Wandering Eyes

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

Zulu Kingdom (Ire) (c, 2, Ten Sovereigns {Ire}–Zindziswa, by Smart Strike), a new Euro import for Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, William Strauss, and Michael J. Caruso, captured Thursday's GIII With Anticipation Stakes to stay undefeated in two career starts and give his rider a record-tying 15 stakes wins in a single season at the Spa. “I'm very grateful. It's been a great meet,” said winning rider Flavien Prat. “I've been on good horses and they've been running well. It would be amazing to break the record, but if not, at least we tied it, right?” Under Prat, Zulu Kingdom hopped and ducked inward at the break, but was far from the worst offender in a bumper car-like beginning. Shuffled into third early, he wasn't hurried by Prat and the pair was content to let longshot Nudge (Uncle Mo) and favored Tenacious Leader (Not This Time) fight it out for supremacy up front. The former won the early war, motoring along under :24.20 and :48.70 fractions, with Zulu Kingdom holding his rail spot in third while under a snug hold. Going into the final turn, he tossed his head, clearly eager to be let loose, as Cavallo Bay (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}) drew alongside. Prat was positioned to split horses at the top of the lane, but the hole closed and he dove inside for a rail run, surprising them all in the dash for home. Despite a determined Tenacious Leader gaining late as he chased Zulu Kingdom to the wire, the latter was game and held off the favorite by a neck. “It was a great ride,” said winning trainer Chad Brown. “I wasn't really sure if there was enough room in there but [Prat is] the one on him and he felt there was and he got through, luckily. He was traveling good the whole way. The final piece of confidence I had was in the paddock– the horse just acted super.” Zulu Kingdom debuted June 4 in a Saint-Cloud maiden for Andre Fabre with a sharp victory over 11 others at seven furlongs. Purchased privately out of that win, he was shipped stateside to Brown. The With Anticipation was his U.S. debut; the bay is now unbeaten in two career starts. “Agent Hubert Guy bought the horse for this partnership,” said Brown. “He's bought a lot of nice horses for us through the years–too many to name, but [Aug. 22 GII Ballston Spa Stakes winner] Beaute Cachee (Fr) (Literato {Fr}) is another horse he bought for us.” Pedigree Notes: Zulu Kingdom is the second graded or group winner for Coolmore's Ten Sovereigns (Ire), whose own wins included the 2019 G1 Darley July Cup and the 2018 G1 Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes. With his oldest crop just three, Irish-based Ten Sovereigns has five black-type winners, with Zulu Kingdom marking his first U.S. stakes winner. The With Anticipation victor also is the 193rd stakes winner out of a Smart Strike mare. Zindziswa has also produced Zulu Warrior (Fr) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), winner of the listed Prix Turenne last September. The mare's last reported produce is a yearling colt by Magna Grecia (Ire). She is out of MGSW-Fr Zinziberine, who in turn produced three black-type winners, including Zanzibari, a GSW-Fr full-brother to Zindziswa. Flavien Prat ties the record for most stakes wins in a Saratoga season with 15! He did it aboard ZULU KINGDOM in the Grade 3 With Anticipation Stakes for trainer Chad Brown! What a ride, what a season! pic.twitter.com/SJSyqWuhFF — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 29, 2024 Thursday, Saratoga WITH ANTICIPATION S.-GIII, $175,000, Saratoga, 8-29, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:41.79, fm. 1–ZULU KINGDOM (IRE), 122, c, 2, by Ten Sovereigns (Ire) 1st Dam: Zindziswa, by Smart Strike 2nd Dam: Zinziberine, by Zieten 3rd Dam: Amenixa (Fr), by Linamix (Fr) 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O-Madaket Stables LLC, Michael Dubb, William Strauss, and Michael J. Caruso; B-Ecurie Peregrine SAS (IRE); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Flavien Prat. $96,250. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $112,607. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Tenacious Leader, 120, c, 2, Not This Time–Diamonds and Rust, by Curlin. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($375,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Spendthrift Farm LLC and Repole Stable; B-Castleton Lyons & Kilboy Estate (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $35,000. 3–Cavallo Bay (GB), 122, c, 2, Pinatubo (Ire)–La Pelosa (Ire), by Dandy Man (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Godolphin, LLC (GB); T-Charles Appleby. $21,000. Margins: NK, 3, NO. Odds: 2.10, 1.90, 5.40. Also Ran: Nudge, Test Score, Without Caution. Scratched: Dancing Bear, Good Long Cry, Joey Muscles, Reach for the Rose, Uncaged. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Zulu Kingdom Wins Spa’s With Anticipation, Gives Prat Record-Tying Stakes Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When you access your favorite streaming service such as Netflix or Hulu, you expect to find a blockbuster movie like "Barbie" or "Twister." But coming soon to your television or streaming device may be ... Mike Repole?View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – After Filoso (City of Light) won the sixth race Thursday, the celebration was a heady concoction of relief, joy and optimism. The relief followed what at times had been a harrowing trip in the one-mile $100,000 maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds at Saratoga Race Course. Twice, jockey Dylan Davis had to check the colt in traffic yet he managed to stay on course with their rail-hugging journey for a 3 ½-length victory. “It wasn't a pretty trip today,” trainer Chad Summers said. “Dylan did a great job. He's riding phenomenal right now this year at this meet. Out of that chute, he broke well, but, man, he almost took him over the fence, had to settle and make a couple runs. “For a 2-year-old, you want to get experience. He got that experience today, which is the most important thing.” Owner Al Gold, who operates as Gold Square LLC, and his buddies had big fun saluting their pal Louis Filoso, for whom the colt was named. They had him set up for the post-race television interview before his namesake was led from the track into the winner's enclosure. Filoso, 73, a resident Ocean Township, N.J., 10 minutes from Monmouth Park, said he was a partner in Gold's first horse 30 or so years ago. Summers look care of providing the details of how he selected and purchased the colt for $210,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale and the plan to try to get him to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Nov. 1 at Del Mar. Summers said either the GI Champagne at Aqueduct or the GI Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland would be next. Gold quipped that he was voting for the two-turn Keeneland race. Davis had to take a hold of Filoso to avoid trouble as the field bunched exiting the chute into the first turn. While T Kraft (Connect) led the way through pressured opening fractions of :24.71 and :48.28, he kept Filoso in a ground-saving position about a half-dozen lengths. They got closer approaching the half-mile pole but briefly had to retreat again. In the turn, they gobbled up ground with a dynamic burst of speed and had a four-length lead at the top of the stretch. Filoso and Davis completed the mile in 1:39.00 with a comfortable advantage over Stephen Baker's Spurgeon (Honor A.P.) BC Stables's American Promise (Justify) was another three lengths back in third. Filoso went off a 7-1 and paid $16.80. “He's what we thought was always our best 2-year-old kind of from the time we bought him,” Summers said. “He was bred by Oisin Murphy and the boys over there at Hunter Valley. They're excited because the sister sells in Book Two next Wednesday. They're rooting along with us today.” Filoso debuted on July 20 with a fourth-place finish, 3 ½-lengths behind Incentive Pay (Volatile) that Summers said set him up well for the maiden victory. “He was always looking like a two-turn horse, and we didn't really know what to do,” Summers said. “So we figured run him first time short, going six furlongs, give him the experience. A little slow switching leads, he was learning. Kind of a big baby, figuring things out. “If you watch the race, he really finished up well. Chad Brown was always going to win the race that day, but he was closing with a flourish. He galloped out past the field and gave us a lot to be excited about.” Summers said they found Filoso at Keeneland by following their policy of due diligence. “It's a 4,000- to 5,000-horse sale, and we look at every single horse of the sale,” he said. “You make your short list and you go back, and you go back a second time, and you have to like them more the second time than the first time. This horse we liked more the second time, and then we liked him even more the third time. It was just kind of love at first, second, third sight. And he kind of proved us right with how he matured and kept going.” 6th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-29, 2yo, 1m, 1:39.00, ft, 3 1/2 lengths. FILOSO (c, 2, City of Light–Kenda {SW, $115,915}, by Bodemeister), fourth in his debut sprinting six panels here July 20, was given a 7-1 chance to regroup while stretching to a mile here. Sixth in the early going, the dark bay inched into contention along the inside turning for home. Taking over straightening for home, he proved much-the-best to score by 3 1/2 lengths over longshot Spurgeon (Honor A.P.). From the family of recent GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial winner Domestic Product, Kendra dropped a Maxfield filly last season and followed up with a Mandaloun colt this term. She was bred back to Forte. Sales history: $210,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $61,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Gold Square LLC; B-Hunter Valley Farm & Oisin Murphy (KY); T-Chad Summers. The post Gold Square Hits Paydirt with Filoso appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Turf racing at Parx Racing has been suspended until further notice while Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority officials make plans for a course examination from the Racing Services Testing Laboratory and HISA's Track Surface Advisory Group.View the full article