Wandering Eyes

Riccarton trainer Anna Furlong will have a couple of nice chances at her home meeting on Saturday. Photo: Nicole Troost Promising four-year-old El Chapeau opened his preparation in perfect style and is in the right order to make a bold bid for two wins on the bounce when he runs at his home meeting at Riccarton on Saturday. The Anna Furlong-trained son of El Roca will step up to Rating 65 company in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Handicap (1400m) and will again be partnered by Leah Hemi. She will also be aboard stablemate Tommy Shelby who also looks a strong chance in the opening event on the card, the Speight’s Summit Ultra On Tap Maiden (1400m). Hemi guided El Chapeau to a first-up maiden victory at Oamaru following three minor placings last term and has pleased with his subsequent progress. “He’s got a tidy record and he’s a stayer in the making, he’s big and raw and doesn’t hold a lot of condition,” Furlong said. “He had a really good prep in his three-year-old season without a lot of luck. He always seemed to be wide in the running and not a lot went his way. “He showed promise, so it was nice to get that win straight off the bat this time in and he’s come through it very well.” The only niggle is a wide barrier (13), and Furlong is hoping the early breaks go El Chapeau’s way. “It’s a shame about the draw, especially with the rail being out so far, but if he pops the gates he might be able to slot in somewhere,” she said. “Leah is riding so well and is super consistent, she gives them every chance and hopefully he gets a good run.” Tommy Shelby finished sixth on the course in his debut last season and came home well to run third when returning to action over 1200m at Oamaru earlier this month. “He was good last time out and it was only his second start,” Furlong said. “He drew wide so we had to ride him quietly from the back and he got home nicely. “He’s drawn one this time so hopefully he can get a nice trail and he will definitely appreciate the step up to 1400m.” The stable’s other runner at Riccarton is the capable Goldie’s Chance in the NZ Cup Week Tickets On Sale 1 September Rating 75 Handicap (1200m). The Iffraaj mare is a two-time winner and will be having her first start for Furlong this weekend with Tina Comignaghi booked for the ride on the five-year-old. “She’s obviously new but she trialled really well in a smart field so it will be nice to get her up and going on Saturday,” she said. “Her work has been super and the way she trialled I think she will be competitive, I’d like to think she can be in the first four.” Goldie’s Chance will be making her first appearance since January and has placed twice before in a fresh state. Horse racing news View the full article

Race 7 FIBER FRESH ACTIVE 1000m THAT’S DAISY (T Bau) – Trainer Ms. A Davies reported to Stewards, upon return to the stable, THAT’S DAISY, was examined where it revealed the mare to have minor lacerations to both back legs receiving the appropriate treatment. A Davies further advised it is her intention to continue on with THAT’S DAISY’S current preparation. The post Feilding Jockey Club @ Awapuni Synthetic, Friday 23 August 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Lucia Valentina passes away. Elsdon Park are saddened to report the passing of star mare Lucia Valentina. The triple Group 1 winning heroine was days away from being covered in Australia by leading stallion Zoustar. For her owners Lib and Katrina Petagna, Lucia Valentina provided some huge thrills. “Lucia Valentina has a special place in our hearts. She was named after our daughter and enabled us to enjoy some phenomenal family events,” recalled Lib Petagna. “The whole family really got behind her and we had a lot of thrills with her. “When you have a horse like Lucia, you bring people into racing that aren’t naturally interested and they get a real buzz out of it. This is what she enabled for us with our friends and family.” Lucia Valentina was initially purchased by Bruce Perry for $60,000 from the draft of Blandford Lodge at the 2012 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale. “She had so much presence and personality from day one,” Perry said. “She was pretty determined and had an incredible will to win. She knew who she liked and who she didn’t – i.e. some people and most horses. However, if you were one of the few she liked, she gave you everything.” The Graham and Helen-Gaye Bax-bred daughter of Savabeel and Staryn Glenn won on debut at three for trainer Stephen Marsh and after winning the Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Trentham, made her way to Australia to the yard of Kris Lees. Under Lees’ guidance, she distinguished herself as the Group 1 winner of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and the Turnbull Stakes (2000m). Victory would also come in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) and the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m), along with Group 1 placings in the Caulfield Cup (2400m), Ranvet Stakes (2000m), Australian Oaks (2400m) and the Underwood Stakes (1800m). Lucia Valentina was the Top Filly of the 2013-14 Australasian 3YO Classification (Int.), the Joint Top Filly on the 2013-14 NZ 3YO Free H (1600m+), NSW Provincial Champion Horse of the Year in 2015 and boasted a World Thoroughbred Ranking of 117 in 2016. “For me, her stand-out win was the Queen Elizabeth, where she stumbled twice, but picked herself up under Damien Oliver to explode away from her rivals. No one would have beaten her that day,” Perry said. Having also enjoyed success on her in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes, Damien Oliver likewise held the mare in the highest regard. “She was a lovely mare, who I have a lot of fond memories of. She was a dream to ride and definitely punched well above her weight. RIP beautiful girl,” Oliver said. Since her retirement from racing, Lucia Valentina has produced five foals. Her legacy is set to continue at Elsdon Park through her Group 1-placed Snitzel daughter Luella Cristina and through her Per Incanto colt, who is now a yearling. “A loss is always sad, but to lose a mare like Lucia who brought so much joy to so many people is really tough. She was a proper character and a great mother. Her legacy will live on at Elsdon Park, as will the many treasured memories she leaves us with,” said Elsdon Park General Manager, Kerrie Cox. Horse racing news View the full article

What Memsie Stakes Day 2024 Where Caulfield Racecourse – Gate 2, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Saturday, August 31, 2024 First Race 12:05pm AEST Visit Dabble A new season of Group 1 racing in Victoria commences at Caulfield Racecourse this Saturday afternoon, where the Memsie Stakes (1400m) takes centre stage on a 10-race meeting. With black-type racing littered throughout the meeting, there will be plenty of horses to follow throughout the spring out of this meeting. With rain forecast on Friday and Saturday, it is unlikely the Good 4 rating at the time of acceptances will hold true, with the likelihood of the track coming up in the soft range. Memsie Stakes Day is set to commence at 12:05pm. Race 1: BM84 Handicap (1400m) There is simply no knocking what Lovazou has put forward in three runs this campaign on rain-affected going and on a Good 4 last time out to show her versatility. She returns to the Caulfield 1400m, where she has proven too strong late at her last two starts, and drawn the pole will be given every opportunity to keep her purple patch going. Carleen Hefel will need a touch of luck in the home straight, and if it comes, Lovazou looks the goods. Selections: 4 LOVAZOU 3 SASSY BOOM 9 VIVY AIR 8 STREET DELIGHT Next Best Race 1 – #4 Lovazou (1) 4yo Mare | T: Danny O’Brien | J: Carleen Hefel (58kg) +400 with Playup Race 2: BM78 Handicap (1400m) If the rain does come, then the each-way price with horse racing bookmakers about El Rocko may tighten. The six-year-old gelding does his best work on rain-affected ground, winning five times from 23 attempts and placing on another six occasions. He draws to gain the gun run in transit under Damian Lane from barrier one, and if the gap appears at the right time, El Rocko possesses a strong finish and will look a winning chance inside the final furlong. Selections: 3 EL ROCKO 1 THE OPEN 12 CRAIG 7 HE’S BESET Best Value Race 2 – #3 El Rocko (1) 5yo Gelding | T: John McArdle | J: Damian Lane (60.5kg) +1100 with Neds Race 3: BM78 Handicap (1800m) Mathew had excuses when well-beaten at Moonee Valley on August 10, and looks well-placed as he steps back to the 1800m. The six-year-old son of Tavistock raced keenly throughout, and post-race it was revealed he had a throat issue. Prior to that, he was a determined Sandown winner over classy duo Star Vega and Lincoln Rocks. If he produces a similar performance to that effort two runs back, then Mathew will prove too good for his rivals once again. Selections: 3 MATHEW 12 RISE TO IT 16 FRETTA 6 FLOSSING Race 4: Open Quality (2000m) Some classy stayers return here over 2000m, but third-up from a spell, import Alder shapes as the one to beat. The five-year-old gelding was the best of the beaten brigade behind Point King over 2040m at Moonee Valley last time out and is sure to only benefit approaching peak fitness. Jamie Kah will likely settle the son of Australia towards the rear of the field, and if he gets a genuinely run affair, Alder will be the one hitting the line strongly down the heart of the track. Selections: 11 ALDER 12 ARAMCO 1 VOW AND DECLARE 3 YOUNG WERTHER Race 5: Group 3 Vale Black Caviar (1100m) Registered as the Group 3 The Heath 1100 (1100m), the late Black Caviar will be honoured as a field of seven sprinters line up in the Vale Black Caviar. He may be no Black Caviar, but the way Arkansaw Kid resumed from a spell when winning the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m), the gelded son of Harry Angel looks over the odds in the first black-type event on Saturday. Luke Currie will likely have Arkansaw Kid stalking the likes of Recommendation and Acromantula, and when asked to quicken, expect Arkansaw Kid to sail on by with fresh legs. Selections: 4 ARKANSAW KID 1 KALLOS 3 CHAIN OF LIGHTNING 2 RECOMMENDATION Vale Black Caviar Race 5 – #4 Arkansaw Kid (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Luke Currie (58kg) +500 with Dabble Race 6: Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) Growing Empire was a dominant Group 3 Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) winner at Morphettville before being spelled, and at his first look at Caulfield in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m), shapes as the one to beat. He arguably should be undefeated through three starts, having thrown away victory on debut. Mark Zahra will look to take up the running from barrier nine, and without much early pace in the race, should do so without burning too many carrots. If Growing Empire is anywhere near his best, he blows the McNeil Stakes field away. Selections: 1 GROWING EMPIRE 3 STAY FOCUSED 6 WONDER BOY 2 BAND OF BROTHERS McNeil Stakes Race 6 – #1 Growing Empire (9) 3yo Colt| T: Ciaron Maher | J: Mark Zahra (58.5kg) +180 with Bet365 Race 7: Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) The mares take centre stage in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) where South Australian galloper Aviatress maps to get the best run in the race. This is obviously a massive step up in class after finishing second in a BM78 over 1000m at Morphettville, but the way she hit the line suggests that 1200m third-up will be ideal. If the Smart Missile mare can show the early barrier speed she produced early on in her career, she can be in a prominent spot throughout from barrier two. From there, with even luck, Aviatress can run a bold race at an each-way quote. Selections: 16 AVIATRESS 13 CASTE 3 SKYBIRD 5 COMRADE ROSA Cockram Stakes Race 7 – #16 Aviatress (2) 4yo Mare | T: Richard & Chantelle Jolly | J: Craig Williams (56kg) +900 with Picklebet Race 8: Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) Rise At Dawn has won three of his last five starts when giving nothing else a chance from out in front. The four-year-old gelding looks set to gain an uncontested lead when he steps up to 1700m for the first time in his career, and based on how he was hitting the line at 1600m, it should prove to be no issue. With just 54kg on his back, Mick Dee will look to make this a sprint home, and if that happens, the race sets up perfectly for Rise At Dawn. Selections: 13 RISE AT DAWN 1 MUNHAMEK 5 JIMMY THE BEAR 10 SHOWMANSHIP Race 9: Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) The first Group 1 of the 2024/25 season in Victoria, the Memsie Stakes, shapes as a match-race between arch rivals Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside. Will it be another exhilarating chapter in one of racing’s biggest rivalries? Or is their an upset brewing in the Memsie Stakes? Click here for our full preview of the 2024 Memsie Stakes Race 10: BM100 Handicap (1400m) Another Wil is one of the horse’s to follow this spring, and despite drawing barrier 16 first-up from a spell, simply looks a class above his rivals on Saturday. Jamie Kah will roll forward on the son of Street Boss, and with speed drawn directly underneath him, he should gain a beautiful cart across the field. He does need to lug 60.5kg upon return, so we may get a bigger price closer to the start of the race. If Another Wil is anywhere near his best, his rivals will be chasing him from a long way out. Selections: 2 ANOTHER WIL 1 HERE TO SHOCK 11 JENNILALA 7 BANK MAUR Best Bet Race 10 – #2 Another Wil (16) 5yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Jamie Kah (60.5kg) +160 with Neds Memsie Stakes Day quaddie tips for Caulfield Caulfield quadrella selections Saturday, August 31, 2024 Field 1-5-13 1-6-7 2 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Belmont Races Where Belmont Racecourse – Saintly Entrance, Burswood WA 6100 When Saturday, August 31, 2024 First Race 12:09pm AWST Visit Dabble Racing will return to Belmont this Saturday afternoon, where a nine-race program is set down for decision. With cool weather and some rain forecast, the track is expected to stay in the Soft range after being rated as a Soft 6 at the time of acceptances. The rail will be pushed out to the +3m position for the entire circuit, with racing set to kick off at 12:09pm AWST. Best Bet at Belmont: Cleanmeup Cleanmeup will seek to keep her undefeated start to her career intact when she heads to the races on Saturday. The Dion Luciani-trained filly couldn’t have been more impressive when settling on speed before booting clear halfway down the straight to win by 1.6 lengths eased down at this track and trip. William Pike has ridden a few of her market rivals in this race, but he has chosen to stay with this girl, which must be seen as a big push. If Cleanmeup can settle outside the leader and show a similar burst of acceleration in the final 400m, she will win again. Best Bet Race 2 – #5 Cleanmeup (4) 3yo Filly | T: Dion Luciani | J: William Pike (56kg) +125 with Picklebet Next Best at Belmont: Queen Of Jerusalem Adam Durrant and Clint Johnston-Porter will combine with Queen Of Jerusalem for the fourth straight start as the six-year-old mare seeks to maintain a strong run of form. This daughter of God Has Spoken won three starts back before recording back-to-back third-place finishes at this track and trip. Although she rises in grade for this contest, this girl will carry much less weight than she has previously, and with that in her favour, she will prove very hard to beat. Next Best Race 4 – #5 Queen Of Jerusalem (6) 6yo Mare | T: Adam Durrant | J: Clint Johnston-Porter (54.5kg) +240 with Neds Best Value at Belmont: Patron Of Kings Patron Of Kings returned from a 21-week spell with an encouraging third-place finish at the Belmont 1200m, where the Chris & Michael Gangemi-trained galloper ran home nicely from the back of the field. This son of King’s Troop didn’t enjoy the firmer tracks last preparation, and now that he strikes another wet track, conditions will suit him much better here. With a good tempo expected to be set, Patron Of Kings turn of foot will see him play a prominent role in the finish. Best Value Race 7 – #6 Patron Of Kings (7) 5yo Gelding | T: Chris & Michael Gangemi | J: Shaun McGruddy (57.5kg) +1200 with Dabble Saturday quaddie tips for Belmont races Belmont quadrella selections Saturday, August 31, 2024 3-4-5 1-4-5-6 2-4-8 1-2-3 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Race 5 SAVABEEL 2100m IN A PICKLE (W Kennedy) – Trainer Mr. R Manning advised Stewards, that on Thursday 22 August, IN A PICKLE underwent chiropractor treatment for overall general soreness. R Manning further advised it is his intention to carry on with the gelding’s current preparation and he may look to nominate IN A PICKLE for the Taranaki Racing Inc meeting on Saturday 14 August. The post Waikato Thoroughbred Racing @ Te Rapa Saturday 24 August 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Jockey Club’s Michael Fitzsimons labels extreme shortening of prices racing’s ‘perception challenge’View the full article

What Rosehill Races Where Rosehill Gardens Racecourse – James Ruse Dr, Rosehill NSW 2142 When Saturday, August 31, 2024 First Race 11:45am AEST Visit Dabble Metro racing returns to Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, with a bumper 10-race program set for decision. The three-year-olds take centre stage this weekend, with the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) and Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) sharing top billing, both of which will frame some key features later in the spring. The rail is out +2m for the meeting, and with nothing but sunny skies predicted in the lead-up, punters can expect a genuine Good 4 surface. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 11:45am local time. San Domenico Stakes Tip: Storm Boy The San Domenico Stakes has been built as a race in two, with the returning Storm Boy set to take on Gatsby’s. The son of Justify returns after a 147-day spell, and although he was a shade disappointing towards the end of the campaign, the now three-year-old was sent around in the leading autumn features, including a luckless effort in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m). His trials suggest he’s ready to fire on resumption, and with barrier one to aid him on his journey along with Adam Hyeronimus boasting an undefeated record aboard the Waterhouse & Bott-trained colt, Storm Boy should get every chance to make impression first-up. San Domenico Stakes Race 6 – #1 Storm Boy (1) 3yo Colt | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Adam Hyeronimus (57.5kg) +140 with Neds Up And Coming Stakes Tip: Autumn Glow There is simply no going past Autumn Glow in the Up And Coming Stakes. The Chris Waller-trained filly couldn’t have been more impressive on debut at this course and distance on August 17, bounding away to score by 2.5 lengths with plenty left in hand. This is clearly a tougher assignment on paper, but with the race shape likely to allow Kerrin McEvoy to sit quietly behind a hot tempo, watch for Autumn Glow to be storming down the centre of the course to make it back-to-back wins for this untapped three-year-old. Up And Coming Stakes Race 7 – #5 Autumn Glow (8) 3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: Kerrin McEvoy (53kg) +100 with Playup Best Bet at Rosehill: Up And Under Up And Under caught the eye first-up in his second Australian campaign, closing within two lengths of Secret Plan at Rosehill on August 3. The son of Lope De Vega never got off the bridal when turning for home, running into nothing but backsides in the final 400m to go through the line under a stranglehold for Kerrin McEvoy. Punters might be paying the ‘J-Mac tax’ second-up, but provided he can hold a position and gets clear from barrier five, Up And Under should prove hard to hold out. Best Bet Race 5 – #5 Up And Under (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (59kg) +270 with Picklebet Next Best at Rosehill: Vivy Air The 1200m proved too sharp for Vivy Air first-up and she should appreciate the immediate step-up in trip. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old couldn’t show her best in a slowly run affair at this track on August 8, but still fought on to finish within 1.3 lengths of Cosmonova. James McDonald elects to stick aboard second-up and provided he can lob close to the one-one from barrier seven, punters can expect a much-improved effort by Vivy Air as she tackles harder races than BM78 company deeper into the campaign. Next Best Race 2 – #7 Vivy Air (7) 4yo Mare | T: Ciaron Maher | J: James McDonald (58kg) +250 with Bet365 Best Value at Rosehill: Communist The Michael Freedman-trained Communist got a pass mark first-up at Rosehill on August 17 and appears well over the odds with horse racing bookmakers. The son of Russian Revolution was forced to make a sustained run down the centre of the course, closing off well despite a torrid run in transit. He got to within two lengths of Ceolwulf in the same race, and with that horse coming up a clear favourite, punters should be willing to latch onto the each-way odds about the Group 1 winner in this wide-open BM100 contest. Best Value Race 8 – #7 Communist (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Michael Freedman | J: Tommy Berry (59kg) +2000 with Unibet Saturday quaddie tips for Rosehill Rosehill quadrella selections August 31, 2024 5 2-5-6-7-9-10-13 2-4-5-9-12-14-16-18 2-3-4-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Doomben Races Where Doomben Racecourse – 75 Hampden St, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, August 31, 2024 First Race 11:53am AEST Visit Dabble Racing will return to Doomben this Saturday afternoon for a nine-race card. The track is expected to improve from the Soft 6 rating into the Good range with warm weather and no rain forecast for the remainder of the week. The rail will be in the +5m position for the entire circuit, with the opening race scheduled to jump at 11:53am AEST. Best Bet at Doomben: Moulin Miss Moulin Miss will seek a hat-trick of wins this weekend, with the Tony Gollan-trained filly coming off a strong 1.4-length victory over 1110m at this track. This daughter of Spirit Of Boom has returned as a stronger filly this preparation, and following two strong victories, she will drop in weight and take on her own age group here. If Angela Jones can settle in the first four from barrier seven on Moulin Miss, she will prove hard to hold out late. Best Bet Race 3 – #6 Moulin Miss (7) 3yo Filly | T: Tony Gollan | J: Angela Jones (54kg) +160 with PlayUp Next Best at Doomben: Brereton Tony Gollan and Angela Jones will combine again with Brereton, who will be seeking to return to winning ways after recording a second-place finish behind Daytona at this track and trip previously. This five-year-old gelding has only had three starts for the Gollan stable and hasn’t finished outside the top two in those runs. Although this contest is a sharp rise in grade, he will jump from an inside barrier (3) and carry a light weight of 53kg, which will give Brereton every chance to win again. Next Best Race 9 – #12 Brereton (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Tony Gollan | J: Angela Jones (53kg) +360 with Neds Best Value at Doomben: Intrecciato Intrecciato has been involved in two close photo finishes in his last two starts, with the Kevin Martin-trained mare recording a win and a second in those races. This daughter of Danerich was too good in Class 1 grade two starts back and did everything but win in a Benchmark 65 Handicap previously. Karl Zechner has been on board this five-year-old galloper in her last five runs, and with him sticking here, Intrecciato is a great each-way play with online bookmakers. Best Value Race 4 – #10 Intrecciato (4) 5yo Mare | T: Kevin Martin | J: Karl Zechner (54kg) +1000 with Picklebet Saturday quaddie tips for Doomben races Doomben quadrella selections Saturday, August 31, 2024 2-5-7-10 5-7-11-15-17 2-5-7-10-11 8-12-13 Horse racing tips View the full article

Lammas, a multiple stakes winner in Northern California, will take on Southern California competition in the Del Mar Mile.View the full article

Promising four-year-old El Chapeau (NZ) (El Roca) opened his preparation in perfect style and is in the right order to make a bold bid for two wins on the bounce when he runs at his home meeting at Riccarton on Saturday. The Anna Furlong-trained son of El Roca will step up to Rating 65 company in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Handicap (1400m) and will again be partnered by Leah Hemi. She will also be aboard stablemate Tommy Shelby who also looks a strong chance in the opening event on the card, the Speight’s Summit Ultra On Tap Maiden (1400m). Hemi guided El Chapeau to a first-up maiden victory at Oamaru following three minor placings last term and has pleased with his subsequent progress. “He’s got a tidy record and he’s a stayer in the making, he’s big and raw and doesn’t hold a lot of condition,” Furlong said. “He had a really good prep in his three-year-old season without a lot of luck. He always seemed to be wide in the running and not a lot went his way. “He showed promise, so it was nice to get that win straight off the bat this time in and he’s come through it very well.” The only niggle is a wide barrier (13), and Furlong is hoping the early breaks go El Chapeau’s way. “It’s a shame about the draw, especially with the rail being out so far, but if he pops the gates he might be able to slot in somewhere,” she said. “Leah is riding so well and is super consistent, she gives them every chance and hopefully he gets a good run.” Tommy Shelby finished sixth on the course in his debut last season and came home well to run third when returning to action over 1200m at Oamaru earlier this month. “He was good last time out and it was only his second start,” Furlong said. “He drew wide so we had to ride him quietly from the back and he got home nicely. “He’s drawn one this time so hopefully he can get a nice trail and he will definitely appreciate the step up to 1400m.” The stable’s other runner at Riccarton is the capable Goldie’s Chance in the NZ Cup Week Tickets On Sale 1 September Rating 75 Handicap (1200m). The Iffraaj mare is a two-time winner and will be having her first start for Furlong this weekend with Tina Comignaghi booked for the ride on the five-year-old. “She’s obviously new but she trialled really well in a smart field so it will be nice to get her up and going on Saturday,” she said. “Her work has been super and the way she trialled I think she will be competitive, I’d like to think she can be in the first four.” Goldie’s Chance will be making her first appearance since January and has placed twice before in a fresh state. View the full article

Welcome to another Entain Edition – the first one for the 2024/25 season. Last week, the full Entain Australia and New Zealand Executive team came together in Sydney to take stock of where we are at, and to ensure we are on the same page in terms of priorities. These sessions are not what most would expect. There are no PowerPoint presentations. No cumbersome bureaucratic processes to wade through. No long-winded papers that are heavy on corporate jargon and light on ideas. We genuinely keep things pretty simple at Entain – what is working, what isn’t, what do we need to change, and how are we going to change it. It’s a formula that works for us and is also what has allowed us to continue to move at pace since our last Edition. Whether it was the soft launch of our new betcha platform on 7 August (check out the hype reel), the further expansion of Trackside’s Freeview terrestrial coverage last week, or putting the finishing touches on trackside.co.nz which we will launch in early September as a new go-to digital hub for racing and punting content, these things are all unlocked through our keep it simple – keep it moving approach. Will every idea work? Absolutely not. But you really do miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, and it’s been a joy to watch more and more of our stakeholders adopting a similar philosophy and coming to understand that now is the time to be bold and dream big. Hope you enjoy this month’s edition. As always, you are welcome to share or forward this newsletter to anyone in the industry who you think might like to read this. They can sign up to receive the Entain Edition directly by contacting communications@entaingroup.co.nz. Likewise, if you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please contact the same address. Thanks for reading. Cameron Rodger, Managing Director – New Zealand Entain Australia and New Zealand Jumps racing turnover at a glance The Grand National meeting is behind us for another year, and with about a month to go in the 2024 jumps season, it is a good opportunity to look at jumps racing across our key metrics. Jumps turnover (up until 19 August this year) has continued to hover around similar levels to previous years. Turnover on hurdles and steeplechases has also stayed consistent when compared between turnover and total number of races – jumps turnover has been approximately 1.5% of total NZ thoroughbred racing turnover, while making up close to 3% of races on the calendar. From a customer perspective, 41,000 of our customers have bet on a jumps race over the past 12 months, however less than 1000 of these 41,000 customers have jumps racing making up more than 10% of their total turnover. I Wish I Win chasing redemption The band is back together for this year’s edition of The Everest, the world’s richest race on turf. After going so close in last year’s edition of the A$20m slot race, it made perfect sense for Trackside Media to grab a slot and join up with I Wish I Win to have another go at winning the 1200m dash for cash. With Moody Coleman Racing and Waikato Stud making up the team alongside “Wish”, we’re all set for October 19, particularly off the back of Wish’s winter form in Brisbane. Alongside this, we saw amazing growth in turnover in last year’s race, and the wheels are in motion for some other initiatives to continue the emergence of The Everest in the New Zealand punters’ consciousness. Read more at entaingroup.co.nz and this hype reel will get you positively fizzing for The Everest. Support extending beyond the track As part of our commitment to the racing industry, Entain is proud to get behind two initiatives this month. We’re thrilled to have been confirmed as a Principal Equine Welfare Supporter of the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust. There are now nine purpose-designed ambulances nationwide, and a 10th is not far away. This will mean six horse ambulances are available in the North Island and four in the South. Horse ambulances attended almost 700 race meetings, trials, and events during the last racing season and play a critical role in the care and welfare of our equine athletes. The racing industry’s true strength is its people, which is why we are supporting OnTrack, which launched its website earlier this month. OnTrack is a charity established to support everyone working and volunteering in our racing community, working together to improve mental health and prevent suicide. Please check out the information and resources at ontrack.org.nz. We are proud to continue our tradition of supporting Daffodil Day at the Tarzino Trophy meeting at Hastings next week (September 7). As with previous years, the Daffodil Day silks will be assigned to a leading runner in each race and if the jockey in those silks returns at the head of the field, we’re contributing $2000 towards the Hawke’s Bay Cancer Society. That bumps up to $5000 for the big feature, the $400,000 Group 1 Tarzino Trophy. This is a partnership we continue to cherish, and with cancer directly affecting 1 in 3 New Zealanders at some point in their lifetime, it’s a vitally important one as well. We also got behind Harness Racing New Zealand’s Blue September campaign to raise awareness for prostate cancer, which went to a different level – or altitude – this year, with three leading drivers Blair Orange, Jonny Cox and Robbie Close – agreeing to sky dive if they reach up to $3000 in donations which they did on Monday. Check out this teaser and tune in to Friday Night Lights this week for the full story. This is the fourth year of HRNZ running a Blue September campaign, with $30,000 raised last season through driver sponsorship and donations from clubs and HRNZ. Find out more at hrnz.co.nz. Rugs and straight tracks new greyhound innovations It’s been a big month for greyhound racing with two key initiatives rolling out. The launch of the Whanganui Straight Track on June 17 was an important milestone for the greyhound code, and the reports after four meetings over the 313m distance are very promising. Meetings at the venue will settle into a fortnightly rhythm from this month on, providing punters with consistency for their betting. We also joined forces with Greyhound Racing New Zealand to launch The TAB Dog promotion. From August 1, every greyhound drawn Box 3 in domestic greyhound races is wearing a specially-branded rug featuring the TAB logo and colours, and will be known as “The TAB Dog”. Two greyhound race meetings a week will feature Bonus Back specials on The TAB Dog, with the concept simultaneously aimed at driving turnover and promoting the TAB brand. Catwalk up in lights at the Sarten We’re delighted to confirm that Catwalk has been chosen as Entain’s charity in NZTR’s Public Slot Auction for their slot in The NZB Kiwi. As part of the pre-auction process, Entain & Catwalk will be randomly allocated a runner in the Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa in late October, and if that runner wins, Catwalk will receive any proceeds above the auction reserve price for the slot. We are thrilled to be able to continue our support of Catwalk and look forward to cheering on our horse in the Sarten! The World Pool and its importance The World Pool is quickly becoming a key part of our global racing language, so we thought we’d share some more information about it. The World Pool sees money from multiple racing jurisdictions pooled together on certain bet types for certain races. Many of you will be familiar with commingling between New Zealand and Australia (where Kiwis and Aussies bet into the same tote pools), but with the World Pool, racing punters betting in Hong Kong or the UK for example, will be betting into the same market as us. This has several benefits – not only does it mean greater pricing stability in these markets and the potential for larger payouts through exotic racing bets, but from our perspective, the World Pool also means enhanced exposure of feature races from this part of the world. The World Pool was in action at the Stradbroke meeting at Eagle Farm in June and we’re exploring opportunities to bring the World Pool down to God’s Own. We get plenty of questions from punters and participants alike about the World Pool, and wanted to let you know that it is firmly on our radar. News in brief: – Following on from the inaugural Industry Excellence Awards late last month, we’ve been catching up with the category winners, as well as the supreme Entain Excellence Award winner, Cameron Ring. You can check out their stories by visiting entaingroup.co.nz/news and using the Categories filter to select Industry Excellence Awards stories. – We share regular updates on LinkedIn around what’s happening in the world of Entain Australia & New Zealand. If you’re on LinkedIn, keep up to date by following us. Entain team profile Name: Pip Eriksen Role: General Manager – Marketing (NZ) Time with Entain: 15 months What excites you about the strategic partnership? This partnership has opened up countless opportunities to elevate our brands and engage a much broader audience, which we know is crucial for attracting new interest to the category. It’s been fantastic to see the new TAB campaign performing above expectations and such positive feedback and engagement from customers. The launch of betcha is another key highlight — having recently wrapped up our campaign shoot, seeing our vision for this digitally led new challenger brand come to life has been a dream to be part of. The partnership has also meant that I get to work with an amazing talented team across New Zealand and Australia – the collaboration, support and energy is so refreshing. The race or event I’m most looking forward to? Kiwi horse I Wish I Win racing at this year’s The Everest at Randwick. Closer to home, having spent my childhood days at our local country club — sweeping floors and selling race books — it would be remiss of me not to mention the Kurow races on December 30 every year. View the full article

Federer ridden by Ben Allen wins at Sandown. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) After a dominant debut victory at Ballarat on August 8, the Ciaron Maher-trained Federer delivered an even more remarkable performance at Sandown on Wednesday, winning a Benchmark 64 (1600m) by six lengths. Wearing the colours of Colin McKenna’s Halo Racing—the same colours sported by his three-time Group 1-winning dam, Jameka—the four-year-old gelding was heavily backed from even money into $1.60 with horse racing bookmakers. He never appeared in danger down the home straight, comfortably defeating Heavenly Eagle. “Impressive—just the fact he went back, relaxed, travelled very strongly into it, and was kept on the bridle a long way out,” Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull told Racing.com. “He was very strong through the line, and very collected—it was as good as you could see in this grade stepping up. Obviously, the trip was the big plus, and yeah, it’s what you want to see. “He’s bred to be a star and he hasn’t done much wrong to date. “We’ll see what Ben says, and have a chat to Ciaron, but I would naturally think he’ll step up in trip if that’s what we need, and I’d say he’ll tackle stronger events in the future.” Horse racing news View the full article

Victorian jockeys will face harsher penalties in Group 1 races. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Racing Victoria (RV) is set to implement harsher penalties for riding offences in feature races in the coming months. In a communication to jockeys on Monday, RV’s integrity department announced that suspensions for offences related to careless, reckless, and improper riding, as well as breaches of the whip rule, will be lengthened for Group 1 events and races with prize money of $750,000 or more. The minimum penalty for low-range careless riding will increase from ten meetings to 14, while mid-range and high-range careless riding offences will now carry bans of 22 and 26 meetings, respectively. Additionally, jockeys who use their whip ten times before the 100-metre mark or more than 15 times during the race will face an 18-meeting ban. “After reviewing the data, we identified that suspensions were occurring more often in Group 1 races, with riders 3.3 times more likely over the past three seasons to be suspended under AR131 in these feature races compared to others, which is concerning,” said RV chairman of stewards Rob Montgomery. “We recognise that the stakes are higher in Group 1 races and thus the incentive may be there for some riders to push too far in search of success. “For the safety of all riders, we want to ensure that a win-at-all-costs attitude does not creep in.” Victoria’s first Group 1 of the 2024/25 season is the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon. Horse racing news View the full article

Chain Of Lightning. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Co-trainer Katherine Coleman has disclosed that the amount of rainfall at Caulfield will be the deciding factor in whether Chain Of Lightning makes her return in Saturday’s Group 3 Vale Black Caviar (1100m). The Group 1-winning mare, now under the training partnership of Coleman and Peter Moody, has been out of sight since finishing sixth in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) in May. Following that race, she was purchased for $2.5 million by Zhijun Zhao at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale later that month. “She’s one that we know needs a soft track, so we’ll be doing a little rain dance over the next few days and hoping those showers do hit Caulfield,” Coleman told RSN. The mare, who will now race in Yulong silks, is highly dependent on the track conditions. “We’re mindful of what she races on. If it is a firm deck, then she could stay home, as there are still a fair few options of where she could resume. “With her, it really is just waiting for a suitable surface to see her run at her best.” “She spelled really well up in Queensland after what was an amazing preparation. It is a little bit difficult to have anything set in stone for her as her program is going to be so track and weather dependent. “We’re open-minded. There are plenty of options, so it will be wherever she gets a suitable track, but if her form warranted it, and she was able to secure a slot in The Everest, then that would be very exciting.” Chain Of Lightning is currently a $5.50 chance for the Vale Black Caviar with horse racing bookmakers. Vale Black Caviar (The Heath 1100) 2024 Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Kallos James Cummings Jamie Kah 2 59kg 2 Recommendation Ciaron Maher Blake Shinn 7 58.5kg 3 Chain Of Lightning Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Damian Lane 5 58kg 4 Arkansaw Kid Ben, Will & JD Hayes Luke Currie 6 58kg 5 Acromantula Daniel & Ben Pearce Daniel Stackhouse 4 58kg 6 Nettuno Tony Gollan Mark Zahra 3 58kg 7 Marble Nine Leon & Troy Corstens Ben Allen 1 57kg Horse racing news View the full article

Storm Boy winning the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast in January. Photo: Darren Winningham Racing Queensland advised on Wednesday afternoon that a return to racing on the course proper at the Gold Coast Turf Club will occur next week. In conjunction with the GCTC, a provincial meeting has been programmed on Saturday, September 7, marking the first meeting on the course proper since the Queensland Jewel in March. As part of a staged return, the GCTC’s next meeting on the course proper has been programmed as a metropolitan meeting for the Pink Ribbon Cup on Saturday, September 21. “A cautious maintenance programme has been undertaken on the Gold Coast,” RQ CEO Jason Scott said. “With the weather conditions starting to improve, we’re now in a position to resume racing on the course proper, but we don’t want to overwork the track while it is still young. “As a result, we will ensure that it is getting sufficient breaks between meetings, utilising the Polytrack as needed, whilst providing opportunity for participants in the lead up to the Magic Millions.” Following successful barrier trials on Wednesday morning, RQ has also programmed two twilight meetings on October 5 and December 7 to utilise the new state-of-the-art broadcast lighting for the final two to three races on each card. The first official night meeting will be staged on Friday, December 20. Further programming announcements relating to the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival will be made in the near future. Horse racing news View the full article

There are four horse racing meetings set for Australia on Thursday, August 29. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Newcastle. Thursday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – August 29, 2024 Newcastle Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on August 29, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? Full terms. 2 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 5 Next Gen Racing Betting PickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

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The Sept. 1 $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course was always on the calendar for Arthur's Ride. It was the Whitney Stakes (G1) that was the audible which resulted in a touchdown.View the full article

Updated guidelines for the preparation and sale of thoroughbred breeding and young stock at public auction were published Wednesday by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA), Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA), Goffs, Tattersalls and the Federation of Bloodstock Agents, ahead of the forthcoming yearling sales season. Available digitally, the guidance aims to help new and existing participants navigate the sales preparation and selling processes for optimum equine health and welfare, whilst also providing transparency on thoroughbred care before, during and after the sale. “The British and Irish thoroughbred breeding industries remain committed to advocating and promoting the highest standards of care and well-being for our horses through guidance and education,” said Claire Sheppard, Chief Executive of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association. “These updated guidelines reflect the developments in technology to allow routine tasks to be more efficient, biosecure and facilitate a greater level of traceability.” “The ability to manage every horse as an individual, is often the key to achieving the best sale outcome for each thoroughbred and this approach extends to the sales complex, where alternative bedding materials can be provided for those with medical conditions; the handling, stabling and exercise regime for each horse can be tailored to meet their requirements; and feed rations and the dosage rate of medications should be administered according to the body weight and demeanour of each horse. The thoroughbred industry has been an early-adopter of digital solutions, and the updated guidelines reflect the growing ability to monitor the temperature of horses at the sales using their biothermal microchips (2023 foal crop onwards) and to initiate General Stud Book processes, such as post-sale transfer of ownership, via the e-passport.” To view the newly-updated sales guidelines, click here. The post Organisations Unite in Support of Updated Sales Welfare Guidelines appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Under pressure from HISA and the local horsemen's group, Parx management has closed down its turf course after a horse broke down on the grass in the Aug. 24 Parx Dash S. The horse, Causes Trouble (Creative Cause), is co-owned by John Fanelli and was making his 33rd career start. “It's always been known as a bad course, but if I knew it was that bad, I never would have put my horse on that surface,” Fanelli said. “I was really upset about the condition of the course and when I saw it myself, I was in shock.” The Paulick Report was first with the story. After the race, Harold Wyner, the trainer of Causes Trouble, walked the turf course and took a video that showed numerous holes, including one appears to be about a foot deep. Following the incident, the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's President Bob Hutt reached out to track management and demanded it do something about the course and that it be closed down until it could be fixed. Hutt said his pleas were ignored by Parx's chief operations officer Joe Wilson, which prompted him to reach out to HISA President Lisa Lazarus and ask for her help. Though HISA did not order Parx to shut down the course, Hutt said that it never would have happened if Lazarus did not put pressure on track management. “I was horrified by the video because I knew what they were going to do, just go out there and fill the holes with dirt and then run more races on it and send horses to their death,” Hutt said. “I could see a chain reaction where five horses and jockeys were killed. I can't be a part of it. I found her number, sent her the video and she said, 'Oh my God, that's horrible. We're going to investigate.' This was on a Sunday. Everybody has problems with HISA, but on this particular case, the fact I was able to reach out to her on a Sunday evening and she got back to me, means that she's responsible for saving many horses' lives. If it weren't for her, they would have said 'the track is ok, who the hell is Bob Hutt,' and they would have kept running turf races. “The course looks like a minefield, with holes that are six inches. You look at that video and it's horrifying. [Wyner] stops three times to put his hands in the holes. The first two are about six inches deep. The third one would be up to your knee.” Hutt said he has never once had Wilson answer an email or phone call. Wilson also does not talk to the press and did not respond to a phone call and email sent to him by the TDN on Wednesday. Hutt lashed into Parx management, saying that it refuses to spend the money needed to keep the dirt and turf courses safe. “We are treated like crap,” Hutt said. “Joe Wilson, who the casino put in to feed us bread and water, is not cooperative and doesn't spend money on anything. The turf course had been a problem for 10 years. I call it durf, D-U-R-F. I sent a polite email to Joe Wilson asking him to not have any further turf racing because it's dangerous to the horses that are entrusted to our care and the jockeys. I begged him to stop. He didn't answer me. He never does.” Hutt said Wilson's reaction, or lack thereof, was typical of a management that cares only about its casino and refuses to spend money on racing. “The turf course has always been awful, but Joe Wilson will not spend any money,” Hutt said. “Every three or five years everyone gets a new phone, a new computer, a new TV. The Parx water trucks are 20, 30, maybe older, years old. The harrowing equipment is terribly outdated. If the harrow broke done, Wilson would tell the track superintendent to run over to Home Depot and buy a rake. This is what I am dealing with. They have not done anything. They do nothing to promote racing. They're sitting around waiting for racing to die. I'm dealing with a terrible, terrible situation. Anyone who would have looked at the turf course would have been horrified, absolutely horrified. They are destroying this sport. They are killing the sport we all love. We just have to keep fighting. That's all we can do. “They have to put in several million to replace this turf course or repair it. It's an accident waiting to happen. They don't go for spit when it comes to racing. One of the water trucks still says Philadelphia Park. That's how old it is. Everybody is always complaining. They are using equipment that is 30, 40 years old.” Fanelli questioned why HISA did not intervene sooner. “HISA is supposed to accredit these tracks and the surfaces,” he said. “I'm trying to find out the last time they were here and how they possibly said it was a safe surface. It's obviously dangerous to the equine athletes and the jockeys. I am so relieved that nothing happened to [jockey] Dexter Haddock in that race because he could have died in that situation.” According to Hutt, HISA officials were at Park Wednesday conducting tests on the turf course. “[HISA] is going to have their task force test the turf course to see if it's safe to run on,” Hutt said. “This course should be shut down. It reminds me of when I was a little boy and we'd play baseball on a field with rocks and broken bottles.” The post Amid Safety Concerns, Turf Racing Halted at Parx appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tampa Bay Downs has boosted purses for its schedule of 26 stakes races by $350,000 to $3,810,000, with $960,000 of the stakes total provided by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.View the full article

By Jonny Turner Star southern three-year-old Bring On The Muscle will start telling trainer Clark Barron about his future endeavours at Winton on Thursday. The Barron stable lines up two horses in the talented three-year-old trotter and the more than handy maidener Always On Sale, both bred and owned by the trainer’s wife Jackie. Bring On The Muscle looks to have returned in excellent order ahead of what should be a big spring campaign judging by his recent workouts. “He seems to have come up well and he is telling us he is ready to go to the races again,” Barron said. A $2.50 favourite, Bring On The Muscle looks to land in a winnable race at Winton in the Goodman Plumbing Limited Handicap Trot, however Barron is wary about the challenge of racing hardy older horses. “You have to remember he is only a three-year-old and it is never easy racing the older horses.” “Those older horses are hardened and have been there and done that.” “But we have been happy with him and he is bright and well.” Bring On The Muscle has a Group 1 placing to his name, with his big performance on Grand Prix Day at Addington last year. Whether he will get the chance to return to the top level will be up to the horse himself. “He will race the Williamson horses down here and we will get a line on him.” “I’d say he will head to the Hambletonian at Labour Weekend.” “If he is going well enough, we will take it from there.” Always On Sale looked an above-average maiden when placing in two of his four starts for Barron last year. The pacer will return to racing in the Ryal Bush Transport Mobile pace after a break from racing due to a series of minor issues. “He is a pretty nice maiden but he hasn’t raced for 11 months.” “He had one wee niggle after another, but lately he’s the best he has been.” Blair Orange takes the reins behind Always On Sale while Brent Barclay reunites with Bring On The Muscle on Thursday. View the full article

A well-backed 63-10 as a maiden trying stakes and turf for the first time in Wednesday's P.G. Johnson Stakes at Saratoga, Bregman Family Racing's TOTALLY JUSTIFIED (f, 2, Justify–Outstanding {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) got the first run entering the stretch and ultimately met and turned back a deep-stretch challenge from odds-on Virgin Colada (More Than Ready) to become a 35th worldwide stakes winner for her successful young sire. Drawn six in a field of eight, the $285,000 Keeneland September yearling bounced nicely and settled just off the flank of pacesetting Second Chance (The Factor) through easy fractions of :24.80 and :50.28 as Virgin Colada was ridden confidently a few lengths behind. The latter lost some position approaching the entry to the second turn, and that suited Totally Justified to the ground, as she came calling for the lead outside Second Chance with a bit more than a furlong to race and held on nicely as Virgin Colada, produced very wide off the final corner, took a belated run at her. Reining Flowers (Midnight Storm) also closed off strongly to be third. The cross of Justify over Galileo mares has resulted in the likes of champion City of Troy, multiple Grade II winner Buchu and Group 3 winner Red Riding Hood. Dual Group 1 winner Opera Singer is out of a mare by Galileo's sire Sadler's Wells. Sales history: $285,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record; 3-1-0-1. O-Bregman Family Racing; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY); T-George R Arnold III. TOTALLY JUSTIFIED, the 2YO daughter of @coolmoreamerica stallion Justify, wins the P.G. Johnson Stakes at 6-1 with @jockeyfranco aboard for trainer Rusty Arnold and owner @ABREG_1! pic.twitter.com/bZvSJMjM1f — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 28, 2024 The post Justify’s Totally Justified Breaks Maiden In Style In P.G. Johnson appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.-Just the mere fact that a $3,500 yearling has won two races of any kind at Saratoga this summer, puts The Queens M G (Thousand Words) in a “that's impressive” category. In the GI Spinaway Stakes Saturday, she will try to add to her reputation by completing the rare sweep of the track's three stakes for 2-year-old fillies. The Queens M G scored in the 5 1/2-furlong Schuylerville Stakes, long the opening day feature, by 2 3/4 lengths at 44-1 July 11. She crushed the six-furlong GIII Adirondack Stakes field by nine lengths Aug. 4 at 5-2. The seven-furlong Spinaway, first run in 1881, is the final test. It drew a field of 11. Even though the Saratoga meeting has grown from 24 days over four weeks to 40 days over parts of nine weeks, it has become downright unusual for horses to complete in each of the three races. According to Equibase, in 2021, Saucy Lady T (Tonalist) was the first filly to run in all three races since 1996. She was third each time. Nineteen fillies have completed the Schuylerville-Adirondack- Spinaway series since 1976 and the D. Wayne Lukas-trained Over All in 1987 is the lone winner of all three during that stretch. L'Alezane in 1977 won the first two races, but was fourth in the Spinaway. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said that the timing of the Spinaway is right for The Queens M G, owned by C Two Racing Stable and Mathis Stable. “She's in good form, she's shown the right signs, so why not?” he said. “You don't have to do as much for her in between races. You just have to keep her training light, as far as that she had an easy breeze, and just basically continue on.” The Spinaway will be The Queens M G's fifth career start. She debuted with a win by a head in the Keeneland maiden special weight at 45-1 Apr. 7 and ended up last of seven after a rough trip in the Astoria Stakes during the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga meet in June. “We kind of feel like we are the leader right now,” Joseph said. “A lot of them may lack the experience and maybe it's more on why let them catch up? That's kind of the approach. Obviously, the filly has to be doing well or else we wouldn't be here. She's doing well, and it's a Grade I. She's coming off her best win yet. It feels like she's improved. Obviously, she ran bad in the Astoria. Then in the Schuylerville she won; didn't really expect that. Then it felt like we had her at her best going into the Adirondack and she ran like that. Hopefully, if she can repeat something similar to last time, we should have a good chance.” Pletcher Has a Squad Pointed to the BC Classic In addition to GI DraftKings Travers Stakes winner Fierceness (City of Light), Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher is aiming his three older horses, Tapit Trice (Tapit), Bright Future (Curlin) and Crupi (Curlin) for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 2 at Del Mar. Bright Future, the 2023 winner, and Tapit Trice are headed to the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Sunday at Saratoga, while Crupi is scheduled to make his next start in the GII Woodward Stakes Sept. 28 at Aqueduct. Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables' Bright Future made his 2024 debut June 15 with a win in the GIII Salvator Mile Stakes at Monmouth Park. He was never a factor while finishing eighth in the GI Whitney Stakes Aug. 3. “He didn't fire in the Whitney,” Pletcher said. “The track was sealed for the race, and [jockey] Javier [Castellano] said he didn't feel like that he ever got a hold of it at any stage.” Bright Future, who breezed a half-mile in :49.23 (29/94) Sunday, emerged as a serious stakes runner in last year's Jockey Club Gold Cup. He was sixth in the Classic and was away from the races until the Salvator Mile. Pletcher said that Bright Future worked in blinkers and will wear them in the Gold Cup with the goal of keeping him more focused. Tapit Trice, co-owned by Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable, returned from a long break in competition, his 2023 season ended in the Travers, to win the GIII Monmouth Cup by 5 1/4 lengths July 20. “I thought that was a very impressive comeback,” Pletcher said. “You're always worried running a mile and an eighth off an extended layoff like that, but he handled it really well. He's been breezing great. Looking forward to going again.” Crupi has had a solid summer, winning the GII Suburban Stakes followed by seconds in the GII Brooklyn Stakes and the Whitney. Parcells, Giddings Send Mel's Baby Sister Into Retirement A few days after Maple Leaf Mel (Cross Traffic) was euthanized following a catastrophic breakdown at Saratoga in the 2023 GI Test Stakes, trainer Melanie Giddings moved the 2-year-old filly Mel's Baby Sister (Cross Traffic) into her vacant stall. Though they were both grays by the same sire with similar names owned by Bill Parcells's August Dawn Stable and had comparable personalities, they were not related. Yet they were connected. A few days ago, Giddings announced that the decision had been made to retire Mel's Baby Sister and moved her to ReRun, which handles Thoroughbred adoption and aftercare. Giddings said that Mel's Baby Sister, who won one of five starts, played a role in the recovery from the tragedy. “I think she helped all of us,” Giddings said. “It was just kind of a lot of things. We all made fun of the name, then it just kind of felt like it was fitting. She had a lot of fans rooting for her for the same reasons that we were. It was pretty big day when she did break her maiden. I don't think I've ever had so many calls and texts. People that were just so excited and kind of felt good about it.” Giddings said that she and Parcells concluded that the filly could not compete in allowance company and did not want to drop her. “We always want the best future for all of them,” Giddings said. “A big thing with the racing game in general is, if your talent level is, you know, here, you've got to go to the claiming level. He just didn't want to see her go down that road. Not to say in the claiming game that horses always end up somewhere bad, or anything like that, but she was ours.” Giddings said she thought about trying her on turf, but that it was getting a little too late in the year to make the switch. “I was like, she's healthy and happy right now,” Giddings said. “There's no saying if I ran her one more time, that something couldn't happen, because it's racing. Anything can happen any day. Instead of risking that, I said, 'What about retirement?' and Bill was more than happy to do that. He thrives on his horses doing well outside of here.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Sponsored by NYRA Bets: The Queens M G Seeks Spa Hat Trick appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article