Wandering Eyes

Following an impressive 10 1/4-length romp in his return to the races, 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner White Abarrio jumps back into graded company as he faces 11 rivals in the $165,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park Dec. 28.View the full article

Repole Stable's Accuracy (Arrogate), who romped to a 15-length maiden score at Santa Anita Oct. 19 and added a 7 1/4-length optional claimer win at Del Mar Nov. 29, will tackle stakes company for the first time in Thursday's GI La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita. The chestnut filly's back-to-back wins came at 1 1/16 miles and one mile and she cuts back to seven furlongs for the La Brea, where she is the 5-1 third choice on the morning line and will break from post two under Umberto Rispoli. “She's had two very good races back-to-back,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “Cutting back to seven-eighths is maybe a little bit of a question mark. She's also drawn inside with speed all around her. Hopefully she'll bounce away from there and Umberto does what he sees fit.” Of the decision to target the La Brea, McCarthy said, “It's a Grade I and straight 3-year-olds. It's something where you have to give her a shot.” McCarthy will also saddle Sandy Bottom (Omaha Beach) in the La Brea. The bay filly, unbeaten in three starts, won on debut at Del Mar last September and added the Anoakia Stakes that October. She returned from a year on the sidelines to just hold off Grade I winner Tamara (Bolt d'Oro) in a six-furlong optional claimer at Del Mar Nov. 15. “I was expecting that,” McCarthy said of Sandy Bottom's comeback effort. “I've always expected a lot of her.” Sandy Bottom is 20-1 on the morning line in the La Brea. “It seems like she bounced out of her comeback really well,” McCarthy said. “The seven-eighths will be a little bit of a question mark with her as well. But she's got a favorable post position and we'll leave it up to Luis [Saez] tactically. She's a very fast filly in her own right.” The post Accuracy to Make Stakes Debut in La Brea appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple Meydan group 1-winning rider Mickael Barzalona has been booked to ride Facteur Cheval (IRE) for his dirt debut in the Maktoum Challenge (G1) at Meydan Racecourse Jan. 24.View the full article

By Mike Love Sam Ottley, New Zealand’s most winningest female driver, picked up win number 800 at the Ashburton meeting yesterday. Driving the John Howe-trained Didjaseemiki in Race 5, the John Rollinson & Cash Register Memorial Mobile Ottley was able to settle toward the rear of the field from their wide draw. Ottley then made a move at the 900m being able to flush out a drag up. Being beautifully placed, it was a timely run to get up and win by a neck. “Coaster said he’s a speed horse but they were going that slow I opted to get going down the back and obviously it worked out great. We had cover right to the top of the straight which suited.” “It’s still a long way down that straight but he stuck on so that was great.” Ottley not only notched up career win number 800, the Canterbury reinswoman is sitting on 93 wins for the season, chasing down the ton. It’s an achievement she reached just one other time – during the elongated 17 month season in 2021 when she drove 120 winners. “It’s one of those ones where people get close to a milestone and sit there for ages, and I was really hoping I wouldn’t be doing that,” said Ottley, of the 800. “It’s a big thrill to tick that off.” “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support so I’m grateful.” Ottley has always been a popular driving choice for trainers and owners throughout her career to date. In more recent years her employer Mark Jones has provided Ottley with many driving successes, including her sole Group 1 victory to date on Rocker Band at the 2016 harness Jewels. Among her wide range of achievements it was Ottley’s first race day drive on her 18th birthday where she drove her first winner Nigel Paul for her mother Denise at the Kurow meeting in 2008. “The next goal will be to get to 100 winners for the season.” Ottley has won $8.8 million in stakes thus far. In other highlights on the card local trainers Brent and Tim White trained a hat trick (Major Doosie, Bettor Go Vinnie, Kaysans Rock), Blair Orange drove a treble (Flying For Me, Sunny Louis, Aunty Deb), Tim Williams drove a double (Caught The Eye and Kaysans Rock) Bruce Negus trained his 500th winner as a solo trainer (Katherine), and Sam Thornley bridged the gap to just two wins from Carter Dalgety in the battle for the junior drivers premiership by winning with Katherine. View the full article

5th-Gulfstream, $40,000, Msw, 12-22, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 1:40.01, fm, 3 3/4 lengths. NOW VOYAGER (f, 2, Uncle Mo–Dream Awhile {GSW-USA, MSP-Fr, $247,689}, by War Front) carrying the colors of Joseph Allen went off as the 2-1 favorite for this unveiling. The bay tracked a pair of leaders into the first turn and settled nicely as the field raced up the backstretch. Poised to pounce around the far turn, the filly was given her cue and she roared into the lane like a jumbo jet. The homebred sealed the deal to graduate at first asking by 3 3/4 lengths over Without a Pout (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). Her dam's second to the races, the winner counts as a half-sister a yearling named Lose the Blues (Not This Time) and she also has a half-brother by Constitution, who was foaled Apr. 27. Herself a half-sister to French stakes winner Dear Lavinia (Grand Slam), Dream Awhile was bred to American Pharoah for next season. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $24,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Mr. Joseph Allen LLC (KY); T-James J. Toner. #8 NOW VOYAGER ($6.80) was strong on debut. The juvenile filly by the late Uncle Mo broke her maiden in the fifth race at @GulfstreamPark. @luissaezpty was in the irons for trainer James Toner. pic.twitter.com/wbKli9wsrM — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 22, 2024 The post Daughter Of Late Great Uncle Mo Sparkles On Debut At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Arima Kinen (G1) often has been the final start for Japanese stars but, with Do Deuce missing that assignment in the Dec. 22 renewal, it was 3-year-old filly Regaleira leading a youth movement in the final placings.View the full article

Projected cold temperatures in Bensalem, Pa., Dec. 23 has led to Parx Racing management to cancel their Monday card.View the full article

GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) worked three furlongs in :37.80 (20/25) Sunday at Santa Anita in preparation for his return to the races in the GI Malibu Stakes Thursday. Mystik Dan was backed up to the seven-eighths pole before breaking into a gallop. He sped things up near the quarter pole, where he found company from a pair of horses to his inside, then continued to accelerate through the lane. After winning the Derby, Mystik Dan was second in the GI Preakness Stakes and has been unraced since finishing eighth in the GI Belmont Stakes. The drill was Mystik Dan's first on the West Coast after shipping into California Wednesday night. Also working for the Malibu Sunday was Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief) who went four furlongs in :48.20 (6/92) for trainer Chief Stipe O'Neill. The bay colt won the GI Pat O'Brien Stakes in August and was most recently seventh in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. Sunday's work tab at Santa Anita also included Barnes (Into Mischief), a $3.2-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling who was tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following his debut win at Churchill Downs Nov. 27. The Bob Baffert trainee went six furlongs from the gate in 1:12.80 (1/6). The post Mystik Dan Works for Malibu appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are four horse racing meetings set for Australia on Monday, December 23. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Tamworth. Monday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – December 23, 2024 Tamworth Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on December 23, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Recommended! 4 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 5 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

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Regaleira (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}) became the first three-year-old filly to win the G1 Arima Kinen for 64 years as she led home a one-two for owners Sunday Racing, narrowly getting the better of Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) after a pulsating duel the length of the Nakayama straight. The fifth betting choice to double her Group 1 tally in the Arima Kinen, the fan-voted 'Grand Prix' of Japan, Regaleira was winless since her victory in the G1 Hopeful Stakes, also at Nakayama, in December last year. Without the services of regular rider Christophe Lemaire, who chose to ride race favourite Urban Chic (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}), the filly was ridden for the first time on Sunday by Keita Tosaki, the jockey who guided Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) to a memorable success 10 years ago. Regaleira had four rivals ahead of her as the 15-strong field went by the stands for the first time, including this year's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), who dictated a slow pace in an attempt to rediscover his best form, having finished only sixth behind Urban Chic when they met in October's G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger). Second betting choice Danon Decile was over a length clear on the home turn where the eventual winner moved out from behind horses to get a clear run, with Shahryar soon looming up on her outside after his swift move from mid-division to take closer order. Danon Decile was still in front with 50 metres to run, but it was all about Regaleira and Shahryar where it mattered as the pair went by the line in unison, with the filly ultimately being announced as the winner by a nose. Danon Decile was beaten another half a length in third, with this year's G1 Osaka Hai winner Bellagio Opera (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in fourth, ahead of the consistent Group 1 performer Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Urban Chic. Trainer Tetsuya Kimura was also celebrating his second Arima Kinen win after that of the outstanding Equinox (Jpn) in 2022, while Tosaki was quick to thank connections for the opportunity to ride Regaleira, who started this season by finishing sixth in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) and fifth in the Tokyo Yushun. On her most recent start she'd finished fifth in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup, having met trouble in the straight. “I knew a good break was crucial,” said Tosaki. “Although we might have been a tad late, we were able to sit in a good position and maintain a smooth run in good rhythm. She responded well but the competition was so strong. I couldn't tell at all crossing the wire who'd won. I just want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the connections of the filly for giving me the opportunity to ride her today.” 【 Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix) (G1), Nakayama, 2500m, 3yo&up, approx US$ 7.23m】 Winner: Regaleira(JPN) J: Keita Tosaki T: Tetsuya Kimura Sire: Suave Richard Dam: Roca#有馬記念 は、#レガレイラ が優勝！！ pic.twitter.com/TaAUN9Af5C — JRA World Racing (@JRA_WorldRacing) December 22, 2024 Pedigree Notes Regaleira, a member of the first crop of the G1 Japan Cup and G1 Osaka Hai hero Suave Richard (Jpn), is out of the winning Harbinger (GB) mare Roca (Jpn), who produced her best effort when finishing third in the G3 Daily Hai Queen Cup. She is the dam of three winners from four runners, with the others including the G3 Mainichi Hai third Douradores (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). Her two-year-old filly by Cheval Grand (Jpn), Serra do Pilar (Jpn), is unplaced in two starts in Japan. Roca, in turn, is out of the Dance In The Dark (Jpn) mare Land's Edge (Jpn), a half-sister to none other than Deep Impact (Jpn), the Japanese Triple Crown winner who quickly rose to become one of the world's most influential stallions. Land's Edge also features as the second dam of the aforementioned Urban Chic through her daughter Edgy Style (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), as well as this year's G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas) heroine Stellenbosch (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) through another daughter in Bloukrans (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}). Both Deep Impact and Land's Edge are out of the blue hen Wind In Her Hair (Ire), herself a Group 1 winner in Germany and runner-up in the G1 Oaks at Epsom. Sunday, Nakayama, Japan ARIMA KINEN-G1, ¥959,860,000, Nakayama, 12-22, 3yo/up, 2500mT, 2:31.80, fm. 1–REGALEIRA (JPN), 119, f, 3, by Suave Richard (Jpn) 1st Dam: Roca (Jpn) (GSP-Jpn, $240,719), by Harbinger (GB) 2nd Dam: Land's Edge (Jpn), by Dance in the Dark (Jpn) 3rd Dam: Wind in Her Hair (Ire), by Alzao O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Tetsuya Kimura; J-Keita Tosaki; ¥503,402,000. Lifetime Record: 8-3-0-1, ¥634,381,000. *1/2 to Douradores (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), GSP-Jpn, $665,540. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Shahryar (Jpn), 128, h, 6, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Dubai Majesty, by Essence of Dubai. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥200,972,000. 3–Danon Decile (Jpn), 123, c, 3, Epiphaneia (Jpn)–Top Decile, by Congrats. (¥135,000,000 Ylg '22 JRHJUL). O-Danox Inc.; B- Shadai Farm (Jpn); ¥130,486,000. Margins: NS, 1HF, HF. Odds: 9.90, 29.10, 3.00. Also Ran: Bellagio Opera (Jpn), Justin Palace (Jpn), Urban Chic (Jpn), Rousham Park (Jpn), Stunning Rose (Jpn), Danon Beluga (Jpn), Struve (Jpn), Prognosis (Jpn), Blow The Horn (Jpn), Deep Bond (Jpn), Stars On Earth (Jpn), Hayayakko (Jpn). Scratched: Do Deuce (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Star Filly Regaleira Makes History in Thrilling Arima Kinen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Given the scale of domination by the bigger National Hunt trainers in recent times, you would be forgiven for thinking that the days of 12-horse stables winning Grade 1 races were dead and gone, but Jimmy Mangan never lost hope that a horse like Spillane's Tower could return his yard to the glory days of Monty's Pass and Conna Castle. It is 21 years since Mangan sent Monty's Pass out from his Conna-based yard in County Cork to win the Grand National. Not long afterwards, Conna Castle came along and propelled the trainer back into the spotlight by taking out the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse in 2008. Now, this grass roots operator is taking aim at the King George at Kempton with Spillane's Tower, one of the highlights of the Christmas period over jumps, and the confidence is growing. “I'm lucky that this horse has come along,” Mangan says. “It's tough for the small man but I've had some great days in this game and I'm not complaining one bit. I've had brilliant days–Galway Plates, Thyestes Chases, Powers Gold Cups and Grand Nationals. I've had a pretty good career, if you want to call it that, but I am more of a seller these days. That's the way it's gone. The big lads are getting bigger and they have the ammunition. But we are dreaming that Spillane's Tower can go right to the top. There's no doubt about that.” Like many smaller trainers, Mangan has been starved of a horse worth speaking about for too long now. The business has revolved around selling for over a decade now because keeping the bills paid became a greater priority than entering the winner's enclosure. That's the reality. There have even been seasons where Mangan went without a winner. Six years ago to be precise. Those closest to the 69-year-old questioned the point of it all. His own daughter Jane, who rode with distinction during a short but glittering career as an amateur, before making her name as a top pundit with Racing TV and RTE, urged him to call it a day. But even during the barren years, retirement was never given any serious consideration. Mangan explains, “I suppose I don't know anything else. Even though Jane used to say to me, 'Dad, will you ever give up the training,' I'd be up there in the stables on an evening and I couldn't think of anything better to do with my time. “This is my life. Just checking the horses over in the evenings or even tipping up their beds, I'm happy doing that. And when you're happy, it doesn't feel like work. I was just lucky to have a horse like Monty's Pass and Conna Castle come along when they did. I suppose, there was a long time when I wondered, 'God, will I ever have another like them?' But you live in hope in this game.” Without the patronage of JP McManus, Mangan would not be heading into the Christmas period with the King George favourite under his care. Bred by McManus's wife Noreen, Spillane's Tower joined Mangan as a black canvas. Now, he is rightly regarded as one of the most exciting staying chasers either side of the Irish Sea and has his talent has been brilliantly nurtured by the old school handler. A pair of Grade 1 novice chase successes were followed by a last gasp second behind the fellow McManus-owned and Willie Mullins-trained Fact To File in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown last month. That race almost single-handedly raised the temperature of the National Hunt season proper and Mangan is hoping to crank the thermometer up further at Kempton. “It's incredible, really,” he says. “Everywhere I go, people are asking, 'how's the horse?' They wouldn't ask how are you going yourself! Spillane's Tower comes first. When you drive into Conna, there is a sign that says, 'home of Monty's Pass'. He was the horse of the community back 20 years ago. There's no doubt that Spllane's Tower has put a great buzz around the place again.” He added, “But none of this would be possible without JP. He has an unbelievable group of staying chasers this season. Where my fella slots in, I don't know. Maybe towards the top? Mark [Walsh, jockey] picked Fact To File in the John Durkan at Punchestown and he was proved right but he could have been proved wrong very easily as well. “But I admire that man [McManus] so much. Even if he never had a horse here I'd say the same thing because he has always given the small man a chance. He stands out as possibly the best owner in the world because he never forgot one man, and that man is Shane Broderick. Some young people might say 'who was Shane Broderick?' He rode a lot of winners but paid the ultimate penalty and is in a wheelchair from injuries suffered from a bad fall. JP is keeping him going. Outstanding. JP is second to nobody.” Mangan has yet to register a winner this season. In fact, the trainer, who is closely aided by his wife Mary in the day-to-day running of the operation, has not graced the winner's enclosure since Spillane's Tower landed his second Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival earlier in the spring. In all seriousness, Jane probably had a point. Her parents had been slugging away without getting much by way of success or adulation. But this is a place where the horse comes first and, put simply, there are few better at providing a horse with every possibility of reaching its potential. Spillane's Tower being the case in point. “Arra, we only like to win the big ones,” comes the typical light-hearted response to mention of the dry spell. “But to be honest, I'm as happy as Larry. If I could turn back the clock I'd do it all over again. I have my health and I'm so happy with my lot because I've seen tragedies and all you have to do nowadays is turn on the news to be reminded how lucky we all are. “We're living in heaven with a horse like Spillane's Tower around the place and we're getting great enjoyment out of it all. There probably hasn't been a horse down here in Cork like Spillane's Tower since Imperial Call. The buzz surrounding the King George is incredible. “Pat Murphy, my head lad, and Chloe Dreaper, who knows him better than any of us, will go over with him. I'm looking forward to it and I'm hoping he can put up a massive performance because the whole of Ireland will be behind him.” The dream is alive. Mangan on….. Jimmy and Jane Mangan: teamed up to win 10 races together | Racingfotos.com Jane's career It's funny, I didn't want her to get a jockey's licence at the start but herself and Mary went away behind my back and did it anyway. She was pretty handy in the saddle in fairness. When she told me she was giving up riding, I pleaded with her not to. So, I didn't want her to start and I didn't want her to finish either! But she knew what she wanted in life and she's living down in Cashel now and seems to be enjoying herself. She's built up her own career and lots of people tell me they love listening to Jane on the television. My answer to that is, 'Jesus, I've been listening to her all my life!' But she always knew what she was talking about. And she was an incredible help around here as well. I do miss her, I have to say, but equally, we're delighted she's made such a success of it. There was a time she'd be doing a podcast here in the sitting room with Nick Luck or whoever and she'd be shouting at me to turn off the television or to leave the room. His role as a seller If I wasn't a seller I wouldn't survive. The way the game is gone, if the small man doesn't manage to sell at least one horse every year, they won't stay in business. No hope. The overheads are cruel. Fridays come fast and, if you were to add up everything, you might say to yourself, 'am I mad?' But it's either in you or it isn't. Lord have mercy on my father, he always had a racehorse around the place. Back in those days, when fellas had nothing, they still had horses. Funny. Nowadays, if it wasn't for the big boys in the point-to-points, there'd be no point-to-points because the ordinary man isn't keeping a horse like he used to. It's a shame, really, but the point-to-point game has changed so much even in the recent past. I suppose it's become more of a business now than anything else. We've had a lot of good horses through this place. Tom Costello bought Bindaree off me. He won the Grand National in 2002. I can remember I gave 2,200 for him as a yearling. Then of course we had Monty's Pass ourselves and we also had Amberleigh House here as well. So the Grand National winners of 2002, 2003 and 2004 passed through our yard. Taking on the big boys The John Durkan brought life back into National Hunt racing. It really was some race. You had Willie Mullins there with all of his top horses and next thing I came along and nearly beat the whole lot of them! Willie, Gordon [Elliott] and Henry [de Bromhead] have the best horses and more power to them. They are brilliant people and I take my hat off to them. They are still the same people as they always were at the races. If I can beat them, I will, and they are the first to congratulate you when you do. I have known Willie all my life and I'd often wind him up if he wasn't happy with a ride one of his horses might have gotten at the races. I'd tell him, 'you can't be talking, I've seen you fall twice in the one race.' And he did. He took a fall in a point-to-point, remounted and then what happened? He fell again! I rate him one of the best trainers in the world. Flat or National Hunt. He has some team behind him. National Hunt breeding The reality is that the middle market is gone. There was a time when you would get away with murder but not anymore. It's either the top end or nothing in National Hunt breeding. The same as the Flat, really. A lot of people are going to be lost to the game, unfortunately, as they just won't be able to pay the bills any more. At the end of the day, things are not adding up. The younger people seem to be getting involved with the Flat rather than the jumps. They can see the light. You'd have to be worried about the small man. I never saw as many foals being led out unsold as I did this year. No bid, no bid, no bid despite the auctioneer trying hard. The minimum bid used to always be 600 quid, and there used to be a fella, Johnny Six Hundred, who'd be at the sales and would give the minimum bid. Well, Johnny Six Hundred is gone. Conna Castle He was some horse. I can remember the morning after he won the Listed Chase at Rosommon in October 2007, he was lame behind. He had a hairline fracture down his cannon bone. All my hopes were dashed that morning. So we gave him a few months off and scanned him again. We couldn't believe it but he scanned perfectly after Christmas. I can remember ringing Davy [Russell] in February to tell him that the horse was back in great form and that he was being aimed for the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse. Davy says, 'that's grand, I'll ride him for you.' I remember meeting Davy at the races again and telling him how well the horse is going at home. 'One hundred per cent Jimmy, I'll ride him for you.' The morning of declarations for Fairyhouse, Kieran O'Toole [agent] rings me, 'do you want Paul Carberry for Conna Castle?' Davy chose to ride Big Zeb instead. Of course, Davy wouldn't answer his phone at this stage, either. I can remember telling Paul, 'if ever a horse was made for you, this fella is it–keep that arse of yours cocked up in the air until you're going down to the last.' Sure enough, Carberry delivered Conna Castle after the last and we beat Big Zeb half a length. We got great satisfaction out of that and Davy didn't say anything in the parade ring afterwards. He had a big sour puss on his face! Davy started off with me. I'd say it was his first job here. He was brilliant. I can remember going to a point-to-point with Davy one day and there were five sets of colours waiting for him. He was after promising five different people that he'd ride for them in the one race! That would be Davy. How do Monty's Pass and Spillane's Tower compare Oh there's no comparison. Monty's was a handicapper but this fella is top class. He's the best I've ever trained and he's proved that already. He's got stamina, class and that extra gear that a lot of horses don't have. If he's near them at the last at Kempton, he'll take beating as he has that acceleration that a lot of horses don't have. I knew fitness would catch him at Punchestown. The bloody year that's in it, we missed a schooling day in Tipperary because of the dry weather and that was the winning and losing of the John Durkan in my mind. He's in a completely different place now. I wouldn't be going to Kempton unless he was one hundred per cent right and he is. The post ‘We’re In Heaven With A Horse Like Spillane’s Tower – The Whole Of Ireland Is Behind Him’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Penalties J McInerney Jnr | Non-raceday dated 19 December; failed to present runner free of prohibited substance; fined $1,500 ($500 suspended for 12 months) and costs of $1,633.89) R Evans | Southland 18 December; incorrect nomination; fined $100. Dog Penalties OPAWA RIVER | Christchurch 20 December; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. HOMEBUSH LOCKE | Christchurch 20 December; eye condition; eye specialist clearance required and must complete trial. General Race 9 Southland GRC meeting of 18 December was declared a no race after the lure breaking down with the remainder of the meeting abandoned. The post 16-22 December 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Driver Penalties W Frost | NZ Metropolitan 17 December; careless driving; suspended 18 December – 17 April inclusive. C Ford | NZ Metropolitan 17 December; use of whip; suspended 18 December – 1 January inclusive. R May | NZ Metropolitan 17 December; suspended 18-28 December inclusive. K McClintock | NZ Metropolitan 17 December; medical clearance required. C Hackett | Waikato Bay of Plenty 19 December; use of whip; fined $300. A Sharpe | Waikato Bay of Plenty 19 December; use of whip; fined $500. M Ranger | Auckland 13 December (heard Auckland 20 December); allowed runner to shift down into passing lane; fined $250. M McKendry | Auckland 20 December; out of position at start; fined $100. D Balle | Auckland 20 December; breach of push out rule; fined $400. J Dickie | Auckland 20 December; contacted track marker; fined $100. Trainer Penalties N Chilcott | Waikato Bay of Plenty 19 December; failed to affix gear so as not to come adrift; fined $100. S Wigg | Auckland 20 December; failed to affix bandage so as not to come adrift; fined $100. C Ferguson | Invercargill 20 December; incorrect gear; fined $100. B Negus | Ashburton 22 December; incorrect gear; fined $100. Horse Penalties TARUKENGA | NZ Metropolitan 17 December; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. MIKEY MAGUIRE | Invercargill 20 December; lame; veterinary clearance required. HEY BARTENDER | Invercargill 20 December; lame; veterinary clearance required. STEELINTHEHEEL | Ashburton 22 December; broke in running; must complete trial. MISS YO | Ashburton 22 December; refused to score up; must complete mobile start trial. Protests COURTNEY FORCE | Ashburton 22 December; displayed unsatisfactory manners prior to start; declared a non-runner. MISS YO | Ashburton 22 December; displayed unsatisfactory manners prior to start; declared a non-runner. The post 16-22 December 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

While 'TDN Rising Star' Tamara (Bolt d'Oro) will be a main attraction on the Dec. 26 opening-day card at Santa Anita, another highly anticipated foal who is also out of the fan-favorite champion Beholder–this one an unnamed and unraced 2-year-old colt by Curlin–fired a bullet three-furlong morning move Saturday in just his third published workout for trainer Bob Baffert and owner Zedan Racing. The in-company :36 clocking (1/18) just prior to the Christmas holiday on a non-racing Saturday at Santa Anita might have flown a touch under-the-radar for a juvenile with such a high-profile pedigree. But considering that this is a colt who hammered for $4 million as an Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling 16 months ago, it's unlikely that the chestnut with the Hall-of-Fame parents will be keeping a low profile for future training sessions. “He is coming around slowly. Beautiful mover,” Baffert told TDN via text message a few hours after the Dec. 21 workout. Unlike the first four foals out of the four-time Eclipse Award-winner who were all raced by breeder Spendthrift Farm, the Curlin colt was the first of Beholder's babies to sell at public auction. As TDN's Katie Petrunyak reported almost exactly a year ago, the colt had earned a reputation for being a bit high-strung at that Saratoga yearling sale because he was on his toes in the sales ring and let loose with one hair-raising rear-up. But when sent to Eddie Woods Stables in Ocala, Florida, Woods told Petrunyak that the colt was just a “good-feeling horse” who was straightforward in his demeanor as he progressed willingly through the early stages of jogging and cantering. Now fast-forward 12 months to Santa Anita, where the Curlin–Beholder colt began racetrack life with a quarter-mile move Dec. 8 followed by two three-eighths “handily” workouts Dec. 15 and 21. “He has filled out into a really nice-bodied horse,” Baffert told TDN. “He has a great mind and moves like a good horse.” Asked if he has a ballpark timetable for the colt's debut, Baffert responded, “Still a ways away from running. Maybe February.” And is there a name in the pipeline that is awaiting approval from The Jockey Club? “No name picked out yet,” Baffert texted. Tamara is the most accomplished of Beholder's foals to date. She won her 2023 juvenile maiden debut, soared home by 6 3/4 lengths in the GI Del Mar Debutante S., then faded to seventh as the 4-5 favorite in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Following that race, it was found that she had sustained a fractured splint bone in her left leg. After more than a year off, Tamara returned to the races Nov. 15, 2024, and ran a game second, beaten a nose, in an optional $100,000 claimer in which she was not entered to be claimed. Beholder's other foals to race, all out of trainer Richard Mandella's barn, have been the gelding Q B One (Uncle Mo), an 0-for-4 maiden at Santa Anita in 2021-22; the filly Karin With an I (Curlin), who was seventh in her only two starts at Santa Anita and Del Mar in 2022, and the filly Teena Ella (War Front), whose 2-for-5 record includes winning the GIII Senorita S. on the downhill turf sprint course at Santa Anita in 2023. One Glad Grad When a racetrack accident put jockey Skyler Spanabel in the hospital several years ago, she didn't realize the up-close brush with the medical profession would provide a life-changing perspective that would remain with her long after her broken arm healed. “Of the three days I was there, only one nurse was very empathetic, considerate and gentle,” Spanabel told Tampa's ABC Action News in a 2023 interview. “And I was like, 'We need more like her, and I want to be like her.' And so I wanted to go into the system to make a difference.” So Spanabel–while continuing to ride in races at Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park–enrolled in nursing school. After four years of splitting course work and racetrack work, last Tuesday the 25-year-old jockey received her diploma, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the Arizona College of Nursing in Tampa. She was one of 20 grads from an original class of 56 who started in the demanding, year-round program, in which students receive only a single week off every 16 weeks. “You have no idea the amount of weight that came off my shoulders,” Spanabel told the Tampa Bay Downs notes team. “It took a lot. I want to thank everybody at the track for their support, especially the trainers who rode me on their horses while I was in school. They had a lot of patience,” she said. Spanabel will begin working as a registered nurse in February in a surgical unit at HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital. But just as she did during school, she's determined to continue her career as a jockey, aiming to strike a balance between both professions. “I'll be working at the hospital Monday through Wednesday, so I can ride Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” Spanabel said. Her first mount after graduation on Tuesday was a second-place finish aboard a 15-1 first-time starter in the Wednesday opener at Tampa, just a half-length shy of victory. “My first love is horses,” Spanabel emphasized. “[Nursing] is my second.” Not Making the Grade Coming off consecutive weekends in which points-awarding prep races for the GI Kentucky Derby lured only fields of five in the Dec. 14 GII Los Alamitos Futurity and the Dec. 21 ungraded Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds, other stakes races on the Derby trail absorbed a hit this past week when three points-awarding qualifiers coming up in just a few weeks were stripped of their graded status for 2025. The American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association downgraded 33 races in total for next year. Three of them are sophomore stakes clustered together on the calendar, all Grade III races that will now be classified as “listed:” the Feb. 1 Withers S. at Aqueduct, the Feb. 8 Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa, and the Feb. 16 Sunland Derby at Sunland Park. As recently as 2022, the Withers winner was the eventual GI Preakness S. winner, Early Voting. Two participants in recent renewals of the Davis, Vino Rosso (2018) and Knicks Go (2019), later won the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Stronghold (Ghostzapper), who is entered in Thursday's GI Malibu S. at Santa Anita, parlayed last year's Sunland Derby into a next-out victory in the GI Santa Anita Derby. Those examples aren't meant as justifications that the races shouldn't have been trimmed, because there are still way too many graded stakes (415) relative to the declining Thoroughbred population. But it's not like those were entirely unproductive Grade III stakes, either. The post The Week in Review: Beholder’s $4-Million Baby Fires a Bullet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rider Penalties J Fawcett | Whangarei 18 December; misconduct; fined $750. R Jaun | Canterbury 6 December (heard Ashburton 18 December); failed to take all reasonable and permissible actions; suspended 23 December – 19 January inclusive. D Montes De Oca | Ashburton 18 December; use of whip; fined $300. A Goindasamy | Ashburton 18 December; use of whip; fined $250. C Dell | Levin 19 December; careless riding; suspended 22-30 December inclusive. L Hemi | Levin 19 December; use of whip; suspended 30 December – 4 January inclusive. M Lerner | Levin 19 December; use of whip; fined $250. N Parmar | Whangarei 20 December; careless riding; suspended 22-30 December inclusive. T Comignaghi | Manawatu 21 December; careless riding; suspended 31 December – 6 January inclusive. S Weatherley | Manawatu 21 December; use of whip; fined $750. D Bothamley | Tapanui 22 December; failed to make weight; fined $100. D Tait | Tapanui 22 December; medical clearance required. Trainer Penalty M Walker & S Bergerson | Waikato 21 December; incorrect gear; fined $50. Horse Penalty MIVIRGO | Whangarei 20 December; late scratching after rearing in barrier; must complete trial. General The Tapanui RC meeting of 22 December was abandoned after Race 3 due to an unsafe track. The post 16-22 December 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Continuing our series, Adam Houghton reveals his love affair with the Juddmonte International and where the latest name on the roll of honour ranks among his York greats. Horse of the year: City Of Troy 'Boring!' I can almost hear the cries of derision from the desk here in my box room, the accusation that I'm simply following the crowd with another accolade for the mantelpiece of City Of Troy's altogether more roomy box at Coolmore Stud. True, I'm unlikely to win any prizes for originality with this selection, but then how many other horses this year, if any, would have had the pulling power to have me planning a maiden visit to Southwell, on a day off from work, just to watch them participate in a racecourse gallop? Not many, I can tell you. That power to put bums on seats like City Of Troy did belongs to only a select few. Whether you agree with Aidan O'Brien and his insistence that this was the best horse he's ever trained is really neither here nor there. What matters as a racing fan is how the son of Justify made you feel when you were watching him, the emotions he evoked on both his best and worst days. From the deflation of his flop in the 2,000 Guineas to the glorious redemption of his victory in the Derby, we went through it all with City Of Troy in 2024, but the day that he really cemented his place in my affections was when he produced a tour de force to win the G1 Juddmonte International on my beloved Knavesmire. It's a tried-and-tested path if you want to find favour with this local lad. The Juddmonte will always be my favourite contest in the Flat racing calendar and the teenage kicks I got out of being at York to see career-defining performances from the likes of Frankel (GB) and Sea The Stars (Ire) might never be surpassed, no matter how long I live to follow this sport. It's to the immense credit of City Of Troy that he probably came as close as any horse ever will. It's one thing lowering the course record set by the great Sea The Stars some 15 years earlier, but it was the manner in which he did it, and the joy it brought, which I hope will live long in the memory, together with those Juddmonte titans of years gone by. Sent straight to the front by Ryan Moore, City Of Troy simply wasn't for passing as the 13-strong field made its way up the long straight. Even at the line he still looked full of running, as became his trademark on his best days, this time after completing one mile, two furlongs and 56 yards of the Knavesmire faster than any horse in history. It wasn't as if he was beating trees, either. Just look who finished immediately behind him, with the ace French raider Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), the subsequent G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}), and Durezza (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), runner-up in last month's G1 Japan Cup, filling three of the next four places. For those of us who had grown to love him, City Of Troy's swansong in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic didn't go as hoped, but again that's neither here nor there. What matters is how it felt to watch him, the nervous anticipation he engendered from over 5,000 miles away as he took his place in the stalls at Del Mar. To have that effect on you is a power that belongs to only a select few and it's why, for me, 2024 will always be remembered as the year of City Of Troy. Boring it most certainly was not. CITY OF TROY makes all in a stellar running of the £1.25m Juddmonte International! @yorkracecourse pic.twitter.com/H5CKF7kCCM — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 21, 2024 One for next year: Treble Tee Treble Tee (Ire) made his way into my notebook when making a successful start to his career at Newmarket in late-October, but it was only when doing a bit of digging for a recent edition of Winter Watch that I decided this was the three-year-old colt I wanted to get behind in 2025. The Aston Martin Novice Stakes looked a warm race of its type on paper, featuring a whole host of well-bred newcomers from powerful yards, and already its proving an informative contest with the fifth- and seventh-place finishers both winning on the all-weather in recent weeks. In the race itself, Treble Tee belied his inexperience with a stylish performance, really impressing with the way he put the race to bed in the final furlong as he powered to the line over two lengths clear of Mudbir (GB) (Kingman {GB}), a sibling to the multiple Group 1 winners Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) from the Gosden yard. Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, having been bought for €55,000 at the Arqana October Yearling Sale, Treble Tee is one of five winners from seven runners out of his Listed-winning dam, with the others including the G3 Prix Chloe heroine Suphala (Fr) (Frankel {GB}). A scopey sort, he's very much in the mould of his sire, Persian King (Ire), and it will be no surprise if he makes significant progress from two to three. 5 winners in just 8 days by #PersianKing !!! Bred at Etreham, the debutant TREBLE TEE wins the @astonmartin Novice Stakes over 1400m at @NewmarketRace A great result to cap off an exceptional week! Congratulations to all @edcrisford @SimonCrisford @the_doyler pic.twitter.com/pVsOkTKHGM — Haras d'Etreham (@Haras_d_Etreham) October 23, 2024 Stallion to follow: Ardad Ardad (Ire) was perhaps the surprise package among the leading first-crop sires of 2021, with the G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park Stakes hero Perfect Power (Ire), G3 Sirenia Stakes scorer Eve Lodge (GB) and G2 Coventry Stakes third Vintage Clarets (GB) featuring among his 23 individual two-year-old winners in Europe that year. Admittedly, it hasn't always been plain sailing for the son of Kodiac (GB) in the interim–last year he had only two juvenile winners from 13 runners–but I'm expecting big things from him in 2025 when the increased support he received from breeders after they witnessed the success of his first runners should start to bear fruit. Standing at Overbury Stud for a fee of £12,500 in 2022, up from £4,000 the previous year, Ardad was the most active stallion in Britain that year when covering 205 mares. From that he reportedly has 153 two-year-olds to represent him in 2025, “by far his biggest and best-bred bunch so far,” according to Overbury's Simon Sweeting. Only time will tell whether there's another Perfect Power among them, but sheer weight of numbers alone should give him every chance of coming up with another good one. The post Horse Of The Year; One For Next Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Seven months after the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), Randomized and Idiomatic met again in the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course and turned in an even more thrilling duel. View the full article

Arguably there is no better stallion making race in Australasia than Victoria’s only Gr.1 event for two-year-olds, the Blue Diamond Stakes, and when you add the hottest bloodline in the Southern Hemisphere to the mix, you have an exciting stallion prospect. Little Avondale’s Sam William’s extensive search for a new stallion and one to eventually replace the studs patriarch, Per Incanto, is complete, with the Wairarapa nursery pleased to announce the purchase of the 2023 Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Little Brose (Per Incanto-Mohegan Sky by Straight Man), who will stand his first season at LA in 2025 for a service fee of $15,000 plus GST. Previous winners of the Blue Diamond Stakes who have gone onto be leading sires include Redoute’s Choice, Bel Esprit, Rancher, Zeditave, Pride of Dubai, Star Witness and Extreme Choice. Little Brose is the first Australian Gr.1 winning two-year-old to stand at stud in NZ since Darci Brahma in 2005; noting that Darci won his elite contest at 1600m compared to the 1200m of the Blue Diamond. A $200,000 purchase from the Sledmere Stud draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sales by Lindsay Park Racing, the son of Per Incanto debuted on 1 November of his two-year-old year with a 2nd placing in the Gr.3 Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington over 1000m. Three weeks later he stepped out over 1000m in the Listed Merson Cooper stakes at Caulfield scoring brilliantly over the subsequent Golden Slipper runner up and Gr.1 Newmarket winner Cylinder. Little Brose’s sire Per Incanto needs no introduction. The strength of his Street Cry sireline can be no better illustrated by the fact that he has three sons inside the top 15 on the Australian Sires premiership. Currently headed up by his son Pride of Dubai, who as mentioned also won the Gr.1 Blue Diamond. Mohegan Sky, the dam of Little Brose was a blindingly fast American stakeswinner from the Halo and Caro sireline. It’s a family built around speed and early speed at that, with notable members of the family including Australian Gr.1 winner Absolut Glam and current leading South African three-year-old filly Saartjie. Little Brose has been fully syndicated amongst Australasia’s leading breeders. View the full article

Frenchman celebrates his first victory since July 10 as Raging Blizzard surges home in the finale.View the full article

Superstar Kiwi caps one of the better short-term stints the city has seen with wins aboard Super Legends, Lady’s Choice, Divano and Johannes Brahms.View the full article

James McDonald brings down the curtain on his short-term stint with victory on Johannes Brahms. Photo: HKJC James McDonald closed a highly successful short-term stint in Hong Kong with a quartet at Sha Tin on Sunday, crowning his stay with two Group 1 victories while amassing more than HK$72 million for connections during the 11-meeting cameo. Acclaimed as the 2024 World’s Best Jockey, McDonald slotted four winners, a second and a third from nine rides at Sha Tin to finish his visit with 19 wins and 21 minor placings from 89 rides for overall prizemoney earnings of HK$72,033,605 – a figure bettered this season only by Zac Purton (HK$81.9 million). McDonald, who dominated at the HK$126 million Hong Kong International Races with victories on Romantic Warrior in the HK$40 million Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and Voyage Bubble in the HK$36 million Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m), scored on Super Legends, Lady’s Choice, Divano and Johannes Brahms today. The New Zealander is scheduled to return to Hong Kong to partner Voyage Bubble in the HK$13 million Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on January 19 after serving a seven-meeting suspension for careless riding following an incident at Sha Tin on December 15. “I’ve absolutely loved every minute of it except for last Sunday, it threw a bit of a downer on the whole trip but we loved it – it’s been brilliant,” said McDonald, who sits in fourth place in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship behind Purton (51 wins), Hugh Bowman (26) and Vincent Ho (21). “Those horses (Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble) have been the highlights but I really enjoyed every meeting – most meetings, I got winners so it was good.” McDonald opened his account aboard Danny Shum’s Super Legends before adding the Class 3 Pok Oi Cup Handicap (1200m) on Lady’s Choice for Michael Chang, the first section of the Class 3 Tulip Handicap (1200m) on Francis Lui’s Divano and Johannes Brahms for Pierre Ng. 2025 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) hopeful Johannes Brahms, who was formerly trained by Aidan O’Brien in Ireland, earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million for his first Hong Kong win. Jerry Chau continued a form resurgence with a treble, scoring on Dennis Yip-trained veteran Fire Ball, Another World for Benno Yung and Ricky Yiu’s Sky Joy. Chau ended a dry spell with victory on Packing Bole for Danny Shum on December 18, having endured a winless streak stretching back to October. “The last two months have, for me, been a bit down and it’s been hard to get winners,” Chau said. “It seems now like the luck has changed and everything is going well now with two winners. It’s good. “But I just kept working hard, going to Sha Tin and Conghua to ride track work to get the results. “(I was) very luck today with Sky Joy. We had a very difficult draw with barrier 14 but luckily the horse has good gate speed and we had some luck to get a little bit of cover.” Yiu was delighted with Chau’s display on Sky Joy, who overcame barrier 14 to score strongly. “He’s a nice horse and he responded really well under the stick. It was one, two and boom off he goes. It was his second start and from a wide barrier on the ‘A+3’ course, statistics told us he couldn’t win,” Yiu said. “But with Jerry Chau on him, like I said to the owners, he’ll at least be in the first three because we’ve got a jockey who is flying today. He (Chau) is an improving young chap, I like him a lot. Before he went overseas, he was with me and I spent a lot of time with him for 12 months or so.” Antoine Hamelin slotted his 100th Hong Kong victory when John Size’s Raging Blizzard won, snaring his first win since last season. “It’s great, I’ve been waiting a while for this one,” the Frenchman said. “But now, I’m very happy. The horse was very well prepared, as usual, by Mr Size. I thanked him again for the support he has given me over these four years and I hope for more in the coming years. “It’s been a while waiting for this one. I knew I was stuck on 99, so it’s even longer when you’re waiting for your 100th. But I’m very happy and grateful. It’s a good Christmas gift and the new year is coming soon. I can’t wait and I hope more winners come.” Ka Ying Attack claimed the Class 4 Erica Handicap (1400m), narrowly clinching the contest for three-year-olds for David Hall and Matthew Poon before Shum slotted a double with Joyful Prosperity, who made it three wins in a row with victory under Bowman. Horse racing news View the full article

Youngster says he rearranged the furniture in his house in the hope of bringing better luck.View the full article

What Tamworth Races Where Tamworth Jockey Club & Function Centre – 28 Britten Rd, Taminda NSW 2340 When Monday, December 23, 2024 First Race 1:50pm AEDT Visit Dabble Country racing returns to the Tamworth Jockey Club on Monday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-part program set for decision. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and with nothing but sunny skies predicted across the weekend, punters can expect a genuine Good 4 surface. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 1:50pm local time. Best Bet at Tamworth: Wezza Wezza returns after a 330-day spell and appears set to strike on the back of two strong barrier trials. The daughter of Rubick caught the eye in her most recent piece of work at Newcastle on December 12, cruising through the wire under her own steam to suggest she’s ready for this first-up assignment. Andrew Gibbons should get the perfect run throughout from barrier five, and provided Wezza can show her electric turn-of-foot, the $5 with Neds looks a cracking price to find out. Best Bet Race 3 – #2 Wezza (5) 4yo Mare | T: Mark Minervini | J: Andrew Gibbons (59kg) +400 with Neds Next Best at Tamworth: Judge Jack Judge Jack has made a good impression in back-to-back starts, breaking his maiden before finishing off well in his latest start at Tamworth on December 2. The Justify gelding was last turning for home, making strong inroads along the inside running rail when it was all over. The 1600m third-up should be ideal, and with even luck from barrier five, watch for Judge Jack to be finishing off best in this BM66 contest. Next Best Race 2 – #9 Judge Jack (5) 3yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | J: Jean Van Overmeire (55kg) +450 with BlondeBet Best Value at Tamworth: Great Siege Punters can expect the Holly Williams-trained Great Siege to bounce back at a terrific each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. He was unable to dictate terms in his latest performance and lead as he did two starts back, making every post a winner at this course and distance on September 30. If he can replicate that performance in this Class 2 contest, expect the five-year-old to give a bold sight at the $10 quote. Best Value Race 6 – #1 Great Siege (11) 5yo Gelding | T: Holly Williams | J: Clayton Gallagher (60kg) +900 with Picklebet Monday quaddie tips for Tamworth Tamworth quadrella selections December 23, 2024 9-11-14 4-5-8-10 1-4-5-12 1-2-4-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

A winning double with Pick Of The Litter and Our Time at Te Rapa brought up a special milestone for Peter Lock. The Te Aroha-based trainer was sitting on 398 domestic victories prior to the Saturday meeting, and he edged closer to the 400 milestone when Pick Of The Litter (NZ) (Vadamos) produced a tough victory in the opener, the Dunstan Final Boxing Day 2400. The Vadamos mare had been a winner over 2100m in November and stepped up creditably for fourth over the mile-and-a-half at Ellerslie, placing her among the favoured runners in the Rating 65 contest. A textbook ride from Kelly Myers had the mare sitting comfortably in the one-one throughout, and after looming up at the 250, she showed grit in the finish to hold out Verismo by a nose. “It was her second run over 2400m and she’s hit the line very well,” Lock said. “It was a very good ride by Kelly, she had the run of the race, was presented at the right time and was lucky to outstay the other horse, which was coming quickly. “I’m very proud of her, she stuck to her guns.” Later on the card, stablemate Our Time (NZ) (Time Test) saluted the judge with some authority in the Nationwide Livestock Mile (1600m), bringing up Lock’s 400th winner in suitable fashion. In the hands of Myers, the son of Time Test settled in midfield and despite showing his inexperience in stages down the straight, his talent prevailed taking the race comfortably by 1 – ¼ lengths. “We’ve always held him in high regard,” Lock said. “He was a bit unlucky in his first start, he got a wet track and didn’t handle it, then at Rotorua, he drew wide, was hampered and only was beaten a half-head by a very good horse of Pike’s (Amazing Fluke). “He’s a half-brother to a very good horse I had called Faithful Feat who we had a lot of luck with, and I think this one is a very good horse in the making.” A winner of the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) in 2022, Faithful Feat was among Lock’s well-performed horses in over three decades of training, with Group One performer Hiflyer another that meant a lot to the Waikato horseman. “Training Hiflyer was a very big privilege, I’d done a bit of work at Cambridge Stud for Patrick Hogan and the horse had a bit of a turned out foot, and as I’m a blacksmith by trade, Patrick thought he would be a nice horse for me to have to keep control of his foot,” Lock said. “He gifted nine shares to nine of my loyal owners and we syndicated him out, and the rest was history. I think he had 25 starts for 10 wins and 10 placings and won around $350,000 in stakes. He was beaten a head by Melody Belle in the Tarzino, he was just a fantastic horse. “The new Cambridge Stud with Jo and Brendan Lindsay have just given me his half-brother by Tarzino to train, so I’m very excited and happy about that. “We’ve had a lot of nice horses over the years, we had a horse called Lockins back in the day who won the Winstone Guineas, I won the Northern Hurdles with Montezuma, and another horse called Strike Regal won 12 in one season.” The double continued what has been a fruitful season for Lock’s stable thus far, winning 11 races from just 50 starters, highlighted by his promising sprinting mare Debit (NZ) (Darci Brahma), who won three from three through the spring. “There’s a lot of hard work involved, I have great staff and you’ve got to have nice horses coming through,” he said. “We moved a few of the older horses on last year and brought a lot of young ones in, which is always a rebuilding phase. We’ve got some lovely young horses around us at the moment that we haven’t tried yet, I’m really looking forward to them. “My daughter does all of the social media and she’s extremely good at it, she heads away a lot to Australia for the yearling sales so it does die off a wee bit over that time, but when she is here, she does a great job. “We use Prism a lot, it’s an Australian company that we’ve joined to communicate with the owners. All of my clients really love it, the videos and audio are great. “There are exciting times ahead for us.” View the full article