Wandering Eyes

Four-year-old series hopefuls land barnstorming victories on Sunday, but their low ratings could prove costly.View the full article

In a nail-biting finish to Sunday’s Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m), the roar of adoring connections was heard in the Ellerslie grandstand when maiden galloper Mustang Morgan (NZ) (Preferment) was found victorious. Coming into Sunday’s feature, Mustang Morgan had been improving through the distances and finished third behind Bourbon Proof over a mile at Matamata last month, setting him up for the three-year-old staying contest. The Andrew Forsman-trained galloper started among the middle market at $10, while Te Akau’s pair of Class and Hakkinen were the favoured runners ahead of Golden Century. From a wide draw, Class went straight to the lead, while Mustang Morgan settled beautifully in the second half of the field for Warren Kennedy. After maintaining a strong tempo, the front-runners began to tire early in the run home, while Golden Century and Mustang Morgan came together up the centre, going head-to-head for the last 200m. Neither horse would let up in a head-bobbing finish, with Mustang Morgan lunging at the right time to edge out Golden Century by just a nose, with the late-charging Casemiro and Hakkinen only a long neck and a head further adrift. Mustang Morgan was bred by Rayner and Lynn Bonnington of Little River Thoroughbreds, who syndicated the gelding out to friends, many of which were on course to celebrate his success. “It was a great result and it was a race we’ve probably targeted for a little while, so they’ve got a good crew here today on course, they’ve flown from all over the place,” Forsman said. “Thankfully it worked out. “I didn’t know (if he had won), I was probably on a bad angle and thought it was very tight. I just hoped we got the bob in at the right time.” The Gingernuts Salver has acted as a launchpad in previous years for the $1.5 million Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), a race Forsman hopes to target with the son of Preferment on March 8. “He’s certainly got the pedigree to do it and he keeps improving all the time, he’s got good size and scope about him so there’s no reason why he can’t continue to get better,” he said. “We may give him a little bit of a freshen up but there’s not too much time. We may go through a Waikato (Gr.2, 2000m) to Avondale Guineas (Gr.2, 2100m) type of path. We’ll just work out how many more runs he needs.” Kennedy, who completed a winning treble after picking up wins aboard Koheroa and Checkmate, praised the gelding’s efforts as a inexperienced galloper. “I went up to Ryan (Elliot, jockey of Golden Century) and thought I’d get past him and win it a bit more comfortably than that, but this horse didn’t really know what was expected of him when he got there,” he said. “He had to put up a really dogged fight and it was courageous from the horse that he rallied back to get the win. “It (the Derby) is possible, you never know how much they learn from their races and he’s still very immature. A tough race like the Derby could be a little bit of a stretch, but he’s got a long way to get to that race and he’ll have a couple more races before then. “He stayed really well and found the line pretty good.” Mustang Morgan is out of the Bonnington’s late broodmare Assertiveobsession. Herself unraced, the mare is a full-sister to Assertive Lad, a three-time Group One winner in Australia, and Assertive Lass, who also won a pair of Group Ones across the Tasman. The gelding has now collected $61,650 in stakes earnings with a win and two minor placings from five starts for the big ownership group. “I just brought a whole lot of mates together when the horse was a two-year-old, and this is such a great group of guys,” Raynor Bonnington said. “What a buzz.” “That (the Derby) is the goal. The boys have been dreaming, we have been for the last two weeks about this day. We’ve got guys from Wanaka, Dunedin and Wellington, all here today. “Warren loved the horse, he stayed on him again so it’s very cool.” View the full article

David Hayes-trained gelding announces himself as a top seed for the first leg of the four-year-old series with emphatic victory.View the full article

Dog Penalty OPAWA BETH | Christchurch 10 January; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. General Race 10 Christchurch GRC of 6 January was abandoned due to a fire alarm in the kennel block. The post 6-12 January 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Rider Penalties C Barnes | Otaki-Maori 6 January; medical clearance required (subsequently received on 7 January). J Nishizuka | Whangarei 7 January; careless riding; suspended 11-16 January inclusive. R Goyaram | Whangarei 7 January; medical clearance required. M McNab | Tauranga 10 January; careless riding; suspended 19-23 January inclusive. W Kennedy | Tauranga 10 January; medical clearance required (subsequently received on 12 January). S Weatherley | Wellington 11 January; use of whip; suspended 19-20 January inclusive and fined $500. M Hashizume | Wellington 11 January; medical clearance required. T Moseley | Kumara 11 January; careless riding; suspended 19-23 January inclusive. F Moerman | Kumara 11 January; careless riding; suspended 16-22 January inclusive. R Muniandy | Kumara 11 January; careless riding; suspended 19-27 January inclusive. C Campbell | Kumara 11 January; careless riding; suspended 19-25 January inclusive. Trainer Penalty P Gerard | Wellington 11 January; failed to scratch by required time; fined $200. Horse Penalties FALCONS STAR | Whangarei 7 January; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. BENJI | Whangarei 7 January; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. GRAND CRU | Reefton 8 January; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. DIVINE SPIRIT | Wellington 11 January; blood in trachea; veterinary clearance required. WAY WITH WORDS | Kumara 11 January; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. The post 6-12 January 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The future prospects for rising star Checkmate (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) continue to be uncertain for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, after the impressive three-year-old trounced his rivals in the Sunday’s Cloudsoft Accounting 1500 at Ellerslie. Having just his fifth start, Checkmate entered the three-year-old contest off the back of a defeat to Yaldi and Midnight Edition in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) on Boxing Day. Yaldi started a narrow favourite ahead of Checkmate in the re-match, where the former pressed forward to trail Midnight Edition the one-one, while his main rival did the opposite, settling at the back alongside Hinekaha. Turning for home, Yaldi strode up and took the lead from Midnight Edition, but coming strongly on the inner was Checkmate, who showed a serious turn-of-foot to dash away from the field under Warren Kennedy, with Hinekaha a game second ahead of Yaldi and outsider Fun Never Sets. After racing closer to the speed in the Guineas, Kennedy was pleased to see a change in tactics pay off on Sunday. “The plan with him today was to just drop right out and teach him to settle off them, and he did that beautifully,” Kennedy said. “He was very professional. “The key to this race was there was a decent pace throughout, he was able to come from behind and quicken off that pace. Previously, they’ve slowed it right down and sprinted up the straight, so the wheels have been spinning a bit and he wasn’t able to quicken. Today, he’s been able to quicken and scooted away from them pretty easily. “He’s a smart horse and he’s got a bright future.” A winner of the Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m) two starts back, the victory was Checkmate’s second over 1500m, the distance of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). Wexford Stables hold a slot for the inaugural running on March 8, but with the $1.5 million Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) on the same day, which way the gelding will go remains to be seen. Kennedy expressed his faith towards the in-form training partnership in making that call, however, he did lean towards the Derby when questioned. “I don’t interfere, they (O’Sullivan and Scott) are flying at the moment, they can’t do anything wrong,” Kennedy said. “Whatever they decide, I’m sure it’ll be the right move. “But, if it’s anything to go by, my first instinct when riding him the first time was that he was a Derby horse. Could he get to the slot, absolutely, but in my heart, I feel he’s a better Derby horse.” A delighted Scott shared similar praise in the performance, while indicating no future decisions have been made. “He quickened really well, he’s had a really good experience of settling in,” Scott said. “Whether he goes two corners now or goes over the mile, we’ve got decisions to make, but it was really good to see him show a turn of foot over a short distance. He had a bit of a tough trip here in the Guineas on Boxing Day, and with the cover today, he relaxed and that turn of foot was back. “We’ll go back and have a board meeting tomorrow morning, we’ll talk to Corrina and Ross (Kearney, owners) who are incredibly patient, they always say the horse must come first. “We’ll do the best thing by him, whether it’s going further, and Warren’s keen to look a bit further. We’ll see how he pulls up, but either way, there is success in his future. “He’s got high levels of ability, he’s a big baby. When he turns four, he’s going to be some horse.” A homebred son of Mongolian Khan, Checkmate races in the colours of the Kearney’s Okaharau Station. He is the fifth foal out of their successful broodmare Signorina, who has also produced Group Two performer Jodelin Gal and Bankers Choice, who placed at Group Two level in Australia. His five starts have resulted in three wins and two minor placings, and $128,410 in stakes earnings. In the TAB Futures market for the NZB Kiwi, Checkmate now lies a $10 equal-fourth favourite with Aeliana, just adrift of Evaporate, Savaglee and Damask Rose at $8. In the Derby, the gelding is a $5 second-elect behind Willydoit ($2.80). View the full article

Sought After (NZ) (Tivaci) took a big step towards the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) with a stylish come-from-behind performance in the Sistema (1200m) at Ellerslie on Sunday. Following a winning debut at Taupo in the spring, Sought After earned himself a place in New Zealand racing history when he was selected by owner-breeders Waikato Stud to represent their slot in the NZB Kiwi. The Tivaci gelding became the first confirmed runner in the inaugural slot race. Sought After’s rise to prominence briefly stuttered when he was an unlucky fifth at Te Rapa, then sixth in unsuitable Heavy8 ground in the Gr.2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Aroha. But a strong-finishing second behind NZB Kiwi rival Damask Rose at Te Rapa last month suggested that Sought After was back on track, and that was confirmed on Sunday in his all-important first look around the NZB Kiwi venue. Sought After was ridden at Ellerslie by Wiremu Pinn, who was a late replacement after Masa Hashizume suffered a shoulder injury in a fall at Trentham on Saturday. Pinn took Sought After back to second-last among Sunday’s talented field of seven, then brought him to the outside at the home turn to make his run. Sought After lengthened stride and powered past the front-running Miss Madridista with 200m remaining. But the highly rated debut winner Ardalio went with him and threw down a big challenge. That pair pulled ahead of the rest of the field by more than three lengths and fought out a stirring finish, with Sought After edging out his gallant rival by a head. The previously unbeaten Thooza finished three and a quarter lengths away in third. Sought After has now had five starts for two wins, a second and $57,885 in stakes. Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott were pleased to pick up the win on Sunday, but the opportunity to have a look around Ellerslie was every bit as important in the countdown to the NZB Kiwi on March 8. “We’re keeping our eyes on the prize,” Scott said. “We’ve accomplished what we wanted to do today and we’re really aiming him at the NZB Kiwi now. “We were pleased with his performance today. They didn’t go all that quick in front, and it looked like he might be in a bit of trouble around the 700m. But you could see that he was full of revs from the 600m onwards and building into the race nicely. “It was good to see him come out into the open in the straight and really attack the line well. The second horse is very handy, and there was a long way back to third, so we couldn’t be more pleased with that. “He’s handled Ellerslie well, so it’s onwards and upwards from here. He’ll most likely run here two weeks before the Kiwi, and then he can take his place in the big race.” That likely final lead-up race is the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) on February 22. The TAB rates Sought After a $14 chance for the NZB Kiwi. That market is headed by $8 joint favourites Damask Rose, Evaporate and Savaglee. Damask Rose and Evaporate have both been selected for slots, while Savaglee is currently considered more likely to target the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 1. View the full article

Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth) will ramp up for Guineas redemption later this week with the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas runner-up set to return to the jumpouts. Trainer Dom Sutton is thrilled with the way the son of Super Seth has come back from a late-spring break and is likely to keep him in Australia. The Kiwi-bred has been heavily courted for New Zealand’s rich new slot race, which will be run at Ellerslie on March 8, but Sutton is favouring keeping him in his adopted homeland. “He’s going to trial on the 17th and he’s probably going to kick off in the Autumn Stakes over seven furlongs,” Sutton said. “We are heavily leaning towards staying here in Australia and going down the Australian Guineas route instead of heading to New Zealand for their slot race. “There are just so many options for him in the autumn. We’ll gauge it as we go and might even put him in something like the All-Star Mile just in case.” The Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) is at Caulfield on February 8 with the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) three weeks later. The first Group One edition of the All-Star Mile, now worth $2.5 million, is at Flemington seven days later. Feroce narrowly missed out on providing Sutton with his first Group One winner as trainer, in his first year of being licensed, when beaten a short-head by Private Life in the Caulfield Guineas (1600m). He then finished third as favourite in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) on November 2, which took his record to two wins and as many placings from seven starts, and Sutton is happy with what he has seen from the gelding on the training track. “He didn’t get a long time off, as they don’t between spring and autumn, so he’s got a really good amount of residual fitness,” he said. “He’s probably matured and grown again, he’s a big horse now, and mentally as well he’s learning to relax and do things the right way. “I’m very confident in the way that he’s going.” View the full article

A short time ago, To Bravery Born (NZ) (Snitzel) was unlikely to get a shot at making the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) field, but the colt took his opportunity at Ellerslie on Sunday with a commanding victory in the Trackside.co.nz (1200m). To Bravery Born was a comfortable winner of the first juvenile race back in August and was later set to run in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) on November 23, before an injury took him out of contention. His trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson had almost come to the conclusion that the son of Snitzel wouldn’t be making the Karaka Millions this year, but a swift recovery had To Bravery Born fit and ready to add to his $14,375 haul, the intention of much of Sunday’s field. Among the runners chasing a Millions spot was race-favourite Tale Of The Gypsy, who closed at $2.20 over the Te Akau runner ($4.80) and the big mover in the market, southern visitor Miss Ziggy ($6.50) Jumping from the outside barrier, Tale Of The Gypsy was kept four-wide early outside of Fat Cat, before the pair pushed forward to take up the lead. Meanwhile, jockey Craig Grylls let To Bravery Born find his feet at the tail of the field, tracking Miss Ziggy into the straight before pulling out into the centre of the track. Tale Of The Gypsy hit the front early on straightening but To Bravery Born was coming rapidly, storming over the top at the 150m and keeping his rivals at bay comfortably by 1 – ¼ lengths. The minor placings were hotly-contested, with Daylight Robbery gaining the all-important second position by a nose to the winner’s stablemate Dare To Proisir, and then just a head separated fourth and fifth placegetters Tale Of The Gypsy and Miss Ziggy. Grylls had plenty of praise for the unbeaten colt, who now is assured of a start on January 25 with over $40,000 earned in two race-day appearances. “It was great, from the draw we were going to go back and we ended up right back,” he said. “They went hard for the first furlong, then they steadied it up and made it a real sprint home. “He’s angled out at the top of the straight and probably got there a bit soon if anything. He got there a lot quicker than I thought he was going too. It was a good win. “He’s the type for it (Karaka Millions), he’s a real running two-year-old type. He won the first two-year-old race of the season, and now, he’s backed that up again with another one.” Bergerson was ecstatic after the race, particularly when explaining the unique road back to the races for To Bravery Born. “He had a bit of a strange prep to get to today, he was ready to go at Pukekohe but he twinged a muscle, so we thought his Karaka Million was over,” he said, “But, he bounced back remarkably well. “Coming in without a trial, we were scratching our heads as to how he was going. Mark and I were talking this morning and we thought maybe he’s just a race-day horse as he’d been quite laidback at home. “He relaxed lovely, it’ll be interesting to hear what Gryllsy thinks, up to 1200 as well off no trial. It was a really good effort. He’ll take a lot of improvement from that, he sprinted really well and probably came to the end of it in the last little bit. “He’s a really nice horse going forward.” To Bravery Born has joined Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) winner Too Sweet atop of the TAB Futures market for the Karaka Millions 2YO at $4, with fellow Te Akau runner La Dorada ($5) back in third-favouritism. A $200,000 purchase by David Ellis at the 2024 Karaka Yearling Sales, To Bravery Born was bred by Nearco Stud and offered through Curraghmore’s Book 1 draft. View the full article

Underrated sprinter The Stoney One (Pierro) picked up a deserved victory when he burst through late in the piece to claim victory in the JR & N Berkett Handicap (1100m) at Trentham. Although racing out of his class on a 73 rating against the open sprinters, the Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos-prepared six-year-old hasn’t always enjoyed the best of fortune in his career and carrying just 54kgs on his back along with in-form rider Craig Grylls, he looked to be a definite threat in the contest. Grylls had the son of Pierro relaxed nicely at the rear of the compact nine-horse field, but well within striking range as Amend and Bold Belle set up a strong pace out in front. Rounding the home bend Grylls was faced with a wall of horses in his face as the field fanned across the track and was in danger of not getting a crack at the leaders. Finding some clear air at the 200m The Stoney One burst through to collar race favourite Fancy Like Lass in the shadows of the post, registering victory by a long neck with Belle’s Echo dashing home late to claim third. Zydenbos had a pre-race inkling that her charge could play a major role in the finish as his pull in the weights over some of the more fancied runners was a real advantage. “Craig rode him perfectly, right in behind the pace where he is happy,” Zydenbos said. “He was out of his grade but with the light weight I knew that might be the edge. “We will keep finding nice races for him, but as he is just a little horse we wouldn’t like to break his heart, so we will just take it step by step.” Grylls was pleased with how his mount travelled in the race and was mindful of the advice Zydenbos had given him before start time. “He didn’t step away that great out of the gates but I still got a nice track into things,” he said. “Leah did say to me he was best held up and having the last crack at them so it worked out perfect. “I could see the runs were going to come at the 250m, so well done to the team.” Raced by Peter Jeffares and Tony Rider, The Stoney One is out of the Charge Forward mare Western Gem who is a half-sister to Australian black type performers Western Empire, Western Jewel and Western Temple. He was purchased under the Game Lodge banner for $45,000 out of the Book 1 Sale at Karaka in 2020 and has now won four of his 20 starts and over $155,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Guy, Jayne & Emily review a quality card from Trentham highlighted by the Thorndon Mile & stunning return from Savaglee. The team also look at the time honoured Kumara Nuggets. And, we hear from Nick Johnson ahead of the all important Karaka Sales Weigh In, January 12 View the full article

What Muswellbrook Races Where Muswellbrook Race Club – Skellatar Park, 15 Racecourse Rd, Muswellbrook NSW 2333 When Monday, January 13, 2025 First Race 1:50pm AEDT Visit Dabble Country racing returns to Muswellbrook on Monday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-race program set down for decision. The rail moves out +3m between the 1000m to 300m markers, and with the track already rated a Soft 6 at the time of acceptances and more rain on the way, punters should be wary of a downgrade into the Heavy range. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 1:50pm local time. Best Bet at Muswellbrook: Hell Of A Lad Hell Of A Lad returns after a 147-day spell and appears primed for this first-up assignment. The son of Hellbent has been ticking over nicely at the barrier trials, and although his latest piece of work at Newcastle on December 12 doesn’t read well running sixth in a seven-horse trial, the three-year-old was only asked for a minimal effort. He should relish the Heavy conditions with his maiden victory coming on rain-affected ground, and with Christian Reith likely to press forward and lead throughout, Hell Of A Lad will take plenty of chasing in the concluding stages. Best Bet Race 4 – #7 Hell Of A Lad (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Kris Lees | J: Christian Reith (59kg) +300 with Neds Next Best at Muswellbrook: Showrunner After securing a strong barrier trial victory at Newcastle on December 20, Showrunner gets sent to the races for the first time. The three-year-old led every step of the way in his latest piece of work, and with Aaron Bullock likely to adopt similar tactics under race-day conditions, Showrunner looks perfectly placed to make an impression first-up. He may want further in the future, but at the current price with horse racing bookmakers, this guy is worth the gamble on debut. Next Best Race 6 – #1 Showrunner (9) 3yo Gelding | T: Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | J: Aaron Bullock (59kg) +220 with BlondeBet Best Value at Muswellbrook: The Favourite Son The Favourite Son represents good each-way value with Picklebet as he gears up for this second-up assignment. The gelding by The Autumn Sun got a pass mark returning at this course on January 2 and didn’t have much luck when trying to get clear from stall one. Aaron Bullock elects to keep the ride for this Class 1 contest, and with The Favourite Son likely to lob into an ideal stalking position from stall seven, watch for this guy to be careering over the top for his second win. Best Value Race 3 – #3 The Favourite Son (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Ben Blay | J: Aaron Bullock (58kg) +600 with Picklebet Monday quaddie tips for Muswellbrook Muswellbrook quadrella selections January 13, 2025 1-2-7 1-2-3-7-9-10 1-2-4-5-9 2-3-6-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Auckland and Invercargill Cup winner Republican Party will chase the Group 1 Hunter Cup. Co-trainer Cran Dalgety confirmed the five-year-old would be on a flight to Melbourne on Wednesday for what will likely be a three-race Victorian campaign. Surprisingly, Dalgety said Republican Party would then return home rather than head to Sydney for a tilt at the Miracle Mile. “He’s earned a go at Melbourne. He’s taken that next step from a nice horse to one who will be competitive with the very best,” Dalgety said. “We’d love to have a go at the Ballarat Cup this week given it’s worth $100,000, but we just feel racing three days after he gets there isn’t the best thing for him. “So, we’ll wait the extra week and have our lead-up run in the Casey Classic and go onto the Hunter Cup the week after. “All going well, the Cranbourne Cup is worth $100,000 and it’s the week after (the Hunter Cup).” A winner of his last three races, Republican Party is a pint-sized star and Dalgety believes his stature was the main reason for not staying in Australia for the Miracle Mile. “We just feel, on that big track at the Menangle, the best horse could monster him a bit,” he said. “We’ll go home after Melbourne and set out sights on trying to get him a partner (slot) for the big Cambridge race.” Republican Party will add to the strong Kiwi flavour in the Hunter Cup with Tact McLeod already in Victoria and Don’t Stop Dreaming heading across, too. Tact McLeod, who ran second in last week’s Bendigo Cup, ruined his chance as a $2.10 favourite in last night’s Shepparton Cup when he galloped at the start. He recovered to run fifth. The race was won by NSW raider Kanena Provlima, who ran second in the Cup last year. It was a race of extreme controversy with Captain Hammerhead first across the line, but disqualified because stewards deemed trainer-driver David Moran “hocked” the horse, which is using a foot to contact the hind legs of the horse, in the closing stages. X X X Leap To Fame makes his anxiously awaited return to racing at Albion Park next Saturday night. Trainer-driver Grant Dixon was thrilled with the six-year-old’s sparkling Albion Park trial last Friday and also confirmed Leap To Fame would head to Victoria to defend his Group 1 Hunter Cup title at Melton on February 1. “It was a strong trial and he felt as though he could’ve gone much quicker,” Dixon said. “His heart rate was great after it, which shows his fitness. “With the (Albion Park) run under his belt this week, that might be all his needs to prime him for the Hunter Cup. “The way the travel works, he will be in Melbourne 10 days before the Hunter Cup, so there’s the option to give him a run down there the week before, but it’s in the plans at the moment. “We’ll finalise everything after he races this week.” Leap To Fame, a winner of 44 races and almost $3.25 million, hasn’t raced since a lingering throat infection sidelined him following a Menangle win on October 26. The setback forced him out of three of the sport’s biggest races, the Victoria and NZ Cups, along with a defence of his Inter Dominion crown in NSW last month. “Everything looks like that (setback) is behind him now, but it’s always in the back of your mind something could still be lingering, so this race will be important,” Dixon said. Last year, Leap To Fame won the Hunter Cup, Cranbourne Cup, Newcastle Mile and Miracle Mile in the space of five weeks and as part of a 13-race winning streak. Dixon said a replica program was on the cards again. “If we’re in Melbourne, it just makes sense to stay and do Cranbourne,” he said. “Then, it worked well to go to Newcastle last year to qualify him for the Miracle Mile. “There’s been some talk Newcastle may not be a (Miracle Mile) qualifier this year, but it still seems to be and that’s certainly our preferred pathway.” View the full article

Grand Impact led all the way at Wyong on Saturday. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Talented Kiwi-bred galloper Grand Impact was back in the winner’s circle after an all-the-way victory at the Wyong standalone meeting on Saturday. Ridden by Winona Costin, Grand Impact had a relatively soft lead and kicked well off the bend to deny Coastwatch by three-quarters of a length, with Strait Acer third. Prepared by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, connections of Grand Impact were rewarded for their patience with the now five-year-old, having last saluted in the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) in October 2022. Grand Impact looked to be one of Melbourne’s better three-year-olds after he won his first three starts, including the Blue Sapphire prior to finishing 12th in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) behind In Secret. Preparing for a return the following autumn, Grand Impact was continually plagued by soreness and eventually an OCD (osteochondritis dissecans) in a shoulder was identified as the issue, where a lesion of cartilage flakes off. That resulted in Grand Impact having 16 months away from racing before a sub-par preparation last autumn. The decision was made to geld Grand Impact and solid performances have ensued before Saturday’s all-the-way win. “It was never in doubt,” stable representative Tim Suttie said. “She jumped cleanly, stacked them up and kicked on the bend. “Michael Kent said he was in great order so sent him up well. He’s flying.” Grand Impact was given the perfect run by Costin and carried the luxury weight of 52kgs. “He gave such a great kick,” Costin said. “I didn’t get stuck right into him. It was quite soft. “It was great to get a ride for Mick and Michael and a win, it was very important for me.” Horse racing news View the full article

Bullets High scores a narrow victory at Wyong on Saturday. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au It wasn’t pretty, but talented four-year-old Bullets High scored a narrow victory at Wyong on Saturday as he repaid the faith of his many supporters. Having placed in four of his previous five starts, the Joe Pride-trained gelding was sent out the $3.20 favourite with horse racing bookmakers for Saturday’s contest. Jockey Alysha Collett elected to use petrol early and push forward on the son of Ace High after beginning well and despite looking under pressure entering the home straight, fought on gamely to defeat Unlimited by a nose. “He has been a very consistent horse and I don’t think there has been any lack of effort from him but maybe a bit of a lack of race-craft,” Pride said. “He is pretty dumb but he is getting it together. He loves Warwick Farm and it has been the plan all preparation to get him to the Australia Day Cup (Listed, 2400m) there and that is where we will head next. “He was tenacious. He paraded really well today and there wasn’t a drop of sweat on him, he’s rock hard and fit, and Alysha did the rest.” Winning rider Alysha Collett had done her pre-race homework and got the best out of Bullets High. “I kept going through his replays and all I could think is he just keeps running,” Collett said. “So when I got caught wide I did have to use him, but when I was able to get there he switched off completely and that is a massive asset to him. “We started going through our gears at the 600m and it was actually tough. I liked the way they kept getting to him and he kept giving me a little bit more and it took me half an hour to pull him up. “I think he is going to get further and he is going to keep improving.” View the full article

Name Dropper led throughout at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Colin Bull Talented galloper Name Dropper notched his third victory from seven career starts when leading throughout at Flemington on Saturday. The late-blooming son of Tavistock was perfectly rated by Blaike McDougall and comfortably held placegetters My Brothers Keeper and Impending Link. The Richard Laming-trained gelding was fourth emergency but was supported into $15 with BlondeBet, with Name Dropper unusually carrying the number 20 saddlecloth to victory at headquarters. Name Dropper was a well-backed Eagle Farm winner on debut in August 2023 and was sent for a lengthy spell before reappearing as a Sandown winner last winter and was around the mark through his last campaign but failed to stay when stretched in distance. “He is obviously a pretty nice horse,” McDougall said. “He proved that last preparation. “I thought we would be outside the leader or one-one, but when we found our way to the front, it was game over. “I was able to dictate and being first-up I had a good few cheap sectionals. It was pretty much a four and two in the end (working gallop over four furlongs and gallop home two furlongs). “Richard was confident today and autumn is around the corner and I am sure he has got a plan for him. He feels like a pretty progressive horse. “I don’t know if he is going to be a stayer. I saw that he got out to a trip (2040m) at the end of last preparation. “He feels more like a 1400m horse or a miler. He is going to have a fitness edge on a lot of these horses come the autumn. So if they plan right, they might be able to get a little bit of black-type with him.” Horse racing news View the full article

Top Darwin jockey Sonja Logan aboard Queen In The North, trained by husband Tom Logan, after the five-year-old mare made it three straight wins at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Fotofinish Racepix) In-form Darwin jockey Sonja Logan celebrated a winning treble at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Logan saluted on Queen Of The North and Crown Waters for husband and trainer Tom Logan before claiming a narrow win aboard Phil Cole’s Lord Fenrir. Queen In The North was the $2.25 favourite with online bookmakers over 1300m at 0-64 level and Crown Waters started at $4.80 over 1200m in 0-58 grade, while Lord Fenrir won over 1000m in the BM54 ranks at $2.60. It was three straight wins for the five-year-old mare Queen In The North, who continues to produce powerful late finishing bursts after winning at the 13th attempt in Darwin on December 14 before saluting again on January 4. Crown Waters, a four-year-old mare, was making her NT debut after posting a second from five starts in Victoria from July-October. Lord Fenrir made it two wins in a row – albeit narrowly yet again – after prevailing on December 28. Logan’s last Darwin treble was Melbourne Cup Day in 2022. She came close to making it four wins on Saturday when Chris Pollard’s No I’m Not ($5) finished a close second in the 1200m maiden. For Tom Logan, it was another double after achieving the feat on October 5 and November 29. Cole secured a winning double for the third straight meeting after Conclave Prince delivered over 1200m at 0-70 level; he now has 18 wins for the season. Gary Clarke leads the way on 22 in the Top End and Country trainers’ premiership, while Tom Logan is third with 10. Jarrod Todd is ahead in the jockeys’ premiership with 18 wins from Sonja Logan, who has 14 in the bank. Trainer Jason Manning and jockey Vanessa Arnott combined to win the maiden with Carat Time, while Wayne Davis made it three wins from the last three meetings since returning from injury after piloting Conclave Prince. Conclave Prince, fifth in the Palmerston Sprint (1200m) in August, was a first-up fourth following a spell over 1100m in open company a fortnight ago. Lumping 61kg, the five-year-old gelding did a great job catching Chole Baxter’s $2.80 favourite La Boqueria, who carried 54.5kg courtesy of Olivia Kendal’s 2kg claim, in the closing stages to win by just under a length. It was a tough day for Baxter and Kendal as Siberian Larch succumbed to Lord Fenrir by a short half-head. Horse racing news View the full article

GISW Johannes (Nyquist) has emerged from his victory in the GII San Gabriel Stakes with bone bruising and will need time off, Camilla Yakteen tweeted on X Friday. A three-quarter-length winner of that graded contest for trainer Tim Yakteen, his fifth in a near perfect 2024 season blemished only by a game second in the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile, Johannes will be given time off to heal and will resume his 2025 campaign once fully recovered. “Coming out of the San Gabriel Stakes, Johannes developed a mild case of bone bruising,” said Yakteen in the tweet. “As always, Tim and the owners, Debby and Joe McCloskey, will put Johannes first and give him the necessary time off to fully recover before resuming his 2025 campaign.” The post Johannes Sidelined with Bone Bruising after San Gabriel Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Mullion (Into Mischief) sired his first foal when Maggiore (Speightstown) gave birth to a filly, announced Sequel New York in a release Saturday evening. The first foal for her dam, a half-sister to MGSW & MGISP Bonny South (Munnings), the filly was bred by Albaugh Family Stables. The mare is also a half to GSP Sun Path (Munnings), SP Capella (Quality Road), and to the dam of MSW Mister Omaha (Omaha Beach). The female family includes the likes of multiple Group/Grade I runner Etoile Montante (Miswaki), herself dam of MGSW Starformer (Dynaformer) and granddam of MSW & GSP Flavius (War Front) and MGSP Oyster Box (Tapit) through that daughter. Mullion is himself out of a very active female family, one that includes most notably his full-brother, 2021 GI Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun. Their dam, Irish multiple Group winner Brooch (Empire Maker), is a half-sister to MSW & MGSP-Ire Caponata (Selkirk), who has also produced a group winner named Merrily (No Nay Never). This is the extended family of GI Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe victress, multiple Group 1 winner Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}). The post Mullion’s First Foal is a Filly 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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There will be no warm-up starts for new trainer Nick Vaccarezza, but then again he's been preparing most of his life for the opportunity.View the full article

Grade 3 winner King Zachary was represented by his first winner as a stallion Jan. 11 when King Adolis won the third race at Sam Houston Race Park.View the full article

9th-Gulfstream, $78,840, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($75,000), 1-11, 3yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:40.44, fm, 1 1/4 lengths. DREAM ON (c, 3, Not This Time–Mamma Kimbo {GSW, $242,250}, by Discreet Cat) put together a classy juvenile campaign, breaking his maiden second asking when switched to the turf at Ellis Park and earning placings in the Soar Free Stakes and, more notably, in the GI bet365 Summer Stakes at Woodbine going one mile Sept. 14. Fifth at odds of 15-1 in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar Nov. 1, Dream On then enjoyed a short break before returning to the races as a 3-year-old with Lasix Saturday. Trying his longest distance to date, the popular 1-2 favorite stalked from just off the speed while a close-up third as 16-1 longshot Tank (Adios Charlie) led the field up the backstretch. Spun off the turn wide, Dream On put in a strong bid to head the pacesetter at the furlong marker and edged away in the later stages to win by 1 1/4 lengths. The half-brother to Balandeen (Bernardini), SW, $372,352, Dream On is a son of GSW Mamma Kimbo who brought $1.2m at FTKNOV in 2013 from Aaron and Marie Jones while third dam Deputy Jane West was a two-time Canadian champion as 2-year-old and 3-year-old filly. Mamma Kimbo has not produced a foal since Dream On but was bred to Arabian Lion for 2025. Sales History: $295,000 RNA Wlg '22 FTKNOV; $245,000 RNA Ylg '23 KEESEP; $380,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GISP, 6-2-1-1, $175,990.Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-D. J. Stable LLC; B-Aaron & Marie Jones LLC (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. Dream On and @jjcjockey are the winners of the 9th race for @markecasse and @DJ_Stable! #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet pic.twitter.com/waubPBff2S — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) January 11, 2025 The post Dream On Returns From Breeders’ Cup Run With Gulfstream Allowance Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Santa Anita Park has provided space for a pop-up donation site to help victims of Los Angeles County wildfires, an effort that began with three men streaming their efforts to provide some free hot dogs on TikTok.View the full article

The fans in attendance at Tampa Bay Downs were treated to a show in addition to live racing as the pair of featured seven-furlong 3-year-old stakes provided plenty of drama and theatrics Jan. 11.View the full article