Wandering Eyes

Australian raider Here To Shock runs away with the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Australia took the spoils in Saturday’s eagerly anticipated trans-Tasman sprint clash at Te Rapa as Here To Shock and Bosustow filled the quinella in the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m). The presence of 11-race winner Here To Shock and last-start Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) hero Bosustow added international spice to an elite field of sprinters, which also featured top-flight Kiwi talent such as Grail Seeker, Savaglee, Luberon, Waitak and Babylon Berlin. But in the end, the local contingent was unable to repel the Australian invasion. Here To Shock broke only fairly from gate eight, but his star Australian jockey Nash Rawiller allowed him to stride forward down Te Rapa’s long back straight and move into second spot on the outside of Savaglee. Free-going mare Babylon Berlin took up her usual front-running role and clearly led the field up to the home turn, when Here To Shock cruised up alongside her. Rawiller turned his mount loose after the 300m mark and the $500,000 race was all over. Here To Shock roared away, opening up a four-length winning margin. Bosustow finished strongly out of the pack to take second in an all-Australian quinella. Standout three-year-old Savaglee was a long head away in a gallant third, with the same margin back to the fourth-placed Waitak. 2025 Group 1 BCD Group Sprint Replay – Here To Shock https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Te-Rapa-2025-Group-1-BCD-Group-Sprint-08022025-Here-To-Shock-Ben-Will-JD-Hayes-Nash-Rawiller.mp4 Here To Shock was the only ride at Te Rapa on Saturday for Rawiller, who is easing back into riding after dislocating his shoulder in a fall on the Sunshine Coast in early January. “I’m rapt to come and win a Group One in New Zealand today,” he said. “I’ve had success whenever I’ve come here in the past. “I’ve had a month off with a bad shoulder injury. I’ve tried to do all the right things coming back from that. I just thought he was the perfect horse to come over and kick off on. It puts a smile on your face when they don’t let you down.” Here To Shock has now had 35 starts for 12 wins, seven placings and more than $2.6 million in stakes. He has won three of his five starts as a seven-year-old this season, including the A$1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) and the A$1 million The Supernova (1400m). “I’m a bit blown away by him,” Rawiller said. “He’s shown that he can do that. He’s just racing with so much confidence now and has won some very good races in this preparation. “You sense he could go back to Australia and be very competitive in a Group One while he’s fit and confident and others might still be on their way up. He’s really got his tail up, this horse. He’s turned his career around and he just gives you a lot of confidence going forward.” Horse racing news View the full article

El Vencedor romps to a three-length win in the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Saturday’s Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa marked another new high point in the career of the ever-improving El Vencedor, who took his career earnings past $1 million with a stunning three-length runaway. The son of Shocking initially showed promise as a sprinter, winning over 1200m in both New Zealand and Australia as a three-year-old and placing in the Group 3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) and Listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at four. But El Vencedor has come into his own over longer distances at the ages of five and six, starting with a runner-up finish in last year’s Thorndon Mile (1600m) in his first attempt at Group One level. He followed that up with a fourth in the Group 1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) and a brilliant breakthrough victory in the Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie. El Vencedor’s prospects of matching or even exceeding those weight-for-age heroics in this preparation looked bleak when he finished last of 13 runners in the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham in early December, but his turnaround since then has been extraordinary. Trainer Stephen Marsh has brought the six-year-old back to his very best, while Australian-based jockey Rory Hutchings has clicked superbly with the gelding during his temporary return to New Zealand’s riding ranks this summer. El Vencedor’s resurgence began with a close third behind Snazzytavi and La Crique in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. He returned to the Auckland track for last Saturday’s Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m), which Marsh mainly used as a pipe-opener for the Herbie Dyke. But El Vencedor carried his 61kg topweight to an amazing five-length romp, sending a clear warning to those who were going to oppose him at Te Rapa. His fixed-odds quote tumbled through the seven days between those two runs, eventually jumping as a $2 favourite with horse racing betting sites in a race turned upside down by the midweek defections of Snazzytavi and Orchestral. Hutchings initially tried to dictate the terms of Saturday’s $700,000 feature, sending El Vencedor to the lead and turning into the back straight at only a steady tempo. But that plan went out the window when the slackening pace made the South Island raider Matscot over-race, which left his jockey Vinnie Colgan with no option but to allow him to stride forward to the front. El Vencedor tracked that rival until around the 600m mark, when Hutchings released the brakes and his mount took control of the race again. Within the space of just a handful of big bounds, he put a big gap between himself and the rest of the field. The chasers went to work in the straight, led by La Crique and the strong-finishing back-markers Whangaehu and Ladies Man, but El Vencedor was out on his own in front. 2025 Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes Replay – El Vencedor https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Te-Rapa-2025-Group-1-Herbie-Dyke-Stakes-08022025-El-Vencedor-Stephen-Marsh-Rory-Hutchings.mp4 “This gives me a lot of satisfaction and I’m very proud of the horse,” Marsh said. “We had a plan to run him last Saturday and have him hard fit and ready to go today. “This takes him well over $1 million now and he’s just gone to another level. He seems to have finally matured. “He won a 1200m race in Australia early on his career and looked like he could win a Railway (Group 1, 1200m). He’s bred to stay, but he had never quite put everything together. Now he’s finally done that.” Hutchings has been in the saddle for El Vencedor’s Zabeel Classic placing, a five-length trial win at Matamata on January 14, and his power-packed performances in the Fulton Family Stakes and Herbie Dyke. “The reason I came home was to try to ride a big winner, and I’ve knocked it off,” the 29-year-old said. “The horse gave me an incredible feeling. It’s hard to be that confident in a Group One, but when he let down, I knew they’d have to be very good to catch him. I thought that on Boxing Day at Ellerslie too, and there was no Snazzytavi in this field today. “I was a little bit worried when the other horse went forward and took over. I’d just got my bloke into a good rhythm, and then that fired him up for probably 50m. But I was able to pop away from the fence and get him back into the rhythm again. The further we went, the stronger he got. “My arms were getting tired around the 600m, so I said, ‘Time to go, boy. Let’s make them chase us.’ The rest is history.” Bred and raced by Mark Freeman and David Price, El Vencedor has now had 39 starts for 10 wins, 14 placings and more than $1.2 million in prize-money. Saturday’s victory also took El Vencedor to the top of the points table for the Rich Hill Champion Middle Distance Series, which carries bonus payments of $300,000 for the horse that finishes first, $150,000 for second and $50,000 for third. The series will culminate in the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie on Champions Day on March 8. “We’ve still got Ellerslie, his favourite track, to go back to,” Marsh said. “He’s a big boy who’ll probably need to do something else between now and then. We’ll just play around with him and make sure we perfect his preparation.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, February 9, 2025 First Race 12:30pm HKT (3:30pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Sha Tin Racecourse is the destination for Hong Kong racing on Sunday afternoon, with a bumper 11-part program set down for decision. The rail is in the C course for the meeting, and with no signs of rainfall on the forecast, racegoers can expect a pristine Good 4 surface throughout the card. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 12:30pm local time. Best Bet at Sha Tin: La Forza The Jamie Richards-trained La Forza returns after a 37-week spell and appears primed for a first-up assault. The son of Toronado caught the eye in a recent barrier trial down the Sha Tin straight on January 21, closing on the heels of multiple Group 1 winner Lucky Sweynesse. His only win in three starts came at this course and distance last preparation with Zac Purton in the saddle, and although it’s been a lengthy absence for this relatively unexposed three-year-old, punters can expect La Forza to figure in the finish. Best Bet Race 3 – #3 La Forza (7) 3yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: Zac Purton (59.5kg) Next Best at Sha Tin: Light Years Charm Light Years Charm continues to have no luck in his debut Hong Kong season, with the Rubick gelding a good thing licked in his most recent effort at Sha Tin on January 19. The Australian import was held-up with nowhere to go on that occasion, with the four-year-old losing all momentum behind a wall of horses at a critical stage. Zac Purton has the task of overcoming gate 13 this time around, and with a bit more luck transit, Light Years Charm should have no issues justify favouritism with horse racing bookmakers. Next Best Race 7 – #7 Light Years Charm (13) 4yo Gelding | T: David Eustace | J: Zac Purton (56kg) Best Value at Sha Tin: Lucky Sam Gor Lucky Sam Gor has shown good potential heading into his debut assignment, closing off nicely in a recent barrier trial on the Sha Tin all-weather circuit on January 23. He was only asked to make minor inroads in the concluding stages, with Luke Ferraris keeping the son of Press Statement under a strong grip as they cruised through the wire. Kicking off the campaign over 1400m shows intent from the Mark Newnham barn, and provided Lucky Sam Gor can slot in for cover from stall eight, watch for this guy to be flashing home at an each-way price with Picklebet. Best Value Race 2 – #6 Lucky Sam Gor (8) 3yo Gelding | T: Mark Newnham | J: Luke Ferraris (58.5kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections February 9, 2025 2-5-6 3-4-5-8-9-14 3-4-5-6-9 2-3-4-7-13 Horse racing tips View the full article

Harry Coffey returns to the mounting yard aboard Arabian Summer after winning the Peter Le Grand Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Arabian Summer has taken out the final event on the Caulfield program by claiming Tobeornottobe in the final strides to win the Group 3 Peter Le Grand Stakes on Saturday afternoon. The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained filly claimed her first Listed race as a three-year-old, sending favourite backers home with a winner after being sent out as a +150 market elect with Picklebet. Harry Coffey once again combined with the daughter of Too Darn Hot, who settled nicely for him behind Tobeornottobe (+600), who followed the leading duo of Drifting (+650) and Madrina (+6000). As the field turned for home, Tobeornottobe came out underneath the eventual winner and took over at the 200m mark, but as Coffey pushed the button on Arabian Summer, she began to lengthen quickly. Although she only grabbed the leader in the final strides, Arabian Summer knuckled down in the final 100m to win like a good filly, with Tobeornottobe having to settle for second ahead of Shadhavar (+2000). Click here for full Caulfield race replays. Calvin McEvoy represented the winning stable in the post-race interview. “She’s such a dream to train this filly,” McEvoy said. “She’s got the best attitude and she’s learned that by travelling, she’s always been going around the place and always on her own. “They’ve got to have that will to win, and she’s got it in her, so we love it. “She hasn’t grown up much. Everyone’s said, ‘has she grown, has she grown?’ but I said back that she hasn’t needed to. “She’s a smallish filly, but a beautifully filly and so well put together. “Credit to our team, they’ve presented her here today in fantastic order and finally got that Group race (win). “She’s a filly that can be up a long time, she handles it so easy so we’ll consider the Oakleigh Plate. “We wanted to get the Black Type first. “One thing about travelling around for the big-money restricted races is we’ve missed a few opportunities at the black type, but she’s got that secured now for connections. “Whether it’s an Oakleigh Plate and maybe an Adelaide campaign, or maybe back to Queensland, I’m not sure, but she’s a great filly.” Harry Coffey recorded his fourth victory at Caulfield, and he spoke post-race. “To win on two horses that have been brilliant to me over the last 12 months… obviously Duke De Sessa, we won the Caulfield Cup together, but this filly’s not far behind him, she’s taken me on a great ride,” Coffey said. “I’ve flown all around Australia riding her and was able to partner her in some nice two-year-old races, and now we’re doing that a bit older at three. “This is what the game’s about—finding horses like her. “She probably won’t be the best horse here on-course today, but I’ll give you one thing, she’ll try the hardest. “She’s not big, and every time I watch a replay of myself riding her, I think, ‘gee, I wish I looked a bit more polished’, but because she’s small, her action’s a little bit funny and she’s got that small neck, she’s hard to look fully fluent on. “But there’s not many that try harder than her, and she’s got a massive heart and is just a horse that goes to the races and tries her hardest. “Her last 12 months she’s just been so well-placed by the team. “It’s awesome for her to come back here after being up in the Queensland and win and remind all the locals how good she still is.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Hobart Races Where Elwick Racecourse – 6 Goodwood Rd, Glenorchy TAS 7010 When Sunday, February 9, 2025 First Race 11:55am AEDT Visit Dabble One of Tasmania’s biggest racedays awaits punters on Sunday afternoon, with a 10-race program scheduled for Hobart Cup Day 2025. The Group 3 Hobart Cup (2400m) headlines proceedings and is supported by the Listed Strutt Stakes (2100m) and Listed Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m). The track will likely be a Good 4, despite being a Soft 5 on Friday, while the rail comes out 6m the entire circuit. Hobart Cup Day 2025 is set to commence at 11:55am AEDT. Hobart Cup Tip: Goldman Goldman was a determined winner of the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) two runs back and despite struggling in the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m), he looks to have found the perfect race to bounce back in. As a natural frontrunner, Beau Mertens should have no issue finding the rail from barrier seven, considering most of the field in Sunday’s Hobart Cup are backmarkers. With a cheap sectional or two early, Mertens will look to click things up a fair way out from home to avoid being left flat-footed. As long as he handles his first look at the track, Goldman looks to hard to run down, even with the 60kg impost. Hobart Cup Race 8 – #1 Goldman (7) 6yo Gelding | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Beau Mertens (60kg) Thomas Lyons Stakes Tip: The Inevitable The Inevitable is still arguably Tasmania’s best weight-for-age horse going around and can add an 11th Listed success in his career in the Thomas Lyons Stakes. The nine-year-old geldinghas saluted as a short-priced favourite with horse racing betting sites in the Listed Conquering Stakes (1400m) and then the Listed Tasmanian Stakes (1600m) leading into this. He will get back in the field despite drawing barrier two, but with a genuinely run affair expected, the race sets up perfectly for The Inevitable to overhaul his rivals and win this race for the second time in three years. Thomas Lyons Stakes Race 9 – #1 The Inevitable (2) 9yo Gelding | T: John Keys | J: Craig Newitt (59kg) Strutt Stakes Tip: Suntora Suntora was a smart maiden winner at Hamilton two starts ago, and on the back of an unlucky run at Pakenham on January 30, she looks poised to strike in the Listed Strutt Stakes. During he rmaiden win, the Toronado filly was forced to travel wide with no cover throughout, but still had the audacity to hit the line strongly. She backed that up with a midfield finish last time out, but sawe next to no daylight until the final 75m. In the field of six, Jamie Melham will look to have her out of trouble throughout, and as long as she can set out the trip, Suntora looks capable of toppling short-priced favourite Silver Dagger. Next Best Race 4 – #6 Suntora (6) 3yo Filly | T: Nick Ryan | J: Jamie Melham (56kg) Best Bet at Hobart: Mel’s Street Above Mel’s Street Above was not beaten far on debut when finishing second at this track over 1100m on January 26, and as she steps up to 1200m, she looks poised to go one better. The Zululand filly was trying to break her rivals hearts on that day but seemingly overdid it early and was left vulnerable in the last 100m when grabbed late. With that experience under her belt, and senior jockey David Pires on board, with a well-rated ride, Mel’s Street Above should be clearing maiden grades at the second time of asking. Best Bet Race 1 – #13 Mel’s Street Above (6) 3yo Filly | T: John Keys | J: David Pires (56kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Hobart Hobart quadrella selections Sunday, February 9, 2025 1-2-3-8 1-2-4-5 1-8 2-4-9-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Another Wil ridden by Jamie Melham winning the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Jamie Melham and Ciaron Maher have combined with Another Wil (+240) to claim an emotional victory in the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, giving the McKenna family their first Group 1 success since Colin McKenna’s passing in late 2024. The son of Street Boss had failed to claim an elusive Group 1 in his first three attempts, but it would be his fourth try that would see him win at the top level. Schwarz (+750) pushed forward from his middle barrier to take up the lead, with the online bookmaker’s favourite, Mr Brightside (+150), following him through to settle outside the leader, while Another Wil and Private Life (+800) settled behind the top two with cover. Blake Shinn made sure the gallop was strong aboard Schwarz, but Craig Williams on Mr Brightside didn’t let him get to far in front, sitting a length off the leader until the 600m mark. Turning into the home straight, Williams gave Mr Brightside more rein, and he took over quickly; however, Another Wil, who stalked the favourite everywhere he went, was taking ground off the leader in the final 200m. Just when it looked as though Mr Brightside was going to claim another C.F. Orr Stakes, Another Wil lifted in the final strides to run over the top of the vulnerable leader to claim his maiden Group 1 success. Click here for full Caulfield race replays. Ciaron Maher was emotional in his post-race interview following the victory. “It’s beautiful. I think it’s the first one that Col and Janice bred, so to win a Group 1 is very, very special,” Maher said. “Colin always loved this horse in particular. “I’ve resisted the temptation to take him to that top level because he’s needed time to mature and Col was always very patient and it’s probably not fitting that he can’t be here. “He just would have been so thrilled, but I’m pretty proud and he’s just such a great mentor, friend and supporter. It’s just beautiful. “It’s great for Janice and all his friends and family. “He always included everyone and a lot of them are in the horse and Jamie, she was very close to him as well. “They were big supporters of hers through tough times, so it’s phenomenal. “What a thrilling race. Brightside, he’s such a tough old bugger to get past. “I was thrilled, and hopefully over the next 12 months, couple of years he can really go on with it now. “He’ll just go through the weight-for-age path. We’ll see what sort of weight he gets up in Sydney as to the big miles up there, but we’ll celebrate this one and he’s got plenty of options now. “The All-Star Mile seems like a natural progression for him, and he’s got good form at Flemington as well, so the All-Star seems fitting as well.” Jamie Melham was just as emotional when she spoke post-race. “I thought about this day, I dreamed about it the last few days, but it’s amazing that things like this happen in racing,” Melham said. “There’s a God in racing…this horse has deserved it for so many starts, but to do it for Col after his birthday on Tuesday is just amazing. “I know he’s watching down on us and Another Wil lifted for his dad. That was amazing. “I thought at the 200 he’s going to run another terrific second in a Group 1, but as soon as I switched the whip it’s just like he just picked up. “He did that at Flemington, he hits a bit of a flat spot and doesn’t really go, and you think he’s going to run a nice race, but then he just finds another leg. “That was an amazing win. “I don’t think I’m talking sense right now, this is just gibberish, but Col that’s for you. We love you.” Horse racing news View the full article

Public Attention winning the 2025 Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au A trip to Sydney has paid immediate dividends for Public Attention ($4.80), with the Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)-trained colt producing a dominant first-up victory in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The son of Written Tycoon had been trialing in Sydney in preparation for this first-up assignment, putting the writing on the wall in a recent barrier trial success at Warwick Farm on January 30. There was a wealth of support pre-race with horse racing bookmakers to suggest he was ready to produce on resumption, and he didn’t let the punters down thanks to a perfect ride by Chad Schofield, as he sat to the outside of Linebacker ($4.80) as the pair led out at a moderate tempo. It left the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Mayfair ($7.00) to sit wide without cover, while Gatsby’s ($4.20) and Snow In May ($4.00) were stalking from worse than midfield turning for home. The leading duo gave a strong kick in the concluding stages and sat down to fight out the finish, with Public Attention getting the upper hand in the final furlong to claim his second victory at start five. Click here for full Randwick race replays. Mick Price was on track at Randwick to speak post-race and suggested the traditional Hobartville/Randwick Guineas path would be on the agenda. “Well, I’ve said to the Coolmore boys that he’s a better physical horse this time in,” said Price. “We were nursing a little bit of shin soreness after each run last time in, even after the Caulfield Guineas where he did have every chance, he still pulled up like an immature three-year-old. “We did our best with him last preparation, but he’s a better horse this time in and you saw the benefit of that. “I think the second horse, now gelded, is nearly a Group 1 horse and I think it is going to be good form. So he goes to the Hobartville, into the Randwick Guineas. “If you have a look at his family, he’s one of Patrick Hogan’s families and it’s a beautiful 1600m New Zealand family, and I think he’s got 1600 written all over him.” Chad Schofield gave a good account of his mount post-race. “He’s stunning,” said Schofield. “I loved him since the first time I rode him at track work and then obviously I was really impressed with his two trials. He’s just a beautiful colt with a great attitude and great action. He’s lovely to ride and it was great to see him do that today over a distance like that because he’s only going to get better when he gets over further. “It was great to see him do that today over 1200m. He just jumped, put himself on the speed and dropped the bridle as well. I just love the way he flattened out down the straight and very strong through the line. “He wobbled a little bit around the corner the first time Sydney way, but I just waited for him to gather himself, and then he just kept lengthening really nicely, and he gave me a terrific feel.” Public Attention is currently a $10.00 winning chance with Dabble for the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) on March 8. Horse racing news View the full article

Harry Coffey returns to the mounting yard aboard Duke De Sessa after winning the JRA Plate. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Reigning Caulfield Cup champion Duke De Sessa returned with a tough win in the Group 3 JRA Plate (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, after proving the superior stayer in the concluding stages of the 1600m contest. The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding claimed the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) before running ninth in the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) to end his spring campaign, indicating that he was the clear class horse in the race; however, he was still sent out as a +1300 roughie with BlondeBet. Buffalo River (+3300) did his usual thing out in front and ran the race along at a strong tempo, with Howgoodareyou (+1400) trailing by two lengths by the halfway point ahead of Chorlton Lane (+280) and Elphinstone (+700). Duke De Sessa settled behind the top four with cover and just needed a gap to appear on the home turn to get into clear air, while Wings Of Song (+750) and Marble Arch (+400) made searching runs three and four wide. Blake Shinn aboard Chorlton Lane took over quickly in the home straight, which gave Harry Coffey a gap to push the eventual winner into to chase the leader down. Marble Arch was flying down the outside of the track to challenge the top two, but it was Duke De Sessa in between that poked his head through late to claim victory. Click here for full Caulfield race replays. Ciaron Maher was very happy with the win, and he spoke post-race. “It might be (his best preparation to come); it was a come-out preparation last time around, and you just love seeing a stayer resume like that, it usually means they’re in for a good preparation,” Maher said of the winner. “The team have done a super job with him. He looked really good in the skin. Harry’s got a really good understanding of him as well. “I actually didn’t think he’d win on top of the ground over a mile, but it’s a lovely surprise, and Chorlton (Lane) was good also. “We don’t give those stayers too long off. “We just sort of change it up, keep them happy, keep them ticking over and he’s just improving. “He used to be a little bit fierce, and as he’s got a little bit older, he just relaxes that little bit more and it was fantastic. “Great to have Harry on; he’s a great fella, and he rides him well. “He might go through an Australian Cup now. That’s his plan, he may step out, it depends on what weight he gets when goes back to handicap conditions but he’s in for a good prep anyway, either way.” Harry Coffey brought up a riding treble with the win, and he was very happy in his post-race interview. “You always know that good horses are going to run well, but he just had a lot against him,” Coffey said. “I pulled him out at the top of the straight when I got the run, and he pinned his ears back and found plenty. “When they do what he does, it just makes my job easy. He’s just getting better the longer Ciaron and the team have him. “Even though it was a good race, a Group race, they said don’t panic too much, just have him running well; our job is to have him right in a few runs time when the tracks are a bit softer in Sydney. “Well, that makes me very excited to think the improvement he’s going to take and how competitive he’ll be when he goes up there. “I’ll be honest, I’ve had probably a slight bit of a lean patch, and I was actually running through different occupations that I could be thinking of. “You go through them stages, and then today, on a Group 1 day, I’ve turned up and ridden well and been on horses that have been able to take me to the right spots. “To be fair, this time of year, if you don’t get the blood rocking, you shouldn’t be in the caper, and it’s nice to be able to deliver.” Horse racing news View the full article

Rivellino winning the 2025 Inglis Millennium. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Kris Lees & James McDonald have combined with Rivellino ($4.00) to claim the seventh running of the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with the son of Too Darn Hot keeping his resume unblemished heading into the Sydney autumn. The undefeated two-year-old couldn’t have been more impressive storming to back-to-back victories to start the campaign, with the untapped colt making a sustained run down the centre of the course to burst clear in Saturday’s feature. The Magic Man ($15.00) was sent forward to lead under Kerrin McEvoy from barrier one, with the Paul Perry-trained colt ticking over some strong sectionals early, while Kujenga ($21.00) drawn to his outside was happy to stride in unison. The well-supported favourite with horse racing bookmakers, Price Tag ($3.50), had to endure a tough run three-and-four wide without cover throughout the journey, while Rivellino and Within The Law ($5.50) were smoking the pipe at the rear of the field. There was a wall of horses chasing the leading pair turning for home, including Artistic Venture ($21.00) and Grafterburners ($23.00) who were left to fill out the minor money, but it was Rivellino going right on with the job in the final furlong, justifying plenty of support with punters prior to the jump. Click here for full Randwick race replays. Kris Lees was on course to discuss the victory post-race at Randwick. “Those colours have been worn by some very good horses and my first winner (Cherokee Lass) back in the nineties had them in a maiden at Newcastle,” said Lees. “They go back a long way. “He’s a Lovely colt. I trained the mother (Intrinsic). That is often a bit of a start when you go to a sale. He is a horse that has continued to improve while we’ve had him in work and from each trial to the races he has continued to go the right way. “He’s got a lot of upside and it is a special feeling today. “He’s a smart two-year-old and I’d say we’ll be pushing on to some degree. You could see him in the Slipper, for sure.” James McDonald spoke post-race and couldn’t have been happier with the performance. “He’s a ripper and fair play to Kris, he has always liked him,” said McDonald. “When he rang and said ‘you’ve got to ride this one, I reckon he’s pretty good’. So it didn’t take much convincing. “I rode him in a trial and he gave me an excellent feel and that was just what we wanted to see today. “As soon as we had a spot with a bit of cover we were happy. I thought he would coming here and run really well but I just needed a little bit of luck and I got that from the 800 (metre mark). “He’s a really improving type. He’s going to be a force to be reckoned with through the carnival.” Rivellino is now a $21.00 chance in futures markets with Dabble for the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) on March 22. Horse racing news View the full article

Angel Capital ridden by Ben Melham wins the Autumn Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Angel Capital returned to the racetrack with a big win in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, sprinting quickly from the back of the field to swamp his rivals in the final 300m. The Clinton McDonald-trained colt held favouritism throughout betting with horse racing bookmakers, firming from an opening price of +220 to +180 by the time they jumped. Plymouth (+850) and Catoggio (+340) jumped well from their barriers to find the front and set a solid tempo, ahead of Detroit City (+1100), Jenni The Fox (+1800) and the eventual winner, who was in clear air. As the field turned the final corner, Ben Melham pushed Angel Capital into clear air down the middle of the track, while his main market rival Evaporate (+260) was slightly held up behind slowing runners. When Melham pushed the button, the son of Harry Angel exploded with a booming turn of foot and stormed over the top of Plymouth, who held on for second ahead of the luckless Evaporate. Click here for full Caulfield race replays. Clinton McDonald spoke about the victory post-race. “I’ve always had those thoughts, to look at him he looks like a 2000-metre horse, but he’s just got that devastating turn of foot and he’s so brilliant over a short trip,” McDonald said of Angel Capital being a miler. “This time in, after his gallops and after his trials his recovery’s been really good, whereas last time in he was always a little bit suspect. “I just think that was maturity and the way that he behaved today, as I said before the race, he’s just starting to mature mentally and learn what this game’s about. “I thought that was a race that showed that the penny’s starting to drop with him. “He’ll go straight to the Guineas I’d say, and then if he ran well there, we’d go to the All-Star Mile, then we’d pull up stumps and get him ready for the spring. “I think he’s a horse that doesn’t need a lot of racing. He’s one of those horses (it’s best to) keep him fresh, keep home well and he’ll do the rest.” Ben Melham echoed similar thoughts to McDonald in his post-race interview. “He’s very fresh and he’s been chomping at the bit to get the races for a long time,” Melham said. “He’s a good trainer, Clinton; he’s been very patient with him, and we had to work out what direction we went, whether we stayed at a sprint trip or had a crack at the Guineas, and to me, he feels like a miler. “He’s a horse that can get a bit aggressive, so it was good to see him find a spot and travel pretty good for him. “I was hoping they’d go a bit quicker, but he did a good job to pick himself up from that position and reel them in the way he did.” “His (first) two runs last time in were very good, he wasn’t himself when he ran in the Guineas last time at Caulfield, but he’s just improved as a horse. “He’s matured, he’s filled out, he’s strengthened and he’s just been breathing fire at home. “I reckon he’ll be pretty hard to beat in the Guineas this time.” Horse racing news View the full article

Rey Magnerio ridden by Jye McNeil wins the Rubiton Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Robbie Griffiths and Jye McNeil have combined with Rey Magnerio to take out the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, after wearing down Insurrection (+280) in the final strides to claim a valuable victory. The son of Magnus went into the race first-up, and he was heavily backed late with horse racing bookmakers from +300 into +270 in the last five minutes before the jump. After jumping well from the gates, McNeil was happy to settle Rey Magnerio three-wide close to the speed, which was set by Insurrection and Maharba (+270). With only one turn to navigate, Insurrection gave a strong kick at the 300m mark, which left Mahraba flatfooted and struggling to stay with the leader, while the eventual winner gradually took ground off the frontrunner. The only other chance in the race was Prairie Flower (+500), but the mare took forever to whind up and only chased in vein. Passing the 50m mark, Rey Magnerio continued to grind and take more and more ground off Insurrection before getting his nose down on the line to claim a narrow win. Click here for full Caulfield race replays. Robbie Griffiths spoke to the media post-race. “He had a nice little freshen after running second in The Meteorite, he put the form on the board during the spring and that stood up with Maharba running so well in the Winterbottom,” Griffiths said. “He came back and he appeared stronger, his trials indicated he was better, and he proved it today that he’s gone another level.” “I thought he couldn’t run any better than third; they were cantering, and I thought, ‘Blake’s going to win this (on Insurrection) and they’ll run it that order’, but when it gets to a fight, he’s a fighter – he’s well-named. “Looking at the way his form finished in the spring and how he has come back, you would think he’s going to be right in the thick of things in an Oakleigh Plate. “It was always the plan to go there and then the Newmarket, so he’s kicked it off the right way today.” Jye McNeil spoke on horseback on the way back to the mounting yard, and he was very happy with the victory. “He’s been great for me, connections and I’m sure Robbie as well,” McNeil said. “I seem to get along with him really well. “The draw was a bit awkward, but with moderate speed we landed three-wide outside them, and he was prepped up really well for today and great to get another win on the board. “Albeit we were covering a little bit more ground, it was probably beneficial to sit that little bit closer and be in that position. “He’s got a really good sprint, and he showed that today to get over the top.” Horse racing news View the full article

Matamata visitor Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma) made the trip down to Wingatui on Saturday a profitable one as he blitzed his rivals by four lengths in the Listed Nellies Restaurant & Bar Hazlett Stakes (1400m). Trainer Pam Gerard sent the eight-year-old south fresh up, having last raced when fourth of nine at Otaki back in November. Placed three times at Group One level as a younger horse, the Oaks Stud-bred son of Darci Brahma hadn’t visited the winners’ enclosure since May 2024 but didn’t let that statistic faze him as he produced a stunning performance in the hands of Kylie Williams to capture his fifth career victory. Williams bided her time behind pacemakers Willis (NZ) (Vadamos) and The Radiant One (NZ) (Darci Brahma) who led the 10-strong field a merry dance out in front before she peeled three-wide into the home straight. Harlech simply bounded clear at this point and held on strongly to defeat The Radiant One and Adannaya (NZ) (Niagara), who finished well to claim third. Gerard was at Te Rapa putting the finishing touches on star three-year-old Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) before the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) but caught the race on television. “He has stolen the show today and it was just so good to see him back like that,” Gerard said. “In all fairness, he was very good at Otaki, but we had a hiccup with him after an adverse reaction to some medication so we had to back off him and get ready to come down south. “He went down there early and has been chilling out and really thriving on the routine he has got into. He is a very happy horse and he seems to have his mojo back now.” Gerard indicated the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (1600m) at Wingatui on 1 March is now the main target for her charge. “We went down there to test the waters and see if he could handle the track and I think we got the answer we were looking for,” she said. “He will stay down there now and hopefully he can get even better over the next three weeks.” Gerard was also delighted with the performance of Savaglee, who fought hard for third behind Aussie raiders Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) and Bosustow (Blue Point) in the Te Rapa sprint feature. “He has pulled up super and we are thrilled with him as he was the first Kiwi-trained horse home,” she said. “Being a colt, he probably wasn’t really suited own on the fence as he was cluttered up a bit and then got held up for a few strides when he was trying to clear that pocket behind Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard). “Sam (Spratt, rider) said he is looking for the mile now so he is right on track for the Australian Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) on 1 March.” Raced by a large group including Dame Sian Elias and Hugh Fletcher, Harlech is out of the former top race mare Obsession (NZ) (Bachelor Duke), who won the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and also finished third in the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) during her career on the track. He was purchased by bloodstock agent Paul Moroney for $100,000 out of the Oaks Stud draft at Karaka in 2018 and has now won five races and secured more than $604,000 in prizemoney from his 43 career starts. View the full article

A dominant performance in the Gr.2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday has thrust Tuxedo (NZ) (Tivaci) into the top echelon of contenders for next month’s Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). Tuxedo had already shown plenty of promise in his four-race career, winning twice including the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) and finishing second in both of the other two. He chased home Derby favourite Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, then returned to the same venue for a runner-up finish behind Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). Those performances had left Tuxedo’s connections tossing up between the Derby and the lucrative new $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), which will be run on the same Champions Day card in Auckland on March 8. But Tuxedo made that decision easier with the way he handled the step up to 2000m on Saturday. Tuxedo settled in third-last for jockey Joe Doyle as Amazing Fluke (The Autumn Sun) led for most of the way around the Te Rapa circuit. Doyle swooped around the outside of the field coming up to the home turn, and Tuxedo loomed ominously in fourth coming into the straight. Doyle pushed the button and Tuxedo took command, opening up a winning margin of three and a half lengths despite pricking his ears and running around in the final 100m. “I was very impressed,” Doyle said. “In his last couple of runs, we gave him a squeeze early on from good gates and he seemed to travel a bit too strongly. Today he relaxed so well, so I’m sure he’ll give himself every chance of seeing out a Derby trip. “He went straight past them in the straight, then pricked his ears and had a good look around. There’s loads left in him. He’s a very exciting horse. “Opportunities like this don’t come up every day. It’s very exciting to be heading towards a Derby with such a strong chance. “He’s a three-year-old with a lot of class. He’s still a bit unfurnished, but I have no doubt he’ll give people something to shout about in the Derby.” The TAB has tightened Tuxedo to $5 in the New Zealand Derby market, sharing second favouritism with stakes-winning filly Hinekaha (NZ) (Savabeel). Willydoit remains the hot favourite at $2. Tuxedo was a $70,000 purchase from Book 1 of Karaka 2023 by Grant Barnett, who shares ownership along with six others. The promising gelding is trained by Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray and has now earned $465,785 from his five-start, three-win career. “We couldn’t be happier with that,” Murray said. “Joe got him to settle lovely out the back, and then showed a nice turn of foot coming around the bend. He was flicking his ears and looking around in the straight, so there’s a bit left in the tank. “The more racing he’s done, the better he’s relaxing. He settled great in his work during the week, and seeing that performance today makes us very happy. “We’re thinking we want to head to a Derby now. What we do with him between now and then depends on how he pulls up from this. Shaune mentioned that Jimmy Choux (NZ) (Thorn Park) went straight to the Derby from the Waikato Guineas. But we’ll sit down with the owners and make a plan.” Second favourite Bourbon Proof (Justify) filled the runner-up position on Saturday, with another four and a half lengths back to Amazing Fluke and Golden Century (NZ) (Pierro). View the full article

Saturday’s Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa marked another new high point in the career of the ever-improving El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking), who took his career earnings past $1 million with a stunning three-length runaway. The son of Shocking initially showed promise as a sprinter, winning over 1200m in both New Zealand and Australia as a three-year-old and placing in the Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) and Listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at four. But El Vencedor has come into his own over longer distances at the ages of five and six, starting with a runner-up finish in last year’s Thorndon Mile (1600m) in his first attempt at Group One level. He followed that up with a fourth in the Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) and a brilliant breakthrough victory in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie. El Vencedor’s prospects of matching or even exceeding those weight-for-age heroics in this preparation looked bleak when he finished last of 13 runners in the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham in early December, but his turnaround since then has been extraordinary. Trainer Stephen Marsh has brought the six-year-old back to his very best, while Australian-based jockey Rory Hutchings has clicked superbly with the gelding during his temporary return to New Zealand’s riding ranks this summer. El Vencedor’s resurgence began with a close third behind Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock) and La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. He returned to the Auckland track for last Saturday’s Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m), which Marsh mainly used as a pipe-opener for the Herbie Dyke. But El Vencedor carried his 61kg topweight to an amazing five-length romp, sending a clear warning to those who were going to oppose him at Te Rapa. His fixed-odds quote tumbled through the seven days between those two runs, eventually jumping as a $2 favourite in a race turned upside down by the midweek defections of Snazzytavi and Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel). Hutchings initially tried to dictate the terms of Saturday’s $700,000 feature, sending El Vencedor to the lead and turning into the back straight at only a steady tempo. But that plan went out the window when the slackening pace made the South Island raider Matscot (NZ) (Haradasun) over-race, which left his jockey Vinnie Colgan with no option but to allow him to stride forward to the front. El Vencedor tracked that rival until around the 600m mark, when Hutchings released the brakes and his mount took control of the race again. Within the space of just a handful of big bounds, he put a big gap between himself and the rest of the field. The chasers went to work in the straight, led by La Crique and the strong-finishing back-markers Whangaehu (NZ) (Proisir) and Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed), but El Vencedor was out on his own in front. “This gives me a lot of satisfaction and I’m very proud of the horse,” Marsh said. “We had a plan to run him last Saturday and have him hard fit and ready to go today. “This takes him well over $1 million now and he’s just gone to another level. He seems to have finally matured. “He won a 1200m race in Australia early on his career and looked like he could win a Railway (Gr.1, 1200m). He’s bred to stay, but he had never quite put everything together. Now he’s finally done that.” Hutchings has been in the saddle for El Vencedor’s Zabeel Classic placing, a five-length trial win at Matamata on January 14, and his power-packed performances in the Fulton Family Stakes and Herbie Dyke. “The reason I came home was to try to ride a big winner, and I’ve knocked it off,” the 29-year-old said. “The horse gave me an incredible feeling. It’s hard to be that confident in a Group One, but when he let down, I knew they’d have to be very good to catch him. I thought that on Boxing Day at Ellerslie too, and there was no Snazzytavi in this field today. “I was a little bit worried when the other horse went forward and took over. I’d just got my bloke into a good rhythm, and then that fired him up for probably 50m. But I was able to pop away from the fence and get him back into the rhythm again. The further we went, the stronger he got. “My arms were getting tired around the 600m, so I said, ‘Time to go, boy. Let’s make them chase us.’ The rest is history.” Bred and raced by Mark Freeman and David Price, El Vencedor has now had 39 starts for 10 wins, 14 placings and more than $1.2 million in prize-money. Saturday’s victory also took El Vencedor to the top of the points table for the Rich Hill Champion Middle Distance Series, which carries bonus payments of $300,000 for the horse that finishes first, $150,000 for second and $50,000 for third. The series will culminate in the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie on Champions Day on March 8. “We’ve still got Ellerslie, his favourite track, to go back to,” Marsh said. “He’s a big boy who’ll probably need to do something else between now and then. We’ll just play around with him and make sure we perfect his preparation.” View the full article

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young trained three-year-old Emphasize (NZ) (Embellish( has again flagged his staying credentials with a hard-fought victory over older horses in the Super Bowl Monday Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield. The son of Embellish cruised to victory at Sale in January and was due to step out at Sandown last week, but dislodged his rider on the way to the barriers and was duly scratched. Seven days later the gelding put up a tough performance to loop the field and stave off handy four-year-old Inevitable Award as he posted his second victory from three starts. Stakes targets now beckon the gelding, who was well ridden by Craig Williams after stepping away slowly. “We certainly thought he’d be closer than what he was, but he missed away and Craig sorted the rest out,” Busuttin said. “It was a good tough win. The second horse is a reasonable horse and he hit the front early enough and I thought the second horse was going to get past him but he toughed it out. “He was five weeks between runs and he’s a keen enough going horse.” The Gr.2 Autumn Classic (1800m) back at Caulfield in a fortnight shapes as the next likely target before a tilt at either the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) or Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) which are both on March 22. Noted as a stable that can train a three-year-old stayer, Busuttin said the Kiwi bred had improved significantly since the spring and patience is being rewarded. “Leading into the spring, he was just a horse,” Busuttin said. “It was time to either race or put him in the paddock and we opted for the latter. “He has come on big time and he can’t do much more than what he has done, so we will see where he is in a couple of months.” Bred by Pamela and Katie Hallam’s Yarrawonga Racing, Emphasize was bought out of Castle Hill Farm’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale by Inglewood Stud for $5000. He was subsequently purchased for $75,000 by OTI, Busuttin Racing and Phill Cataldo Bloodstock at the Ready to Run Sale. By Cambridge Stud stallion Embellish, a Group One winning son of Savabeel, Emphasize is out of the Dane Shadow mare Dancing May, who also has a juvenile Embellish filly, and she is a sister to the Gr.1 South Australian Derby winner Shadows In The Sun. View the full article

Progressive mare Risque Ruler (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) produced a performance that had to be seen to be believed when taking out the second running of the Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. The Janelle Millar-prepared daughter of former Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) winner Mongolian Khan was a clear $3.80 favourite for the $350,000 contest when the early Fixed Odds market was released off the back of an unlucky run for second at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, following two consecutive victories. However, after the early pattern of the day favoured those racing on or near the speed, the four-year-old’s get back and run on style saw her remain the favourite but drifting to a $5 quote as punters looked at those more suited to the perceived frontrunning bias. That strategy looked to be paying dividends as Te Akau Racing runner Class (NZ) (Embellish) set up a solid tempo in front for the majority of the journey before scooting four lengths clear rounding the home bend. In contrast, rider Chris Dell settled Risque Ruler at the tail of the field and was conservatively 15 lengths from the lead before starting a swooping run around the field at the point of the home turn. Class began to feel the pinch at the 150m as firstly Our Time (NZ) (Time Test) and then Risque Ruler began to charge down the outer, with Risque Ruler getting in the decisive stride to defeat Our Time. Class held on bravely for third. It was an emotional Millar who fielded questions after the race. “She gives me a heart attack every time she goes out there, but man she is good,” Millar said. “This is something we targeted and to pull it off like she did, I’m overwhelmed and so proud of her. “We always knew that Class would go forward, but when (Risque Ruler) detached herself from the field, I thought ‘holy moly’. But when she lets go, she is just amazing. “There is a big syndicate in her and I’m just thrilled for all those who are involved. “I think we will tip her out now as she has done us proud, and she is still growing so next year she could be unbeatable.” Dell sported a beaming smile as he was swamped by syndicate members upon returning to the winners’ enclosure. “It might not be a Group One, but it has a $350,000 purse associated with it,” he said. “Janelle has been very, very good to me and we have a good record up here when she brings horses north. “I earmarked this horse at the trials before she had her first start and I told Janelle that she was her next nice horse, so thank god my judgement was correct. “She is special this one and I had no qualms as I said I was going to ride her for one run, ride her to win and she has come from stone motherless last, looped the field and won in a smart time (1.35.51) “She has more upside to her, so she is a mare who is just a special horse.” Bred by Windsor Park Stud out of their Volksraad mare Risque Business, Risque Ruler is the younger half-sister to seven-race winner So Risque (NZ) (So You Think) and stakes-placed six-race winner It’s Business Time (NZ) (Turn Me Loose). She has now won three of her eight starts and boosted her prizemoney earnings beyond $256,000. View the full article

Rising star Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn) had to live right up to her fast-growing reputation at Te Rapa on Saturday, getting herself out of deep trouble in the straight and winning the Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m). The classy daughter of Derryn went into the $275,000 feature as the hottest favourite of the day at $1.30, having won three of her four starts including dominant recent victories in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) and Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m). Soon after rounding the home turn at Te Rapa on Saturday, however, Leica Lucy was a long way from a certainty. She enjoyed a comfortable run in fourth along the rail, but then the leaders Wyndsong (NZ) (Wyndspelle) and Skymax (NZ) (Ferrando) started to slow down in front of her. At the same time, top jockey Michael McNab positioned his mount Top Shelf (NZ) (Savabeel) right next to the favourite and kept her in a pocket. Leica Lucy’s jockey Craig Grylls searched frantically for a way through as time quickly ran out. He zigged and zagged and was shut out of a gap that closed in front of him when Top Shelf strode past Skymax and Wyndsong to take the lead three off the fence. Grylls had to switch back across heels to Top Shelf’s outside with 200m remaining, and then Leica Lucy did the rest. She changed gears and drove past that rival, eventually opening up a comfortable winning margin of a length and three-quarters. “With a horse like her, when you’re not going to be leading, there’s always that danger when you draw inside,” Grylls said. “The ones in front of you start stopping, while others start to improve around the outside of you. I just had to wait for a way through. “Once she got a gap, she probably won even more easily than she did last time. I didn’t have to go for her with the stick. She’s really extended through the line strongly. Going up to 2000m for the first time today, her turn of foot was probably even better than last time. She’s very exciting.” Leica Lucy is raced by her breeders, Heather and Peter Crofskey. During the week, they sold a share in the ownership to prominent Australian investor Ozzie Kheir. It was a case of déjà vu for Kheir, who also bought into Molly Bloom a few days before she won the Fillies’ Classic last year. Trained by Robbie Patterson, Leica Lucy has now had five starts for four wins, a placing and more than $353,000 in stakes. “That was a hard watch today,” Patterson admitted. “I could see that it was going to happen too, when Michael McNab was on our outside. He’s a very good rider and he was going to make things tough. But she just showed her quality. “There was a lot of pressure on before this race, obviously with the sale and Ozzie joining in. He’s been fantastic, and Pete and Heather are great friends and good owners. So there was a lot of pressure going into this, and halfway up the straight it was going all wrong and pear-shaped and I was worried. But, hey, I’ve got a class rider and a class filly. I had complete confidence that she would win today, although there’s a lot of pressure when they’re paying $1.30 in a Group Two. “I’ve just got so much confidence in the horse. I’ve never had a horse that gives me this much confidence. Everything she does is just so professional. She’s just great.” Leica Lucy is now the $2.20 favourite for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 22. Patterson said her final lead-up run will be in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2000m) at the same venue on March 2. “She’ll go back to Trentham, where she loves the big, roomy track,” the New Plymouth trainer said. “It’s three weeks from today into the Lowland, and another three weeks into the Oaks. After that, she’ll go across to Chris Waller. I might give Chris a ring and give him a bit of advice! But, no, Chris is going to get a lovely filly and I’m just so rapt for the owners.” Lightning has struck twice for the Crofskeys, who had another top-class filly 12 years ago with Habibi (NZ) (Ekraar). That daughter of Ekraar won six of her nine starts including the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and two Group Two races. She also placed in the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) in Sydney, and later performed at stakes level in the United States under different ownership. “This is a wonderful day for us,” Heather Crofskey said on Saturday. “It’s the day that we’re realising just how good a horse we have. Robbie has really liked her from the start. He told us she might be the best we’ve ever had. “We have to acknowledge our new partner in the ownership, Ozzie, who’s joining us on this journey now. We’re off to a great start today and even though he’s not here on course, he’s definitely watching. Now it’s on to the Oaks.” Leica Lucy has moved up to 20 points in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series and sits in second place behind Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) (21 points), who is unlikely to take any further part in the series. View the full article

Ethan Brown returns to the mounting yard aboard Palm Angel after winning the Blue Diamond Prelude (F) at Caulfield. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) The Jason Warren-trained Palm Angel ($7.50) has surged late to claim the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude (F) (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, turning the tables on My Gladiola ($1.90) to sting favourite backers. The daughter of Starspangledbanner was defeated by 5.8 lengths by My Gladiola in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Sandown on January 25, and not many gave her a chance to change the result heading into Saturday’s Group 2 feature. A positive ride by Ethan Brown from barrier three seemed to do the trick, however, with the two-year-old able to hold the back of My Gladiola throughout the 1100m journey as the short-priced favourite with horse racing bookmakers looked to make every post a winner under Jamie Mott. It was a race dominated by those on-speed, with My Gladiola giving a bold sight when turning for home, while Wiltshire Square ($5.00) and Miss Celine ($17.00) travelled nicely into the final furlong. It was all Palm Angel in the concluding stages, however, with the now two-time stakes winner cementing herself as a contender for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) in a fortnight. Click here for full Caulfield race replays. Jason Warren was on course to break down the win and laid out the path for Palm Angel. “We went into her first-up run in the Preview a little bit soft,” said Warren. “We’d gone there with one jump-out under our belt with a view that our Grand Final was still six weeks away. “We used the run to bring her on. The barrier draw last start forced the issue, so we didn’t knock her around and felt that we came here much improved and I think we can tighten up a little bit further into the Grand Final in two weeks. “We labelled her very early on as a high-class filly and I rang Browny (Ethan Brown) about three weeks before her first jump-out and I said, ‘I think we’ve got another one here’. “I said, ‘you better come over and have a ride’, he did and we haven’t got him off.” Ethan Brown spoke post-race and was delighted with the win. “She’s got a great constitution, she’s a little racehorse,” said Brown. “She did have a soft run from the gate, she dropped the bit nicely, but once she got off My Gladiola’s back she really sprinted down well. “I only hit her once or twice, she did the rest herself, and it was quite a soft win. “She put the writing on the wall her first start and she ran well the other day but I said to Jase, ‘you’ve got to just trust she’s going to improve out of this run’, and she certainly did. “She was prepared in terrific order by Jase and the team and I’m just rapt to be on her.” Palm Angel has now firmed into $5.00 with Picklebet for the Group 1 Blue Diamond (1200m) on February 22. Horse racing news View the full article

Field Of Play ridden by Blake Shinn wins the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) at Caulfield Racecourse. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Field Of Play ($3.00) has proven too good for the boys in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, giving connections an easy choice to pay the late nomination fee to gain entry for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m). The son of Deep Field put the writing on the wall after a dominant debut victory at Moonee Valley on December 28, pressing clear by 3.3 lengths to suggest the two-year-old could make the grade in Saturday company. It was a perfectly rated steer by Blake Shinn, electing to be positive in the early stages, allowing the Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained gelding to stride forward and sit outside the post-time favourite Aleppo Pine ($2.40). The Godolphin colt appeared to be travelling well under Jamie Melham; however, when asked for the ultimate effort, the son of Blue Point was running on empty very quickly as Field Of Play booted clear in the final furlong. The pair of Devil Night ($41.00) and Katsumi Orochi ($81.00) both made strong inroads late in the piece, but it was all in vain as Field Of Play maintained his winning break to stamp himself as a leading contender for the 2025 Blue Diamond. Click here for full Caulfield race replays. Natalie Young was on course at Caulfield to represent the stable and credited the tactics of Blake Shinn. “Blake just rode him absolutely fantastic,” said Young. “He just actually said, ‘I’ll just ride him like he’s the best horse in the race’, and he did and he got the job done. “It’s a good problem to have you know that you’ll be 55k short when you’re racing for that prizemoney. “I was thinking he won’t have that turn of foot because he’s a lot more handier, but we had to because the favourite was going to be off and gone and we didn’t want to be waiting for it. “I just thought, once he balanced up and got on the right leg, I knew he’d find another gear and he did today. “It’s great to see, it’s fantastic for Mr Cheng and Mike Kneebone, a big part of us getting this horse and having him, so it’s fantastic to know that we’re going to be back here in two weeks chasing a Blue Diamond.” Blake Shinn was elated with the win and suggested connections should backup into the Group 1 feature. “He’s taken a step from MV and it’s always a bit of an unknown coming here to the lead-up to the Blue Diamond, (knowing) where you’re going to sit, but he really put his hand up today,” said Shinn. “I’d be putting a bit of my percentage up to be paying the late entry fee, he’s going to be one of the favourites I’d imagine off the back of that win. “He’s just a really beautiful horse to ride. I’ve ridden a lot of nice two-year-olds over my time and he’s got a little bit of a way to go to be like a Capitalist, but he’s a very impressive horse.” Field Of Play is now the current favourite at $5.00 with BlondeBet for the Group 1 Blue Diamond (1200m) at Caulfield on February 22. Horse racing news View the full article

Smart four-year-old is looking to follow in the footsteps of his stablemate by remaining unbeaten after three starts.View the full article

Inglis Millennium Day. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Inglis Millennium Day 2025 awaits punters at Royal Randwick on Saturday, February 8, 2025 with a bumper 10-race meeting set down for decision. The $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) headlines what is set to be a big day of racing in Sydney. As the Sydney Autumn Carnival approaches, catch up on all the race replays, results and dividends provided by top horse racing bookmakers here. Randwick Horse Racing Replays & Full Results – 8/2/25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Race 1 – Midway Handicap (1600m) Race Replay & Results https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Randwick-Race-1-Midway-Handicap-08022025-Oh-Diamond-Lil-David-Pfieffer-Kerrin-McEvoy.mp4 Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 6 OH DIAMOND LIL David Pfieffer Kerrin McEvoy $1.80 $1.16 2nd 2 HARLOW MIST John Sargent Molly Bourke $2.20 3rd 13 VIESTE Kerry Parker Reece Jones $3.30 4th 4 PIRAEUS Richard & Will Freedman Zac Lloyd Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 6-2 $7.40 Exacta 6-2 $9.40 Duet 6-2 $3.40 Duet 6-13 $4.70 Duet 2-13 $19.50 Trifecta 6-2-13 $74.40 First Four 6-2-13-4 $168.20 Horse racing news View the full article

CF Orr Stakes Day. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) CF Orr Stakes Day 2025 is here with a bumper 10-race meeting set down for decision at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday, February 8, 2025. The Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) is the feature event and is supported by a stack of black-type racing throughout the day, including the Blue Diamond Prelude’s for Colts & Geldings and then for the Fllies. As the Melbourne Autumn Carnival commences, catch up on all the race replays, results and dividends provided by top horse racing bookmakers here. Free Caulfield Race Replays & Results – February 8, 2025 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Race 1 – BM74 Handicap (1600m) Race Replay & Results https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Caulfield-Race-1-BM74-Handicap-08022025-Unthinkable-Mitchell-Freedman-Harry-Coffey.mp4 Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 11 UNTHINKABLE Mitchell Freedman Harry Coffey $12.00 $5.00 2nd 1 ONE LONG DAY Melody Cunningham John Allen $2.00 3rd 10 FEARLESS WRITER Adrian McGregor Damian Lane No Third Dividend 4th 2 HE’S BESET Nick Ryan Blake Shinn Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 11-1 $14.00 Exacta 11-1 $46.50 Duet Refunded Trifecta 11-1-10 $263.80 First Four 11-1-10-2 $1,250.70 Race 2 – BM70 Handicap (2000m) Race Replay & Results https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Caulfield-Race-2-BM70-Handicap-08022025-Emphasize-Trent-Busuttin-Natalie-Young-Craig-Williams.mp4 Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 10 EMPHASIZE Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Craig Williams $3.10 $1.45 2nd 7 INEVITABLE AWARD Paul Preusker Daniel Moor $1.70 3rd 11 SPEAK Ciaron Maher Shane Foley $6.60 4th 3 PERFECT PLAY Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Jett Stanley Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 10-7 $5.70 Exacta 10-7 $13.10 Duet 10-7 $3.70 Duet 10-11 $18.00 Duet 7-11 $25.30 Trifecta 10-7-11 $249.20 First Four 10-7-11-3 $1,078.90 Running Double (1,2) 11-10 $32.00 Horse racing news View the full article

After five winners from the past two meetings, the star Australian jockey hopes Raging Blizzard can help him keep the ball rolling at Sha Tin on Sunday.View the full article

By Jonny Turner Built For Glory will return to his happy place on Sunday to chase down an Otautau Four Square Wairio Cup victory. The four-year-old comes into the Winton feature unbeaten south of the Waitaki River, with five starts for five wins to his name. While there is no doubting the Steve and Amanda Telfer trained pacer’s class as he prepares for another Southland raid, there are doubts over his standing start manners. Built For Glory has faced the standing start tapes once in his short career, missing away at Nelson earlier last month. Despite that, driver Tim Williams is hopeful his charge can be mistake-free in his Wairio Cup mission at Winton on Sunday. “I think it was more circumstances on the day at Nelson, he can definitely get away better than that,” the reinsman said. “From 30m on his own on Sunday, he gets his chance to step away and I am hopeful he can.” “He was safe in his trial before Nelson, it is a different story at the races but it was a positive.” “Hopefully he can do things right on Sunday, over 2400m he can’t afford to make a mistake.” In his last visit to Southland, Built For Glory’s sat parked to beat his main Wairio Cup rival in Miraculous. While that looks strong form, so does the pacer’s two-from-two record at Winton. “His record down south and at Winton is great,” Williams said. “He has had a lot of travel lately but he seems well and is a good-doing wee fella.” “If he can get away, I am sure he can go a nice race.” The Telfer stable bring several winning chances south to Wairio Cup Day including Caughttheeye who competes in the Southern Bred Southern Reared Diamond Creek Sorority. The three-year-old brings strong form in the lower grades to the fillies feature. “I thought her last start was a real step in the right direction,” Williams said. “She looped them and they went 1.53 for the mile and she ran a nice race.” “This looks a nice opportunity for her, racing against her own sex for a good stake.” Stonewall Stud also start Mythical in Sunday’s event while Sweet Diamond and Molly Belwin will compete in a heat of the Southern Belle Speed Series. Sweet Diamond brings patchy form to a heat of the series she won last year. “We have mixed her training up a wee bit, from the draw she might have to go back so she will probably need the right run into it,” Williams said. B D Hall looks a solid each way hope for the Telfer barn in Sunday’s Gold Chip Final, while Muchacho and Stillyourshot look the strongest of Williams’ outside drives. The Brett Gray trained Stillyourshot has been excellent in his last three placings and he looks well suited in Sunday’s finale. “It is great to get on a good chance for Brett, I am well down the order to get on one of his these days.” “The horse has been in good form and the draw (1) is obviously a big help.” The Tony Stratford trained Muchacho starts from a contrasting draw in barrier 8 in race 8. Five to follow at Wairio With arguably the best fields seen in Southland so far this year, Otautau Four Square Wairio Cup Day is set to be a cracker. Racing journalist Jonny Turner has delved deep into Sunday’s field and found five horses harness racing fans may be keen to follow. Rakamick – Race 2 Anyone who saw Rakamick’s last start at Gore might be wondering how he is still a maiden. The pacer worked hard in the running before fighting on tenaciously to run third. Before that effort, Rakamick took on smart two-year-olds such as Always Dreaming and Spicey Crunch.After enjoying a freshen-up, the three-year-old returned to the trials track where he ran a solid third behind two handy types. Fitter for that run and into a very winnable race on Sunday, Rakamick looks well placed to finally break maiden status in race 2. Jaccka Elvis – Race 6 After tearing up the trials track recently, Jaccka Elvis looks well poised for a big debut in race 6.The three-year-old has only been beaten in one of his trial runs, when running home strongly out of the pack for third.The pacer’s barrier 2 draw puts him inside all of his main threats, with most of those drawn wide or on the second row.If Jaccka Elvis can take the experience of race day in his stride, he can make a winning debut in race 6.Because going by his trials, he certainly has the motor. Snap Shot – Race 9 The formline tells the story with Snap Shot. She’s been excellent this time in and excellent throughout her short career. She’s one of the lower-rated horses in Sunday’s field, but that secures her barrier number 1. And it is more of a reflection of her status as an up-and-comer than her being inferior to any of her rivals. Snap Shot’s shown gate speed in her short career, which she will need to hold a forward spot from the inside. The one query is whether she has enough early toe to push out hard and seal her own fate. There looks a good chance she can do that and if that is the case, she should take some catching. Practical Magic – Race 10 In wide-open races with plenty of talent, it’s a big risk to stand out any horse and suggest it’s one to follow. But Practical Magic looks worth the risk in Sunday’s feature trot. She’s not always pretty to watch and she can put in a few rough steps, but she’s been running excellent races lately and her confidence only seems to be growing. At Winton she gets the advantage of starting from the front line and with the manners she’s been showing lately, she could take plenty of catching. The horses off handicaps are going to make excellent beginnings or run serious sectional times to catch Practical Magic if she is able to lead and roll along at a strong tempo. She’s no good thing, but she’s an each way threat in a competitive race. Built For Glory – Race 11 It may make little sense to pick a horse that has had one standing start and made a hash of it. But Built For Glory gets his shot at stepping away as the only horse on the back mark of the Wairio Cup. His trainers at Stonewall Stud are certain to have worked on their four-year-old’s early manners following the last time he faced the barrier strands at Nelson. If he is able to step away cleanly, Built For Glory is clearly the horse to beat in Sunday’s feature. He’s beaten his main rival Miraculous several times and the rest of the field looks within his reach. Though there is some risk about him, Built For Glory is clearly the horse to beat in the Wairio Cup. View the full article

Superstars from Japan, Hong Kong, and Dubai line up for the Feb. 22 Saudi Cup (G1) as several American runners take a pass on the world's richest race.View the full article