Wandering Eyes

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

Progressive sprinter Navigator (NZ) (El Roca) produced one of the standout performances of the meeting at Hastings on Saturday, continuing his formidable fresh-up record in the Vet Services Equine Hawke’s Bay Premier (1200m). Navigator has been carefully placed throughout his light racing career by trainer Cody Cole and his record is a reflection of this, with the five-year-old never finishing further back then fourth in nine previous starts. Cole targeted the final meeting at the Hawke’s Bay carnival last year with the five-year-old and was duly rewarded with a lucrative Rating 65 success over the same distance, and a plan to enter the opening day this season with no trials under his belt was executed to the letter. Combining with Ryan Elliot, Navigator showed strong gate speed and utilised this when settling three-back on the fence, with speedy mare Merchant Queen circling the field to take up the pace making role. Travelling powerfully into the home bend, Elliot eased the big-striding gelding off the rail and he bounded to the lead at the 250m, and his rivals were no match as he eased to the line by 1 ¾ lengths. Acquarello made a lovely return flashing into second, with Merchant Queen hanging on gamely for third. Matamata-based Cole was thrilled to see the son of El Roca firing on all cylinders as he enters another campaign. “He’s a good horse fresh, we didn’t trial him with the heavy tracks around and although he can cop a heavy surface, I didn’t think we needed too,” he said. “We took him to Taupo for an outing, the Taupo Racing Club are very accommodating letting us do that, and he worked super down there last week. “We couldn’t have been any happier with him leading into this race, he’s got a bright future and he’s probably pretty untapped too. “He’s been loafing around and waiting for them half his life, but the penny is starting to drop now.” Navigator has made a habit of picking up Premier victories on the undercard with his most-recent success coming at Trentham on Manawatu Sires’ Day, but Cole indicated he will get his opportunity in the spotlight come October 12 back at the Bay. “We targeted the Spring Sprint (Gr.3, 1400m) after his win at Wellington so we worked back from there. We wanted to kick off on the first day and then come back on the last day over 1400,” he said. “He travelled a bit fiercely today so we may reassess that, but I think second-up it may take that freshness out of him. “He’ll get in at a nice light weight so it would be a nice option for him going forward. “Beyond that, I think with the blinkers off, he’d definitely run a mile, but we put them on to get him on the job because when he won here fresh last year, he was looking at everything and waiting for everyone and you can’t win good races like that. “He’s figuring the game out and the mile is not beyond him, but he’s going to tell us where he wants to go through the season.” Bred by part-owner Marriott Thoroughbreds, Navigator was purchased by Cole for $110,000 out of Westbury Stud’s draft at the 2021 Karaka Yearling Sales, and has won four of his ten starts and over $150,000 in stakes. He was the final foal out of three-win Stravinsky mare Joiya, who has produced a number of talented progeny including Group One placegetters Bella Mente and Bella Gioia, Listed winner Niki Piki Milo and Listed performer The Dom. Cole was also pleased with the efforts of his three-year-old filly Renovations (NZ) (Ardrossan), who closed well into fourth in a competitive Gr.3 HBPB Thoroughbred Breeders Gold Trail Stakes (1200m), taken out by Alabama Lass. “I was really happy with her, she missed the run at Taupo where she was meant to kick off and it’s been a long time since she trialled,” he said. “She’ll improve a lot from that, she probably just struggled to quicken with them but her work through the line was encouraging and I think 1400-1600 is more suited to her now she is a three-year-old. “The way she raced today, I think that would be her go if she can put herself on-speed over 1400, and I think we will see a better version of her again.” View the full article

Locally trained three-year-old filly Simsala (NZ) (Almanzor) dominated proceedings in the first race on the card at Ruakaka as she captured her first career victory at just her third start. Prepared by Ken Rae, the daughter of Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor had indicated a victory was close at hand when she finished runner-up in Rating 60 company on the Cambridge Synthetic surface ten days earlier. Slowly away in her first two races, Simsala flipped that script as she went straight to the front in the Northland Business Systems (1400m) on Saturday for rider Ashvin Goindasamy and dominated from then on. Goindasamy had her pinging along nicely rounding the home bend as she was challenged on her outer by race favourite Our Blue Belle while the well-fancied Domain Ace was winding up his finish in behind the leading pair. Simsala refused to give in as she fought like a tiger to win by just under lengths from the chasing pair in a tidy 1.24.31 for the 1400m journey. Rae was relieved to see the filly put in such a tough effort after admitting she had had some issues with her racing manners during her first two starts. “My first hope for the day was that she would get around to the start and behave herself,” Rae said. “The one reason I started her in this race was that I couldn’t get a rider for her in the maiden event later in the day. “I don’t blame the ones who turned me down as she has been a hard work in progress as she has more ability than brains. “She seems to be turning the corner, I hope. “I’m not sure what is next for her, but we do have a nomination for the 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600) but really that is just a dream. “She is by Almanzor though and if she behaves herself, she could go on with it.” Raced by Northland locals Mal Barratt and Tania Patterson, who purchased her for $25,000 during the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, Simsala is the second foal of I Am Invincible mare Majella Magic and closely related to Australian Stakes winners Jade Marauder and Bliss Street. Cambridge Stud announced during the week that Almanzor, who has shuttled to New Zealand for the southern hemisphere breeding season since 2018, will now remain in New Zealand on a permanent basis. The European Champion three-year-old of his year currently stands at a service fee of $30,000 + GST for the 2024 breeding season. View the full article

What Bairnsdale Races Where Bairnsdale Racing Club – Racecourse Rd, Bairnsdale VIC 3875 When Monday, September 9, 2024 First Race 12:30pm AEST Visit Dabble A new week of racing in Victoria commences at Bairnsdale Racing Club on Monday, with a massive 10-race meeting set down for decision. A couple of showers across the weekend should ensure the track remains a Good 4 throughout the card, while the rail sticks in the true position for the entire circuit. The Bairnsdale races on September 9 are set to commence at 12:30pm AEST. Best Bet at Bairnsdale: Snick Snick finally broke through at start number 18, putting 1.3 lengths on her rivals at Geelong. Luke Cartwright hops on board and claims 2kg, and from barrier five, the pair should land the ideal stalking position. If she replicates what she put forward last time out, Snick should be edging her way to glory. Best Bet Race 8 – #6 Snick (5) 5yo Mare | T: John Sadler | J: Luke Cartwright (a2) (60kg) +200 with PlayUp Next Best at Bairnsdale: Heaving Still a maiden after three runs, Heaving chased home subsequent Sandown winner Boardrider at Moe last time out. The son of Hellbent simply couldn’t hold out the eventual victor, but he held the rest of the field at bay with relative ease. Jye McNeil will likely use barrier two to his advantage and take up the running, and if Heaving can kick off the bend, he should prove too hard to run down this time. Next Best Race 2 – #2 Heaving (2) 3yo Gelding | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: Jye McNeil (58kg) +130 with Bet365 Best Value at Bairnsdale: Duckie Duckie caught the eye when charging home from the rear of the field at Wangaratta on August 24, and with another 50, she arguably would have won. She steps back to 1200m on Monday, but with a genuinely run event expected, the race sets up perfectly for Duckie to charge home and blouse the leaders. The $11 with horse racing bookmakers looks like the wrong price. Best Value Race 4 – #11 Duckie (1) 4yo Mare | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Jake Noonan (57.5kg) +1000 with Neds Monday quaddie tips for Bairnsdale races Bairnsdale quadrella selections Monday, September 9, 2024 1-2-3-5-6 3-6 4-5-11-14 1-2-7-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips
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Airborne four-year-old and imposing three-year-old look set to duke it out at Longchamp on Sunday.View the full article

Jockey Kazushi Kimura left Woodbine this summer to pursue opportunities and showcase his riding skills in California. That skill was displayed with the well-timed ride he gave Hang the Moon to win the John C. Mabee Stakes (G2T) Sept. 7 at Del Mar.View the full article

Gotham Stakes (G3) winner Deterministic may have flamed out on the Triple Crown trail, but the 3-year-old Liam's Map colt showed his quality and proved in the $504,000 Virginia Derby (G3T) Sept. 7 at Colonial Downs he has found a home on the turf.View the full article

Averill Racing's R Morning Brew dueled into the stretch before putting her rival away and drawing clear to a 5 1/2-length victory in the $100,000 Desert Vixen at Gulfstream Park Sept. 7, becoming the first stakes winner for sire Curlin's Honor.View the full article

Averill Racing's R Morning Brew dueled into the stretch before putting that rival away and drawing clear to a 5 1/2-length victory in the $100,000 Desert Vixen at Gulfstream Park Sept. 7, becoming the first stakes winner for sire Curlin's Honor.View the full article

Cogburn, North America's top grass sprinter, avenged a 2023 defeat over the undulating, European-style Kentucky Downs course—his only loss on grass—by dominating the $1,797,200 Ainsworth Turf Sprint Stakes (G2T) Sept. 7.View the full article

Turning back a stretch challenge from Yellow Card, Howard Wolowitz inched away late under Irad Ortiz Jr. to prevail in the $1,847,100 Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G1) Sept. 7 at Kentucky Downs.View the full article

Thought Process (Collected) held her ground in the stretch of the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes to secure her first career black-type. Third on debut July 27 when sprinting on the main track, the chestnut found grass to her liking less than a month later, breaking her maiden Aug. 17 when stretched out to a mile and flopped to the turf for the first time. On the back of that performance, which garnered her a Beyer of 82, the betting public crowned her the 2-5 favorite and she did not disappoint. Rating off the pace of :23.12, :47.37, and 1:11.27, Thought Process came off the fence passing the three-eighths and had the longtime pacesetter 'TDN Rising Star' Casalu (Caracaro) firmly in her sights, taking over quickly when turned loose in the lane. Spurting clear as the closers came calling, she was two lengths in front of Supa Speed (Justify), who claimed second, and Sea Runner (Gun Runner) held on for third. The victress is her dam's first to make the races and the second offspring to reach racing age. Creative Thinking, who won the Listed Keertana Overnight Stakes in her day, has since produced a yearling colt by Win Win Win. She was bred to Roadster for 2025. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. THOUGHT PROCESS ($2.80) only thought was about winning in the $100,000 Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf at @DelMarRacing. The 2-year-old filly gave Collected (@AirdrieStud) another winner on the card today. @HIBerrios was in the irons for trainer @PhilDamato11. pic.twitter.com/KqYziVJ3AD — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 7, 2024 DEL MAR JUVENILE FILLIES TURF S., $103,000, Del Mar, 9-7, 2yo, f, 1mT, 1:35.06, fm. 1–THOUGHT PROCESS, 122, f, 2, by Collected 1st Dam: Creative Thinking (SW-USA, SP-Can, $132,592), by Creative Cause 2nd Dam: Hat Box, by Street Cry (Ire) 3rd Dam: Maiden Tower (GB), by Groom Dancer ($120,000 RNA Ylg '23 KEESEP; $57,000 RNA Ylg '23 FTKOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables LLC and The Estate of Brereton C. Jones; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Philip D'Amato; J-Hector Isaac Berrios. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, $114,000. 2–Supa Speed, 122, f, 2, Justify–Elfin Queen, by American Pharoah. ($460,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Flying Dutchmen; B-Coteau Grove Farms, LLC (LA); T-John W. Sadler. $20,000. 3–Sea Runner, 120, f, 2, Gun Runner–Cuyathy, by Congrats. ($300,000 RNA Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Cuyathy, LLC (KY); T-Tim Yakteen. $12,000. Margins: 2, 2HF, HF. Odds: 0.40, 5.30, 16.60. Also Ran: Casalu, Madonna of Loreto, Caitlin Fever, Hey Lil Lady, Twirling Light, Fondest Dream (GB), Apocalyptic, Global Consort. Scratched: An Chorr Dubh (Ire). The post Collected’s Thought Process Takes Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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It's not often that a game plan set out in the paddock goes exactly according to plan, but it did for Grand Sonata at Kentucky Downs Sept. 7, leading to victory in the $1,995,000 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes (G2T).View the full article

Cogburn (h, 5, Not This Time–In a Jif, by Saintly Look) made it a perfect three for three on the year with another powerful win in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' $2-million GII Ainsworth Turf Sprint S. at Kentucky Downs. The even-money favorite blasted out to the front, set fast fractions of :21.82 and :44.14 and kept on motoring down the stretch to win going away by five lengths. Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) was second; Axthelm (Into Mischief) finished third. The final time for six furlongs was a very sharp 1:07.68. Cogburn most recently won the GI Jaipur Stakes at Saratoga June 8 with a gaudy 111 Beyer Speed Figure in North American-record time stopping the timer for 5 1/2 furlongs in :59.80. That broke the previous North American record of 1:00.21 set in 2019. Cogburn kicked off his 5-year-old campaign with an impressive win off the bench in the GII Turf Sprint Stakes on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 4. It was announced earlier this summer that Cogburn will stand at WinStar Farm upon his retirement. Lifetime Record: 15-9-2-0. Sales history: $52,000 wnl '19 KEENOV; $310,000 yrl '20 FTKSEL; $150,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR. O-Brewster, Clark O., Heiligbrodt, L. William and Heiligbrodt, Corinne; B-Bellary Bloodstock (Ky); T-Steven M. Asmussen. Is he the fastest horse in the world? #4 COGBURN ($4.20) showed his true grit at @KYDownsRacing, kicking clear to win the $2 million Turf Sprint Stakes (G2)! pic.twitter.com/wtWowGEfSl — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 7, 2024 The post Cogburn Punches Breeders’ Cup Ticket in Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

No matter what happens over the next three weeks, September 2024 will be a month to remember for owners Perry and Ramona Bass, Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella, and others associated with the turf horse Goliad.View the full article