Wandering Eyes

Chris Waller enjoyed a successful Derby Day with a Flemington treble two Group 1s but luck deserted the champion trainer in the Melbourne Cup barrier draw. View the full article

Isthmus ridden by Blake Shinn wins the Group 3 Begonia Belle Stakes at Flemington Racecourse on November 02, 2024. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Anthony & Sam Freedman had to wait until the last race on VRC Derby Day at Flemington, but they claimed their first victory of the day in the Group 3 Begonia Belle Stakes with their speedy mare, Isthmus. The daughter of I Am Invincible was given a perfect front-running ride by Blake Shinn, who also didn’t claim his first win of the day until the final race, as she proved way too fast for her rivals over 1100m. After jumping quickly from barrier eight, Shinn had to ask Isthmus to come back underneath him, and once she did, she settled nicely in the first four. With the field spread across the Flemington track, Scuderia ($151) and Pharari ($8) pushed forward to shade the eventual winner and take up a slender lead. However, as the field hit the course proper, Shinn asked for the ultimate effort, and Isthmus took over before taking off to put up a three-length margin on the rest of the field. Kundalini ($16) and Danny’s St Darci ($23) made some ground late in the piece, but it was all honours to the winner as she kept pulling clear in the final 200m, recording a dominant 2.5-length victory paying $9 with the top Australian bookmakers. 2024 Begonia Belle Stakes replay – Isthmus Sam Freedman represented the winning stable in the post-race interview. “She was terrific. She copped a decent hip and shoulder last start and sort of sapped her confidence a bit, but the farriers have done a great job,” Freedman said. “She took a few days to get over it, and she’s bounced back in great form. “You watch them closely for a few days and make sure that they’ ve taken no ill harm from it. “She was very sound,but you can tell she was a little bit flat afterwards, and she obviously didn’t finish off the race as well as we would have hoped. “Our farrier flies under the radar a little bit. “She’s not been the easiest to manage with her feet, and he’s done a terrific job, and our vet, Tom Brennan, so a big team effort. “Paula, who looks after her, she gets quite emotional and looks after her very well. “Being a stakes winner now makes a big difference to her page. And she’s certainly a valuable mare. “So she’s capable of getting to the top level, we feel. And maybe it’s a Sangster in the Autumn.” Blake Shinn was just as happy with the win. “It’s been a good day. We’ve hit the crossbar quite a few times, but this is the best of the best, and to end it on a really good note is wonderful,” Shinn said. “She’s possessed a lot of ability from day one. “I rode her at first start. She’s always had a lot of ability. I take my hat off to Anthony and Sam Freedman. “They’ve really managed her education and planning of her career really well, and to win a race on Derby Day is an indication of her ability, and I think she’s got a lot more to come. “So great to ride a winner in these colours. There’s Jonathan Munz, Rocket Douglas. They put a lot of money into the game, and to win a race on Derby Day. “She’s a lovely mare.” Horse racing news View the full article

Fawkner Park after winning the Rosehill Gold Cup. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au The Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald-trained Fawkner Park ($4.60) has held off the fast-finishing Wyclif ($26) to claim victory in the Group 3 Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m) on Saturday afternoon. The son of Zoffany was on the one-week backup after finishing mid-field in the Group 3 Craven Plate (1800m) at Randwick last Saturday, proving a masterstroke from connections to race again, storming away with the prize courtesy of a classy ride by Tyler Schiller. There was a muddling tempo thanks to the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Bear On The Loose ($10), with Regan Bayliss attempting to do no work aboard the four-year-old gelding from barrier 12. It gave Hinged ($5.50) and Nonconformist ($7.50) the saloon passage turning for home, but it was a mid-race move by Tyler Schiller paying the ultimate dividends, taking off with 600m left to travel. Fawkner Park still had plenty of work to do fighting off the challenge of Wyclif and even Stockman ($41) making strong inroads at a monster price with the top Australian bookmakers, with Schiller throwing Fawkner Park over the line to get his preparation back on track. 2024 Rosehill Gold Cup Race Replay – Fawkner Park Co-trainer Rob Archibald was on course to speak post-race and credited his team on getting Fawkner Park back to his brilliant best. “Full credit to the team at home, they’ve worked very hard to get him right,” said Archibald. “He just wasn’t appreciating Melbourne way, for whatever reason. And he’s just gradually building confidence since he’s come back (to Sydney). “I thought Tyler (Schiller) made a brave decision to make a move early in the race but he just summed it up that there was no speed on. He got outside leader and he was just strong late. It’s just a big effort from everybody and I’m very pleased. Schiller spoke to the positive tactics being a major reason for the success as well. “I tried to be a touch more positive on him,” said Schiller. “He’s not an overly blessed horse with gait speed but he did jump well today which surprised me. I thought he loved the ground. “It’s just got a little bit of moisture in it but he seems to still love the firm base. And he’s just awfully tough. I put him into the race when I needed to. He’s run 2400m up in Queensland so no doubt why he couldn’t do it today. ““All the congrats go to Rob and Annabel and the team. He liked Melbourne way but he just wouldn’t quicken that way. “I think he just likes getting onto his Melbourne leg up here when he goes quicker in the straight. When he changes from his right lead to his left lead, he finds that extension. Whereas in Melbourne he goes from his left to his right and it just doesn’t seem to suit him. He’s a strange horse but he’s got plenty of ability.” Horse racing news View the full article

Affable jockey loving life as he keeps working hard for winners.View the full article

Lake Forest after winning the Golden Eagle. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au The European raider Lake Forest ($18.00) has come with a withering burst to claim victory in the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, with William Haggas and Cieren Fallon combining to secure victory for the UK. The Northern Hemisphere three-year-old come through some quality form heading into Saturday, but was relatively unwanted in the market, starting at a good each-way price with the top Australian bookmakers. It was race full of hard-luck stories, as fellow European contender Lazzat ($4.80) led them out at a strong clip throughout, while the team Hawkes-trained Makarena ($51.00) continued to press on from a wide draw. Well-supported favourite Ascoli Piceno ($3.20) didn’t have much luck from barrier 17, with Joao Moreira being cast wide throughout the journey, while the likes of Stefi Magnetica ($12.00) and Tom Kitten ($10.00) cut the corner looking for a run in the home straight. Lazzat was second past the post, however, Stefi Magnetica copped a severe check in the concluding stages with Lazzat rolling significantly in the final furlong, resulting in a protest fifth v second. 2024 Golden Eagle Race Replay – Lake Forest (1st) Stewards reviewed the footage and elected to dismiss the claim due to the margin between the pair. There was no doubt about the winner, however, as Lake Forest produced a stunning turn-of-foot to secure victory in the $10 million Rosehill feature. Stable representative Isabella Paul was on course to break down the victory and couldn’t hide her excitement. “We knew he has an explosive turn of foot,” said Paul. “If you watch some of his other races, he’s so fast towards the end. And Cieren (Fallon) has ridden that so beautifully, and that was the plan, sit back, let them all kill themselves in front and come through to finish. But a really brave ride from Ceiren. And Oh my God, how exciting. “If you look at the way he runs, with that fast finish etc, that’s the way he goes. And he looked like he wasn’t necessarily crying out for the step up in trip but that it would suit and it was only kind of misfortune that he didn’t get that. “Sydney is like a second home now, I hope we might get citizenship at some stage. No, it’s great to be back down here and it’s phenomenal to have another winner.” Ceiren Fallon was elated with the win and put it amongst some of his career highlights as a jockey. “Unbelievable. Wow, I can’t believe it. Lost for words,” said Fallon. “Everything went to Plan A. Tuck in, we knew we had a lot of speed and had to save his turn of foot. “I thought if we used too much energy early on we’d have been taking away our turn of foot. So I had to ride him quite brave and hope we got a bit of luck. And we got a few gaps up there. Obviously Stefano helped me get a few gaps there and, you know, what a horse. “I had a lot of belief in him. In all of his races he’d been crying out for a bit further. I knew with the bend it would allow us to fill him up around the bend. “It got a bit tight and I saved as much ground as I could up the inside and he showed his turn of foot towards the end and hit the line very strongly. “This is remarkable. Money-wise, you can’t beat it. It’s definitely up there. Obviously my first time out here, to be able to be part of such a strong stable, obviously the boss has been sending horses out here for the last few years and they’ve been coming out on top. So I was very confident. “But in terms of career, this probably would be up there.” Horse racing news View the full article

It’s here again, not just Australia’s greatest race but our greatest and most enduring cultural institution - the Melbourne Cup! View the full article

The 2024 Golden Eagle at Rosehill delivered a thrilling upset, with the UK raider Lake Forest claiming victory in a thrilling finish. Trained by William Haggas and ridden by Cieren Fallon, Lake Forest defied the odds to secure the $10 million prize. “Unbelievable. Wow, I can’t believe it. Lost for words,” Fallon said. “Everything went […] The post UK’s Lake Forest Springs a Surprise in Golden Eagle 2024 Result appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Jamie Kah‘s stellar Melbourne Cup Carnival got off to a flying start as she guided Goldrush Guru to a dominant victory in the Group 1 Victoria Derby. The Andrew Gluyas-trained colt, coming off a strong win in the Listed Hill Smith Stakes, showcased his immense potential on the Flemington track. Kah’s masterful ride was crucial […] The post Goldrush Guru Strikes Gold in Victoria Derby 2024 Result appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Go Racing’s pin-up girl Atishu takes out the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli A year after flying home for second behind Pride Of Jenni in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), Go Racing’s pin-up girl Atishu returned to Flemington on Saturday and went one better for the Kiwi syndicators. Last year’s edition of the A$1 million fillies and mares’ feature was a difficult one to watch for Atishu’s connections. The Savabeel mare found herself near the tail of a strung-out field and rounded the home turn in a near-hopeless position more than a dozen lengths from the leader. Atishu ran the fastest last 800m, 600m, 400m and 200m of the race and got within a length of Pride Of Jenni, who went on to win another two Group 1 races in that same tearaway style and was named Australia’s Horse of the Year. Saturday brought sweet redemption. This time Atishu and jockey James McDonald took up a closer position in ninth as the field kept front-runner Grinzinger Belle firmly in their sights. McDonald brought Atishu out to the centre of the track at the top of the straight and began to move her through her gears. Amelia’s Jewel swept to the lead with 200m remaining in what looked like a winning move, but then Atishu went into full flight and drew up alongside her. Despite a determined fightback from a brave Amelia’s Jewel, Atishu slowly but surely got the upper hand and snatched victory by a head. Atishu’s Empire Rose triumph capped a special day for the expat New Zealand combination of trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald, who also combined to win the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes with Switzerland and the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) with the Kiwi-bred Aeliana. “What a mare she (Atishu) is,” McDonald said. “She just turns up and performs. I’m incredibly proud of her. The team have presented her in immaculate order and she’s done the job. “Her performance in this race last year – I couldn’t believe that she got beaten. But then, as it’s turned out, Pride Of Jenni became an absolute star. “She’s just a quality mare. I’m really proud of her.” Atishu has now had 46 starts for 11 wins, 15 placings and A$5,094,620 in stakes. This was the third Group 1 victory for the seven-year-old, who had previously captured the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) as well as the Champions Stakes (2000m) on the final day of last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival. Flemington has been a particularly happy hunting ground for Atishu, with nine starts at the famous Melbourne track for victories in the Empire Rose, the Champions Stakes, the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) and the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m). Atishu has become a mainstay of Waller’s stable in the three years since Go Racing transferred her across the Tasman. She had previously recorded multiple stakes wins in New Zealand as a three-year-old for Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh. “She’s a beautiful mare,” Waller said. “She’s been here a long time, and horses like her are so special. When they’ve been with you that long, they’re certainly a big part of the team. They continue to fly the flag and make you proud. “We thought she was building up well towards this, and knowing how well she goes at Flemington gave us confidence more than anything. She’s a year older, so she just takes that bit longer to find a grand final. We had a little bit of confidence today that the grand final was here this week.” Waller will strongly consider backing Atishu up for a defence of her title in the Champions Stakes next Saturday, where her opposition will include her Cox Plate-winning stablemate Via Sistina. “There’s a pretty good chance she’ll be back next week,” Waller said. “She’ll have some good opposition there, but she won’t be worried about them. She’ll be saying ‘look out for me’.” Horse racing news View the full article

Goldrush Guru ridden by Jamie Kah wins the Penfolds Victoria Derby at Flemington Racecourse on November 02, 2024. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Goldrush Guru ($8.50) has produced an outstanding performance to claim the feature Group 1 VRC Derby at Flemington on Saturday afternoon, as Andrew Gluyas combined with Jamie Kah. The South Australian galloper only won his maiden earlier this year in August, and he has progressed from that to win a Group 1 classic three months later. After jumping from barrier 13, Kah pushed forward and eventually settled in the one-one position behind Hot Too Go ($71), Oxford Blue ($51) and Keeneland ($10). As expected, the race favourite with horse racing bookmakers El Castello ($3.90) settled back in the field while the second favourite, King Of Thunder ($6), received a perfect run on the rail in sixth position. Rounding the home turn, the leaders started to tire and Goldrush Guru was left out in front, a long way from home, but Kah hadn’t moved on him. Once Kah unleashed the brakes on the son of American Pharoah, he bounded clear to put three lengths on her rivals, while Scary ($41) began to finish off strongly down the middle of the track. However, the chasers were doing just that, as Goldrush Guru kept up a strong gallop in the concluding stages to record a 1.5-length victory over Scary and China Sea ($11), who poked through along the inside. 2024 VRC Derby replay – Goldrush Guru Andrew Gluyas was on course to speak about the victory. “I’m speechless, overwhelmed, proud, satisfied. Great moment. I’ll be celebrating in South Australia tonight,” Gluyas said. “We often talk about Derbies. “Leon won the SA Derby with French Cotton. That’s the name for the French Cotton Lodge at home. “We had a great run of horses running in the derby. Gold Guru won the AJC Derby. “Rebel Raider then stood up in ‘08 and won the VRC Derby and then won our Derby. We had a few near misses with Hydrometer. It’s folklore. “We often talk about Derbies. When we prepare them and you get a good result like this, it’s great that we can talk about Goldrush Guru again. “Just with the programming back home, last year was a three week break, this year was two, so I guess that forced our hand a little bit. “Initially, Jamie did jump well, she was posted wide. “Then she finally settled into a beautiful spot, sort of a pair back. “She was travelling into the corner beautifully and I thought, oh, we’re a good crack here; you always look for those horses that are full of the bridle and coming at you. “But he was too strong. It was a great staying effort by Goldrush Guru.” Jamie Kah was very happy with the win post-race. “It means everything to us. Obviously we love riding group 1 winners, but it just makes it so much more special when it’s for some fantastic people like Andrew (Gluyas),” Kah said. “I used to ride for Andrew and Leon. I rode some shockers back in the day for them, so it was nice to repay them on the big stage on Derby Day. “My plan was to get back on him. Couldn’t hold him early. I was going to be wide and somehow found a little gap to slot into. “Once I found the gap, he just fell asleep and gave me a beautiful run throughout. “He won it a long way out and I could have stopped him for another lap, but he wanted to keep going. They’ve trained this horse to perfection, he’s looked good winning in Adelaide but obviously the class is a bit different. “I didn’t know how we was going to measure up but they’ve done a good job.” Horse racing news View the full article

Wild Night winning Saturday’s OPN HCP (1300m) at Tauranga. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) A powerhouse performance in Saturday’s Financial Services (1300m) at Tauranga proved that former star three-year-old Wild Night is right back at the top of his game. Te Akau Racing’s flashy chestnut strung together five wins in succession two seasons ago, including the Group 2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) and the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m). Wild Night followed up that winning sequence with a second placing in a star-studded Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), chasing home Prowess and finishing just in front of Desert Lightning and Legarto. In his next start, he ran third behind Sharp ‘N’ Smart and Campionessa in the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). A series of setbacks stopped Wild Night from performing anywhere near his best as a four-year-old last season, but he made a promising return with a first-up win at Matamata on October 2. Saturday’s $50,000 open handicap was a tougher test for the Vanbrugh gelding, but he passed with flying colours. Jockey Vinnie Colgan put Wild Night in a handy position, sitting in third along the rail as Blissful Belle set the pace in front of Branciforti. Colgan moved Wild Night up alongside the leader at the home turn, and then he bounded clear with giant strides down the straight. Group One mare La Crique burst out of the pack and ran home strongly in the final 100m, but Wild Night was home free. He won by two and a quarter lengths, clocking a quick 1:15.98 for 1300m. La Crique edged out Navigator by a nose in a tight photo for second. “He’s in fantastic form,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains in partnership with Mark Walker. “A massive thank you to all our team, especially at the colt barn, and the owners have been very patient as well. It hasn’t been an easy ride with him. He’s been through plenty of adversity. “But we gave him a long break at the end of his last campaign, then brought him back up nice and slowly. He seems to be back at his best now. He’s a sound, happy horse and in great form. “He had the trip to Te Rapa on Monday, where the meeting was abandoned. Coming here today instead and staying at 1300m second-up was a bit of a worry, plus he’s probably better left-handed – he just got on the wrong leg there at one stage. But it was awesome to see him stretch out the way he did down the straight.” Walker and Bergerson are now likely to step Wild Night back up on to the big-race stage. “We’ll work through some possible targets with the team,” Bergerson said. “But one option might be to bring him back here for the Tauranga Stakes (Group 2, 1600m) in a couple of weeks before carrying on down to Trentham for the TAB Classic (Group 1, 1600m).” Wild Night kicked off a successful hour for the Walker-Bergerson team, with stablemate Bellatrix Star running an enormous race for second in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington not long afterwards. Meanwhile, La Crique’s trainers Katrina and Simon Alexander were more than satisfied with the six-year-old’s first-up performance under 60.5kg at Tauranga. Saturday’s race was her first start since she won the A$500,000 Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) in Brisbane in June, and she went into the race without any trials. “I thought that was a cracking run under the weight,” Katrina Alexander said. “She tends to put in a good performance first-up without quite winning, and it was more of the same today. “She’ll go to Pukekohe next for the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Group 2, 1400m). It was an improver’s run today, and hopefully she can build on that.” Horse racing news View the full article

Fly My Wey winning the OPN HCP (2100m) at Tauranga on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Underrated stayer Fly My Wey showed there is more in store for him when he came out on top after a stirring battle in the Aztech Signs 2100 (2100m) at Tauranga. The Mark Brosnan-trained six-year-old has been a consistent performer during an extended campaign that saw him race throughout the winter and into the spring, collecting the Whangarei Gold Cup Stayers’ Final (2100m) and several minor placings along the way. Regular pilot Jasmine Fawcett was aboard again on Saturday and had the son of Sweynesse travelling sweetly in midfield before creeping forward towards the leaders approaching the home bend. Just as Fawcett looked to push the button on Fly My Wey and move into contention he was hampered by horses swooping around the outside of him, putting him in a pocket and needing plenty of luck to get a crack at the leaders. Fawcet angled him down into space one off the fence and he burst to the front at the 150m before gamely holding out the challenges of race favourites Jolted and The Odyssey to collect his sixth career victory. Brosnan had worried his charge may have been found wanting after his lengthy preparation but was delighted to see him show plenty of fight to claim the victory. “He has been up a long while and I thought he may have been over the top, but I was wrong,” Brosnan said. “Jasmine had him bolting on the corner but needing a run, but luckily she got it. “I’ve been tempted to give him a crack at the Wanganui Cup (Listed, 2040m) so that’s what I am aiming towards.” Fawcett was honest in her assessment of the luck she had entering the home straight which allowed her mount to put himself into winning contention. “I was in a bad spot for a while there but then a gap opened up on the fence so I was quite fortunate as otherwise I would have thrown that away,” she said. “I put my irons up a hole today as he is a horse that pulls and I knew he needed cover, so when we got that everything worked out.” Horse racing news View the full article

Bella Nipotina winning the Russell Balding Stakes. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Ciaron Maher & Craig Williams have combined with Bella Nipotina once again to claim back-to-back wins in the Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon. The seven-year-old marvel looked perfectly placed to continue winning ways after a tough victory in the 2024 Everest (1200m) a fortnight ago, stepping to the 1300m against a similar group of gallopers. The race setup perfectly for the daughter of Pride Of Dubai, with Williams lobbing into the one-one from barrier three, as Coal Crusher ($15.00) and I Am Me ($10.00) went along at a strong tempo throughout the journey. Private Eye ($8.00) was able to utilize barrier one to sit on Bella’s inside every step of the way, while Sunshine In Paris ($4.40) and Lady Laguna ($17.00) were poised to make strong inroads down the centre of the course. They were all playing for second in the end, however, as Bella Nipotina never looked in doubt, cruising to the lead before putting pave to her rivals in the concluding stages. It’s hard to believe it’s the first time Bella Nipotina has together back-to-back wins in her 56-start career, taking her over an astonishing $20 million in prize money for connections. 2024 Russell Balding Stakes – Bella Nipotina Stable representative Johann Gerard-Dubord was on course at Rosehill to praise their ever-consistent mare. “What a horse she is,” said Gerard-Dubord. “She’s just an absolute marvel. She just loves racing. When you think you’ve seen everything with her, there’s more to come. “They went quick today, she just travelled, just got there so easily and when she quickened she was just different class today. I think she just keeps getting better. The more she races, the better she is. She’s just full of confidence, just loving life right now. “She’s been a great horse for the stable. Credit to the team. She’s been everywhere. “This prep, obviously, she’s been up here. She’s spent some time at the beach, she’s been at Bong Bong between runs. We’ve got great facilities, a great team of people, and that’s credit to them. “She loves travelling, more than anyone else. She’s travelled more than me the last couple of years. But she’s got a great bunch of owners. “Obviously they’ve had a lot of fun with her. And the fact she keeps doing it, I think that’s the impressive part.” Craig Williams spoke to the achievement of becoming Australia’s second highest earning horse and credited her toughness throughout her career. “Well, the only way she can do it is because of her determination, her ability, and the people that she has behind her,” said Williams.” “So, fortunately for me I’ve been the jockey the last two-and-a-half years and got to know her really well and had an amazing journey with her, and Wow. It’s amazing how we can get her some days and she’s like ‘no, it’s my way’. Today it was just the easy way. “I’ve got to thank Bella. She’s just an amazing horse and I’m just privileged for the ride. We realised that she doesn’t speed up to other horses. We realised that over a period of time she just decreases slower than the rest of them.” Horse racing news View the full article

The 2024 Melbourne Cup field is set! View the full article

UK raider Lake Forest has won a thrilling edition of the $10 million Golden Eagle, bursting through along the inside to beat fellow European Lazzat and local runner Tom Kitten. View the full article

The 2024 Coolmore Stud Stakes kicked off Group 1 racing on Victoria Derby Day in electrifying fashion, witnessing a masterful display by Chris Waller‘s Switzerland and his jockey James McDonald. This dominant win marks Waller’s sixth Coolmore Stud Stakes victory in 11 years. McDonald, piloting Switzerland to victory, secured his third Coolmore Stud Stakes win […] The post Switzerland Scores Dominant 2024 Coolmore Stud Stakes Victory appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting fine weather on Melbourne Cup day. View the full article

A powerhouse performance in Saturday’s Financial Services (1300m) at Tauranga proved that former star three-year-old Wild Night(NZ) (Vanbrugh) is right back at the top of his game. Te Akau Racing’s flashy chestnut strung together five wins in succession two seasons ago, including the Gr.2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) and the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m). Wild Night followed up that winning sequence with a second placing in a star-studded Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), chasing home Prowess and finishing just in front of Desert Lightning and Legarto. In his next start, he ran third behind Sharp ‘N’ Smart and Campionessa in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). A series of setbacks stopped Wild Night from performing anywhere near his best as a four-year-old last season, but he made a promising return with a first-up win at Matamata on October 2. Saturday’s $50,000 open handicap was a tougher test for the Vanbrugh gelding, but he passed with flying colours. Jockey Vinnie Colgan put Wild Night in a handy position, sitting in third along the rail as Blissful Belle set the pace in front of Branciforti. Colgan moved Wild Night up alongside the leader at the home turn, and then he bounded clear with giant strides down the straight. Group One mare La Crique burst out of the pack and ran home strongly in the final 100m, but Wild Night was home free. He won by two and a quarter lengths, clocking a quick 1:15.98 for 1300m. La Crique edged out Navigator by a nose in a tight photo for second. Wild Night was bought for $50,000 by David Ellis from Book 1 of Karaka 2021. His 15-race career has now produced eight wins, three placings and $527,440 in stakes. “He’s in fantastic form,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains in partnership with Mark Walker. “A massive thank you to all our team, especially at the colt barn, and the owners have been very patient as well. It hasn’t been an easy ride with him. He’s been through plenty of adversity. “But we gave him a long break at the end of his last campaign, then brought him back up nice and slowly. He seems to be back at his best now. He’s a sound, happy horse and in great form. “He had the trip to Te Rapa on Monday, where the meeting was abandoned. Coming here today instead and staying at 1300m second-up was a bit of a worry, plus he’s probably better left-handed – he just got on the wrong leg there at one stage. But it was awesome to see him stretch out the way he did down the straight.” Walker and Bergerson are now likely to step Wild Night back up on to the big-race stage. “We’ll work through some possible targets with the team,” Bergerson said. “But one option might be to bring him back here for the Tauranga Stakes (Gr.2, 1600m) in a couple of weeks before carrying on down to Trentham for the TAB Classic (Gr.1, 1600m).” Wild Night kicked off a successful hour for the Walker-Bergerson team, with stablemate Bellatrix Star running an enormous race for second in the Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington not long afterwards. Meanwhile, La Crique’s trainers Katrina and Simon Alexander were more than satisfied with the six-year-old’s first-up performance under 60.5kg at Tauranga. Saturday’s race was her first start since she won the A$500,000 Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) in Brisbane in June, and she went into the race without any trials. “I thought that was a cracking run under the weight,” Katrina Alexander said. “She tends to put in a good performance first-up without quite winning, and it was more of the same today. “She’ll go to Pukekohe next for the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.2, 1400m). It was an improver’s run today, and hopefully she can build on that.” View the full article

Underrated stayer Fly My Wey(NZ) (Sweynesse) showed there is more in store for him when he came out on top after a stirring battle in the Aztech Signs 2100 (2100m) at Tauranga. The Mark Brosnan-trained six-year-old has been a consistent performer during an extended campaign that saw him race throughout the winter and into the spring, collecting the Whangarei Gold Cup Stayers’ Final (2100m) and several minor placings along the way. Regular pilot Jasmine Fawcett was aboard again on Saturday and had the son of Sweynesse travelling sweetly in midfield before creeping forward towards the leaders approaching the home bend. Just as Fawcett looked to push the button on Fly My Wey and move into contention he was hampered by horses swooping around the outside of him, putting him in a pocket and needing plenty of luck to get a crack at the leaders. Fawcet angled him down into space one off the fence and he burst to the front at the 150m before gamely holding out the challenges of race favourites Jolted and The Odyssey to collect his sixth career victory. Brosnan had worried his charge may have been found wanting after his lengthy preparation but was delighted to see him show plenty of fight to claim the victory. “He has been up a long while and I thought he may have been over the top, but I was wrong,” Brosnan said. “Jasmine had him bolting on the corner but needing a run, but luckily she got it. “I’ve been tempted to give him a crack at the Wanganui Cup (Listed, 2040m) so that’s what I am aiming towards.” Fawcett was honest in her assessment of the luck she had entering the home straight which allowed her mount to put himself into winning contention. “I was in a bad spot for a while there but then a gap opened up on the fence so I was quite fortunate as otherwise I would have thrown that away,” she said. “I put my irons up a hole today as he is a horse that pulls and I knew he needed cover, so when we got that everything worked out.” A $3800 purchase via gavelhouse.com in 2020, Fly My Wey is out of the four-race winner Fly Silca Fly and has now won five of his fourty starts and just over $175,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Under-rated mare Sacred Pearl(NZ) (Sacred Falls) has taken her career earnings past $200,000 with back-to-back wins in feature staying races this spring, including Saturday’s Mode Technology Feilding Cup (2100m) at Trentham. The daughter of Sacred Falls hit a new career high with her last-start win in the Egmont Cup (2100m) at Hawera on October 5, and she continued that upward trajectory with another outstanding performance in Saturday’s $80,000 feature. Sacred Pearl was again partnered by visiting Australian jockey Harry Grace, who rode her for the first time in the Egmont Cup last month. The seven-year-old mare settled in fifth place on Saturday as the bunched-up field of six made their way around the Trentham circuit in a battle of tactics. Favourite Donnybrook was the first to make a move, sneaking through along the inside to go from last to first as the field came wide in search of better ground at the home turn. Donnybrook slowly but surely shook free of the front-running Drop Of Something in the straight, but then Grace brought Sacred Pearl with a well-timed run down the extreme outside of the track. Sacred Pearl clawed her way past Donnybrook, getting up to win by half a length. “It was a tricky race, but she’s a very nice horse,” said Grace, who also had an undercard victory with the Cody Cole-trained Rareza. “The whole idea was to keep her in her rhythm. She got forced out widest on the track in the straight, but she finished it off well.” Sacred Pearl has now had 44 starts for seven wins, 13 placings and $239,765 in stakes for owners Tony and Sharyn Loveridge. She is trained by Lisa Latta, who has previously won the Feilding Cup with Jonbalena (2008) and Five To Midnight (2018). “This is her third win at Wellington, so she goes well here,” Latta said. “I was a bit concerned about how testing the track was today, because she does like it a touch better than this. “I thought she was in trouble at the 600m, but Harry got her out to the best part of the track and she’s finished it off well. “She’s in great form and seems to be holding it, and she’s a pretty easy mare to train. Harry has ridden her a treat again today. “She does hold a nomination for the New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m). I’ll have a good talk to her owners and figure out whether that’s a race we should target with her.” The TAB currently rates Sacred Pearl a $16 chance for the New Zealand Cup. Nest Egg heads that market at $5, followed by Aljay ($6), Canheroc ($8), Kattegat ($10) and Mehzebeen ($12). View the full article

In-form mare Shoes(NZ) (Derryn) extended her winning sequence to three in a row with a brilliant front-running performance at Tauranga on Saturday. The daughter of Derryn had previously won a Rating 65 at Ruakaka on September 7, then stepped up into Rating 75 company at Te Rapa on October 12 and delivered a repeat result. Shoes stayed in the same grade on Saturday, albeit with a rise to 58kg in the handicap and a difficult draw of 10 in an 11-horse field. Trainer Pam Gerard opted to use the 3kg claim of apprentice jockey Joe Nishizuka, and Shoes ran her rivals off their feet. The four-year-old jumped sharply from her wide gate and charged forward, taking the lead inside the first 50m of the race. That was where she stayed, opening up a lead of three or four lengths coming down the side of the track. The challengers closed that gap right up and were breathing down her neck at the top of the home straight, but Shoes stubbornly refused to let them pass. She lifted again, holding on gamely through the final 300m to beat Dazzled and Twain by a long neck. She clocked 1:10.29 for 1200m on a Soft5 track. Saturday’s win continued a hot run of form for Gerard, who has trained 13 winners this season including the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) and this week’s Gr.2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) with Savaglee. “That was a bit nerve-racking,” the Matamata trainer said. “Joe’s not quite as experienced as some of the others that have ridden her, but she really needed that weight relief today. “She’s going through the grades well. It was a bonus that we could stay in this grade today and use the claim. “I thought there might be a bit more pace in that race today and a bit more pressure on her. If they leave her alone, she’ll just keep running. Joe sat as still as a mouse and never changed his grip. She found more when she heard them coming in the straight.” Shoes has now had 12 starts for four wins, three seconds and $133,735 in stakes for a Ballymore Stables ownership syndicate. Shoes was bred by Grangewilliam Stud, who offered her in the Book 2 session of Karaka 2022. Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Ballymore Stables bought her for $22,500. View the full article

Progressive mare Marotiri Molly(NZ) (Per Incanto) made in three wins in a row when she overcame a chequered passage in the home straight to take out the Courtesy Ford Redcraze Bowl (1400m) at Trentham. The Matt Dixon-trained six-year-old has always promised plenty however bad luck and wayward manners had hampered her progress in her earlier campaigns. An eye-catching runner-up finish at Taupo back in August signalled she may have finally come of age and although she finished well back at her next start she hasn’t stopped winning since with victories at Hawera and Otaki added to on Saturday with another gritty effort. Unable to find the front from a midfield barrier, rider Kate Hercock settled her nicely behind pacemakers Tavis Court, Old Town Road and Master Marko, who attacked the front pair from the 800m. With the Heavy10 track surface favouring runners who could scout wide approaching the home bend, Marotiri Molly found herself cluttered up behind a wall of horses at the 600m as her race rivals swooped into contention. Hercock desperately searched for a gap and managed to find clear air for her charge at the 250m where the daughter of Per Incanto burst through to take control of proceedings, running out a comfortable winner ahead of Chantilly Lace and Master Marko who fought on bravely for third. Dixon admitted he wasn’t sure how the mare would handle the very testing ground after enjoying better surfaces for her last two wins. “I had a slight doubt she might find it too wet as it is very testing out there,” Dixon said. “In the end her fitness and her added maturity got her through, as well as a lovely ride by Kate. “Kate gets on so well with her and she didn’t panic when she couldn’t get to the front early on. In the past she probably needed to lead but these days she just relaxes and drops the bit for Kate and I think that played a big part in her performance today. “She certainly paraded well and she ran accordingly so it was very gratifying to see her step up to this grade and win so well. “It gives us a lot of confidence moving forward although I don’t really have any specific plans at this stage for her. “She will get her chance in stakes company but we won’t decide on that until we get her home tonight and give her a few days to get over this one.” Raced by her breeders Beven Parlato and his wife Christine, Marotiri Molly is out of the stakes placed mare Marotiri Miss who won five races and finished runner-up in the 2014 Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton. She has now won five of her ten starts, all with Hercock in the saddle and just over $120,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

In-form South African is hopeful of capitalising on the improved support that has come from his strong recent form.View the full article

Switzerland ridden by James McDonald wins the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington Racecourse on November 02, 2024. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos) For the second time in four years, a horse carrying the famous Coolmore colours has taken out the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, with Switzerland ($6) for Chris Waller and James McDonald following in the footsteps of Home Affairs. Waller maintained his stranglehold on the Coolmore Stud Stakes, with Saturday’s victory giving the master trainer his sixth win from the last 12 editions of the 1200m classic. This son of Snitzel was a dominant winner in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes last start, signalling to the stable that he was back on track ahead of his biggest test down the Flemington straight. The race itself was run at a breakneck tempo, as Hugh Bowman took off from the barrier on Bodyguard ($41) to sprint out to a massive six-length lead after 400m. Most of the favourites with horse racing bookmakers, led by Lady Of Camelot ($9), Growing Empire ($3.80) and Traffic Warden ($4.20), settled at the front of the rest of the field. With most of his main rivals facing the breeze ahead of him, McDonald sat quietly behind them on the eventual winner before peeling off their heels with 300m to go. In a matter of three or four strides, Switzerland exploded to the front of the field and put the race to bed with 150m to go, with only Bellatrix Star ($8.50) running on from the back of the field. Growing Empire and Lady Of Camelot battled on gamely, and they couldn’t be split by the judge, dead-heating for third place. 2024 Coolmore Stud Stakes replay – Switzerland Chris Waller was very happy post-race, and he spoke about a possible trip to Royal Ascot following the win. “Yeah, he did (have to prove himself). We’ve got a great team that got us back on the track,” Waller said. “He just got excited and hurt himself and got agitated and yeah, it was just one of those things that young kids do. “That’s all he is. He’s a young teenager, he’s finding his way, became a man last start I thought with a dominant win and the writing was on the wall that a Group 1 wasn’t far away, to win a stallion making a race like this, it’s a big deal. “This race, this week, has so many great stories, but for the colts, this is the race you need to win. “So I’m privileged to be training these types of horses because I didn’t get them when I started, but now it’s a privilege. “I could see he jumped well, he settled well, James was just sitting on it quietly and that was the pre-race plan. “Be where he’s comfortable. It was as simple as that. “Well, the beauty of winning a Group 1 race, it takes a little bit of pressure off. “We’ve got to just now maintain his value, so logically, races like the Newmarket and Royal Ascot would be in our consideration.” James McDonald was just as happy when speaking to the media post-race. “I’m just absolutely delighted to be fair, he’s got the most beautiful nature, and he allows me to do whatever I want on him, he’s so push- button, and when he was so alertly away, I just sat on him and let the race unfold around him, and he allowed me to do that, and he makes a jockey’s life so easy,” McDonald said. “He’s such a talented colt, he’s got years to turn, and after his jump out here the other day, we were cooking with gas, he went super.” “He’s got a lot of talent, he’s got well above average ability, he’s got an absolutely brilliant demeanour. “He’s got an incredible turn of foot, and he can sustain it for a long time; he’s got all the attributes to be a top sprinter. “There are two races here in the autumn that have got a big circle around him. He’ll thicken up, he’ll develop, he’ll get stronger and better – he’s a beauty.” Horse racing news View the full article

Treasurethe Moment ridden by Damian Lane winning the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) The Matt Laurie-trained Treasurethe Moment ($5.00) has earned her place in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at headquarters on Thursday after securing a dominant victory in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday afternoon. The daughter of Alabama Express took advantage of a sedate tempo throughout the journey, proving too strong for the well-supported favourite Powers Of Opal ($1.80) in the concluding stages. There was plenty of drama pre-race with Jamie Kah coping a minor knock to the nose before being loaded aboard Hurry Curry, with the three-year-old filly being withdrawn prior to the jump, while Ziggy Rose refused to load before being sent back to the mounting yard. Once racing did get underway, the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Killcare Beachgirl ($19.00) was allowed to stride forward under her own steam for Tim Clark, giving the daughter of Too Darn Hot every chance to stay the 2000m journey. It played into the hands of the eventual winner, with Damien Lane pulling clear in the final 400m, with Treasurethe Moment producing the best turn-of-foot, while Powers Of Opal could only whack away into the minor money under James McDonald. 2024 Group 2 Wakeful Stakes Replay – Treasurethe Moment The Wakeful has proven to be the key form-reference for the VRC Oaks, and Laurie confirmed Treasurethe Moment would back-up provided he comes through the win well. “We knew she had something there in the early days and we just need to be a little bit patient, but she’ s got a great temperament,” said Laurie. “She relaxed beautifully today and I was confident a long way out. We’re looking forward to Thursday. “She’s out of a Street Cry mare and there’s a bit of staying blood line, further down the page. I mean, at the end of the day, you’ve got to pick an individual and if you are trying to purchase a stayer, this horse, paraded as a yearling, she screams that. “It was never an issue for me. Her work last weekend suggested she was more than up to this as a company. It’s great to try and win for Yulong. They’ve been really supportive of me and I can’t wait till next week.” Damien Lane was delighted with the win and can’t wait to hop aboard again on Thursday. “She was great,” said Lane. “Had a lovely run. The pace was moderate and she just out-sprinted them. She was really good. “Just got a perfect tow in and she was too quick for the late. The further I got into the race the more confident I got. “On how she went today, I think she can (go to the Oaks). So she ran right to the line, so hopefully that indicates she’s going to run the trip. If we have quick ground, I think that’s going to suit her. “She really enjoyed that firm ground. Hopefully she comes through the run well and can go on the Oaks.” Treasurethe Moment and Powers Of Opal now share favouritism at $3.50 with horse racing bookmakers for the VRC Oaks on Thursday. Horse racing news View the full article