Wandering Eyes

Champagne Anyone, Lady Apple, and Street Band recorded their final works April 28 at Churchill Downs while preparing for the May 3 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1). View the full article

Out for a Spin, a 52-1 winner of the April 6 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1), is blossoming right in time for the May 3 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1). View the full article

Code of Honor has taken a professional approach to his new surroundings since arriving April 24 at the Louisville, Ky., oval, so it was no surprise to Shug McGaughey when his charge turned in a final pre-race work April 28 that was sharp and deft. View the full article

Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) winner By My Standards completed his major work for the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) with a half-mile move in :48 2/5 April 28 at Churchill Downs. View the full article

The TDN has polled some of the top riders in the history of the sport and asked them to answer this simple question: If given a choice of any of the 20 starters in the GI Kentucky Derby who would you choose to ride? Today, we ask Sandy Hawley. “I’d pick Omaha Beach (War Front). To me, he was really impressive when he won the Arkansas Derby. I can see why Mike Smith picked him. He has a little bit of natural speed and that will help him stay out of trouble, and he has a lot of ability. It’s a wide-open race and that’s what makes it hard when you ask me to pick a horse to ride. There are several nice horse in there and several nice horses coming off of big wins. It’s a great betting race, a great race for the fans to bet. There’s no clear-cut favorite. You can find a 10-1 shot and he might look as good on paper as the 7-2 shot. It’s going to be an exciting race.” View the full article

Code of Honor has taken a professional approach to his new surroundings since arriving April 24 at the Louisville, Ky., oval, so it was no surprise to Shug McGaughey when his charge turned in a final pre-race work April 28 that was sharp and deft. View the full article

Say what you want, think what you want about Frank Stronach, but no one can deny that he loves horse racing and wants to see his tracks and the entire sport prosper. It’s hard to imagine how difficult it must be for him to be cast to the side while his daughter, Belinda, runs what he created, The Stronach Group (TSG). For most of his life, he has been a powerful man and has been in charge. No more. So far, he’s on the losing end of a fight for control of the company and has no say in how it is run. He wanted to be heard, which is why he rented out a conference room at a local hotel and invited the Southern California racing community to hear what was on his mind. His primary idea was that he wanted to place the TSG tracks in a trust, which would guarantee that the tracks could not be bulldozed and the land developed. It’s a very good idea. The problem is, as of now, Stronach has no say whatsoever when it comes to the future of Santa Anita or any of the TSG tracks. That won’t change unless he wins the lawsuit he filed against Belinda seeking to regain control of the company. At 86, time is not on his side as the Stronach vs. Stronach lawsuit is likely to drag on in the Canadian courts for years. Frank strongly implied that Belinda has ulterior motives, one of them being to shut down Santa Anita and to cash in on its immense value as real estate. “Within management, we have forces who do not want to race,” he said. “They want to see the tracks developed. I’m totally against that, and for the past few years, I’ve been outspoken about that.” That was his money quote, and the facts so far seem to prove him to be off base. With all that has happened at Santa Anita since this nightmarish meet began, few could have blamed Belinda if she threw up her hands, said “I want out” and put the for sale sign out in front of the track. With PETA and the media on her back, all the headaches and all the ill will that has been directed her way, why put up with all the aggravation? The easy way out would be to close the track, sell the land to developers and add a large fortune to her bank account. In fact, according to several sources, some prominent owners came to her and offered to purchase the track. She said no. Instead of bailing on Santa Anita, she has dug her heels in and has vowed, not only to keep it open, but to do everything in her power to make it the safest racetrack in America. You might not like her ideas about Lasix, whips, etc., but her trying to curtail the use of both is her way of trying to get the animal activists to calm down and not put together a drive to put an initiative on the ballot to ban racing in the state. So far, it’s working. Better to have racing without Lasix than no racing at all. Her latest move was to hire the respected vet Dr. Dionne Benson, who has been appointed as the Chief Veterinary Officer for The Stronach Group. She doesn’t seem to want to run away from the problems; she wants to fix them. If not, the wrecking ball would have arrived weeks ago. Father and daughter might not like one another, but one thing they apparently share is a love of racing and determination to see that the sport survives well into the future. Surely, Frank knows that about Belinda. The Gangsta Gardener? Sometimes, when it comes to Frank Stronach, all you can do is scratch your head. This Ron Finley (no relation), who goes by the name of the “Gangsta Gardener,” seems like a terrific person. To better poor neighborhoods and better the lives of people who live in them, Finley has started a movement to plant gardens in impoverished areas like South Central Los Angeles. But what, exactly, does that have to do with Frank Stronach, the problems at Santa Anita and his feud with his daughter, Belinda? When Stronach held the public meeting last week to voice his opinions on what is going wrong with Santa Anita and go public with some of his gripes with his daughter, he was joined on the dais by owner William Deburgh and the Gangsta Gardener. Yes, the Gangsta Gardener. Okay, Finley has planted some gardens in neighborhoods near Pimlico, but is that really a qualification for having a seat next to Stronach at a meeting to discuss problems at Santa Anita? And the neighborhood around Santa Anita is hardly a poor area. Once Again, It Was Ladies’ Day at the Hall of Fame When it was announced that Royal Delta was the only horse that would be inducted into the Hall of Fame this August, it should have come as no surprise that she is a she. A modern-era male race horse has not been inducted since Lava Man in 2015, and he was a gelding. No non-gelded horse has been inducted since Curlin in 2014. In the meantime, six females have gone in and the mare Ashado also went in in 2014. This could be nothing more than a coincidence, but there’s also a plausible reason why it’s becoming harder than ever for males to make the Hall of Fame. If a colt has Hall of Fame ability, they likely won’t have had a career that is long enough to convince voters they’ve done enough to merit induction. It’s very rare these days for a male horse to remain in training if they have any kind of pedigree and have won a Grade I race at two or three. It’s a matter of simple economics: they’re going to make more money breeding than racing. As for the last seven mares to make it into the Hall of Fame, Goldikova and Zenyatta raced until they were six; Royal Delta, Heavenly Prize and Xtra Heat raced until they were five; Ashado and Rachel Alexandra made it through their 4-year-old seasons. The next male who retired after his 3-year-old year that will make the Hall of Fame is American Pharoah. Likely, Justify will follow three years later. But that may be what it now takes for a male horse that retires before a 4-year-old season to make the Hall–a Triple Crown victory. There are a couple of other no-brainers among males that will soon be eligible. California Chrome and Gun Runner are certain Hall of Famers and Arrogate is highly likely to make it. But all three kept going for at least a 4-year-old season. Why Not Havre de Grace? That females are dominating when it comes to entry into the Hall of Fame makes it all the more surprising that voters have now turned down Havre de Grace two straight years. In any sport, there are certain milestones that guarantee induction. Unless you are a suspected steroid user, hit .300 and/or have 500 career home runs and you will make it into baseball’s Hall of Fame. One would think that the same should apply to any filly or mare that is named Horse of the Year. Since the Eclipse Awards were initiated in 1971, six fillies have been named Horse of the Year. Five are in the Hall of Fame. Havre de Grace, whose victory over males in the 2011 GI Woodward S. put her over the top in the Horse of the Year race, is the only exception. On this one, the voters whiffed. And Finally… I’d like to introduce a new feature to weeks when I put together the TDN’s Week In Review, “The Worst Named Horse of the Week.” The honor (or is it dishonor?) this week goes to The Creep (Twirling Candy), who was fifth in Saturday’s California Derby at Golden Gate Fields. View the full article

Bill Mott-trained pair Tacitus and Country House were joined by extra rivals during their in-company work April 28 at Churchill Downs, as Win Win Win and a workmate hooked up with the duo. Mott's runners both clocked five furlongs in 1:00. View the full article

In what became the most dramatic work on a busy Sunday for GI Kentucky Derby contenders at Churchill Downs, Bill Mott trainees Tacitus (Tapit) and Country House (Lookin at Lucky) had unexpected company when joined by Mike Trombetta-trained Win Win Win (Hat Trick {Jpn}) and workmate Souper Courage (Giant’s Causeway). Win Win Win and Souper Courage spontaneously joined the Mott duo to their outside on the far turn with the quartet running four abreast turning for home. Win Win Win closed to pass the Mott pair, who finished on even terms by design. Tacitus and Country House completed their five-furlong work in 1:00 flat (4/25), working in fractions of :12.20, :24.20, :35.80, :48 and out six furlongs in 1:12.80, seven furlongs in 1:26 and a mile in 1:39.80. “We generally would see something like that happen occasionally when they don’t have a [designated] 15-minute break just for Derby and Oaks horses,” Mott said after the work. “I thought about that [beforehand] because I knew there would be some other workers. You just can’t really anticipate it. My team was ready to break off and they probably didn’t know we were going to work. All the riders did a really good job and I really have to commend all of them. It’s not going to hurt them and they better get used to [traffic], if they’re not already or they’ll get a surprise on Derby Day. It’s pretty crowded out there.” Juddmonte homebred Tacitus is coming off wins in the GII Tampa Bay Derby and GII Wood Memorial. “I thought it went well,” Juddmonte manager Garrett O’Rourke said of the work Sunday morning. “He handled Win Win Win coming up on the outside really professionally. He was under control and got a good blow. That’s all you can ask for, really.” Win Win Win, third in the Tampa Bay Derby and second in the GII Toyota Blue Grass S., completed his four-furlong work in :47.60 (4/76). “I was on the radio with [exercise rider] Mel [Williams on Souper Courage] and told her there was company coming behind her,” Trombetta said. “They started their work at the 5/8ths and that is why they caught up to us so fast. Those things happen, but it is unusual that it happened here with limited traffic. Hey, they jump in and join the party and everybody gets around there OK and everybody is happy.” Jockey Julian Pimentel added, “That was a little different, but it worked out well. He went about his business and he wanted to go get them.” Also working at Churchill Sunday, GII Louisiana Derby winner By My Standards (Goldencents), who has been turning heads in Louisville for the past week, went a half-mile in :48.40 (12/76) with jockey Gabriel Saez in the irons. “Well, that couldn’t have gone any better,” trainer Bret Calhoun said. “It’s just a blessing how well he’s doing entering the Derby. He’s doing everything we’ve asked him to do and just moves so effortlessly around the racetrack. He went in :48.40 this morning, but when Gabe got back to the barn he said he could’ve went around there again. It was like nothing to them.” Owned by Chester Thomas’ Allied Racing Stables, By My Standards worked in fractions of :12.40, :24 and :36.40 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.60, six furlongs in 1:12.80 and seven furlongs in 1:26.60, according to Churchill Downs’ Clocker John Nichols. William S. Farish’s Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}) completed his major preparation for next Saturday’s Derby with a four-furlong work in :46.80 (2/76) Sunday. With exercise rider Brian Duggan in the irons, he produced fractions of :11.80, :23.20, :35.20 and galloped out five furlongs in :59.40 and six furlongs in 1:13.20. “I told [Brian] to go in :48, but the track was pretty good this morning,” trainer Shug McGaughey said. “I was pleased with the way he handled it and glad I got the kind of track we did today. He had two good works at Keeneland and the last one was on an off track, so we know he can handle an off track and what he was on today is probably what he will see Saturday.” Winner of the GII Fountain of Youth S., Code of Honor is coming off a third-place effort in the Mar. 30 GI Florida Derby. Improbable (City Zip), runner-up in the GII Rebel S. and GI Arkansas Derby, turned in a five-furlong work Sunday in 1:00.60 (9/25). The work caused Elliott Walden, president of co-owner WinStar Farm, to compare the colt to the operation’s 2010 Derby-winning Super Saver (Maria’s Mon). “He’s feeling good and I think [trainer] Bob [Baffert] has him right where he wants him,” Walden said of Improbable, whom WinStar Farm co-owns along with China Horse Club International and Starlight Racing. “He reminds me of Super Saver when he came in here off Arkansas. The three weeks were a good three weeks.” Under jockey Florent Geroux–who is actually set to ride fellow Baffert trainee Roadster (Quality Road) Saturday–Improbable broke off just a couple lengths behind workmate Embolden (The Factor), quickly catching up to that one and moving past his stablemate down the lane as he registered splits of :11.80, :23.60, and :36.40 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:13 and seven furlongs in 1:25.60. “I don’t think he was rank. He was just maybe a little bit keen and feeling good,” Geroux said. “He’s very easy [to ride] actually. Down the lane he was responding exactly to what I was asking him to. I could have gone faster if I wanted to. I could have gone a touch slower if I wanted to. He was just very cooperative.” Sunday’s work was Improbable’s second at Churchill Downs. The chestnut colt went four furlongs Apr. 22 in :48.00 (4/80). “He loves this track. I just love the way he kept on galloping out today,” Baffert said. “That’s what we wanted to see. He gets over it well. He’s not really big, but he jumps a long way. Now I can relax. Now we have to wait for the draw. That’s the last of the anxiety, the draw.” One day after arriving from California and joining stablemate Improbable in Churchill Downs’ Barn 33, reigning juvenile male champion Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}) and Grade I winner Roadster went to the Churchill Downs track for the first time in their Kentucky Derby preparations. “They just jogged. They’re not going to do much,” Baffert said of the duo. Baffert added, “All three have different styles. Game Winner he’s like the fullback, Roadster he’s real light and lean, but he gets over the ground well. I’m just happy to be here with three really nice horses.” The draw for Saturday’s Derby will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Aristides Lounge on the second floor of Churchill Downs’ Clubhouse. View the full article

Code of Honor has taken a professional approach to his new surroundings since arriving April 24 at the Louisville oval, so it was no surprise to Shug McGaughey when his charge turned in a final pre-race work April 28 that was equally professional. View the full article

The last of Bob Baffert's three Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) contenders turned in his final work April 28 at Churchill Downs, leaving the Hall of Fame trainer with only the post draw to think about. View the full article

Hong Hong's reigning Horse of the Year, Beauty Generation, put on a show in the April 28 Champions Mile (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse, thoroughly dominating a half dozen rivals and potentially earning a confrontation with Japan's star filly Almond Eye. View the full article

Bill Mott-trained pair Tacitus and Country House were joined by extra rivals during their in-company work April 28 at Churchill Downs, as Win Win Win and a workmate hooked up with the duo. Mott's runners both clocked five furlongs in 1:00. View the full article

Profiles of 18 of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) jockeys, compiled by Dan Tordjman for America's Best Racing. View the full article

The last of Bob Baffert's three Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) contenders turned in their final work April 28 at Churchill Downs, leaving the Hall of Fame trainer with only the post draw to think about. View the full article

Champagne Anyone, Lady Apple, and Street Band recorded their final works April 28 at Churchill Downs while preparing for the May 3 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1). View the full article

Mohaather (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), whose participation had been cast in doubt after coming up lame late last week, has indeed been ruled out of Saturday’s G1 Qipco 2000 Guineas. Sheikh Hamdan’s colt had won the G3 Horris Hill S. at Newbury last October and returned to that venue to take the G3 Greenham S. on Apr. 13. Sheikh Hamdan’s Racing Manager Angus Gold said on Sunday, “The vet tells me it’s bone bruising on his off-fore. We’ll have to x-ray it again in another couple of weeks and we’ll have a better idea of where we stand then. It’s a strange one as these things tend to be a cumulative injury, but he’d shown no signs of lameness until Friday. He’s going to need a period out of training–possibly a couple of months. It’s disappointing, obviously. Hopefully we’ll get him back in the autumn.” Sheikh Hamdan is still set to be represented in the Guineas by the Kevin Prendergast-trained Madhmoon (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}). View the full article

Last seen finishing a close fifth in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac at ParisLongchamp in October, Ballydoyle’s Pink Dogwood (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) returned to land a gamble as the 4-5 favourite for Sunday’s Listed Salsabil S. at Navan. Held up this time as the front-running tactics employed on Arc day were dismissed, the bay had three behind turning into the straight and despite bringing Encapsulation (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) with her as she gained the lead a furlong out stayed on the better to prevail by a half length. PINK DOGWOOD (IRE), f, 3, Camelot (GB)–Question Times (GB) (SP-Eng), by Shamardal). (115,000gns Wlg ’16 TATFOA; €380,000 Ylg ’17 GOFOR). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Sweetmans Bloodstock (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €35,400. Lifetime Record: 5-2-2-0, €55,813. View the full article

Three of the four Hong Kong-based winners from December’s Longines Hong International Races meeting made an appearance on FWD Champions Day Sunday at Sha Tin–only Mr Stunning (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) missed the event owing to injury–but as has been the case for much of the last 12 months, it was Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}) who stole all the thunder. The reigning Horse of the Year won his eighth consecutive race this season, a new record in Hong Kong, and his ninth race in succession overall. In successfully defending his title in the G1 FWD Champions Mile, where it all began in 2018, Beauty Generation surpasses former John Moore stablemate Viva Pataca (GB) (Marju {Ire}) as the most prolific money spinner in Hong Kong history, with now nearly HK$87 million in the bank, some HK$84 million of which has been earned locally. “Definitely, it’s an amazing achievement,” said trainer John Moore of Sunday’s win, “for the stable and all the staff to be able to keep him up and sustain his fitness level to be able to win these races in such a facile fashion. And thanks to Hong Kong that we’ve had a champion in our midst and we’ve still got a champion miler and the whole world knows we’ve got one hell of a miler over here.” With no foreign competition signed on, only the same pool of horses he’d been beating up on all season long, the task ahead of Beauty Generation was fairly straight-forward. Zac Purton kicked the 6-year-old gelding into the lead and when the opening 400 metres were posted in :25.33, it was the equine equivalent of a six-inch putt. From there, Purton gradually increased the speed on the pacemaker–he covered the next two sectionals in :22.96 and :22.98–and with the race already in safe keeping, took a confident look under his left arm pit at the 200m to see no threat was emerging. While never being asked for an effort, Beauty Generation was home in :22.36 to seal the deal, as Singapore Sling (SAf) (Philanthropist) rallied off a no-cover trip to be second ahead of Simply Brilliant (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in third. If there was drama to be found post-race, it was the question of whether Beauty Generation could be headed to Japan for the G1 Yasuda Kinen in early June. The trainer is fully on board. “I’d like to go to Japan but of course it is the owner’s call,” Moore said. “[Owner] Patrick [Kwok] and his father [Simon] will make the decision in time. As I said, it was a facile win today and I don’t think it took much out of him in the sense of it being such a long season and I still think there’s a lot left in the tank. Let’s go back to the drawing board and have a talk over dinner.” Late Sunday, Purton tweeted that the odds of making the trip had “shortened dramatically…if a few minor details can be arranged” and that “the owner wants it.” Should that overseas trip eventuate, he could meet the likes of Danon Premium (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and, possibly, Horse of the Year Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}). No Hong Kong horse has won the Yasuda Kinen since Bullish Luck (Royal Academy) in 2006. Win Bright Gives Japan Another QE II Cup… In the 2015 G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, the unheralded A Shin Hikari (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) stunned the Hong Kong faithful with a front-running 37-1 upset over his compatriot Nuovo Record (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}). Win Bright (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}), similar in colour–and ultimately in starting price–to A Shin Hikari, was given a perfect ground-saving ride from 34-year-old Masami Matsuoka and punched through late to cause a 47-1 boilover. Favoured Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Ire}) finished one ahead of the other, same as they did when running the quinella in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase in December. It was the third QE II win for Japan in the last seven years (Rulership, 2012; Neorealism, 2017) and fourth overall (Eishin Preston, 2002, 2003). Exiting a successful defense of his title in the G2 Nakayama Kinen, in which he defeated last year’s G1 Mile Championship hero Stelvio (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) into third and last year’s G1 Hong Kong Cup runner-up Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) into sixth, Win Bright was away well from the inside draw and eventually settled three back the fence as Time Warp (GB) (Archipenko) and his full-brother Glorious Forever (GB) renewed their sibling rivalry on the engine. The latter allowed Time Warp to stride into the lead with about seven furlongs to race, with defending champ and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Pakistan Star (Ger) (Shamardal) enjoying the run of the race from third and Win Bright in his slipstream a bit further back. Lys Gracieux and Exultant improved with wide runs on the second turn, but back up front, Pakistan Star knifed through between the brothers to lead and it looked to be deja vu all over again. But Win Bright was still traveling in behind, split Hong Kong Derby winner Furore (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}) and Glorious Forever at the 300m, grabbed Pakistan Star inside the furlong and edged clear. Exultant rallied belatedly and just touched Lys Gracieux out of second. The final time established a new course record for the 2000m. “This is the very best day!” said Matsuoka, who hadn’t ridden a Group 1 winner since the 2009 Tenno Sho (Spring). “He didn’t have good gate speed this time, but we found a good spot and the horse travelled nicely and that helped him run very well to the finish.” Should all go well, Win Bright is a candidate for the Hong Kong Cup at year’s end, according to his connections. Consistent As the Day Is Long… Beat The Clock (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) is that proverbial horse you’d like to have a barn full of and he continued his consistent ways with a tough defeat of the progressive Rattan (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) in the day’s first feature, the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize. Little Giant (NZ) (Swiss Ace {Aus}) ran a bold race from close up to be third. The shape of the Chairman’s Sprint Prize was always a bit of an open question, and it was Rattan, who defeated Beat The Clock with a five-pound pull in the weights in the G2 Sprint Cup three weeks back, that showed the most early initiative. He was joined by the Japanese mare Nac Venus (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), the anointed the most likely leader by many, but only at the first corner, as Little Giant settled on the back of the front-runner and Beat the Clock in the one-by-one slot. Pulled out into the three path turning for home, Beat The Clock sprinted past Nac Venus and had to fight for it, given that he was slightly disadvantaged tactically, but he called upon his considerable class and was home first. The race’s tough-luck story was favoured G1 T J Smith S. hero Santa Ana Lane (Aus) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who closed off in a race-fastest :21.50, but simply did not have the race run to suit and was a brave fourth. It was a second Group 1 for Beat The Clock and strengthened his case for a season-ending title, but he has run his last race of the year, said trainer John Size, winning his third Chairman’s Sprint Prize. “He is a joy to take to the races, that’s for sure, because he’s so consistent and such a willing participant,” Size said. “He’s come strong at five years of age and it should be his best season and he’s done that, he’s delivered with his two Group 1s.” Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong FWD QE II CUP-G1, HK$24,000,000 (£2,371,576/€2,747,421/A$4,365,205/US$3,059,815), Sha Tin, 4-28, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 1:58.81 (NCR), gd. 1–WIN BRIGHT (JPN), 126, h, 5, by Stay Gold (Jpn) 1st Dam: Summer Eternity (Jpn), by Admire Cozzene (Jpn) 2nd Dam: All for Guelain (Jpn), by Jade Robbery 3rd Dam: Miss Guelain (Jpn), by Maruzensky (Jpn) O-Win Co Ltd; B-Cosmo View Farm; T-Yoshihiro Hatakeyama; J-Masami Matsuoka; HK$13,680,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW-Jpn, 18-8-2-0, HK$34,946,130. *Full to Win Fabulous (Jpn), G1SP-Jpn, $717,278. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A++. 2–Exultant (Ire), 126, g, 5, Teofilo (Ire)–Contrary (Ire), by Mark of Esteem (Ire). O-Eddie Wong Ming Chak & Wong Leung Sau Hing; B-Ballygallon Stud Ltd; T-Tony Cruz; J-Zac Purton; HK$5,280,000. 3–Lys Gracieux (Jpn), 122, m, 5, Heart’s Cry (Jpn)–Liliside (Fr), by American Post (GB). O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm; T-Yoshio Yahagi; J-Oisin Murphy; HK$2,400,000. Margins: 3/4, NK, 3/4. Odds: 47-1, 8-5, 7-2. Also Ran: Glorious Forever (GB), Pakistan Star (Ger), Deirdre (Jpn), Dark Dream (Aus), Dinozzo (Ire), Eagle Way (Aus), Furore (NZ), Time Warp (GB), Waikuku (Ire), Eminent (GB). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Pedigree Notes: A May foal, Win Bright is the ninth Group 1 winner for his sire, who took out the 2001 Hong Kong Vase in his career finale and is responsible for the likes of Horse of the Year Orfevre (Jpn) and champion and fan favourite Gold Ship (Jpn). The winner has a 2-year-old half-brother by the aforementioned Orfevre and Summer Eternity was most recently covered by Deep Impact (Jpn) after missing to the Shadai stallion for 2018. Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong FWD CHAMPIONS MILE-G1, HK$18,000,000 (£1,778,510/€2,060,135/A$3,272,608/US$2,294,763), Sha Tin, 4-28, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:33.63, gd. 1–BEAUTY GENERATION (NZ), 126, g, 6, by Road to Rock (Aus) 1st Dam: Stylish Bel (Aus), by Bel Esprit (Aus) 2nd Dam: Stylish Victory (Aus), by Durham Ranger 3rd Dam: Romantic Peace (Aus), by Mikado (NZ$60,000 Ylg ’14 NZBJAN). O-Patrick Kwok Ho Chuen; B-Nearco Stud Ltd; T-John Moore; J-Zac Purton; HK$10,260,000. Lifetime Record: Horse of the Year & Ch. Miler-HK, G1SP-Aus, 30-17-3-4, HK$86,960,720. *Formerly Montaigne (NZ). Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. 2–Singapore Sling (SAf), 126, g, 5, Philanthropist–Sing Dixie Sing (SAf), by Western Winter. (R225,000 Ylg ’15 CAPJAN). O-Nikki Ng Mien Hua; B-Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert); T-Tony Millard; J-Karis Teetan; HK$3,960,000. 3–Simply Brilliant (GB), 126, g, 5, Frankel (GB)–Red Bloom (GB), by Selkirk. O-Simply Brilliant Syndicate; B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd; T-Frankie Lor; J-Oisin Murphy; HK$1,800,000. Margins: 1HF, HF, 1HF. Odds: 1-20, 20-1, 36-1. Also Ran: Seasons Bloom (Aus), Rise High (Fr), Romantic Touch (Aus), Conte (Aus). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong CHAIRMAN’S SPRINT PRIZE-G1, HK$16,000,000 (£1,580,888/€1,831,128/A$2,909,731/US$2,039,758), Sha Tin, 4-28, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:08.26, gd. 1–BEAT THE CLOCK (AUS), 126, g, 5, by Hinchinbrook (Aus) 1st Dam: Flion Fenena (Aus) (GSP-Aus), by Lion Hunter (Aus) 2nd Dam: Fenena (NZ), by Crested Wave 3rd Dam: On the Wind (NZ), by Sea Anchor (Ire) (A$70,000 Ylg ’15 INGMAR; NZ$200,000 2yo ’15 NZBRTR). O-Merrick Chung Wai Lik; B-Miss J Henderson (NSW); T-John Size; J-Joao Moreira; HK$9,120,000. Lifetime Record: 21-8-8-5, HK$34,972,775. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A. *Triple Plus*. 2–Rattan (NZ), 126, g, 5, Savabeel (Aus)–Grand Princess (Aus), by Last Tycoon (Ire). (NZ$150,000 Ylg ’15 NZBJAN). O-Wong Ting Bor; B-M H S & S H R Davison & Mrs M P Schick; T-Richard Gibson; J-Chad Schofield; HK$3,520,000. 3–Little Giant (NZ), 126, g, 6, Swiss Ace (Aus)–Princess Carolina (Aus), by More Than Ready. (NZ$52,500 RNA Ylg ’14 NZBJAN). O-Wizard Syndicate; B-G Harvey; T-David Hall; J-Vincent Ho; HK$1,600,000. Margins: HF, NK, 1HF. Odds: 7-5, 79-10, 25-1. Also Ran: Santa Ana Lane (Aus), Pingwu Spark (NZ), Nac Venus (Jpn), Winner’s Way (Aus), Viddora (Aus), Enzo’s Lad (Aus). Scratched: Mr Stunning (Aus). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. View the full article

The build-up to Sunday’s G1 Prix Ganay at ParisLongchamp was dominated by Godolphin’s up-and-coming force Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), but in the event it was an already-proven domestic star who took centre stage as TDN Rising Star Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) brushed him aside with rare gusto. Shortened up to the trip over which he had so nearly won the G1 Prix du Jockey-Club two years previously, Gestut Ammerland and Newsells Park Stud’s G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud hero settled perfectly in third with Pierre-Charles Boudot always happy. Looking the obvious winner turning for home with the 1-2 favourite Ghaiyyath failing to get away from them, the 17-5 shot swooped on him and Study of Man (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) with a furlong remaining and from there it was dial-the-distance. Lengthening impressively like a horse who has finally matured into the real deal he promised so early, the chestnut cut an impressive figure as he romped to the line with head thrust forward for an emphatic 4 1/2-length success. Last year’s Jockey-Club hero Study of Man was next best behind the foremost older middle-distance horse in France, just edging Ghaiyyath by a short head. “The horse had done very well during the winter and maybe he’s even stronger than last year–he is at least fully mature now as a five-year-old,” trainer Andre Fabre said. “I have him in the [G1] Coronation Cup [at Epsom May 31], but I could also target the [June 30 G1] Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and then the [G1] King George [and Queen Elizabeth S.] at Ascot July 27], so we’ll take time to decide.” In the last 30 years of this time-honoured test, only six horses had dipped under 2:10 when it was staged at this track and Waldgeist is now the seventh. Four of those were Subotica (Fr), Dylan Thomas (Ire), Duke of Marmalade (Ire) and Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and it is common knowledge what they went on to achieve. Waldgeist had won a strong renewal of the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud as a juvenile but despite going close in the Chantilly Classic the following June it was not until last summer that he really began to come into his own. Even then, his autumn showings suggested he was still a notch under the elite standard but this dynamic display will have connections of the leading fillies Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) thinking again. Study of Man had more to prove than the winner and despite being outclassed the Niarchos Family’s homebred put up an encouraging effort which satisfied the team. “We are definitely very pleased–he moved very nicely and had a good action,” the owner-breeders’ racing manager Alan Cooper commented. “He held on well for second at the end and there are various options to consider. We will very seriously consider the [G1] Prix d’Ispahan [back at this track May 26].” Ghaiyyath’s trainer Charlie Appleby was not too downhearted with the third, who travelled with the same enthusiasm in front as he had done in the G2 Prix d’Harcourt here last time Apr. 7 but did not find as much in the closing stages. “Today was a test against obviously stronger opposition than last time and he has run a very decent race,” he said. Appleby elaborated further, adding, “Personally, I feel the colt is ready to step up to a mile and a half now. I thinking that staying is going to be Ghaiyyath’s forte and the sooner we get him up to a mile and a half the better. I am not saying we are going to see a better horse, but it is going to put him back in his comfort zone. He had a very soft lead the time before and put a nice bit of distance between himself and the rest of the pack at one stage and therefore they had to work hard to get to him and that probably finished their races off. Today, the opposition has sat close to him and not allowed him a soft lead and we were there to be picked up, which happened in the end.” On a day in which his relatives Winterfuchs (Ger) (Campanologist) and Urwald (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}) were successful in the G3 Dr Busch Memorial over an extended mile and the seven-furlong Listed Prix du Pont Neuf respectively, Waldgeist was proving that this family is not just stamina, stamina, stamina. What defines it is class, with a G1 St Leger hero in Masked Marvel (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) and a G1 Deutsches Derby hero in Waldpark (Ger) (Dubawi {Ire}) alongside a six-times group-winning sire Wiesenpfad (Fr) (Waky Nao {GB}). The dam, the G3 Prix Penelope scorer Waldlerche (GB) (Monsun {Ger}) who earned TDN Rising Star status herself, is also responsible for last year’s G2 Prix de Malleret winner Waldlied (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and the 3-year-old John Gosden-trained colt Waldstern (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), another TDN Rising Star. She also has a 2-year-old colt by Kingman (GB) named Waldkonig (GB) and an as-yet unnamed yearling full-sister to Waldgeist. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France PRIX GANAY-G1, €300,000, ParisLongchamp, 4-28, 4yo/up, 10 1/2fT, 2:09.07, g/s. 1–WALDGEIST (GB), 128, h, 5, by Galileo (Ire) 1st Dam: Waldlerche (GB) (GSW-Fr & SP-Ger), by Monsun (Ger) 2nd Dam: Waldmark (Ger), by Mark of Esteem (Ire) 3rd Dam: Wurftaube (Ger), by Acatenango (Ger) O-Gestut Ammerland & Newsells Park Stud; B-Waldlerche Partnership (GB); T-Andre Fabre; J-Pierre-Charles Boudot. €171,420. Lifetime Record: GSP-Eng, 17-7-3-1, €1,674,895. *1/2 to Waldlied (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), GSW-Fr, $123,344. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Study of Man (Ire), 128, c, 4, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Second Happiness, by Storm Cat. O/B-Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd (IRE); T-Pascal Bary. €68,580. 3–Ghaiyyath (Ire), 128, c, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Nightime (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (€1,100,000 Wlg ’15 GOFNOV). O-Godolphin; B-Springbank Way Stud (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. €34,290. Margins: 4HF, SHD, 1 3/4. Odds: 3.40, 6.90, 0.50. Also Ran: Soleil Marin (Ire), Intellogent (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Fierement (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) confirmed himself as a stayer of the highest class by winning Sunday’s G1 Tenno Sho Spring in just his sixth lifetime start, and thus becoming the lightest-raced horse ever to take the Kyoto feature. Fierement was coming off a head second on his seasonal debut in the G2 American Jockey Club S. on Jan. 20, and was winning for the first time since taking the final Japanese colts’ Classic, the G1 Kikuka Sho, last October. Breaking near the back of the pack, Fierement lingered about 15 lengths off the pace into the first bend, but had made up about half that distance by the time they passed the finish line for the first time. Pulling jockey Christophe Lemaire gradually closer on the run down the backstretch, Fierement got his head in front between runners turning for home with Kikuka Sho fifth Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who had shadowed him throughout, on his outside. That pair drew clear from their rivals and tussled for the length of the stretch, with Fierement never being headed and hitting the wire a neck to the good. It was sixth lengths back to the longshot third Perform A Promise (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}). “It was a tough race to win but Fierement really showed his strength when we were challenged by Keita Tosaki’s mount on the outside,” said Lemaire. “He was able to relax early on which is important in a long-distance race like this. He wanted to go in the last two corners so I let him go and although the ground got slippery under him at the last corner, he was able to regain his balance and increase his speed at the straight. He’s improving with every race and certainly proved he’s of Group 1 quality with this win.” Pedigree Notes Fierement emulated his sire Deep Impact with a win in the Tenno Sho, the latter having taken it also as a 4-year-old in 2006. Fierement is out of the decorated mare Lune d’Or (Fr) (Green Tune), whose list of accolades includes Italy’s G1 Premio Lydia Tesio and France’s G2 Prix de Malleret and G2 Prix de Pomone-she was also third in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks. Fierement is her first black-type winner, but she had already been represented in that realm as a second dam, her daughter Learned Friend (Ger) (Seeking the Gold) having supplied the triple French Group 3 winner and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois second Inns of Court (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Fierement’s second and third dams were also French listed winners. Sunday, Kyoto, Japan TENNO SHO SPRING-G1, ¥290,020,000, Kyoto, 4-28, 4yo/up, 3200mT, 3:15.00, fm. 1–FIEREMENT (JPN), 128, c, 4, by Deep Impact (Jpn) 1st Dam: Lune d’Or (Fr) (Hwt. 3yo-Ity at 9.5-11f, G1SW-Ity, MGSW-Fr, G1SP-Eng, $440,124), by Green Tune 2nd Dam: Luth D’Or (Fr), by Noir et Or (GB) 3rd Dam: Viole d’Amour (Fr), by Luthier (Fr) O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm; T-Takahisa Tezuka; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥152,814,000. Lifetime Record: 6-4-2-0. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: F. 2–Glory Vase (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Mejiro Tsubone (Jpn), by Swept Overboard. (¥52,000,000 yrl ’16 JRHAJUL) O-Silk Racing; B-Lake Villa Farm; ¥60,804,000. 3–Perform a Promise (Jpn), 128, h, 7, Stay Gold (Jpn)–I’ll Be Bound (Jpn), by Tanino Gimlet (Jpn). O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm; ¥38,402,000. Margins: NK, 6, NK. Odds: 1.80, 10.30, 29.60. Also Ran: Etario (Jpn), You Can Smile (Jpn), Chestnut Coat (Jpn), Kafuji Prince (Jpn), Ridge Man (Jpn), Kento-Oh (Jpn), Clincher (Jpn), Meisho Tekkon (Jpn), Lord Vent d’Or (Jpn). DNF: Vosges (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart and video or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. View the full article

Dropped back in trip last time when successful in the 10 1/2-furlong Listed Prix Zarkava at ParisLongchamp Apr. 7, Godolphin’s Morgan Le Faye (GB) (Shamardal) was an even more comfortable winner back there in Sunday’s G3 Prix Allez France Longines at a mile-and-a-quarter trip which is the shortest she had ever been asked to race over. Third in the G1 Prix Royal-Oak and G1 Prix du Cadran in the autumn, the 5-year-old was settled towards the rear early with Mickael Barzalona confident she had the pace to deal with these rivals. Making smooth progress down the outer to swamp Tosen Gift (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) with 150 metres remaining, the 7-10 favourite drew away to score in facile fashion by two lengths. “She confirmed her performance in the Zarkava and is a really sweet filly,” Godolphin’s Lisa-Jane Graffard commented. “She is not very big but has a lot of heart and is very fluent and now fully mature, so we look forward to the rest of the season. There will be various options for her, one is to follow the usual path and take in the [G2 Prix] Corrida [at Saint-Cloud May 20], and the aim is to try and win a group 1. Of course, we’ll leave it with M Fabre to decide where she goes.” Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France PRIX ALLEZ FRANCE LONGINES-G3, €80,000, ParisLongchamp, 4-28, 4yo/up, f/m, 10fT, 2:04.43, g/s. 1–MORGAN LE FAYE (GB), 122, m, 5, by Shamardal 1st Dam: Molly Malone (Fr) (G1SW-Fr & GSP-Eng, $317,300), by Lomitas (GB) 2nd Dam: Moonlight Melody (Ger), by Law Society 3rd Dam: Morning Queen (Ger), by Konigsstuhl (Ger) 1ST GROUP WIN. (€350,000 Ylg ’15 ARQAUG). O-Godolphin SNC; B-Dieter Burkle (GB); T-Andre Fabre; J-Mickael Barzalona. €40,000. Lifetime Record: Hwt. Older Mare-Eur at 14f+ & MG1SP-Fr, 12-3-2-4, €198,215. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Tosen Gift (Ire), 122, f, 4, Lope de Vega (Ire)–Miracolia (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire). (€98,000 Ylg ’16 GOFORB). O-Takaya Shimakawa; B-Kildaragh Stud (IRE); T-Satoshi Kobayashi. €16,000. 3–Shahnaza (Fr), 122, f, 4, Azamour (Ire)–Shanndiyra (Ire), by King’s Best. O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan’s Studs SC (FR); T-Alain de Royer-Dupre. €12,000. Margins: 2, 3/4, 2. Odds: 0.70, 42.00, 3.80. Also Ran: Lunch Lady (GB), Watayouna (Fr), Qualisaga (Fr), Lady Sidney (Fr), Dramatic Queen, Bella Bolide (Fr), Sully (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

On a day when a Japanese raider caused a huge boilover in the FWD QE II Cup, the most pertinent question at the track was whether Hong Kong’s best horse will return the favour in June’s Yasuda Kinen.Beauty Generation won his ninth straight race in a manner that was so arrogant, it was easy to forget it was the Group One Champions Mile.John Moore’s superstar is now Hong Kong’s all-time leading prize money earner while no other horse has won eight races in a season – he has no peer in this… View the full article

James McDonald landed his first Hong Kong winner since 2014 at Sha Tin on Sunday but confirmed he won’t be looking to make a permanent move to the city any time soon.The 27-year-old kicked off the day in perfect fashion with victory aboard the John Moore-trained Monica in the opening event, however he struggled in the day’s three Group Ones.His best result was fifth in the FWD Champions Mile with Rise High, however New Zealand pair Enzo’s Lad (Chairman’s Sprint Prize) and Eminent (QE II Cup)… View the full article

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