Wandering Eyes

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, February 19, 2025 First Race 6:35pm HKT (9:35pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday evening, with a bumper nine-part program awaiting locals. The rail is placed in the B course for the meeting, and with nothing but sunny skies forecast leading into Wednesday night, punters are assured a genuine Good 4 surface throughout proceedings. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 6:35pm HKT. Best Bet at Happy Valley: Aurio Aurio has been the flashing light in his last two performances at Sha Tin, with David Hayes-trained gelding finishing off well without luck. The son of Capitalist was slow away and checked off heels at a crucial stage in his latest outing behind Righteous Arion on February 9, with the four-year-old producing some impressive closing sectionals despite the torrid run in transit. Hollie Doyle will need to utilise stall one to stay in touch with the leaders, and provided Aurio can produce a similar turn-of-speed in his first trip to Happy Valley, this guy will prove hard to hold out at a good price with Neds. Best Bet Race 7 – #8 Aurio (1) 4yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Hollie Doyle (55kg) Next Best at Happy Valley: Perfect General Perfect General got a pass mark returning at this course and distance on January 22, filling out the minor money as he did his best work late behind Happy Trio and Sight Happy. He was dragged back towards the rear of the field from gate nine on that occasion, and with Lyle Hewitson granted the opportunity to sit closer from barrier five this time around, expect him to take full advantage in an attempt to land the one-one. He should strip fitter for that first-up performance, so expect Perfect General to figure in the finish once again. Next Best Race 2 – #2 Perfect General (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Lyle Hewitson (61kg) Best Value at Happy Valley: Flying Fortress Flying Fortress should appreciate dropping into Class 4 company for the first time after hitting the line well behind Wings Of War at this track and trip on January 15. The Shamexpress gelding was well-supported with horse racing bookmakers on that occasion, and although he failed to figure, he was doing his best work late to suggest stepping out to the 1650m would be ideal. Hollie Doyle will drag back in search of cover from stall nine, and provided the breaks fall his way, Flying Fortress must be considered a major player in this. Best Value Race 4 – #1 Flying Fortress (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Cody Mo | J: Hollie Doyle (61kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Happy Valley Happy Valley quadrella selections February 19, 2025 1-3-5-7-8 1-6-8-9-11 2-3-5-9-12 2-4-5-9-11 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Warwick Farm Races Where Warwick Farm Racecourse – 2 Hume Hwy, Warwick Farm NSW 2170 When Wednesday, February 19, 2025 First Race 2:20pm AEDT Visit Dabble Metro racing returns to Warwick Farm Racecourse on Wednesday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-part program set for decision. The rail moves out +5m between the 1000m marker to winning post, while the remainder stays out +3m. The surface is rated a Soft 6 at the time of acceptances, however, with plenty of sunny skies forecast on Monday and Tuesday, punters can expect an upgrade into the Good range as racing at Warwick Farm gets underway at 2:20pm local time. Best Bet at Warwick Farm: Seven’s Seven’s was sensational on Australian debut at this course on January 27, storming through the line over an unsuitable trip to suggest there’s plenty of upside in this lightly raced European import. The son of Bated Breath was putting in the big strides at the end of 1600m to suggest an immediate step-up to 2100m should be ideal, and with barrier four of eight allowing Jason Collett to hold a position, Seven’s should be within striking distance turning for home. He has Saturday grade qualities, so expect the Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald barn to send this guy to tougher assignments in the near future. Best Bet Race 2 – #4 Seven’s (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | J: Jason Collett (58kg) Next Best at Warwick Farm: Congressman Chris Waller has two smart debutants going head-to-head in the opening event; however, it’s Congressman that gets the verdict. The Snitzel colt caught the eye in a recent barrier trial at Rosehill on February 3, with the unraced two-year-old closing to within 1.4 lengths of Skyhook. That trial form appears strong with the winner running a bold placing in Saturday’s Pierro Plate (1100m) at Randwick, and with Congressman set to get a cosy run from barrier two under Nash Rawiller, this guy should get every chance to make an impression first-up. Next Best Race 1 – #2 Congressman (2) 2yo Colt | T: Chris Waller | J: Nash Rawiller (57kg) Best Value at Warwick Farm: Travolta Travolta represents good each-way value with horse racing bookmakers as he makes his Australian debut. The Lope De Vega gelding has progressed nicely since his arrival to the Chris Waller barn, with the four-year-old making strong inroads from the rear of the field in a recent barrier trial at Warwick Farm on February 11. The 1400m is likely to prove short of his best trip moving forward in the preparation, however, at the big odds, Travolta is worth a throw at the stumps. Best Value Race 5 – #2 Travolta (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Benjamin Osmond (a3kg) (60.5kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Warwick Farm Warwick Farm quadrella selections February 19, 2025 3-5-6 2-3-4-6-7 4-5-8 2-3-5-6-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Group One winner Skew Wiff has been retired from racing. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli It was an emotional day at Te Akau Racing’s Matamata stables on Sunday when co-trainer Sam Bergerson farewelled Skew Wiff for the final time following her retirement from racing. Bred and raced by Waikato Stud, the daughter of Savabeel recorded Bergerson’s first Group One victory as a trainer when taking out the 2023 edition of the Tarzino Trophy (1400m), a day that will live long in the memory of the Matamata horseman. “She holds a really special place in my heart being my first Group One winner,” he said. “She had a few quirky traits which made her a bit different from everyone else. She wasn’t overly big, but she was just so gutsy and was really special.” Out of stakes performer Starvoia, Skew Wiff recorded four career victories, including on racing’s biggest stage when taking out the Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day. She was also placed at Group level on six occasions, including the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m), Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m), Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), and Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) on two occasions, and accrued more than $750,000 in prizemoney. While finishing fourth in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham last month, she failed to fire in her last two outings, including last Saturday’s Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m). “We would have loved to have won that race for Mark (Chittick, Waikato Stud principal) and the team, but she never came up and we thought her last two runs were a bit disappointing,” Bergerson said. “She just didn’t come up this time around. We couldn’t fault her at home heading towards Saturday at Matamata. She had lost that zest for racing. “She has got nothing left to prove, so we are happy to see her go off sound and well. “It was sad putting her on the float on Sunday, but I am excited for her next chapter of life, and I am sure she is going to be a fantastic broodmare if she leaves the qualities and traits she has herself.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Sandown Lakeside Races Where Sandown Racecourse – 591-659 Princes Hwy, Springvale VIC 3171 When Wednesday, February 19, 2025 First Race 3:40pm AEDT Visit Dabble The Lakeside track at Sandown is back in action on Wednesday afternoon, with eight races scheduled. A perfect day for racing is forecast, and with the track rated a Good 4 and the rail in its true position, it should be a fair day of racing. The Sandown races on February 19 are set to commence at 3:40pm AEDT. Best Bet at Sandown: Zloties Zloties won twice last campaign, along with a narrow runner-up finish and a respectable run in the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. The Snitzel mare is blessed with a booming turn of foot and looks well suited resuming over 1200m. Jordan Childs will just need a bum to follow entering the home straight, and if Zloties is anywhere near her best, she should have no issue overhauling her rivals in the penultimate event. Best Bet Race 7 – #5 Zloties (5) 5yo Mare | T: Grahame Begg | J: Jordan Childs (58kg) Next Best at Sandown: Exuberance Returning from a four-month spell, Exuberance looks to be a filly with plenty of talent. The Savabeel progeny has not been seen since finishing last in the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m), but her two starts prior showed enough to suggest this BM64 is within her grasp. Blake Shinn will have Exuberance towards the rear of the field, and with a swift turn of foot, she is going to prove too hard to hold out. Next Best Race 6 – #6 Exuberance (6) 3yo Filly | T: Mark Walker | J: Blake Shinn (59kg) Best Value at Sandown: Saint Lazare Saint Lazare has been racing in solid form in recent times, and on the back of a determined Werribee BM58 victory, the son of Under The Louvre can go on with the job on Wednesday. He was forced to sustain a long run from the 800m mark and did enough to get the bob in where it matters most. Logan Bates will have this bloke in an ideal spot from barrier four, and with the jockey’s 3kg claim getting the weight down to 60.5kg, Saint Lazare can run a bold race at an each-way price with Dabble. Best Value Race 4 – #1 Saint Lazare (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans | J: Logan Bates (a3) (63.5kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Sandown Sandown quadrella selections Wednesday, February 5, 2025 1-2-4-5-8 1-6 5-6 1-3-6-7-9-11-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Masa Hashizume will reunite with Willydoit in Saturday’s Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Masa Hashizume had plenty of motivation to get back to race-riding after a fall last month, and on Saturday, he will be back at Ellerslie to partner star three-year-old Willydoit in the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m). The Auckland-based hoop is having the best season of his career to date, currently well on track to surpass his previous season-best tally of 57 wins. In the first half of this term, Hashizume had steered home 52 winners including Kelly Coe in the Group 3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa. Hashizume had been battling out the lead in the National Jockey’s Premiership with Craig Grylls, before an unfortunate incident in the final race on Thorndon Mile Day resulted in a broken collarbone. Just over a month later, Hashizume was back at trackwork, with his sights set on returning for the Avondale Cup meeting. “I hadn’t done much for about four weeks, then I started riding trackwork on the 11th (of February),” he said. “I’m feeling good, I’ve been going to the gym to help my shoulder and everything’s going well. “I was always planning to come back on the 22nd, so it’s good to be able to do that.” Willydoit has been one of the finds of the three-year-old crop this season and Hashizume has been right by his side throughout, riding him in every trial and raceday appearance up to February 1, where Kevin Stott took the reins in his absence. The son of Tarzino has won three of his four starts and is currently rated a $2 favourite with horse racing bookmakers for the $1.25 million Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Champions Day next month, his next target after Saturday’s assignment. “He’s a very easy-going type of horse, and in a good way, he doesn’t know anything or worry about anything,” Hashizume said. “He’s won at 1400m and a mile, but when you look at him, he looks like a big four-year-old staying type. “Whatever he’s doing now is just a bonus, he’ll go 2100m no problem.” A grateful Hashizume will reunite with the gelding on Wednesday for his final gallop, under the watchful eye of trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy. “Shaun has been supporting me since I was a three and four-kilo claimer,” he said. “If this horse was with another stable, I probably would’ve been taken off by now, so it’s very special to me that Shaun, Emma and the owners have that belief in me. “Hopefully I can get a result for them too.” Horse racing news View the full article

By Michael Guerin Harness racing lost not only a popular owner but one of its oldest ever recently. Northern owner John McIntosh passed away just days after turning 100, reports friend and long-time trainer Derek Balle. McIntosh was a constant in the Alexandra Park stabling clock for decades, racing horses firstly with another old friend the late Roy Purdon when he was training and ending up with Balle as his main trainer over the last 15 years. McIntosh went to the yearling sales and spent up big in 2016 when he was a spritely 91, saying at the time he was too old for his other hobbies so wanted to buy a nice horse. McIntosh was always chirpy and a great supporter of harness racing, owning very good female pacers Credit Line and Bonny Payson with Purdon. He also raced smart young pacers Crown Derby and King Strike with Irvin Behrns and later had horses with Geoff Small, Michelle Wallis and James Stormont. After striking up an association with Balle he raced smart pacers Master Charlie (8 wins), My Generation, Bettor Step Aside, Kendrick and Ideal World. All of them were later sold to Australia, with McIntosh fond of saying “it is a business.” “He was a great guy. One of his favourite sayings when he got beat on a horse he wanted at the sales was ‘well, I run that bugger up,” smiles Balle. McIntosh was laid to rest last week, one of the last members of his generation which was such a rich part of New Zealand harness racing history. View the full article

There was a bit of history repeating itself for Ken Ford at Motukarara on Sunday. The veteran trainer brought up his 200th training success when Misty Blue, driven by grand-daughter Sheree Tomlinson, rushed home to win the Happy 21st Toddy McDermott Mobile Pace. The milestone came after his daughter Amanda, Sheree’s mother, drove his 100th training success with Zachary Binx in the Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup on the same track 10 years ago. “We were excited as hell,” he says when describing Misty Blue’s win. Now 76, Ken Ford has had 168 winners on his own account and 32 in partnership with Amanda. The Ford Factory, as it’s been called, is very much a family-orientated set up. “They talk about Next Gen – well we’ve been doing that for 50 years. I had Amanda and (son) Clint on the ponies since they were one!” These days Ford is always helping out though health issues over the years mean he is on “restricted” duties. He only really got serious about harness racing after buying a lock of land at West Melton just outside Christchurch. His first winner was Aramid at Addington in 2002. Since then he’s bred and raced a slew of good horses, highlighted by going back to back in the country’s biggest trotting race the Dominion with two horses they bred themselves, Amaretto Sun in 2017 and Marcoola a year later. “Half the fun is seeing them through from an embryo to a Dominion winner,” he says. Paying $91, Amaretto Sun’s upset win saw a 19-year-old Sheree Tomlinson become the first female driver to win the prestigious Group 1. Son Clint drove Marcoola when he won. These days Ken Ford breeds to about five mares a year. “There are a few Marcoolas running around the place so that’s pretty exciting.” One of them, a three-year-old called Rogue Hero is nominated for Ashburton this weekend. “He’s been off the place twice and won twice.” As for Misty Blue she was one of 14 horses that Bruce Negus came home with from the 2021 Standardbred Weanling Sale at Karaka. On Sunday her win was her third in 19 starts, and her second in a row. Sheree Tomlinson and partner, race caller Matthew Cross are among those that race Misty Blue. “Bruce invited us to have a pick of a few in a paddock and she was the one we chose,” Cross says. She was a cheap enough buy for Negus at $4,000 and has already accrued $33,400 in stakes. Her residual value has also dramatically increased. She is now a half sister to four winners including Yossi (18 wins and $174k) and the very handy Pinseeker (5 wins to date). Of the 14 that Negus brought home from the sales, seven have made it to the races so far with Oliver (trained by Colin and Julie DeFilippi), Munroe’s Mate (Tony Barron) and Quinn, who Negus trains himself, all having won twice. Footnote : And it won’t be long before the Ford/Tomlinson clan celebrate another milestone. Sheree Tomlinson drove a double at Motukarara (Misty Blue and Dancing With The Boss) to be on 297 career wins. View the full article

Multiple Brisbane premiership-winning rider set to fulfil a dream when he starts Hong Kong stint on Wednesday night.View the full article

The 2025 Blue Diamond Stakes, a prestigious Group 1 race for two-year-olds, is set to ignite Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday, marking the pinnacle of the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival. Sixteen of the season’s brightest young stars will clash in a thrilling battle for the $2 million prize, with the Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained Field […] The post Blue Diamond Stakes 2025 Field, Barriers & Latest Odds: Field Of Play Favourite in Gate 5 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Field Of Play ridden by Blake Shinn winning the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) at Caulfield Racecourse. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) The two-year-olds take centre stage in the 54th renewal of the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, with a capacity field of 16 set to line up in the $2 million feature. The Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained Field Of Play was the big winner post-barrier draw, with the son of Deep Field securing barrier five and leaving horse racing bookmakers no choice but to install the undefeated gelding as the $5.00 favourite. Palm Angel is on the second line of betting at $6.50 after claiming the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) on February 8 and appears to be the big firmer amongst the fillies after drawing barrier one, while My Gladiola has drifted out to $7.00 in her quest to turn the tables from the same event. The Ciaron Maher-trained Cherish Me ($8.00) has been solid in betting after drawing barrier six and brings a differing form-line after claiming victory in the Geelong Diamond (1100m) on January 4. The Godolphin two-pronged attack is headed by Sydney raider Tempted ($9.00), who may need to overcome the tricky draw of gate 12, while the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott barn send down The Playwright ($11.00) who will be seeking back-to-back wins after claiming the Group 3 Widden Stakes (1100m) in her latest outing. The chances don’t end there, however, with the likes of Devil Night ($15.00) and Extractor ($18.00) representing terrific each-way value with BlondeBet in the 2025 Blue Diamond Stakes. Horse racing news View the full article

When Robbie Norman dispatched his two trainers, Lonnie Briley and Jayde (J.J.) Gelner, to each select a horse for him at the 2023 Texas Thoroughbred Association Yearling Sale, he never imagined the daily double would prove to be so rewarding.View the full article

Race 9 PETER LOCK RACING 1600m WHATS THE ONE CODE (A Riddell) – Trainer Ms. D Venn reported to Stewards, that on Monday 17 February, WHAT’S THE ONE CODE, underwent a veterinary examination which included an endoscopic examination with no abnormalities being detected. D Venn further advised the gelding has been sent for a brief freshen up and will then carry on with WHAT’S THE ONE CODE’S preparation. The post Racing Te Aroha @ Te Aroha, Wednesday 12 February 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Masa Hashizume had plenty of motivation to get back to race-riding after a fall last month, and on Saturday, he will be back at Ellerslie to partner star three-year-old Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino) in the Gr.2 Eagle Technology Avondale Guineas (2100m). The Auckland-based hoop is having the best season of his career to date, currently well on track to surpass his previous season-best tally of 57 wins. In the first half of this term, Hashizume had steered home 52 winners including Kelly Coe in the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa. Hashizume had been battling out the lead in the National Jockey’s Premiership with Craig Grylls, before an unfortunate incident in the final race on Thorndon Mile Day resulted in a broken collarbone. Just over a month later, Hashizume was back at trackwork, with his sights set on returning for the Avondale Cup meeting. “I hadn’t done much for about four weeks, then I started riding trackwork on the 11th (of February),” he said. “I’m feeling good, I’ve been going to the gym to help my shoulder and everything’s going well. “I was always planning to come back on the 22nd, so it’s good to be able to do that.” Willydoit has been one of the finds of the three-year-old crop this season and Hashizume has been right by his side throughout, riding him in every trial and raceday appearance up to February 1, where Kevin Stott took the reins in his absence. The son of Tarzino has won three of his four starts and is currently rated a $2 favourite for the $1.25 million Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Champions Day next month, his next target after Saturday’s assignment. “He’s a very easy-going type of horse, and in a good way, he doesn’t know anything or worry about anything,” Hashizume said. “He’s won at 1400m and a mile, but when you look at him, he looks like a big four-year-old staying type. “Whatever he’s doing now is just a bonus, he’ll go 2100m no problem.” A grateful Hashizume will reunite with the gelding on Wednesday for his final gallop, under the watchful eye of trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy. “Shaun has been supporting me since I was a three and four-kilo claimer,” he said. “If this horse was with another stable, I probably would’ve been taken off by now, so it’s very special to me that Shaun, Emma and the owners have that belief in me. “Hopefully I can get a result for them too.” Explosive filly Hankee Alpha (NZ) (Proisir) is another of Hashizume’s feature rides on Saturday, taking her place in the Listed Trevor and Coralie Eagle Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m). Prepared by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, Hankee Alpha produced outstanding victories at her first two starts, before finishing a meritorious fifth in the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) on Karaka Millions Night. “She showed me a lot in the first trial I rode her in, then I went on my holiday after that,” Hashizume said. “She was showing so much in her gallops and the Wexford team did a great job to settle her in her races and show that turn of foot that she’s got. “I watched her last start at the racecourse (Ellerslie) and she was good, she was strong late and had a lot of time between runs there. I galloped her last Saturday and on Monday and she felt better and better, so I’m very excited to ride her too. “Since the day I fell, Andrew and Lance have messaged me every week or so and told me they will be there when I came back, which gave me a lot of motivation. They’re very supportive.” While Hashizume won’t be taking too many more rides on his return, he jumped at the opportunity to partner another Wexford rising star in Tomodachi (NZ) (Tarzino). A winner in four of her six starts, Hashizume rode the mare on debut and will be back on board in the Open 1200m. “She’s a very good horse,” he said. “She’ll definitely be competitive in stakes races this prep, so hopefully I can get a result and stay on her. “On my first day back, I just want to be concentrating on four or five horses and I trust Leith (Innes, agent) to do what’s best for me.” View the full article

Former champion jockey David Walsh scored his first training success in more than two decades when Leah Hemi saluted aboard Zelia (Fierce Impact) at Riccarton last month, and the local horseman is hoping the same combination can put in a repeat performance at the Christchurch track on Wednesday. While more known for his decorated riding career, Walsh also had an impressive training record, headlined by Zirna’s win in the Gr.1 New Zealand Bloodstock Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha in 2003. Walsh left training following the 2003/04 season, but continued riding until finally hanging up his boots in 2016 after netting 2262 wins in the saddle and transitioned into a career as a riding mentor for New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. Following six years in that role, and a period of time away from racing, Walsh returned to the training ranks last year, with Zelia being his first runner, and it was apt that she scored his resuming victory last month. “It was really good. I think my last winner was a horse called Daayaan at Ellerslie,” Walsh said. “It was good to see the filly fulfil the promise she had shown in the spring, she was pretty devastating in her trial (winning by 12 lengths) and when she raced (on debut) she went a bit average (fifth). “She had a break and improved a tonne with it, she is a different sort of horse now to what she was back then, she is bigger and stronger, and she just keeps on improving.” The two-year-old daughter of Fierce Impact will line-up in The Tea House At Riccarton Park 2YO (1000m) on Wednesday and Walsh is expecting another bold showing. “I am looking forward to another good run,” Walsh said. “It looks like a two-horse race with her and the Te Akau horse (Best Rose), and the Te Akau filly should improve too from her first start. It looks like an exciting race.” Walsh holds big aspirations with his filly and is hopeful of securing black-type with her before season’s end. “I have nominated her for the Sires’ Produce (Gr.1, 1400m) at Trentham,” he said. “She has shown me a lot of ability at home, she is a very strong filly. “You never know if you are going to be up to them, but I thought we might as well put her in and if she goes well enough in her next couple of runs we will certainly consider it. “If we think the 1400m might be too far for her at this stage, there are two black-type races here (Riccarton) later in the autumn. There is no shortage of races for her.” On Sunday, Walsh will head to Ashburton with in-form stablemate Toa Haka (NZ) (Iffraaj), who will bid to break through for an elusive victory after placing in his last three outings. The Iffraaj gelding joined Walsh’s barn from Te Rapa trainer David Greene in December and he has been impressed with the five-year-old’s progress. “I have got Toa Haka in the 65 1400m,” Walsh said. “He has been racing well for a couple of seconds and a third. He has had four starts down here and keeps improving. “He had a week off since his last run, so whatever he does on Sunday he will improve off, but I am sure he will run well. He is very genuine and can race handy.” Meanwhile, Walsh is excited about the prospects of another juvenile filly in Loose ‘N’ Vegas (NZ) (Turn Me Loose), who is set to make her debut in the coming month. “I have got another two-year-old filly that I like by Turn Me Loose,” he said. “She had a trial at Riccarton two weeks ago. We gave her a look around, she hadn’t had a jump-out, she just went straight from the practice gates to the trials, and she did a really good job. “All going well, she will turn up in a two-year-old race somewhere in the next month or so. “I am really happy with her and I like her a lot. I expect her to shape up when she goes to the races.” View the full article

Quality sprinter Mystic Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) is making good progress ahead of a trip to Trentham next month. The Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained short course specialist hasn’t raced since he won the Listed Stewards’ Stakes (1200m) during the New Zealand Cup carnival last November and has proved potent when produced first-up. The son of Ocean Park has an imposing record of five wins and three placings off a break and is set to resume in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham on March 22. “All going well, Mystic Park will run in the Lightning and we’ve got a possible Brisbane campaign in mind,” Michael Pitman said. The five-year-old was given a break following his last-start success, which took his career record to an impressive seven wins from 12 appearances. “He has a great record fresh and when he won the Stewards, he hadn’t trialled from August through to November, and we’re really happy with him,” Pitman said. Should the Brisbane trip eventuate, stablemate Airpark Hustler (NZ) (War Decree) in on the short list to accompany Mystic Park. The three-year-old was a debut winner on his home track at Riccarton before the son of War Decree closed off well to finish fourth in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m). “I think he should go close to winning the Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1600m), he’s a really talented horse and he could possibly go over,” Pitman said. Meanwhile, Mystic Park’s half-sister Mystic Ocean (NZ) (Ocean Emperor) will step out in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m) at Riccarton on Wednesday and a bold showing is expected from the daughter of Ocean Emperor. She finished third at Kurow three runs back and has had little go her way since in two subsequent appearances. “Mystic Ocean was very unlucky last start and she should go close to winning, she’s our best chance by a country mile,” Pitman said. The stable will also continue its long and successful association with Tuhikaramea trainer Graeme Rogerson, breeder and owner of Ferrando juvenile Few (NZ) (Ferrando) who will debut in The Tea House at Riccarton Park 2YO (1000m). “Rogey has always been a great supplier of horses to us, and we’ve been friends for 35 years,” Pitman said. “The inside draw is an advantage, he’s had a good grounding and I’d like to think he can run top four and then probably go for a break.” Another highly rated sprinter from the stable who will be back in action this weekend is Third Decree (NZ) (War Decree). The eight-time winner was a last-start sixth in the Listed Timaru Stakes (1200m) after racing wide and was crowded for room in the closing stages. “Third Decree is going to Ashburton on Sunday and he’s doing very well,” Pitman said. View the full article

This week, Michael sits down with leading trainer Stephen Marsh who has some breaking news about the NZB Kiwi, before chatting about his career, his dad’s advice, the big wins, and even bigger losses including that of his mum, last year. Guerin Report – Ep.25 Ft. Stephen Marsh View the full article

The Barneswood Brady Nakhle Slot Holder partnership has announced the Stephen Marsh-trained Penman (NZ) (Contributer) as their representative in next month’s $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), and they are hoping they have struck gold with their selection. “It sort of feels like Willy Wonka’s golden ticket. Everyone is looking for that chocolate bar with the golden ticket in it and we are hoping we have got the chocolates,” Slot Holder representative Daniel Nakhle said. The partnership is comprised of a group of close racing friends, and with their representative locked in, they can’t wait to watch the action unfold in the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race at Ellerslie on Barfoot & Thompson Champions Day, 8 March. “Sarah, Chris (Green) and Ger (Beemsterboer) from Barneswood Farm, they are fantastic friends,” Nakhle said. “We met them through Peter and Dawn Williams (trainers), and we have been fast friends ever since. “Darren Brady is one of my best friends, we met through a horse as well, so it is funny how this horse game brings people together. He and his brother Brian have got a share. “It is a great bunch of really cool people that understand the ups and downs of the racing and breeding game, and because of their understanding we tend to celebrate a reasonable amount when things go our way.” Nakhle is excited about the prospects of Penman in the NZB Kiwi, and said his impressive last start victory at Tauranga sealed their decision. “He is a horse that is on the up,” Nakhle said. “The whole team put our heads together and we haven’t really gotten serious about many, and certainly hadn’t pushed the panic button at all, even with the race three weeks away. “He really impressed us in the last 100m of his races, the way he stretches out. I had a talk with Stephen Marsh at the races at Te Aroha last Wednesday and he is a guy whose judgment I really rate, and he certainly rates the horse very highly. “He had some good form around him (in his last start win) and the fact that his stablemate behind him (Tardelli) was stakes placed, and the third horse (Domain Ace) is in the NZB Kiwi as well, it starts looking like really tidy form for a rating 65 win.” Nakhle is looking forward to partnering with both Marsh and Go Racing, who race the son of Contributer in partnership with Toro Bloodstock. “One of the great things about Penman is the ownership and training team. They are a great bunch of people to be racing one with,” Nakhle said. Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh has now doubled down on his assault on the NZB Kiwi, with stablemate Ardalio having already been secured by The King’s Men Slot Holder syndicate. “It is very exciting to have our second runner for the slot race,” Marsh said. “We think he (Penman) is very talented. He is one of those horses on the rise.” “It is a very exciting race, it has got everyone talking and pumped up about it. The whole day is starting to build excitement.” Marsh is particularly pleased for New Zealand syndicator Go Racing, who have been great supporters of his stable, and missed out on securing a slot at the auction last year. “I think they may have had a couple of cracks at a slot but didn’t manage to get one, so this is good now that we have got a horse in it,” Marsh said. Penman will get his first look at Ellerslie when he lines up at the track this weekend, his last engagement prior to next month’s NZB Kiwi. “He will run on Saturday at Ellerslie and then into the slot,” Marsh said. “He is a very progressive horse and is one of those horses that keeps on improving. “Matt Cartwright came and galloped him on Friday, and he was super. I think he is right on the way up.” Bred by Mapperley Stud principal Simms Davison, Penman was offered through his farm’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) National Yearling Sales Series Book 1 draft where he was purchased by Toro Bloodstock for $60,000. He was then offered through Riversley Park’s NZB Ready to Run Sale draft later that year, with a majority share subsequently purchased by Go Racing. He has now won two and finished runner-up in two of his four starts to date, accruing more than $40,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

During the Feb. 17 edition of the BloodHorse Monday podcast, WinStar Farm president, CEO, and racing manager Elliott Walden outlined plans for Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls John Hancock, Tappan Street, River Thames, and Patch Adams.View the full article

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On the Feb. 17 episode of BloodHorse Monday, Louie Rabaut and Sean Collins recap the Risen Start Stakes (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, WinStar's Elliott Walden discusses John Hancock, and BloodHorse's Eric Mitchell previews new stallions.View the full article

Barnes and Rodriguez, candidates for the San Felipe (G2) on March 1 at Santa Anita Park, and fellow 3-year-old Citizen Bull all worked for trainer Bob Baffert Feb. 17 at Santa Anita. View the full article

On the Feb. 17 episode of BloodHorse Monday, Louie Rabaut and Sean Collins recap the Risen Start Stakes (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, WinStar's Elliott Walden discusses John Hancock and BloodHorse's Eric Mitchell previews new stallions.View the full article

With breeding sheds opening last week across North America, farms have been quietly preparing stallions for the demanding months ahead of them. All jokes about them having the best jobs aside, stallions are in for a marathon during breeding season. It's not simply a matter of bringing stallions up from fields and expecting them to be ready to cover a full book of mares over the ensuing months. Perhaps that may work for small operations where a stallion covers a handful of mares all season, but for the elite operations in Kentucky, stallions require a certain amount of fitness in order to perform not only all season long, but at peak fertility. Major farms use varying methods to get their stallions ready, but WinStar Farm near Versailles–currently home to 14 active stallions on the roster–uses the time-honored tradition of riding their stallions under saddle. “We've done it for 15-16 years probably, maybe a little bit more,” said WinStar's stallion manager, Larry McGinnis. “Mr. [Bill] Casner started it when he was a part of the farm, so that's how long it's been.” Anyone fortunate enough to be in attendance as WinStar stallions are sent through their paces on a small jogging track near the stallion barn sees not only healthy, but happy horses. “We want them to have their ears up, be bouncing around, be happy,” said McGinnis. “We just want to get them a little bit of exercise and be happy about it. If they want to fight us or don't like being ridden any more, we won't do it–then we'll put them on the walker or do something different with them.” Life Is Good under saddle at WinStar | Sarah Andrew Most of the current horses on WinStar's roster are Grade I winners–many of them multiple Grade I winners–with a Breeders' Cup winner and a Dubai World Cup winner to boot. Most have campaigned at the very top of the sport over multiple years. Like in any human sport, a horse performing in the highest levels at peak fitness over multiple campaigns eventually may sustain some wear and tear. “Some of them have injuries that might keep them from exercising, like a little ankle or something,” continued McGinnis. “They're elite athletes and they've been through a lot to get to me, so some of them don't do anything [extra]. They'll just get turned out at night.” Among those who are ridden at WinStar are one of the sport's top sires, Constitution, as well as four-time Grade I winner Life Is Good and new-for-2025 Heartland, all 'TDN Rising Stars' during their race careers. New retiree Heartland is among the stallions ridden at WinStar | Sarah Andrew Alvaro Quinteros is the man in the saddle at WinStar. He splits his time between WinStar's training center and the stallion barn. While he breaks a lot of babies and has ridden horses at all stages of training, the Guatemala native said his very unique position aboard the stallions holds a special place in his heart. “I love the stallions,” said Quinteros. “I've been riding them for four years. I love my job, especially these stallions. I've been working here for WinStar for six years and with the stallions for four years. I was an outrider before.” Other than the obvious, is there a difference between riding stallions and riding young horses? “It's much different,” said Quinteros. “These horses mentally are so different.” He adds with a smile: “Constitution is my favorite.” Constitution at WinStar | Sarah Andrew Depending on the horse and the stallion's needs, Quinteros uses either Western or English tack. He said he often uses a Western saddle on the younger ones, especially when a horse is newer to the farm. As horses let down and adjust to farm life, they may switch to an exercise saddle as he likes the extra contact it gives him with the stallion. With some horses, he said, the type of tack used makes no difference. The stallions work hard during the breeding season, so McGinnis said they're only ridden during the off months. “After breeding season, we give them about a month off just to let down a little bit and relax. Then we'll start [under saddle] probably middle of July. It's just weather dependent every day. If we get a lot of rain, we're not going to do it. As long as it's safe for them to go out, we'll jog a couple of times and come in.” Heartland heading to exercise | Sarah Andrew He continued: “We usually do it until around November. It just depends on when we start getting snow. Our little track gets pretty wet, so if it's consistently raining, we won't ride them. And if there's bad weather while we're riding, we're not going to do it then either.” While WinStar may be one of the few American farms these days to utilize stallion riding as a form of fitness, they are not the first. Three Chimneys famously did it during the Seattle Slew years. Photos occasionally surface from the other side of the world of stallions ridden in Japan. The most legendary stallion by far, however, ever to be ridden during his sire years in America was undoubtedly Man o' War. Historian Dorothy Ours, author of “Man o' War: A Legend Like Lightning,” points to several newspaper and magazine articles that reference a tremendous workout regimen during the great horse's retirement. From the Lexington Herald-Leader in 1929: “Although his racing days have been over for nine years and he will never set foot on a track again, unless for exhibitions, Man o' War must stay in condition and daily, about 7 o'clock, he is saddled and taken for an hour's exercise at a jogging canter… In that hour, Man o' War will cover at least eight miles.” Man o' War in retirement with John Buckner up | Keeneland Library/Jeffords Collection In 1940, when Man o' War was 23, the same publication wrote: “Concerning his daily exercise, the priceless equine is going only five miles under the saddle these mornings as compared to eight and 10… His five-mile workouts now consist of walking and trotting, while eight years ago he was galloping the entire distance.” The game has changed in the century since Man o' War was a young horse. His under-saddle exercise was reported to be from October to June, with the summer off, while the WinStar stallions aren't ridden during the breeding season. Alvaro Quinteros and Life Is Good | Sarah Andrew It must be noted the great Man o' War was allotted 15 mares in his first book. Top stallions today can cover that many–or more–in a week. Obviously, veterinary advancements have changed the breeding game tremendously. A century ago, even a few decades ago, mares were often given multiple covers during a single estrus cycle in order to 'catch.' These days, ovulation can be pinpointed down to mere hours for an optimal cover providing the best chance for conception. Ideally, mares will be covered just once in modern days, whereas in Man o' War's time, each mare often got multiple covers over a series of days. Ours is aware of other significant horses being ridden while at stud, including Man o' War's Triple Crown-winning son, War Admiral, who stood alongside his sire at Lexington's Faraway Stud. The son of Man o' War's celebrated groom, Will Harbut, was among War Admiral's riders at the farm. Ours also said Seabiscuit was ridden during his stallion years in California, including for “low-speed trail riding and cattle herding.” A Courier-Journal article Ours shared alluded to other legends that one of Man o' War's farm exercise riders had also ridden, presumably on the farm, including Domino, Peter Pan, and Colin. Stallion tack at WinStar | Sarah Andrew Although horsemen a century ago would most likely be amazed at the sheer vastness of stallion operations of today, they'd feel very much at home with good, old-fashioned horsemanship. While each farm has its own methods of ensuring stallion fitness, WinStar's approach would surely be approved by horsemen of yesteryear. “We're one of the few who do it now,” said McGinnis. “We just think it's good for them and it shows.” It does show. The post Healthy Strides: WinStar Sends Stallions for a Spin Under Saddle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Carter Dalgety’s excited, and upbeat, about what he calls his “biggest” challenge to date. The 21-year-old heads to Brisbane this week to take on some of the world’s best in the first ever Ultimate Driver Championship at Albion Park. Ten drivers will take part in the 20-race series on Friday and Saturday with the top points-scorer at the end taking home the $100,000 first prize. At the recent Harness Racing New Zealand Awards at Addington Dalgety, the country’s top junior driver in 2024, was asked about the series and his impending clash with good friend and now five-time USA Driver of the Year Dexter Dunn, who was in the audience. “I’ll smoke him,” was Dalgety’s reply. It was fighting talk when you think that Dunn is acknowledged as one of the, if not the best, driver on the planet. “He loved it.” “I think I’ve got him scared,” laughs Dalgety, “I’m hoping I’m right but he is just that good.” The pair are joined in the series by fellow internationals, Canadian star Yannick Gingras and Sweden’s Bjorn Goop and six Australians. Carter knows it’s going to a big event. “When you think about the coverage it’s going to get it will be the biggest,” says Dalgety, “and no-one’s got anything to lose – just going to go crazy.” “It suits me perfect.” In preparation Dalgety has been going through the form at Albion Park. “You see the same horses there for the past five years, they just keep going on round and round,” says Dalgety, “so I know a bit about them.” In the early markets Dalgety, the most inexperienced driver in the series, is the outsider at $15 with Dunn and Australians Gary Hall Junior and Nathan Dawson joint favourite at $5.50. To see Dexter Dunn’s comments on the UDC click here View the full article