Wandering Eyes

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, November 24, 2024 First Race 12:45pm HKT (3:45pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon, with a bumper 10-race program scheduled to get underway at 12:45pm local time. The rail is in the C position for the meeting, and with no rain forecast throughout the weekend, punters can anticipate a genuine Good 4 surface. Check out our best bets and quaddie selections down below. Best Bet at Sha Tin: New Future Folks New Future Folks appears set to peak third-up in the campaign after a luckless effort at this course and distance on October 20. He was dragged back to the rear of the field on that occasion but was putting in the big strides late despite being detached from the main contingent in the middle stages. Gate five should allow Ben Thompson to take closer order, and provided New Future Folks is within striking distance turning for home, this guy should get every chance to shirk the maiden tag at start four. Best Bet Race 3 – #2 New Future Folks (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Michael Chang | J: Ben Thompson (60kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: Young Champion Young Champion caught the eye at Sha Tin on November 9, producing some strong closing sectionals to get within 2.5 lengths of race rival Green N White. He strips fitter for that performance and should relish stepping out to the 1600m third-up into the preparation. There should be a genuine tempo engaged in this Class 2 contest, and with Karis Teetan set to lob into the perfect position two-back one off the rail, watch for Young Champion to be powering over the top at a cracking price with BlondeBet. Next Best Race 7 – #9 Young Champion (5) 5yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Karis Teetan (53.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Sha Tin: Lupo Solitario New Zealand import Lupo Solitario makes his Hong Kong debut in the final race of the program. The son of Satono Aladdin brings some formidable formlines behind Orchestral in the three-year-old Karaka Millions at Ellerslie back in January, and while his trials have only been even to the eye, the four-year-old has improved every time he’s stepped out. First-up over 1600m shows strong intent from the Frankie Lor barn, and at a massive price with horse racing bookmakers, Lupo Solitario warrants an each-way ticket. Best Value Race 10 – #2 Lupo Solitario (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Frankie Lor | J: Derek Leung (60.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections November 24, 2024 2-8-9-12-13 1-4-5-7-8-10 1-2-4-5 2-3-8-10-11 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Kilmore Cup Day 2024 Where Kilmore Racing Club – East St, Kilmore VIC 3764 When Sunday, November 24, 2024 First Race 1:10pm AEDT Visit Dabble The $200,000 Listed Kilmore Cup (1600m) headlines a nine-part meeting at the Kilmore Racing Club this Sunday. Following scorching hot days on Friday and Saturday, things will be much cooler on Sunday, with the chance of rain likely to have the track as a Good 4 throughout the day. The rail sticks to its true position, with Kilmore Cup Day commencing at 1:10pm AEDT. Kilmore Cup Tip: Magnaspin Magnaspin has been there or thereabouts in two of his three runs this campaign, with his only failure coming in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m). First-up he was hitting the line nicely behind proven types in Desert Lightning and Craig, and following the Toorak run, he wasn’t too far off the likes of Regal Zeus and Apulia. He will find this somewhat easier, and if Billy Egan can find a spot midfield with cover, Magnaspin has the finish to overhaul the leaders in the Kilmore Cup. Kilmore Cup Race 8 – #4 Magnaspin (10) 5yo Gelding | T: Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin | J: Billy Egan (55.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Bet at Kilmore: Scottie’s Legacy After a year on the sidelines, Scottie’s Legacy produced an eye-catching run when flashing home for second at Kyneton on October 22. The former Kiwi settled last on the rails and made up a stack of ground to finish 1.5 lengths off Stupendous. Blake Shinn takes the steer from barrier two, and if the pair find clear air upon turning for home, Scottie’s Legacy can charge home late and put this lot away. Best Bet Race 4 – #10 Scottie’s Legacy (2) 4yo Mare | T: Mark Walker | J: Blake Shinn (57.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Kilmore: Bunjil Bunjil has hit his straps in recent times, winning impressively at Echuca and Swan Hill in his last two starts. The five-year-old gelding managed to sprint sharply in those starts over 1600m, so it doesn’t hurt his chances that he stays at the trip in a race that is no harder. Billy Egan will need a touch of luck from barrier nine, but if he gets it, Bunjil should send punters home a winner on Kilmore Cup Day. Next Best Race 9 – #4 Bunjil (9) 5yo Gelding | T: Patrick & Michelle Payne | J: Billy Egan (60kg) Bet with PlayUp Sunday quaddie tips for Kilmore Kilmore quadrella selections Sunday, November 24, 2024 1-3-7-8 1-6-7-8-11 1-3-4-5-7-11-12 2-4 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Five-year-old steps up to a mile for the first time in Sunday’s Class Two Chevalier Cup (1,600m) at Sha Tin.View the full article

What Canberra Races Where Thoroughbred Park – 1 Randwick Rd, Lyneham ACT 2602 When Sunday, November 24, 2024 First Race 1:25pm AEDT Visit Dabble Racing heads to the nation’s capital on Sunday afternoon, with a quality eight-race program lined up at Thoroughbred Park. The Canberra Community Chest (1400m) headlines the action, with a capacity field of 12 set to battle it out for the $200,000 prize. The rail is out +3m the entire circuit, and with mostly sunny skies forecast across the weekend, punters can expect a Good 4 surface. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 1:25pm local time. Canberra Community Chest Tip: Our Last Cash The Donna Scott-trained Our Last Cash was doing his best work late in the Barn Dance (1300m) at Randwick on November 5 and was clearly the best of the beaten brigade behind Gallant Star. The son of Magnus was slow away and was forced to make inroads down the centre of the course, never shirking the task to get within five lengths of the supremely dominant winner. With plenty of emergencies set to be scratched, Our Last Cash will improve from barrier 19, and although he’ll need luck to figure in the finish, the each-way price with Neds is too big to ignore. Canberra Community Chest Race 6 – #8 Our Last Cash (19) 7yo Gelding | T: Donna Scott | J: Blaike McDougall (54kg) +1200 with Neds Best Bet at Canberra: Brazen Crime Brazen Crime is searching for back-to-back wins after a promising debut win at this course and distance on November 5. He was able to clear out by 2.4 lengths in maiden company, powering away after securing the one-one in transit. He maps to gain a similar run in this BM60 contest, and provided Jeff Penza can be one of the first to challenge turning for home, expect Brazen Crime to be fighting out the finish. Best Bet Race 8 – #9 Brazen Crime (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Keith Dryden | J: Jeff Penza (57.5kg) +240 with Picklebet Best Value at Canberra: Capital Babe The Keith Dryden-trained Capital Babe debuts on the back of two strong barrier trials and finds a winnable first-up assignment. The daughter of Capitalist cruised through the wire in her latest piece of work to get within a half-length of Just Go Bang, suggesting the unraced three-year-old had plenty left to give in the concluding stages. Watch for Rebecca Bronett Prag to take luck out of the equation and lead from stall nine. Provided she can tick over a soft sectional in the middle stages, Capital Babe will appear terrific value with BlondeBet when the whips are cracking. Best Value Race 3 – #6 Capital Babe (9) 3yo Filly | T: Keith Dryden | J: Rebecca Bronett Prag (a2) (57kg) +1000 with BlondeBet Sunday quaddie tips for Canberra Canberra quadrella selections November 24, 2024 3-4-5-8 1-5-6-7-8 2-5-7 3-5-9 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Luberon’s (NZ) (Embellish) heroics in the Gr.3 Haunui Farm Counties Bowl (1100m) gave trainer Lance Noble reason to expect something special from her trackwork companion Frostfair (NZ) (Written Tycoon) in the very next race on the card at Pukekohe on Saturday, and so it proved. Lightly raced mare Frostfair warmed up for Saturday’s Stella Artois 1500 Championship Qualifier (1400m) with a bold gallop on Tuesday in company with stablemate Luberon. Noble was enormously impressed with that work at the time, and even more so after Luberon blew her rivals away by two and a half lengths in the Counties Bowl. “She worked with Luberon on Tuesday of this week and both of them worked absolutely superbly,” Noble said. “That meant we came here today with a little bit of confidence, and especially after Luberon’s race earlier in the afternoon.” Frostfair is putting together a promising record in her own right, heading into Saturday’s $75,000 Rating 75 event with six starts under her belt for two wins, a second, two thirds and a fourth. The four-year-old daughter of Written Tycoon was a strong last-start winner in Rating 65 grade at Ellerslie on November 5. Jockey Warren Kennedy positioned Frostfair in eighth place in a strung-out field as Leroy Brown (NZ) (Ace High), Butterfield (NZ) (Niagara), Force Of Nature (NZ) (Savabeel) and Keegan (NZ) (Swiss Ace) led the charge until to the point of the home turn. Frostfair was still more than half a dozen lengths from the leaders at the top of the straight, but Kennedy went to work and the favourite began to move through her gears. She bounded past Butterfield at the 150m mark and forged clear, opening up a winning margin of three and a half lengths over Sorghaghtani (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) and Force Of Nature. “She probably got a little bit further back than we might have hoped, but Warren didn’t panic,” Noble said. “It was a good win in the end. “She’s a big mare that’s taken a bit of time, but she’s never been out of the first four in her career. She’s notching up a pretty good record. We’ll probably look for some black type at some stage in her campaign.” Frostfair’s performance came in the toughest test of her career to date and made a good impression on Kennedy. “She’s really coming along well,” he said. “She’s won with a lot of authority today. She had a good look around in the straight, but she’d already put the race to bed pretty early. I certainly think she’s black-type quality.” Bred and raced by Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Frostfair is out of the Commands mare Thames Court, who herself won three races including the Gr.3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley. She also finished fourth in the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. Thames Court is the dam of two winners from two named foals, with Frostfair’s older half-brother Royal Court (Lonhro) winning over 2000m in Australia last year. Thames Court produced a colt by Pierro in 2021, followed by a Capitalist filly in 2022. The latter was sold for $200,000 at Karaka earlier this year. View the full article

Quality mare Luberon (NZ) (Embellish) put a classy field of sprinters to the sword at Pukekohe on Saturday when she dashed away in the closing stages to score a handsome victory in the Gr.3 Haunui Farm Counties Bowl (1100m). The Lance Noble-trained daughter of Cambridge Stud stallion Embellish was shooting for a winning treble to open her spring campaign after taking out a rating75 1200m contest at Ellerslie back in September, followed by the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1200m) at Rotorua last month. Drawn ideally in barrier one, rider Joe Doyle bounced her away nicely to take the trail behind pacemaker Shoes (NZ) (Derryn), where she dropped the bit and relaxed beautifully in the early stages before starting to rev up approaching the home bend. Doyle quickly had her off heels and into the clear early in the run home and once balanced up he pushed the turbo button which saw the mare explode clear before easing to the line two lengths to the good of Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) and Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) who were in a line for the minor placings. Noble was delighted with way his charge had sprinted so quickly in the run home although he was well aware she had a decent pull in the weights of between five to seven kilograms on her main rivals. “That 7kgs in the weights made a difference and when she accelerated she put a couple of lengths on them,” Noble said. “I think we learnt a lot last year and their three-year-old year can be hard on the fillies. We’ve made some plans to keep her fresh, keep her happy and they are working which is very exciting.” Noble was also relieved to see Luberon on her best behaviour after costing herself a near certain victory just over a year ago at the venue when she ducked outwards at the 300m in the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1600m), striking the outside rail and nearly falling before being pulled out of the race. “A year ago, we were here and we all know what happened that day,” he said. “To come back and win is very very satisfying. “Obviously the sprint series is pretty tempting while the Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m) fits in nicely as I think she may be slightly better left-handed. “We’ll just take it one day at a time but that’s the plan.” The Sprint series Noble was referring to is a new innovative ten-race series initiated by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and Entain New Zealand & Australia this season that includes races in Australia and New Zealand that culminate on Champions Day at Ellerslie on 8 March. Points will be allocated to the first four placegetters of each race in the series, with a bonus pool of $500,000 being shared amongst the owners of the three highest point scoring horses at the conclusion of each series. Bred and raced by Cambridge Stud couple Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Luberon is the second foal of Fastnet Rock mare Elegant Achiever and comes from a family littered with European stakes performers along with Industrialist, the champion middle distance performer for the 1999-2000 season in Hong Kong. She has now won six of her 11 starts and over $283,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Almost exactly a year after his purchase from the NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, New Zealand-bred three-year-old Refusetobeenglish got his career off to a perfect start with a dominant debut performance in Saturday’s A$150,000 Frankston Sand Soil & Mini Mix Handicap (1200m) at Cranbourne. The Clinton McDonald-trained gelding was sent out as a $4.20 second favourite and made a big impression in the hands of jockey Ben Melham. In a field of only six, Refusetobeeenglish took up a handy position in fourth along the rail. He was tucked in behind the front-running favourite Romani Ite Domum, who appeared to be travelling well coming up to the home turn. But Refusetobeenglish came across heels and loomed on the outside of that rival with 200m remaining, and when Melham pushed the button, Refusetobeeenglish changed gears and sprinted past the favourite. He opened up an emphatic winning margin of three and a half lengths. “He’s a promising horse,” Melham said. “He obviously had to be that to come here today and perform the way he did against opposition that had race experience. He had trialled well and put the writing on the wall, but he still had to come here and execute on raceday. He did a good job of that today. “We were mindful that he might be a bit tardily away, but the small field helped and he was able to gather himself. He had a sweet run and it was never really in doubt.” Refusetobeenglish was offered by Lilywhites Lodge on the first day of the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on November 22 of last year. He was bought by Harbour Racing for $120,000. The Churchill gelding’s one-start, one-win career has already earned A$82,500 for owners Glenstar Bloodstock. “He’s a very good gelding,” McDonald said. “Shane McGrath bought him 12 months ago at the Ready To Run Sale, and the first time we galloped him, there was something there. “We have a pretty good idea at the moment, because we have some good three-year-olds that we’re producing, and he’s up there with them. He’s an exciting horse. “He’s a proper horse. He does everything right. He’s got great mannerisms and he came here today like he had been here 100 times before. “You only had to see him in the run, he didn’t want to overdo it and when Benny gave him a click, he was able to respond. He’s got all the attributes to be a good horse and hopefully he will get there.” Refusetobeenglish was bred by the Goodson and Perron Family Trust and is out of the Darci Brahma mare Irish Fling, who herself won five races including the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham in 2014. Irish Fling is the dam of five winners from five foals to race. View the full article

Return To Conquer (Snitzel) headed into his raceday debut in Saturday’s Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) with a big price tag, big reputation and big expectations, and the million-dollar colt produced a Pukekohe performance worthy of the hype. Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis paid A$1.3 million to secure Return To Conquer from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in January. The well-related colt is by champion Australian sire Snitzel and is the first foal to race out of the unraced Lonhro mare Vaujany, whose full-sister Ghisoni won the Gr.2 Surround Stakes (1400m) and is the dam of stakes winner Renosu (Exceed And Excel). Return To Conquer made a favourable impression in putting together a perfect three-from-three record at the trials this spring, winning at Te Rapa on August 6, at Matamata on October 8 and by almost three lengths at Waipa on October 29. He was sent out as a $1.20 favourite for his eagerly anticipated first start on Saturday, and in the end he had too much class for his six opponents. Return To Conquer broke sharply from his inside gate, and jockey Wiremu Pinn allowed him to roll forward and take the lead. That was where he stayed, cruising around the Pukekohe track and straightening for home under a firm hold. Pinn allowed Return To Conquer to lengthen stride 200m from home, and the hot favourite soon drew clear with his ears pricked. He coasted to victory by two and a half lengths over Sierra Leone (NZ) (Sun City) and Vega For Luck (NZ) (Lucky Vega). “He’s an absolute machine,” Pinn enthused. “I’ve ridden some pretty good horses in my time, and he’s right up there with the best of them. He gave me an unbelievable feel. To be honest, he hasn’t even really tried today. He’s just a freak of a horse. “I knew I was on the best horse in the race today, so I just wanted to take bad luck out of the equation and lead. They could try and catch me in the straight if they were good enough, but they couldn’t. “It was obviously his debut today, so he’s still got plenty to learn, but he’s a super horse.” Return To Conquer is ineligible for the lucrative Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie in January. His trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson will weigh up other options for the late summer and autumn, which could include the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie in March or a potential Australian campaign. “Leading might have been Plan B rather than Plan A for this race today, but he’s done it nicely in the end,” Walker said. “He can have a little break now and then we’ll work out a plan after that. “We’ll look at all options. The main thing will be to give him 10 days out now and see how he does. There’s some Matamata trials on January 14, which is where we’ll probably have him resume. Then we can think about whether we go to Australia or whether we stay here and concentrate on something like the Sistema.” The Sistema Stakes has been a special race for Te Akau Racing, who won it with Maroofity (NZ) (Maroof) (2003), Warhorse (NZ) (General Nediym) (2012), Heroic Valour (Fastnet Rock) (2016), Sword Of Osman (NZ) (Savabeel) (2018), Yourdeel (NZ) (Dundeel) (2019), Cool Aza Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) (2020) and Sword Of State (Snitzel) (2021). Saturday’s bold debut made Return To Conquer the 153rd individual stakes winner for Snitzel. That list includes eight black-type winners in New Zealand, headed by Sword Of State and Summer Passage at Group One level. “We thought he (Return To Conquer) was the best Snitzel colt in the sale when we bought him,” Ellis said. “We could not fault him in any way. There was some very spirited bidding, but we were able to secure him. “Auckland Thoroughbred Racing has put on a really nice track at Pukekohe today, and it’s a pleasure to bring a nice colt like this here for his first start.” View the full article

Royally bred filly Sesimbra (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) made it back to back victories to open her three-year-old campaign when she took out the opening event at Wanganui, the Wanganui Function Centre 3YO (1200m) in dramatic fashion. The daughter of US Navy Flag, who was lining up for her second start this month after scoring nicely at New Plymouth a fortnight ago, finished just half a head from Velton (NZ) (Headwater) after being forced over more ground in the run home by that runner. An inquiry was initiated shortly after horses returned to the Wanganui birdcage and after lengthy deliberations by the Judicial Committee, the objection was upheld as placings were reversed in favour of the Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie-trained runner. Whilst the finish certainly held plenty of drama there were other occasions during the run that also made the winning performance even more meritorious, especially when her momentum was severely impeded approaching the home turn as rider Leah Hemi tried to squeeze Sesimbra between runners at that point. To regain momentum and chase so resolutely in the home straight indicates a filly of real ability, something that Ritchie agrees on. “I think she deserved that one as she had to overcome a lot just to get that close at the finish,” Ritchie said. “She is a real character, very quirky and not that big, but as tough as they come. “Early on she used to over-race but we’ve done a lot of work at home trying to get her to settle and she has come such a long way in a short time. “She has inherited the family ability but we just want to take it a step at a time as we think she could be a very good filly if she keeps improving the way she has during this preparation.” Ritchie advised the stable have no firm plans for Sesimbra in the short term, but are keen to see how she handles a big trip away at such an early stage of her career. “Given the family she is from we like to think she might get over a little more ground in time,” she said. “She has a massive stride and even though she isn’t that big she doesn’t feel like a small horse when you are riding her. “This was her first overnight trip and she seems to have handled the first part well. Steven is with her and he said she ate everything thing in sight last night and she presented really well today. “She will come home tonight and go to her paddock where we can monitor just how much the trip has taken out of her. “If she comes through it okay then we will press on with her.” Bred and raced by Sir Peter Vela, Sesimbra is out of the O’Reilly mare Aveiro (NZ) who is a daughter of Gr.2 Travis Stakes (1600m) winner Dolmabache (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) who also finished runner-up in the Gr.1 International Stakes (2000m). Her extended family includes a who’s who of Group One performers produced by Vela’s Pencarrow Stud breeding operation including Romanee Conti (NZ) (Sir Tristram), Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm), Grand Echezeaux (NZ) (Zabeel) and Darci Brahma (NZ) (Danehill). View the full article

Former UK galloper Romantic Thor steps out at Sha Tin for the first time on Sunday.View the full article

By Jonny Turner South Seas Rock capped a remarkable three weeks with his monstrous victory at Ascot Park yesterday. The tough pacer sat parked throughout yesterday’s Woodlands Stud Thanks Southern Breeders Mobile Pace while some talented rivals enjoyed softer runs, but that didn’t stop South Seas Rock from scoring a big win for trainer Tyler Dewe and driver Hayden Douglas. Over the past three weeks, South Seas Rock has competed with merit at Kaikoura Cup Day, New Zealand Cup Day and Show Day at Addington. The travel to those meetings and then back home to Invercargill clearly hasn’t left South Seas Rock weary. “He is a good-doing horse and he thrives off work and he thrives off the racing,” Dewe said. “I jogged him on the lead on Monday morning and he was very well, so I knew the trip back from Christchurch hadn’t worried him.” Though South Seas Rock has gone through periods of stringing wins together, his recent efforts to place in strong company on Kaikoura Cup Day and Show Day before winning at Ascot Park means he is arguably in the form of his career. And it could get better, according to Dewe. “I’m absolutely rapt with him, it is funny to say as he is a rising six-year-old but he just seems to turning the corner now.” “He only seems to be getting better.” Though well known as a front-runner, the early speed in Friday’s event meant the South Seas Rock camp was keen to drive the pacer in behind, saving him for one run. But that plan went completely out the window when the five-year-old and Douglas were left parked early. “It didn’t go to script, but Hayden probably did the right thing by not attacking for the lead.” While South Seas Rock has travelled much of the South Island recently, his owners have been known to travel further to support him. “He’s owned by Arkwright Conner from Stewart Island and Erin Fox who is up in Nelson,” Dewe said. “Erin tries to make it down to watch him as much as she can.” “They are great owners and have been great supporters of us and very good to our team.” Dewe doesn’t plan to travel too much further than Otago with South Seas Rock with plenty of racing opportunities in the south approaching over summer. “I am looking forward to Christmas time with him.” “He ran second at Wingatui last year, so I am looking at heading there next.” “He will hover around the country cups grade after that.” Yesterday’s win was South Seas Rock’s seventh victory for the Dewe stable and his sixth with Douglas in the sulky. View the full article

A joint review of Kaikoura’s two day meeting is underway, and change could be in the wind. The South Bay raceway hosted eight races under the Fast 10 format on Sunday November 3 followed on Marlborough Anniversary day by 10 races including the Alabar Kaikoura Cup. From a turnover perspective there was mixed news. Export turnover, from Australia, was strong and up significantly on 2023. On-course turnover and the number of individuals betting on the two meetings was also encouraging, though the overall turnover was down – from $2.53m to $2.265m. “Our modelling shows that the Kaikoura meeting is potentially a $3m turnover meeting,” says HRNZ Chief Executive Brad Steele, “and that’s the target we have set ourselves.” This year there were 64 starters on the Sunday and 85 on the Monday. “Those numbers were ok but there is scope to attract more horses to those two days,” says Steele. Both HRNZ and the Kaikoura Trotting Club are now looking in detail at the two-day meeting and considering ways to improve it. One proposal is to make changes to the home turn at Kaikoura track. “The lack of camber has been a discussion point for many years,” says Kaikoura TC President Ben Smith, “and there are two schools of thought. One is that should stay the same as it’s part of the uniqueness of racing at Kaikoura, the other is that change is needed.” “We are open minded about it.” With that in mind a survey has been sent out to mainly Canterbury and Marlborough licence-holders to gauge their thoughts. Their feedback will then form part of discussions moving forward. “We had a design and costings done in February 2022 to camber the whole bend,” says Smith, “with HRNZ support this investment may be feasible if it leads to more starters and turnover.” “There’s a lot of work to be done,” says Smith, “we would need to consult a number of parties including the local council and iwi.” Further meetings are planned between HRNZ and Kaikoura Trotting Club representatives with decisions expected by March 2025. View the full article

By Mike Love The first few seconds will be critical to favourite Rakero Rocket’s chances in today’s Tyre General Summer Cup at Phar Lap raceway. There is no doubting the gelding’s ability. On cup day at Addington he beat a field which is not much stronger than the one he meets today – though that was from a mobile. Trainer Tom Bamford feels it could go either way whether the gelding by Rock N Roll Heaven steps or not – his confidence shaken while at Kaikoura where he almost turned the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales Aged Classic into a circus by all but tipping Zachary Butcher out of the cart on race favourite Sooner The Bettor due to a misdemeanour at the tapes. “There’s a lot going on at Kaikoura. Some horses can handle it, and some horses can’t,” said Bamford. Things will be different today without the crowd on the inside of the track – and starting further on the outside of the second line. “He’s bulletproof at home. It’s probably 50/50 whether he’s going to go or not. Hopefully Gavin (Smith) can get him on the right foot.” Rakero Rocket has come through his cup day win bouncing around, according to Bamford. “He’s come through the run nicely. I haven’t done a lot with him between runs.” “They’ll know he’s there. I’d like to think he’s a winning chance.” He’s currently a $2.15 favourite with Bamford also having a strong chance in Race 7, the race preceding the Cup with Ebury Street who looks set for another cheque in the Silver Ferns Farms mobile pace. She’s a $2.60 favourite. “It’s a very winnable race for her. She was a little bit unlucky last start.” “She’ll like the 2600m and she should be going very close to winning.” Ebury Street will be driven by Henry Sail. Racing commences today from 2:52pm. View the full article

In the field for the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m), the trio’s status will be reviewed after Sunday’s race at Tokyo.View the full article

Detonator Jack winning The Gong in 2023. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au The Day 2024 awaits punters at Kembla Grange on Saturday, November 23, 2024 with a bumper 10-race meeting set down for decision. The Gong (1600m) headlines what is set to be a big day of racing in the Illawarra. As the Sydney Spring Carnival winds down, catch up on all the race replays, results and dividends provided by top horse racing bookmakers here. Kembla Grange Free Race Replays & Dividends 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Race 1 – Highway Class 3 Handicap (1400 METRES) Race Replay & Results https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Kembla-Grange-Race-1-Highway-Class-3-Handicap-23112024-Everido-Keith-Dryden-Regan-Bayliss.mp4 Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 19 Everido Keith Dryden Regan Bayliss $6.50 $2.50 2nd 17 Sunchyme Keith Dryden Tommy Berry $2.60 3rd 20 Lambay Barbara Joseph & Paul & Matt Jones Patrick Scorse $2.10 4th 1 Associate Danielle Seib Chad Schofield Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 19-17 $14.10 Exacta 19-17 $40.90 Duet 19-17 $9.00 Duet 19-20 $6.80 Duet 17-20 $8.00 Trifecta 19-17-20 $112.80 First Four 19-17-20-1 $702.80 Horse racing news View the full article

Cranbourne Cup Day 2024. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Metropolitan racing in Victoria heads to Cranbourne on Saturday, November 23 for Cranbourne Cup Day 2024. The Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m) and The Meteorite (1200m) headline proceedings on the bumper 10-race program beginning at 12:20pm AEDT. Check out the free Cranbourne Cup Day race replays, full race results and exotic dividends down below. Cranbourne Free Race Replays & Dividends 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Race 1 – 3YO Handicap (1200 METRES) Race Replay & Results https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Cranbourne-Race-1-3YO-Handicap-23112024-Refusetobeenglish-Clinton-McDonald-Ben-Melham.mp4 Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 7 Refusetobeenglish Clinton McDonald Ben Melham $4.20 $2.00 2nd 3 Romani Ite Domum Ben, Will & JD Hayes Blake Shinn $1.40 3rd 4 Stormbourg John Moloney Patrick Moloney NTD 4th 8 Damehood Chris Waller Damian Lane Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 7-3 $4.70 Exacta 7-3 $11.00 Trifecta 7-3-4 $88.90 First Four 7-3-4-8 $277.50 Horse racing news View the full article

2023 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) hero White Abarrio returned with vigor Nov. 22 at Gulfstream Park, romping by 10 1/4 lengths in his first race since June.View the full article

With leading NT jockey Jarrod Todd in the saddle, the Gary Clarke-trained Wolfburn wins the Metric Mile (1600m) at Fannie Bay in July during the Darwin Cup Carnival. Picture: Darwin Turf Club Darwin’s Hall of Fame trainer Gary Clarke continues to rewrite the record books after once again dominating the 2024 Top End Racing Awards held at the Darwin Turf Club on Friday night. Clarke’s Wolfburn, the Darwin Cup runner-up in August, won the Horse of the Year title and was also crowned Middle Distance/Stayer of the Year following his exploits during the 2023/24 season. It was Clarke’s ninth Horse of the Year title, having won it previously with Dream Face (2012), It’s Home (2014), Finke (2016), Ticket To Toorak (2017), Neat Feat (2018), The Captain (2019 and 2020) and Syncline (2022). Wolfburn had a tremendous year, winning the Metric Mile (1600m) and ROANT Gold Cup (1300m). He was also second behind Hadouken in the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) after finishing second behind Bear Story in the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m). Meanwhile, the Chris Nash-trained Ideas Man was named Sprinter of the Year. Ideas Man’s seven starts at 1300m or less resulted in four wins and a third in the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m), a race where he came second last year. Nash, like Clarke, had two wins on Friday night, with Son Of Bielski a clear winner of the Out Of Carnival Award after six wins from seven starts, including the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m). The Three-Year-Old of the Year title saw Phil Cole’s Miami Vice come out on top by a single point from Ella Clarke’s Debating. Miami Vice won twice and was placed three times from his eight starts during the season. Gary Clarke extended his trainers’ premiership record with a 12th successive title after 67 wins. He was also the Darwin Cup Carnival’s leading trainer for the 11th time – the last seven in succession. Clarke had 12 wins over the eight days of Carnival – two less than last year, as well as 25 minor placings. Stable rider Jarrod Todd (60 wins) was the Champion Jockey for the fifth straight year, and in the process broke David Bates’ record of 59 wins set during the 1997/98 season. Todd emulated Clarke by also being crowned the Carnival’s leading jockey with 11 wins – it was his eighth title and fifth in succession. Emma Lines, who began riding in December 2022, was the Champion Apprentice Jockey for the second successive year. She rode 34 winners in the Top End and added a further 14 in Alice Springs. The Tried Horse Sale Performer of the Year went to Jason Manning’s Bon’s Pride, who won four times and finished second on four occasions during the season, amassing $106,550 in prizemoney. He cost $22,000 at the 2023 Darwin Magic Millions Tried Horse Sale. The Consistency and Longevity Award, a new award, went to New Enterprise, trained and co-owned by Peter Stennett. New Enterprise had 20 starts for four wins and seven minor placings, amassing 61 points from Bon’s Pride (55), Global Wonder (54) and Son Of Bielski (53). Women in Thoroughbred Racing NT Awards: Tayarn Halter (11 wins), Jockey: Emma Lines (34) Strapper of the Year: Hannah Boyle (Gary Clarke) Character of Racing Award: Chris Pollard (trainer) Aftercare Award: Samantha Hill Judges for the equine awards were Andrew O’Toole (Thoroughbred Racing NT chief executive officer), Greg Aldam (TRNT board member), Craig Sant (Darwin race-caller) and David White (horsebetting.com.au). Horse racing news View the full article

With further evaluation of the racing surface ongoing, the Maryland Jockey Club has canceled its remaining programs this weekend at Laurel Park.View the full article

MGSW/GISP 'TDN Rising Star' Messier (Empire Maker–Checkered Past, by Smart Strike) will stand stud in 2025 at New York's Rockridge Stud for $5,000 LFSN in a deal brokered by Matt Bowling of Bowling Bloodstock, the farm announced Friday. The Sam-Son Farm homebred was purchased at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Sale by Donato Lanni on behalf of SF Bloodstock, Madaket Stables, and Starlight Racing for $470,000 and broke his maiden in his 2nd start to become a 'Rising Star', winning by 6 1/2 lengths. He bested Forbidden Kingdom (American Pharoah) in his next start in the GIII Bob Hope Stakes and followed that with a runner-up finish in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity. A 15-length victory in his 3-year-old debut in the GIII Robert B. Lewis earned a 103 Beyer and he secured a spot in the GI Kentucky Derby with another runner-up finish in the GI Santa Anita Derby in April. As a 5-year-old, he took wins in the Excelsior Stakes at Aqueduct in March and followed up a few weeks later with a win in the GIII Westchester at the Belmont at Aqueduct meet. He retired with a record of 15-4-5-1 and earnings of $593,690. “Messier was an exceptionally athletic colt with a very high cruising speed,” said SF's Tom Ryan. “He won graded stakes races at ages two and three and again at age five. His performance in the Bob Lewis was outstanding, stopping the clock at 1:42.40 and winning by 15 lengths with a 103 Beyer. He is an exciting addition to the stallion ranks in New York.” Messier joins Americanrevolution, Chewing Gum, Disco Partner, Mind Control, Slumber, and War Dancer for the 2025 season at Rockridge Stud. The post MGSW/GISP ‘Rising Star’ Messier To New York’s Rockridge Stud In 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Three jockeys were hospitalized following a five-horse spill during the first race at Woodbine Nov. 22. View the full article

Sophomore turfers will enjoy the spotlight in the GIII Commonwealth Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs, one of three graded stakes races on tap Saturday. Frankly Speaking homebred Dashman (Oscar Performance) won two straight in Kentucky this summer, then was a solid fourth with trouble behind MGISW Carson's Run (Cupid) and next-out GIII Hill Prince Stakes winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Deterministic (Liams' Map) in the GIII Jockey Club Derby Invitational going 1 3/8 miles at Aqueduct Oct. 5. The 5-2 morning-line favorite turns back to 1 1/16 miles here. “He came out of the race at Aqueduct in good shape,” Nic Lynch, assistant trainer to his father Brian Lynch, told TwinSpires Racing. “He's had a couple of breezes since then; he had a nice half on Saturday, just an easy maintenance work to get him to the race. He's been good. He hasn't been out of the feed tub. He's in the bridle when he's training. We're expecting a good outcome on Saturday.” The Commonwealth also includes four runners exiting the GIII Bryan Station Stakes at Keeneland Oct. 26–Herchee (Twirling Candy) (third), Evade (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) (fourth), Lagynos (Kantharos) (fifth) and My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince) (ninth). Churchill's 11-race program also features the GIII Chilukki Stakes, led by 'TDN Rising Star' Two Sharp (Twirling Candy), narrow runner-up in this summer's GIII Prioress Stakes at Saratoga and a last-out runaway allowance winner at Keeneland. Mixto (Good Magic), meanwhile, a 22-1 upset winner of this year's GI Pacific Classic, will look to bounce back in the GIII Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar following an 11th-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. The post Commonwealth for Sophomore Turfers Highlights Saturday’s Stakes Action appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a son of Plumania (GB) (Anabaa). 11.56 Chantilly, Debutantes, €30,000, 2yo, c/g, 9f (AWT) AVIDE (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a significant newcomer for the Wertheimers and Andre Fabre as a son of their G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud heroine Plumania (GB) (Anabaa). A full-brother to the G2 Prix du Muguet and G3 Sovereign Stakes winner Plumatic (GB), he encounters The Aga Khan's Dalakir (GB) (Zarak {Fr}), a Francis-Henri Graffard-trained half-brother to the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic heroine Dolniya (Fr) (Azamour {Ire}). The post Son Of Plumania Debuts At Chantilly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A field of 16 juveniles–13 colts and a trio of fillies–will head to the Tokyo 1600-meter start for Saturday's $199,488 Cattleya Stakes (allowance), a contest that serves as the first of four legs on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby and offers points on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale. American-breds comprise a quarter of the field and Godolphin homebred Snappy Dresser (Union Rags) is the best-backed of the foursome at just over 5-2 in early wagering. A full-brother to MGSW & GISP Caramel Swirl, the May 19 foal debuted in a 1400-meter newcomers' event over this surface Oct. 20, sweeping into contention off the final corner before streaking away from his rivals to graduate by a very impressive 11 lengths (see below, SC 11). Ryusei Sakai, the regular rider of GI Kentucky Derby and GI Breeders' Cup Classic third Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) and who rides reigning champion dirt horse Lemon Pop for Godolphin, has the assignment on Saturday. Ryan Moore, who is set to partner with Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in Sunday's G1 Japan Cup, picks up the mount on Dragon Welds (Frosted), a $72,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $150,000 OBS April breezer who also won his maiden first time out, scoring by nine convincing lengths over 1400 meters at Kyoto Oct. 5 (see below, SC 10). Former jockey Yuichi Fukunaga trains the filly Malibu Orange (Vekoma), a $325,000 KEESEP acquisition who won her maiden over this course and distance at first asking over a rain-affected strip Oct. 6. The Mar. 22 foal is a half-sister to Coasted (Tizway), the dam of Japan Cup runner Danon Beluga (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and MGSP Bond Girl (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}). T O Elvis (Volatile) was a debut third on the grass in September and validated 3-5 favoritism in romping by 9 1/2 lengths in his first start on the dirt at Kyoto Oct. 5. Japan's two top chances are Natural Rise (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), the six-length winner of a two-turn newcomers' race at Sapporo in July; and Clay King (Jpn), a son of leading first-crop sire Nadal who opened his account at first asking going seven furlongs June 15 ahead of a third to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies also-ran American Bikini (Jpn) (American Pharoah) at Chukyo Sept. 28. The Japanese Road to the Derby continues with the Dec. 11 Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki, a race won by Forever Young last year, the Listed Hyacinth Stakes back at Tokyo Feb. 16 and the Fukuryu Stakes (allowance) at Nakayama Mar. 22. The post Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby Kicks Off With Cattleya Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

They bet him like he couldn't lose, and multiple Grade I winner White Abarrio (Race Day) justified the confidence with a tour de force as the 1-5 favorite in the seventh race at Gulfstream Park. Forced to settle behind a line of the eager, when he launched his rally coming off the turn, it was 21-1 longshot Flying Liam (Liam's Map) who tried to mount a challenge. Despite his best efforts, the runner-up was ultimately left in the wake of the 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner, who won with air to spare. White Abarrio made only two starts this year for Richard Dutrow Jr., and missed the board in both. He ran 10th back in February in the G1 Saudi Cup won by G1SW-KSA, MGSW Senor Buscador (Mineshaft), and then finished fifth in the GI Met Mile June 8. He was returned to the barn of Saffie Joseph Jr. after that effort. The final time was 1:23.32. A triumphant return for WHITE ABARRIO as he easily wins the 7th race in Gulfstream Park this Friday, ridden by @iradortiz for trainer @SaffieJosephJr and the classic colors of @C2RacingStable Retorno victorioso para WHITE ABARRIO, ganador de la BC Classic 2023, al galopar con… pic.twitter.com/50uQtyIizM — Agentes305 (@agentes305) November 22, 2024 Sales history: $7,500 Ylg '20 OBSWIN; $40,000 2yo '21 OBSMAR. O-C 2 Racing Stable, Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Pagnano, Antonio; B-Spendthrift Farm, LLC (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. The post Breeders Cup Champion White Abarrio Makes Stylish Return to Racing in Gulfstream Romp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article