Wandering Eyes

Two of the top colts in a murky 3-year-old male division will attempt to clarify the year-end picture as they take on their elders in a five-horse renewal of Belmont’s GI Jockey Club Gold Cup S. Saturday, a “Win and You’re In” race for the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic. Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}) threw his hat into the ring for divisional leadership last time out with a decisive late-running score in the GI Runhappy Travers S. at Saratoga Aug. 24, where he defeated the re-opposing Tacitus (Tapit) by three lengths. Victorious in the GII Xpressbet.com Fountain of Youth S. this winter, the chestnut was third behind Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) in a paceless renewal of the GI Xpressbet.com Florida Derby Mar. 30 and crossed the line third, but was promoted to second via DQ in the GI Kentucky Derby May 4. Given a break for the rest of the Triple Crown trail, the W. S. Farish homebred returned to action with a good-looking score in the one-mile GIII Dwyer S. July 6 prior to his Travers triumph. “I think it’s a good spot for him. It’s a small field so hopefully the speed will show a little bit,” conditioner Shug McGaughey told the NYRA notes team. “We’ll just let him run his race. He came out of the Travers fine and he’s coming back a month off of that effort but he seems to be doing really well. I think he’ll run his race, and we’ll see if he’s good enough. There are some nice horses in the field but if he goes over there and runs his race, I think they’ll know he’s in there.” Victor of the GII Tampa Bay Derby and GII Wood Memorial S. earlier this term, Tacitus was third via DQ in the Kentucky Derby. He has had a bit of seconditis since, completing the exacta in the GI Belmont S. June 8, GII Jim Dandy S. July 27 and the Travers. Five 3-year-olds have won the JC Gold Cup since 2000 when Albert the Great (Go For Gin) completed the feat. He was followed by Bernardini (A.P. Indy) in 2006, Curlin (Smart Strike) in 2007, Summer Bird (Birdstone) in 2009 and Tonalist (Tapit) in 2014. Curlin was the last to complete the Gold Cup/GI Breeders’ Cup Classic double in 2007. He successfully defended his Gold Cup title in 2008. Preservationist (Arch) has really come into his own this year at age six. Capturing a pair of optional claimers, at Aqueduct Feb. 2 and Belmont May 23, he followed suit with a win in the GII Suburban S. July 6 in Elmont. Fourth behind ‘TDN Rising Star’ McKinzie (Street Sense) in Saratoga’s prestigious GI Whitney S., the bay rebounded with a tenacious victory in that venue’s historic GI Woodward S. Aug. 31. Vino Rosso (Curlin) seeks his second top-level score of the season. Opening his 2019 account with a win in the Stymie S. Mar. 9 at the Big A, the chestnut was fourth in the seven-furlong GI Carter H. there Apr. 6. Sent to California next out, he proved that decision wise with a victory in the GI Gold Cup at Santa Anita May 27 and was third last time in the Whitney. Rounding out the quintet is longshot Olympic Village (Congrats), a 3-year-old who was claimed out of his last start. Off the board in his Laurel debut Oct. 11, the gelding won his next two starts there in November for owner/breeder Live Oak Plantation and trainer Mike Stidham. He was not seen again until this year at Saratoga in a seven-furlong, $75,000 claimer, which he won by three lengths and was haltered by trainer Anthony Quartarolo. Cross-entered for Saturday’s GIII Ack Ack S. at Churchill, Olympic Village races in the colors of Ron Paolucci Racing. The post Top Sophomores Take on Elders in JC Gold Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Peter Brant was 24-years-old when he was working on a film in Paris and a grand opportunity presented itself. View the full article

It's about an odds-on 1-to-20 proposition that trainer John Kimmel will not be sending a holiday greeting card to the stewards who worked at the Saratoga Race Course meet. View the full article

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s Daahyeh (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) boasted the best form heading in to the G2 Shadwell Rockfel S. at Newmarket on Friday and she managed to complete the task of garnering a “Win and You’re In” ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Successful in the June 21 G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot and runner-up in the G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. on the July Course here July 12 and the G1 Moyglare Stud S. at The Curragh Sept. 15, the 11-8 favourite waited behind the leading quartet early before delivering a surge to take over passing the two-furlong pole. Kept up to her work from there by William Buick, the chestnut had a half length to spare over stablemate Stylistique (GB) (Dansili {GB}) at the line, with a short head to Cloak of Spirits (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in third. 1–DAAHYEH (GB), 126, f, 2, by Bated Breath (GB) 1st Dam: Affluent (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB) 2nd Dam: Valencia (GB), by Kenmare (Fr) 3rd Dam: De Stael, by Nijinsky II (£75,000 Ylg ’18 GOUKPR). O-HH Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa; B-D J & Mrs Deer (GB); T-Roger Varian; J-William Buick. £56,710. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Ire, 5-3-2-0, £198,593. The post Bated Breath’s Daahyeh Santa Anita-Bound After Rockfel Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chares registered wide-margin victories in seven-furlong heats at La Teste de Buch in his July 30 debut and at Dax last time Aug. 31 and maintained his perfect record with a more workmanlike performance upped in thrip for this black-type bow. Steadied to race in rear at the break and remaining there until turning for home, he was scrubbed along passing the quarter-mile marker and ridden out once quickening to challenge entering the final eighth to register a career high in ultimately comfortable style. “He remains undefeated and we can keep dreaming,” reflected owner Frank Walter. “He won well although it was not by as far as he’d won before. I think he was more surprised than anything else because it was the first time he had to knuckle down and fight. Ultimately, he won quite comfortably and that is exactly what we wanted. He will now go up in class, of course, and there are possibilities in France and Italy next month. We’ll see how he comes out of this before deciding where to go next.” Chares, who becomes the first stakes scorer for his freshman sire (by Zebedee {GB}), is one of four winners from as many runners out of Listed Criterium Aretuseo victress Coco Demure (Ire) (Titus Livius {Fr}) and the chestnut is kin to a yearling filly by Maxios (GB). His dam is a half-sister to Listed Premio Daumier runner-up Paladino di Sabbia (Ire) (King Charlemagne), from a family featuring GI Arlington H. hero Unknown Quantity (GB) (Young Generation {Ire}) and GSW British champion Starlet (GB) (Teenoso). Friday, Lyon-Parilly, France CRITERIUM DE LYON-Listed, €60,000, Lyon-Parilly, 9-27, 2yo, 8fT, 1:40.25, g/s. 1–CHARES (GER), 126, c, 2, by Ivawood (Ire) 1st Dam: Coco Denure (Ire) (SW-Ity), by Titus Livius (Fr) 2nd Dam: Alma Thomas (Ire), by Orpen 3rd Dam: Double Time (GB), by Nashwan 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (€32,000 RNA Ylg ’18 ARAUG). O-Ecurie Waldeck; B-Scuderia Waldeck SNC (GER); T-Christophe Ferland; J-Julien Auge. €30,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, €52,500. 2–Choise of Raison (GB), 126, c, 2, Zoffany (Ire)–Miss Plimsoll, by Arch. (€35,000 Ylg ’18 ARAUG). O-Alexandre Giannotti & Ecurie des Monceaux. €12,000. 3–Magic Attitude (GB), 122, f, 2, Galileo (Ire)–Margot Did (Ire), by Exceed and Excel (Aus). (€850,000 RNA Ylg ’18 ARAUG). O-Haras du Saubouas, Haras d’Etreham, Mme Marie-Therese Dubuc-Grassa & Mohamed Fahad A H Al-Attiyah. €9,000. Margins: NK, 2HF, NK. Odds: 1.10, 6.80, 14.00. Also Ran: Shared Belief (Ire), Taranta (Ire), Santurin (Fr), Big Boss Man (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. The post Chares a Stakes First for Ivawood at Lyon-Parilly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s been a quiet couple of weeks at Bankhouse but the horses seem to be in great order and we have a nice team of horses for the winter. I run three on Saturday where See The Sea looks the pick of them in the listed race at Market Rasen. At the start of the […] The post Donald McCain Blog – Saturday Runners appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

The 2018 Awesome Again Stakes was won by Accelerate. Jockey Joel Rosario rode this horse to victory as the odds on favorite for trainer John Sadler. Accelerate has 10 wins over his career and has amassed more than $6 million in earnings including winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic as well as 7 other graded stakes. […] The post $300,000 GRADE 1 AWESOME AGAIN STAKES AT SANTA ANITA appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Newmarket Royal Lodge Stakes Kameko was still green when just losing put in the Solario Stakes on just his second start, The well-bred son of Kitten’s Joy is an exciting type and is one to watch. Fitri Hay’s homebred Highland Chief was a surprise winner on debut and then ran well to finish behind “crack” […] The post Newmarket Saturday Preview – Tipple To Topple Opposition In Middle Park appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

St Edward’s Crown carries Shane Fliedner’s hopes of a Group win in the Thousand Guineas Prelude. Bendigo trainer Shane Fliedner is seeing the benefits of having a well-bred horse in is stable. With a buying budget between $5000 and $50,000, Fliedner is forced away from the better-bred horses. But with an owner and breeder like Mario Cesnik, Fliedner has been able to get his hands on a that says is potentially the best horse he has trained. Cesnik bought Patina, the dam of stakes winner Viridine, from Darley Stud in 2016 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in foal to Epaulette. The result is St Edward’s Crown who runs on Sunday in the Group Three Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield, the traditional lead-up to the Group One Thousand Guineas (1600m) on October 12. “I’ve had some nice enough horses but she’s potentially looking the best and I can see why these better-bred horses win Group races,” Fliedner said. “They have more presence about them. It’s like watching a footballer on the football field, they’re athletes. “I buy $5000 to $50,000 horses whereas the more athletic ones are out of my budget.” Fliedner says he would like to be in a position to just win races with St Edward’s Crown, but knows the importance of stakes races, especially for an owner-breeder. St Edward’s Crown broke her maiden status at Flemington in June which had Fliedner and Cesnik thinking about spring. The filly resumed with a third-placed finish, collecting black-type, at The Valley over 1200m on September 7 before dropping back to 1100m when fifth at Flemington a week later. Fliedner explained that was to get St Edward’s Crown to the races every second week as she is a lazy trackworker, but a hardy filly. “I got her straight from the breakers and she went straight through to the races and has had three weeks break in that time,” Fliedner said. “Realistically she’s done very well.” The post St Edward’s Crown flag bearer for Fliedner appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Tim Clark is looking to Just Thinkin’ to emulate his brother Thinkin’ Big in the Gloaming Stakes. A few days after winning the VRC Oaks Trial at Flemington on a half-sister to the 2018 winner of the same race, Tim Clark is looking to achieve a similar feat in the Group Three Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill. Clark made a flying visit to Melbourne to win Wednesday’s Oaks Trial on Celestial Falls for trainer Mark Newnham, having won in 2018 on that filly’s sibling Greysful Glamour. The jockey won last year’s Gloaming Stakes on Thinkin’ Big and his half-brother Just Thinkin’ is favoured to follow suit in Saturday’s 1800m-race. Clark says Just Thinkin’ is much like his elder sibling, the beaten favourite in last year’s Victoria Derby before being sold to Hong Kong. “Spitting image,” Clark said. “This bloke is probably a bit more of a lad. Even though he’s been gelded now, that’s why. He was a bit of a lad. “But you couldn’t tell them apart.” Just Thinkin’ has won his two starts this preparation including the Listed Dulcify Quality (1500m) and Saturday’s race is the next step towards the Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and the Victoria Derby (2500m). “He’s going well,” Clark said. “He has made nice progression. He’s on the Derby path so hopefully he can take care of them on Saturday and continue to put the ones next to his name. “At the moment 1800 metres should be ideal for him third-up. “I can’t see him having any issues with 2000 metres and then it’s the question mark at 2500 metres. It’s a whole different ball game.” Clark’s rides on the Rosehill card also include Just Thinkin’s stablemate Dawn Passage in the $1 million Group One Golden Rose. Dawn Passage won the Rosebud in his season return before finishing fifth of eight, beaten almost eight lengths, in the Run To The Rose. “He’s got a bit of ground to make up,” Clark said. “He probably just didn’t appreciate being ridden close to the speed and being inside them last start, being a colt. “So we’ll just ride him a bit more conservative on Saturday and get him to the outside and see if he can rip home.” The post Clark Thinkin’ he can win Gloaming again appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Self Sense will try to add the R M Ansett Classic on his home track to his Mornington Cup win. Trainer David Brideoake sees his home track of Mornington as a advantage for Self Sense ahead of the gelding’s run in the R M Ansett Classic. Saturday’s 2400m-handicap is a replacement run for Self Sense after the gelding, who successfully combines flat racing with hurdling, missed the MRC Foundation Cup at Caulfield last week. Brideoake said Self Sense produced a good piece of work on Tuesday which convinced him he was ready to run well on Saturday. “He does like the track and I’m hoping it doesn’t firm up too much,” Brideoake said. “It’s in really good order and I think there’s a decent chance of seeing improvement from the horse now that he’s getting to this trip. “Once he hits a bit of form, then you’re right, but it does take a few runs to hit that form. “He’s had a good piece of work to come into this 2400-metre race and I’m really expecting the improvement to happen on Saturday.” Brideoake has refrained from jumping Self Sense this week but regularly pops him over hurdles to keep his mind sharp. Self Sense is guaranteed a start in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 19 following his Mornington Cup (2400m) win earlier in the year and Saturday’s performance will determine whether the gelding needs another start before the $5 million race. Brideoake sees a pair of Liam Howley-trained stayers, Douglas Macarthur and Exemplar, part-owned by Lloyd and Nick Williams, as being the toughest to beat. Lightly raced stablemate Shepard will be out to extend his winning streak in the Vale Les O’Briem ‘Craftsman’ Handicap. Shepard, part of a group of yearlings purchased by Peter Moody in Britain, has won two of his three starts and is showing signs of being a promising stayer. “We’ve been very patient with him and spaced his runs and we’ve been rewarded in what he’s continuing to do,” Brideoake said. “He seems to go up a notch with each race. “By European time he’s only three-and-a-half so he’s doing a fine job and at this time next year we might see him in a bit better race.” The post Self Sense ready to fire at Mornington appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Adrian Bott expects Dawn Passage (2) to rebound from a last-start flop in the Golden Rose. It has taken a leap of faith for training partners Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott to commit to starting their two runners in the Group One Golden Rose, but with risk can come significant reward. Waterhouse and Bott have backed the ability of Dawn Passage to rebound from a disappointing last-start performance in the Run To The Rose two weeks ago, and they have shown equal confidence in raising the bar for unbeaten Yao Dash. Yao Dash was an impressive winner on debut at Canterbury in August then led throughout to stave off subsequent Tea Rose Stakes winner Funstar in a high-quality benchmark race at Randwick. But with just two career starts, Yao Dash will be conceding race experience to all his seven rivals and while he appears to get an uncontested lead in Saturday’s race, Bott concedes the three-year-old faces a steep challenge. “It’s an ask for Yao Dash. He’s in his first preparation and going into this at third start and whilst his two runs have seemed brilliant and he’s been quite faultless, he’s at a different level again and a different level of pressure,” Bott said. “The big question is can he handle that significant step up in class so early in his career? Has he got enough grounding and experience or will it all be a bit too soon? “He’s still six months away physically but from what we’ve seen of him at home he has improved a lot and he’s so well within himself he deserves a chance.” Yao Dash has had support in early TAB fixed odds markets and was at $6 on Friday with Run To The Rose winner Bivouac holding sway at $2.50. Chasing his first Group One win, Adam Hyeronimus has been booked to partner Yao Dash, Tulloch Lodge banking on the jockey’s riding style suiting the Dynamic Syndications horse. Dawn Passage is one of the outsiders of the Golden Rose field at $26 after following a first-up win in the Rosebud with a fading fifth behind Bivouac when ridden closer to the speed. Bott said the colt would revert to his usual racing pattern on Saturday and be allowed to find his feet early, while the stable has made a gear change and taken the blinkers off. “He was very disappointing in the Run To The Rose but we’ve put a line through it and put it behind us,” Bott said. “There were a couple of factors at play, the track conditions on the day and he probably raced a bit too close to the speed with the blinkers on. “We still believe in the colt, particularly on what he’s showed to date if you take out that one performance and with the blinkers off and back to his regular racing pattern, it will give him a chance to finish off.” Waterhouse and Bott will be chasing a breakthrough win in the Golden Rose (1400m), the stable’s best recent result a second with Speak Fondly four years ago. “We’ve come close before and it would be nice if one of these horses was able to do it,” Bott said. The post Trainers show faith in Dawn, Dash appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Trainer Matthew Williams believes Gailo Chop will improve in his second run from an injury break. Warrnambool trainer Matthew Williams believes Group One winner Gailo Chop is still one run away from producing his best but he is expecting a better performance from the gelding at Caulfield. After a lengthy lay-off, Gailo Chop runs for the second time for Williams in Sunday’s Group One Underwood Stakes (1800m). Gailo Chop resumed racing in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 14, and after leading, faded in the straight to finish 13th behind Gatting. Williams conceded the run was below par, but said circumstances did not pan out the way he had hoped. With Damien Oliver aboard on Saturday, Williams sees the race playing out differently and while not confident of success he can see an improved finishing position. “He’ll come across and not necessarily lead this time and he could get a nice run outside the leader,” Williams said. “He was forced to go too hard last time as the horse outside him dictated the pace. “This time with Ollie on he’ll be coming across from an outside gate and he should get to control the speed a little bit. “If he could get three furlongs (600m) where they’re running 12-1/2 (seconds) it will give him the chance to finish right off, but if they’re breaking 12 for every furlong, like they were in the Makybe, it’s too strong for him.” Gailo Chop spent almost 18 months away from the track recovering from a tendon injury after running second to Winx in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in April 2018. Williams said Gailo Chop came through his Flemington return well. “There was no change in the tendon which is good and he has definitely tightened up a bit more,” Williams said. “He’ll certainly be a couple of lengths better off for having that run, but I think he’s still a run away from going to the races with a little bit of confidence of giving the race a shake. “He went to Ararat on Tuesday and worked with Harbour Views in a strong 1400-metre gallop which will also help him a bit more.” There has been some specking for Gailo Chop from $51 to $41 since the final field was declared on Wednesday. Homesman, winner of the race last year, holds favouritism at $2.80. The post Improved Underwood showing for Gailo Chop appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Constant Flight faces a big test when he takes on stakes performer Jonker at Doomben. David Vandyke admits he was stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to determine which race dual acceptor Constant Flight should contest at Doomben. Running in Saturday’s open handicap would have meant a clash with the smart Meet Mr Taylor, while tackling the Membership at BRC Class 6 Plate (1110m) involved taking on stakes-performed Jonker. In the end, a kinder barrier draw in the latter swayed Vandyke’s decision, but he admitted the five-year-old faced a tough task to maintain his unbeaten record this campaign. “Obviously there were good horses in each of those races. It was either Meet Mr Taylor, who was very impressive last start, or Jonker who is proven to be a serious Group horse,” Vandyke said. “But we had to go one way or the other so it did come down to the barrier but I’m under no illusions, Jonker will be very hard to beat. “But my horse is very fit, he’s won at the track, he’s drawn inside the danger and he’s got the speed to use his good gate so he will be in it for a long way.” Constant Flight has established a handy record, winning six of his 11 starts and is $5 second pick in early TAB fixed odds markets behind Jonker, the $1.85 favourite to win his Doomben debut. Jonker is clearly the class galloper in Saturday’s race having finished runner-up to Everest contender Classique Legend at Group Two level during the Sydney autumn carnival and again being placed in black-type grade behind I Am Excited and Redzel in the Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm in April. The Kelly Schweida-trained Meet Mr Taylor is also in the red for his assignment, although he will need to overcome the outside barrier to remain unbeaten this preparation. Vandyke will not be trackside at Doomben having travelled to Melbourne with undefeated three-year-old Alligator Blood who will test his carnival credentials in Sunday’s Group Three Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m). Alligator Blood missed a scheduled start in Sydney when he was a late scratching from the Ming Dynasty Quality last month after playing up in the race day stalls but Vandyke said the horse had coped well with the trip to Melbourne. The gelding had his first look at Caulfield earlier this week and while Vandyke was not rapt with his gallop, the trainer felt he would benefit from it. “His work on Tuesday at Caulfield was only ordinary but he came through it well and it was his first time around Caulfield,” Vandyke said. “He just got a bit lost and I’m hoping that experience will be good for him, plus he had ear muffs on which probably didn’t help. “I think if he handles Caulfield he’s going to fit right up there and I’d be disappointed if he doesn’t finish top three on Sunday.” The post No easy options for Flight in Brisbane appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Constant Flight faces a big test when he takes on stakes performer Jonker at Doomben. David Vandyke admits he was stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to determine which race dual acceptor Constant Flight should contest at Doomben. Running in Saturday’s open handicap would have meant a clash with the smart Meet Mr Taylor, while tackling the Membership at BRC Class 6 Plate (1110m) involved taking on stakes-performed Jonker. In the end, a kinder barrier draw in the latter swayed Vandyke’s decision, but he admitted the five-year-old faced a tough task to maintain his unbeaten record this campaign. “Obviously there were good horses in each of those races. It was either Meet Mr Taylor, who was very impressive last start, or Jonker who is proven to be a serious Group horse,” Vandyke said. “But we had to go one way or the other so it did come down to the barrier but I’m under no illusions, Jonker will be very hard to beat. “But my horse is very fit, he’s won at the track, he’s drawn inside the danger and he’s got the speed to use his good gate so he will be in it for a long way.” Constant Flight has established a handy record, winning six of his 11 starts and is $5 second pick in early TAB fixed odds markets behind Jonker, the $1.85 favourite to win his Doomben debut. Jonker is clearly the class galloper in Saturday’s race having finished runner-up to Everest contender Classique Legend at Group Two level during the Sydney autumn carnival and again being placed in black-type grade behind I Am Excited and Redzel in the Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm in April. The Kelly Schweida-trained Meet Mr Taylor is also in the red for his assignment, although he will need to overcome the outside barrier to remain unbeaten this preparation. Vandyke will not be trackside at Doomben having travelled to Melbourne with undefeated three-year-old Alligator Blood who will test his carnival credentials in Sunday’s Group Three Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m). Alligator Blood missed a scheduled start in Sydney when he was a late scratching from the Ming Dynasty Quality last month after playing up in the race day stalls but Vandyke said the horse had coped well with the trip to Melbourne. The gelding had his first look at Caulfield earlier this week and while Vandyke was not rapt with his gallop, the trainer felt he would benefit from it. “His work on Tuesday at Caulfield was only ordinary but he came through it well and it was his first time around Caulfield,” Vandyke said. “He just got a bit lost and I’m hoping that experience will be good for him, plus he had ear muffs on which probably didn’t help. “I think if he handles Caulfield he’s going to fit right up there and I’d be disappointed if he doesn’t finish top three on Sunday.” The post No easy options for Flight in Brisbane appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Star mare Alizee (l) has won a Randwick barrier trial to remain in the mix for an Everest slot. Classy mare Alizee remains high in calculations for Godolphin’s vacant Everest slot after scoring a strong barrier trial victory at Randwick, downing Doncaster Mile winner Brutal. Sheikh Mohammed’s team is keeping options open in regard to the Everest with Alizee, Osborne Bulls, Trekking and possibly three-year-old Bivouac all on the short list. Alizee did her chances no harm with her trial performance on Friday, racing close to the speed and getting the better of Brutal, who also turned in a high-quality trial effort, to score by a length. “It was an outstanding trial and it was no surprise to us because we feel like she’s going well,” trainer James Cummings told Sky Sports Radio. “I spoke to Daz (Darren Beadman) who’s out there this morning and he said this is as good as she’s ever looked, and Hugh Bowman just felt the trial was superb. “We’ve got a bit of time up our sleeve now to keep her ticking over and have her really fresh on the day.” Alizee, who has not raced since finishing third to Scales Of Justice in the Group One Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 31, will have her next start on Everest day at Randwick on October 19, if not in the $14 million race then possibly the Group Three Sydney Stakes (1200m) on the same program. Stablemates in the Everest mix include Trekking, a runner in the Moir Stakes at The Valley on Friday and Bivouac, favourite for Saturday’s Group One Golden Rose (1400m) in Sydney. Osborne Bulls will show his wares next weekend with Cummings confirming the multiple Group One placegetter will tackle the Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Epsom Handicap day. “We’ve thought about it and that’s what we want to do, we want to run him in the Premiere on Epsom day and that will give us as good a guide as we can get on whether he’s going to be the one for us,” Cummings said. “We can make our decision about which horse we use for our own slot once we’ve got through the next week or so. “We’ve got a handful of sprinters to choose from and we’ve got until late in the piece to make our own decision.” TAB markets have Osborne Bulls the shortest of Godolphin’s possible Everest runners at $8 with Alizee $15 and Bivouac and Trekking both $26 chances. The post Alizee still in Everest mix with trial win appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Trainer Nick Ryan is looking at Group One targets with Mahamedeis and Express Pass. Nick Ryan’s hopes of a first Group One win in the coming weeks will likely to become clearer after the Underwood Stakes meeting at Caulfield. The trainer has promising colt Express Pass in Sunday’s Group Three Caulfield Guineas Prelude on his home track while five-year-old Mahamedeis runs in a 1400m-handicap. Both are being targeted at Group One races 13 days later, with Express Pass heading to the $2 million Caulfield Guineas and Mahamedeis the Toorak Handicap. Ryan was a star apprentice jockey and won the 2004/05 Melbourne jockeys’ premiership, but a Group One victory eluded him with his closest result a short half-head second on Alinghi in the 2004 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington. As an emerging trainer Ryan has had Mahamedeis finish fifth in last year’s Group One Queensland Derby and he admits it is exciting heading towards feature races with the pair in the coming weeks. “It’s been the long-range plan,” Ryan said. “It’s getting close and they both look like they are live chances so it is very exciting. But there is still two and a bit weeks of water to go under the bridge. “There’s no easy road to Group Ones as I know because I never rode one as a jockey. “I know how hard it is but to win one as a trainer would be bigger, I would imagine.” Express Pass has a maiden win and two stakes placings from three starts, including a third in the Group Two Danehill Stakes at Flemington. That has come as no surprise to Ryan. “From when he first came into the stable he has shown good ability,” Ryan said. Express Pass has come up with a “horror draw” of 17 in the Guineas Prelude for which he is third favourite but at this stage he will take his place. “The rail is out six metres, hopefully they are running on,” Ryan said. “We really haven’t got much option than to settle back from that gate. I’m just lucky I’ve got a very good jockey aboard in Ben Melham.” Mahamedeis comes back to 1400m on Sunday after his second in the Group Two Feehan Stakes three weeks ago. “They are both spot-on. I couldn’t be happier with them,” Ryan said. “Mahamedeis is back in trip which is some query and his grand final we’re looking at is the Toorak, but he is in a rich vein of form this preparation.” The post Ryan pair on track for Group One targets appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Impressive debut winner Structor (Palace Malice) steps up in class Saturday in Belmont’s GIII Pilgrim S. Purchased for $850,000 at OBS March after breezing in :21 1/5, the bay proved easily best in his 1 1/16-mile unveiling at Saratoga Aug. 31. Also entering off a maiden win is Famished (Uncle Mo). Third in his career bow on the dirt at the Spa Aug. 10, the bay broke his maiden the same day as Structor in a seven-panel main track affair upstate. The John Kimmel trainee tries turf for the first time here. Wertheimer and Frere homebred No Word (Silent Name {Jpn}) is yet another entry coming off a maiden win on that Aug. 31 card at Saratoga. The dark bay took his 1 1/16-mile career bow by 2 1/4 lengths. Our Country (Constitution) enters off a fourth-place finish in Saratoga’s GIII With Anticipation S. Aug. 28. He earned his diploma by 5 3/4 lengths at second asking going 1 1/16 miles on the Saratoga lawn Aug. 3. Also exiting the With Anticipation is third-place finisher Andesite (The Factor)–a debut winner on grass at Indiana July 10–and sixth-place Tuggle (Point of Entry), who was trying turf for the first time in that test. The latter opened his account on the dirt at Belmont June 21 and was third next out in the GII Saratoga Special S. Aug. 10. The post Structor Steps Up in Pilgrim appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Matthew Poon Ming-fai laid the foundation and now the future of Hong Kong’s local riding ranks are reaping the rewards in the South Australian city of Adelaide.Poon developed a cult following during his time in Adelaide, riding over 100 winners and earning the “Poon Train” moniker, and now Gary Lo King-yeung, Jerry Chau Chun-lok and Kenny Lau Wang are turning heads at Morphettville racecourse.The trio is serving the overseas apprenticeship the Jockey Club requires before allowing locals to… View the full article

With under 24 hours remaining before lockout of Round One we can reveal the top picks in SuperCoach Racing. View the full article

by Jessica Martini & Dan Ross A colt by two-time GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Goldencents topped Thursday’s inaugural Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale in Pomona, bringing a final bid of $150,000 from Steve Gasparelli’s Slugo Racing. The yearling was one of six to sell for six figures during the one-session auction. In all, 137 yearlings sold for $3,667,800. The sale average was $26,772 and the median was $13,000. The Fall Yearling Sale was the second Fasig-Tipton auction of the year in California, following June’s Santa Anita 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, as the sales company takes up the baton from the now-defunct Barretts. “All in all, it was a successful effort and something to build upon,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. said at the close of business Thursday. “I think what we saw today is that there is a viable marketplace and that there was significant interest in a large number of offerings. I think it should give breeders confidence that, if they have a quality yearling, there will be a legitimate marketplace for them.” Of the 285 catalogued yearlings, 255 went through the ring with 118 failing to meet their reserves for a buy-back rate of 46.3%. “I think we also saw that the market in California is somewhat similar to what it is in Kentucky, New York, Maryland, Ireland, England, and Australia,” Browning said. “There is some polarization and there is certainly more demand for what is perceived to be quality and the lower end of the market is generally difficult. That was no different here today than what we’ve seen in other marketplaces.” Goldencents Colt to Slugo Racing Steve Gasparelli’s Slugo Racing struck early in Thursday’s California Fall Yearlings Sale, going to $150,000 to acquire a colt by Goldencents. Gasparelli signed for the colt (hip 25) while sitting alongside trainer Mike Puype, who conditions the yearling’s once-raced half-brother Audace (Ministers Wild Cat). “He’s a beautiful horse,” Puype said of the yearling. “He’s very athletic. Audace ran fifth at Del Mar–I didn’t have him quite ready for that race, but he’s got a nice future ahead of him. He’s still learning the game.” The chestnut, bred by Thomas Bachman and consigned by his Fairview LLC, is out of Bold Roberta (Bold Badgett). He is a half to multiple stakes winner Bella Luma (Ministers Wild Cat). Gasparelli campaigned Grade III winner Estrechada (Arg) (Offlee Wild) and enjoyed pinhooking success at the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale earlier this year. He and partner Paymaster Racing sold a filly by Into Mischief for $1.5 million. The youngster had been a $450,000 Keeneland September yearling. Gasparelli admitted hip 25’s final price tag Thursday was less than he had expected. “I actually thought it might go a bit more,” Gasparelli said. “He’s a beautiful, athletic horse who vetted well. And we really like Goldencents.” Gasparelli was back in action later in the sale, purchasing a filly by Grazen (hip 47) for $72,000. Bachman acquired Bold Roberta, in foal to Fusaichi Pegasus, for $20,000 at the 2011 Barretts January sale. The sale-topping yearling is the mare’s final foal. “He’s a wonderful colt,” Bachman said of the yearling. “I own the mare in a partnership, the same partnership that owns the half-sister Bella Luma, who we are going to keep as a broodmare. This is the mare’s last foal and he’s just a wonderful individual. He’s very athletic. I think they are going to have fun with him.” Bachman bred and consigned four of the auction’s five six-figure offerings. “People know I’m a market breeder and they know how I raise horses,” Bachman said. “I think they have confidence in what I raise. I am fairly reasonable about what I think they are worth and I try to get them sold. I try to go home with an empty truck.” Hard Spun Colt to Bonde Trainer Jeff Bonde made the second highest bid of the night at Fairplex Thursday, going to $135,000 to acquire a colt by Hard Spun from the Havens Bloodstock Agency consignment. The yearling (hip 173) is out of Pamona Ball (Pleasantly Perfect), a half-sister to Group 1 placed Snowy Winter (Elusive Quality) and multiple graded placed Pamina (Street Cry {Ire}). “I just thought he was a great walker,” Bonde said of the colt he purchased on behalf of a partnership. “I buy athletes and he was an athlete.” The youngster was bred by Premier Thoroughbreds, which purchased Pamona Ball with him in utero for $32,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November sale. Eclipse Scores for the Home Team Based in California, Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners admitted it was important for his group to support the inaugural Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale and he got into the fray Thursday, spending $115,000 to acquire a colt by Sky Mesa from Thomas Bachman’s Fairview consignment. “First and foremost, I thought it was really important to come out here and support this sale,” Wellman said after signing the ticket on hip 143 while standing alongside trainer Michael McCarthy. “I give Fasig-Tipton a lot of credit for jumping into the shoes of Barretts. Our state needs all the support we can get right now and it’s a really good sign that Fasig has stepped into those shoes. Here in California, we couldn’t have asked for anybody better than [Fasig-Tipton President] Boyd [Browning] and his whole team to come in here and do the job that needs to get done. They put on a good show here.” Out of Mary Coughlan (Gulch), hip 143 is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Outside Nashville (Broken Vow) and stakes-placed Bluegrass Derby (Bluegrass Cat). He was bred by Bachman, who purchased the mare with this foal in utero for $90,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November sale. “This was a Grade I physical,” Wellman said of the yearling. “He’s by a Kentucky sire and he’s a Cal-bred. As far as what we were looking to accomplish, trying to buy something out of this sale, he fit the bill and he’s the complete package. He’s a beautiful colt by a proven sire. I haven’t seen too many Sky Mesa Cal-breds around here. Hopefully he will tower above his competition, but, as always, time will tell.” The colt will be trained by McCarthy. “This is a boutique sale, so you hone in on your really top prospects and this horse was a standout physically and a standout on paper for us,” McCarthy said. “Hopefully around this time next year, we’ll be getting interviewed for the right reasons.” Pinhookers Active at Fairplex Pinhookers, busy shopping at the Fairplex barns over the last two days, were also active on the results sheets Thursday. Leading the way was Ciaran Dunne, who purchased a colt by Into Mischief for $110,000 in the name of Scioto Bloodstock. “He’s by a top sire and from a great family,” Dunne said. “We’ll roll the dice and see what happens next year.” Out of North Freeway (Jump Start), the bay is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner and Grade I placed Take the One O One (Acclamation). His juvenile half-brother Square Deal (Square Eddie) is a two-time stakes winner for Arnold Zetcher and Qatar Racing and trainer Simon Callaghan. “We had his half-brother Square Deal last year,” Dunne said. “He was a very honest, straightforward horse. So we know the family.” Asked if the colt might be targeted at the Fasig-Tipton Santa Anita 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale next spring, Dunne said, “Given he’s not a Cal-bred, we will probably keep him in Florida. But never say never.” Dunne also signed for a filly by Majesticperfection (hip 269) for $70,000; and a filly by Square Eddie (hip 172) for $17,000. Ocala-based Eddie Woods signed for three yearlings in the name of his Quarter Pole Enterprises, LLC, going to $85,000 for a son of Fast Anna (hip 100); $65,000 for a colt by Competitive Edge (hip 85); and $35,000 for a colt by Liam’s Map (hip 245). Hip 100 is out of Insolvent (Big Brown), a half-sister to Girlfrienontheside (Indian Charlie). “He’s a good-moving, strong colt by a horse who looks like he’s going to be a proper stallion,” Woods said of the yearling. “He vetted well and he’s a nice, correct horse. He acted with a lot of class here.” Woods was one of many Florida pinhookers to skip the inaugural Santa Anita sale this past June and, while these two yearlings are destined for resale next spring, the horseman said it was unlikely to be in Arcadia. “The date for [Santa Anita sale] was a little tricky for me in June,” Woods explained. “The only thing we’ve ever been able to sell at California that sold really well is good-proportioned horses who look quick and work well. And you can’t sit on them until June, because if you do, if something goes wrong, it’s all over for you, you’re dead. You’ve got the horse all summer. If they are going to have a sale out here and make it work, it needs to be earlier.” Woods added the California buyers are active at the Ocala auctions in his own backyard. “We have as many California guys who show up in Ocala at the April or March sale as show up at Santa Anita for the Santa Anita sale,” he said. “All of the top guys, none of them miss them.” Woods will take a wait-and-see approach as to what sale these yearlings will target next year. “I have no idea where they’ll go,” he said. “We’ll see later. It’s like a woman. You don’t marry her when you first meet her. You marry her when you have to.” Other names on the results sheets who are traditionally active in the yearling-to-juvenile pinhooking arena included Steve Venosa’s SGV Thoroughbreds, Bruno De Berdt and David Scanlon, John Brocklebank, and Tom McCrocklin. Miller First to Six Figures Trainer Peter Miller was the first to make a six-figure bid at Thursday’s California Fall Yearlings Sale, going to $100,000 to acquire a colt by Square Eddie. Hip 19 is the second foal out of Bas (Flower Alley), a half-sister to stakes winner and graded placed Bold Decision (Precise End). The yearling is from the family of multiple graded winner Parisian Flight. He was bred by Reddam Racing, which purchased Bas for $43,000 at the 2012 OBS April sale. “He looked very athletic, fast and correct,” Miller said of the yearling’s appeal. “He looks like a really nice colt.” Asked on whose behalf he had purchased the yearling, Miller said, “I don’t know yet–one of my clients. We will sort it out as we go.” Miller was back in action later in the evening, going to $72,000 to acquire a filly by Smiling Tiger (hip 114) and to $9,000 for a colt by Surf Cat (hip 93). The post Goldencents Colt Tops Fasig-Tipton California Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Lindsey Smith-trained Saone will have her second tilt at black-type when she lines-up in the Gr.2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on Sunday. The New Zealand-bred filly finished fourth in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m) last start and Smith is expecting a bold run from the three-year-old this weekend, whom he compares favourably with stablemates Adelaide Ace and Olympic Oath. “I knew she had class as soon as I first saw her,” Smith said. “Her runs have been good. I know she only won at Ballarat but she was gone that day, she was interfered with on the fence and she gave the leaders a big head start and I thought she had done a good job to win. “Her run was good the other day (in the Atlantic Jewel).” Smith is weighing up a tilt at the Gr.1 Kennedy Oaks (2500m) in November, however, he believes the mile distance of Gr.1 Thousand Guineas could be more suitable. “She is maybe not mature enough to go to the Oaks, but we will find that out. She will run a good race on Sunday, maybe a mile will be better for her. “She is in good spirits and in good form.” A daughter of Burgundy, Saone was bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan and was sold through Cambridge Stud’s 2018 Karaka Book 1 draft for $110,000 to Chad Ormsby under his Riverrock Farm Partnership banner. The filly was later sold privately after an impressive victory at the Cambridge trials. The post Thousand Guineas Prelude for Saone appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Avantage winning the Gr.3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill earlier this year. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Avantage’s disappointing unplaced performance in the Gr.3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) at Randwick last Saturday has trainer Jamie Richards a little puzzled, however, he is hoping she can bounce back to form at Rosehill on Saturday. “I was pretty disappointed with her run on Saturday, it’s probably the worst she has ever gone,” Richards said. “I think perhaps I might have been a little bit soft on her. “She had never finished further back than third up until then. There was very good form around her in autumn, so I was expecting a good run from her and she let us down a little bit. “She seems to have bounced through it well. I can’t fault her at the stable, but we are in no man’s land a little bit with her.” The daughter of Fastnet Rock will back-up in the Gr.2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) on Saturday where she has drawn the outside barrier in the field of eight. “She had a very good blow after the race on Saturday,” Richards said. “Hopefully we can see her turn her form around. She has drawn an awkward barrier and we’ll probably look to change tack a little bit and ride her off the speed.” Depending on her performance her next likely target will be the Gr.3 Angst Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 12. “We’ll just get through Saturday first and then make a plan,” Richards said. “I would say from the form that she is in, The Epsom (Gr.1, 1600m) is too rich for her, and there is a mares’ mile the following week if she were to front-up on Saturday.” Te Akau Shark will tackle the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday-week. Photo: Trish Dunell A stable runner that will start in The Epsom is exciting five-year-old Te Akau Shark. “I think we will go into the race in good order with a little bit of work on Saturday and Tuesday and hopefully that should have him in tiptop order,” Richards said. It will be a month between runs for the son of Rip Van Winkle after he finished runner-up in the Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) and Richards said that spacing is ideal. “He just feels his runs a little bit. He is a horse best suited with his races spaced and we have stuck to that programme with him,” he said. “We had him really flying last spring with four and five weeks between runs, he seems to appreciate that. “We haven’t wanted to change too much around with him and we will back ourselves that we will get him there and have him fit enough. At this stage I am happy with his condition.” The post Avantage to back-up in Shannon Stakes appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Te Aroha has become a happy stomping ground for talented jumper Trisha Lea and she will be out to keep her unbeaten hurdles record on the Waikato track intact on Sunday. The daughter of Zed has just had the three hurdle starts, with both her wins coming at Te Aroha, while she was pulled up in the Great Northern Hurdle (4190m) last start after clipping heels. “She is pretty well, she had a week in the paddock after the Northern and she has bounced back really well,” Little said. “She clipped heels at the 600m in the Northern and nearly went down, thankfully Charlie (Studd, jockey) pulled her up and looked after her. “I know it looked like she was probably gone at that point, but she looked like she was gone at Te Aroha too, so we don’t know what she could have done.” Little is pleased with Trisha Lea ahead of Sunday and she is hoping the eight-year-old mare can continue her strong record on the track. “I am happy with her. She has bounced back quite a bit, so hopefully she is not too arrogant going into the fences. On her last two starts there she should go well,” Little said. Trisha Lea had also been nominated for the NZB Aifreight Road To The Jericho (3210m) at New Plymouth on Saturday, but Little said the decision was made to focus on her jumping future. “We mulled over the two options and we decided that if she managed to win the Road to the Jericho you would go over to the Jericho (4600m, at Warrnambool on December 1) and that would probably ruin next year’s jumping plans and we would love to see her over the jumps a bit more. “She will head out to the spelling paddock after Sunday and come back for next winter.” Little will also line-up Zion Hill in the Geoff Brindley Memorial 1600 where she will jump from barrier one with Clinton Isdale aboard. “She had a nice, quiet jump out this (Friday) morning here at Cambridge and she should go a nice race. She has got a good jockey on, so that always helps.” Meanwhile, leading jumps jockeys Aaron Kuru and Shaun Phelan will be battling each other on Sunday to take out the Knottingly Farm 2019 jumps and highweight jockeys’ competition. The competition is an annual event sponsored by Cambridge trainer David Wilson and carries a prize pool of $5,000, which is shared between the top three finishers. Kuru and Phelan are tied in the lead with 124 points apiece, while Emily Farr sits on 90 points in third. Kuru has just the one ride on Sunday, Tipical in the Make-A-Wish New Zealand 1600, while Phelan has seven chances to take out the competition. The post Trisha Lea thriving over hurdles appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

The Daily Telegraph’s racing expert Darren Prendergast rates his selections for Round One of SuperCoach Racing. View the full article