Wandering Eyes

Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray had hoped to be chasing the Flemington riches on Tuesday, but after the Melbourne Cup dream was dashed, their promising filly Costae(NZ) (Ribchester) provided a nice consolation with an impressive victory in the TAB 1400 at Ellerslie. The Cambridge training partnership had a runner in the A$8 million staying showpiece until last Friday, when their Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Mahrajaan was vetted out of the Melbourne Cup. Turning their focus to the domestic meeting, Costae was having her first run on turf, after two placings and a maiden victory on the Cambridge and Awapuni Synthetic tracks through the early stages of her three-year-old term. There was plenty of faith in the daughter of Ribchester in the TAB market, backing her from $21 into $12, while she was still well-adrift of race-favourite Altari ($3.20) and Hitabell ($3.50.) Altari showed intent early to take over the role as pacemaker, while Michael McNab found the one-one comfortably aboard Costae. The favourite held the lead to the 200m, before the filly came surging down the centre of the track and was never in doubt, holding off a game Bourbon Proof to score by three-quarters of a length. McNab praised the filly’s performance, which continued a phenomenal return to the saddle after several months off the scene for the top hoop, riding six winners from just 14 rides. “She bought different form lines, but all you can do is run well in what you’re placed in and she’d been doing that,” he said. “She travelled beautifully, it was a bit of a pedestrian speed which helped and I was comfortable where I was. “She’s stepped up to a really competitive field today and she won well.” Murray had a similar sentiment following the race, indicating Costae may now head south for next Saturday’s Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), where she currently sits a $21 chance with the TAB futures market. “We’re very happy with her, she’s a filly that is improving with every start,” he said. “She was a little bit weak earlier on, but she’s getting stronger and stronger. “We’ll just see where she pulls up, she still holds a nomination for the Guineas, so if she pulls up well and eats up in the next couple of days, we might put her on the plane next Wednesday. “If not, there’s the Eulogy (Gr.3, 1600m) and some other races up here, so we may look at those.” Ritchie purchased Costae for $55,000 out of Seaton Park’s draft at the 2023 Karaka Yearling Sales, and he races her in an ownership group that includes Craig Baker, the Executive General Manager of Racing and Operations at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing. Baker was delighted to be on-course for the victory, particularly with Costae racing in the colours of his home region. “It’s a great thrill, to win a race at Ellerslie is fantastic and in my father’s colours as well, the black and white for Hawke’s Bay,” he said. “We’ve got a group of first-time owners in the horse as well, it’s a great result. “It’s always a big step-up when you come off the synthetic on to the turf, especially at Ellerslie in a good field, but she just keeps improving.” View the full article

The Listed TAB Trophy (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington has been a good race for emerging Kiwi-breds, and Opening Address(NZ) (So You Think) continued that trend in the A$175,000 feature on Tuesday. Last year’s edition of the three-year-old race was won by Warmonger, who was having just the third start of his career. That son of War Decree went on to win the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) by 10 lengths in June, and he was also runner-up in the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m). Opening Address, meanwhile, was bred by Ben Kwok and races in the colours of part-owners Windsor Park Stud. The son of So You Think was a maiden winner in his second start in September, then stepped on to the black-type stage with a promising second in the Gr.2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) on October 26. Trainer Liam Howley had the option of taking a shot at the big time in the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) on Saturday, but he favoured a more patient approach and was rewarded with black-type success three days later. Rider James McDonald had Opening Address stalking the leader up to the home turn, then pushed the button and went to the lead. Challengers lined up across the track and briefly looked like they might swamp the favourite, but Opening Address changed gears in the final 200m and kicked away again. He still had three-quarters of a length up his sleeve when he reached the finish line. “It was nice to get the phone call to ride this horse,” McDonald said. “He was either going to go to the Derby or this race, and I could ride him if he started here, so it worked out really well. Obviously we’ve got good connections with the Schick family and Windsor Park Stud, and I grew up right next door, so it’s nice to get a winner for them on such a big day. “This horse is still learning his craft. He’s probably a bit better than that. He’s only scratching the surface. He just felt like he had plenty in the tank, and he was never going to get beaten from the 400m onwards. Even though they probably looked like they would come at him, he was holding them at bay. “He’s just got raw ability, and what he’s doing now is just a bonus, because as a four-year-old, he’ll come into his own.” Opening Address has now had five starts for two wins, two placings and A$198,900 in stakes. He was bought for $160,000 by Liam Howley Racing, Andrew Williams Bloodstock and Bevan Smith Bloodstock at Karaka 2023. “Just a really proud day, to be honest,” Howley said. “Proud of the team at home. They’ve done a super job. “I thought his run in the Vase was enormous. He seemed to get forgotten out of it, because we didn’t go to the Derby, but he freshened up really well and the team’s done a super job with him. So I’m very proud. “Just walking in today was pretty exciting, especially having J-Mac on. For my family and all the friends who have supported the journey, it’s just exciting. The amount of messages this morning was unbelievable, so to get a win like that with a nice horse is pretty special. “He’ll head straight to the paddock now. He’s done. Five runs in, and we avoided the Derby – we wanted to look after him, and he’s returned the favour, so off to the paddock and back for a big autumn hopefully.” Opening Address is the first foal out of the Kingman mare Royal Welcome, who is a half-sister to the British stakes winners Haddaf and Lamar. Royal Welcome was bought by Kwok’s Lionrock Bloodstock for A$120,000 from the 2021 Inglis Sydney Broodmare Sale. “ View the full article

Cambridge gelding Witz End(NZ) (Savabeel) booked his plane ticket south to Christchurch later this week following victory in the Powerturf 1500 at Ellerslie on Tuesday. The Savabeel gelding jumped well and was taken straight to the front by jockey Matt Cartwright and the pair didn’t relinquish their advantage, holding on for a half-length victory over the fast-finishing Skyman. The four-year-old has swiftly made his way through the grades, having now won four of his eight career starts, and was runner-up in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) last season, and trainer Tony Pike said he still has plenty of maturing to do. “He still wants to do a hell of a lot wrong in his races,” Pike said. “He is just really new and green still off the bridle. He is lightly raced and came through to open handicap pretty quickly, so you would think he will continue to improve as he goes forward.” A Group assignment now awaits Witz End, who is set to head to Riccarton Park next Wednesday to line-up in the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m), and Pike believes he will take plenty of improvement from Tuesday’s run. “We will just get him home and give some thought about getting him on a plane on Sunday down to Riccarton,” Pike said. “There was a little hiccup at Te Rapa (abandonment) and he might have needed today, it has been a long time between runs,” Pike said. “He is a big, strong, burly horse, so I think he will improve off today. “He will get in nicely at the weights (for the TAB Mile) so we might have a roll of the dice if he pulls up well.” Cartwright echoed Pike’s comments on Witz End’s greenness, but said he was impressed with the horse’s presence on Tuesday and is excited about what lies ahead for the gelding. “He had good form, and he jumped clean and put himself there,” he said. “One thing that I really noticed today was that he was quite a different horse, he was a lot stronger and up and about. It’s probably the way he needs to be, on the fresher side, but he put them away, it was a good win. “He is still a green product, but he has got ability, and I am sure he will be winning a Group race in time. “He should take good improvement, but I am happy with the way he is going.” View the full article

Gringotts, with Tommy Berry onboard, wins the $3million Big Dance. Picture: Bradley Photos. The Ciaron Maher-trained Gringotts ($5) has come with a withering burst to claim the Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Tuesday, courtesy of an expert steer from star hoop Tommy Berry. The son of Per Incanto lobbed into the perfect stalking position throughout the 1600m journey, with Berry electing to take all luck out of the equation from gate 19. He sent the five-year-old gelding forward from the outset, getting on the back of Zouatica drawn to his inside ($101.00), as Molly Bourke crossed to the lead aboard the rank outsider. WATCH: BIG DANCE AND RANDWICK RACE REPLAYS It gave Gringotts the perfect cart into the race as they turned for home, with the likes of race favourite Tavi Time ($3.60) giving chase in the final 400m. Vivy Air ($26.00) and Superazi ($14.00) were putting in the big strides late at massive odds with horse racing bookmakers, but it was to no avail, as Gringotts surged away from his rivals to claim the $3 million feature. Stable representative Johann Gerard-Dubord was on course at Randwick to dissect the win and credited the entire team involved for the success. “That’s a huge, huge effort, huge team effort,” he said. “Obviously Gringotts has been the target since Tamworth. We had him right today. Obviously the barrier was always going to be a concern, but we were very confident in where he was going. “Tommy (Berry) was happy to do a bit of work early. He travelled well and then kicked and it was just too good for them. “Great to get a win for those owners. Ozzie, a great supporter, some very good people in the horse. And the second horse, Vivy Air, she is improving at every start. Obviously it’s the first prep for us.” Tommy Berry was elated with the win, and although it’s not the Melbourne Cup, suggested it could prove to be a terrific consolation prize for the stable as he praised his mount in the aftermath. “Well, done to Ciaron (Maher). I know it’s not the Melbourne Cup mate, but you’ve still got that to come,” he said. “I hate being in front that far out, so I was too busy trying to get him home and we spoke about how many seconds I’ve had in big races over the last 12 months, so I just held my nerve and just got him to get the job done and it’s pleasing. But yeah, it’s a nice feeling again. “He’s going to be better again next preparation. He’s still learning his craft. Last start he wanted to go a little bit keen, but they put a bit more work into him this time and had him primed for the day, but it’s nice to get one for this team and this ownership group, Ozzie, and everyone else that’s involved there.” Horse racing news View the full article

Knight’s Choice, ridden by Robbie Dolan, wins the Melbourne Cup at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos). Knight’s Choice has stunned Flemington to win the 2024 Melbourne Cup, with the $91 John Symons and Sheila Laxon-trained outsider producing on the big stage. Knight’s Choice held off the sole Japanese runner Warp Speed ($26) and Okita Soushi ($17) as jockey Robbie Dolan proved he is more than just a great voice. Favourite Buckaroo ($7), Vauban ($8) and Onesmoothoperator ($7) all failed to fire a shot. More to come…. View the full article

The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been won by Knights Choice in a stunning upset, with jockey Robbie Dolan and the horse — which was $101/1 — going on to win the race that stops the nation. View the full article

Knights Choice came home to win the 2024 Melbourne Cup with jockey Robbie Dolan as surprised as anyone as he processed the shock win in the race that stops a nation. View the full article

Race 1 VALE TOM FRASER FJC LIFE MEMBER MAIDEN 1600m TOWROPE (H Grace) – Trainer Mr. W Thurlow reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, however, TOWROPE has now been sent for a spell. The post Feilding Racing Club @ Trentham, Saturday 2 November 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice taking out the race that stops a nation. View the full article

The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won by outsider Knight’s Choice. View the full article

The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won by outsider Knight’s Choice in a photo finish. View the full article

French Group 1 winner Ramatuelle (Justify) sold late in the Fasig-Tipton November sale Monday for $5.1 million to Coolmore's M.V. Magnier. Consigned by Bedouin Bloodstock as Hip 310, the 3-year-old filly was trained by Christopher Head for a large partnership and was a controversial scratch from Saturday's Breeders' Cup Mile after a PET scan showed bone remodeling. Named a 'TDN Rising Star' at two, Ramatuelle is out of GSW Raven's Lady (GB) (Raven's Pass). The post M.V. Magnier Goes to $5.1M for Ramatuelle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Moria (Ghostzapper), Canada's Horse of the Year and Queen's Plate winner who is just over 48 hours removed from a win in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, brought $4.3 million to the bid of Bayles Monday night at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa consigned the 5-year-old, who is just shy of $3 million in earnings. Sold as Hip 293, Moira is out of MSW & GSP Devine Aida (Unbridled's Song) and campaigned for Madaket Stables LLC, SF Racing LLC, and X-Men Racing. The post Oh Canada! Moira Sells for $4.3M to Bayles appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grade I winner McKulick (GB) (Frankel {GB}), recently featured in TDN, sold Monday evening at the Fasig-Tipton's 'Night of the Stars' sale for $6 million to top the session. Emmanuel de Seroux signed the ticket on behalf of Grand Farm. The 5-year-old mare, consigned by Elite, agent as Hip 289, holds the distinction of being the first Grade I-winning daughter of super sire Frankel to sell at public auction. The half-sister to multiple European group winner Just Beautiful (Pride of Dubai) sold as a racing or broodmare prospect. The post McKulick Hammers for $6 Million, Emmanuel de Seroux Buys for Grand Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Garachico has stunned the Flemington crowd to win the Australian Heritage Cup as an $81 shot with Ladbrokes Australia. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Garachico has saluted at cricket score odds in the $250,000 Australian Heritage Cup (2800m), with the $81 shot stunning the Flemington crowd on Tuesday. The Dominic Sutton-trained six-year-old timed a run perfectly to beat home Newfoundland ($9.50) and Whisky On The Hill ($6), with Quantam Cat running on for fourth. With plenty of money coming for Whisky On The Hill late, nobody expected Garachico to challenge in this competitive staying contest, restricted to Australian and New Zealand horses, but Billy Egan rode it to perfection. Victorian Racing Club announced the new $250,000 Australian Heritage Cup (2800m) would be run on Melbourne Cup day in September, replacing the traditional 2800m Benchmark 96 race on the same program. Remarkably Garachico finished third in this race last year as a $7 chance, but has done very little since switching from the Leon and Troy Corstens stable to Sutton. 
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The race that stops a nation is here and Australian sports stars have stepped out in their Flemington best. View the full article

Tycoon Star has defied betting sites to win the Maribyrnong Plate for the Hayes stable on Melbourne Cup day. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Lindsay Park and Michael Dee have combined in the opening event on Melbourne Cup Day, with Tycoon Star ($18.00) bolting clear in the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) at Flemington. Team Hayes had four of the 10 gallopers lining up in the first race of the morning, with the $18.00 proving to be the best of the lot, holding out stable companions Bacash ($6.50) and Shining Smile ($5.50) in the concluding stages. The debutant, by Written Tycoon, couldn’t have been more impressive in his first career start, taking a sit in behind the speed under the guidance of star hoop Michael Dee. The unraced filly, Military Tycoon ($8.50), provided the early speed throughout the 1000m contest, while Meisho ($13.00) and Prestar ($9.50) made a line of three across the Flemington straight. WATCH: FLEMINGTON RACE REPLAYS It allowed Dee to bide his time behind a strong tempo, and when asking the ultimate question of Tycoon Star, the two-year-old colt was happy to oblige and career away with the $200,000 prize. Co-trainer Ben Hayes was on-course to represent the stable and couldn’t have been happy to secure the trifecta in the 2024 Maribyrnong Plate. “It’s the best result we could have asked for,” Hayes said. “I thought it was a very good effort by our horse. He was on debut. He jumped, he travelled well, did everything correct. “I was saying before the race, he’s a very professional horse and that’s what he brought today. “So it’s a big thrill and it’s a great way to start the day. “If you’re winning this race, you can normally be very competitive in races like the Blue Diamond.” “(We’ve got) good supporters in Yulong. They’re having a fantastic carnival and I‘m glad we can keep their success going.” Dee was delighted with the performance and was impressed with the maturity of his colt behind the gates. “As soon as I got on him he was very composed, he was relaxed, he took everything in his stride and he was super professional,” he said. “So before the gates opened I knew just in his demeanour that he was going to be running a good race. “He travelled nicely in behind them and took a gap and we hit the front quite early and he was good to the line so I was very happy. “He’s definitely a nice natural colt, he does everything right and I’m sure he’ll just keep progressing in the right direction providing he pulls up well and stays composed as he was today anything can happen with him.” Horse racing news View the full article

James McDonald has continued his hot form in the TAB Trophy. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos) Superstar jockey James McDonald has quickly backed up his Derby Day haul with his first win of Melbourne Cup day, after Opening Address saluted in the $175,000 TAB Trophy (1800m). Trained by Liam Howley, Opening Address was expertly steered to sit just outside the leader, ready to strike on the straight and the $3.80 shot did not disappoint, rocketing home in the second race on the card. Opening Address beat home Statuario ($7) and Cecchetti ($21) with McDonald’s victory comes after his magnificent Derby Day, which saw him win the Coolmore Stud Stakes (Switzerland), Carbine Club Stakes (Aeliana) and the Empire Rose Stakes (Atishu). WATCH: FLEMINGTON REPLAYS & RESULTS As they rounded the turn, McDonald asked for an extra effort, and the gelding surged to the lead at the top of the straight. Despite a charging field behind him, Opening Address held his nerve, pulling away to secure a length victory over Statuario, with Cecchetti closing hard in third after being held up until the final stages. For backers of the TAB Trophy favourite, Plymouth ($4.40), it was a tough race to watch. Trapped behind traffic in the straight, Plymouth was shuffled back and repeatedly checked, finally finding clear running only when the race was out of reach, finishing just outside the placings. This early win cements McDonald’s remarkable form and sets the tone for what could be another standout day in the saddle. But the champion Kiwi jockey does not have a ride in the Melbourne Cup, following the scratching of Via Sistina. Horse racing news View the full article

Big Dance Day. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Big Dance Day 2024 awaits punters at Royal Randwick on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 with a bumper 10-race meeting set down for decision. The $3 million Big Dance (1600m) headlines what is set to be a big day of racing in Sydney. As the Sydney Spring Carnival winds down, catch up on all the race replays, results and dividends provided by top horse racing bookmakers here. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Race 1 – Midway Handicap (1800 METRES) Race Replay & Results Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st #1 Flying Bandit Kerry Parker Jay Ford $1.75 $1.12 2nd #3 Highborn Harry David Payne Chad Schofield $1.70 3rd #6 Waverley John Sargent Molly Bourke $1.85 4th #9 Ocean Diva John Sargent Alysha Collett Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 1-3 $4.20 Exacta 1-3 $5.30 Duet 1-3 $2.00 Duet 1-6 $2.40 Duet 3-6 $4.70 Trifecta 1-3-6 $18.90 First Four 1-3-6-9 $84.20 Race 2 – Highway Handicap (1000 METRES) Race Replay & Results Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st #1 Duke Of Bronte Matthew Dale Tim Clark $7.00 $2.40 2nd #3 Caribbean King Matthew Dunn Nash Rawiller $2.80 3rd #6 Ticklebelly Scott Collings Alysha Collett $1.65 4th #9 Tai Lung Terry Robinson Tommy Berry Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 1-6 $37.50 Exacta 1-6 $88.20 Duet 1-6 $14.70 Duet 1-5 $5.50 Duet 6-5 $7.30 Trifecta 1-6-5 $255.80 First Four 1-6-5-12 $913.50 Running Double (1,2) 1-1 $13.60 Horse racing news View the full article

Australian-bred and trained Knight’s Choice has won the 2024 Melbourne Cup in a fairytale result for trainer Sheila Laxon and jockey Robbie Dolan. View the full article

Spendthrift Farm's General Manager Ned Toffey signed the ticket at $2.8 million to acquire graded winner Denim and Pearls (Into Mischief) (hip 240) on behalf of the farm Monday at Fasig-Tipton. The 3-year-old, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, sold as a racing or broodmare prospect. Winner of this year's GII Beaumont Stakes, she is a full-sister to GI Santa Anita Handicap winner Newgate. The post Denim and Pearls to Spendthrift for $2.8 Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Moments after she was led out of the ring unsold, Grade-I producing Strong Incentive (Warrior's Reward–G G's Dolly, by Comic Strip) sold to M.V. Magnier and White Birch Farm for $2.75 million at Fasig-Tipton November Monday evening. The 12-year-old mare is already responsible for Grade I winners Ways and Means (Practical Joke) and Surge Capacity (Flintshire {GB}), who brought $3.6 million Monday. Offered as Hip 196, the stakes-winning mare was consigned by Mill Ridge Sales, agent. The post Grade I-Producing Mare Strong Incentive Brings $2.75M at Fasig-Tipton November appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) (hip 214) joined a string of high-class mares heading to Japan after selling for $2.8 million to Katsumi Yoshida Monday at Fasig-Tipton. The 5-year-old mare, consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, won this year's GI Apple Blossom Handicap and the last two renewals of the GI Clement L. Hirsch Stakes for Michael Lund Petersen and trainer Bob Baffert. The post Adare Manor to Yoshida for $2.8 Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fastnet Rock will add another chapter to his extensive book of achievements should either Buckaroo or Absurde deliver a first Melbourne Cup (G1) Nov. 5 for their renowned sire.View the full article

Melbourne Cup Day. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Melbourne Cup Day 2024 is finally here with a bumper nine-race meeting set down for decision at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) is set to jump at 3pm AEDT. As the Melbourne Cup Carnival continues, catch up on all the race replays, results and dividends provided by top horse racing bookmakers here. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Race 1 – Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000 METRES) Race Replay & Results Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 9 Tycoon Star Ben, Will & JD Hayes Michael Dee $18.00 $4.40 2nd 3 Bacash Ben, Will & JD Hayes James McDonald $2.20 3rd 1 Shining Smile Ben, Will & JD Hayes Daniel Stackhouse $2.00 4th 10 Price Tag Anthony & Sam Freedman Mark Zahra Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 9-3 $56.30 Exacta 9-3 $127.80 Duet 9-3 $18.50 Duet 9-1 $15.10 Duet 3-1 $6.10 Trifecta 9-3-1 $630.80 First Four 9-3-1-10 $2,517.80 Horse racing news View the full article