Wandering Eyes

JOCKEY Andrea Atzeni is aiming to end the season positively as he chases down 100 winners to cap what has been another good year. He has five rides on the Racebets-sponsored card at York on Friday, including the talented UAE Prince for his boss, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid. We spoke to Atzeni about his chances of victory, his weekend riding plans and caught up on how things are with some of his other big rides. You have a busy day on Friday, starting off with UAE Prince in the Racebets Money Back 2nd 3rd 4th Handicap (2.40). Do you think he can build on his good run last time? He’s a horse we’ve always liked. He’s got a lot of ability and ran a good race last time in the Cambridgeshire. He’s not the easiest horse to win with as he has a high-cruising speed and travels well through races, but doesn’t like to be in front too early. There’s definitely a big race in him and there’s a good chance that’ll be on Friday. UAE King- Andrea Atzeni wins from Sternrubin – Tom QueallyCanford Heights is your ride in the Racebets Handicap (3.50). Can he land the hat-trick? He’s won his last two and was very impressive at Haydock. I’m doing my bottom weight to ride him and it’s worth doing that because he looks a really progressive horse. He stays well and must have every chance. CANFORD HEIGHTS and Richard Kingscote win at Haydock Park 29/9/18Island Of Life returns to action in the 5f handicap (4.25). Can she get her head in front? She’s been consistent and hopefully the wind operation and cheekpieces will eek out that little bit extra from her. She has to be ridden ‘cold’ and produced late as she can be sluggish from the stalls. Hopefully we’ll get a bit of luck. What do you make of Felix in the novice stakes (5.00)? He’s carrying a penalty and giving weight away is never easy. That said, it looks a winnable race and he won cosily the last day at Yarmouth. Your final ride of the day is Equitation in the 6f handicap (5.35). Will he send you home on a winner? Equitation is Equitation. He wouldn’t have a lot in hand, if anything, but he’s consistent and usually runs his race. Where are you in action on Saturday? I’m riding at Woodbine in the EP Taylor Stakes and the Canadian International. I ride Sheikha Reika in the EP Taylor. She was very good in a Listed race last time and while this is a step up in grade, we feels she’s worthy of her place. Desert Encounter run in the Canadian International and his trainer David Simcock has done very well at this meeting before. The horse has run good races all season. SHEIKHA REIKA with A Atzeni win Maiden Fillies Stakes at Newmarket 19-4-18.Last weekend you were abroad too, riding at Longchamp on Arc weekend. How did you feel it went for you? It was a good weekend, Saturday in particular with Group 2 wins on Princess Yaiza and Ostillo. Ostillo was particularly good to win on and is an exciting horse for next year. It was great for the boss [Sheikh Mohammed Obaid] and hopefully he can step up further next year. Unfortunately, Defoe didn’t run his race in the Arc. That said, it was great to see Enable win the Arc again and for Frankie [Dettori] to win it for a sixth time was incredible. The last time we saw the exciting Willie John was in France. How is he after that below-par performance and where might we see him next? I’m not sure what plans are for him but he’s in good order. In France last time the ground was very soft and he’s a top of the ground horse. He has very small feet and couldn’t go through it. If the ground is okay he may run again, if not he’ll be put away. He’s a very talented horse and hopefully he can show that next year. We are nearing the end of the Flat season. How has it been for you? Numbers-wise it’s been really good. I’ve ridden more winners than last year and would love to get to 100 winners for the season. In terms of races it would be winning the Goodwood Cup again on Stradivarius. He was brilliant. And, finally, there have been some huge sums spent at the bloodstock auctions in Newmarket this week. What have you made of it all? My boss has been up there this week and is spending some big money on new horses, which is exciting. You always hope among them is going to be a star and I’m very lucky to be in a position to ride them. But you know what it’s like, just because you’re paying a lot doesn’t guarantee they’ll be good horses. Hopefully they will and there be some nice ones in there. The post Andrea Atzeni on his big chances on the RaceBets York card appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) remains firmly on top of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings with a mark of 130 after she won her 28th start in a row, the G1 Turnbull S., one better than the retired Horse of the Year Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}) and injured MG1SW Poet’s Word (Ire) (Poet’s Voice {GB}). Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) stayed at 128 and Qatar Racing’s Roaring Lion (Kitten’s Joy) is the highest-rated sophomore in the standings at 127, after defeating Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 QIPCO Champion S. during Longines Irish Champions Weekend. MGISW Accelerate (Lookin At Lucky) is the second highest-ranked dirt horse at 126, one better than John Gosden stablemates Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}). The latter won the G1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for the second consecutive year, becoming the seventh horse to accomplish that feat and eighth horse to win two Arcs. She defeated Sea Of Class (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (122), with Cloth of Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (123) third and Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) (122) fourth. The top-ranked newcomer to the rankings is Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road To Rock {Aus}) at 123 after he won the G3 Celebration Cup H. in Hong Kong. Kew Gardens (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is also new to the list at 121 after saluting in the G1 St Leger S., which equals Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire})’s mark after the last named took the G1 Epsom H. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday’s Insights features a full-brother to GSW & MG1SP City Style (City Zip). 7.45 Wolverhampton, Cond, £5,800, 2yo, 9f 104y (AWT) Godolphin’s AL MIKDAM (City Zip) is a homebred full-brother to G3 Strensall S. hero and dual G1 Jebel Hatta placegetter City Style, and returns off a Sept. 19 debut eighth tackling one mile at Sandown. Opposition to the Saeed bin Suroor trainee include Weldspec Glasgow Ltd’s $25,000 Keeneland September yearling Dark Lochnagar (Australia {GB}), who is a Keith Dalgleish-trained son of G1 1000 Guineas heroine Virginia Waters (Kingmambo). View the full article

Winx (AUS), who took the TAB Turnbull Stakes (G1) Oct. 6 at Flrmington to win her 28th consecutive race, retains her top placing in the eighth edition of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings for 2018. View the full article

Equibase Company has installed a global positioning satellite (GPS) system at Woodbine Racetrack, Golden Gate Fields, Laurel Park, and Pimlico, and has been named the official timer at these tracks. View the full article

Just less than two years after Belinda Stronach succeeded her father Frank at the helm of the privately owned racetrack company The Stronach Group, that transition has unraveled. View the full article

With Claiborne’s announcement that War Front would remain at $250,000 in 2019, the 16-year-old sire becomes the top-priced U.S.-based stallion. Tapit will stand for $225,000, Gainesway Farm announced Wednesday. The leading sire by percentage of lifetime graded stakes winners, War Front has sired 29 black-type horses in 2018, and four Grade or Group 1 stakes winners, including U S Navy Flag, Fog of War, and Lancaster Bomber. War Front’s yearlings have brought prices up to $2.4 million. The stud fee for Claiborne’s Blame–sire of two GI winners in 2018, will be announced after the Breeders’ Cup, according to the farm. Other fees announced were: Algorithms, $5,000; Data Link, $2,500; First Samurai, $15,000; Flatter, $40,000; Ironicus, $5,000; Lea, $7,500; Mastery, $25,000; Orb, $12,500; Runhappy, $25,000; and Trappe Shot, $7,500. View the full article

This week is a recap of Sky Beauty's victory in the 1992 Matron Stakes victory at Belmont Park. View the full article

We address your thoughts, questions and statements regarding Hong Kong racing. Have something to say? Send a tweet to @SCMPRacingPost Still don’t know how Perfect Glory got through there – @mgnuss20 It was a terrific Hong Kong debut from Perfect Glory, but all the attention surrounded the severe interference in the closing stages. On first look, it appeared as though Matthew Poon Ming-fai (Fairy Twins) and Chad Schofield (Perfect Glory) acted like two ends of an accordion and... View the full article

Michael Chang Chun-wai finally found his first winner of the season on Wednesday night and jockey Callan Murray hopes he can keep the momentum rolling for the popular trainer at Sha Tin on Saturday. The pair team up with Mega Red and Enfolding in the final two races and Murray is confident there is a winner among them. “I’d love to ride a winner for him because he’s been really helpful to me,” Murray said of Chang. “He’s been supporting me a lot since I... View the full article

Superstar jockey Joao Moreira has failed in his bid to secure a full-time Japan Racing Association licence. The Magic Man quit Hong Kong at the end of last season to pursue a career in the Land of the Rising Sun, but he has fallen short at the first hurdle. The JRA requires jockeys to pass two tests to earn a full-time licence – firstly a written exam (in English) on racing in Japan and its history and then an oral test (in Japanese). Joao Moreira hits the books as he looks to secure full... View the full article

Maia looking for another lap of honour on Circuit View the full article

Bold Thruster raring to go - EW Barker in his sights View the full article

Duric to ride Countofmontecristo in QEII Cup View the full article

Early scratching October 12 View the full article

RaceBets rock up to York on Friday and are sponsoring two races, both of which will be covered by the ITV4 racing team. The first of these is the RaceBets Money Back Handicap at 2:40pm, which is a 1-mile handicap and this is followed by the RaceBets Handicap which is a 1 mile 6 furlongs for three-year-olds at 3:50 pm. There is also a fantastic card at Newmarket, where there are four Group races, chief among them is the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile and the ultra-competitive Old Rowley Mile handicap. The RaceBets Money Back Handicap 2nd 3rd 4th is the first race to show by the ITV racing team at York on Friday and it has a predictably tough look to it. Roger Varian’s ultra-consistent UAE Prince heads the market after finishing a luckless fifth in the Cambridgeshire and if he turns up in anything like that form then he’ll prove tough to beat. Ian Jardine has done well since getting his hands on Alemarataayoum from Ed Dunlop earlier this year and after a narrow victory at Haydock just under two weeks ago, he will be looking to capitalise on the geldings rich vein of form. He looks versatile trip wise but is probably best over a mile and if he continues t progress then he’ll give UAE Prince most to think about. Chatez has only had two runs on the flat in the last three years and after what one can only assume was an injury-laden period, Alan King’s gelding showed that he retained plenty of ability on his first run of the season behind Warrif in decent Ayr handicap last month. Given normal improvement and the likelihood that he will appreciate the better going, the seven-year-old looks the each-way bet of the race. Get Knotted last three victories have come at York which will entice many punters to row in behind the Michael Dods-trained gelding but these have all come over seven furlongs and with some battle-hardened milers in the field, he looks vulnerable for win purposes. Others worth considering include Great Order and Yuften. Selection: UAE Prince The RaceBets Handicap sees thirteen horses go to post for a 1-mile six-furlong contest. On breeding, one horse stands head and shoulders above the rest and that’s Surya, who is by Frankel out of Sariska. John Gosden’s charge took four runs to win a race but hasn’t looked back since and looks like a filly that will keep on improving to tackle black type company is the not too distant future. Nicky Mackay retains the partnership that has proved fruitful thus far. Canford Heights flies the flag for the William Haggas yard in this and looks very much a leading contender having won his last two races in very impressive fashion. The son of Canford Cliffs relishes these longer trips and may well be the last to cry enough. Almoghared was slightly disappointing when going off well fancied in the JLT Handicap at Newbury in July but my initial impression that day was that the didn’t stay the marathon trip. He showed much more over shorter behind Kew Gardens in the Group 2 Queen’s Vase at the Royal meeting. This piece of form is the best on offer and couple this with the fact that he comes into this as a fresh horse and he’s my idea of the winner. Other of note include Elegiac and Proschema. Selection: Almoghared Pocket Dynamo (Centre)The Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes is the opener at Newmarket and it’s for the two-year-olds over five furlongs. True Mason heads the market for the curtain raiser on Friday and the son of Mayson is justifiably to the fore of market having shown a very consistent level of form all season, including a third-place finish in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville. There may be something lurking in the field with more potential but True Mason undoubtedly brings the best form into the race. Robert Cowell knows how to handle a quality speedster and he looks to have another nice type on his hands in the lightly raced Pocket Dynamo. The American bred son of Dialed In ran a commendable race to finish runner-up to Shang Shang Shang in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and if he can put a slightly disappointing run in the Prix Robert Pain behind him, then he must go close. The Aidan O’Brien pair of Fantasy and Sergi Prokofiev will have their followers but on the balance of form, they both need to find some improvement to challenge for the top spot. Selection: Pocket Dynamo The Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes is for two-year-old fillies over seven furlongs and proves as a good guide for trainers considering classic campaigns with their leading juveniles. been won by some very classy fillies in recent times It’s the once-raced unbeaten pair of Frosty and Hidden Message that head the market. Frosty is the sole Ballydoyle representative and this full sister to the multiple Group 1 winning Winter was a snug winner of a Dundalk maiden last month. In truth, it probably wasn’t the strongest maiden but if she even inherited half the talent as her sister then she should be collecting this Group 3 prize. The William Haggas trained Hidden Message wore a hood when winning on debut which puts a small question mark over her temperament but that being said she produced a blistering turn of foot to stretch away from her rivals in a Yarmouth novice contest. This race is obviously a big jump in class but it’s the same for the majority of the field and she holds more potential than most. Another to consider is the Ralph Beckett trained Glance who was comprehensively beaten on debut but showed the benefit of that run to stylishly land a Goodwood novice event. Beckett is a master trainer when it comes to fillies and if she progresses half as much from her second run as she did after her debut perhaps she can trouble the principals. Selection: Frosty The Group 2 Challenge Stakes sees Limato try and string three winning runs together, Henry Candy’s leading light had been very disappointing earlier in the season and has appreciated a drop down in grade in recent starts. If in his prime the Group One winning son of Tagula would be a shoe-in for victory but he must prove that he retains the ability in this tougher contest. D’bai represents the Godolphin operation and Charlie Appleby’s globetrotting son of Dubawi must hold leading claims on the back of a creditable runner-up in a Group 2 at Doncaster last month. Although the four-year-old has never won a race beyond Group 3 level, they may still be some improvement forthcoming. Mankib represents the potent combination of William Haggas and Jim Crowley. Since transferring from Freddy Head at the beginning of the season, he has won three of his five starts on British soil and even though this represents a step up in class, a big run loos on the cards. Many punters will just back Oisin Murphy blind due to recent high profile success and the Irish jockey has a plum ride in this Group 2 aboard the Andrew Balding-trained Dancing Star. The pair proved the perfect combination when landing the Group 3 Spectre Stakes when last seen and in the contest of this race, he must enter calculations. Selection: Dancing Star The Fillies’ Mile is the feature race at Newmarket and it’s for the two-year-old fillies over the one-mile distance. The race has been won by some great fillies in recent times including Minding (2015) and Laurens last season. Antonia De Vega was an impressive winner of a hot Newmarket maiden in July beating Zagitova. The Ralph Beckett trained colt supplemented this with another smooth victory in the Group 3 Prestige Stakes at Goodwood in August. The son of Lope De Vega looks to have a great opportunity of making it three wins on the bounce in this Group 1 event. Pretty Pollyanna makes a quick reappearance after racing too freely in the early stages of the Cheveley Park Stakes and fading late on behind Fairyland. Prior to this disappointment, Michael Bell’s stable star won the Prix Morny and if she employs more positive tactics then she can get her head back in front. The “Arc” winning combination of Dettori and Gosden team up again with the unbeaten Shambolic in an attempt to land back to back high profile Group 1’s. The daughter of Shamardal has won both starts at Newmarket and Ascot which entitles her to a live chance in this contest. Selection: Pretty Pollyanna Eleven go to post in the Old Rowley Mile Handicap at Newmarket where the market is headed by the Sir Michael Stoute trained Baritone. The improving son of Camelot will have the assistance of David Egan in the saddle. He showed the benefit of being gelded when routing a Pontefract maiden field by an eye-watering eight lengths. This obviously isn’t the strongest for but given his connections and breeding, he looks like a horse to follow. Another real improver is the Aidan O’Brien trained Astronomer who since finishing fourth on debut has won all four starts including a Premier handicap at Listowel. Although he has to give away a lot of weight Astronomer looks better than a handicapper and this may be the last time we see him contesting one. Rock Eagle is the least experienced horse in the line-up having only graced the track on four occasions, two of which resulted in victories. Ralph Beckett’s inmate ran very well when stepped up in class to finish fourth behind Communique in a handicap at Goodwood. A reproduction of that run would give him hope of being competitive. Others to consider include Breath Caught, Berkshire Royal and Jack Regan. Selection: Astronomer The post Friday Preview – Pretty Pollyanna Looking For Perfection In Fillies’ Mile appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

As the only filly in a field of 11 slated for the $250,000 Nearctic Stakes (G2T) Oct. 13 at Woodbine, Heider Family Stables' Lady Alexandra will have her work cut out for her. View the full article

Concrete Rose put every foot right in running her competition off their feet during a three-length triumph in the Jessamine Stakes (G2T), a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) at Churchill Downs. View the full article

A colt by Kantharos (Hip 516) will carry the same gold and burgundy colors as his sire after topping Wednesday’s session of the OBS October sale on a final bid of $190,000 from Stonestreet Stables during the first of two open sessions. Bred in Florida by Elizabeth LaPierre and Jennifer Given, Hip 516 is out of Golden Trumpet (Formal Gold). He hails from the family of graded winners Strike Softly and Golden Sabre. The yearling was consigned by Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s Summerfield Sales. The second-highest price of the day was a $100,000 colt by Kitten’s Joy (Hip 311) from the Woodford Thoroughbreds consignment. Bred by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, the son of Thebignbadestbunny (Smart Strike) went to Ann Maher-Springman, acting on behalf of Rashed Tousef Bouresly. A total of 143 yearlings sold during Wednesday’s session for a gross of $1,967,300. The median was $7,000 and the average was $13,757. A total of 55 youngsters were led from the ring unsold for an RNA rate of 27.7%. There was only one open session last year, so statistics could not be compared. The final session of the three-day auction will begin Thursday at 12 p.m. View the full article

As the regular rider of Santa Monica, Jose Ortiz has been impressed with her ability, but the reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey believes the daughter of Mastercraftsman delivered her best run to date at Woodbine. View the full article

As the regular rider of Santa Monica, Jose Ortiz has been impressed with her ability but the reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey believes the daughter of Mastercraftsman delivered her best run to date at Woodbine. View the full article

WinStar Farm has promoted Liam O’Rourke as its new Director of Stallion Sales, and has hired Chris Knehr to join its Stallion Season Sales team. “I am really excited about our Bloodstock Team,” said Elliott Walden, president and CEO of WinStar Farm. “Liam deserves the opportunity, and as our clients have gotten to know him, they have appreciated his professionalism and knowledge. Chris is a key hire because of his commercial background and his knowledge of regional markets.” O’Rourke, originally from Toronto, Ontario, developed a keen interest in racing from an early age and began working at Woodbine racetrack while in high school. After completing the Irish National Stud Course in 2008, O’Rourke spent four years in season sales for Adena Springs and held the position of Stallion Services Manager at Millennium Farms prior to joining the WinStar Bloodstock Team in 2016. “WinStar Farm is an innovative and dynamic organization that strives to serve its customers with the highest standard of horsemanship and world-class service,” O’Rourke said. “I am excited to grow and be part of a great team at WinStar. I look forward to this opportunity and sharing future success with our shareholders and customers.” Knehr, originally from New Jersey, pursued his business degree at Virginia Tech. Upon graduation, he completed an internship at Overbook Farm during the breeding season. Knehr returned to Overbrook Farm following graduate school to pursue his passion in the Thoroughbred industry, working as the farm’s Assistant Stallion Manager. He transitioned into sales, working for several consignors, and gaining experience in sales prep, private/public sales, market analysis, and mating recommendations, which ultimately led in 2010 to his own consignment and bloodstock agency, Catalyst Bloodstock. Knehr is a supporter of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the Retired Racehorse Project and he resides on a small farm in Midway, Ky., with his wife, Erin, and daughters. “I am very excited to be joining the WinStar team,” Knehr said. “I look forward to utilizing my previous experiences in order to contribute to the continued successes at WinStar Farm.” View the full article

CONCRETE ROSE (f, 2, Twirling Candy–Solerina, by Powerscourt {GB}), stretching out off of an impressive debut win at Saratoga, had no issue with two turns and blew her competition away in the GII JPMorgan Chase Jessamine S. Wednesday at Keeneland. The victory in the ‘Win and You’re In’ qualifier sealed a spot in the starting gate for the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Finishing furiously to score going away at 12-1 in her 5 1/2-furlong unveiling Aug. 20 at the Spa, the dark bay was made the 13-5 second choice in this stakes debut and broke best of all to take an early lead before deferring to sit in the pocket. Tracking from fourth through splits of :23.34 and :48.04, Concrete Rose was patiently handled as rivals stacked up in front of her on the far turn, angled four deep at the head of the lane and soon swept to the lead with a powerful turn of foot to score by three lengths in 1:44.09. Pakhet (Cairo Prince) completed the exacta. Sales History: $19,000 RNA Wlg ’16 KEENOV; $20,000 Ylg ’17 KEESEP; $61,000 2yo ’18 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $166,750. O-Ashbrook Farm & BBN Racing LLC; B-Ron Patterson (KY); T-George R. Arnold II. View the full article

Rushing Fall may not be running out of her stall in the Oct. 13 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (G1T), but the Keeneland course has basically doubled as her home turf during her still burgeoning career. View the full article

For the second year in a row, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has been named the Official Charity Partner of Equestricon. The highlight of the scheduled TAA program at this year’s Equestricon is a TED Talks-style speaker series called Track Talks. The TAA’s Stacie Clark Rogers will serve as a session host to a series of short, inspirational, and motivational speeches delivered by Old Friends Farm’s Michael Blowen, Square Peg Foundation’s Joell Dunlap, former NFL player and OTTB owner Jeff Tow-Arnett, and combat veteran James Stewart. In the interest of advancing education amongst its accredited organizations, the TAA will host a “Beyond the Track” Racehorse Retraining Seminar. The seminar will be led by New Vocations’ Anna Ford, the Retired Racehorse Project’s Jen Roytz, and Kristin Werner Leshney from The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP). “When you look at the depth of experience in racehorse rehoming and retraining that each one of our speakers possesses, this truly is a can’t-miss event for anyone looking to learn more about aftercare,” said Kathryn Sharp, co-founder of Equestricon. “The TAA continues to lead the way in this area and it’s incumbent upon us, as people who are working to advance the sport, to put aftercare out front.” Available to all convention attendees will be the popular “Aftercare Row” which returns to Equestricon for the second consecutive year. Lined by the booths of nearly two-dozen accredited charities from all over North America, Aftercare Row is expected to represent the largest gathering ever of TAA-accredited organizations. View the full article