Wandering Eyes

Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners Light Fingers Stakes Group Two Betting Guide Date: Saturday, February 15, 2025 Location: Randwick Racecourse – Sydney, New South Wales Prize Money: $300,000 Distance: 1200m The Light Fingers Stakes is a Group 2 race for three-year-old fillies, run over 1200m, under set weights at Randwick. First held in 1981 and won by Shaybisc, the Light Fingers Stakes was originally a Listed race before gaining Group 2 status in 1986, briefly dropping to Group 3 from 1987 to 1990. The Light Fingers Stakes has been primarily run over 1200m, except for 1997-98 (1100m), and has been hosted at Randwick, Warwick Farm, and Rosehill. Named after the 1965 Melbourne Cup-winning mare, the race has produced notable winners such as Emancipation, Skating, More Joyous, Alizee, and Fangirl. Some other Light Fingers Stakes winners, including Whisked, Skating, and Staging, have gone on to produce top progeny. Alizee won the Queen of the Turf after taking out this race, while Godolphin dominated in 2020, filling the trifecta. The 2024 Light Fingers Stakes, worth $300,000, was won by Kimochi, defeating Learning To Fly and Kristilli. 2025 Light Fingers Stakes betting odds Kimochi (inside) digs deep to claim the 2024 Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Odds for the Light Fingers Stakes as of February 10, 2025 – Courtesy of Neds Lady Shenandoah Win $3.50 Place $1.63 Lady Of Camelot Win $4.00 Place $1.75 Manaal Win $5.00 Place $2.00 Dance To The Boom Win $8.00 Place $2.75 Amelita Win $11.00 Place $3.50 Perfumist Win $13.00 Place $4.00 Silmarillion Win $13.00 Place $4.00 Another Prophet Win $17.00 Place $5.00 Declichy Boulevard Win $17.00 Place $5.00 Lazzura Win $17.00 Place $5.00 Phenom Win $17.00 Place $5.00 Art’s Alive Win $26.00 Place $7.25 Castanya Win $26.00 Place $7.25 Husk Win $26.00 Place $7.25 Just Precious Win $26.00 Place $7.25 Lilac Win $26.00 Place $7.25 More Territories Win $26.00 Place $7.25 Scintilla Win $26.00 Place $7.25 Shohisha Win $26.00 Place $7.25 Island Dec Win $51.00 Place $13.50 Photographics Win $51.00 Place $13.50 Rag Queen Win $51.00 Place $13.50 Winning Proposal Win $101.00 Place $26.00 How to bet on the Light Fingers Stakes All of our top horse betting sites have odds for the Light Fingers Stakes. Most of the Sydney Autumn Carnival races have markets opened well in advance and the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes is no exception. The top online bookmakers in Australia with Light Fingers Stakes betting can be accessed via several different means, including via horse betting apps, telephone betting and via their websites. It is a straight-forward process signing up and betting at Light Fingers Stakes bookmakers, with things like Visa, Mastercard, Paypal and Apple Pay the most popular way people fund their bookie accounts. The only real caveat is that you will have to prove your identity, before you have full access to your account. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. 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Light Fingers Stakes News The Follow Files: Chris Waller runners return in fine style Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago In this week’s Follow Files, we have found runners from Flemington and Randwick last Saturday that are worth keeping an … Read More Kimochi gets the head down in Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Kimochi ($6.50) has finally returned to the winners’ enclosure after getting the head down in a photo finish to claim … Read More Randwick free racing tips & quaddie | Saturday, February 17 Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Randwick hosts a stack of black-type racing this weekend for Apollo Stakes Day 2024. See our free horse racing tips … Read More Learning To Fly impresses in Warwick Farm trial Australia horse racing news 1 year ago Annabel Neasham expressed her joy at Learning To Fly’s recent trial performance at Warwick Farm, with a return in the … Read More Sheeza Belter looking to bounce back in Surround Stakes Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Part-owner Justin Warwick has promised Sheeza Belter will put up a stronger showing in the Surround Stakes at Randwick on … Read More In Secret too good for the girls on return Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Dominant spring filly In Secret made a triumphant return on Saturday afternoon, taking out the Light Fingers Stakes in stylish … Read More 2025 Light Fingers Stakes Final Field HorseBetting.com.au will update this page when the 2025 Light Fingers Stakes final field is released. Previous Light Fingers Stakes Fields 2024 Light Fingers Stakes field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Kimochi Gary Portelli Jason Collett 3 56kg 2 Tiz Invincible Ciaron Maher James McDonald 12 56kg 3 Learning to Fly Annabel Neasham Chad Schofield 13 56kg 4 Mumbai Muse Michael Freedman Tommy Berry 4 56kg 5 Kristilli Annabel Neasham Zac Lloyd 8 56kg 6 Autumn Ballet Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Adam Hyeronimus 1 56kg 7 Facile Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou Tim Clark 2 56kg 8 West of Dalby Benjamin Smith Brock Ryan 11 56kg 9 Arctic Glamour Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou Kerrin McEvoy 7 56kg 10 Ballroom Bella Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou Tyler Schiller 10 56kg 11 Kind Words Kris Lees Sam Clipperton 5 56kg 12 Stefi Magnetica Bjorn Baker Joshua Parr 9 56kg 13 I’m A Steel Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones Dylan Gibbons 6 56kg 2024 Light Fingers Stakes result https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Randwick-2024-Group-2-Light-Fingers-Stakes-17022024-Kimochi-Gary-Portelli-Jason-Collett.mp4 1st – Kimochi (+550) 2nd – Learning To Fly (-111.11) 3rd – Kristilli (+360) Recent runnings of the Light Fingers Stakes: 2024: Kimochi prevails in dramatic finish Kimochi ($6.50) finally returned to the winners’ enclosure after getting the head down in a photo finish to claim the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes at Randwick. The daughter of Brave Smash had remained winless since March 2023, but found the minor money on all seven occasions since that victory, before being spelled. The Gary Portelli-trained filly had trialled exceptionally well alongside the eventual runner-up, Learning To Fly ($4.20) in the lead-up, suggesting she was ready for a first-up tilt. Jockey Jason Collett tracked his rivals from a mid-field position as Facile ($13.00) bowled along on speed to put some pace into the contest, while Learning To Fly and Tiz Invincible ($4.60) had no choice but to be dragged back from their wider draws. Kristilli ($18.00) travelled up three-wide under Zac Lloyd and, at one stage, looked to have the better of his opposition, before the pair of Kimochi and Learning To Fly swamped them to fight out the finish. It was the former getting the verdict in the end, gaining a slightly more economical run in transit, while Chad Schofield on the runner-up had to weave a passage. 2023: In Secret returns with dominant performance Dominant spring filly In Secret made a triumphant return, taking out the Light Fingers Stakes in stylish fashion. All eyes were on her after a terrific spring, culminating in a Coolmore Stud Stakes demolition job and whether she could reproduce first-up. She answered that question with an empathic yes, after missing the start slightly with Nash Rawiller pressing to sit mid-field on the rail behind a moderate tempo. Cinderella Days for Joseph Pride and Sam Clipperton pinged the lids early to lead, which may have been a surprise to those who had North Star Lass mapping in front for the 1200m contest. Sunshine In Paris got the box seat after jumping nicely, while Madame Pommery was the best of the chasing horses from back in the field. Rawiller expertly weaved his way to the front and proceeded to prove In Secret as the best of the girls yet again. 2022: Fangirl upstages fancied stablemate It was the race that everyone waited for, as boom filly Espiona returned for her autumn campaign, but it was her stablemate Fangirl who spoilt the party, taking out the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes in a terrific battle up the Randwick straight. The Chris Waller pair were expected to be in the finish, but it was Fangirl ($14) who got the better of the odds-on favourite. Waller declared both Espiona and Fangirl as the new fillies on the block prior to the race, given they both bypassed traditional three-year-old fillies races in the spring, but it was the less-fancied of the two who reigned supreme. Previous winners of the Light Fingers Stakes Light Fingers Stakes Past Winners Year Horse Jockey Trainer 2024 Kimochi Jason Collett Gary Portelli 2023 In Secret Nash Rawiller James Cummings 2022 Fangirl Hugh Bowman Chris Waller 2021 Every Rose Joshua Parr Mark Newnham 2020 Flit Hugh Bowman James Cummings 2019 Nakeeta Jane Joshua Parr Mark Newnham 2018 Alizee Glyn Schofield James Cummings 2017 Global Glamour Joshua Parr Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 2016 Perignon Tim Clark Gerald Ryan 2015 Adrift Tye Angland Gai Waterhouse 2014 Sweet Idea Tommy Berry Gai Waterhouse 2013 Bennetta James McDonald Grahame Begg 2012 Sea Siren Jim Cassidy John O’Shea 2011 Obsequious Kerrin McEvoy Peter Snowden 2010 More Joyous Nash Rawiller Gai Waterhouse 2009 Rock Me Baby Brad Pengelly David Payne 2008 Forensics Rod Quinn Peter Snowden 2007 Gold Edition Jim Cassidy Ron Maund 2006 Street Smart Glenn Lynch Ron Maund 2005 Trezevant Chris Munce Gai Waterhouse 2004 Sharp Corey Brown John Hawkes 2003 Only Glory Darren Beadman John O’Shea 2002 Ancient Song Larry Cassidy Rado Boljun 2001 Lady Mulan Glen Boss Bob Thomsen 2000 Camena Larry Cassidy Gerald Ryan Light Fingers Stakes winners pre-2000 Light Fingers Stakes Past Winners Pre 2000 Year Horse 1999 Rubicall 1998 Staging 1997 Assertive Lass 1996 Peruzzi 1995 Flight To Fantasy 1994 Gem Of The West 1993 Skating 1992 Office 1991 Whisked 1990 Joanne 1989 Paris Miss 1988 Here’s The Point 1987 Magic Flute 1986 Shinakima 1985 Rivage 1984 Sabre Dancer 1983 Emancipation 1982 Playing Our Song 1981 Shaybisc Recommended! Take It To The Neds Level Home of the Neds Toolbox Check Out Neds 18+ Gamble Responsibly Full terms Punters Prefer Blondes It’s a fact, Blondes have more fun Join BlondeBet 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE?. Next Gen Racing Betting Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? It Pays To Play New online bookmaker Check Out PlayUp 18+ Gamble Responsibly Say Hey to the social bet! You Better Believe It Join Dabble 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE?. Full terms. View the full article

Classic Mile victor and Francis Lui’s exciting galloper headline the Post’s ratings for the second leg of the four-year-old series.View the full article

What Goulburn Races Where Goulburn & District Racing Club – Racecourse Dr, Goulburn NSW 2580 When Tuesday, February 11, 2025 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Goulburn & District Racing Club is the destination for NSW racing on Tuesday afternoon, with a competitive eight-part program set for decision. The rain continues to fall across the region, and with the track already rated a Heavy 8 on Monday morning, punters can expect the testing conditions to remain for race-day. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit as racing gets underway at 1:15pm local time. Best Bet at Goulburn: Love The Cube Love The Cube returns after a 305-day spell and appears well placed in this Class 1 contest. The son of Rubick was narrowly defeated at the end of last preparation, with Hold just getting the better of the Blaike Ryan-trained gelding in the shadows of the post, denying Love The Cube back-to-back wins. His latest barrier trial at Hawkesbury on January 20 suggests he’s returning in supreme order, and although he must lug 61kg first-up, Love The Cube can get the job done. Best Bet Race 3 – #1 Love The Cube (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Blake Ryan | J: Mitchell Bell (61kg) Next Best at Goulburn: Sweet Patriot Sweet Patriot looks set to peak third-up into the campaign after hitting the line well at Port Macquarie on January 24. The daughter of Starspangledbanner was no match for Formal on that occasion, but she never shirked the task, producing some strong closing sectionals to get within 1.7 lengths. Louise Day has the option to lead this time from barrier one, and with Sweet Patriot running well on wet decks in the past, the testing conditions should be no issue in her quest to break her maiden status. Next Best Race 2 – #2 Sweet Patriot (1) 4yo Mare | T: Matthew Smith | J: Louise Day (59kg) Best Value at Goulburn: Maison Louis The John O’Shea & Tom Charlton-trained Maison Louis has shown steady improvement at the barrier trials heading into this debut assignment. His latest piece of work at Randwick on January 28 particularly caught the eye, with the unraced Super Seth gelding pushed out to get within four lengths of Stormbringer. Keagan Latham will look to slot in somewhere midfield with cover throughout the journey, and with an impressive turn-of-foot in the locker, watch for this guy to finish off well at the each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 7 – #3 Maison Louis (6) 3yo Gelding | T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | J: Keagan Latham (58.5kg) Tuesday quaddie tips for Goulburn Goulburn quadrella selections February 11, 2025 2-3-5-6-9 1-3-4-8 2-3-8 2-6-11-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

La Crique finished second in last Saturday’s Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Dual Group One winner La Crique continued her consistent run of form when finishing runner-up to El Vencedor in Saturday’s Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa, and she will now be set for another elite-level 2000m test. The daughter of Vadamos has been in a purple patch of form since winning last year’s Group 1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki, winning two and finishing runner-up in five of her subsequent seven starts, much to the delight of her trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander. “She is nothing but consistent and no one can bag her on that,” Katrina Alexander said. “A lot of horses will put in a good run and might struggle for the next few, but every time we have lined her up in her last five or six starts she has delivered.” Alexander was pleased with La Crique’s efforts on Saturday and said she has come through the run well. “It was a good effort considering the gap between runs and going straight into Group One level at 2000m technically fresh-up again. Especially against a horse like El Vencedor who is in a super patch of form and having had recent racing,” Alexander said. “She got held up on the rail there too and she had to waste a bit of energy trying to get herself out as opposed to being able to go forward. With all that stacked up I thought it was a really good run. I was very proud of her effort. “(She was) a little bit scratchy off the firm ground on the Sunday morning but come the afternoon she was very bright, and she is very bright in herself today (Monday). She has pulled up very well.” La Crique has finished second in her last three outings, all at Group One level, and will bid to go one better when she heads to Ellerslie on Champions Day, March 8, to tackle the Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). “She goes through to the Bonecrusher and we won’t need to do a lot in-between,” Alexander said. “It will be a bit of a gap (between runs), but that is the way she is best, she is not a horse that can routinely go (racing every) two weeks. “That will be our next main target and we will see where we go from there.” La Crique is a $6 chance with horse racing bookmakers for the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes. Horse racing news View the full article

Via Sistina and James McDonald returns to scale after winning the Group 1 Champions Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Jay Town/Racing Photos) James McDonald will miss the opportunity to ride the Chris Waller-trained Via Sistina in her much-anticipated first-up run in Saturday’s Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick. Instead, McDonald will partner her Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m)-winning stablemate, Switzerland, in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on the same day. McDonald was in Melbourne on Friday to ride the Coolmore-owned colt in a jump-out at Flemington. The star three-year-old impressed connections as he cruised home behind the other runners. “I thought he was fantastic,” McDonald told Racing.com. “I’m really happy with his condition. Chris is thrilled with him, so he goes into the race in really good condition. He’s always been highly rated by the stable and everyone that rides him, loves him. “He had a bit of an interrupted prep early on and then Chris got him back on track and he had a nice lead-up race (winning the Roman Consul Stakes) and then demolished them in the Coolmore. “I love the horse and we know he goes well up the straight, so he’ll be there when the whips are cracking.” Horse racing news View the full article

Pride Of Jenni, ridden by Declan Bates, wins the All-Star Mile at Caulfield Racecourse on March 16, 2024. (Photo: Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Ciaron Maher has confirmed that Group 1 star Pride Of Jenni is back in training, but no firm plans have been set for the mare’s return to racing. The Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner, who also boasts victories in the Champions Mile and All-Star Mile, has returned in “good order” after completing a mandatory three-month break following a bleeding incident at Flemington last spring. Initially retired after the setback in the Champions Stakes, Pride Of Jenni thrived on a spell at owner-breeder Tony Ottobre’s Cape Schanck farm before rejoining Maher’s stable. “Tony has got a nice farm and they looked after her really well,” Maher said. “She had her time off, she’s done a bit of training, and we’re just going to go slow. We won’t drill down on her.” Maher said the $10 million earner has settled back into stable life seamlessly. Whilst there is no confirmed date for her much-anticipated return to racing, top online bookmakers have her listed for pre-nominations in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in April. Pride Of Jenni is listed at $15 to win the prestigious 2000m Group 1 at Randwick. “It’s good to see her happy, healthy and well,” he said. “Her demeanour seems very similar to what it always is. “You want to make sure every box is ticked before going back to the races, but she does seem her old self, very straightforward.” Horse racing news View the full article

Insurrection. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Insurrection is expected to continue his rivalry with Rey Magnerio when they clash again in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 22. The duo fought out the finish to Saturday’s Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) over the same course and distance, with Rey Magnerio emerging victorious on that occasion. Despite narrowly missing out on a first-up win, trainer Michael Freedman expressed his satisfaction with the five-year-old gelding’s performance and confirmed that he would likely remain in Melbourne for the Group 1 sprint. “I was very happy with his run,” he told Racing.com. “He was first-up (after) eight months and he just got grabbed in the last bit but it was a really good run. “I’m sure that will improve him and he’ll probably go to the Oakleigh Plate under handicap conditions in two weeks.” Insurrection is currently an $18 chance with horse racing betting sites for the Oakleigh Plate on February 22. Horse racing news View the full article

Harness Racing New Zealand and Next Gen have arranged a special bus service for visitors attending the NZB National Standardbred Yearling Sales to get to and back from Sunday’s Banks Peninsula Trotting Club meeting at Motukarara. The sales start at Karaka in Auckland this Saturday (February 15) and then move to Christchurch on Tuesday (February 18). The schedule on Sunday is : Christchurch pick ups at : 10:20 AM – Commodore Hotel 10:35 AM – Chateau on the Park 10:40 AM – Depart for Motukarara Raceway Return Trip: 5:45 PM – Depart Motukarara, returning to Chateau on the Park and Commodore Hotel All bus passengers are invited to join HRNZ and Next Gen in our marquee on the hill for an afternoon of great racing, networking, and hospitality. Seats are limited to 45 passengers and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To secure your place, email cameron@hrnz.co.nz today. There are also a very limited number of seats available on Friday’s bus that is heading to Alexandra Park from Karaka. The bus will depart the DoubleTree by Hilton, Karaka at 4.15pm sharp, and on return will depart from Alexandra Park at 10.30pm sharp. Again all enquiries should be emailed to cameron@hrnz.co.nz View the full article

By Mike Love Regular beach training has been one of the keys to turning around Sharma Trouble , the winner of the Rakaia Seed Cleaning Trot at Methven yesterday. Trained by Nigel Chalmers at Waikouaiti trainer Nigel Chalmers, it was the six-year-old Superfast Stuart gelding’s first win nine starts. “It looked like he jogged that. I think the penny may have dropped with him, I think he’s quite promising.” said Chalmers. Sharma Trouble, driven by Sam Thornley, began quickly to lead early before settling three back the markers. The gaps presented themselves up the long Methven straight for Sharma Trouble to burst through and speed away to win by two lengths from Castleisland and Rosary. “I have been taking him over to the beach everyday the last couple of weeks and he’s just been getting better and better.” Sharma Trouble was formerly with Methven trainer Michael Heenan before Chalmers saw the gelding up for sale. “I called Michael and asked to lease it, which he agreed to. He told me he works really well and that if I could get him right he’d win some races.” “He’s had a few issues along the way – back issues, foot issues, muscled issues – the works. So it’s been a very satisfying win because of the work that’s gone into him.” There are seven people involved in the lease – including Chalmers’ father Graeme Chalmers who trained 19 winners himself. “Dad’s in it, with a couple of friends, my sister and a few others so it’s really cool for them.” Chalmers has now trained 21 winners, and trains one other horse in addition to Sharma Trouble. “Annrose is a horse with ability – she will go to the trials on Wednesday to hopefully qualify. She’s one to follow in the future.” View the full article

By Jonny Turner Craig Ferguson was taking none of the credit after his perfectly judged front-running drive helped Shepherd’s Delight win yesterday’s Otautau Four Square Wairio Cup. The pacer was in front from the second the standing start tapes were released in the Winton feature, with Ferguson judging the pace to perfection behind the Ivan Court trained five-year-old. Though he clearly got his mid-race calculations spot on, Ferguson was quick to hand the credit for the win to Court. The Canterbury trainer is known for producing brilliant standing start horses, and Shepherd’s Delight showed he was exactly that in the biggest win of his career. “The credit really needs to go to Ivan,” Ferguson said. “All his horses can begin super and this fellow today, that is what won him the race.” “He made such a great beginning and we were able to roll along and make them chase.” Ferguson ran even times in the lead, setting a big task for the backmarkers and favourites Miraculous and Built For Glory to chase him down. Miraculous got close to Shepherd’s Delight in the home straight, before the winner dug in bravely when challenged. “I just had to make sure that I went quick enough that they had to do a bit of work to chase me, but not too quick so that I still had plenty at the finish,” Ferguson said. “When we ramped it up he still had plenty in store, he went super.” Court produced a perfect two-from-two on Wairio Cup Day with Bondi Lustre also running to victory. The mare also dug in late to score, handing driver Tim Williams his 900th win in the sulky in New Zealand. Williams was only stuck on 899 wins for a week, but he was eager to chase down his milestone victory. “It is a massive thrill, obviously glad to get there, I have had a few placings the last wee bit.” “But it is nice to get it across the line today.” Williams finished Wairio Cup Day on 902 New Zealand wins after enjoying feature race victories with both B D Hall in Sunday’s Gold Chip Final and Sweet Diamond in heat one of the Southern Belle Speed Series. There were few more satisfied trainers than Nathan Williamson after Hidden Talent’s win in Sunday’s feature trot. The mare hinted she was on her way back to her best for with a last-start victory at Riverton. When the six-year-old charged home from a tricky spot before the home turn at Winton, it confirmed to Williamson that Hidden Talent was right back to where she needed to be. “We had to do some soul-searching there for a while, the ability was never in question,” the trainer-driver said. “She has been working as good as ever all season, it has just been a matter of getting everything else right.” “Today she was really happy.” Williamson also won with the Brett Gray trained Always Ticking at yesterday’s Wairio Cup meeting. View the full article

Lucky With You forges clear. Photo: HKJC Luke Ferraris continued a blistering form surge with success aboard veteran sprinter Lucky With You at Sha Tin on Sunday, leaving the young South African jockey with three feature victories in 10 days. Buoyant after wins in the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on My Wish at Sha Tin on 31 January and the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Tsun Yip Handicap (1650m) on Mr Ascendency at Happy Valley on Wednesday (February 5), Ferraris continued a stunning season with Lucky With You’s triumph. Ferraris, 23, produced a copybook ride on Frankie Lor’s seven-year-old, who had been competing at Group 1 level against champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising and clearly appreciated the drop in grade. Sitting fourth on the rails throughout, Ferraris drove dual Group 1 runner-up Lucky With You (129lb) between Harmony N Blessed and Magic Control inside the final 100m before powering clear of Gorgeous Win (123lb) and Magic Control (127lb) in 1:08.47. Lor said: “Class 1 is different for him because usually he’s in Group 1 or Group 2. He’s seven years old now and it was great to get another win for the owners. Perfect ride by Luke.” Having his first ride on the Artie Schiller gelding, Ferraris was elated after extending a remarkable run of form. “He (Lucky With You) is a lovely, game horse. He’s a real soldier. He does have a bit of a short sprint so the way the race panned out was ideal. We got behind a nice horse, Magic Control, and he pulled us through to the 250m and when he had done his job, Harmony N Blessed started to fall away,” Ferraris said. “It worked out really nicely and he hit the gap really strongly and powered away to the line, so thanks to Frankie and his team. Hopefully we can keep rolling. The support has been fantastic and I’ll be looking to keep that going and if it does, hopefully I can keep capitalising on the decent rides.” Californiatotality advanced HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) hopes with victory for Tony Cruz. Ridden by Brenton Avdulla, the Zoustar gelding notched his fifth win from 16 starts. Cruz made it a double when Righteous Arion clinched the Class 3 TVB Heroes In White Handicap (1200m) under Alexis Badel. Jamie Richards posted his third winner in as many meetings when La Forza capped an eventful 24 hours with victory under Zac Purton. A three-year-old by Toronado, La Forza posted his second win from four starts after galloping riderless at Sha Tin on Saturday morning after losing his rider. “It was just unfortunate that he shied basically at the TV screen there. But he didn’t go too fast when he did a little quiet lap without the rider on and thankfully everything’s gone nice and smoothly for him today,” Richards said of La Forza’s trackwork incident. “He’s a horse who last season was very immature and we backed off him and we thought we had him ready to go earlier in the season and we just had to back off him again because he was just a little bit shin sore. He was very weak last season but he’s put on a lot of weight and strengthened up.” Purton took his tally to 84 wins for the season when David Eustace’s Light Years Charm swept to victory after Lyle Hewitson slotted a double, scoring aboard Benno Yung-trained Special Hedge and Francis Lui’s Gallant Epoch. “Obviously, it’s fantastic. It’s just been a slow (start) this season but I feel like over the past two weeks, I’ve been feeling really good in the saddle and I think that is showing – and that’s a positive,” Hewitson said. “On top of that, I’ve been given one or two opportunities each meeting which I’ve been able to convert.” Pierre Ng reclaimed the lead in the 2024/25 trainers’ championship with Gale Saga’s victory for Matthew Poon before Dennis Yip’s Super Love landed the Class 4 TVB Pok Oi Charity Show Handicap (1200m) for Teetan. Jimmy Ting posted his sixth win of the campaign when Flash Current snared the Class 4 TVB Po Leung Kuk Gala Spectacular Handicap (1200m) for Harry Bentley. Winning Gold claimed the Class 3 The Fading Gold Handicap (1400m) for Karis Teetan and Chris So. Horse racing news View the full article

C2 Racing Stable, Agave Racing Stable, and Ken Reimer's champion female sprinter Soul of an Angel will bypass the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) and remain in the United States to target the Madison Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Casalu (Caracaro) broke from the gate with winning in mind, and took the Listed Sweet Life Stakes nearly gate to wire in her downhill debut at Santa Anita. Coming into the race with a victory going a mile over this course Dec. 28 in the Blue Norther Stakes, she'd run second two back Nov. 30 to Will Then (War of Will) in the GIII Jimmy Durante Stakes at Del Mar. It was her third graded black type behind placings in the GIII Sorrento Stakes on the main track Aug. 10 and GIII Surfer Girl Stakes last October. Made the deserved 3-5 favorite by the betting public here, she never made it look like it was her first time on the downhill, leaping right to the lead coming out of the gate. Sailing through an opening fraction of :22.69 and then rating off the hip of Practical Dream (Practical Joke) as :44.44 was posted on the board, she pounced on that temporary leader after the crossover. Kicking on with it as the closers tried to catch her, she strode home confidently by 1 3/4 lengths over As Catch Can (Mo Town) and it was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Tequilaandtherapy (Mrazek) in third. “It was pretty simple,” Flavien Prat said of his winning ride. “She broke well and as always was very professional. She got the job done. I was thankful to pick up the mount. I know Kazushi Kimura is out [currently sidelined with an injury] and I wish him a speedy recovery.” Flavien Prat and CASALU ($3.20) were much the best in the $100,000 Sweet Life Stakes at @SantaAnitaPark. The filly by Caracaro (@CrestwoodKY) is trained by @BobBaffert. Two-to-go today: https://t.co/5VcRa4VxbO pic.twitter.com/2Hsvucp2Vb — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 9, 2025 Casalu is the most accomplished for her dam thus far, but she is the second to claim black-type behind elder half-sister SP Twirled (Twirling Candy). Key d'Oro has three winners from four to make it to the track and her most recent is a juvenile colt by Vekoma. She is due to American Pharoah for 2025. Their dam hails from the female line of GISW Key Phrase (Flying Paster), who produced SW Yankee Gentleman (Storm Cat) as well as the dam of GSW Half Ours (Unbridled's Song). Another of her daughters would go on to claim a line which yielded GSW Khancord Kid (Lemon Drop Kid), the dam of GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint heroine Bar of Gold (Medaglia d'Oro) and granddam of GSW Coinage (Tapit). She also produced the full-brother to the Breeders' Cup champion, the 2025 GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes victor Spirit of St Louis. This is the distant family of champion juvenile MGISW Shared Belief (Candy Ride {Arg}). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. SWEET LIFE S., $102,000, Santa Anita, 2-9, 3yo, f, 6 1/2fT, 1:12.90, fm. 1–CASALU, 124, f, 3, by Caracaro 1st Dam: Key d'Oro, by Medaglia d'Oro 2nd Dam: Key of Sea, by Storm Cat 3rd Dam: Key Phrase, by Flying Paster ($775,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR). 'TDN Rising Star' O-Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman; B-LLP PerformanceHorses, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Flavien Prat. $60,000. Lifetime Record: MGSP, 8-3-2-1, $234,546. *1/2 to Twirled (Twirling Candy), SP, $267,984. 2–As Catch Can, 122, f, 3, Mo Town–Just a Catch, by Justin Phillip. ($210,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR). O-Augustin Stables; B-Loren Nichols (FL); T-Jonathan Thomas. $20,000. 3–Tequilaandtherapy, 124, f, 3, Mrazek–Chexcess, by In Excess (Ire). O-Here We Go Brothers; B-Reddam Racing, LLC (CA); T-Chief Stipe F. O'Neill. $12,000. Margins: 1 3/4, 1 1/4, NO. Odds: 0.60, 12.40, 9.80. Also Ran: Schilflied, Practical Dream, Acquitted, Hey Lil Lady, Ce La Vi Charli, How About Pavel. Scratched: Going Deep. The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Casalu Sails Home in the Sweet Life in Downhill Debut 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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C2 Racing Stable, Agave Racing Stable and Ken Reimer's champion female sprinter Soul of an Angel (Atreides) is being pointed towards the Apr. 5 GI Madison Stakes at Keeneland, trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. confirmed Sunday. The 6-year-old mare had been on the alternate list for the Feb. 22 G1 Saudi Cup and, had she kept that engagement, would have shipped to Riyadh on a Tuesday flight. “She's not going for sure,” Joseph said of the overseas trip. “That's official. She's going to go to the Madison. We're going to give her a little freshening now that we're not going to Saudi and probably in a month or so we'll start back breezing her.” Winner of last year's GII Ruffian Stakes and GIII Princess Rooney Invitational Stakes, Soul of an Angel earned her Eclipse championship with a win in the GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint. She was forced to close into a slow pace while finishing a narrowly beaten third in the Rampart Stakes at Gulfstream in December in her most recent outing. She had three timed works following the Rampart, the last one a half-mile move in :47.80 Feb. 2. “We won't breeze her every week because it's too far out from the [Madison],” Joseph said. “As it turned out at the last minute we probably could have gotten in at Saudi, but it was too late. We only ran in the Rampart with Saudi in mind. If I had to redo it, we would have given her a break then.” The post Soul of an Angel to Target Madison appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hong Kong’s seven-time champion jockey could be sidelined for as long as a month after Sunday’s horror three-horse fall.View the full article

Wynstock (Solomini), winner of the 2023 GII Los Alamitos Futurity, as well as last year's Los Alamitos Derby, has joined the barn of trainer Linda Rice. Bob Baffert had previously trained the 4-year-old on behalf of Edward Allred and Jack Liebau, who purchased him for $700,000 at the 2023 OBS April sale. “He looks beautiful,” Rice said. “He shipped to the East Coast, and we sent him to Dr. Hogan and gave him a three-month break. He'd probably been in training for a year-and-a-half or better and I thought he might need a freshening, so he's just arrived back. I think he'll need between 60-90 days.” “I tried to buy him as a 2-year-old and ended up with him by default,” Rice added with a laugh. Wynstock was seventh in his final West Coast outing in the GII Twilight Derby last October at Santa Anita. He has won three of 10 starts for earnings of $244,740. The post Wynstock Joins Rice Barn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Maryland Horse Foundation Stallion Season opened Sunday and will continue online until Feb. 12. Hosted by Thoroughbredauctions.com, the auction includes seasons to Blofield, Bourbon Courage, Cupid, Divining Rod, Endorsed, Engage, Friesian Fire, Galawi (Ire), Holy Boss, Kobe's Back, Mosler and Warrant. Proceeds from the auction will support operations of the Maryland Horse Foundation, which was chartered in 1988 by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association to serve various educational and charitable needs of the Maryland horse industry. For more information on the auction, visit: https://internethorseauctions.com/auction-tb.php?aucid=567. The post Maryland Stallion Season Online Auction Continues to Feb. 12 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch's dual stakes winner Scorching worked five furlongs in 1:04.22 over the Belmont Park dirt training track Feb. 8 in preparation for the $300,000 Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack March 1.View the full article

A trio of 3-year-old graded stakes-winners—Journalism, Bullard and filly Look Forward—plus grade 1-winner Formidable Man, all trained by Michael McCarthy, were among 236 horses to record timed workouts Feb. 9 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Rider Penalties D Cooper | Banks Peninsula 5 February; careless riding; suspended 16-23 February inclusive. A Lawson-Carroll | Tauranga 7 February; careless riding; suspended 16-22 February inclusive. N Yuen | Tauranga 7 February; use of whip; fined $500. N Yuen | Tauranga 7 February; medical clearance required. R Hutchings | Waikato 8 February; celebratory gesture; fined $500. A Goindasamy | Banks Peninsula 5 February (heard Otago 8 February); use of whip; fined $250. F Moerman | Otago 8 February; medical clearance required. H Grace | Otaki-Maori 9 February; use of whip; fined $500. Horse Penalties DAYZEE DIOR | Banks Peninsula 5 February; epistaxis; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. CINNAMON GIRL | Banks Peninsula 5 February; epistaxis; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. QACENTINA | Wairarapa 6 February; late scratching after being fractious in barrier and charging the gates; must complete trial. ZORRO’S REVENGE | Tauranga 7 February; lame; veterinary clearance required. NOT IDEAL | Tauranga 7 February; late scratching after rearing over and having blood in a nostril; veterinary clearance required and must complete trial. SPARKY | Otago 8 February; late scratching after becoming fractious in barrier; must complete trial. EARS BACK | Otago 8 February; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. Protests I’M ALL IN | Waikato 8 February; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. SLIPPER ISLAND | Waikato 8 February; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. The post 3-9 February 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Multiple stakes winner Scorching (Mo Town), aiming for his graded stakes debut in the Mar. 1 GIII Gotham Stakes, worked five furlongs in 1:04.22 (5/7) over the dirt training track at Belmont Park Saturday for trainer John Charalambous. It was the fourth local work for the Ontario-bred colt, who is stabled in the barn of trainer Michael Miceli. “He went by himself, and he breezed well,” Charalambous said. “The track was slow. Sahin Civaci was supposed to breeze him, but he's hurt, so we called an audible and put one of Mike's exercise riders on him.” Owned by Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch, Scorching broke his maiden in the 6 1/2-furlong Simcoe Stakes over the synthetic surface at Woodbine and was elevated to the win after finishing second under the line in the 1 1/16-mile Cup and Saucer Stakes over the turf Oct. 6. Charalambous, who has been training horses since 1982, said he's not had to worry about adapting to New York's winter weather. “It would be nice if we had a few days in the 40s. We've had some touchy mornings here–Canadian mornings,” Charalambous said with a laugh. “Fortunately, we haven't missed any days of training with him, so that's a bonus. There are a few options here that some of the colder weather tracks don't have. I've utilized all the training options we have here and they're good options, so you don't miss a day.” Charlambous will be looking for his first win in New York since Charming Chester won a second-level allowance in 2000 when he saddles Scorching for the Gotham. “The timing and the distance of the Gotham works well for me to be able to get him ready off a little bit of a layoff. Hopefully, it works out,” Charalambous said. “It was unfortunate he got a virus before the Coronation Futurity. I thought he was the best or second best 2-year-old that ran at Woodbine last year. He did everything we asked of him.” Charalambous added of Scorching, “He's definitely a horse to get excited about. Whether he can handle the competition, I'm not sure, but he deserves an opportunity, and I think he's up to the task.” Also under consideration for the Gotham is Chester Broman's Sand Devil (Violence), who took his record to a perfect three-for-three with a win against fellow New York-breds in the Damon Runyon Stakes Saturday at Aqueduct. “He came out of the race very well,” trainer Linda Rice said of Sand Devil's status Sunday morning. “I think since they went so slow early, the dynamics of the race were a bit odd, but all in all, he dug in during the stretch. He had to fight off a contender, which is probably good for him as far as fitness and experience.” Looking ahead for the colt, Rice said, “It's a gradual progression. As I've stated before, I had hoped to get to the Withers, but the weather in January was pretty harsh in New York. This was our back-up position and now we'll point to the Gotham and see how it goes. We are hoping things go well in the Gotham and we can move onto the mile and an eighth in the Wood. Time will tell.” The Gotham, at a one-turn mile, offers 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. Bernieandtherose (Accelerate) may also be making the transition from the New York-bred ranks to a Classic-qualifying race after winning the East View Stakes Saturday. “She came back good,” trainer Domenick Schettino said. “I was impressed with her, especially with her dropping back down on the inside and then once Katie [Davis] got her outside, she was coming again.” Schettino said both the one-mile Busher Stakes Mar.1, which awards 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points, and the one-mile state-bred Maddie May Stakes Mar. 8 are potential targets for the filly moving forward. “We'll see how she comes back and how she trains. I don't think the distance will be an issue,” Schettino said. “She galloped out strong. She's matured since she first came in. She wasn't great in the gate, and it took us time to teach her the gate, but she's matured a lot.” The post ‘I Think He’s Up to the Task:’ Multiple Stakes Winner Scorching Tunes up for Gotham appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Driver Penalties C De Filippi | Amberley 6 February; use of whip; fined $300. C De Filippi | Amberley 6 February; careless driving; suspended 17-22 February inclusive. B Ford | Amberley 6 February; failed to take breaking runner clear of field; fined $300. B Orange | Amberley 6 February; careless driving; suspended 10-16 February inclusive. B Williamson | Wairio 9 February; breach of push out rule; fined $200. M Hurrell | Wairio 9 February; careless driving; suspended 10-21 February inclusive. Horse Penalties VOLSTONE | Amberley 6 February; broke at start; must complete standing start trial. MIKI SKIPPER | Amberley 6 February; out of position at start; must complete mobile start trial. DANCE MONKEY | Amberley 6 February; lame; veterinary clearance required. LA DAMA | Hororata 9 February; atrial fibrillation; veterinary clearance including ECG required and must complete trial. WILD WILLOW | Hororata 9 February; lame; veterinary clearance required. The post 3-9 February 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

In his debut and in his lone start prior to showing up last week in a maiden special weight race at Aqueduct, Colloquial (Vekoma) showed that he was a horse with potential. Though he lost, by a nose, the winner was Mentee (City of Light), a full-brother to Eclipse Award winner Fierceness (City of Light). And the final time of :56.97 established a new track record at Aqueduct, eclipsing the mark set 61 years earlier. But few could have expected what Colloquial, who is trained by George Weaver, would do in his return on Friday at Aqueduct. He won the 6 1/2-furlong race in 1:16.89, earning a 106 Beyer figure. It was the fastest number run by any 3-year-old, male or female, this year. The winning margin was seven lengths and the effort earned the horse 'TDN Rising Star' status. “I thought the horse would win,” said Jack Wolf, whose Starlight Racing partnership owns the colt with Curtis Harrell. “His 88 Beyer from last year sort of stood out in that field. But you never know when you come back from all that time off how a horse is going to perform.” Colloquial looks like what is part of a murderer's row for Starlight. It also co-owns the horses with the second and third best Beyer figures among 3-year-olds this year. One is last year's 2-year-old champion Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), and the other is Rodriguez (Authentic). Though Colloquial has the faster number, Citizen Bull looks like the top Derby threat for Starlight and its partners. But that could all change depending on what Colloquial does moving forward. After the promising debut, Colloquial was sent to the sidelines with a very minor injury. “After his first race, we actually had a part of the horse sold,” Wolf explained. “He was sound and everything, but he had a P1 chip and he failed the vet. We stopped on him and gave him the time he needed off and here we are. Thank goodness we didn't sell him.” Now that Colloquial has entered the conversation for the GI Kentucky Derby, he's going to have to prove two things: that he's not just a sprinter and can he be ready in time when it's already February and all he has done this year is win a 6 1/2-furlong maiden? Wolf said that he and Harrell have agreed that all racing decisions will be left up to Weaver, who has yet to announce any sort of schedule for the colt. “All I can give you is that same old pat answers you always get from the trainers,” Wolf said. “The horse came out of the race well and he ate up and we'll let him tell us what to do. I wish I could say we have a game plan, but we don't.” Though officially remaining non-committal, Wolf didn't exactly sound like someone who was eager to make this year's Derby with Colloquial. “I don't have Derby Fever,” Wolf said. “I'm not going to put any pressure on George and I don't think Curtis will either. I hope he decides to give him at least five weeks off. He ran a 4 minus on the sheets. If you run back too soon, you're probably going to bounce.” Wolf is trying to be realistic. Maybe what Colloquial showed Friday is what to expect going forward, a fast performance by a very fast horse. Wolf would be OK with that. “I'm very excited about this horse,” he said. “Even if he isn't a two-turn horse, he's certainly got the speed and talent to be a very good horse.” Tampa Bay HBPA President Optimistic Florida Track Will Survive Decoupling Effort Things went from bad to worse last week in Florida as legislation moved forward that would allow, not only Gulfstream Park to decouple its casino and racing licenses, but also allow Tampa Bay Downs to decouple. A House subcommittee not only advanced a bill that would remove the requirement that Gulfstream Park run a minimum number of live Thoroughbred races in order to operate its casino, it also amended the bill to say that pari-mutuel facilities that have cardroom gaming license may also cease racing while keeping their card rooms. Tampa Bay Downs does not have casino, but has a poker room. Should decoupling pass Tampa could also continue to import simulcasting signals. When asked by the TDN what the track's intentions are now that it may be in a position to drop live racing, Tampa Bay Downs Vice President and General Manager Peter Berube said he had no comment. Mike Dini, who is the president of the Tampa Bay Downs HBPA, said he wasn't surprised when Tampa was included in the decoupling legislation. “I expected it,” he said. “I always thought Tampa would go for the decoupling because why should they be the only track left in the state where decoupling wasn't allowed?” But Dini explained the situation at Tampa Bay Downs is quite different from the one at Gulfstream. Belinda Stronach calls the shots for Gulfstream, which is owned by The Stronach Group, and Tampa is under the direction of track owner Stella Thayer. Dini believes the two look at racing very differently. “Management here isn't like Gulfstream,” he said. “They're not looking to sell their facility. The land is valuable here too. [Thayer] could walk out of here with $500 million if she sold. The difference is she likes racing. I heard there were no intentions to close. Still, I am scared of decoupling, but I don't think that it's going to have a big impact on Tampa Bay Downs.” Dini added there's a possibility that the passage of the decoupling bill might mean a much longer season at Tampa Bay. There has been speculation that South Florida racing might move to a new facility, but only race during the prime winter dates that now make up the “Championship Meet.” Florida-breds and the cheaper horses now competing at Gulfstream will need a place to race the rest of the year, and that could be at Tampa Bay Downs. “We could help the Florida-breds by running maybe seven or eight months at Tampa,” Dini said. “We could fill a void. I'm not a big shot, but that is my plan.” While Dini is optimistic Tampa Bay Downs will be around for a while, he said he will help in every way he can when it comes to the decoupling situation at Gulfstream. “We will fight this because I'm looking out for racing throughout the country and not just in the state of Florida,” he said. “Once it happens here, there will be a chain reaction around the country. We have to stop it here to keep it from going everywhere.” The post The Week in Review: Colloquial is Very Fast, but is he Derby Material? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article