Wandering Eyes

In-form galloper Rise At Dawn (NZ) (Almanzor) got off the canvas to score an unlikely victory in the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield on Saturday as he made it three wins in succession. The son of Almanzor is prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes and has raced well through the winter months and may yet snare some spring riches after his tenacious win on Saturday. Ridden in his customary positive manner by Michael Dee, Rise At Dawn looked to be under siege deep into the home straight but rallied late to get the better of resuming stayer Positivity (NZ) (Almanzor) as less than a length covered the first six across the line. The gelding has now won seven of his 12 starts and been placed on a further two occasions, with A$492,085 in earnings to date. “He is tough. He was definitely headed and fought back and we really didn’t get out of our chairs until the last 50m, it was a great win,” JD Hayes said. “We have just ever so slightly continued to raise the bar and full credit goes to the horse, he has been up a long time. “He had a freshen-up and he has winter fitness and it is just an incredible result for a great ownership group which has grown with each race.” Hayes said he was loathe to turn out an in-form Rise At Dawn. “If he is sound and well and licking the bin, he will tell us, but I am sure we can get a bit crafty in our placement, and there is a nice win in him,” Hayes said. Winning rider Michael Dee is a fan of the smart four-year-old, but admitted he had his doubts of another victory turning for home. “I thought we were beaten at the top of the straight, but I think the horse knew what he was doing because we were headed there but he found a second-wind and lifted again,” Dee said. “As we know, he is in a rich vein of form but he is turning up every time and trying his best. “I like his demeanour. He walks around the yard conserving a lot of energy and when the gates open he knows it is race time, so he has some great attributes.” Both the first and second horses are stakes-winning progeny of Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor, whose eldest Southern Hemisphere progeny are now four-year-olds and have made a terrific early impression. The triple Group One winning son of Wootton Bassett stands for $30,000 this breeding season and has sired 19 stakes winners to date, including Group One winners Circle Of Fire (Almanzor) and Manzoice (Almanzor). Bred by the Smithies family’s Monovale Holdings, Rise At Dawn was purchased by Lindsay Park for A$90,000 at the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. Rise At Dawn is an older brother of last season’s Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) placegetter Kay’s Ruebe (NZ) with their dam the Listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m) winner and multiple Group One placegetter Kay’s Awake (NZ). View the full article

An explosive second-up win by Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) runner-up Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) at Rosehill has put trainer Joe Pride in two-minds about the best path to pursue this spring. Pride had identified the Gr.1 Metropolitan (2400m) as a target but said the turn of foot Ceolwulf demonstrated in Saturday’s Bankstown Sports Handicap (1500m) had all but forced him to entertain the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m). “To see him do something like that so early in the spring, it is hard not to get excited,” Pride said. “I was a little bit surprised by that. I would have been happy to see him grinding home as he is getting ready for 2000m. “But that may open a few more options as it shows he might be a bit sharper.” Ceolwulf ($3.10) settled worse than midfield before James McDonald allowed him to creep into the race coming to the 800m. Once the four-year-old balanced for home, he lengthened stride beautifully and shot clear for an effortless two-length win over Riyazan (Iffraaj) ($13) with Amor Victorious (Caravaggio) ($2.30 fav) holding down third. Pride said he would likely proceed as planned to the Gr.3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on September 21 before deciding whether to bring Ceolwulf back in journey for the Epsom or extend him in distance. “It is going to be a great journey because he is a beautiful horse to work with and in my mind, everything he does tells me he is going to keep getting better,” Pride said. “The plan was to go to the Kingston Town Stakes next and I will probably still go there, but that impressed me and maybe we can get somewhere this spring. “With an immature horse like him, maybe this race and the next one will see him out. “I never get ahead of myself in this game but he’s a pretty special horse. I have been in love with him for a long time.” McDonald was keen to be within striking distance on straightening on the son of Tavistock. He was really taken by the horse’s run. “I wanted him to see the front and had a game plan of settling where I was but pretending the winning post was at the furlong,” McDonald said. “I wanted to see what he could do and he was brilliant and really put them away. I loved the way he attacked the line, so it was a good effort. “His run in the Derby was phenomenal so the writing is on the wall.” Bred by Cambridge Stud, Ceolwulf has now won two of his 11 starts but has finished second in the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m), Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) and Gr.3 Ming Dynasty Stakes (1400m). Out of the Shamardal mare Las Brisas, Ceolwulf is a graduate of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, with Pride going to $170,000 to secure him from Riversley Park’s 2022 draft. View the full article

Winter warhorse Verry Flash (NZ) (Zed) recorded the 14th win of his career in Saturday’s Wanganui Insurance Brokers (2060m), and in the process he provided an unforgettable moment for his 22-year-old jockey Amber Riddell. The Wanganui open handicap was the first win as an apprentice jockey for Riddell, who had previously recorded four wins as an amateur. “I’m just so happy to get this win, because it’s taken a couple of weeks,” said Riddell, a daughter of Group One-winning jockey Jonathan Riddell and former jockey and trainer Trina Marshall. “I’m so glad to get it, and especially on Flash, who’s one of my favourite horses in the (Kevin Myers) stable. It’s extra special that the first win came on one of Kevin’s horses. I can’t thank him enough for giving me a go and taking me on as his apprentice.” Riddell’s 4kg claim reduced Verry Flash’s 60kg topweight to 56kg in Saturday’s $50,000 feature, and the 10-year-old enjoyed a comfortable run in midfield as Faustian Bargain (NZ) (Wrote) and What A Charma (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) set the pace. The field bunched right up coming down the side of the track, giving Riddell a few nervous moments as Verry Flash was full of running but struggling to find room. But Riddell found clear air in the straight and allowed Verry Flash to take care of the rest. He surged through on the inside of Sacred Pearl (NZ) (Sacred Falls), who had swooped into the lead around the turn. It developed into a two-horse war down the straight, with Verry Flash digging deep and edging away in the last 100m to win by a length and a quarter. “I was just trying to find some room to get him out, because he was travelling really well,” Riddell said. “Luckily I got some room in the straight and he just flew home. I was pretty confident from that point on, because he was just going so well.” Verry Flash was bred by Don Goodwin, who shares ownership with the gelding’s former trainer Nick Bishara. The son of Zed and the Danroad mare Opulence (NZ) is a full-brother to the 11-time Group One winner Verry Elleegant (NZ). Verry Flash has himself performed in black-type company, winning the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) in 2022 and placing in two editions of the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m). He has had a total of 71 starts for 14 wins, 18 placings and $373,284 in stakes. In addition to his 11 wins on the flat, Verry Flash has also recorded three wins and two placings in a promising six-start hurdling career. View the full article

Group One winner Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) returned with a bang when running out a resounding winner of the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The Mark Walker-trained mare lumped 60kg topweight under Daniel Stackhouse and looks set to contest races over sprint-mile distances this campaign after getting out to 2400m when fourth in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks last autumn. Coming from midfield, Quintessa forged away from her rivals to record a three-quarter length victory from Extratwo (Tornonado) and La Danseuse Rouge (Manhattan Rain). Although racing out of Walker’s Cranbourne stable, Quintessa returned to Te Akau Stud in New Zealand to spell between her three and four-year-old seasons and did much of her preparation out of the stable’s Matamata base, including a trial at Te Awamutu in mid-August. “She actually went home and spelled and has been prepared over there,” Walker’s Assistant Trainer Ben Gleeson said. “She had one trial over there and they had been really happy with her. She had a gallop just before she came over and she really pleased Mark. “Hindsight is a wonderful thing in racing and while she is bred to stay, this preparation Mark has thought that if we train her a bit fresh and keep her at the shorter trips, she might be that sprinter-miler sort of mare and that tale has been true today. “There is a lovely program for these fillies and mares. She will go two weeks to the Let’s Elope Stakes (Gr.2, 1400m) and ideally we will get her to the Empire Rose (Gr.1, 1600m) during Cup Week at Flemington. “That is probably the perfect race for her.” Te Akau Racing has previously enjoyed success in the Cockram Stakes with star mare Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) winning the 2021 edition under the tutelage of now Hong Kong-based trainer Jamie Richards. Prior to Saturday’s Group Three victory, Quintessa had already amassed an impressive CV, having won the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) and Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m), plus stakes placings in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) and Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m). Bred by Linda and Graham Huddy’s Peachester Lodge, Quintessa was born and raised at Wentwood Grange in Cambridge and the daughter of Shamus Award has finished fourth in three Group One races including the Waikato Sprint (1400m), the Australian Guineas (1600m) and Australian Oaks (2400m). Te Akau principal David Ellis purchased Quintessa out of Wentwood Grange’s 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $170,000 and she has now won five of her 11 starts and A$729,779 in prize money. View the full article

Exciting three-year-old prospect Read About It made all the headlines in the feature event at Wanganui, the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m). The Robbie Patterson-prepared galloper was having just his third start on Saturday but had created plenty of buzz around his chances and future prospects after closing off his two-year-old campaign with a scintillating victory in the Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki. Patterson was keen on his chances prior to the contest and despite settling towards the rear in the seven-horse field, Read About It never gave him a moment’s worry as he put in a clinical effort to secure the victory. Rider Craig Grylls slowly moved the son of Highview Stud stallion Wrote around the field to issue his challenge rounding the home bend and after a brief tussle with eventual runner-up Unbridled Joy, he eased clear to score by a length and a half in a respectable 1.16.61 for the 1200m journey on a Heavy10 rated surface. Patterson was pleased to see his charge return with a win as he looks ahead to bigger prizes later in the season. “He was very professional and Gryllsy summed the race up perfectly,” Patterson said. “He rode him the way we had planned out and I just like the way he gets to the front and then buttons off. “He’s a lot like Dan Carter (former All Black) in that he always has a lot of time on his side. “Going forward I think he is an out and out stayer and I have been going on about the Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) for him as he is so relaxed and is very exciting.” Paterson also alluded to the fact that numerous offers have been made to buy the horse however owner Kirk Devers, who races Read About It under his KRD Racing banner, has so far resisted that interest and has kept the horse in Patterson’s care. “I gives you a lot of confidence when an owner puts that much trust in you as it is a lot of money (the purchase offers) and it would be life-changing for me,” he said. “We don’t normally get to keep these ones so I’m just going to savour the moment. “We will go home and have a think but I’m not keen on going to Christchurch for the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) as he has a big season ahead of him and I don’t want to bury him now.” The Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m), raced on the 8th of March at Ellerslie, will be one of the major highlights on the biggest day of thoroughbred racing in New Zealand next year with seven stakes races including four Group One events plus the inaugural running of New Zealand’s first thoroughbred slot race, the NZB Kiwi (1500m) for three-year-olds, on the card. Read About It is out of the unraced Iffraaj mare Diggilou, who is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) placegetter Perfect Rhyme. View the full article

The Mauritian secured a fifth triumph in the annual relay event on Saturday as he eyes upcoming international successView the full article

By Mike Love Blue September, the annual New Zealand Prostate Cancer Foundation fund-raiser, starts at Ashburton on Sunday. Every time one of the Blue September ambassadors wins during the month money will go to the campaign thanks to contributions from Harness Racing New Zealand as well as individual clubs and sponsors. Last year around $30,000 was raised, with hopes that will be surpassed this year. Already $3000 is in the kitty already after three of the ambassadors, Blair Orange, Jonny Cox and Robbie Close did a sky dive in Auckland last Monday to kick off the campaign. At Ashburton, Leeston trainer Chris McDowell trucks a team of three south, hopeful race tempo will bring his chances into play. “The draws aren’t that great but they’ve been all going near enough,” said McDowell. In Race 2, the A Team Construction Mobile Pace over 1700m Terror Ma Sue ($19.00FF) will kick off McDowell’s chances with leading junior driver Sam Thornley taking the drive. Drawn outside of the front line the five-year-old Terror To Love mare will be looking for luck, part of which relies on an even tempo. With the favoured runners drawn handily, including the warm favourite Carrera Bravo ($2.25FF) for local trainers Brent & Tim White, there may be that tempo. “She’s got no early speed anyway so usually ends up toward the back and has run home really good a few times. It’s going to depend on whether the tempo is on or not and that will bring her right into it.” The Viable Agriculture Mobile Pace for fillies and mares over 1700m is the seventh race on the card and will see Judgement Bay ($9.00FF) and Kyle Cameron fly the McDowell flag. Judgement Bay gets into the race pretty well with the ratings, however as a result lands the outside draw under the preferential barrier draw system. “I was disappointed last start, but she hadn’t raced for a month and I think she was just a bit short. I’ve done a bit more with her in between.” “It probably suits her to not burn early. It’s usually tempting to go forward early because she has such good gate speed but then she doesn’t really finish her races off as well. So although it’s a bad draw, it may actually suit her. She’s done a great job for us” It’s arguably the most even betting race on the card with only one horse, the John McDermott-trained runner Ruby’s A Delight ($13.00FF), in double figures with race favourite Courtney Rose ($2.20FF) for Ross Houghton solid in the market. McDowell believes his best chance is in Race 8, the Thanks For You Service Alan Neumann Mobile Pace over 1700m with Flo Motion. Despite the awkward draw of eight, McDowell is confident the seven-year-old Betterthancheddar mare will give punters a run for their money. “She’s a tough girl. She never really gets a lot of luck in her races. She just keeps going. She loves doing it tough and just keeps trucking. She’ll get put into the race at some stage.” “Flo Motion would be the best of the day – she’s gone some great races this time in.” Flo Motion will be driven by Sam Thornley. McDowell trains a team of 16 from his Leeston base with 62 wins and over $750k in stake earnings. “I’ve got a bit of everything. I was doing a lot of breakers through the winter but with the sun out now I can get back into the racehorses.” Racing commences from 12:15pm. View the full article

The Memsie Stakes 2024 delivered a thrilling upset as Pinstriped claimed the opening Group 1 of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival with, outpacing the heavily backed favourite Mr Brightside at Caulfield. Jockey Ben Allen, picking up his second career Group 1 winning ride, expertly guided $14 shot Pinstriped to a late victory having settled just […] The post 2024 Memsie Stakes Winner Pinstriped Beats Mr Brightside Home appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Rise At Dawn holds out all other rivals to win Listed Heatherlie Stakes. Photo:Bruno Cannatelli In-form galloper Rise At Dawn got off the canvas to score an unlikely victory in the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield on Saturday as he made it three wins in succession. The son of Almanzor is prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes and has raced well through the winter months and may yet snare some spring riches after his tenacious win on Saturday. Ridden in his customary positive manner by Michael Dee, Rise At Dawn looked to be under siege deep into the home straight but rallied late to get the better of resuming stayer Positivity as less than a length covered the first six across the line. The gelding has now won seven of his 12 starts and been placed on a further two occasions, with $492,085 in earnings to date. “He is tough. He was definitely headed and fought back and we really didn’t get out of our chairs until the last 50m, it was a great win,” JD Hayes said. “We have just ever so slightly continued to raise the bar and full credit goes to the horse, he has been up a long time. “He had a freshen-up and he has winter fitness and it is just an incredible result for a great ownership group which has grown with each race.” Hayes said he was loathe to turn out an in-form Rise At Dawn. “If he is sound and well and licking the bin, he will tell us, but I am sure we can get a bit crafty in our placement, and there is a nice win in him,” Hayes said. Winning rider Michael Dee is a fan of the smart four-year-old, but admitted he had his doubts of another victory turning for home. “I thought we were beaten at the top of the straight, but I think the horse knew what he was doing because we were headed there but he found a second-wind and lifted again,” Dee said. “As we know, he is in a rich vein of form but he is turning up every time and trying his best. “I like his demeanour. He walks around the yard conserving a lot of energy and when the gates open he knows it is race time, so he has some great attributes.” Horse racing news View the full article

Ceolwulf and James McDonald winning at Rosehill. Photo: Bradley Photos An explosive second-up win by Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) runner-up Ceolwulf at Rosehill has put trainer Joe Pride in two-minds about the best path to pursue this spring. Pride had identified the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) as a target but said the turn of foot Ceolwulf demonstrated had all but forced him to entertain the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m). “To see him do something like that so early in the spring, it is hard not to get excited,” Pride said. “I was a little bit surprised by that. I would have been happy to see him grinding home as he is getting ready for 2000m. “But that may open a few more options as it shows he might be a bit sharper.” Ceolwulf ($3.10) settled worse than midfield before James McDonald allowed him to creep into the race coming to the 800m. Once the four-year-old balanced for home, he lengthened stride beautifully and shot clear for an effortless two-length win over Riyazan ($13) with Amor Victorious ($2.30) holding down third. Pride said he would likely proceed as planned to the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on September 21 before deciding whether to bring Ceolwulf back in journey for the Epsom or extend him in distance. “It is going to be a great journey because he is a beautiful horse to work with and in my mind, everything he does tells me he is going to keep getting better,” Pride said. “The plan was to go to the Kingston Town Stakes next and I will probably still go there, but that impressed me and maybe we can get somewhere this spring. “With an immature horse like him, maybe this race and the next one will see him out. “I never get ahead of myself in this game but he’s a pretty special horse. I have been in love with him for a long time.” McDonald was keen to be within striking distance on straightening on the son of Tavistock. He was really taken by the horse’s run. “I wanted him to see the front and had a game plan of settling where I was but pretending the winning post was at the furlong,” McDonald said. “I wanted to see what he could do and he was brilliant and really put them away. I loved the way he attacked the line, so it was a good effort. “His run in the Derby was phenomenal so the writing is on the wall.” Horse racing news View the full article

Pinstriped ridden by Ben Allen wins the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) had been built as a match-race between Mr Brightside ($2.50) and Pride Of Jenni ($2.80) leading into Saturday; however, it was the Enver Jusufovic-trained Pinstriped ($14.00) storming over the top to claim the $750,000 feature at Caulfield. It was the first Group 1 victory as a trainer for Jusufovic, with Ben Allen chalking up his second Group 1 win, chasing down the well-supported Mr Brightside in the concluding stages to cause a major boilover. The son of Street Boss has been knocking on the door of a Group 1 victory in his 22-start career, returning with a withering burst in the Group 2 P.B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at this course and distance on August 17. It was always going to be a tough ask, however, running into two superstars of the turf, but she got the perfect run in transit to get the job done, stalking Mr Brightside every step of the way. The race panned out as most pundits expected, with Pride Of Jenni looking to make all under Declan Bates. The Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) winner never appeared to be travelling well turning for home, however, getting swallowed up in the early part of the straight. Gentleman Roy ($9.00) gave a strong kick with 400m left to travel, but it was stable companion Mr Brightside ready to pounce alongside the eventual winner, with Pinstriped narrowly getting the verdict in a ding-dong go. 2024 Group 1 Memsie Stakes Replay – Pinstriped Emotions were high on course at Caufield as Enver Jusufovic spoke post-race about his stable flagbearer and what it means to be called a Group 1 winning trainer. “Childhood dream,” said Jusufovic. “Footscray boy, used to ride my bike to Flemington and sell Herald’s at Flemington. Started at (Greg) Eurell’s years ago, he said I was hopeless, didn’t have the work ethic, just patience, it’s great to be here with Addison and everyone who’s had faith in me. “To all my staff, Kim, Linda, Alex, Joslyn, Georgia and Richford and old Tony, it’s just a great result, from a young boy selling Herald’s, here I am, a Group One winning trainer. “It’s a true Group One when you’ve got Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside, but of course they were first up, we were second up, he pulled up so well first up and he’s got a great second up record so you’re not going to die wondering, this horse has promised, he’s got issues but he’s just done so well this time in and it’s just fantastic.” “I’ll just take every race as it comes and discuss it with Ben and we’ll see whether we go to a Makybe (Diva) or a Feehan but it’ll be off to the pub tonight I think.” Ben Allen was elated with the win and suggested it was getting the back of Mr Brightside throughout that proved the winning move. “It feels pretty good,” said Allen. “It was pretty much how we scripted it, ideal, to hold the back of Brightside and just follow it everywhere. “I was going pretty well so I just had to pop on the bend but this horse has been absolutely flying, he arguably should’ve won his last start, there’s a lot of doubters because he lays in quite badly and he still does a bit. “Massive shout out to EJ (Enver Jusufovic) and the owners who have been loyal to me, EJ deserves it, he’s such a hard worker, big shout out to the owners and EJ for letting me stick with him.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Sunshine Coast races Where Sunshine Coast Turf Club – 170 Pierce Ave, Caloundra QLD 4551 When Sunday, September 1, 2024 First Race 12:40pm AEST Visit Dabble Sunshine Coast Turf Club will host a very competitive eight-race card this Sunday afternoon, with racing set to kick off at 12:40pm AEST. The track was rated as a Good 4 at the time of acceptances and it is expected to stay in the Good range with warm weather forecast across the weekend. The rail will be pushed out to the +7m position for the entire circuit. Best Bet at Sunshine Coast: Redford Redford will step out for new trainer Stuart Kendrick off the back of a 37-week spell on Sunday, seeking to maintain his unbeaten start to his career. The son of Snitzel won dominantly in both of his starts at Bathurst and Orange, with the Orange victory being the most impressive as he proved way too good for a Class 1 field and won by 3.8 lengths. James Orman has been booked to ride this guy first-up, and with a nice trial over 850m under his belt, Redford should prove too good once again. Best Bet Race 4 – #4 Redford (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Stuart Kendrick | J: James Orman (60.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best at Sunshine Coast: Antonito Antonito was only just beaten first-up by Mystic Mac at Doomben over 1200m, where the David Vandkye-trained gelding was run over late after leading for most of the journey. This son of Sacred Falls will benefit from his fresh run, and he will appreciate a slower run race with less speed expected in this contest. Damien Thorton will be legged aboard for his first ride on this four-year-old gelding, and if he can find the front and run the race to suit his mount, Antonito will prove hard to run down late. Next Best Race 8 – #11 Antonito (4) 4yo Gelding | T: David Vandyke | J: Damien Thorton (56.5kg) Bet with Dabble Best Value at Sunshine Coast: Adalie David Vandyke has engaged 2kg claiming apprentice Chelsea Baker to ride Adalie first-up following a strong trial win on the inner track at the Sunshine Coast over 850m. This lightly raced five-year-old mare led the field up and wasn’t touched in the final 400m as she held off her rivals to win the trial. The daughter of Exceed And Excel has only missed the placings once from four starts at the track and trip (4:2-1-0), and if Baker can settle behind the speed from barrier two, Adalie can return with a win. Best Value Race 6 – #2 Adalie (2) 5yo Mare | T: David Vandyke | J: Chelsea Baker (a2) (62.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Sunshine Coast quaddie tips for Saturday Sunshine Coast quadrella selections Sunday, September 1, 2024 4-6-9-10 2-3-6-7 1-2-4-5-6 1-3-11 Horse racing tips View the full article

Quintessa heading off rivals in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Group One winner Quintessa returned with a bang when running out a resounding winner of the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The Mark Walker-trained mare lumped 60kg topweight under Daniel Stackhouse and looks set to contest races over sprint-mile distances this campaign after getting out to 2400m when fourth in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) last autumn. Coming from midfield, Quintessa forged away from her rivals to record a three-quarter-length victory from Extratwo and La Danseuse Rouge. 2024 Group 3 Cockram Stakes Replay – Quintessa Although racing out of Walker’s Cranbourne stable, Quintessa returned to Te Akau Stud in New Zealand to spell between her three and four-year-old seasons and did much of her preparation out of the stable’s Matamata base, including a trial at Te Awamutu in mid-August. “She actually went home and spelled and has been prepared over there,” Walker’s Assistant Trainer Ben Gleeson said. “She had one trial over there and they had been really happy with her. She had a gallop just before she came over and she really pleased Mark. “Hindsight is a wonderful thing in racing and while she is bred to stay, this preparation Mark has thought that if we train her a bit fresh and keep her at the shorter trips, she might be that sprinter-miler sort of mare and that tale has been true today. “There is a lovely program for these fillies and mares. She will go two weeks to the Let’s Elope Stakes (Group 2, 1400m) and ideally we will get her to the Empire Rose (Group 1, 1600m) during Cup Week at Flemington. “That is probably the perfect race for her.” Te Akau Racing has previously enjoyed success in the Cockram Stakes, with star mare Probabeel winning the 2021 edition under the tutelage of now Hong Kong-based trainer Jamie Richards. Horse racing news View the full article

What Wyong Races Where Wyong Race Club & Function Centre – 71-73 Howarth St, Wyong NSW 2259 When Sunday, September 1, 2024 First Race 12:55pm AEST Visit Dabble The Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) is the headline act at Wyong on Sunday afternoon, supported by a strong eight-race program. The $200,000 feature is for the fillies & mares, with a quality field of 12 set to line up. The rail is out +3m for the meeting, and with the official start of spring providing plenty of sunny skies in the lead-up, punters should be assured a genuine Good 4 surface. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 12:55pm local time. Mona Lisa Stakes Tip: Tulsi New Zealand import Tulsi did enough on her Australian debut for the Matthew Dale barn to suggest she’s worth following second-up into the campaign. The daughter of The Autumn Sun was rattling home over an unsuitable journey first-up at Randwick on August 10, closing within a head of Cosy Corner in BM78 company. Her form across the ditch suggests she will take dramatic improvement as she steps out in trip, and although Regan Bayliss will have to do some work to find cover from barrier 14, Tulsi should be making big strides at an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers in the 2024 Mona Lisa Stakes. Mona Lisa Stakes Race 7 – #10 Tulsi (14) 4yo Mare | T: Matthew Dale | J: Regan Bayliss (55kg) Bet with Neds Best Bet at Wyong: Excelindeed Excelindeed returns after a 198-day spell and looks ready to fire after two eye-catching barrier trials. His latest piece of work at Randwick on August 19 was particularly impressive, with the three-year-old eased down through the wire to score by 4.8 lengths. His boast two minor placings as a two-year-old heading into this event, and with many of these dual accepted to go elsewhere, Excelindeed appears to have the class to account for this lot despite his lengthy absence. Best Bet Race 5 – #4 Excelindeed (4) 3yo Colt | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Tim Clark (57kg) Bet with Picklebet Next Best at Wyong: After Match After Match was only narrowly claimed in the shadows of the post at Hawkesbury on August 13 and is unfortunate not to be staring down the barrel of a hat-trick of wins. The son of Zoustar appeared to have them covered with 200m left to travel but was swallowed up by Weeping Woman as the lightly raced three-year-old appeared to be discourage by the use of the whip. A step back to the 1000m should be ideal, and if the fence is the place to be at Wyong throughout the afternoon, punters can be confident After Match can cling to victory this time around. Next Best Race 6 – #8 After Match (7) 3yo Colt | T: Peter Snowden | J: Tyler Schiller (57.5kg) Bet with Playup Sunday quaddie tips for Wyong Wyong quadrella selections September 1, 2024 2-3-4-9 2-3-4-8 1-4-5-10 2-3-4-6-7 Horse racing tips View the full article

While no match for Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior in their two Sha Tin showdowns, the galloper has proven a force on the world stage all the sameView the full article

Rider Penalties J Chung | Wanganui 31 August; careless riding; suspended 9-22 September inclusive. T Moodley | Wanganui 31 August; use of whip; fined $250. C Campbell | Canterbury 31 August; use of whip; fined $500. L Hemi | Canterbury 31 August; use of whip; fined $250. D Cooper | Canterbury 31 August; use of whip; fined $200. W Pinn | Canterbury 31 August; use of whip; fined $350. A Najib | Canterbury 31 August; use of whip; suspended 9-22 September inclusive. Trainer Penalties P Lock | Waikato 28 August; neglect in saddling; fined $100. J & K Parsons | Canterbury 29 August; incorrect gear; fined $100. Horse Penalties DEAR OH DEAR | Waikato 28 August; bled; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. MAURIKEE | Canterbury 29 August; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. CHRISTABELLA | Canterbury 29 August; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. TIME IS KING | Canterbury 29 August; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. WURUHI | Wanganui 31 August; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. Protests JAZZ WITH DRAGON | Waikato 28 August; rider weighed in light; disqualified from 8th. SHE’S SO RELIABLE | Wanganui 31 August; caused interference; relegated from 1st to 2nd. The post 26 August – 1 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Autumn Glow winning the Up And Coming Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW Autumn Glow ($2.00) has justified the short price with horse racing bookmakers in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday, careering away with the prize to remain undefeated in her two starts. The Chris Waller-trained filly was given a perfect ride by Kerrin McEvoy, slotting into the ideal midfield position with cover throughout the 1300m, utilising the light weight to stalk a genuine tempo every step of the way. Axius ($7.50) and Wanaruah ($5.50) were sent forward to fight out the early lead, leaving McEvoy with no choice but to hand up, as she did on debut, biding her time in behind before exploding in the final 400m. She was only building the revs up in the final furlong, but it was all over, with only the James Cummings-trained Snack Bar ($10.00) making any impression from the back-half of the field. 2024 Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes Replay – Autumn Glow The daughter of the Autumn Sun appears ready to tackle tougher company next time out, with Waller confirming those decision will be made by the ownership as to whether she heads towards the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m). “She is a very very serious horse,” said Waller. “It was only her second race start. A lovely ride from Kerrin. It is pretty tricky out there today, it is so windy and blustery, catching a few younger horses off guard. He parked her in a beautiful spot and had some cover. “Today was a bigger level to what she won her debut on. She had to make the necessary step. I loved the way Kerrin just coaxed to her. I think he was just cuddling her a little bit. “It would be up to Mr Messara and Hermitage to make that decision not me (heading to the Golden Rose). It was only second start today and taking on the likes of Storm Boy and the big guns at Group 1 level this early is probably a little bit premature. If we can keep her against her own age and sex, it just helps her a little bit.” Kerrin McEvoy was impressed with the win and suggested the untapped three-year-old still has plenty of upside. “I think she is pretty good,” said McEvoy. “She has gone a long way in her couple of starts and she just gives you that good horse feel.” “She had the right scenario today with a light weight on her back but at her second start to give me that sort of feel I’d say she’s got a very high ceiling. “I think there is still a bit of growing. Her wither will come up a bit once she fully furnishes.” Autumn Glow is now on the third line of betting at $9.00 for the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) on September 28. Horse racing news View the full article

Under-rated Taranaki mare Hi Yo Sass Bomb (NZ) (Complacent) took her career to all-new heights last season, and a smart fresh-up performance in Saturday’s Balance Accountants Open (1200m) at Wanganui hinted at more to come in 2024-25. It was the fourth win from only seven starts in a fresh state for Hi Yo Sass Bomb, who kicked off last season’s campaign with a first-up victory at Hawera before finishing sixth in the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m), fourth in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), fifth in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) and second in the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m). That career-best preparation culminated in a deserved first black-type victory in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham in March. Despite Hi Yo Sass Bomb’s formidable fresh-up record, her New Plymouth owner-trainer Kim Reid went into Saturday’s resuming run with low expectations. This was the first 1200m appearance in the six-year-old’s 17-race career, and her talented line-up of opponents included a number of specialist sprinters. But Hi Yo Sass Bomb’s touch of black-type quality shone through. Rider Joe Doyle settled in second-last before angling Hi Yo Sass Bomb towards better ground out wide around Wanganui’s home turn. She came second widest of all into the straight and quickened impressively through the Heavy10 ground, surging past Spencer (NZ) (Derryn) and taking command through the final 100m. Hi Yo Sass Bomb went on to beat that rival by a length and a quarter, with the resuming Group One performer One Bold Cat (NZ) (The Bold One) producing an eye-catching late run into third. Hi Yo Sass Bomb has now had five wins and four placings from her 17 starts, earning $198,270 for Reid and her parents, Josephine and Graeme. “We were really only treating this race as a trial, so it was pretty exciting to see her win the way she did,” Reid said. “I wasn’t expecting that at all. “It was a bit of an experiment today with blinkers. The last time she raced in blinkers was a maiden, and I took them off because she over-raced. She relaxes a lot better now as an older mare and I wanted to try the blinkers again, and Joe said she did a great job in them today.” Reid is now looking forward to stepping Hi Yo Sass Bomb back up into stakes company. The Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera on October 5 is one option, but Reid is open to the possibility of shooting for Group One glory at Hastings in the Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) on September 28 and Livamol Classic (2040m) on October 12. “We’ll run her in a 1400m open handicap at New Plymouth in a couple of weeks, and then we’ll have a few options to choose from after that,” Reid said. “We could look at the Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes, but we’ve also nominated her for those Group Ones at Hastings. Depending on what the weather does there, I think those distances might suit her better, so it would be pretty tempting to have a go at those races if the tracks are rain-affected.” View the full article

Major sprint features are looming large on Mystic Park’s (NZ) (Ocean Park) horizon after the classy local kicked off his five-year-old season with victory in Saturday’s Pryde’s Easifeed Open Sprint (1000m) at Riccarton Park. Mystic Park made barnstorming progress through the grades last season, winning four of his seven starts in increasingly impressive style. The Ocean Park gelding won by four lengths in Rating 65 company first-up during the New Zealand Cup Carnival in November, then added two Rating 75 victories and an open handicap before the season was out. Saturday’s 1000m dash was a significantly shorter first-up assignment than the 1200m and 1400m trips Mystic Park excelled over last season, but the exciting up-and-comer was nevertheless backed into $3.20 favouritism. He produced a performance that had his trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman and jockey Sam Weatherley thinking about bigger and better things to come. Mystic Park broke only fairly from gate seven, but strode forward through the first 200m of the race to take up a comfortable position alongside the front-running La Bella Nera. Weatherley released the brakes at the top of the Riccarton straight and Mystic Park warmed into his work, slowly but surely edging ahead of La Bella Nera (NZ) (Sweynesse). Mystic Park’s stablemate Third Decree chimed in on his outside with a determined challenge, but Mystic Park lifted again and held her out by three-quarters of a length. La Bella Nera stuck on for third, another two and a half lengths adrift of the Pitman pair. “He’s a good horse,” Weatherley said. “He could potentially be a Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m) horse. He wasn’t fully screwed down today, but he really wanted to win. The stablemate came up to challenge him, and he just said ‘no chance’ and really pinned his ears back. He’s a lovely horse.” Mystic Park was a $40,000 purchase by the Pitman team from Book 1 at Karaka 2021. His 11-start career has now produced six wins, three placings and more than $156,000 in stakes. “We knew that there would be speed in the race today, so we were hopeful that our two could just track in behind that speed and pick them up late,” Matthew Pitman said. “The Parsons horse fought hard, but our two showed their class over the concluding stages. “They’re both lightly raced and still have a bit of improvement. Hopefully they can go on to big things this season.” Mystic Park stopped the clock at 56.29 seconds for 1000m on a Soft5 track. “He can really run quick times,” Pitman said. “He showed that with some of his closing sectionals in the autumn. We’re confident that he can go on to some nice races. He’s pretty quick, and especially when he relaxes like that. He’s a very good horse when he can relax in behind another runner that gives him something to follow. I think he’s hardly been beaten when that’s been the case. “Hopefully a Stewards’ Stakes (Listed, 1200m) or Telegraph is calling him now, and then maybe Aussie further down the line. “We’ll look at the carnival on our back doorstep for Third Decree (NZ) (War Decree) too. She might go to a Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.3, 1400m).” View the full article

Trainer Robbie Patterson has some big plans ahead for impressive Group 2 HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m) winner Read About It. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Exciting three-year-old prospect Read About It made all the headlines in the feature event at Wanganui, the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m). The Robbie Patterson-prepared galloper was having just his third start on Saturday but had created plenty of buzz around his chances and future prospects after closing off his two-year-old campaign with a scintillating victory in the Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki. Patterson was keen on his chances prior to the contest and despite settling towards the rear in the seven-horse field, Read About It never gave him a moment’s worry as he put in a clinical effort to secure the victory. Rider Craig Grylls slowly moved the son of Highview Stud stallion Wrote around the field to issue his challenge rounding the home bend and after a brief tussle with eventual runner-up Unbridled Joy, he eased clear to score by a length and a half in a respectable 1.16.61 for the 1200m journey on a Heavy10 rated surface. Patterson was pleased to see his charge return with a win as he looks ahead to bigger prizes later in the season. “He was very professional and Gryllsy summed the race up perfectly,” Patterson said. “He rode him the way we had planned out and I just like the way he gets to the front and then buttons off. “He’s a lot like Dan Carter (former All Black) in that he always has a lot of time on his side. “Going forward I think he is an out and out stayer and I have been going on about the Derby (Group 1, 2400m) for him as he is so relaxed and is very exciting.” Paterson also alluded to the fact that numerous offers have been made to buy the horse however owner Kirk Devers, who races Read About It under his KRD Racing banner, has so far resisted that interest and has kept the horse in Patterson’s care. “I gives you a lot of confidence when an owner puts that much trust in you as it is a lot of money (the purchase offers) and it would be life-changing for me,” he said. “We don’t normally get to keep these ones so I’m just going to savour the moment. “We will go home and have a think but I’m not keen on going to Christchurch for the 2000 Guineas (Group 1, 1600m) as he has a big season ahead of him and I don’t want to bury him now.” The Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), raced on the 8th of March at Ellerslie, will be one of the major highlights on the biggest day of thoroughbred racing in New Zealand next year with seven stakes races including four Group 1 events plus the inaugural running of New Zealand’s first thoroughbred slot race, the NZB Kiwi (1500m) for three-year-olds, on the card. Horse racing news View the full article

Hi Yo Sass Bomb in winning form during Saturday’s Balance Accountants Open (1200m) at Wanganui. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race images Palmerston North) Under-rated Taranaki mare Hi Yo Sass Bomb took her career to all-new heights last season, and a smart fresh-up performance in Saturday’s Balance Accountants Open (1200m) at Wanganui hinted at more to come in 2024-25. It was the fourth win from only seven starts in a fresh state for Hi Yo Sass Bomb, who kicked off last season’s campaign with a first-up victory at Hawera before finishing sixth in the Group 3 Thompson Handicap (1600m), fourth in the Group 3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), fifth in the Group 2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) and second in the Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m). That career-best preparation culminated in a deserved first black-type victory in the Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham in March. Despite Hi Yo Sass Bomb’s formidable fresh-up record, her New Plymouth owner-trainer Kim Reid went into Saturday’s resuming run with low expectations. This was the first 1200m appearance in the six-year-old’s 17-race career, and her talented line-up of opponents included a number of specialist sprinters. But Hi Yo Sass Bomb’s touch of black-type quality shone through. Rider Joe Doyle settled in second-last before angling Hi Yo Sass Bomb towards better ground out wide around Wanganui’s home turn. She came second widest of all into the straight and quickened impressively through the Heavy10 ground, surging past Spencer and taking command through the final 100m. Hi Yo Sass Bomb went on to beat that rival by a length and a quarter, with the resuming Group 1 performer One Bold Cat producing an eye-catching late run into third. Hi Yo Sass Bomb has now had five wins and four placings from her 17 starts, earning $198,270 for Reid and her parents, Josephine and Graeme. “We were really only treating this race as a trial, so it was pretty exciting to see her win the way she did,” Reid said. “I wasn’t expecting that at all. “It was a bit of an experiment today with blinkers. The last time she raced in blinkers was a maiden, and I took them off because she over-raced. She relaxes a lot better now as an older mare and I wanted to try the blinkers again, and Joe said she did a great job in them today.” Reid is now looking forward to stepping Hi Yo Sass Bomb back up into stakes company. The Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera on October 5 is one option, but Reid is open to the possibility of shooting for Group 1 glory at Hastings in the Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) on September 28 and Livamol Classic (2040m) on October 12. “We’ll run her in a 1400m open handicap at New Plymouth in a couple of weeks, and then we’ll have a few options to choose from after that,” Reid said. “We could look at the Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes, but we’ve also nominated her for those Group Ones at Hastings. Depending on what the weather does there, I think those distances might suit her better, so it would be pretty tempting to have a go at those races if the tracks are rain-affected.” Horse racing news View the full article

Mystic Park runs triumphant at Riccarton Park for trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman. Photo: Ajay Berry (Race Images South) Major sprint features are looming large on Mystic Park’s horizon after the classy local kicked off his five-year-old season with victory in Saturday’s Open Sprint (1000m) at Riccarton Park. Mystic Park made barnstorming progress through the grades last season, winning four of his seven starts in increasingly impressive style. The Ocean Park gelding won by four lengths in Rating 65 company first-up during the New Zealand Cup Carnival in November, then added two Rating 75 victories and an open handicap before the season was out. Saturday’s 1000m dash was a significantly shorter first-up assignment than the 1200m and 1400m trips Mystic Park excelled over last season, but the exciting up-and-comer was nevertheless backed into $3.20 favouritism. He produced a performance that had his trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman and jockey Sam Weatherley thinking about bigger and better things to come. Mystic Park broke only fairly from gate seven, but strode forward through the first 200m of the race to take up a comfortable position alongside the front-running La Bella Nera. Weatherley released the brakes at the top of the Riccarton straight and Mystic Park warmed into his work, slowly but surely edging ahead of La Bella Nera. Mystic Park’s stablemate Third Decree chimed in on his outside with a determined challenge, but Mystic Park lifted again and held her out by three-quarters of a length. La Bella Nera stuck on for third, another two and a half lengths adrift of the Pitman pair. “He’s a good horse,” Weatherley said. “He could potentially be a Telegraph (Group 1, 1200m) horse. He wasn’t fully screwed down today, but he really wanted to win. The stablemate came up to challenge him, and he just said ‘no chance’ and really pinned his ears back. He’s a lovely horse.” “We knew that there would be speed in the race today, so we were hopeful that our two could just track in behind that speed and pick them up late,” Matthew Pitman said. “The Parsons horse fought hard, but our two showed their class over the concluding stages. “They’re both lightly raced and still have a bit of improvement. Hopefully they can go on to big things this season.” Mystic Park stopped the clock at 56.29 seconds for 1000m on a Soft5 track. “He can really run quick times,” Pitman said. “He showed that with some of his closing sectionals in the autumn. We’re confident that he can go on to some nice races. He’s pretty quick, and especially when he relaxes like that. He’s a very good horse when he can relax in behind another runner that gives him something to follow. I think he’s hardly been beaten when that’s been the case. “Hopefully a Stewards’ Stakes (Listed, 1200m) or Telegraph is calling him now, and then maybe Aussie further down the line. “We’ll look at the carnival on our back doorstep for Third Decree too. She might go to a Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (Group 3, 1400m).” Horse racing news View the full article

Growing Empire on the way to the barriers prior to the running of McNeil Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Growing Empire ($2.50) has returned to the racetrack in fine style, finishing off with a brilliant turn of foot to run away from his rivals in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes at Caulfield. Ciaron Maher and Mark Zahra combined with the three-year-old colt, who has now won three of his four career starts, with this win being the best of the lot. Zahra tried to cross the field and settle on speed aboard this son of Zoustar; however, Stay Focused ($4.60), Astapor ($8.50), and Band Of Brothers ($19) kicked up to lead the race, so he chose to sit three-wide with cover. The field turned for home, and Zahra was sitting quietly on his mount, but as soon as he pushed the button, Growing Empire lengthened quickly and took over with 200m to go. Wonder Boy ($5) wobbled on the corner and lost some ground on the eventual winner before picking himself up to run on strongly into second place. It was all honours to Growing Empire as he was eased down by Zahra to win by a margin that could have been much bigger. 2024 McNeil Stakes replay – Growing Empire Following back-to-back winners at Caulfield, Maher spoke post-race about the win. “We’ve certainly got him on the same path (as Merchant Navy), he’s a very exciting colt,” Maher said of Growing Empire. “I didn’t really tie Mark down with too many instructions, if he pinged the lids we were going to go forward. “He ended up with a beautiful run, he’s a very very progressive colt and he’s on a Coolmore path so he’s started the prep well. “He’s probably one of our benchmark colts. “He’s always had that really good ability and he spelled well at Yulong. “He’s come back in, the team have done a great job, you can still see late that there’s a lot more there, he still wobbles around and that’s why we wanted to get him to the races now, he needs that bit of experience. “We’ll get him to Flemington, he can have a couple of looks down the straight and hopefully he’s right to go on Derby Day.” Zahra was complimentary of the winner in his post-race interview. “They don’t win much better than that,” Zahra said. “I thought this prep, today would be the day, if he was going to get beaten, today would be the day and at the 400 (metres) I didn’t have to worry about that. “Unbelievable feel. “It was good to see him without the blinkers, I’ve been trying him in the blinkers and I said to Ciaron ‘I think he just wants to be a bit too keen in them… let’s just see how he goes first up with the option of putting them on’. “The way he won I don’t think he needs them. He’s there for you, his turn of foot’s electric, he looks a pretty smart horse.” When asked about the spring goals for Growing Empire, Zahra responded quickly, “Win a Coolmore would be nice.” Growing Empire is the $5 favourite with horse racing bookmakers in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes futures market. Horse racing news View the full article

Young Werther beats Duke De Sessa in the Quayclean Handicap at Caufield. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Seven-year-old gelding Young Werther indicated he is in for another good campaign when resuming from a brief break with a strong win in the Quayclean Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The Danny O’Brien-trained son of Tavistock lumped 61kgs under Blake Shinn and sat just behind a strong tempo set by eventual runner-up Duke De Sessa, getting the better of that rival after the pair sprinted for home early, scoring by three-quarters of a length. With five wins to his name from 34 starts and a further 12 placings, the veteran middle-distance galloper has competed at the highest level and is five-time Group 1 placed. Among those elite level placings are a second and third placing in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington in 2021 and 2022 respectively, and connections of Young Werther are keen to make it third time lucky. Winning trainer Danny O’Brien was impressed with the win as Young Werther advanced his career earnings to A$2,100,950 in a slick time of 2:01.41. “He’s got 61kgs on his back and he is only a little fella, but he did that last spring, winning a race with 61.5kgs,” O’Brien said. “It was a proper race for the two of them really, they levelled out a long way from home. It always looked like he was going to get the better of the second horse, but he had to do it, and I thought it was a good effort.” O’Brien is convinced Young Werther has continued to improve as he has aged. “He was always a little backward horse and his last two winters he has been to Brisbane and he has come back from Queensland both times really well,” he said. “I think he will go to a better level again this spring and he only needs to find a length or two to win a nice race. He has been around the mark in a few decent Group Ones.” The Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on October 5 looms as an obvious target. “He has run second in it and third in it as a younger horse and he still gets in well at set weights and penalties, where he doesn’t get the penalty,” O’Brien said. “He has got a great record at Flemington over the 2000m and we can use that to see where he goes to from there. “We have stayed away from Caulfield because he has never really gone well here, but he has won here today so there is a chance he could go from a Turnbull into a Caulfield Cup (Group 1, 2400m) this year.” Horse racing news View the full article

Storm Boy winning as a juvenile. Photo: RacingNSW The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Storm Boy ($2.30) has returned with a bang to claim the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, making every post winner under Adam Hyeronimus. The son of Justify was a shade disappointing at the end of his two-year-old campaign, going down a short-priced favourite in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) and Group 1 Sires’ Produce (1400m). The now-three-year-old appears to be back at his brilliant best, and although the jury was out after two even barrier trial victories heading into Saturday, there’s no doubt the $20 million Coolmore purchase is back on track. He pinged the lids from the inside draw (1) and never looked in much danger despite the equal favourite Gatsby’s ($2.30) sliding across into the one-one under James McDonald. Storm Boy was able to produce sustained speed from the outset, with his rivals spotting the leader an unassailable head start, with only Mayfair ($7.00) and Tropicus ($17.00) making any inroads in the final furlong. Conditions have favoured on-speed runners throughout the afternoon; however, it was clear to see the class rise to the top in the 2024 San Domenico, with Storm Boy cruising to a comfortable 2.9-length win. 2024 Group 3 San Domenico Stakes Replay – Storm Boy Co-trainer Adrian Bott was on course representing the stable post-race and suggested there’s still plenty options for Storm Boy in the spring but confirmed the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) would be the next target. “There is so much talent there,” said Bott. “I’m glad he’s been able to come back and race in that manner and showcase his talents and natural speed that’s he’s got today. “There is further improvement. I’ve always thought he’s going to be better getting over further, but to do that today showing that sustained speed, he was able to run them into the ground and that’s the quality colt that he is. “In the back of our minds, we’ve always thought a Caulfield Guineas, Cox Plate type of program for him. That’s what we thought going into the campaign. “But the brilliance he has shown today, whether he could be an Everest horse dropping back off a Golden Rose. “Everything is on the table, no decision has been made. We’re heading towards the Golden Rose, that’s his immediate target.” Adam Hyeronimus was delighted with the performance and credited the stable for the conditions of the horse, suggesting he knew his fate heading to the stalls. “We know what he can do,” said Hyeronimus. “I was very pleased to be able come here and have him do the talking. “That is very much the role of the stable. They are colts, but you would think they were a four-year-old gelding. I knew my fate when I cantered off into the gates and we went around lovely and relaxed, in a good rhythm. I knew we were on. “I thought he jumped relatively well at 1100m. I didn’t have to be probably as aggressive as I thought I was going to have to be. I knew once I did find the front he’d drop the bit. He only needed a breather for 100m given the sectionals I know he can run are pretty devastating. “Once I got that 200m rest and I kicked him up at the top of the straight he just grew again and off he went.” Storm Boy is now an equal favourite and marked a $4.00 chance with horse racing bookmakers for the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) on September 28. Horse racing news View the full article