Wandering Eyes

Perfect through two eyecatching wins at Deauville in August and Chantilly last month, 'TDN Rising Star' Maranoa Charlie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}–Koubalibre {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) continued his impressive rise with an untroubled pillar-to-post triumph in Friday's G3 Prix Thomas Bryon Jockey Club de Turquie at Saint-Cloud to retain his perfect record in style. The 1-5 favourite was swiftly into stride and soon established a clear lead. Tanking along in hand throughout, he was in another parish turning for home and required minimal encouragement in the straight to easily outclass Iowa City (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) by much more than the official winning margin of eight lengths would imply. Thomas Bryon Jockey-Club de Turquie (Gr3, 2ans, 1600m) à #SaintCloud Le grand favori Maranoa Charlie (Wooton Bassett) gagne détaché devant un des supplémentés, Iowa City Territories). pic.twitter.com/J4MVUP1SPV — France Galop (@francegalop) October 4, 2024 The post TDN Rising Star Maranoa Charlie Saunters to Thomas Bryon Success at Saint-Cloud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mickael Barzalona has been appointed first jockey for the French-trained horses of the Aga Khan Studs from January 2025. A Classic-winning jockey in France and Britain, Barzalona shot to wider prominence for his flamboyant celebrations when winning the 2011 Derby for Andre Fabre and Coolmore aboard Pour Moi (Ire) at the age of just 19. A former retained jockey for Godolphin, he won France's Cravache d'Or (jockeys' championship) in 2021 and is currently in second place in the table for this season behind Maxime Guyon. During 2024, Barzalona's significant victories in the red and green silks of the Aga Khan Studs have included the G3 Prix de la Grotte aboard Candala (Fr) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and G3 Prix d'Aumale on Zarigana (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). The latter, a granddaughter of the Aga Khan's brilliant Arc winner Zarkava (Fr), whose retirement from breeding was announced this week, will be partnered by Barzalona in Sunday's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac. The post Mickael Barzalona Retained by Aga Khan Studs for 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Andrew Forsman always intended to aim Positivity at Saturday’s Gr.3 Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington, but the Cambridge trainer has been caught off guard by what his rising star stayer has already achieved this spring. The Almanzor mare has made a big impression in her first two starts as a four-year-old, running second in the Listed Heatherlie Handicap (1700m) before securing a ballot-free entry into the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) with her tenacious last-start victory in the Gr.3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m). That stellar start to the spring caps a rapid rise for Positivity, who made her debut less than 10 months ago with a fourth at Matamata in late December. She rose to prominence as an autumn three-year-old with wins in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie and Gr.3 SA Fillies’ Classic (2500m) at Morphettville, along with a runner-up finish in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). Positivity has now won four of her 10 starts and more than A$450,000 for prominent owner Ben Kwok. “She seems to have gone to a new level this spring,” Forsman said. “It’s never easy for a four-year-old mare coming out of their three-year-old season, but she’s really stepped up and run a couple of the best races of her career. “She’s been great since that Group Three win at Caulfield. Her work has been spot on and I can’t fault her at all. “Stepping up to 2500m at Flemington on Saturday should be ideal. It’s always looked like a suitable race for her, and coming into this campaign, it was probably the first one that we really wanted to target and have her firing for. Having said that, it’s a full field and won’t be an easy race for her at all, but hopefully she’s up to the task.” Positivity will continue her partnership with jockey Harry Coffey, who was in the saddle for both the Heatherlie and the Foundation Cup. The pair will jump from the extreme outside gate in a full field of 16 plus four emergencies. The TAB rates Positivity a $13 chance in a market headed by Berkshire Breeze ($4.40), Point King ($6) and Saint George ($7). Safely through the Bart Cummings, Forsman is keen to take advantage of Positivity’s golden ticket into the Caulfield Cup on October 19. “Provided she runs another solid race this weekend and comes through it well, there’s no reason not to give it a crack,” he said. Forsman also has a busy day in store on home soil on Saturday, with eight runners entered across the Tauranga and Hawera meetings. For both Mustang Valley and Wessex, Saturday’s assignments are a deviation from Forsman’s original spring plans. Dual Group One winner Mustang Valley made a highly promising start to her campaign with a close fifth in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa in August, but abandonments have wreaked havoc with her preparation since then. She missed an intended run in an open handicap at New Plymouth on September 14, then headed to Hastings last week for the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and again got back on the float without a race. Forsman scratched Mustang Valley from the rescheduled Arrowfield at Matamata on Wednesday, and the six-year-old will instead contest Saturday’s Team Wealleans (1600m) at Tauranga. “It’s been far from an ideal prep,” Forsman said. “Hopefully we’ve got enough work into her and she can get things back on track with a nice performance on Saturday. “She’s got to give a bit of weight away to some talented horses, but she’s looking good and I think she’s as fit as we can get her without racing.” Mustang Valley will be ridden by Donavan Mansour, who is 11 rides into a popular return to jockeys’ ranks this season. The expat South African has spent several years working in different roles in the industry after suffering serious injuries in a starting-gates incident at Te Aroha back in 2019. “It’s good to give him an opportunity on a quality mare like her,” Forsman said. “Hopefully she might help him get a bit of momentum up in his comeback.” Mustang Valley is still in line for a shot at the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m), which will now be run at Te Rapa on October 12. The Vanbrugh mare is currently at a $9 quote in the TAB’s Livamol market. “The Livamol is still in our plans, although a lot is going to depend on what happens on Saturday and how she does in between times,” Forsman said. Forsman also had to come up with a Plan B this weekend for Wessex, who will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera. The daughter of Turn Me Loose was being aimed at the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m), which was removed from Saturday’s card when Matamata staged the Arrowfield on Wednesday and Tauranga took over the weekend meeting. “She’s going great,” he said. “The only frustration is that we really set her up to run in the Matamata Cup. Racing over 1400m at weight-for-age is quite a different scenario to a handicap over a mile. “But on her best form, we know that she’s well capable of being competitive in a race like this.” View the full article

Graeme Rogerson has seen promising signs that Sharp ‘N’ Smart is rediscovering the form that earned him Horse of the Year honours as a three-year-old, but Saturday’s Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington will put his resurgence to the test. The Redwood gelding won five of his eight starts as a three-year-old, three of them at Group One level. He captured the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) in Sydney, then defeated older rivals in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) before completing his elite treble in the New Zealand Derby (2400m). He also won the Gr.3 Gloaming Stakes (1600m) and was runner-up in the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) and Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m), and he closed out his superb season with a fourth in unsuitable heavy track conditions in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m). Sharp ‘N’ Smart was a long way off that form during an illness-plagued four-year-old season, collecting just one third placing from six disappointing starts. But his first two starts as a five-year-old have hinted at a welcome turnaround. After resuming with an eye-catching late finish behind the placegetters in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m), Sharp ‘N’ Smart carried 63.5kg into a gallant second in a 1600m open handicap at Te Rapa on September 15. He was beaten by a long neck by Islington Lass, who had only 54kg on her back. “I think he’s back,” Rogerson said. “He had that bacterial viral issue that caused him a lot of problems last season, but he’s put all that behind him. He looks fantastic, the horse. “He trialled up nicely and has gone well in his first couple of races. It was a super performance under his big weight last time. It’s so far, so good. “I think he’ll run well this weekend, but this race will really tell us how he’s going. There’s nine Group One winners in the field, so that’s going to test him. But I don’t see any reason why he won’t put in a strong performance.” Rogerson will use Saturday’s A$750,000 weight-for-age feature as a guide when it comes to shaping the rest of Sharp ‘N’ Smart’s spring campaign. “His performance in the Turnbull will help us decide where we go with him from here,” he said. “He’s qualified for the Melbourne Cup (Gr.1, 3200m), but hasn’t met the qualification criteria for the Caulfield Cup (Gr.1, 2400m). He’ll need to run in the first three in the Turnbull to go there. “We could look at the Cox Plate (Gr.1, 2040m), or there’s races like the Geelong Cup (Gr.3, 2400m) and Moonee Valley Gold Cup (Gr.2, 2500m). We’ve got a range of options to choose from, and I think we’ll know a lot more after this weekend.” Sharp ‘N’ Smart was bred by Westbury Stud owner Gerry Harvey and was bought by Rogerson Bloodstock for $55,000 at Karaka 2021. His 20-race career has produced six wins, six placings and more than $3.1 million in stakes. View the full article

The curtain will come down on 182 years of racing in Singapore on Saturday with the 100th and final running of the Singapore Gold Cup. Renamed the S$1.38m Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) for the final edition, the race will be run at 10:40pm New Zealand time as the last of ten races. For the host of participants at the magnificent Kranji facility, it will be a bitter-sweet feeling as a sell-out crowd of more than 10,000 cheer on the local racing stars, only to see the state-of-the-art training and racing centre closed for business forever soon after. The tiny island’s need for land requires the Singapore Turf Club’s entire 120 hectares (297 acres) be handed back to the government in 2027 for redevelopment into public and private housing. Trainer Daniel Meagher will be gunning for a third Singapore Gold Cup with leading chances care of last year’s victor Lim’s Kosciuszko and Raffles Cup (1600m) hero Lim’s Saltoro. Both horses were sourced from New Zealand. Under the handicap conditions of the Grand Singapore Gold Cup, Lim’s Kosciuszko will give the second highest-rated horse and his heir apparent Lim’s Saltoro six kilos, and eight kilos to 11 of the other runners in the capacity field of 16. It would be a tough ask indeed for the ‘little horse’, with Meagher pointing to Lim’s Saltoro, a son of Shamexpress, as the obvious danger. “My heart says ‘Kosi’ but my brain says (Lim’s) Saltoro,” Meagher said. “He (Lim’s Saltoro) had a tough week before the QEII (Cup) and I thought his run was exceptional (ran third). “He beat ‘Kosi’ in the Raffles Cup (over 1600m on 11 August) at his previous start. Both those races were run under weight-for-age conditions, so he gets a massive pull in the weights on Saturday, and 2000m isn’t a problem for him. “I can’t fault Lim’s Saltoro either. He does his own things at trackwork, but we are very happy with how he is going into Saturday.” Meagher, who will relocate to Pakenham in the coming months, will be kept busy with 15 runners on Saturday but knows it will be an emotional ending regardless of the results. “This place has been my life for over 25 years. My wife (Sabrina), kids (Caiden, Harper and Vienna) and God knows how many good mates I’ve made here. “No work come Monday after so many years. I’m heartbroken but I have a job to do this week. Win, lose or draw, we will have a gathering with (fellow trainer) Jason Ong and all our workers back at the stables on Saturday night. “I think that’s when it will sink in.” Kiwi trainer Donna Logan will return to Byerley Park. Photo: Trish Dunell Kiwi expat Donna Logan will also be represented by six runners on the final day including Gold Cup runner Istataba but said it was a strange feeling. “I think everybody’s emotions are running very high,” Logan said. “It’s just an empty feeling. Can you actually get your head around that this is our last week? “I did my video of a gallop yesterday morning, and I said, ‘this is such a historical moment, this will be the last gallop I will video at Kranji’ and the reality has really kicked in. “We’ve got six runners and we’re hoping we can get a winner. We had Elliot Ness win last week for Fortuna Racing with Manuel Nunes in the saddle and it would be nice to get a winner on the final day.” Logan has found homes for every horse in her stable, with some to continue racing across the border in Malaysia. “I’ve homed every horse that we have left here. The majority of our staff we’ve already had to let go. So, we’re down to a real skeleton staff,” she said. “There’s a few staff that haven’t worked out what they’ll do. I’ve got a couple I’m trying to bring to New Zealand with me, but that’s all up to immigration. “I’d love to bring them all over because they’re great staff. They’re very dedicated and they really have a love of their horses and they’re so calm, which is a big contributing factor to the animal. “It is so sad to see such a wonderful racing industry close after so many years. All the history of this place (Kranji) and Bukit Timah before that.” Despite the emotional week, Logan has plenty to look forward to as the highly-regarded trainer returns to a rejuvenated New Zealand racing industry. “We will be setting up stables back in New Zealand at Byerley Park and I’m getting good support from owners back home,” Logan said. “You want to be where the action is and Ellerslie will be the pin-up venue with the high stake-money races so I decided to be as close to Ellerslie as I could get, which is an important factor for me and my clients going forward.” View the full article

Chad Schofield will be bidding for his share of the family bragging rights when he attempts to join his father Glyn on the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) honour roll. Schofield has picked up the mount on $6 equal favourite Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) and regards the Joe Pride-trained gelding as his best chance yet to emulate the feat of his jockey father, who won the 2013 renewal on Boban (Bernardini). “That would be nice and it’s definitely the best ride in the Epsom that I’ve had,” Schofield said. “My first ride on him will be Saturday, but that’s nothing rare, it happens all the time. “I have been watching the horse for a number of preps now. He is a top-class horse and I feel like he’s a horse that keeps getting better. I also feel like he’s had a great Epsom prep.” Runner-up in both the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and Gr.1 ATC Australian Derby (2400m) in the autumn, Pride did contemplate pursuing a Gr.1 Metropolitan (2400m) path with Ceolwulf. However, after two sharp performances at his return runs, including a strong 1500m win at Rosehill in August and an equally impressive second to rising star Eliyass (Le Havre) in the Gr.3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) last start, Pride opted to go to the feature spring mile. Ceolwulf came up with barrier 14 at Tuesday’s draw, a gate Schofield said would give him flexibility. “I loved his run the other day, he showed terrific acceleration,” Schofield said. “I quite like the drop back in trip into the Epsom and the draw gives us a few options. We’re not going to be hammered away on the rail, which is good. “With 54 (kilos) on his back and the type of acceleration he has, he is a major winning chance.” If Schofield can claim the feature on Ceolwulf, it will continue a successful partnership between the Pride stable and the Schofield clan. Glyn Schofield was the regular rider of Pride’s Ball Of Muscle (Dubawi), winning a host of stakes races on the smart sprinter between 2014-19, and also collecting the 2014 Gr.2 Warwick (1400m) (now Winx Stakes, (Gr.1, 1400m)) Stakes on Tiger Tees (NZ) (Dubawi). Pride has every bit as much confidence in Chad Schofield and believes he will be a good fit for Ceolwulf. “I’ve got a lot of faith in Chad. He’s a great rider and I think he will suit the horse,” Pride said. “You can see looking at Ceolwulf’s ratings last preparation he just gets better as the prep goes on, and I think the timing is perfect for him. He is ready to go on Saturday.” View the full article

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) is excited to announce that leading thoroughbred nursery, Waikato Stud, has secured a coveted slot in the NZB Kiwi (1500m). As a powerhouse in New Zealand’s breeding and racing industry, Waikato Stud is no stranger to success both on and off the track. With the addition of a slot in the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race, they are looking to expand their already impressive portfolio of achievements. “It’s such an exciting time for the New Zealand thoroughbred racing industry as a whole and we are very excited to now be involved with the NZB Kiwi,” Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick said. “We love breeding the best racehorses that we can, but we especially love racing a good horse, and with the opportunities that are now presented in New Zealand, it’s fantastic having those horses in our backyard. “Having been involved with The Everest (A$20 million, 1200m) through I Wish I Win and Entain, I can say that those of us who are now part of the NZB Kiwi are in for a hell of a lot of fun. “Both Champions Day and the NZB Kiwi elevate us to the level of any major international race day and it’s exciting to be a part of that.” NZTR chairman Russell Warwick welcomed Waikato Stud into the NZB Kiwi ranks. “We are thrilled that an elite operation like Waikato Stud has joined our outstanding group of NZB Kiwi foundation slot holders,” Warwick said. “They have an exceptional track record in breeding and racing top-quality horses and it’s been exciting to watch their journey in The Everest with I Wish I Win proudly representing New Zealand on the world stage. “We also have NZTR’s one-year slot going to auction at the Ready to Run Sale later this year which we see as a great opportunity for anyone with an up-and-coming three-year-old. “We’re eager to bring all of our slot holders together as we build towards the NZB Kiwi, aiming to make it the premier event on New Zealand’s racing and sports calendar.” This announcement follows NZTR’s initial release of the public auction for its year-one slot, set to take place during New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2024 Ready to Run Sale. The one-year slot will be auctioned on Wednesday 20 November, following the conclusion of selling on Day 1 of the Sale. For more information contact emma.thompson@nztr.co.nz. The NZB Kiwi is one of the major highlights of the newly established ‘Champions Day’, featuring more than $9 million in total prizemoney. Held on the 8 March at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Ellerslie Racecourse, Champions Day will also include the Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) and four other iconic Group One races, positioning the meeting as a pinnacle event on New Zealand’s racing calendar. Tune in for all the latest updates and announcements regarding the 2025 edition of the NZB Kiwi here. View the full article

Race 8 SKYCITY HORIZON 1500m CAST OF DIAMONDS (M Cartwright) – Trainer Mr. T Pike reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of CAST OF DIAMONDS. T Pike further advised he will continue with the gelding’s current preparation and may look to nominate CAST OF DIAMONDS at the Waikato TR meeting on Saturday 12 October. The post Auckland Thoroughbred Racing @ Ellerslie, Saturday 21 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The Melbourne Spring Racing action kicks off in earnest on Saturday with Flemington host to a highly anticipated edition of the Group 1 $750,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m). A top field of potential Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup contenders faces off in what promises to be a thrilling edition of the set weights plus penalties showdown […] The post 2024 Turnbull Stakes Field & Betting Update: Buckaroo Top Pick for Waller appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Truth Or Dare will contest the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Scott Barbour (Racing Photos) Truth Or Dare’s performance in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on Saturday is set to give Te Akau Racing an indication of whether they have a Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) contender on their hands. The Vanbrugh gelding was a $120,000 purchase by David Ellis from the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale. His only two-year-old start produced a fourth placing in a 1200m race at Otaki in April, and he kicked off his three-year-old season with an eye-catching third behind Suit Yourself over 1200m at Te Rapa in August. The Te Akau team saw enough in those performances to send Truth Or Dare across the Tasman to their Cranbourne stable, and that Australian mission got off to a perfect start when the chestnut won impressively over 1600m on September 19. “There really was a lot of merit in that performance at Cranbourne,” trainer Mark Walker said. “He’d travelled across to Australia and was jumping straight from 1200 to the mile, but he handled everything we threw at him and won very well. “With the big stride that he’s got, he gives us the impression that he’ll cope with a bit more distance as well. Hopefully he can prove that with another strong performance this weekend. “He worked very well on Tuesday. Michael Dee rode him, and he doesn’t normally say a lot, so you take notice when he comments that a horse is going particularly well. “Our plan is to work towards a race like the Derby, and this race on Saturday should give us an idea whether we should continue along that path.” Truth Or Dare is currently rated a $13 chance with horse racing bookmakers for the Victoria Derby, which will be run at Flemington on November 2. Truth Or Dare will be the only runner at Flemington on Saturday for Walker, with stablemate Quintessa having been scratched from the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m). “She just had a bit of a sore foot, it’s nothing major,” Walker said. “We’ll regroup and look to run her in the Tristarc Stakes (Group 2, 1400m) at Caulfield on the 19th.” Horse racing news View the full article

Autumn Glow cruising to victory in the Tea Rose Stakes. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au The Chris Waller-trained Autumn Glow is a late withdrawal for Saturday’s Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) after presenting with lameness on early Friday morning. The daughter of The Autumn Sun was set to go around as a $1.50 favourite with horse racing bookmakers in the three-year-old feature, however, she will now miss her chance at Group 1 glory in the spring, with Waller hopeful of a 2025 autumn return. “Unfortunately, Autumn Glow was found to be slightly lame this morning in her right front leg,” Waller’s statement read. “An x-ray was taken which shows a minor chip in her right front knee. “She will therefore not take her place tomorrow in the Flight Stakes. “The chip will be surgically removed, giving her the best possible prognosis for a return in the autumn. “This is very disappointing for all involved, particularly the horse. “She is a very exciting prospect, and we are confident that she will make a full recovery.” Stable companion Lady Shenandoah and Tea Rose Stakes (1200m) runner-up Snow In May now share favouritism at $2.70 for Saturday’s Flight Stakes. Horse racing news View the full article

Town Cryer (centre) winning last year’s Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Town Cryer kicked off a career-best season with an upset victory in last year’s Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), and she will return among the favourites to go back-to-back on Saturday at Hawera. 12 months ago, star mare Prowess entered the race and was backed into heavy favouritism, but the soft track conditions played into the hands of her race-rival, who collected the victory with plenty of authority. Having previously won the Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m), the win was certainly no fluke, and the daughter of Tavistock continued to prove herself further into the season when winning the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) and placing in the Group 3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) and the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Roydon Bergerson, who trains Town Cryer out of Awapuni, had hoped to pick up where she left off in elite company with the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) last month, but was happy to wait for the mare to indicate she was ready to head back to the races. “We were hoping to get to Hawke’s Bay, but we got held up because I just wasn’t 100 percent happy with her heading into a big race,” he said. “I really wanted to kick off there and go into the Arrowfield (Group 1, 1600m), but it just didn’t work out. “She was battling with her coat for a while, but since she’s been losing that, she’s stepped up a gear. “I was happy with her trial the other day, she did everything we asked of her and aimed to keep her a bit fresh. “She’s a horse that will tell you when she’s ready, and she just wasn’t quite there a few weeks ago. That’s why we are kicking off here.” Bergerson had been quietly optimistic before last year’s contest and maintains that same faith in his charge, with barrier four and the booking of jockey Kelly Myers only aiding her chances. “We were pretty confident last year and we were chasing one of the best horses in New Zealand, but the wet track held the other mare up a bit and enhanced our chances,” he said. “I’m pretty happy going into the race this time, she’s got a good draw and a good jockey.” Beyond the fillies’ and mares’ feature, Bergerson is eyeing the Group 1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham in December, a race Town Cryer finished seventh in last season, albeit after working to get on the pace in the false start. “It’s hard to get a lead-up as she’ll get thumped in the weights in handicaps, but I’ll be trying to get her to the TAB Classic,” Bergerson said. “We’ve just got to try to work a path to get her there, the programming is a bit hard at the moment and finding races is proving very difficult, also for the open sprinters.” Consistent maidener Wonderboy will also represent the stable at Hawera, aiming to improve off a last-start second. “I think he’s probably a better grass horse than the synthetic,” Bergerson said. “He went alright there (Awapuni Synthetic), he was probably asked to do a bit in the running after being slow away from the gates. He’s been pretty hard on the nickel, looped the field and stuck to his task pretty well. “I think up to the mile on a reasonable track, he should be alright.” Horse racing news View the full article

Buoyant pictured with trainer Sabin Kirkland following his win in the 2022 Group 3 Stewards Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton. Photo: Race Images South Ascot Park trainer Sabin Kirkland is hoping his stakes-winning sprinter Buoyant can recapture his form of old when he lines-up at his home track on Sunday. The six-year-old son of Dalghar was one of the most exciting sprinters in the country two years ago when he had a near-perfect spring preparation, winning three and placing in two of his five starts that campaign, including victories in the Group 3 Stewards Stakes (1200m) and Listed Hazlett Stakes (1200m). Kirkland then elected to test Buoyant’s talents across the Tasman, initially in the care of Matthew Enright before transferring to Mornington trainer Brett Scott. Buoyant failed to fire in Australia, and while Kirkland persevered with his gelding in Victoria, he decided to bring him home at the start of the season in the hope of recapturing his New Zealand form. “He didn’t fire over in Australia. It didn’t start well when he was scratched in his first start when he played up in the barrier,” Kirkland said. “We thought we would go down to Mornington and try another trainer down there and see if that worked out, but it didn’t, and now he is home. “The last four starts he had he drew the outside marble, and you can’t win from there.” Buoyant may take a form line of duck eggs into his resuming run on Sunday, but he is the only stakes winner in the field and the clear class horse of the race on his New Zealand form, and Kirkland is hoping he can prove that this weekend. “He arrived home in early August. I have been very happy with him, but he is just hard to get a line on with the way the weather has been. We will know more after Sunday,” he said. “It is going to be a super heavy track. At this stage I am just wondering if they are going to run them or not, we have had a lot of rain down here. “But hopefully he gets a run and can pick up his New Zealand form.” If he picks up that form, stakes targets await Buoyant, with a potential trip north to try and recapture his crown in the Stewards Stakes during New Zealand Cup Week in November. “We might have another crack at the Stewards, he does like Riccarton,” Kirkland said. “There are a lot of other opportunities as well, we’ll just see how he comes up.” Horse racing news View the full article

Town Cryer kicked off a career-best season with an upset victory in last year’s Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), and she will return among the favourites to go back-to-back on Saturday at Hawera. 12 months ago, star mare Prowess entered the race and was backed into heavy favouritism, but the soft track conditions played into the hands of her race-rival, who collected the victory with plenty of authority. Having previously won the Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m), the win was certainly no fluke, and the daughter of Tavistock continued to prove herself further into the season when winning the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) and placing in the Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) and the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Roydon Bergerson, who trains Town Cryer out of Awapuni, had hoped to pick up where she left off in elite company with the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) last month, but was happy to wait for the mare to indicate she was ready to head back to the races. “We were hoping to get to Hawke’s Bay, but we got held up because I just wasn’t 100 percent happy with her heading into a big race,” he said. “I really wanted to kick off there and go into the Arrowfield (Gr.1, 1600m), but it just didn’t work out. “She was battling with her coat for a while, but since she’s been losing that, she’s stepped up a gear. “I was happy with her trial the other day, she did everything we asked of her and aimed to keep her a bit fresh. “She’s a horse that will tell you when she’s ready, and she just wasn’t quite there a few weeks ago. That’s why we are kicking off here.” Bergerson had been quietly optimistic before last year’s contest and maintains that same faith in his charge, with barrier four and the booking of jockey Kelly Myers only aiding her chances. “We were pretty confident last year and we were chasing one of the best horses in New Zealand, but the wet track held the other mare up a bit and enhanced our chances,” he said. “I’m pretty happy going into the race this time, she’s got a good draw and a good jockey.” Beyond the fillies’ and mares’ feature, Bergerson is eyeing the Gr.1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham in December, a race Town Cryer finished seventh in last season, albeit after working to get on the pace in the false start. “It’s hard to get a lead-up as she’ll get thumped in the weights in handicaps, but I’ll be trying to get her to the TAB Classic,” Bergerson said. “We’ve just got to try to work a path to get her there, the programming is a bit hard at the moment and finding races is proving very difficult, also for the open sprinters.” Consistent maidener Wonderboy will also represent the stable at Hawera, aiming to improve off a last-start second in the MJ Concept Construction Ltd Maiden (1600m). “I think he’s probably a better grass horse than the synthetic,” Bergerson said. “He went alright there (Awapuni Synthetic), he was probably asked to do a bit in the running after being slow away from the gates. He’s been pretty hard on the nickel, looped the field and stuck to his task pretty well. “I think up to the mile on a reasonable track, he should be alright.” View the full article

Ascot Park trainer Sabin Kirkland is hoping his stakes-winning sprinter Buoyant can recapture his form of old when he lines-up in the Heineken Handicap (1200m) at his home track on Sunday. The six-year-old son of Dalghar was one of the most exciting sprinters in the country two years ago when he had a near-perfect spring preparation, winning three and placing in two of his five starts that campaign, including victories in the Gr.3 Stewards Stakes (1200m) and Listed Hazlett Stakes (1200m). Kirkland then elected to test Buoyant’s talents across the Tasman, initially in the care of Matthew Enright before transferring to Mornington trainer Brett Scott. Buoyant failed to fire in Australia, and while Kirkland persevered with his gelding in Victoria, he decided to bring him home at the start of the season in the hope of recapturing his New Zealand form. “He didn’t fire over in Australia. It didn’t start well when he was scratched in his first start when he played up in the barrier,” Kirkland said. “We thought we would go down to Mornington and try another trainer down there and see if that worked out, but it didn’t, and now he is home. “The last four starts he had he drew the outside marble, and you can’t win from there.” Buoyant may take a form line of duck eggs into his resuming run on Sunday, but he is the only stakes winner in the field and the clear class horse of the race on his New Zealand form, and Kirkland is hoping he can prove that this weekend. “He arrived home in early August. I have been very happy with him, but he is just hard to get a line on with the way the weather has been. We will know more after Sunday,” he said. “It is going to be a super heavy track. At this stage I am just wondering if they are going to run them or not, we have had a lot of rain down here. “But hopefully he gets a run and can pick up his New Zealand form.” If he picks up that form, stakes targets await Buoyant, with a potential trip north to try and recapture his crown in the Stewards Stakes during New Zealand Cup Week in November. “We might have another crack at the Stewards, he does like Riccarton,” Kirkland said. “There are a lot of other opportunities as well, we’ll just see how he comes up.” View the full article

Melbourne Cup hopeful, Berkshire Breeze. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Ciaron Maher is aiming for his fourth victory in the Group 3 Bart Cummings (2520m) in five years, with Interpretation, Saint George, and Berkshire Breeze set to contest the race at Flemington on Saturday. The trio will be vying for a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 5. Berkshire Breeze’s path toward Cup qualification has gone well so far, with wins at Flemington on June 8 and July 6, followed by a second-place finish on August 3 after leading the race. He tried again for a ballot exemption in the Group 1 Archer Stakes (2500m) on September 14 but managed only third on a heavy track. “Drawing two on Saturday, he’s going to get a nice run, hopefully midfield,” said assistant trainer Jack Turnbull. “We think he has the talent, and if he can win, he’s qualified for the big one.” Saint George is expected to thrive over 2520 metres after finishing a strong fourth in the Group 3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) at Caulfield last start. Meanwhile, Interpretation will be trying to secure a spot in his third Melbourne Cup, having finished sixth last year. “He’s quirky, and there have been a few times where he put his nose up and said, ‘I’ve had enough of this.’ So he does a lot of schooling, which hopefully will sharpen him up,” Turnbull added. Horse racing news View the full article

Turnbull Stakes contender, Sharp ‘N’ Smart. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Graeme and Debbie Rogerson’s Sharp ‘N’ Smart is aiming high this spring, with plans to pave his way towards the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) as he lines up for the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday. The son of Redwood previously won the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick as a three-year-old and finished second in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m). However, his four-year-old season was disrupted by illness. “He had a really hard three-year-old campaign, and then we were getting him ready for the Triple Crown at Hastings,” said Debbie Rogerson. “He went well in the first leg, and we went back for the second. It’s a long trip down, and he picked up a bacterial virus. It knocked him out on his feet. ” We tried to get it on track and thought we did—he had a couple of good runs—but we still weren’t 100 percent happy. “We gave him a good spell, and he was clear when he came back in.” After two runs this campaign, including an improved second-place finish over a mile at Te Rapa on September 15, Rogerson is optimistic about his chances. “If he happens to run in the first three, we’ve got the Caulfield Cup option. “He’s nominated for the Cox Plate, and we’ve got other races leading to the Melbourne Cup, so we’ll work everything out after Saturday. “It’s a good field, and he’s drawn not too well, but if he’s hitting the line in that last 200 metres, I’d be very happy.” Horse racing news View the full article

When trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. entered two fillies in the $400,000 Frizette Stakes (G1), he was pragmatic about their chances against the probable heavy favorite Senza Parole.View the full article

Race 9 THE PLOUGH HOTEL 1400m MISSONI (T Comignaghi) – Trainer Mr. R Dennis reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of MISSONI’S, and it is his intention to carry on with the mare’s current preparation. The post North Canterbury Jockey Club @ Riccarton Park, Saturday 28 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Zardozi winning the 2023 VRC Oaks. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) James Cummings is optimistic about Zardozi’s chances in the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday. Despite being unplaced in all three starts this campaign, including a fifth-place finish in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) on September 21, Cummings draws confidence from the filly’s ability to rebound, much like she did last season when following a similar trajectory in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) before finishing second in the Group 1 ATC Oaks (2400m). “I feel she’s really warming to a big performance,” Cummings told RSN. “We were not in a dissimilar boat in the lead up to the ATC Oaks, so I’ve persevered toward the Metropolitan despite her unplaced run in the Kingston Town. “She drops nicely in weight, which she has been crying out for this preparation. “Stepping out to a mile and a half is right in her wheelhouse, so I can see a lot of parallels from the steps she took from the Vinery to the ATC Oaks.” Cummings also noted the importance of patience in Zardozi’s development. “It will give us an insight into whether or not she needed to take another prep at open age company before her maturity can catch up to her rating. “It’s a matter of being more patient and that’s what we’re prepared to do. “We’re strongly of the opinion we need to take advantage of her handicap, and the Metropolitan seems to be the right race to do so. I’m rather confident she can run a race.” Horse racing news View the full article

Epsom Handicap favourite, Royal Patronage. Photo: Bradleyphotos Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are aiming for their first Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) win as a training partnership when they send out Royal Patronage and Major Beel for the Group 1 contest at Randwick on Saturday. Royal Patronage, last seen finishing third in the 7 Stakes (1600m) behind Fangirl, is the $7 favourite with horse racing bookmakers, and Bott is hopeful that the gelding’s tactical speed can help him overcome a wide barrier draw in 17. “First-up he showed great tactical speed over the 1400 metres, if he’s able to do that again, he can easily offset that draw,” Bott said. “In the 7 Stakes, he got himself in an awkward position, so we’d like to see him being on the front foot out of the gate.” Major Beel is also well-fancied after kicking off his five-year-old campaign with a win over 1600 metres at Randwick, followed by a close fifth in the 7 Stakes. “It was an honest performance,” Bott said of that effort. “He led and gave them a great sight and wasn’t beaten far. Last preparation, we felt he didn’t quite see out the staying trips. “The transition from three-year-old company to open staying ranks is not easy. “We thought we’d start by trying to keep him sharp for a few of those mile to 2000-metre races, and then if needed, we could stretch him out. “But for now, he’s been effective enough to keep him at that trip.” Winona Costin will ride Major Beel from barrier nine, chasing her maiden Group 1 win, while Tim Clark partners Royal Patronage. Horse racing news View the full article

Race 5 RISK MANAGEMENT GROUP 1200m STREET GOSSIP (R Goyarami) – Trainer Mr. A Sharrock advised Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, and it is his intention to nominate STREET GOSSIP for the Otaki Māori RC meeting on Saturday 19 October. The post Waikato Thoroughbred Racing @ Te Rapa, Friday 27 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

2nd-KEE, $100k, Msw, 2yo, 1mT, post time: 1:32 p.m. ET One need look no further than the rail for the fanciest pedigree in this field of 12, as SCORPIUS (Into Mischief) is the full-brother to Mandaloun, who overcame an eventful trip on his six-furlong debut at this track to become a 'TDN Rising Star' during the fall meeting in 2020 and went on to win the GII Risen Star Stakes before going on to be promoted to the victory in both the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Haskell Stakes in 2021. The colts' dual group-winning dam Brooch (Empire Maker) is a half-sister to SW & MGSP Caponata (Selkirk), the dam of this year's G3 Prestige Fillies Stakes third-place finisher Merrily (No Nay Never). This is the female family of Group 1 winner Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}), who has been supplemented to Sunday's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. TJCIS PPs 3rd-KEE, $100k, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 7f, 2:04 p.m. ET A $550,000 Keeneland September purchase by Belladonna Racing in 2022, PRODIGIEUX (Uncle Mo) makes a belated first trip to the races here. The Feb. 7 foal is one of two of racing age for her dam Splashy Kisses (Blame), runner-up in the GII Pocahontas Stakes at two in 2018 and later placed in the GIII Sweet Life Stakes on the grass. The collective braintrust surrounding Belladonna apparently liked this filly so much that they gave $220,000 for the now 2-year-old half-sister to Prodigieux, As You Wish (Volatile), at last year's KEESEP sale. The deeper female family includes champion and GI Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Tempera (A.P. Indy). Thanksgiving (Uncle Mo) is a full-sister to 2020 Pocahontas heroine Girl Daddy and her dam is a half-sister to SW & GSP Abby's Angel (Touch Gold), who produced GSW & G1SP Comicas (Distorted Humor). Thanksgiving was a $625,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling. TJCIS PPs 4th-KEE, $110k, AOC, 2yo, f, 6f, 2:36 p.m. ET Stonestreet homebred ECLATANT (Into Mischief) could scarcely have been more impressive on her career debut, striking from close range to graduate by 1 3/4 lengths at Churchill Downs June 21 while earning a lofty 82 Beyer Speed Figure. The victory came at the expense of La Cara (Street Sense), an eight-length maiden winner at Saratoga Aug. 11 and subsequently the 3/4-length victress of this year's Pocahontas Sept. 14. The homebred filly is a full-sister to 'TDN Rising Star' Mutasaabeq, victorious in the GII Bourbon Stakes over the local grass course in 2020 and winner on dirt of the Mucho Macho Man Stakes. Her female family also includes GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner White Abarrio (Race Day). Winchell homebred Tapit First (Tapit), a nose winner of a 4 1/2-furlong maiden here back in April, is out of a half-sister to Fioretti (Bernardini), who took the GII Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes on opening weekend here in 2015. TJCIS PPs 6th-KEE, $110k, Alw, 3yo/up, 7f, 3:40 p.m. ET AIR OF DEFIANCE (Quality Road) was the distant runner-up in the Saratoga maiden won by 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) in the Saratoga mud last August and earned the same honor when drilling a field of local maidens by six lengths last Oct. 18. The $400,000 KEESEP yearling, a son of GSW/GISP Faypien (Ghostzapper), switches from the barn of Brad Cox to Chad Summers for this sophomore debut. He takes on Montalcino (Take Charge Indy), who Beyered 91 when taking out a Saratoga maiden by 1 1/2 lengths Sept. 1. TJCIS PPs The post Friday Insights: Keeneland Gets Rolling With Two-Turn Turf Maiden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Race 5 CR GRACE LTD / WATERFORCE 1240m MAGAWA (K Hercock) – Trainer Mr. M Dixon reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of gelding, and it is his intention to carry on with MAGAWA’S current preparation. The post Wanganui Jockey Club @ Wanganui, Saturday 21 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The California Horse Racing Board was notified Sept. 24 that Equine Infectious Anemia was identified in a Quarter Horse at Los Alamitos. That horse was euthanized, and six other Quarter horses confirmed as positive were euthanized Oct. 2-3.View the full article