Wandering Eyes

1st-Belmont The Big A, $90,000, Msw, 9-21, 2yo, 6 1/2f, 1:18.42, ft, 1/2 length. COMES A TIME (c, 2, Not This Time–Bachelors Walk, by Street Cry {Ire}) broke at odds of 7-1 and was prominent from the outside throughout, staying in touch from a close third and shifting up outside pacesetter Rookie Card (Adios Charlie) into the stretch. The pair dueled down the stretch with Comes a Time just collaring his rival in the final yards to win by a half-length. Insighted runner Fun to Tap (Tapit) never factored after staying wide for much of the running to come home fifth while Au Contraire stalked the early pace but faded coming for home to be seventh. Comes a Time, a $200,000 KEESEP grad last year, has a foal half-brother by Mendelssohn with his dam due back to Corniche next year. Sales History: $200,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $49,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Rupp Racing; B-Not This Time Syndicate & Agricola Matriarca SPA (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. The post Comes A Time A Debut Winner For Not This Time At Aqueduct appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ecoro Sieg (Twirling Candy), a smashing five-length debut winner when unveiled over 1200 meters at Niigata Aug. 17, remained perfect in two starts with a 2 1/2-length success at Nakayama Saturday, stopping the clock in 1:07.2. The final time shaved 0.6 seconds off the 2-year-old track record and was 0.3 faster than the Japanese record time for a 2-year-old at the distance. Sent off the 2-5 favorite with Christophe Lemaire once again at the controls for Hideyuki Mori, the $95,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $250,000 OBS March breezer was not the fastest away from the inside stall, but mustered for speed inside to claim command inside the opening 200 meters. He was made to work for it, however, as the first 400 meters–from a standing start–was timed in :21.8 as he took pressure from an outside rival. Maintaining a narrow advantage for the run around the turn, but still taking a fair amount of pressure, Ecoro Sieg was past the 400-meter marker in :43.8, but nevertheless kept on strongly through the wire to score comfortably. “He was a bit slow to begin, but he was amazing after that,” the winning trainer told the Japanese publication Chunichi.co.jp. “It was a bit fast!” The victory has connections thinking big for the colt's next start. “For now I will consult with the owner and I would like to consider the [GI] Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint [at Del Mar Nov. 1].” Added Lemaire: “He can run at his own speed, he's set a record and he's got the ability and it's home for him. I think I'll be able to go and I'm looking forward to it.” Mori is not bashful about pointing his runners towards overseas targets, and was the first Japanese trainer to saddle a Group 1 winner on foreign soil when saddling Seeking the Pearl to victory in the 1998 Prix Maurice de Gheest in France. He saddled his first runner at the Breeders' Cup in 2000 (Agnes World in the Sprint) and has since been represented by an additional eight starters, including Jasper Krone (Frosted) in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. When the Breeders' Cup was last staged at Del Mar in 2021, the Japanese were represented by its first two winners at the Championships–Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the Filly & Mare Turf and Marche Lorraine (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the Distaff. The post Twirling Candy Colt Sets Japanese 2YO Record, Eyes BC Juvenile Turf Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The G7 Agricolture will be held at Ippodromo del Mediterraneo in Syracuse, Sicily, Italy on Sept. 28-29. There will be the G1 Grand Prix Freccia d'Europa for trotters and a trio of super handicaps each worth €34,000 Euros for Flat horses on Saturday. The next day, the Gran Premio Federnat, known as the Gentlemen's Lotteria, will take place under the trotting discipline, while the Thoroughbreds will race in the Criterium Divinazione Expo 2024. Other attractions will provide a vibrant sideshow for racing fans until 11 p.m. local time. The post G7 Agricolture Set For Syracuse Racecourse On Sept. 28-29 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday's G2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes was hit with a spate of withdrawals following the heavy rain at Newbury, but Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum's Powerful Glory (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}–Wouldntitbelovely {Ire}, by Kodiac {GB}) stepped up to provide the rescue with a game win in the testing ground. So impressive on a contrasting good-to-firm surface at Pontefract last month, the 5-2 second favourite travelled strongly in his own rhythm as the race split into three pairs across the track. Staying on strongly to enter contention approaching the furlong pole, the Richard Fahey-trained £190,000 Goffs UK 2yo Breeze Up purchase was tackled and briefly headed by the maiden La Bellota (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) but stuck to his guns for Oisin Orr to dominate the final 150 yards and prevail by a neck. “He could be top-class–that was only the second run of his career and I think he hated the ground today,” Orr said. “His ability got him through it. He could get faster the more he runs, he's bred to be quick enough and has plenty of options. He's a big, scopey horse.” Two from two! Powerful Glory keeps improving to land the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at @NewburyRacing…@OisinOrr @RichardFahey pic.twitter.com/ISEIOdpHpN — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 21, 2024 The post Powerful Glory Stays Unbeaten In The Mill Reef appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Catch On Me (Fr) (Martinborough {Jpn}) topped Auctav's NH Sale on Friday on a €120,000 bid from Guy Petit. The winner, out of the stakes-placed Nan's Catch (Fr) (Loup Solitaire), was consigned by Haras de Fresneaux. Lot 128B is a half-brother to graded-placed jumper Catch One (Fr) (Smadoun {Fr}) and the listed-placed hurdler Cardigan Bay (Fr) (Turtle Bowl {Ire}). The other six-figure lot of the sale was the 3-year-old filly Clotilda (Fr) (Clovis Du Berlais {Fr}) (lot 101B), a €100,000 sale to Tom Malone Bloodstock. Ecurie Butel & Beaunez sent the grey daughter of Goldflake (Fr) (Turgeon) through the ring, and she has placed four times from eight starts. La Grande Zohra (Fr) (Martaline {GB}) (lot 6) caught the eye of Horseracing Advisory at €80,000. The Ecurie Alexandre de Jesus-consigned 7-year-old mare is carrying to Saint Des Saints (Fr). She is a half-sister to star Grade 1 chaser Fastorslow (Fr) (Saint Des Saints {Fr}). The first lot in the ring was the established stallion Morpheus (GB), an Oasis Dream (GB) half-brother to none other than champion sire Frankel (GB). Offered by Haras de la Beauvoisiniere, he was purchased for €18,000 by Nigel Riley. There were also a pair of prominent names in the unsold column–first, smart jumps sire Martinborough (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who was consigned by Haras de la Baie, with bidding reaching €390,000 as lot 97B. The second was G1 Deutsches Derby hero Sisfahan (Ger) (Isfahan {Ger}) (lot 123B), who was offered as a stallion prospect, but ultimately did not meet his reserve at €200,000. He was part of the OH Consignment. Of the 141 horses offered, 73 sold for a gross of €1,546,000 and a clearance rate of 52%. The average was €21,178 and the median was €15,000. The post Son Of Martinborough Brings Top Price At Auctav NH Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coming into Saturday's G3 Firth Of Clyde Stakes at Ayr as the 16-5 favourite having won a decent maiden at Newbury last month, Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy's Sky Majesty (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}–Majestic Alexander {Ire}, by Bushranger {Ire}) continued her steep upward trajectory with a battling success to double her tally. Travelling strongly early settled in mid-pack by Callum Rodriguez, the William Haggas-trained 150,000gns Tattersalls Book 2 graduate worked her way into contention approaching the final furlong and after gaining a narrow advantage hung tough throughout the closing stages for a neck success from Maw Lam (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). Still unbeaten Sky Majesty, part-owned by @OfficialBHAFC chairman Tony Bloom, makes it 2-2 by landing the Group 3 Firth Of Clyde.@VirginBet | @ayrracecourse pic.twitter.com/RetVainZ3A — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 21, 2024 The post Blue Point’s Sky Majesty Takes The Firth Of Clyde appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars CHEVAL VALIANT - R5 (2) Ran well first up and can bowl along out in front with the weight off Jay Rooney YOUNG CHAMPION - R10 (6) Talented galloper who looks well placed for a third straight win Jack Dawling YOUNG CHAMPION - R10 (6) Exciting youngster can continue ascendancy after long break Phillip Woo BALLISTIC WIN - R8 (3) Is a winning chance after an unlucky third on opening day Shannon (Vincent Wong) DRAGON AIR FORCE - R5 (5) Improving galloper who has been performing very well at the trials and can win Racing Post Online SANTORINI - R4 (1) Hit the line nicely last start and can produce another win today Tom Wood CHEVAL VALIANT - R5 (2) With a light weight off the front he could be difficult to run downView the full article

A tenacious victory in Saturday’s A$200,000 Gr.3 Catanach’s Jewellers MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) at Caulfield has earned Kiwi mare Positivity a golden ticket into next month’s Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m). The MRC Foundation Cup offers a ballot-free Caulfield Cup entry for its winner every year, and the top-quality mare Jameka scored memorable wins in both races as a spring four-year-old in 2016. Positivity is also a four-year-old on an upward trajectory. The daughter of Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor won the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie and Gr.3 SA Fillies’ Classic (2500m) at Morphettville during her three-year-old season, and she was runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham. The Andrew Forsman-trained mare resumed with an eye-catching second in the Listed Heatherlie Handicap (1700m) at Caulfield on August 31, and the step up to 2000m on Saturday played right into her hands. Positivity enjoyed a handy run in fourth for jockey Harry Coffey, then tracked up nicely behind front-runners Just Fine and Future History coming up to the home turn. Future History kicked hard at the top of the straight and looked like the winner, but Coffey brought Positivity up alongside him and she slowly but steadily ate into his margin. Gear Up and Saint George joined in down the outside in a four-horse scramble to the line, but it was Positivity who found the most out of all of that quartet in the last few strides. She dug deep and held them all out, claiming victory by a short head. “That’s a pretty incredible feeling,” Forsman’s Flemington stable representative Chloe Cumming said. “She’s been super in her work coming into this and she looks amazing, and so to see her get it on the line is pretty incredible. “She’s come a long way since she came over in the autumn. She’s acclimatised and she’s been thriving since she’s been over here. She’s been loving it. “We’ll have to see how she pulls up from this win, talk to Andrew and see what he wants to do with it (Caulfield Cup ballot exemption).” Positivity has now had 10 starts for four wins, two placings and A$452,095 in stakes for her owner, major New Zealand industry supporter Ben Kwok. “It’s awesome for this horse to run some consistent races and get rewarded today,” Coffey said. “She’s a real scopey, lengthy type. I don’t reckon she actually knows what’s going on fully yet, still a lot of raw ability there, but it’s good for her to win this race today. “Obviously not only is this race special because of what’s attached to it with all the charities involved, but it’s a race that springboards a lot into the majors in the spring, so any horse that wins it, you know they’re going the right way. “All you can do is win. That’s two really consistent runs in a row, so I suppose she’s going to get into the Caulfield Cup with no weight. I might have to get on the brown rice diet to ride her. But all you can do is win, and that’s what she’s doing, so she’s going the right way.” Kwok purchased Positivity for $160,000 out of the Woburn Farm draft during the Book 1 Yearling Sale at Karaka. She was bred by the late Sir Patrick Hogan in partnership with Lady Justine Hogan and Peter Walker. Positivity is out of Walker’s Group One placegetter Pussy O’Reilly and from an extended family that includes stakes winners Pussy Willow, Dopff and Valpolicella. View the full article

Super-talented Per Incanto gelding Jimmysstar kicked off his new preparation with a brilliant first-up performance in Saturday’s A$150,000 Tour d’Horse Sprint (1100m) at Caulfield. The winner of two of his three starts in New Zealand for Hastings trainer Guy Lowry, a majority share in Jimmysstar was sold to clients of Ciaron Maher in September of last year. He started his Australian career on a perfect note with victories in all of his first three starts, including a Benchmark 84 handicap at Caulfield and the A$175,000 Shooting Stars (1500m) at Cranbourne. The chestnut spent the rest of the season in black-type company and finished second in the Listed Elms Handicap (1400m) seventh in the Gr.3 Newcastle Stakes (1400m), third in the Listed Brisbane Mile (1600m) and seventh in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes (1300m), often without much luck in the running. Maher sent Jimmysstar out for a spell after that last-start Luskin Star Stakes run in May, and his return to racing at Caulfield on Saturday was a very different story. The five-year-old was patiently ridden by Blake Shinn and charged home from third-last, catching Ashford Street right on the finish line and winning by a nose. “It was an exciting run by the horse,” Shinn said. “He was always going to settle back, but we were a long way from them. He wasn’t really travelling that well because of the fast tempo of the race, but I had to bide our time and try and get him as comfortable as he can be. This is a distance probably short of his best, but his class shone through. He really savaged the line. Ciaron trusted the horse that he could sprint well at this distance and all the credit goes to him and his team. “His attitude pre-race tells me that he’s certainly a more mature horse now. He’s always promised that he could measure up to some better-class races. It probably just happened a little bit too soon for him last prep. But this is a great start to his campaign and I can only see him going forward from here.” Jimmysstar has now had 11 starts for six wins and three placings, earning more than A$389,000 for an ownership syndicate headed by Ozzie Kheir but still including his breeders Little Avondale Stud and Pete and Christine Algie. “Jimmy, he’s great for Ozzie and the team,” Maher said. “He’s furnished and he always works like a sharp horse. I know he can get out over a trip, but he’s certainly furnished mentally and physically, and what a way to start back. I told Blake I thought he could win in the last 20, and I meant metres, not centimetres. “He can progress through the grades again. He’s always shown that sort of X-factor ability. He’s a cool little horse.” Jimmysstar is by Little Avondale’s headline stallion Per Incanto out of Anniesstar. The Zed mare won five races including the Listed Feilding Gold Cup (2100m), while her full-brother Jacksstar was a seven-time winner up to Group Two level and also placed in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m). Half-brother Bourbonaire placed in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m). Anniesstar is the dam of three named foals, and all of them have been winners. Charms Star is a two-time winner headed by the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m), and she was also runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and Queensland Oaks (2200m) as a three-year-old. Golden Cup has been a three-time winner in Malaysia. View the full article

A pair of classy three-year-olds from last season made a bold return to racing at Ellerslie on Saturday, with Cambridge Stud homebred Luberon digging deep to just pip Pericles in the Sistema (1200m). Luberon has been a first-crop flagbearer for Cambridge Stud stallion Embellish, starting with a black-type placing in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) as a spring two-year-old. She added two wins as a three-year-old last season, along with a placing in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) and a brave fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). Her up-and-down season also saw her throw away a likely victory in the Gr.3 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe when she veered across the track in the home straight and collided with the outside running rail, and in her final three-year-old appearance, she finished at the tail of the field when strongly supported in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) in January and was found to have a heart murmur. Trainer Lance Noble gave Luberon a long spell and then trialled her three times leading into Saturday’s four-year-old debut, recording a win and two second placings. Among her opposition at Ellerslie was the Pam Gerard-trained Pericles. The Rubick gelding was a three-time winner last season including the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m) in February, which was run over the same course and distance as Saturday’s Rating 75 sprint. The race presented stern first-up challenges for Luberon and Pericles, carrying 58.5kg and 59kg respectively and taking on the likes of proven black-type performer Merchant Queen and unbeaten up-and-comer Twain. But the quality the two topweights showed as three-year-olds last season brought them to the fore. Luberon and Pericles both settled in midfield as Merchant Queen set the pace through the early stages. Twain charged forward mid-race and passed Merchant Queen with 600m remaining, pinching a break on the field and rounding the home turn with a clear lead. Luberon and Pericles came to the middle of the track and began to move through their gears, clawing their way past a gallant Twain and setting down to fight a two-horse war to the finish. There was nothing between them through the final 50m and they hit the finish line as one, but the photo finish found a fraction of a nose in Luberon’s favour. “That was a very good first-up performance,” Noble said. “She’s always shown a lot of ability, and we thought she had come back in good order this time in. But it wasn’t easy for her today with 58 kilos on her back and racing three wide most of the way around Ellerslie. If she’d stuck on into third, you would have been more than happy with that as a resuming run. “For her to show the ticker that she did, find the line so strongly and get the win, it was a very pleasing way to start her season.” Luberon has now had nine starts for four wins, two placings and $139,375 in stakes, and there could be bigger and better things to come. “We don’t really have any specific targets in mind,” Noble said. “This will probably lift her rating a little bit. I think we’ll look to keep her fresh and stick to sprinting, so depending on how she’s going and where her rating ends up, we’ll try to find some suitable races over those sorts of trips. Something like the Counties Bowl (Gr.3, 1100m) in November could be a nice chance to try for some black type.” View the full article

Chris Waller‘s Buckaroo produced a dominant performance to claim victory in the 2024 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield. The gelding, ridden by Joao Moreira, stormed home to a convincing 3.5-length win over Huetor, with Pericles finishing third. Buckaroo, coming off two strong lead-up races in Sydney, relished the step-up in distance to the 1800m. Despite a […] The post Buckaroo Blazes to 2024 Underwood Stakes Glory appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Chris Waller’s exceptional mare, Fangirl, showcased her brilliance with a commanding victory in the $1 million 7+ Sport Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick. This win sets her up perfectly for her title defence in the 2024 King Charles III Stakes back at the track on October 19. The six-year-old daughter of Sebring redeemed her third-place […] The post Fangirl Dominates 2024 7 Stakes Results at Randwick appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Angel Capital ridden by Ben Melham wins the Caulfield Guineas Prelude at Caulfield. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Clinton McDonald and Ben Melham have combined with Angel Capital to claim victory in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon. The son of Harry Angel was given an 11 out of 10 ride by Melham as he weaved his way through traffic before sprinting past his rivals to take out the 1400m contest. Since returning to Melbourne to race on firmer tracks, Angel Capital has recorded back-to-back wins en route to the Group 1 Caulfield Guines in three weeks. Wanaruah and Feroce set a solid tempo at the front and looked to up the ante before the home turn, as many of the backmarkers began to struggle with 500m to go. Meanwhile, the likes of Private Life, Public Attention and the eventual winner were trucking along behind the speed and were ready to pounce. Melham switched back to the inside running rail to take over with 150m to go, and he was able to hold off the fast-finishing Public Attention and Wanaruah, who filled the placings. 2024 Caulfield Guineas Prelude replay – Angel Capital Clinton McDonald spoke about the victory post-race. “Big thanks to the staff, especially Tarni, who looks after him. So, it’s just nice to put yourself on the line and see the horse reward you like that,” McDonald said. “We do think he’ll run a mile. “Obviously, that was a great winner, so he had to get back to the worst ground and lost momentum, and the horses down the outside had the momentum. “So, we think he’s a proper colt, he’s showing us that now, and I’m just spewing a half of a bet with the track being a bit shifty! “Well, we know how to win both (Coolmore Stud Stakes and Caulfield Guineas). “We did it with (Weekend) Hustler, so we might do it with this colt. “He does things at home that only the real good ones do, and we’re pretty happy with him.” Ben Melham echoed similar thoughts to McDonald in his post-race interview. “Yeah, well, our opinions never changed of him,” Melham said. “I’ve always had a really high opinion of him. “I was a bit concerned going to the barriers today because he’s just been going that well and the more work we do with him. “He came in today, I thought he was a bit above himself, and his horse is a little bit windy, so you’ve got to keep him in a nice rhythm, and from a better draw today, I had to give him a little squeeze away, and I was really happy the way he handled himself. “He relaxed really well, he was a bit sticky coming into the corner. “I was just waiting on a run and the inside wasn’t really my preference, but that’s where it opened up and I knew I had plenty of horse, so I had to go there and his ability shone through at the finish. “Well, I knew I had plenty of horse under me, but I had the better chances on my outside in the better ground, so it just adds more merit to his win, I think. “He was strong through the line there, so he’d probably head to the mile at this stage and if he gets things right, he’s, you know, you have a lot of chances for sure.” Angel Capital is a $7 chance with top horse racing bookmakers in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas futures markets. Horse racing news View the full article

I Am Me winning The Shorts. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au I Am Me ($2.60) has made it back-to-back wins to kick-off her spring campaign, getting the head down to claim victory in The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare got the perfect run in transit, similarly to her first-up success in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) a fortnight ago, sitting one back on the inside running rail before exploding in the final furlong. It was another tight finish for the daughter of I Am Invincible, with the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) winner Stefi Magnetica ($9.50) looming large in the shadows of the post under Zac Lloyd, narrowly running out of time as James McDonald pushed out I Am Me to cling on by a half-head on the wire. The six-year-old must be considered a possible contender for $20 million Everest (1200m) with plenty of slots still available, and the Ciaron Maher team suggested that’s still the goal this preparation. The Shorts 2024 Replay – I Am Me Stable representative Johann Gerard-Dubord was on course to discuss the victory and where to next for I Am Me. “To do it first up, obviously, is one thing, but to repeat it two weeks later like that is a good effort,” said Gerard-Dubord. “Especially after a hard run like that, two weeks back up, there’s always a bit of a question mark, but she’s come back better. “Doing it every second week, it’s never easy. There is a a four-weeks gap to The Everest, which could be ideal. We’ll just have to see how she comes through that first. “She will tell us, but she’s done a perfect job so far.” James McDonald was impressed with the victory and suggested The Everest was within the realm of possibilities. “She’s quality and she just wears a heart on her sleeve,” said McDonald. “She always felt in control of the race and even from a furlong from home, I felt like I was always going to win, even though they were so close. “She’s won the first two lead-ups to the great race, so she’s ticking a lot of boxes. “I think I won on her over six furlongs and she won by the same sort of margin. So she does what she has to do, and she’s a big broodmare who will run a tremendous race in a race like that.” I Am Me is now an $18.00 chance with horse racing bookmakers for The Everest set to be run and won on October 19. Horse racing news View the full article

Buckaroo ridden by Joao Moreira wins the Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse on September 21, 2024. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Buckaroo ($8.50) has recorded back-to-back victories as the Chris Waller-trained gelding stormed clear in the concluding stages to take out the Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. Following his narrow victory in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes, the son of Fastnet Rock has continued his winning ways by rounding up his rivals on the home turn before sprinting away from the rest of the field. Duke De Sessa ($15) jumped well from the barriers to take up the lead, ahead of Pericles ($4.40) and Muhnamek ($31), who settled behind the leader on a solid tempo in the 1800m contest. Joao Moreira was able to find cover on the back of Vow And Declare ($34) midfield in the three-wide running line before peeling even wider to make his run on the eventual winner. As the leaders swung out to the middle of the track, it was evident that Buckaroo had their measure at the top of the straight, and he quickly swept on by at the 200m mark. Huetor ($71) ran on strongly from the back of the field to nab second behind Pericles, who held on for third place. 2024 Underwood Stakes replay – Buckaroo Charlie Duckworth was on course to represent the winning stable in the post-race interview. “Yeah, obviously we’re completely blown away, to be honest,” Duckworth said. “We obviously wanted to be a bit more positive than what we were out of the gates, but he was a fraction slow away so Joao just had to do what Joao does best and take it into his own hands. “He had to circle and get going early, but gee was strong late, and he was obviously far too good today. “So, I had a good chat to Tommy Berry this morning, he sort of gave us a few, few pointers as to how or the reason why he felt he went so well last start, and which obviously then relaid to Joao. “I was actually talking to Ozzie yesterday, I said is he is he a 2400 metre horse or is he a 3200 metre horse or is he a Cox Plate horse because obviously Joao’s here for the Melbourne Cup and can only ride sort of 54 or 53 (kilos) at a push. “So trying to work out where where he where he will ride on on those big days, but he might have answered his own question. “Time will tell I suppose see how he comes through it and Chris can make the big calls but I’m more than happy to be a small part of the team.” Joao Moreira was elated with the victory, and he spoke post-race. “It feels amazing, you know. That’s what horse racing is about,” Moreira said. “When you get one up, the feeling doesn’t get any better. “Impressive the way how he won, isn’t it? “He has a tricky manner in the gate. He wasn’t really kind for me in there. “Began a little bit worse than what we were hoping. Found itself a little bit too far back. “But as the race disenrolled itself, it kind of got him into the race. “When I turned for home on the outside, with him having great momentum, I was always confident he was going to get up. “He’s begging for more ground and I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins another one.” Buckaroo is a $15 chance with top horse racing bookmakers in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup futures markets. Horse racing news View the full article

Fangirl cruises to victory in the 7 Stakes. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Chris Waller & James McDonald combined with Fangirl ($1.75) claiming a dominant victory in the $1 million 7 Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The three-time Group 1 winning mare was simply too classy for her seven rivals on Saturday, putting the writing on the wall after an excellent return in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) on August 24. McDonald was happy to take the six-year-old back to last throughout the trip, with a strong tempo courtesy of the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained outsider Major Beel ($51.00) carting across from barrier four. Zougotcha ($5.00) was sent forward to sit on his hammer, while My Oberon ($26.00) and Royal Patronage ($4.40) slotted into perfect stalking positions midfield. The leaders quickly came back to the rest of the field, and when James McDonald pulled Fangirl to the centre of the course, it was all over as she showed a superior turn-of-foot, while My Oberon put in the big strides to fill out the quinella. It was all about the winner in the end, however, with Fangirl justifying the short price with horse racing bookmakers to get her spring campaign back on track. 2024 7 Stakes Replay – Fangirl Chris Waller spoke for the third time on Saturday afternoon and continued to praise the performance of both jockey and horse. “She had to give them a good start,” said Waller. “I was thinking, thank God, we’ve got James (McDonald) aboard. “So many things go through your mind, whether a jockey or a trainer on race day, and that’s why you’ve got the good jockeys like your Corey Browns and Nash Rawillers, your Kerrins, and I’m lucky they ride for me, and they make my job look a damn lot easier, because it’s not easy. “We didn’t go out there with any pre-race plan, but just wary that it would be hard to make up ground, but she showed an amazing turn of foot, and she was brilliant. Especially when they’re spinning out a couple of 12 seconds up in front. “It was terrific, I thought.” James McDonald was elated with the victory and gave full credit to his mount. “She’s so good,” said McDonald. “I wasn’t pleased with the position we’re in today. “I was looking up, and I was saying, ‘Zougotcha…. Oh! Royal Patronage, beautiful! That was the only saving grace, but in saying that she still had to do it the hard way. “We’ve all come to realise that she’s one-dimensional, so we all know where she’s going to be, and I think Chris and I, we put our heads together, and obviously we’re going to ride her to her strengths, which we’ve obviously nailed down. “Today, smaller field, it’s going to work out alright but again, the next race we’re going to have to come up with a bit more.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, September 22, 2024 First Race 1pm HKT (3pm AEST) Visit Dabble The Group 3 Celebration Cup (1400m) headlines a bumper 10-race program at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon, with locals gathering to send off champion of the turf, Golden Sixty. The rail is in the B+2 position for all turf races throughout the meeting, and with some rainfall forecast on the day, punters should anticipate a possible downgrade into the Soft range at some stage. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 1pm local time. Celebration Cup Tip: Packing Treadmill In a race devoid of a natural leader, Packing Treadmill could be the one to take luck out of the equation in the 2024 Celebration Cup. He was disappointing first-up in Class 1 company behind Ka Ying Rising but was never in contention after drifting back to last from barrier nine. Lyle Hewitson sticks aboard the consistent six-year-old gelding, and with barrier four allowing him to get across and lead in this small field of seven, watch for Packing Treadmill to pinch a break and give followers a bold sight in the feature. Celebration Cup Race 7 – #4 Packing Treadmill (4) 6yo Gelding | T: Francis Lui | J: Lyle Hewitson (55.5kg) Bet with Neds Best Bet at Sha Tin: Wunderbar The John Size-trained Wunderbar returns after a 35-week spell and looks to be one of the horses to follow in the 2024/25 Hong Kong racing season. The lightly raced four-year-old matched motors with Ka Ying Rising at the end of last preparation, and with that horse going on to stamp himself as a potential leading hope in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) in December, this guy could be a star on the rise. He needs to lug 61kg at the top of Class 3 company, but with Zac Purton in the saddle from gate two, punters can expect Wunderbar get the job done. Best Bet Race 9 – #1 Wunderbar (2) 4yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Zac Purton (61kg) Bet with Picklebet Next Best at Sha Tin: Ballistic Win Ballistic Win was luckless first-up at this course and distance on September 8 and should’ve been winning provided he could get off heels at a crucial stage. He should have no such issues from barrier three this time around, with Ben Thompson likely to lob into the one-one throughout. Family Jewel already franked the form saluting last Sunday, and provided he doesn’t get held up behind a wall of horses again, Ballistic Win can make amends in similar fashion. Next Best Race 8 – #3 Ballistic Win (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Benno Yung | J: Ben Thompson (61kg) Bet with Dabble Best Value at Sha Tin: Stellar Swift Stellar Swift was winless across his five starts last season but should appreciate the step back into Class 4 company. The David Hayes-trained gelding was looking for the paddock after being demoralised by 8.8 lengths at Sha Tin on June 15; however, he appears to be bouncing back nicely after two strong barrier trials at Conghua. He draws barrier two to get within striking distance of his rivals turning for home, and with this clearly his easiest assignment to date, expect a bold showing by Stellar Swift at an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 3 – #2 Stellar Swift (2) 4yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Andrea Atzeni (61kg) Bet with Playup Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections September 22, 2024 2-4-6 1-3-5-7 1 1-2-5-6-8-9-11 Horse racing tips View the full article

Local jockey aims to continue bright beginning to campaign in Sunday’s Celebration Cup (1,400m).View the full article

“Magic Man” Joao Moreira stated he needed to prove himself at Caulfield before doing just that when steering Buckaroo to an emphatic Underwood Stakes win. View the full article

A crowd of some 30,000 is expected to descend on Sha Tin for the three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year’s farewell on Sunday.View the full article

Autumn Glow cruising to victory in the Tea Rose Stakes. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Autumn Glow ($2.10) has cruised to victory in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, keeping her undefeated record intact while securing favouritism for the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m). James McDonald took all luck out of the equation from barrier eight, electing to go and sit outside the leader, with the Michael Freedman-trained Manaal ($3.60) forced to lead in a race devoid of a natural leader. It allowed the pair to stride out under steady sectionals throughout the 1400m, while Ameena ($10.00) was dragged back to avoid a speed battle from barrier nine. Lazzura ($13.00) got a lovely spot behind the leading pair, while the well-supported Snow In May ($13.00) got into a good rhythm towards the inside running rail. As soon as McDonald pulled the persuader in the home staright, there was only one horse you wanted to be on, with Autumn Glow building the revs to career away from her rivals in the concluding stages, leaving Snow In May, Manaal and Lazzura to battle out the minor money. 2024 Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes Replay – Autumn Glow Chris Waller was pleased with the adaptability she showed on Saturday, ridden out of her comfort zone to score impressively. “We rode her a little bit closer today,” said Waller. “There were no instructions. We just said to James, ‘Make sure she’s happy and comfortable,’ and James said, ‘She’s got a beautiful action (and) I’m not going to take it away from her. So just have her comfortable, and that’s what he did. “She’s probably a little bit foreign in that territory, but she’s all class. And if we get a perfect draw in the flight stakes, we can go back to riding her where we need to if she’s comfortable. “She’s improving with each run, being trained that way. We’ve got one race to go. I don’t think we’ll go too far beyond that.” James McDonald was impressed with the feel she gave him throughout and suggested there was still plenty of upside. “She’s very good,” said McDonald. “She’s just so economical in her action. She’s got a great constitution, good strength about her (and a) really good mind. She’ll keep improving, too. “It is to Chris’ credit. He said, ‘you ride her, you’re on top, you go with her. I’ve got as much faith in the filly as I do you.’ “She’s got all the class in the world. Have a look at her.” Autumn Glow is now the clear favourite at $1.80 with horse racing bookmakers for the Flight Stakes on October 5. Horse racing news View the full article

What Nowra Races Where Shoalhaven City Turf Club – 96 Albatross Rd, South Nowra NSW 2541 When Sunday, September 22, 2024 First Race 1:20pm AEST Visit Dabble Country racing heads to Nowra on Sunday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-part program awaits punters. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and with perfect spring conditions forecast across the weekend, participants can expect a genuine Good 4 surface for race-day. All the action is set to kick-off at 1:20pm local time. Best Bet at Nowra: Here Comes Hogan Here Comes Hogan appears poised for back-to-back wins after a dominant front-running effort at Scone on August 19. He only had to beat two other runners on that occasion but put them away stylishly to break his maiden status. His tick-over trial at Warwick Farm on September 13 has kept him up to the mark, and with this BM58 lacking depth on paper, Here Comes Hogan should justify the short price with online bookmakers in the opening event. Best Bet Race 1 – #3 Here Comes Hogan (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Matthew Smith | J: Jean Van Overmeire (60.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Nowra: Sunrise Sunrise looks set to peak third-up for the Mitchell Beer barn. The New Zealand import didn’t shirk the task on Australian debut behind Alabama State at Hawkesbury on August 22, and although she was beaten by 6.8 lengths, she followed it up with an eye-catching performance at the same track and trip to close within 1.5 lengths of Opal Fields. An extra 100m should be ideal, and with Blake Spriggs set to get a lovely run with cover from barrier seven, Sunrise should be looming large in shadows of the post. Next Best Race 5 – #1 Sunrise (7) 3yo Filly | T: Mitchell Beer | J: Blake Spriggs (59.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Nowra: Heir Jordan Heir Jordan returns after a 130-day spell and brings an element of class to this BM58 contest. He doesn’t have a strong first-up profile; however, his form last preparation is simply too good to ignore, with his latest effort on the Kensington circuit at Randwick on May 15 behind Frankly Elegant particularly catching the eye. Madison Waters will have no choice but to drag back from barrier 12, but provided she can navigate into the clear at a crucial stage, the $10.00 available with online bookmakers will look a big price as they turn for home. Best Value Race 6 – #1 Heir Jordan (12) 5yo Gelding | T: Luke Musson | J: Madison Waters (a2kg) (61.5kg) Bet with Dabble Sunday quaddie tips for Nowra Nowra quadrella selections September 22, 2024 6-11 1-2-7 1-2-4-6-7 1-4-8-11-12-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Well-related filly Lilac has wasted little time in adding valuable black type to her CV, landing Saturday’s A$175,000 Listed NJT Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in only the fourth start of her career. A graduate of Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore draft at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka, Lilac is trained by Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald and kicked off her career with a win, a second and a fourth from three starts in Sydney. Neasham and Archibald sent her south for a shot at Saturday’s Listed feature, and Lilac rose to the occasion in style. After tracking the front-running Too Darn Lizzie up to the home turn, Lilac quickened at the top of the straight and took charge. Declichy Boulevard flashed home in the last 50m to provide a late scare, but Lilac held her out by a short head. The rest of the field finished more than two lengths behind the first two. “I felt like I had the leader covered the whole way and she was nice and relaxed, sitting a length and a half off,” jockey Mark Zahra said. “It was just a matter of her quickening when I asked her, and she did. She’s pretty sharp.” Lilac has now had four starts for two wins, a placing and A$145,875. She races in the colours of syndicators Champion Thoroughbreds, with Coolmore also sharing in the ownership. “This is the first horse we’ve had with Champion Thoroughbreds, and it’s great to have Coolmore in the ownership as well,” Neasham said. “It’s really satisfying to get a stakes win for them with a filly of this quality. “Obviously you hope she might be able to get up over a mile, because that’s the distance of the Group One races later in the spring (Flight Stakes and Thousand Guineas). But I’ve always slightly had my doubts because she’s sharp. She puts herself up on speed. Physically, she’s still got a bit of a way to go. She’s quite a slender filly with the best still ahead of her. “Most importantly, we’ve got the stakes win today, so the pressure’s off in that regard. But hopefully she can build on her CV from here on in. I’m just delighted for all the connections.” Lilac was bred by Katom and is by one of the world’s hottest stallions in Justify. Her dam is Paulownia, who raced in the Coolmore colours and was trained by Jamie Richards to finish second in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham in 2018. Paulownia is also a full-sister to Group One winner and sire Foxwedge. Offered by Curraghmore in Book 1 of Karaka 2023, Lilac was bought by Champion Thoroughbreds and Annabel Neasham Racing for $300,000. View the full article

Hunterville gelding Jay Bee Gee is going from strength to strength as a spring seven-year-old, collecting the first two black-type wins of his career within the first two months of the 2024-25 season. The son of Complacent had showed promising signs with five wins from 17 starts as a five and six-year-old, but he hit new heights when he edged out Freeze Frame and Bradman in a thrilling three-way photo finish to the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton on August 3. Saturday’s Gr.3 Hunterville Vet Club Metric Mile (1600m) at Wanganui saw Jay Bee Gee double his black-type tally, and this performance painted a very different picture to last month’s Winter Cup nail-biter. This time Jay Bee Gee and jockey Kelly Myers strode to the lead within the first 100m of the race and dominated every moment of the Metric Mile from that point on. Bradman briefly loomed on the outside and lodged a challenge coming down the side of the track, but then Myers cranked Jay Bee Gee up around the corner and turned him loose. Jay Bee Gee put three or four lengths on the field within a few powerful bounds at the top of the straight, and the result of the $100,000 feature was immediately put beyond any doubt. Chase and Master Marko finished strongly out of the pack to eat into the margin in the last 100m, but Jay Bee Gee had his ears pricked and plenty left in the tank as he crossed the finish line a length and three-quarters in front of them. The Metric Mile was the third win on the Wanganui card for Myers, who had guided Landlock and Wire Rope to debut victories earlier in the afternoon. Myers has taken special satisfaction from riding Jay Bee Gee to this season’s two Group Three victories for trainer Adrian Bull, who shares ownership with his son Harry. Myers has ridden dozens of winners in Bull’s distinctive emerald green and gold colours, including the Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) with Nashville in 2013. “He (Jay Bee Gee) is special, and the Bulls are a special family,” Myers said. “It’s so, so nice to win in these colours. “I was happy to sit outside Tobias today, but then I thought, you know what? He only has 53.5kg, so we’ll take the bull by the horns. The inside part of the track was still good, so it worked out. “He pulled himself up something chronic halfway up the straight. He thought it was Sunday and pricked his ears and loafed to the line. He had a lot more up his sleeve. I don’t know whether we should put some blinkers on going forward, but he’s a talented horse going through the grades.” Jay Bee Gee was bred by Sir Peter Vela’s Pencarrow Thoroughbreds and is out of the remarkable Pins mare Huluava, whose nine winners from nine foals to race also include the dual Listed winner William Wallace. Jay Bee Gee is one of three winners in New Zealand so far this season for Huluava, along with talented Pencarrow homebreds Harmonious and Branciforti. Another of Hulava’s progeny, the unraced Hirondelle, is dam of last year’s Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Pignan. Jay Bee Gee was offered by Bradbury Park in Book 2 of Karaka 2019, where Harry Bull bought him for $26,000. From a 22-race career, Jay Bee Gee has recorded seven wins and five placings and has earned $240,960. View the full article

Underrated galloper Shamus bounced back to his very best form as he provided a massive upset when taking out the feature flat event at Ellerslie on Saturday, the Almanzor – Proven Value (1400m). All eyes were focussed on the resumption of glamour mare Orchestral who was recently voted Champion Three-Year-Old and Champion Stayer at the 2024 New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards, while Group One winner Campionessa was also amongst a talent-packed line-up. The Moira and Kieran Murdoch-prepared six-year-old slipped under the radar despite winning the Waipu Cup (1400m) two starts back at Ruakaka and then going a bold race for fourth at the same venue behind talented mare Malt Time. Punters sent the son of Shamexpress out at a juicy $31 on the Fixed Odds market as apprentice Ace Lawson-Carroll produced a heady front-running ride despite spending some petrol to assume pacemaking duties after jumping from barrier 13. Shamus kicked strongly when asked for an effort at the 300m and clung grimly to a half-length margin over the final stages as Rudyard, Campionessa and former Hong Kong galloper Meaningful Star charged at him in a blanket finish. Moira Murdoch was thrilled to have owners Noel and Ron Stanley on-course to witness the victory after they sent her the horse from original trainer Allan Sharrock earlier this year to take advantage of the Murdoch’s access to beach training facilities. “It was a super win as he drew 13 and we thought do we scratch in that quality of field,” Murdoch said. “It was really nice as Ace just seems to have a way with him as he lets him be himself. “He loves this surface at Ellerslie as we brought him to the jumpouts and he revelled in it as it is nice and smooth with a little bounce in it. “We’d like to step him up in distance now as Ron is keen on that. “We thought we would kick off here and I actually would have been thrilled if he had only weighed in, but there you go.” By Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress, Shamus was bred by the Carter family under their Jomara Bloodstock banner and was purchased for $85,000 by Allan Sharrock out of the Woburn Farm draft at the 2020 NZB Ready To Run sale. He has now won eight of his 18 starts and over $278,000 in prizemoney. Supporters who backed Orchestral into the $2 favourite for the race would have been disappointed she didn’t pay a dividend, however her performance would have delighted connections as she settled second-last in the 13-horse field before running on strongly to finish eighth less than two lengths from the winner in a perfect pipe-opener to her campaign. View the full article