Wandering Eyes

Michael O'Sullivan remains in intensive care at Cork University Hospital following a fall at Thurles nine days ago with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board [IHRB] stating that there has been no change in the jockey's condition. The 24-year-old was airlifted to hospital after falling at the last in a handicap chase. The meeting was subsequently abandoned. The IHRB released a statement on Tuesday, stating that O'Sullivan “continues to receive the best of care in the intensive care unit at Cork University Hospital”. Providing a further update to the rider's condition on Saturday morning, the IHRB released a statement on X that read, “Michael's family remain by his bedside at Cork University Hospital and continue to be very grateful for all the support which they are receiving. “There is no change in Michael's condition today and any updates will be communicated on behalf of the O'Sullivan family by the IHRB.” The post No Change In Michael O’Sullivan’s Condition With The Rider Remaining In Intensive Care appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Legarto winning Saturday’s Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m) at Matamata. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) After 322 days off the scene, triple Group One winner Legarto made a triumphant return to racing in Saturday’s Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m) at Matamata. The superstar daughter of Proisir was previously the winner of the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) and Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). She had been on the sidelines since finishing sixth in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in March of last year, having suffered a minor tendon injury during a trial win at Te Rapa in early August. Legarto headed into a tough first-up assignment on her home track on Saturday with only an exhibition gallop under her belt. The Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes has been freshly elevated to Listed status and drew a high-class field of fillies and mares, including Group One winners Provence and Skew Wiff, defending champion Karman Line, last-start Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) runner-up Imprevu and recent Group winners Acquarello, My Lips Are Sealed and Ardalio. But Legarto is New Zealand’s highest-rated racehorse at 112, and her performance on Saturday showed exactly why. The five-year-old and her regular rider Ryan Elliot settled in fourth-last before beginning to slide forward around the outside of the field heading down the side of the track. By the point of the home turn, Legarto had moved all the way up into fourth and was looming ominously on the outside of Fall For Cindy, Acquarello and Moving Melody. Elliot pushed the button in the straight and Legarto bounded to the lead. Acquarello fought back bravely on her inside, with Legarto’s lack of race fitness beginning to take a toll and her tank emptying. But pure class shone through as Legarto edged away to beat Acquarello by half a length. 2025 Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m) Replay – Legarto https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Matamata-2025-Listed-Champagne-Stakes-15022025-Legarto-Ken-Bev-Kelso-Ryan-Elliot.mp4 “That was stunning, I’ve got no words to describe it,” said Ken Kelso, who trains Legarto in partnership with his wife Bev. “She’s been away from the races for 12 months and has just that had one exhibition gallop. When she loomed on the outside at the bend, I thought, ‘We’ve got a chance here. Hopefully she doesn’t come to the end of it.’ But what a horse she is. “I’ve got a lot of people to thank. The Treweeks had her on their water treadmill, then Danica Guy had her on her treadmill as well. The staff at home, our vet and farrier, they all play a big part in getting these horses to raceday. And of course, even though Bev can’t come to the races now, she’s still a big part of it. She’s my eyes and ears. We discuss everything that we do with all of our horses.” Elliot has now ridden Legarto to eight of her 10 career wins. “I can’t believe it,” he said. “To be honest, I didn’t even know she was in work until Ken rang me up a week ago and asked me to come and gallop her. But Ken had her so forward. I was really surprised how forward she was when I came and rode her. “That lack of raceday fitness was going to get to her at some stage, but luckily she’s got that class on her side. “She jumped well today. I didn’t want to do too much on her, but she got into a good rhythm and then we popped out three-wide to get going. She worked through her gears nicely and then let down so well and got there very quickly. “She might have been coming to the end of it in the last 100m, but she’s such a gutsy and classy mare and she showed that today.” Legarto was bred by Warwick Jeffries and was offered by Highline Thoroughbreds during Book 2 of Karaka 2021, where Ancroft Stud bought her for $90,000. From a 16-start career, Legarto has now recorded 10 wins and three placings. Saturday’s win took her career earnings past $2 million. Horse racing betting sites now rate Legarto a $1.40 favourite for the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day on March 8. “That’s probably the obvious target,” Kelso said. “But we’ve always said we’ll take things one step at a time in this preparation. Hopefully she’ll come through this run safely, and then we can start working towards our next target, which will probably be the Breeders’ Stakes at Ellerslie in three weeks.” Horse racing news View the full article

The 2025 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington delivered a stunning upset, with the 25/1 outsider Skybird producing a breathtaking performance to claim the coveted Group 1 sprint. In a race where the fancied runners struggled to find their best, Skybird exploded from the back of the field, unleashing a powerful finish to sweep past […] The post Skybird Wins 2025 Black Caviar Lightning at 25/1 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

La Dorada winning the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Local filly La Dorada backed up from her stunning victory in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) last month with another gritty performance to take out her home track feature, the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) on Saturday. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared daughter of Waikato Stud resident stallion Super Seth was expected to put in a strong showing and once she found the fence and the lead after 200m she was always going to be hard to beat. Rated perfectly by rider Michael McNab, who had taken out the other two-year-old feature on the card aboard stablemate Return To Conquer in the Group 3 Matamata Slipper (1200m), La Dorada cruised along nicely with her main danger in Cambridge visitor To Cap It All on her outer. This pair settled down to a fierce home straight battle with La Dorada pulling out something extra in the shadows of the post to win by half a length with another Te Akau Racing runner in Born To Be Royal taking third ahead of stablemate Marokopa Falls. 2025 Group 2 Matamata Breeders Stakes Replay – La Dorada https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Matamata-2025-Group-2-Matamata-Breeders-Stakes-15022025-La-Dorada-Mark-Walker-Sam-Bergerson-Michael-McNab.mp4 Bergerson was quick to praise both the filly and the ride by McNab after the race. “What she lacks in size she makes up in toughness as she is just the ultimate racehorse,” Bergerson said. “She has gone to the next level since her Karaka Million win as we gave her a quiet week after that and she came back and hasn’t missed a beat. “She paraded fantastic and she has the little bit of grit and sassiness that gives her the edge and when the other one went up to her, she was really game. “He (McNab) got away with a cheap sectional down the back and that was the winning of the race. “We had it mapped that we were going to be outside the leader but he used his initiative and took up the running and the filly was very game late.” Bergerson indicated that La Dorada was now likely to take on Return to Conquer in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on March 8 where she is the second favourite at $3.20 in the Fixed Odds market with horse racing bookmakers behind her stablemate, who is at the head of affairs at a $2.20 quote. McNab was thrilled with just how tough his mount was at the finish. “She (La Dorada) is as tough as anything and she was never going to let the other horse get past her,” he said. “The second horse is a really good one and we probably fit inside her height-wise, but mine is just all heart and a real little sweetheart.” Horse racing news View the full article

Return To Conquer winning the Group 3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Exciting two-year-old colt Return To Conquer remained unbeaten when he headed home a Te Akau Racing trifecta in the Group 3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) on Saturday. The raging hot favourite with horse racing betting sites was made to work for the victory by stablemate He Who Dares who set up a solid pace in front throughout for rider Craig Grylls before being joined by Return To Conquer at the 300m. While always appearing to have his rival covered Return To Conquer had to fight hard as He Who Dares showed plenty of heart at just his second start, battling gamely to get within a long neck from the winner at the post as the third member of the Te Akau triumvirate, To Bravery Born, shaded Daylight Robbery for third. 2025 Group 3 Matamata Slipper Replay – Return To Conquer https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Matamata-2025-Group-3-Silver-Slipper-15022025-Return-To-Conquer-Mark-Walker-Sam-Bergerson-Michael-McNab.mp4 Rider Michael McNab left no doubt about his opinion of Return To Conquer despite the narrow margin of victory. “It was a good win and it (the race) sort of mapped the way I thought it might as I wanted to sit outside Craig, so I put myself there just like it was trackwork on a Tuesday morning,” McNab said. “He is a star in the making as he has a great attitude and you can’t fault him as he has it all there.” Co-trainer Mark Walker, who prepares the son of Snitzel with Sam Bergerson at Matamata, was pleased to see his star colt continue on his winning path while also providing some encouraging words for the runner-up. “It was a good effort from the second horse as he has just had the one start for a win at Wanganui and the winner is more experienced,” Walker said. “With the other horse running third (To Bravery Born) it was a good effort all round. “He (Return To Conquer) was the same as he was at Ellerslie (last start) in that he seems to win but not by big margins. “We’ve got a bit of thinking to do although it is most likely the first two will go to the Sistema (Group 1, 1200m) at Ellerslie next month and we will have a think about the third horse.” The Group 1 Sistema Stakes is one of the feature events on a star-studded programme at Ellerslie’s Champions Day on Saturday 8 March. Horse racing news View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, February 16, 2025 First Race 12:30pm HKT (3:30pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, with a bumper 11-part program lined up on the turf. The rail moves out to the C+3 position the entire circuit, and with sunny skies forecast across the weekend, punters can anticipate a genuine Good 4 surface. All the action at Sha Tin is scheduled to get underway at 12:30pm HKT. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Top Dragon Top Dragon appears set to peak third-up in the campaign after a barnstorming effort at this course and distance on January 19. The son of Pierata showed a tremendous turn of speed to close within a half-length of Blazing Wind and had the three-year-old got out a stride earlier, he would’ve made things interesting as the pair past the post. Harry Bentley gets the chance to slot into the one-one from barrier three, and provided Top Dragon can reproduce his last start performance, expect this guy to justify favouritism with horse racing bookmakers. Best Bet Race 2 – #2 Top Dragon (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Chris So | J: Harry Bentley (58.5kg) Next Best at Sha Tin: Spirit Of Peace Spirit Of Peace couldn’t have been more impressive breaking his maiden at Happy Valley on January 22. The son of Harry Angel produced a devastating turn-of-foot in the final furlong to power away by a half-length, with the four-year-old relishing every inch of the 1200m. Stepping up to the 1400m at Sha Tin should be ideal, and provided the breaks fall his way from the awkward draw (9), Spirit Of Peace must be considered the one to beat in this Class 4 contest. Next Best Race 5 – #1 Spirit Of Peace (9) 4yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Harry Bentley (61kg) Best Value at Sha Tin: Magnificent Nine Magnificent Nine is yet to taste success in Hong Kong, with the Toronado gelding finding the minor money in six of his 16 starts. His best performance came at this track and trip two starts back, however, with the John Size-trained galloper relishing the drop back into Class 4 company when nosed out by Another World on January 5. Brenton Avdulla will look to slot in for cover from barrier seven, and although he must lug 61kg to victory, Magnificent Nine should get every chance to claim his first Hong Kong win. Best Value Race 4 – #1 Magnificent Nine (7) 5yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Brenton Avdulla (61kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections February 16, 2025 2-4-7 1-2-4-6-7-10 1-2-3-4-12 3-4-8-11-12-13 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Port Macquarie Races Where Port Macquarie Race Club – 283 Oxley Hwy, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 (Link if we have track page) When Sunday, February 16, 2025 First Race 12:55pm AEDT Visit Dabble Port Macquarie Race Club is the destination for country racing on Sunday afternoon, with a quality eight-part program set for decision. The rail reverts to the true position throughout the entire circuit for the meeting, and although the track is rated a Soft 6 at the time of acceptances, sunny skies forecast on race-day could allow for a potential upgrade into the Good range at some stage. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 12:55pm local time. Best Bet at Port Macquarie: Kosuke Kosuke returns after a 127-day spell and appears well placed in this BM66 contest. The Autumn Sun colt was tested amongst metro company in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at the end of last preparation, and although he didn’t figure in the finish, the three-year-old never shirked the task when closing to within six lengths of El Castello. Kosuke oozes class compared to his key rivals, and despite the 1500m being short of his best trip, expect this guy to get the job done first-up. Best Bet Race 5 – #3 Kosuke (7) 3yo Colt | T: Gregory McFarlane | J: Ashley Morgan (59kg) Next Best at Port Macquarie: Bodhi Boy Bodhi Boy is undefeated heading into his fourth career start and seems to be improving every time he steps out. The son of So You Think has produced back-to-back wins at Port Macquarie to kick-off the campaign, with the untapped three-year-old making every post a winner over 1000m and 1100m respectively. Ben Looker will send Bodhi Boy to the top to offset barrier 12, and although he may be tested at the end of 1200m, expect him to fend off all challengers at a good price with BlondeBet. Next Best Race 7 – #6 Bodhi Boy (12) 3yo Gelding | T: Lyndall Olson | J: Ben Looker (56kg) Best Value at Port Macquarie: Coolriver Fergie Coolriver Fergie appears set to strike on debut for the Joseph Burges barn. The Puissance De Lune filly held her ground in a recent barrier trial at Taree on January 31, with the unraced three-year-old cruising through the wire under her own steam. She appeared to have plenty left to give in the concluding stages and provided Luke Rolls can slot in for cover throughout this first-up assignment, expect Coolriver Fergie to be storming down the centre of the course at an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 3 – #12 Coolriver Fergie (9) 3yo Filly | T: Joseph Burges | J: Luke Rolls (56.5kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Port Macquarie Port Macquarie quadrella selections February 16, 2025 3-4-5 3-9-12-14 4-5-6-9-10 1-3-4-6-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Fangirl winning the 2025 Apollo Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au It was a Chris Waller-trained trifecta in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with Fangirl ($3.50) proving the best to claim back-to-back victories in the $300,000 feature. The three-time Group 1 winner surged clear in the concluding stages to justify strong support with horse racing bookmakers, with the daughter of Sebring firming from $5.00 to $3.50 prior to the jump. Jason Collet landed in the perfect stalking position throughout the 1400m journey, sitting two lengths back one-off the rail to get the six-year-old into a rhythm before sprinting off a slow tempo in the middle stages. Nash Rawiller attempted to steal the race aboard Lindermann ($16.00) and pinched a margin at the top of the straight, while Via Sistina ($2.00) and Ceolwulf ($5.00) made their respective runs in unison down the centre of the course. Fangirl simply had the superior turn-of-foot resuming from a spell, and with Via Sistina and Ceolwulf finishing off nicely, the pair lost no admirers kicking off their lengthy autumn preparations. It was all about Fangirl in the end, however, claiming her first victory since claiming the 7 Stakes (1600m) on September 21. Click here for full Randwick race replays. Charlie Duckworth was on track to break down the win. “She’s an absolute gem,” said Duckworth. “I know she wasn’t that long in the market but almost a forgotten horse. “It was all Ceolwulf and Via Sistina. Jason (Collett) gave her just a beautiful ride. “The other two (Via Sistina and Ceolwulf) were having a battle behind her and she just said, ‘while you two are playing Top Trumps behind me I’ll just go and get the job done’. “She’s just got to get left alone early. You force her into a position she’s not happy with (it doesn’t suit). We all kept whinging about bad draw, but she’s actually better better off because you can actually just leave her alone and just wait for that turn of foot, because she’s electric.” Jason Collett was pleased with the win and credited her turn-of-foot for the victory. “When I was able to get Via back underneath me on the fence, I had her locked away, and I had Ceolwulf behind me I thought, ‘well, I’ve just got to wait’,” said Collett. “I probably have the best turn of foot over 1400 so I just tried to utilise that. “She’s not the cleanest out of the gates and that’s one thing I said after watching the replays, if I could get her out as clean as I can that could be the difference and it probably was. “I was able to have Via back to the inside and Ceolwulf behind me and I thought, well I’ve probably got the turn of foot to outdo them, as long as I can hold together. “She’s not the cleanest out and she can probably be her own worst enemy. But in saying that, she races best when she’s in her comfort zone and that obviously comes with being slow away.” Horse racing news View the full article

Cilacap ridden by Craig Williams winning the Listed Desirable Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Cilacap delivered a tenacious victory in the Listed Desirable Stakes at Flemington on Saturday, February 15, securing another stakes win for trainer Grahame Begg and jockey Craig Williams. The three-year-old filly, by Written Tycoon, showed determination in the final stages to reel in Husk and claim victory by a quarter of a length, with Sneaky Sunrise finishing in third. Jumping from barrier eight, Cilacap settled midfield as Husk took control of the early tempo, closely followed by Captured By Love and Another Prophet. Williams kept the filly balanced throughout, gradually making his move as the field straightened for the run home. Despite shifting under pressure, Cilacap found another gear in the final strides to surge past Husk, proving her class over the 1400m trip paying . Click here for full Flemington race replays. Post-race, Williams reflected on the filly’s effort, highlighting her raw talent. “She’s a big girl with plenty of engine. She still has a lot to learn, but she’s got so much ability. “The team has done a great job preparing her for today, and she’s only going to improve off this run,” Williams said. Stable representative Rowan Hughes praised Cilacap’s performance and outlined her future plans. “She’s still a big, raw filly, but she’s progressing beautifully. “This was an important test for her today, and she passed with flying colours. “We’ve been targeting an Australasian Oaks campaign, and she’ll go up to a mile next start to continue that progression.” With this victory, Cilacap now holds a career record of five starts for four wins and a third, amassing $307,110 in prize money. Cilacap’s performance in the Desirable Stakes cements her status as a filly to watch, with her next race set to provide further insight into her capabilities at longer distances. Horse racing news View the full article

Lady Shenandoah winning the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Zac Lloyd & Chris Waller have combined with Lady Shenandoah ($2.40) to claim victory in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) winner making a statement on resumption. The Snitzel filly justified a wealth of support with horse racing bookmakers prior to the jump, with the three-year-old firming into a clear $2.40 favourite as they left the gates. Lloyd was positive from the outset from barrier seven, eventually finding the leaders’ back throughout the journey as the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) winner Lady Of Camelot ($3.10) strode to the front under Tim Clark. Lilac ($17.00) went forward to sit to her outside to ensure they went along at a genuine clip, while Manaal ($7.00) was dragged back by Jason Collett to allow the Michael Freedman-trained filly to get the last crack at her rivals. Zac Lloyd was able to peel off the back of Lilac at the top of the straight and exposed Lady Shenandoah a long way out before asking for the ultimate effort. She was happy to oblige in kind, putting pave to her rivals in the final 200m as Lady Of Camelot and Lilac could only chase in vain as the progressive Chris Waller-trained filly stormed clear by a length eased down in the concluding stages. Click here for full Randwick race replays. Assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth was on course at Randwick to discuss the win and what’s next for the star filly. “She is obviously an incredible athlete and was aided by an absolutely stunning ride by Zac (Lloyd),” said Duckworth. “He got her in a beautiful position from what could have been a slightly sticky draw and she has gone about her business beautifully and she has accelerated. “Lady of Camelot is no slouch to try and run past in the concluding stages and she seems to have done it with a bit in hand. She gets up over a lot further than the 1200 so to do it first-up, she is going to take a world of beating next start. “The obvious next target is the Surround (Stakes), which is another Group One you’d love to add to her name. “All four of the runners today – the other three finished alongside each other and all ran credibly – they will all be going there. “Grand final? Not sure. Just win another Group One first.” Zac Lloyd was excited by the win and spoke to her star quality. “You don’t get that feeling often,” said Lloyd. “She is a pleasure to ride and it’s an honour to ride these types of horses for Mr Waller. “Happy I could get the job done, but she makes my life easier. “In her second trial Mr Waller said, ‘close to a speeding ticket there’ but she just does it so easily you don’t really know how fast you’re going. She just glides over the ground, she’s got the most efficient action. She came around that bend and you just feel like it’s ‘game over’. “She is a very nice filly.” Lady Shenandoah is now the clear $2.00 favourite with BlondeBet for the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) on March 1. Horse racing news View the full article

Skybird ridden by John Allen wins the Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Skybird etched her name into history with a stunning victory in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington on Saturday, February 15. Trained by Mitchell Freedman and ridden by John Allen, the four-year-old mare became the longest-priced winner in the race’s 71-year history, paying $26 with the top online bookmakers. Breaking from barrier three, Skybird settled at the rear of the field as Mazu and Way To The Stars set a frenetic pace up front. As the race unfolded, Allen found a perfect gap in the final furlong, and Skybird unleashed an electrifying sprint to surge past her rivals, defeating Stretan Angel by three-quarters of a length, with Benedetta and Switzerland battling it out for third. Click here for full Flemington race replays. Post-race, jubilant John Allen reflected on the remarkable performance. “Probably not,” Allen admitted when asked if he expected such a win. “Look, I was expecting her to run well, but she had a lot to do. “I’ve been up there a couple of times in the last week, and she’d been flying, but I would’ve been telling tales if I thought she had a chance in a race like today. “But once I peeled off the back of Switzerland, she just took off. “From the halfway mark, I felt she just couldn’t get beaten.” Jenna Freedman, wife of trainer Mitchell Freedman, was overcome with emotion after Skybird’s incredible win. “I let out a hell of a scream! “When she found that gap, I thought, ‘Oh my God, here we go.’ I’m sorry for anyone standing near me, but I just couldn’t help it. “It’s such an incredible result for the team and the owners – these moments don’t come around every day.” Mitchell Freedman was equally thrilled with the performance, revealing that they had been confident in Skybird’s ability despite doubts about her sprinting credentials. “Her work at Horsham ten days ago was phenomenal, and Tuesday’s gallop was just as good. “We knew she was flying coming into today. There was plenty of chatter that she wasn’t fast enough for the 1000m, but we always believed she was a sprinter at heart.” Freedman confirmed that Skybird’s next target would be the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 8. “We mapped out a campaign around Melbourne’s big sprints, and she’s right where we want her. “We’ll monitor how she pulls up, but the Newmarket looks a logical next step.” With this victory, Skybird has now amassed over $1.8 million in prize money, boasting a career record of 13 starts for six wins, one second, and two thirds. The mare’s blistering turn of foot and proven versatility make her a formidable contender in the upcoming Newmarket Handicap, currently an $8 chance with Neds. Horse racing news View the full article

Inhibitions winning the Group 3 Triscay Stakes. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au A lengthy preparation has paid dividends for the James Cummings-trained Inhibitions ($14.00), with the four-year-old mare proving best of the girls in the Group 3 Triscay Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. She benefited by a perfect steer by Kerrin McEvoy, with the star hoop landing into the one-one throughout after jumping nicely from barrier five. Stable companion Commemorative ($4.40) was heavily backed with horse racing bookmakers prior to the jump and was forced to settle last after missing the start from stall one, while Clear Thinking ($4.20) was dragged back to sit to her outside. It left the Bjorn Baker-trained pair of Bonita Queen ($6.50) and Spring Lee ($4.80) to take up the running, with the duo striding out at a moderate tempo. Inhibitions was quick to take over in the final furlong, and while Clear Thinking and Commemorative lost no admirers chasing gamely in behind, they simply had too much work to do in the home straight as Inhibitions had pinched a winning break under McEvoy. Click here for full Randwick race replays. James Cummings was clearly chuffed that a long-range plan had paid off. “It’s an interesting set up actually,” said Cummings. “We thought about where we were going to take Inhibitions. We had Commemorative flying but we had looked at this race from a long way out with Inhibitions. It’s a plan well pulled off. “Interesting that Domenic (Beirne) throughout the week actually had them flipped on the prices, he thought that Inhibitions was twice the chance of Commemorative, so it’s good that we pulled off the plan. “She’s now a stakes winner, a valuable filly by Zoustar who was purchased at the sales. Andy Makiv actually picked her out from the Melbourne Premier Sale and she’ll just go on to be part of our broodmare band in the future. Kerrin McEvoy was delighted with the win and credited her fitness compared to some key rivals. “Great run,” said McEvoy. “She had a nice trail, she’s been running well, she was fit. We were able to just make use of a nice draw and she was up and going with a nice light weight on her back. So it was a nice race for her to get some black type. “Around the corner I thought, they’ve run along in front and we were going to be running on strongly and it’s going to take a good one to beat me. So fair play to her.” Horse racing news View the full article

Local filly La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) backed up from her stunning victory in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) last month with another gritty performance to take out her home track feature, the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) on Saturday. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared daughter of Waikato Stud resident stallion Super Seth was expected to put in a strong showing and once she found the fence and the lead after 200m she was always going to be hard to beat. Rated perfectly by rider Michael McNab, who had taken out the other two-year-old feature on the card aboard stablemate Return To Conquer (Snitzel) in the Gr.3 Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m), La Dorada cruised along nicely with her main danger in Cambridge visitor To Cap It All (Capitalist) on her outer. This pair settled down to a fierce home straight battle with La Dorada pulling out something extra in the shadows of the post to win by half a length with another Te Akau Racing runner in Born To Be Royal (King’s Legacy) taking third ahead of stablemate Marokopa Falls (Hellbent). Bergerson was quick to praise both the filly and the ride by McNab after the race. “What she lacks in size she makes up in toughness as she is just the ultimate racehorse,” Bergerson said. “She has gone to the next level since her Karaka Million win as we gave her a quiet week after that and she came back and hasn’t missed a beat. “She paraded fantastic and she has the little bit of grit and sassiness that gives her the edge and when the other one went up to her, she was really game. “He (McNab) got away with a cheap sectional down the back and that was the winning of the race. “We had it mapped that we were going to be outside the leader but he used his initiative and took up the running and the filly was very game late.” Bergerson indicated that La Dorada was now likely to take on Return to Conquer in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on 8 March where she is the second favourite at $3.20 in the TAB Fixed Odds market behind her stablemate who is at the head of affairs at a $2.20 quote. McNab was thrilled with just how tough his mount was at the finish. “She (La Dorada) is as tough as anything and she was never going to let the other horse get past her,” he said. “The second horse is a really good one and we probably fit inside her height-wise, but mine is just all heart and a real little sweetheart.” Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis purchased La Dorada for $190,000 out of the Waikato Stud draft during the Book 1 sale at Karaka in 2024 after purchasing her dam, Gold Fever (NZ) (Savabeel), as a yearling for $110,000 from the draft of Sledmere Stud at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She adds to her extended family legacy in the Breeders’ Stakes as her dam took out the event in 2017 whilst another member of her family, Gold Rush (NZ) (So You Think), won it in 2016. The victory took La Dorada’s career earnings past the $744,000 mark for her owners, the Te Akau Solid Gold Racing Partnership. View the full article

Next month’s A$2.5 million Gr.1 All-Star Mile (1600m) is looming large on the horizon for Rise At Dawn (NZ) (Almanzor), who scored his fourth win in succession with a smart first-up performance in the A$175,000 Listed The Elms Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday. The New Zealand-bred son of Almanzor rose impressively through the grades last winter, recording four wins and two second placings from a six-start campaign. That preparation ended with a winning treble on August 3, 17 and 31, culminating in his first black-type success in the Listed Heatherlie Handicap (1700m) at Caulfield. Rise At Dawn had two jumpouts in January and won them both as he built towards his return to racing for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes. He stepped out on Saturday and picked up right where he had left off in his last campaign. Rise At Dawn settled in third place as Buffalo River (Noble Mission) opened up a big margin through the middle stages of the race. That runner began to tire in the straight, and Rise At Drawn swept past him with 200m remaining. Under a hands-and-heels ride from Michael Dee, Rise At Dawn kicked clear and went on to win by a length and a quarter from the late-closing Aztec Ruler (Universal Ruler) and Just Folk (Magnus). “He’s gone unbelievable today,” Will Hayes said. “He went through the grades terrifically last time in, I think he gained himself 24 rating points in a single prep. “To resume at open level, 1400m at Flemington, there’s a lot of credit to that victory today. “The best thing about this win was the way he was able to absorb such a hot tempo set by Buffalo River. It was also a great ride by Mick. He judged him perfectly and didn’t get there too soon, especially being first-up. He was a chance to be vulnerable on the soft track. “What you saw there was a seasoned racehorse who’s got an exciting prep ahead.” The Hayes team hope to have Rise At Dawn lining up alongside stable star Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) in the All-Star Mile at Flemington on March 8. “It’s pretty exciting,” Hayes said. “If everything goes to plan, there’ll be two sets of Lindsay Park silks there.” Dee is now unbeaten in three rides on Rise At Dawn. “He’s just so tough,” Dee said. “He tries hard, he puts himself close to the speed and always puts in a gutsy performance. He had trialled exceptionally well leading into this and I was always fairly confident. “It probably didn’t help that Buffalo River went out so hard, it just sort of made us chase a long way from home, but we ended up in a nice spot and he was cruising a long way from home. “He’s very fit, he had a very long prep last prep and never put a foot wrong, and he’s come back just as well.” Rise At Dawn has now had 13 starts for eight wins and two second placings. Bred by the Smithies family’s Monovale Holdings, Rise At Dawn was purchased by Lindsay Park for A$90,000 at the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. He has earned A$598,085 for his syndicate of owners, which includes long-time Lindsay Park foreman Bruno Rouge-Serret. Rise At Dawn is an older brother of last season’s Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) placegetter Kay’s Ruebe (NZ) (Almanzor) with their dam the Listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m) winner and multiple Group One placegetter Kay’s Awake (NZ) (Towkay). View the full article

After 322 days off the scene, triple Group One winner Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) made a triumphant return to racing in Saturday’s Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m) at Matamata. The superstar daughter of Proisir was previously the winner of the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). She had been on the sidelines since finishing sixth in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in March of last year, having suffered a minor tendon injury during a trial win at Te Rapa in early August. Legarto headed into a tough first-up assignment on her home track on Saturday with only an exhibition gallop under her belt. The Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes has been freshly elevated to Listed status and drew a high-class field of fillies and mares, including Group One winners Provence (NZ) (Savabeel) and Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel), defending champion Karman Line (NZ) (Myboycharlie), last-start Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) runner-up Imprevu and recent Group winners Acquarello (Written Tycoon), My Lips Are Sealed (NZ) (Ace High) and Ardalio (NZ) (Ardrossan). But Legarto is New Zealand’s highest-rated racehorse at 112, and her performance on Saturday showed exactly why. The five-year-old and her regular rider Ryan Elliot settled in fourth-last before beginning to slide forward around the outside of the field heading down the side of the track. By the point of the home turn, Legarto had moved all the way up into fourth and was looming ominously on the outside of Fall For Cindy (NZ) (Sacred Falls), Acquarello and Moving Melody (Deep Field). Elliot pushed the button in the straight and Legarto bounded to the lead. Acquarello fought back bravely on her inside, with Legarto’s lack of race fitness beginning to take a toll and her tank emptying. But pure class shone through as Legarto edged away to beat Acquarello by half a length. “That was stunning, I’ve got no words to describe it,” said Ken Kelso, who trains Legarto in partnership with his wife Bev. “She’s been away from the races for 12 months and has just that had one exhibition gallop. When she loomed on the outside at the bend, I thought, ‘We’ve got a chance here. Hopefully she doesn’t come to the end of it.’ But what a horse she is. “I’ve got a lot of people to thank. The Treweeks had her on their water treadmill, then Danica Guy had her on her treadmill as well. The staff at home, our vet and farrier, they all play a big part in getting these horses to raceday. And of course, even though Bev can’t come to the races now, she’s still a big part of it. She’s my eyes and ears. We discuss everything that we do with all of our horses.” Elliot has now ridden Legarto to eight of her 10 career wins. “I can’t believe it,” he said. “To be honest, I didn’t even know she was in work until Ken rang me up a week ago and asked me to come and gallop her. But Ken had her so forward. I was really surprised how forward she was when I came and rode her. “That lack of raceday fitness was going to get to her at some stage, but luckily she’s got that class on her side. “She jumped well today. I didn’t want to do too much on her, but she got into a good rhythm and then we popped out three-wide to get going. She worked through her gears nicely and then let down so well and got there very quickly. “She might have been coming to the end of it in the last 100m, but she’s such a gutsy and classy mare and she showed that today.” Legarto was bred by Warwick Jeffries and was offered by Highline Thoroughbreds during Book 2 of Karaka 2021, where Ancroft Stud bought her for $90,000. From a 16-start career, Legarto has now recorded 10 wins and three placings. Saturday’s win took her career earnings past $2 million. The TAB now rates Legarto a $1.40 favourite for the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day on March 8. “That’s probably the obvious target,” Kelso said. “But we’ve always said we’ll take things one step at a time in this preparation. Hopefully she’ll come through this run safely, and then we can start working towards our next target, which will probably be the Breeders’ Stakes at Ellerslie in three weeks.” View the full article

Multiple black-type winner Wrote To Arataki (NZ) (Wrote) made a welcome return to top form in Saturday’s A$200,000 Gr.3 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. The New Zealand-bred mare had previously won the Gr.3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1300m) in February of 2023 and the Gr.2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) the following October, but had gone winless in seven starts through the 16 months since then. Wrote To Arataki showed a glimpse of her best form with a last-start third in the 2025 edition of the Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes two weeks ago, and on Saturday the six-year-old was right back at the peak of her powers. In torrential rain that was being blown sideways by strong winds, Wrote To Arataki and jockey Dean Yendall sat in second on the outside of the front-runner Fancify. Wrote To Arataki faced the headwind turning into the straight and strode forward, shaking free of Fancify and taking command. The only challenge came from a late-finishing Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High), but Wrote To Arataki was too tough and crossed the finish line a length and a half in front. Yendall has now had 10 rides on Wrote To Arataki, including wins in the Tristarc Stakes and Frances Tressady Stakes. He has also guided her to five minor placings. “To win on this mare today has been a really good thrill for me,” Yendall said. “She went by the wayside and lost her way, but she’s had a bit of an ocean break and she’s obviously enjoyed it because she’s come back really well. “Today we were able to begin really cleanly. Fancify (NZ) (Niagara) had to do a little bit of work, not a heap, to hold the lead. I could have taken it up easily, the way I shot out of the barriers, but that wasn’t my plan. “When the wind was pushing hard across us, I just wanted to sit off the leader and try and get cover off that, which probably worked a little bit, and in the straight I just let her loose.” Wrote To Arataki has now had 23 starts for six wins, seven placings and A$706,380 in stakes. She is trained at Warrnambool by Matthew Williams, who was represented at Flemington on Saturday by Sarah Woodhouse. “Matthew’s having a family weekend in Port Fairy, celebrating his parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, so there’s your present, everyone,” Woodhouse said. “This mare came through her last-start run really well. It was really hot that day, but she actually handled the hot conditions nicely. It’s very easy for us at home, because we can get her down to the beach for the next couple of days to recover. She presented really well here today. “For whatever reason, she just didn’t come up to her best in that last preparation. Nothing went wrong. But just a good break and a bit of a change-around in her training, and it’s got her back on song today.” Wrote To Arataki was bred by Noelene Bishop and is by Wrote, Highview Stud’s Group One-winning son of High Chaparral. The dam of Wrote To Arataki is the multiple winning Align mare Galloping Gerte (NZ). Wrote To Arataki finished third in her only trial in New Zealand for former trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne before her private sale to the Williams stable through bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo. View the full article

A smart turn of foot carried Photographics to victory in Saturday’s A$120,000 Midway Handicap (1000m), improving her record in 1000m races at Randwick to two-from-two. The New Zealand-bred daughter of Per Incanto was a stylish winner over the same course and distance on Boxing Day, then finished outside the placings at Warwick Farm in late January. Photographics returned to Randwick on Saturday and bounced back in style. Apprentice jockey Molly Bourke took up a handy position in fourth behind a strong pace, then pushed the button in the straight. Photographics changed gears and burst to the front, going on to win by just over a length. She stopped the clock at a slick 56.55 seconds. “She can be a very quirky mare and has taken a bit of figuring out,” said Bourke, who has been in the saddle for all of the filly’s three career victories. “But I think this is how she runs best – when the speed is on and you can let her stay at her own speed and then work off that.” Photographics has now had eight starts for three wins and A$120,525 in stakes. She was a debut winner at Warwick Farm in December of 2023, then went on to contest the Gr.2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m), Gr.2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) and Gr.2 Furious Stakes (1200m). Trainer John Sargent is pleased to see the filly finding her groove. “Molly knows this filly really well and rode her just like when she won here two starts ago,” the expat New Zealander said. “I’m not really sure what happened at Warwick Farm last time. It was very hot that day and she got quite wound up and ran off the track. I’m just putting it down to a bad day. “A strong pace like today really helps her, because it gets her off the bit. She’s won well.” Photographics was bred by Jim Barlow and Tony Joyce’s Fusion Bloodstock and Max Brown of Brown Bloodstock. She was offered by Little Avondale Stud during Book 1 of the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka, where she failed to meet her $100,000 reserve. Photographics was subsequently purchased by Barlow and leased to long-time friend Sargent to race with his family. “This is great for the family,” Sargent said. “My kids own 25 percent each. I gave that to them, with no training fees, so they’re very happy. They’re doing up their house and whatever, so this will help them.” View the full article

Exciting two-year-old colt Return To Conquer remained unbeaten when he headed home a Te Akau Racing trifecta in the Gr.3 Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m) on Saturday. The raging hot favourite ($1.20) was made to work for the victory by stablemate He Who Dares who set up a solid pace in front throughout for rider Craig Grylls before being joined by Return To Conquer at the 300m. While always appearing to have his rival covered Return To Conquer had to fight hard as He Who Dares showed plenty of heart at just his second start, battling gamely to get within a long neck from the winner at the post as the third member of the Te Akau triumvirate, To Bravery Born, shaded Daylight Robbery for third. Rider Michael McNab left no doubt about his opinion of Return To Conquer despite the narrow margin of victory. “It was a good win and it (the race) sort of mapped the way I thought it might as I wanted to sit outside Craig, so I put myself there just like it was trackwork on a Tuesday morning,” McNab said. “He is a star in the making as he has a great attitude and you can’t fault him as he has it all there.” Co-trainer Mark Walker, who prepares the son of Snitzel with Sam Bergerson at Matamata, was pleased to see his star colt continue on his winning path while also providing some encouraging words for the runner-up. “It was a good effort from the second horse as he has just had the one start for a win at Wanganui and the winner is more experienced,” Walker said. “With the other horse running third (To Bravery Born) it was a good effort all round. “He (Return To Conquer) was the same as he was at Ellerslie (last start) in that he seems to win but not by big margins. “We’ve got a bit of thinking to do although it is most likely the first two will go to the Sistema (Gr.1, 1200m) at Ellerslie next month and we will have a think about the third horse.” The Gr.1 Sistema Stakes is one of the feature events on a star-studded programme at Ellerslie’s Champions Day on Saturday 8 March. Return To Conquer, who is out of the Lonhro mare Vaujany, was bought by David Ellis for A$1.3 million as a yearling on the Gold Coast in January 2024. He has now had three starts for three black type wins and has banked $218,750 for owners the Te Akau 2024 Stallion Breeding Syndicate. View the full article

Sepals ridden by Blake Shinn winning the CS Hayes Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Sepals delivered a statement win in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes at Flemington on Saturday, February 15, announcing himself as a serious contender for the Australian Guineas. Trained by Cliff Brown and ridden by Blake Shinn, the three-year-old gelding by Calyx produced an explosive turn of foot to surge clear for an emphatic victory over Ndola and Feroce. Jumping from barrier one, Sepals settled comfortably behind the leaders as Stay Focused set a solid pace upfront, closely followed by Gold Rush Guru. As the field approached the 300-metre mark, Sepals found clear running and quickened impressively, putting two lengths on his rivals with ease. Ndola, who had been positioned towards the rear, closed well for second, while Feroce made a strong seasonal return to grab third. Click here for full Flemington race replays. Blake Shinn, full of praise for the gelding’s ability winning at , described the win as dominant. “It was a dominant win. Yes. “He obviously had a lovely draw in barrier one. “He switched off beautifully, and, you know, everything was presented for him, but he had to capitalise on such an impressive win. “Yeah, just wrapped for Cliff, his whole team, Tony, Carla, and Harvey. “So, yeah, I’m just wrapped.” Shinn commented post-race. Stable representative Tony Lane was equally optimistic about Sepals’ potential. “We were pretty confident coming in. “The horse has done nothing wrong, so we thought we’d throw him in the deep end and see if he could swim – and he definitely swam.” Lane also spoke about the track conditions and Sepals’ adaptability. “With the track downgrades, we weren’t sure how he’d handle it, but you don’t know until you try. “He’s been progressing well over the last few months, and he’s still on the up.” Discussing Sepals’ future, Lane confirmed aspirations for the Australian Guineas. “He’s always shown a lot of ability at home, and with a performance like that, the Guineas is definitely on the radar. “His dam, What’s New, was a high-class mare in Singapore, so it’s great to see him following in those footsteps.” With this victory, Sepals now boasts a career record of five starts for four wins, amassing $293,590 in prize money. His rapid progression and proven ability over 1400m make him a key contender for the Group 1 Australian Guineas in a few weeks’ time as a $8 second favourite with the top Australian bookmakers. Sepals’ emphatic CS Hayes Stakes victory sets him up for an exciting campaign ahead, and all eyes will be on his potential with the chance of securing the CS Hayes / Australian Guineas double. Horse racing news View the full article

Star couple excited for Hong Kong return as replacements for quartet of injured jockeys.View the full article

Magic Time after winning the Group 2 Expressway Stakes. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au The Grahame Begg-trained Magic Time has come with a withering burst to claim victory in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, kicking off the campaign with an impressive first-up victory. The daughter of Hellbent didn’t have much last preparation, with the two-time Group 1 winner managing back-to-back runner-up placings in the Group 2 Invitation (1400m) and Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) before being tipped out for a spell. Jordan Childs was happy to sit back towards the rear of the field amongst the small field of six, with Givemethebeatboys ($23.00) and Iowna Merc ($8.00) jogging along in the middle stages as the 1200m contest turned into a sit-and-sprint in the final 400m. It didn’t suit the short-priced favourite with Neds, Joliestar ($2.00), after somehow being cast three-wide without cover throughout the journey under Kerrin McEvoy, stunting her usually barnstorming turn-of-speed. Magic Time was held up momentarily, however, once getting clear in the final furlong, she was the only horse punters would’ve wanted to be on as she surged to the top, claiming top honours in the $300,000 feature. Click here for full Randwick race replays. Grahame Begg was on course to discuss the win and what’s next for Magic Time in the autumn. “She has been going terrific this mare,” said Begg. “She prepped up really well for this race. “We were worried about Joliestar obviously, but she is going extremely well and she’s in for a great prep. “She goes to the Canterbury Stakes in three weeks. We mapped it out. We had today’s race, three weeks to the Canterbury Stakes and then we’ll work it out from there, maybe a George Ryder or an All Aged again. She is in everything. “She has come up really well this mare this preparation. From the time she came back from a spell, it was probably the best she ever spelled, and her coat has been glowing the whole time through.” “We brought her here because we thought she’d get some give in the ground. She’s effective on top of the ground as well but getting cut in the ground, if it gets wetter as the autumn goes on, well she is going to come right into play.” Jordan Childs was elated with the win and suggested he may return to Sydney in the future to take the reins aboard Magic Time in Group 1 features in the autumn. “My strike rate over the last few years, every time I come up here I seem to get a result,” said Childs. “It makes it easier when you’re coming for the right horses but definitely happy to be here today. “I’m sure I’ll be back up here. “I had to go to Plan B (today). We ended up in a sticky spot. She always gave me a feel that once I did get out she was going to explode, but I had to wait my turn and trust her and when she did get out she was just too good for them.” Magic Time is currently on the second line of betting at $5.00 with horse racing bookmakers for the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) on March 8. Horse racing news View the full article

Rise At Dawn ridden by Michael Dee wins the The Elms Handicap at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Rise At Dawn has booked its place in the Group 1 All-Star Mile after a commanding victory in the Listed Elms Handicap at Flemington on Saturday, February 15. The Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained four-year-old chestnut gelding, ridden by Michael Dee at 55.5kg, displayed tenacity and class to secure a strong win at $4.60 with the top online bookmakers. Buffalo River set a scorching tempo early, stretching the field, with Rise At Dawn positioned smartly behind the leaders. At the 350-metre mark, Buffalo River began to fade, and Rise At Dawn surged forward, rapidly closing the margin. Under the urgings of Dee, the son of Almanzor took control 100 metres from home, pulling clear to defeat Aztec Ruler by 1.25 lengths, with Just Folk finishing third. Click here for full Flemington race replays. Post-race, Dee praised the gelding’s toughness and ability to sustain pressure, highlighting the importance of positioning throughout the race. “He’s just so tough. “He tries hard, puts himself close to the speed, and always delivers a gutsy performance. “He was travelling beautifully, and once I got him off the fence, he let down really well,” Dee said. Co-trainer Will Hayes was equally impressed with the performance, noting the significant improvement in the horse’s development since the last preparation. “He’s gone unbelievable today. “He worked through the grades brilliantly last time, gaining 24 rating points in a single prep. “To return at open level over 1400m at Flemington and win like that speaks volumes,” Hayes stated. With a career record of 14 starts for nine wins and two seconds, Rise At Dawn has now amassed $700,000 in prizemoney. The gelding’s versatility across different track conditions and its ability to sustain high-pressure racing make it an exciting prospect for the All-Star Mile. Currently rated a $17 chance with Neds Bookmaker for the prestigious race, the Lindsay Park team is optimistic about its chances against elite company in the All-Star Mile. Horse racing news View the full article

Apprentice Jett Newman wins four wins at Ballina on Friday, February 15. Photo: Facebook Jett Newman produced a masterclass at Ballina, booting home four winners from five rides in a career-defining day at the track. The daughter of former professional jockey Mitch Newman is quickly making a name for herself, boasting 11 starts for five wins, two seconds, and a third. Newman showcased her growing talent in Race 1 aboard High Class Roller, dictating the pace from the front and kicking clear to score at $11 with the top online bookmakers. She followed that up in Race 3 with a last-gasp victory on Deep Stealth, nailing Spiehtacular in the final stride at a . In Race 4, she produced a perfectly-timed ride on Hollywood Epic, charging through the final 200m to overhaul the leaders and claim her third win of the day. But she wasn’t done yet, rounding out a sensational performance in Race 6 aboard Luvarchie, guiding the Billy Healey-trained galloper to a dominant victory, stamping herself as an apprentice to watch. 14/2/25 Ballina Race 6 – Luvarchie (Jett Newman) https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ballina-_-Race-6-BM58-Handicap-_-14022025-_-Luvarchie-_-Billy-Healey-_-Jett-Newman.mp4 Following her victory on Luvarchie, Newman shared her thoughts on the ride: “They jumped super, so I took up the lead and just travelled beautifully. He hit the line super, and I’m really happy with the win.” Reflecting on her career progression since her first race ride just a fortnight ago, Newman remains grounded yet ambitious: “I’ve waited for this day forever. It’s all I ever wanted to be. I’m just so grateful for the support from my family, Matt, and everyone who’s given me these opportunities.” Since making her debut on February 2, Newman has impressed with her poise and tactical awareness in the saddle. Her ability to rate front-runners and produce powerful finishes is already drawing praise from trainers and punters alike. With five wins from her first 11 rides, the sky appears to be the limit for this young gun. Newman’s remarkable day at Ballina cements her as one of the most exciting apprentice jockeys in the country. With her 4kg claim proving a valuable asset, expect to see plenty more winners from this rising star in the near future. Horse racing news View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Dual New Zealand Cup winner Swayzee is set to switch course and chase the Miracle Mile after his shock Albury Cup defeat last night. Driver Cam Hart said he struggled to steer Swayzee around the tight Albury track at top speed with classy Victorian pacer Captain Hammerhead smashing the track record time in front. Swayzee was struggling rounding the final bend when Captain Hammerhead pinched a six-metre break, but Swayzee just kept coming and to get within a neck. They broke the track record by five seconds. “He was on one rein and really hard to steer at various times, but he just kept coming,” Hart said. Trainer Jason Grimson said if Swayzee pulled up well he would go to one of the Miracle Mile qualifying races at Menangle on March 1. Last night’s defeat ended Swayzee’s hopes of a $1 million bonus for winning all five legs of the NSW Carnival Of Cups. He is already assured of $250,000 for winning the first three legs and can boost that to $500,000 if he wins the fifth leg at Penrith on March 14. Captain Hammerhead’s owner Dom Martello was buzzing after the win. “I feel like we beat a champion tonight,” he said. “We came here with a point to prove after being stripped of the Shepparton Cup. “David Moran’s drive was superb and the horse went great. “I’ve won bigger races, but I’ve never had a bigger thrill.” Moran added: “It all came down to the start. I thought we’d make it a real race around a tight track like this if we could settle in front of Swayzee and beat him around to take the lead.” X X X Kiwi star Don’t Stop Dreaming headlined a stellar night for driver Kate Gath at Terang last night. Gath drove Don’t Stop Dreaming for the first time when a fantastic second to Leap To Fame in last week’s Cranbourne Cup, teamed with him again for a dominant Terang Cup win. She made a midrace move from a back row draw to sit parked and Don’t Stop Dreaming dashed away in a 54.7sec last half to win easily. “He’s just a lovely horse. He couldn’t go any better than he did at Cranbourne then ran right up to that again tonight. He did it really easily,” Gath said. The Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained star is back in peak form and confidence ahead of the Miracle Mile qualifiers on March 1 at Menangle. Earlier, Gath drove her own stable star and eight-time Group 1 winner Catch A Wave to a sparkling sprint win in a support race at Terang. Despite sitting outside former Victoria Cup winner Rock N Roll Doo for the last 1100m of the 1650m race, Catch A Wave zoomed away to win by 9.2m in a sharp 1min52.7sec mile rate. “He’s been great at home and felt terrific tonight,” Gath said. Catch A Wave, winner of the 2023 Miracle Mile, will join Don’t Stop Dreaming the qualifying sprints at Menangle. View the full article

By Michael Guerin What a night it was for one of harness racing’s great families at Addington last night. Robert Dunn picked up his 2100st training success with Dawn Till Dawn in Race 8, the Studholme Bloodstock “Join Our Winning Tradition” Handicap Pace, and then just three races later grandson Jacob Dunn registered his first driving winner with Sophia Bromac in the Gold Band Taxis Mobile Pace. “I just can’t get the smile off my face,” Jacob said post race. And the win did not come easy. Sophia Bromac was forced wide before launching a big run to just get up by a head from Sofia Rose and Melton Magnate who dead-heated for second. “It wasn’t looking too good down the back out wide but credit to this girl she stuck on and sustained her run,” Dunn told Harness Unhinged’s Nigel Armstrong. It was just Dunn’s fourth race day drive. “It’s always an honour to get someone started in their career,” said Sophia Bromac’s trainer Mark Smolenski. “He’s very dedicated and a helluva nice guy.” Jacob’s parents John and Jenna Dunn were not at Addington to witness the breakthrough victory. They are in Auckland for the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales which start this afternoon. “They’ll be rapt up north,” Jacob said. Meanwhile Robert Dunn didn’t know about his “Happy 21st” century of wins milestone until training partner and daughter-in-law Jenna told him but was quick to deflect the glory. “It is a lot of wins but we have a lot of help,” he told HRNZ. “Obviously Johnny and Jenna run things down south and they have so much help with a great mixture of young people and some really experienced guys and I think that mix works. “And we have a really good team led by Rhys Fensom up here with the northern team. “Those staff combined with some wonderful owners, many of whom we have had for a long time, allow us to train all these horses.” While Dunn has always believed good staff make for a good stable it matters even more than ever now as he has been forced to reduced his physical workload. “I have a heart issue which means I can get tired and out of breath very easily,” explains Dunn. “I am hoping to get some drugs for it from the US but they are very expensive so I am really having to restrict my workload so it is even crucial than ever to have good staff.” Like John and Jenna, Robert will be shopping at the Yearling Sales at Karaka and again in Christchurch on Tuesday. “There are some lovely horses up here and some from families we have had success with so we will be active,” he says. View the full article