Wandering Eyes

Despite the challenges posed by New Zealand’s weather and track conditions at this time of the year, Cambridge trainer Tony Pike believes his multiple black-type performer Poetic Champion is ready to kick off his three-year-old season at Hastings next weekend. The final piece of that puzzle fell into place with a 950m trial on Cambridge’s synthetic track on Friday, which Poetic Champion won by a length and a quarter. He was ridden by Matt Cartwright and beat a line-up that included talented older rivals Tossuforit, Cornelia and Val Di Zoldo. Pike has now given Poetic Champion the green light to resume in the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival next Saturday. “He’s come back in great order,” Pike said. “We’ve been a bit held up with the lack of trial options on the grass. He had been due to trial at Te Awamutu on Tuesday, but those trials were called off. We had the chance to trial on the synthetic today instead and I thought he went very well. “At this stage he’ll resume in the Listed three-year-old race at Hastings next weekend. I’m very happy with how he’s coming up.” One of three first-crop stakes performers last season for exciting Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth, Poetic Champion won by six lengths on debut at Hawera last October before finishing third in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), second in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m), sixth in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), second in the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) and sixth in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). Pike has nominated him for the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 9. Poetic Champion was just one of more than half a dozen Pike-trained three-year-olds to trial at Cambridge on Friday. Raziah and Arundel Castle won maiden three-year-old heats over 950m and 800m respectively, while Thooza – a highly impressive winner at Te Rapa in late April in her only two-year-old start – finished midfield in an open 950m heat. “Raziah and Arundel Castle both seem to have come back well,” Pike said. “Raziah showed good ability last season and was stakes-placed. We’ll have a look at options for her. There’s a chance she’ll go down to the South Island nice and early for something like the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m). “Thooza didn’t trial that well on the synthetic as a two-year-old, but I thought her trial today was okay. We’ll look at taking her to Ellerslie for a trial on the grass in 11 days’ time, which should suit her better.” View the full article

Stephen Marsh is building towards the second and third days of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival with a bit more confidence after a pleasing trial by El Vencedor on the Cambridge synthetic track on Friday. El Vencedor was one of last season’s breakout stars, improving throughout a 10-start campaign that began in August and culminated in a superb victory in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie in March. The son of Shocking also won the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) and finished second in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) and Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m), third in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m), and fourth in the Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) and Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m). El Vencedor kicked off his six-year-old preparation with victory in a 1000m trial at Avondale on August 13, and Marsh was every bit as satisfied with his performance for third behind Liquid Fire and Nancy She Wrote in Friday’s 1300m heat. “I thought he trialled up beautifully,” the Cambridge trainer said. “He was just there for a quiet little look around. We didn’t really ask him to do anything. “I particularly loved the way he settled today. He just had a tendency to go that little bit hard in his last preparation, and he was probably a bit firm on the bridle in his first trial this time in as well. With the ear muffs on today, he went terrific. “It was exactly what we were hoping to see from him, and Joe Doyle was full of praise for him when he came back in. “He’s ready to go. He’ll kick off in an open 1400m at Ruakaka next Saturday, and then all going well, we’ll look at the last two Group One races at Hastings.” The TAB rates El Vencedor a $10 chance for the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) on September 24, sharing the fourth line of favouritism with Campionessa. That market is headed by Orchestral ($4), Mustang Valley ($5) and Skew Wiff ($7). El Vencedor is a $7 second favourite for the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) on October 12, again sharing that quote with Campionessa. The favourite is Orchestral at $3.50. Meanwhile, Marsh also won heats at Cambridge on Friday with unraced three-year-olds I’m Out The Gate and Navy Icon, as well as Pinky Pie, who ran third behind the classy Magice and Whiskey ‘N Roses in her only raceday appearance. “I think we’ve got quite a nice bunch of younger horses coming through, and some of them trialled today and went really well,” Marsh said. “It was nice to give them a good hit-out on the synthetic track today. “We’ll probably take a couple of them to Ellerslie on the 10th, giving them an opportunity to trial on the turf, and then we’ll look at kicking them off on raceday. We should have a bit to look forward to once the tracks improve.” View the full article

A poor barrier draw has dented the confidence of the Mike Moroney and Glen Thompson stable as they prepare Banker’s Choice (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) towards a Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) start. Banker’s Choice heads to the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield on Saturday, his second outing back after missing an autumn campaign. The stable was pleased with Banker’s Choice’s first-up run under Damian Lane in the Gr.2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) and are eyeing the rise in trip on Saturday as being beneficial. Moroney and Thompson combined for their first victory together at Sandown during the week, but Saturday’s poor draw means their second victory may be a little longer in coming. “I thought he ran really well first-up, but I fear it’s going to be a similar story on Saturday,” Thompson said. “I thought if he had drawn a gate first-up he would have run top three or four and I thought he would have been a good chance this week, but he’s drawn off the track again. “So, it’s going to a bit tricky. Hopefully Damian will be able to work something out. “He’s come back really well, and I think he can win a good race this time in.” A winner of the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on heavy ground, Banker’s Choice has not been successful since winning that race in 2022. To gain a start in the Caulfield Cup on October 19, Banker’s Choice will need to land a nice race along the way or earn a ballot exemption by taking out the Gr.3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on September 21. “At this staged he’s mapped towards the Caulfield Cup, but he’s going to have to win something along the way to get into it,” Thompson said. “He should have nearly won the Toorak Handicap last prep, and we think he’s a top-class horse that just needs things to go his way for a change. “The MRC Foundation Cup, I think is the race after this week, but we’ll see how we go on Saturday, but it’s a shame he’s drawn off the track again.” View the full article

Former champion jockey Brent Thomson does not envy those who will be taking on Australia’s latest darling of the turf Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) this spring. Pride Of Jenni makes her return in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, the official opening meeting of the Melbourne Spring Carnival. Thomson won four Cox Plates from his first four rides in the race during in the 1970’s, including three in a row, before heading to Europe for a successful career. Returning to Australia, Thomson won countless feature races and rode against Vo Rogue (Ivor Prince), who like Pride Of Jenni, used to employ daring ‘catch me if you can’ tactics. Thomson remembers well riding in races against Vo Rogue and famously partnered Dandy Andy (NZ) (Three Legs) when they overhauled the dashing front-runner in the 1988 Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington. “Nothing was too eager to match strides with Vo Rogue when he used to get out in front by those big margins back then,” Thomson said. “And I’m thinking she (Pride Of Jenni) might have a higher cruising speed, so it becomes a difficult decision when you’re trying to win and beat the type of horse that is a free going leader like she is.” When Thomson first came to Australia, he was the stable rider for Colin Hayes, the grandfather of Mr Brightside’s (NZ) (Bullbars) trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes. His advice to Mr Brightside’s rider, and all jockeys in Saturday’s race, is to ride your horse. “I suggest Craig can only ride him how he normally rides him,” Thomson said. “They asked him to ride him forward (in the Australian Cup) and it failed and then they gave too big a start last time at Randwick. “Somewhere in the middle might be the happy medium.” These days Thomson does some work with the Ciaron Maher stable, riding a few horses in slow work to keep his fitness up. He hasn’t been aboard Pride Of Jenni, leaving that to her regular rider and strapper Sammy, but has seen the mare in the flesh as she prepares for Saturday’s return. “I’ve asked Sammy who rides her when I been down there, and she said she’s absolutely enjoying herself,” Thomson said. “I only breeze into the stable and I’m out, but I’m sure they’re all pretty proud to have a mare like her in the stable. “Everyone loves a very good horse.” View the full article

Saturday’s Riccarton meeting is shaping up to be a busy afternoon for dual licenceholder Samantha Wynne. Wynne has rides in six of the nine races, including four that she trains herself – Let Me Loose, Peecee Pussycat, Iffin Doubt Dance and Zacat. Wynne has a small team in work at her Prebbleton base and has trained 10 winners since taking out her licence in the 2021-22 season. Seven of those wins have come in the last 12 months alone, including Peecee Pussycat’s back-to-back successes in his last two appearances. The son of Pure Champion won a 2200m Rating 75 on Riccarton’s synthetic track on July 12, then stepped up to open company and delivered a repeat result in a $45,000 race over the same course and distance on August 7. Peecee Pussycat will attempt to make it three in a row when he switches to Riccarton’s turf track to contest Saturday’s Group 1 Raceday Party 14 September Rating 75 (1800m). “He had those two very nice wins on the synthetic,” Wynne said. “He’s been looking well and working well since his last run. We’ll see how he goes switching back to the turf on Saturday, but he’s definitely got some confidence from those couple of wins.” Peecee Pussycat is raced by his breeders, Colin and Tina Nimmo, and is out of the Al Akbar mare Compact Pussycat. Notably, Wynne’s Riccarton team on Saturday also includes Peecee Pussycat’s half-sister Zacat. Also bred and raced by the Nimmos, the six-year-old Zacinto mare has won three times in her 39-start career and heads into Saturday’s TAB Open Mile (1600m) with a second, three thirds and a fourth from her last five starts. “Zacat has been racing so consistently in this preparation,” Wynne said. “I’ve been delighted with her since her last run. It’s a great field on Saturday, so if she can be in the top four or five again, we’ll be very happy.” Wynne’s runner in the CJC Stallion Tender Open Now Rating 65 (1800m) is the formerly Cambridge Stud-owned Iffin Doubt Dance. A dual winner in the North Island from Lance Noble’s stable, the Iffraaj mare relocated south during the winter and finished eighth over 1400m on July 26 before charging home for a close second over the same distance on August 10. “I thought she ran a great race last time,” Wynne said. “That was a Heavy10 track and it’s going to be different track conditions this time, although it should still have some of the fire out of it. “She’s done very well since her last run and I think she’ll relish the 1800m. It looks like a competitive race, so we’ll just be hoping for a bit of luck.” Three-year-old filly Let Me Loose will kick off her career in the Vale Kevin Hickman Three-Year-Old (1000m). The daughter of Turn Me Loose has picked up a win and a placing from three trials, and Wynne has nominated her for the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in November. “I love this little filly to bits,” she said. “She’s trialled well and is ready to go. She’s still a bit green and does some things wrong, but all that’s left to do with her now is take her to the races. I’ve got my fingers crossed that she has a good day out. “She’s a lovely little filly and she’s probably going to be one to follow.” Wynne also has a pair of outside rides, including the resuming Rhonda Wood in the NZ Cup Week Tickets on Sale 1 September Rating 75 (1200m). Last seen when third over the same course and distance on New Zealand Cup Day last November, the Redwood mare has had a total of 17 starts for four wins and five placings. Wynne has formed a good partnership with the Bruce Tapper-trained mare, guiding her to a win and a placing from two starts so far. “She’s such a cool mare and goes very well down that chute at Riccarton,” Wynne said. “It’s really nice to get the call to ride her again and I’m looking forward to it.” View the full article

Tony Pike-trained Group 2 performer Poetic Champion. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Despite the challenges posed by New Zealand’s weather and track conditions at this time of the year, Cambridge trainer Tony Pike believes his multiple black-type performer Poetic Champion is ready to kick off his three-year-old season at Hastings next weekend. The final piece of that puzzle fell into place with a 950m trial on Cambridge’s synthetic track on Friday, which Poetic Champion won by a length and a quarter. He was ridden by Matt Cartwright and beat a line-up that included talented older rivals Tossuforit, Cornelia and Val Di Zoldo. Pike has now given Poetic Champion the green light to resume in the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival next Saturday. “He’s come back in great order,” Pike said. “We’ve been a bit held up with the lack of trial options on the grass. He had been due to trial at Te Awamutu on Tuesday, but those trials were called off. We had the chance to trial on the synthetic today instead and I thought he went very well. “At this stage he’ll resume in the Listed three-year-old race at Hastings next weekend. I’m very happy with how he’s coming up.” One of three first-crop stakes performers last season for exciting Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth, Poetic Champion won by six lengths on debut at Hawera last October before finishing third in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), second in the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m), sixth in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), second in the Group 3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) and sixth in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). Pike has nominated him for the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 9. Poetic Champion was just one of more than half a dozen Pike-trained three-year-olds to trial at Cambridge on Friday. Raziah and Arundel Castle won maiden three-year-old heats over 950m and 800m respectively, while Thooza – a highly impressive winner at Te Rapa in late April in her only two-year-old start – finished midfield in an open 950m heat. “Raziah and Arundel Castle both seem to have come back well,” Pike said. “Raziah showed good ability last season and was stakes-placed. We’ll have a look at options for her. There’s a chance she’ll go down to the South Island nice and early for something like the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m). “Thooza didn’t trial that well on the synthetic as a two-year-old, but I thought her trial today was okay. We’ll look at taking her to Ellerslie for a trial on the grass in 11 days’ time, which should suit her better.” Horse racing news View the full article

Sam Wynne pictured aboard Peecee Pussycat. Photo: Race Images South Saturday’s Riccarton meeting is shaping up to be a busy afternoon for dual licenceholder Samantha Wynne. Wynne has rides in six of the nine races, including four that she trains herself – Let Me Loose, Peecee Pussycat, Iffin Doubt Dance and Zacat. Wynne has a small team in work at her Prebbleton base and has trained 10 winners since taking out her licence in the 2021-22 season. Seven of those wins have come in the last 12 months alone, including Peecee Pussycat’s back-to-back successes in his last two appearances. The son of Pure Champion won a 2200m Rating 75 on Riccarton’s synthetic track on July 12, then stepped up to open company and delivered a repeat result in a $45,000 race over the same course and distance on August 7. Peecee Pussycat will attempt to make it three in a row when he switches to Riccarton’s turf track to contest Saturday’s Rating 75 (1800m). “He had those two very nice wins on the synthetic,” Wynne said. “He’s been looking well and working well since his last run. We’ll see how he goes switching back to the turf on Saturday, but he’s definitely got some confidence from those couple of wins.” Peecee Pussycat is raced by his breeders, Colin and Tina Nimmo, and is out of the Al Akbar mare Compact Pussycat. Notably, Wynne’s Riccarton team on Saturday also includes Peecee Pussycat’s half-sister Zacat. Also bred and raced by the Nimmos, the six-year-old Zacinto mare has won three times in her 39-start career and heads into Saturday’s Open Mile (1600m) with a second, three thirds and a fourth from her last five starts. “Zacat has been racing so consistently in this preparation,” Wynne said. “I’ve been delighted with her since her last run. It’s a great field on Saturday, so if she can be in the top four or five again, we’ll be very happy.” Wynne’s runner in the Rating 65 (1800m) is the formerly Cambridge Stud-owned Iffin Doubt Dance. A dual winner in the North Island from Lance Noble’s stable, the Iffraaj mare relocated south during the winter and finished eighth over 1400m on July 26 before charging home for a close second over the same distance on August 10. “I thought she ran a great race last time,” Wynne said. “That was a Heavy10 track and it’s going to be different track conditions this time, although it should still have some of the fire out of it. “She’s done very well since her last run and I think she’ll relish the 1800m. It looks like a competitive race, so we’ll just be hoping for a bit of luck.” Three-year-old filly Let Me Loose will kick off her career in the Vale Kevin Hickman Three-Year-Old (1000m). The daughter of Turn Me Loose has picked up a win and a placing from three trials, and Wynne has nominated her for the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in November. “I love this little filly to bits,” she said. “She’s trialled well and is ready to go. She’s still a bit green and does some things wrong, but all that’s left to do with her now is take her to the races. I’ve got my fingers crossed that she has a good day out. “She’s a lovely little filly and she’s probably going to be one to follow.” Wynne also has a pair of outside rides, including the resuming Rhonda Wood in the Rating 75 (1200m). Last seen when third over the same course and distance on New Zealand Cup Day last November, the Redwood mare has had a total of 17 starts for four wins and five placings. Wynne has formed a good partnership with the Bruce Tapper-trained mare, guiding her to a win and a placing from two starts so far. “She’s such a cool mare and goes very well down that chute at Riccarton,” Wynne said. “It’s really nice to get the call to ride her again and I’m looking forward to it.” Horse racing news View the full article

Group 1 winner El Vencedor. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Stephen Marsh is building towards the second and third days of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival with a bit more confidence after a pleasing trial by El Vencedor on the Cambridge synthetic track on Friday. El Vencedor was one of last season’s breakout stars, improving throughout a 10-start campaign that began in August and culminated in a superb victory in the Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie in March. The son of Shocking also won the Group 3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) and finished second in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) and Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m), third in the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m), and fourth in the Group 1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) and Group 3 Spring Sprint (1400m). El Vencedor kicked off his six-year-old preparation with victory in a 1000m trial at Avondale on August 13, and Marsh was every bit as satisfied with his performance for third behind Liquid Fire and Nancy She Wrote in Friday’s 1300m heat. “I thought he trialled up beautifully,” the Cambridge trainer said. “He was just there for a quiet little look around. We didn’t really ask him to do anything. “I particularly loved the way he settled today. He just had a tendency to go that little bit hard in his last preparation, and he was probably a bit firm on the bridle in his first trial this time in as well. With the ear muffs on today, he went terrific. “It was exactly what we were hoping to see from him, and Joe Doyle was full of praise for him when he came back in. “He’s ready to go. He’ll kick off in an open 1400m at Ruakaka next Saturday, and then all going well, we’ll look at the last two Group One races at Hastings.” Bookmakers rate El Vencedor a $10 chance for the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) on September 24, sharing the fourth line of favouritism with Campionessa. That market is headed by Orchestral ($4), Mustang Valley ($5) and Skew Wiff ($7). El Vencedor is a $7 second favourite for the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) on October 12, again sharing that quote with Campionessa. The favourite is Orchestral at $3.50. Meanwhile, Marsh also won heats at Cambridge on Friday with unraced three-year-olds I’m Out The Gate and Navy Icon, as well as Pinky Pie, who ran third behind the classy Magice and Whiskey ‘N Roses in her only raceday appearance. “I think we’ve got quite a nice bunch of younger horses coming through, and some of them trialled today and went really well,” Marsh said. “It was nice to give them a good hit-out on the synthetic track today. “We’ll probably take a couple of them to Ellerslie on the 10th, giving them an opportunity to trial on the turf, and then we’ll look at kicking them off on raceday. We should have a bit to look forward to once the tracks improve.” Horse racing news View the full article

Spencer will contest the Balance Accountants Handicap (1200m) at Wanganui on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Progressive sprinter Spencer gets a chance to redeem himself at Wanganui on Saturday and add to his burgeoning record. The son of Derryn will bid for further open class honours when he steps out in the Balance Accountants Handicap (1200m) off the back of a below par last-start effort at Te Rapa. Spencer had been in hot form before heading north and trainer Erin Hocquard had a nagging pre-race doubt that the five-year-old wasn’t his usual self. “Normally, he’s quite perky in the birdcage and on the toe and he wasn’t really like that. He may have got a bit too far back as well and had to go wide,” she said. “I don’t know whether he really loved that track, and it was his first trip away.’ The well-supported Spencer finished fifth and Hocquard said he had bounced through the northern venture in good heart. “He’s come through it well and he is a tough little bugger,” she said. The gelding had previously posted consecutive Rating 75 wins at Trentham and Otaki before successfully stepping up to the top grade at Hastings. He then came through his first black-type test with flying colours when runner-up to the well-performed winter galloper Belardo Boy in the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m). “There are a few more options coming up for him, but it’s more race by race and we’ll see what happens first on Saturday,” Hocquard said. The winner of five of his 15 starts, Spencer can at times be a bit of a handful although he has improved with age. “Some days he can be quite spooky, but he’s growing up and is better than last year,” Hocquard said. “I’ve always thought highly of him and I think I’ve been lucky having Lisa (Allpress) on him, although that won’t be the case this time.” With Allpress sidelined by injury, Spencer will be ridden by apprentice Joe Nishizuka and will benefit from his four-kilo claim. Hocquard also has the in-form mare Our Sassie Anne in good touch for the Wanganui Chronicle Handicap (1200m) with Lily Sutherland booked for the ride. The daughter of The Bold One broke her maiden two runs back at Hawera and returned there to continue her form with a runner-up finish. “I was trying to ger her ridden back last season and that didn’t work out so she’s happy ridden closer to the pace,” Hocquard said. “She’s going well and tries hard, both of mine will handle the track and they galloped well on Thursday morning. They are both fit horses.” Horse racing news View the full article

Brucey Lee winning at Cambridge Synthetic on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Brucey Lee made the seven-hour round trip from Ruakaka worthwhile for trainer Kim Knight on Wednesday when taking out the TAB 2000 at Cambridge Synthetic. The son of U S Navy Flag had placed in his previous start over 2100m on his home track earlier this month and Knight was confident of an improved result despite his topweight of 60kg. Punters shared her thoughts and backed him into $4.40 favouritism, and he didn’t disappoint, running out a one-length victor over fellow Northland raider Richie’s Dream. “I made sure he was really fit going into it. It was good, we got what we came for,” Knight said. “He works on the beach every day and I ride him myself, except for his gallops, and he keeps on improving. “Weight doesn’t seem to bother him either. He carried 60kg and he was probably the smallest horse in the field.” The four-year-old gelding has predominantly raced at Ruakaka and Cambridge Synthetic, with Knight wanting to keep him to better tracks for now. “He is only a little fella and I am just trying to place him right. I have to give him a bit of time because he needs to get stronger,” she said. “He handles any kind of going but he needed to get strong enough to get through softer tracks. He doesn’t seem to mind Good tracks and the synthetic. “Lynsey (Satherley, jockey) said yesterday that he seems to be getting stronger, so that was good to hear.” Knight has believed her charge was an out-and-out stayer all along and she is pleased she followed her judgment. “He has been with me since he was two-year-old,” she said. “He is bred to sprint, but he didn’t give me the impression that he was a sprinter, so we have just given him more time to go over more ground. He has got some heart and it is good to get one with some heart.” Knight has had a lifelong involvement in racing, having caught the bug early through her jockey father, Peter Knight, and she has enjoyed following her passion, taking out a trainer’s license just over a decade ago and she has recorded 12 wins in that time. “My Dad, Peter Knight, was a jockey and I have been around horses all of my life,” she said. “I got involved in training and pre-training and I worked for Donna Logan for 20 years riding work and on the ground. It has always been my passion. “He (Brucey Lee) is the only one I have in work at the moment, but I have got a few young ones going around, so I am looking forward to them.” Horse racing news View the full article

Okita Soushi on the way to the barriers prior to the running of the 2023 Caulfield Cup. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Ciaron Maher is set to debut two European imports at Saturday’s Caulfield meeting. Saint George will make his Australian debut in the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m), while Okita Soushi will have his third Australian start, but first under Maher. Both horses hold Caulfield Cup nominations for the prestigious event on October 19, with Saint George also eyeing the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 26. “He’s coming along well, and in the third jump-out, he probably lacked that sharpness he showed in his first two,” Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said of Saint George. “He’s a Cups horse that will be out the back and running on hopefully, and then we can go to 2000 metres and go on from there. He’s a nice colt with a lot of quality and is one out of the box.” Regarding 2023 Royal Ascot winner Okita Soushi, who placed 12th in the Caulfield Cup and 11th in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) last year under Joseph O’Brien, Turnbull added: “He’s a horse that wants ground, and the 2000 metres is the absolute minimum. He’s still an entire, and his fitness is good—it’s just a matter of getting the miles into his legs. “He’s been hard to get a guide on. If I was to compare him to something we already have, he’s an Interpretation type.” Horse racing news View the full article

McNeil Stakes contender Growing Empire. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Last seen effortlessly claiming the Group 3 Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on April 27, the Ciaron Maher-trained Growing Empire is set to make his much-anticipated return in Saturday’s Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. A potential target for the colt during the Melbourne Cup Carnival is Flemington’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m). Growing Empire also secured victory in the Listed St Albans Stakes (1200m) at The Valley in March. “Certainly, he was a brilliant two-year-old and I think he’s made the step as a three-year-old,” Maher told Racing.com. “And I’m really looking forward to stepping him out on Saturday.” Mark Zahra, who guided the Zoustar colt to his Morphettville triumph, will once again take the reins in the 1200-metre race. “I hope he wins and then he can go to the Poseidon, the Danehill, and the Coolmore,” concluded Maher. Growing Empire is currently a $13 chance for the Coolmore Stud Stakes with horse racing bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

Move To Strike by I Am Invincible is the winner of the Matamata 2yr Old of the Year Award for 2023-24.

Only real strides forward in horse welfare can improve public perception of the sport, says former HKJC chief steward Jamie StierView the full article

Trainer Chris Waller. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Champion trainer Chris Waller secured his 13th Bart Cummings Medal in a nail-biting conclusion at Thursday’s Racing’s Night of Champions Awards at Royal Randwick. Waller amassed 75 points, narrowly holding off leading jockey James McDonald, who finished just one point behind with 74. Waller, who had previously won 12 consecutive Bart Cummings Medals, was dethroned last year by champion apprentice Zac Lloyd, who this year placed seventh with 45 points. McDonald made a strong push, earning six points on the final two Saturdays of the season but fell just short of claiming his first Bart Cummings Medal. “Congratulations to Chris Waller and his highly professional team for taking out another Bart Cummings Medal and a 14th successive Sydney trainers’ premiership,” said Racing NSW Chief Executive, Peter V’landys AM. “Chris Waller’s incredible achievements are celebrated not just in horse racing but across the sports world, showcasing our state’s racing to both Australia and the international stage.” The Bart Cummings Medal, named in honour of the legendary trainer who passed away nine years ago, is awarded based on votes from seven leading Sydney racing journalists. In addition to the Bart Cummings Medal, Waller claimed his 14th consecutive T.J. Smith Award for winning the Sydney Trainers’ Premiership with 148 wins for the season, ahead of co-trainers Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott with 88.5 wins and Ciaron Maher with 62. James McDonald took home his eighth George Moore Award for winning the Sydney Jockeys’ Premiership with 90 wins, narrowly beating Nash Rawiller, who had 81. McDonald had previously won the premiership in 2013/14 (72 wins), 2015/16 (89.5), 2018/19 (104), 2019/20 (103.5), 2020/21 (131), 2021/22 (105), and 2022/23 (96). Zac Lloyd also shone, claiming his second Theo Green Award as Sydney’s leading apprentice with 60.5 wins, ahead of runner-up Dylan Gibbons, who had 36 wins and is now a fully-fledged jockey. Horse racing news View the full article

Imperatriz ridden by Opie Bosson winning the 2023 Champions Sprint at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Racing South Australia, in partnership with Racing Australia, has unveiled the nominees for the highly anticipated 2023/2024 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards. This year’s finalists for the top honour, “Australian Racehorse of the Year,” include Without a Fight, Pride of Jenni, Imperatriz, Riff Rocket, and Mr Brightside. The prestigious awards ceremony will take place at Morphettville Racecourse, promising a grand evening to celebrate outstanding performances on Australian racecourses and abroad from August 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024. Vaughn Lynch, CEO of Racing SA, expressed excitement about hosting the event in Adelaide, highlighting the exceptional achievements across all categories during the 2023/24 season. Finalists were selected based on votes from over 70 prominent racing media, handicappers, and form analysts nationwide. Among the contenders are standout juveniles like Lady of Camelot and Broadsiding, winners of prestigious races such as the Golden Slipper (1200m) and J.J. Atkins (1600m) respectively. Notable three-year-olds include Riff Rocket, Celestial Legend, Warmonger, and Veight, each having claimed significant victories throughout the season. The Champion Sprinter category features a star-studded lineup including Everest (1200m) winner Think About It, Imperatriz, and Bella Nipotina, all recognised for their impressive performances in top-tier races. In the fiercely contested Champion Middle Distance category, finalists like Romantic Warrior, Pride of Jenni, Mr Brightside, and Fangirl have distinguished themselves with notable wins in Group 1 races. The battle for Champion Stayer will see Without A Fight, Riff Rocket, Circle of Fire, Fawkner Park, and The Map competing for top honours, showcasing their prowess in longer-distance events. Additionally, the awards recognise achievements beyond individual horses, with Chris Waller securing his 12th consecutive title as Champion Group 1 Trainer, and James McDonald dominating as Champion Group 1 Jockey for the fourth consecutive year. Yarraman Park’s I am Invincible continues to impress as Champion Sire, setting a new Australian prizemoney record. Horse racing news View the full article

Introducing Saint Nick. View the full article

Pride Of Jenni winning the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW The Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) has been described as the first match race between Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside, with both runners returning for their spring preparations at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon. Pride Of Jenni, who hails from the Ciaron Maher stable, has beaten Mr Brightside the last five times they have met, including their last meeting when the daughter of Pride Of Dubai claimed a breathtaking victory in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. 2024 Queen Elizabeth Stakes replay – Pride Of Jenni However, since markets opened on Wednesday morning, Pride Of Jenni has continued to drift with horse racing bookmakers, moving from $2.10 to $2.70 on Friday morning. Many punters have rallied behind her market rival in Mr Brightside, and he has remained solid betting, marked at $2.70 with Picklebet. The Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained gelding has a much better first-up record than his main rival, winning three of his seven fresh runs as compared to the 0-7 fresh record for the mare. The son of Bullbars kicked off his last spring campaign with a hat-trick of wins, in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m), Memsie Stakes and Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) before running into Fangirl in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1500m) in Sydney. 2024 Memsie Stakes replay – Mr Brightside Outside of the top two, Antino has firmed in betting from an opening price of $7 to $5.50 with Neds. The Tony Gollan-trained gelding has the best first-up record in the race, winning four of his five fresh runs; however, his only defeat when first-up came in Victoria when he ran fourth at Flemington at the start of spring in 2023. Gentleman Roy is the only other runner in the eight-horse field that has shortened in betting markets, with the eight-year-old gelding firming from an $11 opening price into $9 following his impressive win in the P.B. Lawrence. 2024 Memsie Stakes Final Field 1. Mr Brightside (4) T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes J: Craig Williams W: 59kg F: x3521 Age: 7YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Bullbars Dam: Lilahjay (NZ) +170 -454.55 2. Aegon (1) T: Andrew Forsman J: Vlad Duric W: 59kg F: 4×204 Age: 7YO Colour: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Sacred Falls (NZ) Dam: Toss Up (NZ) +2200 +300 3. Gentleman Roy (8) T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes J: Mark Zahra W: 59kg F: 11197 Age: 8YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: So You Think (NZ) Dam: La La Land +800 +115 4. Bandersnatch (2) T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes J: Jordan Childs W: 59kg F: 4×520 Age: 8YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Casino Prince Dam: Divine Faith +6000 +650 5. Pinstriped (3) T: Enver Jusufovic J: Ben Allen W: 59kg F: 2x0x0 Age: 6YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Street Boss (USA) Dam: Snitzel Blitz +1000 +145 6. Antino (6) T: Tony Gollan J: Jamie Kah W: 59kg F: x061x Age: 6YO Colour: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Redwood (GB) Dam: Mahamaya (NZ) +450 -153.85 7. Pride Of Jenni (7) T: Ciaron Maher J: Declan Bates W: 57kg F: x1212 Age: 7YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Pride of Dubai Dam: Sancerre (NZ) +170 -416.67 8. Vagrant (5) T: Mitchell Freedman J: Beau Mertens W: 57kg F: 8×311 Age: 5YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Mare Sire: Pariah Dam: My Obsession +8000 +850 Horse racing news View the full article

Alice Springs trainer Kerry Petrick is looking for further success on Day 2 of the Kununurra Carnival in WA on Saturday. Alice Springs trainer Kerry Petrick hopes Boom Boom Sweet will go back to back in the $35,000 Kununurra Cup (1800m) on Saturday. The eight-year-old gelding, second in the 2022 Cup, returned to the venue in WA’s north-east a year ago to seal victory over stablemates Mangione and Dip Me Lid – thus making it a Petrick trifecta. Boom Boom Sweet, the son of Jakkalberry – third behind Green Moon in the 2012 Melbourne Cup, kicked off his third visit to Kununurra last Saturday as the $3.20 favourite when second behind Mr Mt Walker over 1600m (RTG62). Mr Mt Walker ($8), trained by Albany’s Roy Rogers, led throughout in a race where there was little speed to finish half a length ahead of Boom Boom Sweet, who couldn’t bridge the gap in the home straight. Corden ($3.90) and A Big Chance ($3.70), trained by the Top End’s Chris Pollard, were third and fourth – the stablemates are backing up in the Kununurra Cup. Petrick’s Dip Me Lid, a narrow winner over 1600m (RTG47) last weekend, and Raffalli, trained by Darwin’s Tayarn Halter – third over 1100m (RTG62) on Day 1 of the Kununurra Carnival – complete the field. Boom Boom Sweet, who will once again lump 60kg for a second straight week, spotted Mr Mt Walker 3.5kg last weekend, but in the Cup the WA gelding has been assigned 57.5kg. Alice Springs jockey Paul Denton partners Boom Boom Sweet in the Cup for the second year in a row, while Tweed Heads-based jockey Chris Taylor, who rode a winning treble last Saturday, retains the ride on Mr Mt Walker. “To be quite honest, I really like both of my horses in the Cup,” Petrick said. “Boom Boom Sweet, he’s got a fair weight – he did win last year with a similar weight. “There’s a couple of horses with a lighter weight that I think are in with a big show as well. “I thought Mr Mt Walker was fantastic last Saturday and on that run he’s a threat. “He meets us a little bit closer in the weights. “I think the race is going to be run a lot differently this Saturday. “There’s going to be a lot more early speed with Raffalli starting. “It could change the dimensions of the race, it may work in our favour – you never know.” Petrick won previous Kununurra Cups with Sir Rossi (2000) and Indian Ridge (2003). “I first came here in 2000, the countryside and the racecourse is stunning,” Petrick said. “I just love it here – the people who put on the show treat us just so well. “It’s just a really pleasant experience, it’s also wonderful to have the opportunity to race on a grass track.” Petrick, who boasts a good record in Kununurra, is hopeful of another good day after landing four wins on Day 1. “I’ve got 13 over here, they all raced last weekend and they’ll all race again this Saturday,” Petrick added. “There’s a few of them that have come back for another stint – for a few of them it’s their third round.” The Kununurra Cup jumps at 6.35pm Australian Eastern Standard Time, or 3.05pm in Western Australia on Saturday. Horse racing news View the full article

Phil D'Amato trains three of the top four morning-line choices in the $300,000 Del Mar Handicap (G2T) Aug. 31, including Gold Phoenix, who has won each of the last two editions.View the full article

Stay Hot, Formidable Man, and Curlin's Kaos have won stakes during the current Del Mar meet and will take on four other challengers in the Del Mar Derby.View the full article

Trainer Phil D'Amato is represented by three of the top four morning line choices in the $300,000 Del Mar Handicap (G2T) Aug. 31, including Gold Phoenix who has won each of the last two editions.View the full article

Progressive sprinter Spencer gets a chance to redeem himself at Wanganui on Saturday and add to his burgeoning record. The son of Derryn will bid for further open class honours when he steps out in the Balance Accountants Handicap (1200m) off the back of a below par last-start effort at Te Rapa. Spencer had been in hot form before heading north and trainer Erin Hocquard had a nagging pre-race doubt that the five-year-old wasn’t his usual self. “Normally, he’s quite perky in the birdcage and on the toe and he wasn’t really like that. He may have got a bit too far back as well and had to go wide,” she said. “I don’t know whether he really loved that track, and it was his first trip away.’ The well-supported Spencer finished fifth and Hocquard said he had bounced through the northern venture in good heart. “He’s come through it well and he is a tough little bugger,” she said. The gelding had previously posted consecutive Rating 75 wins at Trentham and Otaki before successfully stepping up to the top grade at Hastings. He then came through his first black-type test with flying colours when runner-up to the well-performed winter galloper Belardo Boy in the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m). “There are a few more options coming up for him, but it’s more race by race and we’ll see what happens first on Saturday,” Hocquard said. The winner of five of his 15 starts, Spencer can at times be a bit of a handful although he has improved with age. “Some days he can be quite spooky, but he’s growing up and is better than last year,” Hocquard said. “I’ve always thought highly of him and I think I’ve been lucky having Lisa (Allpress) on him, although that won’t be the case this time.” With Allpress sidelined by injury, Spencer will be ridden by apprentice Joe Nishizuka and will benefit from his four-kilo claim. Hocquard also has the in-form mare Our Sassie Anne in good touch for the Wanganui Chronicle Handicap (1200m) with Lily Sutherland booked for the ride. The daughter of The Bold One broke her maiden two runs back at Hawera and returned there to continue her form with a runner-up finish. “I was trying to ger her ridden back last season and that didn’t work out so she’s happy ridden closer to the pace,” Hocquard said. “She’s going well and tries hard, both of mine will handle the track and they galloped well on Thursday morning. They are both fit horses.” View the full article

After debuting at Saint-Cloud, the son of Ten Sovereigns (IRE) was purchased privately and transferred to trainer Chad Brown. View the full article

Customarily a late runner, Irish Aces was kept closer to the pace than usual by jockey Tyler Gaffalione in the Aug. 29 Tapit Stakes on opening day of Kentucky Downs' seven-day, all-turf meet. The style change proved a difference maker.View the full article