Wandering Eyes

Almost 70 years after his grandmother bred the winner of the Cox Plate, Kiwi horseman Sam Williams will chase his own slice of racing history with three-year-old Evaporate(NZ) (Per Incanto) in Saturday’s weight-for-age championship at The Valley. Williams, who owns and operates Little Avondale Stud with his wife Catriona, bred, sold and retained a share in the son of his resident stallion Per Incanto, who was bought by Lindsay Park Racing for $330,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The three-year-old has won four of his nine starts, including the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at The Valley, and was beaten by less than a length in the G1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) last start. Williams said the Cox Plate has captivated him since he was young and the prospect of breeding and part-owning a runner is hugely exciting. “From my perspective, the Cox Plate is ‘the race’, so it’s massive to have a runner,” Williams said. “Yeman was a horse that my grandmother bred and he won the Cox Plate (in 1958), so to have another runner is enormous. “When I was a young fella growing up, one of my favourite horses was Kingston Town and I’ll never forget that famous call and his incredible third win in the race. “You look at the honour roll with the likes of Sunline and Winx and all these champions, so it’s the sort of race where you remember where you were to watch it.” Williams is the first to admit that he’s a passive owner, rarely voicing his unsolicited opinions to trainers. But he was able to provide some insight into Evaporate’s pedigree when the Hayes brothers called earlier in the week, keen to inform their decision about whether to run the youngster alongside star stablemate Mr Brightside. Evaporate’s dam, Animal Kingdom mare Savanna, was unraced, but further down her page, there is evidence that the family can produce a horse with plenty of stoutness. The gelding’s third dam Sound Lover was a G3-winning miler who left G1 Sydney Cup (3200m) placegetter Philosophe and G1 Metropolitan (2400m) placegetter Men At Work. It’s the same family as dual Oaks winner Candide and Williams told the team there is enough reason to think Evaporate can successfully stretch out beyond 1600m. “When they rang the other day, we talked about his pedigree,” he said. “On the mum’s side, there are horses like Philosophe, Men At Work, Marju Snip and Candide, who was a dual Oaks winner, so there is stamina there to get him past a mile. “His third dam Sound Lover was a real blue hen mare – I think she left 12 foals, 10 made it to the races, all of them won and between them, they won over 60 races. “She had a very good horse up in Hong Kong by the name of Cheeky and I remember when he had his first trial in Sydney, he gave Commands a bit of a toweling. “Candide won the New Zealand Oaks and the AJC Oaks – we bred and sold her as a yearling. “Funnily enough, she left Nadeem, who ended up standing here at stud. “So the family has been in our family for three generations.” For Little Avondale’s banner stallion Per Incanto, a Cox Plate runner is a chance to showcase his versatility, according to Williams. The son of Street Cry has produced seven individual G1 winners, across races between 1200m and 1600m. Among the stallion’s elite performers is Little Brose, who won the 2023 Blue Diamond Stakes for Lindsay Park. “I said it back at the start of the season that I thought the stallion could be in for one of his most successful seasons on the track and it looks like it’s panning out that way,” he said. “He’s a son of Street Cry and we’ve seen how successful that blood has been over the last month to six weeks in Australia with Pride Of Dubai and Street Boss. “Obviously Per Incanto has made his own headlines with Evaporate, Rue De Royale, Jimmysstar and Gringotts. “Per Incanto himself, his progeny have been more sprinters than anything but he has left two genuine Group 1-winning milers. “To have a horse in a 2000-metre Group 1 weight-for-age race – the biggest one – is just phenomenal for the stallion. “I don’t think it’s coincidence that the (Lindsay Park) stable has had success with the breed, I think it’s the team around them and their systems they’ve got in place. “When they go to the sales, one of the key people in their team and part of the selection process is Dean Hawthorne. “Dean is a good mate of mine and he knows Per Incanto well because he’s based here in New Zealand. “He gets to go around and see them all and he knows the good ones.” View the full article

Trainer John O’Shea has no distance queries with Victoria Derby aspirant King Of Thunder (NZ) (Tivaci) ahead of the gelding’s first Melbourne start at Moonee Valley. King Of Thunder, a winner of one of his four starts on the NSW provincial circuit this season, steps up to 2040m for the first time in Saturday’s Drummond Golf Vase for three-year-olds and the gelding’s breeding and style has his co-trainer adamant he will relish that distance and more. King Of Thunder is by Tivaci out of Zabeel mare Sheezababe, while his grand-dam Honor Babe won the 2003 Group 1 Sydney Cup over 3200m. “One thing about him is that he’s got no problem in running the trip,” said O’Shea, who trains in partnership with Tom Charlton. “He’s a genuine mile-and-a-half horse. “If he runs well, he’ll go to the Derby. “Mac (James McDonald) was happy with him (on Tuesday morning), so he’ll ride him on Saturday.” King Of Thunder won a 1600-metre maiden at Kembla Grange two starts ago on August 31 with blinkers on, before returning from a freshen-up to finish midfield over the same course and distance in a Benchmark race on October 12 after getting back from a wide draw. The gelding did not have blinkers on at his most recent start, but they have been re-applied for Saturday’s race at The Valley. King Of Thunder galloped at The Valley on Tuesday morning with McDonald aboard. O’Shea and McDonald combined to win the Vase with Savvy Nature in 2013. McDonald is also booked to ride Polymnia for the stable in Saturday’s G2 Fillies Classic (1600m). The filly by Dundeel was a fast-finishing second over 1400m in a maiden on the Kensington track at Randwick last start and has been installed as an early favourite for Saturday’s race. View the full article

Brian and Shane Anderton have designs on another trip to Riccarton Park next month, with Saturday’s feature meeting giving an indication on where their talented contingent will feature during Cup Week. The Wingatui partnership will have representatives in both the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) and Listed Sothy’s Spring Classic (2000m), in the form of Cloche (NZ) (Ghibellines) and Mayor Of Norwood (NZ) (Ghibellines). A filly by Ghibellines, Cloche was a winner on debut at her home course in June, before making a strong account of herself behind Age Of Discovery in the Guineas Trial (1400m) four weeks ago. A run in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) was next on the cards for Cloche, but after refusing to enter the barriers, she was late scratched. The Andertons returned home and were pleased with her performance in a jump-out last week, warranting another trip to Canterbury for the $100,000 feature. “She’s always shown a lot of potential and ability, but she’s got a wee bit stubborn in the last couple of starts,” Shane Anderton said. “She had to get a clearance, so she had a jump-out on Thursday and she went really nicely. We’ve put a barrier blindfold on her so hopefully she can go and behave herself this time. “She won on a wetter track, but the forecast doesn’t sound too great, so we’ll find out when we get there.” Cloche holds a nomination for the Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), but after missing a run, Anderton said the filly would have to make a bold account of herself to continue on to the Group One. “It’s going to be a test, we’ve missed a run now so we’re hopping straight up to the mile which isn’t ideal,” he said. “We’re behind the eight-ball now, so she’ll have to run pretty well to go onto the Guineas.” For her older stablemate Mayor Of Norwood, the Spring Classic is another stepping stone towards his main target, the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m). Another progeny of the White Robe Lodge stallion, Mayor Of Norwood has scarcely run a bad race in his career and pleased the Anderton’s in two runs this campaign. “He’s coming up nicely, Ashburton isn’t really his track as he’s the sort of horse that gets back and needs the long straight to get wound up,” Anderton said. “We’re heading in the right direction, we’re looking to get some more mileage under his belt because he’ll hopefully be going to the New Zealand Cup. “We probably won’t go to the Metropolitan, but we’ll get Saturday out of the way and see where he’s at, whether he needs another run.” The Andertons’ trio will be completed by talented mare Inflamed, who ran a narrow second to Tumuch at the venue last month. She will remain at the distance when contesting the Commodore Hotel Rating 75 (1200m). “I was pretty happy with her run, they went pretty quick that day and she’s taken good improvement out of that,” Anderton said. “We’re trying something new now, she’s always had a lot of speed and we tried to get her out a bit further, but I think we’ll just stick to the shorter trips at the moment.” View the full article

Craig Williams will chase a second Moonee Valley Cup win when he partners the Graeme and Deborah Rogerson-trained Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood). Graeme Rogerson knows the feeling of big race success at Moonee Valley having saluted in the Cox Plate with three-year-old Savabeel. He also has two Moonee Valley Cups on the mantlepiece when training for Lloyd Williams, courtesy of Zipping (2006) and Gallic (2007). Now preparing a team of horses in New Zealand with wife Deborah, the Rogerson team will saddle Sharp ‘N’ Smart in Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) on Friday night. A Group 1 New Zealand Derby winner in 2023, Sharp ‘N’ Smart also has a Group 1 Victoria Derby placing to his credit and is a more than accomplished stayer who also won the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Cox Plate Day two years ago. Craig Williams is booked for the ride on Friday night and partnered Sharp ‘N’ Smart at Moonee Valley’s ‘Breakfast With The Best’ on Tuesday morning. It was Williams’ first sit on the stayer who was sent to The Valley to get a feel of the track. “He was a little bit lost on his own as there’s lots for a horse to take in,” Williams said. “You couldn’t get a gauge off his work but if the exercise was to come out and stretch his legs on a lovely, safe track, on a track that he’s competing on, then he’s ticked that box. “Looking at his form without having any extra information behind us, you would say he’s been a little bit inconsistent, but when he’s good, he’s very good.” After a strong three-year-old year that also saw Sharp ‘N’ Smart run fourth in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m), the gelding was below his best during a four-year-old campaign after picking up a bacterial infection. The Rogerson team sent Sharp ‘N’ Smart to Melbourne after running second at Te Rapa on September 15 before finishing 13th behind Via Sistina in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 14. “I’m trusting him on his best form and his trainer Graeme Rogerson is very excited about him and said he’s going better than his form reads,” Williams said. “He said he had excuses for his latest performance because of the weather and the track conditions, so I have trust in the trainer and will see what he does on Friday night.” Williams, who collected the Group 3 Geelong Cup on Onesmoothoperator on Wednesday, last tasted Moonee Valley Cup success aboard Precedence in 2013. View the full article

Racing is set to return to Te Aroha next week after the club successfully completed the return to racing protocols on Wednesday. The course held a set of nine trials, with 59 horses from the Cambridge, Matamata, Te Awamutu and local Te Aroha training centres attending. Through the latter part of winter, several scheduled meetings at Te Aroha were transferred to other venues to allow for extensive renovations to further progress the track surface and profile functionality. “Over the course of the renovation project, we have completed extensive work on the track including sub soiling, air injection to a depth of 500mm and verti-draining with a variety of tines, among other things,” Te Aroha’s track manager Ryan Gartner said. “We under-sowed the track and applied fungicide multiple times as well, including hand seeding and under-sowing the weak areas almost daily. “I’m pleased to see the jockeys comments reflect the hard work that has been put in, and we will continue to put the effort in to produce a quality surface for the industry.” Among a strong contingent of senior hoops was Joe Doyle, who expressed plenty of confidence after riding in six heats on a Good 4 surface. “It rode perfectly today, there is loads of grass where we are racing,” he said. “Its seems to be holding up perfectly and if the weather holds, I don’t see there being any problems. It rode really, really nicely.” Graham Richardson, who trains at Matamata with Rogan Norvall, had an unraced three-year-old in the final trial and was equally positive in his review. “I’m really pleased with it and it’s so nice to be back,” he said. “The track seems nice and safe and it looks great. I’m looking forward to racing on the 30th.” Northern-based commentator and Racing Te Aroha board member George Simon had hoped to see the venue come into play earlier in the season but is looking forward to the upcoming period of racing, which includes meetings on October 30, November 12, November 27 (Christmas at the Races) and December 8. “Our return has been more delayed than we would have liked, but we needed that additional time to go forward with confidence and be able to maintain our scheduled programme,” he said. “After the trials that took place today, I spoke to a number of senior jockeys who were very complimentary of how the track was presented. They said it rode well, had a little give and was well grassed. “From my perspective, it looked good and with the positive feedback received, it augurs well going forward. “The track will undergo further work in March 2025 after a period of racing.” The Club awaits a final ‘go ahead’ to be given in the coming days, after consultation between the Club, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and the Racing Integrity Board. However, Stipendiary Steward, Brady Jones, gave the club some assurance with his feedback following the trials. “The feedback from the senior jockeys was positive, and I see no reason not to proceed next week,” he said. View the full article

There is a distinct Kiwi flavour to the 191-strong nominations for December’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR), headlined by New Zealand-bred Australian stars Antino (NZ) (Redwood) and Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars). Antino, a son of Westbury Stud stallion Redwood, was an impressive last start winner of the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield earlier this month and the Tony Gollan-trained six-year-old is now in line to head to Hong Kong to tackle the HK$36 million (NZ$7.7 million) Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m). Multiple Group One winner Mr Brightside will be looking to continue his purple patch of form in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on Saturday, and trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes are eyeing a potential tilt at the HKIR meeting with their charge if he performs up to expectations, having nominated him for both the HK$40 million (NZ$8.6 million) Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and Hong Kong Mile. Emerging New Zealand-bred sprinting sensation Ka Ying Rising is adding plenty of anticipation to the Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) for local supporters, with the gelding swiftly becoming a fan favourite in Hong Kong. The four-year-old Shamexpress gelding, who was bred by Fraser Auret under his Grandmoral Lodge Racing banner, has been a revelation for trainer David Hayes, winning seven of his nine starts to date and was crowned last season’s Champion Griffin and Most Improved Horse. He has won both of his starts this preparation, including the Gr.2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin last Sunday, and will tackle next month’s Gr.2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) as a final lead in run to the Hong Kong Sprint. Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman, who campaigned his Group One winner Aegon in Hong Kong last year, is keen for a taste of more, nominating Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Positivity for the HK$24 million (NZ$5.1 million) Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m). Group One performer Sacred Satono is the only other New Zealand-trained horse among the nominations, with trainers Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley eyeing the Hong Kong Sprint with the son of Sacred Satono. The HKIR meeting at Sha Tin on December 8 will offer HK$126 million (NZ$27 million) in prizemoney and feature some of the best equine athletes on the planet, with the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director of Racing Andrew Harding pleased with the quality of nominations they have received. “Romantic Warrior, Hong Kong’s current banner horse, will aim to become the first horse to win three LONGINES Hong Kong Cups,” Harding said. “Galaxy Patch and Ka Ying Rising, two of our most exciting horses, also feature and, we are very encouraged by the support we have received from our international friends around the world. “We are confident that this year’s list has the right mix to deliver another memorable LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, which boasts a record purse of HK$126 million for the four Group One races.” View the full article

Ellerslie’s Saturday meeting will mark the start of a career for one exciting Tony Pike-trained galloper in Storm Front (NZ) (Snitzel), while another, Not Guilty (NZ) (Not A Single Doubt), will commence her final campaign on the racetrack. The winner of last year’s Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m), alongside multiple placings at Listed and Group Three level, Not Guilty has been a consistent campaigner in the Pike stable, and with nothing left to prove, has been put in foal. “She’s a stakes winner and has been a very good mare to us over the past couple of seasons,” Pike said. “She’s a very well-bred mare and we decided it is probably the right time to send her to stud, she couldn’t achieve too much more on the track. “Her work since she’s been in-foal has been exceptional, often these mares do improve when they are in-foal so this seemed like a nice race to kick her preparation off with. “If she finds some good form, we’ll carry on through the summer with her before she heads to the broodmare paddock. There’s a lot of nice stakes races coming up, so we’ll take it race by race.” The daughter of Not A Single Doubt will line-up in the Barfoot And Thompson 1200 alongside Impendabelle, who won the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at the meeting last season. Impendabelle went on to finish second behind Molly Bloom in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), third in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m), and third in the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). “It’s difficult for these three-year-olds coming back at four, it will be interesting to see where she heads and we’ll get a line on that after Saturday,” Pike said. “This will probably be a touch short for her at the 1200 and a bit of an awkward draw (7), but as long as she’s finding the line well, she’s in the same boat with plenty of nice fillies and mares races coming up within her distance range.” Later on the Ellerslie card, juvenile colt Storm Front will aim to build on an impressive trial victory at the venue last month when taking his place in the Dunstan Horsefeeds 1100. The well-bred son of Snitzel was a $400,000 yearling purchase at Karaka, with his dam, Indecision, a three-time Listed winner and Group Three placegetter in Pike’s care. “He’s progressed really nicely from that trial, he went to Ellerslie for a track gallop on Saturday before the first race and worked very well again,” he said. “He’s a talented two-year-old, I think he will be better probably as he matures further but at this stage, he’s shown enough to be competitive on debut.” Pike has also accepted with fellow trial winner Grocer’s Deelight, however, he indicated the filly may be more likely to head to Trentham on Sunday for the two-year-old contest over 900m. “She’s a really nice filly by Dundeel, she was impressive in her trial at Te Awamutu,” he said. “She’s also entered at Wellington, we’ll just make that decision on Friday afternoon depending on the weather forecast down there. We are leaning towards heading down there if the track is okay, but if not, she’ll head to Ellerslie. “She’s a really nice-actioned filly and looks an exciting prospect heading into the latter part of the two-year-old season. “With the fillies, we’ve used this path a couple of times, using this race at Trentham then heading back for the Wakefield (Gr.2, 1200m). Impendabelle did that two years ago, it just gives them a look down the straight and the experience of a trip away. “It really helps them grow up mentally going forward into the two-year-old season.” Pike’s team will be busy with another eight runners across the card, including Ellerslie specialist Rudyard taking his place in the TAB 1600. The five-year-old has won two of his five starts at the course, alongside a placing behind Desert Lightning and Legarto in the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) in January. His most recent appearance was an 11th-place finish in the Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa, a performance Pike is happy to look past ahead of Saturday’s assignment. “He got too far back in that race and he’s not really a Te Rapa fan, it’s a bit shifty for him,” he said. “On paper, it didn’t look a great run, but it definitely wasn’t that bad. “Back to Ellerslie is going to be a huge advantage, he’s got an awkward gate (11) to contend with but he always runs well there. Although it’ll be difficult to win from that draw, I’m sure he’ll run well. “He should be competitive in some of the nice mile races up at Ellerslie through the carnival.” The Sistema 1400 bookends the programme, with Acquarello, Dimaggio, Cannon Hill and Maldini all engaged in the Rating 75 contest. The Trelawney Stud-owned Acquarello has an opportunity to make her claim for a Cup Week feature in the race but carries the 59kg topweight under Vinnie Colgan. “She’s really improved this preparation, she came back from Australia after an injury last season and had a long time off,” Pike said. “It took us a while to get her fit, but her two runs have been great this time in and she obviously stays in this grade, albeit carrying more weight. “She’s a very progressive mare going forward and depending on her performance, we’ll make a decision whether to send her down to the Valachi Downs (Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders Stakes, 1400m) for the middle day of the Riccarton carnival. “All owners of fillies and mares love a bit of black-type, especially stud masters, so that is definitely our intention going through the summer period.” View the full article

Group Three performer Waihaha Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls) has returned to the care of co-breeder and part-owner Guy Lowry and is set to make his New Zealand debut for the Hawke’s Bay trainer at Trentham on Sunday. Lowry bred the now seven-year-old gelding in partnership with Waikato Stud, and the gelding showed a lot of early promise, winning a 1000m trial at Foxton, which persuaded the partnership to send the son of Sacred Falls over to Sydney to race for trainer John O’Shea. He was a consistent performer across the Tasman, winning five and placing in five of his 22 starts, and earned more than A$550,000 in prizemoney, with his highlights including a runner-up performance in last year’s Gr.3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m), and placing in two editions of the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m). He last raced at Newcastle in April, and the decision was made to bring him back to New Zealand to see out his racing career. “He did very well in Australia,” Lowry said. “We just chased a bit of prizemoney over there and he was probably unlucky not to win the Sydney Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m), which is a $2 million race, which he ran fourth in and had no luck. He has always shown a lot. “He had a few feet problems and that is one of the reasons why we brought him back, to get his feet right and we think they are in pretty good shape. “He is at an age where he would start enjoying it back here more hopefully, and we just wanted to have some fun with him back here.” Waihaha Falls placed in his resuming trial over 1000m at Foxton earlier this month, and Lowry, who trains in partnership with Leah Zydenbos, is looking forward to him making his New Zealand debut in the WRC Life Members 1000 on Sunday. “1000m is probably too short for him, but it will be a nice warm-up for him if we decide to go down south for the Stewards (Listed, 1200m),” Lowry said. While a stakes target is tempting, Lowry said his gelding would only make the trip to Riccarton if they were going to be met by suitable track conditions. “We will just monitor him because he is very well. We would only go down if the tracks were damp,” he said. However, if things were to go their way, Lowry hasn’t ruled out an elite-level target over summer. “If he happened to go alright there, we may think of a Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m), but at that time of year we are unlikely to get the tracks that we would like,” he said. “We are just taking each day as it comes.” The stable will also be represented at Trentham by Testwin in the David Butler Memorial 1600 and debutant Hollywood Drift in the Happy Hire 1400. Zydenbos is particularly excited about the latter, who she owns in partnership with breeder Tony Rider of Milan Park. “Hollywood Drift is a very nice three-year-old who will be competitive,” Lowry said. “It is a big ask going into a set weights and penalties, but the horse is going alright so we will just take it along quietly. “He won a trial earlier this month, he has trained on, and he shows good promise. “Leah part-owns the horse with Tony, who is really good at giving young people a go. It gives her a bit of an incentive.” View the full article

Cody Cole will spend most of his long weekend in the Central Districts with representatives across two meetings, including his early Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) contender Landlock at Trentham. The Merchant Navy juvenile made a winning debut at Wanganui in late September, adding an all-important $23,000 to his stakes earnings ahead of a bid at the $1 million feature in January. Kelly Myers was aboard when he just bettered a game Princess Elsa in the race, and she remains in the saddle for Sunday’s Graham’s Painters 900. “He’s come through that run super, we gave him a bit of time in the paddock,” Cole said. “He’s pretty naturally clean-winded and seems to have made nice improvement from that run. “He’s drawn a good gate (1) and there will be a bit of rain around, but he copped a Heavy10 last time so I’m not too worried about that. “The Karaka Millions is the plan for him, we’ve got plenty of time up our sleeve and he’s got a good amount of money in the kitty already, so we’ll see how he runs on Sunday and probably head back for another break before taking that next step.” Landlock will make the journey south alongside older stablemate Kind Thoughts (NZ) (Tarzino), a promising mare that Cole believes deserves her chance in the Gr.3 Gee and Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m). Kind Thoughts has only made seven appearances to the races, with four of those finishing in the top two, including a Premier MAAT victory at the venue last December. She finished less than two lengths adrift of What You Wish For at Matamata at her most recent start, with a subsequent gear change to come on Sunday. “She probably doesn’t have the form or credentials to go into a race like this, but I really think she has a bright future and just needs to get out on a big open track where she is able to wind up,” Cole said. “We’ve put the blinkers on her and I think that’s something she’s been screaming out for. I think she’ll be a lot sharper and we’ve probably got a few lengths up our sleeve with those on. “She’s going to have to be above what her best has been in the past, but I think she’s progressive enough to deserve a shot at a race like that. “It’s a strong field with plenty of depth to it and more proven horses, but I think if the best of her turns up and she gets the right run, there’s no reason she can’t be booming home and be in the first three or four. “But, if it gets into that heavy range, she will be staying home. She’s probably a better track horse and we haven’t tried her on that surface, and this isn’t the kind of race you want to be finding out in.” Earlier in the week, Cole will saddle six runners at New Plymouth on Friday, including Redwood mare Latrelle (NZ) (Redwood) in the ComCat 1200. As with Kind Thoughts, Cole has allowed Latrelle plenty of time to mature and was rewarded with a string of consistent form in her four-year-old season, including two wins at 1200m and a mile. “She’s super, we’ve always had an opinion of her and being a backmarker, she’s been unlucky on several occasions not to pick up a few more wins,” Cole said. “It’s a nice kick-off point, she’s won at 1200m and she’s drawn a nice gate (4). Whether she’s a winning chance at 1200 I’m not sure and she’ll need luck from the back, but I think she’ll be getting home pretty well. “She won her last race at a mile and we’ll probably look at some nice races in that range if she can keep progressing through the grades. She’s well-capable and has a good future.” Each of the mares are bred and raced by Gerry Harvey, who also has first starter Bannan (NZ) (Swiss Ace) making his debut in the Taranaki – Whanganui Breeders’ Association Maiden 1200. “He’s a really nice horse, he’s got a good amount of ability but just has taken some time to get there,” Cole said. “He’s drawn a nice gate (2) and if he can get the right kind of run, he can go a good race.” The NZB Mega Maiden Bonus Race (1400m) will feature both Reimagined and Carajillo (NZ) (Ardrossan), the latter an eye-catching finisher in her third-placed run at Egmont. “She went massive in her last start, coming from last and a long way off them to really boom home,” Cole said. “She didn’t cop the shifty track at Matamata first-up and we expected she may run that way, but on the better track she was back to her best which was really good to see. Up to 1400 with a nicer gate (6), hopefully she can settle midfield, and if she can produce that sort of run, she shouldn’t be pretty hard to beat.” View the full article

What Ascot races Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, October 26, 2024 First Race 12:29pm AWST Visit Dabble The Listed Belgravia Stakes will headline the nine-race program at Ascot this Saturday afternoon. With clear and sunny weather forecast for the remainder of the week, the surface is expected to stay in the Good range after being rated as a Good 4 at the time of acceptances. The rail will be pushed out to the +6m position for the entire circuit, with racing set to kick off at 12:29pm AWST. Belgravia Stakes tip: West Star As outlined in The Follow Files, West Star was very good when finishing second first-up at this track over 1000m on October 12, and the Simon Miller-trained sprinter looks primed to run a big race second-up. The son of Playing God made up a stack of ground down the middle of the track to go down by a long neck on the line fresh, and it is expected that he will appreciate a rise in trip to 1200m. If Chris Parnham can navigate a clear run from barrier one, West Star can bounce back with a win. Belgravia Stakes Race 8 – #13 West Star (1) 3yo Gelding | T: Simon Miller | J: Chris Parnham (56.5kg) +150 with Dabble Best Bet at Ascot: Simply Simply will seek a hat-trick of wins when he returns to the Ascot 2200m for the second straight start, following his dominant victory on October 12. Grant & Alana Williams have got this four-year-old gelding going as good as ever, recording three wins and two second-place finishes from five starts this time in. William Pike has ridden this son of Domesday in each of his last four runs, and with him retaining the ride, expect Simply to settle close to the speed before taking over in the final 300m to run away with another win. Best Bet Race 4 – #1 Simply (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Grant & Alana Williams | J: William Pike (60kg) +100 with Neds Next Best at Ascot: Almighty Class Almighty Class couldn’t have been more impressive when claiming a dominant victory first-up over 1000m. The Mitchell Pateman-trained gelding received no luck in running and was forced to settle three-wide without cover on speed; however, his class shone through late as he showed a strong turn of foot to race away with a 1.3-length win. If Holly Watson can settle Almighty Class in the first four, peel off the leaders heels at the 400m mark, and show a similar finishing burst, he will prove hard to run down. Next Best Race 7 – #3 Almighty Class (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Mitchell Pateman | J: Holly Watson (56.5kg) +220 with PlayUp Best Value at Ascot: Here For Cheques Bernie Miller and Patrick Carbery will continue their strong affiliation when they combine with Here For Cheques, coming off an encouraging fresh run over 1400m. This son of Universal Ruler ran on nicely from the back of the field and was being hailed as the potential winner before Count The Sessions ran straight past him in the final 100m. This guy owns a strong second-up record (3:2-0-0), and after a big run first-up, expect Here For Cheques to settle closer to the speed and play a prominent role in the finish. Best Value Race 6 – #5 Here For Cheques (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Bernie Miller | J: Patrick Carbery (58kg) +800 with Picklebet Ascot quaddie tips – 26/10/24 Ascot quadrella selections Saturday, October 26, 2024 2-4-5-8 1-3-8-11 5-6-10 7-9-11-12-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

What Gawler Cup Day 2024 Where Gawler & Barossa Jockey Club – Barnet Rd, Evanston SA 5116 When Friday, October 25, 2024 First Race 2:40pm ACDT Visit Dabble The $107,000 Gawler Cup will headline the eight-race meeting at the Gawler & Borossa Jockey Club on Friday afternoon. The track was rated as a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, but with no rain on the forecast, expect racing to go ahead on a perfect Good 4 surface throughout the meeting. The rail will be in its true position for the entire circuit, with the first race scheduled to jump at 2:40pm ACDT. Gawler Cup Tip: Jenkins Jenkins returned with a second-place finish at Morphettville on September 21, where the Phillip Stokes-trained gelding settled near the rear of the field and powered home late over 1400m. Although this will be start number 51, the son of Pierro appears to be going as well as ever, and a rise to 1500m second-up will suit. If Lachlan Neindorf can settle worse than midfield and find a back to follow around the home turn, Jenkins has the turn of foot to put himself in the finish. Gawler Cup Race 7 – #12 Jenkins (13) 9yo Gelding | T: Phillip Stokes | J: Lachlan Neindorf (54kg) Bet with PlayUp Best Bet at Gawler: Ginger Sinner After filling the placings in his last two starts, Ginger Sinner will strike a very winnable race on Friday as he drops back from 1200m to 1100m. The Richard & Chantelle Jolly-trained galloper looked to have the race within his keeping at the 100m mark at Balaklava before being run over by Dunreal in the final strides. From barrier five, Jake Toeroek will be able to settle in the one-one position, and with even luck, Ginger Sinner will prove very hard to beat. Best Bet Race 3 – #2 Ginger Sinner (5) 3yo Gelding | T: Richard & Chantelle Jolly | J: Jake Toeroek (57.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Next Best at Gawler: Swycho Swycho ended a run of top four finishes with a strong victory over 1250m at Morphettville on the Parks track, thanks to a peach of a ride from Todd Pannell on October 11. The Michael Hickmott-trained mare settled behind the speed before peeling off the leaders heels to take over and run away with a 1.5-length win. Even though she has drawn a wide barrier (10), Swycho has the speed to overcome the gate and can settle close to the speed throughout before letting down with a strong finish. Next Best Race 4 – #2 Swycho (2) 4yo Mare | T: Michael Hickmott | J: Todd Pannell (58kg) Bet with Dabble Friday quaddie tips for Gawler Cup Day Gawler quadrella selections Friday, October 25, 2024 3-7-9-10 1-2-6-7-8 5-10-12-15 1-2-8-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Champion Stakes Day 2024 Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 (Link if we have track page) When Saturday, October 26, 2024 First Race 12:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Metro racing returns to Royal Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) headlining a bumper 10-race program. The rail is out +5m between the 1600m to winning post, while the remainder is out +3m the rest of the way around. The weather looks promising heading into the weekend despite some showers on Thursday afternoon, and with sunny skies forecast on race-day, punters can expect the surface to be in improving Soft 5 condition prior to the opening race at 12:30pm AEDT. Race 1: Kirkham Plate (1000m) The opening event is for the two-year-olds, where the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained Arabella Star appears primed for a first-up assault. The Star Turn filly has won both her jump-outs in Melbourne before heading up the highway, catching the eye in her most recent piece of work when leading all the way at Seymour on October 14. She’s shown versatility in her both trials, so regardless of where Beau Mertens lands in the run from barrier two, punters can expect Arabella Star to be right in the finish. Selections: 6 ARABELLA STAR 2 COMEDY 8 LAPIS LAZULI 1 CHICAMA Best Bet Race 1 – #6 Arabella Star (2) 2yo Filly | T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy | J: Beau Mertens (54.5kg) +300 with Neds Race 2: BM72 Midway Handicap (1200m) In what must be considered the most open race of the afternoon, The Kim Waugh-trained Mogul Monarch gets the nod in this BM72 Midway. The son of Capitalist was impressive dispatching his rivals at Hawkesbury on October 10, and although it was only a BM64 contest, the three-year-old has shown plenty of ability in the past to suggest he’s not out of place in metro grade. Jay Ford gets the chance to lob into the one-one from barrier six, and provided the break fall his way, punters can expect Mogul Monarch to figure in the finish. Selections: 11 MOGUL MONARCH 14 LET’S GO AGAIN 15 FRENCH RULER 3 PANJANTI Race 3: Class 3 Highway Handicap (1600m) Straight Fire has had no luck from the barriers of late, and it ruined her chances of victory in her latest effort at Rosehill on October 12. It forced her back and wide in the middle stages, blunting her turn-of-foot in the final furlong as she fought to within 1.6 lengths of Who Ever Thought. The 1600m journey should no issue from barrier two, and with clear air at a crucial stage this time around, Straight Fire should finally chalk up career win number three at start 10. Selections: 17 STRAIGHT FIRE 3 MARENARO 1 DON STEFANO 4 VOLCANIC LOVE Race 4: Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) Amazing Eagle returns after a 230-day spell, and although the son of Capitalist is winless after three starts, his trials suggest he’s a much-improved three-year-old. He’s been impressive in both trials at Rosehill and has the ability to lead or take a sit under Tyler Schiller. With no real speed engaged here, expect Schiller to take this race by the scruff of the neck from barrier seven, and once kicking clear of this small field, his rivals may have plenty of ground to cover. Selections: 8 AMAZING EAGLE 4 SMASHING TIME 1 HIGH OCTANE 2 KING OF ROSEAU Race 5: Group 2 Callander-Presnell (1600m) Just Party gets his chance for redemption after being narrowly defeated by Anode last start in the Listed Tapp-Craig at Rosehill on October 12. The Justify colt arguably should’ve won with any luck in transit, only getting clear in the final furlong to get within a nose of Anode right on the wire. The 1600m is some query, however, with barrier one allowing Jay Ford to slot into the perfect stalking position with cover, Just Party should get every conceivable chance to turn the tables in the Group 2 Callander-Presnell (1600m). Selections: 2 JUST PARTY 1 ANODE 5 ALTHOFF 3 PROST Callander-Presnell Race 5 – #2 Just Party (1) 3yo Colt | T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | J: Jay Ford (57kg) +210 with Dabble Race 6: Group 3 Craven Plate (1800m) Lindermann warrants forgiving for a hapless first-up effort at Rosehill on October 12. He was never in contention after being dragged back from barrier 15 in the Allan Brown Stakes (1400m), and although he was well-beaten by 8.2 lengths, it was nothing more than a glorified barrier trial for the son of Lonhro. He has a terrific second-up record of five starts for two wins and two more minor placings, and with a lack of tempo engaged in the Group 3 Craven Plate (1800m), watch for the ‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira to utilize barrier one to make every post a winner. Selections: 3 LINDERMANN 6 DEMOCRACY MANIFEST 5 REDIENER 10 NEW ENDEAVOUR Craven Plate Race 6 – #3 Lindermann (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Joao Moreira (59kg) +500 with Bet365 Race 7: Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) The three-year-olds take centre stage in the $2 million Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes, with the team Hawkes-trained Swiftfalcon currently holds the call at $3.40 with online bookmakers. El Castello ($3.90) and Henlein ($4.80) are being paid plenty of respect on the second and third lines of betting, while Harlem Queen brings a differing form-line into the event. Will the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) be the right form-line to follow? Or is it worth looking elsewhere? Click here for our full preview of the 2024 Spring Champion Stakes Race 8: Group 2 The Invitation (1400m) Zougotcha was too bad to be true in the 7 Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 21 and looks well-placed against the girls in The Invitation (1400m). The Zoustar mare was sensational at this course and distance the start prior in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) on August 28, and provided she can get back to that form, she must be considered the one to beat. Joao Moreira should be able to dictate from barrier five, and provided she’s back to her brilliant best, Zougotcha is right in this. Selections: 1 ZOUGOTCHA 10 COCO JAMBOO 5 OLENTIA 2 MAGIC TIME The Invitation Race #8 – #1 Zougotcha (5) 5yo Mare | T: Chris Waller | J: Joao Moreira (59.5kg) +300 with Picklebet Race 9: Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m) Territory Express showed a stunning turn-of-foot first-up in the Allan Brown Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on October 12 and should take major benefit heading into this second-up assignment. He draws awkwardly in barrier 13, however, with Zac Lloyd has an outstanding association with the son of Territories, boasting three starts for two wins and another minor placing to his name. Assuming Lloyd can navigate a passage from the rear of the field, Territory Express will be exploding down the centre of the course in the Five Diamond Prelude. Selections: 12 TERRITORY EXPRESS 7 YELLOW BRICK 11 IKNOWASTAR 5 OSIPENKO Next Best Race 9 – #12 Territory Express (13) 5yo Gelding | T: Paul Niceforo | J: Zac Lloyd (56kg) +500 with Boombet Race 10: Filante Handicap (1600m) Riyazan is overdue a win, with two of his last three performances resulting in a minor placing. The nine-year-old hasn’t been beaten more than three lengths in his last four starts, proving a model of consistency for team Hawkes. He gets in on the minimum 52kg in the final event, and with even luck in transit, Riyazan can bpick up a much-deserved victory. Selections: 10 RIYAZAN 6 CAFE MILLENIUM 7 ZOOLOGY 5 KINTYRE Spring Champion Stakes Day quaddie tips for Randwick Randwick quadrella selections October 26, 2024 2-3-8-9 1-2-5-7-10 5-6-7-11-12 5-6-7-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Moonee Valley Gold Cup Night 2024 Where Moonee Valley Racecourse – 1 McPherson St, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039 When Friday, October 25, 2024 First Race 6:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble The Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) is the marquee event on the eight-race card at Moonee Valley on Friday evening. A perfect night should mean we have a Good 4 throughout the meeting, and with the rail in its true position, every runner will get their chance if good enough. The first race at Moonee Valley is set to jump at 6:15pm AEDT. Moonee Valley Gold Cup Tip: Just Fine Just Fine may have been tiring late when saluting in The Bart Cummings (2520m), but that was his first start at the trip. Sticking at 2500m, the son of Sea The Stars is sure to appreciate that experience as he heads to Moonee Valley for the first time. Barrier 10 is offset by his want to lead, and if he can cross stablemate Serpentine early on, Just Fine will take a power of beating in the 2024 Moonee Valley Gold Cup. Moonee Valley Gold Cup Race 7 – #2 Just Fine (10) 7yo Gelding | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Jordan Childs (58kg) Bet with Dabble Best Bet at Moonee Valley: She’s Bulletproof She’s Bulletproof did all but win on debut when returning from a five-month spell at Bendigo on October 6. The five-year-old mare was only grabbed late by Pondalowie, who has since run well in Saturday company to frank the form. From barrier seven, Craig Williams will have the mare up on speed once again, and with a strong second-up record (2: 1-1-0), She’s Bulletproof should prove too slick this time around. Best Bet Race 2 – #5 She’s Bulletproof (7) 4yo Mare | T: Charlotte Littlefield | J: Craig Williams (55kg) Bet with PlayUp Next Best at Moonee Valley: Mornington Pier Following three straight runner-up efforts, Mornington Pier looks ready to break through. The four-year-old gelding has run brilliantly behind a few smart ones this time in, and he heads to The Valley with a mere 52kg on his back after Luke Cartwright’s claim. The son of Pierro will have a 10kg weight advantage on race favourite Verdad, and if he can find clear air at the right time, Mornington Pier has the ability to overhaul his rivals. Next Best Race 3 – #11 Mornington Pier (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Luke Cartwright (a3) (55kg) Bet with Picklebet Friday quaddie tips for Moonee Valley races Moonee Valley quadrella selections Friday, October 25, 2024 1-4-6-7-10-13 1-2-4-6-9-10 2-5-10 1-2-3-4-6-10-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Doomben Races Where Doomben Racecourse – 75 Hampden St, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, October 26, 2024 First Race 11:38am AEST Visit Dabble Racing will return to Doomben for a massive 10-race card this Saturday afternoon, where the first event is set to kick off at 11:38am AEST. The track was rated as a Soft 6 at the time of acceptances, but with little to no rain forecast in the lead-up, expect an upgrade before and during the meeting. The rail will be in the +0.5m position for the entire circuit. Best Bet at Doomben: I Am Artie Following his fifth straight victory this preparation, I Am Artie will rise in grade once again and seek to extend his winning streak to six over 1350m. The Paul Jenkins-trained gelding has recorded each of his five victories over 1200m, with all of them coming in dominant fashion, including his most recent win over Rainbow Connection at this track on October 16. From barrier one, Kyle Wilson-Taylor will hold the rail and find the front, and if he isn’t pressured throughout, I Am Artie will win again. Best Bet Race 10 – #6 I Am Artie (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Paul Jenkins | J: Kyle Wilson-Taylor (58.5kg) +180 with PlayUp Next Best at Doomben: Kadall Kadall has been a model of consistency of late, as the Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald-trained galloper has finished in the placings at each of his last four starts. The son of Capitalist’s most recent placing came at this track and trick after he settled behind the speed and took over at the 200m mark before he was nosed out by Naval Trader in a photo finish. With most of his key rivals suspect at the 1350m, if Robbie Dolan can get a cheap sectional out in front, Kadall will give a strong kick and give them something to chase in the final 400m. Next Best Race 4 – #5 Kadall (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | J: Robbie Dolan (60kg) +550 with Neds Best Value at Doomben: El Pensador El Pensador had no right to win at this track last start after he had to push through a gap and was clearly bumped off his line in the final 300m before rallying late to win in a tight finish. The Rex Lipp-trained gelding brought up back-to-back victories with his recent success and appears to be improving with racing after just five career starts. From barrier six, Kyle Wilson-Taylor will attempt to settle midfield off the fence, and with even luck, El Pensador looks a great each-way chance with horse racing bookmakers to bring up the hat-trick. Best Value Race 3 – #11 El Pensador (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Rex Lipp | J: Kyle Wilson-Taylor (55kg) +1000 with Picklebet Doomben quaddie tips – 26/10/24 Doomben quadrella selections Saturday, October 26, 2024 1-2-3-5-6-10 1-3-5-14 1-4-6-7-8 5-6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Trained by Peter Eurton, Stay Hot has won four stakes on turf, the best record of the seven entered in the Twilight Derby (G2T).View the full article

LEXINGTON, KY – The Fasig-Tipton October Yearlings Sale continued its brisk pace Wednesday, with figures tracking towards a record gross figure as the auction heads into its final session Thursday. “It was another excellent session of the October sale,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. “The sale continued to show strength and consistency in bidding activity from the beginning to the end of the session.” Through three sessions, 839 yearlings have grossed $43,346,500 for an average of $51,664 and a median of $20,000. At the same point a year ago, 790 yearlings had sold for $38,981,000 for an average of $49,343 and a median of $23,500. The 2023 cumulative average was $48,045 and the median was $24,000. With a session still to go, the auction is closing on its record gross of $55,426,500, which was set in 2022. With just 184 horses failing to meet their reserves, the three-day buy-back rate stands at 18.0%. As of Wednesday night, an additional 20 horses were listed as post-sales for a gross of $1,176,000. “There was a great RNA rate and we continue to sell a lot of horses who were RNAs in the first two days,” Browning said. “We are seeing a tremendous amount of horses that are walking through the sales ring sold through the ring and a tremendous number sold on a post-sale basis.” For the second day in a row, a yearling by Curlin brought the session's top price late in the day with trainer Mark Casse, bidding on the phone on behalf of Gary Barber, going to $500,000 for a filly by the Hill 'n' Dale stallion from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment. “It's been a really, really fun three days so far, in terms of seeing the level of energy and the level of activity,” Browning said. “The feel of the grounds again today was strong. People were smiling, people were bidding. The horses were coming in and bringing three and four times the reserves people had set on them. Bid spotters were saying it was really hard work because you've got so many people bidding, as opposed to just one or two people bidding on a horse.” The October sale's final session begins Thursday at 10 a.m. 'A Beautiful Filly:' Casse, Barber Strike for Another Late Session Topper for Curlin For the second day in a row, a session of the Fasig-Tipton October sale was topped by a yearling by Curlin who went through the sales ring late in the day as darkness fell over Lexington. Trainer Mark Casse, bidding on the phone on behalf of owner Gary Barber, outlasted Ramiro Restrepo to secure a filly by the Hill 'n' Dale stallion (hip 1195) for $500,000 in the auction's third session Wednesday. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, the dark bay is out of Achalaya (Bellamy Road) and is a half-sister to hard-knocking multiple Grade I winner Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed), as well as graded winner Chess' Dream (Jess's Dream), and the Casse-trained 2-year-old filly Charlotte's Heart (Authentic). “Obviously, Curlin is one of Gary's favorite sires,” Casse said. “And the mare has been such a great producer. I train the 2-year-old filly out of her for Live Oak, Charlotte's Heart, who broke her maiden at Saratoga first time out and was just second in a stakes at Woodbine. So it's a real live family. Gary liked the pedigree and we liked the horse.” The yearling was bred by 30 Year Farm, which purchased Achalaya, in foal to Authentic, for $725,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November sale. Charlotte Weber's Live Oak Plantation purchased the mare's Authentic filly for $725,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. Named Charlotte's Heart, she broke her maiden on debut over the Saratoga lawn Aug. 25 and was a late-closing runner-up over Woodbine's synthetic surface in the Oct. 13 Glorious Song Stakes. The mare's yearling filly by Curlin also went through the ring at Saratoga, where she RNA'd for $475,000 in August. “I think she has grown up since Saratoga,” Casse said. “When I saw her at Saratoga, I thought she was a little immature and I think she's matured in the last couple of months. Obviously, to make the Saratoga, it takes a pretty good horse. So she made that and I think she's improved since then.” Taylor Made's Duncan Taylor said he was happy with Wednesday's result. “With the way the sale is, I am thrilled that we got the $500,000,” Taylor said. “I think she is worth every penny of it. She's a beautiful filly. She is just a later-developing filly. We had her in Saratoga and she's improved so much since then. And everything the mare throws has been a runner. The Authentic filly ran a heck of a race the other day.” $450k Into Mischief Colt 'a Diamond' for Libyan Buyer Bloodstock agent Mahmud Mouni, representing Libya's Interior Minister Emad Trabelsi, went to $450,000 to acquire a colt by Into Mischief (hip 855) during Wednesday's session of the Fasig-Tipton October sale. The yearling, who was consigned by Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services, was one of five yearlings signed for by Mouni through three sessions of the four-day auction. “He's a new client in the horse business,” Mouni said of Trabelsi. “We would like to keep the horses here [in the U.S.] for one year. We are planning, discussing with the seller, to send them to [Todd] Pletcher. Our main target is the G1 Saudi Cup and G1 Dubai World Cup for the following year or the year later. After we see how they do next year. If they are doing really well, maybe they will go to the GI Kentucky Derby.” Hip 855, who RNA'd for $475,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale in August, is out of Shopit (Yes It's True) and is a full-brother to multiple Grade I placed Shoplifted. He was bred by Newtownanner Stud Farm, which purchased Shopit for $65,000 at the 2019 Keeneland November sale. The mare had Into Mischief colts sell for $1 million at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale and for $600,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September sale. “I would like to buy from the new generation, the yearlings by younger stallions like Charlatan or Maxfield or McKinzie, but when you see a diamond like this horse, you can't forget him,” Mouni said. “That's why we decided to buy him. [Trabelsi] told me two or three horses, but when you see a diamond like this, we decided to buy him in the last five minutes.” Mouni's other purchases at the October sale include colts by Good Magic for $270,000 (hip 429) and $180,000 (hip 615). Mouni said the Libyan racing and breeding industry has been on the improve in recent years and he has high hopes for its future. “Horse racing in Libya is increasing and jumping up with increasing prize money, especially in the last few years,” he said. “The people are spending more money on horses because it's worth it now. Before it wasn't. Now everything is stable, especially after the revolution. Now everything is stable and everyone is supported to buy the horses. I have many clients who are still interested until the end of the sale. “We can't buy horses for half a million for Libya now, the target is for those quality horses to go to Saudi Arabia and Dubai and racing in the U.S. in the Kentucky Derby. But we will see in the near future. Maybe there will be a Libya World Cup.” The post Barber Acquires $500K Curlin Filly During ‘Another Excellent Session’ of the Fasig-Tipton October Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Spring Champion Stakes contender, Henlein. (Photo by George Salpigtidis/Racing Photos) Co-trainer Sam Freedman is hopeful that Henlein will deliver a strong performance in his first Group 1 race, the $2 million Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), on Saturday. The Dundeel colt has had three starts this season, finishing second in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) and placing sixth in both the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) and Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m). This weekend, Henlein will step up to 2000 metres for the first time. “We were negative enough I suppose from that barrier and dragged him right back,” Freedman, who trains in partnership with his father Anthony, told Sky Sports Radio. “We were a little bit critical, thought he might have been able to tack on to the eventual second horse, and if he’d finished third, we probably would have walked away and gone ‘he’s bang on track’. “He closed it off very well, but he’s still got a few things to iron out. He just wanted to get on one rein down the straight a touch. “He’s still a bit green and inexperienced, but we have the visors going on for Saturday. He worked very sharp in them. I’m sure he can make the improvement needed.” Horse racing news
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El Castello winning the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au El Castello, who has won all three starts since returning as a three-year-old, including the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m), will aim for Group 1 success in Saturday’s Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick. Trained by Anthony Cummings, the colt will once again be partnered with jockey Josh Parr, who has ridden him in his Gloaming Stakes victory, his maiden win at Warwick Farm on September 4, and a close second to future triple Group 1 winner Broadsiding in the Listed Fernhill Mile (1600m) as a juvenile. “At the start of the preparation, we had to give him three barrier trials to get him somewhat competitive and active. He is quite lazy,” Parr said. “It seemed like it was overnight, that all of a sudden he was a racehorse. He developed this know-how of being able to travel, and not only travel, but let down. “What we saw in the Gloaming is what we’ve been waiting to see from him for some time, when he hit the front and he carried on. He kept going and going. “That was a really positive moment in his career. I hope that is now a transition into this Saturday. I can’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be.” Horse racing news
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McEwen Stakes contender, Baraqiel. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Troy Corstens is optimistic about his progressive sprinter Baraqiel as the gelding prepares for his first crack at stakes-level competition in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday. The lightly-raced son of Snitzel has shown consistency throughout his career, never finishing out of the placings in seven starts, with five wins under his belt. His most recent victory was in a Benchmark 84 (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 27 over the same course and distance. “He was very good. He worked 1000 metres, home his last 600 metres,” Corstens, who trains in partnership with his father Leon and Will Larkin, told Racing.com during Breakfast With The Best on Tuesday morning. “He’s obviously won here and galloped here before, I just wanted to give him a nice away day to stimulate him. “I worked him with Bittercreek this morning and they were both excellent – we tried something a little bit different. “We led up with Baraqiel and had Bittercreek in behind. “He (Baraqiel) was excellent – Ben Allen reported that he heard Bittercreek coming, really picked the bridle up and ran right through the line.” Horse racing news
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Vauban, pictured heading to the Flemington gates last year, is among the favourites to win the Melbourne Cup in 2024. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Irish trainer Willie Mullins has declared his top Melbourne Cup hopeful Vauban is fitter than lst year and ready to race the 3200m feature today. Vauban jumped the $5.50 favourite in last year’s Melbourne Cup, but failed to challenge and eventually finished 14th, behind winner Without A Fight. But Mullins says Vauban has more miles under his belt this year and performed strongly last start, when he finished runner-up, behind Kyprios, in the Group 1 Irish St Leger. Vauban, with William Buick expected to ride, is priced at around the $9.50 quote to win the Melbourne Cup this year. “Vauban has come down here much fitter this year than last year,” Mullins said. “We did a different program with him for the summer and I raced him all the way though, reckoning that I just need to freshen him up and maybe give him a blow out for the Cup.” Mullins, who was speaking from Werribee, said Vauban and his other Melbourne Cup hopeful Absurde were both tracking well ahead of the November 5 race. “I think both horses are ready this minute to run and that’s really the way I wanted them,” he said. “It’s just biding time now and I think we’re ready. “We came in on the first shipment last year and I didn’t see any benefit of it. “I thought they were away from home far too long, so we’ve decided to completely change tactics, hopefully they work.” Mullins, who initially had the Caulfield Cup on Absurde’s radar, said a victory in the Listed Chester Stakes (2916m) on August 31 had forced a rethink. “He went to Chester and exceeded my expectations by winning there,” Mullins said. “I think he is in the right place as well, I am much happier with him this year, he seems more mature in his mind watching him on the gallops this morning … he seems to have grown up. “I was certainly keen to come back with Vauban, I hadn’t thought about it really for Absurde, I thought Caulfield Cup might suit him better. “But the more I thought about it and looked at last year’s race, I thought ‘You know what, he has as good a chance as any’.” Absurde will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy and is paying around $17 with Ladbrokes to win the Melbourne Cup. Another Irish horse Jan Brueghel, trained by Aidan O’Brien, is $4.50 favourite to win the Melbourne Cup. Horse racing news
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Pierre Ng leads the Hong Kong trainers’ championship after posting a treble. Matthew Poon vaulted into fourth place on the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship, enhancing hopes of securing a place in the International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) in December with victory on Danny Shum’s Reliable Profit to continue a sizzling start to the season at Sha Tin on Wednesday night. With nine wins, Poon trails only seven-time champion Zac Purton (28 wins), Hugh Bowman (16) and Vincent Ho (nine wins) after leap-frogging Karis Teetan (eight) and Matthew Chadwick (eight) with Reliable Profit’s victory at the all-dirt mid-week fixture. In the midst of his fastest start to a season, Poon hopes to return to the IJC at Happy Valley on December 4 after competing in the lucrative series in 2018. “It’s a long way to go but, to be honest, I really want to be in the top four of the jockey championship so then I can ride in the IJC,” Poon said. “My target is to get into the IJC and also get more support from different trainers, which I’m trying to do now – I’m riding trials in Conghua, trials in Hong Kong – to get more opportunities. “If I can get more rides, hopefully I can get more winners. Riding in the IJC was amazing (in 2018). It was unforgettable, so I’m doing my best to do it again.” If Poon maintains his current strike rate, he will join Purton, who qualifies as reigning Hong Kong champion jockey, and Ho, who is the LONGINES IJC defending champion, in the series along with a glittering assembly of world-class overseas jockeys. Ho continued to build form with a double, scoring on Capital Delight for Caspar Fownes and Sunny Darling for Pierre Ng, who reclaimed the lead in the trainers’ championship with a treble. Ng also scored with Robot Knight under Andrea Atzeni and Turin Mascot for Purton to have 15 wins for the term – one more than David Hayes (14). “It’s good to see the two horses winning tonight and hopefully they can go on. David Hayes has done really well. We’ll just try to get more winners and keep everyone happy,” Ng said. Chris So praised the competitive longevity of Smart Leader after the 10-year-old landed the Class 5 Shek Uk Shan Handicap (1200m) for Keagan De Melo. Contesting his 81st race in Hong Kong – having won three races from six attempts when he raced as Scarecrow for Tony McEvoy in Australia before export – Smart Leader slotted his fifth win with an age-defying performance. “The horse is still competitive. I wanted to keep the horse until December to see what we could do and if there was no result, we would retire him but he keeps on doing his job – he’s 10 years old, so you have to show him respect,” So said. Colourful Baron made light of barrier 11 and a three-wide run under Lyle Hewitson to provide Douglas Whyte with a win with his only starter of the night. “One runner, one winner. He’s been a bit unlucky and he would have been unlucky tonight not to win – three-wide, no cover – but he got a good trail into the race and did a good job. Lyle never panicked,” Whyte said. “Although he was three-wide, he allowed the horses in front of him to drag him into the race and it paid off. He just needs tempo to draw him into the race. I don’t think he’s a jump and lead horse and I think the way he ran tonight, he’s adaptable to both surfaces (dirt and turf).” Never Peter Out won for Keith Yeung, vindicating Frankie Lor’s decision to start the Grunt gelding on dirt. “He hadn’t raced on the all-weather track before, but I saw him trial one time on it and he wasn’t too bad, so I thought I’d try it. They are finishing well down the middle of the track tonight. I instructed Keith to stay out there and he won the race. I think he can win more races on the dirt,” Lor said. Horse racing news
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Pre-entries for the Breeders' Cup World Championships were released Oct. 23 and perhaps the biggest surprise is the absence of trainer Chad Brown from the Breeders' Cup Filly Mare Turf (G1T).View the full article

6th-Keeneland, $116,200, Alw (NW2X)/Opt. Clm ($125,000), 10-23, 3yo, f, 1 1/8m, 1:52.16, ft, 1 length. NEON ICON (f, 3, Arrogate–Mademoiselle Coco, by Medaglia d'Oro) earned 'TDN Rising Star' honors on debut at Keeneland Apr. 17 with a 4 1/2-length score. The gray cleared the allowance ranks next time over a wet track at Churchill Downs May 23. Well-beaten in the GIII Indiana Oaks July 6, Neon Icon finished seventh in the GI Alabama Stakes at the Spa Aug. 17 and fifth in the Seneca Overnight Stakes under the Twin Spires Sept. 21. Looking to get her picture taken and as a 9-2 shot here, the 3-year-old tucked in off the speed along the rail into the first turn. On hold up the backstretch, the filly was locked in and looked for a way through around the far turn. Tipping to the outside lane and coming under a drive, Neon Icon steadily reeled in Audacious (Into Mischief) and got to the wire by a length over that foe. The victory gave trainer Rusty Arnold his 300th Keeneland win. “This is great that it was for the Bromagen family because such a big number of these wins were their horses,” said Arnold, who is based at Keeneland and is second behind Bill Mott on the list of all-time leading trainers at the track. “I have been training for them since about 1986. Rusty Arnold (far right) after his 300th Keeneland win as a trainer | Coady Media “I have to thank all the owners: the Bromagens, G. Watts Humphrey [Jr.], Taylor Asbury from way back,” Arnold said. “I know I am going to forget to mention somebody. Calumet Farm has really jumped on and helped me. So many people through the years, I don't want to forget anybody. Some have been with me a long time.” Neon Icon's dam is responsible for a yearling colt by Essential Quality and a filly by that same sire who was foaled Mar. 11. A half-sister to Horse of the Year Havre de Grace (Saint Liam), Mademoiselle Coco was sent to Cody's Wish for 2025. The winner is part of an extended female family which includes MGISW Riskaverse (Dynaformer) and current sire Tonalist (Tapit). Sales History: $220,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 6-3-0-0, $221,958. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Glenn S. Bromagen II and Michael Dahir; B-Nancy S. Dillman (KY); T-George R. Arnold II. (3) Neon Icon charges down the lane to win race 6! (9) Audacious is second, (6) Landed takes third. pic.twitter.com/feVTMc3JM5 — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 23, 2024 The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Neon Icon Hands Trainer Rusty Arnold His 300th Keeneland Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article