Wandering Eyes

Alpha Bettor, a multiple graded stakes winning son of Alphabet Soup, had his first winner Sept. 26 when Raelee won on debut at Golden Gate Fields. The California-based sire has only five named foals in his first crop. View the full article

South Auckland trainer Grant Cooksley has little doubt that Blackrocksdetox can measure up to the best of his age but expects the Rip Van Winkle three-year-old to take improvement from his first-up run at Ellerslie on Saturday. Cooksley will produce Blackrocksdetox for the first time on raceday in Saturday’s Bill Sattler Memorial (1300m) having joined Bruce Wallace in partnership since the gelding’s most recent appearance, an eighth placing in last season’s Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie. “He’s going along all right. He trialled up nicely and he’s improved since the trial too, though he’ll improve even further with Saturday’s run under his belt,” Cooksley said. “I didn’t have much to do with him last preparation but he gives me the impression he’ll make a nice miler and he could get even further.” Blackrocksdetox is one of four maidens in the nine-horse field for the set-weights and penalties event but Cooksley was buoyed by a comfortable trial win at Avondale earlier this month under regular rider Vinnie Colgan. “He’s coming up really nicely. This is an even field but he’s already beaten Flaunting home by 10 lengths in the Karaka Million and I’d say he’s right up to that class,” Cooksley said. “We’ll see how he comes through Saturday but we’ll look at the three-year-old features coming up in the north and later on look at the Karaka Million 3YO Classic.” Cooksley and Wallace have five entries at Ellerslie, with Ronchi set to resume in the Auckland Co-op Taxis 1200 and last-start Ruakaka winner One Kotukustreet tackling the Otakiri Reserve 1200 but Church Road and Secret Ambition were uncertain to resume in the last race. “Ronchi will definitely run. He’ll go a good race but he’ll probably need this one. He trialled well. It will depend on how he goes on Saturday what we look at next for him.” A world-class jockey at his prime, Cooksley is relishing his new role as a trainer and enjoying an excellent start to the season with four wins from 11 runners this term. The post Cooksley has good opinion of Blackrocksdetox appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

After a huge prep the time has come to show these blokes why I am the Gai Waterhouse of SuperCoach Racing. View the full article

Three-in-a-row for S John View the full article

Grand Koonta delivers, Bold Thruster stiff in defeat View the full article

S John suspended three days View the full article

Solaris Spectrum walks into the sunset a winner View the full article

Ping Pong bounces back for the Colletts and rare all-lady salute at Kranji View the full article

Horses' body weights September 27 View the full article

Track conditions and course scratchings September 27 View the full article

Kok eyes off a fifth win with Augustano View the full article

Early scratchings September 27 View the full article

SuperCoach Racing gets underway on Saturday and with $25,000 up for grabs there’s every reason to get involved — and even if you miss out on the big cash prize the bragging rights over your mates will last forever. View the full article

Of the nine 2-year-olds in the $200,000 Pilgrim Stakes (G3T), the ones who figure to enjoy an improved trip in the Sept. 28 test are Our Country and Tuggle. Yet that's not saying much considering their misadventures in their last start. View the full article

By Garrick Knight A matter of weeks in to her new role, Kimberley Blakemore is enjoying life as forewoman for the Auckland arm of Michael House’s stable. With the guidance of Pukekohe trainer Steven Reid, Blakemore is managing the dozen or so horses House has in the north. “I’m absolutely loving it; it’s nice to be able to run the barn and sort of do my own thing,” Blakemore told HRNZ. “Reidy writes up the board every day and checks in with me on how the horses were that day and it’s all going really well. “We are all working really good as a team and I’m just grateful for being trusted with the responsibility.” Blakemore drove Warloch to victory in a junior drivers’ race a fortnight ago and will hunt her second driving win for her new boss at Alexandra Park tonight. Santanna Mach is a newcomer to the north and is having his first start right-handed, but Blakemore says she cannot foresee any likely issues in the first on the card, another junior drivers’ event. He brings strong Addington form in to the race but has lucked out with a draw on the inside of the second line. “He’s settled in great.” “He’s a lovely big horse and I don’t think right-handed will bother him whatsoever. “I’m just hoping for a bit of speed on early in the race, which will really suit him, but we will need things to go our way from the awkward draw.” Bookies opened Santanna Mach at $12, behind warm favourite Megastar ($2.40), who will be driven by Dylan Ferguson for trainer Robert Dunn. House has a three-strong attack on the night’s R56-67 mile, headed by race favourite Delightful Major, who had been backed in from an opening quote of $3.60 to $3 by Friday night. He made up a stack of ground coming wide in a similar race two weeks ago and Joshua Dickie sticks with the ship this time. But Blakemore is going with stablemate Warloch ($12) from the coveted ace draw while Shillelagh ($26) will need a lot of luck from barrier eight. “I would say Warloch is the best chance as he’s got the handy draw and if he does no work early, I can see him getting over them all at the finish.” Rounding out the team is Final Delight, who came in for a lot of support at the last mile night on September 13 following an impressive workout win in the hands of Reid the Saturday prior. Things didn’t go his way that night, being forced to sit parked in the race won by the exciting Line Up, and Blakemore is expecting a better performance in a modest field tonight. “We are happy with him and he’s drawn this week to get cover and not do it tough which will definitely suit him. “He’s a good chance if things go his way.” Bookies have Final Delight, who will be driven by Zachary Butcher, at $12. The post Blakemore happy with House team ahead of mile night appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

By Garrick Knight A matter of weeks in to her new role, Kimberley Blakemore is enjoying life as forewoman for the Auckland arm of Michael House’s stable. With the guidance of Pukekohe trainer Steven Reid, Blakemore is managing the dozen or so horses House has in the north. “I’m absolutely loving it; it’s nice to be able to run the barn and sort of do my own thing,” Blakemore told HRNZ. “Reidy writes up the board every day and checks in with me on how the horses were that day and it’s all going really well. “We are all working really good as a team and I’m just grateful for being trusted with the responsibility.” Blakemore drove Warloch to victory in a junior drivers’ race a fortnight ago and will hunt her second driving win for her new boss at Alexandra Park tonight. Santanna Mach is a newcomer to the north and is having his first start right-handed, but Blakemore says she cannot foresee any likely issues in the first on the card, another junior drivers’ event. He brings strong Addington form in to the race but has lucked out with a draw on the inside of the second line. “He’s settled in great.” “He’s a lovely big horse and I don’t think right-handed will bother him whatsoever. “I’m just hoping for a bit of speed on early in the race, which will really suit him, but we will need things to go our way from the awkward draw.” Bookies opened Santanna Mach at $12, behind warm favourite Megastar ($2.40), who will be driven by Dylan Ferguson for trainer Robert Dunn. House has a three-strong attack on the night’s R56-67 mile, headed by race favourite Delightful Major, who had been backed in from an opening quote of $3.60 to $3 by Friday night. He made up a stack of ground coming wide in a similar race two weeks ago and Joshua Dickie sticks with the ship this time. But Blakemore is going with stablemate Warloch ($12) from the coveted ace draw while Shillelagh ($26) will need a lot of luck from barrier eight. “I would say Warloch is the best chance as he’s got the handy draw and if he does no work early, I can see him getting over them all at the finish.” Rounding out the team is Final Delight, who came in for a lot of support at the last mile night on September 13 following an impressive workout win in the hands of Reid the Saturday prior. Things didn’t go his way that night, being forced to sit parked in the race won by the exciting Line Up, and Blakemore is expecting a better performance in a modest field tonight. “We are happy with him and he’s drawn this week to get cover and not do it tough which will definitely suit him. “He’s a good chance if things go his way.” Bookies have Final Delight, who will be driven by Zachary Butcher, at $12. The post Blakemore happy with House team ahead of mile night appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Telecom Puma made the perfect start to his new season at Happy Valley where the New Zealand Group winner gave weight and a beating to his sprint rivals. It was a breakthrough success in Hong Kong for the son of Cambridge Stud’s Burgundy. The five-year-old had finished in the money three times from a handful of starts in his first campaign for trainer Jimmy Ting. Under 60kg, Telecom Puma was ridden on Wednesday night by Chad Schofield and was coming off a trial success, which was required after he had bucked out of the barrier at his previous appearance in July. “I think it was because when he got to the gates he lost his tongue-tie and it was put back on a little too tight and maybe he didn’t like it,” Ting said. “This season, in his trackwork and his trials, he’s been no problem.” Before his sale to Hong Kong interests, Telecom Puma raced as Hard Merchandize in New Zealand and won the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) at two. He trained on the following season to claim the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), accounting for subsequent dual Group One winner Bostonian in the process. Bred by Chris Grace, Telecom Puma is out of the Encosta de Lago mare Pride And Passion who is a daughter of Gr.1 Golden Slipper Stakes (!200m) winner Calaway Gal. Other New Zealand bred gallopers to win on the program included Compassion Star (Bullbars) and Clement Legend (Ocean Park). Clement Legend has done a remarkable job in the past 12 months, coming from a rating of 24 and going on to win six of his next nine starts for Danny Shum. “It’s amazing, he’s a nice horse,” Shum said. “He’s honest and he likes Happy Valley. I think he can go again. According to his winning margin and the time, he can win again.” The post Burgundy’s son strikes in HK appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

The $300,000 Beldame Invitational Stakes (G2) has taken shape as one of those intriguing stakes with a race within a race. View the full article

A more favourable weight scale for Princess Jenni has her trainer David Brideoake expecting an improvement on her first-up run. After being unplaced at Flemington, Princess Jenni goes to The Valley on Friday night to run in the Gr.2 Stocks Stakes (1600m), a weight-for-age race for fillies and mares. The last time Princess Jenni raced at the track she won the Gr.3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m) on March 22 before being controversially scratched from the Adrian Knox Stakes at Randwick on April 6. Princess Jenni returned to Melbourne for success at Caulfield later that month ahead of her win in the Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on May 4. Brideoake said Princess Jenni had pleased him since her first-up seventh behind Spanish Whisper in the Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 14. Princess Jenni drops from 59kg to 56.5kg and meets runner-up from the Let’s Elope, Miss Siska, on 4.5kg better weight terms. “I’m happy everywhere with her and I’m thinking she will get a good run in the race,” Brideoake said. “She’s more favourably treated weight-wise this time than when she came back in the Let’s Elope and she’s won a nice race at the track previously, plus she’s drawn to get a nice trip. “She’s had a nice time since her last run and the extra ground won’t be any disadvantage.” Damien Oliver continues his association with Princess Jenni having ridden the mare to to win the Australasian Oaks and when she was first-up at Flemington. It will be Oliver’s second meeting back from suspension having ridden at Bendigo on Thursday. Princess Jenni is rated the $3.30 second favourite behind Miss Siska at $2.90. The post Improvement expected from Princess Jenni appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Well-bred Standout will step up in class when he runs in the Heritage Stakes at Rosehill. Golden Rose day has been a happy hunting ground for Gerald Ryan and he is looking to superbly bred colt Standout to continue his successful affiliation with the meeting. The local trainer took out the program’s namesake race two years ago with Trapeze Artist and he has won several feature races on the support program including the 2017 Shannon Stakes with Washington Heights. While he will not have a runner in the Group One feature this Saturday, he will saddle up Standout in the Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill. By Exceed And Excel out of Bahia, Standout is a full brother to Outreach who finished second to subsequent Golden Slipper winner Vancouver at his only start in the 2015 Canonbury Stake before injury prematurely ended his racing career. Raced by George Altomonte, the owner of Menari who ran third to Trapeze Artist in the Golden Rose, Standout has been given time to grow into his big frame. He kicked off his career in August when he scored a provincial win at Gosford before backing it up with a city victory at his only other appearance. “He’s a nice horse and he’s always shown good ability,” Ryan said. “His runs have been good, full of merit. “Whatever he does this time around, he’s going to be a lot better in the autumn because he’s going to have that experience underneath him. “I reckon he is a nice horse and I’m excited to see what level he can get to.” The Heritage Stakes has attracted a handy field headed by Cosmic Force, Bellevue Hill and Accession, all stakes winners at two. Also there is up-and-coming Godolphin three-year-old Pandemic, who drops back in distance after finishing fourth to Golden Rose contender Yao Dash over 1300 metres last start. Ryan has scratched Villami from the race in preference for the Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night, the filly arriving in Melbourne on Thursday. She brings strong form lines, pushing top filly Libertini right to the line when runner-up in the Furious Stakes at Randwick, although a wide draw in 11 had dented Ryan’s optimism. “I was confident before the barrier. The barrier doesn’t excite me much,” Ryan said. “Her form up here against the fillies is very strong. It’s just how it measures up against the Melbourne fillies.” The post Ryan colt a Standout in Heritage appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

After doing all the form and deciding to target the main Group races at Rosehill and Caulfield, it’s safe to say I hope to be seeing a whole lot of Blue in the first week of the Supercoach Racing this weekend, and have loaded up on Godolphin and Team Williams. View the full article

The Golden Eagle is a new race on the calendar, run over 1500m at Rosehill. View the full article

Fifteen victories after being claimed from a first-out score for $10,000, Mocito Rojo has banked more than $640,000 in earnings, a tally that could be padded when the now 5-year-old chestnut horse runs in the $250,000 Lukas Classic Stakes (G3). View the full article

79% of stakeholders believed the BHA performed well View the full article

A timely update for lot 645 saw a chestnut son from the third crop of Al Kazeem (GB) top the single-session Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale Part II on Thursday as trade geared down a notch following the two-day Part I. The Juddmonte Farms-bred caught the eye of Dubaian owner Nasir Askar. He was knocked down for €42,000 following his paternal half-brother Aspetar (Fr)’s win in Sunday’s G1 Preis von Europa, the first top-flight winner for his Oakgrove Stud-based sire, whose fertility issues have resulted in smaller books. Consigned by The Castlebridge Consignment, the March foal is one of a reported 26 yearlings in his crop and is a half-brother to three-time group winner Treat Gently (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), as well as French listed-placed Ideology (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). His second dam is Kerali (GB) (High Line {GB}), dam of the Juddmonte blue hen Hasili (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}) and her high-class brood. “We just loved the horse,” said County Kildare trainer Michael Halford who trains for Askar. “We selected him on pedigree and on physical-he was one of our picks of the week. He will come into training with me.” Compared to 2018, this year’s catalogue featured 32 fewer yearlings, which resulted in 176 sold from 237 offered (74.3%). Last year, 172 sold from 259 offered, a 66.4% clearance rate. Also as a result of the pared down catalogue, the gross declined to €1,091,400. Both the average of €6,201 and the median of €4,500 dropped to 14.1% and 10%, respectively. The highest priced horse was €10,000 ahead of 2018. “There was a consistent solid trade as indicated by the clearance rate for both Part I and Part II,” said Tattersalls Ireland CEO Matt Mitchell. “The decision to reduce the number catalogued was correct as it focused purchasers on the quality lots. The reduction in the median/average indicates that the market, at a certain level, is at best in a pause mode. No doubt, Part I of the sale lacked an additional number of yearlings at the €100,000 plus mark, the opinion put your horse in a sale that it will stand out comes to mind. “There was a large number of international buyers present at all levels of the market reflecting the cooperation between Tattersalls Ireland and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing. It was pleasing to have a number of Irish trainers appear on the list of purchasers. There is no doubt that this year’s graduates will continue to deliver the high rate of 2-year-old winners on the track both in numbers and quality.” Dandy Man (Ire) enjoyed a decent Part II sale with two of the top eight lots on Thursday, and he was also responsible for the second dearest lot on the day and the highest priced filly in lot 608. A Ballygowan Stud consignee, the daughter of Eriniya (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) brought €27,000 from Federico Barberini. “She is a gorgeous filly,” said Barberini. “And her 2-year-old full-sister [Elegant Erin (Ire)] is a winner now. Dandy Man is a very good sire, as good with fillies as he is with colts.” Hailing from the same family as champion and MG1SW Ebadiyla (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) and G1 Ascot Gold Cup winners Enzeli (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}) and Estimate (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}) among others, the bay was bred by Brian Miller in Ireland. A Dandy Man colt (lot 594) from Foxford Stud and the family of MGISW Skimming (Nureyev) also settled near the top of the buyers’ sheets, going for €20,000 to Megan Evans. Already a half-brother to triple winner Ask Me Not (Ire) (Anjaal {GB}), the chestnut is out of Dangerous Duo (Ire) (Intikhab) and sold for €800 as a weanling during the 2018 Tattersalls Ireland Flat Breeding Stock Sale to Con Marnane. Epaulette (Aus)’s lot 644, a colt from the draft of Grange Stud who had earlier sold for €3,200 during last year’s Tattersalls Ireland Flat Breeding Stock Sale, sold for €26,000 to Shaun Keightley. Currently a half-brother to four winners, the April-foaled bay is a half-brother to G3 Derby Trial S. third Cavaleiro (Ire) (Sir Percy {GB}). His dam is a half-sister to GSW Ranin (GB) (Unfuwain) and the dams of group winners Girl Warrior (Elusive Quality) and Mujaarib (Aus) (Nadeem {Aus}). Reverse shuttling from Cornerstone Stud in Australia to California for the 2020 season, the well-traveled Sir Prancealot (Ire) was also in demand on Thursday. A colt (lot 616) from Woodtown House Stud attracted the attention of bloodstock agent Alex Elliott’s assistant David Appleton at €24,000. The fifth foal out of French Doll (Ire) (Titus Livius), the bay’s dam is a half-sister to listed winner Kamakiri (Ire) (Trans Island {GB}) and the MGSP Road To Love (Ire) (Fruits of Love). “We are big fans of the stallion and this looks a real sharp early 2-year-old type,” said Appleton. “She goes to Brian Ellison-hopefully she will be another for the sales race.” All yearlings offered throughout the three-day stand are eligible for the €300,000 Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales S. in 2020. For the complete results, go to www.tattersalls.ie. The post Al Kazeem Colt Stars at Fairyhouse appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article