Wandering Eyes

The International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee (IRPAC)–part of the International Federation of Horseracing (IFHA)–has approved the promotion of Uruguay to Part I for the 2025 publication of the International Cataloguing Standards Book (ICS Book), the organization said in a release on Friday. Ratified by the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers (SITA), the country's promotion from Part II of the ICS Book sees it join Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru. A total of 24 races in Uruguay are currently included in the “Other Races” section of Part I (two Group 1 races, four Group 2 races and 18 Group 3 races), as well as 26 races in Part II that are recognized as international Listed races. These races will continue in this regard as per their current Group and Listed status. The post Uruguay Promoted To Part I Of The International Cataloguing Standards Book appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Guests Andrew Offerman of NYRA, Cathy Shircliff of Churchill Downs, Del Mar's David Jerkens and 1/ST Racing's Jodie Vella-Gregory, joined the latest installment of the OwnerView webinar series Apr. 8 to discuss how they ensure owners take center stage in their operations, according to a Friday press release from The Jockey Club of America who serves as one of the hosts. The panel discussed a myriad of topics related to how to improve an owner's experience at the racetrack, and the group addressed the all-important issue of how to attract new connections to the game. “I think that it's an area that falls into the void quite frankly, because I think that it's not determined whether that's a racetrack responsibility, a trainer responsibility, an industry responsibility,” Offerman said. “And I think that there are a lot of individuals out doing things to promote, whether it be certain micro-share groups or certain forms of ownership.” Co-hosted by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and presented by Bessemer Trust, Keeneland, and Stoll Keenon Ogden, the panel was sponsored by Muirfield Insurance and New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. A Q&A was sponsored by West Point Thoroughbreds, and attendees were able to ask questions through a link, which were answered at the conclusion of the session. Click here to access the webinar's full library. The post Laws Of Attraction, Racetrack Execs Join Latest Installment Of OwnerView Series appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Star Sports Brighton Owners Series will begin with the first Brighton Racecourse fixture of the year on April 12 and last through the Star Sports Brighton Festival of Racing on August 8. The series will crown the top owner or syndicate at Brighton, and will be launched by Star Sports in collaboration with the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA). The winning owner or syndicate will receive £10,000, with an additional £5,000 to be donated to a local Brighton charity selected by the winning connections.The top owner or syndicate will be decided by total prize-money earned, with a leaderboard to be displayed in the owners' and trainers' area. Last year the leading connections were the Eden Racing Club, finishing the year with just over £24,000 in total earnings. The post Star Sports Brighton Owners Series Set To Launch appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

If you're a jumps devotee, Saturday will be all about the Scottish Grand National meeting and wondering whether Willie Mullins can continue his ominous late charge in the British National Hunt trainers' championship to reel in long-time leader Dan Skelton. There is seemingly nothing the master of Closutton can't do. I wouldn't bet against him returning with a favourable deal for Ireland if he was sent as special envoy to Washington to negotiate with President Trump on tariffs. But let's not spoil our weekend by worrying about the ever-changing diktats being issued from the Oval Office for there is some fine action to savour in the coming days, from Randwick to the Curragh, Newbury, Keeneland, Dusseldorf, Longchamp and Hanshin. Japan, ahead of us all as always, stages its first Classic of the year on Sunday, the G1 Oka Sho. Don't miss Heather Anderson's preview of the race and overview of the stud career of the former Highclere Thoroughbred Racing star Harbinger (GB). With the positioning of Easter meaning that Newbury is ahead of Newmarket this year in staging the first of its Classic Trials, we can look forward to the return of plenty of last year's top juveniles, with Christophe Soumillon crossing the Channel to take the ride on G3 Fred Darling favourite Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), one of two fillies in the race for Ollie Sangster, along with Ellaria Sand (GB) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}). The G3 Greenham Stakes was to have been the comeback mission for Juddmonte's Cosmic Year (GB) (Kingman {GB}) but the lively ground, among other factors, meant that we saw him burst back onto the scene in splendid fashion at Kempton on Wednesday. The Juddmonte team has other potential Classic colts to come in the next few days, with Jonquil (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) lining up for Andrew Balding at Newbury and the Solario Stakes winner Field Of Gold (GB) (Kingman {GB}) entered for Wednesday's G3 Craven Stakes. We never saw Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) run at three, the year he was drafted in at Coolmore Stud to replace the subfertile George Washington (Ire), and it's hard to believe that it has been 19 years since his successful juvenile campaign, which included victory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. His exciting son Rashabar (Ire) was second to Camille Pissarro (Ire) in that same race last year after winning the Coventry Stakes and also finishing runner-up in the Prix Morny. In a big weekend for Manton, Brian Meehan will saddle Rashabar as favourite for the Greenham in the colours made famous by Robert Sangster. Only one Australian-bred will line up for the G1 Sydney Cup on Saturday morning – that's Godolphin's Zardozi (Aus), and even he is by a British sire in Kingman (GB). Apart from two New Zealand-breds, the 20-strong field is otherwise entirely made up of horses born and bred in Europe. Stop me if you've heard this one before. Meanwhile, the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in part two of Sydney's Championships features an intriguing clash between Via Sistina (Ire) and Dubai Honour (Ire). That similar theme is played out in Keeneland's GI Jenny Wiley Stakes on Saturday evening, in which Simon and Ed Crisford have the favourite, Choisya (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and their Newmarket neighbour Roger Varian is represented by Jabaara (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). Five of their seven rivals are either British- or Irish-bred but trained in America. It will be interesting to see how this scenario might change in the coming years if the tariffs remain in place. One of this column's favourite little troupers, Brave Emperor (Ire) (Sioux Nation), returns to action in Germany on Sunday in the G3 Kalkmann-Frujahrs-Meile. It will be good to see him back after he was brought down mid-race during the chaotic meeting that was the Amir's Sword Festival in Doha in February. The Archie Watson-trained five-year-old is the perfect syndicate horse for the Middleham Park Racing: he runs often and always with great credit. Here's to him landing a sixth group win. Over at Longchamp, Yeguada Centurion's homebred Darius Cen (Fr), from the first crop of Persian King (Ire), will be one to watch in the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau, a race won easily by his sire en route to him winning the Poule d'Essai des Poulains back in 2019. Trainer Victoria Head also saddles the unbeaten TDN Rising Star Tito Mo Cen (Ire) (Uncle Mo), a half-brother to Group 1 winner Ramatuelle (Justify), in the G3 Prix Noailles later on the card for the same owner-breeder. There is no Aidan O'Brien runner there to scupper Head's plans but we do like the amusingly named Aidan's Phone (Fr) (Prince Gibraltar {Ire}), whose moniker was reportedly inspired by the Ballydoyle trainer's tendency to phone a friend as soon as one of his many winners has crossed the line. Equally enticing is the return of the Aga Khan Studs' Zarigana (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) in the G3 Prix de la Grotte. She was beaten no more than a wafer-thin mint – a phrase still guaranteed to have Monty Python fans rolling in the aisles – by stable-mate Vertical Blue (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and should ensure that her trainer Francis Graffard continues his Mullins-like domination of the French black-type races this season. The post Weekend Watch: Big Day for Manton in Newbury’s Classic Trials appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Not just any stallion can sire a champion, and 2010 King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes hero Harbinger (GB) accomplished that feat thrice when the JRA Awards were announced in January. Now, the Northern Hemisphere is just a handful of days away from the first Classic of the season–Japan's G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) this coming Sunday–and the Shadai Stallion Station resident is poised to add a third individual Classic scorer and fourth Classic win. His newly fledged 2024 champions range from the two-for-three Arma Veloce (Jpn)–more on her later–who claimed the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, to Cervinia (Jpn), a winner of the latter two-thirds of the Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown (Yushun Himba/Shuka Sho) and sixth in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic earlier this month. The title of champion steeplechaser was bestowed upon Nishino Daisy (Jpn), a winner of 1800-metre Group 3s on the Flat and third in the G1 Hopeful Stakes earlier in his career, before adding his second Nakayama Daishogai over jumps this past December at the ripe age of eight. (He won the 2022 edition, too). Nor is the trio the first such champions in the Land of the Rising Sun for the son of Dansili (GB). That honour belongs to 2018 Japanese Champion 3-Year-Old Male Blast Onepiece (Jpn), who claimed the 2500-metre G1 Arima Kinen. Not bad for a sire that cost just 180,000gns as a Tattersalls October yearling when purchased by John Warren in 2007. Bred by Anita Ooi, Harbinger didn't start at two, and managed to win the G3 Gordon Stakes from five starts at three for the recently retired Sir Michael Stoute and Highclere Thoroughbred Racing. The highest-rated horse in the world at one point in 2010, Harbinger swept all before him that year until an injury ended his racing days, taking the G3 John Porter Stakes, G3 Ormonde Stakes, G2 Hardwicke Stakes and the King George in succession. In the latter, he set a new course record of 2:26.78 for the 1 1/2 miles over good turf, defeating that year's G1 Derby winner, his stable-mate Workforce (GB) and G1 Irish Derby winner Cape Blanco (Ire), before a fracture sustained on the Newmarket gallops later that summer sent him into retirement. Connections waxed bullish on King George Day, with the general consensus there was more to come. “He was comfortable throughout, and all I needed was to give him just one flick of the whip,” said Olivier Peslier, an eventual four-time champion jockey in France, at the time. “I knew he was very good beforehand, but he is a truly wonderful horse and today he is 'the king'.” “There have been so many great winners of the King George, and I'd say he'd certainly be up there as one of the most visually impressive winners ever,” Highclere's Harry Herbert said after the 11-length romp. Secured by the Shadai Group for stallion duty, Harbinger left for Japan to begin his second career. This year marks the 15th season at stud for the 19-year-old, and, although his 2025 fee is listed as private, he could yet add to his legacy. Which brings us back to Arma Veloce, one of 29 stakes winners and 21 group/graded scorers worldwide for Harbinger. The field for the 1600-metre Oka Sho was drawn yesterday (Thursday), and the TO Racing runner will leave from stall nine in the 18-horse field. Currently second choice in the ante-post markets, she would be her sire's first winner of the Japanese 1000 Guineas, although Cervinia had the aforementioned pair of Classic scores, and the indomitable Deirdre (Jpn) carved out her own slice of history when winning the 2017 Shuka Sho and, half a world way, the 2019 G1 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. Arma Veloce, out of the three-time winner Rakuami (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), took a spin over the Ritto woodchip course on April 9, covering six furlongs in an easy 1:21.20. Her final three-furlong split was :36.70, while her last furlong went in :11.40 while easily outclassing her two stable-mates. “I focused on maintaining her rhythm into the straight, wondering how much she'd be able to quicken,” jockey Mirai Iwata told NetKeiba of the work. “She responded beautifully with a strong finish and a convincing win. She's full of energy and very easy to ride. Her race sense is exceptional. She's put on weight and grown physically, she's looking much stronger now.” Harbinger himself strengthened as his racing career progressed, so hopes are high for Arma Veloce at Hanshin on April 13. Oka Sho Contenders Currently the crowd's pick ahead of Sunday, Erika Express (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) is the unbeaten winner of the G3 Fairy Stakes; she leaves from stall two under Keita Tosaki. Embroidery (Jpn) (Admire Mars {Jpn}) breaks near Arma Veloce in gate seven, and will attempt to weave some magic with Brazilian Joao Moreira aboard. Her latest victory–of-three–was in the G3 Daily Hai Queen Cup going this trip over Ma Puce (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits). One to the inside of Embroidery is Hanshin Juvenile Fillies runner-up Vip Daisy (Jpn) (Satono Diamond {Jpn}), third in the G2 Tulip Sho last month. Mirco Demuro, the older brother of Cristian who prevailed with Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) in the G1 Dubai Turf last Saturday, rides the group-placed Lynx Tip (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) from stall 12. Click here for the fields. The post Arma Veloce Bids To Become Harbinger’s Next Classic Victrix appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

News this week out of the Maryland state legislature has mainly concerned lawmakers moving oversight of the rebuilding of Pimlico Racecourse (among other industry operations) from the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA) to the Maryland Stadium Authority and the Maryland Economic Development Corporation. What garnered far less coverage was the successful passage of another bill that designates $250,000 annually for the next two fiscal years towards needed services for the backstretch staff living and working at Laurel Park. “I think this is unique,” said Mary Kay Vavasour, who volunteers in the office of state delegate Mary Lehman, and is a long-time advocate for backstretch workers and Thoroughbred aftercare. She said she is unaware of another state legislature having funneled such significant state funds for racetrack workers. “It reaffirms Maryland's seriousness about its embrace of racing and support for racing,” said Vavasour. “It also shows that when a state gets involved, it can also create another source of funds for some of the more neglected parts of racing.” HB 337 provides $250,000 for the next two fiscal years to Anne Arundel County, Howard County, and the City of Laurel to be used for programs and services in the communities in and surrounding Laurel Racecourse. The funding is for Laurel Park's backstretch workers and their families only. More specifically, these grant monies can be used for health and mental health services, counseling and social services, drug and alcohol addiction awareness and treatment, and nutrition and wellness programs, as well as transportation to off-site programs. According to Vavasour, there are an estimated 1,000 backstretch workers and their families living at or near Laurel Park. The funds are designed to cover the remaining tenure of Laurel Park, before it's closed for good as part of a major reshuffle of the state's racing furniture. Possible grantees need only apply if they've an established history of helping the backstretch community at Laurel. They must also employ Spanish-speaking staff, or else provide translation services. Among some of the individuals and programs that provided testimony in support of the bill was Ronald Singh and Will Humphry of the Racetrack Chaplaincy of Maryland, as well as representatives from two local food distribution programs, including the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. Aside from Lehman, the bill's sponsors include state delegates Sandy Bartlett (D), Pam Guzzone (D), Joseline Pena-Melnyk (D), Deni Taveras (D), and Jen Terrasa (D). The funds, said Vavasour, will shore up needed services for the backstretch community at Laurel Park, the vast majority of whom are workers who have come to the state to work in racing over multiple generations from just five or six small Mexican villages. “This is like a family business. These are people that are raised to do this. They are taught horsemanship from one generation to the next,” she said, stressing the need of fostering a strong backstretch community to help this familial connection thrive. “If this community were to go away, racing would collapse here.” The post Maryland Legislature Passes `Unique’ Bill to Support Backstretch Workers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Road, presented by Gainesway and Darby Dan FarmView the full article

The five Classic races staged in the UUK – the oldest of their kind in the world – are being branded the Betfred British Classics in an agreement between sponsor Betfred, The Jockey Club and Arena Racing Company (ARC). The newly created logo and title will be “used to help to educate racing and sports fans about each of the races' rich history and backstories”. This year, Betfred has stepped in as sponsor of the first two Classics of the season, Newmarket's 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas, following the end of the sponsorship by Qipco and the demise of the Qipco British Champions Series. In 2023, Betfred began its sponsorship of the oldest Classic, the St Leger, which was first run at Doncaster in 1776 and is the only one of the quintet to be run at an ARC track. Last year, it added the Derby and the Oaks to its portfolio of race sponsorships. The betting company announced last year that it will offer a bonus of £2 million to connections of any horse which wins the 'Betfred Triple Crown', a feat so far achieved 15 times, most recently by the Vincent O'Brien-trained Nijinsky in 1970. “I am incredibly proud to sponsor all five Classics for the first time and also very excited to be able to promote them both individually and collectively, with a new logo and identity for the Betfred British Classics,” said Betfred boss Fred Done. “It's all been made possible by the collaboration of both The Jockey Club and Arena Racing Company and I'm delighted to be bringing the two together to celebrate the crown jewels of British Flat racing in this way. “Each race has the kind of history that other sports are envious of the world over, with some of the greatest horses ever to grace the turf on their roll of honour.” The post Betfred Unites British Classics Under New Brand appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, April 13, 2025 First Race 12:30pm HKT (2:30pm AEST) Visit Dabble Sha Tin Racecourse is the destination for Hong Kong racing on Sunday afternoon, with a bumper 11-race program set for decision. The rail is in the C position the entire circuit for the meeting, and with clear conditions forecast for race day, the track should be rated a Good 4. The opening race is set to commence at 12:30pm HKT. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Justifying Debut wins don’t come more impressive than what Justifying produced at this course and distance on March 2. The three-year-old was never in danger as he made every post a winner, smashing the clock in the process. There’s more depth in this as he steps into Class 3 company for the first time; however, provided he can replicate that first-up performance, Justifying should have issues taking care of this lot at the short price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Bet Race 9 – #10 Justifying (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Luke Ferraris (55kg) Next Best at Sha Tin: Divano Divano was far from disgraced when finishing third at Sha Tin on March 23. He hit the front in a fast-run affair, only to be headed in the shadows of the post by Packing Hermod and Young Champion, both of which were suited by a strong tempo as Divano was a sitting duck in the final furlong. The son of Brave Smash was still there as the whips were cracking, and with this guy set to drop 5.5kg in the weights after the claim of Angus Chung, expect another bold display by Divano as he rises into Class 1 company. Next Best Race 8 – #9 Divano (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Francis Lui | J: Angus Chung (1.5kg) (52kg) Best Value at Sha Tin: Across Da Universe Across Da Universe should be a big improver as he steps back into Class 4 company for the first time. The son of Bungle Inthejungle was well held at this course and distance behind Another World on March 30; however, he was never in contention when settling worse than mid-field and produced some decent closing sectionals to suggest he can peak in something a bit weaker. Ellis Wong helps the cause by taking 3kg off his back after the claim, and provided the pair can sit close enough turning for home, expect Across Da Universe to give a sight at the massive each-way price with . Best Value Race 6 – #1 Across Da Universe (8) 4yo Gelding | T: Pierre Ng | J: Ellis Wong (3kg) (61kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections April 13, 2025 1-4-6-9 3-6-10-11 1-3-7-8-12 2-3-4-5-13 Horse racing tips View the full article

Race 4 WANGANUI-TARANAKI OWNERS ASSOCIATION 1600m ISLINGTON LASS (S Mxothwa) – Trainer Mr. A Sharrock reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, and it is his intention to trial ISLINGTON LASS at the Foxton Trials on Tuesday 15 April. The post Wanganui Jockey Club @ Wanganui, Saturday 5 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 2 ASHFORD MOTOR LODGE MAIDEN 1400m GAELIC HOOLEY (K Kalychurun) – Trainer Ms. K Dickson reported to Stewards, that on Tuesday 8 April, the mare underwent a veterinary examination which revealed slight lameness to the left hind leg and has been on anti-inflammatories. GAELIC HOOLEY underwent chiropractor treatment on Wednesday 9 April, to the left hind for general soreness. K Dickson further advised the mare will have a short break. The post Southland Racing Club @ Ascot, Sunday 6 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 6 ENTAIN/NZB INSURANCE PEARL SERIES RACE 1200m POLLY PLUM (T Moodley) – Te Akau Racing Manager Mr. R Trumper advised Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, however, POLLY PLUM has now been retired. The post Ashburton Racing Club @ Ashburton, Thursday 3 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Super Photon will contest the Forsman Racing 3YO (1200m) at Te Rapa on Sunday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Sunday’s Forsman Racing 3YO (1200m) at Te Rapa could put comeback galloper Super Photon on a Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) collision course with his similarly resurgent stablemate Velocious. Both Super Photon and Velocious were stakes-winning two-year-olds last season for trainer Stephen Marsh. They both underwent wind operations after failing to show their best form in the spring, and in a hugely rewarding day for the Cambridge stable, they both returned to action with first-up wins on March 29 – Velocious in an open sprint at Te Aroha and Super Photon in a three-year-old race at Trentham. Last season’s champion two-year-old Velocious now has the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes at Te Rapa on April 26 squarely in her sights, and this Sunday’s three-year-old race over the same course and distance will determine whether Super Photon joins her. “It was great to see him come back the way he did at Trentham, and I really liked the way he won that race,” Marsh said. “He’s taken plenty of improvement from that first-up outing as well. “I’m very happy with how the horse is shaping up for this race on Sunday, which will help us work out what we do with him next. We could keep him to 1200m for the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes, or we could look to step him up to 1400m.” The beautifully bred Super Photon is by Waikato Stud’s rising star sire Super Seth and is a half-brother to the multiple Group 1 winner Mo’unga. Super Photon was a $380,000 yearling purchase at Karaka by Stephen Marsh Racing, Dylan Johnson Bloodstock and major stable clients Bourbon Lane and Dennis Foster. Super Photon has recorded three wins and a second from his seven starts so far, headed by a Listed win in the Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa last autumn. That black-type victory came in his only previous start at the Hamilton track. George Rooke will ride Super Photon in Sunday’s $35,000 race, for which bookmakers rate him a $5 chance. Super Photon will be joined in Sunday’s race by his stablemate She’s Untouchable. Since winning on debut in November, the Capitalist filly has run third in the Group 3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m), sixth in the Group 3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m), eighth in the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m), third in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final (1400m) and a last-start fourth in the Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m). She’s Untouchable will be ridden by Matt Cartwright in Sunday’s race, where she has drawn gate one and is rated a $3.80 chance. “She’s been brilliant throughout this campaign,” Marsh said. “She’s had a little freshen since her great run in the Wellington Guineas. She galloped this (Friday) morning and Matt Cartwright was rapt with her. She can put herself in a prominent position from that good draw and can definitely make her presence felt. She’s really well.” Marsh sees Super Photon and She’s Untouchable as the headline acts in his Te Rapa team, the rest of which has been dealt a blow by a number of wide barrier draws. “We’ve been plagued with bad luck with our draws through the rest of that Te Rapa card, including with some two-year-olds who we might end up saving for Matamata next Thursday instead,” he said. “But I’m really looking forward to seeing how both of those three-year-olds go.” Horse racing news View the full article

Champion mare and British raider do battle at Randwick on Saturday.View the full article

Swashbuckling front runner signs off with 13 wins and HK$83,796,256 in prize money.View the full article

Veteran handler expecting Patch Of Theta and Divano to make their presence felt this weekend.View the full article

By Jonny Turner Matthew Williamson has Florence The Machine on song, but the trainer-driver hopes she can hit higher notes. The four-year-old added win number three to her record when running her rivals off their feet at Winton on Thursday. Florence The Machine has built a strong record since joining the Williamson stable, winning two of her last three starts for Canterbury owners Craig and Caroline White. But it hasn’t been smooth sailing along the way. “She gets pretty keen early in her races and today was no different, she got on the job, but she was too good for them,” Williamson said. “We have been making gradual progress with her but she is still not where we want her to be manners-wise.” “It has been good that her gait has been getting more consistent, we just need to keep working on her ringcraft.” Though the mare has led and dominated her rivals in her recent wins, Williamson hopes Florence The Machine will be even more potent with more tractability. “We will keep working away on her, she’s actually running her races upside down.” “Her speed is her best asset, it would be better if she was able to relax in behind them and use her turn of foot.” “Hopefully her manners can keep improving.” Another trotting mare showed what she is capable of when also scoring nicely at Winton yesterday. Julie Jaccka surged back into winning form when taking out the Wairio Trotting Club meeting’s feature trot. Junior driver Daniel Anderson had the Brett Gray trained mare fourth throughout before unleashing her. “Brett gave her a freshen up and she had been working really well coming into today,” Anderson said. “That’s my third win on her, (owners) Charlie and Ailsa Smaill have been great, giving me heaps of good opportunities.” “I am just rapt that I was able to get the job done for them, and being penalty free it worked out perfect.” All of the trotting events at Winton were won by mares, with Tillaberi producing a big victory in Thursday’s maiden event. The trotter sat parked for most of her assignment before toughing out an impressive win for trainer Robert Wilson and driver Nathan Williamson. Williamson notched a winning treble, also scoring with Passchendaele and Utah Jazz from his own barn. Both pacers are raced by New South Wales owner Mick Boots. “Mick is a great supporter of southern harness racing and he’s a big supporter of my stable, so it’s great to get a couple of nice results with him,” Williamson said. “He bought Utah Jazz at the same time as he bought Captains Mistress.” “She’s a nice filly and pretty progressive.” Captains Mistress will step out for Boots and Williamson in Friday night’s Magness Benrow Sires Stakes Semi Final at Addington. View the full article

Lekvarte. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Joe Pride is hoping that multiple stakes winner Lekvarte can retire as a Group 1 winner in Saturday’s Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. The six-year-old, who won the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) on a heavy track last start, is set to be auctioned as a breeding prospect at the upcoming Inglis Chairman’s Sale. Pride expressed his surprise at the mare’s performance in the wet conditions at Rosehill on April 1. “It was weird. I’m not sure what to put that down to, but she was good,” Pride explained. “She’s an older mare who felt like running really well, I think, and normally when she hits form she holds it. “It’s another level up for her to go into a Group 1, but she has been in a couple and always ran well, and she loves the Randwick mile. “She’s won three times over it, including some black-type races.” Lekvarte’s three wins over the course and distance include two Group victories in the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m) and Group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m) last year. Stablemate Sounds Of Heaven will also line up, and Pride believes she can improve on her last-start second in the Group 3 Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill. “We haven’t seen the best of her yet,” he said. “She has to step up in grade, but she is pretty capable. She is a nice mare and she’ll run well.” Horse racing news View the full article

New Zealand’s star filly Leica Lucy will test her talent against Australia’s best on Saturday when she heads to Randwick in a bid to double her Oaks tally. The daughter of Derryn was a near unstoppable force in New Zealand, defeated in just one of her seven starts for former trainer Robbie Patterson, culminating in victory in last month’s $1 million Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham. She has made her way across to Sydney where she has joined leading trainer Chris Waller’s Rosehill barn, and her new handler has been pleased with the way she has settled into her new environment. “She has had a long prep, but obviously a very successful preparation,” Waller told Trackside. “Robbie Patterson has done an amazing job with her, not just to win the Group One, but to get her on that path and be the best filly in New Zealand. It’s an honour to be taking over from Robbie. “Since being here, she has settled in really well. She is eating well and has put on weight and adapted well to Sydney.” Leica Lucy will face her stiffest task in Saturday’s A$1 million Australian Oaks (2400m) where she will be met by the Matt Laurie-trained Treasurethe Moment, who has won her last seven outings, including the Gr.1 Victoria Oaks (2500m). Waller said there are a few unknown variables heading into the weekend, but he is looking forward to seeing the contest between the two fillies. “It’s her (Leica Lucy) first run right-handed, but on the track she seems fine, she is getting used to it,” he said. “We have got James McDonald aboard, a good draw (1) and what looks to be a very good edition of the Oaks with Treasurethe Moment being the pin-up girl for Australia. “New Zealand’s pin-up girl and Australia’s pin-up girl are ready to clash.” The question was raised whether to press on towards the Australian Oaks with Leica Lucy following a busy schedule in her homeland, but Waller said all signs point towards a bold showing in her Australian debut. “I have got confidence that she will run up to her best based on her body language and eating well,” he said. “I can’t change her or improve her or make her go any worse. We are relying on her ability, which is the best filly in New Zealand at the moment, coming to Australia and bringing that form. “We have kept things simple. She has run over 2400m already, just three weeks ago, so based on that I am just banking on her turning up.” View the full article

Saturday’s Listed City of Napier Sprint (1200m) at Trentham could bring a long-range plan to fruition for Tomodachi’s trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott. After racing the talented daughter of Tarzino over distances up to 2180m as a three-year-old, the Wexford Stables team has kept her to 1200m this time in with Saturday’s $80,000 feature in mind. “She’s a filly that’s always shown good levels of ability,” Scott said. “We tried her out over ground as a three-year-old, and she was probably just a bit immature at that stage. “With a good break, she’s certainly come back a much stronger version this time in and is racing really well. This is an opportunity to hopefully pick up some valuable black type. “We’ve specifically aimed her at this race. We gave her a wee freshen after her last run at Ellerslie in February. She’s been going very well at home. “She’s got to take on the chute at Trentham for the first time on Saturday, but she’s very tractable and should navigate that without too much trouble. She sprints well and should give a good account of herself.” Tomodachi has won five of her seven starts so far, including a perfect two-from-two record as a four-year-old this season. She charged home from last for a Rating 75 sprint win at Tauranga first-up in January, then stepped up into open class for a repeat result at Ellerslie on February 22. The runner-up in that race was Glamour Tycoon, whose two starts since then have produced a win in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) and a third in the Listed Flying Handicap (1400m). “It’s been pleasing to see the form out of her Ellerslie win hold up nicely through Glamour Tycoon,” Scott said. “Our mare came off a slow speed that day and had to quicken from a fair way back, which isn’t easy to do around Ellerslie. “Masa Hashizume will ride her again on Saturday, he gets on very well with her. Her performance here should give us a good line on whether we crack on in this campaign or put her aside. She should be the full package when she’s a five-year-old and we hope she’ll reach a good level of racing then.” This weekend could be a significant one for O’Sullivan and Scott, who head into it with 64 wins to their names so far this season. The best result from all of their 13 seasons in partnership was last year’s 66. “It would be a nice achievement to get past those 66 wins this season,” Scott said. “We’ve kept a few back for the softer ground in the autumn months, so hopefully we’ll be sending out a number of solid chances over the next six weeks or so. “As well as Tomodachi, we’ve got a good team entered for the Te Rapa meeting on Sunday. Little Bit Of Love is going well and is appreciating the softer ground now that the autumn is here. He has a good record at Te Rapa. “Our two-year-old Do You Just seems to have come back a lot better in the autumn, so we’re looking forward to seeing how he goes too.” View the full article

Matamata horseman Daniel Miller is set to return to the training ranks this weekend when he lines-up Pippy in the Inspire Racing Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa on Sunday. The 28-year-old commenced training in 2018 and had instant success, winning his first race courtesy of Sheezallmine, who would go on to win the Gr.3 Stewards Stakes (1200m) and Listed Hazlett Stakes (1200m). In six seasons, Miller recorded 36 wins, four of those at stakes level, but two years ago he felt the need for change, with the former jumps jockey having worked in the industry since his early teens. “I took a bit of a break from racing and did a bit of travelling. It was much needed,” Miller said. “I left school when I was 14 and haven’t done anything else and never really had a break away from horses. “I travelled around Aussie and I spent a bit of time in Thailand. I got into boxing and Muay Thai, so I did a camp over there for a while and enjoyed life outside of racing for a bit.” When taking a hiatus from racing, Miller wasn’t sure whether he would return to the sport, but he said the break reinvigorated his love for the industry. “I was wondering if I would come back to it, but it didn’t take long for me to start missing it and it drew me back,” Miller said. After returning to his roots and riding work for Te Akau Racing, Miller felt the draw to return to training and subsequently purchased a 20-acre property outside of Matamata late last year. “I bought Gary Hennessy’s property, which is five minutes out of Matamata, and I took that over at the start of December,” he said. “There’s 20-acres there and it has got all the facilities – boxes, walker, treadmill, round yard, and everything. “We are making good progress and it should be a really nice property going forward. “It is just nice now having my own property, it makes it all worthwhile when you are putting in the long hours. Having a small team of quality staff makes it a lot more enjoyable too.” Pippy is currently the only member of Miller’s racing team, but that is set to expand with the return of former stable runner, and subsequent stakes winner, Renegade Rebel. “At this stage, I’ll predominantly focus on breaking in and pre-training,” Miller said. “I would like to think as we get more settled in and as the property’s facilities improve, we will probably take on a few more racehorses. “I just want to keep the racing team manageable, and I find that I can get better results out of them if I keep the team small and not get too many. “(The racing team) is pretty much just Pippy at the moment. I have also got Renegade Rebel, who I used to train in his early career before he went to Cody Cole’s when I went on a break. He won a Listed race and never really came back as a later three-year-old and early four-year-old. “He had a good break and when I got this place I said I would take him back and I can train him from the paddock and do a few different things with him.” Looking ahead to the weekend, Miller has his fingers-crossed that Pippy can put everything together when she heads to Te Rapa on Sunday. The daughter of Tivaci was late scratched last month when failing to parade to the start and was forced to head back to the trials where she was given a pass mark after winning her 1100m heat at Ellerslie earlier this month. “It (first start for me) was supposed to be a few weeks ago, but she has a few behavioural problems so we will go again on Sunday,” Miller said. “I have done a few gear adjustments, and she had to trial again at Ellerslie the other day, which she did nicely.” View the full article

In-form sprinter Slipper Island will close out a lucrative summer and autumn campaign when he attempts to extend his winning streak at Trentham on Saturday. The five-year-old will chase a first black-type credit in the Listed City of Napier Sprint (1200m) off the back of a hat-trick of victories over the course and distance. Slipper Island hasn’t missed a beat since his last trip to Wellington and while he faces stiffer opposition, the son of No Nay Never will drop six kilos down the handicap. “We are running out of options with him and the good tracks, which he needs, and with his form at Trentham it’s a good race to finish off this preparation,” trainer Tony Pike said. “He’s full of confidence now and has obviously been a bit frustrating at times, he didn’t have the best of luck last season either. “He’s struck three together and racing is career best form. It’s obviously a big step up on Saturday, but a big drop in weight as well and he deserves his chance.” Slipper Island won his first race at Trentham as a juvenile and prior to a successful return last January to begin his current winning roll, his only success between times had been on his home synthetic track during the winter of 2023. “He’s finally found what he showed us early on and hopefully he carries on with it next season as well,” Pike said. Slipper Island will be accompanied south by his two-year-old stablemates Justice For All, a daughter of Turn Me Loose, and Rock Hudson, who steps out in the Life Direct 2YO (1300m). The former has finished third in both of her previous appearance while Star Turn’s son Rock Hudson will be on debut following a pair of lead-up trial placings. “They are both nice types and Justice For All is a big, scopey filly and I think the 1300m at Trentham will suit her,” Pike said. “She is probably going to be a better thee-year-old and this will be the last run of her preparation. “Rock Hudson is a horse we really like, obviously he lacks experience and is another, big and scopey horse and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him run a big race. “They are pretty even and while the filly has race day experience, he probably has got a little bit more upside at this point in time.” The stable will also be represented at Te Rapa on Sunday with Cannon Hill and Witz End giving Pike a strong hand in the BCD Group Handicap (1400m). “I think Cannon Hill will run a big race, he has come up really well this prep and Witz End being back left-handed will be a big help for him and he always goes well fresh,” he said. “The rest of the team should all be each way chances as well with the right runs.” View the full article

Matscot pulled off one of the biggest wins in his career in last year’s inaugural $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) and he’ll be back at Riccarton Park on Saturday to defend his crown. The talented son of Haradasun had previously won the Listed Spring Classic (2000m) but has really stepped up in top company since his Alps triumph, placing in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m), Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) and was fifth in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). While considering the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) as an option, his trainers Alan Reeves and Sharon Robertson opted to bring their gelding back to the South Island where he needed two starts to qualify for the innovation race. “He’s been going huge in the big races, we could’ve gone on to Ellerslie for the Bonecrusher but we thought it would be tough to beat the top two (El Vencedor and La Crique), so we were better off coming back and targeting this race,” Reeves said. The first of those came in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m), where he finished a game third behind Our Echo, then ticked over nicely in a 1400m contest at Riccarton on March 22. “He needed two starts in the South Island this year to run in the race, so we used that race as a trial to get a start,” Reeves said. “He was no show coming back to 1400. “The horse is going well, he drew well on Saturday and Joe (Doyle’s) back on so there are plenty of positives for him. Plus, he loves Riccarton.” Doyle was aboard when Matscot took the lion’s share of the $350,000 purse 12 months ago, and this time, he’ll carry 1.5kg less in weight, as well as a drawing a preferred gate in two. “He’s been jumping well lately so I can’t see that draw being a problem, Joe said that down at Wingatui he jumped well but he had to haul him back from the outside draw and ended up three-wide,” Reeves said. “He jumped well again in the sprint race, so I think he should get a beautiful run from the draw.” Matscot is currently second-favourite on the TAB market at $4.80, just shy of frequent rival Perfect Scenario ($4.40). View the full article

Group Two winner Yaldi will return to age-group company at Te Rapa on Sunday in preparation for a feature target at the course later this month. The big-striding son of Ardrossan won the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) on Boxing Day and progressed on to the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), where he finished seventh. After a freshen-up, Yaldi was right back to his best when resuming at Tauranga, only going down narrowly to classy mare Grande Gallo in open company. “I was very happy, his sectionals were really good, and it was just an evenly-run race and it was hard to get back and out into the middle of the track and make the ground like he did,” trainer Andrew Forsman said. “The winner is a handy horse and she got the split late, and a bob of the head was the only difference. His run was as good as a win for us.” Contesting the stable-sponsored Forsman Racing 3YO (1200m), Yaldi will be among the favourites in a competitive line-up, many of which will likely return for the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) on April 26. “The plan from here is to go to the Breeders’ Stakes at Te Rapa at the end of the month, so this is very much to keep him up to the mark heading to that,” Forsman said. Unfavourable barrier draws have placed a number of Forsman’s runners in doubt for the meeting, including Belle Noire, a juvenile filly who finished runner-up to stakes-bound stablemate The Espy on debut at Tauranga. “She was very brave and it was a good effort for a first time out, it’s never easy with just the one trial,” he said. “That being said, she did draw one and have all favours that day, so from an awkward gate, she’s probably a doubtful starter on Sunday. “We were going to spell The Espy, but he’s come through that run really well, so we’re keeping the option open of going to Ellerslie for the Listed race (Star Way Stakes, 1200m) there next Saturday.” Forsman is hoping to see the best of enigmatic galloper Mr Mojo Risin’ in the BCD Group 1400, after performing below expectations when sixth in the Listed Flying Handicap (1400m) a fortnight ago. “He’s just frustrating at times, he mixes his form with no real reason why,” he said. “That was the case at Trentham, I thought he had an easy enough time in front so we’ve decided to put the blinkers on and hopefully that can sharpen him up a bit.” Returning from a spell will be Force Of Nature, a Milan Park-owned gelding who put together a tidy form line in the spring before avoiding the firm surfaces. “We just wanted to avoid firm summer tracks with him, we wanted to give him some time to strengthen up and mature,” Forsman said. “Whether he runs from an awkward enough draw (8) I’m not sure, but he hasn’t had a trial, so we could probably treat this weekend as a trial knowing that 1200m on the faster side over that trip is probably a bit sharp. I think he’ll progress on to 1400 and even a mile this preparation, which will be more up his alley.” View the full article

Te Akau Racing have dominated the northern juvenile features this term and they will have a pair of fillies out to continue that trend in the south in Saturday’s Listed Riccarton Park Function Centre Welcome Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton. Courtesy of star two-year-olds Return To Conquer and La Dorada, the tangerine silks collected the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), Gr.2 Matamata Breeders Stakes (1200m), Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m), Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) and Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). Down in Christchurch, Best Rose and Queen’s Evidence will have their first opportunity at stakes level, carrying different form lines coming into the race. Best Rose has traded blows with race-rival Zelia throughout this campaign, with the latter currently leading the market after putting five lengths on the Maurice filly last-start at the course. Sam Bergerson, who trains the Best Rose in partnership with Mark Walker, is under no illusions about the challenge she faces again on Saturday. “Walshy’s (David Walsh, trainer) filly was very impressive and beat us fair and square there, she had every chance while drawing the inside probably did play against her a touch,” he said. “Obviously they are forming a good battle, but she’ll need to improve from last start. We think she’s trained on well, the track will hopefully dry out and they should be racing on a good surface. “We’ll look to be positive from a good gate and we think the blinkers will sharpen her up a bit. I’m looking forward to Saturday as it’s a good opportunity for black-type with her and she’s going the right way.” Queen’s Evidence is the less-experienced of the pair, but gained plenty of admirers with a tough debut victory at Wingatui in early March. “She had a bit of time off after that, she had about two weeks out because she’d done a hell of a travelling schedule to get down there,” Bergerson said. “She was meant to run at Otaki the week before, so we weren’t sold on going to Wingatui, but she travelled down so well to Christchurch that we just carried on. It was a really good effort. “She’s come back well, her work has been really good and she’s certainly going to benefit from the raceday experience. She should be another nice chance.” Bergerson hopes to continue on to the Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m) in three weeks’ time with the two fillies, who have benefitted from time away from their main base in Matamata. “It certainly grows them up a bit, the change of scenery seems to spark a few of them up over the years and these two fillies are no different,” he said. “They have travelled down well, they’ve done everything right down there and we’re very lucky to have that base with Hunter (Durrant) and the team, they do a fantastic job. “Hopefully these two can run well on Saturday, then potentially go on to the Listed race in a couple of weeks before spelling them. If they are good enough, it sets them up well for those Guineas races as three-year-olds.” The stable has made it no secret that they play favourites when it comes to Perfect Scenario, and the ever-consistent gelding will be one of the leading hopes in the $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) despite carrying the clear topweight. An 11-race winner and Group One performer, Perfect Scenario narrowly missed winning his third-straight Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) at Wingatui in March but is in as good form as ever leading into the innovation feature. “He’s just an old marvel, he’s the stable favourite for everyone at Te Akau,” Bergerson said. “He’s an absolute gentleman and we would love to see him win on Saturday, obviously we were gutted that he didn’t get his third White Robe just on the bob. His run was very game under the big weight again last time and obviously he’s got to lug that weight again, but he deserves it, he’s probably the class horse of the field and he’s had a fantastic season. “There’s no reason why he can’t run well again, we may need a little bit of luck from the gate, but it is the mile start so he’s got plenty of opportunity to find his spot.” The Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) will feature Dream Of The Moon and Donna Chiara, a pair that may fly under the radar after not performing up to their best last start. All Too Hard filly Dream Of The Moon placed at Group Two level as a juvenile and in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) in the spring, but a setback put her out of 1000 Guineas contention, only returning to the races last month. While she was a winner first-up, that performance was not emulated last time out behind Kellanzor. “She (Dream Of The Moon) was disappointing last time out and we were scratching our heads a little bit, sometimes when they have that first run back after a while off the scene it can flatten them out,” Bergerson said. “She pulled up with a delayed recovery, she was vetted post-race and at home and we couldn’t find anything wrong, she seems very bright and well. “It was just a performance to put a line through really, if she brings her best from her two-year-old and early three-year-old season we certainly think she’s got the class to do it. “She normally relaxes nicely, but in saying that, she was a bit fierce last-start so if she does everything well, she’s normally very tractable. If she’s going to get the mile, it’s going to be on Saturday against her own age and sex.” Donna Chiara is one of two fillies carrying the JML Bloodstock colours in the race, alongside the Samantha Logan-trained Mille Grazie. “She’s drawn 24 of 24, but we’ll definitely start, we just will probably have to take our medicine and go back,” Bergerson said. “She’s been a touch disappointing so far, we thought she was a good winning chance last-start but whether the sticky conditions just halted her, she’s not a very big or robust filly. “In the better conditions, she’ll need a lot of luck but with blinkers back on I think that’ll be the massive key. She’ll need to lift her game from previous efforts though.” Of their dozen remaining runners at the meeting, Bergerson noted Vivacious (Waitomo-Kiwis Fuelling Kiwis Rating 75, 1400m) and their quartet in the Windsor Park Stud RR&B Luncheon and Yearling Sale May 2nd Rating 65 (1200m) to be nice chances. “I think Vivacious is a horse for good odds, she’s quite talented on her day and just keeps blowing the start,” he said. “Her sectionals been very good late, so hopefully we’ll see a much-improved performance from her.” View the full article