Wandering Eyes

Andrew Forsman will continue a busy week across the North Island at Te Aroha on Wednesday, with his small contingent including strong recent trial winner Mad Max (NZ) (Savabeel). The son of Savabeel was impressive at the trials early in his career and had a pair of starts in Australia and back home in January, before Forsman allowed him plenty of time to mature over the autumn and winter period. Raceday rider George Rooke guided Mad Max at Waipa where he closed off nicely to win his 850m heat, a performance Forsman hopes he can replicate in the John Revell Memorial 1150. “He’s coming up really well, he’s certainly a lot stronger so hopefully that was attributing to some lacklustre raceday performances last time around,” he said. “He just needs to show what he does at the trials, at the races.” The familiar colours of Christopher Grace will be carried by the gelding’s stablemate Hinekaha (NZ) (Savabeel) in Saturday’s Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial (1500m) at Ellerslie, following a performance that impressed her trainer on debut at Pukekohe. Out of Listed Rangatikei Gold Cup (1600m) winner Hinerangi, Hinekaha showed Forsman plenty prior to her first outing, but he was pleasantly surprised to see her so effective over the 1200m. “I expected her to run well, but I thought the 1200m may be a bit short because she was drawn wide and might get back,” he said. “It was very encouraging when you think you have a horse with ability to see them win like that first-up.” Forsman nominated the filly for the Listed The O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes (1340m) at Wanganui on the same day, but said she would almost certainly be heading to the northern meeting. Joining her at Ellerslie will be Saint Bathans, who holds nominations for the Gr.3 Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m) and Stella Artois 1500 Championship Qualifier (1300m), the former also having the potential of featuring Group One winner Aegon. “At this stage, we’ll probably keep Saint Bathans to the 1300m,” Forsman said. “He just needs genuine tempo and a decent barrier draw, so there is a possibility we’ll accept in both races.” Aegon has raced in elite company in Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand throughout his career and the seven-year-old was eye-catching fresh-up in the Gr.2 P.B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) back in August before finishing among the tail-enders in his following starts. The Sacred Falls gelding returned to the trials at Taupo on Tuesday and pleased Forsman, who indicated he could bypass Saturday’s feature in favour of the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) on December 7. “He never trials that well but it was nice to give him a day out and see how forward he is fitness-wise,” Forsman said. “I think he’s not far off being ready to go, so I’m just deciding whether we’ll run him this weekend or go to Trentham next Saturday.” Forsman hopes to see his well-performed mare Moonlight Magic back in Group One contention this campaign, after the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) runner-up also performed well in a strong trial at Taupo. “She’s been back in work for a couple of months and had a trial last week at Waipa,” Forsman said. “She trialled well today (Tuesday) so she shouldn’t be far off racing in the next two or three weeks. “Our targets this preparation will be the Herbie Dyke (Gr.1, 2000m) and the Bonecrusher (Gr.1, 2000m), the two weight-for-age races are what we’re hoping to head towards. “Her next couple of runs will dictate where we might get to, but I think the middle-distance will suit this time around.” View the full article

The New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) Board has today confirmed their support for the continuation of Jumps racing as part of the racing programme. This decision follows a process announced in September that included the appointment of a Jumps Racing Review Panel. The panel resolved to recommend that Jumps racing in New Zealand should continue, but that continuation will need to be supported by several initiatives to ensure the success of the industry, both in the short and long term. “The panel have taken a comprehensive review of Jumps racing in NZ and whilst the recommendation is for the continuation it is not for jumps racing to continue in its current state, changes do need to be made to give it the best chance to thrive,” said Darin Balcombe, NZTR COO and Jumps Racing Review Panel Chair. The panel provided 19 individual recommendations with priorities that include: Supporting, mentoring and attracting Jumps jockeys Reviewing and optimising the Jumps racing calendar Enhancing race programming for consistency and competition Ensuring fit-for-purpose infrastructure and rules The panel has also recommended NZTR develop key performance indicators to evaluate Jumps racing’s performance annually and a comprehensive strategic review every three years to ensure objectives and performance are aligned. NZTR Chairman Russell Warwick applauded the panel for their hard work and collaboration throughout the review process. “I would like to thank the panel and Alan Galbraith KC for their support throughout this process. Many factors were taken into consideration, and we believe implementing the panel’s recommendations will give Jumps racing the best opportunity to perform at a high-level long term,” he said “This decision gives the industry the opportunity to reenergize Jumps racing and will make winter racing an exciting prospect into the future.” The full Jumps Racing Review Panel Recommendations Report can be found using the link below. NZTR’s implementation process will include creating a framework and outlining KPIs to measure Jumps racing’s performance annually, to be delivered prior to 31 March 2025. Jumps Racing Review Panel Recommendations Report View the full article

The newly-established TAB Racing Club will have their first juvenile runners to the races at Ellerslie on Saturday, including Dorothea (NZ) (Proisir) for trainer Pam Gerard. A filly by Proisir, Dorothea was selected by the Ballymore Stables contingent and purchased for $150,000 out of Highline Thoroughbreds’ draft at the Karaka Yearling Sales in January. Her most recent of two trial appearances was a creditable fourth behind Return To Conquer, the highly-impressive winner of last Saturday’s Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m). Matamata-based Gerard was rapt to be offered the opportunity to select one of the original yearlings for the TAB Racing Club and is pleased with her filly’s progress. “The TAB are very generous in getting horses out there for the public to race and this was the one we chose,” she said. “I’m really happy with the choice we made. She’s got a great nature on her, she’s cute, she’s pretty and I’ve gotten a lot of comments from the TAB that she’s got a lot of followers as such a nice type. “Hopefully she can go and do the job.” Dorothea is eligible for the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) in January, the obvious target for juveniles, but Gerard indicated she expects a more refined version of the filly later in the season. “She’s a really lovely filly with plenty of upside about her, she’s only going to keep improving,” Gerard said. “It’s a bit of an ask to go up to Auckland (on Saturday), but she’s got a lovely temperament on her and she’ll cope with it really well. “It can be a bit hard on some of these younger ones, but she’s certainly a filly that will be a lot better next prep. I would like to get a run into her to see which way she’s going to go, obviously we’re all trying to get to the Karaka Millions if possible, but I do think she’ll be a better filly after that. “We’ll just see how she goes on Saturday.” Dorothea will be joined in the maiden two-year-old contest by Te Akau Racing filly In Haste (Snitzel), who is owned by the TAB Racing Club, alongside Newgate Operations and breeders SF Bloodstock. The daughter of Snitzel is a half-sister to Australian Group One winner Prompt Response and Group Three winner Prompt Return. Earlier in the week, Gerard will have a trio of runners at Te Aroha on Wednesday, including Pericles (NZ) (Rubick) in the Keith Miller 1400. The Rubick four-year-old won last season’s Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m) and got within a nose of subsequent Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) and Gr.3 Counties Bowl (1100m) winner Luberon in a fresh state at Ellerslie in September. Pericles was set to run last Saturday at Pukekohe, but a wide draw deterred Gerard under a big impost. The intention for the gelding remains the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Final (1500m), with a nomination for the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) also submitted. “The draw was just far too wide with that much weight on his back at Pukekohe to start, it wasn’t ideal,” Gerard said. “That race (Stella Artois Championship Final) is on the plan and what we are aiming for with him, we just haven’t had a lot of luck with draws. I can’t really explain his last run, I think he just got too far back with too much weight. “He’s a horse with a lot of ability and we’re trying to get him to the best race we can.” Pencarrow Stud galloper Naxos (NZ) (Harry Angel) has the topweight in the Capistrano Lodge 1000, after pleasing Gerard in a competitive open trial at Waipa. “He trialled really well the other day fresh, but he’s a small horse that has to carry a bit of weight so we’ve taken a couple of kilos off,” she said. “It’s still a lot of weight for him to carry, but it’s not a bad little race for him starting off, it’s on our back doorstep and is almost like another trial for him.” Zacinto filly Zerre (NZ) (Zacinto) is bringing a strong form reference into the Diprose Miller 3YO 1150, finishing third behind Hankee Alpha and Adelante at the venue on October 30, with the latter going on to salute comfortably on a good surface at Rotorua. “She’s a filly with a lot of ability, she’s just doing a few things wrong,” Gerard said. “This distance probably suits her, I do think she’s probably a little bit better left-handed, but the timing was right to have a go and it’s the right race for her at this stage.” View the full article

Trainers Peter and Shaun McKay are pressing on with their Group Three performer Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini) following his disappointing showing in last Saturday’s Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m) at Pukekohe. The six-year-old son of Puccini was backed into $3.60 favouritism for the feature following a pleasing Australian campaign and a runner-up effort in the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) on his New Zealand return. However, he failed to fire and finished 10th in the 14-horse field, with his trainers putting his subpar performance down to his dislike for the track, despite its Good4 rating. “It was a strange run. McNab (jockey) came in and said he didn’t think he liked the track, it was moving a bit under him,” Peter McKay said. “It hasn’t harmed him. The vets checked him out and he hardly blew. “He is a horse that doesn’t really like it if he is caged in amongst them. I think that, with the track, he decided to switch off, which he has done in the past.” Ellerslie targets now await Wolfgang, with an eye towards some feature races over the Christmas-New Year period. “He is going to go back to Ellerslie next week to try and get a bit of confidence again on a track he likes,” McKay said. “We still plan to go forward from there to either the Boxing Day Group One (Zabeel Classic, 2000m) or the Queen Elizabeth (Gr.3, 2400m) the following week, or both.” Meanwhile, the Matamata stable will take a five-strong contingent down to Otaki on Thursday, including Subiaco (Impending), who will contest the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Wellington Stakes (1600m). The Impending gelding has had three starts to date, placing on debut, and McKay believes he is capable of featuring in the finish in the three-year-old feature. “He is only a maidener going in but he could have probably won his first start,” McKay said. “He hit the front and then started goofing around a little bit, and the two horses (Sexy And I Moet and Smart Love) that beat him are pretty smart horses. “If he does everything right, there is no reason why he can’t be in it.” Evergreen gelding Sagunto (NZ) (O’Reilly) will be looking to get his preparation back on track in the Bobby Foundation Backing Kiwi Legends Mile (1600m), with a view of going for a three-peat in the Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) next month. “I just haven’t been happy with the last couple of rides on him,” McKay said. “He has got to be left alone to let roll. They try to rate him a little bit and he just doesn’t like it. “Niranjan (Parmar, jockey) rides a bit of work for me and I said ‘if you are going to ride him you have just got to let his head go and let him do his own thing’. “Safely through this we will look to go back over ground. I am trying to get him ready to have another crack at the Manawatu Cup, which he has won two years in a row.” McKay is also looking forward to juvenile stablemate Faultless (NZ) (Tivaci) making his debut in the Uza Bu Two-Year-Old (1100m). The son of Tivaci was set to trial at Taupo on Tuesday, however, McKay favoured giving the gelding some raceday experience. “It wasn’t an overly strong race, and I thought if we even run third or fourth in that race then we get points,” he said. “I thought we are going down there anyway so it is better to have a bit of race experience. “He is a horse that is going to improve with whatever we do. He has got ability, but if we run third or fourth, I will be happy.” McKay will also line-up Ballon d’Or (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) in the Racing This Time TV Facebook Maiden (1200m) and Strange Love (NZ) (Rock ‘N’ Pop) in the Fieldtech Communications Handicap (1400m). “Ballon D’Or should be right in it,” McKay said. “He has gone close a couple of times to winning a race. His last start he got caught three-deep the whole way and the effort told. We put him in the paddock for three weeks, so he is fresh. If everything goes right with him, he could be close. “We just won’t go right-handed with Strange Love again. She has run off twice now that way around. She just likes to free roll. She is quite a big, strong horse, and if you try and ride her in behind she starts to lug in over other horses. “She has got the ability to win if everything goes right for her.” View the full article

Derby hero is set to take on Romantic Warrior after promising trial win on Tuesday: ‘This is hopefully where he belongs’.View the full article

What Doomben Races Where Doomben Racecourse – 75 Hampden St, Ascot QLD 4007 When Wednesday, November 27, 2024 First Race 12:08pm AEST Visit Dabble Following the postponement of this meeting last Saturday, Doomben will host the rescheduled 10-race program on Wednesday afternoon. The track was rated as a Soft 7 at the time of acceptances, but with little to no rain forecast in the lead-up, it is expected that the track will firm up slightly before raceday. The rail will be in its true position, with racing set to kick off at 12:08pm AEST. Recognition Stakes tip: Navyonthehighway Navyonthehighway’s connections would have been happy that this meeting was moved to Wednesday due to the track conditions. The Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare enjoys racing on firmer tracks, and now that she strikes a Soft track instead of a Heavy track, she deserves to be the favourite with horse racing bookmakers. The daughter of Merchant Navy is dropping back in grade from a Group 2 and slightly in trip to 1350m, and if she holds her form, Navyonthehighway will prove too good for this field. Recognition Stakes Race 7 – #7 Navyonthehighway (12) 4yo Mare | T: Chris & Corey Munce | J: Samantha Collett (53kg) +150 with Picklebet Tattersall’s Classic tip: Party For Two Party For Two will return from a four-month spell in the Tattersall’s Classic following two impressive trial victories over 1000m and 1050m. The Matthew Hoysted-trained mare was last seen finishing second behind Recommendation in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield. Ryan Maloney will push forward to settle on speed, and if Party For Two can produce a similar effort to her Group 3 placing from last preparation, she will prove very hard to run down late. Tattersall’s Classic Race 8 – #5 Party For Two (11) 4yo Mare | T: Matthew Hoysted | J: Ryan Maloney (56.5kg) +850 with Dabble Best Bet at Doomben: Metalart Metalart started his career undefeated through four starts before striking firmer tracks this preparation, where the Kelly Schweida-trained gelding has failed to win in three runs. The son of Better Than Ready battled on gamely to finish second behind Torabella at this track and trip on November 9, but after doing some early work, he struggled late. Now that he is set to compete in a weaker contest on a softer track, expect Michael Rodd to push forward, settle in the one-one position, and receive the run of the race. Best Bet Race 10 – #2 Metalart (12) 4yo Gelding | T: Kelly Schweida | J: Michael Rodd (59.5kg) +230 with PlayUp Next Best at Doomben: Busting Tony Gollan and Angela Jones will combine with Busting once again following a fourth-place finish when first-up at this track and trip on November 9. This son of Spirit Of Boom was ridden negatively from a wide barrier, and even though he was never a winning chance, he let down strongly to flash home down the middle of the track. From barrier one, Jones can settle closer to the speed in the box seat position, and with even luck, Busting can burst through late to claim his first victory of the campaign. Next Best Race 9 – #13 Busting (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Tony Gollan | J: Angela Jones (55.5kg) +260 with Neds Doomben quaddie tips – 27/11/24 Doomben quadrella selections Wednesday, November 27, 2024 4-5-7 2-3-5-7-11 7-10-12-13 2-11-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Group Three performer Wolfgang is being aimed at Ellerslie features over the Christmas period. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Trainers Peter and Shaun McKay are pressing on with their Group Three performer Wolfgang following his disappointing showing in last Saturday’s Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m) at Pukekohe. The six-year-old son of Puccini was backed into $3.60 favouritism with horse racing bookmakers for the feature following a pleasing Australian campaign and a runner-up effort in the Group 3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) on his New Zealand return. However, he failed to fire and finished 10th in the 14-horse field, with his trainers putting his subpar performance down to his dislike for the track, despite its Good 4 rating. “It was a strange run. McNab (jockey) came in and said he didn’t think he liked the track, it was moving a bit under him,” Peter McKay said. “It hasn’t harmed him. The vets checked him out and he hardly blew. “He is a horse that doesn’t really like it if he is caged in amongst them. I think that, with the track, he decided to switch off, which he has done in the past.” Ellerslie targets now await Wolfgang, with an eye towards some feature races over the Christmas-New Year period. “He is going to go back to Ellerslie next week to try and get a bit of confidence again on a track he likes,” McKay said. “We still plan to go forward from there to either the Boxing Day Group One (Zabeel Classic, 2000m) or the Queen Elizabeth (Group 3, 2400m) the following week, or both.” Horse racing news View the full article

By Michael Guerin If you like a multi bet Addington’s stacked feature race programme this Friday could be the night for you. The meeting features six Group 1s, including both the NZ Pacing and Trotting Oaks as well as four “Ace” races for the two-year-old trotters and pacers, split on sex. Along with the Ian Dobson Memorial for three-year-old pacing boys it is one of the biggest nights of age group racing of the season with a mini-Jewels feel to it. But after some standout results at the Cup carnival and natural attrition through tiredness or form loss some of Friday’s fields will contain short priced favourites and lend themselves to multi betting. The most obvious is Aussie superstar Keayang Zahara in the $140,000 What The Hill Trotting Oaks, in which she has drawn barrier 7. The way she thrashed all the three-year-old trotters including the boys in The Ascent she will be everybody’s multi anchor come Friday. Not quite as short but also on plenty of multi tickets will be star juvenile Marketplace in Race 6, the Betavet Ace of Spades, while Chase A Dream (R4, No.9) will be short in the Ian Dobson even after being beaten in The Velocity as his last-start conqueror Better Knuckle Up isn’t in this week. Punters then get to what many will see as two-horse races, in the market anyway, starting with Meant To Be versus Tarragindi in Race 1, the IRT Ace of Clubs Trot for the 2YO Colts and Geldings. That theme continues in the Tennant Engineering New Zealand Pacing Oaks in which Treacherous Baby (barrier 6) gets a huge advantage over arch rival Duchess Megxit (14). The same could apply in the Renwick Farms Ace of Diamonds 2YO Fillies Pace where Stella Rouge (2) gets the head start over Captains Mistress (11). The meeting also hosts the $60,000 Continental Event Hire Grand Duchess Trot for the trotting mares as bigger stake mares’ trotting races start to become welcome and more regular events. To see Friday’s fields click here View the full article

During the 49-day Classic Meet, Santa Anita will provide eligible shippers with a guaranteed $4,000 bonus for their first start (first-time starters excluded) plus an additional purse bonus.View the full article

Fans will have their second of six opportunities to bet on the Kentucky Derby (G1) Nov. 28-Dec.1. Besides the 38 individual interests, Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager lists All Other Colts and Geldings Foaled in 2022 as the 4-5 favorite.View the full article

Valentine Candy became racing's newest millionaire with a 1 1/4-length victory in the $300,000 Steel Valley Sprint Stakes Nov. 25 at Mahoning Valley Race Course.View the full article

The six-day season will begin Dec. 6 and continue through Dec. 15. . Racing will be conducted Friday-Sunday both weeks, post time will be at 12:30 p.m.View the full article

This week, fresh off Waikato Thoroughbred Racing members voting to start the search for the land for a Greenfield project, WTR boss Andrew “Butch” Castles joins Michael for an in-depth discussion. And what now for Savaglee ahead of the NZB Kiwi and Karaka Millions? Guerin Report – Ep. 13, Ft. Butch Castles on the Greenfield Project View the full article

Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie will bid to continue their hot run of form since moving their operation to a new property with another trip to the Central Districts this week. The Waikato couple have their eyes on a black-type goal for their promising filly Island Life (NZ) (Vadamos) at Otaki on Thursday with the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Wellington Stakes (1600m) viewed as an ideal opportunity for the daughter of Vadamos. The Pencarrow Stud trainers have recently shifted base and with it has come a flurry of success. “We moved to a new property at the start of the month and since the move we’ve had five winners,” Ramsay said. “It used to be Jim Marks’ old property, Hinuera Lodge, and Wayne Hillis was there for a while and some really nice horses have come off the place. “We’ve got our own little track there and can mix it up and take them to Matamata or work them at home and the horses seem to be really enjoying it.” Island Life has made a strong start to her career to earn an early crack at stakes company following a debut second and overcame trouble in the run home to post her maiden victory at Tauranga earlier this month. “She got stopped in her tracks about 200m out and got going again and to run away like she did was really encouraging,” Ramsay said. “She has always showed ability and won her first trial, we’ve always had an opinion of her. “We trialled her as a late two-year-old and then tipped her out, she needed a wee bit of time and is out of a Montjeu mare so she will get better and over more ground.” Bred and raced by Sir Peter Vela, Island Life’s dam Lycia is an unraced half-sister to the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) runner-up De Beers from the legendary Eight Carat family. “Sam Spratt will ride her again and this looks a nice race for her on paper to try to get some black type,” Ramsay said. “It’s been three and a-half weeks between races for her so it’s a good space and it will be her first trip away, but I think she’ll handle it alright.” The stable will be hoping Island Life can follow the winning trend on the road of her stablemates Golden (NZ) (Eminent) and Sisembra (NZ) (U S Navy Flag), who delivered a winning double at Wanganui last weekend. “Golden was a good run, she’s going to end up a really nice stayer and Sesimbra is only a little dot, but she tries really hard,” Ramsay said. A four-year-old by Eminent, Golden has won two of her last three starts over ground and in between times finished second at Ellerslie. U S Navy Flag filly Sesimbra broke her maiden at her second appearance when resuming and followed up with a strong age group success on Saturday. View the full article

Opaki trainer Jim Wallace was set to have a two-pronged attack in Thursday’s Gr.3 Elsdon Park Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki, but his representation is now down to just one. He had intended on lining up both Liberty Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) and Skippers Canyon (NZ) (Belardo) in the age group feature, however, the former is under offer following his last start win and will likely continue his racing career across the Tasman. “Liberty Park is under offer, so we are just completing the formalities with him. He is going to a very good stable and it will be interesting to see him follow on,” Wallace said. Liberty Park beat home Skippers Canyon by half a length at Woodville earlier this month, a result Skippers Canyon has become accustomed to, having finished runner-up in the three of his five career starts to date. “He has consistently found one a little bit good for him but sooner or later he will take a trick. He is a nice horse going forward,” Wallace said. “He is in great shape, he is working terrific, I am very happy with him.” It won’t be the first time the son of Belardo is tested at stakes level, having competed in the Listed El Roca -Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on debut where he finished seventh in the eight horse field. “We ran him at stakes level early on because he was well and we couldn’t find a suitable race for him,” Wallace said. “I thought the worst thing he can do is run last and at best he might beat one home, and he beat one home. “Warren Kennedy rode him and I said before the race that this horse doesn’t know anything but sooner or later I think he is going to be a good horse. He came back and said to me that I was right, he is a good horse but just needs to learn how to race. “He has gradually been putting that together and hopefully on Thursday he will put his best foot forward.” Skippers Canyon will jump from barrier 11 on Thursday and Wallace isn’t perturbed by the wide draw. “I don’t think it will matter because he will get back a bit anyway,” he said. He wouldn’t be up looking for a position, we will just have to see how we go and see what sort of trip we get.” View the full article

Arapaho. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Bjorn Baker-trained Arapaho is set to chase his first victory since last year’s Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) when he lines up in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The seven-year-old gelding has been working towards this 2400-metre target, which marks his fourth start this preparation. Last time out, he finished a commendable fifth in the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m). “He was huge last start,” said Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton. “He drew awkwardly and had to go back from the gate, which didn’t help him. He was back and wide, but he really hit the line well. “He will be fourth-up, up to the 2400, which is his pet distance, and he has gone ahead in leaps and bounds. “His last two runs have screamed that he’s back as good as ever.” Hilton expressed the stable’s excitement about Arapaho’s resurgence. “We’re more relieved and thankful that he’s back and racing well. He’s got a special place in our hearts here at the stable. Everyone loves him. “We’re stoked for the owners and the horse that he’s back to his best. If he turns up in that order, he is going to be mighty hard to beat.” Rachel King will reunite with Arapaho for the $750,000 feature race at Caulfield. King piloted the gelding to his last win in the 2400-metre Group 1 Tancred Stakes at Rosehill in March 2023. Horse racing news View the full article

Lady Laguna. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Fresh off Port Lockroy’s impressive victory in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) last Saturday, Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald are aiming for a second Group 1 triumph at the Perth Carnival. This time, they’ll saddle up Lady Laguna in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) this Saturday. The connections are optimistic the five-year-old mare, to be ridden by James McDonald, can rebound after a disappointing tenth-place finish behind stablemate Sunshine In Paris in the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington. “She’s good and has had a couple of nice pieces of work,” Archibald told TABradio. “I can’t fault her and hopefully she can bounce back after she was disappointing down the straight in Melbourne. “She’s going to have to be at her best, and Overpass is also in good order. “She’ll have to be right at her top, but she should run a big race.” 2024 Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes Final Field 1. Overpass (TBC) T: Bjorn Baker J: Joshua Parr W: 58.5kg F: 81x1x Age: 6YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Vancouver Dam: Walkway +170 -232.56 2. Western Empire (TBC) T: Grant & Alana Williams J: William Pike W: 58.5kg F: 2×241 Age: 7YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Iffraaj (GB) Dam: Western Jewel +400 +100 3. Red Can Man (TBC) T: Steve Wolfe J: Shaun O’Donnell W: 58.5kg F: 6×063 Age: 8YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Gingerbread Man Dam: Brocky’s Ace +5000 +1250 4. Hot Zed (TBC) T: Lou Luciani J: Jason Whiting W: 58.5kg F: 0x067 Age: 7YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Red Hot Choice Dam: Zedfire +5000 +1250 5. Maharba (TBC) T: Grahame Begg J: Jordan Childs W: 58.5kg F: 13×31 Age: 4YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Pride of Dubai Dam: Blizzardly +800 +200 6. Saloon Bar (TBC) T: Daniel Morton J: Steven Parnham W: 58.5kg F: 32218 Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Sessions Dam: Paris Cracker +1600 +400 7. Man Crush (TBC) T: Luke Fernie J: Clint Johnston-Porter W: 58.5kg F: 07132 Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Manhattan Rain Dam: Crushed +10000 +2500 8. Snowdome (TBC) T: Neville Parnham J: Brad Parnham W: 58.5kg F: 6x77x Age: 5YO Colour: Grey Sex: Gelding Sire: Rommel Dam: Snow Pixie +5000 +1250 9. Rope Them In (TBC) T: Steve Wolfe J: Shaun McGruddy W: 58.5kg F: 1521x Age: 4YO Colour: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Playing God Dam: Lead Rope +1400 +350 10. Boots Like Bruce (TBC) T: Anne King J: ALan Kennedy W: 58.5kg F: 74×11 Age: 7YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Alfred Nobel (IRE) Dam: Smithfields +10000 +2500 11. Bravo Centurion (TBC) T: Luke Fernie J: Chris Parnham W: 58.5kg F: 11111 Age: 4YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: National Defense (GB) Dam: Comme Ca +1400 +350 12. Rockin’ Rupert (TBC) T: Sean & Jake Casey J: Lucy Fiore W: 58.5kg F: 5×115 Age: 6YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Winning Rupert Dam: Love the Rock (NZ) +5000 +1250 13. Almighty Class (TBC) T: Mitchell Pateman J: Jarrad Noske W: 58.5kg F: 411×0 Age: 4YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Playing God Dam: My Classy Lady +1500 +375 14. Crippalenko (TBC) T: Greg Beauglehole J: TBC W: 58.5kg F: 0311x Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Maschino Dam: Brookesmebaby +20000 +5000 15. Lady Laguna (TBC) T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald J: James McDonald W: 56.5kg F: 036×7 Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Overshare Dam: Catalina de Lago (NZ) +500 +125 16. Laced Up Heels (TBC) T: Luke Fernie J: Joseph Azzopardi W: 56.5kg F: 6860x Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Toronado (IRE) Dam: A City Girl +5000 +1250 Horse racing news View the full article

The opening of Santa Anita's Classic Meet on Dec. 26 marks the return of the Ship & Win program, which offers bonuses to horses from out of state who ship in and start at the Arcadia oval. During the 49-day Classic Meet, Santa Anita will provide eligible shippers with a guaranteed $4,000 bonus for their first start (first-time starters excluded) plus an additional purse bonus. Eligible Ship & Win horses who finish first through fifth in a dirt race will receive a 50% bonus to the listed purse money earned. In turf races, Ship & Win horses will receive a 40% bonus. The purse bonuses are applicable for one start only. “Santa Anita's Ship & Win program provides a wonderful incentive for horsemen and helps to attract a significant number of horses from out of state.” said Jason Egan, Santa Anita Director of Racing and Racing Secretary. “Santa Anita is a fantastic facility with which to race and train all year-round, but particularly this time of year when the weather is unmatched. We believe Santa Anita offers the best turf racing in America during the Classic and Hollywood Meets.” Santa Anita's Classic Meet runs through Apr. 6. It will be followed by the 29-day Hollywood Meet, which opens Apr. 16 and ends June 15. More information on Santa Anita's Ship & Win program, visit www.Santaanita.com or call the racing office at (626) 574-6352. The post Santa Anita’s Ship and Win Program Returns for Classic Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Todd Pletcher is looking for his third win in the $200,000 Comely Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Nov. 30.View the full article

Fans will have their second of six opportunities to bet on the 150th running of the GI Kentucky Derby Thursday, Nov. 28 through Sunday, Dec. 1 with Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager where GISW Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) and East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro) were made the 10-1 co-individual favorites with 'All Other Colts and Geldings Foaled in 2022' not listed within the 38 individual interests listed as the heavy 4-5 favorite. Running concurrently with Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager is the lone Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager, where fans can wager on sires of Derby prospects. The four-day pools, featuring $2 Win and Exacta wagering, will open Thursday at noon (all times Eastern) and close Sunday at 6 p.m. The Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager allows fans to bet on 39 individual sires, as well as an option for “All Other Sires.” Horses sired by Into Mischief were made the 12-1 individual favorite, while “All Other Sires” was also tabbed as the 12-1 co-favorite. Additional Kentucky Derby Future Wager pools are scheduled for Jan. 17-19 (Pool 3); Feb. 14-16 (Pool 4); March 14-16 (Pool 5) and April 3-5 (Pool 6). Pool 5 will include the Longines Kentucky Oaks Future Wager. A complete rundown of the Pool 2 field and for more information, Brisnet.com past performances and real-time odds on the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, visit www.KentuckyDerby.com. The post Chancer McPatrick, East Avenue Made 10-1 Co-Favorites in Pool 2 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The connections of Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), eleventh in Sunday's G1 Japan Cup, have declined an invitation to the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin Racecourse on Dec. 8, and the 4-year-old has been officially retired, Liberty Racing's Lars-W. Baumgarten confirmed Monday on X. Fantastic Moon will enter stud in 2025 at Gestut Ebbesloh as previously announced. “Finishing 11th in the Japan Cup, Fantastic Moon appeared a bit tired in the final furlong. It was a long season for him. We'll pass on the HK Vase and fly him home for the next leg of his career at Ebbesloh Stud. You gave us memories we'll treasure forever,” the social media post read. Finishing 11th in the G1 Japan Cup, Fantastic Moon appeared a bit tired in the final furlong. It was a long season for hin. We'll pass on the HK Vase, and fly him home for the next leg of his career at Ebbesloh Stud. You gave us memories we'll treasure forever – Fanta pic.twitter.com/RCy6RQKmtg — Lars-W. Baumgarten (@Monsun2013) November 24, 2024 Trained by Sarah Steinberg, Fantastic Moon won the 2023 G1 Deutsches Derby to be named champion of his generation and struck twice this season at group level, including a 1 1/4-length victory in the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden in September. He retires with a record of 7-3-1 from 15 starts for earnings of $924,911. Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) is also unlikely to make the trip to Hong Kong for the Vase, South China Morning Post said. Sixth and not beaten far behind Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) at the weekend, Goliath was also runner-up in this year's G2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot and won the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris when prepping for his trip to Tokyo. The post Fantastic Moon Officially Retired, Goliath Unlikely For Hong Kong Vase appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The dates of the upcoming Fasig-Tipton December Digital Sale have been adjusted to accommodate a record number of entries, over 650, in the online auction conducted by the company. Bidding on the December Digital Sale, originally scheduled for Dec. 5-10, will now take place from Dec. 5-11. Bidding will now close over two days on Dec. 10 and 11. New Schedule: Thursday, Dec. 5: Catalogue released and bidding commences Tuesday, Dec. 10 (Session 1): Selling Hips 1- 305 (Horses of Racing Age, Racing/Broodmare Prospects, Broodmare Prospects, Yearlings, & Weanlings) Wednesday, Dec. 11 (Session 2): Selling hips 306-670 (Broodmares) The first offerings will close each day at 12 PM EST (noon) for both sessions. “The support from sellers for our December Digital Sale has been frankly remarkable,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “With a record number of entries catalogued, modifying our format to close the sale over two days provides our clients with the appropriate time needed to properly buy and sell.” “This catalogue is high in both quantity and quality, with a wide variety of entries ranging from breeding stock and horses of racing age to yearlings and weanlings. Buyers from around the globe, as well as various regions of the United States, will find attractive offerings to suit their racing and breeding programs.” The post December Digital Sale Dates Expanded Following Record Number of Entries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Emerging Kiwi pacer Tact McLeod faces a tough start to his NSW Inter Dominion campaign. The lone Kiwi in the series, Tact McLeod will start from outside the front row (gate eight) over 2030m in the opening round of heats at Newcastle on Friday night. On a positive note, the Mark Jones-trained pacer, who was a late entry only last week, looks to have landed in the weakest of the three opening night pacing heats. His major dangers will be Zeuss Bromac (gate one), Blacksadance (two), Cantfindabettorman (four) and Curly James (10). As expected, decorated former Kiwi driver Anthony Butt will head up from his Victorian base to drive Tact McLeod through the series. In contrast, top WA trainers Greg and Skye Bond’s late decision to send Minstrel and Tenzing Bromac across from Perth for the series has been rewarded with lovely barriers on night one. Last-start Group 1 WA Pacing Cup winner Minstrel will be a warm favourite from gate one in the first of the pacing heats (race three). Tenzing Bromac, who like Minstrel will be driven by Deni Roberts, has gate two in the second heat (race four). Last-start TAB Eureka winner Don Hugo looks the hardest from Tenzing Bromac to beat from the pole for his trainer-driver Luke McCarthy, who is fresh back from a USA stint. Although Jason Grimson doesn’t have his dual NZ Cup winner Swayzee in the series, he still has four chances to land an incredible third Inter Dominion pacing final win the past four years. He won with Boncel Benjamin in 2021 and I Cast No Shadow in 2022 before Swayzee ran third for him in Brisbane last year. “Curly James, District Attorney and Nerano are my real hopes, Cya Art probably isn’t quite up to them,” Grimson said. “It’s really hard to split my three, they are all snipers and not horses who can dominate their races. Give them the right run and they’ll all be dangerous in a series like this.” District Attorney could use his blazing early speed from gate six against Minstrel in heat one. Nerano will need luck from an outside draw (gate eight) in heat two, while the bad draws continued for Grimson with Cya Art (seven) and Curly James (10) in heat three. In a trotting series missing Just Believe, former top juvenile The Locomotive looks the testing material given his fantastic form since joining NSW trainer-driver Brad Hewitt. The Locomotive looks ideally suited from gate four in a crucial early series clash with another big gun, London To A Brick (barrier five) in the first trotting heat (race six). Kiwi-owned mare Queen Elida gets her chance to lead and take catching in the second heat from barrier five for trainer Brent Lilley and driver Chris Alford. The series then moves to Bathurst next Wednesday night for the second round of heats. View the full article

Defending itself in a constitutionality lawsuit initiated by the trainer Jonathan Wong, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority on Friday told a federal judge in Louisiana that the court should either toss out Wong's case entirely or hold off on letting the litigation proceed while the Supreme Court of the United States decides whether it will take on one of three active requests stemming from different cases whose parties all want the nation's highest court to weigh in on similar constitutional issues Wong raises in his lower-court lawsuit. In a related Nov. 22 filing in U.S. District Court (Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette Division), the Authority also asked the court to deny Wong's motion for a preliminary injunction. As TDN's Dan Ross reported Oct. 19, Wong is currently fighting a two-year ban under Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) rules because of a banned-substance positive test for a human diabetes drug, metformin, that was detected in one of his winning trainees in a June 1, 2023, race at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Wong can, however, start horses in Louisiana and West Virginia, because they're the only two states in America where Thoroughbred medication testing and enforcement are not subject to oversight by the Horseracing and Safety Integrity Act (HISA) and HIWU. A preliminary injunction related to a different case is in effect in those two jurisdictions while a separate HISA-related lawsuit also plays out in federal court. Wong's stable is currently operational in Louisiana at Delta Downs and Fair Grounds. According to the Authority, Wong's decision to file his federal lawsuit in that state is allegedly why it should be tossed out. “First, the Court should dismiss this case under [federal rule, because] venue is not proper in this district,” the Authority's filing stated. “No substantial part of the events giving rise to Plaintiff's claims occurred [in Louisiana], and neither Defendants nor Plaintiff resides here. “Plaintiff's purported Louisiana address is an equestrian facility, which is not Plaintiff's permanent home,” which, the Authority added, “all known records indicate remains in California.” Alternatively, the Authority suggested, “the Court should order limited discovery on the issue of Plaintiff's domicile” to decide whether venue is proper. Next, the Authority argued, Wong's lawsuit doesn't belong in a Louisiana federal court if a different preliminary injunction is already keeping HISA from being the law of the land in that state. “Second, the Court should dismiss this case for the independent reason that the Court lacks personal jurisdiction over the Authority,” the filing stated. “The Authority does not have the requisite 'minimum contacts' with Louisiana because the Authority is not enforcing rules under HISA in Louisiana as to Plaintiff (or anyone else). “Because all the underlying conduct occurred elsewhere-a California trainer was sanctioned after his Kentucky-based horse tested positive for a banned substance at a race in Indiana-this litigation does not arise out of or relate to any Authority contacts with Louisiana either. “Indeed, Plaintiff's suspension under HISA does not even apply in Louisiana,” the Authority's filing stated. “Accordingly, the only connection between this lawsuit and Louisiana is Plaintiff's decision to bring suit here [and] the Court's lack of personal jurisdiction over the Authority compels dismissal of this entire suit.” Wong's complaint, filed Oct. 15, stated that HISA's delegation of federal regulatory power to the Authority allegedly violates the U.S. Constitution's private nondelegation doctrine and the Seventh Amendment's right to a jury trial. “Wong also brings this action because the Authority's enforcement of the HISA Rules against him-through a contracted private entity-violated Wong's Due Process rights,” the trainer's complaint stated. “Relatedly, Wong brings this action to appeal the final decision and civil sanctions imposed against him from the Authority's enforcement action,” the complaint stated. “The Court should declare HISA and the HISA Rules to be unconstitutional, preliminarily and permanently enjoin Defendants from enforcing HISA and the HISA Rules against Wong, and vacate the final decision and civil sanctions imposed against Wong,” the complaint stated. Wong's legal team will have a chance to file a written response to the Authority's motion to dismiss the case. The post Authority Wants Judge to Dismiss Wong’s Lawsuit Against HISA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eighteen point-to-point graduates feature in the catalogue for the Goffs Coral Gold Cup Sale, which takes place after racing at Newbury on Saturday, November 30. Inspections will be open on Friday and Saturday, with showing to take place next to the racecourse stables, before the sale gets underway in the Owners and Trainers facility after the last race at 3.35pm. Goffs UK managing director Tim Kent said, “We have had a very good response to the Coral Gold Cup Sale from the point-to-point handlers and have assembled a strong catalogue of horses to offer on Saturday. The sale got off to a great start last year and that has given vendors added confidence in the venue this time around. “Last week saw graduates from last year's inaugural sale notch up a winning double courtesy of The Bluesman for Paul Nicholls and First Confession for Joe Tizzard, so it's an exciting time for this young sale both in the ring and on the track, and we look forward to seeing everyone at Newbury on Saturday.” The post Catalogue Now Online for the Goffs Coral Gold Cup Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article