Wandering Eyes

In-form mare Shoes(NZ) (Derryn) extended her winning sequence to three in a row with a brilliant front-running performance at Tauranga on Saturday. The daughter of Derryn had previously won a Rating 65 at Ruakaka on September 7, then stepped up into Rating 75 company at Te Rapa on October 12 and delivered a repeat result. Shoes stayed in the same grade on Saturday, albeit with a rise to 58kg in the handicap and a difficult draw of 10 in an 11-horse field. Trainer Pam Gerard opted to use the 3kg claim of apprentice jockey Joe Nishizuka, and Shoes ran her rivals off their feet. The four-year-old jumped sharply from her wide gate and charged forward, taking the lead inside the first 50m of the race. That was where she stayed, opening up a lead of three or four lengths coming down the side of the track. The challengers closed that gap right up and were breathing down her neck at the top of the home straight, but Shoes stubbornly refused to let them pass. She lifted again, holding on gamely through the final 300m to beat Dazzled and Twain by a long neck. She clocked 1:10.29 for 1200m on a Soft5 track. Saturday’s win continued a hot run of form for Gerard, who has trained 13 winners this season including the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) and this week’s Gr.2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) with Savaglee. “That was a bit nerve-racking,” the Matamata trainer said. “Joe’s not quite as experienced as some of the others that have ridden her, but she really needed that weight relief today. “She’s going through the grades well. It was a bonus that we could stay in this grade today and use the claim. “I thought there might be a bit more pace in that race today and a bit more pressure on her. If they leave her alone, she’ll just keep running. Joe sat as still as a mouse and never changed his grip. She found more when she heard them coming in the straight.” Shoes has now had 12 starts for four wins, three seconds and $133,735 in stakes for a Ballymore Stables ownership syndicate. Shoes was bred by Grangewilliam Stud, who offered her in the Book 2 session of Karaka 2022. Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Ballymore Stables bought her for $22,500. View the full article

Progressive mare Marotiri Molly(NZ) (Per Incanto) made in three wins in a row when she overcame a chequered passage in the home straight to take out the Courtesy Ford Redcraze Bowl (1400m) at Trentham. The Matt Dixon-trained six-year-old has always promised plenty however bad luck and wayward manners had hampered her progress in her earlier campaigns. An eye-catching runner-up finish at Taupo back in August signalled she may have finally come of age and although she finished well back at her next start she hasn’t stopped winning since with victories at Hawera and Otaki added to on Saturday with another gritty effort. Unable to find the front from a midfield barrier, rider Kate Hercock settled her nicely behind pacemakers Tavis Court, Old Town Road and Master Marko, who attacked the front pair from the 800m. With the Heavy10 track surface favouring runners who could scout wide approaching the home bend, Marotiri Molly found herself cluttered up behind a wall of horses at the 600m as her race rivals swooped into contention. Hercock desperately searched for a gap and managed to find clear air for her charge at the 250m where the daughter of Per Incanto burst through to take control of proceedings, running out a comfortable winner ahead of Chantilly Lace and Master Marko who fought on bravely for third. Dixon admitted he wasn’t sure how the mare would handle the very testing ground after enjoying better surfaces for her last two wins. “I had a slight doubt she might find it too wet as it is very testing out there,” Dixon said. “In the end her fitness and her added maturity got her through, as well as a lovely ride by Kate. “Kate gets on so well with her and she didn’t panic when she couldn’t get to the front early on. In the past she probably needed to lead but these days she just relaxes and drops the bit for Kate and I think that played a big part in her performance today. “She certainly paraded well and she ran accordingly so it was very gratifying to see her step up to this grade and win so well. “It gives us a lot of confidence moving forward although I don’t really have any specific plans at this stage for her. “She will get her chance in stakes company but we won’t decide on that until we get her home tonight and give her a few days to get over this one.” Raced by her breeders Beven Parlato and his wife Christine, Marotiri Molly is out of the stakes placed mare Marotiri Miss who won five races and finished runner-up in the 2014 Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton. She has now won five of her ten starts, all with Hercock in the saddle and just over $120,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

In-form South African is hopeful of capitalising on the improved support that has come from his strong recent form.View the full article

Switzerland ridden by James McDonald wins the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington Racecourse on November 02, 2024. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos) For the second time in four years, a horse carrying the famous Coolmore colours has taken out the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, with Switzerland ($6) for Chris Waller and James McDonald following in the footsteps of Home Affairs. Waller maintained his stranglehold on the Coolmore Stud Stakes, with Saturday’s victory giving the master trainer his sixth win from the last 12 editions of the 1200m classic. This son of Snitzel was a dominant winner in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes last start, signalling to the stable that he was back on track ahead of his biggest test down the Flemington straight. The race itself was run at a breakneck tempo, as Hugh Bowman took off from the barrier on Bodyguard ($41) to sprint out to a massive six-length lead after 400m. Most of the favourites with horse racing bookmakers, led by Lady Of Camelot ($9), Growing Empire ($3.80) and Traffic Warden ($4.20), settled at the front of the rest of the field. With most of his main rivals facing the breeze ahead of him, McDonald sat quietly behind them on the eventual winner before peeling off their heels with 300m to go. In a matter of three or four strides, Switzerland exploded to the front of the field and put the race to bed with 150m to go, with only Bellatrix Star ($8.50) running on from the back of the field. Growing Empire and Lady Of Camelot battled on gamely, and they couldn’t be split by the judge, dead-heating for third place. 2024 Coolmore Stud Stakes replay – Switzerland Chris Waller was very happy post-race, and he spoke about a possible trip to Royal Ascot following the win. “Yeah, he did (have to prove himself). We’ve got a great team that got us back on the track,” Waller said. “He just got excited and hurt himself and got agitated and yeah, it was just one of those things that young kids do. “That’s all he is. He’s a young teenager, he’s finding his way, became a man last start I thought with a dominant win and the writing was on the wall that a Group 1 wasn’t far away, to win a stallion making a race like this, it’s a big deal. “This race, this week, has so many great stories, but for the colts, this is the race you need to win. “So I’m privileged to be training these types of horses because I didn’t get them when I started, but now it’s a privilege. “I could see he jumped well, he settled well, James was just sitting on it quietly and that was the pre-race plan. “Be where he’s comfortable. It was as simple as that. “Well, the beauty of winning a Group 1 race, it takes a little bit of pressure off. “We’ve got to just now maintain his value, so logically, races like the Newmarket and Royal Ascot would be in our consideration.” James McDonald was just as happy when speaking to the media post-race. “I’m just absolutely delighted to be fair, he’s got the most beautiful nature, and he allows me to do whatever I want on him, he’s so push- button, and when he was so alertly away, I just sat on him and let the race unfold around him, and he allowed me to do that, and he makes a jockey’s life so easy,” McDonald said. “He’s such a talented colt, he’s got years to turn, and after his jump out here the other day, we were cooking with gas, he went super.” “He’s got a lot of talent, he’s got well above average ability, he’s got an absolutely brilliant demeanour. “He’s got an incredible turn of foot, and he can sustain it for a long time; he’s got all the attributes to be a top sprinter. “There are two races here in the autumn that have got a big circle around him. He’ll thicken up, he’ll develop, he’ll get stronger and better – he’s a beauty.” Horse racing news View the full article

Treasurethe Moment ridden by Damian Lane winning the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) The Matt Laurie-trained Treasurethe Moment ($5.00) has earned her place in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at headquarters on Thursday after securing a dominant victory in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday afternoon. The daughter of Alabama Express took advantage of a sedate tempo throughout the journey, proving too strong for the well-supported favourite Powers Of Opal ($1.80) in the concluding stages. There was plenty of drama pre-race with Jamie Kah coping a minor knock to the nose before being loaded aboard Hurry Curry, with the three-year-old filly being withdrawn prior to the jump, while Ziggy Rose refused to load before being sent back to the mounting yard. Once racing did get underway, the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Killcare Beachgirl ($19.00) was allowed to stride forward under her own steam for Tim Clark, giving the daughter of Too Darn Hot every chance to stay the 2000m journey. It played into the hands of the eventual winner, with Damien Lane pulling clear in the final 400m, with Treasurethe Moment producing the best turn-of-foot, while Powers Of Opal could only whack away into the minor money under James McDonald. 2024 Group 2 Wakeful Stakes Replay – Treasurethe Moment The Wakeful has proven to be the key form-reference for the VRC Oaks, and Laurie confirmed Treasurethe Moment would back-up provided he comes through the win well. “We knew she had something there in the early days and we just need to be a little bit patient, but she’ s got a great temperament,” said Laurie. “She relaxed beautifully today and I was confident a long way out. We’re looking forward to Thursday. “She’s out of a Street Cry mare and there’s a bit of staying blood line, further down the page. I mean, at the end of the day, you’ve got to pick an individual and if you are trying to purchase a stayer, this horse, paraded as a yearling, she screams that. “It was never an issue for me. Her work last weekend suggested she was more than up to this as a company. It’s great to try and win for Yulong. They’ve been really supportive of me and I can’t wait till next week.” Damien Lane was delighted with the win and can’t wait to hop aboard again on Thursday. “She was great,” said Lane. “Had a lovely run. The pace was moderate and she just out-sprinted them. She was really good. “Just got a perfect tow in and she was too quick for the late. The further I got into the race the more confident I got. “On how she went today, I think she can (go to the Oaks). So she ran right to the line, so hopefully that indicates she’s going to run the trip. If we have quick ground, I think that’s going to suit her. “She really enjoyed that firm ground. Hopefully she comes through the run well and can go on the Oaks.” Treasurethe Moment and Powers Of Opal now share favouritism at $3.50 with horse racing bookmakers for the VRC Oaks on Thursday. Horse racing news View the full article

Sacred Pearl winning the Feilding Cup (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Under-rated mare Sacred Pearl has taken her career earnings past $200,000 with back-to-back wins in feature staying races this spring, including Saturday’s Feilding Cup (2100m) at Trentham. The daughter of Sacred Falls hit a new career high with her last-start win in the Egmont Cup (2100m) at Hawera on October 5, and she continued that upward trajectory with another outstanding performance in Saturday’s $80,000 feature. Sacred Pearl was again partnered by visiting Australian jockey Harry Grace, who rode her for the first time in the Egmont Cup last month. The seven-year-old mare settled in fifth place on Saturday as the bunched-up field of six made their way around the Trentham circuit in a battle of tactics. Favourite Donnybrook was the first to make a move, sneaking through along the inside to go from last to first as the field came wide in search of better ground at the home turn. Donnybrook slowly but surely shook free of the front-running Drop Of Something in the straight, but then Grace brought Sacred Pearl with a well-timed run down the extreme outside of the track. Sacred Pearl clawed her way past Donnybrook, getting up to win by half a length. “It was a tricky race, but she’s a very nice horse,” said Grace, who also had an undercard victory with the Cody Cole-trained Rareza. “The whole idea was to keep her in her rhythm. She got forced out widest on the track in the straight, but she finished it off well.” Sacred Pearl has now had 44 starts for seven wins, 13 placings and $239,765 in stakes for owners Tony and Sharyn Loveridge. She is trained by Lisa Latta, who has previously won the Feilding Cup with Jonbalena (2008) and Five To Midnight (2018). “This is her third win at Wellington, so she goes well here,” Latta said. “I was a bit concerned about how testing the track was today, because she does like it a touch better than this. “I thought she was in trouble at the 600m, but Harry got her out to the best part of the track and she’s finished it off well. “She’s in great form and seems to be holding it, and she’s a pretty easy mare to train. Harry has ridden her a treat again today. “She does hold a nomination for the New Zealand Cup (Group 3, 3200m). I’ll have a good talk to her owners and figure out whether that’s a race we should target with her.” Bookmakers currently rate Sacred Pearl a $16 chance for the New Zealand Cup. Nest Egg heads that market at $5, followed by Aljay ($6), Canheroc ($8), Kattegat ($10) and Mehzebeen ($12). Horse racing news View the full article

Shoes winning the Rating 75 (1200m) at Tauranga on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) In-form mare Shoes extended her winning sequence to three in a row with a brilliant front-running performance at Tauranga on Saturday. The daughter of Derryn had previously won a Rating 65 at Ruakaka on September 7, then stepped up into Rating 75 company at Te Rapa on October 12 and delivered a repeat result. Shoes stayed in the same grade on Saturday, albeit with a rise to 58kg in the handicap and a difficult draw of 10 in an 11-horse field. Trainer Pam Gerard opted to use the 3kg claim of apprentice jockey Joe Nishizuka, and Shoes ran her rivals off their feet. The four-year-old jumped sharply from her wide gate and charged forward, taking the lead inside the first 50m of the race. That was where she stayed, opening up a lead of three or four lengths coming down the side of the track. The challengers closed that gap right up and were breathing down her neck at the top of the home straight, but Shoes stubbornly refused to let them pass. She lifted again, holding on gamely through the final 300m to beat Dazzled and Twain by a long neck. She clocked 1:10.29 for 1200m on a Soft5 track. Saturday’s win continued a hot run of form for Gerard, who has trained 13 winners this season including the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) and this week’s Group 2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) with Savaglee. “That was a bit nerve-racking,” the Matamata trainer said. “Joe’s not quite as experienced as some of the others that have ridden her, but she really needed that weight relief today. “She’s going through the grades well. It was a bonus that we could stay in this grade today and use the claim. “I thought there might be a bit more pace in that race today and a bit more pressure on her. If they leave her alone, she’ll just keep running. Joe sat as still as a mouse and never changed his grip. She found more when she heard them coming in the straight.” Horse racing news View the full article

Marotiri Molly winning the OPN HCP (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Progressive mare Marotiri Molly made it three wins in a row when she overcame a chequered passage in the home straight to take out the Courtesy Ford Redcraze Bowl (1400m) at Trentham. The Matt Dixon-trained six-year-old has always promised plenty however bad luck and wayward manners had hampered her progress in her earlier campaigns. An eye-catching runner-up finish at Taupo back in August signalled she may have finally come of age and although she finished well back at her next start she hasn’t stopped winning since with victories at Hawera and Otaki added to on Saturday with another gritty effort. Unable to find the front from a midfield barrier, rider Kate Hercock settled her nicely behind pacemakers Tavis Court, Old Town Road and Master Marko, who attacked the front pair from the 800m. With the Heavy 10 track surface favouring runners who could scout wide approaching the home bend, Marotiri Molly found herself cluttered up behind a wall of horses at the 600m as her race rivals swooped into contention. Hercock desperately searched for a gap and managed to find clear air for her charge at the 250m where the daughter of Per Incanto burst through to take control of proceedings, running out a comfortable winner ahead of Chantilly Lace and Master Marko who fought on bravely for third. Dixon admitted he wasn’t sure how the mare would handle the very testing ground after enjoying better surfaces for her last two wins. “I had a slight doubt she might find it too wet as it is very testing out there,” Dixon said. “In the end her fitness and her added maturity got her through, as well as a lovely ride by Kate. “Kate gets on so well with her and she didn’t panic when she couldn’t get to the front early on. In the past she probably needed to lead but these days she just relaxes and drops the bit for Kate and I think that played a big part in her performance today. “She certainly paraded well and she ran accordingly so it was very gratifying to see her step up to this grade and win so well. “It gives us a lot of confidence moving forward although I don’t really have any specific plans at this stage for her. “She will get her chance in stakes company but we won’t decide on that until we get her home tonight and give her a few days to get over this one.” Horse racing news View the full article

Another Wil ridden by Jamie Kah wins the The Damien Oliver at Flemington Racecourse on November 02, 2024. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Ciaron Maher and Jamie Kah have delivered an emotional victory in the Group 2 Damien Oliver, with Another Wil ($3.90) bouncing back to form with a classy win at Flemington. Following part-owner Colin McKenna’s passing during the week, connections of Another Wil were left in tears following the victory, as it seemed as though someone above opened a passage for Kah to weave through in the final 200m. The son of Street Boss jumped well from barrier two, but many would have been surprised when Kah chose to settle behind the speed influences, The Astrologist ($34), Not An Option ($71) and Steparty ($18). With the race being run at a solid clip throughout the 1400m contest, the runs from the back of the field started to come, as Steparty, Tamerlane ($11) and Jimmysstar ($2.20) started to finish off down the middle of the track. While those few built momentum and got going from the 300m mark, Another Wil had to wait for a gap to appear on the inside of runners; however, when the gap opened, he burst through with a strong finish. Just as it looked like Jimmysstar was going to swamp the leaders out wide, his stablemate pushed through to take over in the final 100m and record an impressive 1.25-length victory. 2024 Damien Oliver replay – Another Wil Ciaron Maher was clearly emotional following the win when he was quick to speak about McKenna and what he meant to his stable. “It’s pretty special,” Maher said. “A lot of Col’s family and friends are in the horse. That’s why he loves racing. “He bred it, there’s no more passionate person. “Great mate, great mentor. He would just love to be here today. But I’m sure he’s looking down. Pretty special. “Thought he’d run back to form. “Yeah, Janice is watching on at Woolsthorpe- all the best to you. “Great job by the team. Just changed things up a little bit for him, brought him down to Cranbourne, just that simple fact, the change. “Jamie back on. She knows him very well. “Jimmy was great. I thought he had the momentum there to knock Wil off and it was a bit tight in there but no, she’s made a steal, she was very good. “Possibly Rupert Clarke (next run). Might even have a nom in the Champions Mile.” Jamie Kah echoed similar sentiments about McKenna in her post-race interview. “He (McKenna) was just the best person. Ask anyone in the industry. It doesn’t feel real that he’s not here,” Kah said. “I just trust this horse. He’s done it before. He’s pushed his way through gaps before. “I wasn’t worried because I knew the horse I had underneath me, but we; me and Ciaron spoke briefly before, and said, ‘Just get him cover. Just get him behind a horse, and then you’ll do the rest,’ and he did. “He’s just a tough horse, and he can’t be leading in these classes of races and winning anymore, he’s got to get cover, and then after that, it was up to him and up to Col to open some gaps for us. “The last message I had to Col was, ‘What did you think of Another Wil in the Toorak?’ and I just said, ‘You know, maybe this, maybe that.’ He said, ‘No, no, I think it’s just a Jamie horse.’ “So I was glad he was right. Maybe he was just a Jamie horse, but hopefully there’s a Group 1 in store for him and Col will be watching.” Another Wil is an $8 chance with horse racing bookmakers in the Group 1 Champions Mile futures markets. Horse racing news View the full article

Maharba ridden by Jordan Childs digs deep to claim the Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) The Grahame Begg-trained Maharba ($19.00) has fended off the late challenge of Rey Magnerio ($4.80) to claim victory in the Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday afternoon. The four-year-old gelding was excellent first-up against the pattern of the day at Caulfield on October 12, getting within 1.8 lengths of Bellatrix Star in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m). The son of Pride Of Dubai was friendless with horse racing bookmakers on Saturday, however, drifting from $10.00 to $19.00 at the jump, with all the money coming for the John O’Shea & Tom Charlton-trained Schwarz ($3.80) prior to start time. Jordan Childs was able to lob into the ideal stalking position throughout the journey, with Jungle Jim ($41.00) and Star Patrol ($11.00) leading them out at a solid tempo in the middle stages. Schwarz was all out at the clocktower when asked the ultimate question by James McDonald, while Maharba, Rey Magnerio and Charm Stone ($13.00) extended clear to fight out the finish, with the Childs throwing Maharba over the line to finish best of the trio. 2024 Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes Replay – Maharba Grahame Begg was over the moon with the victory and didn’t rule out a trip to Western Australia for the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m). “He’s a very tough horse and he races very well up the straight,” said Begg. “He’s come back very good this time round. He ran third first-up in a Group Two at weight-for-age and he’s more of a handicapped style of horse. “He’s going particularly well and he’s a very honest horse with a great record. “He puts in every time he goes to the races and Darryl Towzell and Maz up there in Wagga, they ll be over the moon. It’ll be a big night in Wagga tonight, as it normally is, I must say. “He’s entered for Perth, the Winterbottom over there, and also they’ve got that slot race at Cranbourne (The Meteorite), which certainly is on the radar.” Jordan Childs was happy with the victory and suggested the track is in superb order for Derby Day. “I think the track is in really good order and it feels nice and even,” said Childs. “We drew low over the straight so my hand was sort of forced. Had to go to the inside a little bit. “But I think it is racing even (the track) and it doesn’t really matter where you are. “I sort of built through my gears and I was probably making the same run as the second horse and he (Maharba) was in front for a long way but he managed to hold on.” Maharba is currently a $18.00 chance with horse racing bookmakers for the 2024 Winterbottom Stakes on November 30. Horse racing news View the full article

Elettrica shines with an impressive victory in the A$160,000 Benchmark 78 Handicap. Photo: Bradley Photos Rosehill trainers Richard and Will Freedman believe Elettrica’s six-year-old season could be a career-best for the Kiwi-bred mare, who carried top weight to an impressive victory in Saturday’s A$160,000 Benchmark 78 Handicap (1300m) on her home track. Previously a two-race winner in New Zealand, the daughter of Vespa added two Midway Handicaps to her CV during a five-year-old season that banked her connections more than A$198,000 in stakes. That campaign culminated in a first run at stakes level, finishing a close eighth in the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone in May. Elettrica has found herself in Benchmark 78 company this spring, and she started her preparation on a promising note with a close fifth over 1200m at Warwick Farm on October 16. She was allotted 61.5kg for Saturday’s race at Rosehill, which the Freedmans reduced to 59.5kg with apprentice jockey Molly Bourke’s 2kg claim. Elettrica took up a handy position alongside the leader before quickening and hitting the front with 300m remaining. The favourite Pippie Beach drew up alongside her and looked set to go past, but Elettrica dug in and held her out by three-quarters of a length. “I do think she’s even better when she has a bunny to follow, but she put them away like a good thing today,” Bourke said. “Every time they came into her eyesight, she found another gear, so I was very impressed.” Elettrica has now had 32 starts for five wins, 13 placings and A$395,617 in stakes for a Tricolours Racing syndicate. “She’s beautifully shiny at the moment and she’s just blossomed over the last couple of weeks,” Richard Freedman said. “We were worried about the tactics today. I thought something might want to lead, but it turned out nothing did. Molly realised that and sat outside the leader. The horse was travelling beautifully all the way, and we knew she was likely to finish it off better than most. “I think this will be her best prep. She won a lot of money just from Midways in her last prep, and now she’s gone on and won a 78 today, so it’s great.” Horse racing news View the full article

D. Wayne Lukas has some company atop the record books as the winningest trainer in Breeders' Cup history. View the full article

When 9-5 favorite East Avenue stumbled to his knees at the break, it paved a clear path to the front for Citizen Bull, who captured the $1.84 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) Nov. 1 at Del Mar in gate-to-wire fashion.View the full article

The victory stretched Lake Victoria’s unbeaten run to 5-0 as Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien warmed up for his latest Classic quest.View the full article

Breeders' Cup Notebook: Governor Sam prevents European sweep, high praise for jockey Keane, Immersive follows in sire's footsteps, a look at Day 1 handle and attendance, and standout quotes from Future Stars Friday.View the full article

D. Wayne Lukas has some company atop the record books as the winningest trainer in Breeders' Cup history. View the full article

When 9-5 favorite East Avenue stumbled to his knees at the break, it paved a clear path to the front for Citizen Bull, who captured the $1.84 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) Nov. 1 at Del Mar in gate-to-wire fashion.View the full article

Mahrajaan withdrawn from Tuesday’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). Photo: Race Images South. The New Zealand contingent for Tuesday’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) has been dealt a blow with the withdrawal of Mahrajaan on veterinary advice. The Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-trained gelding earned his shot at the A$8.5 million showpiece with his victories in last season’s Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) and Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m), but Racing Victoria stewards have ruled him out after their independent imaging panel deemed the seven-year-old to be at heightened risk of injury. “It’s obviously a big disappointment for us and the owners,” Ritchie said. “Who doesn’t want to have a runner in the Melbourne Cup? And we know our horse runs a strong two miles, so it’s a tough one to swallow. “But we’re philosophical and we respect the vets’ decision. At the end of the day, we’re horse lovers first and we want our horse to be safe and healthy. “I’ll go in on Monday and they’ll take me through the results of their imaging and the exact reasons for their decision. Apparently they detected a small issue in a sesamoid, which hasn’t been picked up in X-rays we’ve done on the horse in the past. Their imaging is very high-tech and thorough, so it’ll be a good opportunity for me to see all the bells and whistles that they’ve got. It’ll give me a better understanding, so that if we come back next year, we’ll have a bit more information. “Our owners are all on the same page. The horse has been so good to us, and the last thing we want is for him to be in any danger. We’ve got to respect the fact that if they found something they consider to be heightened risk, he shouldn’t be running in the race.” Ritchie now hopes to prepare Mahrajaan for a defence of his Auckland Cup title on Champions Day at Ellerslie in March. “He’s on a plane home on Wednesday night, and then we’ll give him a good break,” the Cambridge trainer said. “Once we bring him back into work, and subject to vets’ advice, we can work towards having another crack at the Auckland Cup.” Mahrajaan’s withdrawal leaves three New Zealand-trained runners in the Melbourne Cup field – Team Rogerson’s Sharp ‘N’ Smart, the Andrew Forsman-trained Positivity, and the Bruce Wallace and Grant Cookely runner Trust In You. Horse racing news View the full article

Zeitung ridden by Mark Zahra after winning The Vanity at Flemington. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos) James Cummings and Mark Zahra have struck in the second race of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington, with Zeitung ($5.50) finishing off strongly down the middle of the track to claim the Group 3 Vanity. The daughter of Exceed And Excel had strong formlines going into Saturday’s race, following top four finishes in Group races against three-year-old fillies in her previous three starts. Too Darn Lizzie ($10) and Kuroyanagi ($17) took up the early lead before I Am Velvet ($15) whipped around them from a three-wide position to settle at the front of the field on a muddling tempo. Turning for home, I Am Velvet kicked away from the field slightly, but Matisse ($7) and Lovelycut ($7) loomed large on the outside, and the former took the front by the 250m mark. Zahra pushed the button on Zeitung at the 200-pole, and as soon as he did, the filly exploded with a swift turn of foot to chase down the leader. By the time Zeitung hit the 50m mark, she had taken control of the race and careered away with a dominant victory over Matisse and Dominetta ($11), who filled the placings in that order. 2024 Vanity replay – Zeitung James Cummings was on course to speak about the win of Zeitung. “She’s been really going well this preparation and great to see that even though she stepped slow and was a little further back than Mark Zahra would have liked,” Cummings said. “She’s run on well from back before and she was able to storm her way into the clear, run on resolutely down the outside and a Group 2 win to her page is enormous. “We’re only a few weeks away from the Thousand Guineas, we’d have to give that good consideration with this beautiful filly. “That’s a great start for our team at Melbourne Cup week and really she’s by Exceed And Excel. “We held her back from stepping up to seven furlongs for quite a while and we stepped up last time, she had the wide draw and she settled wide throughout but she was very game there “We met the winner (last start, Too Darn Lizzie) two-and-a-half-kilos better today so Mark Zarha took over, he’s one of Melbourne’s leading jockeys and he did a beautiful job.” Mark Zahra echoed similar thoughts to Cummings in his post-race interview. “I didn’t begin the best, but I sort of ended up in a nice spot following Matisse and just worked out perfectly,” Zahra said. “When Matisse kicked, I wasn’t sure whether I could be able to run her down, but she was very strong, my filly. “She had a bit of a tough run over the 1400 (metres) the other day, so it put her in good stead today. I had to be tough for the last sort of 100 and she was.” Zeitung is a $7 chance with horse racing bookmakers in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas futures markets. Horse racing news View the full article

James McDonald returns to the mounting yard on Aeliana after winning the Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington. (Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos) Chris Waller & James McDonald have combined early on Derby Day, with Aeliana ($5.50) proving far too classy for her rivals in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday afternoon. The daughter of Castelvecchio put the writing on the wall last time out, producing a stunning turn-of-foot to claim victory in the Group 3 Reginald Allen Quality (1400m) at Randwick on October 19, going on with the job to score in similarly dominant fashion. McDonald was patient aboard the three-year-old filly, dragging back to last in the small field of seven, allowing the like of Acta Non Verba ($9.50) and well-supported favourite Feroce ($2.40) to tick over some moderate sectionals in the middle stages. Feroce looked to be trucking into the home turn and gave a strong kick under the urgings of Billy Egan, however, McDonald was only just beginning to get warm aboard Aeliana, swallowing up her rivals in an instant to put the race to bed with a furlong left to travel. Another Prophet ($10.00) and Stylish Secret ($8.50) were putting in the big strides late, but it was to no avail as Aeliana was already off and gone with the prize. 2024 Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes Replay – Aeliana It was the perfect start for what’s sure to be a long week for Chris Waller as he spoke post-race. “It’s always good to get off the mark and put a boundary on our first ball,” said Waller. “Because it’s a great week. As a coach of horses, you just need a little bit of confidence, and it allows everything to flow. “She’s a talented filly, she won well in Sydney last time, and she’s brought that Sydney form today. “Thousand Guineas in two weeks’ time (next assignment), a Group One race for her own sex. “Today, she’s beaten the boys, so she’ll go back and face the girls. It’s a good process to try and get a horse up in the grade each time they race and he’s made that right step today. “It’s a fantastic change to the program. It allows us to give horses a bit more time and lets the young stars come through, and she’ll be there too.” McDonald was delighted with the victory and suggested there’s more to come from this progressive filly. “Brilliant performance and she’s a promising filly,” said McDonald. “She executed well and she came with a well-timed run, and was too good. “She actually sprung the lids beautifully so she could have easily taken up a more prominent position but took her back and then chimed in and was way too good. “She’s done plenty of work (running the Melbourne way) at home. We’ve galloped her and she went really well. Most pleasing part, she handled a Good 4, so she just doesn’t need soft ground.” “She’s got a long way to go to meet Fangirl but she’s well on her way!” Aeliana is now a clear $4.50 favourite with horse racing bookmakers for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) on November 16. Horse racing news View the full article

Zac Purton confirms Dennis Yip’s stable star is ‘flying’ ahead of Sunday’s Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1,800m).View the full article

Golden Eagle Day 2024. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Golden Eagle Day 2024 awaits punters at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, November 2, 2024 with a bumper 10-race meeting set down for decision. The $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) headlines what is set to be a big day of racing in Sydney. As the Sydney Spring Carnival winds down, catch up on all the race replays, results and dividends provided by top horse racing bookmakers here. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Race 1 – Highway Handicap (1400 METRES) Race Replay & Results Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 6 Villasaurus Donna Scott Tyler Schiller $9.00 $2.80 2nd 3 Everido Keith Dryden Regan Bayliss $2.20 3rd 2 Bravely Matthew Dunn Nash Rawiller $1.90 4th 12 Devgru John Borham Coriah Keatings Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 6-3 $31.70 Exacta 6-3 $67.00 Duet 6-3 $9.50 Duet 6-2 $7.40 Duet 3-2 $5.90 Trifecta 6-3-2 $328.20 First Four 6-3-2-12 $8.407.60 Race 2 – BM78 Handicap (1300 METRES) Race Replay & Results Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st # Elletrica Richard & Will Freedman Molly Bourke $12.00 $3.00 2nd # Pippie Beach Chris Waller Joao Moreira $1.45 3rd # Allapercanto Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes Zac Lloyd $1.85 4th # Asgarda Chief Stipe Gorrel Billy Owen Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 1-10 $18.50 Exacta 1-10 $48.00 Duet 1-10 $5.40 Duet 1-7 $7.80 Duet 10-7 $3.60 Trifecta 1-10-7 $232.80 First Four 1-10-7-3 $690.10 Running Double (1,2) 6-1 $133.70 Horse racing news View the full article

All-sources handle for the 10-race program on the first day of the 41st Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 1 at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club was $63,679,944, the second-highest handle for a Breeders' Cup Friday and the fourth consecutive year the Friday handle has topped $60 million. The Future Stars Friday card featured five Breeders' Cup races for 2-year-old horses, the seventh straight year the Breeders' Cup has carded all its juvenile races on the same day since the event expanded to its two-day format in 2007. Friday's on-track attendance was 30,982 and on-track handle was $6,683,373. The post Future Stars Friday Posts Second-Highest Friday Handle Ever For Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

VRC Derby Day 2024. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) VRC Derby Day 2024 is finally here with a bumper nine-race meeting set down for decision at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Saturday, November 2, 2024. The Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) is set to jump at 4:20pm AEDT. As the Melbourne Cup Carnival commences, catch up on all the race replays, results and dividends provided by top horse racing bookmakers here. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Race 1 – Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600 METRES) Race Replay & Results Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st # Aeliana Chris Waller James McDonald $5.50 $2.60 2nd # Another Prophet Ciaron Maher Ethan Brown $4.20 3rd # Feroce Dominic Sutton Billy Egan ODDS 4th # Stylish Secret Mick Nolan Luke Nolen Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 6-8 $32.60 Exacta 6-8 $44.40 Duet 6-8 $8.65 Duet 6-1 $2.85 Duet 8-1 $4.50 Trifecta 6-8-1 $132.60 First Four 6-8-1-2 $446.50 Horse racing news View the full article

It took just a tick or two under 95 seconds for Lake Victoria to answer the question of what on earth a Coolmore filly with classic aspirations was doing so far from home in November of an already flawless 2-year-old campaign.View the full article