Wandering Eyes

Recommendation arrives at Sha Tin. Photo: HKJC After leading a tour group of clients to last year’s Hong Kong International Races (HKIR), Australia’s biggest trainer Ciaron Maher will return to the 2024 Sha Tin showpiece on December 8 – but this time around he’ll be mixing business with pleasure. While there will again be a large contingent of Maher’s clients as members of his touring party at Sha Tin and also at the International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley on Wednesday, December 4, the big difference this year is that the prolific winning-trainer will have his first runner in Hong Kong when five-year-old gelding Recommendation tackles a crack field in the HK$26 million Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m). Recommendation is yet to win at the highest level, but has four Group 3 victories, including three in succession at Flemington on 7 November lifted his prizemoney to $1.02 million. Maher has more than 400 horses in work at his Victoria and New South Wales stables and is getting bigger. He recorded one of the stable’s biggest pay days when Duke De Sessa won the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Bella Nipotina won theThe Everest (1200m) on the same day on October 19. After getting a taste of the big feature races last year, Maher was keen to return to Hong Kong with his clients and is enthusiastic about the opportunity of having a runner in one of the four Group 1 races at Sha Tin. “Got a heap of clients coming up and all the owners are pretty well up and about,” Maher said. “The horse seems in good form, but the local (Ka Ying Rising) might be hard to beat. “He (Recommendation) is a gelding that has had a really good spring and has gone to another level and the owners were keen to travel with him.” Maher said he is expecting to get some advice from his former co-trainer David Eustace, who has made a successful start as a trainer in his own right in Hong Kong after being granted a training licence at The Hong Kong Jockey Club. “I will be catching up with Dave for sure and he has started very well,” he said. “And we’ll be having a chat for sure.” Maher said he wasn’t surprised when Eustace grabbed the opportunity of training in his own right when offered a training licence in Hong Kong. “He was a great asset to our business and it’s good to see him starting quite well,” he said. Maher and Eustace combined to win more than 1,560 races and 30 Group 1 victories, including Gold Trip’s 2022 Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) win. At this stage, Maher said there hadn’t been a definite booking for a rider for Recommendation but it could be Mark Zahra, who will also ride 2023 Melbourne Cup winner Without A Fight, a leading contender in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m). Maher said he would definitely like to return to Hong Kong to contest more future feature races if he rates his first foray as a success. “Plenty of people have travelled over there before and it will be good to take Recommendation up and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he said. Maher will arrive in Hong Kong on Sunday to supervise Recommendation’s work leading up to the race. Horse racing news View the full article

James McDonald, Derek Leung, Tony Cruz and Cody Mo hit top form while Hugh Bowman and Alexis Badel struggle.View the full article

Race 7 STELLA ARTOIS 1500 CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER 1400m INSPIRED BY ART (W Pinn) – Co-trainer Mr. S Bergerson advised Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, however, INSPIRED BY ART has now been sent for a short spell. Race 8 TAB COUNTIES CUP 2100m (G3) WOLFGANG (M McNab) – Co-trainer Mr. P McKay reported to Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, and it is the stables intention to continue on with WOLFGANG’S current preparation. The post Auckland Thoroughbred Racing @ Pukekohe Park, Saturday, 23 November 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk What a Friday night Melissa Whyte is going to have. In the space of just over half an hour two trotters that she bred will race in two $100,000 Group 1s at Addington. Chester Gold (One Over Da Moon – Natives Lasting Love) will line up in Race 1, the IRT – Ace of Clubs 2YO Colts and Geldings Mobile Trot (5.02pm) while Natives Cullerdamoon (One Over Da Moon – Cullermein) is in Race 2, the Ace of Hearts 2YO Fillies (5.38pm). The Christchurch-based Whyte has a long-held fascination for coloured horses. Many of her horses have carried the “Native” name and the fact that she bred and owns Natives Cullerdamoon, who is a pinto (bay with white patches), makes it all the more special. “He’s the first race horse I’ve had, usually I lease them out,” says Whyte, “Natives Cullerdamoon is the first horse I’ve actually raced in my name.” Trained by Kyle Cameron, “Pippi” as she’s known has had four race day starts with one placing. She’s currently the $71 outsider in the five horse field in a market dominated by Meant To Be ($1.50). “I never thought she’d make a two-year-old and she’s a really nice horse,” says Whyte. Pippi’s mum Cullermein was a three-win skewbald by Christian Cullen out of Splashed. “I was lucky enough to buy her through Gavelhouse as a 17-year-old broodmare.” Chester Gold, in contrast, is a chestnut gelding. Whyte bred his mum Natives Lasting Love and leased her to North Canterbury trainer Austin Thornton. She went on to have seven wins from 99 starts. Chester Gold’s best showing in three career starts so far is a fourth at Rangiora a week ago, one place behind Natives Cullerdamoon. “I sold him as a weanling to Kyle (Cameron).” Cameron co-owns, trains and will drive Chester Gold, a $101 longshot. Habibti Pat is the favourite at $1.75. Win or lose, for Whyte, a long-time breeding enthusiast, it promises to be quite the start to one of Addington’s biggest nights of the year. “It’s a bit exciting.” View the full article

Otaki trainer Johno Benner will be hoping for a late Christmas present when he heads to Ellerslie on Boxing Day with his promising gelding Tikemyson(NZ) (Highly Recommended). The five-year-old son of Highly Recommended is on track to contest the Dunstan Horse Feeds Stayers’ Championship Final (2400m) after recording his third career victory in the Dunstan Horse Feeds Championship Qualifier (2200m) at his home track on Thursday. Backed into $2.60 favouritism, Tikemyson settled three back on the fence for Australian hoop Harry Grace, who bided his time before navigating his charge into clear running room four-wide with 500m to go. He entered a dogfight with fellow Otaki-trained runner Free Spirit down the home straight and was able to get the better of his rival in the concluding stages to win by a nose. Benner, who also part-owns the gelding, was pleased with the victory and was full of praise for Grace’s ride. “It was a bold move by the young fella (Grace) to go to the fence. I said to him ‘just be mindful the tempo is going to come out of this’, but he did a good job of containing him,” Benner said. “Although he was over-racing a little bit, he was able to contain him enough. Maybe that blunted his finish a little too. They don’t generally come from three back the fence when they are walking and win.” Benner said Tikemyson has taken a lot of improvement into this season and he is looking forward to testing him against stiffer competition at Ellerslie next month. “He (Tikemyson) has come a long way because last preparation he would have gone over those horses or the running rail, you wouldn’t know. To get out of traffic and close off like he did, he is definitely a horse that is fulfilling what we think he can do,” he said. “Free Spirit has won seven or eight races, so I think this form might stack up and hopefully he can head to Auckland for Boxing Day now for the Dunstan Final. It is another 200m and he has got to continue to settle, but it might be a nice race for him.” Grace echoed Benner’s sentiments, and he believes Tikemyson will handle the step up in grade. “The horse is much better this prep, he showed that in both runs before today,” he said. “We stepped up in trip and it wasn’t run to suit him, but he was absolutely the best horse in the race and he should improve up in grade.” View the full article

Idyllic is far from what Kate Hercock would describe the past 10 days, but a speedy mare with that name afforded her a moment of solace in Thursday’s Rose City Cars Levin Stakes (1200m) at Otaki. Hercock tragically lost her fiancé Danny Champion last Monday and the Otaki meeting was her first back in the saddle since his passing. In a competitive open sprint, she continued her association with Stephen and Kevin Gray’s Idyllic, of whom she partnered to win the Rating 75 1000m contest at Tauherenikau earlier this month. The daughter of No Nay Never has trademark early speed, and despite being slightly slow away, she soon kicked up to take over the pacemaking role with Amend in close quarters. The $3.10 favourite Lazio settled in the one-one and was giving away a decent margin to Idyllic turning for home, but the mare was never in danger as she powered to victory by just shy of two lengths to Amend and Perfectsister. Hercock saluted crossing the line and was understandably full of emotion returning to scale. “Everyone thinks that I’m really tough, but at the end of the day, I’m still a human,” she said. “I know what we do for a job is tough, but I think the last seven days of my life has been the toughest part. “The only reason you want to get out of bed is to live Dan’s dream of training the horses and making him proud. “She’s an easy ride, she loves being out in front and she rates herself. She botched the start a little bit and I thought oh no, I’m going to be slow away, but she’s got such good turn of foot. “When I got to the 400m, I thought right, this one’s for Danny. I did everything, I didn’t care if I was going to get excessive use of the stick today, I wasn’t getting beat.” Idyllic is establishing herself as a serious prospect for the upcoming summer sprint features, with Kevin Gray expressing plenty of pride in the six-year-old. “She’s a front-running horse, she works that way, and I don’t do anything to try and change her,” he said. “I’m very proud of her, she’s put on nearly 20kgs since last year and she’s doing everything you want her to do. “It’s not easy to get horses like this, John Cameron who manages and part-owns her has been very good to me and I’ve known him for a number of years. To have a horse like this for him, as well as the stable, I’m very pleased. “I’d like to say that the young girl that does the work with her, she does everything on her and has been brilliant. She’s not an easy horse to ride, because man, can she pull.” Initially passed in when presented by Wentwood Grange at the 2020 Karaka Yearling Sales, Idyllic was retained by breeder John Cameron and she has gone on to win five races from 17 starts and just shy of $130,000 in stakes. Out of a Lonhro mare Idlewild, Idyllic is a half-sister to promising filly Romilly, who contests Saturday’s Listed The O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes (1340m) at Wanganui. The Gray’s have put in a nomination for the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham on January 4 where Idyllic currently sits a $41 chance on the TAB Futures market. View the full article

Explosive filly Hankee Alpha(NZ) (Proisir) made a big statement at Te Aroha on Wednesday, with a phenomenal performance putting her firmly in the conversation for the major three-year-old races this season. Hankee Alpha caught plenty of attention on debut in late October, putting over six lengths on a field which included subsequent winners Adelante and Ocean Miss. Her trainers, Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, were eager to test the filly’s ability on a Good surface, and punters had every faith she could repeat her first-up effort backing her into $1.60 ahead of Egyptian Queen, who placed behind Crocetti in the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) in January. In the hands of Masa Hashizume, Hankee Alpha was immediately back near the tail of the field from the jump, settling into a comfortable rhythm while Goldburg set a solid tempo up-front. With the entire field ahead of her on the turn, Hankee Alpha had a task on her hands, but when the gaps came, she powered through them like an experienced campaigner and caught Egyptian Queen just short of the line, taking the victory by a neck. O’Sullivan was thrilled with the daughter of Proisir, who swiftly shortened to $14 on the TAB Futures markets for the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and the $4.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). “We’d planned to go back a little bit, possibly not that far but that was just how the race turned out,” he said. “I thought she was going to need a lot of luck, it was a really good ride and he (Hashizume) rode with a lot of patience. A lot of times, the gaps don’t open up, so we were fortunate that things went our way. “The pleasing part from the stable’s point of view was it was good to see her doing it on Good ground, as opposed to last time out on a heavy track, albeit a summer heavy.” While Hankee Alpha may have won each of her only two starts to date, O’Sullivan credits much of that to six trial appearances over her juvenile and early three-year-old preparations, with patience a key factor in her development. “At the trials, we never really asked her to extend, it was just all about educating her,” he said. “By the time she went to a race meeting, she wasn’t scared or timid to go through the field and things like that. “You have to have good track riders, they’re very important and they’ve done a very good job with her. It was a while before we got her to the races, but it was all a matter of slowing her down, getting her to breath and relax. “It was just a long, slow, steady build-up to give her confidence and she’s repaid us. In saying that, they’ve got to have ability to do that as well.” There are plenty of strong three-year-old races looming and O’Sullivan indicated Hankee Alpha would likely be targeted towards the Gr.2 Shaw’s Wire Ropes Auckland Guineas (1400m), run at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. “We’re still yet to discuss with the owners, but our immediate plan at this stage would be to run her on Boxing Day in the three-year-old 1400m race there,” he said. “Without confirming, that looks pretty likely.” Hankee Alpha is the fourth foal out of Guillotine mare Queen Of Navarre, a winner of four races for the filly’s breeders Tony and Nikki Brown. When offered by Highline Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Karaka Yearling Sales, Hankee Alpha was purchased for $35,000 by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Catheryne Bruggeman, and she is raced by Bryan Black, Dee Black and Jenny Courtney. Later on the Te Aroha card, Wexford completed a winning double with Sax ‘n’ Silks, who earned a deserved maiden success in the Stables Books (1400m). The four-year-old by Saxon Warrior showed plenty of promise early in her career, finishing fourth in the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m) on New Year’s Day, and after finishing second to sharp stablemate Checkmate last-start, it was her turn in the spotlight. Also ridden by Masa Hashizume, who picked up a winning quartet on the day, Sax ‘n’ Silks lead from the outset and was never headed, powering away from her rivals to score by 1-3/4 lengths to Chinook. “We were really pleased to see her rewarded with a win, and it’s certainly not her last,” O’Sullivan said. “It was a good strong performance, they weren’t really winning from the front all day and she’s done that, so she’s only going to continue to improve. She’ll probably head to a race on Boxing Day as well.” View the full article

What Winterbottom Stakes Day 2024 Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, November 30, 2024 First Race 12:34pm AWST Visit Dabble The Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes will headline the nine-race card at Ascot this Saturday afternoon. The track was rated a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances; however, with warm weather forecast in the lead-up, it is expected that racing will take place on a perfect Good 4 surface. The rail will be in the +7m position for the entire circuit, with opening race set to kick off at 12:34pm AWST. Read HorseBetting’s Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes betting preview and strategy here. Lee-Steere Classic tip: Mai Aloha Mai Aloha will clash with a number of her rivals that she faced in the Placid Ark Stakes; however, her connections will be hoping for more luck this time. The Grant & Alana Williams-trained filly travelled sweetly for William Pike, but she was held up behind slowing runners for the first 200m of the home straight, which ultimately cost her any chance of winning. Stepping up to 1400m will suit this girl, and with even luck, Mai Aloha can turn the tables and record another win. Lee-Steere Classic Race 6 – #8 Mai Aloha (11) 3yo Filly | T: Grant & Alana Williams | J: William Pike (53kg) +300 with BlondeBet Jungle Dawn Classic tip: The Boss Lady After jumping slowly from the barriers and being forced to settle worse than midfield, The Boss Lady was never a winning chance in the Jungle Mist Classic. The leader and eventual winner held a six-length margin over the Michael Lane-trained mare turning for home, but to her credit, she made up a stack of ground in the final 200m to finish second. If Chris Parnham can get her to jump better from barrier four, The Boss Lady will settle closer to the speed and prove hard to hold out late. Jungle Dawn Classic Race 7 – #7 The Boss Lady (4) 4yo Mare | T: Michael Lane | J: Chris Parnham (55kg) +380 with Picklebet Best Bet at Ascot: Jokers Grin Jokers Grin is one of the rising stars in Western Australia, and he will be seeking his sixth straight win after recording a breathtaking victory over 1000m on November 16. The Bernie Miller-trained gelding was made to travel three-wide with no cover but still proved way too good for his rivals as he glided past them in the final 100m. If Patrick Carbery can find some cover and produce Jokers Grin at the 300m mark, he will win again. Best Bet Race 5 – #6 Jokers Grin (8) 4yo Gelding | T: Bernie Miller | J: Patrick Carbery (55.5kg) +100 with Neds Next Best at Ascot: Royal Toronado It is hard to go past Royal Toronado in the second event, as the Grant & Alana Williams-trained gelding drops back from 2100m to the same distance that he won at two starts back. After encountering some trouble early in the home straight, this son of Toronado came from the back of the field and flashed up the inside rail to go down by a nose on the line. William Pike will stick with this four-year-old gelding, and if he shows a similar finishing burst to his previous runs, Royal Toronado will bounce back. Next Best Race 2 – #6 Royal Toronado (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Grant & Alana Williams | J: William Pike (57kg) +140 with PlayUp Ascot quaddie tips for Winterbottom Stakes Day Ascot quadrella selections Saturday, November 30, 2024 1-3-8 1-4-7-8-10 1-2-5-6-13 1-5-7-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Festival Stakes Day Where Rosehill Gardens Racecourse – James Ruse Dr, Rosehill NSW 2142 When Saturday, November 30, 2024 First Race 12:35pm AEDT Visit Dabble The Group 3 Festival Stakes (1500m) headlines the action at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, with a bumper 10-part program set for decision. The rail reverts back to the true position the entire circuit, and with heavy rainfall likely to hit the course proper leading into the weekend, punters can expect the track to deteriorate into the Heavy range at some stage throughout the card. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 12:35pm local time. Festival Stakes Tip: Mighty Ulysses The Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald-trained Mighty Ulysses represents terrific each-way value with horse racing bookmakers in the 2024 Festival Stakes. The European import relished the Soft conditions first-up in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on October 19, going on to score by a half-length. The six-length defeat second-up may appear disappointing on paper; however, getting back onto wet ground will be ideal, and with barrier three allowing Adam Hyeronimus to stalk the speed, Mighty Ulysses looks massive overs at the $10.00 available with Neds. Festival Stakes Race 8 – #2 Mighty Ulysses (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | J: Adam Hyeronimus (58.5kg) +900 with Neds ATC Cup Tip: Naval College No one missed the run of Naval College in the Beauford (2300m) at Newcastle on November 6, where the son of Dartmouth should’ve won with an ounce of luck. The five-year-old had to check off heels on multiple occasions and didn’t see daylight until it was all over. Coming back in trip is a minor concern, but with the lightly raced gelding still possessing plenty of upside only third-up into the campaign, Naval College appears primed to claim his seventh career victory. ATC Cup Race 9 – #2 Naval College (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | J: Jason Collett (59kg) +450 with BlondeBet Starlight Stakes Tip: Our Kobison It wasn’t long ago the Angela Davies-trained Our Kobison was in serious talks of gaining an Everest (1200m) slot. Things didn’t go to plan after a disappointing effort in The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on September 21, with the son of Kobayshi failing to fire a shot before being put away and prepped for this first-up assignment. He’s well-weighted here with 55.5kg on his back, and with Kerrin McEvoy likely to land into the one-one from barrier five, Our Kobison looks poised to get back to winning ways in the 2024 Starlight Stakes. Starlight Stakes Race 7 – #4 Our Kobison (5) 5yo Gelding | T: Angela Davies | J: Kerrin McEvoy (55.5kg) +550 with Picklebet Best Bet at Rosehill: Bullets High Bullets High has been defeated less than a half-length across his last two starts, with his latest barnstorming effort coming up just short behind Dazzle Legend at Newcastle on November 16. Stepping out to 1800m should be ideal for the son of Ace High, with the four-year-old crying out for a staying journey after being the eye-catcher in his last two performances. Gate five should allow Tim Clark to take closer order, and provided Bullets High can get clear air at a crucial stage, the $4.00 available with Playup will seem like a big price when the whips are cracking. Best Bet Race 5 – #3 Bullets High (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Joseph Pride | J: Tim Clark (59.5kg) +300 with Playup Next Best at Rosehill: Jewellery Jewellery returns after a 133-day spell and appears primed for a first-up assault on the back of two strong barrier trials. Her latest piece of work at Warwick Farm on November 19 particularly caught the eye, with the daughter of Lonhro storming through the wire under a stranglehold. She’s never missed the frame fresh, and with Adam Hyeronimus being legged aboard from stall five, Jewellery should get every chance to keep that record intact and send punters home with a winner in the Rosehill finale. Next Best Race 10 – #10 Jewellery (5) 5yo Mare | T: James Cummings | J: Adam Hyeronimus (58kg) +450 with Dabble Saturday quaddie tips for Rosehill Rosehill quadrella selections November 30, 2024 1-4-5-10 1-2-4-6-10-15 2-3-12-14-18 10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Doomben Races Where Doomben Racecourse – 75 Hampden St, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, November 30, 2024 First Race 12:18pm AEST Visit Dabble The Group 3 George Moore Stakes will headline the massive 10-race meeting at Doomben this Saturday afternoon, with the first race scheduled to jump at 12:18pm AEST. With rain forecast to fall on Friday and Saturday, it is expected that racing will go ahead on a genuine Soft surface. After racing in the true position on Wednesday, the rail will be pushed out to the +4.5m position for the entire circuit. George Moore Stakes tip: Cifrado Cifrado finished as an impressive runner-up on resumption at the Sunshine Coast over 1000m, where the Rex Lipp-trained gelding flashed home down the middle of the track on Heavy ground. The son of Encryption settled at the rear of the field and appreciated the strong tempo before peeling out wide to let down with a blistering turn of foot. Rising to 1200m second-up will suit, and if Cejay Graham can find a back to follow around the home turn, Cifrado will prove hard to hold out late. George Moore Stakes Race 8 – #6 Cifrado (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Rex Lipp | J: Cejay Graham (54kg) +600 with Picklebet Best Bet at Doomben: Metalart Following his scratching from Wednesday’s meeting, Kelly Schweida has found the perfect race for Metalart to claim his first victory of the campaign. This son of Better Than Ready has been crying out for a softer track, and he will get that here, along with a good barrier (3). Michael Rodd will push forward from the gate to settle outside the leader before attempting to run away with the race in the final 300m. Best Bet Race 1 – #7 Metalart (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Kelly Schweida | J: Michael Rodd (56kg) +150 with PlayUp Next Best at Doomben: Icarian Dream Icarian Dream will drop back in grade to race in the Phelan Ready Plate following her fourth-place finish in the Group 3 Golden Gift at Rosehill. The Ciaron Maher-trained filly was crowded upon straightening, but once she switched back to the inside rail, the daughter of Blue Point let down with a strong finish at the end of the 1100m contest. Dylan Browne McMonagle will be legged aboard for his first ride on this girl, and if he can settle Icarian Dream in the first six, she will get every chance to claim a second win in third career start. Next Best Race 4 – #7 Icarian Dream (10) 2yo Filly | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Dylan Browne McMonagle (55kg) +180 with Neds Best Value at Doomben: Mister Bianco Paul Shailer and Michael Rodd will combine with Mister Bianco as they seek to go a couple better after recording a third-place finish fresh at this track and trip on November 9. The son of Zousain settled midfield, tracked up behind the leaders nicely, and took an inside run to sprint through along the rail. With a run under his belt and a better race shape expected to suit Mister Bianco, the $12 on offer with horse racing bookmakers looks like a great price. Best Value Race 9 – #3 Mister Bianco (5) 3yo Gelding | T: Paul Shailer | J: Michael Rodd (56.5kg) +1100 with Dabble Doomben quaddie tips – 30/11/24 Doomben quadrella selections Saturday, November 30, 2024 2-3-6-8-14 1-2-3-6 1-3-4-6 2-3-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Group Two winner will stay in the city and look towards March’s Hong Kong Derby (2,000m).View the full article

Vincent Ho celebrates his 600th Hong Kong winner. Photo: HKJC Preparing to partner Galaxy Patch in next week’s HK$36 million Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m), Vincent Ho became only the 11th jockey to ride 600 winners or more in Hong Kong with victory on Healthy Healthy at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Ho joins a select group of elite riders to reach the milestone – Douglas Whyte (1,813), Zac Purton (1,783), Joao Moreira (1,235), Tony Cruz (946), Brett Prebble (806), Karis Teetan (704), Gary Moore (694), Basil Marcus (671), Gerald Mosse (659) and Felix Coetzee (652). “It’s a lot of hard work and I need to thank everyone for all their support for all these years,” Ho, 34, said. “Everyone has been patient and I’m grateful for that. So, I’ll keep on working and trying to keep improving. “It’s great. Hopefully, there’s more to come. I’ll keep on doing my best and keep improving.” Trained by Pierre Ng, Healthy Happy provided a fitting dimension to Ho’s landmark. Ho’s first winner in Hong Kong – Decent Fellow on May 16, 2010 – was trained by Ng’s father, Peter. With 13 Group 1 victories, 10 courtesy of retired champion Golden Sixty, Ho is one of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Apprentice Jockeys’ School’s most illustrious graduates, having been Hong Kong Champion Apprentice in 2010/11, four-time winner of the Tony Cruz Award as best homegrown jockey in 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2022/23 and, famously, the first Hong Kong-born jockey to land the International Jockeys’ Championship in 2023. Erasing the frustration of a string of minor placings this season, Andrea Atzeni limbered up for next week’s Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) with a double at the city circuit. The Italian scored on Plentiful for Ng and Frankie Lor’s Beauty Destiny to boost his tally of wins to 11, partially offsetting the 17 seconds and 13 third placings he has posted this campaign. Atzeni has rides in all four of HKIR features on December 8 – Lucky With You in the HK$26 million Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), Taj Dragon in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, Nimble Nimbus in the HK$40 million Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and Ka Ying Generation in the HK$24 million Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m). “They’re all outsiders but they can run and you never know – it would be nice to win one of those races,” Atzeni said before praising Beauty Destiny. “He’s always showed in his trials and his previous wins as well that he’s above average and we changed tactics and it seems to be working – he was impressive tonight,” Atzeni said. Chasing Whyte’s Hong Kong record of 1,813 wins, Purton edged closer to the towering target by partnering Whyte-trained Me Time to victory. A son of Cracksman, Me Time dropped in grade after nine runs in Class 4 and scored comfortably, drawing praise from Whyte. “It is very well deserved, it’s been frustrating – he’s been a victim of circumstances but dropping down in grade and with the advantage of having Zac Purton on him with a good draw (barrier three), it worked out perfectly and Zac gave him a beautiful ride,” Whyte said. Purton slotted a double after piloting Manfred Man-trained Turin Warrior to victory before Mark Newnham and Luke Ferraris combined for the seventh time this season with Fatal Blow. Watched by his father and former Hong Kong-based trainer David, Ferraris rode a positive race on the Russian Revolution gelding, who was having only his second start. “He’s shown ability, he’s lovely, genuine horse,” Ferraris said. “He’s a dream to ride. He switches off and picks it up when you need him to and he’s gutsy. So, he’s got all the sorts of markings you need to have in a horse and Mark had him in superb condition today, so well done to him and his team.” Hugh Bowman ended a 46-ride losing streak with Jamie Richards-trained Gallant Valour’s triumph and then finished the meeting in style with a cliffhanger win on Caspar Fownes-trained Rocket Spade. “I had a few meetings, no placings but the last few meetings I’ve been around the money without a winner,” Bowman said. “I’ve been around long enough to know that the wheel keeps turning but it’s certainly nice to get back on the board.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Darwin Races Where Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 When Friday, November 29, 2024 First Race 2:35pm ACST Visit Dabble The Darwin Turf Club hosts the first of two Friday meetings, with 38 horses accepting for the five-event meeting. The wet season has arrived with upwards of 160mm falling in the Top End since the November 16 meeting, with more rain tipped this week and a top temperature of 33C on Friday. The rail will be in the true position, and Fannie Bay will be a good dirt surface. BEST BET AT DARWIN: Tubthumper In a field of four, Tubthumper rolled in-form Gary Clarke stablemates Shakattak and Siakam in an open 1300m handicap on November 5. The former Darwin Guineas winner, got to a soft lead before kicking clear at the home turn to win by 4.3 lengths. She lumps an extra 5kg, but the daughter of Zoustar should be too strong. Best Bet Race 5 – #1 Tubthumper (7) 5yo Mare | T: Phil Cole | J: Wanderson D’Avila (59kg) Bet with BlondeBet NEXT BEST AT DARWIN: Rhesus Returning from a spell, Rhesus carried 60kg over 1000m at 0-58 level two weeks ago and settled fourth before storming home for second after getting to within half a length of runaway leader Debating. After four minor placings for James Cummings in Victoria and NSW, Rhesus won a 1200m Darwin maiden and was second over 1600m in the 0-58 ranks in June. The four-year-old gelding was third in the Darwin Guineas (1600m) and sixth in the NT Derby (2050m) in July. The son of Lonhro drops 1.5kg and looks to have a class edge on his rivals. Next Best Race 1 – #3 Rhesus (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Phil Cole | J: Raymond Vigar (58.5kg) Bet with Neds BEST VALUE AT DARWIN: Tricky Mikki Arriving from Tasmania, Tricky Mikki debuted in the Top End on August 31 and has produced a second and then three thirds. The daughter of Mikki Isle produced an impressive win over 1100m against Class 2 opposition on Melbourne Cup Day. Jumping from the outside gate in an eight-horse field, the five-year-old mare got to the fence early and led by three lengths at the 800m. Challenged at the home turn, Tricky Mikki rallied to win by two lengths. She only has to repeat that effort on Friday, and she will take some stopping. Best Value Race 3 – #2 Tricky Mikki (4) 5yo Mare | T: Phil Cole | J: Wanderson D’Avila (58kg) Bet with Unibet Darwin quaddie picks Fannie Bay quadrella selections Friday, November 29, 2024 2-3 2-3-5-6 1-2-3-5-6 1-3 Horse racing tips View the full article

The Jason Manning-trained Bon’s Pride looms as the horse to beat in Friday’s feature at Fannie Bay. (Picture: Darwin Turf Club) Leading Darwin trainer Gary Clarke has plenty of respect for the Jason Manning-trained Bon’s Pride. Clarke’s trio Shakattak, Mr Cashman and Seguso face Bon’s Pride in a 1200m open handicap at Fannie Bay on Friday. Along with Chris Nash’s Son Of Bielski, it’s only a five-horse race, and Clarke believes Bon’s Pride will be tough to get past. “Bon’s Pride is always hard to beat, he’s a good horse,” he said. “Very consistent, he should be thereabouts once again. “Of my horses, the most suited I’d say is Shakattak.” Bon’s Pride has only missed the first four on one occasion from 12 Darwin starts since debuting on Melbourne Cup Day in 2023. The son of Bon Aurum boasts five wins and five seconds, and with 62kg he won the Magic Millions Top End Classic (1300m) on Darwin Cup Day in August. A second behind Shakattak over 1200m at BM76 level in September was followed by victory over the same trip in the same grade in October. Clarke’s horse, who won the Dabble Cup (1300m) during the Darwin Cup Carnival, has been assigned 58.5kg on Friday with Bon’s Pride handed 59kg. The champion Top End trainer for a 12th straight year, Clarke won the Horse of the Year award for a ninth time with Wolfburn at the Top End Racing Awards last Friday. There’s also admiration for stable rider Todd, who won the jockeys’ premiership for a fifth straight year, after he celebrated 900 wins aboard Ella Clarke’s Debating on November 16. Wolfburn had four wins and two seconds from six Darwin starts in 2024 — he won the ROANT Gold Cup (1300m) and Metric Mile (1600m) and was second in the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) and Darwin Cup (2050m). “Wolfburn has been a good Territory story, he came here as a maiden,” Clarke said. “Went through the grades, won the Guineas and second in the Derby. “It’s a great milestone for Jarrod, he’s worked hard for it and deserves it. “His work ethic is his biggest asset, he never stops and never misses a day’s work. “Last season, Jarrod had 60 wins and broke the record set by David Bates (59) in the 1997/98 season.” Clarke, a former jockey, who won the 2000 Darwin Cup on Steve Paynter’s Star Bullett, holds Todd in high regard. “David Bates is a local legend, but going back Stephen Brown, Mick Lockett and Donny Barron also dominated,” he said. “Paul Shiers comes to mind these days, he’s always been a very good rider, but you can’t overlook Brendon Davis and Jarrod.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Moonee Valley Races Where Moonee Valley Racecourse – Gate 2 Feehan Ave, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039 When Friday, November 29, 2024 First Race 5:45pm AEDT Visit Dabble Friday night racing in Victoria heads to Moonee Valley for another week where a bumper nine-race meeting is set down for decision. The track is likely to remain a Soft 5 for the meeting, while the rail will return to its true position the entire circuit. Action from Moonee Valley is set to commence at 5:45pm AEDT. Best Bet at Moonee Valley: Autumn Storm Autumn Storm was a touch unlucky when finishing second at the Moonee Valley 2040m, and on his return to the track and trip, looks hard to go past. He was building through his gears nicely when slightly held up for a run, but by then the leader had put up a lead he simply could not bridge. Barrier eight should suit the four-year-old nicely, and with Blake Shinn hopping on board, he should gain the run of the race. Barring any bad luck this time around, Autumn Storm should be winning. Best Bet Race 3 – #7 Autumn Storm (8) 4yo Gelding | T: Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock | J: Blake Shinn (58kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Moonee Valley: Pantelone Pantelone may have finished eighth upon return at Caulfield, but considering he was only beaten 1.7 lengths, that result is easy to overlook. The son of Street Boss was overhauled with 200m to go first-up over 1100m, and the way he boxed on suggests a win should not be too far away. He has a win and two seconds from three second-up runs and draws perfectly in barrier one. Craig Williams will have Pantelone stalking the speed throughout, and barring any bad luck on the home turn, Pantelone should prove too hard to hold out. Next Best Race 8 – #9 Pantelone (1) 4yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Craig Williams (57.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Moonee Valley: Awesome Lineup Ever since arriving at Joseph Waldron’s stable two runs ago, Awesome Lineup has seemingly found a new lease on life. The four-year-old gelding won at a big price at Cranbourne two runs back, before being nosed out of another victory at Morphettville on November 2. With speed drawn out wide in the quaddie opener, Michael Dee should gain a nice cart across the field and land in the first six upon settling. If Awesome Lineup runs up to his last two efforts, he is a great each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 6 – #11 Awesome Lineup (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Joseph Waldron | J: Michael Dee (59kg) Bet with Picklebet Friday quaddie tips for Moonee Valley Moonee Valley quadrella selections Friday, November 29, 2024 1-2-4-5-11 1-5-11 1-4-8-9 9-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Canterbury Races Where Canterbury Park Racecourse – King Street, Canterbury NSW 2193 When Friday, November 29, 2024 First Race 6pm AEDT Visit Dabble Canterbury Park Racecourse is the destination for metro racing on Friday evening, with a competitive eight-part program set for decision. The rail is out +6m the entire circuit, and although the track is rated a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, punters can expect a downgrade with significant rainfall forecast on Wednesday and Thursday. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 6pm local time. Best Bet at Canterbury: Lady Extreme The Blake Ryan-trained Lady Extreme returns after a 127-day spell and appears primed to strike first-up. The daughter of Extreme Choice was an eye-catching winner at this course before being sent to the paddock, with her recent barrier trial victory at Hawkesbury on November 14 suggesting she lost nothing in her time away from racing. Jay Ford has every available option from stall seven and with Lady Extreme showing plenty of versatility in the past, regardless of where she lands, she’ll be hard to hold out. Best Bet Race 4 – #4 Lady Extreme (7) 5yo Mare | T: Blake Ryan | J: Jay Ford (57.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Canterbury: She’s Unusual She’s Unusual is yet to miss the top two in six career starts and punters can expect that trend to continue as she returns after 134 days off the scene. The five-year-old proved a class above BM72 company at the end of last preparation, claiming a dominant 2.5-legnth victory on the Kensington circuit at Randwick on July 17 before being put away by the John O’Shea & Tom Charlton barn. Being first-up over the 1550m shows intent from the stable, and provided she can replicate her peak from the end of last campaign, She’s Unusual should have no issue justifying the short price with BlondeBet. Next Best Race 6 – #5 She’s Unusual (6) 5yo Mare | T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | J: Jason Collett (58kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Canterbury: Call Me Sassy The David Pfieffer-trained Call Me Sassy debuts on the back of two strong barrier trials, with the latest resulting in a soft one-length victory at Warwick Farm on November 8. The Zoustar filly looked to be travelling well under Jason Collett throughout, suggesting there’s still plenty of improvement to come from the unraced three-year-old. She’s likely to be towards the rear of the field from stall 12, but with a strong tempo engaged here, expect Call Me Sassy to make strong inroads late at an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 3 – #6 Call Me Sassy (12) 3yo Filly | T: David Pfieffer | J: Jason Collett (56kg) Bet with Picklebet Friday quaddie tips for Canterbury Canterbury quadrella selections November 29, 2024 3-5-8-10-11 4-5-9 1-4-8-11 6-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Lest anyone think the seventh race at Churchill Downs Nov. 27 was just a routine maiden race, one only needed to glance in the paddock for those in attendance. Track executives were back to welcome trainer Bob Baffert after a three-year suspension.View the full article

Bill Thurlow will have mixed feelings when gifted filly Movin Out(NZ) (Staphanos) leaves his stable for Australia this weekend. The Waverley trainer confirmed the sale of the lightly raced three-year-old, who has been purchased by thoroughbred powerhouse Yulong and will join Chris Waller’s operation. Movin Out was raced by Thurlow’s brother Grant and his wife Paddi and quickly showed her talent when a debut third on her home course before breaking her maiden at Otaki. The daughter of Staphanos subsequently bridged a significant gap to elite level company when rounding off strongly to finish third behind Captured By Love and Alabama Lass in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). “Chris got hold of me and the deal was done, the money was too good to turn down,” Thurlow said. “I’d love to still have her, and it is a bit of a shame, but it’s commercial reality really. “She travels out on Saturday morning and will fly to Australia on Sunday.” Movin Out is a daughter of the Stravinsky mare Wahaha, a half-sister to four-time Group One winner Wall Street, and was bought out of Anistay Lodge’s Book 2 draft for $24,000 at Karaka last year. Her sister and stablemate The Entertainer, who won twice during the New Zealand Cup carnival, will continue to fly the family flag for the same connections. “She’s got residual value as she was Group Three placed (Desert Gold Stakes, 1600m) as a three-year-old,” Thurlow said. He will now focus his efforts on his double-handed assault with Battle Secret and Whangaehu on Saturday’s Listed Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup (2040m). “Whangaehu is probably a run short, I’m a little bit worried about that because he missed Wellington,” Thurlow said. “We did trial him, but it’s not quite the same although he’s not far away. The other horse is going really well, he’s flying along.” To be ridden by Lily Sutherland, Whangaehu finished sixth when resuming over 1400m before a trial win at Foxton while Tegan Newman will be aboard Battle Secret who has four wins and two placings from his last six appearances. Newman will also partner Elivaber in the Dave Hoskin Carriers Maiden (2040m) and she has four top three finishes from five starts this campaign. “You’d think she’d get one soon, I thought it would be the other day at Woodville and she has done well since,” Thurlow said. “She’s got a nice draw and has to be ridden forward, she is a real one-pacer and can’t sit and quicken.” View the full article

Timaru trainer Leonard Stewart had a successful trip to Cromwell 12 months ago, and he hopes for more of the same with a number of runners heading to the two-day carnival on Friday and Sunday. His seven-race winning mare Vague(NZ) (Tobique) finished second in last year’s equivalent of the Girl On The Ground and Urban Fencing (2030m), before a third placing to Capo Dell Impero and Jon Ol Rocco in the Happy Hire Cromwell Cup (2030m). The daughter of Tobique has the same assignments ahead of her this weekend, coming off a number of creditable runs out of grade this preparation. “She’s just racing out of her class a wee bit recently,” Stewart said. “But the top-rated horse is scratched (Burgie), so it’s not so bad on Friday.” Patience has been the friend of stablemate Morrie(NZ) (Natural Destiny), a seven-year-old by Natural Destiny who has run three placings from a trio of starts this campaign. Chasing his elusive maiden success, the gelding will line-up in the Jackson Smart and Omakau Auto Centre (1220m) on Friday, with the possibility of backing up in the Magpie Scaffolding Maiden (1400m) on Sunday. “He’s taken a long time to mature and the penny has finally dropped,” Stewart said “I think he’s on the mark now, he’s working well, enjoying his racing and wants to be in it.” Stewart holds a similar opinion of Our Princess Boot(NZ) (Jimmy Choux), a mare racing consistently well over ground, with her recent performances being credited to regular rider Terry Moseley. “The big factor for her recently has been Terry Moseley’s positioning of her in the races, he seems to be able to pop her in and give her a good ride every time,” Stewart said. “She may be six, but she’s still maturing, and we may look to put her out for a while after this and look to next year.” Our Princess Boot will contest the Peter Lyon Shearing and Breen Construction (2030m) alongside stablemate Callmeginger(NZ) (Iffraaj), while veteran galloper Take The Deel is looking to go one better after finishing second in three of his last four starts when contesting the A1 Homes and A Woman’s Touch Clean (2030m). “He got galloped on about nine months ago and he’s a real thinking horse,” Stewart said. “Sam Wynne (jockey) got on him more recently, and I don’t know whether it’s her Irish tone, but he seemed to respond to her and get out there and give it a go. “He seems to have his confidence back now and he’s been running well.” Stewart will also have Sympathique(NZ) (Postponed) and Aorangi Assassin(NZ) (Showcasing) entered in the Metalcraft Roofing and New World Alexandra (1220m), with every horse nominated for a respective assignment on the final day. “There’s a couple of others we are taking down that are still maturing, they are improving and running reasonable races, so we thought we’d give them a trip away and see how they come through it before having a break,” he said. “All going well we will look to back them up on Sunday, hopefully they get a bit of moisture in the track although they do irrigate well down there. As long as it’s not too hot and the horses come through the first day. “I think the committee and the volunteers at Cromwell make this carnival so good, everyone is helping out.” View the full article

It could be a day of firsts for the connections of Bravo Centurion (AUS) when Western Australia's hottest horse aims to repel the eastern invasion and extend his picket fence in the Nov. 30 Winterbottom Stakes (G1). View the full article

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A second horse in Barn 4 at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course tested positive for strangles, a contagious upper respiratory bacterial infection. A 14-day quarantine is now in place at this barn.View the full article

Trainer Bob Baffert called Nov. 27 a "glorious day" as his first starter at Churchill Downs following a three-year suspension from the track, Barnes, was victorious.View the full article

Laurel Park is scheduled to resume racing on Thanksgiving, Nov. 28, after canceling racing over track surface concerns when it was last scheduled to race Nov. 22-23.View the full article

Zedan Racing Stables' Barnes (c, 2, Into Mischief–All American Dream, by American Pharoah), a $3.2-million FTSAUG yearling, made trainer Bob Baffert's return to Churchill Downs a winning one Wednesday when just getting his nose in front of Innovator (Authentic) on the line. The 1-5 favorite was hustled out of the gate, but was taken in hand and settled off the pace when Luis Saez, aboard Innovator, proved intent on gaining the early lead. Bottled up behind horses nearing the lane, he found running room in upper stretch, but drifted out and raced greenly before kicking into gear late to just get his nose in front on the line. He completed the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:02.97. Baffert, making his return to Churchill after his three-year ban at the track was lifted in July, admitted he was happy to be back at the Louisville oval and even was looking ahead to a return next May. “Hopefully, we will keep him healthy and hopefully we are here the first Saturday in May,” Baffert said from the winner's circle. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Zedan Racing Stables. B-Jeff Drown & Don Rachel LLC (Ky). T-Bob Baffert. In a photo finish, the buzz horse BARNES comes out on top on debut in R7 at @churchilldowns for trainer Bob Baffert with Martin Garcia aboard! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/SrvH6kCVHA — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) November 27, 2024 The post Baffert Back in Churchill Winner’s Circle with $3.2-Million Barnes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article