Wandering Eyes

Riva Capri will tackle the boys in the Group 2 Sacred Falls Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday. Photo credit: Race Images Guy Lowry has a plan to make amends for a Group 1 that got away. Lowry and training partner Grant Cullen produced Xpression as favourite for last year’s Group 1 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton but watched on as she could only manage third behind Media Sensation and Valalie. The Hastings duo have Riva Capri set for the gavelhouse.com 1000 Guineas (1600m) on November 16 and will continue her buildup to the Classic when they saddle her for Saturday’s Group 2 Sacred Falls Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) on her home track. “I’m still trying to work out how Xpression got beaten,” Lowry quipped. “That’s the aim for Riva Capri. She’ll probably have a week in the paddock after this one and having run in the Gold Trail and then the Guineas, she could go in with just a trial if we wanted. If she does have another one, it will be up here rather than the South Island.” Riva Capri is already a stakes winner, having won the Listed O’Leary Fillies Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui last month at just her second start. She then contested last month’s Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings as an outsider but had she got a clear run, she would have figured in the finish. “She was unlucky. She was going pretty well and just didn’t get a crack at them,” Lowry said. “It will be tough against the colts this weekend but we are on her home track and she needs another run before the Guineas. The (slow) track will be in her favour and she’s got a good draw. We’d be quite happy running second behind a star boy.” The rising star of the Guineas is Catalyst, a $1.28 TAB favourite after decisive wins in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings and the Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka in his last two starts. Lib Petagna-bred and raced Atlante filly Riva Capri is the $13 fourth favourite for the race. Saturday’s meeting is a big one for the Lowry-Cullen stable with nine acceptors, including Atlanta Peach in the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m). The Bullbars mare ran home boldly for sixth in the Group 1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings last month and is right on target for Saturday’s feature, Lowry said. “She ran home really well here on the middle day and we think she should get the distance. “She took a long time to pull up after that last one and she’s really trained on nicely. She’s drawn well so she should get an economical trip. She’s on her home track and she’s not without her chance. While she’s only a 76-rater, she has been set for this race.” Lowry and Cullen’s other entries are Shez Ekstra, Talenti, Vickezzmoet, Penny Royal, Allacciato, Tuigirl and Mohaka. “This is our big day and while they are all in strong races, they are all eachway chances,” Lowry said. The post Hastings trainers seek Guineas redemption appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Probabeel is challenging for favouritism on the Group One Flight Stakes for three-year-old fillies. As the boss of New Zealand’s Te Akau Racing operation, David Ellis is used to success at home and abroad but takes nothing for granted. Te Akau has New Zealand champion Melody Belle vying to become the first horse to win the Hastings triple crown on Saturday and Te Akau Shark and Probabeel racing for Group One wins at Randwick in Sydney. Te Akau Shark is among the favourites for the Epsom Handicap while Probabeel is the only filly given a chance to topple Funstar in the Flight Stakes with both races over 1600m. The Chris Waller-trained Funstar got the decision by a nose in the Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) with Ellis and trainer Jamie Richards hoping to turn the tables over the longer distance. “We’ve always sent our good horses to Australia, but also been mindful of sending the right horses because it’s never been easy to win over there,” Ellis told NZ Racing Desk. “First and foremost, you have got to have the right horses. We felt that with Probabeel and Te Akau Shark were horses that could compete at this time of year in Sydney, and they’ve certainly proven that.” “We’ve been so proud of Probabeel in her first two starts at Randwick,” Ellis said. “I thought her fresh-up run (fourth) over 1200 metres in the Furious Stakes was terrific, but when she charged home to only be beaten a nose last time in the Tea Rose it was pretty hard to swallow. “We’ve had a plan of setting Probabeel for the Princess Series after she won the Karaka Million and an Epsom goal with Te Akau Shark after he won the Coupland’s Mile last November.” Probabeel is aiming to become the first New Zealand filly since Sunline in 1998 to win the Flight. Richards has been travelling back and forth across the Tasman over the past few weeks. “Probabeel drew the outside (6) in a small field, so she’s got to go back but won’t be too far off them and she’ll run well,” he said. “I was really happy with her work on Tuesday morning. “She worked over 1000 metres on the grass. “I’ve just kept things pretty simple. She’s a filly that could become pretty dour if we stepped up her work too much, so we’ve kept it sharp. “She is eating well, held her condition, and I think she looks terrific.” Funstar was at $1.85 on Wednesday with Probabeel $2.20. The other four runners were at $21 or longer. The post Probabeel and Funstar to take Flight in G1 appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

A 25 per cent share in the Kris Lees-trained Cups entry Mustajeer will be offered at auction. A 25 per cent share in leading Caulfield and Melbourne Cups contender Mustajeer is to be auctioned ahead of the Ebor winner’s tilt at the Australian spring features. Inglis will take bids through its Digital Online platform next Tuesday and Wednesday. Australian Bloodstock have bought a controlling interest in Mustajeer who has been transferred to trainer Kris Lees with the 25 per cent share offered by Gaelic Bloodstock. The former Irish horse arrived in Melbourne last week and Lees visited him at the Werribee quarantine centre on Wednesday. “He looks pretty sound for an older horse, so it looks pretty positive so far,” Lees said. “He’ll have a gallop towards the end of the week and again some time next week. “Then he’ll go to Caulfield when he clears quarantine and stay at Clinton McDonald’s and have a gallop on the course proper on the Tuesday before the Cup. “He’s a lovely looking horse that seems quite adaptable in his racing style, whether it’s forward or back, plus he’s performed on firm ground which he found in the Ebor and he beat home Prince of Arran who performed very well here previously, so I think he meets all the credentials,’ Mustajeer is a Group One placegetter in Europe behind Magical in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and split leading European stayers Master of Reality and Southern France in the Vintage Crop Stakes in April. He is at $15 for the Caulfield Cup and $18 for the Melbourne Cup. Damien Oliver has been booked to ride him in the Caulfield Cup. Inglis Digital Business Manager Nick Melmeth said the sale was a coup for Online Auction platform. “It’s also a great chance for someone to buy into a horse with Mustajeer’s profile, who is not only qualified for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup, but is a live chance in both races,” Melmeth said. Bidding on the share in Mustajeer share will open at 9am (AEDT) on Tuesday. The post Quarter share in Mustajeer up for auction appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Looks Like Elvis will step into Group One company for the first time in the Turnbull Stakes. Brisbane trainer Bryan Dais dreams of having a Caulfield Cup runner and they can become a reality if Looks Like Elvis wins the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Looks Like Elvis is the best horse Dais has prepared and will be his first Group One runner when he contests Saturday’s 2000m race that gives the winner ballot exemption into the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 19. Dais isn’t underselling the magnitude of Saturday’s assignment, having not saddled too many horses capable of running in black-type type races, let alone tackling Group One winners Hartnell, Trap For Fool, Mr Quickie and Mystic Journey. Looks Like Elvis was in Melbourne during the autumn, finishing a narrow second to Schabau over 2000m, leaving Surprise Baby behind him. Dais explained things didn’t pan out that day before reeling off strong late sectionals. “He was a bit stiff not to win,” Dais said. “He drew a good alley but didn’t really use it and he got shuffled out the back, was last on the turn and had to come out wide to get a run. “It wasn’t a bad ride, he just didn’t get a lot of racing luck on the day.” Dais explained Looks Like Elvis took benefit from his autumn trip south before a planned break during winter. The trainer wanted to give Looks Like Elvis his opportunity in Melbourne during the spring and made the decision to head south after his latest win at Eagle Farm on September 21. “We were going to come two weeks ago for the Naturalism (MRC Foundation Cup) which might have been an easier assignment, but it didn’t work out,” Dais said. “There was 26 nominations, the travel didn’t line up, plus there was a good race at Eagle Farm for decent prize money. “If he didn’t get a start at Caulfield it would have been a month between runs, so we decided to wait. “He’s a trier and if some of them are off their game, or a doubt at the trip, he’ll be strong.” Looks Like Elvis is a $34 outsider with Mystic Journey already firming into $2.70 favouritism. Second favourite Mr Quickie has been easy since Wednesday’s barrier draw from $3.80 to $4.20 while the Chris Waller-trained Finche has firmed into $8.50 third favourite. The post Queenslander chasing Caulfield Cup start appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Jockey Brenton Avdulla has the Epsom Handicap ride on Gem Song at 52kg for the famous Randwick mile. At least four horses will carry half a kilogram more than their original weights in the Epsom Handicap with 10 of the 18 runners on less than 51kg. So far Kerrin McEvoy (Rock 50.5kg), Dom Tourneur (Archedemus 50.5kg) Michael Dee (Star Of The Seas 50kg) and Damien Thornton (Junipal 50kg) have been given permission to ride half a kilogram over those handicaps in Saturday’s $1 million race over the famous Randwick mile. Dreamforce is topweight with 57kg, 2kg more than Group One winner Best Of Days. The presence of the lightly weighted horses has also prompted trainers to cast the net wide looking for riders with several less than familiar names in Sydney racing in the Group One mix. Tourneur has been recruited from Adelaide, Dee and Thornton from Melbourne and Ben Thompson (Nettoyer) from Singapore while Jess Taylor (Le Juge), apprentice Brock Ryan (The Candy Man), Andrew Gibbons (Kaonic) and James Innes Jr (Desert Lord) all get a rare Group One opportunity. Gibbons, a prolific winner in provincial and country NSW and a mainstay of the Kris Lees stable, comes to Randwick primarily to ride the Lees-trained Attention Run in the Group One Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) at 50kg. Brenton Avdulla is a more familiar name at the top level in Sydney but has some work to do to ride the Lees-trained Gem Song at 52kg. “I was 57-and-a-half (kg) on Sunday night so I’ve still got a bit of work to do,” Avdulla said. Gem Song is backing up from his second as favourite in Saturday’s Group Two Shannon Stakes (1500m). “He performs well on the back-up,” Avdulla said. “It might have been disappointing as a punter, the favourite getting beaten but I’ve won an Epsom before after a similar sort of thing on Secret Admirer. “She ran fourth in the Shannon.” Lees agrees the quick back-up will be beneficial to Gem Song. “I think Gem Song has a great chance. He’s drawn well and has a nice weight,” he said. “He’ll back up well from Saturday’s race, so he’s right in it.” Gem Song is at $12 with the Chris Waller-trained Kolding, to be ridden by Glen Boss, the firming $5 favourite. Lees also has Group One winner El Dorado Dreaming in the race and can see positives despite her $34 quote. “She was bit plain first-up but she will improve deeper into the preparation,” he said. “She drops to 50 kilos, gets to a mile at her favourite track at Randwick, so there’s a couple of pluses there.” The post Light jockeys in demand in Group One Epsom appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

The Shark head to Cambridge Raceway on Thursday night in search of harness winners courtesy of Waikato Harness Racing. For more punting information head to The Punters Lounge Race 1: 6 Splitting Image: Consistent, if nothing else, since returning from a spell and most importantly, the manners are excellent. Each way hope in this line up. 7 Highland Queen: Very brave in defeat here a couple of weeks back when going down narrowly. It’s all on the manners. But good enough to win. 1 Presidential Jewel: Showed a bit of upside with a strong second last time out and that was at Auckland. Clean beginning required from the ace draw. 2 Flying Scotsman: Has showed a modicum of ability in workouts and trials. First race start is always a concern with a trotter but there’s a bit to work with it would appear. Selections: 6-7-1-2 Race 2: 11 Mozzarella: Workout and trial form looks very good for tonight’s debut effort. Second line draw isn’t the worst thing and might one at value to get involved in. 13 Lindi Lincoln: Strong effort to finish third fresh up last time out up the road. Won’t be held in the maiden grade for too long but some work to do from the draw tonight. 5 Sarandon: First starter from an in-form barn with some nice trial form behind her. Handy draw and leading driver in the bike makes for a dangerous combination. 1 Greenback Boogie: Nicely bred debutant from a good stable with a handy draw and a top driver. There’s a few ticks there. Might get better with racing but a chance still. Selections: 11-13-5-1 Race 3 1 Superfast Ninja: There was a bit of money floating about for the fresh up run at Auckland, but things went wrong. This isn’t a strong field and where there’s smoke, there’s fire. 9 Lukyanova: Jump and run sort of type who’s chances will hinge on a flying stand start beginning. Could be hard to run down if allowed own terms. 3 Pretorious: Hasn’t been racing too badly this campaign when you break it all down. Not a deep line up tonight so has to be a strong chance in the line up. 7 Creamee: Should be at peak fitness now and does hold more promise than most in this line up. Not the worst chance based on that last start fourth. Selections: 1-9-3-7 Race 4 5 Some Do: Has shown plenty in the three career starts to date and that last run at Auckland was against a hot field. Should have this field under control based on that alone. 4 The Paua Diver: Very nice effort for second last time out behind a very smart type. Handier draw here and should be right in the thick of the action. 10 All Yours: Not a bad run in sight for longer than anyone can remember. Off the second line here, but that might not be a bad thing. Can get into it when he likes. 9 Jimmy Fox: Has showed a bit and was very good on debut. Tricky draw here, but might need some luck to get away from it. Good enough though. Selections: 5-4-10-9 Race 5 3 Major Jellis: First starter from the Barry Purdon barn with some tidy workout and trial form. Has to be considered a strong winning chance from tonight’s handy draw. 13 Ohoka Bandit: Two good runs to open the career and comes up with a tricky draw here with plenty of others to get around. Don’t discount though, good enough to win it. 4 Ace Strike: Three good runs to open the career and has faced adversity in those runs too. Might get it a little better in this race tonight and no surprise to see a bg run. 1 Harvey Specter: Nice type who is back from a spell. Did some good things last season. Nice draw and seemed ready with strong workout effort recently. Have in. Selections: 3-13-4-1 Race 6 6 Cop That: Penny has well and truly dropped and it’s game on now for him. He’s got big things ahead of him and he should prove to be very hard to beat tonight. 5 Mighty Looee: Massive effort to win at Auckland last time, really had no right to do it. Will be interesting to see how he stacks up in this line up tonight. 3 Line Up: Can’t fault the form, there’s three good runs in there and a repeat of any of them will have him right in contention here tonight. 7 Prince Of Pleasure: Carries all the money, but hasn’t quite converted it to race night yet. Too good to drop and hot speed might bring the best out in him. Selections: 6-5-3-7 Race 7 7 The Empress: Down the road from Auckland where the form has been pretty good. Meets an even looking field tonight and gets a good opportunity to get a win on the board. 6 Mohs Em Down: Took on a strong field in the Te Awamutu Cup and was too good form them. This actually looks easier so has to be considered a big winning hope again. 11 Parker: Fresh up tonight and might be the smokey of the field. Does go good enough to give a field like this a shake. Tricky draw, but has the ability. 5 Ally Mae: Doesn’t go a bad race. Just a good genuine, honest performer who will surely stand out again here and offer some more of the same. Selections: 7-6-11-5 Race 8 8 She Reigns: Two runs back for two wins, both as good as the other. Another step up tonight, but handling all challenges so far and no reason why not again. 9 The Hulk: Back to Cambridge after some strong runs recently at Auckland. Unbeaten on the track but does have a few to get around. Still a big hope. 1 Aoraki: Form is excellent and trotting like a stag and doing it nicely. Should have enough in the motor department to play a role in tonight’s assignment. 10 Lovely Bundy: Underrated wee trotter who could give a bit of a fright in this race if in the right mood. Needs to run quickly. Chance if that happens. Selections: 8-9-1-10 Race 9 2 Jingles Bromac: Excellent form in recent months and gets a good draw to work with tonight. Will set out to make the most of it and should be hard to run down. 4 Allonblack: Couldn’t get onto the speed at Auckland last time. This is easier and if allowed to get to the top and dictate own terms he’s a big chance. 3 Runcle: Running good races and like many other key rivals has a good draw to work from tonight. Might just look to make the most of that early. Each way. 1 Mhai Uptown Girl: Hasn’t had all the luck in the world recently but gets what should be an excellent draw here tonight and can make the most of it late. Selections: 2-4-3-1 BEST: 5 Some Do (Race 4) NEXT: 2 Jingles Bromac (Race 9) VALUE: 11 Mozzarella (Race 2) The post The Shark – Best at Cambridge on Thursday 3rd October 2019 appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

The Shark head to Cambridge Raceway on Thursday night in search of harness winners courtesy of Waikato Harness Racing. For more punting information head to The Punters Lounge Race 1: 6 Splitting Image: Consistent, if nothing else, since returning from a spell and most importantly, the manners are excellent. Each way hope in this line up. 7 Highland Queen: Very brave in defeat here a couple of weeks back when going down narrowly. It’s all on the manners. But good enough to win. 1 Presidential Jewel: Showed a bit of upside with a strong second last time out and that was at Auckland. Clean beginning required from the ace draw. 2 Flying Scotsman: Has showed a modicum of ability in workouts and trials. First race start is always a concern with a trotter but there’s a bit to work with it would appear. Selections: 6-7-1-2 Race 2: 11 Mozzarella: Workout and trial form looks very good for tonight’s debut effort. Second line draw isn’t the worst thing and might one at value to get involved in. 13 Lindi Lincoln: Strong effort to finish third fresh up last time out up the road. Won’t be held in the maiden grade for too long but some work to do from the draw tonight. 5 Sarandon: First starter from an in-form barn with some nice trial form behind her. Handy draw and leading driver in the bike makes for a dangerous combination. 1 Greenback Boogie: Nicely bred debutant from a good stable with a handy draw and a top driver. There’s a few ticks there. Might get better with racing but a chance still. Selections: 11-13-5-1 Race 3 1 Superfast Ninja: There was a bit of money floating about for the fresh up run at Auckland, but things went wrong. This isn’t a strong field and where there’s smoke, there’s fire. 9 Lukyanova: Jump and run sort of type who’s chances will hinge on a flying stand start beginning. Could be hard to run down if allowed own terms. 3 Pretorious: Hasn’t been racing too badly this campaign when you break it all down. Not a deep line up tonight so has to be a strong chance in the line up. 7 Creamee: Should be at peak fitness now and does hold more promise than most in this line up. Not the worst chance based on that last start fourth. Selections: 1-9-3-7 Race 4 5 Some Do: Has shown plenty in the three career starts to date and that last run at Auckland was against a hot field. Should have this field under control based on that alone. 4 The Paua Diver: Very nice effort for second last time out behind a very smart type. Handier draw here and should be right in the thick of the action. 10 All Yours: Not a bad run in sight for longer than anyone can remember. Off the second line here, but that might not be a bad thing. Can get into it when he likes. 9 Jimmy Fox: Has showed a bit and was very good on debut. Tricky draw here, but might need some luck to get away from it. Good enough though. Selections: 5-4-10-9 Race 5 3 Major Jellis: First starter from the Barry Purdon barn with some tidy workout and trial form. Has to be considered a strong winning chance from tonight’s handy draw. 13 Ohoka Bandit: Two good runs to open the career and comes up with a tricky draw here with plenty of others to get around. Don’t discount though, good enough to win it. 4 Ace Strike: Three good runs to open the career and has faced adversity in those runs too. Might get it a little better in this race tonight and no surprise to see a bg run. 1 Harvey Specter: Nice type who is back from a spell. Did some good things last season. Nice draw and seemed ready with strong workout effort recently. Have in. Selections: 3-13-4-1 Race 6 6 Cop That: Penny has well and truly dropped and it’s game on now for him. He’s got big things ahead of him and he should prove to be very hard to beat tonight. 5 Mighty Looee: Massive effort to win at Auckland last time, really had no right to do it. Will be interesting to see how he stacks up in this line up tonight. 3 Line Up: Can’t fault the form, there’s three good runs in there and a repeat of any of them will have him right in contention here tonight. 7 Prince Of Pleasure: Carries all the money, but hasn’t quite converted it to race night yet. Too good to drop and hot speed might bring the best out in him. Selections: 6-5-3-7 Race 7 7 The Empress: Down the road from Auckland where the form has been pretty good. Meets an even looking field tonight and gets a good opportunity to get a win on the board. 6 Mohs Em Down: Took on a strong field in the Te Awamutu Cup and was too good form them. This actually looks easier so has to be considered a big winning hope again. 11 Parker: Fresh up tonight and might be the smokey of the field. Does go good enough to give a field like this a shake. Tricky draw, but has the ability. 5 Ally Mae: Doesn’t go a bad race. Just a good genuine, honest performer who will surely stand out again here and offer some more of the same. Selections: 7-6-11-5 Race 8 8 She Reigns: Two runs back for two wins, both as good as the other. Another step up tonight, but handling all challenges so far and no reason why not again. 9 The Hulk: Back to Cambridge after some strong runs recently at Auckland. Unbeaten on the track but does have a few to get around. Still a big hope. 1 Aoraki: Form is excellent and trotting like a stag and doing it nicely. Should have enough in the motor department to play a role in tonight’s assignment. 10 Lovely Bundy: Underrated wee trotter who could give a bit of a fright in this race if in the right mood. Needs to run quickly. Chance if that happens. Selections: 8-9-1-10 Race 9 2 Jingles Bromac: Excellent form in recent months and gets a good draw to work with tonight. Will set out to make the most of it and should be hard to run down. 4 Allonblack: Couldn’t get onto the speed at Auckland last time. This is easier and if allowed to get to the top and dictate own terms he’s a big chance. 3 Runcle: Running good races and like many other key rivals has a good draw to work from tonight. Might just look to make the most of that early. Each way. 1 Mhai Uptown Girl: Hasn’t had all the luck in the world recently but gets what should be an excellent draw here tonight and can make the most of it late. Selections: 2-4-3-1 BEST: 5 Some Do (Race 4) NEXT: 2 Jingles Bromac (Race 9) VALUE: 11 Mozzarella (Race 2) The post The Shark – Best at Cambridge on Thursday 3rd October 2019 appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

After pushing his preferred distance a bit to win the inaugural Saratoga Derby at 1 3/16 miles and compete in the 1 1/2-mile Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes this year, A Thread of Blue will turn back in distance for the Hill Prince (G2T). View the full article

TDN Senior Editor Steve Sherack makes his TDN podcast debut today, joining Joe Bianca, Brian DiDonato and DJ Stables’ Jon Green. The writers debate the Vino Rosso DQ, talk Horse of the Year picture, and spend a little bit of time mocking Bill Finley, who was out with the flu. They also weigh in on the TDN’s new series, “What Would You Fix First?” and let us know what they would each fix first, and have some very interesting answers.Finally, what do Tupac and Biggie have to do with racing? Joe Bianca explains. Listen to the podcast here. The post TDN Writers’ Room Podcast for Oct 2 is Now Posted appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sanford Stakes (G3) victor By Your Side will take on electric maiden winner Gouverneur Morris in the $500,000 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1), a 1 1/16-mile event for 2-year-old colts Oct. 5 at Keeneland. View the full article

Experience always comes in handy and it could play a decisive role in the $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1T) at Belmont Park. View the full article

Clements hopes Vipasiri can go well fresh View the full article

All out to Jack up ratings and get into Gold Cup calculations View the full article

Debt Collector makes his Australian debut this Saturday View the full article

Early scratching October 4 View the full article

Rancho San Miguel is pleased to announce that Dennis Yokum will join the farm as Farm Manager, effective October 28th. View the full article

Breeders' Cup announced the return of 'ALL IN: The Road to The Classic,' the brand's original digital docuseries that showcases the journeys of the world-class trainers, owners, breeders and horses competing for a starting spot in the Classic. View the full article

After winning his grade 1 debut in his previous start, undefeated 3-year-old colt Valid Point will try top older horses Oct. 5 when he starts in the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (G1T) on the Keeneland turf. View the full article

Mia Mischief broke through to the top level this past spring in Kentucky, and she is back in the Bluegrass following a summer at the Spa. She will face eight other fillies and mares Oct. 5 in the $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2). View the full article

Five months after he was scratched as the morning-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), Omaha Beach makes his long-awaited return when he faces five rivals in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G1) Oct. 5. View the full article

German highweight and MG1SW Best Solution (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}-Al Andalyya, by Kingmambo) has been retired from racing, Godolphin announced. Stud plans for the three-time Group 1 winner are pending. “Best Solution won Pattern races at two, three and four, and gave us three fantastic days with his Group 1 victories in Germany and Australia last year,” said trainer Saeed bin Suroor. “He was a brilliant horse to train and represented Godolphin with great credit throughout the world. He was a very brave horse, who always gave his all in his races, and we had some great times with him. We will miss him at Godolphin Stables, but hopefully we can look forward to training some of his sons and daughters in the future.” Bred by Cecil and Martin McCracken in Ireland, the bay was a 32,000gns TATOCT weanling turned 90,000gns TATDEC yearling when picked up by John Ferguson Bloodstock to race in the Godolphin blue. Successful in the G3 Autumn S. and runner-up in the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud as a juvenile, Best Solution added the G3 St. Simon S. at three, but proved the finished article at four. During the late summer and fall of last year, the son of Kodiac rattled off four wins in succession-the G2 Princess of Wales’s S. in England, Hoppegarten’s G1 Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin and Baden Baden’s G1 Longines Grosser Preis von Baden in Germany and Australia’s G1 Caulfield Cup Down Under. The 5-year-old is retiring after running fifth in Cologne’s G1 Preis von Europa on Sept 22 and sports a mark of 25-9-2-3 and $3,314,220 in earnings. His second dam is a full-sister to multiple highweight and MG1SW Brian Boru (GB) (Sadler’s Wells) and a half to MGSW & MGISP Sea Moon (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}). The post Champion Best Solution Retired, Stud Plans Pending appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

G1SW Eqtidaar (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}-Madany {Ire}, by Acclamation {GB}), a homebred for Shadwell, will stand at that operations Nunnery Stud in 2020. A fee for the 2018 G1 Commonwealth Cup victor will be announced later and he will be available to view at Beech House Stud during the Tattersalls December Sales. “Eqtidaar is an outstanding model, who really fills the eye,” said Shadwell Stud Director Richard Lancaster. “He is a good-looking, well-balanced horse with great length. He has all the attributes to meet the demands of commercial breeders-he’s a Group 1-winning sprinter by one of the hottest sire of sires in Europe.” Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, the bay also ran second in the G3 Pavilion S. two starts prior to his Commonwealth win and was a debut winner in August of 2017. His record stands at 8-2-1-0 with earnings of $413,344. A half-brother to GSW and MG1SP Massaat (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) who was runner-up in the G1 2000 Guineas, Eqtidaar is out of a winning half-sister to GSW Dolled Up (Ire) (Whipper) and MSW Zeiting (Ire) (Zieten). The last named is the dam of Italian highweight Combat Zone (Ire) (Refuse to Bend {Ire}), GSWs Scottish (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and Royal Empire (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and the GSP Zut Alors (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), who has produced French 1000 Guineas heroine Precieuse (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}). Added regular pilot Jim Crowley, “”I knew he was something special from the first day I sat on him at Nottingham, when he won very readily on debut. For a big, strong horse he is the most beautiful mover, who covers a lot of ground.” “This well-balance quality son of Invincible Spirit had a great temperament, and was at his best when winning the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in 2018,” said Sir Michael Stoute. The post Eqtidaar to Stand at Nunnery Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Breeze Easy's promising filly Karak will take her stakes-winning form to the next level Oct. 5 when she headlines a field of six juvenile fillies in the $150,000 Matron Stakes (G3T) at Belmont Park. View the full article

The lure of racing at Keeneland is such that 13 rivals oppose Rushing Fall in the $400,000 First Lady Stakes Presented by UK Health Care (G1T) Oct. 5. View the full article

In the end, it all worked out as planned for Stronach Stables' Green Light Go. View the full article