on cold cases and to exhume bodies that perhaps normal law enforcement agencies couldn't find because they didn't have the resources. If anybody could find Silky Sullivan, it was the FBI. They found nothing. “The ERT team searched a particular area which was within the vicinity where we thought Silky Sullivan was and they used the most cutting-edge technology that they have at their disposal, which is significant,” Duggan said. “One of the main things they used was ground-penetrating radar and we've all heard that term used in terms of racetracks and racing surfaces. And they utilized other scientific means which they would use in what you would call a cold case.” After the FBI couldn't find anything, Duggan became convinced that Silky Sullivan had never been buried in the track's infield. It wasn't just that the FBI, with all its resources, couldn't find him, it was that there was no credible evidence to prove that he had been buried there. Certainly, newspapers and photographers would have covered the ceremonies, but there are no records of any such coverage. Nor could Duggan find anyone who would come forward and say they remember his remains being lowered into the ground. “One of the things about a racetrack is everybody knows everybody's business and everybody knows what's going on,” he said. “You couldn't keep a secret here to save your life. And no one would step forward and say, 'Yes, he is there. I remember when they buried him.'” Duggan said the search has ended but he is confident that The Stronach Group did everything it could to try to find Silky Sullivan. “We were generally interested,” he said. “We wanted to do the right thing. It was 100% our intention to find him and relocate him. It is my professional opinion that we exhausted every potential avenue using the best experts out there only hoping to confirm that he was there. We were not able to do so.” So what did happen to him? The one person who might have been able to provide the answer is Qvale, who died in 2013 at the age of 94. One theory that has made the rounds is that he was buried on Qvale's farm. Duggan was unable to track down any relatives of Qvale's who could help him find some answers. “At this point, it's part of racing folklore,” Duggan said. “When I came here in 2017, there was no plaque, there was nothing to commemorate that event. There was no photographic evidence to commemorate that event. There was nothing in any newspapers that specified for sure that he was there. There was the supposition that he was there, but that's all it was, a supposition. It shows you how important he was to people and he was important to us. He obviously had such a unique style and the way he won the Santa Anita Derby was remarkable. As a company, it was very important to us to locate him and get him back to Old Friends. We just weren't able to do it.” The post Whatever Happened to Silky Sullivan’s Remains? The Mystery May Never Be Solved appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gun mare Belclare (NZ) (Per Incanto) has had plenty of success raiding the northern riches at Ellerslie and she’ll be back to do just that on Saturday, taking on the Gr.1 Sport Nation Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m). A two-time winner of the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), Belclare spent the first half of the season in Sydney with Bjorn Baker, adding a pair of Group Twos and over A$1 million in earnings to her already dazzling Kiwi record. Returning to the care of Lisa Latta, the Per Incanto mare attempted a defence of her Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) crown on Karaka Millions night but faded after a tough trip three-wide, a result her trainer is happy to forgive. “She had a really tough run, she was caught three-wide with no cover and I think that effort told,” she said. The soft conditions at Ellerslie were not in Belclare’s favour on that occasion, but after pleasing Latta in the lead-up, a firm track should bring her back into contention, with the TAB market currently placing her a fourth-favourite at $10. “Ellerslie suits her when it’s really firm, which it wasn’t on Karaka Millions Night, but the forecast looks good for this weekend,” Latta said. “She had a few days in the paddock and come back, she’s been for a trip to Otaki for a gallop and I’m really happy with her. She looks great.” Latta confirmed that, all going well on Saturday, the seven-year-old will return to defend her title and chase a three-peat in the Breeders’ on Champions Day. The Awapuni horsewoman will have a busy week with more than a dozen runners lining up at Wanganui and Otaki, with the latter featuring talented mare Belle’s Echo (NZ) (Echoes Of Heaven) in the Open 1200m. A winner of five, Belle’s Echo impressed winning first-up and continued that form into third at the Wellington Cup meeting, before disappointing on the back-up over 1400m. “We gave her a week off, it was a really disappointing run and I just don’t think she backed up, which she’s done once before,” Latta said. “We’re going in here a bit on the fresher side.” Stable stalwart Lincoln Star (NZ) (Savabeel) and Group One winner He’s A Doozy had both been nominated for the open mile, but the latter may be seen further south next Saturday, with Latta considering a bid at the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m). “He’s A Doozy probably won’t run, he’ll more likely head down to Wingatui for the weight-for-age,” she said. “We’ll work him tomorrow morning and make a final decision. “Lincoln Star has done plenty of work, but it’s probably a bit short of his best on Saturday.” The colours of Belclare will also be represented in the South Island, with her full-brother Ardroe (NZ) (Per Incanto) travelling to Ashburton on Sunday to contest the Scenic Hotel Group (1200m). “He’s gone down this morning, he’s just going down for the run at this stage,” Latta said. “There’s just a lack of suitable races up here and he suits those shorter courses well.” Meanwhile, Latta’s talented three-year-old filly Connello (NZ) (Time Test) is on track for a shot at the $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) in a month’s time. Connello has been a model of consistency, only falling short to Oaks favourite Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn) in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) and Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m), while recording the fastest closing sectionals in the latter. “She’s a very easy and clean-winded filly, she’ll go to the Lowland (Gr.2, 2100m) and then on to the Oaks, all going well,” Latta said. View the full article

Group One performer Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor) will be out to shed her bridesmaid tag when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday, but she will face a stiff task against a quality line-up in the Gr.1 Sport Nation Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m). The homebred daughter of Almanzor has been a model of consistency for Te Akau Racing, winning two and placing in eight of her 12 starts, earning more than $260,000 in prizemoney to date. She has finished runner-up in her last three outings, including the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) and Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m), and also boasts placings in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m). She will be searching for an elusive stakes success this week, but will be met by some fierce competition, with five Group One winners set to tackle the Ellerslie feature, including course specialist and in-form gelding El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking). “We earmarked this race because we thought we would skip the big guns but unfortunately there is Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) and El Vencedor, it is a quality field,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains the mare in partnership with Mark Walker. “She is probably going to have to lift to win it off her previous runs, but she deserves the opportunity. “She was really good in the Group One and just missed last time against Provence (NZ) (Savabeel) down in Wellington. She has freshened well, had a really nice exhibition gallop between races at Te Aroha a week ago and her work was good on Tuesday morning.” Stablemate, and former Australian galloper, Midnight Blue has acclimatised well to the New Zealand way of life, which was evident in his last two runner-up performances, including the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) at New Plymouth earlier this month. He will look to go one better on Saturday in the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Avondale Cup (2400m), and the son of So You Think is already well-acquainted with Ellerslie, having finished fourth in the Gr.3 Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m) at the Auckland track in his New Zealand debut last November. “He is going well and seems to be really enjoying the New Zealand lifestyle,” Bergerson said. “He is doing really well over here and looks super. “He has gone on from the Taranaki Cup and is back up to 2400m, a distance he won the Perth Cup (Gr.2, 2400m) a couple of years ago, so he is proven at the trip. “He has to lug a bit of weight (58kg), which is the concern, but we are really pleased with him and he goes in in good form.” Stablemate Hakkinen (NZ) (Savabeel) will be looking to stamp his $1.25 million Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) credentials when he contests the Gr.2 Eagle Technology Avondale Guineas (2100m). Another Te Akau homebred, Bergerson has been pleased with his progression since his fourth placing in the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie last month and is hoping he can secure a berth into the Derby with a strong performance this weekend. “He is a galloper that has got plenty of upside and we think he is coming in with the right prep, he seems a natural stayer to us,” Bergerson said. “He is fit and well here at home. I thought he trialled really well at Ellerslie with the blinkers on, which go on Saturday. We think he is heading in the right direction and hopefully onto the Derby. “He would need to run well there on Saturday, but he seems in really good form and his work was good on Tuesday morning. “It is a very good field, and the favourite (Willydoit) (NZ) (Tarzino) looks very hard to beat and all things being equal, he is probably going to be the winner, but we can think our fella can give it a real shake.” Across the Tasman, Te Akau will also be shooting for stakes success at Caulfield on Saturday. Group One winner Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) will be looking to return to form in the Gr.3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m), while Group Three performer Sans Doute will get her first crack at elite-level in the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m). View the full article

Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners Mannerism Stakes Group Three Betting Guide Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025 Location: Caulfield Racecourse – Melbourne, Victoria Prize Money: $200,000 Distance: 1400m The Mannerism Stakes is a Group 3 race for mares aged four and up, run over 1400m under set weights and penalty conditions, put on by the Melbourne Racing Club at Caulfield. Named after the 1992 Caulfield Cup-winning mare trained by Lee Freedman, the Mannerism Stakes was first held in 1988 and achieved Group 3 status in 1993. Traditionally run at Caulfield, it was held at Flemington in 1996 and Sandown in 2023 due to track renovations. Offering $200,000 in prizemoney in 2025, the Mannerism Stakes has produced future Group 1 winners such as Lyrical Bid, Bonaria, Tycoon Tara, and Silent Sedition. Revolutionary Miss claimed the 2024 Mannerism Stakes, defeating Running By and Vagrant. 2025 Mannerism Stakes betting odds Revolutionary Miss ridden by Michael Dee winning the 2024 Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Odds for the Mannerism Stakes as of February 18, 2025 – Courtesy of Neds Grinzinger Belle Win $4.00 Place $1.75 Coeur Volante Win $4.50 Place $1.88 Semana Win $4.60 Place $1.90 So Glamorous Win $6.00 Place $2.25 Wings Of Song Win $8.00 Place $2.75 Elettrica Win $11.00 Place $3.50 Rumbled Again Win $11.00 Place $3.50 Material Dreams Win $15.00 Place $4.50 Quintessa Win $15.00 Place $4.50 Bon Mistress Win $17.00 Place $5.00 Eternal Flame Win $26.00 Place $7.25 Subliminal Win $26.00 Place $7.25 Capricorn Star Win $51.00 Place $13.50 Episodic Win $51.00 Place $13.50 Subrising Win $101 Place $26.00 How to bet on the Mannerism Stakes All the horse racing betting sites below offer markets on the Mannerism Stakes. Punters can bet with confidence with any of our trusted bookmakers with Mannerism Stakes betting open once nominations are available. Click on the banner to read the reviews on the selected bookie. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Recommended! 4 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 5 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 7 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. 8 By Players, For Players UniBet Unibet offer daily promotions to registered and logged in customers only Join Unibet Review 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Chances are you are about to lose. Full terms. 9 On Your Side Betfair Australia Australia’s only betting exchange Visit Betfair Review What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit. Full terms. 10 Ladbrokes Switch Ladbrokes Ladbrokes offer daily promotions to registered and logged in customers only Visit Ladbrokes Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Ladbrokes does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. Mannerism Stakes News Revolutionary Miss best of the girls in Group 3 Mannerism Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Revolutionary Miss ($6.00) has continued her resurgence this campaign chalking up her fourth win of the preparation in the Group … Read More Caulfield racing preview & tips | Blue Diamond Stakes Day 2024 Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Check out HorseBetting’s free race-by-race preview for Blue Diamond Stakes Day 2024 at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday afternoon … Read More Espiona returns to winning ways in Group 2 Mannerism Stakes Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Jye McNeil and Chris Waller have combined with Espiona to win the Group 2 Mannerism Stakes at Sandown on Blue … Read More Airborne Mascot Flies in the Mannerism Australia horse racing news 3 years ago The Tom Dabernig-trained Flying Mascot has claimed the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield, with Dabernig hoping to gain a … Read More Caulfield race-by-race betting preview | Blue Diamond Stakes Day Horse Racing Tips 4 years ago HorseBetting’s top punting experts bring you the full breakdown of every race – including our best racing tips, value bets, … Read More 2021 Mannerism Stakes top betting tips & odds | Caulfield R4 Horse Racing Tips 4 years ago HorseBetting’s top betting experts bring you all the top tips, betting strategy and best odds for the Group 3 Mannerism … Read More 2025 Mannerism Stakes Final Field HorseBetting will update this page when the 2025 Mannerism Stakes final field is released on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Previous Mannerism Stakes Fields 2024 Mannerism Stakes field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Revolutionary Miss Peter & Paul Snowden Michael Dee 9 59kg 2 Wrote To Arataki Matthew Williams Dean Yendall 7 59kg 3 Shuffle Dancer Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Ben Melham 2 59kg 4 Vagrant Mitchell Freedman Damian Lane 1 58kg 5 Barbie’s Fox Ben, Will & JD Hayes Daniel Stackhouse 3 57kg 6 Party For One Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Blake Shinn 5 56kg 7 Forbidden City Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Jamie Kah 4 56kg 8 Running By Ciaron Maher John Allen 6 56kg 9 Versilia Danny O’Brien Craig Williams 10 56kg 10 Eternal Flame Michael Kent Ethan Brown 8 56kg 2024 Mannerism Stakes result https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Caulfield-2024-Group-3-Mannerism-Stakes-24022024-Revolutionary-Miss-peter-Paul-Snowden-Michael-Dee.mp4 1st – Revolutionary Miss (+450) 2nd – Running By (-166.67) 3rd – Vagrant (-222.22) Recent runnings of the Mannerism Stakes: 2024: Revolutionary Miss continues winning run Revolutionary Miss ($6.00) continued her resurgence this campaign, chalking up her fourth win in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. Michael Dee elected to take all luck out of the equation from stall eight on Saturday, gliding forward to sit outside the leader throughout the 1400m contest. It turned out to be a winning move in the end, as Wrote To Arataki ($12.00) proved to be the only other speed influence in the race, allowing the daughter of Russian Revolution to gain the upper hand in the concluding stages. There was a late surge by the Ciaron Maher-trained Running By ($5.50) and well-supported Vagrant ($3.90) in the final 200m, but the race was already over, with Revolutionary Miss already off and gone with the prize. 2023: Espiona overcomes rivals Jye McNeil and Chris Waller combined with Espiona to take out the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes over 1400m at Sandown, beating a very game Toregene by just over a length on the line. Waller made the decision to bring his Extreme Choice mare back to Victoria where she had produced some of her best performances and it has worked, with Espiona returning to the winners circle for the first time since April of 2022. Turaath set a solid tempo out in front, with Pride Of Jenni and Barb Raider following the leader, giving the eventual winner and runner-up a decent cart into the race as the field rounded the home turn. 2022: Flying Mascot salutes Flying Mascot showcased her class with a commanding victory in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield. Settling just off the pace under jockey Blaike McDougall, the Tom Dabernig-trained mare surged past her rivals in the straight, delivering a powerful finish to score comfortably. Her turn of foot and composure highlighted her talent, confirming her status as a rising star in mares’ company. This win added to her growing record and hinted at even bigger successes ahead. Previous winners of the Mannerism Stakes Mannerism Stakes Past Winners Year Horse Jockey Trainer 2024 Revolutionary Miss Michael Dee Peter & Paul Snowden 2023 Espiona Jye McNeil Chris Waller 2022 Flying Mascot Blaike McDougall Tom Dabernig 2021 Rich Hips Michael Dee Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young 2020 Greysful Glamour Tim Clark Mark Newnham 2019 Jamaican Rain Damien Oliver Richard Laming 2018 Silent Sedition Craig Williams Andrew Noblet 2017 Silent Sedition Craig Williams Andrew Noblet 2016 Tuscan Sling Brad Rawiller Darren Weir 2015 Tycoon Tara Ben Melham Symon Wilde 2014 Bonaria Michael Rodd Pat Hyland 2013 Star of Giselle Kerrin McEvoy Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra 2012 Hi Belle Craig Williams John Gunning 2011 Red Flair Chris Symons Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra 2010 Tootsie Dwayne Dunn Michael Moroney 2009 Symphony Miss Kerrin McEvoy Phillip Stokes 2008 Catechuchu Craig Williams David Hayes 2007 Seachange Michael Rodd Ralph Manning 2006 Kats Clause Peter Mertens Royston Carr 2005 Lyrical Bid Nick Ryan Brian Mayfield-Smith 2004 Royal Sash Patrick Payne Shannon Hope 2003 Galapagos Girl Brett Prebble Brian Mayfield-Smith 2002 Spurn Brett Prebble Robert Smerdon 2001 Typhoon Billie Brett Prebble Brian Mayfield-Smith 2000 Londolozi Darren Beadman Pat Hyland Mannerism Stakes winners pre-2000 Mannerism Stakes Past Winners Pre 2000 Year Horse 1999 Miss Jugah 1998 Blue Storm 1997 Red Nile 1996 Tolanda 1995 Laura’s Express 1994 Princess Plume 1993 Tarare 1992 Val De Grace 1991 Princess Pushy 1990 Memphis Blues 1989 English Charm 1988 Even True Recommended! 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Sans Doute. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Liam Riordan’s strong ties with Te Akau Racing and assistant trainer Ben Gleeson have secured him a valuable Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) ride aboard Sans Doute at Caulfield on Saturday. Riordan’s ability to ride at a light weight proved pivotal, with Sans Doute carrying just 52 kilograms in the feature sprint. After guiding the mare through an impressive gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday, Riordan expressed his confidence in her chances. “I’ve had a couple of Group 1 rides, but this is my first real live chance,” Riordan said. “Her first-up record is strong, and her work this morning gives me great confidence.” Riordan developed a close relationship with Gleeson during his time at Danny O’Brien’s Flemington stable and hopes a bold showing on Saturday will open the door to more top-level rides. “There was no pressure in my other Group 1 rides, but Saturday will be different – I expect her to run really well,” he said. “She’s got a great turn of foot and thrives first-up on firm tracks. The team think she’s moving better than ever. “By doing the weight on Saturday, hopefully it can put me in the mix for riding a lot of lightweight horses going forward, and if we can get a result, that would be even sweeter.” Horse racing news View the full article

Amelia’s Jewel. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Amelia’s Jewel has been nominated for the All-Star Mile (1600m), but trainer Annabel Neasham has tempered expectations of the mare heading to the Flemington feature, with plans for her to resume racing in Sydney instead. Neasham, who trains in partnership with Rob Archibald, confirmed that Amelia’s Jewel will begin her campaign in the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday week, bypassing the $2.5 million Group 1 All-Star Mile a week later. “She trialled really well at Rosehill,” Neasham told Racing.com after Tuesday’s 1000-metre heat. “They went quick, but she was doing her best work late.” Amelia’s Jewel, a three-time Group 1 runner-up last spring, is still chasing her first win under Neasham’s care. “At this stage, the All-Star Mile is probably unlikely,” Neasham said. “If Sydney gets too much rain, we’ll look at Melbourne, but we’re leaning towards staying here.” Meanwhile, Sunshine In Paris, who finished second in Tuesday’s trial, remains on target for the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on March 8. Horse racing news View the full article

Treasurethe Moment. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Matt Laurie is optimistic that Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) winner Treasurethe Moment can signal a promising autumn campaign when she returns to racing in the Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Construction work at the track unsettled the three-year-old before a gallop on Tuesday morning, but she quickly settled under jockey Damien Lane and impressed her trainer. “I’m glad we brought her out here,” Laurie said. “There’s a lot of construction going on and she was a little nervy. But we let her flow around with the earmuffs on and I was happy. “She looked good and Damian was happy. “We’ve done enough to have her ready for Saturday and hopefully it’s an exciting preparation ahead.” Treasurethe Moment has not raced since her Oaks triumph on November 7 but has completed two trials at Cranbourne and Sandown. “I thought Cranbourne was good,” Laurie said. “She finished not far off the likes of Magic Time and a few other pretty smart horses that raced well over the weekend, and then went to Sandown for a trial and we made her go an extra furlong past the post. “She’s prepared to win. She can do it, but we’ll see. She’s a good horse and it looks a nice starting point.” Horse racing news View the full article

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Maiden Watch: Week of Feb. 10-16View the full article

The Thoroughbred Racing Initiative—a multistate industry collaboration created to advocate for live horse racing in Florida and elsewhere in the United States—officially launched Feb. 18.View the full article

Breeders and horsemen aiming to fight Florida's decoupling bills launched the Thoroughbred Racing Initiative (TRI) Tuesday, billed as “an industry collaboration created to fight for live horse racing in Florida and elsewhere in the United States,” according to a release from the new organization. Thayer Communications & Consulting's Damon Thayer, a 22-year veteran of the Kentucky State Senate and Majority Floor Leader for 12 years, has been picked as senior adviser of the group. Decoupling has been an issue at the forefront of the sport for the past month, when representatives of The Stronach Group (TSG) stunned the industry in a closed-door meeting, saying TSG could guarantee racing at Gulfstream Park only through 2028 if a proposed bill to decouple Thoroughbred horseracing from casino licenses passes the state legislature. “Thoroughbred racing in Florida is under attack,” said TRI president and Ocala Stud general manager David O'Farrell. “The bills filed in the Florida legislature threaten the future of live racing, breeding, and our 33,500 jobs and $3.24 billion economic impact. This isn't just a Florida issue; the ripple effects will impact racing and breeding nationwide. For decades, Florida legislators have protected the Thoroughbred industry, but this bill prioritizes corporate interests over horsemen, breeders, and our industry's huge agri-business and tourism contributions. We must take a stand now to ensure Thoroughbred racing has a future.” The TRI stated an immediate mission of bringing the Thoroughbred industry together, providing funding and other resources to defeat anti-racing and breeding legislation in the Florida House of Representatives (HB 105) and Senate (SB 408). Those bills would allow Gulfstream Park to keep its gaming licenses without the current mandate that it also conduct live racing. HB 105 was amended to let Tampa Bay Downs maintain its card club without live racing, although Tampa Bay issued a statement stressing its commitment to horse racing and saying it did not initiate the bill amendment. Founded by O'Farrell, TRI vice president and owner-breeder Jon Green of DJ Stable, and Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, the TRI already has a website, which can be found at thoroughbredracinginitiative.com. Dr. Barry Eisaman of Eisaman Equine also is a founding member, while Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners has also joined the board. The TRI also is collaborating with the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. (OBS); Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA); the National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association (NHBPA), representing about 30,000 Thoroughbred owners and trainers throughout North America; its Tampa Bay HBPA affiliate; and the Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen, representing owners and trainers at Gulfstream Park. The FTBOA, which has battled Florida decoupling measures over the years, began aggressively lobbying against HB 105/SB 408 since the bills were filed. That includes working closely with the National HBPA, which views decoupling as a national issue. “When done right, every dollar that a state invests in an industry such as Thoroughbred racing and breeding's agri-business is repaid many times over,” said Thayer. “The Florida legislature has understood that and been a terrific steward of its horse industry. TRI's core mission is to keep it that way. We cannot afford to lose Florida's storied Thoroughbred industry. “We're not asking lawmakers for subsidies. We're asking for legislatures to understand that investing in the Thoroughbred industry is no different than investing to keep and grow other labor-intensive industries that return so much in jobs and economic impact benefitting the entire state. This is similar to the situation we faced in Kentucky less than five years ago, and I am happy to assist my Florida friends in this effort.” O'Farrell said TRI will make sure legislators and the public hear the Florida horse industry's story. “While Florida is our immediate focus, TRI could get involved in other states where live racing is under siege,” said O'Farrell. “Thoroughbred racing and breeding throughout North America is an ecosystem. While Florida is a linchpin, we need the other jurisdictions of all sizes for the industry to prosper. We are going to do our part to fight for the industry and sport we all love, and we invite every stakeholder to join us.” FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell added, “FTBOA is pleased and excited to see our friends with the TRI come on board to join our fight to oppose decoupling while continuing live Thoroughbred racing in Florida. They are colleagues who have a deep passion for the Industry as well as having skin in the game. “They now join a team that includes the official horsemen's groups for both Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs, plus OBS and the National HBPA along with ourselves. We welcome their support and participation.” The TRI's motto is “Protecting Racing. Preserving Tradition. Securing the Future.” To sign up for updates or to donate, click here. The post Thoroughbred Racing Initiative Launched to Fight Decoupling appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Okay, so possibly Magnitude (Not This Time) won't ever do anything quite like that again. But let's enjoy the moment, at least, and relish the sheer theater of his GII Risen Star performance–much, for instance, as people did the astounding sophomore debut of Dr. Carter in 1984. He had won two of seven previous starts; Magnitude, two of six. But even though so unpressured that he won by 17 lengths, Dr. Carter equalled the Hialeah track record. Their trainer John Veitch declared him better than Alydar. The stage was set for a Flamingo Stakes showdown with Devil's Bag, the champion juvenile lately syndicated for $36 million. Typical of this game, however, both were beaten–Devil's Bag folding for the only time in his life, and Dr. Carter failing to wear down Time for a Change by a neck. Their collective fortunes thereafter remind us to take things one day at a time, with Magnitude as with every other horse. All three ended up missing the Derby, Dr. Carter and Time for a Change with a virus and Devil's Bag with injury. (And of course, by Tuesday morning, after this piece was written, the news had broken that Magnitude was off the Triple Crown trail and will undergo surgery for a chip in his ankle). At stud, Devil's Bag didn't really live up to his valuation and Time for a Change owed his reputation largely to Fly So Free. Dr. Carter, albeit managing a Grade I win at four, proved such a disappointing stallion that he was soon exported to Brazil. The son of Caro did leave behind two daughters of note, however. One, though unraced, became dam of that fast horse Lost in the Fog (Lost Soldier). The other, Belle Nuit, a half-sister to dual Grade I scorer Ms. Eloise (Nasty and Bold), won five of 23 starts, including a turf stakes at Aqueduct, before becoming a rather better producer. One daughter, by Belong to Me, won three graded stakes on dirt and another on turf, but Belle Nuit's standout was Octave, runner-up in four elite races–including the GI Kentucky Oaks won by Rags to Riches–before gaining overdue reward in the GI Mother Goose and GI Coaching Club American Oaks. After bowing out in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff, beaten two necks in the Monmouth mire, Octave shipped to Fasig-Tipton where she was sold for $4 million to Darley. There was some controversy at the time, the Coolmore team being under the impression that their equivalent bid had been recognized. For most of the time since, they can't have felt much regret. Though Octave was given covers commensurate with her cost, overall her progeny has tended not to stand much racing. An exception was Portamento (Ire) (Shamardal), a group-placed sprinter in Britain and Dubai, while her son Incognito (A.P. Indy) lasted well enough to run fourth in the GI Belmont Stakes, albeit never ran again. Zingarelli (Ire) (Bernardini) didn't make the starting gate until he was four, winning both starts impressively before disappearing again, this time for good, while his full-sister, Rockadelic, was culled by Godolphin for €75,000 as an unraced 3-year-old at the 2017 Goffs February Sale. She subsequently made a single start, tailed off at Delaware Park, before being sent to More Than Ready and sold for $180,000 at the Keeneland November Sale. Her purchaser immediately redeemed that investment when the filly she was carrying made $280,000 as a yearling. Two further visits to More Than Ready proved somewhat less lucrative, however, and the mare was moved on for $140,000 back at the November Sale in 2021. She was in foal to Not This Time, whose fee had just been raised to $40,000 from $12,500 after his explosive freshman campaign. Once again, her buyer made an immediate profit, selling the resulting colt as a weanling for $310,000 to FMQ Stables, but sent Rockadelic through as the very next hip, in foal to McKinzie, and bade her farewell for $110,000 to Freddie Bloodstock. The Not This Time colt was pinhooked in the same ring the following September, bringing a nice profit at $450,000 from Winchell Thoroughbreds. And his name, of course, is Magnitude. Safe to say that there's plenty of excitement in the Freddie Bloodstock camp now. The docket for Rockadelic was signed by Aisling Duignan on behalf of her son Freddie and his partners, and the mare is still only 11. Magnitude is also a potential win for Harris Farms, who bought a More Than Ready half-sister, in foal to Omaha Beach, at Keeneland last November for $45,000, while Legacy Ranch gave the same sum for Rockadelic's unraced half-sister by Frosted at Fasig-Tipton last February. They will all be hoping that Magnitude, from here, proves more Dr. Fager than Dr. Carter! Bernardini's Daughters Stamping the Classic Crop It feels incredible that Magnitude should belong to Not This Time's first crop conceived even at $40,000, with his incoming juveniles still sired at no more than $45,000. Seven Grade I winners to date, then, at no more than $15,000! True, not everyone believes that upgraded mares automatically create a corresponding surge in results, but the 2025 market will surely respond to Not This Time's first yearlings as a six-figure cover. The spring when he sired Magnitude was also the one, poignantly, when he passed Bernardini coming down the fee stairwell. Rockadelic's sire, who died that summer, was cut to $35,000 for what proved to be his final season. Rockadelic, while herself an in-house production, was conceived when Bernardini was charging his peak rate of $150,000. But every week brings another rebuke to those who somehow got it into their heads that a horse so accomplished, and beautiful, could ever become unfashionable. La Cara | SV Photography Magnitude is the 99th stakes winner out of a Bernardini mare, who seem to make headlines weekly. A week before Magnitude, it was his 2017 daughter, Cara Caterina, putting La Cara (Street Sense) on the Oaks trail in the Suncoast Stakes. The previous day, his 2015 daughter Terminology was represented by the clock-melting 'TDN Rising Star' Colloquial (Vekoma). Other sophomores with Classic potential out of Bernardini mares include dual Grade I winner Chancer McPatrick, whose dam Bernadreamy emerged from the same crop as Rockadelic; Sovereignty, whose dam Crowned was born the previous year, 11 days after the mother of 'TDN Rising Star' Rapture. And of course, champion Immersive (Nyquist), though sadly off the Classic trail, is out of Bernardini's 2012 daughter Gap Year. Veteran Trainers Drawing on Venerable Bloodlines There's plainly something meaningful, however elusive, in the concept of a “broodmare sire.” But that doesn't alter the fact that many of the most expensive mares at the breeding stock sales, every year, are by left-field sires of minimal commercial clout. Big Brown is hardly a Bernardini, in the sphere, yet his daughter Puca continues to make her $2.9-million purchase by John Stewart at the 2023 Keeneland November Sale look a bargain. With Dornoch (Good Magic) having since joined brother Mage as a Classic winner, Puca's latest sophomore Baeza (McKinzie) is eyeing the GI Santa Anita Derby after breaking his maiden in grand style last week. Baeza | Benoit The $1.2-million yearling, co-owned by CRK Stable and breeder Grandview Equine, is in the very best of hands with John Shirreffs. And another old master bringing along a raw talent is D. Wayne Lukas, whose Caldera (Liam's Map) looked the type to keep thriving when forcing Getaway Car (Curlin) nine lengths clear of their pursuers in the Sunland Park Derby. A fine pinhook by Scanlon Training & Sales ($75,000 July Sale/$500,000 OBS March), Caldera was bred by Don Alberto Corporation out of their homebred mare Send Me On My Way (Tiznow). The latter showed only a little ability in a light career, but she's a half-sister to two graded stakes-placed horses out of a Phipps homebred, Spare Change, who was tried in Grade I company after breaking her maiden at Saratoga. And little wonder, as Spare Change was out of no less a mare than Finder's Fee (Storm Cat), dual Grade I-winning granddaughter of the Phipps foundation mare Blitey (Riva Ridge). Quite a coup, in producing Spare Change, for Finder's Fee to have favored a stallion in only his second year at stud: name of… Bernardini! Finder's Fee had just one other daughter, Receipt (Dynaformer), whose breeding career was in turn sadly curtailed. Her only daughter, however, is none other than Feathered (Indian Charlie), the dam of Flightline (Tapit). A Golden Legacy You didn't think I'd let Chunk of Gold's eye-catching charge for 25 Derby points behind Magnitude pass unremarked? Not after spending so long banging a solitary drum for Preservationist, now sire of 44 winners from 77 starters, including four at stakes level. This beautifully bred horse has given up on the Bluegrass, after covering 11 mares at $5,000 last year, and will hopefully find that Korean breeders aren't quite such sheep. But he has left behind a $2,500 yearling now putting a team of journeymen on the Derby trail. As such, Chunk of Gold could prove another fitting memorial to his late breeder, Brereton C. Jones. That the Governor's legacy is in the best of hands is plain from the fact that Airdrie was prepared to give a horse like Preservationist a chance, while the 19 black-type winners raised in his name, the year after his passing, were surpassed only by a little outfit named Godolphin. But with the overall stallion scene becoming such an unholy mess, it's high time the rest of us also sought to emulate his fearless, free-thinking, far-sighted example. The post Breeding Digest: Octave’s Grandson Hits a High Note appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Take Charge Milady takes on 12 talented 3-year-old fillies in the $500,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park Feb. 23. The 1 1/16-mile race offers Road to the Kentucky Oaks points to the top five finishers on a scale of 50-25-15-10-5.View the full article

A full field of 14, led by Godolphin's homebred multiple graded winner First Mission, has been entered for the $500,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) Feb. 23 at Oaklawn Park.View the full article