Wandering Eyes

Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 670 entries for its December Digital Sale, which opened Thursday and will close in stages beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 10, the auction house said in a Thursday press release. On offer (hips 1-305) are horses of racing age, racing/broodmare prospects, solely broodmare prospects, weanlings, and yearlings, which cuts off on Tuesday, Dec. 10, beginning at Noon ET. A selection of broodmares, (hips 306-end) will conclude Wednesday, Dec. 11, beginning at Noon ET. “This is the largest digital catalogue ever compiled worldwide,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton director of digital sales. “There is quality at all levels that will suit a variety of national and regional breeding and racing programs. December Digital has become an important sale on the Thoroughbred auction calendar, and every serious player in our game needs to focus on this catalogue.” The catalogue includes more than 400 broodmares and broodmare prospects, 120 horses of racing age, 70 weanlings, and 50 yearlings. Over 100 covering sires are represented, including American Pharoah, Cody's Wish, Complexity, Constitution, Elite Power, Maclean's Music, Mage, McKinzie, Nyquist, Omaha Beach, Practical Joke, Tapit, Tiz the Law, Vekoma and Yaupon. Offerings are located in states from across the U.S., and also include Ontario (Canada). To access the online catalogue click here, and for a preview, which includes an update on the platform's new search and sorting features, click here. The post Fasig-Tipton December Digital Sale Opens With 650-Plus Entries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two years ago as breeders and buyers descended upon Deauville for the Arqana December Sale, many made the short drive out to the Chehboub family's newly launched Haras de Beaumont, which sits on a portion of the former Haras du Quesnay estate, to inspect dual Group 1 winner Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}). Last year was more of the same as visitors dropped in to take in champion 3-year-old and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}) and this year, they'll be back to visit yet another new arrival in G1 Prix Jean Prat winner Puchkine (Fr) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). At this year's December Sale, the operation is set to open up another new chapter as they debut the Haras de Beaumont consignment. Beaumont has six mares and fillies in training catalogued for the upcoming sale, including three mares in foal to Beaumont-based stallions, plus the G3-winning, G1-placed Daylight (Fr) (Earthlight {Ire}) and G2 victress Classic Flower (GB) (Calyx). Pauline Chehboub was on site at Arqana on Thursday morning, overseeing as the first few buyers began making their rounds of inspections. Group 3-winning juvenile Daylight shows Thursday afternoon at the Beaumont consignment | Katie Petrunyak “Finally we are not a buyer,” she said with a smile “We are a vendor, so that changes a lot. This is exciting for us to promote our stallions Sealiway and Ace Impact. When you are lucky to have Daylight and Classic Flower as horses in training, we want to associate Haras de Beaumont with superstars like them so it's very exciting. I love meeting people and horses here from all around the world.” Daylight, selling as lot 178, headlines Beaumont's lineup. The 2-year-old daughter of Earthlight is out of the listed winner Latita (Fr) (Silver Frost {Ire}) and was a winner on debut in May for Gousserie Racing and Sandrine Gavrois. She later became her freshman sire's first stakes winner when she scored in this year's G3 Prix de Cabourg. Also this year, the filly placed in a trio of group outings including a runner-up performance in the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes. Beaumont will be represented by another filly with plenty of racing left ahead of her in Classic Flower. Also campaigned by Gousserie Racing in partnership with Jean-Etienne Dubois, the daughter of Calyx was a winner on debut last April and closed out her juvenile season with a score in the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte. This year at three, she was runner-up in a pair of Group 3 starts. Classic Flower, who is from the same family as Group 2 victress Beshaayir (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), will sell as lot 191. “We've got two proper top-class racing fillies in Daylight, who's one of the best two-year-olds in Europe this year and I'm sure there will be plenty more to come next year as a three-year-old, and Classic Flower, who was a top-class two-year-old and raced on at three,” said farm manager Mathieu Alex. “We were asked to sell horses and we are very happy that it's a high-level consignment. I think for a farm like us, it's important to be here at the sales and be present. The great thing about sales and when you're selling horses is that you're meeting a lot of people.” Alex pointed out a few other stars of the consignment that will sell during the opening session on Saturday including Tigrais (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}), who sells as lot 156, Rosir (Fr) (Style Vendome {Fr}), selling as lot 222, and Near Amore (Ger) (Amaron {GB}), selling as lot 107. “Tigrais is a very, very good-looking mare,” said Alex. “She's a young mare, only covered for the first time this year [but not in foal at the time of sale], and she's a Group 3 winner at two, which is exciting. We've also got a mare called Rosir who is a half-sister to Rougir (Territories{Ire}), a Group 1 winner that (Sumbe) raced and sold here a few years ago. Near Amore is a stakes-placed mare in foal to Ace Impact, so that's also exciting.” Group 3 winner Tigrais sells as lot 156 | Katie Petrunyak Alex said that based on the results of the breeding stock sales in England and Ireland, he has high hopes for more of the same lucrative market for sellers in France. “Obviously Tattersalls and Goffs has been very, very strong the whole year with foals, yearlings and now mares so we are hoping that Deauville will also be very strong,” he explained. “I feel that on the first day there's a very, very strong catalogue, so why not?” Alex added that a yearling consignment may be on the agenda for Beaumont someday in the future. “It's difficult to know exactly when, but we'll try to be here again with high-class horses,” he said. Looking ahead to 2025, Chehboub and the rest of the Beaumont team will be busy with their largest roster yet of five stallions, including newcomer Puchkine who will stand for € 8,500. “In our business, we have to have a new one each year, so in three seasons we've done a lot and we want to continue to support our stallions,” said Chehboub. “We have loyal clients and a good team and we hope it will be a good season.” The post Haras de Beaumont Launches First Consignment at Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Equine grass sickness may be caused by a neurotoxic enzyme with similarities to toxins in snake venoms, according to research involving the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies' Equine Hospital. The finding offers promise of new treatments for the deadly disease in grazing horses, which causes intestinal paralysis, colic, inability to swallow and muscle tremors. It currently has no cure and leads to death in 1 per cent of horses grazing in high-risk premises. Professor Bruce McGorum from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies' Equine Hospital said, “Identifying a probable cause of equine grass sickness represents a significant breakthrough. We hope that this discovery will lead to novel treatments and improved diagnostics for this devastating condition. “We are very grateful for the generous support we have received from horse owners, veterinary surgeons, scientists, charities and funding bodies. Further work is under way to determine the source of this neurotoxin; it is likely to be produced by a microbe such as a bacterium or fungus which grows on grass during the cold and dry weather which typically occurs before cases of the disease are identified.” The research has been published in a special editorial in the January 2025 issue of the Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ). It is free to read here for 12 weeks. The post Experts Discover Probable Cause of Equine Grass Sickness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1/ST CONTENT has formed a partnership with American Racing Channel, a leading South American distributor which holds the rights to Hipódromo Nacional de Maroñas and Las Piedras Racetrack in Uruguay, the company said via a press release on Thursday. The outlet owned by 1/ST, which includes media and content companies, plans to broadcast live racing events from the two tracks with the intent to reach a global fanbase in their homes and through mobile devices. Grupo Codere, the international operator for Hispanic markets, has already agreed to integrate exclusive fixed-odds content, data and signals. “1/ST CONTENT is delighted to establish this partnership with American Racing Channel to broaden the international appeal of Uruguayan horse racing from these two elite racecourses,” said Simon Fraser, senior vice president of international at 1/ST CONTENT. Maroñas's national flagship race, the G1 Gran Premio José Pedro Ramírez Stakes, is carded for Jan. 6. The post 1/ST CONTENT Inks American Racing Channel Deal For Coverage In Uruguay appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Charlotte Dujardin has said that she “fully respects” the decision to suspend her for one year after a video showed the double individual Olympic dressage champion repeatedly hitting a student's horse with a whip. Dujardin was provisionally suspended by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) on July 23–the week that the Paris Olympics started–as it launched an investigation into a video from four years ago showing her making what she described as “an error of judgement” during a coaching session. The FEI announced on Thursday that Dujardin had admitted three charges and that it had issued a one-year suspension–backdated to July 23–and a 10,000 Swiss franc fine (around €10,738). Dujardin said, “I fully respect the verdict issued by the FEI, released today. As the federation has recognised, my actions in the video do not reflect who I am and I can only apologise again. I understand the responsibility that comes with my position in the sport and I will forever aim to do better. “This has undoubtedly been one of the darkest and most difficult periods of my life and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me during this time. Every kind word truly has made a difference, more than you'll ever know.” The post Charlotte Dujardin Suspended for One Year Following FEI Investigation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

How did we get hooked on this sport? We all have stories about how our love affair developed and blossomed. The TDN reached out to numerous notable people in the industry to get their stories to find out how they got hooked and stayed hooked on the sport. Michael Dubb, owner My introduction to racing really occurred as an accident as horses were not on my radar when I was a 16-year-old kid mowing lawns after school and on weekends. At one particular house where I cut the grass I went around to the kitchen door in the backyard to get paid my six dollars for mowing that lawn. The year was 1973, I walked into the kitchen, and there was a man sitting at the table on the telephone telling people what horse to bet in different races at Belmont. These particular people had a son who was a few years older than me and when I saw him a few days later I asked him what was going on. He said his father worked with his uncle on handicapping horse racing. I asked what that was about, and he explained to me that his uncle had worked for Grumman on the moon rover landing in 1969 as a statistics and probability expert, and that somebody had challenged him and said, “If you can talk with dead certainty about where the moon rover would land then you should be able to pick the winner of a horse race.” Unbeknownst to me, they had invented a handicapping device called the Kelco Calculator. They had determined that the best way to identify potential winners was through trying to identify which horse in the race had the most class. They had a formula that involved putting information into a slide rule to determine the class of the race. Michael Dubb at 18 | courtesy of Michael Dubb The following summer (1974) their oldest son asked me if I would like to follow him in his Volkswagen van while I drove mine that I used for landscaping to Saratoga. I was 17 years old, and we parked and slept in a campsite and went to the track during the day. I was completely mesmerized by the beauty of Saratoga and the mystique of the horses. I was hooked as a fan and found going to Belmont Park and Saratoga great mental therapy for clearing my mind of whatever stress I had. Some 25 years later, I met Jerry Bailey through my wife and his wife who had been playing tennis together. We became social friends, and through that friendship, I learned of the situation regarding the lack of childcare on the backstretch. At this point, my landscaping business had transitioned into a successful home-building business, and I mentioned to Jerry that I would be interested in helping create a daycare center on the backstretch for these children as a charitable endeavor. I was introduced to NYTHA and together we worked with NYRA to create the Belmont childcare center. It wasn't until the daycare center was complete, and I started meeting trainers that I thought it would be fun to own a few racehorses and that is how I got started owning horses. My overall comment about being a fan followed by being an owner is, if I never 'met' racing, I would have more money. But I would never have had the experiences, the friendship and the camaraderie. I wouldn't trade the money for that experience that racing has brought to my life. The post How I Got Hooked On Racing: Michael Dubb appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hong Kong stars await the foreign raiders targeting the Dec. 8 Longines Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin Racecourse.View the full article

Inns Of Court (Ire) will join his fellow former Tally-Ho Stud resident Kessaar (Ire) at stud in Italy for the 2025 breeding season under the banner of Renew Italian Breeding. The stallions will stand at Razza dell'Orso in Perugia and with Alessandro Antonini in Tivoli and will each command a fee of €6,000. A multiple group-wining sprinter himself, Inns Of Court, by Invincible Spirit (Ire), is the sire of G3 Prestige Stakes winner Anshoda (Ire) and G2 Richmond Stakes runner-up The Strikin Viking (Ire). A press release from Renew Italian Breeding read, “Inns of Court is only the most recent of many operations concluded with important foreign studs by Mattia Cadrobbi, administrator of Renew Italian Breeding, and Marco Bozzi and Guido Berardelli, [who are] responsible for commercial management…In recent years [they have] brought to Italy Requinto in 2020, Magician in 2021, Cappella Sansevero and Ruler Of The World in 2022, El Kabeir and Morpheus in 2023 and indeed Kessaar in 2024.” The post Inns Of Court Joins Italian Stallion Ranks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK — Records, records, records. It didn't feel particularly blockbusting on the final half-session of mares at Tattersalls, but that is the nature of any sale. Big days, quieter days. The days they all come for – Monday and Tuesday – certainly didn't fail to deliver some showstopping moments. It could have been predicted that Kia Joorabchian, after his spectacular spending spree at Book 1, and with plenty of stallions now at stud, would play a similarly prominent role during the December Sale, and his Amo Racing was again top of the buyers' list, with 8,375,000gns spent on ten fillies and mares, equating to roughly 10% of the whole sale's turnover. More of a surprise was the participation of John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock – a big spender in the US who was a first-time buyer at this sale, snapping up five fillies in training for 6,265,000gns. Just over half of that was spent on the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Vertical Blue (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), who became the highest-priced two-year-old ever sold at auction in Europe, and will remain in training in France with Francis Graffard. Around 15 million gns of the sale's record aggregate of 83,817,900gns came from those two owner-breeders alone, and they were backed up by major buyers from Ireland, America, Australia, China, and Japan towards the top of the table, while significant investment from a large cohort of Indian breeders was also notable among the many nationalities present in Newmarket. It is a shame the the hugely sought-after Juddmonte draft no longer provides the feature of Wednesday's session. The Juddmonte fillies and mares are always heavily perused and had been the traditional Wednesday highlight for many years. With so much focus on the Sceptre Sessions, it is almost impossible to do the Juddmonte draft justice in the time and space allowed. One thing is for sure, though, and that is that future stars will emanate from those drafts. One only needs to peruse the list of buyers this year – including Sumbe, Haruya Yoshida, Laundry Cottage Stud, Haras de Cadran, Haras d'Etreham, Heider Family Stables and the Irish National Stud – to know that they are passing from one set of good hands to others from around the world. Here's to the Stayers The hardy few remained at Park Paddocks on Thursday. One unsuccessful vendor lamented, ” I knew we'd be taking her home. There are more people leading up horses than buying them.” And, yes, he had a point, but there are still always bargains to be found for those that stick it out and do their homework. Michael Swinburn and Ed Harper fought it out over the day's top lot (2168), the winning Showcasing (GB) filly Crown's Lady (GB), who was sold from Consign Ltd for 34,000gns. Swinburn, whose Genesis Green Stud was the second-top vendor at last week's foal sale, signed for the three-year-old filly in the name of Annie O'Rourke, who had assisted in the purchase. Metin and Isik Kader Kalkavan from Turkey picked up seven mares over the last few days, including Never Miss (GB), Stetchworth Park Stud's daughter of Shamardal and Group 3 winner Pictavia (Ire) (Sinndar {Ire}), for 26,000gns. The 12-year-old mare is in foal to Mohaather (GB) and will join the rest of their purchases at the family's MK Stud. “Dad has always been interested in racing, but it was in Covid we bought the farm,” said the couple's daughter Irem. “This is our first visit to Tattersalls, we have been very well looked after.” By the time lot 2195 departed the ring on Thursday lunchtime, another 325,200gns had been added to the overall turnover from the sale of 59 final-day lots. Yes, this is a meagre return when set against the bigger days, but Thursday's figures, from a smaller session of only 85 offered, were up when it came to clearance rate (69%) and median 3,500gns (+17%). It is easy to imagine that in years to come mares of a similar ilk may well end up being offered in one of the increasingly prevalent online sales instead. The clearance rate of any sale is of course the greatest indicator of demand, and in this sector, the 2024 December Mares Sale fared particularly well: at 86% this was significantly up on last year's 76%. That led to a 22% increase in aggregate, while the average, at 124,539gns, was up by 16%. The median rose by 27% to 38,000gns. 'Sustained International Demand' Looking back on tremendous trade at Tattersalls this autumn and winter, chairman Edmond Mahony said, “Exactly eight weeks ago we reflected on a Tattersalls yearling sale of breathtaking proportions. Book 1 of the 2024 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale broke every conceivable record and the momentum from those extraordinary three days has shaped the entire Tattersalls sales season ever since. “Record after record has been broken in the past two months, culminating in a Tattersalls December Mares Sale which has produced sustained international demand from start to finish and again reached unprecedented heights. It has been a fitting way to end an extraordinary year which at times has left even the most seasoned commentators a little stunned.” Such buoyancy in the market may be hard to square with events elsewhere – particularly on a day when the front page of the Racing Post referred to a '£3bn black hole' for racing caused by the Gambling Commission's affordability checks on punters. That is essentially a problem for British racing, though it is one which could eventually have repercussions for Ireland, its nearest neighbour. Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale and the December Mares Sale are largely international affairs which bear almost no reflection on what happens in Britain, aside from the encouraging fact that there are still a number of high-end investors out there intent on establishing stud farms in the country. Mahony continued, “The Tattersalls December Mares Sale is an annual barometer for the international thoroughbred breeding industry and the records for turnover, average and median suggest that the appetite for the best European bloodstock is as strong as ever. There are few stages in the world that compare with the unique atmosphere of a packed Tattersalls Sale ring and yet again the elite Sceptre Sessions provided some compelling theatre and memorable highlights. The sale topping 4,800,000gns Classic winner You Got To Me is the highest-priced filly or mare in the world this year, the outstanding French Group 1 winner Vertical Blue became the highest-priced two-year-old ever sold at public auction in Europe when selling for 3,200,000gns and it is the first December Sale to have three fillies in training selling for 3 million gns or more with the Group 2-winning sprinter Believing completing the trio. “In addition to the individual highlights the statistics paint an impressive picture. December Mares turnover rose more than 20% year on year to a new record high well over 80 million gns, average and median both posted wide-margin record highs and the combined December Yearlings, Foal and Mares turnover increased by more than 30%. Gains of this magnitude have all contributed to a record Tattersalls annual turnover up more than 20% from last year's total, but more importantly they have given a massive boost to the British and Irish breeding industries. While we cannot and should not pretend that all in the garden of British racing is rosy, we should nevertheless be proud that our sport and the wider British and Irish breeding industries continue to be held in the very highest esteem internationally and never has this been more apparent than during the 2024 Tattersalls sale season and throughout this December Sale. “The overseas contribution has been immense. The best of British, Irish and European bloodstock has yet again enticed international visitors to the December Mares Sale in huge numbers with buyers prioritising the sale above all others. Not for the first time at Tattersalls this year the American participation has been particularly notable. There is a real appetite amongst leading American owners for high-class European turf performers and that has played a significant part in the success of this week's sale alongside demand from Australian, Chinese and Japanese buyers at the top of the market. Buyers from more than 30 countries and every continent have played an equally important role in creating a truly vibrant market, but above all it should be recognised that the British and Irish breeders, buoyed no doubt by the catalyst of the October Yearling Sale, have been the backbone of this extraordinary market. “We are enormously grateful to each and every person who has contributed not only to the success of the 2024 Tattersalls December Sale, but also to a Tattersalls sales season like no other. A year like this is the collective achievement of a fantastic industry and the unwavering support of vendors and purchasers alike from throughout Britain, Ireland and further afield defines Tattersalls and ensures that we continue to explore every possible avenue to preserve the proud status of Tattersalls as Europe's leading bloodstock auctioneers.” The Tattersalls December Sale featured one significant beginning and one ending. During the foal sale, Shirley Anderson-Jolag became the first female auctioneer to take to the rostrum at Tattersalls, and we hope to be hearing plenty more from her in the years to come. On Thursday, Jimmy George presided over his final sale day as marketing director of Tattersalls, having first started with the company in 1986. We wish him well in his new role at the International Racing Bureau. The post ‘Collective Achievement of a Fantastic Industry’: Mahony Lauds Record December Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has canceled live racing on Thursday at Aqueduct Racetrack due to high winds forecast to impact New York City throughout the day, the track said in a release early on Thursday morning. The National Weather Service called for sustained high winds on Thursday with gusts approaching 50 mph. As of 8:00 a.m. ET., New York City is under a high wind advisory. As a result of these conditions, NYRA canceled the eight-race card. The Big A will remain open for simulcasting. Live racing is scheduled to resume on Friday with another eight-race card and first post is set for 12:10 p.m. ET. Live racing canceled Thursday at Aqueduct NYRA has canceled live racing on Thursday at Aqueduct Racetrack due to high winds forecast to impact New York City throughout the day. https://t.co/Uo0io2XkuD — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) December 5, 2024 The post High Winds Force Cancellation Of Aqueduct’s Thursday Card appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trentham has been a happy hunting ground for Town Cryer(NZ) (Tavistock) with the exception of last year’s Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m), and 12 months later, the mare is back for redemption. As an on-speed runner, Town Cryer went straight to the lead in the 2023 edition, which was soon deemed a false start after the three outside gates failed to open. For Roydon Bergerson, who trains her out of Awapuni, it wasn’t an easy watch for a mare in career-best form. “She seems to enjoy Wellington and Auckland, she probably shouldn’t have been out of the money in this race last year,” he said. “She ran seventh, it was a bit unfortunate with the gates not opening on the outside because she went the furtherest of any horse. She didn’t stop until about halfway up the straight then she turned around and had to do it all over again. “The next time, she didn’t really know what she was doing, but she hung in there and ran an incredible race. I think if the first had gone around, she would’ve been a lot closer than that as she was bang-on that day, but that’s racing.” Town Cryer went on to have a glittering remainder of the season, winning or placing in her following five starts including a runner-up finish to Belclare in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Returning as a six-year-old, she has maintained that form with a second in the Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), before holding her rivals at bay comfortably in the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) in late October, her final appearance prior to the elite-level contest. “I took her to Wanganui for a gallop between races on Saturday with Wingman, and they worked really nicely over 1200m,” Bergerson said. “I’m happy with that, so I just ticked her over this week and she’s ready to go.” Bergerson is pleased to have secured the services of Luke Currie, a 13-time Group One-winning Australian jockey who will partner the daughter of Tavistock from the ace draw. “I was looking for a jockey and I talked to Brad Taylor (General Manager of RACE), who said the club was looking to bring over an Australian rider,” he said. “They came up with Luke and I’m very happy with that. He’s very professional in what he does, he’s ridden all over the world so I’ll just leave it up to him, he’ll do his form and know how to ride her. “She’s a pretty easy mare to ride, she likes to get on pace and get going before the corner, instead of a sit and sprint. She’s a genuine, tough mare that loves a fight, so if she can get some cheap sectionals and not leave it as a sprint, she’ll be very competitive.” Earlier in the meeting, Bergerson will have his $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) hopeful Too Sweet taking her place in the Devan Plastics 2YO (1000m). The Satono Aladdin filly won on debut at the course ahead of Almakeitgood and is likely to strike a far better surface on Saturday. “At her first start, she was a little bit green and ran all over the place, but got the job done. I see the second horse won today, so the form is pretty good,” Bergerson said. “In her trial, she ran a second faster than the open handicappers, and she was on the bridle. I’ve just ticked her over since then, so hopefully we can get through this race and carry on. “She’s really stepped up, her trial indicated that and she’s gone from strength-to-strength.” Wingman will also be suited to the drier conditions, taking his place in the Aztech Engineering 3YO (1400m). “He’s a very nice horse going forward, I can’t fault his work and he looks tremendous in the coat,” Bergerson said. “I’m looking forward to getting him on to a good track.” A winner at her first start, four-year-old mare Testing will take a step-up in distance in the Jennian Homes Wellington 1400, to be ridden by Michael McNab. “She’s a pretty good mare I think, they’ll know that she’s there on Saturday,” Bergerson said. “Her work has been very good since her win, she was pretty professional that day. She’s got an awkward draw, but she’s got a good rider so hopefully he’ll make up for it.” View the full article

Ka Ying Rising breaks the Sha Tin 1200m course record. Photo: HKJC David Hayes’ outstanding sprinter Ka Ying Rising must overcome a challenging outside barrier in Sunday’s Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin if he is to continue to push his claim as potentially the world’s best speedster. The Sha Tin 1200m track record holder drew barrier 11 in the 14-horse field for the Group 1 feature – a barrier that no horse has won from in the past 18 runnings. Hayes conceded the barrier was not favourable but said Ka Ying Rising normally draws wide but his only fear is being caught three-wide. “You’d prefer to be closer to the rail but he is probably no chance of getting boxed in,” he said. “At a $1.20 chance, it’s one of the ways to get beat. “So, I think Zac (Purton) will be able to appear when he wants and he has got great gate speed and a lot of those inside of him haven’t, so he should cruise across into quite a good spot. “Hopefully he doesn’t get caught three-wide, that’s all.” Hayes has compared the extraordinary stride of the New Zealand-bred Ka Ying Rising to champion Australian mares Winx and Black Caviar. Winx won 37 of her 43 races, including her last 33 in succession, while Black Caviar went through her career undefeated in all of 25 races. Hayes said Ka Ying Rising, who broke Sacred Kingdom’s long-standing track record at his last start in the Group 2 Jockey Club Sprint (1200m), could have lowered the record by more but was switched off by Zac Purton in the last 50m. “Zac doesn’t often kiss the camera with 100m to go and he was really switched off for the last 50m, so it was probably as times go probably a little bit more opportunity to lower it,” Hayes said. “He has got a wonderful temperament and he is easy to train and is very sound, a massive stride length and I call it an extra action. “When you watch a lot of gallops and race horses, you see very few horses with what I see as the extra action and the extra action I have seen in my career just recently is of course Winx and Black Caviar. “I think it is well documented they have that have a huge stride and I’m sure if you measured this horse when he let’s go, he has got one of those extra strides. Despite the accolades, Hayes said he wasn’t saying his horse is as good as Winx and Black Caviar and he has got to be around for probably four years and not lose. “But he has got an action like them and a raw talent that is pretty exciting,” he said. Purton said everyone wanted the answer to the question of how good Ka Ying Rising could be as his career progresses to tackle his first Group 1 feature. “He doesn’t need to be any better than he has been at his last two starts this weekend,” Purton said. “He has just got to come out reproduce that same performance and hopefully it is a fast run race where every horse gets their chance. The track is in great order, it’s riding very well and the weather this week is perfect, so we are looking forward to it.” Purton said the fact that the gelding had never raced at Group 1 level before always poses a question, but his performances had been at a Group 1 level. “So, it’s just a matter of him doing it on the big day when it matters, everyone is here and I think that’s what people want to see,” he said. “Hopefully that’s what happens.” After running some very quick times on the track, Purton said the scary thing is you don’t feel you’re going that quick. “It feels like he is only going three quarter, half pace,” he said. “He is certainly a different horse to sit on than all the rest of the them.” Purton said Ka Ying Rising deserved to break the track record in the Jockey Club Sprint after going close the start before. Opposition trainers in the Hong Kong Sprint have all but conceded the race to Ka Ying Rising and are hoping to grab some of the minor prize money in the HK$26 million feature. Before Pierre Ng’s Beauty Waves had drawn the extreme outside barrier, the trainer said they were running against Ka Ying Rising and were hoping for second. “That’s our target and hopefully it goes that way,” he said. Ng said Beauty Waves, who finished fourth at his last start to Ka Ying Rising, had been brilliant and he still believes there is a little bit of improvement as he becomes more professional. Horse racing news View the full article

Voyage Bubble is a one-time Group 1 winner at Sha Tin. Photo: HKJC Trainer Ricky Yiu is hoping to go one better with stable flagbearer Voyage Bubble in the HK$36 million Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on Sunday, December 8 at Sha Tin after the galloper finished second behind former champion Golden Sixty in 2023. Yiu’s charge will step away from barrier five against 13 rivals as he aims to follow on from last-start HK$5.35 million Group 2 Jockey Club Mile (1600m) success. “He’s a very smart horse and he’s easy to handle – jockeys really like to ride him. He enjoys Conghua very much – it’s a very nice place and a good setup,” Yiu said. “They’re relaxed in Conghua. They enjoy it, they eat more and they build up more – body wise.” “It’s all falling into the right place. He’s had a couple of good gallops on the grass and it has been a very good preparation. This horse seems to be improving still little by little. There’s still quite a bit left in him, although he’s had a lot of tough runs.” Recently acclaimed World’s Best Jockey for a second time, James McDonald will gun for a second Group 1 atop the six-year-old Voyage Bubble this weekend, who also raced in Dubai and Japan last season. “I’d expect him to be competitive, for sure, because he’s a very consistent horse and his lead-up run (Jockey Club Mile on November 17 at Sha Tin) was great – he’ll improve off that as well, so he’s a horse that makes his own luck up on the speed and I’m sure he’ll give a great sight. “It’s a strong race as you’d expect. He ran second in the race in 2023 and he’s going as good as that,” McDonald said. “It’s an extremely fair start there from the mile – it’s a nice run down the back straight.” Drawing stall 14 of 14 at Thursday’s barrier draw ceremony at Sha Tin, Galaxy Patch is aiming to bounce back after he was third in the Jockey Club Mile to Voyage Bubble. The Group 1-placed son of Wandjina – who is trained by Pierre Ng – won three races in Group 2 and Group 3 company under Vincent Ho prior to defeat. “He galloped well this morning – the jockey is happy, the horse is fit and well. This time I think we just have to ride him very quiet and go for a strong finish to try and catch them,” Ng said. “It’s how you preserve him towards the straight. Try to switch him off and he’ll give you a very good (final) sectional. “His last racing style didn’t suit him – his last run. We’ve learnt from that and I’ve told Vincent from now on we know what we have got to do in the future,” Ng said. Stablemate Taj Dragon will display similar tactics, says Ng: “We went a little bit forward on him last time and (jockey) Andrea (Atzeni) said it didn’t suit him best. This time we will probably ride him quiet and get him to finish off to get some prize money.” Soul Rush drew gate 10; fellow Japanese runner Jantar Mantar has gate eight. Connections of both Japanese contenders were satisfied with their draws. Lazzat from France will jump from barrier seven for trainer Jerome Reynier. “It’s good to be in the middle. When we won the (2024) Dubai Turf (Group 1, 1800m) with Facteur Cheval he was in stall eight of 16 and here Lazzat has got seven of 14 so it’s what I wanted,” Reynier said. “He’s not in danger of getting shut in, down on the rail, or getting stuck three or four wide if he had got a high number.” Antino (barrier four), Beauty Joy (13), Docklands (two), Happy Together (six), Chancheng Glory (one) and Ramadan (three) also feature. Master trainer John Size saddles Beauty Eternal (11) and Red Lion (12), hopeful of collecting another win in the race after Glorious Days prevailed in 2013. Horse racing news View the full article

Romantic Warrior wins the 2023 Group 1 Hong Kong Cup. Romantic Warrior’s connections feel the local hero is ready to write himself into history as the first three-time winner of this Sunday’s Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin. Owner Peter Lau noted Romantic Warrior’s barrier draw of one, revealed at the official ceremony in the Sha Tin parade ring, was identical to that of his comfortable warm-up triumph in last month’s Group 2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m). “Obviously I’m very happy,” Lau said. “It’s the same draw as last time, I hope he races like last time. I’m looking forward to it.” McDonald, in flying form in his latest Hong Kong stint and the newly-minted 2024 World’s Best Jockey, has built up a stellar partnership with Danny Shum’s gelding. The New Zealand rider has not only been in the saddle for their two previous wins in this championship event but has helped Romantic Warrior to take Australia and Japan by storm. “He (Romantic Warrior) is in superb form and he’s going to be awfully hard to beat, he’s probably peaking up better than he did last year for the same race, so we’re looking forward to Sunday,” McDonald said. “He’s the most push-button horse I’ve had much to do with, the closest you would probably get to him would be Anamoe, he was a phenomenal horse and this horse is trending the right way. “He’s just a perfect racehorse. Gate speed, sustained speed, doesn’t matter whether it’s wet, dry, fast tempo, slow tempo, he’s pretty much unflappable over a mile and a quarter.” Looking ahead to the assignment, where Japanese Classic queen Liberty Island (barrier 5), Aidan O’Brien’s smart fillies Content (9) and Wingspan (3) are among the opposition, McDonald continued: “It’s no easy task, the Japanese are coming here in strong force, so we need the right run but he’s the right horse to do it on. “I just really enjoy riding him, he’s very self-explanatory. Hopefully he can make it three Hong Kong Cups. It would be really fitting if he could go down as one of the, probably the best, Hong Kong horse to grace this Sha Tin turf. He just keeps racking them up.” Jet-setter Spirit Dancer carries the colours of legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and trainer Richard Fahey was not put off by barrier 10 after his recent completion of back-to-back wins in the Group 2 Bahrain International Trophy (2000m). “We were drawn 11 the last two times in Bahrain so we’re getting closer to the inside,” Fahey said. “I’m happy enough. He’s had no issues whatsoever in getting here and I’m enjoying the trip.” Ricky Yiu is double-handed with Group 2 winner Straight Arron (four), a relatively new recruit to his stable, and Group 3 Centenary Vase (1800m) hero Nimble Nimbus (two). “It’s a tough race for these two horses but they’re very consistent over the trip, especially Straight Arron,” Yiu said. “I’ve only had him a couple of starts over a mile but it was always the plan to try him in this race. I definitely think he can run a good race, he’s improved out of sight. “Nimble Nimbus is never beaten far, no matter what distance. He always runs into the money so it’ll be interesting to see how he performs.” Horse racing news View the full article

Magic Man chases a fourth win aboard a Japanese galloper in the 2,400m feature.View the full article

Seven runners bid to become the first Briton to win at Sha Tin’s marquee meeting in over a decade.View the full article

What Rosehill Races Where Rosehill Gardens Racecourse – James Ruse Dr, Rosehill NSW 2142 When Saturday, December 7, 2024 First Race 12:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Rosehill Gardens Racecourse is the destination for metro racing on Saturday afternoon, with a bumper 10-part program set for decision. The rail moves out +4m the entire circuit for the meeting, and although the surface is rated a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, consistent rainfall leading into the weekend should mean a downgrade into the Soft range at some stage. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 12:30pm local time. Best Bet at Rosehill: Gentileschi Gentileschi appears set to peak third-up into the campaign after back-to-back luckless performances. The daughter of Dundeel was cast wide without cover first-up before getting too far back at Kembla Grange on November 23, doing her best work late over the unsuitable 1400m journey. Stepping out to the 1800m should be ideal, and with barrier two allowing Zac Lloyd to land in the one-one doing no work with the 54.5kg, Gentileschi should get every chance to claim her fourth career victory. Best Bet Race 4 – #8 Gentileschi (2) 4yo Mare | T: Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | J: Zac Lloyd (54.5kg) +550 with Neds Next Best at Rosehill: August Bloom The Peter Snowden-trained August Bloom returns after a 245-day spell and appears primed for a first-up assault. The More Than Ready mare cruised to victory by 1.5 lengths in a recent barrier trial at Randwick on November 26, and her form last preparation suggests the four-year-old has plenty of upside despite her lengthy absence. Tom Sherry may need to drag back and ride for luck from gate 10, but if the breaks fall her way, August Bloom has the class to take care of this lot at a good price with BlondeBet. Next Best Race 7 – #3 August Bloom (10) 4yo Mare | T: Peter Snowden | J: Tom Sherry (57kg) +500 with BlondeBet Best Value at Rosehill: Spangler Spangler represents terrific each-way value with horse racing bookmakers after making his return at Newcastle on November 16. The six-year-old was first-up in over a year on that occasion, and never shirked the task to get within four lengths of Uzziah in an on-speed dominated affair. Benjamin Osmond should be able to sit much closer this time around, and with a genuine tempo for Spangler to sprint off, watch for this guy to be powering through the line at the $18.00 with Picklebet. Best Value Race 8 – #2 Spangler (8) 6yo Gelding | T: Kris Lees | J: Benjamin Osmond (a3kg) (60.5kg) +1700 with Picklebet Saturday quaddie tips for Rosehill Rosehill quadrella selections December 7, 2024 2-3-6-7-9 2-5-6-7-14 1-4-7-8-10 2-5-9 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Poised on the edge of superstardom, the David Hayes-trained galloper must overcome gate 11 at Sha Tin on Sunday.View the full article

What Northerly Stakes Day 2024 Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, December 7, 2024 First Race 12:29pm AWST Visit Dabble The Group 1 Northerly Stakes will headline proceedings at Ascot this Saturday afternoon, while the Listed G.A. Towton Cup will be the co-feature on the nine-race card. With perfect summer weather forecast in the lead-up, it is expected that the track will be rated as a Good 4 throughout the meeting. The rail will be in the +9m position for the entire circuit, with the first race set to jump at 12:29pm AWST. Read HorseBetting’s Group 1 Northerly Stakes betting preview and strategy here. G.A. Towton Cup tip: In Good Order In Good Order is on a Perth Cup path this preparation, and his last start second-place finish behind Sentimental Hero showed that he was back in top form. The Daniel Morton-trained gelding settled midfield and ran home strongly in the home straight but couldn’t pick up the tearaway leader. From barrier four, Chris Parnham can settle this guy in the first four on a slow speed, and if he shows a similar finish, In Good Order can go one better. G.A. Towton Cup Race 7 – #4 In Good Order (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Daniel Morton | J: Chris Parnham (55kg) +380 with Dabble Best Bet at Ascot: Devine Belief It took a smart horse to beat Devine Belief first-up at this track and trip, and the David Harrison-trained mare will be ready to strike second-up. The daughter of Playing God is undefeated from two second-up starts throughout her career, and this race looks like a perfect contest for her to bounce back in. From barrier nine, Joseph Azzopardi will push forward and lead before kicking clear on the home turn. Best Bet Race 4 – #3 Devine Belief (9) 5yo Mare | T: David Harrison | J: Joseph Azzopardi (58.5kg) +190 with Neds Next Best at Ascot: Russian To The Bar Russian To The Bar and Keshi Boom will meet for the second straight start, and it is expected that the Luke Fernie-trained gelding will beat the mare again. After settling midfield outside of runners, the son of Russian Revolution peeled out wide and ran on strongly, but most importantly, he ran through the line much stronger than his main rival. Chris Parnham will attempt to replicate his ride from last start, and if Russian To The Bar gets clear air from the 400m mark, he will prove hard to beat. Next Best Race 2 – #5 Russian To The Bar (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Luke Fernie | J: Chris Parnham (57kg) +270 with PlayUp Best Value at Ascot: Kerman Rock Kerman Rock went way too hard in the lead at this track over 2100m before tiring in the final 300m and going down by 2.4 lengths behind Candlelight Supper. The Chris Willis-trained gelding was able to lead all of the way over this trip three starts back, and with no other speed influences in this contest, he gets another chance to replicate that performance. The $14 on offer with horse racing bookmakers looks like a great price to find out if he can return to winning ways. Best Value Race 5 – #11 Kerman Rock (10) 7yo Gelding | T: Chris Willis | J: Kate Pateman (54kg) +1300 with Picklebet Ascot quaddie tips for Northerly Stakes Day Ascot quadrella selections Saturday, December 7, 2024 2-3-5 1-2-3-4-11 2-5-7-14-16 1-5-6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

What Eagle Farm Races Where Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, December 7, 2024 First Race 12:13pm AEST Visit Dabble Three Listed races will headline the 10-race meeting at Eagle Farm this Saturday afternoon, where the opening event is scheduled to jump at 12:13pm AEST. The track was rated as a Heavy 8 at the time of acceptances; however, with little to no rain forecast for Friday and Saturday, the surface should improve into the Soft range. The rail will be in its true position for the entire circuit. Just Now Quality tip: Cigar Flick Cigar Flick has been racing well in Group 3 grade at Flemington and Caulfield, recording a fourth and fifth-place finish in two starts this campaign. The Chris Waller-trained mare was last seen running home from the back of the field in the How Now Stakes (1200m), where she finished off strongly down the middle of the track. A rise in trip to 1300m and a drop in grade will suit this daughter of Churchill, and with even luck, Cigar Flick can record her first win of the preparation. Just Now Race 5 – #3 Cigar Flick (4) 4yo Mare | T: Chris Waller | J: Bailey Wheeler (58.5kg) -111.11 with BlondeBet Tails Stakes tip: Inver Park Kris Lees and Andrew Mallyon will combine with Inver Park for the second straight start as they seek back-to-back victories following a strong 1400m win at the Sunshine Coast. The son of Pivotal settled in the box seat and received a saloon passage up the inside of the field before kicking away to defeat Redford by 1.3 lengths. After drawing barrier two, Mallyon can attempt to replicate his ride from last start, and if he can get clear by the 300m mark, Inver Park will prove hard to beat once again. Tails Stakes Race 6 – #3 Inver Park (2) 7yo Gelding | T: Kris Lees | J: Andrew Mallyon (56kg) +380 with Dabble Bribie Handicap tip: Zarastro Zarastro was a dominant winner of a 1000m barrier trial at Doomben, where the Tony Gollan-trained gelding led the field around and kicked away to score by 3.75 lengths. With Angela Jones in the saddle for the trial and sticking for this first-up start, expect her to push forward and settle outside the likely leader, Golden Boom. If the son of I Am Invincible can absorb the pressure and give a good kick turning for home, Zarastro will take some catching in the concluding stages. Bribie Handicap Race 8 – #2 Zarastro (7) 6yo Gelding | T: Tony Gollan | J: Angela Jones (57kg) +550 with Neds Best Bet at Eagle Farm: Give Me Space Give Me Space had been impressive to kick off this preparation, recording back-to-back victories before not handling the Heavy conditions at Doomben last Saturday. Barry Lockwood will back up this three-year-old gelding, and he appears to have found the perfect race for him to return to winning ways. From barrier seven, James Orman will attempt to settle midfield on the outside of runners, and if Give Me Space shows his blistering turn of foot, he will win this. Best Bet Race 9 – #2 Give Me Space (7) 3yo Gelding | T: Barry Lockwood | J: James Orman (59.5kg) +110 with Picklebet Eagle Farm quaddie tips – 7/12/24 Eagle Farm quadrella selections Saturday, December 7, 2024 2-3-9-13 1-2-3-7-11 2-4 2-8-13-15-16 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Daniel Stackhouse is banking on It’s A Wild Night(NZ) (Vanbrugh) providing him a maiden win in the Ballarat Cup. Daniel Stackhouse will look to parlay his recent good run of form into success in the Ballarat Cup. Stackhouse picks up the ride aboard It’s A Wild Night in the $500,000 Listed contest over 2000m on Saturday, taking over from Blake Shinn who is Hong Kong bound for Sunday’s international meeting at Sha Tin. It’s A Wild Night was the unlucky runner at his most recent appearance when fifth behind Globe in the Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m) on November 23. Stackhouse has been in excellent form of late, picking up the Group 2 Sandown Guineas on Snitzanova last Saturday which followed a treble at Moonee Valley the previous night. It’s A Wild Night will need to overcome the second widest draw to claim the Ballarat Cup on Saturday, but Stackhouse is not letting that worry him at his first ride on the Mark Walker-trained gelding. “He was unlucky in the Cranbourne Cup and his form before that was good too,” Stackhouse said. “That gives me some confidence, but he has a tricky barrier in what is a pretty solid Ballarat Cup, but there is a pretty good run from the 2000-metre start. “It’s a very competitive race and it’s good to be a part of it.” A number of the main players in Saturday’s race have drawn out near It’s A Wild Night, but Stackhouse is yet to delve too deeply into the form. But the barrier draw might prove beneficial if the rain predicted for Ballarat on Friday and Saturday does eventuate. The track was rated a Slow 6 on Thursday morning with up to 20mm potentially hitting the Ballarat racecourse in the following days. “The barrier draw, it’s not something I’ve not dissected yet, but it might be an advantage being out there late in the day, especially if the rain does come,” Stackhouse said. “The track could change.” Saturday’s race is an open contest with Poison Chalice heading the market at $5 ahead of Future History at $6 with It’s A Wild Night a $12 chance. View the full article

Lisa Allpress couldn’t have wished for a better return to the saddle at New Plymouth on Thursday, guiding home two winners from as many rides. Allpress suffered an fractured vertebra in a fall after the line at the Riccarton Synthetic meeting in early August, halting a fantastic start to the season, where she had guided five winners from just 13 rides. The four-time premiership winner was subsequently unable to fulfil an invitation to the World’s Jockey Series in Japan. Four months later, Allpress was back at the races and partnered two of Allan Sharrock’s gallopers, the first of those an exciting three-year-old debutant in Komocean(NZ) (Ocean Park). A half-sister to Group One winner Signify, Komocean was a well-backed commodity at her first race-day appearance and after missing the start, Allpress was patient and allowed the filly to find her feet in the testing conditions. Picking up ground quickly turning for home, Komocean looked a big danger coming down the outside and kicked away in the finish, putting two lengths on a game Royal Sovereigns. “It was good to get back into it, I probably could’ve started last week at Wanganui, but I elected to take another week to watch our son play sevens up in Tauranga,” Allpress said. “The two horses that I rode today, I had ridden at the jump-outs a couple of weeks ago for Allan Sharrock at Hawera and they both performed very well that day. When I saw them in the nominations, I quickly rang him to see if he’d done anything about riders, so I was lucky he hadn’t. “Komocean was a little fractious in the barriers which she definitely wasn’t at the jump-outs, she was just anxious to get on with the job and was very wriggly, which affected her start. But, the race panned out fine from there, I was back a bit further and wider than I wanted to be, but it’s a true testament to Allan and what he can do, when these horses go to the races, you know you are sitting on something with a decent chance. “Full credit to his team, they do such a fantastic job.” In the following race, Allpress partnered another on debut in Borninastorm(NZ) (Bullbars), having her first start as a five-year-old in the McDonald Real Estate Maiden (1200m). The mare’s co-owners, Sharrock and Paul Foreman, were rewarded for their patience, and after finding the lead early, Borninastorm never looked in doubt as she put the field away by an extending eight lengths to stablemate Bubbles Up. “I actually saw her as a very early two-year-old at the Stratford jump-outs, which would’ve been three years ago now,” Allpress said. “I remember watching her and Allan said ‘she’s a bit like you, she’s got short legs but she can run fast’. “We’ve been waiting for her for a long time and I saw her again winning a trial at the end of last season at Waverley, and spotted her again at the jump-outs, so it was great to finally get on her at the races.” The double increased Allpress’s career tally of domestic winners to 1950, with the goal of 2000 keeping her motivated through the recovery period. “I’ve still got that goal of the 2000 winners, so that is my focus,” she said. “My family have kept me motivated, I’ve received so much support and I have a lot of very good people around me, people in racing and general friends that have been a huge support through the whole process. “I’m very lucky and I just like to get out there and ride horses, that is the easy part.” Sharrock had an outstanding afternoon at his home venue, with juvenile filly Almakeitgood(NZ) (Ardrossan) collecting her maiden in the Grangewilliam Stud Maiden 2YO (1100m) and Librero(NZ) (El Roca) winning the Revital Fertilisers (1400m) through the card. View the full article

Impressive debutant Cheaha was the latest of Wexford Stables’ three-year-olds to step into the winner’s circle, and on Saturday at Ellerslie, five of his stablemates will take their place in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m). Cheaha, a son of Alabama Express, made five trial appearances prior to the Rotorua meeting on Wednesday, showing enough promise to close a strong favourite for the maiden contest. Settling back early for jockey Warren Kennedy, Cheaha cruised along while the long-striding Sky Do raced boldly up-front. Cheaha had most of the field still ahead of him turning for home and Kennedy came across heels to the outside of the track, and in a matter of strides, the compact gelding was set alight and put the field away for a soft victory over Think I Got Cha. His stablemate Wounder was the other flashing finisher in the contest, the filly coming from the tail to finish fourth. A $220,000 purchase out of Elsdon Park’s draft at the Karaka Yearling Sales, Cheaha is raced by Lance O’Sullivan, who trains the Wexford contingent alongside Andrew Scott. “We have been patient and put a good deal of education into him at the trials and on the training track,” Scott said. “We were pleased with his condition leading in, so it was great to see everyone’s hard work pay off and to see him quicken in the way he did was very rewarding. “We will see how he comes through over the next couple of days before making any decisions going forward, but we’ve been patient until now, so we won’t be rushing into anything big. “A lot of these horses haven’t raced at two and we’re fortunate that we’ve got patient clients and owners that are prepared to wait. The horses tell us when they’re ready to go and we’re making sure they’ve got very good education levels at home and at the trials before they debut. “It certainly aids to their confidence when they get to the races.” The stable will have a quintet of last-start winning three-year-olds contesting the Group Three feature on Saturday, with Waikato Stud filly Sethito(NZ) (Super Seth) rating highly after her stunning maiden success at Rotorua. “We had her going in the spring and we put her aside for a short break at Waikato Stud, where she did very well,” Scott said. “With the blinkers on, we certainly have seen a vast improvement in her training, so we did expect her to run well. She’s gone the right way and she’s flying on the training track, she’s probably training the best of them. “We’re expecting another top performance, we’ve always thought there was a good gallop in her.” Prosegur(NZ) (Proisir), a winner in two of her three race-day appearances, and Crackercol(NZ) (Proisir), a full-brother to Group One winning-stablemate Waitak, are also expected to relish the 1400m journey. “Prosegur is coming in with the most race-day experience and she’s probably got the better gate (two), which will aid her chances,” Scott said. “She’s a filly with her confidence high, she’s had a good bed of education and from the gate, she should be right in it. She’s going to love the trip and she’s very fit. “Crackercol be a very interesting runner. He’s taken good confidence with the blinkers on last start, and with the experience of his last run under his belt, he continues to thrive and go forward. “He’s a horse that can quicken well on Saturday, he’ll be well-competitive. We think this is more his trip than over further, so he’ll be exciting.” Sicillian(NZ) (Magna Grecia) and Ribkraka(NZ) ( Ribchester) complete their representation in the race, with the former on her way towards a tilt at the Gr.2 Hallmark Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m) and Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) over the New Year period. “We believe she (Sicillian) is the best stayer of the fillies, so she may find the 1400 a wee bit sharp, but once she gets to a mile on Boxing Day and the 2000m on New Year’s Day, that’s when she’s really going to be hitting her straps,” Scott said. “She’s a promising staying filly in the making and this race will set her up well for those races. “Ribkraka is a horse that is going to appreciate getting over 1400 and further through the summer months. “We’ve got a good opinion of him as he gets out over a mile and 2000m, so it’ll be important for him on Saturday to have a good look around Ellerslie. He’ll certainly be coming home, but they may be a touch sharp for him over the shorter trip. “When he gets up in distance, that’s when he’ll come into his own.” On his way to another Group One assignment, Waitak(NZ) (Proisir) will contest the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) earlier on the card, fresh-off a strong performance for third behind Luberon in the Gr.3 Counties Bowl (1100m). “We had the blinkers on for the first time there and he was a lot sharper,” Scott said. “He gets out to the 1200 and he’s improved a bit from that run, we think he’ll be hitting the line strong. While it’s an even, strong field, he certainly will make a strong account of himself, the horse is going really well. “When he starts to hit form, he usually holds it and all going well, he’ll head to Wellington next start.” The son of Proisir won this year’s edition of the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) and his immediate target is the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) on January 4. View the full article

Robbie Patterson is confident One Bold Cat(NZ) (The Bold One) can be a major player this weekend in his pursuit for another top-flight title. The New Plymouth trainer has the six-year-old purring ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham and clearly rates him as his top seed in the weight-for-age feature. Stablemate Puntura(NZ) (Vespa) will also take his place, but time is ticking on the son on the seven-year-old’s career after he struggled for form in the spring. By contrast, One Bold Cat powered home from the back of the field to win the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and then ran sixth in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) before a break. “He’s freshened nicely and he’s had a couple of jump-outs and a trial, so I’ve given him plenty,” Patterson said. “He’s going super and from his gate (two), he’ll be sitting right behind the pace I’d imagine.” Craig Grylls will be aboard One Bold Cat while Mereana Hudson will take the reins on Puntura, who finished among the tailenders in the Arrowfield and the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at his last two appearances. “Puntura is a bit big in condition and he’ll have to go back from the draw (11) and it will be tempo related as to where he’ll finish,” Patterson said. “There’s not many races we can put him in, so his days are numbered. If he doesn’t come up in his next start or two, he’ll be retired for sure.” Puntura has been an outstanding servant of the stable with 11 victories from 38 appearances and has banked more than $770,000. “He won a Group Three, a Group Two and a Group One in succession and not many can do that, we won’t be flogging him,” Patterson said. He was referring to his victories in last season’s Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m), Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) and Thorndon Mile (1600m). Patterson also fancies his chances earlier on the Trentham card with Leica Lucy(NZ) (Derryn) (Aztech Engineering 3YO, 1400m) and Last Souvenir(NZ) (Darci Brahma) (Jennian Homes Wellington, 1400m). Derryn filly Leica Lucy was untroubled to win on debut on her home track last month and is a possible future Group One contender. “I really like her, she won really well first-up and is going to get up over ground, so she’ll be attacking the line again,” Patterson said. “We had given her a quiet trial and she had showed a lot as a two-year-old, but she got a bone chip and had that taken out, which was probably the best thing for her. “It gave her more time and she’s just a gorgeous animal, she relaxes beautifully and I can see her on an Oaks path if everything goes right.” Joe Doyle will retain the ride on Leica Lucy and Grylls will also combine with Darci Brahma’s son Last Souvenir, who burned home for second on his home turf at the first time of asking. “He ran second first-up and his mum is a half-sister to So You Think, he’s got a lot going for him,” Patterson said. “He came from last around Taranaki which is very hard to do for a big horse. He will go through the grades pretty quickly.” View the full article

A crack at a major summer sprinting prize against the older horses hasn’t been ruled out for quality three-year-old Poetic Champion(NZ) (Super Seth). The stakes winning son of Super Seth is back in work and making good progress following a brief spring campaign that convinced trainer Tony Pike that, in the shorter term at least, he would be best kept to shorter assignments. Poetic Champion was an emphatic first-up winner of the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings before he finished fourth in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). “He’s an out and out sprinter and he throws everything into his races, he might get 1400m when he’s older, but at this stage he’s definitely a 1200m horse,” Pike said. To that end, he is now mulling over more immediate options for the freegoing chestnut. “He had a short break before he came back into the stable and galloped well this (Thursday) morning,” Pike said. “We’ll trial him at Counties on December 17 and then confirm a plan after that. “Obviously, the three-year-old race (Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy, 1200m) on Karaka Millions night could be a target but if he trialled brilliantly, we might even consider going into the Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m) at weight-for-age. “That might be a little bit left field at this stage, but we’ll keep an eye on what the sprinting ranks come up like and with the pull in the weights we might think about it.” Meanwhile, Pike’s immediate focus is on Saturday’s meeting at Ellerslie where Poetic Champion’s fellow three-year-old Honey Badger(NZ) (El Roca) will face her sternest test in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m). The El Roca filly delivered a strong resuming performance last time out at Te Aroha for her first victory in three appearances. “She has come back really well, and she was good last time on a rain-affected track and the second horse (Celestial Wonder) has come out and run really well again,” Pike said. “It’s an even field on Saturday so we’ll get a fair idea of where she sits at this stage of her preparation.” Pike has a number of other genuine each-way prospects at Ellerslie, including Roederer(NZ) (Turn Me Loose) in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers’ Championship (2100m). The son of Turn Me Loose was narrowly denied a fifth career victory last time out when he finished runner-up. “We had a proper go with him at Counties the other day, we had set him up for that race and he just got done by a nose,” Pike said. “I’m sure he’ll run well again, and Dimaggio(NZ) (Almanzor) is also close to getting another one.” Almanzor’s son Dimaggio also finished second at the Pukekohe meeting last month and will bid to go one better in the Barfoot & Thompson Handicap (1400m). View the full article