Wandering Eyes

Damask Rose winning Saturday’s Listed Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Barely fourty minutes after taking their eighth individual Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) contest with La Dorada, the Te Akau Racing team made it back-to-back successes on the night at Ellerslie with favourite Damask Rose scoring a brilliant victory in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). The three-year-old daughter of super sire Savabeel had looked a filly of enormous talent when finishing runner-up to Velocious in the Karaka Million 2YO twelve months earlier and backed up that opinion in her first three-year-old run when finishing third to Alabama Lass and Captured By Love in the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings in the Spring. Put aside for another break she resumed with a win over 1200m at Te Rapa in December before disappointing a few when only sixth in the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) on Boxing Day. Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson went back to the drawing board and made a crucial gear change by applying blinkers for Saturday’s contest, which proved the masterstroke along with bringing another top Aussie jockey in Blake Shinn across from Melbourne to ride her. Click here for full Karaka Millions 2025 race replays. Shinn has been an integral component in the success enjoyed by Te Akau’s Victorian stable and a fleeting trip across the Tasman to partner the filly in a jumpout convinced him she was on track for the effort she produced when charging home form midfield to collar Tuxedo and Dealt With, who looked likely to fight out the finish at the 300m. “It’s special to be able to come here on one of New Zealand’s biggest days, have a great book of rides and importantly get a winner,” Shinn said. “It’s a big team effort and that’s what they do (Te Akau Racing), they win these big races so I’m thankful for the opportunity. “She jumped better than she did last time and she had blinkers applied today. I came over about two weeks ago and jumped her out in them and I thought they made her a bit more tractable and put her into the right spot where I wanted (today). “I’m just really proud to be able to achieve this for Te Akau.” Walker paid tribute to Shinn for producing the goods when it mattered. “It was a lovely ride by Blake as he rode her for a touch of luck and got the split at the right time,” he said. “That’s why you have these international riders on. “Also well done to David Ellis who bought her. She was actually our last yearling to sell of her year and they are often very good as Imperatriz was the same and so was Avantage. “I think her last run was just a little about being second up but if you didn’t run then she couldn’t have won tonight. “You are damned if you do and damned if you don’t sometimes. “We will let the dust settle now but she will probably have a run between races somewhere and then go straight into the slot race here in March.” Walker was referring to the first running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1600m) slot race that will be one of the many highlights on the newly minted Champions Day programme at Ellerslie on March 8, with Damask Rose being recently announced as the representative for slot holder Te Akau Racing. Horse racing news View the full article

La Dorada winning the Listed Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) It wouldn’t be Karaka Millions night if the familiar tangerine and blue colours of Te Akau Racing were not front and centre in the finish of one of the two feature events, the Listed Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). The 2025 edition of the contest proved no difference with promising filly La Dorada extending the Matamata stable’s outstanding record in the race to eight victories with a gritty on pace effort. Leading Victorian rider Craig Williams made the trip across the Tasman to partner the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared daughter of Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth and produced an absolute gem to guide her home. Williams made good use of her handy barrier draw (5) to head forward at the start, disputing the pace with Aussie raider Hello Romeo before easing to a clear lead with 300m to run. Hard up against the fence, La Dorada produced a powerful kick and shot two lengths clear before gamely holding out the late charge of outsiders Vega For Luck and South Island visitor Miss Ziggy who stormed home from second last on the home turn. Click here for full Karaka Millions 2025 race replays. Williams was his usual calm and collected self after picking up his third win in the race, noting the addition of vizor blinkers and a tongue tie had been crucial to the performance. “The gear change today meant I had the right filly and she was very good,” Williams said. “She had a lovely run throughout although the instructions weren’t that specific. “It was all about her and they knew the horse they had.” Williams had previously taken out the contest aboard Ruud Awakening in 2013 and with Ockham’s Razor a year earlier Walker paid tribute to the staff involved with their Matamata operation and his training partner Bergerson. “This is terrific and great for Sam as he has had to sustain a lot of pressure as I have been in Melbourne a lot,” Walker said. “Full credit to him and the team, this was great as it is good to win on the big stage. “Also well done to David Ellis to buy eight individual winners of this race, as if you go anywhere in the world and find someone who has done that, you wouldn’t find it. “She just paraded so well and she looked a picture. “Craig Williams rode her a treat and the staff have been working hard as it’s this time of the year where you have to raise the bar. “It’s just fun being part of this night as it is the night on the racing calendar.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, January 26, 2025 First Race 12:30pm HKT (3:30pm AEDT) Visit Dabble After a historic night of Hong Kong racing at Happy Valley on Wednesday, attention turns to Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon, with a bumper 11-race program set for decision. All turf races will be run with the rail in the A+3 position the entire circuit, and with no rain set to hinder proceedings, participants can be assured of a genuine Good 4 surface throughout the afternoon. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 12:30pm HKT. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Sunlight Power Sunlight Power has been a model of consistency this season, posting a win and two minor placing across his five starts. The son of Capitalist has done it without much luck to boot, including his most recent outing at Sha Tin on January 12 where the five-year-old was forced to make inroads from the rear of the field after being dragged back from gate nine, running up behind a wall of horses and going through the line under a stranglehold. Zac Purton takes the reins from barrier one this time around, and with even luck in the concluding stages, Sunlight Power should justify the short price with Neds. Best Bet Race 3 – #4 Sunlight Power (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Ricky Yiu | J: Zac Purton (55kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: Gorgeous Win Gorgeous Win has been unfortunate to run into an airbourne Raging Blizzard in his last two starts, finishing runner-up in back-to-back outings. The Press Statement gelding appears primed to got one better in this Class 2 contest, with Zac Purton likely to stalk his rival from barrier seven. Purton has a formidable record of six starts for four wins aboard the consistent Danny Shum-trained sprinter, and provided he can produce a peak figure, Gorgeous Win must be considered the one to beat in the first leg of the quaddie. Next Best Race 8 – #3 Gorgeous Win (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Danny Shum | J: Zac Purton (58.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Sha Tin: Monarch County The Caspar Fownes-trained Monarch County may be unplaced in three starts this preparation; however, it isn’t a fair indication of how the son of Per Incanto is travelling heading into start four. The four-year-old was chopped out at the start at Sha Tin on December 8 and did a fantastic job to recover and get within 1.8 lengths of Happy Park. Stepping out to 1400m should be ideal, and with Hugh Bowman likely to lob into a handy position from stall two, expect a much improved version of Monarch County as he storms through the wire at an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 6 – #11 Monarch County (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Hugh Bowman (57kg) Bet with Picklebet Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections January 26, 2025 3 2-3-6-7-12 2-3-6-7-9-11-13-14 1-3-5-6-8-9-10-13 Horse racing tips View the full article

Royal Insignia ridden by Jamie Mott winning the Group 3 Manfred Stakes at Sandown. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Grahame Begg and Jamie Mott have combined with the smart Royal Insignia to claim victory in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes at Sandown on Saturday afternoon. First up off a two-month spell, the son of Written Tycoon drifted throughout the day from $4.80 and jumped at $7.50 with horse racing bookmakers in the seven-horse field. Judicial ($8.50) jumped the best and took up the lead, ahead of the race favourite with PlayUp, Band Of Brothers ($4.00), while Tropicus ($5.50) and Another Prophet ($10.00) settled in behind the speed. With very little changing throughout the 1200m journey, Mott worked his way to the outside before releasing the brakes at the 400m mark. Band Of Brothers took over with 200m to go, but the runs were coming from midfield with Tropicus and Royal Insignia letting down strongly. By the time they hit the 50m mark, Royal Insignia had claimed the race favourite and Tropicus before racing away in the shadows of the winning post to claim a stylish win. Click here for Sandown race replays. Grahame Begg spoke about the win of Royal Insignia post-race. “We’ve always had a lot of faith in this horse,” Begg said of the winner. “I couldn’t believe it. I took him to Bendigo for his first start in a race, and he got it all wrong that day and got beaten about eight lengths. “We turned him out, and he came back for a couple of runs in the late part of the spring, but he’s just gone to another level, this horse. “He’s a pretty exciting horse, very unassuming, travels beautifully in his race; he wants to relax and find the line. “The small field probably helped him a little bit, but he (Jamie Mott) gave him a great ride and it’s a great result, onwards and upaward. “He will go to the C.S. Hayes next start and head to the Guineas.” Jamie Mott recorded his second win of the day at Sandown, and he spoke post-race. “I said to Grahame, ‘he’s won at Kyneton and at the Caulfield Heath, so I think he will be fine with Sandown and he will probably really enjoy it,” Mott said. “Beautiful animal. He’s taken nice progression from last preparation to this. “His first two wins, I left him alone early, and he struggled to travel comfortable, but he was good enough to win. Today he jumped and wanted to be in the race, that just shows his confidence and maturity he’s got from his last prep. “Grahame has got a really nice horse on his hands.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Wyong Races Where Wyong Race Club & Function Centre – 71-73 Howarth St, Wyong NSW 2259 When Sunday, January 26, 2025 First Race 1pm AEDT Visit Dabble NSW racing returns to Wyong Race Club on Sunday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-part program lined up for Australia Day. The rail moves out +4m the entire circuit, and with some scattered showers forecast across the weekend, it’s possible the track downgrades into the Soft range at some stage throughout the day. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 1pm local time. Best Bet at Wyong: Money Team Money Team returns after a 265-day spell and appears set for a first-up peak after undergoing a gelding operation. The son of I Am Invincible will make his debut for the Brad Widdup barn and appears to be flying heading into this after an eye-catching barrier trial victory at Rosehill on December 10. He’s been a costly commodity for punters, with the four-year-old suffering defeat in back-to-back starts as a short-priced favourite with Neds; however, with this maiden contest lacking depth of paper, the faith should be rewarded as Money Team claims his first career victory. Best Bet Race 2 – #3 Money Team (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Brad Widdup | J: Zac Wadick (1.5kg) (59kg) +180 with Neds Next Best at Wyong: Gran Caballo The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Gran Caballo makes his Australian debut in this Class 1 contest and looks supremely placed first-up. The Irish import was a dominant maiden winner on the all-weather surface at Dundalk in January 2024, careering away to score by a half-length, relishing every bit of the 2400m. The camp show strong intent kicking off the preparation over 2100m, and although his barrier trials haven’t been overly impressive, Gran Caballo is a progressive type and brings an element of class to this staying affair. Next Best Race 5 – #1 Gran Caballo (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Regan Bayliss (59kg) +320 with BlondeBet Best Value at Wyong: Milly Molly Mandy Milly Molly Mandy represents terrific each-way value with horse racing bookmakers as she gets set to make her debut for the Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou barn. The daughter of So You Think was luckless in a recent piece of work at Rosehill on December 23, with unraced filly slowly going through her gears behind a wall of horses in the 900m barrier trial. The 1200m first-up could prove short of her best trip based on breeding alone, and barrier 16 may prove tricky to overcome; however, at the $12.00 quote with Picklebet, Milly Molly Mandy warrants an each-way ticket to find out. Best Value Race 3 – #9 Milly Molly Mandy (16) 3yo Filly | T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | J: Reece Jones (56.5kg) +1100 with Picklebet Sunday quaddie tips for Wyong Wyong quadrella selections Sunday, January 26, 2025 1-2-3 1-7-8-12 3-5-6-7-9 1-2-5-10-11 Horse racing tips View the full article

Coastwatch ridden by Damian Lane wins the John Dillon Stakes at Sandown Lakeside Racecourse on January 25. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Richard & Will Freedman have combined with Damian Lane to take out the Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m) with Coastwatch, who put a run of outs behind him with a dominant victory at Sandown on Saturday afternoon. The son of Fastnet Rock was heavily supported late with top horse racing bookmakers, jumping at $3.60 on the second line of betting behind the Ciaron Maher-trained favourite, Chorlton Lane ($3). As expected, Buffalo River ($4.60) jumped smartly and took up the lead, setting a strong tempo ahead of Coastwatch, with Chorlton Lane and Aztec Ruler ($3.70) sitting off them. Turning for home, Lane asked for the ultimate effort from the winner, and he picked up quickly to take over from a tiring Buffalo River, while Jye McNeil on Aztec Ruler tried to hold Shane Foley in a pocket aboard Chorlton Lane. As those two continued to battle for the same run, Coastwatch extended his margin on the field and ran away with a one-length victory, with Chorlton Lane and Buffalo River filling the placings. Click here for Sandown race replays. Following the victory, co-trainer Will Freedman spoke to the media. “Sam (Kavanagh) was one of Amy’s (Yargi) and my great mates, and he always used to tell me actually that he (Coastwatch) would win a nice race again, so its still very much at the forefront of our memory,” Freedman said of the late Sam Kavanagh. “The ownership changed in Coastwatch recently, and they are getting paid dividends. “I was happy that there was some genuine speed, and I was gonna get a bit worried that it would be a sit-and-sprint. “Because he is rock-hard fit and had a few runs this prep, he gets better as he gets deeper into his prep. “When he got to the bend, I thought, ‘Well, we’re carting them up here; we might be giving something a bit of a trail,’ but he gave a good kick at the 300 (metre mark) and put them away. “It was a beautiful ride.” Damian Lane brought up a riding double aboard Coastwatch, and he spoke post-race about the win. “It worked out really well. He stepped good, and he was a touch keen early, but when Buffalo River put the tempo into the race, he travelled perfect,” Lane said. “I got nice suck in behind, and when I presented him, he was really genuine. “Sometimes he can run some really good races, but has struggled to put them away, so it was good that he really put them away today and ran through the line strong.” Horse racing news View the full article

Ardalio winning the Group 3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Six years after landing a Group Three prize on Karaka Millions night with Ardrossan, trainer Stephen Marsh and jockey Michael McNab kept it in the family with his exciting daughter Ardalio winning Saturday’s Group 3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie. Marsh trained Ardrossan throughout a nine-race career that produced four wins, headed by the Group 3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) on the 2019 Karaka Millions undercard. The son of Redoute’s Choice now stands at Waikato Stud, where he has sired 24 winners including six at stakes level. The newest member of that list is the lightly raced Ardalio, whose owner-breeder Lib Petagna also shared in the ownership of Ardrossan. Saturday’s $250,000 three-year-old sprint was only the third career start for Ardalio, and she announced her arrival on the big stage with a brilliant performance. Ardalio and McNab raced in midfield before angling to the outside at the home turn and bounding into contention. Front-running favourite Poetic Champion was swallowed up after the 200m mark, with Vegas Queen diving through along the inside while Ardalio pounced out wide. Ardalio pulled ahead of Vegas Queen in the final 75m to score an emphatic one-length victory, clocking 1:08.86 for the 1200m. Click here for full Karaka Millions 2025 race replays. “Ardrossan won a Group Three on this day himself, and for him to sire the winner of this race is a huge result for the stallion and for Lib,” Marsh said. “Ardrossan is getting a lot of winners. “It was a big step up for Ardalio today, but she’s obviously a very good filly. All of her runs have been terrific. We’ll see where we go next with her, but we could look at something like the Uncle Remus (Listed, 1400m) in a few weeks’ time. We’ll just take her quietly. “She was ready to explode today and it was a matter of keeping a lid on her leading into this. She’s a very talented filly.” Marsh was thrilled to pick up a feature-race win on the eve of the National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka. “This is the night,” the Cambridge trainer said. “This is where we want to be, and this is where we want to be winning races. “Hopefully now we might be able to buy another horse or two this week and get some shares sold.” Ardalio’s three-start career has produced two wins and a second, where she was beaten by a head by the talented Sought After at Ellerslie earlier this month. Ardalio has now earned $168,300 in stakes. McNab has been in the saddle for all three of Ardalio’s starts. “We landed in a nice spot today, then got to the outside and she was really electric,” he said. “She’s got a bright future. “I think she just got a bit lost the other day, racing up on the speed. Today, ridden a bit quieter, she was very good late.” Horse racing news View the full article

Off to Sky City - told to follow these two.

Not many willing to stand outside!

Guy Heveldt in tbe Owmers Pavilion before the Railway!

That is the end that doesn't have the totes there is a wall about a third in and everyone is on that side. A private Entain function. A mate of mine got an invite.

Only part of the course that isn't. Pissing down now.

Enjoy Golf looks well placed to strike in the Class Four Para Athletics Handicap (1,000m) on Sunday.View the full article

The quietest place on the whole course. The old tote building next to the stables.

Most of the horses wear them and they seem to be a type of ear muff. Not a bad idea given the noise between the parade ring and the birdcage down past the Winning Post bar. Raining now so photo ops are a bit harder. Bourbon Proof looks good. Damask Rose ok - bandages on all fetlocks.

By Brigette Solomon Logan Hollis and Shane Robertson scored a brilliant win with long shot Two Eye See in the TAB Provincial Pacers Final Mobile Pace at Cambridge last night. “It was a really good win, he went well” said Hollis “I was really happy with his run last start when he finished second behind Doo You Want Me and heading into the race I thought he was capable of finishing in the first three.” Driven by Logan Hollis, Two Eye See started the 2200 metre race from barrier nine and settled into running three back on the fence behind Beta Prepare and the trailing Clouding Over. The race was run at a solid tempo and with a lap to run the only mid race move was from race favourite Hooray Henry who came round to sit parked. With Two Eye See travelling well, Hollis elected to drive for luck and wait for the passing lane to make his run, and it paid off with Clouding Over peeling out in the straight leaving the lane clear for Two Eye See who showed good speed to run by the leader and score his sixth career win by 0.75 lengths at odds of $54.20. “I thought about coming off the fence at one stage but then decided it might be the best place to be, and we got a bit of luck and it worked out perfectly for us” said Hollis “This was just his third start back after eight months away from the races and I’ve been happy with how he’d improved with each run, his work throughout the week has been super too.” “It was really nice to win a race with good stakes tonight for the owners too, a couple of them have been long term owners with us and the win brought his earnings to just over $100,000 too.” The TAB Provincial Trotters Final Handicap Trot was taken out by the Luk Chin trained Jasinova, who was driven by junior driver Emily Johnson tonight. Jasinova started the race off the front line landing three back on the fence in running. Johnson drove patiently, waiting until the home straight before shifting out wide to find clear running and Jasinova showed a quick turn of foot to dash past the leading runners to win by 1.5 lengths. The placings were filled by Romeo Foxtrot and Patrick Mahomes. It was the Love You mare’s eighteenth win and Chin’s first training win for the season. View the full article

Too Sweet looks the pick of the yard. La Dorada looks good and is relaxed. To Bravery Born very quiet for a colt.

Philosopher ridden by Michael Dee wins the W.J. Adams Stakes at Sandown Lakeside Racecourse on January 25, 2025. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The Enver Jusufovic-trained Philosopher ($10.00) has come with a withering burst to claim the Listed W.J. Adams Stakes (1000m) at Sandown on Saturday afternoon, securing his first victory since February of 2024. The son of Zoustar had been known for his jump-lead-win tactics in the past; however, it was a clever ride by Michael Dee aboard the five-year-old gelding, taking a sit behind a strong tempo throughout the 1000m journey. Tyler Schiller aboard Midwest ($11.00) scorched the turf to take up the running, giving backers a bold sight at the each-way odds with horse racing bookmakers. Fickle ($3.80) got on the leader’s back throughout but never seemed to travel with the strong tempo, while the heavily supported pair of Pondalowie ($2.80) and Mrs Chrissie ($3.60) never fired a shot from the back half of the field. Midwest gave a strong kick at the top of the straight but was always going to have a tough time clinging onto victory, with Philosopher getting the upper hand in the final furlong to claim a dominant two-length win. Click here for Sandown race replays. With Jusufovic in New Zealand for Karaka Millions, stable rep Brian Sochalingum was on course to break down the win. “It’s amazing,” said Sochalingum. “He’s always shown heaps of ability. I think he’s been carrying a lot of weight this prep and finally got a manageable weight, back to his 1000m distance, and first time at Sandown suited. “He needs his space, he doesn’t like to be boxed in so he needs to go when he wants to go and get into a rhythm, so today, although he was following some horses, he got into that rhythm when he had something to chase.” Michael Dee picked up his first stakes win since returning from injury and couldn’t have been happier with the performance. “We were actually able to take a sit today,” said Dee. “He was helped by a good tempo, and it was very dominant in the end. “I thought he could put in a performance like that because he’s been ultra-consistent, and he certainly deserved that one.” Horse racing news View the full article

My Gladiola ridden by Jamie Mott winning the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview (F) at Sandown. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The John McArdle-trained My Gladiola ($5.00) has stamped herself as a potential star two-year-old, making a mess of her rivals in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview (F) (1000m) at Sandown on Saturday afternoon. The daughter of I Am Invincible put the writing on the wall heading into her debut assignment, securing back-to-back jump-out victories before being sent to the races. Jamie Mott lobbed into a perfect stalking position throughout the 1000m journey, as the Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)-trained Too Darn Crystal ($14.00) was sent forward under Damien Lane to set a modest tempo in the early stages. Wiltshire Square ($4.80) was heavily backed with horse racing bookmakers prior to the start, and looked to get every chance landing on the back of the leader throughout, while Price Tag ($5.00) looked to pinch a run towards the inside from stall one. The run of Too Darn Crystal came to an end at the top of the straight, with My Gladiola sauntering to the lead under the Jamie Mott drive, while Price Tag and Wiltshire Square could only fight out the finish for minor money. Click here for Sandown race replays. It was a sensational debut by My Gladiola, and stable representative Danielle Smith couldn’t have been happier with the performance. “It’s always a little bit nerve-wracking when you’ve got an opinion of a horse and you bring them to the races and you haven’t truly let them off the bridle,” said Smith. “She is an absolute professional. Everyone said her mum (Villa Verde) was similar, and she walked around like a six-year-old gelding today, she couldn’t have been any more professional. “Motty (Jamie Mott) was pretty confident there were some gears there, so it was nice to see her do that today.” Jamie Mott was thrilled with the performance as well, suggesting there’s still more to come from My Gladiola. “Really excited by her,” said Mott. “I have been for quite a while, she’s just the real deal. “She jumps good, she travels well, she’s sensible, she doesn’t overdo it. She’s only had two jump-outs so there’s so much more improvement to come but loved her pieces of work leading into this. “She’s never really been in amongst them before, so it was a new experience for her, but once we straightened and balanced I gave her a squeeze I knew I had the race won a long way out.” My Gladiola has now moved into favouritism at $7.00 with for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on February 22. Horse racing news View the full article

2024 Karaka Millions 2YO winner, Velocious. Photo: Race Images The lucrative Karaka Millions is finally here, with one of the richest race days in New Zealand set to take place at Ellerslie on Saturday, January 25. For fans who want to relive the excitement or catch up on the action they missed, we’ve got you covered with replays of all the key races. Whether it’s the electrifying victory of an up-and-coming star or needing to relive a breathtaking victory, our free replays of Karaka Millions 2025 brings you front-row access to all the highlights from Ellerslie in New Zealand. Ellerslie Race Replays & Results 1 2 3 4 5 6 Race 1 – Group 3 Almanzor Trophy (1200 METRES) Race Replay & Results https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ellerslie-2025-Group-3-Almanzor-Trophy-25012025-Ardalio-Stephen-Marsh-Michael-McNab.mp4 Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 10 Ardalio Stephen Marsh Michael McNab $8.00 $2.40 2nd 12 Vegas Queen Kenny Rae Jasmine Fawcett $9.00 3rd 4 Cheaha Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott Rory Hutchings $6.00 4th 2 Poetic Champion Tony Pike Matthew Cartwright Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 10-12 $185.90 Exacta 10-12 $291.90 Duet 10-12 $30.30 Duet 10-4 $34.60 Duet 12-4 $76.20 Trifecta 10-12-4 $3,622.50 First Four 10-12-4-2 $13,684.60 Race 2 – Aotearoa Classic (1600 METRES) Race Replay & Results https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ellerslie-2025-Aotearoa-Classic-25012025-Orchestral-Roger-James-Robert-Wellwood-Craig-Grylls.mp4 Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 10 Orchestral Roger James & Robert Wellwood Craig Grylls $2.40 $1.30 2nd 12 Mary Shan Andrew Forsman Michael McNab $2.20 3rd 8 Mosinvader Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott Kevin Stott $8.00 4th 6 You Say D’orsay Chris Wood Sam Spratt Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 10-12 $11.20 Exacta 10-12 $12.90 Duet 10-12 $3.30 Duet 10-8 $21.40 Duet 12-8 $47.80 Trifecta 10-12-8 $346.20 First Four 10-12-8-6 $4,552.40 Running Double (1,2) 10-10 $28.90 Horse racing news View the full article

Shining Smile ridden by Daniel Stackhouse winning the Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) at Sandown. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Lindsay Park and Daniel Stackhouse have combined with Shining Smile ($1.65) to claim the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (C/G) (1000m) at Sandown on Saturday afternoon, justifying the short price with horse racing bookmakers in stylish fashion. The Spirit Of Boom colt was the only runner in the field of six with race-day experience, and it proved to be a clear advantage amongst the group of two-year-old, winning comfortably despite some nervous moments at the start. Shining Smile was slow away and was forced to muster from barrier one under Stackhouse, and with no other runner electing to take initiative in the early stages, the team Hayes galloper was allowed to stride forward making a line of three as they turned for home. Redders ($5.00) and Olatunde ($6.50) simply couldn’t match motors when the whips were cracking, as Shining Smile put two lengths on the leading division, leaving Yamashita’s Gold ($23.00) and Menshevik ($7.50) to do the chasing in the concluding stages. It was to no avail in the end, however, with Shining Smile off-and-gone with the prize, producing his second career victory, and putting his hand up for Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) contention next month. Click here for Sandown race replays. Ben Hayes was on course to discuss the victory, suggesting the race-day experience was a big advantage on Saturday. “He jumped a little slow and Stacky (Stackhouse) gave him a little dig and we were lucky they didn’t go to cross him,” said Hayes. “I think you could see he’s had three starts, he just went through his gears nicely, didn’t over-race which is good because sometimes they can when they miss the start. “Stacky rode him beautifully and he won accordingly, and it was really nice to see. “He’s the ultimate professional. It was really small field today with a heap of horses on debut, so we’ll get a better idea of how that race actually was over the next couple weeks when those horse come out and run again, but he’s done everything right. “He’s right on track and he’s an ultimate professional.” Daniel Stackhouse has ridden Shining Smile on all four occasions and believes the two-year-old has come on nicely this preparation. “He feels a lot stronger,” said Stackhouse. “He was a lot cheekier today, that’s why he missed the kick. He was throwing himself around and was a little bit anxious and ready to go, but he gathered himself up enough to travel behind the speed. “I just wanted to hold my position, didn’t want a hard luck story or anything like that. He went through his gears once we went down the dip and just powered away. “He’s strengthened up a lot both physically and mentally, and he’s always shown that he would do that. He’s such a beautiful strong little bugger, but he’s going the right way about things.” Shining Smile is currently a $21.00 chance with for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on February 22. Horse racing news View the full article

Trainer believes his five-year-old is poised to get back to winning ways from the inside gate on Sunday.View the full article