Wandering Eyes

Sam Agars SUPREME LUCKY - R7 (1) Will enjoy any cut out of the ground and his trial suggests he's ready to go Jay Rooney FAST NETWORK - R4 (1) Won impressively on debut and trialled superbly ahead of his return Jack Dawling SMART LEADER - R2 (5) Looks to have plenty in his favour dropping in grade and with Purton aboard Phillip Woo HAPPY FOR ALL - R9 (11) Is well rated and looks ready to resume a winner off a good trial Shannon (Vincent Wong) FAST NETWORK - R4 (1) Won impressively last season and looks ready from his nice recent trial Racing Post Online MY WISH - R5 (4) Comes off an unlucky second place last term and can go one better this time Tom Wood SUPERB BOY - R7 (4) Won fresh last season and off his trial looks capable of that againView the full article

Setting the form standard in Saturday's G3 Sirenia Stakes at Kempton, having finished third in York's G3 Gimcrack Stakes, Adrian Keatley's Symbol Of Strength (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}–Symbol Of Love {GB}, by Shamardal) mastered the challenge to continue his upward trajectory on the Polytrack. Settled in mid-division early by Tom Marquand, the 5-2 favourite was delivered to overwhelm Jouncy (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) inside the last 100 yards en route to a half-length verdict over that rival, with Brian (Ire) (Shaman {Ire}) another head back in third. “I think he hated the slow surface–he wants quicker ground,” Keatley said. “Tom said he was having a look around in front and had plenty left in the tank. It very much depends on the ground, but the [G2] Mill Reef and [G1] Middle Park are options. His form is right up there and he's not just a 2-year-old–he could get seven next year no problem.” Big drift No problem Gimcrack third Symbol Of Strength (5/2) wins the G3 Sirenia @adrian_keatley | @TomMarquand | @kemptonparkrace | @UnibetRacing pic.twitter.com/XYtFl3DVzZ — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 7, 2024 The post Kodiac’s Symbol Of Strength Wins The Sirenia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Matt Cartwright announced his arrival among the top echelon of New Zealand’s jockeys with a stunning treble on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival at Hastings on Saturday, culminating in a giant-killing Group One win with Grail Seeker in the Tarzino Trophy (1400m). Formerly a leading apprentice in Victoria, Cartwright decided at the beginning of the season to move across the Tasman in search of better opportunities as a senior rider. Barely a month later, the 22-year-old stole the show on one of New Zealand racing’s biggest stages with victories aboard Wolfgang in the Livamol International Health Products Premier (1600m), Poetic Champion in the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m), and the super-impressive Grail Seeker in the Tarzino. “I’m over the moon,” Cartwright said. “To come over here and have this happen so soon, it’s a big thrill. I was happy just to get a ride in the first Group One race, let alone win it. It’s what I came over for. “I’m speechless, to be honest. It would have to be my best moment in racing, a treble and a Group One winner, and I can’t thank everyone enough. Onwards and upwards from here.” Grail Seeker showed glimpses of something special as a three-year-old last season. She stormed home from third-last to win the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) by almost three lengths at Trentham in March, and she also picked up placings in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial (1500m). The Iffraaj mare was overlooked as a $32 outsider for her first-up tilt at the Tarzino, in which she faced a formidable field featuring no fewer than seven Group One winners. But Grail Seeker rose to the occasion with a sensational coming-of-age performance. Cartwright took up a comfortable position in sixth along the rail as the favoured pair of Crocetti and Bonny Lass set a solid speed out in front. Those two rounded the home turn side by side, seemingly set to renew their rivalry after fighting out a thrilling finish in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa earlier this year. But that script was torn up in the straight as Faraglioni and Sacred Satono sprinted past the two favourites with 200m remaining. Cartwright had angled Grail Seeker out to the middle of the track in the meantime, and when he let her rip, the four-year-old came with giant bounds and blasted past Faraglioni to win by a length and a quarter. The race was run in a slick time of 1:21.46 – the fastest Tarzino since 2006. “She travelled beautifully,” Cartwright said. “She jumped and settled. In her previous prep, it looked like she could get quite keen, but she travelled lovely for me and tracked into it perfectly. Once I let her go, she accelerated really well.” Grail Seeker was bred by Jamieson Park and was a $130,000 purchase from their Book 1 draft at Karaka 2022. Her 10-start career has now produced three wins, four placings and $413,465 in stakes for owners Trevor Clarke and Chris Jones. She delivered the second Tarzino Trophy victory in the last three years for Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, who had previously won the season-opening feature with Dark Destroyer in 2022. “It’s just amazing,” Scott said. “It’s great to have owners who believe in the dream and are happy to bypass a Foxbridge (Gr.2, 1200m) and believe in what we hope could happen. They believed in Wexford, believed in us and believed in our team. “We sat back for this and hoped that she’d just come with one big run. What a ride from Matt. He’s just on the crest of a wave today. “We’ve got a massive team, and we can’t do this without the people we have around us. It’s a team thing and it’s just amazing. “We had dinner in Rarotonga with Trevor, and we said we’d sit back and have one go at this race. Chris and Trevor have been amazing. It’s a fairytale and a great result. “Rudy Liefting sent Trevor and Chris our way. They wanted to try some fillies, buy them from the sales and invest in the game. To get results for guys like them is what racing is all about.” Grail Seeker became the fifth newly turned four-year-old mare to win the Tarzino in the last 20 years, joining Seachange (2006), Keep The Peace (2010), Melody Belle (2018) and Skew Wiff (2023). Faraglioni and Sacred Satono collected highly creditable second and third placings in Saturday’s weight-for-age showpiece, with defending champion Skew Wiff fourth and Waitak fifth. Bonny Lass and Crocetti crossed the finish line in sixth and seventh place respectively. View the full article

Major Beel snapped a 17-month win drought that dated back to his triumph in last year’s Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) when he returned to Randwick and took out Saturday’s A$160,000 City Tattersalls Patrick Campion Handicap (1600m). The Savabeel gelding scored his fourth win from an 11-race career when he took out the Australian Derby in April of 2023, but his next eight starts produced a solitary placing in last spring’s Gr.2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m). Major Beel showed encouraging signs in two trials leading into his return to racing on Saturday, and the five-year-old confirmed that was right back at his very best with an outstanding first-up win. Sent straight to the lead by jockey Tim Clark, Major Beel dictated terms throughout the Benchmark 94 handicap and kicked hard in the straight. Challengers lined up across the track to try to reel him in, but Major Beel kept up a strong gallop and held on to win by a head. “Obviously he was a Derby winner at three, but he just went missing on us a little bit as a four-year-old, which they can sometimes do,” Clark said. “I’ve been really pleased with how he’s come back and the way he’s been working. He’s filled out a bit more. He’s always had good desire, and he needed that today.” Major Beel has now had 20 starts for five wins, six placings and A$1,640,500 in stakes. “We’ve had some fantastic memories with this horse,” said Adrian Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse. “I’m just not quite sure how to place him or profile him at the moment. “Obviously it’s good to see him back here today, resuming over the mile and showing good tactical speed. That was a tough effort, the way he had to fight on. I thought he showed plenty of sprint late. “The way he started to quicken just before the turn, I was filled with a lot of confidence. Even if he’d been run down, we would have been very satisfied with that performance. But for him to keep finding the way he did under his 60kg, it shows plenty of merit. “I know he got away with a Derby as a three-year-old, but I’m not sure how far we’ll go with him in this preparation. He could even stay around that mile or 2000m range.” Major Beel is the first foal of the unraced O’Reilly mare Gram – a daughter of the Gr.2 Karakatta Plate (1200m) winner Gold Rocks, whose daughters Gold Fever and Gold Rush both won the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) as two-year-old fillies. Their half-sister Calaverite was successful at Listed level as a juvenile in the Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) and St Albans Stakes (1200m), and she is the dam of Caulfield Guineas (1600m) winner Golden Mile. Major Beel was purchased out of Waikato Stud’s draft at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale for A$260,000 by Waterhouse, Bott and Kestrel Thoroughbreds, with the Matamata farm remaining in the ownership. View the full article

Royal Patronage ridden by Tim Clark has taken out the Group 2 Tramway Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Bradleyphotos Royal Patronage ($18.00) has caused a minor upset on Australian debut to claim victory in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained import was first-up after a 420-day spell and two barrier trials, and fitness didn’t seem to be an issue for the son of Wootton Bassett, bounding clear with the prize after receiving an economical run under Tim Clark from barrier 10. He was able to slot into the one-one position throughout proceedings and didn’t look to be in any danger turning for home, hitting the front with only Amelia’s Jewel ($3.60) making significant inroads in the final 300m. Kovalica ($12.00) and Freedom Rally ($3.80) were left to fight out the minor placings on a day it was difficult to make ground from the back; however, it was all honours the winner as the five-year-old import stamped himself as one to follow throughout the spring. 2024 Tramway Stakes replay – Royal Patronage Adrian Bott was on course to breakdown the victory of his European import before suggesting the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) could be a possible target. “We were really confident with what we’d seen from him at home,” said Bott. “He worked up quite sharply during the week, which was encouraging going into today. But in fairness, Europeans having their first start in Australia and traditionally showing form over further. “Also the conditions today, we were just a bit over-minded whether he may find the 1,400m a bit too sharp for him. But the way the race panned out was excellent. There was good pressure on from the outset. He really put himself in the race from the gates. “He’s put in an excellent performance today, and I’m sure there’s still plenty of improvement to come. “He could well be (an Epsom horse). Tim [Clark] and I were discussing that off the back of his last trial. “We thought that might be a really nice race to target, but in the back of our mind, we thought there could be some targets over further, so we wanted to see what we got today, and I think that could definitely be on the cards off the back of today’s run.” Tim Clark was elated with the win and happy with the work Royal Patronage was putting in at the trials leading into Saturday. “First up from a long spell, it’s a pretty pretty good effort from him,” said Clark. “He had a prep early in the year in Melbourne, but he’s come back in and he’s just been going so well at home, working fantastic, trials were good. “When he was able to bounce and adjust to that seven-furlong speed so comfortably, if anything, raced a bit keen early, because that was the unknown, how he was going to react to a fast run seven, but he traveled sweetly, he was really tough.” Royal Patronage is now on the second line of betting at $8.00 with horse racing bookmakers for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) on October 5. Horse racing news View the full article

Chief Executive John Lee is expected to be on track to strike the gong at Sha Tin on Sunday.View the full article

The 2024 Moir Stakes at The Valley delivered a thrilling upset as the track specialist, Mornington Glory, claimed victory for trainer Gavin Bedggood who celebrated his maiden Group 1 success. “He took bad luck out of the equation today,” winning trainer Bedggood told Racing.com speaking of his horse’s barrier one draw and front-running ride. “He’s begun really […] The post Mornington Glory Wins 2024 Moir Stakes appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Mornington Glory ridden by Ethan Brown wins the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Mornington Glory ($10) has given the combination of Gavin Bedggood and Ethan Brown their first Group 1 victories as trainer and jockey, following an all-the-way win in the Group 1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley on Saturday afternoon. The son of Shalaa had won his last two starts at Moonee Valley before entering the Group 1 contest, and even though he opened as a massive outsider with horse racing bookmakers, he was heavily backed during the day and saluted for his supporters in the biggest race of his 20-start career. After drawing barrier one, many were wondering what Bedggood and Brown would conjure up, but there wouldn’t have been many that had Mornington Glory leading both Lady Of Camelot ($5) and Estriella ($3.10) throughout the 1000m journey on a solid tempo. Brown allowed his mount to run the race at his own tempo; however, he appeared to pick up the speed at the 400m mark, and the other two speed influences came off the bit before the home corner. It was all honours to the winner, thanks to a brave front-running ride by Ethan Brown, as Mornington Glory took out the feature race by half a length over the fast-finishing Hayasugi ($10), who flashed home for second place ahead of a brave Lady Of Camelot. 2024 Moir Stakes replay – Mornington Glory Gavin Bedggood wasn’t as emotional as he was when Mornington Glory claimed the Carlyon Stakes last start, but he was still very happy with the win post-race. “I’m pretty good, I felt a bit of pressure last time, but I was pretty comfortable coming here today,” Bedggood said. “We were the underdog and he seems to always be that way. “He took bad luck out of the equation today. “He’s begun really well his last two starts and when he jumped a half in front of them today – there was no instruction to lead – but Browny just used his initiative and went with the horse and the rest is history. “I wanted to draw two, three, four, give us options, but one was better than nine. So I was pretty happy. “It nearly didn’t happen, he was retired this horse and as I said last time, these owners throwing me a bone (is appreciated). “It’s a great ownership group and they’ll party hard tonight, no doubt.” Ethan Brown was just as happy with the victory and he spoke post-race. “He was presented here in terrific order,” Brown said. “He drew gate one and he flew the lids and just had an easy time of it. “(He was) fit, well. I was the beneficiary of a well-prepared horse for a great bunch of owners. “I don’t know, really. “I’m very over the moon, it’ll take a while to sink in but, as I said, there’s a great bunch of owners in this horse, it’s terrific to get a Group 1 win for Gav, it’s his first, capped off what was a challenging day. I’m so rapt.” Horse racing news View the full article

Superstar Australian itching ‘to go back into battle’ after enjoying his off-season in Europe.View the full article

Buckaroo ridden by Tommy Berry has taken out the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Bradleyphotos Chris Waller and Tommy Berry combined with Buckaroo ($8.00) in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, fighting out the finish with stable companion Hinged ($5.00) to pick up his first Australian success. The writing was on the wall after a strong first-up performance in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) on August 24, where the son of Fastnet Rock closed within 3.5 lengths of Via Sistina. The well-supported favourite Zardozi ($2.40) came through the same form-line and was given every opportunity to make an impression second-up, slotting into a midfield stalking position throughout under James McDonald. Tommy Berry was positive on the eventual winner, however, bounding across to sit on the hammer of the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Just Fine ($8.50) in the early portion of the race before persuading the five-year-old to give a bold kick at the top of the straight. Buckaroo gave them the slip with 300m left to travel, with Hinged the only one making any impression as Nash Rawiller went searching for back-to-back features after claiming the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) the race prior. It was a ding-dong go on the wire, but it was Buckaroo just getting the verdict in a tight finish to the 2024 Chelmsford Stakes. 2024 Chelmsford Stakes replay – Buckaroo Chris Waller spoke post-race to discuss the victory and what’s next for the pair of Buckaroo and Hinged. “The real top liners are at home today, but these horses deserve their time in the sun,” said Waller. “There’s some good prize money on offer in the next few weeks, and they won’t have to clash with the better horses. “I think Hill Stakes, Craven Plates, they’re million-dollar races, and that’s where first and second will be running. That’s where they’re heading.” Tommy Berry was impressed with the victory of his mount and suggested the change of tactics to go forward being the major difference. “Really good,” said Berry. “He was a little bit colty out the back and he’s been slow away but he’s been gelded this prep and he’s really made a statement today. “Chris [Waller] just said, ‘Look if you can get him to jump today, put him into the race and let him know it’s game on,’ and he was brilliant today, so he really deserved that win. “I thought I just got him but I’m a bad judge, especially when you’ve got Nash breathing down your neck he just throws them over the line.” Horse racing news View the full article

Matt Cartwright and Grail Seeker winning the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Matt Cartwright announced his arrival among the top echelon of New Zealand’s jockeys with a stunning treble on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival at Hastings on Saturday, culminating in a giant-killing Group 1 win with Grail Seeker in the Tarzino Trophy (1400m). Formerly a leading apprentice in Victoria, Cartwright decided at the beginning of the season to move across the Tasman in search of better opportunities as a senior rider. Barely a month later, the 22-year-old stole the show on one of New Zealand racing’s biggest stages with victories aboard Wolfgang in the Livamol International Health Products Premier (1600m), Poetic Champion in the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m), and the super-impressive Grail Seeker in the Tarzino. “I’m over the moon,” Cartwright said. “To come over here and have this happen so soon, it’s a big thrill. I was happy just to get a ride in the first Group One race, let alone win it. It’s what I came over for. “I’m speechless, to be honest. It would have to be my best moment in racing, a treble and a Group 1 winner, and I can’t thank everyone enough. Onwards and upwards from here.” Grail Seeker showed glimpses of something special as a three-year-old last season. She stormed home from third-last to win the Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) by almost three lengths at Trentham in March, and she also picked up placings in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial (1500m). The Iffraaj mare was overlooked as a $32 outsider for her first-up tilt at the Tarzino, in which she faced a formidable field featuring no fewer than seven Group 1 winners. But Grail Seeker rose to the occasion with a sensational coming-of-age performance. Cartwright took up a comfortable position in sixth along the rail as the favoured pair of Crocetti and Bonny Lass set a solid speed out in front. Those two rounded the home turn side by side, seemingly set to renew their rivalry after fighting out a thrilling finish in the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa earlier this year. But that script was torn up in the straight as Faraglioni and Sacred Satono sprinted past the two favourites with 200m remaining. Cartwright had angled Grail Seeker out to the middle of the track in the meantime, and when he let her rip, the four-year-old came with giant bounds and blasted past Faraglioni to win by a length and a quarter. The race was run in a slick time of 1:21.46 – the fastest Tarzino since 2006. “She travelled beautifully,” Cartwright said. “She jumped and settled. In her previous prep, it looked like she could get quite keen, but she travelled lovely for me and tracked into it perfectly. Once I let her go, she accelerated really well.” She delivered the second Tarzino Trophy victory in the last three years for Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, who had previously won the season-opening feature with Dark Destroyer in 2022. “It’s just amazing,” Scott said. “It’s great to have owners who believe in the dream and are happy to bypass a Foxbridge (Group 2, 1200m) and believe in what we hope could happen. They believed in Wexford, believed in us and believed in our team. “We sat back for this and hoped that she’d just come with one big run. What a ride from Matt. He’s just on the crest of a wave today. “We’ve got a massive team, and we can’t do this without the people we have around us. It’s a team thing and it’s just amazing. “We had dinner in Rarotonga with Trevor, and we said we’d sit back and have one go at this race. Chris and Trevor have been amazing. It’s a fairytale and a great result. “Rudy Liefting sent Trevor and Chris our way. They wanted to try some fillies, buy them from the sales and invest in the game. To get results for guys like them is what racing is all about.” Grail Seeker became the fifth newly turned four-year-old mare to win the Tarzino in the last 20 years, joining Seachange (2006), Keep The Peace (2010), Melody Belle (2018) and Skew Wiff (2023). Faraglioni and Sacred Satono collected highly creditable second and third placings in Saturday’s weight-for-age showpiece, with defending champion Skew Wiff fourth and Waitak fifth. Bonny Lass and Crocetti crossed the finish line in sixth and seventh place respectively. Horse racing news View the full article

Two weeks after being edged out by fellow Kiwi-bred galloper Lauding in a tight photo finish at Moonee Valley, Lincoln Rocks turned the tables in the pair’s rematch over the same course and distance in Saturday’s A$80,000 Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank Handicap (2040m). Previously a two-time winner from nine starts in New Zealand for Lisa Latta, Lincoln Rocks has made a strong start to his Australian career with three wins and two placings from five starts in the colours of OTI Racing. He has earned A$156,680. Lauding pipped Lincoln Rocks by a nose in their previous meeting on August 24, and a repeat appeared to be on the cards as that pair strode to the front together around the home turn on Saturday. But this time Lincoln Rocks slowly but surely got the upper hand over Lauding, pulling ahead to win by half a length. Another New Zealand-bred runner, Gentian Blue, flashed home in the final 100m to just edge out Lauding for second. “I thought ‘not again’ when I saw those two fighting it out again,” said Rob Archibald, who trains Lincoln Rocks in partnership with Annabel Neasham. “But probably that little bit of a weight swing told late in the race. “I just loved the way he fought it out late. He showed real determination over that final 150m to really dig in and find the line. I thought Mark (Zahra, jockey) gave him a lovely ride. “I’m just so pleased for the owners. It hasn’t been the most straightforward ride with this horse, they’ve had to be very patient, but just starting to get rewards now. “We’re just so pleased, the team here at Pakenham have done a great job with him, got him going really well, and hopefully there’s more to come. “I think we’ve just taken it step by step with him because of the interrupted path we’ve had to now, so we’ll see how he comes through it. He’s done a really good job this time, though. Annabel and the team will sit down and we’ll make a plan on Monday.” Bred by John and Lynne Street’s Lincoln Farms Bloodstock Ltd, Lincoln Rocks is out of the winning Darci Brahma mare Princess Maryanne, who was retained as a broodmare after she injured a tendon in just her second start in 2017 when showing enormous potential. View the full article

I Am Me ridden by Nash Rawiller has taken out the Group 3 Concorde Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Bradleyphotos The well-supported I Am Me ($5.00) has come with a withering burst to claim the $1 million Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, stamping herself as a possible contender for The Everest (1200m) later in the spring. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare was first-up after a 119-day spell on Saturday, and with the daughter of I Am Invincible boasting an impressive first-up record of five starts for three wins and two more minor placings, she continued to add to her formidable fresh resume. Nash Rawiller was able to get on the back of the leader from barrier two, with Way To The Stars ($61.00) bowling along in front, with the James Cummings-trained Red Card ($15.00) sent forward under Adam Hyeronimus. Giga Kick ($4.60) was friendless in the market and ran accordingly, sitting on the three-wide line throughout the journey, with James McDonald unable to slot in for cover at any stage. Private Eye ($6.00) produced his usual late burst in the concluding stages, but it was the ever-consistent Bella Nipotina ($4.60) surging over the top with 200m left to travel. I Am Me simply got every favour in the end—thanks to Rawiller holding the rail until the last possible moment—and she clung on to victory as the pair cleared out significantly on the remaining rivals. 2024 Concorde Stakes replay – I Am Me Johann Gerrard-Dubord was on course to represent the Ciaron Maher stable and was impressed with the return of their mare. “She has come a long way, but she’s improved every prep,” said Gerrard-Dubord. “Obviously last prep in those group ones you always find one too good, but she’s come back very well.” “She’s been spending some time at Bong Bong, we have some very good tracks there, it’s very relaxed and it’s probably just what she needed. The team there have done a very good job with her and she loves these conditions, fast tracks. “She’s got a very good record first up, gate helped, it was a very good ride from Nash [Rawiller] and yeah great to get another win for Dynamic [Syndications]. “Obviously they have had a lot of fun with this horse and it’s been a plan to target the sprint series with her and this was the race we had in mind from the get-go and everything worked out well.” Nash Rawiller was delighted with the performance and was impressed with the fight his mount showed when Bella Nipotina loomed. “She was amazing, wasn’t she,” said Rawiller. “I was surprised, because I really dove through that gap, came off Way To The Stars back, and as soon as I produced her, I thought, I’m in trouble, because, you know, obviously, Bella Nipotina was coming; it was pretty quick at that point.” “I thought she’d out-tough me, but I loved the character of my horse. She picked up and really just wasn’t going to lay down.” Horse racing news View the full article

Alabama Lass holds out the challenge of Captured By Love to win the Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) The rapid rise of Alabama Lass continued on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival on Saturday, the filly putting on a stellar display to win the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m). A daughter of Alabama Express, Alabama Lass has turned heads since debuting in early February as a juvenile, with a nine-length demolition followed by a meritorious run for second behind Captured By Love in the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). Captured By Love was among the main dangers to the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained filly in the Hastings feature, where she started a shortening $1.90 favourite with bookmakers, courtesy of an impressive fresh-up display at Taupo last month. The only factor that stood in the way of Alabama Lass was the outside barrier draw (10), but her sizzling gate speed soon put any early queries to rest, with jockey Sam Spratt powering forward to sit in behind a strong tempo set by Pleasing. While eight of the original field of ten got on their way, the race wasn’t without drama as local filly Anushka Shesastar was late scratched for refusing to enter the barriers, and Sister Ping, while making her way into gate nine, reared at the start and played no part in the contest either. Meanwhile, Alabama Lass was cruising into the home bend and swiftly took the lead as she descended down the straight, and while Captured By Love was game in chasing her, she never looked in doubt powering to the line by three-quarters of a length. Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) runner-up Damask Rose closed strongly in her return to racing ahead of Renovations. Spratt was all smiles returning to the winner’s circle, collecting her third win in the fillies’ feature after guiding both Best Seller (2022) and O’Marilyn (2014). “She’s really quick, she pinged out of the gates and they kicked up a little bit, but she’s nippy both ends of the race,” Spratt said. “We cruised along around the corner and kicked and at the top of the straight I thought it was going to be a track gallop, but then I could hear them coming for me. I think she was almost waiting for them a little bit, she’s done it pretty easily. “I think if she came up to us, she would’ve kicked again. “The girl who looks after her said she gallops like that, goes past the stablemate then gets there and waits for them a little bit. Hopefully she can get out of that habit, but it was good that she got there.” Alabama Lass is nominated for the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in November, and the way she conducted herself in the mid-stages of the contest gave Spratt some insight into whether she will see out the mile. “You don’t know until you try, I don’t see why not as she’s quick but she settles so if she got a decent run, she probably could see a mile out. We’ll see how it goes,” she said. The Matamata-based Kelso’s are also no strangers to success in the Gold Trail, securing a similarly dominant victory with subsequent Group 1 Railway (1200m) winner Bounding back in 2013. “She was brilliant, she got across easily from that outside gate and settled off the leader, and she’s kicked away,” Ken Kelso said. “She was very shin-sore going into the (Matamata) Breeders so that probably accounted for a little bit there, but she’s got an abundance of speed, she’s a very exciting filly. “I don’t make decisions on race-days, it’s a long season so we’ll get home and see how she gets over the trip. “She’s a very good eater and her temperament has really improved this year from last year, so she’s a little dream to train.” Horse racing news View the full article

Manaal ridden by Jason Collett has taken out the Group 2 Furious Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Bradleyphotos The Michael Freedman-trained Manaal ($2.30) justified the short price in the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with the daughter of Tassort turning the tables on Ameena ($4.80) after suffering a narrow defeat in the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) on August 24. She had to give her fellow fillies 3kg in the weights last time out, but back to set weights appeared to be the recipe for success on Saturday, with Jason Collett getting into the perfect stalking position in the middle stages. She jumped evenly, biding her time mid-field with cover throughout the journey, with Too Darn Lizzie ($11.00) and Photographics ($151.00) striding out at a genuine tempo, allowing the back markers to come into play in the final 400m. The Chris Waller-trained Lazzura ($14.00) was the first to be presented down the middle of the course, with the undefeated filly giving a bold kick turning for home, while Zeitung ($8.50) was attempting to make a run back towards the inside under Rachel King. It was Manaal and Ameena finishing off best down the heart of the track; however, with the former just getting the head down where it matters most, with the Group 1 Sires’ Produce (1400m) winner proving too strong second-up into the campaign. 2024 Furious Stakes replay – Manaal Michael Freedman was on course to discuss the win before suggesting the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) could be next on the agenda. “Yeah look it’s a big relief,” said Freedman. “Because you always like to see those two-year-olds that have had a good two-year-old season come back and do it at three. “I certainly wasn’t disappointed with the run the other day she was just a bit above herself in the parade beforehand and she was much much better today. “The three kilogram pull in the weights made all the difference and I think they’re a fairly even bunch of fillies so it sort of makes for an exciting Tea Rose.” Jason Collett credited his mount for the maturity she showed heading to the barriers as one of the keys to victory on Saturday. “I gave her a nice hit out on Tuesday,” said Collett. “And I knew the fitness was right and you know, got into her late. “She still gets a bit antsy going out onto the track, but then she goes to the start like a lamb, so, it’s a complete contrast. “She was in the gates first, she handled that well enough, she was cleanly away and able to get into a good spot, nice win.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Bendigo Races Where Bendigo Jockey Club – Heinz St, White Hills VIC 3550 When Sunday, September 8, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEST Visit Dabble Horse racing in Victoria returns to Bendigo on Sunday afternoon, with a competitive eight-race card programmed. Clear skies are forecast in the lead-in, and with a Good 4 track and the rail out 8m, fancied runners will have no excuses. The Bendigo races are set to commence at 1:30pm AEST. Best Bet at Bendigo: Bizot Bizot has not been seen since December 2, yet she brings some of the strongest formlines into this 1100m BM58. She finished 5.25 lengths off Roll On High in Listed company, not far off potential spring stars Joliestar and Kimochi. She will no doubt improve on whatever she produces on Sunday, but if Bizot is anywhere near her best, her class should shine through in the quaddie opener. Best Bet Race 5 – #3 Bizot (9) 4yo Mare | T: Archie Alexander | J: Tom Prebble (a2) (64kg) +125 with Picklebet Next Best at Bendigo: Call To Glory Call To Glory gave nothing else a chance at Terang when leading throughout to post victory by 3.5 lengths. Jordyn Weatherley gained an uncontested lead throughout the 1000m scamper, and from barrier three on the weekend, he looks likely to gain similar favours. This is a tougher assignment, but with another strong front-running ride, Call To Glory should prove too hard to run down. Next Best Race 6 – #1 Call To Glory (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Tom Dabernig | J: Jordyn Weatherley (a3) (62.5kg) +300 with Dabble Next Best Again at Bendigo: Rue De Royale It beggars belief that Rue De Royale is still a maiden through eight starts. The three-year-old colt is already placed at Group 2 level, so he has been competitive in far tougher company than what he faces this weekend. Drawn in barrier one, he will be given every opportunity in running, and as long as John Allen finds clear air on the home turn, Rue De Royale should be bringing up an overdue maiden victory. Next Best Again Race 1 – #8 Rue De Royale (1) 3yo Colt | T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy | J: John Allen (58kg) +300 with Bet365 Sunday quaddie tips for Bendigo Bendigo quadrella selections Sunday, September 8, 2024 3-4 1-10-12 2-3-6-7-15 5-6-7-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Ace Lawson-Carroll drives Malt Time to victory in the Bream Bay (1400m) at Ruakaka on Saturday. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images) Class performer Malt Time showed she is more than ready to make her presence felt in the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Hastings with the perfect dress rehearsal at Ruakaka. The Shaun and Emma Clotworthy-prepared daughter of former Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) winner Adelaide was attempting to make it four wins from just four starts at the venue when she tackled the Bream Bay (1400m) on Saturday. Punters were firmly in her camp as she started the $2.50 race favourite against some talented rivals including stakes performers El Vencedor and Pearl Of Alsace. Those who took the short odds could be forgiven for having a furrowed brow turning for home with rider Ace Lawson-Carroll behind a wall of horses on the mare and desperately seeking a gap between runners. That gap came at the 250m and in a flash Malt Time was through and gone as she accelerated clear to win easing down by two lengths at the line from the late closing Quality Time and local runner Patricia. Shaun Clotworthy was delighted by what he saw after having some early concerns about the mare’s prospects of getting the victory on a track playing in favour of those handy to the pace. “That was very pleasing looking ahead to Hastings and even more impressive given she was against the pattern of the day,” Clotworthy said. “We didn’t want to change her pattern as she does best when you let her find her feet early on and Ace did a good job to find that gap and get her through it in the straight. “She has pulled up really well so she can have a few quiet days and maybe a trip to the beach before we head down to Hastings for the Arrowfield in three weeks.” Clotworthy will be looking to go one better in the second Group 1 event of the season after Malt Time charged into second behind Mustang Valley in last year’s edition of the race that was run on a Heavy9 track. “She has come of age for this prep and if we could go one better than last year with her it would be a very special result,” he said. “I’ve seen a few races from the first day down there today and the track looks superb and is providing each runner with a fair shot at victory if they are good enough. “I think our mare can compete at that level so we will be heading there with high hopes although very respectful of the good horses she will come up against.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, September 8, 2024 First Race 12:50pm HKT (2:50pm AEST) Visit Dabble The new Hong Kong racing season is set to get underway on Sunday afternoon, with a bumper 10-race program lined up for punters. The rail is in the A position throughout the entire circuit for the meeting, and although there are some scattered showers forecast in the lead-up, it shouldn’t affect the current Good 4 rating at the time of acceptance. All the action to kick-off the 2024/25 season is scheduled for 12:50pm local time. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Fast Network The Denis Yip-trained Fast Network unleashed a devastating turn-of-foot to score in his only start last preparation and appears ready to fire first-up into the new campaign. The son of Wrote won by 1.5 lengths going away from his rivals at this course and distance under Zac Purton on June 8 and gets an almost identical setup despite copping 3.5kg from the handicapper. Watch for this guy to be stalking his rivals in behind the speed, and when asked the ultimate question by Purton, Fast Network should be careering away to remain undefeated. Best Bet Race 4 – #1 Fast Network (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Dennis Yip | J: Zac Purton (61kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: My Wish My Wish only found one better in the form of Yuen Long Elite in his latest performance at Sha Tin on June 23. The pair went to the line in unison, with Yuen Long Elite scraping paint along the inside running rail to nail My Wish on the wire, with a significant margin back to third spot. It was only the second career start for the Mark Newnham-trained gelding, and with residual fitness to go along with ideal front-running tactics under Luke Ferraris, My Wish should prove hard to hold out this time around. Next Best Race 5 – #4 My Wish (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Mark Newnham | J: Luke Ferraris (58.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Sha Tin: Polaris Polaris was unfortunate to run into Full Credit at the end of last preparation; however, both seem to have plenty of upside moving into the 2024/25 Hong Kong season. He got the perfect run in transit on that occasion but was no match for the eventual winner, finishing a half-length away in second position on July 6. There’s speed to burn in this Class 3 contest to end the program, so provided Jerry Chau can present Polaris with a run at the top of the straight, watch for this guy to be closing off gamely at an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 10 – #8 Polaris (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Manfred Man | J: Jerry Chau (a1kg) (56kg) Bet with Dabble Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections September 8, 2024 1-4-5-8 1-6-7 1-3-6-8-11 1-2-5-7-8-9 Horse racing tips View the full article

One Dream One Soul produced a barnstorming finish to win Saturday’s A$80,000 Benchmark 74 Handicap (1600m). Photo: Bruno Cannatelli One Dream One Soul has wasted little time in making her mark across the Tasman, producing a barnstorming finish to win Saturday’s A$80,000 Benchmark 74 Handicap (1600m) at Moonee Valley in her second Australian start. Previously trained by Lee Somervell to win four of her 33 starts in New Zealand, One Dream One Soul relocated to Victoria and joined the Pakenham stable of Andrea Leek. The six-year-old was a close fourth at Sandown in her Australian debut on August 21, and on Saturday she defied $30 odds for a superb come-from-behind win. Patiently ridden by Thomas Stockdale, One Dream One Soul sat at the tail of the 10-horse field for most of the race before swooping widest of all around the home turn. She quickened brilliantly in the straight and snatched victory right on the finish line. “I thought she was over the odds,” Stockdale said. “She ran a super race last start. “We got a track into the race today and we were able to give her the room. Because she’d spent no tickets early in the race, she had plenty left for the straight. It was a super effort by Andrea to present the horse in the way she has and get the win. “I think she’ll be able to go to 2000m now and be ultra-competitive in a better race.” One Dream One Soul has now had 35 starts for five wins, seven placings and A$152,431 in stakes. She collected black type with a placing in the Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) as a three-year-old. Leek explained after the race how the mare came to be in her stable. “We were very lucky,” she said. “When Wiremu Pinn was here, his girlfriend’s mum came and stayed with us and we were lucky enough to meet a lovely lady named Shirin Wood, who’s actually flown over from New Zealand to watch today. Her husband Lee trained this mare and we said to her, ‘What about sending her across here?’ They agreed and here we are. “She was a little bit fat going into Sandown, she sweated up. Since then her coat’s popping and she’s tightened up and we just thought she looks the real deal now, so it’s very exciting. “I was hoping to dream that could she win today and we could look at the Matriarch Stakes (Group 2, 2000m) in November and work our way back and see what races lead us into that.” Horse racing news View the full article

Bosch and Kelly Myers clear their rivals to win the Tai Tokerau Cup at Ruakaka on Saturday. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images) Trainer Michelle Bradley has a soft spot for her promising stayer Bosch, and he certainly earned an extra dipper in his Saturday night feed when he cruised clear to capture the Tai Tokerau Cup (2200m) on his home patch at Ruakaka. Bradley had nominated the six-year-old gelding as one of her top chances on the day and after she produced Arabella to take out the second race on the card, she was shooting for a winning double. Bosch was also hunting back-to-back victories after winning a similar event at the venue at his last start and with Kelly Myers giving him a perfect ride from a wide barrier (8), he duly obliged in dominant style. Positioned outside leader My Maebelline Girl throughout, Myers had a lapful of horse turning for home. She let the handbrake off at the 300m and the son of Pentire shot clear, eventually hitting the finish line four lengths clear of Fly My Wey and Mahrajaan. Bradley was thrilled to see her charge in winning form again as she chases a start for him in a late spring staying feature. “We went in with some confidence as he had thrived since his last run and the 2200m was right up his alley,” Bradley said. “Kelly hadn’t ridden him before, but I was keen to get her on him when I knew Sam (Spratt) would be down at Hastings and she wouldn’t be able to ride him. “Kelly put him in a great spot and now he has learnt to settle properly he was always trucking along nicely. “He is certainly putting his hand up for a go at one of the Cup races in the next few months, with the Counties Cup (Group 3, 2100m) a race I would like to win. “I grew up in the Pukekohe area so I’m a local girl and winning that race would be very special. “We just need to sit down and work out a programme for him and hopefully he can have a decent shot at it.” Horse racing news View the full article

Evaporate extended his winning sequence to three in a row at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes are keen to raise the bar to black-type level with Evaporate after the Kiwi-bred gelding extended his winning sequence to three in a row in Saturday’s 3YO Open Handicap (1600m) at Moonee Valley. The son of Per Incanto was a maiden winner at Cranbourne on August 1, then added a three-length victory in a three-year-old handicap at Moonee Valley on August 24. He returned to the same venue again on Saturday, where he was lumbered with a 60kg topweight but again produced a super-impressive performance. Ridden by Michael Dee, Evaporate settled in second before cruising forward and taking command before the home turn. The result was in no doubt from there, with Evaporate kicking away down the straight to win by two and three-quarter lengths from the fellow Kiwi-bred Stylish Secret. Ben Hayes believes Evaporate is emerging as one of Lindsay Park’s brightest three-year-old prospects this season. “He’s getting up there now,” he said. “It’s very hard to win three in a row with two city races. “I think he improved again, he did everything right today. He was able to cross, he got into a lovely rhythm and Michael rode him beautifully. “He got rolling into the bend and won convincingly hands and heels, which is always very exciting to see. I think he’s an exciting horse going forward. He still has a little bit more improvement to come, so hopefully we can see that his next couple of runs. “In three weeks’ time there’s the Stutt Stakes (Group 2, 1600m), that would be the ideal race to head towards and that’s a traditional lead-up to a Caulfield Guineas (Group 1, 1600m). “The dream is alive at the moment, so we’ve just got to get him there and he’ll be a nice chance.” Dee has no doubt that Evaporate can measure up against even better opposition. “I think that was certainly his best performance to date and he’s only improving each time he steps out,” he said. “Every time he’s raced, he’s only got better. He’s racing a lot more tractably now and he’s sustaining a really long gallop, so the way he’s going, you’ll definitely find him in better races.” Horse racing news View the full article

Poetic Champion powering away with the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) A brilliant return to racing in Saturday’s Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings sent a clear message that Poetic Champion will be a force to be reckoned with in three-year-old ranks this season. The Super Seth gelding showed bright promise as a juvenile, winning by six lengths on debut last October before finishing third in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), second in the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m), sixth in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), second in the Group 3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) and sixth in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). Trial cancellations disrupted Poetic Champion’s spring build-up, eventually winning a 950m trial on the Cambridge synthetic track on August 30 – just eight days before Saturday’s black-type feature. But despite his less-than-ideal preparation and despite coming up against a quality field of three-year-olds at Hastings, Poetic Champion kicked off his three-year-old season with the best performance of his career so far. The chestnut jumped well from the inside gate for jockey Matt Cartwright and pulled ahead of Grove Street to take up a front-running position after the first 100m. That was where he stayed, dominating the race from the front and never giving the others a look in. Cartwright pushed the button in the straight and Poetic Champion’s response was spectacular, powering clear to win by two and a quarter lengths from the strong-finishing Savaglee. “That was lovely,” Cartwright said. “He jumped cleanly. There was a bit of pressure early, but I didn’t want to give the lead up. He half stargazed out in front, but then he was quite explosive after straightening up. “I thought he might be a bit underdone coming into this race, but Tony Pike is a legend at getting horses right on the day and he’s done that today.” Bred and raced by Jonathan Munz’s GSA Bloodstock, Poetic Champion has now had seven starts for two wins, three placings and $152,150 in stakes. Bookmakers now rates him a $6 chance for the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings on September 28, and he is a $12 chance for the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 9. “We just had a couple of little niggly issues with this horse towards the end of his two-year-old season,” said Pike, who has previously won the El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy with Bostonian in 2017 and Cyber Attack in 2018. “We’ve put those behind us now and he’s come back in great order. “I was a little worried that we had a short run-up into this resuming run, only trialling at Cambridge eight days ago. But Matt rode him beautifully in front and got a soft lead. He’s just a really genuine racehorse and I’m rapt to see him back in winning form. “He’s bred and owned by Jonathan Munz, who also owned Super Seth, so it’s great to get him a stakes win with one of Super Seth’s progeny. “He’s a really sharp horse, so I’m not too sure how much of a trip he’ll be able to run. We’ll bring him back for the Hawke’s Bay Guineas next, and his performance there will probably help us decide whether or not we carry on down to Riccarton. He might be more of a sprinter, and the heart probably says 1600m might not be his distance, but they can sometimes get away with it against their own age group at three. “He’s eligible for the NZB Kiwi (1500m) as well, so that’s another target that we can think about.” Horse racing news View the full article

Australian ace looks to get his season off to the perfect start when he partners Flying Ace in Sunday’s Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m).View the full article

Can Galaxy Patch become a Group One star? Will Karis Teetan reach a century of winners? Is it another John Size year?View the full article

Bodacious broke on top in the $98,000 I'm Smokin Stakes Sept. 6 at Del Mar and scored a three-length tally in the six-furlong feature for California-bred juveniles. The victory gave California third-crop sire Smokem his first stakes winner.View the full article