Wandering Eyes

Leading home-grown jockey confident four-year-old can score a third straight triumph en route to Classic Series.View the full article

Mark Zahra returns to the mounting yard aboard New Energy after winning the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Ciaron Maher & Mark Zahra have combined with New Energy ($4.20) to secure victory in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Caufield on Saturday afternoon, dropping back in grade after a testing effort in the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington on November 9. It was a deserving reward for the consistent five-year-old gelding, relishing the Heavy 8 conditions at Caulfield as the son of New Bay stretched out to 1800m for the first time in his second Australian campaign. Zahra timed his run to perfection in the end, weaving a passage in the final 400m as Sirileo Miss ($5.50) assumed her usual front-running role in the early stages. Daniel Moor and Poison Chalice ($4.20) did the stalking after bounding forward from barrier three, while Uncle Bryn ($31.00) was ridden forward to hold a position at a big price with horse racing bookmakers. Poison Chalice took over with a furlong left to travel and appeared to be finishing best; however, it was Zahra still getting clear aboard New Energy to make one final lunge, taking over in the final 50m to claim his first Australian victory. Eclipse Stakes 2024 Race Replay – New Energy (1st) https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Caulfield-2024-Group-3-Eclipse-Stakes-30112024-New-Energy-Ciaron-Maher-Mark-Zahra.mp4 Ciaron Maher spoke again after claiming back-to-back features at Caulfield and was delighted with the performance. “He’s a horse that he promised a lot when he came over,” said Maher. “We gelded him while he was in the UK, because he was fairly unruly, and it’s just taken him a while to settle into the routine and hit his straps. “I was saying to Jamie (Lovett, Australian Bloodstock), he’s come up really well, it’s the most condition he’s carried but he can be a bit of a handful at trackwork. “He’s been up in Sydney and the team have done a good job with him there. He’s come down here, he’s settled in and he’s a horse that had some really good form over the UK and it’s just taken him a while. “I think this horse will go right on with it. He’s a pretty good horse and he’ll get a lot of confidence.” Zahra was happy with the performance on the testing conditions as well. “He handled the ground fine,” said Zahra. “Ciaron said give him time to get there because he’s always finishing when it’s all over but I actually gave him no time to get there. “I needed to put him in a spot to switch off, which I didn’t get the whole way, but I found the fence and I had to squeeze through a gap late but I didn’t mind his chase the last 20 when Poison Chalice kicked he had a chance to turn it up or win, and he won.” Horse racing news View the full article

Promising stayer Whangaehu (NZ) (Proisir) claimed his biggest success when came with a bullocking late run to take out the Listed Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup (2040m) on Saturday. The six-year-old son of Proisir has always promised to perform at a higher level and finished off his last campaign with a creditable performance in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) before finding a Heavy10 track too testing when near the rear in the Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m). Trainer Bill Thurlow lined him up for his season opener at Trentham last month, where he made ground nicely for sixth over 1400m in Rating 75 company before fitting him for the Wanganui feature with a winning 1400m trial at Foxton on 19 November. Many felt that the preparation may not be suited to a solidly run middle-distance contest, however Thurlow and Whangaehu had the last laugh as rider Lily Sutherland produced an inch-perfect ride to lodge a winning claim in the final 100m as Whangaehu defeated Orlov (NZ) (Sweynesse) by a long neck. Thurlow was quick to praise Sutherland after she rode an impeccable race from an inside barrier. “It was a very, very good ride and the draw made it for us,” Thurlow said. “She got away, got him right where we wanted him to be and got off (the rail) at just the right time. “If he had had a worse run, he may have been vulnerable. But he will only improve from here. To do that second-up was a big effort, so we are rapt with him.” Sutherland was also pleased with how the game plan had played out. “We wanted to use the gate and not get too far back, but he just travelled along nicely with them,” she said. “We got a perfect run throughout and there is a lot of improvement in him.” The race proved a triumph for Humphrey and Fiona O’Leary, the owners of Whangaehu, who took out the race for a second consecutive occasion after their classy mare Kelly Coe (NZ) (Proisir) saluted in 2023. Bred by the couple, Whangaehu is out of their Pins mare Pinot Grieve (NZ) who won on four occasions and comes from a family that includes quality stayers Thorn Prince (NZ) (Thorn Park), Alinko Prince (NZ) (Alamosa) and My Bentley (NZ) (I Conquer). Whangaehu has now won seven of his 30 stars and over $271,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

John Sargent held Casual Connection (NZ) (Complacent) in high enough regard to contest the Gr.2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) earlier this year, and the Complacent gelding made a welcome return to form in Saturday’s A$120,000 Midway Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill. Casual Connection earned his Brisbane Cup opportunity with an impressive win over 2400m at Randwick in late May. He went on to finish ninth in the Eagle Farm feature, then had kicked off his new campaign with a 12th, an eighth, a fifth and a close last-start fifth over 2400m on the Kensington track on October 30. Sargent stepped the six-year-old down in distance for Saturday’s Midway, and despite a testing impost of 59kg and a tough wide run, Casual Connection surged into contention in the straight and scored a tight but tough win in the hands of jockey Kerrin McEvoy. “I hadn’t ridden the horse in this preparation, but ‘Sarge’ told me he’d been happy with him,” McEvoy said. “He was coming back in trip for this race. We didn’t have a lot of luck in terms of slotting in. Everywhere I went to try and get in behind someone, I couldn’t. But he toughed it out well.” Casual Connection has now had 33 starts for six wins, nine placings and A$346,975 in stakes. “I was probably saying a few expletives against the jockey when he was caught three wide,” Sargent joked. “But he had the horse balanced, and then he was able to find a little bit of cover. In the end, the horse outstayed them. “He’s run a bit better than his runs might look in his last couple of starts. I thought he was at false odds today, because he does like a bit of the cut out of the ground. It’s good to see him back in form, and hopefully he can go on from this.” By former Mapperley Stud stallion Complacent, Casual Connection is out of the three-win O’Reilly mare Casual Fling (NZ) and is raced by the Davisons of Mapperley Stud in conjunction with the Sargent family. View the full article

The decision to move the Listed O’Learys Fillies’ Stakes (1340m) to a new position on the calendar has worked wonders for Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh, who has now won both December runnings of the Wanganui feature. Previously staged in September, the Fillies’ Stakes was shifted to its new date last season and Marsh won it with Glamour Tycoon (Written Tycoon). He targeted the same race again on Saturday with promising filly Hitabell (NZ) (Embellish), and again he pulled it off. “It’s been a good little race for us,” Marsh said. “We won it last year with Glamour Tycoon, who actually came out today and kicked off her new campaign with a terrific run for third at Ellerslie. Now we’ve won it again with what I think might be a pretty nice filly.” The $80,000 race was the fourth career start for Hitabell, who had scored a smart front-running win on debut over 1100m at Taupo in early October before finishing fifth in a star-studded Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie. In her only other start, she was badly blocked in the straight when seventh at Ellerslie on November 5. Jockey Courtney Barnes reverted to those winning front-running tactics on Saturday, sending Hitabell straight to the lead and dominating the race from there. After enjoying a slight breather coming down the side of the track, Hitabell upped the ante again at the turn and kicked clear at the top of the home straight. Favourite Celestial Wonder (Xtravagant) briefly loomed as a danger on her outside, but Hitabell shook her off and reached the finish line with a margin of three-quarters of a length up her sleeve. Romilly (So You Think) produced an eye-catching finish from the back of the field to run third. “She pinged out of the gates, which really made my mind up for me to go forward,” Barnes said. “She travelled really well once she got there. From about the 800m to the 600m, I got a couple of soft sectionals, which definitely helped. She kicked really strongly after that. “Being in front around Wanganui, I knew from the turn that she was going to be pretty hard to beat.” Hitabell was bought by Stephen Marsh Racing and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock for just $9500 from the 2023 National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus. She has had four starts for two wins and $61,860 in stakes. “We didn’t pay much for her on Gavelhouse and now she’s a stakes winner and quite a valuable filly,” Marsh said. “We’ve since gone back and bought a full-sister as well, so it’s worked out beautifully. “She’s a really nice filly. She won very well on debut, then had those couple of runs at Ellerslie and was probably unlucky not to win one of them, and now she’s come out and led all the way in a black-type race. “We’ll get her home now and work out what we do next. We could have a look at a race like the Eight Carat (Gr.2, 1600m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.” The third individual stakes winner for Cambridge Stud stallion Embellish, Hitabell is out of a half-sister to the Eight Carat Classic, Gr.2 Royal Stakes (2000m) and Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic winner Shikoba (NZ) (Chief Bearhart). That daughter of Chief Bearhart also placed in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m), and she was New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year in 2005-06. View the full article

Former Irish and Hong Kong galloper Meaningful Star (Pivotal) picked up his second win from just three New Zealand starts when he came from near last to down a small but quality line-up in the Gr.3 Bayleys Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie. The eight-year-old son of Pivotal arrived in New Zealand in January after winning twice in his native Ireland before forging a successful career in Hong Kong, where he won on four occasions. The good-looking chestnut joined the Byerley Park stable of Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley and made an eye-catching debut when finishing fourth over 1400m at Ellerslie back in September. That run brought him on nicely and he claimed his maiden New Zealand success in an open 1600m at Ellerslie a month ago before taking on his biggest challenge on Saturday, where he started the $3.90 favourite. Rider Michael McNab was happy to position his mount near the rear of the field and was still back second-last with less than 600m to run and more than eight lengths from pacemakers Not Ideal (NZ) (Nicconi) and Saint Bathans (Maurice). Former Australian galloper Midnight Blue (So You Think) launched his bid rounding the home bend as he quickly collared the leaders and shot clear, however McNab had Meaningful Star winding up powerfully as he launched his claim wider out. Joined by Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls) and Taranaki visitor Sumi (NZ) (Atlante) at the 150m, Meaningful Star fought best to land the major spoils from a game Aegon with Sumi close up in third. Cooksley was thrilled with the performance and just how well the horse has adapted to the New Zealand conditions. “It was a very good win as he got back a bit further than I thought he would,” Cooksley said. “He has done well and enjoys going out into a paddock. He’s a nice, relaxed horse. “He’s easy to do anything with and his best distance is 2000m so he will be happiest when he gets to that.” Cooksley indicated the major summer target for the horse would be the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Stakes (2000m) back at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, a race that McNab feels will be ideal for him. “He ran really well first up, won well the other day and has done it again,” McNab said. “He’s got good form up to Class 2 in Hong Kong and he is going from strength to strength here which is very encouraging. “I think 2000m will be ideal for him as he is European-bred, so the further the better.” Raced by a group that includes both Wallace and Cooksley, Meaningful Star has taken his career record to eight wins from 33 starts and more than $1.693 million in stakes. View the full article

With a well-timed finish in Saturday’s A$130,000 Vale Elvstroem (2400m) at Caulfield, talented stayer Kadavar (NZ) (Tarzino) improved his 2400m record to a perfect three-from-three. The Tarzino gelding won a Benchmark 78 in his first attempt at that distance on the Kensington track in June, then delivered a repeat result in the same grade in his most recent appearance at Rosehill on November 9. That prompted trainer Chris Waller to send the four-year-old south to make his Melbourne debut on Saturday, and it paid off in spades. Kadavar was ridden patiently by Blake Shinn, who settled well back in the field before beginning to move his mount through his gears coming up to the home turn. Kadavar produced a sustained run from well off the pace, surging through the pack to hit to the front in the final 50m and beat fellow back-marker Divus Romulus (Fast Company) by a head. “He’s three-from-three at 2400m now, so he’s a natural staying type,” Shinn said. “It was a good effort. It was a solid test. The instructions were to be closer in running, but the speed into that first turn was really quick, so we just allowed him to balance up. “We played for luck. I didn’t have the horse to be coming wide from the 700m, so we chanced our arm and fortunately the runs appeared in the straight and he was good enough to win on the line. “He’s a natural dour stayer. He doesn’t possess a sharp turn of foot. He probably will run further than 2400m, and when they go quick and it’s rain-affected, it plays into his hands. When he wins over 2400m, he only gets there right on the wire. “He’s four years old and hopefully he can just keep progressing. He’s in good hands.” Kadavar has had 12 starts for five wins and two placings, earning A$241,525 for owners Neville Morgan and David Devine. Kadavar was bred by Gerry Harvey and was offered in Westbury Stud’s draft at Karaka 2022, where Mulcaster Bloodstock and Chris Waller Racing bought him for $300,000. He is one of seven winners from nine foals to race out of the Danehill Dancer mare Arapaho Miss, who herself won the Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m). Her daughter Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man) followed suit with her own victory in the Flemington fillies’ classic in 2019, while De Little Engine (Encosta De Lago) won eight races up to Listed level. View the full article

The race now known as the Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m) is becoming a reliable springboard to bigger and better things for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, and that trend looks likely to continue after a smart win by Checkmate (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) at Ellerslie on Saturday. The three-year-old feature was previously known as the Trevor and Corallie Eagle Memorial. Wexford Stables won the race in 2022 with the subsequent Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) hero Waitak (NZ) (Proisir), while they finished second last year with Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj), who went on to win the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) and the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m). O’Sullivan and Scott returned to the $100,000 race again on Saturday, this time with the promising Checkmate. The son of Mongolian Khan had caught the eye with a strong-finishing second over 1400m on debut at Te Rapa on September 27, then won by two lengths at Te Aroha earlier this month in his only other start. The runner-up in that race was his stablemate Saxs ‘n’ Silks (Saxon Warrior), who comfortably cleared maiden ranks in her next appearance at Te Aroha on Wednesday. Checkmate was sent out as a $2.40 favourite on Saturday against a field with plenty of form and pedigree credentials. Jockey Warren Kennedy found an ideal position in fourth, one off the rail, and he had Checkmate poised to pounce coming up to the home turn. Kennedy pushed the button in the straight and Checkmate changed gears, bounding to a clear lead. The highly rated pair of Bourbon Proof (Justify) and Hinekaha (Savabeel) produced strong finishes in their own right and gave their all to try to run him down, but Checkmate was well beyond their reach and cruised to victory by a length and a half. “He’s a really nice horse,” Kennedy said. “Lance and Andrew think quite a bit of him, and you can see why. “We got into the one-one spot and he settled beautifully, then quickened nicely and was very strong through the line. If something came at him, I think he had more gears there. He’s a lovely horse and they’re going to have fun with him.” Bred and owned by Ross and Corinne Kearney’s Okaharau Station Ltd, Checkmate is one of three black-type performers out of the Conatus mare Signorina (NZ). Checkmate’s full-brother Bankers Choice (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) has won six races including the Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) and Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m), and he has run third in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m). Their half-sister Jodelin Gal (NZ), by Swiss Ace, has won six races and placed in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m). Checkmate’s own three-start career has now produced two wins, a second and $72,485 in prize-money. “He was certainly very impressive today,” O’Sullivan said. “It was encouraging to see him get around the Ellerslie track well. For a fair bit of the race, he was parked out three deep, so it was a good performance by the horse. “We think he’s certainly going to get a strong mile. His pedigree suggests that, and he has a good racing style where he can take a spot and then quicken. He’s going to have quite a few options available to him through the rest of the season, so that’s a good problem for us to have. “He’s got a good future. We’ll go home now and make a decision next week around where we go with him next. We’ll certainly be aiming for something pretty good.” The TAB now rates Checkmate an $8 favourite for the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on March 8. Wexford Stables also owns a slot for the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) on the same Champions Day card, with Checkmate now sharing $8 favouritism with Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) and Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio). View the full article

A strong late run carried consistent juvenile Toretto (NZ) (Ardrossan) to his maiden victory when he took out the Mondiale VGL (1100m) at Ellerslie. The Hollie Wynyard-trained son of Ardrossan had run into one better at his first two starts, finishing runner-up to Te Akau Racing runners at both Wanganui and Te Rapa before gaining a measure of revenge on the Matamata-based stable of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson by downing their heavily supported representative In Haste (Snitzel) on Saturday. Rider Ryan Elliot gave Toretto plenty of time to find his feet in the early stages of the contest as Bellatrix set up the pace before being joined by In Haste approaching the home bend. That pair were still in front early in the run home, however Elliot had Toretto winding up nicely in centre track and with a couple of big bounds at the 150m he forged to the front to win comfortably by just on a length from In Haste with That’s Gold (Lucky Vega) narrowly taking third from a brave Bellatrix (NZ) (Super Seth). Wynyard was pleased to gain a victory with her charge after being denied at his first two outings. “I’m really happy with him as we have run into Te Akau with all of my two-year-olds all season and finished second,” Wynyard said. “To get it this time was nice. “The goal is to get back here for the Karaka Millions and going around Ellerslie is a big asset, so with the track being a Soft5 today he should pull up really well and we can on from here. “He has come so much stronger and so much better from his first start and after his run at Te Rapa he has put on weight and I just can’t get on top of him.” Elliot was pleased to see just how much Toretto had learnt from his first two starts and the professional way he got the job done to break his maiden status. “He has been a little indifferent along the way and he ran into one of the better ones of Te Akau at his first run,” he said. “He wasn’t completely screwed down for his second run and he went an enormous race and today he has put it all together so it is good to see him round it off and handle it going right-handed. “He has come through them today and hit the line late which is good for a two-year-old.” Toretto lifted his career earnings to $29,275 with the $17,250 winner’s cheque and that takes him to the top of the qualifying table for the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), which will be contested at Ellerslie on 25 January. Purchased by Johno Benner under his Benner Racing banner from the Landsdowne Park draft for $165,000 during the Book 1 sale at Karaka earlier in the year, Toretto comes from an extended family that features a host of European stakes winners including the 2011 Champion stayer of Europe in triple Gr.1 winner Fame And Glory. View the full article

Veteran White Robe Lodge stallion Raise The Flag has been humanely euthanised after battling health issues in recent months, aged 20. The impeccably bred son of Sadler’s Wells and blue-hen mare Hasili, retired to White Robe Lodge in 2010 after injury cut short his racing career after just one start. A half-brother to a remarkable five Group One winners including Banks Hill, Intercontinental, Cacique, Heat Haze and Champs Elysees, Raise The Flag was also a half-brother to the Group Two winner Dansili, who went on to become a champion sire. Pedigree came to the fore as Raise The Flag proved to be a good sire of stayers and jumpers. From 53 runners in Australia, Raise The Flag sired 36 winners and 7 stakes horses, headed by Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) winner Etah James while smart stayer Ablaze topped A$800,000 in prizemoney with feature wins including the Jericho Cup (4600m) and the Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m) at Warrnambool. “His stats in Australia were quite outstanding with his runners to winners and stakes winners to winners,” White Robe Lodge stud manager Wayne Stewart said. “He left a Sydney Cup winner in Etah James, Broadside won a Newcastle Gold Cup and horses like Yogi, Parthesia, Civil Disobedience, Unfurl and Chequered Flag were more than handy stayers. “He also sired some good jumpers like Ablaze, Flying Agent, Heberite, Tommyra and Riding High. “He was a phenomenally bred horse and he did a lot for us in terms of forging relationships with a number of Australian trainers, including Darren Weir who was an avid fan. “Quite a few Victorian trainers including Ciaron Maher and Symon Wilde sent mares to Raise The Flag, so we were lucky to have him.” Raise The Flag’s daughter Let Fly ran out a good winner of the first race at Ellerslie on Saturday over 2400m and the six-year-old mare, who has now won four races, typifies her sire’s stock as she continues to improve with time. View the full article

Snitzanova ridden by Daniel Stackhouse winning the Group 2 Sandown Guineas at Caulfield. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) The Ciaron Maher-trained Snitzanova ($6.50) has claimed her third straight win of the preparation, storming clear in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon. The daughter of Snitzel put the writing on the wall in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle last time out, sitting three-wide without cover to secure her first stakes victory at start three. She was able to lob into a more favourable position this time around, with Daniel Stackhouse stalking his rivals from the one-one position as Colmar ($17.00) and Craig Williams dictated terms throughout. It turned into a real sit-and-sprint affair as they turned for home, with Snitzanova the first to challenge in the final 400m, while Bittercreek ($5.50) was circling down the centre of the course. The well-supported favourite with horse racing bookmakers, Pisces ($3.40), was nowhere to be seen in the concluding stages, with the son of Frosted crowded behind a wall of horses under Ben Melham. Snitzanova was edging clear in the final furlong, and although Bittercreek continued to reel in the margin, it was to no avail as Snitzanova was thrown over the line by Stackhouse to secure victory in the three-year-old feature. 2024 Sandown Guineas replay – Snitzanova https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Caulfield-2024-Group-2-Sandown-Guineas-30112024-Snitzanova-Ciaron-Maher-Daniel-Stackhouse.mp4 Ciaron Maher was on course to breakdown the victory and suggested there’s big things to come from this Snitzel filly. “The team in New South Wales have done a lot with her,” said Maher. “They identified her down here to take her up to try and contest one of those $100,000 maidens, she ticked that box, ticked the Stakes box and now she’s Sandown Guineas winner. “The team have done a fantastic job and she’s a valuable little filly now. “That bit of grit and tenacity is what you hope to have and harnessing that and pointing her in the right direction is the key to ensuring they fulfil their potential. “She’s got a bit of that in her. You could see that today. She hasn’t got the biggest action, or she’s not the biggest horse, but she’s got a lot of grit and determination and even Daniel (Stackhouse) said late she was going away from them again. “As she strengthens she’s only only going to get better, but she’s done a great job already.” Daniel Stackhouse was elated with the win but sent his best wishes to an injured Michael Dee who he picked up the ride from heading into Saturday’s meeting. “It was a late pick-up, I have to give Mick Dee a shout out and hope he’s recovering well in hospital,” said Stackhouse. “He sent me a text at midnight last night saying he’s doing OK and that’s great news going forward. “I was lucky enough for Ciaron and the Bennett Racing team to put me on this horse and the script didn’t go to plan but I’m just lucky she’s a good filly and she did the rest for me. “It’s fantastic, I’ve only had a handful of rides for Ciaron (Maher) so I can’t thank him for the opportunity so hopefully more to come.” Horse racing news View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Gay McClymont thought she had a chance at one placing at Addington’s big Oaks and Aces meeting last night. But in a night she’ll always cherish she ended up with two wins from two starters, with Rata taking out a Group 2 and then Styrax wrapping up the night with a comprehensive victory in the last. “I’m a bit dusty,” the Gore trainer said this morning, “but it was pretty exciting.” McClymont doesn’t just train the winning duo she co-bred and co-owns them as well. “I was quietly hopeful that that Styrax could place, with three ounces of luck.” “But two wins! I was certainly not expecting that.” McClymont’s spur of the moment decision to bring her trotters north certainly paid dividends. Described as being “not the prettiest trotter”, Rata made a brilliant start off 10 metres in the Group 2 Continental Event Hire Grand Duchess Mares Trot with driver Jonny Cox pressing on to the lead. The six-year-old daughter of Muscle Mass got the trail and when the leader George Eliot veered out at the 600 Rata got the perfect run on her inside, going away to win by five lengths. “My watch has an alert on it and I was getting a warning about my heart rate,” McClymont says. “What she has done has blown me away.” It was McClymont’s first Group win and Rata’s fifth success in 22 starts. And five races later she doubled down with Rata’s half sister Styrax. Both winners are out of Larix who won 10 from 47 for the McClymonts about a decade ago. Styrax (Creatine) was dominant in the Matt Harrison Construction Trot for Brad Williamson. She was three wide briefly before taking the lead a lap from home. She went on to win by three lengths. Both McClymont’s winners were at double figure odds – Rata at $22, Styrax at $11. “It’s a big thrill.” And a highlight for someone who’s been training horses since the 1990s? “By a big stretch,” she says. View the full article

Brenton Avdulla will be aboard John O’Shea’s six-year-old Kirwan’s Lane in The Ingham at Randwick on Saturday, after piloting him to third in the Furphy Festival Stakes last start at Rosehill on November 26. Festival Stakes Day 2024. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Festival Stakes Day 2024 awaits punters at Rosehill on Saturday, November 30, 2024 with a bumper 10-race meeting set down for decision. The Group 3 Festival Stakes (1500m) headlines what is set to be a competitive day of racing in Sydney. As the Sydney Spring Carnival winds down, catch up on all the race replays, results and dividends provided by top horse racing bookmakers here. Rosehill race replays and results 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Race 1 – Ranvet Handicap (1100 METRES) Race Replay & Results https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Rosehill-Race-1-Ranvet-Handicap-30112024-The-Playwright-Gai-Waterhouse-Adrian-Bott-Regan-Bayliss.mp4 Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 9 The Playwright Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Regan Bayliss $13.00 $3.20 2nd 1 Icarian Dream Ciaron Maher Tim Clark $1.40 3rd 5 Fermoy Chris Waller Kerrin McEvoy $2.70 4th 6 Gallo Nero Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes Zac Lloyd Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 9-1 $15.00 Exacta 9-1 $45.20 Duet 9-1 $5.60 Duet 9-5 $8.10 Duet 1-5 $5.70 Trifecta 9-1-5 $267.90 First Four 9-1-5-6 $1,066.90 Horse racing news View the full article

2023 Zipping Classic winner, Military Mission. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Relive all the excitement of Zipping Classic Day 2024 at Caulfield Racecourse from Saturday, November 30. The Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) headlines the 10-race program and is set to jump at 4:25pm AEDT. As the Melbourne Spring Carnival comes to a close, check out every replay from Caulfield on Saturday, as well as full results and exotics payout dividends from top horse racing bookmakers. Caulfield Race Replays and Results 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Race 1 – BM74 Handicap (1800 METRES) Race Replay & Results https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Caulfield-Race-1-BM74-Handicap-30112024-Hiyaam-Proud-Matt-Laurie-Mark-Zahra.mp4 Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 6 Hiyaam Proud Matt Laurie Mark Zahra $2.80 $1.30 2nd 8 Nearing Liberty Matthew Brown Craig Williams $1.50 3rd 5 Saban Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Luke Nolen $2.80 4th 7 Private Jumbo Michael Huglin Damian Lane Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 6-8 $4.70 Exacta 6-8 $8.50 Duet 6-8 $2.20 Duet 6-5 $6.10 Duet 8-5 $8.40 Trifecta 6-8-5 $49.70 First Four 6-8-5-7 $163.10 Horse racing news View the full article

Trainer Tom Logan celebrated a winning double at Fannie Bay on Friday with in-form duo Polarising and Canada Bay, with wife and jockey Sonja Logan partnering the stablemates Trainers Gary Clarke and Tom Logan had winning doubles in Darwin on Friday. However, it was fellow Top End trainer Jason Manning who claimed the feature race with the in-form Bon’s Pride – a $3.20 favourite with horse racing bookmakers – prevailing in the open 1200m handicap. For the first time this wet season, it was heavy going at Fannie Bay after 157.8mm of rain this past week, which included 50.8mm on Wednesday. Clarke celebrated his first double since October 26 with Devil’s Delight saluting over 1200m against Class 2 opposition and Nassau County causing an upset over 1600m at BM76 level. Jarrod Todd partnered Devil’s Delight and Nassau County after also riding Clarke’s Patriotic King and Nassau County to success last month. Logan had a good day when Polarising delivered over 1200m in the 0-64 ranks before $2.50 favourite Canada Bay posted back-to-back wins over 1100m at 0-58 level. It was October 5 when Logan last claimed a double after wife Sonja partnered Astern Magic and Aaron Sweeney piloted Astern Magic. On Friday, Sonja Logan rode both horses for husband Tom. It was Sonja Logan’s first Fannie Bay double since the Darwin Cup Carnival on July 20 aboard Chris Pollard’s Early Crow and Heather Lehmann’s Marvelous Night. As expected, Bon’s Pride, ridden by Vanessa Arnott, worked hard before overcoming Clarke’s stablemates Mr Cashman and Shakattak by a head to make it six wins and five seconds from 13 starts for Manning. Devil’s Delight lifted late to edge out Phil Cole’s $1.85 favourite Rhesus by a head, while Polarising put paid to Cole’s early leader Tricky Mikki by 3.3 lengths, and Canada Bay pounced in the home straight to beat Neil Dyer’s fast-finishing Hachiman by a length. Cole’s Tubthumper outclassed Clarke’s handy duo Shakattak and Siakam in open company over 1300m on Melbourne Cup Day, but Nassau County – a last start winner in a 1300m maiden on October 26 – was too good. Reluctant to enter the gates for Queensland jockey Wanderson D’Avila before setting the early pace, Tubthumper – the odds-on favourite with BlondeBet – capitulated at the 200m with Nassau County winning by 2.4 lengths. Horse racing news View the full article

At his 11th track in 13 starts, Truly Quality proves an adept turf marathon runner, surging forward to grab the win away from a game Balnikhov.View the full article

With Rattle N Roll's Clark Stakes (G2) win, the son of Connect added to the historic Churchill Downs seasons for trainer Ken McPeek and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr.View the full article

Thomas Bachman's Kehoe Beach earned graded stakes status with her third consecutive win Nov. 29, when she won the $292,335 Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs gate to wire.View the full article

With a horse having to be euthanized Thursday at Woodbine and another one on Friday, the Toronto-area track has now had six fatalities since the Nov. 9 card in which two horses died and the remainder of the day's program was cancelled, as was the next scheduled day of racing. Woodbine's Tapeta surface has long been considered to be one of the safest tracks in North America, which makes the rash of breakdowns particularly unusual. “We are closely monitoring the situation and remain in continuous communication with our regulator, veterinarians, the HBPA, and the Jockeys' Guild,” said Bill Ford, executive vice-president of racing at Woodbine Entertainment. “Following the catastrophic injuries sustained [Thursday] and [Friday], we are conducting a thorough review to gather more information. Feedback regarding track conditions over the past two weeks, following the initial concerns, has been positive, indicating that the track is in good condition. However, we are actively discussing and evaluating additional immediate measures to enhance horse safety and welfare. This is a deeply challenging and unfortunate situation. Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences go out to everyone connected to the horses affected.” On Thursday night, Speight Rasees (Qurbaan) fell and suffered a catastrophic injury. Jockey Skye Chernetz was taken off the remainder of her mounts. Less than 24 horse later, Mad Chatter (Society's Chairman) broke down in Friday's first race at Woodbine. None of the jockeys involved in the spill were injured. The problems began when Social Dancer (Society's Chairman) broke down in the second race Nov. 9. Six races later, Owen's Tour Guide (Tourist) suffered an injury in the GIII Bessarabian Stakes and had to be euthanized. Woodbine took immediate action, canceling the remainder of the Nov. 9 card and the entire card was scratched the following day. Racing resumed and there was another death Nov. 16 when Flawless Ruler (Honor Code) broke down. According to Woodbine's Vice President, Communications & Coordination Jamie Dykstra, it was concluded by track vets that it was unlikely that the death of Flawless Ruler was related to the surface. On Nov. 21, Woodbine put out a press release in which it declared that “Woodbine Entertainment is confident its All-Weather [Tapeta] track is in optimal condition for safe training and racing.” The same press release listed the many steps Woodbine had taken to test the track and ensure that it was still safe. “We've worked diligently to ensure the track is in excellent condition for the final weeks of the meet,” Ford said at the time. However, the problems continued, and the next breakdown occurred Nov. 24. In that day's third race Tunechi (Outwork) took an awkward step at the five-eighths pole and was eased before being euthanized. The post Breakdowns Continue To Plague Woodbine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A field of 13 2-year-old fillies—three of them maidens and eight exiting maiden races—have been entered for the $100,000 Jimmy Durante Stakes (G3T) going a mile on the turf at Del Mar Nov. 30.View the full article

8-5 race favorite TRULY QUALITY (g, 4, Quality Road–Truly Together, by Smart Strike) just got by 6-1 shot Balnikhov (Ire) (Adaay {Ire}) along the rail to take the GII Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes at Del Mar Friday. Having spent much of the running near the back of the pack, the favorite looked to be beaten off the far turn as Balnikhov got the first jump to the outside. But, angled down to the fence by jockey Vincent Cheminaud, Truly Quality rose to the occasion and put in a strong final few strides to win. O-Augustin Stables; B-George Strawbridge Jr.; T-Jonathan Thomas. The post Truly Quality Edges Balnikhov In Hollywood Turf Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a gutsy final furlong duel, RATTLE N ROLL (h, 5, Connect–Jazz Tune, by Johannesburg) put away previously undefeated Most Wanted (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the final strides to take victory in the GII Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs. Weaving his way through a bunched up field around the far turn, the GII Lukas Classic third, who was on the also-eligible list but failed to draw in for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, engaged Most Wanted who had been involved up front for most of the running. The two bobbed heads down to the final few yards when Rattle N Roll finally put away his rival and got separation under the wire. An lengthy inquiry involving the third, fourth and fifth place finishers all well behind the front two resulted in a disqualification and 46-1 longshot Uno Mas Bourbon (Macho Uno) filling out the trifecta. O-Lucky Seven Stable (Mackin); B-St. Simon Place; T-Kenny McPeek. Sales History: $55,000 wlg '19 KEENOV, $210,000 ylg '20 KEESEP. Rattle N Roll outduels Most Wanted in the G2 Clark! pic.twitter.com/SMMXf6sVgK — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) November 29, 2024 The post Rattle N Roll Determined In Clark Victory Over Most Wanted appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sent off at just over even-money to stretch a current winning streak to three, KEHOE BEACH (f, 3, Omaha Beach–Sweet Awakening, by Street Cry {Ire}) was allowed a very soft time of things on the front end and made every pole a winning one in Friday's GII Mrs. Revere Stakes at Churchill Downs. Having won allowance races at Kentucky Downs and Keeneland by a combined 13 1/2 lengths in her two most recent trips to the post by employing front-running tactics, the $450,000 Keeneland September yearling stepped away cleanly from gate three and made the lead with a minimum of fuss for Frankie Dettori, who kept his mount in the two path for the run around the clubhouse turn. Allowed to bowl along at her own pace with light pressure from Pounce (Lookin At Lucky), Kehoe Beach responded when set down for the drive and was never in serious danger as Pounce won a photo for second from Poolside With Slim (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}). Kehoe Beach is the 13th stakes winner and fourth winner at the graded level for Omaha Beach. Sales history: $180,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $450,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 7-4-1-0. O-Thomas W Bachman; B-John Bates, Ron Kirk and Michael Riordan (KY); T-Wesley Ward. Kehoe Beach wins the GII Mrs. Revere Stakes with Frankie Detorri aboard Wesley Ward & Thomas Bachman! pic.twitter.com/yMIWcoBPVY — Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) November 29, 2024 The post Omaha Beach Filly Kehoe Beach All The Way in the Mrs. Revere appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Adam West has sent 12 horses to Maisons-Laffitte in France and opened a satellite yard there, according to published reports. The 35-year-old is the trainer of G1 Nunthorpe Stakes hero Live In The Dream (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}), who has remained at Epsom, but is now housed at Gasston Stables, instead of Loretta Lodge Stables. “I immediately really liked Maisons-Laffitte,” West told Jour de Galop from the track on Friday morning. “This centre has a lot of assets. I chose to come to France because the working conditions and the way of life are appreciable. The breeder of Metropolitan (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Stuart McPhee was one of the people who convinced me to take the plunge. “The economic side are taken into account of course, but I am well aware that I will probably not become filthy rich by becoming a trainer in France. The structure and orientation of the French sector are much better. Here, medium-sized trainers have a chance of making it, unlike in England, where they are in great difficulty…I am very happy to join the Maisons-Laffitte training team.” West will saddle his first runners under both codes beginning in 2025, and he admits that a permanent move to France is not out of the question. “It's looking like we'll permanently move to France, but I'd like to find my feet first,” he told Racing Post. The post Adam West Opens Satellite Yard In France appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group winner Gezora (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}) has been acquired privately by Peter Brant's White Birch Farm, Jour de Galop reported on Friday. The G3 Prix des Reservoirs winner holds Classic aspirations and she will now be trained by Francis-Henri Graffard. Bred by SARL de Chambure/Haras d'Etreham, the bay made four starts for Etreham and trainer Nicolas le Roch. Fourth when unveiled at Dieppe in July, she graduated by a length there a month later. A narrow second in the G3 Prix de Conde at Chantilly in September, the daughter of Germance (Silver Hawk) ran out a 1 3/4-length winner of the G3 Prix des Reservoirs at Deauville on Oct. 21. A half-sister to the multiple stakes-placed Garance (Fr) (Teofilo {Ire}), Gezora is the 11th foal out of G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Germance, who was also second in the G1 Prix de Diane. G1 Prix d'Ispahan hero Mekhtaal (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is under the third dam. The post Group Winner Gezora Purchased By White Birch Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article