Wandering Eyes

The Marco Botti – trained Giavellotto takes the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) with Oisin Murphy in the saddle. Photo: HKJC Giavellotto produced an irresistible surge up the Sha Tin straight to stamp his authority on the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) under Oisin Murphy at Sha Tin on Sunday , ending a 12-year drought for British-based trainers at this meeting, dating back to the Ed Dunlop-trained Red Cadeaux in 2012. The five-year-old son of Mastercraftsman has established himself as a high-class stayer over trips between 2800m and 3200m and trainer Marco Botti gave credit to Murphy for giving him the confidence to come back in trip to 2400m at this rarified level. “Credit to Oisin because first thing after the Group 1 Irish St Leger (2800m), he mentioned this race and he was adamant that we should come here,” said Botti. “We followed Oisin’s advice and it worked out well. “Giavellotto was fresh coming into the race and it was only his sixth race of the year. We knew that, if he handled a drop back to a mile and a half (2400m) on a sharper track than Newmarket – where he won in the summer- we had a chance.” Giavellotto slid comfortably along the rail down the back straight in the third wave, but his challenge looked to have hit the buffers when the gap slammed shut at the top of the straight, just as Joao Moreira launched Japanese-trained favourite Stellenbosch with a big run down the outside. Murphy refused to panic and, having spotted the leaders a couple of lengths start, cut back to the inside and broke the logjam at the head of the race, coming home two and a half lengths clear of fellow Newmarket resident Dubai Honour, while Stellenbosch stayed on for third. 2024 Group 1 Hong Kong Vase Replay – Giavellotto https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Sha-Tin-2024-Group-1-Hong-Kong-Vase-08122024-Giavellotto-Marco-Botti-Oisin-Murphy.mp4 “It was all very comfortable until I got to the turn, then I had to wait,” said Murphy. “And of course then you’re worried that the race is going to get away from you. “But he showed an incredible kick to get going. He was always going to win from a furlong out so I was really able to soak it up. Murphy lost his UK jockeys’ championship title to William Buick in 2024 but is still able to reflect on the perfect end to a strong season. “It’s very special,” said Murphy. “I was dreaming about winning this morning and then I stopped myself because you don’t want to pre-empt and get into that frame of mind. You have to approach the race with instinct and fortunately it worked out. “That’s my fourth Group 1 winner of the year and I had five last year. You always want more – how many have Ryan (Moore) and ‘JMac’ (James McDonald) had this year? – but I’ve no complaints and hopefully next year can be a good one as well.” Botti has always had to fight both numerically larger yards in Britain and the irresistible pull of big-money offers to buy his best middle-distance horses to race abroad, so felt a special sense of satisfaction that he had been able to repay breeder and co-owner, Francesca Francini. “The owner was very brave to resist some very good offers and most of the time they get sold and we lose the horses,” said Botti. “Then to find the next one is not easy. “Credit to the owner, who has a lot of faith in this horse and it has paid off. It’s just a dream come true. He was in Saudi early in the season and ran a solid race, and then went to Dubai. He’s just got better and better and he loves travelling.” Tom Marquand also had to wait his turn before launching Dubai Honour, who added second in the Hong Kong Vase to a third and a seventh in two tries around Sha Tin in the Group 1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m), as well as a fourth in the 2021 Hong Kong Cup. Assistant trainer Maureen Haggas said: “He was just a little bit keen early and Tom wanted to get him to settle. He was well back and travelling really well turning in and you thought if he got the gaps, he was going to run a really very good race, which he did. “The winner is a very good horse and got first run on him but he ran a hell of a race on ground that we all know is faster than he really likes, so you’ve got to be thrilled.” Stellenbosch was given a patient steer from stall 13 by Moreira until making a major move around the home turn, and the three-year-old Epiphaneia filly ran courageously to be third for trainer Sakae Kunieda and owner Katsumi Yoshida. Moreira said: “She was fantastic. We were a bit unlucky because we couldn’t get onto the fence but she is a proper horse and I’m very proud of how she ran.” Horse racing news View the full article

Boom sprinter gets the job done to claim maiden elite-level success as the equal shortest-priced winner in HKIR history.View the full article

Dream becomes a reality for jockey Oisin Murphy and trainer Marco Botti in HK$24 million contest.View the full article

Sent off the $1.10 (1-10) mortal to become the first horse in the history of the event to win three renewals of the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE) (g, 6, Acclamation {GB}–Folk Melody {Ire}, by Street Cry {Ire}) went to 2023 G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}) at the 300 metres and, with jockey James McDonald taking a long look over his left shoulder in the final 50 metres, easily held off Triple Tiara heroine Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) for the the victory. With the win, Romantic Warrior becomes the highest-earning racehorse of all time, with earnings now in excess of a staggering US$22 million. Drawn gate one, the 300,000gns Tattersalls October yearling, who was sold on to owner Peter Lau at the Hong Kong International Sale, won the short sprint to the winning post for the first time and then easily came back to McDonald to sit third as Wingspan (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) took over turning down the back of the course. Ultimately racing in the one out and one back passing midway, Romantic Warrior was held together on the turn and was poised three wide at the final corner. Tastiera went to the front in upper stretch, but Romantic Warrior was breathing down his neck, drove past and pulled readily clear. Sales history: 300,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; HK4,800,000 HRA '21 HKIS. Lifetime Record: 22-17-3-0. O-Peter Lau Pak Fai; B-Corduff Stud & T J Rooney; T-Danny Shum. Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong LONGINES HONG KONG CUP-G1, HK$40,000,000, Sha Tin, 12-8, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 2:00.51, gd. 1–ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE), 126, g, 6, by Acclamation (GB) 1st Dam: Folk Melody (Ire), by Street Cry (Ire) 2nd Dam: Folk Opera (Ire), by Singspiel (Ire) 3rd Dam: Skiphall (GB), by Halling (300,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; HK$4,800,000 HRA '21 HKIS). O-Peter Lau Pak Fai; B-Corduff Stud & T J Rooney; T-Danny Shum; J-James McDonald; HK$22,400,000. Lifetime Record: Horse of the Year, Ch. 4yo, 2x. Ch. Middle Distance Horse-HK, G1SW-Aus & Jpn, 22-17-3-0, $22,495,761. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Liberty Island (Jpn), 122, f, 4, Duramente (Jpn)–Yankee Rose (Aus), by All American (Aus). O-Sunday Racing Co Ltd; B-Northern Racing; T-Mitsumasa Nakauchida; J-Yuga Kawada; HK$8,400,000. 3–Tastiera (Jpn), 126, c, 4, Satono Crown (Jpn)–Partitura (Jpn), by Manhattan Cafe (Jpn). O-Carrot Farm Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm; T-Noriyuki Hori; J-Damian Lane; HK$4,600,000. Margins: 1HF, 1 1/4, 2. Odds: 1-10, 83-10, 13-1. Also Ran: The Foxes, Straight Arron (Aus), Calif (Ger), Content (Ire), Spirit Dancer (GB), Nimble Nimbus (NZ), Wingspan (Ire), Encountered (Ire). Click for the HKJC chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO. HISTORY MADE AS ROMANTIC WARRIOR WINS THE @LONGINES HONG KONG CUP! pic.twitter.com/QCLTNKx7y0 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 8, 2024 The post Romantic Warrior Downs Japanese Duo For Unprecedented Third Hong Kong Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rider Penalties H Grace | Taranaki 5 December; use of whip; fined $200. W Pinn | North Canterbury 6 December; medical clearance required. L Satherley | Auckland 7 December; careless riding; suspended 15-20 December inclusive. M Cartwright | Te Aroha 8 December; careless riding; suspended 15-20 December inclusive. R Goyaram | Te Aroha 8 December; careless riding; suspended 14-22 December inclusive. R Elliot | Te Aroha 8 December; medical clearance required. W Kennedy | Te Aroha 8 December; medical clearance required. Trainer Penalties A Forsman | Rotorua 4 December; late rider declaration; fined $50. C Ormsby | Auckland 7 December; late rider declaration; fined $50. S Marsh | Te Aroha 8 December; late rider declaration; fined $100. Horse Penalties GILLIAN | Rotorua 4 December; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. CHAMBRAY | Rotorua 4 December; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. RAARDY RAAR | North Canterbury 6 December; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. RED STAR BELLA | North Canterbury 6 December; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. GOLDEN | Auckland 7 December; epistaxis; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. MCCLENAGHAN | Te Aroha 8 December; lame; veterinary clearance required. The post 2-8 December 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

What Dubbo Races Where Dubbo Turf Club – Merrilea Rd, Dubbo NSW 2830 When Monday, December 9, 2024 First Race 2:10pm AEDT Visit Dabble The new week of racing is set to get underway at Dubbo Turf Club on Monday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-part program lined up. The rail moves out +3m between the 900m and 400m markers, while the remainder is in the true position the rest of the way around. The track is rated a Soft 7 at the time of acceptances, but with some clearing days across the weekend, expect the surface to improve prior to the opening event at 2:10pm local time. Best Bet at Dubbo: Climate Control Climate Control gave a good account of himself at Rosehill on November 30 and looks perfectly placed dropping back to BM58 company. The son of Nicconi steps out to 1300m for the first time in the preparation after hitting the line well over the 1100m, giving the five-year-old plenty of time to wind-up down the Dubbo straight. Mitch Stapleford will be forced to drag back towards the rear of the field from gate 15, but with an element of class compared to his rivals, punters can expect Climate Control to be right in this. Best Bet Race 7 – #4 Climate Control (15) 5yo Gelding | T: Jeremy Gask | J: Mitch Stapleford (a1.5kg) (61kg) +280 with Neds Next Best at Dubbo: Beauty Edge Beauty Edge got a pass mark first-up for his new stable at Narromine on November 24, finding the 1100m too sharp after a 92-day spell. He hit the line well on the worst part of the track towards the inside and should take significant improvement stepping out to the 1300m second-up. Kody Nestor will attempt to sit closer this time around and provided Beauty Edge can get within striking distance turning for home, expect this guy to be finishing off best. Next Best Race 2 – #1 Beauty Edge (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Clint Lundholm | J: Kody Nestor (60kg) +450 with BlondeBet Best Value at Dubbo: Bamboula The each-way price with horse racing bookmakers about Bamboula is simply too good to ignore. The son of Press Statement broke his maiden in stylish fashion at Forbes on August 4 before being sent to the paddock, leading every step of the way to score by 1.1 lengths eased down. The Jim McMillan-trained gelding has no official trial as he returns after a 127-day spell, and although he lacks fitness compared to some key rivals, the $21.00 with Picklebet makes Bamboula an obvious each-way play in the penultimate. Best Value Race 6 – #3 Bamboula (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Jim McMillan | J: Dylan Stanley (a2kg) (58kg) +2000 with Picklebet Monday quaddie tips for Dubbo Dubbo quadrella selections December 9, 2024 3-4-6-9 1-4-8-9 1-2-3 1-4-5-6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Driver Penalties R Cameron | NZ Metropolitan 4 December; use of whip; suspended 5-13 December inclusive. K Butt | NZ Metropolitan 4 December; out of position at candy pole; fined $100. S Thornley | NZ Metropolitan 4 December; contacted track markers; fined $100. R Harrison | NZ Metropolitan 4 December; failed to activate hopple shorteners; fined $100. T Williams | NZ Metropolitan 6 December; careless driving; suspended 14-17 December inclusive. G Smith | NZ Metropolitan 6 December; careless driving; suspended 7-17 December inclusive. J Cox | NZ Metropolitan 6 December; use of whip; suspended 9-17 December inclusive and fined $300. S Thornley | NZ Metropolitan 6 December; contacted track markers; fined $100. B Orange | NZ Metropolitan 6 December; out of position at start; fined $100. G Sugars | NZ Metropolitan 6 December; out of position at start; fined $100. P Davis | Geraldine 7 December; careless driving; suspended 8-15 December inclusive. H Sail | Geraldine 7 December; use of whip; suspended 14-17 December inclusive. R Harrison | Geraldine 7 December; failed to activate hopple shorteners; fined $200. G O’Reilly | Geraldine 7 December; use of whip; fined $500. R Close | Geraldine 7 December; use of whip; fined $250. L Dobbs | Geraldine 7 December; use of whip; fined $300. L Dobbs | Geraldine 7 December; careless driving; fined $250. D Anderson | Forbury Park 8 December; failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures; suspended 9 December – $ January inclusive. Trainer Penalties R Houghton | NZ Metropolitan 4 December; failed to affix bandage so as not to come adrift; fined $100. J Teaz | Auckland 6 December; failed to affix bandage so as not to come adrift; fined $100. J Morrison | Forbury Park 8 December; incorrect gear; fined $100. Horse Penalties GEORGE ELIOT | NZ Metropolitan 6 December; lame; veterinary clearance required. CHASE A DREAM | NZ Metropolitan 6 December; blundered after finish; veterinary clearance required. IDEAL CHEVRON | Geraldine 7 December; broke at start; must complete mobile start trial. RACHMANINOV | Geraldine 7 December; displayed unsatisfactory manners prior to start; must complete standing start trial. MO’UNGA | Geraldine 7 December; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. MADISON’S MOON | Forbury Park 8 December; broke in running; must complete trial. Protests TWISTED SISTER | Auckland 6 December; displayed unsatisfactory manners prior to start; declared a non-runner. ROCK LOBSTER | Geraldine 7 December; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. RACHANINOV | Geraldine 7 December; displayed unsatisfactory manners prior to start; declared a non-runner. KNOWING ME | Geraldine 7 December; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. The post 2-8 December 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Entering Sunday's G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase, the first of the four Group 1 events at the Longines Hong Kong International Races, trainer Marco Botti and jockey Oisin Murphy were a combined naught for 10 at the meeting, but the 5-year-old stayer GIAVELLOTTO (IRE) (h, 5, Mastercraftsman {Ire}–Gerika {Fr}, by Galileo {Ire}) overcame some trouble turning in, weaved his way between horses inside the final furlong and streaked clear to take the 2400-metre contest. Settled behind midfield and saving ground as Japan's Pradaria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) galloped them along at no pace whatsover, Giavellotto followed the move of 2023 G1 Melbourne Cup winner Without a Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) down the back of the track. Gong strongly on the turn, Giavellotto was moved away from the fence nearing the straight, but struck some trouble and was maneuvered to the inside of the swansonging Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and sprinted clear for a convincing victory. He is the first British-trained winner of the Vase since the late Red Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}) in 2012. Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}), making a fourth trip to Hong Kong, ran on nicely for second, while favored Stellenbosch (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) finished third after looping rivals on the bend and just failed to finish off her race with the necessary gusto. Lifetime Record: 18-7-2-5. O-Scuderia La Tesa Limited & Vaibhav Shah; B-Societa Agricola La Tesa SRL; T-Marco Botti. Cracking ride, @oismurphy! Giavellotto pounces late to land the 2024 @LONGINES Hong Kong Vase… @AtTheRaces | #HKIR | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/m8mfCf0Jl3 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 8, 2024 The post Giavellotto Slashes Home In the Hong Kong Vase appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Promising stayer Son Of Sun (NZ) (Tavistock) continued his love affair with the Ellerslie track after recording his fourth win from just six starts there when taking out the opening event on the card on Saturday, the Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers Championship Qualifier (2100m). The Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley-prepared five-year-old was expected to provide a forward showing by punters who installed him as the $4 Fixed Odds favourite in the nine-horse field. Rider Ashvin Goindasamy wasn’t afraid to put the son of Tavistock in the race as he sat outside pacemaker My Maebelline Girl throughout, before hitting the front with 300m to run. Challenged hard by Outovstock in the final stages, Son Of Sun found plenty as he held out that runner by a long neck with Terra Mitica making up good ground to finish third. Cooksley had been confident of a solid performance before the race, especially with Son Of Sun having dropped 6kgs on his most recent start, to carry only 54kgs in the open handicap event. “It turned out to be a really good run,” Cooksley said. “We had hoped to have him third or fourth in the running but he was up by the leader, where he has won here before, so it was a good win. “If he comes through this well he will go to the Waikato Cup (Gr.3, 2400m). That’s why he ran here today as I didn’t think he had enough (rating) points to make that field but he should do now. “He is probably at the same stage as Trust In You, who won the Stayers Final for us last year, but I do think he could end up being the better horse.” Goindasamy was delighted with the result after his charge he settled beautifully throughout the race. “I thought there may have been more speed earlier, but he jumped out of the gates well and while he got a little bit keen at the 800m, once the speed went on he was nicely on the bridle,” he said. “He was very strong and felt like he would be hard to run down no matter what.” Bred by Melway Farm, Son Of Sun is raced by a large syndicate under the New Zealand Gingkosun Investment Ltd banner after being purchased from the Cambridge Stud draft for $65,000 during the Book 1 Sale at Karaka in 2021. He has now won five of his 17 starts and over $193,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

A pair of well-related gallopers delivered impressive fresh-up victories for Roger James and Robert Wellwood across the weekend. Irish Legacy (I Am Invincible), a daughter of multiple Australian Group One-winning mare Shillelagh, made her four-year-old debut at Ellerslie on Saturday, after four appearances last term included a third placing in the Gr.3 Mufhasa Stakes (1200m). Backed into odds-on favouritism in the TAB 1200, Irish Legacy was patiently handled by Ryan Elliot early, easing into a midfield position on the back of her younger stablemate Osteria. A wall of horses were in front of the mare nearing the 250m, but Elliot quickly reverted to the inside and once she found clear air, Irish Legacy put the field away comfortably, with Osteria (NZ) (Ribchester) holding on gamely to complete the Kingsclere quinella. Wellwood was rapt with the performance, with the ultimate goal to boost her black-type record for Christopher Grace, who bred and co-owns the blue-blooded mare. “She was very impressive, maturity has been a big thing for her both physically and mentally,” he said. “She’s not the easiest filly, but she’s certainly grown up a lot. “She got a bit of black-type at three so clearly the ability was there, but to see her sprint and put them away as easily as she did yesterday, it was a nice statement. “I think we’ll work through the grades, but she’s by I Am Invincible out of a Group One winner, so the more black-type we can get, the better. She has been retained by her breeder, so we want to find some black-type at some point.” Wellwood also praised the efforts of Osteria, the Ribchester three-year-old recording his fourth top-three finish in as many starts this campaign for owner-breeders Barneswood Farm. “He was very good, he ran a good race but just unfortunately ran into what is a very good mare,” he said. “We’re not sure where we will head with him next, but he’ll probably step up to 1400 now.” On Sunday, James and Wellwood were represented at Te Aroha by Usain (NZ) (U S Navy Flag), who returned in style to collect his maiden success in the Team Wealleans 1400. The son of U S Navy Flag was last at the races in June, finishing fifth over a mile to Awhina. In the hands of Masa Hashizume, who won earlier in the meeting aboard Dua Dance, Usain was eased back from a wide gate, travelling wide early before finding cover behind race-favourite Bak Da Angel. The gelding crossed to the centre of the track down the home straight and kept finding, kicking away from Bak Da Angel in the final strides to score by a half-length. “We were hopeful that he would go and win today, but we thought that he may have to get out to a mile,” Wellwood said. “He’s strengthened up a lot into this preparation, he’s still got a lot to learn and he lay in coming down the straight, but he hit the line strongly and was pretty impressive.” Usain is the eighth foal out of Etah, making him a half-brother to Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) winner Etah James. Wellwood expects, with time, the gelding can also make his mark in the staying ranks. “We certainly think he’s only going to get better as he goes further and probably with a bit more time,” he said. “Looking to next year, that is probably when we’re going to see him really put his hand up, he’s still got some maturing to do but the family has probably been a bit like that.” Usain is raced by his breeders, Mark and Cath Lupton, Terry Reid and Gary Howes. View the full article

This week on Weigh In the team are joined by Allan Sharrock fresh off Ladies Man TAB Mufhasa Classic win. We review Babylon Berlin’s Concorde win and ask what’s next for Bonecrusher Stakes winner Sethito. We celebrate Jaylah Kennedy’s Ballarat Cup win & catch up with Emily ahead of a massive night in Hong Kong. Weigh In, December 8 View the full article

Lynda German has been a familiar figure in harness racing industry for much of the past two decades, but she went back to her thoroughbred roots at Ellerslie on Saturday, securing her first winner as a trainer with Steely Man (NZ) (Embellish). In his first racing preparation, Steely Man has been a model of consistency running into the placings in each of his first three starts, including a close-up third to Risque Ruler at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day. Matt Cartwright retained the ride on the $3 favourite and settled him quietly into midfield and one off the fence, while plenty of horses were racing fiercely behind a slow tempo. Turning for home, Cartwright manoeuvred through the field and found clear air near the inside, and in a competitive four-way charge to the line, Steely Man came out on top by a neck to Pennine Way. German was thrilled with the result, particularly to have done so at the iconic Auckland venue. “We were absolutely rapt,” she said. “It was really good, Matt didn’t want to burn him early so he took a really nice position and he got caught in the middle a bit, so he did really well to hold on long enough and sprint home. “Ellerslie have done a fabulous job, we were very fortunate that while they were conditioning the track and holding a lot of jump-outs, we were able to take him there and have a great preparation.” Based in Clevedon with her long-term partner and multiple Group One-winning harness trainer John Dickie, German has had plenty of involvement with the standardbreds, but her first venture into the racing industry came through the gallopers. “I’ve worked with thoroughbreds right from when I was at school, I was an apprentice jockey many years ago and I’ve continued to work with horses the whole way through,” German said. “I’ve worked for people like Tony Pike, Graham Thomas and Murray Baker over the years. I got involved with harness when I met John, which was 18 years ago, but I continued to ride work for Murray right up to when we moved to Clevedon, which was about 11 years ago.” After training thoroughbreds in her own right intermittently since the 2009/10 term, German and Dickie headed to the Karaka National Weanling Sales in 2021, with their sights set on purchasing the son of Embellish, who was offered for sale by Cambridge Stud. “John purchased him from the weanling sales and that was the first year that progeny of Embellish were offered, so he thought he was going to get him for a nice price,” German said. “Somebody else wanted him too, so instead of $6000, he went to $20,000, but we’re just happy to have him. “We have had to wait quite a long time for him because he was pretty immature, so it was extremely satisfying to get this win. I’ve had quite a few thoroughbreds and basically it’s my hobby, I just do them before work in the morning. “I’ve had a couple of nice ones that I’ve sold on, but he’s the first one that has been quite consistent in his performance. “We’ll continue to race him through the summer, there’s so many races at Ellerslie to choose from so it’ll either be on Boxing Day or New Year’s Day. Our intentions have always been to step him up over ground, but he’s showing that he’s got plenty of speed at a mile, so whether we step up now or keep going over a mile for little bit, we’ll see. “As soon as we purchased him, he went in a paddock with two weanling standardbreds. It’s so interesting, those three horses are still mates today, they’ve gone on slightly different journeys but it’s cool that all three have been winners, and look like they will continue on.” The pair returned to the Weanling Sales in June this year and were pleased to secure a filly by Sword Of State, out of a Turn Me Loose mare Lady Of Jewels. Herself unraced, Lady Of Jewels is a daughter of Alcaldesa, who won the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1200m) for co-breeder Tony Bambry. View the full article

Photo: HKJC The Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) is one of the most prestigious events on the global horse racing calendar, and the 2024 edition promises to deliver more thrilling moments and unforgettable performances. For fans who want to relive the excitement or catch up on the action they missed, we’ve got you covered with replays of all the key races. Whether it’s the electrifying victory of a champion sprinter or the intense competition in one of the four Group 1 races set to be run, our free replays of HKIR 2024 brings you front-row access to all the highlights from Sha Tin. Free Sha Tin Race Replays & Results 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Race 1 – Silent Witness Handicap (1200 METRES) Race Replay & Results https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Sha-Tin-Race-1-Silent-Witness-Handicap-08122024-Happy-Park-Francis-Lui-Andrea-Atzeni.mp4 Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Odds (W) Odds (P) 1st 11 Happy Park Francis Lui Andrea Atzeni ODDS ODDS 2nd 5 Brilliant Express John Size Hugh Bowman ODDS 3rd 1 City Thunder Chris So Lyle Hewitson ODDS 4th 4 Mr Energia David Hall Zac Purton Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 11-5 $14.65 Exacta 11-5 $38.60 Duet 11-5 $5.50 Duet 11-1 $12.05 Duet 5-1 $11.15 Trifecta 11-5-1 $312.50 First Four 11-5-1-4 $1,714.10 Horse racing news View the full article

The race provided trainer Jason DaCosta with a happy ending to his year. In March, he was suspended 15 days after his trainee, Poker Partner, tested positive for gabapentin in a July 2023 postrace test at Presque Isle Downs.View the full article

The former Manchester United manager’s seven-year-old Spirit Dancer will tackle the Longines Hong Kong Cup on Sunday.View the full article

Tenma is trainer Bob Baffert's eighth consecutive Starlet winner and 11th for him overall, as well as the fourth one owned by Charlie and Susan Chu's Baoma.View the full article

Getting blinkers off following an uninspired third in her most recent start in the GII Oak Leaf at Santa Anita in October, Tenma (Nyquist) went to the front and never looked back, rolling to a confident victory in Saturday's GII Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos. Hustled to the front by the newcoming Juan Hernandez, the Baoma Corp runner quickly encountered Look Forward (Bolt d'Oro), a debut winner at Del Mar last month, who pressed her from the inside through an opening quarter in :23.41. With the pair continuing to exchange blows through a reasonable :48.25 half, the leaders kept each other close rounding the home turn. Remaining in lockstep with their noses pointed to the wire, Look Forward gained a brief advantage in the lane but it was a stubborn Tenma who regained the winning thread late to easily best her rival. Favored Vodka With a Twist (Thousand Words), who finished runner-up in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies last out, rounded out the trifecta, well behind the top two. “I worked her before her first race and then again last week and she went really good,” said Hernandez. “With the blinkers off she relaxed perfectly and was really enjoying herself out there.” A neck winner under Kazushi Kimura in her career bow at Del Mar in August, the $850,000 OBSAPR grad followed up with a nose score ahead of Vodka With a Twist in the Sept. 7 GI Del Mar Debutante Stakes before her initial lifetime defeat last time out. The victory represented the eighth for her Hall of Fame trainer, who also conditioned Dream Tree (2017), Chasing Yesterday (2018), Bast (2019), Varda (2020), Eda (2021), Faiza (2022) and Nothing Like You last year. He won the race three times when it was known as the Hollywood Starlet at Hollywood Park with Excellent Meeting (1998), Habibti (2001) and Streaming (2013). “It's great to win the Starlet again,” said Baffert. “She had been training really well. She took a step back after Del Mar, so that's why we decided to pass the Breeders' Cup [Juvenile Fillies]. She was back to her old self and I thought she would bring her A game today and Juan (Hernandez) is riding with such confidence.” Pedigree Notes: Bred by TV celebrity chef Bobby Flay, the $200,000 Keeneland September yearling flourished into an $850,000 OBS April juvenile after Donato Lanni secured the flashy filly for Boama Corp. Tenma is the second foal for Amaganssett, purchased for $875,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale in 2018. Second dam Twirl (Ire) is a full-sister to Irish Group 1 winner Misty For Me (Ire), herself responsible for MG1SWs U S Navy Flag and Roly Poly, both by War Front. Additionally, Misty For Me is also the dam of Group 1 scorer Ballydoyle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who in turn produced a pair of black-type winners. Unraced Amagansett, who produced a colt by Munnings in 2023, sold for $400,000 at last season's Fasig-Tipton November Sale. After a mile and sixteenth duel #5 TENMA ($7.00) draws away from #4 Look Foward to win the $200,000 Starlet Stakes (G2) at @losalracing for trainer @BobBaffert – his eleventh victory in this race. The 2yo daughter of @DarleyAmerica's Nyquist is owned by @BaomaCorp. pic.twitter.com/NdbBJ5GspB — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 8, 2024 The post Nyquist’s Tenma Back on Top in Starlet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

KimDon Racing's Tizzy in the Sky continued her proficiency over the racing surface at Aqueduct Racetrack by capturing the $200,000 Go for Wand Stakes (G3) Dec. 7 under hot-riding Flavien Prat. View the full article

Trainer Brian Lynch saddled the winners of the Inaugural and Sandpiper Stakes for owner Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing.View the full article

It's easy to look back and wonder about "what if?" Yet there are times when a bright future can outweigh all of that. The 3-year-old colt Locked surely fits nicely into that mold.View the full article

By Brigette Solomon A training double and a driving treble made for a very successful night for Bob Butt at Alexandra Park on Friday. The Woodend trainer-driver’s trek north saw him win with two of his own horses, Princess Meritaten and Gold Bullion, with Princess Meritaten being a standout winner for the night with her success in the Group 3 Caduceus Club Northern Breeders Stakes. From barrier nine, Butt settled Princess Meritaten back in the field one off the fence and four back, while race favourite Lady Of The Light led up in a soft tempo. There were no mid race moves, and Butt was in no rush, awaiting the home bend before making his run wide on the track where Princess Meritaten let down to display blistering speed to clinch the win by a length over the second placed Dance Til Dawn, with Lady Of The Light third. “I was rapt with the way she let down tonight, from where I was I would have been happy to run into the placings but she just had too much speed for them,” said Butt, “she’s got a heap of gate speed and can race handy too so we’ll just be hoping for a good draw for the Queen Of Hearts next week now.” Racing in the famous Brian O’Meara colours, it was also somewhat fitting the Princess Meritaten should win on the same night as O’Meara’s great horse Christian Cullen led out the field at Addington for the race named after him – the Group 1 $200,000 The Christian Cullen for 4YO pacers, won by Rakero Rocket. O’Meara co-bred and co-races Princess Meritaten who has now won seven from 13. She is now a $1.90 favourite in the fixed odds markets ahead of the Group 1 Queen Of Hearts on Friday. Immediately following his first win, Butt was back in the winner’s circle with Gold Bullion in the Thames Members Handicap Trot. In his first start at Alexandra Park and off a 20 metre handicap, Gold Bullion stepped away smoothly to settle second last in running where he remained until the final lap. From the 600 metre mark Gold Bullion shifted out to sit three back in the three wide line which was led by Pantani. With his horse full of running, Butt took the gelding to the extreme outside on the final bend and once balanced up he sprinted home strongly to hit the line and win by a nose over Halberg who was bold in defeat. “He was good tonight and finished the race off nicely,” said Butt, “I’m pretty happy with both of them heading into next week’s races.” The four-year-old gelding by Father Patrick is raced, and was also bred, by Butt’s grandparents Robin and Jackie Butt, and has now recorded six wins and just over $96,000 in stakes. His next assignment is the Listed Dunstan Icandoosit Handicap Trot at Alexandra Park on Friday. The wins from the pair of Butt trained horses were impressive, and the success continued for Butt when he drove a third consecutive winner for the night with the Arna Donnelly trained Little Spike who took out the Noel Fox Memorial Pace. View the full article

Te Akau Racing and Fortuna Racing have a remarkable association with two-year-old fillies and they unveiled another exciting prospect at Trentham on Saturday in the form of Marokopa Falls (Hellbent). The daughter of Hellbent was not fully tested in her sole trial appearance at Taupo on November 26, and in a compact four-horse juvenile field on debut, she closed a $3.50 second-favourite behind race-winner Too Sweet ($1.80). Each of the quartet jumped positively and with plenty of early speed, Too Sweet found the rail and the lead as they descended down the TAB chute. Marokopa Falls shadowed the filly throughout and got on even terms as they straightened, and after breaking away from Abbakiss and Ferrari, the pair set to fight out the finish with Marokopa Falls finding an extra kick under Craig Grylls to score by a half-length at the post. Grylls, who currently leads the national jockey’s premiership narrowly over Sam Spratt, was complimentary of the filly’s first-up effort. “She was well prepared for today,” he said. “She hopped away nice to sit outside the leader, was little bit green coming across the junction, as they quite often can be, but once balanced she let down really nicely. “She was very professional, a nice mover, and for her first go after only one trial it was pretty impressive.” Mark Walker, who prepares the Te Akau contingent alongside Sam Bergerson, indicated Marokopa Falls would return to Trentham at short notice, with the Gr.2 Happy Hire Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) her next assignment. “She has a lot of natural ability and will take further improvement from the trip away and the win,” Walker said. “Her next start will be in the Group Two Wakefield Stakes and it would be great to get some black type at just her second start.” The stable won last year’s edition of the Wakefield with subsequent Group One-winning filly Captured By Love, who like Marokopa Falls, was purchased out of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The latter was secured by David Ellis and Fortuna Racing’s John Galvin for $57,500, the exact figure the pair outlaid to buy their 14-time Group One winner Melody Belle. In the early stages of her illustrious career, Melody Belle won the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), a race Marokopa Falls is ineligible for as an Australian-bought filly. Galvin was on course to witness the victory, alongside several members of the Fortuna Marokopa Falls Syndicate. “It was a lovely win from a lovely filly that the team obviously have a lot of time for,” Galvin said. “It’s not usual for us to send a two-year-old to the races off the back of one trial, so going there today gave us an indication of what the trainers think of her. She was very professional and relaxed in the birdcage and she showed those same attributes during the race. “She was bought for the same price as Melody Belle, so if she could be half as good as her then we’d have to be very happy, wouldn’t we?.” View the full article

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For jockey Flavien Prat, it was an unforgettable trifecta. In one fell swoop, he managed to break the record for stakes wins in a year, tie the mark for most graded stakes victories, and come up an intriguing Triple Crown prospect.View the full article

Age 7 and still at the top of his game, Get Smokin can still win races under various conditions.View the full article