Wandering Eyes

OwnerView named Resolute's John Stewart and former MLB star Jayson Werth as the co-winners of the 2024 New Owner of the Year Award, sponsored by 1/ST RACING, the Jockey Club of America said via a press release on Wednesday morning. A lifelong racing fan, Stewart bought his first horse at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. From his farm in Midway, Kentucky, the owner of Resolute Racing focuses on breeding to race instead of to sell. “It's very important as I grow the breeding program at Resolute Racing to breed to race,” Stewart said. “I am trying to breed quality horses that can go on to win graded stakes. Starting off in this industry can be intimidating, but once you're in, you're hooked. It's a wonderful sport, and I hope more people take the time to get involved.” Werth starred on Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies, and his racing venture–Two Eight Racing LLC–is named after the number he wore. The co-owner of this year's GI Belmont Stakes and GI Haskell Stakes winner Dornoch (Good Magic), Werth says he has been able to share his passion for the industry with his friends and family. “The Thoroughbred industry is unlike anything I have ever experienced. It is a sport that I have quickly fallen in love with,” Werth said. Prior award winners include MyRacehorse, LNJ Foxwoods, Sol Kumin, Boat Racing, Pat Kearney and Alex Bregman. The post Stewart And Werth Share New Owner Of The Year Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mauritian rider guides Take Action to victory at city circuit to qualify for prestigious competition.View the full article

A total of 56 horses from eight racing jurisdictions–some 26 of which have struck at the Group 1/Grade I level–including 31 overseas gallopers, have been extended invitations to the Longines Hong Kong International Races, to be staged Sunday, Dec. 8 at Sha Tin Racecourse. With Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire})–a top-level winner in Hong Kong earlier this season and last seen taking out the GI Breeders' Cup Turf–passing the meeting, Resolute Racing's Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) is the biggest name among those invited from abroad. The on-the-bridle winner of the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July, the 4-year-old added the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris Oct. 20 and his participation in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase will be dictated by his performance in Sunday's G1 Japan Cup at Tokyo. Should he make the trip, he could be joined by G1 Melbourne Cup hero Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}); G1 Grosser Preis von Baden winner Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}); dual G2 Yorkshire Cup victor Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}); and Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}), who is slated to make a fourth trip to Hong Kong, but making his first appearance over the Sha Tin 2400 metres. After just missing in last year's G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) is engaged for the Vase, as is his Classic-winning stable companion Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}). Stellenbosch (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) won this year's G1 Oka Sho and is one of a pair of Vase chances for Japan. Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) leads the home defence as he looks for an unprecedented third win in the Cup, at HK$40 million (£4.06m/$5.14m) the meeting's richest event. Victorious over the past weekend in the course-and-distance lead-up, he could face two-time G2 Bahrain International Trophy scorer Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Japanese Triple Tiara heroine Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) and her compatriot Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}), the 2023 G1 Tokyo Yushun winner and latest runner-up in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) in late October. Content (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Wingspan (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) are engaged for Ballydoyle, while The Foxes (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) was given a supplemental entry on the back of his three-length defeat of Dubai Honour in the Listed Churchill Stakes over the Newcastle all-weather last Saturday. The retirement of Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) dictates that no fewer than six foreigners are set to challenge the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile. Nurlan Bizakov's Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) is a most intriguing proposition for trainer Jerome Reynier, having won six from six at home, including a three-length romp in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest in August. He tasted defeat for the first time in his career when narrowly second in the 1500-metre Golden Eagle at Rosehill Nov. 2. Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), fourth to Golden Sixty in last year's Mile, returns to Sha Tin after posting his first elite-level success in last weekend's Mile Championship at Kyoto. Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) is one of a handful of Australian raiders and earned his ticket to the Mile with an eye-catching victory in the G1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield Oct. 12. Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) and Galaxy Patch (Aus) (Wandjina {Aus}) rate the best chances among the locals. Arguably the likeliest banker of the meeting comes in the form of Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, who ran his record to eight wins from 10 starts in last weekend's G2 Jockey Club Sprint. But that hasn't stopped the connections from a half-dozen international invaders from taking a crack, among them the last two winners of the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Nobals (Noble Mission {GB}) is set to become the first American runner in the HKIR since 2017, while Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) has been supplemented for the Arc-winning team of trainer Ralph Beckett and jockey Rossa Ryan following his success at Del Mar on Nov. 2. A neck separated Lugal (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) and Toshin Macau (Jpn) in the G1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama in September, and the progressive Satono Reve (Jpn), a son of two-time Sprint winner Lord Kanaloa (Jpn), seeks to improve off his seventh in the same heat. “The Longines Hong Kong International Races are one of the most important racing events on the global calendar and this year we look forward to hosting a decorated line-up from many corners of the globe,” said Andrew Harding, executive director, racing, for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. “We are excited by the quality of selected runners for this year's Longines Hong Kong International Races and the presence of so many of the stars is in keeping with our long-held commitment to deliver sporting excellence.” HERE THEY ARE! Selected runners for ALL four G1 races at #HKIR worth a total HK$126 million… HK$26m Hong Kong Sprint HK$36m Hong Kong Mile HK$24m Hong Kong Vase HK$40m Hong Kong Cup Sha Tin, 8 Dec | #競馬 | @LONGINES | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/qaSUT5w6hM — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) November 20, 2024 The post Goliath Heads International Challenge For HKIR, Romantic Warrior In Search of History appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Renee Geelen/The Thoroughbred Report David Ellis smashed the record for the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, purchasing lot 174, an I Am Invincible (Aus) colt from dual Group 1 winner Shillelagh (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) for NZ$1.65 million. The previous highest price at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale was NZ$825,000 for Megastar Heart (Aus) (Star Turn {Aus}) who won a listed race last season at two. “I've been buying at this sale for a lifetime and that's the most impressive colt I've seen at this sale,” said Ellis. “He's just as nice a colt as you'd ever see. The staff have all seen him and are excited to have him in the stable. He'll sell very quickly, the interest in him is already strong.” The colt was catalogued as a yearling by Segenhoe Stud but didn't sell, being withdrawn from Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and passed at Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. He was offered in the Kiltannon Stables draft. “He'll go to Te Akau Stud tomorrow and we'll give him a short spell, then we'll race him,” he added. “We trained Shillelagh at two and three, and then she went to Chris Waller. She's an attractive looking Savabeel mare, and colt like this, well, if they race like they ought to, like they've shown so far, then they are worth serious money. “This is an exciting colt and I can't wait to have him in the stable.” The colt breezed in an impressive :9.97s which was the fastest time recorded in the catalogue. Shillelagh won her first three races in succession at three and four, then moved to Australia as a spring 5-year-old where she went on to win the G1 Cantala S. and G1 Empire Rose S. retiring with eight wins and over A$1.8 million in prize-money. Her first foal is Group 3-placed winner 4-year-old mare Irish Legacy (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) while her second foal, 3-year-old filly Kilkenny (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}), debuted on Wednesday for Chris Waller. Shillelagh is a full sister to Group 2 winner Tullamore (NZ) and listed winner Grazia (NZ). On the first day, David Ellis purchased five lots for a total of NZ$2.39 million. The post Te Akau’s Ellis Sets New Benchmark With NZ$1.65m I Am Invincible Colt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Tyler Gaffalione, unseated in the third race at Churchill Downs Nov. 16, "feels really beat up" from his fall but escaped serious injury, agent Matt Muzikar said. He is off his Nov. 17 mounts and will resume riding next week.View the full article

The Wednesday session of the Goffs November Foal Sale is quickly living up to its lofty billing as, just over an hour into the action at Kildare Paddocks, a Sea The Stars (Ire) colt consigned by Baroda Stud was knocked down to Godolphin for €1,000,000. The colt boasts a glittering pedigree being a full-brother to Teona (Ire). Trained by Roger Varian, Teona won the G1 Qatar Prix Vermeille before lighting up the Tattersalls December Mares Sale last year when knocked down to Juddmonte for 4.5 million gns. It was Juddmonte who put up the most resistance to Godolphin and filled the role as underbidder to Anthony Stroud, who secured the millionaire lot on behalf of Godolphin. TEONA's full brother sells for €1,000,000 @Goffs1866 November Foal Sale. Godolphin won the war with this colt by Sea The Stars who was consigned by Baroda Stud. Juddmonte were the underbidders. pic.twitter.com/sbpezTSX7e — TDN (@theTDN) November 20, 2024 Stroud commented, “He is a very nice individual [who] walked very well. [He has] a lot of presence and a lot of body. He is by Sea The Stars who is a Derby winner and he is out of a Group 1 winner who has produced a Group 1 winner. All of the stars aligned. He has a wonderful temperament. We looked at him on many occasions and saw him in the pre parade ring and he was very relaxed. The pedigree and the conformation matched together. I think, from that point of view, he's a horse who will compliment our homebreds. It looks very competitive. Prices are good and people are getting well paid if they have a nice horse.” The post Goffs Off To A Flyer As Godolphin Goes To 1 Million For Sea The Stars Colt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The racing community is mourning the loss of champion galloper Elvstroem, who passed away last week in France, where he had been standing at stud since 2016. A son of the legendary Danehill, Elvstroem was purchased at auction for $300,000 and rose to become one of Australia’s most decorated racehorses. Over his illustrious career, he notched up 10 victories from 32 starts, amassing a total of $5.7 million in prize money. Under the guidance of trainer Tony Vasil, Elvstroem claimed a series of major victories, including the 2004 Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and the 2003 Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m). Following his Caulfield Cup triumph, Elvstroem competed in Australia’s biggest races, finishing eighth in the Cox Plate behind Savabeel and fourth in the Melbourne Cup behind the legendary Makybe Diva. In 2005, he embarked on an international campaign, capturing the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Stakes and later racing in Hong Kong, England, and France. Throughout his career, Elvstroem enjoyed a strong partnership with jockey Nash Rawiller, with the duo combining for four Group 1 wins from 17 rides together. After retiring from racing, Elvstroem began his stud career at Blue Gum Stud in Victoria before moving to France, where he stood at the Haras du Petit Tellier breeding farm. His passing marks the end of an era for a horse who left an indelible mark on the racing world both on the track and at stud. Horse racing news View the full article

Goliath will be the highest-rated international runner at HKIR in nearly a decade.View the full article

Exciting battle awaits between even batch of locals and strong overseas contingent in 1,600m showpiece.View the full article

Half a dozen raiders are set to tackle David Hayes’ red-hot speedster in the HK$26 million feature.View the full article

Japan’s Triple Tiara winner among a host of overseas gallopers eager to dethrone the local champion in the HK$40 million Hong Kong Cup.View the full article

The Ready to Run Sale’s previous record price of $825,000 was blown out of the water at Karaka on Wednesday as Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis went to $1,650,000 to secure an I Am Invincible colt with a special connection to the stable. The standout colt was offered by Kiltannon Stables as Lot 174 and fetched the highest price ever paid for a two-year-old at a public auction in the southern hemisphere. He is out of the Savabeel mare Shillelagh, who was trained by Te Akau’s former trainer Jamie Richards to win four races from six New Zealand starts for owner-breeders Christopher and Susanna Grace. Shillelagh later crossed the Tasman and joined the stable of Chris Waller, for whom she won the Gr.1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) and Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). Shillelagh has made a promising start at stud with her first foal to race, the I Am Invincible filly Irish Legacy, placing in the Gr.3 Mufhasa Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie in the Grace colours earlier this year. Wednesday’s sale-topping I Am Invincible colt was originally offered in Sydney as a yearling in April, where he failed to meet his A$420,000 reserve. It was a very different story when he graced the Karaka sale ring seven months later. The crowd swelled significantly ahead of the striking youngster’s arrival, and after starting at $200,000, bids were quickly being fired in from three corners of the auditorium. Ellis appeared to be on the back foot on multiple occasions over a tense next few minutes, but he summoned another couple of $50,000 bids late in the piece to secure the prized colt. “The fact that we trained Shillelagh for Christopher and Susanna Grace makes this quite special for Te Akau, but the simple fact is that I thought he was easily the nicest colt I’ve ever seen at the Ready to Run Sale,” Ellis said. “I was on the toe the whole time he was in the ring, because I really wanted to take this horse home. At one stage my wife Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) said to me, ‘If you really, really like this colt, don’t be beaten.’ That gave me the confidence to put in those last couple of bids. The Kiltannon Stables team with top priced lot, the colt by I Am Invincible out of Shillelagh. Photo: Trish Dunell “I saw the colt when he was in Sydney as a yearling, but things weren’t quite 100 per cent with him at that stage. They took him home and turned him out, and he’s just gone to the next level since then.” Ellis has enormous regard for I Am Invincible, who sired the stable’s 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz and Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Move To Strike. “He’s one of the very best stallions we’ve got in this part of the world,” Ellis said. “We’ve obviously had the likes of Imperatriz and Move To Strike in our stable, so he’s a sire that works so well for Te Akau. “Harry and Bill Mitchell, who stand I Am Invincible at Yarraman Park, said to me that this is as nice an I Am Invincible colt as they’ve seen, and they’re going to be taking a share.” The colt’s appeal grew even higher in last month’s breeze-ups at Te Rapa, where he made an enormous impression and clocked the catalogue’s best time of 9.97 seconds. “The breeze-ups are Mark Walker’s area of expertise, he’s an absolute genius,” Ellis said. “He said he hasn’t seen a two-year-old work the way he did for a long time. “Christopher and Susanna Grace are among the best breeders in New Zealand, they’ve been breeding such top-quality horses for a number of years and their results speak for themselves. All of us at Te Akau Racing are just honoured to be taking this magnificent colt home. “He’s likely to enter our system here in New Zealand, where he might be set for something like the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, and then he could join our Australian stable further down the track.” View the full article

The Ready to Run Sale’s previous record price of $825,000 was blown out of the water at Karaka on Wednesday as Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis went to $1,650,000 to secure an I Am Invincible colt with a special connection to the stable. The standout colt was offered by Kiltannon Stables as Lot 174 and fetched the highest price ever paid for a two-year-old at a public auction in the southern hemisphere. He is out of the Savabeel mare Shillelagh, who was trained by Te Akau’s former trainer Jamie Richards to win four races from six New Zealand starts for owner-breeders Christopher and Susanna Grace. Shillelagh later crossed the Tasman and joined the stable of Chris Waller, for whom she won the Gr.1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) and Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). Shillelagh has made a promising start at stud with her first foal to race, the I Am Invincible filly Irish Legacy, placing in the Gr.3 Mufhasa Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie in the Grace colours earlier this year. Wednesday’s sale-topping I Am Invincible colt was originally offered in Sydney as a yearling in April, where he failed to meet his A$420,000 reserve. It was a very different story when he graced the Karaka sale ring seven months later. The crowd swelled significantly ahead of the striking youngster’s arrival, and after starting at $200,000, bids were quickly being fired in from three corners of the auditorium. Ellis appeared to be on the back foot on multiple occasions over a tense next few minutes, but he summoned another couple of $50,000 bids late in the piece to secure the prized colt. “The fact that we trained Shillelagh for Christopher and Susanna Grace makes this quite special for Te Akau, but the simple fact is that I thought he was easily the nicest colt I’ve ever seen at the Ready to Run Sale,” Ellis said. “I was on the toe the whole time he was in the ring, because I really wanted to take this horse home. At one stage my wife Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) said to me, ‘If you really, really like this colt, don’t be beaten.’ That gave me the confidence to put in those last couple of bids. The Kiltannon Stables team with top priced lot, the colt by I Am Invincible out of Shillelagh. Photo: Trish Dunell “I saw the colt when he was in Sydney as a yearling, but things weren’t quite 100 per cent with him at that stage. They took him home and turned him out, and he’s just gone to the next level since then.” Ellis has enormous regard for I Am Invincible, who sired the stable’s 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz and Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Move To Strike. “He’s one of the very best stallions we’ve got in this part of the world,” Ellis said. “We’ve obviously had the likes of Imperatriz and Move To Strike in our stable, so he’s a sire that works so well for Te Akau. “Harry and Bill Mitchell, who stand I Am Invincible at Yarraman Park, said to me that this is as nice an I Am Invincible colt as they’ve seen, and they’re going to be taking a share.” The colt’s appeal grew even higher in last month’s breeze-ups at Te Rapa, where he made an enormous impression and clocked the catalogue’s best time of 9.97 seconds. “The breeze-ups are Mark Walker’s area of expertise, he’s an absolute genius,” Ellis said. “He said he hasn’t seen a two-year-old work the way he did for a long time. “Christopher and Susanna Grace are among the best breeders in New Zealand, they’ve been breeding such top-quality horses for a number of years and their results speak for themselves. All of us at Te Akau Racing are just honoured to be taking this magnificent colt home. “He’s likely to enter our system here in New Zealand, where he might be set for something like the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, and then he could join our Australian stable further down the track.” View the full article

The Ready to Run Sale’s previous record price of $825,000 was blown out of the water at Karaka on Wednesday as Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis went to $1,650,000 to secure an I Am Invincible colt with a special connection to the stable. The standout colt was offered by Kiltannon Stables as Lot 174 and fetched the highest price ever paid for a two-year-old at a public auction in the southern hemisphere. He is out of the Savabeel mare Shillelagh, who was trained by Te Akau’s former trainer Jamie Richards to win four races from six New Zealand starts for owner-breeders Christopher and Susanna Grace. Shillelagh later crossed the Tasman and joined the stable of Chris Waller, for whom she won the Gr.1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) and Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). Shillelagh has made a promising start at stud with her first foal to race, the I Am Invincible filly Irish Legacy, placing in the Gr.3 Mufhasa Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie in the Grace colours earlier this year. Wednesday’s sale-topping I Am Invincible colt was originally offered in Sydney as a yearling in April, where he failed to meet his A$420,000 reserve. It was a very different story when he graced the Karaka sale ring seven months later. The crowd swelled significantly ahead of the striking youngster’s arrival, and after starting at $200,000, bids were quickly being fired in from three corners of the auditorium. Ellis appeared to be on the back foot on multiple occasions over a tense next few minutes, but he summoned another couple of $50,000 bids late in the piece to secure the prized colt. “The fact that we trained Shillelagh for Christopher and Susanna Grace makes this quite special for Te Akau, but the simple fact is that I thought he was easily the nicest colt I’ve ever seen at the Ready to Run Sale,” Ellis said. “I was on the toe the whole time he was in the ring, because I really wanted to take this horse home. At one stage my wife Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) said to me, ‘If you really, really like this colt, don’t be beaten.’ That gave me the confidence to put in those last couple of bids. The Kiltannon Stables team with top priced lot, the colt by I Am Invincible out of Shillelagh. Photo: Trish Dunell “I saw the colt when he was in Sydney as a yearling, but things weren’t quite 100 per cent with him at that stage. They took him home and turned him out, and he’s just gone to the next level since then.” Ellis has enormous regard for I Am Invincible, who sired the stable’s 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz and Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Move To Strike. “He’s one of the very best stallions we’ve got in this part of the world,” Ellis said. “We’ve obviously had the likes of Imperatriz and Move To Strike in our stable, so he’s a sire that works so well for Te Akau. “Harry and Bill Mitchell, who stand I Am Invincible at Yarraman Park, said to me that this is as nice an I Am Invincible colt as they’ve seen, and they’re going to be taking a share.” The colt’s appeal grew even higher in last month’s breeze-ups at Te Rapa, where he made an enormous impression and clocked the catalogue’s best time of 9.97 seconds. “The breeze-ups are Mark Walker’s area of expertise, he’s an absolute genius,” Ellis said. “He said he hasn’t seen a two-year-old work the way he did for a long time. “Christopher and Susanna Grace are among the best breeders in New Zealand, they’ve been breeding such top-quality horses for a number of years and their results speak for themselves. All of us at Te Akau Racing are just honoured to be taking this magnificent colt home. “He’s likely to enter our system here in New Zealand, where he might be set for something like the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, and then he could join our Australian stable further down the track.” View the full article

Bloodstock agent Andrew Williams won a spirited bidding battle to secure a well-related Proisir gelding for $650,000 on the opening day of the NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Wednesday. Offered by Riversley Park, the gelding was catalogued as Lot 79 and is out of the unraced Carlton House mare Miss Vegas. That makes him a full-sister to this season’s Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) fourth placegetter Vegas Queen, while Miss Vegas is a half-sister to the dam of emerging Australian star Gringotts. The Ciaron Maher-trained Gringotts has won eight of his 16 starts including the Listed Members’ Handicap (1600m) in Brisbane and this month’s A$3 million The Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick. Further down the pedigree page, second dam Operavega is a half-sister to the dam of the legendary Winx. Williams, who secured the high-priced juvenile in partnership with Hong Kong Bloodstock, acknowledged the pedigree credentials but was more taken with the gelding as a physical specimen. “Obviously Proisir is a very good sire, and there’s a very special horse in the family in Winx,” Williams said. “Gringotts has delivered some big results lately too, so there’s good horses throughout the family. “But he’s just a beautiful individual. He’s been one of the standouts from when we started inspecting here on Sunday. We kept on gravitating back to the Riversley barn and seeing him. “He did everything well and, to me, really stood out on the sale grounds. He breezed up beautifully as well, running a good time by himself, and he obviously vetted very cleanly. “It’s just great to be able to buy a horse like this. He’ll go back to the paddocks in Cambridge now, have a bit of a break post-sale and grow out a bit. He may end up starting his racing career in New Zealand or Australia. “His ultimate destination is going to be Hong Kong, but you never know – he could make a Karaka Millions or The NZB Kiwi (1500m) horse beforehand.” View the full article

Champion Australian stallion I Am Invincible sired the two highest-priced lots on the opening day of NZB’s Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Wednesday, including a colt that was snapped up by the high-flying Yulong operation for $675,000. Hours before another I Am Invincible colt shattered Ready to Run records with his $1,650,000 purchase price, all eyes were on Lot 32 in the draft of KB Bloodstock. He is out of the Group One-winning Written Tycoon mare (La) Luna Rossa and was high on Yulong’s wish list in the lead-up to this week’s sale. Yulong’s chief operating officer Sam Fairgray was pleased to hold out underbidder Andrew Forsman and add the colt to Mr Yuesheng Zhang’s impressive thoroughbred portfolio. “He’s a very nice colt out of a good mare, and he breezed up well,” Fairgray said. “We see him as a nice colt to add to the racing team, and then hopefully he might make a stallion prospect further down the track. “The fact that he was a November foal means he’s got a bit of upside. We’ll take him home, be patient with him and see where he ends up.” The colt holds extra appeal for Yulong through (La) Luna Rossa, who was one of the first Group One winners for her sire Written Tycoon when she captured the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in 2016. Written Tycoon is now the sire of 17 Group One winners and is the jewel on the crown of Yulong’s stallion roster. “The fact that he’s out of a Group One-winning Written Tycoon mare certainly adds to his appeal for Mr Zhang,” Fairgray said. “It’s a pedigree that suits Australia well, and the cross with I Am Invincible has worked.” Yulong’s green and white colours have been an unstoppable force in Australia this spring, celebrating Group One triumphs with Via Sistina in the Cox Plate (2040m), Champions Stakes (2000m), Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and Winx Stakes (1400m), Deny Knowledge in the Might And Power Stakes (2000m), Kimochi in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m), and homebred filly Treasurethe Moment in the VRC Oaks (2500m). Three-year-old colt Growing Empire has placed in the Gr.1 The Everest (1200m), Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) and Manikato Stakes (1200m). “Mr Zhang has put a lot of investment in, so it’s great to see him being rewarded for that with the results we’ve had this spring,” Fairgray said. “Some of those successes have been with yearlings and older horses that we’ve bought, and others are horses we’ve bred ourselves on the farm, so they’ve come from everywhere. “We’re still quite a young operation, but the results are starting to flow, which has been great. Hopefully that can continue with some of our newer recruits, like this colt.” View the full article

Following the retirement of his stakes-winning mare Casino Princess, Cliff Goss turned to New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run Sale in search of another filly, which he found early on day one in the form of Lot 25. Goss was in the spotlight over the past 12 months courtesy of the daughter of Casino Prince, who won the Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m), and post-retirement was sold to Windsor Park Stud via gavelhouse.com. At the Ready To Runs, the nonagenarian horseman was on the lookout for progeny of Almanzor and soon settled on a filly by Cambridge Stud’s prominent sire, out of a Keeper mare in Lady Aroha, a half-sister to Gr.2 City Of Auckland Cup (2400m) winner and Group One performer Zarius. “There was a combination of everything, she breezed up very well and she had a good pedigree,” Goss said. “She was a very relaxed filly walking around before her breeze-up, I always like to see them walking around casually, not jumping around too much. She ticked all the boxes really. “It’s a bit of a buzz there (at the sales), everyone is trying to buy a horse and it’s whichever horse suits the person. For me, I wanted an Almanzor because he was a champion two-year-old sire. He’s left a lot of speed horses and you’ve got to have that. “I always preferred colts or geldings, but after I had Casino Princess, I thought she was a good filly, so I’ll settle for another one and hopefully I can find one like her. This filly was the only one I wanted right from the very start, I watched her breeze-up at least 20 times and I thought yes, this is the one. “I said to myself that I would go to $50,000 and I got her for $45,000, so it was good.” Goss indicated the filly will now enjoy a break at his daughter and son-in-law, Cherry and Brent Taylor’s Trelawney Stud, before looking for a possible autumn two-year-old preparation. “She’ll probably be an autumn two-year-old, I’m going to put her out at Trelawney Stud for about a month for a nice freshen-up, then I’ll bring her in and see if she’ll be ready for that,” he said. View the full article

Promising filly Diablo Blanco will kick-off her preparation towards a southern stakes target when she heads to Phar Lap Raceway on Thursday to tackle the McMillan Feeds (1200m). The daughter of Super Seth showed plenty of ability as a juvenile, winning two of her five starts and finished fourth behind subsequent Group One winner Captured By Love in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham last December. She continued her winning form into her three-year-old term, winning over 1200m on the Riccarton Synthetic, but put in an uncustomary poor showing when 10th in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton in September. Trainer Richard Didham has ruled a line through that run and is starting afresh with his filly this week after giving her a freshen-up post her Canterbury Belle run. “Things didn’t really go to plan and we are just forgetting about it and starting fresh,” he said. Diablo Blanco will resume over 1200m on Thursday and Didham is expecting a bold showing, with the aim of having her peaking for the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui next month. “She seems in tip top shape,” he said. “This run should just tighten her up for the three-year-old fillies race at Wingatui on Boxing Day.” Didham has taken plenty of confidence out of last Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) result and believes his charge will be very competitive in her southern stakes assignment on Boxing Day. “Her Wellington form, when she ran fourth, she was only four lengths behind Captured By Love, and we all saw what she did in the Guineas. Her form is definitely pretty strong,” he said. Didham will also head to Timaru with polytrack specialist Chairman, who is set to return to his favoured surface next month after competing in Thursday’s Young Bucks NZ Motor Corporation (1600m). “Timaru is a handy horses track. He will get on speed, and he will give a really good sight,” Didham said. “He went a really good race in the Open 1400m at Riccarton last week. “There is a really nice race on the synthetic at the Christmas meeting on the 6th of December. He has already won three from five on the synthetic.” View the full article

Group One performer Express Yourself has returned home from her spring campaign in Melbourne and is now on a path towards the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham on January 4. The six-year-old mare had four starts at Caulfield for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, placing in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) in August and Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m) on Caulfield Cup Day. She has returned to part-owner Nikki Hurdle’s Awapuni stable in Palmerston North, and while pleased with her stakes results, Hurdle said her mare didn’t settle into the urban training environment in Australia and is pleased to get her home in a paddock. “She did well (in Australia). The fact that she ran third on Caulfield Cup Day was awesome,” Hurdle said. “I probably underestimated how she would react to the different environment, and they are worlds apart. At my place she has a paddock, and I have only got two horses, whereas it is a huge establishment at Price-Kent Racing. “Your horse is a thinking animal, and I know what makes her tick. He (Price) did try different things for me, but at the end of the day she was still in that very urban setting. I just don’t think it suited her, so the fact she ran those placings was pleasing, and it showed her heart. “We weren’t disappointed in her, I just don’t think we saw the best of her, and that is why I brought her home. We went over several times and I could just see that she wasn’t the horse she is here. They looked after her superbly I just don’t think their regime suited her that much.” Hurdle gave the daughter of Shamexpress a freshen-up on her return to New Zealand and gave Express Yourself her first public hit-out ahead of summer racing at the Foxton trials on Tuesday where she won her 850m heat. While pleased with the win, Hurdle wasn’t overly enamoured with the trial and is hoping her mare returns to her form of old before January’s Group One target, which she was runner-up in earlier this year behind Mercurial. “She came back in nice order and we gave her a couple of weeks off and we are just starting a build-up hopefully towards the Telegraph,” Hurdle said. “I was happy with her trial, but I wasn’t excited. She is not quite there yet, and I don’t know whether she will bounce back, but we have got a bit of time.” Express Yourself’s next target will likely be next Thursday’s Levin Stakes (1200m) at Otaki, and Hurdle is hoping that brings her on for her summer campaign as she is eager to go one better in the Telegraph in January. “It is a bit of unfinished business when you are beaten a nostril (in the Telegraph),” Hurdle said. “I do think it will be a lot tougher this year, it is going to be a big race with the prizemoney ($550,000), change of date, and sprint series (Sport Nation Champion Sprint Series). “We will head towards it (Telegraph) and see how she is going. I will nominate her next week for the Levin Stakes, and we will just take it one step at a time.” Hurdle is unsure of what targets lie beyond the Telegraph, with the Manawatu horsewoman loathe to return to Ellerslie following Express Yourself’s subpar showing in January’s Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m). “She is quite a hard horse to place now,” Hurdle said. “She is not a horse I really want to travel, she didn’t seem to travel that well to Auckland that time, so opportunities for her aren’t great. “I wouldn’t say no (to the sprint series), but it is not a high priority. I am really worried about taking her back to Ellerslie, she just absolutely hated that track. “I would look at the 1400m (Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint) at Te Rapa, it is a beautiful track and our way around of going, which takes a few of the doubts out.” View the full article

What Hawkesbury Races Where Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 When Thursday, November 21, 2024 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Provincial racing returns to Hawkesbury on Thursday afternoon, with a competitive eight-race program lined up. The rail is out +3m between the 1100m and 450m markers, while the remainder is in true position. No significant rainfall is forecast in the lead-up, and with the track rated a Soft 5 at the time acceptances, punters can expect that rating to hold true on race-day morning. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 1:15pm local time. Best Bet at Hawkesbury: I Am Wild The Ron Quinton-trained I Am Wild appears set to peak after finding the minor money in back-to-back starts at Hawkesbury. The I Am Invincible mare closed off best of the rest behind Diddle Dumpling over 1400m and should appreciate getting an extra 100m to chase down her rivals. Louise Day does the steering from gate three, and provided she can navigate to the one-one, I Am Wild can finally shirk the maiden tag at start seven. Best Bet Race 1 – #9 I Am Wild (3) 4yo Mare | T: Ron Quinton | J: Louise Day (57kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Hawkesbury: Ready To Rocket Ready To Rocket debuts on the back of an eye-catching barrier trial at Rosehill on November 4. The daughter of Smart Missile wasn’t asked for much, cruising through the wire under her own steam and making strong inroads towards the end of the 900m journey. Tim Clark gets legged aboard from stall six and should get an ideal run in transit, and although Ready To Rocket lacks race-day experience as the only first-starter engaged, watch for this unraced to four-year-old to be finishing off best at a good price with Picklebet. Next Best Race 2 – #2 Rocket To Rocket (6) 4yo Mare | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Tim Clark (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Hawkesbury: Aix En Provence The Sara Ryan-trained Aix En Provence represents terrific each-way value in the first leg of the Hawkesbury quaddie. The son of Shalaa only missed the frame once across five starts last preparation, including two wins and another two minor placings to his name before being tipped out for a spell. The 1400m could prove short of his best trip, but with Aix En Provence sprinting well fresh in the past, this guy is worth the risk at the $10.00 available with BlondeBet. Best Value Race 5 – #1 Aix En Provence (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Sara Ryan | J: Reece Jones (59.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Thursday quaddie tips for Hawkesbury Hawkesbury quadrella selections November 21, 2024 1-3-4-8 1-3-6-8-9 1-2-3-9 1-2-4-5 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What 2024 Railway Stakes Where Ascot Racecourse – Perth, Western Australia When Saturday, November 23, 2024 Prizemoney $1,500,000 Distance 1600m Conditions 3YO & Up | Handicap 2023 winner Bustler (2) | T: Neville Parnham | J: Steven Parnham (53kg) Visit Dabble The 2024 Railway Stakes is set to headline the second day of The Pinnacles at Ascot this Saturday afternoon, with a full field of 16 runners expected to clash in the 1600m contest. With a prize pool of $1.5 million up for grabs, the top trainers from Victoria and New South Wales have launched an assault on the season’s first Group 1 race in Western Australia. The Neville Parnham-trained Bustler claimed victory in the 2023 Railway Stakes, and he will attempt to defend his title. Will the West Australian dominance of the Railway continue, or will one of the interstate raiders claim victory in the feature for the first time since 2015? 2024 Railway Stakes odds Horse racing bookmakers believe the 2024 Railway Stakes is a wide-open affair, with only four runners marked in single figures. The betting market is led by the Ciaron Maher-trained Light Infantry Man at $4, closely followed by Zipaway ($6) and Belclare ($7). Democracy Manifest ($9) rounds out the runners under $10; however, the chances don’t end there, as the likes of Socks Nation ($13), Bustler ($15) and Super Smink ($13) all come through strong form races. 2024 Railway Stakes speed map Belclare, Comfort Me and Searchin Rocs will settle in the first three, with each of those runners drawing middle barriers. From wider gates, expect Socks Nation and Zipaway to push forward and attempt to settle forward of midfield along with the race favourite. Democracy Manifest and Super Smink have drawn horrible barriers, but that won’t worry them too much as they are expected to settle at the rear of the field. Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Railway Stakes. Recommended! The Better Bettors! Australian-owned and operated bookmaker! Join MarantelliBet 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Railway Stakes 2024 preview & form Zipaway won the Group 2 WA Guineas on this day last year, and he will return to Ascot for his second start of the preparation. First-up, the Neville Parnham-trained gelding was held up at the top of the home straight before switching back to the inside to run home strongly into fourth place. The son of Playing God went within a head of Zaaki and Dom To Shoot in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes last year, and if he brings that form to this contest, he will prove extremely hard to beat. If Zipaway is unable to secure the prize, Socks Nation appears to be a great each-way bet with PlayUp following her third-place finish behind Atishu and Amelia’s Jewel in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes last start. Light Infantry Man and Super Smink are a couple of the main dangers to the top two, and if the leaders run the race along at a strong tempo, look for them swooping home down the middle of the track late. Railway Stakes 2024 selections & best bets Selections: 16 ZIPAWAY 10 SOCKS NATION 5 LIGHT INFANTRY MAN 13 SUPER SMINK $100 betting strategy $50 win Zipaway (#16) @ +500 with Neds $25 each way Socks Nation (#10) @ +1200/+300 with Dabble Horse racing tips View the full article

What was worth noting from all over the country for the week ending 21/11/2024 Seaclusion (4m Sweet Lou – Classy Beach) Tr. G Rogerson Pukekohe (14/11/24) Stepped to the front and set terms over two rivals, sprinted a sharp 400m to keep Invisible (trail) at bay Last 800m in 59.8, 400m in 27.0. Freshened since disappointing last start late October, a race won co-incidentally by Invisible although she did beat the Purdon/Phelan runner the start prior. Neither horse extended in the run home on a sharp sprint home, overall time not quick. Debbie Lincoln (2f Lather Up – Yasmine Bromac) Tr. R Green Soon in front and always going well, only the trailer Beaudiene Hustler could keep up last 400m, strong effort to win MR:2:02.3, 800m in 59.4, 400m in 29.3. Two useful race day efforts against her own sex back in April, the last at Group 2 level and looking to build upon that start to her career, a progressive type that should be a natural improver. Lewey Maguire (4g Sweet Lou – Miranda Maguire) Tr. S & A Telfer Trailed third of 4, able to work onto the back of Leo Lincoln who had improved to sit parked 800m out, solid finish wide out to run the latter to a narrow margin. MR:2:07.6, 800m in 59.9, 400m in 27.5. Now in the northern arm of the Stonewall stable after winning three in the south and establishing a handy race record. Deserves respect when he lines up next. Tyron’s Connoisseur (2f Art Major – Tyron’s Che Bella) Tr. R & J Dunn Gate speed to lead, sprinted sharply 400m out, just did enough to hold out the Green trained The Rascal MR:2:03.0, 800m in 59.0, 400m in 27.9. Hasn’t flattered in eight 2YO starts to date including a couple of unplaced efforts in Group company but nothing beats experience and might be ready to show her true worth. The Rascal, a recent qualifier in early November, got very close after going roughly at the 500m and losing the back of the winner, recovered strongly to just miss and is one to paste away for the future. Levi (3g What The Hill – Fear Factor) Tr. S Wigg Off 30m, giving three rivals a start, got to third with early breaker then trailed after another breaker lost its chance midrace, out to attack 600m, not extended to come clear by 6L at the line. MR:2:12.5, 800m in 64.5, 400m in 31.2. Not short on ability and held in some regard by his connections. Just the one win but with his best manners that record can be improved upon for sure. Chicago Sky (2f Bettor’s Delight – Chicago Blues) Tr K & F Price Winton (14/11/24) Got to trail in five-horse 2YO heat, asked for an effort at the top of the straight and responded, getting the better of the pace making Moon Light Terror in the final 100m MR:2:00.4, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 29.0. Full sister to Chicago Bull (40 wins + $1.8M) and a recent qualifier in early September, whatever she can produce on the track is only going to add to her considerable residual value for her owner/breeders. Always B Paulie (3g Always B Miki – Bubba Ho Tep) Tr. C Ferguson Worked to the front from wide draw soon after the start, rallied strongly at business end when Sporty Charlie (trail) threatened to use the passing lane. MR:2:02.3, 800m in 55.9, 400m in 27.7. Qualified all the way back in early May but as yet unraced, got a mention in this forum last week so race day debut keenly anticipated. In context, Sporty Charlie has won four races but couldn’t get past. ‘Paulie’ won’t be a maiden for long. Nutcracker (5m Bettor’s Delight – Rockin Cullen) Tr. C Ferguson Led out over Nek Time and Miraculous, still there last turn, kept up determined run to hold out Miraculous who put plenty of dash into his finish from three deep last 400m. MR:2:04.0, 800m in 56.1, 400m in 27.0. The Ferguson trained mare has won the six races and freshened since finding the likes of Tact McLeod too strong earlier in the season. Finding suitable races might be a challenge at this stage of her career but any F&M races in the deep south would hold some appeal. Nek Time right there at the finish on a sharp sprint home. Meg’s Boy (3c Always B Miki – Meglea) Tr. R Swain Wyndham (16/11/24) Settled third of 5 but before long elected to pop out and lead 1600m out, cleared out from 600m, far too good, out by 8L at the line. MR:2:05.7, 800m in 55.9, 400m in 28.1. Not yet qualified but with the official margin 8L here over his four rivals, getting his race ticket would seem a formality. Dam won five and although she has left six winners, nothing in her own class to date. This could be about to change. Beach Day (4m Sunshine Beach – Cool Delight) Tr G Hunter Got to trail out of the gate, able to use passing lane to zip through for comfortable win over four rivals. MR:2:05.5, 800m in 57.5, 400m in 28.2. Has won the four races from just 13 starts and a last start winner back in late June, coming to hand nicely for a new campaign and not to be underestimated wherever she goes in the coming weeks It’s A Pleasure (3f Downbytheseaside – Simple Pleasure) Tr. G Hunter Led out before taking a trail after 400m, back to third of 4 when Cock A Hoop improved to lead 600m out, challenged final turn, did enough to just nudge the latter who fought determinedly when headed. Last 800m in 57.3, 400m in 28.9. Showed plenty of promise in her first campaign, placing twice from only three starts, just missing her maiden win last start back in May. Should be improved again this time in and won’t need too many races to snare that first win judging by this workout. Cock A Hoop, a long term maiden (18 starts),put in an improved effort. Kowhai Star (2f Always B Miki – Green Fingers) Tr. M Jones Ashburton (19/11/24) Gate speed to lead out, always going well, too good for four rivals. MR:1:56.4, 800m in 55.2, 400m in 27.2. The Ashburton track is known to be fast but this was nearly 9 secs under the required qualifying time over the short course of 1700m, calling the effort impressive would be an under-statement. Cuban Chrome (3rd=) & Swift Major (3rd=) also qualified and caught the eye running on late on a very fast last 800m. Kowhai Sunburst (2f Creatine – Kowahi Sunrise) Tr. M Jones Left in front when stablemate Ali Son (only rival) off stride soon after start, clear throughout, bold display to qualify with this ‘solo’ effort. MR:2:03.7, 800m in 60.8, 400m in 30.2. Same owners, same trainer as above and the same result! Only the one rival but 12L a fair margin in the end and 6 secs under qualifying time. Newbiemains Arden (4m Bettor’s Delight – Tosca Hanover) Tr. G Payne Led out before taking a trail behind Nasana, popped out 1700m to take back control, sprinted strongly 400m, kept going strongly to just do enough at the line. Last 800m in 57.8, 400m in 27.5. Only had the one start back in June but expected to be much improved this time in. 2YO filly and stablemate Nasana got very close along passing lane, has already qualified way back in March but as yet unraced, nice one to follow. Jukebox Gypsy (3f Rock N Roll Heaven – Gypsy’s Choice) Tr. G O’Reilly Led out over two rivals, still there final turn, not pushed to hold on albeit narrowly. Last 800m in 56.1, 400m in 26.7. Did ok in first campaign winning once from nine starts against some handy types, last start late June, first foal of a dam that won five so can be expected to get better with time. Action Major (trail) & Seacracka (3 deep) both ran on purposefully to be close up Shepherd’s Delight (4g Sky Major – Delightful) Tr. I Court Stepped brilliantly to lead clearly early stages, still had control 400m, kept going strongly to keep his rivals at bay Last 800m in 55.9, 400m in 27.1. Has won the three races + $37k from 21 starts, this effort suggested he would be more than capable of adding to that handy record. My Ten Guitars raced back in midfield, dragged up into 1×1 last 600m, solid finish to be a closing second, nice trial. To see previous Trails reports click here View the full article

Last start Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) winner Town Cryer has another Trentham feature in her sights, taking the next step towards the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at the Foxton trials on Tuesday. In the hands of Lisa Allpress, who made a welcome return to the trials following an injury in August, Town Cryer led up the field in her usual fashion and wasn’t pressured to the line, finishing a narrow second to Vanish. “She did exactly what we thought she’d do, she likes to do her own thing and Lisa said she travelled very keenly to the line,” trainer Roydon Bergerson said. “It was a tick over as there has been a long time between runs for her, from her last start at Wellington to the Group One in a few weeks’ time. We thought we would take her there for a good gallop on the grass, I’m very happy with her and she’s pulled up super.” The daughter of Tavistock placed at the top level behind subsequent dual Australian Group Two winner Belclare in March, and she will be back to go one better on the 7th of December. “She doesn’t take a lot of work once she’s up and racing, but it’s quite a long way when you’re going six weeks into a Group One, and it’s looking to be a top-class field, as you would expect,” Bergerson said. “We try to keep her fresh, we haven’t got a grass (track) to gallop on at Awapuni at the moment so we’ve got to utilise a grass when we can get one. “She’ll probably go to Wanganui on Cup Day (November 30) for one more gallop there in between races, and she should be cherry ripe for Wellington.” Bergerson’s exciting juvenile prospect Too Sweet also had a hit-out at Foxton, putting an extending and sizeable margin on her less-experienced rivals in an 850m heat. The filly by Satono Aladdin won on debut at Trentham on October 27, and she may earn herself a Group Two opportunity with a forward showing at the TAB Mufhasa Classic meeting. “She did exactly what we’d expected as well, she’s got race day form and I thought she’d run away from that more, but the time she’s run and the ease in which she’s done so were pretty impressive,” Bergerson said. “I think she ran nearly a second faster than the open handicappers so that was a good gallop, Lisa said she was just cruising at the line. “Onwards and upwards for her, we’re hoping to get to Wellington on the 7th of December, and then after that, we’ll have a look at the Eclipse (Gr.2, 1200m) at Ellerslie, if she ran well enough and if she pulls up okay. “Then, hopefully on to the big dance ($1 million Karaka Millions 2YO, 1200m).” View the full article

Bill Thurlow couldn’t have hoped for a better week at the New Zealand Cup carnival and is optimistic a more senior member of the team can add a northern feature to the stable’s tally this Saturday. The Waverley trainer collected a brace of wins, a runner-up finish and a treasured Group One placing at Riccarton and is now focused on No Compromise’s tilt at the Gr.3 TAB Counties Cup (2100m). Successful in the Gr.1 The Metropolitan (2400m) during his tenure with Chris Waller, the eight-year-old son of Pins hasn’t won since his return home but has performed with distinction up to the highest level. He was runner-up in Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2050m), third in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) and most recently was also third in the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie. “Hopefully, there is a bit of moisture around, he needs a bit of dig in the ground,” Thurlow said. Waverley trainer Bill Thurlow. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North “He had a soft trial at Foxton on Tuesday, we gave him a nice hit-out on a track that had give in it. “We were rapt with him, he went around on the bridle and did what was asked of him, so he’ll go north in really good order and we’re looking forward to it. I’m sure he’ll race well.” Ryan Elliot was aboard last time out and will again partner No Compromise, whose longer-term target is likely to be the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). Thurlow was delighted with his Riccarton results with The Entertainer winning on the first and last days, Crunchie Boy finished runner-up and Movin Out ran a gallant third in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). “It was great, the horses really went well and it’s always nice when you travel for them to perform and we thought we took the right horses and it all worked out,” he said. “They all travelled back well and are in the paddock and we’ll plan what we do with them. “The two older horses will bounce through well and the younger filly might just take a bit longer, it’s a big trip for the first time.” Movin Out was at long odds in just her third career start and was coming off a maiden victory at Otaki, but there was confidence in her Classic prospects. “It was a massive step up and we were underdogs, but we wouldn’t have taken her down there if we didn’t think she was up to it,” Thurlow said. “We knew she was good, she has a lot of ability and she just lacked a bit of ringcraft. “She never came up early enough in the spring to get another race or two into her, it wasn’t fitness but just lacking a bit of experience went against her.” Thurlow is confident the daughter of Staphanos can progress further as she is stepped up in ground on her return next year. “She has got at least 2000m stamped all over her, she is just so relaxed with a beautiful stride and gets into a good rhythm and is probably a real Oaks filly,” he said. View the full article

Florida-based owner/trainer Paul Valery has been suspended by the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit until May 14, 2030, for a series of infractions involving his horses and controlled and banned medications, including steroids. View the full article