Wandering Eyes

Big Brown is the fifth Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner to be retired to Old Friends. Old Friends will be hosting Big Brown's Barn Bash on Oct. 18. There will be a lot of fun activities and a chance to meet the guest of honor, Big Brown.View the full article

Big Brown (Boundary), impressive winner of the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness Stakes, has arrived at Old Friends in Kentucky where he will live out his days. Bred in Kentucky by Monticule LLC, Big Brown was a $60,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling and was purchased by the late Paul Pompa, Jr. for $190,000 at the Keeneland April Sale in 2007. Winner of a two-turn turf maiden by better than 11 lengths for trainer Patrick Reynolds, Big Brown made his next start for Rick Dutrow, Jr. after IEAH Stable joined the ownership group. Named a 'TDN Rising Star' after winning a mile allowance on the dirt by nearly 13 lengths, he added a five-length victory in the GI Florida Derby and gave Kent Desormeaux the third of his three Kentucky Derby victories in 2008. An easy winner at Old Hilltop, he was plagued by a quarter crack in the days leading up to the GI Belmont Stakes and remained in contention to the top of the stretch before being eased home. He took out the GI Haskell Stakes and Listed Monmouth Stakes on the grass and was being pointed for a start in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic before injury forced his retirement. Big Brown entered stud at Three Chimneys and stood there from 2009-2014 while also shuttling to Australia. In 2015, Andrew Cohen's Sunrise Stables and Gary Tolchin's Golden Goose Enterprises, who were also part of the group that raced Big Brown, announced his relocation to Dutchess View Farms in New York. In 2018, Dutchess View teamed up with Irish Hill Century Farm for breeding and Big Brown was New York's leading sire of 2020. Big Brown is the sire of 35 stakes winners, including fellow 'Rising Star' Dortmund, one of nine of his runners to score at the graded level. Others include the New York-bred standout Somelikeithotbrown and $1.3-million 2-year-old in training purchase Darwin. Big Brown was pensioned from stud duties earlier this year. Big Brown is the fifth Derby and Preakness winner to be retired to Old Friends, joining Silver Charm, War Emblem, Charismatic and I'll Have Another. “We are excited beyond measure to welcome Big Brown as an honored member of the Old Friends family,” said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends. “We are deeply grateful to Andy Cohen and all of Big Brown's connections for choosing to share this great horse with racing fans everywhere. I know his legions of fans will love having the chance to visit him throughout the year. Big Brown will be an awesome ambassador, not only for Old Friends, but for the sport of Thoroughbred Racing.” “It doesn't seem that long ago when we would visit Big Brown in the middle of the night and just hang out with him,” said Andy Cohen, Managing Partner of the Big Brown Syndicate. “He was like a puppy and especially loved it when the young children would come over to pet him. “After visiting Old Friends and getting to know John Nicholson and Michael Blowen I couldn't be more comfortable knowing Big Brown will get the love and care he deserves at Old Friends where the horse is the boss.” Old Friends will host a Big Brown Barn Bash on Friday, Oct. 18. Thrilled beyond words to welcome 2008 @KentuckyDerby & @PreaknessStakes winner BIG BROWN to OF retirement! Thank you Big Brown Syndicate, @IrishHillFarm & Morrisseys Horse Transport. Come out & celebrate with us on Oct 18 for the Big Brown Barn Bash! https://t.co/1jvxczfs6N pic.twitter.com/wUtvDc2nPb — Old Friends (@Oldfriendsfarm) September 30, 2024 The post Dual Classic Winner Big Brown Arrives at Old Friends appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars FIND MY LOVE - R10 (2) Has a new trainer and looks ready to recapture his best form Jay Rooney SUNLIGHT POWER - R8 (8) Huge win first up and gets a handy weight drop up in grade Jack Dawling GENEVA - R4 (2) Can finally break through after a promising third in a strong form race Phillip Woo SUNLIGHT POWER - R8 (8) Exciting type resumed a stylish winner and can score again Shannon (Vincent Wong) GENEVA - R4 (2) Ran well over this C&D last start and can open his account here Racing Post Online GENEVA - R4 (2) Performed well in his recent trial and can break through for maiden success Tom Wood SUNLIGHT POWER - R8 (8) Big win last start and tackles Class Two for the first time with a light weightView the full article

Britney Eurton and EMMY Award-winning broadcaster Lindsay Czarniak will host the 54th Annual Eclipse Awards to be held Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida. Caton Bredar will once again serve as the announcer for the ceremony. Eurton, the daughter of California trainer Peter Eurton, will be co-hosting the Eclipse Awards for the fifth consecutive time. Previously of FanDuel TV, Eurton is now a host and a reported for NBC, Amazon Prime and other independent networks. She currently covers the National Women's Soccer League and is a board member for New Vocations, one of the industry's leading aftercare organizations. Czarniak will be co-hosting the Eclipse Awards for the first time. This year she has served as host of NBC Universal's coverage of the Paris Olympic Games on USA Network. Her reporting and hosting roles have included spots on the Today Show's 3rd Hour, the Indy 500 Victory Celebration as well as the host of the National Grocers Association's annual Best Bagger Championship. She also became the first woman to host coverage of the Indianapolis 500. “We are thrilled to have Britney Eurton back to co-host her fifth consecutive Eclipse Awards and to be joined by first time host Lindsay Czarniak,” said NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. “These two women are incredible ambassadors for our sport, and together their headlining the Eclipse Awards will bring the 2024 champions into the households of everyone watching from home and make for a great night.” Tickets for the black-tie Eclipse Awards will go on sale on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. Click here for additional information. The post Eurton, Czarniak To Host Eclipse Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following Monday's confirmation stage, 18 horses remain in contention for Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, including the three-year-old Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who has topped the ante-post betting since registering his second consecutive victory over the course and distance in the G2 Prix Niel. He also won the G1 Grand Prix de Paris on his previous start. Sosie is one of three potential runners for Andre Fabre, who will be seeking a record-extending ninth win in the Arc. Fabre is also set to saddle the five-time Group 1 winner Mqse De Sevigne (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) and the classy stayer Sevenna's Knight (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who was last seen winning the G3 Prix Gladiateur at this course. Prix du Jockey Club hero Look De Vega (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is another leading contender for Carlos and Yann Lerner, despite having finished behind the reopposing Sosie and Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}) when only third as the odds-on favourite for the Prix Niel, while three-year-old filly Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who represents the same owners as Sosie, Wertheimer and Frere, heads to Longchamp having filled the runner-up spot in another key trial, the Prix Vermeille. With the winner of that Group 1, Ralph Beckett's Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}), still needing to be supplemented, David Menuisier's Irish Derby runner-up Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) is the only British-trained entry at this stage, while Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) is the horse tasked with trying to deliver a long-awaited first Arc success for Japan following his encouraging third-place finish in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. Aidan O'Brien could be represented by Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who finished second and fourth, respectively, at Leopardstown. However, Auguste Rodin is said to be an unlikely runner in the event of soft ground, identifying Irish Derby winner Los Angeles as perhaps the likeliest mount of Ryan Moore should conditions come up testing. Moore could also have the choice of Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Opera Singer (Justify) from Ballydoyle, although the latter holds an alternative engagement in the G1 Prix de l'Opera on the same card. Joseph O'Brien is set to be represented by Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) as the trainer seeks a first win in the Arc. Al Riffa was last seen winning the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin in impressive fashion, while Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) also brings recent top-level form to the table following his victory in the Grosser Preis von Baden, along with Prix Ganay scorer Haya Zark (Fr) and Prince Of Wales's Stakes runner-up Zarakem (Fr), both sons of Zarak (Fr). The list of possible contenders is completed by Nicolas Clement's G2 Prix de Malleret winner and Prix de Diane runner-up Survie (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), before the supplementary stage on Wednesday. The post Ante-Post Favourite Sosie Heads 18 Arc Contenders at Latest Forfeit Stage appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edited Press Release The board of the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation is delighted to announce the two recipients of its Irish National Stud tuition and placement scholarship for 2025. Josefina Posada has traveled extensively in her quest to learn and progress in the bloodstock world. The Bogota, Columbia, native, attended Hartpury University in Gloucester, England, graduating with first class honors in Equine Science. She has also gained valuable experience at Barton Stud in England and is currently an intern at Lane's End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. In the future while aiming to develop a role with bloodstock development, Josefina would also like to encourage and inspire Columbian people to have an opportunity to pursue an equine career. The foundation's second scholarship recipient is Eric Resendiz, a graduate of the Bluegrass Community and Technical College's equine program in Lexington, Kentucky. He has already diligently pursued many avenues of work experience and education with Godolphin, WinStar, St George Sales and Amplify Horse Racing. Eric values observation of horsemen and horsewomen that he admires and relates to as being very important in his quest for further knowledge. Despite hailing from a non-horse background, Eric is steadfast in his determination to become the best horseman he can be. For further information on scholarships available please go to www.gerrydilgerequine.com. The post Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation Announces Scholarship Recipients appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The catalogue for the Fasig-Tipton November Sale, to be held Nov. 4 at Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, is now online. Featuring 300 catalogued head, the auction opens with an offering of 159 catalogued weanlings, including foals from the first crop of superstar Flightline (Tapit), as well as the first foals of sprint champion Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music), juvenile champion Corniche (Quality Road), and sophomore champion Epicenter (Not This Time). “Fasig-Tipton has assembled some outstanding November catalogues through the years, but this may be our deepest yet,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “We have 70 graded stakes winners or producers catalogued, 24 of which are Grade I. “We have international champions, a Breeders' Cup winner, the dam of the Kentucky Derby winner, multiple mares in foal to the world's leading stallions, and an exceptional group of weanlings–all offered in a single afternoon and evening session,” continued Browning. “This sale provides the highest concentration of quality of any breeding stock sale in the world, with a unique format and atmosphere that buyers from around the globe thoroughly enjoy.” Breeders' Cup winners with their first foals in the catalogue include: Aloha West (Hard Spun), Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), and Life is Good (Into Mischief), while the first weanlings of Grade I winners Cyberknife (Gun Runner), Drain the Clock (Maclean's Music), Early Voting (Gun Runner), Happy Saver (Super Saver), Idol (Curlin), Jack Christopher (Munnings), and Olympiad (Speightstown) are also included in the catalogue. GI Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun (Into Mischief) has his first foals in the November catalogue, as do graded winner Greatest Honour (Tapit) and stakes-winning speedster and Nashville (Speightstown). Gainesway, as agent for Resolute Bloodstock, will offer a Japanese-bred colt (hip 141) from the first crop of Group 1 winner Salios (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}). The bay is out of an unraced Galileo (Ire) mare. Flightline has three weanlings on offer at the November auction, led off with a a colt out of a daughter of Up (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), consigned by Lane's End as hip 26. Lane's End also consigns a Flightline half-sister to Grade I winner Speaking Out (Mr Speaker) as hip 156. Flightline's trio of weanlings also includes a half-sister to graded winner Chop Chop (City of Light) consigned by Bluewater Sales (hip 119). Paramount Sales will offer a daughter of Uncle Mo who is a half-sister to GI Kentucky Oaks winner Princess of Sylmar (Majestic Warrior) (hip 30), while Vinery Sales will offer a daughter of Justify out of a full-sister to Grade I winner Ring Weekend (Tapit) (hip 34) and Darby Dan Farm will offer a son of Curlin out of Grade I winner Unbridled Mo (Uncle Mo) (hip 45). Taylor Made Sales Agency will offer a colt by Gun Runner out of Grade I winner Civil Union (War Front) (hip 87), as well as a daughter of Life is Good who is a closely related to Grade I winner Newgate (Into Mischief), a close third in Saturday's GI California Crown Stakes. Bluewater Sales consigns a half-sister by Uncle Mo to Grade I winner Finley'sluckycharm (Twirling Candy). Following the weanling section of the auction, Fasig-Tipton has lined up a power-packed offering of broodmares and broodmare prospects. War Like Goddess (English Channel), a two-time winner of the GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and runner-up in that race Saturday, is catalogued as hip 210 with Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, which also consigns recently retired multiple graded stakes winner Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) as hip 214; GI Starlet Stakes winner Eda (Munnings), in foal to Justify, as hip 244; Canadian champion Moira (Ghostzapper) as hip 293; and GI Frizette Stakes winner Chocolate Gelato (Practical Joke), in foal to Curlin, as hip 296. Moira sold for $3 million at last year's Fasig-Tipton November sale before adding a win in the GII Beverly D Stakes, as well as runner-up efforts in the GI Diana Stakes and GI E. P. Taylor Stakes to her resume this year. Magdalena Farm, as agent for Lance Gasaway, 4G Racing LLC and Daniel Hamby, will offer Ma'am (Colonel John), the dam of this year's GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents), in foal to Into Mischief, as hip 285. In a Jif (Saintly Look), dam of turf sprinting sensation Cogburn (Not This Time), in foal to Into Mischief, will be offered as hip 272 with Taylor Made Sales Agency and will be preceded into the ring by her weanling son of GI Travers Stakes winner Epicenter. Strong Incentive (Warrior's Reward) (hip 196), the dam of both Surge Capacity (Flintshire {GB}) and GI Test Stakes winner Ways and Means (Practical Joke)–open-lengths winner of Sunday's GII Gallant Bloom Stakes–will be offered in foal to Into Mischief through Mill Ridge Sales. GI Matriarch Stakes winner Surge Capacity, also in foal to Into Mischief, follows her dam into the ring with the Elite consignment as hip 197. Among the other Grade I winners and producers in the November catalogue are Pin Up (Ire) (Lookin at Lucky) (hip 171), dam of Timberlake (Into Mischief) and in foal to Into Mischief, consigned by Gainesway. GI Alabama Stakes winner Power Squeeze (Union Rags) (hip 173), consigned by St George Sales, Agent I GI American Oaks winner Queen Goddess (Empire Maker) (hip 179), in foal to Into Mischief, and consigned by Bluewater Sales GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) (hip 195), in foal to Justify, consigned by Gainesway on behalf of Resolute Bloodstock. GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes winner Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}) (hip 232), consigned by Bluewater Sales. Daddysruby (Frac Daddy) (hip 239), winner of the GI La Brea Stakes and in foal to Into Mischief, consigned by Elite. On behalf of Wellspring Stables, Vinery Sales will offer 2022 GI Spinaway Stakes winner Leave No Trace (Outwork) as hip 282. GI New York Stakes winner Marketsegmentation (American Pharoah), in foal to Into Mischief, will be offered as hip 288 with Gainesway. GI Belmont Oaks Invitational winner McKulick (GB) (Frankel {GB}) (hip 289), consigned by Elite. The catalog is now available online, including the sale's Enhanced Catalogue. The Enhanced Catalogue provides up-to-date catalogue pages, Daily Racing Form past performances, and race replays; an Alan Porter pedigree analysis and five-cross pedigrees for all racing/broodmare prospects and broodmares; stallion register pages for all sires of weanlings and covering sires; as well as other tools to aid prospective buyers. All Grade I-winning females off the track or carrying their first foals will also be profiled with individual feature videos. Online and phone bidding will also be available. Fasig-Tipton will accept approved supplemental entries through the Breeders' Cup. The post Fasig-Tipton November Catalogue Now Online; 300 Head To Go Under the Hammer Nov. 4 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Champion jockey heads to Sha Tin with an impressive book of rides, including Danny Shum’s unbeaten four-year-old.View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Tuesday, October 1, 2024 First Race 1pm HKT (3pm AEST) Visit Dabble The Group 3 National Day Cup (1000m) headlines the action at Sha Tin on Tuesday afternoon, with a bumper 10-race program set for decision. The rail moves out to the C+3 position, and with no rain forecast in the lead-up, participants are all but assured a Good 4 throughout the afternoon. The rails in running could be an advantage, especially early in the card, so punters will need to be wary of any on-speed bias after the opening event at 1pm local time. National Day Cup Tip: Call Me Glorious Call Me Glorious returns after being narrowly defeated by Beauty Waves at Sha Tin on July 14 and gets a terrific opportunity to turn the tables on that key rival in the National Day Cup. He draws gate five down the Sha Tin straight course and shouldn’t have any issue sliding into a stalking position behind a hot tempo. Lyle Hewitson will need to navigate a passage to get clear in the bunching nine-horse field, but provided the breaks fall his way, Call Me Glorious should give punters a bold sight at an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. National Day Cup Race 7 – #7 Call Me Glorious (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Francis Lui | J: Lyle Hewitson (52kg) Bet with Neds Best Bet at Sha Tin: New Future Folks New Future Folks impressed in his one and only start last preparation, screaming home to finish runner-up behind Super Bonus at this course and distance on July 1. He cut the corner from last turning for home, and although he didn’t pick up the victory, the effort suggested the son of Savabeel has plenty of raw ability. Ben Thompson can be positive and lead from gate 10 this time around, and provided he can get there comfortably, New Future Folks will take plenty of chasing down. Best Bet Race 3 – #2 New Future Folks (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Michael Chang | J: Ben Thompson (60kg) Bet with Picklebet Next Best at Sha Tin: Patch Of Theta Patch Of Theta burst onto the scene at the end of last season, winning four of his last six starts, including a dominant victory at this track and trip on July 14. The son of Zoustar had no issues lugging 61kg to score by 2.3 lengths in Class 3 company, and although this Class 2 contest has more depth, he gets in well, dropping down to 55.5kg with Vincent Ho in the saddle. He’ll be stalking from the one-one, and provided he can accelerate like he did at the end of last preparation, Patch Of Theta should be right in this. Next Best Race 8 – #5 Patch Of Theta (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Francis Lui | J: Vincent Ho (55.5kg) Bet with Dabble Tuesday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections October 1, 2024 1-6-7-8 1-5-8 1-4-6-7-9 1-7-8-9-10-11 Horse racing tips View the full article

One Bold Cat will contest Wednesday’s Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Matamata. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Robbie Patterson will have seen plenty of the central North Island by Wednesday’s Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) meeting at Matamata, but a softer track poses a positive for his talented pairing of One Bold Cat and Puntura. Based at New Plymouth, Patterson travelled across to Hastings last Saturday for the elite-level contest but returned to his base without a representative stepping foot on the track. That has been an unfortunate theme of late for One Bold Cat, a Group Three-winning son of The Bold One who also missed a run at his home venue on September 14, a meeting that fell victim to torrid weather conditions. Whilst making use of another local course in the Taranaki, Patterson shifted his focus towards the Arrowfield where One Bold Cat has drawn barrier four, his lowest gate since winning at Rating 75 level in February 2023. “After missing New Plymouth, I took a group of horses down to Hawera for a gallop there, treating it as a trip away and a trial,” Patterson said. “We were all saddled for the second race at Hastings then we were off home, but that’s the nature of the beast. “Hopefully we’ve got him forward enough for Wednesday, he’ll be finding the line strongly but it just depends on how far back he gets. “This is the best draw he’s had in a long time really, so hopefully we can be reasonably handy and if he is, he won’t be far from them in the finish.” The versatile six-year-old won the Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m) on a Good 4 last November, but Patterson indicated that the prospect of a softer track at Matamata would be a definite assist for One Bold Cat, with the same to be said for stablemate Puntura. Puntura had an outstanding streak of success last summer, winning the Group 3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m), Group 2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) over a glittering two-month period. The Vespa gelding finished two lengths from Bonny Lass in the Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) fresh-up, and despite then finishing near the tail in the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m), Patterson was satisfied with his performance heading towards a mile. “He’s coming along well, it probably didn’t look a good run on paper in the Tarzino but he’s run similar closing sectionals as the winner. He was strong late,” he said. “He’s got an awkward draw (13) but it’s better to have one at Matamata than at Hastings, so he’ll bounce, roll forward and hopefully we’ll end up in a nice spot. “If he goes a good race and is finishing off the mile well, he’ll go to the Livamol. There aren’t that many races for these weight-for-age horses so we’ll have a throw at the stumps.” The pair both hold early nominations for the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m), to be run back at Hastings on October 12. Horse racing news View the full article

What Tatura Races Where Tatura & Shepparton Racing Club – 161 Ross St #157, Tatura When Tuesday, October 1, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEST Visit Dabble A competitive eight-race meeting is set down at Tatura on Tuesday as horse racing in Victoria heads to the states north. With perfect spring conditions forecast leading into Tuesday’s card, the Good 4 rating should stick true throughout the afternoon, with the rail in its true position ensuring an ideal day for racing. The Tatura races will commence at 1:30pm AEST. Best Bet at Tatura: Finale Having placed in five of her 10 career starts, Cliff Brown’s Finale should finally break maiden ranks upon return at Tatura. With two minor placings in three first-up runs, she clearly can perform when fresh, and with three seconds to her name from four attempts at 1400m, she is sure to feature in the finish here. From barrier six, Billy Egan will need a touch of luck when turning from home, but if Finale puts together something close to her best, it will be more than good enough to score. Best Bet Race 3 – #7 Finale (6) 4yo Mare | T: Cliff Brown | J: Billy Egan (57.5kg) $2.05 with Neds Next Best at Tatura: Pietro Road Pietro Road produced an eye-catching run at Seymour on September 15 when making up a stack of ground from the rear of the field. The son of I Am Invincible stays at the trip for his third career start, but on the back of that runner-up performance, he looks poised to go one better. With plenty of speed expected, the race sets up perfectly for Pietro Road to absorb that pressure and overhaul his rivals. Next Best Race 2 – #5 Pietro Road (6) 4yo Horse | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Koby Jennings (59.5kg) $5.50 with Playup Best Value at Tatura: Shal Exceed Shal Exceed has not been beaten fair in his last three starts without really threatening. However, his latest effort when hitting the line nicely at 1400m suggests a win shouldn’t be too far away. Deep into his campaign, the son of Shalaa will be rock hard fit for this, and if Beau Mertens can have him settled in a more prominent position, Shal Exceed should prove too hard to hold out this time around with the top Australian bookmakers offering $10 for this feat. Best Value Race 6 – #7 Shal Exceed (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Danny O’Brien | J: Beau Mertens (60kg) $10.00 with Picklebet Tuesday quaddie tips for Tatura Tatura quadrella selections Tuesday, October 1, 2024 3-6-8-14 1-2-3-4-7 1-2-5-8-9-10 3-4-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

A final call on the star Australian jockey’s availability will be made on race-day morning after he missed Saturday’s meeting with an ear issue.View the full article

Full Force will contest the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Matamata on Wednesday. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North After a successful change in tactics with Full Force at Hastings, Hollie Wynyard is hoping a step-up in distance will be a further aid to his chances Wednesday’s Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Matamata. The son of Cosmic Force showed plenty of class during his juvenile term, highlighted by a third placing in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). Returning as a three-year-old at Ruakaka, Full Force diminished his chances as second-favourite in the Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) when over-racing, persuading Wynyard to take the blinkers off, resulting in a strong third in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on the opening day at Hastings. “He was really good, we wanted to try something a little bit different with him because he got a bit fired up with the blinkers on at Ruakaka,” Wynyard said. “We took those off and tried to ride him a bit quieter to see if he would attack the line stronger ridden that way, and he really did. “It was really encouraging going forward up to 1400.” Holding a nomination for the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in November, Full Force is among a field of three-year-old’s putting their early staying prospects up for display in the feature. “I think the key to getting these three-year-old’s up to a mile is getting them to relax early and he seems to do that pretty easily, he can happily sit in behind them,” she said. “I’m quietly confident but stakes races are never easy and at this time of the year, there hasn’t been any horse to really put their hand up as the three-year-old to beat, so we’ll have a go.” Horse racing news View the full article

Rolls will lineup at Matamata on Wednesday. Photo: Reg Ryan (Racing Photos) Warrnambool raider Rolls’ New Zealand campaign hasn’t got off to the best of starts, but trainer Maddie Raymond and jockey Harry Grace are hoping that changes at Matamata on Wednesday. The eight-year-old gelding crossed the Tasman to target the last two legs of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival, kicking off in the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m), which was set to take place at Hastings last Saturday. However, the stable were struck with two pieces of bad luck last week, which began with Rolls failing to make the final field for the Group One feature, much to the dismay of his camp. “It is really frustrating, especially for the owners,” Raymond said. “It is an expensive journey to get the horse over here. We were expecting to be racing for decent prizemoney at Group One status, so it is very disappointing to be over here and not be in that position.” The son of Anacheeva was then set to take his place in an open handicap at Hastings on Saturday before the meeting was abandoned as a result of a slip in the first race. The remainder of the meeting has been transferred to Matamata on Wednesday where Rolls remains second on the ballot for the Arrowfield Stud Plate, while he is assured of a start in the Team Wealleans Premier (2000m), where he has drawn barrier six. While the extra travel north to Matamata from their temporary New Zealand base at Otaki isn’t ideal, Raymond said her charge is a seasoned traveller and he will be ideally suited by the Soft track conditions at the northern venue. “He will be a seasoned traveller by the time he is finished,” Raymond quipped. “He is a pretty good traveller. “He had drawn a little bit sticky at Hastings. We have drawn a lot better at Matamata and a softer track is going to suit him. He probably only has to run up to his mark in Australia to hopefully being very competitive in that race.” While Rolls needs a couple of scratchings to make it into the Arrowfield Stud Plate field, Raymond has her fingers-crossed that he will be met by a different fate in next week’s Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m). The feature race is set to take place at Hastings on October 12, 10 days after Matamata’s contest, but the short turnaround doesn’t pose any concerns for Raymond. “He’s not guaranteed a start in the Livamol now either, which will be super frustrating for connections if we don’t run in either of the Group One races,” she said. “He has had a lot of races in Australia with very small gaps between runs, so the 10 days doesn’t worry me at all. I think he is ready for 2000m anyway.” While frustrated by the trip, Raymond said Rolls has thrived on it and she expects a bold run from him on Wednesday. “I think he has thrived since he has been over here,” she said. “I have never seen the horse looking as good as what he looks at the moment. Hopefully that is a positive sign going into Wednesday.” Rolls will be ridden by his regular rider Harry Grace, who crossed the Tasman with the intent of having his first Group One ride. The 25-year-old hoop has formed a great association with Rolls, highlighted by their victory in the Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) last year, and he is hoping that will continue this week. While disappointed to have missed a guaranteed start in Wednesday’s feature, Grace is looking at the silver lining and is just grateful to be riding his favourite horse in New Zealand. “I have travelled a lot for this horse, he has always been good to me,” Grace said. “I have won four or five races on him back home now. He gave me my Warrnambool Cup. “The second they said they were looking at a New Zealand trip, it didn’t matter if it was a Group One or an Open Handicap, I was always going to come over for him.” Grace hails from a jockey family and is hoping he can tick off his first Group One ride during his New Zealand trip. “My whole family have been jockeys at some stage in their life,” he said. “Both of my parents and all three of my brothers. Dad is a trainer now and my older brother is still a licensed jockey. “Last season I had a good run in town (Melbourne), I placed on Ferago in the Herbert Power (Group 2, 2400m) during the spring. “This will be my first ride in a Group One, so hopefully he can get a run on Wednesday or 10 days later (Livamol Classic).” Grace said he has picked up a couple of other rides at the mid-week meeting as well as at Hawera on Saturday, where he is set to ride the Allan Sharrock-trained Sumi in the Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). “I have got some nice rides,” he said. “I was going to have four rides on Saturday, and it looks like I will have two or three on Wednesday still. I have got a nice ride on Sumi in the stakes race at Hawera, so I am really looking forward to that.” Horse racing news View the full article

Invincible Sage wins the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize. David Hall hopes Invincible Sage can again contend for Hong Kong’s elite sprint contests this season, but believes lower-weighted rivals in the HK$4.2 million Group 3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) at Sha Tin on Tuesday are better suited by the race conditions. Invincible Sage will carry 135lb under Hugh Bowman and will concede 20lb to six of his eight rivals – Whizz Kid, Nervous Witness, Beauty Waves, Call Me Glorious, Magic Control and Baby Crystal, who are all assigned 115lb. Last season’s National Day Cup winner Stolz returns with 130lb, while Majestic Knight will carry 120lb. With three wins and two seconds over the straight 1000m course, Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) winner Invincible Sage resumes from a spell, having finished eighth in the Group 3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) behind Ka Ying Rising on June 2. “I’m really happy with his progress but Tuesday is just a starting point for him. It’s a handicap race – it ticks a lot of boxes for a few others more so than it does for him. Tuesday is just a starting point,” Hall said. “He’s not going to be 110 percent fit on Tuesday, but it’s a good place for him to kick off. “I could go and trial him again but he loves the straight track. There’s a race there for him which will bring him on for where he needs to be and he’s done really well in the off-season. It will be interesting to see with a big weight on a fast track.” Hall plans to target the Group 2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) on October 20 and Group 2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) before tackling the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on December 8. Beyond that, Hall might consider a tilt at the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m), won last season by California Spangle, at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai in April. “If he can just improve a little bit on last year’s form – he shows he’s competitive with those horses – and he’s a good straight horse, so there might be a Dubai option for him later in the season if his form stands up,” Hall said. “But, of course, we want to be here on our home ground in the premier races.” Hall’s fellow Melbourne Cup-winning trainer David Eustace will have his first starters at Sha Tin when Noble Win and Jumbo Fortune debut for the city’s newest handler. “I’ve taken my time and waited until the horses are ready and now they are, so I’m looking forward to it. I certainly wasn’t in a rush or felt pressured to run horses but, of course, we all want to compete. It’s nice to be able to put a saddle back on one in a competitive environment for the first time in a long time,” Eustace said. “I’m happy with both of the horses and of the two, you’d have to favour (Jumbo Fortune). He’s certainly down the weights compared to what he’s won off and he’s trialled up well. “We’ve kept him reasonably fresh and Karis (Teetan) rode him in his trial. He quickened well, showed plenty of enthusiasm and I was keen to get Karis because he’s the only rider to have won on him. He’s probably not the most straightforward, and he gets a good tune out of him.” Eustace is Jumbo Fortune’s fourth trainer in Hong Kong after the gelding’s former stints with Tony Cruz, Caspar Fownes and Pierre Ng, while Noble Win transferred from John Size’s yard. “He (Noble Win) done nothing wrong and his first trial was pleasing and probably caught me by surprise a little bit with how forward he was,” Eustace said. “He was caught a bit flat-footed in his second trial so I think you can’t read too much into that. I’ve been happy with him and his work was good with Jumbo Fortune on Monday.” Horse racing news View the full article

Warrnambool raider Rolls’ New Zealand campaign hasn’t got off to the best of starts, but trainer Maddie Raymond and jockey Harry Grace are hoping that changes at Matamata on Wednesday. The eight-year-old gelding crossed the Tasman to target the last two legs of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival, kicking off in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m), which was set to take place at Hastings last Saturday. However, the stable were struck with two pieces of bad luck last week, which began with Rolls failing to make the final field for the Group One feature, much to the dismay of his camp. “It is really frustrating, especially for the owners,” Raymond said. “It is an expensive journey to get the horse over here. We were expecting to be racing for decent prizemoney at Group One status, so it is very disappointing to be over here and not be in that position.” The son of Anacheeva was then set to take his place in an open handicap at Hastings on Saturday before the meeting was abandoned as a result of a slip in the first race. The remainder of the meeting has been transferred to Matamata on Wednesday where Rolls remains second on the ballot for the Arrowfield Stud Plate, while he is assured of a start in the Team Wealleans Premier (2000m), where he has drawn barrier six. While the extra travel north to Matamata from their temporary New Zealand base at Otaki isn’t ideal, Raymond said her charge is a seasoned traveller and he will be ideally suited by the Soft track conditions at the northern venue. “He will be a seasoned traveller by the time he is finished,” Raymond quipped. “He is a pretty good traveller. “He had drawn a little bit sticky at Hastings. We have drawn a lot better at Matamata and a softer track is going to suit him. He probably only has to run up to his mark in Australia to hopefully being very competitive in that race.” While Rolls needs a couple of scratchings to make it into the Arrowfield Stud Plate field, Raymond has her fingers-crossed that he will be met by a different fate in next week’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m). The feature race is set to take place at Hastings on October 12, 10 days after Matamata’s contest, but the short turnaround doesn’t pose any concerns for Raymond. “He’s not guaranteed a start in the Livamol now either, which will be super frustrating for connections if we don’t run in either of the Group One races,” she said. “He has had a lot of races in Australia with very small gaps between runs, so the 10 days doesn’t worry me at all. I think he is ready for 2000m anyway.” While frustrated by the trip, Raymond said Rolls has thrived on it and she expects a bold run from him on Wednesday. “I think he has thrived since he has been over here,” she said. “I have never seen the horse looking as good as what he looks at the moment. Hopefully that is a positive sign going into Wednesday.” Rolls will be ridden by his regular rider Harry Grace, who crossed the Tasman with the intent of having his first Group One ride. The 25-year-old hoop has formed a great association with Rolls, highlighted by their victory in the Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) last year, and he is hoping that will continue this week. While disappointed to have missed a guaranteed start in Wednesday’s feature, Grace is looking at the silver lining and is just grateful to be riding his favourite horse in New Zealand. “I have travelled a lot for this horse, he has always been good to me,” Grace said. “I have won four or five races on him back home now. He gave me my Warrnambool Cup. “The second they said they were looking at a New Zealand trip, it didn’t matter if it was a Group One or an Open Handicap, I was always going to come over for him.” Grace hails from a jockey family and is hoping he can tick off his first Group One ride during his New Zealand trip. “My whole family have been jockeys at some stage in their life,” he said. “Both of my parents and all three of my brothers. Dad is a trainer now and my older brother is still a licensed jockey. “Last season I had a good run in town (Melbourne), I placed on Ferago in the Herbert Power (Gr.2, 2400m) during the spring. “This will be my first ride in a Group One, so hopefully he can get a run on Wednesday or 10 days later (Livamol Classic).” Grace said he has picked up a couple of other rides at the mid-week meeting as well as at Hawera on Saturday, where he is set to ride the Allan Sharrock-trained Sumi in the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). “I have got some nice rides,” he said. “I was going to have four rides on Saturday, and it looks like I will have two or three on Wednesday still. I have got a nice ride on Sumi in the stakes race at Hawera, so I am really looking forward to that.” View the full article

Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) has effectively been ruled out of this year’s A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) with the gelding’s final Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) lead-up run to be the week prior. Co-trainer Ben Hayes said he and his brothers had settled on an October 12 run for the seven-year-old, with the A$1 million Gr.1 The Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield or the A$2 million Gr.2 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill his two options. Mr Brightside ran second in both the King Charles III Stakes and the Cox Plate last year, when the races were run two weeks apart, but the one-week gap this year makes it a less-appealing program. Hayes said the preferred option at this stage is to remain in Melbourne for The Might And Power, the race formerly known as the Caulfield Stakes, which Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) won last year before finishing a close third in the Cox Plate. “The money is very alluring, but he’d be back and forth (from Sydney) and he can have a simple prep,” Hayes said of remaining in Melbourne. “A bit like Gai (Waterhouse) did with Alligator Blood, he won the Caulfield Stakes and then he ran super in a Cox Plate. “I think we’ll follow that path. Yes, it’s less money but it’s the best thing for the horse.” Mr Brightside is $2.30 favourite for The Might And Power, having held down the $6 third in King Charles III Stakes betting. He is an $8 chance in Cox Plate markets, which are headed by Japan’s Prognosis (Deep Impact) ($4) and local star Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) ($4.50), who defeated Mr Brightside by 1-1/2 lengths in last Friday night’s Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley. Mr Brightside was beaten a nose by Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) in last year’s Cox Plate, having finished seventh – beaten 2.6 lengths – in the 2022 edition won by Anamoe (Street Boss). He rounded out his 2022 preparations in The Might And Power, finishing fourth in the event also won by Anamoe. That James Cummings-trained galloper became the 17th horse to win both races in the same Spring, emulating champions including Winx (Street Cry), So You Think (NZ) (High Chaparral), Northerly (Serheed) and the horse after whom the race is now named. View the full article

After a successful change in tactics with Full Force at Hastings, Hollie Wynyard is hoping a step-up in distance will be a further aid to his chances Wednesday’s Gr.2 AHD – Animal Health Direct Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Matamata. The son of Cosmic Force showed plenty of class during his juvenile term, highlighted by a third placing in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). Returning as a three-year-old at Ruakaka, Full Force diminished his chances as second-favourite in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) when over-racing, persuading Wynyard to take the blinkers off, resulting in a strong third in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on the opening day at Hastings. “He was really good, we wanted to try something a little bit different with him because he got a bit fired up with the blinkers on at Ruakaka,” Wynyard said. “We took those off and tried to ride him a bit quieter to see if he would attack the line stronger ridden that way, and he really did. “It was really encouraging going forward up to 1400.” Holding a nomination for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in November, Full Force is among a field of three-year-old’s putting their early staying prospects up for display in the feature. “I think the key to getting these three-year-old’s up to a mile is getting them to relax early and he seems to do that pretty easily, he can happily sit in behind them,” she said. “I’m quietly confident but stakes races are never easy and at this time of the year, there hasn’t been any horse to really put their hand up as the three-year-old to beat, so we’ll have a go.” Back at her Cambridge base on Thursday, Wynyard is looking forward to kicking off the campaign of Colorado Silver in the Pryde’s Easifeed 1300. A lightly-raced mare, Colorado Silver finished second in the Duoro Cup (1600m) in January and has enjoyed a lengthy spell through the colder months. “She’s a lot stronger this time in, she had a long spell going out in February and didn’t come back until July. She probably needed that, she’s always been slightly weak and needed the time,” Wynyard said. “She’s really enjoying her work and loving being back in the stable. “We thought this would be a nice soft race for her in a first start back, I didn’t want to travel her too far or ask too much in her first run, so we’ll just have a walk across the road, have a quick race and be back in the paddock.” Completing Wynyard’s contingent is Aspen Voltage, a Pierro filly making her race-day debut in the Waipa Earthworks 1300. Purchased by Aspen Bloodstock out of the Australian Easter Yearling Sale, the three-year-old has plenty of pedigree on her page, with her dam Electric Dreams a three-quarter sister to Anamato, dam of Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) winner Anamoe. “She’s a lovely filly, I think she’ll be looking for a mile or 2000 metres and looks like a big staying type,” Wynyard said. “We’ve got to start somewhere and this looks like a nice soft option for her to have a first race.” View the full article

Trainer Joe Pride is upbeat about the chances of Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) becoming his latest winner of a feature Randwick mile race, having decided a Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) start is the right option for the promising galloper at this stage of his spring preparation. Pride has won the Epsom Handicap over the famed Randwick mile with Private Eye (Al Maher) in 2021 while he has also won the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) twice, with Sacred Choice (Choisir) in 2011 and Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie) in 2009. Pride had a couple of Group One options for Ceolwulf this Saturday at Randwick and decided dropping the four-year-old gelding back in distance for the $1.5 million Epsom was the way to go, rather than stepping him up in trip in the A$750,000 Gr.1 The Metropolitan (2400m). Chad Schofield has been booked to ride Ceolwulf in the Epsom. Ceolwulf was a convincing winner over 1500m at Rosehill second-up this campaign on August 31 before running a solid second to in-form import Eliyass (Le Havre) in the Gr.3 Kingston Town Stakes over 2000m last start. “I could have easily gone to The Metrop with him but I thought The Metrop just left me with less options,” Pride said. “(The Metropolitan) is less prize money, which is only part of the consideration, but after the Metrop, if I ran him in that race where do I go then? “Whereas with this option I can be at Rosehill a week later and run him in the Hill Stakes (Gr.2, 1900m). “I thought the Epsom left more options open, and I think he’s quite sharp this preparation.” The $2 million Gr.2 Hill Stakes is over 1900m seven days after the Epsom, and Pride has the idea of running Ceolwulf in both. “And that might nearly do us (for the preparation),” he said. “I have still got him paid up for the Melbourne races. I know with this horse people will be saying ‘Oh, Joe hasn’t got a plan’. I don’t need to have a plan. I’ve got a fit horse who I’m just still finding out about him.” Pride said Ceolwulf has come through his Kingston Town Stakes run in ‘super’ fashion heading towards his next assignment on Saturday. “The horse is in great shape, I’m really happy with him,” he said. Ceolwulf ran in four Group One races as an autumn three-year-old earlier this year, finishing second twice in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and ATC Australian Derby (2400m). Pride has made no secret of the fact he’s a fan of Ceolwulf and believes he has plenty of potential, and the trainer believes the gelding will be hard to beat in the Epsom. “Yeah, he’ll run well,” the trainer said. “You’re not getting an unbiased answer here, I’m in love with the horse. I think he’s a star.” Along with the Epsom and The Metropolitan, Saturday’s Randwick program also features the Gr.1 Flight Stakes (1600m) for three-year-old fillies. View the full article

Little Avondale Stud’s Sam Williams didn’t need to be asked twice to remain in the ownership group of rising three-year-old star Evaporate. Williams snapped up the opportunity after the homebred son of resident sire Per Incanto was sold through Sledmere Stud’s draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for A$330,000. Secured by Lindsay Park, the Ben, JD and Will Hayes-trained Evaporate posted his fourth consecutive victory when he trumped his rivals in Friday evening’s Gr.2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at The Valley. “He was a cracking type and the Hayes boys bought him and afterwards asked me if I’d be keen to keep a share,” Williams said. “I was really hot on that because of Belluci Babe and Sound Lover was a Blue Hen mare for us. “She was our pride and joy here at the stud and I kept every daughter out of Sound Lover and was dead set keen to stay in him.” Evaporate is out of the Animal Kingdom mare Savanna, a half-sister to Per Incanto’s daughter Belluci Babe who won six races including the Gr.3 Wenona Handicap (1200m) and they are granddaughters of Sound Lover. She won the Gr.3 Ladies Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie and produced stakes winners Philosophe, Magnum, Men At Work and Sir Lovesalot and the dam of Listed winer Pure Incanto. “Evaporate was unlucky as a two-year-old in the Sires’ Produce (Gr.2, 1400m) with the draw and the run he got and, since he’s been gelded, he has grown into his frame and really putting it altogether,” Williams said. The Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) prospect’s dam Savanna was counted out as a racing proposition by a leg issue before making her mark at stud. “She was a bit offset in one knee and she’s a big mare with the deepest girth,” Williams said. “She had a bit of muscle soreness through the neck and shoulder during her time with Andrew Forsman and he said I don’t know if we can get her to the track. “I said that’s fine, we’ll retire her and we sold her Bivouac filly to Jim Bruford at Karaka this year for $100,000, so she’ll get every chance, and she’s under service to Per Incanto.” The outstanding sire son of Street Cry has proved to have a potent affinity with Savanna’s family. “It’s produced Magnum, who raced in Singapore and came back here and was a multiple stakes winner, Pure Incanto won the Listed sprint at Hastings, Belluci Babe and now Evaporate,” Williams said. “Belluci Babe has a Zoustar colt who will go to Sydney Easter, he’s a really nice horse, and she’s got a stunning Russian Revolution colt at foot and she’s off to Proisir.” View the full article

Robbie Patterson will have seen plenty of the central North Island by Wednesday’s Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) meeting at Matamata, but a softer track poses a positive for his talented pairing of One Bold Cat (NZ) (The Bold One) and Puntura (NZ) (Vespa). Based at New Plymouth, Patterson travelled across to Hastings last Saturday for the elite-level contest but returned to his base without a representative stepping foot on the track. That has been an unfortunate theme of late for One Bold Cat, a Group Three-winning son of The Bold One who also missed a run at his home venue on September 14, a meeting that fell victim to torrid weather conditions. Whilst making use of another local course in the Taranaki, Patterson shifted his focus towards the Arrowfield where One Bold Cat has drawn barrier four, his lowest gate since winning at Rating 75 level in February 2023. “After missing New Plymouth, I took a group of horses down to Hawera for a gallop there, treating it as a trip away and a trial,” Patterson said. “We were all saddled for the second race at Hastings then we were off home, but that’s the nature of the beast. “Hopefully we’ve got him forward enough for Wednesday, he’ll be finding the line strongly but it just depends on how far back he gets. “This is the best draw he’s had in a long time really, so hopefully we can be reasonably handy and if he is, he won’t be far from them in the finish.” The versatile six-year-old won the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m) on a Good4 last November, but Patterson indicated that the prospect of a softer track at Matamata would be a definite assist for One Bold Cat, with the same to be said for stablemate Puntura. Puntura had an outstanding streak of success last summer, winning the Gr.3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m), Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) and Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) over a glittering two-month period. The Vespa gelding finished two lengths from Bonny Lass in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) fresh-up, and despite then finishing near the tail in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m), Patterson was satisfied with his performance heading towards a mile. “He’s coming along well, it probably didn’t look a good run on paper in the Tarzino but he’s run similar closing sectionals as the winner. He was strong late,” he said. “He’s got an awkward draw (13) but it’s better to have one at Matamata than at Hastings, so he’ll bounce, roll forward and hopefully we’ll end up in a nice spot. “If he goes a good race and is finishing off the mile well, he’ll go to the Livamol. There aren’t that many races for these weight-for-age horses so we’ll have a throw at the stumps.” The pair both hold early nominations for the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m), to be run back at Hastings on October 12. Patterson’s other runner at Matamata will be Belles Fate, a fast-improving mare who dominated a similar contest to Wednesday’s Betta Inspect It Premier (1300m) on the opening day at Hastings. Under MAAT conditions, the Iffraaj five-year-old will carry 57kgs against a number of maideners. “I think she’s improved since she last raced, she obviously won on a Good4 there but any ease in the track will help her too,” Patterson said. “She’s bright, she galloped really well yesterday morning with One Bold Cat and I expect a big run from her.” View the full article

The youngest of six children born to Brutus Junius Clay and Agnes McEvoy Clay, Catesby Clay took over running the farm from his grandfather in the 1950s. During this time, Catesby Clay emphasized breeding, building from a small broodmare band. View the full article

City’s newest trainer saddles two runners at Sha Tin’s National Day meeting on Tuesday.View the full article

Hot on the heels of their victory with Hit Show in the Sept. 28 Lukas Classic (G2) at Churchill Downs, jockey Florent Geroux and trainer Brad Cox carried their momentum all the way to Remington Park, sweeping both of the track's featured events.View the full article