Wandering Eyes

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Gun Barrel City during the Belmont at the Big A meeting on May 18. Frankel Gelding Hits His Target Bass Stables homebred Gun Barrel City (Frankel) graduated at second asking during the Belmont at the Big A meeting on Sunday (video). Trained by Todd Pletcher, he was gelded after his debut last September. Out of GII Lake George Stakes and GIII Nobel Damsel Stakes heroine Mrs McDougal (Medaglia d'Oro), the 4-year-old is a half-brother to War Front's graded stakes winner Seal Team, as well as the 3-year-old gelding Ben Milam (Curlin), a juvenile colt named Fast Connection (Connect) and a yearling colt by Charlatan. Mrs McDougal's latest progeny is a colt foal by Annapolis, which arrived on April 28. His granddam, Distorted Passion (Distorted Humor), was a multiple stakes winner and placed in a pair of graded stakes. Juddmonte's Frankel sports a strike rate of 51% in the U.S., with 35 winners from 68 runners. Of his winners there, he has sired 13 stakes winners anchored by Grade I winners McKulick, Measured Time, Inspiral and Lake Victoria. Gun Barrel City breaks his maiden in R6 at BAQ for trainer Todd Pletcher with @iradortiz aboard! pic.twitter.com/O3pCAESqtd — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) May 18, 2025 Repeat Winners Dan Blacker trainee Lunar Impact (Zoustar) earned the first black-type win of her career in Santa Anita's Mizdirection Stakes on May 17 (video). Owned by D K Racing, Qatar Racing, Radley Equin, Rick Gold and Dave Odmark, the 5-year-old mare was making her 11th start. The post Making Waves: Gun Barrel City Strikes In The Big Apple appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bouncing back from a disappointing effort when fifth in last month's G3 Prix Noailles, the Starspangledbanner colt Rafale Design returned to ParisLongchamp to stamp his class on Thursday's G3 Prix Hocquart, Sent off at 12-1 for the 11-furlong contest, Laurent Dassault's colour-bearer was restrained by Christophe Soumillon following a smart break to track the moderate pace. Full of running at every stage, the Yann Barberot-trained descendant of the GI Matron Stakes heroine Sense Of Style took control approaching the furlong pole before asserting for a smooth 1 1/4-length verdict over Sottsass's Asmarani. “I am not surprised to see him win, because he is a good horse and my best three-year-old,” Barberot said. “He is a good-ground specialist and the rain-softened ground was a real concern for me but obviously he is getting stronger. He has improved with time and stays well, so the [G1] Grand Prix de Paris will now be the target.” Won last year by Calandagan before going onto bigger and better things… Rafale Design takes a nice step forward from his reappearance to claim Listed honours at ParisLongchamp! pic.twitter.com/mZX1JWD44y — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 22, 2025 The post Starspangledbanner’s Rafale Design Bounces Back In The Hocquart appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 1 winner Tunnes, a half-brother to Arc hero and sire Torquator Tasso, has joined the BBAG Spring Sale as a wildcard. Set for May 30, the catalogue now features 59 lots. The son of Guiliani was sold for €38,000 during the BBAG September Yearling Sale in 2020. Racing for Holger Renz, the chestnut showed group form at two with a win at Group 3 level, and progressed at three to take the G3 Deutsches St. Leger and the G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern. He is out of the Toylsome (GB) mare Tijuana. The post Group 1 Winner Tunnes Added To BBAG Spring Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There were a few likely types in Yarmouth's six-furlong novice on Thursday and one clear-cut winner in Too Darn Hot's newcomer Postmodern who surged to TDN Rising Star status. Contained initially by Jamie Spencer, Wathnan's 270,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase tanked his way to the front before getting past the first two furlongs. Asked to extend with every rival covered a furlong from home, the Hamad Al Jehani-trained 18-5 second favourite powered clear for an emphatic five-length success. Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's 500,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 buy Amorim by Havana Grey was the closest at the line, but treading water behind the half-brother to Muhaarar's GII Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes winner Be Your Best. “He left the gates smarter than I wanted, but he pricked his ears in front and I was still taking him back at the furlong pole,” Spencer said, while the trainer added, “He's a nice horse and we were educating him today. He has a nice turn of foot and hopefully we'll see him in a big race next.” We may have just seen something very special! Postmodern puts in a seriously impressive performance first time up at @GTYarmouthRaces! pic.twitter.com/9Iz0P4cd8x — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 22, 2025 The post Too Darn Hot’s Postmodern A New TDN Rising Star For Wathnan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A schedule, compiled by America's Best Racing, of racing programs on radio and television.View the full article

Godolphin's recent £720,000 Goffs UK Breeze-Up acquisition Maximized (Mehmas) yielded a swift return on investment with a performance worthy of TDN Rising Stardom in Thursday's Betfred “Follow Us On X” EBF Novice Stakes over six furlongs at Haydock. The Cheveley Park Stud-bred went postward as an 11-2 chance and broke well to stalk the pace in second from the outset of this debut. Looming large before inching ahead passing the quarter-mile marker, he quickened impressively to settle the contest in a matter of strides approaching the final furlong and kept on powerfully in the closing stages to easily account for stablemate Time To Turn (Dark Angel) by 1 1/4 lengths. The runner-up finished 2 3/4 lengths clear of the remainder. A @godolphin 1-2 but NOT in the order the market expected Maximized, a £720,000 breeze-up buy, proves too streetwise for seemingly better-fancied stablemate Time To Turn. Two colts with stacks of potential. @Betfred | @davidprobert9 pic.twitter.com/ws9rbnNdAk — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 22, 2025 Maximized is the latest of five foals and second scorer produced by a daughter of G1 Cheveley Park Stakes heroine Hooray (Invincible Spirit), herself a out of Listed Star Stakes winner Hypnotize (Machiavellian). Hypnotize, who is a half-sister to Group 2-winning G1 1000 Guineas third Dazzle (Gone West), also threw Listed Criterium de l'Ouest victor Hypnotic (Lomitas) and Listed Two-Year-Old Trophy third Mazyoun (Mayson). The April-foaled bay is a half-brother to Listed Cathedral Stakes victrix and G3 Ballyogan Stakes runner-up Benefit (Acclamation). 2nd-Haydock, £11,000, Mdn, 5-22, 2yo, 6fT, 1:14.97, g/f. MAXIMIZED (GB), c, 2, by Mehmas (Ire) 1st Dam: Boost (GB), by Pivotal (GB) 2nd Dam: Hooray (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire) 3rd Dam: Hypnotize (GB), by Machiavellian Sales history: 95,000gns RNA Ylg '24 TATOCT; £720,000 2yo '25 GOUKBR. *1/2 to Benefit (GB) (Acclamation {GB}), SW-Eng & GSP-Ire. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, £5,940. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O-Godolphin; B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-David Probert. The post Expensive Godolphin Breezer Maximized Impresses with TDN Rising Star Display at Haydock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sammarco, a dual Group 1 winner when trained in Germany by Peter Schiergen, is set to make his Australian debut for Ciaron Maher at Sandown on Saturday. The son of Camelot was a high-class three-year-old in 2022 when he registered back-to-back victories at the top level in the Deutsches Derby and Grosser Dallmayr-Preis – Bayerisches Zuchtrennen. He now kicks off his career in Australia as the winner of five of his 18 starts and over €630,000 in total prize-money. “It's going to be interesting how that German form ties in,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull told Racenet. “We've had some of our riders on him and Ethan [Brown] had a sit on him recently and said he gave him a feel. That's what you want to hear. “He's definitely one of those staying horses that could do anything, especially this time of year. You know he's got the stamina, he's just got to get the first half right.” Sammarco is set to run over 1,800 metres on Saturday, having shown his best form in Europe at around 2,400 metres, but Turnbull is optimistic that the run will bring him on as the team build towards some big targets in the spring. “He'll want the run, naturally, but it's just the right race to kick him off in,” he added. “Our plan is to pick through the winter. He'll probably go through the Banjo Paterson Series and then, all being well, you're at the doorstep of spring fit. “He will be regulation four to five weeks every run, emulating that European style. He's not young–he's seasoned and we can't reinvent the wheel running every two weeks.” The post Deutsches Derby Hero Sammarco Ready for Australian Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Santa Anita Park's Hollywood Meet reached the halfway point by increasing the substantial gains in handle and field size through comparable dates from last year. The Hollywood Meet, which began on Apr. 18, saw purses increases of over 10% from last year's season while drawing runners from Northern California and leading to an 11% rise in field size at Santa Anita. Additionally, Santa Anita Park's handle is up 14% from 2024. On-track attendance during Santa Anita's 90th year has remained steady with a 5%increase over 2024. The Santa Anita Hollywood Meet continues through Sunday, June 15. The post Santa Anita’s Handle, Field Size Up at Halfway Point at 2025 Hollywood Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

King Dance (Nyquist–Do the Dance, by Discreet Cat), a 3-year-old half-brother to last week's GIII Pimlico Special Stakes winner Awesome Aaron (Practical Joke) who cost $200,000 at Keeneland September in 2023, makes his career debut in a 1200-meter 'griffin' race at Sha Tin Racecourse Sunday afternoon. King Dance is owned by Peter Chu and is trained by Francis Lui, best known as the conditioner of three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro), and who has had other success with American-bred gallopers, such as Hong Kong Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Chancheng Glory (Mor Spirit); Chancheng Prince (Carpe Diem), winner of seven races and better than $1.4 million in Hong Kong; and the Group 3-placed Sunny Star (Flatter). Having arrived in Hong Kong last September, King Dance spent his first few weeks in light work at Sha Tin, but has been stabled at the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Conghua Training Center since late October. He has participated in four barrier trials, the last three of which have taken place over the last two months, including a narrow 'victory' going a straight 1000 meters Apr. 28 where he was slowly into stride before making progress while under urging to prevail (video, barrier 4). Bred in Kentucky by the Do the Dance Partnership, the chestnut was consigned by Paramount Sales, agent, to the 2023 Keeneland September Sale, the same auction that produced future three-time G1 Hong Kong Mile hero Good Ba Ba ($85,000 in 2003), himself a debut griffin winner. King Dance's stakes winning dam is out of Loure (A.P. Indy), whose daughter Randonnee (Blame) was a listed winner and placed three times at Group 3 level in Japan. Third dam Loving Pride (Quiet American) won the 2002 G3 Prix d'Aumale in France for Sheikh Mohammed and Criquette Head. King Dance is drawn four in a field of 12 in the Sunday opener at Sha Tin (12:30 a.m. ET). 'Griffins' are defined as horses aged two or three years old who are unraced upon their import into Hong Kong. South African ex-pat jockey Lyle Hewitson has the riding assignment. Click here for the HKJC form. The post Keeneland-Sourced Son of Nyquist Set For Hong Kong Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An earner of more than $3 million, Skippylongstocking has competed at 15 different tracks during his career, in which he has won eight graded stakes.View the full article

Stakes winner Ahuriri (NZ) (Almanzor) showed a welcome return to form on a wet track last start and trainer Chris Waller hoped a similar surface at Randwick could help her to continue in that vein. The mare ploughed through the heavy 9 conditions over 1900m at Canterbury last month to record her first win since the 2024 VRC St Leger (2800m). She steps up to 2400m in Saturday’s PF Civil Handicap on a track anticipated to be at the extreme end of the ratings spectrum. “She won a St Leger at Flemington this time last year and it’s going to be wet, it’s going to call on stamina and she’s got that,” Waller said. “She’s got winning form on a wet track last start so for a winter horse, she ticks the boxes. “We’re confident that she will run well.” Ahuriri has been steady in early betting as a $3.80 favourite and will have the services of Zac Lloyd from barrier 13. The mare forms part of a busy book for Lloyd, who has rides in nine of the 10 races. Along with Ahuriri, he will partner two-year-old Master Of The Air for Waller in the opening event, the Dundeel youngster resuming after finishing fifth in a strong Warwick Farm maiden in February behind subsequent Black Opal Stakes winner King Of Pop. Lloyd will also team up with training partners John O’Shea and Tom Charlton for a trio of mounts, headlined by $4.40 chance Hurstville Zagreb, who will be out to stakes his Queensland Derby claims in the Chalouhi Handicap (1800m). Stablemate Interjection ($5.50) is also high in markets for the Magnolia Lane Financial Services Handicap (1400m) and boasts autumn carnival formlines having finished third behind Sargeant Major in the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) over Saturday’s course and distance two starts ago The O’Shea and Charlton-trained She’s Unusual (NZ) (Unusual Suspect) ($4.60) rounds out Lloyd’s book in the Wilson Asset Management Handicap (1400m) and is yet to miss a top-two finish in four starts on heavy tracks. View the full article

Newmarket Racecourses announced on Thursday that the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation will be the Official Charity Partner of this year's Debenhams July Festival (July 10-12). The Cambridgeshire Community Foundation is a charity which works towards providing a better quality of life for people across the county. The Foundation identifies the most critical needs of local communities, raises funds and awards grants to non-profit organisations that make a big impact in addressing those needs. Since being founded in 2004, the Foundation has awarded over £39 million to local charity and community projects through over 10,000 grants. The post New Charity Partner Announced for the Debenhams July Festival appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juddmonte's TDN Rising Star duo Field Of Gold (Kingman) and Cosmic Year (Kingman), who have drawn stalls nine and five, head a field of nine declared for Saturday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh. Field Of Gold is on the wing again and seeks redemption for his G1 2000 Guineas near miss with Colin Keane replacing Kieran Shoemark in the plate. Harry Charlton has provided Cosmic Year with a solid foundation and decides now is the time to make the jump in grade coming back off a win in Newmarket's Listed King Charles II Stakes on the opening day of HQ's Guineas fixture. The Andrew Balding-conditioned G3 Sandown Classic Trial runner-up Windlord (Dubawi) bolsters the Juddmonte squad and is next to Cosmic Year in six. Aidan O'Brien, bidding for a record-extending baker's dozen editions, relies on Listed Tetrarch Stakes winner Officer (Dubawi) and 2000 Guineas ninth Expanded (Wootton Bassett). They are alongside each other in stalls three and two, respectively. This deep renewal also features Silverton Hill Partnership's G1 Futurity Trophy winner Hotazhell (Too Darn Hot), who was in full kit before skipping his Poulains engagement on account of the fast ground in Paris two weeks ago, and is reported in fine fettle for this belated seasonal debut. The track has been watered and, with rain forecast in the coming days, Thursday morning's official going was rated as a more forgiving good, good-to-firm in places. The Jessica Harrington nominee has drawn stall four. Confidence was high in G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes hero Scorthy Champ (Mehmas) before his 2000 Guineas seventh for the Joseph O'Brien stable and he will seek amends from stall eight. The famed Sangster livery, not seen in the winner's circle since Turtle Island's 1994 triumph, exits stall one and will be sported by last year's winning rider Sean Levey atop the Brian Meehan-trained G3 Greenham Stakes runner-up Rashabar (Holy Roman Emperor). Another to have missed his Poulains target, he adds lustre to a strong British challenge. Such is the field's strength in depth, Comanche Brave (Wootton Bassett) is freely available at 50-1 and the Donnacha O'Brien trainee, last seen getting outbobbed by subsequent G1 Poulains hero Henri Matisse (Wootton Bassett) in Leopardstown's G3 2000 Guineas Trial at the end of March, may well outrun those odds from stall seven. The post Juddmonte’s Field Of Gold and Cosmic Year Head Irish 2000 Guineas Field of Nine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With Dubai Honour in town and Voyage Bubble alive in the Triple Crown, fans are expecting fireworks at Sha Tin on Sunday.View the full article

English jockey George Rooke has enjoyed a breakthrough season in New Zealand, and he has been rewarded for his consistency with a trip to Sydney this week. The 24-year-old hoop will cross the Tasman to partner the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained She’s A Dealer (Ace High) in the Chalouhi Handicap (1800m) at Randwick on Saturday, with a view to heading towards the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm next month. Rooke has ridden the Rich Hill Stud-bred and raced filly in all three of her starts to date, including two victories over 1400m and a mile at Ellerslie and Te Rapa respectively. Saturday will be Rooke’s first taste of Australian racing, and he is looking forward to the challenge. “It’s very exciting to be riding her,” he said. “This is my first time riding in Australia, so it’s a big ask and I have been trusted, so hopefully we can deliver and it’s a good day. I will walk it (Randwick track) tomorrow (Friday) and see what it’s like.” The Kiwi raiders are set to be met by heavy track conditions this weekend, with Randwick already rated a Heavy9, with rain forecast in the lead-up to the weekend. The wet conditions don’t perturb Rooke, who believes his charge will handle them well, and he is confident of a bold showing from barrier seven. “She won at Ellerslie on a Soft5, and she won quite impressively,” he said. “It will be very Soft ground (on Saturday) and we have got a good draw, so it gives me options, and going further will suit. Everything is in plan for her to run a good race.” Rooke, who hails from Hampshire in England, is currently in his first season of riding in New Zealand and sits ninth on the national jockeys’ premiership with 55 wins, including victory aboard Dream Of The Moon in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton last month. He is enjoying his time down under and the experiences it has provided him to date, and he is looking forward to adding another this weekend. “I have been here seven months now and it has been very good to me, I love it,” Rooke said. “I am getting a lot more opportunities and I am riding better horses. “I am really looking forward to Saturday. This will be my third country I have ridden in – England, New Zealand and Australia.” While excited about this weekend, Rooke is also looking forward to his riding prospects in his adopted homeland as he heads into the new season. “There are a lot of very nice two-year-olds, turning three, that I am excited to ride,” he said. “So hopefully, all going well, I could have a good year.” View the full article

Veteran handler growing in confidence ahead of stable star’s first tilt at 2,400m in final Group One of the season.View the full article

Bill Thurlow will be represented far and wide in the coming days, although his southern-most runner is on a one-way ticket. He has bid farewell to Rebal Agent (NZ) (Complacent) who will make his final appearance under the Waverley trainer’s name when he lines up in the Speights Rating Handicap (1600m) at Wingatui on Friday. The son of Complacent has a win and six placings from 13 appearances, but connections believe he will be better placed in the South Island on a permanent basis. “He’ll be staying down there and will go on to Steven Prince, so he won’t be coming home,” Thurlow said. “The owners think he’s probably met his level up here and they’ve got plenty of others and decided to put their money into the younger ones, which is fair enough.” Meanwhile, Thurlow is hoping No Rain Ever can return to her best in the KPMG Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa where the daughter of No Nay Never will be partnered by Warren Kennedy. Last season’s Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) winner has a couple of third placings and a last-start sixth at Wanganui from her most recent appearances. “She’s had been a tad disappointing, but she has had a few niggly problems,” Thurlow said. “We think we’ve ironed them out and got her back on track. “She needs a good track and we’re always going to struggle this time of the year, but it looks like we might just be lucky enough to get a reasonable one on Saturday. “The weights are a bit compressed with Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma) in there, it’s a bit of a shame and there are horses above her that probably should have more weight than her under normal circumstances.” No Rain Ever’s immediate program will firstly depend on her performance at Te Rapa and next week’s forecast. “If it stayed really good, there’s a faint chance she could back up at Wanganui (Listed AGC Training Stakes, 1600m) but if it rained that just wouldn’t happen,” Thurlow said. “She was going to run last Sunday (at Hawera), but it turned on us when it rained so we late scratched her.” Thurlow will also have three runners at New Plymouth on Saturday and tipped Towrope (NZ) (Zacinto) as the stable’s best when he steps out in the Wash Squad Maiden (1600m) with apprentice Jim Chung to ride the Zacinto gelding. He has gone close to breaking through several times with seven placings to his credit and has had a trial to fit him for his return. “He’s probably our best chance, I’m happy with him fresh-up for the mile,” Thurlow said. Merchant Navy filly Pinhook will take aim at the AB Electrical 3YO (1400m) while Our Lady Brooke (NZ) (Derryn) resumes in the Landmark Homes Handicap (1600m). “Pinkhook was disappointing in her last run for no reason, she was a bit woeful but has been working really well and Our Lady Brooke has trialled and jumped out, but she may a run,” Thurlow said. View the full article

Taranaki gelding Chajaba (NZ) (Keano) has a good association with the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m), and owner-trainer Tina Egan would dearly love to take out this year’s edition with her homebred. The eight-year-old son of Keano was runner-up in the New Plymouth feature two years ago behind winter supremo Justaskme (NZ) (No Excuse Needed_, while he finished fifth in last year’s running. “The Opunake Cup is definitely his main aim, he has had a second and a fifth in it, and it would be great to win it,” Egan said. He will kick-off his preparation towards his ultimate target in two months when he heads to New Plymouth on Saturday to tackle the Seaton Park 1400. Egan is happy enough with her charge in the lead-up to his first-up assignment, but she does expect him to take plenty of improvement out of the run. “He has had a couple of jump-outs and he is a bit more forward than last year,” Egan said. “He pulled a muscle last year, so we were on the backfoot a little bit. “He usually improves with his first race and goes well second-up, so we are not expecting big things, plus it is going to be a better track, but he loves New Plymouth.” The Opunake Cup is a ballot exempt race for the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton in August, and while Chajaba has yet to be tested over a mile, Egan hasn’t ruled out a crack at the southern feature if her were to win his main target. “I would like to try him over a mile,” she said. “We thought about the Winter Cup a couple of years ago, but he hadn’t been tried over a mile. I would give him a race somewhere over a mile, somewhere like Te Rapa would be ideal, before going down there if he were to win the Opunake Cup.” Egan has bred from the family for several generations, and Chajaba is particularly sentimental for the Stratford horsewomen given he is named after her three children – Chase, Jade, and Bailey. The chestnut gelding has been a standout for the family, winning seven and placing in six of his 27 career starts to date, and earned nearly $160,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma) has returned to Pam Gerard’s Matamata base after another successful southern campaign, and he’ll aim to continue that form closer to home at Te Rapa on Saturday. After winning the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1400m) earlier in his preparation at Wingatui, Harlech recorded his second consecutive runner-up finish in the Gr.3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m), despite the unfavourable track conditions. With minimal options left in the South Island, the son of Darci Brahma headed home and has impressed Gerard since, enough so to press on through the winter period if the right surfaces arise. “He’s really not a heavy tracker and hated every minute of it in the Cup, but his class, being well and wanting to be out there racing got him that result,” she said. “He was going nowhere at all and managed to pick himself up and get through it, so it was a big effort. “We brought him back up because they were going to the synthetic, and that’s not me and not him. We thought he may be heading towards the paddock for a spell, but he’s that well when he got home we thought we’d keep him going. “If we got a good track, we’d race and if they were heavy, we’d put him aside. It looks like the track will be nice, probably the best track he’s raced on all season.” The Group One performer will contest the KPMG Mile (1600m) on Saturday, where Hayley Hassman’s four-kilogram claim has lessened his weight impost to a competitive 58kg. “The weight is definitely a query, but he’s got that for a reason,” Gerard said. “He’s done well down south, it hasn’t been a fantastic season, but he’s still top of the pops. “We always thought this would be his last season, but he seems to be getting better and better, so we’ll leave it up to him. He’ll have a bit of a break at some stage, but he does lots of different things, going jumping, doing dressage and goes out and about all the time, the variety really works for him. “It really depends on the weather, but being an older horse, I don’t think he likes being out in the paddock that much and we’ve got some races up at Ruakaka on better tracks that could suit him.” Harlech’s speedy stablemate Shoes (NZ) (Derryn) also returned to the north recently, having collected a fourth placing in the Listed Timaru Stakes (1200m) during her travels. Gerard had also considered a spell for the Derryn mare, but a big performance to finish just short of progressive gelding Force Of Nature (NZ) (Savabeel) called for a change of plans. “She’s come home from being down south as well and we got a little bit of black-type, probably not the black-type we were looking for but things just didn’t go right for her,” Gerard said. “Then she raced super at Wellington, she was in it for a long way on the worst part of the track. “She was pretty fired up when she got home and I thought she may be telling us it was the end of the season, but we gave her one more and she ran a beauty. “I think she’s gone forward since then, she’s very well and the distance suits.” Kelly Myers will partner Shoes in the Jarvis Trading 1100. Gerard will have a sole representative at Ellerslie on Sunday, with well-performed maidener Kind Of Blue chasing that elusive first win in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1300m). “She’s just a little, slight filly that has taken time to mature,” Gerard said. “She doesn’t like a wet track, but with Ellerslie there, we still have options that are available. She’s probably coming to the end of her season, but she looked like last start that she may be looking for the 1400m, where in the past we thought 1200 would be her limit. “We’ve gone in the middle at 1300 so we’ll see how she goes.” View the full article

After a couple of encouraging runs on the flat, premier jumper Lord Spencer (NZ) (Zed) will be back to doing what he does best on Saturday. The son of Zed will line up in the Jones Trucking Hurdle (2800m) at Te Rapa with Lemmy Douglas to continue his association with the seven-year-old. They will return to the scene of their greatest triumph, having memorably combined to lift last season’s Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) title. Lord Spencer was then sent for a deserved break and resumed last month when third over 1600m at Waverley and the Wanganui gelding made the short return trip there to again run third over 2100m. Most recently, he tailed the field home in a Rating 65 event over 2200m at Trentham, but trainer JJ Rayner wasn’t downcast. “He’s coming up really well and that last run was just typical of him,” she said. “He didn’t want to go and then picked up again late, as if he had another round to go so, I was happy enough. “It was another blow out for him and his runs before that were quite handy.” Lord Spencer has come through the outing without incident, although Rayner isn’t necessarily expecting fireworks in his return to racing over fences. “He looks good and is doing well, it will be another run under his belt on Saturday,” she said. “There are a few hard ones in there, I don’t know if he can beat the Fannin horse (Fourty Eight) (NZ) (Ekraar) home first-up and English Gambler will go to the front and go like the clappers while the tracks are good. “As long as he’s running home okay and pulls up well, then I’ll be very happy.” All going to plan, Lord Spencer will head back to Te Rapa next month. “He’ll run in the Waikato Hurdles (3200m), we’ll see how things go but we’ll probably look at Christchurch again and the Northern,” Rayner said. Lord Spencer finished runner-up in the Sydenham Hurdles (3200m) last winter before a gallant fourth in the Grand National Hurdles (4200m) ahead of his win in the Great Northern. However, his main targets have yet to be locked in stone with the bigger fences also an option. “We might go steeplechasing somewhere along the line. I think he will be a great ‘chaser, he settles well, relaxes and switches off,” Rayner said. “We’ll see whether it might be the National Hurdles or Steeples, we’ll make a decision on that later on.” Rayner said multiple flat winner Tutin Cans (NZ) (Alamosa) was a possible travelling mate for Lord Spencer. “He’ll start in a maiden hurdle on June 14 (at Te Rapa) and we’ll just see how he progresses. “He goes nicely on the flat and jumps well so he could be one to go.” View the full article

Thursday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 17:13, PRIX HOCQUART-G3, €80,000, 3yo, 11fT Field: Asmarani (Ire) (Sottsass {Fr}), Zekret (Zarak {Fr}), Zarakchic (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Rafale Design (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Maupassant (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), Duty (Fr) (Romanised {Ire}), Golden Weaver (Fr) (Romanised {Ire}), Lifetimes (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Lazio (Ger) (Make Believe {GB}), Avide (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Connections of last year's winner Calandagan are back with their G1 Grand Prix de Paris entry Asmarani, who could be ridden positively given that has already proven he stays further than this at Saint-Cloud last month. The relative of Azamour meets strong opposition from German raiders in Lazio and Lifetimes, with the former registering an eight-length win in the G2 Gran Criterium in October before finishing second in Munich's G3 Bavarian Classic at the start of the month. A half-brother to the G1 Pretty Polly Stakes winner La Petite Coco, Lifetimes is the G3 Preis der Winterfavoriten winner, so the G1 Deutsches Derby will be on the mind of Peter Schiergen. [Tom Frary]. Thursday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 19:33, PRIX FINLANDE-Listed, €55,000, 3yo, f, 9fT Field: Cankoura (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}), Paix Des Sames (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}), Ilda Rosa (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Temptable (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Reine De Medicis (Ire) (Romanised {Ire}), Wassail (War Front). TDN Verdict: Paix Des Dames had Temptable back in third over this course and distance in April and could be the answer, although Cankoura probably has more to offer back up in trip after finishing fourth in the Listed Prix des Lilas. [Tom Frary]. Thursday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 16:38, PRIX DE MONTRETOUT-Listed, €52,000, 4yo/up, 8fT Field: Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), Quddwah (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Narkez (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Quasar (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}), Siam Paragon (Fr) (Shalaa {Ire}), Haatem (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), Start Of Day (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). TDN Verdict: This is an intriguing affair, with last year's G3 Jersey Stakes winner and G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up Haatem looking to build on his return fifth in the G2 Sandown Mile. Also here are the G2 Summer Mile winner Quddwah and the G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange runner-up Start Of Day, so this should be an adequate test for the Wathnan representative. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Asmarani Has A Point To Prove In Hocquart appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jordyn Bublitz Team Coppins will again be out in force at Cambridge tonight as junior driver Kate Coppins looks to continue her good form in the sulky. She has three drives, all for her grandmother, Morrinsville trainer Jill Coppins. In Race 4, the Wednesday Quiz Night at The Clubhouse Handicap Trot she takes the reins behind Bonny Parker, who ran third her last start at Cambridge on May 6. It was her first placing in five starts. “It was a huge improvement for her, we’ve had a lot of trouble with her early on just getting her trotting, so with her coming third it was a huge shock to us,” she said. “It’s a big step up racing the one wins and the higher graded horses, but she tries her hardest no matter what and if she trots all the way she could hopefully get a nice placing.” Her best of the night is in Race 6, the NZMCA Parking at Cambridge Raceway Mobile Pace in the form of Jaccka Opa who ran into a strong second last start on the course. “We were quite shocked with him last start too, we’d just changed his training around a little bit and for him to come out and do that really surprised us.” “I think tonight he should go another good race, being 2700 metres and the races that he’s won down south have all been over the 2600 so we think it might be right up his alley.” President Flynntin rounds out her night in Race 7, the Hire a Venue at Cambridge Raceway Handicap Trot and his last start win bodes well for his chances this evening. “It was a pretty good feeling, it never seems to stop being exciting,” said Coppins. “I think he should go pretty good tonight, fingers crossed he’ll trot but he’s been pretty consistent lately with his manners so long as I put him in the race he should be a pretty big chance again.” To make this all even more special for Coppins is that she gets to do it all for her family, and especially her grandmother. “Honestly it’s very hard to put into words the excitement of just coming in a place let alone winning for her, the excitement in her just brings me so much joy and being in those colours, every time I go out there I feel really proud.” “The amount of work she puts in and everyone else as well, mum and dad, they put their whole life into it to get the horses to the races for me and I wouldn’t be here without their support, especially nana.” So far Coppins, in just her second year of driving, has won seven races from 73 drives. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Carter Dalgety is opting for quality rather than quantity this harness racing weekend. Dalgety heads to Winton on Thursday to team up with a select book of drives including The Lazarus Effect. The talented pacer will put his unbeaten record for trainer Bob Butt on the line in search of a penalty-free junior driver’s win. “I was thrilled to get the call-up from Bob,” Dalgety said. “I know he has always been a lovely horse, even before he raced Nathan Purdon had a good opinion of him.” “Then he was super impressive in his two starts for Bob.” “He has had a few issues along the way but it is great that Bob has him going well again.” “His trial at Rangiora was very impressive, he probably isn’t going to need to run a faster quarter on Thursday.” The Lazarus Effect zipped over his final 400m in 26sec to win his only public appearance since winning on New Zealand Cup Day of last year. The pacer heads to Winton unbeaten in two starts, while also having won all of his trials and workouts. Dalgety also combines with Tokyo Rose in heat two of the Silk Road Series at Winton on Thursday. Though the mare has drawn out in barrier 7, she looks well placed after taking on good company at Addington recently. “She has run into some smart horses lately,” Dalgety said. “I haven’t driven her for a little while, but she has gone some decent races even though she hasn’t been in the money lately.” “I think the Winton track will really suit her, she’s a handy chance.” Sheila Laxon appears to be another key drive for Dalgety following her fresh-up victory at Ashburton recently. “Her maiden win was nice, it is never easy for any horse to step up into that next grade.” “But she looks to have a bit of upside to her.” Dalgety also links up with stablemates Erratic and Sherwood Maggie at Winton. The reinsman’s attention will turn to Group 1 racing at Addington on Friday night. Dalgety will link up with the top dog among New Zealand’s two-year-old male pacing ranks in Fugitive, who starts in the New Zealand Welcome Stakes. “He has been up a long time, he was trialling early and he obviously started in the first heat of the Young Guns.” “But he keeps thriving, the trip to Auckland seems to have made him.” “He is doing really well and I can’t wait to drive him again this week.” “ He is in a really great space at the moment.” Fugitive is set to start an even hotter favourite than The Lazarus Effect. Fugitive has been backed into $1.35 favouritism, with The Lazarus Effect rated at $1.40 in early betting. View the full article

Having won his last five starts in California, including two grade 1s, Formidable Man aims to solidify his place at the top of the West's turf mile division in the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park May 26.View the full article

Mike Ryan's homebred Be Your Best takes her show on the road in search of firmer turf when she starts in the $300,000 Gamely Stakes (G1T) May 26 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article