Wandering Eyes

The surest sign that autumn is upon us is that we are already beginning to look ahead to next spring. In the racing world, that means the release of the 2025 Road to the GI Kentucky Derby qualifying schedule, and the list of points-awarding prep races that came out Friday contained a few tweaks. Two stood out–a schedule addition and a rule change. Churchill Downs Inc., the gaming company that controls the Derby and the points system that determines which horses get into the race, locked up a prime piece of vacant real estate on the prep-race calendar by announcing several weeks ago that the GIII Virginia Derby would be run for the final time as a 1 1/8-miles grass stakes Sept. 7 at the CDI-owned Colonial Downs before being rebranded next Mar. 15 as a nine-furlong, points-awarding dirt race during a first-ever, four-day spring meet at Colonial. This was a shrewd move by CDI considering the mid-March void that has existed on the Road to the Derby template since 2022, when Oaklawn Park moved back its own showcase race, the GI Arkansas Derby, to five weeks before the Kentucky Derby instead of three. In doing so, Oaklawn readjusted the timing of its preceding preps, most notably uprooting the GII Rebel S. from mid-March and transplanting it to late February. Ever since, there's been a dead third Saturday in March on the national calendar, with no 3-year-old prep stakes (and no races of importance in any other division) seven weeks out from the Kentucky Derby. Oaklawn enjoyed booming live and simulcast business when the Rebel had a hammerlock on that date slot, leveraging stakes-laden cards against soft national simulcast competition. Now Colonial is in a sweet spot to cultivate a similar “only game in town” niche. A look at the charts from the corresponding third Saturday in March this past spring gives an idea of just how weak the national competition might be for Colonial six months from now: On Saturday, Mar. 16, 2024, the only two graded stakes in the country were a pair of Grade III sprints at Santa Anita and Oaklawn. Both Gulfstream and Fair Grounds relied on allowance races for their features and Aqueduct offered one ungraded stakes. With the right mix of supporting stakes, Colonial figures to lure the country's top trainers and jockeys to Virginia for that otherwise slow Saturday, which will lend its new mini-meet substantial name-recognition credibility. One unique wrinkle will be that Colonial's 10-furlong main track necessitates starting nine-furlong races from a backstretch chute, making it the lone one-turn, 1 1/8-miles Derby prep race in the nation. (Presumably, the GII Wood Memorial will join it in 2027 once Aqueduct closes and that stakes gets relocated to the new Belmont Park, where nine-furlong races on the 1 1/2-miles main track are also run out of a chute.) Another interesting aspect is that CDI chose not to “bulk up” the Virginia Derby by granting it more qualifying points than the stakes at other tracks that immediately precede it. Colonial's race will award 105 total points on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis to the top five finishers. That's the same as every other prep stakes from Feb. 22-Mar. 8 next season. But the very next race on the calendar, the Mar. 22 GII Louisiana Derby at 1 3/16 miles, starts the round of 100-points-to-the-winner stakes that goes up until the last of the nine-furlong preps Apr. 5. Being right on the cusp of where the points scheme changes from 50 to 100 points to the winner, CDI could have lumped the Virginia Derby in with those other nine-furlongs-or-longer preps that start the next weekend. But it opted to keep the qualifying outlay realistic rather than dangle extra points as a sweetener to participate in a Grade III prep that has yet to establish itself. CDI acted with restraint in that scenario. But the chase for Derby qualifying points has become so ingrained upon the sport's way of developing top 3-year-olds that you have to acknowledge the inherent power that the gaming corporation wields just by setting a schedule and points allotment that could, at any time, be changed to emphasize or de-emphasize any other track's signature sophomore stakes. That might already be indirectly about to happen in California. A rule change that CDI has instituted for 2025 will slice the number of points awarded in any Road to the Derby qualifier if the number of starters dips to five or fewer. In five-horse fields, only 75% of the points will be proportionally awarded. In stakes with four or fewer starters, just 50% of the total points will get doled out. That's a straightforward attempt to disincentivize short fields in consequential stakes. But the new rule might have an adverse, vicious-cycle effect on Road to the Derby races at Los Alamitos and Santa Anita, where juvenile and sophomore stakes already struggle to fill. In 2023-24, there were five preps whose points outlays would have been altered had the new rule been in effect: One field of four, and four fields of five. The GII San Felipe Stakes Mar. 3 at Santa Anita was the lone four-horse field. It drew five entries with one scratch. The GII Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream, run the day before the San Felipe, started only five. It drew as a nine-horse race with four scratches. The ungraded Jerome Stakes Jan. 6 at Aqueduct drew and started five. The GII Los Alamitos Futurity Dec. 16 drew six and started five. They haven't had to use the No. 6 saddlecloth in that stakes since 2020. The Oct. 29 GIII Street Sense Stakes at Churchill went with a field of five. A sloppy track contributed to three scratches from the original eight-horse lineup. In California, will outfits be even more reluctant to enter sophomores in stakes there fearing that they'll be forced to run for diminished points? Will this cause them to lean toward other out-of-town qualifiers instead? Or will the opposite occur, with trainers who are flush with stock running multiple horses just to ensure the race goes with six or more, even if those entrants don't truly belong in stakes company? The post The Week In Review: Decent Tweaks, But A Few Potential Speed Bumps On Revamped ‘Road To The Derby’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Japanese raider Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) is on course to attempt an ambitious Group 1 double in the Irish Champion Stakes and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after coming through a racecourse gallop at Longchamp on Sunday morning. Trained by Yoshito Yahagi, whose many international successes include a Breeders' Cup double in 2021, Shin Emperor was last seen in competitive action when finishing third in the G1 Japanese Derby in May. He arrived in Chantilly towards the end of last month and has slowly been building up his work ahead of his first assignment on European soil at Leopardstown on Saturday. Connections of the three-year-old are confident that he's peaking at the right time as he tries to emulate full-brother Sottsass (Fr), who memorably won the Arc in 2020, having previously finished fourth in the Irish Champion. Shin Emperor himself was bought by Yahagi for €2.1 million at the Arqana August Yearling Sale. Owner Susumu Fujita's racing manager Hiroshi Ando told Sky Sports Racing, “I spoke to both of the assistant trainers and the rider told them Shin Emperor adapted really well on the track and he said we could make no excuse for the ground. He was comfortable to handle that ground so we did the test today. He felt really well and we are very satisfied. “Of course, he has a French background and pedigree and that's why we are here. I have really realised Shin Emperor is French, because as soon as he was back in Chantilly, he reacted like he was back home! He looked very comfortable and he loved the French oats, which was a surprise, because normally the Japanese horses don't eat, but he ate very well. He's really loving being in France, I think.” Ando added, “His full-brother Sottsass, I think he went to the Irish Champion Stakes, too, so we'll try to copy that, I guess. We thought that race is really good for us, so after galloping today, conditions should be good to go there, fitness-wise. “Of course, we want to go to the Arc after that, so we have to manage his condition, but we will try our best for the Irish Champion Stakes, too. We really respect the Irish Champion Stakes, we don't want to miss any race and we will try our best.” Regular pilot Ryusei Sakai will fly over to partner Shin Emperor and has been backed to handle such big tests. “He is a very young jockey but he rode in the Kentucky Derby this year [beaten narrowly in third], he also won the UAE Derby and the Saudi Derby with Forever Young, so he's a very talented young jockey,” said Ando. “Also, he won two years ago at Longchamp, so we don't have any issue with that.” The post Shin Emperor Primed for Irish Champion-Arc Double after Paris Gallop appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin, who bred and campaigned 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin), was honored as the 2023 National Owner of the Year and Breeder of the Year at the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association's National Awards Dinner held Saturday, Sept. 7 at Fasig-Tipton. Godolphin also took home the Eclipse Award last year for both owner and breeder. National Owner of the Year finalists, also celebrated Saturday, included Juddmonte, Klaravich Stables, George Krikorian and Zedan Racing Stables. National Breeder of the Year finalists were Juddmonte and Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC. Elizabeth Merryman was announced as the winner for 2023 National Small Breeder of the Year. National Small Breeder of the Year finalists were Joe Fafone and Amy Moore. The Cot Campbell Partnership of the Year was presented to Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables. Other Cot Campbell Partnership of the Year finalists recognized for their achievements were Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Little Red Feather Racing, Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, and SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan. Frank Taylor was honored with the Dr. J. David Richardson TOBA Industry Service Award. Dance Card, the dam of Cody's Wish, was named National Broodmare of the Year. The post Godolphin Honored As 2023 Owner And Breeder Of The Year At TOBA National Awards Ceremony appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2024 China Horse Owners Alliance's annual conference was held at Yulong International Hotel on Thursday, September 5. Mr Huang Qingcai, secretary general of CHOA, announced the introduction of an Everest-like race open to two-year-olds from all countries and with a total prize fund of 3.6 million RMB (around $507,000). There are 14 slots available, each costing 200k, and the CHOA will cover the remaining 800k. At the beginning of the conference, Qingcai also provided a detailed summary of the alliance's work for 2024 and reported on future work plans for the alliance. He announced that the Hong Kong Jockey Club's handicapper will take over the responsibility of handicapping racehorses for CHOA from 2025. Mr Zhang Yuesheng, chairman of CHOA and head of Yulong, was tasked with delivering the concluding speech. He expressed gratitude to all members, sponsors, media and friends from various sectors, noting that the alliance's current achievements are inseparable from their support. He also focused on other topics such as staff insurance, horse vaccination and prize-money, as well as jockey welfare. He said, “In 2025, we will prioritize the safety of jockeys, strengthen their training and management, improve professional standards, and actively collaborate with the Hong Kong Jockey Club to enhance jockey skills.” The Yulong Autumn Sale was held on Friday, September 6 and featured the progeny of leading stallions such as Frankel (GB), Galileo (Ire) and No Nay Never. Top lot was Wan Zhi Jun (CHN), lot 41, who sold for 1.9 million RMB (around $268,000) to Yulong. The post Juvenile Slot Race to be Staged in China appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For the first time in the relatively brief history of the races, the G3 OBS Korea Cup and G3 OBS Korea Sprint were welcomed into the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, offering the winners a free ride into the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, respectively. And for the first time, the races' defending champions each returned to Seoul to win for the second year in succession, stamping themselves as legitimate contenders at Del Mar, if connections indeed make the trip over. Teruya Yoshida's Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}), the 2022 G3 UAE Derby winner and a participant in that year's GI Kentucky Derby, took the 2023 Korea Cup by 10 lengths over Gloria Mundi (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), but was nevertheless the 21-10 second-elect Sunday behind his compatriot Wilson Tesoro (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), fourth in the G1 Dubai World Cup in March and was 1-2 on Sunday. Ridden for speed from gate 11 by Takeshi Yokoyama, Crown Pride controlled the pace through the opening 1200 meters in 1:14.4 over the deep and sandy surface and never looked like losing as Wilson Tesoro gave vain chase through the final stages. Korea's Global Hit (Kor) (To Honor and Serve), eighth as a 3-year-old last year, finished a meritorious third, albeit by double digits. Japanese horses completed the Korea Cup exacta for the fourth time since the race was first run back in 2016 and Crown Pride is the second back-to-back winner, joining London Town (Jpn) (Kane Hekili {Jpn}) in 2017-2018. “First of all, I was happy to be asked to ride, and since he is a strong horse, I am glad that I was able to achieve this result,” Yokoyama told Netkeiba. “I was trying to take care of the rhythm of this horse, so I was in that position as a result of going smoothly. It was a good day.” Koji Maeda's Remake (Jpn) (Lani) was back on his travels Sunday, having defeated the very talented Skelly (Practical Joke) in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint in February ahead of a fourth behind the impressive Tuz (Oxbow) when last spotted in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen Mar. 30. The homebred was pounded into 20 cents on the dollar as the clear class of the Korea Sprint and settled about midfield as the well-traveled Jasper Krone (Frosted) took outside pressure from the Chief Stipe O'Neill-trained and Edwin Maldonado-ridden Anarchist (Distorted Humor). Jasper Krone got the better of the pace battle and led into the final 200 meters, but Yuga Kawada had Remake in top gear by that time and they motored by to score with something left. “Since last year, we have spent a year trying to challenge for the Breeders' Cup, so I hope that we could win this, return to Japan, and prepare again for the United States, so that we can safely earn the right and compete well in the Breeders' Cup,” Kawada told Netkeiba. Sunday, Seoul, South Korea OBS KOREA CUP-G3, ₩1,600,000,000 ($1,193,760), Seoul, 9-8, 3yo/up, 1800m, 1:51.8, gd. 1–CROWN PRIDE (JPN), 126, h, 5, by Reach the Crown (Jpn) 1st Dam: Emmy's Pride (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn) 2nd Dam: Emmy's Smile (Jpn), by Agnes Tachyon (Jpn) 3rd Dam: Hemisphere (Jpn), by White Muzzle (GB) O-Teruya Yoshida; B-Shadai Farm; T-Koichi Shintani; J-Takeshi Yokoyama; ₩800,000,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-UAE, SW & G1SP-Jpn, 17-6-4-0, $4,717,180. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Wilson Tesoro (Jpn), 126, h, 5, Kitasan Black (Jpn)–Chesutoke Rose, by Uncle Mo. O-Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings Co Ltd; B-Ryoken Farm; T-Hitoshi Kotegawa; J-Yuga Kawada; ₩320,000,000. 3–Global Hit (Kor), 126, c, 4, To Honor and Serve–Tammy's Victress, by Yankee Victor. O-Kim Joon Hyun; B-Yeonhak Yeongnong Johabbeopin; T-Bang Dong Suk; J-Kim Hye Sun; ₩160,000,000. Margins: 5, 5, 3. Odds: 2.10, 0.50, 12.20. Also Ran: Light Warrior (Jpn), Galaxy Road (Kor), Simjangui Godong (Kor), Montauk Chat, Vics Go (Kor), Heuk Jeonsa (Kor), Winner's Man (Kor). DNF: Success Macho (Kor). Click for the KRA chart (R7). Sunday, Seoul, South Korea OBS KOREA SPRINT-G3, ₩1,400,000,000 ($1,044,540), Seoul, 9-8, 3yo/up, 1200m, 1:10.3, gd. 1–REMAKE (JPN), 126, h, 5, by Lani 1st Dam: Sariel (Jpn) (GSP-Jpn, $888,410), by King Kamehameha (Jpn) 2nd Dam: Shinko Nobby, by Nashwan 3rd Dam: Christabelle, by Northern Dancer O-Koji Maeda; B-North Hills Co Ltd; T-Koichi Shintani; J-Yuga Kawada; ₩700,000,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Jpn & KSA, 18-9-3-2, $3,600,814. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Jasper Krone, 126, h, 5, Frosted–Fancy Kitten, by Kitten's Joy. ($25,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $90,000 2yo '21 OBSMAR). O-Kazuo Kato; B-Machmer Hall & Godolphin (KY); T-Hideyuki Mori; J-Taisei Danno; ₩280,000,000. 3–Anarchist, 126, h, 5, Distorted Humor–Vicarious Won, by Elusive Quality. ($75,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Ilium Stables LLC; B-Centaur Farms Inc (KY); T-Chief Stipe O'Neill; J-Edwin Maldonado; ₩140,000,000. Margins: 2, 6, HF. Odds: 0.20, 13.90, 8.60. Also Ran: Speed Young (Kor), Something Lost (Kor), Vincero Cavallo (Kor), Gangseo Giant, Morfhis, Black Musk, Daemangui Gil (Kor), Eoma Eoma, Daehan Jilju (Kor), Beolmaui Star (Kor), Yes Perfect, Raon the Point (Kor). Scratched: Keiai Dorie (Jpn). Click for the KRA chart (R6). The post Japan’s Crown Pride, Remake Double Up In Korean Features appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Equinox (Jpn), who was crowned Longines World's Best Racehorses in 2023, covered 203 mares in his first season at Shadai Stallion Station in 2024, the stud has announced. Beaten just twice in 10 career starts, Equinox broke new ground when he retired to Shadai as his introductory fee of ¥20 million (around €124,000) was a record high for a first-season stallion in Japan. He shared top billing on the Hokkaido roster with his own sire, Kitasan Black (Jpn), who also stood at a fee of ¥20 million when covering 191 mares in 2024. Only two stallions at Shadai boasted a bigger book of mares this year than Equinox, namely Kizuna (Jpn) and Contrail (Jpn). Japanese Derby hero Kizuna, who leads the Japanese sires' championship in 2024, was the busiest stallion with a book numbering 218, while Triple Crown winner Contrail covered 205 mares as he awaits his first two-year-old runners in 2025. Lord Kanaloa (Jpn), runner-up in the Japanese sires' championship for four consecutive years between 2020 and 2023, was bred to 109 mares, while elite sire Epiphaneia (Jpn) and his best son Efforia (Jpn) covered books of 131 and 202, respectively. Salios (Jpn) (196), Nadal (189), Schnell Meister (Ger) (164), Saturnalia (Jpn) (157), New Year's Day (154) and Suave Richard (Jpn) (150) were the other stallions who covered at least 150 mares at Shadai in 2024, while former European-trained runners Siskin (73), Harbinger (GB) (11) and Poetic Flare (Ire) (7) all served smaller books. Numbers for the remaining members of the Shadai roster were as follows: Le Vent Se Leve (Jpn) (143), Drefong (140), Admire Mars (Jpn) (125), Grenadier Guards (Jpn) (123), Danon Kingly (Jpn) (122), Maurice (Jpn) (122), Orfevre (Jpn) (122), Rulership (Jpn) (113), Chrysoberyl (Jpn) (109), Bricks And Mortar (105), Hot Rod Charlie (94), Isla Bonita (Jpn) (90), Mind Your Biscuits (79), Satono Crown (Jpn) (68) and Rey De Oro (Jpn) (39). The post Equinox Announced as One of the Busiest Stallions at Shadai in 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

He was the underestimated one in the line-up for Sunday's G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, but everything was in place for the front-running soft-ground specialist Tribalist (GB) (Farhh {GB}–Fair Daughter {GB}, by Nathaniel {Ire}) to deliver a career-best and take the prestigious prize from under the noses of the miling elite. Predictably placed on the lead soon after the start by Mickael Barzalona, the Andre Fabre-trained 5-year-old who had made an artform of winning pattern races in this style was expected to come back eventually but it just never happened. Expertly guided throughout, the 20-1 shot simply had too much rope turning for home as the 7-10 favourite Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and the two 3-year-old sons of Dubawi (Ire), Henry Longfellow (Ire) and Notable Speech (GB), struggled to cut back the deficit. At the line, Godolphin's stalwart had 1 1/4 lengths to spare over Charyn, with Henry Longfellow another three lengths behind in third and Notable Speech only fifth having appeared not to handle the soft ground. The eighth black-type win of the Car Colston Hall Stud-bred Tribalist, whose previous best efforts had come in the last two runnings of the G2 Prix du Muguet, extends Andre Fabre's record to eight in the race, with Soviet Star having provided his first in 1988 and Persian King (Ire) his most recent four years ago. Le grand numéro de ! Le représentant de la casaque @godolphin (@mickaelbarzalon / A. Fabre) crée la surprise dans le Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Gr.1) ce dimanche à @paris_longchamp Le favori de l'épreuve Charyn se contente de la pic.twitter.com/HXQ1DOK5j4 — Equidia (@equidia) September 8, 2024 The post Moulin Surprise As Farhh’s Tribalist Doesn’t Come Back appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

You wait ages for one gelding capable of spicing up the Arc field to appear – then two come along at once. Expediency is the obvious backdrop to France Galop's move to reconsider the ban on geldings in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but the debate nevertheless goes to the heart of what sport is meant to be: the best against the best. It's more nuanced and interesting than a straight in-house polemic about Group 1 race conditions. You'd have a hard job selling that one to the general public, though, in France, Jour de Galop have shed some light in a poll that showed 58.5% of readers in favour of geldings in the Arc and 41.5% against. First, the expediency – or timing – of the discussion initiated by France's governing body, who say they will examine the case for opening not only the Arc but the Prix Jacques le Marois to non-entire horses. Picture the scene at Longchamp next month. In France's greatest race, two of its most distinguished middle-distance runners are confined to base, not welcome in Paris's exalted autumn showdown, the final reckoning for Europe's finest. As current race conditions stand, Goliath, the emphatic winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in a field of six Group 1 winners is excluded, for reasons to do with the protection of his breed. So too is Calandagan, winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, and closest pursuer of City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York. These two French heavyweights may have won big races named after British monarchs, but in the Arc they are lower than second-class citizens. They can't even show their faces. There are sound reasons for this. It's just that Goliath and Calandagan have made the reasons look less sound, by way of their accomplishments on English tracks. The European Pattern Committee decrees that a Group 1 race must be run with “no penalties or allowances other than a sex allowance,” but allows geldings except in “those Group 1 races confined to three-year-olds and or two-year-olds.” It's possible, then, that a stipulation designed to protect the breed is instead exposing it to doubt Few ever argue for the Derby, 2,000 Guineas or St Leger to be thrown open to geldings, because the role those contests play as a measuring stick for breeding is deeply embedded. Universal access loses out to bloodstock imperatives. But in the big Group 1s for three-year-olds and upwards an anomaly leaps out. Goliath is allowed to win the King George but can't even run in the Arc? Consistency is one big justification France Galop could use for democratising its defining event. In America the Triple Crown races embrace geldings. Nine have won the Kentucky Derby and 118 have run in the race since 1908. In 2003, Funny Cide broke a 74-year drought for geldings at Churchill Downs and narrowly missed out on a Triple Crown, winning the Preakness but coming home third in the Belmont. The most recent 'incomplete' Kentucky Derby winner was Mine That Bird in 2009. Global racing history is peppered with geldings who passed into legend: Phar Lap, Kelso and John Henry among them. The greats occupy their own kind of hall of fame, but an important one nonetheless. This column will swerve the question of whether cutting a colt gives it an advantage or disadvantage over entire rivals because the two most common answers seem to be: 1. It depends and 2. Don't know. What we do know is that this year's Arc winner is the closest middle-distance racing will have to a Champion of Europe. But will he or she fully deserve that title, given that Goliath and Calandagan are persona non grata? We'll never know whether either would have beaten the 2024 Arc winner, but we will always be sure they were denied the chance to try. It's possible, then, that a stipulation designed to protect the breed is instead exposing it to doubt. How good is the Arc winner if two of the best mile-and-a-half horses on the continent are turned back at the gate? Here we can feel sympathy for Francis-Henri Graffard, who trains both in France and has yet to win the Arc, though the arc of his career suggests he will one day. “Unfortunately my two best horses are geldings,” Graffard said at Ascot, before looking to the Breeders' Cup for targets. In other words France's loss could be world racing's gain. France Galop wouldn't be doing their job if they declined to place a magnifying glass over the apparent anomaly of Goliath dominating the King George and then being refused entry to the Arc. If the change is made, most would ask that it's done not simply because French racing is a bit embarrassed in one specific and unusual year. It would have to be the right thing to do for all the years. The post Can the Arc be a True Championship Without France’s Top Two? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Join Guy Heveldt, Emily Bosson and Jayne Ivil as they celebrate all the big thoroughbred race meetings from, NZ, Australia and around the Globe. Weigh In, 8 September (youtube.com) View the full article

There is every chance that Sunday's G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange was a hot affair and so all credit goes to Godolphin's Ombudsman (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}–Syndicate {GB}, by Dansili {GB}) for extending his unbeaten sequence in ParisLongchamp's 10-furlong test. Impressive on good ground in the Listed Prix Nureyev at Deauville last month, the 3-5 favourite raced in the box seat behind the leader First Look (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and was gifted a clear run up the rail as that G1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up drifted left passing the two-furlong marker. Green and errant for William Buick on the run to the line, the Gosdens' upwardly-mobile colt veered off a true line twice to interfere with the similarly progressive Henri-Francois Devin trainee Start Of Day (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) close home but was allowed to keep the race after an inquiry. Start Of Day was half a length behind at the line, with Supercooled (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) 3/4 of a length away in third. “He's still a big baby and when the inside opened up he was having a look around and running both ways with me,” Buick explained. “He's a very nice horse and very talented with a big engine, but he's still got a lot to learn. It was a very slow pace and the ground was new for him, but that seemed like a very good race and he is a top-class mile-and-a-quarter horse.” L'invaincu 𝗢𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗱𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻 (@WilliamBuickX/@JohnGosden1/@godolphin) poursuit son sans-faute ce dimanche en décrochant le Prix du Prince d'Orange (Gr.3) à @paris_longchamp Il inscrit son nom au palmarès bien fourni de l'épreuve (Horizon Doré 2023, West Wind Blows 2022,… pic.twitter.com/E0DoRVsUkx — Equidia (@equidia) September 8, 2024 The post Night Of Thunder’s Ombudsman Keeps His Perfect Record Intact At ParisLongchamp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Christopher Head trainee Houquetot (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}–Happen, by War Front) endured a first defeat in three career starts when runner-up in last month's G3 Prix Francois Boutin and bounced back with a game victory in Sunday's G3 Prix La Rochette at ParisLongchamp. The 11-10 favourite, previously successful in two seven-furlong heats at Compiegne, broke smartly and raced in a prominent second from flagfall in this fourth start at the specialist distance. Stoked up with a quarter-mile remaining, he joined long-time leader Sir Tommy Cen (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) entering the final furlong and was ridden out to defeat Heybetli (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) and Revolutionnaire (Fr) (Penny's Picnic {Ire}) by 3/4-of-a-length and a head. Pedigree Notes Houquetot is the second of four foals and lone performer out of G3 Athasi Stakes victrix Happen (War Front), herself a half-sister to dual Group-winning G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup second Somehow (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), G2 Prix Kergorlay victor Alex My Boy (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and G3 Killavullan Stakes runner-up Sierra Blanca (Ire) (No Nay Never). The March-foaled dark bay's second dam is G1 Oaks, G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Alexandrova (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), whose descendants also include G1 Preis von Europa winner Aspetar (Fr) (Al Kazeem {GB}). Houquetot is full to a yearling colt and a weanling colt. Rochette (Gr3, 2ans, 1400m) à #parislongchamp Houquetot (Wootton Bassett) renoue avec le succès en costaud. Après lutte, Heybetli (Showcasing) prend la deuxième place pic.twitter.com/Iie8p4b5R4 — France Galop (@francegalop) September 8, 2024 The post Wootton Bassett’s Houquetot Takes Care of Business in Paris appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Australian handler tipped for big things this campaign bags a brace at first meeting of the term.View the full article

Australian superstar dominates first meeting of the campaign with wins on Go Go Go, Ka Ying Rising, Fast Network and Gorgeous Win.View the full article

Four-year-old speedster ‘defied logic’ to carry 135 pounds to victory in Sunday’s feature race at Sha Tin.View the full article

Driver Penalties Z Meredith | Waikato Bay of Plenty 3 September; use of whip; suspended 4-17 September inclusive. L Chin | Auckland 6 September; contacted track markers; fined $100. D McCormick | NZ Metropolitan 6 September (heard Methven 8 September); use of whip; suspended 9-20 September inclusive. J Young-Grant | Methven 8 September; use of whip; suspended 9-15 September inclusive. Trainer Penalties M & N Purdon | NZ Metropolitan 6 September; incorrect gear; fined $100. K Kelly | Methven 8 September; faulty gear; fined $100. R & J Dunn | Methven 8 September; incorrect gear; fined $100. Horse Penalties ANYTIME AT ALL | NZ Metropolitan 6 September; atrial fibrillation; veterinary clearance including ECG required and must complete trial. MAXWELL EDISON | Methven 8 September; broke in running; must complete trial. KELTIC TIGER | Methven 8 September; broke at start; must complete standing start trial. The post 2-8 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Dog Penalty MISS MATILDA | Christchurch 6 September; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. The post 2-8 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Rider Penalties J Allen | Matamata 4 September; failed to make weight; fined $100. W Pinn | Matamata 4 September; medical clearance required (subsequently received on 7 September). A Lawson-Carroll | Matamata 4 September; medical clearance required. (subsequently received on 7 September) J Allen | Whangarei 7 September; careless riding; suspended 16-22 September inclusive. L Sutherland | Hawke’s Bay 7 September; careless riding; suspended 15-27 September inclusive. M Cartwright | Hawkes’s Bay 7 September; celebratory gesture prior to winning post; fined $600. T Moki | Woodville-Pahiatua 8 September; failed to retire mount when out of contention; fined $350. C Barnes | Woodville-Pahiatua 8 September; medical clearance required. J Parkes | Woodville-Pahiatua 8 September; medical clearance required. J Kozaczek | Woodville-Pahiatua 8 September; medical clearance required. P Matthews | Woodville-Pahiatua 8 September; medical clearance required. L Douglas | Woodville-Pahiatua 8 September; medical clearance required. K Bakker | Otago 8 September; medical clearance required. Trainer Penalties D & B Weatherley | Matamata 4 September; late gear notification; fined $50. M Bradley | Whangarei 7 September; late rider declaration; fined $50. K Duncan | Woodville-Pahiatua 8 September; incorrect gear; fined $50. Horse Penalties MI AMIGO | Matamata 4 September; lame; veterinary clearance required. IN THE LOOP | Whangarei 7 September; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. SAKURA ROSE | Whangarei 7 September; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. ANUSHKA SUPERSTAR | Hawke’s Bay 7 September; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. SISTER BING | Hawke’s Bay 7 September; attempted to rear at start; must complete trial. HAVARTI | Hawke’s Bay 7 September; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. NO TEARS | Woodville-Pahiatua 8 September; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. SEMPER MAGICO | Woodville-Pahiatua 8 September; rib injury; veterinary clearance required. MONITOR | Woodville-Pahiatua 8 September; tendon injury; veterinary clearance required. WIRE ROPE | Woodville-Pahiatua 8 September; late scratching after becoming fractious in barrier; must complete trial. TAKE IT | Woodville-Pahiatua 8 September; late scratching after dislodging rider in preliminary; must complete trial. GUILTY | Otago 8 September; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. Protest SISTER BING | Hawke’s Bay 7 September; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. The post 2-8 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Victoria’s highest-earning maiden is winless no longer, as Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s Rue De Royale (NZ) (Per Incanto) posted an impressive all-the-way victory over 1300 metres at Bendigo on Sunday. By Per Incanto, Rue De Royale cost $180,000 at last year’s Inglis Classic Sale, and made a great start to his career, fourth on debut and second in the $1 million Inglis Golden Gift next time out. After a spell, he returned with another lucrative runner-up cheque, this time in the $2 million Inglis Golden Gift, comfortably eclipsing his purchase price with the winnings. But five starts later, including Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper runs, as well as another second in the Group 2 Sires’ Produce, he was still a maiden, last seen fifth first-up behind Daggers at The Valley. By that point, he had amassed an incredible A$675,375 in prizemoney. But there was no danger of the winless streak extending on Sunday, as John Allen took the colt straight to the front and never looked back. The $2.80 favourite held a big margin at the 100m mark, and though Athanatos ($3.70) made good ground late into second, all honours were with the winner. Calvin McEvoy was delighted to get the victory out of the way, and in front of a crowd of eager connections. He felt Allen’s early initiative was the key, removing luck from the equation and giving Rue De Royale every chance to show his best. “It was a beautiful watch, and there’s a big group of owners here today which is fantastic,” he said. “He began so cleanly out the gates … he’s been a little slow in some starts and getting back by default really. “I love that Johnny just took the bull by the horns and made a good thing of him early. “I know it’s only a maiden, but he won it like a nice horse, and there’s a few in this race with big opinions on them.” View the full article

Trainer Symon Wildes says the move of The Archer to this Saturday at Flemington, and the golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup for the winner, couldn’t have been timed better for Dashing Duchess (NZ) (Tavistock). “She’s in form and up and running. She deserves a shot in a race like this,” the Warrnambool trainer said. Dashing Duchess has won her past two starts in comfortable fashion at The Valley, with her last one in a Quality Handicap over 2500 metres. “She’s tracking the right way. She’s got a nice profile for an up-and-coming staying horse. She’s in form at the right time. I think she’s now got enough runs under her belt now to compete at the level,” Wilde said. “We’re hopeful and excited. She’s surprised us a little. We’ll be interested to see what level she gets to, so we’ll get a great guide in The Archer.” “If we were to win, then we’d definitely take up the option of heading to the Melbourne Cup.” Wilde said The Archer would be a tougher race, but he always thought she had potential to get to the better staying races. “Three weeks between runs also works out nicely for her,” he said. The VRC earlier in the year announced they would move The Archer from Victoria Derby Day to the Makybe Diva Stakes. Wilde also nominated veteran stablemate Aurora’s Symphony for the 2024 Melbourne Cup. “He also got in last year, but realistically we’ll be heading towards the Geelong Cup and then the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but you never know. He finished second in the Adelaide Cup and we’ll just monitor his form.” View the full article

Top jumps jockey Shaun Fannin hasn’t ridden in many races this season, but when he does, the result is often similar to what panned out at Woodville on Sunday. A four-time winner of the Jumps Jockey of the Year title, Fannin has won over 160 races in the saddle but more recently, he has turned his focus to training in partnership with Hazel Schofer, with the pair recording 13 winners last term from their base at Awapuni. However, Fannin has maintained his formidable partnership with Mark Oulaghan’s champion steeplechaser West Coast this year, and his sole ride at the Woodville meeting was set to be aboard another of the stable’s jumpers in Dal Kilchoan (NZ) (Indy King) in the David & Ellen Oliver (4000m). Sitting in the middle market at $9.40, Dal Kilchoan was settled quietly at the tail by Fannin as the field safely negotiated the first lap of the Open contest, with Raucous and Jakama Krystal setting the tempo. Jakama Krystal was in front and travelling strongly into the fence at the 600m, but she dipped on landing and dislodged rider Lemmy Douglas, leaving a host of runners to fight out the finish. Dal Kilchoan had been looming up and jumped the final fence slightly ahead of Donardo, just having the better of that runner in the final bounds and took the victory by a half-length, with Captains Run another 1 ¾ lengths back in third. Fannin was pleased with the performance of Dal Kilchoan, who was bred and raced by Grant Irvine. “He just tagged along for the first lap and made a bit of ground on the inside with a lap to go,” Fannin said. “He got on to the better ground after the last down the back and he caught the jump at the 600m really well, that got his momentum up there and he toughed it out really well in the finish, so it was a good result.” Oulaghan praised the ride of Fannin, while indicating that the son of Indy King will likely have his swansong back at the course in three weeks’ time before retiring. “It was another good ride from Shaun which you come to expect from him, he rated him well and it certainly helped with the end result,” Oulaghan said. “The horse plugged away nicely so it was nice to see him get the win. “He’s a 12-year-old now, so he’ll probably come back and race here in a couple of weeks, then that’ll probably be his lot.” That victory completed a race-to-race double for Fannin after he picked up the ride aboard Sweet Taboo (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) in the Derm & Sue Congrats For Vegas (4000m), with original jockey Jay Kozaczek being stood down as the result of a fall in race two. The son of Turn Me Loose had been a perennial bridesmaid throughout his jumping career, with five second placings being rectified in the maiden steeplechase. Fannin positioned Sweet Taboo near the speed through the running and swooped to the lead turning for home, and although he chipped in at the last, the momentum was in his favour, kicking away by 2 ¾ lengths to stablemate Catch And Release. Sweet Taboo is trained at Wanganui by Kevin Myers, a powerful stable that Fannin has ridden over 100 winners for in his career. “Obviously there were a few fallers in the hurdle race and Kevin asked me to ride him, so I was more than happy to do that,” Fannin said. “He’s gets quite green out in front so I was just trying to get a bit of cover on him through the run, but there wasn’t much speed on so he just got in a nice position outside the leader. “We didn’t have to make up too much ground and he jumped pretty well, he toughed it out too and I’m sure he’s got another win in him soon enough. “If you know Kevin, he doesn’t give too many instructions other than hurry home, so I just try to go out there and try to put them in a nice position because they usually jump well and are fitter than most. “I probably don’t want to be riding too much as I’m pretty busy with our training and my focus is with that, but we jump quite a few of ours at home so I’m able to keep my eye in. “I’m always happy to jump on Kevin’s, we’ve had such a good partnership over the years and you can always say you don’t want to ride anymore, but there’s no bigger thrill than riding a winner.” The win was one of five for Myers on the card, taking out the Talana Hill (3000m) with Mugshot (NZ) (Echoes Of Heaven) and Flair Amateur Riders (2100m) with Invisible Spirit (NZ) (Charm Spirit) earlier in the day. His younger contingent also got their time in the spotlight, with three-year-old debutant Cypress (NZ) (Telperion) winning the Coppermine Contracting (1100m), and the lightly-tried Florin (NZ) (Vanbrugh) powering home in the Anne & Michael Beech (1200m), both in the hands of Lily Sutherland. View the full article

Capable flat galloper Billy Boy (So You Think) made the perfect start to his jumping career at Woodville on Sunday, putting on a polished display to claim the Pat & The Late John Shannon (3000m). The son of So You Think had previously recorded three wins on the flat and most recently in an amateur riders contest in June, with his customary front-running style particularly efficient in heavy track conditions. Aided by former top jumps jockey Jo Rathbone as his trainer, Billy Boy had been preparing for a career over fences for some time and was well-prepared for his debut, where punters had him slightly underrated as a $7.50 fourth-favourite. Billy Boy jumped away positively in the hands of Joshua Parker and was among a six-horse speed duel along the opening stretch, before the big gelding took over ahead of race-favourite Kahu Rock. Negotiating his fences efficiently, Billy Boy continued to stretch the field into the second circuit and when challenged at the top of the straight, he was too classy for his rivals and powered away by four lengths to Quid. Rathbone was delighted to see such a strong showing from him at a first attempt, with patience paying off for the Wanganui horsewoman. “I was really happy with him, he’s been jumping for a very long time so as far as a first starter over jumps goes, he’s probably a lot more experienced than most,” she said. “When he’s won on the flat, he’s just been rolling along at a good tempo, that’s where he seems to go the best. Jumping-wise, I wasn’t concerned about him being up-front as he’s had numerous jumping trials and is pretty confident. “I just said to Josh, if you get to the front and bowl along at a nice clip that’s good, if someone takes you on, he can take a sit as well as long as long as he’s got that tempo. “Plus, he likes Woodville, he’s had three starts for three wins here.” Woodville will stage another jumps meeting in three weeks’ time, but Rathbone is willing to continue giving the seven-year-old the time he needs before pressing on to another hurdling contest. “He’s been schooling and getting ready for the last couple of seasons but I felt he was a bit weak for it in the past, so I gave him time to grow into himself as he’s a pretty huge horse,” she said. “I’m just not sure whether I come back here or maybe turn him out and bring him back early for next season. I think being patient so far has been the key, but I’ll see when we get home how he is and make a decision then.” Billy Boy was bred by Alan Galbraith and purchased by owner Denis Leamy for $5500 via gavelhouse.com in July of 2021, and in his 22 starts, he has recorded four wins, five minor placings and over $57,000 in stakes earnings. View the full article

A huge crowd befitting the last running of the S$300,000 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) got the results they wanted after Singapore’s best galloper, Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec), won the elite race at Kranji on Saturday. Trelawney Stud bred Lim’s Kosciuszko was sent out the heavy favourite in the elite 11-horse field, while Lim’s Saltoro (NZ) (Shamexpress) and Golden Monkey were the equal second favourites. On jumping, the two Lim’s horses were prominent early before the race panned out as expected with Mr Black Back crossing from his wide gate 11 to lead on settling and Lim’s Saltoro trailing in second. Meanwhile, Lim’s Kosciuszko was tucked in behind his stablemate and Dream Alliance sat handier than expected in the first four. Into the straight, Lim’s Saltoro went up to the leader and with Lim’s Kosciuszko, Dream Alliance and Golden Monkey putting up a challenge at the 300m, the race was set up for a cracking finish. As things got serious at the furlong marker, the son of Kermadec’s champion qualities came to the fore and with Lim’s Saltoro faltering and the other on-pace brigade battling late, it was race over and redemption for Lim’s Kosciuszko after he got beat into second in the same race last year. It was also a terrific guide to next month’s Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) as Raising Sixty-One (NZ) (Belardo) ran on very well in the closing stages to finish a length back in second. Lim’s Saltoro held on well to finish another half-a-length back in third. The winning time was 1 min 47.08 secs for the 1800m on the Long Course. Lim’s Kosciuszko’s 22nd win in 27 starts took his earnings to over S$3.5 million for the Lim’s Stable. The win gave trainer Daniel Meagher and owner Mr Lim Siah Mong their first win in the prestige race. “It’s been a jinx, Ethan, for (owner) Mr Lim and myself,” said the Australian handler when asked about the only missing elite win on his resume by racing presenter Ethan Mills after the race. “Three years ago, Lim’s Lightning got scratched before (the race) and then we got beat last year by (trainer) Ricardo’s (Le Grange) horse (Hongkong Great). “So, it’s good to get the win. He’s a great horse and Singapore should be getting around him as it’s our last year. “He just does what he has to do these days. He’s getting a bit older and not winning as dominantly but that’s win number 22. “A great ride by Marc. He was very patient, neither hurt him to the line nor gave him a gut-busting run, which was great. “I’m very proud of him (Lim’s Kosciuszko).” Meagher was also glowing in his praise for Lim’s Saltoro after the five-year-old son of Shamexpress had an interrupted preparation and was looking forward to the Singapore Gold Cup. “I’m also very proud of (Lim’s) Saltoro. He’s had a bit of a troublesome week. He wasn’t really good going into this race. We had a few issues with him but he’s put in a gallant performance. “It’s not going to be easy for ‘Kosi’ as he would probably carry 58.5kgs or something like that (in the Grand Singapore Gold Cup) but he’s won it before (in 2023) with a lot against him. “I think the other horse (Lim’s Saltoro) will carry a light weight and he’s going to be in with a really big show. “I’m very proud to win so many races and the team has done a great job.” Jockey Marc Lerner, who had a treble on the day was just in awe of ‘Kosi’ after his epic win. “He’s just getting a bit older,” explained the Frenchman. “As you can see at the 400m, when (Lim’s) Saltoro went for it, he got us a bit out of the bridle. “But he’s (Lim’s Kosciuszko) a champion. He just picked up. I was a bit scared because when he gets in front, he knows the job is done and would tend to relax, so I had to keep him to his work. “It’s good to win this race for Mr Lim and Daniel as that was the only one missing (on their achievement records).” On turning the tables on Raffles Cup (1600m) winner Lim’s Saltoro, Lerner suggested that “fresher” legs was the key this time. “The difference was the four weeks in between races (Raffles Cup and QEII Cup), because I’m pretty sure we would have got it (Raffles Cup) on the line with fresher legs,” he said, referring to the fact that Lim’s Kosciuszko was on a back-up in the Raffles Cup, only two weeks after he won the Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) on 28 July. “Take nothing away from Lim’s Saltoro. He’s a great horse. We had the perfect run but ‘Kosi’’s just getting a bit older. He doesn’t win it as easy as before but he gets the job done. “I’m happy. Three winners was superb. Now, we just focus on either (Lim’s) Saltoro or (Lim’s) Kosciuszko (in the Grand Singapore Gold Cup). I just want one of them to win.” The Grand Singapore Gold Cup will be held on the final race meeting in Singapore on 5 October. View the full article

Jockey Michael Dee will partner Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree) when the four-year-old makes his reappearance in at Flemington this Saturday. The Queensland Derby winner is set to resume in the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) having had a trial and jump-out at Cranbourne in recent weeks. Warmonger is being aimed at the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 19 and potentially the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 6, and trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr wanted to lock in a rider that could manage the gelding’s expected impost. Price and Kent Jnr are expecting Warmonger to receive 53kg or 53.5kg despite the gelding’s imposing 10-½ length romp in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm in June. Blake Shinn guided Warmonger home that day but cannot ride the expected Cups weight with handicaps to be declared for both races on September 17. Kent Jnr said he and Price wanted to get in early and lock away a jockey for the Cups, especially with The Everest (1200m) being run at Randwick on Caulfield Cup Day. “Mick Dee is booked for the Caulfield Cup,” Kent Jnr said. “We’re expecting 53 or 53-½ kilos in the Caulfield Cup and being the same day as The Everest we wanted to get someone locked in. “Blake won on him in Queensland but it’s doubtful Blake would ride that weight, so we’ve made sure we’ve got someone early.” Warmonger has had two trials at Cranbourne in preparation for his return run in the Makybe Diva. The gelding scored over 1200m with Shinn aboard before Dee had his first sit on Warmonger when fourth in a 1200m jump-out on September 3. “Mick Dee had his first sit on him, and he was good,” Kent Jnr said. “It was a lot different to his first trial which was a slow tempo, and he was able to win. “Keats led them a merry dance in the jump-out, so there was a lot more pace on, which was good. “It gave him the pipe-opener that we were after, so he’ll be ready to front up in the Makybe Diva.” View the full article

The Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival has been a happy hunting ground for Peter and Shaun McKay, who returned to Hastings on Saturday and pulled off a training masterstroke with the resuming Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini) in the Livamol International Health Products Premier (1600m). The blue and gold colours of the Matamata stable have become a familiar sight at Hastings every spring, landing the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) with Antonio Lombardo and Amarula, the Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m) with Antonio Lombardo, and numerous other bold performances by the likes of Sagunto, Langkawi and Cavallo Veloce. The McKays flew under the radar on Saturday with Wolfgang, who went out as one of the outsiders of the seven-horse field at $10.50. The son of former McKay stable star Puccini had not been seen since April and went straight to 1600m in a fresh state. The build-up to the race was dominated by last season’s Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) winner Nereus, who was on trial for a potential Melbourne campaign. The betting market was one-way traffic, with Nereus tightening from $4 right into $1.80. Most of the race appeared to be following that script. Nereus enjoyed a comfortable run in second before cruising up alongside the leader with ease at the top of the straight. But Wolfgang and Australian jockey Matt Cartwright came through in the favourite’s slipstream, then angled to his outside and outsprinted Nereus down the straight to win by three-quarters of a length. “He jumped lovely and we got into a nice spot behind a genuine tempo,” Cartwright said. “He tracked up into it nicely and then let down really well in the straight. That was a good performance first-up. “The way he was travelling coming into the straight, I knew it was going to take a nice horse to beat him. It’s a great training effort by Peter and Shaun.” Wolfgang was bred by Mapperley Stud’s Simms Davison, who shares ownership with Kim and Peter McKay. The six-year-old has now had 33 starts for five wins, eight placings and $194,285 in stakes. “We were a little worried about him first-up at 1600m today, but he’s a pretty good horse on his day,” Shaun McKay said. “Matt rode him beautifully. It’s really good to have him riding here in New Zealand. “We’ve just taken this horse up quite slowly in this preparation, and he seems to be in good order. We’ll just take it one step at a time with him from here.” Nereus held on for second, more than two lengths clear of the third-placed The Odyssey. View the full article

While top honours did not go the way of Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) in Saturday’s Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m), Pam Gerard took plenty of positives from the performance of her colt as he heads towards loftier targets. The impressive colt was a Group Three-winning juvenile and has flourished early in his three-year-old campaign, winning the 3YO Colts and Geldings contest at Taupo before a storming run into second behind Poetic Champion in the Hastings three-year-old feature. In a leader-dominated contest, Poetic Champion controlled a steady tempo under Matt Cartwright and after travelling near the tail, Savaglee was forced widest on the track and was still last at the 300m, before a slashing closing sprint got him within 2 ¼ lengths of the winner. Gerard was more than satisfied with his effort, which was also a reflection of the progress the son of Savabeel has made in recent months. “We thought they were going to go a bit quicker, but they dictated in front and we just are riding him neutral where he is happy. They took the pace out and he just had a few traffic issues, he probably got on the back of the wrong horse and had to get out again but his last 200 was pretty impressive,” she said. “He had a big season as a two-year-old which most of them don’t, I think he had seven starts which is a pretty big ask, but he’s just got a constitution and a nature where he comes home and eats everything. He’s always been a very sound horse, he gets trotted up after each race and the vets say that he’s perfect, so those two factors are a massive help. “He’s not overly big but he’s very strong, he was strong as a two-year-old but he just looked a bit like a baby, but this prep he has muscled up a bit more and evened out, he’s got a bit more length and physically matured. “Mentally, he really came to the party yesterday as well.” Savaglee will return to the Bay in three weeks’ time to contest the Gr.2 AHD Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), a final step in his path towards the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in November. “Hawke’s Bay Guineas into the 2000 Guineas has been the plan right from the word go,” Gerard said. “We’ve always known that he’s going to want to get further in time and if you can get a horse to relax like that and have a sprint at the finish, he’s going to be very competitive later on in the season too.” Gerard may have had to settle for second at Hastings, but her speedy mare Shoes (NZ) (Derryn) was not to be denied in the north at Ruakaka in the Harcourts Just Rentals (1100m). The daughter of Derryn was aiming to break a bridesmaid streak of her own this preparation, after strong runner-up finishes behind promising types in Twain and Cornelia. Showing her customary early pace, Shoes pressed forward under apprentice Triston Moodley to find the outside of the leader in Yari, and the pair would end up having a head-bobbing battle all the way down the straight, with Shoes managing to find the line by a nose. “It was a perfect race for her, she’s been going super against some nice horses at Te Rapa when the track was probably just beyond her,” Gerard said. “She’s had very heavy tracks to run on and it was great to get her on a better track to run on yesterday, also to not be leading up for once and be able to sit just a half-length off the leader. “She was tough, it was a good run. “I was pleased to get the one out of the way for her, I think she’s very fast but how far she can go, we originally thought she could be going right up to open class. “I’m hoping she still can, but at the moment, we’ll just work through the grades and I’ll speak to the owners around where we aim to go from here.” Bred by Grangewilliam Stud, Shoes was purchased for just $22,500 at the 2022 Karaka Yearling Sales and has won two races from 10 starts, with $73,360 in prizemoney. View the full article