Wandering Eyes

There are 15 horse racing meetings set for Australia on Saturday, October 26. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Moonee Valley, Randwick, Doomben, Ascot & Darwin. Saturday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – October 26, 2024 Moonee Valley Racing Tips Randwick Racing Tips Doomben Racing Tips Ascot Racing Tips Darwin Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on October 26, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? Full terms. 2 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 5 Next Gen Racing Betting pickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Group winner and G1 Cheveley Park Stakes runner-up Daylight (Fr) (Earthlight {Ire}) will be offered by Haras de Beaumont during the first evening of the Vente d'Élevage on Saturday 7 December at Arqana. A winner on her debut in the spring and third in the G3 Prix du Bois on her second outing, Daylight struck at Group level when winning the G3 Prix de Cabourg at Deauville The juvenile boasts a rating of 110 and is out of the Group-placed mare Latita. Haras de Beaumont's Pauline Chehboub commented, “She's a filly that has stood out for her consistency and talent since we acquired her at the yearling sales. She's exceptional, with a high cruising speed and superb acceleration. “We have no doubt of her potential over a longer distance in the future, and with our partners, after her Cheveley Park run we definitely wanted to enter her in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. She has a great future.” The post High-Class Juvenile Daylight Added To Vente d’Élevage Catalogue At Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Derby winner Masar (Ire) is set to relocate from Darley's Dalham Hall Stud to Sunnyhill Stud in Ireland for 2025. A son of New Approach (Ire), Masar finished third behind Saxon Warrior in the 2,000 Guineas before he landed the Derby at Epsom, where he beat that same rival [4th] and four-time Group 1 scorer Roaring Lion [3rd]. However, Masar covered just 10 mares in 2024 at a fee of £10,000 and he is now set to stand at Michael Hickey's Sunnyhill Stud in County Kildare next year. A statement released by Darley read, “Masar made history in 2018, becoming the first horse to ever carry the Godolphin blue silks to victory in the Derby and has enjoyed success as a sire since, with a number of promising horses from his first two crops.” It continued, “Darley is pleased to continue their relationship with Sunnyhill Stud who have previously stood Godolphin star Doyen, who has since returned to Kildangan Stud in his retirement. “The team at Darley would like to thank all of the breeders who have supported Masar at Dalham Hall Stud and wish Sunnyhill Stud every success with him in the future.” The post Derby Winner Masar Relocates To Sunnyhill Stud In Ireland For 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every month HRNZ picks at random an owner and breeder of the month. The only proviso is that their horse must have won a race during the month. September’s winners were Jason Lissette as owner of the month. He’s part of the syndicate that race Iron Brigade who won at Cambridge on September 3 while the breeder of the month was Price Bloodstock (Katrina and John Price) after Republican Party’s win in the Hannon Memorial at Oamaru High profile Winton-based breeders the Prices had a double celebration on the day as it turned out. They went back to back at Oamaru, winning the Nevele R Fillies series heat with Ruby Roe before winning the day’s feature the Placemakers Group 3 Hannon Memorial with Republican Party. “We bred, own and train Ruby Roe so it was a very exciting day with a double lot of cheering,” says Katrina Price. “It’s great to see your progeny perform well and then the excitement, pride and often relief if they win. Even more so for a feature race. It’s very fulfilling when your breeding plans and dreams come to fruition.” The Prices will forever be associated with Chicago Bull. He was a once-in-a-generation performer, with 62 wins and over $2.4m in stakes. “Chicago Bull has set the bar pretty high but we are very proud of Republican Party, he always tries so hard.” “His dam, Democrat Party was our first ever Group 1 winner as an owner or breeder so she is very special, as are her progeny.” Now bound for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 12, Republican Party has had 16 wins from 40 starts for trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety. “His connections just love him and they have had a lot of fun racing him. He was a lovely horse to work with as a youngster – very willing and intelligent so was always easy to like,” says Katrina. Often prominent at the sales with their yearlings, Price Bloodstock has another big year ahead. “We have 10 mares booked for breeding this season.” Congratulations to both winners and your plaques are on their way. View the full article

Moonee Valley Gold Cup Night 2024. (Photo by George Salpigtidis/Racing Photos) Moonee Valley Gold Cup Night 2024 kicks off the Cox Plate Carnival and an eight-race meeting is set down for decision at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Friday, October 25, 2024. The Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) is set to jump at 9:15pm 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. Race 1 – BM70 Handicap (1600 METRES) Race Replay & Results Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 3 Written In Code Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Blake Shinn $2.70 $1.30 2nd 10 Ataegina Luke Oliver Billy Egan $4.40 3rd 5 Pariah Pearl Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Joao Moreira $2.30 4th 4 Grey Ice Bevan Laming Luke Currie Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 3-10 $32.50 Exacta 3-10 $43.90 Duet 3-10 $9.10 Duet 3-5 $4.00 Duet 10-5 $21.50 Trifecta 3-10-5 $297.60 First Four 3-10-5-4 $1,943.50 Place Your Bets on Upcoming Races With Neds! Race 2 – Country Cup Final (1200 METRES) Race Replay & Results Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 5 She’s Bulletproof Charlotte Littlefield Craig Williams $2.00 $1.16 2nd 8 Joltin’ Joe Paul & Tracey Templeton Joao Moreira $6.00 3rd 4 Mawallock Lindsey Smith Fred Kersley $1.55 4th 7 Core Concept Mark Ashby Daniel Stackhouse Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 5-8 $23.10 Exacta 5-8 $22.10 Duet 5-8 $7.00 Duet 5-4 $2.00 Duet 8-4 $20.70 Trifecta 5-8-4 $130.80 First Four 5-8-4-7 $506.50 Running Double (1,2) 3-5 $5.70 Place Your Bets on Upcoming Races With PlayUp! Horse racing news View the full article

Murray Bridge apprentice Sophie Mitchell, bound for the Darwin Turf Club meeting on Saturday, only kickstarted her career in August. Murray Bridge apprentice Sophie Mitchell has been booked to partner Phil Cole’s Tubthumper, Ny Kee and Aussie Jawsie at Darwin on Saturday. She is one of several interstate jockeys frequenting the NT due to a rider shortage in the territory. “Phil rang my boss Kristi Evans and she rang me on Wednesday and asked if I wanted to go up, I said yes,” Mitchell said. “I’ve only had 21 career starts for one winner, so it was a bit of a shock, but it will be a fantastic experience. “I’ve been to Darwin a couple of times on holiday, I loved it. “I’m surprised and excited to go to Darwin and have a crack. “I rode at Quorn – that’s the only dirt track I’ve ridden on. “I’ve been to Casterton in Victoria, that’s my only interstate trip. “Darwin was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.” With jockey Wayne Davis injured and apprentice Emma Lines on a sabbatical, the Cole stable has relied on other NT jockeys. Born and raised in Murray Bridge, Mitchell debuted at her home-town track in August. She celebrated her first win on Monday at Penola aboard All Beans for Murray Bridge trainer Justin Pickering. Admitting that she doesn’t know anyone in Darwin, the 21-year-old has already shared texts with Cole. “I think I’ve got a few good live chances, so it looks like a promising day out,” Mitchell said. Darwin Guineas winner Tubthumper takes on BM76 sprinters over 1200m but has starred over the trip at the top level. The five-year-old mare was third over 1100m in BM77 company three weeks ago after a seven-month spell, but Doc O’Connor, Bon’s Pride, Mr Cashman, Siakam and Early Crow are quality opposition. It’s a bonus for Tubthumper — an early $10 quote with online bookmakers — that Mitchell claims 4kg, bringing the weight down to 53kg. That also enhances the hopes of Ny Kee over 1100m at 0-58 level and Aussie Jawsie in a 1300m maiden. Four-year-old mare Ny Kee, who had a win and a second on debut in Darwin, was fifth in a 1000m Class 2 last Saturday. Aussie Jawsie was second over 1100m in his NT debut three weeks ago, although the three-year-old filly was 8.3 lengths behind Hotim English. Horse racing news View the full article

Group 1-winning trainer and former Champion jockey David Walsh. Photo: Supplied It’s been over two decades since former Champion jockey and Group 1-winning trainer David Walsh lined up a runner as a trainer, but that drought will come to an end at Riccarton on Saturday when he lines-up Zelia in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (800m). While more known for his decorated riding career, Walsh also had an impressive training record, headlined by Zirna’s win in the Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha in 2003. “I have had over 100 winners, and the first starter I had won at Reefton,” Walsh said. “I won the strike-rate award one year when I had 78 starters for 19 or 20 wins. That was quite a big thing way back then.” While he left training following the 2003/04 season, Walsh continued riding until finally hanging up his boots in 2016 after netting 2262 wins in the saddle. Walsh then transitioned into a career as a riding mentor for New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing where he spent six years guiding the young riding talent in the South Island before he decided it was time to spend some time away from racing. “I had done it (riding mentor) for long enough and felt like I needed a bit of a break away,” Walsh said. “I was working at the driving range down the road by the racecourse for a year and that was awesome. I was doing all sorts of stuff there, which was a long way off what I had been doing and I didn’t have all the travelling.” While he enjoyed his time away from racing, Walsh always felt the lure of returning to training, and he decided the time was right to give it another crack earlier this year when he spotted Zelia in a paddock at Grangewilliam Stud. “I have always had the urge to go back (training),” Walsh said. “It was just a matter of waiting for the right time and right opportunity. This year one thing led to another – I saw this filly I liked, and the stake money is going up. “With the TAB being restructured and Entain coming along, and all the stakes coming up has been great. A couple of years ago, maidens were running for $10,000 and now the same horses can race for $25,000, it is a hell of a lot of difference in a short time. “Things have changed a lot, and for the better. It is an incentive to have another crack, because if you can do the job right, have a bit of luck along the way and get a couple of nice horses, you should be able to do well out of it. “I thought I might as well be a part of this while the money is guaranteed. It all gradually fell into place and here we are with a starter tomorrow.” Walsh was taken with Zelia as soon as he laid eyes on her when visiting Grangewilliam Stud earlier this year, and he is excited about her prospects. “She had been through the Karaka Sales and was withdrawn,” he said. “I saw her at Grangewilliam Stud and I really liked her. John Corcoran, who owned the filly, bought her in Sydney as a weanling to go to Karaka. He was looking to do something with her, so I leased her, and we put a syndicate together, and he is part of it. “She came down here in June and she was a hairy little thing. It is quite incredible in how much she has changed and developed in five months.” The two-year-old daughter of Fierce Impact was fourth in her debut trial at Riccarton Synthetic last month before returning to the Christchurch venue to line-up on the grass a fortnight later where she won her 800m trial by an impressive 12 length margin. Walsh was duly impressed and so were bookmakers, who have installed her a $2.15 favourite for her debut this weekend. “I have always liked the filly, I thought she would go well,” Walsh said. “She only does what she has to on the track, which is good. “The first trial was just barrier practice for her, she hadn’t seen those big overhead gates, and I was quite happy with her first trial. “I was surprised as much as anyone with what she did in her second trial, you don’t expect horses to be doing that. “There has been a little bit of interest in her, but at this stage we are happy to race her.” Walsh currently has three horses in work and said he is looking to expand and will possibly add to his team at next month’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale. “I am looking for new clients. I have got stables at Riccarton with a 12-horse barn, so I am gradually looking to fill it up,” he said. “I would like to look at getting a couple of ready-to-run horses as all the hard work has been done by then. If you get the right one you don’t know what could happen.” Horse racing news
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Alabama Lass will contest the Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) The Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) has produced all of the last six winners of the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), and Matamata trainer Ken Kelso would love to see that trend continue with his classy filly Alabama Lass. Kelso and his wife Bev will send Alabama Lass out as a red-hot $1.45 favourite for the $175,000 feature at Ellerslie on Saturday. The daughter of Alabama Express also shares $3 favouritism with Captured By Love for the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 16. The Kelsos completed the Soliloquy-1000 Guineas double with Legarto two years ago, while Media Sensation won the same two races in back-to-back starts for Peter and Dawn Williams in the spring of 2018. Loire won the 1000 Guineas after being unplaced in the Soliloquy in 2019, and the following year Kahma Lass was runner-up in the Soliloquy and then went one better at Riccarton. The Perfect Pink (2021) and Molly Bloom (2023) both finished fourth in the Soliloquy on the way through to their 1000 Guineas triumphs. Alabama Lass has made a big impression in her short career to date, recording three wins and a placing from four starts. She won by nine and a half lengths on debut at Matamata in February, then ran second behind Captured By Love in the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) in her only other two-year-old appearance. Alabama Lass kicked off her three-year-old season with a dominant victory by three and a half lengths at Taupo. In her most recent start, she turned the tables on Captured By Love and impressively won the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings on September 7. The Kelsos have kept Alabama Lass up to the mark since then with a trial at Matamata on October 8, where she won her 1000m heat by seven lengths. “She’s had a really good six weeks or so since she won the Gold Trail,” Kelso said. “That trip to Hastings is quite a big one for a three-year-old, so we gave her an easy week afterwards and then started to work her up again. “She trialled at Matamata a couple of weeks ago and was quite impressive that day, and we’ve been more than happy with everything she’s done since then as well. She’s doing everything right. She’s eating well and working well. She galloped very nicely at Matamata this week. We’re really looking forward to Saturday.” With all of her four starts so far coming over 1100m or 1200m, the step up to 1400m for the Soliloquy on Saturday is set to answer some of her connections’ questions around what the rest of her season might have in store. “This race is going to be the test to see how far we’re going to get with this filly,” Kelso said. “Going up to 1400m is the next step in the progression. Hopefully it will give us a good idea of whether or not she’ll see out the mile in the Guineas at Riccarton. “She relaxes really nicely in her work and in her races, so we’re hopeful that she can go that little bit further.” Horse racing news
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Love Poem will contest the Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Stephen Marsh has nine three-year-olds still nominated for either the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) or Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next month, and six of them will contest Group races during the Labour Day long weekend. The Cambridge trainer has a total of 20 horses entered across the meetings at Ellerslie, Riccarton, Trentham and Te Rapa, including a three-pronged attack on Saturday’s Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie with 1000 Guineas entries Love Poem, Sexy And I Moet and Hitabell. Snitzel filly Love Poem was bought by Bruce Perry Bloodstock for A$280,000 as a yearling in Sydney, and her value has only increased since then. Her half-sister Estriella has won five of her 11 starts including last Saturday’s Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m), while Love Poem herself was stakes-placed in the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), Group 3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) and Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m) in her three appearances last season. Racing in the colours of Lib Petagna’s JML Bloodstock, Love Poem resumed in maiden company at Te Rapa on September 27 and romped to victory by three and a half lengths. “She was obviously stakes-placed a few times at two, so it was really good to see her come back and put away a pretty talented field of maidens the way she did first-up,” Marsh said. “She’s trained on very well since then. It’s a good field on Saturday. Alabama Lass obviously looks very good, and I was impressed with Andrew Forsman’s filly (Kitty Flash) the other day too. But we’re very happy with Love Poem and she could be the big improver.” Sexy And I Moet finished fourth in her only two-year-old start at Matamata in May, but boasts a perfect two-from-two record this season with stylish wins at Taupo and Tauranga. “Her Taupo win was very good after she was caught wide and covered a lot of ground,” Marsh said. “Then she came out and won very well again last time. Both of those wins were on rain-affected tracks, but I think she’ll be even better suited to drier ground. “She’s certainly not without a chance of picking up some black type in this race on Saturday.” Hitabell, who was bought for just $9,500 from the 2023 National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, is stepping straight up to the big time after winning by two and a quarter lengths over 1100m on debut at Taupo on October 11. “This is a big step up in class and distance for her, but we thought her debut win was very strong,” Marsh said. “She’s progressing well. With emerging fillies like her, it’s nice to give them an early crack at some black type while they’re on their way through.” Alabama Lass dominates the bookmakers market for the Soliloquy Stakes at $1.45, with Love Poem the second favourite at $8.50. Sexy And I Moet is rated a $12 chance, while Hitabell is at $23. Marsh won last year’s Group 3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) with Burn To Shine, and he will attempt to repeat that result on Saturday with the promising Kiwi Skyhawk. The Contributer gelding has been consistently finding the line strongly throughout his four-start career, which has produced a maiden win at Te Rapa in August along with two third placings and a fourth. “Stepping up to the mile at a nice big track, I think this race on Saturday is made to measure for him,” Marsh said. “His runs over those shorter trips have been very good. Going up to 1600m here is going to be absolutely ideal. “He travelled down there last weekend and has settled in nicely. The one sticking point is that there’s a fair bit of rain expected, but it’s been quite warm weather lately and I’m hoping the track will be able to cope with a bit of rain. “This should be a lovely lead-up to the Guineas for him.” On Monday at Te Rapa, Marsh has Super Photon and Erin Go Bragh lining up in the Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m). “I thought Super Photon’s run in the Hawke’s Bay Guineas (Group 2, 1400m) was below par,” Marsh said. “We haven’t found anything wrong with him since then and he’s been working well. We’ve added blinkers for this race. We know he’s capable of a lot better than what he showed last time, so we’re hoping to see an improved performance. “Erin Go Bragh is another one that’s making a big step up this weekend, but he’s a horse we’ve always thought quite a lot of. There’s some nice form around what he did at the trials before that debut win, and he’s definitely one that I’d expect to reach a much higher level than the midweek maiden he won first-up. “Despite having just the one start for the one win, he does still hold a nomination for the 2000 Guineas.” Horse racing news
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Jockey Club assures racing public it is closely monitoring the veteran trainer’s stable operations.View the full article

Veteran handler striking at 25 per cent at the city circuit this season, while Copartner Prance is chasing six straight wins at the track.View the full article

Rider will again hop aboard Group One Caulfield Cup (2,400m) fourth placegetter: ‘Hopefully she can run a big race’.View the full article

Ashburton’s “Magic Monday” is one of the most eagerly anticipated meetings of the year so we have produced a lift out that contains a number of stories, selections and other information to help you enjoy the day. You can access it here View the full article

So Naive will contest the Group 2 James And Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Rapa on Monday. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images) So Naive hasn’t put a foot wrong in his three-year-old campaign so far, and trainers Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley are hoping his purple patch of form continues at Te Rapa on Monday. The U S Navy Flag colt was a handy two-year-old, winning two his four juvenile starts, but he blossomed into a three-year-old where he won the Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) first-up before finishing runner-up to Savaglee in the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). So Naive is on a path towards the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next month and will have a final lead-in run in the Group 2 James And Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) on Labour Day. It is shaping as a vintage edition of the age group feature, with the field comprising of exciting Group 1 performer Captured By Love, in-form Hawke’s Bay Guineas victor Savaglee, and stakes winners Super Photon and Domain Ace. Cooksley has been pleased with the way So Naive has been tracking since his last start and believes he will take further improvement from Monday’s hit-out into his Group 1 southern target. “He has improved from last time, he has come along quite well,” Cooksley said. “Whatever he does on Monday he is going to improve on too, as long as the track is not too bad.” Cooksley will be represented by two runners at Ellerslie on Saturday, including Chasing Warrior in the SKYCITY Horizon 1500, and Meaningful Star in the TAB 1600. “Chasing Warrior needs a wet track and he is going to go out soon, and Meaningful Star is on the improve, he should go a good race,” he said. Meanwhile, Cooksley has been pleased with Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Trust In You’s Australian preparation, where he has finished fourth in the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) and Group 3 St Leger Stakes (2600m). The six-year-old gelding is currently 31st in order of entry for the Melbourne Cup, and Cooksley has his fingers crossed that the son of Sweynesse can make it into the final field. “He is going good races, he is just meeting better horses over there,” he said. “We are going to pay the next acceptance and then see what happens from there, he won’t race between now and then.” Stablemate Sacred Satono could also be in for an international preparation, with the son of Satono Aladdin nominated for the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin in December. He has been freshened since his third placing in the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings last month and will likely have a trial next week ahead of his summer preparation. “He might trial next Tuesday and then first-up at Pukekohe over 1100m,” Cooksley said. Horse racing news
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Captured By Love will contest the Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Rapa on Monday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) The Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) was not an easy watch for the connections of Captured By Love, and co-trainer Sam Bergerson is hoping some redemption can be served in Monday’s Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Rapa. The daughter of Written Tycoon was fractious in the barriers prior to the running of the transferred three-year-old feature at Matamata, giving her rivals a six-length head start before producing an enormous closing finish to come within a neck of Savaglee and So Naive. Bergerson, who trains the filly in partnership with Mark Walker, was equally impressed and disappointed with the result. “It was a fantastic run and we were very proud of her efforts, but also pretty gutted at the same time,” he said. “She seems to have come through it well and the barrier blanket goes on, we’ve gone back through the raceday barriers at Matamata and her behaviour was very good.” Captured By Love is one of three fillies that has accepted into Monday’s contest, opting to take the alternative route to Saturday’s Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie. “We thought keeping her left-handed would suit and Te Rapa is a bit closer to home as well,” Bergerson said. “Ken’s (Kelso) filly (Alabama Lass) is another swaying factor, we think she’s pretty sharp, but there are definitely some handy types in the Sarten too. She performed very well against the boys in the Guineas, so we thought we’d have another crack. “She’s drawn a nice middle alley which gives us a few options so fingers crossed her manners are a bit better, and if she can run up to her performance last time, she’d certainly be hard to beat.” The Te Akau contingent face a similar dilemma when heading to New Zealand Cup Week in a fortnight, with Captured By Love holding nominations for both the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) a week later. “We’ve had a very good team talk about Cup Week and we’re still on the fence, so we’ll get through Monday before making a plan,” Bergerson said. “It is a real possibility that she may go to the 2000 Guineas.” On Saturday, the stable will have 16 representatives at Ellerslie and Riccarton Park, with the latter including When Stars Align tackling the Group 3 War Decree Stakes (1600m). The Zoustar colt finished just under two lengths from race-rival Raziah in the Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) a fortnight ago on a Good3 surface, something unlikely to be on offer with impending rain in the region. “It was a good run, he set a good tempo then probably just hung a bit late and let himself down,” Bergerson said. “The key to him is probably a good track, the forecast isn’t looking flash down there so that’s our worry. “He has gone on with it since the Barneswood, Hunter (Durrant, stable foreman) certainly can’t fault him and his work was very good on Tuesday morning. We’re really pleased with him, it’s probably not the strongest edition of the race and we’re pleased to have Jonathan Riddell aboard, a good strong rider who will suit him. “We think he should see out the distance, we were really hoping for a better track but hopefully he can run a good mile and then press on to the 2000 Guineas.” Last-start Ashburton Cup (1600m) winner Fellini and Group 3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) hopeful Fierce Flight will both take their place in the Listed Sothys Spring Classic (2000m). “It looks a nice, even race for Fellini on paper,” Bergerson said. “He’s in great form, full of confidence and bouncing around the stable. He’s another one that has trained on well since Ashburton, he certainly deserves his chance back at black-type level. “He’s been up a long time so we’re mindful of that, but while he is in good form, we potentially could look for a race for him over Cup Week. We’ll get through Saturday and work from there. “Fierce Flight is another horse that the forecast is a concern for, but he needs to run to get fit for the New Zealand Cup. “He’s a bit of a funny horse, he doesn’t always put in and he was obviously disappointing last start, he didn’t try very hard. “We’re hoping to get through here and then on to the Metropolitan (Listed, 2600m) and New Zealand Cup. He ran very well over 3200m in the Wellington and Auckland Cup’s so hopefully he can put his hand up. If the best version of Fierce Flight turns up on Saturday, he certainly be more than capable.” While the rain may deter a couple at Riccarton, proven soft-track mare My Lips Are Sealed is likely to be Te Akau’s only runner in the Group 3 Gee and Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham on Sunday. The Ace High four-year-old finished second to Still Bangon in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) last December in similar conditions to what she may face in the feature. “When she won the two races in a row this prep, we started looking at this race,” Bergerson said. “She ran very well in the Eulogy last year on a wet track, which it looks like Sunday could turn out to be as well. She doesn’t get in that flash in the handicap with Ladies Man up the top, but she’s in fantastic form and working very well. “It could be a nice race for her.” With runners featuring at all four Labour weekend meetings, Bergerson is looking forward to stepping out a pair of juvenile debutants at Ellerslie in Return To Conquer and Belle Du Monde. Te Akau principal David Ellis went to $1.3 million to secure Return To Conquer at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this year, and the Snitzel colt had a slight upper hand on his stablemate at the Matamata trials on October 8. “Both of the two-year-old’s look like very nice horses going forward, both of them trialled super at Matamata and we think they could be some of the better ones we step out this year,” Bergerson said. Horse racing news
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The focus of spring racing may shift to The Valley for the Ladbrokes Cox Plate this Saturday, but Randwick in Sydney still offers a compelling Group 1 showdown with the 2024 Spring Champion Stakes for the three-year-old Derby hopefuls. Anthony Cummings‘ in-form colt El Castello takes centre stage as the firming favourite in the markets […] The post Derby Hopes Clash in Tight 2024 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Introducing Saint Nick. View the full article

LEXINGTON, KY – The Fasig-Tipton October Yearlings Sale smashed its previous records for gross and average and produced its lowest buy-back rate in 11 years when it concluded its four-day run in Lexington Thursday. ” All in all, I am somewhere between thrilled and ecstatic with the results of these four days,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. said at the close of business Thursday evening. “The consignors continue to bring us higher quality horses each and every year and it is reflected in these results and these statistics.” Through four sessions, 1,122 yearlings grossed $58,575,500, surpassing the auction's previous record gross of $55,426,400 set in 2022. The average of $52,206 was another highwater mark for the auction, breaking the previous record of $50,388, also set in 2022. The median price of $20,000 was fourth highest in sale history. With just 230 horses failing to meet their reserves, the buy-back rate was 17%, the lowest at the October sale since 2013 when it was 16.2%. A year ago, 1,064 yearlings grossed $51,120,000 for an average of $48,045 and a median of $24,000. The 2023 buy-back rate was 21.5%. “On Monday morning, we saw really great activity on the sales grounds and it literally continued through the last horse through the ring tonight,” Browning said. “There was very broad participation, as you can see by reading the sheets. There was strong American participation and strong participation on an international basis with buyers from all over the world. It's encouraging from a sales company perspective and also an industry perspective that, as a country, we continue to produce quality horses that are desirable around the world.” A pair of colts topped Thursday's final session of the October sale when bringing matching $500,000 final bids. Megan Jones, bidding alongside trainer Danny Gargan, made that bid to acquire a colt by Curlin from the Eaton Sales consignment, just eight hips after Case Clay, bidding on behalf of Wathnan Racing, paid that amount for a Not This Time colt consigned by Hunter Valley Farm. Throughout the four-day auction, four horses sold for $500,000 or over and three were by Hill 'n' Dale stallion Curlin. Bloodstock agent Alistair Roden made the week's highest bid when purchasing a colt by that sire for $550,000 on behalf of Mark Breen. In all, 69 yearlings sold for $200,000 or over, up from 53 at the 2023 auction. Bloodstock agent Mike Ryan remained active throughout the week, signing for nine horses for a total of $1,630,000. He made his highest purchase of the auction when going to $400,000 for a daughter of Practical Joke Thursday. “It's still solid for the quality horses,” Ryan said of the October market. “I feel like we have bought some nice horses through the week at reasonable prices and by proven sires. It's always nice when you can lower the average a little bit when you've spent so much at the previous sales. But quality sells. That's what it's about.” Hip 1276 | Fasig-Tipton Photo 'Couldn't Be Happier:' Profitable Few Minutes for Pugh As the yearling sales season was winding down in Lexington, pinhooker Peter Pugh of Cherry Knoll Farm sent a pair of yearlings through the sales ring within hips of each other at Fasig-Tipton Thursday. The first, a filly by Practical Joke (hip 1276) who had been purchased for $190,000 at Keeneland last November, sold for $400,000 to bloodstock agent Mike Ryan and the second, a colt by Not This Time (hip 1280), acquired for $200,000 at this year's Keeneland January sale, sold for $500,000 to agent Case Clay. Both were consigned by Hunter Valley Farm. “I couldn't be happier,” Pugh said of the results. Asked if he had any concerns about selling this late in the season, Pugh said, “You are always a little concerned about that. But I think at the end of the day, if the horses are nice enough, they will find a way to get them.” Hip 1280 is out of Aureum (Medaglia d'Oro), a half-sister to group winner and multiple Grade I placed Nemoralia (More Than Ready), whose 2-year-old daughter May Day Ready (Tapit) won the GII Jessamine Stakes earlier in the month and is expected to go postward in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar next week. “He was in this sale because he took a little longer to come around,” Pugh said of the colt. “But he always had an athletic way about him.” Clay purchased the yearling on behalf of Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani's Wathnan Racing. “We really liked the colt,” Clay said. “He's from an active family with a great sire and a great broodmare sire. We are very excited to get him.” Hip 1276 is out of Atlantic Dream (Stormy Atlantic), a full-sister to multiple graded winner Icy Atlantic. “She actually was in September in Book 2 and she had a little setback and we had to scratch her,” Pugh said. “Thank God she came around well enough and she ended up here.” Ryan, who purchased the filly on behalf of Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables, said the yearling reminded him of another daughter of Practical Joke in Grade I winner Ways and Means. “She is a serious filly,” Ryan said. “She will get two turns. She's a big stretchy filly with great depth and great strength, with a lot of quality and class about her. She was one we really wanted to get.” Pugh, rating his sales season, said, “So far, so good. We had a couple glitches along the way, but we are good.” Looking ahead to the start of his buying season a couple weeks away with the November breeding stock sales, Pugh admitted he enjoyed the selling side more than the buying. “Buying is tough,” he said. “Let's face it. There are a lot of good people doing it. It is so competitive. But having said all that, we will be back again.” Jones Goes to $500k for Curlin Colt Bloodstock agent Megan Jones, alongside trainer Danny Gargan, has been shopping the yearling sales on behalf of some of the partners in this year's Classic-winning Dornoch (Good Magic) and made her biggest purchase of the Fasig-Tipton October sale when going to $500,000 for a son of Curlin (hip 1288) Thursday. “I thought he was a faster-looking Curlin,” Jones said. “We loved the Curlin over the Carson City. It's a very reliable family and page, but we just thought he was a very athletic, quicker-looking Curlin. He did everything right. We had loved him since Keeneland, so we were always on him here.” Hip1288 | Fasig-Tipton Photo The colt, consigned by Eaton Sales, is out of Grade I winner A Z Warrior (Bernardini) and is a half-brother to stakes winners Justa Warrior (Justify) and Key to My Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). He was bred by Cypress Creek Equine, which purchased A Z Warrior, in foal to Uncle Mo, for $550,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November sale. The yearling sold to Milan Bloodstock for $375,000 at this year's Keeneland January sale before RNA'ing for $575,000 at the Keeneland September sale last month. A Z Warrior's dam Carson Jen, who produced multiple graded winner Jojo Warrior (Pioneerof the Nile) and graded winner E Z Warrior (Exploit), is a daughter of the speedy Carson City. As for plans for the colt, Jones said, “He will go to Raul Reyes at King's Equine [in Ocala] for the winter and then will be trained by Danny Gargan.” Jones purchased three yearlings at the October sale. In addition to hip 1288, she purchased a colt by Charlatan (hip 490) and a filly by Tiz the Law (hip 1326) for $240,000. On behalf of various groups, Jones purchased seven yearlings at the Keeneland September sale, led by a $850,000 son of Curlin (hip 875). 'The Good Ones, You have to Pay for:' Charlatan Filly to Legacy Ranch for $400k A first-crop daughter of Grade I Charlatan (hip 1231) will be heading to the West Coast after selling for $400,000 to Pete and Evelyn Parrella's Legacy Ranch early in Thursday's final session of the Fasig-Tipton October sale. “I just loved her presence. I loved everything about her,” said Legacy manager Terry Knight after signing the ticket on the yearling. “She is a lovely filly and a great mover. Obviously, we are taking a little chance on a young stallion, but she had all the parts that I like.” The yearling is the first foal out of the unraced American Life (Medaglia d'Oro), a daughter of multiple graded stakes winner Paid Up Subscriber (Candy Ride {Arg}). The mare was purchased, with the filly in utero, for $320,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November sale. The yearling was bred by Magic Cap Stables and was consigned by Indian Creek. “She will ship to California and we will decide what we are going to do with her from there,” Knight said of plans for the yearling. Knight said he had waited all week for the chestnut filly to walk into the sales ring at Fasig-Tipton. “She was the one I wanted,” he said. “It's hard to sit and wait for three days. We have passed on a few and I was prepared to walk home empty if we had to. The good ones, you have to pay for. The ones that looked like they were going to bring the money, brought the money, and the other ones, they brought what they brought.” The post ‘Between Thrilled And Ecstatic’: Record-Breaking Fasig-Tipton October Sale Concludes With A Pair Of $500k Colts On Top Thursday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Who’s been impressing at the trials and workouts all over the country over the past week? Winton Harness Workouts- Friday 18 October Race 1- Wild East (2g Always B Miki- Bay Jet) Tr- LB Pearson Had a couple of starts earlier in the year in pretty hot two-year-old fields and was having second preparatory run back today. Worked his way to the front for driver Brent Barclay before taking the trail behind Shezabettorgirl (Brett Gray), and wore the leader down in the shadow’s of the post (neither driven out). They paced the 1609m in 2.02.6, the last half in 58.2 and the final quarter in 28.3. Looks to have strengthened up, and likely to race at Invercargill this Sunday, 27 October. Race 2- Bring On The Muscle (3g Majestic Son-Mass Invasion) Tr- CJ Barron The talented trotter lined up against the pacers (Up to MR50) over the mobile 2400m. Settled well back in the seven horse heat, before gradually improving from the 800m. The winner came home in a swift 57.4 for the last half and the last 400m in 29.0 (overall mile rate was 2.01.4). Last sighted earlier this month at Addington when running third behind the impressive Father Time, and will have some big age group assignments ahead, starting with the Hambletonian at Ashburton on Labour Day. Wyndham Harness Workouts- Saturday 19 October Race 3- Ultimate Mach (3g Ultimate Mach- Missy Mach) Tr- AL Hoffman Took on seven others in this 2400m mobile, and came out well to end up three back on the rails for the duration of the event. Finished off well to run fourth as the winner (Franco Sailor) came his last half in 56.8 and the final quarter in 27.5. Has only had the one race start back in August, and was beaten in today’s heat by race winners, so should be competitive in his own grade when he resumes. Mid Canterbury TOA Trials- Tuesday 22 October Race 4- Franco Chaplin (3g Ultimate Machete- Cracker Anvil) Tr- BA Waldron Has been costly for punters on race day to date, but again showed his potential with a nice win today. Settling into the trail behind Ari On Safari (GD O’Reilly), driver John Morrison always had the situation in hand and sprinted boldly up the straight to score. Paced the 2400m mobile heat in a useful 3.02.8(2.02.5 mile rate), with a sharp last half of 56.1 and the final quarter in 27.2. Steps out in the first race at Ashburton on Labour Day in a very competitive maiden race, but with manners can threaten. Ari On Safari was good in second with Ohoka Connor putting up a massive performance to run third after being a conservative 50m off them on release. Race 5- Yaldhurst Folly (4g Auckland Reactor- Volatile Lavra) Tr- RA Kennedy and Sans Repos (4g Art Major-Sans Le Sou) Tr-Miss DS Alfeld Yaldhurst Folly has featured in the report card previously, and after stepping well from the 2400m standing start, uncharacteristically went off stride when challenging Sans Repos for the lead after a couple of hundred metres. Lost about 20 metres before settling and then working forward to arrest the lead with just over a lap to run. Unchallenged to win comfortably by two lengths from Sans Repos, Tokyo Rose and Perun (none of which were asked to come off the markers in the run home). Sedate overall time of 3.14 with a last half of 58.6 and final quarter in 28.3. The runner up has had just the one race start for a solid fifth back in March, and shouldn’t be hard to place in the coming weeks. Race 8- Cuban Chrome (2g Always B Miki- Helenka Franco)- TR- JC Hay Only a workout but the son of Always B Miki impressed in his first public appearance. Slowly but safely away from the 2400m stand, the John Hay trained, owned and driven pacer settled fifth of the 7 runners and was at stages of the event a dozen or so lengths off the leader Ultimate Rush (GC Telfer). Was the first to improve at the 900m mark and took control turning for home, and stretched out in good fashion to win comfortably. Paced the journey in a tick over 3.11 but the last half was good in 57.3 and the final quarter in 27.1. Looks to be a promising type. Auckland Trotting Club Trials-Thursday 24 October Race 4- Abman (2g Always B Miki- Arma Nightingale) Tr- BD Butcher Undefeated in two workouts prior to today’s qualifying heat, the Benjamin Butcher-trained pacer led out from the pole for driver, David Butcher. Had things his own way until Always Ask (AG Herlihy), issued a challenge turning for home and briefly put his head in front, before Butcher gave the son of Always B Miki a little more reign, and he kicked back to win narrowly but well. They paced the 2050m in 2.39.4, the last half in 58.7 and the final quarter in 27.9. The first two horses both look like they will make the grade. North Canterbury TOA Trials @ Rangiora- Thursday 24 October Race 2- Significant Katch (2g Art Major-Katchalight) Tr- RJ Butt Just the three runners in the 2-year-old qualifier and that basically went down to two when the Matt Purvis trained Vin’s Deal galloped from behind the mobile. The Jack Harrington runner, Captain Kan Kan led throughout, with Significant Katch hooking out of the trail turning in and coming away to win well. They paced the 2000m in 2.34.8 with a nice last half of 57.8 and the final 400m in 28.3. Had shown promise in two previous workout runs prior to gaining his ticket today, and one to follow with some confidence. Race 8- Rakero Rocket (4g Rock N Roll Heaven- Motu Pocket O’Jewels) Tr- TJ Bamford Very talented type who got the start all wrong last start in the Oamaru Cup, so was back at the trials in the hands of Blair Orange. Began cautiously from towards the inside, and settled fifth of the 7 runners, before moving forward inside the 600m. Asserted his superiority at the top of the straight and held easily, winning in the time of 3.22.1 for the 2600m. Final half in 58.2 and the last quarter in 29.3. Trainer Tom Bamford obviously has his sights on a decent race for the horse from a stand in the near future, so keep safe. To see previous Trials Reports click here View the full article

Tony Pike will have his two talented fillies, Raziah and Archaic Smile, chasing age-group crowns within 10 minutes of each other this Saturday at Riccarton Park and Ellerslie. In the South Island, The Oaks Stud-owned Raziah takes her place in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m), looking to complete a stakes-level hattrick that commenced in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) in mid-September. The daughter of Niagara overcame a rocky run in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) to go back-to-back, a performance that Pike had plenty of praise for. “It was exceptional,” he said. “She’d obviously taken good improvement from her first run down there, and after getting held up and checked a couple of times in the run, she was really strong late and won it quite comfortably in the end. “Based on that run, the mile should suit her well on Saturday, hopefully the rain doesn’t arrive but we’re all in the same boat down there. She’ll take on a couple of new northerners, but she should be very hard to beat again.” Raziah’s swift rise has been reflected in the TAB Futures market for the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), where she lies at $8 behind equal-favourites Alabama Lass and Captured By Love ($3). “It’s a nice spacing to the 1000 Guineas with the three weeks, she’ll head there after Saturday,” Pike said. “She’s a lovely natured filly, she hasn’t really turned a hair since she’s been down there.” Meanwhile in the North, Archaic Smile has the Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) on her agenda, a race Pike won last year with subsequent 1000 Guineas runner-up Impendabelle. Archaic Smile won the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m) during her juvenile term before finishing second in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) and fourth in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). Her three-year-old season has included a fifth behind race-rival Alabama Lass in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings before a luckless second to Sexy And I Moet at Tauranga earlier this month. “She was unlucky at Tauranga being held up twice and probably should’ve won, but she’s come through that race well,” Pike said. “She’s been competitive against the better two-year-old’s last season and she’s up to this class of field on Saturday. The favourite (Alabama Lass) looks extremely hard to beat and we’ve drawn an awkward barrier (9) to contend with, but I think the step-up to 1400m will really suit.” The Saxon Warrior filly holds a nomination for both the 1000 Guineas and the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), with Pike keeping his options open at this stage. “We’ll assess that after Saturday, we’ll look at the make-up of the colt field and there is a possibility she could run against them, but we’ll make that decision closer to the time,” he said. Raziah currently sits a $3 second-favourite for the War Decree, while Archaic Smile sits in the fourth line of betting at $12, in a market heavily favouring Alabama Lass ($1.45). View the full article

So Naive hasn’t put a foot wrong in his three-year-old campaign so far, and trainers Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley are hoping his purple patch of form continues at Te Rapa on Monday. The U S Navy Flag colt was a handy two-year-old, winning two his four juvenile starts, but he blossomed into a three-year-old where he won the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) first-up before finishing runner-up to Savaglee in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). So Naive is on a path towards the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next month and will have a final lead-in run in the Gr.2 James And Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) on Labour Day. It is shaping as a vintage edition of the age group feature, with the field comprising of exciting Group One performer Captured By Love, in-form Hawke’s Bay Guineas victor Savaglee, and stakes winners Super Photon and Domain Ace. Cooksley has been pleased with the way So Naive has been tracking since his last start and believes he will take further improvement from Monday’s hit-out into his Group One southern target. “He has improved from last time, he has come along quite well,” Cooksley said. “Whatever he does on Monday he is going to improve on too, as long as the track is not too bad.” Cooksley will be represented by two runners at Ellerslie on Saturday, including Chasing Warrior in the SKYCITY Horizon 1500, and Meaningful Star in the TAB 1600. “Chasing Warrior needs a wet track and he is going to go out soon, and Meaningful Star is on the improve, he should go a good race,” he said. Meanwhile, Cooksley has been pleased with Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Trust In You’s Australian preparation, where he has finished fourth in the Gr.1 Metropolitan (2400m) and Gr.3 St Leger Stakes (2600m). The six-year-old gelding is currently 31st in order of entry for the Melbourne Cup, and Cooksley has his fingers crossed that the son of Sweynesse can make it into the final field. “He is going good races, he is just meeting better horses over there,” he said. “We are going to pay the next acceptance and then see what happens from there, he won’t race between now and then.” Stablemate Sacred Satono could also be in for an international preparation, with the son of Satono Aladdin nominated for the Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin in December. He has been freshened since his third placing in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings last month and will likely have a trial next week ahead of his summer preparation. “He might trial next Tuesday and then first-up at Pukekohe over 1100m,” Cooksley said. View the full article

The Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) was not an easy watch for the connections of Captured By Love, and co-trainer Sam Bergerson is hoping some redemption can be served in Monday’s Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Rapa. The daughter of Written Tycoon was fractious in the barriers prior to the running of the transferred three-year-old feature at Matamata, giving her rivals a six-length head start before producing an enormous closing finish to come within a neck of Savaglee and So Naive. Bergerson, who trains the filly in partnership with Mark Walker, was equally impressed and disappointed with the result. “It was a fantastic run and we were very proud of her efforts, but also pretty gutted at the same time,” he said. “She seems to have come through it well and the barrier blanket goes on, we’ve gone back through the raceday barriers at Matamata and her behaviour was very good.” Captured By Love is one of three fillies that has accepted into Monday’s contest, opting to take the alternative route to Saturday’s Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie. “We thought keeping her left-handed would suit and Te Rapa is a bit closer to home as well,” Bergerson said. “Ken’s (Kelso) filly (Alabama Lass) is another swaying factor, we think she’s pretty sharp, but there are definitely some handy types in the Sarten too. She performed very well against the boys in the Guineas, so we thought we’d have another crack. “She’s drawn a nice middle alley which gives us a few options so fingers crossed her manners are a bit better, and if she can run up to her performance last time, she’d certainly be hard to beat.” The Te Akau contingent face a similar dilemma when heading to New Zealand Cup Week in a fortnight, with Captured By Love holding nominations for both the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) a week later. “We’ve had a very good team talk about Cup Week and we’re still on the fence, so we’ll get through Monday before making a plan,” Bergerson said. “It is a real possibility that she may go to the 2000 Guineas.” On Saturday, the stable will have 16 representatives at Ellerslie and Riccarton Park, with the latter including When Stars Align tackling the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m). The Zoustar colt finished just under two lengths from race-rival Raziah in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) a fortnight ago on a Good3 surface, something unlikely to be on offer with impending rain in the region. “It was a good run, he set a good tempo then probably just hung a bit late and let himself down,” Bergerson said. “The key to him is probably a good track, the forecast isn’t looking flash down there so that’s our worry. “He has gone on with it since the Barneswood, Hunter (Durrant, stable foreman) certainly can’t fault him and his work was very good on Tuesday morning. We’re really pleased with him, it’s probably not the strongest edition of the race and we’re pleased to have Jonathan Riddell aboard, a good strong rider who will suit him. “We think he should see out the distance, we were really hoping for a better track but hopefully he can run a good mile and then press on to the 2000 Guineas.” Last-start Ashburton Cup (1600m) winner Fellini and Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) hopeful Fierce Flight will both take their place in the Listed Sothys Spring Classic (2000m). “It looks a nice, even race for Fellini on paper,” Bergerson said. “He’s in great form, full of confidence and bouncing around the stable. He’s another one that has trained on well since Ashburton, he certainly deserves his chance back at black-type level. “He’s been up a long time so we’re mindful of that, but while he is in good form, we potentially could look for a race for him over Cup Week. We’ll get through Saturday and work from there. “Fierce Flight is another horse that the forecast is a concern for, but he needs to run to get fit for the New Zealand Cup. “He’s a bit of a funny horse, he doesn’t always put in and he was obviously disappointing last start, he didn’t try very hard. “We’re hoping to get through here and then on to the Metropolitan (Listed, 2600m) and New Zealand Cup. He ran very well over 3200m in the Wellington and Auckland Cup’s so hopefully he can put his hand up. If the best version of Fierce Flight turns up on Saturday, he certainly be more than capable.” While the rain may deter a couple at Riccarton, proven soft-track mare My Lips Are Sealed is likely to be Te Akau’s only runner in the Gr.3 Gee and Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham on Sunday. The Ace High four-year-old finished second to Still Bangon in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) last December in similar conditions to what she may face in the feature. “When she won the two races in a row this prep, we started looking at this race,” Bergerson said. “She ran very well in the Eulogy last year on a wet track, which it looks like Sunday could turn out to be as well. She doesn’t get in that flash in the handicap with Ladies Man up the top, but she’s in fantastic form and working very well. “It could be a nice race for her.” With runners featuring at all four Labour weekend meetings, Bergerson is looking forward to stepping out a pair of juvenile debutants at Ellerslie in Return To Conquer and Belle Du Monde. Te Akau principal David Ellis went to $1.3 million to secure Return To Conquer at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this year, and the Snitzel colt had a slight upper hand on his stablemate at the Matamata trials on October 8. “Both of the two-year-old’s look like very nice horses going forward, both of them trialled super at Matamata and we think they could be some of the better ones we step out this year,” Bergerson said. View the full article

El Castello, pictured winning the Gloaming Stakes, looms as a key chance in the Spring Champion Stakes on Saturday. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au While much of the attention will on Victorian Racing this weekend, the final Saturday at Royal Randwick of the Sydney Everest Carnival is set to provide an epic day of racing. Headlined by the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes and the Group 2 The Invitation, Royal Randwick is likely to be close to capacity on Saturday, following the lockout last weekend. Saturday’s 10-race card includes the Group 2 $1 million Callander-Presnell named in honour of legendary newspaper and media figures Ken Callander and Max Presnell. Further features include the Group 3 $750,000 Craven Plate, Listed $1 million Five Diamonds Prelude and Listed $200,000 Brian Crowley Stakes as the $85 million Sydney Everest Carnival continues through October and November. Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering Nevesh Ramdhani said the Spring Champion Stakes Day was a worthy rival to Cox Plate Day, which will be run at Moonee Valley on Saturday. “This is the final Saturday at Royal Randwick of the Spring and in the wake of the Everest gives Sydney another chance to feel the electric atmosphere of a feature raceday,’’ Ramdhani said. “The Group 1 $2 million Moët & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes and $2 million The Invitation are part of a raceday full of feature races right across the afternoon. “ATC is again delighted with Racing NSW to honour two media icons in Kenny Callander and Max Presnell who have covered Sydney racing with great distinction in print and across TV and radio for many decades.” Hawkes Racing and jockey Jay Ford combine on Swiftfalcon ($3.60-$3.40 fav) in the Group 1 $2 million Spring Champion Stakes as the jockey aims for a third win in the race. E El Castello trained by Anthony Cummings and ridden by Josh Parr ($3.60-$3.90) beat the favourite last start in the Gloaming Stakes. Filly Harlem Queen for trainer Nathan Doyle and jockey Sam Clipperton ($6) is one of four fillies in the race. Three of the past eight winners have been fillies. In the $2 million The Invitation, Chris Waller and jockey Tommy Berry join with Olentia ($3.60) just ahead of another star stablemate Zougotcha with Joao Moreira ($3.80). The Grahame Begg mare Magic Time for Nash Rawiller is close next in betting at $4. Horse racing news
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Onesmoothoperator has been given a 1kg penalty for the Melbourne Cup, following his win in the Geelong Cup. (Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Racing Victoria’s Head of Handicapping, David Hegan, has confirmed a 1kg weight penalty for Onesmoothoperator, the winner of Wednesday’s Geelong Cup (2400m), elevating the gelding’s weight from 50kg to 51kg for the upcoming $8.56 million Melbourne Cup (3200m). This adjustment comes on the back of a strong Group 3 Geelong Cup victory that saw the Brian Ellison-trained English contender secure Craig Williams his sixth triumph in the prestigious event. Onesmoothoperator has also been a big mover in Melbourne Cup betting, having been trimmed from as long as $50, right into $9 post-Geelong Cup. With the 1kg penalty and the $300,000 winner’s prize, Onesmoothoperator has climbed the Melbourne Cup Order of Entry, advancing from 33rd to 22nd position. Hegan said Onesmoothoperator had impressed in defeating the strong field in the Geelong Cup, with the victory sewn up well before the finishing line, in 2400m feature. “Onesmoothoperator showed terrific acceleration to put the race away with 100m remaining after making an early run around the field,” he said. “It was a dominant victory, displaying both stamina and an impressive turn of foot. “The commanding victory demonstrated that a 1kg penalty was appropriate when we consider the opposition, those horses around him in the ballot, his form from Europe and his performance rating in winning yesterday.” The revised weight also means Onesmoothoperator will face The Map (sixth in the Geelong Cup) and Interpretation (runner-up) with a 1kg advantage in the Melbourne Cup, while Muramasa, who finished third, will benefit from a 2.5kg weight difference. This marks the fourth instance in the past decade where a Geelong Cup victor has received a 1kg penalty heading into the Melbourne Cup, with Steel Prince being the last to do so in 2020. The race for a spot in the final 24-horse Melbourne Cup field on November 5 at Flemington has narrowed further, with 51 contenders still vying for a place following the withdrawals of Warmonger, Military Mission, Coco Sun, and Berkshire Breeze. The Melbourne Cup field will be reduced again at the third acceptances deadline on Monday, October 28, at 10am (AEDT). Horse racing news
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