Wandering Eyes

Blake Shinn guides Ostraka to victory in the Golden Eagle. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Blake Shinn, Victoria’s leading jockey for the season, is set for a busy return to the track this weekend after a short break following his recent suspension. Shinn, who has 65 wins this season, will take on nine rides at Pakenham on Saturday and another eight at Sale on Sunday before flying to New Zealand for the Zabeel Classic meeting on Boxing Day. In New Zealand, Shinn is booked to ride Te Akau Racing’s Campionessa in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m), currently paying $10 with the top bookmakers, and Damask Rose in the Group 1 Auckland Guineas (1400m). He will then shift his focus to the Gold Coast for two major weekends of racing, including the $2 million Magic Millions Sunlight on January 4, where he will partner Lady Of Camelot, his Golden Slipper Stakes-winning mount. After his Magic Millions commitments, Shinn will travel to Hong Kong to compete in the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup aboard Galaxy Patch before returning to Melbourne to prepare for the lucrative autumn racing season. Shinn has enjoyed a brief period of rest following his trip to Hong Kong earlier this month, where he participated in the international meeting. He acknowledged the value of taking time off to recharge after a demanding year. Shinn began the season with the ambitious goal of riding 200 winners during the 2024/2025 season and has already amassed 68 victories across Australia since August 1. Horse racing news View the full article

Race 6 NIGEL ROBERTSON BUILDING SOUTHLAND CRYSTALS 2200m LEAVE IT TO ME (D Montes de Oca) – Trainer Ms. J Dalton reported to Stewards, that on Wednesday 18 December, LEAVE IT TO ME, underwent a veterinary examination which included blood tests with no abnormalities being detected. J Dalton further advised it is her intention to continue on with LEAVE IT TO ME’S current preparation. The post Southland Racing Club @ Ascot Park, Invercargill, Saturday 14 December 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The punters came for him late and Republican Party delivered with a powerhouse performance in today’s $100,000 Group 1 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup. Trained by Cran and Chrissie Dalgety and driven by son Carter, Republican Party, who was a fast finishing third in last month’s IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup, was backed in from $6 to $3.50. After starting off 10m, Republican Party was put into the race by Dalgety, heading to the front with two laps to go. From there he was just far too strong, giving Dalgety his second Invercargill Cup, following on from Krug two years ago. “They are pinch myself moments,” Dalgety said post race, “we had a plan and it paid off.” “We got to the front and happy days.” It was Dalgety’s fourth win of the day, following on from Magician, Wallflower and Ebury Street, taking him to the lead in the junior drivers’ premiership. The Robert and Jenna-trained Dalton Shard, who sat parked for driver Blair Orange, stuck on well for second, with stablemate Charlie Brown third. Two of the favoured contenders Mo’unga and Rakero Rocket were inconvenienced at the start and settled at the tail of the field. They came wide at the home turn but couldn’t make up much ground on the leaders. Earlier the champion trotter Muscle Mountain was back in winning form in the Group 3 Brendan Franks Farrier David Moss Handicap Trot. He started off 30m and bided his time early, getting into the running line before making a three wide move and racing to the front. The $1.80 favourite held on for the win ahead of a late closing Midnight Dash. It was a Greg and Nine Hope-trained quinella. Driven by Ben Hope it was Muscle Mountain’s 34th win in 59 starts. View the full article

Jimmysstar was an impressive winner of the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Tom Reilly is set to take the reins as the new chief executive officer of the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) at the start of the new year. Reilly, who brings extensive experience from his roles at Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Aushorse, expressed excitement about this significant opportunity. “The MRC is one of the great race clubs, not just in Australia, but globally,” Reilly told Racing.com. “For anyone passionate about the future of racing, then running the MRC is a wonderful opportunity. The Club ran more race meetings than any other in Victoria last season and has three great racecourses, as well as some of the major Group 1 races in the Australian racing calendar, including the Caulfield Cup, the Caulfield Guineas, and the Blue Diamond.” MRC Chairman John Kanga also expressed enthusiasm about Reilly’s appointment. “We wanted someone with deep racing knowledge and experience, and Tom will bring that to the Club. He is well-respected throughout the racing industry and with his extensive contacts and knowledge, both in Australia and internationally, he will be hitting the ground running,” Kanga said. “He shares the vision of the committee to make the MRC more efficient and properly accountable to members, customers, and participants, with an overarching aim of putting on better racing programmes and events and benefiting racing in general.” Reilly further highlighted his alignment with the club’s goals, stating, “Having met with the committee, I’m excited by their shared vision to make sure racing is at the heart of the MRC’s endeavours and to ensure that we are maximising the potential of our three racecourses (Caulfield, Sandown and Mornington) and other assets.” Reilly will officially begin his new role at the end of January, succeeding Josh Blanksby, who resigned as chief executive in June. Horse racing news View the full article

Former professional punter Noah Brash has been banned for 10 years by the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) following his admission of breaching AR 236 regulations, which prohibit betting with or for a jockey. The charges related to bets placed on behalf of jockey Michael Poy during races in August 2022. Brash, 29, pleaded guilty earlier this month to five counts of the offence. The tribunal found that Brash, acting as an intermediary for Poy, placed bets totaling over $172,000 through two Betfair sub-accounts operated by associates known as “bowlers.” In one instance at Swan Hill on August 7, 2022, Brash received a message reportedly from Poy stating, “Race 3 lay the 1 for 70/80 (thousand).” Brash followed the instruction, placing a lay bet of $67,890.84 against American Russ, earning $6,366.59. Additionally, he bet $7,534.10 on Poy’s mount, Mr. Scorefield, to beat American Russ in a head-to-head wager, resulting in an $8,068.44 win. Other significant bets included a $5,000.26 wager on Bonjour in Race 5, which was unsuccessful, and an $84,572.48 lay bet on Pill Box in Race 8, yielding $12,738.18 in profit. Delivering the tribunal’s decision, Judge John Bowman highlighted the severity of Brash’s actions, saying, “The amounts involved were large, the total in excess of $172,000. Each bet, or group of bets, was placed at the request of a jockey, and a profit was obtained. This type of behaviour attacks the very essence of our horse racing industry and its integrity. It can do untold damage. The penalty imposed on you should reflect that.” Brash’s relationship with Poy dates back to 2018 when they first met, with Brash later volunteering to create speed maps for the jockey free of charge. These betting activities occurred after their relationship deepened. Poy and another jockey, Lewis German, were also charged in connection with the case earlier this year. Horse racing news View the full article

Racing WA has implemented significant changes to upcoming race meetings, including Saturday’s Ascot meeting, in response to extreme heat conditions forecasted for Western Australia, prioritising the safety and welfare of animals and participants. The adjustments come as temperatures are expected to soar above 40°C in some regions, as advised by the Bureau of Meteorology. Racing WA Chief Racing Officer David Hunter emphasised the organization’s commitment to welfare, stating, “Our hot weather policies are based on the principle that animal and participant welfare always comes first.” “When the forecast is 38°C or higher, officials consider racing earlier or later to avoid the hottest time of day, re-locating to a racecourse where the weather is cooler and rescheduling races to other days, times or venues,” Hunter said. “The aim is to alleviate the hot weather risk, but we won’t hesitate to abandon a race meeting if it’s not safe to go ahead.” “It’s normal for some summer race meetings to be cancelled each year due to hot weather,” he added. Under Racing WA’s policies, stewards and veterinarians must confirm that conditions have eased from peak temperatures before racing proceeds. The following race meetings have been adjusted to address the heat concerns: Ascot Racecourse, Saturday, 21 December: Racing will now begin at 9:04 a.m. and conclude by 1:44 p.m. to avoid the higher temperatures forecasted for the afternoon. Pinjarra (thoroughbreds), Sunday, 22 December: This meeting has been relocated to Bunbury Racecourse, where cooler conditions are expected. Pinjarra (harness), Monday, 23 December: This event has been rescheduled to Tuesday, 24 December. Horse racing news View the full article

Marc Lerner had to wait longer than expected to get his New Zealand riding career underway, but the well-travelled jockey made up for lost time with a winning debut at Otaki on Thursday. Based in Singapore until racing ended there in October, the 33-year-old has arrived in New Zealand for an open-ended stay. He had his first raceday rides on Thursday and hit the ground running, landing an upset win with $13 outsider Blue Rata Boldness in the Racing This Time TV on Facebook Handicap (1600m). Lerner got the very best out of the Trudy and Vaughan Keegan-trained gelding in a tough battle down the straight, edging out Knickerless and Lemaitre by a long neck and a half-head. “It was super to start off with a win on my first day,” said Lerner, whose other four rides on the eight-race Otaki card finished second, second, fourth and sixth. “I can’t be any happier with that. It’s been quite frustrating, because I’ve had quite a lot of delays getting a visa. I hadn’t ridden in a race since Singapore racing ended in October. I was hoping to get started here much sooner, but it’s good to be here now and to get that early win.” New Zealand is the latest stamp in the passport of the French jockey, who rode more than 100 winners in his homeland and has also ridden in Germany, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Singapore. Lerner enjoyed the most successful phase of his career in Singapore, where he rode over 200 winners at Kranji including numerous big-race successes aboard the likes of the Trelawney Stud-bred superstar Lim’s Kosciuszko and his quality Kiwi-bred stablemate Lim’s Saltoro. He guided Lim’s Kosciuszko to victories in the Singapore Gold Cup (2000m), Kranji Mile (1600m), Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m), Lion City Cup (1200m) and EW Barker Trophy (1400m), while his partnership with Lim’s Saltoro produced wins in the Singapore Derby (1800m), Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and Silver Bowl (1400m). Lerner also won the Singapore Derby with Hard Too Think, whose Kiwi trainer Stephen Gray has himself returned to New Zealand this season after two decades at Kranji. Gray played a big role in bringing Lerner to these shores. “I had a very good association with Stephen Gray in Singapore, we had a lot of wins together over the years,” Lerner said. “When racing finished there, he suggested to me that I should try coming to New Zealand and seeing how I go here. I really have to thank Stephen and his wife Bridget, they have been a big help in getting my visa sorted out and getting me here. I’m very grateful.” Lerner is basing himself in the Central Districts, and he has two rides booked at Trentham on Saturday – the Kevin and Stephen Gray-trained Cosentino in The Breeze Wellington 3YO (1200m) and the Suzy Gordon-trained Prioress in the Roydon Bergerson Racing (1200m). “I’m not sure yet how long I’m going to be riding here, I’ll keep an open mind on that and see how it goes,” he said. “I just want to enjoy as much as I can. “The more success you have, the longer you want to stay, so I’m hoping to have a bit of luck over the next few weeks and months. We’ll see what happens.” View the full article

By Brigette Solomon Ohaupo trainer Jason Teaz was rapt to train a winning double for owner and breeder Bill Hickey at Cambridge Raceway last night. “It was really nice to get a double and so great that they were for Bill,” said Teaz, “he’s in his 80’s now and his health hasn’t been the best lately but he’s still breeding horses and putting them in training, and he really deserves any success he gets, he just lives for his horses.” “Unfortunately, he couldn’t be there last night, and he was sad to miss it, but he was still thrilled to get two winners.” Both of Teaz’s winners were driven by Peter Ferguson, and the pair didn’t have to wait long to get on the board with Veronica Jane taking out the first race, the Haras Des Trotteurs Monte Trot Noms Now Open Trot over 2200m. The four-year-old Majestic Son mare stepped away well and with several horses going off stride throughout the race, Ferguson settled Veronica Jane behind the leading Skee Princess for a cosy trip. The pair weren’t joined by other runners until the 800 metre mark and Ferguson remained tucked away until the home straight where he elected to take an outside run to move alongside the leader, but it wasn’t until she was challenged by the second placed Ivanka that Veronica Jane really let down to win by half a length. “We had tried her right handed at Auckland but she didn’t really cop that, so we went back to Cambridge,” said Teaz, “she went well at workouts here last week which was promising and she did everything right tonight which was great and she’ll be backing up here again next week.” “She’s really taken some time and hasn’t been an easy horse to get going, after educating her as a two-year-old I actually said to Bill that I don’t think she’s worth continuing with and that she’ll need a lot of time, but to his credit he took her home, gave her time and now he’s been rewarded with her winning at just her third start.” Always B Charlie was Teaz’s second winner of the night with the entire taking out the Summer Outdoor Movie Series At The Raceway Mobile Pace over 2200 metres. From barrier four Always B Charlie was driven conservatively off the starting gate but with a slow tempo up front Ferguson allowed the horse to stride round to lead from the 1800 metre mark. With no pressure throughout, Ferguson dictated terms and got away with a soft lead time allowing his horse to travel comfortably until the home straight where Always B Charlie dug deep to hold off late challenges by Colonel Lincoln (2nd) and Potter (3rd). The lightly-raced five-year-old by Always B Miki has now had two wins and one placing from just 10 starts. “He has a bit of ability but has had multiple injuries and issues along the way so to have won a couple of races now is a great achievement for him,” said Teaz, “he’s injured a tendon, a suspensory, fractured a pastern, and has a few hoof issues that I’m managing.” “Luckily he is a lovely horse to deal with and while he’s sound and going well we’ll continue to race him and maybe look at some of the grass tracks for him which should suit him.” View the full article

What Ascot races Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, December 21, 2024 First Race 12:33pm AWST Visit Dabble The Ascot Summer Carnival continues on Saturday, when the Group 3 Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m) is the feature event on a nine-race program. The track is rated a Good 4 and the rail comes out 4m, and with clear skies forecast, it should be a perfect day for racing. The Ascot races are set to jump at 12:33pm AWST. Ted Van Heemst Stakes tip: Numerian Numerian is back to defend his crown in the Ted Van Heemst after a sneaky-good run in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m). Having travelled wide with no cover throughout, the son of Holy Roman Emperor did well to finish three lengths off the winner. He has two wins and a third to his name at the trip and, from barrier three, will have the sit on the leaders throughout. Ted Van Heemst Stakes Race 6 – #1 Numerian (3) 9yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | J: Clint Johnston-Porter (59kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Bet at Ascot: Devine Belief The David Harrison-trained Devine Belief was a smart all-the-way victor at the Ascot 1000m on December 7 after gaining a soft lead. The five-year-old mare looks set for a similar run in transit as she steps up to the 1200m for the first time. From barrier four, Luke Campbell should not have any issue in finding the rail, and if Devine Belief runs to her prior form, the 60kg should not be too much of an impost. Best Bet Race 4 – #1 Devine Belief (4) 5yo Mare | T: David Harrison | J: Luke Campbell (60kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Ascot: Rocking Society Rocking Society has been quite impressive in three runs this campaign, culminating in a narrow win at the Ascot 1800m last time out. The four-year-old gelding had to do all of the chasing behind a tearaway leader and was entitled to be vulnerable inside the final 200m when hitting the front. He should get a cosy run in transit from barrier four in this 2100m affair, and with a similar effort, Rocking Society should prove too tough late. Next Best Race 3 – #6 Rocking Society (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Jason Miller | J: Lucy Warwick (55.5kg) Bet with PlayUp Best Value at Ascot: Ruler Rocket If Ruler Rocket is anywhere near his best, then the $15 on offer with BlondeBet is simply the wrong price. The five-year-old gelding was massive in defeat last time out over 1000m in a race that was run to suit Devine Belief. If Troy Turner can find a back to follow from barrier 17, Ruler Rocket’s turn of foot will have him fighting out the finish at big odds. Best Value Race 9 – #3 Ruler Rocket (17) 5yo Gelding | T: Bruce Watkins | J: Troy Turner (58.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Saturday quaddie tips for Ascot races Ascot quadrella selections Saturday, December 21, 2024 1-8 2-3-9-12 1-4-8-10-16 2-3-7-16 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan is not the only grade 1-winning 3-year-old sent west for an opening-day stakes race at Santa Anita Park Dec. 26. So, too, is She Feels Pretty in the American Oaks (G1T).View the full article

Manawatu’s Josh Herd has been announced as the 2025 recipient of the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship. The son of leading Central Districts trainer Lisa Latta and former top jockey Bruce Herd was inspired to apply for the scholarship after seeing the success of previous recipients, particularly fellow Palmerston North product Sam Bergerson, New Zealand’s leading trainer, alongside Te Akau training partner Mark Walker. “I have seen how successful some of the past recipients have been in the industry and thought it would be a pretty good pathway forward,” Herd said. “I have worked with Te Akau Racing’s Sam Bergerson and know what the scholarship has done for him, and so many others. “Just to be able to go overseas and learn different ways of doing things and explore the opportunities the scholarship can offer is pretty exciting.” The Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship, originally established by the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (NZTBA) and now administered by the Sunline Educational Trust, offers the successful candidate an all-expenses paid, bonded trip of 30 weeks, to experience the operational infrastructure, systems and management of the world’s best in the thoroughbred industry. Growing up, Herd spent a lot of time around the stables learning the everyday care of horses and the general duties of a stable hand. While at university he took on the communications role for Lisa Latta’s stable and is currently back working for his mother where he is taking on more of the programming and planning duties as well. Herd has always aspired to work in the industry, and while studying for a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in accounting, at Otago University, he worked with the yearling team at Haunui Farm. He has also worked for Bhima Thoroughbreds in New South Wales and for Riversley Park in the Waikato. Prior to Herd embarking on the Sunline Scholarship experience, he will have a busy few months working for Bhima Thoroughbreds at Gold Coast’s Magic Millions and the Sydney Classic sales, along with the Karaka sales working for Haunui Farm. The first port of call on his scholarship journey will be Coolmore Stud in Ireland where he will be immersed in all the facets of the stud and gain some exposure to the famous Ballydoyle Stables. From there he will move to the United Kingdom where he will shadow bloodstock agent Johnny McKeever, before spending time at Wetherby’s and Goffs. That time is followed by a stint in Hong Kong, a place Herd is eager to visit. “Hong Kong is the toughest racing jurisdiction in the world,” he said. “I am really looking forward to spending time there. “But really I am basically looking forward to getting overseas to meet some pretty amazing people and to broaden my skills.” The last port of call is Australia where he will be working with Vicky Leonard and her Kick Collective team. Herd admits to being quite keen to eventually end up as a trainer and believes then his Bachelor of Commerce degree will be of use. “At least I will be able to do my own accounts,” he quipped. View the full article

Te Akau Racing will be well-represented in each of the four stakes races at Trentham’s LawnMaster Christmas At The Races meeting on Saturday. A pair of exciting juveniles in Cool Aza Rene and Marokopa Falls will kick off stakes proceedings when they meet for the first time in the Gr.2 Happy Hire Wakefiled Challenge Stakes (1100m), and like TAB bookmakers, trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are struggling to split the pair. Both fillies are undefeated to date, with Cool Aza Rene winning on debut over 800m at Otaki in October before winning over 1000m at Riccarton last month, while Marokopa Falls was eye-catching when winning over 1000m when on debut at Trentham earlier this month. Off the back of that performance, jockey Craig Grylls has elected to stick with Marokopa Falls, and TAB bookmakers have duly responded, installing her a $2.40 favourite for Saturday ahead of her stablemate at $2.60, with Andrew Carston’s Riccarton raider, Miss Ziggy, on the third line of betting at $6.50. “It was good seeing Marokopa Falls win like that on debut off only one trial where she actually ran last,” Bergerson said. “It was a bit of a throw at the stumps, but she has got a fantastic constitution and a great racing brain. She hasn’t put a foot wrong since her trial, she was very good for Gryllsy (Craig Grylls) that day (debut win) and we gave him the choice and he has elected to ride Marokopa Falls. “She has stayed on at Dad’s (Roydon Bergerson, Awapuni) following the run at Trentham. We didn’t want to bring her all the way back north. Dad has been really happy with her. He took her to Foxton on Tuesday for a quiet gallop and she is ticking all the boxes down there in Palmerston North. “Cool Aza Rene is a gutsy filly who just seems to really thrive on the racing and stable life. She hasn’t put a foot wrong either and we gave her a freshen-up. “We took her to Ashburton to gallop last Tuesday and she had a nice piece of work on Tuesday morning. She will have a quiet day at Dad’s (after arriving on Thursday afternoon) and then onto Trentham. She brings in really good form, we can’t fault her. “They are two very nice chances who are hard to split.” Stakes performer Ocean Mist will be the stable’s sole representative in the Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m), and Bergerson is expecting a bold showing against her own sex after competing against the boys when third in the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki last month. “She just keeps raising the bar,” Bergerson said. “She has surprised us a bit. From her debut run to winning next time and then sneaking some black-type against the boys last time in the Wellington Stakes. “She is back to her own sex now, but she is in very good form. It looks a pretty even race on paper. Hopefully she can get a softer time in front this time, she got to the front last time and another one came around, and she never really got a break. “We will look to be positive again, and if she gets a kinder run in transit, we think she can hopefully figure in the finish and get some more valuable black-type for a really good ladies ownership group.” Seven-year-old stablemate Perfect Scenario has been in a purple patch of form this preparation, which he will be looking to continue when he lines-up in the Gr.2 Bramco Granite & Marble Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) on Saturday. The son of Iffraaj has won two and placed in three of his five starts this preparation, including running third in the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m) in his last two starts. “He’s in grand form. He is in almost career-best form as a seven-year-old, he is absolutely flying,” Bergerson said. “He is an old marvel, I thought he was so game in the very good Group One mile at Trentham. He is another one that has stayed on at Dad’s, we didn’t want to travel him all the way back to Riccarton or back north. “We have kept him very fresh and back to 1400m where he has got a very good record, and Opie (Bosson, jockey) jumps on as well, which is always a massive plus.” Rounding out the stable’s stakes contenders on Saturday will be Cognito in the Gr.3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup (2300m). The five-year-old son of So You Think has placed in his last three outings, and Bergerson is hoping he can recapture the form that helped him land the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) at the track as a three-year-old. “He is running well without winning,” Bergerson said. “I thought his run in the Counties Cup (Gr.3, 2100m) was very good. He was the widest on the corner and kept finding. “We are still not sure if he is an out-and-out stayer, but this looks a nice race for him. Trentham really suits him, he is a stakes winner there as a three-year-old in the Wellington Guineas. We think the big, long, roomy straight really suits him to wind up. “We will look to be neutral again from the barrier (8) and we are confident he can run a race, he seems really well at home and his work has been very good since Counties. We took him to Te Aroha in-between times for an exhibition gallop and he followed Skew Wiff around and his work was very good.” View the full article

Oaks-bound filly Leica Lucy will have her first taste of Group racing at Trentham on Saturday, taking her place in the Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m). Robbie Patterson, who trains Leica Lucy at New Plymouth, identified right from her debut success that the middle-distance of the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) would be the perfect fit. The filly showed she has plenty of short-range talent to work with before the $1 million feature in March, going down a head to Wingman over 1400m at Trentham a fortnight ago. “She’s come through that run very well, she never lifts her head out of the feed bin and was the same after she raced,” Patterson said. “She’s going to love a mile, any easing of the track will be in her favour as well and the further she goes, the better I think she’ll be. She’s a lovely horse, she jumps, puts herself into the race and tries hard. We’re up a grade again on Saturday, but I think she’ll be up to the task. “We’ll just keep stepping her up in trip, I don’t want to overtax her going into the Oaks because she’s a very straightforward and clean-winded horse.” The daughter of Derryn is the youngest of Patterson’s stakes representatives at Trentham, with The Underbelly taking on the Gr.3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup (2300m), and Puntura and Conor O’Ceirin both engaged in the Gr.2 Bramco Granite and Marble Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m). The Underbelly was a rising star in the staying ranks last term and after returning well in a couple of starts, Patterson has his sights set on the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation And Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) next month for the son of The Bold One. “It was a good run at Wanganui, he’d had quite a bit of time between races after going fresh-up into a mile then missing the race in between,” he said. “Naturally, he just blew out a little bit in the finish, but he’s going to improve from this run again with the Wellington Cup as his main goal. He’ll go a nice race on Saturday, then into the Queen Elizabeth (Gr.3, 2400m), then onto the Cup. “I’m expecting a good run, he may still be a fraction short of his fitness levels, but he can go a bold race.” Patterson was admittedly surprised with the fourth-placed effort of Puntura in the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m), a pleasing return to form after a slow start to his preparation. The Vespa gelding has often put his best foot forward at the Upper Hutt track, winning the Manawatu Challenge Stakes last year before going on to win the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m). “He surprised me a little bit in the Group One, I thought he may be on his last legs,” Patterson said. “I think the trick is riding him a bit colder, which was hard to do fresh-up over a mile and Mereana (Hudson, jockey) did a fantastic job doing that. It’ll be the same again on Saturday, we’ll try to ride him cold in behind the speed and get over the top of them we hope. “He’s come through the race very well, I can’t fault him. He’s going as well as he could be.” Regular rider Craig Grylls will take the reins about Puntura in the feature, while fellow stable stalwart Conor O’Ceirin has the services of Joe Doyle, fresh off an impressive first-up victory at the course on Mufhasa Classic Day. “He had been working and jumping out nicely, his form tapered right off last prep so I gave him a good break and he’s come back well,” Patterson said. “He looks like he may be better off when he’s really fresh and the two-week back-up may be a bit tricky for him, as well as going up a grade, but he’ll roll forward and be in the race for a fair way I think.” On the undercard, consistent mare Belladonna Lily will step-up in distance in the Japac Homes 1600, with the short back-up from last Sunday being Patterson’s only query. “I don’t normally back her up but she came through the race really well,” he said. “Any rain hanging around will suit her massively, she ran a good race the other day after getting back. She found the line strongly which suggests the mile will suit. “We’ll just ride her cold again and hopefully she turns up.” View the full article

Four has been Buoyant’s favourite number since his return to New Zealand, with the Group Three winner having recorded that placing in all three of his starts this preparation, and owner-trainer Sabin Kirkland is hoping to break that sequence when he heads to Gore on Sunday. The six-year-old son of Dalghar had been hampered by foot issues, however, Kirkland believes he has got on top of those issues now and is confident of a bold showing in the Dynes Transport Tapanui Cup (1335m). “I am very happy with him,” Kirkland said. “We had a few issues earlier on, a few foot issues, but I think we have gotten over them. He is right on target. “They have been good runs, but let’s hope we can change that (string of fourth placed runs) this weekend. He is 100 percent right this time.” Buoyant will benefit from apprentice jockey Donovan Cooper’s two-kilogram claim, adding to the long list of positives for the gelding heading into the weekend. “He will only have 52 kilos on his back, he has drawn nicely, he has won on the track and over the distance, he ticks all of the boxes,” Kirkland said. TAB bookmakers share Kirkland’s confidence, installing him a $2.70 favourite for Sunday’s feature, ahead of Firoden at $6. Two years ago, Buoyant recorded one of his biggest wins when taking out the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1200m) at Wingatui on Boxing Day, and while that date is no longer home to the sprint feature, Kirkland is eyeing a return to the venue next week before setting his charge for a stakes assignment next month. “We will nominate for Dunedin on Boxing Day and then we will look at the Speight’s Sprint (Listed Timaru Stakes, 1200m) on the 25th of January at Riccarton,” he said. Earlier on the card, Kirkland will line-up stablemate Neptune in the Robert Dennis Racing Share Available (1335m), with a view to returning to the venue to tackle the Listed Liquorland Gore Guineas (1335m) in February. “I am very pleased with him,” Kirkland said of the homebred son of Prince Of Brooklyn. “We are going to get a bit of rain, so that will help. “He drew 12 last time and this time he has drawn five, so he should get a lovely sit. “He has won at the course and over the distance. It is a preview to the Gore Guineas really, that is the big reason why he is going.” View the full article

Canterbury Park's request for a 51-day horse racing season in 2025, running May 24-Sept. 20, was approved Dec. 19 by the Minnesota Racing Commission.View the full article

Equibase, the industry's official database for racing, and Stable Analytics LLC, a technology company developing solutions for horse racing, have formed a strategic partnership aimed at advancing Thoroughbred welfare through cutting-edge wearable technology, the repository for racing stats said in a Thursday press release. The collaboration will focus on the continued development and large-scale implementation of Stable Analytics's biometric sensor, Equigraph, which features a wireless biometric sensor mounted on the girth of the horse. As part of this initiative, Equibase and Stable Analytics will participate in the American Association of Equine Practitioners research study that seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of wearable sensors for early detection of musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbreds. Both companies have been selected to move forward to the next phase, which will include monitoring several hundred 2-year-old Thoroughbreds using Equigraph throughout 2025. For example, trainer Ken McPeek's barn will take part in study. “McPeek Racing is excited to collaborate with Stable Analytics and Equibase,” said McPeek. “Our 2024 yearlings will participate in sensor testing to help provide data that can't be seen with human eye. Our traditional horsemanship and this could make the sport safer.” Click here for more information about how to participate. The post Equibase And Stable Analytics Partner To Transform Thoroughbred Wearable Technology appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In 2024, maintaining a racing stable in California has become a shaky endeavor for license holders both large and small, prolific and select. But for California trainer Mike Puype, this year has been especially fraught. For much of this year, Puype had hanging over his head the threat of a possible four-year ban and $50,000 fine after investigators found Isoxsuprine tablets and Levothyroxine powder–two once relatively common substances in horse racing now banned under HISA–during a routine barn search in April of this year. Last week, an independent arbitrator who presided over a November hearing in the case issued Puype a three-month and 17-day suspension (time served during a prior provisional suspension period) along with a $1,000 fine. For the trainer, the outcome was probably the best he could have hoped for. “I can tell you that it's brutal to know the game you love–a game all you know–can be taken away from you,” said Puype Wednesday morning during the middle of training. The journey to this point raises several key questions about the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) approach to policing the industry. When the charges were first issued, HISA's rules required Puype to be issued a provisional suspension. This meant he was barred from training before he had a chance to argue his case in a formal hearing. HISA has since recommended that provisional suspensions be issued only in limited circumstances, including when the violation “presents a substantial risk to the integrity of racing and/or the welfare of horses,” a move that illustrates HISA's ability and willingness to adapt and evolve. At the same time, HIWU sought maximum penalties against Puype that, if successful, would have effectively ended his career. But how warranted was this? Independent arbitrator Barbara Reeves described Puype's fault in the case as being at the lowest end of the “light” range; this, also, for a trainer who can boast both rare respect amongst his peers and near blemish-free drug record. With nearly 5,500 starts under his belt, Puype has had only two minor medication infractions over the last 18 years. One for a methocarbamol overage, and one overage for stomach ulcer medication omeprazole (otherwise known as GastroGard). As Reeves put it in her final decision, “it is not clear to the Arbitrator what HIWU was attempting to accomplish in the way it prosecuted this matter.” A key practical and philosophical question that arises from the case, therefore, is this: If HIWU's ultimate mission is to catch the cheats who impugn the sport, what responsibility does it also have to protect racing's honest players from injustice? For their part, HIWU stands by its legal approach in the case. But Puype is an under-the-radar type of character, and the near eight-month ordeal has had a profound effect on him, both professionally (he reckons he's lost as much as 30% of his horses during this time), and psychologically. “I'm mad and angry,” he said. “I'm going to absolutely need counselling to find out how to get rid of this anger in my body.” The Case On Apr. 24 this year, four HIWU investigators descended upon Puype's barn at Santa Anita, combed through the barn area and the tack room and unearthed two containers of Isoxsuprine tablets and two containers of Levothyroxine (more commonly known as ThyroL) powder. The Isoxsuprine tablets were found in a blue portable cooler, with expiration dates of 2012 and 2013. Pupye and his two assistants swore that the cooler and the tablets belonged to a former employee who had left in 2022, and that they weren't aware of the cooler's contents. One of Puype's assistants attested that the blue cooler “has been in a corner with boots and other things piled on it for many years and has always remained at Santa Anita,” according to a pre-hearing brief. The Levothyroxine powders were in a locked cabinet, the combination to which it strongly appears was known only by Puype's assistants and not the trainer himself, according to case documents. One canister of Thyro-L dated March 2021 was unopened and unused. The other cannister dated February 2016 was mostly empty. At the time these medications were prescribed, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) deemed them legal for use. The arbitrator determined that both substances were likely prescribed by veterinarian Jeff Blea (now the CHRB equine medical director), who between 2014 and 2019 performed veterinary work for Puype. Blea couldn't prove this as veterinarians are only required to maintain three years of records. Both substances are now on HISA's banned substances list. Thyro-L, used in the treatment of hypothyroidism in horses, has become especially controversial, ever since a CHRB report into the sudden deaths of seven Bob Baffert-trained horses between 2011 and 2013 suggested widespread thyroxine use in the barn could have been a contributing factor. Throughout, Puype insisted that he would never administer expired medications. Nor did HIWU allege that he had. This was always a case of “possession.” Arbitrator Barbara Reeves called Puype out for not properly searching and removing from his barn these banned substances. “There was no indication of any intention or wrongdoing by Mr. Puype, other than the imperfect 'search and purge,'” wrote Reeves, in her final decision. Indeed, before HISA's anti-doping and medication control program went into effect in May of last year, representatives from HISA and HIWU repeatedly warned stakeholders of the consequences of both possessing and administering banned substances. For his part, Puype doesn't dispute the fact that he screwed up, and that he deserved some kind of punishment for not properly giving his barn a thorough sweep. “It's that simple–I deserved a penalty for bad housekeeping,” said Puype. “But I didn't deserve to have my livelihood threatened, of possibly having to sell my house and ruining my financial future.” A few weeks before the formal hearing on Nov. 22, HIWU attempted to settle the case, said Puype, offering him as a compromise a one-year suspension and a fine of $12,500. A week later, they offered him a 10-month ban, he said. Puype declined both through fear of what that would do to his training career. “I turned it down,” said Puype. “I told my lawyer, 'yes, a year is less than four years. But here's the thing. A year is still termination of your business, too. My owners aren't going to stay with my assistant for that long.'” After that, HIWU in their pre-hearing brief sought a possible maximum penalty against Puype, constituting two banned substance possession charges–a maximum two-year ban and $25,000 fine each-placed back-to-back. Puype contends that such consecutive sentencing would have gone against the World Anti-Doping Code (WADA) which is applicable in these cases, and against the language in HISA's own rules for first-time offenders. Reeves obviously agreed. In her final decision, she wrote that the four-year ban would have been career ending. In an unusual move, she took pointed aim at HIWU's punitive approach to the trainer, and for their own sloppy legal work. “It is not clear to the Arbitrator what HIWU was attempting to accomplish in the way it prosecuted this matter. Although the facts established nothing more than an imperfect search, HIWU filed its standard “Possession” charges and brief (labelled 'HIWU's Pre- Hearing Brief (Possession)') and negligently failed to remove the name of the prior trainer against whom the brief had been filed ('Trainer Valery,') from the text,” Reeves wrote. Compared to other HIWU-related cases involving the possession of banned substances, however, Puype was lucky. “To date, HIWU has pursued Possession violations for Banned Substances against 20 other Covered Persons, of which 14 involved the Possession of levothyroxine and/or isoxsuprine. Twelve were public before the date of Mr. Puype's search, and the shortest final suspension issued from those cases was 14 months,” HIWU wrote, in response to a list of questions. And so, now the case is essentially closed, what lessons can be gleaned? Moving Forward On the one hand, his case illustrates HISA's ability and willingness to adapt. When HIWU first issued its charges against Puype, the case circumstances meant that a provisional suspension was a formality. Puype then agreed to a provisional hearing, at which an independent arbitrator (different from Reeves) determined that his provisional suspension should not be lifted. In November, however, HISA announced that HIWU should only impose provisional suspensions in very specific circumstances, at which time, most active provisional suspensions were lifted, including Puype's. The Breeders' Cup-winning Puype–a highly respected trainer in California and someone whose case garnered the attention and support of several influential figures–suspects his circumstances helped move this needle on provisional suspensions. “It wasn't just my case–there's a little more,” he said. “But a big part of it was my case.” And he also hopes his case moves the needle in other ways, including when it comes to the extreme financial toll a legal defense against HIWU can take–especially for those small-time trainers lacking the same stable of influential supporters to champion their cause. Puype said that originally, he wasn't going to hire an attorney until he was threatened with a possible four-year ban, and the gravity of his situation set in. Puype declined to say how much he has spent on attorney's fees. Defendants in other cases have said that it can soon grow into the six-figure mark. Furthermore, HIWU sought for Puype to cover their attorney's fees. Though HIWU was ultimately unsuccessful, Puype estimates this alone could have set him back by more than $100,000. HISA offers certain financially strapped trainers pro-bono legal representation. According to HIWU, 15 individuals have to date used this service. “They go for the heavy penalties, the heavy fines,” said Puype. “Many good guys, they have no chance to challenge them.” Puype also urges HIWU's prosecutors to use more discretion and “common sense” in the way they pursue cases. Punishments could better fit the crime, he said. A trainer's broader record should also matter, he urged. “I'm not a guy that lived off cheating. Past records mean everything. And for them to sit and say, 'your past means nothing,' it means everything in this industry,” said Puype. HIWU stands by its approach. “HIWU believes the final decision issued by the arbitrator to be inconsistent with the facts of the case, prior ADMC Program decisions (e.g., Perez), and the language of the ADMC Program Rules themselves,” HIWU wrote, in response to the TDN's request for a statement. “For example, the decision ignores the trainer responsibility rule and the number of substances that were possessed when determining Mr. Puype's sanctions. “That said, the ADMC Program's adjudication system worked as intended, and HIWU respects the outcome reached. Both parties had the opportunity to fully present their case before a neutral arbitrator appointed by a third party who rendered her own independent decision in this matter.” For his part, Puype says he has mixed emotions about HISA. On the one hand, he understands why racing desperately needs a uniform regulator. “I don't disagree with their existence at all– the game needs to be governed,” he said. But he said he has been badly burned by events from the last eight months. “I have other issues to still be dealt with going forward. It's not just a case of 'okay, you're released because the arbitrator says so.' It gets deeper than that. There are a lot of problems that are in my head that I've got to clear,” said Puype, who said he has lost several owners this year. “This gets deeper than the money. You can always overcome money. It's the psyche, the mental [damage], and everything that's happened here to me as a human being. I'm a guy that that shoots from hip. Shoots straight with my owners. I've been that way my whole life,” he said. “I've always lived my life with honesty.” The post “I’m Mad And Angry”: Puype Case Raises Key Points In HIWU Enforcement appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Starting the day after its Dec. 26 season opener, Santa Anita Park will drop its lowest-level claiming prices to $8,000 for maidens and $5,000 for other horses. The downward class-level moves, along with the possibility that Southern California's main meet could add additional dates and/or races to its upcoming six-month season that runs through June 15, are part of a negotiated effort to “give more opportunities for horses that have historically raced in Northern California,” according to a license application amendment request by Santa Anita. The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) unanimously approved that request by a 4-0 vote Thursday. Those Dec. 19 decisions–which have the backing of the Thoroughbred Owners of California and the California Thoroughbred Trainers–were part of a multiple-stakeholder reaction to deal with Monday's revelation that there will be no NorCal “anchor” track running for the first half of 2025 until the traditional fairs season starts in that region of the state in the summer. On Dec. 16, the California Authority of Racing Fairs board voted unanimously (with one abstention) to rescind a proposed Golden State Racing meet at Pleasanton spanning the first half of next year. That CARF vote came on the heels of discussion at the CHRB meeting back on Nov. 21 that the now-concluded autumn Pleasanton meet wasn't living up to the business expectations that had fueled a hope that the former fairs-season-only track might be able to fill the NorCal void that occurred when The Stronach Group (TSG) closed Golden Gate Fields back in June. TSG also owns the financially struggling Santa Anita, which has now taken on the responsibility of trying to create racing opportunities for NorCal horses. Nate Newby, the General Manager at Santa Anita, explained how the new lower-level races came about and would be worked into the daily mix. “In the last three days, we've had a lot of productive meetings with pretty much all stakeholders; racing offices from every group in the state [and the] CTT, and [we've] come up with this,” Newby said. “Lowering the minimums, that was at their recommendation, and we were, of course, on board. And we're ready to provide racing opportunities and do everything we can,” Newby said. Newby noted that although Santa Anita's first condition book for the meet has already been published, “the racing office put out 'extras' [on Wednesday] for the first week, and they'll continue to put them out in advance.” Newby continued: “And then those races will be included starting in Book 2. But they'll be offered on race days starting the day after opening, so Dec. 27 will be the start of the new claiming hierarchy, he said. Pleasanton will remain open as an 850-stall training facility before segueing into its fairs-season dates in the summer. Details are being worked out to provide subsidies for shipping from Pleasanton, which Santa Anita management estimated at $1,000 per round trip. Santa Anita's supporting documentation also included the possibility that three-day racing weeks could expand to four days (and maybe five days on holiday or special-event weeks) if enough horses from NorCal swell the entries. Santa Anita's documentation for the changes stated that each day's racing could consist of “between 7 and 11 races on weekdays and between 8 and 13 races on opening day, weekends, holidays, and closing week.” Thursday's subdued and generally somber monthly CHRB meeting lacked the impassioned (and often hours-long) stakeholder discourse that has hallmarked similar NorCal/SoCal discussions in recent years. In fact, only one industry participant spoke during the public comments session to address Pleasanton's decision (at least for the time being) not to continue after one lackluster two-month meet as the region's anchor track, a situation that TSG's 1/ST Racing first put into motion by closing Golden Gate Fields. Ellen Jackson, a longtime NorCal-based owner and breeder who retired from a three-decade training career in 2023, asked a single, succinct question of the CHRB commissioners. “My observation is [that] the flaw in this whole system is that once the 1/ST [Racing] group gets the Northern California simulcast money, what's to keep them from just withdrawing the training at Pleasanton or the subsidizing of the transportation or the purse structure? I don't see any guarantee for us,” Jackson said. The CHRB's chairman, Gregory Ferraro, DVM, answered in equally concise fashion. “I think your guarantee is the board,” Ferraro asserted, referring to the CHRB itself. “And you're going to have our back?” Jackson queried. “Yeah,” Ferraro replied. “Absolutely,” added commissioner Dennis Alfieri. Ferraro then provided more context. “Listen, I know this is going to be a difficult period of time for this transition. We hope it works. If it doesn't work, we'll adjust it to make it work. And hopefully it's a temporary thing and we can, if things and times get better, we can go back to where we were,” Ferraro said. “But at this point in time, we really have no choice,” Ferraro summed up. The post Santa Anita To Drop Claiming Minimums, Possibly Add Dates, In Response To NorCal Going Dark For Next Six Months appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York State Assembly met Dec. 19 to examine the effectiveness of the state's current system of testing and prevention for equine doping.View the full article

Sandman, a sharp allowance winner Dec. 13 at Oaklawn Park for owners D. J. Stable, St. Elias Stables, West Point Thoroughbreds, and CJ Stables, will be pointed to the $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3) at 1 1/16 miles Jan. 25.View the full article

Tabbed as the 9-5 morning-line favorite in the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Dec. 21, Albaugh Family Stables' Admiral Dennis made his first local appearance Nov. 30 breezing four furlongs in :49 4/5.View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a half-sister to a Classic winner. 17.30 Wolverhampton, Nov, £9,650, 2yo, f, 7f 36y (AWT) Newsells Park Stud's hitherto unraced WARM GLOW (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) is a half-sister to G1 St Leger-winning sire Masked Marvel (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) and to the G3 Prix Penelope-winning dam of multiple Group 1-winning sire Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). The James Fanshawe-trained homebred encounters eight rivals in this unveiling. 16.30 Wolverhampton, Mdn, £6,300, 2yo, 8f 142y (AWT) Cayton Park Stud homebred KING OF NARNIA (GB) (Kingman {GB}) became upset in the stalls and was a late scratching from his intended debut at Kempton earlier this month. The April-foaled bay is a John and Thady Gosden-conditioned half-brother to four stakes performers headed by multiple Group 1-winning dual South African champion Oh Susanna (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) and the dual Group 1-placed Signore Fox (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). He is opposed by a half-dozen in this belated first go. The post Nibling of Waldgeist Set for Wolverhampton Bow appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) has named Tracy Sheffield as the new executive director effective Jan. 1, replacing Mary Ruyle, who will stay on through July to help with the transition, according to a TTA press release on Thursday. The holder of an Animal Science degree from Oregon State University, Sheffield is the founder and managing partner of T&L Veterinary Business Consulting. She has been a TTA member for more than 20 years and is active with the organization's Paddock Foundation, which helps find second careers for retired racehorses. Sheffield will resign her current position as TTA President and be replaced by Vice President Phil Leckinger. “No one can replace Mary, but I'm excited to take on this new position with the TTA,” said Sheffield. “Certainly there are challenges for the Texas racing and breeding industry, but with a strong sales company and solid purses and incentives for Accredited Texas-breds, I think we are well positioned to meet those challenges. All TTA members and Texas horsemen and women owe Mary a debt of gratitude for her work over the years, and I'm thankful she will remain available through July.” Ruyle started with the TTA in 1988 as a bookkeeper and worked her way up, eventually taking the executive director position in 2012. She received the Allen Bogan Memorial Award from the association for her service to the industry, as well as the JoAnn Weber Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame. During her time as executive director, she oversaw the TTA's creation of a sales division to handle the annual Texas yearling and 2-year-old sales. Ruyle is the longest tenured employee in the history of the TTA, which was founded in 1955. “I've made so many great friends during my time at the TTA, and I'm going to miss working with the dedicated board of directors and our hard-working members,” said Ruyle. “Tracy has been a great asset to have on the board, and I'm more than confident she will smoothly transition over to executive director.” The post Sheffield Replaces Ruyle As Texas Thoroughbred Association Executive Director appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Addressing concerns raised by horsewoman Ellen Jackson that Northern California equine interests would be protected as racing consolidates in Southern California at Santa Anita Park, CHRB commissioners pledged their support Dec. 19.View the full article

The one-mile Asociación Uruguaya de Propietarios de Caballos de Carrera (G3) to be held June 29 at Hipodromo Nacional de Maroñas in Montevideo, has been designated as an automatic qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).View the full article