Wandering Eyes

Last year, Russell earned 113 victories at Laurel and Pimlico, 16 more than runner-up Jamie Ness. She also captured the Timonium training title with eight wins. Kieron Magee placed third with 71 combined scores at Laurel and Pimlico. View the full article

Last year's Blue Diamond (G1) winner Hayasugi has died due to complications following foot surgery. View the full article

In his first year since being reinstated by Churchill Downs, trainer Bob Baffert has entered three fillies in the Jan. 5 Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita Park, the first prep race of the year for the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (G1) in Southern California.View the full article

After a stormy first day of 2025, Newmarket Heath was bathed in frost-speckled sunlight by January 2, but local trainer Rae Guest is now setting his sights on sunlit uplands of a different kind. This he is doing in his usual quiet way, to the extent that his decision to call time on his training career took even some of his longest-standing owners by surprise when he contacted them prior to making an official announcement in December. The prophetic victory, two days after the news broke, of his filly Sunlit Uplands (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}) was no coincidence. “We named her that on purpose,” says Rachel Flynn, the trainer's wife of 26 years, with a laugh. “It was a bit of fun really as we started to think about Rae finishing.” With trainer Jack Jones having bought their Chestnut Tree Stables, Guest and Flynn will remain in situ in their house alongside the yard in the short term. Guest will continue to train a few horses from one of the barns there until his licence expires in May. Now 74, he has certainly not fallen out of love with the game. Indeed, he is reluctant to leave his beloved Newmarket, which has been his home for longer than his 35 years as a trainer, which followed a successful and peripatetic riding career. “I don't want to go anywhere else,” he says. “Rachel would be happy to go to the country somewhere. I wouldn't go anywhere too far away. We are trying to find somewhere to have a house with some paddocks, but that's difficult around here. We'll keep looking.” Horse racing, with all its colourful history, attracts its share of braggarts and bluffers, to whom Guest provides a perfect counterbalance. Simply, it is impossible not to like this man who has made his mark as both a trainer and a jockey, and whose air of almost apologetic reserve has perhaps meant that his contribution has not been fully acknowledged. A childhood interrupted by three years in hospital with serious bronchial issues meant that Guest's formal education was also disturbed. The fact that he had been born into a family with deep racing roots would almost certainly have led him down his current path anyway, but he left school at 15 to be apprenticed to Sir Gordon Richards, where his uncle, Nelson Guest, was one of the stable jockeys, second in line to Scobie Breasley. “My uncle used to ride ride all the work, and then we had work riders who used to come in on a Wednesday and a Saturday, and my dad was one of them. I'd already been there on work experience, which it wasn't called in those days, but I'd been there for my school holidays. Gordon Richards retired after I'd been there two, three years or so, and I'd had a couple of rides for him, finished second at Ascot in an apprentice race, but he didn't used to give apprentices many rides.” A teenage Rae Guest riding at Klampenborg in Denmark As Richards was retiring, Nelson Guest had been offered a job riding and training in Denmark and encouraged his nephew, who was on the brink of switching to become a jump jockey like his dad and another uncle, Joe, to give the Flat another chance in Scandinavia. “He's been my mentor, I suppose they'd say these days, but he was that more than my dad was. Your son's hard to teach, I suppose. It's easier for somebody from the outside, and Nelson used to take me off to the races and riding out with him,” says Guest of his uncle. Rae's grandfather had been stud groom for George Lambton in Newmarket and his three sons all followed him into the business. Rae's late father Charlie also went on to train, and a generation later, Rae's brother Richard followed the same path and won the Grand National in 2001 aboard Red Marauder (GB) before setting up as National Hunt trainer. Rae and Richard's four sisters Jane, Sally, Joanne and Rita have all also been involved in the racing world in different ways. Sally, who was married to Paul Eddery and then Jeremy Noseda, was one of the leading lady amateur riders of the day and a key work rider for Sir Michael Stoute. Jane, now Lady Jane Cecil, became a Group 1-winning trainer when taking over at Warren Place upon the death of her husband, Sir Henry Cecil. Her son James McEwen is now a trainer in India. Indian racing played a key role in the early years of Guest's career, but it was in Scandinavia where he first tasted significant success. He says of his uncle's job offer all those years ago, “I was only 18 and it sounded a good idea. Scandinavia, in those days, had everything, a good way of living. I know it sounds ridiculous now but they had central heating in every house.” Guest's initial frustration at being unable to race-ride in Denmark because of a restriction on the number of jockey licences was short-lived when the unexpected departure of the former champion apprentice Brian Henry meant that Guest was given his licence. The winners soon came his way and they included victory in the Svenskt Kriterium aboard Highlight (Swe) for the Rausing family's Simontorp Stud. Fifth-generation descendants of Sweden's champion two-year-old filly of 1974 are still associated with Guest's yard 50 years later, with Kirsten Rausing having been a loyal and longstanding supporter of the trainer, who speaks of the owner of Lanwades Stud in glowing terms. “We added it up the other week and I rode 17 Classic winners abroad,” says Guest who rode Triple Crown winners in Scandinavia and India, as well as in Holland for his father. “I was asked the other day about whether it was easy to start training. It wasn't easy but I had worked very closely with trainers, because in Scandinavia and India, you're riding weekends, so all week you're working with your trainers. And they all liked your input, and you had to know where things were going and build up the horse's career, if you like.” Such strategising was also a feature of Guest's later association with Luca Cumani on his return to England. When recounting his life in racing, Guest frequently refers to the role fate and luck have played while modestly overlooking his own hard work involved in riding top horses and becoming a multiple Group 1-winning trainer himself. “It was great. I loved it. When you're 74, you're wishing to be 21 again with all those things that you've done,” he says. Fate did intervene as Guest was thinking that he may have made a mistake in attempting to continue his riding career in England. Just as he was considering returning to Denmark, he bumped into an old friend in Newmarket High Street who alerted him to a vacancy at Cumani's Bedford House Stables. “As luck would have it, again, Luca had World Leader, who was a very hard horse to ride. So, I ended up riding him, and I got on well with him,” Guest recalls. “He won some good races, and then he was third in the Leger and then me and Luca got into a good working relationship. I know I didn't ride hundreds of winners, but I rode some great horses. And I rode in Derbys, Oaks, loads of Group 1s, all things that if I'd been riding 30 or 40 winners a year at that time, I wouldn't be getting on those sort of horses.” Those good horses included Tolomeo (Ire), on whom Guest finished third in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes behind Sadler's Wells and Teenoso, and Old Country (GB) when second to Rainbow Quest in the G1 Coronation Cup. Struggles with his weight and the appearance of Ray Cochrane as stable jockey to ride the newly arrived Aga Khan's horses at Cumani's yard prompted Guest to start planning his next move. “They wanted Ray Cochrane, which was fair enough, but I didn't lose out. I rode nearly the most winners in my last season or two anyway. I think 42 was my best season when the champion jockey at the time only rode 100 or so winners. It was two meetings a day, most days,” he says. “I got on well with Ray and we had a good relationship, but then along came a little apprentice called Dettori. I was in my thirties and getting fed up with losing weight. I had a small yard, and I used to take a few horses for Luca and other people so I thought, 'Well I've got 12 horses and I can just enjoy training them.' That's how I started.” Guest with David Probert in the colours of long-term patron Kirsten Rausing | Racingfotos The Group 1 jockey became a Group 1 trainer within months of the switch when Aldbourne (Ire) (Alzao) lined up for the 1,000 Guineas of 1989. “She was a good two-year-old and they kept moving her about. Anyway, she ended up with me in January and she finished third in the English Guineas, second in the Irish Guineas and was our first Listed winner, so she gave us a good start,” he says. “Then we had [four-time group winner] Millyant, all within three years. And then everyone said I trained fillies. But I suppose our four Group 1 wins have all been with fillies.” A rare break in the domination of fillies in Guest's yard came with Mirza (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), but then he was a son of Millyant and, extraordinarily, won the G3 Prix de Petit Couvert twice, just as his mother had done. “Nobody ever seems to pick up on that except me,” Guest notes. “I think it's an amazing statistic. It never got the headlines but I'm not that bothered about headlines.” There were plenty of headlines, however, for My Emma (GB) (Marju {Ire}), the Lord Mathews homebred who landed Guest with his first Group 1 win in the Prix Vermeille and followed up in the next year's G1 Yorkshire Oaks, with Whitewater Affair (GB) and Reams Of Verse among those finishing behind her. Guest also trained her daughter, Moments Of Joy (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), to win the Listed Gladness Stakes. The Mtoto (GB) filly Serious Attitude (Ire) would put his name back in lights in 2008 when winning the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes and adding the G3 Summer Stakes to her tally at three before finishing off her career with victory in the GI Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine as a four-year-old. Later that year she was sold to Shadai Farm for $1.85 million at Keeneland. Serious Attitude's progeny in Japan include the G2 Sankei Sho All Comers winner and G1 Tenno Sho runner-up Stiffelio (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}). Celebrating Divina Grace's Listed win with his uncle, Nelson Guest, right | Emma Berry Most recently, Divina Grace (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) added her name to the list of Guest's stakes winners when winning the Listed Chalice Stakes at Newmarket in August. The trainer's uncle Nelson, now 92, was there to share in the celebrations with him. With the 60-year anniversary of his starting out as a teenaged apprentice looming, how does Guest view today's racing industry in comparison to that of the 1960s? “I'm not going to say anything bad about racing because I love racing and it has been good to me,” he says simply. “And, I mean, we can all say what we don't like about it, but I think what I like is the way I started off with trainers who took their time and had plans for their horses. Like Luca – every horse had a career path, if possible. Now, I think they just run them because there's a race. “I like the way Ralph Beckett trains, and Andrew Balding. Divina Grace is going to Andrew. And I think they, in the world they're in now, do take their time and bring the horses on more gradually, and hopefully there will be more trainers like that.” He continues, “It's the horses that make it. We wouldn't be talking here now if it wasn't for horses. They're what my life has been about really. There's a story with every horse. It's not always just the best ones either, it could be the one that you just know is trying really hard to give you their best.” Guest plainly has appreciated the horses he has been associated with through the years, and they were fortunate to have ended up in his care. For, like them, he has been trying really hard to give them his best. Job done. The post ‘It’s the Horses That Make It’: Rae Guest Reflects on 60 Years in Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The $80,000 Al Riffa Cup and $80,000 Al Dana Cup take centre stage on Friday as the Bahrain Turf Series continues with round two. On the opening day of the Bahrain Turf Series, George Scott saddled two winners and a second in the supporting races on the card. Now, the Newmarket trainer is hoping Rocket Rodney (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}) can repeat his 2024 win in Friday's Al Riffa Cup, round two in the sprint division. “Rocket Rodney helped kick start my career again back in 2022,” said Scott. “He was the first horse His Highness Shaikh Nasser had with me and it is lovely to have the horse back competing in the Bahrain Turf Series. He seemed to like the track last year. He won here and ran very well on other occasions. He also ran some good races in the UK last summer and I think he's handicapped to be really competitive again in Bahrain.” Rocket Rodney is one of 18 runners scheduled to go to post for the Al Riffa Cup, while the Al Dana Cup, the second round in the middle-distance division of the Bahrain Turf Series, has attracted a field of 15. They include the first four horses from the Al Muharraq Cup on the opening day. The first Irish-trained winner in Bahrain when landing that race for Gavin Cromwell, Snellen (Ire) (Expert Eye {GB}) lines up from an 8lb higher mark as she tries to uphold the form with the placed horses, headed by Jack Channon's former Cambridgeshire winner Majestic (Ire) (Conduit {Ire}). The post Rocket Rodney Bids to Repeat 2024 Win as Bahrain Turf Series Continues appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ten events from Thoroughbred racing in North America last year were nominated for the 2024 FanDuel Racing-NTRA Moment of the Year, a distinction determined by fan voting and recognized at the annual Eclipse Awards, according to a press release from the NTRA on Thursday morning. Voting is now open on the NTRA website and via X, where every retweet or use of the official hashtag for the moments as presented on the @NTRA account will be counted as one vote. The FanDuel Racing-NTRA Moment of the Year will be recognized during the 54th annual Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards Presented by John Deere, Keeneland, and The Jockey Club at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida on Jan. 23. Fans are permitted to vote for multiple moments, but there is a limit of one vote per moment for each X account. Subsequent votes from an account will be disqualified and the casting of ballots must be received by Jan. 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The eligible 2024 moments were selected to demonstrate the various equine and human achievements, as well as human emotions, exhibited throughout the year. The story of Cody's Wish was the recipient last year. Click here to view the entries and to vote. The post Voting Opens For FanDuel-NTRA Moment Of The Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-AQU, $80k, Msw, 3yo, 1 1/8m, post time: 1:10 p.m. ET CHOWSER (Constitution), a $200,000 purchase out of the 2023 Keeneland September Sale, carries the silks of Richard Santulli's Colts Neck Stables in this trip to the races. A late April foal, the chestnut is a full-brother to 2021 GIII Oklahoma Derby winner and GI Santa Anita Handicap runner-up Warrant and a half to GII Barbara Fritchie Stakes heroine Ms Locust Point (Dialed In), each of whom won their maiden at second asking over six furlongs. The colt's dam Whisper Number (First Samurai), who passed away in 2024, is a half-sister to GSP Speightful Affair (Speightstown), the dam of the popular 11-time stakes winner and Grade III-placed New York-bred Mr Buff (Friend or Foe) and a pair of additional stakes performers. TJCIS PPs The post Friday Insights: Well-Related Constitution Colt Debuts Going Long appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2020 Derby winner Serpentine (Ire) has been retired from racing, part-owner Nick Williams confirmed to Racing.com on Thursday. The son of Galileo (Ire) was a 25-1 shot when providing trainer Aidan O'Brien with a record eighth Derby win, having gained his first career victory in a maiden at the Curragh only seven days earlier. His pillar-to-post success at Epsom, when beating Khalifa Sat (Ire) (Free Eagle {Ire}) by five and a half lengths, was also achieved in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, causing the Classic to be run behind closed doors for the first time in its history. Serpentine failed to add to his tally in five further starts for O'Brien and the Coolmore partners, before being gelded after his sale to continue his racing career in Australia. He won three races during his time down under, including last year's G3 Neville Selwood Stakes when in the care of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, having initially been trained by Robert Hickmott. The post Derby Winner Serpentine Retired from Racing in Australia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this monthly BH interview, Karen M. Johnson profiles young racing personalities.View the full article

What Geelong Races Where Geelong Racecourse – 99 Breakwater Rd, Breakwater VIC 3219 When Saturday, January 4, 2025 First Race 12:20pm AEDT Visit Dabble Feature racing in Victoria heads down the highway to Geelong on Saturday afternoon, where a bumper 10-race meeting awaits punters. The $300,000 Coastal Classic (1700m) and Listed Black Pearl Stakes (1200m) headline the program set to be run on a Good 4, with the rail in its true position throughout. The first on a massive day of racing at Geelong is set to go at 12:20pm AEDT. Coastal Classic Tip: Dashing Dashing was not at his best in the Listed Lord Stakes (1600m) on the Caulfield Heath track, but in a field where he looks likely to lead from the outset, he looks well-placed by Aaron Purcell. The five-year-old gelding will need to be quick out of the barriers, having drawn the widest barrier (7), but with Craig Newitt on board, they should have no issue finding the rail. With key rivals Holymanz and Riot And Rose looking to run on from the rear, if Newitt can pinch a cheap sectional or two, Dashing will prove too hard to run down in the Coastal Classic. Coastal Classic Race 8 – #3 Dashing (7) 5yo Gelding | T: Aaron Purcell | J: Craig Newitt (57.5kg) +320 with Dabble Black Pearl Stakes Tip: Bizot Bizot is a lightly-raced four-year-old mare, and if she is anywhere near her best, she has the capability to finish over the top of her rivals in the Listed Black Pearl Stakes. The Archie Alexander-trained mare flashed home down the heart of the track at Ballarat on December 7 when beaten less than a length in a similar field to what she faces here. With a breakneck speed expected, the race sets up perfectly for Bizot to camp out the back and thunder home late to snare victory. Black Pearl Stakes Race 9 – #13 Bizot (5) 4yo Mare | T: Archie Alexander | J: Daniel Stackhouse (56kg) +500 with Playup Best Bet at Geelong: Don’t Hope Do The Simon Zahra-trained Don’t Hope Do was a dominant BM74 winner at Ballarat on January 7 when finding the lead early and kicking clear to score by 2.3 lengths over 1100m. The four-year-old gelding draws widest in barrier 10, but looks almost certain to land outside of expected leader Philosopher. Jordan Childs should not have to work too hard to find that spot in running, and if Don’t Hope Do can offer a similar kick when asked for the ultimate effort, he will not be for catching. Best Bet Race 5 – #10 Don’t Hope Do (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Simon Zahra | J: Jordan Childs (54.5kg) +240 with Neds Next Best at Geelong: Gallant Prince Gallant Prince has only been run down in the shadows of the winning post at both of his starts this campaign, but strikes a race where he should be able to dictate proceedings throughout. The four-year-old gelding is blessed with plenty of speed out of the barriers, which should negate barrier 12 perfectly. Appentice Jett Stanley hops on board claiming 2kg on Saturday, and with two wins and three placings at the 1400m, Gallant Prince looks set to run his rivals off their feet this time around at $4.40 with Blondebet. Next Best Race 3 – #12 Gallant Prince (12) 4yo Gelding | T: Clayton Douglas | J: Jett Stanley (a2) (56.5kg) +340 with BlondeBet Best Value at Geelong: Chimed Chimed is racing in fine form in recent times, winning three of his last four starts, and looks poised to add to that record in the Geelong opener. The Symon Wilde-trained stayer disposed of his rivals with relative ease at Hamilton needing to lug 60.5kg in a BM64, and as he steps into BM70 company, is set to appreciate the 1kg drop in the weights in tougher company. Will Gordon will look to hold a prominent position from barrier three, and with even luck when building through the gears, Chimed presents great each-way with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 1 – #3 Chimed (3) 6yo Gelding | T: Symon Wilde | J: Will Gordon (59.5kg) +800 with Picklebet Saturday quaddie tips for Geelong Geelong quadrella selections Saturday, January 4, 2025 1-3-4-7-9 1-2-3 7-8-9-13 2-4-10-15 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

British handler is eager to test progressive galloper against the likes of Wunderbar in Sunday’s Tai Tong Handicap at Sha Tin.View the full article

New Zealand-bred gelding Hemlock Stone defied $81 odds to score a stunning come-from-behind victory in the A$1 million Gr.2 Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on New Year’s Day. The Dalghar gelding is trained by Grant and Alana Williams for syndicator Belhus Racing, and he was bought for just A$11,000 from Book 2 of the 2021 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale. His 21-race career has now produced seven wins, four placings and A$765,990 in stakes. Hemlock Stone was a late starter, beginning his career as a spring four-year-old with a fourth placing over 1300m at Northam in August of 2023. He was a maiden winner at the second time of asking later that month, then added another two wins through the remainder of that campaign. He showed promise as the Williams team increased his distances this season, winning over 1600m at Belmont in August and adding a pair of 2200m victories at Belmont and Ascot in September and November. But his form tapered off with an 11th in a 2100m Rating 66+, fourth in the Listed GA Towton Cup (2200m) and a last-start seventh in the Listed ATA Stakes (2200m) on December 18. Hemlock Stone headed into Wednesday’s time-honoured Ascot feature well under the radar, but none of that mattered when top Perth jockey Patrick Carbery was legged aboard. After settling in second-last among a 15-horse field, Carbery angled Hemlock Stone to the outside and let him rip down the straight. He charged home out wide on the track, bounding to the front in tandem with Diamond Scene at the 100m mark. That pair had the finish all to themselves, with Hemlock Stone overpowering his rival in the last few strides and pulling ahead to win by half a length. “He may have been 80 to one, but he doesn’t know what price he is,” Carbery said. “When I decided to take this ride, I thought that if anyone could get a horse primed for going the long trip on Cup Day, Grant and Alana were the ones to do it. “The horse settled really well for me, which he hasn’t always done in his previous races. I gave him a couple of digs around the 1400m and I knew we were a chance of running right into it. “They came out under him and gave him a couple of bumps coming around the corner, but to his credit, the further he went, the better he went. He hit the line hard and was all grit.” Hemlock Stone delivered a career highlight for Belhus Racing owner Peter Morley. “This is 30 years in the making,” he said. “I’ve lost my voice, so I can’t say too much, but I really can’t tell you how this feels. It’s just the best. “I remember being interviewed when this horse won at Belmont during the winter, and I said that day that we were going to dare to dream of winning the Perth Cup. Here we are today, so how about that? “All of these lovely owners are involved in this horse. They’re a very special crew, and some of these people have been with me for 25 years.” Grant Williams admitted that Hemlock Stone’s heroics took him by surprise. “I actually wanted to put this bloke out, but decided to run him after having a really good chat with Pete,” he said. “Even in my pre-race comments to the owners today, I just told them to be excited that they had a runner in the Perth Cup. I wished them good luck and was just hoping more than anything. “I thought our other horse (Casino Seventeen) was running into the race well, but then I looked and saw Hemlock go straight past him. I went, ‘Wowee!’ “I wasn’t sure if he’d be up to this race today, but in the straight he looked the way he did when he was coming up through the grades. He had a full head of steam. “It’s actually blown me away, but how good is this? It’s an amazing result for Belhus Racing and Pete, who have done so much for Perth racing. It’s so good to see all the people he brings into racing, and there’s a lot of first-time owners in this group.” Hemlock Stone was bred by Neven Botica’s Botsky Pty Ltd and became the fifth stakes winner for his sire Dalghar, who stands for a service fee of just $2,000 at Brighthill Farm. His other stakes winners – Scott Base, Buoyant, Astara and Amusez Moi – all recorded their black-type successes over distances ranging from 1200m to 1600m. The dam of Hemlock Stone is the unraced Savabeel mare Spiritual, who is the dam of two winners from three foals to race. Hemlock Stone’s four-year-old half-sister Ishkur (by Bull Point) is also based in Western Australia and has so far recorded two wins and a placing from a seven-start career. Spiritual produced the once-raced Spiritart (by Flying Artie) in 2021, followed by colts by Time To Reign and Barbaric born in 2022 and 2024 respectively. View the full article

Grey mare Puketiro (NZ) (Savabeel) returned to winning form at Tauranga on Thursday when taking out the Stonewood Homes 1200 in front of a holiday crowd. The five-year-old daughter of Savabeel was tackling the opening event on the eight-race card in a fresh state, having finished unplaced in her resuming run in the Levin Stakes (1200m) at Otaki in November. Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson were confident of an improved performance second-up, and Puketiro didn’t disappoint, running down I’m All In to win by a short head, with stablemates Baronet and Not Straight Laced rounding out the top four. “There was good speed and I was happy to sit off them. Once she got clear she let down and won really well,” jockey Craig Grylls said. “Quite often they gain confidence out of winning and hopefully that’s a case with her.” It was Puketiro’s first win since March last year, having undertaken an unsuccessful three run campaign in Melbourne, and her trainers were thrilled to see her return to the winner’s stall for her connections, which include breeders Christopher and Susanna Grace. “It was great to see her return to winning form today,” Walker said. “She does go well on the fresh side and had worked well since her first-up run at Otaki. “It’s always great to train winners for Christopher and Susanna Grace, and their green and gold colours have been carried by some very good horses throughout Australasia. “We’ll keep her on the fresh side and find another suitable race.” It was the sixth win for Puketiro from just 13 career starts, with the mare having now amassed stakes earnings of more than $108,000. View the full article

Progressive three-year-old filly Kitty Flash (NZ) (Ace High) led all the way in the hands of Masa Hashizume to down a talented field of open class gallopers in a special 1100m trial conducted before racing kicked off at Tauranga on Thursday. The daughter of Ace High, who was fresh up after finishing seventh in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November, headed up a three-strong team of runners for Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman, who all pleased their mentor with their runs. Three-year-old staying prospect Hinekaha (NZ) (Savabeel) chased her stablemate hard in the run home to finish second while open class star Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls) never left second gear as he made up good ground from last to finish on the tail of Group One placegetter Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock) who took third. Forsman indicated that he is likely to tackle the Gr.2 Top Kat Roofing Levin Classic (1400m) at Trentham on 11 January fresh-up with Kitty Flash, a race where she could be joined by Hinekaha in a dual assault on the feature. “I’m not quite sure where we will go until I’ve had a talk to Masa, but the Levin Classic is still on the cards as 1400m in a fresh state will suit,” Forsman said. “Hinekaha is a nice filly on the rise and we will be working towards staying races with her. “She has to resume somewhere in the next few weeks and whether that is in the Levin Classic or the Desert Gold Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m) at Trentham a week later is a decision that we have to make.” Forsman has the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham on the same day as the Levin Classic booked for Aegon, who looked in fine fettle after a short spell following his runner-up finish in the Gr.3 Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie in November. “He (Aegon) is going really well and is on target for the Thorndon Mile on Saturday week,” he said.” Aegon currently sits as a $10 chance in the TAB Fixed Odds market for the Thorndon Mile which is headed up by joint favourites Snazzytavi and La Crique who are both at $6, while Kitty Flash is the $8 second favourite behind Savaglee ($2.80) for the Levin Classic, with Hinekaha sitting at a $12 quote. View the full article

Frostfair (NZ) (Written Tycoon) will be given her first tilt at stakes level later this month after she recorded her third successive win at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day in the Barfoot & Thompson 1400. The four-year-old daughter of Written Tycoon was given a plum trip in the one-one by jockey Warren Kennedy, who presented his charge at the turn, and she was able to run down pacemaker You Say D’Orsay, and evade any incident with the riderless Dame Lilibic, to win by three-quarters of a length. “It is always unfortunate when you get a loose horse in a race, you don’t quite know where to go and they can cross over,” trainer Lance Noble said. “There were a few nervous moments, but she is a very genuine mare and always gives her best. “Warren rode her in track work this week and he was pretty confident.” Bred and raced by Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Frostfair has now won four and placed in three of her eights starts and earned more than $170,000 in prizemoney. Noble has taken a patient approach with the large-framed mare, and he has been pleased with her progression. “She is going from strength-to-strength,” he said. “She is just maturing with a bit of age, she is a very big girl. Putting three together is not easy to do, we are very happy.” The Karaka-based horseman believes she will take improvement from the run and is now eyeing the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) at Ellerslie on January 25 as her next target. “She had a bit of a break between her last start, so there is a little bit of improvement in her and hopefully she will head to the Westbury Classic on Karaka Millions night,” he said. Frostfair is the second foal out of Commands mare Thames Court, who won the Gr.3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m) and placed in the Gr.2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m), Gr.2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic (1600m), Gr.3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m), and Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m). View the full article

The emergence of Bourbon Empress (NZ) (Proisir) has gone a long way toward confirming a future plan for Highline Thoroughbreds. The Stephen Marsh-trained daughter of Proisir was bred by Cam and Eva Heron’s Cambridge operation and her victory in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mie (1600m) has all but decided the way forward for the mare’s dam Amiga Mia. “She’s got an Ardrossan colt at foot and we’ve left her empty this year and thought we’d wait and see what happens with Sulabella (NZ) (Proisir), who has won five, and her sister Bourbon Empress,” Cam Heron said. “We thought if either one of those could get black type, which Bourbon Empress has now, then the mare would go back on an early cover next year to Proisir.” Bourbon Empress was purchased by Marsh out of Highline’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $80,000 and she’s now won four of her 10 starts. “Stephen and his team have done a great job with her over the last couple of years,” Heron said. “They have been patient with her and are reaping the rewards now.” Bourbon Empress’ dam Amiga Mia is a daughter of Conatus and the Encosta De Lago mare Amistosa, a half-sister to the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) winner Saint Minerva. “We bought her at Karaka at the old May Sale, she was an ex-Westbury mare and we got her for $500, it was a good buy and you win some occasionally,” Heron said. “She was in foal to Cecconi and then we left her empty for a couple of years. At that stage, Proisir had arrived in New Zealand, so we sent her to him and the result was Pimlico. “He was a good horse, he was third in a Group Two at Te Rapa (Waikato Guineas, 2000m) and got sold to Hong Kong.” Highline is hoping its breeding success can be followed up in the auction ring with a strong draft headed to the upcoming National Yearling Sale at Karaka. “We’re on the Proisir train and we’ve got a colt out of Tuppence (Lot 373) and a couple of big shot fillies,” Heron said. The son of the champion stallion is from the family of the late, great O’Reilly and the multiple Group One winner and another successful sire in Ocean Park. The first of Highline’s Proisir fillies through the ring will be Lot 113, a half-sister to the Gr.3 The Gong (1600m) and Listed Big Dance (1600m) winner Gringotts, while Lot 440 is a sister to the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) winner Dark Destroyer. “We’ve got a good variety of other stallions with a really nice Too Darn Hot filly (Lot 88) and a Prague filly (Lot 213),” Heron said. We’ve also got top colts by Anders (Lot 303) and Tassort (Lot 1), they are both nice, strong types so we’re really happy with the draft we’ll be taking.” View the full article

What Ascot races Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, January 4, 2025 First Race 11:25am AWST Visit Dabble Racing will return to Ascot once again this Saturday afternoon, where a massive 11-race program is scheduled to take place. The track is expected to remain in the Good range with perfect summer weather forecast in the lead-up to the meeting after the surface was rated as a Good 4 at the time of acceptances. The rail will be in the +8m position for the entire circuit, with the opening race scheduled to jump at 11:25am AWST. Best Bet at Ascot: Fast Flicker Fast Flicker produced a very good front-running performance at Pinjarra last start, when the Tony Triscari-trained mare was run over by The Boss Lady in the final strides over 1300m. The daughter of A Lot led the small field from the jump until the final 50m, and even though she was beaten, this girl defeated the rest of the field by some margin. With another strong performance in a similar field, Fast Flicker can beat those rivals once again and go one better. Best Bet Race 10 – #4 Fast Flicker (5) 5yo Mare | T: Tony Triscari | J: Steven Parnham (58.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Ascot: Citino In a race that Profit Pocket dominated from the front, Citino was one of the only runners that took significant ground off the tearaway winner over 1600m at this track. Michael Grantham and Steven Parnham will combine with his five-year-old gelding, who will be third-up and ready to strike at peak fitness. From barrier one, Parnham can settle this guy closer to the speed on the rail, and if Citino gets into clear air with 300m to go, he can bring up his first victory of the campaign. Next Best Race 3 – #4 Citino (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Michael Grantham | J: Steven Parnham (55kg) Bet with PlayUp Best Value at Ascot: History Won’t Care History Won’t Care should have won first-up at Pinjarra when he competed in a Class 3 Handicap over 1200m; however, he was held up for most of the home straight before squeezing through a gap late to finish a narrow second. The son of Universal Ruler settled worse than midifled and took runs along the inside rail, but once he tried to get into clear running, he was blocked multiple times. Jason Miller has found a winnable race for History Won’t Care, and with even luck, he can go one better and claim victory second-up. Best Value Race 8 – #6 History Won’t Care (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Jason Miller | J: Lucy Fiore (57.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Saturday quaddie tips for Ascot races Ascot quadrella selections Saturday, January 4, 2025 2-6-7 3-4-5-9 2-4-6 1-5-7-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Hayasugi ridden by Jamie Kah winning the Blue Diamond Preview (F) at Caulfield. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) It is with profound sadness that Clinton McDonald Racing announced the passing of Hayasugi, the 2024 Blue Diamond Stakes winner, after a valiant battle with complications following surgery. The decision to euthanize the three-year-old filly was made on January 2, 2025, marking the end of a remarkable journey for one of Australian racing’s brightest stars. Hayasugi’s career was defined by her extraordinary talent and resilience. Her stunning campaign began with a dominant victory in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview, where she effortlessly outpaced her rivals and stamped herself as a filly to watch. She followed this up with an equally impressive win in the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude, defeating a strong field that included South Australian contender Kuroyanagi and the fast-finishing Matisse. Guided by jockey Jamie Kah, Hayasugi’s determination and class were on full display as she fought off every challenge to secure her place as a leading contender for the Blue Diamond Stakes. 2024 Blue Diamond Prelude Replay – Hayasugi https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Caulfield-2024-Group-2-Blue-Diamond-Prelude-10022024-Hayasugi-Clinton-McDonald-Jamie-Kah.mp4 Her crowning achievement came on February 24, 2024, when she etched her name into history with a sensational victory in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield. Hayasugi, who started as a $15 outsider with the top online bookmakers, dominated the middle of the track in the final strides to secure the $2 million feature. Her win was both a triumph of skill and heart, making her the first filly since Midnight Fever in 1987 to sweep the Blue Diamond series. Trainer Clinton McDonald, overwhelmed with pride, described her as “determined” and “tough,” qualities that had defined her throughout her campaign. 2024 Blue Diamond Stakes Replay – Hayasugi https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Caulfield-2024-Group-1-Blue-Diamond-Stakes-24022024-Hayasugi-Clinton-McDonald-Jamie-Kah.mp4 Off the track, Hayasugi was as adored as she was on it. Her calm demeanour and love for her work endeared her to everyone in her circle, from the stable staff who cared for her daily to the ownership group who cherished her spirit. She was described as “adorable” and “a joy to work with,” embodying everything that makes a champion not only exceptional but unforgettable. Hayasugi’s career statistics reflected her brilliance, with eight starts producing three wins and two second-place finishes. Her victories in the Blue Diamond Preview, Prelude, and Stakes will remain a testament to her incredible ability and her resilience in the face of fierce competition. She earned over $1.7 million in prizemoney, further underscoring her standing as one of the most talented juveniles of her era. The ownership group expressed their deep gratitude to those who supported Hayasugi throughout her journey. They thanked the veterinary team led by Dr. Massimo Deli-Rocchili for their tireless efforts, bloodstock agent Shane McGrath for recognising her potential, and jockey Jamie Kah for her outstanding rides. They also acknowledged the racing fans who celebrated Hayasugi’s success, noting that her legacy will forever be cherished by the racing community. Clinton McDonald reflected on her career with pride, saying, “She had no favours, but her tenacity and love for racing were second to none.” Hayasugi’s passing is a profound loss, but her achievements and fighting spirit will endure as an inspiration to all. Horse racing news View the full article

What 2025 Magic Millions Gold Twilight Meeting Where Aquis Park Gold Coast – Racecourse Dr, Bundall QLD 4217 When Saturday, January 4, 2025 First Race 2:05pm AEST Visit Dabble The first weekend of the Magic Millions Carnival will take place at the Gold Coast on Saturday evening, with the inaugural running of the $3 million Sunlight 3YO Plate (1100m) set to headline the 10-race card. The track was rated as a Soft 6 at the time of acceptances and with more rain forecast on Friday and Saturday, the surface is expected to remain in the Soft throughout the meeting. The rail will be in its true position and the first race will jump at 2:05pm AEST. Race 1: Gold Nugget QTIS 2YO C&G (1100m) Torque To Be Sure never settled at the back of the field on debut at this track over 1000m; however, when asked for the ultimate effort, he unleashed a strong turn of foot to finish second behind Vein Girl. The Matthew Dunn-trained colt ran through the line the strongest of any of his rivals, indicating that a rise to 1100m second-up will suit him perfectly. Nash Rawiller can settle Torque To Be Sure behind the leaders and get into clear air turning for home to finish off strongly. Selections: 2 TORQUE TO BE SURE 4 MIDNIGHT SPIRIT 1 COOL ARCHIE 6 QUIETLY ARROGANT Race 2: Gold Pearl QTIS 2YO Fillies (1100m) With little exposed form to work with Zouclaire goes on top in the opening event for the fillies, following her brave second-place finish behind the smart Invincible Woman on debut. The Leon & Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained filly ran home nicely from worse than midfield over 1100m at Caulfield on the Heath track, although she was beaten by 2.8 lengths. Blake Shinn will have his work cut out for him from barrier eight, but if he can find a back to follow around the home corner, Zouclaire appears to have the ability to take this out. Selections: 2 ZOUCLAIRE 1 LA BELLA BOOM 3 DON’TDOUBTHELADY 6 ROYAL CHIC Race 3: Magic Million Maiden Plate (1400m) Winchman was no match for the winner in his debut start at this track over 1200m, but the Paul Shailer-trained gelding stuck to the task well in the final 400m to shorten the margin to 1.5 lengths on the line. The son of Hellbent swung into the home straight as the second widest runner and due to the fact that he continued to find in the concluding stages, he will appreciate an extra 200m on Saturday. If Michael Rodd can find cover from barrier 18 and produce another strong burst of acceleration late, the $10 on offer for Winchman with top horse racing bookmakers looks overs. Selections: 4 WINCHMAN 9 ICONIFY 8 HELL TO PAY 12 STAY SILENT Best Value Race 3 – #4 Winchman (18) 4yo Gelding | T: Paul Shailer | J: Michael Rodd (58.5kg) +900 with BlondeBet Race 4: Magic Millions Rising Stars 3YO & 4YO (F&M) Class 4 Plate (1300m) It is easy to argue that Wooloowin should have finished much closer last start, when the Nathan Doyle-trained mare was ridden for luck closer to the inside rail and ran into dead ends in the final 200m. The daughter of Capitalist has built a strong record from six career starts, posting three wins and two placings with her fifth-place finish in her previous run being the first time she has missed the top three. With a lot of speed expected in this contest, Wooloowin can find her feet worse than midfield and let down with her blistering turn of foot to blouse her rivals late. Selections: 2 WOOLOOWIN 6 INFATUATION 3 INSTAGOOD 9 GOSPEL GIRL Race 5: Magic Millions Rising Stars 3YO & 4YO (C,G & E) Class 4 Plate (1300m) Michael Freedman and Blake Shinn will combine with one of the better bets on the program, when Moravia steps out in the fifth race of the afternoon. The son of Snitzel ran well when finishing fourth in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap, and since then the second and third horse have come out and run well again in Listed grade, franking the form of this gelding. From barrier two, Shinn will be able to settle Moravia in the one-one position behind the leaders before taking over in the final 200m to run away with victory. Selections: 9 MORAVIA 4 REDFORD 5 TALTARNI FIELDS 6 TUFF TU MUS Best Bet Race 5 – #9 Moravia (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Michael Freedman | J: Blake Shinn (57kg) +100 with Neds Race 6: Magic Millions Class 6 Plate (1200m) Addriel was very good when winning by 1.5 lengths at Eagle Farm over 1200m last start and he appears to be enjoying life under new trainer, Jay Bellamy. The son of Harry Angel settled midfield on a good speed and made his run from the home turn before taking over in the final 150m to pull away with an impressive victory. Bailey Wheeler has retained the ride and with a similar run expected from barrier six, Addriel can win again here. Selections: 10 ADDRIEL 2 EZEKEIL 9 STANDING ORDER 11 BEWS Race 7: Magic Millions The Wave (1800m) Rapt dropped back from Listed grade to compete in a Benchmark 72 Handicap at Randwick last start, and that move allowed the Jason Dreamer-trained mare to bounce back to winning ways over 1600m. The daughter of More Than Ready settled at the back of the field and quickly rounded up his rivals in the home straight before kicking clear to record a dominant 1.3-length win. A rise in trip to 1800m is expected to suit and with Tim Clark sticking, Rapt gets every chance to win again at a nice price with Bet365. Selections: 11 RAPT 4 GOLD BULLION 10 MISS JOLENE 5 TANNHAUSER The Wave Race 7 – #11 Rapt (11) 4yo Mare | T: Jason Dreamer | J: Tim Clark (56.5kg) +550 with Bet365 Race 8: Magic Millions The Syndicate (1100m) Bezique returned from a 22-week spell at Eagle Farm on December 21 with a very impressive 1.6-length victory over 1000m in a Class 6 Handicap. The Tony Gollan-trained mare settled behind the speed before peeling out wide on the home turn to run over the top of her rivals, and run away with the prize. Craig Williams will be legged aboard for his third ride on Bezique, and if he can settle her in a forward position from barrier nine, another win could be on the cards with a strong finish. Selections: 11 BEZIQUE 2 GOLDEN BOOM 1 PRINCE OF BOOM 5 DERRY GROVE The Syndicate Race 8 – #11 Bezique (9) 5yo Mare | T: Tony Gollan | J: Craig Williams (56.5kg) +500 with Picklebet Race 9: Magic Millions Sunlight 3YO Plate (1100m) The inaugural edition of the Sunlight 3YO Plate has one clear standout runner and that is the 2024 Golden Slipper winner, Lady Of Camelot. The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained filly competed at Group 1 level in three of her four starts during her spring campaign, finishing in the top four in each of those races. From barrier one, Blake Shinn can push forward and settle Lady of Cameolt in the box seat, receive the run of the race and prove too classy for her rivals late. Selections: 6 LADY OF CAMELOT 11 VESTAS 2 STOLI BOLLI 7 ARABIAN SUMMER Sunlight 3YO Plate Race 9 – #6 Lady Of Camelot (1) 3yo Filly | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Blake Shinn (55kg) +180 with Boombet Race 10: Sunlight Consolation 3YO (1100m) After finishing second behind Arabian Summer and beating the rest of his rivals well over 1000m at this track on December 20, Cosmic Fire appears hardest to beat in the Sunlight Consolation 3YO. The Billy Healey-prepared gelding settled near last and rattled home strongly down the middle of the track to finish as the runner-up. If he can produce something similar in a race that sets up exactly the same, Cosmic Fire will bring up his second victory in three starts this time in. Selections: 3 COSMIC FIRE 7 MISHANI LILY 1 HEZDARNHOTTOO 8 OVERFULL Next Best Race 10 – #3 Cosmic Fire (7) 3yo Gelding | T: Billy Healey | J: Andrew Mallyon (57kg) +270 with Playup Saturday quaddie tips for the Gold Coast Gold Coast quadrella selections Saturday, January 4, 2025 1-4-5-10-11 1-2-5-11 6-7-11 3-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Randwick Races Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, January 4, 2025 First Race 12:35pm AEDT Visit Dabble Royal Randwick Racecourse gets set to host the first Saturday metro meeting of 2025, with a bumper 10-race program scheduled to get underway at 12:35pm local time. The rail moves out +3m the entire circuit, and although light rainfall is predicted to hit the course proper on Thursday and Friday, the sunny skies forecast throughout Saturday afternoon should have participants racing on a genuine Good 4 surface. Best Bet at Randwick: Associate The Danielle Seib-trained Associate had no luck in his latest outing at Wagga on December 24, closing powerfully into a runner-up placing despite the torrid run in transit. The Star Witness gelding was unable to get clear running when asked for the ultimate effort, only going through the gears in the final furlong when Baledon was already off and gone with the prize. Zac Wadick gets legged aboard from barrier six in this Highway contest, and with even luck this time around, punters can be confident Associate can get the job done at a good price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Bet Race 3 – #1 Associate (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Danielle Seib | J: Zac Wadick (a2kg) (61.5kg) +400 with Neds Next Best at Randwick: Amazing Eagle Amazing Eagle returns to Syndey after a bold display in the Magic Millions Pierata Plate (1200m) at Doomben on November 30. The son of Capitalist caught the eye after missing the start, closing impressively to get within a half-length of Street Chase. The three-year-old is already a Listed winner this preparation, and with the Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou-trained colt yet to miss the frame in five starts, punters can expect that trend to continue as Amazing Eagle drops back into this BM88 contest. Next Best Race 7 – #9 Amazing Eagle (2) 3yo Colt | T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | J: Reece Jones (53kg) +260 with BlondeBet Best Value at Randwick: Super Bright Super Bright got a pass mark returning at Canterbury on December 20, hitting the line well behind stable companion Salisano. The Nathan Doyle-trained galloper was crowded for room at a crucial stage, and although she never appeared likely to figure when getting off the rail, the Super One mare should take plenty of improvement heading into this second-up assignment. William Stanley gets the opportunity to take closer order from gate two, and provided Super Bright can get within striking distance turning for home, watch for this girl to be hitting the line well at an each-way price with Picklebet. Best Value Race 2 – #2 Super Bright (2) 6yo Mare | T: Nathan Doyle | J: William Stanley (a3kg) (60.5kg) +750 with Picklebet Saturday quaddie tips for Randwick Randwick quadrella selections January 4, 2025 4-6-9 2-6-7-10-12-14-17 1-10-12 1-2-7-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Darwin Races Where Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 When Saturday, January 4, 2025 First Race 2:27pm ACST Visit Dabble The Darwin Turf Club hosts its first meeting of 2025 on Saturday afternoon with 37 horses accepting for the five races. Heat 6 of the Wet Season Series and Heat 1 of the Summer Sprint Series will take place. Over 90mm of rain has fallen since they last raced at Fannie Bay on December 28 with showers expected to continue until Saturday, where the mercury will reach 33C. The rail will be in the true position, and it will be a good dirt surface. Best Bet at Darwin: Forms Of Fear Forms Of Fear looked like saluting three weeks ago until Brazen Bon swooped late over 1100m in the Class 2 ranks. The five-year-old gelding drew a wide gate and chewed up plenty of petrol before settling in front. The son of Written Tycoon was labouring at the 200m before Brazen Bon, a starter on Saturday, pounced. Drawing a good gate should help Forms Of Fear, who returned on December 6 after eight months off and ran third over 1100m at 0-64 level when Wild Beau broke the track record. Best Bet Race 3 – #1 Forms Of Fear (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Tayarn Halter | J: Raymond Vigar (61kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Darwin: Motivated Miss Motivated Miss looked set to make it four wins from 11 Darwin starts over 1200m against BM54 opposition on December 14 before getting pipped at the finish by the fast-finishing World Affairs. The daughter of The Mission shared the early lead that day, and all appeared promising once kicking clear in the home straight. After a four-month spell, Motivated Miss was a first-up fourth over 1200m in 0-64 grade on November 29. At her best, the five-year-old mare is capable of overcoming a difficult gate. Next Best Race 5 – #4 Motivated Miss (8) 5yo Mare | T: Jason Manning | J: Vanessa Arnott (59.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Darwin: Rhesus Rhesus, the $2.15 favourite in 0-58 grade over 1300m three weeks ago, finished 6.8 lengths behind Queen In The North and Starspangledancer in third place. The four-year-old gelding was never a serious factor after missing the start and travelling wide throughout. Third in the Darwin Guineas (1600m) and sixth in the NT Derby (2050m) last July, the son of Lonhro faces Queen In the North and Starspangledancer once again, and with a decent Darwin record, the early $7.50 quote with horse racing bookmakers is appealing. Best Value Race 1 – #1 Rhesus (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Phil Cole | J: Wayne Davis (61kg) Bet with Picklebet Saturday quaddie tips for Darwin Darwin quadrella selections Saturday, January 4, 2025 1-2-4 1-2-73 1-2-3-5 1-2-4 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Poetic Champion (inside) winning at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) A Group One target is in the offing for exciting three-year-old Poetic Champion following his victory at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. After enjoying the trail behind Shoes, the son of Super Seth improved to be outside the pacemaker when turning for home and captured the lead with 300m to go and was able to hold out the late challenge of race favourite Sweynesday to win by a head. Poetic Champion was first-up after a soft spring, where he won the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) and ran fourth in the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). He returned with an 800m trial victory at Pukekohe last month and trainer Tony Pike was keen to give him a look around Ellerslie prior to the Karaka Millions meeting on January 25. “He is a really electric horse fresh, he is unbeaten now fresh-up,” Pike said. “We really wanted to keep his races spaced towards Karaka Millions night, hence we took on the older horses. It was a good effort from a three-year-old against the older horses at this time of year especially. “It was a good win, and he got chased down by a pretty good horse in second as well.” Jockey Matt Cartwright has a soft spot for Poetic Champion and was pleased with his performance in open grade on Wednesday. “I love this horse, he has been going so well this prep,” Cartwright said. “He had to step up against the older horses, but he did so and he acquitted himself well. “He will take confidence out of it and he is going well.” Bred by Australian Jonathan Munz under his GSA Bloodstock banner, Poetic Champion was initially offered as a yearling at Karaka but failed to meet his $80,000 reserve and was subsequently entrusted to the care of Pike. He has now won three of his nine starts for the Cambridge horseman, including the Sir Colin Meads Trophy, and he has also placed in the Group 3 Matamata Slipper (1200m), Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m), and Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m). Group targets now await Poetic Champion on Karaka Millions night, with his connections now weighing up between the Group 1 Sistema Railway (1200m) and Group 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m). “There are two nice options available to us,” Pike said. “The Railway looks like it is going to come up a pretty strong field. I will have a talk with Jonathan and the team at GSA and we will decide what we want to do in the next week or so. “He (Munz) hasn’t raced a horse in New Zealand for a fair while. This bloke couldn’t be sold at the sales, he got passed in, so lucky he left him here and he has done Super Seth proud. “It is really good that Jonathan has supported the New Zealand industry and hopefully he keeps a few more here.” Horse racing news View the full article

New Zealand-bred gelding Sounds Unusual showcased his staying potential with an impressive maiden victory at Canterbury. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au New Zealand-bred gelding Sounds Unusual hinted at a bright future over staying distances with a maiden victory at Canterbury on New Year’s Day. The four-year-old began his career only a month ago, finishing strongly from last to run second over 1500m at Newcastle on December 1. He produced another late run for third over 1900m at Canterbury on December 13, earning $1.45 favouritism with Neds for his third career start on Wednesday. Sounds Unusual was ridden patiently by Nash Rawiller, who took up a midfield position before angling his mount into a gap two off the fence at the top of the home straight. Sounds Unusual gradually built up his momentum and surged past the leaders, stretching out well to win by just under a length. “The barrier (gate two) probably helped him today and he had the right run,” Rawiller said. “He’s still learning his craft. He’s a bit of a big, gangly kid and a bit of a dope. He did a good job to win here today on a small track. “He’s got good scope and will keep improving. I reckon he’s still six months away. He’s been given the time to mature, and a bit more of that mental and physical maturity will take him a long way.” The Chris Waller-trained Sounds Unusual has now had three starts for a win, two placings and $60,950 in stakes. Sounds Unusual was bred by Letham Stud’s Nigel and Adaire Auret, who put him through his early paces in the Marton stable of their son Fraser. He was a 1000m trial winner at Foxton in October before being privately sold across the Tasman to one of Waller’s major clients, the Muollo family. Waller’s wife Stephanie also shares in the ownership. “It was a patient ride from Nash, but you’ve got to have the horsepower to show that patience, and he had that today,” Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said. “This is great for Tony Muollo, who’s a pretty passionate owner. He’s on course today, so it’s very pleasing to get a win for him.” Horse racing news View the full article

Zambezi Khan hits winning form at Flemington on New Year’s Day. Photo Credit – Colin Bull A return to stakes company is looming on the horizon for proven black-type performer Zambezi Khan, who struck winning form early in her four-year-old preparation at Flemington on New Year’s Day. It was the fourth win of a 17-start career for the New Zealand-bred mare, who has placed on another five occasions including last season’s Group 3 SA Fillies’ Classic (2500m) at Morphettville. Trainers Patrick and Michelle Payne kicked off Zambezi Khan’s season with a fifth over 1350m at Donald on November 17, followed by a second over 1500m at Moonee Valley on December 6. The Mongolian Khan mare was ideally suited to the step up to 1700m for the third start of her campaign on Wednesday, and after settling in fourth among an eight-horse field, the field bunched up before the home turn and she loomed just behind the leaders. Zambezi Khan warmed into her work in the straight and finished over the top of gallant topweight Miss Tarzy to score a narrow but impressive win. “The race unfolded perfectly,” apprentice jockey Tom Prebble said. “She was a bit too keen last start, but switched off really well today, so the Paynes have done a good job with her. “There was a nice tempo on today, which helped her. I presented her in the straight and she ran them down nicely. I think the longer straight here at Flemington allowed her to work through her gears.” Zambezi Khan has now earned $153,392, having been purchased for just $5,000 by part-owner Mark Evans on Gavelhouse.com in August of 2021. Zambezi Khan began her career in the Hastings stable of Guy Lowry, for whom she won on debut as a two-year-old at Tauherenikau in January of 2023. She finished fifth in the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m) in her only other appearance as a juvenile, then resumed the following spring with a close fifth at Taupo behind subsequent Group One winner Quintessa. Those performances gave Lowry the confidence to take Zambezi Khan across the Tasman, where she won at Mornington, finished second at Kyneton and ran eighth in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington. Zambezi Khan’s owners left her in Victoria after that campaign and put her in the Paynes’ stable. She won in her third start for them at Mildura last April, then finished third at Caulfield before running second behind Positivity in the SA Fillies’ Classic. Michelle Payne saw promising signs in Wednesday’s win. “It was an absolutely beautiful ride by Tom,” she said. “The speed was good enough for him to slot in and get the cover that he needed. “To the horse’s credit, she kept picking up down the straight and scored a wonderful win. A couple of her owners are here today from New Zealand, so that makes it all the sweeter. “She’s a lovely mare. She showed that in her three-year-old days, and she’s come back well in this prep. Some more black type a bit further down the track would be great, possibly in Tasmania.” Horse racing news View the full article

Patch Of Theta (outside) surges away for Group 3 glory at Sha Tin. Photo: HKJC Francis Lui will consider a tilt at the HK$13 million Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) with Patch Of Theta (115lb) after the talented gelding’s emphatic HK$4.2 million Group 3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1400m) triumph at Sha Tin on Wednesday. Purchased for HK$8.6 million at the 2023 Hong Kong International Sale, Patch Of Theta took his career earnings to HK$11.1 million with his sixth win from only 14 starts after settling sixth before Teetan issued a late challenge to easily defeat Drombeg Banner (115lb) and Green N White (115lb) in 1m 20.91s. The impressive nature of the win under Karis Teetan prompted Lui to consider entering Patch Of Theta in the Stewards’ Cup – a race he won twice with Golden Sixty. “He showed he’s a really honest horse and he keeps improving every time. After the race, he (Teetan) told me the horse was very good and he’s got a third gear, not a second gear,” Lui said. “Of course, we’ll think about trophy races. Now he can run between 1400m and 1600m, next time we will think about the Stewards’ Cup (on January 19).” Teetan said: “I still think this horse once he knows how to race properly, he’s going to be even better. But with that weight on his back, he went through them and when I got into the straight, he changed gears pretty quickly.” Howdeepisyourlove (135lb) provided master trainer John Size with his fifth HK$4.2 million Group 3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap (1000m) win when the 2022/23 Hong Kong Champion Griffin edged out favourite Magic Control (125lb) by a short head in 56.16s. Beauty Waves (131lb) was third. Jumping from barrier one, Howdeepisyourlove tracked Magic Control throughout before Purton angled along the outside fence to narrowly clinch his third win in the race after Little Bridge (2012) and Not Listenin’tome (2016). Previously successful in the race with Grand Delight (2003), Amazing Kids (2017), Premiere (2018) and Sight Success (2023), Size was impressed with Howdeepisyourlove’s application in running down one of Hong Kong’s fastest sprinters. “He did the job well, it was a pretty impressive effort, actually, to get the leader (Magic Control) down, he’s a hard horse to get past and he did the job very well. I couldn’t expect any more from him,” Size said. With six wins and 10 minor placings from 25 starts, the Deep Field gelding has forged a reputation for consistency, often performing well at elite level without winning. “He’s made small improvement along the way, his pattern changed a little bit and his tracks have changed – he’s come to Sha Tin and run well – and as he’s gone up in class, he hasn’t looked anything flash but he’s always been there to do the job. Today, he got one of the rewards he’s entitled to,” Size said. The Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) run over the straight course at Meydan in Dubai in April is a possible target for Howdeepisyourlove. “I’ll see how he is after the race at home and see what our options are and how he pulls up but that’s (the Bauhinia Sprint Trophy) a straight race so that opens up a possibility for him,” Size said. Purton, who slotted a treble to move to 1,803 Hong Kong wins, 10 shy of Douglas Whyte’s record of 1,813, said: “The outside fence looked the place to be in the small field and the gate (one) allowed me to get out there because the speed in the race was great, it just opened everything up. “We just followed the favourite and sneaked through. He is a consistent horse, he’s just a step below our top ones so he needs to take his opportunity when he can get it and today was that.” Purton also scored on Frankie Lor’s Legend St Paul’s and Jamie Richards-trained Storming Dragon. Vincent Ho marked his return from injury with a double on Chris So-trained pair The Boom Box and Devas Twelve. “It’s been really tough the past few weeks, but I’m grateful to be riding him today,” Ho said before praising The Boom Box, who is unbeaten after two starts. “We wanted him to relax early to teach him the right way for the future when we might step him up and he’s got a great turn of foot and showed bravery between horses, so he’s on the right path.” Britney Wong and Benno Yung combined with Fun Elite to win the first race of the New Year as Wong posted her seventh victory of the season, while Yung slotted his fifth win from the past six meetings. Ricky Yiu-trained Chilli Baba won his first race in exactly two years. The Capitalist gelding’s previous victory came on January 1, 2023. Yiu completed a double with Solid Win under Hugh Bowman. Caspar Fownes teamed with Ellis Wong to win with Dancing Code before Harry Bentley’s clinical ride enabled Huge Wave to snare the Class 3 Chuk Yuen Handicap (1600m) for Jimmy Ting. Horse racing news View the full article