Wandering Eyes

A Fairytale finish for Jokers Grin and Patrick Carbery winning the 2025 Quokka at Ascot. (Photo: WesternRacePix) In a fairy-tale finish to Western Australia’s richest race, Jokers Grin delivered a career-defining performance to win the Group 1 Quokka (1200m) at Ascot on Saturday. Trained by Bernie Miller and ridden by Patrick Carbery, Jokers Grin at $21 shot with , unleashed a blistering sprint down the outside to mow down his rivals late, capping a remarkable rise from provincial meetings to a $2,000,000 win. It was a fitting result for the larrikin trainer and his best mate, with Carbery steering home the $2 million winner in a tight photo finish. The four-year-old gelding settled at the rear of the field after a slightly tardy beginning, as Overpass set a slick tempo out front. As the field fanned wide turning for home, Carbery kept his cool, slicing through traffic before launching Jokers Grin with a devastating turn of foot. Headwall ($6) was brave in defeat, surging late but falling short by a neck, while local hope Generosity ($21) stuck on gamely for third. Early leader Overpass faded to finish fifth, ending his perfect record at Ascot. 2025 Quokka Race Replay – Jokers Grin https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Ascot-2025-The-Quokka-26042025-Jokers-Grin-Bernie-Miller-Patrick-Carbery.mp4 An emotional Bernie Miller was nearly lost for words post-race. “It’s just a dream come true,” he said. “We knew he was peaking today. It’s been a lot of hard work by everyone around us. To see it all come together on a stage like this, it’s unbelievable.” Carbery, who shares a special bond with the stable, was equally effusive. “He’s still on the way up. What he gave me today was incredible — the owners, Bernie, the whole team deserve this.” The victory was the seventh from ten career starts for Jokers Grin, who now boasts over $2.4 million in prizemoney. It also completed a remarkable journey for the son of Maschino, who was bred and raised by connections without lofty expectations. After conquering The Quokka, connections hinted at even bigger targets, with a potential tilt at The Everest now firmly on the radar. Jokers Grin has well and truly cemented his place among Australia’s elite sprinters — and in the hearts of WA racing fans. Horse racing news View the full article

What Ballarat Races Where Ballarat Turf Club – 72 Midas Rd, Miners Rest VIC 3352 When Sunday, April 27, 2025 First Race 1pm AEST Visit Dabble Racing in Victoria heads to Ballarat on Sunday afternoon, where a competitive eight-race meeting is set down for decision. The track is likely to be in the Soft range considering the rain the region has received since Thursday evening, with the sticking to its true position the entire circuit. The Ballarat races on April 27 is set to jump at 1pm AEST. Best Bet at Ballarat: Scampi Scampi was an arrogant winner when breaking his maiden at Cranbourne fresh from a spell at Cranbourne, before being forced to travel wide with no cover at Bendigo on April 12. The three-year-old gelding has always been blessed with talent but has struggled to put it all together on the racetrack. However, drawn in barrier two, the race sets up perfectly for the son of Blue Point to dictate terms, and if he is anywhere close to his best, Scampi will not be caught. Best Bet Race 6 – #1 Scampi (2) 3yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Ethan Brown (59.5kg) Next Best at Ballarat: Professor Pickles Professor Pickles put in an eye-catching run when first-up off nearly a 12-month spell, and with the run under his belt, he looks hard to go past in the quaddie opener. The four-year-old gelding stalked the speed throughout at Kyneton and arguably threw the race away when doing a few things wrong inside the final furlong. From barrier six, Teo Nugent will look to take up the running, and with the fitness under his belt, Professor Pickles will look to run his rivals ragged. Next Best Race 5 – #9 Professor Pickles (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Teo Nugent (58kg) Best Value at Ballarat: Exuma Exuma mixes his form, but if the three-year-old gelding is near his best, the $13 with horse racing bookmakers looks a ridiculous price. The son of Blue Point was forced to travel three wide with no cover at Seymour last time out and did well to keep finding late under pressure over the 1000m scamper. From barrier three, John Allen will likely give him the run of the race from just behind the leaders, and if the gap comes at the right time, Exuma will be fighting out the finish and can cause a minor upset. Best Value Race 7 – #3 Exuma (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: John Allen (59kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Ballarat Ballarat quadrella selections Sunday, April 27, 2025 2-9 1-7 1-2-3-4-10 2-5-7-9 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Step Aside and jockey James McDonald winning the Terry Marskell Handicap at Royal Randwick. (Photo: Bradley Photos) In his first raceday appearance since winning at Rosehill in February, consistent galloper Step Aside returned to action on a winning note at Randwick on Saturday. The Benchmark 78 handicap was the fifth victory of a 21-start career for the New Zealand-bred gelding, who has placed on another eight occasions and has earned $375,600 for an OTI Racing ownership group. Representing the champion expat New Zealand trainer-jockey combination of Chris Waller and James McDonald, Step Aside was sent out as a $3.40 favourite with horse betting sites on Saturday and the five-year-old lived up to that top billing. McDonald rode a patient race on Step Aside, settling in third-last and allowing him time to build up his momentum after rounding the home turn. Step Aside warmed into his work and ranged up alongside the front-running Deprivation at the 100m mark. He finished over the top of that rival in the final few strides and scored by a head. “Step Aside made it back to back wins for his connections with an impressive run for Chris Waller and James McDonald,” OTI Racing said on Facebook. “Good to see this talented gelding continue his good from.” Horse racing news View the full article

What 2025 Hong Kong Champions Day Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, April 27, 2025 First Race 12:45pm HKT (2:45pm AEST) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, with a bumper 10-part program lined up for 2025 Hong Kong Champions Day. Three Group 1’s headline the action, with some Australian flavour added to the mix as Mr Brightside fly’s the flag in the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m). The rail is in the true position the entire circuit for the meeting, and although some rainfall is predicted to hit the track, punters can expect the Good 4 rating to be unaffected on race-day. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 12:45pm local time. QEII Cup Tip: Goliath The ceiling has yet to be found for the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Goliath as he heads to Hong Kong for the first time. The son of Adlerflug has been ultra-impressive of late, claiming the Group 1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2400m) at Royal Ascot before bolting in on Heavy ground at Longchamp at Group 2 level. He got a pass mark in his latest performance at Tokyo in the Group 1 Japan Cup (2000m) at the end of last preparation and looks in supreme order heading into the Group 1 QEII Cup (2000m). Gate nine will have Christophe Soumillon drifting towards the rear, but with the likes of El Vencedor engaged to set a genuine clip, Goliath should get the last crack at his rivals. QEII Cup Race 8 – #1 Goliath (9) 5yo Gelding | T: Francis-Henri Graffard | J: Christophe Soumillon (57kg) Champions Mile Tip: Mr Brightside Australia’s own Mr Brightside goes in search of a staggering 10th Group 1 victory in the 2025 Champions Mile, with the Lindsay Park-trained gelding looking to pinch his first Group 1 success on the world stage. The son of Bullbars continues to race consistently and hasn’t put in a bad run this preparation, claiming the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) two starts back and finishing runner-up in the Group 1 All Star Mile (1600m) and Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) respectively. He maps to find the one-one from barrier two under Craig Williams, and although he runs into some superstars, Mr Brightside warrants respect in the 2025 Champions Mile. Champions Mile Race 7 – #1 Mr Brightside (2) 7yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Craig Williams (57kg) Chairman’s Sprint Prize Tip: Ka Ying Rising The meteoric rise to stardom for Ka Ying Rising is set to continue in the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m). The Shamexpress gelding has been simply sensational this preparation, with the four-year-old aiming for an eighth consecutive win of the campaign, along with a fourth Group 1 success. It should simply be a matter of ‘how far’ for Ka Ying Rising in the 2025 Chairman’s Sprint Prize before all the speculation can look towards a possible tilt at The Everest (1200m) later in the year. Chairman’s Sprint Prize Race 5 – #1 Ka Ying Rising (4) 4yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Zac Purton (57kg) Best Bet at Sha Tin: Masterofmyuniverse Masterofmyuniverse was a good thing licked in his latest outing at this course and distance on March 23, closing to within a length of Lady’s Choice. The son of Havana Gold was dragged back to last from the wide draw (11), and matters weren’t held when trying to navigate a passage towards the inside. Zac Purton should land no worse than mid-field with cover from stall two, and provided Masterofmyuniverse can extend again in what’s been a lengthy campaign for the progressive four-year-old, expect him to justify the short price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Bet Race 6 – #4 Masterofmyuniverse (2) 4yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Zac Purton (59kg) Next Best at Sha Tin: Super Express Super Express impressed debuting at Sha Tin on March 23, racing greenly before putting the race to bed at the furlong pole. The Ten Sovereigns gelding took a while to wind up in the concluding stages in a moderately run race, allowing the unraced three-year-old to conserve energy in the middle stages before unleashing a strong turn of speed. He’ll need a perfect steer from barrier 11 under James McDonald this time around, but provided the breaks fall his way, Super Express looks poised to claim back-to-back wins. Next Best Race 3 – #1 Super Express (11) 3yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: James McDonald (61kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections April 27, 2025 1-2-6-7 1-2-3-11 1-6-10-11-13 1-2-3-5-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Dirty Grin salutes for trainer Nick Ryan at The Valley. (Photo: Bruno Cannatelli) Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Dirty Grin collected his third win from four starts in this preparation with a come-from-behind victory at Moonee Valley on Saturday. The five-year-old son of Zacinto came into this campaign with two wins to his name in a 14-start career. He has had a change of scenery this year with a move from Simon Zahra’s stable into the care of Nick Ryan, and Dirty Grin hasn’t looked back. He kicked off his preparation with a Benchmark 64 victory over 1110m at Benalla on February 16, followed by a 1200m success in the same grade at Echuca on March 9. Dirty Grin stepped up to city class with a third in a Benchmark 70 handicap at Sandown on March 26, then went two better at The Valley on Saturday. Ridden by Rhys McLeod, Dirty Grin settled well off the pace in third-last before swooping around the outside of the field in a big move before the home turn. Dirty Grin straightened for home in a close and threatening third position, then outfinished Verdoux and Bold Response down the straight to score a stylish win. “We thought there would be good pace in this race on paper, and it turned out that way, but we got quite a way off them,” McLeod said. “For him to get back into the race, he actually had to do quite a bit of work to do it, so it was a good, strong win. “Nick is training him well, has placed him well and is getting the best out of this horse in this campaign.” Dirty Grin has now had 17 starts for five wins, seven placings and $162,915 in stakes. Horse racing news View the full article

Brad Parnhamk and Talkanco combine to win the Group 2 Karrakatta Plate at Ascot. (Photo: WesternRacePix) Emerging filly Talkanco ($3.70) proved too strong when it mattered most, surging through a narrow gap to claim victory in the Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) at Ascot on Saturday. Trained by Daniel and Ben Pearce and ridden perfectly by Brad Parnham, Talkanco justified the stable’s long-held confidence, capping off a stellar preparation with a dominant grand final performance. After settling just behind the speed, Parnham was able to pick his way through runners turning for home, with the filly charging to the front inside the final 100m. Just Too Fly ($2.30) flashed home along the fence but came up short by just under a length, while Snitzilate ($15) was brave running third after looming ominously at the top of the straight. Early favourite horse racing bookmakers, Yes Queen ($2.30), loomed as a winning chance but peaked late to finish fourth. 2025 Group 2 Karrakatta Plate Replay – Talkanco https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Ascot-2025-Group-2-Karrakatta-Plate-26042025-Talkanco-Daniel-Ben-Pearce-Brad-Parnham.mp4 “She’s just a filly that keeps improving,” said co-trainer Daniel Pearce post-race. “It’s a huge result for our stable, and credit to the team and the owners. It’s massive for us.” It was a richly deserved victory for Talkanco, who had been narrowly beaten by Yes Queen earlier in the season before turning the tables in the Gimcrack Stakes, and again here on WA’s biggest juvenile stage. The win also marked a second Karrakatta Plate success for the Pearce brothers after Dig Deep in 2019. For Brad Parnham, it was a long-awaited feature win. “It’s been a while between drinks in the big ones,” he said. “She dug in really well. Once the gap opened on the turn, she was too good.” The daughter of I’m All The Talk has now banked more than $500,000 in prizemoney from just five starts and looks poised for further success over longer trips, with the WA Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) a logical next target. “She’s running out her races so strongly now,” Parnham added. “If she pulls up well, she’ll be hard to beat again.” Talkanco has firmly stamped herself as one of WA’s premier two-year-olds, and Saturday’s gritty performance only reinforced that reputation. Horse racing news View the full article

Robert Sangster Stakes winner, Charm Stone. (Photo: George Sal – Racing Photos) Classy mare Charm Stone ($11) delivered on her enormous promise, storming home to claim the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday for trainers Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr and jockey Mark Zahra. Resuming from a spell after a strong Queensland campaign, Charm Stone settled near the rear after a patchy start but produced a dazzling turn of foot when it mattered most. Zahra, who had already picked up two Group wins earlier, including the Australasian Oaks with Benagil, timed his run perfectly, allowing the four-year-old to wind up out wide before hitting the front inside the final 100m. The daughter of I Am Invincible held off a brave challenge from Ameena ($15) by just over a neck, with Commemorative ($6.50EF) a further half-length back in third. 2025 Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes Replay – Charm Stone https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Morphettville-2025-Group-1-Robert-Sangster-Stakes-26042025-Charm-Stone-Mick-Price-Michael-Kent-Jnr-Mark-Zahra.mp4 It was an emotional win for the stable and a patient ownership group after Charm Stone was sidelined for nearly a year following knee surgery. “She’s a beautiful mare and has always had this level of ability,” Mick Price said post-race. “It’s very satisfying for the team and the owners, especially after giving her the time she needed to recover.” Charm Stone’s victory was also a tribute to Price and Kent Jnr’s meticulous preparation, having only given the mare two lead-up jump-outs ahead of her return. Zahra praised the training effort, noting Charm Stone was “smoking the pipe” early before showing her class late. It was a deserved reward for connections, with Charm Stone now boasting four wins and more than $1.3 million in prizemoney from her 11-start career. “She’s taken on the older mares today and beaten them at the highest level,” Zahra said. “She’s a good one, no doubt about it.” Plans are already in motion for a tilt at the Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) in a fortnight, where she is currently an $8 chance with . Charm Stone’s Group 1 breakthrough was a fitting highlight on a brilliant day for Zahra, who continued his golden run in Adelaide. Horse racing news View the full article

French galloper bids to turn tables on Japanese in Sunday’s star-studded Sha Tin feature.View the full article

Hong Kong’s former top sprinter takes on the new king in Sunday’s Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) on Champions Day.View the full article

Group 1 Australasian Oaks winner, Benagil. (Photo: Jay Town – Racing Photos) Benagil confirmed her status as one of Australia’s premier staying fillies with a brilliant win in Saturday’s Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville. Trained by Glen Thompson and expertly ridden by Mark Zahra, Benagil, the $3.10 favourite with horse racing bookmakers, overcame a slow start to storm down the outside and score a dominant victory, delivering Thompson his first Group 1 success as a solo trainer. After settling near the tail of the field, Zahra was content to bide his time before unleashing a sustained sprint at the top of the straight to put the race to bed. In a terrific staying performance, the daughter of Manhattan Rain surged clear inside the final 200m to beat long-shot Sweltering ($201) by 1.29 lengths, with Polymnia ($4.60) flashing home into third. 2025 Group 1 Australasian Oaks Replay – Benagil https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Morphettville-2025-Group-1-Australasian-Oaks-26042025-Benagil-Glen-Thompson-Mark-Zahra.mp4 “She looked fantastic today,” Zahra said. “They went at a good tempo, and I was just smoking the pipe. “When I let her down, she exploded. She’s a real class filly.” Trainer Glen Thompson fought back emotion post-race, reflecting on a tough few weeks personally and professionally. “We got her here in as good order as we could,” he said. “She raced like the filly we always believed she was. It’s a huge moment for the team.” Benagil’s Oaks triumph capped a remarkable campaign after she finished runner-up in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes in Sydney. The victory was also sweet for owner Phil Campbell, who bred the filly and was trackside to share the special moment. Thompson hinted that a trip to Brisbane for the Group 1 Queensland Oaks could now be on the table, depending on how Benagil pulls up, with pricing her as a $6 favourite. “There’s definitely a possibility,” he said. “We’ll let her tell us.” Saturday’s win took Benagil’s record to four wins from 10 starts and pushed her career earnings over the $1.1 million mark. It was also back-to-back Australasian Oaks wins for jockey Mark Zahra, who claimed the 2024 edition aboard Vibrant Sun. Horse racing news View the full article

By Jonny Turner Steven Reid will get the answers he is looking for when he starts his first horse in Southland on Diamonds Day on Sunday. The former North Island horseman will venture further south than he has before to start the red-hot favourite Jumal in the Group 1 Diamond Creek Farm Classic at Ascot Park. Reid has had a good rap on his two-year-old, but his many years in the sport have told him that it is one thing for a horse to show promise and another for them to do it in big races. “He is a pretty nice horse and I am confident he can do it.” “There are a few little things, like the trip down and not having raced on a smaller track before.” “If he is a good horse he should be able to take things like that in his stride and I guess on Sunday we are going to find out if he is a good horse.” While Reid has plenty of faith in Jumal, he might not be the horse’s number one fan going by what driver Samantha Ottley has been telling the trainer. “I said to Sam before his first trial that I thought this horse goes pretty good.” “I am not sure what she was thinking at the time, but definitely now she is the one telling me she thinks he goes pretty good.” While Jumal’s ability doesn’t need to be questioned following his excellent wins in his two career starts, whether the two-year-old can handle a trip to Invercargill at such a young age is yet to be proven. But Reid saw enough hints in his pacer’s last trip to Addington to suggest he can handle it. “The second time he went to Addington I didn’t take a mate with him and he was a bit on the jig and pawing the ground.” “But Sam said as soon as he got on the track he was like a lamb.” “You don’t know how they are going to handle the whole experience until they actually do it, but I am pretty hopeful he will take everything in his stride.” The Group 1 Diamond Creek Farm Classic could develop into a tactical affair with just seven starters. Reid isn’t too fazed about what tactical approach to take into the race, leaving all of those calculations with Ottley. “I have never told her how to drive and I am not going to start on Sunday.” “The only thing I would look at is that its 2200m, so he will have a little bit more time to work into it.” “I think he would have the gate speed to get out pretty well too, but it will be up to Sam whether she wants to use it.” Reid has also brought Rakero Lightning south for Diamonds Day, with the mare looking a genuine winning hope in race 1. View the full article

Val Di Zoldo winning the Group 2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. (Kenton Wright – Race Images) Val Di Zoldo’s victory in the Group 2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday showed what a difference a year can make. The $150,000 fillies and mares’ feature capped an autumn black-type double for the War Decree mare, who was a last-start winner of the Group 3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2050m) at Wanganui on April 5. It could hardly be a more different story to what happened in those same two races 12 months ago. Val Di Zoldo ran fourth in the 2024 edition of the Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes at Trentham, crossing the finish line 3.6 lengths behind Apostrophe after being completely blocked for most of the straight. The Travis Stakes was even more of a nightmare. Val Di Zoldo was caught wide without cover in the early part of the race, then jockey Wiremu Pinn lost his left stirrup leather in the straight. She overcame all of that adversity to still finish fourth, beaten by a half-head, a half-head and a head. A return to Te Rapa for a second shot at the Travis Stakes brought redemption for Val Di Zoldo and Pinn. The pair enjoyed a comfortable run, three back on the rail, as Town Cryer and Our Jumala showed the way up to the home turn. Pinn angled the five-year-old into the clear at the top of the home straight, and Val Di Zoldo soon warmed into her work. She surged past Town Cryer and Our Jumala with just over 100m to run, then held out a big finish from Islington Lass to win by a neck. Pinn summed up the feelings of all of Val Di Zoldo’s connections with a fist pump after the finish line. “I think Wiremu will really enjoy that,” trainer Tony Pike said. “He’s ridden her a few times with absolutely no luck. She should have won this race last year. To get the win today is a little bit of payback. “It was a beautiful ride by Wiremu. He settled three back at the fence and then came off at the right time.” Val Di Zoldo has now won four of her 31 starts and $325,915 in stakes. She won the Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) as a three-year-old in March of 2023, but then went winless for more than two years before this month’s Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes and Travis Stakes successes. “She’s always been a very good mare, and she’s honestly the most unlucky mare I’ve ever trained,” Pike said. “So she really deserves these two stakes wins that she’s put together this autumn. She’s going to be a lovely broodmare later on as well. “She’d been out of the winners’ circle for two years before that win two years ago, but it’s not her fault. She probably should have won three or four races during that period. To get this win today is fantastic for her owners. “There’s now the possibility of the Rotorua Cup (Listed, 2200m) in a couple of weeks’ time. She ran in that last year and probably didn’t quite see out the 2200m. We’ll have a talk to the owners and make a decision. We might just put her out and then bring her back for the spring.” Horse racing news View the full article

Local trainer Anna Furlong played a starring role at Riccarton on Saturday with a winning treble, headlined by Betty Spaghetti’s (Stratum Star) first black-type success in the Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m). It was a deserved breakthrough for the Stratum Star mare, who had previously finished second in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m), fourth in the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m), Warstep Stakes (2000m) and Hazlett Stakes (1400m), and fifth in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m). There had been a few ups and downs in Betty Spaghetti’s five-year-old season leading into Saturday’s $80,000 feature, from the highs of a close fourth in the Hazlett Stakes and an impressive Ashburton victory over subsequent Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) winner Third Decree to the lows of a last-start 12th in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) after racing too keenly around Trentham. But she was back on her home soil on Saturday and right back at her brilliant best. Ridden by Billy Jacobson – who brought up a Riccarton treble of his own after previous victories with Malfy Rosa (NZ) (Burgundy) and Canasta (NZ) (Ace High) – Betty Spaghetti settled near the back of the field as Conor O’Ceirin (NZ) (Dial A Prayer) set a strong pace and opened up a big lead through the middle stages of the race. Betty Spaghetti still had only a couple of rivals behind her at the home turn, but Jacobson brought her to the outside, got her balanced up and let her rip. Conor O’Ceirin produced another kick in the straight and took plenty of catching, but The Radiant One (NZ) (Darci Brahma) gradually clawed her way past him along the inside in the final 200m while Betty Spaghetti and Tumuch (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) stormed home out wide. Betty Spaghetti and Tumuch hit the lead together with less than 50m to run, and Betty Spaghetti lunged at the finish line and edged out Tumuch by a half-head. Bought by her part-owner Robert Dennis for just $20,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2021, Betty Spaghetti has now had 21 starts for six wins, six placings and $233,160 in stakes. Her Great Easter Stakes victory was enormously satisfying for Furlong, who also saddled Saturday’s Polytrack Racing Season Maiden (1400m) winner Canasta and Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Dash (1000m) winner Penvose Lad. “It’s been a great day for the stable, which is a big thrill and really rewarding for all of our team,” Furlong said. “It was so good to see Betty Spaghetti pick up that black-type win today. She’s been a fantastic mare all the way through her career and really deserved to pick up a win at that level. It meant a lot to see her do it with such an outstanding performance today. “There isn’t much more that she has to do now in this preparation, and there aren’t that many suitable races around for her at this time of the season, so I don’t think she’s likely to do a lot more this time in. She can head out to the spelling paddock on a winning note.” View the full article

Statuesque three-year-old filly Loose Sally (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) once again showed her liking for tracks with plenty of give in them as she monstered her rivals in the home straight to claim victory in Saturday’s Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton. Trainer Shankar Muniandy brought her north from his Wingatui base for her second crack at a Riccarton three-year-old fillies feature after she finished an unlucky fifth in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) a fortnight earlier where she flew home after meeting trouble early in the straight that day. Muniandy’s brother Ruvanesh took the mount again and made sure he had nothing but clear air this time around as he got her rolling into contention at the 800m and up outside the leaders turning for home. Loose Sally powered to the front and although inclined to wander around a little in the final stages on the Heavy 10 surface, she held on comfortably to defeat Sight To See (NZ) (Time Test) and The Boss Lady (NZ) (Vadamos) who charged at her late in the piece. “She is a big filly and the 2000m today was exactly what she needed,” an elated Shankar Muniandy said. “That was her last run for this prep as she will go to the paddock and we will look after her. “She has come such a long way in her six starts, winning three of them and picking up some valuable black type in nice races like the one today. “I think with some more time on her you will see a very good stayer in the making.” Muniandy admitted he had sat down with his brother during the day to discuss how the earlier races had unfolded and how he felt the filly should be positioned if possible. “She needs a clear run like she got today so we had a good chat all morning to see where we would ride her and where I would like her to be in the running. “Ruvanesh followed those instructions to the letter and I knew when she had clear air moving around them we would be very hard to beat. “It is very exciting to have such a nice horse in the stable and I ‘m looking forward to tackling bigger and better things with her next time in.” Raced by Ray Chalklin, Loose Sally is by Windsor Park Stud stallion Turn Me Loose and is out of the race-winning mare Sally’s Mustang (AUS). She has won three of her six starts and over $203,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

While trainer Stephen Marsh may be away in Hong Kong putting the finishing touches on El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) in his bid to win the Gr.1 QE II Cup (2000m) on Sunday, he enjoyed a red-letter day at Te Rapa on Saturday as promising filly Ardalio (NZ) (Ardrossan) claimed the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) to bring up a winning treble for the stable. The three-year-old daughter of Waikato Stud stallion Ardrossan had demonstrated her class when winning the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie on Karaka Millions night before going on to finish seventh in the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) in March. Given a few days in the paddock by Marsh, Ardalio stripped a picture of fitness for Saturday’s feature and raced accordingly as she produced a devastating home straight burst to claim the major spoils in a hotly contested event. A late betting plunge saw her start the $4.50 second favourite behind stablemate Velocious (Written Tycoon) ($4.30), with rider Michael McNab having her positioned nicely in midfield against the rail in the early rush for positions. Ardalio was desperate for room at the 250m as McNab switched her over heels to find clear running and once she spied that gap she exploded to the front before holding out the late claims of Archaic Smile (Saxon Warrior) , Whiskey ‘N Roses (NZ) (Belardo) and Romilly (So You Think) to win handsomely in a slick 1.10.06 for the 1200m journey on a Soft 5 surface. Bloodstock agent Bruce Perry, who represents her breeder and owner Lib Petagna, admitted there was plenty of confidence in the camp before the race. “We did expect she could do that as she has been pretty impressive in all her race wins,” Perry said. “When she won the Almanzor Trophy at Ellerslie she was quite explosive and her run in the NZB Kiwi was as good as anything in the race as she was wide all the way. “She was entitled to give it away that day but she just kept fighting right to the line. “I think it is her attitude that really stands out as she is tough and very determined, enjoys being in a scrap and will do anything you ask of her.” Perry believes the filly may now be given a winter break before looking at some selected Spring targets. “I’m not sure what Stephen has planned for her but possibly she will head to the paddock now,” he said. “She may have quite a light Spring as it can be tough to step up in the early stages of a four-year-old campaign for some horses. “We know she is only going to get stronger so a light Spring with a focus on some Autumn targets could well be the plan.” Ardalio is the second foal of Petagna’s Written Tycoon mare Bridgewater (AUS) with her extended family representing a strong European flavour along with Australian Group Three winner Index Linked (Dansili). She has now won three of her six starts and $327,600 in prizemoney. – View the full article

The Stephen Marsh stable continued their white hot form of late with two-year-old filly Lubeck (Hanseatic) giving her rivals a galloping lesson as she dominated proceedings from the front when winning the Cambridge Raceway 2YO (1200m) at Te Rapa. The filly by former smart Australian juvenile Hanseatic jumped well from a mid-field barrier for apprentice Rihaan Goyaram after being a little hesitant to load away and worked to the front after 300m. Goyaram set up a steady pace on the filly before asking her to quicken rounding the home bend where she quickly slipped three lengths clear with 300m to run. Chased hard by another debutant in Panther (NZ) (Ace High) alongside race favourite The Espy (NZ) (U S Navy Flag), Lubeck found a superior kick and cruised to the line to win by two and a half lengths to get her career off to a winning start. “She’s quite a classy little two-year-old who had two very nice trials, so we expected quite a lot of her,” said stable representative Ashley Tompkinson. “She is quite a sweet filly with a big heart and she is a favourite of the stable.” Goyaram was also pleased with the win after taking the initiative on her from the start. “She is a very nice filly and had showed up with some nice trials on the synthetic track at home,” he said. “Today with a good draw and my claim (3kgs) off her back I thought I would be positive and lead if I could. We got there pretty easily and she ran some good sectionals and didn’t give up in the run home. “I’m very thankful to Mr Marsh and the connections for putting me on a very nice horse.” Out of the four-race winner What A Smasher (NZ), Lubeck was a $60,000 purchase by Jim Bruford under his Brewers Bloodstock banner from the Kilgravin Lodge Book 1 draft at Karaka in 2024. She comes from an extended family that includes useful Hong Kong sprinter Tuscan Spirit (NZ) (Chianti) and stakes performers Keepelo (NZ) (Keeper), To Be Fair (Kaaptive Edition) and Cullemour (NZ) (Cullen). – View the full article

Trainer Mitchell Beer will look to raise the bar with Sunrise (NZ) (Charm Spirit) after the New Zealand-bred filly blew her rivals off the track in the A$120,000 Midway Handicap (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday. The Midway was the second start of a new preparation for the Charm Spirit filly, who resumed with a front-running romp by seven lengths over 1000m at Kembla Grange on March 22. Sunrise was sent out as a $1.80 favourite on Saturday and delivered more of the same. She was driven straight to the lead by jockey Rachel King and dominated the race from the front. A powerful kick in the home straight carried her well clear of her seven opponents, going on to win by two and three-quarter lengths. Sunrise has now had 14 starts for three wins, five placings and A$142,068 in stakes. “I must thank the ownership group,” Beer said. “Last preparation, we knew how fast she was and we knew how good she was, but I just told them that she wasn’t physically and mentally ready. “When we got her, all she wanted to do in her trackwork was bolt. We had to bite the bullet and teach her how to settle so that she could do this. To win this race today is a terrific result. “With the beach stable we’ve got at Kembla, she spends most of her time down there and she’ll be going back to the beach again tomorrow. “I had her entered for a Listed race in Brisbane today and she drew gate 13. This looked like a better option for her. Now that she’s won this race, we might take her to Scone next month and give her a crack while she’s still three. We’ll see whether she’s up to that black-type level.” Sunrise was bred by Windsor Park Stud and is by Charm Spirit out of the Dawn Approach mare Daily At Dawn. Windsor Park offered Sunrise during Book 2 of Karaka 2023, where she was a $30,000 purchase by TFI and John Bary. Sunrise began her career with six starts in New Zealand as a two-year-old last season, winning over 1000m at Tauherenikau and recording second placings at Trentham behind Savaglee (NZ) (Savaglee) and Sergeant Major (NZ) (Proisir). She also finished eighth in both the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). Beer bought Sunrise for A$45,000 from the 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast last May. “Big thanks to Mick Gannon, who does our data, and our bloodstock agent Steph (Grentell),” Beer said. “They found her in the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale and we got her for A$45,000. I rang the boys from JJJ Racing and they were very keen to get involved. We love these tried horses.” View the full article

Riviera Rebel winning Saturday’s Gr.3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) at Riccarton. (Photo: Ajay Berry – Race Images South) Riviera Rebel has been a special horse for rookie trainer Brooke Kincaid, who had her first taste of black-type success in Saturday’s Group 3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) at Riccarton. Kincaid went into partnership with Riverton trainer Graham Eade at the beginning of this season. Riviera Rebel quickly became her first winner with a Rating 75 victory at Riccarton on August 10, and on Saturday the talented gelding was in the spotlight again as he provided her sixth and most significant training success. “It’s amazing,” Kincaid said. “This horse gave me my very first winner as a trainer, and now he’s given me my first Group win too. It’s very special.” Riviera Rebel followed his August victory at Riccarton with open handicap successes in the Tapanui Cup (1200m) at Riverton in January and the Hororata Gold Cup (1800m) at Riccarton in March. He was unplaced over 1200m at Riverton last weekend, but relished the step up to 2000m for Saturday’s $120,000 weight-for-age feature. Jockey Kylie Williams took up a handy position in third behind Taimate Diva and Master Marko. The field fanned out all the way across the track coming around the home turn, but Williams stuck to the rail and didn’t go around a single horse. Riviera Rebel slid through the inside and hit the front at the top of the straight. Harlech emerged as the main threat on the opposite side of the track, but Riviera Rebel kept finding and refused to be reeled in. He crossed the finish line a length and three-quarters ahead of Harlech, with Noble Knight another neck away in third. “It was a great performance from the horse today and a perfect ride from Kylie as well,” Kincaid said. “She was able to get him to settle just off the pace this time, instead of having to lead like he often does. Then she saved all that ground coming around the home turn and it worked out perfectly.” It was a second consecutive win in the Canterbury Gold Cup for Williams, who guided Green Luck to victory in the same race 12 months ago. Riviera Rebel was bred by Philip Jeffreys, who races the gelding alongside Eade and his wife Pat. The four-year-old has now had 23 starts for six wins, seven placings and $219,255 in stakes. “We’re still deciding whether or not to back him up again here at Riccarton next Saturday,” Kincaid said. “There’s not a lot else left for him this season, so whether he runs again next weekend or not, he’ll be heading out for a good long break soon before we get him ready for the spring.” Horse racing news View the full article

Loose Sally victorious in Saturday’s Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton. (Photo: Ajay Berry – Race Images South) Statuesque three-year-old filly Loose Sally once again showed her liking for tracks with plenty of give in them as she monstered her rivals in the home straight to claim victory in Saturday’s Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton. Trainer Shankar Muniandy brought her north from his Wingatui base for her second crack at a Riccarton three-year-old fillies feature after she finished an unlucky fifth in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) a fortnight earlier where she flew home after meeting trouble early in the straight that day. Muniandy’s brother Ruvanesh took the mount again and made sure he had nothing but clear air this time around as he got her rolling into contention at the 800m and up outside the leaders turning for home. Loose Sally powered to the front and although inclined to wander around a little in the final stages on the Heavy 10 surface, she held on comfortably to defeat Sight To See and The Boss Lady who charged at her late in the piece. “She is a big filly and the 2000m today was exactly what she needed,” an elated Shankar Muniandy said. “That was her last run for this prep as she will go to the paddock and we will look after her. “She has come such a long way in her six starts, winning three of them and picking up some valuable black type in nice races like the one today. “I think with some more time on her you will see a very good stayer in the making.” Muniandy admitted he had sat down with his brother during the day to discuss how the earlier races had unfolded and how he felt the filly should be positioned if possible. “She needs a clear run like she got today so we had a good chat all morning to see where we would ride her and where I would like her to be in the running. “Ruvanesh followed those instructions to the letter and I knew when she had clear air moving around them we would be very hard to beat. “It is very exciting to have such a nice horse in the stable and I ‘m looking forward to tackling bigger and better things with her next time in.” Horse racing news View the full article

Australian trainer rates world’s best sprinter a vastly improved horse on his maiden Group One success from December.View the full article

Normandy Coast (Omaha Beach), winner of a rained-off renewal of the Listed Palisades Stakes at Keeneland on Apr. 6, was hammered down to owner Steven Judy for a final bid of $355,000 to top Friday's single-session Keeneland April Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale. The auction took place following the conclusion of the final day of racing at the adjacent racetrack. A $60,000 purchase out of the 2023 Fasig-Tipton October Sale, Normandy Coast raced for Red Gate Racing and was trained by Eddie Kenneally to three wins from his five starts to date. After breaking his maiden at second asking at Ellis Park last July, he went missing and picked up where he left off with a neck success in Fair Grounds allowance company Jan. 11. Eased home in the GIII Gotham Stakes Mar. 1, he rebounded in no uncertain terms in the Palisades, striking from close range and relishing the sloppy underfoot conditions en route to a 3 1/2-length victory (video) for trainer Eddie Kenneally and owner Red Gate Racing. Kenneally Racing consigned the colt to the sale as hip 80. “Eddie is going to stay in; bought him for a friend of mine that's newer to the business,” said Donald Wells, agent for Judy's Four Sons Stable, who signed the ticket. “We are going to run on Wednesday at Churchill Downs (in the $300,000 William Walker Stakes for 3-year-olds racing 5 1/2 furlongs on turf). He has already been entered.” The conditioner was pleased with the results. “I think there's a lot of eyes on the races at Keeneland, and if you're fortunate enough to run well in any race, let alone a stakes race here, everybody notices,” Kenneally said. “So it's a good platform, and it's a good place to showcase a horse, especially a good horse like this. And I think the timing of the sale is ideal, too, with Churchill coming up, a lot of people in town for Derby Week. It's just a good fit for me because we run a lot of horses at Keeneland, we're stabled here, and it all worked out good.” A winner of the Palisades Stakes on opening day of the Keeneland Spring Meet, NORMANDY COAST (Omaha Beach) tops the April Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale after selling for $355,000 to Steven Judy. Consigned by @kenneallyracing. pic.twitter.com/rntXtIbcNR — TDN (@theTDN) April 26, 2025 Also bringing current form into the HORA sale was Tough Critic (Caravaggio), who ran down the heavily favored Longshoreman (Midshipman) to graduate at first asking in a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint on the afternoon of Apr. 24 (video). Added to the sale just Friday morning, the New York-bred colt–the final lot offered as hip 89–was knocked down to George Weaver, agent, for $350,000. Weaver saddled the colt to victory on Thursday for John Goldthorpe's Dew Sweepers LLC. Weaver's assistant Blair Golen signed the ticket. “I have always liked this horse since we have had him,” Golen said. “He's matured and grown up so much. He showed on the track (in winning his career debut at Keeneland a day earlier). There is Ascot (in England) and that is a lovely place to go and we have a string in New York. He'd be very competitive at Saratoga. He's a cool horse.” Weaver won the 2023 G2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot with Crimson Advocate (Nyquist). On behalf of Paramount Sales, the consignment's Lesley Campion said: “We were thrilled to consign this colt. The move he made (in winning his career debut) was phenomenal. I feel we are selling a lot of 'blue skies,' and he is loaded with potential. Going forward, they can have all the fun in the world at Royal Ascot and Saratoga, and you have the New York-bred program for him.” Campion said Paramount consigns horses for former owner Dew Sweepers, explaining: “It is part of their business plan to race and sell.” Winner of a Maiden Special Weight yesterday at @keenelandracing, Tough Critic sold for $350,000 at #KeeApril! Consigned by Paramount Sales, purchased by George Weaver, agent pic.twitter.com/AG9MIjJnK2 — Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) April 26, 2025 Brad Weisbord and Liz Crow's ELiTE Sales sold 23 horses for $1.885 million to lead in both categories, and the draft was topped by three horses that fetched prices in excess of $200,000. Offered on behalf of Phil and Christine Hatfield's CHP Racing, hip 40, the 4-year-old colt Clever Mischief (Into Mischief) was purchased by Team Adams Racing's Tracy Adams for $220,000. The son of Suraya (Tiznow) most recently took his record to 2-3-0 from six starts with a last-lunge allowance success over the Gulfstream turf course Mar. 1 for trainer Chad Brown. His year-younger half-sister Lady Authentic (Authentic) sold later in the session for $37,000. “That's the one we wanted,” Adams said. “We've got our trainer (Dana Hancock) with us. I've got my co-owner (Sal Perito here), so they're the ones that really take care of this whole thing. So when they tell me when (to bid on a horse), that's what I go by.” Marquee Bloodstock paid $200,000 for 4-year-old 'TDN Rising Star' Speak Easy (Constitution, hip 17) while owner Michael Dubb went to the same amount for the 4-year-old colt Exploration (Curlin), winner of two straight, including a Laurel allowance Mar. 1. A total of 44 horses were reported as sold for gross receipts of $3,884,000. The average was $88,273, while the median settled at $65,000. “This sale was a lovely complement to the race meet,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “Everyone here tonight was having fun, and there was a buzz around the grounds. The energy from the race day rolled down the hill from the race track to the Sales Pavilion, and we look forward to even more excitement when we open our new venues.” Added Keeneland Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach: “Trade tonight was solid and the median was more comparable to the April Sales of 2022 and 2023. The horses were well received and most of all them sold through the ring.” For full results, please visit www.keeneland.com. The post Recent Stakes Winner Normandy Coast Tops Keeneland HORA Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Keeneland concluded its 2025 Spring Meet on Friday following 15 days of racing that produced total wagering of $192 million. The Spring Meet was slated to begin Friday, Apr. 4, but severe storms and flooding rainfall forced Keeneland officials to take the unprecedented step of rescheduling the opening two days, resulting in the GI Central Bank Ashland and the GI Toyota Blue Grass moving to Monday, Apr. 7 and Tuesday, Apr. 8, respectively. “The success of this Spring Meet is a salute to the power of teamwork, and we are grateful to all who helped as we navigated the weather-related challenges of opening weekend,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “Moving our two biggest race days–opening Friday and Saturday–to Monday and Tuesday, when we typically don't race, wasn't easy, but it was the right decision to keep our horses and community safe. I am proud of the resiliency of our Keeneland team, and we offer a huge thanks for the support of our horsemen, sponsors and fans.” All-sources wagering (not including whole card simulcasting at Keeneland) for the 15-day Spring Meet of $192,676,486 was down 11.92% from last spring's 16-day meet total of $218,741,501. During the Spring Meet, Keeneland offered a season-record $9.4 million for 19 stakes. Purses were increased for 16 of those stakes, led by the $250,000 boost to the $1.25-million Toyota Blue Grass and $150,000 increase to the $750,000 Central Bank Ashland. Average daily purses were a Keeneland record $1,327,434. “The strong support of our horsemen is what makes Keeneland racing so special,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. “Owners, trainers and jockeys always bring their 'A' game to Keeneland. They love to test their skills and their horses against the best of the best, which creates a tremendous product for our fans and handicappers.” Flavien Prat won five races during the final two days of the meet to push his total to 20 and secure his first Keeneland leading rider title. The race for leading trainer by Brad Cox, Wesley Ward and Brendan Walsh also went down to the wire, with Walsh and Cox each notching a win on closing day to share the title with 10 wins apiece. Brad Kelley's Calumet Farm won five races, including two stakes, to be the Spring Meet's leading owner. The post Keeneland Concludes Spring Meet, Produces $192 Million in Total Wagering appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Florida House of Representatives on Friday passed controversial Thoroughbred decoupling legislation by a 70-34 vote at 6:10 p.m. HB 167 is a wide-ranging gaming bill, but the only section of it that came up for debate during the Apr. 25 legislative session was the decoupling aspect. As passed by the House, the bill would remove a statutory requirement that Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs run a minimum number of live Thoroughbred races in order to operate the respective casino and card room at each venue. The language of the bill would establish a five-year time frame before decoupling could go fully into effect in 2030. The Senate has not yet voted on a version of the bill. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis indicated last week he is not in favor of decoupling legislation, but he stopped short of saying he would absolutely veto any bill that comes to his desk that would decouple casino gaming from live racing in Florida. On Apr. 23, when the decoupling bill was first slated to be brought up during the House session, Lonny Powell, the chief executive officer of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA), told TDN that even though this year's legislative fight is far from complete, his organization is already looking ahead to the next legislative calendar, when the issue might be debated anew with a focus on how the Thoroughbred industry might best transition to a new model if Gulfstream or Tampa were to opt for decoupling. “We expect the House to pass decoupling,” Powell said on Wednesday, predicting the vote two days ahead of its passage. “Our big challenge is going forward after this session is to define the future of what Florida racing and breeding looks like so we can [move forward] and not be defending it all the time.” The post Florida House Passes Five-Year Decoupling Bill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Brendan Walsh tied with Brad Cox for his first-ever Keeneland training title when Dixiana Farms' homebred Forever After All romped by nine lengths to score in the April 25 Bewitch Stakes (G3T) on closing day of the spring meet. View the full article