Wandering Eyes

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

Will , Ben and JD Hayes after Mr Brightside won the VRC Champions Mile at Flemington. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Hayes brothers Ben, Will, and JD will take over the Flemington operation of the late Mike Moroney, with Lindsay Park now overseeing the historic Ballymore Stables. The news was shared by Karen Moroney in a letter to owners on Thursday, following her partner’s sudden passing in February. Since then, Anthony Feroce and Glen Thompson had been managing the stable, with Feroce transitioning to Lindsay Park, while Thompson will pursue other opportunities after being offered the chance to join the new team. “It has been a difficult couple of months,” Karen said. “After much thought, I have decided that Lindsay Park should take over our Flemington operation, a decision I believe reflects what Mike would have wanted.” Moroney’s illustrious career saw him train 55 Group 1 winners, including the 2000 Melbourne Cup winner, Brew. “Mike always held Ben, Will, and JD in the highest regard,” Karen continued. “I know their professionalism will ensure a seamless transition, providing the best future for our owners and horses.” Horse racing news View the full article

Multiple grade 1 winner and first-crop sire Code of Honor registered his first winner posthumously when his daughter Code of Valor won her debut April 10 at Turf Paradise.View the full article

9th-Gulfstream, $43,000, Msw, 4-10, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:35.60, fm, 2 1/4 lengths. OBEISSANTE (f, 3, Into Mischief–Lucky Folie {SW, $118,292}, by Distorted Humor) was unveiled on the Gulfstream turf in a sprint Feb. 15 and the filly finished fifth. Drawn along the rail for her first two turn test and as a 7-2 shot here, the homebred settled midpack under a firm hold heading into the first turn. Obeissante bided her time up the backstretch, but around the far turn she began to get into gear by executing a sweeping move to the five path. With a strong turn of foot, the Todd Pletcher trainee suddenly jetted down the lane and seized the day by 2 1/4 lengths over the pacesetting favorite Bojaca Blessing (Cairo Prince). A half-sister to Ambitieuse (Medaglia d'Oro), GSP, $86,920, the winner is her dam's last registered foal of record. Lucky Folie visited Curlin for this term. Digging into Obeissante's extended female family, we find Gulfstream Park turf sprint specialist & MSW Coppola (Into Mischief). Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $26,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Wertheimer Et Frere (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. #1 OBEISSANTE ($9.20) surges down the outside with an explosive kick to easily get up and win race 9 at Gulfstream Park. The daughter of Into Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) was ridden by @zayas_edgardo and is trained by Todd Pletcher. pic.twitter.com/UJarc7O8CN — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 10, 2025 The post Into Mischief Filly Obeissante Jets Home Late At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Back off the bench for another season of racing, Carl Spackler returns to the sight of his most recent victory as the headliner in the $650,000 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (G1T) April 11 at Keeneland.View the full article

By Michael Guerin Ben Hope says the plan is simple with Muscle Mountain in the $60,000 Lone Star Lyell Creek Trot at Alexandra Park tonight. The rest is up to the big trotter. Muscle Mountain is racing like a horse in the twilight of his career, still a wonderful trotter but a few percentage points down on his previous top speed and with his ambition levels not always suggesting a full tank. He was fourth in the TAB Trot last Friday, no small deal, but his new co-trainer and driver Hope admits this is not the scary Muscle Mountain of years gone. “He is still going really well but maybe isn’t as fast as he was,” says Hope. “But I think last Friday might actually improve him. He is ready to go a big race this Friday.” Hope is keen to go back to the tactics that won Muscle Mountain the Group 1 National Trot just four starts ago when he lead and beat a race rival tonight Kyvalley Hotspur by five lengths with Oscar Bonavena third. “He loves it in front and while he has the outside of the front line he only has six rivals. “So we will be going forward looking for the front and if Queen Elida is good enough to come off our back and beat us then she is too good.” Muscle Mountain was $3 when the market for the Group 2 opened on Tuesday but is likely to start favourite and closer to $2 tonight. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Exceptional pacer Merlin may find himself in the unusual position of a $1million race last Friday improving him for a $100,000 race at Alexandra Park tonight. That is the belief of co-trainer Scott Phelan as his stable star attempts to overcome another bad draw in the Dawson Harford Taylor Mile, the Group 1 which is traditionally one of the fastest miles in New Zealand every season. Merlin comes into tonight’s race off the back of his third in Leap To Fame’s crushing Race By Betcha at Cambridge last Friday and while that could have been his Grand Final, Phelan says it might prove to be a step up the fitness ladder. “He was tired when he got back from Menangle a month ago and has got better every week since and that might be the case again,” Phelan says. “We know last week was worth 10 times more than this race and it was very hard run but we hope it has brought him on even more. “He was still on the way up last week because we didn’t want to do too much with him after his Sydney trip and I think he went really well. “This week’s field isn’t so strong, obviously, and while we have a bad draw he should be getting close to his peak.” At his best Merlin would win tonight’s race as he has a dazzling short course record and while he has drawn the outside of the front line even if Zachary Butcher is conservative early it is hard to see him being worse than three back on the outer at the 800m mark. The question may then be who holds the lead and how much work they have had to do over the the opening 400-600m? If a Mo’unga, or even Merlin’s stablemate Sooner The Bettor, is able to lead without pressure and cruise their last 800m in 55 seconds then those wide and back will be vulnerable. But the reality is Merlin and Republican Party are clearly the two best performed horses here and one of them should be close enough to reel in the leaders unless the sectionals are farcical. Trainer Cran Dalgety says two hard runs in recent races haven’t dented Republican Party’s mental or physical well-being. “I worked him two separate mile heats on Wednesday and when I asked him to go he knew what his job was,” says Dalgety. “He is well and while a horse like Merlin might be too good for us I think he is at least as good as the rest. “If Mo’unga got an easy lead he would be hard to run down but I think if there is any early pressure then the two big names should be the two to beat.” ** Phelan says different preparations will level up the chances of their two huge chances in tonight’s $75,000 NZBS Harness Millions Trot. The first rich three-year-old trot of the season sees last season’s clear best juvenile Meant To Be return as well as his Purdon/Phelan stablemate Higher Power. Phelan thought there was little between the pair last season but ultimately Meant To Be proved the stronger yet he goes into tonight’s 2200m mobile slightly disadvantaged. “Higher Power has had a workout so will be closer to race fitness whereas Meant To Be hasn’t,” says Phelan. “If you go on their records last season Mean To Be was better but I don’t think by much so with the workout to get Higher Power fitter, I think they should be rated about equal for this race.” That suggests Higher Power is a good cover bet for those backing Meant To Be or even a handy Top 2 option at $2.20. View the full article

Lexington, KY-Following a jam-packed Tuesday of racing at Keeneland, highlighted by the postponed running of the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, industry members ventured out to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers' Club (KTFMC)'s monthly meeting held at Fasig-Tipton. The evening was highlighted by a panel on racehorse ownership with prominent owners Brook Smith, John Stewart and Jayson Werth leading the discussion. Each panelist followed a unique path into the industry. Smith, a Westport, Ky. native, launched a successful career in the insurance industry, specifically surety. He later caught the 'racing bug' after attending the 1995 Kentucky Derby with friends of a friend involved in a syndicate that owned Laura's Pistolette (Big Pistol), winner of the GIII Humana Distaff Handicap that day at Churchill Downs. “I saw the horse go out and win at 30-1, and watched the party that ensued. The comradery, the excitement…there's nothing else like that. I saw that and thought if I can get involved with this in any capacity, sign me up,” said Smith. From there he met a neighbor who happened to be a trainer and went on to purchase a handful of yearlings, also claiming and buying racehorses along the way, before eventually launching his own Rocket Ship Racing in 2021. In the last few years, he has also partnered with Coolmore on a handful of horses, including champion and multiple Grade I winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) and graded stakes winner Hall of Fame (Gun Runner). “It's insane. I'm so humbled by all of it. It's beyond exciting to be a part of it. Just the conversations with the folks that are here, this is the spirit of this stuff. These horses only run for a minute or two here and there but it's truly the industry, the history, the backside [that makes it],” said Smith. Born and raised in Springfield, Ill., former major league outfielder Werth is known for his MLB career that spanned from 2002 to 2017, highlighted by his key role in helping the Phillies defeat the Tampa Bay Rays to win the 2008 World Series. It wasn't until the former MLB All-Star retired and settled in the Tampa Bay, Fla. area, and started golfing with friends who also owned racehorses that his interest in the sport was piqued. “I thought, 'This seems like fun, let's grab a leg of a horse.' Then we'd go out to Tampa Bay Downs on a Tuesday for an $8,000 claiming race. We're in the paddock and suddenly I'm sweating, my skin doesn't feel right. Then the gates open and all of a sudden, it's like I'm back on the field. I compare it to a big game, when you're in the dugout. Bases are loaded; you're down to two outs in the ninth. I'm thinking, 'Oh my god, this is incredible.' I'm filling a void I didn't even know I had, right?” Werth recollected. From there his involvement only increased as he found success with horses he partnered on, racing under the banner of Two Eight Racing, before hitting the height of the industry's experience when buying a 10% interest in a Good Magic colt that would go on to become GI Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch. “It was an amazing summer. Now here I am, after that whole thing, and we've started a racing syndicate. I'm going to be bringing new people into the game, bringing new owners, because I believe in the sport on a level [that I feel] it can change your life. Dornoch was a life-changing experience,” said Werth. “I played at the top of the sport and when I retired, I thought, 'Okay, well I guess that's it.' Then all of a sudden, horse racing gives you that and so much more.” While Smith and Werth dipped their toes in and slowly built up their investment in the Thoroughbred industry, Stewart took the opposite approach as he boldly dove right in. A native of Jamestown, Ky., Stewart worked his way up from line work to executive roles during his 18 years at Toyota before making the switch to private equity in 2007. He co-founded MiddleGround Capital, based in Lexington, in 2018. But it was in the fall of 2023, a year after the purchase of his first racehorse–Shiloh's Mistress (Vino Rosso)–that he boldly introduced himself to the industry by spending over $25 million at public auction in less than 10 weeks. He now owns an ever-growing farm in Midway, Ky., the home base for his Resolute Racing. “I can see how [the industry can be] intimidating to people. So, when I got in, I wanted to be more transparent with people, positive or negative. [My goal was] to try to pull the barriers back for people to see what it's like to get involved in racing and try to help people get involved in the game,” said Stewart. Despite their varied backgrounds, the panelists all agreed that the future of horse racing ownership relies on the industry coming together to open more doors in terms of access, both financial and physical; experience; transparency, from the farms to the track; and entertainment. “I want to try to make it more appealing to the every-day person to get in. I want people to experience owning stakes-level performing horses. You can show up at a meet like Keeneland, have three or four runners, and feel that excitement. Maybe then they'll want to work their way back to breeding and owning horses. I want to give them a positive experience,” said Stewart. For Smith, who has been part of a variety of partnerships that have taken him to the highest levels of the sport, the future lies in expanding partnership and micro-share opportunities, like those offered by MyRacehorse. “I think this sport has always been built on partnership and syndicates. It's a great way to spread the risk with diversity in numbers. When you have a partner, it's great when you win, but it's even better when you don't, right? So, you share that,” said Smith. “I actually have three horses that I contributed to MyRacehorse. I think that what they do is important to the industry. They bring people in at $100-$150 increments that are a part of these big races and they've had some incredible wins. “I think a lot of [MyRacehorse founder and CEO] Michael [Behrens]. He's passionate about the sport, he really is trying to do things the right way. He's a man on an island right now but I think it's one of those things that will take shape, securitizing the horses like stock.” Werth sees the sport's entertainment value as the ultimate key to bring new people into the game. “Dornoch to us was like a family pet. I've never loved an animal so much in my life. This guy became a mainstay [for us],” he said. “What I tell people [is that] it's like buying season tickets to your favorite sports franchise or taking the family to Disney World. You can take a trip anywhere in the world, or you can own horses and take your vacations at the track and have this great experience. “I describe winning the Belmont like winning the World Series. It really has that type of feel to it. But winning any race is like that. This sport can be super cool and you only need a little piece of a horse to make that dream come true.” Though all three panelists have had horses face off with one another on the track, they spoke of the sense of comradery and community within the industry despite the competitive aspect of the sport itself. “There are more people willing to help you than not. That's why I hate the negative rhetoric online, it makes it sound like everyone in the industry hates each other and that's not true,” said Stewart. “Most of these people in this industry want you to be successful.” “Horse racing is unique in the fact that there's not duality. There aren't these big rivalries,” added Werth. “My goal would be that people go from our syndicate to go off and be a horse owner themselves. Obviously, we want to retain them as clients, but if they go out and do their own thing because they love the sport so much, that's kind of my goal.” Outside of ownership, Smith, Stewart and Werth acknowledged the importance of supporting the next generation to guarantee there is a future for the sport. “We need young people to be passionate about this industry. We need young people out there as owners. We don't just need young people out there mucking stalls or being assistants,” said Stewart. “It's like any other industry, there's lots of opportunity. The people here, you guys that cared to come tonight, that's the future of this industry.” “I think curation is important. You need someone that can be the translator, especially with young people. This is a sport and an industry that's been around a long time. There's a lot of history here and you need someone that can describe it,” expressed Smith. “There's a culture, community, a backside. You have to have someone that can translate that and make it inviting to come in.” Though their opinions varied on the paths the industry should take in ensuring a strong foundation to move forward upon, the panelists all stood strong in their consensus that horse racing is on the right track and old stigmas have given way to positive and innovative changes. “When you have success, people will follow success. And I think that's where we need to take a risk and we need to do things that are different. By sharing those things that are successful with everybody else, the sport gets better over time,” said Stewart. “I think that reform is a thankless kind of thing but I think the industry has hit it head-on and I feel that there have been some great results,” said Smith. The post KTFMC April Meeting Highlighted by Panel Featuring Owners Smith, Stewart, Werth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a 'TDN Rising Star'. 2.00 Saint-Cloud, Cond, €28,000, 3yo, f, 10 1/2fT WE'LL DEFEND (FR) (Zelzal {Fr}) carries the TDN Rising Star label into this Prix de Diane pointer, having impressed with her four-length success on Chantilly's Polytrack last month. Victorious Racing and Ecurie Nass's half-sister to the high-class La Parisienne (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) represents the Carlos and Yann Lerner stable taking on six peers including Francois Jean-Louis Branere's Bordeaux winner Lobelia (Fr) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), a Jean-Claude Rouget-trained daughter of the G1 Grosser Preis Von Bayern heroine Temida (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}). 2.27 Newbury, Debutantes, £12,000, 3yo, f, 7T CAJOLE (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is one of two significant newcomers for Cheveley Park Stud on a big weekend for the operation, being the fourth foal out of the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes heroine Persuasive (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). John and Thady Gosden have charge of the homebred, while William Haggas has care of the Stud's Consecrated (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a half-sister to the yard's G2 Hungerford Stakes winner and G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes runner-up Sacred (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). 5.30 Dundalk, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, 5f (AWT) MISSION CENTRAL (IRE) (No Nay Never) is one of two from Ballydoyle as the stable sends out its first 2-year-old runners of 2025 in the maiden won in recent times by Caravaggio and No Nay Never's Blackbeard (Ire). A 625,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase, his dam is a full-sister to the G1 Falmouth Stakes heroine Prosperous Voyage (Ire) with Ryan Moore opting to partner him over the yard's First Approach (Ire) also by No Nay Never. Donnacha saddles a third runner for Coolmore by that sire in the unraced filly Award Ceremony (Ire), a daughter of the dual group 3 winner and group 1-placed Actress (Ire) (Declaration Of War). The post We’ll Defend Takes The Next Step appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article