Wandering Eyes

Fast-improving stayer Complicate booked herself a ticket to Saturday’s Listed Positive Signs and Print Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) with a gusty victory at Ashburton on Sunday. Complicate joined the Timaru stable of Brett Inglis in June last year after recording two wins for Wayne Hillis, showing a particular affinity for wet track conditions. Since heading to the South Island, the mare has been consistent on all surfaces, winning two in a row at Ashburton and Wingatui through December before a game third behind Mr Intelligence at the latter earlier this month. Inglis had a long-term goal of making the $170,000 feature on Otago Classics Day, but with his mare sitting on 75 rating points, he opted to head back to Canterbury with the hope of securing a place in the field. Complicate was well-liked in the market for the Gallagher Insurance (2200m) closing at $4.40, the second-favourite behind Lombardi, who was contending with a clear 60kg top-weight. Local hoop Kylie Williams continued her association with the mare and allowed her to stride up to the lead, with Lombardi trailing on the fence. Complicate had it all her own way along the back straight and began to put the pressure on turning for home, and despite being headed by Star Ballot at the 50m, she fought back to get up by a nose in the photo finish. Inglis was rapt with the performance, with a quiet five days to come for his charge before heading back to Wingatui. “It was good, she’s a good little talent and I was very pleased with her run,” he said. “We were aiming to get to the Dunedin Gold Cup and I said to Victoria (Caseley, co-owner) before her first start for me that my goal was to get to that race, so it’s been a work in progress and we’re just about there. “She was sitting on 75 points and I don’t think that would’ve been enough to make the field, so we went to Ashburton and she probably had to win to get in. Also, if she hadn’t won yesterday she probably wasn’t good enough to go to the race, so it’s great she’ll get her chance and Kylie will be sticking with her as well. “She’s very fit and clean-winded, so she’ll just have a quiet week leading into Saturday. She can go for a trot around the road tomorrow then we’ll head to the track on Wednesday for a quiet canter, she doesn’t need much.” A daughter of Complacent, Complicate was bred by the late Don Skelton, who Inglis met through an online racing platform over two decades ago. Skelton raced her dam, Kate, who won two races and ran fifth in the Gr.2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, before gifting her to Inglis as a broodmare. “I met Don Skelton on Channel X about 20 years ago, we started chatting and went up and met him, and since then, he’s given us about eight horses and a couple of them were pretty handy as well,” Inglis said. “He was a breeder for a long time. “He gave us Kate, the dam, about five years ago. He still had Complicate and raced her with Wayne and Vanessa (Hillis), then before he passed, he wanted give Victoria the option of racing her. She asked me if I was interested in taking a share in her and training her myself and I said yes please, and she came to me about six months ago. “She’s going really well, she’s always had ability but just needed time to strengthen up.” Before trying his hand in training, Inglis had been involved in the industry in multiple capacities, including as an apprentice jockey and a small-time breeder. “I was an apprentice for three-and-a-half years before I got too fat, but I had about 250 raceday rides back in the seventies,” he said. “I got away from racing for a while before I met my partner, who had a couple of thoroughbred broodmares, and we decided to breed a few horses ourselves. We’ve been breeding for the last 25 years, just pottering around with a few horses and we have three two-year-olds and a yearling at home. “We sent a horse to a friend to train but after seeing the costs, I thought I may as well have a go myself, so I started riding trackwork again and got my license about ten years ago. “I still work 40 hours a week, during the summer I do my horses before work and then at this time of the year, I go into the track after work. “I love the horses, it’s a hobby and I don’t do it to make money, it’s for enjoyment. We celebrate the wins like the Melbourne Cup, it’s a really good thrill. We’ve had some handy horses, a couple that have raced in the New Zealand Cup and the Grand National. “It’s good fun.” View the full article

Shanwah’s victory in the Gr.2 Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday was timely for his breeder’s Trelawney Stud, who are set to offer his half-brother at Inglis’ Australian Easter Yearling Sale in April. It was the third consecutive win for the Ciaron Maher-trained gelding, who was having his first tilt at stakes level, and made light work of his opposition when scoring by 1-1/2 lengths. By Too Darn Hot, Shanwah was a popular commodity at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale, where he was purchased out of Trelawney’s draft by bloodstock agent Cameron Cooke for $750,000. “He was a beautiful foal and yearling, he had a good walk and a great nature,” Trelawney’s Cherry Taylor said. Shanwah has subsequently been gelded, and Taylor believes that has been a masterstroke in turning his form around. “He has certainly got his mind on the job since he has been gelded, winning three in a row and stepping up from a ratings class to a Group Two,” she said. “He did need gelding because he was quite a good doer. They have certainly done the right thing because there is a lot of money in Australia for a good horse.” Shanwah is out of three-win Iffraaj mare Lady Sayyida, a half-sister to five-time Group One winner and now stallion Ocean Park, and Ruqqaya, the dam of dual Group One winner and now stallion Grunt and Group Two winner Zaydanni. While Trelawney unfortunately lost Lady Sayyida 18 months ago, she has left her mark as a broodmare, producing Group One performer Excelida and now Shanwah, and Taylor is excited about the prospects of her yearling Per Incanto colt, who will go through Inglis’ Australian Easter Yearling Sale as lot 20. “Unfortunately, we did lose the mare, which was really sad,” Taylor said. “We have got a Per Incanto colt, who is going to Sydney, and he is a cracker, he is every bit as good a type as Shanwah was and is very athletic. “You only need to have a look at that whole family. It is Ocean Park, Grunt, and Zaydanni’s family. There is a lot going on in that family, and it just gets better and better with age. “It doesn’t surprise me to see him (Shanwah) hitting his straps as a three-year-old as well. If you look at the history of that family, they have their best years as four and five-year-olds, so I would expect him to go on with it.” View the full article

Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood will head into next week’s Champions Day at Ellerslie with a trio of leading chances, with all three pleasing in their final hit-outs at the Auckland track on Saturday. Glamour mare Orchestral was strong late when finishing third in the Gr.1 Sport Nation Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) and will now step up to 2000m in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes. The daughter of Savabeel was eye-catching when winning the Aotearoa Classic (1600m) last month, and her trainers felt another mile test was ideal when looking ahead to her autumn targets. “She has bounced through it really well,” James said. “To be fair, we probably stacked it against her a wee bit going another mile, but we looked at the long-term and not the short-term. “Her next two runs she will look well placed in – the Bonecrusher in two weeks and then most likely three weeks to the Tancred over a mile-and-a-half in Sydney worth A$1.5 million.” Stablemate Dealt With continued his pleasing run of form when runner-up to Sethito in the Listed Trevor Corallie Eagle Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m). The son of Ace High hasn’t put a foot wrong in his four career starts to date, winning his first two starts, which earned him a berth in next week’s $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) courtesy of slot holders Kerri Spence Bloodstock and Clotworthy Racing, before placing in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and Uncle Remus Stakes. Saturday’s result bodes well for next week, with the field containing four NZB Kiwi contenders, and James has put his rivals on notice, saying there is improvement to come from his three-year-old. “He is a big burly boy and he had done pretty well on us. Even his work on Thursday indicated that,” James said. “He is not one that you can gallop in company, and he only does as much as he has to on his own. He pulled up that way a little bit too, that the run would bring him on. You can’t peak for them all, and if that is the one that we missed a little bit on true fitness, it is what the run was designed for.” James will also be out to extend his great record in the $1.25 million Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) with Oceana Dream, who ran third in Saturday’s Gr.2 Eagle Technology Avondale Guineas (2100m). “I was pleased with his run,” James said. “It was an 11 out of 10 ride from George (Rooke, jockey) to go forward as he did, first run over ground from a wide barrier and he found him a lovely position. He was just a bit late getting clear in the straight, but he ran home really well.” Champions Day is building to be an exciting card of racing, and James is hoping his stable can figure prominently. “It is going to be tough racing, but so it should be for the money that is up,” he said. View the full article

Talented apprentice jockey Tayla Mitchell not only collected one of the country’s biggest staying races on Saturday at Ellerslie, but she also reached a valuable milestone with a century of winners to her name. The 21-year-old partnered Ken Harrison’s four-year-old Please Sir in the Eagle Charters 2100, and after settling fourth in the running, the gelding kept finding in the straight to come out on top in a competitive finish where the first seven home were separated by just a length. Mitchell had been informed the weekend prior that she was nearing the 100 mark and was delighted to do so early on the feature card. “Someone let me know at Matamata last Saturday that I was on 99, which was a surprise to me, so I did have it in my head when I crossed the line at Ellerslie,” she said. “He (Please Sir) had been running good races and we had the perfect run in transit, he fought to the line really hard and it was really good.” Please Sir had paid $32 for the victory, a similar quote to Blue Sky At Night, who delivered Mitchell a second Group Three victory this season in the Avondale Cup (2400m). The combination had caused a minor upset back in December when taking out the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) and there was no stopping them on Saturday, denying the favourite About Time by a neck at the post. It is no secret that the daughter of Shamexpress means a great deal to Mitchell, and the pair will return to Ellerslie in a fortnight in pursuit of the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m). “She is a very special mare to me, she gives me a lot of confidence and has taught me how to ride these staying races,” she said. “She’s a very big part of my life and has given me two of the big Cups now, I think she’ll run out the distance in the Auckland Cup as well so she should be a very good chance. “Shelley (Hale, trainer) has put all her trust in me and supported me, she could easily put a senior on for these bigger races, but she knows how well I get along with this horse and I’m so grateful for the opportunity. I wouldn’t have been able to get these races without her.” Saturday’s success was made even sweeter for Mitchell when one race later, her partner Wiremu Pinn piloted El Vencedor to a textbook win the Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m). “We had a very winning household on the weekend which was awesome,” she said. “He is a massive help with my riding and everything related to racing, he helps me analyse my rides and work on where I went wrong and what I could be doing better.” Blue Sky At Night has been the highlight of a resurgent season for the young hoop. She was New Zealand’s champion apprentice in 2022/23 and subsequently headed across the Tasman, and while she was unable to attain a riding license, she gained plenty of valuable life experience from the six-month stint. “I won the premiership, which was amazing, but doing that time in Australia was a great learning experience and I took a lot a lot away from it, probably more than people would think,” she said. “Even though I wasn’t riding raceday there, it really helped me grow as a person and as a track rider, the level of professionalism over there and the way the stables operate, I really took that back with me. “I think it was also good for my mental state, I got to have that break away from race-riding and that made me want to do it that bit more.” Back in Cambridge, Mitchell is grateful to have the support of a number of local trainers, including Samantha Logan, Chad Ormsby and Ralph Manning, the latter being a huge influence early on in her apprenticeship. “Sam Logan plays a huge part in my life, not only in racing but also with all of the stuff outside of that,” she said. “If I ever need someone to chat to on the way home from the races, she’s always there for me. “I ride trackwork for her first thing every morning and she gives me rides whenever she can, I nearly got a win for her yesterday but just missed in the photo finish. “Chad’s been amazing too, he could put a senior on any day of the week, but he’s trusted me with some really nice rides. Earlier in my career, Ralph Manning was the one who boosted me from the start as well. “I think I have just under a year left (apprenticeship), so I just want to keep riding winners and grow as a rider, and see how much of my claim I can ride out before my time ends.” View the full article

What Kembla Grange Races Where Kembla Grange Racecourse – Princes Highway, Kembla Grange NSW 2526 When Tuesday, February 25, 2025 First Race 1:50pm AEDT Visit Dabble Kembla Grange is the destination for NSW racing on Tuesday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-part program set for decision. The rail moves out +6m the entire circuit for the meeting, and although some scattered showers are predicted to hit the course proper, the track should maintain the Soft 5 rating at the time of acceptances. The opening event at Kembla Grange is scheduled to get underway at 1:50pm local time. Best Bet at Kembla Grange: Bremel Bremel couldn’t have been more impressive breaking through at start two, producing a devastating turn-of-foot at Hawkesbury on February 12. She led them up and gave them a beating, cruising to victory by five lengths to suggest this daughter of Capitalist may have potential metro company in her sights. Ashley Morgan will take luck out of the equation from stall five to lead them up once again, and although this Class 1 assignment has more depth on paper, expect Bremel to put them away just as stylishly. Best Bet Race 2 – #4 Bremel (5) 3yo Filly | T: Gregory McFarlane | J: Ashley Morgan (57kg) Next Best at Kembla Grange: Emilia Jane Emilia Jane was heavily backed with horse racing bookmakers first-up at Warwick Farm on February 5, and although she was beaten by 1.5 lengths, the Derryn mare had excuses. They proved too sharp for her over 1100m after taking off in the middle stages, leaving her flat-footed on the turn for home. Jay Ford gets the chance to snare the one-one from barrier three, and provided she can replicate her stunning maiden win from the end of last preparation, Emilia Jane should fit in nicely in this Class 1 contest. Next Best Race 3 – #5 Emilia Jane (3) 4yo Mare | T: Joseph Pride | J: Jay Ford (57kg) Next Best Again at Kembla Grange: Frontex Frontex did his best work late debuting at Canterbury on February 2, flashing home to get within a length of Flying From Above. The son of Territories took a long time to go through the gears, with the four-year-old unable to sprint genuinely off a slow tempo throughout the journey. They should race at a good clip in this maiden contest, and provided Jay Ford can sit within striking distance, expect Frontex to figure in this at a good price with Dabble. Next Best Again Race 4 – #1 Frontex (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | J: Jay Ford (59kg) Tuesday quaddie tips for Kembla Grange Kembla Grange quadrella selections February 25, 2025 1-6-7-8-10 2-3-8-11 1-3-4-5-6 4-5-6-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk A memorial service will be held on March 1 for one of the mainstays of the Marlborough harness racing scene Mark Gill who’s died suddenly in Blenheim. The 76-year-old, a hobby trainer for 30 years, was still working fulltime as a farm worker and had been shoeing and working horses only a day before he had a sudden and unexpected medical event. “It was a huge shock for everyone to lose him so quickly,” says grand-daughter and training partner Kendra Gill. After moving north from Oxford in Canterbury “about 50 years ago” Mark Gill got involved in the sport in the 1990s. “He took out his trainers’ licence in 1994 – the same year I was born,” says Kendra. “Racing was not a business for him, it was a hobby and he loved the horses, he was hooked on it.” “He was real old school and had a huge passion for rugby, racing and beer and if he wasn’t talking about one of those he was talking about the other!” Mark trained 24 winners on his own account, the first being Flight Dujour at Greymouth in 1999. Training out of the Waterlea Raceway in Blenheim, grandfather and grand-daughter went into partnership in 2022. “We worked as our team, we had a few disagreements with the old versus the new but we always figured them out.” Their first winner was Amarla on their home course in January 2023. Amarla was their best horse with six wins and the mare provided them with their biggest racing thrill. “Winning the Winter Rewards at Addington was like winning the New Zealand Cup for us. It was worth $25,00 and we’d never imagined we could win a race like that.” Driven by Robbie Close, Amarla was at double figure odds that day at Addington in April 2023. “It was so special.” Among their other good winners was eight race winner Hes Fast And Furious. They had 11 wins together. Now Kendra will carry on the Gill name along with Mark’s daughter Jacqui. They have seven in work. Among the team is Amarla’s full sister Honour Bright Note who qualified last year. “He’ll be gutted not to be there when she gets to the races.” A memorial service for Mark Gill will be held at 3pm Saturday, March 1 at the Springlands Tavern in Blenheim. View the full article

Quietside soared to her first graded stakes victory in the $500,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) Feb. 23 at Oaklawn Park, defeating Five G and even-money favorite Muhimma earning 50 points on the road to the Kentucky Oaks (G1).View the full article

Point And Shoot. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Bjorn Baker has confirmed that three-time winner Point And Shoot will line up in Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington. The three-year-old has impressed in recent outings, winning his past two races at Randwick in restricted company, and Baker believes he is now ready for a step up in class. “I’m looking forward to getting down there,” Baker told Racing.com. “His last couple of runs have definitely been exciting. He’s a horse that has always shown a lot, so he deserves his chance. I think he’s a show. “I am yet to confirm but I think Damian Lane is likely to ride.” The decision to head south was cemented by Point And Shoot’s last-start win in Benchmark 78 company over 1600m, where he defeated stablemate Puntin, a previously unbeaten runner. “I had the second horse (Puntin) in the last race too and he’s actually a promising horse,” Baker said. “He went into that race unbeaten and had no weight and gave a bit of a kick, so I think that form will hold up more so than some people might expect. “He’s (Point And Shoot) a horse we’ve always thought a lot of. We thought enough of him to run him in the Queensland Sires’ Produce and he drew the wide gate and then was hampered by bad tracks in his two-year-old year.” Now with conditions in his favour, Baker is optimistic that Point And Shoot can make his mark in Saturday’s Group 1 contest. Horse racing news View the full article

Triumphing for a third time on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, Coal Battle proved he's more than just a feel-good story in the $1.25 million Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park Feb. 23.View the full article

Alexander Helios bobbed at the wire to hold off Banishing, earning his first graded stakes victory in the Razorback Handicap and improving to 2-1-0 since reuniting with trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.View the full article

If you're going to make your stakes debut in graded company, may as well go big, right? Alexander Helios (Cairo Prince) certainly thought so as he took his grudge match with Banishing (Ghostzapper) down to the wire in the GIII Razorback Handicap. It took him eight tries to break his maiden, and a new trainer, but that 2 1/4-length victory beneath the Twin Spires in November 2023 yielded him a 93 Beyer in his first attempt at 1 1/8-miles for the barn of Saffie Joseph Jr.. It took three attempts to graduate from the first-level allowance ranks after he beat optional claimers at Tampa Bay Downs to start his 2024, but he did so at this venue in April last year for trainer Dan Ward. Returning to Joseph in May that season, he was runner-up to MGSW Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) before going on the shelf until Jan. 18. Making his seasonal bow a successful one at Gulfstream Park, he emerged from that effort with a career-best 95 Beyer, and the betting public saw fit to make him a respectable 8-1 chance to play spoiler. And spoil it, he did. Never letting 3-1 second choice Banishing far out of his sights as the sprinter-turned-two-turn horse rolled along through :23.81, :47.60, and 1:11.42 splits, Alexander Helios was ready to pounce when they swung into the lane. Locking horns from the top of the stretch and slugging it out down to the last jump at the wire, the exacta had to be separated by a photo with a head being the official margin. Always in third and comfortably holding that position to the wire was 2-1 favorite First Mission (Street Sense), who came within a neck of making it a three-way affair for the victory. Alexander Helios is the third to garner black-type for his dam behind Listed-placed Cono (Lucky Pulpit) and GI Preakness Stakes hero Rombauer (Twirling Candy). From seven to the races for Cashmere, six are multiple winners and the seventh is the placed 3-year-old filly Brown Sugar (Twirling Candy). The mare has a juvenile colt by Constitution as well as a yearling colt by Tapit already named Cheval Blanc. She is due to Gun Runner for 2025. Cashmere is an unraced half-sister to a fleet of accomplished racehorses and broodmares, most notably MGSW California Flag (Avenue of Flags) and his full-sister MGSW Cambiocorsa. The latter mare created a female line which yielded the likes of GSW Moulin De Mougin (Curlin) and her daughter GSP Spicer (Quality Road); GSW Schiaparelli (Ghostzapper); SW & GSP Bronson (Medaglia d'Oro); and GISP Vionnet (Street Sense), whose late son–namely multiple Highweight, multiple Group 1-winning Roaring Lion (Kitten's Joy)–propelled her into stardom. What a finish in the Razorback! Alexander Helios comes out on top in a photo finish under @tyler_gaff for trainer @SaffieJosephJr! TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/liABpVISO6 — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) February 23, 2025 Sunday, Oaklawn Park RAZORBACK H.-GIII, $500,000, Oaklawn, 2-23, 4yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:41.88, ft. 1–ALEXANDER HELIOS, 117, h, 5, by Cairo Prince 1st Dam: Cashmere, by Cowboy Cal 2nd Dam: Ultrafleet, by Afleet 3rd Dam: Social Conduct, by Vigors 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-John & Diane Fradkin (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $232,500. Lifetime Record: 15-5-3-3, $542,170. *1/2 to Rombauer (Twirling Candy), GISW, $1,040,500; 1/2 to Cono (Lucky Pulpit), SP, $191,982. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Banishing, 119, g, 5, Ghostzapper–Dowager, by A.P. Indy. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($80,000 4yo '24 FTKHRA). O-Lawrence P. Roman and David Jacobson; B-Godolphin (KY); T-David Jacobson. $77,500. 3–First Mission, 122, h, 5, Street Sense–Elude, by Medaglia d'Oro. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $38,750. Margins: HD, NK, 6. Odds: 8.00, 3.00, 2.40. Also Ran: Full Screen, Skinner, Crupi, Red Route One, Henro, Baddest Good Boy, Creative Minister, Dimatic, Tonka Warrior, Cooke Creek, Seize the Night. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Alexander Helios Shines Bright in a Nail-Biting Edition of the Razorback appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Map. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) The Map has been retired following a disappointing performance in Saturday’s Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) at Morphettville. Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray made the tough decision after the mare failed to show her usual finish and didn’t recover fully from the race. The six-year-old finished eighth, 4.5-lengths behind the winner, Gotta Go Guru. The Map had been aimed at redemption in next month’s Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m), after finishing as the runner-up to Excelleration in the same race last year. Clarken admitted that the decision was hard but was made with the mare’s best interests in mind. “She was below par yesterday and we made a decision on course yesterday that we would retire her,” Clarken told Racing.com. “Oopy rang me this morning and said she’s pulled up quite rough too, so the decision was made and we’ll stick by it.” Reflecting on her career, Clarken added, “It’s been a huge ride and there was a bit of emotion there yesterday with the boys – we went out the back at Morphettville underneath the grandstand and had a drink to toast her. “There were a few tears from some of those burly blokes.” Horse racing news View the full article

Rachel King. Photo: HKJC Rachel King made history in Japan on Sunday, becoming the first female jockey to ride a Grade 1 winner in the country. She achieved the milestone aboard Costa Nova in the Grade 1 February Stakes (1600m) at Tokyo. Costa Nova entered the Grade 1 race following a victory in Grade 3 company earlier this month. The Tetsuya Kimura-trained five-year-old surged to the front with 200 metres remaining and held off a late challenge from Sunrise Zipangu to win by three-quarters of a length. The favourite with horse racing betting sites, Mikki Flight, finished another 1.25 lengths behind in third. 2025 Grade 1 February Stakes Replay – Costa Nova https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Tokyo-2025-Grade-1-February-Stakes-23022025-Costa-Nova-Tetsuya-Kimura-Rachel-King.mp4 King, who is once again riding in Japan on a short-term license, reflected on the historic achievement, saying: “I’m very proud to be the first female jockey (to have won a Grade 1 title) but also proud that Japan has welcomed me as a jockey and not just a ‘female’ jockey, something that I’ve always strived to be. “I’m one of everyone and we’re treated the same, so I’m always thankful to all the supporters for welcoming me like that. “They’ve given me huge support last year and also this year, so it’s nice to be able to repay them with a Group 1 (win).” Horse racing news View the full article

By Jonny Turner The Williamsons rolled into Cromwell over the weekend and the results were rather familiar. Brad Williamson’s winning double yesterday added to the incredible success his family have enjoyed at the Central Otago venue which is something of a home away from home for them. Brad kicked Sunday’s meeting off in style with Isobel running to an impressive debut victory in Race 1, the Central Otago Motor Group Trot. The three-year-old trialled impressively ahead of her first start and she produced a faultless trotting display under the pressure of race day. “She was quite impressive, I was pretty pleased with her.” “The way she went today we might be able to aim her at some of the three-year-old fillies races and see whether she can step up to that level.” “She has come a long way this prep, so she will have a bit of a freshen-up now.” “She is a horse with a bit of a future.” Kracka Looka has been making up for lost time this preparation and that continued with her dead-heat victory along with Miles Away in the Night ‘N Day Cromwell Trot. The mare started her career with a bang, winning her debut as a two-year-old before going on to race at Group 1 level. But Kracka Looka was limited to just one start as a three-year-old. “She won first up at Ashburton and looked quite promising early on.” “But the further she went on the wheels sort of fell off.” “She had a bit of a breathing issue so we got that sorted and she is back on track now.” “She went really well today, she didn’t get too many favours but to get the dead-heat was good.” Yesterday’s victory was Kracka Looka’s second in just three starts back from her time away from racing. Williamson said he plans to continue to race the mare in the grades as autumn approaches. “She should only keep getting better with more racing.” Phil Williamson got in on the winning action at Cromwell with Jimmy Carter taking out yesterday’s feature trot, the Anderson Park Motel Handicap Trot. The veteran prevailed in a close finish with his stablemate Practical Magic, who ran to her fifth consecutive second placing. Williamson admitted before yesterday’s meeting Jimmy Carter produced a fair effort by his normal standards at Cromwell on Friday and he wasn’t exactly sure of what to expect from the horse on Sunday. But the trotter bounced back to his best form with the aid of a sweet trip in the trail found by driver John Morrison. Nathan Williamson was also among the winners at Cromwell yesterday, with Adamas breaking his maiden in Race 4, the Shannon Farm Mobile Pace. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Kiwis are likely to see champion Aussie pacer Leap To Fame in the flesh earlier than expected. The six-year-old heads to a title defence in the $1m Miracle Mile at his next run on Saturday week, then the focus switches to the $1m Race by Betcha at Cambridge on April 4. But owner Kevin Seymour said it was “most likely” Leap To Fame would have a lead-up run at Cambridge in the $60,000 Group 2 Waikato Flying Mile on March 28. “Grant will start locking down plans over the next week or so,” Seymour said. “Providing he comes through the Miracle Mile well, we’d like to head over (to NZ) early, out of Sydney, rather than taking him back home first. “He’ll need a run with a month between the big races and giving him a look at Cambridge makes sense. That’s the most likely plan at this stage. “It will be great to finally get across (to NZ) with him after he missed two planned trips last year, especially the NZ Cup. “It’s definitely something we want to do with him, see how he goes against NZ’s best on their home ground.” Leap To Fame became the first confirmed Miracle Mile runner when he brilliantly won the Group 2 Newcastle Mile last Friday night. The entire obliterated the track record with his 1min49sec flat mile taking 1.6sec off the old mark. “The most pleasing part was how strong he felt through the line at the finish,” Dixon said. Dixon was straight on the road from Newcastle to his Tambourine base outside of Brisbane so Leap To Fame could get maximum time in his own surroundings before heading to Menangle. “He’ll need to head down early for the retention barn, but we can get about 10 days at home where he absolutely thrives,” he said. In other news, dual NZ Cup winner Swayzee will take his place in one of the Miracle Mile qualifiers at Menangle on Saturday night. “With me up here (Brisbane), Cam Hart was good enough to go and drive him in work for me (Saturday) and he was very happy, so he will definitely run this week,” trainer Jason Grimson said. “I know people say he’s a stayer and the mile won’t suit, but I think he’ll surprise them. “He’s got a great chance of winning (the Miracle Mile) if he can settle in front of Leap To Fame.” Swayzee took his career record to 2-3 against Leap To Fame when he led throughout and beat him in the Hunter Cup on February 1. Grimson said stable newcomer Captain Ravishing and star former Kiwi mare Aardie’s Express would be his other key runners in the Miracle Mile qualifiers at Menangle on Saturday night. View the full article

For the fourth time in a row, and continuing down the Road to the Kentucky Derby with 50 more points, Coal Battle (Coal Front) pulled out a win, this time in the GII Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Having made the jump to the two-turn contests last out at this venue in the Listed Smarty Jones Stakes to start his season, the Lonnie Briley trainee was given 11-1 odds to continue his win streak and did not disappoint. Content to watch as Madaket Road (Quality Road) stepped forward to control the tempo, the field was tasked with catching that longtime leader as they entered the lane, and it was Coal Battle who stood the best chance. Fighting to the front as the pacesetter kept on from the rail, he had more than enough left to hold off any second wind from the runner-up and the late dash of Sandman (Tapit) on the wire. Briley confirmed after the race that the next target is the GI Arkansas Derby, and if things go well from there, likely the first Saturday in May. Sale history: $70,000 Ylg '23 TTAYRL. O-Norman Stables LLC; B-Hume Wornall & Jay Adcock (KY); T-Lonnie Briley. Coal Battle wants to go to Louisville! He grabs 50 Kentucky Derby points in the G2 Rebel! Lonnie Briley trains the 3YO colt and Juan Vargas was aboard! Four wins in a row for Coal Battle! TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/PAGvJdRIFF — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) February 23, 2025 The post The Cinderella Story Continues as Coal Battle Grinds Out the Win in Rebel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Holy Bull Stakes (G3) winner Burnham Square aims to continue his Gulfstream Park success in the $415,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) against seven rivals March 1.View the full article

Jockey Rachel King became the first female jockey to win a group one on the Japan Racing Association circuit Feb. 23, guiding Costa Nova to victory in the February Stakes (G1) and punching a ticket to the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).View the full article

Voyage Bubble careers away for his fourth Group 1 win. Photo: HKJC James McDonald attributed a dramatic HK$13 million Group 1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) victory to Voyage Bubble’s class and courage after the pair overcame several obstacles at Sha Tin on Sunday. Having arrived at Sha Tin from Riyadh, where he partnered Romantic Warrior into second place in a pulsating Group 1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt), McDonald encountered trouble near the 800m when Voyage Bubble clipped heels, resulting in the pair being shuffled to second last in the 10-horse field. Unflustered, McDonald regrouped before spearing a willing Voyage Bubble through a gap at the 300m before the Deep Field gelding powered clear away from Ensued to win by almost four lengths with Chancheng Glory third in 2:00.59. 2025 Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup Replay – Voyage Bubble https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Sha-Tin-2025-Group-1-Hong-Kong-Gold-Cup-23022025-Voyage-Bubble-Ricky-Yiu-James-McDonald.mp4 “It wasn’t smooth sailing but he’s a great racehorse. I’m lucky to have him as a partner because he got me out of a sticky situation. It was very muddling and he overcame many obstacles throughout that race to come away for a great victory,” McDonald said. “We got shuffled back but he’s a great racehorse and he got us out of trouble. We might have found a new way of riding him as well. Who knows? “He’s not a one-trick pony, he’s got so many strings to his bow and I really enjoy riding him even though it was hairy through the middle stages – it wasn’t ideal at all.” With his 10th victory from 24 starts, Voyage Bubble kept alive hopes of landing a HK$10 million bonus for winning all three legs of the Triple Crown Series. With the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and Hong Kong Gold Cup already secured, the Deep Field gelding needs to win the Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on May 25 to sweep the series and become the second horse to do so after River Verdon (1993/94). “That’s (2400m) another pain barrier he’s got to go through and he’s a great racehorse and we have seen it with the great horse (Romantic Warrior) last night how good these Hong Kong horses are – they’re as tough as they come – and they fly the flag anywhere,” McDonald said. “Definitely going to be a new challenge for him, but he’s up to it.” Revelling in his first Group 1 success at 2000m, Yiu said: “I’m a bit optimistic to run him over 2400m. Before James takes off tonight, we’re going to have a little celebration party and I’m going to have a good chat with him to see where we go next. I’m pretty optimistic – we’ll take the challenge.” Horse racing news View the full article

Ka Ying Rising makes it 10 wins in a row with success in the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m). Photo: HKJC Ka Ying Rising continued his imperious reign as Hong Kong’s sprint monarch with a superb victory in the HK$13 million Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) for David Hayes and Karis Teetan at Sha Tin on Sunday (23 February) as the world’s joint highest-rated sprinter landed his third Group 1. Settling outside the leader and last year’s winner California Spangle, Ka Ying Rising cruised to the lead entering the straight before rallying late under pressure to resist the charge of John Size-trained quartet Helios Express (second), Howdeepisyourlove (third), Beauty Eternal (fourth) and Red Lion (fifth). Recording a slick 1:20.33 at his first attempt over 1400m, Ka Ying Rising notched his 11th win from 13 starts to secure the second leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series. Having already annexed the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), Ka Ying Rising will attempt to clinch a HK$5 million bonus with success in the HK$22 million Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on April 27. Hayes admitted to rare anxiety when Helios Express emerged from a chasing pack to raise a serious challenge at the 200m. “I had a nervous moment at the 200m but on the line I think he was holding them very well. It was an enjoyable last 100m but a frightening 200m,” Hayes said. “(Karis) said when he put him under pressure he responded and he felt he didn’t have to give him much more. “He’s a very special horse. There should be a lot more to come. “I have always said he’s a miler but he’s just such a good sprinter (so) I’m a bit loath to change. They were closer to him at the 1200m than the 1400m. He’s got two more races for an undefeated season, or maybe one race if he feels this (race).” 2025 Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup Replay – Ka Ying Rising https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Sha-Tin-2025-Group-1-Queens-Silver-Jubilee-Cup-23022025-Ka-Ying-Rising-David-Hayes-Karis-Teetan.mp4 Hayes indicated he would monitor Ka Ying Rising’s recovery from today’s race before finalising plans for the Chairman’s Sprint Prize. “He’s won 10 in a row at basically a month between runs so I’m a bit loath to change if he does well. Substituting for injured Zac Purton, Teetan was ecstatic post-race. “It’s unbelievable how this opportunity came up to be sitting on one of the world’s best horses. I’m just really thankful that everything worked out well – I think I was just the pilot on him today,” the Mauritian said. “He flew out of the gate, I wanted him to use the early speed that he has but sort of dropped my hands and he just came back to me pretty easily and he was waiting for me to press the button and, when I did, he produced really well. “I want to thank the owner and David and finally Zac. I spoke to him during the week and he was really kind. He said ‘Just know you’re on the best horse and ride him like that and trust him’, so thank you to Zac.” Ka Ying Rising forged through the 400m section from 1200m to the 800m in 21.67s before clocking 45.46s for the final 800m, while fellow Group 1 winner Beauty Eternal produced the best final 800m split of 44.99s. By Shamexpress, Ka Ying Rising gave the Hayes family a Group 1 double across the weekend following Mr Brightside’s win in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday. Horse racing news View the full article

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Voyage Bubble overcame a troubled trip to win the Hong Kong Gold Cup (G1) at Sha Tin Feb. 23 under James McDonald. He powered clear away from Ensued to win by almost four lengths.View the full article

Jockey Rachel King became the first female jockey to win a group one on the Japan Racing Association circuit Feb. 23, guiding Costa Nova to victory in the February Stakes (G1) and punching a ticket to the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).View the full article

After an understandably frustrating string of second and thirds in the graded rankings since breaking her maiden last year, Quietside (Malibu Moon) has ended the streak with a gutsy display in the GIII Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn Park. A homebred for Shortleaf Stable, she had consistently shown up against some of the best in her generation, finishing second in the GI Spinaway to champion 2-year-old filly MGISW Immersive (Nyquist) last August and third behind that one–and Quickick (McKinzie), who made her return to the races here–in October when they met again in the GI Darley Alcibiades at Keeneland. From there she locked horns with the likes of undefeated MGSW Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) and SW Take Charge Milady (Take Charge Indy), the runner up in both meetings. Rolling along from second as Five G (Vekoma) rocketed to the front from the outside, she bided her time with 4-5 favorite 'TDN Rising Star' Muhimma (Munnings) at her hip as that one had to stalk the pace for the first time. Pouncing in the lane as her rivals gamely refused to quit, she kept them all at bay to secure her first graded victory. Jose Ortiz claimed his fourth race on the card while the filly claimed 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. O/B-Shortleaf Stable (KY); T-John A. Ortiz. #12 QUIETSIDE ($22.40) earns 50 Kentucky Oaks points with an upset victory in the $500,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3 at @OaklawnRacing! @jose93_ortiz was aboard for trainer @johnnyortiz24. This is the Malibu Moon filly's first stakes victory after four stakes placings. pic.twitter.com/If6ZFWw9ij — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 23, 2025 The post A Bridesmaid No More: Quietside Steps Up to Upset Honeybee appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Rachel King became the first female jockey to win a group one on the Japan Racing Association circuit Feb. 23, guiding Costa Nova to victory in the February Stakes (G1) and punching a ticket to the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).View the full article