Wandering Eyes

Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay. To say that the past fortnight has been a tough one for Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay would be an understatement. The fickle nature of the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry could not have been highlighted any better than a thirty-minute period on a sunny Saturday morning just two weeks ago. The Lindsay’s, their family and some close friends along with all of the staff at the Stud had gathered to welcome their newest stallion arrival, European Horse of the Year Roaring Lion, who would be standing for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere at the Cambridge operation. “There we were, all looking fantastic in our uniforms and ready to welcome Roaring Lion to Cambridge Stud,” Brendan Lindsay said. “Thirty minutes later the horse was in serious trouble and we were battling to save his life after he suffered a colic attack. That scenario isn’t something that you can prepare for and what promised to be a really neat day nearly turned into a tragedy.” Thanks to the expert and quick-thinking work of the Stud staff and the specialists at the Cambridge Equine Veterinary Hospital, Roaring Lion is now on his way to recovery with Lindsay extremely thankful for the positive outcome. “I can’t say enough about the efforts of all those who came together to save the horse,” he said. “While it is very disappointing for us and the whole Industry that he won’t be able to serve any mares here this season, the fact that we could save him and start him on his road to recovery is a big positive from a tough situation. “There aren’t that many positives that you can find in the immediate aftermath of what happened but now we have had a little time to reflect there have been some we can take from it all. “I believe our relationship with Roaring Lion’s owners has been strengthened as I know they are very appreciative of all that we have done for him. “I also think it has brought our staff even closer together. They were a good team beforehand but the way every one of them worked together has made them an even closer unit which can only benefit us in the future.” One of the other positives that Lindsay is focused on is the loyalty shown by the owners of the mares that were booked to be served by Roaring Lion. European Horse of the Year Roaring Lion Supplied “We had the horse fully booked and it is very gratifying to see that a large number of those mares have stayed on and will go to other Cambridge Stud stallions,” Lindsay said. “We have managed to get Almanzor’s book extended to accommodate some of them while Tavistock has picked up another 25 bookings as well. “We are very thankful to the broodmare owners for sticking with us and hopefully they will be rewarded for that.” The Lindsay’s are philosophical about what has unfolded of late as they take it as part and parcel of being involved in the thoroughbred industry. “It has been an emotional rollercoaster but that is what you sign up for when you get involved in the game,” Lindsay said. “Jo and I have learned to take each day as it comes and to celebrate the highs when we can as we know a low can be just around the corner. “For example, we were sitting on the couch at 2.30am on Sunday morning watching a race from Deauville in France where we managed to have a winner. That wasn’t long after the All Blacks had lost to the Wallabies so that took a wee bit of the sting out of that. “Seriously though, if you had asked us if we thought it would be this tough when we took over at Cambridge we would have said no, but we’re made of pretty tough stuff ourselves and we know that with every bad day you are just closer to another good one.” On that note Lindsay is definitely looking forward to the new racing season with relish as several of the couple’s best performers from last season get ready to make their racetrack returns, including last season’s Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) winner, Probabeel. “We have a lovely team of horses getting ready to go so we can’t wait to see them back at the track,” he said. “Probabeel is likely to trial at Avondale on Tuesday as she is getting closer to racing trim. “Her main aim is the Flight Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m) in Sydney in October. She didn’t have a lot of luck there at the end of her two-year-old season so it would be nice to go back and extract some revenge. “Bavella is being set for the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) on the second day of the Hastings carnival so she isn’t far away as well. “We also have some really nice horses in Australia so it is an exciting time coming up.” View the full article

Valid Point stepped from allowance company to the sport's top level Aug. 10, and remained undefeated with an impressive victory in the $500,000 Secretariat Stakes (G1T) at Arlington International Racecourse. View the full article

Chad Brown pulled off a major hat track at Arlington International Racecourse Aug. 10 when the country's leading turf horse Bricks and Mortar swept to his sixth consecutive victory in the Arlington Million XXXVII (G1T). View the full article

Class mare Consensus will have her first run of the new season in Saturday’s Gr.2 US Navy Flag Foxbridge Plate (1200m) as she kicks off a campaign that could see her contest the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley in October. The eight-year-old Postponed mare has made steady progress since returning to trainer Stephen McKee’s Ardmore stable following her fourth-place finish in the Gr.2 Hollindale Cup (1800m) at the Gold Coast in May. The winner of eleven races, including the Gr.1 Zabeel ... View the full article

To say that the past fortnight has been a tough one for Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay would be an understatement. The fickle nature of the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry could not have been highlighted any better than a thirty-minute period on a sunny Saturday morning just two weeks ago. The Lindsay’s, their family and some close friends along with all of the staff at the Stud had gathered to welcome their newest stallion arrival, European Horse of the Year Roaring Li... View the full article

Chad Brown's trip to Arlington International Racecourse Aug. 10 was well worth it. The trainer swept all four graded stakes on the card, with Peter Brant's Cafe Americano wrapping up the action in the $100,000 Pucker Up Stakes (G3T). View the full article

Being on her best behaviour helped Majestic Rose reward Kerry Kelly with her first training win at Gore on Saturday. Kelly had racked up 11 placings before escaping a bleak day in North Otago to notch her previously elusive first victory. The horsewoman admitted she was not jumping at the thought of making the trek from Hilderthorpe to Gore on Saturday, but her husband, Bruce, did a good job of selling the idea. “I wasn’t keen on going at all, but my husband promised me sunshine – which we got for ten minutes – and a fine day,” Kelly said. “We got that and a win on top.” Majestic Rose’s victory came after the cantankerous trotter had tested Kelly’s patience and kept the trainer busy making gear adjustments to calm the trotter. “You have to catch her in the right mood – she can be a bit of a tart – she has a few tricks up her sleeve,” Kelly said. “She used to rear up, so we had to put a rearing strap on her.” “She doesn’t like noise at the start, so we had to put ear plugs on her and she doesn’t like horses behind her, so we had to put full blinds on her.” “With all of these sorts of things, it has been trial and error to find what works.” Kelly admitted there was a sense of relief when Majestic Rose held out Justan’s Sister by to score her maiden win a neck for driver Matthew Williamson. “She had been knocking – it is a bit of a relief and it is about time.” Majestic Rose is one of eight horses Kelly and her husband work at their North Otago stable. The couple reintroduced themselves to harness racing two seasons ago, after a break of nearly 20 years. “My husband retired is now, so we play around with the horses and we are having a great time,” Kelly said. “Bruce loves going to the races.” While their stable will still be busy and the Kellys will continue to go to the races, Majestic Rose won’t be going anywhere in the immediate future. She will enjoy a spell after scoring her maiden on Saturday. “She deserves a holiday now – she has done her job and we are happy,” Kelly said. View the full article

Nicky Chilcott candidly admits the career of Juice Brogden didn’t pan out as well as she might have hoped. Expectations were high after she went within a neck of winning the 2017 Northern Oaks, splitting brilliant stablemates Partyon and Spanish Armada at the finish. But she never really kicked on from that and her win in the $25,000 feature pace at Alexandra Park on Friday night was her first in New Zealand for 18 months. She’s been racing well enough – a couple of cheap wins during an Aussie campaign earlier this year and plenty of placings have ensued – but the transition to top open class mare never quite happened. “I just think she probably didn’t turn out to be as good as we hoped,” Chilcott said matter-of-factly. “There have been a few speed bumps along the way – she was always behind the 8-ball during her trip over to Australia. “She ended up being stuck on the tarmac for hours and that put us on the backfoot from the outset. “But she’s still been racing consistently and it was great to finally pick up a nice win for her owners.” Among them are her breeders, Graham and Judy Bowen, who Chilcott says has been a huge supporter of hers for many years. “They’ve been such loyal and supportive owners of mine for so long. “Graham couldn’t stop smiling tonight and that’s what makes it all worthwhile.” Juice Brogden is destined for the broodmare paddock soon, and likely a date with Art Major, but not before tackling a race on her home track. “She’ll definitely race in the Te Awamutu Cup at the end of the month. “Graham is the Chairman at Cambridge and it’s a race he really wants to win so we’ll set her for that. “At the moment that’s our only real plan with her.” Chilcott was quickly brought back to earth, quite literally, just a few races later. Her other stable runner on the night, Smartly Spoken, locked wheels soon after the start of the maiden trot and she was tipped out of the sulky. Chilcott was a little ginger after the fall, but otherwise unscathed. “Hero to zero,” she quipped after being cleared by paramedics. The horse carried on with the field for half a lap before some excellent work by the Clerk of the Course, Ron Weller, saw him reined in. *** Kumeu trainer Tim Vince admits he was surprised by the win of Mister Slick in the R40-51 pace. “I’ve never had a horse work as badly before a race as this horse did last Sunday. “He could barely keep up – you wouldn’t have believed it unless you saw it with your own eyes.” Despite training 56 winners over the past three seasons, Vince was more than willing to ask for help in this case. “I was scratching my head so I rung Reidman (Steven Reid) and asked him for advice. “He told me to take the hopples off and canter him on Wednesday, so that’s what we did.” It did the trick, because Mister Slick capitalised on a cozy run in the trail behind hot favourite, Nurburgring, to win in the hands of James Stormont. It was the son of Mister Big’s second win for Vince after he purchased him cheaply out of the South Island late last year. For his troubles, Reid was also rewarded with a win on the night, consistent mare Sea Change finally cracking maidens. View the full article

Chad Brown pulled off a major hat track at Arlington International Racecourse Aug. 10 when the country's leading turf horse Bricks and Mortar swept to his sixth consecutive victory in the Arlington Million XXXVII (G1T). View the full article

COLLUSION ILLUSION (c, 2, Twirling Candy–Natalie Grace, by First Dude) seemed to come under a bit of a ride heading for home, but leveled off late and fended off a bid from tough-luck Wrecking Crew (Sky Kingdom) to go two-for-two in Saturday’s GII Best Pal S. at Del Mar. Away well, the $300,000 OBSAPR (:10 flat) acquisition sat second last in the early going with only Wrecking Crew–who totally missed the break–behind him. The bay was scrubbed on by Joe Talamo to take closer order into a :45.28 half, but the whip was out by the top of the lane with favorite Fore Left (Twirling Candy) digging in and Wrecking Crew (Sky Kingdom) winding up down the center. Collusion Illusion continued to plug away, however, and kicked on to prevail by about a length in 1:11.34. Wrecking Crew, the $875,000 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream buy, did very well to rally into the place spot. Sales history: $50,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP; $300,000 2yo ’19 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Agnew, Schneider, Xitco & Orr. B-Donald R. Dizney LLC. T-Mark Glatt. The post Twirling Candy Colt Levels Off Late to Take Best Pal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There was no stopping Green Light Go on his way to winning the $200,000 Saratoga Special Stakes Presented by Miller Lite (G2) Aug. 10 at Saratoga Race Course. View the full article

Popular Canterbury trainer-driver Bob Butt has the chance to kick start his new season at Rangiora on Sunday. The Woodend horseman is out to continue the momentum he gained while enjoying his best season as a trainer, last term. Butt equalled his previous record of eight wins, but did it with his best strike rate, when lining up just 38 runners. Like his trainer-driver, KD Hawk has a family name to live up to when he debuts in race 1 on Sunday. Being by Andover Hall from Kazzle Dazzle, the 4yr-old is a half brother to 10 win trotters KD Commando and KD Hall. KD Hawk has some of his family’s ability, though Butt is not convinced the horse is ready to show all of it. “He is quite a nice horse,” Butt said. “He has had three trials and done it right twice and got it wrong once – he just gets a bit worked up,” The nervy type will start from the unruly in his 2600m maiden contest on Sunday. “I will keep him out [on the unruly] to try to keep him relaxed.” “He is a bit of a big baby, so it will be a good learning experience for him.” Butt will give With Ice just his second start in 16 months when he lines up in race 9. The 5yr-old impressed his trainer-driver with his effort to stick on for fourth placing, when first up after his long lay off at Addington, last week. “He stuck on good,” Butt said. “He hadn’t raced for nearly 18 months, so I was rapt with that run.” The fitness With Ice would have gained from that race would have suggested to many punters he would be ready to strike in his next outing. Butt agrees with that, but has two reservations. Firstly, he feels the horse may need more racing to reach his peak fitness. Secondly, the With Ice’s outside of the front line draw could be a telling factor for a horse that still has improvement in him. “He is still a bit big in condition, he will need a few runs,” Butt said. “On his day I wouldn’t be worried about the draw.” “But, he is that old now it will take a few runs to come back after being away for so long.” “Its just the way the race works out, he is probably one of the best horses in the field, I think.” View the full article

The Shark goes in search of winners at Sunday afternoon harness racing action from the Rangiora Racecourse. For more punting information head to The Punters Lounge Race 1 7 Sheza Mighty Monarch: They climbed out of trees to get on at Addington but it all went pear-shaped after a couple of hundred metres. Redemption for those who stick with? 9 KD Hawk: Smart effort to win a trial and comes from a respected stable that always demands attention when they line one up. Manners the key, but can get a slice. 8 Palisade: Should be a lot stronger this time in and the workout and trial form has been solid. Can give it a pretty big shake if in the right mood. 4 It Wasn’t Me: Manners have crept into the last few starts and caused problems. Goes good when doing things right and needs to be included. Selections: 7-9-8-4 Race 2 6 Matt Damon: Plenty to like about the debut effort for second in a very strong maiden field. Should pick one up quickly and it really should be here. 11 Prairie: Took a while to wind up last time, but really found the line when finally clear. Another who will win quickly and not the worst in this line up. 12 Duke: Has the ability and should be better for the first up run at Addington when well supported. Natural improvement takes him close. 4 Fly Lika Falcon: Nice trial and workout form heading into this debut and shouldn’t be too far away here on debut judging by the most recent public effort. Selections: 6-11-12-4 Race 3 8 Unique Marshall: Got into a foul mood when galloping last time out. Was pressing forward for the front then too, chance to turn that all around here. 9 With Ice: Plenty to like about the first up effort last time out and should only be better for that run. Good enough to win, even from the draw. 7 Quaestor: Mobile conditions suit a lot better and is going really well at the moment when doing things right. Certainly not the worst in this line up. 6 Shpeedy: When on top of the game, there’s always a chance, but mistakes are costly sometimes. Can make the presence felt here in the right mood. Selections: 8-9-7-6 Race 4 4 Expresso Denario: Little bit to learn still judging by Addington sixth but emphatic winner here on debut and repeat of that will have him winning today. 1 Bakari: Not bad last time after an early gallop. Small field really suits and should be able to sneak into the top three here with everything being event. 2 Motoring Major: Spotted putting in some nice strides late at Addington last time out. Has to be considered a hope in this field based on that run. 7 Fun In The Dark: Got the motor and small field plays right into favour. Not at best in most recent runs, but still good enough to be a player in this. Selections: 4-1-3-7 Race 5 4 Tehoro Tease: Drops back a grade after Addington seventh. In good form prior to that and might try and jump and run them along here. 6 The Bloss: Ultra consistent trotter with a good motor. Deserved that win at Addington last time out and should be able to go on with here. 1 Redwood Invasion: Enigmatic trotter with a big motor but also a bag of tricks. Dangerous if he does things right and gets his own terms. 7 Time For Diamonds: Operates well in a fresh state and any easing of the track is going to play right into the hands. Potent with one cold shot at them. Selections: 4-6-1-7 Race 6 2 Sweeney Todd: Good runs without much luck lately. This isn’t a deep field so should be able to assert the dominance from the top and give them all something to chase. 10 Beau Vista: Honest toiler back from a spell and finds a nice race to kick things off in. Should be able to roll home at them late and potentially get them all. 7 Lets Hustle: Not too bad in recent runs and joins the Regan Todd barn. Can really turn things around here at a nice price. 1 Billie Jean: Some strong workout and trial form for a new barn, but not quite getting to race day. Should get a sweet trip here and can get it on track. Selections: 2-10-7-1 Race 7 5 Invisible Girl: Hasn’t done anything wrong since quitting maidens and would be very deserving of a victory here today. Wide open field so luck will play a part. 13 That Alexander Guy: Has grown another leg in the past few months and really flying with beach training. Can give them all something to think about. 14 Ragnarr: Won a maiden here very nicely and does hold a lot of ability. Draw doesn’t make things easy but good enough to overcome it. 6 Eastwood Isabella: Has a bit more upside than most in this field and would only have to land in a good position to be considered a strong winning hope today. Selections: 5-13-14-6 Race 8 3 Team Kiwi: Like the last few hundred metres of the run at Ashburton. Really strode to the line. Best version is smart and could give all of these plenty to think about. 8 Smarter VC: Nice run at Forbury last time out. Good enough to really mix it with all these, even from the draw – just needs a couple of things to fall into place. 1 Friend: In good nick and comes up with the perfect draw to make something of here in this. Dangerous if caught in the right mood. 7 Flamboyant: Never far away from the action and does love a rain affected track. Might be able to really put them to the sword here today and could surprise. Selections: 3-8-1-7 Race 9 12 Pocket Watch: First starter from the Dalgety/Purdon stable with Matt Anderson in the bike, that’s been potent for the last couple of weeks. Nice trial form. Can win. 7 Donegal Davy Boyd: Put them to the sword down the back at Addington last time and nearly stole it. This is easier. Should go close to success. 13 Mrs Washington: Hasn’t had any luck at all recently and gets into a pretty even looking line up today so needs to be included in all options. 3 Flashazz: No go at Addington last time. Better suited here though and the third behind Corona was very good. Repeat that and you’re in with a shot. Selections: 12-7-13-3 BEST: 4 Expresso Denario (Race 4) NEXT: 6 Matt Damon (Race 2) VALUE 3 Team Kiwi (Race 8) View the full article

My Pendant got to the line in the nick of time. Under the urgings of jockey Damien Oliver, progressive mare My Pendant has got the job done as a short-priced favourite at Flemington. But only just. The Danny O’Brien-trained My Pendant was the $1.80 favourite in Saturday’s VRC Member Peter Cosgriff Handicap (1400m) and needed all of the Flemington straight to overhaul Special Diva, who proved tough to chase down in the heavy conditions after getting a nice run in front. My Pendant had to come from back in the field and still had a length to make up in the final 100m but kept eating into the margin and lunged late to score by a short half-head, with 2-1/4-lengths to Shokora third. “I was a bit concerned there at one stage but when I really asked her she found enough,” Oliver said. My Pendant took her record to four wins from eight starts and the four-year-old has only finished outside the top two once, when unplaced in the Group Three Vanity at the end of her previous campaign. The mare is expected to get her chance at stakes level again this spring but first O’Brien plans to run her in a 1400m handicap for mares at Caulfield in three weeks. “There’s three or four stakes races for mares over 1400 metres, both here and at Caulfield, between now and the end of the spring. So I’m sure she will get her chance in one of them,” O’Brien said. View the full article

Blue Breeze cruises to a dominant first-up victory at Pukekohe. Promising stayer Blue Breeze took the first step on the path to a potential Melbourne Cup bid with a dominant first -up victory over 1400m at Pukekohe on Saturday. Sporting the colours of his new part-owners, Cambridge Stud couple Brendan and Jo Lindsay, the Bullbars six-year-old was expected to be running on strongly over the 1400m journey but not as a winning prospect. Suited by a fast pace set up by Admiral and He’s Cavalier on the tricky Heavy11 conditions, Blue Breeze showed a touch of class as he stormed home out wide for apprentice Erin Leighton to round up the leaders and cruise to a comfortable one and a half-length victory. Breeder and part-owner Tony Gavigan was thrilled with the performance as he outlined the potential road ahead for the Allan Morley-trained gelding, who finished third behind Glory Days in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) to round out his last campaign. “I think he’s the best handicapped two-miler in New Zealand at the moment,” Gavigan said. “Clearly Glory Days is a notch above us but I think she is going to get a bit more weight than we will (moving forward). “That was everything you could ask for and what a lovely ride by Erin. “It was always going to be a raffle with the track as we never knew how he was going to handle it like that first-up, but he did get second here at his second start over 1400m (in similar conditions).” A start at Ellerslie in a fortnight awaits Blue Breeze as he prepares for the acid tests ahead in an attempt to secure a berth in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) field. “He will go to Ellerslie in a fortnight over 1500m which will be tougher than this,” Gavigan said. “Then we will go to the Wyong Cup (Listed, 2100m) on September 6 and then the Newcastle Cup (Gr.3, 2300m) on the 20th. “If we can win that one, I think we can get enough weight to get in the (Melbourne) Cup.” Saturday’s victory took Blue Breeze’s career record to four wins and six placings from just 25 starts. View the full article

Peter Brant’s Cafe Americano (f, 3, Medagliad’Oro-Roxy Gap, by Indian Charlie) capped a big day for trainer Chad Brown with her victory in the GIII Pucker Up S. at Arlington Park. The 5-2 shot broke from the far outside post and angled over to the rail to race near the back of the field. Still with one horse beaten on the final bend, she swept out to the center of the course into the stretch and closed with a vengeance to win going away. She completed the nine furlongs in 1:47.72. Princesa Carolina (Tapit) was second and Art of Almost (Dansili {GB}) was third. A debut winner at Gulfstream in February, Café Americano added a Belmont optional claimer June 1 and suffered her first defeat when sixth after a wide trip in the July 6 GI Belmont Oaks. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0, $153,400. O-Peter Brant. B-Blue Heaven Farm (Ky). T-Chad Brown. The post Cafe Americano Caps Big Day for Brown, Brant appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rodd back in winner’s circle with Fireworks View the full article

Late gap sees Koonta rush home in nick of time View the full article

Clements excited with Real Success after brave win View the full article

WS Chan suspended four days View the full article

Horses' test results August 10 View the full article

Mr Malek lives up to promise with smashing win View the full article

Track conditions and course scratchings August 11 View the full article

Horses' body weights August 11 View the full article

Early scratchings August 11 View the full article