Wandering Eyes

High-class sprinter Babylon Berlin put a challenging season behind her with an impressive return to the Te Awamutu trials on Tuesday. Babylon Berlin has been a leading light for Ben Foote’s stable since she debuted as a three-year-old, performing consistently up to Group One level, including a trio of elite-level placings behind top-class mares Imperatriz and Levante in her five-year-old season. The daughter of All Too Hard picked up where she left off in the new term, winning the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) last November before finishing second to Sacred Satono in the Gr.3 Counties Bowl (1100m). From there, the remainder of the season was far from smooth-sailing, with Babylon Berlin undergoing a wind operation following an uncharacteristic run in the Gr.1 Railway (1200m). After recovering from surgery, the mare then sustained an injury to her eye, ruling her out of the remaining features through the summer period. On a fact-finding mission at Te Awamutu, Foote had simple instructions for senior hoop Vinnie Colgan and was thrilled to hear his report after Babylon Berlin comfortably won her Open 850m heat in the fastest time of the day. “I just wanted to see if her heart was still in it really,” said Foote, who trains in partnership with son Ryan. “I said to Vinnie to let her do her thing and see if she will pull you into it. He came back and said she felt a million dollars, he was really happy. “It’s probably taken her a little while to turn a corner with her coat, but in the last couple of weeks in particular, she’s turned a corner and all the signs are really good. “We think she’s back to her old self, so let’s hope so.” Foote confirmed the mare would return to Te Rapa next Saturday and attempt to defend her crown in the Legacy Lodge Sprint before targeting the new Champion Sprint Series, which includes the Counties Bowl, Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m), Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) and the Railway across the coming months. View the full article

What Wyong Races Where Wyong Race Club & Function Centre – 71-73 Howarth St, Wyong NSW 2259 When Thursday, October 31, 2024 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Provincial racing returns to Wyong on Thursday afternoon, with an ultra-competitive eight-part program set for decision. The rail is out +4m for the entire circuit, and with the only rainfall anticipated to hit the course later in the afternoon, punters can expect a Good 4 surface prior to the opening event at 1:15pm local time. Best Bet at Wyong: Shalaa Gold The Bjorn Baker-trained Shalaa Gold has undergone a gelding operation during his 161-day spell. It seems to have focused the son of Shalaa, who went on to score impressively in a barrier trial at Rosehill on October 18. Adam Hyeronimus will look to dictate terms from barrier one, and provided Shalaa Gold can pinch a couple of lengths on his rivals in the middle stages, he will take plenty of beating. Best Bet Race 2 – #6 Shalaa Gold (1) 3yo Gelding | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Adam Hyeronimus (56.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Wyong: Jolly Good Fellow Jolly Good Fellow got a pass mark at Warwick Farm on October 16, hitting the line well over 1400m to get within 1.2 lengths of Iceman. With a bit more fitness on his side this time, the 1630m should be an ideal setup for the son of Zousain. Zac Lloyd sticks aboard from barrier one, and with Jolly Good Fellow likely to stalk the leading pair throughout, watch for him to charge down the centre of the course to claim his maiden victory. Next Best Race 1 – #7 Jolly Good Fellow (1) 3yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Zac Lloyd (56.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Wyong: Emery Emery never got clear at Hawkesbury on October 10 and should’ve finished much closer than the four-length margin may suggest. The daughter of Almanzor was disappointed for a run throughout the straight, only getting through her gears when it was all over. Stepping back to 1000m does appear to be a minor negative, but if she can show off her explosive turn of foot, Emery can figure at an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 3 – #7 Emery (8) 3yo Filly | T: Sara Ryan | J: Regan Bayliss (55kg) Bet with Dabble Wyong quaddie tips – 31/10/2024 Wyong quadrella selections Thursday, October 31, 2024 2-4-5-10 1-4-5-7 1-5-6-7 3-4-5-6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip (Quaddie Link from Boombet needed^) Horse racing tips View the full article

Bendigo Cup Day 2024. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Bendigo Cup Day 2024 is arguably one of the best country racedays each year and a nine-race meeting set down for decision at the Bendigo Jockey Club on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. The Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) is set to jump at 4:10pm AEDT. With plenty of key form races heading into the Melbourne Cup Carnival, 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 – 3YO Maiden Plate (1000 METRES) Race Replay & Results Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 7 Always Enuff Shane Nichols Zac Spain $11.00 $2.80 2nd 3 Hot Digity Boom Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Michael Dee $2.30 3rd 11 Jasmin Rouge Clinton McDonald Jamie Kah $1.70 4th 16 Treasureflight Matt Cumani Eoin Walsh Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 7-3 $46.80 Exacta 7-3 $112.40 Duet 7-3 $12.70 Duet 7-11 $8.00 Duet 3-11 $5.80 Trifecta 7-3-11 $520.10 First Four 7-3-11-16 $27,930.40 Race 2 – BM64 Handicap (1100 METRES) Race Replay & Results Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 4 Coeur De Lyon Tom Dabernig Jarrod Fry $12.00 $1.90 2nd 1 Snappy Secret Danielle Chapman Jason Maskiell $1.40 3rd 9 Sociable Anthony & Sam Freedman Declan Bates $1.20 4th 5 Fragile Love Mathew Ellerton Damian Lane Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 4-1 $24.30 Exacta 4-1 $44.90 Duet 4-1 $4.90 Duet 4-9 $3.50 Duet 1-9 $2.80 Trifecta 4-1-9 $108.50 First Four 4-1-9-5 $162.40 Running Double (1,2) 7-4 $145.10 Race 3 – BM64 Handicap (2400 METRES) Race Replay & Results Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 9 Hollandia John Moloney Daniel Stackhouse $5.50 $2.00 2nd 10 Jenny The Beaver Ben O’Farrell Billy Egan $2.90 3rd 6 Foix Ciaron Maher John Allen $2.10 4th 2 Off His Roca Andrew Bobbin Tom Prebble Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 9-10 $31.90 Exacta 9-10 $62.20 Duet 9-10 $10.70 Duet 9-6 $5.10 Duet 10-6 $12.70 Trifecta 9-10-6 $363.80 First Four 9-10-6-2 $4,843.00 Running Double (2,3) 4-9 $111.50 Race 4 – BM64 Handicap (1300 METRES) Race Replay & Results Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 6 Blackberry Bomb Simon Zahra Thomas Stockdale $7.50 $2.30 2nd 3 Treat Him Right Matt Cumani Eoin Walsh $2.10 3rd 2 Harry’s Yacht Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin Harry Coffey $1.60 4th 4 Wainman Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes Jordan Childs Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 6-3 $32.70 Exacta 6-3 $72.30 Duet 6-3 $9.70 Duet 6-2 $6.50 Duet 3-2 $4.30 Trifecta 6-3-2 $274.20 First Four 6-3-2-4 $1,220.10 Running Double (3,4) 9-6 $51.80 Race 5 – BM70 Handicap (1300 METRES) Race Replay & Results Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 13 Floozie Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Blake Shinn $2.90 $1.40 2nd 10 Vienna Vixen Ciaron Maher Ethan Brown $2.10 3rd 6 Alectrona Tony & Calvin McEvoy Harry Coffey $1.70 4th 8 Moor Mumm Dan O’Sullivan Jaylah Kennedy Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 13-10 $10.10 Exacta 13-10 $19.50 Duet 13-10 $4.40 Duet 13-6 $2.90 Duet 10-6 $5.60 Trifecta 13-10-6 $65.80 First Four 13-10-6-8 $345.30 Running Double (4,5) 6-13 $27.20 Early Quaddie 4-9-6-13 $3,758.80 Race 6 – BM70 Handicap (1600 METRES) Race Replay & Results Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 5 Notabadbuy Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Ethan Brown $26.00 $6.00 2nd 3 Sure Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Beau Mertens $1.40 3rd 12 Howlin’ Rain Cindy Alderson Carleen Hefel $2.10 4th 1 Vivideel Tony & Calvin McEvoy Harry Coffey Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 5-3 $38.00 Exacta 5-3 $63.80 Duet 5-3 $14.10 Duet 5-12 $33.40 Duet 3-12 $3.30 Trifecta 5-3-12 $533.60 First Four 5-3-12-1 $3,549.10 Running Double (5,6) 13-5 $55.00 Horse racing news View the full article

Derby Day at Flemington promises another chapter in trainer Chris Waller‘s dominance, with his mare Atishu leading the charge in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). A two-time Group 1 winner, Atishu seeks her third elite-level victory. Waller previously conquered the Empire Rose Stakes with Red Tracer (2013) and Shillelagh (2018). Last year, Atishu […] The post Waller’s Atishu Favourite for Empire Rose Stakes 2024 at Flemington appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Flemington roars back to life for VRC Derby Day this Saturday, featuring the electrifying Group 1 $2 million Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) for three-year-old sprinters. Ciaron Maher looks set to continue his stellar spring carnival with the clear favourite in Coolmore Stud Stakes betting at Ladbrokes, Growing Empire. This Zoustar colt, piloted by Mark Zahra, […] The post Growing Empire Poised to Conquer Coolmore Stud Stakes 2024 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The curtain rises on the Melbourne Cup Carnival this Saturday with Derby Day at Flemington. The Group 1 $2 million Penfolds Victoria Derby (2500m) takes centre stage, featuring a talented, capacity final field of three-year-old stayers vying for classic glory. Leading the charge is Anthony Cummings‘ star colt El Castello. Fresh off his impressive victory […] The post El Castello Leads the Charge from Wide Out in Victoria Derby 2024 Field appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The Cox Plate Carnival at Moonee Valley took the spotlight across the weekend, while Randwick, Doomben and Ascot held strong cards on Saturday afternoon. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have found three runners that produced strong performances without winning and are worth adding to your blackbook with your chosen bookmaker. Randwick Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: +5m 1600m-W/Post & +3m remainder Race 9: Listed Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m) | Time: 1:27.30 Horse to follow: Territory Express (2nd) Territory Express was heavily backed with horse racing bookmakers before the Five Diamonds Prelude and nearly saluted for his followers over 1500m. Unfortunately, the Paul Niceforo-trained gelding missed the kick by two lengths and was made to work early to hold a position back in the field. Zac Lloyd chose to stick to the inside rail before working his way between runners to finish off strongly. The winner, Iknowastar, was tiring in the final 100m and with Lloyd getting everything out of Territory Express, he lunged on the line but missed by a nose. When to bet: After two big performances to kick off this preparation, Territory Express appears ready to peak third-up in the Five Diamonds on November 9 at Rosehill. Race 6: Group 3 Craven Plate (1800m) | Time: 1:49.29 Horse to follow: Arapaho (4th) Following an underwhelming performance first-up, Arapaho found some form and produced a bottler second-up in the Craven Plate over 1800m. The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding has performed at his best over 1800m and further, so it is expected that his run will bring him on nicely. The son of Lope De Vega settled at the back of the field and struggled to get a run at the top of the straight; however, once he got into clear air, he charged home for fourth place. Considering how well he ran through the line, Arapaho will appreciate a rise in trip third-up. When to bet: Given his rating of 109, Arapaho will have to find a Listed or Group 3 contest over 2000m or further in his next start. If Bjorn Baker can find a race with a similar race shape to last Saturday, he will go very close to winning. Moonee Valley Track rating: Good 4 (up to Good 3 after R5) Rail position: True entire circuit Race 7: Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) | Time: 1:09.13 Horse to follow: I Am Unstoppable (2nd) I Am Unstoppable has been given two incredibly tough tasks in his first two starts for new trainer Ciaron Maher at Warwick Farm and Moonee Valley. First-up, the son of I Am Invincible settled last and flashed home but couldn’t pick up the winner over 1000m before being set a similar task over 1200m second-up. Mark Zahra had to go back from barrier nine of nine, and even though he was very strong late, there was no chance of him catching Baraqiel in the home straight, who had over three lengths on him turning for home. When to bet: Ciaron Maher will no doubt have a race in mind for I Am Unstoppable over the Melbourne Cup Carnival and wherever he goes, he will be hard to beat. Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Recommended! The Better Bettors! Australian-owned and operated bookmaker! Join MarantelliBet 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Horse racing tips View the full article

Growing Empire heads the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes market. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) The Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) will be one of three Group 1 races that will feature on Flemington’s VRC Derby Day program this Saturday afternoon, and a field of 14 runners is expected to do battle down the famous 1200m straight. As expected, many of Australia’s top trainers have a runner engaged in the 2024 Coolmore Stud Stakes, with the likes of Ciaron Maher, Chris Waller and James Cummings training the key market favourites. Leading the market with horse racing bookmakers is the Group 1 Everest placegetter Growing Empire ($4.20), who already has two Group 1 placings to his name and has been nothing short of impressive in his first racing preparation. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt will regain the services of Mark Zahra, who is seeking to remain unbeaten aboard the son of Zoustar in four rides. Hailing from the Godolphin yard, Traffic Warden ($4) will enter the Coolmore fresh off an unfortunate scratching at the barriers prior to The Everest. The son of Street Boss will be five weeks between runs, and his last start runner-up finish behind Broadsiding in the Group 1 Golden Rose reads very well for this $2 million contest. Switzerland ($5) put pay to his rivals in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill on October 12, and he appears to have found his outstanding two-year-old form when he won three on the bounce and headed into the Golden Slipper as one of the key chances. The two fillies entered in the Coolmore sit on the fourth and fifth lines of betting, with Lady Of Camelot ($8) and Bellatrix Star ($13) well-respected in the market. Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott have entered Lady Of Camelot in three straight open-age Group 1 races to kick off her campaign, and now she will drop back to her own age group after finishing fourth in The Everest, only a head off Growing Empire. Mark Walker and Blake Shinn will combine with Bellatrix Star, who has taken the sprinting ranks by storm since making her way over from New Zealand. The daughter of Star Witness brought up a winning hat-trick with her barnstorming finish in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield to beat the older horses in her ninth career start. The chances don’t end there, as First Settler ($15) and Bittercreek ($34) are also expected to feature prominently at double-figure odds with online racing betting sites. The Coolmore Stud Stakes will be race six on the Flemington card and is scheduled to jump at 3:40pm AEDT. 2024 Coolmore Stud Stakes Final Field 1. Growing Empire (9) T: Ciaron Maher J: Mark Zahra W: 57kg F: 1123 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Zoustar Dam: Miles Of Krishan +260 -153.85 2. Coleman (6) T: Matt Laurie J: Ethan Brown W: 57kg F: x662 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Pierata Dam: Sboog +1400 +300 3. Traffic Warden (3) T: James Cummings J: Jamie Kah W: 57kg F: 2×12 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Street Boss (USA) Dam: Efficiently +300 -125 4. Bittercreek (13) T: Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin J: Ben Allen W: 57kg F: 2×71 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Snitzel Dam: Rose Of Cimmaron +3300 +700 5. Switzerland (8) T: Chris Waller J: James McDonald W: 57kg F: 8×91 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Sntizel Dam: Ms Bad Behavior +400 +100 6. First Settler (10) T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr J: Michael Dee W: 57kg F: 1121 Age: 3YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Colt Sire: Written Tycoon Dam: Graciousness +1400 +300 7. Bodyguard (2) T: Peter Snowden J: Hugh Bowman W: 57kg F: 40×9 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: I Am Invincible Dam: Tumooh +4000 +800 8. Gatsby’s (7) T: Chris Waller J: Damian Lane W: 57kg F: 1425 Age: 3YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Colt Sire: Snitzel Dam: Miss Charming +2500 +500 9. Stoli Bolli (5) T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes J: Luke Currie W: 57kg F: 2413 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Deep Field Dam: Champagne Boom +2500 +500 10. Yoshinobu (1) T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald J: Jamie Mott W: 57kg F: x113 Age: 3YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Colt Sire: Written Tycoon Dam: Total Attraction +3000 +600 11. Enriched (14) T: Michael Freedman J: Jye McNeil W: 57kg F: x163 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay/Brown Sex: Colt Sire: I Am Invincible Dam: Miss Atom Bomb +4000 +800 12. Gallant Son (12) T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman J: Luke Nolen W: 57kg F: 1×24 Age: 3YO Colour: Brown Sex: Colt Sire: Written Tycoon Dam: Plucky Belle +3000 +600 13. Lady Of Camelot (4) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Tim Clark W: 55kg F: x374 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Written Tycoon Dam: Miss Debutante +700 +160 14. Bellatrix Star (11) T: Mark Walker J: Blake Shinn W: 55kg F: 5111 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Star Witness Dam: Alana’s Party +1200 +270 Horse racing news View the full article

Josh Parr and El Castello after winning the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au The time-honoured Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) headlines the action at Flemington on Saturday afternoon, with a capacity field of 16 three-year-olds set to do battle for the $2 million prize. The Anthony Cummings-trained El Castello holds the call with horse racing bookmakers as a $3.90 favourite for the event after an impressive victory last Saturday in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick. Joshua Parr takes the reins once again after claiming Group 1 glory but may have his work cut out slotting in for cover after drawing barrier 18 on Thursday morning. Red Aces is on the one-week backup after claiming the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) and gets a terrific opportunity to claim back-to-back wins after drawing barrier four. The Dundeel colt shares the second line of betting at $7.50 alongside King Of Thunder, who will be looking to turn-the-tables after finishing third in the Vase last weekend. James McDonald gets legged aboard the Tavaci gelding for the first time and should gain an economical run throughout the journey from barrier one. Hong Kong-based hoop Hugh Bowman returns to Australia and has booked the ride aboard Keeneland ($9.00), while the Ciaron Maher barn will be represented by Saint Emillion and appears the best of those at double-figure odds. The chances don’t end there, with the likes of China Sea and Goldrush Guru sure to have plenty of admirers at the big odds available. The Group 1 VRC Derby is the second leg of the Flemington quaddie and is scheduled to get underway at 4:20pm local time. 2024 Victoria Derby Final Field 1. El Castello (18) T: Anthony Cummings J: Joshua Parr W: 57kg F: 1111x Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Castelvecchio Dam: Word Games +250 -142.86 2. Red Aces (4) T: Nick Ryan J: Jamie Mott W: 57kg F: 120×1 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Dundeel (NZ) Dam: Cardiac +600 +140 3. Keeneland (11) T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young J: Hugh Bowman W: 57kg F: 31124 Age: 3YO Colour: Black Sex: Gelding Sire: Almanzor (FR) Dam: Savabeel Star (NZ) +900 +188 4. Goldrush Guru (15) T: Andrew Gluyas J: Jamie Kah W: 57kg F: 12211 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: American Pharaoh Dam: Glam Guru +1200 +260 5. Saint Emilion (6) T: Ciaron Maher J: Tim Clark W: 57kg F: 1173x Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Snitzel Dam: Kylikwong +1300 +260 6. Kingofwallstreet (10) T: Matt Cumani J: Michael Dee W: 57kg F: 127 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Dundeel (NZ) Dam: Our Girl Raquie +1700 +320 7. Politely Dun (5) T: Danny O’Brien J: Damian Lane W: 57kg F: 41332 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Dundeel (NZ) Dam: Politeness +1600 +300 8. King Of Thunder (1) T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton J: James McDonald W: 57kg F: 37132 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Tivaci Dam: Sheezababe (NZ) +650 +160 9. Tenbury Wells (14) T: Tenbury Wells J: Blake Shinn W: 57kg F: 51162 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Fastnet Rock Dam: Dowager Queen (NZ) +1700 +320 10. Peru (2) T: Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson J: Declan Bates W: 57kg F: 66638 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Brazen Beau Dam: Salamati (GER) +12500 +2025 11. China Sea (7) T: John Sargent J: Mark Zahra W: 57kg F: 269×0 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Fastnet Rock Dam: Rippled (GB) +1500 +275 12. Hot Too Go (13) T: Danny O’Brien J: Jordan Childs W: 57kg F: 2227x Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Too Darn Hot (GB) Dam: Gogo Grace +4500 +775 13. Scary (8) T: Emma-Lee & David Browne J: Luke Nolen W: 57kg F: 53120 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Shocking Dam: Never Ever (NZ) +3400 +600 14. Oxford Blue (16) T: Julius Sandhu J: Ethan Brown W: 57kg F: 313 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Fiorente (IRE) Dam: Stockpin (NZ) +2500 +475 15. West Indies (17) T: Mark Walker J: Craig Newitt W: 57kg F: 414x Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Fastnet Rock Dam: Anchovy (IRE) +8000 +1250 16. Autumnheat (12) T: Matt Cumani J: Eoin Walsh W: 57kg F: 53944 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Too Darn Hot (GB) Dam: Autumn (NZ) +10000 +1550 17 (1E). War Ribbon (3) T: David Payne J: John Allen W: 57kg F: 1223x Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Calyx (GB) Dam: Motion of Power +1900 +350 18 (2E). Cecchetti (9) T: Matt Cumani J: Daniel Stackhouse W: 57kg F: 437x Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Fiorente (IRE) Dam: Vandancer (NZ) +10000 +1550 Horse racing news View the full article

The first of the Aussie horses are here, a change for SENZ radio, and two NZ records at Ashburton all feature in this week’s News Briefs. The Aussies have landed The first of the Australian visitors for IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup week have landed. The Jess Tubbs-trained quartet of Just Believe, Better Eclipse, One Over All and He’s From Heaven were due to touch down at 8am today. Superstar trotter Just Believe will go straight to the $400,000 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot at Addington on Tuesday, November 12 while One Over All and Auckland Cup winner Better Eclipse will race at Kaikoura next Monday (November 4). He’s From Heaven will race for slot holder Entain in the $500,000 Hill Lee and Scott THE VELOCITY at Addington’s Show Day twilight race meeting on Friday, November 15. Millwood Nike to be a mum Superstar mare Millwood Nike is in foal. Retired with a tendon injury after winning all 17 of her starts, Millwood Nike was recently purchased by Breckon Farms and she has been based at their Ohaupo property in the Waikato for the past month or so. It’s now been confirmed she is in foal to Art Major and reportedly adapting very well to her new life. SENZ to become Sport Nation New Zealand’s only dedicated sports radio and audio platform is evolving, with SENZ rebranding to Sport Nation from November 19. The rebrand marks a new chapter for the station, reflecting its commitment to being the Kiwi voice of sport – by Kiwis, for Kiwis. Sport Nation will continue to deliver the same comprehensive sports coverage, offering fans access to all the sports Kiwis love, 24/7, from local legends to international events, as well as bringing the latest and greatest from the racing world. Keeping it in the family Merlin’s win the NZB Airfreight Ashburton Flying Stakes capped off a good few days for broodmare star Imaginary Bet and Southland breeders Todd and Fleur Anderson. The now 12-year-old mare has had seven foals. A $1m plus earner Merlin (Art Major – Imaginary Bet) is by far the most successful and high profile of them. His win on Monday followed half brother Magician (Captaintreacherous) winning at Addington on Friday night, while his full sister Captains Mistress was second in her Sires’ Stakes heat at Ashburton on Monday and Merlin’s full brother Durrant was third in a race at Invercargill on Sunday. All four were bred by the Anderson’s Taffy Limited. Two NZ records at Ashburton Two New Zealand records were set during Ashburton’s Labour Day meeting on Monday. Dreams Are Free took out the Garrard’s Sires’ Stakes Sophomore Classic when the Nathan Williamson trained and driven colt got the perfect trail behind favourite Jeremiah to win by more than a length in 1:59.2. That lowered the New Zealand 3YO colts and geldings record over 1700 metres set by Hadron Collider, who won in 1:59.5 at Cambridge Raceway in April this year. And Got The Chocolates, driven by John Dunn, eclipsed the 2YO Colts and Geldings 1700m mobile record when he won the Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stake Heat in 1:58.1. That was just under Franco Indie’s record of 1:58.2, also set at Ashburton, in 2021. Big leads in respective premierships With two months of the year to go the drivers’ and trainers’ premierships are looking pretty clear-cut. In the drivers Robert and Jenna Dunn are poised to win another premiership with 126 wins in 2024, 22 ahead of nearest rivals Steve and Amanda Telfer while Blair Orange, on 157 wins, has a sizeable 36-win buffer over John Dunn. Sam Thornley (52) has a nine win lead over Carter Dalgety in the junior drivers’ race. Surgery notification requirements As the Accountable Person you are now responsible for informing HRNZ of any Notifiable Surgeries that a horse in your care has had. The Notifiable Surgeries feature is now available online through your My HRNZ login. If you login online or to your My HRNZ app, and then go to My Horses, you will find the Notifiable Surgeries feature available here. It is straight forward and easy to use. It is a requirement that HRNZ is notified of any surgeries as soon as practical. You will be required to : · Name the Horse · Date of the procedure · Name of Vet · Choose the surgery/procedure A video tutorial on how to use the app can be found here In the case of a horse being gelded, HRNZ must be notified within 5 days. Club News : Methven The Methven Trotting Club action resumes on Friday November 1 with a twilight meeting scheduled to start at 3 pm with the last likely to go about 7.30 p.m. The track is likely to be in first class order on the back of forecasted rain a week prior to the meeting. The programmed is based around lower tier horses and most of the races are short distance. The club in conjunction with the Canty Owners Association will once again provide a BBQ and drink for owners, trainers and stablehands over the last few races. This has been very popular with connections and many thanks to Nigel and Brenda Armstrong for their selfless efforts. View the full article

By Brigette Solomon Cambridge trainer Nicky Chilcott has rounded out the year’s final Trot into Tuesday meeting at her home track with a winning training double. “It was a great night, I was rapt with the horses and a few of their owners were on course to enjoy it which was awesome,” said Chilcott. Chilcott’s first winner of the night was Katies Princess who took out the Flair Junior Drivers Trophy Mobile Pace driven by stable employee and junior driver Leah Hibell. In a confident drive by Hibell, Katies Princess was sent forward off the mobile and after some early work eventually found the lead over Baileys Pitch. From there Hibell rated the mare well and despite some pressure down the back from the parked Heaven High, Katies Princess was too good, letting down to score the win by 1.75 lengths. “It was fantastic for her owners the Messengers who made the trip up from Inglewood to watch her tonight and it was a great drive from Leah, she showed confidence out there and drove her really well,” said Chilcott, “Leah’s won five races on her now and has developed a good association with the mare.” The five-year-old mare by Raging Bull now has seven lifetime wins to her name and earnings just shy of $60,000. Later in the evening, Chilcott drove Alwaysbesecret to her maiden victory taking out the Garrards Horse and Hound Mobile Pace for Fillies and Mares. “I actually thought she would have won a race sooner but it has taken her some time to get the hang of racing despite running a few places on the way,” said Chilcott, “this was her third week in a row racing which was the only question mark but it turned out to be her best run yet.” From a starting draw of four, Chilcott sent Alwaysbesecret forward to lead and remained in front from there on out. In the home straight Spirited Peggy who had trailed the winner, issued a strong challenge up the passing lane and at one stage looked to head Chilcott’s horse, but Alwaysbesecret rallied and fought hard to win by a head. “She is still a bit weak yet and probably about 12 months away from being the full package but it’s great for the owners that we’ve been able to have some fun with her and get a win,” said Chilcott, “she’ll probably head to the paddock for a spell now.” Peter Ferguson also scored a winning driving double last night winning race 1, the Blue Water Waikato Handicap Trot with Crackerjack for trainers Dylan and Jo Ferguson. His next win was with Ruby Ridge in the Christmas At The Raceway Handicap Trot for the Pukekohe-based training partnership of Peter and Vaughan Blanchard. It was the Majestic Son mare’s 10th lifetime win. View the full article

The countdown is on for the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) this Saturday at Rosehill, with the barrier draw adding another layer of intrigue to this year’s race. Japanese trainer Yoichi Kuroiwa attempts to achieve a historic feat with Ascoli Piceno, the early favourite at $4.80 in Golden Eagle 2024 betting at Ladbrokes despite her […] The post 2024 Golden Eagle Field & Betting Preview appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Cicero Farms' homebred 3-year-old filly Hope Road, winner of three straight races by five or more lengths, has been made the 6-5 morning-line favorite in the $200,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3), which kicks off the stakes undercard Nov. 2 at Del Mar.View the full article

Breeders' Cup NotebookView the full article

Ascot Park trainer Jo-Ann Gordon has taken a patient approach with giant gelding Polly’s Guru (NZ) (Gallant Guru), and she is hoping she can be rewarded when he lines-up in the Southland Honda Maiden (1600m) at her local meeting on Friday. The five-year-old son of Gallant Guru made his debut at Gore last week where he finished runner-up over 1335m, much to the delight of Gordon, and her only concern heading into Friday is his barrier draw of two. “I am really happy with him, he is just really green,” Gordon said. “The only thing that I am concerned about is the inside draw because he is about 18 hands with a very large stride. “Hopefully we can get off the fence and just let him get into a rhythm. “He is still pretty weak. He will start on Friday, we will see how he gets through that, and perhaps have one more start at Invercargill and then he will have a spell again. “He is a long way off, but he is a really nice horse with a really good turn of foot for a big fella.” Stablemate Small Town Belle was also runner-up at Gore last week and will be looking to go one better in the Southport Handicap (1400m) on Friday. Gordon bought the daughter of Belardo off Gavelhouse.com last year for $1,100 and said it has taken her a little longer than desired to strip into race condition. “I bought her last November off Gavelhouse and she was so fat it took me six months to get the weight off her, that is why she was a wee bit disappointing last campaign,” she said. “This campaign she has come up and she is fit, which makes a massive difference. She has worked on well after Gore, so I expect her to go well again.” Gordon will also line-up Sutherland in the Heineken Handicap (2200m). “Sutherland just hated that sticky track at Gore and when he doesn’t like something he doesn’t go, and that shows in his form, he looks like he runs a bit hot and cold,” Gordon said. “2200m is more his go anyway, and I think he will go 100 times better than he did at Gore. We are due for a bit of rain on Thursday night, so the track shouldn’t be sticky, it will be looser, which will be his cup of tea. Signwriter finished seventh on debut at Gore last week and Gordon is hoping the addition of blinkers will aid the gelding’s chances this week in the McCallums Group Maiden (1200m), “Because of the lack of trials here, Signwriter hadn’t been anywhere for two years. I thought his start at Gore wasn’t the worst for a very green horse that would have usually had a couple of trials,” she said. “He will definitely be an improved run than what he was at Gore, the blinkers will improve him straight away. “I worked him in blinkers and he worked really nice with them, he really got up on the bit. He seems to have woken up. “I initially had him in the 1400m, but I have cut him back to 1200m. Gordon’s contingent on Friday will be rounded out by Holy Snitz in the ILT Foundation Maiden (1400m), and she is hoping for more luck than her first-up run at Gore. “The start at Gore with Holy Snitz you definitely have to disregard, she was a victim of circumstance, and because it was her first start, I think she panicked when they came over on her, which made the situation even worse,” Gordon said. “Krishna (Mudhoo, jockey) was confident that she was going to run in the first three in Gore before she got cleaned up. “We would just like a clean run with her and she should go okay.” View the full article

Stablemates Master Marko (NZ) (Contributer) and Prince Alby (NZ) (Sacred Falls) will end their northern tours of duty at Trentham before their focus switches to feature events closer to home. The Kelvin Tyler-trained duo will return to the South Island after Saturday’s meeting with major targets to chase during New Zealand Cup week at Riccarton. Master Marko will drop back in trip in the Courtesy Ford Redcraze Bowl (1400m) following his bold effort to finish fifth in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m). “I was really rapt and it did suit him with the style of racing at Te Rapa, which favoured on-pace runners and the back ones just couldn’t make ground,” Tyler said. “He goes forward and puts himself in the race, so I was thrilled with him.” Master Marko was given an easy time following the Livamol and the drop back in distance at Trentham will be a snug fit for the son of Contributer. “He had a quiet week after the Livamol and his next main target will be the TAB Classic (Gr.3, 1600m) at Riccarton, in my eyes his best distance is probably a mile,” Tyler said. “It will be a wet track on Saturday, it will be tough going so 1400m on that sort of going should be ideal. “He’s a tough horse and a really good eater who gets over his races well.” While the relocation of the Livamol to Te Rapa suited Master Marko, it didn’t favour Prince Alby who finished at the tail of the field and will bid to turn his form around in the Mode Technology Feilding Cup (2100m). “Both him and Lightning Jack went back and they just couldn’t make ground, it was a frontrunners’ track,” Tyler said. Prince Alby had previously finished out of the money in an open handicap at Matamata. “I tried to keep him a bit fresh for those races, but when they got transferred from Hastings to Matamata and Te Rapa it just changed the dynamic and I think he’ll be a different horse on Saturday,” Tyler said. Safely through the weekend, Prince Alby will head to the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton. Tyler will be represented by Radiant Reach and Zambezi Flyer at Friday’s Southland meeting at Ascot Park with the former his best chance of success. The daughter of Vadamos will resume in the Southport Handicap (1400m) and her previous success at Gore came off a spell. “It’s been quite hard to get horses ready in the deep south, we’ve had no jump-outs since May,” Tyler said. “It’s been pretty tough going but we’re on the other side of it now and Radiant Reach will be my best. “She’s a bit older now and very capable and won fresh-up last season. She’s been working well and I’d be disappointed if she wasn’t in for a good year.” View the full article

As New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame trainer Graeme Rogerson prepares for his shot at again winning racing’s Holy Grail, he has revealed: “I’m just lucky to be alive”. Rogerson and his wife Debbie will produce three-time Group One winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood) in next Tuesday’s $A8.56 million Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington but the larger-than-life trainer has already tasted victory in a much bigger event. Earlier this year, Rogerson underwent life-saving cardiac surgery. It took months before he was fully recovered and while he still bears the scars of that ordeal, “Rogey” can’t help finding himself looking at the bright side of life. “Every day now is a good day,” he said. Rogerson revealed that his surgeon had told him his heart was operating at only 50 percent efficiency. “Now I’ve had the operation, I’ve got the other half working,” he quipped. “I didn’t know that when they saw you in half, it would cut you up so much. But I’ve got through it. They said (the recovery) would take six months and I’ve got two-and-a-half months to go. Then I’d like to think I might find another good horse.” That next good horse has a high bar to reach to compare with the Rogersons’ current star, Sharp ‘N’ Smart. A winner of the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) in Sydney, the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa, Smart ‘N’ Smart was last year’s New Zealand Horse of the Year. While a bug prevented him from racing at his best as a four-year-old, he has returned as a stronger spring five-year-old, as demonstrated by his last-start third placing in last Friday’s Gr.2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m), a performance that confirmed he was on song for the Melbourne Cup. “It was very good when you look at it from the sectionals, and you’ve got to remember he had 59 kilos. He’s only got 53 and a half in the Cup,” Rogerson said. “In racing, weights and measures mean a lot. He’s well off in the Cup, he’s got a lot going for him. He just needs an ounce of luck.” A 12-time New Zealand champion trainer with 55 Group One wins to his name, including Savabeel’s Cox Plate and Polar Success’ Golden Slipper, Rogerson has a proud history in the Melbourne Cup. Working closely with Lloyd Williams, Rogerson bought 1978 Cup winner Arwon and 1985 Cup winner What A Nuisance. And Rogerson got to hoist his own trainer’s Cup when he produced Efficient to win the 2007 feature in Williams’ colours. “When you win one, you want to win another, then another. Lloyd’s won seven,” Rogerson said. “You never know for two miles until they go up (in distance) but this horse shows every attribute needed to get it. He’s got to the stage now where he wants to relax. He reminds me of Arwon and What And Nuisance. “He’s going to have to be at his top of his game, but I think he’s not far from it. The only thing he doesn’t want is a wet track.” With Rogerson recovering from his heart surgery, Debbie has navigated Sharp ‘N’ Smart’s campaign, and her work has only earned accolades from one of racing’s most renown hard-markers. “She’s done a super job. He had a bad bacterial virus and while he showed glimpses, he never produced his best form from when he was a three-year-old,” Rogerson said. “But Debbie’s done a hell of a job to get him back. Now, he’s not far away. It would be lovely to win it. It would be good for New Zealand. But if not, we’ll be back again to try next year.” View the full article

Via Sistina ridden by James McDonald winning the 2024 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Via Sistina, the dominant winner of the 2024 Cox Plate (2040m) will not line-up in Tuesday’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington. Despite the ease with which she disposed of one of the best Cox Plate fields, owners Yulong Investments confirmed the news on X on Tuesday morning that their star mare would bypass the race that stops the nation. “The Cox Plate has always been her main target, to win it is nothing short of a dream,” the tweet read from the official Yulong Investments account. “Following this peak performance and after much consideration, it has been decided she will not contest the 2024 Melbourne Cup. “We look forward to taking aim at the G1 Champions Stakes a week on Saturday (November 11).” The Chris Waller-trained mare will now head to the Group 1 VRC Champions Stakes (2000m) on November 11 as she looks to add a fourth Group 1 win this campaign. Prior to her withdrawal, Via Sistina was a $7 winning hope with horse racing bookmakers for the Melbourne Cup. Just 33 horses remain in contention for the Melbourne Cup following the withdrawal of market fancies Jan Brueghel and Via Sistina over the last 24 hours. Horse racing news View the full article

The gates are scheduled to open at 9:30 a.m. on Friday. Post time for the first race is 11:35 and the first Breeders' Cup race goes off at 2:45. But long before those bright-eyed Breeders' Cup attendees begin filling the grandstands of Del Mar, the backside will have been awake for hours. For those back in the barns as Breeders' Cup morning dawns, in many ways it's just like any other day. It is the same routine of raking barn aisles, topping off water buckets, checking temps, preparing feed, wrapping legs, walking hots and passing out peppermints. And in other ways, it is very much not like any other day. It's the grand finale of a year's worth of highs and lows, celebrations and disappointments, sweat, sore muscles and impossibly long hours, all to get a horse to the Breeders' Cup. “It's the pinnacle of the racing year,” said Lee Vickers, an assistant trainer for Christophe Clement who works with Breeders' Cup Turf starter Far Bridge (English Channel). “It's the culmination of the year. When you're going into these big races, that's where the year ends and that's where you want to go.” “Getting on a horse that's going into a big race like the Breeders' Cup, it's so exciting,” said Jeramie Fennell, the exercise rider of Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf-bound Minaret Station (Instilled Regard). “There are times that I'll think about it and I almost want to cry about it, you know? There are tears of joy because it's very exciting for this team to get to send a horse to a race like that.” The Arthur's Ride team includes exercise rider Damian Hinds and longtime Bill Mott assistant and groom Erma Scott | Sara Gordon The TDN's Breeders' Cup Connections project was about the horses, yes. But more than that, it was a tribute to the individuals behind the athletes. It was created to celebrate the horsemen who live for grandiose days packed with Grade I racing, but also quiet afternoons in sleepy stalls and an unexpected win from the barn's favorite claimer. “I love racing and I love everything about what we do, but I just really love horses,” said Katie Tolbert, an assistant trainer for Brad Cox who is also the exercise rider for Classic contender Highland Falls (Curlin). “It's fun just to be in the barn and see them grow and learn and be successful, to see them do what they're bred to do.” “One thing about me is I'm going to try to do my best, it doesn't matter what kind of horse you put me on,” said Carlos Rosas, the exercise rider for Turf Sprinter Cogburn (Not This Time) who has worked for trainer Steve Asmussen for the past 21 years. “It can be a really cheap horse, like a $5,000 claimer, or a stakes horse.” In an industry that can oftentimes appear rather uniform, this project organically wound up featuring people from a multitude of backgrounds. Jeramie Fennell and Lee Vickers are both former jockeys. While Fennell grew up in South Dakota and started riding Quarter Horse races at age 16, Vickers is from Yorkshire, England and followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather in becoming a jockey in England before he moved to the U.S. to work for Christophe Clement in 2010. Carlos Rosas and Cogburn this summer in Saratoga | Sarah Andrew Exercise rider Damian Hinds and assistant trainer/groom Erma Scott have formed a fast friendship during their time working for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and that bond has only strengthened this year through their shared adoration of Classic contender Arthur's Ride (Tapit). While Hinds discovered a passion for the sport while attending the races in Jamaica with his uncle, Scott was working at a restaurant in New Orleans when she landed a job with Mott. Now in her 70's, she has been a beloved member of Mott's racing stable for decades. Then there was Byron López and Edgar Revolorio, both grooms from Guatamala who shared their story with us in Spanish, but the passion they have for their horses broke through any language barriers. “I am motivated by the horses,” said López, who is the groom of Classic contender Fierceness (City of Light) and has been responsible for other Grade I winners like Malathaat (Curlin) and Life at Ten (Malibu Moon) during his 24 years of working for Todd Pletcher. “They are so affectionate and I get along with my horses well. I never really liked to work, but I like working here. It has been a lot of years and I just got used to it. It became home. I feel good working at the stable with everybody around.” Of course, the thing that brings this wide assortment of horsemen and women together is their passion for the horse. At one point or another, every one of them discovered a love for the animal and never looked back. Carlos Rosas had just moved from his home in Mexico to work a landscaping job in Texas when he spotted horses grazing in nearby pastures. He asked his boss if he could stop trimming hedges and instead, start looking after the horses on the farm. Over the 30 plus years since, Rosas has ridden champions like Curlin, Gun Runner and Midnight Bisou. Katie Tolbert grew up in South Carolina looking for any opportunity she could find to get her hands on a horse. She never had one of her own as a kid, but would clean stalls in exchange for time on horseback. After working at Juddmonte Farm and Sagamore Farm, she landed a job with trainer Brad Cox and has ridden stars like Essential Quality, Cyberknife and Idiomatic. Jeramie Fennell knew he wanted to dedicate his life to the industry from a young age, but he came close to giving up his career because addiction was taking over his life. He learned about a program called Stable Recovery, where men in the early stages of recovery from addiction are placed in a supportive, therapeutic community that was centered around horses. “I talked to a guy there named Christian Counselor, and he asked me, 'Are you ready to change your life?' And I said, 'Yes, I am,'” recalled Fennell. “I said, 'I'm open minded and willing to do anything, go to any length, to change my life because I just want to be on the backside of a racetrack on a horse.'” Jeramie Fennell and Juvenile Turf contender Minaret Station | Katie Petrunyak Fennell graduated from Stable Recovery this spring and landed a job with Will Walden. Now, he is the exercise rider for Walden's first Breeders' Cup contender, Minaret Station. Getting a horse to the Breeders' Cup is no easy task and oftentimes, it takes a lot of luck. Some of the stars of this series will be snug in their stalls this weekend, but the stories of their caretakers are just as inspiring. Priscilla Schaefer, who grew up working cattle on horseback on her family's ranch in Idaho, rode this year's GI Belmont and GI Haskell hero Dornoch (Good Magic). Zurdo Estrada, the groom of GI Beholder Mile victress Sweet Azteca (Sharp Azteca), spends hours in the barn after morning training has wrapped up each day simply because he loves being around the horses. Taylor Cambra, an assistant for Richard Mandella who shares a bond with GI California Crown victor Subsanador (Arg) (Fortify), works every day towards his dreaming of becoming a trainer. Through this series, we've learned tiny details about each Breeders' Cup star that only those closest to the horse would know. Like how Minaret Station often teases Jeramie Fennell as he walks down the barn aisle, playfully nipping at the saddle Fennell is carrying. Or how Fierceness is always in a better mood if Byron López gives him a peppermint before he starts working with him each morning. And how Arthur's Ride can sometimes have some toddlerish tendencies, but loves when Erma Scott sings and dances with him. Lee Vickers and Far Bridge | Sarah Andrew “He's just like a baby,” Scott said. “He likes to play. He likes to eat his carrots. If I call him, he looks up at me. He's special. We all love him. We love all our horses and we take care of our horses. They're our hearts.” And that's the 'why' for each of these connections. The horse is at the heart of everything they do. “I think that's the only reason I do it,” said Katie Tolbert. “I mean, there are plenty of jobs where you can make more money or have a better schedule or whatever, but it's the only thing I want to do.” “This job is no days off,” said Carlos Rosas. “If you love it, you're going to do it. I want to do this for as long as I can. I just love racing, I love the horses and I don't want to do anything else.” So cheers to the connections of this year's class of Breeders' Cup performers. Through this project, hopefully you may know a few new names. More than likely there will be plenty of faces that you don't recognize, but if you look closely, you'll know where to find them. They'll be the ones sitting on a straw bale by a stall keeping their horse relaxed before they make their way to the paddock, the ones waiting anxiously with shanks slung over their shoulders as the field enters the starting gate, and ultimately, the ones who so graciously hand over the reins so that the owner can be in the spotlight as a champion stride into the winner's circle. Click here to view each feature from Breeders' Cup Connections. The post Cheers to the Connections appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

David Eustace has three wins through his debut Hong Kong season. Riding high after a breakthrough double in Hong Kong on Sunday afternoon at Happy Valley, trainer David Eustace returns to the iconic city circuit on Wednesday armed with a trio of runners as he aims to build on a productive weekend. “The support’s been quite good and thankfully they’ve ran well. It gives you encouragement that whatever you’re doing and the routines the horses are in are working,” Eustace said. All three of Eustace’s wins have come at the Valley. He arrived in Hong Kong at the start of this season after achieving enormous success in partnership with Ciaron Maher in Australia. Swift Ascend provided Eustace with his initial Hong Kong victory. The Lord Kanaloa gelding returns to Class 3 this week after resuming victoriously on October 9 in Class 4. “I’m very happy with him. He was pretty fit going into his first run, so it’s just been a case of keeping him fresh, well and happy,” Eustace said. “His gallops have been good and his appetite has remained the same, so hopefully he can make that step into Class 3.” Andrea Atzeni partners the five-year-old from gate two, assigned 126lb. Super Joy N Fun (132lb), Sugar Sugar (131lb), Divano (130lb), Gustosisimo (129lb), Happy Fat Cat (129lb), Magniac (128lb), Harmony Fire (127lb), Beauty Infinity (126lb), Scotch Tycoon (125lb), Sergeant Pepper (121lb) and Bits Superstar (120lb) also feature in the nightcap. “I’m probably encouraged by the fact that he was still a bit green and having a look around when he hit the front. That tells me there is still some improvement there with racing,” Eustace said. Eustace’s first double in Hong Kong came via Charity Gain and Young Emperor. Debutant Hailtothevictors represents the 32-year-old in the second section of the Class 4 Bedford Handicap (1650m) under Vincent Ho. Ho has nine wins from the past five fixtures. Hailtothevictors breaks from gate eight. Eustace said: “He’s a nice horse. I think the Valley will pose a challenge for him but the timing is right for him to run and he’s a horse that we like. I’m sure he will probably need the experience. I think he’s a horse with a future this season.” The three-year-old has trialled three times ahead of his first start with Ho, including once at Happy Valley. The bay made ground late in his most recent practice effort at Sha Tin. An off-season stable transfer, Speedy Fortune lines up for Eustace with Atzeni up from barrier one. “He ran great first-up and will definitely come on for the run. He was fresh, well and will definitely strip that bit fitter. This is a suitable race,” Eustace said. Defeated by Double Show last start on October 9 by one length, Speedy Fortune meets the Douglas Whyte-trained galloper again on Wednesday. Double Show will carry 125lb from gate 10, while Speedy Fortune lugs 135lb. Eustace is the nephew of former Hong Kong trainer David Oughton, best known for the heroics of sprinting ace Cape Of Good Hope – a winner at Royal Ascot (at York) in 2005. Oughton also handled San Domenico, Che Sara Sara, Idol and Precision. Eustace’s father James is a former trainer. His brother Harry also trains, recently contesting the Group 1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) with Docklands, who is entered for December’s HK$126 million Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin. Horse racing news View the full article

Aidan O’Brien says Racing Victoria got Jan Brueghel decision wrong. Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien says his opinion and those of Racing Victoria stewards on unbeaten star Jan Brueghel differ wildly and he firmly believes he was the horse to beat in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup. Racing Victoria made the tough decision to scratch the Melbourne Cup favourite on Tuesday morning, following scans, with the tough protocol surrounding international runners a major point of contention for O’Brien and other overseas trainers. O’Brien told Sky Sports said the ruling had been based off opinion, rather than fact, and he was confident the three-year-old could notch up a fifth successive victory. “No, everything was perfect,” O’Brien said. “He went through all the hoops, he had all the scans, and then there was another scan he had to do down there. Our vets looked at them and said they were fine, but the Australian vets weren’t happy with them.” O’Brien had been confident he could go one better than his two runner-ups in the Melbourne Cup with Jan Brueghel, with gun jockey Ryan Moore carrying just 54kg, but stewards ruled against the Irish stayer. “It’s unlucky for us, probably lucky for them because we think he’s a Group 1 horse proper,” O’Brien said. “An improving Group 1 horse in a handicap (carrying 54kg) with Ryan Moore on him… It’s easy to say it now but we thought he was a massive handicap blot. But that’s the way it is; they’re the rules and that’s what they decided.” O’Brien said Jan Brueghel may set his sights on Hong Kong racing, with several lucrative mile and half staying races coming up in the next few months, including the Hong Kong International Races. “We’ll get him back, regroup and we’ll see if we can take him to Hong Kong for the mile and a half and go from there,” O’Brien said. With Cox Plate winner Via Sistina also in doubt for the Melbourne Cup, Buckaroo ($6), Onesmoothoperator ($6.50) and last year’s favourite Vauban ($7) have been backed heavily. Horse racing news View the full article

Carrying a foal by hot sire Justify on Southern Hemisphere time, stakes-placed April Vintage (Vino Rosso) topped the Inglis Digital USA October Sale Tuesday when selling to Widden Stud of Australia for $180,000. More details on the mare and her consignment by WinStar Farm are available here. “She is an outcross to our traditional Australian sire lines and the fact that she showed good, natural speed as a 2-year-old was important,” said Antony Thompson of Widden Stud. “Physically, she looks suitable to plenty of our own stallions, and buying through a digital platform is something we have become very comfortable with thanks to Inglis's platform in Australia. She made a bit more than we thought, but she was an appealing offering and it makes sense that there was good demand for her. We'll now be bringing down two mares in foal to Justify from America as we also bred to him.” WinStar's Elliott Walden added, “We're excited about the result and glad she's headed to Widden. It makes sense that the Australians wanted her. It is great to be able to market our horses to a global audience without them leaving their office.” Inglis Digital USA offered 67 horses in Tuesday's online auction, grossing $417,250 with an average of $16,990. The highest-priced horse of racing age was Wake Surf (Classic Empire), who was offered by Tareq Moubarak and sold to G.O.A.T. Racing Stables for $55,000. G.O.A.T. Racing Stables, a New York-based partnership managed by Shawn Klotz with trainers Robert Falcone, Jr. and Wayne Potts, bought six horses Tuesday for a total of $122,500. Among the purchases made by Craig and Carrie Brogden's Machmer Hall were a racing/broodmare prospect named Splashy (Flatter), who was sold by Adelphi Racing Club for $50,000. “October was our largest sale to date,” said Kyle Wilson, Inglis Digital USA Senior Director of Sales & Recruitment. “We had bidding from all levels and all corners of the globe. We appreciate the support from all our buyers and sellers. It's been great to be a part of the growth of Inglis Digital USA and I'm looking forward to our next sale in December.” Entries are now open through Monday, Nov. 25 for the Inglis Digital USA December Sale. The catalogue will be released Friday, Nov. 29 and bidding will open Wednesday, Dec. 4. For more information, visit inglisdigitalusa.com. The post April Vintage Tops Inglis Digital USA’s October Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DEL MAR, CA – With the rising sun attempting to make its way out of a dense cloud cover, contenders for Saturday's $7-million GI Breeders' Cup Classic were out in force during about a 30-minute window following the renovation break at Del Mar Tuesday morning. 'TDN Rising Star' Newgate and Pyrenees, a pair of blaze-faced, 4-year-old sons of the all-conquering Into Mischief, both entered on their toes and filled the frame nicely while training with good energy. Newgate, listed at a very generous 20-1 on the morning-line, adds blinkers for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert following a fantastic third with a wide trip off the bench in the inaugural $1-million GI California Crown Stakes at Santa Anita. The Cherie DeVaux-trained Pyrenees was last seen finishing second behind Highland Falls (Curlin) in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup. Into Mischief has been represented by seven Breeders' Cup winners, led by 2020 Classic hero Authentic. Newgate making a very nice impression this morning. Live at a price in the Classic. pic.twitter.com/kv0nZZwsxt — Steve Sherack (@SteveSherackTDN) October 29, 2024 Mike Repole's homebred full-brothers 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) and Mentee (City of Light) (Juvenile Turf)–more on the Todd Pletcher-trained duo in a feature in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Preview Edition–hit the track together sporting their white bridles just before 8:00 a.m. The heart-stopping GI Travers Stakes winner seeks to become the first GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner to double up in the Classic. It is yet to happen from eight previous attempts. Speaking of white bridles, the aforementioned Highland Falls made a nice impression in his first local spin over the surface after arriving from Brad Cox's Churchill Downs base Monday. Fellow chestnut Rattle N Roll (Connect), the lone Classic entrant stuck on the also-eligible list, was under a snug hold by Danny Ramsey while galloping down the stretch. You didn't need need to wait to see their yellow Classic saddle towels to help identify stunning grays Arthur's Ride (Tapit) and Next (Not This Time) during their morning exercise. The runaway GI Whitney Stakes winner looks to bounce back after a disappointing fifth as the favorite in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. The streaking marathon man will put his well-documented, seven-race winning streak on the line while cutting back to the 1 1/4-mile Classic distance. 'TDN Rising Star' and $2.3-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling topper Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), along for third in the Travers, was reaching out very nicely during his easy gallop for Chad Brown. Tacked up with no shortage of red-and-white equipment for Yoshito Yahagi, Sierra Leone's closely related, rail-drawn rival Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) wasn't far behind while breezing five furlongs in 1:04 (5/8). The two finished just noses apart in second and third after racing shoulder to shoulder in the GI Kentucky Derby. Up close with Classic contender Forever Young pic.twitter.com/Woduz1ilSj — Steve Sherack (@SteveSherackTDN) October 29, 2024 Yahagi put on a show winning two Breeders' Cup races with Marche Lorraine (Jpn) (Distaff) and Loves Only You (Jpn) (Filly & Mare Turf) the last time the Championships were held at Del Mar in 2021. And how about this to close out the morning? Classic morning-line favorite and 'TDN Rising Star' City of Troy (Justify) left the quarantine area and followed his GI Breeders' Cup Turf-bound stablemate Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) as part of an 11-deep brigade from trainer Aidan O'Brien, who was on hand to watch. Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) (Mile), trained by Aidan's son Donnacha, capped the group to make it a dozen. The team walked and jogged one clockwise lap before having an easy gallop of the same mile circuit. The G1 Epsom Derby winner did get a bit warm, but not at all uncommon for O'Brien's runners, especially during their first morning of trackwork. Classic ML favorite City of Troy and the Aidan Army pic.twitter.com/5Imq0x5vdR — Steve Sherack (@SteveSherackTDN) October 29, 2024 Editor's Note: Last year's Classic runner-up Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) worked a bullet five furlongs in :59.40 (1/8) over the main track at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. He is listed at 20-1 on the morning-line for Saturday's renewal. The post Tuesday’s Breeders’ Cup Report: Classic Contenders Take the ‘City’ by Storm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Finger Lakes-based trainer James Acquilano, who has been training at the Farmington, New York track since 1981, won the 2,000th race of his career Tuesday when Jersey Gregg (Uncaptured) captured the 4th race, a six-furlong maiden claimer. Acquilano not only trains, but also owns, the 4-year-old gelding, who won by five lengths. All but 39 of Acquilano's 2,000 wins have been at his home track. The post Trainer James Acquilano Hits 2,000-Win Milestone appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stay and Scam will take on stablemate Just Nails and stakes winner Kissed by Fire Nov. 1 in the $200,000 Senator Ken Maddy Stakes.View the full article