Wandering Eyes

My Wish wins the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m). (Photo: HKJC) Mark Newnham is optimistic My Wish can make a triumphant start to an ambitious 2025/26 campaign when the rising star resumes in the HK$4.2 million Group 3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Newnham orchestrated My Wish’s stunning advance last season when the diminutive gelding progressed from a rating of 54 and Class 4 company to a mark of 105 and standing as a genuine Group 1 contender with four wins, two seconds, two thirds and a fourth from nine starts. The Australian horseman believes My Wish has benefited from a spell and natural maturity after the 2025 HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) winner and HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) runner-up’s rousing trial win at Sha Tin on 19 September. “I’m really pleased with him. He’s mentally and physically stronger and he’s more relaxed in the mornings. His appetite is better so I would say he’s made improvements in a lot of little areas,” Newnham said of My Wish. Drawn in barrier four for Luke Ferraris, My Wish will carry 130lb on Sunday when he faces 13 rivals – Happy Together (135lb), Copartner Prance (134lb), Patch Of Theta (134lb), Victor The Winner (134lb), Moments In Time (132lb), Packing Hermod (132lb), Sunlight Power (132lb), Rubylot (130lb), Divano (129lb), Pray For Mir (128lb), Light Years Charm (125lb), Johannes Brahms (120lb) and Markwin (116lb). “I would say he’d be very hard to beat,” Newnham said. “He’s a horse that doesn’t carry a lot of excess weight, so he gets himself fairly ready and he’s run well and won first-up last season. He’s a horse that performs fresh. He’s actually weighing at over 1,000 pounds at the moment and everyone will be happy with that. “He’s just strengthened up that much more and I think he’s got a good season ahead.” Fourth in the HK$24 million Group 1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) in April behind Red Lion, My Wish is unbeaten in two attempts over Sha Tin’s 1400m course. Newnham plans to give My Wish another tilt at elite company when the five-year-old will be aimed at the HK$36 million Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on December 14. “The international mile is his main goal so this week’s race is three months before then with the two Group 2 miles (Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap and BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile) in between,” Newnham said. My Wish will renew a burgeoning rivalry this Sunday with David Hayes-trained Rubylot, who is also on a pathway to the Hong Kong International Races. The six-time Sha Tin winner – from 1000m to 1800m – reappears for the first time since running second in the HK$13 million Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) behind Voyage Bubble on May 25. To be ridden by Hugh Bowman, Rubylot will start from gate 14. “He’s definitely improved. He’s a bigger, stronger horse. I thought his last trial was excellent and he never runs a bad race fresh,” Hayes said. “He’s got good form from 1000 metres to 2400. I have a concern for My Wish. “There wasn’t much between him and Rubylot last year and I was quite taken by My Wish’s trial from an opposition point of view.” Hayes said the HK$5.35 million Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) would be used to decide whether Rubylot is set for the Hong Kong Mile or the HK$40 million Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m). “The Sha Tin Trophy will be the race we decide which race we’ll target on international day – either the Mile or the Cup,” Hayes said. Horse racing news View the full article

Skybird ridden by John Allen winning the Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington. (Photo: Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Inglis have confirm Group 1 winner Skybird as their representative for the running of the $20m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick. The Mitch Freedman-trainee claimed her breakthrough Group 1 victory when Skybird produced an explosive performance to win the Lightning Stakes over 1000m at Flemington in February. In winning the Lightning, at just her 12th start and her first attempt in Group 1 company over a sprinting distance, Skybird earned a 102 WFA Performance Rating to announce her arrival amongst the most dynamic sprinters in the country. Ruled out of the remainder of the autumn due to injury, Skybird made her return in the Group 1 Moir Stakes just over a fortnight ago and was beaten by just two lengths despite a luckless run. Skybird will contest the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley before progressing to The Everest at Randwick on October 18. Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch was delighted Skybird will be representing Inglis in what is the world’s most valuable race on turf. “Since it’s inception, The Everest has been a captivating spectacle and the race in 2025 is shaping up as the most enthralling yet,” he said. “We work diligently through the year in consideration of prospective runners for our slot and Skybird catapulted to the forefront of our consideration with her win in the Lightning, which was nothing short of awesome. “Mitch Freedman is a young trainer that the market has a lot of respect for and he has been very patient in his development of this filly, she is unexposed, progressive and shaping as a candidate to produce a career best at Randwick on Everest day. “It’s been enjoyable to liaise with (Managing Owner) Michael (Scalzo) through the slot negotiations and the ownership experience of the Skybird owners is yet another fantastic promotion of our business and the industry as a whole, a $110,000 Inglis Classic Yearling that becomes a G1 winner of almost $1.3m in prizemoney and is now competing in the best sprint race in the world. “It’s the stuff that dreams are made of. “We are under no illusions as to the challenge that race presents, but we are very much looking forward to the build up to the race, which will include the Inglis Ready2Race Sale at Riverside Stables on October 16, and the race day itself,” added Hutch. For trainer Mitch Freedman, the opportunity to be a part of such a prestigious race is a reflection of the hard work of the team behind Skybird. “We all go to the yearling sales with a dream of finding a horse like her. To purchase a horse like Skybird, bring her through our system and to now to be a part of the most elite sprinting race in our country, if not the world, truly is an honour,” said Freedman. “She has been part of the stable since she was a yearling and her success to date is truly a credit to the team around me who help to prepare her. “She is an exceptional talent and it’s very exciting to take up the Inglis slot, given she was an Inglis purchase, and it really is a dream come true for all of the team at Mitch Freedman Racing. “We are looking forward to taking her to Randwick to have her compete with some of the best sprinters in the world and I think she is more than capable of making her presence felt,” said Freedman. Skybird is a $110,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale graduate for Mitch Freedman Racing, offered by her breeder HP Thoroughbreds in 2022. She is the ninth confirmed runner in the world’s richest turf race and the sixth Inglis graduate to earn a slot alongside Overpass, Joliestar, Lady Shenandoah, Private Harry and Angel Capital. Skybird is one of 109 individual Group 1-winning Inglis graduates since 2018 and will be looking to become the third consecutive Inglis graduate to win The Everest, as well as giving Inglis its seventh graduate win in the ninth running of the world-famous race. Horse racing news View the full article

Sydney-based trainer Joe Pride has selected the Stocks Stakes as a suitable stakes target for Aberlour (NZ) (Mongolian Falcon), with the mare set to be among the interstate challengers in the Group 2 race at Moonee Valley on Friday night. A winner of two Listed races in NZ as a three-year-old before joining the Pride stable, Aberlour has found some consistent form in her recent races in Sydney after notching her first Australian win in a Benchmark race at Randwick in July. After a runner-up finish to subsequent G3 winner Oh Diamond Lil (So You Think) in late July, Aberlour then resumed from a let-up with a close third at Randwick earlier this month in Benchmark 94 grade after leading. Pride felt Friday night’s G2 race for mares over 1500m at The Valley is a good option for the five-year-old, whose wins in the Listed Gore Guineas and Listed Southland Guineas across the Tasman in early 2024 came racing in the anti-clockwise direction. “A few weeks ago, I just thought ‘I want to get her into a Stakes race because I think she’s going well’ and this race looked the most winnable of the races I had as options,” Pride said. “She’s going super. “She ran a really nice second to David Pfieffer’s mare Oh Diamond Lil and she came out and won the Tibbie and there’s a little bit of form out of her last run as well. “She’s actually won (three times) going Melbourne way in New Zealand, around tight, little tracks and I just think her pattern will really suit Moonee Valley.” Pride said Aberlour arrived in Victoria on Wednesday in good order. “She’ll run really well,” he said. “It took me a little while, but I’ve worked her out now and got her comfortable in her surroundings here. “She’s come from Riverton in New Zealand at the bottom of the South Island and it just took a bit of an adjustment period for her. But since she’s been racing well, she’s held her form really consistently.” Aberlour is not the only Sydney-based mare to head south for the Stocks Stakes, with Michael Freedman’s last-start Stakes winner Just Feelin’ Lucky (Justify) among the contenders, while Sydney’s premier trainer Chris Waller has also sent Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) to his Flemington stable to continue her campaign in the race on her way to targets later in the Victorian Spring Carnival. View the full article

A slight program deviation isn’t expected to affect Gringott’s (NZ) (Per Incanto) build-up to the King Charles III Stakes. A poor blood reading ruled Gringotts out of the 7 Stakes but the timing of his revamped program might work out even better. Ciaron Maher scratched the George Ryder Stakes winner from last week’s Randwick assignment when routine tests showed his blood count to be slightly askew of normal. Assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said the horse could still have run but they took the safer option and saved him for this weekend’s Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill instead. “There wasn’t much to it but in the middle of a preparation we didn’t want to take the risk,” Gerard-Dubord said. “He actually galloped (Saturday) morning in an easy piece of work. “We will take his bloods (this week) and if that’s right he will be taking his place on Saturday and it will be three weeks into a King Charles (III Stakes) which will work very well.” A Group 1 winner over Saturday’s course and distance in the autumn, Gringotts heads into Saturday’s race a month between runs after resuming with a solid fifth to Via Sistina on a heavy track in the Winx Stakes (1400m). He has posted a subsequent barrier trial victory at Wyong and Gerard-Dubord is happy the horse is in good order. “He is going very well and his first-up run was good. He just had to make his run a bit earlier than usual on that very heavy track,” he said. “He will strip fitter and I’m looking forward to him getting back to the races.” View the full article

Mick Price said he is not certain that his surprise Underwood Stakes placegetter Golden Path (NZ) (Belardo) will stay, but he feels compelled to give the horse the chance to run in next month’s $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m). Golden Path has never been beyond 2000 metres but on the back of his brave Underwood placing over 1800m, his Caulfield Cup price has continued to tumble – in from an opening quote of $101 down to $23 for the October 18 feature. “I thought this race was worth a little try, but I’m not getting carried away,” Price said after the Underwood. “He may end up in a Caulfield Cup because it may be his only chance to win a decent race. “I just said to the guys, ‘He’s not going to win a really good race against horses with a good turn of foot’. His only chance is if he does stay, then he is a live nomination for the Caulfield Cup and I can’t deny the opportunity to run in it. “There’s not a better turn of foot than what we just saw, but he does not live in that territory. He’s not a weight-for-age horse.” Price, who trains Golden Path in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr, took some encouragement out of the run behind Sir Delius (Frankel) and Buckaroo (Fastnet Rock) as he felt the horse did not quite measure up to the better weight-for-age gallopers in the autumn when tried in races like the G1 Verry Elleegant (1600m), where he was beaten just more than two lengths by Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock). “He’s been placed correctly bar a couple of runs in Sydney where we had a crack at some nice horses,” Price said. “Sometimes two lengths is a good two lengths and sometimes it’s a long way and I felt the two lengths he was beaten by some good horses was a very long way. Hence, we got him into some races where he could win.” Golden Path is currently 27th in order for a Caulfield Cup, which has 18 starters, so he may not have to win his way in. “I guess we have to find a way into the Caulfield Cup,” Price said. “The Turnbull is two weeks. I am not yet sure, but we’ll keep the dream alive.” The Caulfield Cup has not been a great race for Price: “I have had one runner and it burst through the barriers last year. It was Warmonger (finished eighth). It has escaped me that race for some reason.” View the full article

Trent Busuttin only has to check the past results of the Group 2 Stutt Stakes to know that the best days of his 2021 winner of the race, Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel), are behind him. Busuttin is cognisant of this and will be happy to settle for an anniversary win four years later in the Benalla Cup for the now seven-year-old gelding in the hours leading up to the 2025 Stutt Stakes, where the stable will be represented by Decanted (NZ) (Darci Brahma). Busuttin and Natalie Young are aiming for their third-successive win in the Benalla Cup after victories from Brayden Star (Twilight Son) in 2023 and Suizuro (Real impact) last year and he said they just want to see Forgot You show some form in the race. “He was a bit plain last Friday at Ballarat, so we thought we thought with a quick turnaround and a jump up in trip to get him thinking a bit,” he said. “At his best he should and would win but he needs to lift off the back of his run the other day. “The other day in the Gold Nugget it was a dead-set sit and sprint. They dashed up 400m and the horses in front of him left him flat footed. He’s a seven-year-old gelding. We’re not saving him for anything.” As a three-year-old, Forgot You was one of the best of his age group. In addition to the Stutt Stakes, he also won the G2 Vase at Moonee Valley, as well as finishing third in the G1 Rosehill Guineas and fourth in the Australian Guineas. But he suffered a suspensory ligament injury when he finished well back in the Australian Derby and was sidelined for more than a year and after missing another year with injury, returned to racing in May this year. His most recent win was on November 7 2023 over 1800m at Flemington. View the full article

David Hayes has declared Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) ‘in great order’ as he begins the next phase of his Everest build up. Champion Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising is living every girls’ dream – he has arrived in Sydney several pounds lighter and to a new pair of shoes. Speaking from Hong Kong after the gelding had a look around Canterbury racecourse on Thursday morning, trainer David Hayes reported the Everest favourite had handled the travel well despite losing the equivalent of around 10 kilos on the flight over. “He’s in great order. He’s got some new shoes on, he’s settled in and he’s enjoying having a pick of the grass outside his stable,” Hayes said. “He did lose twenty-two pounds – if the scales are correct and they’re calibrated the same because the Hong Kong scales may be different. “But the most important thing is he’s eating his feed, he’s drinking and there’s a consistent weight in Australia. “I’m not concerned about his weight. He is carrying terrific condition.” The winner of 14 of his 16 starts and past 13 in succession, Ka Ying Rising is an odds-on favourite for the $20 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 18. The Hong Kong-based Hayes confirmed he would be in Sydney to oversee the horse’s scheduled barrier trial on October 7 at Randwick and was then likely to stay on until race day. Hayes regards the trial as critical to Ka Ying Rising’s build up as it gives the horse a chance to blow out the cobwebs after his quarantine stint. “He’s working on his own all the time in quarantine and that will be a bit of competitive company to trial against,” Hayes said. “He won’t be out to break records but we will certainly let him increase the last 200 metres in the trial to stretch his legs out. “That’s a very important day for him. I will be down there monitoring how the horse is coping and pointing the staff in the right direction.” Hayes also revealed he had been keeping a close eye on Ka Ying’s Rising Everest opposition and had been impressed by Joliestar’s (Zoustar) first-up win in The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick last weekend and Lady Shenandoah’s (Snitzel) luckless return behind Headwall (Dream Ahead) in the Concorde Stakes (1000m). But while respectful of Australia’s sprinting talent, he also warned Ka Ying Rising was still improving and said provided the horse turned up to Randwick on Everest day at his top, he deserved to be the race’s No. 1 seed. “It’s not going to be a walk in the park but I’d say if his ratings are any guide, they all need to probably improve on their current ratings to beat him,” he said. And if the race goes to script and Ka Ying Rising can stretch his unbeaten sequence to 14 wins, Hayes will seriously consider a return next year. “With that huge quarantine that he’s going through, probably if it worked I’d repeat next year and put him on a similar path,” he said. View the full article

Navy Dreams (NZ) (Merchant Navy) all but won at stakes level last season and the in-form colt will have an opportunity to go one better at Te Rapa on Saturday. The Barry Donoghue-prepared son of Merchant Navy will attempt to break his maiden status in the Gr.2 Timberspan Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). Like his young charge, Donoghue will be chasing his first victory with his main focus as a successful Ready to Run Sale vendor under his BMD Bloodstock banner, selling unraced stock out of trials and tried horses. “I had to get a trainer’s licence to have horses at the trials and have done alright,” the former jumps jockey said. “I got him (Navy Dreams) to trial, but the offers didn’t come, he ran second at Taupo to Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahama) and that form looks brilliant now.” Navy Dreams’ best performance came at his final appearance as a two-year-old when he finished a close second in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa. The Raptors Thoroughbreds-owned colt returned at Ellerslie earlier this month against older opposition to finish runner-up to Have A Crack (NZ) (Zoustar), who is unbeaten in two New Zealand starts. “His first-up run was very good, so he deserves his chance and he’s trained on well,” Donoghue said. He is expecting another strong performance from Navy Dreams, who will again be partnered by Masa Hashizume, to confirm his spring path toward the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m). Donoghue will also be busy with an 18-strong draft heading toward New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale off the back of selling the fifth top lot in 2024 when his Toronado colt made $625,000. Among his consignment is Lot 70, a well-related son of Wootton Bassett, whose outstanding stud career was tragically cut short this week when he passed away due to illness at Coolmore. “The buyers will definitely be coming to look at him, he’s a beautiful type of horse,” Donoghue said. The colt is the first foal of the Fastnet Rock mare Raptures and the family of the multiple Group One-winners More Joyous (NZ) and Tuesday Joy (NZ). Another form favourite in the consignment is Lot 283, a youngster by champion first season sire Hello Youmzain. “He’s very fast and the stallion is doing a really good job, I really like this colt,” Donoghue said. He is out of the Zabeel mare Cool Tart (NZ) (Zabeel), whose half-brother On The Rocks (NZ) (Alamosa) won the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and their dam is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Efficient (NZ) (Zabeel). View the full article

A trip north to Auckland next month is in the offing for Richard Stomper (NZ) (El Roca) when he heads to Riccarton on Saturday to contest the Waimakariri Businesses North Canterbury Cup (2000m). The five-win gelding holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Ellerslie on October 18, and his connections are keen to see him contest the $550,000 feature if he performs well this weekend. “If he runs in the top four, we would still be keen to go to the Livamol,” trainer Stephanie Faulkner said. “It would be very tough in the Livamol, but everyone is keen to give it a crack, he has a few owners that are keen to head up there.” The six-year-old son of El Roca kicked-off his preparation with a bang when winning first-up over a mile at his home track of Phar Lap Raceway earlier this month, however, he sustained an injury shortly after which led to a few quiet days in the interim. “He got a bit of an injury that night when he got home,” Faulkner said. “He was playing around in the yard and he cut his knee. It wasn’t a serious injury, more of a cosmetic thing, but he did require stitches. “He had three or four days a bit easier than he needed to have. He is probably a gallop short, but you never know in these races.” While his connections are keen to head north, if he performs below expectations, Faulkner has a plan b in mind. “Failing that (Livamol), he will probably freshen-up and we will put a late nomination for the mile on the middle day of Cup Week.” That mile race is the Gr.3 Join TAB Racing Club Mile (1600m), which he was unplaced in last year. Faulkner said he has matured a lot since that run and she was buoyed by his first-up performance. “The penny hasn’t totally dropped with him, but it is looking a bit better this time in,” she said. “I like his bravery. When that other horse eyeballed him the other day and he fought back, it’s usually the sign of a good horse.” Richard Stomper will be joined in his race this weekend by stablemate Smooth Operator (NZ) (Turn Me Loose), who will back up from his sixth-placed performance over a mile at Timaru on Wednesday. “He ate all of his tea and he was bouncing this morning out to the paddock,” Faulkner said. “He is a tough customer and yesterday, had it been 2000m, I think he would have been over the top of them because Tina (Comignaghi, jockey) couldn’t pull him up. He was looking for that bit more. She gave him a nice run and he just couldn’t sprint with those light weights.” Meanwhile, Faulkner was rapt with Shaking Stevens’ (NZ) (American Pharoah) nine-length victory in the Night ‘N’ Day Dairy Temuka & Parkside 1600 at the mid-week meeting. “I thought he would go well, we have just ironed a few problems out that we noticed the week before. I just didn’t think he would win that easily,” she said. “In my opinion he won in from the start. He jumped a length clear of anyone and could just make his own rules. “He is a lovely, big horse and is quite strong and he is pretty relaxed. “We are probably looking at some bigger things with him, we’ll just get him through the grades. I haven’t made a big plan for him, but he will probably go Sunday-week to Timaru.” View the full article

Last season’s champion two-year-old La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) will be out to prove her ability against her Australian counterparts on Friday night when she contests the Gr.3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at The Valley. A dominant winner of the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) last term on home soil, La Dorada was transferred across to Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne base this spring and lined up against the older horses first-up in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m). The daughter of Super Seth finished back in the field in the high-pressure contest won by Baraqiel (Snitzel), and her trainer Mark Walker is expecting an improved effort back in her own age group and sex at the set weights and penalties. “She came through it well, she didn’t get all favours there and 1000m was always going to be too short,” he said. “We had the option of running against the three-year-old fillies and she would’ve carried 59.5kg, so we opted to run with 50kg in the Moir. “She’s come along in the coat and her work has been good since, so back to set weights, we think she’ll bounce back tomorrow evening. “She should be a genuine top three contender, it is a strong field but it’s always important that our better horses can measure up in Australia. With the black-type situation in New Zealand, the most recent example being the Thorndon Mile being downgraded (to a Group Two), it is crucial when we do bring horses to Australia that they hold our black-type status true to form.” The stable won last year’s Scarborough Stakes with Bellatrix Star (Star Witness), who went on to place in a Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), but will be considering the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) next for La Dorada. “If we did head that way, we’d probably go straight in with a 1400m jump out in between,” Walker said. Back in the Matamata stable, a heavy track is casting doubt over Quintessa’s (Shamus Award) chances of lining up in Saturday’s Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa. The five-year-old made a stunning resurgence when claiming the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) earlier this month at Ellerslie, but Walker said she is unlikely to attempt the second leg of the triple crown if conditions aren’t to suit. “We’ve been happy with her, but if the track came up heavy on Saturday, she’ll be doubtful for sure,” he said. “If she doesn’t start, we’ve got a few options, but she goes well fresh so we’re not concerned. If she doesn’t start, we may just go straight into the Livamol (Gr.1, 2040m) without another run.” Quintessa appeared at Ellerslie last Saturday for an exhibition gallop with stablemate Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor), who Walker confirmed will take her place in the $400,000 feature. “She’ll run regardless, we think she will get through the ground reasonably well,” he said. “She ran well in the Proisir, she probably just came to the end of it in the last 100m but she’s improved with that run under her belt and the subsequent work at Ellerslie was good. “It’s a good trip away for the mares, as they get a bit older they can get a bit casual at home. It’s just a way of stimulating them and helps to keep their fitness up to the mark. “She’ll be best suited once we’re going the 2000, but the mile should suit her better than it did the 1400.” A Te Akau homebred, Qali Al Farrasha has four elite-level placings to her credit, accumulating over $450,000 in 15 starts. Walker and his New Zealand training partner Sam Bergerson will be on a fact-finding mission with promising three-year-old He Who Dares (NZ) (Snitzel), a leading contender in the Gr.2 Timberspan Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). The blue-blooded colt just missed first-up in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) behind Affirmative Action (Yes Yes Yes), earning favouritism for the Guineas ahead of the latter and Landlock (Merchant Navy). “He ran really well, he probably got held up a fraction and that may have cost him the win, but that’s racing and the winner was too good on the day,” Walker said. “He’s trained on nicely, there is a question mark on the track conditions but we would rather find out now if he can get through the ground or not, then we know for the future going forward.” Lightly-raced gelding Pokuru Gold (NZ) (Darci Brahma) will resume in the Craigs Investment Partners Sprint (1100m), with a hefty 64.5kg impost reduced by Victorian apprentice Sage Duric’s four-kilogram claim. “Sage is apprenticed to us here in Cranbourne, so she’s part of Te Akau and is coming over to New Zealand for some work experience while Hayley (Hassman, Matamata stable apprentice) is out suspended for five weeks,” Walker said. “We have quite a few horses that suit having a claim, so we took the opportunity to have Sage over there. “He (Pokuru Gold) seems really good, the claim will help him and he’s got a good record at Te Rapa. It just depends on what the weather does, that’s the big question mark again, but he’ll be running on Saturday.” Duric, a daughter of Caulfield Cup-winning hoop Vlad Duric, has ridden eight winners from 142 rides in Australia. Her other engagements at Te Rapa include the Te Akau-trained Family Ties (NZ) (Contributer) (St John’s College Foundation, 1400m), and Te Atatu Dream (NZ) (Complacent) (Inspire Racing St John’s Old Boys Syndicate, 2100m) for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott. The talented Wild Night (NZ) (Vanbrugh) is another resuming at the meeting in the BCD Group Sprint (1200m), having performed well in public trials and exhibition gallops this time in. “He seems to be going along quite nicely, he’s been an unsound horse throughout his career and his form is better left-handed,” Walker said. “60 kilos on a heavy track is never easy, but it’s just a starting point anyway.” View the full article

Richard Stomper will take his place in Saturday’s North Canterbury Cup (2000m) at Riccarton. (Photo: Race Images South) A trip north to Auckland next month is in the offing for Richard Stomper when he heads to Riccarton on Saturday to contest the North Canterbury Cup (2000m). The five-win gelding holds a nomination for the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Ellerslie on October 18, and his connections are keen to see him contest the $550,000 feature if he performs well this weekend. “If he runs in the top four, we would still be keen to go to the Livamol,” trainer Stephanie Faulkner said. “It would be very tough in the Livamol, but everyone is keen to give it a crack, he has a few owners that are keen to head up there.” The six-year-old son of El Roca kicked-off his preparation with a bang when winning first-up over a mile at his home track of Phar Lap Raceway earlier this month, however, he sustained an injury shortly after which led to a few quiet days in the interim. “He got a bit of an injury that night when he got home,” Faulkner said. “He was playing around in the yard and he cut his knee. It wasn’t a serious injury, more of a cosmetic thing, but he did require stitches. “He had three or four days a bit easier than he needed to have. He is probably a gallop short, but you never know in these races.” While his connections are keen to head north, if he performs below expectations, Faulkner has a plan b in mind. “Failing that (Livamol), he will probably freshen-up and we will put a late nomination for the mile on the middle day of Cup Week.” That mile race is the Group 3 Join TAB Racing Club Mile (1600m), which he was unplaced in last year. Faulkner said he has matured a lot since that run and she was buoyed by his first-up performance. “The penny hasn’t totally dropped with him, but it is looking a bit better this time in,” she said. “I like his bravery. When that other horse eyeballed him the other day and he fought back, it’s usually the sign of a good horse.” Richard Stomper will be joined in his race this weekend by stablemate Smooth Operator, who will back up from his sixth placed performance over a mile at Timaru on Wednesday. “He ate all of his tea and he was bouncing this morning out to the paddock,” Faulkner said. “He is a tough customer and yesterday, had it been 2000m, I think he would have been over the top of them because Tina (Comignaghi, jockey) couldn’t pull him up. He was looking for that bit more. She gave him a nice run and he just couldn’t sprint with those light weights.” Meanwhile, Faulkner was rapt with Shaking Stevens’ nine-length victory in the Night ‘N’ Day Dairy Temuka & Parkside 1600 at the mid-week meeting. “I thought he would go well, we have just ironed a few problems out that we noticed the week before. I just didn’t think he would win that easily,” she said. “In my opinion he won in from the start. He jumped a length clear of anyone and could just make his own rules. “He is a lovely, big horse and is quite strong and he is pretty relaxed. “We are probably looking at some bigger things with him, we’ll just get him through the grades. I haven’t made a big plan for him, but he will probably go Sunday-week to Timaru.” Horse racing news View the full article

Navy Dreams (outside) will contest Saturday’s Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Te Rapa. (Photo: Kenton Wright/Race Images) Navy Dreams all but won at stakes level last season and the in-form colt will have an opportunity to go one better at Te Rapa on Saturday. The Barry Donoghue-prepared son of Merchant Navy will attempt to break his maiden status in the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). Like his young charge, Donoghue will be chasing his first victory with his main focus as a successful Ready to Run Sale vendor under his BMD Bloodstock banner, selling unraced stock out of trials and tried horses. “I had to get a trainer’s licence to have horses at the trials and have done alright,” the former jumps jockey said. “I got him (Navy Dreams) to trial, but the offers didn’t come, he ran second at Taupo to Tajana and that form looks brilliant now.” Navy Dreams’ best performance came at his final appearance as a two-year-old when he finished a close second in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa. The Raptors Thoroughbreds-owned colt returned at Ellerslie earlier this month against older opposition to finish runner-up to Have A Crack, who is unbeaten in two New Zealand starts. “His first-up run was very good, so he deserves his chance and he’s trained on well,” Donoghue said. He is expecting another strong performance from Navy Dreams, who will again be partnered by Masa Hashizume, to confirm his spring path toward the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m). Donoghue will also be busy with an 18-strong draft heading toward New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale off the back of selling the fifth top lot in 2024 when his Toronado colt made $625,000. Among his consignment is Lot 70, a well-related son of Wootton Bassett, whose outstanding stud career was tragically cut short this week when he passed away due to illness at Coolmore. “The buyers will definitely be coming to look at him, he’s a beautiful type of horse,” Donoghue said. The colt is the first foal of the Fastnet Rock mare Raptures and the family of the multiple Group One-winners More Joyous and Tuesday Joy. Another form favourite in the consignment is Lot 283, a youngster by champion first season sire Hello Youmzain. “He’s very fast and the stallion is doing a really good job, I really like this colt,” Donoghue said. Horse racing news View the full article

La Dorada will contest Friday’s Group 3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at The Valley. (Photo: Kenton Wright/Race Images) Last season’s champion two-year-old La Dorada will be out to prove her ability against her Australian counterparts on Friday night when she contests the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. A dominant winner of the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) last term on home soil, La Dorada was transferred across to Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne base this spring and lined up against the older horses first-up in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m). The daughter of Super Seth finished back in the field in the high-pressure contest won by Baraqiel, and her trainer Mark Walker is expecting an improved effort back in her own age group and sex at the set weights and penalties. “She came through it well, she didn’t get all favours there and 1000m was always going to be too short,” he said. “We had the option of running against the three-year-old fillies and she would’ve carried 59.5kg, so we opted to run with 50kg in the Moir. “She’s come along in the coat and her work has been good since, so back to set weights, we think she’ll bounce back tomorrow evening. “She should be a genuine top three contender, it is a strong field but it’s always important that our better horses can measure up in Australia. With the black-type situation in New Zealand, the most recent example being the Thorndon Mile being downgraded (to a Group Two), it is crucial when we do bring horses to Australia that they hold our black-type status true to form.” The stable won last year’s Scarborough Stakes with Bellatrix Star, who went on to place in a Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), but will be considering the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) next for La Dorada. “If we did head that way, we’d probably go straight in with a 1400m jump out in between,” Walker said. Back in the Matamata stable, a heavy track is casting doubt over Quintessa’s chances of lining up in Saturday’s Group 1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa. The five-year-old made a stunning resurgence when claiming the Group 1 Proisir Plate (1400m) earlier this month at Ellerslie, but Walker said she is unlikely to attempt the second leg of the triple crown if conditions aren’t to suit. “We’ve been happy with her, but if the track came up heavy on Saturday, she’ll be doubtful for sure,” he said. “If she doesn’t start, we’ve got a few options, but she goes well fresh so we’re not concerned. If she doesn’t start, we may just go straight into the Livamol (Group 1, 2040m) without another run.” Quintessa appeared at Ellerslie last Saturday for an exhibition gallop with stablemate Qali Al Farrasha, who Walker confirmed will take her place in the $400,000 feature. “She’ll run regardless, we think she will get through the ground reasonably well,” he said. “She ran well in the Proisir, she probably just came to the end of it in the last 100m but she’s improved with that run under her belt and the subsequent work at Ellerslie was good. “It’s a good trip away for the mares, as they get a bit older they can get a bit casual at home. It’s just a way of stimulating them and helps to keep their fitness up to the mark. “She’ll be best suited once we’re going the 2000, but the mile should suit her better than it did the 1400.” A Te Akau homebred, Qali Al Farrasha has four elite-level placings to her credit, accumulating over $450,000 in 15 starts. Walker and his New Zealand training partner Sam Bergerson will be on a fact-finding mission with promising three-year-old He Who Dares, a leading contender in the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). The blue-blooded colt just missed first-up in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) behind Affirmative Action, earning favouritism for the Guineas ahead of the latter and Landlock. “He ran really well, he probably got held up a fraction and that may have cost him the win, but that’s racing and the winner was too good on the day,” Walker said. “He’s trained on nicely, there is a question mark on the track conditions but we would rather find out now if he can get through the ground or not, then we know for the future going forward.” Lightly-raced gelding Pokuru Gold will resume in the Craigs Investment Partners Sprint (1100m), with a hefty 64.5kg impost reduced by Victorian apprentice Sage Duric’s four-kilogram claim. “Sage is apprenticed to us here in Cranbourne, so she’s part of Te Akau and is coming over to New Zealand for some work experience while Hayley (Hassman, Matamata stable apprentice) is out suspended for five weeks,” Walker said. “We have quite a few horses that suit having a claim, so we took the opportunity to have Sage over there. “He (Pokuru Gold) seems really good, the claim will help him and he’s got a good record at Te Rapa. It just depends on what the weather does, that’s the big question mark again, but he’ll be running on Saturday.” Duric, a daughter of Caulfield Cup-winning hoop Vlad Duric, has ridden eight winners from 142 rides in Australia. Her other engagements at Te Rapa include the Te Akau-trained Family Ties (St John’s College Foundation, 1400m), and Te Atatu Dream (Inspire Racing St John’s Old Boys Syndicate, 2100m) for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott. The talented Wild Night is another resuming at the meeting in the BCD Group Sprint (1200m), having performed well in public trials and exhibition gallops this time in. “He seems to be going along quite nicely, he’s been an unsound horse throughout his career and his form is better left-handed,” Walker said. “60 kilos on a heavy track is never easy, but it’s just a starting point anyway.” Horse racing news View the full article

Whangaehu is fit and ready ahead of his return to racing at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) The prospect of a heavy surface for Saturday’s Te Rapa meeting could play into the hands of Central Districts visitor Whangaehu. The versatile galloper has competed right out to the two miles of a Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m), but last term, he found career-best form over the middle-distance trips, winning the Group 3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) and placing in the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). Now firmly in the Group One fold, Whangaehu will resume in the Group 1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m), having had two public trials to prepare for trainers Bill Thurlow and Sam O’Malley. “We’re really happy with him, his trials were good and his second one was the best of those,” Thurlow said. “He’s on his way up nicely. “We would’ve ideally liked to have given him a run somewhere but nothing really fitted his programme, so we’re pretty happy going into the race off what we’ve done with him. “He’s fit, he’s done plenty of work, so I don’t think it’ll be too big of an issue and he’s gone really well fresh before.” As of Thursday morning, the Te Rapa track is rated a Heavy9, and further downgrade wouldn’t worry Thurlow. “He operates on either and he’s won on wet ground, so it’s not as a big a concern for him as it may be for some of the others,” he said. “The only issue will be whether it’s too heavy and his condition gives out, but apart from that, I’m not too concerned.” Earlier in the day, Thurlow will be keeping a close eye on the southern meeting at Riccarton, where Landman and Crunchie Boy are representing the stable. The trip was tailored around the younger of the pair, Landman, who holds a nomination for the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at the Christchurch venue in early November. The son of Hello Youmzain won convincingly on debut last month at Woodville but struck unsuitable track conditions when finishing back in the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1340m), which he should find more preferable in the Rangiora New World Guineas Trial (1400m). “We’re going down there with a little bit of hope,” Thurlow said. “The idea was to give him a trip away, and if it works well, he could go down for the Cup meeting. If not, then we might reassess what we do. “His first start was great then he was a little bit average in the Wanganui Guineas, which we put down to the track conditions there. He was climbing a bit in the ground, which can happen for horses there, they either handle it or they can’t. “He’s done well since then, so we are expecting a bit run out of him honestly.” Crunchie Boy came close to a lucrative Rating 65 victory during Cup Week last year, and his chances in The Plough Hotel Rating 65 (1400m) are enhanced by Liam Kauri’s three-kilogram claim. “He’s going down as a travelling mate for Landman, but he should acquit himself well, he’s ready to go,” Thurlow said. “He just got beaten down there in Cup Week last year and ran a great race. “We were hoping for a better track for both of the two down south, so they’ll probably be our best chances if the weather stays away.” As for the remaining runners for the stable at Otaki and Waverley, wet weather will dictate which horses head to the races, and those who are saved for another day. At Otaki on Friday, ultra-consistent mare Our Lady Brooke is a definite starter in the conditions, having one win and five placings in her last six starts, all on testing ground. She will be partnered by Craig Grylls in the AR Painters Handicap (2100m), where she is currently a $3.20 favourite with horse betting sites. “She’s come through her runs very well, I’m really happy with her,” Thurlow said. “She’s probably at the stage that she’s been racing so well that you’d half expect a poor one to pop up somewhere, but she loves wet ground and keeps grinding away. “If they get what we’re getting here in Waverley now, where it’s absolutely pouring down, the conditions will certainly suit her.” Progressive four-year-old Royal Sovereigns has pleased Thurlow in her work and trials, but he is leaning towards scratching her from the Harcourts Otaki Handicap (1400m), while stayer Battle Secret will make a welcome return in the Chris Rutten and Cavallo Farms Bloodstock Handicap (1400m). “Battle Secret has had a jump out and a trial which we were very happy with,” he said. “1400m will be a bit short for him, but as a stayer, he’s got to kick off somewhere, so he’ll probably still go around if it’s wet. “He’s got bigger assignments later, he’ll target some of those country cups again and once he gets over 2000m-plus, that’ll be ideal for him.” The gelding defeated subsequent New Zealand Cup (3200m) winner Mehzebeen in last year’s Waverley Cup (2200m), a race his stablemate Sandoku is being set for next month. A winner in her last two starts, one of those with O’Malley on board in a highweight, the mare is likely to take her place in the Otaki Tyre Repairs Handicap (1600m). “I think she probably is better with a track with a little bit of give in them, rather than a super heavy track, but she has won on that,” he said. “I am keen to run her as a lead in to the Waverley Cup, she’ll probably need to have a run to go the 2200m there. “Her work has been good and her trial the other day was really good.” Back at their home track on Sunday, Thurlow is looking forward to kicking off the career of Grecia Girl, albeit on the rain-affected ground. A homebred half-sister to Darlington County, a handy mare for the stable, Grecia Girl has shown good ability at the trials and will appear on debut in the Forest 360 (1400m). “Grecia Girl is a really nice, progressive three-year-old filly that is going well, her trials have been good,” Thurlow said. “I really want to get a run into her to see where we’re at, but going forward, I think she’ll be a nice horse over a mile. “Other than her, Towrope will definitely run, Champagne Linda and Miss Fireball are doubtful if it’s too wet, and Into The Circle is currently on the ballot so we’ll assess her closer to the day.” View the full article

All roads lead to Doomben as the Country Cups Challenge and Country Stampede commence next week. Now in its eighth year, the Country Cups Challenge will commence with three heats across Longreach, Mount Isa and Atherton on Saturday, September 27. A further 13 heats will take place across regional Queensland over the following two months. The series will culminate with a $200,000 Final as a part of the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival, on Saturday, December 6 at Doomben – which also features the Group 3 George Moore Stakes. At the same time, heats for the Country Stampede will also be held across regional Queensland, starting at Ewan Amateur Turf Club on Friday, September 26. Country trainers and horses will battle it out across 16 heats before the $105,000 Country Stampede Final at Doomben on December 6. Racing Minister Tim Mander said the Country Cups Challenge and Country Stampede were both outstanding initiatives for the very best horses in country racing to battle it out on a metropolitan raceday. “Country racing is the lifeblood of so many regional communities across the state, bringing participants together from all corners of Queensland,” Minister Mander said. “More than half of the industry’s $2.5 billion in economic contribution directly benefits the regions. “The Country Cups Challenge and Country Stampede gives our country racing participants a unique opportunity to compete for feature level prize money as part of the exciting Queensland Summer Racing Carnival. “I want to wish good luck to all trainers, jockeys and horses over what should be an exciting few months of country racing ahead of what should be a breathtaking finale at Doomben in December.” Member for Gregory Sean Dillon said the Queensland Country Cups Challenge and the Queensland Country Stampede would put country trainers, jockeys and horses in the spotlight. “In my electorate, the Queensland Country Cups Challenge will include heats to be held in Longreach, Emerald and Blackall, while Blackall and Barcaldine will host heats in the Queensland Country Stampede,” Mr Dillon said. “This is an opportunity for locals and visitors to our region to see country racing at its best. “These country trainers, jockeys and horses will then have the unique experience of racing for honours during the finals at Doomben. “I wish all the best of luck and I look forward to seeing some great racing action.” Trainer Pat Webster and jockey Bubba Tilley combined to take home the Country Cups Challenge in 2024 with Skyforger. In last year’s Country Stampede Final, it was Lily Allez who took the crown for trainer Raymond Williams and jockey Nikki Olzard. Australian betting sites have not launched any futures markets on either feature race, with odds expected to be released by the middle of next week. Horse racing news View the full article

The prospect of a heavy surface for Saturday’s Te Rapa meeting could play into the hands of Central Districts visitor Whangaehu. The versatile galloper has competed right out to the two miles of a Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m), but last term, he found career-best form over the middle-distance trips, winning the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) and placing in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). Now firmly in the Group One fold, Whangaehu will resume in the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m), having had two public trials to prepare for trainers Bill Thurlow and Sam O’Malley. “We’re really happy with him, his trials were good and his second one was the best of those,” Thurlow said. “He’s on his way up nicely. “We would’ve ideally liked to have given him a run somewhere but nothing really fitted his programme, so we’re pretty happy going into the race off what we’ve done with him. “He’s fit, he’s done plenty of work, so I don’t think it’ll be too big of an issue and he’s gone really well fresh before.” As of Thursday morning, the Te Rapa track is rated a Heavy9, and further downgrade wouldn’t worry Thurlow. “He operates on either and he’s won on wet ground, so it’s not as a big a concern for him as it may be for some of the others,” he said. “The only issue will be whether it’s too heavy and his condition gives out, but apart from that, I’m not too concerned.” Earlier in the day, Thurlow will be keeping a close eye on the southern meeting at Riccarton, where Landman and Crunchie Boy are representing the stable. The trip was tailored around the younger of the pair, Landman, who holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 53rd New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at the Christchurch venue in early November. The son of Hello Youmzain won convincingly on debut last month at Woodville but struck unsuitable track conditions when finishing back in the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1340m), which he should find more preferable in the Rangiora New World Guineas Trial (1400m). “We’re going down there with a little bit of hope,” Thurlow said. “The idea was to give him a trip away, and if it works well, he could go down for the Cup meeting. If not, then we might reassess what we do. “His first start was great then he was a little bit average in the Wanganui Guineas, which we put down to the track conditions there. He was climbing a bit in the ground, which can happen for horses there, they either handle it or they can’t. “He’s done well since then, so we are expecting a bit run out of him honestly.” Crunchie Boy came close to a lucrative Rating 65 victory during Cup Week last year, and his chances in The Plough Hotel Rating 65 (1400m) are enhanced by Liam Kauri’s three-kilogram claim. “He’s going down as a travelling mate for Landman, but he should acquit himself well, he’s ready to go,” Thurlow said. “He just got beaten down there in Cup Week last year and ran a great race. “We were hoping for a better track for both of the two down south, so they’ll probably be our best chances if the weather stays away.” As for the remaining runners for the stable at Otaki and Waverley, wet weather will dictate which horses head to the races, and those who are saved for another day. At Otaki on Friday, ultra-consistent mare Our Lady Brooke is a definite starter in the conditions, having one win and five placings in her last six starts, all on testing ground. She will be partnered by Craig Grylls in the AR Painters Handicap (2100m), where she is currently a $3.20 favourite. “She’s come through her runs very well, I’m really happy with her,” Thurlow said. “She’s probably at the stage that she’s been racing so well that you’d half expect a poor one to pop up somewhere, but she loves wet ground and keeps grinding away. “If they get what we’re getting here in Waverley now, where it’s absolutely pouring down, the conditions will certainly suit her.” Progressive four-year-old Royal Sovereigns has pleased Thurlow in her work and trials, but he is leaning towards scratching her from the Harcourts Otaki Handicap (1400m), while stayer Battle Secret will make a welcome return in the Chris Rutten and Cavallo Farms Bloodstock Handicap (1400m). “Battle Secret has had a jump out and a trial which we were very happy with,” he said. “1400m will be a bit short for him, but as a stayer, he’s got to kick off somewhere, so he’ll probably still go around if it’s wet. “He’s got bigger assignments later, he’ll target some of those country cups again and once he gets over 2000m-plus, that’ll be ideal for him.” The gelding defeated subsequent Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) winner Mehzebeen in last year’s Waverley Cup (2200m), a race his stablemate Sandoku is being set for next month. A winner in her last two starts, one of those with O’Malley on board in a highweight, the mare is likely to take her place in the Otaki Tyre Repairs Handicap (1600m). “I think she probably is better with a track with a little bit of give in them, rather than a super heavy track, but she has won on that,” he said. “I am keen to run her as a lead in to the Waverley Cup, she’ll probably need to have a run to go the 2200m there. “Her work has been good and her trial the other day was really good.” Back at their home track on Sunday, Thurlow is looking forward to kicking off the career of Grecia Girl, albeit on the rain-affected ground. A homebred half-sister to Darlington County, a handy mare for the stable, Grecia Girl has shown good ability at the trials and will appear on debut in the Forest 360 (1400m). “Grecia Girl is a really nice, progressive three-year-old filly that is going well, her trials have been good,” Thurlow said. “I really want to get a run into her to see where we’re at, but going forward, I think she’ll be a nice horse over a mile. “Other than her, Towrope will definitely run, Champagne Linda and Miss Fireball are doubtful if it’s too wet, and Into The Circle is currently on the ballot so we’ll assess her closer to the day.” View the full article

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Millionaire Coal Battle looks to rebound in the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby (G3) Sept. 28 against seven other 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles at Remington Park.View the full article

R Disaster, who has been a hard-luck runner in graded stakes, will try to change her fortunes in the $250,000 Gallant Bloom Stakes (G2) Sept. 27 at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

There aren't too many turf graded stakes races from the mile to 1 1/2-mile range in Southern California that Gold Phoenix hasn't won yet, but the John Henry Turf Championship Stakes (G2T) is one of them. View the full article

Making his first start since traveling to the Middle East this winter, reigning champion male sprinter Straight No Chaser seeks a repeat win in the $200,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park Sept. 28.View the full article

Last-start Moir Stakes (G1) winner Baraqiel will chase back-to-back Moonee Valley group 1s when he lines up in the Manikato Stakes (G1) Sept. 26.View the full article

The word for Locked is "pivotal." The Sept. 27 edition of the Woodward Stakes (G2) will be quite telling for Locked, the lone grade 1 winner in the field.View the full article

FAIRYHOUSE, IRELAND – Bill Dwan, one of the biggest names in the bloodstock industry, hailed the September Yearling Sale at Tattersalls Ireland a roaring success after supplying some of the most expensive horses sold through the ring in a week when the previous best record aggregate wasn't just beaten, it was smashed. Summing up the trade at Fairyhouse, Dwan said the action in the ring was “relentless” across the past two days, and wished trainer George Scott continued luck from this sale after the Newmarket-based handler swooped for the €200,000 top lot by Starspangledbanner from the Castlebridge Consignment. Scott has been one of the biggest supporters of this sale in recent years and sourced Command The Stars (Sea The Stars), a Listed winner on his most recent start, from the Castlebridge Consignment here 12 months ago. The Starspangledbanner colt was purchased on behalf of the same owner, Gary White, alongside bloodstock agent Billy Jackson-Stops. Scott said, “Gary was here looking at the horses but had to jump on a plane just there – but we took him around to see 10 horses and this was the horse he really wanted. He was quite an obvious one, and I guess he has been brought here to stand out, and he certainly did that to us. He is a big horse, by an excellent stallion and out of a Galileo mare and from a really good consignor. Gary wanted to see if lightning could strike twice.” We all know that trainers are creatures of habit and be it a stallion, a racetrack or even a sales house that they have had luck at previously, it can be hard to keep them away. And Scott was the first to admit that the positive experiences he has had at Fairyhouse will keep him coming back. Scott said, “All credit goes to the sales company. They have got some really good stock here and it has been a really successful sale. The team deserves these results. We could have bought lots of nice horses this week – we have bought a few but could have bought a lot more.” He added, “We bought Caballo De Mar here and he won the German St Leger while Command The Stars is a Stakes winner. Everyone takes this sale very seriously, as they should, given it produced three Group 1 winners at the Royal meeting. It is no surprise to see the median up.” Dwan always places a couple of horses in this sale that will stand out. However, this year's performance, with 37 yearlings selling for €1,933,000, beat all. Dwan commented, “It's been a superb sale. From the first day we started showing, we were so, so busy. It has carried right through to the end. Like, we're here late this evening and it's still exceptionally strong. We sold three horses for over €150,000 today so you'd have to be over the moon. We always try to bring a few nice horses here and have been lucky here down through the years. We brought a nice Sea The Stars horse here last year and he's won a Listed race for George so hopefully the Starspangledbanner will do the same. It's relentless. Now, the one thing I will say is that there is definitely a better standard of horse here this year compared to previous years – everyone has upped their game. Between Tattersalls Ireland and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, everyone has done a great job to get the buyers here.” All told, the €8,887,000 aggregate was up 51% on last year's €5,869,500 while the median climbed a massive 59% to €35,000 and the average by 49% to €41,723. Not only that, but the clearance rate climbed by 14% to 91%. Absolutely phenomenal stuff. Rabbah Spends Close To Two Million David Ryan, who manages Jaber Abdullah's stock at Kilfrush Stud, spoke about the appeal of sourcing 'hard and early' runners at this sale on Tuesday. They don't come more obvious than lot 443, a Blue Point filly consigned by Monksland Stables, who fetched €190,000 to the Rabbah Bloodstock buying bench deep into the Thursday trade. All told, Rabbah Bloodstock accounted for €1,978,000 of the entire aggregate for 27 yearlings purchased across the two days. The Blue Point filly was the most expensive horse that Rabbah Bloodstock purchased at the sale and Ryan commented, “She's an absolute queen. She was high on the list. The boss has an affinity with Blue Point and she was the only one by the sire in the catalogue – she had it all to herself. He's a very good sire and she comes from a very good breeder. Tom Hassett and his wife, Clodagh, do a very good job.” He added, “She's out of a Galileo mare, so it's a lovely cross and a brilliant pedigree. Like all of them, she'll come back to Kilfrush and we'll have a look at them we'll see how they're going before we decide on a trainer.” The Blue Point filly was bred and consigned by Hassett's Monksland Stables. His daughter Orla commented, “That has blown our expectations out of the water, as has this week. Dad bred this filly, and he decided to come here – and he eats, sleeps and lives horses.” Murtagh makes a splash While it may be normal for British-based trainers to gather up a number of yearlings every year on spec, it's not the done thing to do in Ireland. However, Johnny Murtagh has been quite active over the past two days, buying eight yearlings for €431,000. That spend was headed by a €150,000 Starspangledbanner colt consigned by Noel O'Callaghan's Mountarmstrong Stud. Murtagh said, “I was so close yesterday on a few and it's nice to have Starspangledbanner on the top of the list there. The rest of the sale will be quiet for me after that – I am maxed out now. I have no owner for the Starspangledbanner but am hoping that a horse like him will be easy to sell. Yesterday was very competitive. There are lots of nice horses here – you think they are going to make €40,000 and they make €60,000! I just thought last night that I would try to get one we really liked so I hope he is lucky.” O'Callaghan has been coming to Tattersalls Ireland for longer than most and labelled the trade for this particular sale to be stronger than he'd ever seen before. He also singled out Ted Durcan for sourcing the dam of the Starspangledbanner colt [Batz (Bated Breath)] for €150,000 at Arqana in December 2022. He said, “Very happy. Ted Durcan bought the mare – he's a good judge and he buys a few mares for me. It's been a good sale. I've been coming here for a long time but this week's sale has been very strong. But, then again, you are never surprised with anything in this industry. This industry is resilient, isn't it?” Subplots Sheila Lavery opened up to TDN Europe in the build-up to this sale about how she was in the middle of a 'rebuilding process' and, in many ways, lot 352 was destined to form part of that recruitment drive. A Yeomanstown Stud-consigned Dark Angel filly out of Belle Image, who Lavery trained so well to finish fourth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, she was knocked down to the trainer for €62,000. Lavery commented, “I bought the mare here and loved her – this filly just reminded me of Belle Image so much. She has a very good walk for a Dark Angel and came very close to our budget. We're operating at a different level at the moment so I am thrilled to get her. I have put my hand up for one or two but it has been very strong. But I am delighted for the vendors. It's hard to be ballsy in this market because you need to buy on spec and spend €40,000 or more to get something you like.” To give you an idea of how strong this year's sale was, it was a minute before 2pm – over six hours before the sale finished – when Tattersalls Ireland informed us that the record aggregate had been surpassed. The previous best aggregate achieved was in 2021, when 489 horses sold for €12,779,580. Stephen Thorne launched his training career with the backing of his own Shamrock Thoroughbred Syndicate, which offers the micro-share ownership experience. Off the back of a breakout year, he has generated support from a number of sole owners, notably John Kirkland, who spent €120,000 on a Kodiac colt consigned by Tally-Ho Stud early in the day two session. The Kodiac colt is from a family that Thorne knows well given he trained the half-sister, Mayflower (Ardad), to win a Leopardstown maiden on debut back in July. With the strength of this year's sale, it would be easy to forget the role of the Italian buyers, who have played such an integral role here – particularly with regards to the clearance rate – in recent times. It shouldn't be underestimated how strong Razza Latina was this week. The Italian-based agent may not have grabbed any highlights but ended the sale as the third-busiest buyer with 10 horses bought for a combined sum of €442,000. Buy of the day How you define value is fairly subjective but, if the bloodstock market continues on this trajectory, the €105,000 that Barry Lynch spent on a Sioux Nation colt [lot 446] on behalf of new client Bill Durkan might look well-bought in a few months' time. Bought from Castledillon Stud, the Sioux Nation colt is out of a Montjeu mare – albeit an old one – but was one of the best-walking horses in the sale and boasted size and scope. He looks like a runner and is one to put in the notebook. Thought for the day Have you ever heard the story about the man who was down on his luck and, in one last act of desperation, looked to the skies asking the lord for the numbers to the lottery. The lord looks down and replies, 'will you meet me halfway and buy a ticket for goodness sake?' The moral of the story is that sometimes you can't help those who don't want to be helped. The same applies to any vendor in Part 2 of this sale who decided against uploading a video of their horse. We all know that there has been bustling trade here over the past couple of days and, the early chat is that more people than ever are staying on for Part 2. No amount of coffee and Red Bull would sustain a person to get around to see everything. So why would a vendor fail to provide their horse with the best possible chance of getting sold by uploading a video? It defies logic that a large portion of the Part 2 horses do not have videos up on the Tattersalls website. The post Dwan Hails ‘Relentless’ Trade At Record-Breaking Tattersalls Ireland Yearling Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Owner Lee Searing, who, along with his wife, Susan, has had a lot of good horses and won a lot of big races, but never has he experienced anything close to the two days he had last week. On Friday at Churchill Downs, C R K unveiled a serious 2-year-old in 'TDN Rising Star' Englishman (Maxfield) and the next day the Searings won the GI Pennsylvania Derby with Baeza (McKinzie), a horse they own in partnership with Robert Clay's Grandview Equine. To talk about both horses, Baeza finally winning a Grade I and future plans for Englishman, Lee Searing joined the TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week. Coming into the Pennsylvania Derby, Baeza had run second or third in four straight races. In each one, he was beaten by either Sovereignty (Into Mischief) or Journalism (Curlin). Did that ever get frustrating? “No. You have to remember that this horse was born in late May,” Searing said. “This horse was given to the right person in John Shirreffs. The horse needed time and John gave it time. After he broke his maiden, we moved on to the races that we should have moved on to. In the Derby, he kind of got lost going down the backstretch and he only got beat by a length-and-three quarters. The Belmont may not have been his best race, but he still ran good. Then he went and ran against top horse in the Pennsylvania Derby and proved how much he had improved. I think the horse is just going to get better. John thinks he's going to get better. The breeding farm thinks he's going to get better. And he's such a good-looking, grand horse and is out of an unbelievable mare (Puca). She's among the best all-time broodmares. We were never disappointed in him.” Part of the winning formula has involved letting April Mayberry pick out horses at the sales for the Searings. Baeza sold for $1.2 million at Keenelend September. Mayberry was the one that signed the ticket. “April is pretty well known and has worked for David Ingordo for a lot of years and has picked out some really quality horses,” Searing said. “We decided to change things up a bit and, a couple of years ago, I hired April and her team. I love April. She breaks all my horses and she's a quality woman and so are the people who help her.” Searing welcomes another opportunity to run against Sovereignty and Journalism, which could happen in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. “There's nothing wrong with taking another shot at Journalism and Sovereignty,” he said, adding that Baeza will race next year as a 4-year-old. The day before the Pennsylvania Derby, C R K and trainer Cherie DeVaux unveiled a 2-year-old colt who trounced his competition in near track record time. Englishman won the Churchill Downs maiden by 7 1/4 lengths and covered the seven furlong in 1:21 1/5. That was just two ticks off the track record set by star female sprinter Groupie Doll (Bowman's Band). He earned a 97 Beyer figure, which was the third best number earned by a 2-year-old this year. “I'm sitting there watching on TV,” Searing said. “I expected him to run third or fourth. Then look at how he won. Everybody is texting me and calling me and saying, 'you realize how fast this horse went?' This is a nice horse and we can take our time with him. He could be a really nice horse. They just don't run that fast.” For Englishman, the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile comes up too fast. He is expected to make his next start at Churchill Downs in either a stakes or a first level allowance race. The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was Baeza, who got a 105 Beyer in his win in the Pennsylvania Derby. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by 1/st TV, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association and West Point Thoroughbreds, the team of Bill Finley, Zoe Cadman and Randy Moss looked ahead at what should be a great weekend of racing, which includes the GI Goodwood, the GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, the GII Woodward and the GII Lukas Classic. They also discussed the decision by Jim McIngvale, who has said he was fed up because he believes the game has integrity problems, to leave the sport. For the audio version of the latest TDN Writers' Room podcast, click here. For the video, click here. The post C R K Stable’s Lee Searing Joins The TDN Writers’ Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article