Wandering Eyes

Having endured a number of near-misses in similar company, Michael Blencowe can be forgiven if he's still basking in the glory of last month's Group 2 victory at Meydan with West Acre (Ire), an “exhilarating” experience which now has the owner dreaming of a first Group 1 triumph in the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night. Blencowe's red silks with gold collar, cuffs and cap have become an increasingly familiar sight on British racecourses in recent years, but he was still yet to see one of his horses pass the post in front in a black-type contest when West Acre made his way to post for the AED850,000 Blue Point Sprint. The son of Mehmas (Ire) was sent off the 2-1 favourite with British bookmakers, having suffered a narrow defeat to Godolphin's Symbol Of Honour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) when having his first run in Dubai two weeks earlier, but Blencowe was understandably taking nothing for granted beforehand. “It's hard to say that I was confident because I'd never had any Group success,” he begins. “We've had a lot of second places, but this is the first time we've actually had a stakes winner. I kept thinking I was a bit unlucky, but hopefully he's broken that curse. “I thought he was too far behind early on in the race, so for him to win by three and a half lengths, with the turn of foot he showed, was just exhilarating. It was great to watch.” It was back in 2019 that Blencowe, the founder and managing director of Moretons Investments, a privately-owned property investment and development company, took his first steps into racehorse ownership. It followed an introduction to leading trainer Andrew Balding, after he'd developed a keen interest in the sport through regular trips to the races with the Stewart family, at a time when they owned top-class National Hunt performers such as the record-breaking Big Buck's (Fr). “That was around seven or eight years ago,” he says of the encounter with Balding. “I started off with one horse, then two, and it kind of went on from there. Covid slowed me down because I probably didn't get as many, but now I've got 18, I think, on my own with Andrew.” Blencowe's first horse went by the name of Stanford (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) who, as a juvenile, was placed in both of his starts at Kempton in the autumn of 2019, before returning to the same track early the following year in his quest for a first win. “It was the 4th of January,” Blencowe instantly recalls when the significance of that breakthrough success is put to him. “It was my daughter's birthday and I had to leave it to go and watch the race because I knew he was going to win. I'm always going to remember that day! “That was the first winner and our second horse was Imperial Force (Ire) (Camacho {GB}), who finished third in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot when we were in lockdown and couldn't go and see him. But I'd say Imperial Fighter (Ire) (The Gurkha {Ire}) was the first proper horse we had. He finished second in the Acomb and the Autumn Stakes as a two-year-old. His third in the Irish Guineas was good fun as well, but then he got injured in the French Derby and never really came back to his best after that.” He continues, “We've got a few different trainers now and we've got a few in partnership with Valmont. The numbers keep growing every year and always the ambition was to have the kind of success that we're having now with West Acre.” The George Scott-trained West Acre was among the horses initially owned in partnership with Valmont's Anthony Ramsden, but Blencowe now owns the gelding outright in a deal that was struck after his runner-up finish at Kempton in October last year, a few weeks on from his debut success at Newcastle. “Anthony Ramsden was in my boarding house at Harrow and that was called West Acre,” Blencowe says of how the now-three-year-old got his name. “We bought him together, but they wanted out after the race at Kempton, so we came to an agreement and that was it. It's unfortunate now that he's having this success because it would have been nice to do it together, but that was what they wanted at the time.” Explaining the inner workings of the partnership with Valmont, he adds, “Alex Elliott acts for Anthony and Billy Jackson-Stops acts for me. They kind of arranged it between them where we have a couple of horses with Ralph Beckett, a couple with Andrew and a couple with George. We're in our second year of that now. “Alex and Billy will have their own lists at the sales, then they'll see where they cross and whether they think the horse is right for the partnership. Sometimes Valmont might want to have it on their own or whatever. It's just about agreeing what fits the partnership best and we're both quite relaxed about it. When Alex and Billy agree, we put a limit on the price and, if it goes in that region, we'll do it.” Looks useful – West Acre impresses in the Blue Point Sprint @GScottracing | @CallumSheppy | @RacingDubai | #DubaiCarnival | #FashionFriday pic.twitter.com/XNH0qJoV0H — Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 24, 2025 It cost the partnership £95,000 to secure West Acre when he went through the ring at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale. The second foal out of the G3 Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes runner-up Lady Aria (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), he was reportedly showing his trainer plenty in his work in the first part of last year, before an ill-timed setback delayed his debut until September. “I think he was actually one of the earliest ones at the yard,” Blencowe explains. “He was entered for a race at Chelmsford but hurt himself when he was doing a bit of work the day before and that was it. He had to be rested for five or six months, whatever it was, and at the time we weren't sure that he'd come back from it. The horse has done very well to come through that injury and he's now showing what George saw back then.” West Acre made a third appearance on the all-weather in October last year, when he defied a penalty in a five-furlong novice at Southwell–by six lengths, no less–to book his ticket to Dubai in a first for his enthusiastic owner. “He's a horse who probably needs to keep racing,” says Blencowe. “He's a bit quirky and you never know with him–he keeps you on your toes, basically. Once he gets to the start I'm a bit more relaxed, but you have to be quite delicate with him up to that point. “After he won so convincingly at Southwell, George said that there was going to be absolutely nothing for him in England. He suggested Dubai and I'm always up for giving things a go. I had no idea what to expect because I'd never sent a horse over there. I was up for it, George had always liked the horse, and it seemed like it was worth the risk.” That risk paid off in no uncertain terms last month when the rapid West Acre dismissed his older rivals to win the Blue Point Sprint in a time of 55.38 seconds, a new course record for five furlongs at Meydan. The G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint, run over the same course and distance on Super Saturday (Saturday, March 1), is now said to be the next big target, before attentions then turn to World Cup night (Saturday, April 5) and a return to six furlongs for the Al Quoz Sprint. “It's definitely been a massive bonus, I've got to say, to be racing out there and enjoying the warm weather, when it's cold and murky and the season hasn't really started in Britain,” Blencowe says of the experience so far. “I'm already planning on going back out for Super Saturday and then it will be on to World Cup night. He'll have to step up to six furlongs there, but I think George is relatively confident that he'll be okay. All of his wins have been over five and he's finished second when we've tried him over six. Five is obviously his optimum trip, but we'll give it a go over six on World Cup night. It's exciting because anything can happen.” Beyond that, Blencowe is hopeful that Royal Ascot might be on the agenda when West Acre returns to Britain, where the owner expects to have around 30 horses to represent him in 2025, either in his own name or in partnership with others. He sums up, “We're hoping there's something hiding away among the two-year-olds that can come forward and be a star in their own right, but at the minute we're enjoying West Acre. “He's always had an almighty engine, but you probably don't expect them to reach this kind of level. He was a nice horse and he'd won nicely on the all-weather, but to go to Dubai and do what he's done, breaking the track record, has surpassed my expectations. Long may it continue.” The post Michael Blencowe Dreaming Big with Breakthrough Stakes Winner West Acre appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jamie Richards-trained speedster overcomes a trackwork mishap to return to the winners’ list in style at Sha Tin on Sunday.View the full article

Legendary trainer will set tough four-year-old for city’s most prestigious race after his 1,800m triumph at Sha Tin.View the full article

A significant draft of seven lots from the Aga Khan Studs, withdrawn from last week's Goffs February Sale as a mark of respect following the recent passing of His Highness The Aga Khan, will be offered in an online sale on Goffs.com on Thursday, February 13. The sale will be held as a timed online auction between the hours of 12pm and 2pm. Prospective buyers must register to bid by 5pm on Wednesday, February 12 on the online catalogue page, which also offers pedigree information, photos and videos for each lot. Potential highlights include the five-year-old Kayhana (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}) (lot 336), who was last seen finishing fourth in the Listed Knockaire Stakes at Leopardstown in October, and the four-year-old Sulaiyma (GB) (Kingman {GB}) (lot 381), a half-sister to the G3 Munster Oaks winner Sumiha (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) from the family of the European champion three-year-old Sinndar (Ire). Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said, “It is always a privilege to offer His Highness's beautiful horses at Goffs, but this sale will be especially poignant given the circumstances. As usual the seven make up a very appealing draft and present the chance to buy into some of the iconic pedigrees he nurtured over so many years.” The post Aga Khan Studs Draft to be Offered in Goffs Online Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

South African jockey adds to recent feature haul with TVB Cup (1,200m) success.View the full article

Jamie Melham delivered an emotional win when she steered Another Wil to victory Feb. 8 in the 1,400-meter C.F. Orr Stakes (G1) at Caulfield, a few days after what would have been the gelding's late breeder and owner, Col McKenna's birthday. View the full article

Star rider taken to Prince of Wales Hospital after hitting the turf in race six on Sunday.View the full article

Dog Penalties HOMEBUSH CRICKET | Christchurch 3 February; failed to pursue the lure (3rd offence); stood down for 3 months and must complete 2 trials. GOLDSTAR HARMONY | Palmerston North 4 February; failed to pursue the lure; stood down for 28 days and must complete trial at that track. GOLDSTAR TYSON | Christchurch 6 February; marring (2nd offence); stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. BITTER GOOD | Christchurch 7 February; marring (2nd offence); stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. The post 3-9 February 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Versatile mare Catherinenz (NZ) (Shamexpress) made the perfect return to her five-year-old term at Otaki on Sunday, scoring a gritty victory in the Cavallo Farms and Chris Rutten Bloodstock Handicap (1400m). Having just her 10th start, Catherinenz has been patiently handled by Robbie Patterson since she joined his stable in mid-2023, recording three wins up to Rating 75 level, most recently seen when running third at New Plymouth in July. The daughter of Shamexpress went to the paddock following her winter campaign and was well-backed on resumption, starting the $4.50 favourite in an even market for Sunday’s contest. Catherinenz flew the gates under Craig Grylls but allowed Massive Prince and Charlotte’s Way to take up the pacemaking role, settling in the one-one outside of second-elect Tokyo Hot Night. Massive Prince took the outright lead and raced boldly up-front, and turning for home, Catherinenz was poised to pounce and hit the lead early. Latrelle looked a big danger to the mare in the final 50m, but she showed her class, pinning her ears back and finding the line strongly to score by a neck. Patterson was rapt with the performance, as he looks ahead to races like the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) and Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) later in the season. “She’s a horse that will go into the autumn and winter where I think we can get some black-type with her,” Patterson said. “She was a bit short on fitness today and executed it very well, I’m very happy with her and she’s got plenty of upside. “She appreciates a bit of cut in the track and the Opunake Cup has always been the thought with her, it’s worth a couple hundred-thousand this year and it’s on her home track. “The Winter Cup would also be something we would look to, she’s won at Riccarton and was very impressive there last autumn.” Out of a Guillotine mare Grey Sapphire, Catherinenz was bred and owned by Roger Blunt, of whom she has now earned over $58,000 with four wins and two minor placings in 10 starts. View the full article

The possible return from retirement of Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) has reached a crucial stage with the Trelawney Stud bred back in work at trainer Ciaron Maher’s Cranbourne stables. Maher confirmed on Saturday that the seven-year-old mare is being prepared for another racing campaign. “She’s just come into the stables and while she’s obviously had her issues, she seems in good order,” Maher said. He said the commencement of trackwork did not necessarily mean Pride Of Jenni was certain to race again. “I want to see her come back and for her to show everything is in order,” he said. “You have to make sure every box is ticked before going back to the races. “But she does seem her old self. She does seem very straight-forward. “It’s good to see her happy, healthy and well and as I said, her demeanour is very similar to what it has always been. “First thing is to make sure she’s right. She does seem in a very similar headspace. “She put on weight, but she doesn’t look heavy and she’s moving quite well. “They (owners) looked after her really well. She’s had her time off and she’s done a bit of training.” Meanwhile I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) will continue his path to a return to racing when he jumps out at Pakenham on Tuesday. The star galloper won a jumpout at his home track on January 28 and his co-trainer Peter Moody said he wanted him to have one more hit-out before the stable commits to a racetrack return for the six-year-old gelding. Moody and Katherine Coleman spelled I Wish I Win after he finished last in The Everest. Moody said late last year that the winner of seven races from 24 starts and $13 million will be set for longer trips. He suggested a race like the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 22 could be a possibility for I Wish I Win, as well as the G1 All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington. View the full article

Guy, Jayne & Emily review all the action from Legends Day at Te Rapa, including a deep dive into the two Group 1 features. Plus, we meet the new NZTR CEO Matt Ballesty. Weigh In, February 9 View the full article

Consistent performer Mr Intelligence (NZ) (Niagara) displayed his love of a firm track surface when he proved too tough in a battling finish to the open handicap stayers feature at Wingatui, the Grand Casino (2200m). Having just her first ride on the Nikki and Barrie Blatch owned and trained nine-year-old, leading South Island jockey Tina Comignaghi produced a masterclass as she had him bowling along without a care in the world just behind the pace on the outer, after moving forward from a wide draw early in the piece. Pulled to the centre of the track shortly after straightening for the run home, Mr Intelligence quickly joined pacemakers Complicate and Quick Story before forging to the front with 150m to run. The late-closing local Mayor Of Norwood made a real race of it for the final few bounds, but Mr Intelligence had plenty in hand as he held on to win by a clear half length margin at the winning post. Co-trainer Nikki Blatch was thrilled with the win as she looks ahead to a bigger goal for Mr Intelligence early next month. “I think he deserved that as he has been very consistent throughout his preparation this time in and we knew once he struck the firm tracks he likes, he would be hard to beat,” Blatch said. “He won’t go an inch on wet ground, but he had been building his fitness nicely and is near his peak now. “Tina rode him beautifully as she never panicked and brought him into the race at just the right time. “He is such a lovely horse who is very tractable and has a good turn of speed that Tina employed with perfect timing.” The plan now is to give Mr Intelligence another shot at the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) on 1 March, a race where he finished runner-up in 2020 before having his career put on hold later that year when suffering the first of two tendon injuries. “We have been looking at the Dunedin Gold Cup, but I wasn’t sure if he would make the field without a win today,” she said. “Hopefully that is taken care of, and it would be such a thrill to win it after he has come back from injuring the same tendon twice. “The first time he did it he had nearly twelve months on the sidelines and when he did it again, we thought that was the end for him. “The vet said it was a longshot for him to come back again, so we put him the paddock and used him as a hack. He thrived and hasn’t looked back since so we are very lucky, he is still racing. “He is a joy to have around the stable as he is a complete professional and jus does everything you ask of him. “To win a race like the Dunedin Gold Cup would be icing on the cake for a wonderful horse.” Bred by Curraghmore’s Gordon Cunningham, Mr Intelligence was purchased for $4,750 off the gavelhouse.com website. He has now won nine of his 53 starts, including the 2021 Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2500m) at Riccarton, for just under $260,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Progressive mare One More Dance (NZ) (Sweynesse) dropped back in distance and picked up a lucrative maiden victory at Te Rapa on Saturday, claiming top honours in the TAB 1200. The daughter of Sweynesse had recorded three minor placings from seven starts, while her most recent effort was a game fourth in a competitive MAAT contest at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. On that occasion, she was ridden by Sam Weatherley, who advised her trainer Ross McCarroll to revert the mare back to 1200m, advice he took on board and targeted the $65,000 event. One More Dance closed among the middle market with race winners Phoebe Buffay and Ballon D’or the top picks, and both favourites settled at the back end of the field early. One More Dance had powered from barrier six for Sam Spratt, who allowed her to be crossed by Charmrose and Special Sakura. Charmrose showed a good kick on the turn and had her rivals chasing hard, and leading the charge, One More Dance wore down the leader just in time to take the race by a short head, with Phoebe Buffay close-up in third. “Halfway up, I thought they had a kick on us and we weren’t going to get it, but the last little bit when I really asked her, she found the line well,” Spratt said. “It was good. “She’s a nice horse, I remember riding her ages ago in her first couple of trials and she showed a bit, but she’s just putting it all together.” McCarroll was rapt with the result, having been unsure initially in the tight finish. “I thought on the line that we had missed, but then George (Simon, commentator) said she’d got up so I was hopeful,” he said. “I’d like to thank Sam Weatherley for this, because after he rode her at Ellerslie, he said he was adamant she wants 1200m. I gave her two weeks off, brought her back and Sam (Spratt) couldn’t have ridden her any better. I’m sorry for Sam Weatherley, but I’m pleased for Sam Spratt. “She’s probably better off fresh, with three or four weeks between runs, and we’ll stick to the 1200m.” One More Dance was purchased by the Te Awamutu horseman for $40,000 out of Seaton Park’s draft at the 2022 Karaka Yearling Sales, with much of her large syndicate on course to celebrate the success. “There are a lot (of owners) in her, about 20 or 30 that have little bits of shares,” McCarroll said. “We thought she’d win before this, but this is a good one to win that’s for sure.” Bred by the N and P Balia Family Trust, One More Dance was the fourth foal out of Aaja Nachle, a five-race winner and Listed performer. The mare also produced One More Time, who placed in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m). View the full article

Emerging talent The Princie One (NZ) (Savabeel) continued her rapid rise through the grades at Wingatui on Saturday, schooling her rivals in the KB Contracting (1200m). The well-bred daughter of Savabeel commenced her career in the North Island with Mark Walker, finishing fourth in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) as a juvenile before joining Robert Dennis’ stable at Ascot Park. The Princie One entered the winner’s circle for the first time last October, and when she finally struck a good track in mid-January, the mare made a serious impression winning at Rating 65 level by an extending six lengths. Returning to Wingatui, she was favoured to repeat that effort in the hands of Tina Comignaghi, who had few options but to press forward early from an outside draw. Madam Dubai set up a strong tempo in front and was closely tracked by Full Moon Fever, the latter hitting the lead halfway down the straight before The Princie One came powering down the centre of the track to score comfortably by three lengths. “She was very dominant once again, she won pretty comfortably and she’s a very progressive mare,” Dennis said. “We did nominate for the Hazlett (Listed, 1400m) yesterday, but it ended up being quite strong and she didn’t even end up on the ballot. We certainly think she’ll get up over 1400 and even a mile. “There is a 1400 in three weeks’ time at Wingatui, and three weeks following that, is the Breeders (Gr.3, 1600m) at Riccarton, so that may be the path that we head down.” In nine starts, The Princie One has recorded three wins, four minor placings and $84,520 in stakes earnings for her breeders, the Dennis Brothers and Tony Rider. Not to be outdone by her younger half-sister, The Radiant One put on a classy performance to finish second in the Listed Nellies Bar and Restaurant Hazlett Stakes (1400m). In the hands of Donovan Cooper, the mare travelled wide without cover throughout the feature contest and showed her class in the straight, holding on to the runner-up position behind a runaway winner in Harlech. “It was a massive effort,” Dennis said. “She was drawn wide, raced three-wide without cover, made her move early and was in front at the top of the straight. “She fought her guts out to hold second, she’s a high quality horse and has just taken a bit of racing to get to full fitness. She looks like she’s there now. “We are thinking about backing her up on Saturday in the Open 1200, it’s at her home track and she looks to have come through the race well so far. She should be ready to rock and roll again.” The victory added more valuable black-type to her record, having won the Listed Timaru Stakes (1400m) last season, alongside placings in the Listed Great Easter Stakes (1400m) and Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m). The Radiant One and The Princie One are both out of the Dennis Brothers’ star race mare The Diamond One, a four-time Group Three winner and daughter of Group One winner The Jewel. View the full article

What Caulfield Heath Races Where Caulfield Racecourse – Gate 2, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Monday, February 10, 2025 First Race 3:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble A rare Monday twilight meeting is scheduled for the Heath track at Caulfield with an eight-race meeting scheduled to help kick off the new week of racing in Victoria. With clear skies forecast leading into the card and on raceday itself, the track is likely to remain in the Good 4 range, while the rail will be out 4m the entire circuit. Action from Caulfield is set to commence at 3:30pm AEDT. Best Bet at Caulfield Heath: Carbonados It took the classy Sunshineinmypocket to overhaul Carbonados in the shadows of the winning post when returning from a four-month spell at Sandown. The fur-year-old gelding has always threatened to go to another level, and if he can replicate his fresh run on Monday, it could lead to bigger and better things going forward. The son of Belardo will likely land in a prominent position, provided Mick Dee can get across from barrier seven. From there, Carbonados can kick for home on the home turn and have too much of a margin that his rivals cannot bridge. Best Bet Race 8 – #5 Carbonados (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Michael Dee (60kg) Next Best at Caulfield Heath: Barbaric Lad Barbaric Lad is coming out of a hot BM64 event at Pakenham when finishing two lengths off the smart Untapped over 1400m and 1.7-lengths off subsequent winner Truffle Finder. The son of Brutal comes to this 1200m sprint third-up, so he will be rock-hard fit as he steps back to the 1200m. Ben Melham will have the son of Brutal settled towards the rear of the field from barrier nine, but with the blinkers on again to sharpen him up, Barbaric Lad will prove hard to hold out. Next Best Race 5 – #1 Barbaric Lad (9) 3yo Gelding | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: Ben Melham (59.5kg) Next Best Again at Caulfield Heath: Leonchroi Leonchroi caught the eye on debut at Pakenham when savaging the line late over 1600m, and stepping up to the 1800m second-up looks ideal. He was hardly a winning chance throughout considering how far back in the run he got, so the fact he finished just over a length off the winner suggests he may have a bit of ability. Blake Shinn hops on board and if he can have the son of Contributer settled a touch closer on Monday, Leonchroi should have no issue in overhaulling his rivals this time around. Next Best Again Race 2 – #7 Leonchroi (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Blake Shinn (59kg) Monday quaddie tips for Caulfield Heath Caulfield Heath quadrella selections Monday, February 10, 2025 1-3 4-6-7-11 1-2-4-5-6-8 3-5 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

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There Goes Harvard put his versatility on display Feb.8, dashing to a gate-to-wire score in the $100,000 San Marcos Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

WinStar Farm and CHC's John Hancock turned in a gritty performance to win the Feb. 8 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs by a half-length over Owen Almighty. View the full article

Trainer Tanner Tracy earned his first graded stakes victory as Wild Bout Hilary, the longest shot in a field of five, went to the lead and never looked back in the $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park.View the full article

By Adam Hamilton It’s been a fantastic Cranbourne Cup meeting in Victoria for Mark and Nathan Purdon. Last night Don’t Stop Dreaming built on a luckless but good Hunter Cup run to finish a tremendous second to Leap To Fame in the $100,000 Group 2 Cranbourne Cup while Oscar Bonavena made a lie of his Great Southern Star final flop with a stunning Group 1 win in the $60,000 Bruce Skeggs Trotters’ Cup. Don’t Stop Dreaming’s effort to settle near last and circle the field to sit parked was up with the best of his career. Despite having to sit outside Leap To Fame for the last half of the race, the five-year-old just kept finding to finish only 4.7m away. They ran an almost unheard of last 800m around the slow Cranbourne track in 55sec flat. Significantly, when stand-in driver Kate Gath made the move to sit in the “death”, she gave Tact McLeod a one-one trail. But Tact McLeod was struggling around the final bend. He did keep coming, but finished more than four metres from Dont Stop Dreaming in third spot. Oscar Bonavena’s win was remarkable. The injury-plagued nine-year-old settled last and almost 50m off the leaders, but blew them off the track with an explosive burst from last at the bell to first at 400m. Stand-in driver Anthony Butt then just nursed him down the home straight to win by 12m in a 2min0.9sec mile rate for the 2555m. It showed he was right on target for a Sydney trip where he will clash again with The Locomotive and Watts Up Partytime in the $100,000 Group 1 Hammerhead Mile on Miracle Mile night (March 8). Surely Don’t Stop Dreaming’s run booked him a trip to Sydney to chase the Miracle Mile. Meanwhile Leap To Fame’s pathway towards a first trip to New Zealand is much clearer, with trainer-driver Grant Dixon confirming the champ would continue to follow the program which won him last year’s $1m Miracle Mile on March 8. And then it’s full steam ahead to Cambridge for the $1m Race by Betcha on April 8. Interestingly, Leap To Fame will be flown from Melbourne to Brisbane for some time back “home” before an eight-hour road trip to Newcastle for his next run, Friday week’s $100,000 Group 2 Newcastle Mile. Victory gets him straight into the Miracle Mile. If he’s beaten, Leap To Fame would then have to back-up on March 1 in one of the two Miracle Mile qualifying sprints at Menangle. Last year he won at Cranbourne, Newcastle and then created history by becoming the first horse to win a Miracle Mile from a draw wider than gate six. He started from barrier seven. Dixon confirmed Leap To Fame would then head back to his stables outside of Brisbane to prepare for the NZ trip. “He’s just so comfortable at home and we’ve got green grass there, not many other places in Australia have at this time of year,” he said. “We haven’t finalised just how that four weeks will look between the Miracle Mile and NZ, but he’ll obviously need a run. “My preference would be to have that at Albion Park and then head back to Sydney to get the flight to Auckland.” Leap To Fame’s first trip to NZ will come after two previously aborted trips, to last year’s Race By Grins and the NZ Cup. “We’ve always wanted to go, it’s an important missing piece in his career,” owner Kevin Seymour said. Seymour said any NZ racing plans beyond Cambridge would hinge on his performance in that race. Races like the Taylor Mile and Messenger look good options, but with the Inter Dominion moved to July at Albion Park, there’s a big chance Leap To Fame could head straight back home for a break. Leap To Fame’s looming NZ trip comes after Australia’s great trotter, Just Believe, became just the second Aussie horse and the first in 40 years to win the NZ Horse of the Year title. Last year was a massive one for Aussies in NZ with Just Believe’s deeds, Keayang Zahara winning three times at Addington, Swayzee successfully defending his NZ Cup crown and Better Eclipse winning the Auckland Cup. Leap To Fame and Catch A Wave are the confirmed Aussies for the Race by Betcha, while The Locomotive, Keayang Chucky and Arcee Phoenix all look set to tackle the TAB Trot on the same night at Cambridge. View the full article

Reverting to front-running tactics for the first time since winning her maiden in impressive fashion at Saratoga last August, Tracy Farmer homebred La Cara made every pole a winning one in Saturday's Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, besting favored Her Laugh, who lost her race at the break but ran on courageously in the final stages. As opposed to Her Laugh, who was playing up in stall six and missed the kick by a good four lengths, La Cara hit the ground running and took the field into the first turn, perhaps a fraction keen through the opening quarter in :24.03. Settled better through the middle stages, La Cara picked up the pace and began to put a bit of daylight on her rivals entering the turn and it was strictly her race to lose nearing the stretch. The result was never in doubt from there, as she strode out a facile winner. Her Laugh lingered at the tail, but had caught up to the field passing the quarter pole. A rails run did not materialize and she was forced to come out three off the inside to deliver whatever rally there was and she finished well, but far too belatedly. Following the seven-furlong maiden breaker at the Spa, La Cara resorted to a come-from-behind style to take out the GIII Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill in September. She never landed a blow when a distant fifth to champion Immersive (Nyquist) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies back on Nov. 1. Cara Caterina, a full-sister to MGISW To Honor and Serve and GISW Angela Renee; and a half-sister to SW Elnaawi (Street Sense), was purchased by Tracy Farmer for $500,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September sale. The SW & GSP third dam Misty Hour was responsible for MGSW India (Hennessy), the dam of dual-surface Japanese Group 1 winner Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}) and SW 'TDN Rising Star' Kareena (Medaglia d'Oro). The last listed foal from Cara Caterina is a yearling full-brother to La Cara. The victory was worth 20 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks for La Cara, who has now amassed a total of 33 points, good for a joint-second with GIII Las Virgenes Stakes winner Tenma (Nyquist). Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. SUNCOAST S., $100,000, Tampa Bay Downs, 2-8, 3yo, f, 1m 40y, 1:38.51, ft. 1–LA CARA, 124, f, 3, by Street Sense 1st Dam: Cara Caterina, by Bernardini 2nd Dam: Pilfer, by Deputy Minister 3rd Dam: Misty Hour, by Miswaki O/B-Tracy Farmer (KY); T-Mark E Casse; J-Dylan Davis. $60,000. Lifetime Record: GSW, 7-3-1-0, $378,520. 2–Her Laugh, 122, f, 3, Practical Joke–Truth Goddess, by Point of Entry. O/B-Grantley Acres (KY); T-D Whitworth Beckman. $20,000. 3–Deloraine, 120, f, 3, Candy Ride (Arg)–Elaine's Cat, by Discreet Cat. 1ST BLACK-TYPE. O/B-Godolphin LLC (KY); T-Eoin G Harty. $10,000. Margins: 6 1/4, 1 1/4, 1 3/4. Odds: 3.60, 2.40, 16.70. Also Ran: Italian Soiree, Dancing Magic, Cloe, Queen in the Deck, Junta. The post Street Sense’s La Cara Back To Winning Ways in Suncoast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Doomed by stumbling at the start when ninth in the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar, East Avenue returns to action Feb. 15 in the $500,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.View the full article

An impressive 2-year-old, La Cara showed she was back better than ever at age 3 with an emphatic victory in the $150,000 Suncoast Stakes Feb. 8 at Tampa Bay Downs.View the full article

Stretching out to two turns for Saturday's Sam F. Davis Stakes, downgraded to listed status but still offering 20 points to the winner on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, WinStar Farm and CHC Inc.'s JOHN HANCOCK (c, 3, Constitution–Scribbling Sarah, by Freud) set a searching gallop, was overtaken by pace-pressing Owen Almighty (Munnings) in deep stretch, but fought back game as could be beneath champion jockey Flavien Prat to record a sensational victory. The chestnut earned a solid 81 Beyer Speed Figure in leading every step of the way to break his maiden at first asking over three-quarters of a mile locally on Jan. 8 and was accordingly sent off the slight 5-2 choice over Owen Almighty, who was demoted from a victory in the Jan. 11 Pasco Stakes. Sent straight into the lead by Prat, the homebred colt was not allowed an easy time of things, as Owen Almighty forced the issue through taxing fractions of :22.75 for the quarter and :46.23 for the half. Despite having to go hard, it was John Hancock who seemed to be doing slightly the better work and even as the three-quarters went up in 1:10.49, was clinging narrowly to the lead as heads were turned for home. Shoulder to shoulder with Owen Almighty into the final furlong, John Hancock looked to drop at least a head behind, but was back in front a sixteenth from home and took it by a half-length in stakes-record time. Poster (Munnings) closed off nicely with a sustained rally for third, just ahead of Camp Hale (Mo Town). Saturday, Tampa Bay Downs SAM F. DAVIS S., $200,000, Tampa Bay Downs, 2-8, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:42.27, ft. 1–JOHN HANCOCK, 120, c, 3, by Constitution 1st Dam: Scribbling Sarah, by Freud 2nd Dam: Plinking, by Talkin Man 3rd Dam: Holy Wish, by Lord At War (Arg) 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-CHC, Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Flavien Prat. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $138,560. *1/2 to Speech (Mr Speaker), GISW, $497,090. 2–Owen Almighty, 120, c, 3, Speightstown–Tempers Rising, by Bayern. ($360,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $350,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG). O-Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing LLC; B-Mark Stanley (KY); T-Brian A. Lynch. $40,000. 3–Poster, 124, c, 3, Munnings–Pin Up, by Tapit. 'TDN Rising Star.' O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Eoin G. Harty. $20,000. Margins: HF, 2 1/4, NK. Odds: 2.50, 2.60, 4.60. Also Ran: Camp Hale, Very Bold, Naughty Rascal, Dr Ruben M, Smoken Boy, Treaty of Rome, Gateskeeper. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. WOW JOHN HANCOCK ($7.00) IS SO GAME!! He out-dueled Owen Almighty in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at @TampaBayDownsFL for 20 @KentuckyDerby Points. The son of Constitution (@WinStarFarm) set a new stakes record under Flavien Prat for trainer @bradcoxracing and owner WinStar Farm. pic.twitter.com/6GQpLPXXwQ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 8, 2025 The post Aptly Named Constitution Colt John Hancock Ultra-Game in Sam F. Davis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chester Broman's Sand Devil improved the unbeaten streak to start to his career to three races with a neck victory in the $121,250 Damon Runyon Stakes Feb. 8 at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article