Wandering Eyes

It's nearing two weeks since the fires that have torn across Los Angeles first erupted. Still burning, they're already among the worst in state history. The two biggest fires were the Palisades Fire, on the west side of the city, and the Eaton Fire focused on the northeastern suburb of Altadena, a community in the San Gabriel Mountain foothills where many of Santa Anita's racetrack community live. Together, they have burned through some 38,000 acres. There have so far been 27 confirmed fatalities. AccuWeather estimates the financial toll to be between $250 billion and $275 billion. Many still aren't allowed back to their homes. Others have no homes to go back to. For many—including some from Santa Anita's racetrack community—the long task of recovering lost lives has only just begun, including for Deedee Anderson, who lost her beloved Altadena home. “There's good moments and bad moments,” said Anderson, Saturday afternoon, while treating a horse headed to Florida for next weekend's Pegasus World Cup meeting. Anderson is a long-time staple of the Santa Anita backstretch. She's a former exercise rider and now the owner of a successful equine therapy business, whose clients include trainers like Michael McCarthy. “I'm still left to navigate the whole uncertainty of it all,” she said. “Frankly, I have no knowledge of these things. Dealing with FEMA. Dealing with the insurance.” Dealing with scammers, too. “It broke my heart a little bit,” Anderson said, of someone who had contacted her saying they had found her cat, Oliver, they had left behind in the mad rush to leave their home, unable to catch in time the semi-feral animal. Anderson arrived at the agreed upon meeting place. That's when the person demanded suddenly a reward. “Of course, I never posted a reward… they asked for $40. Fourteen first, and $26 when they dropped off the cat. I was like, 'you're a horrible person to do this. You're just scammers.'” Oliver (pictured) is still missing | Deedee Anderson Anderson's already preparing for a years-long rebuilding process. She hopes the city will allow her and her neighbours the chance to live in trailers on their properties to save money and supervise any construction, though she knows it's a long shot. As for right now, she has just moved into an apartment with her husband and daughter. For days, she had combed the rental market with increasing despair, many landlords price gouging the markets. “It's absolutely despicable,” she said, about the phenomenon, which has courted the intervention of the state Attorney General. Anderson credits the GoFundMe she started for giving the necessary “freedom and ability” to rent the place as quickly as she did. “Thank God for the GoFundMe money,” said Anderson. “If you're going to write about this, I know I can't thank each person individually, and many, many donated anonymously. But whoever you are out there, I thank you so much. That enabled me to get into this place—it was before I could get anything from State Farm.” “Everything happened so fast, I don't really know what I need,” said Teodolo Lopez, 52, the long-time chef in Santa Anita's backstretch cafeteria, owned and operated by Debby Baltas, who is married to trainer Richard. Baltas and Lopez have worked together for years, are as close as siblings. “Debby makes sure we are okay. She tells me I'm her right hand and I tell her she's my left hand,” said Lopez. Lopez lived alone in a one-bedroom bungalow in Altadena which was completely destroyed, along with most everything inside. His two children are adults, live on their own. Lopez doesn't have a GoFundMe, instead relying on family and friends for support. He's currently staying with Baltas's parents, who he considers family. “I loved my casita and I will help my landlord clean the area once they let us back in,” said Lopez, who added he hopes his landlord—who works for Santa Anita—rebuilds the little community of casitas that Lopez and his neighbors lived in. “I don't have a GoFundMe because those are for people who lost everything,” he said. “I still have my car and my job and a place to live.” Exercise rider Lisa Hanson lived in a trailer in Altadena up in the foothills of the mountains. She had time only to grab her passport, a change of clothes and her dog, threw everything in the back of her RV and fled before her home burned to the ground. Like Lopez, Hanson's car somehow survived the blaze, though she hasn't been allowed back to retrieve it. Everything else has been lost, including a beloved personal keepsake from her grandmother, now passed, that she had taken with as she has travelled the world. Hanson escaped to a campsite near San Diego for a few days, though she's back now in Los Angeles, where she has moved into an Airbnb with her dog as she prepares for a hip surgery on Monday. “I'm luckier than a lot of people,” said Hanson. “Hopefully the renters' insurance comes through. I'm lucky to have someplace to stay for the next 28 days, to recover from the surgery. After that, we'll see how it goes.” In the immediate aftermath of the fires, Santa Anita opened its parking lots for the relief efforts, one part of it as a staging ground for the larger response, and another section for a massive donation center. Here's a link to a list of charities for the local communities. The scenes from a pop-up donation area in one of Santa Anita's parking lots | Getty Images “It was an amazing effort,” said Rick Bakker, Santa Anita's associate director of hospitality. “To see the silver lining of something so terrible, it's to see the community come together.” Santa Anita's racetrack community also includes frontstretch workers have found themselves at the mercy of the fires—like Galinda Bañuelos, a Santa Anita banquet server, who lost her Altadena home that she lived in with her son, 22, and daughter, 33. “I had just paid off my house two years ago. I was a widow at 28 years old. My husband left me with two kids—he passed away of cancer. I was able to survive working my two jobs that I've always worked. I raised my kids alone and kept my house,” said Bañuelos. Because Bañuelos had just paid off her house, “I figured this year was my year to travel,” she said. “My year to do what I wanted to do, for me. And I guess God had something else for me because it's not happening—now I'm homeless.” She returned to her home the next day, unable to accept it was gone. “I went in, took a look, and it's totalled. Everything burned to the ground,” said Bañuelos. The ashes were so hot, the soles of her shoes melted. “I lost all my 33 years of memories from my home,” she added. “I lost all my picture, all my clothes, all my jewellery. Everything.” Amongst the ash and rubble, however, she did find a ring—a three-stone ring to signify past, present and future. “A friend of mine gave it to me because I have gone through so much in my lifetime already, and he gave me the ring so I could look ahead and say, 'I'm over this, I can do anything. I can manage anything,'” said Bañuelos. “It was so weird that I found this particular ring. A few other rings in the same box were burned, shriveled. But this one wasn't.” Bañuelos is currently staying in a friend's house. “I don't know how long. I'm taking it day by day. I know I'm okay this month. I'll worry about next month, next month,” she said. “I want to say we're actually okay compared to others,” she said. Her GoFundMe page is here. Alonzo Aguirre also works as a banquet server for Santa Anita. He lived with his parents in the family home in Altadena, seven of them all told. “There's nothing left of it,” he said. “Just the chimney standing. And in the fireplace, one of my mom's religious statues was still standing in the chimney. But that's it.” “We were eight payments from paying off the house here,” he said. “My mom worked hard all her life here. She's devastated. I cry when I see her cry. It's pretty hard.” He's promised his mother he'll help rebuild it. “I'll take a bank loan out in my name to rebuild the house. We had a simple house. Nothing crazy,” he said. “I have savings, too. We'll manage. But it's sad.” As for the fire, “it all happened so fast. In the morning, we were all sleeping, and then we smelled smoke in the house,” Aguirre said. “I opened the door, all I see is grey in front of me, I couldn't see in front of my face. We said, 'time to go.' We grabbed all we could. I had a bag of laundry I took with me. My birth certificate. My pink slip for my car. Cash I had in my hand. And cleared out.” The family left for south Pasadena. Aguirre returned to his home about three hours later. “And that's when I saw the house physically on fire. I tried to get out of my car to do something. I couldn't do anything. The wind was too strong. I saw flying logs and embers hit my neighbours' houses. It was just insane. Palm trees on fire. It was devastating,” he said. Aguirre—whose GoFundMe is here—is staying with his uncle, while his parents are with other family members, though he's looking for somewhere for the whole family. “We're trying to stay together, support each other,” he said. With such sky-high rents, he's worried that might prove impossible. “Anyplace is fine—I'll make it work.” The post Los Angeles Wildfires: For Some Racetrackers, Recovery’s A Long Road appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There is two horse racing meetings set for Australia on Monday, January 20. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Albury. Monday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – January 20, 2025 Albury Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on January 20, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Recommended! 4 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 5 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

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Rider Penalties Y Atchamar | Canterbury 15 January; careless riding; suspended 19-31 January inclusive. U Holmquist | Canterbury 15 January; careless riding; suspended 19-23 January inclusive. L Hemi | Canterbury 15 January; misconduct; fined $750. C Campbell | Canterbury 15 January; weighed in in excess of weighing out weight; fined $300. M Cartwright | Waikato 16 January; careless riding; suspended 26 January – 2 February inclusive. N Hailey | Waikato 16 January; failed to make weight; fined $200. K Stott | Wellington 18 January; use of whip; fined $350. L Allpress | Wellington 18 January; medical clearance required. K Mudhoo | Waikouaiti 18 January; failed to make weight; fined $200. N Parmar | Auckland 19 January; medical clearance required. Trainer Penalties S Simon | Appeal dated 15 January; failed to ride trackwork free of prohibited substance; disqualified 1 February – 31 October inclusive. P Riley | Auckland 19 January; late rider declaration; fined $50. B Kennedy | Auckland 19 January; late rider declaration; fined $50. Horse Penalties CASSIUS | Canterbury 15 January; epistaxis; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. TESTING | Wellington 18 January; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. HICKORY JACK | Wellington 18 January; late scratching after rearing behind barriers; must complete trial. TRAV | Wellington 18 January; slow to begin; must complete trial. NOM DE PLUME | Wellington 18 January; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. ABRUZZI | Waikouaiti 18 January; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. The post 13-19 January 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Driver Penalties D Dolan | Ashburton 14 January; careless driving; fined $250. R Anderson | Ashburton 14 January; failed to drive to finish of race; suspended 15-26 January inclusive. B Orange | Marlborough 19 January; careless driving; fined $300. R May | Marlborough 19 January; contacted track marker; fined $100. Trainer Penalty R Green & N Delany | Waikato Bay of Plenty 17 January; failed to affix gear so as not to come adrift; fined $100. Horse Penalties LUNA DOLCE | Ashburton 14 January; broke in running; must complete trial. CHEVAL NOIR | Ashburton 14 January; broke in running; must complete trial. TAIKA | Ashburton 14 January; broke at start; must complete standing start trial. SUPERFAST RONNIE | Northern Southland 16 January; broke in running; must complete trial. STYRAX | Northern Southland 16 January; broke in running; must complete trial. ALWAYS TICKING | Northern Southland 16 January; atrial fibrillation; veterinary clearance including ECG required and must complete trial. MESSENGER BUOY | Kapiti Coast 19 January; atrial fibrillation; veterinary clearance including ECG required and must complete trial. BILLY KIMBER | Marlborough 19 January; broke in running; must complete trial. HEARTBREAK HOTEL | Marlborough 19 January; broke at start; must complete standing start trial. JUST FOXIN | Marlborough 19 January; caused false start; must complete mobile start trial. MONARCH PRINCE | Marlborough 19 January; late scratching when found to be lame; veterinary clearance required. SPECIAL EFFECTS | Marlborough 19 January; broke in running; must complete trial. The post 13-19 January 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Due to the storm that will impact the Mid-Atlantic region, officials at Laurel Park made the decision to cancel their scheduled nine-race program for Sunday, the Maryland Jockey Club announced via press release. Laurel and the MJC OTB network will remain open for simulcasting. Live racing is due to return Friday, Jan. 24 with a nine-race program. The first post is scheduled at 12:25 p.m. The post Winter Storm Forces Cancellation of Laurel’s Sunday Races appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Competing primarily on the difficult Kentucky circuit, Spuns Son had raced 32 times between the ages of 3 and 5 without ever once getting his picture taken in the winner's circle. But the Hard Spun gelding had managed to hit the board on eight occasions, and he had closed well enough in $16,000 and $12,500 maiden-claiming grass routes in Indiana and Virginia during the second half of 2024 to make trainer John F. Hill, Jr. think that dropping him in for a $5,000 tag going long over Turfway Park's Tapeta surface during the December holiday meet might yield that elusive first victory. “The race was in the [condition] book,” Hill told TDN over the weekend. “They [initially] had enough horses to run, but then they just kept pushing it back, pushing it back.” Around Christmas, Hill said, “I saw it on the overnight [as an extra race], and I said, 'I qualify for this,' so I put him in. I entered the horse on Dec. 26. The conditions said that the race was for maidens, 4-year-olds and up. I did exactly what the overnight said.” Trouble was, the race that Hill kept trying to enter late last month would end up getting carded as Turfway's very first race of 2025. And because all Thoroughbreds in North America turn one year older every Jan. 1, Spuns Son would be 6 on the day of his 33rd lifetime start. This ended up being a problem, because Hill had no idea there was an administrative regulation on the books in Kentucky prohibiting the entry of some (but not all) 6-year-old maiden Thoroughbreds. And what ticks off Hill the most, he told TDN, was that no one in the Turfway racing office seemed to be aware of this rule, either, when they accepted his entry. Nor, Hill claimed, were the track's stewards as attentive as they should have been. He said state stewards Barbara Borden and Brooks Becraft III, plus association steward William Troilo, had six days between entry time and race day to catch the mistake. But the Turfway stewards only informed Hill of the violation after Spuns Son closed with a rush from far back to win by a head at 10-1 odds. In a stewards' ruling dated Jan. 15, Borden, Becraft and Troilo ordered that Spuns Son was to be disqualified and that owners Henry and Devin Dewald would have to forfeit $10,205 in purse winnings. They cited 810 KAR 4:010 Section 7, which states that, “A maiden six (6) years of age or older that has made five (5) life time starts on the flat shall not be entered or start.” Spuns Son wasn't the only 6-year-old in the first race at Turfway on New Year's Day to be deemed ineligible and get disqualified. The fourth-place finisher, Left Pocket Money (Palace), also got wiped off the chart, with his owners losing $828 in purse money. The horses that crossed the wire 2-3-5-6 ended up being awarded the 1-2-3-4 purse winnings. “The day after Spuns Son won, I got a call from the assistant racing secretary telling me the stewards are trying to disqualify the horse, which I thought was totally wrong, because they had a week to correct this,” said Hill, who has been training for two decades and only has one previous violation listed on his Thoroughbred Regulatory Rulings record maintained by The Jockey Club (a $100 fine from 2005 for not having a Coggins certificate on file). “Evidently, they don't know the rules themselves, because that horse never should have made it through the entry clerk. They should have caught that. No one just enters a horse-the racing officials have to proof the entries. They had all the way up until that horse went in the gate. They could have even called me when the horse was out there on the track.” Neither Hill nor Bonnie Pittman, the trainer of Left Pocket Money, were sanctioned or penalized via the ineligibility rulings. But for Hill, the loss of the trainer's portion of that purse money was enough of a financial punishment: In 2024, Hill won just three races from 45 starts, with his small stable bringing in only $89,458 in total purses. By contrast, Turfway handled an approximate $227,000 in Race 1 bets, and that maiden race led into double and pick three pools that handled an additional $63,000. Using just round numbers, those two ineligible entrants in a field of 11 theoretically constituted 18% of the available betting interests in that first race. However you slice the pari-mutuel pie, Turfway and the commonwealth of Kentucky both benefitted financially from the presence of the two ineligible horses despite failing to provide proper checks and balances against their entries. Modest outfits like Hill's enable Turfway to fill races and function through Kentucky's cold winter months. Yet according to Hill's version of the events that took place at his hearing on the matter, he can't even get anyone at Turfway or the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation (KHRGC), to own up to their role in the snafu, let alone apologize for it. Citing a rule that states that “in the absence of substantial evidence to the contrary, [the trainer] shall bear primary responsibility for horses he or she enters as to eligibility,” the stewards told Hill that he was the one who was ultimately responsible for violating the rule. “That's how they protect themselves on anything. It's been that way for years, and it's time that all these things need to brought [to the public's] attention,” Hill said. “I mean, they're the judge, the executioner, and the jury. They're never at fault on anything.” John F Hill Jr | Coady Over the weekend, TDN emailed Jamie Eads, the KHRGC's president and chief executive officer; Tyler Picklesimer, Turfway's director of racing and racing secretary, and steward Borden asking for some on-the-record context about what happened and to clarify what safeguards are in place for checking to see that ineligible horses don't make it into the entries. None of the three replied prior to deadline for this story. Instead, by way of an answer, a KHRGC spokesperson sent an email attaching the two ineligibility rulings that TDN had already seen, quoting from the underlying rules stated on the documents. When TDN sent a follow-up email asking what the stewards' and racing office protocol is for proofing the entries at Turfway, the spokesperson did not reply before publication of this column. “The owners are upset because they felt like the track should own up to their responsibilities,” Hill continued. “What I would have done was say, 'This race is official. What has happened has happened, but we're going to correct the wording so it won't happen again.'” Hill said. “But it's their way or the highway. There's no negotiating with those stewards. Like I told you–and you can quote it–they never do anything wrong.” Hill might have a point about the rule needing to be better explained to horsemen. Presumably, few of them check Kentucky's administrative statutes prior to making entries. But they certainly do consult the condition book. The online version of Turfway's January condition book lists exactly two “Age Restrictions” on page 12. They are: “1) All 4-year old and older first time starters and any previously-raced horse that has not raced in the previous 365 days must contact the KHRGC veterinarians to schedule an official veterinary work PRIOR to entry. 2) Any horse six (6) years or older that has never started is ineligible to stable, train or race at any Churchill Downs Property” (Churchill Downs, Inc., is Turfway's parent company). Ostensibly, the not-well-publicized rule that forbids 6-year-olds that have made five or more starts was intended as an equine welfare initiative. But in practicality, exactly how does that regulation protect a gelding like Spuns Son? Consider the following: If Spuns Son had raced between one and four times-but not 32-he would have been an eligible 6-year-old maiden. Kentucky's reasoning for capping the number of starts at five is not clear. If Spuns Son had raced on Dec. 31 instead of Jan. 1, his entry (and win) would have been completely legit. Did something magically happen at midnight on New Year's Eve to imperil this gelding that rendered him ineligible? And here's where this really gets weird: If Spuns Son now subsequently, after having been DQ'd from his lone victory, goes on to re-break his maiden at a different track–say at Mahoning Valley, where Hill sometimes races–he will once again be welcome to race at Turfway, because there is no age restriction on 6-year-olds that are not maidens. “This is what they suggested, and these are their exact words,” Hill told TDN. “'Take him to Ohio, and then bring him back.'” But, Hill continued, “Here's the thing: There's a big difference in purse money. You can run a [maiden] here for $5,000, and that purse is $14,400. You go to Ohio for [a] $5,000 [tag], what do you get for a purse, $4,000? That's assuming he wins. And you've got to ship.” Hill said he plans to appeal the DQ. But he'd better be careful, because he runs the risk of running afoul of another obscure eligibility rule: If the connections appeal and the hearing isn't scheduled for weeks or months, Spuns Son will be in limbo, conditions-wise. That's because Kentucky (and other states) will “stay” the DQ until the appeal is adjudicated. So Spuns Son's in-dispute victory will, in essence, count against him for the time being if his connections appeal, meaning he won't be considered eligible for maiden races until the whole process plays out. In fact, that exact situation happened one year ago at Turfway. When a maiden filly named Magnolia Wind (Central Banker) was entered at Turfway on Jan. 4, 2024, racing officials failed to notice that she was ineligible because her connections were appealing a DQ'd victory (for in-race interference) that had occurred in Maryland two months previously. Magnolia Wind ended up running second, and only after the race did the Turfway stewards declare her ineligible, taking away $5,331 in purse money while similarly blaming the owner and the trainer for not knowing the obscure rule. “I'm still going to fight it,” Hill said. “I will be appealing it. But to be honest with you, I've never been in this situation. So I don't know–do you really get a fair chance by appealing?” The post Week In Review: After Win DQ Over Obscure Eligibility Rule, Turfway Trainer Learns the Hard Way Who’s Responsible appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

At some point, the superlatives run dry. Just two races after lowering the Sha Tin 1200-metre track record previously held by the outstanding Sacred Kingdom (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}), Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) shaved another chunk off that mark when dominating from the front in Sunday's HK$13-million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup. It was a ninth win on the trot for the 4-year-old, his 10th in just 12 career starts and has his connections pondering exactly what 'heights' he may be able to achieve. “It's the richest turf race in the world, it's at his distance, so it's getting more realistic every month we go on,” said trainer David Hayes, referring to the A$20-million G1 The Everest at Randwick Oct. 18. “We'll really start thinking about a pathway towards it after the international race here in April [G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize] and then after that, he'll probably just be set for the big sprint.” When last seen in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint on Dec. 8, Ka Ying Rising became the first to win the race from barrier 11, but the victory was accomplished in more workmanlike fashion when compared to his record-breaking effort one start prior. There would be no such monkey-ing around this time around, as Zac Purton kicked his mount straight into the lead from gate eight and immediately crossed down to the inside to make the running while going well in hand. Galloping through the opening 400 metres in :23.30–0.35 seconds inside of standard time–Ka Ying Rising tossed in his next 400m in a wicked :21.54, more than a half-second faster than par. Though he was geared down in the final 100 metres, he still covered his final two furlongs inside standard and the winning margin belied his total dominance. “They went too slow in December and it allowed the horses to be too close, so today I made sure the man was going to take care of the boys,” said Purton, whose double on the program takes him to within two of breaking the all-time record of Douglas Whyte. “We've had a lot of champion sprinters grace our turf here and they've all had the chance to run the times, he's run. So, yeah, he's starting to become a really special horse.” Hayes, who calls Ka Ying Rising 'probably the best horse I've ever had' and draws comparisons to Black Caviar (Aus), said the winner proceeds to the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup over 1400 metres on Feb. 23. Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong CENTENARY SPRINT CUP-G1, HK$13,000,000, Sha Tin, 1-19, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:07.20 (NCR), gd. 1–KA YING RISING (NZ), 126, g, 4, by Shamexpress (NZ) 1st Dam: Missy Moo (NZ), by Per Incanto 2nd Dam: Royal Rhythm (NZ), by Rhythm 3rd Dam: Her Dynasty (NZ), by Sir Tristram (Ire) O-Ka Ying Syndicate; B-Grandmoral Lodge Racing; T-David Hayes; J-Zac Purton; HK$7,280,000. Lifetime Record: 12-10-2-0, HK$38,377,200. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Helios Express (Aus), 126, g, 5, Toronado (Ire)–Paris Texas (Aus), by Hinchinbrook (Aus). O-Andy Yung Ming Tai; B-C Wells (WA); T-John Size; J-Hugh Bowman; HK$2,730,000. 3–Howdeepisyourlove (Aus), 126, g, 5, Deep Field (Aus)–My Shabella (Aus), by Haradasun (Aus). 1ST G1 BLACK-TYPE. (A$270,000 Ylg '21 INGFEB). O-Lo Profile Syndicate; B-P Sweeney (Qld); T-John Size; J-James McDonald; HK$1,495,000. Margins: 3 1/4, HF, NK. Odds: 15-100, 11-2, 17-1. Also Ran: Invincible Sage (Aus), Lucky With You (Aus), Magic Control (Aus), Beauty Waves (Ire), Victor The Winner (Aus). Click for the HKJC chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO. Voyage Bubble Successfully Defends Stewards' Cup He may lack the rockstar quality of a horse like Ka Ying Rising, but make no mistake, Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) is all racehorse and maintained his current purple patch of form with a convincing defence of his title in the G1 Stewards' Cup. The $1.80 (4-5) favourite to add to his latest success in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile six weeks ago, Voyage Bubble was one of the first to break the line for the Dubai-bound James McDonald, but he was content to take back into third as the California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), last year's G1 Al Quoz Sprint hero stretching back out to the mile, cut out the fractions from Beauty Eternal (Aus) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). Tracking the latter into the final 600 metres, Voyage Bubble was eased out three deep on the swing for home, was sent into the lead with just under a quarter-mile to race and was never in danger as Galaxy Patch (Aus) (Wandjina {Aus}) closed nicely for second. “I reckon this is the best he's felt since I've ridden him,” said McDonald, who was set to depart Hong Kong on Sunday for Meydan, where he rides Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in Friday's G1 Jebel Hatta. “He strode around to the start with a real purpose and he's such an easy horse to read. He's superb. He's just bomb-proof, jumps fast, puts himself in a good position and quickens.” With Romantic Warrior on his travels for the next couple of months, the path to the Feb. 23 G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) becomes that much clearer, and trainer Ricky Yiu indicated that is next on the dance card for 2023 BMW Hong Kong Derby victor Voyage Bubble. Success there could lead to a rare attempt at the older horse Triple Crown, ending with the 2400-metre G1 Champions and Chater Cup in May. “We're going to give the Triple Crown a crack,” Yiu said. “Besides his Derby win, he was second to [Romantic Warrior] in the Gold Cup last year. That's a very good indication that he can go up to that distance no problem. “We'll see a lot more from the second leg to see if he'll be able to get the 2400 [metres]. Over the 2400 there could be some overseas horses as well.” Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong STEWARDS' CUP-G1, HK$13,000,000, Sha Tin, 1-19, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:33.58, gd. 1–VOYAGE BUBBLE (AUS), 126, g, 6, by Deep Field (Aus) 1st Dam: Raheights (Aus), by Rahy 2nd Dam: Laoub, by Red Ransom 3rd Dam: Lisieux, by Steady Growth (A$380,000 Ylg '20 INGFEB). O-Sunshine And Moonlight Syndicate; B-Torryburn Stud (NSW); T-Ricky Yiu; J-James McDonald; HK$7,280,000. Lifetime Record: 23-9-6-3, HK$77,872,475. *1/2 to Diddums (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), GSW-Aus, $164,688. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Galaxy Patch (Aus), 126, g, 5, Wandjina (Aus)–Voltara (Aus), by More Than Ready. (A$50,000 Ylg '21 MMMAR). O-Yeung Kin Man; B-Summerset Park Stud (SA); T-Pierre Ng; J-Blake Shinn; HK$2,730,000. 3–Red Lion (Ire), 126, g, 6, Belardo (Ire)–Crystal Idea (Ire), by Namid (GB). (€7,000 Ylg '20 TATDEC; £240,000 RNA HRA '22 GOFLON). O-The Hon Ronald Arculli GBM GBS JP & Johanna K J Arculli BBS; B-P Harney; T-John Size; J-Hugh Bowman; HK$1,495,000. Margins: 2, 1, 1. Odds: 4-5, 11-5, 86-1. Also Ran: Beauty Joy (Aus), Beauty Eternal (Aus), Chancheng Glory, Patch of Theta (Aus), California Spangle (Ire). Click for the HKJC chart, PPs and sectional timing. The post Ka Ying Rising Smashes Own Course Record In Centenary Sprint Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After his work at Gulfstream Park Sunday morning, G1SW-KSA, MGSW & MGISP Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) has been withdrawn from the GI Pegasus World Cup and will be retired to stud duty, according to a tweet from owner Joey Peacock. In that message on X, Peacock mentions they were not completely happy with his return from the work and ruled out a start in the upcoming contest. Senor Buscador will now head to Lexington to begin his stallion career though a stud farm has yet to be announced. “Our Team was not completely happy [with] the way Senor Buscador came out of his work this morning. We would never run a horse that is not 100%. Pegasus is out. Buscador will head to Lexington sound to begin his stallion career. Senor, we will be forever grateful for the ride.” The post Senor Buscador Out of Pegasus, To Begin Stallion Career appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-FG, $58K, Msw, 3yo, 6f, 3:45 p.m. ET. On Monday's holiday, first timer SARGENT SULLY (Instagrand) will sound off for breeder/owner OXO Equine and trainer Will Walden. The homebred's dam is 2021 Broodmare of the Year Indian Miss (Indian Charlie), who at $1.9 million was the second topper during the 2020 Keeneland November Sale while Bowstreet (Into Mischief) was in-utero–OXO also made Concrete Rose (Twirling Candy) the top price at $1.95 million during that same auction. Indian Miss lays claim to a pair of current sires in Champion male sprinter Mitole (Eskendereya) and the Japan-based GISW Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow). TJCIS PPS The post Monday Insight: Half-Brother To Mitole And Hot Rod Charlie Debuts In Nawlins appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Brillante at Tampa Bay Downs. Persian King Filly Is Brilliant In Florida Chad Brown saddled Brillante (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}) to a 4 1/4-length victory at third asking at Tampa on Friday. (video). The 3-year-old filly is raced by Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, William Rucker and William Strauss. Bred by Antoine Fontaine, Vasilios Govosdis, & Gilles & Mrs. Gilles Forien, the bay was a €30,000 buy out of Arqana's v.2 Sale in August of 2023 by EDC Agency from Haras de Montaigu. Brillante managed a second from two starts in France for Gilles Forien, Antoine Fontaine and Christian Raimont and trainer Simone Brogi, before being purchased by her current connections. She is out of the two-for-two juvenile winner Baga (Fr) (No Nay Never), herself a half-sister to listed winner and three-time group-placed Excilly (GB) (Excellent Art {GB}). Haras d'Etreham's Persian King has sired two winners from three runners in the U.S. (66%). The young stallion's eldest foals are just three. Worldwide, 17 of his offspring have won so far. It was a stunning show from BRILLANTE (FR) ($4.80) in the finale at @TampaBayDownsFL. @scamachojr1 was up for trainer Chad Brown. The three-year-old filly is by @Haras_d_Etreham's Persian King (IRE). pic.twitter.com/L7I4lsswvG — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 17, 2025 Repeat Winner No Nay Never's Brindi (Ire) won again, this time at Turfway on Saturday (video). Now trained by Kelsey Danner, the 3-year-old filly races for Robert Evans and featured in Making Waves in October. The post Making Waves: Persian King Filly Rules In Tampa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Joseph O'Brien has provided an upbeat bulletin on Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Apples And Bananas (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Trustyourinstinct (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), all of whom are on course for targets in Saudi Arabia and Qatar respectively following a key workout at Dundalk last Friday. Dual Group 1 scorer Al Riffa, who is set to take part in the Neom Turf Cup at the Saudi Cup meeting next month, heads the travelling squad for the trainer who has masterminded Melbourne Cup and Breeders' Cup successes. Al Riffa was last seen finishing down the field in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but a positive showing in the Neom Turf Cup could pave the way for a tilt at the Dubai World Cup meeting, with O'Brien firming up plans for his travelling squad on Sunday. He said, “Al Riffa is on course for the Neom Turf Cup. The thought would be that he could roll on from Saudi to Dubai World Cup Night at Meydan. The Arc didn't set up for us–he raced wide and it was hard to make up any ground at the business end of the race. That is just about the only disappointment he's had throughout his career and we're very happy to put a line through that performance and rebuild towards what will hopefully be a productive year.” Al Riffa could be joined in Saudi Arabia by Apples And Bananas, provided the colt makes the cut for the Saudi Derby. A winner of over €600,000 already, largely down to the fact the he landed the Goffs Million last season, Apples And Bananas will be entering into the unknown in Saudi Arabia by racing for the first time on dirt. O'Brien said, “He's an intended runner in the Saudi Derby. He was a great horse for us last year and hopefully he can have a strong three-year-old campaign. You never really know about the surface until you try it but he handles faster turf and softer turf. He seems very versatile in that regard. What that translates to on dirt, I don't know, but he's a tough horse and you'd imagine his running style would suit the dirt. “I guess there's only one way to find out. They say that a turf horse would have a better chance on the dirt in Saudi than on some of the American dirt tracks. He would have the option of Meydan as well but we'll just see how Saudi goes first.” He added, “Trustyourinstinct is being aimed at Qatar. He's a really solid and consistent horse. He was unlucky not to win a Group 2 in Italy on his final start last year–just got beaten in a bob of the heads at the line. He's been training well with Qatar in mind. Galen (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}) will also continue in Dubai. He'd a good first run after a long layoff and his first start back after being gelded when fourth there last week. He'll run again in Dubai on February 7 and we're excited for his next start.” O'Brien couldn't be facing into these international targets and the Flat season proper in better form. The stable enjoyed a momentous Christmas period with Banbridge (Ire) being delivered at concert pitch to win the prestigious King George Chase at Kempton before Home By The Lee (Ire) and Solness (Fr) completed O'Brien's Grade 1 hat-trick over the festive period with wins at Leopardstown. The latter is out to prove his 28-1 victory in the Paddy's Rewards Club Chase at Christmas was no fluke when lining out in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase over the same course and distance at the Dublin Racing Festival. O'Brien said, “Solness will be the main one for the Dublin Racing Festival, I'd say, because he's the Grade 1 winner from Christmas going back over the same course and distance. Banbridge and Home By The Lee are more likely to go straight to Cheltenham. “We got a huge kick out of the Christmas. To come out of any big festival with a Group 1 or a Grade 1 winner is fantastic. But to have three Grade 1 winners over the Christmas period was extremely special. The horses were all in great shape and, luckily, they've all pulled out of their races well and are being prepared for the spring festivals. “We're lucky to have Classic hopes this year–Scorthy Champ (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) for the 2,000 Guineas and Tennessee Stud (Ire) (Wootton Basset {GB}) for the Derby. And we're also lucky to have the horses who are about to chart an international route, so it's a really exciting time. Whether it's a Group 1 on the Flat or a Grade 1 over jumps, it's a privilege to compete in those top races. We get a huge kick out of winning them.” Asked how he has managed to keep his horses singing and in top form all year round, O'Brien explained, “A lot of it is down to cutting our string of jumpers back and concentrating on quality. The jumps horses we do run, they are here all season, so there is no big turnover within the yard. When we had a bigger number of jumpers, there was a bigger turnover within the yard. “We really cut the number of jumpers we keep and have been really lucky to maintain the Graded-class horse over jumps. Because the turnover of horses is down, it becomes that bit easier to keep on top of the overall health of the yard. Now, you are never going to rule out ever dirty nose or cough, but we have had a clean run for a while now and long may that last. But it's very special. When you look at a race like the King George at Kempton, for example, winning that race is far beyond anything I ever expected to achieve over jumps.” Concentrating on the upcoming Flat season, O'Brien revealed that he is not dealing with the same number of two-year-olds as in previous campaigns. He concluded, “We took in nearly all of our two-year-olds in October. Right after they are broken, they come to us straight away. The vast majority have been in the main yard for at least the past few months. We're slightly down on numbers this year, though, purely because we found it really hard to buy at the yearling sales. But we think we have a nice bunch. As ever, we're excited at this point ahead and are looking forward to the season ahead with them.” The post Globetrotting King Joseph O’Brien Has Neom Turf Cup Plan For Al Riffa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Due to the winter storm that will impact the Mid-Atlantic region, Laurel Park canceled their scheduled nine-race program Jan. 19.View the full article

Sumbe stallions Angel Bleu (Fr), Mishriff (Ire), and Belbek (Fr) all sired their first reported foals this past week. Three foals by globetrotting multiple Group 1 winner Mishriff arrived this week, two fillies and a colt. The latter is out of Elisabeth Fabre's Argentinian Classic-placed Nuwara Eliya (Arg) (Fortify). By Make Believe (GB), Mishriff stands for €16,000 in 2025. The Angel Bleu filly is out of Zahaa (GB) (Kingman {GB}) from the family of Classic winner Taghrooda (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). She was born at Giulia Gariboldi's Haras de la Mercerie. A Group 1-winning son of Dark Angel (Ire), Angel Bleu stands for €8,000 this year. Another winner of the G1 Jean-Luc Lagardere like Angel Bleu, Belbek has sired a filly bred by Swiss entity Stall Sohrenhof and born at Haras de Quetieville. The son of Showcasing (GB) is priced at €6,000. The three stallions are based at Haras de Montfort et Preaux. The post Sumbe Trio Represented By First Foals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Haras du Taillis stallion Military Style sired his first reported foal on Thursday. The colt, out of the seven-time winner Suprana (Fr) (Spirit One {Fr}), was born at Haras du Biot. A War Front half-brother to G1 Derby winner City Of Troy (Justify), the 2020 G3 Tyros Stakes hero stands for €3,500 this year. Bred in the purple as a son of G1 Fillies Mile winner Together Forever (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Military Style is also related to Group 1 winners Lord Shanakill (Speightstown) and Forever Together (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who are half- and full-siblings to his dam, respectively. The post Military Style Sires First Reported Foal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

While stallion viewings on the ITM Irish Stallion Trail and La Route des Etalons plus the chance of viewing stallions at Newmarket was underway this past week, Gestut Schlenderhan's stallion base at Zieverich in their hometown of Bergheim hosted the eighth edition of its own stallion show. In the crispy cold, but beautifully sunny weather, the visitors flocked to the location to be greeted by coffee and cake plus a warm soup and a raffle which made €3,000 to be donated to a children's hospice. The four stallions on display were in alphabetical order: the Gestut Fahrhof based, juvenile Group 1-winning bay Alson (Ger) who will be represented by his first runners this year. The leading son of the four-time champion sire Areion (Ger) is out of a Galileo (Ire) group-producing daughter of G1 Preis der Diana heroine Amarette (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}). The young Adlerflug (Ger) horse Alter Adler (Ger) is one of three sons by his sadly deceased sire at stud in Germany with his first foals on the ground this year. The first four dams in his pedigree are all stakes performers and stakes producers, most notably the dual Classic-winning champion mare Alte Zeit (Ger) as the leading daughter of sure legend Surumu (Ger). Gestut Schlenderhan's own proven Group 1 sire Guiliani (Ire) marks the champion sire Tertullian's best son and was bred from the Group 1 winning and producing Monsun (Ger) mare Guadalupe (Ger), herself also the third dam of the 2024 G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes hero Goliath (Ger). Last, but not least, Gestut Ittlingen's Group 1 winner Neatico (Ger) (Medicean {GB}) was presented. The descendant of the high-class racemare and producer Virunga (Fr) has sired a stakes winner and a Group 1 performer from very small crops and is now being well supported. Next Saturday, January 25th, Gestut Rottgen will host it's annual stallion show along with diverse presentations and lectures. The post Stallion Show At Gestut Schlenderhan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Talented four-year-old makes it consecutive victories with impressive Class Two success at Sha Tin on Sunday.View the full article

Ricky Yiu Poon-fai’s stable star begins his bold Triple Crown bid in perfect style.View the full article

David Hayes anointed Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) as “probably the best horse” he has trained, while Zac Purton described the speedster as a “really special horse” after the four-year-old’s incredible record-breaking win in the HK$13 million Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Clocking 1m 07.20s in a phenomenal display of sustained speed, Ka Ying Rising lowered the track record for the second time this season, eclipsing the 1m 07.43s he posted on 17 November, to secure his 10th win from 12 starts and leaving Hayes and Purton awestruck. Pitted against seven rivals, all drawn to his inside, Purton drove Ka Ying Rising out of the barriers and crossed the face of the field inside 200m to lead – and was never headed – clocking 23.30s for the first 400m before unleashing a devastating mid-race split of 21.54s to have the race at his mercy. Rounding the home turn, Purton flicked Ka Ying Rising into overdrive and the gelding responded with a blistering 10.59s burst from the 400m mark before easing down the 1.1 favourite to finish three and a quarter-lengths ahead of Helios Express, with Howdeepisyourlove a neck further back. “He did surprise Zac when he jumped well and then went to the lead – to lead those fast horses so easily just shows his versatility. He can take a sit, or he just leads. He’s certainly the best sprinter I’ve had anything to do with and probably the best horse,” Hayes said. “He’s quite freakish what he does. The last 100m today, Zac switched the engine off, so in the two track records he’s broken, he’s actually eased him down the last 100m or 80m. “He just doesn’t lose – and I know he lost twice when he was immature – but now he’s mature, he’s just got that ability to win. He’s got amazing cruising speed and he’ll quicken off it, which is very hard to compete against.” Bred by trainer Fraser Auret with his wife Erin under their Grandmoral Lodge Racing banner, Ka Ying Rising was born, raised, broken-in and initially trained at Auret’s property before he was sold following an impressive jumpout at Levin. Purton, who has ridden a string of champion Hong Kong sprinters during a glittering career, said facts and figures underscored Ka Ying Rising’s extraordinary talent. Asked if the four-year-old was the best sprinter he had ever ridden, Purton said: “He’s right up there. He’s doing things that other sprinters haven’t done, winning with the ease he’s winning with, running the times, he’s running. “We’ve had a lot of champion sprinters grace our turf here and they’ve all had the chance to run the times, he’s run. So, yeah, he’s starting to become a really special horse.” Desperate to avoid a repeat of the HK$26 million Gr.1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) in December when Ka Ying Rising triumphed by half a length in his slowest time of the season – 1m 08.15s – Purton enacted a simple plan. “Jump, be positive and just work it out as we go,” he said. “They went too slow in December and it allowed the horses to be too close, so today I made sure the man was going to take care of the boys. “He can run sectionals comfortably and kick off it. It’s very unique to have a horse that can do that, but he can. But when you go too slow, it allows the other horses a bit of an opportunity. Today, we made a statement again.” The Centenary Sprint Cup is the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series, Hayes confirmed Ka Ying Rising would chase a HK$5 million bonus by winning the HK$13 million Gr.1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on 23 February and the HK$22 million Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on 27 April. Longer term, Hayes is contemplating a tilt at the Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) – worth a staggering AU$20 million (approx. HK$96.4 million) – at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia on 18 October. “It’s the richest turf race in the world, it’s at his distance, so it’s getting more realistic every month we go on. We’ll really start thinking about a pathway towards it after the international race here in April and then after that, he’ll probably just be set for the big sprint,” Hayes said. Purton finished meeting with 1,812 wins – one shy of Douglas Whyte’s Hong Kong record – having also scored on David Hall’s Mr Energia (NZ) (Swiss Ace) in the Class 4 Seasons Bloom Handicap (1400m), while kiwi jockey James McDonald took riding honours with a treble. View the full article

Star sprinter lowers his own 1,200m Sha Tin benchmark in second consecutive Group One triumph.View the full article

Perfumist skips away from rivals at Rosehill Gardens. Photo: Bradley Photos Emerging filly Perfumist has extended her picket-fence form-line when leading throughout to score a decisive victory at Rosehill on Saturday and flagging her credentials for a lucrative target in New Zealand. Ridden by Tyler Schiller, the daughter of El Roca made it four wins in succession, having stepped from a Mudgee Class 1 winner to a three-time city victor for in-form trainer Bjorn Baker and OTI Racing. “She has done a marvellous job. Four in a row. We liked her, we actually bought her at the Ready To Run Sale in New Zealand a year and a bit ago, so she has taken work and she is just starting to put it together now,” Baker said. “I thought she probably defied the pattern today, she was very good. Her work on Tuesday was outstanding, so off that alone, I had to give her a big chance but I was just a bit worried where we did end up. “Tyler took the race by the scruff of the neck and rode her like the best horse. “She has got a sprint and she definitely showed that at the top of the straight today. She was able to run into the wind and then kick off it. “It is very exciting and the fact she is New Zealand bred, there is actually a slot race over there, the NZB Kiwi (1500m) a new slot race worth $3.5 million. “Even in New Zealand dollars it is pretty good money. It could be interesting. It might be an option. Either way, she is definitely heading towards black-type.” Winning rider Tyler Schiller said the filly had surprised him with her progression from the country and believes she will be suited up to 1800m. “I think she is going to be better up in trip,” he said. “She is still over-racing a bit but I was very happy with the way when she got there, she relaxed, probably from the 800m to the 400m when I needed her to. “I think when she goes further she is going to be better but she has definitely stayed on strong today. “I feel like she keeps getting better every time.” Horse racing news View the full article

Dog Penalty OPAWA GORDON | Christchurch 16 January; displayed unreasonable aggression at lure; must complete trial. The post 13-19 January 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Unbeaten three-year-old Dealt With (NZ) (Ace High) has booked himself a ticket to the big dance with victory in Sunday’s Elsdon Park 1400, but it wasn’t without a heart-stopping moment in the home straight for Roger James and Robert Wellwood. The son of Ace High debuted with a comfortable, albeit green win at Te Aroha earlier this month, and stepping into open age-group company at Pukekohe, he was fancied to replicate that result closing a narrow $3.20 favourite over First Dance ($3.30). Powering from barrier three, Dealt With was keen to get on with the job and soon took up an uncontested lead in the hands of George Rooke, with Elegant Jazz in close quarters to his outer. He kicked strongly turning for home and put a margin on the field by the 150m, but that’s when it all nearly came unstuck, showing his inexperience and shying abruptly at the 100m post, unseating Rooke. Despite this, Rooke managed to regain his balance, straighten the gelding and guide him home by three-quarters of a length to a fast-finishing First Dance. After the race, Wellwood was full of praise for his promising galloper, while admitting it had been far from an easy watch. “I hope George has got a spare pair of breeches in his jockey bag, it was looking pretty impressive then looked pretty scary there for a minute,” Wellwood said. “But still, it was very impressive. He’s got a lot to learn, but to put away a nice field like that with things to learn, it’s pretty exciting going forward. “He’s a big, strong horse and he’s able to put himself in the race, that’s a big help. It’s nice to see him do that, but we hope we can see him start to do it a bit easier.” Prior to Sunday’s contest, the Cambridge trainers had indicated the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) was a real possibility for Dealt With, and all going well, the gelding will be off to Ellerslie next Saturday. “We’ve got a number of options, but practically, there is a race worth a million and a half in six days’ time,” Wellwood said. “If he came through this really well and George’s feedback says he can go over a mile, we could look to head there. “Otherwise, there will be one more run for him in the middle of next month, then we hope to secure a slot in the Kiwi. I think he’s just made a statement that makes him a pretty obvious horse for a race like the Kiwi.” While James and Wellwood have won the past two editions of the Karaka Millions 3YO with Prowess and Orchestral, the NZB Kiwi will be new territory, with the inaugural running of the $3.5 million contest set to be run on March 8 at Ellerslie. Dealt With was a $90,000 purchase by his trainers at the 2023 Karaka Yearling Sales, through breeder Hallmark Stud’s draft. He is out of an Exceed And Excel mare Scrutiny, who had one subsequent foal by Super Easy before passing. View the full article

Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) has had his first public hit out for 2025, and Lindsay Park have planned the first three runs of their star galloper’s Autumn campaign before a final decision on international travel is made. The seven-year-old gelding is showing no signs of slowing down and is set to resume in the Gr.1 C F Orr Stakes (1400m) on February 8th before progressing to the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) and Gr.1 All Star Mile (1600m), all races he’s won in the past. Ben Hayes, who trains in partnership with brothers JD and Will, said Mr Brightside has done everything he can in Australia, with the Gr.1 Hong Kong Champions Mile (1600m) on April 27th firmly on the radar. “So he’s got three definite runs here and then we might consider going to Sydney to run in the George Ryder, and then that would lead into Hong Kong, or we run the three runs here and go straight to Hong Kong,’ Hayes said. “I think it’s the right time. He’s done everything he can here in Australia, he’s got nothing much to prove.” Mr Brightside had an 800m jump out at Werribee on Friday, running on for third under no riding by apprentice Jaylah Kennedy, and Hayes said it was exactly what the stable were looking for. “He was fantastic. For a first jump out, I thought it was very good for him. We had Jaylah Kennedy aboard and she rode it beautifully, just brought him to the middle of the track and his work through the line was great, exactly what we’re looking for, so we’re thrilled with the way he’s going,” Hayes said. “He looks a million dollars. He’s going to have one more jump out at Geelong and then he’s going to go first up into the Orr… If you go back and look at his first jump outs in other preps, this one was probably his best one he’s had.” Hayes confirmed Mr Brightside had already been given his vaccinations in order to travel to Hong Kong and said the eight-time Group One winner had shown no adverse effects. “I prefer to do it (vaccinate) in a spell. They affect every horse in a different way. Some don’t even get affected, so at this stage, it looks like it hasn’t affected him at all,” Hayes said. “He’s won a lot of group ones and a lot of high-class group ones. So I think it’s a great time of year to go to Hong Kong.” View the full article

Guy, Jayne & Emily look back on the final day of the Wellington Cup Carnival and catch up with Shaun McKay and Robbie Patterson around each of their teams. Then they look forward towards the big features coming out of Ellerslie. Weigh In, January 19 View the full article