Wandering Eyes

What Dubbo Races Where Dubbo Turf Club – Merrilea Rd, Dubbo NSW 2830 When Monday, February 3, 2025 First Race 1:35pm AEDT Visit Dabble The new week of racing is set to get underway at Dubbo Turf Club on Monday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-part program set down for decision. The chute position is moved out +2m, however, the remainder of the rail will be set in the true position. Warm summer conditions should assure punters a Good 4 surface with the opening event scheduled to get underway at 1:35pm AEDT. Best Bet at Dubbo: Magic Pharoah Magic Pharoah chalked up an eye-catching victory two starts back at Muswellbrook on January 2, and although she was a shade disappointing subsequently at Newcastle over 1880m, dropping back to the mile should be ideal. Jake Pracey-Holmes gets the chance to slot into the one-one from barrier four to avoid getting too far back in the ruck, and provided Magic Pharoah can peak again in what’s been a lengthy preparation, watch for her to justify favouritism with horse racing bookmakers. Best Bet Race 3 – #5 Magic Pharoah (4) 5yo Mare | T: Lou Mary | J: Jake Pracey-Holmes (59kg) Next Best at Dubbo: Northern Exposure Northern Exposure debuts on the back of a smart barrier trial at Gunnedah on January 20. The son of Santos cruised through the wire under minimal ridding by Jake Pracey-Holmes, with the three-year-old seemingly having plenty left in the tank to get within a half-length of Tavros. He maps to get on the leaders’ back throughout this 1000m contest, and provided he can accelerate when asked for an effort, the $7.00 available with Dabble will seem too big. Next Best Race 2 – #4 Northern Exposure (1) 3yo Gelding | T: Derek Piper | J: Jake Pracey-Holmes (58.5kg) Best Value at Dubbo: Cheap Gas Cheap Gas needed the run first-up at Gunnedah on January 20 and should take massive improvement into this second-up assignment. The Santos gelding got too far back from a wide draw, and although the 5.5-length margin didn’t flatter the Derek Piper-trained galloper, his work through the line suggests he’s not far away from a return to his best. Expect a positive steer by Kody Nestor from stall 12, and with more luck than last start, Cheap Gas warrants an each-way ticket at the big odds. Best Value Race 5 – #4 Cheap Gas (12) 4yo Gelding | T: Derek Piper | J: Kody Nestor (61.5kg) Monday quaddie tips for Dubbo Dubbo quadrella selections February 3, 2025 1-7-10-11 2-4-5-6 3-4-5 2-3-5-6-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Lindsay Park’s Supernova winner Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) will travel to New Zealand next week in search of his first Group One success. The three-time Gr.3 winner will look to contest the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on February 8 after pleasing the Ben, JD and Will Hayes stable when winning his trial at Geelong on Wednesday morning. “He had a great jumpout here this morning … he relaxed just behind the speed, showed a great turn of foot and hit the line really, really well,” Ben Hayes said. The second Saturday of February will be a busy one for the stable, with fan favourite Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) also lining up in the Gr.1 C.F. Orr Stakes in Victoria. The stable also sent out Maribyrnong Plate winner Tycoon Star, who impressed in his heat under Mark Zahra on Wednesday. “He was great on debut and then second-up he ran into a Heavy track that day and he just didn’t enjoy it,” Hayes explained. “He’s freshened up beautifully and off today he looks like he’s come back really well. “He was a little naughty in the gates, he missed the start. We had Mark Zahra on board, who just rode him nice and quiet. I just loved the way he joined in, hit the line, pricked his ears and went to the line having a good look. “Mark gave a really good report, so we feel he’s right on track to head towards a (Blue Diamond) Prelude and he’s on the exact same path (2023 Blue Diamond Stakes winner) Little Brose was on, so hopefully it can be a similar result. “Off his trial today we’ll be going into the Prelude very confident.” View the full article

Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree) is set on the path of a Sydney campaign this autumn after returning to the trials in good fashion on Wednesday morning. OTI Racing’s Kiwi stayer claimed his Group One win last winter in the Queensland Derby, but was put away before the Melbourne Cup after a long campaign. “When you look at him now, I’m so glad we did what we did,” said co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr. “He got to have a good five-week spell, he put on fantastic condition, he’s popped up in the wither, he’s really grown and matured. “It’s always difficult to come back from winter, three-year-old against your own age, straight into spring – they don’t get much of a break – versus now, he’s really matured and furnished, he looks brilliant.” The four-year-old finished third in the 1200-metre trial under Mick Dee in what was his first public hit-out since the Caulfield Cup last October. “He’s come back a different horse,” Kent Jnr said. “Really happy with the way he’s going, his gallops at home have been very good, he’s in fantastic order. “This morning was good, I was pleased to see there was good pace on in the trial, so he got to just drop his head, travel comfortably over 1200m and he was asked to push out the last 400m. “To run third was good, he had a healthy blow, but I’d say his recovery was quite good. “He’s right where we want him.” With the option to kick off his preparation in Melbourne over the mile on February 8, the gelding will have a Sydney-focused campaign beyond that. “Circle around the Sydney Cup and work backwards from there,” Kent Jnr said. “I really think we’ll see the best of him this preparation and going on, we’ve looked after him, he’s relatively lightly raced. As we know with these Kiwi stayers, they keep getting better and better if you look after them.” View the full article

Progressive galloper Talisker (NZ) (Embellish) made a welcome return to the winner’s circle at New Plymouth on Saturday, taking the Platinum Homes (1400m) with a stamp of authority. Group Two-placed as a juvenile, Talisker spent the first-half of his three-year-old season in the South Island, picking up three wins on the bounce for Te Akau Racing’s Riccarton stable. The son of Embellish was denied by just a half-length to Crocetti in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), but struggled to replicate that form through the summer and headed for the spelling paddock. Returning in late November, Talisker recorded placings to Matane, Tanganyika and stablemate My Lips Are Sealed so far this campaign, the latter in the Gr.3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m) at Trentham. Starting favourite at Taranaki, jockey Craig Grylls allowed a rush of horses to contest the early speed, settling the gelding third-last in a comfortable rhythm. Front-runners Amend and Ifindoubtgetout held their position to the home turn, but Talisker was travelling sweetly and launched down the outside on straightening, running down the leaders to score ahead of a game Our Jumala. Mark Walker, who trains Talisker in partnership with Sam Bergerson, was rapt with the result, particularly so for his syndicate, the Te Akau Classic Edition Racing Partnership. “it was really good to see him return in winning form today and the owners have been super patient with him,” he said. “He was well ridden by Craig. We thought he’d be closer in the run, but they were going hard up front and he elected to take a sit off them. So, it was a good, intelligent, ride and he’s riding in career best form. “The progeny of Embellish seem to get better as they get into each season and he looks like he has a big race win in him, this horse. It might not be this year, but as a five-year-old, when he’s one-hundred percent mature, I think he could win a good race.” A $60,000 purchase by David Ellis at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale in 2022, Talisker has earned over $262,000, with four wins and seven minor placings in 15 starts. He is out of a Redoute’s Choice mare Glenkinchie, who has produced another recent winning son of Embellish in El Arish. View the full article

All of the King’s horses for all the King’s Men, Ardalio’s (NZ) (Ardrossan) been picked to do it again – this time for the NZB Kiwi. The lightly raced filly has been selected by The King’s Men to represent their slot in the inaugural $3.5 million 1500-metre feature on Barfoot & Thompson Champions Day at Ellerslie on March 8. The King’s Men moved quickly to snap up Ardalio less than a week after her victory in the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) during the Karaka Millions twilight card at Ellerslie on January 25. In only the third start of her career, the daughter of Ardrossan exploded out of the pack to score a brilliant win. Her time of 1:08.86 was the second-fastest in the history of that feature three-year-old sprint. Ardalio is a fitting representative for The King’s Men, whose syndicate member Mark Carter shared in the ownership of the filly’s sire Ardrossan under his family’s Jomara Bloodstock banner. Ardrossan’s ownership group also included Ardalio’s owner-breeder Lib Petagna’s JML Bloodstock, and the stallion himself raced from the Cambridge stable of Ardalio’s trainer Stephen Marsh. “We’re thrilled to have secured such an exciting filly to race for our slot in the NZB Kiwi,” Carter commented. “She’s won twice from only three starts and has been hugely impressive. “We were at Ellerslie last Saturday when she won the Almanzor, and as soon as she crossed the finish line, we thought ‘this might be the one for us’. “In addition to what she’s done on the racetrack so far, we also really like her pedigree. We’re big fans of her sire Ardrossan, who we had a share in during his racing career, so she’s a good fit in more ways than one.” Notably, Ardalio’s win in the Almanzor Trophy qualifies her for a share in an additional $1 million in bonuses on top of the NZB Kiwi’s base prizemoney. Horses that win selected Bonus Eligible races in either New Zealand or Australia, then finish in the top three in the NZB Kiwi, will receive bonuses of $600,000 for first, $250,000 for second or $150,000 for third. “That initiative around the extra $1 million in bonuses was another real attraction from our perspective,” Carter said. Petagna has first-hand experience with the concept of slot races. He also shared in the ownership of his homebred sprinter Lost And Running, who finished fourth in the A$15 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick in October of 2021. “We’ve seen the excitement that these slot races can create,” he said. “One of the great things about them is the intrigue and interest that they generate through the weeks leading into the race as the Slot Holders make their selections. “The big prizemoney is another important factor that generates a lot of publicity for the race as an event. It’s proven to be a fantastic thing for the sport in Australia, the signs are good that it will be the same here, and we’re very happy to be a part of it. “It’s exciting to have a filly that we bred and race ourselves selected for the race, and it’s a real boost for her sire Ardrossan as well. “We didn’t take Ardalio to the sales, because she wasn’t particularly big. We sent her to be pre-trained by Sam Logan, who really liked her all the way through, and then she went to Stephen Marsh and she didn’t take long to make a big impression on him. “We couldn’t be happier with what she’s achieved on the racetrack so far, and now we can’t wait to take her back to Ellerslie again on March 8.” Marsh has been similarly proud of what Ardalio has achieved within the space of just three starts so far. She made her debut at Matamata on December 20, kicking off her career with a stylish come-from-behind win. Her first look around Ellerslie on January 12 produced a second placing, beaten by a head by Waikato Stud’s NZB Kiwi representative Sought After. The third-placegetter finished more than three lengths behind the first pair. But it was the Almanzor Trophy that took her career to new heights. “She’s still only lightly raced, and what she did on Karaka Millions night last week was outstanding,” Marsh said. “She’s a filly with a huge amount of upside. “Her next start will be in the Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (Listed, 1400m) against the older mares at Matamata on February 15. That’s a suitable distance progression from the 1200m of the Almanzor, and it also gives us the right spacing with three-week gaps between the Almanzor, the Lisa Chittick and the Kiwi. “Our team is absolutely thrilled to have her confirmed for a slot in the NZB Kiwi. It’s such an exciting new race on the New Zealand calendar, and it’s a real privilege to have a runner from our stable. We can’t wait.” Slot Holders who are yet to confirm their runners in the NZB Kiwi are Barneswood Brady Nakhle, Ozzie Kheir, Cambridge Stud, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing, Race Inc and the Selangor Turf Club. View the full article

Guy, Aidan & Emily review the racing action from Ellerslie and New Plymouth featuring some stars of the future. They also catch up with the connections behind Ardalio, the latest horse to be announced for a slot in the NZB Kiwi. Weigh In, February 2 View the full article

Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino) tightened his grip on Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) favouritism with a dominant victory against older opposition in Saturday’s TAB (1600m) at Ellerslie. The $55,000 race was the third consecutive Ellerslie win for the Tarzino gelding, who cleared maiden ranks at the Auckland track on December 12 and then emphatically beat subsequent Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) runner-up Tuxedo on New Year’s Day. But Saturday’s performance in Rating 75 company was Willydoit’s most impressive yet. He was sent out as a $1.40 favourite and barely provided a moment’s doubt. Willydoit departed from his previous come-from-behind style, instead taking up a position among the top three or four and settling into a smooth rhythm along the rail. A gap opened right in front of him when the front-runner Giacomo rolled away from the fence at the home turn, and Willydoit needed no second invitation. He produced a smart turn of foot and burst clear, romping home by two and a half lengths despite being eased down in the final 50m by rider Kevin Stott. Bought for $75,000 by trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy from Karaka 2023, Willydoit has now had four starts for three wins, a placing and $93,665 in stakes. Emma Clotworthy shares ownership along with Bryan Black and the international syndicator MyRacehorse. “That was a ‘wow’ performance,” Emma Clotworthy said. “We were a bit nervous about stepping up against the older horses today, but it was pretty nice to see him running away from them like that down the straight.” The TAB reacted to Saturday’s performance by cutting Willydoit from $2.80 into $2 for the New Zealand Derby, which will be run for a stake of $1.25 million at Ellerslie on March 8. The only other runner in single figures in that market is Hinekaha, who was trimmed from $8 into $5 after winning Saturday’s Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth. Stott had his first ride on Willydoit on Saturday, keeping the saddle warm for the injured Masa Hashizume. “I don’t know how good they have to be to win a Derby in New Zealand, but this horse gave me a serious feel today,” Stott said. “It was only a mile today and against older horses, but all I had to do was steer him around. “He’s a big horse who can get a bit unbalanced around here, but as soon as he gets his balance back, he’s away and gone. “He’s very uncomplicated. We thought we’d try to get him out of the stalls a bit better today and see if he can settle in a handier position. He settled beautifully and made my job easy. “I think a mile and a half (2400m) will suit him a lot better. He has a massive stride.” Shaun Clotworthy admits to some mixed feelings about Willydoit not being eligible for last Saturday’s Karaka Millions 3YO. “It’s unfortunate that he wasn’t nominated for the Karaka Millions, especially after seeing Tuxedo go on to run second to Damask Rose in that race,” he said. “The prize-money would have been nice. “But maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. It might have been a tough night and taken a bit out of him. This could work out to be a better step towards our main target.” Victory in the Derby in March would carry additional significance for Clotworthy, whose father Kim won the classic in 1977 with Uncle Remus. “Winning the Derby would certainly mean a lot to me, and to my father as well,” he said. View the full article

Dog Penalties RAGS TO RICHES | Wanganui 28 January; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. OPAWA GORDON | Christchurch 30 January; displayed unreasonable aggression at lure; must complete trial. GOTCHA DANDELION | Christchurch 31 January; marring; stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. The post 27 January – 2 February 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

A month into 2025, trainer Dan Blacker is back winning graded stakes in California, this time with My Way Racing's El Potente, who blitzed a mile on firm turf in 1:32.39 in taking the $102,000 Thunder Road Stakes (G3T) Feb. 1 at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

A classic pace meltdown in the Feb. 1 $155,000 Forward Gal Stakes (G3) played right into the hands of a waiting Eclatant, who exerted her superiority late with a 1 1/4-length score.View the full article

A less-than-ideal break from the gate forced jockey Edgard Zayas to change his plan of attack with Whitham Thoroughbreds' homebred Burnham Square, who nevertheless persevered to capture the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) Feb. 1 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

In winning his 13th Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) and seventh straight, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert best summed up the performance from Citizen Bull during a postrace television interview, saying, "The champ is back."View the full article

Perhaps in two months trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. will start focusing on the Kentucky Derby (G1). For now anyway, he's quite content to know he has an exciting 3-year-old in Captain Cook who can be pointed to another lucrative stakes.View the full article

In defeating three tough runners from the Bob Baffert barn in the Santa Monica Stakes (G2), Kopion reminded her trainer, Richard Mandella, of her sire, Omaha Beach, also a Mandella trainee.View the full article

Eclatant (Into Mischief) led home her Brad Cox-trained stablemate Stunner (Girvin) with a come-from-behind victory at 4-1 in Saturday's GIII Fasig-Tipton Forward Gal Stakes at Gulfstream Park, good for 20 points on the road to the GI Kentucky Oaks. The Queens M G (Thousand Words) was third. Eclatant, cutting back to seven furlongs after finishing a well-beaten third in last term's GII Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Nov. 30, becomes a milestone 2,500th career victory for Cox. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-1. O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. ECLATANT ($10.00) consumed the frontrunners down the lane in the $165,000 Forward Gal Stakes (G3) at @GulfstreamPark. The Into Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) filly gave trainer @bradcoxracing his 2500th victory and 20 Oaks Points. @luissaezpty was up for owners @StonestreetFarm. pic.twitter.com/BaenqANVHD — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 1, 2025 The post Eclatant Keys Brad Cox Exacta in Fasig-Tipton Forward Gal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Chad Brown and Flavien Prat showed the Tampa Bay Downs crowd exactly why they were voted winners in their respective 2024 Eclipse Award categories, sweeping both graded stakes races on the Feb. 1 card with Running Bee and Saffron Moon.View the full article

Rallying from fourth in a field of six 3-year-olds, Gate to Wire did not exactly live up to his name in the $155,000 Swale Stakes Feb. 1 at Gulfstream Park, but he was in front when it mattered most in the seven-furlong race: the finish.View the full article

Burnham Square (Liam's Map), a breakout, nine-length maiden winner with blinkers added at third asking at Gulfstream Dec. 28, backed up that effort in a big way with a decisive victory in Saturday's GIII Holy Bull Stakes, good for 20 points on the road to the GI Kentucky Derby. Favored Tappan Street (Into Mischief) was second; Burning Glory (Into Mischief) was third. The 4-1 chance, drawn widest of all in post seven, trailed the field through an opening quarter in :23.42. He advanced on the inside down the backstretch, was shifted to the outside on the far turn and set his sights on Tappan Street at the top of the stretch. He kept rolling from there and kicked on to win going away by two lengths. The final time for 1 1/16 miles was 1:43.60. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-1. O/B-Whitham Thoroughbreds LLC (KY); T-Ian R. Wilkes. BURNHAM SQUARE ($10.60) blazed home in the $265,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at @GulfstreamPark for 20 @KentuckyDerby points! The gelding by Liam's Map (@LanesEndFarms) is trained by @IanWilkesRacing. @zayas_edgardo was on board. Bet the Forward Gal: https://t.co/mnxsqMII2X pic.twitter.com/01yvSLf1JH — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 1, 2025 Saturday, Gulfstream HOLY BULL S.-GIII, $250,000, Gulfstream, 2-1, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:43.60, ft. 1–BURNHAM SQUARE, 118, g, 3, by Liam's Map 1st Dam: Linda (GSW, $407,310), by Scat Daddy 2nd Dam: Beautiful Noise, by Sunny's Halo 3rd Dam: Listen Well, by Secretariat 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Whitham Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Ian R. Wilkes; J-Edgard J. Zayas. $151,900. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-1, $202,330. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Tappan Street, 118, c, 3, Into Mischief–Virginia Key, by Distorted Humor. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($1,000,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG). O-WinStar Farm LLC, CHC, Inc. and Cold Press Racing; B-Blue Heaven Farm (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $49,000. 3–Burning Glory, 118, c, 3, Into Mischief–Hail, by Tapit. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Juddmonte (KY); T-William I. Mott. $24,500. Margins: 1 3/4, 9 1/4, 3/4. Odds: 4.30, 1.70, 8.90. Also Ran: Ferocious, He's Not Joking, Kinetic Control, Guns Loaded. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Burnham Square Goes Last to First in Holy Bull appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Recently crowned champion Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) led home a Bob Baffert-trained trifecta in Saturday's GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita. The 4-5 favorite bobbled from his inside draw and recovered quickly to lead the field of five around the clubhouse turn. He showed the way through fractions of :23.27 and :47.06 and powered home a four-length winner. 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic) was second; Madaket Road (Quality Road) was third. The final time for one mile was 1:36.71. Sales history: $675,000 yrl '23 KEESEP. O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC & Donovan, Catherine; B-Robert & Lawana Low (KY); T-Bob Baffert. It was all #2 CITIZEN BULL ($3.80) in the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita. That is Bob Baffert's 7th straight win in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes and the 13th time he won the race. The son of Into Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) was ridden by Martin Garcia. pic.twitter.com/7SF1VGuWx7 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 1, 2025 The post The ‘Bull’ is Back: Champion Citizen Bull Wires Robert B. Lewis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Highly regarded since breaking her maiden at Keeneland as a 3-year-old, CHP Racing's Saffron Moon broke through at the graded level while lowering the stakes record in the process in the $150,000 Endeavour Stakes (G3T) at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 1. View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas is finalizing February plans for his Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls and those include a geographical swap for two candidates and the stakes debut for a popular third. View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Captain Cook (Practical Joke), a runaway maiden winner going seven furlongs in the Aqueduct slop Dec. 28, delivered as the 7-5 favorite stretching to 1 1/8 miles in Saturday's Withers Stakes at the Big A, good for 20 points on the road to the GI Kentucky Derby. Longshot Surfside Moon (Malibu Moon) was second. Omaha Omaha (Audible) was third. The 7-5 favorite sat a tracking trip in an outside third, revved up three deep on the far turn and took care of business from there to score by two lengths. The final time was 1:51.83. An eventful sixth in his debut for Norm Casse at Churchill Oct. 27, the bay brought $410,000 from St Elias Stable out of the Estate of John Hendrickson dispersal at the 2024 Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale. His third dam is Marylou Whitney's 2003 GI Kentucky Oaks heroine and champion 3-year-old filly Bird Town. He hails from the extended female family of GI Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone. Sales history: $410,000 '24 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0. O-St. Elias Stable; B-Marylou Whitney Stables LLC (KY); T-Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. CAPTAIN COOK charts his course to the @KentuckyDerby with a win in the Withers Stakes! He picks up 20 points on the Road to the Derby with @jockeyfranco up for trainer @RickDutrow59. pic.twitter.com/TUrEjTcZj0 — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) February 1, 2025 The post ‘Rising Star’ Captain Cook Dishes Out Withers Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner There’s one factor within the control of Commander Ben’s camp and one outside of it as the pacer looks to cap his strong recent placings with a Temuka Transport Waikouaiti Pacers Cup victory at Oamaru today. The five-year-old is in for a rematch with One Change after his third placing in the recent Northern Southland Cup at Ascot Park for trainers Brent and Tim White. The pair will clash with in-form pacers Piccadilly Pete, Tempo Warrior and Tabasco in a competitive 3000m grass track feature at Oamaru at 6.19pm. One Change is a $2.50 favourite, with Commander Ben at $9. Though beaten in his last two starts, Commander Ben couldn’t have produced much more. The pacer stormed home from a hopeless spot when third in the Cromwell Cup before recovering well from a scratchy start in the Northern Southland Cup for his third there. While the White camp can’t control what Commander Ben will do when the tapes are released on Sunday, they have been able to get him back onto his happy place – grass track racing. “He does love the grass and if he is able to step away a bit better this time and stay in front of One Change he should be a good each way chance,” Tim White said. “He has gone three nice races this year, his win at Roxburgh was good and his run at Cromwell couldn’t have been any better.” While getting back onto grass is clearly a plus for Commander Ben, stepping up to the 3000m staying trip looks another. “It is a trip that suits him these days,” White said. “Earlier on in his career distance wasn’t his forte.” “But he has got stronger as he has gone on.” “He is best following and if he can get on a helmet, the 3000m should suit him.” The White stable also start Randel Huston P at Oamaru in Race 4, the Equine Veterinary Services and Belmont Park Trot. The trotter charged back into his best form with a four-length victory on the Oamaru all-weather recently. With that win being penalty-free, Randel Huston P takes on similar opposition on Sunday. “He has won twice on the all-weather there, hopefully he can do it on the grass too.” “He seems to run his best races in front, when he’s further back he gets out of his gait a wee bit and loses interest.” Kimberly Butt takes the reins behind both Commander Ben and Randel Huston P at Oamaru. View the full article

Today marks the start of Harness Racing New Zealand’s annual Team Teal campaign. It’s the eighth year it’s been run, with the focus firmly on raising awareness about ovarian cancer and raising money for research. From February 1 to March 16, money will be raised every time a female driver wins a race in this country. A total of $100 will be donated by HRNZ and individual clubs for each win. The most successful year so far was 2023 when there were 75 wins by female drivers (all wearing their distinctive teal pants), raising around $40,000. In addition there will be six “ambassadors” who will raise extra money through their own sponsorships. The six ambassadors are : Emily Johnson Crystal Hackett Gemma Thornley Kim Butt Neita Balle Kerryn Tomlinson This year will also see the second running of the “Frocks at the Trots” competition. It’s like a Fashion in the Fields Competition – but with a twist. The top two contestants and Best Contemporary at each of four heats will qualify for the Grand Final at Addington on March 14. First prize will be a trip to Australia with flights and accommodation included. The four “Frocks” heats are : Heat 1 – Cambridge Raceway – Monday January 27 – (winner Eleanor Campbell) Heat 2 – Amberley TC at Rangiora Raceway – Thursday February 6 Heat 3 – Gore Harness Racing Club – February 16 Heat 4 – Online Final – Addington Raceway – March 14 The first official Team teal meetings for 2025 will be at Hawera and at Oamaru today. For any further information contact courtney@hrnz.co.nz View the full article