Wandering Eyes

Promising apprentice Donovan Cooper made good use of his 2kg claim as he guided the Christchurch-trained Treybon to a clear cut victory in Saturday’s Vernon & Vazey 0800 Truck Parts Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m). Cooper who made the move south last year when transferring his apprenticeship to Treybon’s trainer Ross Beckett, has been in white hot form in recent weeks and produced a brave effort on the seven-year-old son of Sweynesse as he took the initiative at the 600m to improve quickly on the outer to be up challenging for the lead rounding the home bend. Treybon quickly assumed control and despite being challenged hard over the final 200m by the late closing Sprocket Rocket he held that runner out by half a length with Smooth Operator fighting resolutely on the inner to cling to third. Owners the Can West 7 syndicate were roaring the house down as Cooper made his way back to the winners’ enclosure, with the twenty five-year-old sporting a beaming smile as he acknowledged them enthusiastically. “It means an absolute ton as it took a lot of courage for Ross to bring him here, although I felt after his last run in open class he was definitely up to it,” Cooper said. “Ross knows he has the ability as it is just about sorting out his niggles and I thought we had him spot on today. “He beat a real classy field and it is onwards and upwards from here. “I did get stuck wide but luckily he was a good trooper and didn’t pull like he normally does. He settled and when I asked him the question he delivered nicely. “It’s been a lot of hard work to get him to settle in his races and to see it pay off like that is just fantastic.” Cooper also paid tribute to New Zealand training legend Peter Williams who has been mentoring him and helping him to develop his talents in the saddle. “I’d say I’m going good but I’m still not where I want to be,” he said. “Mr Williams and I both want me to be inch perfect as I’d like to go on a similar career path like James (McDonald) but right now I’m happy with my progress.” Beckett purchased Treybon as a two-year-old for $20,000 out of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale in 2019 and he has now had five wins and eight placings from his 31 starts. His dam is the well related Macchiato who won four of her nine career starts before heading to the matrons paddock. Included in his extended family are 2004 Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) runner-up Filante Etoile and multiple Group One winner Star Dancer. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Margo Nyhan has been training winners for more than 20 years but yesterday’s victory with Knowing Me at Nelson was a stand out. It came just less than a fortnight after her mother Denise died “unexpectedly” at age 87. She suffered a stroke just before Christmas and died in Christchurch Hospital on December 29. “We tried really hard to get a win over on the Coast over Christmas time before Mum passed and we missed out but to get one yesterday was pretty special for sure.” To make it even more poignant Knowing Me was bred by her parents, the late Denis and Denise Nyhan. “And to race in their colours was really great.” The Nyhans are one of the great harness racing families with Denise born into the sport. Her father Bill Doyle was a legend in his own right and that has carried on with her and her sisters Helen Pope and Lynn Smith. After marrying, Denis and Denise Nyhan had two children, Margo and Kim. “Mum was very hard working, very loyal, and a very good horsewoman,” says Margo, “up until her 70s she still drove fast work.” “Even just before Christmas she was talking about breeding another horse!” She was also someone who did things her own way. “She was eight months pregnant with Kim and she’d ride Johnny Globe around the roads to keep him fit for stud season.” She is also credited with making a decision that would change the trajectory of their greatest horse. “It was Mum who took the hobbles off Robalan.” As a free legged pacer Robalan was a cult hero. Trained and driven by Denis, he won 39 races between 1969 and 76, with his New Zealand Cup win in 1974 his fourth attempt in the biggest race of them all. In the past week or so the Nyhans have been humbled by the support they’ve had from within the racing community. “People have been amazing with a lot of lovely messages and flowers.” In yesterday’s race Knowing Me, driven by Margo’s partner Peter Davis, started safely and then pressed on to the lead in the Tyre General Trot. Briefly in the run home she was headed by Bullit Train but rallied to win by a length. Fittingly, Knowing Me is out of With Intent, a Sundon mare bred and owned by Denis and Denise Nyhan, who won 13 races from 97 starts (2007-14). She is also a full sister to It’s So Easy (7 wins). Coincidentally Margo had recently come across a photo showing her mother at the Nelson races in 1965. “So that’s 60 years since she was there and when we had our winner.” And the celebration didn’t end there. Nellie Doyle, a trotter named after Denise Nyhan’s mother, won Race 3 at Nelson yesterday for trainer Tim Trathen. “I recorded the races on My Sky before we left for the races and when we get home we will go to the (family) farm and have a bubbles and watch the races like we used to with Mum every time we won a race.” View the full article

To Cap It All winning Saturday’s Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) To Cap It All was clearly headed in the straight in Saturday’s Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m), but the highly rated first-starter fought back fiercely to kick off her career on a stakes-winning note at Trentham. The Capitalist filly had always been held in high regard by the Stephen Marsh stable and scored a two-length win in her only trial at Pukekohe on December 17. Saturday’s $100,000 Wellesley Stakes was a daunting debut assignment, coming up against a talented 10-horse field that included last-start Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) winner Intention along with several other promising rivals. But the buzz around To Cap It All saw her drop from $5 all the way into $2.60 favouritism by the time the starting gates opened. To Cap It All jumped only fairly from gate five, and jockey Sam Spratt had to use up some petrol and urge her forward to take up a leading position alongside the second favourite Carsolio. To Cap It All sprinted again and pulled ahead of Carsolio early in the home straight, but then she faced another big challenge from Abbakiss and Intention. Abbakiss quickly drew up alongside the favourite and thrust her head in front in what looked like a winning move less than 200m from the finish. However, To Cap It All summoned another almighty effort and clawed her way back into the contest. By the time they reached the finish line, To Cap It All had regained the ascendancy and won the Wellesley by a short head. Intention was another neck away in third. “That was a huge run,” Spratt said. “She’d had only the one trial, and that was a quiet trial, so it’s a big effort. “She was pretty green and having a good look around, but I was very impressed by the way she knuckled down. I thought she was 100 percent beaten, so for her to fight back the way she did was brilliant. “She’ll improve lengths on that performance. I don’t think she let down as much as she can do. She’ll only be better with time, including as a three-year-old next season, but she’s pretty good as a two-year-old already.” To Cap It All was the second impressive debut two-year-old winner within the space of a week for the Marsh stable, who sent out Tale Of The Gypsy for a stylish victory at Te Aroha last Saturday. That filly will attempt to book herself a spot in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) field when she lines up again at Ellerslie on Sunday. Marsh Racing and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock bought To Cap It All from the 2024 Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sale, where they secured her from the Ridgmont draft for A$280,000. To Cap It All is out of the winning Snitzel mare Oh My Mimi, whose dam Mimi Lebrock won the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) and placed in the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) and Emirates Stakes (1600m). “We loved this filly right from the moment we first saw her,” Johnson said. “You have to pay a bit of money to buy nice fillies like her, but we’re lucky to have an amazing group of owners that put their support behind us to do that. “She’s a big, strong filly who moved beautifully at the sales. She looked great in the parade today and acquitted herself very well on debut. “We were confident coming into today. Stephen has had a big opinion of her all the way through, and she’s a filly with a lovely attitude. “It’s never easy for a first-starter in a race like this, going up against proven stakes horses. It was a massive effort to travel this far and win on debut.” To Cap It All is ineligible for the Karaka Millions 2YO, but she is likely to be set for other black-type targets later in the summer. “She’s a stakes-winning filly with a big pedigree and has done a great job already,” Johnson said. “If we could push forward now to a race like the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Group 2, 1200m) in February, that would be an ideal target.” Marsh and Johnson have put their faith in the progeny of Capitalist, securing another filly for A$180,000 during the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale on Friday. “We love the Capitalist and Written Tycoon sire line, the stable has had a lot of success with it in the past,” Johnson said. “We’re always keen to go back and try to find gold where it’s been found before.” 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, January 12, 2025 First Race 1pm HKT (4pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing resumes at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon, with a mixture of turf and all-weather races lined up for a bumper 10-race program. The rail is in the C+3 position for all races on the course proper, and with nothing but sunny skies forecast across the weekend, punters are ensured a genuine Good 4 surface. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 1pm HKT. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Masterofmyuniverse Masterofmyuniverse steps into Class 3 company for the first time after a dominant win at this course and distance on December 29. The son of Havana Gold was far too classy for his rivals on that occasion, bounding clear to score by 2.3 lengths as the untapped four-year-old prevailed relatively untested. Zac Purton should have no issues slotting in for cover from stall eight, and provided he can unleash his devasting turn-of-foot when asked the ultimate question, Masterofmyuniverse appears well placed to secure back-to-back wins. Best Bet Race 8 – #6 Masterofmyuniverse (8) 4yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Zac Purton (56kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: Rubylot Rubylot was sensational in defeat at this track and trip on December 8 and came within a whisker of claiming Packing Hermod. The Rubick gelding simply had a worse run in transit, with the four-year-old forced to circle the entire field in the concluding stages. He gets a 2.5kg swing in the weights on his key rival this time around, and with Brenton Avdulla likely to sit closer from gate two, watch for Rubylot to turn the tables at a good price with BlondeBet. Next Best Race 7 – #6 Rubylot (2) 4yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Brenton Avdulla (56kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Sha Tin: Positive Smile The David Hayes-trained Positive Smile drops back into Class 4 company after being unplaced in his four starts. The son of Per Incanto has been a big improver in his last two performances, however, with the Australian import closing impressively down the Sha Tin straight course on December 29. He maps to get a soft run throughout the 1200m journey, and provided he can flash home once again, expect Positive Smile to be a major player at the each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 2 – #1 Positive Smile (2) 4yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Keith Yeung (61kg) Bet with Picklebet Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections January 12, 2025 1-4-6-12 5-6-9 2-3-5-6-7 2-4-6-8-9-11-14 Horse racing tips View the full article

Hakkinen will contest Sunday’s Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) The $1 million Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) is less than two months away and Te Akau Racing is hoping to unveil a couple of key prospects in Sunday’s Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie. The first of their three-year-olds will be the lightly-tried Hakkinen, who comfortably put away a Rating 60 field as a maidener in his second raceday appearance last month. Sam Bergerson, who trains the gelding in partnership with Mark Walker, indicated a staying future has always beckoned for the son of Savabeel. “Running a maidener in a 60 is always a throw at the stumps, but it was a nice race for him on his home track,” he said. “He’s a really progressive horse, a natural, clean-winded stayer who has trained on well since winning there. His work on Tuesday was very good. “It gives him a look around Ellerslie with a view on getting to the Derby, we think it’s a soft enough race on paper and he certainly gets his chance. We think a lot of him.” Joining him will be stablemate Class, who has finished in the first three in each of his four career starts, most recently a third-placed effort at Ellerslie to Willydoit and Group Three winner Tuxedo. “We’re testing the distance a bit for him, we would love to get him to a Derby potentially if he was able to take the step-up to black-type company,” Bergerson said. “I thought his run in the three-year-old mile there was really good, he stuck on gamely against a couple of handy ones. We think the step-up to 2100 will suit, he’s another horse that is very consistent and hasn’t missed the top three yet. “We’re sure he’ll run well, and they are two really nice chances.” While a Derby has alluded Te Akau in recent times, they have not been short of $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) winners, and they are hoping to boost this year’s contenders in the Trackside.co.nz 1200. To Bravery Born won the first juvenile race of the season back in August, but since then, missed an important target in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), which was won by impressive stablemate Return To Conquer. “He was obviously very good on debut in the first two-year-old race of the year, then we had him all set to run at Pukekohe, but he twinged a shoulder muscle a day out so that was a little bit disappointing,” Bergerson said. “We thought his Karaka Million hopes were over, but he bounced back quicker than we thought and we wanted to give him the chance. He looks like a very natural two-year-old, we would’ve loved to give him a trial, but the schedule didn’t work out that way, but he’s had a trip away from the stable and a gallop. “We think we’ve got him fit enough to run a race there, we’d love to see him run well and put his hand up for the Karaka Millions.” The son of Snitzel is currently 19th on the order of entry for the million-dollar feature, while Dare To Proisir will need a big performance in Sunday’s contest to get his opportunity on January 25. “He had the debut run at Tauranga, he did a little bit wrong so we gave him a freshen-up and his trial at Pukekohe was very good,” Bergerson said. “Following that trial, he certainly deserves his chance at the Karaka Millions as well, and we thought the race to do it would come here, getting a look at Ellerslie. “It’s a bit of a throw at the stumps with him, but I thought off his trial, he certainly deserved it in an even-enough field.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Warrnambool Races Where Warrnambool Racing Club – 2/64 Grafton Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280 When Sunday, January 12, 2025 First Race 1:20pm AEDT Visit Dabble Racing heads to the Warrnambool Racing Club on Sunday afternoon, where a competitive eight-race meeting is set down for decision. Clear skies are forecast for the ‘Bool on Sunday and despite the track being rated a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, the track should be a Good 4 come the opening race. The rail will be out 6m the entire circuit, with action getting underway at 1:20pm AEDT. Best Bet at Warrnambool: Active Duty If Active Duty brings his best to the Warrnambool finale, the even money on offer at Neds will look like a late Christmas present. The four-year-old gelding unleashed a strong finish when beaten by the barest of margins at the Warrnambool 1700m, and as he returns to the track and trip, the son of National Defense looks poised to go one better. Jarrod Fry will need a touch of luck from barrier one, but if the breaks go his way, Active Duty should be saluting. Best Bet Race 8 – #1 Active Duty (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Lindsey Smith | J: Jarrod Fry (58.5kg) +100 with Neds Next Best at Warrnambool: Precious Charm Precious Charm returned from a spell with a dominant victory at the Warrnambool 1200m and as she steps up to 1400m, she looks just as hard to beat on the weekend. Despite the margin being just a length, the Per Incanto mare came with a withering burst down the heart of the track and seemingly had plenty left in the tank to suggest the extra 200m will be no issue. In a race that is no harder, if Precious Charm gains a similar run in transit on Sunday, she will prove too hard to hold out once more. Next Best Race 6 – #5 Precious Charm (7) 5yo Mare | T: Symon Wilde | J: John Allen (57kg) +200 with BlondeBet Best Value at Warrnambool: Aqueduct Aqueduct looks to be screaming out for the 1200m from what he has produced through his first three starts. The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained son of Dubious was hitting the line strongly on debut at Mornington before seemingly not handling Heavy going at start two. He then had excuses when racing up on speed at Murray Bridge when beaten four lengths in what is shaping as a strong form race. With plenty of speed drawn underneath, John Allen will likely have Aqueduct settled midfield, and with a strong finish, he can salute at the each-way price on offer with Picklebet. Best Value Race 4 – #4 Aqueduct (10) 3yo Gelding | T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy | J: John Allen (58kg) +750 with Picklebet Sunday quaddie tips for Warrnambool Warrnambool quadrella selections Sunday, January 12, 2025 1-2-5-7-12 5-7 2-3-4-7-11 4 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Waterford and Alysha Collett returning to the mounting yard after claiming The Lakes at Wyong. Photo: Bradleyphotos The Chris Waller-trained Waterford ($9.00) has come with a withering burst to claim the inaugural running of The Lakes (1600m) at Wyong on Saturday afternoon, securing the $500,000 on offer in celebration of 150 years of racing in the region. It comes after a luckless string of outs this preparation for the son of Awtaad, with the six-year-old only having placed once across his five starts heading into Saturday’s feature. Alysha Collett produced an astute ride from stall 11 this time around after getting too far back at Randwick on Boxing Day in the Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m), electing to go forward and find a handy position forward of mid-field. The well-supported favourite with horse racing bookmakers, Robusto ($2.80), was forced to take up the running as the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Redbreast ($4.80) elected to hand up in the early stages of the contest. Adam Hyeronimus managed the task nicely with the top-weight for favourite backers, seemingly ticking over some soft sectionals in the middle stages before pressing the button at the 300m pole. Robusto appeared off-and-gone, but with one final lunge, it was the former UK galloper getting the head down as Waterford claimed his six-career win at start 26. Wyong The Lakes 2025 Replay – Waterford https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-Wyong-The-Lakes-Waterford-Chris-Waller-Alysha-Collett.mp4 Stable representative Chris Harward was on course to break down the victory and suggested a lack of luck from poor barriers had been costly. “This horse has been pretty luckless,” Harward said. “I mean, barriers win races, and he didn’t get a great barrier today, but he got a bit of luck and a great ride. “Alysha went out there to win a race, and I think she won the race in the first furlong or two by putting him right there. He let down like a good horse today. “Like I said, he’s been pretty luckless this prep. He’s run some nice races, but he’s had bad barriers. When he did get good barriers, he was blocked for a run. “Today, he got the luck, got a great ride, and we pulled off a big one.” Alysha Collett brought up a race-to-race double after securing victory aboard Bullets High in the previous race and couldn’t have been happier with the result. “Good to see him show a little bit of fire out of the gates today,” Collett said. “He had a little freshen-up from his 2,000-meter run the other day, and with a sticky barrier, we tried to ride with a bit of luck. We gave him a really good trot run before the barriers, and he was alert. He knew what was going on today. “I just didn’t want to let go of his head because sometimes when you do that, you can lose momentum. “But I loved the way he went to the line today. He put in, and it was great for the whole team. Thank you to the owners too. It was a fantastic ride.” Horse racing news View the full article

Provence winning the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) A coming-of-age performance by Provence in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) capped a feature treble at Trentham on Saturday for leading jockey Sam Spratt. The 40-year-old had previously won the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m) on To Cap It All and the Group 2 Levin Classic (1400m) with standout three-year-old Savaglee. Spratt, who also recorded another black-type treble on the first day of the New Zealand Cup Carnival at Riccarton in November, has now ridden 12 stakes winners this season. No other jockey has more than six. “It’s been a huge day,” the popular jockey said. “Coming into today, I knew I had three decent rides in those big races. It’s great that it all panned out. “It’s extra special because I was born just a couple of kilometres down the road from here. I think I even went for a bolt around this track on a pony when I was a kid.” Spratt was carried to Thorndon Mile glory by Provence, who was a maiden winner at Taupo just 12 and a half months earlier on December 30, 2023. The Savabeel mare went on to test the black-type waters with a second in the Listed Flying Handicap (1400m) at Trentham, a sixth in the Group 3 Easter Handicap (1600m), a close 10th in the Group 3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) and an unlucky last-start fourth in the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) on New Year’s Day. On Saturday, the five-year-old announced her arrival on the big stage. After jumping from the inside gate, Provence and Spratt took up a handy position in fifth behind Town Cryer, Marotiri Molly, Qali Al Farrasha and Kelly Coe. The 15-horse field had been billed as one of the most even Thorndon line-ups in recent years, and that was how it played out on the track as horses fanned out right across the home straight to stake their claim. Provence burst into contention 200m from the finish, striding up alongside Qali Al Farrasha, Town Cryer, Marotiri Molly and Kelly Coe in a powerful move. Qali Al Farrasha fought back superbly along the rail, locking horns with Provence in a desperate battle to the line. Spratt got the very best out of Provence, who just edged out Qali Al Farrasha by a half-head. Town Cryer was another neck way in third, with a long head to Aegon and a nose to dead-heaters Malt Time and Marotiri Molly. “That was brilliant,” Spratt said. “I was happy with the position we ended up in, and then we got dragged into it beautifully at the right time. I thought she’d win easily when she ranged up alongside them, but had to really fight at the end. She did it really well.” The Thorndon Mile capped a busy holiday period for Provence, who won the $90,000 Royal Descent Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day and backed up for her fourth placing in the Rich Hill Mile six days later. “Three runs in three weeks, for a mare to do that shows just how tough she is,” Spratt said. Provence is trained by Stephen Marsh, whose Cambridge stable also produced the Wellesley winner To Cap It All. “These Group One wins are why you do it,” Marsh’s stable representative and bloodstock agent Dylan Johnson said. “She’s a quality mare. I remember Stephen saying to me after a gallop in the early stages of this preparation, ‘She’ll win a Group One this season.’ She’s proved him right. She’s all class. “She’s continued to come through the grades. She was unlucky in the Rich Hill. She’s just kept progressing and is such a tough, genuine racehorse. “She’s part-owned by Tony Rider, who also bred her. He puts so much into the industry with Milan Park, and she’s going to make a great addition to his broodmare band in time. And there’s a massive group of owners in the Social Racing group as well. We’re thrilled to get this win for all of those connections.” Horse racing news View the full article

Veteran handler fancies his three-time 1,000m winner to rise to the occasion on his first try at a mile.View the full article

The 2025 Magic Millions Race Day at the Gold Coast was unfortunately abandoned due to heavy rainfall and deteriorating track conditions after the third race. Key Points: Safety First: The decision to abandon the meeting was made with the safety of horses, jockeys, and all personnel at the track as the top priority. Rescheduled for […] The post Wild Weather Sees 2025 Magic Millions Race Day at the Gold Coast Called Off, Rescheduled Racing on Friday Night appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Class three-year-old Savaglee stepped out for the first time since his devastating victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in November and absolutely destroyed a small but handy field in Saturday’s Gr.2 Top Kat Roofing Levin Classic (1400m) at Trentham. Confidently expected to win despite the eight week absence from race day action, the punters elect at $1.60 never looked in danger of defeat once regular pilot Sam Spratt had him away nicely from a wide barrier and trucking along in the trail behind stablemate Suit Yourself. Spratt had an absolute stranglehold on the son of Savabeel at the 300m and when she released the brakes the showy bay colt eased away to win untouched by two lengths from fellow Waikato visitors Kitty Flash and Tardelli who chased valiantly in the closing stages. Trainer Pam Gerard had cut a nervous figure before the race as she felt the pressure of public expectations for a victory from her stable star. “I’m relieved now as that was absolutely amazing,” Gerard said. “You sort of know what you’ve got and it makes your job harder, but you hope you have done everything you can as he was coming back from a bit of a let-up. “It’s really cool and I‘m super happy for the Oaks Stud (owner) and for the horse.” Gerard has a huge autumn campaign planned for the horse and gained reassurance before the race from Spratt who was unconcerned about the challenge they were facing first up. “Sam said to me Pam don’t worry as he could be last or anywhere and he will still win, as she has that much confidence in him,” she said. “Obviously it is the feel he gives her although I did tell her to stop talking right away! “He is a top horse who has his confidence up and that is great. “We need to get him home now and work out how we progress as colts can get a bit hot and while he is in the zone we will decide where we need to go next.” Gerard had spoken during the week about the next possible options for the Karaka Yearling Sale graduate which include the lucrative $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) on January 25, and later in March, the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), However as a future stallion prospect, Gerard has indicated Savaglee would be more likely to chase valuable black-type, with the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on February 8 on the radar. Spratt oozed confidence as she guided the horse to the start and afterwards was full of praise for him. “I got a perfect run but I wasn’t worried as I had said to Pam even if we are last he will be able to smoke past them,” she said. “I was pretty much winging it and he is just getting better and better with every start and is a mean racehorse now. “As a stallion prospect Group One status is what is best for him and right now he is right up there on how I rate them.” Savaglee, who was a $400,000 yearling purchase at Karaka for owners The Oaks Stud from the draft of breeders Waikato Stud, has now had 13 starts for seven wins, two placings and $974,975 in stakes. View the full article

Whangaehu upon winning the Group 3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) A remarkable run for owner-breeders Humphrey and Fiona O’Leary kept on rolling at Trentham on Saturday with a last-to-first performance by Whangaehu in the Group 3 Trentham Stakes (2100m). It was the second black-type success in the last three starts for Whangaehu, who won the Listed Wanganui Cup (2040m) on November 30 and then finished third in the Group 3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) on December 21. The red and white colours of the O’Learys have also been carried to victory in last month’s Group 1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) by Ladies Man and Group 3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) by Kelly Coe. Up-and-comer The Big Picture backed up those black-type headliners with an impressive undercard victory at Trentham last Saturday. Despite his solid recent black-type form, Whangaehu was sent out as only a $12 chance in a Trentham Stakes market that was dominated by last-start Manawatu Cup winner Islington Lass. The Proisir gelding soon looked like even more of a longshot than that, being last to leave the starting gates and reluctant to hit out in the early stages of the race. Opawa Jack and Drop Of Something sat in first and second throughout the race and were able to control the tempo, running slow sectionals and conserving plenty of energy for the home straight. The first five horses in the running were prominent all the way around the Trentham circuit and ended up finishing second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth. The only horse to make an impression from behind them was Whangaehu. Rider Craig Grylls angled Whangaehu to the outside at the top of the straight and pushed the button. The six-year-old soon loomed on the outside of the leaders, but they showed no sign of slowing down. It developed into an exciting head-bobbing battle to the finish between Whangaehu, Opawa Jack and Drop Of Something, and Whangaehu found that little bit more to snatch victory by a head. Opawa Jack edged out Drop Of Something by a nose for second, with another half a length back to the fourth-placed Times Ticking. “The instructions were to try to be in the first three, but the horse was just so lethargic coming out of the gates,” Grylls said. “I gave him a slap on the shoulder and he didn’t respond. So that was just the hand that I was dealt. “They didn’t go overly fast in front, so it was a really good effort to win from where he did. Once he changed legs in the home straight, his acceleration was phenomenal. “The leaders put the hammer down and really got away on us coming up to the turn, so I wasn’t sure if we’d get them, but it was a top performance. He’s a horse that’s come through the grades and really shown his worth.” Whangaehu has now had 32 starts for eight wins, eight placings and $368,835 in stakes. The gelding began his career with a maiden win for trainer Bill Thurlow in early 2022, then relocated to Sydney and won twice from 18 starts for Chris Waller. Whangaehu returned to Thurlow’s in-form stable in the spring of 2023 and has added another five wins to his record since then. “I was a bit worried at the start today,” Thurlow’s stable representative Sam O’Malley admitted. “We wanted to try to ride him the first three or four, but he was slow away and reluctant to hit out early. But he got the job done in the end. “The leaders weren’t going that fast, but he got rolling into the race at the right time and I was confident once he loomed up alongside them. “We’ll probably look to go to the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) next and have a crack at that.” The Herbie Dyke Stakes will be run at Te Rapa on February 8. Whangaehu is now a $14 chance in fixed-odds markets that is headed by Snazzytavi ($1.70), La Crique ($6), Orchestral ($6), and fellow O’Leary runner Ladies Man ($8). Horse racing news View the full article

Amosu and Nikita Beriman returning to the mounting yard following their win in the Magic Millions Debut. Photo: Darren Winningham Liam Birchley and Nikita Beriman have combined with Amosu to take out the $500,000 Magic Millions Debut after snatching victory from the jaws of defeat with a lunge at Darn Hot Lady on the winning post. After opening at $11 with top horse racing bookmakers, the daughter of Invader was heavily backed before the third race and jumped as an equal second favourite at $4.80. Darn Hot Lady bounced the best from the barriers and had enough speed to lead Amosu in the first 200m, while the race favourite, Steel Knight, missed the start and was made to travel wide at the back of the field. With a good speed being set by Craig Williams and his mount, they turned for home with at least a length margin over the eventual winner and looked to have enough of a gap passing the 200m mark. However, with Beriman getting everything out of her filly, Amosu continued to eat into the margin and put in one final lunge on the finish line to snatch victory by a nose. Darn Hot Lady was very brave in defeat, and In Limbo held her spot to finish third, two lengths off the first and second horses. 2025 Magic Millions The Debut replay – Amosu https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-Gold-Coast-Magic-Millions-The-Debut-Amosu-Liam-Birchley-Nikita-Breiman.mp4 View the full article

Damian Lane and Payline after winning the 2025 Magic Millions The Syndicate. Photo: Darren Winningham The Magic Millions Carnival, one of Australia’s premier racing events, has officially been rescheduled to Friday night at the Gold Coast after ongoing storms and extreme weather conditions forced a delay earlier in the week. Organisers made the announcement following a thorough assessment of the Gold Coast track, which had been rendered unsuitable for racing due to persistent rain and surface water. The decision to postpone the event was made to prioritise the safety of horses, jockeys, and attendees. Concerns initially arose from the new turf, which had been recently laid after a section of the track was poisoned. Magic Millions weather during the storm. Photo supplied by x. The extreme weather added further complications, leading to an indefinite delay after Race 3, the Magic Millions The Debut, where Amosu secured the $500,000 prize for trainer Liam Birchley. Chief steward Josh Adams provided insight into the earlier postponement, explaining: “There is surface water throughout the track, but if that weather band does pass, we may have time for that water to run off. We’ll reassess, speak to the riding group, and give them our feedback on what we’ve seen.” After further monitoring of weather conditions and the track, Adams confirmed the rescheduling: “With the forecast looking clear for Friday night, we’re confident the surface will be ready for racing. We’ll continue to monitor conditions closely, but we’re optimistic about proceeding with the revised schedule.” The delay impacted several key events, including the $3 million 2YO Classic and $3 million 3YO Guineas, which will now take place under the Gold Coast’s lights on Friday night. Racing enthusiasts, connections, and fans eagerly anticipate the resumption of this premier event. All final field bets will be refunded with all the top horse racing bookmakers; however, the futures bet will stand. Horsebetting will provide further updates as preparations continue for Friday’s showcase. Horse racing news View the full article

Tim Clark and Slippin’ Jimmy combine to with the Magic Millions Country Cup. Photo: Darren Winningham David Vandyke & Tim Clark combined with Slippin’ Jimmy ($3.40) to claim victory in the Magic Millions Country Cup (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon, making every post a winner to secure the $500,000 prize. The son of Pariah brought a formidable record of nine starts for fives wins and two more minor placings into this first-up assignment and never looked in any danger despite his 162-day absence, pinging the lids to lead from stall one under Tim Clark. The well-supported favourite with horse racing bookmakers was never truly hassled up on speed, with rank outsider with Neds, Hodgson ($81.00), the only other horse to press forward in the early stages. King Gutho ($23.00) was able to lob onto the back of the leader from stall four and was given every chance to chase down the leading pair turning for home, while Flying Bird ($9.00) and Bencoolen ($21.00) were stalking from mid-field. Slippin’ Jimmy gave a strong kick with 400m left to travel, and while King Gutho was making strong inroads late, it was to no avail as Slippin’ Jimmy was already off and gone with the prize. Magic Millions Country Cup Replay – Slippin’ Jimmy https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-Gold-Coast-Magic-Millions-Country-Cup-Slippin-Jimmy-David-Vandyke-Tim-Clark.mp4 David Vandyke was on course to breakdown the victory and suggested this was the target a long way out. “He loves to run and he was set for this race,” Vandyke said. “From last year we wanted to having him in this race, and to win it is a dream. “Wonderful group of owners, they love their racing. “We were trying to meet the qualifications for the race and we were heading around trying to find the right races. “I have to say that Mark Cook was a big help there and he was saying ‘go to Coffs, go to Grafton’, and I did, and he won. “When we got here we were a bit worried about the rain, but he loved it and was straight to the front. Beautiful.” Tim Clark was impressed with the win as well, crediting the stable for the first-up romp. “David prepared him brilliantly,” Clark said. “He trialled up nicely against a good three-year-old he is building a great record. “Six wins from ten, he makes his own luck and I just wanted to hold onto him as deep as I could be for the first 1200 (metres). He kicked strongly and it was a good, touch effort.” Horse racing news View the full article

David Hayes turns to four-time winner as stable’s leading hope for first leg of the four-year-old series.View the full article

2024 Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner, Storm Boy. Photo: Darren Winningham Magic Millions Day is one of the most prestigious events on the Australian horse racing calendar, and the 2025 Magic Millions promises to deliver more thrilling moments and unforgettable performances. For fans who want to relive the excitement or catch up on the action they missed, we’ve got you covered with replays of all the key races. Whether it’s the electrifying victory of an up-and-coming star or needing to relive a breathtaking victory, our free replays of Magic Millions 2025 brings you front-row access to all the highlights from the Gold Coast. Free Gold Coast Race Replays & Results 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Race 1 – Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1100 METRES) Race Replay & Results https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-Gold-Coast-Magic-Millions-Maiden-Plate-Heavenly-Impact-Marcus-Wilson-Jason-Collett.mp4 Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st #6 Heavenly Impact Marcus Wilson Jason Collett $8.50 $2.80 2nd #9 King Of Dragons Gary Portelli Chad Schofield $3.20 3rd #4 Brazen Act Kelly Schweida Craig Williams $8.00 4th #7 Hell March Toby Edmonds & Stephen McLean Ethan Brown Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 6-9 $43.70 Exacta 9-6 $79.20 Duet 6-9 $13.60 Duet 6-4 $43.60 Duet 9-4 $47.40 Trifecta 6-9-4 $2021.60 First Four 6-9-4-7 $12,994.60 Horse racing news View the full article

PUNTERS PREFER BLONDES Family run bookmaker, competing with big names in odds and promotions. Join BlondeBet BlondeBet is giving customers an outstanding opportunity to increase their chances of winning on the 2025 Magic Millions, due to be run at Gold Coast on January 11. BlondeBet’s main Magic Millions promotion is a $100 back in bonus cash if your selection finishes second, with this available on the three main races in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, 3YO Guineas and Cup at Gold Coast on Saturday. On top of this, with Magic Millions betting so even, it’s worth putting Blondebet into your rotation on Saturday, because they tend to have juicy odds. particularly on rough chances. BlondeBet will also be targeting the Flemington racecourse in races 1 to 4 with Bonus Cash back for 2nd place up to $100. BlondeBet might not be a household name yet in Australian betting, however they are an Australian family business run by the Pendlebury’s and have been doing trackside betting before a lot of the big names had started. Which some great, including their Blonde Boosts and Bet Returns they are fully equipped for the Gold Coast Magic Millions and Saturday’s racing on January 11. Magic Millions promotions at BlondeBet BlondeBet Gold Coast Magic Millions promotions include: Gold Coast Races 7-9 | Bonus Cash Back BONUS CASH BACK FOR 2ND & 3RD- Up To $100- Gold Coast Races 7 to 9 BlondeBet T&C’s Apply, Only for eligible customers. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Flemington Races 1-4 | Bonus Cash Back BONUS CASH BACK FOR 2ND- Up To $100- Flemington Races 1 to 4 BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo What betting markets will BlondeBet offer on Magic Millions day BlondeBet is not a household name in Australian racing, but this bookmaker does have some cool points of different, including very competitive odds. BlondeBet’s bet types available on the Magic Millions include: Win/Place Same race multis Trifecta Quinella exacta First four Quaddie Early quaddie Daily Double Does BlondeBet have a free bet offer for new customers? BlondeBet does not offer a new account incentive, because these are outlawed under Australian laws. This means BlondeBet’s Magic Millions free bet is non-existent. BlondeBet.com.au Magic Millions Referral code BlondeBet.com.au readers can use our exclusive BlondeBet.com.au Magic Millions Code: GETON More horse racing promotions View the full article

Packing Hermod headlines the champion trainer’s weekend battalion ahead of the first leg of the four-year-old series.View the full article

Peter Bradley, Bradley Thoroughbreds Gold: MCKINZIE Street Sense–Runway Model, by Petionville Gainesway Farm, $75,000 Even though his stud fee more than doubled, McKinzie may be the best bang for the buck at $75,000 this season. A Grade I winner at two, three and four, he completed his racing career at five with a Grade II win. His precocity, soundness and class are all evident in his first crop to race. Narrowly missing out on the Champion First-Crop Sire title, he has already produced four Grade I performers including Grade I winners Chancer McPatrick and Scottish Lassie. His yearling average topped $150,000 off a $30,000 stud fee and is certain to improve with the success of his first crop to race. Silver: LIFE IS GOOD Into Mischief–Beach Walk, by Distorted Humor WinStar Farm, $75,000 Life Is Good was one of the best racehorses of his generation, despite having to compete in the shadow of Flightline. This horse is an A+ physical and is stamping his foals with balance and quality. With a weanling average of $325,625 and a median of $325,000 in 2024, Life Is Good offers plenty of value at a $75,000 stud fee. He bred 378 high-quality mares across his first two books, giving him every opportunity to succeed at stud. Two years from now, $75,000 could look very inexpensive. Bronze: CANDY RIDE (ARG) Ride the Rails–Candy Girl (Arg), by Candy Stripes Lane's End Farm, $75,000 Candy Ride provides great value for the breeders whose focus is to produce top quality race horses at a reasonable fee. He is as underrated as they come and no other stallion at this price point can boast a resume with 19 Grade I winners and as a sire of sires, has a list that already includes Gun Runner, Twirling Candy and newly crowned Champion First-Crop Sire, Vekoma. Candy Ride | Lane's End Tanya Gunther In the over $50,000 segment of the stallion market, particularly at the very top end of the market, the risk from a breeder perspective starts to become readily palpable if not capable of inducing periodic heart palpitations. Progeny racetrack and sales ring success ideally must both be present, the risk reward balance not too precarious, momentum sustainable, and the chance of producing a top-level horse relatively decent. After vacillating significantly, and adding age and versatility as further considerations, I arrived at the following choices. Gold: NOT THIS TIME Giant's Causeway–Miss Macy Sue, by Trippi Taylor Made, $175,000 Arriving at Gold for Not This Time took less time from analysis to podium than the bronze and silver picks. Ranked #13 on the 2024 general sires list (based on worldwide earnings), Not This Time produced 17 stakes winners (2nd highest after Into Mischief) at a rate of 7.4% stakes winners/starters and including two Grade I stakes winners in the mix. Not This Time has been a consistent producer of stakes horses at a relatively high percentage of starters throughout his career to date and is improving his mares. He also had one heckuva sales season in 2024 with his $45,000 stud fee sired crop, achieving a yearling sales median of $250,000 and siring four seven-figure yearlings. Not This Time has also managed to stay on the top ten general sires radar over the prior couple of years when he was relying on crops sired at fees of $15,000 or less, including a crop that dipped below 100 in terms of mares bred. The versatility of his runners is another nod in his favor–dirt, turf, short, long, boy, girl, Not This Time progeny can seemingly do it all. Three of his sons (Cogburn, Epicenter and Up To The Mark) have already joined the stallion ranks as well, which could further augment his CV. While Not This Time's 2025 fee of $175,000 is only slightly less eye-watering than my Silver selection, his career path appears to be on a clear upward trajectory. He has surpassed expectations and overcome the typical hurdles that can trip up many a young stallion and, while he still has something to prove, his best bred crops are still to come. Silver: GUN RUNNER Candy Ride (Arg)–Quiet Giant, by Giant's Causeway Three Chimneys, $250,000 Deep breath, yes I am picking Gun Runner for silver. This is where the heart palpitations come into play! While his current fee of $250,000 does represent a reduction from the lofty height of $300,000 in 2023, a quarter of a million dollar stud fee would not be for the faint of heart nor for any breeder not supremely confident in their mare selection and with cash flow to spare. To make my case, Gun Runner is one of those few stallions who has truly hit the ground running so to speak and gone from strength to strength ever since. During his racing career, he won multiple Grade I races with career earnings of nearly $16 million. In his stallion career, Gun Runner has achieved #1 ranked first season sire (2021), #1 ranked second season sire (2022), and #1 ranked third season sire (2023) when he simultaneously broke into the top ten on the general sires list. He also achieved the #1 position in terms of yearling sale prices for his first, second and third crop sale seasons. In 2024, Gun Runner was #2 ranked general sire behind only Into Mischief and I would hazard a guess that Gun Runner will be a leading contender to take up the mantle when Into Mischief gives up his record-breaking streak at the top. Incredibly, Gun Runner has achieved all of this since entering stud duties in 2018 and is only 12 years old. In 2024, he produced 16 stakes horses (at a 6.3% clip), four Grade I stakes winners (including Breeders' Cup Classic winner and Eclipse Award finalist Sierra Leone as well as Ballerina winner and Eclipse Award finalist Society), and his 2024 average earnings per starter was $87,868. With six new stallions at stud in Kentucky already, Gun Runner is also poised to become a sire of sires when first runners from these stallions come of racing age over the next few years. Gun Runner's popularity at the sales has also continued–2024 sales median for his yearlings was $435,000. While it is impossible to have complete confidence that any mating will result in a top-level horse, Gun Runner's consistent top notch performance across all key metrics could instill a cautious degree of optimism. Constitution | Sarah Andrew Bronze: CONSTITUTION Tapit–Baffled, by Distorted Humor WinStar, $110,000 Constitution gets the nod for bronze. A top five-ranked sire in 2024, Constitution has remained at the $110,000 fee level since 2023 (up from $85,000 in 2022/2021). While he did not sire a Grade I stakes winner in 2023 or 2024 (probably the main reason his fee remains at the current level), Constitution had, respectively, 2 and 3 Grade I stakes horses beside his name in those years. Courtesy of his son, Tiz The Law, achieving the #3 rank on the 2024 first season sire list (beaten only a whisker or two for the top spot), Constitution also has the chance to blossom into a sire of sires. He also brings progeny versatility of surface and an ability to produce a Derby/Classic contender to the table. Already popular in the sales arena as reflected by a 2024 yearling sales median of $300,000, further upside potential could be in store if he can manage to convert his stakes horses into Grade I stakes winners. The post Value Sires–The Big Guns: The Breeders Speak appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Magic Millions Day will be held on the Gold Coast. Photo: Darren Winningham The Magic Millions race day at the Gold Coast is one of the most prominent betting events on the Australian horse racing calendar to kick off the new year and the good news is bookmaker promotions ramp up a notch around this time of the year. While Magic Millions promotions do not hold as much power as they did in the past, many of the Australian betting sites still have referral codes and offers running surrounding the Gold Coast feature. Gold Coast Magic Millions Bookmaer Promotions & Betting Offers The top Magic Millions promotions for 2025 are: Gold Coast Same Race Multi | 3+ Leg Bonus Back Place a 3+ leg Same Race Multi bet on any race at Gold Coast this Saturday and if 1 leg of your multi fails, get up to $50 back in Bonus Cash. Available from approximately 8:30am local track time on race day. View Markets Neds T&C’s Apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo 25% Boosted Winnings – Flemington & Gold Coast Get 25% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Fixed win only. First bet only. Cash bet only. Max Bonus $250. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Saturday Bonus Back 2nd or 3rd in 1-5 at Gold Coast & Flemington Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed odds only. T&C’s apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo Boost Your Balance With Spin & Win The Spin & Win Cash Wheel gives you the chance to boost your balance on your next deposit. Dabble T&Cs apply. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo Blonde Boosts Elevate Your Prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Bet and win up to 4th place. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Punters Toolbox! Supersized Saturday helps you Bet it Out with neds! Get MORE Price Boosts, MORE Bet Backs, MORE Fluc Ups, MORE Back Ups & MORE Extra Nudge tools! Available to use on ANY races of your choice. Neds T&C’s Apply Login to Neds to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% of winnings in cash Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds only. PlayUp T&Cs Apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Daily Multi Insurance Any race. Any runner. Any odds. Get a bonus back if your multi loses. Check your Vault for eligibility Login to UniBet to Claim Promo Best Tote and Starting Price Guarantees a dividend equal to the highest of the official win dividend paid by the three Australian TAB pools or the official starting price. Maximum stake: $2,000. 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its Magic Millions racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing thoroughbred bonus promotions for Magic Millions on January 11, 2025. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) have confirmed the inclusion of the new $100k Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy – a 3YO SW&P 1500m race on Champions Day, 8 March 2025 at Ellerslie Racecourse. Responding to feedback from Slot Holders and industry participants, the Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy will ensure the selected emergency horses are ready to compete if required to replace scratched runners from the final field of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) – the Southern Hemisphere’s richest 3YO race. To accommodate the new 3YO race, NZTR and ATR have deleted the previously scheduled 2400m Benchmark 75 race on Champions Day. This change will allow the Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy to provide the pool from which emergency horses for the NZB Kiwi will be chosen. The Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy is open to all 3YOs, not just NZB Kiwi eligible 3YOs, however, the pool of four emergency runners for the NZB Kiwi will be chosen first from eligible horses that are acceptors for the Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy. The decision aligns with international best practices observed in other slot races, such as The Everest in Syndey and the Sunlight slot race in Queensland, where emergencies are sourced from a corresponding race held on the same day over the same track and distance. This addition follows collaborative discussions between NZTR, Slot Holders and ATR, which highlighted the benefits for all stakeholders. NZTR Chief Operating Officer Darin Balcombe is pleased to announce the new race. “Emergency horses for the NZB Kiwi will be prepared to race under identical conditions (same track, distance and day), ensuring they are ready to perform at their best if required.” “Connections of emergency horses will no longer need to disrupt their plans for other races, as they can specifically target the Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy without impacting future campaigns. “The race gives some level of comfort to Slot Holders, while adding depth to the Champions Day card,” he said. As part of the programming adjustments, NZTR will delete the 3YO SW&P 1600m race previously scheduled for Saturday 1 March, the week before Champions Day, at Matamata Racecourse. “This reflects a focus on ensuring the Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy attracts a strong and competitive field at Ellerslie Racecourse, which is vital for the race’s success,” Balcombe said. Read more about the Southern Hemisphere’s richest 3YO race here. For general enquiries about the$100k Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m), contact ATR’s Executive General Manager – Racing & Operations Craig Baker via craigb@ellerslie.co.nz. View the Special Conditions for the $100k Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m) here. Full Programme Changes – Saturday 1 March at Matamata Racecourse: 3YO SW&P 1600m deleted. Mdn 1600m added. – Friday 7 March at Te Aroha Racecourse: Mdn 1600m deleted and replaced with Mdn 3YO 1600m. – Saturday 8 March at Ellerslie Racecourse $100k Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m) added. R75 2400m deleted. View the full article

Champion sprinter Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) has been paid the ultimate compliment with her inclusion in the 2025 draft of inductees to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. The winner of 10 Group One races in a total of 19 wins from 26 starts and stakes of almost A$7 million, her accolades already included New Zealand Horse of the Year, Australian Sprinter of the Year, and when at the peak of her powers, being rated the world’s best sprinter and best racemare. As the winner of six Australian Group One sprints and the standout amongst her champion sire I Am Invincible’s 100-plus stakes winners, Imperatriz was always going to be hot property when she was put on the market at the end of her racing career last May. However, few would have predicted the outcome when new Australian powerhouse Yulong outbid an international bench at a Southern Hemisphere mare record A$6.6 million. “We’re so proud that Imperatriz will be joining another of our champion racemares, Melody Belle, in the Hall of Fame,” commented Te Akau principal David Ellis, a recently announced Hall of Fame inductee himself and the signatory when Imperatriz was knocked down for A$360,000 at the 2020 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale. “She achieved something that no other New Zealand-trained horse has been able to do – win six Group One races against the very sprinters in Australia. That’s quite incredible when you think about it and sets her apart as a very special horse.” Imperatriz was bred in Australia by Malaysian Dato Yap Kim San’s Raffles Dancer (NZ) Pty Ltd and was reared at Bhima Thoroughbreds in the Hunter Valley, where she was prepared for sale as a yearling. As one of the annual intake of Te Akau purchases put up for syndication amongst existing and new clientele, the big brown filly didn’t immediately capture the attention of potential suitors and was in fact the last to be fully syndicated. “It’s unbelievable to think that you could still have bought a share in her so late,” says Karyn Fenton-Ellis, who managed the Te Akau Invincible Empress Racing Partnership and in fact took a share in the future champion. Imperatriz was initially trained by Te Akau incumbent Jamie Richards, for whom she won on debut at Otaki in late November and her only other start at two years, the Gr. 2 Eclipse Stakes at Ellerslie. She didn’t race again until a month into her three-year-old season, winning the Gr. 3 Northland Breeders’ Stales at Ruakaka, followed by a third placing in the Gold Trail Stakes, career win four in the Gr. 3 Soliloquy Stakes and fourth place as favourite to stablemates The Perfect Pink, Shepherd’s Delight and Belle En Rouge in the Gr. 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas. The still-maturing filly resumed in late summer, when a first-up second was followed by four consecutive wins, the last two of them autumn Group Ones at 1600m in the Levin Classic and New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes. Between those two races she had a change of trainer resulting from Jamie Richards’ departure for Hong Kong and Mark Walker’s return from Singapore. Walker was fully versed on Imperatriz when he resumed his original role at Te Akau’s Matamata stables. “I still remember when I first saw her at the Gold Coast Sale, she really struck me as a yearling we should be buying. When I told Dave and he came with me to inspect her at Bhima’s boxes, he could see exactly what I liked about her and it was great that we were able to buy her. “Part of our system when I was in Singapore was to talk regularly with Jamie back in Matamata and work through the team, planning things and discussing the various stable members. So by the time I got back to New Zealand when Imperatriz was a late three-year-old, I had a pretty good handle on her.” The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes at Te Rapa in April 2022 was the only time that Walker saddled up Imperatriz at three. She resumed in early spring with wins over 1100m at Ruakaka and the Foxbridge Plate over 1200m at Te Rapa, but after finishing out of the placings in the Tarzino Trophy (1400m) and Arrowfield Plate (1600m), her compass was reset. “She had back issues and we changed her training and diet, with a lot of her work on the treadmill and a higher protein feed formula,” Walker explained. “We also decided to keep her to shorter distances and when you look back on her record, that was definitely the right call.” In her remaining 13 starts, Imperatriz raced only twice at 1400m – for wins in the Gr. 1 BCD Sprint at Te Rapa and Gr. 2 Westbury Classic at Pukekohe – and the other 11 were at distances from 1000 to 1300m. The turning point in her career was the decision to test her against Australia’s best sprinters in the autumn of her four-year-old season, and although she had to settle for second to Artorius in the Gr. 1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick, she quickly proved she was more than up to the challenge. Sent to Melbourne where she was to set a perfect platform for Te Akau’s plans to establish a permanent presence, she signed off her season with victory in the Gr. 1 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley and added a hat-trick of big sprints at the same venue in the spring. That set her up for the biggest test of her career, the Gr. 1 Champions Sprint down the Flemington straight six on the final day of Melbourne Cup week. This was the race that Walker and her regular rider Opie Bosson describe as defining Imperatriz. “Going into that race we really felt the pressure,” Bosson recalls. “She was unbeatable at Moonee Valley, the way she would quicken off the bend, but down the straight at Flemington was a whole different challenge. “She was up for it though, she beat them all fair and square, and for Mark, me and everyone it was massive.” Bosson, who announced his retirement recently with a tally of 99 Group One wins, speaks from the heart when he describes Imperatriz as the horse that inspired his battle with weight and one that when the decision was made to retire her five-year-old season, left him knowing there would be no other to compare. “She was the best, you could put her in the right spot and she would switch off, then when you asked her she would change legs and kick with that incredible turn of foot. There was no better feeling to ride a horse that could do that.” *The 2025 NZ Racing Hall of Fame Induction Dinner is scheduled for Sunday May 11 at SkyCity, Hamilton. For further information and tickets go to www.racinghalloffame.co.nz View the full article

Login to view all Unibet offers! New customers only. 18+. Located in UK. Min bet 2/5 or more. Each leg of multi must be over 2/5 for bet to qualify. 3x wagering requirement before withdrawing.Full terms View offers! Unibet is offering some outstanding Magic Millions promotions in the lead-up to the 2025 running of the Gold Coast feature. Unibet’s main Magic Millions promotion is a cash back deal, where you get your stake back as a bonus bet, if your wager finishes second or third at the Gold Coast and Flemington. This Gold Coast Magic Millions race day offer also extends to the first five races at Gold Coast and Flemington January 11. Unibet is also offering Daily Multi Insurance on all races around the globe, with this meaning you will get a bonus back if your multi loses. Any race, Any Runner. Any Odds. Unibet Magic Millions promotions 2025 Unibet.com.au Magic Millions promotions for 2025 include the following: Daily Multi Insurance Any race. Any runner. Any odds. Get a bonus back if your multi loses. Check your Vault for eligibility Login to UniBet to Claim Promo Saturday Bonus Back 2nd or 3rd in 1-5 at Gold Coast & Flemington Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed odds only. T&C’s apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo What betting markets will Unibet offer on Magic Millions day Unibet does not have as many bet types as other Magic Millions bookies such as Neds and Picklebet, however they are definitely one of the better options. On this year’s Gold Coast Magic Millions Unibet is offering a huge selection of different odds types, with these including both exotic and standard bet types. Unibet does have some unique bet types, with these including Head to Head markets, where two horses in the Magic Millions field are pitted against each other and priced accordingly. Unibet, which recently added same race multis to their selection, also offer bundle bets and quaddies. Unibet bet types available on the Melbourne Cup include: Win/Place Same race multis Trifecta Quinella exacta First four Quaddie H2H Bundle Bet Does Unibet have a free bet offer for new customers? Unibet will not offer a free bet to new customers for the running of the Magic Millions, with this because of local laws, which outlaw new account incentives. You can learn more about free bets in Australia in our excellent guide. More horse racing promotions View the full article

NEXT GEN RACING BETTING Picklebet Australia is offering a stack of promotions, plus very competitive betting markets. Top Four Betting. Extra Place. Every Race Picklebet.com.au is a popular Australian horse racing betting option, and like most bookies they will excel around Magic Millions. Picklebet generally offers some unique Magic Millions betting promotions, with these including enhanced odds on select runners and cash back deals in previous years. Magic Millions promotions at Picklebet in 2025 include 25% Boosted Winnings on all races at Gold Coast and Flemington on January 11. While there are some restrictions surrounding this Picklebet Magic Millions bonus, including the first bet only and Max Bonus of $250, it is a great way to make your dollar stretch longer on Magic Millions day. Picklebet will also be doing their famous Top Four betting, which they do on every race at anytime. You can bet on a horse coming fourth instead of third which could be very proftiable especially with the wet weather looming around the Magic Millions race day. Magic Millions promotions at Picklebet.com.au Picklebet is giving customers the following during the course of Magic Millions day: 25% Boosted Winnings – Flemington & Gold Coast Get 25% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Fixed win only. First bet only. Cash bet only. Max Bonus $250. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Bet and win up to 4th place. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo What betting markets will Picklebet offer on Magic Millions Pciklebet has a stack of betting markets available, like their fourth-place betting available at every horse racing meeting. They also offer some very competitive betting odds, which are available through their site. Picklebet bet types available on Magic Millions in 2025 include: Top Four Betting Same race multis Win/Place Quinella Exacta Trifecta First Four Quaddie Early quaddie Picklebet’s Magic Millions coverage will also include a bevy of stats on the various runners throughout the day, including betting fluctuations, speed glance and speed maps, Does Picklebet.com.au have a free bet offer for new customers? Picklebet will not offer a free bet offer for new customers on the 2025 Magic Millions, with these types of new account incentives banned. Horse racing promotions View the full article