Wandering Eyes

Entries are now open for the David F. Woods Memorial Award, presented for the best Preakness story print, television and multimedia from 2024, and the Jerry Frutkoff Photography Award, presented to the photographer of the best Preakness image from 2024. Recipients of the David F. Woods and Jerry Frutkoff Award will be honored at the Alibi Breakfast Thursday, May 15 at Pimlico Race Course. The Alibi Breakfast, which started in the late 1930s, features a gathering of media, owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys, and celebrities to celebrate the Preakness and solicit interesting and humorous race predictions. Along with the Woods and Frutkoff, the Maryland Jockey Club will also recognize the recipient of the Old Hilltop Award, a tribute to selected media members who have covered Thoroughbred racing with excellence and distinction, and a Special Award of Merit will be given to one who has made a positive impact on the racing industry. Entries for the Woods and Frutkoff must be submitted by April 15. Submissions for the Woods must include an attachment or link of the story with name and date. Submissions for the Frutkoff must include an attachment of the image as well as the media outlet it appeared. Submissions can be sent to david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com or phil.janack@gulfstreampark.com. The post Preakness Print/Photography Awards Accepting Entires appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Spirit Wind (Bahamian Squall), a multiple graded stakes winner of more than $730,000, was sold post-RNA for $500,000 to Willingham Stud, Fasig-Tipton announced Wednesday. Spirit Wind was initially not sold on a final bid of $450,000 in Tuesday's Fasig-Tipton March Digital Sale. Taylor Made Sales Agency consigned the 6-year-old mare, whose marquee win came in the GII Honorable Miss Handicap at Saratoga last summer. Her $500,000 sale makes Spirit Wind the highest-price horse offered in the March Digital Sale, which concluded Tuesday with gross receipts now in excess of $3,600,000. She led a trio of graded or group stakes-winning fillies or mares offered in the auction, which accounted for the three highest-price horses sold. R Harper Rose (Khozan), winner of the GIII Hurricane Bertie Stakes last year, sold for $400,000 to Australia's Chatsworth Stud and French group stakes winning 2-year-old Laulne (Fr) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) sold for $320,000 to Franklin Finance, Haras D'Etreham and Madaket Stable. “Fasig-Tipton Digital is the proven online sales platform to offer high profile breeding and racing stock to a global audience, with graded and group stakes winners now sold to entities operating on three different continents,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “Our success with these graded stakes winners in our March sale comes on the heels of selling champion Soul of an Angel for $2,600,000 earlier this month, a record price for a North American online auction and the second highest price ever achieved digitally worldwide.” Fasig-Tipton Digital's next scheduled auction is the April Digital Sale, to take place April 3-8. Entries close this Monday, March 24. The post MGSW Spirit Wind Brings $500k In Fasig-Tipton March Digital Post-Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be present at Turfway Park for the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Saturday, March 22, the organization announced Wednesday. Turfway Park will highlight accredited aftercare throughout the event including Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, who will be honored with a named race. Following the conclusion of the race, a presentation will be made to the winning connections, which will include a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance blanket and gift bag. “Turfway Park is excited to welcome back Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance for our Jeff Ruby Steaks Day,” said Tyler B. Picklesimer, Director of Racing & Racing Secretary, Turfway Park. “Hosting Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and honoring them with a named race are great opportunities to raise awareness for accredited aftercare.” “Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is thrilled to be part of Jeff Ruby Steaks Day for another year,” said Emily Dresen, Director of Funding & Events, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance race is a fantastic way to highlight our shared goal, and we are grateful for Turfway Park's continued support in promoting accredited aftercare on such a significant day of racing.” The post Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance On Site At Turfway For Jeff Ruby Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) a little less than a month and a half away, stables have been mulling their plans for the final two weekends of major preps on March 29 and April 5. View the full article

Ahead of his bid for a third victory in the city’s most prestigious race, Australian rider boots home Power Koepp and M Unicorn at city circuit.View the full article

The first equineline.com report centered on Thoroughbreds in their second careers, Off-Track Thoroughbred Profile, is now available through the Jockey Club, the organization announced Wednesday. The report, 9OT, provides information customized to off-track Thoroughbred owners and those shopping for a Thoroughbred. Based on feedback received from off-track Thoroughbred owners, the report contains a bespoke summary of the horse's race record, including comments, owners, and trainers for each race; the last 10 workouts; a list of the horse's siblings; auction history; and, if applicable, the subject mare's produce record. To encourage the promotion of Thoroughbreds in their second career, this report is shareable through SMS messaging and email and across multiple platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X. Equineline product 9OT is available for purchase for any registered Thoroughbred at equineline.com. The report will be available for free to all off-track Thoroughbreds with a T.I.P. number as a benefit to those participating in The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.). OTTB Profiles for existing T.I.P. numbers can be accessed through the associated account; new T.I.P. numbers will have access to the associated OTTB Profile in the account 30 days after application. “Helping Thoroughbreds thrive in a second career and communicating their value and talent outside of the industry should be a priority of everyone in our sport,” said Kristin Werner, deputy general counsel and director of Industry Initiatives, The Jockey Club. “We want the OTTB Profile to be the ultimate information source for equestrians seeking their next Thoroughbred, and we hope owners of the nearly 40,000 Thoroughbreds registered in the T.I.P system will enjoy this information and share it with others.” The post Jockey Club Creates New Off-Track Thoroughbred Profile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is partnering with seven regional farms and Rood & Riddle for tours to be held from April through October. The Museum's tour series will kick off Saturday, April 12, at Sugar Plum Farm. Other available tours include Mill Creek Farm (May 10), Greentree Stables (June 14), McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds (July 12), North Country Farm (Aug. 17), Old Tavern Farm (Sept. 13) and Song Hill Thoroughbreds (Oct. 11). Additionally, there will be three opportunities to visit the Saratoga location of Rood & Riddle equine hospital (June 24, July 22, Aug. 26). Guests will enjoy a 90-minute experience at each location, where a knowledgeable guide will provide a comprehensive look at the day-to-day operations and what makes each place unique. Guests will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with resident thoroughbreds, farm staff, and experts in horse care at Rood & Riddle. Finally, at the close of the tour, guests will have the opportunity to ask their guide any questions they may have about the care and keeping of these beautiful animals and aspects of life on the grounds. “These tours always sell out and they offer a wonderful educational experience that will truly resonate with race fans and horse lovers,” said Cate Masterson, the Museum's director. “Visiting these beautiful farms and Rood & Riddle are incredible opportunities to learn about the daily life there, the care and routine of the horses, and the chance to meet the people who make these operations so successful and vital to the community and racing.” All tour purchases include complimentary Museum admission. To book a tour, click here. The post National Museum Of Racing And Hall Of Fame To Hold 2025 Tour Series appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The nominees for the New York-bred divisional championships were announced Wednesday via a press release by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders. The list of nominees is as follows: 2-Year-Old Male: Bold Fortune (Central Banker), Jack and Jim (Slumber {GB}), Mi Bago (Vekoma), Mo Plex (Complexity) and Sacrosanct (Honest Mischief). 2-Year-Old Filly: Accelerating (Mitole), Scythian (Tiz the Law), Shoot It True (Munnings), Stone Smuggler (Honest Mischief) and With the Angels (Omaha Beach). 3-Year-Old Male: Antonio of Venice (Laoban), Doc Sullivan (Solomini), Pandagate (Arrogate), Tapalo (Tapiture) and The Big Torpedo (Big Brown). 3-Year-Old Filly: Kinza (Carpe Diem), Landed (Omaha Beach), My Mane Squeeze (Audible), Roanan Goddess (Leofric) and Sweet Brown Sugar (Collected). Older Dirt Male: Bank Frenzy (Central Banker), Light Man (Central Banker), Maker's Candy (Twirling Candy), Mama's Gold (Bolt d'Oro) and Rotknee (Runhappy). Older Dirt Female: Kant Hurry Love (Kantharos), Silver Skillet (Liam's Map), Sterling Silver (Cupid), Stonewall Star (Flatter) and Venti Valentine (Firing Line). Turf Male: Dakota Gold (Freud), Dancing Buck (War Dancer), Senbei (Candy Ride {Arg}), Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro) and Works for Me (Daddy Long Legs). Turf Female: Caldwell Luvs Gold (Goldencents), Loon Cry (More Than Ready), Moonage Daydream (Candy Ride {Arg}), Scythian (Tiz the Law) and Silver Skillet (Liam's Map). Male Sprinter: Dancing Buck (War Dancer), Light Man (Central Banker), Rotknee (Runhappy), Senbei (Candy Ride {Arg}) and Tapalo (Tapiture). Female Sprinter: Kant Hurry Love (Kantharos), Loon Cry (More Than Ready), My Mane Squeeze (Audible), Sterling Silver (Cupid) and Tricky Temper (Into Mischief). Nominations are also open for the New York Farm Manager of the Year which will be awarded along with the above-mentioned championships May 19. The New York Farm Manager of the Year Award will be chosen from the nominated candidates and voted by the board of directors of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. in recognition of an individual in a managerial or supervisory role at a New York Thoroughbred-based farm. Submit nominations here. The post ‘Rising Star’ With The Angels Leads New York-Bred Divisional Nominees; Nominations Open For New York Farm Manager Of The Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Churchill Downs Racetrack has renewed its partnership with Ford as the exclusive automotive partner of the Kentucky Derby through 2029, the track announced Wednesday. Under the renewed agreement, Ford will be granted exclusivity in the automotive category and an expanded footprint with interactive vehicle displays to promote fan interaction and immersive brand experiences to supplement the excitement of Derby Week and beyond. As part of the multi-year agreement, Ford will expand its on-site footprint to include the naming of the First Turn Club, a premium hospitality space originally debuted in 2023 overlooking the first turn of the racetrack. The popular location will now officially be called the Ford First Turn Club, offering guests a distinctive race-day experience with prime views and upscale amenities. Additionally, Ford will activate exclusive luxury vehicle displays and brand-new Ford-themed fan experiences at key areas around the track, including the Paddock Plaza and VIP Gate, ensuring high-profile brand visibility to attendees throughout Derby Week. “Churchill Downs is thrilled to continue building our relationship with Ford Motor Company as an Official Partner of the Kentucky Derby and to expand our collaboration in exciting new ways,” said Casey Ramage, vice president of marketing and partnerships at Churchill Downs Racetrack. “The Kentucky Derby is built on tradition and long-standing partnerships, and Ford's commitment to excellence and innovation aligns perfectly with the spirit of this exceptional event. We look forward to continuing to work together to deliver an unforgettable experience for Derby fans and guests.” Ford will maintain the existing sponsorship of key Derby and Oaks activations not limited to: branding inclusion on the Kentucky Derby Starting Gate, presenting sponsorship of the Churchill Downs Barn Area, entitlement of a Derby Day race sponsorship, exclusive digital content and year-round vehicle displays at Churchill Downs. “At Ford our mission is to create tangible impacts on the communities where we work and serve,” said Phil O'Connor, director of global marketing communications–Ford Blue and Model e at Ford Motor Company. “Ford has a deep connection with the Louisville community. Our Louisville-based manufacturing facilities employ roughly 12,000 Kentuckians. Our heritage of capability, passion and innovation make our friends at Churchill Downs Racetrack ideal partners. We're excited for this next chapter in our partnership and honored to continue supporting the bluegrass state.” The post Churchill Downs Renews Partnership With Ford Ahead Of Kentucky Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Tattersalls Online Breeze-Up Sale will take place at Dundalk Stadium on Wednesday, May 28, followed by the online part of the auction that will run through from June 4 to June 5. This will be the third running of the Tattersalls Online Breeze-Up Sale, of which Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final winner Fiona Maccoul (Ire) (Coulsty {Ire}) is a graduate from. Fiona Maccoul was picked up for just €5,000 by Shane 'The Rancher' Ryan during Book 2 of the Goffs Orby Sale but, having failed to get the filly into a physical sale, the breeze-up handler advertised the filly's talents on the online platform. Fiona Maccoul was subsequently knocked down to Jack Cantillon on behalf of Syndicates Racing for 27,000gns following an eye-catching breeze at Dundalk and has since gone on to achieve a rating of 78 for Jessica Harrington. Tattersalls Online Sales Manager Katherine Sheridan commented, “Following the success of the previous two years, the Tattersalls Online Breeze-Up Session has, again, been widely welcomed by consignors who are seeking an alternative route for their two-year-olds. “Complementing our live breeze-up portfolio, the Tattersalls Online Breeze-Up Session provides vendors with a cost-effective opportunity to breeze using state-of-the-art facilities at Dundalk whilst reaching a large domestic and international market via the Tattersalls Online platform. The innovative format of the sale and the additional resources available for buyers caters for a broad buying bench. With participation in previous years from purchasers located in Britain, Ireland, Italy and the Gulf Region, we are looking forward to further growth of the concept this year.” Initial entries for the 2025 Online Breeze-Up Session will be published on the Tattersalls Online website on Wednesday, May 21. Each lot will be catalogued with their vendor contact details and viewing location listed allowing potential bidders ample opportunity to make enquiries and arrange inspections prior to the sale. All breeze-up lots will also complete a pre-sale five-stage veterinary certificate after the breeze-up takes place. Spectators are invited to attend the breeze-up at Dundalk on Wednesday 28th May. The breeze-up footage will be live streamed on the day and will be published on the Tattersalls Online website by Thursday May 29 ahead of selling in the Tattersalls Online June Sale. Entries for the Tattersalls Online Breeze-Up Session can be submitted through the Tattersalls Online website at www.tattersallsonline.com. Entries will close on Friday May 16 with wildcards accepted up to Friday May 23. Enquiries can be made to Katherine Sheridan or Ross Birkett by phoning +44 1638 665931 or by emailing tattersallsonline@tattersalls.com. The post Tattersalls Says Online Breeze-Up Sale Can Provide “Alternative Route” For Handlers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Apprentice jockey Levi Williams has been charged with murder following an altercation in Newmarket on Saturday, March 8. A fight between four men on the town's High Street resulted in two of them being taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. A 45-year-old man was released from hospital later that evening but a 71-year-old man, who had remained in intensive care in a critical condition, died subsequently on Tuersday, March 18. A statement released by Suffolk Police on Wednesday read, “A 25-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm and subsequently bailed, was rearrested yesterday afternoon and taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning. “Levi Williams, of Holland Park, Newmarket, has subsequently been charged with murder. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear before Ipswich Magistrates' Court today, Wednesday 19 March. “A 23-year-old man who was also arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm; and a 45-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of affray; both remain on police bail until 5 June and 9 June respectively.” Williams, who is apprenticed to trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam, has ridden 12 winners since his first race ride in 2017. The post Apprentice Jockey Charged With Murder appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Ky., held an online auction for halters worn by a pair of GI Kentucky Derby winners in Silver Charm and Giacomo. The proceeds, totaling $4,380, will be presented to the East Kentucky Dream Center for emergency flood relief to residents in Pike County, Ky. Online bidding for the Silver Charm halter was already underway when Dr. Jack Root of Oakhurst Equine in Oregon contacted the farm and generously donated Giacomo's halter to help. “Like so many others, Old Friends' supporters from within the horse industry were deeply disturbed by the suffering caused by the recent floods in Eastern Kentucky, particularly in Pike County,” said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends. “After a halter worn by 1997 Kentucky Derby winner and Old Friends resident Silver Charm was successfully auctioned, a halter from 2005 Derby winner Giacomo was also donated by Dr. Jack Root to be auctioned for flood victims relief. The resulting financial gift comes from two horses who are members of a small group of living horses who can claim to have won a race synonymous with Kentucky. It is given in hopes that it will ease the burden of some Kentuckians who remain in desperate need.” The post Old Friends Auctions Halters To Benefit Kentucky Flood Victims appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For all the incredible experiences Blane Servis remembers from when his father John campaigned champion Smarty Jones, there were a few less-than-comfortable memories too. Take, for instance, the time during Smarty Jones's run for the Triple Crown when Servis's school hosted a pep rally and made a teenaged Servis the guest of honor. As a self-described socially awkward kid, stepping into the spotlight felt a bit more like a nightmare than a celebration. In high school, Servis discovered that drinking was the easiest solution to overcoming his social anxiety. Later, he turned to prescription pain pills. “I remember the first time I ever took them,” Servis recalled. “I liked drinking when I was younger because I would drink to a point where I didn't have anxiety about talking to people. It got to a point where I had to drink more and more to feel that way and it was a fine line between drinking enough to feel like that or blacking out. The first time I took a pain pill, I got that feeling immediately.” Servis managed to keep his life afloat while hiding his addiction for years–working as an assistant for his father, getting married, and eventually becoming a trainer and a father himself–but ultimately the addiction won out. Servis lost his trainer's license, lost his purpose and nearly lost his life. Still, his passion for the sport of horse racing proved indomitable. Despite the ugliness of his past, Servis found a way back to the business he has always loved and today, as an assistant trainer for Brad Cox, he hopes to make the most of this second chance. “I have a passion for wanting to better the sport and progress things in the right direction,” he said. “It has been so good to me that it's the least I can do. Even if it's just being a beacon of hope for people that are struggling, that would be a positive thing.” Football to Falling Out Celebrating Smarty Jones's Kentucky Derby victory | Horsephotos Servis's earliest memories are from the backside of a racetrack. On weekends, he and his brother Tyler would wake up at four in the morning to make the drive with their father, a stalwart of the Northeast and Mid-atlantic regions, from Philadelphia to Delaware Park. “There were a bunch of creeks there and my brother and I would catch frogs while the horses were training, and then after training Dad would have us painting boards and fences,” Servis recalled. “I saw firsthand the commitment that this sport takes.” Servis loved racing, but he also loved football. He told his father that he was going to become a professional football player–either safety or running back–and then own his own horses one day. That plan started to go sideways in high school when he was kicked out of four different schools for various instances of alcohol and drug use. He was supposed to be a preferred walk-on at the University of Arkansas, but couldn't get the grades to get in. Servis started working for his father, but would often come to the barn hungover and work through the morning only to start partying again in the afternoon. “I really did love football and I think when that didn't happen, I was living with the guilt of messing up something that I had wanted since I was a kid. My dreams were broken and I didn't know what I was going to do with the next chapter of my life, but that was when I fell in love with the horses. They each had their own personality and I loved everything about the sport.” Servis became a foreman and then assistant to his father while also working the starting gate at Parx. At that time, some of the early progeny of Smarty Jones were hitting the racetrack. “Just like Smarty Jones when he hit his head in the gate, some of the Smarty Jones babies were notoriously bad in the starting gate,” noted Servis. “The starter at the gate would always give me my dad's horses and since he had a lot of Smarty Jones babies, I would get some of the worst horses. I always say that taught me more about handling horses than anything.” When Servis took out his trainer's license in 2013, one of his first acquisitions was Hard to Name (Hard Spun). While the gelding had shown potential early on, he had developed displacement issues and by the time he got to Servis, he was running in $10,000 claimers. For much of his career, Hard to Name had competed in sprints in an attempt to keep him from displacing, but Servis thought that the horse was bred to go long and decided to test out a theory. “A big part of displacing with a lot of horses is mental,” explained Servis. “I decided that we were going to try to keep him as relaxed as we could and train him to be fit to go a mile. You could see in his races that as soon as the rider started asking him to move, the horse got nervous, his head would go up and he immediately displaced. So we worked with the horse for a while and I told the rider, 'Whatever you do, when they're coming down the stretch just give him his head. Don't ride him, just let him go.' He ended up winning by 10 lengths.” While Servis's stable started to take off, his addiction continued to maintain a hold on his life. There was a seven-year period after he became a father when he swapped drinking for ADHD medication, but the Adderall led to insomnia–leaving him sleepless for days on end and often sick from exhaustion. After his divorce was finalized, he returned to old habits like never before. He bounced from one rehab to the next, sometimes running his own stable and sometimes working for his brother. On the job at Turfway Park | Katie Petrunyak During perhaps the darkest point of his life, Servis had one of his most promising horses break down in a morning work. A few days later, he woke up to several missed calls from a close friend only to find out that the friend had overdosed that very night. The two tragic events sent Servis into a spiral. “I was staying in my room calling somebody to go feed and water my horses,” he described. “People would come knock on my door and I wouldn't answer. I had just checked out of everything.” Eventually, the racing commission suspended his training license when he failed to show up to his barn for a week. Unable to step foot on a racetrack for two years, Servis searched for jobs at breeding farms in Pennsylvania. One day, a friend sent him a TDN article about Walden Racing that described how the team there had gone through Stable Recovery together. Servis insisted that he did not need to go through a recovery program, but he did call trainer Will Walden and ended up landing a job as a barn foreman at WinStar Training Center. WinStar's Elliott Walden had one stipulation for the job: he could not drink or use drugs. Servis reiterated that it wouldn't be a problem. Things were looking up as he made the move to Kentucky. But it wasn't long before Servis reverted back to his old ways. After one long bender and several days of failing to show up for work, Servis woke up one morning to find Will Walden, WinStar's General Manager David Hanley and Stable Recovery's Christian Countzler and Mike Lowery standing at his door. Hoping they wouldn't come in and find the four empty vodka bottles in his bedroom, he groggily stepped outside and immediately passed out cold in the doorway. “My passion and desire to be in the sport had made me bullheaded enough to where I kept telling myself that I was going to make something happen,” said Servis. “I was backed up against the wall where my only options where to try to do something about this or deal with the fact that I was not going to be able to work in racing. I'd just have to do a normal job where I was completely miserable every day.” When he finally came to, Servis committed to going to Stable Recovery. Power of Patience Servis's time at Stable Recovery was not without its setbacks. Six months in, he ignored the Stable Recovery team's advice and visited family and friends back in Philadelphia, relapsing soon after he got there. When he returned to Kentucky, he told himself that he would go back to Stable Recovery eventually. Months later, he woke up one morning feeling worse than ever before. Looking in the mirror to find scabs all over his face, he couldn't remember anything about the previous night. “I looked at my phone and found that I had texted some guy when I was blacked out about buying weed off him,” described Servis. “He didn't have any, but apparently instead I had bought fentanyl off the guy. I didn't remember any of it. I realized that if I'm able to do that blacked out, where I don't have control of my decisions, I'm going to end up dying. I was terrified and went right back to Stable Recovery.” Servis and Painted Desert (Medaglia d'Oro), a half sister to Grade I victress Wet Paint, who looks to break her maiden this weekend | Katie Petrunyak This time, Servis went in with a completely different mindset. He committed to trusting the program's process and allowed himself time for healing. “My trip to Kentucky was originally driven by horse racing, but I ended up learning so much about recovery and myself, and I got a brotherhood of people that I never had back home. Stable Recovery was perfect for me because it involved doing something I was passionate about and it was a program with a strict structure, which is what I needed.” After completing the program, Servis started working as a groom at Godolphin's training division at Keeneland. It was a ways down the ladder from where he had once been. Instead of running his own stable, he was relegated to grooming three or four horses each day. But Servis was willing to be patient and he stayed there for a year. This February, a job posting on Facebook led Servis to an interview for an assistant position with Brad Cox. He landed the job and signed on as the head of Cox's division at Turfway Park. The first few weeks have been like nothing Servis could have imagined for himself as he manages a string of 20-some horses. Already this month, the Cox stable has collected five wins and one runner-up performance from six starts at Turfway. “I forgot how much I missed it,” Servis admitted. “I can be hands on now, doing things that make a difference in a horse's career. It's very exciting for me because I love nothing more than being able to work with a horse and watch them blossom.” After the Turfway meet ends, Servis will likely move to Cox's Keeneland division and stay there through the summer working with 2-year-olds. He said has always enjoyed working with young horses. Reflecting on it now, he likens training juveniles to cultivating patience and discipline in his own life. “With these horses, over time you start to see how these little things you're doing can make a big difference,” he said. “The extra work and effort you're putting in can completely change them and take them to a different level. It just shows you the importance of discipline, structure and continuing to do the right thing every day.” Servis intends to get his own stable up and running again one day. For now, he's more than content just being back in a shedrow, taking small steps every day to change his life for the better. “The reason I drank to begin with was because of the shyness and the nervousness, but mostly it was just me being in my own head, being anxious and overthinking stuff all the time. I could be in a room full of people and still feel completely alone. I came to the program to stop drinking and screwing up my life, so that fact that in the process I was able to get to a place where I can actually have peace in my life and not be constantly overthinking, that is one of the most amazing things. I don't worry about the future too much because I trust in God and I'm not caught up in my past because we work through that. That doesn't mean the worry doesn't start creeping up every once in a while, but it is so much better than it ever was before. I'm blessed to be able to experience that.” Stable Recovery is a recovery housing program in Lexington, Kentucky that offers men in the early stages of recovery access to 12-step meetings, life skills training and-through the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship-the opportunity to develop a trade in the equine field. To learn more about Stable Recovery, click here. The post The Road Back: Blane Servis Returns to the Racetrack appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

St. Patrick's Day (Pioneerof the Nile), the full-brother to Triple Crown winner and Coolmore stallion American Pharoah, has been re-acquired by his breeder Summer Wind Farm, the farm announced via social media Tuesday. Having previously stood at stud at Florida's Journeyman Stud, the 10-year-old stallion was entered in this year's Keeneland January Sale but was withdrawn. “With St Patrick's Day's arrival to the farm earlier this winter, Jane also completed her own very special set of nine horses,” the post reads. “She now owns all the offspring of Littleprincessemma (Yankee Gentleman) that she bred since the moment she acquired the eventual Broodmare of the Year for $2.1 million in 2014 when “Emma” was carrying St Patrick's Day in utero.” The post notes that St. Patrick's Day has joined another of his half-siblings in Triple Tap (Tapit) at the farm and that “nothing has been ruled out or in for either horse's future.” The post St. Patrick’s Day, Full To American Pharoah, Re-Acquired By Breeder Summer Wind Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback released a quarterly letter Wednesday which addresses Florida's decoupling bill along with the New York Times piece on horse racing. The letter reads: “The first quarter of 2025 has been nothing short of a tsunami for most of us in the industry. We entered the year hoping to turn the page, making positive strides and setting the industry on the right path. Then came January 7. While the events of that date didn't bring our industry to a standstill, they certainly caused an unexpected stumble–one that no one saw coming or wanted to face. Seemingly without warning, industry press announced an agreement between the owner of Gulfstream Park and the Gulfstream horsemen's association to jointly support legislation allowing Gulfstream to decouple. “Decouple” is a word with multiple meanings, but to horsemen, it tends to be followed by concern–and expletives. The proposed bill in Tallahassee would allow Gulfstream to operate its casino without any obligation to conduct live racing. Ownership claimed this move was necessary to secure financing for improvements to the Gulfstream property. (Pause, smile and cue more expletives. Next, start taking steps to defend the future of racing, not only in Florida but across the country.) The industry's pushback is well in motion. But the fight is far from over. The Florida Legislature introduced House Bill 105, filed by Rep. Adam Anderson, which effectively redlined existing statutes requiring Thoroughbred racing facilities to host live races as a condition for operating slot machines and card rooms. Let's not forget: These gaming operations were not a given; they were made possible only because they were tied to horse racing. The facilities benefiting from gaming revenue rode in on the backs of horsemen and women. Within hours–also on January 7–I issued a statement making it clear that the National HBPA cannot currently support Gulfstream's requested legislative changes. The NHBPA and its affiliates–including the Tampa Bay HBPA–emphasized that these changes do not offer any meaningful benefits for horsemen. Across the country, horsemen agreed: Decoupling from live racing threatens to cripple horse racing in any state. Our industry is not subsidized by gaming. Gaming companies and permit holders pay horsemen a tariff–a tax–for the privilege of having entered states where horse racing laid the groundwork for legalized wagering. Without the existence of pari-mutuel betting, states would never have allowed these gaming companies to set up shop, whether in brick-and-mortar casinos or, going further back to my younger days, the riverboats of Shreveport. Every trainer, every farm and every training center is a small business. These businesses collectively drive a multibillion-dollar agricultural sector in the United States. Decoupling must be stopped–not just in Florida but wherever it threatens our industry's future. I also want to address a recent opinion piece published in the New York Times. Written by Noah Shachtman, the piece attempted to couch horse racing in the U.S. as a sport that has outlived its economic usefulness and should simply disappear. My issue with this opinion piece? Like so many before it, it relied on exaggeration, misinformation and a lack of factual evidence to push an anti-racing narrative, so much so that it is hard to even address. Like everyone I know who read the article, I looked down, shook my head and felt frustrated. We are all tired of seeing our sport mischaracterized in the mainstream media. Fortunately, I believe that hit pieces like this are losing traction. Why? Because they continue to ignore the facts. You've probably heard the old saying, “Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.” The author of this article certainly didn't. His criticism focused on the idea that racetracks and purse money are “subsidized” by revenue from slot machines, casinos or historical horse racing machines. Sound familiar? See above. What he conveniently left out was the fundamental fact that these gaming organizations were only allowed to establish themselves because of coupled legislation with horse racing. Even more glaring was his omission of the economic impact of horse racing–the tens of thousands of jobs it provides, the breeding farms, the training centers and the vast network of agribusinesses and supporting industries that depend on it. This needs to be said: Our industry is not dying. And I am glad the relentless attacks from the media are not resonating the way they once did. From coast to coast, horsemen and women remain deeply committed to this sport. That said, the New York Times article should serve as a call to action. We must continue to respond–with facts, with passion and with personal testimonies about what racing means to us. Horse racing is more than a sport; it is a way of life. It is a vital industry with real economic significance in the United States. And it is worth defending and fighting for.” The post National HBPA’s Eric Hamelback Addresses Decoupling, NYT Piece In Spring Quarterly Letter appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An exciting host of 28 individual Group 1 winners headlines entries for FWD Champions Day on Sunday, 27 April at Sha Tin – all chasing a chance to compete for the record HK$74 million prize money on offer across three of world racing’s pre-eminent contests. Representing owners from Hong Kong, Great Britain, Australia, France, Japan, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, Bahrain and Qatar, 95 horses are vying for starts in the HK$28 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m), HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) and HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m). Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress), Voyage Bubble, California Spangle, Galaxy Patch, Beauty Joy and Helios Express spearhead Hong Kong’s arsenal – along with Beauty Eternal and Invincible Sage, winners, respectively, of the FWD Champions Mile and Chairman’s Sprint Prize last year. The international contingent of 56 is headed by Group 1 winners Goliath, Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), Royal Patronage, El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) and an intimidating 25-strong contingent from Japan, led by Liberty Island, Tastiera, Soul Rush, Satono Reve, Lugal, Gaia Force, Prognosis and Dura Erede. Phenomenal talent Ka Ying Rising chases a fourth straight Group 1 in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize. Acclaimed as the world’s highest-rated sprinter recently, Ka Ying Rising is Sha Tin’s 1200m track record holder (1m 07.20s) and winner of his last 10 consecutive races. Voyage Bubble has quickly asserted himself as the city’s premier miler. Ricky Yiu’s star horse will aim for a fourth consecutive Group 1 in the FWD Champions Mile after successes this season in the HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m). Hong Kong’s entry features 10 individual Group 1 winners. Second three times to Ka Ying Rising at Group 1 level, Helios Express will aim to emerge from his rival’s shadow and capture a maiden top-level crown in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize, along with stablemate Howdeepisyourlove, who will contest the G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) on 5 April. A three-time placegetter on FWD Champions Day, California Spangle is eyeing a return to glory in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize next month as well as Beauty Eternal, who aims to defend his title and give trainer John Size a fifth triumph in the race after wins also with Electronic Unicorn (2003), Sight Winner (2009), Contentment (2017). Six-time winner Goliath is becoming one of global racing’s great overseas campaigners as Francis-Henri Graffard’s gelding prepares to compete in his fourth jurisdiction in the FWD QEII Cup. Resolute Racing’s German-bred galloper won the 2024 G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2392m) ahead of strong opposition including Bluestocking, Rebel’s Romance, Sunway, Auguste Rodin, Luxembourg and Dubai Honour. Mr Brightside is one of Australia’s most beloved horses. Photo: supplied Mr Brightside is one of Australia’s premier horses as a nine-time Group 1 winner, including victories in the 2022 and 2023 G1 Doncaster Mile (1600m), 2023 and 2024 G1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), and 2024 and 2025 G1 Futurity Stakes (1400m). The seven-year-old fought out an exhilarating 2023 G1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) with Romantic Warrior. He is entered in the FWD Champions Mile. Royal Patronage brings fascinating form lines to Hong Kong having won in Great Britain, the United States of America and at Group 1 level in Australia, surprising in the G1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) this month for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. The son of Wootton Bassett is entered for the FWD Champions Mile and FWD QEII Cup, holding a preference for the former. El Vencedor is New Zealand racing’s current banner horse having won his last three starts – each at Group 1 level: 2025 G1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), 2025 G1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) and 2025 G1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). Stephen Marsh’s tough six-year-old is entered to run in the FWD QEII Cup. A familiar fleet of Japanese entries is headlined by 2024 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup second and third placings Liberty Island and Tastiera, respectively. Liberty Island is Japan’s outstanding 2023 Triple Tiara winner and she is the stablemate of two-time FWD QEII Cup runner-up Prognosis, who is also among Japan’s list of possible starters. Group 1 performer Ho O Biscuits is chanced with his first start abroad in the FWD QEII Cup. Third in the 2024 HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), Noriyuki Hori’s Satono Reve holds an entry for the Chairman’s Sprint Prize along with 2024 G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) winner Lugal, Group 2 winner Danon Mckinley and Big Caesar. Soul Rush was second to Voyage Bubble in the 2024 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile and Tatsue Ishikawa’s galloper will aim to go one better in the FWD Champions Mile. Soul Rush was also third to Romantic Warrior in the 2024 G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m), while fourth out of that race, Gaia Force, could also ship across for the FWD Champions Mile. Ciaron Maher’s exciting sprinter Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) is entered to run in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize, searching for a second elite level success after collecting last month’s G1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m). Maher has also entered Duke De Sessa – last year’s G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) hero – and Middle Earth for the FWD QEII Cup. The Foxes ran his heart out for trainer Andrew Balding to grab fourth in the 2024 HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and the son of Churchill is plotted to return for another crack at international glory in Hong Kong. Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald have entered Lady Laguna, Ostraka, Port Lockroy and Fawkner Park, while William Haggas has also engaged four – led by the returning Dubai Honour as well as Group 1-placed and 2024 Golden Eagle (1500m) winner Lake Forest, Maljoom and Al Mubhir. Dubai Honour has raced in Hong Kong four times, including a third in the 2023 FWD QEII Cup behind Romantic Warrior, while Maljoom is a dual Group 1 placegetter behind Charyn and Notable Speech. Isivunguvungu is being prepared for the Al Quoz Sprint next month by trainer Graham Motion, who has entered the South African Group 1 winner for the Chairman’s Sprint Prize. Bhupat Seemar from Dubai has entered Trafalgar Square in the FWD QEII Cup, while Bahrain has four entries – Calif and Sovereign Spirit (FWD QEII Cup), Goemon (FWD Champions Mile) and Swift Asset (Chairman’s Sprint Prize). Six horses selected to run in the HK$26 million 148th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (23 March) – Rubylot, My Wish, Californiatotality, Markwin, Noisy Boy and Stunning Peach – hold entries for FWD Champions Day. Hong Kong’s contingent is bolstered by a host of established and emerging performers including Sunlight Power, Gorgeous Win, Magic Control, Ensued and Straight Arron. Mr Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “We are delighted with the spread of entries and quality of interest in this year’s FWD Champions Day features – including 56 entries from our overseas friends and 39 from Hong Kong, laying the foundation for another wonderful staging of our spring flagship meeting. “The excitement that the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising brings each time he races is electric and we cannot wait to see him tested once more against international opposition in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize. Exceptional miler Voyage Bubble has gone from strength to strength across the last six months and he will face another exciting challenge next month. “Our global champion Romantic Warrior has given us some incredible memories this year in Dubai and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, so while we are disappointed not to see him go for a fourth win in the FWD QEII Cup, we are immensely proud of his efforts, and his absence opens the door for what shapes as a remarkably competitive FWD QEII Cup.” View the full article

A total of 28 individual Group One winners feature among the Champions Day entries released by the Jockey Club on Wednesday.View the full article

What 2025 Golden Slipper Stakes Where Rosehill Gardens Racecourse – Sydney, NSW When Saturday, March 22, 2025 Prizemoney $5,000,000 Distance 1200m Conditions Group 1, Set Weights 2024 winner Lady Of Camelot (5) | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Blake Shinn (54.5kg) Visit Dabble The 68th running of the time-honoured Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) headlines the action at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, with a capacity field of 16 two-year-olds set to battle it out in Australia’s premier juvenile sprint. The $5 million feature has plenty of form-lines to dissect, including the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), where Devil Night attempts to be the first horse since Sepoy (2011) to do the double. Wodeton has been the long-standing favourite for the event and will be looking to replicate the feat of Shinzo (2024) for Coolmore once again. Will the $1.6 million colt live up to the hype? Or is there an upset brewing in the 2025 Golden Slipper? 2025 Golden Slipper odds The wealth of support with horse racing bookmakers for Wodeton prior to the barrier draw has kept the Wootton Bassett colt a firm $5.00 favourite with Neds heading into the Slipper. Tempted is on the second line of betting at $5.50 with BlondeBet after a strong win in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m), while Skyhook ($8.50) was the big firmer after a slashing win in last Saturday’s Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m). Undefeated colt Rivellino is the big drifter out to $11.00 despite securing the services of Hong Kong-based hoop Hugh Bowman, while the likes of Devil Night ($11.00), Marhoona ($13.00) and Within The Law ($15.00) represent good each-way value with horse betting sites. 2025 Golden Slipper speed map There should be speed to burn in this year’s edition of the Golden Slipper, with the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained trio of North England (9), Farcited (17) and Bellazaine (15) all looking to press forward to contest the early lead. Beiwacht (16) and Devil Night (11) have shown good early speed in the past as well, while Skyhook (8) can take a sit this time despite making every post a winner in the Pago Pago. The favoured pair of Tempted and Wodeton should get every chance to hold a handy position drawn in gate one and two respectively, while the likes of Rivellino (3), West Of Swindon (4), Tycoon Star (5) and Quietly Arrogant (7) map to sit midfield with cover throughout the journey. Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Golden Slipper. Golden Slipper 2025 preview & form It’s worth splitting your stake in a wide-open edition of the Golden Slipper; however, it’s the Godolphin filly Tempted that goes on top. The daughter of Street Boss arguably should’ve won the Blue Diamond with any luck two starts back and proceeded to frank the form with a barnstorming victory in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on March 8. Gate one allows Blake Shinn to hold a spot on the leaders’ back throughout, and provided she doesn’t get held up when attempting to get clear, Tempted must be considered a major player. Within The Law has done nothing wrong and appears slightly disrespected in the market at the $15.00 with PlayUp. She was wide without cover every step of the way in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) leading into this and still had the audacity to finish best. The tempo aids her chance to storm down the centre of the course despite drawing barrier 13, and with the Lucky Vega filly arguably having the best turn-of-speed in the race, she must be respected. West Of Swindon is the forgotten horse here and is a big price with online betting sites. Team Hawkes missed a run in the Pago Pago to save himself for this, and although he may be considered underdone compared to some key rivals, the $26.00 is too big to ignore. Golden Slipper 2025 selections & best bets Selections: 13 TEMPTED 12 WITHIN THE LAW 5 WEST OF SWINDON 16 MARHOONA $100 betting strategy $50 Win Tempted (#13) @ +450 with Neds $30 Win Within The Law (#12) @ +1400 with Playup $20 Win West Of Swindon (#5) @ +2500 with BlondeBet Golden Slipper 2025 final field 1. Rivellino (3) T: Kris Lees J: Hugh Bowman W: 56.5kg Age: 2YO Colour: Brown Sex: Colt Sire: Too Darn Hot (GB) Dam: Intrinsic +1000 +250 2. Devil Night (11) T: Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes J: Michael Dee W: 56.5kg Age: 2YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Colt Sire: Extreme Choice Dam: Mischief Night +1200 +300 3. North England (9) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Tim Clark W: 56.5kg Age: 2YO Colour: Bay or Brown Sex: Colt Sire: Farnan Dam: Our Belisa +1600 +400 4. Tycoon Star (5) T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes J: Mark Zahra W: 56.5kg Age: 2YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Written Tycoon Dam: Miss Iano +2500 +625 5. West Of Swindon (4) T: Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes J: Tyler Schiller W: 56.5kg Age: 2YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Wootton Bassett (GB) Dam: Fife +2000 +500 6. Beiwacht (16) T: James Cummings J: Adam Hyeronimus W: 56.5kg Age: 2YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Bivouac Dam: Metastasio +3000 +750 7. Skyhook (8) T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou J: Kerrin McEvoy W: 56.5kg Age: 2YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Colt Sire: Written Tycoon Dam: Madame Pauline +650 +163 8. Wodeton (2) T: Chris Waller J: James McDonald W: 56.5kg Age: 2YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Wootton Bassett (GB) Dam: Fiera Vista +360 -111.11 9. King Of Pop (18) T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou J: Zac Lloyd W: 56.5kg Age: 2YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Farnan Dam: Za Zi Ba +1800 +450 10. Quietly Arrogant (7) T: Peter Snowden J: Tommy Berry W: 56.5kg Age: 2YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Colt Sire: Capitalist Dam: Single Sapphire +2500 +625 11. Farcited (17) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Joshua Parr W: 56.5kg Age: 2YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Farnan Dam: I Am Excited +10000 +2500 12. Within The Law (13) T: Bjorn Baker J: Jason Collett W: 54.5kg Age: 2YO Colour: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Lucky Vega (IRE) Dam: Contract Signed +1000 +250 13. Tempted (1) T: James Cummings J: Blake Shinn W: 54.5kg Age: 2YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Filly Sire: Street Boss (USA) Dam: Calliope +450 +113 14. Bellazaine (15) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Regan Bayliss W: 54.5kg Age: 2YO Colour: Bay or Brown Sex: Filly Sire: Zousain Dam: Benella +1600 +400 15. Military Tycoon (12) T: Ciaron Maher J: Thomas Stockdale W: 54.5kg Age: 2YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Filly Sire: Written Tycoon Dam: Military Reign +2500 +625 16. Marhoona (6) T: Michael Freedman J: Damian Lane W: 54.5kg Age: 2YO Colour: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Snitzel Dam: Salma +1200 +300 17(e). Alabama Magic (14) T: Brett Cavanough J: Braith Nock (a) W: 54.5kg Age: 2YO Colour: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Alabama Express Dam: Makfi Lass +20000 +5000 18(e). Nepotism (10) T: Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes J: W: 54.5kg Age: 2YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Brutal (NZ) Dam: Brigite +8000 +2000 Horse racing tips View the full article

Derby placegetter Golden Century (NZ) (Pierro) will travel to Sydney next week to contest the Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill, ahead of a possible tilt at the A$2 million Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) on April 5. While still a maiden after seven starts, Golden Century has shown promise from his debut and only narrowly missed the top honours in the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) in January. He continued on to the $1.25 million Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Champions Day, where he missed the start and powered home to finish third behind Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino) and Thedoctoroflove. Tony Pike has always held the son of Pierro in high regard and the Cambridge horseman was rapt with the performance. “He was very slow away and probably didn’t have all favours when trying to improve into the race, but he closed off the race very strongly late and his sectionals were some of the best of the race,” Pike said. “He’s heading the right way, he’s been very much a work in progress but we always thought he would be a genuine stayer and we couldn’t have been happier with the run, albeit not winning. “He’s come through the race in great order and obviously he seems to be improving with each run, so we’ll take him over for the Tulloch Stakes on Saturday-week, and if he performs well in that, there’s no reason that he won’t back up a week later in the Derby. “We gave him four or five days in the paddock post-Derby and we just kept him ticking over, he’s dropping back in trip to 2000m for the Tulloch so we’ve tried to freshen him up a touch. “He’ll gallop tomorrow morning (Thursday) before he heads over next Tuesday.” While Golden Century was purchased earlier in the season by Australian syndicators OTI Racing, there is no certainty that he will remain across the Tasman after the Derby. “We’re not quite sure yet, we’ll have that discussion post the Derby with OTI and make that call,” Pike said. To be run at Royal Randwick, Golden Century is currently rated a $13 chance in the TAB Futures market for the Australian Derby, with Willydoit on top at $3.60 ahead of Goldrush Guru ($4.50). Closer to home this Saturday, Pike will have a sole representative travelling to Trentham in Val Di Zoldo (NZ) (War Decree). A Group Two winner over 2100m, the mare has been in solid form this preparation and will contest the Gr.3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m). “She’s coming up really well, her best form last year was during the autumn as well and she was very unlucky not to win the Travis Stakes at Group Two level,” Pike said. “Third-up she should be peaking and it looks like a nice race for her, especially with the rain that is around. Any sort of cut in the track will benefit her.” View the full article

Retired superstar Imperatriz will have a race named in her honour from this season’s Cox Plate Day forward, with the program’s existing open 1000-metre handicap now titled the Imperatriz Sprint. The event’s prizemoney will be increased from $150,000 to $200,000 and will be run over the same course on which Imperatriz won the Group 2 McEwen and G1 Moir Stakes in 2023. The Moir victory saw Imperatriz set The Valley’s current 1000-metre course record at 56.47 seconds. She finished her career with five wins from as many starts at The Valley, the others being the 2023 G1 Manikato and both the 2023 and 2024 editions of the G1 William Reid Stakes. The mighty Te Akau mare sits alongside Apache Cat and Black Caviar as the only dual winners of the latter. “Imperatriz retired as the highest-rated sprinting mare in the world and was sold at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for a record $6.6 million to Yulong Investments,” the Moonee Valley Racing Club said in a media statement. “Currently in foal to Pierata, Imperatriz has taken to broodmare life as well as she did to her career on track and, as we celebrate 100 years of the William Reid Stakes, it is a fitting week to announce the Imperatriz Sprint on Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day in 2025.” View the full article

Michael and Matthew Pitman have made the journey from Canterbury to Trentham for many years with an abundance of success along the way, a trend they hope to continue on Saturday with Mystic Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) taking on the Listed Bill Tito Book Repair Specialist Lightning Handicap (1200m). The father-son training partnership won the Lightning back in 2020 with Enzo’s Lad, a galloper that also won two editions of the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at the champagne turf before campaigning in Hong Kong and England. Mystic Park is the newest gun sprinter to come out of their Riccarton operation, with just 12 starts resulting in seven wins, including the Listed Stewards Stakes (1200m) during New Zealand Cup Week last November. The son of Ocean Park was set for a tilt at the Telegraph in January, but a small setback forced the Pitmans to turn their focus to Saturday’s $130,000 contest. “We’re really happy with him, he does a lot of his work with Third Decree and they’ve both been galloping well,” Michael Pitman said. “He’s got a good record fresh, so we’re optimistic. “He just had a little problem earlier on and missed the Telegraph, so we’ve been working towards this.” While a trip to the Queensland Winter Carnival is on the cards for Mystic Park, Pitman hopes the gelding can follow in Enzo’s Lad’s footsteps and travel up to the competitive Asian jurisdiction. “I have nominated him for Hong Kong for the International Races at the end of April, it’s a long shot that he’d get invited but the same connections went up there with Enzo’s Lad, and if we got an invite, we would go,” he said. “If we don’t, that’s not a big deal, but if he could win this race that would certainly help.” Lightly-tried three-year-old Airpark Hustler (NZ) (War Decree) will also feature at the Oaks meeting, taking his place in the Gr.2 IRT Wellington Guineas (1400m). A winner in his delayed debut, Airpark Hustler went on to finish fourth in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m), before a bold run into second behind Loose Sally in the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1600m) last-start. “He’s a lovely horse, he went massive at Dunedin considering it was his third start,” Pitman said. “He was down to have his first start as hot-favourite on the 28th of December at Timaru, but unfortunately he had problems going into the barrier which he’d never had issues with before. We had to go back to the trials before he went to the races which set him back a month. “1400m may be short enough for him on Saturday, but he’s fresh enough as well. It’s drawn a much stronger field that we had anticipated, but he’s well and this is a very nice race for a good stake. “They will work on Thursday morning before travelling up on Thursday afternoon. They’ll go for a walk and a pick on Friday, we don’t worry about working them up there.” The stable will also chase feature success closer to home on Saturday, with Third Decree (NZ) (War Decree) and Epee Beel contesting the Gr.3 Donaldson Brown South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton. Third Decree was a game runner-up to Acquarello in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) during Cup Week and filled the same spot behind Betty Spaghetti last-start at Ashburton. “This will be the first time she steps up to 1600m, she went super the other day and was great during the Cup meeting,” Pitman said. “With her rating, she gets in really well as the highest-rated horse in the field without a stakes win. We don’t think the mile will be a problem if she relaxes well and being drawn 15, she’ll get back anyway. She’s always shown a good turn-of-foot at the end of her races as long as she’s held up for one run.” Epee Beel collected the biggest win of her career in last year’s Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) and finished fourth in the same lead-in run as her stablemate. “It was just too short for her last-start but that was always a lead-in to this race,” Pitman said. “Had the track been wetter, that may have helped her. “She doesn’t mind it wet, we have had a lot of rain but I’d imagine the track will improve a bit by Saturday. If it stayed similar, it would certainly help her chances.” Promising three-year-old Eastandwest (NZ) (Charm Spirit) was a first-up winner for the stable at Ashburton last-start and they have opted to keep the son of Charm Spirit at six furlongs in the Go Racing Rating 65 (1200m). “He was really impressive there, we had planned to go to the trials but after seeing the small field, we thought we would have a crack at a $40,000 race, which was effectively a great maiden to win” Pitman said. “We tossed up whether to go up to 1400m, but off the way he’s working, we’ve opted to leave him at 1200 and claim the three kilos with Abdul Najib on. He’s drawn to get a nice run, so hopefully he gets a bit of luck.” Of their remaining runners, Pitman is looking forward to the Seaton Family Memorial Hororata Gold Cup (1800m), featuring an in-form Proserve (NZ) (Proisir) carrying just 54kg under Samantha Wynne. “I’m happy with Proserve, he’s come back really well this prep and had two fourths before running second the other day,” he said. “He’s aiming at the Riverton Cup, but he’s shown that he can be competitive in open company at Riccarton. He’d have to be a lightweight chance.” View the full article

Promising three-year-old Sought After (NZ) (Tivaci) is to head down a familiar route for Waikato Stud and continue his career in Australia. The homebred and raced son of Tivaci will cross the Tasman next week to join the Pakenham stable of Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman. Sought After will be following in the footsteps of the Matamata farm’s star galloper I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel), who was recently retired following a glittering career. He was a two-time Group One winner, claimed the Golden Eagle (1500m), posted multiple top-flight placings and finished runner-up in The Everest (1200m) to bank more than A$12.5 million. More modest expectations will be in place with Sought After, who nevertheless has displayed an abundance of talent in his short career. He posted two wins and a placing in six appearances for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott and off an interrupted preparation finished a gallant last-start fourth in The NZB Kiwi (1500m). “He will follow the same pathway and go over to Peter and Katherine for a bit, between Lance and I we looked at things and there’s not many options here in the immediate future,” Mark Chittick said. “All parties agreed that we would give him the opportunity over there and see whether he measures up. “He’s lightly raced and it was a shame we weren’t able to get a race into him before The Kiwi because he was competitive, but just a run short.” An Australian programme has yet to be confirmed, but a return home for next year’s Listed $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m) is on the table. “If we feel that’s a good option for him then he’ll come back to Wexford Stables at the appropriate time and have a go at it on Karaka Millions night,” Chittick said. Sought After is a son of the Savabeel mare Popular, whose dam is a sister to the ill-fated multiple Group One winner and successful sire Sacred Falls and remained in the stud’s ownership due to a pre-sale setback. “He had a growth on his larynx, and it left some scarring so he was unable to be sold,” Chittick said. Popular has a two-year-old brother to Sought After and is in foal to the stud’s high-profile young sire Super Seth whose first crop features recent Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) winner Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth) and Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) hero Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth). He has also been represented by the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and Karaka Millions (1200m) winner La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) and the farm’s Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) and Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) winner Sethito (NZ) (Super Seth). “Super Seth couldn’t be going any better, I would have to get back into the history books, but I don’t think our country has had a stallion that has kicked off his career like it,” Chittick said. View the full article

Improving four-year-old First Five (NZ) (Almanzor) will step into open company for the first time in Friday’s Nikau Contractors (1400m) at Pukekohe Park. The son of Almanzor was tried over middle-distance trips as a three-year-old and in the recent spring, but has found his sweet spot back over the sprint trips, winning twice and placing in the remainder of his last four starts. David Greene, who prepares First Five out of Te Rapa, had hoped to continue his momentum into the $350,000 Wairere Falls Classic (1500m) at Matamata earlier this month, but he narrowly failed to make the final field, forcing the gelding to revert back to 1200m. Despite the drop in distance, First Five was only caught in the final bounds by another rising talent in December. “He just keeps getting better at every start, we had hoped to run in the big race that day but unfortunately we were on the ballot,” Greene said. “That was his first time dropping back to 1200m, so it was a pretty good effort to still be sharp enough to go as close as he did, and I think the 1400m is his best trip.” A compact field, Shamus (NZ) (Shamexpress) will carry an impost of 62kg, compressing the weights for the rest of the field with First Five at 54kg under Lynsey Satherley. “He’s going great, he’s been going really well this prep and he continues to improve every week,” Greene said. “He’s in a really golden spot at the moment.” Earlier in the meeting, two-year-old stablemate Sweet Ice (NZ) (Frosted) will return from a freshen-up in the Stella Artois (1200m). The Frosted gelding was a winner on debut at his home course, before taking on a hot field and finishing sixth in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m). “He had a bit of a break after his run on New Year’s Day and come back into it with the trial the other day,” Green said. “He’s gone through a pretty big growing spell, so he’s a different horse physically than he was last time in. He was a little bit smaller and racier in the spring, but he’s a big, rangier middle-distance type of horse now. “It will be interesting to see how he goes on Friday, but there’s probably a lot more to look forward to with him next season rather than the rest of this season.” Sweet Ice currently remains in the nominations for the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham next Saturday, but Green indicated that was an unlikely prospect for his young charge. “He’s still in there, but it’s probably doubtful that we’ll go there at this stage, unless he really convinced us otherwise on Friday,” he said. View the full article

Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners Alexandra Stakes Group Three Betting Guide Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025 Location: Moonee Valley Racecourse – Melbourne, Victoria Prize Money: $200,000 Distance: 1600m The Alexandra Stakes is a Group 3 race for three-year-old fillies, run over 1600m under set weights with penalties at Moonee Valley. First held in 1983, the Alexandra Stakes was originally run on W.S. Cox Plate day before shifting to the autumn carnival in 2013. The Alexandra Stakes held Listed status from 1983 until 2015 before being upgraded to Group 3 in 2016. Since moving later in the season, the quality of winners has varied, though Princess Jenni (2019) and Vibrant Sun (2024) went on to claim the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) later in their campaigns. The 2024 Alexandra Stakes, worth $200,000, was won by Vibrant Sun, defeating Grinzinger Belle and Vivy Air. Notable past winners include Delightful Belle, Flitter, Rose O’War, Miss Pennymoney, Ike’s Dream, Miss Marielle, Fontein Ruby, Oregon’s Day, and Princess Jenni. 2025 Alexandra Stakes betting odds Vibrant Sun ridden by Thomas Stockdale winning the 2024 Group 3 Alexandra Stakes at Moonee Valley. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Odds for the Alexandra Stakes as of March 19 – Courtesy of Neds Too Darn Lizzie Win $3.00 Place $1.40 Gala Queen Win $4.50 Place $1.70 Sneaky Sunrise Win $4.80 Place $1.75 Phenom Win $7.50 Place $2.30 Cilacap Win $8.00 Place $2.40 Qatars Choice Win $15.00 Place $3.70 Hurry Curry Win $18.00 Place $4.20 Navy Heart Win $27.00 Place $5.50 Petawawa Win $51.00 Place $9.00 Light Foot Win $51.00 Place $9.00 She Nailed It Win $81.00 Place $13.00 How to bet on the Alexandra Stakes All of our top horse betting sites and apps have markets for the Alexandra Stakes. The top Alexandra Stakes bookmakers will vary dramatically outside of Australia, although with this being a feature race, it is unlikely any racing betting sites will not have markets available in the days leading up to the running. Alexandra Stakes betting includes an outright fixed odds market, which can be available before the race, while on race-day you can bet on everything from win bets, to place bets right through to your exotics. 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. 7 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. 8 By Players, For Players UniBet Unibet offer daily promotions to registered and logged in customers only Join Unibet Review 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Chances are you are about to lose. Full terms. 9 On Your Side Betfair Australia Australia’s only betting exchange Visit Betfair Review What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit. Full terms. 10 Ladbrokes Switch Ladbrokes Ladbrokes offer daily promotions to registered and logged in customers only Visit Ladbrokes Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Ladbrokes does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. Alexandra Stakes News Vibrant Sun nabs Grinzinger Belle late to claim Alexandra Stakes Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr and Thomas Stockdale have combined with Vibrant Sun to take out the Group 3 … Read More Moonee Valley full racing tips | William Reid Stakes Day 2024 Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Racing returns to Moonee Valley on Saturday for a stacked 10-race meeting headlined by the Group 1 William Reid Stakes … Read More Papillon Club flying with progression after Alexandra Stakes win Australia horse racing news 2 years ago More often than not, Papillon Club meets her challenges, and she did so again in fine fashion with a comfortable … Read More Papillon Club earns well-deserved Group 3 win in Alexandra Stakes Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Tim Clark and Greg Eurell have combined with Papillon Club to take out the Group 2 Alexandra Stakes at Moonee … Read More Moonee Valley full racing preview & quaddie | March 24, 2023 Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Night racing returns to Moonee Valley this Friday with a massive eight-race card headlined by the Group 1 William Reid … Read More Daisies weaves through to win Alexandra Stakes at The Valley Australia horse racing news 3 years ago It took a peach of a ride from Mark Zahra, but three-year-old filly Daisies was able to get the job … Read More 2025 Alexandra Stakes Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Too Darn Lizzie Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Craig Williams 9 59kg 2 Cilacap Grahame Begg Jordan Childs 2 57kg 3 Gala Queen Phillip Stokes Joe Bowditch 4 57kg 4 Sneaky Sunrise Ben, Will & JD Hayes Luke Currie 7 56kg 5 Hurry Curry Danny O’Brien Daniel Stackhouse 8 56kg 6 Phenom Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Beau Mertens 1 56kg 7 Qatars Choice Ciaron Maher Ethan Brown 11 56kg 8 She Nailed It Tim Hughes Jamie Mott 3 56kg 9 Navy Heart Ciaron Maher Declan Bates 6 56kg 10 Petawawa Matthew Dale Billy Egan 5 56kg 11 Light Foot Pat Widdup Harry Coffey 10 56kg Previous Alexandra Stakes Fields 2024 Alexandra Stakes field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Grinzinger Belle Danny O’Brien Michael Dee 1 58kg 2 Certainly Mark Walker Opie Bosson 3 58kg 3 Dolphin Skin Leon & Troy Corstens Harry Coffey 7 57kg 4 Mollynickers Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Ben Melham 6 56kg 5 Socks Nation Ciaron Maher John Allen 2 56kg 6 Vivy Air Archie Alexander Declan Bates 8 56kg 7 Justaboom Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock Jamie Mott 10 56kg 8 Quickster Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Linda Meech 9 56kg 9 Vibrant Sun Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Thomas Stockdale 5 56kg 10 Spangled Sipper Andrew Bobbin Blaike McDougall 4 56kg 2024 Alexandra Stakes result https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Moonee-Valley-2024-Group-3-Alexandra-Stakes-23032024-Vibrant-Sun-Mick-Price-Michael-Kent-Jnr-Thomas-Stockdale.mp4 1st – Vibrant Sun (+900) 2nd – Grinzinger Belle (+180) 3rd – Vivy Air (NTD) Recent runnings of the Alexandra Stakes: 2024: Vibrant Sun arrives in time Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr took out the 2024 Group 3 Alexandra Stakes with their progressive filly Vibrant Sun ($10.00) claiming the tearaway leader Grinzinger Belle ($6.50) in the final strides of the 1600m contest. As the leader ran the field along at a very quick tempo, Thomas Stockdale allowed his mount to settle behind the speed and pick off runners down the side of the Moonee Valley track. With the rest of the field struggling to keep up with Grinzinger Belle, it was left to the daughter of The Autumn Sun to chase down the tiring front-runner in the home straight.The two race favourites Mollynickers ($2.00) and Vivy Air ($5.50) were off the bit well before the home turn and the latter was the only runner to take serious ground off the top two, as she ran into third place. 2023: Papillon Club romps to victory Papillon Club looked to be the best horse in the race and she proved it running away with an arrogant 2.5 length victory in the 2023 Group 3 Alexandra Strakes. Even though the odds-on favourite with online bookmakers had to jump from the outside barrier and do a little bit of work to find the outside of the leader, Tass, Tim Clark didn’t worry as he let his filly find her feet and travel to the home bend under a vice-like grip. As the field rounded the home turn, the daughter of Toronado took control of the race and quickly put it to bed with a burst of acceleration that saw her put up two lengths on the slowing leader, before Clark put the whip away and rode her out hands and heels to record a very soft 2.5 length win. 2022: Mark Zahra rounded out a successful evening with one of the rides of the night aboard Daisies in the 2022 Group 3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley. The Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr-trained three-year-old filly started a drifting $8.50 chance in the 3YO Fillies’ event, with punters getting the race wrong as the heavily-backed So You See dropped off to run sixth after a wide run in transit. Daisies looked like a good thing beat, but once a gap appeared 150m out from home, she proved too hard to hold out. Previous winners of the Alexandra Stakes Alexandra Stakes Past Winners Year Horse Jockey Trainer 2024 Vibrant Sun Thomas Stockdale Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) 2023 Papillon Club Tim Clark Greg Eurell 2022 Daisies Mark Zahra Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) 2021 Chica Fuerte Mark Zahra Anthony & Sam Freedman 2020 Paradee Damien Oliver Danny O’Brien 2019 Princess Jenni Damien Oliver David Brideoake 2018 Think Bleue Damian Lane Darren Weir 2017 Oregon’s Day Mark Zahra Mick Price 2016 Thames Court Hugh Bowman David Brideoake 2015 Fontein Ruby Mark Zahra Robert Smerdon 2014 Marianne Craig Williams Michael Kent 2013 You’re So Good Vlad Duric Nigel Blackiston 2012 Torah Luke Nolen Peter Moody 2011 Zubbaya Michael Walker Lee Freedman 2010 Sublimity Damien Oliver Darren Weir 2009 Bauble Craig Williams David Hayes 2008 Miss Marielle Craig Williams David Hayes 2007 Manna Miss Craig Williams David Hayes 2006 Brockman’s Lass Kerrin McEvoy Lee Freedman 2005 Creative Plan Damien Oliver Tony Vasil 2004 Ike’s Dream Darren Gauci John Hawkes 2003 Dextrous Darren Gauci John Hawkes 2002 Omens Darren Gauci John Hawkes 2001 Donna Dior Damien Oliver Bede Murray 2000 Miss Pennymoney Damien Oliver Jim Conlan Alexandra Stakes winners pre-2000 Alexandra Stakes Past Winners Pre 2000 Year Horse 1999 Miss Pennymoney 1998 Rose O’ War 1997 Melinte 1996 Simply Believe / Suria 1995 Vigil 1994 Ladybird Blue 1993 Super Snooper 1992 Flitter 1991 Dancefloor Doll 1990 Mammy 1989 Aretha 1988 Memphis Blues 1987 Sandy’s Pleasure 1986 Glowing Idol 1985 Torvill 1984 Delightful Belle 1983 Sentimental Lady Recommended! Take It To The Neds Level Home of the Neds Toolbox Check Out Neds 18+ Gamble Responsibly Full terms Punters Prefer Blondes It’s a fact, Blondes have more fun Join BlondeBet 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE?. Say Hey to the social bet! You Better Believe It Join Dabble 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE?. Full terms. Next Gen Racing Betting Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? It Pays To Play New online bookmaker Check Out PlayUp 18+ Gamble Responsibly View the full article

Golden Century (left) will contest next Saturday’s Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Derby placegetter Golden Century will travel to Sydney next week to contest the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill, ahead of a possible tilt at the A$2 million Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m). While still a maiden after seven starts, Golden Century has shown promise from his debut and only narrowly missed the top honours in the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) in January. He continued on to the $1.25 million Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Champions Day, where he missed the start and powered home to finish third behind Willydoit and Thedoctoroflove. Tony Pike has always held the son of Pierro in high regard and the Cambridge horseman was rapt with the performance. “He was very slow away and probably didn’t have all favours when trying to improve into the race, but he closed off the race very strongly late and his sectionals were some of the best of the race,” Pike said. “He’s heading the right way, he’s been very much a work in progress but we always thought he would be a genuine stayer and we couldn’t have been happier with the run, albeit not winning. “He’s come through the race in great order and obviously he seems to be improving with each run, so we’ll take him over for the Tulloch Stakes on Saturday-week, and if he performs well in that, there’s no reason that he won’t back up a week later in the Derby. “We gave him four or five days in the paddock post-Derby and we just kept him ticking over, he’s dropping back in trip to 2000m for the Tulloch so we’ve tried to freshen him up a touch. “He’ll gallop tomorrow morning (Thursday) before he heads over next Tuesday.” While Golden Century was purchased earlier in the season by Australian syndicators OTI Racing, there is no certainty that he will remain across the Tasman after the Derby. “We’re not quite sure yet, we’ll have that discussion post the Derby with OTI and make that call,” Pike said. To be run at Royal Randwick, Golden Century is currently rated a $13 chance in the online bookmakers futures market for the Australian Derby, with Willydoit on top at $3.60 ahead of Goldrush Guru ($4.50). Closer to home this Saturday, Pike will have a sole representative travelling to Trentham in Val Di Zoldo. A Group Two winner over 2100m, the mare has been in solid form this preparation and will contest the Group 3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m). “She’s coming up really well, her best form last year was during the autumn as well and she was very unlucky not to win the Travis Stakes at Group Two level,” Pike said. “Third-up she should be peaking and it looks like a nice race for her, especially with the rain that is around. Any sort of cut in the track will benefit her.” Horse racing news View the full article