Wandering Eyes

The Group 1 $1 million Turnbull Stakes result again went the way of master trainer Chris Waller who solidified his giant status in the event securing his sixth win in ten years with a thrilling one-two finish at Flemington on Saturday. This year’s edition of the important spring lead-up went down to the wire with […] The post 2024 Turnbull Stakes Winner Via Sistina Beats Stablemate Buckaroo appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Revolutionary Miss ridden by Mark Zahra returns to the mounting yard after winning the Rose of Kingston Stakes at Flemington Racecourse. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Revolutionary Miss ($4.20) has held off Miss Aria ($8.50) and Skybird ($4.20) in the concluding stages to take out the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes, thanks to a strong ride from Mark Zahra. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare has only had two runs for her new stable, and after Saturday’s victory, she has already proved a shrewd pick up after claiming her third Group 2 win of her 29-start career. After bouncing well from barrier four, Zahra settled in the box seat behind Legacies ($81) and Wrote To Arataki ($15), who led the field up to the home corner at a solid clip. As the field turned for home, it was clear that Zahra had a lot of horse under him but needed a gap to open for her to burst through and take over. When the gap appeared between the slowing leaders, Revolutionary Miss pushed through and gained the lead; however, Miss Aria and Skybird were flying home down the middle of the track. Zahra got every little bit out of his mare and she was able to hold off the swoopers to claim victory in the final race at Flemington. 2024 Rose Of Kingston Stakes replay – Revolutionary Miss Jack Turnbull represented the stable in the post-race interview. “She came to us in very good order. Probably came to Victoria six weeks ago from Sydney where Joe had a handle on her and she’s returned really well,” Turnbull said of the winner. “Obviously Caulfield was fantastic next to A Little Deep of ours and today she showed that again. “100% yes.That’s (Empire Rose Stakes) her goal. “Arguably she’s her best at a mile but she’s very effective at seven furlongs. “It’s just very pleasing to see us get a few runs on the board for Triple Crown, new clients, and hopefully we can go on into the spring.” Mark Zahra complimented Revolutionary Miss and was very happy with the victory. “She’s a beauty,” Zahra exclaimed. “She’s such a good ride – jumps quick, takes a spot, found a little gap and then was tough late. “She’s a jockey’s dream. “Ciaron’s got her going really well and she loves a bit of cut in the ground so the rain was a bonus and I think that’s her ideal trip, seven 7 furlongs “I think you’ve just got to pick a race out during the spring like a Flemington Carnival or whatever. “You just find a 14 mares group race and you know she’s always going to be thereabouts.” Revoltionary Miss is a $21 chance with horse racing bookmakers in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes futures markets. Horse racing news View the full article

Right To Party ridden by Jye McNeil returns to the mounting yard after winning the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington Racecourse. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Right To Party ($5) has stormed home late to take out the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes, nabbing Arkansaw Kid ($8) on the line to give Anthony & Sam Freedman their first winner at Flemington on Saturday afternoon. Jungle Jim ($41) set a solid tempo ahead of Sghirripa ($6.50), with Arkansaw Kid camped in behind the leading duo, and they kicked clear at the 400m mark to put a margin on the rest of the field. Jye McNeil, who piloted the winner, gave the daughter of Zoustar an economical run in transit at the back of the field before picking his way through the pack in the concluding stages. It appeared as though Arkansaw Kid was going to hold on in the final 100m; however, Right To Party let down with a blistering turn of foot to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. 2024 Gilgai Stakes replay – Right To Party Sam Freedman represented the stable in the post-race interview. “We were a little disappointed the other day. We thought she was going well and probably the track condition was the reason for the performance, but you have to say, we’ve got a really good team of staff,” Freedman said. “Great farrier, a great vet, and to keep a horse up like this for a long period of time takes a lot of work. So everyone involved, it’s a big thrill. “She raced through the winter, and I think to keep spacing her runs and for her to keep turning up and attacking the line like that, we’ve got ambitions to hopefully get her to a group one and hopefully it’s down the straight. “Well, we think so (head to the Champions Sprint). “She’s very dynamic fresh. She’s obviously very good down the straight. She’s probably better on really quick ground, which we’re likely to get there.” Jye McNeil also spoke about the victory post-race. “Her finish is honestly her asset,” McNeil said. “I was a little bit concerned when the rain came because she wasn’t at her best on it last time but she, to her credit, fell asleep like she usually does and had a powerful finish. “She gives you a pretty nice feel and she’s been very, very good to me. “We seem to have clicked really well and it’s great to be able to provide the team with another win.” Right To Party is a $26 chance with horse racing bookmakers in the Group 1 Champions Sprint futures markets. Horse racing news View the full article

Group 1 Epsom Handicap winner, Ceolwulf. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Dropping back to the mile has paid dividends for the Joseph Pride-trained Ceolwulf ($4.20), claiming a dominant victory in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The son of Tavistock was rock-hard fit fourth-up into the campaign, and after a testing run over 2000m behind Eliyas in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m), it turned out to be the perfect setup dropping down to 54kgs. The race was run at a genuine clip throughout, courtesy of the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained pair of Major Beel (17.00) and Royal Patronage ($6.50), while Kovalica ($7.50) got into the perfect stalking position behind the speed. The James Cummings-trained Tom Kitten ($11.00) had no luck from the wide draw under Tommy Berry, with the son of Harry Angel proving gallant in the defeat, however, it left Ceolwulf with the perfect three-wide trail throughout, allowing Chad Schofield to go through the gears and claim an impressive 1.4-legnth win. The trend of four-year-olds having great success in this race continues, with five of the last six winners in that age bracket claiming Group 1 glory in the Epsom Handicap. 2024 Group 1 Epsom Handicap Replay – Ceolwulf Joe Pride was delighted with the performance and didn’t rule out taking on the older horses in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) later in the spring. “That was fantastic,” said Pride. “We knew he had the right sort of profile coming into it and to see him let down like that, it’s very, very satisfying. He’s just a good horse on the rise. “He’s just going to keep getting better with age and he’s so exciting. That was a real buzz. “Yet to discover that (what his best distance is). He could well back up in the Hill Stakes next week but I haven’t ruled out, you could come back here for the King Charles. “There’s a lot of options. Let’s just sit on it for now and enjoy that.” It was the first time Chad Schofield has tasted Group 1 success since 2014 and couldn’t have been happier with the result. “It’s a good thrill,” said Schofield. “I was very confident today but an Epsom is a really hard race to win, you need everything to go right. “I didn’t feel everything quite went perfectly, I wasn’t in a great spot. I thought I’d be much closer than where I was and the pace was quite muddling, but one good aspect of that was that I was a bit wide and able to flow. “I was really blown away by his turn of foot. I know he had 54kg but he put the race away very quickly. “As soon as I clicked him up, I was confident I was the winner immediately. He had a blistering turn of foot. “I was in Hong Kong for seven years and they’re hard to win over there (Group 1’s). “I still feel like I’m finding my feet here back in Australia, but I’m so thankful to Joe and his stable for giving me the opportunity today. I know this was a very sought-after ride and thanks to the whole team and the owners.” Ceolwulf is now on the third line of betting at $8.00 with horse racing bookmakers for the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) on October 19. Horse racing news View the full article

The Metropolitan 2024 was won in a photo thriller and saw the Chris Waller-trained Land Legend hold onto his Group 1 success after surviving a protest launched by the Zac Lloyd-ridden runner-up Zardozi at Randwick on Saturday. It was a tightly contested battle with the two horses going stride-for-stride over the closing stages in this […] The post Land Legend Edges Out Zardozi in Thrilling 2024 The Metropolitan Result appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Via Sistina ridden by Damian Lane wins the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Chris Waller has taken out his seventh Group 1 Turnbull Stakes as Via Sistina ($4.20) edged out stablemate Buckaroo ($5.50) in a close finish to the feature race at Flemington on Saturday afternoon. The Waller pair entered the race as the second and third favourites with horse racing bookmakers, and the two were left to fight out the finish as they ran over the top of Eliyass ($3.90), who was the market elect. Damian Lane chose to settle the winner in the three-wide running line throughout and had the runner-up inside, which allowed Lane to dictate to Joao Moreira on Buckaroo in the final 600m. Both the winner and runner-up ended up making their runs together down the middle of the track and took over from Eliyass and Duke De Sessa ($11) at the 100m mark. The Waller-trained runners went stride for stride in the concluding stages of the 2000m contest, but it was the mare who would get her down on the line and claim a tough win. 2024 Turnbull Stakes replay – Via Sistina Charlie Duckworth was on course at Flemington to represent the stable in the post-race interview. “She was fantastic today. Her run last start was so far away from her true form that you could do nothing else other than put a pen through it,” Duckworth said. “So we were confident that she would bounce back today and she was tough. Obviously, Buckaroo is the man on the scene at the moment. “He was going for three wins in a row and he’s dug deep and still been narrowly denied. So fantastic for the whole team. “To perform like that, it’s pretty special for everyone involved with her. “Fantastic for Yulong because they really stump up every time and they’ve got an absolute diamond. “I know everyone was sort of worried about the track and blamed it potentially on the track last start. “But I think the tempo of the race and the time in which the rain fell made it into a real shifty track rather than a genuine soft track. “It is a tricky one. Obviously, Ozzie Kheir and Qatar with Sheikh Fahad and David Redvers will make a decision whether they want to rematch around The Valley. “He did make it pretty tough for her, or whether we step up to a mile and a half. “We won’t worry about that today. We’ll just enjoy the win and enjoy the placings.” Damian Lane spoke about the win and was hopeful that he could keep the ride on Via Sistina going forward. “She obviously was the class horse in the field and I rode her accordingly; albeit I still think she didn’t love the ground. “It wasn’t as testing as last time out, so I think she can improve again under firmer footing. “Yeah, I’m not sure. If she goes straight to a Cox Plate, maybe I can’t, but we’ll see. “I’m sure J-Mac (James McDonald) and K-Mac (Kerrin McEvoy) have got their hands up already, so yeah we’ll see where she goes and work it out from there. “She’s just got a really big stride in her, she just lengthens I’d say. She just picks up and sustains a really good gallop more than lets rip. “Buckaroo headed her and she was just really solid through the line, so yeah classy mare.” Via Sistina is a $6 chance with bookmakers in the Group 1 Cox Plate futures markets. Horse racing news View the full article

Metropolitan winner, Land Legend. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Land Legend ($8.00) and Zardozi ($7.50) battled out a grandstand finish to the Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with the Chris Waller-trained gelding getting the verdict on the track and in the stewards’ room. The pair came through the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) behind Eliyas on September 21 with less than a length between each other, and it proved a similar story on Saturday. Serpentine ($14.00) and Matusalem ($13.00) ensured a genuine gallop in the 2024 Metropolitan, while well-supported favourite Unusual Legacy ($4.80) appeared to get the gun run two pairs back one-off the rail. A mid-race move had Land Legend looming up quickly, while Zardozi cruised up to the lead despite travelling on the three-wide line throughout. It was a ding-dong battle with Land Legend claiming victory, before the ultimate decision would be left to NSW racing stewards. James Cummings and Zac Lloyd alleged interference at the 400m marker, with Reece Jones and Land Legend rolling to the inside and halting the momentum of Zardozi in the concluding stages. Stewards elected to dismiss the protest, deeming the interference minimal, and giving Reece Jones his first Group 1 win as a jockey. 2024 Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap Replay – Land Legend Chris Waller spoke about the perfect placement of this horse before crediting Jones on his first Group 1 victory. “Obviously the writing was on the wall when he won a St Leger,” said Waller. “Mr Ho has taken his time with him and James Ferguson handed the reins over to us and he’s just been given plenty of time. “We picked this race out, I guess six months ago and said we’ll do it third-up and make sure we’ve still got something left for the rest of the spring as well. “When it was a hard-fought finish I just wondered whether his condition would hold out because he’s actually quite a gross horse, he’s a bit of a bulldog. And he was tough the last 100m. “I didn’t realise it was his first Group 1 win (for Jones). I just love Sydney riders, he’s here 52 weeks of the year working hard, and he’s a natural lightweight. It’s great.” Reece Jones spoke to the magnitude of the win and credited Chris Waller for the opportunity to ride his first Group 1 winner. “That’s unbelievable,” said Jones. “When he was a little bit tardy into stride and a little bit further back than where I wanted to be I thought it was just going to be a little bit tougher. I just had to keep my cool, let him build into it. “He was terrific and tough then, to come here and do the same again today, credit to the Waller camp, they’ve got him absolutely spot on for today. “Just it’s been unreal for everyone that’s kind of helped me get to where I am. I’m just really thankful to Bon Ho and the Waller team for keeping their faith in me and letting me ride him today.” 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, October 6, 2024 First Race 1pm HKT (3pm AEST) Visit Dabble Sha Tin Racecourse is the destination for Hong Kong racing on Sunday afternoon, with a bumper 10-race program set for decision. The rail is back in the A course for all turf racing, and with a clearing weather forecast across the weekend, participants should be assured a genuine Good 4 surface throughout the afternoon. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 1pm local time. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Fast Network Fast Network is on the verge of a hat-trick of wins down the Sha Tin straight. The son of Wrote put them away stylishly first-up on September 8, storming past a gallant Cheval Valiant to score by 1.5 lengths. The runner-up has already franked the form going on to claim victory since, and although Fast Network will face his first true test in Class 3 company, this guy appears ready to continue his winning ways for the Dennis Yip barn. Best Bet Race 7 – #7 Fast Network (11) 4yo Gelding | T: Dennis Yip | J: Zac Purton (56kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: Divano Divano didn’t miss the frame in four starts last preparation and appears to have plenty of upside. The son of Brave Smash only found one better in the form of Bottomuptogether on July 1, and although he was no match for the winner, the four-year-old burst clear of his remaining rivals. Barrier nine looks tricky on resumption, but with Hong Kong’s leading hoop Zac Purton in the saddle, expect Divano to gain an economical run throughout before charging to the front in the final furlong. Next Best Race 3 – #5 Divano (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Francis Lui | J: Zac Purton (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Sha Tin: Lucky Eight Lucky Eight returns after a 20-week spell and should appreciate dropping back into Class 4 company. The gelding by Pride Of Dubai has only ever raced once in this grade, claiming victory at Happy Valley in March of 2023. He’s been consistent without winning in Class 3 ever since, and on the back of two eye-catching barrier trials, the six-year-old appears to be nearing his best. Jerry Chau should get the gun run from barrier three, and provided he gets clear turning for home, Lucky Eight will appear over the odds with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 5 – #1 Lucky Eight (3) 6yo Gelding | T: Ricky Yiu | J: Jerry Chau (a1kg) (61kg) Bet with Dabble Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections October 6, 2024 4-7-13 1-2-5-11 1-5-6-8-11 1-7-10-11-12 Horse racing tips View the full article

Just Fine ridden by Jordan Childs winning The Bart Cummings at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Just Fine ($23) has taken out the Group 3 Bart Cummings and booked his spot in the 2024 Melbourne Cup after leading all the way for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. As the only leader in the 2500m contest, Jordan Childs allowed his gelding to bowl along and run the race to suit himself, ahead of Point King ($5.50), who settled two lengths away. El Bodegon ($23) and race favourite Berkshire Breeze ($3.70) rounded out the top four and appeared to gain an economical run; however, they ended up being four to five lengths off the leader with 600m to go. Childs pressed the button on the leader and kicked clear by six lengths rounding the final corner, which left most of the backmarkers with their wheels spinning in the wet conditions as they attempted to chase. At the 300m mark, Just Fine still held a four-length margin on his rivals, still going strong; however, the chasing pack were starting to eat into the margin, led by Point King and Berkshire Breeze. Even though the winner was starting to take smaller steps late, the rest of the field were chasing in vein, as Just Fine held on to defeat the fast-finishing Point King and Amade ($34). 2024 Bart Cummings replay – Just Fine Gai Waterhouse was on course to speak about the victory post-race. “Often they can peak and then they can lose the plot,” Waterhouse replied when asked about the winning drought. “You know, they’re not machines, they’re animals and he just trained off. “Then we just kept tapping away and when I saw him the other day and he raced at Caulfield, I wasn’t happy with him so we just sort of gave him a little bit more work and just did different things. “I just knew today that you really have to try hard to beat him. So has it just been a matter of building. “Jordan, that’s Jordan at his best. “When Jordan gets going on a front runner, he’s very effective.” Jordan Childs was elated with the win post-race. “He’s a go-forward horse. He has improved a lot with fitness from the other day and Gai wanted me to ride him to his strengths,” Childs said of Just Fine. “I just let him be nice and happy and he was travelling so well. I just let him stride within himself. “He’s got a great set of lungs on him. He’s a free-bowling horse. “He’s just won his ticket to the Melbourne Cup, so he’ll be there for a long way. “Hopefully he can get a good penalty and I’ll be able to jump on him on Cup day.” Just Fine is a $34 chance with horse racing bookmakers in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup futures markets. Horse racing news View the full article

What Bendigo Races Where Bendigo Jockey Club – Heinz St, White Hills VIC 3550 When Sunday, October 6, 2024 First Race 1:20pm AEDT Visit Dabble Horse racing in Victoria heads to Bendigo on Sunday afternoon, with an eight-race card set down for decision. With showers forecast in the days leading into the meeting, the track is likely to worsen from its initial Good 4 rating. The rail comes out 5m for the entire circuit, with the action at the ‘Nursery of Champions’ commencing at 1:20pm AEDT. Best Bet at Bendigo: Sure Sure could not have been any more impressive in his two victories from as many starts during the autumn. A 4.8-length win at Pakenham was backed up by an equally impressive Caulfield victory. Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are seemingly coming to Bendigo for an easy kill, and despite needing to lug 60.5kg, Sure should prove a class above. Best Bet Race 8 – #8 Sure (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Beau Mertens (60.5kg) +100 with Picklebet Next Best at Bendigo: Romani Ite Domum Better than even money is available with horse racing bookmakers about Romani Ite Domum, which seems ludicrous based on his debut run. The three-year-old gelding was only grabbed in the shadows of the post at Sandown after being forced to work to the lead, and it certainly did not help that the jockey lost his whip when the pressure went on. From barrier two, Harry Coffey will not have to work hard for the lead, and with a cheap sectional, Romani Ite Domum will not be caught this time. Next Best Race 1 – #7 Romani Ite Domum (2) 3yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Harry Coffey (58kg) +110 with Dabble Next Best Again at Bendigo: Linkvue Linkvue finished 2.3 lengths off subsequent stakes winner Bold Bastille on debut before being found out in tougher metropolitan races. The Bendigo circuit looks to suit him perfectly, as he takes a bit to get to top gear; however, once clear, he has shown a strong turn of foot in the past. With a cosy run in transit from barrier four under Billy Egan, Linkvue will be hitting the line better than most. Next Best Again Race 4 – #6 Linkvue (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Toby Lake | J: Billy Egan (57kg) +400 with Bet365 Sunday quaddie tips for Bendigo Bendigo quadrella selections Sunday, October 6, 2024 Field 2-3-8-9-12 1-5-11-12-15 4-5 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Zac Lloyd and Airman after winning the Group 2 Premiere Stakes. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Zac Lloyd has ridden back-to-back features at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, this time causing a major upset with Airman ($41.00) in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m). In a race consider to be a $20 million Everest (1200m) audition, both Bella Nipotina ($2.40) and Giga Kick ($3.00) had been well-supported prior to the jump, along with the Joseph Pride-trained Think About It ($4.20). The team Hawkes-trained Airman was able to hold a position on the back of leading duo, Coal Crusher ($51.00) and Mazu ($7.00), skipping along the inside running rail to save all the ground in the final 400m. Giga Kick was given every chance under James McDonald, but just didn’t let down after securing the one-one in the middle stages, while Bella Nipotina was unlucky finding nothing but backsides when trying finish off under Craig Williams. Think About It was never in the hunt after being dragged back to last under Jason Collett, while Mazu was still holding his position when the whips were cracking. It left punters with a grandstand to the Premiere Stakes, with Airman getting the head down where it mattered most at a massive price with horse racing bookmakers. 2024 Group 2 Premiere Stakes Replay – Airman Michael Hawkes was on course to breakdown the win and praised Zac Lloyd for his confidence pre-race, suggesting the son of I Am Invincible was a major player heading into Saturday. “I’ve got to give Zac credit,” said Hawkes. “Before the race we talked about it, and as cocky as he is, he just said, ‘listen, we’ll win this and get in The Everest’. I said, ‘mate, go and do it’. “So, you know what, I’ve got to give Zac credit. He rode the perfect race. The horse has been knocking on the door, we just changed a few things up and here we are. “We’ve always known he’s had the ability but to do what he did today, he’s beat some creditable horses, and he’s a good horse on his day. “He’s actually pretty easy to do anything with. But like most males, I suppose, when they get a bit older they get a bit long in the tooth. “He’s only young but in saying that he’s always shown ability. It’s great.” Zac Lloyd was delighted with the performance of his gelding and didn’t discount his chances landing in an Everest slot. “I’ve always had a lot of confidence in this horse,” said Lloyd. “So has Michael. But to win that race, I’m a bit surprised. I like to build my confidence before I get on a horse but I didn’t think it would work that much. “But he’s a very good horse, he just hasn’t shown it this prep. We got a lovely run. He was comfortable. And he won well. “You’ve got horses like Think About It, Bella Nipotina, Giga Kick over six furlongs and he’s beat them there with set weights. So you’d be silly not to think he was competitive for sure. “He’s always had the ability, he’s just needed to put it together.” Although Airman remains without a slot for now, he has firmed from $101.00 into $34.00 for the Everest (1200m) on October 19. Horse racing news View the full article

Superstar Australian feels unbeaten four-year-old can go to another level at Sha Tin on Sunday.View the full article

The promising Chris Waller-trained filly, Lady Shenandoah, soared to victory over the Randwick mile on Epsom Day with a powerhouse three-length win in the 2024 Flight Stakes. Betting on this year’s Group 1 $750,000 Flight Stakes (1600m) was thrown wide open on Friday with Waller’s one-time favourite, the undefeated Autumn Glow, withdrawn from the race […] The post Lady Shenandoah Dominates Flight Stakes 2024 Results With 3 Length Win appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Mauritian jockey confident Ricky Yiu’s prolific all-weather winner will figure prominently in competitive Class Two contest.View the full article

First Settler (inside) ridden by Michael Dee wins the Danehill Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr have run the quinella in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes at Flemington, with First Settler ($3.90) just holding off Reserve Bank ($4.80) in the 1100m contest. The son of Written Tycoon entered the Danehill off an impressive second place finish in the Posiedon Stakes behind the very talented Growing Empire, and with him not running on Saturday, First Settler bounced back with his third win at his fourth start. Lofty Arch ($10) led the field with Aardvark ($61), while the race favourites settled in opposite positions, with the runner up in the middle of the track and the winner on the inside fence. Michael Dee pushed the button on First Settler, and he quickly sprinted past the slowing speed influences; however, he had his stablemate challenging on the outside. In the final 100m, the Price & Kent runners appeared to be the only winning chances, and as they fought out the finish, Dee got everything out of the winner before getting the bob in perfectly to claim a valuable Group 2 victory. 2024 Danehill Stakes replay – First Settler Michael Kent Jnr was on course at Flemington to represent the winning stable in the post-race interview. “It’s a pleasing result when you’re working out a photo between your own two horses,” Kent Jnr said of the winner and runner-up. “Rapt with the horses, they ran up to expectation. They’re both lovely, promising stud-type colts and both are very good. “They often work together and there’s nothing between them. “I’ve said it all along, I was rapt with Reserve Bank. It was his first try at stakes company. “He lived up to what he’s shown at home. He’s got the beautiful physique and a good turn-of-foot. “He was exposed the whole way. So, he was very good there. I think he’s got more to come in his coat, but the winner, gee, it was a determined run. “Mick (Dee) had to fight him to get cover. He went back to last on the inside. “And it was a very good trait for a colt to be able to come up the inside. It’s never easy. “Bring on the Coolmore. There’s two options. “You’ve got four weeks from now until the Coolmore back here at Flemington. “Either you go two weeks Gothic Stakes (then) two weeks into the Coolmore, or you go four weeks between runs. We’ll decide that after they pull up.” Michael Dee was quick to point out that the tactics he used were not what he had planned before the race. “Pretty much what we did then is what I didn’t want to do,” Dee said. “I actually planned to be up near the speed, so we could just come out to the middle of the track and as it turned out, we ended up back. “Credit to the horse, he showed a great turn of foot and first-up the other day, he peaked on his run. “Today he was electric and he kept going and running right through the line, so he’s very nice. “He hasn’t done much wrong to-date, and he got beat by a very smart one the other day. “I thought we still had plenty of improvement to come, so who knows?” First Settler is a $9 chance with horse racing bookmakers in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes futures markets. Horse racing news View the full article

New Zealand-breds have been a rich source of success for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young in Australian three-year-old staying features, and that trend continued in Saturday’s Listed ABC Bullion Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington. The expat Kiwi couple collected their third win in the A$175,000 Super Impose with the up-and-comer Keeneland, who followed in the footsteps of fellow Kiwi-breds Main Stage (2017) and Atmosphere (2014). Saturday’s success has Busuttin and Young working backwards from next month’s Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m), which the stable won with Savabeel gelding Sangster back in 2011. They also won the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick with Tavistock’s son Tavago in 2016. There is still a lot of water to go under the bridge before Keeneland can be mentioned in that Group One company, but the Almanzor gelding is showing all the right signs so far in his short career. Fourth and second in his first two starts in August and early September, the gelding broke through and left maiden ranks in his third attempt at Benalla on September 27. Barely a week later, he backed up at Flemington, stepped into stakes company and delivered a repeat result. Jockey John Allen took up a position in second, three or four lengths behind the over-racing leader Sir Kenny. Keeneland strode past that front-runner just before the 300m mark and took command. Challengers lined up on both sides of him and appeared to be clawing him back, but Keeneland found more and held them at bay by a length and a quarter. “That was a good win,” Allen said. “We had a nice run behind the speed. They came at him in the straight, but I liked the way he knuckled down and put them away again late. “He’s really improving with every run. He’s got a good attitude and is a very clean-winded horse. He appreciated the step up to 1800m today, and he’s heading into the right direction looking towards a race like the Derby.” Keeneland has now had four starts for two wins, a second and A$134,890 in stakes. He races in the same green, blue and pink colours of part-owner Tommy Heptinstall that were carried to Victoria Derby success by Sangster more than a decade ago. “We’ve won this race two times before, and it’s always a nice race to win – you know you’ve got a Derby contender going forward,” Young said. “We got him home after his Benalla win and just ticked him over at home. He’s got a good constitution, so he’s been eating up. He just cantered a couple of laps every day, and then we increased the pressure a little bit midweek. He’s turned up in great order today and won well. “I think he’s up to the mark for a race like the Derby, definitely. He’s shown that he can go forward or sit a bit further behind. He was a bit gawky at Benalla, but nice and straight today. He’s a horse on the up, and that’s what you need heading towards a race like the Derby.” Keeneland was bred by Kinsale Bloodstock Ltd and was offered by Kiltannon Stables in Book 1 of Karaka 2023, where Andrew Campbell Bloodstock, Busuttin Racing and Hepstinall bought him for $80,000. Keeneland became the seventh individual stakes winner in Australia for Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor, joining the likes of Group One winners Circle Of Fire and Manzoice and Group Three winners Positivity and Athabascan. The dam of Keeneland is the Savabeel mare Savabeel Star, who herself was a winner over 2200m and is the dam of seven winners from eight foals to race. Keeneland became Savabeel Star’s second stakes winner, joining the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) winner Stella Di Paco. View the full article

A special week got even better on Saturday for trainer Robbie Patterson and owner-breeders Eddie and Nicola Bourke and Allan Piercy. They teamed up for back-to-back victories at Hawera with The Hottie in the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and Belles Beau in the Energy Ford Hawera (1400m). That winning double came only four days after the rescheduled Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Matamata on Wednesday, which Patterson, the Bourkes and Piercy won with One Bold Cat. “I thought any win here today would top the week off nicely, but two wins including a Group Three is even better,” Patterson said. “And the Breeders’ Stakes is a very cool race to win for us as well, being Taranaki kids. It’s fantastic.” The Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes was a triumphant return to racing for The Hottie. The seven-year-old has now won six times in a 16-start career, placing on another five occasions and banking $195,995. The chestnut daughter of Swiss Ace showed bright promise last season, scoring three smart wins along with a third in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham. But she bled when finishing at the tail of the field as a $2.90 favourite in the Listed Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton in April. Just under six months on from that low point of her career, The Hottie lined up for her first start since then and came away with her biggest win. “She’s been hard work all her life, this horse,” Patterson said. “She’s always had a lot of issues. She bled in her last start at Riccarton. For her to come back and win this today is a massive effort. A smiling Courtney Barnes after her victory aboard The Hottie Photo credit: Peter Rubery Race Images “I haven’t done a lot with her, actually. I just gave her a quiet trial on Tuesday, and that’s about all she’s done. She always goes well fresh, so I tried to leave her in that state. She’s just a really good horse, and when she’s right, she’s lethal.” The Hottie was ridden by Courtney Barnes and was a step slow leaving the starting gates, but she soon recovered and moved up into fourth behind Town Cryer, Wessex and Diss Is Dramatic. Town Cryer and Wessex rounded the turn together and seemed set to fight out the finish, but then The Hottie pounced. She finished over the top of those two rivals and pulled ahead in the final 150m, winning by a length and a quarter. Defending champion Town Cryer held on for second, a nose in front of Wessex and the strong-finishing Liffey. “The race panned out really well,” said Barnes, who has now ridden 11 Group or Listed winners. “She didn’t jump that great, but she was able to recover well and then travelled sweetly from there. “There was quite a bit of speed in the race on paper, but they didn’t go as hard as I thought they might. I think being in a handy position helped, and I knew from the moment we came around the corner that we were pretty much home.” Patterson identified the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham on October 27 as The Hottie’s potential next target. “There’s a Group Three mile coming up in a few weeks’ time that we can have a look at, and then there are some nice races for fillies and mares through the late spring and summer as well,” the New Plymouth trainer said. “She could even be competitive in a Group Two or Group One mile somewhere.” Just over half an hour after The Hottie’s black-type success, Belles Beau produced an impressive performance of his own in Rating 75 company. He outfinished Boomtown Boy and Herbert in a tight struggle down the straight, winning by a head. Belles Beau has now recorded three wins and two placings from just a six-start career, earning $58,145 in stakes. The four-year-old Iffraaj gelding is a full-brother to talented stablemate Belles Fate, who herself has won twice in a five-start career including on the first day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring carnival last month. View the full article

Visiting Australian jockey Harry Grace recorded his first win in New Zealand with a dominant performance by Sacred Pearl in Saturday’s NZFLL Egmont Cup (2100m) at Hawera. The 25-year-old crossed the Tasman to continue his long-running association with Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) contender Rolls, who he guided to a second placing in the Team Wealleans Premier (2000m) at Matamata on Wednesday. Grace is making the most of his Kiwi stint with a number of other rides, including a bold fourth aboard $80 longshot Lightning Jack in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m). He also picked up a pair of placings earlier on Saturday’s Hawera card with Jacks Pride and Black Betty. The breakthrough win came from $19 outsider Sacred Pearl, who enjoyed a perfect run in the Egmont Cup after jumping well from gate two. The race was run at breakneck speed, with five horses lining up across the track and vying for the lead as they passed the finish line with a lap to go. My Maebelline Girl pressed on to take up her customary front-running position, but there was little let-up in the tempo from there. Grace had Sacred Pearl travelling comfortably in fifth or sixth spot, then began to move closer as the early pressure started to take its toll out in front. Wheelitin rounded the home turn with a clear lead, but Sacred Pearl soon strode past her in the straight. The seven-year-old kicked away to score an emphatic win by a length and three-quarters. “It’s fantastic to get a win in New Zealand, and this horse has done it in very good fashion,” Grace said. “We had a lovely run. They rocked along a bit quicker than I was expecting, but she was travelling well all the way. I was able to just keep her on the bridle and then go when I wanted to go. It worked out well for her. “Things didn’t go quite right for her in her previous start (sixth on a Heavy10 track at New Plymouth), but her couple of performances before that were quite strong. Based on her performance today, I wouldn’t be surprised if she went on with it and did a bit more in this preparation.” The Lisa Latta-trained Sacred Pearl has now had 43 starts for six wins, 13 placings and $193,765 in stakes for owners Tony and Sharyn Loveridge. The daughter of Sacred Falls was bred by Waikato Stud’s Garry Chittick and was bought for just $2,600 as a weanling on Gavelhouse.com. Latta has nominated Sacred Pearl for the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton on November 16, but has not yet committed to a Christchurch trip. “She’s been in work a long time now, so we’ll just have to see how she does,” the Awapuni trainer said. “It was a really good win today. She had a lovely draw and Harry gave her a great run. I think the better track conditions were the key to her improved performance. We’re delighted to win a good race like this with her.” Sacred Pearl is now rated a $31 chance in the TAB’s New Zealand Cup market. A notable mover was Canheroc, who produced an eye-catching run from the back of the field to finish fourth in Saturday’s Egmont Cup. He has tightened from $12 to $8, now holding second favouritism behind Nest Egg ($6). View the full article

There was no mistaking the most popular victory at Tauranga when promising three-year-old filly Sexy And I Moet had the grandstand rocking as she glided to the winning post in the Ultimate Mazda 3YO (1300m) for her connections, the Heels & Hooves Syndicate #2. The eye-catching daughter of Pierro is raced by a large group of ladies that includes several experienced racegoers and industry participants alongside a host of those experiencing their first venture into horse ownership. Trainer Stephen Marsh alongside bloodstock consultant Dylan Johnson put the syndicate together and enjoyed immediate success with Moet Down, a Pierro filly who has won once from seven starts and finished runner-up in the Gr.3 Mufhasa Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie in March. The second edition of the syndicate now races Sexy And I Moet who had broken her maiden status at Taupo at the end of September and was lining up for her third start against a small but smart field on Saturday. Allowed to find her feet by rider Sam Weatherley, Sexy And I Moet tailed last in the five-horse field before commencing a swooping run wider out approaching the home turn. Weatherly asked her for a serious effort once balanced and she burst into gear, cruising to the lead and winning relatively untouched from the highly fancied Archaic Smile who had finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Sistema Sakes (1200m) during her two-year-old campaign. Marsh stable representative Rhys Mildon was a popular figure as he accepted congratulations from the large number of syndicate members on-course for the race. “It is an amazing bunch of ladies and for a good cause,” Mildon said. “I’m actually a bit gobsmacked as she was slow away and he (Weatherley) looked after her, guided her into it and she was unreal at the finish. “This is a syndicate that Stephen and Dylan put together a few years ago and they have had an amazing strike rate with two horses and two winners, so we are looking to keep it going.” The cause that Mildon alluded to is the syndicate having an official partnership with Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand. As well as helping raise awareness of breast cancer, a percentage of all prize money won by each horse is donated to the Foundation with the horse racing in pink and white colours. Weatherley was also suitably impressed by the effort of his mount. “She is a lovely filly that the stable has always held in high regard,” he said. “It was good to see her do that today and onwards and upwards from here. “I didn’t think she was going to accelerate as well as she did and she put a bit of a margin on them, even though she wasn’t that comfortable in the going.” TAB Bookmakers reacted to the performance by tightening her into a quote of $14 on the Fixed Odds market for the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on 16 November. View the full article

Too Darn Discreet ridden by Mark Zahra wins the Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington Racecourse. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Too Darn Discreet ($10) has gone from breaking her maiden at Sandown to a Group 2 winner in back-to-back starts, following her tough victory in the Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington on Saturday afternoon. The Dan O’Sullivan-trained filly was given a peach of a ride by Mark Zahra as he settled at the back of the field and stayed out of trouble before getting onto the back of the race favourite, Declichy Boulevard ($2.15) on the home turn. Killcare Beachgirl ($10) set a solid tempo at the front of the field and gave a good kick at the 400m mark; however, the eventual winner and favourite loomed up strongly and went past the slowing pacesetter by the 200m pole. Zahra produced the whip on the daughter of Too Darn Hot, and she quickly got the better of her main rival to run away with a strong victory. 2024 Edward Manifold Stakes replay – Too Darn Discreet Dan O’Sullivan was on course to speak about Too Darn Discreet’s win. “It was a great ride in the very trying circumstances for Mark. He was pretty keen to ride her (today) because he liked what he’d seen last start,” O’Sullivan said. “He (Zahra) got that three-ride line and he was pretty keen to get on board her and get on to ride her because he liked what he’d seen last start and he’s able to execute the job really strong, really perfectly today. “Like every three-year-old filly, you have aims towards these races here and it’s a little bit tricky now whether you go on – do you try and create an Oaks filly or do you keep her fresh? “She’s still a pretty immature filly, whether the Oaks comes up too quick as a spring three-year-old, but look, we’ll enjoy today, get her home. “She’s obviously got great stamina and she showed that to me – no, not stamina – toughness when I gave her a pretty tough trial and she just bounced through it and she bounced through a tough win the other day, so I’ve got no fear that she’ll come out of this really well too.” Mark Zahra was quick to compliment his mount and talk about the conditions of the track in his post-race interview. “I travelled well. You could barely see – the wind was sort of coming in hard too and I managed to get the back of the favourite,” Zahra said. “Actually ran straight up his bum at about the 600 and I was just confident she’d outstay him and in those conditions she was the strongest. “It was just mainly surface water then because it was dry and then we got a big shower. “It’s definitely going to go into the slow range, that’s for sure.” Too Darn Discreet is a $12 chance with horse racing bookmakers in the Group 1 VRC Oaks futures markets. Horse racing news View the full article

Bel Merci winning the Gimcrack Stakes. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au The John Thompson-trained Bel Merci ($3.70) made a mess of rivals in the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, making every post a winner to claim a dominant 1.4-length win against the girls. The daughter of Extreme Choice was ridden up to hold a position from barrier two under Chad Schofield, and it proved to be an early winning move, as the two-year-old filly travelled beautifully throughout the 1000m contest. She wasn’t left alone, however, with O’ Ole ($8.00) keeping her honest by sitting to her outside in the early stages, while Memo ($4.60) and Tupakara ($7.50) had no choice but to drag back in the 14-horse field. The later pair chased gallantly, but it was all in vain as Bel Merci never looked in danger turning for home, and once asked for the ultimate effort by Schofield, the promising two-year-old cruised to victory and stamped herself as an early contender for the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) in the autumn. 2024 Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes Replay – Bel Merci John Thompson confirmed the Golden Slipper would be the major target for Bel Merci as she returns to the paddock after securing victory on Saturday. “Super,” said Thompson. “She’s a lovely filly. I’m just so rapt for the breeders, Bell River (Bell River Thoroughbreds), just a lovely filly. “She’s a star, don’t worry about that. She’s not trained up at all, that’s not me. That’s just pure, natural ability there. Spell, Slipper. “She’s just a natural. She jumped out here before the official two-year-old trials. She was six lengths in front around the home corner and won by 12 (lengths) in her jump-out. She’s just a natural two-year-old with ability.” Chad Schofield echoed the thoughts of John Thompson in his post-race assessment, suggesting there was still plenty left to come for Bel Merci. “She’s very smart,” said Schofield. “She just helps herself, she’s got such a good brain on her for such a young, inexperienced horse. I just want to thank John Thompson. “He’s been a great supporter of mine for a while and he said to me two months ago, ‘come and gallop a little filly, I think she’s quite smart’. “He knew how good she was and she was just prepared and trained so well for today. She was bombproof and it made my job very easy. “She’s very sensible and she’s very mature for a young horse. Yeah, she was just as she always is, very quiet, very tractable. I was never going to lead but I just wanted to make sure we stepped well, being her first start. “She’s a very smart filly and well done to John and his team. They’ve educated her, brought her here today in a great frame of mind. She was very mature, very sensible and she knew what she was doing.” The fillies recorded a slower overall time compared to the boys in the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate (1000m) in the race prior, however, the visually dominant victory has horse racing bookmakers making her a clear $17.00 favourite in futures markets for the 2025 Golden Slipper. Horse racing news View the full article

Rachel King and King Kirk after winning the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott barn have trained the first three past the post in the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with King Kirk ($8.00) proving best of the boys in the $250,000 two-year-old feature. The son of Group 1-winning sire Ole Kirk was ridden quietly towards the rear of the field by Rachel King, allowing stable companion North England ($4.60) to scoot along at a genuine tempo throughout the 1000m journey. Tempestuous ($9.00) got the lovely sit in behind the speed and looked to be travelling well under Nash Rawiller, while Tuscany ($2.50) was heavily backed and got every chance mid-field with cover for James McDonald. As is usually the case in a field of unraced two-year-old, many got the speed wobbles turning for home, with North England the first to be asked the ultimate question by Tim Clark. He responded in kind, putting a couple of lengths on his rivals, however, once King Kirk got to the middle of the course, there was only one horse you wanted to be on as he was going to two to their one in the final furlong. 2024 Group 3 Breeders’ Plate – King Kirk Adrian Bott was on course to represent the stable and couldn’t have been happy with the performance of his debuting colt. “He’s a lovely horse,” said Bott. “Everything that he’s done to date has just been very professional. “He got a bit further back than expected today in the run, and it was a great effort to pick them up there in the final strides. Exciting horse going forward and rightly so, they (owners) should all be excited. “I think he’s a Magic Millions horse, so I’d say that’s first and foremost, the main target for him. We’ll look to give him a spell now and work back from there. “And obviously, big picture you’re always looking for the Golden Slipper.” Rachel King was elated with the victory as well as she spoke to the media personnel coming back to scale. “He’s smart,” said King. “He’s got a brain to go with the talent, which is nice to see. Not many two-year-olds would do that first start. “He was a little bit revved today, he knew what it was about, he switched on from the trials, but I loved the way he came back under me, relaxed, took a nice deep breath around the corner, and I knew he was going to be strong late. He really deserved that. “There’s plenty more to come. He got past the horses on his inside and wandered a touch. “He’s still learning how to really put them away. So he’s going to go out and strengthen up, and be bigger and stronger.” Horse racing news View the full article

Stepping out at the city circuit for the first time since 2021, the eight-time Group One winner leads throughout strong 1,700m barrier trial.View the full article

Adelaide-based apprentice Monika Wolanin, who spent time in the NT working on her craft by doing trackwork and featuring in trials, makes her Alice Springs debut on Sunday. She spent plenty of time fronting for trackwork and trials in Darwin and Alice Springs in the past, and now Adelaide-based apprentice Monika Wolanin is set to have her first official ride in the NT. The 32-year-old, who kick-started her professional career in July, has four rides on the dirt at Alice Springs on Sunday. Wolanin, aligned with Darryl Carrison’s Morphettville and Port Lincoln stables, will partner Paul Gardner’s Nasty Streak – an early $3.50 quote with horse racing bookmakers – Tortellini ($26) and She’s Tuff Enuff ($51), as well as Greg Connor’s Luskin Hero ($15). Nasty Streak, who lines up in the opening race over 1200m, is perhaps Wolanin’s best hope, with the four-year-old gelding finishing third over 1200m and a narrow second over 1400m during September. “I’m originally from Adelaide, but I used to live and work up there (NT) a few years ago – it would have been around 2015 and 2016,” she said. “That’s where I really started out getting all my experience. “I’m really excited to be heading back to the Red Centre and getting a crack at riding on the track. “When I was in Darwin, I mostly rode for Chris Pollard. “Down in Alice Springs, I rode mainly for Mark Nyhan and Greg Connor. “I’ve been in contact with quite a few trainers up there and my plan was always to head back to the NT when I got my ticket to ride. “I’ve been riding for a few months now and I just thought it would be great if I could get up there. “I’ve got a good set of rides on Sunday. “Hopefully, I can bring home a winner and hopefully I can keep going back.” Wolanin has been in the racing industry for 11 years, and despite overcoming a few hurdles, she made her debut at Mount Gambier on July 10. She had one ride at Gawler the following week before celebrating her first win aboard Carrison’s Kaido ($10) in her one and only engagement at Murray Bridge on July 24. “I have had a bit of bad luck,” Wolanin, who will claim 4kg at Pioneer Park this weekend, said. “I broke my back a few years ago when I was meant to start my apprenticeship here in South Australia. “That sent me back a couple of years, along with Covid and a few surgeries.” After 37 rides, Wolanin now has three wins and eight minor placings. She saluted aboard Vegas Destiny ($9) for Strathalbyn trainer Trevor Day at Roxby Downs on August 3 before once again getting Kaido ($5.50) home at Port Lincoln last Sunday. Naturally, Wolanin hopes to pick up as many rides as possible and thus make an early impression, and travelling is no issue. “I love what I do, I also spent quite a few years travelling around all the different states riding trackwork at a variety of tracks,” she said. “Port Lincoln is a big trip from Adelaide, but I enjoy it when we load up the horses before hitting the road.” Horse racing news View the full article

After saddling the winners of top-level races around the globe as an assistant, trainer Joseph Lee finally seized his moment in the limelight when May Day Ready pulled off a gutsy victory in the Oct. 4 Jessamine Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland.View the full article