Wandering Eyes

While moving twilight racing at Belmont Park from its traditional Friday spot to Thursday may seem curious, it was rooted in a willingness to experiment and an understanding of a market that includes twilight racing on Thursdays at Churchill Downs. View the full article

Addressing your thoughts, questions and statements about Hong Kong racing. Have something to say? Send a tweet to @SCMPRacingPost.Lucky Hero charges down the centre of the track to score under Vincent Ho Chak-yiu for Danny Shum Chap-shing – @HKJC_RacingWin 250 is a major one for Hong Kong’s local jockeys – it signifies the end of their claim (after completing their apprenticeship, they get three pounds from win 70 to 95 and then two pounds from 95 to 250).So when Ho collected his milestone… View the full article

Another Group Two Italian Derby (2,200m) winner enters Hong Kong racing at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, with Party Together following in the footsteps of Super Chic.Super Chic won the 2016 Italian Derby before joining Tony Cruz’s stable and Party Together is now trained by Peter Ho Leung after winning last year’s edition when named Summer Festival.Party Together debuts in the Class Two King’s Park Handicap (1,650m) and Super Chic, who has won four times in Hong Kong, was almost there to… View the full article

Chris Waller reflects on an amazing day at Randwick on Saturday with Radio Trackside’s Des Coppins.... View the full article

Trainer Daniel Miller discusses the win of Sheezallmine at Te Rapa on Sunday.... View the full article

Te Rapa trainer David Greene discusses his double at his home track on Sunday.... View the full article

Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards talks with Radio Trackside’s Des Coppins... View the full article

Zacada could be set to embark on a new career on the racetrack after failing to shape up in Sydney. Twelve months after finishing second to Who Shot Thebarman in last year’s Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m), Zacada could do no better than 14th in Saturday’s edition of the Randwick staying feature. It was his third start this campaign in Sydney and he had also disappointed in his other two outings, finishing last in the Gr.3 Manion Cup (2400m) and beating just four home in the Gr.2 Chairman’s Handic... View the full article

Talented galloper Adrossan recorded two further Group placings in his recent Australian campaign but he has joined the injured list and is returning home to trainer Stephen Marsh’s Cambridge barn for rehabilitation. “Ardrossan unfortunately comes home tonight (Monday) with a slight strain of the suspensory,” Marsh said. “That was a bit of a blow to the team because he was flying that horse. He’s out of the top draw that one, so it’s a real shame. “We will just bring him home and lo... View the full article

Quality New Zealand juvenile Probabeel will not contest Saturday’s Gr.1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick despite finding the line well in the Gr.1 Sires’ Produce (1400m) when beaten less than two lengths by Microphone. “She’s going to come home,” trainer Jamie Richards said. “We’re going to give her a break. She has done a terrific job for us and we believe that she has got it all in front of her. “She is headed home tonight (Monday) and she will have a break and be set for ... View the full article

It may have been a day of celebrating the career of world champion Winx at Randwick on Saturday, but there was no one happier in the crowd than the connections of her talented stablemate Verry Elleegant. The daughter of Grangewilliam Stud stallion Zed took out the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) and a tremendous roar emanated from her supporters when she struck the lead down the home straight. There’s a distinct Kiwi flavour behind the talented New Zealand-bred filly. She is trained and ridden by... View the full article

New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka May Sale has played a leading part in the recent successes of Group One winners Yourdeel (NZ) (Dundeel) and Gingernuts (NZ) (Iffraaj). Not only has the Sale been a source of top performers, but also a commonplace for the practice of pinhooking. Yourdeel and Gingernuts are just a couple of the golden opportunities that have been realised by astute buyers who have made a return on investment, followed by bright futures on the racetrac... View the full article

John Sadler is starting to show a knack for turning East Coast horses into West Coast graded stakes winners. His latest example came with Woodford Racing's Campaign, who earned his first stakes win in the $100,000 Tokyo City Cup (G3) April 14. View the full article

Winx was long gone as Chris Waller valiantly held back tears and spoke to everyone and anyone who put a microphone in his way. View the full article

He’s Eminent is pressing on to Hong Kong despite a shock lack-lustre performance against the world champion Winx at Randwick on Saturday. He’s Eminent beat just one of the nine runners home in the A$4 million Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), finishing 16 and a half lengths from Winx. But his connections, trainer Sir Mark Todd and owners Sir Peter Vela and Hubie de Burgh, have decided to take the gamble and continue on to the Gr.1 QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin. “He’s going to Hong Kong ... View the full article

Makfi mare Moyrabella proved once again her determination to win, adding a fifth victory in superb style at Wingatui last week. Trained by Terri Rae, the now five-year-old is proving a rewarding purchase for the syndicate having returned $57,840 to her new connections in the 13 starts since her purchase online in April 2017 for $26,000. Jumping from the widest barrier with Chris Johnson in the saddle on Thursday, the pair were three wide without cover for most of the trip. Moyrabella k... View the full article

Five riders suspended View the full article

In a knock-down, drag-out fight to the wire April 14, Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables, and Allen Racing's Midnight Bisou emerged victorious over Escape Clause in a photo finish to take the $750,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn Park. View the full article

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MIDNIGHT BISOU (f, 4, Midnight Lute–Diva Delite, Repent) faced a very still challenge from the plucky Manitoba-bred Escape Clause (Going Commandy), but ultimately prevailed in a photo in Sunday’s GI Apple Blossom H. at Oaklawn. The 4-5 favorite, who uncorked a big turn move from off the pace under GI Arkansas Derby-winning pilot Mike Smith, stopped the clock in 1:43.88. Elate (Medaglia d’Oro) settled for third after missing the break. Midnight Bisou kicked off her 4-year-old campaign with a victory in the GIII Houston Ladies Classic Jan. 27, and most recently bested Elate in the GII Azeri S. here Mar. 16. Sales history: $19,000 yrl ’16 KEESEP; $80,000 2yo ’17 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 14-8-3-3. O-Bloom Racing Stable, LLC, Madaket Stables LLC and Allen Racing LLC. B-Woodford Thoroughbreds (Ky). T-Steven Asmussen. View the full article

The Under-Tack Show for the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training begins Monday morning at 8 a.m. During the first of six sessions, hips 1 through 203 will work. Hips 204-406 will take to the track Tuesday; followed by 407-608 Wednesday; 609-813 Thursday; 814-1017 Friday; and 1018 through 1221 Saturday. The four-day auction will be held the following Tuesday through Friday with sessions beginning daily at 10:30 a.m. View the full article

Among the Oaklawn Park-raced horses with enough points to run in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) are Omaha Beach and Improbable, the top two finishers in the April 13 $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1). View the full article

Saturnalia (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), who won the Dec. 28 G1 Hopeful S. over course and distance last time out, became the second Classic scorer for his sire with a gritty victory in the G1 Satsuki Sho on Sunday. The Nakayama 2000-metre feature found the Katsuhiko Sumii trainee a head better than runner-up Velox (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}), who was a nose to the good of Danon Kingly (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Heavily favoured at 70 cents on the dollar to make it back-to-back Group 1 tallies, Saturnalia was widest of all in the rush into the first turn, but eventually found his way into seventh as Lance of Puraana (Jpn) (Cape Blanco {Ire}) rattled along on the lead, covering the first 1000 metres in :59.10. Three deep next to fellow Carrot Farm colourbearer Courageux Guerrier (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) and Fantasist (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) with 800 metres remaining, he began to make inroads on the leaders by the 600-metre marker and swept up to fourth a furlong from the winning post. Velox to his inside was also letting down strongly and went right with Saturnalia. Those two drew even with Danon Kingly as the line neared and Saturnalia thrust his head across the wire first. Second choice in the wagering at 5-1 was Japanese champion 2-year-old colt Admire Mars (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) wound up fourth two lengths back. “I rode him for the first time in the race but I had confidence in him,” said Lemaire, who was winning his 24th JRA Group 1 in Japan. “He seemed a bit nervous and drifted towards the inside when we took command before the crowd. His condition was not 100% as it was his first start this year but he should be in top condition going into the Japanese Derby.” Flawless in all four trips to the post, Saturnalia won a June 10 newcomers affair at Hanshin before tasting listed glory in the Hagi S. at Kyoto last October. Stepped up to 2000 metres from 1800 in his third start, he delivered, stalking from just behind the leaders to score in the G1 Hopeful S. locally on Dec. 28 and was making his first start of 2019 on Sunday. Pedigree Notes One of three top level winners for his sire and the first from his 2016 crop, the Carrot Farm runner joins 2018 Japanese Triple Tiara heroine Almond Eye (Jpn) as the second Classic winner for Lord Kanaloa. Saturnalia is also the second Classic winner for his champion dam, who won the GI American Oaks Invitational S. in 2005 and foaled 2013 G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) hero Epiphaneia (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S) in 2010. He also counts champion and G1 Asahi Hai Futurity S. victor Leontes (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) as a half-brother. Second dam is Grade III victress Kirov Premiere (GB) (Sadler’s Wells) and she is a full-sister to SW & GSP Theatre Critic (Ire). Other notable members of the extended family are European highweight, MG1SW, and young sire Fascinating Rock (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), G1 Phoenix S. runner-up Amadeus Mozart (Ire) (Mozart {Ire}), English highweight and MGSW Anna Pavlova (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), and La Hoguette (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), a MSW in France who ran third in the G1 Prix Jean Prat. Sunday, Nakayama, Japan SATSUKI SHO (JAPANESE 2000 GUINEAS)-G1, ¥242,880,000 (US$2,167,840/£1,658,623/€2,927,742), Nakayama, 4-14, 3yo, c/f, 2000mT, 1:58.10, fm. 1–SATURNALIA (JPN), 126, c, 3, Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) 1st Dam: Cesario (Jpn) (Ch. 3yo Filly-Jpn, MSW-Jpn, GISW-US, $2,578,568), by Special Week (Jpn) 2nd Dam: Kirov Premiere (GB), by Sadler’s Wells 3rd Dam: Querida (Ire), by Habitat O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Katsuhiko Sumii; J-Christophe Lemaire. ¥133,016,000. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0. *1/2 to Epiphaneia (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S), MG1SW-Jpn, $6,693,376; Leontes (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), Ch. 2yo Colt-Jpn, G1SW-Jpn, $1,112,892; and Globe Theatre (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), GSP-Jpn, $914,289. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. 2–Velox (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Just a Way (Jpn)–Selkis (Ger), by Monsun (Ger). (¥48,000,000 Ylg ’17 JRHAJUL). O-Makoto Kaneko Holdings; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥50,576,000. 3–Danon Kingly (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Deep Impact (Jpn)–My Goodness, by Storm Cat. O-Danox Inc.; B-Mishima Bokujo (Jpn); ¥31,288,000. Margins: HD, NO, 2. Odds: 0.70, 8.00, 4.80. Also Ran: Admire Mars (Jpn), Courageux Guerrier (Jpn), Tagano Diamante (Jpn), Last Draft (Jpn), Admire Justa (Jpn), Daddy’s Mind (Jpn), Naimama (Jpn), Breaking Dawn (Jpn), Schwarz Riese (Jpn), Fantasist (Jpn), Satono Lux (Jpn), Meisho Tenegn (Jpn), Kurino Gaudi (Jpn), Nishino Daisy (Jpn), Lance of Puraana (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. JRA Video. View the full article

The April 17 opening race at Aqueduct Racetrack features the unveiling of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah's first two North American starters in Lady Delaware and Tesorina. View the full article

Six Oaklawn Park-raced horses have enough points to run in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), including Omaha Beach and Improbable, the top two finishers in the April 13 $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1). View the full article