Wandering Eyes

Selections for Wingatui today Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race Jonny Turner Racing Journalist Race 1 12.58pm 6 Tarragindi 1 Almighty 4 Niamh 8 Birch Race 2 1.24pm 1 Donald Trot 7 Miki’s Beauty 4 Cold Pursuit 10 Janaka’s Delight Race 3 2.00pm 5 It’s A Pleasure 4 Jay R Tolkien 8 Prosperity 1 Crackasky Race 4 2.38pm 6 Airwaves 3 Haley Robyn 7 Paradise Valley 1 Avenger Race 5 3.05pm 6 Blithe 12 Our Superfund 4 Top Pocket Chance 14 Markthewarrior Race 6 3.39pm 9 Forever Arden 6 Havarti Arden 2 Lily’s A Star 1 Asta Race 7 4.15pm 3 Nutcracker 12 South Seas Rock 8 Still Rockin 4 Hacksaw Ridge Race 8 4.44pm 3 Hazer 1 Lou’s Deal 10 Flying Bird 6 Nyla Race 9 5.13pm 8 Moment Of What 3 Styrax 5 Julie Jaccka 7 Superfast Ronnie Race 10 5.39pm 7 Bobbies Rock 2 Insarchatwist 5 Rightazz 10 Sinai Sermon View the full article

Alex Elliott was in action for G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte heroine Classic Flower (GB) (Calyx {GB}) (lot 191) at €1,800,000 to take the lead at Arqana. The chestnut, consigned by Haras de Beaumont, was purchased on behalf of MV Magnier and White Birch Farm. From the same family as multiple stakes winner and multiple group-placed Bahia Breeze (GB) (Mister Baileys {GB}), Classic Flower changed hands for 45,000gns as a Tattersalls December foal in 2021 when purchased by Arthur Hoyeau. She was bred by Petches Farm, Ltd. A new top lot at #VentedElevage as @AlexElliott secures Group 2 winner and multiple Group performer CLASSIC FLOWER (lot 1️⃣9️⃣1️⃣) for €1,800,000 on behalf of MV Magnier & @Whitebirchfarm. She was offered by @HarasBeaumont. pic.twitter.com/ZPY44bQWGZ — ARQANA (@InfoArqana) December 7, 2024 The post Alex Elliott Strikes For €1,800,000 For Classic Flower On Behalf of MV Magnier And White Birch Farm 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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Zoffany (Ire) mare Tres Magnifique (Fr) (lot 188), best known as the dam of G1 Sun Chariot Stakes heroine Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), was purchased by MV Magnier for €1,400,000 at Arqana. Gestut Etzean offered the 11-year-old mare, who is carrying a full-sibling to the Sun Chariot winner and G1 Prix de Diane third. Tres Magnifique, herself, is a half-sister to GI Beverly D Stakes herone Sea Calisi (Fr) (Youmzain {Ire}) and two more stakes winners. TRES MAGNIFIQUE, dam of G1 winner Tamfana, sells as Lot 188 with Gestut Etzean at @InfoArqana Vente d'Elevage! She is once again in foal to Soldier Hollow. Learn more: https://t.co/jts9hinL1l pic.twitter.com/xSJlPqBCRr — TDN (@theTDN) November 28, 2024 The post Hammer Falls At €1,400,000, As MV Magnier Buys Tres Magnifique, Dam Of Tamfana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lot 180, G1 Preis der Diana runner-up Spanish Eyes (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}) sold for €1,300,000 to Hannah Wall at Arqana. Out of G1 Premio Lydia Tesio heroine Sortilege (Ire) (Tiger Hill {Ire}), the bay was consigned by Ecurie des Monceaux. The 3-year-old filly is a full-sister to G3 Premio Guido e Alessandro Berardelli winner Sirjan (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}). Bred by Gestut Karlshof, Spanish Eyes was a €95,000 buy-back out of the Arqana October Yearling Sale in 2022. The post Hannah Wall Signs For Spanish Eyes At €1,300,000 At Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mauricio Delcher Sanchez sent G3 Prix de Psyche heroine Excellent Truth (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) through the ring at Arqana, and the G1 Prix Rothschild runner-up was knocked down for €1,600,000 to Stamford Bloodstock/Meridian Bloodstock on behalf of John Stewart's Resolute Racing, as the first millionaire of the 2024 Vente d'Elevage. Sold as lot 171, the daughter of Moment Of Truth (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) is a half-sister to the Group 3-placed Memo De L'Alguer (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). Bred by Sandra Russell, the 4-year-old was a €52,000 purchase out of the Goffs Orby Sale in 2021 by Montgomery Motto. The seven-figure mark has been broken at the #VentedElevage as Group winner and Group 1-placed EXCELLENT TRUTH (Lot 1️⃣7️⃣1️⃣) sells for €1,600,000 to Stamford Bloodstock & @MERIDIAN7 on behalf of @resracingky. She was offered by Mauricio Delcher Sanchez. pic.twitter.com/srCy8S2dc3 — ARQANA (@InfoArqana) December 7, 2024 The post Excellent Truth Joins The Resolute Team, After Stamford Bloodstock And Meridian Bloodstock Pay €1,600,000 At Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars VOYAGE BUBBLE - R7 (2) Underrated miler can show the world just how good he is Jay Rooney VOYAGE BUBBLE - R7 (2) Drawn to get a perfect run and this consistent miler looks the one to beat Jack Dawling FAMILY JEWEL - R6 (8) Progressive youngster can take another step forward from favourable draw Phillip Woo FAMILY JEWEL - R6 (8) Still improving and can return a winner for a third time Shannon (Vincent Wong) PACKING ANGEL - R2 (7) Been knocking on the door and gets a chance to break through here Racing Post Online CHARMING LEGEND - R9 (6) Australian import won well last start and looks hard to beat today Tom Wood MASTER PHOENIX - R2 (6) Great debut run from the rear and goes to 1400m, big hopeView the full article

There’s not much that hasn’t been said about Ka Ying Rising this week, but now it is time for action.View the full article

Classy sprinting mare Mrs Chrissie (NZ) (Per Incanto) kicked off a new campaign on a winning note with a powerful come-from-behind performance in Saturday’s A$150,000 Ballarat Volkswagen Tonks Plate (1100m) at Ballarat. The Benchmark 100 handicap was the first start since July for Mrs Chrissie, whose previous campaign produced wins at Caulfield and Sandown as well as a third in the Gr.3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) and a last-start fourth in the Gr.3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m). Mrs Chrissie was sent out as a $2.90 favourite on Saturday and delivered in style in the hands of Craig Williams. The six-year-old deviated from her usual on-speed style and settled back near the tail of the field for most of the race, then was angled out to the centre of the track in the home straight and began to unwind. Mrs Chrissie produced a turn of foot that none of her seven rivals could match, bursting to the lead and drawing clear to score by two and a half lengths. “The race didn’t work out as we thought it might have pre-race,” Williams said. “But I had the right horse, well-weighted, well-prepared first-up today, and it was pretty easy for me. I just kept her out of trouble, simple and smooth, and she was too good for them. “The plan was actually to be right on the back of the speed, but there was much speed for my horse today. She was happy further back, so I just trusted her. She was pretty dominant. She probably showed another string to her bow, that she’s not just an on-speed horse. “She was well placed in this race. If you take Recommendation (Shalaa) out of those Group races in the winter, she ran really well at weight-for-age. Recommendation is in Hong Kong tomorrow, so it just shows you that he’s a pretty high-end sprinter. For her to come back into this handicap race and have that luxury of dropping down in weight, it was a really nice race for her today.” The Ciaron Maher-trained Mrs Chrissie has now had 20 starts for six wins, seven placings and A$408,125 in stakes. “She was really good,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said. “I didn’t expect her to be in the position she was, rear of the field, but it just goes to show that as a mare matures, they can be ridden differently. “She doesn’t always get the beginning right, and she didn’t really have that zest early today, but she was pretty dominant late. She was well in at the weights, especially with the scratchings of the horses up front, and sets herself up for a good programme. “Black type is the key for her now. She’s placed at that level, but we need to get that win, and I’d say for a mare, you’re either the Christmas Stakes (Listed, 1100m) or possibly the Black Pearl (Listed, 1200m), but the Christmas Stakes being 1100m is ideal.” Mrs Chrissie was bred by Chris Doak and Rosie Ealden and was exported to Australia as an unraced two-year-old. She is out of the O’Reilly mare Turf Fire (NZ), who herself won nine races and placed in the Gr.3 Stewards’ Stakes (1200m). Turf Fire is the dam of three winners from seven foals to race, headed by Mrs Chrissie and fellow black-type placegetter Don Carlo (NZ). Mrs Chrissie’s four-year-old full-sister Grassburn (NZ) has placed twice in six starts to date for the Maher stable, while Turf Fire’s final foal was an unnamed Super Seth filly born in 2021. View the full article

Freewheeling Kiwi-bred I’mintowin (NZ) (Contributer) maintained his perfect record this preparation with another all-the-way win in Saturday’s A$160,000 James Squire Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill. The five-year-old Contributer gelding led all the way for a first-up victory over 1400m at Kembla Grange on November 23, mastering a testing 62kg topweight on a Good3 track and running record time. The step up in class for a Benchmark 94 handicap on Saturday saw I’mintowin better placed at the weights with 56.5kg, but the track conditions presented a very different challenge. Persistent rain throughout the afternoon led to a series of downgrades, eventually going all the way to down a Heavy10. But despite the very different circumstances, the result was the same as I’mintowin ran his rivals into the ground. Drawn second from the outside in a scratchings-ravaged field of seven, I’mintowin and jockey Tim Clark wasted no time in striding forward and taking the lead. They dominated the race from there, finding a second wind when challenged in the straight and pulling away again to beat Ang Pow (Flying Artie) and Konasana (Dundeel) by almost three lengths. I’mintowin has now had 14 starts for four wins, five placings and A$345,318 in stakes. “This was a very different track to the one he won first-up on, so it’s great to see his versatility,” said Adrian Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse. “I think staying at 1400m might have helped him today on this testing track. “No doubt, the best part of his race was that last furlong. I momentarily thought he might be in a bit of trouble at the top of the straight, but once he balanced up and really got into stride, he was powering away from them late. “He’s a horse that naturally is always pretty strong within himself. He does plenty of work. He’s very competitive, even when he works on his own at home. He works himself fit pretty quickly. That’s something that we have to manage throughout his preparations and in his racing style as well. It’s a matter of trying to contain him, and our staff at home have been putting a lot of work into that. “We’ll potentially go up in distance now. These first two runs have given him a good grounding for stepping up to the mile next start. I wouldn’t be afraid to test him over further than that as well. He has such a great cruising speed, and if he’s able to sustain that over a bit further, that opens up a lot more options.” I’mintowin was bred by Masterpiece Enterprises Ltd and is by Contributer out of the three-time winning Castledale mare Beguile (NZ). I’mintowin began his career with six starts in New Zealand from the Byerley Park stable of Peter and Dawn Williams. He was a maiden winner at Avondale in November 2022, then finished third in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m), fourth in the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) and ninth in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) before being privately sold into Australian ownership. View the full article

A strong pace and a deteriorating Heavy10 track made Saturday’s A$160,000 TAB Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill a test of stamina and toughness, and promising New Zealand-bred mare Be Real (NZ) (Iffraaj) rose to the occasion. The grey daughter of Iffraaj had made a good impression winning at Newcastle on November 2, but then finished only sixth when well supported in a 2000m race on a Good3 track at Kembla Grange three weeks later. Trainer Brad Widdup was confident that Be Real could bounce back on rain-affected ground on Saturday, and once again the punters got in behind the four-year-old and backed her into second favouritism at $3.70. Be Real was patiently ridden by Tyler Schiller and settled in the second half of the field as Morryl Moral (Lope De Vega) opened up a big lead heading down the back of the track. The chasers closed the gap as Morryl Moral began to tire coming around the home turn, and Be Real warmed into her work right in the middle of that group. Good Banter (NZ) (Tavistock), Be Real, Bullets High (NZ) (Ace High) and Kenyada (Kermadec) soon swallowed up Morryl Moral and surged ahead in the straight, and it was Be Real who found the most through the final 150m and edged ahead of the other three to win by just under a length. Bullets High finished second and Good Banter was third, completing a New Zealand-bred trifecta. “I was pretty confident with her today,” Schiller said. “When they were going a good gallop, I knew she’d be strong late. “We probably weren’t hoping for a track as wet as this, but she handles rain-affected ground well. She’s done a good job and quickened up well. I thought I was home from around the 200m.” Be Real has now had 13 starts for four wins, four placings and A$198,825 in prize-money. A full-sister to the nine-time Australian winner Sir Ravanelli (NZ), Be Real was bred by Chequers Stud and is by Iffraaj out of the Ishiguru mare Stardom (NZ). Be Real was a trial winner at Taupo in March of last year before being sold privately into Australian ownership. View the full article

Champion jockey Opie Bosson moved to the brink of a Group One milestone with an outstanding ride on Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed) to take out Saturday’s TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham. The $400,000 weight-for-age feature was the 99th win at Group One level for Bosson, who returned to riding this week after taking a two-month break for personal reasons. Ladies Man was only his fourth ride back. “That’s 99 Group One wins now, and I probably should be up around 110 by now if I kept my life on track,” Bosson chuckled. “But that’s life, isn’t it? It’s great to get this win today.” Bosson’s triumphant comeback was mirrored by his mount Ladies Man, who went into the TAB Mufhasa Classic on an eight-race winless streak dating back to his win in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings in October of last year. But trainer Allan Sharrock put blinkers on for Saturday’s big race, and the Zed gelding was right back at his brilliant best. After settling in eighth place, Bosson brought Ladies Man across heels at the home turn and angled him to the outside of the track. Hot favourite La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) strode to the lead in the straight and looked home for all money, but then Bosson kicked Ladies Man into overdrive. He charged up alongside the star mare and the pair locked horns through the final 100m, with Ladies Man taking the upper hand to win by a neck. La Crique finished almost three lengths in front of the third-placed Perfect Scenario. “Allan Sharrock is an amazing trainer, and the blinkers going on today made a big difference,” Bosson said. “Credit to La Crique, who really kicked again when I got to her. I thought I would go past her quite easily, but it turned into a tough battle. “I was just trying to get a nice track into the race coming up to the turn. Puntura (NZ) (Vespa) was a little bit all over the place just in front of me, but I managed to get across his heels. Once we got balanced up at the top of the straight, I thought we were home easily until I saw La Crique kick again. But we got there in the end. “I think 2000m is more his go, but he’s classy enough to perform like he did today over the mile.” Ladies Man is a half-brother to Sharrock’s Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Ladies First. Sharrock paid $60,000 to buy Ladies Man from the draft of breeders Grangewilliam Stud at Karaka 2019. From 31 starts, Ladies Man has recorded eight wins and 14 placings and has earned $896,656 in prize-money. Sharrock will now point the seven-year-old towards the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, for which the TAB rates him a $6 equal second favourite alongside La Crique and El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking). Last-start Livamol Classic winner Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock) is the $3.50 favourite. “Opie’s ride was a 10 and a half out of 10 today,” Sharrock said. “He’s just so silky. It makes a big difference when you’ve got someone like him on in a Group One race. In a lot of my Group One wins, I’ve had guys like Opie, James (McDonald) and Leith (Innes) riding. You need those top jockeys. “The blinkers seemed to spark the horse up a little bit today. I’ll wait and see whether I leave them on for the Zabeel. He seemed to travel generously in them today and didn’t overdo things. “He’s a mile and a half horse really, but he’s just a proper horse. We’ll be going to the Zabeel Classic with a little bit of confidence now. “The O’Learys and the Stanleys are great people to train for, and I’m also really grateful for all the work that my staff, vets and blacksmiths have done to get this horse here today. I’m thrilled for everyone.” View the full article

There are six horse racing meetings set for Australia on Sunday, December 8. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Hawkesbury, Werribee & Sha Tin (HK). Sunday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – December 8, 2024 Hawkesbury Racing Tips Werribee 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 December 8, 2024 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

Northerly Stakes winner Light Infantry Man when winning during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) The Ciaron Maher-trained Light Infantry Man ($12) has dominated his rivals in Saturday’s Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot. Having finished 10th when favourite in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) a fortnight ago, the son of Fast Company was sent around at an each-way quote and made amends in fine fashion. Sent forward from barrier, Ethan Brown had the five-year-old gelding settled outside natural frontrunner Marocchino throughout. On the back of a softly run 1800m affair, the race was run to suit Light Infantry Man perfectly, and when asked to quicken early in the home straight, he put a couple of lengths on his rivals in quick fashion. Outside of $151 shot Admiration Express, there was to be no dangers in the shadows of the winning post as the former European added a second win on Australian soil after saluting during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. 2024 Group 1 Northerly Stakes Replay – Light Infantry Man https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ascot-2024-Group-1-Northerly-Stakes-07122024-Light-Infantry-Man-Ciaron-Maher-Ethan-Brown.mp4 Horse racing news View the full article

Five-year-old galloper contests Sunday’s Group One Longines Hong Kong Mile.View the full article

I’mintowin winning at Rosehill Gardens. Photo: Bradley Photos Freewheeling Kiwi-bred I’mintowin maintained his perfect record this preparation with another all-the-way win at Rosehill. The five-year-old Contributer gelding led all the way for a first-up victory over 1400m at Kembla Grange on November 23, mastering a testing 62kg topweight on a Good 3 track and running record time. The step up in class for a Benchmark 94 handicap on Saturday saw I’mintowin better placed at the weights with 56.5kg, but the track conditions presented a very different challenge. Persistent rain throughout the afternoon led to a series of downgrades, eventually going all the way to down a Heavy 10. But despite the very different circumstances, the result was the same as I’mintowin ran his rivals into the ground. Drawn second from the outside in a scratchings-ravaged field of seven, I’mintowin and jockey Tim Clark wasted no time in striding forward and taking the lead. They dominated the race from there, finding a second wind when challenged in the straight and pulling away again to beat Ang Pow and Konasana by almost three lengths. I’mintowin has now had 14 starts for four wins, five placings and $345,318 in stakes. “This was a very different track to the one he won first-up on, so it’s great to see his versatility,” said Adrian Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse. “I think staying at 1400m might have helped him today on this testing track. “No doubt, the best part of his race was that last furlong. I momentarily thought he might be in a bit of trouble at the top of the straight, but once he balanced up and really got into stride, he was powering away from them late. “He’s a horse that naturally is always pretty strong within himself. He does plenty of work. He’s very competitive, even when he works on his own at home. He works himself fit pretty quickly. That’s something that we have to manage throughout his preparations and in his racing style as well. It’s a matter of trying to contain him, and our staff at home have been putting a lot of work into that. “We’ll potentially go up in distance now. These first two runs have given him a good grounding for stepping up to the mile next start. I wouldn’t be afraid to test him over further than that as well. He has such a great cruising speed, and if he’s able to sustain that over a bit further, that opens up a lot more options.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Werribee Cup Day 2024 Where Picklebet Park Werribee – 2-10 Bulban Rd, Werribee VIC 3030 When 1:25pm AEDT First Race Sunday, December 8, 2024 Visit Dabble Feature racing in Victoria heads to Werribee on Sunday afternoon where the $150,000 Werribee Cup (1600m) headlines proceeding on the eight-race card. Despite showers leading into Cup Day, the track is likely to remain a Good 4 with clear skies and a top of 24 degrees forecast. The rail sticks to its true position, with Werribee Cup Day 2024 set to commence at 1:25pm AEDT. Werribee Cup Tip: Nugget Nugget is without a doubt the class horse in the 2024 Werribee Cup field, and despite needing to lug 60.5kg, he is the one to beat in Sunday’s feature. The eight-year-old gelding is a deadset mile specialist, boasting a record of 19: 6-2-3 at the trip. The son of Siyouni was massive in defeat in the Cranbourne Cup last time out after giving his rivals to big of a start on a day where it was advantageous to be close to the speed. He was beaten just over a length behind Plenty Of Ammo three back and if Nugget produces anything close to his best, it is his race to lose. Werribee Cup Race 7 – #1 Nugget (8) 8yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Dylan Browne McMonagle (60.5kg) $4.60 with Picklebet Best Bet at Werribee: Sacred Fort Sacred Fort is a 10-start maiden, but considering he has been racing in tougher maidens than what he faces on Sunday, he should finally bring up that elusive success. The three-year-old gelding was forced wide when making his run at Rosehill and did well to finish within three lengths of his rivals. The Tassort gelding should find this easier and from barrier three should gain the run of the race throughout when stalking the speed. With a sharp turn of foot, Sacred Fort looks to good for this field. Next Best Race 5 – #9 Sacred Fort (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Dylan Browne McMonagle (58kg) $3.30 with BlondeBet Sunday quaddie tips for Werribee Werribee quadrella selections Sunday, December 8, 2024 6-8-9 1-2-4-6-7-13 1-2-4-5-15 3-10-12-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Mrs Chrissie winning at Ballarat. Photo: Racing Photos Classy sprinting mare Mrs Chrissie kicked off a new campaign on a winning note with a powerful come-from-behind performance at Ballarat. The Benchmark 100 handicap was the first start since July for Mrs Chrissie, whose previous campaign produced wins at Caulfield and Sandown as well as a third in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) and a last-start fourth in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m). Mrs Chrissie was sent out as a $2.90 favourite with horse racing bookmakers on Saturday and delivered in style in the hands of Craig Williams. The six-year-old deviated from her usual on-speed style and settled back near the tail of the field for most of the race, then was angled out to the centre of the track in the home straight and began to unwind. Mrs Chrissie produced a turn of foot that none of her seven rivals could match, bursting to the lead and drawing clear to score by 2.5 lengths. “The race didn’t work out as we thought it might have pre-race,” Williams said. “But I had the right horse, well-weighted, well-prepared first-up today, and it was pretty easy for me. I just kept her out of trouble, simple and smooth, and she was too good for them. “The plan was actually to be right on the back of the speed, but there was much speed for my horse today. She was happy further back, so I just trusted her. She was pretty dominant. She probably showed another string to her bow, that she’s not just an on-speed horse. “She was well placed in this race. If you take Recommendation out of those Group races in the winter, she ran really well at weight-for-age. Recommendation is in Hong Kong tomorrow, so it just shows you that he’s a pretty high-end sprinter. For her to come back into this handicap race and have that luxury of dropping down in weight, it was a really nice race for her today.” The Ciaron Maher-trained Mrs Chrissie has now had 20 starts for six wins, seven placings and $408,125 in stakes. “She was really good,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said. “I didn’t expect her to be in the position she was, rear of the field, but it just goes to show that as a mare matures, they can be ridden differently. “She doesn’t always get the beginning right, and she didn’t really have that zest early today, but she was pretty dominant late. She was well in at the weights, especially with the scratchings of the horses up front, and sets herself up for a good programme. “Black type is the key for her now. She’s placed at that level, but we need to get that win, and I’d say for a mare, you’re either the Christmas Stakes (Listed, 1100m) or possibly the Black Pearl (Listed, 1200m), but the Christmas Stakes being 1100m is ideal.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Hawkesbury Races Where Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 When Sunday, December 8, 2024 First Race 1:45pm AEDT Visit Dabble Hawkesbury Race Club is the destination for NSW racing on Sunday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-part program set to get underway at 1:45pm local time. The rail is in the true position the entire way around, and although the track is rated a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, significant rainfall in the region all but assures a downgrade into the Soft range at some stage. Check out our best bets for the Hawkesbury meeting on December 8. Best Bet at Hawkesbury: Summer Soiree Summer Soiree was unlucky not to find the winners’ enclosure across seven starts last preparation but appears to have found a very winnable maiden returning from a 172-day spell. The daughter of Russian Revolution returns at peak fitness on the back of an eye-catching barrier trial win at Warwick Farm on November 19, and with barrier two allowing Molly Fitzgerald to dictate terms on-speed utilising her 3kg claim, Summer Soiree will take plenty of chasing as attempts to shirk the maiden tag at start eight. Best Bet Race 1 – #6 Summer Soiree (2) 4yo Mare | T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | J: Mollie Fitzgerald (a3kg) (58.5kg) +160 with Neds Next Best at Hawkesbury: North Terrace The Anthony Cummings-trained North Terrace got a pass mark debuting at this course on November 21 and should take plenty of improvement into this second-up assignment. The four-year-old gelding was doing his best work late over the 1500m and gets the opportunity to sit much closer drawn in barrier one with Jean Van Overmeire in the saddle. He’ll need to navigate a passage off the inside at some stage, but provided the breaks fall his way, North Terrace should give followers a bold sight at a good price with BlondeBet. Next Best Race 4 – #3 North Terrace (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Anthony Cummings | J: Jean Van Overmeire (59kg) +700 with BlondeBet Best Value at Hawkesbury: Felis Chaus Felis Chaus represents terrific each-way value with horse racing bookmakers as he debuts on the back of two strong barrier trials. The Jungle Cat gelding won in his latest piece of work at Warwick Farm on November 19, ridden with vigour by Jay Ford to secure the half-length victory. This maiden has plenty of depth on paper, with chances all over the page; however, if Felis Chaus can land into the one-one from gate four, there’s no reason why this guy can’t show some cheek. Best Value Race 2 – #1 Felis Chaus (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Lauri Parker | J: Jay Ford (57.5kg) +1300 with Picklebet Sunday quaddie tips for Hawkesbury Hawkesbury quadrella selections December 8, 2024 2-3-5-6-13 2-3-7 1-3-5 1-2-3-4-5 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Melbourne Cup hero one of three raiders from Down Under at Hong Kong’s showpiece meeting.View the full article

The outstanding form of Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott’s three-year-olds continued at Ellerslie on Saturday with a one-two finish by Sethito (NZ) (Super Seth) and Prosegur (NZ) (Proisir) in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m). It was the second age-group feature within the space of a week for the Wexford Stables team, who saddled Checkmate (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) for a commanding victory in last Saturday’s Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m) at the same venue. Overall, O’Sullivan and Scott have had a total of 17 wins from 50 runners among their 2024-25 class of three-year-olds. The Matamata stable took formidable firepower into the $120,000 Bonecrusher, sending out five of the 12 runners with last-start winners Crackercol (NZ) (Proisir), Ribkraka (NZ) (Ribchester), Prosegur, Sethito and Sicillian (NZ) (Magna Grecia). Sethito jumped as a $2.70 favourite after leaving maiden ranks with a six-length romp at Rotorua last start, and the promising Waikato Stud homebred continued her upward trajectory with a stylish black-type success on Saturday. Ridden by in-form jockey Sam Spratt, Sethito broke well from gate 10 and slid forward to sit in second behind the front-running Midnight Edition (NZ) (Wrote). Sethito was doing everything with ease coming up to the home turn, and then she pounced and quickly took command at the top of the straight. The only challenge came from her stablemate Prosegur, who emerged from the pack with a strong finish through the final 200m, but Sethito kept kicking and crossed the finish line with a length and a quarter up her sleeve. “That was a very good effort from a wide draw,” Spratt said. “She travelled up nicely and won well.” Sethito is a blue-blooded daughter of exciting young Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth and the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) and CF Orr Stakes (1400m) winner Suavito (NZ) (Thorn Park). From four starts, Sethito has recorded two wins, a third and a fifth and has banked $81,395 in stakes. “That’s a very satisfying result,” O’Sullivan said. “All of our staff have done a wonderful job with all the three-year-olds this season. “It’s hard trying to watch all of the five in one race, but certainly those two most prominent ones have put their hands up today. “Sethito was Andrew’s first pick of the lot in this race, while I might have been favouring the runner-up. But Sethito grew another leg when we put the blinkers on for the first time last start. She had to step up again today, and she’s certainly done that. “We’ll talk to Garry Chittick and the Waikato Stud team about what we do next, but you’d think the Eight Carat (Gr.2, 1600m) here on Boxing Day might be the natural progression.” Waikato Stud will offer a half-brother to Sethito as part of their Book 1 draft at Karaka 2025 in late January. The colt by champion stallion Savabeel will go through the ring as Lot 337. Sethito became the fourth stakes winner for Super Seth, joining Linebacker (NZ), Poetic Champion (NZ) and Super Photon (NZ). He is also the sire of this season’s Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) runner-up Feroce (NZ). Super Seth was New Zealand’s champion first-season sire last season. View the full article

The Robbie Patterson and Craig Grylls combination were to the fore again at Trentham on Saturday when Grylls produced a masterclass in the judgement of pace as he piloted Conor O’Ceirin (NZ) (Dial A Prayer) to a fresh-up victory in the Totara Lodge Handicap (1400m). The Patterson-prepared eight-year-old hadn’t been seen since some disappointing performances during the Riccarton Winter Carnival in August, but after a good break he stripped fit for his first-up assignment after performing well at a New Plymouth jumpout. In a race that appeared to lack a genuine pacemaker Grylls took the initiative and sent Conor O’Ceirin straight to the head of affairs and dictated the speed throughout from eventual placegetters Duncan’s Creek and Liffey. Entering the home straight Grylls kicked hard on his mount and they shot away before maintaining a solid gallop to the line, stopping the clock in 1.23.19 for the 1400m journey. Patterson admitted he thought his charge would put in a good showing after his jumpout performance. “The horse jumped out the other day and had Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed) on his back and he couldn’t get past him, so I was pretty confident he would go a good race,” Patterson said. “Gryllsy dictated it and that it is why he is one of the best. “This puts a spanner in the works as we were thinking about going to the Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m) but I will freshen him up again and there are plenty of good races here coming up for him.” Grylls admitted he had had an easy time of it in front despite the horse racing a little keenly after Patterson had forgotten to make an important gear change before the race. “Robbie said to me before the race that he had put the blinkers on for his last couple of runs and had forgotten to take them off for this one,” he said. “He was a little bit keen early with hem on but I got a nice breather across the top. “He travelled well into the straight and at the 150m I gave him a bit of a kick and a roar and he has really kicked away.” Raced by breeder Wayne Keenan under the Keenan Family Trust banner, Conor O’Ceirin is out of the Victory Dance mare Plaything (NZ) who won four races and produced handy galloper Big Iron (General Iron in HK) who won twice in New Zealand before being sold to Hong Kong where he won on a further four occasions. Conor O’Ceirin has now won eight of his 39 starts and more than $204,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Class mare Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard) lead her rivals a merry dash when she outgunned a small but quality field in the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Facing just six rivals the Ben and Ryan Foote-prepared daughter of All Too Hard used her renown speed from the barriers to head straight to the front and dictate play in the hands of Vinnie Colgan. Colgan had a lapful of horse rounding the bend and shot two lengths clear as race favourite Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) ($2.10) and Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) made their challenges out in the middle of the track. Babylon Berlin was still going like a steam train at the 100m and she eased to the line half a length to the good of the fast finishing Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) with Crocetti battling on well to take third. Ben Foote was quick to pay tribute to Colgan on his ride and to the mare herself who has proven herself at the top level time and time again. “Really satisfying to be honest and a super ride by Vinnie as he rated her so well,” Foote said. “We knew she loved Ellerslie and with (the race) at set weights and penalties, the weight (54kgs) suited her as well. “There is still improvement in her but we were super happy on how she presented. “She has been a grand old mare and it would be great if we could get that Group One with her.” Foote was referring to the mare’s career record where she has been placed at Group One level on four separate occasions including twice in the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie. Colgan paid tribute to the fighting qualities of his mount who travelled sweetly for him throughout. “She felt well going down the start, started well and my best chance was to lead given she had dropped down to 54kgs on her back,” he said. “I can’t believe the acceleration she gave me turning for home and although Waitak must have hit the line hard, we got there. “She is well and I’m not sure whether she will be penalised for today but even if she gets 1.5kgs she will still be very competitive.” TAB Bookmakers have Babylon Berlin at $8 in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) Fixed Odds market which will be raced at Trentham on 4 January while she sits at a similar quote for the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie on 25 January. Raced by Foote along with Scott Williams and Kim Rogers, Babylon Berlin has now won ten of her 32 starts along with being placed on another 14 occasions to accumulate just over $738,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Visiting Australian jockey Luke Currie made his New Zealand debut a winning one with a last-to-first performance on Wingman in Saturday’s Aztech Engineering 3YO (1400m) at Trentham. Currie has more than 1450 winners to his name in Australia, including 13 Group Ones as well as last year’s A$5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) aboard Kiwi-bred star Mr Brightside. He has also won races in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Mauritius. Now he has added New Zealand to that list. A second placegetter on Too Sweet in the first race on the Trentham card, Currie went one better when he was legged aboard Wingman for his second New Zealand ride. The Swiss Ace gelding was slow to leave the starting gates and dropped out to be a clear last as Velton set a moderate tempo out in front, but Currie never panicked and allowed his mount to find his feet and gather his momentum. The gaps closed coming up to the home turn and Currie angled his mount out to the centre of the track to lodge his claim. Wingman lengthened stride stylishly and bounded to the front with more than 100m remaining. Leica Lucy sprinted up alongside him on his inside and made him work hard through the final 50m, but Wingman found enough to repel her by a head. “Having ridden a winner now, obviously I have to say I think riding here at Trentham is pretty good,” Currie said. “But it’s a lovely big track and it’s in great condition today, so it’s really nice to be here. “The horse quickened up very nicely. I left him alone early, and being such a small field, I was a bit concerned that they might back the pace right off. But he came out in the straight and quickened really well. It was a good, tough win.” Bred and raced by Westbury Stud owner Gerry Harvey, Wingman has now had three starts for two wins and a placing and has earned $52,175 in stakes. Wingman is held in high regard by his trainer Roydon Bergerson, who sees him as a genuine contender for the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie in March. “That was a very good performance by both horse and rider,” Bergerson said. “I just told him to go back, let him settle and then get him to the outside. He doesn’t seem to be the same horse when he’s got something outside him – he sort of wimps out a bit. But he’s got a bright future. “Hopefully Awapuni might select him for the slot race. I’m really happy with this horse and I think he’s only going to get better. It was a very good effort to come from two or three lengths last off a slow pace today. He got to the line really well. “We’ll probably look to give him a bit of a break now and get him ready for March.” The TAB rates Wingman a $26 chance in an NZB Kiwi market that is headed by equal $8 favourites Aeliana, Checkmate and Savaglee. View the full article

A fresh Nimble Nimbus will be out to upset the applecart when he heads to Sha Tin on Sunday to contest the Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m). Expat Kiwi hoop James McDonald, who was recently crowned the 2024 LONGINES world’s best jockey, will be seeking an historic third straight win in the race aboard Romantic Warrior, but Kiwi-bred Nimble Nimbus will be looking to spoil the party. The seven-year-old gelding has been a consistent performer for trainer Ricky Yiu, who purchased him out of breeder Waikato Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $100,000. Yiu was taken by his pedigree and was impressed with his presence when inspecting him at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka sales complex. “I liked his pedigree, especially the sire, Sacred Falls, and unfortunately he passed away,” Yiu said. “I thought he would develop into a very good-looking horse. I liked the way he walked, I can still remember that he walked with a lot of determination and was eager. “We put him away for a six-month spell to give him more time to develop, then we started to break him in.” Yiu’s patient approach has paid dividends, with Nimble Nimbus having now won four races, including the Gr.3 Centenary Vase (1800m) at Sha Tin in February, and he has also placed in the Gr.1 Citi of Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and Gr.2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m). Nimble Nimbus has enjoyed time at Chonghua Racecourse in China since his placing behind Romantic Warrior in the BOCHK Jockey Club Cup last month, and Yiu said he has returned a reinvigorated horse. “He is doing really well. He has spent most of his time in Conghua in China, and he has enjoyed that very much,” Yiu said. “He came back to Hong Kong a fresh horse, he looks really fresh, he is ready to go.” While aware of the steep task his charge faces on Sunday, Yiu is confident of a bold showing from barrier two. “We have got a pretty decent draw,” he said. “He is running against one of the best in the world (Romantic Warrior) over the trip. If my horse finishes in the first three I will be happy, the competition is very strong.” View the full article