Wandering Eyes

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Goldman triumphed in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on Saturday. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli One-time Melbourne Cup favourite Goldman has bounced back to winning form for the first time in more than 18-months when leading throughout to score in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on Saturday. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Goldman last saluted in the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) in March of last year which rocketed him to 2023 Cup favouritism with the top online bookmakers. While subsequent preparations haven’t gone to plan, Goldman relished being in his favoured on-speed ride under Beau Mertens and out-toughed runner-up Grand Pierro in winning the A$300,000 feature. Muramasa made the best ground from last, while Smokin Romans battled on well after tracking the speed, but all honours were with the winner. 2024 Pakenham Cup Race Replay – Goldman https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Pakenham-2024-Listed-Pakenham-Cup-21122024-Goldman-Gai-Waterhouse-Adrian-Bott-Beau-Mertens.mp4 Third-up and getting out to his preferred staying distance, the six-year-old son of Verdi ensured syndicator Darby Racing again remained in the limelight after a remarkable run through December. “I spoke to Gai this morning, and the only instructions were to give it a Gai Waterhouse ride – it’s pretty simple when she wants that done,” winning jockey Beau Mertens said. “They presented the horse in great order for me to do so and once I jumped and got to the front I had a very enjoyable time and built from the 800m. In typical Waterhouse fashion, they keep running. “Probably in the last 100m, Grand Pierro came up alongside and really tested him, but my bloke dug deep and was strong.” The win also held some personal significance to the in-form hoop, who emulated his late father Peter in riding a Pakenham Cup winner, with Peter successful in 2002 and 2004. “It’s unbelievable. Many years later, we (have both) got the job done, it’s always good picking off races that Dad won,” he said. Goldman has now won six of 18 starts, with a further three placings and amassed $640,368 in prizemoney. The stayer is a son of the Zabeel stallion Verdi, a half-brother to the multiple Group 1 winners Sir Slick and Puccini, who stands at Long Acres Stud in Canterbury. Prepared by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Verdi won three of his eight starts and had Group 1 potential before a tendon injury pre-maturely ended his career. Bred by the Smithies family’s Monovale Holdings, Goldman is out of the Montjeu mare Goldsmith and won two of his four starts in New Zealand for the Smithies and original trainer Tony Pike. Goldman was sold to syndicators Darby Racing via bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo following a narrow victory over 1600m at Pukekohe in November 2022. Horse racing news View the full article

In Good Order wins Ted Van Heemst Stakes for Daniel Morton. Photo: Western Racepix Daniel Morton & Shaun O’Donnell have combined with In Good Order ($7.50) to claim victory in the Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m) at Ascot on Saturday afternoon, being rewarded for an ultra-consistent campaign. The son of American Pharoah was lining up for his ninth run of the preparation on Saturday and having his first crack at Group-level company after finding the minor money in the Listed G.A Towton Stakes (2200m) on December 7. He got the perfect run in transit this time around as O’Donnell found the one-one throughout as the well-supported favourite with horse bookmakers, Socks Nation ($2.50), was sent forward to sit outside the leader, leaving the rank outsider Marocchino ($31.00) to lead them out at a moderate tempo. Numerian ($2.70) got every chance under Clint Johnston-Porter and looked to be doing best in the concluding stages before a wall of horse mounted a late challenge. In Good Order went straight on by in the final furlong, with Let’s Galahvant ($10.00) reeling in the margin, missing by a half-had as In Good Order fell in to secure the $300,000 prize. Ted Van Heemst Stakes Race Replay – In Good Order https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ascot-2024-Group-2-Red-Van-Heemst-Stakes-21122024-In-Good-Order-Daniel-Morton-Shan-ODonnell.mp4 Morton was trackside to comment post-race. “It was some ride and honestly, he’s the best pick-up rider in the business,” Morton said. “He’s been doing a lot of work on this horse behind the scenes. “Chris Parnham has been riding him obviously, but Shaun has such beautiful hands. “He was the go-to once Chris (Parnham) got rubbed out. “I was singing his praises past the post the first time. “It was right where we needed to be.” In Good Order is now an $8 chance withNeds for the Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on New Year’s Day. Horse racing news View the full article

The Ciaron Maher-trained Icarian Dream ($3.00) has proven best of the two-year-olds in the Group 3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday afternoon, stamping her authority to claim a dominant two-length victory. The Blue Point filly was well-supported with horse racing bookmakers to turn the tables on The Playwright ($4.20) after suffering defeat at Rosehill on November 30. The money was spot on in the end as Jason Collett took a sit mid-field with cover throughout the journey, while the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained filly was looking to make every post a winner as she did on debut. She was quickly swallowed up in the final 400m as Icarian Dream put in the big strides down the centre of the course, while Cool Archie ($41.00) added some much-needed value for exotics players with Playup. B.J. McLachlan Stakes Race Replay – Icarian Dream https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Eagle-Farm-2024-Group-3-BJ-McLachlan-Stakes-14122024-Icarian-Dream-Ciaron-Maher-Jason-Collett.mp4 Icarian Dream will now head to the Gold Coast for the Magic Million 2yo feature as stable representative Anna Weatherlake spoke post-race. “Extremely thrilled with her performance today,” said Weatherlake. “She’s been running against the best in Sydney and it’s good for her to bring that form here and just be dominant like she had. “It was a great ride by Jason (Collett). Obviously, he was very patient and looked after her the whole way. “She’s quite a small filly and very compact, but she’s grown up with every start and we’re super happy with her today.” Jason Collett was elated with the performance as he spoke in the mounting yard post-race. “She’s done well,” said Collett. “Her turn-of-foot was electric when she come to them so quick and it’s a very long straight too, especially when you’re right in the middle (of the track). “She looks like she grown up in front since I rode her last. She’s not very big at all, so what she’s doing now is very good from her.” Icarian Dream is now on the second line of betting at $8.00 with Neds for the 2yo Magic Millions on January 11. Horse racing news View the full article

Daniel Stackhouse returns to the mounting yard aboard Here To Shock (NZ) after winning the The Sportsbet Supernova at Sportsbet Pakenham on December 21, 2024 in Pakenham, Australia. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Here To Shock ($4.60) has claimed the inaugural running of The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday afternoon, with the Lindsay Park-trained gelding picking up third win of the campaign. The son of Shocking has proven a model of consistency this preparation, collecting back-to-back stakes wins prior to Saturday, with the well-tried seven-year-old proving too classy once again to secure the $1 million prize. Stable Companion Arkansaw Kid ($7.00) ensured a team Hayes quinella after making strong inroads late, while the Ciaron Maher-trained Chorlton Lane ($19.00) was luckless in the concluding stages, with Saffie Osborne only getting clear in the final 100m. The well-supported favourite with BlondeBet, Nadal ($2.50), was nowhere to be seen when the whips were cracking, with the potential up-and-coming star unable to show his usually blistering turn-of-speed stepping out to the 1400m. It was all about Here To Shock in the end, as the stable star ticked over $2 million in prizemoney for connections on Saturday. 2024 The Supernova Race Replay – Here To Shock https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-Pakenham-21122024-The-Supernova-Race-7-Here-To-Shock-Ben-Will-JD-Hayes-Daniel-Stackhouse.mp4 Co-trainer Will Hayes was on course to breakdown the win. “It was terrific, cheering for both of them,” said Hayes. “Here To Shock is an absolute marvel. “We were very confident after the Big Dance in Sydney we were going to get him back and we had our eyes set on this race from a long way out, so that’s why he was representing our slot today, but Arkansaw (Kid) was huge. “He really likes being in the country. He’s just a happy horse. We gave him a tick-over trial before this, and we were really happy with him coming into today. Daniel Stackhouse picked up his third win of the afternoon aboard Here To Shock and spoke post-race. “I have to thank Tatum my partner for trialing him last week for me,” said Stackhouse. “I’d like to thank her and all the Hayes boys and all the owners too. “He ran some great races up in Sydney. Obviously, he had that heart problem last start but trialed beautifully last week. “He’s such a different horse now. He’s so quiet and he normally used to sweat up but he’s really grown up and he’s tough on both ends. “He toughed it out and it was a great win.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, December 22, 2024 First Race 12:45pm HKT (3:45pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Sha Tin Racecourse is the destination for Hong Kong racing on Sunday afternoon, with a bumper 10-part program set for decision. The rail is in the A+3 position for the meeting, and with nothing but sunny skies forecast in the lead-up, punters can expect a genuine Good 4 surface. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 12:45pm HKT. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Charity Gain Charity Gain has been racing without much luck and appears primed to secure his second career victory. The Twilight Son gelding had too much work to do in his most recent outing at Happy Valley on November 27, powering home to get within a half-length of Affordable. James McDonald gets legged aboard for the first time, and with barrier five allowing the star hoop to take closer order, Charity Gain should have no issues justifying the short price with Neds. Best Bet Race 6 – #1 Charity Gain (5) 5yo Gelding | T: David Eustace | J: James McDonald (61kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: City Thunder City Thunder appears set to peak third-up into the campaign after an eye-catching performance behind Happy Park at this course and distance on December 8. The son of Starspangledbanner lunged and only missed by a half-length, with the top three clearing out on their respective rivals in the concluding stages. The booking of Zac Purton shows intent, and provided City Thunder can give his opposition the slip in the final furlong, this guy will prove hard to chase down. Next Best Race 3 – #2 City Thunder (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Chris So | J: Zac Purton (60.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Sha Tin: Bling Bling Genius Bling Bling Genius impressed in his last two barrier trials, winning by a combined five lengths across both pieces of work on the Conghua surface. The Douglas Whyte-trained gelding appears to have terrific barrier manners, holding the leaders’ back on both occasions before being pushed out to score impressively. Lyle Hewitson should land in a similar position drawn in stall three, and provided Bling Bling Genius can sprint fresh, expect this guy to give a good account of himself debuting at an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 5 – #7 Bling Bling Genius (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Douglas Whyte | J: Lyle Hewitson (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections December 22, 2024 2-3-5-6-8-12 1-3-4-5-8-13 1-3-5-8-11-12 2-7-10-12-13 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Sale Races Where Sale Turf Club – 1227 Maffra-Sale Rd, Sale VIC 3850 When Sunday, December 22, 2024 First Race 1:10pm AEDT Visit Dabble Racing heads to Sale on Sunday afternoon, where a competitive eight-race meeting is set down for decision. Clear skies are set to prevail, leaving punters with a perfect Good 4 track rating and the rail in its true position, meaning every runner will get their chance if good enough. The first race from Sale is set to jump at 1:10pm AEDT. Best Bet at Sale: Pro Aussie Pro Aussie caught the eye when hitting the line strongly first-up at Geelong over 1221m and the step up to 1400m on Sunday looks ideal second-up from a spell. Blake Shinn will likely have the son of Proisir doing as he pleases towards the rear of the field from barrier 10, but if Pro Aussie can produce a similar finish as he did last time out, he should be breaking maiden ranks at start three. Best Bet Race 2 – #4 Pro Aussie (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Blake Shinn (59.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sale: Hampton Palace Hampton Palace has returned in fine form this campaign, winning fresh at Hamilton before being beaten by the barest of margins at Werribee last time out. The four-year-old gelding is a natural on-pace runner, and with Tom Prebble on board claiming 2kg, the pair look set to either lead the field up from barrier three or at worst, be in the stalking position. With just 58.5kg on his back following the claim, Hampton Palace looks perfectly weighted to send punters home a winner in the Sale finale. Next Best Race 8 – #4 Hampton Palace (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Danny O’Brien | J: Tom Prebble (a2) (60.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Sale: Vongole Vongole was hitting the line strongly behind Pantelone and Why Worry at Moonee Valley last time out and presents great each-way value with Picklebet on Sunday. The nine-year-old gelding made a mess of the start and was forced towards the rear of the field and did well to pick up and be beaten by just 1.4 lengths. He is clearly the best horse in the field, and with Emily Poznan’s 3kg claim getting him in with 61kg on his back, Vongole only needs to replicate his finishing burst to be winning the second leg of the quaddie. Best Value Race 6 – #1 Vongole (11) 9yo Gelding | T: Enver Jusufovic | J: Emily Poznan (a3) (64kg) Bet with Picklebet Sunday quaddie tips for Sale Sale quadrella selections Sunday, December 22, 2024 4-7-9 1-2-6-9 3-5-6-7 4-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Champion jockey believes emerging sprinter could face a tricky run from gate 11 in Class Two Poinsettia Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin.View the full article

Italian jockey highlights a lightly raced youngster as one to watch on Sunday: ‘He could have a good chance’.View the full article

The Allan Sharrock training polish was to the fore again at Trentham on Saturday when classy mare Islington Lass(NZ) (Proisir) stepped up to a middle distance for the first time in her 16-start career to score a clear-cut victory in the Gr.3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup (2300m) The seven-year-old had hinted at her last start in the Gr.3 Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie that she was looking for more ground when finishing off strongly over the final stages of the contest. With Michael McNab aboard, the daughter of Proisir settled beautifully in midfield as McNab saved every inch of ground by hugging the rail as tearaway pacemaker Sagunto, seeking his third consecutive victory in the race, hared away in front. Sagunto began to weaken approaching the home bend as McNab eased into the clear wider out after tracking up a trio of runners who had charged into contention rounding the turn. Within the twinkling of an eye Islington Lass shot to the front at the 250m with McNab riding hands and heels in the final 100m as she held out the late charge of Wolfgang, who came from near last at the 600m to grab second from Whangaehu, who fought well down against the rail. Sharrock admitted he felt a good deal of satisfaction from the win and praised McNab for a classy ride aboard the mare. “I got a bit of a thrill out of that one going from a mile (1600m) to 2300m,” Sharrock said. “She is a very good mare and an outstanding ride. “She is the quickest with a sprint in that field and he was conservative in the run, saved all the ground and got to the right place in the straight. “I don’t know where to next, but I know she won’t get two miles so we will just have to see.” McNab knew he was on a good chance when Sharrock legged him aboard in the mounting yard with a few words of advice. “It worked out well with a good tempo and when I needed to improve I got the back of The Underbelly, was able to get to the outside and she duly obliged,” he said. “He (Sharrock) is a master and I had good confidence in the horse as she has never done me wrong and when I got on he (Sharrock) said just smile for the photo.” Islington Lass is a daughter of Montjeu mare Miss Relentless, a half-sister to Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Boundless and comes from an extended family that includes Gr.1 Brisbane Cup (3200m) winner Limitless and five-time Group One winner Veyron. She has now won eight of her 16 starts, including twice at stakes level and has earned a touch under $250,000 in prizemoney. The victory provided Sharrock with a winning double after promising filly Komocean took out the second race on the card. He quickly turned his tally into a treble as Lochan Ora bolted home in the last race of the day. View the full article

Matt Dixon collected his biggest win as a solo trainer when his much-improved mare Marotiri Molly(NZ) (Per Incanto) ran away with the Gr.2 Bramco Granite & Marble Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. Foxton-based Dixon trained five Group and Listed winners in partnership with David Haworth between 2009 and 2014, but had not scaled those heights since resuming his career on his own in 2019. Marotiri Molly has changed all that. Dixon has had to be patient with Marotiri Molly, who was an eight-length trial winner as an autumn four-year-old but then finished last when she made her debut in July of 2023. The Per Incanto mare showed more promising signs when she returned at the age of five, collecting two wins and a second from four starts and beginning her long-awaited rise through the grades. Marotiri Molly has continued to go from strength to strength since turning six. She resumed with a second at Taupo, then was checked in the straight when finishing ninth at Hastings. After recording three consecutive wins at Hawera, Otaki and Trentham, she stepped up to the big time and proved she belonged with a third behind La Crique and Lux Libertas in last month’s Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe. Marotiri Molly was sent out as an $8 chance in Saturday’s $150,000 weight-for-age feature at Trentham and produced a career-defining performance. Drawn the outside gate in a field of 12, Marotiri Molly and jockey Kate Hercock were awkwardly placed early in the race but soon surged forward to take up a position in second behind the clear leader Town Cryer. Marotiri Molly was able to produce a second sprint after rounding the turn into the home straight, dashing past Town Cryer and taking command. The chasers tried hard to reel her in, led by Faraglioni and Sharp ‘N’ Smart, but Marotiri Molly kept herself well out of their reach and won by a length and a half. From 12 starts, Marotiri Molly has now recorded six wins and three placings. She has earned $227,245 for her owner-breeders Beven and Christine Parlato. “She was challenging in the early days,” Dixon admitted. “This just shows that if you’re patient, you can be rewarded. “She can be a bit hit-and-miss out of the barriers, so I just left the plan up to Kate, and she gave the mare a ten-out-of-ten ride. “Her run up north last month was huge. It was a big ask, running right-handed for the first time, going on her first big trip away and racing against those good mares at level weights. Her performance that day certainly gave us a lot of confidence. “She’s right up there with the best horses I’ve trained. She’s always shown that level of ability, and I think she should continue to get better from here.” Dixon is in no rush to map out any future plans for his stable star. “She’s not nominated for the Thorndon Mile (Gr.1, 1600m),” he said. “There are a lot of good options coming up through the rest of the season, but we’ll just celebrate today’s win first and think about future plans later on.” Saturday’s win was a poignant result for Hercock, with the sad loss of her partner Danny Champion late last month understandably still very fresh in her mind. “We jumped and I looked across and there was a lot of speed,” she said. “And then, all of a sudden, this gap just popped open. I put it all down to Danny. I just wish I had him at home to share it with. “This horse has such a big fight. She’s like a lion. She’s a bit like me – we just keep going. She’s so honest and tries so hard. “She was hard work for a while. She was bloody difficult, to be honest. But she’s improved by miles. She’ll take a sit and race anywhere you want now. “Sometimes you go into a race with a game plan and then she’ll decide to walk out of the gates, so you’ve got to have two plans in mind when you ride her. She is what she is. You just go out there and do the best with what you’ve got, because you know she’s going to put everything into it once she turns for home.” Marotiri Molly became the 32nd individual black-type winner for Little Avondale Stud stallion Per Incanto. Marotiri Molly is one of two winners from two foals to race out of the Al Akbar mare Marotiri Miss, who herself won five races and placed in the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) and Gr.3 Metric Mile (1600m). Faraglioni was a gallant second in Saturday’s Challenge Stakes, edging out Sharp ‘N’ Smart by a neck. That third placing was a bold return by the former New Zealand Horse of the Year, whose previous appearance was an unplaced finish in last month’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). Lightning Jack, Town Cryer, Puntura, Liffey and Perfect Scenario were close up behind the placegetters, all within a length and a half of the runner-up in a blanket finish. View the full article

The familiar combination of trainer Robbie Patterson and jockey Craig Grylls continued their outstanding success rate in stakes races when promising filly Leica Lucy(NZ) (Derryn) took out the Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Trentham. The daughter of Grangewilliam Stud-based stallion Derryn had impressed when winning on debut at New Plymouth last month before being narrowly beaten over 1400m at Trentham a fortnight ago. Relishing the step up in distance to 1600m on Saturday, Leica Lucy settled sweetly in midfield for Grylls as pacemaker Vanish set up a strong tempo at the head of affairs. Grylls got busy rounding the home bend as he brought Leica Lucy to the middle of the track where she burst to the front at the 300m and cleared out from her rivals to win by three lengths from Connello and Skymax. Patterson was confident before the race he had a smart stayer in the making on his hands and the winning run did nothing to dampen that enthusiasm as he sets her for the $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) in March. “I knew she had that in her but until they do it you can’t get too confident,” Patterson said. “It’s great for Peter and Heather Crofsky (owners)who put a lot into the game and are great friends of mine. “She was off the bit all the way and went through a flat patch at the 600m, but she is an out and out stayer and I just have to work back from the Oaks and go from there. “She will have ten days in the paddock now then come back for the Desert Gold Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) and then to the Oaks.” Grylls was succinct in his summary of how the race had panned out for the pair. “What she has done in her first two starts, she indicated a trip was going to suit her,” he said. “With the mile (1600m) today she was actually quite relaxed and switched off but when I clicked her up she came up underneath me and while she did a couple of things wrong, she has got the ability there. “She is very progressive.” Bred and raced by the Crofskeys from their Sir Percy mare Dynamite Lucy, Leica Lucy comes from an extended family that includes dual Group One winner Elevenses. She now sits as a $12 chance in the TAB Fixed Odds market for the New Zealand Oaks which is headed up by Hinekaha at $8. View the full article

A pair of talented three-year-olds from last season locked horns in the Te Rapa straight on Saturday, with Tanganyika(NZ) (Ace High) claiming a narrow win over Talisker(NZ) (Embellish) in the Print House (1400m). The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Tanganyika showed real promise in a five-start campaign as a three-year-old, recording two wins, a second and a third. His only time outside the top three was in the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie in February, where he finished strongly from last to cross the line fifth and only a length from the winner. That black-type feature was won by Pericles, who himself scored a stylish win at Te Rapa on Saturday. Tanganyika kicked off his current campaign with a fourth and a fifth over 1100m and 1200m, making up eye-catching ground in the final stages on both occasions. The step up to 1400m on Saturday looked ready-made for the Ace High gelding, and he was sent out as a $2 favourite. For a large part of the race, it seemed likely that Tanganyika would find the Rating 75 as easy on the track as it looked on paper. He cruised in fourth as Leroy Brown set a solid speed out in front. Jockey Masa Hashizume began to move Tanganyika through his gears coming up to the home turn, and he loomed ominously behind Leroy Brown and Talisker coming into the straight. But when Hashizume released the brakes and drove Tanganyika past that pair, last year’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) runner-up Talisker saw him coming and went with him. It developed into a head-bobbing duel through the last 200m, with neither gelding giving an inch. Talisker fought for all he was worth, but Tanganyika gradually gained the upper hand and edged out his gallant rival by a neck. Talisker beat the third-placed Keegan by two and three-quarter lengths. Tanganyika’s eight-start career has now produced three wins, two placings and $57,820 in stakes. “He’s a horse with a huge amount of ability and he has it all in front of him,” Scott said. “It was a good race for him today, going up to the seven furlongs and being able to settle a bit closer in the running. In those first couple of runs back, he was disadvantaged by wide barriers and had to drop well back over those shorter distances. “He had a bit of luck go his way today and was able to take advantage of that with a strong win. He’s a horse we’ve always had a good opinion of, and he showed plenty of potential as a three-year-old last season. He’s still learning all the time. “His position in the ratings means we can probably give him another run in Rating 75 company before we start raising the bar higher with him. We’ll be patient with him, give him another opportunity in this grade and hopefully continue to build his confidence up.” Tanganyika is by promising Rich Hill Stud stallion Ace High out of a three-quarter-sister to the multiple Group winner Beauden. His second dam is the Group One performer Flying Babe, who was New Zealand’s champion two-year-old in 2000-01. Tanganyika was offered by Rich Hill at the 2021 National Weanling Sale at Karaka, where his owners the Olsen Partnership bought him for $42,500. Rich Hill Stud will offer a full-brother to Tanganyika at Karaka 2025 in late January. The Ace High colt will go through the ring as Lot 670 in the Book 2 session. View the full article

Overlooked in the lead-up to Saturday’s Gr.2 Happy Hire Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham, Intention(NZ) (Bivouac) burst out of the shadows of her higher-rated rivals and scored an impressive upset win. The $175,000 feature was only the second start for the Awapuni filly, who finished fourth on debut at Otaki on November 28 after jumping awkwardly from the starting gates and then bucking in the early part of the race. Carrying the blue and white colours of Tineke Balcombe’s In To Win Syndication, Intention headed down to the start on Saturday as a $17 outsider among a five-horse field of two-year-olds in the Wakefield. But her performance made a mockery of those odds. Intention’s rider Tina Comignaghi was in no hurry in the early stages of the Wakefield and settled in fourth as the unbeaten Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained fillies Cool Aza Rene and Marokopa Falls set the pace. Landlock kicked through on the inside of that pair at the crossing on to the course proper, hitting the front at the top of the home straight. Cool Aza Rene and Marokopa Falls were soon put under pressure by their riders and struggled to stay with the leader, but just when it looked like Landlock might have pinched a winning break, Intention joined the fray. She quickened stylishly through a big gap one off the rail, moving up alongside Landlock with 200m remaining and throwing down a fierce challenge. Landlock was in for the fight, but Intention slowly but surely edged ahead of him to win by half a length. Landlock crossed the finish line a length and three-quarters in front of the third-placed favourite Marokopa Falls. “I’ve always thought a lot of her, and I decided to line her up on debut without a trial,” winning trainer Mike Breslin said. “Things didn’t work out well for her that day, but she’s just done so well since then. She’s improved hugely. Her trackwork has been fantastic. “I wouldn’t have run her in a race like this if I thought she was out of her grade. I was expecting a big run, and we got it. “It’s great for Tineke and In To Win. We didn’t buy her for very much at the sales, and a filly like her is really important for Tineke and her syndication business.” Saturday’s win prompted the TAB to cut Intention from $41 into $14 for the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 25. “We’ll take her home now and give her a few days in the paddock,” Breslin said. “We’ve got the Karaka Millions there as an option. I’m not sure yet how we’ll get her there, but we’ll see how she goes from here.” Intention’s Wakefield performance made a big impression on Comignaghi, who was riding her for the first time. “I thought she might be a bit green after that debut run, but she was a real professional today,” she said. “She finished it off very strongly from off the pace. She’s a lovely filly and takes everything in her stride, so I think she’ll only improve.” Intention was bred by the Hawkins family’s Llanhennock Trust and offered under their Wentwood Grange banner during Book 1 of Karaka 2024. She was a $65,000 purchase by Breslin and In To Win. Intention comes from the first crop of Godolphin’s multiple Group One-winning sprinter Bivouac, while her dam Bella Hudood is an unraced daughter of champion sire Snitzel. Intention has now earned $102,625 from her two-race career, which puts her clearly at the top of the Karaka Millions order of entry. Saturday’s runner-up Landlock now holds second spot with $57,375. View the full article

Promising filly Komocean(NZ) (Ocean Park) made it two wins from two starts when she dealt to her rivals in fine style when taking out the second event on the card at Trentham, the Breeze Wellington 3YO (1200m). Trainer Allan Sharrock has a big opinion of the Ocean Park filly and expressed it after she overcame a slow start when winning impressively on her home track at New Plymouth earlier in the month. Punters agreed and sent the half-sister to former Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) winner Signify out a warm favourite ($2.40) in the five-horse field on Saturday and she delivered a similar performance to her debut effort in the hands of rider Craig Grylls. After missing away by a length Grylls allowed Komocean to find her feet and was still at the tail of the field rounding the home bend. Angled to the middle of the track, Komocean produced several huge bounds to level up to the pacemakers before easing clear to win decisively by nearly two lengths from Matamata visitor Ballon d’Or in a slick 1.08.46 for the 1200m journey. Sharrock had been confident before the race and has black type targets on the horizon for the filly that he purchased for $80,000 during the Book 1 Sale at Karaka in 2023. “She’s very raw but very good I think,” Sharrock said. “Her family is pretty slick, but being by Ocean Park, if you train her right she might get a trip. “We want black type for her but it might be in the autumn as she is still pretty fragile so I might just put her away for a while.” Grylls was also suitably impressed by the performance. “She is a filly with a lot of untapped ability as she is still very green,” he said. “She did a bit wrong but it is all in front of her. She ambled up to them at the 300m and when I went for her she really kicked away.” Raced by a syndicate that includes Sharrock, Komocean was bred by the Hawkins family under their LLanhennock Trust banner from the mare Pica Pica who is also the dam of 2016 Gr.1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) runner-up El Sicario. View the full article

There will be no Autumn Triple Crown in Japan this year. Tenno Sho (Autumn) and Japan Cup hero Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), was retired to stud after a foreleg injury on Friday as the fan favourite for the G1 Arima Kinen. His absence, reduces the field to 15, however, the 2500-metre race still has nine Group 1 winners signed on. Heading the ante-post betting is Urban Chic (Jpn) who will leave from stall three under Christophe Lemaire. The Silk Racing runner, one of two Suave Richard (Jpn) Group 1 winners in the field alongside Hopeful Stakes heroine Regaleira (Jpn), won the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) last out on Oct. 20. He is cutting back in trip 500 metres. Lemaire said, “I rode him on Dec. 18 to check his responses, physical condition and such. I wanted to give him a good final workout without pushing him too much. Urban Chic has improved a great deal from the fall. He has matured and was much more powerful in the Kikuka Sho and won strongly. I think he'll do well here. I've won the Kikuka Sho and the Arima Kinen with a 3-year-old before, Satono Diamond [in 2016].” Another 2024 Classic winner entering the fray is Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) hero Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), sixth to Urban Chic in the Kikuka Sho. Set to be ridden by Norihiro Yokoyama for Danox Co.–Danox also has Danon Beluga (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the mix–the colt is looking for some redemption on Sunday. Trainer Shogo Yasuda said, “This will be his first time facing older horses, and with the high caliber of the others, it's going to likely be the toughest race he's experienced so far. Of course, I've tried to prepare him such a way that he'll be able to handle it. I've been paying close attention to his mental state and am hoping he'll be able to show his stuff. I'm not particularly training him with any specific other horses in mind. I'm just focusing on him.” Conquered by Do Deuce in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) when sixth in October, this spring's G1 Osaka Hai hero Bellagio Opera (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) could yet have a say in the Arima Kinen outcome. Third to Blow The Horn (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen, the 4-year-old colt will break from gate five under Kazuo Yokoyama. Trainer Hiroyuki Uemura said, “Two weeks ago, I wanted to see how sharp his responses were, so we pushed him hard in work. The jockey [Kazuo Yokoyama] rode him on Dec. 11 and his condition has improved. Dare I say he's about where he was for the Osaka Hai. He has good racing sense and he's handled 2,400 meters well, so [the] key is going to be how he manages 2,500 meters.” Second in this race to Do Deuce in 2023, dual Classic heroine Stars On Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) is hoping to bounce back after unplaced runs in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in March, and in the Japan Cup to her old rival. She is joined by top-drawer winners and GI Breeders' Cup Turf second and third Rousham Park (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) and Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), while multiple group winner Prognosis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) will provide some intriguing international form lines, as he finished second to Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in the G1 Cox Plate in October. Fresh off a victory in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Nov. 10, Stunning Rose (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) steps beyond 2400 metres for the first time. The post Arima Kinen Wide Open With Do Deuce Defection appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

California-based The Street Fighter (Street Boss–Silver Swallow, by Alphabet Soup) will join the Rancho San Miguel roster for 2025. A winner at three and five who placed in Del Mar's California Dreamin' Stakes, The Street Fighter will stand for $2,500, live foal guarantee. The chestnut was bred in California by Bruce Headley and Andrew Molasky, trained by Headley until he passed away in 2021, and trained for his final starts that same year by Headley's daughter, Karen. The latter now owns him along with Marsha Naify, a longtime Headley client. Both will support The Street Fighter with their own mares. “In many ways, The Street Fighter represents the culmination of Bruce Headley's unique ability to train and maintain durable, quality horses for the Southern California racing circuit,” said Rancho San Miguel's Tom Clark. “This promising young stallion is strong and correct, with good bone, and we are pleased to offer him to West Coast breeders at an affordable fee that will help carry these versatile, proven bloodlines forward into the future.” The post The Street Fighter Relocates to Rancho San Miguel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Kentucky Derby winner faces a field that includes three from the Bob Baffert barn, Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Stronghold, and Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) second Bentornato.View the full article

Flightline (Tapit) had gone off to stud and there weren't any horses at the start of 2024 on the West Point roster that looked to be headed for stardom. Terry Finley, the founder and president of West Point Thoroughbreds, wasn't expecting a bad year for his stable but he tried to be realistic about West Point's goals for the year. “It wasn't like one horse made $3 million for us this year,” he said. “It was a bunch of really hard knocking, or maybe even a little bit better than hard knocking, horses that stayed around a good part of the year. That's a big deal. If you stay around you can end up running at Kentucky Downs or some of the other tracks with the huge purses. When you're not on the sidelines, that makes an impact on your stats when it comes to earnings.” With the final days of 2024 upon us, West Point has won 26 stakes races this year. According to Jeff Lowe, who works in communications and marketing for West Point, the 26 stakes wins established a new record for most stakes wins by a partnership. The previous record, Lowe reports, was 22, set by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners in 2022. West Point horses have, through Thursday, earned $9,533,183, the most ever for the stable. “We are very, very proud,” Finley said. “How can you not be proud of the team, proud of the partners and everybody who works in our ecosystem? I am proud of the horses, too. I would not have expected it at the beginning of the year. It's probably similar to what happens with a lot of people in the horse business when they have success. They look back and a lot of times people will say we didn't truly see this coming. I'm in that camp. While I didn't see it coming, all we try to do is work hard every day and make good decisions every day. I know that sounds like corporate speak, but I have always bought into that mantra. Those are the things that work, working hard and doing it every single day. Really that's the No. 1 thing we can control. We are filled with pride and it just drives home the fact that nobody can do this by themselves. We see people time and time again try to do it themselves for whatever reason. You can't do it that way. Truly, this is a team sport.” It was horses like Jaxon Traveler (Munnings) who over achieved this year and helped set the record. Soon to be seven, he was bought for $140,000 at the 2020 OBS April Sale. He's gone over the $1-million mark in earnings and won four stakes this year, including the GIII Whitmore Stakes. While there's nothing wrong with winning the Whitmore, West Point likes to aim high. Finley is encouraged that the stable appears to have a quality group of soon-to-be 3-year-olds who could be Derby material. He said that division is headed by GIII Bob Hope Stakes winner Bullard (Gun Runner), Sandman (Tapit), Keep It Easy (Hard Spun) and the undefeated Laurel Futurity winner Pascaline (Upstart). “We'll take a week or so to really cherish the 26 stakes wins,” Finley said. “As we were getting close to the 20 mark I was saying wouldn't it be nice to say we won a stakes every two weeks. We got there. I have asked my team to reflect and enjoy the great work we've all been part of. You're not guaranteed anything in this sport and you're not owed anything in this business. You've got to show up. One of the things I monitor and am always looking out for is that every member of the team is still passionate about the horses and our partners. I can look every one of them in the eye and say that we are. This will be our 34th year. That's a good feeling, to have done something for 34 years and to have had some success and still be unbelievably passionate about the industry and about our company. How lucky are we? That's something I don't take lightly.” West Point's success has been fueled not just by quality but by quantity. Finley started with one horse 34 years ago, a $6,250 claimer. Since, the stable has grown steadily. They now have 123 horses in training and 22 yearlings. Are they nearing a tipping point where more is less? “I'm not saying this would work with 300 horses, but I think our system has evolved where we've gotten better and we have worked on things,” Finley said. “It may be another cliche, but I'm a big proponent on getting better on a regular basis and never sitting back on our heels. We're never in the back of the foxhole, we're always forward. I think we could get bigger, I really do. Not a lot bigger, but after we've had a year like this one you start to think I want more of this. That's what we do as owners across the spectrum in the horse business. We're not looking to get a whole lot bigger, but we had another good year bringing people into the business. We are also getting a good number of people who own horses joining up with us in joint venturers. More and more people are looking to do that, including breeders that want stay in as owners. And you get people who go to the big sales like Saratoga or the first couple of days at Keeneland and they realize they can't bang heads. It doesn't make sense to bang heads, so you see that a lot of the partnerships now are joining forces with other owners. We will continue to do that. With the right people, the right outlook and the right team, it's a great way to do this.” West Point will look to get 2025 off to a fast start when it runs Maui Strong (Kitten's Joy) in the Jan 1. Dania Beach Stakes at Gulfstream. Can West Point top 26 stakes wins in 2025? It won't be easy but that's because few things are easy in this sport. But West Point's formula is working. Buy a lot of horses, spend a lot of money, team with quality trainers like Steve Asmussen, Shug McGaughey, John Sadler and Christophe Clement and a top bloodstock advisor in David Ingordo and work really hard. Do all that and good things are bound to happen. The post West Point Sets Record in Banner Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a daughter of a Classic winner. 17.15 Wolverhampton, Mdn, £6,300, 2yo, f, 9f 104y (AWT) Anthony Oppenheimer's STAR OF LIGHT (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is the first foal produced by G1 Irish Oaks, G1 Prix Vermeille and G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares heroine Star Catcher (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The John and Thady Gosden-conditioned debutante's seven opponents include Flaxman Stables Ireland's twice-raced former Sir Michael Stoute trainee Coma Cluster (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who is a daughter of G3 Lacken Stakes victrix Only Mine (Ire) (Pour Moi {Ire}), making her first start for the George Boughey stable. The post Daughter Of Irish Oaks Heroine Star Catcher On Deck For Wolverhampton Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After vanning nearly 1,900 miles from Fair Grounds in New Orleans, GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) arrived at Santa Anita in good order Wednesday night, got a rest day on Thursday, and stretched his legs on California soil for the first time Friday morning. Backed up to the seven-eighths pole around 8:15 a.m. local time under exercise rider Tony Gutierrez, Mystik Dan galloped about nine furlongs, then took two turns around the paddock before heading back to Barn 54, where he is staying. Trainer Kenny McPeek was not on hand–he's scheduled to arrive next Thursday morning along with Mystik Dan's regular rider Brian Hernandez, Jr.–but McPeek's assistant Dermot Magner oversaw the morning's activities alongside Greg Morehead, director of operations for McPeek Racing. Magner and Morehead shared the driving duties for Mystik Dan's trip from Fair Grounds. The Derby winner is entered to run in next Thursday's GI Malibu Stakes on Santa Anita's opening day. He'll break from post six in his first start since an off-the-board finish in the GI Belmont Stakes. In other Malibu news, three other members of field had their final works Friday: Stronghold (Ghostzapper) covered five panels in 1:01; Winterfell (Arrogate) worked four furlongs in :47.20; and Senior Officer (Into Mischief) worked a half in :48. Also on the worktab was GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), who worked for the second time since that win Nov. 1. He covered four furlongs in :49. Another notable worker was Eagles Flight (Curlin), the winning half-brother to Horse of the Year Flightline, who put in five furlongs in 1:00.40. The post Mystik Dan Arrives Safely and Gallops at Santa Anita, Citizen Bull Works appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

France Galop's administrative council has formally adopted a budget for 2025 which will see the sport run a €15 million deficit.View the full article

Soul of an Angel, dramatic winner of the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) and this summer's Alabama Stakes (G1) winner Power Squeeze will line up together for the first time in the $140,000 Rampart Stakes Dec. 26 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

By Michael Guerin Arna Donnelly had never won a $100,000 race before Friday night: now she has won three. And after her treble on the inaugural Golden Gait night at Alexandra Park she has her eyes set on even bigger targets. The popular Waikato trainer captured a treble with three very different types of horses the first being Chase Me who capped a wonderful debut season with an impressive win in the TAB Golden Gait 2YO Mobile Pace. “He is a really promising horse and what makes it even better is I own most of him,” says Donnelly. “I was underbidder on him at the sales but bought him later and he peaked at just the right time tonight. “I think he is a Derby horse so that will be his next aim if he stays, but we have a few people chasing him.” The feature pace of the night, the TAB Golden Gait Aged R63 – R99 Mobile Pace, saw Donnelly train first and third with Jolimont sitting parked to win while Kango was a huge third. But it may be that Jolimont is now the stable star has he has stepped up to be a genuine open class force which will now be tested further in the Auckland Cup. “He has really come of age and he is up to that level now.” But at the other end of the scale comes Rough And Ready, who won this lower grade aged pace at start number 119 and just two weeks before he turns eight. “He has been such a lovely old horse and raced everywhere including in Australia where he never settled in but his owners were so good about bringing him back over here. “So to see a horse like him get his big win tonight was very satisfying. “It has been a special night for us and I couldn’t do it without the support from my owners and all the staff who work so hard .. it is a huge team effort.” The night’s other pacing feature was taken out in no-fuss fashion by Duchess Megxit, capping off an amazing month in which she won the NZ Oaks, Queen Of Hearts and now the three-year-old Golden Gait. She had to work a bit early to get the lead but was always going to be too fast after that and ends a excellent year in which she has stamped herself one of the great three-year-old fillies, particularly when racing at home. She was one of three winners on the night for driver Zachary Butcher, joining fellow driver Crystal Hackett and trainers Donnelly and Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett as three-time winners on a hugely successful first running of the Golden Gait concept. View the full article

By Michael Guerin There couldn’t be a more deserving stable to win the first ever TAB Golden Gait Final held than Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett. But Belle Neige’s win in the $100,000 opener at Alexandra Park, the TAB Golden Gait Aged R49 – R60 Mobile Trot, was only the start of a stunning night for the husband and wife team. The numbers are impressive, the stable producing the first four home in the opening race, with daughter Crystal driving the winner. They doubled up in the next, the TAB Golden Gait Aged R35 – R46 Mobile Pace, when Nelson’s Boy won again with Crystal in the sulky while the enigmatic pacer is part-owned by their other daughter Tyla Hackett, a former Kidz Kartz driver and now top equestrian rider. To round out the remarkable night they trained Faith In Manchester to beat stablemate Magic Dash in the R61 – R79 Mobile Trot to give them three wins for the night. Add to that Illicit Love’s third in the 2YO Mobile Trot and Val Thorens just missing in the three-year-old trot after carrying a flat tyre and the stable runner’s collected $220,000 in win and place stakes alone. To add to the party Crystal drove another winner for one of the other stars of night in trainer Arna Donnelly when Rough And Ready gave her a treble as well in the R48 – R61 Mobile Pace. To see Wallis and Hackett have such a successful night at the first ever Golden Gait felt like payback as the night is supposed to reward horses who have supported Alexandra Park in 2024 but the reality is their stable has been keeping races alive there for several years. There have been times in recent years when Alexandra Park didn’t have the buzz it did on Friday and has it not been for the prolific support of the Wallis/Hackett stable some trotting races in particular wouldn’t have got off the ground. “We have always been big supporters of this club and this track and we have been happy to do so,” says Michelle. “But to have a night like this is very special for different reasons. “The first winner was owned by Pat Driscoll and he has become such a big supporter of ours and we almost got him another one with Val Thorens. “Then Nelson’s Boy winning who has been such a good old horse for us and to have Tyla and the family involved in his ownership. “And Faith In Manchester had to be really good to win and she is raced by owners in Heather and Russell Steele who have been with us such a long time. “So they are all special moments and to see Crystal driving a treble, it has been a wonderful night.” Wallis also got a thrill from the atmosphere in the Alexandra Park stabling area as many of the participants knew what the night meant to each other. Another stable who has been a huge addition to Alexandra Park in recent years in Robert and Jenna Dunn’s Pukekohe base won the three-year-old trot with Bounce N Beyond, courtesy of a beautifully-timed Zachary Butcher drive to work him to the front from his outside of the second line draw. The son of the talented northern mare Dead Cat Bounce, who won 13 races, Bounce N Beyond has had his tricks at times but seems to have settled down lately and looks an open class horse in the making. Earlier the two-year-old trot went, as expected, to Meant To Be, confirming he is our best juvenile trotters when easily accounting for stablemate Ocean Eyes, their tasks made easier when both Ya Eejit Ya and Hillbilly galloped early. The night’s final trot was taken out by Itaintnecessarilyso, a recent addition to Shane Butcher’s small stable but expertly prepared and giving Butcher’s fiancee Monika Ranger the biggest win of her driving career. View the full article

By Jonny Turner It was a day to savour for Team Dalgety at Invercargill yesterday. Cran and Chrissie Dalgety trained three winners on the day including Republican Party in the feature, the Group 1 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup and son Carter had four wins in the sulky to launch him to the top of the junior drivers’ premiership. The combination proved unstoppable in the $100,000 Invercargill Cup when their five-year-old made a brilliant beginning to set up a powerful front-running victory. The win was something of a carbon copy of the combination’s win with Krug when the feature was run at Group 1 level for the first time two years ago. Even though he had done it all before with another star pacer trained by his parents, Carter Dalgety was still left lost for words by the victory. “I am pinching myself really, this horse deserved a big race and everything worked out good,” Carter said. “I am a bit speechless, to be honest.” Carter was quick to credit his father for Republican Party’s electric Invercargill Cup beginning. Cran made a surprise move to add a shadow roll to the pacer’s gear, something he wasn’t wearing when he ran a brilliant third in the Group 1 New Zealand Cup. “I have to give the credit to Dad, he made the late call to put the shadow roll on and it worked a treat,” Carter said. “He began that well, he put himself in a beautiful spot after 200m.” While Cran was chuffed to add yet another Group 1 title to his glittering harness racing resume, he admitted combining with his son adds another dimension to the victory, compared to those years ago. “It is hard to explain, those are the warm fuzzies you get that make all pretty special.” “You want to see your kids do well and for him to jump into this profession and follow in the family’s footsteps it is a great thrill.” The Dalgety combination also took out the SBSR Sires’ Stakes Southern Solstice with Magician before notching another special win with Wallflower in the Canada Stakes. The feature race is named after the late Canada Broad, the daughter of Southern Harness Racing boss Jason Broad, who passed away earlier this year after bravely battling cancer. “You try to get a horse good enough to compete in a race like this, and you don’t think about winning it,” Cran said. “When we were able to win it, with Jason there, it was very special.” With Carter Dalgety also winning with the Tom Bamford-trained Ebury Street in the Craig Heyrick at Harcourts Real Estate Mobile Pace his four wins took him to 61 for the year, and to the top of the junior drivers’ premiership, three clear of closest challenger Sam Thornley. Muscle Mountain produced another of the star turns on Group 1 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup Day. The star trotter sat off the speed before being lit up at the 800m as he won in another all-family affair for Greg, Nina and Ben Hope. Ben Hope drove a patient race with the favourite, partially due to some cat-and-mouse mid-race tactics in front of him, but it played right into Muscle Mountain’s hands. “I just thought being a long-distance race and we were off a bit of a handicap, so I thought I would let him settle early,” Ben said. “He is a lovely horse and while I respected the field, if he is on song he is as good as any of them and he proved it today.” While Muscle Mountain had won bigger races than the Group 3 Brendan Franks Farrier David Moss Stakes, Hope admitted the big Ascot Park crowd and the great atmosphere on-course made the win special. “To win a nice race down here with a horse of this calibre is definitely a special moment.” View the full article