Wandering Eyes

Trainer Whit Beckman discusses some training adjustments he's making with Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Flying Mohawk and Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders Simply Joking and Drexel Hill after their April 19 workouts.View the full article

It appears that the Hawkes team has another stallion prospect on their hands in the form of Nepotism, who on April 19 laid his claim to being the best juvenile colt around with an awe-inspiring late run to win the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Randwick.View the full article

Fresh off a sweep in the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1), jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. is back in 2025 with Burnham Square in the Derby and Take Charge Milady in the Oaks.View the full article

Museum Mile swept by the previously undefeated favorite, Croix du Nord, in the closing strides to win the Satsuki Sho (Japanese Two Thousand Guineas, G1) April 20 at Nakayama Racecourse.View the full article

Monday, Cologne, Germany, post time: 16:10, SAUREN DACHFONDS PREIS (GERLING-PREIS)-G2, €70,000, 4yo/up, 12fT Field: Lordano (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), Alleno (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Augustus (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), Duraji (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Lion's Head (Ger) (Protectionist {Ger}), Padre Palou (Ger) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) and Rashford (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}). TDN Verdict: In an unsual move by Dermot Weld, the veteran supremo pitches the inexperienced Leopardstown maiden winner Duraji against some hardened German campaigners. Late to come on to the scene, the son of his late mother Gita's G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Nightime (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and full-brother to Ghaiyyath (Ire) has so much latent potential he is sure to keep the domestic brigade guessing here. Last year's winner Lordano is solid but doesn't set a lofty standard, while the 2024 G1 Deutsches Derby third and fourth Augustus and Alleno have done so little for that form subsequently that we can only assume that it was one of the worst renewals of the Hamburg Classic for some time. Click here for the complete fields with trainer and jockey information. The post Black-Type Analysis: Weld Runner One to Watch at Cologne appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coming back to the scene of her debut win over this trip last month, Rabbit's Foot (Fr) (Golden Horde {Ire}) followed up in Sunday's Listed Prix Caravelle to suggest bigger and better things are ahead. Always happy tracking the front duo, the Francois Rohaut-trained half-sister to last year's G2 Prix d'Harcourt winner and G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes runner-up Zarakem (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) took control approaching the furlong pole en route to an authoritative 1 1/2-length success from Ginalyah (Ire) (Chachnak {Fr}). Léger problème technique pour @maximeguyon_off… Aucun souci, il décroche une Listed, sans toque mais avec les lunettes dans la bouche. C'est l'image insolite de ce dimanche après-midi à Toulouse ! pic.twitter.com/OALnIu0iUM — Equidia (@equidia) April 20, 2025 The unraced dam, whose 2-year-old filly by Victor Ludorum (GB) was a €75,000 purchase by Meridian International at Arqana Deauville August, is out of the G3 Prix Allez France runner-up Harem Lady (Fr) (Teofilo {Ire}). The third dam Luminosity (GB) (Sillery) was responsible for the GIII Dixiana Bourbon Stakes winner Keep Quiet (Fr) (Elusive City) and the GII San Clemente Handicap winner Little Treasure (Fr) (Night Shift). Little Treasure produced the GII La Canada Stakes winner and GI Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, GI Santa Margarita Stakes and GI Vanity Handicap-placed More Chocolate (Malibu Moon), whose son Mirahmadi (Into Mischief) was second in the GI Del Mar Futurity. This family also includes the group and graded-stakes scorers New York Girl (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), Rhythm Of Light (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}), Atomic Jones (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Go Athletico (Fr) (Goken {Fr}). PRIX CARAVELLE – HARAS DES GRANGES – FONDS EUROPEEN DE L'ELEVAGE-Listed, €55,000, Toulouse, 4-20, 3yo, f, 10 1/2fT, 2:11.00, hy. 1–RABBIT'S FOOT (FR), 123, f, 3, by Golden Horde (Ire) 1st Dam: Harem Mistress (Ire), by Mastercraftsman (Ire) 2nd Dam: Harem Lady (Fr), by Teofilo (Ire) 3rd Dam: Luminosity (GB), by Sillery 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (€50,000 Ylg '23 ARQOCT). O-BS Racing SARL; B-J P Cayrouze (FR); T-Francois Rohaut; J-Maxime Guyon. €27,500. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, €37,500. *1/2 to Zarakem (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), GSW-Fr, G1SP-Eng, $471,444. 2–Ginalyah (Ire), f, 3, Chachnak (Fr)–Creamcake, by Mr. Greeley. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Hocine Boudouaia, Ecurie Normandy Spirit, Ecurie la Vallee Martigny EARL & Yvan Lachaud; B-Ecurie La Vallee Martigny EARL (IRE); T-Jerome Andreu. €11,000. 3–Zakharova (Fr), 123, f, 3, Zelzal (Fr)–Diva Cattiva (GB), by Lujain. 1ST BLACK TYPE. (€22,000 Ylg '23 ARAUG). O/T-Francois Belmont; B-Scuderia Micolo SNC (FR). €8,250. Margins: 1HF, 1, 1. Odds: 2.80, 10.00, 23.00. Also Ran: Three Pearls (Fr), Porte Molitor (Fr), Pinatique (Fr), Feve (Fr), Soccer Sister (Ire). The post Golden Horde’s Rabbit’s Foot Unbeaten After Caravelle Test appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday evening saw Coolmore Australia unveil its much-anticipated 2025 fees and roster, including three new Group 1-winning stallions in City Of Troy, Private Life (Aus) and Switzerland (Aus). It was also confirmed that Wootton Bassett (GB) will continue to shuttle, with a fee still to be announced. “Wootton Bassett is the hottest stallion in the world at the moment and he is already making an undeniable mark on the breed in Australia,” said Coolmore's Tom Magnier. “What is most exciting about him in an Australian context is that he has 100 unraced two-year-olds from his first crop and every trainer we speak to seems to have a good one. His fee is yet to be confirmed but will be announced in due course. We're just excited to have him back again, as we see him as a Champion Sire of the future in Australia.” Coolmore had already announced the arrival of G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes hero Switzerland at a fee of A$60,500, while European Horse of the Year City Of Troy is set to join Wootton Bassett in shuttling from County Tipperary. It was revealed last month that the four-time Group 1 winner will stand for a fee of A$49,500. Completing the trio of newcomers is the G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Private Life, who has been introduced at a fee of A$19,250. “Private Life is not only an immensely talented colt, but one of the best-looking stallions we have had in the barn at Jerry's Plains in my time,” said Coolmore Australia's racing manager, John Kennedy. “He is an absolute standout and breeders are going to love him when they see him. If he leaves stock that look like himself, breeders can expect a quick return. “The [Chris] Waller stable always knew that he had serious Group 1 ability and that was clear when he defeated Feroce and Broadsiding in the Caulfield Guineas, but he also got within 1.2l of Sunshine In Paris in the Champions Sprint where he should have finished much closer and beat home horses like Giga Kick and Overpass.” Of the other stallions on the 13-strong roster, Home Affairs (Aus) is the most expensive at an unchanged fee of A$82,500, ahead of Shinzo (Aus), So You Think (NZ) and another shuttle stallion in St Mark's Basilica (Fr). Shinzo and St Mark's Basilica both remain at their 2024 fees at A$55,000 and A$38,500, respectively, while So You Think has dropped from A$77,000 to A$44,000. Magnier added, “The 2025 Coolmore Australia stallion roster is one of immense quality, that we are extremely proud to offer to breeders throughout Australia and New Zealand. We thought long and hard when setting our fees this year, with a strong focus on offering value to breeders. We understand that people are doing it tough, but we want to work with them and see them prosper.” The post Wootton Bassett to Shuttle Again as Coolmore Australia Announce 2025 Fees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Immediacy returned to winning form on Saturday, with the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained four-year-old powering home in the Enchanted Adventure Handicap (2000m) at Mornington. (Photo: Bruno Cannatelli) The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained four-year-old Immediacy was back in the winner’s circle with a strong win at Mornington on Saturday. The gelded son of Tarzino was a Group Two winner at three and has built towards another raceday victory. Ridden by Michael Dee, Immediacy was put into the race, settling one out and one back and went on to score by 1.5 lengths from Foujita San with Golden Crusader back in third. Immediacy came into the race off a solid fresh-up sixth over a mile at Flemington and covered the 2000m in a slick 2:03.09. “We were confident he could win,” stable representative Darren Saunders said. “He was very good first up at Flemington and stepped up to the 2000m but still with some improvement in him. “There are nice races coming up in South Australia and we will assess in a few days and then find something for him.” Winning rider Michael Dee ensured Immediacy had every opportunity to reward his backers who supported Immediacy into a $2.80 favourite with horse racing bookmakers. “He showed me a lot as we wanted to be one off the fence and in a position where we could use his momentum,” Dee said. “He came off the bridle coming down the side and I wasn’t sure just how well we were going but he really built through his gears and he was strong to the line. “I popped out and took about 100m to wind up but on the bend I knew at that point the race was ours but also keeping in mind he was only second up at 2000m so there is plenty more in store going forward. “He pulled up having a nice healthy blow so there is plenty of improvement to come as he goes through his grades.” Horse racing news View the full article

Kiwi filly Movin Out powers home in Mornington Guineas. (Photo: Bruno Cannatelli) Kiwi-bred filly Movin Out made a successful switch from Sydney racing to a tilt at Victorian riches when she came from well back to race to a dominant victory in the Mornington Guineas (1600m) on Saturday. The three-year-old daughter of Novara Park- stallion Staphanos originally began her career out of the Bill Thurlow stable at Waverley where she broke maiden status at her second start before finishing a meritorious third in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) behind Captured By Love and Alabama Lass at her third and final New Zealand run. Subsequently purchased by thoroughbred powerhouse Yulong, the filly joined Chris Waller’s operation in Sydney where she ran an eye-catching fourth first up in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) before dropping out to finish last in the Group 1 Vinery Stakes (2000m) behind Treasure The Moment. Sent south by Waller, Movin Out was having just her third Australian outing on Saturday and she showed just what she is made off as she buried her rivals with a powerful home straight surge in the hands of Ben Melham to power away with the Guineas by more than two lengths. Waller stable representative Lizzie Collett was delighted with the filly who has already shown the stable she has a few tricks up her sleeve, both on and off the track. “She only arrived Monday morning with us but she travelled down well,” Collett said. “She is a fairly quirky character and I think the Sydney stable would agree with that, but she did everything right today as she was quiet and relaxed, and you couldn’t fault her in the mounting yard. “I was happy with the way she settled and she just did everything perfectly and next week we hope to back her up and go to Adelaide for the (Australasian) Oaks (Group 1, 2000m).” Melham was taken by the run and is keen to stick with the filly if she makes it to Adelaide. “She was very good and has been running in the right races where she was very unlucky in that first start in a slowly run race,” he said. “She got it all wrong in the Vinery but she has good ability and is still learning. She’s very aggressive and was much better today. You just have to switch her off and you can see the turn of foot she has. “I wasn’t happy to come around the lot of them but she had a class edge on them and when she relaxed, I was happy to take luck out of the equation and she was too good. “I would definitely ride her in Adelaide as she is more than good enough to win as long as she can get some tempo in the race.” Horse racing news View the full article

Bankers Choice (#4) claimed victory in Saturday’s Listed Mornington Cup (2400m), securing a valuable spring opportunity. (Photo: George Sal – Racing Photos) Versatile Kiwi-bred galloper Bankers Choice has provided himself with a shot at one of the biggest prizes on the Victorian spring racing calendar with victory in Saturday’s Listed Mornington Cup (2400m). The seven-year-old son of Mongolian Khan provided trainer Glen Thompson with his first solo victory since the shock passing of his co-trainer Mike Moroney when he won his last start at Caulfield. Bankers Choice has often looked a capable stayer and Saturday’s victory was not only his second straight success over 2400m but the victory also makes him ballot exempt for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) later this year. Regular rider Daniel Stackhouse was all out to hold off a strong late challenge from the Ciaron Maher-trained Strawberry Rock who lunged late to get within a nose of Bankers Choice at the winning post. Stable representative Anthony Feroce was all smiles as he provided a glowing report on the change to the horse who had gone through a form slump during the spring. “It’s just amazing as last year the plan was to get him into the Caulfield Cup after he ran second in the Sandown Classic (Group 2, 2400m) but he ran poorly during the spring,” Feroce said. “He went out to Jake Noonan’s partner Mariah’s place and she freshened him up nicely, so a big thank you to her. “Daniel gets on really well with him and when he jumped on him at Moonee Valley he decided to go forward on him, which worked out well and ever since he has been a different horse”. “It worked out perfectly today as we got into the place we wanted (third) early on, although I thought he was tugging a little bit and he hit the wall. Thank God that post came up when it did”. “We may look at Warrnambool (Cup, 2300m) next or we might just put him away until the spring. He is the sort of horse that seems to like continual racing so we will look at that when we are making any decisions.” Stackhouse was also rapt with the victory after the pre-race plan went exactly as he had hoped. “A big thanks to Glen Thompson as he has done an amazing job with this horse,” he said. “The plan worked out perfectly, near the speed which was just fine and he travelled so well”. “I nursed him into it at the 600m with plenty of horse underneath me and he was just too tough”. “He is jumping out of the gates so well now and is a very happy horse.” Horse racing news View the full article

Sarah Steinberg trainee Fire And Ice (Ger) (Masar {Ire}), a half-sister to G1 Deutsches Derby and G1 Grosser Preis von Baden hero Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), made a winning debut in Sunday's 10-furlong Volker Schleusner-Eroffnungsrennen at Hoppegarten. The 19-10 second favourite, who was led out unsold at €470,000 as a Goffs Orby yearling, swooped late to secure a 3/4-of-a-length victory at the Berlin venue. „Volker Schleusner-Eröffnungsrennen” over 2000m at Berlin-Hoppegarten 3yo maiden fillies FIRE AND ICE by MASAR NURANIA by CAMELOT GRACE DE VEGA by LOPE DE VEGA FIRE AND ICE is owned and bred by Graf & Gräfin von Stauffenberg, trained Sarah Steinberg and was ridden… pic.twitter.com/cKXecQaFH3 — Deutscher Galopp (@DeutscherGalopp) April 20, 2025 1st-Hoppegarten, €10,000, Mdn, 4-20, 3yo, f, 10fT, 2:09.42, g/s. FIRE AND ICE (GER) (f, 3, Masar {Ire}–Frangipani {Ger}, by Jukebox Jury {Ire}) recovered from a hesitant break to race in a handy fourth after the initial exchanges of this debut. Shaken up with 500 metres remaining, the 19-10 second favourite came under sterner urging thereafter and was ridden out to deny Nurania (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) by 3/4-of-a-length nearing the line. Fire And Ice is the fourth of five foals and third scorer out of a winning half-sister to G3 Marit Sveaas Minnelop victor Fearless Hunter (Ger) (Alhaarth {Ire}) and Listed Arnfinn Lunds Minnelop third Fil Rouge (Ger) (Lord Of England {Ger}. Her second dam Firedance (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}) is a half-sister to the multiple Group-placed dual stakes winner Fabriano (GB) (Shardari {Ire}) and G3 Rockfel Stakes-winning matriarch Germane (GB) (Distant Relative {Ire}). The April-foaled homebred is a half-sister to G1 Deutsches Derby and G1 Grosser Preis von Baden hero Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and a yearling colt by Sea The Stars (Ire). Sales history: €470,000 RNA Ylg '23 GOFORB. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €6,000. O/B-Graf & Grafin von Stauffenberg (GER); T-Sarah Steinberg. The post Half-Sister to Fantastic Moon Makes Winning Debut at Hoppegarten appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

American turns attention to Hong Kong feature as the final international contenders touched down in the city on Sunday.View the full article

Backed late from $16 to $6.2, Tony Cruz’s tough four-year-old rebounded from a last-start 11th to Cap Ferrat with a thrilling win on Sunday.View the full article

Champion jockey sets a new Hong Kong record for all-weather wins after striking top form on Sunday.View the full article

Goliath arrives in Hong Kong for the FWD QEII Cup. (Photo: HKJC) John Stewart is hoping Goliath can kickstart an ambitious international campaign with victory in the HK$28 million Group 1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. The mastermind behind the burgeoning racing empire Resolute Racing moved to purchase the French-trained star after his +2500 success in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2400m) at Ascot last July. Stewart made the acquisition with the intention to showcase Goliath’s talents on the global stage and swiftly made inroads on those ambitions with victory in the Group 2 Prix du Conseil de Paris (2200m) in October and sixth in the Group 1 Japan Cup (2400m) the following month. The horse who shares his name with a Philistine giant is now hoping to live up to his billing as the poster boy of Hong Kong’s premier contest, with the recent G1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) winner Dubai Honour a non-runner and three-time reigning champion Romantic Warrior now in Dubai. “He’s already at Sha Tin and seems in great shape,” Stewart said. “At this stage in his career he’s the ideal horse to travel the world and we’ve had this race in mind for him for a long time. “As I’m building my stable, competing internationally is at the top of my agenda. The Hong Kong fans are so passionate and it’s good for them to get the chance to see him. I tell my trainers I’m not interested in prize money – I just want to run in the best races.” While the opposition to Goliath has been hit, he will still face five Group 1 winners from across the globe, but Stewart and trainer Francis-Henri Graffard can take confidence from his regular rider Christophe Soumillon’s ample experience of Sha Tin. Stewart said: “It’s a shame some of the bigger names won’t be turning up, but it will still be a competitive race as you always have to take the Japanese horses seriously and the local horses deserve respect. “Christophe is a world-class rider and he and Francis will sit down and talk about how they want the race to go during the week. We think he could have been ridden more positively in the Japan Cup.” Stewart is drafting another adventurous year for the five-year-old, with a trip to Royal Ascot and avenging last year’s Japan Cup defeat high on the agenda. “I’d love to go for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) and then on to the King George,” he said. “I’d also like to run him in the States at Saratoga and in Australia, as well as going back to Japan.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Sandown Lakeside Races Where Sandown Racecourse – 591-659 Princes Hwy, Springvale VIC 3171 When Monday, April 21, 2025 First Race 1pm AEST Visit Dabble The Lakeside track at Sandown is in action on Monday afternoon, with a competitive eight-race metropolitan meeting set down for decision. Clear but autumnal weather is forecast, meaning the track should remain a Good 4 throughout the day, while the rail will be out 6m for the entire circuit. The first event is set to jump at 1pm AEST, and below are our free Sandown betting tips for Easter Monday. Best Bet at Sandown: Supernima Supermina has been in some solid form this time in and can add a second win to his name this campaign. The three-year-old gelding was only overhauled late by a couple of handy types at Caulfield on April 5, and before that ran into the class Proved at Pakenham. He is a natural front-runner and Luke Cartwright on board claiming 3kg means the pair will seemingly be wanting to dictate terms throughout. With just 57kg on his back and on the back of a well-rated ride, Supernima should prove too hard to run down. Best Bet Race 3 – #1 Supernima (5) 3yo Gelding | T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman | J: Luke Cartwright (a3) (60kg) Next Best at Sandown: Illative Illative has always had a bit of a spruik on her but has failed to put it all together, however on the back of an eye-catching trial, she looks primed to strike fresh from a spell. The I Am Invincible mare went to the paddock after chasing home the classy Cleo Cat when beaten 1.4 lengths and in a field like the one she faces on Monday, that form reads quite well. Ethan Brown will have her midfield with cover from barrier five, and armed with a strong finish, Illative will prove too hard to hold out. Next Best Race 7 – #5 Illative (5) 4yo Mare | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Ethan Brown (61kg) Best Value at Sandown: Peschiera Peschiera may be a nine-start maiden, but she gets an ideal chance to bring up that elusive win as she steps up to the 1400m second-up. The four-year-old mare was only run down late at Pakenham when resuming from a 20-week spell after leading the field up over 1200m. From barrier nine, Jye McNeil will have the I Am Invincible settled up on speed once again and in a race without much pressure, Peschiera will run a bold front-running race at an each-way price with horse racing betting sites. Best Value Race 2 – #10 Peschiera (9) 4yo Mare | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Jye McNeil (57.5kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Sandown Sandown quadrella selections Wednesday, April 9, 2025 1-3-5-8-11-13 2-5-8-11 4-5-9 2-4-7-16 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Canterbury Races Where Canterbury Park Racecourse – King Street, Canterbury NSW 2193 When Monday, April 21, 2025 First Race 12:50pm AEST Visit Dabble Public Holiday racing returns to Canterbury Park on Monday afternoon, with a competitive eight-part program set for decision. The rail reverts to the true position the entire circuit, and although there is some rainfall forecast on race-day, hopefully it can keep the surface rated somewhere in the Soft range throughout proceedings. The opening event is scheduled to commence at 12:50pm local time. Best Bet at Canterbury: Full Hao Full Hao was impressive breaking her maiden at Hawkesbury on April 9, cutting along the inside running rail to score by two lengths eased down on the wire. The daughter of Castelvecchio was only getting better at the end of 1600m, and although this BM64 contest possesses much more depth on paper, the lightly raced three-year-old should be suited to stepping out to the 1900m for the first time. James McDonald takes the reins from an awkward draw (10), but provided he can slot in for cover, watch for Full Hao to be flashing over the top to secure back-to-back wins. Best Bet Race 6 – #6 Full Hao (10) 3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (58.5kg) Next Best at Canterbury: Apex Apex returns after a 107-day spell and brings some exceptional form lines to this BM64 contest. The son of Exceedance was beaten by less than a half-length by Dance To The Boom towards the end of last preparation and was gallant in defeat behind With Your Blesssings at Randwick on January 1 before being sent to the paddock. His barrier trial on April 11 suggests he’s returning in supreme order, and with Nash Rawiller set to gain the gun run from stall two, Apex should justify the $2.60 with . Next Best Race 4 – #2 Apex (2) 3yo Gelding | T: Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | J: Nash Rawiller (61kg) Next Best Again at Canterbury: Silver Wedding Silver Wedding has shown plenty of promise across her three career starts, with her latest effort behind Aeliana in the Group 3 Reginald Allen Quality (1400m) jumping off the page. She was well held on that occasion, but it does give a strong opinion of what the Ciaron Maher camp thought of her potential last preparation. She returns after a strong barrier trial at Warwick Farm on April 7, and with an element of class against some key opposition, punters should be willing to lean in her favour at the current price with horse racing bookmakers. Next Best Again Race 2 – #11 Silver Wedding (7) 3yo Filly | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Jason Collett (57.5kg) Monday quaddie tips for Canterbury Canterbury quadrella selections April 21, 2025 2-5-7-8-9-10 5-6-8-11 1-2-3-5-10 3-5-9-11-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

By Michael Guerin Got The Chocolates joined the rarest of racing clubs at Alexandra Park on Saturday night: horses who won a race they were scratched from. And he beat the budding superstar of New Zealand pacing in Marketplace to do it. The three-year-old pacer was enormous in the Woodlands Stud Northern Derby Prelude at Alexandra Park on Saturday night, sitting parked before holding out the red hot favourite in Marketplace, courtesy of a blazing 26 second last 400m. The irony for punters is Got The Chocolates, who was originally scratched, was only allowed back into the race because the Alexandra Park meeting was transferred from last Thursday to Saturday because of rough weather in Auckland. “We scratched him last week because he had an abscess in his hoof that burst out at the wrong time,” says driver John Dunn. “But with an issue like that once they burst out they can heal pretty quickly. “We flew our farrier Paul Howlett up from Canterbury and he did a great job and once the scratched horses were allowed back in after the meeting was postponed we decided to start.” Many multi punters wish they hadn’t reinstated him as Marketplace was the red hot $1.24 favourite but Got The Chocolates beat the boom three-year-old fair and square. Got The Chocolates sat parked for the last lap and while Marketplace had to come three wide and got unbalanced on the home bend, he still had time to catch the winner, albeit the sectionals were against him. His defeat suggests there is life in races like this Friday’s Northern Derby and the other features that lie ahead as Marketplace was starting to look clearly superior but has now lost two of his last three starts, both when unable to chase down the horse on the speed. “I think our horse will be even better suited by the 2700m next Friday but then again so will Marketplace and even though we beat him he is still the benchmark,” says Dunn. The Dunn stable also won the three-year-old trot with Ya Rite Darl, who led throughout in the hands of Zachary Butcher to bolt away for the Sires’ Stakes Prelude over stablemate Frazzled. The race changed complexion at the start when Habibti Pat became the latest in a long line of good trotters to blow their Alexandra Park debut, galloping early to give punters another bleeding nose. But smart punters were gifted one free hit when Beside Me won the Northern Oaks Prelude effortlessly for fill-in driver Tony Herlihy. Beside Me strode straight to the front and was way too good and while she closed a $1.30 favourite punters were able to get as much as $3 on a TAB promotion, for a maximum bet of $100, that was exempt from any deductions for scratchings. Beside Me will face a deeper field in next Friday’s Oaks, with Arafura and Stella Rouge who were scratched on Saturday both returning, but she is now the $1.70 favourite to win the Oaks, one of five Group 1s at the Alexandra Park meeting. View the full article

Guy, Aidan & Emily review the racing action from Ellerslie and Riverton, featuring very tidy stakes races. They also catch up with the Stephen Marsh in Hong Kong ahead of El Vencedor’s big assignment and are joined by Sam Williams from Little Avondale Stud after another Group 1 win for Per Incanto. Weigh In, April 20 View the full article

Driver Penalties N Chilcott | Waikato Bay of Plenty 4 March (heard Waikato Bay of Plenty 15 April); careless driving; fined $200. C Butt | NZ Metropolitan 15 April; use of whip; suspended 20-25 April inclusive. K Green | Winton 17 April; use of whip; fined $300. O Kite | Winton 17 April; breach of push out rule; fined $150. S Thornley | NZ Metropolitan 19 April; careless driving; suspended 22-25 April inclusive. B Hope | NZ Metropolitan 19 April; careless driving; fined $250. R May | NZ Metropolitan 19 April; careless driving; fined $300. B Hope | NZ Metropolitan 19 April; started from incorrect position; fined $400. Trainer Penalty M Purvis | NZ Metropolitan 15 April; failed to report treatment; fined $200. Horse Penalties HENRIK LUNDQVIST | Waikato Bay of Plenty 15 April; broke in running; must complete trial. TOP POCKET CHANCE | Winton 17 April; lame; veterinary clearance required. TILLY DUNNAGE | Winton 17 April; swollen knee; veterinary clearance required. ONE TWO MENNY | Winton 17 April; broke at start; must complete standing start trial. KATYS SHADOW | Winton 17 April; refused to score up; must complete mobile start trial. Protests KATYS SHADOW | Winton 17 April; unsatisfactory manners prior to start; declared a non-runner. T K MEGASTAR | NZ Metropolitan 19 April; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. WHO’S QUEEN | NZ Metropolitan 19 April; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. FORGIVENESS | NZ Metropolitan 19 April; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. The post 14-20 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Rider Penalties B Jacobson | Ashburton 16 April; use of whip; suspended 27 April – 7 May inclusive. D Cooper | Ashburton 16 April; careless riding; suspended 27 April – 9 May inclusive. W Pinn | Matamata 17 April; careless riding; suspended 27 April – 3 May inclusive. T Moki | Matamata 17 April; failed to make weight; fined $100. G Rooke | Auckland 19 April; careless riding; suspended 27 April – 9 May inclusive and fined $350. M Hashizume| Auckland 19 April; use of whip; suspended 27 April – 7 May inclusive and fined $150. M Cartwright | Auckland 19 April; failed to make weight; fined $100. A Najib | Riverton 19 April; use of whip; fined $250. C Campbell | Riverton 19 April; medical clearance required. Trainer Penalty R Bergerson | Non-raceday dated 17 April; failed to present horse to trials free of prohibited substance; fined $4,500. Horse Penalties SQUIRE | Matamata 17 April; slow to begin; must complete trial. XPLORER | Matamata 17 April; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. UNIQUE VALOR | Matamata 17 April; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. STORM FRONT | Auckland 19 April; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. Protests WATER LILIES | Ashburton trials 25 February; trialled with prohibited substance in system; disqualified from 1st. ASAHI | Foxton trials 11 February; trialled with prohibited substance in system; disqualified from last. The post 14-20 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Chilean-bred Richi has acclimated well for trainer Bob Baffert, "getting stronger and stronger," he said, and she proved it emphatically with an easy win in the Santa Maria Stakes (G2) April 19 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Godolphin homebred First Mission has always shown plenty of promise throughout his career, but after his strong victory in the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) April 19, his connections are hopeful 2025 will be his breakout season.View the full article

By Mike Love South Canterbury trainer Noel Taylor is cautious about the chances of Swift Dream ($5.00FF) in Race 11, the Sheree Tomlinson and Matt Cross Trot at Monday’s Banks Peninsula meeting at Addington Raceway. Although the nine-year-old Superfast Stuart gelding has been trotting in a fine vein of form lately winning two of his last three starts, three of four of Swift Dream’s wins have come on grass. The 12-race programme starts at 11.15am at Addington after being transferred from Motukarara because of bad weather over the past few days. “Grass would’ve been better for him – but with the weather around they made the right call shifting it,” says Taylor. Swift Dream picked up a penalty free win last time out at Methven when driven by legend Ricky May in an invited drivers race. He remains in the same or similar class on Sunday. Swift Dream will be driven by leading reinsman Blair Orange who has a book of eight drives. “Blair’s always a bonus and has driven her a lot. So I’ll be leaving it up to him.” Orange has driven Swift Dream for two of his victories and three placings. “It’ll be tough from his draw – if it’s wet then we will have to be handy enough when it counts. “I’ve been really happy with him lately – he’s so honest,” said Taylor. Other chances in the big even field include Crown The Moment ($7.00FF) from the inside draw of one, and the likes of Lindy’s Rocket ($12.00FF), Prince Teka ($23.00FF) and Diamond Harbour ($14.00FF) who all enjoy being on speed which will be vital over the short distance and likely slushy conditions. Swift Dream is the only horse Taylor has in work at the moment while he works his sheep farm at Kohika. He has trained 56 winners with over $390,000 in stakes in his career. To see Monday’s fields click here View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk New Zealand’s representative Blair Orange reckons home country advantage will be key to his chances of winning this November’s World Driving Championship (WDC). The 10 drivers who will compete in the WDC were announced at a function at Addington Raceway on Saturday night. It was no surprise to anyone that Orange got the nod to wear the silver fern. He has after all won the last seven driving premierships and is well on his way to taking out an eighth in 2025. “To represent your country at anything is a big achievement and hopefully I can do the fern pride,” says Orange, “it’s a bit more pressure with the home town thing but there’ll be a lot of support.” This will be his second WDC after competing in Europe (Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands) in 2023. This one, he is sure, will be feel different with three key factors in his favour, namely language, form and familiarity. “It was harder with the language barrier (in Europe). And not knowing the form so much made it hard too. Knowing that here will hopefully make it easier and hopefully everything will work out.” The WDC will be held at four venues – Kaikoura, Winton, Cambridge and Addington – and that Orange says that gives him another advantage over his rivals. “I know them like the back of my hand so hopefully we can use that too.” “Host” drivers have a strong record in the WDC. Since the first championships in 1970 there have been 13 instances of home country drivers winning the title, including James MacDonald in Canada in 217 and Pierre Vercruysee in France in 2013. Both former world champions have been confirmed in this year’s line up. To see the official WDC media release and the 10 drivers click here View the full article