Wandering Eyes

In his first appearance since finishing runner-up to Giavellotto at Sha Tin in December, the globetrotting stayer is the one to beat in the Tancred Stakes.View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk The highly successful team of GP and Mrs N M Hope is officially disbanding. From next Tuesday (April 1), Greg will remain the “frontman” but wife Nina, the country’s most successful female trainer, will be stepping away. In a changing of the guard Ben Hope’s got himself a promotion and will go into partnership with his father. “Mum will be off the papers but she’s been a huge part of what we do and will continue to be,” says Ben, “we couldn’t do it without her.” Earlier this month Nina Hope set a new record for wins by a female trainer when she had her 899th winner, eclipsing the old mark set by Natalie Rasmussen, in partnership with Mark Purdon. She then became the first to 900 as well – her current total stands at 901. At the time she described her 899th win as “a pretty cool moment”. “It’s very much a team thing – I haven’t done this on my own.” So why the change? “It was a case of ‘when and not if’ and now the time is right,” says 25-year-old Ben. “Dad got to 1000 training wins not that long ago and Mum went past 900 and I think to be honest they were waiting for those milestones before they switched it to me and Dad.” Greg Hope has 1079 wins in total. Greg and Nina’s best season was in 2017 when they had 84 wins with a team spearheaded by the likes of Enghien and AG’s White Socks. Ben in contrast is a novice with just 15 training successes on his own account to go with the 259 he’s had as a driver. “I love driving and I’ll carry on driving but the training will come first.” So how will the new partnership work? “My small team of horses will go into the partnership, we are just joining up.” “Dad’s been doing this a long time and a lot longer than me – he’ll still be the frontman!” The new father-son arrangement will debut at Timaru next Wednesday and then all eyes will be on the Night of Champions at Cambridge where their stable star Muscle Mountain will take on Australasia’s best including Bet N Win, Oscar Bonavena and The Locomotive in the $600,000 TAB Trot. View the full article

Prominent racing figure Vin Cox has resigned from his role as general manager of Yulong Investments, just four months after joining the global breeding and racing powerhouse. Cox, who stepped into the position in November 2023, cited “differences in opinion on strategic direction and values” as the reason for his sudden departure. “I want to thank the exceptional team and clients I have had the privilege to work with. I do not want to make any further comment,” Cox said in a brief statement. His exit marks a significant shift for the Yuesheng Zhang-owned operation, which has rapidly grown into a dominant force in Australian and international bloodstock. While his stint at Yulong was short-lived, Cox played a key role in overseeing some major racing success stories, most notably the rise of Via Sistina, who delivered a stunning performance to win the 2024 Cox Plate, and Devil Night’s recent Group 1 victory in the Blue Diamond Stakes. Cox brought considerable experience to the role, having previously led Magic Millions and served as the managing director of Godolphin Australia. His reputation as a polished operator and deep understanding of the racing and breeding landscape made his appointment at Yulong a headline move late last year. Yulong has not yet commented publicly on the resignation, and there is no word yet on who will step into the general manager role moving forward. The departure adds a layer of intrigue to the future direction of one of Australian racing’s most powerful and ambitious stables. Horse racing news View the full article

Tavistock colt Ceolwulf scores in impressive fashion at Warwick Farm. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Trainer Joe Pride will back up Ceolwulf in Saturday’s Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill, using the race as a lead-in to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) at Randwick on April 12. Pride had considered the Doncaster Mile as an alternate path but opted for a more measured approach into the Queen Elizabeth. “This just looked like the obvious race,” Pride said. “The Doncaster was also on the cards, but the only trouble with that is it would mean him backing up into the Queen Elizabeth. The decision I had to make was: what race do we think we’re the best chance of winning? And I’ve come up with the Queen Elizabeth. To do that, giving him two weeks into it is the smart play.” Ceolwulf’s autumn preparation was briefly interrupted when a leg abrasion forced a change of plans, prompting a step back in distance for the Canterbury Stakes (Group 1, 1300m), where he finished fifth. He then bounced back with a strong third in the George Ryder Stakes (Group 1, 1600m) last weekend behind Gringotts and Fangirl. “Because we missed a run, I was left back-tracking a little bit and had to give him a [Canterbury Stakes] run that didn’t really matter, but that he had to have,” Pride said. “After last Saturday, I think the horse is very much back on track.” Ceolwulf will jump from barrier ten in the Sellwood with Chad Schofield to ride. Horse racing news View the full article

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Two years after buying Alabama Lass from a Melbourne yearling sale, Matamata trainer Ken Kelso is retracing those steps to find out how the brilliant filly measures up across the Tasman. Alabama Lass will have her first Australian start in Saturday’s A$500,000 Listed HKJC World Pool Sprint Classic (1100m) at Flemington. She is the highest-rated runner in the field, and under the set weights and penalties conditions of the race, carries 2kg below the 59kg topweight. She is the TAB’s $2.70 favourite and will be ridden by Craig Williams. “This is going to give us a good idea of how she measures up in Australia,” said Kelso, who trains in partnership with his wife Bev. “We won’t die wondering. If she puts her best foot forward, which she has in all of her New Zealand starts, I think she’ll be competitive.” Kelso paid A$120,000 to buy Alabama Lass from the Inglis Premier Sale in Melbourne in March of 2023, having travelled over for Legarto’s successful raid on the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m). Alabama Lass has had eight starts in New Zealand for five wins and three second placings, most recently a five-length runaway over multiple Group One winner Crocetti in the Gr.3 King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie on March 8. The daughter of Alabama Express had been tripped up by rain-affected ground when runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Crocetti’s Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) in her previous two starts. “She was a bit unlucky with rain-affected ground in the Guineas and the Railway, so it was good to see her show what she can do when she gets a track to suit,” Kelso said. “Everything’s gone to plan with her since then. She flew to Melbourne on Wednesday and coped with it really well. She ate everything last night and is looking bright. “She had her final serious hitout at home on Saturday morning, up against the rail on the course proper. It was a bit foggy, so we weren’t able to time her, but it looked like good work. I think she’s spot on and we’re all systems go. “She’s in a good place at the moment and we’re very happy with her. Whatever happens on Saturday, this is going to be her final start this season.” Alabama Lass has drawn gate four among a full field of 18 sprinting three-year-olds. “They tell me that’s not a bad place to draw,” Kelso said. “A few of the other favourites have drawn around her. “We’ll leave tactics up to Craig, who will have done his form. I’m not saying that she won’t lead, but I don’t think she has to. If something else wants to go forward, she’s shown that she’s quite adaptable and can take a sit. “She’s shown at home that she’s good around corners, but we all know that races down the straight at Flemington are quite different. It’ll be interesting to see how she handles it.” View the full article

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh heads to Trentham on Saturday with an opportunity to move ahead of arch-rivals Te Akau Racing in terms of Group and Listed wins in New Zealand this season. The Te Akau team of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson holds a clear premiership lead over Marsh with 97 wins to 68, but the two powerhouse stables are deadlocked with 13 black-type victories apiece. No other trainer has more than Robbie Patterson’s nine. Remarkably, Marsh has collected nine of those 13 features since New Year’s Day alone – Bourbon Empress in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m), To Cap It All in the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m), Provence in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), Ardalio in the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m), El Vencedor in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) and Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m), and Glamour Tycoon in last Saturday’s Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m). Marsh has now won a total of 97 Group and Listed races in his career, with 94 in New Zealand plus three in Australia. He will be represented in three of the four stakes races on Saturday’s Trentham card. Tale Of The Gypsy lines up in the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), Kiwi Skyhawk contests the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m), and Glamour Tycoon will back up from her Lightning Handicap success and chase a second Listed win within the space of a week in the Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m). Te Akau has runners in all four black-type features, including a four-pronged Sires’ Produce Stakes contingent headed by favourite La Dorada. Marsh respects the opposition but has a big opinion of Tale Of The Gypsy, who was a $180,000 purchase from Book 1 of Karaka 2024. The daughter of Written By won impressively on debut at Te Aroha in January, and has subsequently been plagued by wide gates when finishing fourth at Ellerslie, fifth in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and fourth in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). “I thought she ran a huge race from a wide gate to finish fourth in the Sistema,” Marsh said. “She ran home in some very good sectionals. “I’ve been thrilled with her in between times. She hasn’t had a good gate in her life and has drawn wide again on Saturday (gate 11), but she’s due a bit of a change of fortune and will hopefully get a bit of decent luck in the running. If she gets that, she could be a big improver.” Kiwi Skyhawk brings the strongest form credentials into the Manawatu Classic, having run a close last-start fifth behind Willydoit in the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m). The Derby has been a solid Manawatu Classic guide in recent years, with beaten Derby runners The Chosen One (2019), Charles Road (2017) and Humidor (2016) winning the Manawatu Classic while the likes of Just As Sharp (2024), Desert Lightning (2023) and Beaumarchais (2017) have placed. “There was a ton of merit in Kiwi Skyhawk’s performance for fifth in the Derby,” Marsh said. “He didn’t get all favours in the running, but still ran really well. He’s the highest-rated runner in the Manawatu Classic field by a couple of points. This race certainly isn’t the Derby. He’s going into it in good order and can run really well.” Marsh was pleased with Glamour Tycoon’s Lightning Handicap win last Saturday and sees no reason not to back her up in the Flying Handicap. “Her form has been hard to fault all season, and she was very tough down there at Trentham the other day,” he said. “It looked like the second horse (Platinum Attack) got his head in front and was going to pull away from her, but she fought back hard to get the win. It was great to see. “She came through it really well. She’s a big, strong girl, so I’m happy to try backing her up into another Listed race on Saturday. I don’t expect the quick turnaround to worry her.” Another source of excitement for Marsh on Saturday is the raceday returns of Velocious and Super Photon at Te Aroha and Trentham respectively. “Velocious resumes in the open sprint at Te Aroha and Super Photon is in the 1200m three-year-old race at Trentham,” Marsh said. “They’re a couple of very classy, stakes-winning juveniles from last season – obviously Velocious was champion two-year-old. They’ve both had wind operations and are coming back up beautifully. I’ve been thrilled with their recent trials and I’m really looking forward to seeing them back at the races.” Marsh identified the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa on April 26 as a potential target if Velocious performs up to expectations in this autumn campaign. View the full article

Top-flight sprinter-miler Waitak will draw on his powers of versatility when he steps up in trip at Trentham on Saturday. The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained son of Proisir will be among the favoured contenders in Saturday’s Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) following his return to winning form at his most recent appearance. Waitak was untroubled earlier this month to claim the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga following a prolonged and successful sprinting career highlighted by his Gr.1 Railway (1200m) victory. “He’s got a good base of fitness now with a couple of more recent mile races, he’s settling well and racing like he can head out to the middle distance,” Scott said. “It will give us further options with him next season if he runs it out strongly. We would probably have liked it to be 2000m rather than 2100m, but we’ll take the hand that’s dealt. “He’s been training well and is in really good condition.” It won’t be a trip into the unknown for Waitak, who finished runner-up at three in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) and was fifth in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). “He went down by the barest of margins in the Guineas and ran well in the Derby so there are some form lines there,” Scott said. “After this trip away, we will probably look to give him a well-deserved break. He’s done a good job and has raced well without a lot of luck.” Waitak will be accompanied south by Desert Mystic (intowin.co.nz, 1600m) and Phoebe Buffay (Herrick Perry Memorial, 1400m). “Desert Mystic is in really good form and he’s been a horse that has gained a lot of confidence this season,” Scott said. “He is strong at the mile and he will have to carry a wee bit of weight (60.5kg), but we’re expecting another competitive performance from him.” Desert Mystic won three on the bounce before a last-start third at Matamata where he missed the jump and lost a hind plate during the race. Phoebe Buffay is also in good touch and followed up her maiden success with a solid third at Te Rapa. “She looks like she’s well-placed and has been freshened since her last run. She’s good at 1400m and is in a good place,” Scott said. The stable will also be well represented at Te Aroha on Saturday and Scott suggested Miss Bo Beep (Manco Handicap, 1150m) and The Weapon (Te Aroha Plumbing & Drainage 2022, 1400m) to be among their leading hopes. “We’re looking forward to Miss Bo Peep making her first start in the open grade, we think she’s a promising sprinter and should race really well,” Scott said. She has won three of her six starts while The Weapon hit the line strongly for second when resuming at Taupo last month. “His first run back was encouraging, and we think he’s gone the right way since,” he said. “Some of his three-year-old form was quite good and we’ve taken our time with him.” View the full article

Consistent mare Haughty has often been the bridesmaid throughout her short career and will get a prime opportunity to break through maiden ranks at Tauranga on Sunday. The daughter of Iffraaj has struck competitive races all the way through, placing behind the likes of Knights Realm, Zormella and last-start in Rating 60 company behind Sax ‘n’ Silks. Back in her own grade, Haughty will have the services of top senior hoop Michael McNab in the Ultimate Mazda Maiden (1600m), where co-trainer Sarah Fahy feels she is well-placed. “She’s a lovely horse, she’s actually my brother’s,” Fahy said. “She’s been galloping really well, she’s ready to win and she’s just been coming up against some really nice horses. Hopefully she can get there on Sunday, she’s stepping out to the mile for the first time and we’re hoping that will be the answer with her. “She sits quite nicely in this field and has drawn well (6) last time the draw held her back a little bit last time I think.” Fahy, who trains in partnership with her husband Conor, will also be represented at Te Aroha on Saturday by Procella. A capable stayer, the Proisir mare was a winner three starts back, but over-raced with the blinkers on last-start in the South Waikato Cup (2000m). Under a light weight of 54kg, she will contest the Pyramid Trucking 2200. “She’s a really tough little mare, we’ve been waiting for a bit of rain with her to be honest which hasn’t come, but she always puts in a good effort,” Fahy said. “Last start at Matamata, she was just a bit keen with the blinkers on, so we’ve taken them off for Saturday. She’s going really well at home.” The Pukekohe Park trainers have enjoyed plenty of success with their small team this season, including a smart debut winner back in February in the form of Wolf Twenty One. The Tivaci three-year-old was unbeaten at the trials and carried that form to race-day, where he held off late chargers to score over 1200m. While delighted with the result, the Fahy’s will likely farewell the gelding as he heads across the Tasman to continue his career. “We definitely expected that from him, he’s won every trial we’ve put him in and he’s a lovely, progressive horse,” she said. “Even though he didn’t win by a heap, I think that was just because he was out on his own for a while and he certainly did it easily. “He is probably heading to Australia now, he’s destined to go over there and we hadn’t expected to get to race him, so it was nice that we got to and he got the win there. “Mark Walsh has the majority share and bought him from Karaka with some connections of his, he’s from Ireland and Conor met him through some Irish mates. It’s been a really nice journey.” View the full article

Bidding is now open on Gavelhouse Plus for NZB’s National Online Yearling Sale, a 102-lot catalogue set for sale on the premium online platform. Bidding will run for a five-day period, commencing Friday 28 March with the first lot closing on Tuesday 1 April at 6pm (NZT). Buyers must register on Gavelhouse Plus in advance in order to gain bidding approval. Presenting a distinct advantage, all lots purchased from the National Online Yearling Sale are eligible to be nominated for NZB’s lucrative Karaka Millions Series. Just nine short months after they make their virtual sale-ring debut, graduates of the online sale can compete for a share of the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), followed by the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) as well as the NZB Mega Maiden Bonus Series with $1m in bonuses up for grabs across 40 maiden races each season. Renowned vendors from across New Zealand are supporting the Sale, with a contingent of 44 proven, emerging, and first-season sires progeny offered. Buyers can secure yearlings by the likes of Almanzor, Proisir, Ocean Park, Tarzino, Vanbrugh, Ace High plus emerging and first-season sires Satono Aladdin, Super Seth, Noverre, Hello Youmzain, Wrote, Sword of State and Armory. All horses have been inspected by NZB agents who are available to assist buyers with enquiries. View the 102-lot catalogue here. For more information, contact Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones (+64 27 274 4985 or kane.jones@nzb.co.nz), Sales Representative Patrick Cunningham (+64 21 181 5898 or Patrick.Cunningham@nzb.co.nz) or Andrew Buick (+64 27 555 0640 or Andrew.Buick@nzb.co.nz). View the full article

Landlock came desperately close to landing an upset earlier this month at Ellerslie and the talented juvenile will have another shot at Group One glory as a key player in Saturday’s Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). A gelding by Merchant Navy, Landlock was an early two-year-old winner and progressed on to place in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) before a fifth-placed effort in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). At overs in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) on Champions Day, Landlock boomed home to fall just short of the hot-favourite Return To Conquer, pushing him to a clear $5 second-elect in the Sires’ behind La Dorada ($2.40). The Sistema effort may have caught punters by surprise, but not Cody Cole, who has been pleased with his progress in the three weeks between runs. “It’s been business as usual since the Sistema, he’s a pretty easy horse to train,” he said. “He just eats, does his work and typically always works well. “We haven’t done anything out of the ordinary, all through the season his runs have been spaced out and we’ve taken him away for gallops to tick him over and keep him up to the mark. But, on the three-week back-up and the way he raced at Ellerslie, I didn’t feel anything extra was necessary.” Landlock was ridden on that occasion by the recently departed Kevin Stott, with Ryan Elliot taking the reins from the ace draw at Trentham. “Early on he was putting himself on speed, but I think he’s just starting to figure things out and it wasn’t until we drew poorly in the Karaka Millions that we rode him more neutrally, where he showed that turn of foot,” Cole said. “We’ve opted to ride him in that same way since then and Wellington is such a big, roomy open track that even if you get back on the rail, you often get your chance at some stage. He won’t be getting right back, he’ll just come out neutral and find his position where he’s comfortable. “Hopefully the breaks will come when he needs them.” Secured by Cole for just $20,000 out of Book 2 at Karaka, Landlock has already earned back more than nine times his purchase price heading into the $550,000 contest, where the juveniles will step out to 1400m for the first time. “He looks like he’ll step up in trip and cop it well, he seems to relax quite nicely and he’s developed a nice turn of foot,” Cole said. “He’s a wicked little horse and he didn’t have a big price tag, and probably by a pretty unfashionable sire, but he doesn’t know that.” Based at Matamata, Cole will travel south with three other representatives, including progressive mare Rareza returning in a new campaign. The daughter of Exosphere has had just seven starts, with two wins including her last-start effort down the Trentham chute in November before heading for a spell. She appeared for a quiet trial at Taupo earlier this month, with the Japac Homes 1200 her first-up assignment. “She just had a bit of a splint on her leg after her last run at Wellington and we knew the track conditions were getting firmer, so she was going to need to be in the paddock rather than racing on it,” Cole said. “That’s settled down now and she’s had one run down the chute, which was a winning one. She’s a big striding mare that really appreciates the wide open spaces, rather than around a bend. “She had a very quiet trial there at Taupo, I didn’t realise the distance was going to be changed to 1100 from 1000 so we just sat quiet on her and that was just a fitness hit-out. She’s bounced through that well and she’s working really well.” Bow Hill will strike a more favourable distance in the InToWin.co.nz 1600, after a creditable effort in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final (1400m) last-start at Ellerslie. “It was a big effort from her to go from 2200 and back to 1400 with eight weeks between runs,” Cole said. “It wasn’t until the last 100m that she really warmed up and hit the line hard. “She’s another horse that is well-suited by the big, long Trentham straight, she doesn’t possess a lot of barrier speed but she has a nice turn of foot so that’s why we’ve opted to take her down there.” Completing the stable’s runners is Evelyn Rush, a debut winner who also returns from a break in the Herrick Perry Memorial (1400m). “She won her first start and was possibly a bit disappointing through the rest of the prep, but she didn’t have all favours there at Wellington and didn’t really get a lot of room,” Cole said. “We rode her back in her trials and she actually rounded it off really nicely and hit the line well. We’ve stepped her up to 1400 first-up and we’ll probably look to ride her a bit more neutral as well.” View the full article

Trainers John Sargent and Gary Portelli are hopeful, rather than confident, that they can spring an upset when the outstanding Treasurethe Moment makes her Sydney debut in the Vinery Stud Stakes (G1) March 29 at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse.View the full article

Luxor Cafe, an American Pharoah colt, looks poised to earn a guaranteed bid to the Kentucky Derby (G1) as the favorite in the Fukuryu Stakes, final leg of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.View the full article

With Straight No Chaser in Dubai preparing for a start in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen April 5 at Meydan Racecourse, five other California sprinters will look to capitalize in the March 29 San Carlos Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

During his 22 years serving in the Kentucky State Senate, Damon Thayer was known as a fierce advocate for the horse racing industry. Thayer decided not to run for re-election in 2024, but that doesn't mean that he stopped trying to help the sport, using his considerable political acumen to do so. Thayer has accepted the job as the senior advisor to the Thoroughbred Racing Initiative–a group formed to try to fight off efforts to decouple the racing and casino and card room licenses in Florida. To talk about his work on behalf of the Florida racing industry, Thayer was the guest on this week's edition of the TDN Writers' Room podcast, presented by Keeneland. He appears as this week's Gainesway Guest of the Week. With his vast experience in state politics, Thayer, perhaps better than anyone lese, explained how he felt the efforts to decouple have gotten as far as they have. “Gulfstream Park has contributed over $300,000 in campaign contributions since the end of 2023 to Tallahassee politicians and their campaign committees,” Thayer said. “And for whatever reason, (Belinda Stronach) got the House Budget Committee Chairman, Chairman Lawrence McClure, to be a big supporter of decoupling as well as Representative Adam Anderson, who has part of Tampa Bay Downs in his district. Anderson agreed to sponsor the bill. The only other thing we can find out is one of those guys is really good friends with Gulfstream Park's lobbyist. Those two factors, the campaign contributions and the friendship, are the only motivation that we can find. The House Budget Committee chairman wants this. And nobody wants to make the House Budget Committee chairman mad because he controls the line-item appropriations in the budget.” While the bill has advanced in the House, it has yet to be introduced in the Senate. Thayer said he thought the racing industry will fare better when dealing with the Senate. “When we got in, we knew that the skids were greased in the House, although we seem to have slowed it down a little bit,” Thayer said. “But our plan has always been to defeat the bill in the Senate. That's where we are right now. We had a really good week last week, but we're in a new week and we're almost to the halfway point of the Florida legislative session. And we're pouring it on. We're pushing this message, that this is a $3.3 billion industry. And it has nearly 33,000 jobs. It's bigger than college athletics. It's as big as the ports and is on a similar footing as the citrus industry. I'm still just aghast that an industry like this would be under attack.” While Thayer would like to see nothing change at Gulfstream and have the track continue to run 200 days a year, he knows that's not going to happen. Much of his work involves finding an alternative plan for Florida racing should Gulfstream close. “In Florida, you're going to need a white knight to come in and buy Gulfstream Park and operate it as a racetrack,” Thayer said. “I'm not sure that (Stronach) would sell it as a racetrack. The long-term future of Gulfstream Park is probably in question as a racetrack, even if we kill the decoupling bill. So let's talk about all the options.” He mentioned re-opening Hialeah, giving the prime winter dates to Tampa Bay Downs, building a new track north of Broward County, moving racing to Ocala and The Jockey Club and the Breeders' Cup pooling their substantial resources to open a new track. But what if they do succeed in killing the bill? What would prevent The Stronach Group from following through on its threats to close the track down immediately, Thayer was asked? “They can threaten to shut the place down,” Thayer said, “but then they'd have to shut down the casino. They've got 500 slot machines. By the way, under the law, they could put in 2,000 slot machines and they've only been operating 500. But their average gaming revenue out of those machines is $39 million a year. So if they want to shut Gulfstream Park down, they've got to shut down the money train that is their casino.” In our “Fastest Horse of the Week,” segment, sponsored by WinStar, the show featured WinStar stallion Heartland. The fastest horse of the week was Touchuponastar (Star Guitar), who got a 109 when winning the GII New Orleans Classic run at the Fair Grounds. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, the KTOB, 1/ST Racing and 1/ST TV, the team reviewed last weekend's major Derby preps and looked ahead to this week's action, topped by the GI Arkansas Derby and the GI Florida Derby. One of the main topics was whether or not 'TDN Rising Star' Cornucopian (Into Mischief), as talented as he is, can win the Arkansas Derby for Bob Baffert in just his second lifetime start and his first beyond six furlongs. To watch the podcast, click here. To listen to the audio version, click here. The post Damon Thayer Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Race 5 THE FRAC CLUB NEW ZEALAND ST LEGER 2500m TRAV (M Hashizume) – Trainer Mr. R Connors advised Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, however, TRAV has now been sent for a spell. Race 9 BILL TITO BOOK REPAIR SPECIALIST LIGHTNING HANDICAP (Listed Race) 1200m BELLE’S ECHO (T Comignaghi) – Trainer Ms. L Latta reported to Stewards, that upon return to the stable BELLE’S ECHO, underwent a veterinary examination which revealed tendon damage to the left hind leg. L Latta further advised the mare will be on box rest until the Veterinarian is satisfied BELLE’S ECHO can move to the next step of the recovery plan. The post Wellington Racing Club @ Trentham, Saturday 22 March 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The two Waikato Flying Miles will highlight tonight’s Cambridge-Addington Friday Night Lights double-header. Merlin and co will battle it out in the Garrards Pacers Flying Mile (8.02pm) a week out from the $1m The Race by betcha as will rising star Bet N Win in the Trotters Mile (8.38pm) before next Friday’s $600,000 TAB Trot. Meanwhile the country’s top driver Blair Orange looks set to make his presence felt at Addington. Merlin “ready to win” at Cambridge tonight By Michael Guerin Merlin is ready to put his season back on track at Cambridge tonight but whether he gets the opportunity to do that may be up to his opponents as much as the star pacer. The multiple Group 1 winner is using tonight’s $60,000 Garrards Flying Mile as his final lead-up to his defence next week of the $1million slot race he won last year. But Merlin’s challenges over the next week are two-fold. Firstly the Race by betcha is looking considerably stronger this year than last and he is heads into his week in the Waikato off the back of a shock failure at Menangle last start. Merlin has been an almost perfect racehorse right from the start of his career but a false start he caused in a heat of the Miracle Mile last start was then followed by a searing early burn that saw Merlin record a rare unplaced finish and left him jaded. “He was tired after that last race, not much went right,” says co-trainer Scott Phelan. “But he has improved every week since and he trialled really well in a fast time [Pukekohe] last week. “So he is fit and ready to win.” That coupled with his deserved reputation saw Merlin open the $2.50 favourite for tonight’s sprint but from barrier 3 on the second line his fate may not be solely in the hands of driver Zachary Butcher. Sooner The Bettor (Merlin’s stablemate), Pinseeker, Rakero Rocket, Ohoka Connor and even Mo’unga could all head forward early and while that should create pressure it could see a super fast mile without an easy sectional for those further back in the field to easily get handy. “We will leave that up to Zac but tactically it could be a really interesting race,” admits Phelan, who will drive Sooner The Bettor. If the early burn eventuates and Merlin finds the right rival to follow three wide or somehow manages to land midfield outer then he is the horse to beat but this could just as easily become a race in which the pattern is against him in several ways. Phelan and senior training partner Barry Purdon also have Sooner The Bettor and Duchess Megxit in tonight’s race and they are set to have vastly different experiences. Sooner The Bettor has the gate speed to try and lead and Phelan is keen to stay in front as, at this stage, he doesn’t have a slot in The Race by Betcha next Friday so he can afford a harder run tonight. But Duchess Megxit has drawn one on the second line and will have to be driven cold, with next Friday her far bigger target as she is likely to get barrier 1 under the $1million race’s conditions. Pinseeker and Rakero Rocket will be factors at least early tonight but Ohoka Connor, Chase A Dream and Mo’unga all probably need to work forward from their wide draws or face settling behind Merlin. So while lead-up races can sometimes be notoriously tame affairs, tonight could be different as outside Merlin most in tonight’s field can’t realistically expect to beat Aussie superstars Leap To Fame and Don Hugo in The Race next Friday. Bet N Win to go for all-the-way win If Bet N Win is to have any chance of winning our richest trot next Friday he probably has to win a far easier one tonight. And win it by leading throughout. The Canterbury trotter will start a hot favourite against just four opponents in tonight’s $60,000 Trotter’s Mile at Cambridge, the lead-up to the TAB Trot worth 10 times as much back there next Friday. Driver Bob Butt realises what is coming next week with four high-class Australians flying in to join Queensland talent Not As Promised who is among his rivals tonight, so Butt wants to make a statement. “Those Aussie trotters are really good at the moment,” says Butt. “They are going to be tough to beat next week so we want to earn some respect and see just how fast he can begin this week because he could really need that gate speed next week.” Bet N Win was quick off the gate and brave at the end to win the NZ Trotting Champs last start and with Butt suggesting he will try to lead throughout tonight he should have tactical superiority in a race that could lack attackers, with Kyvalley Hotspur the interesting value option. Orange with good book of drives at Addington By Michael Guerin New Zealand’s best driver is facing the very real possibility of missing one of the country’s premier race nights. And it won’t be because Blair Orange is suspended or unavailable. Quite remarkably, he doesn’t see himself having many, if any, drives at the Night Of Champions at Cambridge next Friday. Orange will be at Addington tonight as he was last Friday and says he could well be there again next Friday as he has no confirmed bookings for Cambridge. “At this stage I could miss it and be driving down here,” says Orange, who won the then Race by Grins on Copy That two years ago. As usual Orange is focused on what lies directly ahead of him and that includes a tricky NZB Standardbred Handicap Pace (7.28pm) at Addington tonight in which he will partner Vessem. Vessem was too strong in a 56.3 second last 800m at Addington last start and can clearly win again but Orange admits being off a 10m handicap in a four-horse race presents its challenges. “They can be really hard races to drive in,” he told HRNZ. “They will get into single file and you could make a case for every horse in the race. “Vessem can win because he will eventually end up in open class. I am not saying he will be a star when he gets there but he is actually getting better. “When he was a young horse he didn’t have a lot of speed but he is getting faster.” The concern tonight could be if a horse like Renegade, on the front line, steps well and keeps running an even tempo how the two horses in the second half of the field get into the race without making it for each other. Orange likes his book of drives tonight that also include Mystic Max (R7, No.8) in the $20,000 Peninsular Beachfront Resort Mooloolaba Handicap Trot in which he faces a 20m handicap but is one of the bigger guns coming out of a Group 1 into tonight’s 2600m stand. “I think the trotting filly I am driving Paramount Picture (R2, No.2) will be hard to beat as she was really good on debut last start. “And Secret Wish (R4, No.4) has to go close to winning as she was really good last start too and that should have improved her.” Tonight’s meeting also sees the return of Father Time (R5, No.12) after he spent the start of summer chasing around superstar filly Keayang Zahara. He has trialled twice and has to be hard to beat even off a handicap in a big field in the Seahorse Supplements Handicap Trot (7.03pm). View the full article

Race 1 WAVERLEY 4 SQUARE MAIDEN 2200m KALINYA (M Hudson) – Trainer Mr. A Meadows reported to Stewards, KALINYA has been retired from racing. The post Waverley Racing Club @ Waverley, Wednesday 19 March 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 7 ULTIMATE MAZDA JAPAN TROPHY 1600 (G2) NAVIGATOR (M Hashizume) – Trainer Mr. C Cole reported to Stewards, that on Monday 17 March, NAVIGATOR underwent a veterinary examination which included blood tests with results showing the gelding to have a slight high SAA blood cell count. C Cody further advised NAVIGATOR has now been sent for a spell. The post Racing Tauranga @ Tauranga, Saturday 15 March 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 3 BOTTLE O MOSGIEL & HILLSIDE ROAD 1200m TOWN BELT (B May) – Trainer Ms. R Ayton reported to Stewards, the mare was examined by the stables veterinarian on Monday 17 March, with no abnormalities being detected. R Ayton further advised TOWN BELT has been sent for a brief freshen up. The post Beaumont Racing Club @ Wingatui, Sunday 16 March 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

There are seven horse racing meetings set for Australia on Friday, March 28. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Muswellbrook and Toowoomba. Friday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – March 28, 2025 Muswellbrook Racing Tips Toowoomba Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on March 28, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! 4 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 5 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

5th-Gulfstream, $54,000, (S), Alw (NW1X)/Opt. Clm ($50,000), 3-27, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.29, ft, 7 lengths. SORCERER'S SILVER (c, 3, Good Magic–Money Or Love {SW, $211,840}, by J Be K) ran off to score by 8 1/4 lengths while facing fellow Florida-breds going seven furlongs here Feb. 1 and was installed the heavy 1-5 choice to repeat this time. Sent to the front after a fast start, the $130,000 Fasig-Tipton May graduate allowed Aero Star (Cajun Breeze) to assume the helm through a :22.50 quarter. Re-taking the advantage through a :45.41 half, the favorite drew off down the lane to score by seven lengths. Aero Star was second. Thursday's winner has a year-younger full-brother named Magic Art, who was ultimately sent abroad, and a yearling sister by Charlatan. Sales history: $45,000 Ylg '23 OBSOCT; $130,000 2yo '24 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $62,400. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-West Point Thoroughbreds and Domeyko Taylor; B-Good Magic Syndicate & Darsan Inc. (FL); T-Dale L. Romans. The post Good Magic’s Sorcerer’s Silver Remains Perfect After Another Gulfstream Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

St. Elias Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' Captain Cook (Practical Joke) breezed a half-mile in :49 (14/79) Wednesday over the Belmont Park dirt training track as he prepares for the GII Wood Memorial S. at Aqueduct Apr. 5. Trained by Rick Dutrow, Jr., the bay was completing his sixth workout since capturing the nine-furlong Listed Withers Feb. 1. “It was mostly maintenance,” said Blake Dutrow, Dutrow Jr.'s nephew and Belmont-based assistant. “He's ready so we are just trying to keep him happy and stay out of his way, because we feel like if the Wood were tomorrow, he'd be ready for it, if it's next week, he's ready. As long as he stays the way he is, we will feel like he has a good shot.” Captain Cook was purchased for $410,000 at the 2024 Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age sale as part of the dispersal of the estate of the late John Hendrickson after his debut sixth-place finish at Churchill Downs Oct. 27. The post Captain Cook Gearing Up for Wood Memorial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith will bid for a fourth Florida Derby (G1) with a ride on Madaket Road, a mount he picks up after scheduled jockey Tyler Gaffalione injured an ankle March 26. View the full article

Dr Jerry Hill MBE will retire later this year from his role as Chief Medical Adviser to the BHA. Dr Hill has served in the role since 2014 and has played a central role in advancing medical and healthcare standards across British racing. He will remain with the BHA over the coming months to support a smooth transition, including assisting with the recruitment and induction of his successor. Dr Hill joined the BHA in 2014, having been Senior Racecourse Medical Officer at Lingfield Park racecourse, a Squad Doctor for the England Football Teams at the FA, as well as a member of the Football Association Medical Committee and former Sports Physician at the 2012 London Olympics. During his time with the BHA, Dr Hill has forged close relationships across the sport and has been a tireless advocate for the welfare of jockeys and riders. He has championed the mantra that jockeys are elite athletes and that their healthcare provision and routines should reflect this, with an increased focus on physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and mental health care as standard practice. BHA Acting Chief Executive Brant Dunshea said, “Jerry has made a significant and lasting impact on British racing. His passion, knowledge and leadership have helped shape a progressive approach to jockey health and medical care. He also played a crucial role in guiding our decision making and our engagement with government as the sport navigated the challenges of the pandemic, for which we are all hugely grateful. “On behalf of the BHA and everyone in British racing, I want to thank Jerry for his outstanding service and wish him the very best for his retirement. I am also grateful that Jerry has agreed to remain in post until his successor can be found, and to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities.” The post Dr Jerry Hill MBE to retire as BHA Chief Medical Adviser appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article