Wandering Eyes

CJ Thoroughbreds' dual graded stakes winner Hang the Moon, last in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Del Mar, drops in class and is the morning-line favorite in the $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3T) Dec. 27 at Santa Anita.View the full article

Windy Walk, the longest shot in the five-horse field, upset her more-fancied Grade I-winning foes with a wire-to-wire victory in the Rampart Stakes Thursday at Gulfstream Park. The chestnut filly was quickly at the head of affairs and was under a snug hold while setting a dawdling opening quarter of :25.82 as GI Alabama Stakes winner and 5-2 second choice Power Squeeze and GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint winner and 2-5 favorite Soul of an Angel were second last and last, respectively. Power Squeeze rolled up three wide on the far turn and looked ready to take the lead into the stretch, but Windy Walk kicked away again. Power Squeeze was coming back at her late and Soul of Angel, who had tipped to the center of the track while still last at the top of the lane, was closing rapidly, but the longshot held on gamely to the wire. Windy Wind had plied her trade mostly in the claiming ranks in her previous 13 lifetime starts. The chestnut filly broke her maiden versus $20,000 maiden claimers at Keeneland in April and was a well beaten sixth in her only other stakes start to date in the July 12 Wilton Stakes at Saratoga. She came into the Rampart off three straight starter allowance wins: at Churchill Sept. 29, Keeneland Oct. 26 and Churchill Nov. 20. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. RAMPART S., $125,000, Gulfstream, 12-26, 3yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:38.01, ft. 1–WINDY WALK, 118, f, 3, Munnings–Missalaney (MSP), by Badge of Silver. ($90,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O/B-Richard Perkins (KY); T-Christopher Davis; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $77,500. Lifetime Record: 14-7-0-1, $321,102. 2–Power Squeeze, 122, f, 3, Union Rags–Callmethesqueeze, by Awesome Again. ($50,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $90,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-Lea Farms, LLC; B-Forging Oaks LLC (KY); T-Jorge Delgado. $25,000. 3–Soul of an Angel, 125, m, 5, Atreides–Factor One, by The Factor. ($3,000 RNA Ylg '20 FTKOCT). O-C2 Racing Stable LLC, Agave Racing Stable & Ken T Reimer; B-Westbrook Stables LLC (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. $12,500. Margins: NK, HD, 3 1/4. Odds: 14.10, 2.60, 0.40. Also Ran: Dazzling Move, Charlie's Wish. Scratched: Intrepid Daydream, Save Time, Unsolved Mystery. #3 WINDY WALK ($30.20) goes gate-to-wire in the $140,000 Rampart Stakes at Gulfstream Park holding off the classy #2 Power Squeeze and @breederscup winner #8 Soul of An Angel. The daughter of Munnings was ridden by @Tyler_Gaff and is trained by Chris Davis. pic.twitter.com/pF1uUIity1 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 26, 2024 The post Munnings’ Windy Walk Upsets the Rampart appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A draft schedule for the two-year-old season for the first half of 2025 has been released. It is for January to July and at this stage is indicative only – the dates, stakes and race conditions are yet to be approved, and may be subject to change. To see the schedule click here View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Mighty stayer Swayzee made quite a statement at his first run since last month’s successful New Zealand Trotting Cup defence at Addington when he toyed with his rivals at Bathurst last night (Thursday). The gelding, who turns seven in a few days, obliterated the 2790m Bathurst track record on his way to a 17.4m win in a 1min54.9sec mile rate, taking a full second off Alta Orlando’s 2019 record. It was Swayzee’s first run since he defied a frantic racing and travel schedule to win his second successive NZ Cup at Addington on November 12. Swayzee has raced just 10 times in 2024 for seven wins and three seconds, two of those second behind his champion half-brother Leap To Fame. The sparkling Bathurst win should prime Swayzee for his return to chasing $1 million bonus by taking out all five legs of the NSW Carnival of Cups series. Swayzee won the first two at Parkes (September 20) and Young (November 8) and now heads to Tamworth on January 17. Victory at Tamworth would secure Swayzee at least a $250,000 bonus. That doubles to $500,000 if he can win Tamworth and add Albury on February 14. All going well, the rising seven-year-old would then be racing for the $1 million bonus at Penrith on March 15. The focus on the NSW series means Swayzee will almost certainly bypass the Group 1 Hunter Cup at Melton on February 1. “It’s very unlikely he’ll go there,” trainer Jason Grimson said. But the odds of Leap To Fame tackling the Hunter Cup have firmed this week. His trainer-driver Grant Dixon said the champion pacer was “back doing fast work” after health issues forced him to miss the Victoria and NZ Cups as well as the NSW Inter Dominion. The timing works for Leap To Fame to have a lead-up race or two before heading to Victoria to try and defend his Hunter Cup crown. View the full article

By Jonny Turner A rather drastic change of scenery could be just what Pinseeker needs in today’s Mataura Licensing Trust Gore Cup. The talented Canterbury pacer ($2.80FF) has stayed in the south following his fifth in the Group 1 Invercargill Cup and he now has Gore’s very popular Christmas meeting on Friday in his sights. After competing at the highest level against some of New Zealand’s best pacers in his last two starts, the move to a workable handicap in a Country Cups race looks perfect for the pacer trained and driven by Jonny Cox. “We have thrown him in the deep end a few times this season and taken on the good horses,” Cox said. “He certainly hasn’t disgraced himself, he’s shown he’s up to competing with them and he’s gone some nice races.” “To be able to go up against horses around his own rating looks a big help for him at Gore.” Pinseeker arrived in Southland before his Invercargill Cup tilt and according to his trainer, he’s thrived since. “He seems to have bounced through the run well and I have been really happy with him this week.” Cox has a realistic chance of taking out a Group Cups double as he combines with Master Class ($7.50FF) in the Jaccka Lodge Gore Trotting Cup on Friday. The trotter trained by the driver’s fiancé Kimberly Butt comes into the feature event following an unlucky sixth on Invercargill Cup Day. “It is a harder grade this week but he has the advantage of being off the front and hopefully he can make the most of it,” Cox said. “I am not sure whether we would want to lead all of the way, but if he got away well enough and got a nice enough run he would be a chance.” Cox also reunites with another runner from Invercargill Cup Day at Gore in It’s Electrifying. The two-year-old was close up in third at Ascot Park behind smart types Always Dreaming and La Concha after being shuffled into a tricky spot. From barrier 1 at Gore and with a little more luck on his side, It’s Electrifying looks like a genuine winning threat. “He had to make his run from the 400m and he couldn’t quite sustain it, but he did go pretty good.” “He can get out near enough, so if he can stay handy or follow the right horse he should be a good chance.” “His speed is probably his best asset.” Cox takes nine drives on the bumper 12-race Gore programme that starts at 11.43am. Harness racing journalist Jonny Turner has singled out five horses that punters could be tempted to follow at Gore’s Christmas trots on Friday. Buffy Northstains – Race 1 (11.43am) Buffy Northstains looks exceptionally well placed and she can get punters off to a good start on Friday. The mare won in a tougher grade at Oamaru before Christmas and her Gore assignment is actually a step down in class. Most impressively, Buffy Northstains sat parked throughout her last start victory, outclassing her rivals in a brave display. The main difference is that that prior win came on grass, her preferred surface. But as a four-time winner on grit, the six-year-old is certainly no mug on all-weather tracks and she should take plenty of holding out at Gore. Styrax – Race 3 (12.33pm) Punters face something of a conundrum when assessing the chances of Styrax. On one hand, she’s clearly the best horse in race 3 and she’s brilliantly placed having won in much stronger company recently. But on the other, she can make mistakes as seen in her last start at Ascot Park.If she trots, she should take all sorts of stopping. But if she makes an error, she’s shown she’s not the type that can settle down quickly and work back into the race. If there is a factor that might help punters decide whether to put their faith in Styrax, it may be that she is competing on her home track. She knows Gore well and it may keep her settled. If so, look out. It’s Electrifying – Race 5 (1.39pm) A big last start effort with little luck on his side showed It’s Electrifying is ready for a big Gore effort on Friday. On Invercargill Cup Day, the two-year-old was shuffled to the rear before he stormed into third behind two smart types in Always Dreaming and La Concha. Luck looks set to be on the youngster’s side this time after he snared the coveted barrier 1 draw. Expect It’s Electrifying to settle on the pace and giving plenty of cheek at the finish. Though he’s a two-year-old taking on much more seasoned rivals, the two-year-old looks to have much more upside than most of his opposition. Miraculous – Race 7 (2.51pm) Miraculous produced one of the runs of the day among the beaten runners on Invercargill Cup Day. The three-year-old worked hard on a strong speed before digging in gamely and running the narrowest of seconds to a classy horse in South Seas Rock. Miraculous was coming into that run after a freshener and he’s sure to strip fitter for his Gore assignment. The pacer takes on another serious three-year-old in Built For Glory who won the Southern Supremacy Stakes earlier this year. It looks like a real race in two, but crucially Miraculous has the upper hand by drawing inside his key rival. Bobbies Rock – Race 12 (5.16pm) Good old Bobbies Rock has featured regularly in this column this year and he rarely lets his backers down. The pacer looks perfectly placed in barrier 4 with his outstanding gate speed. Bobbie drops in grade after taking on a much stronger company on Invercargill Cup Day. The pacer ran fourth in the same event Miraculous ran second in. Sure to fire forward early, Bobbies Rock should be either in front or very handy to the speed and from there he looks a huge winning threat. The key to his chances looks to be his main rivals drawing much tougher barrier draws. View the full article

By Mike Love A “lot of luck” helped Samantha Ottley to her own slice of harness racing history at Westport yesterday. She became the first female driver to rein 100 hundred winners in a single 12 month season when Masterly capped off a huge five win day at Patterson Park. Ottley only picked up the drive on Masterly when regular driver Bob Butt was unwell and unable to attend the meeting. “On the way over I was looking at the fields and saw my name down on this fella. So I’ve had a lot of luck here.” Masterly and Ottley were fast away from the stand to lead in the early stages. El Conqueror eventually worked to the lead leaving Masterly and Ottley sitting in the trail just waiting on the Fresh Choice Westport passing lane. Once accessible, Ottley wasted no time in taking advantage of it and burst through with Masterly to go on to win by three quarters of a length from El Conqueror making it a Paul Nairn-trained quinella. “It’s unreal. I’ve been fortunate. It’s a pinch yourself moment,” said Ottley. Ottley went into the Boxing Day meeting on 95 winners, thinking the ton was definitely out of reach. “I never dreamt of doing it today let alone drive five winners.” Among her five wins on the day was victory in the Frank Dooley Memorial Westport Cup with the Matt Purvis trained Piccadilly Pete. Ottley’s other winners were Stormy Vista, Rakero Chase and Premium Player. Ottley works at Mark Jones’ Burnham stables, and it was fitting that one of the winners (Stormy Vista) was trained by him. “Big thanks to all of my supporters. Mark Jones has been a massive part of my journey and I’ve probably driven half of my winners for him.” Her 100 wins for the season came from 808 drives. In 2021 she had 120 winners but that was an elongated 17-month season. Ottley is the “winningest” female driver in this country ever with 807 wins overall, the first coming in 2008. Before the year is out Ottley will be driving at Gore today, back to Westport on the 28th, Banks Peninsula on the 29th and finally the Reefton meeting on the 30th. Other highlights from yesterday’s action included a double for Michael House with Bevron and The Beach House with the latter being the first starter and winner for sire Luck Be With You. View the full article

Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) runner-up Bentornato, scratched from the Dec. 26 Malibu Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park, has a sore left front foot, trainer Jose D'Angelo said.View the full article

The Kentucky Oaks (G1) was not just the premier race of the year for 3-year-old fillies. It was the coming out party for the year's belle of the ball, Thorpedo Anna.View the full article

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB) will hold its annual stallion season auction from Friday, Jan. 3 through Tuesday, Jan. 7. The event will be hosted online at Thoroughlybred.com. The auction has routinely attracted donated seasons from farms in the Empire State and Kentucky, including McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, Sequel New York, Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions, Rockridge Stud, Spendthrift Farm, Darley America, Darby Dan Farm and additional farms. The annual auction raises funds that allow the NYTB to carry on its two-fold mission of promoting New York breeding and racing and protecting the welfare of industry stakeholders. “Each year, the proceeds from our stallion season auction support NYTB and the interests of our members and breeders who participate in the New York-bred program,” said New York Thoroughbred Breeders Executive Director Najja Thompson. “The auction offers breeders a diverse selection of stallions based in New York, Kentucky, and additional states for breeders to appropriately match their mares.” Participants must register with Thoroughbredly.com before bidding. All bids will be subject to the rules and conditions of the auction, and each season's conditions will be posted. Click here to register your account with Thoroughlybred.com. To view the current list of stallions, click here. If interested in donating a season, contact NYTB directly at info@nytbreeders.org or call (518) 587-0777. The post NYTB Stallion Season Auction Set For Jan. 3-7 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are seven horse racing meetings set for Australia on Friday, December 27. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Mornington. Friday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – December 27, 2024 Mornington Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on December 27, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Recommended! 4 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 5 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Debuted in the GIII Bob Hope Stakes, MADAKET ROAD (c, 2, Quality Road–Frolic's Dream, by Smoke Glacken) offered an excellent account of himself to finish a distant second behind 'TDN Rising Star' Bullard (Gun Runner). Dropped into maiden special weight company on Santa Anita's opening day Thursday, the 4-5 shot had to contend with his preferred stablemate in San Saba (Justify) who broke sharper from the outside and was part of the early pace scenario as Madaket Road stayed back in fourth. As longshot Kokosan (Unified) took San Saba off the turn in a battle, Madaket Road cruised up from the outside and swept right on by the embattled pair well inside the final furlong. Charging at him late with an impressive run was first-time starter Father Ted (Practical Joke) but the winner was home safe. O- SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine; B-SF Bloodstock LLC; T-Bob Baffert. The post Bob Hope Runner Up Madaket Road Goes One Better On Opening Day At Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gold Round (Ire) (Caerleon–Born Gold, by Blushing Groom {Fr}), a French Group 3-winning half-sister to three-time GI Breeeders' Cup Mile heroine Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), was euthanized in her paddock at Old Friends Retirement Facility in Georgetown, Kentucky, on Dec. 19. She was 27 years old and had resided at Old Friends since September 2020, when she was retired by LNJ Foxwoods' Larry, Nanci and Jaime Roth. Bred by Wertheimer et Frere and trained for the brothers by Criquette Head, Gold Round won her maiden in her fourth career start and by the end of her freshman campaign in 1999, had taken out the Listed Prix des Sablonnets. She posted her career high at three the following season, winning the G3 Prix Cleopatre before retiring with three wins from 10 starts. Gold Round produced a pair of black-type winners from her first 10 foals before selling to LNJ Foxwoods for €520,000 at the 2012 Arqana December Sale. The Dalakhani (Ire) filly she was carrying at the time of her purchase became LNJ Foxwoods' Group 3 winner Golden Valentine (Fr), who has since gone on to produce Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), winner of the 2023 G1 Kameko Futurity Trophy for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby, who was bred in partnership with Ecurie des Monceaux. Gold Round is the dam of four further stakes horses, including GIII Robert J. Frankel Stakes winner and GI Rodeo Drive Stakes runner-up Luck (Kitten's Joy). She was retired from breeding duties in 2020. The first two mares the Roths sent to Old Friends were Gold Round and Mystery Trip. Shortly after, Hi Dubai (GB) was sent to the farm as well..Gold Round was the last remaining retiree of the three original LNJ mares at Old Friends, as 22-year-old Mystery Trip was euthanized on May 1, 2023 due to chronic foot issues and 24-year old Hi Dubai died earlier this year on Aug. 24. “I am saddened by the loss of Gold Round,” said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends. “I enjoyed seeing this sweet mare in the LNJ Foxwoods paddock every day from my office window. In addition to being a remarkably successful broodmare, she and her paddock mates served as reminder of the Roth family's devotion to their horses and their partnership with Old Friends. We are consoled that leaving us at 27 years old, she enjoyed rich and happy retirement years with her LNJ Foxwood companions.” The post Well-Related Gold Round Euthanized At Old Friends appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

4th-SA, $60K, Msw, 3yo, 6f, post time: 4:32 p.m. ET Zedan Racing Stables' COLLMUS (Gun Runner), purchased for $2.2 million at the 2023 OBS April sale, makes his belated debut for trainer Bob Baffert. The bay colt is out of Perfect Wife (Majesticperfection) and is a full-brother to GIII Indiana Oaks winner Runaway Wife. John Shirreffs saddles C R K Stable's firster Pursuit of Freedom (Speightstown). The gelding was purchased for $725,000 at Keeneland September in 2022. The 3-5 favorite is March of Time (Justify), who makes his first start since a strong runner-up effort in his debut last December. He ran in the colors of Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor that day, but returns here for Bregman Family Racing, Buehler Family and Jill Baffert. Out of Untouched Talent (Storm Cat), he is a half-brother to Grade I winner Bodemeister (Empire Maker) and graded winner Under the Stars (Pioneerof the Nile). TJCIS PPs The post Friday Insights: $2.2-Million Collmus Gets the Call at Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Jockey Club announced Dec. 26 that 12 people have been denied the privilege of registering foals with The Jockey Club effective Jan. 1 of next year. The denials are pursuant to Rule 19 of the American Stud Book.View the full article

Champion jockey continues pursuit of Douglas Whyte’s all-time record with a phenomenal display at city circuit.View the full article

Talented five-year-old Tavi Time edged out Osipenko in a thrilling finish to the Gr.3 Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick on Boxing Day. The Kris Lees-trained son of Tavistock was ridden by Jay Ford and carried a somewhat luxury weight of 53kgs after lumping big weights in handicaps at his past two outings, having previously run well when fourth in the A$3 million Big Dance (1600m). Coming from midfield, Tavi Time had to wait to clear rivals heels and wore down fellow Kiwi bred Osipenko, who cruised up behind the leader Townsend upon straightening after making the most of an inside draw. The pair cleared out with the deciding stride going Tavi Time’s way to win by a nose from Osipenko, with three lengths back to Townsend in third. Tavi Time has proved a good money spinner for connections, winning on eight occasions from 18 starts, but this was his first victory over 2000m as he added another string to his bow. “Full credit to the horse, it’s his first time out to 2000m and what better way to try it than with a luxury weight of 53kgs,” stable representative Danny Greer said. “He is a horse that is racing really consistently and it was the right time to try stepping him out to 2000m. We were confident leading into the race. “Also credit to Jay Ford. It was a nice ride. He kept his cool at the top of the straight when things didn’t go to plan and he was really strong late. “We will see how he pulls up, but its onwards and upwards.” With A$677,025 in prizemoney to date and the versatility to race between 1400m and 2000m, there are a host of lucrative prizes for older geldings like Tavi Time. By the outstanding late sire Tavistock, Tavi Time is out of Group One winning Johar mare Guiseppina, who won the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) for Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie. Bred and sold by Pencarrow Stud, Tavi Time was initially sold as a yearling for $60,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Book 1 Sale to Kiltannon Stables. He was later re-offered at the Sydney Ready To Race Sale where he was purchased by part-owner Adrian Pazman for $130,000. View the full article

In a blockbuster edition of the Gr.2 Shaw’s Wire Ropes Auckland Guineas (1400m), outsider Midnight Edition and favoured runner Yaldi (NZ) (Ardrossan) went to the line as one, with the latter securing the Boxing Day feature in a protest. Yaldi had been an impressive juvenile, winning on debut before placing at stakes level in Australia. The imposing galloper had done little racing in his three-year-old season, making his first appearance since August when finishing a narrow second to Risque Ruler at Te Rapa earlier this month. Promising Te Akau filly Damask Rose started a short-priced favourite for the Guineas, closing at a $1.90 ahead of Checkmate ($3.70) and Yaldi at $6.50. The filly was conservatively ridden from her wide gate while Yaldi bounced swiftly from the inside, settling in the box-seat third under Michael McNab, while Midnight Edition crossed to take the lead. Midnight Edition’s jockey Matt Cartwright steadied the tempo and the gelding showed a decent kick at the top of the straight, hanging on to the lead until the final bounds, where Yaldi, with blinkers applied for the first time, powered up and they found the line in unison. The judge was unable to separate the pair and the race was announced a dead-heat, but Yaldi’s trainer Andrew Forsman soon launched a protest, which later revealed interference with Midnight Edition shifting out slightly in the closing stages. Stewards deemed that enough to reward Yaldi with the outright victory, denying the Bruce Wallbank-trained galloper a $77 boilover. Forsman admitted the race hadn’t been an easy watch through the mid-stages, but that made the win all the more pleasing for the Cambridge horseman. “I was a bit worried mid-race as it wasn’t unfolding as we’d hoped, they were only going steadily and he was quite keen with the blinkers on for the first time, he said. “I was really happy to see him knuckle down off the slow speed like he did. “The blinkers are something we’ve toyed with for a little while, he’s trialled with them on before and looks around a lot. He’s still very raw and immature and he’s still learning, so I just thought he needed to focus a bit more after the other day at Te Rapa where he probably threw the race away.” Bred by Brown Thoroughbreds, Yaldi raced in the colours of co-owner Lib Petagna’s JML Bloodstock, who purchased him out of Little Avondale Stud’s draft for just $50,000 at Karaka 2023 with the assistance of bloodstock agent Bruce Perry. The son of Ardrossan is eligible for both the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), the latter a race Forsman holds an all-important slot for. “The main target for this preparation has been the Karaka mile, and obviously the Kiwi and races like that are on his radar,” he said. “How we get to Karaka I’m not so sure, we’ll just see how he comes through it and talk to Lib, Bruce and the team. “The Levin Classic (Gr.2, 1400m) is an option and a trip away may be a good thing for a horse like him, he’s learning and that experience can make a horse like him. We’ll see what comes of the next week or so and figure it out. “The 1500 of the Kiwi at Ellerslie is tailor-made for him, he doesn’t need to do too much more and you’d think with a bigger field with hopefully a more genuine tempo, it should suit him as well.” View the full article

This year’s phenomenal rise of Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock) was fittingly capped off in the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m) on Boxing Day, but another star mare didn’t let her away with an easy victory in the Ellerslie feature. Snazzytavi, owned by race sponsors Brendan and Jo Lindsay, has been carefully handled by trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, having just her 15th start on Thursday. The mare’s eight victories to date included the Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m), Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) and Gr.2 Cal Izuzu Stakes (1600m), the latter a performance that deemed her near-unbeatable in the eyes of the punters, who backed her into $2 favouritism for the Zabeel Classic. The main danger was always perceived as La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos), a multiple Group One-winning miler who finished second to Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed) in the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) earlier this month, the pair closing second and third-favourite respectively. Snazzytavi and La Crique jumped alongside each other in unison and La Crique settled off the fence in fifth, with the favourite hot on her heels in the trail under Warren Kennedy. El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) took up his favourite role as pacemaker and after stealing a few cheap sectionals, showed plenty of kick early in the straight and set a task for the two mares. Snazzytavi got off the back of La Crique and put a half-length on her at the 100m, but as they caught El Vencedor, La Crique showed her class, kicking back and making it desperately close on the line. By the narrowest of margins, Snazzytavi was eventually announced the winner, with Kennedy quietly confident the result would go his way. “On the line I thought I had it, but I must give credit to La Crique as she was super brave and came back at me,” he said. “This mare (Snazzytavi) showed a lot of bravery and stuck her neck out. “We were worried about the pace and they did end up crawling, I got on the back of La Crique where I wanted to be as I thought Nabba (Michael McNab) would give me a good pull into it. “It was a fantastic win, you don’t want to go down on a $1.80 favourite and you don’t want it to be that close, but we’re all here for the spectacle and it was a great fight. I’m very proud of her that she got on top. “It’s taken a bit of time, we always thought she had ability, but for her to bring it to the fore like this is just fantastic. For Brendan and Jo, obviously they have been huge supporters of me, so to win the race they sponsor is really special. The victory was Richardson and Norvall’s third success in the $500,000 contest in four years, after victories with Tiptronic (2021) and Defibrillate (2022). Unlike their previous winners, Richardson hadn’t been certain on the line, but was elated with the result. “I thought she’d been rolled then, we were sure we’d run second, but gosh, she’s a good horse isn’t she?” he said. “It was a strong field and she’s just beaten a very good horse, they are two of the better mares in the country so I’m over the moon. She’s come a long way, I think that’s her 15th start and I don’t know what she’s earned for that, but that’s incredible. “What a thrill, I said to them (Brendan and Jo Lindsay) that we would set her for this race for you guys, so it’s unbelievable.” Bred by Suncroft Bloodstock, Snazzytavi is by the late Cambridge Stud stallion Tavistock, out of a Group Two performing-mare in Ritzy Lady. In 15 appearances, she has earned over $970,000 in stakes for Cambridge Stud, who recorded wins earlier on the card with Romala and About Time. The Zabeel Classic also continues the lucrative $1 million Rich Hill Champion Middle Distance Series, with Snazzytavi now taking the outright lead with 10 points over El Vencedor (7), with La Crique and Ladies Man on 6. With six qualifying races remaining, the series culminates on Champions Day with the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). View the full article

Progressive filly Pivotal Ten (NZ) (Ten Sovereigns) completed an impressive hattrick of victories when she proved too tough on a testing Heavy 10 Wingatui surface to capture the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m). Ridden by her trainer Samantha Wynne, the daughter of Ten Sovereigns had broken her maiden status on a Slow 7 surface at the venue back in October over 1200m before repeating the dose at Timaru a month later. Given time to get over that run. Wynne presented the filly in superb condition for her biggest test to date and she didn’t disappoint after enjoying a dream run in the trail throughout the slowly run 1400m contest. Wynne angled Pivotal Ten into the clear at the 300m as she set out after Lil Zena, who had shot through along the inner to take the lead and from there the pair set down to a tooth and nail battle which went in favour of Pivotal Ten by just on three quarters of a length. Raced by Colin Wightman, who purchased her for $15,000 out of the Valachi Downs dispersal sale draft at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale in 2022, Pivotal Ten is a half-sister to the stakes placed mare Woodcote Lass and hails from an extended family that includes European Group One winner Maarek. Wightman was impressed by the varied European bloodlines that the late Kevin Hickman had brought to his Valachi Downs breeding operation and was keen to secure the filly. “Kevin had some really lovely mares from England and Ireland at Valachi and the pedigree of this filly included a high class sprinter in Maarek who won about seven or eight stakes races including a Group One,” Wightman said. “The family had plenty of speed in it and Ten Sovereigns was also a speed machine so we expected this filly might get up and run. “She is still developing and on the up and up, but she is just a super competitor who just wants to go out and win. “We have spaced her races to give her plenty of time as we think she will be a much better four-year-old but you can’t argue with what she is doing now. “This win means a lot and I’m thrilled with her as she didn’t really handle the track but it was her toughness that got her home. “She may have a break now or we will hang around for some of the upcoming stakes races for the three-year-olds down here.” View the full article

A brilliant front running ride by Courtney Barnes and a never say die attitude from her mount Hitabell (NZ) (Embellish) provided trainer Stephen Marsh with a Boxing Day double as the trio combined to claim the Gr.2 Hallmark Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie. Marsh, who had produced Provence to win the Westbury Stude Royal Descent Stakes (1400m), had given Hitabell a short freshen up after the filly produced a similar winning performance in the Listed O’Learys Fillies Stakes (1340m) at Wanganui last month, but this time chose to step her up to the 1600m distance for the first time in her career. Expected to run well but perhaps not trouble the $1.80 hot favourite Sethito, Barnes and Hitabell had other ideas as they set up a leisurely pace to suit themselves as the favourite found herself three-wide in the early stages, before sliding up outside the leader at the 800m. Turning for home there were many in contention, however both Hitabell and Sethito were kicking on strongly and at the 200m had the finish to themselves. In a head-bobbing finish, it was Hitabell who proved the tougher of the two as she defeated Sethito by a nose, with Real Class dashing late to take third. Barnes was delighted how well her mount fought to the bitter end as she refused to yield to the favourite Sethito. “It was a very good win and she was just so brave,” she said. “We wanted to be positive from the barrier and when she jumped so well, she put herself on the pace and we could control things from there. “I was a little worried when the other one (Sethito) cruised up alongside us, but I could feel her building underneath me and she just wouldn’t give in. “That is the furthest she has gone but the way she relaxes there is nothing to say she couldn’t get a little further than the mile.” Purchased by Marsh and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock for just $9,500 from the 2023 National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, Hitabell has now had five starts for three wins and $217,110 in stakes and is raced by a group that includes her breeder Sarah Devcich, who owns and operates Henley Park alongside her husband Marc. The third individual stakes winner for Cambridge Stud stallion Embellish, Hitabell is out of a half-sister to the Eight Carat Classic, Gr.2 Royal Stakes (2000m) and Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic winner Shikoba (NZ) (Chief Bearhart). That daughter of Chief Bearhart also placed in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m), and was New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year in 2005-06. View the full article

What Randwick Races Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, December 28, 2024 First Race 1:05pm AEDT Visit Dabble Metro racing continues at Royal Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with a competitive nine-race program lined up for punters. The rail reverts to the true position the entire circuit after racing out +6m on Boxing Day, and with mostly cloudy conditions predicted heading into the weekend, the surface could be downgraded into the Soft range at some stage. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 1:05pm local time. Best Bet at Randwick: Point And Shoot Point And Shoot secured a dominant maiden victory at Nowra on December 15 and appears primed to claim back-to-back wins returning to metro company. The son of Blue Point was sent around for an easy kill second-up, and although this BM72 has plenty of depth on paper, the three-year-old looks up to the task. Rachel King maps to get the one-one from barrier four, and with 52kg on his back, watch for Point And Shoot to power over the top of this lot. Best Bet Race 4 – #11 Point And Shoot (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Rachel King (52kg) +380 with Neds Next Best at Randwick: Jewellery The James Cummings-trained Jewellery has been a costly commodity heading into this third-up assignment. The Godolphin mare has been well-supported with horse racing bookmakers on both occasions, racing wide without cover in her latest effort at this course and distance on December 14. She gets one more chance to make amends, and with even luck from gate seven, Jewellery should prove too classy this time around. Next Best Race 5 – #3 Jewellery (7) 5yo Mare | T: James Cummings | J: Benjamin Osmond (a3kg) (60kg) +270 with BlondeBet Best Value at Randwick: Invader Zim Invader Zim returns after a 126-day spell and two strong barrier trials under his belt. The four-year-old gelding caught the eye in his most recent piece of work at Warwick Farm on December 19, cruising through the wire under his own steam to finish 1.8 lengths off Flying Trapeze. Kerrin McEvoy keeps the ride after taking the reins all three starts last preparation, and provided he can replicate his peak first-up, Invader Zim will prove hard to hold out at the $10.00 with Picklebet. Best Value Race 6 – #10 Invader Zim (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Kerrin McEvoy (56.5kg) +900 with Picklebet Saturday quaddie tips for Randwick Randwick quadrella selections December 28, 2024 2-8-9-10 2-3-5-8-10-13 5-8-16 1-4-6-13 | 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, December 28, 2024 First Race 2:40pm ACST Visit Dabble It’s the 38th and final meeting of 2024 in the Top End with 36 horses nominating for the Darwin Turf Club’s five-event card on Saturday. With 30mm of rain falling this week, it could be wet on Saturday with showers tipped and a top temperature of 34C. The rail will be in the true position, and Fannie Bay will be a good dirt surface. Best Bet at Darwin: Valaroc Debuting at Fannie Bay over 1000m at 0-58 level on December 6, Valaroc started well before drifting wide exiting the back straight to slip back to sixth place. Re-grouping, the son of Valentia settled on the fence approaching the final bend, before winding up in the home straight. Denied a passage along the rails, Valaroc had to adjust at the 100m and headed wide before making ground on the leaders to finish a narrow third. With a slice of luck, the six-year-old gelding will be hard to beat. Best Bet Race 5 – #2 Valaroc (8) 6yo Gelding | T: Chris Nash | J: Adam Nicholls (60kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Darwin: Mr Have A Chat In 11 Darwin starts since debuting in February, Mr Have A Chat boasts three wins, five seconds and a third. The son of I’m All The Talk was also second on Katherine Cup Day in August. The seven-year-old gelding burned plenty of petrol from gate six and then skipped to a big lead on November 16 over 1100m in the 0-76 ranks before succumbing to the fast-finishing Kerioth. The former SA galloper is above average and likes to be on the speed, but a more cautious approach will enhance his hopes. Next Best Race 4 – #5 Mr Have A Chat (6) 7yo Gelding | T: Chris Nash | J: Stan Tsaikos (55kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Darwin: Son Of Bielski From October-June, Son Of Bielski won six straight in the Top End. The son of Dissident missed the Alice Springs Cup (2000m) with injury and was 10th in the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) and seventh in the Buntine Handicap (2050m) during the Darwin Cup Carnival in July. The eight-year-old gelding was also fifth in the Darwin Cup (2050m) and seventh in the Katherine Cup (1700m) in August. After three recent trips over 1100-1200m, Son Of Bielski eyes 1600m and it’s hard to ignore his early $17 quote with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 1 – #1 Son Of Bielski (2) 8yo Gelding | T: Chris Nash | J: Sonja Logan (61kg) Bet with Picklebet Saturday quaddie tips for Darwin Darwin quadrella selections Saturday, December 28, 2024 1-6-7 1-2-3 1-3-5 1-2-3 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Mornington Races Where Mornington Racecourse – 320 Racecourse Rd, Mornington VIC 3931 When Friday, December 27, 2024 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Horse racing in Victoria heads to Mornington on Friday afternoon, where a competitive eight-race meeting is set down for decision. A perfect day for racing is forecast with only a slight chance of a shoer, meaning the track is likely to remain a Good 4 throughout the day. The rail comes out 2m the entire circuit, with the first race set to jump at 1:15pm AEDT. Best Bet at Mornington: Rewards And More Rewards and More simply looks the class runner in the quaddie opener and if he holds his form, he looks hard to beat. The four-year-old gelding won at Bendigo with plenty left in hand, before finishing second on the Caulfield Heath circuit behind the classy Fickle. Drawn in barrier one, Thomas Stockdale will gain the run of the race throughout, and once the gap appears in the home straight, Rewards And More should prove too good for his rivals. Best Bet Race 5 – #3 Rewards And More (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Jerome Hunter | J: Thomas Stockdale (61.5kg) +115 with Neds Next Best at Mornington: Pacific Cross Pacific Cross caught the eye when beaten by the bearest of margins on return from a spell and looks poised to go one better. The four-year-old mare settled at the rear of a small field at this track over 1200m, and the way she finished her race off suggests the 1500m should be no issue. There looks to be enough speed in the race for Daniel Stackhouse to have the Merchant Navy mare charging home down the heart of the track. The $3.20 on offer with BlondeBet looks a great price. Next Best Race 8 – #6 Pacific Cross (5) 4yo Mare | T: Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson | J: Daniel Stackhouse (58.5kg) +220 with BlondeBet Best Value at Mornington: Sports Choice Sports Choice hardly knows how to run a poor race, and despite winning just once in 12 starts, presents great each-way value with horse racing bookmakers. Thesix-year-old mare has finish second in four of her six starts this campaign, including last time out at Benalla when producing a strong finish from the rear of the field. From barrier three, Harry Grace has the option to settle Sports Choice a touch closer to the speed, and if that is the case, her turn of foot will have her fighting out the finish. Best Value Race 7 – #11 Sports Choice (3) 6yo Mare | T: Andrew Homann | J: Harry Grace (55.5kg) +1000 with Picklebet Friday quaddie tips for Mornington Mornington quadrella selections Friday, December 27, 2024 3 1-2-3-4-5 2-3-4-5-6-11 3-6-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

A hard-fought victory at the Caulfield Heath on Boxing Day by promising three-year-old Centennial Park, could be a precursor to a lucrative feature across the Tasman. The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained son of Super Seth dug deep under Jamie Mott to narrowly prevail in the Allan Wicks Handicap (1600m) to make it successive victories after finishing runner-up on debut. “That was Jamie Mott at his absolute best. He lifted him,” said Rayan Moore, Racing Manager for Tony and Calvin McEvoy. “I think Linda (Meech’s) horse Colour Our World was laying all over him in the concluding stages and it really urged him along and Jamie was very vigorous. He is putting a good record together.” Moore said Centennial Park had impressed with his versatility in a three-start career to date. “You can put him anywhere,” he said. “We wanted to be a pair further forward but Jamie took his medicine, he was very relaxed, and the way he went through the line, a mile might not hold him up now. I think he could get out a little further in time.” Centennial Park will now come into consideration for the NZ$3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie on March 8, a slot race for three-year-olds restricted to New Zealand Bloodstock graduates or New Zealand breds – with the talented galloper ticking both boxes. “He is Kiwi bred and there is a Kiwi race in March so if there are any slot holders out there, the phones are ringing, get on,” Moore said. “It is a perfect time to showcase that. He has got a perfect platform through these summer months and 1500m is probably his prime distance at the moment.” Any slot holders pondering Centennial Park for the Kiwi should be locking in Jamie Mott as part of the deal, with the hoop pivotal to the victory. “He is still very young and on the way up and I like the progression he made from his maiden to his first win,” Mott said. “Again today he has made better progression but there is so much more to come with him. He is a big baby and even so much so, going to the barriers and coming back, he was running into the fence and just being a big dumbo. “He has got a great motor on him. He has got a lot to learn but he was able to extricate very quickly once they did come up outside me on the corner and he was really in for the fight. “Linda’s horse possibly had my measure at the 250m but my horse was the strongest late and any further he would have pulled away. “He has nice ability under the bonnet and once he does put it together, he is going to be a really nice horse. He has put together a good record so far and the exciting thing is he doesn’t know what he is doing and once he picks it up, he will be exciting.” From the first-crop of exciting Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth, Centennial Park was bred by Stephanie Hole and is a half brother to stakes winner Starvoia. Sold as a yearling at Karaka 2023 by Wentwood Grange for $260,000 to Kevin Walls’ KPW Bloodstock on behalf of prominent Queensland owners Ron and Judi Wanless, Wentwood Grange will present a half-sister to Centennial Park by Sword Of State at next month’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales as Lot 272. View the full article

About Time (NZ) (American Pharoah) was a rising star in the staying ranks as a three-year-old, and 12 months later, the Cambridge Stud mare collected another holiday feature with a powerful display in Dunstan Stayers Championship Final (2400m) on Boxing Day. The daughter of American Pharoah had burst on to the scene in December last year, placing in the Listed Trevor and Corallie Eagle Memorial (1500m) and winning the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) on New Year’s Day. She was spelled after finishing back in the Gr.2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m), and after building up to her ideal middle-distance trip this preparation, she put a flashing light on herself winning the Dunstan Qualifying race at Ellerslie earlier this month. Returning for the final at Ellerslie, About Time started a warm favourite at $3.70 and in her usual fashion, was slightly cantankerous behind the barriers prior to the start. With her regular rider Warren Kennedy in the saddle, the mare settled down and jumped away beautifully, finding a comfortable position on the fence in the first half of the field. Spectrier set the tempo which was only leisurely along the back straight and the field compressed heavily turning for home, leaving About Time in an awkward spot on straightening. Kennedy didn’t panic and the gap eventually came for the mare at the 300m, and while a game High Country pounced to the lead, About Time was quickly on his tail and out-muscled the gelding in the closing stages, drawing away to score by an extending 1 – ¼ lengths. Unequivocal and Central Districts raider Tikemyson both produced massive runs from back in the field to fill the first four. Lance Noble, who trains the mare out of Karaka, admitted to a few anxious moments before the race but was delighted with the final result. “It’s really satisfying, she always gives you little heart palpitations at the start whether she’s going to go in and behave, but the starting gate crew have done a fantastic job and I’m very grateful to them,” Noble said. “We had a lovely draw and Warren rode her really well and she was just too good. “She’s got a bit stronger this year and more mature. Last year, she did it all in one prep, whereas she’s had a break and a spell and is very, very promising.” The four-year-old holds a nomination for the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) on New Year’s Day where she currently sits an equal-favourite at $4 with Nereus, but Noble indicated she is not assured to start in the feature. “We’re not sure if we’ll go there, I’ll have to talk to Henry Plumptre and Brendan and Jo and think about that,” he said. “My gut feeling is no, but we’ll see how she does in the next couple of days.” The victory secured a double at the SkyCity Boxing Day Races for Cambridge Stud’s private trainer and Kennedy, who combined to win the juvenile contest with exciting filly Romala. “It’s very rewarding, as most people know it’s not just me, it’s our whole team at the farm that makes this happen,” Noble said. “You work backwards from targets, this is where you want to be on these days so to get them here is rewarding in itself, and to then perform and be consistently doing so is what it’s all about.” Bred by Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay, About Time is out of a Fastnet Rock mare Romantic Time, making her a half-sister to multiple Australian Group One performer Young Werther. Alongside the son of Tavistock, Romantic Time has also produced Listed placegetter Romantic Lady and Villaden, who has won eight races in Australia. View the full article