Wandering Eyes

5th-Gulfstream, $70,000, Msw, 2-22, 3yo, 5fT, :54.74, fm, 4 lengths. PIVOTAL MOMENT (c, 3, Bolt d'Oro–Tipping Point, by Speightstown), third as the favorite after getting steadied at the start in his unveiling sprinting over the Aqueduct turf June 23, proved well worth the wait as the 9-5 favorite here. Adding blinkers and Lasix for this, he was outsprinted in sixth early, launched an eye-catching, sweeping move on the far turn and continued on in very impressive fashion down the stretch to win by a geared-down, four lengths. Proudly Hailed (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}) was second. The winner is a half to Blame J D (Blame), SW, $300,919; a 2-year-old filly named Missy Moosey (Mendelssohn); and a yearling filly by Mo Town. Tipping Point was bred to Maximus Mischief for 2025. Sales history: $90,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $330,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $52,800. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Steven Bouchey & Steven Rocco; B-James W. Matheney (KY); T-Christophe Clement. Pivotal Moment and @bravoace impressively score in the 5th race for @clementstable. #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet pic.twitter.com/0GKVk2s0f3 — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) February 22, 2025 The post Bolt d’Oro Colt Earns Diploma in Style Over Gulfstream Lawn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Just as her arch nemesis has disappeared, Practical Magic must contend with another smart trotter. The in-form mare heads to the second day of Cromwell’s big weekend of harness racing seeking a deserved win after four second placings. The last three of those have come at the hands of the rejuvenated Hidden Talent, who has proven to be unstoppable over the past month. While trainer Phil Williamson rates Practical Magic ($4.40) a strong hope of breaking through in Race 9, the Anderson Park Motel Handicap Trot (4.28pm) for a thoroughly deserved win, he knows she has another classy contender to overcome. “I think Eurokash ($1.90) is the one to beat but our mare is definitely the hardest horse for him to beat,” Williamson said. “He has to give us 30m which is a good advantage to us.” Practical Magic has been a great find for the Williamson stable over summer, placing in nine of her 12 starts. While she has put in a few rough steps in some of her stronger efforts, she only seems to be getting more fluent. “I think she is getting confidence in herself and confidence in her gait.” “She has shocked us with how she has kept improving.” “Her form was just OK but she has just kept getting better and better.” Williamson starts three horses in Sunday’s feature trot at Cromwell with Jimmy Carter and Majestic Love stepping out alongside Practical Magic. Jimmy Carter has been on his best behaviour in his last two starts, but he’s only produced fair fourth placings for a horse of his ability. “His run on Friday was pretty ordinary by his standards and I couldn’t really put a finger on why.” “It is good to see him doing things right, but he would need to go better than that if he was going to be a chance on Sunday.” Majestic Love made an early error at Cromwell on Friday and will need to improve her manners to feature on day two. Our Pinocchio will attempt to go one better than his second placing on day one when backing up for Williamson on Sunday. There are plusses and minuses as the seven-year-old approaches his second start in three days. “He isn’t the best traveller, so being up here is an advantage for him.” “But he is a big, lean machine so the back-up is not ideal for a horse like him.” “He went a good race on Friday, the race was run upside down a bit and he was beaten by a horse off the pace.” “He would have to be an each way chance again.” Williamson also starts his maidener Didn’t Di, who looks a place chance after being checked on day one. View the full article

The 12th race at Oaklawn Feb. 23 will mark the debut of JRita Young Thoroughbreds' Mayor. The gelding is named after the late Van Buren, Ark., mayor Allen Toothaker, father of Spendthrift Farm's Mark Toothaker.View the full article

There are seven horse racing meetings set for Australia on Sunday, February 23. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Ballarat, Nowra & Sha Tin (HK). Sunday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – February 23, 2025 Ballarat Racing Tips Nowra Racing Tips Sha Tin (HK) Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on February 23, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Recommended! 4 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 5 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Whitham Thoroughbreds LLC's Burnham Square (Liam's Map), who last captured the GIII Holy Bull Stakes Feb. 1, breezed five furlongs in 1:01.05 (2/13) Saturday morning at Palm Meadows in preparation for next Saturday's GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park. The Ian Wilkes-trained colt finished the workout at Gulfstream's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County on even terms with stablemate Into Champagne (Into Mischief), who finished second in the GII Davona Dale Stakes and third in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks last year, before galloping out with energy. “It was a solid five-eighths in 1:01,” said Wilkes. “He galloped out good. I loved the gallop-out. He galloped out really well. All good! He came off the track happy.” At Palm Beach Downs, CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC's 'TDN Rising Star' River Thames (Maclean's Music) and Donegal Racing's Gate to Wire (Munnings) breezed a half-mile in company in :49.50 (11/22) Saturday morning for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. River Thames is scheduled to make his two-turn debut in the Fountain of Youth while Gate to Wire is also set to make his two-turn debut next Saturday after upsetting the seven-furlong Swale by nine lengths on the Holy Bull undercard. St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Thoroughbreds' Keep It Easy (Hard Spun) also tuned up for the Fountain of Youth with a half-mile breeze in :48.72 (37/115) at Gulfstream Park. The Dale Romans-trainee is slated to make his 2025 debut next Saturday after taking the Ed Brown Stakes to finish out 2024. The post Holy Bull Winner Burnham Square Leads Fountain Of Youth Workers Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stop me if you've heard this one before. Japanese-trained runners dominated the Saudi Cup meeting, landing the big race itself and a clean sweep of the turf races, while peppering results elsewhere on the card with placed finishers. A little sprinkling of European spice was added to the mix in the French breeding of the G2 Howden Neom Turf Cup winner Shin Emperor (Fr), whose heritage is shared by Christophe Lemaire, rider of the G2 1351 Turf Sprint winner Ascoli Piceno (Jpn) but now just as much a son of Japan as of France. Irish native and British champion jockey Oisin Murphy got in on the act, too, when delivering Byzantine Dream (Jpn) for the turf hat-trick in the G2 Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap, but this was as much as the European raiders could claim credit for as Japan came out on top across the range of distances. In six years of the Saudi Cup meeting, Japanese horses have now won 50 per cent of the runnings of the 1351 Turf Sprint, Red Sea Turf Handicap, Riyadh Dirt Sprint and Saudi Derby, while the Neom Turf Cup has gone Japan's way twice. Moreover, Forever Young (Jpn) and Panthalassa (Jpn) have struck gold in two of the last three runnings of the G1 Saudi Cup, making Yoshito Yahagi the outstanding trainer of the meeting with six victories to his credit. Alan Carasso was on the scene in Riyadh for TDN and has a full report here on the epic Saudi Cup battle between Forever Young and Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior (Ire). The meeting had started well for Yahagi when he landed the Howden Neom Turf Cup for the first time with Shin Emperor. From first electing to buy the Siyouni (Fr) colt for a sale-topping €2.1 million at Arqana in August 2022, Yahagi, the most intrepid of all the Japanese trainers, hasn't shirked a battle with the perky chestnut. Expectations were high from the outset – after all, Shin Emperor is a full-brother to the Arc and Prix du Jockey Club winner Sottsass (Fr) – and indeed this penultimate foal of the celebrated Ecurie des Monceaux matriarch Starlet's Sister (Ire) has deliverered in each of his three seasons in training to date. Runner-up to future G1 Arima Kinen winner Regaleira (Jpn) in the G1 Hopeful Stakes at two, Shin Emperor, already a Grade 3 winner on only his second start, went on to run third in last year's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) before being beaten only a length when third in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes behind Economics (GB) and Auguste Rodin (Ire). He finished last year with yet another high-class performance to be second by a neck in the G1 Japan Cup. Gritty is the only way to describe his hard-earned victory in Riyadh. Setting out to make the running, he was pestered most of the way on the lead by Trustyourinstinct (Ire) and, as the chasing pack fanned across the track in the home stretch, Shin Emperor briefly looked under threat of attack from a clutch of European runners. His tenacity could not be matched, however, and Calif (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), the winner of last year's G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis who has subsequently switched from the Lerner stable to Fawzi Nass, eventually finished best of the rest to take second up the rail from from the Joseph O'Brien-trained fellow Group 1 winner Al Riffa (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). “We planned to go to the front,” said Shin Emperor's jockey Ryusei Sakai, whose day would only get better. He added, “I knew I was going to win.” Yahagi was similarly bullish. “Shin Emperor was definitely the best horse in the field,” he said. “With 200 metres remaining, I was convinced he would win.” The trainer added that the Dubai Sheema Classic is next on his international wish list for Shin Emperor and it was no surprise to hear that Yahagi is also considering appearances at Ascot and York. Japan then landed the one-two in the 1351 Turf Sprint when the similarly tough filly Ascoli Piceno (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) outgunned long-time leader Win Marvel (Jpn) (I'll Have Another) in the dying strides. Trained by Yoichi Kuroiwa, Ascoli Piceno, a granddaughter of the G1 Fillies' Mile winner Listen (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), was the class act of the field, having landed the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies before finishing second last year in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas). The Sunday Racing team celebrates Ascoli Piceno's win | JCSA “Today the track is very, very fast, so the horse in front was difficult to catch up with, but she battled bravely,” said Christophe Lemaire. “It was a shorter distance than she usually runs over, but she follows easily in a race and today, being fresh, she was straight into a good rhythm and I knew that she was going to produce a great performance.” Oisin Murphy may not enjoy quite the same level of adulation as that given to Lemaire but he is nonetheless immensely popular with Japanese racing fans after several stints riding in the country and having won the Japan Cup in 2019 aboard Suave Richard (Jpn). His standing is now doubtless greater still after a perfect hold-up ride on Kazumi Yoshida's four-year-old Byzantine Dream (Jpn (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) for what was ultimately a bloodless victory over David O'Meara's fast-finishing Epic Poet (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and 2023 St Leger winner Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), who was the sole Ballydoyle representative at the meeting. Like Ascoli Piceno, Byzantine Dream was bred by Northern Farm, while Forever Young was bred by the associated Northern Racing, ensuring a memorable day for Katsumi Yoshida's powerful operation. Byzantine Dream and Oisin Murphy | JCSA “These are very famous colours and it was great to wear them and get on him,” said Murphy. “He had a good run in the Japanese St Leger, only beaten four lengths, and that was good enough here. “He has a great turn of foot and I never had to touch his mouth on the run around and that always helps. From the time we went by the winning post the first time, as long as I did everything right, from there he was going to win.” It all sounds so easy really. Japan's four winners will take home roughly $14 million between them, and with seven of the 17 Japanese-trained runners managing a top-three finish at King Abdulaziz racecourse on Saturday, it's little wonder that confidence continues to run so high. The post Fab Four Continues Japan’s Extraordinary Run in Riyadh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-GP, $94k, Msw, 3yo, f, 7 1/2fT, 1:20p.m. ET Debuting on the Gulfstream grass for Bregman Family Racing, Athaliah (Gun Runner) will go to post from the George Weaver barn. The $480,000 KEESEP grad is out of graded-placed Divine Elegance (Uncle Mo), a half-sister to the dam of multiple Grade I-placed Standard Deviation (Curlin). This is the extended female family of GI Kentucky Oaks victress Believe You Can (Proud Citizen). To her outside is Uncommon (Quality Road), a half-sister to MGSW Fast Boat (City Zip), who hails from a busy, extended French Group 1-winning and placed family. The Robert Evans homebred will head out for trainer Christophe Clement. The farthest out is Theravada (Tapit), racing in the colors of Winter Quarter Farm and Allen Schubert. She is out of MGSW & MGISP Cambodia (War Front), who is a half-sister to the dam of MGSW Danse Macabre (Army Mule) and SP Pretty Liam (Liam's Map). This is the immediate family of three-time South African champion sprinter MG1SW-SAf Overarching (Arch), herself dam of G1SW Lady of the House (SAf) (Dynasty {Saf}). TJCIS PPs 5th-OP, $110k, Msw, 3yo, 6f, 3:02p.m. ET A $1.1-million KEESEP purchase, Cornucopian (Into Mischief) goes to post here for trainer Bob Baffert. A half-brother to a fleet of accomplished siblings, namely 'TDN Rising Star' MGISW Guarana (Ghostzapper), GSW Beatbox (Pioneerof the Nile), and 'TDN Rising Star' SW & GSP Magic Dance (More Than Ready), the colt hails from the line of GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Pleasant Home (Seeking the Gold). This is the immediate female line of MGISW Point of Entry (Dynaformer) and MGISW Pine Island (Arch). The morning line has him tabbed at 2-1 odds. TJCIS PPs 4th-FG, $52k, Msw, 3yo/up, f, 6f, 3:15p.m. ET Unveiling for Qatar Racing in this Fair Grounds maiden is HEAVENLY SUNSET (Constitution), a three-quarter sister to GISW Valiance (Tapit), and who is herself out of a Grade I winner named Last Full Measure (Empire Maker). She is an $850,000 KEESEP purchase in 2023 and brings a steady worktab at Payson Park for trainer Brad Cox. The morning line has her tabbed at 7-2 odds. To her inside is Mostly Mischief (Into Mischief), a $550,000 KEESEP pick up by MKW Racing and Breeding, trained by Michael Stidham. Though late to the party, she has been showing encouraging signs in the morning, including a co-bullet move Feb. 15 over the surface when she went four furlongs in :47 flat (1/129). Her unraced dam is a half-sister to MGSW Seductively (Thunder Gulch), the dam of Japanese group winner Mitono O (Jpn) (Logotype {Jpn}). TJCIS PPs 10th-GP, $94k, Msw, 4yo/up, 1 1/16mT, 5:20p.m. ET Bred as royally as royalty tends to go, Richly Deserved (Justify) is by a Triple Crown winner and out of GI Belmont Stakes heroine Rags to Riches (A. P. Indy) and who will debut from the far outside in this Florida nightcap. While late to get going, his last six works have shown promise as four have been bullets on both surfaces at Palm Meadows Downs. He is a half-sibling to a two-time champion in Hungary named Rhett Butler (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The June foal goes to post wearing the colors of Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor for trainer Todd Pletcher. To the inside of that one is $450,000 KEESEP buy Chandigarh (Speightstown), who goes to post for trainer Chad Brown and owners Peter Brant and Robert LaPenta. TJCIS PPs The post Feb. 23 Insights: Son of Rags to Riches Debuts in Florida, Elite Pedigrees on Display appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a race worthy of its title as the richest Thoroughbred horse race in the world with a $20 million purse, a resilient Forever Young edged Romantic Warrior in a thrilling Saudi Cup (G1) Feb. 22 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.View the full article

RIYADH, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA — Susumu Fujita's FOREVER YOUNG (JPN) (c, 4, Real Steel {Jpn}–Forever Darling, by Congrats) grabbed Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in the shadow of the winning post to win a spine-tingling renewal of the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, a race that did not deserve a loser. Forever Young was part of a four-way scrum for the early lead with anticipated front-runners Walk of Stars (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Al Musmak (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) as James McDonald tucked Romantic Warrior–having his first go on a dirt track–just in behind. With positions mostly unchanged approaching the end of the back straight, McDonald took the bold decision with fully half the distance yet to cover of angling out around longshot Defunded (Dialed In) and was consigned to a five-wide run around the turn. Nevertheless, Romantic Warrior traveled on the steel, quickly moved up to them and poked his head in front, with Ryusei Sakai and Forever Young left a bit flat-footed one off the fence at the head of the lane. Romantic Warrior went clear and they were partying in Wan Chai, but as he displayed when blousing out Book'em Danno (Bucchero) at the finish of last year's G3 Saudi Derby, Forever Young loves a fight, and he began pegging back the margin with time ticking away. James McDonald was hard at work on Romantic Warrior and said post-race that the 7-year-old 'was not stopping', but Forever Young proved narrowly better on the day in a race that won't soon be forgotten. Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), last down the back, picked up the pieces late for third, picking up more Saudi prizemoney after just losing his own heartbreaker 12 months ago. The final time for the 1800 meters was 1:49.12, which breaks the previous record of 1:49.50 set by Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) in 2024. Japanese runners swept the last four races on the card. Sales history: $720,603 Ylg '22 JRHAJUL. Lifetime Record: 10-8-0-2, $14,248,207. O-Susumu Fujta; B-Northern Racing; T-Yoshito Yahagi. FOREVER YOUNG #フォーエバーヤング!!! He let Romantic Warrior go by and then ran him down late in the $20,000.000 @TheSaudiCup (G1)! The Real Steel colt takes the #WAYI @BreedersCup Classic race for trainer Yoshito Yahagi. Jockey Ryusei Sakai brings the big one home for Japan! pic.twitter.com/cEBhyw8g5Z — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 22, 2025 The post Forever Young Nips Romantic Warrior In An Epic Saudi Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In racing as in life, good things come to those who wait. And while we have had to endure an extra 24 hours for Sunday's rescheduled GII Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, the wait may just prove worth it as a full, competitive field of 3-year-olds line up with 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby on the line. The top three runners from the GIII Southwest Stakes face each other once again Sunday with Speed King (Volatile) taking top billing back on Jan. 25 over a hard-closing Sandman (Tapit) who caught the eye with his runner-up finish after breaking sideways and nearly dropping jockey Christian Torres at the start. “Take nothing away from the winner, but, yes, I think we would have won with a clean break,” trainer Mark Casse told the TDN Writers' Room this week of Sandman. “I knew going in that we were going to find out whether he was a man or a boy. I think he proved he was a man. We all know that a lot of horses, even a lot of good horses, are not able to be to overcome what he was able to overcome. So I don't know about everybody else, but I came away from the race extremely impressed.” The trio rounds out with Tiztastic (Tiz the Law) who also came running at the end to earn his third straight graded stakes placing after coming second in the GIII Street Sense and third in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club last year. Trainer Bob Baffert ships in Madaket Road (Quality Road), a runner he thought so highly of that he debuted him in the GIII Bob Hope Stakes where he ran a game second to 'TDN Rising Star' Bullard (Gun Runner) (who will scratch from this spot due to a fever) before breaking his maiden next-time out and running third to Eclipse-winning stablemate Citizen Bull (Into Mischief). Rail-drawn Coal Battle (Coal Front) comes in off three straight wins including the first of the local preps at Oaklawn in the Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 4 along with the Springboard Mile where he defeated Speed King Dec. 13. “After the (Smarty Jones), we go to the test barn, get back to the barn with him, and he's bucking and kicking down the shed row,” trainer Lonnie Briley said of Coal Battle. “Next day, it was like he didn't even run.” Another on a three-race streak is Louisiana-bred Smoken Wicked (Bobby's Wicked One) for Dallas Stewart while 'TDN Rising Star' Hypnus (Into Mischief) makes just his second start for trainer Kenneth McPeek after impressing over the Fair Grounds slop at long odds Jan. 18 while Brad Cox, who won the Rebel last year with 'Rising Star' Timberlake (Into Mischief), brings out another 'Rising Star' in Admiral Dennis (Constitution). Muhimma | Sarah Andrew Cox also features strongly in the GIII Honeybee Stakes, a Kentucky Oaks points race, earlier in the card with 'TDN Rising Star' Muhimma (Munnings) drawing the rail in an attempt to stay perfect off her win in last year's GII Demoiselle Stakes Dec. 7. “Super talent,” said Cox. “Been good from Day 1. We'll see where she takes us, but she's obviously shown the ability to win from the 1 hole already, in a large field at Aqueduct.” The top two finishers of Oaklawn's local prep, the Martha Washington Stakes, also reappear here as Kenneth McPeek's Take Charge Milady (Take Charge Indy) led in 'TDN Rising Star' and MGISP Quietside (Malibu Moon) over course and distance Jan. 25. Talented juvenile Quickick (McKinzie), last seen third behind Eclipse-winning filly Immersive (Nyquist) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar, reemerges here off two straight Grade I placings to round out 2024 (she was also second to Immersive in the GI Darley Alcibiades). Look Forward (Bolt d'Oro) makes her third start for Michael McCarthy after debuting for the late Ben Cecil at Del Mar in November. She took the Santa Ynez Stakes Jan. 5 after running second to Tenma (Nyquist) in the GII Starlet Stakes last year. Older horses feature in the GIII Razorback Handicap which includes the return of Godolphin homebred and 'TDN Rising Star' First Mission (Street Sense {Ire}) for Brad Cox. The 5-year-old last trailed home seventh in the GI Whitney Stakes at Saratoga last summer but previously took both the GIII Essex Handicap at Oaklawn and the GII Alyshebe Stakes at Churchill last year. “He's training really well,” Cox said. “Obviously, he's proven over the racetrack. I'm excited about getting him started.” He's drawn inside of Baddest Good Boy (Bernardini) for Norm Casse who makes his stakes debut Sunday and brings a perfect two-for-two record in both over the local surface. Readers will recognize plenty of familiar names in the field including: MGSW/GISP Red Route One (Gun Runner), GI Preakness third Creative Minister (Creative Cause), GSW/MGISP Skinner (Curlin) who makes his second start for Cherie DeVaux, and GSW/MGISP Crupi (Curlin) for the partnership of Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable. First Mission | Horsephotos “He's doing really well,” DeVaux said of Skinner. “Came out of his last race and trained forwardly. We didn't have him all that long, prior to his start. Hoping he puts in another good effort for us. His (speed) figures are kind of steady where they are, but I think there's room for improvement as he matures and he has matured.” The post Weather-Delayed Rebel Promises Southwest Rematch appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Straight No Chaser's brilliance, on display in winning the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) last fall at Del Mar, shone similarly in the Saudi Arabia desert when he romped in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saudi Cup day.View the full article

Jastar Capital, Polivka Equine Holdings, and Timothy Madden's White Rocks grabbed the lead at the break and never looked back, securing a victory in the $175,000 Cincinnati Trophy at Turfway Park Feb. 21 on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks (G1).View the full article

RIYADH, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA — Recently crowned champion sprinter STRAIGHT NO CHASER (h, 6, Speightster–Margarita Friday, by Johannesburg) was forced to absorb plenty of pressure from his outside in the form of the fleet Japanese galloper Jasper Krone (Frosted), but looked to have his measure at every stage, put him away approaching the stretch and powered home to take out Saturday's G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint. The victory earns the 6-year-old a fees-paid berth into the 2025 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, a race in which he capped his championship campaign in 2024. Away alertly from a high gate, the handsome dark bay led through the opening strides, but the bald face of Jasper Krone pressed forward to make the lead, as expected, with Straight No Chaser stuck down inside for the run to the turn. A horse with a well-documented 'light mouth', Straight No Chaser was under a light hold traveling extremely well passing the 400-meter pole and kept on very well for the victory. The locally based Muqtahem (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}) raced reasonably handy to the pace and claimed second ahead of Japan's Gabby's Sister (Jpn) (Apollo Kingdom) in third. Sales history: $110,000 2yo '21 FTMMAY. Lifetime Record: 11-7-0-1, $2,616,300. O-MyRacehorse; B-John Eaton & Steve Laymon (KY); T-Dan Blacker. Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia RIYADH DIRT SPRINT-G2, $2,000,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-22, NH/SH3yo/up, 1200m, 1:11.16, ft. 1–STRAIGHT NO CHASER, 125, h, 6, by Speightster 1st Dam: Margarita Friday, by Johannesburg 2nd Dam: Smile Maker, by Capote 3rd Dam: Desireux, by Fappiano ($110,000 2yo '21 FTIMAY). O-My Racehorse; B-John Eaton & Steve Laymon (KY); T-Dan Blacker; J-John Velazquez; $1,200,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. Male Sprinter-US, GISW-US, 11-7-0-1, $2,616,300. *1/2 to Hangover Saturday (Pomeroy), SW-US, $106,875. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Muqtahem (Ire), 125, g, 4, Soldier's Call (GB)–Smooth Sailing (GB), by Bated Breath (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (£27,000 Ylg '22 GOFAUG; £60,000 2yo '23 GOFAPR). O-Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah; B-Ballyhane (Ire); T-Thamer Aldaihani; J-Muhammad Aldaham; $400,000. 3–Gabby's Sister (Jpn), 121, f, 4, Apollo Kingdom–Ange d'Etoile (Jpn), by Special Week (Jpn). O-Kazuhiko Nagashima; B-Apollo Thoroughbred Club (Jpn); T-Kazutomo Mori; J-Christophe Lemaire; $200,000. Margins: 3 3/4, HF, 3. Also Ran: Halaa, Saodad (KSA), Ancestral Land (GB), Remake (Jpn), Power Of Beauty (Ire), Jasper Krone, Chikappa (Jpn), Igniter (Jpn), Nonesense. VIDEO. HOW IMPRESSIVE WAS STRAIGHT NO CHASER?!?! He did not mess around in the $2,000,000 Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) at @TheSaudiCup. @dan_blacker trains the @MyRacehorse stallion. @ljlmvel piloted him perfectly. Congrats to all the connections! Play the next: https://t.co/ebKi95dING pic.twitter.com/dvbN7cO4Z7 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 22, 2025 The post Champion Straight No Chaser Far Too Classy In Riyadh Dirt Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars YEE CHEONG GLORY - R10 (14) Impressed in his debut win and can salute again Jay Rooney JUNEAU PRIDE - R8 (8) Consistent type who looks hard to beat on his laststart second Trackwork Spy SKY JEWELLERY - R3 (2) Looks to be spot on for his Sha Tin debut and should be too strong late Phillip Woo SKY JEWELLERY - R3 (2) Has shown very good potential in his two runs and is the one to beat Shannon (Vincent Wong) SHAMUS STORM - R1 (7) Ran well for second place on debut and will be hard to beat from a good draw Racing Post Online JUNEAU PRIDE - R8 (8) Progressive youngster who should continue his climb up the ratings Tom Wood SHAMUS STORM - R1 (7) Impressive run on debut, looks tough to roll this weekendView the full article

He required most of the long straight at King Abdulaziz Racetrack, but in the end, GOLDEN VEKOMA (c, 3, Vekoma–Sticks Wondergirl, by Stevie Wonderboy) called on his class to grab Japan's dirt debutant Shin Forever (Complexity) with just under 100 meters to race and inched away to add Saturday's $1.5-million G3 Saudi Derby to his prior success in the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas across in Dubai Jan. 24. Settled midfield through the early exchanges as the undefeated Japanese filly Myriad Love (Jpn) (New Year's Day) and Shin Forever made the running, Golden Vekoma was sent in between Japanese runners at the 600 meters and had the now lone leader Shin Forever within his sights approaching the straight. The Japanese galloper, a grass maiden winner at first asking last year, had a kick and carried a clear advantage into the final furlong, but, racing on his incorrect lead, Golden Vekoma grabbed him with time ticking away and went on to prevail. Sales history: $145,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $90,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-1, $1,068,145. O-Mohammed Ahmed Ali Al Sabousi; B-Woods Edge Farm LLC (KY); T-Ahmad Bin Harmash. He had to dig deep but GOLDEN VEKOMA was able to grind out the win in the $1,500,000 Saudi Derby (G3) at @TheSaudiCup. The three-year-old son of Vekoma (@spendthriftfarm) is trained by A Bin Harmash. @connorbeasley9 gave a brilliant ride. pic.twitter.com/hc3FR4XwfZ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 22, 2025 The post Vekoma’s Golden Vekoma Guts It Out in Saudi Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Former Kiwi galloper Jimmysstar scored a stunning win in the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday under a brilliant Ethan Brown ride. The son of Per Incanto stalked eventual runner-up She’s Bulletproof and launched from the rear of the field to record an emphatic length and a quarter victory in a slick 1:02.25. The winner of two of his three starts in New Zealand for Hastings trainer Guy Lowry, a majority share in Jimmysstar was sold to clients of Ciaron Maher following a Rating 65 win at Hawke’s Bay. Maher has subsequently placed the now five-year-old to perfection with Jimmysstar having a particular affinity for Caulfield, where he has won four of five starts, with his only unplaced effort at the venue when luckless in the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at the end of last campaign. “He is a very special horse,” Maher said. “Ozzie Kheir and the team of owners, they’re great people. He’s got such a following does Jimmy. I’ve been patient, he has always shown that sort of ability and Ethan did say to me ‘it’s about time’, before the race.” Maher said winning fresh-up last campaign over the course and distance had given him the confidence to thrust the exciting talent into the Group One short-course contest fresh-up. “I think Ozzie thought I was crazy when I ran him over 1100m the first time,” he said. “He’s a special horse. He’s always shown that bit of X factor and I can’t thank Ozzie, John and the whole ownership group enough. They’re fantastic to train for, he’s got a knack of finding the best horses. “It’s huge for Sam (Williams) at Little Avondale. He is just a great advertisement for what patience can do. He was very well managed in New Zealand and came over after only a few starts.” Rising star Ethan Brown has seven Group One victories to his name and six of those have come for Maher. “I take a lot of pride in the fact we have built a good relationship and you can see he is just so confident to ride a horse like that in a Group One, it was beautiful,” Maher said. Jimmysstar was bred by Wairarapa couple Pete and Chrissy Algie in partnership with Masterton’s Little Avondale Stud. Stud proprietors Sam and Catriona Williams along with the Algies remain in the ownership of the star galloper. The chestnut gelding is by Little Avondale Stud’s outstanding stallion Per Incanto out of Anniesstar. The Zed mare won five races including the Listed Feilding Gold Cup (2100m), while her full-brother Jacksstar was a seven-time winner up to Group Two level and also placed in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) and her half-brother Bourbonaire was runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m). Anniesstar is the dam of three named foals, and all of them have been winners, including Charms Star, winner of the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m), and she was also runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and Queensland Oaks (2200m) as a three-year-old. View the full article

Champion galloper Mr Brightside notched his ninth Group One victory when winning the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes under a positive Craig Williams ride. The son of Bullbars displayed all his fighting qualities as he made it back-to-back Futurity Stakes, defying his widest draw and a strong head-wind as he raced outside the leader Private Life, with that rival trailing the field home. Mr Brightside scored by the barest of margins as Tom Kitten swooped late, while I Wish I Win turned in a strong performance for third fresh-up. “To see him win like that and just get in, it’s not good for the heart, but we’re so proud of him,” Ben Hayes said. “It’s a long week but we’re just so passionate about this guy and we know he’s good enough and he’s shown it here and he’s the most important horse that we’ve ever been involved with. “For him to continue and keep winning – that’s his ninth Group One victory – and he’s also won an All-Star Mile and that’s a Group One now so you could technically say 10.” Mr Brightside has now surpassed Better Loosen Up as the most successful Group One winner produced by Lindsay Park and is nearing on A$17 million in prizemoney. That tally can be added to as he heads to the A$2.5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington on March 8. “He’ll improve a lot from today and all he needs is a nice barrier,” Hayes said. “He’s due one, he’s drawn wide both runs this prep. If he gets a soft run where he doesn’t have to roll forward and lead, he’s a much better chaser and he’ll be right in it.” The Gr.1 Hong Kong Champions Mile (1600m) on April 27 is also a longer range target for the venerable seven-year-old. Mr Brightside was bred by Ray Johnson in partnership with his late wife Martha. He was sold as a yearling for $22,000 via Janine Dunlop’s Phoenix Park at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock May Sale, where he was bought by Phill Cataldo. He then failed to meet his $50,000 reserve when re-offered at the Ready to Run Sale. An opportunity later arose for Johnson to buy him back on gavelhouse.com for just $7,750, in conjunction with Cambridge trainer Ralph Manning and good friend Shaun Dromgool. Mr Brightside finished a luckless fifth in his sole New Zealand start at Matamata for Manning, having previously won a trial. He was subsequently sold privately to clients of the Hayes stable via Australian agent Wayne Ormond. View the full article

Coeur Volante delivered a commanding performance at Caulfield on Saturday, securing her third Stakes victory in the Gr.3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) under the guidance of jockey Blake Shinn. Prepared by Mike Moroney and Glen Thompson, the talented Proisir mare overcame a challenging run at Sandown in her previous start, showcasing her class this time around. Grinzinger Belle set a brisk early pace, allowing Coeur Volante to find the trail from a wide barrier. As the leader’s momentum waned rounding the final turn, Coeur Volante surged clear for a comfortable four length win from So Glamorous and Quintessa. Moroney was full of praise for his four-year-old mare and said the decision to be patient through last year’s Queensland Carnival was now paying dividends. “She’s a very classy filly. It’s just a matter of getting the gear [right],” Moroney said. “We had her in the Tatts Tiara (Gr.1, 1400m) and I had the blinkers on her that day and then we scratched because we weren’t happy with her and saved her for now. “She had a nice long break up there in Queensland and it’s going to pay off. Her whole demeanour is starting to change now she’s accepting racing. She went through a bit of a funny stage when she went off the boil – I think she’s back now.” Moroney also acknowledged the teamwork behind the stable’s success given the experienced horseman’s health challenges in the past 12 months. “Between me, Glen, Anthony, my partner Karen, I keep the business and the stable going. I’ve not been there a lot of late but I’m getting there,” he said. Looking ahead, Moroney confirmed that Coeur Volante is likely to head to Sydney next. “We’ll probably go up to Sydney with her now for the Coolmore (Gr.1, 1500m). We think she’s Group One class and she ran a good race here in the Thousand Guineas, probably on pretty tired legs, so I’m pretty sure that she’ll handle 1500m no problems.” Bred by Fairdale Stud, Coeur Volante is one of 21 stakes winners by Rich Hill Stud stallion Proisir. Out of the Testa Rossa mare Shanina, Coeur Volante was purchased by Paul Moroney Bloodstock in conjunction with Ballymore Stables for $90,000 out of the Prima Park draft during the Book 1 Yearling Sale at Karaka in 2022. She is the younger half-sister of stakes placed filly Hasstobemagic and comes from a family that includes multiple Australian Group Two winner Rose O’ War and outstanding race mare Savana City who included the Gr.1 AJC Oaks (2400m) amongst her eight career victories. View the full article

Four confirmed candidates for the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) had their final dress rehearsal in the Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, and a classy performance by Sethito (NZ) (Super Seth) put a spring in the step of her connections and slot-holders. Bred and raced by Waikato Stud patriarch Garry Chittick, Sethito was selected to represent Waikato Thoroughbred Racing’s slot after an impressive run of form that started with a six-length Rotorua maiden win in November. She followed that up with another win in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) and a second placing, beaten by a half-head, in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m). The Super Seth filly had a 58-day gap between the Eight Carat on Boxing Day and Saturday’s Uncle Remus, but trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott had her spot-on for the $110,000 assignment. Sethito added a new string to her bow in the Uncle Remus Stakes, settling further back than usual in fourth place for jockey Sam Spratt as Vegas Queen, Dealt With and Archaic Smile showed the way. Dealt With cruised past Vegas Queen at the top of the straight and took command, opening up a clear lead with 200m to run. But Spratt went to work on Sethito and she responded, accelerating smartly and eating into Dealt With’s advantage. Even though Dealt With showed no sign of stopping, Sethito drew alongside him and collared him in the final 50m to win by a long neck. Dealt With took second by a nose from Tardelli, with another length back to the winner’s stablemates Checkmate and Hankee Alpha. “Sethito hadn’t been anywhere for a little while, so it was very good to see her do that today,” O’Sullivan said. “Shortly after straightening for home, I thought she might be struggling to catch the leader, but then she really picked up and found the line well. “We’re certainly well pleased with how she’s tracking. She looked reasonably forward today, forward enough that the run wasn’t going to hurt her, but she should certainly go on from this. “Heading into the NZB Kiwi, I think she has a couple of factors in her favour. She’s got good tactical speed, and also she gets around Ellerslie particularly well. So that’s a couple of very strong points for her.” Sethito is by exciting Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth, who was New Zealand’s leading first-season sire last season and tops the second-season standings in 2024-25. His daughter La Dorada has recently won the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and last Saturday’s Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). The dam of Sethito, meanwhile, is the two-time Melbourne Group One winner Suavito. From six starts, Sethito has now recorded three wins, two second placings and $194,595 in stakes. She is poised to add significantly to that total on Champions Day at Ellerslie on March 8, with the TAB now rating her an $8 chance for the richest three-year-old race in the southern hemisphere. Australian raider Evaporate is the $2.80 favourite after a bold fourth in Saturday’s Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) against older horses at Caulfield, where he was beaten by less than two lengths by Mr Brightside. The others in single figures are Damask Rose ($6), Checkmate ($8) and Perfumist ($8). O’Sullivan was also more than satisfied by Saturday’s strong-finishing efforts by Checkmate and Hankee Alpha. Checkmate will represent O’Sullivan and Scott’s Wexford Stables slot in the NZB Kiwi, while Hankee Alpha was on Saturday announced as Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s runner. “Both Checkmate and Hankee Alpha ran super races,” O’Sullivan said. “Hankee Alpha got home very well late. We’re very pleased with all of those three heading towards the big one, so now we’ve just got to hang in there for another two weeks.” Spratt was impressed with Sethito’s versatility. “That was a really good performance,” she said. “She has a lot of speed, but I said to Lance before the race that we probably don’t have to lead. She jumped quite well, but I quickly decided that I’d have to do too much work to try to cross them and get to the front. She’s very tractable. “I got her out into the clear at the top of the straight and I wasn’t sure whether we’d be able to catch Dealt With, but then she quickened and got there easily. I think going a bit further in the NZB Kiwi is going to suit her even better. Hopefully we can come away with the same result – we’ve just got to hope for a decent draw.” View the full article

Smart four-year-old mare Firestorm snared a well-deserved Group Two victory when getting the better of her rivals in the Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday. Prepared by Chris Waller and ridden by Jason Collett, Firestorm was resuming from a spell and got the better of her rivals late to defeat Dark Glitter and stablemate Scarlet Oak. The daughter of Satono Aladdin commenced her career in New Zealand when prepared by Paul Mirabelli and finished sixth in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) before joining Waller. She has subsequently won four races for Waller and had been around the mark in stakes company, finishing fourth in the Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m), third in the Listed Princess Stakes (1600m), third in the Gr.3 Drinkwise Mile (1600m) and midfield in the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m). Firestorm has now only been beaten once fresh-up and Waller is keen to focus on sprint-mile distances. “Each time she’s stepped out first up basically she’s won,” Waller said. “It was a lovely ride from Jason, she was well prepared for the race today, two trials and we expected her to show something but to win a Group Two it was quite a step up. “It puts a lot of value on her. She has come back really well. “It was a lovely patient ride from Jason. There wasn’t a lot of speed. He didn’t panic and got her out at the right time. “I don’t think she gets too far. Maybe she gets a mile, but beyond that I wouldn’t, so I think now we have learnt to keep her a bit shorter and sharper, probably a race like the Coolmore Classic (Gr.1, 1500m) will suit.” Firestorm was bred and originally owned by Carl Ferguson and is by Rich Hill Stud’s boom sire Satono Aladdin, becoming the stallion’s 11th Southern Hemisphere bred stakes winner from just 88 runners or a remarkable 12.5 percent stakes winners to runners. She is one of three winners from five foals to race out of the Istidaad mare Dancing Embers who herself won three races and placed in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2500m) at Riccarton. Now the winner of five of her 19 starts, Firestorm has amassed A$441,803 in prizemoney and sports the colours of for bus transport magnate Glenn Ritchie, who recently purchased the regally-bred yearling full-sister to glamour mare Orchestral for $2.4 million at Karaka. View the full article

El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking), or the big EV as he is becoming affectionately known, continued his career-best form with another superb victory at Ellerslie in Saturday’s Gr.1 Sport Nation Otaki-Māori WFA Classic (1600m). The gelded son of Shocking sat three back off the pace set by Belclare (NZ) (Per Incanto) and looked to be travelling like a winner throughout for rider Wiremu Pinn. Given his head rounding the home bend, the Stephen Marsh-trained runner charged to the front at the 200m and never looked like being denied as he went to the line powerfully to head Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor) with Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) making up good ground in the straight to finish an eye-catching third. Once considered by Marsh as a sprinting type only, El Vencedor has come into his own in the last two seasons with Marsh and owners Mark Freeman and David Price enjoying the ride of their life as he has taken his record to eleven wins from 40 starts, including three at Group One level in his last nine runs. Marsh couldn’t contain his smiles as he described just what the horse has done for his Cambridge stable. “I said to Wiremu to ride him where he is happy, get him into a rhythm and ride him like the best horse,” Marsh said. “I thought he rode him perfectly as he started to get him to travel coming to the top of the straight. He just keeps raising the bar and he is just a phenomenal horse. “I’m happy for Wiremu as he has been doing a lot of work for us around the stable and this meant a lot to him and to us as well.” Marsh indicated that his charge would return to Ellerslie in a fortnight to tackle the Gr.1 Bonecrusher Stakes (2000m), a race he won in 2024, before preparing for a trip to Hong Kong to contest the Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin in April. “It is the Bonecrusher in two weeks’ time and then get the passport ready for Hong Kong,” he said. “We definitely want to get him to the Bonecrusher in tip-top condition. “You just can’t dent him at the moment, so that’s why we came here before the Bonecrusher. “He is becoming the people’s horse as the big EV, and we just love that. He is a stable favourite and it may have just been another day at the office for him.” Pinn was thrilled to claim his second Group One win in the saddle and was quick to thank Marsh and the owners for trusting him with the ride. “This means a lot as I have been battling a bit in the last three weeks without much luck,” he said. “I’m just so grateful to Stephen, Mr Freeman and Mr Price for having me on the horse. “Anyone could have won on him today. He is such a good horse and makes me look good. “He didn’t have that much early speed today, so I let Qali Al Farrasha cross me as I knew she would get me to the point I needed to get to before peeling off her back and letting him go. “Once he saw clear air he was very electric and will be very hard to beat in the Bonecrusher.” Bred and raced by Freeman and Price, El Vencedor has now had 40 starts for 11 wins, 14 placings and more than $1.529 million in prizemoney. View the full article

Australian raider Thedoctoroflove bursts into New Zealand Derby contention with victory in the Avondale Guineas. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Visiting three-year-old Thedoctoroflove sounded an ominous warning to his Kiwi rivals heading towards the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) with a stunning victory in Saturday’s Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie. Prepared by expat Kiwis Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, the gelded son of champion galloper So You Think only arrived in New Zealand last Friday but showed no effects of that travel as he capitalised on a magical ride by Daniel Moor to close off powerfully in the final 150m and claim a narrow but comprehensive victory. Moor used plenty of initiative to send his mount forward in the early stages and after 500m had secured a perfect position one out from the rail and just a few lengths off a muddling pace set up by Bourbon Proof. In contrast the $1.50 favourite Willydoit, who was shooting for his fourth consecutive victory, was back near last in a strung out field and a conservative fifteen lengths from the leaders. After being allowed to dictate proceedings Bourbon Proof had a good kick in the home straight and with 200m to run seemed to have most of his rivals covered. Not so Thedoctoroflove, who was winding up in the middle of the track. He joined and headed Bourbon Proof at the 100m before easing to a long neck victory over the gallant pacemaker, who shaded the fast-finishing Oceana Dream for second. 2025 Group 2 Avondale Guineas Replay – Thedoctoroflove https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ellerslie-2025-Group-2-Avondale-Guineas-22022025-Thedoctoroflove-Trent-Busuttin-Natalie-Young-Daniel-Moor.mp4 With both Busuttin and Young still at home in Australia and travelling stable representative Brendan Hawtin not on track due to illness, it was left to Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie to speak on behalf of the winner as he has had the horse staying at his Cambridge property. Ritchie made light of that situation as he and training partner Colm Murray prepare New Zealand Derby second-elect Tuxedo and had chosen to bypass Saturday’s contest with their charge. “Geez we can improve them can’t we and I hope Trent is listening to this as he is going to have to find another box for him, because he’s not staying with us,” said Ritchie with tongue firmly in cheek. “He was impressive today and these Aussie riders are good as he (Moor) got him into the one-one from looking like getting caught wide and he has attacked the line hard. “They do know how to find the right horse, do Trent and Natalie. They had one that sat three wide a few years ago and ran second in the Derby. “We gave him a little bit of work on Tuesday morning and it was lovely gallop. He is very laid-back. He is in superb order, his coat is great and he will improve from here, which is a warning for us all.” Ritchie was referring to Rising Red, who finished in the runner-up position in the 2017 New Zealand Derby behind Gingernuts. Moor was suitably impressed although thankful he got the win after his mount didn’t really handle going the right-handed way around for the first time. “He showed me he could race closer, which is very handy, as he began so well but didn’t really go right-handed,” he said. “Around every bend he was all over the place. He took a bit of riding and will benefit from that experience. “He is a pretty cool customer although he was a little on edge, but he raced forward and was impressive at the end.” The victory of Thedoctoroflove and the relative failure of the pre-post New Zealand Derby favourites Willydoit (10th) and Hinekaha (11th) has seen the Fixed Odds market for the Group One feature on 8 March turned upside down, with Thedoctoroflove and Willydoit now both sitting at a $4 quote while Oceana Dream and Tuxedo are at $5 and Hinekaha $21. Horse racing news View the full article

Blue Sky At Night finishes over the top of About Time to win the Avondale Cup. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Blue Sky At Night has defied double-digit odds to win both of New Zealand’s biggest 2400m handicaps this season, adding Saturday’s Group 3 Avondale Cup at Ellerslie to her victory in the Group 3 Waikato Cup in December. The Shamexpress mare landed a $13 upset with her Te Rapa triumph three starts ago, but subsequent unplaced finishes in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) and Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) saw those odds balloon to $34.70 with horse racing betting sites on Saturday. But under a well-judged ride from Tayla Mitchell, Blue Sky At Night settled into a smooth rhythm in eighth place and in the slipstream of the $3 favourite with Neds, About Time. Despite the race being run at a stop-start pace, both of those mares warmed into their work stylishly coming up to the home turn and began to gain ground on the leaders. About Time pounced at the 300m mark and looked the winner, but then Mitchell brought Blue Sky At Night home with big bounds down the outside. She charged up alongside About Time, and when that rival lifted again, Blue Sky At Night found that little bit more and edged ahead to win by a neck. 2025 Group 2 Avondale Cup Replay – Blue Sky At Night https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ellerslie-2025-Group-3-Avondale-Cup-22022025-Blue-Sky-At-Night-Shelley-Hale-Tayla-Mitchell.mp4 “It’s great to win another big Cup with this beautiful mare,” trainer Shelley Hale said. “I was a bit surprised that she was at such big odds. I suppose her last two runs weren’t that flash on paper, but she’d been hitting the line well in both of those races. When she gets the right run, 2400m is really her sweet spot. “She was so bright and well coming into this race. She’s a fabulous mare and I just love her.” About Time and the Australian raider Tajanis remain the $4 equal favourites for the Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day on March 8, but Blue Sky At Night has moved into third favouritism at $8. “I’m pretty hopeful that she can run a strong two miles,” Hale said. “She gives us the impression that she will. The progeny of Shamexpress are quite remarkable, they can win over 1200m to 2400m, and now we’re going to try to win one over 3200m!” Blue Sky At Night has formed a special bond with Mitchell, who has now won five times from 12 rides on the mare including the Waikato and Avondale Cups. Horse racing news View the full article

El Vencedor adds another Group One win to his career-best run of form. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) El Vencedor, or the big EV as he is becoming affectionately known, continued his career-best form with another superb victory at Ellerslie in Saturday’s Group 1 Otaki-Māori WFA Classic (1600m). The gelded son of Shocking sat three back off the pace set by Belclare and looked to be travelling like a winner throughout for rider Wiremu Pinn. Given his head rounding the home bend, the Stephen Marsh-trained runner charged to the front at the 200m and never looked like being denied as he went to the line powerfully to head Qali Al Farrasha with Orchestral making up good ground in the straight to finish an eye-catching third. Once considered by Marsh as a sprinting type only, El Vencedor has come into his own in the last two seasons with Marsh and owners Mark Freeman and David Price enjoying the ride of their life as he has taken his record to eleven wins from 40 starts, including three at Group One level in his last nine runs. 2025 Group 1 WFA Classic Replay – El Vencedor https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ellerslie-2025-Group-1-WFA-Classic-22022025-El-Vencedor-Stephen-Marsh-Wiremu-Pinn.mp4 Marsh couldn’t contain his smiles as he described just what the horse has done for his Cambridge stable. “I said to Wiremu to ride him where he is happy, get him into a rhythm and ride him like the best horse,” Marsh said. “I thought he rode him perfectly as he started to get him to travel coming to the top of the straight. He just keeps raising the bar and he is just a phenomenal horse. “I’m happy for Wiremu as he has been doing a lot of work for us around the stable and this meant a lot to him and to us as well.” Marsh indicated that his charge would return to Ellerslie in a fortnight to tackle the Group 1 Bonecrusher Stakes (2000m), a race he won in 2024, before preparing for a trip to Hong Kong to contest the Group 1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin in April. “It is the Bonecrusher in two weeks’ time and then get the passport ready for Hong Kong,” he said. “We definitely want to get him to the Bonecrusher in tip-top condition. “You just can’t dent him at the moment, so that’s why we came here before the Bonecrusher. “He is becoming the people’s horse as the big EV, and we just love that. He is a stable favourite and it may have just been another day at the office for him.” Pinn was thrilled to claim his second Group One win in the saddle and was quick to thank Marsh and the owners for trusting him with the ride. “This means a lot as I have been battling a bit in the last three weeks without much luck,” he said. “I’m just so grateful to Stephen, Mr Freeman and Mr Price for having me on the horse. “Anyone could have won on him today. He is such a good horse and makes me look good. “He didn’t have that much early speed today, so I let Qali Al Farrasha cross me as I knew she would get me to the point I needed to get to before peeling off her back and letting him go. “Once he saw clear air he was very electric and will be very hard to beat in the Bonecrusher.” Horse racing news View the full article